TGIF VGNO!

Time For A Question - From Ann

I know where I would rather be right now. I would love to be in Calistoga, CA enjoying Sparkling Wine at Mumm. Then (after the appropriate amount of time ;-> )drive along the winding roads with our top down and the tunes guiding us along. 'What's that? Another winery? Let's visit!' Ahhh, dreamy. Where would you rather be?

Gosh, I would settle for anywhere but here right now. I have to meet my ex at the train and drop off my son, so that means...well, let's just say that means aggravation.

I would like to be in a hotel (I'm not picky, doesn't have to be a luxury hotel, Holiday Inn or Best Western will do). A nice indoor pool (not too many little urchins splashing it up). And enough money to dine in a few nice restaurants (ones that doesn't have paper napkins) during our stay. In a place that's a nice scenic drive from home. That's not asking for too much is it?

We were hoping to have such a getaway in about a week to the Wisconsin State Fair, but it doesn't look like our finances can swing it, so we will be missing yet another year of what was always a family tradition.

Of course a cruise would always be nice...

I'm looking for new topics for my meme, If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays.
Click here for more information.

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How do you become a regular? Become a Follower!

Come on, all the kewl kids are doin' it!

Lola's Diner

©2008-2009

Topics Needed - If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays

For each edition of If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! We take time out to share memories. We Blog Back Time with possible ways to right past wrongs or about how times have changed. We share childhood memories, school/work memories, family and friend memories.

I'm soliciting topics for future If I Could Block Back Time Thursdays. Please post your topic idea in the comments.

As an incentive, I will award 100 Entrecard Credits for each new idea I use. (Yes, that's right, I've upped the ante. I used to give only 50. But hey, I'm all generous like that.)
I will also give linky love on the If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays' post your topic is used, and where I post the topic in advance.

What are you waiting for? Let's hear your topic ideas!

Thank you!
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Seriously, they didn't...

Have you seen the movie "A Beautiful Mind" (2001)?

Or have you read the book "A Beautiful Mind" 1998 by Sylvia Nasar?

I tried reading this while I was trying to deal with my husband's (now ex's) mental illness. I couldn't get through the book.

I have since seen the movie. Twice. Our daughter came to me on Tuesday with a permission slip for me to sign to give my approval/disapproval to view this movie in school on Wednesday.

Are they serious?

Yes, they were!

I mean, I can't even comprehend why anyone would allow these kids to watch this movie. The insulin shock therapy scenes alone would be terrifying. Any student whose parent did not approve had an alternate activity. Our daughter reported back to me at the end of the day that only 1 student had permission to watch the movie.

Sometimes it's difficult enough answering our daughter's questions when watching pretty innocuous shows. I can't even imagine the questions she'd have, had I allowed her to watch that movie. Especially now that we are currently in a bout of instability.

For my newer readers, our daughter suffers from mental illness. Her most recent diagnosis is Bipolar with psychotic features. Her previous diagnosis was a form of schizophrenia. She attends a special therapeutic day school for children with mental illness. I think it's safe to say most of the children in that school have a similar diagnosis. While this school does have classroom counselors and individual counselors assigned to each child who spend x number of hours per week with each child individually, I still think it a very poor choice for movie time.

What do you think about allowing a child with a mental illness to watch a movie like this?

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays - Worst Dating Disasters

Come join me for this week's edition. Post yours and comeback and sign up with MckLinky.

This Thursday's topic is: Worst Dating Disaster -

Come on, even Lola has had a few dating disasters, what about you? Was it a blind date? Was it your date or the venue? Did you ever date that person again?

I've had a few doosies! One I can't even clean up to make it PG-13. Well, that and I don't want to divulge any ah, er, ahem, lesbian dating secrets, after having taken the oath and all. Let me start out by saying nearly all of my dates had been blind dates, unless someone provided a photo. I always tried to not have any preconceived ideas and I had always been a person more interested in personality and what's on the inside. (Really!)

So, on to one of my straight worst dating disasters. I put an ad in The Chicago Reader in the Personals. I met most dates at coffee shops. This one in particular, I drove out to Ryan's (not his real name) mommy's house in bum flippin egypt.

Here are the stats on Ryan - early 30's, big guy, bragged about owning a new Honda Civic (like that's a plus?), still lived at home with mommy, and he said he looked like a cross between Bruce Willis and Billy Crystal. Oh and yes, he was unemployed. He was a talker. He monopolized my every waking minute from his first contact, until the date. That should have tipped me off. I can't tell you how many times he told me about his celebrity looks. He also talked a lot about his hair and how he was getting scalp treatments. (I had visions of that Dick Van Dyke Show episode - I'd Rather Be Bald Than Have No Head At All.)

Date night was the night of the All Star Game. We were going to have dinner at his place (his mommy's place) and watch the game. If I had to describe what he looked like, picture a grown up Lumpy Rutherford from "Leave It To Beaver". (I Googled "Frank Bank", the actor who played Lumpy. Knock off 10 years, lose the goat-tee, and thin the hair quite a bit, and you've pretty much got Ryan back when I met him.)

The date...Ryan was cooking fish that he caught himself. Along with potatoes. (In the same pan.) He cooked it 2 inches of oil, in a cast iron skillet on the outdoor grill because he didn't want to smell up his mommy's house. The minute I saw it, I kept trying to think of how to get out of eating it. I partied a bit too much the night before and the thought of that oil and the smell of that fish just about put me over the edge. I don't know how I did it, but I managed 1 bite. One very slippery, fishy bite. He saw the look on my face and immediately jumped to the conclusion that I hated it. Oh no, I'm not going to subject myself to any more of his culinary skills! I'm not proud of it...but I faked sick. I said I hadn't been feeling well all day, made my apologies and then tried to make a quick exit. I was very polite. He followed me to my car. Oh the look on his face! Then he says something like "If you don't like balding guys then why did you agree to this date?" Oh my, that was it, I locked the doors, started the car and drove off. Of course he called me for several days after that, but I didn't answer.

The guy just seemed off. He was preoccupied with his hair, he had serious self esteem issues and there was just something about him that screamed stalker. It wasn't the balding. It really wasn't even the embellishment about his looks.

I just remembered one lesbian dating disaster that I can tell. Click over to my other blog, Fire Crotch Rocket.

Please post your "Worst Dating Disaster" on your blog. Then come back to Lola's Diner and leave the actual post link here. Please grab the html code for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! Badge HERE.

Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

IF YOU SEE THAT MckLinky APPEARS TO NOT BE WORKING, PLEASE POST A LINK TO YOUR "Worst Dating Disaster" IN THE COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU!



PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MckLinky IS STRICTLY FOR 'IF I COULD BLOG BACK TIME THURSDAYS' PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
ANY OTHER LINKS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT PREJUDICE!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Controversy over Wikipedia

Have you seen this article? A Rorschach Cheat Sheet on Wikipedia? - NY Times. Actually, Wikipedia must have added this content within the last year or so, because when our daughter took the test I wanted to see what the ink blots were. The reason that I wanted to look was because I was in the next room and I overheard some of her answers. I was curious to see what she could have been describing. No, I'm not going to divulge what I overheard. It was quite disturbing, given that this exam was given well after she had some stability in her illness.

As far as anyone saying this is wreckless and some people may memorize the test and thus skew the results, I think that's a bit ridiculous. If a person is ill enough that the Rorschach Test is being administered to develop a diagnosis, they may not even have the cognitive ability to recall reading that content. Due to their illness they may not be able to override what their true impressions are of the ink blots. And let's not forget that the person administering the test is also noting the behavior of the individual while being tested. (Hand gesturing, etc.) Also, any responsible psychologist will use a number of diagnostic tests and tools to diagnose an individual. There are a ton of tests. For a list, click here. Tests such as:

Intelligence tests

WISC-IV (Wechsler Intell Scale for Children)
WISC-R (Wechsler Intell Scale for Children - Revised)
WAIS-III (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – III)
WAIS-R (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised)
Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeduca Battery (Achievement)

Neuropsychological tests

Cognistat
Neuropsychological Impairment Scale

Personality tests

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), or the revised MMPI-2, composed of several hundred “yes or no” questions
Rorschach (the “inkblot test”), composed of several cards of inkblots—you simply give a description of the images and feelings you experience in looking at the blots.

The MMPI or MMPI-2 are commonly given at the beginning of any hospitalizations for psychiatric evaluation.

I'm all too familiar with many of the tests listed and will soon become familiar with a few more, as our daughter must undergo more testing for the care grant I am applying for and most tests cannot be re-taken within a certain prescribed amount of time.

P.S. - In case you were wondering, that's a plain old ink splat. (That is unless you see something completely different. Lol!)

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Human Award - Thank you!

I received the "Human Award" from Baba @ Baba's Farm Life. Baba, thank you for the award, it was so kind of you.

The "Humane Award" rules are as follows:
"The Humane Award honors certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary blog.

Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world.

Link back to the person who gifted you with the award and share the love with other bloggers.”

I will pass this award on (in no particular order) to:
Auntie E @ At Home With Auntie E.
Lin @ Duck And Wheel With String.
Stephany @ Soulful Sepulcher.
Rita @ Look It's Megryansmom.
Patricia @ Subjective Soup.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Ok, my first thought is really a rant - Why is the server down for FarmTown on FB? Don't they understand that this is how I start my day by getting my crops harvested? If they are doing an upgrade, why can't they do it at 3:30am, when for sure I am in bed by then and only dreaming of the crops I have to harvest the next day? Yeah, I need to get a life.

