tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22471006597991324112024-03-05T03:46:53.795-05:00Mrs OhtobeViews from the half empty glassMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.comBlogger586125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-86749444049103566822012-09-07T11:18:00.004-04:002012-09-07T11:29:01.687-04:00Parade Pics - sis boom bah!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnpvHJAB6w61nVDs3NIdHwcezGskcXan66XTs9Ohapst-9Za1VxIq_hjA-EJjHWare7CfgI0vHEXQYpupInhiMsK4JRPnCUifA7Ay1uS7Fq2UZ30iCK03L9BzdXFu20TSumNwqxrvR1dI/s1600/kilts.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785455537604636770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnpvHJAB6w61nVDs3NIdHwcezGskcXan66XTs9Ohapst-9Za1VxIq_hjA-EJjHWare7CfgI0vHEXQYpupInhiMsK4JRPnCUifA7Ay1uS7Fq2UZ30iCK03L9BzdXFu20TSumNwqxrvR1dI/s320/kilts.jpg" /></a><br />Y'all. I had this great colourful picture from one of the Con merch shops of the <a href="http://www.chessex.com/">Chessex</a> dice table - which I spent most of my shopping at - and I deleted it before I downloaded the dang thing. So the only picture I have from my shopping is this glared out one - but where can you buy art AND a kilt all in the same place. And not just any ole kilt but a utilikilt for the man on the go.<br /><br />This is going to be a short post as I spent all of last night downloading these Dragon Con parade picks to Flickr whilst watching Project Runway not once but twice and I still have no idea what happened other than Dimtri didn't get kicked auf and that makes me a happy girl.<br /><br />So ifin' you want to go and see some fabu costumes click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44009053@N08/sets/72157631445085524/">here</a> - and don't miss img_1526 because that boy sure was purty. Seriously. Pur-tay!<br /><br />Peace out,<br />Ames<br />Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-35648499965313745912012-09-06T01:51:00.000-04:002012-09-06T01:51:00.914-04:00The Georgia Aquarium - Dragon Con Edition<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwweQNVGnE3TYi4PAb7WYGGmtNgQXIbQsDN3kj2q9FY8ajCXHF4FFvpYc0A5f21s-wyegFjoxcThOXOQnZeTt2M6-q1kqEGKrSlyYr3Uz__1GQ3GYVEccTj3QlknxR2vUvk_gD2_lEVmu/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784861535319486466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwweQNVGnE3TYi4PAb7WYGGmtNgQXIbQsDN3kj2q9FY8ajCXHF4FFvpYc0A5f21s-wyegFjoxcThOXOQnZeTt2M6-q1kqEGKrSlyYr3Uz__1GQ3GYVEccTj3QlknxR2vUvk_gD2_lEVmu/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" /></a></div><div>Isn't this a sight to behold friends? What those poor fish must have thought of all the costumes and light sabers! Most of my pictures turned out a bit dodgey - yes I have been using that word a lot lately - due to the aquarium's No Flash Photography rule. Light sabers? Sure. Flash? No.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydGtMIh9TQKuxd2I2q8HB5poHh3GTlIuQA8qt03MlcyV6kwNHLUZSR-OeXrWE_F6OmBiGF60RJ3DLCCqJRbJMpAtwYi0AeqOYmmqL-ZPvRFz80Yh71aSP9DCYKYpgobGBpyhaVDt_14V6/s1600/Jelly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860655564539426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydGtMIh9TQKuxd2I2q8HB5poHh3GTlIuQA8qt03MlcyV6kwNHLUZSR-OeXrWE_F6OmBiGF60RJ3DLCCqJRbJMpAtwYi0AeqOYmmqL-ZPvRFz80Yh71aSP9DCYKYpgobGBpyhaVDt_14V6/s320/Jelly.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We had a minor hiccup at the aquarium and after arriving home and sending them an email - I am expecting them to make the situation right. I won't get into all the details but the ticket person at the will call window decided to argue with me. Obviously he doesn't know to argue with me when I know I am right. And I was. And he wasn't. Nanny, nanny boo boo. Anyways - aren't the sea nettle jellyfish lovely? They have always been my favorites.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXDMdLkXkj67ZIdIc9scGA2Q6YuJng5aHv0Nebi1Bs2ceeFi7bC87eLJy1oJK7gTqPCvz0hCEv-B0PwOUZDOlOZKlqd7MJf6Qh1Z0tAf4o1jW15tsl8xEE_CTYTAnVzWgAEiBQlV8SCS7/s1600/Me.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860647426933218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXDMdLkXkj67ZIdIc9scGA2Q6YuJng5aHv0Nebi1Bs2ceeFi7bC87eLJy1oJK7gTqPCvz0hCEv-B0PwOUZDOlOZKlqd7MJf6Qh1Z0tAf4o1jW15tsl8xEE_CTYTAnVzWgAEiBQlV8SCS7/s320/Me.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Can you see me peeking through? FYI that isn't a smile on my face but a grimace of pain - I backed into this cubby thinking it opened up so I could stand. It didn't. I ended up crawling out on all fours. But hey - don't I look fabu through two panes of aquarium glass and some fishes?</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8I7nUirwuLT7vg04liXhkRd6PUFRCqt33VYc1VjxbKVZoXE2T_Ki7eKIHfs0mCOaXxuENKrhb-d3ycqSIsicfqJ2eurqhKOtbLPfA4S-LfpEcEG5xkdTdPLfNvyEooftAkGrKK-O2OQW/s1600/Shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860641465303746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8I7nUirwuLT7vg04liXhkRd6PUFRCqt33VYc1VjxbKVZoXE2T_Ki7eKIHfs0mCOaXxuENKrhb-d3ycqSIsicfqJ2eurqhKOtbLPfA4S-LfpEcEG5xkdTdPLfNvyEooftAkGrKK-O2OQW/s320/Shark.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This was in the tunnel o fish. I remember when Matt and I were kids and we went to Sea World. We had to sit in a aditorium and watch a video on how safe their tunnel o fish was and how 98 stampeding elephants couldn't break the glass etc. Oh those were the good old days when we feared things. Now? Nuttin'. No warning - you just climb on the conveyor belt and off you go. The nice thing about this aquarium is that you can step off the conveyor belt and hang around and take pictures and such. Which I did because whilst conveying down the belt and looking up to take pictures made me fairly dizzy. </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9T8Mq9gMmiyA4KQhkGlq9MpQ-l40kPyrEZHCF1QtBcgOwxjbKfnCaqdNMsGrHL5AstXabWUuqxD41XBPKiom636BeKRsytBZ6hlUueconWJf0o5ScA7fqUDnkYO2GOqfNe6Ra_GBcrmM/s1600/WaxFrogs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 256px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860636025988194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9T8Mq9gMmiyA4KQhkGlq9MpQ-l40kPyrEZHCF1QtBcgOwxjbKfnCaqdNMsGrHL5AstXabWUuqxD41XBPKiom636BeKRsytBZ6hlUueconWJf0o5ScA7fqUDnkYO2GOqfNe6Ra_GBcrmM/s320/WaxFrogs.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Aren't these little guys adorable? The aquarium has a frog exhibit and they were just so dang cute. I believe these are Wax Face Monkey frogs - or something to that effect.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB6p6buHdjc_vilxGtZNKBAYUd4NrA2Qo9CHagrxiBQCuo8CviexBbkuYVeuMctTB6BW_f6DbJAN7GNYrmAJDgzigzr2MsoduPiAqjm3hXtTynRr3Wo-ZyMba1nZZVcTmZ2r6fIxcUC3b/s1600/Frog2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860313241504898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB6p6buHdjc_vilxGtZNKBAYUd4NrA2Qo9CHagrxiBQCuo8CviexBbkuYVeuMctTB6BW_f6DbJAN7GNYrmAJDgzigzr2MsoduPiAqjm3hXtTynRr3Wo-ZyMba1nZZVcTmZ2r6fIxcUC3b/s320/Frog2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>And this little guy - love him. He is a Milky Way Frog and I just adored his little green toes.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS3tQMcF71GefLCCpJrsh3oiQE1gA7TxP8wP_rFF4N9KANozmEoJVkL5L5IUvb58PPXrdev1DsJTlZOUrG7Gp8MUT-kZ4hLmBZJLlBDb4Fcug6sZ3Sfx7k8IrC72Nz_08hyImzPv5K5La/s1600/Fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860312277569634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS3tQMcF71GefLCCpJrsh3oiQE1gA7TxP8wP_rFF4N9KANozmEoJVkL5L5IUvb58PPXrdev1DsJTlZOUrG7Gp8MUT-kZ4hLmBZJLlBDb4Fcug6sZ3Sfx7k8IrC72Nz_08hyImzPv5K5La/s320/Fish.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>A lionfish - which are some of my favorites as well. I just love the majesty of them. If the fish kingdom had a Cher-like fish - I think this would be it.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5In8JdwP4S09Wt5qBUqnrxNBqTjVXXyGN0gnefapAvEEsOD8wK81QzEB4LiIwpRdRNE1zacklpXO8MfARuzTMmoZdUbgJ-QNvoMA7LTglQSJ8qaYyk6_49xh8f1BFVBU1k77AHpqC2NN/s1600/Crab.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860306658951906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5In8JdwP4S09Wt5qBUqnrxNBqTjVXXyGN0gnefapAvEEsOD8wK81QzEB4LiIwpRdRNE1zacklpXO8MfARuzTMmoZdUbgJ-QNvoMA7LTglQSJ8qaYyk6_49xh8f1BFVBU1k77AHpqC2NN/s320/Crab.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>A happy little crab dude. He had a friend in the tank with him that was up the wall of their tank sleeping. I took his picture as well - but it turned out blurry.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC0Wd-T4_zGXlMv1qjn_z4hipsWvOngou-ux3wweSO1KboJOUK4CNWraapumYdVUVTokumXsS7Xq1wMvzoJ1A4qGyQKH6OJ5G9Gc_QosO18RZL6SjbxNfyqwtl1YpmTgYNoDlUmfJk7Mi/s1600/Closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784860295784576242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC0Wd-T4_zGXlMv1qjn_z4hipsWvOngou-ux3wweSO1KboJOUK4CNWraapumYdVUVTokumXsS7Xq1wMvzoJ1A4qGyQKH6OJ5G9Gc_QosO18RZL6SjbxNfyqwtl1YpmTgYNoDlUmfJk7Mi/s320/Closeup.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>I took this shot in the giant viewing aquarium where all the Darth Vaders above were located. I got off several good shots of him swimming directly towards me. What a beautiful creature.</div><div> </div><p><div>If you can make it to the DragonCon night I would highly suggest you go. The only downside was they weren't showing their 4-d film and the dolphins were swimming but their was no show and with it being night they were hard to see and impossible to photograph. Oh. And eat before you go. The burger, fries and bottle water I bought came to $13.55 *ouch*</div><div> </div><div>~ames<br /></div><div></div><br />Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-36997774361231992472012-09-05T16:49:00.005-04:002012-09-05T17:19:45.560-04:00Mrs. Oh became one of those people at DragonCon<br />Y'all. Buttercup who is a seasoned DragonCon attendee warned me that there would be people at Con who would/might pick apart my costume. That this or that might not be authentic etc. And when I sat in on the Brit Costume Pagaent there was mention of a guy who couldn't find the exact Matt Smith Doctor Who shirt - so he stitched the pinstripes by hand. And another guy has been working with a taylor for over a year on Tennant's Who costume - the brown suit with blue stripes - matching each little stripe up exactly to pictures of Tennant's costume. I thought - boy these people sure are a bit anal about their costumes.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVgA7GfCNXGCMP9ZXO0ZaR6Wd4hw7ee8cpnA2MaHDE8RoE45ofCEDf2zeOMq9YLT7LxWrFsQJHC4mmC3sOKMlXpx3ZTIRTsVeGbMiyj6Nn2ya55t-X4kpFNI7zPuwof3T4cL1W70V4B12/s1600/original+umbridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784799110626171986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVgA7GfCNXGCMP9ZXO0ZaR6Wd4hw7ee8cpnA2MaHDE8RoE45ofCEDf2zeOMq9YLT7LxWrFsQJHC4mmC3sOKMlXpx3ZTIRTsVeGbMiyj6Nn2ya55t-X4kpFNI7zPuwof3T4cL1W70V4B12/s320/original+umbridge.jpg" /></a>So here is the picture I used as my guide for my Dolores Umbridge costume.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyv-FSaCpYGZX9Skc9P0oBBY464_3IZVt6xP0W3EMtbOcN7d7m0z2Bc-bHdmC2eXS-oEwWuipI9VO6iL1aIYWkEXdbzCv3JCQ2OBVq3HeknslwFPS8qg1aHpUKFTt-3CwzqaHOklUAjlN/s1600/Umbridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 188px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784797887117137218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyv-FSaCpYGZX9Skc9P0oBBY464_3IZVt6xP0W3EMtbOcN7d7m0z2Bc-bHdmC2eXS-oEwWuipI9VO6iL1aIYWkEXdbzCv3JCQ2OBVq3HeknslwFPS8qg1aHpUKFTt-3CwzqaHOklUAjlN/s320/Umbridge.jpg" /></a>And here is my end result which I was very happy with. It doesn't match perfectly by any means - but it was close enough and everyone that saw me at Con and prior to Con said it was great. So I decided to enter the Young Lit Costume contest and that is where I became one of those people.</p><p>Now during all of Con walking around in costume I had not seen another Dolores. I heard rumour there was one but at the contest there were three of us! Three. One gal did a spot on job and I loved her costume simply because she found the beautiful pink/brown houndstooth fabric and she sewed her entire costume.