VD aka SAD

I've been noticing a few people (women) who are male-bashing because they are alone this year for VD aka SAD (Valentine's Day aka Single Awareness Day). It really gets to me. Fine, say "I am woman, hear me roar" if you must, but to say, "who needs men"? Me thinks, thou art protesting too much. If any of these women were to be asked out for tomorrow night, I would bet money that most of them would drop the girlfriends they were planning on hanging out with to go on the date. Just my opinion ...

I got a rose from my former boss, Fred, today. He is such a sweet man. I can always count on him to get me a rose every year on this day. Of course, I'm not the only one on his list. Whenever he drops off my rose, he's got about a dozen others in his car that he delivers to his daughters and daughters-in-law. I'm sure his wife, Chris, just gets a huge bouquet of them. This is a characteristic I want in a mate -- someone who treats women like princesses, but leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that I am his queen.

40 one-word answers

Type only ONE word answers. It's harder than you think! Where is your cell phone? Desk Your Hair? Black Your significant other? MIA Your mother? Anna Your father? Djoni Your favorite thing? Massages Your dream last night? None Your favorite drink? Pinacolada Your dream/goal? Traveling The room you are in? Cubi Your hobby? Travel Your fear? Death Where do you want to be in 6 years? Traveling Where were you last night? Dinner Muffins? Banana Wish list item? Travels Where you were born? Indonesia Last thing you did? Lunch What are you wearing? Dress Something you're not wearing? Necklace Your car? Chloe Your computer? Here Your TV? Home Your pets? None Your friends? Dear Your life? Content Your mood? Okay Missing someone? No Your favorite store? Sales Your favorite color? Yellow Last time you laughed? Stories Last time you cried? Sad One place that I go to over and over? Office One person who emails me regularly? Friends My favorite place to eat? Pho What are you doing tonight? Games Listening to? Martini Your summer? Hot Favorite food? Lots Favorite time of day? Evening

Inge & Tamara's Birthday Celebration!

Below are pictures from a combined birthday celebration for myself and Tamara this past Saturday, January 31st, at the Sizzler. Why the Sizzler, you might ask? It meets the requirements that everyone pays upfront, so noone is stuck paying for food/beverage they did not consume, it caters to the vegetarians as well as the meatotarians, and it was close enough to the freeway that if people needed to scadaddle, it's just a hop, skip and jump away. Thanks to all who made it such a fun night. You should've joined Kent and I in a few rounds of killer Scrabble!

Missing from the photos are: Janeen who had to leave early, Diana and Sidney who were camera shy and Jerry who arrived after all the photos were taken.

Oh, thank you also to Annette for sharing some of her pictures, since my camera died half-way through the night.

Paper Products Coordinator: The Setting Apart

As I was crossing the lobby with the paper products for the supply closet, one of the counselors in the bishopric asked if I was ever set apart for the calling. I laughed and asked what I’ll be blessed with – the wisdom to find the best bargains on bulk paper products from a price club? Brother White insisted that I be set apart anyway, so off we went to find a quiet room. We chatted while the ward clerk went to see what the official title of my calling is.

Bro. White: So, did you go to the Tri-Ward party on New Year’s Eve?
Inge: Ummm, No!
Bro. White: Why not?
Inge: Not my thing. I don’t like big crowds and men don’t look or sound the same in broad daylight and a quieter place.

The clerk came back and Brother White proceeded to set me apart and gave me a longer blessing than I had expected. He reminded me that every calling involves both the temporal and spiritual. He blessed me with peace of mind and job security in this tough economy. Then he blessed me that my social life might be enlarged, expand and that I might be led to my eternal companion. Does he think that I don't have many friends just because I don't like big groups? If my social life enlarges anymore, I won't have time to do anything at home other than shower and sleep.

My only comment was, “Wow! All that for just buying paper goods in bulk at Costco?” That and many more was Brother White’s reply.

25 Random Things About Me

I got "tagged" on facebook with this yesterday. It was about 1:00 a.m. when I replied to it.

1. 
   
   I don't know if I can come up with 25 things about me, but I can't sleep so this will be interesting. [I actually thought of a few more since then]
2. 
   
   I turned 40 on Thursday, 01/22/2009.
3. 
   
   I've got too much stuff and need more space for it. I need to de-junk and stop hoarding stuff.
4. 
   
   I don't know that I want to forward this to 25 people. I'm tagging people who had already been tagged. Keep it going if you want, if this bugs you, SORRY!
5. 
   
   I love the color yellow, but I seldom wear it.
6. 
   
   People think I'm really social, but I prefer to be home in my pajamas enjoying alone time.
7. 
   
   I want a maid.
8. 
   
   I want a cook.
9. 
   
