Haven't had time to post this past couple weeks-working marathon hours at work. Our catalog goes to the printer today. Hallelujah! I can't say that enough. I went to bed at 9:30pm last night and slept until 8am this morning. Still isn't enough sleep in the day for me to recover from the caffeine I've had to suck down to keep on going on. I'm learning to deal with the boss. Not saying it's going well, but I am learning to deal. Came close to walking out last week when I was here at 10pm accomplishing NOTHING because of his anal tendencies. But, I kept my cool. The f word flew a few times on my end, however he did apologize for the 'stress' of the work lately. The I proceeded to work all weekend. That's 3 Friday nights in a row that have involved work. I think it's going to come to the point where I need to say, "This company may be your entire life, but it is NOT mine." What do you think? :)

Started my writing classes last week. They are AWESOME! But I haven't had time to do my homework, go figure!

One more quote about Johnny Cash. His daughter, Roseanne, delivered his eulogy and said the following: "I can almost picture a world without Johnny Cash. I cannot, however, imagine a world without daddy."

How poignant.

There is a poem that starts out like this: "Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep."

For Johnny Cash, he'll never die. Not to me or millions of others. Driving tonight on I-94 to Minneapolis I saw a sheet hanging over the overpass. Thinking it was left over from 9/11 yesterday, I glanced up. It said, "You'll always be a legend Johnny Cash."

MSNBC is asking fans to submit their favorite Johnny stories and I was amazed at the wide range of age groups that were posting. My favorite Johnny Cash story is this, as related to me by my mom.

In the late 1970's, my dad was an Entertainment columnist for the Rochester Post-Bulletin. He did a lot of great columns about music, especially country, which was his favorite. Say nothing of the man in black. Dad set up an interview with Cash, and he was set to call our house at a specific time. The phone rings, and my mom answers it. She hears in a loud, booming baritone: "This is Johnny Cash. May I speak to Steve Webb?" My mom puts her hand over the phone, jumping up and down, and says in a loud whisper: "STEVE! It's JOHNNY CASH!" Guess where Dad was? In the bathroom. Dad yells, "I'm in the crapper!" Mom was mortified. But, Dad did the interview and guess what? He said Johnny Cash was just as cool as you'd expect him to be.

Do you remember that, Pat?

I can't say how glad I am that I purchased his last CD in August. And I'm saddened to realize that the outlaws are getting old. Waylon's gone, now Johnny. Willie's hitting 70. These men were a vital part of my musical influence as a child. One of the very first songs I learned to play on my guitar at age 7 was Folsom Prison Blues. I guess it's just hard to let them go. It truly is feeling like you've lost a grandpa.

John Ritter was a shocker. Having been a big Three's Company fan, and a fan of his new show, it's another sad one for me.

Johnny Cash's death for me is kind of like when Michael Landon died. I watched Little House on the Prairie for more then 75% of my life. He was a father figure to me because Pa could solve anything. As TV guide suggested," When he died a very public death from cancer, we all felt like we'd lost a family member. After all, who had spent more good times with us in our living room?" That's the best way I can sum up the loss of Johnny Cash.

Fall is approaching. It might be 90 degrees in St. Paul today, but that feeling is in the air.

Kids are back in school, traffic on the Interstate sucks, Vikings-Packer game yesterday (hot damn, we won) and hockey is on it's way. When my husband says to feel sorry for me, he means it. I have accumulated many hobbies in the past 2 years since he began watching NHL Center Ice coverage of the Penguins. Good for me, good for him.

In a little over a week I begin my writing classes that I signed up for. I'm really excited and looking forward to the experience. The writing thing is beckoning me in many ways and I hope to spend the winter working towards becoming a more creative non fiction writer. Must run in the blood of the Webb clan. Maybe it's that William Shakespeare connection?

I had my review at work on Friday for my 90 days. Didn't hear anything bad, which is always a plus. I know I'm a good worker. I just have a major personality clash with my boss, I believe. Today solidified that. I honestly can't decide if this place is worth sticking around for or if I'm just banging my head against the wall. If I was able to do my job without all the contact I have with him, I wouldn't mind it so much. However, we need to buy a house and that is the defining factor here. The money is inherently more important at this point in my life. I'm sitting tonight out on the deck reading in my mom's Good Housekeeping magazine about this killer jobs that people have that are so fullfilling and fun. Does such a job exist? I know all jobs are not perfect, but to actually enjoy going to work would be interesting. Or not even to enjoy, but to not dread it? I guess that's the question of the year for anyone. Answers? I'm willing to listen to anything.

