Black Friday

So who else braved the crowds? My daughter and I just got back from lunch and we are headed to bed for a bit since I have a list of other stuff to do today.

If you missed the bargains, here is what I picked up this morning for under $1500.00:
3 - 31" Samsung HDTV sets
5 dress shirts with ties for hubs
8 dress shirts for son
10 BOSS dress pants for hubs
10 Express dress pants for son
1 Norelco razor
1 Cuisinart food processor (I broke mine the other day)
1 Turkey platter (broke mine last year kinda on purpose)
1 pasta attachment for the Kitchen Aid mixer (we have been doing it by hand)
2 - 8" digital photo frames
2 flash drives
2 Wii extra controllers
7 panels of sheer white drapes
12 white linen cloth napkins
12 black linen cloth napkins
1 metal cheese grater

So not too bad - the TV's were on the priority list along with the dress clothes. The other's were just bargains I found that were on my Christmas list as possible presents for others (now they are getting them).

We started at 2am. Not bad for a days work - but still have another 800 cappelletti to make, dinner rolls to make, a couple pies to make, and get the rest of the stuff ready for tomorrow along with finish cleaning the house.

Nitey nite!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Christmas Edition of getting to know you

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Answer the questions and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Tis the Season to be NICE! HO HO HO

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the present I am wrapping but usually wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Prefer real but son is highly allergic so we got an artificial one 25 years ago. We put up 3 actually: one in the upstairs hallway, one in the living room, and the main one in the family room.

3. When do you put up the trees? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving but since I am having Thanksgiving dinner here on Saturday, they are already up.

4. When do you take the tree down? You take the tree down on or after the 12th day of Christmas; the 6th of January, the Feast of the Epiphany.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes if homemade and without liquor.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Brand new clothes that weren't handed down from one of my cousins or younger sisters.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Actually no one this year. I usually have a hard time figuring out something for inlaws but since I lived with them, I know quite a few things that could make their lives easier.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Oh yeah, one for under each tree. One of my sister's made me one, my daughter got me another, and one of my sister-in-laws painted me another.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail if I get them out. I found this really cool clipart that is hilarious and represents all the holidays of the year so in case the letter doesn't reach them in time for Christmas, it's a Happy Valentine's Day letter, etc.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Any present that doesn't come with a return receipt on it so I can take it back if need be but the one that stands out in my mind is a fish casserole dish that supposedly went in the microwave and oven but I have the largest of both and it didn't fit in either of mine. I had no return receipt so I put it in a garage sale as a joke without a price. It was the first thing to go and someone gave me $50.00 for it. My luck would be that it was in reality some really expensive thing that was worth thousands. But it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A lot - and way too many to mention. We have them all on DVD and have even transferred our old VCR tapings to DVD.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I have time. I usually start and finish within a few days the beginning of December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cappelletti

16. Lights on the tree? Yes - colored ones in the family room and upstairs; white ones in the living room. Colored ones on the bushes. White ones in the trees.

17. Favorite Christmas song? What Child is This

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Depends on the day but even if we go somewhere, it's only for the day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course - who doesn't?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Both and on my side's day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I love this time of year. More irritating would be people who come to our area to shop but have no clue where they are going so they stop in the middle of a 6 lane road. I tend to stay away from those places.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? The ones on the upstairs tree are kid oriented (Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, etc). The ones on the living room tree are all old and heirlooms. The ones in the family room are either family photos, ones the kids have made us, or collection ones.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have 3 Christmas dinners. One is cappelletti, another is turkey/stuffing/ham/sweet potatoes/broccoli-cheese-rice-casserole/mashed tators with green beans in the middle/etc, and ours is cappelletti followed by a standing rib roast.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I already got it. Knowing my husband is not dying in a year.

