Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Queen of Who?

So for the majority of my log-in's, from my email to my ABC Distributing online purchases, "qnofharts" is my user ID of choice. When i start typing really fast, sometimes it comes out "qnohfarts".

This makes me chuckle every time because it looks like "Queen of Farts".

I'm so mature.

...heehee...

My Personality in 4 Letters

http://humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

I always love these things. I guess it's a good thing I majored in Psychology. :)

I'm an ESFJ.

"Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers. They enjoy and joyfully observe traditions and are liberal in giving, especially where custom prescribes.
All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest. ESFJs, as do most SJs, bear strong allegiance to rights of seniority. They willingly provide service (which embodies life's meaning) and expect the same from others.
"ESFJs are easily wounded. And when wounded, their emotions will not be contained. They by nature "wear their hearts on their sleeves," often exuding warmth and bonhomie, but not infrequently boiling over with the vexation of their souls. Some ESFJs channel these vibrant emotions into moving dramatic performances on stage and screen.
"Strong, contradictory forces consume the ESFJ. Their sense of right and wrong wrestles with an overwhelming rescuing, 'mothering' drive. This sometimes results in swift, immediate action taken upon a transgressor, followed by stern reprimand; ultimately, however, the prodigal is wrested from the gallows of their folly, just as the noose tightens and all hope is lost, by the very executioner!
"An ESFJ at odds with self is a remarkable sight. When a decision must be made, especially one involving the risk of conflict (abhorrent to ESFJs), there ensues an in-house wrestling match between the aforementioned black-and-white Values and the Nemesis of Discord. The contender pits self against self, once firmly deciding with the Right, then switching to Prudence to forestall hostilities, countered by unswerving Values, ad exhaustium, winner take all.
"As caretakers, ESFJs sense danger all around--germs within, the elements without, unscrupulous malefactors, insidious character flaws. The world is a dangerous place, not to be trusted. Not that the ESFJ is paranoid; 'hyper-vigilant' would be more precise. And thus they serve excellently as protectors, outstanding in fields such as medical care and elementary education. "

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Fag Bug


On the drive home from NC, we saw this bug in our rear view mirror and thought - DANG that's a gay bug! Lo and behold, that's exactly what it was! On the side, as well as her licesnse plate, it read "Fg Bug" and Fagbug.com.
We kept passing back and forth so i finally took a picture. i'm glad I did, because it reminded me to actually go to fagbug.com and see what it's all about. What an interesting story! Please visit fagbug.com or http://www.myspace.com/fagbug and learn about Erin's story. Homophobia is very real and unfortuntely a serious issue in the US. Knowledge is a powerful thing. Educate yourself!


Back to the Daily Grind

Well, I'm back at work after 5 days up in beautiful Monroe, NC (or, MON-row if you're from there). Barry and I had a great visit with the Gallers and the Maddexes. Every time I visit with them it makes me wish we lived closer together. I think of my mom and her best friend from college, Lynn Doolittle, and I hope that in 20 years, that we will still be as close as we are today. Dang, by then we'll be going to Leah and Ian's wedding! YIKES!

We spent our 5 days laughing, catching up, and just talking about anything and everything.

Wednesday we saw Avenue Q in Charlotte. What an awesome city. It's so sad that Jacksonville has absolutely no life after 5:00pm. We ate at an irish pub and then saw the show. We were really high in the back, but it was still hilarious.

If you've never seen it, and even if you don't like Broadway, i highly recommend it. I would recommend floor seats, however, because there are some things that you don't catch when you sit high in the balcony.

On Thursday we ate "Dollar Cones" and I apparently attempted to kill my husband by Oreo Crumb Inhalation. (word to the wise: Don't breath in whilst taking a bite of your wife's ice cream cone, topped with oreo cookie crumbs. duh.)




One of the other things we wanted to do while we were near Charlotte was to check off another "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives" hot spot, Bar-B-Q King. They make their own bbq sauce from scratch every day. LUCKILY someone (i think it was Laurie) remembered another spot that Guy went to called Penguin Drive-In, which was a sit down place that was better for the kids, since the bbq king was curb service only. SOOO we got to knock TWO more places on our DDD tour! SWEDEDEDEU! I'm SOOO glad we went there b

ecause they had the best fried pickles EVER. It was well worth the 20-30 minute wait. The place was so small!
I'm sitting in the corner taking this picture.

Saturday night we played Apples to Apples, with a drinker's twist! That was a lot of fun. Every time it was your turn you had to make up a rule. It got pretty funny, since for whatever reason the rules always seemed to include me and Bryan. What was up with that? Here are a few snapshots from that night that i can publish:





It was a great, relaxing time with old friends. I'm looking forward to next time, that's for sure!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

So Excited!

In about 9-10 hours i will be in NC! YES!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Vanilla's Cupcakery

YUM!

Friday afternoon, I was on my way to Peterbrooke's to pick up some yummys for my co-workers when i remembered about this new cup cake bakery around the corner. Sooo... I decided to stop in and see what a cupcake-only bakery was all about.

WELL. I have been introduced to a whole new level of cupcake. And I thought Publix had the best. No Sir. Imagine, if you will, a Creme Brulee cupcake. An Oreo Cookie Cupcake, complete with white creme filling. And my personal favorite: Strawberry. A vanilla bean cupcake, with vanilla bean icing folded in with fresh pureed strawberries. TO DIE FOR. It was like the Ace of Cakes of Cupcakes. They had a little baby sleeping on top of a cupcake bed and a wedding dress cupcake.

