drey's house

Something to think about...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Saw this on facebook (thanks, sis!), and thought I'd share...

Goodbye haiku...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:15:00 +0000

My grandmother, gone
I pray your soul is peaceful
I will miss you tons

xoxoxo

As if abuse isn't enough...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:21:00 +0000

If being a victim wasn't enough of a damper on someone's psyche, 8 states allow insurance companies to deny you coverage if you're a victim of abuse. MSNBC.

This just completely, totally, ticks me off!! How dare these companies! Getting abused, being hurt--emotionally and physically--isn't enough?? Really?? Aargh!!

Seriously, Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia all need to get with the program.

Support two October causes with your comments!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:51:00 +0000

Did you ever wish that whatever you said would make an impact? I sometimes do... And now you can. Well, not quite "say", exactly. More like "type"...

During the month of October--that's the 1st through the 31st, ladies and gents--Heather over at Singing with My Heart is supporting two very worthy causes by donating .25 cents for every comment you leave (over there, please, not here). She has a limit, but it's very generous, and we can absolutely help get the word out, can we not?

But first, I imagine you'd want to know what you're supporting... October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is ALSO National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And Heather's Comments for a Cause supports both.

A huge THANK YOU to Rebecca at Provocation of Mine(d) for pointing me in Heather's direction. Breast cancer is something that many women I know--among family, friends, and coworkers--have fought. Some won. Some lost. But all have been affected.

As for domestic violence... A few years ago, a college friend of mine was killed by her husband, in her living room, while their two children were asleep upstairs, because she asked for a divorce. He beat her, smashed her head against the kitchen countertop and cabinets. Then left her lying on the living room floor, covered with a blanket. The next morning he walked the kids past their mom--on their way to school--telling them that she was asleep. Today, two children are without parents. And they know why.

So please. Take a minute or two and head over to Heather's Comments for a Cause. And leave a comment. Or two. Let her know if you're tweeting her post by adding #commentsforacause.

Thank you.

Update: To show my support for these two causes, I am adding another $100 to Heather's pool. So go comment.

A perfect summer day at the APT...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:02:00 +0000

The Mr. and I have been going out to the APT--the American Players Theatre, in Spring Green, WI--for, oh, about 10 years now. We used to go twice in the summer--stopped at the farmer's market in Madison, check in to a hotel, get stuff for our picnic dinner, and head on out to Spring Green to picnic and enjoy the theater. Since the little man joined us, we've gone out just once in the summer, and we try to pack in both plays. The farmer's market is a casualty, and I admit to missing it tremendously. In a few years though, hopefully the little man will join us on our jaunts out there...

Yesterday was this summer's trip out to Spring Green. It was a beautiful day--THANK YOU Mother Nature! And the plays--The Winter's Tale and Henry V, works of the illustrious Bard himself. Every year we head out there, remembering plays of years past, and the wonderful job the cast does; hoping that this time, it'll be just as magical as it's been the last 10 years.

And the APT delivered. Phenomenal acting. Mine weren't the only pair of not-quite-dry eyes in the audience for The Winter's Tale. And Henry V was masterfully delivered. If you've never been to the APT, you should plan now for next summer.

Links:
American Players Theatre (APT)
APT Blog in the Woods
APT on Facebook

My first tiling experience...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Back in June-ish, the Mr. & I decided to remodel the half-bath in our 1.5 bath home. Actually, it might've been more like the Mr. decided, and I got to go along for the ride. He took it apart over the 4th of July weekend.

And two weekends ago, finally laid the floor tile. (We had to wait for all the "stuff" to come in, plus find the time.)

Last weekend I put up the subway tiles for the wall. Did two walls on Saturday, and the remainder two on Sunday. The Mr. did all the cutting. My fingers were scraped and raw from messing with the cement. But I think it looks good, don't you?

Next up: grouting!

I LOVE this!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:40:00 +0000

If you're a fan of The Guild, you'll want to check this out. Heck, check it out even if you're not. It's hilarious!

Finally watched Gran Turino...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:41:00 +0000

I am a huge Clint Eastwood fan. Even the early campy, corny spaghetti westerns. =) So when I first heard of Gran Turino, I was very interested. Then when I heard the premise of the story, I wasn't quite so sure. There's only so much racism a person wants to watch, if you know what I mean.

But I put it on my Netflix list, and it finally showed up last week. And we got around to watching it on Friday night. And I liked it. Clint does the grumpy growly cranky old man very well, indeed. And I like the redemption factor in the story, as well as the fact that there were so very many Asian actors.

