I AM IN CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!

Jennifer took off for Florida and left me in charge. I have the POWAH!!!!!!! While she's gone I'm gonna jump on the bed and have parties every night. I'm gonna drink all the booze and refill the bottles with water and I'm gonna snoop through all the drawers........oh wait.......I already know what's in the drawers.......after all, they're my drawers............silly me.

Did everyone have a wonderful Christmas? Whew......I'm just glad it's over. We had all the kids over Christmas Eve (all 47 of em'...........j/k........) and I was lucky enough to get to fix this huge meal for them all and then clean up after them, and then my husbands sister and her husband and their daughter and their daughter's husband and their momma were at the front door at 8 am for breakfast. It was really nice and then I sat in my recliner and hardly moved for 3 days. Seems like every time I sat down I fell asleep. Santa brought me a cell phone which I wanted very bad. Guess he thought I had been pretty good...........hahahaha hohohohoho.hahhaha.... What did Santa bring you guys? I need know.............

I was wondering if Santa brought Jace some new band-aids and maybe a new cow or two or even maybe a new flat bed trailer. What'd ya get Jace?

Today is NEW YEARS EVE. Where does the time go and why does it go by so fast? I WISH YOU ALL A SAFE AND HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!!

It's fun to be in charge!!!

Blessings for the New Year to you All!!!!
Sandi

Traveling to Florida

By the time your reading this, I will be well on my way to Florida.
It's vacation time. I'll be gone until January 4th.

While we're there we plan on going to Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens, drive on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, dash to the gulf in St. Petersburg and visit the Daytona Speedway etc....

Sandi will hold down the fort. I have complete confidence in her!

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!





We are spending our New Year's Eve at Disney World. Should be beautiful!

See ya next year!

- Jennifer

Can't Beat Vintage Sleds

And what a better way to celebrate our 200th POST :)

Happy Friday!

- Jennifer

Merry Christmas Everyone

Jennifer & Sandi

Bundle Up!

This is how my girlfriend sends her pup outside.
She puts Sabrina's boots and jacket on of course.

Isn't this how your dog dresses to go outside?
I think it's funny. It's hard not to laugh at her!

(Sabrina is a Brussels Griffon in case your wondering.)

Have a great day!

- Jennifer

There is a Santa Claus

K & K from Minnesota held a give-away last month and we won!!!

#1. Sandi and I love handmade stuff.

#2. It's jewelry.

#3. It's a local artist from Minnesota



Thanks K & K. You Rock!

Jennifer and Sandi

I Don't Like It!

Snow, snow, snow all day on Saturday and this is the thanks we get! I don't like it one bit. Nope, would rather be in the south were it's nice and warm. Thank goodness I don't have to snowblow or shovel because my boyfriend takes care of that for me. Not to mention the homeowner association does the street/sidewalks/driveways. We shovel anyway because we like a black clean driveway. Have a warm Monday!!

- Jennifer

In One Word

Pretty much sums up what my day is
going to be like today :(

- Jennifer

Yes!

In 12 days this will be our view of the 9th largest body of water in the world. Also

known as the Gulfo de Mexico. We will NOT be thinking of the snow back home I can

assure you!

DON'T FORGET!!!! IT'S PHRYDAY'S PHOTO FIESTA OVER AT Candid Carrie's

Go say hi and take a look at all of her blogger's crazy fun foto's!!

Happy Friday!

- Jennifer

I Must Apologize. I Was Wrong!

My boyfriend asked me if I wanted to go work out with him tonight. We both belong to the same club. I said "I can't, I'm still fighting this head cold and it's not good to work out when your sick" He says, "now where did you hear that, on some blog?" I said "well it's just common knowledge and I've heard that all my life."

He wasn't buying what I was selling. I told him I'd research it today and get back to him. So I go to the trusty old Mayo Clinic.com gospel. Here's what "THEY" say:

Winter sniffles and colds can make you feel miserable, but are you too sick to exercise? When you should skip a day of exercise in favor of rest?

Got the sniffles? Tough it out.
THIS IS THE CATEGORY I FIT INTO TODAY
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is safe to workout if your symptoms are “above the neck.” Happily, exercise may make your runny nose, stuffed-up sinuses, or sore throat feel better.

Are you coughing? Give it a rest.
Postpone your workout if you have chest congestion or tightness. That hacking cough will likely get worse with exertion. Wait until your symptoms improve to resume your workout routine.

Is your stomach upset? Take a break.
Vomiting and diarrhea can easily lead to dangerous dehydration. Don’t stress your system further with exercise.

