Gram's Place

oppugn (uh-pyoon) tr. v. To oppose, contradict, or call into question. I feel I must oppugn the Supreme Court's decision in the case of "Kelo vs. City of New London". Kelo vs. City of New London is a case of a Connecticut family whose home was taken away in the name eminent domain for a shopping mall. Their home was purchased for less than market value to make way for a strip mall, and they had no choice in the matter. Last week, Iowa Representative Bill Dix introduced legislation (house file 2120) to ensure Iowa families will not face similar challenges. Last I knew, there were 51 co-sponsors to the bill.

In honor of cleaning and de-germing, and sanitizing my flu infested house, I thought I'd take a minute to show you my favorite cleaning products and explain the "why" they are my favorite.... Okay... left to right... Scrubbin bubbles --- this stuff works so well, literally, you don't have to scrub a thing! clorox toilet wand refills - whoever invented this little deal should have won a big prize! Raise your hand if you think the toilet brush is the most disgusting thing in the world.... now you can just throw it away! Dawn foam dishwashing soap --- which, by the way, doubles as hand soap. You can just squirt this right onto your pan and clean it. Works great on pans. Lemi-shine --- the answer to EVERY person who is cursed with hard water spots on your glasses! Works great every time! Amway Pre-Wash --- this stuff doesn't smell the greatest, it's kind of wierd smelling, but it works on every stain you can imagine! If it doesn't get it out, Nothing wil...

You Are Likely an Only Child At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated.At work and school, you do best when you're organizing.When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic.Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management.You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books. The Birth Order Predictor I am so not the only child.

It has been a long time since I've had the stomach flu. I honestly cannot remember the last time. Yesterday was the wierdest day. I was at work... and Shawn wasn't there yet. I started to notice my stomach was hurting a little. I called him (to find out where he was) He wasn't sure he was coming in.. He had a stomach ache. "I do too... I wonder if we're getting something". seriously, within the next 20 minutes my stomach went from "kinda" to "BAD" He found someone to cover for his afternoon appts. I didn't have any , so I just went home. So did he. It was 1pm. Lindsey was already home ... recovering from a head cold. So, we went to bed. I think she picked the girls up from school. I think she took Em to dance. I think she got them some supper. I think she bathed them. I think she helped with their homework. I think she put them to bed. What a trooper. What an amazing daughter. I love you Lindsey. Thanks. I'm pretty sure I didn...

Monday, January 23, 2006 win-dle-straw (win'dl'-stro) n. chiefly british A thin, dried stalk of grass. At our last house, we attempted to grow grass for two years and all we ever got was windlestraw and weeds. We were the laughing stock of the neighborhood.

I have had this plant since my grandmother died. I hate that I can’t remember the exact year, and I keep forgetting to ask my mom. But, it’s been at least 5-6 years. The plant is the only one that survived the last 2 moves… and now it sits in the window in the kitchen. It’s amazing that it survived through so many droughts due to my lack of attention, and drownings due to my over attention! It’s an English Ivy and, anyway, this morning, I was thinking that it looked like it was going to bud again, and I was kind of messing with it. And I saw this white spot on the leaf. At first it looked like it was a piece of soap suds (since it sits right next to the kitchen sink). So, I went to pick it off, and I realized the leaf was brown about halfway, ready to fall off soon. I inspected the plant, and didn’t see any more. So, being the master gardener that I am --- a lousy one at that --- I thought for sure I could figure this thing out. So, I did a little research. What do YOU think it is? (So...

Wow! 5 days and no posts! You would think the world caved in on BEEFY ! It makes me feel so IMPORTANT though, to know you missed me! Thanks! :) I should remind you guys of a few other blogger friends who are FAR WORSE than I at the daily post... but, I am the one who preaches it the most. :) So, I won't mention any names . I wish I could say I had been on vacation but, the truth is here's whats been going on and WHY I haven't blogged for 5 days... 1. INSTE FINALS!!!!!!!! (okay, so they were turned in Tues AM) 2. County Caucus - of which some of you might not partake, however, I am a dedicated REPUBLICAN! (sorry if you're not) 3. Bible Study 4. Daily Devotions 5. Next week's INSTE lessons 6. sick Emily (home twice this week) 7. Valentine Banquet 8. Oh--- work (which is by the way, 1099 W2 W3 crazy time) It's not really THAT busy, but I want to make it seem so bad... :) I just haven't had any blogging time at work 9. Cooking supper - yes, I actua...

Today is Heth's birthday! I can't remember when we met, but it has been so much fun getting to know you Heth. I know it's been a long time. 10? 11? 12? 13 years? Yeah, I was in my early twenties when we met, and you were but a teen. I thought I was old THEN! :) We've spent hours eating, praying, laughing, growing,.. and it has been so fun. You are such a quality woman. You are fun to be around and know that God has a purpose for your life. You're optimistic, an awesome wife, and an incredible mother. You have been a wonderful role model to my girls, who desire to be just like you because they see Christ in you. Now as we share our new bloglife, so many others are learning how wonderful you are. They too can share in your eating , praying, laughing, growing. Here's to you Laundry Lady! Happy 29th! Enjoy lots of sugar and take a couple of naps -- stay away from the laundry and diapers -- take a break and eat dessert first! Happy Birthday, Friend.

