Ah, high school

A friend of mine (the wife of a good high school friend) thought it would be funny to send me some pictures of me that her husband had from high school. As you can imagine I couldn't leave it there. So I found a few of her husband from high school and sent those to her!

And then while looking up these picutres I found one of another high school friend, Brad (Bradical in myspace). He, he. What's up with the guys having the bowl cuts??

I hate the dentist

Actually, my dentist is a nice guy - but with all the years I've had dentists, orthodontists and surgeons poking at my mouth... well, I've had enough.

Today was no different. I put on my big-girl panties and tried to behave. I have a million idiosyncracies dealing with my mouth and oral hygiene. I won't bore you with all of them, but I'll name a few just so you see what I'm talking about:

- I don't like mint flavor. give me cinnamon, give me citrus, give the kids bubblegum for god's sake - but don't give me mint. It makes me gag. Don't ask, I don't know why.
- every time I rinse I must have a new cup. yep, I'm a one-woman anti-green machine.
- after every rinse I must have a new kleenex to wipe my mouth. hey, c'mon. It eventually composts...

So you get the idea. All the ladies in the office understand these issues (or proabaly feel sorry for me when they see my x-rays) and have decided to just indulge me. Well, not today.

I got the "new guy" today. And I don't mean "new to the office staff". I mean "I just graduated from hygenist school, um, YESTERDAY!" Don't get me wrong - he did a GREAT job. But I'm sitting in the chair and he's scraping my teeth (which reminds me - I forgot to bring in my iPod, because hearing the scraping is another "issue" with me.) scrape........ scrape........ scarpe....

DEAR GOD! PICK UP THE SPEED! I'm going to be here all day! Now, all the other hygenists get the job done, but they get it done quickly. (so the scraping sound inside my brain is over faster...) Not this guy.

Not to mentin that he didn't read all the notes in my chart about my "special needs". I won't even get into that here. Let's just say I had to keep myself from gagging as he was polishing my teeth with, yuck, mint cleaning stuff.... and I had to keep rotating the rinse cup so at least each time I rinsed I wasn't putting my mouth on a part that it had already touched... and luckily in this room they had the kleenex by me so I could grab as many as I needed, whenever...

Actually, I'm not so sure it took him that much longer than the ladies - but he didn't talk. And you know me - either I'm talking your ear off, or in the case of the dentist, I want you to talk my ear off to take my mind off the horrible scraping noises.... He tried a few times, but that's where he just made it all the more obvious he's new to the profession. You know, that uncomfortable I'm-trying-to-talk-a-little-because-that's-what-they-teach-us-in-school,-but-I'm-not-comfortable-doing-it-because-I'm-more-concerned-with-scraping-you-teeth-and-not-your-gums kind of conversation.

Ok, I almost feel guilty for ragging on him like this but this is the one instance I insist on being treated like a diva. If you saw me, a few days after surgery when I was 18, where my face was SO swollen I didn't even have a neck (I'm NOT kidding) and then watch me, ME of all people, on a liquid diet for the next 4-5 weeks... then you'd understand.

Call 911...

You know - I thought I had grown out of that clumsy stage.... or at least thought it had settled down over the years. Not so. Within 30 minutes I had TWO instances where I thought I might need to go/ came really damn close to going to the hospital. only me....

The first time I was in the kitchen, still groggy from just waking up. I dropped a peanut butter pretzel sandwich (breakfast. what can I say?) on the floor and went to pick it up before Liam, the canine hoover, got hold of it. As I was bending down he started to stick his head in my way and I backed-up/ lifted me head at the same time to get out of his way and WHAM!! smacked the hell out of the back of my head on the corner of the countertop on the island. Damn that hurt!! I was certain I drew blood. but alas, I was fine. (after 5 minutes of cussing and jumping around, of course...)

I finally made it upstairs and got ready for work. Simple outfit - khaki skirt, cute sage green boatneck knit top and cute strappy mules. As I was walking down the stairs I got lazy and didn't pick my foot up all the way... caught my mule heel on the stairs and fell over sideways.

Now most of you are probably "so? grab the railing doofus. that's what it's there for". Yeah, well, you havent' seen my railing. Did I mention it's loose?? I DID fall into the railing. I heard wood snapping... Luckily my "inner goat" (thanks Tiff!!) kicked in and I got back my balance before I broke the railing off and went over the edge with it.

Note to self - move "fix railing" to top of to-so list. I'm certain next time it will completely break off.

I'll be damned...

