I will eat better... in January.
I will actually cook dinner... in January.
I will exercise every day... in January.
I will finally get to sleep... in January.
I will blog... in January.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Crazy and Refreshed
For the past few weeks, work has been crazy. It's our busiest time. Well, it's supposed to be. There's this pesky recession that you might have heard about. So, we are anticipating that we will get busier, so there are temps that are usually hired this time of year - just waiting for me. I am the trainer of all new people and new things in my department at work. I enjoy it greatly. I love seeing people learn new things - and being able to explain it and help them understand. But it is very stressful. Not that it's stress in a bad way. Just stress.
So with training, there hasn't been much work to train with. So I've had to get creative. All the trainees have done well, thanks mostly in part to their talent and intelligence. Because MINE brain has been exploding.
So to relax this weekend... I cleaned out my closet. For most, this would be a miserable task. But for me - I love it. It gives me a sense of refreshing life - and the morning when getting ready. I am tired. But refreshed at the same time.
Besides work, the past few weeks I have been plagued with a cold that would not go away. Stuffiness and sneezing. With an army of vitamin C, I have now had a whole week being able to breathe! Yea!
And in the next few weeks, we are going to be getting our house repainted. I'm very excited for a yellower yellow on the house. And a dark brick red door!
So with training, there hasn't been much work to train with. So I've had to get creative. All the trainees have done well, thanks mostly in part to their talent and intelligence. Because MINE brain has been exploding.
So to relax this weekend... I cleaned out my closet. For most, this would be a miserable task. But for me - I love it. It gives me a sense of refreshing life - and the morning when getting ready. I am tired. But refreshed at the same time.
Besides work, the past few weeks I have been plagued with a cold that would not go away. Stuffiness and sneezing. With an army of vitamin C, I have now had a whole week being able to breathe! Yea!
And in the next few weeks, we are going to be getting our house repainted. I'm very excited for a yellower yellow on the house. And a dark brick red door!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Good Day
I ran some errands today. Just a very simple Saturday, really. But a great day. I went to the drugstore and got some vitamins and supplements - hopefully to help my waning immune system. I have never been this consistently sick - with sniffles, sneezes and stopped up. I'm giving myself a boost! And the vitamins were on sale!
Then I went to Old Navy - to exchange a sweater that I had ordered online, with several other things. [I was pleased with all of the items that I got, except this sweater. I just didn't like it when I saw it. I couldn't put my finger on it. Just the colors weren't what I had really wanted or expected. It was an army lime color (if you can even combine those greens) and crayola green argyle pattern on a very dark charcoal cardigan sweater. I got online to see if I liked another color, to maybe exchange it. And I saw the color of the sweater that I thought I had ordered - it was green and yellow argyle, on a lighter heather gray sweater. NOT what I had received!] So I went to the store today to exchange this sweater with the pink version. I went over the store twice and couldn't find these sweaters. I finally had to break down and ask someone - who didn't know what I was talking about either. So he took me to someone that found the sweaters! They had lots of the pink, tan and black ones. But no charcoal gray. Where were these gray and gross green ones that I had received...? My guess - that the color mix-up was a bad thing - and they were only going to sell them online - not giving them to the stores. So I got a pink one! And didn't have to deal with returning it by mail!
Then to Smith and Hawken for their store closing sale. I had seen a candle in a magazine that I had loved from their store. And when I went today, there was one left. Pretty much NOTHING left in the store - the fixtures are already being sold. But there was the candle! wow!
Last stop - the grocery store. I saw my pastor in the deli, where we talked a little about football, then we made laps around each other in the produce section. I spend so much time in that part of the store - and apparently he kept forgetting stuff too! And then at the checkout, I saw another friend, making a quick stop for laundry detergent. It was so fun saying hey to people I knew - and having the feeling of community! Almost like a small town.
And just as I finished loading the groceries in the car and got in to pull off, the rain started.
Just a simple day. But a good day.
Then I went to Old Navy - to exchange a sweater that I had ordered online, with several other things. [I was pleased with all of the items that I got, except this sweater. I just didn't like it when I saw it. I couldn't put my finger on it. Just the colors weren't what I had really wanted or expected. It was an army lime color (if you can even combine those greens) and crayola green argyle pattern on a very dark charcoal cardigan sweater. I got online to see if I liked another color, to maybe exchange it. And I saw the color of the sweater that I thought I had ordered - it was green and yellow argyle, on a lighter heather gray sweater. NOT what I had received!] So I went to the store today to exchange this sweater with the pink version. I went over the store twice and couldn't find these sweaters. I finally had to break down and ask someone - who didn't know what I was talking about either. So he took me to someone that found the sweaters! They had lots of the pink, tan and black ones. But no charcoal gray. Where were these gray and gross green ones that I had received...? My guess - that the color mix-up was a bad thing - and they were only going to sell them online - not giving them to the stores. So I got a pink one! And didn't have to deal with returning it by mail!
Then to Smith and Hawken for their store closing sale. I had seen a candle in a magazine that I had loved from their store. And when I went today, there was one left. Pretty much NOTHING left in the store - the fixtures are already being sold. But there was the candle! wow!
Last stop - the grocery store. I saw my pastor in the deli, where we talked a little about football, then we made laps around each other in the produce section. I spend so much time in that part of the store - and apparently he kept forgetting stuff too! And then at the checkout, I saw another friend, making a quick stop for laundry detergent. It was so fun saying hey to people I knew - and having the feeling of community! Almost like a small town.
And just as I finished loading the groceries in the car and got in to pull off, the rain started.
Just a simple day. But a good day.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
This little piggy
So after that LONG post about injuries.... I did it again. Last weekend...
I broke my baby toe. I was walking through a doorway - in the middle of the night. So stumbling would be a more accurate word. And SMASH - right into the door frame went my foot. It hurt so bad that I only gasped in pain. I didn't scream out or yell "ouch" or anything. It took my breath away. I got back in the bed, after my excursion, hoping that it wasn't that bad and that the pain would subside soon, so that I could go back to sleep.
I don't know if I just fell asleep or passed out a little from the pain. But I woke up the next morning and put my feet down on the floor and IMMEDIATELY remembered about my toe. It was hurting so bad and then I looked down. It was completely black & blue and swollen up like a little sausage. Ouch. I couldn't move it and it hurt to touch. I saw two distinct bruises - a kind of bruise that I had seen before. Yep, broken toe.
This is not the first time that I have broken a toe. This is not the first time that I have broken THIS toe. So I knew what to do. Ice. Advil. Buddy tape the toe to the next toe over. Open-toed shoes. And a lot of limping.
Now that it has been a week, my toe is feeling a little better. I can walk almost normally - most of the time. And it only hurts really bad if I do something "wrong" - like hit it on something or see a bug & my toes curl (that was the worst pain the other day!!)
I'm still taking it easy though - tape still in place - and trying not to move it or use it. It's amazing how much you really do use a pinky toe. Having it taped to the toes next to it really does hinder some movements and actions!
It's really hard to take a picture of your toe, I have discovered. But I did get a picture of the door frame that I hit. The red streak on the paint is from my toenail polish. That's how HARD I hit!
Maybe next week I'll have ZERO injuries!
I broke my baby toe. I was walking through a doorway - in the middle of the night. So stumbling would be a more accurate word. And SMASH - right into the door frame went my foot. It hurt so bad that I only gasped in pain. I didn't scream out or yell "ouch" or anything. It took my breath away. I got back in the bed, after my excursion, hoping that it wasn't that bad and that the pain would subside soon, so that I could go back to sleep.
I don't know if I just fell asleep or passed out a little from the pain. But I woke up the next morning and put my feet down on the floor and IMMEDIATELY remembered about my toe. It was hurting so bad and then I looked down. It was completely black & blue and swollen up like a little sausage. Ouch. I couldn't move it and it hurt to touch. I saw two distinct bruises - a kind of bruise that I had seen before. Yep, broken toe.
This is not the first time that I have broken a toe. This is not the first time that I have broken THIS toe. So I knew what to do. Ice. Advil. Buddy tape the toe to the next toe over. Open-toed shoes. And a lot of limping.
Now that it has been a week, my toe is feeling a little better. I can walk almost normally - most of the time. And it only hurts really bad if I do something "wrong" - like hit it on something or see a bug & my toes curl (that was the worst pain the other day!!)
I'm still taking it easy though - tape still in place - and trying not to move it or use it. It's amazing how much you really do use a pinky toe. Having it taped to the toes next to it really does hinder some movements and actions!
It's really hard to take a picture of your toe, I have discovered. But I did get a picture of the door frame that I hit. The red streak on the paint is from my toenail polish. That's how HARD I hit!
Maybe next week I'll have ZERO injuries!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Insult to Injuries
There have been many bumps and bruises over the past few weeks. And one bout with the flu.
It all started with a fall - well, more of a trip and land. Several weeks ago, I went to the park near our house to ride my bike - in "public" for the first time. I rode for about 45 minutes and didn't fall or crash or anything. I didn't even injure myself getting the bike in and out of the back of the Jeep (no car rack, just in the back with the seats down - and it took some finagling). So that afternoon, I was doing some housework, which included vacuuming. I was going to move something out of the way, so that I could vacuum in the closet and the cord caught between my toe - who knows how - and I fell forward. I was caught and was shot forward into the door frame of the closet and hit my right forearm HARD. So hard that I broke the skin, on the rounded smooth door framing. (I hit the left arm too, but it wasn't so bad). It hurt so bad that at first I thought it might be broken. But it just turned into a very purple and black bruise just above my wrist.
So the next weekend, as that bruise was fading to a nice yellow, I just had to get another one. We were headed out the next day to play frisbee golf with some friends at a course (that's more a hiking trail in the woods than an open field for frisbee. So we got some new frisbee, since we just had the one black one that is very warped anyway. And if I'm going to be throwing it in the woods, it needs to be a bright color so that it can be found. I'm not what you would call "good" at throwing the frisbee. So the ones that we got were smaller and made of a denser plastic that the classic frisbee (actually made for frisbee golf) and bright colors. So we get back from the store and we decide to see how they toss. Well, I tried to catch it - the way I "catch" regular frisbees - hit it with my leg a little if it's out of reach - I'm not a diver. So I hit this harder, denser, flying-much-farther frisbee down with my leg. And it HURT. Immediately, I had a huge red lump on my upper calf and a line where the FRISBEE broke the skin. And this bruise turned a very deep black/blue color (even bigger and darker than the one on my arm). I couldn't wear pants because anything touching it hurt like crazy. Good thing it was still the summer! It's been 2 1/2 weeks and it's still there, mostly yellow now. And I still have the line of where the frisbee hit. I can't imagine if I had tried to catch it with my finger. I don't know if it would still be there!
What did we learn about frisbee golf frisbees? DON'T TRY TO CATCH THEM!
