Stella's Blawg

I'd like a new plasma TV please

2009-11-09T23:50:00.001-07:00

Wanna know what chaps my hide? It’s not that we had to rush out and buy a flat screen television. It’s not that we had to rush out and buy a new love seat. It’s not that we had to rush out and get surround sound and a new high definition DVD player. It’s that my husband, Mr. Spendypants, insists on buying these things when they first hit the market. He is like super consumer. I would prefer to wait a minute. Do some comparative shopping. Wait for sales, that kind of thing. Had we done that very simple thing last year, we could have bought much larger plasma tvs for the family room and our bedroom instead of settling for one television in the family room and then keeping the ancient, knob turner we have in the bedroom. I’m surprised they made color televisions back then, let alone television that had more than 13 channels.

Who said I didn't like modern furniture?

2009-11-09T23:45:00.001-07:00

I’m not really a fan of most modern furniture types. I prefer the older, weathered look for my furniture. However, I did see a glass dining table, with some straight dark brown chairs, and for just a minute, I thought about redoing my dining room in dark chestnut wood panel on the bottom half of the wall, with a pale chartreuse green on the top. Complete the look with some sepia colored still photos and a soft cream rug. I totally should have gone to design school.

Thank goodness!

2009-11-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for the good thoughts and prayers. My boss' son, the three year old who had heart surgery last week is going home tomorrow.

What a relief they all must be feeling!

Mounts are not those tall things with trees growing on them

2009-11-09T23:39:00.001-07:00

When we bought our flat screen television, I thought we could just sit it on a shelf and call it good.

Boy was I wrong. The dogs almost knocked it over twice. They were constantly brushing up against it. Half the time, we couldn’t see over them to watch TV (did I mention I have three English Mastiffs?). Finally one day my husband said we needed to get the hardware to put the TV on the wall. I was against this because I thought it would give our family room the look and feel of a hospital waiting room. Not exactly the warm fuzzy I was looking for. The very next day, husband came home with all the makings tor surround sound and wall mounts and for the first time in 15 years, I almost admitted I was wrong. Not out loud of course, but in passing I did say that the TV looked really good up there and I was glad I could see it now.

Baby steps people. Baby steps.

Finally, I see some results, but what exactly is a Kettlebell?

2009-11-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

What exactly is a kettlebell you ask? Me too. Because at first, I thought it was some kind of a kitchen tool or perhaps a bell of some sort that would indicate dinner was ready on a farm or ranch. Au contraire. In fact, Kettlebells are these really nifty looking hand held weights, that almost resemble an old cast iron kettle. I really like the way they look because, unlike regular dumbbells, you can hold one kettlebell with both hands, opening up a wider range of movement and toning. Currently, I have dumbbells, sometimes, it is hard to hold both of them and raise my arms up above my head, and then lower my hands behind my head, working that one muscle under the inside of my arm. I think one of these kettlebells might just be what I have needed to make working out easier. And with Christmas right around the corner? I foresee a few of these handy little tools on my Santa list, and the workout video too. Because if I have one complaint with regard to working out, I get bored with the same video every single day. I currently rotate between three, so adding a new one isn’t a stretch for me. And, since I’m down 20.3 lbs from where I was in July, I’m even more motivated than before!

I need a new office chair

2009-11-04T22:47:00.001-07:00

We are in the process of remodeling our den. It used to be the spare bedroom. Now, we have a nice hide a bed, two book cases and an archaic dinosaur of a computer desk in there. Honestly, the room is not big enough for this desk. I have been looking for office furniture that will match the new décor, while still offering me the feel of a working office/den, since heaven knows I spend more time in there than I do any other room in the house what with homework and telecommuting and my home business. Gees, it’s a wonder I have any spare time at all now that I think about it.

Need good thoughts and prayers

2009-11-03T10:58:00.001-07:00

One of my bosses in Utah, whom I adore, has a two year old son who is having his third open heart surgery today. Please send lots of good thoughts and prayers their way. Thanks.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2009-10-31T12:57:00.004-07:00

Did you know there are 56 days until Christmas? Scary huh? My husband, whom I adore, will begin taking down the Halloween decorations and lights tomorrow, and by next weekend, he will have gotten all of the Christmas decorations down from the attic. He will begin stringing lights on the house and in the yard. He will map out where the Santa and reindeer and sleigh will sit. He will place snowman and geese and the Christmas Moose in their places. He will strategically place the artificial christmas trees magically transforming our desert landscape into a winter wonderland. On Thanksgiving night, he will flip a switch, the music will play and the lights will dance in tune. The trees will sparkle and the geese will look like they are floating on ice.

