Aw ... Ain't love grand?

Derek and Meredith ... Chief and Mrs. Chief ... Hahn and Callie ... Dr. Bailey and her family ... George and Lexie ... Izzie and Karev ... the recuperating teen and his dream girl ...

Sigh.

Everyone at Seattle Grace is in love tonight, all the characters followed their hearts. It was a very satisfying Grey's Anatomy finale. I hope they all live happily ever after. I know they all can't, because then there wouldn't be any drama next season. But I think it was all terribly romantic and it makes for a glorious, idealistic fantasy.

The Perils of Living Among People

I live in a condo building that has a very diverse population. Black and white and Asian, married and single and shacking up, young children and teenagers, young adults and retirees. For the most part, I like being surrounded by a variety of people.

Except three of the retirees are wearing me out.

Walt lives at the end of my hall and derives entertainment from keeping an eye on me. This morning he knocked on my door, interrupting me as I got ready for work to complain about the car that is parked in my spot. It's red and beat up and looks "hot" to him. I told him I was renting to Brian on the third floor, that Brian paid cash in advance, and consequently Brian is aces with me. Still, Walt had to "get to the bottom of this." I got home this afternoon to find a note from Walt, explaining that Mr. Bryant on the third floor knows nothing about the red beater in my spot. Um ... that's because I said BRIAN, not Mr. BRYANT! And I checked out the car. Despite what Walt says, it's not like the one shown here. It's been in an accident, clearly, with a bashed in driver's side front and backseat doors. But it's not that bad! Yet I know this is going to turn into a "thing," because Walt has too much time on his hands.

Porch Potato: The man who wears Bermuda shorts no matter how cold it is outside used to steal my newspaper every damn morning. More than once I walked past him sitting on the porch, reading the paper with my name and apartment number scrawled across the front page. The only thing that got him to stop is the installation of security cameras!

Mr. B. is a sweet, benign old gentleman who tries to sell me Avon every time I see him. Sometimes he delivers orders, often he doesn't. Sometimes the orders are complete, often they aren't. I have taken to ducking when I catch sight of him.

They're sweet guys (OK, Porch Potato is a complete asshole) but so annoying! Maybe I would have been better suited by a nice little coach house in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbors.

Thursday Thirteen #68 -- Playing with iTunes PlayCount

THE THIRTEEN SONGS
PLAYED MOST OFTEN
ON MY IPOD

I admit two things about this week's TT:

(1) I stole this idea from Stephen King’s column in a back issue of Entertainment Weekly. He inspired me to go to my iTunes Library and view the songs not by artist, or genre or playlist, but by number of plays.

(2) I’m surprised by which songs had the biggest numbers. God, I’m such a sap! I have Aerosmith and Amy Winehouse on my iPod, really I do! But the numbers don’t lie, and these are the songs I listen to most regularly.

1. I Will. The Beatles White Album. Who knows how long I’ve loved you? I know I love you still. Shall I wait a lonely lifetime? If you want me to, I will.

2. More than You Know. Barbra Streisand. Funny Lady Soundtrack. More than you know, man of heart I love you so. Lately I find you’re on my mind more than you know.

3. The Right Thing to Do. Carly Simon. Best of Carly Simon. There’s nothing you can do to turn me away, Nothing anyone can say. You’re with me now and as long as you stay, loving you is the right thing to do.

4. This Could Take All Night. Amanda Marshall. Tin Cup Soundtrack. Baby, don’t be afraid, a little work won’t hurt your back. But just in case I’m wrong, you’ll be smiling when they pronounce you dead.

5. Didn’t I Blow Your Mind? The Delfonics. Top Hits of the 70s. I gave my heart and soul to you, Girl. Didn’t I do it, Baby? Didn’t I do it, Baby?

6. Real Love. Doobie Brothers. Rock on 1980. Well we’ve both lived long enough to know that we’d trade it all right now for just one moment of real love.

7. September. Earth, Wind and Fire. Do you remember the 21st of September? Love was changing the minds of pretenders while chasing the clouds away.

8. Smoke from a Distant Fire. John Townsend. The Road Leads Home. I know where you’re going to, I knew when you came home last night with your eyes all amist from the smoke of a distant fire.

9. This Love. Maroon 5. Pictures of Jane. This love is taking its toll on me. She said goodbye too many times before.

10. She Loves You. The Beatles. Past Masters, Vol. 1. Pride can hurt you, too. Apologize to her, because she loves you, and you know that can’t be bad. She loves you, and you know you should be glad.