</p><p>Then the other Dolores - well - I wasn't too fond of her costume at all. It didn't help that she won honorable mention for accessorizing at the contest and me? Nada. Zip. Nothing. The problem I had was the other Dolores was covered in flowers. Flowers my friends! Her hat? Flowers. Her purse? Flowers. Her shoes? Ballerina slippers with flowers on them. Her jacket? Flowers! I suppose the judges never read or saw the Harry Potter books/movies because I don't recall Dolores ever wearing flowers. I likened it to Darth Vader wearing flowers. It just ain't right. I did find a picture of the flowery Dolores but I didn't want to post it as to twerk her off. This post is enough! lol</p><p>While I was disappointed I didn't win anything - Tobey was pretty upset as well. But the most important part was that I had a blast wearing that costume. Because we entered the costume contest we received wrist bands to enter the Yule Ball early. Chewie got sick and he and Peanut didn't attend and Tobey was at a panel. So I was left to my own devices and went into the character as best I could.</p><p>I walked around separating 'students' that were dancing too close. My favorite line was to tell the students, "No, no no! No booootay dancing!" Which usually ended up with the kids asking me how they should dance and I would do my best Carlton for them and reminding them that dance was more of an attitude then anything else.</p><p>One of the other contestants who went as one of the Weasley twins asked if they could borrow my hat at the ball. So later on I let my hat be borrowed and when the twin came to return it I played along chasing Fred or George around the dance floor yelling, "Weasley, give me my hat! My hat! My hat!" - someone took some video of that bit and I expect it to be up on youtube one day. God help me.</p><p>I also reported to several Dumbledore's at the Ball about all the shenanigans going on on the dance floor and every cute guy I saw I approached them and said I saw them eyeballing all of me and I was sorry I couldn't dance with them because I was chaperoning. Personally I think I made a fabulous Dolores even if I didn't get any honorable mentions at the Ball about my costume.</p><p>Oh. And I did do the bump with a Tom Baker Doctor Who!</p><p>Flowers. Eh gads. </p><p>~ame</p>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-4663571935375232902012-09-04T08:35:00.002-04:002012-09-04T09:18:54.737-04:00A Dodgey ConY'all. There are moments in your life you will treasure forever. The birth of your children. Your wedding. Meeting <em>the</em> prop master from Doctor Who Nick Robatto. For those of you who aren't Doctor Who fans you may want to skip this post...there will be a lot of squeeeing on my part.<br /><br />On Saturday I sat in on a panel about Brit Costuming. Yes, I dressed as my version of Harry Potter's Dolores Umbridge. On the panel was Nick and he discussed how Matt Smith broke the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver only moments after Nick delivered it to the set. He also showed off some of his other creations and mentioned that he had a shop set up in the merchandise rooms.<br /><br />The panel was set to show off your costume you created or bought. The room was packed and hosts called out people from the audience to come up front and discuss their costumes. The room was filled with Doctor Who characters and I was certain I would not get selected. But. I was!<br /><br />So I described what I did to make my costume, my hat (which was one of Tobey's baseball caps that I ripped apart and embellished and my wand that I made from a piece of paper and 4 sticks of hot glue. A special thanks to Peanut who sent me a uTube link on the how to - sorry I can't find the link at the moment - Google it :)<br /><br />Anyways. My wand got passed around the panel and to some of the audience members and everyone oohhhed and awwwed over it. After the panel was over I had several picture requests and got several comments from folks about how funny and great my presentation was. I tried to get to the front to see Nick and his toys but it was too crowded so I left. And I went to the merch shops to look for Nick's shop - come to find out I had walked past it about 4 millions times and never noticed it before.<br /><br />One of the items Nick mentioned in the panel was a watch he made based on the Vortex Manipulator design. And he had them in his shop. For $119. *gulp* I thought "when am I going to get a chance like this again?" - so I bought one and it is the coolest thing ever. Ever! Oh, did I mention that Nick was back at his shop? Well he was. He came up for a chat while I was picking out my watch and asked to see my wand because he didn't get a chance to see it at the panel. So <em>the</em> prop master from Doctor Who checked out my wand and he had nothing but praise for it *squeeee*<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8PIJnICmP3OfuR8UrYdo6Hwww-668yYlg1oglghULCruVkzhppboPhfjAp3MWHUyNYix06HNaHEnGXaee43ujiS42T2eS5v4pLVJJNMYvQrd8xeZvkWn3EYnvC7hi604R1HZSIP3YVKw/s1600/Wand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784300792153435474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8PIJnICmP3OfuR8UrYdo6Hwww-668yYlg1oglghULCruVkzhppboPhfjAp3MWHUyNYix06HNaHEnGXaee43ujiS42T2eS5v4pLVJJNMYvQrd8xeZvkWn3EYnvC7hi604R1HZSIP3YVKw/s320/Wand.jpg" /></a><br /><br />He gave my watch a once over before it was to be packaged up and wouldn't you know it the thing had a 'dodgey rivet' and would I mind if he fixed it? Um. THE prop master from Doctor Who wants to fix my watch! Sure - go ahead - take your time Mr. Prop Master from Doctor Who!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMHx9SEQUqdZvzgxbn-VuqU6rsYpxC2tGyp_UseDPPX2qJikpYGDNkn-HGnk386IHljA-f_y_IUpsHMd_Y_yYFgkH985ejGrGvTCJYCtjvaKvqQH8ZtpaXvR5SxE-DYwHs17y7rCMoXZ1/s1600/NickWatch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784300784342223170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMHx9SEQUqdZvzgxbn-VuqU6rsYpxC2tGyp_UseDPPX2qJikpYGDNkn-HGnk386IHljA-f_y_IUpsHMd_Y_yYFgkH985ejGrGvTCJYCtjvaKvqQH8ZtpaXvR5SxE-DYwHs17y7rCMoXZ1/s320/NickWatch.jpg" /></a>So here he is fixing that blasted dodgey rivet. When I took the pic he asked if his eyes came out red - it must be a problem for him! About 15 minutes later he had the rivet problem solved and brought the watch back to the counter. He showed me how it worked I inquired if it had a instruction booklet and he said yes. Then. Then he asked if I would like him to set it for me. Um. THE prop master from Doctor Who wants to set my watch! Sure!! He pulls out his iphone and sets my watch to his time and I asked if I could get a picture with him and he obliged.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLG5FWJifhsTS6XdVHul0wgtKV_P3v87gpzsCdQzIlr9SHyhk28MHfcyH6jKhtkFln8rkFDfml9qFXtAJLEahTIRK5Q9WisyBREQ2DEScYf5MLRkWtAZU15boXH0LSsKJ4EVvqqymvBIO/s1600/MeandNick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784300775766942690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLG5FWJifhsTS6XdVHul0wgtKV_P3v87gpzsCdQzIlr9SHyhk28MHfcyH6jKhtkFln8rkFDfml9qFXtAJLEahTIRK5Q9WisyBREQ2DEScYf5MLRkWtAZU15boXH0LSsKJ4EVvqqymvBIO/s320/MeandNick.jpg" /></a>And here we are. Me and Nick Robatto. I told him he made my Con and he blushed and I was all fan girl about the whole situation. I am nothing but cool under pressure wearing a wool suit in 90 degree weather.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1RXo-7-davRw5b5xVokFJKAroAFZO9Z_RCG21LeHskMd0zWodLxKycSIt4JIHuKJvxsC-1Cy5FpPE0KognyAB-0NHSCKv4OReJUqIFUyaLSWQoWlnPVdSCNf0u3jCQ3xG0JmzYg_i74n/s1600/Watch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784300799341104610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1RXo-7-davRw5b5xVokFJKAroAFZO9Z_RCG21LeHskMd0zWodLxKycSIt4JIHuKJvxsC-1Cy5FpPE0KognyAB-0NHSCKv4OReJUqIFUyaLSWQoWlnPVdSCNf0u3jCQ3xG0JmzYg_i74n/s320/Watch.jpg" /></a><br />And finally I was able to get out of my costume and Tobey snapped this picture of me, a hot sweaty mess, with my new Vortex Manipulator Watch. And let me tell you friends - it is the coolest thing on the planet. When I showed it to my brother Matt Damon yesterday he said you had to have a math degree to be able to tell the time. I'll try and snap a pic of the thing all lit up - that is once I get unpacked (almost done) and I have all the laundry washed (almost done) and I rest up a bit (will need weeks to recover).<br /><br />Oh and here is the link to Nick's store - from there you can also get to his Etsy store:<br /><a href="http://rubbertoerayguns.com/">Rubbertoe Rayguns</a><br /><br />~ame<br /><br />Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-65901516475623645392012-08-30T22:26:00.008-04:002012-08-30T23:51:27.698-04:00Dragon Con - The Pre-registration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNrrdZTKHMnAxhzjUepJJFwUX5JpVo2Ebm9BO2tsO9vtR3gg3bbDLrnZwlsyBobSBwDZa8CFXGdETY85n7IP1MbLqTMTy8wptlE6l6WOgPQzjRJHwyuC1bM_hQpUKJnU7wuW7Q3D_J1j0/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782666973824921074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNrrdZTKHMnAxhzjUepJJFwUX5JpVo2Ebm9BO2tsO9vtR3gg3bbDLrnZwlsyBobSBwDZa8CFXGdETY85n7IP1MbLqTMTy8wptlE6l6WOgPQzjRJHwyuC1bM_hQpUKJnU7wuW7Q3D_J1j0/s320/IMG_1206.JPG" /></a><center>Peanut looking for the secret Coca-Cola recipe...</center><br /><div><br />Wednesday after work we headed for the bright lights and big city of Atlanta for the much anticipated <a href="http://dragoncon.org">Dragon Con</a> 2012. We stopped in Valdosta at the midway point in our drive and continued on to our destination this morning.<br /><br />So without further adieu (because I am wiped out) here are some random pics of our day:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi2g0mcQcDTI0TwpNteOtEgRAG6GpSN6Z45DVau4logGOTzZ1uEYce_dB_QLgJ_KmVFKaMb1Sf4u6s-VlDSTuAHND8G_brz7B6n1GiHI6GkQqR-eks8MYGxt6Ygb8n6xophW6xhzN6UKm/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782660229675685826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi2g0mcQcDTI0TwpNteOtEgRAG6GpSN6Z45DVau4logGOTzZ1uEYce_dB_QLgJ_KmVFKaMb1Sf4u6s-VlDSTuAHND8G_brz7B6n1GiHI6GkQqR-eks8MYGxt6Ygb8n6xophW6xhzN6UKm/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" /></a><p align="center">The view from the hotel's pool.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislK0yqNQRNwUvrIML6d0tUhl3edpY4guINm0cqLz38uYSckwqw5NlgWF78ch1y80BX-UoIBHZ0u1HWOmCMPO-eYJmj8Yq3OIk3YvfaMcuwg-dNwtznMAzInYaXKjVzh1EcNB_IZFu9fFw/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782660219369235298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislK0yqNQRNwUvrIML6d0tUhl3edpY4guINm0cqLz38uYSckwqw5NlgWF78ch1y80BX-UoIBHZ0u1HWOmCMPO-eYJmj8Yq3OIk3YvfaMcuwg-dNwtznMAzInYaXKjVzh1EcNB_IZFu9fFw/s320/IMG_1272.JPG" /></a><center>Tobey cooling off after a dip in the spa.</center><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6WsyMWzTjUj1VIx-JFu1WNGoQsKCq2XEVVCDie9PYa5lVKwi-NPK0mLRCCF1EF-5Ooeaqgt_uggp9a5Fg3Gavv_GLtrNdYCaZdEh5QbA08dXzE13b6U5XGdxOlFuQcypSAeC9B1PcmGS/s1600/Kidscoke.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782660210820123346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6WsyMWzTjUj1VIx-JFu1WNGoQsKCq2XEVVCDie9PYa5lVKwi-NPK0mLRCCF1EF-5Ooeaqgt_uggp9a5Fg3Gavv_GLtrNdYCaZdEh5QbA08dXzE13b6U5XGdxOlFuQcypSAeC9B1PcmGS/s320/Kidscoke.JPG" /></a>The kids at the World of Coke - where they sampled all 60 flavored sodas from around the world. Whatever you do - don't try the Beverly from Italy. Battery. Acid. Blech!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1GFnR-yqsPKUVqKClHztRUDIiS2qwXGy755qo9CuANldyIFgtuTG0xBq95gPDlKrn8zMtvdnbvLJCYsOz0uroLScRctKJOnwnp3YBIx9J6pVVRgkhNI9r4VOdyVITjpKPWKM8sAZK8BM/s1600/BearKids.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782660205148418930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1GFnR-yqsPKUVqKClHztRUDIiS2qwXGy755qo9CuANldyIFgtuTG0xBq95gPDlKrn8zMtvdnbvLJCYsOz0uroLScRctKJOnwnp3YBIx9J6pVVRgkhNI9r4VOdyVITjpKPWKM8sAZK8BM/s320/BearKids.JPG" /></a></p><center>The kids with the Coca Cola polar bear.</center><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pNa2brBOd6FCk-CHKyo-vOGzbg1CmY2zIex2pY036DruPMjGZuVXTgdTXYlfTaqAdDlobtI6x123ZdwSKnVF-wBqERYpLFvY-SDk5A42iwWtt-mvyEJjTOfqn0AfKncVluGUouzLSRSA/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782664609707593490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pNa2brBOd6FCk-CHKyo-vOGzbg1CmY2zIex2pY036DruPMjGZuVXTgdTXYlfTaqAdDlobtI6x123ZdwSKnVF-wBqERYpLFvY-SDk5A42iwWtt-mvyEJjTOfqn0AfKncVluGUouzLSRSA/s320/IMG_1258.JPG" /></a><center>In Centennial Park.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY14vRodR3AONLl_c4r57PL0i0pZ3soRgrFCCB1dq9t_6SodGAYhxTI_gK8KaEWpU7rIjjFNq0OYg_JjH8g_ojhywvpA16Wj8ZzETfRLKmUrMoC39JKtCGIiVHdu3EmDjlzVD3jX-OcQe/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782664601947312162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY14vRodR3AONLl_c4r57PL0i0pZ3soRgrFCCB1dq9t_6SodGAYhxTI_gK8KaEWpU7rIjjFNq0OYg_JjH8g_ojhywvpA16Wj8ZzETfRLKmUrMoC39JKtCGIiVHdu3EmDjlzVD3jX-OcQe/s320/IMG_1295.JPG" /></a><center>The warnings for the pool/spa. I ignored them!