Sue's Blog Archive
5/5/08
Just got back from visiting my mama in Ohio. She has a pond and I open it up and get it ready every spring. We visit all the local nurseries and shop at these cool discount stores they have there called Marc's. I also visit my brothers, and put flowers on my father's grave.
So I was driving home the other day and started thinking about my favorite songs of all time - I think of more every day, but here's what I have come up with so far:
Mary J. Blige "No More Drama"
Eagles "Lyin' Eyes"
Pearl Jam "Black"
Shirley Murdock "As We Lay"
Don Henley "Heart of the Matter"
George Michael "Father Figure"
Rozalla "Everybody's Free"
Michael Stanley Band "My Town"
Sammy Davis Jr. "Mr. Bojangles"
Frank Sinatra "My Way"
Isn't it cool how music can make you feel? Happy, sad, how it can bring back or make a memory?
This cold weather this past week killed me! I was so ready to play in the garden. It is nice to see the leaves coming out on the trees and the happy faces of all the yellow daffodils. Now I'm ready for Thursdays At The Square. I can't wait to hear the line up - then, I'll see you there!
Sue's Blog
4/24/08
I love this weather! I just have more energy, and I'm not so crabby, Saturday was near 90 and I got both of my ponds opened! I am outside in the yard every extra second I get. I can't wait to start picking out my flowers at the nurseries! My big dilemma is what will be the color scheme? I ordered a bunch of flowers through the Botanical Gardens' "Great Plant Sale," the problem? I can't remember what I ordered! Oh well...
So with this nice weather comes cooking out on the grill. I think I've grilled every day straight for a week! Last night I threaded brussel sprouts of skewers, brushed with a mixture of butter, onion powder, and garlic salt. I grilled them on low for about 20 minutes, and they were great. I'm always looking for new recipes to try on the grill, so if you have one send it to me!
Random Thoughts:
-- I love the song "New Soul" by Yael Naim. Check it out!
-- I also love the Poblano Pepper Appetizer at Hutch's - you have to try it!
-- And last but not least, I LOVE sandals - summer woo hoo!!!
Sue's Blog
4/18/08
Here we are again! I'm starting to feel like I should start these blogs with "Dear Diary..."
Anyhow, Spring Fever has got me! You know, where you spend your workday planning your evenings, or your work week planning your weekends...I'm hoping to open my ponds on Saturday. I hauled my pumps, filters, and hoses to Ulbrich's, and Mike spent the morning fixing my hafl-baked attempt at plumbing. Thankfully he's got it all set - all I have to do is drop it in the water, and plug it in! I'm thrilled! Now if I can get my fence repaired, and my grass seed to grow, I'll be on my way.
The other great thing about nice weather is you get to see your neighbors again! Well, some it's nice to see. And all the kids riding bikes, playing ball, and laughing. There really is no better place in warm weather than Western New York!
Sue's Blog
4/4/08
Finally Friday! I'm looking forward to getting out in the yard this weekend. I had a new sidewalk installed just before winter, and never got to fix the ground around it - it's a mud pit! I need to fill it in and plant grass. My crocuses started blooming yesterday! There's a lot to do to get the yard in order after a Buffalo winter, but I love it. Even cleaning the ponds!
Another great thing about the nicer weather is getting out clothes that I haven't worn in 6 months - it's an all new wardrobe, again! And as much as I love boots, farewell for now, my friend....
Please check out my cat Earl on the homepage - you can add a caption to the picture, but please be nice. He's sensitive to comments about his weight, and I don't want him to develop an eating disorder. I have another cat named Bailey, and he's a "punk," always misbehaving and into something...but I love his spirit, and that's he's spunky. (I can't believe how crazy I am about these cats....they sleep with me every night.)
So Spring has officially sprung, and it's time to get busy enjoying life. Sneak out of work early, take a long lunch, do something just for you. When was the last time you did that?
Take a walk.....read a book......or take a bubble bath. Do something just for you!
Sue's Blog
3/20/08
My crocuses are popping up out of the ground - I was so excited when I saw them this week! Spring is here! I started going to the tanning salon, just to feel like it's warm. I know, I know....
I think it's time to leave Britney Spears alone. I mean, I know she screws up a lot, but who wouldn't when you live under a microscope? I'm on Team Britney.
George Clooney is the sexiest man alive, hands down.
Had dinner at Sienna Restaurant Friday night. Awesome food, awesome service, and they serve Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio by the glass - what else could you want?
Eliot Spitzer: good riddance.
I've been reading a book called "The Duchess of Windsor," it's all about Wallis Simpson for whom King Edward abdicated the throne of England. I thought it was gonna be a story about enduring love, no matter the cost, but it's not. Instead it focuses on how she manipulated him and soured his reputation worldwide...she actually didn't want him to abdicate, she wanted to remain his mistress with all the trappings that go with the throne! He insisted on marrying her, goodbye throne....guess she didn't think that one through, huh?
