Woo hoo! We were celebrating on Saturday!

What were we celebrating on Saturday? Getting all of the smaller plumbing projects done around the house, courtesy of my next door neighbor, aka Awesome Handyman. He unclogged the bathroom sink without having to replace the trap. He installed the new toilet upstairs that's been impatiently waiting for me to eat my Wheaties and get er done. And may I say, it's AWESOME! You can't imagine unless you've gone through it, but having a toilet (the old one) that took several power roddings and still didn't clear, and having to run downstairs in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Ugh! But no more! Apparently the issue was with the toilet, not with the house plumbing. Who knew someone could get so excited about having a working toilet on the 2nd floor?

And...we finally got the dishwasher installed that I got off Freecycle. Yup...got it FREE. Well, I did need to order a drain hose to the tune of $48, and buy a new water supply line and connector, but with the parts and installation, it was still under $100! Freecycle rocks! And it works like a charm! No more falling top rack, no more backing up with dishwasher suds all over the floor. And no more buying expensive "Complete" dishwasher soap. The rinse aid do-hicky on this one actually works! It is a bit noisier than the other one, but it's definitely a LOT less noisy than listening to the kids argue about washing the dishes by hand, and the counting of dishes and silverware to make it fair...and don't you know a pasta pot counts more than a cereal bowl? I didn't know that. Lol!

Awesome Handyman also took a chainsaw to the dead tree in my yard and made a good dent in it until the high winds started and he had to quit. He'll be back this weekend to hopefully finish turning that sucker into firewood, and also do some other things I need done. I have my list all ready! I can't wait!

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Today is Pack Your Mom's Lunch Day

Pack your Mom's Lunch Day? Oh cool! Now if I could only get my kids to do it.

I cook nearly every night, the least they could do is pack my lunch for work, right?

My son occasionally will surprise me and pack me a lunch. He does an awesome job too. And...he includes a note or a poem he's written. I think those notes or poems are worth more than the lunch!

Do your kids ever pack your lunch? What good things do they include?

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Redecorating Bug

Oh I've got it bad! We have been in our home 6 years and the only thing I have done decor-wise was paint my daughter's room in Raspberry Sherbet Pink (looks like Pepto Bismol pink to me, but she likes it. Lol!)

The drapes in my living room need to be replaced. They are the pinch pleated variety that uses a Traverse Rod. Do you know how hard it is to find drapes like that, and finding them at a price that you don't need to take out a second mortgage to buy? Everything is grommets! Blech! I really like the pinch pleated drapes with the traverse rod. I like to be able to open my drapes and look outside if I want to. And so do the kitties. And I want the thermal lined drapes. Sure I've seen that you can buy the lining separately, but come on, I want no muss no fuss, just hand the new drapes. All in one. That's all I'm sayin'.

I also want to paint a few accent walls. I'm planning on doing the painting on turkey day because the kids are gone and I have no place to go. I thought I'd get some stuff done around the house.

I realize I've procrastinated this long (6 years), but I really would like to have new drapes for the holidays. I think I've checked out just about every website I could think of. Anyone have any ideas?

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Need Gift Ideas for a teenage girl

Ok, I am at a loss here. I need gift ideas for my teenage daughter. Anyone have any idea, other than clothing?

She's already got the usual stuff, ipod, e-reader, she's even got a sleep machine.

Please post your ideas. Helllpppp!

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Today is Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day

So the wacky holiday that is today, is Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day.

Sounds kind of silly, but I think all of us need to be reminded to loosen up and have some fun, or lighten up and not take things so seriously. Especially with all the stress most of us have everyday. Some of us have different kinds of stress, whether it's job hunting, money stress, or a family member with an illness stress. Sometimes it's good to say f' it! I'm going to lighten up today, not think about all those things, do something fun that doesn't cost anything, or doesn't cost much.

Some things that help me loosen up or lighten up:
1. Having coffee and a chat with a friend I haven't seen in awhile. Lin...our coffee chat was awesome! We need to do it more often.

2. Do something goofy or childlike. One goofy memory I have of lightening up was the short getaway we had with Anastasia and the kids to Starved Rock. I got my drink on with some Bud Light Lime while the kids swam in the pool. When they returned, every time I said something I was talking in Yoda's voice. The kids thought it was hilarious, they laughed their butts off. Now any time I reach for an alcoholic beverage my kids say "Oh no! The Yoda voice is coming". It's just too funny. I also like to car dance. One of my current faves to car dance to is LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It". I really bust a move! It's fun, and I know it mortifies my kids when I do it, making it all the more fun!

3. Sometimes I just decide that all day, I'm not going to let any thoughts about a particular stressor in my head. Like sometimes I decide I'm not going to think about my finances at all for the day, or I'm not going to think about all the projects that need to get done around the house (woo hoo! A post is coming up about that one!) One of the things I've done for a long time, to lesson the stress on my weekends is to go news free. It just makes for a more relaxing weekend, not having to worry about whatever is going on in the Middle East, what's going on in Politics, or the bad things that sometimes happen to people. Even though they may not technically be stressors, they do affect my mood.