11. Up the Ladder to the Roof. The Supremes. Come with me and we’ll run across the sky and illuminate the night.

12. Shameless. Garth Brooks. Roping the Wind. I’m shameless when it comes to loving you. I’ll do anything you ask me to. I’ll do anything at all.

13. Bell Bottom Blues. Eric Clapton. The Cream of Clapton. Give me one more day, please. I don’t want to fade away. In your heart I want to stay.

Now go view the songs on your iPod or MP3 player by play count,
check out your top 13 …
and let me know if the content surprises you, too.

Include your link in comments and I'll list you here:
1. Pjazzypar has a tribute to actress Jennifer Lewis (You do so know who she is!)
2. Mama Pajama (thriving at 30) invites us to play "Who's that Girl?"
3. Streaking Malcolm serves up a tasty pop culture dish of songs that premiered on one side of the Atlantic and then sailed across the sea
4. Hootin' Ani fills us in the history of Memorial Day
5. Anthony North takes a closer look at cults
6. Kay helps us pack for Africa
7. Nicole Austin takes us car shopping
8. Lost Hemisphere looks at who has come to her blog … and why
9. Hailey's Mommy's TT is highly visual and quite lovely
10. SJR anticipates Indy's return
11. Adelle has a peaceful TT
12. Sue takes us to Facebook
13. Janet shares 13 quotes
14. Sandy Carlson quotes Dylan Thomas
15. B Boys Mom has ambitious Memorial Day to-do list
16. Marcia takes us to Disney
17. Maribeth's TT takes flight
18. Clarence's TT takes place near the treetops
19. Lori throws a spotlight on the Queen of Soul
20. Crazy Daisy has a floral TT
21.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Exhausted!

Tonight is a big night for me: American Idol, Cubs vs. Houston, the Kentucky/Oregon primaries, news coverage of poor Ted Kennedy's condition, and my beloved future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux pitching at home in San Diego. Yet, now that I'm safely curled up on my sofa, I'm suddenly exhausted! Depleted. Like a helium balloon with a slow leak.

I think it's because I miss my best friend. I hear from every day, but lately they have just been short, silly emails. I want to talk to him. I believe that would make me feel better. Maybe tomorrow.

I've been tagged!

Lucy tagged me and I'm ready to play along …

Here are the rules:

1. Each player answers questions about themselves.

2. At the end of the post, tag 5 people by posting their names.

3.Go to their site/blog and leave a comment telling them they've been tagged. Invite them to your site/blog so they can read the tagged post.

4. Let the person who tagged you know when you've completed your tagged post.


1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was in the middle of a fun relationship with a great guy. He was a good deal younger than I, so I knew nothing would come of it long-term. We were just in very different places in our lives. I wasn't in love with him, but I remember him fondly, and hope he feels the same way about me.

2. What are 5 things on your "To Do" list?
Finish filling the bag with "gently used items" for Goodwill
Take my coats to the dry cleaners
Make an appointment with my dermatologist for my annual checkup
Remember to recharge that damn cellphone! (It's not much use to anyone when the battery's dead, now is it?)
Pick up a roll of quarters so I can do a ton of laundry (Oh, joy!)

3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy? (In no specific order)
Yoplait whipped yogurt (so far I haven't tried a flavor I didn't love)
Cheez-It
Hershey bar with almonds
Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Teeny-tiny Tootsie Rolls


4. Name some things you would do if you were a millionaire.
Get a credit card for my mom to use for groceries. I know how much she hates watching every penny.
Take my niece and nephew to Washington, DC, and introduce them to their nation's history
Pay off my mortgage
Finally renovate my bathroom and kitchen!
Hire a car and driver

5. Name some places where you've lived.
I don't get around much: Elgin, Brookfield and Oak Park -- all in the Chicagoland area.

6. Name some bad habits you have.
I hate throwing anything away
I hate putting anything away
I take too long, too hot showers and baths (I'm always afraid that, when I leave the bathroom with one towel around my bod and the other around my hair, I will be confronted by Al Gore, who will lecture me on my wasteful way with our resources)
I'm lazy
I spend money when I'm blue

7. Name some jobs you've had.
Babysitter (high school)
Receptionist at a real estate office
Secretary for Sears HQ (back when we were still called "secretaries")
Catalog copywriter
Associate creative director

8. Name those whom you are tagging.
Anyone with writer's block. These questions will get you thinking.

This just stinks

My friend Kathy has been having a rough time again, and I really hate it.

