Can she be any more beautiful??? God I'm soooo jealous. Even just casual she's sooo pretty. I'm liking Brad more than before but she can have him.

Finally, appearing on red carpet together!!! Wow!!! Premiere of "The Good Sheperd" tonight. Golden Globe nom's out this week.

GMD has GOT to be fuming!!! Had his stupid 2nd wedding party Saturday night. Bunch of C&D list posers. Then Nicole Richie gets busted this early am for driving wrong way on the freeway after smoking dope and take Vics. All bloggers are talking about reports of her being 5'1" & 85lbs. Then the Golden Couple make an appearance. Wedding? what wedding??

Oh my god!!! How funny is this shit?? Haaa Haaa

Gallery of the Absurd Rocks!!!

As much as I hate going to Meijer I have to go soon, I'm down to scraps of food.

Today I have the last of the cheese cubes, apple desert from a vegetarian frozen meal I ate yesterday (finally I put it in the fridge a few days ago) and rice with the flakes I bought on eBay.

I stopped for gas and bought a donut and blueberry muffin, a large coffee and jumbo cherry coke. By the time I got to work I was stuffed. I ate the cheese & crackers then the rice. I brought the apple thing home and I was going to put in the fridge but then I noticed a HUGE hair on it, so that went into the trash. I must not have put enough flakes on the rice or I should have mixed them in because they really had no taste. I used the little fishy mold and they kinda look cute. Maybe I should have given them eyes though. Oh well.

Tomorrow I'll probably just pull a frozen dinner out and take that.

It was sooo busy at work today. I barely got to finish my Legal News.

Ramen noodles today with carrots and cheese cubes. I had a strawberry yogurt with granola left at work from yesterday. I ended up eating that on first break then the carrots and cheese on second break and bringing the noodles home. The Wilton cupcake cups are a little too tall for my bento so it doesn't shut good but I put the elastic on it fine.

It's only been 2 days of 7am starts and neither day did I get up when I should have. Luckily the roads have been dry and traffic light so I'm still able to get to work early. I'm very tired today. Tomorrow I'm off. I need to check the winter schedule and register for at least one class but hopefully two.

Yippee!! Ma went to the post office for me yesterday and picked up my package from China. Both Hello Kitties!! (I didn't notice that they were from the same seller)

Today's bento: Leftover Veggie Rice w/the small triangle mold with fresh ground pepper. Cut apple & cheese cubes. Harvest Crisp crackers I have at work. Also took a yogurt w/granola but didn't end up eating it. This made me full.

I had to stop to get gas this morning and the coolant light was on. Checked under the hood and it was completely empty!!! My fingers were freezing and felt frostbit as I was trying to open the jug and pour the stuff in. On the way home a rock hit the windshield and made a big dent. Good thing I still have got it replaced because of the crack. Windshield washer fluid is empty too. I'm not really overdue for an oilchange still have about 1,000 miles to go but I think if I don't forget I'll stop after work tomorrow. Better safe than sorry.

I used my other bento box. Also in the mail yesterday there was a card to sign and go pick up a package from China, so one of the Hello Kitties must be in!

This bento is just 2 Chik Stiks from Kroger and rice from Meijer's Asian section that I made with Vegetable stock instead of water. I didn't think it would stick together to make shapes but when I was eating it, I realized that it is different than regular rice and probably would have kepted it's shape. Next time I make it I'll do it that way or if there is any left overs (can't remember) I'll try. Also took a strawberry yogurt and granola. Drank a bit of a tiny bit of water and hot chocolate and some coffee. Still was hungry so had to go to the snack table and buy some chocolate. Next time I'll have to add a vegetable. Actually I had an english muffin on the way out the door too. Hmmm. Guess I'm getting better. I'm going to need to start exercising.

Next week I start work at 7am so I'll have to go to the YMCA. Have to at least go once this year.

Well, I felt soo much better today. I was still tired when I woke up. I tried to pick up the house a little. Got my bento from Sunday together, the trash and left the house at 6am. Traffic jam at M-14 around 7 took about 20 minutes to get through.

I felt ok even during work. I ate yogurt w/granola at break with some cheese cubes and grapes. Took my 2liter of Vernors. I was scared that I still felt icky but I guess I was ok.

Work was busy, I've been too sick to take my meds so I'm crying over everthing. Some transfered broad in WI control is worthless and pissing me off. Then at the end of the day Hilda tells me I 16hours over on my vacation time. How can that be? I should still have 1 or 2 days even after taking this 1 1/2 days I just took.

