La Promenade

Who knew that Renoir would be the force that propelled me to drive into Philadelphia again for the second time this weekend! With my coffee in my cup holder, Courtney and I ventured along Kelly Drive to The Philadelphia Museum of Art to take in the Renoir Landscapes exhibit.

Along with some high art, we took in some general entertainment at the movie house. We saw Dan in Real Life with Steve Carell. Not my usual type of movie to see in the theater, but it was cute and simple and just the right thing. Unless you are the lover of romantic comedies, I would wait to rent it.

Midwestern Endorsement: Rosie Thomas

Sometimes, I just love Philly.

Sometimes, I just love me in Philly.

Last night, I drove downtown to catch a show at World Cafe Live with my chum, Courtney. We heard the lovely and real Rosie Thomas. She only writes two kinds of songs, downers and love songs...my two favorite kinds of songs!

I loved that she was wearing just regular trouser jeans that I would wear to teach kindergarten and she had this amazing stage manner where she showed her sense of humor. I kept thinking, "I think Rosie Thomas and I should be friends."

*Sigh*

I guess I will just listen to her amazing music instead.

Open for Suggestions

Inspire me, readers. I am taking suggestions for all things. The following is the list of things I would like some suggestions.

1. Music
   
2. Books
3. Websites - keep it clean, people.
4. Beverages
5. Cozy comforts
6. Haircuts
7. Blog topics
8. Quotes

Let's Share

Along with Dream Dinners, my new obsession is Simplify Media. This is a revolutionary idea where you share your itunes library with your friends. It is not the illegal kind of sharing where I actually get to put the songs in my library, but instead, I just listen to their library when they are online.

I love it.

Right now, I can listen to Jodi's, Sara's, Amanda's, and Courtney's music. If you want to share music too, just invite me and if I know you, I will say yes. It is my first name and last name all lowercase.

This is what I love about sharing itunes right at this moment...

• I am using Amanda's music as a bit of a time capsule to my junior high days. I can listen to "What She's Doing Now" by Garth Brooks on Amanda's tunes and go right back to the early 90's when I couldn't get enough of Garth. Oh! And "Burnin' Bridges"...I love that one too! She has a mean collection of early 90's Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith music. What? You didn't know that about me? You didn't know that I used to jam in my bedroom to christian rock in my pre-teen years? Proudly.

Minty Booze

I do not find myself in a liquor store very often. Every once in awhile, I might have to get wine if we have guests, but even then, I have no idea what I am buying. I just make sure it is over $15 and hope for the best.

However, today, I needed some creme de menthe for a cake that I was making. In the midwest, I could find mint syrup in the ice cream aisle at the grocery store, but not here. As I left the grocery store, I couldn't even think where there was a liquor store on the way home.

I found one and wandered without having any clue where to look for this. I saw signs for wines, vodkas, brandies, rums. So, I walked up and down each aisle. I couldn't find it and finally asked a man where to locate the creme de menthe section.

"Section? Try one bottle."

Okay. You don't have to embarrass me Liquor Man. I drink beer. I keep it simple. I am not going to be ashamed of my lack of booze knowledge.

Ooo...They are Back

The smut is back.

NIP/TUCK returns on October 30. Set your TIVO if you are fancy and tech savvy. If you are like me, just cuddle into your couch and get yourself ready for ridiculousness that is Dr. Christian Troy and Dr. Sean McNamara.

Look how good they look. They look like they are ready to make Hollywood beautiful.

My New Thing...Hopefully

Although I love to cook, my energies are low during the work week and I have been quite lazy with my meal preparation. Not only are my energies low after a day of kid-wrangling in kindergarten, but I tend to run out of ideas for dinner. It doesn't matter how many recipe books that I look at or how many recipes that I try, I end up cooking the same boring meals...if I cook at all.

My friend Sara was telling me about her meal preparation store that she goes to once a month. I was interested.

So, next Saturday, I will go to my local Dream Dinners and prepare 12 meals with three servings each. The food is all bought, cleaned, and prepared. I will put the meals together and they provide the tins and covers so I can take them home and freeze them. I think it is a pretty good deal, cost wise. Sure, you are paying for some of the convenient, but I will gladly do that so I do not have to plan and cook 12 meals during the work week. That leaves only eight days where I will have to think of something to cook, but Tim provides dinner every Thursday night. So, that really means that I only have to think of four meals a month!

We have a few meal preparation stores around Philly, but I will start with Dream Dinners. I might try Super Suppers next month. This is my new favorite thing. I am already looking at next months menus at these stores to see where I want to make December's meals.

I do love to plan meals and cook meals, but I will save those energies and creative juices for the weekend meals.

You're Late

Okay, I know I can do better than writing about Dane Cook.

I am not sure how a person can complain about 75 degree weather this late into October, but I can. I am ready for turtlenecks and cords. I am ready for the leaves to change. I love fall and I love being able to pick up a coffee and go for a long drive with Tim on a Sunday. And I wait. The leaves are still on all of the trees and they are mostly green. C'mon!

I am going to a football game on Sunday and I would like nothing better than to wear my puffy vest and sipping on a hot cocoa.

I Don't Even Want to Include His Name in This Title

Who is this Dane Cook and why is he being forced upon me?

I have been forced to watch my fair share of post-season baseball this fall. I guess this guy Dane Cook has a few promos where he talks about the glory that is October. Whenever I see it, I make the same comment to Tim.

I have no idea why this guy is famous. I am sure there is a good reason, but I have never seen him in a movie. I have never seen his comedy act. I attribute this to a whole generational gap that I am thankful for. I think if I was in college when Dane Cook became famous, maybe I would know him. However, he could be my next door neighbor. I wouldn't know.

Midwestern Recipe: Pumpkin Bread

I am a big fan of sweet breads. I like this seasonal treat because it is moist and flavorful. So moist that it really needs to be eaten in two or three days.

1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup margarine or butter
2 eggs
1 can of pureed pumpkin
1/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients with the milk and vanilla last. Bake in oven for one hour at 350 degrees. Check with knife. It is done cooking when the knife comes out clean.

Another Tribute

If you are a reader of The Midwestern Position, than you know how I love puffy vests.

Some might see the turning of the leaves or the arrival of Halloween candy as the first sign of fall, but for me, fall means a new puffy vest.