Mike purchased Madden 2004 today. I think it's safe to say he is quite excited.

Our friends Andy and Janelle Butler had a baby girl on Thursday, September 4. 9lbs 7oz-Ava Sophia Butler. Janelle was quite large when I saw her 3 weeks ago, so it was no surprise the baby was as big as she was. It sounds like they are really excited.

Mike is in his friend's wedding this weekend here in St. Paul. His parents are coming down on Saturday to attend, so we're looking forward to having them and enjoying the wedding. We don't know many people, but I always like a good wedding dance whether I know people or not!

Congratulations to Pat's tribute to David Letterman. Did Mr. Urda happen to catch the show? I can only imagine how funny he may have thought that to be!

I had forgotten to mention a funny story our cousin Cindy had told to us during the camping weekend about a month ago. I related the story to my mom this weekend and she laughed so hard she cried. I thought you might enjoy it.

Cindy's son Derrick is now 19, and in college. During the camping weekend he got up one morning and his parent's friend Chirp said as he walked out of the camper, "hey, nice moose beard there Derrick." Derrick's got a scrawny goatee he was growing. Derrick smiled. Cindy said to us, "Didn't I ever tell you the story about that?" Apparently when Derrick was about 6 or 7 he walked in on Cindy when she was going to the bathroom. Nothing new for a mom, I'm sure. Suddenly Derrick stopped, pointed, and yelled: "MOM! You've got a moose beard!!" She nearly fell over. As you can imagine, it's been a family/friend joke ever since.

And on that note, good night!

Nothing as exciting as Pat's story of skunk spraying is going on in our lives!

Pretty much just eat, sleep, read a little, work.

Had my first photo shoot for our catalog at work last week. It went well in some ways and crappy in others. I learned the rights and wrongs, that's for sure. Got some great photos of my friend's little guy Tyler climbing on the wall. After the shoot was done, I drove over to Shanda and Gabe's and then had a few beers at Gabe's softball game. Now, I don't drink much anymore. 3 beers nearly put me under the table and I had to drive home too! It sure was fun-I didn't get home until 10:30pm which is a record for me on a working night! I even had a guy ask me where I lived-hot damn! (That may attributed to the fact that I still can't wear my wedding ring because my finger is swollen from my football injury. Whoops.)

Spent a great weekend up north 2 weeks ago. Took my cousin Tyler with and he was able to do some fishing. We spent most of Saturday out on the pontoon boat, which is great. Lots of sun and fun. Nephew Alex is growing like a weed and is a big flirt!! HE really took a liking to Tyler as well. :)

Staying home this weekend, Mike's got a bachelor party on Friday night. Rest and relaxation for the Labor Day weekend. No laboring for me!

The Winnebago Bowl was a success. We had 2 different teams for 2 games, so no real winner of one or both. Flags added a great element to the game. We've decided that they must continue.

I sustained a cool jammed finger injury. The swelling is now gone, but it's blue and yellow. Funky colors! Not broken-had X-rays. Hurts today, just sore.

Camping was great. Nice weather. Wild and crazy Saturday night, as usual. This year's event: pile-driving people out of their chairs when they were drunk.
Sara and I also snorted Pixie Sticks again. Numb nostral and I won't do that anymore. Twice is more then enough!

Gotta say, did miss Grandma being there. It's strange to not have her in Spring Grove anymore. I still haven't even made it out to cemetary since the day of her funeral. Too hard.

I hate work this week. 'Nuff said.

Going up north this weekend, bringing TYler with us for some fishing. Weather is supposed to be HOT!!

MN is still mourning Herbie. His funeral is on Friday at the St. Paul Cathedral. Lot's of great tributes going around. Amazing guy. We'll miss him.

After reading Pat's blog I had to post something. I agree with Alissa completely.
Canoeing should be done EVERY year!
It was awesome.

Funniest thing Paige said to me over the week:
"It hurts my feelings when Alissa tells me my feet stink when I wear these sandals!!!!!"

I also agree with Pat that this was one of the most fun times we've had.

