Sunday, November 30, 2008

Oh Tannebaum...

Just sitting here, commenting on 5 books on my LibraryThing page, thinking about the Web 2.0 tool I'm going to blog about for class, listening to Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas." It's the best. Anyway...Thanksgiving was great - too much food, it was a little hot in the kitchen, what with all the food and trying to set everything up and that wood stove blazing like there's no tomorrow. But always so wonderful to see everyone.

So, guess the Holidays are officially here!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Check engine...

Ahhh...we all need a break from the daily grind every now and then, and I guess it was time for mine!

So, my "check engine" light came on last night...this has never happened in my Trailblazer before so I was just a little worried, not knowing what, if anything, was wrong. Those sensors can be kind of tricky, sometimes, you know. Anyway, Mom and Dad drive to Greenwood last night to make the switch, giving me Mom's Tahoe (nice...drives a lot smoother than mine, but I love my 'Blazer). So, I'm at work today and Dad calls..."Hey, Mollie...how's it going...want to know what's wrong with your car? Are you sitting down, ready for this?" I am completely freaking out at this point, wondering what in the world is wrong, and more importantly, how in the heck am I going to pay for it? He goes "Well, they checked your engine and it has a crack in it, there's stuff leaking out everywhere and it looks like it'll be about $4000 to fix it."

Cue the H-E-A-R-T A-T-T-A-C-K...

Then I remembered that I have an exteneded warranty- TG - and so I'm like "Well, wouldn't that be covered under my warranty?" "I'm not sure...maaayyyybee...we'll have to see..." Then..."Just kidding! Want to know what was really wrong?" Um, yes, now that I can't breath, yes I do... Apparently a good number of "check engine" light mishaps occur if a gas cap is off - which mine was. We both felt like idiots! Had a good laugh at that. We hadn't even thought to check that...and who knew the gas cap was connected to a sensor, anyway? Well, Dad did...and now I do...

At any rate, I apparently needed new tires ASAP, anyway, so Dad fixed me up with 4 of those...nice early Christmas. So, now, when we get all that ice and snow that we're gonna get this year, I'll be good to go : )

Monday, November 24, 2008

And the Insanity Begins...

Well, technically, I guess I've been insane for some time now...but we'll just pretend it's starting today. This weekend was great...glad it's over though...whew! It was really enjoyable seeing all 92 of my classmates' faces, but kind of chaotic and tiring, as well. I had a great time Booktalking, I love all the books I was presenting, so that made it somewhat easier...and I'll list them here, for you, if you ever want to check them out:

The French Passion, Diane du Pont
So Worthy My Love, Kathleen Woodiwiss
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Daughters of the Summer Storm, Francis Patton Statham
Celia Garth, Gwen Bristow
Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
The Pride of the Peacock, Victoria Holt
Children of the Mist, Aleen Malcolm

Historical romance was my theme, in case you hadn't noticed : ) Anyway...all really good books, if you like that sort of thing...too, I wanted to point out my LibraryThing books that are listed on the right...click on "my library" and you can check out what I have listed there...LibraryThing is great, I would recommend you set up a free account - if you're a book lover, it's wonderful!

But, back to the insanity...most of my assignments are due Dec. 1, so that means I'll be working OT this week to get all last-minute things turned in on time...lots of reading, lots of writing...

And, I wanted to give a shout-out to my Dunkie...I LOVE YOU DUNKIE!! All will be well...

Friday, November 21, 2008

Panic...

It's starting. I only have 2 more weeks of school, technically 1 week until everything is due...AAAHHHHH! So, to all friends and family who will be seeing me between now and then...sorry. And to my boyfriend...doubly sorry. Right now I am trying to prepare for my onsite tomorrow in Columbia...that'll be one long day. And I always did hate speaking in front of people...yech. But, looking forward to the month or so that will be school-free...it's almost here!

One day at a time...one day at a time...

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Update...

Well, yes, doc, now that you mention it, I haven't been feeling so great lately...

Got some new meds...well, just one, but this one I'll be taking twice a day along with my other once a day...so, that's 3 pills per day - two in the morning, one at night...whew! TG for $4 medications at Wal-Mart...not that I'm putting a plug in for the 'Mart, I'm just saying...

Fingers crossed...

BP, doctors, and cheeseburgers...

So, today I am dealing with my high blood pressure - again. It's always been a problem. I take meds for it, but obviously not working. At the doctor yesterday they said it was perfect - 110/68 - checked it twice. I didn't believe them. I have never in my life had blood pressure that good - that 68 on the bottom should have been a big ol' fat hint, right then and there. But that's what I wanted it to be, so I left it. Got back to work, went down the hall to Employee Health, got my KIOSK card back up and running, checked my BP again...let's just say it wasn't 110/68. Back down the hall to EH, had it checked at least 6 times there...all bad. So, I have to go back to the doc today...hopefully new meds will be prescribed, b/c I have absolutely no desire to stroke out before I even turn 30. Guess it's time to lay off the McyD's...but just let me say that it is totally unfair that a freaking double cheeseburger costs $1.00 (okay, $1.07 with tax) and a salad is like $5.00? That is so wrong! But I guess all the stuff that goes into a cheeseburger isn't all that high quality, so that would account for the cheapness...but come on, we're paying out the ying-yang for lettuce! At least I don't have to sacrifice my first born for gas, anymore. But let's steer clear of the economy...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My Family

I come from a rather large family...I think I listed them all in my profile to the right. Here is a picture of some of us - one brother-in-law and the two nephews missing.


And here is my niece this past Spring, eating daffodils...


My boyfriend on his birthday this past February, holding my niece...

And here is my nephew (I should point out that the other nephew isn't here, yet - he'll be arriving in December)...


My brother with his salmon...

And another picture of my boyfriend and me last Christmas...


Aaand...

Yesterday was way too much cheese. So I'll let that topic rest for a bit. Right now, I'm just trying to get through this semester. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel - it's faint, but it's there. I must admit I started this blog to fulfill a class requirement - terrible of me? Nah. Hopefully, I will be inspired to write all sorts of interesting tidbits...like, did you know my Steelers won their game Sunday with a final of 11-10, a score that has never before been recorded in NFL history? Of course, it was 17-10, but those 7 got taken away...with the later realization that the touchdown should have counted...*shrug*. Gamblers aren't happy, that's for sure. At any rate...

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The First Day...

Oh, yes, "of the rest of my life." Except not really...

My first post as a blogger. I feel I should make it a good one. Ha! But, for starters, let's have a look at me and my boyfriend...awwww. We were at a party. So, back to "The Cheese." Cute, huh? I love cheese - a bit too much, I'm afraid. Well, I'm not really afraid, but you know. I like cheddar at all levels of intensity, swiss, mozzarella, colby, pepper jack, parmesan, havarti, brie, blue cheese, feta, gouda...I'm sure I've left something out. Just don't give it to me "smoked" - meats only, please. I'll take a smoked sausage any day, but no cheese. Yuck. Yuck also to water chestnuts. I tremble. Eating a delectible dish - perhaps a green bean casserole, all creamy and beany and crispy - then crunch!...blech, what is this in my mouth?! Surprise! It's the texture...gives me the willies. As do brussels sprouts. No thank you, not for me. Even with the cheese. Well, what I wouldn't give for a nice hunk 'a havarti right now...but they say deprivation is good for the soul. Wait...what?