Narco-what-a?

A friend on twitter went to work as a "Narcoleptic" today, or so he said. It made me laugh... literally... I actually laughed.


But even funnier was when I read this on wikipedia (to make sure I wasn't mixing it up with another disease): "Daytime naps may occur without warning and may be physically irresistible."



Does that strike anyone else as funny? ha ha.... it goes on to say this: "These naps can occur several times a day. They are typically refreshing..." ha ha ha.







Why am I so easily amused? Could it be due to my own intense lack of sleep?! I may print this information out and post it at my desk.

MHR Friday!

Here we are - it's Friday, and my Husband STILL rocks.

You see, I've been having a really rough time, lately. I have been completely exhausted. I haven't been sleeping well, and no matter what I do, nothing seems to work. I have also been wanting to start working earlier, so that I can get off work earlier, and so I've been trying to change my usual routine (as of this week, this is).

So, while talking to McStudly last night on the phone (he works nights, so that's kind've all we get), I asked him to wake me up a little after 6, when he gets home, and help me get up for the day.

Well, to sum up the complete frustration that has been my last few weeks, now, I went to bed around 10 or 1030, and didn't get to sleep until around 2 (last I looked at the clock, it was 130!).

So when he got home this morning, McStudly came in to wake me up, but could sense my hesitation (which was to be expected). Once he found out that I didn't get to sleep until around 2, instead of his usual way of forcing me out of bed, he just lay down next to me and said "Okay, but is your alarm at least set for the normal time?"

He let me go back to sleep, after I made him SWEAR to get me up last night. He's so understanding, and patient, for the most part. I know he's just as tired of all of this as I am, but at least he's understanding and patient, and not just mean about it.

I love him. He's so good to me, even though he knew I'd be beating myself up for not getting up, later... he knew I needed it.

(I know this seems like a weird MHR post, but believe me, if you had any idea what the past few weeks have been like for me, you'd know how much this meant to me.)

He knows me better than I know me, sometimes. He's so dreamy!

How Did I Miss This?

So I never could quite put my finger on it. I always knew he had a familiar look, even from the time that I first met him. I just never could pin-point it. I guess I just assumed he had "one of those faces."

But Special A (my bestie, Ashley) FINALLY figured it out. I got in to work today and had an e-mail waiting for me from her. Here's what it said:

"Okay so I know this is really random but McStudly alwyas reminded me of someone.. like he had a twin out there in the world and I finally figured out who it was! I think they look so much alike!!"

Then it had a link. So naturally, I clicked on the link (who wouldn't?!).

As Internet Explorer loaded the name of the actor on imdb's website, my first thought was no way! Then, as I clicked to look through the pictures, it was al becomming clearer. How had I missed this? How had NO one caught this before now? Are we blind? Or maybe the lighting had to hit JUST right... no. It's unbelievable! Ashley was right...

So here we have it, folks - you tell me. These are the best pictures we could find for the comparison (and honestly, I don't think they do it justice at all!), but if you think about the actor in a movie, or McStudly in person, it's like they're related. It's amazing (at least we think so, anyways).

Do you think McStudly looks like Guy Pearce?

If Only You Knew...

The Underground Halloween Party this past Sunday evening was a big hit. It turned out to be loads of fun, and almost EVERYONE dressed to impress (some just dressed, and left their impressing spirit at home, I gusss).

Anywho - it was a blast. McStudly took home the prize for "funniest costume", and if you look at the pictures below, you'll probably see why. (I'm sure it helped that he totally worked it on the runway) Go get 'em, baby!


Brace yourselves...

Yep - that'd be us!

Ha ha ha - he's trying to drink his punch, but he's not used to being so big!

Aiyana rockin' her very impressive costume. "You will never be Geisha!" ha ha

The FANtastic judges: Sheena, Mrs Dee, and Pastor Travis

(American Idol ain't got NOTHING on these guys!)

Phantom and Christi (aka:Richard and Amber - fyi, they're newly engaged!!!)