It's almost school-time again...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Can you believe it? I can't. School starts in 2 weeks! Not for me, but for the little man. You know what that means, right? It means summer's almost over. And that means it'll get cooler out. And then colder out. And I'll be shoveling the driveway again.

It also means it's time to sign up for fall soccer, and swim classes. Which I attempted to do this morning. But somehow I couldn't get the website to work with IE8. I thought that web developers were always diligent about testing in every browser, but apparently not at my local YMCA. Used to be, I couldn't get to their online forms with Firefox. Now I can, but not on IE8. So this means I'll need to call the office to give them the info they need, for assigning his soccer team. & of course, what'll you want to bet that I'll forget? 'Cuz, I already have. *wry grin*

And, of course, all of this means that I'm going to be one very busy mama. Pick up the kids from school every day, make sure the little man practices (piano) and does his reading homework. Swimming on Wednesdays. Soccer practice on one other day. Soccer games on Saturdays. The Mr. hangs with the boys on Tuesdays. Which all makes for a very busy week. Oh well...

On a good note, the MSO season starts up again! Yay! I cannot wait. Which reminds me, I still haven't received my tickets. Hmm... Better note that I need to follow up on that, too..

The Proposal ~ a tad unreal, but...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:00:00 +0000

I went to see The Proposal last night with my good friend T, whom I haven't actually seen in person, since before Christmas. Seriously. Anyway, we now have a new monthly outing, so that shouldn't happen again.

About The Proposal:
We wanted to see this because we're both Sandra Bullock fans. Ryan Reynolds isn't too shabby, either, but this was mostly for Ms. Bullock. Margaret Tate (Bullock) is an editor at a publishing company who's facing deportation. She's a hard-driving taskmaster whom her underlings absolutely loathe. Loved the notes they IM to each other when she's coming by--"the witch is on her broom"...

Andrew Paxton (Reynolds) has been her assistant for 3 years, and boy, I don't know how he's done it. But now he finds himself "engaged" to her, so that she can get a visa to stay. And no, he didn't volunteer.

And the adventure begins! They go to Alaska, for Andrew's grandmother's birthday, and to break the news to the family (who've heard quite a bit about Margaret, btw). Andrew's grandmother greets Margaret with "Do you prefer Margaret or "Satan's Mistress"?... And somehow, while they're there, he hates her a little less, and she thaws a little bit. And although I really liked the movie--it fit my requirement for a nice, feel-good, no-thinking, some-hunky-bod-baring, girls-night-out movie--I didn't quite make the leap from loathing to wanting-to-keep-her-around after a 3-day weekend. Hmm... But hey. Reynold's bare upper bod is yummy. *grin*

Cast:
Sandra Bullock (Margaret Tate)
Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds)
Mary Steenburgen (Grace Paxton--Andrew's mom)
Craig T. Nelson (Joe Paxton--Andrew's dad)
Betty White (Grandma Annie)

Transporter 3 = yummy...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Jason Statham is yummy. I think (ok, ok, I'll fess up!!) the only reason I watch these movies is because there'll be at least one fight scene where he takes his shirt off. *drool* *slobber* *drool* And for the chase scenes, of course. *grin*

And, as expected, there was gratuitous nudity. If you consider Mr. Statham's nekkid upper body gratuitous nudity. Yummy... The plot? Thin, but alright. The girl was way too young for him, but maybe I'm just getting older. (& am a wee bit green 'cuz she got so close to that nekkid upper body) The fight scenes? Well-choreographed, as usual. The chase scenes? Adrenaline pumping. Everything you'd expect from a Transporter movie. Heh.

Do not fall asleep near ants...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:49:00 +0000

MSNBC: A Bolivian farmworker was ant-bit to death. I used to have nightmares about fire ants taking over the world... Ugh!

hey, where'd the sun go?

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Millions of people are getting ready for Wednesday's eclipse: MSNBC. Is it weird to want to witness this?

Star Trek ala Sims...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:57:00 +0000

I squealed when I heard the Sims 3 was coming out. I heart the Sims! Alas, my lil' ol' laptop won't be able to handle the graphics. Time for a new laptop, anyone? =)

In any case, here's a totally fab vid to share:

lots of work... & some fun stuff!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:42:00 +0000

So. I've been out of the country for almost 2 weeks now - had to head over the pond for parts of a project. It didn't start auspiciously: at 4:30 a.m. a disembodied-voice told me that my flight had been canceled (I was heading out the door to catch the bus down to O'Hare), and I'd been re-booked on the evening flight out. No problem - I head back to bed, caught the little man's first soccer game for the season, hung out with my boys, and THEN hopped on the bus to O'Hare... Check-in went fine. Immigration went fine. Sat next to this dude who worked audio for Metallica's concerts. Couldn't sleep.

