SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED

When I returned from a great trip to Sacramento, where my daughter, two cousins and my mother and I enjoyed a long weekend I was exhausted and became sick.  Still don't know exactly what it was/is only that I had a fever, aches, headache, sore throat, fatigue, insomnia, no appetite (a sure sign I'm sick or dead), and a dry cough.  I dragged around for three or four days before I took some antibiotics stored away in our medicine cabinet thinking it might be strep throat.   After five days of drugs I began to feel better.  I began getting dressed and cleaning up and acting human again execept the sore throat and cough lingered. 

I finally made an appointment with the doctor and went in to get a strep test.  Negative.  She gave me cough medicine with codeine which helped me sleep at night.  It's been four weeks now and even though most of the symptoms have gone I still have a sore throat and cough.  Enough is enough. 

My husband is so sweet and such a good nurse.  He made me stay on the couch and brought me an assortment of eats and drinks.  He even made me homemade bisquits when I didn't feel like eating anything.  He wouldn't let me sleep in the other room when I was coughing and kept him awake all night.

Now I am on the mend (still have a sore throat and cough) but much better, but now my husband is sick.  He travels frequently from the west coast to the east coast and with his sleep deprivation and jetlag he caught something.  I don't think its what I had/have but, bless his heart, he has some kind of crud.  The problem for him is he still has to travel - every week for the next four weeks. 

I don't mean to whine, cause this is just some pain-in-the-ass illness, but it's been a month and I am ready to go full steam ahead.  He has rested this Memorial weekend trying to get ready for another trip tomorrow.  When he was in the Navy, he served 26 years.  He only called in sick - twice! 

We are both pretty healthy and don't get sick very often.  I choose to believe this will be our one time this year crud and be good to go for the rest of the year.  I am, however, impatient and am TIRED OF BEING SICK.


To all of you - take your vitamins, get enough rest, exercise, eat right and WASH YOUR HANDS.  Also if you are coming to our house bring a bottle of hand santizer and a facemask.


Take care - be well.

WSOP POKER DREAM

I know it's probably silly but my latest "hobby" poker has turned into something of an obsession.  I have literally been playing poker since I can remember.  My grandparents and parents played regularly on Friday nights when I was growing up in upstate New York.  I used to watch and wait until someone had to go to the bathroom and then was allowed to fill in.  I was no more than six years old.  I was always fasinated with it.  Throughout my childhood and adulthood we played for pennies and no one ever allowed me to win.  My dad was a particularly good poker player and taught me well.  He was also responsible for elevating my son's game, so much so that  by the time he went to college he used poker to make his spending money.   I, like most of the country,  really got excited when Chris Moneymaker won 2.5 million dollars and the bracelet at the 2003 (WSOP), World Series of Poker, Main Event after qualifying online through PokerStars in a $39 satellite.  The World Series Main Event went from 839 entrants that year to 2,576 in 2004 to 8,773 in 2006 where the winner, Jamie Gold won over 12 million dollars.  Chris Moneymaker is generally credited with starting the poker revolution which inspired an unprecedented amount of people to learn the game.  Dreams of winning the poker "lotto" inspired young and old alike.  The young used computers to see and play more hands in one year than a professional poker player played in about five years.  The learning curve was amazingly fast.

That was not, however, my learning curve.  My son began teaching me no limit Texas Hold'Em and gave me books to read.  We played at home heads-up or with a group when possible and spent time watching every poker show on television and talking strategies.  We played online, he for money, me with "play chips" just to practice.  Soon I was winning so many play chips I felt comfortable with the structure of the game.  One day my son said "mom its time for you to go to the casino and play in a real game".  I said "oh no, I'm not ready".  He said "yes you are let's go". 

I was so scared that I would do something stupid but found after watching a few hands and folding that I was ready.  I won $50.  I was hooked and haven't looked back.  After conquering the fear of sitting at a table and playing against strangers, my son said "let's go play a tournament" .  It was only $16 to enter and again fate struck and I made the final table beating out about 100+ people and was paid $125.00.  Of course now I thought I was indestructible. 

Think again, the saying goes "Texas Hold'Em takes 10 minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. "   Anyone who plays semi-seriously will tell you that the saying is very true.  It is also one of the most cruel and rewarding games you can play.  It will elevate your blood pressure and make you crazy in ways you never thought was possible.  It teaches you patience, humility, and that there are no friends in poker.  You also have to learn how to manage your bankroll and know what levels to play.

I am a good average amateur player who aspires to continue to move up.  I am having success playing tournament poker and feel comfortable playing with anyone, even professionals.  Just over this last month I have played four tournaments and have won or cashed in each of them.  That's a pretty good record.  I am currently "practicing" for my big upcoming event at the World Series of Poker (Ladies Only Event) which I have played in for the last four years. 

June 11th, noon, my event begins at the Harrahs Rio Casino in Las Vegas.  I have not made the money on previous attempts but am hopeful this is my year.  There will be approximately 1200 entrants and you have to be focused, play good and have a lot of luck. 