Full report on the antics of the Garness clan after this weekend of camping. Leaving in 1.5 hours from work to relax in the sun and humidity
of Camp Winnebago. Get ready for Dave's "WHOO". And this year we've progressed to Flag Belts for the annual Winnebago Bowl. No more
of this two handed touch football crap.

We still need a trophy.

I am still alive, I promise. Just haven't felt like posting much. Getting things on track, mentally that is.

Enjoyed a nice vacation with my family. Canoeing the Upper Iowa with my dad and the rest of us was great. I would say Alissa holds the record for the most "whoo hoo"'s in one day. What fun they had! Beautiful day weather wise. Just what the doctor ordered for a vacation.

Work is getting a lot better. I'm busy every day and getting ready for the new school year. They say that we'll know when school starts around here because the phone rings off the hook. I guess I'd rather be busy then sitting with my thumb up my butt.

I will attest to the fact that Mike loves his new football game. He REALLY loves it. :)

Camping this weekend!

We also saw Pirates of the Caribbean over the weekend. Cool movie, very witty, interesting story. But, I did something I have never done before: I fell asleep briefly. I was exhausted that day and we went to the 10pm movie. I dozed off about 5 times I think and kept catching myself. I don't think I ever missed anything substantsial, or more then a few minutes worth, but I was mad. I have NEVER fallen asleep in a movie before. Oh well. Mike's joy of the night was the two gay guys that sat next to him and couldn't keep their hands off each other. :)

Spent last Saturday with my two college friends Jill & Erika. We had a nice time catching up with each other and heading back down to River Falls to visit our old college campus. It's changed in some ways, stayed the same in others. The town is definately grown since we were there. Later, we sat on the deck at Jill's house and looked at old pictures. Erika summed up those photos of us doing the strangest things as this: " God we were weird!" But we did have a blast. What I never realized is that I was the one (along with Jill's husband) that was doing most of the goofy stuff. I guess I used to do about anything back then for a good laugh. (Such as: climbing into the dryer at 1am to see if I fit.) Jill is currently 5 months pregnant, so talk centered on that mostly. She doesn't look pregnant, or is hiding it well! But, the baby is moving and that was so cool. I was floored at the questionaire they gave her at the hospital that she has to fill out before delivering. Such things as : "I want to feel the baby's head when it's crowning (eww)" or "My husband wants to catch the baby as it comes out" or "I want to hold it immediately after it comes out or after it has been cleaned". There is a lot to decide on!! She said her husband Matt just said,"Sign me up for whatever I can do." Cute!

This coming weekend is filling up fast. Tomorrow night Pam and the kids are coming up so that Whittney and her friend can attend a concert. I have the usual job of driving them to downtown Minneapolis :) Pam, Tyler & I will go shopping. Then I think they are staying over. On Friday night after work, I am meeting Steph at a mall in Burnsville and doing some shopping with her. She is then going to stay at our place and I will take her to the airport on Saturday morning, where she flies to Florida for work. Saturday evening, my cousin Laurie and her family are in town and we are going to a Twins game! Mike is traveling north for the 4th Annual NOME event. This is where he and his buddies stay at a cabin and drink, swim, and have horseshoe or bocce ball tournaments. He is really looking forward to the big event! Then, next week, I will have my last week of work before my 3 days off when the Webb's from NY come to visit MN!

Work stays the same. Still learning all I can.

Listening to your stories of faith in humanity makes ME feel better, Lally. Keep 'em coming because I'm not getting enough of them around here lately.

Didn't do much for the 4th. Slept in, spent a few hours at the pool, got burned a bit. Never fails. If I wear sunscreen I don't get a tan at all, if I don't where anything, I get red. Last night we went to see The Hulk. It was okay-better animation then I thought it would be. The ending was confusing. Only about 10 of us in the theater and STILL had people talking. I'm beginning to think we are just cursed to sit near people who annoy us during movies. :)

Not sure what we are going to do today. Maybe go to a mall around here that we haven't been to before? But, it's also a beauty of a day out there and I'd like to be outside again. That's the joy of this weekend, I guess. We can do what we feel like doing.

New job is fairing okay still...much to learn. Growing company and I hope that spells security. I seem to be bad luck for the places I've worked at since not even one of them are still in business.

