Weekend Stuff

First things first, I got my taxes done and do the happy dance with me, my furniture will be paid off this month! If I'm a good girl there's an iPod classic down the road for me!

On another happy front, I have a freelance job reviewing music by independent musicians. The pay is $15 per review and free music! That's right up my alley. I've actually got my first assignment and the review is almost finished. So yay! I also do reviews for a PR company called Ariel, and I've discovered some great new artists that I'd never have heard of otherwise.

My room is full of CDs, but I'm a happy girl.

I plan on doing a focus on some of those new artists here, so people other than those that read Livejournal can see. But regardless, my music community there is public so you can stop by and read the reviews.

Oh and raise you hand if you are heartily sick of the cold weather? I know I am.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 211

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 "Forget" ful songs...(interpret as you see fit)

1. Glass Tiger - Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone



This is one of my favorite songs from the 80s!

2. Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me

Here's a stunning live version.

3. Natalie and Nat King Cole - Unforgettable



The most beautiful father/daughter duet.

4. The Corrs - Forgiven, Not Forgotten


I have a weak spot for this Irish band and this song from their first album is so pretty.

5. The Monkees - Forget That Girl
Can't find a video for this one!!

Book Review: Let It Snow

Let It Snow by Debbie Macomber

My review

+rating: 5 of 5 stars


I almost forgot how much I loved these short novellas that Harlequin used to send to their subscribers at Christmas. I just recently found this one on a shelf and picked it up to read it.

Its only about 90 pages long, but the story is really sweet. Just the type of story you want to read around the holidays. It definitely keeps your hopes up for happy endings, in this world that's so full of gloom and doom. Debbie Macomber always delivers that kind of story, and I love her for it. Her characters are real and likable.

Sure I'm a sucker for romance novels. I openly admit it. But hey, everyone needs a little fantasy in their lives and this is my vice of choice.


View all my reviews.

The Printer Is Hooked Up!

Do you know what that means?

Yes, I can finally do my taxes and print stuff.

Yes, I had a printer before. No it didn't have ink. Why the freaking hell ink has too cost so damn much money is beyond me. So usually when I run out...it takes me ages to acquire new ink.

Damn Epson printers.

If I don't buy refilled cartridges online the cost of replacement ink is around $60.

Yikes!

I could almost get a new printer for that price.

Its ridiculous. And its making me very very cranky.

As you might have guessed just about everything makes me cranky right now.

Now I'm going to print all those damn coupons that I have been saving in my emails now. Woot! At least I have paper! For some reason that's the one thing I always have.

Camera Critters - Oogie

102_3216
Originally uploaded by moodylady

My sweet kitler cat Oogie getting up close and personal with the camera. He's the most photogenic of my erm....pussy posse as my brother's wife likes to call the cat family.

Oh the weird hits I'll get from google on that one!

What a face!

You should see him when he's amused!


Play along with Camera Critters

Sleeping In Again

ARGH

I'm getting sick of waking up at 4:30 and then falling back to sleep and missing my alarm. At least today I realized what time it was before 6:30! Yay me.

This is what happens when I watch the 10 o'clock dramas on the telly.

Last night I watched the season finale of Leverage on TNT. Its one of the off-season cable shows, like Monk and Psych. Its really good and one of the stars is Gina Bellman from the UK show Coupling. I love her.

I actually miss my evening naps from 8-11. Funny, depression was good for something. I really slept well then. Now I'm back to my normal routine, although I am remembering to watch my favorite tv shows more now.

Hey, TV is a good thing. I have my books during the day...and prime time is all about the small screen. So many good shows, so little time to watch them.

BTW am I the only one sad that there are only 16 more episodes of Monk left?

Book Review: The Empath

The Empath by Bonnie Vanak

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars


A werewolf that doesn't know she's a werewolf and the lone wolf that loves her and needs her to help save the pack from the evil Morphs. Sound unrealistic? Perhaps, but that's the point of the Nocturne series of romances and boy are they great.

Maggie and Nicholas are great characters that you can't help but come to love, especially Maggie's devotion to her dog Misha. And the chemistry between the hero and the heroine is electric! Definitely worth the read, if you like darker tales of love.

Spooky and steamy. A great combination.

This one was a great read, perfect for a dark and stormy night.


View all my reviews.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 70

From Music Memoirs

What are 5 things that you like about George Harrison

1. His songwriting. George was the most underappreciated songwriter, totally in the shadow of Lennon and McCartney and that was such a shame, because his songs really shine. Listen to songs like Blow Away and Fish On The Sand and you'll understand.

