Bear Attack!

Bear Attack in Churchill , Manitoba , Canada .
These are pictures of an actual polar bear attack in Churchill.
These pictures were taken while people watched and could do nothing to stop the attack!
Reports from the local newspaper say that the victim will make a full recovery.
The photos are below....

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

As you may notice from my previous post, I'm not having a very good day. My friend, Helen sent this to me, and it totally made me smile.

What to do, what to do...

I am sure I speak for all of us when I say this winter is sucking the life out of me. I am sure I would feel so much better if I could just see the grass. It may not change things, but it would make me feel better.

Complaint

Inquiring minds would like to know...

How is it that we pay the same amount of $ in our taxes, yet we are supposed to expect less when it comes to service by the road commission. I live 3 houses off a main road, yet TWICE this year we've had to call them to come plow the fricken street. They've only been out here 3 times TOTAL. You do the math. Thank GOD for 4WD. Never thought I would have to turn it on, turn it off, turn it on, turn it off... so much! Biatches.

It's Been A While...

After Greg's bath, he comes to the living room dressed in pajamas which consist of an army top and bright yellow SpongeBob pants. He curls up on the couch next to me and puts his head in my lap. (He NEVER does this).

I start playing with his dark, silky hair. We turn on the history channel which is doing a segment on past presidents, in order of their terms.

A commercial comes on, then the show resumes.

Greg sits up and says, "How far away is the year 33999?"
I look at him and realize there is no way I can do this math in my head. Then I say, "Thousands of years from now."

He says, "We won't be alive, will we?"
I reply, "No honey, none of us will be here. That's a very long time from now."

He says in the saddest voice I ever heard, "Great. When that car comes out, I won't even be here to see it."

Then I made the connection. The Mercedes SUV STARTS at 33,999 DOLLARS! NOT YEARS! lol

It's been a while since he's said something so cute.

Who'd a Thunk It?!

First off, I felt my post on the hawk was sort of lame. Well who'd a thunk this hawk would have an impact on the family. Because of the lack of birds, Pumpkin & Charlie are spending their days sleeping, instead of looking at the little turkey dinners out on the bird feeders. Therefore, they kept us all up the other night, because they weren't "tired"! Lucky enough, the birds returned yesterday and the patio was a "buzz" with bird traffic. The cats were up ALL DAY, glued to the window, and slept all night with a hangover.

Today was my first day of school. I had a bit of a breakdown before I went in, because this isn't like any other college class. This is a class that I've dropped twice before because I had the intelligence of a box of rocks. The last time I attended Macomb Community College, was in 1995. When I went to purchase the book for my current class, I found that not only have they added new buildings, but they've also moved the bookstore. Who'd a thunk they would move it in the 14 years that I was absent.

I went into a brand new building today and BAM! I was transported to high school. The last time I set foot on that campus, was probably the year most of those kids were born. At least it felt that way. I felt SO OLD!!! Girls and their cutsie little purses, and their jingling keys... their trendy little cellphones. Guys driving what they believe to be hot cars, with the windows down in 6 degree weather, and cologne billowing out the windows, radios thumping. OMG. I am so old.

My professor is an older gentleman. He and I could probably relate on a lot of different issues, which is probably why he kept looking at me, as if he were talking DIRECTLY to me. He would laugh, I would laugh. The teenie boppers would continue being disrespectful by carrying on their meaningless little conversations.

It was a very eye opening day and if there is anything that became crystal clear, it's that I'm in it to win it my friends. I'm not there because it's just that thing you do after high school. I'm there because I choose to be there. I'm there to accomplish something that is major to me, that will carry me on to a greater thing.

So while I felt very awkward at first, I realize that I have experienced so many more things than these young people, and that I am so set in my life. They have a lot of uncertainties coming their way, where I am certain... that I will ACE this class. Whatever it takes.

Uncharted Waters

There comes a time in every parent's life that they are suddenly put on the spot. When to let the child stay home... ALONE.

