JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 31

Happiest moment

It is late tonight and I am tired.  I have been getting my invoices ready for the end of the month so I can get paid!  I am watching Michael Phelps swim and he just won his 19th medal.  Such an overachiever!   Good for him.

My happiest moment.  That is hard.  Most people say when their child was born or when they got married.  Well, I have no "children" that I have seen be born.  My children were born in a litter.  My marriage is not exactly a happy moment I want to remember.  My "Winter of Love" marriage to Brenda that was annulled by the state of California was happy but we got married for other reasons that I will go into at another time.  So I will have to think of another time.

Since I am really tired and can't think so well, I will say when I got my graduate degree.  I never really thought I was smart.  I grew up with a REALLY smart brother.  You know the type: Who's Who, 2400 SAT, accepted to a bunch of Ivy League schools.  I struggled through high school and college.  I was terrified to go to graduate school.  I didn't think I could do it.  It was beaten into my head that I was not smart.  So when I did finished and I walked up to get my degree, I knew I was smart!  Happy moment!

Tomorrow's Challenge: Best cartoon character.

Medical Update: Not my medical update but Brenda has a swollen and pussing eye.  We have an eye doctor appointment in the morning.  I hope it is nothing serious. 


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 30

Favourite comfort food

My favorite comfort food when I am sick is potatoes.  I like a baked potatoes or mashed potatoes or french fries or tater tots.  It isn't that I am particularly in love with potatoes but when my Crohn's kicks in and I can't eat anything, I can eat potatoes.  Sometimes I can eat rice.  It has to white rice, not brown rice.  I know brown rice is better for me but when I am not feeling well it has be white rice.

The third thing that makes me feel better are these pineapple ice pops.  I don't know what about the pineapple makes me feel better but I have tried the other flavors and they don't work.  Only the pineapple flavor works.

My happy comfort food would be homemade gnocchi.  Not made by my hand but someone's hand.  I just love gnocchi.  I guess I could eat gnocchi when my Crohn's kicks in since they are made out of potatoes too!

The Olympics is so nerve racking!  One misstep in gymnastics and there goes the gold.  I practically hold my breath!

Update: If you didn't get to see the video of Happy opening Christmas packages, I fixed the video.  Blog date 7/25/12. Blogger Challenge Day 25.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Happiest moment

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 29

Most admired celebrity - what reason

My most admired celebrity is Bono from the band U2. His songs are written to make people think and act. He is one of the most charitable celebrities. He started one.org, a nonprofit organization working toward ending the debt of third world countries, ending poverty and working toward ending AIDS and HIV. This is important because most third world countries can only afford to pay the interest on the debt. They never get to pay down the balance. (just like some of us and our credit cards!) So the debt keeps growing. To pay the interest many countries are unable to give their citizens needed services like health care. If they will never be able to pay the debt back, why not forgive the debt and let them start over? That way they can use the money to get their country out of poverty and dire health care problems.

Bono does so much and rarely takes credit. I have a lot of respect for him. He could just go on stage and play music and that would be all we expect. Instead he wants to make the world a better place, sings songs about it and puts his money where his mouth is. That is why I chose Bono as my most admired celebrity.

If you are interested check out http://www.one.org

Okay, I have Olympic fever! I am glued to my TV and my iPad. NBC has this app that allows me to watch the competitions on my iPad real time. So I am hooked. Archery, dressage, gymnastics, swimming, diving and fencing. I am not a fan of the team sports like basketball and soccer.

Poor Michael Phelps. He just seems tired and like his heart is not in it. I hope he finds his passion whether that is swimming or something else.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Favourite comfort food

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 28

I’ve always wanted to… (take singing lessons, learn Karate, play the piano, etc.)

I have always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. Years ago an old boyfriend tried to teach me while sitting on the back. It made it very difficult and I gave up out of frustration. I just want to learn before I am not able. I worry my hands will become too stiff and it will become impossible. I already have a hard time if I jet ski too long. The "gas" handle makes my hand stiff.

I am not saying I want to buy a motorcycle, I just want to finally learn to drive one.

Tonight we went out to dinner and I had an amazing dinner. I started with a beet salad. Yum! Then I had a vegetarian strudel. (see photo below) It was fabulous tasting. The phyllo was soft inside and crunchy outside. The vegetables were asparagus, some greens like spinach, tomatoes and more. It was served in a roasted tomato sauce. I wanted to lick the plate but I was so full, I could not eat another bite! We didn't get dessert because we were so full. We will be going back.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Most admired celebrity - what reason

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 27

Where do blog post topics come to me most often?

My blog topics mostly come from current topics in my life. Current medical issues, dog issues, house isseus and fun things that happen.

Take today for example, I would write about the Olympics. The opening ceremonies were tonight. It was an interesting program. It was quite different than the breathtaking opening ceremonies in Bejing. Danny Boyle said he didn't want to compete. Well, he didn't. It had some interesting parts but it didn't flow. It told a story but in a choppy, weird way. I like to see the athletes walk into the stadium and see their excitement.

