Okay . . . Now about that Mitchell Report . . .

I have to admit I wasn't rivited to the spot when the report came out (although I probably should have been). Did some of the names on the list suprise me? Some . . . yes, some . . . no.

Maybe it was because, being a Giants fan and all, I'm freakin' tired of hearing about the whole steroids thing!

Does Barry Bonds have something to do with that? Yes and No.

A few weeks ago when Barry was first indited, I talked to my dad about it (an avowed Barry basher). He was asking me what I thought about it and basically pointing out that Barry was getting what he deserved.

Now although I don't disagree about him about Barry being indited about the perjury (not that I would admit that to him) . . . but the thing that set me off in the conversation what the that fact that Barry is being made the example. Mostly because he's known as a jerk in the media.

The thing is . . . the steroids culture in baseball has been so pervasive for so long, that I think singling Barry out is just wrong! ALL baseball players who were (and are) juiced should be held accountable. That includes players like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire.

In short . . . if you're going to asterik Barry's record-breaking home run . . . you need to do the same for Mark in 1997 . . . or for that matter, just asterik the past 15-20 years of baseball records.

Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

Don't get me wrong, I am incredibly happy that this report has come out and that all of baseball's dirty little secrets are being aired for all the world to see . . .

In the hope that things will change for my son . . .

I've mentioned in the past that Kid #3 is my jock. I had never seen a child who takes such joy out of physical activity until he came into my life almost 6 years ago. But from the time he was 18 months old, he has shown an incredible talent and inate ability that I didn't even know existed up until that point.

He loves, and has shown an appitude for all sports, but there's one area that he shines in particular . . . baseball.

Now I don't have a crystal ball, and I have no idea whatsoever if he will ever play baseball professionally or otherwise . . .

But I'm hopeful that this report will make the sport clean up it's act so I don't have to worry about what my son may or may not put in his body in the hopes of playing like Barry or Mark.

I hope he just plays for himself and his love of the game.

And that's my rant for the day . . .

Thanks for listening. :)

Given the fact I've been up since 3:30 this morning, I'm not going to go into all my comments regarding the Mitchell Report (I'll save that for tomorrow or Saturday, after I've had a better night's sleep!). But I had to post this . . .

A friend of mine sent this to me the other day and I almost fell off my chair! At some point I'm going to post it on my Fridge from the beginning of November until the day after New Years.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have . . .

Ten Tips for Christmas . . .

I’m sure we’ve all seen this before but these really are words to live by. Join me, my friends, in adopting the following as a life style choice!


1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can'tfind it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholicor something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car withan automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people'sfood for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the timefor long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near themand don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you'renever going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three.When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; startover, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!'

Have a great holiday season!

WOW! I can't believe another month has gone by and I haven't been keeping up with things!

I'll give you one reason for my sluggishness . . .

Working!

I'd forgotten that I haven't talked about my new job! Well, here's the deal . . . thanks to Capital One dismanteling Hubby's old company (although he'd left before they pulled the plug on it completely) . . . and then all the sub-prime lenders falling like dominoes . . . being in the mortage business has been (how shall I put this delicately) . . . challenging.

So . . . I went back to my old stomping grounds . . . COFFEE!

I have always been a retail kind of girl (especially after I decided teaching elementary school was NOT for me, but writing was), and that's been my business both as a worker bee and also managment.

Well, in 1994 I went to work for Peet's Coffee and Tea as an assistant manager. At the time Peet's was still a hole-in-the-wall kind of company. I was hired for store #18 (yes, that's right #18). Each of the stores were basically run as individual cafes under the Peet's umbrella of strong-dark roasted coffee.

6 1/2 years and two kids later, I left when Hubby and I decided to try for Kid #3 in 2001. I had figured out by that time that standing all day and pregnancy didn't mix well for me. When I stopped working for Peet's I stopped going there too since I didn't have one in the town I live in.

That's when I did the unthinkable . . . I started going to Starbucks!

At that time we only had one Starbucks (now our town has 5 locations not including grocery store ones). But when they opened one approx 5 minutes from my house . . . I was hooked.

I've been going to that location loyally for some 4 1/2 years . . .

And now I work there!

I've been here for about a month and it's just like riding a bike . . . you never forget how to make a latte!

How's it going? I LOVE IT!

I still use my store as my office/writing place . . . but now I get a discount for drinking my coffee here too.

How awesome is that?!

Now all I have to do is sell my first book and I'm set!

I can dream . . . can't I? :)