She's 61 and broke. Now she is unemployed again, too. She lost her new administrative job last week. (I don't know the details and I'm not asking, as she's feeling wounded and embarrassed.) This means no more health insurance. Gas is $4/gallon here already, and that's no help. She's disconnected her landline and ISP, using her cellphone and the computer at the public library.

This is not the time of life to find herself in this situation. It's going to be very difficult for her to ever retire, even if her health eventually demands it. We don't discuss this because I'm sure this has crossed her mind, too, so what's the point? But it is the 800-lb. gorilla in the room.

To make matters worse, her grown daughter has landed in quite the sinkhole, too. Her daughter is married with four kids, a big house, two cars and a truck. Well, scratch the truck -- it's been repossessed. The big house is slipping away, too, going into foreclosure.

So Kathy is moving in with her daughter's family, temporarily in the house, and then together into a rental somewhere. This means she has to find a new home for her two four-year-old tabbies. I think this is the saddest circumstance of all.

This situation must be handled carefully. Kathy is proud, embarrassed, and terrified. I am only helping as asked -- which involves finding a home for the cats. (I can't take them, though I considered it. 5 cats in a 2BR condo would simply be too much.)

Frankly, just handing her money isn't smart for either of us, or our friendship. She'd resent it, even if she didn't articulate it. Our relationship has been prickly at times over the years, and I must be sensitive to that. Also, I don't know how much financial help my mom is going to need, not to mention my niece and nephew. My sister and brother in law have been having money trouble and I want to be able to help them. And what of my own future? I feel it's like the oxygen on the airplane -- I have to secure my own mask first before I can help those who are depending on me.

So I worry.

This takes some of the sting out of it

I've been ambivalent about my AARP membership. I mean, it seems like the first step on the long, lonely road to mah-jong and the early-bird dinner special, and this is not how I'm ready to see myself yet.

I just used my first AARP benefit, though, and I'm one happy camper. Or, more precisely, one happy traveler.

The Hibiscus Motel in Key West just confirmed my reservation at $260/night for 3 nights. Trust me, this is a GREAT deal because I'm traveling the last week in December. Many hotels in Key West demand a minimum 5-night stay that week. Others jack up the price inordinately because it's New Year's and, well, they can. I was afraid that, to get a good price, I'd have to settle for being stuck out by the airport or near Sears Town, but this motel is in Old Town, the good neighborhood for this gal, who likes to spend her Key West days shopping, people watching, and drinking margaritas.

So my red and white AARP card is about to move to my wallet. Not where anyone can see it, mind you, but it will be in there! (Mah-jong anyone?)

I'm not deleting it ever

Last week a customer service rep from The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center called to tell me the Lucy nightshirt I ordered had been returned to them because of a mistake in my address. She asked me to confirm the correct address, the shirt came, and I've been slipping into it ever since.

The coolest thing about this entire episode -- other than that the shirt itself, since the whites of Lucy's eyes are soooo bright I think they glow in the dark -- is that when the call came last week, Caller ID read: Lucille Ball (short for The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center). I love coming home, checking my messages and seeing that Lucy called me.

As silly impulse purchases go, this one has brought me a great deal of joy.

I Luv that Line

A game I liberated from Mo:

The Rules:
1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb (Internet Movie Database) and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Indicate when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. No Googling or IMDb-ing. (That would be cheating, and no fun!)

Ready to Play?

1. "What kind of pie?" THE WAY WE WERE

2. "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli." THE GODFATHER

3. "Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing." TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

4. "I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!" BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

5. "Nine million terrorists and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister!" DIE HARD

6. "You know, you can say it backwards, which is 'dociousaliexpiisticfagilcalirupes.'" MARY POPPINS

7. "Sometimes nothing can be a really cool hand." COOL HAND LUKE

8. "She's a drag. A well-known drag. We turn the sound down on her and say rude things." A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

9. "Pick me out a winner, Bobby." THE NATURAL

10. "Land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it's the only thing that lasts." GONE WITH THE WIND

BONUS QUESTION: One performer uttered two of these lines (in two different movies). Who is it? ROBERT REDFORD (#1 AND #9)

If you choose to play, let me know so I can come visit and see how I do with your quotes.