Don't be deceived by this red puffy. My new puffy is kelly green. Quite vibrant and eye catching. I plan to add a cream scarf and the cream hat that I already own to complete the stylish outfit. Did I tell you that my hat has a puffer on it...you know...the puffer ball on the top of the hat.

Question of the Day

Do we ever stop making the same mistakes over and over again?

Does everyone make mistakes over and over again or is there hope for me and all the other people whose foresight is completely obscured by emotions, excuses, or some other unconvincing arguments.

When I look at other people and the choices they make in their lives, it seems that they make the same choice/mistake over and over. It got me thinking about the decisions that I have made in my life. Anything from my ability to lose a little bit of weight, only to gain it back again to accepting unacceptable behaviors from the people in my life.

I guess I am one of many. Sometimes, I will think this is a good quality. For example, I give lots and lots of second chances only to be disappointed. Then, I usually start making excuses for people's behaviors and think my standards are too high. Finally, I get pissed and let them know exactly what I think.

Or even worse! I let it go only to make the same mistake again that leads to frustration.

Let's take weight loss. What it comes down to is that it bores me. Bad. It can keep my attention for about a week. Even when I think about the positive consequences in my life, I still cannot stay motivated to make healthy choices. For example, the beautiful and delicious buffalo chicken cheese steak that I have written about with great love before on this blog. I know that if I eat the whole thing, I will be uncomfortable, but it is so good. So, I make the mistake and eat it...even when I know, but my foresight is obscured by bleu cheese.

I am sure I could think of more mistakes/choices that I continue to make, but I do not need a shame spiral tonight.

Oh and that excuse about "we all make mistakes" is no good when you keep making them. It is time we all start learning from our mistakes.

Because I Can...

Let me complain a little...

The other night, we were returning from Delaware where we had enjoyed babysitting our little cousin, Emmeline. She is three months and so cute. We were on the interstate where they were doing some repairs at midnight. There was only one lane open. The left lane.

Warnings were given for many, many miles prior to the narrowing of the lanes into one lane, yet so many people just kept driving in the right lanes. When it was finally time to squeeze into the left lane, Tim let one person in and kept driving. One guy who drove by all the people waiting their turn in the left lane wanted in and Tim did not let him.

So, he threw up his aggressive middle finger to let us know how victimized he felt.

Really??? So, Mr. Aggressive Driver, you think because you did not show courtesy to all the people waiting patiently in the left lane that we should show you courtesy. When you give people the middle finger, it doesn't encourage us to be courteous to you.

People just have more guts when they are surrounded by metal and glass.

However, just the other day, three teenage girls crossed the street in the middle of a very busy road and not at the crosswalk. They made people slow down and stop so they could cross. So, I honked. Yes, this might have been seen as aggressive, but I wanted to let them know they were not be courteous. However, they let me know with a synchronized middle finger that they did not need the reminder.

Let's just all be nice.

Midwestern Endorsement: Pushing Daisies

Last week, I wrote about my disappointments with some of the fall pilot shows. However, Pushing Daisies do not fit into this category.

Instead, I love Pushing Daisies. It falls somewhere between a mystery and fantasy with lots of quirks in between. The narration reminds me of Ameile which is one of my favorite movies. Unlike so many of the television shows on each evening, it has an interesting concept.

Ned - the guy in the tie - has the skill of returning people to life with his touch, but if he touches them again, they are returned to being dead. Some mystery solving happens along with clever and witty writing between characters.

I see this show as being innocent and simple and not messed up with torrid story lines and annoying self-absorbed characters. I will be watching Pushing Daisies on Wednesdays at 8/7 central.

Down and Sort of Out

I like to claim that I have an immune system of steel. This is not the case this weekend. I felt it sneaking up on me with dry throat. I felt one nostril closing up with whatever mystery gunk is up there.

Well, I woke up with a full blown cold. Solutions...

• Coffee (of course)
• Dayquil
• Childhood orange quilt
• Reruns of half-hour television shows
• Tim's laptop computer for Wikipedia...to look up things that pop into my head...to do some online shopping...to write this entry.
• A great husband who will get me glasses of water and make frozen pizza for me.
  

No Place for a Deer

Sure, they look cute and fragile, but they are damn fast.

I am rarely put in a place where my most basic verbal instinctive reaction occurs, but today as I drove home from school with a quick stop at the coffee shop, I revealed my words.

I screamed with my window down "HOLY SH..". Why? Well, I didn't expect to have a huge HUGE deer run in front of me in the middle of the city. Not just any deer, but a several horned buck that just kept running down a residential street. I am glad that we were perpendicular rather than parallel because I am sure I would have crashed into something because I couldn't look away from this rare and strange scene.

I just hope there weren't any children around to be shocked by my crass, yet gut verbal reaction.

TV Can Be Quite Good...These Are a Big Maybe

New shows rarely impress me. I usually will find one show a season that I am into. I entered into this new television season with high hopes for two shows, Chuck on NBC and Dirty Sexy Money on ABC. However, after watching the first episodes of each show, I think they both have fatal flaws...at least in my eyes.

Chuck is clever enough. There are nerdy jokes which I like, but Chuck has downloaded all of the world's secrets into his mind. It will look like someone is going to die or some disaster will happen, but then Chuck reaches into his downloaded subconscious and can figure out the mystery at the last moment.

I am going to give it one more shot tonight with Chuck. I am going to hope that Chuck doesn't have an 'aha' moment during the last five minutes of the show to have an easy solution. Granted, it is a comedy and I should expect holes in the story, but I have high television series standards.

Then there is Dirty Sexy Money. What is there not to like about Peter Krauss. Dreamboat. However, unlike his earlier series Six Feet Under, these characters are an open book from the first 20 minutes of the series premiere. I hope they have not pigeon holed the characters so that there is very little character development.

I think television executives should know better now with excellent shows like The Sopranos or Six Feet Under that are character driven with a slow and unwinding art of story telling. With Dirty Sexy Money, I feel like I know the characters and their possible story lines after only one episode. I try to stay away from shows that are event driven rather than character driven.

This might be premature and I hope I can eat these words, but television executives dumb down shows and I think this is a big mistake. We are big boys and girls with brains. If you write it well, we will watch it.

My Weekend

New Ringtone
I used to have Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" as my default ringtone on my cell phone, but now, I have the theme from one of my favorite television shows, The Office. I look forward to my phone ringing.

Raised Flower Bed
We worked very hard on landscaping this weekend. I would post a picture but it won't be complete until the spring when we fill it with soil. We plan on using our fall leaves to get it all healthy for the spring planting. We placed 60 edging stones and it looks lovely. It will be a raised bed where we plan to really get green thumbs.