The next weekend (Labor Day Weekend), I started feeling sick - sneezing and running nose... the the fatigue and aches started. So starting on Sunday through the entire holiday weekend, I was curled up in the bed or on the couch. And the way I like to curl, hurt my bruised leg. By Tuesday, I wasn't any better. If anything, I was worse. So I called the doctor. They said not to come in, that I had the flu and they were calling in medicine for me. I was sick until Thursday. Even Friday, I was pretty worn down and very fatigued. I had already been sick for a few days before I got the meds in me. Don't get sick over a holiday weekend! It's no fun (no fun or "projects" or anything gets done!) and you don't get the meds until Tuesday.
So now that my bruises are healing nicely and my flu is gone and I'm feeling like a human again, of course, what time is it... time for another injury. I was just walking today - walking by a printer. It has a feeder that sticks out just a little bit, that has a nice big corner on it. And I hit it - with the back of my hand, right above that space between your thumb and index finger. HARD. When I hit something, I HIT something. I've walked by that printer for EIGHT years, never have hit it before. But today, BAM. I got it. I thought it was just one of those, "Ouch" and shake it off. Well, I shook. And shook. And it swelled up and got a little knot and (of course) it broke the skin. Then my fingers started to ache and tingle and the pain was shooting up my arm. So I had to stop working for about 20 minutes, borrowed an ice pack from a friend and took some Advil. I felt like a dork. "Ooh, what did you do?" Oh, I was walking. Thankfully, after about 4 hours of pain (pain just sitting there and pain typing - constant pain), my fingers stopped hurting so much and I could type. I just can't lift anything or touch it. Luckily it's my left hand.
I did "need" a new injury.
It all started with a fall - well, more of a trip and land. Several weeks ago, I went to the park near our house to ride my bike - in "public" for the first time. I rode for about 45 minutes and didn't fall or crash or anything. I didn't even injure myself getting the bike in and out of the back of the Jeep (no car rack, just in the back with the seats down - and it took some finagling). So that afternoon, I was doing some housework, which included vacuuming. I was going to move something out of the way, so that I could vacuum in the closet and the cord caught between my toe - who knows how - and I fell forward. I was caught and was shot forward into the door frame of the closet and hit my right forearm HARD. So hard that I broke the skin, on the rounded smooth door framing. (I hit the left arm too, but it wasn't so bad). It hurt so bad that at first I thought it might be broken. But it just turned into a very purple and black bruise just above my wrist.
So the next weekend, as that bruise was fading to a nice yellow, I just had to get another one. We were headed out the next day to play frisbee golf with some friends at a course (that's more a hiking trail in the woods than an open field for frisbee. So we got some new frisbee, since we just had the one black one that is very warped anyway. And if I'm going to be throwing it in the woods, it needs to be a bright color so that it can be found. I'm not what you would call "good" at throwing the frisbee. So the ones that we got were smaller and made of a denser plastic that the classic frisbee (actually made for frisbee golf) and bright colors. So we get back from the store and we decide to see how they toss. Well, I tried to catch it - the way I "catch" regular frisbees - hit it with my leg a little if it's out of reach - I'm not a diver. So I hit this harder, denser, flying-much-farther frisbee down with my leg. And it HURT. Immediately, I had a huge red lump on my upper calf and a line where the FRISBEE broke the skin. And this bruise turned a very deep black/blue color (even bigger and darker than the one on my arm). I couldn't wear pants because anything touching it hurt like crazy. Good thing it was still the summer! It's been 2 1/2 weeks and it's still there, mostly yellow now. And I still have the line of where the frisbee hit. I can't imagine if I had tried to catch it with my finger. I don't know if it would still be there!
What did we learn about frisbee golf frisbees? DON'T TRY TO CATCH THEM!
The next weekend (Labor Day Weekend), I started feeling sick - sneezing and running nose... the the fatigue and aches started. So starting on Sunday through the entire holiday weekend, I was curled up in the bed or on the couch. And the way I like to curl, hurt my bruised leg. By Tuesday, I wasn't any better. If anything, I was worse. So I called the doctor. They said not to come in, that I had the flu and they were calling in medicine for me. I was sick until Thursday. Even Friday, I was pretty worn down and very fatigued. I had already been sick for a few days before I got the meds in me. Don't get sick over a holiday weekend! It's no fun (no fun or "projects" or anything gets done!) and you don't get the meds until Tuesday.
So now that my bruises are healing nicely and my flu is gone and I'm feeling like a human again, of course, what time is it... time for another injury. I was just walking today - walking by a printer. It has a feeder that sticks out just a little bit, that has a nice big corner on it. And I hit it - with the back of my hand, right above that space between your thumb and index finger. HARD. When I hit something, I HIT something. I've walked by that printer for EIGHT years, never have hit it before. But today, BAM. I got it. I thought it was just one of those, "Ouch" and shake it off. Well, I shook. And shook. And it swelled up and got a little knot and (of course) it broke the skin. Then my fingers started to ache and tingle and the pain was shooting up my arm. So I had to stop working for about 20 minutes, borrowed an ice pack from a friend and took some Advil. I felt like a dork. "Ooh, what did you do?" Oh, I was walking. Thankfully, after about 4 hours of pain (pain just sitting there and pain typing - constant pain), my fingers stopped hurting so much and I could type. I just can't lift anything or touch it. Luckily it's my left hand.
I did "need" a new injury.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Signs of Autumn
Fall is around the corner. This afternoon, from my backyard, I could hear the marching band practicing. The slightly cooler nights are amazing. And football schedules and training camps and fantasy drafts all gearing up for the season to start!! I love me some football (NFL, really).
Today was even my first day to wear jeans - all day. I've mostly been in skirts this summer. The heat and the humidity just makes it gross to wear jeans all day. But with the days starting and ending cooler, it was a great day to bust out my jeans. The new jeans that I got at the outlet last weekend and fit so well!!
Today was even my first day to wear jeans - all day. I've mostly been in skirts this summer. The heat and the humidity just makes it gross to wear jeans all day. But with the days starting and ending cooler, it was a great day to bust out my jeans. The new jeans that I got at the outlet last weekend and fit so well!!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Graceful
The other day I went for a bike ride at a local park. I have been re-learning how to ride a bike. You know the saying about if you used to know something and then come across it again - it's just like riding a bike... well, bike riding was NOT like that for me. I had to do practice laps in my driveway (no training wheels involved, but it was still pretty sad-looking).
So, when I took my bike out to the park, it was a great victory. To actually ride my bike in public!! I don't have a bike rack, but I have a Jeep - so I was just going to throw it in the back. Well, it took me 5 times of hoisting it up to get it to fit easily. Then I got it out pretty smoothly at the park, thankfully! I rode for about 40 minutes. It was amazing - feeling the wind and the speed (well, as much speed as I would dare), riding over creeks and under trees - there were very few people there. I felt free!! Then I loaded my bike back up, feeling exhilarated!
That afternoon, I was doing some housework. I had the vacuum out and was moving something so to be able to vacuum under it. And I walked around it and the cord got stuck between my toe - somehow - and it made me lurch forward into the door frame of the closet. I hit the frame so hard with my right arm that I scraped it up and could see the bruise forming almost immediately. And my left shoulder hit too. This bruise I could feel, but not see...yet.
So now, a few days later, I have this huge green and yellow bruise just above my right wrist. Not from biking or even lifting my bike into my car. No. It's from vacuuming. Well, not really even that. It's from walking AROUND the vacuum.
So, when I took my bike out to the park, it was a great victory. To actually ride my bike in public!! I don't have a bike rack, but I have a Jeep - so I was just going to throw it in the back. Well, it took me 5 times of hoisting it up to get it to fit easily. Then I got it out pretty smoothly at the park, thankfully! I rode for about 40 minutes. It was amazing - feeling the wind and the speed (well, as much speed as I would dare), riding over creeks and under trees - there were very few people there. I felt free!! Then I loaded my bike back up, feeling exhilarated!
That afternoon, I was doing some housework. I had the vacuum out and was moving something so to be able to vacuum under it. And I walked around it and the cord got stuck between my toe - somehow - and it made me lurch forward into the door frame of the closet. I hit the frame so hard with my right arm that I scraped it up and could see the bruise forming almost immediately. And my left shoulder hit too. This bruise I could feel, but not see...yet.
So now, a few days later, I have this huge green and yellow bruise just above my right wrist. Not from biking or even lifting my bike into my car. No. It's from vacuuming. Well, not really even that. It's from walking AROUND the vacuum.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Amazing Resolution
So, the week before our trip to the mountains was a doozy. Nothing
horribly major. But lots of little things making it stressful and
chaotic.
horribly major. But lots of little things making it stressful and
chaotic.
But as each bad thing hit, they seemed to work out...
The mice: when I called our pest control company, the girl said that
she'd contact my technician - and that he could probably make it out
either that day or the next. Within the hour, he called me from his
cell and said he was on his way!! So an hour and a half after I
called, I had traps already in place. Amazing!!
(and no charge, either - it fell into the between treatments
maintenance)
The car: The guys at the local repair shop couldn't fix the AC, but
they didn't charge me to do all the testing to figure out that they
couldn't fix it! Then when the windows broke - something that happens
all the time with my car (at least twice on each of the 4 windows). I
took it back to the local shop to have them fix it. But the part they
needed wasn't available. Good and bad news - the manufacturer realizes
there's a problem with the part - and has designed a new version. But
it's back ordered. So once it's in, maybe my recurring problems will be
gone! In the meantime, since the windows just fall down and stay down
on their own, the repair guy took both my back doors apart and clamped
the windows - so now they aren't going ANYWHERE!! And again, no charge.
The other amazing thing that happened concerning the car is with who
lives around me. I asked my neighbor to take me up to the shop (the
not fixed AC time) and told him what was going on. He said "no way.
I'm taking care of this" and he called his friend - who happens to be
the head of the service department at the dealership that we have to
go to now - one of the last surviving in the area. So he gave that guy
the heads up that we were coming. - when we took it up there, our
OTHER neighbor was there. (2 guys that used to work together live on
either side of us - we bought our car from one of them.) He talked to
us and told the service lady to take good care of us. Then he said
that he'd bring us back up the next morning - Saturday - since he was
coming to work anyway. It's about 20 miles from our house, so that
saved us a trip and helped out so much.
It was amazing to get to know our neighbors and learn that we really
do have great & very helpful neighbors!!
The week before all these little things went wrong, I had been
thinking about how easy it is for me to trust God in the really big
stuff, but the little things that happen day to day, I have a problem
with not getting totally stressed and trying to control everything. So
the NEXT week - that is when all this stuff happened that I couldn't
do anything about. I had to just sit there and see how God was going
to work through everything. And with each little thing, I could see
His care and protection over me.
Even though it was rough, it was nice to have a week where I was
reminded that God is in control over everything!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fire!!
