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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pull my finger, mom

While their dad is upstairs recovering from major heart surgery, the boys decide to 'come clean' on some of their boyhood pranks. Of course, their mom knew the "pull my finger" prank, but was a little shocked to hear some of the more exciting things they did as boys (while also surviving).

It's probably a good thing their dad slept through these stories. Dads can't beat their 50+ year old sons, can they?

The 3Coleman boys at the hospital

This is what visitors to the hospital saw as they entered the main lobby. The water fountain added an especially nice touch, both visually and in accompanying sound.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Good reading

"Can I read you something?"

A simple question, but not one you expect to hear while you are in the shower. Even more surprising is when it is your husband asking you if he can read you a recipe, and he's really excited about it.

We got this lovely package from Miriam and John, full of jams, jellies, rumified fruit, and a cookbook. After we opened everything, it was time for me to get a shower and get ready for lunch with Jean and Al.

Steve couldn't put the cookbook down. He was so interested it in, while I was in the shower he had to bring it in and read a recipe from it, for Potato Polenta soup. "This is that soup I love from Olive Garden. Now I can make it."

Funny how things have changed in 32 years.

Proud Dawg

Andy knew just who this gift came from (Michelle, of course). You should have seen the way he looked at me.

Luckily, the attire is entirely functional. He liked it so well, he wanted to go for a neighborhood walk, even in the rain.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Get out the Marshmallows and Chestnuts

What would Christmas be without the Yule Log, huh?
Merry Christmas everyone.


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Welcome home Dad

Andy has turned in to a Dad's dog. When Dad leaves, Andy sits in the window with his head between the luvres, and whines after him. When Dad gets home Andy climbs up in his face until Dad either pets or scolds him.

Aren't they cute?

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ode to Blog

Oh, Blog, how I love thee, Let me count the ways.

I love thee because you give me a place to say dumb things, post silly photos and rant about absurd ideas.

I love thee because you alone are able to get an email photo from my phone and make it public to the world in less than 3 seconds.

I love thee because you keep my family (and friend) informed of my whereabouts. Even I don't always know which way I am going.

And especially I love thee because, without you, I would have to write long letters to everyone, and we both know that would never get done.

Oh, Blog, I truly love thee.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Cocoa Crazed

A wise rule of thumb when shopping is to never shop when you are hungry. One added part of that rule should also be to never shop when you have a craving.

Let's just say that, the last time I went to Pavillions I did not consider this last rule. I saw these dark chocolate shot cups and couldn't resist. Problem was, I didn't have anything to put in them - the Brandy bottle was on empty.

That was days ago. We went shopping tonight to get some meat and Dad reminded me about the cups. So I got Brandy and Bailey's. We had some whipping cream in the fridge so I whipped that up, added a little powdered sugar to it, then filled the cups.

Talk about tasty. You can either drink the contents then eat the cups, or pop the whole dang thing in your mouth. Either way, yummy.

They made a great before meal appetizer. I didn't even need to eat one of the truffles you see on the plate. I guess I will save those for after our dinner.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Get Smart

So, I am in New Mexico/Arizona this week. The assignment is at a school located in a city not on a map, nor in the GPS. I was able to 'sort of' find it using Google maps, at least, I found the road that runs by it. The rest was up to me.

I drove 28 miles, through nothing but sage brush and rocky buttes, with an occasional run-down mobile home appearing.

My instructions were to "look for That's a Burger" and then for a bridge. Beyond the bridge, I would see the campus.

Or, should I say, complex. In the middle of nowhere, there appeared 15 buildings, located on both sides of the road. The bridge I mentioned, was an overhead, concrete, foot crossing bridge, from the complex on one side of the road, to the sports arena, on the other side.

The buildings were unmarked. I was told I would be teaching in the CIA building (I am NOT making this up).

On the front doors there were no markings, but on the back door was this one sign. That had to be it.

Inside and down the hallway, I spotted the room where I would be teaching. It was labeled clearly, in case anyone wondered.

So then, I tried to make a phone call, but my shoe was covered with ice. It was, after all, 15 degrees outside.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Viewing Pleasure

A couple of years ago Luke got us a Tivo for Christmas. What a surprise, too! It took me a while to get it connected and subscribe to the service, but once I did, I was hooked. I liked it so much, I took it to Tennessee with me and Dad never saw it again (unless he came to visit).

It hardly seemed fair. I use the Tivo all the time - when I'm home, and when I am not - recording things via the online scheduler, so cleverly designed by Tivo.

When I got back from the country this time, we looked forward to watching our favorite Christmas flicks, but I couldn't help feeling just a little guilty that my beloved Tivo remained behind. I had sequestered its service and was not about to relinquish it.

So I ordered Direct TV's DVR service. It was installed at the Cowley house on Saturday. Today, neither of us accomplished much. After I spent some time wrestling with the setup of the bedroom unit, I sat down and explained to Dad how to use the whole blasted thing - with one rule to observe: there is to be NO rewinding to replay scenes, while viewing movies. Besides that, he can record anything he wants.

And now, just 24 hours after getting the DVR, we have (in our LIST of recorded items) the following:

  • Swiss Family Robinson
  • Eragon
  • Charlie Wilson's War
  • Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
  • Pollyanna
  • The Christmas Carol
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prince of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and The Order of the Pheonix
  • Geraldo (Episode about O.J. Simpson)
Do you see a pattern here? These do NOT include the things we cancelled, deleted or otherwise changed our minds about.

Oh, and (to the chagrin of certain nameless family members) we once again, have FOX news.

Dad really missed it.

At least I have the bedroom unit so I can escape.

God bless us, every one.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Bailey's condo

A month ago I bought Andy a new bed - one with a little hood over it - and Bailey loves it. Sometimes, when Dad gets up in the morning, he finds Bailey asleep in it and Andy someplace else.

So I went to Pet's Mart and got Bailey her own bed, a kitty condo, that she can sleep and in call her own.

I gave it to her last night and she immediately liked it. This morning, at 5 AM, Dad says she was in it. When I got up at 6:45, she was still in it. When I got home at 4 PM, she was still in it. Then we went to dinner, and came back around 8 PM. Bailey was still there. We wondered if she ever even came out to go to the toilet.

She loves her bed. It is right outside my bedroom door, her favorite spot. The only thing I am worried about is, since she slept all day, what is she going to do all night tonight?