I cannot wait!!

Car Accessories. It's almost christmas!

2009-10-24T15:43:00.002-07:00

My husband is an automobile junkie. He is addicted to new cars and trucks. In his mind, he should have a new truck at least every two years. I do not share his auto buying enthusiasm. In fact, buying cars and trucks makes me a little sick to my stomach. The thought of spending all that money makes me gag. Needless to say, along with his love of all things auto, he also loves buying the neat auto accessories that spice up his vehicles. Granted, I have asked for a new set of floor mats and this year I am asking for a cargo liner to protect my carpet, but other than those two things, oh, and a wireless hands free bluetooth thing that stays in my car, I don't need any other automobile accessories. But maybe that new stereo with the GPS navigation. Santa could totally bring me that!

I want an outdoor fire pit

2009-10-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Remember the joy of camping and spending time outdoors with family and friends? Gathering around campfires in the mountains or at the lake and telling stores? Bring those memories home with a new outdoor fire pit. Savor the evening by the pool with the warm flicker of your own fire while you enjoy good friends and good conversation. Relax without leaving your back yard. Here in Arizona, outdoor fire pits are everywhere. All of my neighbors have one and my family is considering one too. For me, being able to sit in my backyard, listening to the sound of a bubbling brook waterfall and smelling the sandalwood burning is equivalent to my own personal oasis in the desert.

I had never considered an outdoor fire pit until this year. We have lived in Arizona five years and now that fall has finally arrived, the yards are filling up with laughter and conversation. The night sky is calling and in the distance, the coyotes are howling. We are watching movies on the patio and enjoying being outside for the first time since May. This is the time of year we all stop cursing the scorching desert and embrace what she offers, beautiful night skies, flowers and cacti in bloom and breathing in the fresh air. The only thing missing is the ability to sit in front of my own backyard fireplace with the ones I love. This is especially appealing to our family as we don’t always have time to go camping or to the lake. We are busy with work and after school activities. Also, in this economy, we are cutting back on trips and vacations also. Having the ability to sit in our own backyard and enjoy the feel of a campfire, makes owning an outdoor fire pit even more justifiable for our family. The way I figure it, my fire pit will pay for itself the first time we opt out of paying for a camp spot and packing groceries and filling up the truck with gas and driving three hours away. And we get to sleep in the comfort of our own beds. That beats a blow up mattress and sleeping bags any day!

Blech

2009-10-20T00:22:00.002-07:00

I guess I cannot put it off forever. I am going to go write a couple pages of my paper.

Send good thoughts. Thanks.

American ED - billiant!

2009-10-20T00:21:00.001-07:00

I took my kids to see the new wild things movie this past weekend. During the previews and commercials that go on for thirty minutes prior to the movie, during that time that you eat half of your popcorn and drink all your drink, insuring both running out of popcorn AND a trip to the ladies room mid-movie, I saw a commercial for an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED as they are referred to. It was a brilliant idea actually. Placed in public areas, the AED is for both public and professional use and can save the life of someone who is having a heart attack. I don’t know why it never occurred to me that this was a handy tool to have hanging on your wall, right next to the fire extinguisher. I am glad to see someone is thinking of this stuff. Because really, the faster we can perform certain tasks such as CPR and defibrillation, perhaps the fewer lives we will lose.

What I'm doing

2009-10-20T00:16:00.001-07:00

I am supposed to be writing a paper on research methodology right now. Really, it was due about an hour ago. I cannot seem to get my head in the right place for a scholastic paper right now. I would rather be on twitter or facebook or trying new products and writing about them. Heck, I would rather be doing my dishes right now. Anything but homework!

Wrinkles are not just in time you know...

2009-10-20T00:14:00.001-07:00

I never thought I was going to be one of those women who even thought about wrinkle treatment, let alone actually looked into treatments and prices. Yet, here I am, just turned 41, noticing small wrinkles around my eyes. My friends call them laugh lines. I call them ugly. Had someone said to me when I was in my 20s that this would be my fate, I would have laughed out loud. Not me I would have cried! I use moisturizer and take care of my skin. I don’t go out in the sun or pull my skin down. I won’t have wrinkles until I am well into my 70s. Ha. Double HA HA. Mother Nature had other plans for me. Plans I was not consulted on and plans that I am not happy with. Luckily for me, there are internet search engines and I know how to use them!