More TV Love
We watched the first two discs of Heroes, Season One. I love it. I knew I would but I just couldn't commit to watching it every week. I can commit to The Office because if I miss something, I won't be far behind the story.

Christmas Present
I purchased my first present for the Christmas season. I have a grand plan. I want to be finished with Christmas shopping by December 1. My other goal is to buy 80% of my Christmas gifts online and not enter a single mall. When I purchase gifts, I am going to ask, "What will this person REALLY enjoy?" Giving gifts is a tricky thing. I feel like as a 31 year old woman, I do not really need to receive presents, but I love to give presents. Tim and I do not exchange Christmas, Valentines, or anniversary presents. You get to a certain age and realize that if you want something, you go and buy it. However, that is the challenge of gift giving...I want to buy things that people have not thought of buying for themselves, but they will love it just the same.

Mixed CDs
I get big joy out of mixing CDs for friends. I mixed four CDs. I like to have a theme for each disk that is specially chosen for the receiver of the CD. The four themes follow...
- 80's songs that are underappreciated
- songs that you should know
- songs I am loving right now
- songs to work out to

Three out of four of those these are kind of bossy.

More Than a Phone?

Sometimes I feel old.

I was in the Verizon Wireless store after school. My phone had served me well for over two years but was no longer holding a charge. It was time for my upgrade.

Like any trip to the cell phone store, it takes FOREVER to get something accomplished. I just wanted a phone. Instead, I had to sign in at the kiosk for service. Then, I waited for about 25 minutes even though my name was first. Everyone must have been on break.

Then, my name was called. A woman told me about the phones that would be a good fit. She told me, "I am going to let this all sink in and I'll be right back with you."

I knew this to be a lie. I knew she would help another customer and it would be another 40 minutes before I saw her again.

Yep. She helped a woman who must have been signing her life away because it took FOREVER for her business to be finished. So long, in fact, that I was able to observe two fourteen year oldish girls walk from cell phone to cell phone and have the same conversation over and over. It went something like this...

Girl 1: Do you like this phone?
Girl 2: Do you like this phone?
Girl 1: It's okay if you like this phone.
Girl 2: Do you like this phone?
Girl 1: No. I just don't get this phone.

Really. Over and over they would discuss if they liked each phone. Am I missing something? What is there to like? It dials. It rings. It opens. I know there is a whole world of texting out there that I have been able to avoid on a daily basis, but I had a hard time thinking about a connection in my own 14 year old world.

I guess I would have to say that my telephone that was plugged into my wall in my bedroom would have been as important as these girls' cell phones. Granted, I did not have long discussions about whether that phone was good enough. I just felt old and grateful that I was not 14 years old.

Finally, another Verizon person came to the counter and I got my phone.

We'll See in the Spring

I am having low gardener self-esteem. I tried my best to split some hostas in my yard. I had this space that was all cleaned out and needed something. I have so many healthy hostas, I thought I would share the hosta love. However, they are pretty wilty. I am treating them very well with lots of water.

I also planted some bulbs for the spring because they are some of my favorites. Hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips will bloom. This weekend, we have big landscaping plans because we are going to build a raised flower bed using edging stones. We are going to fill it with soil and compost to prepare it for the spring when we will split some more hostas and will add some more perennials.

Bothered

On Friday night, we went to my favorite Thai restaurant. I was looking forward to an evening with Tim since our week was pretty hectic. We could just have a nice evening where we could just talk. However, it wasn't in the cards.

Instead, we had this guy (roll of the eyes) who was sitting next to us. Let me describe him for you. He laughed in a LOUD high-pitched cackle. He ate his food and many, many pieces of it fell out of his mouth when he ate. Some of it got caught in his very hair beard.

I should have been concentrating on my husband, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. I sound judgemental. I am judgemental. I judge those who make eating at a restaurant unbearable. It wasn't just me that was uncomfortable with this guy because the couple on the other side of us were bothered.

I wish I could be the type of person who can ignore others when they are without any self-awareness, but I can't. Never have been.

At Least I Tried

Hmmm...What should I write about? I do not feel like I have anything going on. Okay. Let's do one of those random type posts. Let's do what I am diggin' right now.

Weeds. I love that show. It is not heavy duty, just some funny weed selling in the 'burbs. Like I have written/complained about before, I hate when I run out of DVDs before they have more seasons out. I am left just wanting more.

The Biggest Loser. I have never watched this reality show before, but before I knew it, I was hooked. I think it is really inspiring, but I wish people didn't get kicked off. I want them all to lose and get an opportunity to do that...but they do. They'll get to keep working on it at home like the rest of us chuckleheads.

Chili. It is hot, spicy, and so yummers. Granted, it has those magic beans, but I can handle it. I have had leftover chili for two nights in a row with a dollop of sour cream on it. De-lish.

Fall. I am getting the first feelings of fall with the cool morning and evenings. I have broken out the hot cocoa and the jean jacket. As a kindergarten teacher, my calendar is based on seasonal themes...apples, leaves, pumpkins...Do people not entrenched in fall themes get into it as I do? However, I am dreading the leaves in my backyard. Oh well, I will look at it as exercise.

31 Years

Well, it is that time of the year again. I like to take my birthday to be reflective and all about me. I blame my mother. Not only did she bring me into this world, but she threw great birthday parties for me.

At 31, I know that I lead a quieter life than most. I do not go out on the town that much. I prefer to be at home with Tim. Rather than go out to eat on Saturday nights, I like to spend the late afternoon cooking something yummy for us and always with a dessert. Friday nights are even quieter with our ritual leftovers from the week and some television.

At 31, I am doing the job that I love to do. I am exhausted each day, but I leave knowing that I have put my all into those kindergarteners. Each day, I stop and get my coffee, drive to work while I listen to the news, and start my day with emails to friends.

At 31, I have a great relationship with my family. They've always respected my choices and my voice. No matter where I move or how far I am from the midwest, I keep those ties tight.

At 31, I have come to understand that you do not need friends less and less as we grow, but more and more. Thankfully, I have found friends who know this is true.

At 31, I am living with the funniest person that I know who accepts me for exactly who I am and never asks for me to change.

Welcome Leah Renee

Tim and I became an aunt and uncle for the first time on Friday, September 7, 2007.