Today Emily is home sick. She had a horrendous headache when she went to bed last night. She was then woken up multiple times by Charlie, who is like a bull in a china shop. He found himself locked in the basement by 2:30 this morning.

She woke up this morning feeling even worse, and proceeded to throw up the Tylenol I gave her... on an empty stomach (lesson learned).

Regardless, adjustments have to be made when a child is home sick. First off, I started really feeling like a Mom as I was walking down the hall with toast for her. How lucky am I to be home with nothing else pending... when my child needs me most?

Yet there was something that actually couldn't wait. Laundry, and I am out of fabric softener sheets. I don't know about you, but the last time I tried drying clothes without one, they came out like a Velcro ball, and I got shocked every time I tried to shake them apart.

Because school starts tomorrow for me, and the fact that I am leaving on Friday, the laundry just can't wait. But then again, Emily is here. Do I venture out?

I decided she would be ok. I gave her explicit instructions that she is NOT to answer the door. Not only is she NOT to answer the door, if the doorbell rings, she isn't even permitted to go look out the door. She is to stay in bed, and let them go away. Even if the Pope happens to stop by. She also was not to answer the phone unless it was me or Daddy, and of course, I called her to check on her.

I ran up to Walgreens which is about 1 minute from my door, got my dryer sheets, and flew home to find her exactly where I told her to stay. While she was fine, I felt like I was leaving my newborn baby alone in the house while I went to work! A new milestone for us. One I'm not so sure I'm ready for.

Foghorn Leghorn

Aside from school starting on Thursday and scrapbooking up north this weekend, I don't have a lot going on. Which leaves me looking out the doorwall, watching time go by. I know I don't have to tell you about my obsession with nature. I LOVE the birds, the trees, and everything that goes along with it... except things that try to eat my birds.

First off, Fuznut the squirrel seems to have vanished. She was coming here for more than 2 years, almost daily. Then one day she stopped coming. For more than a week, I was looking for her. Then she showed up with a couple babies, and a patch of hair missing off the side of her body, which means something got her. This was the last time we would see her.

I filled my bird feeders on Saturday, and to say business has been slow is putting it mildly. I see the occasional Downy Woodpecker, and a finch or two. Then yesterday, I saw why.

I happened to walk by the window only to see this HUGE brown hawk diving INTO the bushes, causing snow to explode off of them, and little birds fleeing for their lives. He darted in and out of every bush in the backyard. I think he scared the hell out of every thing out there. It's been slow ever since.

I didn't realize I was setting up a buffet!

Taxi!

I have to laugh. Donna & Mike are Emily's godparents. When we got pregnant with her, we threw the whole "thing" off balance. We used to vacation together, get together on a weeknight (gasp) for drinks. We'd have dinner... whenever! Donna commented more than once on how I was going to be a Minivan Mom. (You know where this is going). "Mom's Taxi" she would say. Today... I felt like I was a Taxi. Here is my Monday:

8:00 drop off at school

~Come home

12:00 run to mall to exchange broken xmas gift

~come home

3:15 pick up Greg from school

~come home

3:45 take Greg, pick up 2 other kids, drop off at catechism'

~come home

5:30 pick up Emily from afterschool meeting

~come home

NO wonder I am exhausted today! My tires are smoking! BTW... This is what Donna is driving her kids around town in these days, lol.

Meanwhile, I'm sportin' around town in an SUV, lol. Who's the "Minivan Mom" now biatch?! ;o)

Math.com

I've been practicing algebra on Math.com and have come to the conclusion... I'm doomed. lol

Name this product.

Ingredients: Milkfat and Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Sweet Whey, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Guar Gum, Mono- and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan. Natural flavors from plant sources. Contains Milk. In some areas, may contain traces of strawberry. Corn Syrup, Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Artificial Flavor, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), and Colored with Red #40
http://www.bk.com/Nutrition/PDFs/ingredients.pdf

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Answer: It’s amazing that Burger King can call this a Strawberry Shake. A better name might be Fake Shake.