I know it's dark and I look creepy with my shiny eyes, and what-not, but just imagine the Thriller video playing on a projector screen, and myself (along with a cool guy, Josh) dancing along. Oh good times...

Well, that would be that. It was SO much fun, yet QUITE an exhausting day. Good times were had by all, and tonight there's another party - Neewollah, the Youth costume party. Hopefully there will be plenty of pics to follow (AND I've been told that I'm a judge, so we shall see what happens, eh?!).

Asta Pasta!

Hold on to Your Suspenders, folks!

What?! No one really wears those anymore?? Well, I heard they're coming back in to style (unfortunately)...

ANYwho - I am in class today and tomorrow, so I won't really be able to blog, unless we get out early (which is possible). BUT I have a few things coming for you later this week:

- Pics fromt he Underground Halloween Party last night
- Pics of our new bedroom furniture (which is being set up as I type!!)
- possibly some pics from The Youth's Neewollah (Yes - that is Halloween spelled backwords, for those of you who are not lisdexic - err... uhh - dislexic).


Good times... good times.

Anywho - check it later, and you won't be sorry!!





Toodles for now! ;-)

Just for Jollies

Check it out:

Ha ha ha - SOMEbody knows what they're doing with a Photoshop brush, eh?! ha ha

Pet Halloween Costumes

Well, with it almost being Halloween, I thought I'd add to the "spirit" of things and throw in a little humor for you.


Enjoy!

This poor pup - er - cow. Ha ha... I wish my dog would wear a costume. This is priceless!!

MHR Friday!

Becuase he listens. Okay - not always, but we ALL have our days where we "hear" and don't listen. It's usually when we're going through our own funk (as I have been lately), but he is listening now. And thats the best part, becuase now is when it matters.

McStudly's been exhausted lately, and he's still re-adjusting back to his old work schedule (which totally sucks, by the way), and he's still trying.

It's the simple things, most of the time. And today, it's just that he's listening to me. Truly listening to me.

He rocks.

Pet Peeves, Plans, and Other Bloggy Goodness

Have I mentioned before how much I HATE IT when I can hear people's mouth noises? It drives me CRAAAZZZY!!!!

I sit on the other side of a room from this guy - at LEAST 10 feet away, with his cubicle wall adn my cubicle wall (and a small walkway) between us. And I can STILL hear his FREAKING mouth noises! IT'S SO GROSS!!

I am like tensing up and all itchy (like when you hear nails on a chalkboard - yeah. Exactly!). This is sofrigginirritating!!!

I can't handle it. I may have to go for a while. SohelpmeGOD! I may just throw my stapler!!


*breathing*





Sorry - I don't handle it very well. I need a timeout.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





ANYwho - what's on YOUR agenda for the week's end and the weekend? I have to find costumes for McStudly and I (my idea for Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson was shot down rather quickly). Our Underground (that's the Young Adult group at church, not anything scandalous) Halloween Party at church is Sunday evening, and we've got NOTHING! Granted, I was having enough trouble figuring out my own costume before he came home. Now, I have to pick it out for BOTH of us, becuase he'll be working 12 hours a day until Saturday night.

He also said "I want you to pick them. That way if I look stupid, I can say I didn't pick it out." Niiice, McStudly. Thanks for that. No pressure or anything, right?! *blank face*


Any ideas? And preferrably something I can buy, relatively cheap at a local Target, Walmart, or Halloween store, that doesn't involve cleavage (umm, hello... have you seen me lack thereof?), blood and gore, or anything innapropriate. I also have to be able to wear it to the youth service the following Wednesday. Keep that in mind.


Since THAT knocks out about... oh... say 3/4 of the options that currently exist, I'll say I'm stink-outta-luck! I know I'll find something, but it won't be anything great or memorable.

I'm fresh out of the creative juices. I've got nothing.

Wow. What happened to me?! I used to be good at this stuff. My fuddy-duddy husband is ruining my Halloween spirit.






Pssh... let's face it - I didn't have much (if any) this year anyways. Who am I kidding?!

Well, It's About Dang Time!