Congratulations to Joe and Ellie!
Welcome Leah Renee! I can't wait to hug on you.

Heartbreak List

Using the beloved itunes and ipod, I listen to two podcasts a week. I listen to Car Talk and This American Life. They are free on itunes and bring much joy, reflection, and humor to my life while I clean the kitchen, drive to Ikea, or participate in general life activities.

I listened to a particularly connective episode of This American Life this weekend. It was from last week and it was titled Break Up.

It has been awhile since I went through a break up, let alone one where I was being dumped, yet this topic hooked me.

Like all episodes of This American Life, there are several stories throughout the hour, but Starlee Kine's tale of heartbreak hit a nerve. She tells about her relationship with "Anthony", the corniest relationship she ever had. The kind where they talked for hours, listened to hours of music...corny music too...and to make it even more corny, he dumped her on New Year's Eve. She tells about how they listened to a lot of Phil Collins during their relationship. At first, it was an ironic-lark kind of thing, but then they found a true appreciation for Phil Collins.

Starlee talks about love songs and more specifically, break-up songs. I don't have much use for them anymore, but I do like them because they are just so darn sad. When I was broken up with once, all I did was listen to sad songs and would search out the saddest song I could find. My friend Janelle was really into this past time. When we were in junior high, we'd talk about how it was better to be in the depths of despair than content. Man, I am glad I am not 15 again.

After the break-up, Starlee turned to music. Well, I don't want to tell the story because she tells it so much better. Listen to it here.

So, in honor last week's This American Life, I will share my top ten Break-Up Songs! Feel free to add to the list. There are just too many to have just ten. And don't be surprised if there are some deliciously guilty pleasures on this list.

1. You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette
2. Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers
3. Somebody's Crying by Chris Isaak
4. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You by Colin Hay
5. With or Without You by U2
6. Bell Bottom Blues by Eric Clapton
7. Dreaming With a Broken Heart by John Mayer
8. Can't Let Go by Lucinda Williams
9. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
10. You Were Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson
    

Midwestern Observation

Either I wasn't paying attention or this is a new phenomenon, but it seems that most cars have some sort of decal decoration in their back window or on their bumper stickers. I am sure that back in the day, we couldn't derive that much information from a person's car.

Maybe we could assume if they were a clean person or a dirty person by the dirt on their car, but now, I could do a reasonable character assessment based upon their many, many decals.

I decided to keep track of the decals, license plate covers, and bumper stickers in just one day and I was able to learn that people feel the need to let all of us other drivers that they...

• are an Army Wife.
• are paying tuition at many, many colleges.
• use Apple computers.
• love the Dave Matthews Band.
• have been on some great vacations.
• have a child who is an honor student.
• hate some brands of cars...this one is because some little cartoon is urinating on the brand.
• support a variety of causes that range from Autism awareness to Supporting our Troops.
• are Democrats.
• are Republicans.
• are soccer moms.
  
• love Jesus.
• want to impeach Bush.
  
• are Evolutionists.
• love the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers.
• miss Dale Earnhart.

I am sure if I continued my unscientific observation for longer than one weekend, I could come up with some more details of these drivers' lives, but I will just be amused at their attempts to add to their identity through car decals.

Weekend Update (a week late)

Let me get you up-to-date...it has been awhile.

Sara came to visit me and we had quite a weekend. Our first stop was at the Jersey Shore. I was told that I could anticipate crowds and traffic. I guess it is something that a person has to put up with on Labor Day weekend. However, we had NO traffic and NO crowds. As you can see from the picture, the beach was clean and quiet. Usually, I fear water that is not inside a swimming pool, but I was brave and ventured into the ocean. I think I need swimming shoes because I hate the bottom mystery sludge.

Of course, my newest tourist stop for visitors is Amish country in Lancaster County. We went to a town called Intercourse, Pennsylvania where Sara couldn't resist posing with this t-shirt. We took a buggy ride around the country side, enjoyed some homemade root beer that was sold to us by a young Amish girl, and ate delicious soft pretzels.


We ended the weekend in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live where we had dinner before we saw Mark Olson. He was the lead singer in a band called The Jayhawks. It was great and that is no surprise. The band that opened for Mark Olson was not that great, but we tolerated it to get to the reason we were there.

Election 2008 Post #1

I am so annoyed that Fred Thompson has decided to run for President. Sure, anyone can do it, but I do not like having the possibility of having him as President. Another gray haired suited white man. I watched Fred on television today as he stumped in Iowa and the man is not dynamic. I get the feeling that he thinks this is going to be easy.

The Boss

Normally, I don't love Bruce like most Philadelphians love Bruce. Like I have written before, they are big fans. Well, yesterday, on the beloved WXPN, the DJ played Bruce's new song "Radio Nowhere". It is so good. So good that when it was over she said,

"That song rocks. Let's hear it again."

I have never heard a DJ on any station play a song two times in a row. It kind of blew my mind, but after I listened to it again, I agreed. It was completely worthy of the double dip.

And to make your day even brighter, "Radio Nowhere" is FREE!!! this week on itunes. It is kind of hidden and not displayed as a free weekly download. Instead, you have to search Bruce Springsteen and click on his new album Magic.

Enjoy.

Year Eight

For those long time readers, I am feeling like I felt almost three years ago...professionally speaking! This is a very good thing.

It is the beginning of a new school year and I have this feeling that it is going to be a great year on every level. Because of the what comes our way in life, we (I) sometimes have a difficult time living up to 'the way it was'. I left this amazing working environment where I clicked with my peers both personally and professionally. I felt confident in my skills. I am building back up to that place after these past two years of change and transition. It usually doesn't take me this long, but time has flown and even though we still live in the US, living in a metropolitan area is culturally very different than the cozy midwest.

So, I am juiced (but not in the steroids kind of way)! I can't wait to start my school year with 13 newly five year olds.

I have been making my home visits and each of them are charming and sweet. The training that I received at the Responsive Classroom is a huge piece of my excitement, but after one year of kindergarten under my belt, I now can proudly say that I have a slight clue about five year olds.

And because I want people to still check in on the Midwestern Position, let me give you a little teaser for upcoming posts...

• Recipe for my favorite treat EVER! Ever.
• Sara from Minnesota is coming to town and we are going to have many adventures. Two words...Jersey. Shore.
• My latest WAWA adventure...remember the victimized woman who they wouldn't sell the cigarettes to, well, it's always something at WAWA.
  

