It's for a great cause

For all of my golf-loving neighbors, I encourage you to support the Amity family and their fight against Autism. I worked with Duane Amity a number of years ago, and we still keep in touch from time to time. It looks like you get a lot for the $$$, so if you love to golf and want to support a good cause, check it out! If you are interested, leave a comment and I'll email you a copy of the registration form.

Amity Golf Scramble Fundraiser
Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Village Green Golf Course

Please join us as we raise money for our friends (Duane and Linda Amity) and their children’s fight against Autism. All proceeds raised will be donated to the Amity family in order to assist them in paying for medical treatments for their children Nicholas and Kaitlin. Proceeds from the past 2 golf outings have topped $16,000 and we are anxiously looking forward to adding more to that total in July of 2008.

• For a GREAT CAUSE!!!
• 18 holes of scramble golf / cart included
• *Shot Gun Start at 8:30 AM
• Food (“All you can eat” burgers, dogs and wings) and Beverages (beer and pop) after golf
• 1st Place, 2nd place, Skins, Skill and Door Prizes
• Cost $100

• We are required to have 130 golfers for a shotgun start. We had 104 golfers in 2007 and they did allow us to have the scramble, and although they may allow us to do that again, it would be best if we can get 130 golfers.

Ben & Jerry Bliss

Where-oh-where in Hickory (or the surrounding area) can I find the new Ben & Jerry's Cake Batter ice cream? I only ask, because I imagine that if I brought this home to my hubby he would, without a doubt, do things to me that would make...

well...

I guess this is a public blog, so we'll leave that to the imagination of the reader.

I swear that my hubby has the taste buds of a 7 year old. He's into the Birthday Cake ice cream at Bruster's, too. Any time a dessert involves batter, birthday cake, jimmies or icing, he's all over it. Something tells me that if I could just bring a pint of this home, I'd get full body massages for a week straight. I have GOT to find a place around here that carries it. If anyone finds it, either buy an extra case for me or let me know where to buy my own.

Calling all fugly people!

Look 'Unusual?' You Can Be A West Virginian In Julianne Moore's Pittsburgh Movie

I actually had to read this article a few times, because the first time through I thought it was a casting call for "My Big Fat Redneck Wedding".

Here's the gist:

"...we are looking for people to populate a West Virginia 'Holler.' People who have any of the following attributes should attend:Extraordinarily tall or short. Unusual body shapes, even physical abnormalities as long as there is normal mobility. Unusual facial features, especially eyes."

They are also searching for an "otherworldly" looking 9-12 year old Caucasian girl. And now, for my favorite line, "Regular-looking' children should not attend this open call."

When the Trib asked Donna Belajac (casting) about the generalization of West Virginians, she replied, "Some of these 'holler' people -- because they are insular and clannish, and they don't leave their area -- there is literally inbreeding, and the people there often have a different kind of look. That's what we're trying to get."

So, if you are super fugly, are deformed, or are abnormal in any way but you can still get around, head on over to the Holiday Inn North Hills on McKnight Road on March 2 from 1 - 5 PM.

Country roads
Take me home
To the place
I beeeeloooonnnggggg....

My Big Redneck Wedding

On one of my many daily trips into the wild and wonderful world of reading random blogs (try to say that 10 times fast), I StumbleUpon the Couch Potatoes blog and read about a TV series called "My Big Redneck Wedding". CMT calls the show a "one-hour docu-reality series", which to me means yet another annoying reality TV show (I still *heart* you, Survivor!). The Couch Potatoes give a decent summary of "favorite moments" that goes a little something like this:

- After one reception the groom told his new wife: “Let’s go constipate this marriage.”
- One bride misplaced her false teeth. When her mother found out, she honestly said, "You want mine?" Thankfully, the dentures were found in time and a tooth exchange did not happen.
- When a bride and groom visited a florist and asked for “geranials.” The florist kindly explained that they were actually “geraniums.” The best part was that the groom was drinking a 24-ounce can of Budweiser wrapped in a paper bag, wino-style. When the bride expressed her dislike for ribbons and suggested that duct tape be used to bind the bouquets, the florist was visibly aghast. But not so much as when the couple decided to have the bouquets arranged in empty Budweiser cans. The florist actually uttered an “Oh my God” when she peeked out her shop window and saw the groom peeing in the street. As it turns out, the urination was a sign of his love for his bride-to-be – he spelled out her name (Gail, I think it was) while emptying his proverbial weasel.
- For his last night of freedom, one groom-to-be chose to go hog hunting. Another man and his posse shot off fireworks at each other. The brides? Well, “mud bogging” and target practice were prominently featured.
- The gifts the brides and grooms exchanged were…well…I’m speechless. One woman traded a couch for a truck grill. In exchange, her groom bought her a butchering kit from Wal-Mart (retail price was $19.99. I think that was the most expensive gift I saw). He told his new bride, “Now that you’re my wife, you’re going to be skinnin’ a lot more hogs.” Another man went dumpster diving for his gift. Yet another man spent numerous quarters trying to win a stuffed animal from one of those claw-like machines little with crap in it that only little kids are into. After garnering attention and tips from some of these nearby children, he succeeded in winning a stuffed snowman.
- At least two men went hunting to provide food for their receptions. Meat selections included hog, rabbit and even a Redneck delicacy, squirrel. And instead of a DJ or live band, the entertainment included greased-pig competitions, mud wrestling and even “mattress surfing.”
- Some of the couples wrote their own vows. One man looked deeply into the eyes of his bride and said, “I promise to always get yer smokes and always get yer beer.” If that ain’t love, I don’t know what is.