Who the freak washed a hoodie on Saturday and didn't zip the zipper causing it to somehow get caught in our washer's rubber seal? It's the middle of summer, what the freak are you doing washing a hoodie now anyway? (Please feel free to insert that other F'word for "freak".) It took me a 1/2 hour of cussing to get the laundry untwisted to the point where I discovered that was the problem. Then it took another hour of serious cussing, trying to get said rubber washer seal reattached. Oh yes, the seal went on fine, but the spring that goes around the seal refused to cooperate. It looked so easy, but yet not. Eventually I gave up on the spring and attempted to start a load of laundry. Nope. Apparently this fancy shmancy washing machine knows that the spring is missing and it won't start. Called Lowe's extended warranty number and found out they subcontract to a local appliance repair place. They called me on Monday, can't get here until Thursday. Of course that is the only day this week that I already had something scheduled, but as we all know, laundry trumps everything else, so I'm going to have to reschedule the other appointment. And you know that parts will need to be ordered so it's not going to get fixed that day.

I am getting seriously overwhelmed with paperwork. I'm filling out an application for an Individual Care Grant for my daughter. If approved it will be used for more intensive community based services or Residential Treatment. The process is daunting enough and I'm thankful that I have the assistance of a social worker to guide me through the pile of paperwork. The worst part of it all is the Parenting Statement. It's basically a list of questions and an essay portion for you to describe your child's illness in detail. It's like reliving her illness all over again. I also got hit with 2 sets of paperwork on my disability this week. And top that all off with all the forms that have to be filled out for back to school. I'm drowning in paperwork.

Thursday is the last day of my daughter's summer program. I really dread Friday. School doesn't start until August 18th. Will we make it without another hospitalization? Will we survive the stress? How many times will she be asking about if we are sending her to a Residential Treatment Facility?

Bank account is at zero. The kids are driving us crazy with money requests for movies, golf and silly stuff like snacks. I should go to the laundromat, but unless I find a roll of quarters left over from my last laundromat expedition, that's not going to happen until Friday or heaven forbid Saturday. (Saturday all the crazies are at the laundromat. And they're not just crazy, they're hungover, or still drunk.)

(Thank goodness I still have that bottle of Strawberry Margarita Mix stashed in the back of the pantry. I think it's going to come in handy.)

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

i love targhay!

In my previous post I mentioned that Anastasia got me the exact watch same watch as my previous watch. (Because that is exactly what I wanted.) I took the new one to have some links removed and decided I would have those links added to the old beat up watch, have a new battery installed and give it to our son.

After golf we went back to Targhay to have the links added to the old watch and a new battery installed. It was supposed to cost $3.99 or $4.99 for the new battery. No big deal. Well, the clerk who was installing the battery broke my old watch. So they went to the floor, grabbed the same watch new and told me they would send my old beat up watch back as defective. They adjusted this new replacement watch for my son and now he also has a brand spanking new watch.

And bonus, they didn't charge me anything.

Lucky day! Too bad I don't have any money to go on the boats.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

a belated thank you

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday on Friday special. It was really great to see my inbox fill with well wishes throughout the day and throughout the weekend.

And to a certain very creative commenter...
You only get credits for the July Top Commenter contest under your name. You do get bonus pally points for creativity though.

What did I do to celebrate, besides VGNO, BlogNerd Bash and BlogHop 09? Not a lot. Anastasia popped a roast in the crock pot before heading out for her caregiver gig. While I VGNO'd, BlogNerd Bashed and BlogHop 09'd I got to watch my kids play video games on the big screen tv. (I can't tell you how much I enjoy that. Really! I can't!)

I got a little dyke bling. I got a new Timex Expedition watch that I love. (Yes, it's exactly the same as my old watch that I've had forever. Only this new one is bright and shiny and working and not scratched and pitted and needing a battery. I love it. I asked for it. And I got it!)

No birthday cake and ice cream. :( But the kids did bring me back a funnel cake after they left a local festival. I took a pass on joining them because I was having a worse than usual back day. Kind of sorry I missed it though. Anastasia talked them into going on the ferris wheel. She said she about wet herself laughing at the looks on their faces as they went round on the ferris wheel. Damn! I miss all the good stuff.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Another Award...And Post #400!

This is my post number 400! What better way to celebrate than an award?
I was given this award by the DanRiverMama @ A Kiss And A Peck. Thank you so much! And given on my birthday yesterday, thank you!

Here’s how it works: USE ONLY ONE WORD!
It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? here
2. Your hair? brown
3. Your mother? heaven
4. Your father? heaven
5. Your favorite food? any
6. Your dream last night? none
7. Your favorite drink? coffee
8. Your dream/goal? money
9. What room are you in? living
10. Your hobby? blogging
11. Your fear? fear
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? wealthy
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren’t? thin
15. Muffins? banana
16. Wish list item? vacation
17. Where did you grow up? WI
18. Last thing you did? ate
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Your TV? On
21. Your pets? Sophie
22. Friends? few
23. Your life? chaotic
24. Your mood? anxious
25. Missing someone? no
26. Vehicle? SUV
27. Something you’re not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? Amazon
29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. Your best friend? partner
33. One place that I go to over and over? bathroom
34. One person who emails me regularly? Harriet
35. Favorite place to eat? out

I am passing this on to....

...you can't wait to see the names can you?

Diane @ Good Mourning Glory
Kelley @ Kelley's Casa De Chaos
Diane @ Turn Left At The Pigs
Kat @ Sassy Irish Lassie

Congrats ladies!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

BlogNerd Bash

I live with my partner and our 14 year old son and 16 year old daughter. I don't have a giveaway per see, but I do run a monthly Top Commenter Contest where I reward my Top Comment Whores, (I mean Top Commenters). Still plenty of time to join in. Just start commenting!

First off, Happy Birthday to Amanda at Garibay Soup...and me! Amanda is having a BlogNerd Bash and I'm just the kind of nerd to join in. What, you didn't know I was a nerd? I'm celebrating my birthday virtually, how much more nerdy can you get? I'm BlogNerd Bashing, BlogHop 09'ing AND, TGIF VGNO'ing.

Wanna know what other kinds of fun stuff I'm doing? I'm listing to my son talk to his friend who I very not affectionately refer to as Eddie Haskell. Said friend wants him to go to the movies, but refuses to pay back the money he owes my son. He wants to see that new movie G Force, except they keep calling it "G4", so every time my son says G4 I yell BINGO! And I have my daughter doing it too. You just can't buy good times like this, can you?

Oh and you know what else I get to do while I celebrate my birthday virtually? I get to watch my kids play video games on the big screen tv. How did they know that is one of my favorite things?

Yes, my name is Lola and I'm a blogger. Just how addicted am I? Let me tell you. I have Lola's Diner, Lola's Victory Garden, and Fire Crotch Rocket. I am also a contributor at Sited And Blogged. You may also catch me guest posting around. Yes, I think it's a fair statement to say I'm addicted. But I have to say, it is legal and quite less expensive than other vices.

If you are on Twitter, follow me. My Twitter Id is "lolasdiner".

If you're new to the Diner, why not stay for awhile and check out a few posts and have a milkshake or a cuppa Joe?

If you like what you see, why not become a regular? It's easy, just become a follower.

Come on, you know you want to! All the cool chicks are doin' it.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

TGIF VGNO! - Lola's Birthday Edition!

Time For A Party Game! - From Ann

We all enjoy a little creative writing, right? Let's play "The Title Says It All". Here's what you need to do to play along. With the MckLinky "guest book" as your guide use the title of the previous blog listed in MckLinky in a sentence, or in a short story. #2 uses #1's blog title, #3 uses #2's blog title, etc. Example: "When I need a laugh, or a shoulder to cry on, I know that I can go to Ann Again... and again." (You really can too :-> ) Be sure to add/insert a link to the blog as well. I've started it out this week. There are some incredible blog titles out there. I can't wait to see your creative writing.

Everybody says I'm a Sassy Irish Lassie. Especially on my birthday. So, come celebrate with me and grab a margarita. Party on!



And yes, I look just like that in the morning. How'd she know?

Be sure to check out my birthday post - It's My Birthday/Lucky To Be Alive, if you haven't already.

And now for the real party!



Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

It's My Birthday!/Lucky To Be Alive!

I had written, in longhand, (in a Composition Book, because I'm all cool and retro like that) a post about Expectations. (I do longhand when I'm in bed and get a burst of creativity...or crap.) Did I say it was long? Oh yeah, I said in longhand, I also meant in looooonghannnd. Yeah, it was long. It was also kind of dark. So I ditched it. I'll save it for another day when I'm in the mood for a pity party.

Cause this ain't no pity party! Oui, Oui, Oui! Oui, Oui, Oui! (Doin' the birthday dance!)

So instead of Expectations, I decided to change my Birthday Theme to "Lucky to be alive". What? You're saying that's kind of dark too? No, not really. It's just a commentary on how times have changed and how someone of the ripe old age of 48 (did I type that?) is lucky to be around considering all the shenanigans we got into as kids and considering all the new fangled safety devices that are around to protect our children today.