I have done some blogger challenges but after the first one, I found that the previous challenges asked the same questions. What is the point in that?

Tomorrow's Challenge: I’ve always wanted to… (take singing lessons, learn Karate, play the piano, etc.)

Medical Update: 
Turns out I did miss my medical appointment. She said she left a message on Monday to remind me. We don't remember a message... Maybe she called the wrong number? Oh, I got a refund from both The-insurance-company-who-must-not-to-be-named AND from the MRI I had months ago. Cha-Ching!

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 26

The country I’d most want to live in other than where I live now.

If I could live anywhere in the world I would live exactly where I am. Years ago my answer would have been different but I love living on the West Coast. It was always my dream to live here. When I was little I dreamed of living the California life. I tried to go to college in Santa Barbara but in those days it was very difficult for out-of-staters to be accepted. Then after college, after marriage I moved to the West Coast. My dream finally came true. I finally became a California Girl just like the Beach Boys sang about.

I know some people would answer this question with exotic places like Paris or Rome or London. I visited these places and I liked them for short periods of time but I don't think I would want to live there long term. I lived in London for 5 months and Paris for almost a month. They were nice but after a while one city is like another. I spent time in Antigua but after a while I got island fever. I have been to Martinique and Panama but I am not so great with languages.

I lived all over the Northeastern United States. I miss the area but I don't miss the extreme heat and freezing temperatures. In California I can ski and go to the beach.

I guess I just love where I am. Nothing wrong with that.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Where do blog post topics come to me most often?

Medical Update: 
I think I missed a doctors appointment today. I didn't get my reminder phone call yesterday and didn't realize I had a 8:00 am appointment until 5pm. Oops!!

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 25

Favorite time of year (spring, summer, winter, fall, 
summer solstice, Halloween, Christmas, etc.)

My favorite time of the year is, wait for it, Christmas time! I love all the decorations, the cheer and the way my dog wants to open all the gifts. I love the way people are nicer to each other. I love the smell of the tree, the way the house sparkles with the lights and the Christmas carols. I will loop Christmas songs for weeks. I wear Christmas clothes every day from Thanksgiving to New Years. I just love it!!

My second favorite time of the year is summer time. I love it when the days get long and the sun shines all day long. I put the top down, turn the tunes up and have a party in my car. I sit out on my deck and eat my lunch. Oh, I work from home! I wear shorts all day and stay bear foot. There is plenty of fruit and vegetables in season so I have plenty of choices to eat. I am just a turtle out of my shell!


Tomorrow's Challenge: The country I’d most want to live in other than where I live now

Medical Update: 
I am taping a sit and exercise program on the advice of my doctor. Until my ankle heals I need to get my endurance up. There is a free PBS show on at 7:30 am that I can record. Brenda says she will do it with me.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 24

Three characteristics I admire in people.

Three characteristics I admire in people are:

1. Honesty
2. Integrity
3. The ability to have fun

HONESTY- I think it is important to be honest. It is hard sometimes to find honest people. Just like Dr. Gregory House on the show House says "everybody lies". I don't think people always mean to lie, I think they sometimes just don't want to tell the truth and they get caught. Like when you find out a friend was not at the movies like she told you but was somewhere else. It hurts that your friend didn't tell you the truth.

INTEGRITY- "Adherence to a strict moral or ethical code". People who are ethical and moral. People who return the shopping cart to the cart pen at the supermarket. People who pick up their dog poop. People who recycle (and maybe even compost!) People who give up their seat for pregnant women, disabled folks and elderly folks. Those are people with integrity. They do the right thing because it is the right thing not because someone is watching.

THE ABILITY TO HAVE FUN- I really admire people who have fun no matter where they are. They laugh all the time. I think sometimes I am that person. I try to be that person.

Are there three characteristics you admire?

Tomorrow's Challenge: Favorite time of year (spring, summer, winter, fall, summer solstice, Halloween, Christmas, etc.)

Medical Update: 
Scheduled my physical therapy appointment for next week. Yay!

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 23

Three pet peeves I have.

I actually have a lot of pet peeves. People who meander in crosswalks, worn out music phone call hold tapes, people that tailgate my car, and when the bus stops in the street and doesn't pull into the bus zone are some of them. I have some bigger peeves:

1. Dog poop in front of my house! There is some dog who poops in front of my house every so often. It is so annoying. I am convinced it is the same dog each time. Pick up your poop!

2. Waiters that can't do their job. I can't stand eating in a restaurant where wait staff can't seem to do their job. I have been a wait staff, it isn't rocket science. Granted it is hectic sometimes and it can be confusing when you first start, but it isn't that hard. Take an order, deliver an order, clear the dishes, bring the check. I get super annoyed when I can't get the waiter to bring the check. I will start to put my coat on and get up. That usually gets their attention!