Well, I havent' been posting because I couldn't get into blogger - getting some sort of error. Apparently it was just pissy those days. I changed nothing and here I am!

Speaking of blogger - I'm a bit pissy myself today... Work stuff... I'll be better tomorrow.

My newest hobby is this ancestry.com thing. I'm trying to make a family tree. Y'all will be surprised to know that, despite from being from WV, my family tree DOES branch... a lot....

I traced one relative back to John Smith and Pocohontas... but of course I need to verify the integrity of the info.... but wouldn't it be neat if it turns out to be true???!!! Dad's perplexed because he'd always been told his family didn't come to the US from Ireland until the early 1800's... so far all the info I've found since the mid-1700's still has them being born in Virginia. Story has it that David's great-grandfather was dropped on the steps of an orphanage... so that side won't be able to be traced back too far. (makes my job easier!!)

I gotta run... you know, "real" work to do : )

Latest Trip

Did you know that Palm Springs, CA is in the desert?? I didn't. Needless to say, I was shocked when I looked out the window of the plane. I knew it was going to be HOT - but not hot and sandy... It really is out in the middle of NOWHERE.

We had our western regional meeting in Palm Springs. The division manager, Brett, has already been told that he'll never be able to outdo himself on this one. It was quite spectacular! It was hot - but DRY. Yummy - heat and dryness. Hell that beats hot and muggy any day of the year! And of course I come home to have to do yardwork on Saturday. Man, I was outside in the yard sweating like a hooker in church! I was only in a bikini too!

Ah, yes, the bikini.... Let's say that I won't wear it in "public" anymore. However, due to the nature of our neighbors I do not consider our front yard as "public". Needless to say I did go out and purchase my first tankini for the previously mentioned regional meeting. There was a bit of lounging by the pool in front of workfolk.

Warning - here's my commentary on appropriate swimwear.

I hardly ever wear a bathing suit. The last suit I bought was several years ago - and it was a bikini. All I own are bikini's. Up until a few years ago I looked ok in them. Now I look as though I'm a chunk of meat being stuffed into a sausage casing. I know this. It's ok. Our bodies change. I'm 31 for god's sake!

Now last summer when we went to the beach for a week I did NOT purchase any new swimwear. 1) I didn't want to spend the $$ on something I never wear 2) It was just in front of my dad, in-laws and the hubby. The hubby has already committed to me so I wasn't worried 3) there was no one else I knew. (or at least I was banking on the fact I wouldn't see anyone I knew... and I didn't. ) Now I didn't look great at the beach - but I don't think I was going to get mistaken for a beached whale, either.

Well, being in a bathing suit in front of people you work with is a different matter. I hit Old Navy and got a nice tankini and skirt cover up for all under $50. I can swing that. I think I made a nice transition into swimwear for the 30's bunch, thank you very much. However, I think someone needs to tell those few out there that didn't get the memo.

Some of us girls were sitting at the pool the day we got there and I saw all kinds of things I didn't want to see. (Why have I been seeing things I don't want to see so often lately???) Now I'm sure that some people at this pool (which was in the resort we were staying in) probably had the same thought process as I did when I went to the beach last year. Who am I here to impress?? Ok - fine - but PLEASE don't wear something that causes people to GAG!!! Yes - I saw the token European in a speedo (or at least I hope he was European.... at least it seems better to swallow if you know they're not American...) and of course - the 275 lb, 5'4" woman in a STRING BIKINI!!! Um, yeah. I didn't want to see that. I'm all for different body shapes, but please dress it appropriately! Just for your sanity (and the fact that you already put up with recent naked pictures) I did not snap a shot of her to post.

Ok. I'm done with my rant. And just for being good I'll post pictures of our cookout we had at the resort on Wednesday nite. Yes folks, I'm here for work... and no, we're not hiring. :)


Dom and Brooke(of kick-boxing fame...) Dom cooked all this GREAT food!!















He grilled this chicken and asparagus. He also had prime rib on one grill and prawns the size of my head an yet another grill! It was a feast!









Here's Denise enjoying a nice adult beverage. And Fred sneaking snacks inteh background...

Finally - here's Doug (the Mel Gibson look-alike) from Texas and Fred, from MS. He was so excited to find this hat. He swears he can't get a hat like that in Mississippi... See CA is good for something!

Bay to Breakers Run/ Parade

My friend Chris took this picture of the "event".

I wasn't kidding about the nakedness.

or the ages of the naked people.

