I will try to post here everyday even tho my life is pretty dull. It is still cold - but somewhat warmer than the last few days. Still doing some cleaning/laundry, etc. I got brave last nite and was going to serve bean soup from the freezer, but Dad and I both didn't want it. We ended up with omelets - good for the diets, blood sugar, etc., but didn't help the cholesterol (not that I care!).

Today I will have to clean up Sandi - poor old girl. It is too cold outside so will do it in the kitchen. I cannot lift her into bathtub, but will have to put a leash on her for Dad to hold her still in the kitchen while I sponge her. Yuck, but I'm sure she will feel better afterwards - as will I.

I have to do a little grocery shopping today and decide what to fix for dinner. It is a BIG problem. I am sooooo tired of fixing the same old things and Dad does not adapt to new stuff at all. I am thinking of making a quich. My friend who lives in France has posted a recipe that looks intriquing - has tomatoes and zucchine in it. Will also make a zucchini fritter from Ina Garten's cookbook. I will probably end up eating it alone - Dad can have his usual peanut butter sandwich.

My Barnes & Noble order came yesterday and now I have another decision to make - lol! I ordered 3 books of authors that I love - Ivan Doig, Ann Patchett, and Richard Russo, plus The Magnificent Amerbersons - which I have always wanted to read. BTW - Katie have you finished reading your Christmas books yet? Remember I want to borrow them.

I have some unpainted Santas that I will fix for Marianne. I have painted so many of them in years past that I have a hard time making myself paint more. But, I have a whole year to work on them!

I am so glad the Iowa caucus is over with. Now we just have to listen to the spiel from New Hampshire. I think it's great that Obama won, but I do like John Edward's platform better. It will be a very interesting political year. Just wish the news channels would tell us what is going on in the rest of the world! I must remember to tune in BBCAmerica once in a while for world news.

Okay everyone - enjoy your Saturday!

Mom

Well, well, well. I wrote a long blog here this morning and it's not appeared. Never happened before. Oh well - here goes again.

Cold, cold, cold. It's okay in the house but the problem is Fritz - won't step foot outside - can't blame him really and of course there's sprinkle tinkle all over. Sandi has had a stomach upset (and not the throw-up kind either!) Hope it's not contagious. She has always been so good that I can't bear to even yell at her - I know she can't help it - but I am tired of scrubbing spots off carpet!

Girls, you will laugh at this - last night I made linguini with clam sauce - yum! I didn't tell dad ahead of time, (knew he would say NO!) - I just plopped it down in front of him and watched. First came the pathetic look at his plate and then the questioning look at me. He wouldn't dare say anything - last time he complained I banged my fist on the table and scared him to death - lol. Tonite it's Senate Bean Soup which has been in the freezer (am I pushing my luck?).

Jane - did I tell you I bought myself a new "bird girl"? Anyhow, it's made of concrete and weighs about 500 lbs. - it's BIG. Dad and I managed to slide it off the back of the truck and it's now resting on the sidewalk. We are waiting for you and Mark to help us set it in the garden. Hernias are verboten.

Time to get offline and back to scrubbing (getting ready for Mrs. Clean's visit doncha know).

love to all
Mom

Here is your lost post mom -it was in manage posts, then drafts.

Okay, I will post but I warn you - my life is very quiet and dull - nothing much going on. It is quite cold - so cold in fact that I haven't even stepped out the door for two days.

I watched some of the Iowa caucus last nite - am I ever glad that is over with. CNN and MSNBC had nothing else on for 2 days. Isn't there any other news in the world? I really thought Hilary would come in first, but can't say I'm disappointed in Obama's win. I was hoping for John Edwards, but he still has a chance at winning the nomination. Ellen has a slew of Huckabee jokes and was getting hysterical with laughter last night. Glad Huckabee won - the worst Democat is better than the best Republican! Don't think Huckabee would have a chance in november.


Have been doing lots of housecleaning - Jane and Mark are coming next week and you all know how Jane is!! (Mrs. Clean!!). I FORBID HER TO DO ANY CLEANING WHILE SHE'S HERE!!

