Watch Rachel Ray Tonight

Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels Episode RY0202
AIR TIMES:
April 28, 2006 9:30 PM ET/PT
April 29, 2006 12:30 AM ET/PT
May 23, 2006 10:30 PM ET/PT
May 24, 2006 1:30 AM ET/PT
St. LouisRachael visits the gateway to the west to show us her top picks for St. Louis. She reveals the St. Louis original, toasted ravioli, at Cunetto House of Pasta. Then, she savors the mouthwatering fried chicken at Hodak's. After that, Rachael travels to Fitz's to watch the city's favorite root beer being bottled and, of course, enjoyed! And finally, Rachael ends her night high above the mighty Mississippi River at Top of the Riverfront, where the food is as good as the view!

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My sister-in-law Peggy and her daughters are going to be at one of the places, I assume Cunetto's.
I know we're going to record and we'll watch at the party tonight.
I haven't been to the Top of the Riverfront in YEARS...I hear they have a decent chef now.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We went to Mr B's last night for a steak sandwich. My call since I was SO exhausted for no real reason..except I didn't go to bed early enough.

Schoemehl Family

ALS Awareness Day on the MP Blog

Tis the season for the walks. Webster HS is doing the Jim Schoemehl walk and the ALS association is doing their Walk to D'Feet in Forest Park (for which I'm on the committee). If you stumble upon here and wonder, what they hey is ALS? I'm here to tell you. I will admit, this is not my writing, this is taken from www.alsa.org

Just what is ALS? Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease, first described in 1869 by the noted French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the last decade has brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the disease that provides hope for the future. Lou Gehrig first brought national and international attention to the disease in 1939 when he abruptly retired from baseball after being diagnosed with ALS. Most commonly, the disease strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. ALS has cut short the lives of other such notable and courageous individuals as Hall of Fame pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Senator Jacob Javits, actors Michael Zaslow and David Niven, creator of Sesame Street Jon Stone, boxing champion Ezzard Charles, NBA Hall of Fame basketball player George Yardley, pro football player Glenn Montgomery, golfer Jeff Julian, golf caddie Bruce Edwards, British soccer player Jimmy Johnstone, musician Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter), photographer Eddie Adams, entertainer Dennis Day, jazz musician Charles Mingus, composer Dimitri Shostakovich and U.S. Army General Maxwell Taylor.ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that usually attacks both upper and lower motor neurons and causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord. A common first symptom is a painless weakness in a hand, foot, arm or leg, which occurs in more than half of all cases. Other early symptoms include speech swallowing or walking difficulty.The biological mechanisms that cause ALS are only partially understood. The only known cause of ALS is a mutation of a specific gene: the SOD1 gene. This mutation is believed to make a defective protein that is toxic to motor nerve cells. The SOD1 mutation, however, accounts for only 1 or 2 percent of ALS cases, or 20 percent of the familial (inherited) cases.Familial ALS represents between five to 10 percent of all cases. The rest arise spontaneously and mysteriously, making seemingly random attacks on previously healthy adults. ALS can strike anyone, anytime.Physicians have limited choices for treating ALS, and the options that do exist have come into use within the last 10 years. Studies suggest that patients' length of survival and quality of life are enhanced by night-time breathing assistance early in the course of the disease and by aggressive application of alternate feeding options to assure good nutrition once swallowing becomes difficult. At this time, Riluzole® is the only drug that has been approved by the FDA for treatment of ALS. In clinical trials, Riluzole® has shown a slight benefit in modestly increasing survival time.Stem cell and gene therapy are promising areas of research. In a variety of studies, ALS mouse models are being used to develop treatments that may someday lead to similar human clinical trials. Gene therapy is one field of research where The ALS Association is concentrating support for more study.More significant advances of research into ALS has occurred in the last decade than all of the time since Charcot identified the disease. Advances in technology and the genetic revolution are aiding researchers in unlocking the ALS mystery. As more scientists focus on this perplexing disease, the outlook for new understanding brightens each day.