I came back from the kitchen after filling my water bottle and my co-
worker calmly tells me that smoke is pouring out of the ceiling in the
department next to us. Ok. So it's nothing to worry about, right?
Well, within the next 10 minutes, the managers were running around
saying "grab your things - we are evacuating the building!" So I went
from not that worried to kind of freaking out a little. I guess the
quick change in attitude of the people around me gave me an
adrenaline burst. Although I didn't need it to just walk our of the
building.
We were all congregating in the parking lot (there's about 40 of us at
my office) when the cop and the fire chief arrived. Then we heard the
sirens. The first fire truck pulled in. It was really exciting.
Something you just don't get to see that often in life - and truly
hope NOT to see. Then fire truck number two pulled in, parked and
started prepping the ladder. Then with fire truck three's arrival, the
action really started. Guys got there gear on. Two guys went up the
ladder with axes.
Most of us (the employees) were taking pictures and watching the
action! The firemen had gotten there so fast!! Even though I was
watching firemen at work, I felt safe because of how quickly they had
arrived!!
After about an hour, we were given the all clear. It was an AC fan
motor that sparked and was smoking. Smoke. So the rest of the day we
got that awesome smoke smell. My throat got all scratchy. Not
expecting THAT at work.
Definitely not a boring day at work!!!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Outlet shopping
at my favorite restaurant!! The Chop House! It is so good! Yum!!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
What a week...
August has started with a BANG. It has been spectacular. So many things have happened/gone wrong all in this week. At least if something major is going to happen, I'd like to spread it out a little. But no such luck.
It started on the way back home from Nashville this weekend. About an hour from home, my AC went out in my car. At first, I thought it was just my imagination - just the afternoon sun warming the car. But then I felt the the hot air blowing out of the vents. I had to mentally encourage myself - counting each mile. The dog panted, and I took ice packs out of the cooler that I had (thankfully) on the seat beside me and put them on my lap. By the time the dog and I got home, I was sweating bullets and she was panting constantly. It was so much cooler outside in the summer heat than it had been in the car.
My husband got a crack in his windshield - this weekend - on his road trip that he took. A rock hit it on the interstate, but the crack didn't show up until Sunday night. By Monday, it had expanded across the driver's side.
Monday morning, my husband's garage door started acting weird. It will open, but then when it gets all the way down and you think that it's closed, it goes back up. Oh, and when it get to the bottom, it makes this really loud grinding noise right before it goes up. So the temporary solution is to stomp on it when it gets down to the bottom. So that will have to be fixed.
Tuesday morning, the dog went into my closet and went crazy underneath the shelves. I looked around to see what was making her sniff and get really excited. I opened the drawer and was horrified. There was mouse poo in there. Many little poos. Then I saw poo on this shelf, and that shelf. I freaked out.
And remembered something that had happened last Thursday. I was bringing a bag up from downstairs for my trip and something ran down the stairs past me. A fleeting thought was that it was a mouse, but I thought - nah, that's crazy. So I convinced myself that it was a roach (like that was any better). Oh and when it ran past me, I screamed so loud and so much - like a little baby!!
So I knew that we had a mouse in the house - or mice. So I called the bug guy. He's been with us for a while - knows us and is really nice. He met me at the house about an hour after I called. And he set glue traps out - everywhere. There was more poo than I thought there had been. He said that the mouse is super happy where he is. So now my closet smells like peanut butter mouse glue traps. Yea.
And after I went back to work, I touched the computer mouse - it somehow had green ink all over it and I got covered. Not a good mouse day.
Wednesday, I took my car to the local repair shop for them to fix the air conditioning. But after they tested it, they couldn't fix it. The main computer in the car that runs everything is faulty and has to be replaced by the dealership. (which our local dealership service centers have gone out of business because of bankruptcy). The dealer has to replace the computer because they are the only ones that can program it. Nice. So we have to drive a ways to get to someone that can maybe fix it.
So as I drove home after picking up the unfixed car, my back window fell down. I tried to roll it up, but got the oh-so-familiar grinding noise. My car has had ridiculous problems with the windows falling down and not staying up. I took it back and the repair guy said that it was the regulator that had broken. So I have to get that fixed now too. I have it rigged up so that it stays for now with a cardboard "wedge" and duct tape.
Oh, also on Wednesday, we did a mouse trap check. We had one on one of the traps in my closet. Yuck! Ewwww! Gross! So with tongs and a garbage bag, we retrieved and disposed of the trap. It was not pretty, nor fun in any way. Guess that it's a good thing though.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Under Attack
Daddy long-legged spiders.
These guys are everywhere. Outside, at least... For now...
Bug guy coming soon!
Bug guy coming soon!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Grocery Store
I love going to the grocery store on Wednesday. Usually it's senior day, or at least the day that many seniors are there. Today as I was taking my cart back to the return "stall" in the parking lot, there was a cute old man returning his cart too. He said hey and that he hoped that I was having a good day. Then he thanked me for returning my cart and said that if he could return his cart - at age 92 - that EVERYONE should be able to - and NOT leave their cart in the middle of the lot.
I want to be a spunky as him when I am 92. I couldn't believe it when he said how old he was!!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
McCafé
I had told a friend at work that if she ever wanted to go to McDonald's when we went to lunch, that I would love to get a McCafe. So we went last week.
When we first pulled up in the drive-thru, there were 2 lizards on the sign next to the car. That made us snicker. Then the “speaker” asked us if we would like to try an Iced Mocha today*. My friend said “hold on” and got my order. She ordered me the vanilla latte that I wanted, and the “speaker” told us: “The machine’s broken."
I had been waiting for that. I have been waiting for the moment that the coffee machine is going to be "broken” just like the ice cream machine is always “broken.” So today was the day. We started laughing a little harder. So, she placed her order, with me still giggling a little.
When we got in between the speaker and the first window (the “pay” window) and I looked at her and said, “If the machine is broken, then why did they ask us if we wanted to try an Iced Mocha?" That’s when we lost it. I had to look out the window, stifling laughter, shaking and tearing up a bit as she handed her card at the first window.
Then at the second window, she gave a muffled “thanks” while trying not to laugh. As we pulled off, we busted into loud laughter. It was really hard to breathe and we were doubled over in pain at lunch. It just struck us as so funny. We pretty much laughed for the rest of the day.
*I was told later that message we heard when we pulled up is automated. But it still is funny to me! And maybe they should either change the message or fix the machine.
And with the way they are advertising all the time for these coffee drinks, they better fix the coffee machine. These drinks are SO GOOD! Better and cheaper than the iced drinks I've had from Starbucks. The hot ones remind me of a great thing I had from Tim Horton's in upstate New York. I will be getting the Iced Coffee and Lattes from McDonald's for the rest of the summer! Just probably not from that particular McD's!
Favorite that I've found so far: Large (unfinishable by even ME!) Iced Coffee, regular flavor!
When we first pulled up in the drive-thru, there were 2 lizards on the sign next to the car. That made us snicker. Then the “speaker” asked us if we would like to try an Iced Mocha today*. My friend said “hold on” and got my order. She ordered me the vanilla latte that I wanted, and the “speaker” told us: “The machine’s broken."
I had been waiting for that. I have been waiting for the moment that the coffee machine is going to be "broken” just like the ice cream machine is always “broken.” So today was the day. We started laughing a little harder. So, she placed her order, with me still giggling a little.
When we got in between the speaker and the first window (the “pay” window) and I looked at her and said, “If the machine is broken, then why did they ask us if we wanted to try an Iced Mocha?" That’s when we lost it. I had to look out the window, stifling laughter, shaking and tearing up a bit as she handed her card at the first window.
Then at the second window, she gave a muffled “thanks” while trying not to laugh. As we pulled off, we busted into loud laughter. It was really hard to breathe and we were doubled over in pain at lunch. It just struck us as so funny. We pretty much laughed for the rest of the day.
*I was told later that message we heard when we pulled up is automated. But it still is funny to me! And maybe they should either change the message or fix the machine.
And with the way they are advertising all the time for these coffee drinks, they better fix the coffee machine. These drinks are SO GOOD! Better and cheaper than the iced drinks I've had from Starbucks. The hot ones remind me of a great thing I had from Tim Horton's in upstate New York. I will be getting the Iced Coffee and Lattes from McDonald's for the rest of the summer! Just probably not from that particular McD's!
Favorite that I've found so far: Large (unfinishable by even ME!) Iced Coffee, regular flavor!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Stay-Cation
For the Fourth of July weekend, we did not go anywhere. No trips to the beach or the mountains. And literally, we didn't go ANYWHERE. We didn't leave the house.
It was a weekend full of laziness and fun! The activities that were planned were reading, lounging in the hammock, board games, card games and watching movies. And the food - total junk-fest! Totinos, Cool Ranch Doritos, Manwich, hot dogs, ice cream and a wonderfully good thing called smoreos*.
*The Smoreo = An oreo, with a piece of a hershey bar on one half (with the cream) while the other half is in the oven with the marshmellow toasting. Then put them together - and yum! And mess! But so good!
It was a weekend full of laziness and fun! The activities that were planned were reading, lounging in the hammock, board games, card games and watching movies. And the food - total junk-fest! Totinos, Cool Ranch Doritos, Manwich, hot dogs, ice cream and a wonderfully good thing called smoreos*.
*The Smoreo = An oreo, with a piece of a hershey bar on one half (with the cream) while the other half is in the oven with the marshmellow toasting. Then put them together - and yum! And mess! But so good!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Another Snack!
wanting some protein too!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Potting Plants
Went to Lowe's this morning and got some plants and some new hanging baskets. I waited until we got back from our weeklong trip - didn't want them to wither without water while I was gone. There are these hooks that are on our porch that were just calling for hanging baskets. So I finally got 2. This is one of them. And you can also see on the post next to the basket, one of the two lizards that live on our front porch. Guess he came to check things out!
And I got some other plants for some existing pots too. Just want to add some color to the front porch! Well, they will eventually add color...
And I got some other plants for some existing pots too. Just want to add some color to the front porch! Well, they will eventually add color...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Home again
various forms of mass transit. Defintely a story to come later. But
now to sleep. It's 12:30 am. A very long day.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Donut good!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
First tomato
Got a later start this year. Things are just coming out!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
So Tiny
The other day, I took my sunglasses off and one of the "arms" fell off. I even heard the little tiny screw hit the lamp - then went who knows where. But as I was on my hands and knees looking for the screw, I thought about something that had happened when I was a kid.
My parents and I were at Disney World. My mom and I had stopped at the restroom by the castle (I think that's why we were hanging out there). As my mom adjusted her sunglasses, they fell apart and the screw fell out. Frustrated and a little angry, she headed into the bathroom with me. When we got back out, my dad, who had been waiting there for us, had her sunglasses FIXED! He had found the screw - on the ground, which was a paved brick number - with ALL the people walking through there (one of the busiest places in the Magic Kingdom) - and had somehow twisted it back it! So amazing!!