Folks, I don't even know where to start. Is any of this stuff actually real? Do you truly believe these people would act this way and do/say these things when the cameras are not rolling? I'm almost afraid to know the answer. I've known a few folks in my lifetime who I'd classify as "redneck", but NONE of the rednecks I know would ever sink this low. Perhaps the Couch Potatoes are correct when they say, "Apparently, the Western Pennsylvania Redneck is an entirely different species than, say, the Southern Georgia Redneck or the South Carolina Redneck." Thank God for that!!!!

My feelings at the moment fall somewhere between disgust and intrigue. I almost think I might watch and episode just to see what happens. Is that what CMT execs are hoping would happen?

Techies (and wannabes) unite!

I just have to say, as a self proclaimed techie wannabe, I was so excited to read about "Jack's Tech Corner" in the PA Focus! After reading the article about protecting yourself from hackers, I decided to check out the web site. While the site appears to still be in the beginning stages - it is a wiki and will grow stronger as folks contribute - I am excited about the possibilities I see in this site!

I encourage everyone to sign up at http://jackstechcorner.com and help make this site take off! If you have some knowledge you'd like to share (and get credit for!), update the site with your contribution! If you have questions, check out the forums! I have a few new tips and tricks I picked up myself just this week; I'll have to gather them and add them soon.

Way to go, Jack! Now if we could only get some of those teachers to update their web sites... another day, perhaps.

What to do when the snow falls

Residents of Hickory, it's snowing.  It's ugly.  It's slushy and miserable outside the precious walls that shield you from the elements.  I have a suggestion to pass the time and entertain until the weather breaks... OnDemand.

I don't work for Comcast.   I think they charge WAY too much for their shoddy service that works most of the time.  I do, however, love TV and movies more than most adults my age.  I can also watch a movie over and over and over and over... until my spouse threatens to leave if I watch the same movie/TV show ONE MORE TIME.

Today I ventured out into the world of the unknown.  I decided to watch a movie that I've heard about for years (read: 1980s) and never watched because I didn't "get" the title.  That movie, my dear neighbors, is Mystic Pizza.  My gay-before-he-admitted-it friend from high school used to go on and on about Julia Robers in Mystic Pizza, so much so that I think he had a secret desire to BE Julia Roberts in Mystic Pizza.  As I flicked through hundreds of channels with nothing on them that piqued my interests, I decided to load the OnDemand menu.  I spent about 10 minutes scanning menus until I decided, "Hey, today is going to be the day that I finally watch Mystic Pizza."  You know what?  I liked Mystic Pizza.  I thought it was good.  Not comparable to an Oscar nominated flick, but for a 1980s chick-flick it entertained me.  I don't think I would have watched it if it were July and 85 degrees and sunny outside, but because it's February and cold and dreary and the frizzle is now falling I watched it and liked it.

So, I charge you, find a movie or TV show that you have been meaning to watch and WATCH it!  It's not like you can make snowballs out of frozen rain!

Why I love Western Pennsylvania

From Random Acts of Pieness to Random Acts of Kindness!

This post is already a few days old, but it's been on my mind so I thought I'd share it with Hickory. Definitely take the time to read the entire post, but here's the part that just won't leave my mind. From PittGirl:

Then this afternoon I saw a kid walking down the sidewalk … maybe 19 or so … bundled up against the wind. Head to toe black. Black hat. Black scarf over his chin. Black puffy coat. Black jeans and black boots. All you can see are his nose and his eyes.

If I’m working at a bank and this kid walks in with his hands in his pockets, I’d probably dive for the alarm button without so much of a “Can I help you, sir?”

And the kid handed the one-legged, one-armed homeless man a brown paper bag that clearly contained a sandwich. But he didn’t just hand it to him by sticking out one hand like, “Eh. I don’t want this, I guess. Here ya go. Whatever. Bye.”