So what do you do to loosen up or lighten up?

Leave me a comment with your ideas. Maybe we can help each other with some new ideas.


Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Sunday Stealing - The Madness Meme Part 2

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!!!

Today we ripped off a blogger named Tense Teacher from the blog Tense for a Reason. It's long so we'll do it in two parts. She stole it from The Coffee Table. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Madness Meme, Part 2

Cheers to all of us thieves!

23. Do you ever walk around the house naked? Sometimes, if I'm home only only though.

24. If you were an animal what would you be? Why? Who's asking? Barbara WaWa?

25. Hair color you like on someone you’re dating? Doesn't matter. But hair is a plus. Lol?

26. If suffering an injury, would you rather be left blind or deaf? Probably deaf. I don't think I could stand not seeing all the beauty that is out there. And seeing my kids faces. I would miss music, but I wouldn't want to miss all that.

27. Do you have any special talents? I don't think so.

28. What do you do as soon as you walk in the house? If it's after work, I put my coat and backpack in my room.

29. Do you like horror or comedy? Comedy! I don't care for horror movies, too much gore.

30. Are you missing anyone? My parents...and my bff.

31. Where do you want to live when you are old? Here is good.

32. Who is the person you can count on the most? My kids, mostly my son. He rocks!

33. If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be? I don't know that I'd want to "date" her, but I think a conversation over dinner or coffee with Katherine Hepburn would be fascinating.

34. What did you dream last night? I don't remember. I usually don't remember.

35. What is your favorite sport to watch? Baseball. Go Cubbies?

36. Are you named after anyone? I'm named after 2 people, from my mom's side.

37. What is your favorite alcoholic drink? Margaritas are good!

38. Non alcoholic drink? Iced tea with lemon.

39. Have you ever been in love? Yes.

40. Do you sing in the shower? Sometimes, but I think I hum more than I sing.

41. Have you ever been arrested? Not yet. Lol!

42. What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas, even though last year's was pretty much ruined. I think I enjoy most seeing the looks on my kid's faces at what Santa got them. I give Santa some really good hints.

43. Would you ever get plastic surgery? I don't think so. I'm not a fan of going under the knife for any reason, let alone for vanity.

44. Have you ever caught a fish? Yes I have, once. And I was glad I did cuz it kinda made having my sister over turn the boat when I got in, and then went under the water and came up under the pier.

Thank you for playing this week on Sunday Stealing! Please leave a comment or link when you have posted. Stop back and visit other player’s posts. That is really what this is all about, making new friends! Have a great week. See you next Sunday!


Lola's Diner ©2008-2011

Sunday Stealing - The Madness Meme Part 1

Since this meme looked fun and it's a two part meme, I thought I'd catch up and post this one earlier, and part 2 later in the day.

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!!!

Today we ripped off a blogger named Tense Teacher from the blog Tense for a Reason. It's long so we'll do it in two parts. She stole it from The Coffee Table. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Madness Meme, Part 1

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work? It never occurred to me to do that. Probably because it doesn't seem like it would work.

2. What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated? Probably 9 years....younger. ;)

3. Ever been in a car wreck? Yup. Several.

4. Were you popular in high school? Who me? Now THAT'S funny!

5. Have you ever been on a blind date? Technically speaking, all of my dates have been blind because I've always done online dating.

6. Are looks important? Looks aren't number 1 on my list. But I also think that what is considered good looking to one person, may not be to another. Personality and sense of humor are probably tops on my list. (If I actually made a list.)

7. Do you have any friends that you’ve known for 10 years or more? Nope. I've always been friend challenged.

8. By what age would you like to be married? Hmm, well, definitely don't want to get married to a man. To a woman, perhaps one day. We'll see.

9. Does the number of people a person’s slept with affect your view of them? I guess that depends if they are in the double digits, triple digits, or more. I think it depends on the age of the person and the life they've led that affects how I view a person.

10. Have you ever made a mistake? Isn't that the only way to learn?

11. Are you a good tipper? I can be. I'm definitely more generous when I can afford to be and the service deserve it.

12. What’s the most you have spent for a haircut? Probably $20. It' not something I spend a lot of money on. I've had some fantastic $5 haircuts. Too bad there aren't any of those places near where I live now.

13. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? Probably, but I don't recall a specific instance.

14. Have you ever peed in public? Define public? If you use a public restroom, isn't that "in public"?

15. What song do you want played at your funeral? Gotta be The Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want". I love that in the opening funeral scene of "The Big Chill". And it's something I've mockingly sang at my kids since they were little. I hope it give them a chuckle and brings back good memories.

16. Would you tell your parents if you were gay? I most definitely would have had they been living when I figured it out.

17. What would your last meal be before getting executed? I dunno. Should you order something light? Or something heavy?

18. Beatles or Stones? See #15.

19. If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who would it be? I couldn't pick. Besides, didn't President Obama get all the big names?

20. Beer, wine or hard liquor? Depends on my mood. A margarita sounds good right about now though.

21. Do you have any phobias? I'm afraid of heights.

22. What are your plans for the future? I would like to meet my grandchildren.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2011