The UBIQUITOUS telling of Jane Eyre....

Interesting thing is the story of Jane Eyre and the repeated amount of times it's been made into a movie...almost as bad as Jane Austen books made into movies, ad nauseum. Funnily enough, I've had the pleasure of watching various versions of both, including the more recent Jane Eyre, which missed a lot from the book, thus not including the parakeet (see King of Queens, "Educationg Dougie," on youtube). So from my experience I've compiled a small list of the best and worse versions of Jane Eyre. Of course, this is entirely my opinion:


1983 Jane Eyre
Timothy Dalton as silly Rochester
Zelah Clark as bored Jane
11 part series(Yes, 11!), and it was unfortunately boring or as I like to say, as exciting as watching paint dry, which is unfortunate as I adore Mr. Dalton and hated he only hade a very minut bit of time in the Johnny Depp/Angelina Jolie fun flick "The Tourist." Dull, dull......OY dull.

1996 Jane Eyre
William Hurt as Rochester. William acted bored, uninterested and not willing to give his all for the roll which made him do a Kevin Kostner ala Robin Hood IE: losing his English accent here and there.
Charlotte Gainsbourg as Jane; she seemed perpetually bored, exhausted, unwilling to give a bit of passion as....well, Jane did become passionate about Mr. Rochester and the parakeet (kidding....just watch that episode of King of Queens).
Zeffirelli’s version is pretty & has the cutest Adele, but lacks passion. The poster is the most passionate thing about it. Skip it.

1997 Jane Eyre
Ciaran Hinds as Rochester. Loud, boisterous, his mustache was a bit too "meh" and reminded me of Dale Earnhardt for some reason
Samantha Morton as Jane who, IMO over-acted the part. Another dull one, IMO.

Crazy coupon lady on the loose brought back to earth!

So, this weekend we made a pilgrimage to our local big SUPER store that matches prices. For the past week starting last Saturday, I've been on Extreme Coupon Planet as I clipped and saved coupons, organizing them according to what we needed, PLUS as our local ads come in the mail on Tuesdays/Wednesdays, I waited w/bated breath as they came in and I made my list for what I needed w/the ads(which I brought to my SUPER store despite they stated they didn't need them. Uh, yeah; they claim they don't need them there ads, but I brought 'em anyway). So, w/kids in tow and two carts, we did our shopping. It was late, the kids were cranky, sleepy, punchy, hungry despite we had just fed them half off fast food goodies. They were just being kids. We used two carts; one for match-ups and one for just stuff we needed. This was a great idea as you can have the cashier ring up one cart or the other, whichever you want to get finished up first. I chose to have the match-ups last to show the ads, etc... What took so long in regard to getting the coupons together and what gave me a flippin' headache all week and made me an incredibly cranky, crabby mommy ( and it wasn't even "moon time" for me!) was I put together a general list, then made ANOTHER list to coincide w/the match-up products and attached them to the coinciding ad. This, IMO ended up being a bit of a waste of time; hindsight. Anyway, what I did then was store the coupons w/the coinciding product on each ad; and I took about four ads. Glad I did because I had to prove it regardless of the fact the SUPER store said their match policy doesn't require this. What I believe would help and make things not soooo insane is this(which I plan on using next time): Make a list, period! Keep products and coupons listed together according to product type, (IE, "health/beauty" coupons, "laundry" coupons, etc...). If you have coupons for some items, then seperate them from your list by either listing them seperately or putting a big "C" next to the name of the product. Be sure to research your ads if you're planning on having them matched at your SUPER store, but distinguish them by putting next to the product name where the ad is from, page number and the price per item w/size. Example? Peanut Butter Grocery Store J, ad page 3. 3/$5 {3-C/.50 off} I have the "C" noted as I have 3 coupons for this item. Use a highlighter too if that'll help. Then, have your coupons together in the order of your list. Be sure to put how many coupons you have and the price. This will make things easier to keep track at the check-out. Then type up on your computer or write up a final list, put it w/your coupons and ads. Be sure to bring every ad you want matched as this makes things go so much faster and you won't have a cranky cashier, whom you want on your side. I understand certain stores mention they don't require the ads, but it will save you and the cashier aggravation in the long run. Also, use a seperate cart for your matched ad items. This too will make things easier so have the cashier ring up the "regular" stuff first, then pull out the "matched-ad" stuff and mention that to your cashier and have the ads and your list at the ready to prove your weight in gold, so to speak. If your cashier makes a mistake, gently and very nicely inform them of this and point out the error. I usually am very nice and extra sweet, cordial, etc...as I'm spending a lot of time w/these ladies/gentlemen. Plus, you want them on your side. Being a cashier ain't easy work, yo! W/all that repatitive hand motion ringing stuff all day, cashiers can develop arm/hand injuries that may require surgery. Trust me, I've had surgery for such "injury." I also have had extremely rude cashiers and what I've even done was grabbed my merchandise and marched up to "Customer Service," asked for a manager and told them of the rude dude/dudette. Believe me, these retailers do NOT want to piss us off but they too need the mutual respect to be bestowed upon a fellow human being. Customer service is a tedious, difficult and at times a soul draining job, but when we (me in the past tense) would get that customer who was chatty, funny, attentive, nice, etc...it made the job worthwhile. And...that's pretty much it! Let me know if any of these tips are useful and if you've done so. My back still kinda aches which is most likely due to my bad posture as I lurched above my laptop and ads on our dining room table for a few hours a day for over a week.....but my headache is finally gone..well, it actually went away as soon as I sat in the passenger seat of our rental and pulled out of the parking lot. I felt I had accomplished so much! I felt wonderful! Like that proverbial weight being lifted off not only your shoulders but your head, butt, etc... NOW I KNOW why cashiers mention to me how nice I am and how some coupon chicks are actually quite...bitchy. This is a time consuming, tedious task....BUT in the long run it is worth it. And applying the "golden rule," it makes it even more enjoyable! BTW, what did I end up saving at the SUPER store? Well, including dog food, a cute black hat for my son that resembled Mickey Dolenz's hat from the Monkees 2011 tour we went this summer, about six jars of great pasta sauce, and other accoutrements: W/coupons and matched ads I purchased $582.27 and only paid $231.11. That is over half off my grocery/accroutrement bill even at the cheapest grocery store. Put THAT in your folder and save it