So, I thought, I just lost the screw in my living room - it's not like it's Disney World! And I found it! It had fallen into a basket under the entry table. Maybe finding tiny screws is genetic!
My parents and I were at Disney World. My mom and I had stopped at the restroom by the castle (I think that's why we were hanging out there). As my mom adjusted her sunglasses, they fell apart and the screw fell out. Frustrated and a little angry, she headed into the bathroom with me. When we got back out, my dad, who had been waiting there for us, had her sunglasses FIXED! He had found the screw - on the ground, which was a paved brick number - with ALL the people walking through there (one of the busiest places in the Magic Kingdom) - and had somehow twisted it back it! So amazing!!
So, I thought, I just lost the screw in my living room - it's not like it's Disney World! And I found it! It had fallen into a basket under the entry table. Maybe finding tiny screws is genetic!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Bunko Best
I have recently joined a Bunko group - that meets to play once a month. I only knew one person when I started - the girl that took me in the first place as a sub. I have now been four times, only 2 of which we actually played Bunko. This group is having a hard time getting all 12 players there.
The first time I played, I was the biggest loser. The one with the most losses. But there's a prize for that - you get your money back (money in the "pot" each time to play). Also I was just learning the game, and how these girls played. Bunko can vary on how you play, score and even spell it (Bunco is correct too).
This week, when I played, I knew most of the girls and I knew most of the rules. But knowing HOW to play really doesn't matter when it's a game of dice-rolling luck ONLY. So I played and chatted, just enjoying the evening. I lost every second round that we had. I thought that was funny. But it wasn't till the very end, when all the score cards were out on the table that I realized that I had 13 out of 18 wins. That's pretty good in a game of luck. And it was the most total wins by far! I won! I was the big WINNER this week! I got the winner portion of the prize money! I never win anything, it seems like. I was so excited! I held in my squeals until I got to the car! It was so unexpected. And just a great little extra to take with me on our trip next week!
The first time I played, I was the biggest loser. The one with the most losses. But there's a prize for that - you get your money back (money in the "pot" each time to play). Also I was just learning the game, and how these girls played. Bunko can vary on how you play, score and even spell it (Bunco is correct too).
This week, when I played, I knew most of the girls and I knew most of the rules. But knowing HOW to play really doesn't matter when it's a game of dice-rolling luck ONLY. So I played and chatted, just enjoying the evening. I lost every second round that we had. I thought that was funny. But it wasn't till the very end, when all the score cards were out on the table that I realized that I had 13 out of 18 wins. That's pretty good in a game of luck. And it was the most total wins by far! I won! I was the big WINNER this week! I got the winner portion of the prize money! I never win anything, it seems like. I was so excited! I held in my squeals until I got to the car! It was so unexpected. And just a great little extra to take with me on our trip next week!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Vet Trips
I had to take our dog to the vet today for her yearly check-up. She does not like the vet - really, she doesn't like being in the car. Most dogs love to ride in the car, but she does not. Well, until she knows where we are going and is sure that it's NOT the vet. As we approach the vet each time, she cries, shakes and reluctantly gets out of the car.
We have to take her in about every 6 weeks to get her nails trimmed. With the combination of her very black nails and her defiance at us trying trimming them, we have to get the professionally done. So, you'd think she'd be used to trip to the vet. Nope.
First thing, for her yearly visit is the shot that she has to get before the rabies shot. She had a really bad swelling reaction once - and I don't want that to happen again. Not fun. So after the first little shot, she hit under the chair. We had to wait 15 minutes for it to get into her system. So with her crying and hiding and trying to get out the door, it was a great 15 minutes.
Then the doctor came in, checked her out and gave her the other shots. She does great with shots, it's the nail trimming that followed that she has a problem with. She is such a faker. She whimpers and cries, even if they don't quick her - what a baby.
Then a few more minutes waiting for the lab results to come back. With everything looking good, I paid (ouch) - buying her heartworm medicine too - and then we got out of there!
She cried and made this other noise - it sounded like a goose honking - all the way home. I tried to tell her that we were going home. She didn't believe me until we were in the garage.
So the last step of medical care for the dog was to GIVE her one of the heartworm chews.
Uh, where's the heartworm. Are you kidding me? I BOUGHT the heartworm, I didn't actually GET the heartworm. So I called, and I had to drive back down there to get the medicine. Not really that far away, just annoying. And I had already spent enough time in a vet clinic for one day. Molly got to stay home for that trip!
We have to take her in about every 6 weeks to get her nails trimmed. With the combination of her very black nails and her defiance at us trying trimming them, we have to get the professionally done. So, you'd think she'd be used to trip to the vet. Nope.
First thing, for her yearly visit is the shot that she has to get before the rabies shot. She had a really bad swelling reaction once - and I don't want that to happen again. Not fun. So after the first little shot, she hit under the chair. We had to wait 15 minutes for it to get into her system. So with her crying and hiding and trying to get out the door, it was a great 15 minutes.
Then the doctor came in, checked her out and gave her the other shots. She does great with shots, it's the nail trimming that followed that she has a problem with. She is such a faker. She whimpers and cries, even if they don't quick her - what a baby.
Then a few more minutes waiting for the lab results to come back. With everything looking good, I paid (ouch) - buying her heartworm medicine too - and then we got out of there!
She cried and made this other noise - it sounded like a goose honking - all the way home. I tried to tell her that we were going home. She didn't believe me until we were in the garage.
So the last step of medical care for the dog was to GIVE her one of the heartworm chews.
Uh, where's the heartworm. Are you kidding me? I BOUGHT the heartworm, I didn't actually GET the heartworm. So I called, and I had to drive back down there to get the medicine. Not really that far away, just annoying. And I had already spent enough time in a vet clinic for one day. Molly got to stay home for that trip!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bridge OPEN!
"WSDOT reports the Hood Canal Bridge open to traffic at 10:19 p.m., June 3, eight days, one hour, 45 minutes and 14 seconds earlier than originally scheduled"
I'm very excited. Especially for someone who lives more than 2500 miles away from it...
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Garage Sale
Garage sale this past weekend. And it was pretty successful!
I love having garage sales. One of the things that I like the most is the prep work. I know that sounds silly, but it's great to have a time once a year to clean out the garage - move everything and sweep out all the dead bugs, leaves and debris. I also like clearing out stuff - making closets and cabinets more roomy! I've been gathering stuff, really since my last spring's sale. And I did a run-through of the house this past week to grab stuff that I could sell. Stuff I just didn't need anymore. My collection started out pretty small, but by the time I had everything out and arranged on Friday night, it was looking good.
What I do is get everything cleared out of the garage - cars included - on Friday and then set up shop. I loved playing store as a child, so this is my grown-up version of that! I have sections (housewares, clothes, gardening, etc) and try to price and merchandise things well. I have found that things sell when they look good.
My sale started at 7 am - I do open the garage doors at 6:45ish - for those early birds. They tend to buy stuff, and since I'm already up... This year, I didn't have any early birds. So my husband drove down to the end of the street to check the sign on the busy street. The dew had wet the sign so much that it was folded onto itself. When he came back to report this, I made a new sign. So with a fresh sign, the sale began!! It was pretty steady all day. Shoppers about every 20 minutes. And for the first 3 hours, everyone that came in bought something! My streak ended about 10:30 when a lone guy came in - he apparently was looking for something particular. He walked in and in about 10 second was already gone. He was my only non-buyer - even to the very end of the day (when pretty much nothing was left). Amazing!
This year's sale was smaller than last year's - I had about half the stuff. So I wasn't expecting to make that much. I was generously hoping for close to $100. But I made about $150!
And I only had the sale until noon. Which was perfect timing. Because about noon is when pretty much all the stuff was gone. I boxed up one little box to put up for next year. And filled one bag of trash. Success!
I love having garage sales. One of the things that I like the most is the prep work. I know that sounds silly, but it's great to have a time once a year to clean out the garage - move everything and sweep out all the dead bugs, leaves and debris. I also like clearing out stuff - making closets and cabinets more roomy! I've been gathering stuff, really since my last spring's sale. And I did a run-through of the house this past week to grab stuff that I could sell. Stuff I just didn't need anymore. My collection started out pretty small, but by the time I had everything out and arranged on Friday night, it was looking good.
What I do is get everything cleared out of the garage - cars included - on Friday and then set up shop. I loved playing store as a child, so this is my grown-up version of that! I have sections (housewares, clothes, gardening, etc) and try to price and merchandise things well. I have found that things sell when they look good.
My sale started at 7 am - I do open the garage doors at 6:45ish - for those early birds. They tend to buy stuff, and since I'm already up... This year, I didn't have any early birds. So my husband drove down to the end of the street to check the sign on the busy street. The dew had wet the sign so much that it was folded onto itself. When he came back to report this, I made a new sign. So with a fresh sign, the sale began!! It was pretty steady all day. Shoppers about every 20 minutes. And for the first 3 hours, everyone that came in bought something! My streak ended about 10:30 when a lone guy came in - he apparently was looking for something particular. He walked in and in about 10 second was already gone. He was my only non-buyer - even to the very end of the day (when pretty much nothing was left). Amazing!
This year's sale was smaller than last year's - I had about half the stuff. So I wasn't expecting to make that much. I was generously hoping for close to $100. But I made about $150!
And I only had the sale until noon. Which was perfect timing. Because about noon is when pretty much all the stuff was gone. I boxed up one little box to put up for next year. And filled one bag of trash. Success!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Cherries
I have been waiting for this moment for a while. Since spring hit in full force. Every week at the grocery store, I've been looking in the section with the blueberries and the strawberries for my beloved cherries. They had some a few weeks ago. But they were from Chile and about 10 bucks. No thanks.
But today, my Washington State cherries were there!
I never really was a cherry fan, but when I finally tried Rainier cherries a few years ago, I LOVED them. The stems and the pits didn't bother me - as I thought they would. So when we went to Seattle 2 years ago, I got some cherries from Pike Place Market. There was nothing better than than $1.50 cup of cherries that I ate in Seattle while walking through the market. They were so good! (And I look forward to getting some more this year!)
So, when my Washington State cherries make it down here, I love to get them. The sweetness mixed with the sour - and the juiciness just make them great. Maybe not as good as in the Market, but still a great summertime snack!
But today, my Washington State cherries were there!
I never really was a cherry fan, but when I finally tried Rainier cherries a few years ago, I LOVED them. The stems and the pits didn't bother me - as I thought they would. So when we went to Seattle 2 years ago, I got some cherries from Pike Place Market. There was nothing better than than $1.50 cup of cherries that I ate in Seattle while walking through the market. They were so good! (And I look forward to getting some more this year!)