He held it out with both hands, pulled his scarf down, spoke a few words to the homeless man, patted him on the shoulder and walked away. He was REALLY giving the sandwich to him and it meant something. The homeless man cradled the bag in his arm. Looked at the bag. Looked at the kid who was walking away with his hands in his pockets now. Back at the bag. The kid. The bag. And the homeless man smiled and took a slow deep breath.

And I thought, “I love Pittsburgh and I love that kid.”

It is going to come back to him ten-fold. Here’s hoping it comes back to him in cash and not so much in the form of ten sandwiches.

It's nice to be reminded from time to time that not everyone in the world sucks. Hope this little story touches you as much as it has touched me.

Random Acts of Pieness

Just 12 minutes from the heart of Hickory is one of the best pie places in the area. The Pie Place, on West Pike Street in Houston, has a great selection of fresh pies and baked goodies at reasonable prices. I decided to stop in this morning after reading the catchy "Random Acts of Pieness" phrase on the sign in front of the store. The February pie of the month is French Silk! They had an assortment of fruit pies and cream pies, as well as bar cookies, muffins, ladylocks, cookies and nut tassies.

I decided to perform some random acts of pieness, so I bought a mini chocolate cream pie for my father-in-law, a mini peach pie for my mother-in-law and four double chocolate muffins for my brother-in-law, husband and daughter (and me!!!!). The mini pies look like they should serve 2, although knowing my sweets-loving family they'll devour them in one sitting. The muffins were oversized, chocolately and most-looking, and I am SO looking forward to killing mine after dinner with a nice cup of tea.

The next time you head down Rt. 519, stop by The Pie Place and perform random acts of pieness for some of your loved ones!

Who Is Googling You?

What a great little article on thepittsburghchannel.com about "Who Is Googling You?" Have you ever tried to google your own name? It's amazing when you realize the amount of information available to anyone (stalkers, employers, loan officers...) who might be curious. I googled myself (how many of you are giggling right now?) and I found out that my place of employment shows up along with another blog that I write, my results in the Hickory 5K 2007, a few amazon reviews that I wrote, some of my epinions, among other things.

I personally feel that one should not only do a regular credit check, one should also do a regular google check to see what others might learn about you. I've heard too many horror stories about employers using the web to check up on candidates to put too much of myself out there. Not that myself is all that bad, mind you ;-)

Give it a try. See what's out there.

I *heart* LOST

As a service to all of my fellow LOSTies living in Hickory, I'm going to hook you up with some of the best links I know of related to my favorite all-time TV show LOST! I am so totally addicted to this show. Like Dane Cook says, when LOST breaks for commercial (which it does WAY TOO FREAKIN MUCH for my liking), you find yourself pissed beyond belief that you now have 42 more questions and no answers. But we LOSTies keep coming back for more, don't we?

This ew.com link summarizes last night's V-day episode. The writers here are witty and really into LOST, so enjoy! Be sure to sign up for LOST updates at the end of the article.

The LOST wiki, which is like an instantaneous O for LOST tech geeks. Rock on.

The LOST blog.

About.com's list of LOST blogs, where they flatter us by calling us, "some of the smartest, most observant TV viewers of any show."

That should be about enough to get you started. If you have the time and initiative, these links can get you LOST in a world of online puzzles and clues like you wouldn't believe!

Now, head down the Mt. Pleasant Twp. fire hall, pick up a fish sandwich to nosh on, and then cuddle on the couch with your laptop and a nice glass of your favorite libation and get LOST!

What is "Market Day"?

For those of you who don't already know what Market Day is, I'm here for YOU!

In summary, Market Day is an opportunity for anyone at all to order delicious delicacies (and occasionally, seasonal trinkets) while supporting their local school(s). In Hickory, we support the Fort Cherry Elementary PTA buy stocking up on gourmet goodies once a month through the Market Day program. Some of our favorite items:

Vegetable Fried Rice
Trail Mix Breakfast Cookies
Seasoned Chicken Breast Strips
Chocolate Chip Mini Pancakes
Breakfast Bundles®
Chicken Gems®

For the web-loving kind, you can set up an account right at markeyday.com, select your school (there are a lot of local options, folks!), shop online and submit your order. Orders are delivered monthly during a fairly small window of time, so make sure you note the date/time for delivery and pickup. I can tell you, based on experience, that not all of those PTA folks are friendly and understanding if you forget and/or can't make it to the pickup location to pay for and pick up your order!!!