2. His faith. George was very spiritual and it brought him much peace. I admire him for that and wish I had that kind of faith myself.

3. His quirky fashion sense. George could wear the most ridiculous things and look absolutely adorable!

4. His guitar playing. Probably one of the best guitarists from his era and again totally underappreciated in favor of his obnoxious friend Eric Clapton.

5. His love of cats! Yes, George was a cat man! Woot! There's a dirty joke begging to come out here, but I'll stop!

The Return Of Cocoawheets

No not the chocolate farina, the kitten. The only kitten from Miss Callie's liter to leave our house. Our neighbors took her, but the husband got sick and they can't take care of her anymore.

We took her back, because we didn't want to see her out on the street, and well its nice to have all our little babies back home.

Of course, she's much bigger than she is in this picture. (She's the black calico) But she's still as cute and as sweet as can be.

Just call me the crazy cat lady.

Things I Must Do Today

~ Hook up the new printer or the old one so I can finally do my taxes. I've been meaning to do them for a month now. I never wait this long. ARGH!

~ Get the registration for my car updated. Time for a trip to the notary, cos i was too damn lazy this year.

~ Pay the Peebles bill.

~ Buy big bag o' cat food so they don't kill me in my sleep.

~ Probably need to buy another bag of Rachael Ray's Nutrish for the doggies for the same reason. BTW...my dogs love that stuff. Apparently the Queen of annoying food shows and talk shows can make a mean dog food too.

~ Mail the 4 checks I wrote yesterday so a few other bills get paid.

~ Fill Bloo the iPod, as he's a bit lonely right now being all charged, but EMPTY.

My Baby iPod

Look at what I bought! I thought I'd get a nano or the classic, but I decided I wanted the baby to see whether or not I could tolerate having anything iPod related. See, I'm really a Creative products girl, but they only make players up to about 30 GB which is where I'm at. How frustrating.

So to compromise and to decide how well I can survive with an evil Apple product, I went for the $50 1 GB shuffle until I can sort out my finances etc.

I think I'm going to put all the fabulous new singles from the Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and a few of my other favorite bands on the new baby pod.

Isn't it such a cutie pie?

Coraline

I finally got to see the movie today and the 3-D version to boot and oh was it good.

I've never seen a movie in 3-D if you can believe it and god it was incredible. Disney really outdid themselves on this one. The story was a bit dark for young kids but it was a good one, and I really want to read Neil Gaiman's novel soon.

The story was one that just about any kid or adult can relate to. We all think we want something different from what we have, but when we get that something different we find out that its not all that its cracked up to be.

As for the visuals, it was absolutely stunning. Better than Nightmare Before Christmas, which is a favorite of mine.

I can't wait til it comes out on DVD so my mom can see it.

For those of you thinking on this one; GO! And Go! before the 3-D version is out of the theaters, because that's the one you want to see first.

Book Review - Restless Hearts

Restless Hearts by Marta Perry

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I seldom like Christian Romances as they usually seem too wholesome for real life, but because this one was set in PA Amish country, I gave it a shot and I'm glad I did.

The book opened my eyes to the Amish lifestyle a little more than they had been and the love that blossomed between the two characters, well it wasn't really love it was a realization that they were attracted to one another beyond the friendship they had throughout.

Marta's story is fast-paced and an easy enjoyable read for women and girls. Definitely one of the best works of romantic fiction I've read this year, and without the smut.

View all my reviews.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 211

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 cheapest musical purchases

Grey Eye Glances - GEG Live $3.99


I won this one on ebay! Squee! This is the only GEG CD that I don't have.


Melody Gardot - Worrisome Heart $2.69

This was a freebie from BMG, the charges were for shipping which I believe is rather excessive.


Matt Belsante - Blame It On My Youth $1.98


A digital download. I got most of the album free from Pepsi Stuff, I had to pay for 2 tracks!

Keri Noble - Winter Comes Again FREE


Yay for Pepsi Stuff! I got this EP for Free!!!

Various Artists: This Is How I Roc FREE

ACK

I slept in this morning which caused me to run around like a chicken with its head cut off. That also means I didn't get to anyone's blogs to read this morning and that sorely disrupts my routine.

Anytime my morning routine gets messed up, I find myself walking around confused for the whole day. I don't know why that is, but it does.

I have no idea why I didn't get out of bed until about 10 after 6, I was awake, but I guess I was drifting into that weird half sleep and I must have caught some extra Z's then.

