4/19/2009
4/14/2009
Two Thumbs Up!
I give Progressive Auto Insurance two thumbs up for their awesome ad.
Guess they really do live up to their name.
Click below for a larger copy.
Guess they really do live up to their name.
Click below for a larger copy.
4/12/2009
Last Day...
It's officially Sunday - so that means this is my very, VERY last day of me being able to say "I'm in my 30's". Come Monday, I will have hit the big one...okay, "my" big one - for now...
I'm taking the day off...don't wanna work on my birthday...but watch...work will probably still call and page me all day long...just as they did this past Friday (Good Friday) when I had that off as a holiday...oh well...can't complain.
Surprise Birthday Party pic's coming soon...I'm just too lazy to do it right now and my bed is calling me...night all.
I'm taking the day off...don't wanna work on my birthday...but watch...work will probably still call and page me all day long...just as they did this past Friday (Good Friday) when I had that off as a holiday...oh well...can't complain.
Surprise Birthday Party pic's coming soon...I'm just too lazy to do it right now and my bed is calling me...night all.
4/08/2009
Happy Passover!!!
Here are some pictures of our seder meal tonite. I will soon be posting the pictures from my surprise early birthday Laura threw for me (I turn the big one on Monday).
Anyway, on to the pictures!
Seth and our Passover Haggadah
Reading for Passover (Haggadahs)
Foster opening the door for the Prophet Elijah
Anyway, on to the pictures!
Mommy Laura reading the Passover story
Seth and our Passover Haggadah
Reading for Passover (Haggadahs)
Foster opening the door for the Prophet Elijah
4/05/2009
Combat the H8 - I liked this saying and just wanted to remember it
"Using religion, kids or family to disguise your own hatred and bigotry is like adding sugar to rat poison. It may make it more palatable but no less harmful."
4/04/2009
Offers, counter-offers and bids
We placed a counter-offer on our place (that they accepted) and today we placed a bid on a house that would be just perfect. I'm not giving out details here (address, MLS #), you know, don't want to jinx it...but the new house is just about move-in ready. No, it IS move-in ready, things like new flooring and some kitchen refacing can wait...so if we're lucky enough to get it...I can live with those things that we can work on in time - even though I know we'll be itching to make changes.
The best features are the walk-in closets both in the master bedrooms and the kid's rooms! One full bath and bedroom on the first floor...living room, family room, dining room and kitchen. Oh yes, and the pool...ahhhhhh...our pool. Also, the back gate in the backyard behind the pool goes up a slope that actually has some (what looks like) hiking trails behind it...that would be left up to the kids to explore.
Fingers crossed...I hate this part.
The best features are the walk-in closets both in the master bedrooms and the kid's rooms! One full bath and bedroom on the first floor...living room, family room, dining room and kitchen. Oh yes, and the pool...ahhhhhh...our pool. Also, the back gate in the backyard behind the pool goes up a slope that actually has some (what looks like) hiking trails behind it...that would be left up to the kids to explore.
Fingers crossed...I hate this part.
4/02/2009
Bring on the stress....
Our house is up for sale, we've had over 15 visits in 3 days and 2 offers. We're reviewing the offers and meeting again tomorrow.
We're speeding up our search for our new home...I can't wait to swim in my very own pool and soak in my spa ASAP...
More details to come...
We're speeding up our search for our new home...I can't wait to swim in my very own pool and soak in my spa ASAP...
More details to come...
3/28/2009
WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DO NOT GO TO "PASSPORT SATURDAY" AT THE POST OFFICE...
OR YOU TOO WILL COME OUT OF IT A BIT NUTTIER THAN GOING IN...
JUST SAYING...
DETAILS TO COME...
OR YOU TOO WILL COME OUT OF IT A BIT NUTTIER THAN GOING IN...
JUST SAYING...
DETAILS TO COME...
3/26/2009
KFTD
"Vegetarians make up 4 percent of the U.S. population".
((yummy, vegetarians, wonder if they taste like chicken?))
((yummy, vegetarians, wonder if they taste like chicken?))
3/18/2009
Where's my damn bailout???