Facts You Should Know About ALS
The onset of ALS is insidious with muscle weakness or stiffness as early symptoms. Progression of weakness, wasting and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing and later breathing generally follows.
In most cases, mental faculties are not affected.
ALS is not contagious.
It is estimated that ALS is responsible for nearly two deaths per hundred thousand population annually. More people die every year of ALS than of Huntington's disease or multiple sclerosis and it occurs two-thirds as frequently as multiple sclerosis.
Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The incidence of ALS (two per 100,000 people) is five times higher than Huntington's disease and about equal to multiple sclerosis. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time.
Although the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, this disease is variable and many people live with quality for five years and more. More than half of all patients live more than three years after diagnosis.
About twenty percent of people with ALS live five years or more and up to ten percent will survive more than ten years and five percent will live 20 years. There are people in whom ALS has stopped progressing and a small number of people in whom the symptoms of ALS reversed.
ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries.
ALS can strike anyone.
Present treatment of ALS includes one drug, riluzole (Rilutek©) and is aimed at symptomatic relief, prevention of complications and maintenance of maximum optimal function and optimal quality of life. Most of this, in the later stages, requires substantial physical caregiving. Click here for more information on Rilutek.
In 1991 a team of ALSA-funded researchers linked familial ALS to chromosome 21. In 1993 the research team identified a defective SOD1 gene on chromosome 21 as responsible for many cases of familial ALS. Further study indicated over 60 mutations (structural defects) in the SOD (superoxide dismutase) enzyme which alters the enzyme's ability to protect against free radical damage to motor neurons. These studies open possibilities for future therapies or strategies to effectively mediate both familial and sporadic ALS. But much more research on the SOD enzyme is needed. Also, researchers have not ruled out other gene involvement (on other chromosomes) in ALS.
There can be significant costs for medical care, equipment and home health caregiving later in the disease. It is important to be knowledgeable about your health plan coverage and other programs for which your may be eligible, including SSA, Medicare, Medical and Veteran Affairs benefits.
Rilutek®, the first treatment to alter the course of ALS, was approved by the FDA in late 1995. This antiglutamate drug was shown scientifically to prolong the life of persons with ALS by at least a few months. More recent studies suggest Rilutek® slows the progress of ALS, allowing the patient more time in the higher functioning states when their function is less affected by ALS. Rilutek® is manufactured by Aventis Pharmaceuticals. There is a patient Assistance Program that helps patients who qualify to receive the drug without charge. Many private health plans cover the cost of Rilutek®. Contact your local ALSA Chapter or the National Office for the Patient Assistance Program resource and more information about access to Rilutek®.Reports from three separate patient databases described long range experience with Rilutek®. All three reports suggest a trend of increasing survival with Rilutek® over time. More studies that are double blind and controlled are needed to confirm these database observations. The trend appears to indicate that longer periods of time than those used in the Rilutek® clinical trials may be needed to see the long-term survival advantage of the drug. An interesting observation was that despite the fact that the Irish government provides Rilutek® free of charge to people in Ireland with ALS, only two-thirds of the patients registered in the Ireland national ALS database reported taking Rilutek.

September 8th, 2001 my friend was diagnosed with ALS, he passed away July 25th, 2003. The image is with his wife Alicia, daughter Bradie, mom Barb and dad Jim. This was when he first had to use a wheelchair.

Mother Nature is Confused!

We were supposed to have this awesome storm the other day, we didn't. That V effect again. BUT we have this wintery/spring weather, totally changed our beautiful Spring/Summer that we were in the middle of. I think it's something like 50 degrees outside. Brrr.

I'd like to comment that all of the guys in our office have now gone to the Cardinal Game in our company seats. GUYS... I don't see MP at a game. I'm having issues w/ this.

ALS meeting tonight for the walk/run. It's in Clayton. I ever mention I hate Clayton MO? It's a stupid little city w/ no place to park and a lot of plastic people. There, got that off my chest.