"Close your eyes and I'll kiss you...." Yes, we saw Paul McCartney here on 8/1/11

Yes! My wonderful husband relented but not too unwilling as he took me to see Paul McCartney on August 1st for the 4th time(well, 4th time for me, 1st for him, IE, he was a Macca concert virgin). It was almost 20 years ago to the date I saw him last at Soldier Field, which blew me away despite I had just seen him in December of 1989. My husband was completely starstruck as soon as Paul sang, I was in awe as usual despite this was "old hat" and the first time I saw him as an adult I cried like a child as I saw him first as a child, and cried like a baby as Wings Over America thrilled me and my aunt and a boyfriend of hers to see him at the old Chicago Stadium, aka the place where the Blackhawks and Bulls USED to play.

So, we trekked from one baseball field(the good one) to the other one(the "not-so-good one") via CTA's Red Line and were smashed between Macca fans and Yankee/White Sox fans as the Sox played the Yanks that night as well. It was sweltering outside; yes, hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk if you like your eggs that way. After meandering around the Wrigleyville area trying to get our butts in after I indulged in a coffee shake, we finally made it in, still sweating like a couple of Hebrew slaves waiting for Moses to make his appearance and of course to closest thing to being with God was having the most heavenly voice of former Beatle, aka my favorite Beatle.

Walking up to our seats we noticed the pre-concert music was an amazing mix of Wings/Macca and Beatles' tunes set to various styles of music, especially club-esque style which was actually pretty cool. They also had a slide show of sorts showing Paul in various eras, IE, pre-Beatles, Wings, solo, WITH the Beatles, with his family, etc...very lovely and I really wanted to dance to some of the tunes.

After the show and getting a kick out of the incredibly happy and slightly intoxicated patrons who showed not a single bit of aggression whatsoever as...well, it's one of the happiest places on earth....as Paul McCartney concert is literally like being in heaven; everyone is joyous, happy, thrilled and just full of love for this wonderful human being who has brought so much happiness to many all over the universe(yes, I believe in ET's and know they listen to Paul and the Beatles), we made our way to get a quick bite and took our happy yet incredibly exhausted booties back on the CTA Red Line toward Dan Ryan/95th only to find out at the last minute the 35th Street bus stops running after 12 midnight.

?????

Yeah, so we finally walked about 2 1/2 miles to get home, happy yet extremely exhausted, literally sleepy and slightly scared at the heinous odor that emitted from the south branch of the Chicago River, aka "Bubbly Creek," which smelled like rotting meat...it was so pungent my eyes teared up and we both had our gag reflex kick in, thus waking our sleep-walking butts right up, boy-howdy!(Tejana comes out in me occasionally, bear w/me please, y'all).

So, please enjoy the vid of the best song of the show, and the loudest....and bless your hearts if you were there(HEY! I hear ya!), and I'm so sorry if you couldn't go but if he tours again, get thee out there and see this man!!!!! He's 69, he's still cute and yes, he STILL can jam!!!! Look out Mick!!! He's giving ya a run for your money.



I guess it does pay to eat veggie.

First song of the set...one I kinda go "meh" when I hear it on the radio actually made me giddy, as it did my husband who was COMPLETELY star struck! LOVED IT~! Too cute....so, yeah...he did sing a great amount of his hits from both Beatles and Wings, he played for over 3 hours and did TWO encores, including "Golden Slumbers" which was his actual finally. The man is 69, he's still a cutie, and he can still get it on.....on stage(weeell, I'm certain he can otherwise...UH! Vulgarity rearing it's ugly head!)