Adrionne will go over it with me on Thursday.

I left my camera at Ma's house on Thanksgiving so no picture of the bento. Boo! It was kinda cute taking my box and eating out of it. I need to pack something I can use my chopsticks with.

Still no Hello Kittys. Uggg.

I came home 1/2 day from work yesterday. I was throwing up and work. As soon as I got home, I put my bento into the refrig and ran to the bathroom. I was throwing up the rest of the night. I ended up calling Ma and crying because I was so sick. I planned on going to work this morning but I had a rough night. Sweaty, nightmares, then couldn't sleep, hot/cold. I called this morning for a vacation day, luckily I also called for a demand day. I think he said this is my last vacation day. There's still a month to go and I'm not sure how much FMLA time I have. Not much. Maybe 3 or 4 hours if I'm lucky.

I ate 4 crackers and am drinking some Hi-C. I took some of Jade's remedies. So far I haven't thrown up but I'm very nauseous still.

I feel and look like crap. I did manage to take a shower and put a load of towels and pj's in the wash. The maids are going to think this house was a mess the whole week I was off, but really it was good and I was caught up on dishes until Friday night when I first started feeling sick.

So I ended up throwing up after I talked to Ma probably around 2pm. I had already called the doctor around 11:30 because I was so nauseous. Ma went to pick up te prescription but of course Meijer didn't have it ready. They had to get it off the voice mail then fill it so she didn't bring it until 6:15pm. I'm surprised I die before then. I took that then watched tv and went to bed at 8:30.

I've been on vacation since last Friday. I go back to work tomorrow 8-4:30pm. So what happens today? I get sick. Lovely. I've been throwing up since aprox 7pm. It's 10:30 now. As soon as I think I'm done and I stumble out of the bathroom I have to turn around and go again. Yuck.

Why is the last thing you eat not the first to come back up? I think it's goofy that the first thing I had today (which was Cherry Coke) was the first thing to come up. How long does digestion take? Especially of liquid? Then the last thing I had was Alka Selzter was the last to come up? Very weird. And gross.

We went to Ground Round for Kevin's birthday. I didn't feel great afterwards but I sure didn't think I'd be this sick. I almost didn't go because there food sucks. But I went and had a Margarita and salad although I only ate some of it. Guess that will teach me.

I took a nap earlier but I guess I should try to get some sleep.

Back to work. Yuck.

Look what came in the mail yesterday!!!

Another bento. This one has a clear lid with a shallow spot to hold a pair of short chopsticks. (now I need to learn to use them) A nifty bag that I can put either bento in to carry. A piece of elastic. And three containers. The littlest one I don't know what would go in there. Maybe pills, but not much else.

Still waiting for the Hello Kitties. This auction ended on November 5th and I got it yesterday, so the Kitties should be any day now. This one was also from Japan.

I'm on vacation and so far have only gone to Meijer and that was on Sunday. I was going to take Jade to the park yesterday and today but ended up not. Sunday and yesterday I worked on my T-shirt quilt. Sunday night I realized I had measured wrong so I had to tear out and redo all the borders that I had put on to build up the blocks that were smaller than 16" x 16". So I just ended up cutting 2" borders and sewing those all on. Today I cut them all down to 16" x 16". Ma brought over her material and T-shirts and I said I would do hers. All of her shirts are the same size so it'll be easier.

Jodie's off the rest of the week so I won't have Jade.

I still want to do some scrapbooking, I still have runs from last year to do, ALL of this year. Christmas of last year and TONS of Jade.

I also need to paint the door to the porch and clean up the entry way and clean out the utensil drawer and find a spot for my bento stuff.

Bento

Friday happy day!! One of my eBay winnings came. Yippee. The blue dragonfly bento box. Too bad I'm on vacation and won't use it for another week.

I have a problem with knowing dimensions (that and I don't read the descriptions after seeing the pictures) so this was MUCH smaller than I thought it would be. I thought it would be about as big as a pencil box. It's not. It's a little bit bigger than a dollar bill. Then I went back just to see and actually read the eBay auction and of course it does say 6" by 3". Oh well. It's cute and I don't have to be a piggy. Plus my tupperware was too big so now everything will look crammed in and fuller.

I ordered the fishy mold and triangle molds because there is no way I'm playing with rice and they will turn out looking good. And I got the spices because I don't know what to buy at Meijer. The only problem is that they are in Japanese and I don't know what they say or know anyone that can translate. Jodie said she could take it to work and find someone if I need to.