Bay to Breakers Run - San Fran Part 2

Have you heard of the Bay to Breakers run in San Fran? No? Well I'll tell ya about it. It's a 10 mile run that raises money for AIDS programs. But remember, this is California, and San Fran no less. There's an implied understanding that the race isn't just any race....

The first two parts looked harmless enough. First the elite women go past. Just as you'd expect. Serious runners, bookin it. Then the elite men come by. But wait! Why are they flanked by.... Elvis's??!!!!! Yes folks, the elite men in the middle with about 20 Elvis impersonators running with them (for only a block or two.) As if the costumes weren't hard enough to run in - they are all carrying plastic cups of beer too. Lots of "whoo"-ing going on...

And then the rest of the parade, I mean race, starts to come down. Once the "serious" people are done (probably a hundred or two, total) everyone else starts down. I think there were something like 50K people registered for the race - but many didn't register - they just joined in to show off their costumes. Many are "racing" but at more "normal people" pace. But interspersed are people in costumes - running in costumes! All kinds of costumes. Some are walking due to restrictions of their get-ups. Like these storm troopers, for instance....

Or these kyakers, for instance. See the blue fringe? There were 4 guys that were part of the kyak.... The kyak was around them and they had the fringe hanging off the edge - but I could

only get this pic....

I don't know exactly what she's dressed up as....

And then there were the naked people. This picture is tame. Case in point -try and find the topless girl in this picture. However, most were butt-ass NAKED. Ok, they might have had on running shoes. A few also had hats and maybe a fanny pack - NOT covering the fanny though...

And someone explain to me why 95% of all the naked people (mostly men, by the way) were OVER 60!!!!!!!! Yeah. great mental image, isn't it? Did I mention it was only in the 50's that morning too?? um, yeah. We saw a guy that had taped his, um, member. You could have hung your coat off it. Then we saw a guy that had put a sweatband around it. You know - 'cuz he's going to work up a sweat in this race.... There was also a naked guy with a santa hat, red thigh highs and roller skates. Yes folks - welcome to San Fran!

So most of the naked men had beaded necklaces. Think Mardi Gras. One VERY naked man (wearing ONLY shoes and a hat) stopped and asked Kathy if he could take his picture with her. He walked up to her, put his arm around her and his friend snap a shot. We were all so stunned none of us thought to take a pic with our camera... A bit later another VERY naked man walked up to Dom, gave him a wink, gave him beads and then kept walking. Dom wasn't exactly sure what to do. He took them and then promptly handed them to me. I'm now a proud owner of "naked" blue beads.

After the first 15 mintues it wasn't a "race" anymore. At this point we started to refer to it as a parade. Most people were walking. ALL of the naked people were walking..... Thank god.....

Then we joined in! No, we didn't strip and jump in the fray - but we did walk with it for a bit before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the conference.

Gotta luv SF!

San Fran Part 1

I was in San Fran for work for the past few days. It was very nice. Every morning we'd get up and take a long walk. And by long, I mean LONG.

Dom (from work) is a great guide. He took Kathy (from our Canadian office) and I all through the city - mostly walking. Did I mention that Dom's a runner? And used to run marathons... Thank god we were only walking and not running. I swear - they have streets steeper than the Rocky Mts.

The first place we stopped was at Pier 39 to see the sea lions. God are they funny! (and loud!!)

They kept on playnig king of the castle and knocking each other off the docks. At first you think they're fighting - but they're not. Some are trying to sleep while the others are making a ruckus. I don't know how they do it...

And then Chinatown! Dom took this picture with my phone. Why is it fuzzy? If you were standing in the middle of the street in Chinatown trying to take a touristy photo you'd shake too...

Ha! I just realized that Kathy looks like she's my height. She's not. (She's standing on the hilly part. )

And here is a shot up the street. I know, not a good pic. But these two weren't slowing their pace just for me to play tourist... I had to take what I could get!

Not exactly the shot I wanted... but as you can imagine there is all types of stuff strung in between the buildings... did you know that San Fran has the highest population of Chinese people outside of China?? There, don't you feel smarter already today?

We also had Saturday open so we reanted a car and headed to wine country. We stopped and drank Sonoma out of wine. Dom and I bought a case of wine and shipped it back to the office. A great Zin. I won't bored you with the details - but it was great. An afternoon in wine country, taking in the sight and tastes. If you haven't gone, go. It's worth it.