I'm sure I won't get home until close to 7pm, I'm sure I'll be starving by then, we're having pizza i think. Amazing Race and the AI results show tonight.

I have to remember to set the tivo for Friday..J will I'm sure. I have a little girl party at my friend's house. I love girl parties but I'm sure I'll need my earplugs for this one :0)

Mom and Dad want J to relandscape their front yard. That will be totally up his alley, he's going to have free reign and choose plants easy for dad to take care of. J is the king of mulch..I don't think my parents have ever seen mulch. I know I didn't I remember when I first bought my house and I was pulling weeds out in front and I said outload where the neighbors heard, "there are all kinds of wood pieces mixed in the dirt, who the heck did that". Thank goodness those neighbors moved.

Today is officially "Administrative Professionals Day (C.US)" What that means for me is free lunch from Pasta House. Yum.

And then there were six

American Idol Night.
Get home, go to grocery store, make dinner. BOOM it's on.
Tonight is The Greatest Love Songs.
To me that leaves things wide open. I'm looking forward to Katherine and Elliott, I think this is their cup of tea.

I think it really should be Kellie Pickler's week to go bye bye but I have a feeling the stupid people voting will knock out Elliot or Paris.
FYI...I had a little dream on Sunday night about Chris Daughtry. My friends were pissed that I was dating him cause he was married. Jeremy thought it was cool since it was Chris Daughtry. Nothing explicit in my dream. I was in my black pick up truck (???wtf) and lead out and he hugged me. Jeremy was in the drivers seat. Not even a kiss. Man.

Then one of my next favorite show's is on; CBS's The Unit.

Laundry...then sleep.

I am going to teach Drew how to read music. He wants to sign and I think the first step is how to read music. We have an electronic keyboard, I think he's at the perfect age to pick this up. Then if he likes it he can take real lessons. Hopefully NOT with a woman like Miss Burnum. Where in the HELL did my mother get her. I'll never forget when she broke my mom's dining room chair. I always resented those darn lessons, Monday after school. I couldn't play and was never able to join scouts. Oh well, at least I can play the piano. I never figured out why my mom didn't teach me herself. Oh well.

Lunch time is over, back to work.

Movies and Books

Oh, I forgot, I finished James Patterson (LOVE HIM)'s new non-Alex Cross novel. 5th Horseman. It was a real page tuner. I can't wait for the next one. The first one was made into a movie w/ Michael J Fox's wife Tracey Pollan?? Anyway, it was HORRIBLE. I hope they never do that again.

Also, Saturday night we saw Ice Age 2 the Big Meltdown. TOO funny!!

Keno Queen

OK, I told him $10 each and we were going home.

I lost my first $5. Took his advice and played 6 numbers. I didn't listen to him and played my numbers instead of a pattern. 1,3,11,12,66 and 67.
I am now $802.00 richer...well minus the $7 I lost trying to win..and the $5 J lost.

Bills and Pat's fried chicken, it's already gone.

15 Seconds of Fame

My sister-in-law Christine made the Dr Phil show. She was in the audience. I forgot to tell Jeremy so the show didn't get tivoed. Bummer.

We may be changing some things at work and I'm not thrilled w/ it. There may be less posts.

Where I Am From

Cousin Deb (see side link) is taking a writing class. She posts a challange that I will accept.

I am from the basement. Cool tiles under my bare legs.
Plastic surrounds me in the form of Barbie Dolls and her accesories.
I am from the backyard. Cherry Tree, zoyzia grass and swing sets.
I am from my room, piles of clothes and cozy comfort as I read my books.
Late at night I tuck my transister radio under my pillow so I can continue to listen to the Oldies.
I am from the piano bench, trying desperatly to sound like my favorite performers.
I am from inside my head, dreaming of what might have been and what might happen.