As a child:
We never wore seat belts. Not required. Most cars didn't have them.
We never wore bicycle helmets. What helmet?.
We never had any anti-bacterial soaps or cleaners.
We never had hand sanitizer.
We drank tap water without a second thought.
We drank from the garden hose all summer long. Every summer!
We ran wild through the neighborhood, or the next few over and our parents were none the wiser as long as we were home on time for lunch and dinner.
We trick-or-treated by ourselves and ate most of our candy before we got home.
We used insect repellent products containing 100% Deet or some more deadly carcinogen.
Rambunctious toddlers ran loose and our parents didn't have a care in the world. There were no toddler leashes or GPS Nanny Devices. Speaking of nannies, we didn't have nannies or governesses unless we were British royalty or our names were von Trapp.
We didn't have to worry about "R" rated movies. There were either movies everyone could watch, or XXX movies. And us kids didn't know about those, unless we had some pretty cool teenage friends.
We raced on our bicycles chasing the ice cream truck like starving orphans, without any regard to other vehicular traffic. And it came every single summer day.
Mr. Rogers was our neighbor and he came into our living rooms every day and no one thought that was the slightest bit odd, this kind of man-child who played with puppets and trolleys in the neighborhood of make-believe.
If our parents were smokers, they smoked literally everywhere. At fast food restaurants, bars, grocery stores, airplanes. Just about anywhere but church. There was no consideration for secondhand smoke. It was smoke em if ya got em.
There was no stranger danger.

Think of it.

How is it we survived? And how did so many of us survive?

I'm so glad you did, so you can join me in celebrating my birthday!

Thank you for stopping by.

As per the usual, everything is hush hush around here.

Our son keeps teasing me with, "I know what we're doing for your birthday". (In kind of a sing song taunt. Don't you hate that? Wait until his birthday!)
I respond, "No you don't!"
He replies, "Well...yeah...so!"

Good answer! Lol! Anastasia is keeping her lip zipped, so we'll see what happens. If nothing else, I know where a big ol' bottle of Strawberry Margarita Mix is stashed.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

BlogHop 09

I'm not at BlogHer. (Sulk.) But if you're reading this you aren't either! (Sorry to rub it in.) So break out the booze and the snackies, cause it's party time!

I live with my partner and our 14 year old son and 16 year old daughter. I don't have a giveaway per see, but I do run a monthly Top Commenter Contest where I reward my Top Comment Whores, (I mean Top Commenters). Still plenty of time to join in. Just start commenting!

When I'm not going broke feeding bigfoot (that's what his sister calls him, can't really argue with that since he does wear a size 14 shoe), I'm advocating for my daughter who suffers from mental illness. I'm also playing mom taxi for my son and his friends.

Yes, my name is Lola and I'm a blogger. Just how addicted am I? Let me tell you. I have Lola's Diner, Lola's Victory Garden, and Fire Crotch Rocket. I am also a contributor at Sited And Blogged. You may also catch me guest posting around. Yes, I think it's a fair statement to say I'm addicted. But I have to say, it is legal and quite less expensive than other vices.

If you are on Twitter, follow me. My Twitter Id is "lolasdiner".

If you're new to the Diner, why not stay for awhile and check out a few posts and have a milkshake or a cuppa Joe?

If you like what you see, why not become a regular? It's easy, just become a follower.

Come on, you know you want to! All the cool chicks are doin' it.

Cheers!

Lola

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

court - people watching at it's finest

A little good news to report. (I sure need some, don't I?) It's been 2 years since I first got the Order of Protection (OP) for my kids against their dad. This morning was the hearing to decide if the OP should be extended for another 2 years. I'm really burnt out today because of course I didn't sleep much, worrying about this and the fact that the judge we used to have was reassigned, so it would be a new judge today. (That is one of the things I do best...worry and obsess.)

We were first on the docket, but since this judge was only doing OP's, she had everyone check in, appear before her, then sit down for a little lecture on the etiquette of appearing before a judge for an OP hearing. Here are her top 10 etiquette tips:

10. No talking while court is in session.
9. No name calling. No calling the other person "Liar", or anything else that is not their name.
8. Answer the questions I ask in the shortest way possible.
7. Don't tell me things that have nothing to do with your case.
6. No eye rolling. (Yes, she actually said this!)
5. No interrupting. Everyone will get their say, uninterrupted.
4. Don't nod your head to answer, you need to answer clearly, yes or no.
3. Speak up. Court sessions are taped and you need to speak loud enough for the machine to hear you.
2. No yelling.
1. If you don't obey the rules, I will find you in contempt of court and arrest you right here in court.

My ex did not show up in court. Mine was the first case heard. I answered all the judge's questions. It was a very short exchange. The judge granted my request and asked me to sit down until my paperwork was done.

Now on to the fun. Sadly, because I was first, I only saw 1 partial case. A 17 year old girl had an Emergency OP against her father and this was a hearing to determine if a 2 year OP should be granted. 4 people came up when the case was called. The father, the 17 year old girl, her aunt and a female "friend". I was able to hear everyone speak except for the father. When the "friend" was asked her information, she told the judge that she was 33 years old and that the 17 year old girl was her "best friend". (Kind of funky, don't you think? Or maybe it's me? And yes, my gaydar went off when I saw the 33 year old.) Anyway, the reason the OP was requested was that the 17 year old girl wanted to sleepover at the 33 year old woman's apartment because she was over there with her sister talking about some job the 33 year old had open and it was late. (Don't you always sleep over at your prospective boss's house?) It was supposedly cleared with the 17 year old girl's mother, but the father disagreed, drove over and removed the 17 year old from the apartment and then locked the 17 year old in her basement bedroom...with a padlock, so that, in her words "I feared for my safety because if there were a fire, I couldn't get out because the door was padlocked from the outside." The 33 year old female also claimed that when she saw the 17 year old after that altercation with her father that she had bruises on her arms. The 33 year old also made sure she mentioned that, and I'm quoting, "I was on the phone with her and heard her mother give permission to stay overnight. I don't want to get into trouble with minors or anything." Sadly one of the clerks motioned for me to follow him out of the room before I heard the father or what the judge ruled.

A little mess-up afterward. The clerk was supposed to attach the original OP to the extension that I drove into Cook County to have served. Thankfully the clerk in Cook County accepted a photocopy I had of the original OP.

Sorry if this sounds kind of loopy. With all the walking, my back pain is terrible and I had to take pain meds.

Good outcome though. That's what's important.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays - Worst Cooking Disasters

Come join me for a very special edition of If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! We'll be taking time out to share some memories. We'll Blog Back Time with possible ways to right past wrongs or about how times have changed. We'll share childhood memories, school/work memories, family and friend memories.

Today's topic is: Worst Cooking Disasters

Come on, even Lola has had 1 cooking disaster, what about you?

Did you have some cooking disasters early in college, early in your marriage?

Did you make a disastrous mess?

Did it turn out awful?

This week's topic courtesy of Stephany @ Soulful Sepulcher.

I can't say I've really had many cooking disasters. Mine mostly revolve around taking on too much and making an incredible mess. The second one would be when I tried to can Pumpkin Butter. I posted that over at Lola's Victory Garden since it has to do with canning.

My first disaster was when I made Gefilte Fish, from scratch. And I mean completely from scratch. I did everything but catch the damn fish. Being inexperienced in making this Jewish delicacy, I wasn't aware that purchasing the fish cleaned and filleted was what I should have done. (To answer your question, I am not Jewish. I often cook Jewish foods so my children are exposed to their dad's culture. Besides, it turns out I liked most of the foods.)

Granted it was nice having the heads to make the stock that I cooked them in richer, but have you ever cleaned 20 pounds of fish? It's gross! I mean the fish monger does clean out the guts before it gets to the grocery, but they usually don't do a really good job. Then there is the removing of the head (ewwww, the eyes!). Removing of the tail and fins. Then the descaling. Can I tell you how much I hate descaling a fish? Those scales end up everywhere! Then the deboning and removing the skin. Arghhh! I still can't believe I did this.

So much mess. I lived in an apartment at the time. My tiny kitchen table and floor was full of fish parts, even though I planned ahead and laid newspaper down. (Only on the table.)

Thank goodness I had a food processor. Once all the cleaning was done and I had perfect chunks of fish fillets and all I had to do was dump them in batches in the food processor. Then add the other ingredients and form into patties. Then cook in batches in the fish stock. Then refrigerate (because we like them cold, like Manischewitz intended.)

Sadly, I don't have a recipe to share with you, because the 2 copies I bought of my favorite Jewish Cookbook mysteriously disappeared when my ex came over to help with moving. (As if he would actually cook anything in that book. I'd love to get another copy of that book. I purchased it at a synagogue gift shop years ago. I don't live near any synagogues and searching online I have come up with nothing. It also had a fabulous recipe for sour cream chocolate chip bundt cake.) Anyway, if you're as crazy as I am and want to try making your own, the taste is incredibly phenomenal! My secret is adding shredded cooked carrot in with the shredded fish and other ingredients. It not only improves the taste, it makes it look better.

And yes, I have made this since. However, I purchased fillets and I also purchased fish heads for the stock. I would never again go through the work of cleaning 20 pounds of fish myself. (Well, never say never, if I could get my hands on some free Coho Salmon, I would clean it, but that's about it.) Now I have a taste for Gefilte Fish. (Not that crap in a jar at the store.) I wonder when white fish is going on sale?

Now it's your turn. Please post your "Worst Cooking Disasters" on your blog. Then come back to Lola's Diner and leave the actual post link here. Please grab the html code for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! Badge HERE.

Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

IF YOU SEE THAT MckLinky APPEARS TO NOT BE WORKING, PLEASE POST A LINK TO YOUR "FIRST TIME I STOOD UP FOR MYSELF" IN THE COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU!



PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MckLinky IS STRICTLY FOR 'IF I COULD BLOG BACK TIME THURSDAYS' PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
ANY OTHER LINKS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT PREJUDICE!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Is there anybody out there?

The blogosphere is like a ghost town this week. Blogs aren't updated as frequently and very few comments. Did I say very few comments?