3. People who don't walk their dog on a leash. Now I know that some dogs are really obedient, not mine. Some dogs listen to their owners, not mine. Some dogs do not jump on people, not mine. Those people do not need to put their dog on a leash. I do. My dogs have to stay on a leash in order to keep them off people and to keep them from running away. The unleashed dogs run up on my dogs and this causes a problem with my pooches. It would be easier if other people kept their dogs on a leash too!

There is my list, what would your list look like?

Tomorrow's Challenge: Three characteristics I admire in people.

Medical Update: 
my doctor says I no longer "look like death warmed over"! Yeah! No more monthly appointments. Now I have to begin a chair exercise routine.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 22

Three things I’m proud I’ve been able to improve/accomplish/overcome.

1. One thing I am proud to accomplish is starting my own business and making is successful.  Now some folks may not think it is successful because it is not a multimillion dollar business.  I am happy it is a small one person business that makes enough money to keep me eating and with a roof over my head.  It also affords me enough flexibility that if I don't feel well, I can work from bed or just stay in bed.  I have to answer to clients but I don't have to report to a boss.

2. I have been able to improve my outlook on life.  When I worked my full time job I was stressed out all the time.  I was always running.  I didn't stop to take a bath, read a magazine, lay on the bed with my pups and just pet them.  I didn't take the time.  I wasn't happy.  Now I take the time.  I take baths and read magazines and books.  I take time with my pups.  I take time with friends.  I cook and make good food to eat.  I made improvements to my life.

3. Through the years I have had some fun.  This fun included alcohol and some drugs that were not prescription.  I had a lot of fun.  A lot of it I don't remember but they tell me I was a blast.  I have overcome that urge to use substances to have fun.  I can have fun just being me!  I don't need anything to have fun at parties and events.  I will stick to drugs that come with prescriptions these days!

There you go one of each: improvement, accomplishment and something I have overcome. 

Tomorrow's Challenge: Three pet peeves I have.

Medical Update: Seeing my Rheuma Doc tomorrow.  Give you an update tomorrow.


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 21

Three things I want to improve about myself.

Wow! I forget who gave me this challenge. This is hard.

1. I want to drop the weight that I gained during my ankle thing and all the weight I put on being on prednisone. Piece of cake! Oh, I shouldn't say cake, piece of low calorie high protein tofu.

2. Be better at keeping my clients time for invoicing and do it in a timely manner. Every month I have to spend hours invoicing my clients. And every month I swear I am going to keep better time so the process goes faster at the end of the month. Every month I start out so well and then somewhere in the middle of the month something happens and I get off track. Then the end of the month comes and it takes hours again. I want to improve my timekeeping.

3. I am a fairly organized person. Clients hire me to install systems. But if you ever saw my office you would never know it. You see, my house was renovated a few years ago and the only room not renovated was my office. Which meant everything that had no place to go got dumped in my office. Now years later I have not yet cleared it out. This means I hate working in it. It is so cluttered and has piles everywhere. I need my office back. I need to clear it out and make it my space again. Once my ankle is fixed.

There you go, three things I want improved: my weight, my organization, and my timekeeping. What are three things you want to improve about you?

Tomorrow's Challenge: Three things I’m proud I’ve been able to improve/accomplish/overcome.

Rat Update: I didn't set traps today because I have noticed that my dogs have not been going crazy to get outdoors at night for the last week and a half and when they are outside they are not crazed lunatics trying to get at some hidden animals like they have been. They just go outside and calmly pee and come inside. No more stalking and hunting. So I wonder if between me and my neighbor we have culled the rat heard enough that they are no longer an issue. I think I will let the pups be the barometer and wait and see.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 20

Worst memory from primary school.

Before I write my blogger challenge, I want to send my thoughts to all those involved in the Aurora shooting today. It was a horrible situation. One of my clients has a office in Aurora so it was a tense morning waiting to hear if anyone was involved. It was a relief to hear no one was at the that theater last night.

This actually reminds me of a bad memory from college that I had not thought of in years. While I took the college route my dear friend Sean followed in his brothers footsteps and joined the Marines. I had just mailed him a letter when it came on the news on October 23, 1983 that the Marine Barracks in Beirut Lebanon was bombed. For days Sean was MIA (missing in action) because he had not stayed in his room that night but stayed in someone else's room. Finally they confirmed that he was dead. It took weeks before my letter was returned. Getting that letter back was more painful than hearing he died. Knowing that if I had written the letter a few days earlier he would have gotten it tore me up. He died not knowing I cared.

My worst memory of primary school besides my dad leaving my mom, had to be bitten by the class rabbit. I reached for rabbit when he hid under the table. He bit my hand and I had to get a tetanus shot. Worst day of grade school!

Third worse day was the day I got sent home with lice! Some girl had a really cute hat. I wanted to try it on. I did. I got her lice. I had REALLY long hair. Once the lice was gone, I didn't have long hair anymore. Sad.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Three things I want to improve about myself.

