Desert Diva

Remember Me....?!

2010-12-30T19:17:00.002-07:00

... Shaking dust from keyboard... hello out there... remember me...?!

This has been an absolutely amazing year, and the next one I anticipate to be as amazing or better... God is in the heavens and while all may be wrong in the world, luckily I don't have to worry about all that... I can just smile in faith, keep the hope in love, and sing.

I've started a weight loss journey blog...
it is called Walk, Breathe, Sing, Laugh, Give & Repeat

and I started in the middle of November without even knowing that my step-father would offer to pay for Medifast if I was open to trying it as a way to getting healthy. Seriously an answer to prayer, for it has opened up my trapped negative feelings about the relationship I have with him, and well, it is extremely generous, and well -- to sum it up... God is an Awesome God.

Originally it was going to be a log/accountability method of really getting serious with walking to get healthier -- and maybe even to start running again (after losing 100+ lbs first). Now I hope it will be an honest account of my experience - the good, the bad, the ugly, the sublime. The hope, the strength, the successes, the failures, the support, the stuff that makes me think...you get the idea.

I really would like to be able to write every day. Both blogs, really -- this one for some of the lighter stuff -- singing, barbershop, quartet, Sweet Adelines, paper crafting and social activities, the other one for the emotional catharsis that I will be going through as I fight the food addiction and emotional eating issues.

It is a forever battle, this eating thing -- and I'm looking forward to Medifast as I would look forward to starting a school that demands all students to wear uniforms. Half of me is so excited to be limited with my choices, as it makes so many less demands on my energy and time and there's no arguing... no head-battles about squeezing in an extra point (not digging on WW, I adore WW and plan to go there after the Medifast Maintenance Plan) or having to choose from such a wide, delicious, tempting array of yumminess that exists in the world.

On the other hand, my inner 3-year old (whom I don't think has really come to understand exactly what is going to be *not eaten* for a long long long time... I don't say never, cuz that is just undermining at the starting line -- but "not now" will be a wonderful tool... but I digress) will soon be stamping her wee little foot and shaking her pig-tails and pouting her lips in anger... then she'll wheedle and cajole in a sweet little voice, "but you're a grown-up, remember...? You can have ANYTHING YOU WANT!!" and the fight will be between staying on plan or going off plan -- but I hope that battle won't be every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every... you get the drift.

I'm going to do another post, cuz this is getting long... but just wanted to wave to all of my followers (all 4 or 5 of you...) that I'm here and plan to be back in full force in 2011.

Region 21 2010 SAI Contest & stuff

2010-04-20T15:42:00.002-07:00

How cool is it that I can renew a library book ONLINE?!?!?! Way Cool!!

Region 21 2010 Chorus Contest:
San Diego Chorus - 635 points
Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus - 578
Song of the Pines Chorus - 558
Inland Empire Chorus - 542
Enchanted Mesa Show Chorus - 535

Quartet Contest:
One Voice - 640
SparX! 640
Hypnotic 615
Affinity 611
Orange Crush 566

It was the best contest weekend I've experienced so far! Stayed with my brother... hung out a lot with C, my favorite bass from Hearts Afire & High Priority Quartet; and P. I drove out and the drive went well -- relaxing - the weather was cool and beautiful... we sang the plan and it was just a great great weekend!

I'm now back to business in starting the business ~ still procrastinating a little as I enter back into "normal" life... ugh. But laundry is started, and now to unpack the car, and am looking over the next two weeks of things to accomplish... and am starting a food log.

I want my peeps from Forth Valley Chorus to see less of me when I see them in October in Seattle. The walking was supposed to begin April 7th. But April 21st will be as fine a day as any.

Happy Belated Easter 2010!

2010-04-05T16:16:00.003-07:00

Went to mom's with Auntie M and had a very lovely weekend!

Mom bought some new clothes ~ rare thing for her, and she looked good!

Visited Auntie J (mom's oldest sister) who has been suffering the last year through tongue cancer -- she looked great! That was a good visit, too!

Ate at El Encanto in Cave Creek ~ YUM!! But the pomegranite margaritas were VERY strong ;-)

Watched "The Blind Side" and it was everything they've said it is... Kathy Bates classic line,
"there is one thing you need to know about me. I'm a Democrat" LOL!!!

Busy week this week:
Music Team Meeting
counselor's appointment
attorney appointment for setting up a business...
craft classes this weekend (Flower Fairies to welcome Spring!)

Two trips to CA coming up -- Sweet Adelines in Pasadena, and Pepperdine Lectures in Malibu.

Rascal seems to have recovered from his ibuprofen overdose (Thank You Lord!)... he ate a baggie of ibuprofens that I'd had in luggage and left out on the kitchen counter -- he threw up all weekend I was gone for the Quilters Reunion... and continued throwing up for a week - 1/2 before we took him to the vet -- bland food (rice) for a week then slowly re-introduced dog food and he seems to be back to normal. Vet visit blood work showed pretty normal, they thought though that the intestinal lining and stomach lining were probably irritated from all the pills.

BUSY TIMES!!

So much for best laid plans to write more often...

2010-03-29T08:05:00.003-07:00

*sigh*

I kinda feel like a kid who's eyes are bigger than her stomach... my optimism about how much I can do in a set amount of time is a little ambitious!