ZUMBA!!!!!

Slow to start, but gets fun! I did this last night, it was a blast! Best fitness class I have EVER been to. Enjoy!

That Poor Girl

Today I had the pleasure of taking the suv in for service. Oil Change and now a tire rotation, as that the drive over there put me over 10,000 miles. As I pulled in, I started thinking... "who can I call to come get me, and take me home". The service department was crazy busy. As in... I had to wait outside in my car for them to shuffle cars around inside the garage, so that I as well as the other 3 behind me, could fit inside.

45 min to 1 hour I was told, much to my surprise. So I ventured off to the waiting area with my fresh cup of joe, prevention magazine & purse. It was slightly full, so I chose a seat at a round table with 4 chairs. Lucky for me, there was also a newspaper sitting there, which I promptly started to read.

Approximately 15 minutes later, a woman walks in and sits next to me. No big deal. Then it happened. Suddenly the television screen was red and WXYZ was interrupting GMA with breaking news. Christine Beatty was going to jail. Not 2 minutes go by and the woman sitting next to me gets on her cellphone. The phone is so loud, everyone in the room can hear the entire conversation. She proceeds to tell the woman on the other line about her "baby daddy" and about some woman she kicked the s*** out of. Then proceeds to talk about how her baby daddy gonna hafta come ta her house if heeee want ta see heeim.

At first I tried to focus on my paper, occasionally glancing up at the felon on TV to see her sentencing. Then it happened. She said it. "mmmmmmmmmmmm hm, did you see Christine Beatty is on TV? That poor girl, she look like she gonna cry".

It took EVERY ounce of self control I had to keep my mouth shut, my head in my paper, and not cause a scene. That poor girl? ARE YOU SERIOUS? That poor girl, lied under oath, ruined the careers of two police officers as well as her two daughters, cost the city taxpayers over $8 million dollars to cover up that lie, and still tried to keep her affair with the other married felon a secret. Hell, she spent her career like a bull in a china shop! What type of example is she setting for the little people? While I'm trying desperately to raise sweet, innocent children into respectible adults, this tramp turns around and does this... and it's NATIONAL NEWS! That poor girl. Well that poor girl is now someone elses Biatttch. She got exactly what she deserves.

Miss thug supporter also proceeded to call 3 other people. 1 of which was checking her voicemail. 1 of which she asked if they got her text messages about her beating up some woman last night and the other she reached someone elses voicemail.

All within 1 hour. As I sat there, I started thinking about the glass enclosed kiddy area behind me that was currently unoccupied. I could go play with the blocks. At this point, anything to keep me from ripping the extentions out of this dumb asses hair for 1. Being inconsiderate to those around her by talking loudly on her cellphone, and 2. For public display of sympathy for someone who DESERVES TO GO TO JAIL, and thinking that everyone else feels the same way.

I will tell you this... If at any point, the people of Detroit re-ellect Mr. Kilpatrick, I will NEVER spend another dime in that city. Period.

That poor girl. yeah... right. I need to go do some deep breathing now.

Marley & Me The Movie

Last night we went to the very crowded theater to see Marley & Me. I won't go into detail, but I will say it was very good. If you are going to see it, I suggest you read the book first, as there was a lot missing in the movie. I will say that I liked the book more than the movie, but the movie was still very good.

The biggest thing I want to tell you is that it should NOT be rated PG. If you are taking kids to see it, maybe think twice.

Happy Holidays!

Things are about to get crazy for pretty much all of us. I just wanted to wish all of you a VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Valerie

The Ritual

Today I learned something new! Apparently there is a Snow Day ritual. I learned about it while visiting a friend.

This is how it goes;

Flush 3 ice cubes down the toilet
Put a penny on the window sill
Wear your pajamas inside out
and sleep with a spoon under your pillow.

I haven't ever heard about this before, but apparently I am the minority. Even Emily's softball coach knew about the "list". Rest assured that frick and frack are snuggled safely into their beds, flatware under their pillows, change on the sill, pajaja's on inside out AND backwards (added for good luck).