Not funny. Not funny at all, Gov. Huckabee.

I know Mike Huckabee professes to be a Christian and probably didn't mean this to sound as ugly and evil as it appears. But some things leave wounds so deep you cannot joke about them. Ever. Under any circumstances.

Huckabee jokes about gun aimed at Obama

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hearing a loud noise and interrupting his speech, Huckabee said: "That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he — he dove for the floor."

In case you were wondering ...

This is what the team in FIRST PLACE TEAM in the NL Central Division calls "home." And as of today, the Cubs have the best "at home" record in the entire MLB.

They deserve a refund!

Yale ripped these two lovely old people off! They sent their eldest son to that school and, even after receiving what's reputed to be a "first-rate" Ivy League education, he graduated without being able to tell these words apart …

Appease: To yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation, group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles.
Negotiate: To deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.

I didn't want today to EVER come

Today was most likely Greg Maddux' last start at Wrigley Field. He didn't do very well. That's OK. In a way it makes it easier to say goodbye.

To look at my beloved future Hall of Famer, you'd think he was the product of an unholy union between the Pillsbury Doughboy and the little girl from those "Love Is …" comics. He not only doesn't look like a terrific athlete, he doesn't look like an athlete at all. And yet he has accumulated 350 wins, more than 3000 strike outs and a roomful of Cy Young and Gold Glove Awards. It's been a privilege to watch him pitch.

He started with the Cubs 22 years ago, when he was barely out of his teens. Today may just have been his last start where his astounding career began. It's awesome and historic and sad. I am sooooo gonna miss him!

ROOKIE CARD CONTROVERSY -- I don't judge the mustache because it was the 80s and I was wearing huge shoulderpads and legwarmers. However, I do believe it's a rather ... um ... memorable look. When I look at the rookie card, I'm put in the mindset of Corona Beer and Jimmy Buffet and the song "Pencil Thin Mustache." Cupcake sees "porn star." Of course, it's possible we're both right.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #67 -- Best Movie Quotes

THE THIRTEEN GREATEST QUOTES IN MOVIE HISTORY

I believe it's time for a movie TT! Here are the top 13 quotes in cinema history, as proclaimed by the American Film Institute. Click here -- it's the AFI's actual web page and you can hear these iconic words spoken by the performers who made them famous.

13. OLIVER BARRETT IV (Ryan O'Neal): "Love means never having to say you're sorry." Love Story, 1970.

12. LT. COL. BILL KILGORE (Robert Duvall): "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." Apocalypse Now, 1979.

11. CAPTAIN (Strother Martin): "What we've got here is failure to communicate." Cool Hand Luke, 1967.

10. TRAVIS BICKLE (Robert DeNiro): "You talkin' to me?" Taxi Driver, 1976.

9. MARGO CHANNING (Bette Davis): "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night." All About Eve, 1950.

8. HAN SOLO (Harrison Ford): "May the Force be with you." Star Wars, 1977.

7. NORMA DESMOND (Gloria Swanson): "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." Sunset Boulevard, 1950.

6. HARRY CALLAHAN (Clint Eastwood): "Go ahead, make my day." Sudden Impact, 1983.

5. RICK BLAINE (Humphrey Bogart): "Here's looking at you, kid." Casablanca, 1942.

4. DOROTHY GALE (Judy Garland): "Toto, I've (got) a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Wizard of Oz, 1939.

3. TERRY MALLOY (Marlon Brando): "You don't understand! I could've had class. I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am." On the Waterfront, 1954.

2. VITO CORLEONE (Marlon Brando): "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." The Godfather, 1973.

1. RHETT BUTLER (Clark Gable): "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Gone with the Wind, 1939.

The movie quote I use most often didn't even make the Top 100! I trot this old reliable out whenever I can't make up my mind. The Gal's Personal #1 is …
EVELYN MULWRAY (Faye Dunaway): "My sister, my daughter." Chinatown. 1974.

My second personal favorite slid in at #96 on the official AFI list …
LORETTA CASTORINI (Cher): "Snap out of it!" Moonstruck, 1987.

Are there any movie catchphrases that reappear in your conversations?

