Pansy: May 2004 Archives

This morning we went to Mass in Auriesville and saw another family we know from homeschooling events. They are a very nice family who stumbled upon our old NO parish on the days they had the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Albany. The couple of times they went, they lucked out because my father was homilising, so I think they got the nice impression that the Parish was somewhat orthodox. Anywho, they are sweet because whenever I see them they have wonderful compliments for my father, who is usually criticised for his backwards thinking around here.

The wife was telling me she just returned from Lourdes with her husband and one of her daughters because her daughter has severe epilepsy. Apparently not only is the epilepsy debilitating, but the drugs the little girl is on cause behavourial problems. A group I never heard of called the Knights of Malta financed the trip for her family in the hopes of a miracle. I pray she gets one. Please say a prayer for this family.

During Mass the two youngest boys were, well, Little Monsters. I imagine people watching us from behind must have seen this crazy lady shaking her fist at raucous little boys. No, I didn't really shake my fist at them, but I kept whispering so many "knock that off"s I felt like an evil crazy lady.

After Mass an older couple stopped me and started speaking Spanish to me which, besides the fact I do not speak Spanish, threw me off because the man who clearly looked Italian was speaking fluently with an Italian accent. It threw me off because at first I thought he was speaking Italian and I had this sudden sense of comfort from what is familiar. People never look at me and think "Italian", but rather that I am Spanish, so I was momentarily psyched. Silly, I know.

The couple instantly started telling me (in English) that we had a beautiful family and we reminded them of themselves when their children were small. They had 7 boys and Mass was always an adventure for them, as it was for us this morning. They had so many wonderful compliments, it was very nice. Later I asked the man in Italian if he spoke Italian as well...Si.

7 boys! Here I am thinking that after three boys in a row, with the luck of the draw the next one should be a girl. My friend Karen just had her 8th girl (she has 2 boys as well). And I think after three boys I should get a girl. Maybe if I pray really hard that God will realise I know better than He does what kinds of souls to send me!

Well, off to make eggplant parmagiana for dinner.

Yesterday I went food shopping. I hit a few stores, Price Chopper, my health food co-op and Sam's. I bought my normal four pounds of butter at Sam's, but instead of the regular $5-6 I usually pay, I paid ten bucks for it! I am going to have to start baking my cookies with margarine and applesauce.

I also paid $3.50 for a gallon of milk. I will start mixing it with powdered milklike alicia suggested. My neighbor said he will sell me raw milk for $1.25 a gallon, but is worried about selling it to me because it is raw and is afraid we may get sick. I have read it is better for you like this, although it won't keep very long. I would probably make it stretch by making yogurt out of it. Anyone know the scoop?

Remember when I blogged below about the Transformers 20th Anniversary and how the show became annoying after the movie? Well someone who wrote a letter to the editor in the July 2004 edition of ToyFare agrees. Warning, coarse language ahead:

Dear ToyFare,

I am shocked and angered that you guys would print a statement as untrue as "Bumblebee is the suckiest Autobot." [He's paraphrasing, but we do say that a lot.-Ed.] I mean, let's face it, there are plenty of Autobots who suck more. Rodimus Prime sucked worse and so did Springer. And we cannot forget about the uber-annoying kid Autobot, Wheelie. (Man, did the Autobots get any good characters in the movie?) So the next time you say someone in the suckiest, just remember to make sure that there isn't anyone who sucks just a little more.

"The next time you say someone is the suckiest, just remember to make sure that there isn't anyone who sucks just a little more." I'm writing that one down and sending it to. Dr. Phil.

this is pretty darn accurate.

You're a Fluff writer!


What kind of writer are you?
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Especially the criticism about "I'm not quite sure what Buffy is doing in Rivendall" is me to a T!

When I was a little girl, I used to make up hundreds of comic books all the time (I don't write, but I used to draw). They were always Optimus Prime and Princess Allura save the day from Magneto and whatnot.

My children are wondering who would win-Alien or Predator. For what it's worth, they have seen neither of these movies but live vicariously through my husband who tells them tales of his favourite sci fi movies. They sit there for hours as he gives the history of the Sith and Spider-Man. Some kids get The Three Bears...