For those who prefer filling out a paper form, you can always contact the PTA to request a brochure. The contact information, as it is listed on marketday.com, is:

Fort Cherry Elementary PTA
110 Fort Cherry Rd
McDonald, PA 15057
724-356-4445

There are hundreds of items for sale, some of which are 'regular' items that appear month after month, and some of which are 'special items' which will only appear in the brochure for a limited time. There are "Taste for Health" items that "contain no more than 300 calories or 30% calories from fat per serving." Some of the other notations on items sold through Market Day:

		Reduced price item
		Taste for Health products contain no more than 300 calories or 30% calories from fat per serving
		Market Day Naturals products have no preservatives, artificial flavors, colors or trans fat
		Quick Cook from freezer to table in 15 minutes or less
		Microwaveable
		Low Carb products contain 8 grams or less of carbohydrates per serving
		Gluten Free
		Peanut Free
		Kosher
		Dairy Free
		Recipe Card

Always check back for clearance items, too! Typically items will be put on clearance about halfway through the month... the date will be available online, so check for it!

Friday Fish Fry at the Fire Hall!

See ya'll there! I'll get the details and update the site ASAP. Support the local fire department people, and support your fellow meat-on-Fridays-during-lent-will-send-you-to-hell believers, even if you ate a quarter pounder for lunch!

Oh, and if you prefer to support the Slovenians, the SNPJ in Midway has a nice little Lent menu, as well.

Rock on, kids.

Disclaimer - I'm pretty much willing to bet a LOT of cash that you will, in fact, NOT go to hell for eating meat on Friday's during Lent. Just to set the record straight.

Random Rambling

One space or two?

A wonderful woman that I work with just asked me this question... when ending a sentence, do I use one space or two? "Two, of course!" was my reply. She proceeds to tell me that the "younger people" in the office all use only one space at the end of a sentence. She was so concerned about this that she came to my office to ask me what I do, and then she went on to describe how she had just gone through her most recent documentation to remove the extra space at the end of her sentences!

"No! It's totally supposed to be two spaces," I tell her. "Use two spaces, or a full stop, after colons and periods (and exclamation points and question marks) and one space after commas and semicolons. That's the way I was taught."

Fast forward through about 10 minutes of back-and-forth reasoning and we begin SCOURING the Internet looking for the "right" way to space after a full stop. As it turns out, two spaces is the old-fashioned way to separate sentences within a paragraph. OLD FASHIONED?!?!? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, OLD FASHIONED. Apparently, I am a prescriptivist, which means that I, "...adhere to the earlier use of two spaces on typewriters to make the separation of sentences more salient than separation of elements within sentences." Even The Chicago Manual of Style says I'm ancient!

Ugh... I'm sure that before we know it the nice folks over at Webster will be adding the non-word "irregardless" to the dictionary. My English and typing teachers' bodies are probably tingling in disgust as I type this. Mrs. Shriver and Ms. Barlamas, I promise to always double space at the end of a sentence! Even if web editors strip the extra space, they're still there in spirit!

Pa. State Police 'Ticket Blitz' E-Mail Is Hoax

Here's the deal, people. In the time it takes to forward a hoax-y email to your entire address book, you could have gone to google to verify it's authenticity. No joke.

You really think Bill Gates is going to share his fortune? Google "microsoft email bill gates shares his fortune" prior to hitting "forward".

Beware faux perfume salespeople in mall parking lots!!!

Never stay at a modern hotel that uses key cards instead of good old-fashioned metal keys!

I just got a new one the other day; this one was a freakin' email petition. The subject was "Removal of Joel Osteen and other pastors" and the message begged me to participate or return the email to whoever sent it so that at least they could keep the email going. It took me all of 5 seconds to type "dr dobson email hoax" (I pick random words in the message) into google and find oodles of sites declaring this email/petition a hoax.

Please, people, for the love of all that is decent, please don't forward this garbage before doing 30 seconds of investigating. If you are google-phobic, two good sites to search are urbanlegends.about.com and snopes.com.

I thank you. Your address book thanks you. Your email server thanks you.

Band Booster Cookbook

The Fort Cherry Band Boosters are collecting recipes for a cookbook that they plan to sell to raise money for the organization. Kudos to the boosters for coming up with a new idea for raising cash! It sure beats another Sarris Candy/hoagie/begging-for-money-in-the-middle-of-the-street fund raiser! Folks in the community can submit recipes by email to Marcy Buydasz or Bob Stewart.

Here it is, the first official Hickory Blog

I've been asked by a few people to start my own blog, so here it is.

Be prepared. If I end up finding the time to do this like I really want to, I plan to ruffle a lot of feathers and stir up a lot of controversy. That's just how I roll. Heck, you can even disagree with me if you like, as long as you can spell and form a sentence correctly. I'm not joking.

From time to time I might even venture outside of Hickory into the FC School District...and beyond! If I do, look out! It might get ugly. Or funny.

So, I welcome you. Comment all you like. If we get this thing off the ground, I might even do it the right way and buy a domain name and move to a real server!