Oh Je-fa-fa, Oh Je-fa-fa ...

... without me you would su-ka-ka!! We knew it would be a night filled with laughter but WOW! Walking out of there with our faces and stomachs aching along with sore throats and waning voices from screaming and laughing, well ... in one word it was AWESOME!! I had just remarked to Bob on Thursday evening at dinner that I hoped "Guitar Guy" (Brian Haner) would be there, but I really didn't think he would. I thought it was a special appearance for the Christmas special where Achmed sang his Christmas carols. So it was a wonderful surprise when "Guitar Guy" came out on stage to open for Jeff!! Brian, surprisingly, is a comedic act all on his own. He was very good! As he shared some family stories and things they experienced on the road, he had us roaring with laughter. He ended his set by playing the "Star Spangled Banner" with a video of a waving flag on the big screen. It, as always, was very moving. After a 15 minute intermission we were finally rewarded with Jeff!!

Jeff opened with Walter, our favorite funny, cranky, politically incorrect old man. He didn't disappoint. Walter makes fun of everyone. There were lots of new material intertwined with some of the old, classic we all know and love. The audience loved the personalized material about "Norfolk." When an outsider understands the local pronunciation we love it. Walter had lots of material about "Nawfuck." Needless to say, had us rolling in our chairs. Sadly, while they let us take photos of Brian, we were told no photography of any kind during Jeff. Since I was sitting on the end of a row, with a "guard" facing the back a few rows up I couldn't get anything. Had I been in the middle of the row, I'd have gone for it. In this particular situation having a really good seat didn't work in my favor when it came to taking photos. As Walter ended his set with his now famous, "Welcome to Walmart! Git yer shit and git out!" we were already exhausted. And then came ...

... Achmed!!! We've seen him on video so many times. It's so much better to see him in person! How Jeff can make a puppet have so much personality and expression is truly a talent. When "Guitar Guy" joined him on the stage for one of Achmed's new songs, we loved it! When Jeff and Brian get on stage together there's always lots of spontaneous jokes. Jeff even said, "I hear the punchline 2 seconds before the audience does." Those two just crack each other up, muck like Harvey Korman and Tim Conway used to do on the Carol Bernette Show. Us "infidels" eat it up. As the audience roars with laughter, Achmed says, "Silence! I keel you!"

Last but, of course, not least came one of the big favorites - PEANUT!!! Love, love, love Peanut!! He is every bit as politically incorrect as Walter and Achmed and we love every minute of it. Again, there was old material mixed in with some new. Even the stuff we've heard over and over was still funny. There weren't many races Peanut didn't make fun of. He is so bad. And we love him. He discussed ta-tas, tampons & Always with wings, a taste of China (supposedly an offended Chinese fan wrote in and complained), decorating the barbed wire on the Mexican border and more - much more. We were exhausted by the time Peanut went back in his case. And Jeff left the stage ...

... only to come back for an encore with Bubba J. Bubba J is in a league of his own. When the audience was louder with Bubba J's punchlines, Jeff would pause and look at the audience in amazement and a bit of frustration. It got worse with each joke. We got louder and louder. I'm not sure how much of that was part of his act and how much of it was genuine, but either way we ate it up.

After the puppets were put away Jeff and Brian came back on stage with air guns to shoot t-shirts out into the crowd. Jeff was determined to get some all the way in the back balcony and after several attempts (and upgrades to more powerful guns) he made it. Cari and I had an awesome night and would definitely go see him again. In fact, he may be recording his next DVD here in Va. Beach and, if at all possible, we will be there. What a blast!!

QB signing off, for now ...

Whew - it's been a while ...

... hasn't it? Lots of "life" goin' on these days. Cari was home for spring break and Bob threw us some curve balls with a health issue. Suffice to say, Cari didn't have much of a break on her spring break. We're trying to get back to "normal," whatever that means. Sometimes you have to settle for a new normal.

I finally surrendered to my sleep issues and got a prescription for Ambien back in January. Started off with 5mg and increased it to 10mg in February. After a couple of months of getting some decent sleep I'm beginning to feel better than I have in a long time. I actually have some energy these days and it feels good! I think the increased energy level has spurred me on to do some much needed spring cleaning. I worked in my kitchen this past week, cleaning out cabinets, closet, pantry, etc. I'm hoping to get to the drawers next week. It feels so good to be able to open a door and actually see what's in there - and to know what I've got and what I need. My closet will be next - good grief, I won't even go there. I'm not sure it's ever been this bad before. I could take pix of before and after ... but I won't. On to other things ...