We took Shera and Eddie out last night sort of as a congrats on the engagement . We went to Cu . Last year, Shera gave me a gift cert for this place on my bday and I have been wanting to use it. Finally did! And it is really GOOD! Since I LOVE food, I thought I'd share our menu selections with you. Appetizers - we had the Baked Shepherd's Cheese - -- I had never had brie before and really liked it! It was warm and tasted like butter. Served with toasted crostinis --- yumyumyum. We also had the Artichoke dip, which was surprisingly palateble also. I didn't think I liked artichoke dip, but this one was incredible! Shawn and I both (because we're addicted to great beef) had the Grilled Ribeye. So Good! Shera had the Mediteranean Vegetable Orzo (that was good too!) and Ed had the Tournedos of Beef. (I didn't try that one) Okay and dessert - the best part of course - Shera and Ed split the Timamisu - it was really yummy. Shawn had the creme brulee (because I w...

Have you ever had "one of those days"? When you come home and you just can't even BELIEVE you LIVE like this? I did. Today. Actually. I thought I'd share a few visuals... Can I get a witness????? And then she thinks for a moment... "why did I just post the most disgusting moment of my day on a public blog on the internet????".....

I just declared a "blogging break" at work so we can all take a minute to reply to Heth's meme. I love these things too. They're so fun. So, here I go... I bet some of you don't know some of this about me! Four jobs you've had in your life 1. food service (kitchen help) at summer camps at the college (when I was a teenager-it was great!) 2. nurse's aide at lots of nursing homes (sometimes I want to go back to that!) 3. McDonalds! 4. telemarketer for an insurance company (you all hated me I know) Four movies you could watch over and over 1. Out of Africa 2. Cinderella 3. Pride and Prejudice 4. You've Got Mail (I actually really love the atmosphere of the 'Little Shop Around the Corner') 5. Truthfully, there are a lot of movies I could add to this list. Four places you've lived 1. California 2. Arizona 3. Missouri 4. Ohio Four tv shows you love to watch 1. ER 2. What Not To Wear 3. Everyday Italian 4. Barefoot Contessa Four places you...

Hey, check out my awesome song. I won a prize! I never win anything! Thanks Bliggity!

I just re-read my blog from this morning... Okay, can you say... 12 hours later???? I am soooooooooooooooo tired. Still at work, although I admit I wanted to fake ill and go home early. What was I thinking???? I am like a wolf who licks a knife popsicle until he dies, never fully knowing what price he has to pay until it is too late.... I am like a japanese kamikazi pilot, plummeting to my exhaustive death at 4pm. I am like a crazy insane lunatic who makes no sense in her sleep..... ........ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............zzzzzzzzzz.........

It was one of those mornings that I couldn’t sleep.  Got up at 4:30am, took a shower, made coffee, surfed the net a bit, made a egg casserole for breakfast for my family, cleaned off my desk, picked up the living room and kitchen… and it is still only 6am.  Amazing the things you can get done early in the AM. I love the solitude of an early morning.  Being a task-oriented personality, I am never one to complain about not being able to sleep in.  The quiet and solemn morning hours are my best time to think and pray and ponder about life and God, and not to mention get lots done! I’ve been reading through the Proverbs this month.  It’s kind of an easy way to meditate on the Word of God, and elementary to not forget where you are at, since there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in January. This morning’s scripture is a warning against adultery.  Not that I have an issue with adultery.  But, one phrase of this pass...

We’re off again to the MOA this coming weekend. This time we get to experience Linjitzu’s fantastic feats at this. Should be fun!

It’s almost over. As of this minute, we only have 4 hours and 12 minutes until it’s over (it ends in our home at bedtime tonight). Tomorrow is officially the end of Christmas vacation. The kids go back to school. I always have mixed emotions on this day. Part of me is rejoicing… The other part mourning… I love being with my girls.  They are so fun! So, today is reserved for one more game of cards, one more nap in the middle of the afternoon, one more day of not getting out of your pajamas, one more no-makeup day, one more have a friend over, one more… AND, of course, there’s the “other list”.  You know what it is.  Do the laundry, find the snowpants, wash the coats, finish the homework, put the Christmas tree away, pay the bills, make the grocery list, find a place to put all the Christmas presents, do the dishes, clean up the messes, read the notes from the teachers from two weeks ago, write out the next month of activities on the calendar, put away the Ch...

I read this on Heth’s blog and thought I’d try my hand at it…. What did you do in 2005 that you had never done before? Went to the Mall of America Cheerleading Competition to watch the girls perform. Watched my oldest daughter graduate from High School and sent her off to college. Almost Die Mountain in Northern California Spent 8 hours in IKEA Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never keep them… so I never make them. Did anyone close to you give birth? hmm… not really. Lots of friends did, but I’d forget someone if I named them all. Did anyone close to you die? No. What countries did you visit? COUNTIES? Lots… COUNTRIES? One. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? Time What dates will remain etched in your memory and why? Gosh, I’m lame. I can’t think of anything other than the normal kids birthdays…. I hope there isn’t some huge date I should remember and can’t. What's your biggest achievement of the year...