Finished the out of town grad party thing last weekend. Derrick's party on Saturday was a beautiful 80 degree day with lots of sun. The night before we spent the evening sitting in lawn chairs in the driveway at Pam & Charlie's. With a little citronella candle in the midst of us all, it was like we were sitting around a 'mini' camp-fire. Much laughing ensued. Lots of Dave's "wah"s were going on. We also mooned Whittney and her friend as they pulled out the driveway. I wasn't even drinking that night! A good time was had by all.

On the way back from the grad party we drove some back roads up through southeastern MN. We're talking some out in the boondocks kind of roads! As we came up to the town of Houston, Mom showed to me two cemetaries that our great, great uncles are buried at. They are the siblings of Grandma Sophie Garness, whose parents died of diptheria and all the kids were orphaned and adopted out to families. Very cool churches and cemetaries. More pictures to add to the book.

The new Dell is awesome. I haven't been on it much, but it's so fast it makes our head spin. Sunday night we bought a new computer desk that is fricking HUGE. We aren't quite sure where we are going to put everything in the den yet. We are approaching that point where we need to buy a house. We outgrew the last apartment and are now outgrowing this one. It's scary how you keep gaining more crap. Ours is mostly furniture. Currently, my step-dad's old recliner is sitting smack in the middle of the living room. We usually get the cast offs of their furniture. Unfortunately, there is no place to put it. But, since we love the recliner so much, it's still sitting there!

Last night was episode 2 of The Osbournes. It's not so good this season. Ozzy is WAY out of it. Wonder if Jack is out of re-hab yet??

Congrats to Paige and her losing her two front teeth....

And I only have a few races left to go before I HOPEFULLY win the NASCAR family pool. Notice I said, Hopefully because it could swing large points in these races. I figure I'm due-I could use $50.

So it's been almost 3 weeks since I posted...I thought I better write something...

I haven't had time to be on the computer at home, so that's why the lack of posting. After I got my job I spent the rest of my time at my parents house taking a little vacation. I enjoyed myself and I saw a lot of people I haven't gotten to spend much time with.

The first week of work was hard, scary, frustrating, exciting, interesting, whatever you can think of. Emotions ran wild. Thankfully my husband held me in check and helped me through the week. I do like what I am doing with the company and as soon as I learn the crap load of stuff that is being thrown at me, I know I will feel a whole lot better. Today was a little boring, but I'm able to take on a few things of my own now. The boss freaks me out a tad, but I always have a problem with that happening. Even when I get along with them. He's nice, and I'm sure I'll get used to him. Serious guy, waiting for that moment where they lose their cool for just a bit to see their true colors.

Today we got our new Dell computer in the mail. I'm typing this on our old one, the last official use of it hopefully. It made it 4 years and is still chugging along, although slowly. It's going to be amazing to use this new one. Thanks to my brother for the technical assistance in what to purchase.

Whittney, our cousin, graduated from high school on Friday night in Rochester, MN. Century High School-the first complete graduating class, meaning they went all 4 years to the new school. Her party was fun but I was tired when it was over. My uncle Charlie's family was WAY more fun then anyone else. They know how to party. And Charlie's brother Sherman is awesome! We had a great time getting to know him better. Later that night we went over to Uncle Dave's place and had a camp fire in their driveway with one of those cool portable pits. But it rained, so the outside party didn't last long. We had fun inside telling stories that make Steph screech her famous laugh. Then Dave tried to imitate her...it went on and on. Cousin Amy was in town from SLC, so that made it even more fun. We had the 2nd Annual Toga Party on May 30, but she wasn't able to make it, so we are having another this Friday. 2 weeks ago we watched Dumb and Dumber and Stripes. This week it sounds like Deuce Bigalow and Van Wilder. I love the movie Van Wilder. Good stupid fun. Saturday is grad party #3 for Derrick. Thankfully I won't see my family until the end of July after that. It's getting a little old and the fighting is a'comin' out.

Weather is getting nicer, still not too warm yet. I'm still trying to get used to the new schedule of not getting home until almost 6pm. No time to work out as of yet, but I'm going to have to get my ass in gear soon. I don't plan on letting all my hard work of the last month go to waste.

As of 1pm, CST today, I am now employed.

WA HOO!

I start June 2. More money, cool job. I'm excited.

Back in St. Paul after spending the last week in Rochester. It was a nice time-relaxing. I don't know why I was able to relax better there then at my own place. Me and the dog had fun. I got so used to being at his beck and call and reacting when I heard a noise outside like he did that yesterday I heard kids outside and was ready to start saying, "TJ-take it easy." Wierd.

