March 30, 2008

Weekend Update!

A great picture of my grandma at the Arboretum a couple of weeks ago. It has been a while since I posted pictures of granny, so enjoy!

Not sure what even happend to yesterday! :(
Monica and I went to our art class yesterday and we painted streets of Paris, not one of my favorite paintings. It is suppose to be a wet street with reflections but it looks like by the time Monica and I got done, our paintings looked more like "flooded" Paris. Go Figure!

After my little nap, Dave and I took off to Brookshires for some groceries, then to Sam's Club then to WalMart. What a long trip that was. We came home around 9 and sealed the day with a giant steak that Dave kindly made for me.

Texas Ranger got de-clawed on Thursday, we brought him home Friday night and he seems to be doing well. We have to take him back on Monday because he had excessive bleeding in both paws (which is extremely rare and unusual). They gave him stitches in his paws which they will try to remove on Monday. We'll keep you updated. Walker is my next little project. I did not do them at the same time b/c I did not want 2 sick cats walking around the house. But TR is in a good mood, very playful and on Friday, for the first time, he tried to sharpen his front claws with a pathetic, no success look on his face. Poor cat finally realized he is missing a few claws. :(

Dave took today off and we are heading to Baby's 1st B-Day party. It is at my sisters house & Dave and I are bringing some food. We made meat balls, sandwich station with a variety of sliced cheeses and drinks. My mom is making very delicious cookies and my sister should have a fruit plate. That should do it. I will post some pics laters.


Love you all,
Olga & Dave

March 26, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SASHA!



Glitter Graphics & Comments


A HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOES OUT TO MY LITTLE NEPHEW SASHA!
HE TURNED 1 YEAR OLD TODAY! THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY TODAY AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON SUNDAY TO OFFICIALLY CELEBRATE YOUR BDAY!

WE LOVE YOU,
DAVID & OLGA

March 25, 2008

I guess we are all related after all!

Obama related to Pitt, Clinton to Jolie

02:44 PM CDT on Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Associated Press

BOSTON - This could make for one odd family reunion: Barack Obama is a distant cousin of actor Brad Pitt, and Hillary Rodham Clinton is related to Pitt's girlfriend, Angelina Jolie.

Researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society found some remarkable family connections for the three presidential candidates - Democratic rivals Obama and Clinton, and Republican

John McCain.

Clinton, who is of French-Canadian descent on her mother's side, is also a distant cousin of singers Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette. Obama, the son of a white woman from Kansas and a black man from Kenya, can call six U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush, his cousins. McCain is a sixth cousin of first lady Laura Bush.

Genealogist Christopher Child said that while the candidates often focus on pointing out differences between them, their ancestry shows they are more alike than they think.

"It shows that lots of different people can be related, people you wouldn't necessarily expect," Child said.

Obama has a prolific presidential lineage that features Democrats and Republicans. His distant cousins include President George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison. Other Obama cousins include Vice President Dick Cheney, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

"His kinships are across the political spectrum," Child said.

Child has spent the last three years tracing the candidates' genealogy, along with senior research scholar Gary Boyd Roberts, author of the 1989 book, "Ancestors of American Presidents."

Clinton's distant cousins include beatnik author Jack Kerouac and Camilla Parker-Bowles, wife of Prince Charles of England.

McCain's ancestry was more difficult to trace because records on his relatives were not as complete as records for the families of Obama and Clinton, Child said.

Obama and President Bush are 10th cousins, once removed, linked by Samuel Hinkley of Cape Cod, who died in 1662.

Pitt and Obama are ninth cousins, linked by Edwin Hickman, who died in Virginia in 1769. Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, declined to comment on the senator's ancestry.

Clinton and Jolie are ninth cousins, twice removed, both related to Jean Cusson who died in St. Sulpice, Quebec, in 1718.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845, is the oldest and largest nonprofit genealogical organization in the country.

March 23, 2008

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter to all! I hope everyone has a good day and remember what this day is all about.
Love you all,
Olga & Dave

March 20, 2008

Do we have nothing else to argue about?