For Those Who Rant About Their Doctors Visits

1. Be on time for your appointment. Don't come in 10 min late - or even later in the day 'because I knew you would still be there'. Our offices run pretty much on time. If they don't and it is our fault, your copay that day is zippo. If it is an emergency, we will tell you and you should feel lucky we are seeing emergencies should you ever need us during one.

2. When booking your appointment, make sure you tell the person making the appointment what you are coming in for. We book according to this. Don't add things. When you do, you back up the entire schedule. In our office, you will be given another appointment to discuss the other 'issues' you have. On the same token, we will only see the person assigned that appointment time. Do not bring another child or adult to just 'take a peek or discuss'. We don't do it. They need their own appointment.

3. Have respect for people standing at the desk waiting to check out. Don't barge through them and yell that you are here. I have pretty good eyes and I know all my patients. I will finish what I was doing and then acknowledge you. No cutting in line (which brings me to #4).

4. Do not arrive early for your appointment expecting to be taken early. It will not happen. This screws up a schedule more often than naught. This is especially frustrating when you arrive an hour early and the office isn't even open yet and you then complain you had to stand in the cold/rain/snow/sun/whatever. If the office does not open until 2PM and your appointment isn't until 2:30PM don't expect to come and sit in the waiting room. We are closed. Then you will also complain that you were at the doctor's office for 2 hours when in reality, you were 90 minutes early and you saw the doctor for the other 30.

5. Never ever ever tell me the doctor can see you during his lunch hour when I just told you I had no more openings for today. The doctor works on the average of 14 hour days. The half hour to hour lunch time is for him to sit, put his feet up, and eat. Not to see you. He had breakfast and won't be getting dinner for another 8-10 hours. His lunch hour is sacred and non-touchable.

6. I find it interesting that people will wait to have their car fixed, the plumber to come, the air conditioner people to get there, and take a delivery during a 4 hour span....yet complain if they have to wait 30 minutes for a doctor. Ummm...excuse me...which one of the above will allow you to wait 3-6 months for payment for that visit/repair/etc and see you for nothing that day and then have the unmitigated gall to complain about our prices? Practice patience. We earn nothing that a whole lot of other people earn per hourly basis. Remember we take calls all night long.

7. If you are bringing your gaggle of kids to the office, you will be handed a mop, broom, vacuum, etc. I do not have time to watch your children. I do not have time to clean up after them. That is your responsibility. Do not assume they will be kept quiet while eating food in the office. Food is not allowed in the office for sanity sake. If it is brought in - you clean it up. Our office is kept clean for a reason. If they can't sit still without touching anything, don't bring them.

8. Do not open every drawer in the room you are placed. Do not take items out of the drawers. We will pass those expenses on. We check the rooms after each visit. We know who did it and we will bill you.

9. Know your own insurance. I am seeing you for the first time. I don't know you nor your insurance policy. All are different. If something isn't covered don't act surprised then complain about your bill. It is your insurance not mine. It is not my responsibility to know things that are not covered. It is yours. Don't complain or ask for a co-pay or deductible waiver. This will never ever happen. I signed a contract with your insurance company already to take a reduced rate to see you. That copay and deductible and coinsurance are your portion. That is what you signed up for and you agreed on. Again, it is your insurance. Don't complain to me how they paid.

10. Do not act like a doctor when you do not know what you are talking about. Do not tell the doctor what pills you want or what you think is wrong. You are going to a professional. Be mindful of that. Ask questions. Most doctors are not afraid to answer them. If you want to dictate your care, get a degree. Otherwise leave it to a professional.


I am sure I can come up with hundreds more. But most important, even as a health care worker myself, I refuse to wait for any longer than an hour for any doctor. My time is just as valuable as yours. I have walked out and found a new doctor. They are there. I have also walked out of doctor's offices when the doctor refused to answer my questions on why a certain test was being ordered or why he wanted to do something. If they can't explain it, they are not my doctor. I have also walked out if the doctor was great but the office staff were the rudest people I had ever seen and I let the doctor know why I am not coming back - in a certified letter with restricted delivery so only he can sign for it.