Got a fever? Stay in bed.
Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Edward Laskowski, M.D., indicates exercising with a fever can be dangerous and could cause inflammation of the heart muscle. If you have a fever, extreme fatigue, or widespread muscle aches, sleep and allow your body to heal before resuming your routine.

Use common sense.
Great advice. I think I'll stay home tonight and not go workout!
Listen to your body when you are under the weather. Slow down or stop if your symptoms get worse. When you feel better, ease back into exercise, especially if you are weakened after a long bout with the flu or a fever.

Stay healthy and strong this Winter!!

Do you workout when your feeling sick?

Happy Thursday!

- Jennifer

Bratz vs Barbie Dolls

Have you heard about the battle between Bratz Dolls vs the Barbie Dolls.

• Bratz dolls will leave the market at the end of the year, to tweens' dismay
• Mattel sued Bratz, claiming Bratz dolls' creator came up with concept while at Mattel
• Mattel sued Bratz manufacturer MGA Entertainment Inc., and last week a federal judge ordered MGA to cease making the dolls immediately and to stop selling them after the holiday shopping season ends.
• Some parents prefer Barbies to Bratz because of Barbies' more wholesome image
• Others feel Barbies present an unhealthy, unrealistic image

Quotes from some Customers:
"I like Bratz better. They have more fancy clothes, and they look more cool," Sierra said.

Cassell acknowledged that Barbie bodies "are a little unrealistic."

Theresa Hawkesworth of South Africa believes Bratz dolls rather than Barbies are a more positive influence for her 12-year-old daughter, Emma. "Because their faces and their makeup are so extreme it's almost impossible that a young girl could look like that," Hawkesworth said. "Whereas with Barbie dolls, the young girls think that they need that beautiful hair and that beautiful body, and when they don't look like a Barbie they have that poor self-image."



So here are some pictures of the Bratz dolls. Don't get me wrong, I love Barbie. Had them when I was little and buy them today for the little ones in my family. I personally don't see anything wrong with the Bratz dolls. Have you ever been to a Junior High School lately? The tweens dress just like this.

Again, they look like normal tweens to me.

Look, Bratz dolls in formals

Now let's look at some of the new "wholesome" image Barbie Dolls. What's with the Daggers? Look out Ken. Every child should wear those leather thigh bands too. Great Image!

Here we have "Diamond Barbie" Belly dancing? Yeah, I know tons of little girls that belly dance. Don't you? Couldn't they put a smaller bikini top on this Barbie? Pull up the top there missy! Oh wait you can't, isn't much there to adjust! This Barbie must weigh like 80 pounds. Nice abs! Wholesome!

Here's another Bikini Barbie. Nice Hair with the "colored weave" in her hair. Trashy? At least she has bottoms on. I bought a Barbie the other day and she didn't have any underwear. With the price we pay for Barbie, shouldn't they be able to afford to put underwear on them?

Beach Fun Barbie. Look mom, can I get a tattoo just like my Barbie Doll? Note the short-shorts.

What do you think? Do you think they should take the Bratz Dolls off the shelves??

Happy Hump Day!

- Jennifer

It's Butt Ass Cold!

And you thought you all had it bad. It is bitterly COLD today. With wind chill, it's near minus 30 degrees.

Yes, you read that correctly....-30 degrees

Issued by The National Weather ServiceMinneapolis, MN 6:37 am CST, Mon., Dec. 15, 2008
... WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST ...

NORTHWEST WINDS FROM 15 TO 20 MPH TODAY WILL CAUSE WIND CHILL READINGS NEAR 30 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.

I think I'm going back to bed after I leave you with some humor!

- Jennifer

In Honor of Stupid People Everywhere!

In Honor of Stupid People . . .

In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- 'Do not turn upside down.' (well...duh, a bit late, huh!)

On Sainsbury's peanuts -- 'Warning: contains nuts.' (talk about a news flash)

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- 'Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication.' (We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5 year-olds with head-colds off those bulldozers.)

On Marks &Spencer Bread Pudding -- 'Product will be hot after heating.' (...and you thought????...)

On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping. (That's the only time I have to work on my hair.)

On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(the shoplifter special?)

On a bar of Dial soap -- 'Directions: Use like regular soap.' (and that would be???....)

On some Swanson frozen dinners -- 'Serving suggestion: Defrost.' (but, it's just a suggestion.)

On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- 'Do not iron clothes on body.' (but wouldn't this save me time?)

On Nytol Sleep Aid -- 'Warning: May cause drowsiness.' (..I'm taking this because....)

On most brands of Christmas lights -- 'For indoor or outdoor use only.' (as opposed to what?)

On a Japanese food processor -- 'Not to be used for the other use.' (now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious.)