Until tomorrow...PEACE

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 19

Best memory from primary school.

I guess my best memory from primary school was playing outside during lunch break and during physical education. Our school had this huge field. It had a baseball field and a basketball court and a huge open grassy area so there was plenty of space for kids to run around and be crazy. I think this was why so many of the kids when I was in school were not obese or on medication for being hyper. Not to mention many of us walked to and from school twice, once in the morning and evening and also at lunchtime. Since we lived the furthest from the school, we walked about 1/2 mile each way. So that was 2 miles a day! Not many kids these days walk 2 miles to school.

We played dodge ball, hop scotch, and kickball. We skipped rope and spent time drawing with chalk. It was a lot of fun. Kids these days don't know what they are missing.

What was your best memory of primary school???

Tomorrow's Challenge: Worst memory from primary school.

Medical Update: 
went to see the ankle doc and she is sending me to physical therapy. She says I am coming along well.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 18

Worst memory from college.

My worst memory from college is my roommate situation.  As a freshman I was in a triple room.  That meant I had two roommates.  We were one of two triples on the whole floor.  It was awful.  One girl drank wine from a large glass through a straw and only listened to the Rolling Stones (24/7) and the other girl had so much time on her hands she ironed her sheets.  The girl who drank didn't make it past the first semester. We then got another roommate and she was a partier!  She and I had a blast but she didn't help me being on academic probation. The girl who ironed didn't make it past the first year.  The funny thing is that I was the only one who graduated! 

The second year I moved into a double by myself. That was my best roommate year!

The third year I moved in with a friend for the fall semester and then did a semester abroad.  My roommate in London was interesting.  One afternoon I was taking a nap with my Walkman playing with the headphones on my head and I guess she thought I wasn't using it anymore and she proceeded to take it off my head to use it.  Who does that?

When I returned to school for my fourth year, my roommate from the fall and I were supposed to room together again.  I don't know what happened when I was away but she got weird and our friendship fell apart. She ended up moving out and taking me and the other roommates to small claims court for not paying the phone bill! During the spring semester of my fourth year I did a semester in Washington, DC and I had a roommate who thought it would be funny to put granola in my bed one night.  She thought that was a gas!

My fifth year was okay.  I roomed with people who were not friends but acquaintances.  That worked out better.

Lesson learned for me: I don't like living with roommates.  I have lived with some wack-a-doodle people who have some issues communicating. 

What is your worst memory from college?  Come on you must have one.  Drinking too much (yeah, I did that!), bad boyfriend situation (I had too many of those), bad grades (you already heard about my grades!) or something else?  Come on share...



Tomorrow's Challenge: Best memory from primary school.

Medical Update: I see the ankle doc tomorrow.  My ankle is feeling better but not perfect.  Wish me luck!


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 17

Best memory from college.

My best memory from college was going to my first concert. All my friends went to see The Stray Cats. I could not go because I was on academic probation and I had an assignment due the next day. We were friends with a local DJ and he was so sweet he played a Stray Cats song for me on the radio. The DJ heard I had never been to a concert before so a few weeks later he took me to a concert by myself. We went to see The Tubes! They were famous for the song She's A Beauty. Click to hear the song.

Because I was there with a local celebrity, I was able to go back stage but didn't meet the band. It was quite fun and started a lifetime of concert attendance. A few months later I went to see U2 at the War Tour with their famous song Under the Blood Red Sky. I have seen U2 almost every time they have toured.

That was my best memory. School was not my friend in undergrad. I did have a good time when I went on a semester abroad in London. I got to travel around Europe and see many wonderful places.

I made this great meal, pictured below. It is egg noodles, zucchini, mini tomatoes, fresh basil, mint, corn off the cob and a vinaigrette. It tastes do fresh and delicious. I got the recipe from Gourmet magazine. I recommend it highly.

Tomorrow's Challenge: Worst memory from college.

Medical Update: went to my gut doctor today and she. Is not happy. She has put me back on Aciphex and Pentasa daily.


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 16

What's your favorite flower? Why?

My favorite flower is...none.  I have no favorite flower.  I like pretty much all flowers the same.  I know boring.  I like a pretty mixed bouquet of flowers.  The more colors the better.

What is your favorite flower? 

Tomorrow's Challenge: Best memory from college.


Rat Update: Took down the rat traps today.  Didn't catch anything the second night either.  Those rats are too smart!  Just like in Ratatouille!  