Out of all the different types of doctors I have ever seen (I have been to every speciality), the worst I will say are the oncologists. I went through 3 oncologists before I found one who respected my time was not going to be spent in his office waiting on him because I had cancer and therefore no choice and it didn't matter - I was going to die anyway. (Yes it happened to me once - and I actually filed a complaint against the doctor with the hospital, state, and his association).

The Dessert Personality Test

My choices were pretty right on - quirky and nutty. I am angel food cake and carrot cake. What are you?

If all of the eight desserts listed below were sitting in front of you, which would you choose (supposedly you can only pick one but I couldn't)! This is very accurate. Pick your dessert, and then look to see what psychiatrists think about you.

REMEMBER - No Cheating. Make your choice before you check the meaning.

Here are your choices:

1. Angel Food Cake

2. Brownies

3. Lemon Meringue Pie

4. Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Icing

5. Strawberry Shortcake

6. Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Icing

7. Ice Cream

8. Carrot Cake

No, you can't change your mind once you scroll down, so think carefully about what your choice will be.


OK - Now that you've made your choice, this is what the researchers say about you... SCROLL DOWN---No Cheating




1. ANGEL FOOD CAKE -- Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzyitems. A little nutty at times. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times.

2. BROWNIES -- You are adventurous, love new ideas, and are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up you whip out your saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be very loyal.

3. LEMON MERINGUE -- Smooth, sexy, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent caregiver and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, you set your own style because you do your own thing. You shine when it comes to helping others and have many friends.

4. VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING -- Fun-loving, sassy, humorous, not very grounded in life; very indecisive and lacking motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for life.

5. STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE -- Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people, can be counted on in a pinch and expect the same in return. Intuitively keen. You can be very emotional at times but a true person in every way. You like to do things for yourself and help others learn about themselves.

6. CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING-- Sexy; always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside. Not afraid to take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.

7. ICE CREAM -- You like sports, whether it be baseball, football,basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control. You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.

8. CARROT CAKE -- You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends. You were meant to lead and teach others. A wonderful role model.

Bulldogs and Possum - Oh My!

People do not believe me when I tell them about my everyday occurrences. Here's tonight's event.

I am calmly talking on the phone to a friend to remind her that I won't be home until really late tomorrow since I have a wake to attend after work when the bulldogs barked to be let out. I get up and open the door. Both bulldogs sped faster than a speeding bullet (ok faster than any bulldog I have met) to the middle of our half acre back yard and cornered something. Now in our yard the bulldogs have this tendency to find every skunk in the area and for some reason it only happens when I am watching them. Last year it was a litter of baby skunks. Who knew baby skunks have spraying power? I could market Eu de Skunk.

I screamed to the bulldogs as soon as I saw them run (yeah if you heard that noise about 9:32PM - it was me), screamed in the phone to hang on and threw it on the table, screamed to my husband and son to help and started outside. I see this animal running. I see one bulldog (who I have nicknamed Pokey although after tonight I am renaming her possessed) running (yes running) to the one side of said animal. I see the other bulldog who doesn't think she is a bulldog (she leaps and catches frisbees in mid-air, but who has an acl tendon injury and shouldn't be running) running up the other side. They corner the animal on either side and attack the animal. Personally they ran and cornered better than any Bears player I saw this past weekend.

So hubs and son go out and get the dogs back to the house where I am checking every inch of their bodies for tooth marks, blood, anything. Hubs and son come inside and say it was a possum and it isn't moving. I am thinking........yeah that. Daughter leaves said granddoggies in my care and yet again within 24 hours something happens and I am running up vet bills again.

I call the emergency vet. Hubs and son go back to the playing dead possum and with a flashlight see it is breathing but it is curled into a fetal position. They throw a ball at it. It doesn't move. They can't tell if it is breathing or not.