My husband, who doesn't play, is my biggest cheerleader and best support.  He stands on the rail and watches for hours pumping his fist and encouraging me for hours on end.  He pays my way in every year for my Christmas gift and gives me extra spending money.  How did I get so lucky?  My son, who has been there when he can, is my coach.  If he is not there, he stands by to take my calls during breaks to give me strategy and encouragement. 

Whatever way it goes this year, I am ready to go, do my best, and have the time of my life.  Never thought at this age I would feel the sense of competition I felt when I was an athlete in high school, some 40 years ago.  My blood is pumping, my mind is working, and I am anticipating great things. 

Keep me in your thoughts.  I will let you know how it goes. 

BETTY WHITE HOT

Just when you were getting tired of the same old 20 somethings flaunting, flirting, fighting, fornicating, and forcing me to gag, in rides Betty White.  This 88 year old television and movie actor/comedienne has been around the block a few times.  She began her career in television when she starred in her own comedy show in 1952 -1955 called "Life With Elizabeth".  She was co-producer on this show and won her first Emmy for it.  Throughout the 1950-60s she starred in more sitcoms, commercials and then she began a game show journey.  She was dubbed "The First Lady of Game Shows" exhibiting her playing prowess and bubbly personality with each show.  She began playing "Password" in 1961-1975.  She fell in love with the host Allen Ludden and married him in 1963.  They met previously on Jack Parr's Tonight show where they were both guests.  He proposed twice before she married him.  They were together until he passed away in 1981.  They never had any children.  

An active animal rights activist and spokeswoman, she devotes a large part of her life to donating, rescuing, getting legislation passed, building shelters and supporting all forms animal rights issues.  She has been a member of the board of directors for the Los Angeles Zoo since 1974 and served as their commissioner for eight years. 

In the 1970s after a guest appearance on the "Mary Tyler Moore" as Sue Ann Nivens - The Happy Homemaker (femme fatal) she was so popular it earned her a job as a regular cast member and subsequently two Emmy wins.  The show ended in 1977.  Betty stayed busy with many other sitcoms and television appearances until she landed the golden role as Rose Nyland in the "Golden Girls" in 1985.  The show ran through 1992 and she won one Emmy and was nominated every year.  Once the show ended she guest starred on numerous shows without much fanfare until her stint on "Boston Legal" in a reoccurring role as Catherine Piper, gossip, blackmailing murderess secretary.  This role displayed her comedic talent in the bizzaro Boston Legal office where she more than held her own with the likes of William Shatner. 

In 2009 she made her presence known in the blockbuster movie "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock.  Her portrayal of Ryan Reynolds grandmother was a comedic clinic.  The two scene stealers where she fits Sandra in her wedding gown and where she fakes a heart attack are classic.

So it should come as no surprise when this past Saturday SNL enjoyed its biggest ratings since John McCain paired with host Ben Affleck and Tina Fey was doing Sarah Palin in 2008.  Her hosting came through a ground swell campaign through Facebook when the public demanded that Betty White be given the hosting honors.  She not only was hired but blew the roof off the place.  She showed not only can she get down with the young comediennes but also raise the bar on sketch comedy with her brilliance.  The "Big" girls turned out for her (Tina Fey, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, Anna Gasteyer, etc.) to help honor her place on their court.   Mother's Day eve was the perfect time for her appearance. 

Her opening monologue was done entirely by her, a honor reserved only for those that can handle the pressure.  Her skits were classic going between yesteryear -Lawrence Welk, to the Scared Straight jailhouse mama, scaring the homeboys with her "grandson"  Kenan Thompson.  Her NPR skit "The Muffin Lady" a takeoff  of the classic Alec Baldwin "Schweaty Balls" was funny on its own merits but also because of the content vs. her age.  No one knows how to do that better.  Funny stuff all. 

Betty White's enduring popularity proves that with talent, experience, and hard work you can have a wonderful career in a fickle profession where most people last 15 minutes.

Throw in her Snickers commercial and you got one WHITE HOT BETTY.

BEING NEILSON

For those of you who don't know what being a Nielson Family is let me explain.  They are the Big Brother of your television watching experience.  They extract watching information from a select percentage of people and compile statistics as to what we are watching.

I always thought it was such a mystery.  I never knew anyone who was a Nielson family, then lo and behold, I received an invitation in the mail.  I had visions of getting paid handsomly for watching tv.  So I filled out the application and about a month later they sent me an invitation.  I was very excited with the prospects of earning money while sitting on my butt watching tv. 

So we all know the addage right?  If it seems too good to be true...

Well my packet arrived in the mail last week to be used from May 6-13th.  I thought they would put some sort of device on my tv and track what I watch.  Not so easy.  Since we have five televisions, I received five packets.  For each television you have to manually write in what you are watching, who is watching with you, the time, channel, date (in case you are watching something you DVR).  You have to fill out separate things for things your DVR.  You have to fill in all the stations on your televsion and personal information in each packet.  Jeez.

You must do all of this for each television you are watching.  Here's the best part - my dreams of getting rich while watching television - $3.00 in crisp new one dollar bills.

...it probably is.