PEOPLE I NEED COMMENTS.

Oh look a tumbleweed.

Is everyone getting ready for Blogher? Shopping and packing, packing and shopping. Finding the perfect outfit and the perfect shoes. (Is this dyke mocking you? Noooooo, I'd be shopping for something new to wear also, but I won't be needing to buy shoes to match. I'd just need to decide blue or black croc (knock-offs), sneakers, boat shoes or black loafers. Actually, I'm kinda hooked on my croc knock-offs, so I'd probably just have to decide blue or black.)

I live an hour (or less if I put the pedal to the medal and traffic is light), but I can't attend because my finances wouldn't allow for the ticket price. I'm very jealous of all of you who can go.

For those of you going, see my previous post, Guide To Blogher - What To Do In Chicago (FREE) for some tips on FREE tourist attractions and must stops, like the Hershey Store. Oh, and I got the 411 on liquor stores in the area too, just in case you're nervous about packing your adult beverages in between your unmentionables and having them survive the flight intact.

So what is everyone who is not going to Blogher doing?

Are there any Blog Carnivals for us (ahem, losers)? Anything going on? Anything?

Who is still posting?

Where are the commenters? You know I have a contest every month for the top commenter, since the comments have dropped off, you still have a chance if you get commenting now through the end of the month.

By the way, just 2 shopping days until my birthday.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

guide to Blogher - what to do in Chicago (FREE)

First of all, all you party girls are going to want to know where you can get your beverages. If you are staying at the Sheraton, these are less than a mile walk or a really quick cab or bus ride.

Ben'Z Liquors - 0.7 miles away
15 East Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-2505

Binny's Beverage Depot - 0.9 miles away
213 West Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 332-0012

Rothschild Liquor Marts - 0.99 miles away
55 W Van Buren St # 350, Chicago, IL
312-427-0334

If you are a chocolate freak (who isn't), be sure to stop at the Hershey Store at 822 North Michigan Avenue, (312) 337-7711. Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 8pm, Friday & Saturday: 10am - 10pm. Or try Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop at 830 N Michigan Ave # 1, (312) 337-9330. Sadly, Ethel's Chocolates is no longer in Chicago and is no longer on the first floor of 900 North Michigan Avenue. They were awesome and used to be my Friday fix.

As far as restaurant recommendations go, one of my favorites is Baisi Thai. It is in the 900 North Michigan Avenue Building, 6th floor. They have a lunch buffet (Monday-Saturday 11:30am-3pm) that is awesome. I used to work in the building and it was really hard not to go more than twice a month. Tucci Benucch is also on the same floor and has excellent Italian cuisine. For a complete guide to what is in Chicago's Loop, check out Chicago Dining Guide - Chicago's Loop. Included are high-end restaurants, restaurants by type of cuisine, as well as the fast food chains. Also Starbucks.

Want to get around on the cheap and need to know what bus or el train to take?
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) or call 1-888-YOUR CTA. Click this link for the route. If you are staying at the Sheraton Chicago, type that as the "From: Attraction". Then type in the name of the attractions you want to visit. Select Train, Bus, or Driving. (There are also tabs for each, when you get your route. Select the appropriate tab.) The Directions will also include the Bus/Train fare amounts.

Free Tourist Type Stuff:
Art Institute of Chicago - Free Admission - Thursday, Friday evenings only 5pm-9pm.
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600

Museum of Contemporary Photography. July 23rd at 5:30pm there is an EXHIBITING ARTISTS TALK: Curtis Mann, John Opera, and Stacia Yeapanis.
600 S. MICHIGAN AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60605
(312) 663-5554

Buckingham Fountain. The Fountain runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily,
Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park
Chicago, IL
(312) 742-PLAY

Navy Pier.

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 595-PIER
(800) 595-PIER

Lincoln Park Zoo.
2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
Millennium Park. Visit the Bean Sculpture. The Park is open daily from 6am - 11pm. Millenium Park Walking Tour downloadable for your MP3 Player.
201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago IL 60601
(312) 742-1168


Chicago Greeter Program. Free guided walking tours for parties of 6 or more. Call, or register online.
(312) 744-8000.

DuSable Museum of African American History. Free admission every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. (Admission Tuesday - Saturday $3 per person, hours 10am-5pm.)
740 East 56th Place
Chicago, Illinois 60637
(773) 947-0600

Garfield Park Conservatory. Open 9am-5pm daily. Thursdays, open until 8pm. Open 365 days of the year. Free admission.
300 North Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
(312) 746-5100

Chicago Summer Dance Festival at Grant Park. July 23rd, 6pm-9:30pm the dance group is Kokolo. A free 1 hour dance lesson is followed by 2 hours of dancing.
Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden
601 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

Have fun!

If you're going and will be twittering, follow "lolasdiner", if you aren't already, so I can get your tweets. And leave me a comment to let me know you're twittering.

(By the way, just 3 shopping days until my birthday.)

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Your Blog Is F'g Fabulous Award - Thank you!

Hehe, I got an award from the wonderful Jane @ Jane's Writing. Thank you!

Here are the following Instructions and Rules:
1. You have to pass it (the award) on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post. (easy Below)
Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. Don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

I am passing this award on to 5 fabulous bloggers:
1. Lin @ Duck And Wheel With String. Aww snap, I know how much you dislike awards because they are work, but this one is kinda cool, don't ya think?
2. Harriet @ I Am Harriet.
3. Kat @ Sassy Irish Lassie.
4. Kirsten @ The Soccer Mom Files.
5. Cardiogirl.

And now on to my 5 fabulous addictions:
1. Blogging - Like you all haven't figured that out already?
2. Farm Town - I can't go to bed yet, my crops are at 98%.
3. Chocolate - nuff said.
4. My immediate family - ok, seriously, until I overdose and must have some "me time".
5. Red meat - I went vegetarian for about 8 months 10 years ago. I missed steak and pot roast too much, lol! I will still eat veggie burgers because I actually do like them.

Phew! Got through 5. Now it's your turn ladies!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

dream...

I awoke in the middle of the night, Friday night/Saturday morning, to make my umpteenth trip to the bathroom (damn water pills) and recall a vivid dream I just had.

I was playing some sort of video slot machine or video poker machine.

I won a black Cadillac...

and...

$758,000!

Yeah, $758,000. I remember the amount distinctly. Isn’t that an odd amount? When people win at the slot machines and video poker, isn't it an even amount? I mean, like round numbers, like $760,000 or $750,000?

When I got up to use the bathroom, Anastasia woke up, came out of the bedroom at the same time I was returning. We both reached for the bedroom door at the same time and scared the bejesus out of each other. When she returned to the bedroom (I figured we were both awake anyway) I told her about my dream. Then she told me about her dream.

Anastasia dreamt she found inner peace.

Hmm, which dream is better?

And who wants to go with me to the boats this week?

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

first lesbian in space

I bet you saw that in your reader and clicked on it first.

We were talking about the historic anniversary of the lunar landing and watching Letterman Friday night.

Letterman did a spoof and we all were laughing and our son was saying it was disrespectful to be laughing at the spoof.

We continued to laugh.

His counter to our laughing was, “what if you were the first lesbian in space?”

http://www.freakingnews.com/Astronaut-Pictures--1632.asp

I think he had us there.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

TGIF VGNO!

Time For A Question - From Ann

What is one of the strangest dreams you've ever had?
I had one that guest starred Tom Hanks as my gym teacher. Yup. That one was a doozie! Lola's gym teacher was Tom Hanks! He was dressed in grey sweats and had a whistle hanging around his neck. It was the time in gym class that all the fat kids hated (well, we really hated all parts of gym, except for maybe Tennis or Volleyball). It was the part where you had to climb the rope to the gym ceiling. All the other kids (read skinny kids) climbed up and down the ropes quickly. He's blowing his whistle and telling the kids to climb faster. Finally it was just me and one other kid left. Then the gym teacher (played by Tom Hanks) pulls out a shotgun. The other kid struggles (Tom Hanks is furiously yelling and whistling for him to "move it, move it, move it")but gets up the rope eventually. The next thing I know Tom Hanks fires a warning shot (yes! Inside the gym!) and I am grabbing at the rope, struggling. I also notice as I get a foot or so above the ground that there is a noose tied around my neck. (Yes! A noose!) So Tom Hanks has this rifle pointed at me telling me to climb, I can't climb because I'm a fat chick, but I have to do something, hang on for dear life because if I let go the noose will strangle me, if I try to climb and slip, the noose will strangle me. If I don't climb, Tom Hanks will shoot me. Then I woke up. After a little analysis of the dream and my life at the time I figured the dream meant "damned if you do, damned if you don't". I was a supervisor at a small accounting office and my boss was a bear. No matter how I tried to anticipate what he wanted or how he wanted things done, it wasn't right. I think the dream pretty much summed up my life at the time.

What is a weird dream of yours? I bet there are some doozies!!


Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Rant

Right now I can't possibly express how positively livid I am at our daughter's psychiatrist. I went to refill her medication last week and picked it up on Friday. The shape of the pills seemed different, but until this morning it never occurred to me to investigate further.

Our daughter's behavior has been atrocious of late. She refuses to participate is household chores, or anything for that matter and she's sleeping all the time.

This morning I examined one of the medication bottles. It said DR instead of ER. ER means extended release. It means the medication releases slowly in the body throughout the day, thereby providing an even level of the medication. The DR just dumps the medication all at once. (Gee, she typed sarcastically, could that be why she can't keep her head up and stay awake?) I called the pharmacy and the script was written out wrong. They tried calling and faxing the doc and told me to do the same.

