Land of Osbourne

Growing up, both of my parents were full time workers.  My Dad worked at the Twin Cities Ford Plant, and my Mom worked for GNB Batteries.  From time to time, Mom needed to go on business trips.  When that happened, Dad would cook. (I'd imagine you can see where I am going with this)  Dad wasn't really the greatest cook, and as such, my sister and I both knew that if Mom was going out of town, that meant Dad was going to cook.  And if Dad was going to cook, that meant only one thing.  Oh Ick.  Oh Ick is one of Dad's favorite meals (I really can't conceive of why), Oh Ick consists of overcooked elbow macaroni and tomato soup. I am not exaggerating when I say we would CRY if he made it because we both hated it so much, which is where the name, "Oh Ick" came from.  Oh Ick has evolved somewhat over the years, and has now become a staple at family gatherings, to the point that when handing out pot luck assignments, someone alw...

​For some people, music isn't a huge part of their lives. At the most they'll listen to the radio in the car, or when the alarm clock goes off, but really no more than that.  For me however, music is a huge part of my life, and I think it stems from my upbringing and what I was exposed to from an early age.  My Dad was in a band when he was younger with some cousins, they had a group called "Dukes of Earl".  My Dad's cousin was the lead singer, who as it happens is a huge Elvis Presley fan as I am. Dad plays the guitar, banjo, drums and piano.  I played piano, so did Mom.  When I heard or discovered a song I really liked, typically I'd go and get the sheet music so I could learn it on the piano.  Music accompanies my life daily.  Monday - Friday at work, when I am working on an order entry project, I love having my music playlist keeping me company.  On the weekend, when its housework time, I can't do it without music.  When I am ...

Since I was a teenager I have almost always had some sort of aquarium or fish tank.  When I lived at home, I had one in my bedroom, then later moved it out to the kitchen.   When John and I moved into our first apartment together, I brought my aquarium with me, and had one at nearly each of the locations we lived thereafter.   Fast forward to our current residence.   I again had a large aquarium and stand (that was given to us for free), and decided to set it up with fish, as its been a while since I've had a set up. Initially, I wanted fancy goldfish, mostly because they're easy to care for, you don't need a heater because they're cold water fish, they're not expensive and they're pretty.  A friend of mine reminded me that goldfish are always looking for food, and will constantly disrupt the gravel making a mess.  Okay, so I reluctantly went the tropical fish route.   I chose lots of little fish, tiger barbs, ...

Before my husband and I moved into our first house (townhouse actually), we lived in an apartment in Blaine.   One day, we came across the startling revelation that our baby rainbow boa constrictor had escaped her aquarium. (insert extreme panic here)  We did a cursory search, and found nothing.  More panic.  Then, I sat down on the floor in front of where her aquarium was, and closed my eyes, and tried to "think like a snake".  If I were a snake, on the lam, where would I go first upon aquarium escape?  I looked around the room, and about 2' from where the aquarium is a heat vent along the baseboard of the wall. Hmm. Right by the corner where the two walls meet, was small opening, between the wall where the heat vent / pipe thing was.  Bingo.  If I were a snake, that would be the first place I'd go.  I got a flashlight and sure enough. There she was. (well shit) Prior to this discovery, we were getting rea...

So, I was talking to Kim, and mentioned that yesterday I had a cup of Aveda Comforting Tea and that it was great, I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it, as I hadn't had it in a while.  Kim then asks me if she has given me a teapot yet ... (yet? is this some sort of friendship thing that happens between friends after a while? you give teapots to each other? began to wonder if I'd missed some milestone or something) I said no, I am a teapot free gal. Then she goes on to describe the 3 (yes 3) teapots that she has and went over the features and benefits of each, I was impressed, she could have sold a teapot to the Keurig peeps I was so impressed with her passion. I then asked her if it the teapot was short and stout? Kim responded: "No, its tall and handsome" Well damn!  I'm gonna get me a tall handsome teapot. Nice.  (will it look like David Boreanaz? Jensen Ackles? Luke Perry? Elvis Presley?)  Love ya Kimber!

So, I normally don't post about political stuff on my blog, but I just gotta get this off my chest.  Okay, here's the thing.  No one is going to agree on who is better or why.  Everyone is going to have their own opinion, and really, don't we all know that?  I mean, its not a radical concept is it?  So why do we have to shit all over each other for differing opinions? Can't we just support who we want to support, and may the best candidate win?  Does it really have any effect on the election if we are assholes to each other? NO! Believe what you want to believe, and let others do the same.  

Last year at this time, it was days away from me getting the news that my Ozzy had cancer.   My previous Boston Terrier, Katie, lived to be 13.  I assumed that I'd have at least that much time with Ozzy.  I lost my Ozzy 3 days after his 7th birthday. I feel I was cheated and didn't get a fair amount of time with him.  I still think of him not only daily, but more often.   Would John and I like another dog? Yes and no, for a variety of reasons, and this is going to sound absolutely childish, but if I can't have my Ozzy, I don't want another dog. I want Ozzy.  We didn't put up the Christmas tree this year, and we are not exchanging gifts. Partially because money is tight (thanks to the new hot water heater), and partially because without Ozzy, it feels pointless.  We did get some nice gifts for my in laws, and I pleased about that....