So, when my Washington State cherries make it down here, I love to get them. The sweetness mixed with the sour - and the juiciness just make them great. Maybe not as good as in the Market, but still a great summertime snack!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Re: Bridge
They seem pretty confident with the schedule of the completion of the bridge - with this official sign.
We'll see...
We'll see...Thursday, May 21, 2009
EA Active
A new Wii game. More of a workout than a game, though.
We had gotten Wii fit when it was first release. I enjoyed certain aspects of it, but some of the "games" just didn't work quite right. And there was SO MUCH down time between the transitions of each workout exercise. After about a month, it lost its appeal and fun. So when my husband told me about a new Wii fitness game, I was skeptical. After I learned about the details, it sounded a little more interesting, though. And he was really excited to get it. So that was the quest yesterday to get this "game."
I was so exicted to get started with it yesterday. It was great. There is a set workout, so you don't have to toggle between each individual exercise. And little motivational goals and "trophies" to strive for. What I liked most is that there are a variety of pre-made workouts (a TON of them) and then you can also create your own workout with stuff that you like - and it will tell you the balance of the workout (like calories, upper and lower body). And the exercises look really fun. There are basic weight training things and cardio. Then there are sports themed workouts and even a dance section.
With workout #1 of the 30 day challenge, I only scratched the surface of what this program can offer. And the workout was fun but challenging. And it kept flowing quickly - with the timer in one corner and calories burned in the other! I was excited to do the next day's workout!
Today was day 2 of the challenge. Ouch. Lots of lower body stuff - lunges. But it's amazing how much I feel like I've done - total body - from a Wii game!
I look forward to day 3!!
We had gotten Wii fit when it was first release. I enjoyed certain aspects of it, but some of the "games" just didn't work quite right. And there was SO MUCH down time between the transitions of each workout exercise. After about a month, it lost its appeal and fun. So when my husband told me about a new Wii fitness game, I was skeptical. After I learned about the details, it sounded a little more interesting, though. And he was really excited to get it. So that was the quest yesterday to get this "game."
I was so exicted to get started with it yesterday. It was great. There is a set workout, so you don't have to toggle between each individual exercise. And little motivational goals and "trophies" to strive for. What I liked most is that there are a variety of pre-made workouts (a TON of them) and then you can also create your own workout with stuff that you like - and it will tell you the balance of the workout (like calories, upper and lower body). And the exercises look really fun. There are basic weight training things and cardio. Then there are sports themed workouts and even a dance section.
With workout #1 of the 30 day challenge, I only scratched the surface of what this program can offer. And the workout was fun but challenging. And it kept flowing quickly - with the timer in one corner and calories burned in the other! I was excited to do the next day's workout!
Today was day 2 of the challenge. Ouch. Lots of lower body stuff - lunges. But it's amazing how much I feel like I've done - total body - from a Wii game!
I look forward to day 3!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Costco Fun
I went out today on a quest. It didn't start as a quest. I went to get a Wii game - EA sports fitness. Went to Walmart to just get it really fast and cheap. But they didn't have it. So where to go? I could go in the opposite direction to Target, or I could go to Best Buy. Then I thought about what my husband had told me. That the game would be the same price everywhere, except Costco.
Huh. We needed some paper products anyway. So that's where I headed. They had the game! Lots of them! I got my FOUR items. And then got in line. They unfortunately don't have an express line at a warehouse store. So I was behind a lady that had a cart that was rounded up so high - with stuff on the bottom and hanging off the sides. Surprisingly, they got her cart unloaded really fast. She had enough stuff to fill a flatbed truck, and she did - at least a hand held flatbed cart. I didn't hear how much the total was, but the cashier said "OK, here's the damage." My husband later asked if she was maybe shopping for an office or something. But she got about 10 slabs of various meat, so I'm thinking no. She said something about her teenage boys being at home - and Memorial Day is coming up.
I checked out in a hurry. I had been surprised about how fast that the lady in front of me had been. But then I had to get in line behind her again. The "let me count your items in your cart before you can exit the store" line. So I played with my phone for a minute. Then both of us were walking out to the parking lot at the same time. Stuff was falling off her flatbed cart. And as I was thinking, "Wow, she better have a BIG vehicle" she stopped at hers. It was a tiny, sporty Acura. As I walked to my Jeep, one aisle over, I couldn't help but laugh. And then it got funnier.
The lady was wearing a flouncy, full mini skirt. She probably shouldn't have had on that short of a skirt on in the first place - too short for me definitely! And she kept bending over to get stuff off her cart and wedge it here and there into her tiny car. And the wind was blowing - a lot. Her flouncy skirt was flouncing all right. It was quite a show. Maybe not the best huge warehouse store shopping outfit. The car and the skirt was all wrong. But I was very entertained!
Huh. We needed some paper products anyway. So that's where I headed. They had the game! Lots of them! I got my FOUR items. And then got in line. They unfortunately don't have an express line at a warehouse store. So I was behind a lady that had a cart that was rounded up so high - with stuff on the bottom and hanging off the sides. Surprisingly, they got her cart unloaded really fast. She had enough stuff to fill a flatbed truck, and she did - at least a hand held flatbed cart. I didn't hear how much the total was, but the cashier said "OK, here's the damage." My husband later asked if she was maybe shopping for an office or something. But she got about 10 slabs of various meat, so I'm thinking no. She said something about her teenage boys being at home - and Memorial Day is coming up.
I checked out in a hurry. I had been surprised about how fast that the lady in front of me had been. But then I had to get in line behind her again. The "let me count your items in your cart before you can exit the store" line. So I played with my phone for a minute. Then both of us were walking out to the parking lot at the same time. Stuff was falling off her flatbed cart. And as I was thinking, "Wow, she better have a BIG vehicle" she stopped at hers. It was a tiny, sporty Acura. As I walked to my Jeep, one aisle over, I couldn't help but laugh. And then it got funnier.
The lady was wearing a flouncy, full mini skirt. She probably shouldn't have had on that short of a skirt on in the first place - too short for me definitely! And she kept bending over to get stuff off her cart and wedge it here and there into her tiny car. And the wind was blowing - a lot. Her flouncy skirt was flouncing all right. It was quite a show. Maybe not the best huge warehouse store shopping outfit. The car and the skirt was all wrong. But I was very entertained!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pictures
I am trying to collect picture of me, my husband and our family for a "project" I am doing. It is almost nearly impossible to find a picture of anyone NOT doing the following:
• Not looking at the camera
• Looking at the camera, but looking quite surly
• Making a funny face (in dealing with this project, funny faces are NOT funny)
• Not even in any pictures
Or, I find a picture of the subject that I want and the photo is blurry. Or it's a very close-up self portrait. These are fine - but a whole collection of them all together from different locales can be a little weird.
I do enjoy the photos that I have - the memories that are in them. It is great to look back and see fun times that I have had. That's why I take pictures - the memories.
• Not looking at the camera
• Looking at the camera, but looking quite surly
• Making a funny face (in dealing with this project, funny faces are NOT funny)
• Not even in any pictures
Or, I find a picture of the subject that I want and the photo is blurry. Or it's a very close-up self portrait. These are fine - but a whole collection of them all together from different locales can be a little weird.
I do enjoy the photos that I have - the memories that are in them. It is great to look back and see fun times that I have had. That's why I take pictures - the memories.
Landscapes - I'm really good at and I enjoy getting the lighting just right for a good shot. I have many of my favorite "scenery" shots hanging up in the house. But people, whether I'm taking the picture, someone else is - they usually don't turn out the way that I really want them - especially with photos with me in them. At least I have the memory!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rafting
While in Albuquerque, my husband went rafting on the Rio Grande. He told me that he had an "exciting story" to tell me about the trip. You never want to hear that there is an "exciting" story when someone has been white water rafting....
So his story was this:
He was in a raft with 3 larger guys in the back (along with the guide) and a tiny girl beside him in the front. When they got to a big drop, a wave knocked them back a little - so there were all leaning into the middle like they were supposed to. Then a second wave hit them and the boat tilted toward his side, and he started to fall out. The 90-pound-when-soaking-wet girl grabbed his life vest and pulled him into the boat. She kept him from falling out. He told me it was right about when they were going to take the "action shots." The people in the raft behind them were amazed that he stayed in the boat AND held onto his oar.
So the action shots:
When he got home from his trip, we checked out the pictures. The one where the first wave hit, you could only see everyone's head. That second wave, you could only see the guide's head - and yep, the boat was tilted down toward him. A lot tilted! You could only see his oar. After the wave passed, you could see him falling out of the raft. In that picture, the guide is crouching forward, with a little fear on his face and his hand stretching out - as if he knew something bad was about to happen. But he did not fall into the Rio Grande!
I was a little scared/relieved when I heard the story. The pictures made it that more amazing. And scary.
(of course the pictures are for sale, and an outrageous amount of money)
So his story was this:
He was in a raft with 3 larger guys in the back (along with the guide) and a tiny girl beside him in the front. When they got to a big drop, a wave knocked them back a little - so there were all leaning into the middle like they were supposed to. Then a second wave hit them and the boat tilted toward his side, and he started to fall out. The 90-pound-when-soaking-wet girl grabbed his life vest and pulled him into the boat. She kept him from falling out. He told me it was right about when they were going to take the "action shots." The people in the raft behind them were amazed that he stayed in the boat AND held onto his oar.
So the action shots:
When he got home from his trip, we checked out the pictures. The one where the first wave hit, you could only see everyone's head. That second wave, you could only see the guide's head - and yep, the boat was tilted down toward him. A lot tilted! You could only see his oar. After the wave passed, you could see him falling out of the raft. In that picture, the guide is crouching forward, with a little fear on his face and his hand stretching out - as if he knew something bad was about to happen. But he did not fall into the Rio Grande!
I was a little scared/relieved when I heard the story. The pictures made it that more amazing. And scary.
(of course the pictures are for sale, and an outrageous amount of money)
New show
I have found a new show that I love to watch. It is on Lifetime - called "Cook Yourself Thin." It's three ladies that revamp favorite meals. Each week, they have someone on the show that has a reason to lose a few pounds, from an upcoming high school reunion to just doing for themselves, to feel good! And the recipes are great! They take common recipes and use "secret ingredients" to decrease the calories. My faves so far have been a French Toast Tart (french toast baked in a muffin tin). And I really want to try the Mint Chocolate Chip cupcakes! They really do focus on having the foods that you like and still losing weight - and just eating better! And they are quick to say that it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change - which I like. They don't really talk about adding in exercise or other healthy choices. They come back to the person in 6 weeks to see if they have lost weight/a dress size. And of course, they always have. What fun would the show be if they didn't.
Super fun show - with good recipes and ideas for eating healthier!