She's had this psychiatrist since January, you think he could get it right? Since this doc is with the county it's a major production to get this corrected. First of all, you have to get through a huge menu to eventually get to the correct department on the phone. I explained to the receptionist, who pretty much couldn't care less and refers me to the nurse's voice mail which says to allow 48 hours for prescriptions. I said that won't do in this case, she does not have the correct medication, is the doc there, can he fix this? The receptionist says, "Yes, he's here, but that's the nurse's job and he does not take calls". Oh really?

So, there is absolutely no chance in hell of getting the correct medication before say, Tuesday or Wednesday (they are closed on Mondays).

I was practically in tears at the pharmacy counter not just because I know we won't have the correct medication for the weekend, but because I have been giving my daughter a hard time about her behavior and it's not her fault because the doc prescribed the wrong medication.

I seriously don't know how I'm going to survive this weekend.

I tried to keep both of the kids out of the loop on this, but it was kind of hard at the pharmacy because they were right there as I talked to the pharmacist and called the county mental health department. As we walked from Target to the car our son says to me "I want you to tell me the next time you take her to that doctor because I want to go with. He needs to know he can't do that and I'm going to tell him." Son...YOU ROCK!

UPDATE: Amazingly enough the pharmacy got a callback. The nurse refused to sign off on anything, but did confirm that our daughter should be on the ER version, not the DR version. Our wonderful new pharmacist took that as verbal authorization and asked me to bring in the script I had. She filled it and noted that the refills should be in the ER version, per the phone authorization today. How hard would that have been to do, what, 4 hours ago?

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

big willie - not!

By now I'm sure everyone has heard that the Sears Tower has been renamed by it's new owners. Goodbye, Sears Tower; Hello, Willis Tower. Joseph Plumeri, chairman of Willis Group Holdings Ltd. as part of a speech at the renaming said 'you can call it Big Willie, in fact I encourage you to call it Big Willie', referring to Sears Tower.

Umm, noooooo!

I'm not calling anything Big Willie!
Am I the only one that thought that the chairman looked like some big mafioso? (Not that there is anything wrong with looking like one of Tony Soprano's sidekicks.) I mean, the minute I saw him, that thought came to me. Then on the 10pm news when they showed the portion of his speech where he referred to a piece of paper that his Italian mother wanted him to read during the renaming. That pretty much clinched it.

What about you? Are you going to be calling it Big Willie?

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays - School Dance

Come join me for a very special edition of If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! We'll be taking time out to share some memories. We'll Blog Back Time with possible ways to right past wrongs or about how times have changed. We'll share childhood memories, school/work memories, family and friend memories.

Today's topic is: School Dance

What was your first school dance? Or memorable Homecoming Dance or Prom? Tell us about it. And if you've got photos of the event, post them.

I remember in 7th grade, for whatever reason I had to 'experience' my first school dance. Maybe it was because in the 7th grade was when school dances began. I don't know, but I had to be there. No reason other than that. It took a whole lot of coaxing to get my Dad to agree to pick me up after the dance. I really didn't have any friends in the 7th grade, so it wasn't like I was going to hang out with anyone. I guess it was my first official people watching event.

Can I say what a bore? I guess it was pretty cool that we got to listen to "our" music in that junior high gym, but other than that, what a snoozefest. All the popular girls hung together in a group. All the popular boys hung together in another group and us nerd/geek/unpopulars were individually dispersed throughout the gym. Some girls danced in groups. The few kids that were 'couples' in school danced when there was the slow dance, but other than that the boys and girls didn't mix.

My only other 'almost' experience with a school dance was freshman year Homecoming. Kyle used to sit with me at the cafeteria all the time and leer at me and tell jokes. I didn't invite him, and if I tried to change tables he'd follow me. I couldn't lose him if I tried. And believe me, I tried. He was always trying to peer down my flannel shirt. (Flannel shirts and Levi's where 'the' uniform back in the day.) By the time lunch was over I would have my shirt buttoned all the way to the neck. Since Kyle cracked jokes the whole lunch period, dodging his leers wasn't without entertainment. Kyle asked me to the Homecoming dance. (Part of me thought it was a joke.) I had to decline because my Aunt was getting married that day. I think he was genuinely disappointed.

Years later my bff told me that Kyle's picture was in the newspaper when Wisconsin had one of their huge snowstorms about 10 years ago. I told her about Kyle asking me to the dance. It seems he asked her too, but I'm not sure if it was to the same dance. That's not the unusual part of this story. Kyle was photographed shoveling with another man trying to dig out their car on the east side of Milwaukee. The caption read "Kyle (last name) and his partner (so and so)..." Kyle is gay. Small world, huh?

Please post your "School Dance Memory" on your blog. Then come back to Lola's Diner and leave the actual post link here. Please grab the html code for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! Badge HERE.

Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

IF YOU SEE THAT MckLinky APPEARS TO NOT BE WORKING, PLEASE POST A LINK TO YOUR "FIRST TIME I STOOD UP FOR MYSELF" IN THE COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU!



PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MckLinky IS STRICTLY FOR 'IF I COULD BLOG BACK TIME THURSDAYS' PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
ANY OTHER LINKS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT PREJUDICE!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

stray cat strut

Sunday night while I sat out on our porch for over an hour a stray gray kitten came and joined those of us on the porch and kept weaving herself in between our legs. At one point, when the screen door was left open just long enough, she even ran into our house.

Monday morning we heard an awfully loud and insistent meowing at the front door. It was our little friend. Seeing an awesome blog opportunity, I grabbed my Flip and began taking video until our daughter's bus came and then went inside. The loud, insistent meowing began again and she climbed to the top of the green chair you see in the video and peered her head into the window pane of the screen door. It would have been an adorable photo, but I couldn't grab my camera fast enough. Anyway, here is the video. My apologies for the hack editing. This was my first time using Windows Movie Maker. (It only took me an hour after I got my storyboard set to figure out what format to publish it in. Then it took forever to upload on YouTube.) Enjoy!

I ran our son to golf lessons, came home and kitty was not to be found. When I went to leave to retrieve our son I saw Drummer Boy, aka Metallica-head straddling a bicycle, on Mr. Friendly's driveway talking to Mr. Friendly.

On his shoulder was perched guess who?

Kitty! (No wonder Kitty kept walking on the deck railing up to my shoulder, he apparently trained her to perch on his shoulder like a freakin' monkey!)

I was on the porch mere moments and then he spoke to me in a lazy, scary, psycho kind of drawl, "you wanna kitty?" (pause) "I can give ya some cat food if ya want 'er." I just chuckled nervously (read snickered) and high-tailed it to my car. We haven't seen Kitty since, but our family has seen a whole litter of kittens on his property at various time over the past 3 days.

We're kind of tempted to take one of them, but with the cost of shots and what have you, it's giving us second thoughts. She's awfully adorable, isn't she? She so reminds me of when Sophie was a kitten.

So, what would you name this curious kitty?

Please post a suggestion in the comments.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Major Award

I was so excited this morning when our mail carrier came early and actually got out of the truck. She was carry this package:
Hmm, wonder who the package is for? Ooh, ooh, ooh! It's for me and it's from my blogger pally Lin @ Duck And Wheel With String. It must be my Major Award for my Dork-Off win on her blog.

My daughter was home a 1/2 day from summer school and saw the box and asked who sent me cheese. Lol!

I opened the box to find an Isabel Bloom Garden Toad pally! I absolutely love it.
I just want to thank Lin for starting me on what will likely be a new obsession. (Anastasia will be thanking you later. Lol!)

P.S. This is a trillion times better than a leg lamp. (Even though the leg lamp does have fishnet stockings.) The frog pally is way cooler.

Thanks Lin!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Rant and WTH?

Ok, I think it's pretty safe to post this because the people involved don't read my blog.

Today was Anastasia's Mom's Birthday. So all the kids took her out to lunch. Anastasia called me in the middle of my running around day to invite me. (This is not the rant, this is the lead in to the WTF.)

So, everything is cool, her brothers and sisters are always nice. So drinks and appetizers are ordered, but the appetizers haven't arrived yet. Anastasia steps out with some of her sibs for a smoke. I'm seated 2 seats away from one of her brothers. The other seats are empty. All of a sudden he calls to me...by name...

not my name...
wait for it...
are you ready for it?

He calls to me using Anastasia's ex-partner's name. YES! It took me a moment to process it. At first I couldn't figure out who he was talking to. I just stared at him and he stared back with this duh look as if to say, why didn't you answer the first time. Seriously! Then I finally realized he was talking to me! (You talkin' to me? Lol!) I thought maybe if I stared a bit longer he'd realize his mistake, but he didn't. WTF? Anastasia hasn't been with that ho for 8 years. We've been together 5 years. I'm at every family function. How do you make that mistake?

See kids! Alcohol kills brain cells!

You know how when you go out in a group there is sometimes discontent about splitting up the bill for a large group? Yeah, ahh, we got some discontent here. Anastasia and I had the $5 lunch special with iced tea, some had steak dinners and they all drank like fishes. Some having 5 cocktails before the appetizers arrived! Are you seeing where this is going? Yes, they split the bill equally. I told Anastasia next time I'm having the Prime Rib. Or perhaps I should have done what a co-worker used to do at corporate lunches and order a meal to go for my son who was at home eating pb&j for lunch.

(Ok, I'm still chanting - But Anastasia and I got to spend the afternoon together without the kids. But Anastasia and I got to spend the afternoon together without the kids. But Anastasia and I got to spend the afternoon together without the kids.)

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

dorks r us!