Anyway, I thought the discussion had been long ended until I saw this written on the board in 11 year old handwriting:
Predator must win! Alien was beat by Sigourney Weaver-no contest!

Apparently this is old news, but I just heard about it. Joss Whedon is set to write for the X-Men. Thought I'd pass it on...

Because I feel much better, thank you. I still have a headache, but it is feeling like a normal headache, not the horrible kind.

So, yesterday we worked on the garden. I wish I had My Peony here to give me advice and show me where I was going wrong. My husband built me one raised bed because that was all I needed so far for all the plants I had that are ready to go out. My neighbor plowed this huge plot of land and the one raised bed is barely a speck on it. I think that is one of the points of raised beds though, less room. I planted the rhubarb and some corn conventionally so I felt like I am utilising some more of the land.

The soil is just dreadful. It is rocky and dry and you hit clay three inches down. That was when I wished I had my Peony. It is also hard to water becaue the hand pump close to it in the horse barn is not working. We are not sure if we are doing something worng, such as not pumping it enough, or if it is broken. Still, even if nothing grows, the kids, hubby and I had a fun afternoon digging in the dirt together. All except Gorbulas who sat himself in the van (doors open) and fell asleep for the event.

In the morning we attended 9 AM Mass in Auriesville. My husband would like to make that the normal Sunday routine since it is actually the closest Church to us. They will only be open until fall, so we should take advantage of it as long as the weather is nice.

We came home and had a late Sunday breakfast, worked in the garden and I made manicotti for dinner. I also spent the day snacking on pepper jack cheese, and roasted red peppers with anchovies. It was a little nicer than the usual Sunday running around. Especially since Gorbulas was so under the weather.

In the meantime here is my Recipe for Manicotti (pronounced mah-nee-gawt).
4 beaten eggs (Egg Beaters work just as well)
1 cup of water
1 cup of all purpose flour

Mix together, it will make a watery batter. Spread about 1/3 a cup of the batter on a hot, small non-stick skillet and flip once like a pancake. The manicotti will be very thin.

For the filling mix 2 pounds of ricotta cheese, 1 egg, salt, pepper and parsley and I like to add some romano cheese if I have it. Fill the manicotti and roll it up. Place in a baking dish (with gravy on the bottom) side by side. Cover with gravy and bake for like 1/2 an hour.Serve with the usual Italian condiments and sides, grated cheese and crushed red pepper, salad and Italian bread. Nummy!

*Gorbulas has had a stomach virus since wednesday he cannot seem to shake. The doctor said diarrhea and vomiting can last for like ten days, so she did not seem to worried. I am his Mommy so I am worried. He will not sick to the BRAT diet (like who can blame him). Please pray he does not get dehydrated.

*I have a nasty migraine. It is Monday and I have so much to do today in this condition, please say a prayer it goes well. My first OB appointment ins scheduled for today and between the two, I do not see myself making it.

Hasbro is celebrating by releasing a
Special 20th Anniversary Addition Optimus Prime.

I remember being 11 and watching Transformers in 1984 after GI Joe and before Voltron. It totally rocked until after the movie (which is on my list of best movies-I even have the soundtrack) when Optimus Prime died and Rodimus became the new leader. He was so boring and whiney. I was so glad when they rose Optimus from the dead. I don't think anyone could stand one more episode listening to him whine about the responsibilty of leadership. A shame because Galvatron was one psycho protagonist.

Curt Jester is having a caption contest with the goofiest looking picture I have ever seen. I did not comment because I have no caption. But what is up with the flower wreaths on their heads? And why are they so old? This is cornier than "Hands Acroos America".

VH-1 is posting the 50 Worst Songs.

I think I would add that Let's Just Kiss and Say Good-bye song by who is that, the Brooklyn Bridge? Give me a chance I will think of some more. Add your own.

I have refrained from commenting on politics in regards to the war and partisan politics in this blog for many reasons. The biggest is that I never feel like I have all the facts. My gut always tells me that the info that gets filtered down through the media is half truths, or has some spin on it, so I like to reserve my judgements. Also, my comments here, after I felt I did not get all the information would only go to stir people up for no reason.

With that said, I am not sure this is even a political comment as much as a comment on the current events in general. I have a lot more to say as far as my own thoughts politically, but I will keep them to myself.

