Look Back and Laugh: The difference between Al Qaida and Alcoa

I'll admit it, I am no expert when it comes to world affairs. I have a hard enough time keeping the details straight in my own home, so if it is happening around the globe it's pretty much out of my league. So that's the first disclaimer explaining why I told people that my dad worked for Al Quida. One other thing I should mention in my defense is that this little error took place many years ago when the war in Iraq had just begun.
With that said, here is what happened;

I had a great opportunity as a budding photographer to work on a local ad campaign. I was nervous enough as it was and when making small talk with the graphic artist I mentioned that my dad worked for Al Quaida. He didn't react at all so maybe he didn't even hear me, but later (days later) I realized that I may have made a huge mistake. So I went straight to the source to check with my dad about his employer and he said he worked for ALCOA. I then realized the magnitude of my blunder.

Al Quida- a Sunni Islamist terrorist organization whose fatal techniques include suicide attacks and simultaneous bombings of different targets.

Alcoa- world's leading producer and manager of primary and fabricated aluminum, and is active in all major aspects of the industry.

One time I asked for Pomeranian sauce at Chic Fila when what I really wanted was Polynesian. How can words sound so similar and yet have such different meanings. Of course this kind of mix up is expectant from someone just learning the language, but I am not fortunate enough to have that excuse. In conclusion I want to be clear that my dad is not a terrorists and luckily the feds never showed up to make any arrests.

The Writers Strike

It seems like everywhere you turn right now from the Sunday Paper to Entertainment news programs everyone wants to sum up 2008. That’s what January is all about. It is a time to recuperate from Christmas, set goals for the new year, and look back at the year that just took place. I was looking through a magazine this afternoon that featured yet another "Year In Review" article. It mentioned the writer’s strike which I had completely forgotten about. Alas, the grueling 14 weeks of turmoil that seemed to drag on forever doesn’t seem so significant almost a year later.

This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve mentioned the writer’s strike on this blog. This excerpt was taken from The Kitchen Chronicles, August 28, 2008

“I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but I guess I felt like if the writers were going on strike for something that they were well compensated for (compared to the average American) for something that they loved to do, then I would go on strike for something that I wasn’t compensated for and I was sick of doing. Thus began my cooking strike”

That pretty much sums up how the writers strike affected me back in January and February of 2008. On the other hand this was an important issue for the Writers Guild of America. Times are changing and while more people are enjoying their television programs through the medium of DVD and the internet the studios are benefiting from it and the writers are expected to sit back and crank out scripts without seeing any money trickle down. So they quit crankin’ for a while to prove their value. In the mean time lots of people were involuntarily out of work, and many shows were never able to recover from the off air break. Some such as 24 are just now airing an entire year later!

After a long hiatus the writer’s are back and we all get to watch our favorite programs again and . The awards shows are back too, which may or may not be a good thing, but anyway everything is pretty much the way it was in the first place.

Was it worth it? Was it worth the hundreds of millions of dollars it cost what we now know was an already faltering economy? Did the production companies learn a lesson? Do we have better appreciation for the writer’s behind our favorite programs? I don’t really know. The point is the writers felt like they needed to take a stand and set a precedent before it was too late. They fought long and they fought hard, and they won… I think.

News worthy events of '08

There is never a dull moment here in the fabulous US of A. If there were, you wouldn’t know it by watching the news. 2008 brought a wide range of hot topics. This year we have seen it all, from a monumental election to the downturn of the economy, and for the entire life of this blog I have kept my mouth shut on such issues. I try to keep things topical and stick with what I know, like being messy and being a mom, thus the name. However, I will grant myself this one week to cram in everything that I would have wanted to say about the big news worthy events of 2008. It will be like hot topics on The View only instead of rich women sitting around a table it will be a 26 year old mother sitting at her computer. Sounds great, doesn't it? Stay tuned.

Christmas '08

The holidays are officially OVER. Other than a few lights that some of my neighbors are still showcasing at night, all of the Christmas festivities that have consumed our lives this past month are now no more than a mere memory.

We just got back from spending the holidays with family in Kentucky. We had a great time. My family decided to take a different approach to gift giving this year and we did almost all home made gifts. I'll admit I got off easy by giving professionally printed photos that I had taken...