Super fun show - with good recipes and ideas for eating healthier!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Flight
My husband had an exciting day yesterday. He was flying to Albuquerque for business. He got stuck in traffic on the way to the airport. Four wrecks in about 10 miles on the interstate. So he ventured off the freeway and went to a side street - still heading north. That's when I got the text "not going to make it." He had left in plenty of time to get to the airport, check his bag and still have time to wait at the gate. But now it was looking like it was going to take a miracle for him to get to the airport before the flight took off. So I called him, he was trying to find a street that cut through to another main road heading to the airport. A friend at work told me what the street was called. That helped him a little. At 8:58, he was about 10 miles away. The next text I got was this: "made it" at 9:22. I text back "define made it" but he had already turned off his phone. So I figured he was on the plane. But I couldn't believe it.
He had made it to the airport, parked in long term parking, printed his boarding pass, checked his bag, went through security and made it to the gate.
That evening, he told me the amazing tale. Somehow he had gotten through traffic to get to the airport and parked in the first spot that he had seen in the garage. And of course it was the farthest from the airline that he was on, so he grabbed his bag and RAN to the counter. He got his boarding pass and checked his bag. Then he RAN to the security area. He went through very fast (no carry-ons at ALL - lucky!). Then he walked fast to his gate (which was of course at the very end of the terminal). He bent down to tie his shoes (that he had left untied from security) and as he stood up from that, the plane started boarding.
AMAZING!
I was praying the whole time that he would make it. I just didn't know how perfect and how unbelievable it was going to be!
And - when he got to New Mexico - his luggage was there!
He had made it to the airport, parked in long term parking, printed his boarding pass, checked his bag, went through security and made it to the gate.
That evening, he told me the amazing tale. Somehow he had gotten through traffic to get to the airport and parked in the first spot that he had seen in the garage. And of course it was the farthest from the airline that he was on, so he grabbed his bag and RAN to the counter. He got his boarding pass and checked his bag. Then he RAN to the security area. He went through very fast (no carry-ons at ALL - lucky!). Then he walked fast to his gate (which was of course at the very end of the terminal). He bent down to tie his shoes (that he had left untied from security) and as he stood up from that, the plane started boarding.
AMAZING!
I was praying the whole time that he would make it. I just didn't know how perfect and how unbelievable it was going to be!
And - when he got to New Mexico - his luggage was there!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tissue
I've always been a Kleenex girl. Several months ago, during a bout with a horrible runny nose, I needed some with lotion. The store was out of Kleenex. So I got Puffs with lotion.
I'm now a Puffs convert. No more Kleenex at our house. There are many reasons that Puffs are superior to Kleenex. The first, and very important, is with that first tissue you pull out. With Kleenex, you ALWAYS get two. And they are so tight and crammed in there, it sometimes is impossible to get them out. So you get pieces of 2 tissues. Argh. With Puffs, the first one comes out easily. And each one after that just unfolds with ease. And really before you even get to that first tissue, opening the box with Puffs is so much easier. You just have to peel back the perforated cardboard, unlike Kleenex with the angering plastic situation. And with the lotion... Kleenex makes you keep some of that lotion on your hands for a while after you use the tissue. Puffs with lotion is just enough lotion - soothing on the days you need it, but not annoying on the days you don't.
So it's Puffs for me! Plus I have a friend at work that used to work for quality control at Puffs. I've heard about how they make and test their tissue! Puffs it is!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Bird
We have a new little friend on our front porch. A little bird has been sleeping up under the eaves in the corner. For the past four nights, he is there about 8 pm, with his head tucked into his chest. Even with turning the light on to walk the dog, and another animal being out there - nothing disturbs him. And in the morning, he is gone. On the third night he came, of course I had to name him. So now, each night we check to see if Winston is out there and wish him goodnight!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Cats
I took Molly to the vet today to get her nails trimmed. For many reasons, we cannot do this at home. She is impossible to handle, with the skwirming around and biting at us. And she has black nails - very difficult to see how much to cut. So every two months or so, she goes in for a trim.
I was getting heartworm medicine for her. The tech asked if I needed it for just her. I remarked that she is an only "child" - no other pets at our house. And she asked "what about the cats?" What cats?? Apparently, we also have three cats - Max, Callie, and Simon. She wondered why they didn't need medicine, and she mentioned that they had never been in to the vet. I told her that we didn't, nor had we ever had cats.
Who knows how they got attached to our account. They've been there since 2005. The mystery cats are now removed from our account. I'd always wondered why they asked if it was Molly that was coming in, like there was a choice. But apparently there WAS a choice. I just didn't know until today!!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Outdoors!
This morning, we drove out to Bass Pro Shop. It's not really close to our house. And we never really have had a reason to go. So this was our first visit. My husband won a gift card in a golf tourney for Bass Pro. And we are the last people that would need this gift card. The driveway into the store was very long - kind of like a queue at a theme park... getting you in the mood for the ride. But when we finally did get there, as we suspected, we stuck out like sore thumbs. And they didn't even have golf stuff in the store like we had hoped (it's only offered online). But I did get a hat - with SPF! I had been wanting a hat - and it made the trip worthwhile!!
That afternoon, I planted my garden. It was much easier this year. Well, last year I had to dig up the entire bed and actually MAKE the garden bed. And I still had the rings of the soaker hose pinned down. So all I had to do was rake the mulch to the side to find the rings! Well that and dig a little holes! I planted 3 tomato plants and 1 pepper plant. And the big mass of green on the left is chocolate mint, which aggressively came back from last year. While outside, I noticed the grass needed to be mowed. After mowing and planting, I laid in my hammock.
Just as I was getting relaxed, our neighbors came over to offer to burn my huge pile of limbs and branches. They said they would burn sometime later this week, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity. So I left my cozy hammock and went inside to convince my husband to leave his recliner to transport limbs. They let us borrow their lawn mower trailer and even came over and cut the really big tree limb with a chainsaw.
Then after yard work part two, I went back to the hammock.
So tonight - I am totally exhausted. I feel wiped. But I am very glad that I slathered myself up with sunscreen. Many times I underestimate my time out in the sun. But today I was prepared. But the allergies are hitting. I didn't think they were getting to me as bad as they have. Yuck. But a beautiful day outside was worth it.
That afternoon, I planted my garden. It was much easier this year. Well, last year I had to dig up the entire bed and actually MAKE the garden bed. And I still had the rings of the soaker hose pinned down. So all I had to do was rake the mulch to the side to find the rings! Well that and dig a little holes! I planted 3 tomato plants and 1 pepper plant. And the big mass of green on the left is chocolate mint, which aggressively came back from last year. While outside, I noticed the grass needed to be mowed. After mowing and planting, I laid in my hammock.
Just as I was getting relaxed, our neighbors came over to offer to burn my huge pile of limbs and branches. They said they would burn sometime later this week, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity. So I left my cozy hammock and went inside to convince my husband to leave his recliner to transport limbs. They let us borrow their lawn mower trailer and even came over and cut the really big tree limb with a chainsaw.
Then after yard work part two, I went back to the hammock.
So tonight - I am totally exhausted. I feel wiped. But I am very glad that I slathered myself up with sunscreen. Many times I underestimate my time out in the sun. But today I was prepared. But the allergies are hitting. I didn't think they were getting to me as bad as they have. Yuck. But a beautiful day outside was worth it.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Dreams
I've had very vivid dreams the past week or so. They involve people from my past and some fictional people - from movies and TV. These dreams feel very real, but do have quite a movie feeling to them. They really seem long and epic, but I do wake up rested, if not confused! In the morning, I try to remember what the dream was about. I have only been able to do this about half of the time. With the dreams being so vivid, if I do wake up a little - that place where you are still asleep, but aware that consciousness is coming soon - I think that there isn't ANY way I'd forget the dream. But a few hours later, during my morning coffee, I only remember the feeling of the dream and cannot recollect the people or places that had me believing it was real.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Cupcake Pops
I have been inspired recently by several friends and their baking. One of them showed me a blog of an awesome baker and her ideas. Cupcake pops.
I love baking. And these cupcake pops seemed easy enough but still challenging and rewarding. I got my bark for coating and my sticks to make the pops. I was going to wait till this weekend to do it, but I was so excited to try it out.
I made the cake - halving the total recipe so that I didn't have an overwhelming amount of cupcake pops that would need EATING!! Then the assembly began. Crumble. Mix in frosting. Roll in balls. Chill. Shape. Chill again. Then dip into "bottom" bark glaze. Wait. Dip into "top" bark glaze. Wait again. As this was the last step, this waiting was the hardest!!
So the didn't turn out as pretty as the ones from the blog pictures. I didn't really think that they would. But for a first attempt, I think they are pretty cute! And yummy too! Somehow, I was able to eat just one. They are very rich!
Even though these pops were very involved, they were worth it in the
end. Each step was really fun - more like a creative process than just
baking. I will definitely try these again. I do have the other half of
the mix still...
Midway through
...and the finished product!
New door
We got a new front door today! The installer got here at 10am. Right
on time! It was just him and a door in the back of a pickup truck. He
was really nice, soft-spoken and looked like a combination of Uncle
Rico and Matthew McConaughey!!
The process:
10:20 - After measuring, prep and removal of hardware, the old door
was gone. And I heard the click of the door knocker for the last time.
It was sadder than I thought it would be!
10:23 - Loud noises - the trim was coming off!
10:40 - New door on. Already!
10:58 - Trim going back on. Very loud!! He had this cool nail gun
thing that seems to charge itself - air-compressor like!
11:00 - Cigarette smoke smell in the house. Lit candle.
11:07 - He was outside finishing. The inside looked pretty much done.
We are going to have to do some touch up painting. As well as painting
the outside of the door.
11:10 - Caulking
11:15 - Tested the deadbolt and knob.
11:17 - DONE!! He had cleaned up (as much as workmen do) and was gone.
on time! It was just him and a door in the back of a pickup truck. He
was really nice, soft-spoken and looked like a combination of Uncle
Rico and Matthew McConaughey!!
The process:
10:20 - After measuring, prep and removal of hardware, the old door
was gone. And I heard the click of the door knocker for the last time.
It was sadder than I thought it would be!
10:23 - Loud noises - the trim was coming off!
10:40 - New door on. Already!
10:58 - Trim going back on. Very loud!! He had this cool nail gun
thing that seems to charge itself - air-compressor like!
11:00 - Cigarette smoke smell in the house. Lit candle.
11:07 - He was outside finishing. The inside looked pretty much done.
We are going to have to do some touch up painting. As well as painting
the outside of the door.
11:10 - Caulking
11:15 - Tested the deadbolt and knob.
11:17 - DONE!! He had cleaned up (as much as workmen do) and was gone.
It went really well. And really fast! Besides being able to open and
shut the door easily without major force or leaning in with your body
weight, it's really pretty. I have my first "fancy" door. This is one
of the major things that I wanted for our house. Yea!!
Before:
After:
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Favorites
Some of my favorite foods from this week:
Fiber One Honey Clusters (even better than you would think!)