Dream Big

I must be having some blog guilt or something because I was dreaming about blogging.

Last night in my dreams, I was waiting for the WXPN Free at Noon concert. I was sitting at the back of the room and there were very few people there. Then, Eric Clapton walks on stage. I cannot believe my luck that I am at this concert for free! Soon after, the doors bust open the place is packed because word has gotten out that Clapton is playing for free. And all I could think about was, "I should really blog about this.".

So, I just did.

Recipes I Want To Attempt

1. Bread Pudding - The Pioneer Woman made a yummy sounding bread pudding, but I need just the right audience to make such a treat. This would be the type of treat that I would make and feel quite disappointed if no one wanted some because they just don't understand the beautiful thing that is bread pudding. I'll use her recipe to start.
2. Peach Pie - I just discovered a place where you can go and pick your own peaches and raspberries. Doesn't that sound like the perfect combination? I am going to make my way over there this week so I can make a yummy peach pie for when my pal Sara comes to visit. She likes fruity desserts and I like to make goods that show I was thinking of their favorites.
3. Apple Dumplings - Are you sensing a theme? I tell my friends all of the time how I do not like fruity desserts, but the more I think about it, I do! I just like my fruit surrounded by crusty goodness and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I saw these in one of my cookbooks and they served it with caramel sauce. YUM. I am getting fatter just writing this post.
   

Endorsement Time...

Television: Big Love, Season 1
As I have said before, I love that television comes on DVD now. I am a big fan of religion on television and this show is more soap opera than drama. The characters on this show are so awesome. There is a mold for every quirky personality.

Skatin' Fool

I don't know why I thought that I would have retained my roller skating skills from 1985, but I could barely stay vertical when I slipped on the roller skates on Friday night.

While visiting my high school friends in Minneapolis, we always do something adventurous. Sometimes it is karaoke. Sometimes an amusement park. On this occasion, we strapped on the skates and skated around and around in circles to 70's funk music. It was a time warp, but my skills were lacking. I was skating into the wall in order to stop. I hoped that the other skaters were watching where they were going because it was all I could do to make sure I was not falling.

The part that I wasn't prepared for were the other skaters. I couldn't believe the tricks and moves these hard-core skaters were performing. They were bending down and spinning and scaring me because I had a feeling that they were going to take my unskilled self out.

Oh, and there is a reason why you can't drink alcohol and skate. It isn't a good idea.

You Know You Are Back in Philly When...

You are standing in line to pay at the Wawa, a local convenience store, when a very angry woman starts yelling that she wants to speak with a manager. The manager is busy restocking the candy aisle. She pushes past the 12 people/audience standing in line to tell her story of victimization to the manager.

Apparently, the cashier had the nerve to ask for her identification when she wanted to purchase some cigarettes. When she handed it to him, he asked for her birthday. She told him. He refused to sell her the cigarettes.

Well, that was her side of the story. When the manager asked the cashier what was going on, he shared his side.

Keep in mind, this was being yelled from the candy aisle and not in a discreet conversation. We were all witness to it all.

The cashier said that she called him a 'stupid asshole' and he won't sell to her because of it.

The angry woman denied that she said that even though WE ALL heard her.

The manager didn't care about the cashier's dignity. He told him to sell her 'the stupid cigarettes'. He wouldn't so she went to the next cashier. She should have done that in the first place. Ah...Philly.

Hairspray (and of course, Zac)

I went to see Hairspray last night in the theater. It hasn't happened yet where I go to Hairspray and not leave with a little crush on the character of Link Larkin. Last night was no exception.

So this teen heart throb, Zac Efron, plays Link in the movie. I guess I have been living under an adult rock because I had not heard of him until this movie. He is in High School Musical which children ages 6-16 love.

I am going to go ahead and say it is totally normal for a 30 year old married woman to have a teen heart throb crush on a movie star. Normal. Very normal.

As for my John Travolta hesitations, I think he did a good job. He just had a different take on the character. I enjoyed watching him dance and wiggle as a woman. There are so many parts to this musical and movie that I love, but I really enjoyed the "Without Love" song during the movie. Link singing to Tracy's picture was pretty funny and again, he is quite cute.

Again, totally normal.

Tatos and Matos

Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot or something, but I am having a hard time finding road side farm fresh produce stands in Philadelphia. Granted, Philadelphia isn't really the bread basket of America like Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa seem to be.

Even though I do not get my fair share of peaches-n-cream corn in Philly, I was able to enjoy an ear when I visited my friend Steve P. in Minnesota. The corn adventure started when we pulled up to the road side stand to find a welcoming sign. I love when food is abbreviated to 'matos and 'tatos. I forced Steve to stand by the sign to take a picture. I think he knew it would end up on the blog.

We took the corn home and husked it. It was Steve's suggestion that we grill the corn. I have not been very successful with grilled corn. It usually burns, but I did my best not to balk at this idea. Steve's stock is pretty high with me but it was raised even more when he grilled the peaches-n-cream corn to perfection. Everyone at the table agreed that it was their favorite item of the night.

My Weekend By the Numbers

$122
The cost of speeding on Minnesota highways.
I received my very first speeding ticket. I was going 70mph in a 55mph. The patrolman educated me on the Minnesota road system since he saw me as an outsider with my Pennsylvania plates. Lesson learned.

3
The number of bear sightings this weekend.
My parents have a home in the northern woods of Minnesota. They are surrounded by nature of all sorts. This weekend was the first time that there have been so many bear sightings that I can remember. I saw my first bear when I was driving out of the woods. He just crossed the gravel road and barely noticed us.

At least 10
The number of times people hinted that I should have a baby.
We had three sweet baby girls at the family picnic and I really enjoy holding the babies. However, this started to remind people that I am nearly 31 years old and do not have a baby. This is a fact that I am perfectly happy with, but to many, this is odd. I am happy to hold and cuddle on other people's children for the time being.

Stormy Night

When we first moved to Philadelphia, we had to relearn the meaning of certain sounds, smells, and expressions. I was reminded of one of the first instances last night as a midwestern summer stormed brewed in the skies of Iowa.
Sitting in my new living room in Philadelphia on a clear blue day, I hear what I have always known as the tornado siran; but this did not make any sense to me. I ignored it and went on with my day and hoped for the best. This happened several more times until one day I realized that after the tornado siran I would always hear the blare of fire engines.
A-ha!
But this caused me to have a concern that I would not recognize the siran when there was an actual tornado. It took me a while, but I soon understood that Philadelphia does not have summer storms like the midwest. They like to act like they can brew up a storm, but it is not the cracking thunder and earie orange sky kind of storms that appears April through October in the heartland.

