My computer “died” again yesterday afternoon.
Took it in and got it back today.
It was the modem
Again.
Let’s see…
I bought it new in May
and it has been in for repair…
5 or 6 times.
Thank goodness for warranties.
Totally Non-cancer Related Category
Monday, January 11th, 2010
BOARDGAMING: Jan 10 2010
I have talked previously about playing boardgames with my friends. It lets me “get away” to better times and forget – for a few moments – what I am going through.
I spent yesterday afternoon and evening doing just that – boardgaming. It was the monthly gathering at Cafe Express in the Champions (North Houston) area, and I had a really nice time. Plus I got my couple glasses of wine 
The first “Official” event of 2010! WOW – 2010 already!! Welcoming in the New Year the “Right” way – boardgames and Good People!
ATTENDEES
* Denise D – HOSTING
* Barbara
* Crystal & Len
* Jhonna & Robert and son, Sean (10yrs), and nephews, Jake (9yrs) and Travis (13yrs)
* Judi
* Root & Lynn – NEWLYWEDS!!
* Lynnell
* Mike & Donna
* Ruthanne & Doug (guest)
* Susan & Wes
Congratulations to Root & Lynn on their newly married status – We are So Happy for y’all!!
GAMES PLAYED
* Acquire
* Brass (x2)
* Bohnanza
* Cloud 9 (x2)
* Clue: The Great Museum Caper (x2)
* Laser Battle (x11)
* Monthly Python Fluxx
* Ricochet Robots
* Ticket to Ride (x3)
* Tutankhamen
* Worm Up! (x3)
There are so many really cool boardgames published days. Wanna see what’s out there?
Check out BoardGameGeek – it’s an Awesome site!!
Tags: board game, BoardGameGeek, boardgames
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Christmas Party – Burzynski Clinic
This afternoon was the Christmas Party at The Burzynski Clinic, and I was invited.
I was expecting a simple, informal affair.
I was surprised.
Pleasantly surprised.
And glad that I didn’t bring a plate of cookies like I had planned!
It was held in the Clinic’s new conference room. There (seemed to be) about 20 large circular tables with 8 (or 9?) people per table. Nice small, festive centerpieces on each table.
Dr. Burzynski made a nice speech about the Clinic and its repair from the Hurricane damages, and the new medical and clinical services offered. Then a priest lead a devotional prayer. There were also short speeches made by several other Clinic staff. It was nice – very heartfelt, but not too long.
I saw a lot of staff, some patients that I had met previously and lots of people who I had no idea if were staff, family or patients or guests. But there were a Lot of everyone!
I ran into Dr. Deleon outside of the room, so she brought me to a table of some of her new patients. I got to meet some nice people and we shared our stories… Carol (metastatic colon cancer) and her Hubby; Christina (metastatic colon cancer) and her Hubby, Walt; Delilah and her adult son (brain cancer). All were from out of town, I hope to hear from them on their progress!
I was late, so the appetizers had already been served to each table – a basket of sliced bread, a plate of rolled meats with cheese slivers and grape tomatoes. Also a plate of pickled herring (?) with a sweetened onion relish. It was quite good.
Then they cleared the plates and brought around bottles of champagne.
Oh Yum 
And opened the buffet line, which was held in a very narrow side room. That part was not well thought out, as we had to enter and exit through the same door and, as mentioned, the room was fairly narrow.
The food on the buffet line was delicious… There was a Spring Mix salad, green bean casserole, rice with cranberries and pine nuts, baked salmon with a Hollandaise sauce, roast beef with cream gravy, mashed potatoes, uzska (small Polish-style perogies stuffed with a mushroom mixture; uzska which means “little ear” or similar), roasted beef carver with green herb sauce.
For dessert there was Makowiec (Poppy Seed Roll cake) and Pączki (a closed donut filled with cranberry marmalade), and coffee and assorted teas.
It was all really Very good!
All in all, a very nice event.
Tags: Christmas 2009, party
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
BOARDGAMING: December 2009 Party
It was a really nice Party. Was Great to spend time with my Friends and forget about my battle for a little bit.
“Gamesters” is the social-based boardgaming group that my Best Friend, Carol, and I started back in 2002 – as a response to the male-oriented gaming groups available at that time. Since then, boardgaming groups have become more common, and there are more options for the Ladies, Couples and Families. However, We Were the First In Houston to address those special needs! We have also held a monthly gaming event – a themed party with boardgaming. Some past themes include BBQ, Pizza Night, Mediterranean Night (complete with togas!), Foods You Love (for Valentine’s), Scary Foods (for Halloween, along with costumes!), Hawaiian Luau (Island Foods and Hawaiian garb), Mexican, Italian, Chinese… I could go on and on! The party theme is the choice of the Host, who supplies the main dish, and attendees bring complementing dishes. We have had some very fun themes picked over the years!