Stay tuned for Part 2. A road (running) race and naked people are involed. You don't want to miss it!

technically disadvantaged

You know, last year when I joined myspace I was very proud of myself. I don't have kids and I don't have a job where I'm required to keep up with computer/ internet technology. well I need to know how to work my computer - but I'm pretty sure I have that kicked.

So I'm trying to keep up with the times when it comes to the internet so I don't drift off into middle-age ignorance. Hey, this blog is another big "check" on that list. I've had fun on myspace. I've connected back up with several old friends. But I still haven't checked out youtube. And until yesterday hadn't looked into facebook either.

I joined facebook yesterday. but I'm confused. well, probably not confused, I just don't know how to work it. it seems harder to find people. I don't like it because I can't anonymously peek at people's profiles. Like in myspace there are a few people where I check out their profiles every once in a while - but they're not a "friend". and I want to keep it that way. What good is it if I can't spy on people??

arg!

Oh and everyone wish my friend Sara a happy 30th b-day! She's having a pirate party to commemorate the monumental event!

Need something to do?

I have a friend who moved from Kansas City to Denver a few months ago. Within 2 weeks of moving to Denver she's telling me about these 5 people she met here and 2 other people she met there, and her wine group.... the list went on and on.

SO finally I asked - where in the hell are you meeting all these people??? and so fast???

Ok, I may be a bit behind the times here - but she told me about meetup.com I had never heard of it. She told me I should check it out.

My first question: You know I'm married. I don't need to meet singles.
Apparently it's not a singles site - although I'm sure more than one couple has hooked up because of it....

I went on and looked to see what was around in my area and found an "adventure club". I'm game. I joined. This past weekend we all went biking/ rollerblading at the lake. Good group. Over Memorial Day weekend we're going on a waterfall hike. I'm very excited! I'm dragging David to that one with me.

(Don't get me wrong - I love rowing. But I'm really having a hard time meeting people my own age.)

I went on again to see what other groups were available and found that someone started a WINE group!! YEAH!!!!! The group is new. I'm member number 5. Does that make me a founding member??

So, if you're new to a place or just need a change of pace check it out!
Sorry Tiff - I'm not sure if there are any groups in Redneckville, NE.

A mother's day to remember

Go ahead. Ask me where we all had dinner for mother's day. You're not going to believe it.

First, a little background. The attendees were me, Cindy (m-in-law), Dave (f-in-law), Grandma Cusano and MaryBeth, Lucy and Mike - 3 more of Grandma's kids - my hubby's aunts and uncle. Got that? Notice anything weird?? Like NONE of Cindy's own children - birthed from her loins - were present??

Yeah, well, I had to do.

Courtney now lives in MI, Christopther is the poor, starving actor in NYC and my husband was at the NY State high school regatta in Saratoga Springs.

So we were supposed to have 4pm reservations at a great Italian place we all like. Once we got there it turns out it was an all day breakfast buffet. Ok, if this place was known for breakfast then I'd be game. But it's not. It's known for great Italian DINNER food. Not to mention that the buffet looked as though it had been sitting out all day. We were all dissapointed. This is NOT the place we know. We decided, against all odds, to wonder out and find a new place to eat.

Did I mention that not only was it mother's day, it was also graduation day for SU? Yeah. Trying finding somewhere to eat.

So my m-in-law made a suggestion. Since no one else opposed it - even Grandma - we went to Buffalo Wild Wing!! Wee-hoo!!

We had beer and wings for mother's day!!!! AND with Grandma!!!

You should have seen it - the 7 of us walking in, Uncle Mike escorting Grandma with her cane. yes folks - we are CLASSY!!!

It was great. I'll never forget it!

Sexy Toes

I don't know what's gotten into me. It's probably the weather. It's starting to warm up (FINALLY)! I can't say what possessed me to do it, but I did.

I painted my toenails.... red! Not just any red - but "f**k me red".

I know. Don't fall over from shock. Some of you are probably shocked that I even painted my toenails. The rest of you are probably flabbergasted that I painted them red.

I know - I have the longest toes in the world. No need to flood wth me comments letting me know this. I am already aware.

Doggie Spa

I love groomed dogs. They smell so clean.

Nikki got her summer 'do. We always laugh when we first see her becuase she looks so skinny. Don't you wish you could do that for bathing suit season? Just go to the spa, get trimmed and look as though you dropped 20 pounds. Lucky dog....

It's raining babies!!

Wow! Some interesting event must have happened, oh, about 9 months ago. I have two friends from high school/ college that had babies within a week of each other!

Sara admitted she and Danny were at a party and... well you know the rest.