Don't feel like I've accomplished much in the way of knitting this past month. I did manage to finish a pair of socks for Cari and have started some others, but haven't completed anything else.

From Knitting

Not sure what's going on lately with my color choices - I used to be quite a bit more conservative. Check out my next pair of socks I'm working on:

From Knitting

I also started my chenille scarf in these gorgeous, bold colors:

From Knitting

I'm using a favorite standby pattern - Misti Alpaca Ribs and Ruffles (without the ruffles).

I can't wait to finish this cape! I simply fell in love with the colors and feel of this Kudo yarn:

From Knitting

From Knitting

Off to, hopefully, visit Mom's this afternoon - and maybe get some new pix of Zach. Then Cari and I are off to the Ted Constant Center tonight to see Jeff Dunham!!! We are SO EXCITED!!!!

til next time ...
QB

Nikon Customer Service

I would've never believed I could have such a disappointing, frustrating experience with Nikon. My father-in-law has been a Nikon person all his life and has never had anything but wonderful things to say about their products. I am sitting here in shock trying to soak this in. Here's my story:

My D200 started flashing the dreaded "Err" message around the holidays. Thank goodness I had a D50 as a backup. Not having time to investigate the problem, I just put it aside and used the D50. Earlier this month I decided it was time to tackle the problem and researched the problem online, tried everything I could find and ended up calling customer service. I talked with a technician who walked me through several possible "fixes" and when nothing worked, he informed me I would have to send it in to the company for repair for the "injury." ??? Injury? Excuse me? Never mind, I won't even go there. I shipped it the same day - to the company - to Nikon. Not some third party company, to Nikon.

Flash forward to a couple of weeks. I finally received an email with a pdf attachment requesting my repair approval to the tune of $224 for a "standard B2 repair." That's it. Needless to say I called customer service the next day for an explanation. I didn't get one. The CSR I spoke to told me exactly what the standard form I received said - "standard B2 repair." I explained to her that I didn't know what that meant and I wasn't going to pay $224 for something when I didn't know what it was. She said she'd have to request that information and email it to me when she got it - and that could take 24-48 hours. That's the best they've got? Seriously?

Almost a week later I get an email explaining that a "B2" repair is a "standard shutter/mirror replacement." OK. I authorized the repair. Last week I checked the website several times checking on the status - it always said, "SHOP." No problem, that's what I expected. I checked it today and was appalled at the status of my camera. The current status of my camera's repair is "PARTS HOLD." The definition? "Product is waiting for repair parts." ??? Are you kidding me? This is NIKON! It's a standard replacement part! Where are they getting the parts from then? If I had sent it to a third party company for repair I could certainly understand them having to wait for parts ... but wouldn't they order the parts from Nikon? I just don't believe this.

So I started more research about Nikon's customer service. Wow ... I found all kinds of things. In fact I found very little positive about it. Think I'll buy another Nikon in the future?

I don't have enough sangria to feel better ...

February FOs

My finished knitted projects for the month include a baby blanket, prayer shawl, pair of socks, pair of fingerless mitts I pattern tested and some baby wash cloths:



On the needles for March are a pair of socks for Cari - just CO on for them yesterday!

Monkeys!!!

It all started because "someone" mentioned that Pierce (my nephew) was into monkeys these days. That was before Christmas. Don't ask me where the hair brained idea came from. It's not like I don't already have plenty of hobbies to choose from when I actually have time to devote to one of them. But for some reason the light bulb went on and I just HAD to MAKE him a sock monkey. Now keep in mind that I saw them at Target for $12.99 before Christmas. But that simply wasn't good enough! I wanted to MAKE one for him. Nope, I've never made one before. I guess knowing Sara (his mom) would love it all the more knowing I had made it was a big reason why I wanted to do this. Bob just shakes his head at me. He doesn't get it either - but then there's quite a bit about me he doesn't get.

I set off on my mission to find the famous red heel socks. After looking at several stores I decided to just order them online. There are several companies online that sell them and I was delighted to find they come in blue as well as brown. You know me, it had to be a bit different! So I ordered them, they came and they sat ... through December and then through January. I just ran out of time. Eventually, during one of our "snowed in" weekends, with all my other deadline projects and the time came to pull out the socks. I followed the directions and sewed up the first sock. After I figured out that the red heel on that sock was his butt and not his mouth, it all came together pretty quickly! LOL I was quite confused for a bit though. Sewing all the pieces on was the next challenge. I am not a proficient hand sewer. In fact, my first monkey looks a little pathetic if you look too closely. But he is what he is and he needs a home where he will be loved (i.e. dragged around by the arm - hopefully - through all kinds of muck).