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 15

What's your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment?! I have to think about this one. There have been embarrassing moments but my MOST embarrassing moment, I have to think about that. Here are some embarrassing moments:
1. I think I mentioned this recently. Going skiing with my family and going higher than I felt comfortable and falling. I hurt my hip joint and had to be ski patrol lifted down the mountain. Really embarrassing having everyone on the ski lift yell down asking if I was okay and if I needed ski patrol.
2. Once when I was much younger, I unexpectedly got my "friend" and I was wearing light colored pants. Okay, what woman has not had this happen once in her life? No matter what, it is embarrassing. I took my sweater and tied it around my waist until I got home.
3. Of course we have all been walking and suddenly the sidewalk jumps up in front of us and we trip. You know what I mean. You are just strolling along and suddenly you trip. I have done it more times than I care to remember. My friend tripped so hard that she fell face first and broke her teeth. So, be careful!
4. Years ago I was given very little to no prep time to get up on a stage and make a speech outside a Republican convention. I was tongue tied, had stage fright, I don't know but I didn't give a speech!
5. I had to give a deposition and I was ready then the lawyer met with me 30 minutes before the depo and began doing more prep work. He got me SO confused and nervous that screwed up the depo. It was professionally embarrassing.

6. But my most embarrassing moment was onstage in front of hundreds of people. I was in an ensemble singing Barry Manilow's song (no that is not the embarrassing part) Copacabana. There is a part of the song where the woman screams. We practiced and practiced. I was the person who going to scream. On the day of the performance, do you think I screamed? NO. Everyone looked at me, but no scream. How embarrassing!

What is your most embarrassing moment?

RAT UPDATE: set the traps again. Last night didn't catch one rat. Today I repositioned the traps and we are giving it one more try. Tomorrow we take them up for a little bit and put them back down in a few days again. It is hard with the dogs. I walked the dogs on Saturday and my foot still hurts.

Tomorrow's Challenge: What's your favorite flower? Why?

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 14

Are you a good driver? Why?

I think I am a good driver. Other than an awkward citation for not having my seatbelt on a few blocks from my house and the "moving" violation when my car rolled into the car in front of me, I have a perfect driving record. I have only had two speeding tickets (knock on wood) in all my years driving.

I think I am a good driver especially when I have guests in the car.

On another note: I found out my eye doctor had been reading my blog! Isn't that great!

I am thinking of attacking the rat problem again. My neighbor has put out the rat traps with the entries with the bait inside. I figure if I put traps on my side we could solve a bit of the problem.

Tomorrow's Challenge: What's your most embarrassing moment?

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 13

What do you do to relax?

To relax I watch movies. Like today, I didn't sleep well last night so put on a movie that was slow moving and click, just like a light switch, I was out. Sleeping like a baby. After I woke up I put another movie on to just relax.

This was all pre Rat Attack afternoon. Today we set 25 traps to see what we catch on an all out assault. I will let you know tomorrow!

On a really sunny day or at a beach, I like to read a book or magazine.

What do you like to do to relax?


Tomorrow's Challenge: Are you a good driver? Why?


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 12

Early bird or night owl? Which are you? Why?

I am really a night owl.  I work more at night.  I must say though that I function better in the morning (not too early) at doing things like tough calculations.  Today I had to do a tough calculation for payroll and I tried to do it last night and made a huge mess of it.  I dreamed about it all night and this morning worked it out in about 1.5 hours.  That included phone calls to the payroll company.  Last night I just could not wrap my head around it!

But usually at night I am doing a lot of my work, in front of the TV, typing away on my laptop.  Blogging sometimes.  Other times typing up letters and writing documents. Nothing too exciting.  I feel I can focus better when the house is quiet and the dogs are asleep.  I work from home so any quiet time is appreciated.  Even at midnight! 

Also, I can watch what I want on the TV because my partner goes to bed really early!  The clicker all to myself.  Yay!

When is your favorite time early morning with a cup of Joe or late at night with a hot cocoa?

Tomorrow's Challenge: What do you do to relax?


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 11

What do you love on your pizza? Why do you love it? Deep dish or thin crust?

Ah, pizza!  I do love my pizza.  I am what you would call a pizza snob.  I come from the New York area so I know pizza.  I sometimes dream of pizza from back home.  Once (pre-9/11) I even had a pizza parlor cook a pizza 3/4 of the way and then cut the pizza into slices and wrap each slice individually and package it all up so I could take it on the plane. The whole plane smelled like pizza. When I got back to the West Coast I had pizza for days. All I had to do is put one slice in the oven and cook it the rest of the way.  Ah that was heaven...

Seriouseats.com

How do I love my pizza?  Made in New York.  I like it plain, by the slice, thin crust (but not too thin) so you can fold it with the mozzarella dripping off.  Is there any way? 

Okay, you all know I am lactose intolerant so when I know I am going back East I don't eat any dairy products for weeks to get ready.  I go on a dairy fast so that I can have a couple of slices of pizza without getting sick. Yes, I take the lactose pills but I have the intolerance bad.  I take 6 pills and I STILL get sick.  But it is worth it to taste NY pizza.

Sometimes here on the West Coast I go to a restaurant that has pretty good deep dish pizza.  It comes with all sorts of veggies on it.  Pretty good for deep dish.

