The Doc's New Toys

As you know the Doc and I have been having fun with home remodeling. Part of the living room project was to install a chair rail. In order to do that ourselves we needed two things:
(1) A nail gun & (2) A miter saw


We are now the proud owners of both. Since we don't have a space for a workable workshop in our small row house - the Doc has turned our kitchen into a makeshift workshop. It's cute - he measures, runs into the kitchen cuts the piece and then nails it to the wall. The room is really coming together. The new window treatment is installed, a vertical blind with two ivory sheer panels and a mocha sheer scarf to hang across the top (pictures to come). We should be finished within the next couple of days. On another exciting note we also get our new couch and love seat this week.

Iron Chef Showdown:

When he was a young boy living in the small village of Plaistow, he was never really good at sports; in fact, most would say he threw like a girl. He decided to take up cooking. He perfected his skills cooking GOLABKI (gaw-WUMP-kee), PIEROGI (pyeh-RAW-ghee) and other fine polish dishes like JAJECZNICA (yah-yech-NEE-tsah) learning along side his mentor and guide Maria Stackimoto. As he grew older under the tutelage of Maria Stackimoto, he would watch and learn, perfecting his techniques while never leaving her side. In 1997 Chef Stackimoto felt he was ready to branch out on his own. He packed his bags saying goodbye to the small village he had called home. He headed to the city, the very intimidating Bostonushima. There he felt he couldn’t think clear, during the weeks he couldn’t come up with new dishes. He decided he would have to go back to his mentor on the weekends; it was the only way he would get inspiration.

After four years in Bostonushima where his cooking skills were sadly influenced by double fried food and globs of ketchup he realized he wouldn’t be able to become the master chef he always dreamed unless he moved back to the tiny village from which he came. Chef Stackimoto now resides exactly 1.34 miles from his mentor along with his wife and baby boy Bradysan. His current influences, along with Maria Stackimoto, are the effeminate chef Alton Brown and blood curdling Rachael Ray.

Look for his appearance on Iron Chef in the coming weeks where he will battle the plucky Chef Wicksanaka.

P. Sophie's Review: The Goblet of Fire:

Don't worry NO SPOILERS HERE! Went to see the new Harry Potter Flick last night w/ the Princess Bride and Man in Black. Here is my review and experience in a nutshell.

This movie is by far darker than the previous three with creepy with images of skulls and dark graveyards. I would say not suited for young children. I enjoyed it for what it was worth. The movie obviously takes liberties in the plot due to the fact that 734 pages are expected to be squeezed into a 2-1/2 hour movie. If you're expecting the book then you will be greatly disappointed. The movie focuses strictly on the tournament and the rise of Lord Voldemort. Scenes left out that were not disappointing, the Dursley's and the house elves. Something about a house elf showing up would take away from the dark and creepiness of the movie, although it's not nearly as bad as Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars: Episode I.

It was interesting watching in a packed theater (which I try not to do very often). Thankfully the Man in Black is resourceful and with quick goat thinking he was able to get us four seats in a row. Had we shown up any later we would’ve had to split up for sure. The kid sitting behind me kicked the back of my seat a lot because he just HAD to make out with his girlfriend. I don’t know about you but there is something about Harry Potter that just get’s me in the mood, if you know what I mean. It didn’t ruin my movie going experience for the most part because they were relatively quite and had it not been for the kicking I probably wouldn’t have even noticed the steamy love scene going on behind me.

To sum things up – I liked it. If you’re a fan as I am and have read all the books and rushed out to see all the movies I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, although I thought for sure I.A. would like Napoleon Dynamite. Yes, I feel confident enough to recommend it (just remember it’s not the book).

The BIG 30

A happy belated birthday shout out to Dr. Benny! He turned the BIG 30 yesterday! I am such a dumbass - I can't believe I forgot...this is the big one too!!! YOU'RE OLD! (wink) If you see this man on the street make sure to ask him if he needs any assistance - things are just a little bit tougher when you're old like he is. Happy Birthday from the Doc and the Princess!