On the Road Again

If you have been worried because The Midwestern Position has not been updated for awhile, don't be concerned. I am still alive and thriving in Iowa as Tim and I tour the midwest. So far, I have been hanging out at my good friend Kecia's house. We've enjoyed coconut cake, playground time, and visiting. After we travel through Iowa, we'll stop in Minneapolis for a brief time, and hang out in Grand Forks. I can't wait to see my parents and spend time at their place in the woods.

I'll keep this brief, but aren't my friends Kecia and Jodi cute?

Learnin' to Teach

I am attending this conference this week called The Responsive Classroom. I am exhausted every evening. I am even more tired from the conference than I am when I teach kindergarten. This is not so good since I should be getting ready for our big road trip across the country, but instead, the bed draws me in.

As a teacher, there are these moments that change you. I feel that happening at this conference. Ideas that I once prescribed to are no longer acceptable. Theories that made sense to me before seem without purpose. The fact that this conference is actually worth the money is a rarity and I couldn't be happier. The fact that I am participating in the conference in August just makes me all that more excited to start a whole new crew of five year olds.

Midwestern Rant: It's All About Me Shoppers

Here's the deal, people.

The self-check out is beautiful thing when you are at the super market. In theory. Why then, do people make it into an ugly mess with their enormous shopping cart of food for the week.

The self-check out is NOT NOT NOT for your weekly groceries! It is for the shopper who carries the little hand basket with a few items. The shopper who just stopped in for some juice and eggs. Don't be one of those people who are soooooooo bothered with human contact that they cannot be bothered to have a trained cashier check out their weeks worth of groceries.

C'mon.

Oh, and I will give you the dirty "I'm judging you" eyes. You deserve them.

Midwestern Recipe: Banana Crumb Muffins

Bake these and bake them now. These are so yummy! I made them on a whim this afternoon because I had some well-intentioned bananas that were ripe ripe ripe.

I stumbled upon this recipe on my beloved Allrecipes.com. It is a five star recipe and over 1500 people have rated/reviewed this recipe. That means it is good.

I just had one and I think they are better than a bakery. I am happy to add this to my ever growing brunch recipes.

Midwestern Hint: My mom always says to use Parkey in all of your baking. I have tried other butters and margarines, but Bette is always right. Parkey is the best.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Internet Treat

The internet is a fantastic waste of time. Today, I wasted approximately 25 minutes creating a Simpson character that resembled me. Notice, the donut on the shirt. I was hoping for a cup of coffee, but the sweet treat will do. It also looks like I have one heck of an overbite which is not the case. I was going for a chubby cheeked look.

Then, because I just couldn't resist the temptation to waste more time, I created Tim as a Simpson character. Notice, Tim's shirt has some nuclear sciencey thing on it. Tim looks like he has some fancy shoes which he would never wear in real life.

I can't wait to create all of my friends and family. No. That would be too much time wasted. You better do that yourself. Here's the link.

"Where Words Fail, Music Speaks."

~Hans Christian Andersen


"Fade Into You" ~ Mazzy Star

"Falling" ~ Ben Kweller

"Here You Are" ~ The Greencards

"Laugh So You Don't Cry" ~ Andy Davis

"More Than This" ~ Roxy Music

"There's a Girl" ~ The Ditty Bops

"These Arms of Mine" ~ Otis Redding

"White Daisy Passing" ~ Rocky Votolato

Along with the Rolling Stone playlists, Entertainment Weekly playlists, blogs, and the itunes essentials, I will someday have all of the songs that I need to have.

Please note, without knowing it, I have become an Otis Redding fan.

Out of the purchased songs, my obsession of the evening is...wait, let me educate you for a second...

ob·ses·sion /əbˈsɛʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uhb-sesh-uhn]
–noun
1.) the domination of one's itunes with a particular song over and over and over again
2.) insisting that everyone needs to love particular song as much as I do at this moment
3.) follow any thread that originated with the particular song because all songs that follow will be considered for future purchases since the source was said obsession

I am obsessing about "More Than This" by Roxy Music. Therefore, I am researching and loving Bryan Ferry. I am listening to all covers of this song.

An Easy One

What were you doing ten years ago?
Making smoothies at TCBY! Seriously. I spent many hot July nights making a variety of frozen yogurt treats. Asking the important question, "What toppings do you want with that?".

What were you doing one year ago?
I am going to bet that I was hanging out in Iowa, watching television, recovering from a day at the pool, and eating Taco Bell. Tim and I ate a lot of Taco Bell last summer.

Five snacks you enjoy:

• String Cheese
• Nutri-Grain Breakfast Bars-Apple Cinnamon
• Lemon Cream Pie yogurt
• Yoplait Yogurt Smoothies
• Popsicles

Five songs you know all the lyrics to:

• Let's Stay Together by Al Green
• You're So Vain by Carly Simon
• 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
• Ghost by Indigo Girls
• Mad Mission by Patty Griffin
  

Things you would do if you were a millionaire:

• Travel
• Have a ceramics room/cottage where I have my own wheels and kiln
• Share the wealth

Five bad habits:

• Snacking
• Speeding
• Avoiding Exercise
• Saying "like"
• Avoiding the dishes
  

Five things you like to do:

• Go to movies
• Listen to music
• Hang with friends
• Hang with Tim
• Hang with my family
  

Things you will never wear again:

• A Scrunchy
• A strapless dress

Five favorite toys:

• ipod
• computer
• grill
• catalogues
• cable
  

Where will you be in ten years:
Right here.

Dum Spiro Spero

Some days are bad. There is not a rhyme or reason. They just happen.

On the other hand, a person has to ask themselves what part they had in their bad day. Following my new found philosophy of reason over emotions, I will act within reason and pull up the boot straps and move on.

Will a new pair of shoes help? No.
Will a night at the movies help? No.
Will a milkshake help? No.

The only thing that will encourage a brighter outlook are my own forward looking eyes. I will focus on the good, the lovely, the reciprocated, the just, and the belief that there are better moments ahead.

Shamin' Sara

There are a few things in life that I have to use the motto "Fake it 'til you make it". Going to the dentist, I have to psyche myself up and fake that it'll all be okay. It isn't just one thing that I hate about the dentist, but a list of disgusting and shame-filled conversations that take place at the dentist.