Leave your TT link in the comments and I'll list you here:
1. Chelle Y lists the great things about being a mom (and Chelle, the girl in Love Story said that line, too)
2. Tinkerbell goes down memory lane, by about 25 years.
3. Malcolm reintroduces us to our breakfast buddies
4. Anthony North takes us to Atlantis
5. Hailey's Mommy shares her husband's cap collection
6. Sue treats us to a little Q&A
7. Hootin Anni has an amusing verbal TT
8. So does Kay!
9. B Boys Mom shares ways to cut down our gas consumption
10. Claudia has a wise TT
11. Susan Helene Gottfried uses her TT to introduce Win a Book
12. Lucy celebrates Spring
13. Angela shares her knowlege of Japanese motorcyle gangs
14.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

My Mom Is Home!

She was released from the hospital and on her way home, she picked up many bottles of prescription meds. Now seated comfortably on her sofa, she's surrounded by her cats, Lucy and Ethel, and is going through her 19 phone messages. She is very happy, and so am I.

Her WBC is not as low as her physicians would like, but it is lower. The smart money is on some low-grade yet tenacious bronchial infection, but no one is ready to commit 100% to that diagnosis. After running 3 days of tests, her team of doctors (infectious diseases, gastro intestinal, pulmonary and internal medicine) agree that this is a mystery that may never be solved definitively, and she just has to take better care of herself from here on.

She promises she will. I'm holding her to that.

Well, this was a first.

Yesterday I stood at the head of a conference room table and presented creative concepts I'd really never seen before.

I took Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off to be with my mom. When I left the office Tuesday night, MY creative concepts were written, but my manuscripts hadn't been turned into beautiful, full-color layouts by an art director yet. Plus there were 3 more concepts to be written by our other writer.

My boss really, really wanted me to present on Monday. Our client likes me, and I think fast on my feet. I said I'd be willing to do it, but I was nervous about reviewing the work. I offered to stop by the empty office Friday evening, but he told me it was OK, he would Fed Ex it to my mom's house in plenty of time for me to review it before I had to present Monday morning.

Someone made an error filling out the Fed Ex form, and instead of scheduling a Saturday AM delivery, they marked Monday 5/12, afternoon.

The presentation was Monday, 5/12, at 10:00!

So I reviewed it all in the car on the way to the client's business offices! A full 3/5ths of it was completely new to me. At the risk of sounding immodest, I'm amazed by how well I did. Especially when you consider the situation with my mom, which still weighs on me.

This is what I learned: if I have too much time to rehearse, I whip myself up, make myself nervous. While in the future I'd prefer to see the work before I head off to the client, this actually might have been better for me personally than if I'd had the whole weekend to prepare.

And I saw it all from the 8th row!

Big Z, Soriano lead way as Cubs roll to 15-6 at home

So how come they can't do this anywhere but cold, damp Wrigley Field? Fresh off sweeping the big, bad Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, the Cubs bullied the anemic San Diego Padres 12-3 on Monday night, proving once again that they can take the whup-up out of the can, even if they can't take the can on the road.

It was indeed cold and damp last night. But that's OK. I was wearing my official MLB Cubs long-sleeve t-shirt, my official Cubs #31 Maddux jersey, my Cubs windbreaker and (purchased at the park!) my new Cubs fleece sweatshirt! Yes, I looked like Ralphie's kid brother in A Christmas Story, the one who couldn't move his arms, but I was officially a fan.

Is it just me, or ....

.... is there a certain sexual tension between Mary Poppins and Bert?

I love this movie! I'm so glad it's on this evening. While I enjoy it on its own merits, Mary Poppins holds a special place in my personal history. On a rainy afternoon more than 40 years ago, my parents took my sister and me to see it at the movie theater! The lights went down, the curtains parted, and the magic began. Movies have held me spellbound ever since.

Of a granddaughter and a grandmother

When she puts her mind to it, my niece can be a really spectacular kid. Yes, she wears too much kohl on her eyes. And she backtalks her parents something terrible. And she can be wound a little tight at times. But I think those are minor issues, completely standard for a high school freshman. Oh, she's caused us concern over more major issues, too, but today's not the day to contemplate those. Instead, today is the day she was confirmed in her community Lutheran church and I'm very proud of her.

Unlike other kids, her early girlhood didn't include being dragged to Sunday School against her will. For reasons all their own, my sister and brother-in-law decided against giving their kids any religious training at all. A little over three years ago, as she was entering adolescence, my niece insisted on learning more about God, on cultivating her spiritual side. She chose this church (where her late greatgrandmother had been a member) on her own and told her parents if they didn't take her to the services, she would ride there on her bike.

