Augie's secrets

Things you might not know about AugustGirl *

1. In September I was given the Commander's Award for Civilian Service from the activity I am assigned to at work. It's given by the Department of Defense to civilian employees. Not a lot of people receive it -- you get a medal and a certificate (which both are now professionally framed and hanging in the house). I have to say (very humbly) it's a pretty big deal. I didn't tell any of you because it was just so bittersweet. My father would have been so proud and would have just grinned for days and days. If only I could have received it before he died.

2. Most super sweet, sappy commericals make me cry. I'm a huge crybaby. If you cry, I cry. If the lady on the Kleenex commerical cries, I cry. It's pretty embarassing.

3. It's becoming very clear that I am developing arthritis in my hands. Both my Mom and maternal Grandmother had it. (no old jokes, please)

4. I am very brand loyal. It takes a lot for me to switch brands after I find something I like. Usually if I do buy something new (for whatever reason: coupon, recommendation, etc) I almost always switch back. Some favorites: Ford, Tide, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Glad Forceflex, Pilot P-500 pens, Sharpie markers, Tom's of Maine toothpaste

5. I am lactose intolerate.

6. My second toes are longer than the big toe. It has a name: "Morton's toe".

7. My arms are my favorite part of my body.

8. In 2003 my doctor thought I had Hodgkin's Disease, so they biopsied a lymph node on my neck. No cancer, but now I have an almost 2 inch long scar on my neck.

9. I collect ceramic teapots; however I'm not much of a tea drinker. I prefer coffee.

10. I want to retire to a beach house somewhere far away from snow and cold (this probably doesn't suprise anyone of you).

* who, despite having a blog, is rather a private person

Word snob?

TOY-O-DA

In my world, that is the way one pronounces the name of the big car company named TOYOTA.

So far this week I have heard the following:

"TEA-O-TA" -- this from a European business correspondent on MSNBC (I think she is Swiss)

"TIE-O-DA" -- CNN reporter (he is definitely North American)

Considering the amount of trouble they are in, I'm sure there will be other opportunities for me to cringe at an odd pronounciation or two, or three.

It shouldn't bug me, but it does. But not as much as Bush's "nucular". Or a former co-worker calling the first meal of the day "breff-fass".

I think I'm a word snob. Is that a bad thing?

Happy Birthday Dad

I still can't wrap my head around the fact you are gone, even though it has been 10 months. I miss you terribly, but I know you are with Mom and are very happy. Love you.

So sick of it...

Snow. *sigh*
For those who don't know, I live in the Mid-atlantic region, smack dab in the middle of the Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia corridor.
Two feet of snow last Saturday.
6" the prior Saturday, 4" last Tuesday.
20" forecast for today.
December was snowy and cold.
January was very cold.
I am very tired of winter.

Breezy and I are moving to Aruba. Anyone care to join us?

Pics from 2/06/10:

View of the back yard last Saturday. You can see where the snow that had accumulated on the top right railing had fallen over (not to the right and on the ground, but to the left back onto the deck where I had to shovel it -- dang it!). By the way, I REALLY need to power wash the deck, but that has to wait until spring.

View from my bedroom window in the front of the house. You shouldn't be able to see the neighbor's house but my 10 foot tall cedar was flat on the ground, covered in snow. I cleared it off, but I am worried about its survival. This new snow is not going to help matters.

Next two: 02/07/10

Pic 1: Driveway Sunday morning before I could shovel.

Pic 2: After an hour of shoveling I was about a 1/3rd of the way done.

Please note my neighbor had already cleared his driveway with the snow blower late Saturday night. Please also note I do not have a snow blower. Yet.

Overrated...

Beyonce - Her voice is torture to my ears. Yes, she can shake her booty, but at best she should be a back up dancer for Jamie Foxx (and as a singer Jamie is rather overrated too). But 6 Grammys? You have GOT to be kidding. OVER.RATED.

Brad Pitt - I just don't get it. Plus his association with creepy Angelina is doubly disturbing. Angie <---also overrated. And throw in Jessica Alba and Megan Fox in that pile.

Healthy eating - If I want to eat an entire triple cheese pizza for breakfast, or have 8 huge Snickers bars for lunch, who's business is it? Well, besides mine and my almost too small black dress pants? Damn that stupid healthy eating pyramid. The high fat crap needs to be at the widest part (and I'm not talking about my ass -- well, actually I kinda am talking about my ass).

Exercise - see above. Sheesh! Being Lazy? So not overrated.