On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- 'Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts.' (say what?)

On a child's Superman costume -- 'Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.' (I don't blame the company, I blame the parents for this one.)

On a Swedish chainsaw -- 'Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.'
(Oh my God..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even chuckle)...

**** Blessed are the cracked: for it is they who let in the light *****

Have a wonderful week!

~Sandi~

The Bar's Open, Come On In!

The Chambers Ice Bar is now open

It is the first outdoor ice bar in the United States and what better place to have one than the frozen hell hole we call Minneapolis.

The Ice bar will remain open till we get our first thaw which may not be until May!

Doors wide open and a starless sky above, the Chambers Hotel Ice Bar grand opening was a crowded soiree of black pea coats and rosy cheeks. Heaters were scattered about the front half of the patio, sandwiched between the two bars, DJ and private lounge tents, causing the bulk of the crowd to rub elbows and backsides with other heavily clothed strangers. A large fire pit of rocks and flames offered not only heat but a nice glow on the little bit of skin left exposed.

Cheers and Happy Chilly Friday!
- Jennifer

Easy Money

I received this email this morning! I'm so excited!!!

From: "DR. DAVID DIALLO" diduduby@earthlink.net
To: Jennifer@
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:35:35 AM

RE:PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE VICTORIA
ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009,
Swift Code: BPH KPL PK,
A/C#: 329606=101244=169=678
FOREIGN REMITTANCE
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009
Phone Number:+234-1-18114955

We have this 11th day of Dec, 2008 received a payment credit instruction from the federal Government of Nigeria to credit your account with your full contract funds from the Nigerian Reserve Account with our bank.

Our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service.

Be informed that every arrangement regarding your cash payment through diploatic services has been made. The Diplomat has to move down to your Country in order to deliver the Consignment to your doorstep.

We are sorry for the delays in your contract payment please bear with us.

Please reconfirm to us the following information so that the consignment does not go the the wrong person.

So I reply back:

Your Full Name: Jennifer
Your Complete Address: 1234 West Broadwood Ave
Name of City of Residence: Minneapolis
Direct Telephone Number: 763-987-4457
Mobile Number: 763-598-3333
Fax Number: 763-987-4458
Occupation: Blogger
Nearest airport: (MSP) Minneapolis International Airport

Note that as soon as the diplomatic arrive to your country they will give you a call immediately.

Yours in service,

Dr. David Diallo
Executive Director
Central Bank of Nigeria
Phone Number:+234-1-18114955

Now this is what I call "Easy Money"!!!! I can't wait to meet the Diplomat at my doorstep and receive my millions! Wish me luck! If I'm not back online within 24 hours, call the Sheriff!!!

- Jennifer

PSA on Ice Safety

A lot of people have been falling through the ice this week. It's a tad too early to be going out there because it hasn't been cold enough, long enough. There have been several fatalities. Here are some ice thickness guidelines everyone should follow when playing on the ice. It's our way of keeping all informed here at Minnesota Vs Texas.

Some cold facts about ice

New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly‑formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially‑thawed ice may not.

Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.

Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.

The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out.

Booming and cracking ice isn’t necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.

Schools of fish or flocks of waterfowl can also adversely affect the relative safety of ice. The movement of fish can bring warm water up from the bottom of the lake. In the past, this has opened holes in the ice causing snowmobiles and cars to break through.

Keep safe out there people!!

- Jennifer

Global Warming Hits Minnesota

We are loosing our Moose population here in Minnesota. Shorter winters, hotter summer days and natural phenomenon are all working against moose on the southern edge of their natural range. The animal can withstand deep snow and cold. But even days in the upper 70s take a toll.

Moose are hit hard by warm temperatures because of their black coat, back hair and inability to perspire. Moose can only lose heat by breathing faster. When moose are overheated they don't eat, and if they lose too much weight they may not survive winter. It's believed some die from heatstroke.

Fewer than 100 moose remain in northwest Minnesota, and there are about 7,600 in northeastern Minnesota.

God save our Moose!

- Jennifer

Holidazzle

We went to the Holidazzle Parade on Saturday. The big trip to the city....downtown Minneapolis.

Holidazzle is a Minnesota tradition. Downtown Minneapolis glows with festive lights as local businesses put on a stellar show that is the equivalent of a walking fireworks display.

Thank goodness we bought tickets for the heated seats inside a large tent to watch the event because it was minus 5,000 degree's outside. Okay, I made that part up. It was probably 4 degrees outside and it was COLD! Sorry the pictures didn't come out all that great. It's difficult to take pictures in the dark.

Happy Monday!