Divorcing....Jack?

So, yes my fellow Jason Isaac junkies; I have FINALLY sat down...and watched....

"Divorcing Jack."

Based on the book by Colin Bateman, who wrote the screenplay as well, it's a crazy trip to Northern Ireland with a drunken columnist who happens to cheat on his wife with a young girl who happens to be related to a politician who knows the current elect prime minister of NI. After spending his second night with the young girl who gave him a "D" tape as a present from the collection of classical music tapes from A to Z her father sent early for her birthday, Dan Starkey(like Ringo, btw and played incredibly by the amazing David Thewlis) returns after getting junk food to find his lover murdered. As she tells him in her dying breath, the words that Dan gets is "divorcing.....Jack" as she gurgles on her blood.

Uh, euw.

Dan realizes his wife had caught him with his lover, so he assumed she did it but she only tossed a handful of potaotes into her window. As Dan is speaking to his wife on the phone asking why she murdered the girl Dan's wife Patricia is suddenly kidnapped by IRA thugs, their leader being Patrick Keegan, aka Jason Isaacs who plays the bad guy/thug part quite well. Uh, watch "Brotherhood" if you don't believe me. So, basically, poor Dan then goes on this wild goose chase trying to figure out who would murder his lover Margaret and why she said "divorcing Jack" which...is not what she meant to say as well as trying to avoid the police, IRA thugs w/one of them looking like a reject from the extra actors off the "Sopranos" as well as trying to entertain a Boston Globe reporter named Charlie Parker who was there covering the so-called Belfast "peace talks" and getting a bit of help from a nun, who isn't quite what she seems.

This is basically a black romantic comedy that pokes a bit of fun at all things Irish, and in particular, all things in Northern Ireland, IE, the so-called "peace talks" and the contradiction of their politicians, the usual Irish drinking, Catholics and Protestants against each other and is just overall completely ridiculously yet extremely funny and entertaining. It reminds me of a Guy Richie movie and I would not be surprised at all if Guy got a bit of his filming influence from Colin. You can also see a bit of the Monty Python influence here with it's slapstick, it's off the wall bit and just overall silly British humour. I added a "u" to humor for the mood of this article. Whatchya think?

Now I want to read the book!

You can rent "Divorcing Jack" at Joe's "Video Strip" on Archer Avenue, or via Netflicks, or you can watch it on Comcast "OnDemand" under the "Encore" channel selection.

By the way....this is most certainly not a flick for the kiddies. Get them to bed, have a couple of cocktails and munchies and hang w/your adult sig. other or buds and have a great laugh! You may want the subtitles up to get what the Irish/English actors are saying as it's a bit tricky to figure their accent out if you're not privy to an Irish brogue or an English accent.

Sigh....yes, I know....been a long time...

So, we're finally moved from our slumlord from hell but from wonderful neighbors(it's both a curse and blessing) and we're slowly but surely unpacking as much as we can as we're now in a house! I've also had to deal w/a sick toddler who had a fever of 102 for the entire Fourth of July weekend. Turned out it was viral, nothing more could be done, IE, we "force-fed" the baby Pedialyte, water, vitamins, ibuprofen, etc... She's finally fine, coming around beautifully and is her usual, screaming, beating up on my son and the dog self.

I've also been working with the most beautiful, blond Polish basket case. Well, SHE calls herself a basket case. I call myself her handle for her basket case. She's my mother from another, a wonderful woman whom I have the pleasure of being allowed to call her "mom" as well. LOVE you Momma Mary!!!! Now if she can only lay off the bananas as she's bananas about bananas!

BTW, she's the beautiful blond in the leopard coat on the far right in the B&W photo circa January 3rd, 1948.

Extreme couponing: a real money saver or a psychological disorder?

You know there's this amazing show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing," which follows a couple of individuals across this fair land of ours who really take couponing to an entirely different level.

This level is so up there and high it has me somewhat scared of it's heights.