Yeah, I'm not sure why I'm even posting this, other than to prove once and for all that I was truly, truly deserving to have won Lin at Duck And Wheel With String's Dork-Off contest. I mean, seriously, I campaigned for it. That should have told you something right there.

But wait there is more. Remember my post Lola's Diner - I Surrender! where I talked about my computer mysteriously shutting off and then not turning back on again? And how I made made a late night call to HP tech support and performed brain surgery on my laptop. And how the next day I made a trip to the Geek Squad at Best Buy and how the guy just plugged it in and it turned on just like that! You know, just like when you have that noise in your car and you bring it to the repair shop and the car geek guy takes it for a spin and doesn't hear it? Like that!

Well, it happened again Saturday night! I thought it may have been because I had inadvertently left the laptop on while my daughter and I went to the banquet. I thought maybe it got to hot, so I let it cool for awhile. Then I put the battery in, nothing. Tried hitting the F'keys like I remember the HP tech told me to the first time. I even re-seated the Ram card. Nothing! As I was on hold for the Geek Squad I told my daughter to plug the power cord into a different outlet. In order to do this I had to move the power cord from the left of me to the right of me.

And...

Wait for it...
The cord was disconnected from the power supply thingy (where I have written "Plug in Here" on my high tech diagram). Yeah, I had it plugged into my computer and plugged into the wall socket, however both were no longer connected to each other! Somehow it wiggled lose and disconnected. I quickly re-connected them, tried to turn it on and wah lah! It turned on! I immediately hung up on the Geek Squad (I wasn't rude...I was still on hold and hadn't yet spoken to a live person.)

Is that dorky or what?

What dorky thing will you admit you've done lately? Grab the I'm A Dork Badge here, and post your dork story on your blog.

Come on...I know I'm not the only one.
(Please...don't let me be the only one!)
(I'm serious!)

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

A Local Running of the Bulls?

I didn't believe this at first, but there was a "large black bull running loose" around Jackson and Henderson Streets" in Joliet, IL, about 12:30 a.m Sunday. Seriously!

We had our own little running of the bulls. (Ok, it was one, but seriously, how often do you see a real live 700 pound black bull running around in the city?) Thankfully no one was hurt.

Bull Caught In Joliet Neighborhood.

Turns out the bull belonged to a farm on Gouger Road. The alleged owner has to show proof of ownership of the bull that he says he imported from Mexico.

(Photo from the running of the bulls in Spain.)

How cool would it have been if someone would have taken a photo of the bull that ran around Joliet?

No word on if anyone was seen running ahead of the bull wearing white and carrying a red flag.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

why haven't I heard?

I feel like I've been living under a rock. Creed's Scott Stapp Calls Reunion "A Renewing and Rebirth". I'm on the internet all the time, and this is the first I've heard? Creed is getting back together? Awesome. They have a new album coming out August 25th, "Full Circle". (Look I still use the world album! Isn't that so old school? I meant cd.) I rarely by cd's anymore, but I think this is one I will run out and buy.

Here is video of the reunited Creed.

I know, kind of weird, a 40 something (yes, I can still say that for a couple more years!) who likes Creed. It's kind of grunge music, but then my music tastes are quite varied. The "My Own Prison" cd really spoke to me. I didn't discover it right away, but as odd as it sounds, it really empowered me. I found it at a time where my life was really in turmoil. I have all 3 of their cds and I just came across them in a box in storage.





Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Happy Birthday to Richard Simmons!

Richard Simmons turns 61 today! Happy Birthday!

If you don't know who he is, you are either too young or you've lived under a rock since the 80's. Richard Simmons is the flamboyant, high-energy, motivational weight, dolphin shorts wearing weight loss guru. He had his own weight loss plan, remember Deal A Meal? And he had his own video series "Sweatin' to the Oldies" (now on DVD) which featured actual, life size fat people. He did not have the skinny people seen on other exercise tapes or programs. He chose real plus sized people, like me, in his tapes and programs.

He now has a new weight loss program called Food Mover Program 2009.

Richard has his own website, Richard Simmons.com and is currently campaigning to get Physical Education into the No Child Left Behind Act.

This video is from 01/10/08:


Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Golf Banquet

These are some photos from our daughter's golf banquet from this evening. She actually asked me to post them! So here is part of the team that attended the event. My daughter is the one with the Mickey Mouse t-shirt.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

TGIF VGNO!

Woo hoo! DSL is back and working. I seriously doubt we could have survived the weekend without it! Noooo, I'm not kidding! We use internet as a reward (read BRIBE) for the kids doing their chores. Needless to say, they have been less than cooperative since we had no DSL.

Oh, by the way, I'm guest posting for Kat over at Sassie Irish Lassie today. Please stop by and check out the video I posted for VGNO on Kat's site.

Time For A Question - From Ann

Seeing as I have Coldplay as my birthday party's "house band" (I live in my own little world, don't I? ;-> ) I was wondering... what band, or artist, would you have play at your birthday party? I know this is going to be good.

Since it is for my birthday (and it actually is this month - next Friday, plenty of shopping days left!) I think I'll go for some Goo. Yeah, I love me some Goo Goo Dolls. Enjoy!

Are you a regular at Lola's Diner?

How do you become a regular? Become a Follower!

Come on, all the kewl kids are doin' it!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

There Goes The Neighborhood

What, you thought I was going to regale you with another tale of Drummer Boy, aka Metallica-head or Mr. Friendly? Or perhaps some new neighbor? No, we actually haven't met the new neighbor yet.

No, this is a new 7 episode reality show set to air in August. There Goes The Neighborhood - CBS Reality Show.

"Eight families in a suburban neighborhood who are enclosed by a massive 20-foot wall as they compete in family-friendly games for the grand prize of $250,000."
Cut off from the outside world -

No way in
No way out
No electricity
No television
No internet
No telephone
No cell phone
No texting

Each week a family will be voted out.
Could your family do it?

No way in/out - Shoot! I could do that hands down, no problem. I'm home bound most of the time anyway, so this wouldn't be all that new.

No electricity - Hmm, I would miss certain necessities, like a refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker.

No television - There's nothing on this time of the year anyway. I think I could deal if I had some playing cards or reading materials.

No internet? I've gone without DSL for a few days now and I've warned Anastasia more than once that I'm about to crack. We're talking disruption to my routine and the fact that our finances are keeping me on lock down.

No telephone/cell phone/texting - I mostly just call/text Anastasia or the kids, so since this "social experiment" required everyone to be together, phoning them would not be necessary.

I know for certain I couldn't do it with any of my current neighbors. I find it practically impossible to be cordial to Drummer Boy, aka Metallica-head. It's something about those late night jams, the same repetitive drum riff until you feel like you're going to go insane, or his dog running lose and terrorizing our son. And Mr. Friendly...he's just not friendly. How can you be friendly with someone who has been blatantly unfriendly for nearly 4 years? Our other neighbors that we know, Sue and her husband are alright. They just like to start drinking brewskis at 10am. Not personally knowing whether they are happy drunks or angry drunks, either way, it could be an issue for a community of 8 families.

So, how would your family do?

How would you do with your current neighbors?
Leave a comment and let us know.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays - Favorite Peaceful Place

Come join me for a very special edition of If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! We'll be taking time out to share some memories. We'll Blog Back Time with possible ways to right past wrongs or about how times have changed. We'll share childhood memories, school/work memories, family and friend memories.

Today's topic is: Favorite Peaceful Place

This week's topic courtesy of Stephany @ Soulful Sepulcher

What are some of your favorite outdoor places to go where your spirit is lifted and the rest of the world doesn't matter? Where life stands still and you feel at peace?

The most recent place I can think of is Starved Rock in Uttica, IL
I wrote about our weekend getaway here, Lola's Diner 05/30/09 - Our Weekend.

Everyone says to go to Starved Rock in the fall for the leaves, but I have to say this wintery view was beautiful. I hope the next time we go we are able to spend more time enjoying the view.

Please post your "Favorite Peaceful Place" on your blog. Then come back to Lola's Diner and leave the actual post link here. Please grab the html code for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! Badge HERE.

Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

NOW USING MckLinky, YOU MAY ALSO POST A LINK TO YOUR "FAVORITE PEACEFUL PLACE" IN THE COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU!



PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MckLinky IS STRICTLY FOR 'IF I COULD BLOG BACK TIME THURSDAYS' PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
ANY OTHER LINKS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT PREJUDICE!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Thursday Thunks/Rants

Welcome to the July 9th version of Thursday Thunks!
(posted on Wednesday)

1. Do you tend to have a guilty conscious? Yes....doesn't it go hand and hand with obsessing?

2. Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Not all of them.

3. Peanut Butter - creamy or crunchy? Creamy JIF

4. Get up off your butt. Take 5 steps. Which leg did you start out on? Left

5. What color is your favorite kitchen utensil? Blue

6. Did you watch the Michael Jackson memorial/funeral? I watched the whole thing.

7. Do you know anyone who graduated from high school this year? Were you invited to their graduation party? Did you go? No.

8. White with black stripes or black with white stripes? White with black

9. If we were to call your 6th grade teacher, what would they say about you? She's shy.

10. Can you draw a perfect circle? How much time do I have?

11. What was your favorite scratch & sniff sticker scent? Watermelon

12. What does your sibling do for a living? Office worker.

13. How many light switches and electrical outlets are in the room that you are in right now? 7

14. Do you know sign language? Just the important one....

15. Do you step on cracks in the sidewalk? We don't have sidewalks. But doesn't everyone know you step on a crack you break your mama's back?

