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O Tannenbaum! O Tannenbaum!
2006-12-12 14:28:02
Saturday was tree-decorating day at our house. Most years I dread the task. It seems like so much work and then it’s so much more work to take the thing down after Christmas. But this year I decided to make myself enjoy it. I struggle with a Scrooge attitude quite frequently at Christmas, and this year, it began to creep in once again. But I decided I have the choice of how I feel about Christmas. And this year I’m choosing joy. We put some cider on the stove to mull, which filled the air with a cozy smell of apples and cinnamon. Brad was in charge of Christmas music and he did a great job, as always, even putting in a few surprises he’d downloaded from iTunes, such as Last Christmas and Mary, Did You Know (which I played at our piano recital yesterday). The girls enjoy pulling out the ornaments and hearing the stories of my favorites from childhood, and remembering when we’ve bought or made their favorites as well. Everything has a story on our tree. Later t...
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A Few Of My Favorite Things
2006-12-12 14:28:02
Anyone who knows me, knows that my favorite movie of all time is The Sound of Music. It used to come on television every single year and I rarely missed a year. A few years ago someone, the girls I think, bought me the anniversary edition on DVD. I was thrilled. I never tire of it. It’s sort of like Brad’s obsession with The Godfather. Doesn’t matter how many times it’s been viewed, it will never be enough times. This year things are a bit tight when it comes to monetary endowment, so we are buying and making little things for gifts to each other. The things are favorite things, even as simple as gum, that makes each of us happy in small ways. We’ve tried very hard to get away from the commercialization of Christmas as well, and the past few years we’ve done things simply. Both Brad and I grew up in families that stressed the importance of the true meaning of Christmas, not what was under your tree. Some years in our respective families, there was...
More About: Things , Thing , Favorite , Favor , My Favorite Things

In The Dog House
2006-12-12 14:28:02
Ashley is in the dog house. Literally.
More About: House , Ouse , The D

Holiday rush
2006-12-12 14:28:02
Just a quick note to readers to let you all know that I’ll be posting much less frequently during the next couple of weeks. Work is very hectic right now, with our second business venture now in full swing on top of our normal client load of our primary business, and there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the work week to get it all done, so I’ll be focusing all my attention on it for the foreseeable future. Additionally, I found out last week that I need immediate oral surgery to remove my wisdom teeth due to unexpectedly serious deterioration — I haven’t had them checked in a while, but a seriously broken tooth forced me to the dentist. That procedure will take some time away from work — others have forewarned me of the aftermath of such a procedure and that either the pain or the pain medication will make it difficult to work. So, I leave the blog in the capable hands of Karla, Sarah and Ashley. I hope to be back in full swing after Christmas...
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?Scary Mary? Poppins Trailer
2006-12-09 02:25:01
From The Disney Blog: In what seems to be a growing genre, we have a new trailer for Mary Pop pins re-cut by a fan into a horror film called “Scary Mary”.
More About: Trailer , Pins

Friday Feast: Alison?s Brown Cake
2006-12-08 20:24:02
I’m in love with a little site called Brocante Home. It’s lovingly lavished-over by a domestic diva named Alison. She’s witty, clever, finds the most amazing websites and vintage goodies to look at and she is oh so very British. No wonder I love her so! Last week Alison posted a yummy sounding cake recipe that I just had to try. I’m embarrassed to admit I ate nearly the entire 8×8 pan myself. It was just my kind of cake. Brown , moist and caramelly with a hint of spice. It screams fall and winter baking and is oh so lovely with a mug of tea and a stack of magazines. Alison kindly gave me permission to share the recipe here as my Friday Feast pick. Many American readers may not know what Golden Syrup is, so here is a brief description from Wikipedia. Golden syrup is a thick, amber-colored form of inverted sugar syrup, made in the process of refining sugar cane juice into sugar, or by treatment of a sugar solution with acid. It is used in a variety of bakin...
More About: East , Cake

Overheard
2006-12-08 20:24:02
Coworker #1: I can get news from all 52 states! Coworker #2: Uh… there are only 50 states. Coworker #1: Duh — Alaska and Hawaii! Chelmsford, Massachusetts, via Over heard in the Office
More About: Hear