Talk about messing with my head. How wrong is that?

I hate when my day starts off badly like this. By the time the day is over I'll be wired and I'll probably be awake til 1 in the morning.

That in turn will mess up my sleep patterns until Monday.

ARGH!

Why Cell Phone Plans Piss Me Off

I've been with Verizon Wireless for years. I love the service and I've never had any problems with them, so why the rant?

They have a new calling plan; Friends And Family, much like you see with other providers. This got me all excited. I hardly use my phone to call more than 10 people. That would be perfect for me.

Then I checked the rates.

If I took the basic plan which keeps me at my level of minutes 450 with my ten people, I lose my texting. I don't text much but I hate to pay for it, because inevitable people will randomly send me shit through my phone and I like to have that service included in my plan.

If I want unlimited texting with this plan my bill goes up to $59.99 and that's before freaking taxes.

ARGH!

That pisses me off.

I have to do more research to see if I can add on a certain amount of text messages per month, like I have now. If I can do that, I'll be switching, if not, I'll be grumbling.

Stupid cell phones and their stupid plans.

Oh and damn it, why do I suddenly want one of those blackberry phones? I don't even use the internet on my phone!

Bail out Schmail out

I was reading about the 12 bazillion dollars GM and Chrysler want to save their sad sorry asses and I have this to say to them.

GO TO HELL!

All that money and they plan to cut jobs and not repay the loans for 2 years?

Uh, if I had a loan, I'd have to start repaying it pretty darn quickly. Why are we saving these greedy fucktards?

I realize if they tank the ramifications are huge and will be felt around the globe, but still. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

Gas prices are going up. Some states want to tax us for how much we drive, and cars cost way too much money. This coming from a 34 year old that has never owned a car that was less that 4 years old.

When these bozos can come up with an affordable car, that's easy on fuel and dependable, then maybe they can survive, but asking for gov't money is just ridiculous. They'll just end up in the same boat down the line.

The rich keep getting richer and the poor poorer as they say.

Half Day

I'm only working half day today, because I need to take my dad to his doctor's appointment at 2 today.

Yay!

Actually not really, because I have to sit at the doctor's office and before that I need to go to the bank, pay our water bill and a few other bills, so I'll be running around like a nut most of the afternoon.

~sigh~

I would much rather sit around for those four hours and just veg. I need some serious vegging time.

Ah well...lots to do today...lots to do.

Tuesday Tunes: Week - 69

From Music Memoirs


Tell us your biggest musical regret.

In my mind right now it has to do with one of my favorite bands, Over The Rhine. They were playing an odd venue in Pittsburgh last March. Then they canceled. I got a refund, but then they rescheduled and canceled again! They finally played a show in a venue in the Southside in June, but I had another concert that month so I didn't get tickets after the first fiasco.

If you look at my lastfm page, you will see that I really like Over The Rhine. Ever since that concert took place I've felt let down. I've only ever seen one band with a female vocalist live and that was Lady Antebellum, oddly in the same year.

~ sigh ~

Its a good thing they are a band out of Cincinnati and they will probably play the area again sometime soon. Until then, they are the biggest musical regret I have.

Oh and on a musical front I'm trying to keep track of all my music online. Here's my album list care of Rate Your Music!

Long Weekend? HA!

There's no 3 day weekend for me. I'm not a gov't employee or one lucky enough to have this as one of my holidays for the year. So I'm going to be sitting around with my thumb up my butt at work today because there's no mail delivery and no banks open. That equals me not having much to do.

If I had the day off, there would be loads of stuff to do. More laundry for one. I did 2 loads last night and I could probably stand to do at least one more.

More dejunking in my parents room is definitely in order as I didn't get around to that yesterday much at all. I spent all that time in the kitchen.

Oh having a house that's 100 years old and without good cabinet space or closet space. Tis a shame that even a remodel job wouldn't help our kitchen either. Not that I have the money for it. But still.

So tonight it will be back to the cleaning grind and maybe I'll make some headway. I need to start working in my room to ditch clothes I don't wear anymore. You would think that would be an easy task but...NOOOOOO! If only I had that "long weekend". Of course if I did, I wouldn't be sitting here at 6:15 typing this entry, I'd still be SLEEPING!

God I wish I were still sleeping.

To Buy Or Not To Buy

I'm getting a 4GB Zen for my nephew for his birthday. Mom and I are getting it actually. He's done a lot of good in the past weeks to help out while Dad was in the hospital and now that he's home recovering.