Easter Pics

Justin and Drew
Drew, Justin and Jordan

Mom and Dad and Prill's Bunny Cake

Food...God...Bunnycide

Yes, that tottaly describes my weekend. As I normally do I will start backward. Last night around 5pm we were in the back yard. Jeremy was cutting the grass. I was sitting on our new wood folding chairs, drinking some tea, reading a book and enjoying what our yard has become. The grass is green, the fountain in the pond was bubbling and the breeze was blowing. Next think I hear is a high pitch cry. It was the sound similar to that of a human, immitating the Psycho knife movement. I look at Jeremy and he looks at me, the next think I see is Rocky hopping over the fence with a bunny in his mouth. Not a baby but a medium sized rabbit. I know, I know once they are in the cats mouth their mother won't take it back but I didn't want to see, let alone hear the tourture. I chased Rocky to the back of the yard, twice he flipped the bunny in the air, let it hop a few steps then pounce again. Finally after a couple hours we got the bunny to the side to die in piece and closed Rocky in the house. Jeremy thinking on the bright side mentioned that bunny won't be eating our hosta's or tomato plant. I'm sure the neighbors with gardens are happy.

What a beautiful weekend we had, it was warm but breezy. Friday night we did some last minute shopping then headed over to Ari's. We had my favorite greek dips w/ pita bread, I found out the one I love the most is a caviar. Man that is yummy, then a shrimp pasta that was very yummy and creamy. Ari was excited for the business on a Good Friday and insisted on some freebees (wine and extra pita bread). After dinner the storms rolled in, I totally enjoyed being outside in the strong breeze watching the lightning, we had a steady rain til morning. Helped in making everything more green!

Up early Saturday morning and out to get Drew...we headed over to Prill's to meet up w/ Suzie, Chris and the boys. We went to Prill's church. They started out w/ almost an hour of praising Jesus in the form of kareoke and a magic show. I was really amazed all these kids made it! Then they had their Easter Egg hunt. TOO FUN. 5 minutes and the preschool kids all had their 15 eggs.
Chris, Jordan, Prill and Charlie headed off to the Card's game..Suzie went to lunch w/ a friend and Jeremy and I took Justin and Drew to Micky D's and back to Grandma's. Almost 2 hours of "American Idol" the boys took turns singing and J and I had to judge them, they also played Star Wars...pretend light sabors. Some things never change. We got Drew home by 2:30 and then headed home. Jeremy took a nap while I watched Sideways. It was OK, not great.
Off we went to church, we did the Easter Vigal service which was close to 2 hours. But w/ Fr Bommerito and the choir it didn't seem that long. I took mom and dad home, it was 9pm by then and I was STARVING...so off J and I went to Mr. B's. We had steak sandwiches..I was a happy girl.
Sunday morning we were up by 10 and I got my deviled eggs made. YUMMY!! I make mine w/ yellow mustard, Mircle Whip, pickle relish and horseradish, they are topped w/ paprika. That is really the only way to make them.
In attendance at Jeremy's mom's were J, me, mom, dad, Prill, Charlie, Suzie, Chris, Justin, Jordan, Aunt Fran, Uncle Ed, Jenny and Great Grandma. We had an awesome meal, played games, talked then watched a few innings of the Card's game. Phat Albert hit 3 HR in one game. That was exciting. 13 more days until J and I go!

Lisa that I USED to work with is starting here at IC today, we have a new girl, Abby starting in Accounting too. That means tomorrow if food day. We're going to have Pasta House. Yummy!

I really need to excersice. J and I both need to get in shape. J is so bummed he's up over 180. He thinks he is still 25 and should be a lean 145.. We won't even mention where my weight is. Yuck.

Off to work! :0)

Lottery update..we know of a winner

Well as Holly mentioned there are people she works with that know people. Ends up one of the young guys lives near us. Jeremy told him me that it's a guy that I've introduced him to before. One of the barfly's we used to run into. I never knew his name but when I looked at the picture I got one of those lightbulb's.

SO. Good Friday. Jeff the boss isn't hear so I'm sure we are working all day. Phone's have hardly rung at all though. Duh..holiday weekend.