For three years' worth of Saturday mornings, she went to confirmation classes. Last year she (and her kid brother) were finally baptized. She did it all on her own and, amazingly enough, even after initially encountering resistance from her parents. And today, she was confirmed and can take her place as an adult in her church.

I left the Lutheran church more than a decade ago and have found my spiritual home at Unity Temple. That doesn't diminish my pride in her or her accomplishment. I believe that worship is a highly personal and individual affair. The important thing is that my niece is in touch with her spiritual side and has a fulfilling relationship with God. I am so proud of her.

So is my mother. She is still in the hospital and unable to attend this morning's special church service. But she is a proud and loving grandma. We compared notes on my niece: Was she nervous? Was she proud of herself? Did she enjoy the celebratory lunch afterward? We relived every moment. This, even though my niece had been to the hospital herself to see her grandma for Mother's Day.

My mom and my niece have a special bond that enriches them both, and that's worth celebrating on this special day.

I Love Him!

Last night, my beloved future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux burnished his Cooperstown creds, becoming the ninth pitcher in the history of the game to win 350 games. He needs only 5 more victories to be the winningest pitcher of the modern era (and to surpass Cheater McCheaty Pants Clemens).

Classy as always,* The Professor is quoted by espn.com as saying, "It was kind of cool. I don't want to make it out to be nothing, but it is May and we haven't been playing that good, and you just really want to win for the right reason and not necessarily for the wrong reason. We need to start winning as a team and hopefully tonight is the start of things to come."

This means he won't be pitching tomorrow night when I am in attendance at the Cubs-Padres game, but that's OK. I think the stress would be too much. (I've never cheered against the Cubs at all, much less while IN the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.) But, weather permitting, I will wear my Cubs 31 MADDUX jersey with pride. That's why I chose a photo of him in a Cub jersey for this post. I know fans in Atlanta will disagree with me, but to me, Greg Maddux will ALWAYS be a Cub.

* He is classy and softspoken with the press. He is known among teammates as a prankster, and a vulgar one at that. That's OK. I like the dichotomy. Greg Maddux reminds me of Otter, Tim Matheson's character in Animal House.

Where else?

Found this at Kwizgiver's, of course. But,if you'd like to play along, click here.

1. What is the first thing you notice about a person (that you are attracted to) when you meet them? Hair. I find myself wanting to touch his hair sooooo bad. Lips are nice, too. Remember that old Whitney Houston song? "When you talk, I just watch your mouth."

2. What has been your worst illness or injury? Depends on how you define "serious." I had fibroids that were probably a greater health hazard, but my heel spurs HURT SO BAD and were such a drag!

3. Have you ever had a secret crush and then told the person? If yes, how did it go? Yes. At first he said it wouldn't/couldn't be reciprocated and that hurt. But we soon had a relationship, and it was one of the best love affairs I've ever had. I hope I can be that brave again if the situation ever arises.

4. What was the last drink that you ordered at a pub or a bar? Cosmo

5. What car have you owned that was your favorite? I've only owned one car -- it was an old Chevy Impala.

6. What is your favorite holiday? My birthday (if it's not a holiday, it should be)

7. Have you ever had sex with someone that in retrospect was (and stayed) a stranger? I hate to sound Clintonian, but it depends on how you define "sex." If we mean intercourse, the answer is "no."

8. Who is your favorite female singer? Barbra Streisand

9. How often do you read the newspaper? Monday through Friday

Now it's time for kidney tests

I spent all day at my mom's house because I wanted to be there to welcome her when she finally came home. We were going to celebrate Mother's Day early.*

Between 9:00 and 6:30 I busied myself by watching the Cub game, sorting her mail for her, cleaning out her refrigerator and running to the corner store to replace the yogurt, milk and cottage cheese I had to dispose of.

Then I got the call: the results of her most recent bloodwork lead her doctors to believe she has kidney trouble. Because of the meds she's been taking and other reasons I don't quite follow, she can't have the kidney tests until Monday. So it's in her hospital room she's stuck until Monday. Maybe … unless …

Her doctors keep reassuring us it isn't so much that the kidney infection is dangerous, per se, it's that the pneumonia weakened her system. They want to know exactly what is wrong before she leaves the hospital.