I finished him right before one of our sock classes so he HAD to go with me - seeing as he was made from socks ... right? :D Other than looking angry (I still need to fix his eye brows) I was quite proud of my first sock monkey. Sometime during the class there was a discussion on why he was so pissed. I suggested it was because I didn't make him anatomically correct - c'mon! this is me we're talking about - consider the source! As he was passed around Rachel put his tail between his legs and arranged his arms around it and ... well needless to say hilarity ensued! We were all crying we were laughing so hard. Ya know, when I look at any of these monkeys (yeah, I've made some more since then) that's all I see now. And they all look pornographic! And yeah, I did take a pic of it - just couldn't help myself - but I won't post it. I'll leave that to your imagination.

Of course after completing this little guy (albeit well hung little guy) I wanted to make more. The wheels were just a spinning! Off I went looking for more socks. I found these wonderful Valentine socks and they just screamed to be made into Valentine monkeys!! I decided to take Cari and Jocelyn (roommate) one since we were going up there. I love how they came out and so did the girls. I get a little better at seaming and doing the face on each one. Sorry Pierce, I'll make you another one at some point ... cuz hey, you gotta have more than one monkey, right?

I also decided to make baby monkeys from little girl socks. I needed one for Morgan for V-Day and one for an upcoming baby shower. I think they turned out pretty dang cute!

Oh Puleeese!!!!!!

As I sit in my living room watching so many historic events unfolding at the 2010 Winter Olympics I simply have to vent on the latest in the Tiger Woods saga.  Oh My Freakin' God! I guess because I have a "LIFE" and wasn't home around the TV today I forgot all about this "historic event." This is what "Insider Edition" called it. Check it out for yourself on their website. Seriously? Tiger Woods' public apology is considered an historic event? Are you kidding me? The death of Nodar Kumaritashvili was a tragic historic event. All the medals won (gold, silver & bronze) in these Olympic are historic events. The fall of the World Trade Centers on 9-11 was an historic event. The election of our first black president was an historic event. Need I go on? I don't think so. What the hell is going on with our society when we consider a public apology (whether you believe it was sincere or not) from a nymphomaniac sports figure an historic event? Please, help me understand! I don't get it!

Adding to my confusion and disbelief was the statement that his mistresses are upset because he did not apologize to THEM!!!!! Again, Oh My Freakin' God! OK, let me make sure I understand this. These women have a sexual relationship with this guy they know is married and, in the later years, has children. They knowingly assist him in breaking his marriage vows, but he owes them an apology? Help me out here. It's not like any of them didn't know the situation or what they were getting themselves into. Oh, so Joslyn James gets pregnant not once, but twice by this guy (at least so she says) ... wait there's another rant right there! I understand accidents can happen, but puleeese! If you're committing adultery with a married man and father of children, don't you BOTH know what to do to prevent pregnancy? Again, she knew the situation so why does she expect an apology?

I'm sorry. This, I believe, is one of the true definitions of insanity.

OK, QB signing off ... until the next rant.

Happy Extended V-Day!

Went to see Heidi and Morgan yesterday - always a good thing. I couldn't wait to see her reaction to her sock monkey! It was worth the wait - she loves it!! We had such a nice visit - so glad Missy and Tiffany came over too. Nothing like good food, conversation, knitting & crocheting together and baby love all on the same day!! Here's some of the latest photos:



tata for now!
QB

Happy V-DAY!!

Cari had been trying to come home for the weekend for several weekends and it just wasn't working - either because of the weather or school work. So Bob and I decided to go see her instead. We left early Sunday morning and had a beautiful day for travel. The roads were clear and traffic was minimal. We arrived just in time for lunch and ended up at Applebees. I had my much beloved Oriental Chicken Salad - yummm. From there we walked through the mall to see if anything jumped out at us - nothing did except a book Cari had been looking for. Since her fridge was cleaned out and she was low on groceries we did a Walmart run and stocked up. That's always fun, especially with Bob. LOL It's a good thing! Every once in a while he needs to get a wake up call as to how much simple items cost.