Got into Heathrow at 7:30 a.m., took about 40 minutes for luggage & immigration. Another 45 minutes to get to Oxford & check in at the hotel. Hopped in the shower & changed. Found the train station & caught the next train to London, where I met up with two of my 3 cousins who live in London, whom I haven't seen in 10 years...

After walking around London with them (thanks, guys!)I headed back to the hotel, unpacked, and crashed. Only to be woken at 3:30 a.m. by a group celebrating a 21st birthday, down in the streets. Ugh. Monday morning was rough. Working 11 hours was REALLY rough. On Thursday I had dinner with another cousin, and we got lost walking around Oxford looking for this little restaurant... =) But how fun it is to catch up!

After a looooong week, I headed to Paris for the weekend. We skippeth-d out of work early (after still working an 8-hour day) and headed to the airport. Where we found out that they couldn't check anyone in because they got virus'd. So they had to print off lists and scratch your name off the list when you got up to the counter. We finally left London at 10 (3 hours late!) and got into Paris by midnight! =)

And then, ah! Paris! What a beautiful city! Absolutely enchanting & entertaining!

OMG, what a ditz!!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:40:00 +0000

So. I believe in the little man getting exposure to a range of activities throughout the year, as long as it's a feasible schedule. We usually have tickets to the symphony's kids concerts, and the children's theater for plays. Swimming in fall/winter. Soccer in spring/fall. T-ball in summer.

I signed up the little man for spring soccer and summer t-ball, three weeks ago. And looked at the calendar yesterday & noticed that we have a soccer game this Saturday. & I'm wondering, why haven't I heard from his coach?

*sigh* I'm a ditz. When I signed him up, there's a form to fill out. The coaches get that form. Apparently I neglected to fill that form out, and I definitely neglected to turn it in. Sheesh. So today I called up, got that filled out, got him assigned to a team, called the coach. And we're playing on Saturday morning at 11. *phew*

Maybe one of these days I'll find my brain?

It's that time of year again...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Uh huh. Time to renew subscriptions, for the '09-'10 season. I just received my brochure for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and boy, I already can't wait! There are so MANY performances I want to go to! But, after lots of deliberation - ok, 30 minutes! - here's what I'm going to:

Lang Lang, Apr 21. Duh. Of COURSE I'm getting tickets to this! So what if it's not till April 2010??
The beginning of the de Waart era at the MSO, Sept 26. Can't wait to see what this new maestro does for our talented orchestra, starting with Mahler's Symphony No.5... link
Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle, featuring six spectacular glass works by legendary artist Dale Chihuly. When else? Halloween weekend, of course... link
After a looooooooooong draught, returning to hear cellist Johannes Moser play Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No.1 in January... link
Pianist John Lill plays Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1 in February... link
The following month it's violinist Vadim Repin for Beethoven... link
In April, Garrick Ohlsson (another pianist) plays Chopin's Piano Concerto No.2... link
And, finally, in May, pianist (yes. another.) Simon Trpceski plays Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No.2... link

Hmm. Now that I'm looking at my list, it doesn't seem like there's enough... =D

This is so WRONG!!!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Imperial Valley News: Children's author Kevin Patrick Bath was arraigned on felony charges of distributing, transferring and receiving child pornography. The indictment also charges him with two counts of possessing child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to each count.

He's a children's author, for goodness' sakes! WTF?? Moron.

Bah, humbug!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:33:00 +0000

Ok, I am officially anti-March Madness! This is the second time basketball has messed with my recording of The Amazing Race! Grrrrr! I really don't give a cr@p about all of these profiles that 60 Minutes (I think this is 60 Minutes!) is doing about the players/coaches/whoever. Whatever. I want my show. I only follow a handful. Ok, maybe two handfuls. So give me my show!

Congress & credit cards...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:56:00 +0000

From Reuters: Congress rides to the rescue with credit cardholders rights & reform

I have credit cards, like many many other people. I use it for everything - gas, groceries, household items, entertainment, bills, etc. I do all my bill-paying online. In fact, I get annoyed when I get my quarterly bill for my water/sewer/garbage service, because I have to write a check & mail it in. And the Mr. & I have quite the credit card limit when you add up the limits on our joint card, my Amex, and his Visa. Plus another card that we never use...