</center><center> </center><div align="left">When we arrived the line outside the hotel was minimal. We got in line and security told us to skip the line and head inside because Jamie was in a wheelchair. We decided not to skip the line since it was so short. We had arrived a few minutes after 11 a.m. and it took about 30 minutes for us to get our badges. Chewie and Peanut went into the Disabled Services line and only waited about 10 minutes. Yehaw. Peanut was given a handout about not to expect preferential treatment because she is in a wheelchair. And that if anyone is rude to her about getting special setting etc - to ignore them. *ahem*</div><p><div align="left"> </div><br /><p><br /><div align="left">After we were all badged up the kids and I decided to visit the merchandise store which consisted of a window that sold lanyards, t-shirts, magnets and the like. We waited in line for about an hour and had moved about 15 feet and still were a good hour or two away from the window. I personally couldn't understand what was taking so long as they had four cashiers. Really how long does it take to pick out a t-shirt. </div><div align="left"> </div><p><div align="left">Once we made the final turn one of the Con reps told us to head to the front of the line and to see a specific cashier - because Peanut was in a wheelchair. So we did. And oh my holy hell.</div><div align="left"> </div><p><div align="left">We were called to the front and a woman in line began to complain loudly about us cutting in line and how she had been in line for an hour etc. I quickly grabbed the four lanyards we needed for our badges and looked at the woman and pointed to Peanut. Which apparently didn't impress her much.</div><p><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I paid and told the kids to leave. One of the Con reps told me to ignore the complaining lady. As you can imagine....I did just the opposite. I hoped I was out of earshot of Peanut and after my purchase walked to this 'woman' and told her that I really appreciated how she treated my daughter who has spina bifida. Can you believe this cow replied with, "You could have waited in line!" I advised her that we had waited in line for an hour and that we were told to go to the front of the line. She said, "that's fine - but you could have waited in line!" So yeah. I followed the Wheelchair Guidelines and didn't call her a few choice names.</div><div align="left"> </div><p><div align="left">And we get outside and Peanut started to cry saying that in the six years she has been wheelchair bound she has never had anyone treat her that way. Which made me want to find that woman and give her a few more pieces of my mind. </div><div align="left"> </div><p><div align="left">Later on in the afternoon we had to skip through a business building in search of an elevator and can you believe the security lady there let us in and was very nice. And we all thanked her for being so nice. Which seems to be lacking thus far on this trip.</div><div align="left"> </div><p><div align="left">But onwards. We closed our day with dinner at Johnny Rockets and some time in the pool and spa. I'm totally beat and we get to get up early again tomorrow. Did I mention I was up at 5 a.m. this morning? ;)</div><p><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I'll post more tomorrow and I can't wait for you to see our costumes!</div><div align="left"> </div><p><div align="left">~ame</div><div align="left"> </div><br /></div><br />Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-83066360069912209262012-07-02T17:32:00.004-04:002012-07-02T17:50:28.159-04:00Mrs. Oh and the blog police<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiF1gLvLCXmrHk3Td8XDEL4KVbpsyhtU0SvwI_EaCo9UFJAW9zMOnh9DI1-iEaAhGTSZtR8bDTqHFJ2KkJsB8hSDVoRYG7PnOE_CNyja_KDXdECdwKaOkpo8k2PFX_MIY834Ttjx5Bqr3/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760688549968027858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiF1gLvLCXmrHk3Td8XDEL4KVbpsyhtU0SvwI_EaCo9UFJAW9zMOnh9DI1-iEaAhGTSZtR8bDTqHFJ2KkJsB8hSDVoRYG7PnOE_CNyja_KDXdECdwKaOkpo8k2PFX_MIY834Ttjx5Bqr3/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" /></a><div align="center">MJ and me</div><br /><p>So the blog police called and wanted to know what was up. I think I have set a personal record of not blogging - and that wasn't my intention. It was a little chaotic here for a while and now it is blissfully quiet...<br /><p><div>The above picture was taken during our trip back home and I never got around to uploading it with my last post. </div><div> </div><p><div>Not long after our trip - around the first week or so of May - Frodo and Buttercup moved into their own apartment! During the same week Tobey spent a few days in Pennsylvania on a business trip and he took a few extra days to visit with Barbie in Connecticutt.</div><div> </div><p><div>Moving Frodo to his new second floor apartment was a joy let me tell you. It didn't help that since he and Butter only had a bedroom full of stuff to move I assumed they didn't have much to actually move. Wrong. And what did I do? I rented a tiny little truck from U-haul for the move. So instead of making one trip we ended up making 3 or 4 trips. </div><p><div> </div><div>The move not only involved moving them out of the house but also involved moving all the things from Mamma that I had in storage. If I ever see a set of stairs again....</div><div> </div><p><div>So Tobey went on his trip and in the evenings Chewie and I unloaded our 10x15 storage locker. Then we had to find a place in the house for all that <strike>junk</strike> stuff. It was a fun week. But some how we got everything tucked away and it sure is a weight off of our shoulders with no longer having a storage bin! Yay us!</div><div> </div><p><div>Then with Frodo moving out Chewie and Nappy finally after 19 years they have their own rooms. Now the boys' room was always a mess. A wreck really and each blamed the other for the mess. It was interesting to see what happened once they got their own rooms. While their rooms aren't up to my standards of order - I have to give it to Nappy - his room usually is the more cleaner of the two rooms. </div><div> </div><p><div> I suppose all of that isn't really a reason not to blog but there you have it. I would say I will do better - but you know me ;)</div><div> </div><p><div>~ames</div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-25305920367599830702012-04-13T23:05:00.003-04:002012-04-13T23:52:12.849-04:00Groundhog's Day<div>A close family friend of mine is terminally ill. She came back to my hometown to say her good-byes so Tobey and I drove up for the weekend. I think this trip home has really solidified that this little town isn't home anymore. </div><div> </div><div>At least that is what I have felt this entire trip. Things have changed so much and do each time I come back and traffic is worse and I don't know but it just is different somehow.</div><div> </div><div>I got to spend a few hours with my friend of 20+ years and will be seeing her again tomorrow. We lunched and dined with my baby brother Matt Damon, Lil Martha and their daughter Pork Chop. I also stopped by to see a cousin I haven't seen in almost 30 years and I am hoping that relationship will be rekindled and I hope he enjoys the CD I burned of family photos from my Mom and Grandma. </div><div> </div><div>We also made our usual trek to see Momma. As I pulled into the cemetery I was already in tears and I have no idea why. I mean really - how many dang trips have we gone out there in the last 7 years. By the time we parked I was in a full on floodfest. I had bought a new angel statue to put on her headstone and I just sat on the little bench be brought down years ago and I cried and cried.</div><div> </div><div>And all I could think of was how I felt that first day we were there. The day we buried her and how I felt then. How if it were up to me I would have laid right down on top of that grave and never moved. And that is how I felt today. If it weren't for Tobey I really think that is exactly what I would have done. Just laid down there and cried until I didn't have a tear left in me. </div><div> </div><div>Then we walked to my grandparents and great grandparents graves which are 97 steps from Mom's grave. My great Aunt passed away in December and she is buried one row from the grands. The ground hadn't healed yet and that sight of that newly dug grave just made things worse. I told Tobey maybe his parents did it right - just be cremated then there is no place for silly girls to go and blubber.</div><div> </div><div>So. It seems if I take a few steps away from this grief I always ended up back to square one. I did the math today. From the time Momma died until today - we have lost 9 people in our family. A little over one a year or thereabouts. I am really ready to have a few years where no one else dies but I think as I get older it is only going to get worse. </div><div> </div><div>But on the good side of things and hey - props to me for even thinking of a good side. It was great to spend time with friends and family. It is way overdue for Tobey and I to spend some time together and we are enjoying it immensely. We also were able to use our frequent hotel miles and got a great discount on our room and even received an upgrade to a suite at check-in!</div><div> </div><div>~ame</div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-89888972576551353542012-03-16T01:12:00.001-04:002012-03-16T01:12:00.236-04:00The big Conunlike the Wrath of Khan....<br /><br />Tickets have been purchased. Hotel rooms booked. And I am beyond excited.<br /><br />We'll be going with Frodo and Buttercup to <a href="http://dragoncon.org/">Dragon Con</a> in Atlanta during Labor Day weekend. We are really going with Frodo and Butter - but they will be there and so will Tobey and I. Anyways.<br /><br /> Butter and Frodo are dressing up as Ursula and King Triton from Disney's The Little Mermaid and while this is my first costume (complete with animatronic purring/walking kitty):<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnb3RIDGd_3V05h4YAvinuS3CgGfxWB57a6cY0LSD9quilx1tUnCl1EN8Yd4WUVHLU9QFGGlYUn-Tza_dEuyJ5EubziO7r_5-mP4Z92UK5HBsjh03Mlz9KtpyLSsU1oa9PpW3yHySDnZF/s1600/Dolores_Umbridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 230px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720328714107858258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnb3RIDGd_3V05h4YAvinuS3CgGfxWB57a6cY0LSD9quilx1tUnCl1EN8Yd4WUVHLU9QFGGlYUn-Tza_dEuyJ5EubziO7r_5-mP4Z92UK5HBsjh03Mlz9KtpyLSsU1oa9PpW3yHySDnZF/s320/Dolores_Umbridge.jpg" /></a><p align="center">Harry Potter's Dolores Umbridge<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx8sogfwt6h_C4_-9AHz3LgwCT5Df6U1v6BYnF9cHxE-4gh4mvpZMrqfD6GvfPgadD4XTmjpP-5XiaI3Kw9u3PWZRCT954zp4DChe_hS0WmIcmFzi-CM06gRTL8mSl35v05bQz8W2CVpU/s1600/Flounder-and-Sebastian-little-mermaid-ariels-beginning-1602539-485-324.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720328710277061314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx8sogfwt6h_C4_-9AHz3LgwCT5Df6U1v6BYnF9cHxE-4gh4mvpZMrqfD6GvfPgadD4XTmjpP-5XiaI3Kw9u3PWZRCT954zp4DChe_hS0WmIcmFzi-CM06gRTL8mSl35v05bQz8W2CVpU/s320/Flounder-and-Sebastian-little-mermaid-ariels-beginning-1602539-485-324.jpg" /></a></p><br />I thought it would be cool to put together a costume that complements the kids' costumes - so I am going to attempt to make myself into Flounder with Sebastian on top. I'll be sure to blog our progress.<br /><br />~ameMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-86392563041332378982012-03-15T18:45:00.002-04:002012-03-15T19:07:30.650-04:00College and Onion Rings and the likeSweet swirling onion rings my friends. If there are any left who read me as my posts have been sporadic at best.<br /><br />There is just SO much going on that there is no time left to <strike>gripe</strike> blog about it.<br /><br />First up is work. Meh! I can't discuss it but trust me it isn't good and I am fed up. The sad thing is that after dedicating almost 7 years with this job - in the end: I don't matter one little bit.