We're supped to break the records today w/ the heat.
J and I are going to go to Ari's for dinner. I love the hot pita bread and humus dips. Yumm.

Then up early and off to pick up Drew for the Easter Egg Hunt.. then church with mom and dad Saturday night.

Happy Easter!

I am not a winner..

Just in case you wondered, it was not me that one the $200 million powerball here in St Louis. The winning ticket was sold off Dunn Road at a Quick Trip. That is NOT near my home or work. I highly doubt I know the winner...not my stomping grounds.

A girl can dream though. Money can't buy you happiness..but it should could by a lotta shit. New house, new car...pedicure, manicure, massage...sitting w/ my toes in the sand on a beach somewhere...just me..and J!

Spring has Sprung

It has been beautiful! 80 degrees sunny w/ a little breeze. I'm lovin it!

Although...they haven't turned on the air at work yet..it's like menopause or something..hot flashes, fans, shoes off. Today though I have on sandals and a skirt, should be better.

I think tomorrow they are talking about 90..tomorrow is Good Friday though so I'm sure we will have a little rain..around 3pm..usually does.

Sick People Alert

If you stop to read this..you can stop a minute to say extra prayers for the people that I know that need it right now.
Aunt Josie , Carol's dad Ed, Benny and Kimmy Ann the Twit in Ohio ( www.my10kidfamily.blogspot.com )

It has to suck to be in the hospital.

That's A Winner

CARDS WIN

I listened from my office and caught the last two innings at home. The hoopla of the home opener is over but in St Louis we have baseball into the Fall (knock on wood) and the hoopla never dies.

First Cardinal hit in the old stadium was Mike Shannon, the new one was Albert.

It's very strange to have a view from the stadium...very cool. I'm looking forward to my first game!

Nana

She died when I was a teen. Major memories..cool body, the woman knew how to sweat so she was always cool. Thick, thick hair. Mixture of noxema and oil of olay. Wow, really looking at her now I can see how much my mom looks like her. Now...see the pin on nana's dress? and I have one on the red velour shirt.
I loved to stay overnight and take a bath in the blue tub. Homemade biscuits. Cuddling up watching Carol Burnette show. Driving to DuQuoin w/ my head on her lap as she tickeled my ear w/ a kleenex. We shared a bed on those weekends, how nice it was to cuddle. She was a great cuddler.
Isn't Jeremy lucky to still have his grandma alive.

Moses! Quit Picking on Apple!

See, did that sound normal to you? Drew! Quit Picking on Natalie! See...that sounds like something a parent might yell at a child.

Hopefully they call the child Mo. I know, I know..it's not my place to talk..but Moses and Apple, WTF? And Gwenyth has such a pretty name.

Wedding Day

Here is mom and dad on Wedding Day.
I foget the year. I think it's 53 years now..or 52. This was taken at cousin Florence and Adele's house on Highfield.

Velour and Polyester Yeah

If I had to guess I'd say 1971. Mom still has that outfit hanging in the closet, Deb has a beautiful collar..nice "frost" too. I am the sweet little one w/ the obnoxious tree pin on. I can still see my mom pinning it on my outfit as I squirm and cry.

The girls at the office are dying that I look so much the same.

I'll bet those outfits that we have on are NOT fire resistant.

More Pictures

From left to right: Nana, Auntie, Mom..Debbie in the backgroud..mom holding Kelley..and me! Circa 1980's!

Sharp Dressed Man

The handsome devil in this picture is dad.
The young girl blowing out the candle is cousin Deb. The lady at the table is cousin Adele. The lady in the background w/ the dark hair is Adele's sister, cousin Florence and the smaller lady w/ the pretty boy around her neck is Nana. The picture was slolen from Deb's blog. Picture was taken at Auntie, Uncle Frank and Debbie's house on Bardmont. The railing looks over to a huge "rumpus room", living room. They are in the formal dining room. Picture must have taken around 1965...maybe? I'm sure Deb will set me straight.

