So here I am on the Friday before the long Labor Day weekend. I'm looking forward to finishing the current painting/remodeling project, we started a month ago! The I'll be able to clean the rest of the house up....If all that gets done, I'll be thrilled!
Finally getting tomatos from my garden and they are soooo good! Cucumbers and zucchini are about done, but lots more peppers to come. Flowers are looking a little sad....
Can't wait for the new season of Entourage and am curious about the new 90210 show.....That could go either way.
All for now...Have a great and safe holiday weekend! I know I will!
August 25, 2008
Dear diary...sometimes that's how I feel spilling my guts to the world......
So the painting goes on. I know this has been going on for awhile, but, I have plaster walls. Not drywall. That means chipping, patching, sanding, cleaning up then painting....A lot more involved. My husband and I both took spills off ladders over the weekend. He's about half dead, hurt his back, tore his groin and is literally black and blue. He'll be out of commission the rest of the week. I'm gonna try Ibuprofen and taking it easy. I think I'm too old for this kind of work.
How about that insane thunderstorm yesterday? I kept going out on my (covered) deck to watch.....Very cool! Then it would lightning and I would get scared and run back inside. The Farmers Almanac for this upcoming winter predicts lower than (is that possible?) normal temperatures and lots of snowfall near the great lakes....crap.
Loved watching the Olympics! Very well done. The closing ceremony was incredible!
Very soon Entourage starts on HBO...Love it! Can't wait....Can't wait for school to go back in session either....
August 20, 2008
Happy hump day! The sun is shining and no rain in the forecast!!! Yeah! I can actually get some yard work done. I cleaned my pond filters out yesterday and the water is already cleaner than it was. My fish keep having babies, but, they are only the black fish, which are hard to see in the water. I wanted the orange ones to have babies, but, no luck!
I think I have reached the end of my cucumbers. I am finally getting tomatoes...They are sooooo good! I got about 12 hot peppers yesterday. I mixed gorgonzola, pecorino and cream cheese, with some sauteed onions, garlic and a little parsley. I mixed it with a blender till it was creamy. I baked they cleaned, empty peppers till they were a little soft. I took them out of the oven, stuffed them with the cheese mixture and popped them under the broiler for about 30 seconds....they came out great and the cheese didn't ooze out! Try it!
The remodeling continues at the O'Neil house! A new back door is in....now we are patching the plaster walls. We will spend a day sanding and priming and hopefully we can paint this weekend....Its crazy, how long it takes. My house looks like a bomb went off in it, because I have the furniture and stuff spread out into the other rooms so we can paint....Driving me bonkers. It will be worth it when its done. My husband is a perfectionist and does a great job, so, I'll just have to hang on.
August 14, 2008
Today is the day before the Jonas Brothers concert. It's absolutely insane here. Crying kids, crying adults, sick, disabled, healthy, nice, mean...you name it....they want tickets....The show is sold out! I'm afraid to leave the studio. Employees are begging for tix to give to family and friends....INSANE!
Hoping it doesn't rain tonite so I can go to the square. I'm ready for a glass of wine and a slice of pizza....Lets hope the weather holds out, there aren't many Thursdays left in the summer!
My husband and I really need to finish patching and painting our spare bedroom. Its been torn apart for 2 weeks....Just never enough time......hopefully we won't have unexpected guests...
August 13, 2008
ENOUGH WITH THE RAIN! Yes the lawn is green, as a matter of fact it's growing mushrooms it's so wet. My garden is suffering and I'm not happy. I was gonna go home and play in the dirt tonite (I bought some mums at Ulbrichs today) but, nooooo, it's gonna rain. Again...Sorry for the rant.
I've been watching the Olympics at night and am really enjoying them....Go Team USA.
My husband installed a new front door over the weekend! I love it! It changes the whole look of the house!
I can do without the Jonas Brothers...
August 13, 2008
I'm freaking out, because I think summer is coming to an end. Where did it go? I'm not ready..
My garden has been weird this year...tons of cucumbers, now they are almost all dead...zucchini are still coming, but I usually cook up a storm with them, not this year. I haven't had time...I'm giving them away...Maybe i will freeze some....Lots of green beans...I'm gonna make a green bean casserole tonight....Sounds good...I'll let you know how it goes.....Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll stop at Scimes, pick up some chicken sausage....and serve the green beans as a side dish...yum.
So the painting and re-modeling continues. We have been working on a spare bedroom. Ugh...Found out the door is 30 inches and can't find one without special ordering it. That wasn't cheap...Anyhow, took the molding off in anticipation of the doors arrival....all the plaster fell off the wall. Just kill me now. Enough to drive me to drink. Imagine that. It will be great when it's done....if it's ever done....if my husband and I make it through. (Just kidding)
Remodeling is always a joy.....