- Jennifer

The Most Amazing Thing Happened Yesterday....

It's story day!!!

Let me start at the beginning though. Many years ago, my mom had a close friend named Elizabeth and Elizabeth was married to Bruce. Elizabeth and Bruce had 3 sons, Wendell, Bobby and Scott. We visited them at their house several times. One of the things I remember about their house (and this was in the 50's) was that to me, an 8 year old, it was palatial. It was split level job having several levels and there was a huge pool out back and it was probably on 50+ acres. I remember during one visit we were swimming and my brother, who was maybe 3 at the time, woke up from his nap, all sleepy-eyed, stumbled out to the pool and just walked right into it. He went straight to the bottom like a rock and of course we saved him. He was soooo cute. I also remember a huge organ in their living room and it had a bust of Wolfgang Mozart sitting on top of it and Bruce could make that baby hum. It was awesome. Then Elizabeth got sick with cancer and died. I think she was in her 40's. I remember feeling very bad about this, but we never went to see Bruce and the boy's again.

I knew that Bruce was connected to an attraction in Ocala, Florida named Silver Spring's. I knew he had something to do with photography and glass bottom boats (in my mind he had invented the glass bottom boat - hahahahaha). Mom never talked about Bruce. For years and years and years I looked for him and could never find him. Last month, my sister and I were talking about him and she googled his name and low and behold, there he was!!!! Because of the bust of Wolfgang Mozart sitting on his organ, I thought his name was spelled Mozart.........but it's Mozert! Bruce Mozert. My sister had actually thought she typed in Mozart, but she typed in Mozert and there he was. We found him because of a typo! I was so excited and I let my brother know we'd found him because Bruce was my brother's Godfather.

What we found on the Internet was a gentleman by the name of Gary Monroe wrote a book called "Silver Springs The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert". Gary has written several best-selling books and here was one about Bruce!!

I immediately ordered the book and wrote a letter to Bruce telling him how long we'd been looking for him and gave him the short version of the last 40 plus years in our lives.

I got the book yesterday. The mail lady left the book on top of our mailbox cause it wouldn't fit inside. I knew immediately what it was and raced to the mailbox. I was so excited. I grabbed the book and raced back inside the house, ripped open the package and started pouring over the book. I learned that Bruce, who was 91 (he turned 92 this week), still goes to work EVERYDAY! Bruce INVENTED the underwater camera (not the glassbottom boat). Bruce did the underwater filming of some of the Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weismueller. Remember Sky Hunt? Yep, Bruce did all the underwater photography for that too, as well as the underwater filming for the original "The Creature from the Black Lagoon". Bruce worked with some of Hollywood's top actor's and actresses. Bruce still flies his own plane (a 182 Skyline) and does aerial photography for corporations. When I heard him play the organ I knew he was an amazing person.

All this was wonderful, but the letter he wrote me was priceless and made my heart sing. He told me how much he enjoyed my letter. He told me he had a birthday this week and was now 92, and that everyone in his family lived to be 103 and 104. He said he'd had an exciting career. He said to come visit him and gave me directions to his house and phone numbers to reach him. And then......... he signed the letter...................Your Godfather, Bruce Mozert.

That's when I started crying. You see, I lost my mom last August 27th and my dad several years ago. While my mom and I didn't have the greatest relationship, she was still my mom and I loved her very much and I miss her. Since losing her I've felt kinda like an orphan (a 57 year old orphan.......yeah right). I have an older sister who lives in Florida and a younger brother that lives in Kentucky (visit http://www.johnmodlin.com/ - he's an incredible musician), but I don't have any parents now and that's a very weird feeling. I've been thinking a lot about "the good ole days". About Bruce, about all the kids I grew up with (Marjie - the best ever friend, Kenny - my very first boyfriend), Johnny and Frankie, the Simmons family, George, Patti, Cory, Butch, Ricky, Jan).

I'd always known that Bruce was my brother's Godfather, but I never knew he was mine too. I can't wait to visit him.

Oh yeah, and I got a email from Kenny a couple of days ago and also from George. Marjie and I keep in touch alot. I'm reminded of a song I learned in Girl Scouts.............."Make New Friends and Keep The Old".


~Blessings~
Sandi

How to Achieve Inner Peace...........

I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me and we all could use more calm in our lives. By following the simple advice I heard on a Medical TV show, I have finally found inner peace. A Doctor proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around my house to see things I'd started and hadn't finished and, before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of shhhardonay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of vocka, a pockage of Prunglies *burp*, tha mainder of bot Prozic and Valum scriptins *hic*, the res of the Chesescke an a box a chocolets.Yu haf no idr who gud I fel. Peas sen dis orn to dem yu fee ar in ned ov inr pece.