Huh? Where is it? Uggggg, I'm so disgusted by people who think that the government should bail them out just because they made really bad financial decisions.
This all came to a head recently when Laura told me about someone at work who was just thrilled to announce they were able to declare bankruptcy. Their slate will be swept clean and they get to keep their house, no debt, etc. NOW, don't get me wrong, these are not people who suddenly found themselves jobless or having severe medical problems...NOOOOOOOOO...this is a couple who both partners are working (making good incomes actually) but were fiscally irresponsible, they bought a house that they couldn't afford, ran up their credit cards, took out a second mortgage and then decided they'd rather NOT pay their bills and start again. So, they declare bankruptcy and gleefully go on their way. In fact, after declaring such bankruptcy what do they do? Do they shamefully admit their foolish spending ways and commit to relearning how to live within their means?????????? Oh hell no, they go on a Target spending spree.
Give.Me.A.Break.
No, this is not meant for the people who lost jobs due to the economy or have huge unexpected medical bills, I believe help should be available to them...it's the ones who bought the big-ass screen tv's, the cars, went on vacations, went to Target and bought something from every aisle...it's those people who I have ZERO sympathy for. Cut up your credit cards, don't buy fast food, pay your bills and - get HELP.
Laura and I have always, ALWAYS been fiscally responsible. We're looking for a new bigger house now just for that reason....we can. We are responsible and will not buy beyond our means. We don't spend money on lavish items...our cruise this year is our first "real" vacation in close to 7 years (last vacation with Foster was to Oregon for a week using our timeshare) and without kids, over 10 years. It's my big "4-0" this year and our 10th anniversary. We deserve it.
Just had to get that out of my mind...it just pisses me off to NO end.
Thanks.
This all came to a head recently when Laura told me about someone at work who was just thrilled to announce they were able to declare bankruptcy. Their slate will be swept clean and they get to keep their house, no debt, etc. NOW, don't get me wrong, these are not people who suddenly found themselves jobless or having severe medical problems...NOOOOOOOOO...this is a couple who both partners are working (making good incomes actually) but were fiscally irresponsible, they bought a house that they couldn't afford, ran up their credit cards, took out a second mortgage and then decided they'd rather NOT pay their bills and start again. So, they declare bankruptcy and gleefully go on their way. In fact, after declaring such bankruptcy what do they do? Do they shamefully admit their foolish spending ways and commit to relearning how to live within their means?????????? Oh hell no, they go on a Target spending spree.
Give.Me.A.Break.
No, this is not meant for the people who lost jobs due to the economy or have huge unexpected medical bills, I believe help should be available to them...it's the ones who bought the big-ass screen tv's, the cars, went on vacations, went to Target and bought something from every aisle...it's those people who I have ZERO sympathy for. Cut up your credit cards, don't buy fast food, pay your bills and - get HELP.
Laura and I have always, ALWAYS been fiscally responsible. We're looking for a new bigger house now just for that reason....we can. We are responsible and will not buy beyond our means. We don't spend money on lavish items...our cruise this year is our first "real" vacation in close to 7 years (last vacation with Foster was to Oregon for a week using our timeshare) and without kids, over 10 years. It's my big "4-0" this year and our 10th anniversary. We deserve it.
Just had to get that out of my mind...it just pisses me off to NO end.
Thanks.
3/15/2009
3/08/2009
Weekend Fun
We did lots and LOTS this weekend, even though Laura is pretty run down with a nasty cough (thanks Foster - he has a croupy-cough)...and I really hope NOT to get it.
Friday was super-busy at work and when I finally got home, I was wiped...anyway, Saturday we looked at the calendar and lo and behold - this never happens - but there was not ONE thing on it that we had to do. So the kids were pretty well-behaved and entertained themselves for quite a long time. Long enough for Laura and I to bag up 5 huge, black, trash bags full of *crap*. We wanted/needed to do this since our house will soon be back on the market. We got rid of soooo much stuff, mainly kids books and toys...it felt really good to purge all that out. I also stripped all the beds and washed everything - including all the clothes. Yay!