Dental Assistant: Sara, do you floss everyday?

Sara: No.

Dental Assistant: Sara, looks like you might have a start of a cavity back there.

Sara: I bet.

Dental Assistant: Sara, looks like you have been using a medium toothbrush.

Sara: You're probably right.

Dental Assistant: Sara, You must drink a lot of Diet Coke or coffee.

Sara: Yep.

Dental Assistant: Do you know why it is important to floss, Sara?

Sara: Yes. I am just lazy.

Dental Assistant: Well, just remember, Sara, they are the only teeth you have.

I wonder if they take a course in guilt and shame in dental hygienist school? One of the tenets of a shaming is the use of the first name over and over and over again. It really drives home the guilt.

Sara Says,

"Stop Taking So Much Notice of How You Feel"

I stumbled upon an article the other day titled "10 Simples Way to Save Yourself From Messing Up Your Life" by Adrian Savage. Because I felt that these ideas illustrated a complete switch from most advice given in this self-involved world, I thought I would add my two cents.

WHOA. That is funny. I am so self-involved that I could add to his article about not being so self-involved. Narcissistic Sara.

This is what Mr. Savage has to say about noticing how you feel all of the time...

"Stop taking so much notice of how you feel. How you feel is how you feel. It’ll pass soon. What you’re thinking is what you’re thinking. It’ll go too. Tell yourself that whatever you feel, you feel; whatever you think, you think. Since you can’t stop yourself thinking, or prevent emotions from arising in your mind, it makes no sense to be proud or ashamed of either. You didn’t cause them. Only your actions are directly under your control. They’re the only proper cause of pleasure or shame."

He's right. We dwell on emotions and thoughts to the point of detriment. If we look at our lives, moments of action or inaction determine our pleasure and our pain. Sure, pleasure and pain are emotions, but they will pass. Instead of looking back on our feelings, we tend to look back at the moments.

We all know people who dwell on their emotions and it only leads them to more emotions. All of the emotions paralyze them into inaction. I am not saying that taking action will always yield positive results. Sometimes taking a rash action can result in a temporary pain.

We all know people that use their emotional gauge 100% of the time to make decisions of action. I don't want to be a zombie and not feel, but I want to recognize when my emotions are not serving me well.

Personally, I have a tendency to be an open book of emotions and feelings. I have invested those feelings on the actions of others and nothing could lead to dissatisfaction more successfully than this strategy. Not that I don't fall back into this pattern of emotional wallowing, but I try to think and act like Mr. Savage shares...

"Only your actions are directly under your control."

At this point, we continue to put ourselves out there, but it feels good to have it all under your control. I rarely speak words of wisdom, but I truly believe that it is our reactions to moments that shape how we see the world. I hope I can react to the world with 80% reason and 20% emotion.

I hope this didn't sound too much like a lecture or an episode My So-Called Life.

A Good One

Every weekend, I have been able to hang about with friends and family. Courtney returned to Philadelphia this weekend. I am sure I had something to do with the visit, but I know that she was missing Lewis the Cat too. They were able to spend some quality time together as we squeezed in plenty of snacks, backyard time, and beers.

Stephen brought over his ipod speakers and now I have a new tech gadget to long for. There are so many reasons why I should own ipod speakers, but they are all too boring to list here. Stephen was a trooper when Courtney took the reigns of the DJ and shuffled through my diverse guilty pleasure collection on the ipod. Even though Stephen's guilty pleasure is not as embarrassing as my own, he hung in there and enjoyed each funk and/or 80's pop tune because of the company.

The Police

We had fantastic seats at The Police concert. We were under an overhang so if it rained, we'd stay nice and dry. We were straight in front of the stage and the first level of seats. Right by the snack bars and the exit. Perfect.

The first two bands were three member bands like The Police. The Fratelli's who have received a Midwestern Position Music Shoutout were a bit a disappointment. Their musicianship was lacking and it was only made more clear when The Police played. Granted, The Police have been performing longer than The Fratelli's have been alive, but the skills were not there.

It was only after The Police started performing that you realize who talented they are. I was wondering how The Police performed with only three guys. Were they going to be like Tina Turner who has close to 25 people on stage playing all the different instruments? Would they have another guitarist other than Andy Summers?

The answer to this question only made me love them more. It was just the three of them and they played the hell out of their instruments. Sting's voice was perfect. Andy Summer's did some amazing playing and many solos. I was most impressed with Steward Copeland's skills on the drums. Not just drums, but every percussion needed. Gong to chimes.

They played for two hours straight. Check out the set list. Now, go and buy each song on itunes if you do not already have them. By far, the biggest concert that I have been to...at least 30,000 people. By far, my favorite concert that I have been to. That is saying something.

Message in a Bottle
Synchronicity II
Walking On The Moon
Voices Inside My Head
When The World Is Running Down
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
Truth Hits Everybody
Bed's Too Big Without You
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De Do Do Do De Da Da Da
Invisible Sun
Walking In Your Footsteps
Can't Stand Losing You
Roxanne
King Of Pain
So Lonely
Every Breath You Take
Next To You

"I Have Stood Here Before Inside the Pouring Rain..."

Thanks to Dana, I will be attending The Police concert in Philadelphia on Thursday. This is my first outdoor concert in such a huge venue. It will be in the baseball stadium where the Phillies play.

To celebrate my Thursday night, which Police song is your favorite? Here are a few ideas. Feel free to justify your choices.

• The King of Pain
• Don't Stand So Close to Me
• Roxanne
• Everything She Does is Magic
• Message in a Bottle
• So Lonely
• Every Breathe You Take
  

The Glamour of My Life

Two words, friends.

Periwinkle trim.

Since moving into my new old house, I have been tormented by the sunshine yellow walls and periwinkle trim in our bedroom. Normally, I do not have anything against periwinkle, but for adult bedroom trim? C'mon. I would describe the former owners of our new old house as aesthetically schizophrenic because our kitchen is painted in a tasteful mocha color, but two bedrooms have periwinkle trim.

I am not sure why we have waited to paint our bedroom only after the dining room, living room, guest room and bathroom, but we did. It will take one coat of primer and two coats of white paint to make the periwinkle nothing but a distant nightmare.

Soon, Toffee Crunch will cover the sunshine yellow and I will be at peace in my calmly painted bedroom.

My painting wardrobe is really something quite special.