Shjalom!
Snadi

BREAKING NEWS

Simpson Sentenced to up to 33 years

Judge sentences O.J. Simpson to up to 33 years in prison for Vegas hotel armed robbery, kidnapping — 61-year-old disgraced Hall of Famer eligible for parole after nine years. Simpson told the judge before the sentence was read that did not mean to hurt anyone and did not know he was doing anything illegal. "I didn't mean to steal anything from anybody."

Let The Holiday Begin

All done! Tree is up. Presents wrapped. Stockings hung.
* * * * * * * Let the holiday begin * * * * * * * *

DON'T FORGET!!!! IT'S PHRYDAY'S PHOTO FIESTA OVER AT Candid Carrie's head on over there and visit some of her exciting Blogger's and see their crazy fun foto's!!

Happy Friday!
- Jennifer

Not So Typical Commute

This morning I wake up at my normal time and half way through getting ready I hear on T.V. the traffic gal say there is a Semi roll over on the Interstate.

I don't take the interstate unless I HAVE TOO so I say, "no biggy". Then I hear her telling everyone to STAY OFF the Interstate and take County Rd XX. WHAT????? I take County Rd XX. It's not really XX just using that as an example here. So....... I get on the road and yep, everyone and their dogs , tractor trailers, cement trucks, etc.... is on my road that I take to work.

I own this country road. No one is allowed on it. It's a country road and I travel it stress free each work day (Exception: always on high alert during deer season) but not today. It was the road from HELL.

I was 1 hour and 20 minutes LATE to work today. Normally takes me 30 minutes.

Back to the roll over. It was a tractor trailer carrying "Pigs". Pigs all over the place. They had to gather all the pigs and load them on a new trailer, upright the semi and clear the accident so it took awhile to open the road. Poor little pigs :(

Off to have a super day

Happy Thursday
- Jennifer

My Name is Jennifer and I am a Lip Balm Addict

Are you a lip balm addict? I am. Love the stuff. Now I know why. I ran across this guys web site yesterday and found it VERY interesting. Lip Balm Anonymous . Seems that people really are addicted to lip balm.

Here's some information from his site

Lip Balm Anonymous is often asked if lip balm is really addictive. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't!

Which helps explain why you can diligently apply "medicated" lip balm several times a day and still suffer from chapped lips. The tingling sensation you get from those products usually comes from menthol, camphor or phenol. "All those things are drying and irritating," says Paula Begoun, a well-known critic of the cosmetics industry. She says she suspects that these ingredients are routinely used "to make the consumer think something is happening. If you want a cooling sensation, drink some cold water."

Users, meanwhile, often find the pleasant tingling habit-forming. "You get so accustomed to that cooling, soothing sensation, that it's like, "Yeah, I need that in my life all the time". Subjected to this constant irritation, it's not surprising that your lips don't get any better.

Selling Year-Round!

Some people claimed we were crazy when we said lip balm addiction was a year-round disorder. Now we have proof! This Blistex ad ran in U.S. Sunday newspapers during May 1997.

As you can see, the ad is very direct about trying to get people to use balm during the summer. If you think you only need lip balm during the winter, Blistex wants you to think differently!
Here's the proof in the pudding! These sales figures for the lip care category come from Mentholatum. Sales are the highest during December, and certainly winter is a busy time in the lip balm market. But look at the numbers another way. Sales are steady throughout the entire year! You don't see a nose-dive during the summer months at all.

In fact, one could argue that the increased sales during December are a factor of the holiday gift season more than weather. There is a big market for lip balm marketed to children. And you know a lot of that lip balm ends in Christmas stockings!!!!


So any of you using Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick, Bonne Bell, Vaseline Lip Therapy go check out this web site. It's pretty fun stuff!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

- Jennifer

Going Home to the Freezer

Speaking of Deer!!!! Larry and I were driving down to Gaylord, MN Saturday and got behind this hunter. If you look closely you can see their kill laying/sitting in the back of his truck! Cool huh! You can even see his ear tag on his right ear. It's ironic that yesterday Sandi mentioned their kill over the weekend. It apparently was a super weekend for deer hunting!!

Happy Tuesday!

- Jennifer

I'll Brag for Her

Sandi's husband shot an 8 point buck over the weekend.

For those of you who do not hunt, here is an example of an 8
point buck.

This is NOT the deer Bud shot. Those photo's will follow.
I asked Sandi to post some pictures of proof of their kill.

Note to self: Ask Sandi to ship me packages of venison jerky!




Happy Monday!
- Jennifer