Basically, each episode we follow a couple of people who talk about the why's and how long's re: their couponing obsession(not quite the how's on how to obtain so many coupons which was common sense to me as I noticed paper inserts and computer printout coupons) and how they get their stuff for free, and some do mention their unethical methods of obtaining their coupons, via dumpsters, stealing them from Sunday papers and other's stoops, etc..), and personally, I think it's a bit of an obsession. Some of these people go through insane methods of obtaining coupons, as forementioned via dumpsters, foreclosed homes that still get Sunday paper delivery, recycling centers, etc.... Some of these ladies own anywhere from 10 to hundreds(yes, I said hundreds) of coupon inserts. Some of these here women go on about how they love their coupon folders sooo much and if anything happened to them, they'd literally kill someone. And then you have the couponers who take those hundreds of coupons and use them to purchase 50+ items they really don't need to save on other stuff, like purchasing over 60 bottles of mustard(this happened in one episode where one woman proudly sporting her Coach handbag most likely purchased at an outlet w/the money she saved on mustard) where the husband said, "I don't even eat mustard, 100 packs of croutons in one episode, another one who purchased over 100 pairs of discounted jeans from Target(via printed e-coupons off Target's website. I wanted to know how he printed out over 100 coupons for jeans. My computer only allows 2-4 printouts per week, so...), over 100 vitamin infused H20...you get the idea. These people literally empty shelves(which I think is extremely rude and quite inconsiderate IMO) and walk away with three to four shopping carts filled to the gills with 100+ of each item on their coupon itinerary. I've stood behind some of these here coupon junkies and along w/their hoard of goodies they guard like a Doberman Pincher, they can be quite rude to fellow shoppers and cashiers, which IMO is a no-no, especially if you want things done in a nice, quick way. Then you see them drive off after their amazing purchases where they only pay cents on every dollar spent(some pay nothing at all) and you have to wonder how can they drive with all that piled into their car. Funny thing about most of these people don't mention about donating the mass amount of extras they have falling out of closets, bathrooms, kids bedrooms, garages, etc...but are not hesitant to show their amazing yet ridiculously huge stockpiles of everything you'd see in your local grocery store, and then some. It's as if they're waiting for some sort of apocolapse and brag about how they don't have to buy anything for a couple of years.

Now don't get me wrong, I am a couponer...not an extreme one yet but I've done quite well for our family saving anywhere from 30-80 percent on our grocery bill. I recall one occasion where my husband came along and as he watched the bill go up and up, ending at over $180, a tell him "watch the magic" and our bill went down to $63 bucks. Not bad for a newbie with coupons, no? But when it gets somewhat...odd, IE, 100 bottles of soy sauce and 50 packs of taco seasoning, it kinda reminds me of the show "Hoarders," and I start to think; is this an example of organized hoarding?

They have so much stuff...to the extent of families being slightly displaced, they're rude to shoppers and cashiers, their somewhat unorthodox methods of obtaining the coupons where they just don't care who it hurts or bothers.....

.....it's a bit of a disorder, me thinks.

I've been on the TLC blog/message board site where people are constantly asking where to obtain coupons and I'm thinking, "uh, don't you see the show? They say where they get them." It's interesting as I'm asked all the time where to get coupons(I get the paper and print offline) and I tell them proudly, sharing my wealth of wisdom in regard to that issue. What gets me is how they can get the items for free as I have yet to do that...and they won't be entirely free as our beloved governor has not only imposed a tax on using coupons here in Illinois, but for some reason stores in ChiTown aren't allowed to double except for the occasional Le K Boutique coupon double session, which doesn't allow you to use more than five coupons on one item, then the coupon cannot be over a dollar to double, so there are too many restrictions it is just not worth the trip, so it's a hard task here in ChiTown to get your items for free without a lot of stragedy and the possibility of getting double the value of your coupons.

But I'd like to get close to that goal, and I shall one day here in this great city called Chicago...with our without the government intervention, and without being rude to my fellow human being and the cashiers at my local grocery stores whom I love to begin with as they give us so much respect w/the fact we have our son's service dog along for the food run and know all of us by our first names...and I'd like very much not to alienate my family by not using up valuable real estate space or our kids' play space.

I would also donate as much as I could to my local food pantry, because there was a time when we had to rely on food from the local pantry. Not a pretty sight, and boy does it do a number on your spirit, and psyche.

But for the record we WOULD use those 60 plus mustard bottles as my family goes through a couple of bottles of mustard a week. We'd have the room then, no?


Check your local listings for TLC's lineup.

If mud is dirt + H20; what is clay?

....That guy who was second place to Ruben Stoddard in American Idol?

Anyone else annoyed...

..by Richard Hatch, 1st Survivor winner, former felon, current Celebrity Apprentice contestant and all around jerk? He's a bully, he's rude, condescending, doesn't play well with others & I wish Jose Canseco would beat his butt, especially after his heinous treatment of David Cassidy this past Sunday. CreepAroo!

Btw, "cheap & easy" at a Lancome dealer near you; w/a $39.50 purchase you can get a gift set w/7 items totalling $160! Free stuff w/make-up purchases rocks! Offer valid until the 23rd.

Oh, btw...

Please excuse the typos..still using the iPod touch to blog.