Cyber Monday - it's closer than you think

2009-10-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

Depending on how you calculate it, there are 84 days or 7,257,600 seconds or 120,960 minutes or 2016 hours or 12 weeks until Christmas.

I’m not ready. I have bought a grand total of three gifts. (rolls eyes)

I have however, decided that I will NOT be doing the get up at the crack of dawn, standing in line with a bunch of cranky, cold, less than pleasant people to wait in line to save thirteen cents off my new digital camera. It is just not worth it. I did in one year. ONE year. It was horrible. The pushing, the shoving, the cranky people and lack of product which resulted in my getting up at four a.m. just to receive a rain check from a less than pleasant clerk. No thanks. Not worth it. Not to me at least.

Instead, this year, I will be participating in Cyber Monday which is the most clever, wonderful idea I have ever encountered. Instead of getting up, getting dressed, freezing to death and waiting in a line for the doors to open while the people chant OPEN OPEN OPEN!, I will be sitting in my pajamas, sipping hot coffee with my feet up on a chair and shopping from the comfort of my kitchen table.

Unlocked Cell Phones!

2009-10-03T22:12:00.001-07:00

I have had a cell phone since 1997. From the time I was pregnant with my first child and Utah was revamping its entire freeway system. I was afraid I would go into labor and not be able to get in touch with my husband and/or medical care if necessary. My husband bought a phone and brought it home for me. Since that time, I have used four different carriers. The main complaint I had was that when I switched between carriers, my phone did not always switch with me. I don’t really understand the ins and outs of cell phones. That is my husband’s domain. Just give me a phone with a calendar, telephone book and service and I’m good to go. Back in the late 1990s, I did not realize there was a way to get an unlocked phone that could be used with other services. Apparently, now that we are into the 2009s, it is a fairly common practice and you can buy new or used unlocked phones. I think technology is moving faster than I can keep up!

Laugh Lines are no laughing matter

2009-10-03T22:06:00.001-07:00

When I was a younger woman, I was not at all worried about taking care of my skin. It was not something my mother did so it was not something she passed down to me or my sisters. Now, as I have entered into my 40s and have started taking better care of myself, I noticed some small lines beginning to form around my eyes. I started using a facial moisturizer a couple years ago, but, I think I might need a specific eye wrinkle cream for that area around my eye. What I did not realize until I started reading about it is that sometimes, simple facial moisturizers are not strong enough for the eye area.

World Habitat Day - October 5, 2009

2009-09-30T21:37:00.003-07:00

Let's stand up on World Habitat Day and let it be known that affordable, adequate housing should be a priority everywhere—in our communities, in our towns, in our country, in our world.

There are many ways you can help:

ADVOCATE Photo by photo, Habitat for Humanity advocates have created this mosaic that has already been sent to the White House. Now it is time to deliver a strong message to Congress: Make housing a priority. Pass legislation that would prioritize adequate and affordable housing. Ask Congress to Make Housing A Priority on World Habitat Day!

EDUCATE your community with Habitat for Humanity’s World Habitat Day handbook to learn more about the importance of secure tenure and neighborhood revitalization. Get even more information about the issue of insecure tenure by reading Habitat’s Shelter Report: building a secure future through effective land policies.

Brainstorm ways to get more people involved. Learn from the successes of last year’s campaign, and come up with brand-new ways to celebrate and publicize the important work of Habitat for Humanity.

Take a virtual tour of the Capotillo informal settlement in the Dominican Republic and put yourself in the shoes of those who live in a broken community of violence, poverty and danger.

Link to Habitat for Humanity’s World Habitat Day 2009 resources page on your social media pages, personal web site or blog to spread the word and raise awareness.

DONATE to be a part of making the world a better place and support Habitat’s efforts. Donate online today!

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

2009-09-29T21:29:00.003-07:00

So, the longest contest known to women (and men) of the blogosphere is finally over. We have five lucky winners of the Michael Bublé Live CD+DVD package - Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden. I have sent emails to the winners, however, I do not have an email address for Redzoomer88.

Redzoomer88 - please get in touch with me so we can process your win!

