Sad

Tragically, our neighbor's house caught fire this past June. Thankfully, the family was not at home when it started. When the fire trucks arrived to put out the fire there was no water in the hydrants. It seems this has been a big problem in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

In Texas, it is a law that if you have a non-working fire hydrant it must be painted black. Ours were at one time painted red. I'm not aware of when they were painted, but no one from Cash Water Supple bothered to notify us that our hydrants were no longer working. Cash’s lame excuse for why the hydrants are off is pathetic. Apparently, after 911 they turned them off to prevent vandalism and terrorist activity. Really? Terrorist activity? And, aren't all fire hydrants susceptible to vandalism? Whatever! They say that the local fire departments were notified and were told they could turn the hydrants on with a special tool, yet no one had that tool the night of the fire. I’m sure that information is very consoling to our neighbors. I don’t understand the point of having fire hydrants in a neighborhood if they don’t work.

Anyway, as of right now, our neighborhood is in the process of purchasing this "special" tool so that when someone has a fire we can let them know that they need to use it. Grabbing a “special” tool is not exactly what I'm going to be thinking about while my house is burning down. Right now, my only hope is that our neighbors can put their lives back together and start over.

Below is the news story. Very sad.

http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=276576

The brilliance that is Denis Leary

If you don’t watch Rescue Me with Dennis Leary then you need to. You are missing out on one of the best t.v. shows…ever! Evan and I love this show! Right now though I am in a little bit of pain since the show is not on, due to the writer’s strike earlier this year. However, to keep everyone hanging on until next season they have filmed 8-minute minisodes. The minisodes are such a tease! I want more, but I’ll have to wait until 2009 before they return.

Click below to watch Tommy, Mikey, Lou, Franco, and Sean pull out all the stops. They're hilarious and strange all at the same time.

http://crackle.com/c/Rescue_Me_Minisodes/#promo=30
(Each minisode will run one right after the other.)

Texas Government?

UPDATE: According to the polls, the two people who voted that they took a state specific government class where indeed from Texas.

I wouldn’t be a Bitchin Bunton if I didn’t have something to bitch about, so here it goes.

Last week I registered for one of my “required” classes for school. I have to take American Government, which is no problem, but I also have to take Texas Government in order to get my degree. I asked my sister-in-law, Holly, since she is a professional in the course-taking department, if she had ever heard of such a preposterous thing. I believe her response was this. “That Texas Government is a crock of shit!!! I have attended 3 colleges and universities in the state of Illinois and hence received 3 degrees, and not once have I been forced to take "Illinois Government!” She told me I should take to my blog. I was fired up about it anyway, but she sealed the deal for me. I cannot believe I have to take a Texas Government course to graduate. Not only that, but the book for the class is more expensive than my American Government and Economics books that I purchased for this semester.

Has anyone else had to take a state specific government course in order to get a degree? And, I am not referring to the elementary/middle school specific information you learned about your state when you were little.

Brunch with the ladies

My friend, Jen, had us over for brunch this weekend. The concept behind it was very cool. Jen hosted the brunch and made food for all of us and the rest of brought an entree that we would split up and share to have for lunch this week. Jen even provided the Tupperware! Essentially, I ended up with four different entrees for lunch. How cool is that? No cooking, no frozen meal, no trying to figure out what I'm taking because it's already made. The only thing we would have done differently was to bring the recipes to go along with the meals. Other than that, it was awesome! Thanks again Jen!

(l to r) Jenny, Lori, Laurie and Jen

(l to r) Jenny, Lori, Laurie and Me

Bye Brit Brit!

My little Brittany leaves for college tomorrow. I had to fight back the tears as I said good-bye tonight. It was a combination of being sad that she's all grown up, she's leaving, and that I'm so proud of everything she's accomplished. Good luck Brit!



Before she left, there was one final and important thing she had to take care of. I think she's hoping to sneak off to school before anyone else in the family finds out. Good luck with that! Grandma and Grandpa, if you reading this...don't be mad!

Canoeing Part II

Here's part II of our canoe photos. These are photos of us on the river canoeing, drinking, relaxing, etc.

I have more photos to post from our canoe trip and from our trip home. I'll post those over the next few days as I get back into the groove of things.

We're baaaack!

Here's part one of our canoe trip photos. I'm sad it's over with. I look forward to this trip all year and it was gone in a flash. We have such an amazing group of friends; there's no expectations or drama...it's just good times and good fun.

We just got back in town last night, so we have not had a chance to catch up. Plus, things are crazy at work. I will post our photos and stories from this past weekend as soon as I can.

Book review...sort of

Okay, so I haven't actually read it, but I'm trusting the opinion of my niece, Brittany, who has. Her and her friend Ashley were raving about this book series that they are really into right now. It's called the "Twilight Series." Twilight is the first book in the series followed by: "New Moon," "Eclipse," and finally, "Breaking Dawn," which was released last Friday. I am hoping to pick this up before we leave on Thursday, but chances are slim.

All I know is that the story is centered around a young man and woman, Edward and Isabella, and Edward is a vampire. Since my description is lacking, I've included the link to the book for more background information.

If anyone gets to this before I do, please let me know what you think.

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html

Forecast for today = MISERY

Temperature yesterday: 107 degrees
Heat Index: 117+

Temperature Prediction for Today: 108 degrees
Heat Index: HELL…it's going to feel like hell!

Well, let's head to the water...oh wait, we can't because there is some weird disease going around Texas lakes and pools that gives you diarrhea. So basically, just sit in your house all day and do nothing. It might as well be winter because at least I would have energy and I wouldn't have to worry about dying the minute I step out the door.