I was listening to Michael Savage last night. Very often he makes comments I whole heartedly agree with. Yet for every agreement, he says something that rubs me the wrong way, which does not put him on my favourite people list. He was playing sound clips of people commenting on the murder of Nick Berg, but in the middle of it he played the "soundtrack" if you will of Nick Berg's beheading. I instantly broke into hysterical tears had nightmares all night.

This whole event has made me sick to my stomach. First the grim pictures of the US soldiers abuse in the Iraqi prisons, which was plastered on every newspaper cover. Not only was that upsetting enough, but the way the media used to it spin anti-Bush sentiments was just horrible and tiresome. It's like it was too much to deal with the issue and we couldn't just get facts, but everyone's opinion about why Bush is horrible on top of that. Please give me enough credit to form my own opinion.
On top of that, I was horrified enough to read the description of what happened,
I didn't need to see no pictures! I had to hide the newspapers from my kids-they didn't need to see that either. Why did we need to see that?

Now this poor guy-I can't imagine how scared he must have been. Things are a mess these people are crazy. They did this in the name of God?

I am becoming very afraid of what the future holds because I think we are seeing the tip of the iceberg.

Sorry, I had to vent a bit after my restless night.

*Gorbulas did it again! It was a beautiful day out (which is a blessing in and of itself because the forecast predicted thunder showers all day). When Polo came him, Gorbulas, who had shed his pants was just in sneakers, a T-shirt a diaper and Mickey Mouse ears, took his diaper off and let him run around dressed like Porky Pig (a shirt and no pants). This was around 5 and he is still (7PM) attired the same way with no accidents because he went potty all on his own!

* My cantaloupe seedlings are sprouting, I am so excited. I put my plants outside to get some real sun and fresh air, but it was too windy, they got blown away. They also got very dry.

Gorbulas went potty yesterday.

I took off his clothes last night to get him ready for his bath. Sometimes I let him run around naked and pinch him on his cute little baby butt. Like most babies(yeah, I know he's 2, but whenever there is an older sibling, the youngest is automatically "the baby"), as soon as you take his clothes off he hops around with glee. Then he hopped right into the bathroom and we all heard "tinkle, tinkle" so we (well we made Rosey Posey do it) ran into the bathroom in a panic thinking he peed on the floor. He came hopping out saying "potty" and sure enough, that's where he went.

I actually had not even considered starting potty training yet because the whole thing stresses me out. Looks like I will have to get on the ball.

back in the early 80's when there was a popular genre of gang movie, where you would have two opposing gangs who would resolve their differences by doing battle in the form of dancing? Like they would confront each other with all their tough gear, belts with spikes on it and angry faces, and lay out cardboard right then and there (where were they keeping that?) and break dance! The leader of one gang would stand there looking all angry in his B-Boy stance challenging the other leader to show his best poppin' or breakin' moves. Then the police would come in SWAT gear and break up the break dancing battle. In the end there would be a big show down at the local club. Man I miss those movies, but the concept is truly corny in retrospect.

The best of these movies by far is Beat Street. It has an awesome soundtrack with many stars from the early hip hop days (Afrika Bambaata, Doug E Fresh, Kool Moe Dee to name a few). Then there was Breakin' which was OK, but in Breakin 2:Electric Bugaloo they were able to stop the demolition of their neighborhood center by dancing in front of it. Then there were others that should never have been made like Body Rock starring Lorenzo Lamas. I have never been able to take anything starring Lorenzo Lamas seriously again. Why they cast someone sans rhythm as the lead role about someone who danced, I do not know. I suppose he could have had rhythm in other apsects of his life, he just lost it in this movie.

I have been so nostalgic lately from the fun stuff of my youth-it must be a sign of getting old. Don't get me started about Battlestar Galactica.

Food is our biggest bill. Granted, it is the bill that can be adjusted to some extent, but I think I have learned to adjust as much as possible.

We do not drink a lot of milk. For awhile we used rice milk instead, but that is pricey as well.

I understand the farmer's need more money I suppose. What I do not understand is why every form of food that is nutritious and essential is becoming out of reach for people under a certain income.

why cartoon characters always wear those white gloves with the three lines on the back.