If a person didn't know better (and they didn't look too closely at my lil' wrinkles), they might think I was straight out of 1991. I was sporting a hairstyle that I thought was hot back then. You know the one, sides pulled up in a ponytail holder. It has been awhile since my hair has actually been long enough to pull this sexy hairstyle off. However, because I no longer perm my hair, I didn't have to scrunch the sides to get it properly bouncy...and no gel.

Please sense the sarcasm.

Along with the retro hair-don't, I wore my first pair of cut-off jean shorts that I have worn in probably 15 years. It just felt right to cut the jeans off and make them my new painting shorts. I guess all rules are off when you are trying to rid your house of PERIWINKLE TRIM.

Midwestern Recipe: Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a little internet treasure that I stumbled upon, but I consider her my secret internet best friend. She doesn't know it though.

I love her. She cooks and bakes the most amazing things. Using her photos, she documents every step of the process and makes it all look so easy and delicious.

I wanted to hug her when she posted Peach Crisp with Creamy Maple Sauce. I love maple anything. Thank you, Pioneer Woman.

Peach Crisp With Maple Cream Sauce

1 cup flour
½ c. sugar
½ firmly packed light brown sugar
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. salt
½ c. (one stick) butter, cut into bits
5-6 cups, peeled, sliced fresh peaches
Juice and grated zest of ½ lemon
2 T. maple syrup
*Maple cream Sauce, for serving

Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with fork or pastry blender until mixture is the consistency of coarse meal. Place peaches in 9-inch square baking pan or smaller baking dish. Gently mix in lemon juice, rind and maple syrup. Top with crumb mixture. Cover tightly with foil and bake about 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 to 30 minutes more or until top is crisp and brown. You might want to broil for a couple of minutes to ensure good color. Serve warm with maple cream sauce.

*Maple Cream Sauce

1 ½ cups whipping cream
5 T. maple syrup
3 T. light corn syrup

Combine all ingredients in heavy sauce pan; cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly until thickened and reduced by 1/3, approximately 20 minutes. Chill. Drizzle generously over Peach Crisp.

I Know I Might Be Missing Out

There are many movies that I have not seen and probably won't because, well, I have issues.

Issue #1
I do not like to be sad. Not since the mediocre Step Mom have I had a emotional meltdown in the theater. Seriously. I had to wait at least five minutes after the movie ended for me to leave the theater because I was crying too much. It was just too sad.

There is no way of knowing what movie will do it to me. Could be those sappy animal movies where Old Yeller/Skip/Wilbur/Charlotte/Air Bud will create that thump in my throat. Could be that elderly person that has Alzheimer's disease and doesn't remember the life they have just lived. Often, it is a child crying for something.

There are topics that are just too sad. I have tried to watch movies like Sophie's Choice or Saving Private Ryan, but World War II movies are just heart-wrenching sad. Maybe they remind me of my grandfather who couldn't speak of his time in the Pacific without becoming emotional.

Okay. I guess I just have one issue in this area.

Hairspray

Strangely, I have seen the Broadway musical Hairspray three times. The first time, Michael McKean was Edna Turnblad, the mother of the chubby teased-out dancing teenager. The character has always been a drag character since Divine made the role famous in the original John Waters movie in 1988.

The last two times that I went to the musical, Paul C. Vogt played the role brilliantly. The best!

The thing is...the two never changed their voice to make it appear to be a woman's voice. That is part of the humor of Hairspray.

Now, I am well aware that Hairspray the Movie will be hitting theaters this month. I am a little bothered that John Travolta will be playing Edna Turnblad. It only gets worse when I see trailers and photos of Travolta in his dresses and fat suit. He has this goofy southern accent with a ridiculous high voice.

One of the big plot points in Hairspray is that it takes place in Baltimore. Baltimore is not in the south. Also, one of the scenes they always show is when Travolta/Edna says her dream was to own a string of coin operated laundromats. This is not Edna's dream in the musical. Only after Edna gets a fantastic makeover from the Hefty Hideaway that she shares her dream is to design plus-sized clothing.

I read on a entertainment blog that Travolta with all of his Scientology beliefs would not do the character in drag like drag queen fashion. He would dress as a woman but wouldn't play up the drag queen side of things. THAT IS WHY IT IS FUNNY! DRAG QUEENS ARE AWESOME IN EVERY WAY!

I am really hoping that Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer will save the movie for me. I could be wrong about Travolta, but probably not.

Is anyone wondering why I would go to this musical three times?

Really? A Honk?

I realize that I have complained about drivers many, many times. But I have to. I just have to.

There are so many things that I do not understand about drivers here. And yes, it is only here.

Why do you give me the stink eye when I give you the courtesy to use my blinker to change lanes and give you more than enough room? Is the stink eye really necessary along with the double honk? I KNOW I gave you enough time and space, yet you feel some how wronged in this world that we share. Did I take a chunk out of your manhood as you drive your Honda sedan? By letting a law abiding driver change lanes, will it make your trip any longer? No. I drive at a quick pace and keep the flow going.

What it boils down to is that people who are normally nice and respectful get their ugly on when they are driving. They feel safe because they have all of that steel and glass around them and we are in motion.

Really, it is fine. Go ahead and give me the stink eye because I will just wonder in my mind why you have such anger when you get behind the wheel, but you better hope that you don't honk at the wrong Philaldelphian. I hear they can get nasty when the stink eye is given.

Lewis the Cat

Meet Lewis. He is living with us for three weeks. Tim and I consider ourselves foster pet parents. I have never had a pet any time in my life, but Tim had Susie the Dog and Casper the Cat. He is much more comfortable with animals than I am. However, Lewis and I are getting used to each other.

He spent the first three days in our dusty basement. He has explored the rest of the house today. He likes to do what I call "test rests". He will lay down at a variety of spots around the house, testing them out. He only spends about two minutes in each location. Then, he tests out another spot.

This is Lewis testing out the bottom of the steps.

Takin' a Break

It might seem that I have not been doing anything exciting. However, I have been playing hostess to my mother and her two sisters. I love bringing people to New York City for the first time. I am a bit of an expert on the traditional tourist stuff like the Statue of Liberty and such. However, my new favorite thing in NYC to do with tourists is the double decker bus. It really saves on the feet. It is a hop on/hop off bus where you can get off and enjoy the city or just ride around with a tour guide.

After a short break, I will come back and write. I am just sooo tired and need a little rest. Maybe tomorrow I will write.