Hey guys! Sorry - I'm a slacker. I was actually sick yesterday... McStudly gave me a fun version of whatever it is he came home with, and I was battling it yesterday. I think it won, because I'm still battling it, but I am feeling a lot better. Finally!



Well, yesterday afternoon, after my fever finally broke, McStudly wanted to go out and look at bedroom furniture. He's going back to work tomorrow, so we were short on time. So... I drugged up and we headed out. First Showman Furniture... then Roomstore... and finally Value City Furniture.





AND *ding ding ding* We HAVE a winner folks!! Value City's prices and warranty's, plus their low (compared to most) delivery/set-up fee made it the perfect place for our furniture purchase.





We found one set that we both loved:

But unfortunately, the Chest (tall dresser) was out of stock, and back ordered until December 3rd (not cool for McStudly!), so we moved on. We both really liked it, but what can ya do, folks?!

As it turned out, the furniture we "moved on" to was actually a much better deal. We got a free lifetime warranty on the set. Everything was in stock, and it's quality, real wood furniture from American Signature, so it's really nice. Here it is:

That's it! And this next picture actually has the bed that we got (even though we both LOVED the canopy bed above, this bed was only $100 with the dresser and chest. Gotta love a good deal!).

By the time we had decided on this set, I was WAY past ready to go home. We signed the papers, paid for it all, and then went on our way. I was back to feeling not-so-good, so I was VERY glad that dinner was already in the crock-pot and almost ready to eat when we got there.

So here I am, today, back at work, and wishing I was at home and cuddling in bed with my warm McStudly. Why is it that I've found it harder to get out of bed now that he's home, again?

*sigh

My Husband Rocks Friday!

Okay - I'm super late, but I have a good excuse (see below).

My Husband rocks because when I came home Friday after work - HE WAS THERE!!! He fibbed a little here and there to make the surprise work, but he was home!! I had NO idea! He got up WAY early Friday morning and drove straight through to get hom before I did from work.

Okay - so I did almost wet myself when I first realized that someone was in my house, but when it turned out to be him I was SOOO freaking excited!!! I can't believe it. He's home! And for good, too. What an awesome surprise!!

McStudly: You ROCK!

Feel Your Boobies!

Today signals the end of National "Feel Your Boobies" week, and we're only half-way through Breast Cancer awareness month.

Having known at least two people who've gone through this, and watching how it's effected them as well as their families, I can't help but encourage all of you ladies out there (and Men, tell your ladies!) to check yourself. Even those under 40. It doesn't matter. But check yourself regularly.

So anyways, I just thought I'd show some support. :-)

Well? Are you?



Feel Your Boobies and Save the Tatas!

The Girl with the Apples

August 1942.
Piotrkow , Poland.


The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow's Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square. Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our family would be separated.

"Whatever you do," Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me, "don't tell them your age. Say you're sixteen."

I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker.

An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, and then asked my age.

"Sixteen," I said.

He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood
My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children, sick and elderly people. I whispered to Isidore, "Why?"He didn't answer.I ran to Mama's side and said I wanted to stay with her.

"No, "she said sternly."Get away. Don't be a nuisance. Go with your brothers."

She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her.

My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany. We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers.

"Don't call me Herman anymore." I said to my brothers. "Call me 94983."

I was put to work in the camp's crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator. I, too, felt dead. Hardened. I had become a number.

Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald 's sub-camps near Berlin. One morning I thought I heard my mother's voice.

"Son," she said softly but clearly, I am going to send you an angel."

Then I woke up. It had been only a dream. A beautiful dream. But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear.

A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone.

On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree. I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German.

"Do you have something to eat?"

She didn't understand. I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life. She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence. I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly, "I'll see you tomorrow."

I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple.We didn't dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both.I didn't know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that she understood Polish.

What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me? Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.

Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to The Resienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia.

"Don't return," I told the girl that day. "We're leaving."

I turned toward the barracks and didn't look back, didn't even say good-bye to the little girl whose name I'd never learned. The girl with the apples. We were in Resienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed.

