#4

This weekend was my dog Mickey's 4th Birthday. I know, I know - dog birthdays are ridiculous. But he's my little dog and I did throw him a ridiculous party. He had his own cake, 1/4 of a plain McDonald's hamburger, and some presents from the family. His dog friend in Florida also sent him a package with a card and several very small squeaky toys and a tug-o-war football. Mickey loves small toys because he can get them in his little mouth and run around the house.

He also had a birthday bath because he had some Christmas food remnants in his beard. It was a nice day all in all. Better than a lot of human birthdays actually.

Making Concessions

Since I'm unemployed right now, I need to make some financial cutbacks. However, there's some middle ground to be found. For example, I have more time now and I LOVE to go to the movies! Recently I've seen Four Christmases, Marley & Me and The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons.

I save $ by going to the early show -- it's only 6 bucks! And, I bring my own snacks. (See photo below.) A nice little Ziplock baggie of cheese corn and a Coke smuggled into the movies in a big winter coat or a purse with some of the contents emptied out ahead of time = less than $2. I use the theater's straws and napkins.

As a courtesy to other movie-goers, you need to a) open your Coke during the really loud previews and b) remove your snacks from a bag that can make irritable rustling noises and place it into a less crinkley bag.

I call this: Making Concessions.

Winter in MN ...

Sucks.

Hearts

These hearts were accidentally made by a car that pulled into a space and then backed out. A neat surprise outside my bedroom window this AM.

It's Christmas ... and that's OK

It's the Christmas season and that means BUTTONS! Time for me to relaunch my little side business of selling buttons that tell people it's OK to say Christmas in this PC World of ours. This year I have more time to dedicate to this little venture, so it should be a good season. If you haven't yet read about this project, visit my site at http://www.oktosaychristmastome.com .

I heart LA

Here are some pics from my trip to LA. Please create your own captions.

Had a blast at the State Fair!

We went to the fair again on opening day, just like always. This year my food-consumed list included:

• Pork chop on a stick
• Fudge Puppy (waffle on a stick with chocolate and whipped cream on it)
• Sweet Martha's Cookies (freshly baked choc chip cookies)
• Cheese on a Stick (corndog shaped kind)
• Fried Pickles
• Cheese Curds
• 3 Beers
• Lemonade (fresh squeezed!)
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Fried Corn Bread

While at the fair, my MOM got interviewed by the local FOX affiliate and she wound up on the news. She's now known as her 0n-screen graphic: ELAINE KANFLA - LOVES PIGS.

Here are some other pics from my trip to the 2008 Minnesota State Fair:

The main entrance.

I didn't buy this hat, and I'm glad I didn't.

I didn't buy this hat, but I should've.

Topiary gorillas & me.The biggest pig (and me -- I'm the one in the yellow shirt).

As of this morning

I am no longer employed by the company where I worked for over 13 years. This is the start of the next chapter in my life. I'm excited.

My New Bed

Here's my new bed and temporary bedding. I went with the white theme as you can see. I got the whole show ... mattress, head/foot board, pillows and an on-sale comforter. So far she sleeps pretty well!

I met Ernest Hemmingway

He was in Key West. He told me of a time he was arrested for burgulary and molestation. Molestation of a palm tree. You see, he burgularized a house (years ago) and when a neighbor noticed him in the house he slid down a palm tree that was just outside an upstairs window. The police came and arrested him. Upon their arrival, they noticed he slid down the palm and some of the branches got torn off. Hence the Molestation of a Palm Tree charges. Totally unfair.

I like the sunset behind us.

I also went on a biplane tour of Key West. Here's a pic and a movie:

I saw a ton of cool stuff, but most importantly, I finally made the voyage to the birthplace of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. I've always wanted to have my picture taken by the Southernmost Point marker ... so I did. Twice.