Step 4: Stain

Last night we began staining our woodwork. We are using American Walnut made by Minwax it's a water-based stain, which means: (a) no getting high from the smell, (b) very fast drying so when the cats jump up on the window with out you knowing they don't leave stain covered paw prints on the floor when they jump down and (c) for the klutz who spills stuff everywhere - easy clean up! Well so far so good - we should be finished by the end of the day today. This has definitely been a learn as you go kinda experience by the time we get to the bedroom we'll be pros!

Hey It's like they say, right?

To follow in I.A.'s posting footsteps I too am going to write about a commercial. Today I am going to feature the Las Vegas commercials. The commercial opens up with a women who looks as if she is upacking from a trip she took.

Enter husband/boyfriend (it isn't made clear but I put my money on husband) who says "Hey honey did you girls have a good time in Vegas?"

The women, with a look of guilt, says "Oh....yeah....Oh look Versace", picking up some pants, "and Tiffany", pointing to her earrings, flustered and with the look of I hope he's buying this lousy story.

Then the guy says something like "oh you girls and your shopping" and walks out of the room. The last scene shows the women looking extremely guilty and almost relieved - he won't find out I cheated because he thinks I was shopping.

Cue the text: "Our fabulous shopping can be your alibi"

Great so the moral of the story is: It's ok to cheat on your significant other while in Las Vegas because hey - "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".

Mellow Yellow:

Here is the next phase in our "project". We finished with the top section of the wall in Quiet Veranda. The Doc is a painting stud. I helped too but if you asked the Doc I think he would say different - something like "help? Yeah right - more like knocking things over, dripping paint on the floor and getting in my way is more like it"...oh the joys of marriage! (wink) Our next phase will be to stain the floor board and get ready to install the chair rail. All kinds of good fun!

Weather: Philly Style

It's November. Normal November weather for a New Englander such as myself is cold - not in Philly, no here it was 75 all weekend, sun shining and now a thunder storm. Weird.

Round One:

So last night we finished the first coat of the red. It looks great - we are really happy so far. We have one more coat of red to paint before we take the tape down and begin the Quiet Veranda on the top. Until the next phase...

No turning back now:

We have begun the process of redecorating our house. We are starting with our living room. The entire place was painted white so last night we bought the paint and started taping the walls. Tonight we started with the tinted primer which was recommended by the nice guy at Home Depot because we are using Regal Red (red is the most difficult color to paint apparently) which can show through on a white surface. The top will be Quiet Veranda all colors made by Behr Paints.
So we have the before picture: That is the wall to our half bath. next picture is the taping process. That's the Doc working hard separating the wall with tape (eventually a chair rail will be installed). The next process was to begin using the primer (which is scary because it makes the walls look magenta). Painting is hard work. Too bad Evan Farmer and Andrew Dan-Jumbo aren't here to make it more interesting. So it is now 10:00 pm and we finished with the primer and I think it's going to look great. Hey if Adam Carolla from the Man Show can get his own home improvement show on TLC - I think the doc and I should too! Look even Trot our cat wanted to get in on the action! Until the next phase in our redecorating project...

Effin' Septa*

My mode of transportation to work everyday is on strike. Apparently they don't want to pay for their health insurance. WTF?? I work for the effin' insurance company and we all pay. The Doc is an effin' doc and he has to pay...what makes the bus driver so special. The last strike was 7 years ago and lasted 40 days. Lucky for me right now the Doc is doing an outpatient rotation so we can carpool for the time being - although it means he has to get up with me (he is more than thrilled). This should be interesting.


*Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

I'm Blind, I'm Def, I Wanna Be a Ref:

Nothing Too Exciting to Report:

But I figured I should write something. So how are you? Feel free to leave your comments in the comment section.

It's Over!