On May 10, 1945, my time had come. I was destined to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 am.In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I'd survived. Now, it was over. I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.

But at 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers. Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, I and all of my brothers had survived; Somehow, I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival.

In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person's goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none. My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.

Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America, where my brother, Sam, had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years.

By August 1957 I'd opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in. One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me.

"I've got a date. She's got a Polish friend. Let's double date."

A blind date? Nah, that wasn't for me. But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma.

I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn't so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life. The four of us drove out to Coney Island.

Roma was easy to talk to, easy to be with. Turned out she was wary of blind dates too! We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn't remember having a better time. We piled back into Sid's car, Roma and I sharing the backseat.

As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject,

"Where were you," she asked softly, "during the war?"

"The camps," I said. The terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss. I had tried to forget. But you can never forget.

She nodded.

"My family was hiding on a farm in Germany, not far from Berlin," she told me. "My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers." I imagined how she must have suffered too. Fear must have been a constant companion. And yet here we were both survivors, in a new world. "There was a camp next to the farm." Roma continued. "I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day."

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. "What did he look like?" I asked.

"He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months."

My heart was racing. I couldn't believe it. This couldn't be.

"Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?" Roma looked at me in amazement.

"Yes!"

"That was me!" I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn't believe it! My angel.

"I'm not letting you go." I said to Roma.

And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn't want to wait.

"You're crazy!" she said.

But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week.There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I'd found her again, I could never let her go.

That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After more than a half century of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.







This story is also being made into a movie to be released sometime in 2010 called "The Flower of the Fence". I know I"ll be going to see it. You?

All Dogs Go to Heaven

And I'm not talking about the movie (as great and timeless as it will always be...).


There are two churches along a busy street. One on each side, and they are facing each other. Two completely different denominations. Two different opinions. One very public battle of the church signs. Check it out:

Ha ha ha... good times. You have to have a sense of humor with stuff like this. I mean really.

My Husband Rocks Friday!

My husband Rocks... it's true... and today he rocks because I GET TO SEE HIM!!!

Yes - that's right! I'm taking off in about 4 hours, and I will be ON MY WAY to Georgia to see him. I miss him so much - I can't WAIT!!!

Toodles!

When did THAT happen?

Umm... can somebody please tell me when Dakota Fanning grew up? What in the WORLD?!

I couldn't find a copy of the picture I wanted - from when she was on Oprah recently, but holy goodness! She's 14?! When did THAT happen? She was just 7 like... last week! And where did those boobs come from? Sorry... I went too far. But what the heck?!

Google her. Look it up. It's unacceptable. She can't grow up. She's supposed to be the cute-little blonde girl that's wise beyond her years.

PS - She's also a cheerleader in high school, now. Huh?!?!

I'm Sorry - My Lack of Bloggage Can Be Explained

I have nothing on my mind, right now, except for all of the things I need to do and buy for my trip TOMORROW! So there won't be much of a blog today, and you might get a good one tomorrow - but considering I'll only be in work for half-a-day, I can't even promise you that.

Yes - that's right, folks. We are almost at 24 hours, now, until my plane takes off. That means that 24 hours from now I'll be at the airport waiting to board the first of what will be 3 flights on my way to see McStudly.

We're both SUPER stoked, and WAY excited... did I mention how SLOWLY time is passing today? UGH! Doesn't it ALWAYS happen to move the slowest right when you need it to move the fastest?!







Figures...

So, yeah...

I got nothing.

The Final Countdown

I can't WAIT!!!

I Once Was Thought Provoked...

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."


Have you ever heard that before? I have a few times, but when I read it in one of those mass-Christian-e-mails that I received today, it just all of a sudden had more meaning.

And it's very humbling. Because you see all of these "great" people and think "wow - I could never do something like that. I must just be meant for something smaller. Something more local. Something... not big like that." But that's not true.

Talk about a slap-in-the-face moment, eh? Wow.




What does that mean to you?