I think there will be a nuclear meltdown in the Milobar household if there is actually school tomorrow.

Did you know about this ritual?

Recipe!

Tonight I made Chicken Georgia for dinner. Recipe to follow. It was AWESOME!

Chicken Georgia
4 TBS Butter (I did half w/olive oil)
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 c sliced fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoons minced shallots (never had before, but liked!)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

Melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallots. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Cook 10 minutes. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes on each side or until tender. Transfer chicken to platter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Top with mushroom mixture. Cover and let set 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

This recipe compliments of Paula Deen. It was awesome. The mushrooms & shallots got a bit crispy/carmelized in the pan which made for an amazing texture. We had this with fresh salad, and Newmans Own Olive Oil/Vinegar salad dressing, which Katrina recommended. VERY good dressing, with ingredients I can pronounce!!

Enjoy!

I LOVE January!

First off, I LOVE Christmas. It is my favorite holiday with Easter running an extremely close second. I love the colors, I love the music, I love the whole attitude that it brings (for most people). Christmas is a time to change gears. It's a time to forget about everyday doldrums and to appreciate life.

My next favorite things came this week. The January edition of my current subscriptions, Better Homes and Gardens, and Martha Stewart Living. I LOVE the covers! I look forward to this so much that I've already read the BHG mag! The people at these magazines are so smart. The covers are bright, clean, and totally inspire you to organize, think fresh, and to start the year off on a good note. They are so inspirational. They have never failed to get me motivated for spring.

While I know we still have a bit of time before we smell the soft thawing earth, Winter is a great time to complete projects that we've put off. That way we can spend all summer long, sitting in our 0asis (our patio), listening to the kids play and the water in the fountain.

This January I plan to paint my craftroom, redo both kids rooms, and to organize this place we call home.

Poll time

Inquiring minds want to know...

How many of you keep a journal? Post on the side please.

After reading Marley & Me, I read the interview in the back of the book. The interviewer asked the author how he was able to keep track of 13 years and then write a book about it. The author being a newspaper columnist, said he always keeps a journal, so it was somewhat easy.

Then I started thinking about my own life, the funny things that go on, and how much easier it may be to blog and journal my life if I started writing it down.

So cast your vote, and tell me your thoughts on the subject.

Joy to the World

Inquiring minds want to know, what the hell is with the crotchety old people these days? Point in case...

Target in Utica - Wednesday

Emily's Piano teacher and I are good friends. We decided to go do some Christmas shopping before Emily's lesson. As we are finishing up our shopping, I was side tracked in the card section by a funny looking card. As Autumn peers over my shoulder, this old man on a rascal says in this deep, LOUD voice, "EXCUSE ME!"
Autumns says, "Oops! I'm sorry" as she was standing in his way.
He replies, "I'LL BET YOU'RE SORRY!!"

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR??

So Autumn starts singing, "Tis the season to be Jolly", and everyone within an earshot of the whole thing, starts laughing. Literally this jackass sucked the wind right out of her sails. She talked about it for the next 15 minutes.

Target, Today, same location.

Dennis and I go shopping. I'm in the check-out. The cashier is obviously ailing from a runny nose, but is very pleasant. As I am trying to "swipe" my card, the crotchety old bag behind me starts asking the cashier in a voice that suggests the cashier is hearing impaired, "DO YOU HAVE GIFT RECEIPTS?" And the cashier didn't really answer her because she was completing my transaction. "EXCUSE ME! DO YOU HAVE GIFT RECEIPTS?!"

NOW she has the cashiers attention, and she cordially answered, "Yes". Well my transaction took a little bit because my card didn't swipe the first time. So as we are trying to wrap this up, the old bag then asks, "DO YOU TAKE DISCOVER CARD?"

What the hell is with people these days? I'm going to start asking them, MYSELF!

Nuts

PECANS IN THE CEMETERY

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off.

Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. "Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls." The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord.

"Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.