The December Party is our traditional Christmas / Holiday Party. It is (traditionally) held by Carol and Family. (Traditionally) the menu is “Breakfast for Dinner”, which means a menu of Breakfast items, and the requested attire is (traditionally) Family-Friendly PJs. I kinda followed my Halloween costume design, but instead of being a Deviled Egg, my outfit was the Spirit of Christmas Present. Yep, still trying to find that Spirit in me this year, and if I can’t find it naturally I am putting it on anyway.
Spirit of Christmas Present 2009
GAMESTERS DECEMBER 2009 PARTY – Recap
* Saturday Dec 12, 2009
* 6:00pm – 1:00am+
* Hosted by Carol & Mike @ Missouri City (S Houston)
* Theme “Breakfast for Dinner Theme”; Menu of Breakfast Foods
The December 2009 Party was Hosted by Carol & Mike at their home in Missouri City (S Houston). Carol got to show off the house’s new floor and interior paint job – Looked good! Carol & Mike throw a Good party and we sure appreciate them opening their home to us!
ATTENDEES
* Carol & Mike B and Zach (15yrs) (HOSTING)
* Amber & Joe H, and Brandi (15yrs)
* Christy & Bill
* Crystal & Sam
* Denise D
* Donna (sans Mike, who was running a game at the MAG-Con)
* Joseph C
* Noreen & Ken
GAMES PLAYED
* Can’t Stop
* Gemlok
* Ingenious
* Mammoth Hunters
* Mancala
* Pickomino
* Power Grid
* Qwirkle Cubes
* Slamwich
* Stone Age
* Vegas Showdown
It had been awhile since I had played Vegas Showdown and I was Really Happy to get in That game cuz I do enjoy it!
ANNUAL GIFT SWAP & STEAL GAME
The Annual “Gift Swap & Steal” Game was a Lot of Fun! This year was better than last, and last year better than before, and so on! There were some Really Cool games gifted. There was a good bit of stealing going on due to the variety of cool games available. There was also the introduction of a new rule – Santa’s Bag of Coal, which allowed the Holder to steal ANY of the unwrapped or wrapped gifts at the end of the game OR to chose the “Mystery Gift” at the bottom of “Santa’s Bag”. An Interesting Twist – Par-Taaaay!
GIFT SWAP & STEAL GAMES AND WHO GOT THEM:
* Amber – Barista
* Bill – The Denbury Resources Oil Game
* Brandi – (2): Sleeping Queens; Sticheln
* Carol – Poison
* Christy – Cir*Kis
* Crystal – Gemlok
* Denise D – Zobmondo!! Would You Rather…
* Joe H – Citadels
* Joseph – Mammoth Hunters (and Santa’s Bag of Coal)
* Mike B – Beat The Experts
* Sam – Fresh Fish
* Zach – League of Pirates
MEAL – “Breakfast for Dinner”, menu of Breakfast Foods
* Sausage Egg Soufflé
* Sausage and Cheese mini quiche
* Lorraine mini quiche
* Scrambled eggs
* Sausage patties
* Pigs in the Blanket
* Grits
* Fruit Salsa and homemade cinnamon sugar tortilla chips
* Fruit Salad
* Fruit tray
* Mini cinnamon waffles w/dip
* PB&J Waffle sandwiches
* Sweet Rolls
* Croissants with Fresh Fruit jams
* Orange Juice
* Coffee with assorted flavored creamers, eggnog and half & half
* Mimosas (orange juice and champagne)
* Bottled water
Good Friends, Good Games and Good Food –a Perfect Combination for socializing and game play! The end of the evening was used to help pick up and clean up and for more socializing… I looked at the clock as we were driving away and I saw 3:15AM! Once again up late gaming! Was So Happy to share the ride home with Donna!
As always, A Lot of Fun was had by all! It was Very Good to see everyone, and we missed those who weren’t able to join us! Lookin forward to our next Monthly Party – specifics to be announced when determined.
Happy Holidays to Everyone!
GAME ON!!
Wanna see what’s out there these days for games?
Check out BoardGameGeek – it’s an Awesome site!!
Tags: board game, BoardGameGeek, boardgames, Christmas 2009, Gamesters