So everyone give my friends a big "CONGRATULATIONS!"

Danny and Sara G. had baby Katherine Elizabeth (intials = KEG. Danny is proud of this...)

Born April 28th. She has an older brother, Ty.

Michael and Toni B. had baby Charlotte Kieran

Born May 6th. She has 2 older brothers, Jake and Dylan.

I've got a feeling this one's going to be a ham... or severely anal retentive... ; )

sorry for the wait...

Well, of course I have stories to tell... but I couldn't get on line to tell you!!!

The best story was why and how I had to get home from Vegas last week. The reason I had to get back Friday night was because I was "pinch hitting" coaching for David the next day in Rochester. He had to leave Friday morning to go to LA for a work conference. He had asked me several weeks before if I could take his spot at the regatta- meaning getting his three boats of boys where they needed to be when they needed to be there. Sure. I can do that. Hell, I used to coach - it's not like it's something I didn't know how to do.

What I didn't anticipate was what would happen if I couldn't get there....

I'll save you the LONG story with all the details - but here's what you need to know:
- I flew from Vegas to Chicago, Chicago to Laguardia and then was supposed to fly to Syracuse.
- I had to change airlines in Laguardia - which means that I had to get my bag from baggage claim, walk two buildings down to USAir, check my bag before catching my flight home to Syracuse.

Oh, did I mention I only had an hour between flights in Laguardia to do all that??? yeah, right...

I called Hertz when I was still in Chicago (and was pretty certain I wasn't going to make my important flight home) to procure myself a vehicle once I got to NY. Sure enough, after sprinting through the "streets" of Laguardia in flipflops, jeans, T-shirt and computer backpack, I did NOT make my flight home. (with no baggage, might I add. It didn't show up....)

I turned away from the agent's desk to slowly find the bus to Hertz. I was tired, sweaty and frustrated. I had to get home so I could get to the regatta the next day! I kept telling myself "DON'T CRY!! put your big girl panties on and DON'T CRY!"

When I got to Hertz I appraoched the counter and immediately apologized for my appearance. I looked ridiculous. I'm not kidding - my T was sticking to my body and sweat was still rolling down my forehead... and this is at 10 at night. As she was pulling up my reservation she asked me what happened.

me: I had to run from the ATA terminal to the USAir terminal only to not make my flight. I HAVE to get home tonight, hence the car.

Herta agent: What??!!! Those two buildings aren't even close! That's like a quarter mile or longer!

me: yes. I know. I ran it in flipflops too! (held up foot to prove footwear in the event she didnt' believe me.)

She politely finished my reservation, handed me keys and pointed me to slot 42. I thanked her profusely and headed out to start my drive home.

How far is Syracuse from Laguardia??? 4-5 hours. It's not close. People usually don't realize that Syracuse is NO WHERE CLOSE to the city. I had a long night ahead of me.

I walked out to slot 42. Wait - this isn't right. This is a sports car in the "prestige collection". This is a Chrysler Crossfire!!! I specifically asked for the cheapest thing to get me home. She said $100 when I signed the contract in there. What does this receipt say? (hold up to light to check price. yup, $100 plus tax - just what the reservationist quoted me over the phone when I called from Chicago...) Well, if this isn't the right car the keys aren't going to work, right? What the hell.

I click the unlock and sure enough it worked!!! That sneaky agent!!! :) She upgraded me (like FIVE levels) and didn't tell me!!!! God love her!

Word of warning - if you're taller than 5'7" don't get a Crossfire. I had only 2 inched of head clearance...

So I hop in the sporty little car, find the 80's hits on the Sirrius radio and hit the road. YIPPEEE!!!! Hit cruise control and head to Syracuse.

I got home at 2:12AM Saturday morning. I was wide awake on caffine and adreneline. I climbed into bed for a few hours and was up again at 6am and headed to Rochester. Believe it or not - I made it all day at the regatta too. I was afraid I'd collapse at some point, but I didn't. Thank god for Terry - one of the moms. She made sure I was properly fed and caffinated throughout the day. David had called her the night before to apprise her of my situation and told her to keep an eye on me. (He was afraid I'd keel over too.)

So, the marathon weekend was over and then I headed to Plattsburgh Monday to our main office. I'm just now home and writing this entry. I'm going to head out and finish mowing the grass that David started today before his practice. I get to stay home for a few more weeks before I head out to San Fran. Hold tight. Knowing me something else stupid will happen to me... tune in to find out.