I've had a grand time with Barnes & Noble gift certificates this week. It gets complicated - first I have to check with the library to see if they have the book I want, then I check with paperbackswap.com to see if I can get it from them, and lastly, I order from B&N. I have 2 orders on the way - am saving the rest for later - Ruth Rendell and Elizabeth George both have new ones coming out this summer. Jane - I order a DVD of Gone With the Wind for you! I have seen that movie 5 or 6 times and always enjoy it.

I am reading Purple Hibiscus right now - about half-way done. It is written by a Nigerian author and takes place in Nigeria. It is pretty interesting but has "bogged" down now in the middle. Will give it a big push today and try to finish it. Want to be ready to tear into the B&N order the minute it arrives.

Sandi has had a tummy upset but is okay now. It wasn't fun while it lasted. She has always been so good that I didn't feel it necessary to scold her when she couldn't make it outside. Yuck - can't believe I'm discussing this at six o'clock in the morning! Now let's hope it's not catching - Fritz doesn't give a you know what where he goes and HATES going outside in cold weather or rain.

ok, Ellen's blog:

We had chicken tenders (I ate one), rice, butternut squash, and green beans for dinner. Delish. I wish I had Nancy's recipe for the butternut squash she did at Christmas.

My house is a wreck, but I tidied up tonight a bit.

I have been good on a diet for 2 days.

I worked out yesterday at the gym, and did 20 minutes at my target heart rate.

I have three new students. One psycho, one criminal, and one angel. Just my first impressions.

I am teaching the Great Migration then the Harlem Renaissance.

Its cold here - today with windchill = 11.

Saw Charlie Wilson's War - good flick

Going to see Juno this weekend, maybe.

Loving my book, but no time to read it much. My book invited me back, so going to try to read Special Topics in Calamity Physics.

I love the website: www.icanhascheezburger.com

My marriage is boring since I am ignored the majority of the time. He doesn't want counseling. Blah.

Our screened porch should be started soon.

I'm trying to find a teach abroad summer program that is not only free, but pays me. So far the free ones are in Rwanda, and that might stress out mom too much if I spent the summer teaching refugees in Darfur. On the other hand, I know I'd lose a lot of weight.

I wish I could go to Long Island - I'd visit the Barefoot Contessa. (That is where "the Hamptons" are, right?)

I am looking forward to college classes beginning soon.

nobody posting except me!

How come nobody is blogging?
We dropped off a load of ajax/bleach products in monroe NJ, now we are picking up paper products in Long Island NY, it took about 3 hours to get here due to traffic. We will be taking the load to Savannah GA. It's freezing here, it's about 20 degrees, but I think the wind chill must be below zero.
Well next time I log on I hope to see some bloggs besides my own.
love
jane and mark

just an update

we are still here in NY..a small town named Rome. We found out there is a casino resort near by with free shuttle service,so we went over there yesterday and lost 60 bucks in the slots...then came back to the truck. We are still waiting for a dispatch. We don't have a trailer, and it is not good to drive in these conditions without one, so we are just sittin.
we have gone out to play in the snow a few times and walk around to get some exercise.
I am going to send usxpress a messege in a minute to see if they can get us out of here today.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We wound up taking the load that was going to Maine- to NJ since it did not deliver until the 3rd. We spent the night in Kearny NJ in a walmart parking lot. They gave us a load from Jersey City rail road - to Marcy NY, where we are now. There is about 10 inches of snow on the ground and it is snowing now, I think they are expecting 3 to 6 inches. We are waiting for a dispatch, no telling how long it will take since it is a holiday, we could be here all day.I am glad I brought my old snow boots I bought at the thrift store about 14 yrs ago.
Santa brought me and Mark each a cold, one in the chest for Mark and a headcold for me! We both feel like crap....but I am still gonna go out in the snow.

I am not good at new years resolutions....so I won't make one!
We are going to Mom and Dads on 1/9/08 for mom's birthday on the 10th.

I have nick named fritz and brutus to Tinkle and sprinkle, ha ha.
Happy new year everyone!
love
mark and jane