Today I had to attend a job re-entry session at the local Job Force Center. Mandatory. And a big waste of my time. The guy was about my dad's age and really looked like he didn't know how to advise people on how to find a job. He spent 20 minutes showing us a web site and how it worked. Read everything off a piece of paper that the entire room had a copy of. I didn't learn anything other then my job search methods were probably going to find me a job better then his.

I have a second interview tomorrow for the job I really am interested in. Hopefully it goes well.

Our friends Matt & Jill let us know they are expecting a baby in November. I'm very happy for them-now the questions start on when we are having kids! Let's just say....we're not ready yet. Give me two more years.

Wanted to post this web site and forgot recently...I think I mentioned trying to remember this comedian's name to Pat. His special on HBO is over the top hilarious. Eddie Izzard...if you see this cross dressing makeup wearing dude on television, you must stop and watch. His best line on referring to how the language in Britain is spoke (he is a brit) and our version here is this: "You say ERB and we say HERB because there's a f-ing H in it." He's rocks. Thanks to my husband for introducing me!

Mike and the Stanley Cup...what can I say? He had fun while I was in Rochester!

One funny note regarding the Wild and the playoffs...our cousin Whittney, who is 18, has turned into a hockey fanatic in the last year or so. (Reminds me of me at that age! It really has to do with hot boys when it starts, but then you actually learn the game and like it) My aunt and uncle are telling me how violent she gets when she's been watching the Wild. Such things as "clear the f-ing puck you moron" can be heard coming from this quiet and shy young woman. But, the classic, was heard by her dad while watching American Idol. As one girl is going to be voted off, Whittney yells: "You're going down, BITCH". Apparently hockey screaming spreads!!!

FYI-I have now begun to hire myself out for cash on the barrel. I clean houses and organize photo albums for people, which are two jobs I've recently acquired. Please contact me via this web site for more information and costs. My prices are very competitive and if you are a relative (as that's the only people hiring me) I'll give you a deal. Just remember you are supporting my Krispy Kreme habit by paying me.

Target stores have now started to sell boxed Krispy Kreme's. I found this out today. It's a bad thing for me.
GOD HELP my weight after this revelation.

Believe it or not, I was actually busy last week. I should have posted, but our computer sucks lately.

Anyway, when it rains it pours. I had 2 job interviews yesterday, and one today. Out of 3, only 1 sounds like it is something I'd like to do. And, since I just sent my brother into gails of laughter over how it occurred, I will share it with you...I've sent in stuff to places that advertise for a position, but don't put down the name of the company. Therefore when they call, I don't always have a clue who they are and that I sent something to them. So, on Saturday while we had Mike's company visiting, I get a phone call. Thinking it's a telemarketer as he says, "Hi Kristin this is Tim from Blank Company, do you have a minute" I say in respose: "Well, I have company, but can you make it quick?" He then proceeds to say that the job I applied for had been filled but he was curious to know if I'd be interested in hearing about another one available with them. Then, I nearly crapped myself. I apologized, he apologized for calling on a Saturday, etc. It was fine. But, still embarrassing. Turns out to be a cool company.

Yesterday was a really fun day as well because Mike won tickets to the MN Wild game! This is playoff game 2 against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. 5th row, lower level, behind the goalie. Amazing seats and such a fun time. They lost 2-0, still fun. Mike's great luck occurred through the radio station 93X and was just really luck. He didn't have to answer any trivia questions which he always knows the answers to anyway! We called Pat from the arena to let him know where we were. Low and behold, they saw us! What a night!

Today I am in Rochester for my week long stint with the dog. He's depressed that the parents left him behind. I told him that he better start being nicer to me because I was his only friend for the week! We took a nap together and he is now finally perking up. Man, they can act like little kids sometimes! He is looking at me to go outside right now because he knows that the mailman and paperboy are on their way. He is not allowed outside when they come cuz he goes beserk. We still don't know why. The mailman likes him, and TJ likes him back, but the paperboy is FREAKeD of TJ. I think it's funny.

Should get the first unemployment check this week. Received the severance check. Taxes took care of most of the extra received. Lovely.

I completed my Target Market scrapbook last week as well. It was really therepeutic and I felt like I put things behind me. I haven't thought about the work crap since then. I can now look back on it as a cool experience.