Sun Chips - Garden Salsa flavored (spicy and addictive!)
Lean Pockets - Chicken Fiesta (really good, better than I thought it'd be)
Meat-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
2 servings | 2 peppers per person
I've combined a few recipes together to create my own version!
2 poblano peppers, tops cut off, seeds removed, tops saved (for me, the spicy lover)
2 anaheim peppers, tops cut off, seeds removed (for husband, not so spicy lover)
½ pound lean ground beef, brown and drain
1 small onion , diced
1 can enchilada sauce
½ cup shredded cheese, divided
garlic powder, as desired
onion powder, as desired
taco seasoning, as desired
•Boil water and place peppers into boiling water for about 5 - 10 minutes, until softened slightly.
•Meanwhile, brown the ground beef, then add seasonings and spices, if desired.
Add onion and any other desired fillers (salsa, tomatoes, green peppers)
For a spicy version, chop the tops of the pepper (that were saved) and saute with the onions and beef.
•Remove pepper from water and let them drain a little.
•Handling peppers with care (they're HOT), fill the peppers with the beef mixture. Place in bowl and pour enchilada sauce on top liberally. Top with shredded cheese.
•Microwave* for about 30 - 40 seconds, for cheese to melt slightly.
*Alternatively, place stuffed peppers on baking dish and melt cheese in the oven (I actually haven't done it that way - the microwave is way too easy!)
Fiber One Honey Clusters (even better than you would think!)
Sun Chips - Garden Salsa flavored (spicy and addictive!)
Lean Pockets - Chicken Fiesta (really good, better than I thought it'd be)
Meat-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
2 servings | 2 peppers per person
I've combined a few recipes together to create my own version!
2 poblano peppers, tops cut off, seeds removed, tops saved (for me, the spicy lover)
2 anaheim peppers, tops cut off, seeds removed (for husband, not so spicy lover)
½ pound lean ground beef, brown and drain
1 small onion , diced
1 can enchilada sauce
½ cup shredded cheese, divided
garlic powder, as desired
onion powder, as desired
taco seasoning, as desired
•Boil water and place peppers into boiling water for about 5 - 10 minutes, until softened slightly.
•Meanwhile, brown the ground beef, then add seasonings and spices, if desired.
Add onion and any other desired fillers (salsa, tomatoes, green peppers)
For a spicy version, chop the tops of the pepper (that were saved) and saute with the onions and beef.
•Remove pepper from water and let them drain a little.
•Handling peppers with care (they're HOT), fill the peppers with the beef mixture. Place in bowl and pour enchilada sauce on top liberally. Top with shredded cheese.
•Microwave* for about 30 - 40 seconds, for cheese to melt slightly.
*Alternatively, place stuffed peppers on baking dish and melt cheese in the oven (I actually haven't done it that way - the microwave is way too easy!)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Bridge?
We are planning to go to Seattle this summer. Again. I loved it so much. We love the cooler weather. My husband has never really been much of a beach person. I used to love it, but now I feel like I'm a Pacific Northwest person. When we were up there 2 years ago, it just felt like home. And it's amazing that you can be somewhere on vacation and it feel like home. I think I may have something like a recessive Pacific Northwest gene that has been dormant but was activated on that trip. I used to adore summer, now I love the cool spring and fall days. I used to despise rain; now I love listening to it, being in it. Even driving in the rain doesn't bother me near as much as it used to. (Although I'm still not a fan of really bad thunderstorms that come with high winds and the threat of tornadoes - not as scary as they used to be!!)
So we are going back to Seattle. Hitting some of the favorite spots from our last trip - Tully's coffee - the Ferry! And going to do some driving to look at nature. So much nature up there, it's hard to decide. I wanted to check out the Olympic Peninsula. The main access point to get to the Peninsula is Hood Canal Bridge.
And in my recent research for the trip, I found this disheartening site. It's called "No Bridge, No Problem." Yikes. The Hood Canal Bridge is going to be closed all of May and the "first half of June." We are taking our already booked trip the third week of June. So here's hoping that they can finish on time - or even early. This is going to be messing up commuters and tourism, so I'm guessing they are going to be constructing pretty fast. But we are cutting it pretty close. There are ways around the bridge. But they are really AROUND. So I'm going to plan 2 routes. One with a bridge. And one without.
So we are going back to Seattle. Hitting some of the favorite spots from our last trip - Tully's coffee - the Ferry! And going to do some driving to look at nature. So much nature up there, it's hard to decide. I wanted to check out the Olympic Peninsula. The main access point to get to the Peninsula is Hood Canal Bridge.
And in my recent research for the trip, I found this disheartening site. It's called "No Bridge, No Problem." Yikes. The Hood Canal Bridge is going to be closed all of May and the "first half of June." We are taking our already booked trip the third week of June. So here's hoping that they can finish on time - or even early. This is going to be messing up commuters and tourism, so I'm guessing they are going to be constructing pretty fast. But we are cutting it pretty close. There are ways around the bridge. But they are really AROUND. So I'm going to plan 2 routes. One with a bridge. And one without.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Closed Door
I killed ANOTHER wasp in the house. This is getting ridiculous. But I found the problem. Our front door, that has long needed some TLC is now a little crooked. It's slightly slanted in it's rectangle frame. Well, a lot slanted. There is a crack down one of the panes that I have caulked from the inside. And it really doesn't open or close very smoothly at all. When it is either very cold or very hot, the door really doesn't want to cooperate. Also, there is a gap on the top corner - which is how all of our buzzing friends were getting in, I figure. I got some foam tape to put around various parts of the door and the frame, hoping that this would help the bug problem. But our latest visitor got in the day after. Maybe he was already here.
He was on a ceiling light fixture. Not the best place to try to kill a wasp. After pathetically swatting a few times – and then waiting for a while, I took one last swat. And he just caved. He just fell on the floor and waited to be hit for the final blow. A very passive wasp – just like I like them.
So the foam tape being the "final straw" so to speak, we went and ordered a new front door. I am so excited about it looking pretty. But I am even more excited about it being able to perform the functions of a door - opening and shutting! And the energy efficiency is going to be great too!
He was on a ceiling light fixture. Not the best place to try to kill a wasp. After pathetically swatting a few times – and then waiting for a while, I took one last swat. And he just caved. He just fell on the floor and waited to be hit for the final blow. A very passive wasp – just like I like them.
So the foam tape being the "final straw" so to speak, we went and ordered a new front door. I am so excited about it looking pretty. But I am even more excited about it being able to perform the functions of a door - opening and shutting! And the energy efficiency is going to be great too!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Shopping
I like to wait till the second half of the month to do any shopping - for extra things, i.e. clothes and such. I have a budget - a money "plan" for each month. Since I'm pretty much the spender in the family (my husband is the bill-payer), I like to have an idea of how much that I'm letting go of in a month - and where it's going!
So why the waiting for the 15th of the month to pass? I have a tendency to spend 3/4 of my budget in one category on the 6th of the month. Then on the 24th, I'll think, "Oh, I have plenty of money in that category left!" Only to find out when I get home that I really only had $10 and am now $30 over-budget. Waiting enables me to have more of an idea of what I want/need and can thoughtfully plan for purchases.
So, I did go shopping. I ended up getting a thin sweater, dressier jeans (that were marked down from $89 to $16 - and fit perfectly), and an awesome brush. Yes, I got really excited about a new hairbrush. It has copper bristles set on one of those cushion things. And the copper bristles - they massage your scalp and de-tangle with ease. It's the best brush that I've ever had!
So why the waiting for the 15th of the month to pass? I have a tendency to spend 3/4 of my budget in one category on the 6th of the month. Then on the 24th, I'll think, "Oh, I have plenty of money in that category left!" Only to find out when I get home that I really only had $10 and am now $30 over-budget. Waiting enables me to have more of an idea of what I want/need and can thoughtfully plan for purchases.
So, I did go shopping. I ended up getting a thin sweater, dressier jeans (that were marked down from $89 to $16 - and fit perfectly), and an awesome brush. Yes, I got really excited about a new hairbrush. It has copper bristles set on one of those cushion things. And the copper bristles - they massage your scalp and de-tangle with ease. It's the best brush that I've ever had!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Fast, Indeed
I was just getting started on my second half of the week - the half I don't work. I made my grocery list and then I was looking for some books at the library - through the online catalog. I like to swing by the library on the way to the store! The online reservation system is great. It opens up all of the libraries that are in the system, without having to actually GO to them. All you do is click the "request" button, then they notify you when the book is sitting there at YOUR library waiting with your name on it!
There was one book that I wanted to check out, but at my branch, as well as other branches, it was checked out. I knew, being a new release, that I would have to just put a hold on it and wait. I thought I'd have to wait about a week or two. So I continued looking on the site for another book I could check out. But in about 30 minutes - after looking at the online catalog, piddling a little more on the internet and then getting ready to walk out the door, I got a call from the automated service that it was on hold for me already. So when I went to the library, I was able to get THAT book. And good thing, they didn't have that second book that I picked out! Talk about service. That online system really does work! I couldn't believe how fast it was this time. I thought I’d have to wait a week or so. But all I waited was 45 minutes, if you could really call that waiting. More like “time elapsed”
There was one book that I wanted to check out, but at my branch, as well as other branches, it was checked out. I knew, being a new release, that I would have to just put a hold on it and wait. I thought I'd have to wait about a week or two. So I continued looking on the site for another book I could check out. But in about 30 minutes - after looking at the online catalog, piddling a little more on the internet and then getting ready to walk out the door, I got a call from the automated service that it was on hold for me already. So when I went to the library, I was able to get THAT book. And good thing, they didn't have that second book that I picked out! Talk about service. That online system really does work! I couldn't believe how fast it was this time. I thought I’d have to wait a week or so. But all I waited was 45 minutes, if you could really call that waiting. More like “time elapsed”
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wall of Fame
This past week at work, I had to input a 125 part order. To give you an idea of how big that is, most orders are about 5 parts. A BIG order is about 10 - 15 parts. So a 125 part order is just crazy huge. It took me so long to do – about an hour. I felt like after I finished I should have my picture taken and put on the wall! Like an eating contest or something like that! Not that I was the only one to ever input a monster order like that. But succeeding in finishing it was quite a victory. I felt like part of an unseen wall of fame!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Slow Week
Various things over the past week:
First rose of the season on my rosebush!
And, I have amazingly been able to stay WELL with a sick husband - going on 2 weeks now.
And I won - well, I won because I lost so many times - at my first Bunco game. 10 bucks is 10 bucks, though. I feel like a winner!
First rose of the season on my rosebush!
And, I have amazingly been able to stay WELL with a sick husband - going on 2 weeks now.