One place I want to go is Chicago where I saw a TV program where they make a "pizza" in a bowl.  It looked so good.  They put the cheese, sauce and stuff in the bowl and then the pizza dough on top and bake it.  It is called a Pizza Pot Pie made by CHICAGO PIZZA AND OVEN GRINDER COMPANY.   I hear it is excellent.  That should be on my bucket list!

Now that I am writing about it I am going to dream about it!  mmm...pizza....

So what is your favorite type of pizza?  Why do you like pizza?  What pizza do you crave?

Tomorrow's Challenge: Early bird or night owl? Which are you? Why?

Medical Update: Just doing my physical therapy exercises.  Nothing exciting to say.


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 10

Mountain, beach, desert, or plains? Which is your favorite?

I have to live near water.  I have spent my whole life near water.  I have lived in Massachusetts, Washington, DC, London, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, and the West Coast.  See a common thread?  Okay, they are all cities (except New Jersey and Massachusetts) but they are all water states/countries.  Maybe it is because I am a water sign?  Not that I have to live on a beach. I am not sure I would like to live on a beach.  I don't really like sand.  I hate getting sand on my  wet body.  I hate sand in my bathing suit.  I am not a fan of going to the beach.  I end up sneezing because I think I am allergic to sand.  I really am!  I sneeze at the beach.  Crazy I know.


I like mountains but that means you have to climb them.  I am not a fan of climbing them.  Too much energy.  Every couple of years my family goes skiing and it is just enough time to remind me why I don't like mountains.  They are cool to look at but suck to climb.  I try to ski but I am not a very good skier.  A few ski trips ago I allowed peer pressure from my family allow me to go further up a mountain than I was comfortable.  I ended up falling and being taken down by ski patrol.  Oh, what fun!  The MOST embarrassing moment.  I strained my muscle/ligament in my hip.  No more skiing that week.

The dessert is fun for a vacation.  We go to the dessert every couple of years with my parents.  It is nice but you have to go at the right time of year or it is too hot.  Who wants to live somewhere where it is 110 degrees?  Yuck!

I have never lived in the plains but I will direct you to paragraph #1.  I have a need to be near water.  Yes, I know there is water in the middle of the USA.  Just not big bodies of water, like oceans.  I have heard there is a lake in Michigan that looks like an ocean.  Still it is not an ocean.  I don't think I could live in the plains.

So I am a beach/water person. 

What are you?  Do you like the mountains? The beach?  Plains?  Or Dessert? 

Tomorrow's Challenge: What do you love on your pizza? Why do you love it? Deep dish or thin crust?

Medical Update: Went to eye doctor today and didn't need to get my eyes dilated!  Yay!  I have been off the Plaquinel for so many months my eyes are safe from the harmful effects of the dreaded Plaquinel. If I stay off it, I don't have to go back to the eye doctor for one year, just like a regular person.  Yippee! 


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - DAY 9

Favorite book and why?

I have a favorite book!  I am sitting here on hold waiting for a government agency to pick up "all representatives are busy, please continue to hold and the next representative will assist you." I have now heard that about 20 times, oh, make that 21 times.  And it keeps ringing making me think someone is going to pick up and then that stupid recording comes on.  Ergh....

My favorite book is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.  This is a wonderful book about four people thrown together during the Emergency in India.  The book exposes the changes in Indian society from independence in 1947 to the Emergency called by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.  It kept my attention through out the entire book.

My second favorite book is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.   The book NOT the movie.  The movie was okay but the book was SO much better.  It is the story of Jacob Jankowski's life.  He was a young man who joined the circus and fell in love.  The story is told through the eyes of Jacob in his twilight years.  It is a  sometimes brutal story that takes your heart.  I mean, who didn't want to join the circus? 

When I was a kid we used to go to Florida for vacation because my grandparents lived in Sarasota.  One of the places we visited was the Ringling Brother's & Barnum Bailey Circus training grounds in Venice Florida.  They had a small amphitheater and they asked for volunteers.  I was about 7 years old and I was chosen.  I was brought down into the ring and I can't remember what I had to do but I was given a special "gold" coin that was really big and said Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey Circus on it. It was all very exciting! I may still have that coin!

What is your favorite book?  Do you have one?  Are there readers out there?


Tomorrow's Challenge: Mountain, beach, desert, or plains? Which is your favorite?

Medical Update: still doing my physical therapy exercises for my ankle.  20 lifts a day.  Finger feels better.  Fevers still going on.


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 8

If you had all the money in the world where would you live and why?

I grew up on the East Coast and as much as I love the energy and the people, I never felt comfortable.  I wanted to live on the West Coast my whole life.  I tried to go to college in California but could not get into the school I wanted.  A few years after college I was given the opportunity to move and I jumped.  I love living on the West Coast.  Life is different here.  Things are a little slower (not as slow as the South) than the East Coast. People are more committed on the West Coast.  There is a reason that there is a saying "Where California goes so goes the nation".  California leads on many things.  We have been composting as a state before anyone else.  I tell my family that we compost and they think we are crazy! They ask: You put your table scraps in a bucket in your kitchen and then you dump it in a bin that the city picks up??  Doesn't it stink?  You recycle more than glass bottles, cans and newspaper?  You pay attention to when you run your dishwasher and washing machine to save energy?