16. And the sheets on your bed look like....? Tan.

17. What is something that everyone else has but you don't? MONEY. Could I just have 1 month where something unexpected doesn't come up? One month where I could go for a freakin Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino (my fav) and not have to debate (in my head) the expense and then walk away deciding I can't really afford it?

Oh, in case you haven't seen me around, it's because my DSL modem took a dump Tuesday. I'm on dial-up until the new modem arrives. When I told Anastasia how much the new modem was, she said "Happy Birthday". So, Happy freakin' early birthday present to me. Sniff...and I was hoping she'd get me something purty.

And I could rant on about my experience trying to get a new modem, but let's just keep it short and say that Best Buy shouldn't tell you something is in stock, when it's not and Radio Shack needs to train their employees. They sold me a flippin' modem that isn't wireless, therefore I could only hook-up the desktop and not my 2 laptops. When the guy asked me what O/S I was using I said "2 XP's and 1 Vista". That should have given him a clue that I wanted to hook-up 3 computers, NOT 1.

Oh, and because I'm on dial-up it's virtually impossible to upload images to my blog or send the photos of the neighbor dog that our son took to Animal Control. Drummer Boy aka Metallica-head is at it again with letting his dog run wild. Our son scared the bejesus out of me when he abruptly ran back in the house this afternoon. He went to get the mail and had to run back in.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

he's teaching angels to dance

OOk. Jackson's Public Memorial Concludes After Remarks From His Daughter, Paris

Who did not see the spectacle that was Michael Jackson's Memorial Service? I'm sure if you haven't seen it, you'll be seeing clips of it on the news for days. I wouldn't be surprised if they even aired it again, but this time with yet even more commentary.

Elvis Presley may have been the King of Rock N Roll, but Michael Jackson, the King of Pop got a much bigger, celebrity extravaganza. Elvis's funeral was held in the living room of Graceland, August 18, 1977 and attended by a handful of celebrities. Graceland was opened up to the masses and an estimated 30,000 came to view Elvis lying in state. Then President Jimmy Carter called in 300 members of the National Guard to deal with crowds.

It's definitely a different time. Los Angeles Police Department was well prepared.

I started watching on ABC, then switched to CBS because I got sick of the commentator and his guests saying that Michael Jackson was one of the 3 most popular figures in our time. The other 2 being the Pope and Queen Elizabeth. Nice banter, is that the results from some actual survey? I wasn't thrilled with Katie Couric talking over the beginning of every person/song, but at least the banter wasn't as inane.

I'm not a fan of Rev. Al Sharpton, but I enjoyed his speech. At the end he said, "There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy," he said later, addressing Jackson's three children in the front row. "It was strange what your daddy had to deal with!" and the crowd rose to their feet.

Yes, there were times that my eyes started to well with tears, it was a memorial service after all and I am human. It was interesting to hear the humorous stories that Berry Gordy, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Brooke Shields told. Those stories showed the fans and the media a different side of Michael Jackson.

I was a bit disturbed by the end of the event. I think it should have ended after the big production number with the London cast. We didn't need to see his brother Marlon break down. We especially didn't need to see family members pushing Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson to the microphone. Janet, pushing the microphone in front of Paris, where she burst into tears after saying, "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine! I just wanted to say I love him so much." To me, that seemed wrong on so many levels. Granted, the child could have expressed an interest in speaking and she was prodded to move the event to it's end, but the cynic in me thinks it may have been choreographed by the family.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

6 Year Old Schizophrenic

Have you seen this story? Jani's At The Mercy Of Her Mind, the story of a 6 year old Schizophrenic. If you haven't read this article, please take a moment to read it and be sure to view the video that is included in the article. Here is her Jani's father Michael Schofield's blog, January First (Notes from Calalini) (According to 6 year old Jani, "Calalini is on the border between this world and my other world.")

I will admit I started to cry as I read this article and saw the video that accompanied it. I cried for the parents for what they are going through, for what Jani is going through and for her brother Bodhi, when he becomes old enough to understand his sister's illness. I also cried because the memories came flooding back from when my daughter had her psychotic break. Many of my readers, my pallies, know about my daughter's illness. If you're new to my blog and want to catch up, check out these posts, Being Bipolar - Meet Lola, Grounding Yourself, Don't Call Me Betty, By Special Request, 100th Post By Special Request II, No Green Hangover-Daughter Hospitalized, People Watching At It's Finest, To Understand.... That pretty much brings you up to date.

Dealing with a mental illness like Schizophrenia not only changes the way you look at that family member, but it changes your whole family dynamics. Each member of the immediate family is in caregiver mode 24/7. It affects siblings and it affects the way the each member of the family relates to each other.

I'm not pro-medication, nor am I anti-medication. Some people on the yahoo group I belong to, Our BP Kids swear by TrueHope EMPowerPlus. Some parents have taken their children off anti-depressants and anti- psychotic medications and use only TrueHope EMPowerPlus, others use it along with prescribed medications. I can't say what's right for Jani or anyone else's child, I just know that anti-psychotic medications brought my daughter back from Catatonia and got rid of Hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. Yes, she continues to have periods of instability, but for the most part, she is far better off than when her illness first struck.

Anastasia emptied her digital camera Sunday. I loaded the photos onto my laptop as well. What I saw was shocking. I think I've mentioned the photo collages I have running up our staircase to our second floor. The photos stop abruptly before my daughter's illness. The photos from Anastasia's camera are from when my daughter came home from her first hospitalization, Thanksgiving 2007. It's hard to believe this is the same child. The anti-psychotic medications, Xyprexa, Geodon, Depakote have caused tremendous weight gain. I never really realized how much until I compared the photos.

...........Thanksgiving 2007.............................June 2009.................

Pretty stark contrast, isn't it?

All I can offer to other parents going through this with their child is to be an informed parent. Research your child's diagnosis and medications online and read as many books as you can. There are tons of books out there on how to deal with children with mental illness and books on specific diagnoses. Find out as much as you possibly can so you can take an active role in your child's care.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

more wins!

This week is shaping up to be a banner week at Lola's Diner. First the Dork-Off win, then the Blognet Awards Comment Contest win, and then 1,000 Entrecard Credits from Dawn at Me And Craig. I think it's time to go to the boats and start winning some real ca$h!

Lola's Diner won 5th Place in the Comment Contest in June!

This is my 2nd 5th place win! And my 3rd win from them.
It's only a matter of time when I start winning some ca$h~
Cash would have came in handy, but EC credits spend pretty good too.

Not familiar with Blognet Blog Awards?
Click on their banner and check it out.

Lola's Diner

©2008-2009

200 followers! Woo Hoo!

To all my followers, thank you so much for signing up.
To everyone else, what are you waiting for?

Become a regular at Lola's Diner by becoming a Follower.
Come on, all the cool kids are doin' it!

And don't forget, each month I reward my Top Commenters. So become a Follower and start commenting!
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Cudahy, WI State of Emergency - pfft!

In case you're wondering why I'm blogging about Cudahy, my sister lives in Cudahy. Cudahy Officials Declare State of Emergency due to a fire. I just found out about it moments ago via a news report on NBC Chicago. When they showed video of the scene I immediately recognized it as the Patrick Cudahy Plant. This is going to be a terrible hit to the community and it likely means lay-offs at the plant.

Being the dutiful sister, I called my sister immediately voicing my concern and inquiring how close she lived to Wisconsin's biggest wiener roast. She lives 1.97 miles from the plant. The evacuation area is 2.0 miles from the plant. She should be evacuating. However, she is going to her second job while her husband is at home, insisting they don't need to book a hotel.

The reason for the evacuation is due to ammonia fumes. I don't think you mess around with that. But that's just me.

Maybe I should call her back and tell her to be sure to bring home marshmallows?

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

who is the dorkiest?

Yeah, ah huh, it's Lola! Was there every any question?

Thank you to everyone who voted for me over at Lin's Duck and Wheel With String's First Official Dork-Off. Be sure to check out the lovely crown and sash that Lin's daughter added to my photo from Photobucket.
Yes, I worked it! Yes I campaigned just like any Chicago politician. And yes, I actually sent a few voters over who did not even vote for me. (Shocking I know!) And I still won!

Anastasia is so proud!

But then she did know all along that I was the biggest dork, the Dorkiest Dork, the Queen of Dorkdom.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

TGIF VGNO! - And...Go Vote For Me!

Time For A Question

Since this is a holiday weekend I would like to know how you are going to celebrate Independence Day?

I have no idea what we are doing. I bought a pork loin that I'm going to marinade, then put on some Famous Dave's Rub and put on the grill with some hickory chips. But first I must go get a propane refill because when I marinaded a chuck roast earlier this week the tank went empty on me after I browned it off and set the grill to cook it on indirect heat. Drat. I had to finish it in the oven. It was good, but would have been so much better on the grill. So first thing on my list is getting that refill.

Anastasia want to go to our community's fireworks, so weather permitting we'll be out with the masses.

So, what are your 4th of July plans?

Oh, after you tell me your plans, be sure to stop over and vote for me in Lin's Duck and Wheel With String First Official Dork-Off Contest. All you need to do is click on the link, Duck and Wheel With String and post a comment that you are voting for me, Lola. Here is my no doubt award winning photo:
SO PLEASE, GO VOTE FOR ME, LOLA, BY LEAVING A COMMENTING SAYING THAT YOU VOTE FOR ME AT: Duck and Wheel With String.

Thank you!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

weekly blog hop - intro

***At Lola's Diner we'll be sharing recipes and conversation across the virtual lunch counter. Topics will be varied and can include current events, politics, parenting, mental health, and GLBT topics.***

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

art is everywhere - think outside the canvas

Yes, these are ordinary styro-foam coffee cups. I found these on Flickr.