   I want to be on a beach instead of looking out at snow.
10. 
    
    I love deep fried tofu and wishing I have some right now.
11. 
    
    I see some couples and am glad that I'm not married.
12. 
    
    I am going to hang on to my movies on VHS tapes and now have a back-up VCR.
13. 
    
    I'm not making any cards this year. I have to use up the mounting note cards I bought before finding this "hobby".
14. 
    
    I think some people are total dorks. I'm not naming names.
15. 
    
    I think there are dozens of quality women in my ward and very few quality men.
16. 
    
    Unfortunately, most of these men are dazzled by the superficial women who are total witches.
17. 
    
    I seldom leave messages on voicemail or answering machines ... unless I really have to.
18. 
    
    I tend to put appointments on my PDA after I've had it.
19. 
    
    I hate the taste of tap water. I own a Brita and buy cases of bottled water.
20. 
    
    I forgot to change the profile on my phone back to normal mode after church ... which happens often.
21. 
    
    If what I saw on Masterpiece Theater is an accurate portrayal of Wuthering Heights, I think the story is stupid and Heathcliff and Cathy are mental and deserved to die.
22. 
    
    I think Desperate Housewives tonight was a better watch than what was on Masterpiece Theater.
23. 
    
    I've been going to bed at about 3 a.m. all week and waking up at about 10:00 a.m.
24. 
    
    I want to see the Eagles in concert this year.
25. 
    
    I didn't get a birthday card from my family this year. [I take this back. I didn't check my mailbox over the weekend and there's a card from the family there when I finally picked up the mail today].

Now, it's your turn! Have fun!!

D-Day of the B-Day

Happy Birthday, oh Happy Birthday
Misery, gloom and despair
People dying everywhere
but Happy Birthday, oh Happy Birthday!

Okay a teeny bit morbid, but I like that song. The big 4-0 is finally here. Lots of well wishes from friends via facebook, blog, emails and phone calls. I am truly grateful that people would recognize me today. I had a wonderful lunch with Julie at Z-Tejas, got a pedicure, got a massage and my therapist got me half a dozen cupcakes from Mini's (how cute is that?) and then dinner with Janeen and Brenda at SpagFac.

The funniest gift EVER! Janeen and Julie got me a HoneyBaked Ham. Do I complain about eating turkey that much? Mmm, HoneyBaked Ham ... They know me so well. Apparently, I'm a ham.

The Big 4-0 ... minus two days

Selamat Ulang Tahun, Kami Ucapkan
Selamat Panjang Umur, Kita 'Kan Doakan
Selamat Sejahtera, Sehat Sentosa
Selamat Panjang Umur dan Bahagia

Okay, so I was told that we were celebrating Obama's inauguration. No wonder my "birthday" cake was red, white and blue. It was very fun evening with great friends and tons of great food.

St. George Weekend Trip

It was such gorgeous weather in St. George. I swear we could see the smog descend on us like a veil when we entered Utah County. I wish I was back in Snow Canyon breathing that clean air and looking out at this gorgeous vista.

Reality Shows: Part II

What's my issues with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the only "reality show" I can stand? While most of the people they rebuilt houses for deserve it, I have to wonder how many of them are taking advantage of people who are willing to lend a helping hand. Don't enable them and make them feel that they are entitled to charity, instead make them self-reliant. It's great that they're sent on a fab vacation and getting a ton of free wonderful stuff. After the hardship they've experienced in life, they certainly deserve some R&R and come back to something spectacular that will ease their burdens in life. However, are the McMansions really necessary? The homes they build are usually so over the top. I think they should build homes equal in value to the homes in the neighborhood and with property tax they can afford. Put the rest of that money in scholarships, medical funds to pay off medical bills, etc. and not big screen TVs, pools, new cars, disco rooms, etc. I think I saw a story a few months ago about one of the recipients of these new homes filing bankruptcy. How is their life better by getting a house they can't afford?

P.S. ~ I also think that these families should be set up with a financial planner or accountant to help them budget their money so that they don't end up filing bankruptcy years later.

Reality Shows

Last night on facebook:

Inge: “Inge decided that reality shows are all stupid”
Pinky: “Even The Bachelor? Come on ...”

OMG! It was actually a preview for The Bachelor that caused me to write that update. Here is a show where, what, some 20 women are vying for the attention of a metro-sexual. I don’t even want to know what some of these women are willing to do to get that attention. In re to putting on some lotion on said metro-sexual, one very discombobulated woman said, “… touching him was truly a gift!” Seriously? How stupid is this woman? Rolled eyes, gagged, went to the only place I could vent at the time and updated facebook status.

About the only reality show I can stand is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – at least they’re helping people in need. But despite the good they do, I still have some issues with the show.