Going out tonight with my college friend Erika and her boyfriend that I have not met yet. He is graduating from optomology school this week to be an eye doctor. I think she's got some moola coming her way if they get married! We love to tease her about that.

I watched the best movie on Sunday: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring Jimmy Stewart. If you haven't seen it, and you want that feel good feeling you get from watching It's A Wonderful Life, rent this one. I would place it a close second to that classic. Both Frank Capra directed of course. That guy had a way of making you feel good about mankind again!

Since I last posted, I've now joined the ranks of the unemployed. Today was day 3 (not including the weekend) and I'm getting really agitated. I need more to do. I'm working on it.

A short story on the last day of work: it was wierd. The people are psycho. I'm glad it's over. The CEO didn't have the balls to say good bye to anyone and many people couldn't look me in the eye. The ones that still had their jobs, to say the least. AHH. Guilt. It does funny things to many people. Post party with co workers was a blast. We had the cops called on us because we were so loud. We enjoyed it. Go out with a bang. I wrote a kick ass Exit Interview. Harsh, but polite. It's now officially over and I'm working at putting it all behind me.

Today I did the following: worked out, took a shower, watched Days of Our Lives, ate lunch, watched part of Monsters, Inc. again, watched some of Jerry McGuire, went to get my oil changed (they're so dumb it made me laugh), went to the bank for quarters for the laundry, came home and did laundry, did some graphics for a project I'm working on, finished the laundry and started supper, now I'm doing my cover letters for the week. I'm currently doing this to avoid doing more cover letters.

We saw X-Men 2 on Friday night. Great movie, I liked it better then the first. It's a bit jam packed with story lines, but I felt it kept my attention well. Wolverine is still cool.

Pat-I think you need some sort of device that signals you when you don't zip up your fly.

I also received my unemployment PIN number today and the calculations of what my weekly payment will be. At least they are on the ball with getting out the paperwork!

On Friday I also obsessively cleaned the entire apartment. How many more times do you think I'll do that in the next month?? Next week I am dog sitting for my parents in Rochester. It's something to do! YAY!!

2 more days of work!

Because we just had Easter, I couldn't resist this web site that was posted on Dave Barry's blog about my favorite candy: PEEPS!

It's taken me awhile to like them again, but I do. Here's why they were off my favorite candy list for awhile:

When I turned 21, it was March 1996. At midnight, I was going out to celebrate the night before. I was really tired because I'd been working alot and had mid-terms. So, in order to stay awake, I drank the dregs of a 2-liter of Coke and ate one of those 5 pack of Peeps. I figured the combined sugar would keep me going. Well, it did, and we took off with my roommate Jill, her boyfriend Matt, and my 3 best college guy friends: Brad, Steve & Dan. Needless to say, they proceeded to get me completely s**t faced. The bars close in Wisconsin at 2:30am, so we all stumbled to the dorms together. I headed straight for the bathroom. And what did I throw up? Peeps. Then I passed out and slept through my first class. I made it to my 11am class, lasted only 5 minutes, and left to go vomit again. Thankfully, as I was walking out the door I overheard someone say to the teacher,"I saw her downtown last night-it's her 21st birthday." The teacher was sympathetic.

After this, I could NOT eat peeps. It made me sick to even look at them. My family took great fun in giving peeps to me for both Easter and my birthday in the following years. But, I am proud to say that since peeps made their first appearance in stores in early March, I have eaten more then a dozen. And they FINALLY taste good again. :)

A side note: my co-worker told that she and her roommates in college took peeps and put them on people's car antenna's. Depending on how cold the spring was, most of the time they froze on there. People had frozen peeps on their car until it was warm enough to remove the goo. :)

This is sort of related in a beer sense, but check out this new sport.

Thanks for the words of advice Mike L.

We do have the digital cable system with the guide on it so I'm well prepared. Because we are nearing May, I am hesitant to upgrade cable, as I would like to be outside more if possible. But, we do have movie channels so I'm sure I will use them well. I have started making a list of things I would like to accomplish and people I would like to visit. I will make sure to add such things are laundry to this list however. And, I will have to leave the house on a daily basis or I will go insane. I've found that out already.