I was @ the Botanical Gardens last week for the Spring Show - it's breathtaking. If you haven't been there lately, WOW! It's really a great family outing, date night, or just a nice getaway.
Wouldn't you like to be the people in the Corona commercials? You know, beach chair, toes in the warm sand, sunglasses, a cooler of Corona between you and your honey? Now that's a pretty picture.
Sue's Blog
3/14/08
I hate my windshield wipers! They never clear the windshield. I can't be the only one! I replaced the blades and...well...they still only work on one half the windshield. Feel my pain...?
Spring is definitely in the air. You feel it? I do - I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Changing the clocks was a pain, but I love that it's light when I leave work. I feel more energetic! I even started spring cleaning - two rooms down! Now if I can get my husband to paint, I will be over the moon! We're (hopefully) gonna do this thing called "Venetian Plaster." It's a ton of work, but looks really cool, and covers all the cracks in my plaster walls....it actually enhances them, and makes it look like I put them there on purpose! Maybe I'll take a picture - but at this rate, you could be waiting a while....
Got some cool catalogs in the mail from Plow and Heart and Kinsman Company. There's lots of new things for my garden. I'm dying to order all kinds of stuff like a new obelisk, plants, and those cute little ceramic mushrooms! Too much fun!
Easter's around the corner. Remember how cool it was when you were young enough to get an easter basket from the Easter Bunny? I remember trading candy with my brothers...oh to be young again. Anyhow, Happy Easter, Happy Spring, and talk to you soon.
Sue's Blog
3/1/08
So here we go - March! Woo hoo! I'm kinda over the cold. We never really got a big snow storm. I like the feeling of camraderie when the weather is bad. Kind of like, "we're in this together." Anyhow, Spring is around the corner now, and I can't wait to play in the garden! I do, however, have to have my fence put back up. It blew down during one of our numerous wind storms.....but otherwise, I tackled most of my major projects last year! I'm growing seedlings in my basement, but only the tomatoes have come up so far.
I bought a new washer and dryer! Oh my god, I haven't had a new one in 13 years - the new models are incredible! I bought the whirlpool units with steam, and my husband and I just sat on chairs and watched the clothes go around. It uses very little soap and water, and the clothes are almost dry when they come out of the washer. I never thought I'd be so excited over a washer - go figure!
Haven't gotten excited about American Idol yet. I'm still waiting for Friday Night Lights to come back on. Otherwise, TV is boring right now.
On another note, there is a cool event coming up at the Botanical Gardens, and I'm your host!
Sue's Blog
2/7/08
What a crazy winter this has been! Wow! I'm not going to complain, I'll take the warmer weather - even if I don't get to ski. There's plenty of other things to do in Ellicottville...Madigans....Balloons....you get my drift.
I'm off the next couple of days. I'm having a minor outpatient procedure. I'm actually looking forward to sleeping in and afternoon naps! Hoping to feel better by Friday night for MY BIRTHDAY! 29 again. My husband is taking me to Tempo in downtown Buffalo - can't wait! Then if I'm up to it, I'm gonna play with my seed-starting project, get it up and growing, and just chill. Sounds like a perfect birthday weekend to me.
I got a cute recipe from Quick and Simple magazine I'm gonna make for Valentine's Day:
http://www.quickandsimple.com/recipe.php?id=460&menu=2
Not sure of the game plan yet for Valentine's Day itself....probably a great steak dinner for my favorite Valentine, my husband Mike!
-- I can't stay away from TMZ.com!
-- Starting to think I have a hand bag addiction
-- I have not given up on the Sabres
Sue's Blog
1/29/08
I'm back from Vegas - no, I didn't win....I did, however, shop! They had crazy sales at stores like Coach, Cole Haan, and Ted Baker - all favorites of mine! At least when you shop in Vegas you have something to show for it (vs. gambling)! So now it's back to work - housework - you know, the fun stuff.
I will be starting my tomato plants from seed in the next week or so - yes, I am a nerd - but I like to see something growing this time of year. I have a couple of new kinds I've never grown before, they're called "Tumbling Tom," yellow and red, and you're supposed to grow them in hanging baskets. Cool, huh? Well maybe not, but it gives me something to do!
-- I haven't skiied once this year! Everytime I have a free day, we have a major snow melt - not that I'm wishing bad weather on us - but I would like to ski at least a couple of times.
-- Discovered wrinkle cream - who knew you could get rid of puffiness and fine lines by using cream! Sign me up - you'd have to sell an ovary to afford it, but I've got priorities, you know...My favorite is "Freeze" - you have to get it online, far as I know - but WOW it works...at least, I've convinced myself it does...
--Favorite new artist is Idina Mensel, star of "Wicked" and "Rent." She sounds great!