Legal battle rages over whether ankles exist

10:53 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Associated Press

AUSTIN - For every foot, there's an ankle. Or not.

In Texas, that all depends on a legal battle between medical doctors and podiatrists, who both claim the ankle as their turf. The debate has raged to the point that the two sides disagree in court on whether the ankle actually exists.

A state appeals court recently sided with medical doctors when it determined that the state board that licenses podiatrists exceeded its authority in defining the ankle as part of the foot.

"You don't have an ankle," said Mark Hanna, a lawyer for the Texas Podiatric Medical Association. "The foot actually includes the ankle. If you took the foot off the leg, there is nothing lying there that's the ankle."

Not so, said Dr. David Teuscher, an orthopedic surgeon in Beaumont who said treating the ankle is complicated enough to require medical school training.

"If they say the ankle doesn't exist, why do they want to operate on it?" asked Teuscher, immediate past president of the Texas Orthopaedic Association. "Everyone knows what an ankle is."

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners bypassed the Legislature to create its ankle-is-part-of-the-foot definition in 2001. Podiatrists say they've been treating ankles for decades and accuse medical doctors of trying to limit competition. The Texas Medical Association argues podiatrists should stick to corns, calluses and diabetic foot care.

The physicians group interprets last Friday's ruling as saying the ankle and foot are separate. The podiatrists group says the ruling doesn't go that far and plans to appeal. About 900 podiatrists await the outcome.

"If people wish to practice medicine, they should attend and complete medical school," said the Texas Medical Association's president, Dr. William Hinchey. The ruling "protects Texas patients," he said.

Orthopedists must complete four years of medical school, plus a one-year internship and a four-year residency. Podiatrists must complete four years of podiatry school and an internship of at least one year, though some have more extensive training.

San Antonio podiatrist Thomas Zgonis completed four years of training after podiatry school and specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

"I have saved all these diabetic patients' feet" from being amputated, he said. "All of a sudden you wake up one day and you question this?"

Zgonis said he will have to quit his practice if he has to cut off his practice at the ankle.

"It would be a disaster. These people are crazy," he said.

The debate is a traditional medical turf war, said state Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, a physician and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. He sides with the orthopedists.

"There are some (podiatrists) out there who are very good above the foot," he said, "but they've never convinced me that it was possible to have the entire profession be taught to do that."

The podiatry board decided to define the foot in 2001 because the state law that defines podiatry does not define what a foot is. The board said that caused confusion among podiatrists, insurance companies and hospitals. The board's definition included the tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone) "in their articulation with the talus and all bones to the toes."

But then-Texas Attorney General John Cornyn rejected that, writing in a formal opinion that it "unreasonably extends the practice of podiatry to include treatment of the tibia and fibula, parts of the body that are not located in the foot."

A judge in Travis County disagreed, siding with the podiatrists. Last week's ruling by the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals overturned that decision.

Do we have nothing else to argue about?

Legal battle rages over whether ankles exist

10:53 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Associated Press

AUSTIN - For every foot, there's an ankle. Or not.

In Texas, that all depends on a legal battle between medical doctors and podiatrists, who both claim the ankle as their turf. The debate has raged to the point that the two sides disagree in court on whether the ankle actually exists.

A state appeals court recently sided with medical doctors when it determined that the state board that licenses podiatrists exceeded its authority in defining the ankle as part of the foot.

"You don't have an ankle," said Mark Hanna, a lawyer for the Texas Podiatric Medical Association. "The foot actually includes the ankle. If you took the foot off the leg, there is nothing lying there that's the ankle."

Not so, said Dr. David Teuscher, an orthopedic surgeon in Beaumont who said treating the ankle is complicated enough to require medical school training.

"If they say the ankle doesn't exist, why do they want to operate on it?" asked Teuscher, immediate past president of the Texas Orthopaedic Association. "Everyone knows what an ankle is."