On Sunday, the cleaning and "getting rid of" continued. But first, Foster went to Hebrew School and Laura (still not feeling so well) took Logan and Seth to Target while Foster was in school. We did our usual damage there and then picked up Foster and guess what? Went BACK to Target for lunch. Actually it was pretty good...so much cheaper and better for us than fast food. We did this because after lunch time we were meeting Foster's Hebrew School class at a Jewish HealthCare Center to help hand out Purim baskets.
After we got home, major "quiet time" was in order. On their beds, tv okay, but quiet. I napped for an hour and a half, Laura napped as well. After waking up, some more "purging" and then outside time for the boys while Laura made dinner. After dinner and kids to bed - we cleaned out our bookshelf. Wow, it looks great.
Now, my next task, I promised I would clean out this computer area. It's in the dining room so it needs to be neater. That's next on my "To Do" list...but not today....this time change is killing me. Tomorrow...I promise!
Friday was super-busy at work and when I finally got home, I was wiped...anyway, Saturday we looked at the calendar and lo and behold - this never happens - but there was not ONE thing on it that we had to do. So the kids were pretty well-behaved and entertained themselves for quite a long time. Long enough for Laura and I to bag up 5 huge, black, trash bags full of *crap*. We wanted/needed to do this since our house will soon be back on the market. We got rid of soooo much stuff, mainly kids books and toys...it felt really good to purge all that out. I also stripped all the beds and washed everything - including all the clothes. Yay!
On Sunday, the cleaning and "getting rid of" continued. But first, Foster went to Hebrew School and Laura (still not feeling so well) took Logan and Seth to Target while Foster was in school. We did our usual damage there and then picked up Foster and guess what? Went BACK to Target for lunch. Actually it was pretty good...so much cheaper and better for us than fast food. We did this because after lunch time we were meeting Foster's Hebrew School class at a Jewish HealthCare Center to help hand out Purim baskets.
After we got home, major "quiet time" was in order. On their beds, tv okay, but quiet. I napped for an hour and a half, Laura napped as well. After waking up, some more "purging" and then outside time for the boys while Laura made dinner. After dinner and kids to bed - we cleaned out our bookshelf. Wow, it looks great.
Now, my next task, I promised I would clean out this computer area. It's in the dining room so it needs to be neater. That's next on my "To Do" list...but not today....this time change is killing me. Tomorrow...I promise!
3/04/2009
We're hoping for a great result...
Wednesday, March 4 is the day before the California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8. That evening, we’ll stand together and send a unified message to our fellow Californians, including the Supreme Court Justices, that individual liberties like the right to marry are guaranteed by the Constitution to everyone and cannot be stripped away at the ballot box by a bare majority. Just as important, we will give our love and support to all the families headed by same-sex couples who are threatened by the recent electoral outcome, as well as same-sex couples whose hopes and dreams of marriage and family have been frustrated by enactment of Prop 8.
To read the parties' filings and the dozens of amicus 'friend of the court' briefs filed on behalf of Civil Rights Organizations, Bar Associations, Academics, Women's Groups, Faith and Religious Groups, and many others go to http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8.htm
March 5th - Supreme Court Oral Argument Hearing 9am to noon.
Television viewing: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8viewing.htm
Local Public Viewings: Check your local city for viewing locations as they become available.
Equality should not be put up for a popular vote.
• Prop 8 is a radical and unprecedented change to the California Constitution that puts all Californians at risk.
• Prop 8 defeats the very purpose of our constitution, which is to protect minorities and to make sure the law treats everyone equally.
• This is the first time the initiative process has successfully been used to change the California Constitution to take away a fundamental freedom from a particular group and to mandate government discrimination against a minority.
• If prop 8 is upheld, the courts will no longer have a meaningful role in protecting minority groups or women, since any decision prohibiting discrimination could be reversed by a simple majority.
To read the parties' filings and the dozens of amicus 'friend of the court' briefs filed on behalf of Civil Rights Organizations, Bar Associations, Academics, Women's Groups, Faith and Religious Groups, and many others go to http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8.htm
March 5th - Supreme Court Oral Argument Hearing 9am to noon.