Now I can't wait for my Hello Kitty's to come. I wonder how small they will be? Then I have another auction with a box, smaller containers, a bag and chopsticks. Yippee!

No time for a bento picture today. I made white rice with vegetable broth instead of water. It was really good! I added the rest of the fried tofu I made. If I fry tofu again, I have to make sure to get plain tofu. That one had a funny tasting marinade.

I took the vegetable rolls to work that I bought at Trader Joe's. I had 1/2 of one. It tasted like fish to me. Edie had one and she kinda liked it. Char popped the whole thing in her mouth at once! She said it didn't taste fresh. I might try to make my own but I don't think I like them.

Had to take 15 minutes flex time this morning. I was late getting up. Then I had to be there at 9:30 and M14 was jammed up so I was late. UGGG. I'm working 11:30-3:30 tomorrow, then on vacation!!!!!!!!

I stopped to the library after work and picked up books and dropped of the others. Saturday Ma and I are going downtown, they are having that Discover Downtown like they did in the Spring. I don't know if Jodie has to work yet. I need to drop off my paperwork and check to the lawyer's office. I'll probably do that on Monday or Tuesday. Jade and I can drop off recycling, drop the papers off, then go to Cascades.

Well, off to bed. Prob no bento tomorrow since I'm only working 4 hours.

No Bento Today

Work up too late to put one together, then I left the veggie sushi I bought at Trader Joe's on the countertop and the maids didn't put it in the refrig when they cleaned today. Oh well.

So the reason for the happy face?

I preferenced today (for 8 week schedule) and I got a GREAT!! schedule. 7-3:30 Mon,Tues,Thurs & Friday. Sunday 8:30-5 with Wed & Sat off. Yippee!!! Woot, Woot!!

This is almost as good a schedule as I good when we first got to Southfield and I ulled 6-2:30's. Of course, it's the same reaction, the chickie's with kids who don't want to start too early (7am's) but also don't want a weekend shift had to bump down to 10am starts so they're pissed off.

I guess there is some sorta of petition going around but I haven't seen it. Plus we got an email today that tomorrow there is a union meeting. Umm thanks for the advance notice!!!

But for now and the next 10 weeks I'm happy. I'll have to be on the road at 5am but at least construction on M-14 is starting to kinda wrap up. Slowly but it's a little better. Now if the snow holds off.

Confusing

So I've been getting several wrong number calls lately. Don't know why all of a sudden. I've had my home number for 5 years or so and my cell number for 2 years last month. (my home phone is forwarded to my cellphone)

So today I get the 800 call while I was on break so I wait for a representative to come on the line. It took a while too. And he asks for some guys name. Sorry you have the wrong number. So he adds the last name. Sorry never heard from him, you have the wrong number. ok.

Later after 5pm, I'm working until 8pm this week, I get a call, thinking it's my mom I answer it. The woman is like what are you doing or where are you at? I'm working. Then I realize I don't recognize the voice. Who is this? Brenda. You have the wrong number. Is this XXXX (the last 4 digits) yes. But I don't know you. Is it XXX (the first 3 digits) yes, but I don't know you. Ok sorry. that's ok.

Then... I get another call around 7:30pm I glance at it and see that the number starts with a 4 so I think it's Brenda again. I always answer the phone, "What", when I know who it is, so that's the way I answer it.

Well this time it's some guy. Equinox is this is Kevin. Kevin who? We dated a few years ago. (Ok-this is evidently the guy who left the message a few weeks ago saying he saw me walking down Greenwood "looking hot"--wasn't walking, I was in my car at a stop light, wasn't "looking hot", I was sick from something from the day before, no makeup, hair in a sad ponytail, just went to the dentist and probably kissing the dog)

So I say, I'm sorry I didn't date any one by that name you have the wrong number. He says what about Kip? No. What about Men-something Mexican sounding? Look I've only dated a few guys and you weren't one of them, I'm sorry you have the wrong number and I hung up.

So at the Halloween party I told Peggi about the previous call and we decided that it must be "didn't walk me to the door boy".

She worked with him and fixed me up on a blind date with him. Now, I personally LOVE blind dates. Haven't REALLY had a horrible one, I think that's what I hoping for. He came close.

He had my name and number for probably 3 months but wouldn't call--until the newspaper did an article about single people and Christmas and I responded and the put a HUGE picture of me in the LIVING TODAY section. (turned out cute) Then this jerk must have decided that I was ok looking enough to go on one date with. So already I'm not liking him. Strike 1.