Now, I know that there are proponents of absolutely no credit card usage out there. But why would I stop? It's convenient - I never have to worry about carrying enough cash around, or my checkbook. In fact, I have to find my checkbook - summer registration for the little man's here... In addition, I get points, which I convert into gift cards to feed my reading addiction. Have I mentioned it's convenient? And I don't do debit cards - they just don't have the consumer protection that credit cards offer.

Here's what we do that lets us use our credit cards freely.
#1. Pay it off. Every month. I don't like to pay interest, on anything, if I can help it. I get online statements, with an email reminder that the statement's ready. Then I schedule the payment for the due date stated on the statement.
#2. Never carry a credit card with an annual fee. It's not worth it.
#3. Never have a credit limit higher than you can afford to pay off. See #1.

There you go. Now go forth and prosper, and don't count on your government taking care of you. Because that ALWAYS comes with strings attached...

Shopping trip!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

It's been quite a while since I've gone shopping. And by golly, I needed new shoes. And/or a purse. So I hit the mall on Tuesday, with the little man in tow. No, he doesn't like shopping. But I don't like whining, so I figure we're even. =P

Anyhoo. I ended up with only one pair of shoes. This is what I get for hitting the end of a sale instead of the beginning. Now I need to buy some heel stops, so I can actually walk in these darn shoes! They kept slipping off my feet, which makes it entertainingly difficult (entertaining for those who see me navigate my way from my desk to the cafeteria / bathroom / car; difficult for ME) to actually walk in 'em. I was sorely (ha ha) tempted to just run around barefoot all day. 'cuz I do that. =P

I found two purses though. They're both bigger than I normally carry. But I got tired of trying to figure out how to fit the personal cell phone, work cell phone, iPod, headphones (for the iPod), wallet, keys, & etc. into an itty bitty purse. So now I have something(s!) to throw all that into. Whaddaya think?

Oh my! where did the time go?

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:16:00 +0000

Today, my little man turns 6. I can't believe it. Where'd the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday that he was 3?? *sigh* I must be getting old or something...

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, little man!

This one's for all the gals...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:01:00 +0000

March is Women's History Month. Some resources outlining the journey from second-class citizens to a fully-contributing member of today's society are listed below:

Library of Congress

The History Channel

National Women's History Project

Ok, I have to admit that I complain about how busy life gets. Work. Picking up the little man from school. Doing his reading homework. Piano practice. Swimming. Library runs. Making dinner. Cleaning up after. The little man's bath. TV/blogging/reading... And that's just during the week.

Then I read about these women. And I remember to be thankful for everything I have. Sure it's crazy. But I could be barefoot & pregnant in the kitchen, serving my mother-in-law's every whim. Or working in a factory in the slums, for just-about no pay, in unsafe conditions. Or be barely literate since I didn't have the opportunity to go to school.

I could be living a life where there is no hope for a better life, where my every move is watched and criticized. Where my opinions had better stay silenced or my life could be snuffed. Where I had no control over what happens to me or mine.

So the next time I want to rant and rail over how crazy life is, or how unfair things can be, I promise to remember what these women have achieved for us. And I promise to remember that for some women, things have not improved one iota. And then I promise, I will be thankful for what I do have.

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:32:00 +0000

I HATE batteries!!!!! Ok, maybe not the batteries themselves, but that stupid little indicator that tells you that you have 25 minutes of power left. Which I wouldn't hate so much, except that 2 minutes later your laptop shuts down. BAH!! Can somebody teach the darn thing to tell time or something?? #$)&#@^%*!!!

*deep breath* Guess I'll go see if I can recover what I was working on...

A little relief, and a bit of sadness...

dreyshouse@gmail.com (drey) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:16:00 +0000

On January 23rd, my employer announced that they would be laying off 1100 people. 300 of that number would come from the ranks of salaried employees. And we wouldn't know who, until the week of Feb. 16th.

So it's the week of Feb. 16th. And I've heard from quite a few friends that they will be done as of Feb. 27th. As for myself, I'm safe. For now.

So there's the relief that I'm not out of a job (now), but it's coupled with the sadness that some of my friends and colleagues, will no longer have hallway conversations or impromptu lunches.

This sucky economy totally sucks.