So now I have a predicament. There's a fiance offer with my Walmart Card to have no interest for a year on purchases over $250. This means I could buy either the 120 GB iPod or my Purple Nano and not have to worry about giving the credit card people any more money other than what I've purchased.

GAH!

But should I do it?

I've been debating the iPod thing for about 2 months now. And on top of it all it comes down to...do I want a pretty Pod or a big Pod.

If only Creative made the larger hard drive players, I wouldn't have this issue. I have a 30 GB Zen Vision and its FULL! GAH

Decisions Decisions. I suck at making them.

Happy Valentines Day!

I believe the picture says it all, doncha think?

A big hug from me to all of you!

The Funny Things You Find

Its no secret I've been cleaning and dejunking our house. Its been like a treasure hunt and oh the things that I've found. One of the many items is the book I'm currently reading called Tomb Of The Shroud, which is a really interesting mystery that's centered around the Shroud of Turin.

Oh and lets just say I need to get the scanner working because I have loads more old photos to add to my Vintage Photos album on Flickr. One day I hope to take some pictures of my own again. I just haven't been into it lately.

I also found loads of old cookbooks. My mum has a collection like you could never believe and one set is by Woman's Day from the 50s. Its an Encylcopedia of Cookery. I've found some interesting recipes in those.

The one thing I have noticed though is that my parents did not like to use drawers for clothes. 3 drawers in their bedroom and I swear only one of them has clothes..and that would actually be my dad's underwear and sock drawer.

My family is weird, but I love them!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 210

From Music Memoirs:

Top 5 songs that horrify you! (And tell us why)
interpret as you see fit

The Lonely Island - Jizz In My Pants
I think the title alone says enough. Its the worst piece of comedic poo poo I've ever had the misfortune of seeing on SNL.

Miley Cyrus - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Please to be not messing with Cyndi Lauper! That's just wrong.

Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying
So damn depressing. I cry every time I hear it or run screaming from the radio for the same reason.

Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
I still have nightmares about this song and sampling Bowie/Queen is just so very wrong that its scary.

U2 - Get Your Boots On
Worst U2 song EVER!!! And I swear they are trying to rip of Elvis Costello with this one. That's wrong on many many levels.

I'm Going To Blow Away

We are in the midst of a high wind warning and they aren't kidding about it either. I've been hearing it whip on through all night and it was driving me crazy.

I don't look forward to going to work today, as I work in a metal box (ie office trailer) and I hope I don't blow away with the trailer to Oz or someplace unsavory.

Have I mentioned I could use a day off? Or 2?

I don't even have time to care about my usual stuff, because I'm too busy trying to get stuff situated in my house. You have no idea how much clutter I've burned in the last few weeks.

Maybe by the summer I'll have it all gone through. It doesn't make matters any better that I have loads of stuff from Gram's house in our house.

Yeah more clutter.

GAH!

BTW the couch and chairs are beautiful...pictures will be forthcoming over the weekend when I may have a small amount of time to BREATHE! You know along with the getting checks cashed, doing more shopping, paying bills and all that other stuff. Apparently I was spoiled before and now I have a real life like a normal working woman. Just to let you know..that sucks.

New Furniture Today!!

When I get home from work today I will have a new living room furniture! How exciting is that!! I promise I'll take pictures of it when I get home. I warn you though, my house isn't much to look at. It never was. Carpet remnants are next on our list of things to buy. I know they should have been bought first, but I buy because of necessity not because of what I should do.

I really hope I'll be able to sit down on one of the new pieces tonight. I've been doing so much cleaning that other than my brief computer time at home I haven't had more than a half hour in the living room, and that was when Big Bang Theory was on Monday.

Sigh

I already know I have to pick up prescriptions for my mum at Giant Eagle tonight, so that means more grocery shopping.

Bigger sigh.

Maybe over the weekend, if it would ever get here.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 68

From Music Memoirs

Disney Music:

What is your favorite song from a Disney Movie?
Baby Mine from Dumbo. Its probably the saddest scene from the movie but its so pretty. I also love Bette Midler's version in Beaches.



Do you like any of the current crop of Disney pop stars?
Musically, I think Demi Lovato is the best of the worst, as I feel The Cheetah Girls, Hannah Montana/Mylie Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez and the rest of the lot should stick to acting...and perhaps Mylie should just pack it up and go back to Tennessee with her daddy, because her acting is awful. Walt Disney is shaking his head at the way his company is run, I'm sure.