Television viewing: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8viewing.htm
Local Public Viewings: Check your local city for viewing locations as they become available.
Equality should not be put up for a popular vote.
• Prop 8 is a radical and unprecedented change to the California Constitution that puts all Californians at risk.
• Prop 8 defeats the very purpose of our constitution, which is to protect minorities and to make sure the law treats everyone equally.
• This is the first time the initiative process has successfully been used to change the California Constitution to take away a fundamental freedom from a particular group and to mandate government discrimination against a minority.
• If prop 8 is upheld, the courts will no longer have a meaningful role in protecting minority groups or women, since any decision prohibiting discrimination could be reversed by a simple majority.
3/02/2009
3/01/2009
Logan...
This kid loves his "babies". Here he is explaining the virtues of taking care of his babies to Mommy Laura - this seemed to be a weekend where he was constantly playing with them - his new favorite activity is pretending to give them all a bath. I played "babies" with him for about an hour yesterday...we fed them, bathed them, cut their nails, put on their pj's, took them for a walk in the stroller (well all 4 or 5 babies in one stroller) and put them all to bed.
My sweet boy...he's gonna make such a great dad one day.
2/28/2009
We're three for three...
Foster and Seth got their glasses today. And I must say, the experience was 1000% better than the last time we went (the day we found out both would need glasses). Both boys did great! I'm so proud of them...not one complaint...well, other than Seth stating he wouldn't wear them, never ever. But he did, as long as he saw me clean them, then he said he'd wear them. Sure! He doesn't know yet that we'll soon start patching for 6 hours a day (YIKES)...we thought it would be best to do one step at a time with this...
Foster and new glasses
Seth and new glasses
Logan with glasses (not new) - but just as cute
Foster and new glasses
Seth and new glasses
Logan with glasses (not new) - but just as cute
2/25/2009
Fun with root canals...
...NOT!
Well, let's see...it all started yesterday at 2pm. Went into the dentist because I called on Sunday and left a message that my tooth was starting to wake me up at night, bother me during the day, etc. Dentist called Monday morning and had me come in yesterday.
This is a tooth that the dentist has been watching for about a year. See, previous to this dentist - Dr. G_______, I went to a very crappy dentist. One that I even had to report to the dental board she was that bad. Unfortunately at the time, my dental coverage didn't cover Dr. G. so I had to see inferior dentists. Skip forward a few years...I'm back with my wonderful dentist again and now he has to repair all the damage the crappy dentists did for years - and thank goodness, we're almost there!
Anyway, went in yesterday, emergency appointment. X-rays, cold ice thing, dental picks - diagnosis (no, not murder) = root canal - pronto.
He opened the tooth and took out as much of the dead stuff (sorry, not being technical now) he could, put a temp. on and sent me to the front to make another appointment for the next day (today).
What he explained to me was this...apparently, the canals in the tooth had started to close up on the ends and therefore there was very little blood supply to the tooth and therefore the nerves were dying a slow, painful death. This is in part due to aging (damn birthdays), genetics (thanks mom!), bad luck and well, just something that happens.
Go in today...I really expected it to be a fairly quick appointment, I mean after all, he did most of the work yesterday. Sat in the chair (on-time thankyouverymuch), got my first series of shots (I think there were 3) and waited 10 minutes. He re-opened the tooth and started cleaning out the canals. Now here's where it got tricky. I guess that particular tooth had canals so very thin that he had to go dig up a type of file that they haven't used in years. The tiniest and thinnest one they make. He used that and I practically jumped thru the ceiling, I still had some stray nerve fibers hanging around in there so I had to get (stop reading here if you're soon scheduled for a root canal) a shot DIRECTLY into the middle of the canal. Oy.
In the end, the tooth was so involved and was messed around with so much he didn't even want to completely close it up. So I got me some anti-biotics, some strong pain killers (they work!) and a temporary cap...until next week...when we get to do it all over again to finish it up.
Ow.
Well, let's see...it all started yesterday at 2pm. Went into the dentist because I called on Sunday and left a message that my tooth was starting to wake me up at night, bother me during the day, etc. Dentist called Monday morning and had me come in yesterday.