Vet says if there are no open cuts or scrapes on the dogs, they should be fine and they just had all their shots but don't let them back out until the possum leaves. I am thinking it will be until Friday and daughter gets back before I let the dogs back outside again. Also wondering if the possum is just playing dead or is really dead and then who do I call for possum removal? And yes, friend - I did think of you too. Did I say goodbye? If not, sorry. Kinda got distracted.

And people say my life is unbelievable! (I made hubs go out and take the pic of the possum so you really believe me).

Viral Gastroenteritis

According to the National Flu Report (yes, there really is one), Illinois is in the no activity area. Well, I think they might be wrong. **gasp** I know - a government agency might be wrong.....the horrors!

I felt fine at work on Thursday. I felt fine eating dinner, just tired. But tired by Thursday is normal for me. One of my friends swears I yawn as soon as I start talking to her but mind you most of the time we talk is in the evening after I have been up for 14+ hours.

By the time I went to bed Thursday evening around 11pm, I was wiped out and my stomach was churning. I had made Chicken Parmesan earlier for dinner and had just thought I put in a wee bit too much garlic in the garlic bread or sauce or stuffed artichoke. No biggie - my tummy does not like garlic but I still eat it anyway.

By 1am I was doubled over with rolling intestinal cramps. I was chilled yet hot so I took my temperature and it was 100 degrees. Since no one else in the house suffered the same, I knew I had viral gastroenteritis, not to be confused with 'da flu'. "Da flu' is really a systemic, febrile (causes a fever) disease that predominantly involves the respiratory tract and not the digestive tract in humans. Well, mine totally involved the intestines and no respiratory symptoms at all. So since hubs is having surgery in 10 days, I moved into the spare room.

Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis: fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and cramping are usually the strongest the first 12 to 24 hours then slowly improves. It may last a day or 2 or 3.
Diarrhea may last a day or two, or in young children it may last a week or longer. Fever usually lasts a day. Yep, diagnosis confirmed.

Treatment: some swear by their remedies but I swear by the following: strong brewed tea with 1 teaspoon of sugar as often as possible. I eat nothing else until that is tolerated. I then proceed to a bland diet consisting of clear liquids, bananas, rice, and toast. What is really important is to keep replacing your fluids. Be careful taking some antidiarrheal medication as they might prolong the flu and they might not be effective in reducing the fluids you are losing with the vomiting and diarrhea. They also will not work and actually will worsen your condition if your gastroenteritis is caused by a bacteria and is not viral.

So.....after 3 days, my diet has now progressed to an omelet with toast and I have lost 5 pounds. I only hope I didn't give it to anyone else.

Wish List

Are there any others out there that just can't get into the Christmas spirit yet? I am supposed to be making a list. I can only think of a few material things I want this year besides the usual gift cards to Bed Bath and Beyond, or Barnes and Noble, or local restaurants.

I am actually working on the family Christmas present our family gives to each family on both sides. I started that project in early June after the wedding.

I have been a maniac capturing pictures like crazy and making memories to hold close. But what I really want can't be put on a list.

Congratulations Barack Obama and Joe Biden!

Life Goes On

For all of you who will not see who you voted for in this election actually get elected - life goes on. You might not like the choice but yanno what? Life goes on!

For weeks - no months, I have seen friends split apart with this election. Why? What happened to we can agree to disagree? My choices have not always gotten in. Did I lay down and die? Did I say I was going to move to another country? Nope - life went on!

Just get over it. Work with what you have. And have the common courtesy to go on with your life and not spout voting fraud, hanging chads, or any other thing. I personally don't want to hear it. And just a warning: do not persist in perpetuating any of what happened before or during the campaign. Get over it.

I am actually glad for this election. I got to see who my friends are. I got to see who uses logic to defend their choices. And I got to see evil vile lies believed by Christian people. I got to see who took those lies and investigated them and not by sites supporting the vile lies, but in cold hard factual sources.

Now grow up and act your age not your mentality. Life goes on. Let's unite this country!