I love living in the West!  I would not want to live anywhere else.


Tomorrow's Challenge: Favorite book and why?

Medical Update: I am back on Enbrel!  It will take a while to see if it is doing any good or bad.  My ankle is feeling okay. The doc says it seems to be coming along fine.  My finger has gone back to a regular color but still hurts a bit.  I still have a fever...


Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - DAY 7

My favorite meal. What is in it and why is it your favorite? Describe.

This is hard. I am not sure what my favorite meal is. I have favorite meals at different restaurants. Like at PF Changs, I love the Ma Pa Tofu, veggie lettuce wraps and pan-fried veggie wontons. At our local tacaria I love the black bean and plantain burrito (Yum!)  I actually dream about it!

I make a mean tofu mushroom dried rice but that isn't a 'meal'. I guess the best thing I make is soup. I have a couple of soups that I make a large batch thinking it will last a few days and two days later it is all gone. 

I guess if you asked my family they would say gnocchi. I LOVE really good homemade gnocchi. When it melts in my mouth. So, thats my favorite meal. Gnocchi!

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 6

Post a picture that makes you smile and 

write why it makes you smile

I pondered what photo I would post but then I thought I would post a video that makes me smile.  No, two videos that make me laugh.  I have short videos of my dogs Happi and Lucky eating corn-on-the-cob. I think they are hilarious.  Who doesn't like a dog doing funny things?  Who doesn't like dogs eating people food?  July 4th was great time to eat corn-on-the-cob for the whole family!

I also have a video of Happi opening Christmas packages.  There isn't a package Happi sees that she doesn't want to rip open.  She is crazy about presents.  She doesn't even care what is in them.

Here is Lucky eating corn-on-the-cob:

Here is Happi eating corn-on-the-cob:
 .

Tell me you didn't at least chuckle!

Tomorrow's topic: My favorite meal. What is in it and why is it your favorite? Describe.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - DAY 5

Favorite dessert. Why?

Dessert is my favorite meal.  I try to find reasons to eat dessert and no other food.  If I was not lactose intolerant my favorite dessert would be anything with ice cream.  I love ice cream but I can't eat it.  I eat soy ice cream.  It is good but not good enough.

Since I can't eat ice cream, I would say my next favorite dessert is anything chocolate.  Chocolate cake, chocolate fudge, chocolate cookies.  I am not that picky.  There is this one restaurant near us that makes this great chocolate brownie served warm with Pecan Bourbon ice cream. Yum!  It also has caramel drizzled on it.  It is so decadent!  

Tonight I am eating mint chocolate soy ice cream.  

What is your favorite dessert?  Is it creme brulee?   Is it cake?  Is it pudding? 

Tomorrow's topic: post a picture that makes you smile and write why it makes you smile.

Medical Update: my surgeon says my ankle is coming along nicely.  Was given new physical therapy exercises.  yay!

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - DAY 4

Name 5 Things on Your Bucket List

Sometimes I think about my bucket list. What is on it? There are a few things that I want to do before I am unable to. Here is part of my list:

1. Go to Australia. I have a friend that lives there and I would love to visit before she moves.

2. Go to the Galapagos Islands. I want to see it before it gets ruined by tourists. Some family members went a few years ago and loved it.

3. Go to Alaska on a cruise. The cruise has to be a small ship, I don't want to go on a huge cruise ship.

4. Learn to drive a motorcycle, before my hands won't work properly. I tried 20 years ago but that was a complete failure. I didn't have a good teacher.

5. Go to Africa. I want to go to Africa and go on a safari and see the history of the continent. I have to work with my doc to figure out what countries I can/should visit due to my health issues. Some countries have live vaccines that are mandatory. I can't have live vaccines while on Enbrel.

There you go, my list. Lots of travel.

What is your five item bucket list? Does it include travel? Adventure? Things you want to learn to do?

Happy 4th of July!! Just had a veggie burger and corn on the cob. Yum!

Tomorrows topic: Favorite dessert? Why?

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - DAY 3

FAVORITE SONG?

So funny this should come up today! Recently we saw the play "American Idiot" by Green Day and they played two of my favorite songs: "Wake me up when September ends" and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)".

Green Day is a great band that I saw years ago live before they were the huge success they are now.

I like "wake me up when september comes" because it starts off slow and melodic and then about half way through the song it gets fast.

I like "Good Riddance" because the lyrics are very poetic. See below.

Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) lyrics

Another turning point, a fork stuck in
the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs
you where to go

So make the best of this test, and
don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson
learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in
the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs, and still
frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and
good time

Tattoos of memories and dead skin
on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the
while

It's something unpredictable, but in
the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

This song makes me think of taking adventures and risks. Doing exciting things before I die. Having the time of my life! That is how I want to live.