Watchout for the airborn bacon

Pigs flying, get it? OK...I mentioned in my book review that I really like biblical fiction like The Red Tent and Sarah. Did you here the stuff going on now? First off there is The Book of Judas. Seems that Judas was in cahoots w/ Jesus to MAKE him turn him in..I guess so it would fill the prophecy. Hmm?
Then they are saying that they figured out how Jesus walked on water..it was really ice!! OK...I never believed he walked on water in the first place...it's a story like Adam and Eve..right? Anyway now they are saying that it really may have looked like it. There wasn't walking on water throughout the bible, it was kind of an isolated event. Ice in the middle East. Maybe!!

In other news. Homeland Security guy was chaged with child porn stuff. NICE....
Gas prices are going to go up...YIPPEE
Katie Couric is doing serious nighttime news...WHY?? She's cute perky and funny...she needs to do fluff stories!! I like her even though she has little teeth.

Countdown to Opening Day

Is it like this every year? I don't think so. Everywhere you go, whatever you turn on that is ALL they are talking about. Well, new stadium and all...and they Cardinals are already kicking some Phillie booty. J and I watched a bit of the game last night. Mulder looked OK..I think he's going to have to step in up a notch. I think I'm going to miss Matty Mo... Marquis pitches next. Then it's on to the Cubbies before the home opener...which is during the middle of the day...that us working folk can't see..Oh well.

On a different note I sure hope they stock Clifton Lake this year. Last year they didn't and I missed it. Jeremy and I get a water, slurpee, portable radio, rubber worms and head off to the park and fish..while listening to Cardinal baseball!

"reality news": Madisa is gone. I truley thought she was a top 4 candidate. Surprise, surprise. I wanted her to sign Fat Bottomed Girl too on Queen Week.
The nerds are off Amazing Race. I'm sad about that, I liked them!

Showers last night, suppsed to have storms today. I must tell you, in the event of a major storm, I have NO clue where to go in this building. I guess I'd go to the bathroom?

Book Review Time

I finished two books while traveling to Arizona.

First one was Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner. Same author as In Her Shoes..which was made into a chick flick. Good book. I was a bit lost since it was about young married women that are pregnant...but the stories were good. It revolved around how these pregnant women met and what goes on in their lives. This too could be a movie. No brianer for sure.

Next book I read was Sarah by Marek Halter. This was from the Canaan Trilogy. I picked it up since I LOVED The Red Tent. Fictional bible stories are extremly interesting. The next two in the trilogy are on my list. I really liked this story, especially since it started with Sarah being the daughter of Ur which was totally different than the people that wandered the desserts like the Hebrews.

Bee in My Bonnet

Yesterday afternoon I was on FIRE. I had a situation where I was dumped on at work when the other person had 3 months to do this project..and it was given to me to do in like 2 hours. And it wasn't my job.
Oh no...I AM a team player. I help EVERYONE...doing "not my job" things. I am NOT going to do the stuff you procrastintaed.
I took this attitude home, Jeremy was thrilled I did that.
Then I talked to Lisa I used to work with...and we talked about the environment surrounding my old job. Actually my pissy attitude was the FIRST time in an entire year. The old job it was hourly..well really a constat...so I guess I better get off my high horse and just deal w/ it. I'm much better today, thanks.

Cards kicked some Philly bootie yesterday. Welcome back Scott Rolen w/ the grand slam homerun. :0)

American Idol tonight. I'm not sure I know what the theme is. It HAS to be better than last week, which SUCKED big time.

What Storms?

I live in the city. Not like a "downtown" city but according to mother nature I may as well be on Market Street.

There was a V to the path of the storm...to the left and it demolished U City and to the right where 55 and Gasconade has a twister sighting. WE has pea sized hail for 1 minute and windy 30mph winds and downpour for MAYBE 15 minutes

BIG sigh....

Jeremy thought I was strange being out in the yard during everything. It's just an MP thing.

Baseball is Back

J and I are going to the game on April 30th. First game is today. Home game next week. Go Card's!