Congratulations to the winners!

mverno
redzoomer88
ky2here
missrantspants
Gianna

Mesothelioma Cancer

2009-09-26T22:05:00.002-07:00

A few years ago I worked for a personal injury firm and we did mostly toxic tort cases. I worked on the asbestos cases and it was hard work. Not physically grueling, more like mentally draining. I had a client who was only 45 years old. She had mesothelioma and had been given six months to live. She was determined to fight for her life and had several surgeries in order to prolong her life. She had a lung removed and several other follow up surgeries. She lived an extra 22 months after her diagnoses. Even though she was of no relation to me, her death hit me hard. It was like that will all of my clients. It was hard to get up every morning and part of your job is to check the obituaries to make sure none of your clients have died. Mesothelioma is a terrible cancer, one that too few people know about.

Oh the beauty of a natural stone sink!

2009-09-22T23:30:00.002-07:00

As much as I long for a new kitchen sing with a really sexy faucet, the kind with the tall goose neck that allows me to fill my big boiling pot, it looks like the kids will get a new bathroom sink first. We are remodeling their bathroom and adding more counter and cabinet space. With two pre-teens, I can see the drama and arguing and bumping back and forth out of the way already. I started looking a new cabinet already and in doing so realized that their existing, one sink cabinet would be fine, but we need to get a whole new countertop. Since we’re doing that, I started looking at some absolutely beautiful natural stone bathroom sinks and came to the following conclusion:

I need to remodel my bathroom too. It’s only fair.

Sweet, sweet freedom!

2009-09-22T23:18:00.002-07:00

I am out of school until October 13th. I am so happy I could kiss a stranger and her baby!

Tonight, I cleaned my kitchen, went through the mail stacks and threw out the crap, swept AND mopped the family room and dusted the whole house.

And ya know what? It felt G.O.O.D.

I'm so not kidding. It felt good to do something that a) I can tell is done as soon as it's done; b) I get immediate satisfaction from knowing that the thing is done and I don't have to wait for information before I can complete it; and c) I had a little energy to burn off and cleaning was a good way to do it.

There you have it. My night. Feel free to try this at home!

Finally, a floss my kids can use!

2009-09-20T22:14:00.004-07:00

My kids are 9 and 12. It is rare that a product comes around that keeps their interest for longer than thirteen seconds. However, when we had the opportunity to try out the new kids floss by Dentek, I thought what could it hurt? We got the package about a week ago. Since then, my kids have used a fun flosser every single night. They floss every night and twice on the weekends. The fun flossers are sturdy, colorful, fruit flavored and hold up to the rough handling that comes with kids. The upside for me, as the parent, is that it only takes one fun flosser to complete a mouth full of teeth, unlike the old floss we used that took a couple two or three strands of floss to complete and then there was all that wasted floss because you needed enough to wrap it around your fingers so you could grip and manipulate it. Additionally, the fun flosser makes it easier for my kids to get their back teeth without sticking their whole hand in their mouth or cutting their lips and gums. I wish I had these fun flossers when they were younger, it would have made flossing a toddler much, much easier.

This is their video explaining why Dentek Fun Flossers are best thing since cupcakes:

THIS IS A PAID REVIEW OF DENTEK FUN FLOSSERS, WHICH WERE PROVIDED TO ME FREE OF COST.

Statistics Smatistics

2009-09-20T22:10:00.002-07:00

I am almost done. Thisclose to being done with the worst class I have ever taken. In. my. entire. life. I am so not kidding.

In all honesty, I think my pure hatred for this class and it's material may have contributed to the crappy mood lately and my absolute, unmitigated desire to do nothing in this class.

I'll be done tomorrow. Tomorrow cannot come to quickly. Not at all.

Don't go it alone

2009-09-20T16:30:00.001-07:00

I’ve worked in various legal fields in the past 15 years. I did corporate law, gas and oil, domestic (ICK!), bankruptcy and mortgage foreclosure, insurance defense, plaintiff’s work, toxic torts and criminal defense. I L.O.V.E.D. criminal defense. My next favorite was plaintiff’s work because it really does give you a good feeling to know that you have helped someone to right a wrong. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true. The one thing that criminal and plaintiffs work have in common is that motorcycle riders usually get a raw deal. Oakland motorcycle accident lawyer Michael Padway is working to help riders. He understands the bad rap riders get and he works for the rider. Attorneys like Michael are few and if I were ever in need of an attorney, I would call Michael. Don’t worry about how you will fix your motorcycle or how you will pay your medical bills. Call for help. Get advice. Don’t go it alone.