Niel and I were watching Wanda Sykes on T.V. a few nights ago and her standup is much funnier than her show. She was talking about being a woman and being married at one point and it was very relatable. Although we are different ages, races and economical points we are still women and people. Her bit about what women think and what she felt like being married was hysterical and relatable. I think comedian's, artists, musicians and writers are gifted. They are able to tap into humanity that I think the rest of us find hard to understand and tap into. I know I find it really hard being on a crowded sardine tin called a train each morning and not go ape shit on someone else who with (sometimes) no fault of their own gets a bit too close. So thanks to Wanda Sykes and all those other gifted people for making regular people feel connected.

The weekend happily did not pass too quickly as it did the last. Friday evening I cleaned and did a load of laundry.
Saturday I hung out with Maria. We had breakfast at the Jackson Hole on Bell Blvd. in Bayside. This neat 50's themed diner. Then we went to the Bay terrace Mall to see Under the Tucson Sun. The movie was superb. It had a great story line and beautiful scenery! I had a lot of fun! Then we walked around the Mall and went back to her place and had chili with Ted. It was good chili! They drove me home and I watched Trading Spaces. A really neat home improvement show.
Sunday I was happy to have Niel back home. He took a much-needed nap and I did two more loads of laundry.
We then headed over to my parents where my mother made a feast for my brother's birthday. She made fried blue fish, pork with sauerkraut and cabbage, potato salad (not the kind with mayo), salad, spinach and mushroom frittata. It was all so tasty. For dessert we had Black Forest Cake. My mom is an excellent cook and Armenians are typically known to be hospitable. Their guests are treated like family and I think that is the way it should be. I remember when relatives or friends of the family came to visit my parents would give them their beds. We then proceeded to watch my parents’ video from their West Coast trip.
We came home and watched a movie and fell asleep. Today I have tasty leftovers and hope the week is going to be nice. The weather is pretty nice, well at least for me. I enjoy the crispness in the air.

Happy Birthday Jakop!

The recipe I used last night was not tasty at all so I won't even post it. It wasn't any better as left overs.
This weekend Niel will be camping with his troupe. I will miss him. I hope he has fun, is safe and his knees and back don't bother him. I hate sleeping alone. I know I did so for 26 years but I got so used to having Niel on the other side of the bed. Tonight I will do some laundry and clean. Tomorrow Maria and I are going to the movies. I am looking forward to it. Sunday Niel returns (YAY!) and we will head over to my parents house for dinner to celebrate my brother's birthday. I can't believe my younger brother will be 27. WOW. It will be nice to see his girlfriend again. She is so sweet!

Reno 911 is such a funny, funny show!!!
Made Pasta Pie . It was very tasty. I wouldn't make it often. It is too hearty even with salad.
I saw a commercial for the latest Bachelor show. Bob I believe is the new person's name. Wasn't he heavier when he was a contestant on the Bachelorette? Did she not choose him cause he was a bit chubby? Trisha did like his personality and thought he was funny! Did Bob lose weight for health reasons or because he thought he can't get a girl because he was heavier. I thought he was better looking heaver. Why do people go on those shows anyway? It is a meat market and there are cameras on you 24/7. I don't understand? They seem like decent people.

Last night was the season premier of the Gilmore Girls. I was happy to be able to watch it again. It is a funny, thoughtful and well written show. Quality TV. After that we watched not so quality but still very funny TV. The Joe Schmo Show on Spike TV(channel 36) the first Men's Network. I cannot believe this guy is real. He is so naive. The actors who are supposed to be "real" people are so far fetched. I feel bad his feelings are being played with.
While watching TV, we ate Chicken Fried Steak and Herb & Cheese Fries both very tasty. It was good with the salad.
Some other interesting people on our bus route are The Candy Kid. He is a five year old who eats candy every morning on the bus while his mom reads romance novels. The other is the Smoking Old Lady. Why does she want to take away years when she is so old already? But I guess she is addicted to the nicotine?
In city news the Straphangers did not win their fight against the MTA fatcats. With a surplus they still raised our fare. The Mayor has made a deal with Snapple to have Snapple machines throughout the city. It is supposed to generate more revenue. I also heard that P.Diddy was in meetings with the Board of Education. He apparently wishes to donate money. I wonder if they will name a school after him either for business or music?

Today is the first day off Fall!! It was difficult to remember with all the rain!

Maria sent me this quiz . I am Autumn. How fitting since it is my favorite season. What season are you?

I also want to go home already!! Today is as crazy as yesterday!!

Boy Monday sucked. I hope today will be better although I practically swam to work. I was thinking all day yesterday I wish it was last weekend . On Saturday Niel and I went on a date and had yummy Chinese and Japanese food or Sunday where we had tasty bbq at Niel’s mom’s house.