<br /><br />Second up: Barbie. She has rashly decided to hitch her wagon to her on again and off again boyfriend's wagon and move to Connecticut. Which would be fine if there relationship wasn't a roller coaster of every other month break ups. And it would lessen our worries if she went up there with the funds to be able to support herself if something bad happened - like they break up yet again. But she doesn't and she doesn't seem to mind it - so I guess I shouldn't worry at all. Right?<br /><br />Third. I just got back from the local college. My third trip up in as many weeks regarding Chewie. Chewie just found out that three weeks ago he was dropped from all of his classes again. If you are counting this is the fourth time he has been dropped. His teacher took role today - and he was on the list. But again: dropped THREE weeks ago and he was notified of it when? Today.<br /><br />The reason you are wondering, as was I, is because he didn't attend the first week of classes. Well. Duh. He didn't attended because the college dropped his classes twice that first week. So how on earth can you drop someone who wasn't even registered at the point you are holding them accountable for being in class? <br /><br />We get told his loan didn't go through because his classes were dropped. And he can't get it reinstated until he gets reregistered. Which he has to email all of his teachers and ask for them to add him back in and if not then he has to go to the department chairs. We were told he really needs to see an advisor but there aren't any working when we were there on the day they stay open late. Which begs the question of "Why stay open late if there is no one there to help the students out?"<br /><br />After this bombshell and whilst Chewie is frantically emailing his teacher - he gets a call saying his loan is fine and all he has to do is get the teachers to add him back in. The kicker to all of this is that the kid has been turning in assignments, taking tests and going to class the whole dang time. And when I say dang I mean dang. Actuallly... I mean something else altogether.<br /><br />Yanno that movie Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood and that cutie pie Mario Van Peebles? The scene (I think) after the battle where some big wig military type asks Clint's character what he thinks of the whole mess and Clint comes back that it is a ****bad word***. Yeah. I have dropped the word so many times while at the college. There is NO communication between the departments and having the students run around and fix the problems that the college is/has created in insane. <br /><br />Considering last time they told us we had to physically go to another campus and speak with the department chair to get the original mess cleaned up - AND - after I pitched a fit saying 'we' didn't need to go anywhere since 'they' already said this mess was all of their fault - AND - miracuously they were able to fix all the problems 5 minutes after that..... I have zero tolerance for the runaround Chewie is getting.<br /><br />I am sure they are all excited there to know that I register for classes on March 28th. The joy. I can't wait. <br /><br />So my whole "I'ma live a stress free life since yanno I had those two heart attacks last year!" - well<br />that isn't working out like I planned. <br /><br />~ameMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-41349874516881319012012-02-29T17:43:00.002-05:002012-02-29T17:48:39.392-05:00RIP DavyWhen I got home today I asked Tobey if he had heard that Davy Jones died. He hadn't. Then there was much discussion about who actually sang Daydream Believer. Tobey said it was Micky Dolenz. Ha. So I pulled up the video and proved myself right:<br /><br /><div align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nU615FaODCg" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br /><br />And then I realized. I married the drummer from the Monkees:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWMOO3Fdp4On4L0HXwJZBOrER5xSaFTcbQh3Zf4OFPADYy9xNjFXCLKIS53jpeZjbklDQhKUpv2Ao_14CYfXnS0KuW2W7rm4UMJ5ucItPlev6de0UxVH4p2gC0jwQooLq8SG8qnCH3-VH/s1600/TobeyDolenz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 249px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714692333426807842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWMOO3Fdp4On4L0HXwJZBOrER5xSaFTcbQh3Zf4OFPADYy9xNjFXCLKIS53jpeZjbklDQhKUpv2Ao_14CYfXnS0KuW2W7rm4UMJ5ucItPlev6de0UxVH4p2gC0jwQooLq8SG8qnCH3-VH/s320/TobeyDolenz.jpg" /></a><br />Is that Tobey or Micky Dolenz?<br /><br />And dang it all friends - I have laughed and laughed and laughed over this. Tobey? Not so much.<br /><br />~amesMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-80295909092212372102012-02-24T12:36:00.009-05:002012-02-24T13:17:09.705-05:00Presidential Camping Palooza<div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757683605773410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Ekbsm23ez7JBiAMAxrw2CLxJCwC64jyjcJz-uB5yXxb5LzU3UkRhukWXrozRX84QIHIW6ofOyFH_B82WQYzNLIZ9SlIOaPtM8aDox-sQTS56mFrzBKXzhIzcGURhwqOxhcr1tEae5fo/s320/fw5.jpg" border="0" />Last weekend we loaded up the truck and the Challenger and headed off on our annual Presidents' Day camping trip. Chewie's girlfriend, Tater Tot, came along for the fun. She had never been camping before and boy was she in for a treat. This year we went to <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/fallingwaters/default.cfm">Falling Waters State Park</a> which is about an hour west of Tallahassee and about six hours from home. Which reminds me - it has now been a year since we <strike>adbucted</strike> rescued <a href="http://mrsohtobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/mrs-oh-and-elvis-dog-aka-pete.html">Pete</a> from the wilds of Ocala on last year's camping trip. Happy Anniversary Sweety Petey Boy!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757696960714978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrtpwVmolCqUBUe2sCtUvTgZmtxhB5qOaU5sq3avvwXwTfTelELNtyyyUtrphEXUhllxQPIX6dK2e4L_pTkDGFxueKiRl9FghsZDF_2TLEtjXbTRqStlbOvGrU39k62eE7O9ao8XKnH9C/s320/fw8.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Tobey, Chewie, Tater Tot and Nappy</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">With the six hour drive and stopping for breakfast and lunch and all - we arrived around 4:30 and got to setting up the camp. Everyone was so tired from the drive and the set up that we all retired to our tents after the sun went down.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757806495959122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCchATVyb2J95d5F2FV51Pj_1BEaCRQ-ov0yLVd7UxcbKZv6oxEJbSxnuOiB_arfYvhm19OT0I1tcDfyZrlNJ0fF9fG_RkwJCh1SSFULVn6ff43b80O6u4pvtW44-20MlgRyYP5UmkVyO-/s320/FW.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">The next morning we headed over to the Falls.<br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757690013292226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YCbXgXqxjFFUWqC3lx_Bc5GuHqYjxOxs3Zrmz9lg-FzrTCV95MbdZ04_v8h-KtKQEgC2gFKTGtxppWe27U8CvSru9XfBsuiCXW1AVNKq0wxeRXFWJrGxPiUJjjbtUpAc5_cyzox0d4ZJ/s320/fw7.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">Tater Tot and Chewie<br /><br />The reason I chose this spot to camp was because Falling Waters boasts the highest waterfall in Florida. And of course the 'falls' depends on the amount of rainfall the area has received of late.<br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757685831842514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh0G8VCM_vHxZlcNeshZSwFS5enJ_FXn3L5rppzmcewFGaMAS5F4-Ja0e3qTqLtrobuNmzDLDJPf7Yu3o4pwDuNUQI8duc_knPhcV4WMn1cHZ86FE9rdcNKQkNVd9I_5M5zZ2Ose98oGB/s320/fw6.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">The whole gang</p><br /><p align="justify">Now the weather forecast hinted at having a few showers. Alas that was not to be. We had a monsoon! The rain was so bad you could barely see your hand in front of your face.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757802607943682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEPqEqMb6Xf-NC6z5KmIG5MsXTlyHmwouYNgu20A7P_oEo94i84RtYFGZuCUKDs3pYH00MJpihyphenhyphenPzESlGgpMVggUD4GO1kT-jh2G1fcdnnoEBSaOoiKV-umb7WTPir_CxzVDuX9D3Tqb8/s320/fw9.jpg" border="0" /> And it knocked down the gazebo.</p><br /><p>The firepit was surrounded by a two foot moat and every tent was flooded out. I had left my keys out and Chewie left his phone out and luckily despite finding them both in a puddle - they survived. Most of Sunday morning I spent at the local laundramat - good times. I have never seen so much camo and so many folks sportin' mullets in my life.</p><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LesG8HfBk7T8YtTBZS9paoMujPHaPzaVjVKYubvC4wKs4m4FPlzsNVR1Cx1i9xYErPFaCMxUaBFCeBEyNlI5Li6m1Y3tjbBGchxeDOv8FpYLS4jKd-VORZbXIP7CqGzqAVB0dcnsX77y/s1600/fw4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757570637902770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LesG8HfBk7T8YtTBZS9paoMujPHaPzaVjVKYubvC4wKs4m4FPlzsNVR1Cx1i9xYErPFaCMxUaBFCeBEyNlI5Li6m1Y3tjbBGchxeDOv8FpYLS4jKd-VORZbXIP7CqGzqAVB0dcnsX77y/s320/fw4.jpg" border="0" /></a> Later on we strolled down to the little lake and here is Tobey being as serious as ever.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXshSvHMcnqtS27cPejKJMj-rkeMvGNaWSZWnGF8H0Z5Xg5GHcKJF4yFhVrfWNPUPllnVQtkIGYuV20-_gOm6Q9ObIevpzZfnp-VEv9RVOf6GvhFY0OVkhfwrLcjVnZx_RgD1Kij1Bpq9d/s1600/FW3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757568922225970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXshSvHMcnqtS27cPejKJMj-rkeMvGNaWSZWnGF8H0Z5Xg5GHcKJF4yFhVrfWNPUPllnVQtkIGYuV20-_gOm6Q9ObIevpzZfnp-VEv9RVOf6GvhFY0OVkhfwrLcjVnZx_RgD1Kij1Bpq9d/s320/FW3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Despite the trails looking to be pretty flat for Tater Tot - they were anything but and Chewie did some minor carrying of his lady and the guys took turns pushing her up and down the trail stairs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSZr9mmzItAJZLCO-E8k3sCkfHZQyammqTX1FGENycmCNfGas-yckag6ifsKMenavYef2SbcCnHDcDzspqoDSlfeWDKFBgNOOHZiXnK5Ot_102H6fOvCCK-dIcZyP-s1F1Fw2WLDwcl6i/s1600/fw2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712757564637733122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSZr9mmzItAJZLCO-E8k3sCkfHZQyammqTX1FGENycmCNfGas-yckag6ifsKMenavYef2SbcCnHDcDzspqoDSlfeWDKFBgNOOHZiXnK5Ot_102H6fOvCCK-dIcZyP-s1F1Fw2WLDwcl6i/s320/fw2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our final night was freezing cold. Remembering freezing our butts off last year in this neck of the woods - I brought electric blankets this time and we managed to stay nice and toasty. Tater Tot introduced us to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_10">Phase 10</a> and we played some Uno as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaIYs4xfnPBrtqaInEOc05RuNxHla5TEJNDBnhVkPAdj04cOqIzQtN4ZNtlGgytJAw1AiM283ZdfCrwIYzK4J-cPmdCriS7snWb52q5uYcTSZ6HK9FEj4AVFbQ4I9HDbJmUv6cSBwAqbq/s1600/fws.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712765644920048258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaIYs4xfnPBrtqaInEOc05RuNxHla5TEJNDBnhVkPAdj04cOqIzQtN4ZNtlGgytJAw1AiM283ZdfCrwIYzK4J-cPmdCriS7snWb52q5uYcTSZ6HK9FEj4AVFbQ4I9HDbJmUv6cSBwAqbq/s320/fws.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh and the s'mores. Tater Tot really liked the s'mores. Chewie even accidently invented a new s'more. It was nighttime and he really couldn't see what he was doing. They decided to make a double decker s'more with a Cookies n Cream chocolate bar and a Hershey bar. Only Chewie left the chocolate bar on the outside and the graham cracker on the inside when he constructed it. Tater didn't complain though - she loved her some s'mores!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>~ame</div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-73207201391260232402012-02-15T22:10:00.002-05:002012-02-15T22:36:47.677-05:00Who's the cool kid now eh?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4XnR-YBXQ0oF-7WL-a_PIMJldlFTqDt1GEDifOAc3-eIuWPoLdJ6PfLtL1NkckUk6okCwmBrITkNATtUULMlJIOKwFgSeEwPsWQezq2XNVzIOT_G6-NcdpX4yQGpD86l-lohcEbGNU6Q/s1600/Challenger.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709565738063732626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4XnR-YBXQ0oF-7WL-a_PIMJldlFTqDt1GEDifOAc3-eIuWPoLdJ6PfLtL1NkckUk6okCwmBrITkNATtUULMlJIOKwFgSeEwPsWQezq2XNVzIOT_G6-NcdpX4yQGpD86l-lohcEbGNU6Q/s320/Challenger.jpg" /></a><br />The Shrekmobile got new tires today for our President's Day Camping Extravaganza this weekend. Of course they told us everything else that was wrong with Shrek and since he is getting up there in years and miles - we decided to go and <em>look</em> at new cars. Pft. Every time we go and look we end up with a new car.