This is a tooth that the dentist has been watching for about a year. See, previous to this dentist - Dr. G_______, I went to a very crappy dentist. One that I even had to report to the dental board she was that bad. Unfortunately at the time, my dental coverage didn't cover Dr. G. so I had to see inferior dentists. Skip forward a few years...I'm back with my wonderful dentist again and now he has to repair all the damage the crappy dentists did for years - and thank goodness, we're almost there!
Anyway, went in yesterday, emergency appointment. X-rays, cold ice thing, dental picks - diagnosis (no, not murder) = root canal - pronto.
He opened the tooth and took out as much of the dead stuff (sorry, not being technical now) he could, put a temp. on and sent me to the front to make another appointment for the next day (today).
What he explained to me was this...apparently, the canals in the tooth had started to close up on the ends and therefore there was very little blood supply to the tooth and therefore the nerves were dying a slow, painful death. This is in part due to aging (damn birthdays), genetics (thanks mom!), bad luck and well, just something that happens.
Go in today...I really expected it to be a fairly quick appointment, I mean after all, he did most of the work yesterday. Sat in the chair (on-time thankyouverymuch), got my first series of shots (I think there were 3) and waited 10 minutes. He re-opened the tooth and started cleaning out the canals. Now here's where it got tricky. I guess that particular tooth had canals so very thin that he had to go dig up a type of file that they haven't used in years. The tiniest and thinnest one they make. He used that and I practically jumped thru the ceiling, I still had some stray nerve fibers hanging around in there so I had to get (stop reading here if you're soon scheduled for a root canal) a shot DIRECTLY into the middle of the canal. Oy.
In the end, the tooth was so involved and was messed around with so much he didn't even want to completely close it up. So I got me some anti-biotics, some strong pain killers (they work!) and a temporary cap...until next week...when we get to do it all over again to finish it up.
Ow.
2/21/2009
Pictures from our Snow Day
Click on the link "View Album at Shutterfly" beneath the picture! Oh, and in the 3rd and 4th pictures, the "brown stuff" in the background is the desert - where shorts and t-shirts are the norm. We love it here...within one hour we can go see the snow, the desert, the ocean and a foreign country!
18 pictures
View Album at Shutterfly
18 pictures
View Album at Shutterfly
2/19/2009
KFTD
"Behram, an Indian thug, holds the record for most murders by a single individual. He strangled 931 people between 1790 and 1840 with a piece of yellow and white cloth called a ruhmal."
(glad I didn't meet this guy...way back when...)
(glad I didn't meet this guy...way back when...)
2/14/2009
The good news and the bad news...
Today we had eye doctor appt's for all 3 boys. Now that we're back at Kaiser (yay!!!) we were able to get them all in to see our favorite eye doctor.
The good news: no more patching for Logan!
The bad news: both Seth AND Foster need glasses and now we need to start patching Seth when he gets his glasses....................oy..................no.....................triple oy......................
I truly wasn't expecting both Seth and Foster to need glasses....Foster is so not thrilled - not at all. In fact, in the eye glass shop he had an embarrassing meltdown/temper tantrum. One to rival any 3 year olds. He promptly earned himself a nap on his bed and no overnight at his friends house, oh, and no Wii time today.
At least now, all 5 of us will be in glasses. Good thing Laura and I decided (during open enrollment) to enroll all 3 kids in EACH of our vision plans...'cause now, we really need it!
The good news: no more patching for Logan!
The bad news: both Seth AND Foster need glasses and now we need to start patching Seth when he gets his glasses....................oy..................no.....................triple oy......................
I truly wasn't expecting both Seth and Foster to need glasses....Foster is so not thrilled - not at all. In fact, in the eye glass shop he had an embarrassing meltdown/temper tantrum. One to rival any 3 year olds. He promptly earned himself a nap on his bed and no overnight at his friends house, oh, and no Wii time today.
At least now, all 5 of us will be in glasses. Good thing Laura and I decided (during open enrollment) to enroll all 3 kids in EACH of our vision plans...'cause now, we really need it!
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