So much to talk about! Plus, a "cheap & easy"

Let's see...1st mention New Zealand's earthquake in Christchurch measured 6.5 on the Richter killing @ least 65 w/well over 100 people missing, Detroit Michigan CLOSING half of their public schools to save money...what the hell will they do with these kids? I'm asking rhetorically of course; 31 years ago today the US Olympic hockey team beats Russia/Soviet Union then Sweden to take the gold medal...where were YOU when that happened? I remember I was crying with either joy or hormones as I was a pre-teener; Wisconsin is still fighting city hall & not budging...perhaps they should move to Illinois like their elected Dems who escaped from their elected responsibilities thus hiding in a Northern Illinois hotel. Think they're ordering room service & pay-per-view pornos @ the expense of their constituents? According to a very scientific study(not...but a study was conducted) the top retailer/s re: customer service both online @ instore are Publix Grocery chain(mainly in the south USA,), Nordstroms, Costco & Barnes & Nobles(this is for overall customer service including stocks); best Internet retailer-amazon.com, best health care store-Walgreens(I kinda can't dispute that as my local Walgreens had the best pharmacists around), & best travel-Internet retailer is expedia.com. Aaaaand, a woman in Winthrop, Mass still has all her Christmas decorations up despite nasty letters from neighbors. Lauren Craig was told she has three days to tale the stuff down so she puts MORE decorations & had a huge Christmas party! Puts a whole new twist on redneck woman, wouldn't you say? Reminds me of that episode of King if the Hill where Bill Dauterive had that Christmas Village up to after Valentine's Day to impress a single mom. Hey, I'm more offended when I see Christmas stuff in stores in July...what say you?

OK, "cheap and easy" is a free gift for a friend who can(and should) reciprocate by sending a Coke via Facebook, do here's the link:

http://apps.facebook.com/ahhgiver/splash.php

And once again......

.....please pardon the typos/bad English as I'm still using the Ritz cracker to type on & the iPod ad my PC so to speak, but gettingy baby fixed tomorrow.

Have yourself a blessed day & I'll post "cheap & easies" later

Sephora...not as nice as you'd like

Well, sometimes.

Why is it when you request a sample, some businesses are more than willing to give you one? Like the deli at any grocery store: you want to see if that ham on sale is actually tasty or if the muenster cheese is bland. How about ice cream shops? They let you try a sample of any flavor as, well, you are about to eat it & it ends up tasting like crap; obviously you snot pick that flavor. But what if you weren't able to sample the ice cream..so, no matter how good it may look or sound and you spent a few bucks on...crap. You toss it..it was only a couple of bucks but that was a couple of bucks you wasted.

Same goes for cosmetics. And skin care products. Especially if you have sensitive skin, why is there a problem sampling a product to see how your skin reacts to it, especially at the fact skin care "ain't" cheap...even the secondary skin care, like what you'd find at Target, Walgreens isn't that inexpensive, but I know you can either write or email any of those companies and ask for either a sample or coupon and I'm sure they'd accommodate you.

And this is an investment. I mean, it's not rum cherry ice cream you're eating but some chemical compound that may react in either a positive or negative manner to your face. Your skin, which is the biggest organ of your body and needs proper care aside from anti-aging products, you want to protect it from pollution, the sun, wind, cold, etc... so, why would there even be some sort of dispute or problem with obtaining a sample or questions regarding what sort of sample you wish to obtain?

I am asking rhetorically, of course.

But at times, after putting several high-priced items on the counter at a Sephora the last thing I want is stink eye from a Sephora employee who's job is in retail, and is to inform, help, etc...& when I question a product and then ask for a sample, here's the stink eye. I've noticed the State Street store & Orland Park store is notorious for this having dealt with this first hand. I mean, I'm asking for a sample of some expensive facial cleanser & age-defying cream that I'm very interested in buying so this crap better work! And most of the employees act as if I'm asking for the entire jar or something out their purse. Like I want their own mascara, lipstick or face cream from their own stash.

Now, mind you I am aware of some who ruin it for others but come on! I WAS buying over $50 of hair care and my usual skin cream(I happen to have a delusional yet steady relationship w/Nick Perricone. Google him as he's fantastic and want to marry him for obvious reasons...snicker). The only redeeming grace for State Strrets Sephora, after I was receiving injudicious looks from all the pompous employees......I mean come on! I am not asking for the entire jar...but if they offered I wouldn't say no. I just want to try the product before I invest $100 on a skin care treatment.

....except for one. This absolute gorgeous older woman named Kathy, with her long brown locks and contagious smile made me feel as if I were talking to my mother on a great day! She was welcoming, warm, did not hesitate to provide answers to my questions nor gave me any "guilt" for asking for samples. Can you actually believe I will refuse to shop/patronize at an establishment who won't even provide a smile? Kathy at the State Street Sephora provided that...& because of her I will make an occasional trip to that specific Sephora; but I shall ask for Kathy.


FYI...my personal favie Sephora is the Nordstroms/Michigan Avenue location. EVERYONE there is fun, happy, energetic and makes shopping a complete joy! And I have absolutely no problem getting samples!

Just a blurb here...but...

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Aaarrrrgh!

No, I am not practicing for the release of the new Pirates of the Caribbean flick... I'm aggravated! I have so much to post like about the Chicago blizzard and Superbowl and the commercials and Romper Room and my husband and kids and the weather and food and I need to post reviews of various skin care stuff and Glee and AI and over-sensitive people my kids crap school and review of The Chicago Code and bitch abt Egypt's government and ancestry stuff and crap landlords and great neighbors and my PT and cooking tips and international pen pals... waiting for the repair of my PC which will be in two weeks. I hate typing on the dinky keypad on my iPod. Stinks!