<br /><br />Initially we were looking at downsizing from the Grand Caravan to a small SUV. Which I can't type. I always type in SVU - where's Stabler? We test drove a few - a Dodge Journey and a Durango. But man - they had these Challengers on the lot too. The whole idea about getting a SUV was so we would have enough room to put all of our camping junk. But - the SVU...dang...SUV would be too small for that and we would always have to take the truck with us as well. <br /><br />The theory goes that if we have to take two cars camping then why not actually get a car instead of a SUV. So. We did.<br /><br />And friends - I really dislike car salesman. We decided to trade in Shrek - he's an '05 with barely 74,000 miles with one little dink in the back. I had already checked the Kelley resale on the van and it was right around 10k. Tobey said we would only get half that. Ha. I told him there was no way I was going to trade the van in for that. No. Way.<br /><br />Wouldn't you know that is exactly what they offered us. 5k. And the $800 we put into the van today for tires and new shocks? *vaporized* The salesman said, "Well, the Challenger has new tires on it as well!" Hardee har har.<br /><br />I was so beyond twerked. And I finally said as much. I told him I was insulted by their offer since they were going to detail it at no cost to them and sell it for 10k and make a $5,000 profit because we took good care of the van. He said it had high mileage. Er. Nope. At seven years old and an average of 12k a year in mileage would equal 84,000 miles on most trade ins of that age. I told Tobey the way they are working it was for every two years we owned the van we lost 25% of what we paid for it. 5k my butt.<br /><br />So the 5k they offered became 6. Still not good enough. I wanted 8 and not a penny less. 6250? Um. Nope. <br /><br />We ended up with $7200 for the van and $2600 off the sticker price. <br /><br />Now the problem is that this car is like wayyyyyy to cool for me. I had to call my brother Matt Damon and share the pics with him. Matt loves Challengers and has been working on restoring one of his own for the last few years. I told him that car was too cool for me - people would laugh when they see this fat, middle aged woman driving her around. He said, "That is why the windows are tinted!" - but upon closer inspection - they aren't!<br /><br />So after work on Thursday we go to pick her up and trade off the van. And you know what I kept thinking - we bought the van brand spankin' new the Christmas after Mom died. She never got to see it. And now we are trading the van in. <em>That</em> much time has passed. She has been dead long enough for us to go through the life of an automobile. I know. It's weird to think that - but there you have it.<br /><br />The best part - she would have loved it!<br /><br />~amesMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-62719067717688849142012-02-13T15:18:00.008-05:002012-02-13T17:31:06.524-05:00Mrs. Oh Goes to Bocelli - Again!<p align="center"><br /><br /><object id="Slideshow" name="Slideshow" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" align="middle" height="425"><param name="_cx" value="11244"><param name="_cy" value="11244"><param name="FlashVars" value="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmrsohsbocellialbum%26page%3Dmrsohsbocellialbum%26node%3D4"><param name="Movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><br /><br /><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Dmrsohsbocellialbum%26page%3Dmrsohsbocellialbum%26node%3D4" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://mrsohsbocellialbum.shutterfly.com/4?eid=116">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: #ffffff; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0px; box-shadow: none" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=embed" width="1" height="1" /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p align="left"></p>Hello my lovelies! As you may recall Tobey gave me Bocelli tickets for Christmas and yesterday was the big day for the concert in Orlando. Now after the <a href="http://mrsohtobe.blogspot.com/2011/12/mrs-oh-and-andrea-bocelli.html">December concert </a>and forking out $300 a piece to see my Andrea - our budget wasn't going to take another hit for tickets in that price range. And honestly I didn't care where we sat - as long as I could hear my Andrea I would be happy as a lark. Of course Tobey says next time we won't bother with purchasing tickets and will just sit in the parking lot. <br /><br />Well my friends. When we arrived we weren't all that surprised our seats were in the nose bleed section and our seats had been labeled "obstructed view" . And that was fine with me. Bocelli = squee - who cares where I sit, right Now our seat guide immediately advised us to go to Guest Services and get our seats switched. I was a tad leary - seats switched? "Is there a charge for that?" I asked. And he said that it was free and he was recommending it to everyone because our seats were so lousy. No kidding.<br /><br />I couldn't believe that there were even seats available to switch to since the Tampa concert was virtually sold out. So we went to Guest Services but the line was a mile long and we decided to just sit in our assigned and purchased seats instead of waiting in the line and possibly missing some of the concert.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NJO-0DAnRQZ0Pt77N68EE7MDPd3i0ZTcNY98BBBOldCifjV8sKx0qVKZX_pUCiJ0ItX-R8E-eTalF9dqbro4zaxzTp9uCFfkQB7t0fHipeCxHNxWvXTC3ZY541gcd3yfntNKYYw49BED/s1600/amwaybefore.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708724245469419554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NJO-0DAnRQZ0Pt77N68EE7MDPd3i0ZTcNY98BBBOldCifjV8sKx0qVKZX_pUCiJ0ItX-R8E-eTalF9dqbro4zaxzTp9uCFfkQB7t0fHipeCxHNxWvXTC3ZY541gcd3yfntNKYYw49BED/s320/amwaybefore.jpg" /></a><br />The little blue star shows where we were. About 10 rows from the ceiling. I tell you the truth when I say aircraft flew lower than where we sat.<br /><br /><br />Anyways. We made our way up again to the nose bleed section and got comfy in our $70 seats. As comfy as one could in seats that were at such a weird angle and all. My knees were literally inches away from the gentleman in front of us and if I was so inclined I could have cracked his head like a walnut with my knees alone.<br /><br /><br />After about 15 minutes of sitting in our seats I was beginning to get a little ill - from the height and the angle and all. And since Tobey suffers from the Vertigo I told him to sit tight and I headed down to Guest Services. And there was NO one in line. None. We were moved to this little blue star. Stage right. 15 rows from the stage. 15. Rows. From my Andrea! For $70. These were better seats than we had at the Tampa concert with our uber-expensive on the floor seating.<br /><br /><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kJQpjO664CRJ_i6BRdNsUDdvxbHq63dgpv7ShHEWrq8hvo2Kce2MGP6WRg2RGlXEF2Fc8smiyJirbTVxfIbPwDBdX6mupkmN288mVuQrfiaHkepu6jMMVK8fOa09JLJkG7gaztzmCKse/s1600/amwayafter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708724096673326642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kJQpjO664CRJ_i6BRdNsUDdvxbHq63dgpv7ShHEWrq8hvo2Kce2MGP6WRg2RGlXEF2Fc8smiyJirbTVxfIbPwDBdX6mupkmN288mVuQrfiaHkepu6jMMVK8fOa09JLJkG7gaztzmCKse/s320/amwayafter.jpg" /></a>Two other couples followed us and had their seats changed as well. Hi Nancy! And I for one was giddy. Beyond giddy. Being on stage right we could watch my Andrea enter and exit the stage as well as having a completely unobstructed view upclose and personal. Couple that with the fact that I smuggled in my zoom lens this time.....I was in heaven. Tobey? Well he tolerated it all pretty well.</p><br /><p>With my newly recovered stolen cell phone I took a few videos. Y'all remember how bad I talked trash about Tobey and his National Geographic video skills while in the <a href="http://mrsohtobe.blogspot.com/2009/07/badlands.html">Badlands</a>... well - I turned my phone sideways thinking the video would shift. And it didn't. Plus the video is simply horrible and fuzzy. But. The audio is terrific - just ignore my lack of the Spielberg skills just like the last <a href="http://mrsohtobe.blogspot.com/2011/12/spielberg-i-aint.html">concert</a>. To quote Tobey from the Badland days: Awesome! Not so much but you get the gist.<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CggjoapWnSk" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Heather Headley performing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Love.Her.<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n3Nrvp3gw58" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />A few seconds of New York, New York.<br /></p><br /><p><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wPIS34xXVvA" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe><br />A sometimes sideways Andrea singing More. </p><br /><p>Before Andrea sang Amazing Grace he dedicated it to Whitney Houston which so beyond touching in my opinion. And while at the last concert I taped him singing - this time I watched. And I cried my eyes out. One day I will listen to that song and not be reminded of Momma.</p><br /><p>Well I hope you enjoyed the pictures and award winning video of my Andrea. I can't wait for the next concert!</p><br /><p>~ames</p>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-73807626817225731922012-02-12T08:39:00.003-05:002012-02-12T08:55:42.042-05:00I will always love ya Whitney girlSo tonight is the Bocelli concert and Whitney Houston is dead.<br /><br />Tobey and I will be heading out later this afternoon to catch some dinner before the concert.....<br /><br />Yeah. <br /><br />Right now I am sitting in bed with all three dogs watching all the coverage of Whitney's passing. All the speculation. All the montages. And I am all teary eyed.<br /><br />Her first album - and I think her best - I played that tape to death - doing my best version of singing in my car at the top of my lungs. <br /><br />December 1992 The Bodyguard came out. I was pregnant with the twins. I remember my ob/gyn told me not to get too excited at the movie as I was very pregnant with the twins at the time. Of course that was back when I thought Kevin Costner was da bomb.<br /><br />I remember the day Elvis died. I was never a fan. Still not. My parents were at their bowling league and I came running down the stairs to tell Mom that Elvis died. I'm sort of feeling that way right now. Like Mom felt when Elvis died.<br /><br />I truly hope she didn't die of anything drug related. I know the odds are against that. But do we really need one more legend silenced due to them not being able to conquer their demons? In recent memory there is Heath, Michael and Amy and now Whitney. <br /><br />And finally - while everyone is having fun with all the Whitney jokes and I get that. Even if she did die of an overdose....there isn't a single one of us that doesn't battle our own demons every day. Our demons may not be as severe as drug use - maybe our demons are something as simple as wanting to be a better person. But we all have them and I am so not willing to cast that stone if you know what I mean.<br /><br />So Godspeed Whitney. Prayers to your daughter and family because your death will always, always be with them. <br /><br />~amesMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-34568137937021035662012-02-06T08:27:00.001-05:002012-02-06T08:28:29.347-05:00Anudder birfday<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0mgqqGHCJAKwMTXEm_p05k7aQ38A2a_WpiAypsKOZGoSXYEx3kshEUgfS-b2-AiEjuOj0H4w7CX7emztk2OYz7KektclfBQcvqCmqQ6W-JDc0VM_2i6ygAbxFLgpctUEDUQwzCbF62RI/s1600/JoshWedding.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706013709534719010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0mgqqGHCJAKwMTXEm_p05k7aQ38A2a_WpiAypsKOZGoSXYEx3kshEUgfS-b2-AiEjuOj0H4w7CX7emztk2OYz7KektclfBQcvqCmqQ6W-JDc0VM_2i6ygAbxFLgpctUEDUQwzCbF62RI/s320/JoshWedding.jpg" border="0" /></a> Happy 24th Birthday to Frodo....twenty.four....</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">~ames</div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-67430295996262843922012-02-05T01:19:00.001-05:002012-02-05T01:22:53.282-05:00Happy Birthdays to youse guys!