And I won - well, I won because I lost so many times - at my first Bunco game. 10 bucks is 10 bucks, though. I feel like a winner!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Colors
This week has just been kind of lazy. I've been reading some, watching TV and some movies. Just enjoying kind of a mellow week.
I did do some errand-running and a little shopping. I am singing in the choir at church for our Easter program. We are supposed to wear black pants/skirts and a solid, spring-colored shirt. The word pastel was tossed around too. So I looked through my closet. I have red, gray and black. So.... Is gray a pastel? Does it say spring? I don't have much in the way of spring colors in my closet. I'm much more of a jewel-toned girl. And recently, I've gotten on a gray kick. So I went to see what I could find. Let me tell you, there's not much out there in the way of spring colors to BUY either! So I ended up getting a green shirt and a blue knit top. Green, like Crayola green. And blue, like a royal blue. Still not pastel, but more springy? I don't know. But that's what I've ended up with.
And the sky. It's been amazing recently. The different shades of gray, giving way to a patch of blue sky. There is something so peaceful to me seeing the clouds like that.
I did do some errand-running and a little shopping. I am singing in the choir at church for our Easter program. We are supposed to wear black pants/skirts and a solid, spring-colored shirt. The word pastel was tossed around too. So I looked through my closet. I have red, gray and black. So.... Is gray a pastel? Does it say spring? I don't have much in the way of spring colors in my closet. I'm much more of a jewel-toned girl. And recently, I've gotten on a gray kick. So I went to see what I could find. Let me tell you, there's not much out there in the way of spring colors to BUY either! So I ended up getting a green shirt and a blue knit top. Green, like Crayola green. And blue, like a royal blue. Still not pastel, but more springy? I don't know. But that's what I've ended up with.
And the sky. It's been amazing recently. The different shades of gray, giving way to a patch of blue sky. There is something so peaceful to me seeing the clouds like that.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Action
This is going to be a random collection. But that's how this week has been!
I have become addicted to the world of RSS feeds. It's a way that you can collect all of your favorite websites in one place, then they tell you when something is new on them. It's more of a "here's what you want to know" - just handed to you, instead of having to go to every website and look for it all the time. (Google Reader - really good and easy to use)
I have been watching the show Being Erica. It's on the soap network. And interestingly, it's a Canadian show. But it's great. It's about a girl in her 30s who's not where she thought she would be. Expectations, of other people and your own. But each week, she goes back in time and learns more about herself by trying to do things differently. And it's not about going back and fixing the problems each week - and everything comes out perfectly. It's really more about learning who you are and being that person. There's usually a good quote each week, inspirational words, given to the character. This week it was "Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not." ~Henri Frederic Amiel. I loved that one!
One day this past week, I was running errands & meeting a friend for lunch - it was an adventure just getting there! On the way out, just driving down the road, I saw a deer running toward me on the shoulder of the road. I said to myself “ah, a deer. OH!!! A DEER!!!!!” My brain was so confused. I was torn between thinking how beautiful she was running toward me AND thinking “please don’t run out in front of me!” I had just seen a cop car and had naturally let off the gas petal, so it was easy for me to slow even more. She didn’t run out in front of me – and both me and the deer were safe.
Then on my way back home, I was at a familiar (normal) intersection, looked up and saw an army tank. Like a real, in the desert, military tank. On second glance, it was on a flatbed truck. But in the middle of a residential area is not usually where you see a tank. After the deer and the tank, I knew I had to get home - and soon!! No more weirdness!
Friday evening, we went to the driving range. It was great to hit the ball again. Um, to be able to hit the ball again. Those first few swings, I didn't know if last summer was just a fluke. I was all over the place. I was hoping that I hadn't forgotten everything I had learned. But then I finally started making contact. And remembering what I had learned - and putting all together! And actually I was able to hit with the driver (well, the 5 wood, what I call a driver) farther than I did last year. And more consistently! The irons were another story. But they've always given me troubles. I'm just glad that I haven't forgotten.
I have become addicted to the world of RSS feeds. It's a way that you can collect all of your favorite websites in one place, then they tell you when something is new on them. It's more of a "here's what you want to know" - just handed to you, instead of having to go to every website and look for it all the time. (Google Reader - really good and easy to use)
I have been watching the show Being Erica. It's on the soap network. And interestingly, it's a Canadian show. But it's great. It's about a girl in her 30s who's not where she thought she would be. Expectations, of other people and your own. But each week, she goes back in time and learns more about herself by trying to do things differently. And it's not about going back and fixing the problems each week - and everything comes out perfectly. It's really more about learning who you are and being that person. There's usually a good quote each week, inspirational words, given to the character. This week it was "Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not." ~Henri Frederic Amiel. I loved that one!
One day this past week, I was running errands & meeting a friend for lunch - it was an adventure just getting there! On the way out, just driving down the road, I saw a deer running toward me on the shoulder of the road. I said to myself “ah, a deer. OH!!! A DEER!!!!!” My brain was so confused. I was torn between thinking how beautiful she was running toward me AND thinking “please don’t run out in front of me!” I had just seen a cop car and had naturally let off the gas petal, so it was easy for me to slow even more. She didn’t run out in front of me – and both me and the deer were safe.
Then on my way back home, I was at a familiar (normal) intersection, looked up and saw an army tank. Like a real, in the desert, military tank. On second glance, it was on a flatbed truck. But in the middle of a residential area is not usually where you see a tank. After the deer and the tank, I knew I had to get home - and soon!! No more weirdness!
Friday evening, we went to the driving range. It was great to hit the ball again. Um, to be able to hit the ball again. Those first few swings, I didn't know if last summer was just a fluke. I was all over the place. I was hoping that I hadn't forgotten everything I had learned. But then I finally started making contact. And remembering what I had learned - and putting all together! And actually I was able to hit with the driver (well, the 5 wood, what I call a driver) farther than I did last year. And more consistently! The irons were another story. But they've always given me troubles. I'm just glad that I haven't forgotten.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Warm
I have a weather center. I am addicted to knowing what the weather is doing and is going to do. So I got this at Christmas - and look at it everyday! The "guy" in the middle is Oscar. He dresses according to the weather. Coat, scarf, hat, long sleeves, short sleeves. Stuff like that. Well, since I got it in the middle of the cold weather, I've really only seen him in pants - very well covered. The other day, it got up to 82 degrees. And here at 79 degrees, I was surprised to find him in basically - NOTHING. So here's my question: if he's basically in a Speedo at 80 degrees, what is he going to be wearing when it gets up to 90 degrees?
So this week, for my "try new things" - I mowed the grass (well, weeds) with the riding lawn mower! I haven't been on one in a LONG time. So it was basically new. And I've never mowed the whole yard before on one. It was so fun! And I didn't get hurt. Well, I did cut my finger a little, but that was on the gasoline can. Oops.
I can't believe that less than a week before mowing the grass in really warm weather, there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground!
New venture: I want to make a good low fat donuts. Or something that resembles the flavor of a donut. They are my weakness. I love them. And since I really favor cake or sour cream donuts, this should be a little easier to find a recipe that works. My first attempt at perfecting a recipe went pretty well. I ended up making more of donut mini muffins - kind of donut hole size. But they were very ta
sty! I even coated some with powdered sugar and they were even better! And I made notes, so that I could alter it – and know what I did the last time when I try again.
I recently got a Big City Slider maker. [Big City Slider - a mini burger "press" that cooks on the stovetop - advertised by Billy Mayes on TV]. I was looking forward to trying it out. The first few times it was used, it was AWESOME. Kind of a pain to clean - ok, really a pain to clean - but the burgers were very good! And cooked very fast.
But about the fifth time I used it, I noticed that one of them had silver streaks on it. It looked like someone had spray painted in between the grill marks. The "nonstick" surface had come off from the top (the press thing) onto the burger. I hadn't scrubbed it with anything rough or abrasive - nor did I use metal on it at all. And it was the TOP that seems to melt onto the burger. And the top really was easy to clean, so I never really had to scrub that at all. I was so disappointed. I hadn't expected absolute greatness when I got it. I figured it would be ok with the cooking and a little hard to clean.
But it made GREAT little burgers. And it was nearly impossible to clean. It was just so easy and fast to cook with. So I'm trying to remind myself, while I am disappointed that the maker "broke", that the cleanup maybe was just a little too much for something so simple. If it hadn't impressed me at first, then I don't think I would be as disappointed now.
So this week, for my "try new things" - I mowed the grass (well, weeds) with the riding lawn mower! I haven't been on one in a LONG time. So it was basically new. And I've never mowed the whole yard before on one. It was so fun! And I didn't get hurt. Well, I did cut my finger a little, but that was on the gasoline can. Oops.
I can't believe that less than a week before mowing the grass in really warm weather, there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground!
New venture: I want to make a good low fat donuts. Or something that resembles the flavor of a donut. They are my weakness. I love them. And since I really favor cake or sour cream donuts, this should be a little easier to find a recipe that works. My first attempt at perfecting a recipe went pretty well. I ended up making more of donut mini muffins - kind of donut hole size. But they were very ta
sty! I even coated some with powdered sugar and they were even better! And I made notes, so that I could alter it – and know what I did the last time when I try again.
I recently got a Big City Slider maker. [Big City Slider - a mini burger "press" that cooks on the stovetop - advertised by Billy Mayes on TV]. I was looking forward to trying it out. The first few times it was used, it was AWESOME. Kind of a pain to clean - ok, really a pain to clean - but the burgers were very good! And cooked very fast.
But about the fifth time I used it, I noticed that one of them had silver streaks on it. It looked like someone had spray painted in between the grill marks. The "nonstick" surface had come off from the top (the press thing) onto the burger. I hadn't scrubbed it with anything rough or abrasive - nor did I use metal on it at all. And it was the TOP that seems to melt onto the burger. And the top really was easy to clean, so I never really had to scrub that at all. I was so disappointed. I hadn't expected absolute greatness when I got it. I figured it would be ok with the cooking and a little hard to clean.
But it made GREAT little burgers. And it was nearly impossible to clean. It was just so easy and fast to cook with. So I'm trying to remind myself, while I am disappointed that the maker "broke", that the cleanup maybe was just a little too much for something so simple. If it hadn't impressed me at first, then I don't think I would be as disappointed now.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Snow
We had a beautiful snow here today. And it was the best kind too. It didn't make the roads slick at all. It was just pretty. After church, I did as much as I could in the snow! I watched the big flakes falling, took lots of pictures and even made a little snowman! By the afternoon, the sun came out and all of it melted away. But it was so amazing while it lasted!
My little snowman - only about 6 inches tall!
Snow on the holly
white everywhere - snow makes everything more beautiful
And then it started melting away.
I loved this shot of the white, green and blue. Such vibrant colors!
My little snowman - only about 6 inches tall!
Snow on the holly
white everywhere - snow makes everything more beautiful
And then it started melting away.I loved this shot of the white, green and blue. Such vibrant colors!
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