I'm still here...just working on technical difficulties.

Blizzard in Chicago...again?

They're doing the blizzard talk! 18 inches of snow starting Tuesday afternoon! Well, w/all the past yak yak of rain all summer that we didn't get, I'll believe it when I see it. Time to stock up on milk, hamhocks & guitar strings(ala Yukon Cornelius).

I'll take pictures!

Al-Jazeera TV just reported the Egyptian citizens are now getting angry @ the US as they pull up bullets & tear gas cans that have on them "Made In United States."

?????  

Egyptian citizens are mad @ us because the words UNITED STATES happens to be on the weapons Egyptian police use on the protesters...so...now it's the USA's fault Egypt's government is crap & their president is a fascist dictator,  their economy sucks worse than ours, & they are STILL under Emergency Law ...since 1967... & now because the Egyptian government happen to rely...as I snicker at this irony... on products made in the USA that they happened to use against protesters so now there is some anger toward the USA...& possibly some sort of weird reasoning the US had SOMETHING nefarious to do w/how things are w/the Egyptian government.

Don't we have enough trouble with our own government?

Well, 1st I am ...laughably & incredibly surprised any country in the world actually has a product that has been made here that isn't. Pop culture related; & even THAT stuff is made elsewhere! But I don't understand why the people think we're to have ANY blame due to that...I mean, if the item was crap to begin with and didn't work? OK;  but to be angry...at a country because an item used for battle, war, force, etc...happened to be made there...aye, Dios MIO!  Uh, can anyone think of a lot of faulty stuff made elsewhere that we can protest, or has a government we can. Well, come to think of it...China comes to my mind as pretty much EVERYTHING we use is made in China....

See how stupid that sounds?  

Perhaps it's the despair talking on behalf of Egypt...@ least that's what I sincerely hope.

Oh! I just heard from my friend Sana.  She & her family are fine & staying inside.

A bit of a sad time...

This weekend is the third anniversary of my beautiful cousin's death. He was murdered in San Antonio where he lived. To this day the perpitrators have not been found.

I have so many wonderful & funny memories of George, especially how he teased me jokingly about my affection for the Beatles & rock music in general. FYI: he, along w/his brother(my cuz Richard) were totally in disco. Then, he, along w/my aunt & uncle & other cousins moved from Chicago to San Antonio & when we went to visit them, they were thankfully converted back to rock & roll, loving Led Zepplin...much to my relief!

I love you, primo! I miss you very much! I pray they find the bastards who took you from us.

First White Sox game

...is actually a spring training game against Milwaukee on March1st. According to their website & calendar online, the game won't be televised, but the first televised spring training game will be on the 10th on Comcast Sports Channel @ 7:40 PM against Arizona. The "first" WGN game will be March 20th @3PM against the Dodgers. I noticed on the schedule online they don't quite have the WGN/WCIU local station channels times ironed out as of yet, but check this link for more details.

Also,

Please excuse the typos as I typing on a device meant for teeny ladybugs fingers, not the ones on my paws.

Doing the best I can sans computer....

...using this itty bitty screen in my iPod touch that has a keyboard the size of a saltine!

Speaking of saltines, I've recently lucked out w/a sample from Vocal Point & Nabisco.

A newer version of the old standby Ritz Cracker called "Crackerfuls." The packaging is cute, giving it a rustic almost old world cooking/restaurant feeling to it. The crackers are actually two rectangle ridged, lightly salted wheatesque Ritz crackers w/a schmear of cheese in the center. There are various flavors including garlic & herb, cheddar & bacon & classic cheddar...which is the flavor o tried. They are crazy delicious & the only thing I don't like is the cheese is too soft as it slightly oozes out of the sides of the cracker when you bite into it. Otherwise, this is a great snack for everyone!

Try 'em & let me know what you think! BTW I did NOT earn Amy money or merchandise for this review. Just happened to have a sample.

So, I'm a bit outta commission

As my PC is down for the moment & will be up & running soon. Meanwhile, catch up on old posts, comment away& GO BEARS!

So, another thing for me to complain about...

I told you there would be rants! Anyway...my old monitor's plug broke in my VGA card plug that's in the back of my hard drive. Yup, I haven't been on lately due to technical difficulties which are now resolved.

So, I googled "computer repair services" with my zip code and came up with several that were more or less downtown, the "Geek Squad" at Best Buy and a small company in Chinatown called "Advance Electronic Computer" on Archer Avenue in that little Chinatown Square mall next to Walgreens. Tan, I'm assuming the owner of AEC did an amazing and fast job! He had my VGA card up and out replaced with a new one and voila! Here I am...He only took TEN MINUTES! I called other places including the "Geek Squad" with most not even giving me a diagnosis(so to speak) unless I shelled out 50 bones just for them to look at it, and be given a replacement cord, which is not what I needed. I needed the pin out of the female part for the VGA card where you plug in your monitor which is located in the rear of your hard drive tower as one of the pins from the male part/plug came out and is lodged in the female/plug in site on the hard drive. Even after I explained what was wrong I kept getting, "uh, you'll have to bring it in because I have to evaluate the situation."