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners bypassed the Legislature to create its ankle-is-part-of-the-foot definition in 2001. Podiatrists say they've been treating ankles for decades and accuse medical doctors of trying to limit competition. The Texas Medical Association argues podiatrists should stick to corns, calluses and diabetic foot care.

The physicians group interprets last Friday's ruling as saying the ankle and foot are separate. The podiatrists group says the ruling doesn't go that far and plans to appeal. About 900 podiatrists await the outcome.

"If people wish to practice medicine, they should attend and complete medical school," said the Texas Medical Association's president, Dr. William Hinchey. The ruling "protects Texas patients," he said.

Orthopedists must complete four years of medical school, plus a one-year internship and a four-year residency. Podiatrists must complete four years of podiatry school and an internship of at least one year, though some have more extensive training.

San Antonio podiatrist Thomas Zgonis completed four years of training after podiatry school and specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

"I have saved all these diabetic patients' feet" from being amputated, he said. "All of a sudden you wake up one day and you question this?"

Zgonis said he will have to quit his practice if he has to cut off his practice at the ankle.

"It would be a disaster. These people are crazy," he said.

The debate is a traditional medical turf war, said state Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, a physician and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. He sides with the orthopedists.

"There are some (podiatrists) out there who are very good above the foot," he said, "but they've never convinced me that it was possible to have the entire profession be taught to do that."

The podiatry board decided to define the foot in 2001 because the state law that defines podiatry does not define what a foot is. The board said that caused confusion among podiatrists, insurance companies and hospitals. The board's definition included the tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone) "in their articulation with the talus and all bones to the toes."

But then-Texas Attorney General John Cornyn rejected that, writing in a formal opinion that it "unreasonably extends the practice of podiatry to include treatment of the tibia and fibula, parts of the body that are not located in the foot."

A judge in Travis County disagreed, siding with the podiatrists. Last week's ruling by the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals overturned that decision.

March 18, 2008

Will this rain stop?

Way too much rain has fallen in the last two days. Many of the FM roads and bridges have been closed in our county b/c the wateris too high or the water has come and covered the bridges. Fortunately it did not affect my drive to or from work.

All is well in the Foster household. David was kind enough to make me dinner before he went to his side job at Victory Park. He made me mashed potatoes and meatballs, very yummy.

I am picking up some slack around house tonight. I am working on laundry and ironing. Some of the rooms need to be mopped so I am fixing to go and work my life away. here are a few pictures from the Arboretum from 2 weeks ago. Enjoy. I love the picture of my sister b/c it looks like her head is growing out of the bush. Funny!




March 17, 2008

Arboretum





Had an amazing weekend. Got to relax with my family on Friday night.
Pretty much did nothing on Sat except for a few household chores. I was
going to plant flowers on Sat but it was a bit too windy. Sat night
David and I went to the movies and saw Semi-Pro, very funny.

Sunday I went to the arboretum with my sisters family and Thomas family.
Little Meghan is walking already and it is really cute when she tries to run.
Also, on Sunday we got a new addition to the Foster Household. David bought
a new TV for our bedroom, a 32 inch Polaroid with a DVD player built in. It now
resides in our armoir. It looks great!

Here are a couple of picture from this past weekend, if I get to it, I will post a few more from 1 week ago.

March 14, 2008

That is one big mouth!

Face Lift


So, a new $5 bill went into circulation yesterday. It got a bit of face lift and a bit of color.

To the naked eye, the most notable difference is color -- splashes of light purple at the center of the bill that blend into gray near the edges.

This is what it will look like

March 13, 2008

Planning!

Ha! For those of you who know me, know that I am a 'planning' freak. My life is run by a schedule and sadly, I prefer it that way.
Tonight we started to plan our Las Vegas Vacation. We have narrowed down a few things but the only one which stands certain is the Hoover Dam Trip (all day). Obviously we'll be doing all the regular stuff....ghandala rides, fountains, indoor roller coaster, wax museum. Dave is thinking about doing a guided fishing trip on Lake Meade while I am working. So....plans are coming along well, and I have allowed myself 1 month to get all details in a row and print out my personal itenerary.