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4JCsIkPuF6Xk2vv4BiUw0XgWBnk0MU3LsTvgNeOv5EhZWi0u9IhUScNPNDRWw6t9U1a1QtaF-4ikeb3ZuEMxCdXCiYM6iGEae5SBxfEiuJLNl284YEMghxLylAnS7JMKb7jVp1L7UqTf/s1600/n1490707542_30234643_5723667.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705532761542160226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4JCsIkPuF6Xk2vv4BiUw0XgWBnk0MU3LsTvgNeOv5EhZWi0u9IhUScNPNDRWw6t9U1a1QtaF-4ikeb3ZuEMxCdXCiYM6iGEae5SBxfEiuJLNl284YEMghxLylAnS7JMKb7jVp1L7UqTf/s320/n1490707542_30234643_5723667.jpg" /></a> Happy 19th Birthdays to my babies! Chewie and Nappy will be partaking in the cake today! I'm a lucky Mom to have such wonderful sons!<br /><br />~ame<br /><br /><div></div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-39184274853797556922012-02-02T20:03:00.004-05:002012-02-02T21:14:57.650-05:00Mrs. Oh and Johnny Appleseed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBc1MhnaD74FMfrEQC6yurTp0YpqhotzkM9VyCdkzByPaF_rVx4-MvXVwYBNanfK96kwmZr8fklSKz3RJAIIdRsav9kTsp7DHpik_XpDQKUMNGo3pQKnH6J3NfWh9PRA4iiLZmOufZhrp/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704726601658038930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBc1MhnaD74FMfrEQC6yurTp0YpqhotzkM9VyCdkzByPaF_rVx4-MvXVwYBNanfK96kwmZr8fklSKz3RJAIIdRsav9kTsp7DHpik_XpDQKUMNGo3pQKnH6J3NfWh9PRA4iiLZmOufZhrp/s320/IMG_0309.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>For the purpose of this post Tobey will be known as Johnny Appleseed.<br /><br />So this weekend I made bread pudding. Not just any bread pudding but I used the recipe from <a href="http://www.ruthschris.com/Recipes">Ruth's Chris Steak House</a>. Now friends I am a very competent cook - managed a bakery and deli for years and all. But this is one labor intensive bread pudding and I have a wealth of bread pudding recipes - so that is saying something.<br /><br />Once I got the pudding together I told <strike>Tobey</strike> Johnny Appleseed that I was never making this recipe again. I am used to a few eggs, some milk and bam: bread pudding. Poor Tobey couldn't even make heads or tails of the recipe. Then my friends - I tasted it. Slap. Yo. Mamma. Butter even said this is better than Frodo's <a href="http://mrsohtobe.blogspot.com/2011/07/limoncello-sunday.html">Limoncello bread pudding</a> and yes Frodo was crushed. It is that good.<br /><br />Anyways - I told Tob...Johnny Appleseed I would make the bread pudding again tonight IF he would help me out. I had the Whiskey sauce to make plus the puddingy part. I had three pots going at one time. Stirring constantly. Three pots. Johnny? He cut up bread. Oh and then he cored an apple and then he took the skin off said apple and then he chopped the apple. He had it rough my friends. Rough.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So yeah - we are getting divorced now over bread pudding. If the judge is Chef Ramsay I'm gonna get the house!</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'm kidding (not really). But when I asked for his help - choppin' an apple wasn't what I had in mind - how about ya separate some yolks from their whites there buddy? How about you stir the sauce constantly while it cooks? But no. I did all the cooking at the same time whilst he chopped an apple. Bobby Flay? I have your next sous chef right here baby.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Alrighty - so you can go to Ruth's site and get the recipe and print it up or you can follow my layout of her recipe. Trial and error gives me wisdom and I would advise making the sauce first - give it plenty of time to cool. So here we go - and no - I ain't Pioneer Woman - you aren't getting step by step directional pictures - you guys know how to crack an egg and stir. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>First up - the Whiskey Sauce</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Put a pot of water on to boil and add a bowl on top of that - or if you have a double boiler - get that on the stove and ready to go.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>In small pot put in 2 cups of heavy cream and 3/4 cup of sugar. Mix well and heat until it starts to boil. While the cream is heating: in a separate bowl place 8 egg yolks, 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix well.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Once the cream comes to a boil slowly drizzle it into the bowl with the egg/sugar/vanilla mixture. Whisk constantly and drizzle slowly to temper the eggs. If you add the boiling milk to quickly you will make scambled eggs instead of sauce and you don't want that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Now add your cream/egg mixture to the double boiler and cook for 8-12 minutes. Stir constantly. (This is where Tobey Appleseed was still cutting bread and hadn't yet started on the dicing of the apples.) The sauce will slowly start to thicken but not much. It will thicken up once it cools down. Strain the sauce and place in the fridge to cool. Once the sauce is cold add in add in 3 tablespoons of whiskey and mix well. I won't mention that I told Mr. Appleseed not to pick up whiskey because we had some Jameson's leftover from Christmas but as always he listened and picked up some Jack as well. Did I just digress?</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Ideally you will want a loaf of bread cubed and let it set out for a day or so to dry out. The first time out I used half a loaf of french bread and about 4 croissants. I totally love croissants in bread pudding! The recipe calls for only 8 ounces of bread but a whole loaf works just fine.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So you have your bread cubed and now you will want to peel a small apple and dice it up nice and fine. I would advise peeling the apple first and then chop her up. Or you can go the labor intensive route like Mr. Appleseed did and section the apple and then peel all the sections individually and then chop it up. You decide which seems best for you. Go ahead and toss in 1 cup of raisins while you are at it. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup but I don't think that it is enough so I doubled it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Set aside your bread/apple/raisin mixture.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>In another bowl - this is like the third bowl by now isn't it? - combine 1 1/4 cup of sugar plus 1/2 cup of brown sugar and mix well to combine the sugars. Take 1/2 of this mixture and place it in a medium pot - you don't have to be exact in halfing the sugar mixtures. The half that remains in your bowl add: 6 beaten eggs, 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg and salt, 1 tablespoon Vanilla and 1 tablespoon of Bourbon. Mix well and set aside. Oh. Don't use that ground up nutmeg stuff. Go get yourself a microplane and the actual nut nutmegs - it is soooo much better my friends. Trust me. Onwards.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>The sugar that you put in a pot you will want to add to it: 2 cups of half and half, 2 cups of milk and stir well. Bring to a boil. Once your mixture boils take it off the heat as it can boil over very easily and you will have one big mess to clean up. Not that I know or anything.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Drizzle the boiled milk/sugar mixture into your sugar/cinnamon/egg mixture and stir to combine. Pour this into your bread/apple/raisin bowl and stir until the bread is all covered in the milk-egg goo. Let it sit for a few minutes so the bread can absorb all the goodness. Pour into a buttered 9x13 pan and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if you have it (I didn't) and pour on the Whiskey Sauce. Now you can die and go to heaven a very happy camper. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Y'all this is simply the best bread pudding - heck dessert - I have had in a long time. Go. Make it. Let me know if you love it as much as I do.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>~Mrs. Appleseed</div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-34386275266000874142012-02-01T01:17:00.000-05:002012-02-01T01:17:00.555-05:00Mrs. Oh versus the Dishwasher<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HYIEAAExSGbY1_AiCHOVOXsPdhkgTh0lqidTWS8n6A5R0b02dZrKfu3gpvE0tN1TfZnj_-xjQ_KgKTW8nEJMtK6_QrsjsUnKKgLMBqXfgvoMj3DmkeqLPQgPY6e06QCDfHKWwIWCky6Q/s1600/FPHD2481KF_a1_main.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704006961783618642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HYIEAAExSGbY1_AiCHOVOXsPdhkgTh0lqidTWS8n6A5R0b02dZrKfu3gpvE0tN1TfZnj_-xjQ_KgKTW8nEJMtK6_QrsjsUnKKgLMBqXfgvoMj3DmkeqLPQgPY6e06QCDfHKWwIWCky6Q/s320/FPHD2481KF_a1_main.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Friends - what the heck is up with me and appliances? It is like our house is the Appliance Bermuda Triangle.<br /></div><br /><div>Last February we bought a new dishwasher from hhGregg and I was so thrilled that we got a nice new stainless steel dishwasher to match our fridge.<br /><br /></div><br /><div>Two months later? The wheels on the bottom basket kept falling off. The drawer slidey things on the top basket broke. And we had several service calls and UPS deliveries to get the thing fixed. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>After Christmas we were getting an error message on the control panel and we called Samsung because the darn washer was under warranty. I was very happy that they sent out a service tech the very next day - which was a Saturday. Unheard of.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So Doogie Howser shows up and takes a look around. Gives us some cleaner tablets and said that should fix it and if not call them back. Oh it fixed it for a load or two and then the error message popped back up.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>We called again - this time on a Monday with a service date of Wednesday. Wednesday arrived and around 4 p.m. the service company called and said they weren't coming out. They were ordering us a pump. And a motherboard. Now why couldn't they do that on the Monday we called in the first place? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>The service folks said we would get the parts in one day. It took over a week. When the parts were to arrive we were to call and have them set up yet another service date. I wasn't all that sweet when the parts arrived and they came out the next day. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Doogie didn't come this time. His granddad did. I don't know why I like older repairmen versus younger ones but I do. The whole allure of with age comes wisdom thing I think. So Father Time works on the dishwasher and replaced the pump and motherboard. Guess what. It still didn't work and now it has a leak. He said he was going to order more parts.....</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I promptly called Samsung and told them not to bother. After my last call I put them on notice that there weren't going to be any more repairs - there was going to be a replacement and hhGregg agreed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>That was last Friday and we have been dishwasherless since the beginning of the month. Yesterday Tobey and I headed over to hhGregg to get our exchange. Now the district manager called and told Tobey they would be out on Saturday with a replacement. To which I promptly called them back and said there was no way I was going to have another Samsung dishwasher in my house. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Now we bought the original in an open box special for $490. Plus $119 for delivery and installation and $119 for a 5 year warranty. When we get to hhGregg they tell us we have a $611 credit. Er. No. I should have a $780 as my receipt shows that is the total we paid last year.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well. The same dishwasher is now <em>on sale</em> for $812. Maybe we should have just let them do an even swap! But again - there was no way I was going to go with another Samsung. Mp3 player sure. Dishwasher. Not so much.<br /></div><br /><div>So I picked out a nice little dishwasher. But it was a under the counter mount type and with our granite countertops it wouldn't work. We had to upgrade to a professional model which was side mountable. But it was about $150 over our credited amount. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And guess what friends? Go on.