I love watching the cable television show Dead Like
Me. These past two weeks I especially enjoyed and I
am sad that this coming week’s is the season fnale.
The one two weeks ago was a lesson about kindess how
if you do something nice for someone they will usually
pass it on. One of the reapers got a larger house, so
he gave his old house to two other reapers who were
living in a small, run down apartment.
This week’s episode was about taking the time to know
someone. One reaper Mason finally understood what was
at the core of another reaper Daisy. All she wanted
was to be loved and she never received that before,
nor did anyone understand that.
I also made a yummy Gumbo this weekend. Or as Niel said Yumbo. It came out a lot better than the Meat Roulad I tried. Oh well not everything is going to come out good. Niel and I together made Swedish Pancakes but this recipe was really hard so we ended up improvising and it came out a lot tastier.
I so enjoy cooking, especially for
people who like trying different foods. I especially like to cook for my husband, my parents and our friends Ted & Maria.
When my brother does cook he is very good at it. He has a lot of other gifts such as art(whether it is photography to illustrating) & music(he can play something by just listening to it).

I love the smell of new books and magazines. They give me a sense of adventure even though I will not be going anywhere. My imagination is going to take me where the setting of the book will be or what new thing I will learn from reading the magazine. Such as a recipe or an idea for my home.
It also reminds me of the first day of school. I loved shopping for new school supplies and new books. Reading was my favorite subject in elementary school. So anytime I smell any new book it takes me back to that time.
When we first arrived to the U.S. my family lived in Washington Heights and on Saturdays we used to go food and clothing shopping in Westchester. I don't remember the town but there was a huge supermarket with a book store, rows and rows of fruits and veggies and a plant section. My brother and I could safely wonder the store without worry. Our parents let us pick out a few books each and a dessert. We loved to buy either the vanilla and chocolat fudge bars, or the grape and cherry ice's. I couldn't wait to go home and read the latest adventures of Fudge or Ramona while happily eating a fudge bar.
I am happy the weather is getting a bit cooler. Now I can start to make those yummy soup recipes I have seen on the food network. Woo hoo!
Some of the leaves are also changing colors. It is so nice. I had oatmeal with apples for breakfast. It smelled and sort of tasted like Apple pie. That was nice.
I see this homeless woman occasionally in Times Square and sometimes in the subways. She is a short, old, African-American and her clothing is made of garbage bags. I wonder how she became homeless, where her family is and why she is not getting help. She does have her pride left. One time I offered to carry her shopping cart up the stairs and she politely declined. It makes me so sad to see her.

Today is such a nice day even with impending Hurrican Isabel. I really enjoy the Fall season with the crispness in the air, the leaves changing color, the warm clothes, and the hot chocolates.
It makes me appreciate what I have which is health, my husband, my family, my friends and my job.

I have read this a few days ago and have been getting emails about this. Beyonce Knowles song "Baby Boy" is stuck in my head.

The paomnnehil pweor of the hmuan mnid.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch dnoe at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer
in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht
the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total
mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn
mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.


Amzanig huh?

Yesterday I was up in Riverdale at a client's Health Fair. My coworker was with me. We were outside handing out newspaper's enjoying the sun and refreshments when another client who was also at the fair came by and said she recognized me from high school. I did not recognize her. I had graduated 10 years ago and could be wrong; but she did not run in my group of friends. She looked familiar but was not anyone I spoke to. I wonder why she recognized me. She didn't yell at me; so I was glad it wasn't anyone I offended. In high school I still shot from the hip but was even shyer than I am now. It was sad seeing all the old people. It made me think how some get so feeble and even the ones who aren't plagued by mental or physical disease still get feeble. It is funny how at different stages of a person's life it is if the person is 4 different people and not one person at all. When you are a baby and get to be a child, parents will never have that baby again and so on.
The ride back was cheerier. We took an express bus back and I am so glad that we did because we got to see some lovely Manhattan architecture and passed by the Guggenheim, Central Mark, The Met, The Museum of Natural History and other sites. If I was wealthy one of the things I would do is walk around Manhattan and just take snapshots of things. I think there are so many nice sites around New York. It could be of random things also, such as doorways.
Niel bought some more herbs yesterday. Our little herb garden is growing and I am very excited. I used some of the existing herbs in dishes already. They are really yummy. Unfortunetly Parsley is the only herb that will not grow properly.
Hurrican Isabel is on the horizon and ruined one weekend plan I had. I have to think of something else to do. But Niel is soooo poopered that I think we will just stay at home.

We live in a very interesting neighborhood. There is a guy that almost every Sunday comes and practices his archery. It is pretty neat seeing him across the lot from our place.
Also there are interesting regulars that take our bus in the morning. There is a Menonite or an Amish man and a guy who wears very funky outfits. It is nice to see a person not afraid to wear what they want.
Being a bit sick made me realize who the people that care about me really are or care to know me are. I think I pretty much knew that beforehand, but it was good to have it reastablished. I don't forget. It also made me think about all the people I don't speak with from my past. I am glad that is the way it is. From what I know those people aren't as grown up or less self-absorbed as they like to think they are. Oh well.