(I may add to this later - it is still a bit early for me to get too deep, but let's talk about it.)

525,600 Minutes

That's how many there are in a year... and I think after this past year, we've all started measuring time a little bit differently. Why, you may ask?!

Let me essplain dis to joo:

One year ago today, she was in recovery. In the CSICU, to be exact. But she was strong, and would come out feeling better and more healthy then she could even remember.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 4, 2008, my mother entered a last-minute "CABG 5" (said "cabbage five") heart bypass surgery, and was on the table for about 7 hours. So we waited.


It was tough, but we all tried to stay light-hearted, and made frequent (VERY frequent) trips over to the Great Cookie and the cafeteria for a change of pace and nice refreshing drink.


After her surgery, Thursday evening, she was moved into the Cardiac Ward for recovery on Sunday, and then discharged on Tuesday with lots of meds, and a BIIIG list of dos-and-don'ts for us all to follow. But it was nothing compared to getting our Mom back. It was along road of recovery, but 1 year later, she's 45-lbs lighter and feeling better than ever!

So on Saturday, we decided to go back to the hospital and visit the awesome staff that helped give her a life back. So she made some heart-healthy chocolate cookies for them (thanks to Food Network) and packaged them up in two containers. And then put some fiber-muffins and a singing card in a bag for Dr. Brown. Dr. James Brown, that is... and "OOOOWWWW!" She feels good, thanks to him... the singing card proves it! ;-)


Well, surprisingly to us, people apparently don't really do that kind of thing. All of the staff and nurses were completely shocked and so grateful that we remembered them. They were all smiles, especially when told that their cookies were heart healthy. Unfortunately, Dr. Brown wasn't in, so we left his bag with the CICU staff, with a promise that they'd deliverer it to him, and not eat his goodies.

There were a few times where mom got a little emotional, but that is totally understandable. This awesome hospital and amazing staff gave us our Mom back, and healthier and happier than ever before. We owe the people of the University of Maryland Medical Center a lot - because of them, my mom was able to not miss-out on lots of amazing things. And because of them, she was able to feel even better while enjoying them. We are SO grateful to them, and Mom just can't even put into words how appreciative she is.


And of COURSE I took pictures! Here are a few shots from our day out and about:

Mom's writing out her Thank-Yous.

Dr. Brown's Goodie bag, and singing card.

Getting packed up and ready to go!

Luke watching us - this is pretty much as excited as he gets.

Just adding the finishing touches.

The Happy Helper/Escort (aka: Moi!)

He's just a bucket full of good times, this dog... and getting impatient.

This is where the magic happened.

6th floor or bust!

Almost there!

And this is where we waiting... that "circle" of seats riiiiight there.

Her "5 Star" Accommodations.

They moved her into this area after she left the CICU. So she gave the cookies to the front desk secretary who was OH so grateful!

Bragging on her weight loss, telling her story and saying Thank You.

Pointing out her room to the CICU Nurses.

Thanking them, and telling them about Nurse David - the tattoo covered "favorite".

Striking a pose with friends... and life-savers.

There are always TONS of balloons lost to the ceiling, and we thought we even remembered some of the same ones from last year!

Yep - that's where it all went down!

Speaking of going down... this is mom taking it all in and admiring the view from the elevator.

And this is the view.

The little shop we frequented during our 7-hour stint in the Cardiac waiting area.

Just showing some UMMC love.

Want some proof?

We've got your proof RIGHT here...

Just a random shot, but we thought it was funny that homeboy was just-a-chowing down while he was sitting on their sign. ha ha ha

Just another random shot.

The whole kit-n-caboodle.

CLOSE-UP!!

Well there you have it. Mom and I talked about how fun it would be to do this every year on her surgery's anniversary. So hopefully next year all of us will be able to go back together and thank them again. This isn't the kind of anniversary you can accidentally forget. It's the day she got her life back.

Thank you, UMMC, and Thank you Dr. Brown. Our family is forever grateful to have our Mom back and happier than ever! You guys are awesome - keep up the good work!!