He picks me up. He's short. I have boots on which my me taller than him so I feel like an Amazon. Strike 2.

When he brings me home he parks his truck and already I can tell he's not going to walk me to the door. Now my car is in the driveway and he's behind it but with enough of a space for another car to fit. I have to walk to the back door. This is January in Michigan. Icy snow on the ground. STRIKE 3.

But wait, he's going for another throw. He turns to me before I open the door and get out, puts his arm on the back of the seat and says, " I don't suppose you kiss on the first date"!!!!! WTF!!!

No, I don't. What about on a 2nd date? No not usually even on a 3rd or 4th date. This part was all said while I was out of the vehicle and closing the door.

I don't know anyone else's policy...but mine is: If a guy ASKS, the answer is NO. ALWAYS no exceptions.

Now, because at this time, my friends were telling me my standards were too high and I'm too picky. (They were wrong BTW) I did meet him for lunch once and I think maybe one more dinner for a total of 3 dates. Never, ever walked me to the door. I never, ever kissed him.

Three dates with no kissing does not, in my opinion, equal "dating" or a call FIVE years later. Yes my readers (I hope there are readers) this all happened 5 years ago. 3 so-so dates 5 years ago. What does this guy do? Every few years go through his address book and call up girls he had a few dates with?

Next thing you know Psycho FBI Agent is going to call or have Aunt Linda call me. UGGG

These are starting to look a little bit better.

Today, I took a bagel w/goober grape to eat in the car on the way to work. Drank the orange juice then too. (need to take water!)

The yogurt and cereal I had after first break so around 2pm. (I should have put this in the refrigerator when I got to work) Later I went to have some cheese but it was quite warm, so then I put it away. Around 6:30 or so, I ate 1/2 of the burritoe which I had bought at Trader Joe's. It was ok, not great, but not yucky. Had some sauce packets in the car from Taco Bell to put on it. Ate some carrots and cheese. Brought the rest back for another day.

Tomorrow I'll have to get up early and make rice and noodles. There is still some of the fried tofu left from last week and I need to take in the California Rolls I bought. I think there's 6 of them so I'll share because I'm not sure I'll like them. Yikes!

So I think you can tell that there IS progress on this mess. The ones in the middle are shrinking slowly but surely.

The biggest problem is that they itch and when I'm busy and frustrated at work and don't think about it, I just automatically scratch and then there's blood and yuck.

The picture also doesn't show it but on the right hand side, in the widow's corner (that's what I call it) there's a large scab and another one at my temple.

The ones on my shoulder seem to be gone, but the ones at my hairline by my neck are worse. And the ones on the scalp are fewer but deeper. These also itch like crazy plus I pick at them especially when stressed. Which is always.

Didn't take a decent picture of my chest but it's healed up and now there are just scars. I wonder if I can get dermabrasion for that?

I also can't remember to take the antibiotics or when my next appointment is???

So I finally went here after work on Friday. Had a heck of a time getting to it. I thought it was in the same parking lot as Meijer but it was across the street and Farmington on Friday night evidenty is very busy.

The store is very tiny. Only about 6 or 7 aisles. One with frozen foods. The only brand I recognized was Morningstar. I was hoping they had other meat substitutes but they didn't.

I got some vegetarian eggrolls. A can of vegetarian chili, corn chowder. Tortilla chips. I'm going to try some California rolls but I don't think I like seaweed. I hope I do. They'd be really good in my bento.

I bought some other premade cold stuff a burrito and peroggies. Only spent like $30. Their fruit didn't look that good. I still need to get some. I should probably make a trip to Whole Foods.

Easy-Bake Oven, Lionel Trains Inducted Into National Toy Hall of Fame
Friday , November 10, 2006

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The National Toy Hall of Fame is paying homage to the electric age.

The Easy-Bake Oven and Lionel model trains joined Mr. Potato Head, the Frisbee and 32 other classic but watt-free toys Thursday in the Strong-National Museum of Play's eight-year-old hall of fame.

Longevity is a key criterion for getting into the all-star lineup. Each toy must not only be widely recognized and foster learning, creativity or discovery through play, but endure in popularity over multiple generations.

"This is the year of the plug-in toy — and a sign of things to come," said Christopher Bensch, the museum's chief curator, noting that the 12 nominees in 2006 included the iconic Atari video game system.