But not from Tan.

BTW, did you understand me when I mentioned what happened to my computer, because I explained it exactly the way you see it typed up there, and I had pretty much everyone except Tan from AEC not know what the hell I was yakking about. And the funny thing? Everyone who didn't know what I was talking about was full blooded American! Yes, Si, toda Americano Chicago accents, and the wonderful and talented Tan had a total adorable Mandarin accent, and excellet English! So, you tell me? Perhaps the Americans were just 1) Idiots, 2) High, 3) Thinking about the Bears game and Lord of the Rings or 4) All the above.

I pick 1! Want Tan to fix your computer fast and at a great price? Hit me back if you're in the Chicagoland area! I'll give out his info!

"Cheap and easy" honorable mention!

Wanna try a safe and great method of relieving pain, especially in your joints, back, etc...?

Click HERE for a sample of "Salonspas," a pain relieving patch that works wonders! You can pick them up for a great price at your local Costco, and filling out the sample form up there, you'll receive a sample pack of three patches plus a buck off your next purchase. Let me tell you, from my personal experience, these babies work wonders!

Military families?

Anyone know of any military families we(or me) can mail directly my extra and expired coupons? I have read military commissaries will accept coupons expired up to six months for all military personal. I know there are addresses to bases and whatnot, but was wondering if anyone knew of any families personally I can send these to, and if they want can distribute whatever they won't use, need, etc...

Thanks!

And...speaking of challenges....Nonna Beach, one of my lovely and ever-so-wise followers and awesome shopper whom I've had the honor to meet here on blogspot(BTW, here's a shameless plug for her blog HERE FOR NONNA BEACH'S AWESOME BLOG! gave me some great tips for our coupon challenge;

Let's do the coupon thing and sales thing; stick to our list and match/stack our coupons w/the sales and post at the end of the week what we bought and how much we saved! How's that sound? I'll post my results on Sunday nights....

What say you?

Go BEARS!!!

BTW, who do you wish to win the NFL wildcard this weekend? I'm hoping the Saints beat the Seahawks as...well, I have a thing for Mr. #9, #9, #9...Drew Brees. What say YOU?

So, anyone out there ready to take on the "Coupon Challange?"

SOOOOO....I thought it would be a good idea for those of us who try to save as much as we can not only w/sales but using the 'ALMIGHTY' Coupons to comment and see how much we can save for one year. Yes, I just made the first official grocery shopping trip of the year and already on a great foot!

With what I bought along with the coupons I brought for pretty much every item PLUS the store savings, I saved with all the above:

$63.37

I ended up paying $64,91 for all my groceries. This is just a preview of what I do as I'm wondering what would be conducive in regard to the blog and giving great info for you. I can list what I've bought(I'll do that later, btw! LOL) along w/the coupons I've used and coinciding sales papers and then add the savings and what we've paid up to that point(and at that shopping trip) and let's really see if clipping and printing coupons is worth all it's weight in gold, yeah?

What say you? Give me a comment as to what you think would be a good idea re: the Coupon Challenge, and you TOO should do it, yeah? Come on! Let's save together!

Don't forget! You have until Feb. to get in on this "cheap and easy..."

HERE for a chance at a month of FREE Toaster Strudel!!

They have so many flavors, including Boston Creme Pie, Raspberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Apple....good stuff for the morning or a snack.

I guess Gretchen Weiners fr: "Mean Girls" won't get much of her allowance with all the free Toaster Strudel coming our way!

Also, be sure to check out all the coupon sites for updated coupons for this week:

Smartsource.com
Redplum.com
Coupons.com

Gerry Rafferty - Right Down the Line

You know I need your love. You got that hold over me
Long as I got your love. You know that I'll never leave.
When I wanted you to share my life, I had no doubt in my mind...
And it's been you; woman, right down the line.

I know how much I lean on you. Only you can see changes that I've been true.
Have left there mark on me, you've been as constant as the northern star.
The brightest light that shines.
It's been you; woman, right down the line.

I just wanna say this is my way..of telling you everything, I could never say before.
Yeah this is my way...of telling you that everyday, I'm loving you so much more.
'cause you believed in me through my darkest night;
Put something better inside of me.
You brought me into the light. Threw away all those crazy dreams;
I put them all behind. And it was you; woman, right down the line.

I just wanna say this is my way of telling you everything I could never say before.
Yeah, this is my way of telling you that everyday, I'm loving you so much more.
If I should doubt myself, if I'm losing ground;
I won't turn to someone else. They'd only let me down.
When I wanted you to share my life, I had no doubt in my mind,
And it's been you, woman; right down the line...

RIP, Gerry.

So, a friend of mine bought this beautiful Paula Deen cookware...