Old school Disney music or new and why?
Old school Disney! The new stuff is good, but the old stuff has heart which seems to be lacking in most of music from the new films. Could be because they get people like Elton John and Phil Collins to write the stuff. Ho hum.

Time For The Too Do List

So much to do today...

1. Must remember to pay Verizon Wireless.
2. Need gas in my car
3. Money in the bank...so I actually have some in the account to pay the damn bills.
4. More grocery shopping. (I think this is all I do anymore)
5. Clean the living room so that the arrival of the new furniture will be easier.

What I really need is about 8 extra hours in today, so I can do all of this.

Not much to ask for right? right?! right?!?!

Nothing New To Report

Today was decidedly dull and to be perfectly honest I'm happy with that. I had to run to the mall to pay my Sears bill and after that did some grocery shopping and picked up dinner for us from La Fiesta. I wish they did take out margaritas!!

Yes, my dad is eating Mexican and loving it.

That's truly a wonderful thing.

Now I've got laundry and some more cleaning to do.

I'm glad for the dullness really. The last two weeks have been really too stressful and hectic. Now they'll just be hectic with me trying to get our house in order.

I can't wait for the new furniture. I'll post pictures when we get it sorted out too!

All I really want to do tonight is watch Sonny With A Chance on Disney Channel and get to bed before 10. Fat chance that's going to happen!

I Bought Living Room Furniture Today

Thanks to a little help from my brother and his wife, my parents now have a pretty camel colored couch and recliner.

Woot!

Its really pretty. The two pieces only cost $950, which I'm glad to pay for if it makes them more comfortable. Here's hoping that I can get it paid down quickly. I don't like to carry high balances on my credit cards anymore.

The furniture will be delivered on Wednesday.

I can't wait until they see it. I'm sure that they will be thrilled with it. I know I'm over the moon that they will finally have something new and comfortable to sit on in the living room.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 209

From Music Memoirs:

Top 5 music videos from the 80s

1. The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams


Best video ever!

2. Cyndi Lauper - She Bop
Click to watch Cyndi's awesome and funny video. This one was my favorite even over Girls Just Want To Have Fun.

3. Erasure - Heavenly Action



One word: cute.

4. Madonna - Express Yourself

Always loved this song, can't find the original video on youtube though. That makes me sad. I always liked the cat licking the cream part. I don't know why, I just did.

5. Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf



I often wondered how many times Simon hurt himself tossing that table over.

Today!!!

Dad should be coming home today if all goes well!!!

One word!

Squee!!!

We've all missed him. The house isn't the same without him and well, driving to the hospital is depressing.

So glad he's doing so much better.

Oh and yesterday he ate a Twinkie and a donette!!!

Rejoice!

God Was With Us

We got the pathology reports back on my father yesterday and let me tell you, my father is one lucky man. The cells were pre-cancerous and if he had let things go any longer, it would have been a bad thing indeed.

As it is, he's going to have to have colonoscopies (sp) at least every 6 months for the time being to make sure nothing is coming back.

Now if only his appetite would come back. I hate to see my father not eating, because he really enjoys his food. (especially Mexican)

I'm just glad that they seem to have got everything and hopefully all will be well and he will be home soon, because the house just doesn't feel right without him in it. The cats miss him terribly. I won't even go into mom, because she's a basket case without him.

So Sick Of The Weather

Where is the unseasonably warm temperatures? Why aren't we getting any right now? I'm so damn sick of being cold! I hate the cold.

I was so envious of the Steelers because they were in freaking Tampa where the temperatures were in the 70s.

Good god! Oh to feel warmth again that didn't come from a space heater or from a fleece nightgown.

I'm not really asking for much.

And lets just say that fucking groundhog is not my friend at all. I hate that little rodent!

6 more weeks of hell!

Grrrrr

I want unseasonably warm dammit!

What A Nail Biter

I didn't see the game as yesterday was so full of craziness, but I silently cheered my boys on to victory and god, I'm glad I didn't watch, it would have made me sick to my stomach in that last quarter.

I rejoice for our city and the team. I know its just a game but I'm happy. I'm very happy for coach Mike Tomlin who proved his worth a helluva lot faster than that scary man, Bill Cowher.

Good on you Mike! I'm so proud of you and your guys for pulling it out in the last minute.

I'm glad we told everyone in ICU not to let my dad watch, cos in that last quarter, he would have been calling the Steelers a bunch of bums, and that last touchdown probably wouldn't have happened, cos my daddy is a jinx on the team. Go figure.

But its all about celebrating now! Yay STEELERS!!!!!!

Going for the 6 Pack