I took a picture during the demolition on friday. Notice the forks, untouched. You can see one of the creme brulee cupcakes still in tact. (the other one is long gone.) You can also see a mango coconut cupcake that was like taking a shot of whiskey, it was so sweet, and another favorite, the chocolate chili cupcake, which had some sort of hot peppers with it that gave it a nice kick, a tirimusu cupcake, and a "simple" chocolate with vanilla bean icing.
So i sent this picture to my co-worker who wasn't here on friday. About 11:00 she says she's gotta go out for a little while. When she gets back, what does she have in her hand? More cupcakes. today, aside from the Oreo cupcake, was a red velvet and a island carrot cake, both with FRESH creamcheese filling. The remenents are still sitting on my desk, waiting for me to lick the paper plate clean.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

My day started when I woke up this morning with a horrible sore throat and my cat biting my toes at 6:15. I feel like butt, and apparently, I look like crap, too…according to my coworkers. I was supposed to leave here at 1 for a webinar at 2 that I was in charge off, across town. It’s a good thing it got cancelled because when I emailed/called everyone to let them know, they didn’t realize there was one in the first place and wouldn’t have shown up anyway! I’ve been trying to concentrate enough to deal with 3 new loans, opening a money market, finishing up on 4 renewals (which I haven’t even touched). I finally went and picked up some soup from Panera about 30 minutes ago along with some green tea. Hopefully that will pick me up. My eyes are itchy, my ears feel clogged, my nose decides to flow at random moments, and my throat still hurts. After I leave here, I still have a meeting at 5:30 at Gate Parkway (across town) that I have to stay awake for, even though the person that is running it gets so off track that a 30 minute meeting could last 2 hours. I should be home by 7, just in time to check my myspace/facebook/gmail, talk to barry for a little while, hug my kitties and go to bed early.

Bleh

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Barry's Mini Burgers

1 lb Lean Ground Beef
Cumin (about a small hand full)
1 T. Onion Powder
1 T. Garlic Powder
1-1/2 T. Paprika
Salt
Pepper
(all spices are 'eyeballed' to taste)
1 sweet onion, finely chopped
Olive Oil
1 pkg white american cheese, cut into 2" squares
2-3 pkgs Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Mustard or other condiments

Mix spices into ground beef with hands. Lay out wax paper and with a rolling pin, flatten ground beef to as close to a 1/4" as you can. Its easiest if you place another peice of wax paper on top so it doesn't stick to the roller. With a pizza cutter, cut the meat into 3" squares. Cook using a griddle on medium heat, flipping 1/2 way through cooking. Once flipped, place a slice of american chese on top to melt. Meanwhile, saute the onion with olive oil, salt, & pepper.

Assembly: open rolls (they open very easily with your hands). place mini burger in roll with a small amount of onion and a dab of mustard. Serve and enjoy!

Better Late Than Never

July 4th was a nice long weekend for Barry and me. Thursday night I had my nieces, Theresa and Amethyst over for Amethyst's 11th birthday (which was the 1st). We cooked mini-burgers for dinner and Barry made them do most of the cooking. They LOVED flattening out the meat with the rolling pin. I'll post the recipe for them next - they are so delicious and easy! Barry even let them use his knives to cut the onion - I was a little nervous about that; his knives are sharp! I wanted to make a fresh blueberry pie for dessert, but they wanted to go swimming instead - so we did - until about 11:30pm! The plan was to get up, make blueberry pancakes, and go shopping the next morning and have them back at their mother's by 12 or 1, but these girls didn't get up until after 9am. Luckily their mom was running late so we had plenty of time to mosey around the mall. The pancakes got substituted for Cinnibon -MMMMMMMM! They had never had them before so i kept hearing "These are WAY better than the school's!!" I told Amethyst that she can pick out an outfit for her birthday and instead she wants a build-a-bear. These dern things are expensive!!! I said I'd buy the bear and she can buy the clothes. After all, she kept reminding me that she had her own money to spend. SO... 65 bucks later(!!!) she has herself a rollerskating Husky (named Heather) with 3 hearts, a cool bark, and a pink collar and leash. GOOD GRIEF!

Friday after we dropped off the girls I finished my blueberry pie! It turned out SOOO good! It was a beautiful lattice work pie, made from scratch. I was taking pictures, thinking about all yall's recipe blogs the whole time and thinking how proud you'd be of me. Then I realized that I had no memory card in my camera and no cables to transfer the pics. :( But it tasted so good! Once it cooled, we brought it to a friend's house for BBQ Bulgogi and Firecrackers. I, of course, burn my thumb with the lighter. That dern wind would kick up right when I ignited the ligher, right over my thumb. Oh well. Chicks dig scars. Wait. Anyway.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty boring, so I won't bother you with the details. :)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

What I've Done

I got this from Angelle, who got it from "plasticplease." What "Plasticplease" is, i have no idea... but, why not, eh?

You highlight what you have done. Leave a blog comment so I can come read yours. I've done 100 out of 200 of these! WOW!

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula (can i get a "HELL NO!")
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty (I've been on Liberty Island, but wasn't allowed to go inside. I dont' think anyone is anymore since 9/11.)
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables.
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse?(Maybe?)
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (they grew up there, don't know if they were born there)
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabatized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume (I am counting my WonderWoman Underroos!!)
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check (yes, even the banker does it from time to time.)
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did(The Knoblock Toaster)
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about(Maybe?)
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one(this doesn't specify mini-golf!)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission (see previous blog!)
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

*NOTE: I didnt' know what an NJP Newsletter was, so i Googled it. Almost everything that came up was blogs of this survey! (the 5th one down was Myfiasco!) I thought that was interesting...and i still dont' know what a dang NJP Newsletter is.