My mom gave homemade recipe books of some of her favorite dishes, which also included the history behind them, and family photos. It was such a wonderful idea; cute, practical, and sentimental.


My brother, who has always been the most eccentric one, decided to make mink hats. I have never had a mink anything, so this is definitely a fun gift and very warm too (sorry PETA). This is a photo of my mom in her hat. Each one had was a slightly different style.

My sister in law made me the coolest apron ever. It has 3 different prints that all coordinate. I think it will help me with my resolution to cook more. This is a photo of me in my parent's kitchen cooking dinner for the family.

This next one will probably be in the record books as my all time favorite present. At first I thought was a framed poster, but it is actually hand painted. It is a replica of a painting by a famous Italian artist, and my dad customized it special for us. It fits in perfectly with our newly remodeled breakfast nook.

I am so touched by the time each person took to pour their talent and creativity into each gift. Christmas '08 might be just a mere memory, but it's a good one.

New Year's Resolution Reversed: Conclusion

I should title this blog, Conclusions, Confessions, and Continuation. A couple of months ago I purposed a New Year's Resolution Reversed in which I stated 5 goals I wanted to have accomplished by January 1, 2009. I didn't quite go all the way with them, but I have made progress. Here are the 5 items that I originally posted, along with what I accomplished in the past 60 days, and a modified version of the same goals for this year.

1. I want to convert my wedding memories into a digital format

I was able to scan, reprint and back up all my wedding photos, as well as convert the video from VHS to DVD. I have wanted to do this for about 5 years now and I am very happy to be able to check it off my list. I still however have yet to sit down with "the groom" and watch our wedding together. We were going to do it for our anniversary, but it never happened.

This Year's Goal: I would like to watch the DVD with my husband and organize the other photos that we have from our marriage all the way up until 2009.

2. Grow Herbs at Home
I did order an herb garden kit and it is in my kitchen. However, I have yet to even read the instructions.

This year's goal: To actually grow the herbs, cook with them, and come up with new recipes for my family to enjoy.

3. Get a Library Card
I am pleased to announce that I did get a library card and I was very impressed with the facility. I have yet to USE the card (are we starting to see a pattern here?).

This year's goal: Check out books from the Library and I am going to go out a limb here and try to read them as well.

4. Read a book about blogging
I did not do this, but I have a good excuse. I ordered the book and it never came in.

This Year's Goal: Contact the seller and make sure I either get the book, or get a refund.

5. Sell Something on Ebay
My husband and I did get an account and have done minimal research about where to take it from here.

This Year's Goal: Sell Something on Ebay, or get rid of the stuff.

So Round two, here we go. Happy New Year everybody!

Froogie Boogie: Clearance Racks

Clearance racks are the way to go when looking for frugal finds. I know it's a no brainer when it comes to saving money, but it is worth mentioning, especially at this time of year. It is an extremely rare occasion that I ever make a purchase of something that isn't on clearance.

We went to Kohl's this week to catch some of the after Christmas sales and I bought summer clothes. Even though it might seem strange buying a tank top and sleaveless dress when it's 40 degrees outside, for $3.00 a piece I say bring on the heat. I try not to go over board with this method, but still nothing gets me thinking ahead like an 80% off sale. There are lots of great finds out there right now if you have time to hit the stores. Whether it's Christmas decor for next year, birthday presents, or something for yourself you will save loads of money in the long run when you shop clearance.

Why I love: Silky Long Underwear

I hear, the words long underwear, and I think of things like Little House on Prairie or Lumberjacks, but I was looking in this months All You magazine and I saw something that changed my perspective. It featured the Land’s End long underwear. They have the warmth of tights or thermal pants, but less bulk. When I read the words “silky smooth and whisper thin” I hinted to my husband that this sounded like a pair of pants that I would like to own.

I ended up getting a pair from him for Christmas, they were actually the Sonoma brand and are available at Kohl’s. There is another brand called Cuddl Duds that I have owned and they are equally as luxurious. They aren't something you want to answer the door in. In fact it might be because I am shorter, but mine pull up way past my belly button, but they aren't intended to be lingerie. These long underwear do not disappoint. They are so comfortable and the perfect way to layer on a cold day. I would recommend these silky long underwear to any woman.