This is going to be a loooong blog. I am back from the hospital. I was there from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. My new Gastreontologist suggested I check myself in to Beth Israel South in downtonw Manhattan. I had my blockage removed manually and through fluids and mineral oil. I did not need surgery. They suggested I follow a high fiber diet and drink a lot of water. The hospital was pretty good. The emergency room was a bit daunting but hey it is an emergency room. I had a nice view of the neighborhood from my window and the empire state building. Watching the rain and the fog did not bother me. I got to see additions people had added to their rooftops such as gardens, a playground and sitting areas. I even walked around. I am black and blue from the iv drip and the shots but very happy for the help with the plumming and even happier to be back home. Thank you very, very much to my Niel for being with me through the entire process. I love you Niel and you show me through and through how much of a special person you are and I want you to know that now and forever. You are the salt of the earth. And for my mom & dad for visiting & the food. Thank you to all that called. I know it wasn't a horrible reason to be in the hospital but it was still the hospital.
Anyway I am happy it is almost Fall. It is my favorite season. It actually feels a bit like Fall already. There is a nice smell in the air, there are Fall items out in stores and the kids went back to school or started school.
The city is a funny place. You see a lot of curious things I saw this lady on the street. I want to say Haitian and she had a make shift baby carrier on her back. She appeared to be carrying a sleeping three year old or a very big one year old.
After being dischared Niel and I headed over to Pier 1 and got some Cobalt blue goblets for the house. They are really neat. Niel has good taste. I will be careful not to break them because I know they will sell well. We also got a runner and a popcorn bowl. I am heading back tomorrow if I find time at work to pick up more items. Thank goodness for sales.

Can't believe that yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of 9/11. The best way to sum it is in this blog .
Also John Ritter and Johnny Cash passed away. I was really very shocked mostly about Joh Ritter. Johnny Cash I knew was old and ill. He was a incredible musician and an inspiration to many. John Ritter I grew up watching on Three's Company and most recently his new sitcom which the name escapes me. He was only middle aged. I am surprised his heart condition was not picked up before. I hope they did not suffer.

Thanks to Niel for sending me this link to an animal quiz . I am a badger. I found it pretty true. I have had a rough few days and haven't felt like updating. I see a new Gastreontoligst tomorrow. I hope he helps. These few moments I have felt ok. I am so shocked. I haven't felt ok in over a month. I don't know why. Scratch that I just had an attack. Oh lordy. I am so grateful to Niel and how good he has been to me. I am lucky to be married to him. He is a strong, wonderful, patient and caring man. I am sure a lot of people know that but I think he deserves thanks. Thank you also to my mom, Niel's mom, Maria, Jennifer and my coworkers who have been constantly asking how I am doing. I appreciate it!

Boy am I glad that August is over. Yippee. Hopefully September will be better health wise. August wasn't totally awful. Niel and I got to have a lot of fun trying new things and going to different places, because he was more mobile this year.
This weekend will be no different. Friday night and much of Saturday will be spent cleaning. Saturday evening we are seeing some friends and Sunday we are going to go visit Niel's grandfather. He is a cute old man. I wish he was better. Maybe I will feel healthy enough to try a new seafood place in the area where Niel's grandfather lives. And ofcourse Niel can't wait for some foooooooooootball! Have a good weekend all.

I hate doctor's. It has been torture since August 8th for me. I thought I was going to have those terrible things removed yesterday but all the gastreontoligist did was shrink them. Today they are back. He also put me on a drug and I find out today I have Irritable Bowel Syndrom with constipation which is part of the problem. I am pretty sure I had it all my life and it just esculated. I thought that I was going to have them removed. Why didn't the doc tell me about the IBS sooner? Why didn't he come to the hospital when I needed him last week? I have to find a new gastreontologist.

This weekend was nice. Busy but nice. Niel and my internal clock has been a bit off lately. Friday night we picked up my parents from the airport. Saturday after cleaning and cooking we had dinner with Jennifer and Renzo and then played Taboo. Renzo helped Niel fix the door to his office. A good time was had by all. We were so appreciative. Renzo is very handy. There is still the light in the hallway to fix. But we think the landlord will have to call an electrician. She is just so annoyingly slow with EVERYTHING!!! When she picks up the rent I think we are going to mention that and the sink which is not put in the wall yet and has a slow drip. I can't wait for a house when we don't have to wait for anyone to fix anything.
The next day we went to a Nordic festival in Waterloo Village in New Jersey with Ted & Maria. The festival had merchants, some Nordic food, a replica Nordic village, and story tellers. We were hoping for some Viking fighting but it was fun none the less.
Afterwards we stopped by my parents to pick up our souveniors from their trip to the West Coast.
Monday we took Niel's mom to lunch at Red Lobster. MMMMM I missed those biscuits. We then went back to our place for some Scrabble and Junior's Cheescake.
This morning is a dreary way to start the work day, but I feel pretty good none the less. I love the smell in the air. It is so crisp and Fall like. Time to change the wreathe on the front door.