After unloading all the goodies we brought and groceries just bought, we headed to the parking lot to "dig out" Cari's car. They'd had so much snow in the last couple of weeks it was ridiculous. Bob had been telling her to "just drive through it" and neither Cari nor I could make him understand it simply wasn't that easy. It didn't take that long after he actually saw her car. The aisles in the lot had been plowed but all that did was push the snow up to the car. We did send her back with a tool that had a snow brush on one end and ice scraper on the other ... had no clue she'd need to keep a snow shovel and broom (or something for pushing the snow off the top of the car) too! Wow! None of us had gloves on - smart, I know. Long story short, it took a while but we managed to get the car started, moved and cleaned off enough for her to drive. While we were working on her car, I saw another student trying to get her Camry out for the first time. If I hadn't been so cold I probably would've wet my pant from laughing so hard because the poor kid was using a traditional 8" long ice scraper to try and move a foot of snow (or more) from behind her wheels and on top of her car. Yeah, we went to help her as unprepared as we were too - but we got her out.

 

It's always hard to tell Cari goodbye but knowing she'll be home in less than three weeks helped. We had such a nice visit. It's always a good thing spending time together.

Cari was thrilled with her V-Day sock monkey and proudly displays her on her desk. :)

Misc

Again, I don't know why this blog has become a place of confessions, but so be it. Last week I stopped by the pet store to pick up some food for Peanut. Since I was running around getting ready for the nasty weather we were supposed to get, yet again, the weekend I was on a mission. I rushed in, grabbed the bag of dog food and up the counter I went. As the clerk was ringing up the sale, I happened to notice the shape of the food on the back of the bag ... wait! It's a different shape than what I had at home.

Rewinding back to the last bag I picked up ... I noticed when I opened it that "they had changed the shape of the food." I just shrugged and thought it was "new and improved" ya know? Didn't give it a second thought. And Peanut really liked the new shape ... he was eating this food better than the "old" stuff. :D

Fast forward to this new bag ... there were two yellow bags of food, different brands. I assumed I hat picked up the different brands last time and asked the clerk to wait a minute. Picked up the other bag and looked on the back ... lo and behold that shape was the same as the other bag. I even OPENED the damn bag to make sure the picture on the back of the bag was the same as what was IN the bag! LOL At this point I must've looked at the clerk with the totally puzzled expression on my face and she said, "Do you think it's possible you picked up cat food by mistake last time?" Oh My Freakin' God! Are you serious? I picked up the bag of cat food to look at the picture on the back and sure enough ... Peanut had been eating cat food for a month! Poor guy. I thought his voice sounded different lately ... hopefully, I caught the mistake before he starts meowing.

Next time I'm going to be more conscious of picking up the right bag when I'm on my "mission."

Winter Storm 2010!

Anticipating "a bit" of snow the last weekend of the month, I ran all my errands and stocked up with groceries ahead of time. We don't get snow around here very often. Lots of us actually get excited about the prospect of snow. For the most part, we get to enjoy it for a few days and then it's gone. The fluffy white stuff began to fall during the night Friday and day broke with a beautiful white covering. Bob and I had a fire going by 9am and we prepared to enjoy the day from inside.

Between watching shows we recorded on the DVR, surfing the net, knitting (that would be me) and just lounging around the day disappeared quickly. I did get my fat butt in the kitchen sometime during the afternoon to make chocolate chip cookies (that's a must do when it snows!) and a chicken broccoli casserole for dinner. Boy you should've been around to enjoy that combination of aromas in the kitchen. Chicken simmering, onions sauteing and cookies baking! Whew! I shouldn't tell you I actually had to crack open the window, should I? Honestly, those wonderful little personal summers had a small bit to do with the window thing too. :) I was just glad Bob didn't pop into the kitchen to see a window open in 20 some odd degree weather. I think he'd have had a stroke! Anyhoo, here's some shots of our snow storm:


Poor Peanut ... all day he'd ask to go out only to stand at the door and look out when it was opened. A couple of times he'd actually walk out for a foot or two and turn around to come back in. It was if he was saying, "Aw hell, I don't have to go that bad! I'll just wait a while." Needless to say, eventually he had to brave the elements. He didn't like it either. He'd stand there and look at the steps, tentatively put a foot out and turn around to try another avenue when it sunk instead of finding firm ground. We started opening the garage door for him and that worked better. Sunday morning when he and Bob went out to get the paper Peanut found a lone pine needle sticking straight up in the snow to cock his leg on. Crazy dog. He's not looking forward to the next snow, that's for sure.