God bless all the Mommies, Mamas, Mums, Nanas and Grandmas on this day!

The Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation
He has also written a book, which is sadly out-of-print called How to Become a Former Asthmatic which describes breathing exercises to help strengthen an asthmatic's lungs. Thanks to Patty for the heads up.

This is very telling:

Assemblyman John J. McEneny is a Catholic who supports some abortion rights. The Albany Democrat said he backs Hubbard's decision not to go down "the slippery slope of becoming judge and jury."

"I don't see priests making a judgment on the conscience of a person," McEneny said. "Are they voting for a pro-choice bill because they want to kill unborn babies? Or is it because they want to prevent back-alley abortions?"

We had a nasty cold, sans the rash around the same time up here. Actually, it was not very nasty-24 hours from start to finish-at least for those of us who do not have astma. For the asthmatics, Gorbulas and Fastolph, it was horrible. Fastolph has not had an attack like this is years and Gorbulas was almost hospitalised-again because his oxygen was at 92. Deo Gratias the doc was able to turn it around with a steroid shot. Deo Gratias again for good doctors.

Gorbulas has similar Daddy fondness right now as well. I did something pretty mean this morning. First of all, do not get me wrong, I adore my babies, but I am trying to wean Gorbulas. He is whiney from being two and short, he is whiney from being ill, he is whiney form being weaned. I feel for the kid, but he is also annoying. Since it is Saturday, I wanted to sleep in a few extra minutes. Gorbulas came up to bother me for Mommyjuice and Polo followed to see if was OK.

After Polo left he started to look to nurse and get all whiney, so I said "say Bye
Daddy," to which Gorbulas started to get all panicy and teary eyed "noooo, Duh-ddeeee!" thinking Polo was off to work. He climbed down and ran to his father.

I heard my husband say from the hallway "You did that on purpose!"

They make no sense! Terrible Two-lings think they can push everyone around and bend everyone to their will. Yet they have not noticed they are quite short. It is 7.30 am and Gorbulus is having a temper tantrum and is all sniffles because he has his coat in hand and is ready to go out and play. Five minutes ago it was because he did not want to wear his shirt but his pajama top over his jeans. What he has fashion sense now?

I should let him out. Usually something terrifying like a butterfly will fly by his face and he starts to panic and cry until someone goes out and rescues him.

My brother was recently mortified to read about this, as we all are. Again, I do not have words. My rants will not reach the core of how disturbing this kind of thing is and how frustrating it is that people still proceed with this kind of thing.

How is being allowed to live "unconstitional"? This world is so backwards, I do not understand. I could comment on this, but what is the point? If someone wants to kill their wife, they can.

The nausea is lifting, my energy is slowly and surely returning. I am not sitting down and falling asleep-well all the time-LOL. I am starting to able to cook again and clean the bathroom. I am so grateful. I am not totally 100%, I still gag when I brush my teeth, but I am semi-functional.

If the weather would just get nice and warm (it was snowing a little while ago), I would love to start running. I just cannot get motivated when I am cold and want to sit inside under a blanket.

I am so excited because I found a rhubarb plant at the farm store yesterday. Of course I cannot make pie out of it any time soon, so I also bought a pound of rhubarb. Today I made a lattice top rhubarb (with some strawberries in it) pie-for after dinner.

I went into the kitchen to prepare some dinner stuff (mango avocado salsa) and noticed a trail of crumbs from the pie and nibble marks on the edge. I asked "who was nibbling on my pie?" to which my husband replied "Fastolph!".

I said "Fastolph, did you nibble on the pie?"

"Ye-ess!"

He was very proud of himself.

My brother said I should start a whole blog called "Fastolph Tales".

Each night, Gorbulas and Fastoph sit on either side of me on the couch and snuggle as they fall asleep. It is actually incredibly uncomfortable, but the pay off I get for the double cuddles is well worth it. Last night as Fastolph was sitting there, he patted my tummy.
Fastolph:Mom, you're getting fat.
Me: Do you know why I am getting fat?
Fastolph:Yeah! Because you eat too much!
Me:No, there's a baby in thee. That's your little brother or sister.
Fastolph: You ate a baby?!? I would never eat a baby. It's yucky in there.

I decided that was enough of a birds and the bees conversation for one day.