Health update: got the OK to go back on Enbrel! Yay! I also checked the Internet and found other folks who have had a finger blood vessel pop for no reason. So the mystery continues.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 2

Favorite color.  Why?

I have two favorite colors: red and black. Weird. I know. Funny that this is today's selection because I happen to be wearing red and black today!

Let's talk about RED first. I LOVE the color red. It signifies power and brightness. I have lots of red clothes. T-shirts, sweaters, sneakers. My hair is dyed red. My car is a little red convertible. Red is cheery and happy and racy and fast! It is a little living on the edge.

Black. Mysterious. I don't see black as depressing. Maybe it is because I am from the East Coast but to me black is functional as clothing. It is sliming. It is necessary. I buy lots of black things such as IPad case, wallet, phone, towels. If my choices are black and white; black every time. White gets dirty or messed up. Black is hearty. But I will admit black is hard to see in the dark. Many times I have had a hard time finding something in a dark movie theatre because it was black.

The color I really don't care for is green. I don't know why but I don't like the color green. I always have a hard time finding something to wear on St. Patrick's Day. It is just not my color.

Update on my finger: I called my primary this morning and he is on vacation. The doctor covering for him wanted me to come right in. I went over and got an emergency CT scan and an x-ray. No blood clot and no broken bones.  They think it is an autoimmune thing.  Another Autoimmune thing?  Great!  How many autoimmune things are there?

Until tomorrow...

JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE - Day 1

Here is the list for JUST A FUN BLOGGER CHALLENGE.  Join in if you want!  Link to my blog if you do!  To the right is a .jpg of this list.  Thank you to Wren, Courtney and Lorna for your great contributions! 

List:
• puppies or kittens. Discuss.
• favorite color. Why?
• favorite song?
• name 5 things on your bucket list.
• Favorite dessert. Why?
• post a picture that makes you smile and write why it makes you smile.
• favorite meal. What is in it and why is it your favorite? Describe.
• if you had all the money in the world where would you live and why?
• favorite book and why?
• mountain, beach, desert, or plains? Which is your favorite?
• what do you love on your pizza? Why do you love it? Deep dish or thin crust?
• Early bird or night owl? Which are you? Why?
• What do you do to relax?
• Are you a good driver? Why?
• What's your most embarrassing moment?
• What's your favorite flower? Why?
• Best memory from college
• Worst memory from college
• Best memory from primary school
• Worst memory from primary school
• Three things I want to improve about myself
• Three things I’m proud I’ve been able to improve/accomplish/overcome
• Three pet peeves I have
• Three characteristics I admire in people
• Favorite time of year (spring, summer, winter, fall, summer solstice, Halloween, Christmas, etc.)
• The country I’d most want to live in other than where I live now
• Where do blog post topics come to me most often?
• I’ve always wanted to… (take singing lessons, learn Karate, play the piano, etc.)
• Most admired celebrity - what reason
• Favourite comfort food
• Happiest moment
• Best cartoon character
• Funniest website/clip
• Favourite game or puzzle
• Winter or Summer - reasons for /againest

Day 1
Puppies or Kittens

"Cute Chihuahua Looking At His Master For 

Some Food" by Stuart Miles

I have always been a puppy person.  I can't say I am always a dog person.  Like today, I was in a store and there was a big dog sitting there.  I wanted to go up and pet him but then he started to look at me.  Once a big dog starts to look at me, I get nervous.  He gets nervous and then the cycle begins.  He keeps looking at me and I just want to get away from him.

Now, most of you know I have two dogs.  I love my dogs.  I stand up to my fairly aggressive chihuahua/basenji mix and she has no problems trying to nip me if I annoy her in any way.  See, when I was a kid I got caught in the middle of a dog fight with my neighbor's dogs.  I was walking one neighbor's two large husky type dogs when we went in front of my other neighbor's house and their German Shepard got loose.  The dogs got into a big fight with me in the middle.  Ever since then I have been afraid of dogs that I don't know.  The funny thing is that I knew all three dogs!  It just scared the bejeezes out of me.

"Kitten Beauty" by Willem Siers

I have never been a kitten person but the funny part about that is kittens love to be all over me!  When I go to people's homes who have cats, the cat always wants to be on my lap.  I have a little allergy to cats but it isn't bad enough to keep away from them.  Once I stayed at my brother's house and his little kitten wanted to stay in the guest room where I was because it was convinced there was something in the radiator. So all night long it stalked the radiator.  It drove me crazy!  There was no convincing this kitten that there was nothing in the radiator!

How to answer this question? I like puppies but both puppies and kittens like me. I am not always too crazy about dogs. 

How do you feel?  Do you like puppies or kittens?  Or both?

Update on finger: it is still a purple color.  Someone has suggested that I may have burst a blood vessel.  Someone else suggested that should stabilize my finger.  Tomorrow I am going to see how it is and call the doc.  If called for I will get an x-ray.

Until tomorrow...