...@ a really great price at Walmart. She basically got the price match from the Kmart flyer just before Christmas...

Yup! It's the Paula Deen cookware, and the one's you see in the image above? Wanna know how they are?

Crap! Terrible, pieces of crap.

Well, this is according to my friend, who uses them. And often, but not every single day like you're supposed to use a pan..or be able to. I wonder if consumer affairs for Ms. Deen's cookware tell consumers this, IE, "You shouldn't use them EVERY single day..." Well, what in the name kind of bull is that? Ya gotta cook every day for the most part, esp. if you have a family, husband, S/O, etc... I mean, come on! Shouldn't there be some sort of disclaimer on the box of pans stating that "Not to be used every single day unless you're single and don't have a family to cook for?"

Whatever...

Now, according to my friend who is a personal experience consumer with these items....they don't conduct heat well at all, the saucepans burn everything and everything sticks in them, the copper coloring is gone after minimal use...IE, they're really ugly now despite the fact she has had them for ONLY a month and took really good care of them...

They are NOTHING like the Rachael Ray cookware.

She(IE, my friend) followed directions on how to "treat" them(IE, you're supposed to soak them in baking soda to get this protective shipping oil off and they're supposed to be marvelous). And from what I've seen, my friend takes very good care of them, doesn't use the EVERY single day...yet...

They are CRAP.

Such a disappointment for a $100 investment, especially one tied in w/the name of Ms Paula Deen, whom I ADORE. I wonder if she's aware of this info.

I found several blogs, posts, etc...regarding the cookware, and they're are NOT pretty. Loads of complaints about the same stuff, not being able to contact anyone from the consumer affairs of Ms. Deen's cookware, not able to get replacements, and/or having to foot the bill on replacement mailing charges.

Now, I don't want to see/read comments saying, "Well, she GOT them at Walmart! What do you expect?"

I buy Wrangler Jeans at Walmart, I buy DVDs and batteries; I've bought a blender, coffee maker, grinder, T-Fal pans, the "generic" and/or Walmart name brand baby soaps and powder and the "White Cloud" brand diapers and I've not had an issue with any of said products. Walmart has nothing to do with the product. It's the actual product, and the way it's manufactured. If you had a slight allergic reaction to an Avon product, would you totally ban the company just because it's AVON and not Chanel, Estee Lauder, or Lancome? Besides, my friend paid 100 bones for the pan set, NOT $39.99; she got the five or ten piece set @ $100, which was the "Black Friday" sales price match down from the "regular" sale price of $129.99. She also owns the Rachael Ray cookware and just ADORES her pans! She's had them between 3-5 years and I've seen them first hand..and they're still pretty. Well, pretty good shape for 3 yr. old pans.

Besides, about a year ago the home shopping giant QVC recalled the Paula Deen cast iron pans due to shattering as they were...uh...used. The link for that is HERE...so it's NOT a Walmart/Kmart issue. It's just bad product manufacturing, and very bad customer service.

FYI: Kohl's sells BOTH Rachael's and Paula's cookware.

The verdict? Do your research in regard to cookware. Old school T-Fal fails to disappoint, and I've heard nothing but praise from the Rachael Ray cookware. Plus, listening to first hand experience via friends, associates, etc...helps! Oh, and don't invest in this crap cookware. Especially if you're serious about cooking, which is sad as I know Paula is totally serious about her cooking, which is sad. I don't know what way or how the consumer affairs department for Ms. Deen's cookware are trained or what they're allowed to do for customers, which isn't much apparently and according to reviews, which you'll see HERE Not only are there complaints about the actual product, but complaints about the lack of customer service with this company as they tell the consumers to mail at their own expense the defective product to obtain a refund. Don't they realize how expensive it would be to mail a huge package like 5-10 pans via USPO? Even Huggies diapers sent me a SASE for a defective diaper I had. I had me a bad batch of Huggies and when I told them(IE, Huggies), they sent me the SASE and coupons for freebies. Very nice! And this is a little old diaper company. Well, granted, it was just a diaper, but having that option given to me at their expense made me appreciate and like the Kimberly-Clarke Corporation much more.

Anyway...what say you?


Thank you, and GO BLACKHAWKS! Score is 2/1 right now against the LA. Kings....

Shania Twain - Up! HEY! Lookit da 40 year old teenager!

OK, I don't know how many of you like Shania Twain to begin with, but with the start of 2011 and the past crap economy, and past housing market, and past job market, and the current yet hoping to be last of the onslaught of idiotic politicians, past yucky weather, etc.. I thought I'd try to get everyone "UP" from here, as it can only go up from here...

Blessings, love, prayers and hugs to you... all!

PS: BTW, I gotta REPRESENT Canada!!!! Snicker....

Wow! I've not seen you since last year!

A final thought for ....last year; and this year, if I may.


"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, President Obama, and Albert Einstein."

--H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Author of "Life's Little Instruction Book.

Well, I added the Lennon/Macca and Pres. Obama.