I finally it comforting, though, that instead of worrying about her breathing or obsessing about her infection, my mom is desperately unhappy that she can't wash her hair. I firmly believe that caring about her appearance is a healthy sign.

*I got her a handcrafted birdhouse (or rather, a bird trailer, complete with little wheels) and a gift card to The Olive Garden. My mom's best friend, Shirley, has a birthday coming up and I wanted her to be able to celebrate with her gal pal at a restaurant by the mall.

OW! Who knew jalapeno peppers were DANGEROUS?

Look closely at these little bastards. Remember, they are EVIL! I just dropped a can on my right big toe and OH! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!

I've been tagged!

Here are the rules:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

Thanks to Tina for the tag! Go over and read her answers and see if she and I share any common ground.


And the questions:

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

In the spring of 1998, I was consumed with redecorating fervor. I had just received a modest but much appreicated inheritance from my grandmother and bought new furniture. My favorite piece is still the armoire that graces my bedroom.

2) What are (were?) five things on your to-do list for today?

1. Pick up prescriptions (one at CVS, one at Walgreen's)

2. Get a universal remote for the TV in the bedroom, and learn how to program it

3. Stop by the vet for special cat food

4. Call the office and check in with my boss

5. Get my 10,000 steps in

3) What snacks do I enjoy?

I'm sticking with Tina's answers … Hershey's is my favorite. I love cookies and brownies, or ice cream. My salty snack of choice is Cheez-it's.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

Oh! This is fun! I'd get a bigger condo and decorate it exactly as I want it. (Fireplace, built in bookcases, big bathroom … I can dream like this forever!) I'd hire a car and driver. Regular massages and pedis would be scheduled. I'd put money aside for my niece and nephew's college educations. My mom would have her own Peapod grocery delivery account.

Then, like Tina, I'd start taking care of my friends. My best friend would go to cooking school and, perhaps, open his own restaurant. My oldest friend would hire a nanny/housekeeper.

Now I could concentrate on charitable giving. Domestic animals and children would be helped first. Since the weather is getting better, I like the idea of sending children's organizations to Great America, and museums, and the zoo. Homeless animals would get the shelter and medical care they deserve.

5) Three Bad Habits

My laziness, my pack rat tendencies, and my awfulizing.

6) 5 places I have lived

The house where I was born

The house I grew up in

My apartment

My condo

Sorry, that's all there is -- there ain't no more

7) 5 Jobs I've had

Receptionist at a real estate office, secretary at Sears HQ (back when we called secretaries), catalog copywriter, associate creative director, creative director

Five people I want to know more about…

You, and you, and you, and you and most of all, YOU! (I feel like Miss Elizabeth on Romper Room, who claimed she could see us through her magic mirror)

No reason, really

I just like this photo. It made me happy to see John Edwards on Morning Joe and to read in People about the Edwards family's trip to Disney. This has nothing to do with whether he is actually endorsing Obama. We can consider that another time. Today, it's just that I enjoy looking at him.

Another day!!!

My mother's doctor is still perplexed by her high WBC count and so, instead of going home, my mother got to give even MORE blood!

I'd be getting scared again, except that she sounds so good. Today she asked me to fill her in on the NBA finals and was disappointed that, while I am encyclopedic when it comes to American Idol, I am useless when it comes to Dancing with the Stars. Also, her doctor told her not to worry. I'm assuming that extends to me, too.

Still, I'm frustrated. I want my mom home!

How I know my mom is feeling better …

She's STILL in the hospital. She's coming home tomorrow afternoon (so they assure me -- as they assured me Tuesday and Wednesday and today). But today we gossiped about Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer. And my uncle's first wife, who was nice enough to call my mom in the hospital -- she's so much nicer than his second wife. And Hillary Clinton (my mom feels suprisingly sorry for her and hopes she can get out of the race with her pride in tact).

These are not the topics that preoccupy a woman who is afraid she'll never be able to breathe normally again. Hopefully we'll be able to have a sleep-over tomorrow night at her house, and I'll give her early Mother's Day gifts.

Remember "The Boxer?"

It's an old Paul Simon song. "I have squandered my resistance, for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises. All lies and jest. Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."

Those lines make me think of the Clinton campaign. Everyone is telling her she can't win. Today's Tribune says she has to win 67% of the remaining delegates, which is nearly impossible. Especially because her campaign has no money coming in, except her's.

Yet she keeps going. It's as though sh