Not much is happening at the Foster household. I have been in 3 day training which was not only very benefecial to my learning of NEC product lines but also to meet new people who came down for this training from all over the country...Our las colinas office is our American HeadQuarters office.

I will begin to carpool 4 days a week with my friend Kristina...Which will help with gas and sanity....:)

That is all,
To all a good night, I am pooped!

Olga

March 10, 2008

Dramatic Lemur!

I got a real kick out of this, check it out. Make sure your volume is up.

Dramatic Lemur

Add to My Profile | More Videos

An Overdue Update!

It was a great weekend! Busy, but great!
Friday, Stanley came over to help David with the electrical plug for the freezer….Although I did not get to see him,
David did.
Saturday I spent a lot of time cleaning the house, laundry, ironing and many other productive things that had to be done
Whether I like to do them or not. I did get to relax Sat night when I watch Pride & Prejudice twice. I have never seen this movie
So when it came on back to back on TBS, I took advantage of it. Dave worked a side job at Victory park….I think the Mavs were playing.

Sunday we went to my sister’s house to visit them and grandma. We grabbed lunch at Wendy’s and took off to the Dallas Arboretum.
It has been a long time since I’ve been there…I mean super long time. Last time I remember going was when I was 12 or 13 and the Hardy’s took me
And my family. Sadly, I am just now realizing that life has been so busy that I’ve missed out on natural beauty for 13 years? Sad.

To make up for this, I will be purchasing a season pass for myself and Dave so we can enjoy this at any time and I believe my sister will be doing the same.

Some time today, Dave will be buying his new gun from some guy in Frisco. I am sure he is thrilled…Me? Not so much, I don’t understand guns….

On a lighter note, My parents are back from the Carribbean. From what I could tell they had a great time except for a small set back of my mom getting sea sick…
I understand that, that’s for sure, I got sick when I went to Hawaii (but that was our first cruise, I am pro now, you know! )
They are coming over tonight to eat steaks that Dave will be making…Can’t wait.

There are several great pictures we took at the Arboretum that I would like to post but that will have to wait until tonight so come back and check them out.

Olga

March 07, 2008

No Ice

So, no adventures….I bailed work at 2pm yesterday because Las Colinas was getting nasty. It was raining ice and snowing all at the same time.
I got home and continued to work….then I was having VPN connection problems so that took like 2 hrs to fix. After going back and forth with the
IT dept (which was awesome) I got it fixed and I was up and running. Dave however, was working a part time at Victory Park and had to leave the
House and drive into the nasty weather while I was at home getting toasty. He got there OK and got back home OK.

This morning I worked from home until 9 and then went to work for 10:30…No ice, no traffic, no wet roads….no adventures and that is how I like it.

Tonight is a big night! Our friends are roasting an entire pig. That will be fun to see and eat! So it is party time for us!

March 06, 2008

Carpool

So, being the resourceful person that I am, I have organized a carpool for work leaving from Forney.
Today was the first time we did it, it was a lot of fun and time went by a whole lot faster than it usually
Does, not to mention I am being a lot more environmentally friendly. So wish me luck!

I hope everyone has a great day today!

March 05, 2008

New Virus....Please Read!

There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally,
and by hand.

This virus is called Weary-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you
receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via
any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life
completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK, put your jacket on and take
two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote
known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or
Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote
repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

Did you vote?

Work has been keeping me busy, there are many projects going around and many people out on vacation so trying to keep up has been a job of its own.
Last night Dave and I went and voted in the primaries. City of Forney (at least our precinct) really had it pulled together, there were no lines, nice people, easy voting. Dave went the paper route and I did the electronic route. He was stubborn, he insisted on bubbling in his answers. BTW I got home at 8, there was not an ounce of energy in my body, I pretty much had dumb stares the rest of the night so I called it a night and did everybody a favor and went to bed.

Well that is all, I am going to work. Need to be there really early today.. :)
Hope everyone has a great day!