Salvation Army kettle turned into pot o? gold
2006-12-08 20:24:02
Amidst the crass commercialization of the Christmas holiday, the following story is a rare gem that reflects what this season is supposed to represent — generous giving to others: BARRE, Vt. (AP) ? With the drop of a single coin into a Salvation Army holiday collection kettle, the group may have been enriched by as much as $14,000. The donated 1908 Indian head coin has a face value of $2.50, said Capt. Louis Patrick. It’s worth at least at $250 and possibly as much as $14,000, according to a preliminary analysis. “I was shocked,” Patrick said. “I’ve heard of this happening in other places, but I’ve never actually seen it.” The coin was enclosed in a protective plastic case. “It was an incredibly generous thing to do,” Patrick said. “We are very appreciative.” The Salvation Army plans to have the coin appraised and sold, possibly before the end of the holiday season. “One hundred percent of the money will ...
More About: Gold , Turn

Friday Favorites: ?A very big ad?
2006-12-08 20:24:02

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Purdue collegiates? hunger strike raises awareness of true c
2006-12-08 20:24:02
I applaud and admire the courage of four Purdue University students who are backing up their advocacy for sweatshop laborers rights with deep personal sacrifice: WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Some Purdue University students said they would continue their hunger strike despite meeting Wednesday with the school president about their campaign to support garment industry workers in foreign countries. Purdue President Martin Jischke said he would consider the students’ call for the school to adopt a monitoring program aimed at stopping the use of what activists call sweatshop labor to make Boilermaker apparel. He also urged the 15 students to end their hunger strike, which some started on Nov. 17. About 40 supporters rallied on campus while four hunger strikers met with Jischke and other administrators. Mark Franciose, a student who took part in the meeting, said he spent two hours Tuesday night at a hospital taking in intravenous fluids after not eating solid food for 19 days. ̵...
More About: Hunger , War , Ware , Awareness , Urdu

?Americans trust my judgment?
2006-12-08 02:22:01
I once respected John McCain. That ended in 2004 when he abandoned his principled convictions for partisan politics, selling out for presidential ambition. He’s trying to convince America ns that he’s the best choice for our next president and, as Think Progress describes it, “that he is the person with the soundest advice about how to proceed in Iraq.” On November 12, 2006 he told NBC?s Tim Russert ?I believe that a lot of American s trust my judgment on issues such as [Iraq].? But, here?s what McCain said a year ago: ?I think the situation on the ground is going to improve. I do think that progress is being made in a lot of Iraq. Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course. If I thought we weren?t making progress, I?d be despondent.? [The Hill, 12/8/05] Think Progress adds this perspective: Now McCain wants you to believe that sending 20,000 more troops to Iraq would improve ?the situation on the ground....
More About: Men , Trust , Judgment

That?s One Smart Cookie
2006-12-08 02:22:01
Today something funny happened that I just had to pass along. Right after lunch, a couple of ladies wearing dental scrubs came into our office. They said they work for a dentist upstairs here in our building and wanted to bring a little something to say Merry Christmas. They also brought a flyer that advertises a “Holiday Special” on an at-home teeth whitening system. So what was the nice gift they brought? Sugar loaded muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls and candy! I guess it’s their way of ensuring good business in the New Year!
More About: Smart , Mart , Hat , Cook , That

Overheard
2006-12-08 02:22:01
Chick: It freaks me out to walk around on top of, like, six feet of concrete with these trains underneath, but at least we don’t have to worry about zombies attacking. Guy: What does anything have to do with zombies? Chick: Zombies can’t walk on hollow ground, like graveyards and stuff. Guy: That’s ‘hallow.’ As in ‘holy.’ – 1 train, 116th St, via Over heard in New York
More About: Hear

Where the really good toys end up?
2006-12-08 02:22:01
One of my fondest memories growing up about the Christmas season was looking through the Sears Wishbook catalog to browse through all the colorful pages filled with cool toys and games and circle the toys I “wished” for. It was like a fantasy trip to a toy store. Mind you, I didn’t get most of what I circled, but my parents tried to give at least one of my choices — even in the leanest of years. Thanks to Fark, I stumbled across the National Toy Hall of Fame®, which was a nostalgic stroll down memory lane. This is where the really good toys end up when they’ve had an enduring, stellar career. Some of my favorite toys that I had growing up are on the list, including Lego, Lincoln Logs, View-Master, Etch-A-Sketch, Radio Flyer Wagon, Slinky, Play-Doh and Silly Putty. Even a couple of my favorite games made the Hall of Fame: Scrabble and Monopoly. There are also the ever-present Crayola Crayons, which I always love to look through the big 64-crayon collecti...
More About: Toys , Real , Here , Good