I have my husband back! The Doc survived his month long rotation on the MICU. Now since he is bashful he won't tell you that his Sr. Resident complimented him on the fact that he was more like an equal than an intern and he could discuss treatments instead of telling him the treatments. He also won't tell you that the MICU attending said he was far above the normal first year intern and he will be able to do whatever he wants and go wherever he wants (which includes Boston!!). And he lastly he won't tell you that he is a medical God. But I will! Congrats my medical stud!

Dear Abby:

When I worked at MJ - I would read Dear Abby at lunch everyday - I loved it - reading peoples problems and let me tell you that people wrote the dumbest stuff too like:

Dear Abby,
My daughter didn't invite children to her wedding but cousin "Debbie" said on the response card that she was bringing her children - what do we do?

sincerely,
Want to do the right thing in Idaho

and then Abby would say something like well Emily Post would say blah blah blah....

or

Dear Abby,
My husband went to a bachelor party and there were strippers, he promised me he wouldn't go but he did anyway. I just don't think I will ever be able to make love to him again without feeling dirty. Please help me.

Betrayed in Topeka, KS

and then Abby would say something like well you two should seek counseling blah blah blah....

Now here is what I would like to see more of in Dear Abby (taken from a forward I got from a friend):

Dear Abby,
My husband is not happy with my mood swings. The other day, he bought me a mood ring so he would be able to monitor my moods. When I'm in a good mood it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood it leaves a big fucking red mark on his forehead. Maybe next time the asshole will buy me a diamond.

Sincerely, Bitchy in NEW YORK

340 Million Gone:

So I didn't win the 340 million jackpot in the powerball last night. I played some numbers and I also purchased some quick picks. Lo and Behold I lost. And so didn't the millions of people who played the 'cursed' numbers from the hit ABC show LOST. Maybe it's just me and my superstitiousness but if the numbers are 'cursed' maybe you don't want to play them - and since the numbers are so famous maybe you don't want to play them because everyone and their brother will be playing them - just a thought. Here's to the next 300 million dollar jack pot. May I be a little luckier next time! (wink)

Scottie too Hottie:

This cutie pie is my nephew Scott. He was my date Saturday night and I must say that I had the hottest date of the crowd. He lives all the way in Laconia, NH in his very own place with his mom and best bud Jessie. Congrats Robyn on your first apartment!

A Wedding and a Baby:

This is a good week. First the Stack's 'package' arrives a week earlier than expected and today a wedding spectacular starring DJ and B.G. - break a leg out their today! I am so excited...YEAH!! I guess this truly means we have hit adulthood - it's just still too weird to me. I can still picture Brian screaming "Bonk - Hey....Bonk" at the top of his lungs and this is the guy who is about to raise a son...scary (wink)!! And DJ don't forget anything you can do I can do better - I can do anything better than you (wink)!! I can't wait to see you all today!!

New Kid on the Block:

Yesterday marks a great day - it was my Papa's birthday and now it's the birthday of the first baby in the group. Congrats to mom and dad (wow that sounds so weird to me)!! Man will I have stories for you baby stack - until your old enough to understand. If you only knew how "special" your dad is.

And for those of us who live far far far away - we demand pictures!!!

I'm Amazed:

In reference to I.A.'s post Pen Clicks, I started to think about how our friendship has survived through the years.

(1) I click my pens all the time - in fact a girl in my Capstone Class senior year of college yelled at me. I didn't even know I was doing it.

(2) I tap my fingernails on my desk. I have nervous energy what can I say.

(3) I hum. Constantly. Non-stop. I really don't know I'm doing it - my old co-workers would join in and I still wouldn't notice. I absolutely HATE silence.

(4) I do the knee bounce. I can't sit still - had I been a young child in elementary school today I am positive I would be on ritlin.

(5) I'm notorious for getting that song you hate stuck in your head. For the Doc it's

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,
And they're like it's better than yours,
Damn right, it's better than your's,
I could teach you, but I have to charge

Oh you know you're gonna be singing that all day tomorrow! Here's to you I.A. - thanks for putting up with me for so long!