August 1, 2008
HAPPY FRIDAY! I am trying to decide what to do first this weekend....I'll probably mow the lawn tonite, since its supposed to rain. Tomorrow I will be at Basil Resale on Sheridan Drive at Harlem...We'll have Free Pepsi products, Perry's ice cream and lotsa giveaways...Come on over!
Next up is my back bedroom in my house. Dining Room and Bathroom are done...I'm trying to convince my husband to replace a window and door in the room while it's empty. He is not amused...But will probably do it anyway. I love when a room is newly painted, clean and decorated. I keep walking into the rooms that are done and staring...keeps me inspired. The color we are painting the room is called "Shabby Chic" It's kind of like cocoa. I have no idea what colors go with it.....guess its time to shop again.
Things I love....Lowes, Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, cucumbers with salt out of my garden, and my cats
Things I hate....driving, mean people and weeds in my lawn.
You have to see this video. Made me cry.
July 24th
Yeah! The bathroom and the dining room are painted!! Now we just have to kind of put them back together. I'm trying to get rid of some of the clutter! Anyhow, the bathroom is green. Really green!!!!!!! The dining room is supposed to be Terra Cotta....Its very orange!!!! Oh well, at least its clean and painted. Now I just have to find curtains to go with orange......
Tonight, its the Gin Blossoms at Thursday at the Square!!! I will definately see you there. Look for me by the wine tent! I'm taking the night off from home improvements!!
My garden is taking over the neighborhood! I'm starting to make late night drops of zucchini to my neighbors porches! No tomatos yet though. I've had beans, cucumbers, hot peppers....Tons of rasberries, a few bluberries and I will have about a million blackberries....Love it! I need a little less rain, though so I can mow the lawn. Hopefully over the weekend.
July 9, 2008
Okay...time to catch up. Vacation was well not really a vacation. My husband and I decided to paint the bathroom. However, as anyone knows, home improvements never go as planned. First of all we have plaster walls, and they always have cracks....second...damn that's an ugly green now that it is actually on the walls. How on earth am I going to find matching accessories....It's a really strange green. Maybe I'll get used to it. The last part of my vacation was great! My husband and son went to Ellicottville. We have spent the last 6 July 4th holidays there. We got there late Friday night and went straight to bed. Saturday afternoon I was downtown for a live broadcast....The world famous pet parade was the biggest and best ever! Llamas, goats, horses, ponys, dogs, you name it! Too fun! Then it was off to the hills of Holiday Valley for the BPO and incredible fireworks. Sunday brought a pool party at the Ilex Inn and then back to Holiday Valley for The Little River Band....That night got ugly....I was out way too late....If you know what I mean...I absolutely love it there. Far enough away to feel like a vaca....Close enough that it only takes an hour to get there. It's a really cool place!
Random thoughts...
Please support the SPCA! They are an amazing organization and there are a lot of rotten people out there who do bad things to animals....The SPCA is their only hope.
I love pink flowers - buy someone you love a flower...it is sure to bring a smile...
My garden is huge! I love fresh tomatos and basil picked straight off the plant....What's better than that, right?
until next time.......
7/8/08
It's day one back from vacation. Lets see how today goes.......
6/26/08
It's the day after Starry Night in the Garden....So yes, I'm movin' a little slow....but, there is bounce to my step, due to the success of the show! THANK YOU for coming. THANK YOU for helping us raise money for the Botanical Gardens! The artists were incredibly talented the food was great and the wine even better. Loved it!
I spent last weekend in Ellicottville for the Women's Weekend! I met some great women and felt really empowered by all their accomplishments! Hi to Donna, Shanell, Jeanine and Brian for once again showing me a great time. I will be down there for the July 4th holiday weekend. I can't wait. There is so much to do and see, I can't believe that gem is only an hour away. Too much fun!
So I mentioned this killer sinus infection I had....It didn't go away. so I go back to the doctors and it turns out its not a sinus infection at all. It's Acid Reflux! Go figure...and when I mention it, like everyone I know has it too! Who knew? Certainly not I, but, whew do I feel better.....God bless the little purple pill, right?
The garden is growing like mad. My Strawberries are literally rotting from all the rain. I actually never do well with them, I don't know why I bother. I fertilize, I weed and they taste good, but never actually get many or very large fruits....My zucchini on the other hand....I'll be digging out my 'what the heck do I do with all these' recipes soon....
I'm on vacation next week. I'm gonna paint my bathroom...I hope.....
6/12/08
Wow! How about this weather? I have been so busy that I haven't really had time to blog. So here goes....I have this vicious sinus infection and it's kicking my butt. All I do is sleep....At least I'll get it out of the way for the summer early right? Let's hope the antibiotics kick in soon....Yuck
So the garden is in and planted and seems to be growing well. I love how green everything is this time of year. It's already time to clean out the pond filters! It will have to wait for the weekend, though. It's a bit of a project when you have to do two ponds, but I love the sound of the water, and my fish are cool. I need to head over to Ulbrichs Water garden gallery for some new water plants and fish food. They really are a great place. You should go and just take a walk through and look at all their display ponds. It gives me pond envy.