No good options left
2006-12-07 14:21:02
This morning in the shower — because that’s where I do my best thinking — I thought to myself that I wanted to comment on the Baker-Hamilton Commission report, but that would mean cheating on my political commentary fast (again). Well… I’ll let someone else do it on my behalf so that technically I won’t be cheating (right?). Here’s what “Crunchy Con” Rod Dreher says: Well, I’ve read as much of it as I can manage this afternoon, and it’s pretty depressing stuff. The best thing about it is that it shifts the debate away from the administration’s blue-sky, open-ended commitment to the Maliki government, and ratifies a “graceful exit” — which Bush said last week was nuts — as the establishment consensus position. With this report coming on the heels of the election, Bush is now completely isolated. Iraq, at least as he imagined it would be, is now a fantasy only he entertains. And it might be...
More About: Options , Left , Good , Opti , No Good

Why I avoid most sporting venues (especially those in Arkans
2006-12-07 14:21:02
Meet Bubba Hog. The One Man Dancing Machine. You can find him at Razorback Games dancing to the HogWild Band. Behold Bubba Hog!
More About: Sport , Port , Special , Sporting , Those

What I Have To Say? About Wal-Mart
2006-12-07 08:21:01
As most of you know, Brad and I, and our girls, are not fans of Wal-Mart . We’ve written and referenced many articles, facts and editorials about the bad practices Wal-Mart gets away with. Our hope is that just one person will realize the truth and speak with their pocketbook. It’s also nice to find kindred spirits who don’t think we’re either crazy or “liberal” for caring about the people and the principles that really matter. Randi over at “I Have To Say…” wrote an excellent post today about the transformation in her shopping habits and the whys behind the change. She read an editorial by Fast Company about Wal-Mart that got her to thinking a little more about the reality behind Wal-Mart’s “low prices”. Go read the editorial and Randi’s post!
More About: What , Hat , About

Grand Mall Seizure
2006-12-07 08:21:01
Oh, the mecca that is the mall. As a child of the 80s, when the mall scene became so popular, I, of course, lived in a town that was mall-less. However, on occasion my family would drive to one of the two “big cities” in Oklahoma where we would visit the mall. As relatively poor people, the mall was like a wonderland of things we only dreamed of having. Then later, as young parents with small children of our own, Brad and I often found ourselves at the mall, usually to eat at a certain Mexican restaurant, but occasionally he would give in and let us look around. Today, I found myself in the mall once again. I was there to purchase a Bath and Body Works gift for the mother of the family we’ve adopted for Christmas. After finishing at BB&W, I walked around the mall for a little while trying to find a robe and slippers for the mom, hoping to find something that wouldn’t cost an arm and a foot. All of the stores were decked out for Christmas, the busy lunch-...
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Biological agent ? fart ? forces emergency landing
2006-12-06 20:20:02
From WBIR.com: Flatulence brought 99 passengers on an American Airlines flight to an unscheduled visit to Nashville early Monday morning. American Flight 1053, from Washington Reagan National Airport and bound for Dallas/Fort Worth, made an emergency landing here after passengers reported smelling struck matches, said Lynne Lowrance, a spokeswoman for the Nashville International Airport Authority. … The FBI questioned a passenger who admitted she struck the matches in an attempt to conceal body odor, Lowrance said. The woman lives near Dallas and has a medical condition.
More About: Agent , Force , Land , Fart , Forces

Overheard
2006-12-06 20:20:02
Blonde #1: I wonder… Did they have photography when this artist was alive? Blonde #2: Well, I don’t really know. Why do you ask? Blonde #1: Well, how did they get the people to stand still long enough to paint their faces and stuff? – The Louvre, Paris, France, via Over heard in the Office
More About: Hear

Richest 2% hold half the world?s assets
2006-12-06 20:20:02
This article from the Financial Times puts the worlds wealth disparity into proper perspective: Personal wealth is distributed so unevenly across the world that the richest two per cent of adults own more than 50 per cent of the world?s assets while the poorest half hold only 1 per cent of wealth. Adults with more than $2,200 of assets were in the top half of the global wealth league table, while those with more than $61,000 were in the top 10 per cent, according to the data from the World Institute fpr Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-Wider). So much of the world?s wealth is concentrated in few hands that if all the world?s wealth was distributed evenly, each person would have $20,500 of assets to use. Almost 90 per cent of the world?s wealth is held in North America, Europe and high-income Asian and Pacific countries, such as Japan and Australia. While North America has 6 per cent of the world?s adult population, it accounts for 34 per cent of h...
More About: Rich , Sets , Chest , The World