"Will it be time someday for the GameBoy or the PlayStation or the Xbox? I think so. Those are the toys people are going to have nostalgia for and maybe pass on in their latest forms to their kids and grandkids."

The latest, still pre-computer child favorites to be honored have been around for awhile: The first Easy-Bake Oven showed up in stores in 1964, and Lionel trains have been chugging along for more than a century.

Engineer Joshua Lionel Cowen built his first electric toy train as a store-window attraction around 1900. When a customer bought the train instead of other toys it advertised, he launched the Lionel Manufacturing Co. Its sales peaked at $32.9 million in 1953.

Pretzel vendors in New York City gave toymakers at Kenner the idea of a child-suitable gizmo that actually heated food in a small working oven. Kenner, now a division of Hasbro Inc., has since sold 23 million Easy-Bake Ovens and more than 140 million mixes.

"It's safe, it works and the best part is that the play makes its own reward," said museum curator Patricia Hogan. "Fifteen minutes in the oven and a slurpy, gooey, doughy concoction becomes a delicious — OK, edible — confection."

The museum, which boasts the world's largest collection of toys and dolls, acquired the hall in 2002 from A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village in Salem, Ore. So far, 36 classic toys have been enshrined, from Barbie to Jack-in-the-Box, Legos to Lincoln Logs, Slinky to Play-Doh and Crayola crayons to marbles.

The corrugated cardboard box — a universal plaything or recreational backdrop since the 1890s — was inducted into the hall last November.

I love the Easy Bake Oven! I think I had one when I was very young, I vaguely remember making a chocolate cake once. I always wanted one when I was older but never got one. So now when I buy stuff for Toys for Tots or the Giving Tree at church I almost ALWAYS buy one. It seems so fun. And it's simple, not electronic or fancy or noisy.

Borat

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Oh my gosh, this is the funniest movie I've seen since the 40year-old Virgin. Only better because he's a foreigner and can get away with saying outrageous stuff and people chalk it up to cultural difference. Then he mispronounces words by adding an "s" to the end and putting the emphasizes on the wrong part of the word or phrase.

There is one scene that was totally funny just because of how it looked not what was being said. Then when Borat and his director talked in "Kazakhstan" (which is gibberish and some Polish) they put subtitles up which were funny.

In my celebrity fantasy league as one of my choices I picked Brad Pitt, because Babel comes out this weekend, but then I heard that they expanded the amount of screens Borat is on, so Borat will probably be #1 this weekend. My other picks hopefully will do better.

So I woke up late today and didn't pack a lunch or anything. And I was starving. I'm going to have to make more of an effort because I did notice a slight difference. Maybe if I get more on schedule it'll even out the insomnia (I hope) and I'll have more energy and actually make it to the Y-Center at least ONCE this year.

Yep, that's right, I have NOT been there AT ALL, not even ONE time, even though I pay every month. I'm bad. But I know if I cancel then I'll want to go.

Next week I work 11:30-8 Mon-Thurs and Friday 11:30-3:30, then VACATION!!!! Not going any where but it'll be nice just to be off work.

Jade is still sick, Jodie didn't go to work again today. She hasn't ate since Tuesday but is now drinking. Poor baby.

I packed a bagel with goober grape. (which I ate in the car during the construction jam on M-14, Yes they are STILL working on it)

A banana (that I just bought on Sunday and was still green but is suddenly very, very brown) that I ate on 1st break. A container of fruit on the bottom strawberry yogurt with cereal awhile after break. Some skinny carrots, rice and tofu that I fried yesterday. This rubbermaid container is too big. By the time I ate the rice it was all jumbled up with the carrots. The tofu I bought was already flavored (it was all right-not the best) so the carrots had that flavor on them. I hate my fruits and vegetables convorting. They have to have their own taste not the taste of something else on them. That why I hate fruit cocktail. Yucky.

So it's only been two days this week and one day last week that I've brought food, but I think it's working out. I'm not starving when I get home at 6:30pm after leaving at 6:30am.

I haven't been buying junk from the goodie table. I need to take water with me though. Also I would like to go to the Y-Center after work but I'm still so tired when I get out. This week I have (well yesterday) Saturday off. Next week I work Mon-Fri 11:30-8pm because the following week is Thanksgiving and I taking my last vacation week!!! woot woot!!!

Jade was sick Tuesday night overnight she had a fever of 104 and I guess Jodie couldn't bring it down. So she took the day off, so Jade didn't come over. Boo. Hopefully she'll work on Saturday and Jade can come over. I'll at least go get her and we'll go to Cascades.