Saving Money; Earning Money

Cubicle and I have been carpooling to work to save gas. It's great. We talk, crack jokes, listen to the radio. Our a.m. radio station has been doing quiz contests and giving away $50 gas cards. We need to get on their calling lists, becasue we've known most of the answers. Do you? Here are last week's questions, from (in my opinion) easiest to hardest. Of course, like I tell my students, they're all easy if you know the answer! No cheating by Googling the answers (even though it's turning 10).

1. What is the capitol of Australia?

2. Who is the wealthiest member of the U.S. Congress (House and Senate)?

3. 1 in 9 high school boys do this at least 3 times a week for money.

4. After the microwave, what is the number 1 most useful kitchen innovation?

5. According to a survey conducted by the Library of Congress in 1991 the Bible was the most influential book in America. What was the second?

How's Married Life?

This post is very similar to one posted by my good friend Hot Sauce over at red-delicious.org.
She wants to know the meaning of the word "good" when used to describe how you are. (Never mind the fact that the correct answer is "well.")
My conundrum is how to answer the question, "How's married life?"
To sum up my last 50 days with one word (either "good/well") seems incomplete. What do these people expect me to say? I mean, it's been 50 days. We're still in the honeymoon phase. What could possibly go wrong in the first 50 days? And if it did, would I really want to tell this questioner I'm already considering divorce? "It's horrible! I wish I'd never done it. He snores, leaves his dirty underwear all over the place and never helps with the dishes!" That would be embarrassing for both of us.
As would the truth. Do they expect me to give details of my day, or more specifically my nights? I'm not even willing to type details on this blog that only my close personal friends read (along w/ anyone else on the Internet who might accidentally find me by typing in "hot sex" in Google); I'm certainly not describing it to someone who asks me, "How's married life?"
I'm guessing they don't really want an answer at all; just like the folks who ask, "How are ya?" expecting you to say "good," and freaking out if you start crying becasue your dad just ran over your dog Joey, twice. (True story).
All they really want to hear is "Good." But I won't play their little game. Oh no. I'm preempting their question and asking them, "How's married life?" Of course my question is less fair, becasue they've been married for 20-45 years. How can they possibly sum that lifetime up into one word? But they do! Can you believe it? They've been "good" for 45 years! (Not that I really want to know either; I'm just hoping to point out the absurdity of their question. If they don't know how to answer it, maybe they'll stop answering.) Which is way better than being "so-so, or uh..fine." It makes me sad to know that on average they rate their marriage so low.
What's worse is the folks who won't answer. They put me off with a comment about being married so long it doesn't matter, or just wave their hand or roll their eyes. These are the people I almost want to talk to more so I can maybe remind them of how in love they once were, how optimisitc, how they held on to his every word. Maybe they're the ones we should be asking; the ones we should be checking on. My 50 day old marriage is going great, and I hope it will still be in 100 days and (Lord willing) 50 years.
You might think I'm naieve to think it will be, but I know the secret: hot sex!

Sarah Palin Quote

Proud of the GOP
For the first time, I feel like we deserve to win more than they deserve to lose.

By Bill Whittle

Best part:
Sarah Palin has done more than unify and electrify the base. She’s done something I would not have thought possible, were it not happening in front of my nose: Sarah Palin has stolen Barack Obama’s glamour. She’s stolen his excitement, robbed his electricity, burgled his charisma, purloined his star power, and taken his Hope and Change mantra, woven it into a cold-weather fashion accessory, and wrapped it around her neck.

(emphasis mine)

Reunited

Well, Labor Day weekend was the Towers-Walton-Alberty fishing derby. We get together every year at Big Creek, the place where my dad, his brothers and sisters grew up. This year we literally had the reunion at the creek. They rented a tent, set it up under a tree and near some cow pies, put food underneath it and a party materalized. I took my new husband to meed the black half of the family, as did my baby sister (not really a baby anymore, rather a gorgeous 23 year-old woman). Anyway, when we parked in the field, our hubbys (hubbies?) departed the truck first and started unloading. Seeing only them, my Uncle Gene approached and asked, "You boys just passing through?" He obviously thought they were lost, seeing as they're as pale as white bread there was no way they were there for the reunion. Cyrus quickly assured him he was there with "Richard Towers," figuring that was the best "safe word" to use at that point. I'd already explained to him how being related to Richard Towers would open lots of doors, not to mention keep him from getting booted off Uncle Gene's property.

Later, they put up a Spongebob Squarepants pinata for the munchkins. (Don't worry, I got in a few swings too.) While the rope was dangling over the tree, Cyrus became slightly alarmed and asked, "Is that rope for me?" It was pretty much the highlight of the event. Or maybe that was when my team won the obstacle course relay, or when I beat Cyrus in the egg race, or when we placed 1st and 2nd place consecutively in the mile "run" (in our age group).

Ok, you're right. The highlight was being together with family.

What is a Hero?

Please answer in the comments.

Click the links too!

http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/

http://www.supermansupersite.com/

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php

And catch the Smallville season premier Thursday, September 18th. 7 p.m.

http://www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville

And don't forget HEROES Mondays at 8 p.m.

http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/

ExerSIZE

My plan to lose the post wedding weight so I can fit into my pants again:

Briskly walk at least 20 minutes EVERY day.

I'll keep you posted.

Palin Power

If nothing else, her fashion sense gets my vote!

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article4659830.ece

I hope they don't cut her hair!

Alaskan bumper sticker: Our state is cold; our governor is hot!