What do the Iraqis want?
2006-12-06 14:19:01
One of the justifications for the Iraq War was that we were bringing democracy to the Iraqi people. A democracy is typically defined as a country where the people determine the course of their country. Let’s see what a recent survey of Iraqis reveals about the “hearts and minds” of the Iraqi people (courtesy Crooks & Liars): The Iraq Center for Research & Strategic Studies conducted a new survey that was commissioned by the Iraq government. The surveyors wouldn’t allow themselves to be seen on camera which usually is not a good sign. More than half of the 2000 participants said they want all the US troops out now, the remainder want the withdrawal to begin immediately. The economy is a big problem for most Iraqi’s as well which isn’t surprising?The Iraqis also feel that since the Democrats won big time in November they are hoping that they’ll be able to help change policy. So, when the people speak in a democracy, shouldn’t ...
More About: What , Hat , Want

Wayback Wednesday: Last Christmas
2006-12-06 14:19:01
Yesterday, you heard Crazy Frog’s version. Now hear the original Wham! version on this week’s edition of “Wayback Wednesday”:
More About: Christmas , Last , Christ , Back , Chris

Overheard
2006-12-05 20:17:02
Girl #1: Hey, so I went to that sushi place you told me to go to last night, and I got food poisoning! Girl #2: Oh. Hey, you went there? How was it? Girl #1: I got food poisoning. Girl #2: Yeah, but how was it before the vomiting set in? –Ameritania Hotel, via Over heard in New York
More About: Hear

Why you should never burn your bridges?
2006-12-05 20:17:02
From The Sun (via Fark): JUBILANT car salesman Steve Moseley went berserk and told his boss to stick his job ? after MISREADING a £1million scratchcard.Ecstatic Steve, 36, DANCED on his desk, THREW all the money in his wallet at colleagues and sent a junior out for CHAMPAGNE thinking he had won a fortune. He then phoned his girlfriend to tell her he had quit and was rushing off to buy an Aston Martin. But 45 minutes later his celebrations were cruelly cut short when he phoned the National Lottery?s claim hotline ? and was told to take another look. Shocked Steve saw he had mistaken a 16 for a 15 on his 24 Karat Gold scratchcard ? meaning he had NOT matched two 15kg ingots. And instead of becoming an instant millionaire he was broke and jobless. Steve, of Gosport, Hants, could barely scrape the money together to pay the junior for the £35 bottle of bubbly. He then had to grovel to boss Mike Earle ? telling him: ?I?ve made a dreadful mistake.?
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A ?Crazy? Christmas
2006-12-05 20:17:02
As we countdown the final 20 days until Chris t mas , the “beloved” Crazy Frog makes a return visit with his own Christmas video…

A post-it pad that might bring you to tears?
2006-12-05 20:17:02
From Tokyomango: The Kokuyo Design award winners were announced a week ago, and this awesome post-it pad won the grand prix. The theme was “leaves.” Each layer looks slightly different from the one before it, and the translucency and texture make it really feel like you are peeling off thinly cut layers of the onion.
More About: Post , Hat , Tear , Ring , That

Overheard
2006-12-05 02:16:02
Coworker #1 on phone: No, no, no, dammit! I swear, I’m going to hang up — I mean it, I’m going to hang up. No. No. No! Dammit, I said I am going to hang up! Coworker #2 walks over, removes phone, slams it down: There, now we can all get back to our lives! Coworker #1 redials: Sorry baby, some crazy twat I work with is having a bad day… What? What?! No! No! No! Dammit, I hate you! I’m hanging up! – Alpharetta, Georgia, via Over heard In The Office
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How to freak out a telemarketer
2006-12-05 02:16:02
Next time you get an unwanted telemarketer call you, try this.
More About: How To , Market , Tele , Freak , Mark

America?s holiest book?
2006-12-05 02:16:02
There’s a brewing controversy — one being stirred up by certain Christian fundamentalists — about the decision by the newly elected Representative Keith Ellison (D-Minn) to use the holy book of his faith for his swearing into Congress. His faith? Islam. The holy book? The Koran. Donald Wildmon, founder and president of the America n Family Association, says: He should not be allowed to do so — not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization. First, it is an act of hubris that perfectly exemplifies multiculturalist activism — my culture trumps America’s culture. What Ellison and his Muslim and leftist supporters are saying is that it is of no consequence what America holds as its holiest book; all that matters is what any individual holds to be his holiest book. Forgive me, but America should not give a hoot what Keith Ellison’s favorite book is. Insofar as a member of Congress taking an...
More About: Book , Lies