<br /></div><br /><div>The manager did an even swap. So we got a better deal, free delivery since we already paid for it on the other machine and another 5 year extended warranty. The folks at hhGregg really took care of us and went above and beyond the call of duty.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>And in 7 - 10 days our new special order dishwasher will be here. And for once when it comes to customer service I couldn't be happier.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>~ame<br /></div><br /><div></div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-17107601632069853002012-01-31T21:54:00.002-05:002012-01-31T22:12:32.219-05:00Hell's BellsSo I taped the final episode of Chuck because Tobey didn't get a chance to watch the end. And when we went to watch it on the DVR it wouldn't play. Man-oh-man do I love me some Verizon. <br /><br />Then I tried to find the episode online. And I downloaded iLivid to watch said video. In the end I was indeed livid as the program installed some nasty malware onto my laptop. Then came the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. First it happened once in a while. Then it happened every.single.time I booted up. Then it screwed with my internet explorer WHILE in safe mode.<br /><br />Now I have a hands off policy when it comes to Tobey and my computer. He is .... the Tim the Tool Man Taylor when it comes to computers and I just like it better when he doesn't play around with my computer. This policy has saved our marriage several times over. <br /><br />Last night I was so frustrated. Even in safe mode I couldn't reinstall the drivers ImaLividNow erased and I had no choice but to reformat my drive. Which also meant moving all of my files over to a terabyte drive etc. Joy canNOT express my delight and around 1:30 this morning I had my laptop up and working again. Now I have to move all my files back and reinstall all my programs. More Joy.<br /><br />Anyways - that is not what this post is about. Really.<br /><br />Y'all remember my blog friend <a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/">Kim</a> from Australia? The one I sent the 13 pound box of <a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/2012/02/if-500-people-donate-10-each-i-can-reach-my-total/">chocolate</a> to? Kim has signed up for the Leukemia's World's Greatest Shave. You can read her post <a href="http://frogpondsrock.com/2012/02/if-500-people-donate-10-each-i-can-reach-my-total/">here</a> and she is looking for 500 people to donate $10 so she can reach her goal of $5,000.<br /><br />I donated my $10 - really what is $10 these days. Nothing at all. I surely won't miss it from my PayPal account and it goes to a really good cause. I am asking all my 3.6 readers to click on her post and follow her link to make your donation too. You'll get good karma points for it. I promise.<br /><br />~amesMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-75733740388144224782012-01-24T19:53:00.002-05:002012-01-24T20:23:09.702-05:00You would think I would learn....Anytime and I mean <em>anytime</em> I say, "Oh, I did that - it wasn't all that bad." The next time. Bam. All that bad and more.<br /><br />So I found this lump a few weeks ago.<br /><br />I scheduled my overdue Papshmir (name that movie) and went in to get my lump checked out and my pap shmired. The NP didn't find my lump which is good and said despite my hysterectomy that it could be a hormonal thing due to the fact that my ovaries actually still work. At least something still works. She advised I get my mammo and we will go forth from there.<br /><br />I had already scheduled my mammogram and didn't give it much thought after that since the NP couldn't find my mystery lump. I told Tobey I never understood all the whoo-ha regarding mammos. I chalked it up to having what Roseanne called 'long' boobs and assumed smaller ta-tas probably would hurt when squished. Mine? I could swing em around like I was some bush woman from National Geographic and it wouldn't bother me in the least bit.<br /><br />I get to my appointment and put on the dressing gown. Only it wasn't a gown. It was a shawl. Er. My naked boobs don't do the shawl very well. Anyways. Oh. Em. Gee. Apparently their machine was not made for someone approaching six feet in height so I had to contort in and out and duck and bob this way and that. <br /><br />Righty was first. No problem. Squish and we're done. I could see on the digital read out the amount of pressure exerted on her. 5.7 lbs. So I am jazzed. This is easy peasy. I flop ole lefty up and contort and then squish. 17.8 lbs. I fully expected my nipple to pop off and richochet around the room. <br /><br />And then I get home. Craft night and Pie and Em are over and Em works at my gyno's office. I regal my nipple popping story and she asked where I went to get the scan done. "Susan Cheek" I replied. She then informs me that Susan Cheek is strictly diagnostic so there must be something there if that is where I was sent. "Best in the Bay," she says. <br /><br />You can imagine my freak out at this point. <br /><br />I relayed to Em that I made the appointment at Susan Cheek prior to my gyno appointment and that I randomly picked some place close to home instead of the place I used to go to. Which is near the JoAnn Fabrics. Yeah. I pick my doctors and diagnostic places based upon their location to craft stores. Isn't that the way you do it too?<br /><br />"How did you find us?" "Oh, you are near JoAnn's!"<br /><br />Em and Pie and apparently all their Moms work in health care and after a few phone calls and a few Google searches Pie informs me that yes, Susan Cheek is now for <strong>all</strong> mammograms not just diagnostic. <br /><br />So in celebration of my mammorgrammerie - I came home and made a german pancake topped with cinnamon apples and raisins. Yummmmm - it almost made me forget that I was a human pancake a half hour before.<br /><br />~ameMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-11635723081224275352012-01-21T10:15:00.006-05:002012-01-21T11:22:48.773-05:00Mrs. Oh and Le French RestaurantA few months ago the old French restaurant in downtown <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Clearwater</span> was sold and reopened by Chef Christopher <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Poix</span> as <a href="http://www.laubergedesartistes.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">L'Auberge</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">des</span> Artistes</a>. For Tobey's birthday in October we took <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frodo</span> and Buttercup out for dinner since they couldn't make the family birthday celebration due to scheduling conflicts.<br /><br />At that time - the restaurant had just opened and also at that time all four of us were not impressed in the least bit. I won't get in to what went wrong the last time but for a $300 meal for four - we expected a bit more and I stated so in a comment on a restaurant review in the local paper. Now while the comments are supposed to be anonymous - meaning no one can get my email address etc - I did use '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">mrsohtobe</span>' as my signature and I had earlier 'liked' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">L'Auberge's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> page. To make a long story short - I received an email from the restaurant manager saying Chef <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Poix</span> invited us back and offered a gift certificate to cover the cost.<br /><br />We had been planning to return for weeks but with the holidays and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">GrandTobey</span> falling into worse health we just couldn't swing it despite being 5 minutes away. That all changed on Thursday.<br /><br />Tobey and I arrived for our 5:30 reservation and were greeted by Michael who took care of our.every.need. The service was impeccable. And the food? See for yourself....<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMqMJpdRNKfpvs3bCBUrBAF4tOIEznIQBk-C9seGZEL5vd-cL_o79fSVcN9hmMyKYxwjV0_DvuzySuOv_c10wBtJ6vsapbGi1zFbh3yIFpGR_nD-iYl2k5qmBzxNPMRoCepy5JwlM94rs/s1600/IMG028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700105244834012914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMqMJpdRNKfpvs3bCBUrBAF4tOIEznIQBk-C9seGZEL5vd-cL_o79fSVcN9hmMyKYxwjV0_DvuzySuOv_c10wBtJ6vsapbGi1zFbh3yIFpGR_nD-iYl2k5qmBzxNPMRoCepy5JwlM94rs/s320/IMG028.jpg" /></a> The meal started with an asparagus amuse <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">bouche</span>. The soup was to die for delicious. I asked Tobey if he thought it was bad form to lick the bowl. No. I didn't. But folks - it was that good. Creamy with a hint of asparagus and just a wonderful way to start the meal off.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGso3219GjoQmDwopCgXEt5aK1KY-OaSoGqvW_1PE-xA2wrTeyh2lznnwGxCyFCanluUkCwuLmaJ4eWk51DHsGsz6JYjF2yCFdAAV8iXkyy5gCn63g5BmYvkdSYofjfEPvA2N-Dgou2hCa/s1600/IMG029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700105241309379090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGso3219GjoQmDwopCgXEt5aK1KY-OaSoGqvW_1PE-xA2wrTeyh2lznnwGxCyFCanluUkCwuLmaJ4eWk51DHsGsz6JYjF2yCFdAAV8iXkyy5gCn63g5BmYvkdSYofjfEPvA2N-Dgou2hCa/s320/IMG029.jpg" /></a> Our next course arrived as soon as our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">bouche</span> was finished. I ordered the Endive Salad that came with French Artisan cheese and walnuts. Yummy. Now I am not and have never been a fan of the balsamic vinegar. I actually avoid it like the black plague. Chef <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Poix</span> has made a convert of me. The play of the vinegar against the vinaigrette dressing was so spot on that I will now embrace the balsamic vinegar!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuOX7pzgTB9cnuu_Ys9EWwdGeMd8qTKRwXVJRt-QEQ9GcAuJyI39iK__7kNruFGCdDecnRvwV_eJzfx48EnTwhGJ1yiwFbeuPBYTUYYLWq0ALcANhHSTieQwJV1bhhr677RWmNLbeD9Vr/s1600/IMG030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700105102440146706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuOX7pzgTB9cnuu_Ys9EWwdGeMd8qTKRwXVJRt-QEQ9GcAuJyI39iK__7kNruFGCdDecnRvwV_eJzfx48EnTwhGJ1yiwFbeuPBYTUYYLWq0ALcANhHSTieQwJV1bhhr677RWmNLbeD9Vr/s320/IMG030.jpg" /></a> Tobey's appetizer was the Escargot Provencal with basil garlic butter cream. And no - I didn't sample a bite. Snails? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eww</span>! But Tobey loved it!! The cream sauce was heavenly (I did sample that) and Tobey couldn't get enough. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>By now the sun had set and the low light in the restaurant played off the lights from downtown and it very <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">romantique</span>. The restaurant is dotted with chandeliers salvaged from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Belleview</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Biltmore</span> and the decor is charming coupled with some low playing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">chanteuse</span> singing in the background.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnlurWk-GzzvjP8qDLY-YPFr64Tfk2MvB_WjyrdGZ9J3NRgOs1qY4U9uOitKxm0RviXfPsdzYobmQLK9ZI_oJ3QA7uyJaEoXislj7Vv3PCXB9mdUqXabyR7SEZLfWSvFGKUBbj_Oyb0Qb/s1600/IMG031.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700105093465337666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnlurWk-GzzvjP8qDLY-YPFr64Tfk2MvB_WjyrdGZ9J3NRgOs1qY4U9uOitKxm0RviXfPsdzYobmQLK9ZI_oJ3QA7uyJaEoXislj7Vv3PCXB9mdUqXabyR7SEZLfWSvFGKUBbj_Oyb0Qb/s320/IMG031.jpg" /></a> The entrees arrived next. I ordered the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tournedos</span> Rossini: a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">fois</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">gras</span> topped <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">filet</span> served with wild mushrooms in a veal reduction and haricot <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">vert</span>. I shared the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">fois</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">gras</span> with Tobey as I am not a huge liver fan - did you <em>not</em> read my family recipe for the <a href="http://mrsohtobe.blogspot.com/2011/09/warning-with-recipe.html">Liver balls</a>? The steak was fork tender and cooked perfectly. And the mushrooms? A superb blend which included <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chanterelles</span> and some others I recognized but for the life of me now I can't recall. Also. The veal reduction. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">OMG</span>. It was perfection woodsy and meaty despite my anti-veal stance. I would definitely recommend and order the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">filet</span> again.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitilS6FsvrU3X3UOLew0EDBdb0ynSOX6n8N1iMg5IjtlQAbQ68KNa8RlcTR5WZ0YEVF6-CM6-D5ZIIfhZg74faVryFJw1nqe_2O06lqVd9h3pie0zFBCZ5jabnSI8xYXWPXyWDvFiEhy0q/s1600/IMG032.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700105080902245010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitilS6FsvrU3X3UOLew0EDBdb0ynSOX6n8N1iMg5IjtlQAbQ68KNa8RlcTR5WZ0YEVF6-CM6-D5ZIIfhZg74faVryFJw1nqe_2O06lqVd9h3pie0zFBCZ5jabnSI8xYXWPXyWDvFiEhy0q/s320/IMG032.jpg" /></a> Tobey was torn between ordering the puff pastry wrapped salmon, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Saumon</span> en <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Croute</span> or the red snapper, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Poissun</span> Rouge Dore. Tobey took Michael's suggestion and ordered the snapper. The champagne cream reduction was yet another cream perfection. Light and full of flavor with a hint of what I thought was lemon and the snapper was cooked perfectly. Tobey didn't leave a smidge on his plate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8usNCG4HZSkM_T5aPppcL2Ms-MrDQcYwvgCxz03fN0P9_Mq3CMwWZOCJgOTfBaM3H7End2nmm7E-FDbKdZ10oQHxACbeiGqRc7Hv45CHe8il2Q4Io-cOmvhVjlcs4g6qu228Lg1T1VOPE/s1600/IMG033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700104837126757090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8usNCG4HZSkM_T5aPppcL2Ms-MrDQcYwvgCxz03fN0P9_Mq3CMwWZOCJgOTfBaM3H7End2nmm7E-FDbKdZ10oQHxACbeiGqRc7Hv45CHe8il2Q4Io-cOmvhVjlcs4g6qu228Lg1T1VOPE/s320/IMG033.jpg" /></a> After dinner we were served a palate cleanser before dessert - Raspberry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Confit</span>. Fresh raspberries topped with raspberry sorbet and candied orange peel. Cool and crisp it was the perfect way to prepare for our desserts. Tobey liked the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Confit</span> so much he wished it was on the dessert menu in a larger portion!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwakSDYWLRtPm04Z-uunJj39PsnGzq4VCXYHD30amjsHYwXP8bL7UCC4gelOlHoRUIXMMQnSoveC_SBdDWbXKL9iMU8wppq5PCmf2C0YLC2fAyQoWe65JJTS8vyhTtWHu17j6vbX2Eu0eB/s1600/IMG034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700104832160195730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwakSDYWLRtPm04Z-uunJj39PsnGzq4VCXYHD30amjsHYwXP8bL7UCC4gelOlHoRUIXMMQnSoveC_SBdDWbXKL9iMU8wppq5PCmf2C0YLC2fAyQoWe65JJTS8vyhTtWHu17j6vbX2Eu0eB/s320/IMG034.jpg" /></a> And here is what I came back for. The chocolate souffle with cream <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">anglaise</span>. Heaven my friends. Heaven in a little ramekin. Where the chocolate could have been overpowering - it wasn't. It was light and a fluffy and.... heaven!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NNS4cBqcEAXToBGh1Yciktq0ri1hbFtZoiIcxmqkgWO9iJqNb-cUiI5AU3J6wVb18k2TyrHy9Ko7omtNxau_-aWipYpJSUt6Caznn_9vj5CdtIce0004ma7lez1wQxCRYZXha7SfiQzt/s1600/IMG035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700104824761821474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NNS4cBqcEAXToBGh1Yciktq0ri1hbFtZoiIcxmqkgWO9iJqNb-cUiI5AU3J6wVb18k2TyrHy9Ko7omtNxau_-aWipYpJSUt6Caznn_9vj5CdtIce0004ma7lez1wQxCRYZXha7SfiQzt/s320/IMG035.jpg" /></a> Tobey ordered the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tarte</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tatin</span> which I love to say. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tarte</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tatin</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tarte</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tatin</span>. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">carmelized</span> apple was tender and juicy and the cinnamon sauce was the perfect compliment to the apple. <br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA4tnxEMDwRjwAT9CvZjctFW04txIl8eMWY3JZQjahGORaMpkkl0-hbKf5qVSqZ8WFsOtYGBtJ_6m15_RscZ6YeIbENf2F1PxfpAS7juupIb5wGRfIRcse4opjpq3XByNyR4EOqALtdsa/s1600/IMG038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700104596057047250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA4tnxEMDwRjwAT9CvZjctFW04txIl8eMWY3JZQjahGORaMpkkl0-hbKf5qVSqZ8WFsOtYGBtJ_6m15_RscZ6YeIbENf2F1PxfpAS7juupIb5wGRfIRcse4opjpq3XByNyR4EOqALtdsa/s320/IMG038.jpg" /></a> Tobey was a very happy camper and didn't he look handsome!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCd7UGJlVC1whLcprKQ0Cc8yfMEc6kaMwhqJBYjWMFUUKmxaDMHaPqSb_lGhDDOYe_kgmIhiOP74S3bVHO3pLo6fP0ESI-g5dxhQ9mzEes5-YrQAzUECGp3m4PoY5ne_s2tqc2AxbishD/s1600/IMG039.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700104589867043714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCd7UGJlVC1whLcprKQ0Cc8yfMEc6kaMwhqJBYjWMFUUKmxaDMHaPqSb_lGhDDOYe_kgmIhiOP74S3bVHO3pLo6fP0ESI-g5dxhQ9mzEes5-YrQAzUECGp3m4PoY5ne_s2tqc2AxbishD/s320/IMG039.jpg" /></a> Michael was gracious enough to offer to take our picture and by the smiles on our faces you can tell what a lovely evening we had.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div>When we got home <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frodo</span> asked how our dinner at "La <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pantalones</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span> Fancy" went. Fancy pants. That kid slays me and we regaled him in every morsel. Yeah. I know he was jealous.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So all in all - I would give La <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pantalones</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span> Fancy two Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oh's</span> thumbs up. Two big thumbs up. The only downfall I can see is the pricing. Our meal wound up being about $70 a person and this in downtown <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Clearwater</span> where you can get the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">mufaletta</span> sandwich for lunch at Cleveland St. Cafe for about $6 or a pizza from Tony's for around $13 (Hi, Claudia!) However. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">L'Auberge</span> is fine dining and one should expect to pay more. Couple that with the food and I really don't think the price is out of line at all after all: you get what you pay for friends. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So go. What are you waiting for? As for me? We will go back. I can tell you that some of the dishes haunt me. The asparagus amuse - the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">filet</span> - the souffle - friends this is what dreams are made of!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>~<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">ames</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-87157811815878671762012-01-17T16:57:00.002-05:002012-01-17T17:08:10.898-05:00Petty much?Y'all I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">twerked</span>.<br /><br />I wish I could say I was surprised but I am not.<br /><br />First of all I just finished removing every 'friend' on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> that we used to go to church with. Only one - yes one - person sent condolences to Kevin and I and she did so on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> and snail mailed a card as well. All the others? Those that wear their 'Christianity' on their sleeve: nothing. Those that always throw in 'I love you' when they meet someone. Nothing. And that they didn't offer up one kind word peeves me to no end. <br /><br />It really is no big deal. Those people never commented on anything I posted anyways - so it is no big loss.<br /><br />I won't even get into my work. But suffice it to say - the people that should have asked how I was today coming off of funeral leave....didn't. I received a nice card from the cashiers - but from anyone else? Nothing.<br /><br />I know I shouldn't be keeping score. I just know I have always treated others the way I would want to be treated. I have made food, purchased and circulated cards etc. ad <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">nauseum whenever someone has something bad happening in their world. But for me? Nothing. </span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error">This should be telling me something - and trust me - it is.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error">~ame</span>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-31668164061007825092012-01-17T01:19:00.000-05:002012-01-17T01:19:00.153-05:00One last crafty mention<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH22SDv-zVe7A1U6W7xc9F9Iu6-HdwhKKJXzunTTJQsVffSKYs8W9zQwaEFx7sGCkLuww6oZ8T0pNM34njmqJBTLM5pPXjIj3ntjmXky78gtSJ8J76L6SCvrkxMKx2f5DzGjpSoLN_IPa/s1600/UFOLight.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698280871356604642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH22SDv-zVe7A1U6W7xc9F9Iu6-HdwhKKJXzunTTJQsVffSKYs8W9zQwaEFx7sGCkLuww6oZ8T0pNM34njmqJBTLM5pPXjIj3ntjmXky78gtSJ8J76L6SCvrkxMKx2f5DzGjpSoLN_IPa/s320/UFOLight.jpg" /></a> The final edition of "Junk I Made For Christmas" is this take on the Alien Abduction lamp featured on <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/03/alien-lamp/">Dollar Store Crafts</a>. I made two - one for Chewie and one for Butter - and they loved them! Check out the link for a how-to!<br /><br />~ame<br /><br /><div></div>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-30748869114497769402012-01-16T12:11:00.002-05:002012-01-16T12:17:23.448-05:00MLK DayLast week we were talking with Frodo and Butter at lunch and I said, "For me, we are only one generation from the 'back of the bus' mentality." My parents grew up in a America that had separate water fountains and the like. And while we have come along way - we still have a long way to go. Not just for our African-American brothers and sisters but for equality for all. <br /><br />~amesMrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247100659799132411.post-23629983013710460152012-01-15T01:26:00.000-05:002012-01-15T01:26:00.951-05:00Mrs. Oh and da butts<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDtfZ4mHHLgB0K_D5zK01e2dTT2XNLYwHqDYiy_TkONjR3MbRUUIchg8msWkAqBXPxfwpoIPivBdfhh0h6zuZMTKUQD04ffEqb0ZE8nPC2J6PHvBxPsDjos_7m0BC7Qix8D1QL0hyAHyW/s1600/KevinAndDad.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697666395956308194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDtfZ4mHHLgB0K_D5zK01e2dTT2XNLYwHqDYiy_TkONjR3MbRUUIchg8msWkAqBXPxfwpoIPivBdfhh0h6zuZMTKUQD04ffEqb0ZE8nPC2J6PHvBxPsDjos_7m0BC7Qix8D1QL0hyAHyW/s320/KevinAndDad.jpg" /></a> <br /><center>Tobey's birthday Oct 2009 </center><br /><br /><center></center><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">So here is the butt story.<br /></div>The Thanksgiving after Tobey and I were married we gathered at his parents house for Turkey Bird dinner. The whole family was there - maybe around 20 or so of us. Now Tobey and I were still in the honeymoon phase of our marriage. And you have to admit there is a striking resemblence between Tobey and GrandTobey.<br /><br />I walked in the kitchen and pinched Tobey's butt and was about to go on my merry way. But. It wasn't Tobey's butt that I pinched. It was GrandTobey's. Can you say 'mortified'? Thankfully - GT had a great sense of humour and my loving family has never let me live it down that I pinched GrandTobey's butt. <br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVMW8RVemdC53qspQaiZeG1jds3a42Khj2nv5yEAx-2Ac4p5fvq2UbK2dMd3N-3tpw2PQBPQb7r5uiyH634C64AwZA7ykVeZicZrjHpSd3ZubPzDWFGXB_edgI_f6IhYXKLQQ-9s2M3K1/s1600/MeAndDad.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697666399726958482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVMW8RVemdC53qspQaiZeG1jds3a42Khj2nv5yEAx-2Ac4p5fvq2UbK2dMd3N-3tpw2PQBPQb7r5uiyH634C64AwZA7ykVeZicZrjHpSd3ZubPzDWFGXB_edgI_f6IhYXKLQQ-9s2M3K1/s320/MeAndDad.jpg" /></a><br />In hindsight though - does he look scared?</p><br /><p>~ame<br /></p>Mrs. Ohtobehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.com1