avablog

…that CNN is trying to run The Onion out of business. Kimberlee Norbury wore a “saloon girl” dress for her cousin’s theme wedding

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On the way to Madison, we were playing some classic 80s hits–from a “Best of the 80s British Gold” album that Mark has on his iPod. When Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” came on, Ava sat very still, listening–eyes wide, mouth parted. It was as though she’d had a revelation. And after that, the […]

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549 am CDT Tue Jun 10 2008 … Flood Warning remains in effect until further notice… The Flood Warning continues for the Iowa river at Iowa City. * Until further notice. * At 5:00 am Tuesday the stage was 25.5 feet… and rising. * Major flooding is occurring and record flooding is forecast. * Flood […]

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My sister and I share many things in common–our looks, our taste in clothes, our size, etc.–but one thing we do not share is a propensity for shopping. I love it. Rachel hates it. That means that Rachel is the virtuous and frugal sister, while I am the superficial spendthrift (I’d also like to point […]

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1156 am CDT Mon Jun 09 2008 … Flood Warning remains in effect until further notice… The Flood Warning continues for the Iowa river at Iowa City. * Until further notice. * At 11:00 am Monday the stage was 25.0 feet… and steady. * Moderate flooding is occurring and record flooding is forecast. * Flood […]

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5:27 am CDT Mon Jun 09 2008 … Flood Warning remains in effect until further notice… The Flood Warning continues for the Iowa river at Iowa City. * Until further notice. * At 5:00 am Monday the stage was 24.9 feet… and rising. * Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. * Flood […]

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We braved gale-force winds to drive up to Madison today for a visit with Unc and Eesh. Those are the names Ava used for Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rachel when she was just starting to talk. We never got any rain, but whew, was it windy. It’s calmed down now, and we had a really […]

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Arthritis; back, bone, leg, or arm pain; breast pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; hot flashes; flu-like symptoms; flushing; increased sweating; indigestion; infection; joint or muscle pain; loss of appetite; nausea; night sweats; pain; sleeplessness; stomach pain; tiredness; urinary tract infection; vaginal dryness; vomiting; weakness; weight gain or loss. Well, well, well . . . […]

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UPDATE: KCRG coverage From our facilities manager just now, via e-mail: Not sure of the facts … but it has been reported a bear has been seen in the Brown Deer Golf course area. Wickham School is in lock down. Will keep you posted as information is shared. Be careful out there….

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Those wacky Brits: Miss Langton, 50, had asked a ranger where the steepest cliffs were and was told that there was a vertical drop to the west. After choosing a location she left her daughter, Olivia, 30ft away before jumping. Moments earlier Ivan Lissin, 22, who was climbing without a helmet, fell 30ft and banged […]

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…often appear in public places (pg. 13). WARNING: Link loads 2.53MB PDF (it’s worth it)!

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I spent a fair amount of time as a youte lying on the couch in my mother’s basement in front of the TV. The best times were the weekends when Ted Turner was rocking out with The Guns of Navarone or The Quiet Man or Big Jake or The Greatest Show on Earth or Sargeant […]

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I’ve been pretty dismayed by some of the interviews with Hillary supporters that’ve made it onto the evening news. I know it’s good modern journalism practice to head into the backwaters of Kentucky to interview some poor woman at a lunch counter about her uneasiness with Obama being a Muslim, and I’d probably dismiss it […]

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Which I guess is why this story makes the skin on my back wrinkle up like a Shar Pei’s pelt: A man tried to kill himself with a wood chipper in Roseville Thursday afternoon. The crew of a tree repair service company was clearing trees in a public area when the man appeared and jumped […]

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Now that Mother’s Day is behind us, let’s get back to reality, shall we? My recommendation to you, guys, is to print this up, frame it, and hang it in a prominent location in your home. Preferably near your wife’s vanity. Marital Rating Scale UPDATE: 1943 Guide to Hiring Women. Thanks, Mara! UPDATE UPDATE: And […]

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*breathe* HA HA HA HA HA HA *gasp* HA HA HA

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From CNN: “Reports: Twister kills two mothers protecting kin” Kin? I take it this was after the mothers jumped up from their rocking chairs on the front porch, spit out their hay stems, and ditched their moonshine jugs in the root cellar.

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I’m trying my best to remain above the political fray this year, but I’m reading up on the process when I can and trying to stay up to speed. This tidbit really sums up my feelings about the Democratic race this election and speaks to my general apathy about the political process: “After the Reverend […]

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Our tasty stimulus “check” arrived in my account this morning by the magic of EFT. Remind me to give Ava an extra big hug this evening when I see her; she was worth another couple hundo! We’d put the money in savings, but sheesh, I may as well cash it, roll the bills up real […]

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Ava was stoked about going around to deliver May baskets to her friends in the neighborhood this evening. These were headed for Aaron and Claire. We also hopped into the car and went out to Grandpa Chuck’s; he sure was surprised to see us. G.G. and Poom Poom are coming to town this weekend to […]

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