--I am addicted to "Friday Night Lights." Poor Riggins, otherwise known as Taylor Kitsch, can't get a break. Great show!
Sue's Blog
1/8/08
So all the hoopla of the holidays are over! Now it's time to settle in for our long winter hibernation. I use this time to do my spring cleaning. I know that sounds strange, bit think about it: what else do you have to do? It's better to be holed up in a clean house! And last, when it starts to get nice outside, I am NOT going to be stuck inside cleaning!
The other thing that gets underway is seed-starting. I order seeds from catalogs and start my own tomato plants indoors under grow lights - see, told you I was a nerd! I like to have something growing in the dead of winter, and I like that I can grow varieties you can't buy around here as plants. I'm going to try "Tumbling Tom." You can grow them in hanging baskets or pots, they are yellow and/or red cherry tomatoes. Yum!
Other Random Notes
-- I got audited by the IRS!! But I have to say - they were very fair, and not at all what I thought. They explained and taught and changed my opinion - completely.
-- Took my two cats to the vet. One got "way to go," and the other got "this weight has got to go!" Otherwise, Bailey and Earl are good to go!
Sue's Blog
12/26/07
New Year, huh? Let's do it! What resolution will I make this year? The same one I make every year - to be more patient. Yup, every year. Pathetic, huh? Well, at least I'm giving it a shot. I'll have dinner at my favorite restaurant in the world - San Marco - and head to my friends - Frank and Tonya's house- for a midnight toast.
Overall I had a good '07. I have an incredible job, my husband is the best guy in the world, my son brought his grades up and emptied the cat pan...most of the time.....my friend Kim weathered a rough year in her personal life, and persevered. We are all healthy and I really can't see how '08 can top it! So I guess I'll hope for something bigger, like no more pain and suffering for animals (that really makes me mad.) Better treatment for our senior citizens, who can't seem to afford their medication, and last but certainly not least - bring our boys home from Iraq safe and sound!
Happy New Year to you and yours, from me and mine!
Sue O'Neil
Sue's Blog
12/20/07
So we are coming up quickly on Christmas....my house is decorated, shopping is done, gifts are wrapped and cards are sent. Now I'm exhausted! It got me thinking: who are those people wh look forward to the fun and relaxation of Christmas? It's really not the adults, it's the kids! No school, presents to open, and hanging with family and friends.....and that's really how it should be....before they take on all the responsibilities of adulthood - you know, decorating, buying, wrapping, etc. etc. etc. I think I'm looking forward to that day, but not too much. I think I'll just try to see Christmas through my son's eyes, and remember how it felt when I had no responsibility. That's a pretty good gift, if you ask me.
Enjoy your holidays, and enjoy your friends and family!
Merry Christmas, from Sue O'Neil
Sue's Blog
12/10/07
Whew! What a weekend! I made my debut with the BPO Holiday Pops show and had WAY too much fun! A lot more work than I thought - trust me, actresses earn their money! The BPO chorus and orchestra blew me away! The sheer amount of talent on one stage - wow! Thanks to everyone who attended.
I was proud to be a part of our annual SPCA Radiothon. As of Saturday, over $211,000 raised and over 140 adoptions! No, I didn't bring home another cat - though I really wanted to. Western New Yorkers really gave from the heart and the pocket. Thanks!
On a sad note, Saturday afternoon a newfoundland mix dog was brought in - someone had SHOT IT! I literally cried - the poor dog was scared and in shock....well that dog lost its struggle and passed, thanks to some ass who doesn't deserve to be here among us civilized humans. If it was a hunting accident, you're a bad shot and you shouldn't be hunting. It it wasn't....well, you'll answer for it eventually. Thank you to the SPCA who made that dog's last moments bearable and surrounded by love. Thank God for the SPCA! You guys are the best.
Random Thoughts/Notes:
- Buffalo joins New York City, Miami, and Seattle as one of the top 10 most expensive places to buy gas in the U.S.
- Thank you, God, for Amazon.com!
- And my favorite new wine name is Menage A Trois. Hysterical, huh?
Sue's Very First Blog
12/8/07
I am writing this blog on a break during our annual SPCA Radiothon...I really can't think of anything that moves me more than animals. Except my nails. (Just kidding). Seriously, I love this organization and all it does - from saving abused animals to visiting seniors in nursing homes - amazing!
This weekend I will be narrating the annual BPO Holiday Pops concerts. Me talking....ok, me talking AND dancing? This ought to be a hoot!
I'm just about done Christmas shopping - two gifts left to buy and of course the most difficult two to buy for on my list!
Random Thoughts:
-- Johnny Rzeznik turned 42 this week. Hot!
-- My favorite Christmas song, not even a "Christmas" song, really, is Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion "The Prayer."
-- The person I admire most in the world is my Mom
-- I love pretzels |