Aren't they fun pieces of art?

Most of the 161 pieces of art shown on Boey's Flickr page are for sale. (Some have already been sold.) Prices range from $120-$300 and include a display case. The display case measures approximately 4"x4"x 5".

This is what the art looks like in the display case. From the artist's notes on Boy Obsolete's Flickr Page, "They come in a case, with a hand cut name tag and cork base. Oh yes, because I am still very 1985."

More from the artist, Boy Obsolete:

"Drawing on cups is a challenge. Unlike a flat canvas, you have to consider compositions from all around. Which is what I spend most of my time doing off the top of my head.

I don't do initial drafts on the cup. I do that on paper, but even that is rare, most of the time it's a straight shot. Part of the fun is not messing up...and that can happen anytime...sometimes, 95% into the work.

How do I mess up? It's styro-foam, it charges up easy. Lint can stick to it, so can tiny hairs. When it gets caught on my sharpie, and I am not aware of it, a fine point can suddenly become a broad stroke.

If I mess up, I drink out of it."

You can't say that about paper, or canvas, can you?

I really think this is an awesome change of pace for art. Don't you?

To view all of the styro-foam art click Boy Obsolete's Flickr Page.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

google reader/friend connect isn't working

To those of you who managed to find me today, YAY!

Google Reader/Friend Connect is not working. Mine says I'm not following anyone. Ack! Where are my blogger pallies? I hope they resolve this soon. Here is what it says on the Blogger Help Known Issues Page:

Friend Connect is experiencing degraded performance this morning which is affecting many Blogger blogs. This results in several known issues:

• Your Blogger dashboard will report you are not following any blogs.
  
• Recently created blogs will see an error in their Followers gadget which indicates "Community not found".
• Managing followers from your Blogger dashboard is currently not working.
• Adding social gadgets to your site will generate an error when the gadget attempts to display a preview, and you will not be able to complete adding the gadget.
• Following a site by entering the URL into your Blogger dashboard will not work.

The Friend Connect team is aware of the issues and is working on fixes. Your followed blogs will return to your dashboard when Friend Connect operation resumes. We apologize for the disruption. —

You can also go to that page to report an outtage.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays - Fourth of July Memories

Come join me for a very special edition of If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! We'll be taking time out to share some memories. We'll Blog Back Time with possible ways to right past wrongs or about how times have changed. We'll share childhood memories, school/work memories, family and friend memories.

Today's topic is: Fourth of July Memories

As a kid we always attended the Oak Creek 4th of July celebration. From grade school thru high school I even marched in the parade. I marched with my grade school. Students that were in band played instruments, the rest of us basically just followed the band members. Yes, we were that lame. But we had to do it to get to have first dibs on the ice cream cups and bottles soda. You really wanted first dibs because you didn't want to get stuck with the Red Cream Soda that was left at the end. My Dad and our neighbor Tim dispensed the ice cream and soda so we didn't have to worry about quantity, but we did want to avoid that dreaded Red Cream Soda.

I'm not a big fan of parades, but when my kids were little we packed up the car and drove back to my hometown so they could have my 4th of July experience. We lived in Chicago at the time and I wasn't a fan of Grant Park so we definitely weren't doing that. Instead of walking in the parade I was a spectator. (Did I say I wasn't a fan of parades?) It was really great to watch my kids enjoy the parade. Our son especially enjoyed the antique fire trucks and the antique cars the city officials rode in. We still got to partake in the ice cream cups and soda afterward, but had to deal with the long lines after the parade participants.

After several years I got tired of the driving and the expense of hauling all the way to my hometown, so several years we went to the Skokie 4th of July Parade. (Got to love those Shriners mini's!) Then when I worked in Glencoe we went to the their parade.
Now we kind of avoid the whole parade thing, but we do go in for the fireworks displays because Anastasia loves them. The first year we moved to the burbs we parked in a lot near the display and watched from inside our car. I even opened the sun roof of my SUV so we could watch them overhead. It was very crowded and we failed to bring lawn chairs, but we ended up having the best seats. Last year we sat in our backyard and watched our neighbors' displays. They were actually quite impressive.

This year is still up for grabs. So what are you doing for July 4th?

Please post your "Fourth of July Memories" on your blog. Then come back to Lola's Diner and leave the actual post link here. Please grab the html code for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! Badge HERE.

Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

IF YOU SEE THAT MR. LINKY APPEARS TO NOT BE WORKING, PLEASE POST A LINK TO YOUR "FOURTH OF JULY MEMORIES" IN THE COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MR LINKY IS STRICTLY FOR 'IF I COULD BLOG BACK TIME THURSDAYS' PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
ANY OTHER LINKS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT PREJUDICE!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

this just in...Michael Jackson...

STILL DEAD.
Yup, still D E A D.

How low of a journalist (and I use that term loosely) do you have to be to look into whether a deceased person's children are really their biological children? Seriously. The man was childlike, he loved children, he wanted a family in whatever configuration he chose to have. (Don't many of us have non-traditional families?) What business is it of the general public who the father or mother of his children were? He was legally their father, regardless of paternity.

Back to what the media isn't concentrating on, the allegations that Michael Jackson was a pedophile. How quickly they forget don't they? No mention at all of the Jesus Juice in any reports I've seen. And frankly, I've seen too many. I'm about ready to put a moratorium on MJ media coverage in my house. One interesting thing I did see in my traipsing through the blogosphere today was a number of blogs addressing the alleged molestations, calling out to those alleged victims saying "WE BELIEVE YOU". Interesting.

Isn't it interesting also that this nurse/nutritional counselor/friend has come forward to say that June 21, she was contacted by a member of Jackson's staff. "He called and was very frantic and said, 'Michael needs to see you right away.' I said, 'What's wrong?' And I could hear Michael in the background. . . . 'One side of my body is hot, it's hot, and one side of my body is cold. It's very cold,' " Ms. Lee said. "At that point, I knew that somebody had given him something that hit the central nervous system," she said. Hmmm, Ms. Lee, if that conversation actually happened and you felt that he should go to the hospital, why did you do nothing and contact no one else? Were it true, why didn't you contact a member of MJ's family?

Why is the media still feeding on this? They barely covered Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett's funerals. They barely mentioned Fred Travalena's death on June 28th. He was a celebrity impressionist genius.

Karl Malden died today. How much have you heard about that? He had the longest marriage in Hollywood history, but I bet you won't hear about that. Because that's something positive. The media is only out for the negative. He was also a member of the United States Postal Service's 16-member Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, which meets to review recommendations for U.S. commemorative postage stamps. But that won't sell thousands of copies of US Weekly and People magazine. It's too bad celebrities need to do something scandalous to be recognized in death.

How about waiting for the autopsy results? How about stop reporting on your speculation? How about leaving his children alone and stop trying to dredge up their parentage?

Oh, and in MJ's Will Diana Ross was named as an alternate if his mother predeceased him or was unable to care for his children. Doesn't that mean that the kids would be back with Michael? I mean, since all the plastic surgery Michael has had, have you ever seen the 2 in the same room? Oh wait, is that LaToya. Or Janet. Or any of the 3? Hmmm...

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

it's that time of the year...

Summer means picnics and bbq's and that means potato salads.

One of the things that frustrates me endlessly since I moved to Illinois is the fact that you cannot get German Potato Salad at any grocery deli.
A nice cold, tangy German Potato Salad with just the right amount of real bacon. Mmmm. I remember every Sunday after church we'd go to Sentry Foods and get hot ham, rolls and German Potato Salad. When we had family parties we could order it in huge gallon pails. In Wisconsin, German Potato Salad is a staple.

Even when I lived in Chicago, I could not find it in a grocery store deli department. Yes, can get "Grandma's German Potato Salad" in a teeny tiny package. Maybe 4 ounces for $4.99. Meanwhile every other kind of potato salad comes in practically a gallon size drum for that price. So, were I wanting to purchase the German Potato Salad I would need to purchase maybe 60 for a party? I'm not even going to do the math. What is up with that?

Noooo, I don't want to make my own German Potato Salad. I tried that once. I couldn't get the vinegar right. I want to buy it.

I don't want American Potato Salad, Mustard Potato Salad, Dill Potato Salad, Amish Potato Salad or Macaroni Salad. Ok, the Deviled Egg Potato Salad isn't bad, and I do enjoy Dill Potato Salad, but it's not German Potato Salad! What the hell makes a potato salad Amish anyway? To me it just tastes like Mustard Potato Salad.

Why can't I get a pound, or a family size tub of German Potato Salad around here?

Are they rationing it here in Illinois?

Can someone hook me up?

If my sister comes for the 4th of July I may ask her to smuggle some across the border. I wonder what the penalty is for getting caught smuggling deli salads across state lines?

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

June top commenter winners!

Wow! Super close this month, but Lin won again, by 1. Congrats Lin, you get to go EC Ad shopping on me again! 2nd Place was a tie so being the super nice blogger that I am, I awarded 500 EC to both 2nd Place winners.

Here are the results:

1st Place - Lin @ Duck and Wheel With String 750 Entrecard Credits.
2nd Place - Harriet @ I Am Harriet 500 Entrecard Credits.
2nd Place - Auntie E @ At Home With Auntie E 500 Entrecard Credits.
3rd Place - Stacie @ Super Mommy To The Rescue 250 Entrecard Credits.

Congratulations to the winners! Entrecard Credits will be in your accounts shortly.

Don't forget, I will be awarding my Top Commenters in July!

Let the comments begin!

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009