Technically, only about 5 actual days of work left. My days consist of answering the phone and scanning pictures of my own personal stuff. I like the scanner here better. Otherwise, my files have been cleaned out and my computer has been cleaned out. They would rather we didn't touch anything else, especially if it's heavy, because they don't want any workman comp claims to deal with. So, we're all pretty much sitting on our arses. There is about 8 of us left out of 17.

We saw Anger Management on Friday night. Because we are fans of both Nicholson and Sandler, we really liked it. As one reviewer said, it's 'obvious laughs'. Well, what Sandler movie isn't? And they're all a little korny. I would say that I have never seen Nicholson like this before-its his finest goof ball comedy. Sandler played more of straight man for the first time and Marisa Tomei was a nice extra as the girlfriend.

Bought the book "Thanks for the memories, Mr. President" by Helen Thomas. Pretty cool so far. Great stories about the presidents from Kennedy to George W. I also purchased "Woman Enough" by Loretta Lynn. It's the sequel to Coal Miners Daughter and what's happened since then. She a darn nice job and the editors left her language intact, which made for a fun read. When she says, "I run her off the place." I believe it! The coolest story was that when Tommy Lee Jones wanted to hang out with Doo to learn how to walk and talk like him for the movie. Doo didn't want anything to do with him because he thought Tommy was going to make fun of him. Finally, Tommy gave up. He drove on down to Butcher Hollar where they actually filmed the early parts of the movie, took a jeep, got drunk and drove crazy all through town. He ended up getting arrested and the studio had to bail him out. After Doo heard that, he thought Tommy was about the coolest thing and hung out with him after that! I started that book Saturday night and had it finished by yesterday afternoon, it was so good. ;)

We didn't go anywhere for Easter. Anti-family. I cleaned out the closets and boxed stuff up for a garage sale. We had tacos for lunch and brats for dinner. Mike played Playstation 2. We watched Episode 2 and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. That was the extent of our day! Hope everyone else had a nice Easter.

The Gophers win the Frozen Four Championship, and the students riot in Dinkytown.

Why? I guess I just don't get it. Breaking stuff, burning and looting must be the way to support your team.

Wild in the playoffs for NHL hockey. Who'd have thought it just a few short years ago? Take that Norm Green. We salute you.

The nephew will be celebrating his first birthday tomorrow. Hard to believe! We had a nice party for him over the weekend where he received many toys and clothes that he will not care a thing about. Boxes and wrapping paper are MUCH better to play with....But at least he has the essentials of being a 1 year old!

It hit 90 in St. Paul today...can you believe it? However, Mike & I were comparing notes, and a year ago tomorrow when we left town to go up to Duluth to see Alex in the hospital when he was born, the temp was 91 when we left. Duluth, when we arrived 2.5 hours later was 39 degrees in the harbor and 100% fogged in. Can it get much wierder in Minnesota then that?? Tomorrow we'll be freezing our arses off it sounds like. 40's by Wednesday, not that I'm complaining though...

And might I point out that Mike said he is watching too much Larry McReynolds on FOX, because he said the word 'fixin' today in a sentence. Is NASCAR making us a bit hillbilly?

Pat, my mysterious illness is beginning to crop up at work. I think I'll have to be sick next week or something. Maybe the mysterious SARS??

Either way, it looks like unemployment will be my new friend by about May 15 or so. Yikes! I've never been on it before. Anyone have words of advice?

When I woke up yesterday morning, I was informed by my step-dad that David Bloom had died. I couldn't believe it.

I have to say that I was doing pretty much the same as Pat in terms of commenting to people on the fantastic reporting the guy had been doing. I had been watching NBC Nightly News for 2 weeks just to catch Bloom's awesome footage. Being a former (almost) journalist, the stuff he was pulling off had me scratching my head trying to figure out how they were editing this stuff.

I heard today that they think his blood clot could have been caused by his sleeping conditions. He had mentioned that he was sleeping in a curled fetal position due to the close quarters they were in. Medical Officials have said that long airplane trips with little leg movement can cause blood clots-may have been the same thing here. It's just one of those deals that is NOT fair. We've lost an amazing reporter.

Minnesota's NBC affiliate KARE 11 had just done an interview with Bloom's brother last week because they are from Edina, MN. (And Bloom grew up here). The brother said they were worried about him just like if he were a soldier. It's unfortunate that he wasn't able to make it home. Having just gone through one funeral of a guy too young to die with kids, I can't help but really grieve for this family.