Thursday at the Square kicked off, the weather has been great, and we've had a blast. You can usually find me by the wine tent. Tonite Star 102.5 presents the Yonder Mountain String Band. Come down and have a great night of FREE entertainment.
Random thoughts:
- I love the new song "Sittin at a bar" by Rehab....Just a silly fun summer song.
- Love the new plaid shorts that are in style this summer.
- Was surprised, but, like the seersucker shorts that are also in style.
- I love cooking out on the grill everyday!
- And I love summer in Western New York!
6/2/08
Back from vacation....Reentry is hard...So here I am at home trying to catch up. Anyhow, where do I start? I was on vacation last week. No I didn't go anywhere exotic, all I did was stay at home and play in my yard. To be honest its my favorite time off. I did all kinds of silly stuff, like power wash the driveway, wash windows, planted my garden, and layed all the mulch....By the way, when did mulch get so expensive?? Eye eye eye...I bought 23 bags for a little yard in the city. Anyhow I got all kinds of silly chores done and feel so damn accomplished....I guess it doesn't take much to amuse me, huh?
George Clooney and Sarah Larson broke up.....I really didn't think it would last. I mean George is a confirmed bachelor, and she's...well...she ate a scorpion on Fear Factor...What more can I say...
My husband went to BJ's the other day and bought me a huge canister of peanut butter filled pretzels...OMG...way too good and way too fattening...
I'll be broadcasting from the CN tower in Toronto Friday afternoon. Be sure to listen, there is lot of cool stuff going on there....a new glass elevator and a new menu at 360 restaurant.....Thats the one that circles the tower and gives you incredible views of TO...
Also on the agenda this weekend is a new location for Crawford Furniture...Transit at Main...See you there Saturday at 11am...
Pierce Brosnan was born on this date in 1953....Still hot!!
I am really looking forward to my weekend! I work at Unilock tomorrow in downtown Buffalo. It's a really cool place that sells paving stones and the like. They have some really cool designs and ideas, I love picturing how it would look in my yard. You should check it out! I'll be there 10am to noon! Then I'm off to the Botanical Gardens for the 'Great Plant Sale' they sell some really different plants that you can't get elsewhere. It goes on both Saturday and Sunday. All proceeds benefit the gardens-so buy lots!!!
So I'm hoping it doesn't rain all weekend! I need to mow my lawn or you won't be able to see my house. Just kidding...I need it to get warm though so I can play in the dirt....So much to do yet!
Last night I went to the press conference for Thursday at the Square. I love the line-up! Its a cool mix of all kinds of music, ranging from David Sanborn to the Gin Blossoms. I'm so ready! It's good for downtown Buffalo and a nice treat for people who work downtown! It's going to start at a later time this year too - going from 6 to 10 instead of 5-9. Much easier to get home, changed and downtown in time to see the bands. The season kicks off May 29th and goes through September 4th. Plus they brought back Buffalo Rocks the Harbor! Friday August 15th is Great Big Sea and Saturday August 16th is The Robert Cray Band! Smokin'!!!!
Sadly today is the last day of our promotion director, Claire. She has been here a long time, been a great partner in work and a great friend. I will miss you my dear. You are truly one of the best.
On a brighter note, I had dinner last night with an up and coming artist named Katy Perry. She has a song called "I kissed a Girl" I know I know...Anyhow, she is young, beautiful talented and was thrilled when my husband and I gave her a tour of Buffalo. We showed her Delaware Park, the Frank Lloyd Wright House and the beautiful architecture in our buildings. Hopefully we will be hearing a lot from her.
Have a great weekend and do something fun just for you!
Woo hoo! 5/12/08
So, today is my first day actually typing and posting my blog. Brian Demay used to do that for me after I wrote it. I have now entered the new age of digital and learned to do it myself!!! I'm so damn thrilled with myself....
Onward and upward...Friday night my husband and son set off for Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. We were set to stay the night in preparation of my broadcast on Saturday. I will admit that I thought it would be a place for little kids, not for my 16 year old. Was I ever wrong. We did the water park for hours, huge slides, wave pools....It was a blast. Course my neck is out of whack today....It was worth it. Then we headed to the arcade and proceeded to laugh till we cried. Off to dinner and then bed...The broadcast was fun (hope you listened) and I learned a lot! Finally we played miniature golf (with talking animated figures making smart-aleck comments) and headed home! A great day!
Mothers day was cool. My step son, actually remembered, gave me a hug and wished me Happy Mothers Day! It felt great! It would have been perfect if the weather had held out...but, oh well.
This weekend, after I clean my house of course....I intend to dig in the dirt till I can't dig no more. I love to be outside!
Star 102.5 presented Starry Night in the Garden June 25, 2008 at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens. The evening's performers included Vanessa Carlton, Anna Nalick, Delta Goodrem, and Ferras;