Himself & I have watched Season I & II of "The Tudors" -- shown in the US on Showtime. Historically inaccurate, apparently, but lots of boobies for himself, which makes him happy :-)

Last night we changed the pace and watched Hugh Grant & Sarah Jessica Parker in "Did you hear what happened to the Morgans?" ~ which was so-so. Hugh is always funny (I think, anyways) -- SJP was ok. Then we watched "Couples Retreat" with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau & Jason Bateman -- and that had some really funny bits (in the embarrassing kind of way), and had some longer serious moments than I was prepared for, which I appreciated :-)

The Quilters Reunion was super fun -- I came back sick from lack of sleep - exposure to sick kiddoes -- and lots of raucous laughter and loud talking... and more laughter. I have come back wondering what the next 20 years will bring (was not this nostalgic or forward thinking after my 20-year High School Reunion!), and committed to not looking the same in 3 years (which is when we hope to get together againl...)

I'm still unemployed -- trying to start my own business and have a lot of fear with this... but believe this is the path I'm supposed to be on. The lack of funds right now is a little scary, however.

The next thing coming up is Contest for chorus in Pasadena. I'm feeling kind of done with contest and competition for chorus -- it sucks up money. I enjoy going and watching and not participating as much if not more than actually being a contestant and being part of the frenzy of competition. I think I'll be doing an "every other year" after this year.

Went and walked with L & P for 30 minutes at Rillito Wash yesterday afternoon -- a gorgeous day (though warm for me it did have a breeze :-)! I sat with P in Borders Bookstore yesterday for a few hours working out what to write in my business brochure - about how the business works, about me, and a bit more... extremely helpful to talk it out/write it out/ figure it out with someone.

Himself has started walling in the carport for what will eventually be the craft room/extra room for the 2nd fridge/freezer and stove (for bulk cooking and other crafting projects). Fingers crossed that the room will be finished enough to move stuff into by the end of May. Tax season has been the usual busy, so when he had a much-needed 5 day break (with vacation days) he did a little bit of nothing and 2 1/2 days of sawing, nailing and construction :-)

I almost forgot to mention that apparently I'm healthy... my blood work came back with no food allergies, no high cholesterol concerns, no blood sugar concerns (Praise God!!)... only pretty high blood pressure (178/100), so have changed medication and will see what that will do. Once that is under control then my counselor has said let's try the ADHD medication and see what that will do. Part of me is excited for that -- part of me -- not so much.

Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again

2010-02-23T08:29:00.001-07:00

Seriously.

_Smiley Face Here_

2010-02-21T20:41:00.003-07:00

Lookie Lookie!! It's gonna be a Senior Craft Class project eventually, but today this small pin was the "make and take" T & I did at the Stamp & Scrap Expo!

Eco Art Board
Stamp of choice
Inks of choice
Clear Micro Beads
Sticky Sticky Tape
small glass marble/bead
Thermal Foil Rolls

It's a 1-1/2 inch square, edged with the thin sticky tape (which is double-sided), which as metal foil along the side (which you can't see) - I chouse a brilliant blue. Stamp the white Eco-Art Board & color. (I used regular colored pencils). Then use the 1-1/2 inch sticky tape and attach to the top of the colored image. Attach the bead/marble, then dip in a container full of the clear beads. Attach the jewelry finding to the back.

Seriously a very cool effect, with very little effort!!

T & I had a nice day at the expo - and of course I come back all inspired!!

Right now I'm working on getting all my craft class photos in one place, so I can create a tri-fold brochure to explain who I am, what I do, and why it is necessary for Senior Citizens to have activities, and why someone should pay me for it.

I also found out what an ATC is today -- Artist Trading Cards - with very specific dimensions for crafty people and artists to exchange in person or by mail.

It is so easy to just look at all the cool stuff, and not actually do any creating (just buy all the tools...), so today was fun for the productivity we got to participate in!

Whoops ~ It's February 21st already!!!

2010-02-21T09:22:00.003-07:00

Outside my Window: Sunny & Fresh (recent rain), cool and beautiful
I am Thinking: That I need to do activities that will bring in some income.
From the Kitchen: I made spaghetti last night -- not hardly worth posting.
I am Learning: That I can get up at the same time every day, regardless of what time I went to bed. That the amount of sleep I get or do not get is directly proportional to my level of cranky ;-) [nothing new here, just an observation of how grumpy I seem to be lately]
I am Wearing: nightgown & robe.
I am Creating: a brochure to promote my entertaining and crafting for seniors citizens.
I am Going: to the Tucson Rubberstamp & Scrapbook Expo today. But I have no money, which will make me depressed.
I am Reading: Boundaries ~ a Christian based book on what they are, how to set them, etc... excellent!! "When someone is denied the natural outcome of his or her actions, they become helpless." -- paraphrased, but huge for me!
I am Hoping: That I really will be able to give up processed sugar. I quit for a week, and then had a little, and it is like a drug -- once you go back it is harder to give up again. And I think it is like poison when consumed in the abundance of products in which it is a large-percentage ingredient.
I am Hearing: The John Tesh Radio Show -- :-)
Around the House: Not as bad as usual -- the living room has been dusted and vacuumed within the last 5 days (!) - Kitchen is not clean, but not overflowing with dishes, and I've started laundry.
One of my Favorite Things: Cinnamon PopTarts. *sigh* a no no on my no-sugar list!
A Few Plans for Next Week: Busy week... Chorus meeting, chorus rehearsal, SCORE appt (retired business owners helping wanna-be business owners in starting their own business), Scrapping weekend at friends over Rodeo Vacation (Tucson doesn't have President's Day holiday, we have two days at the end of February for Rodeo Vacation!), Barbershop Arranging workshop on Saturday. Hopefully will have a voice student in there, and will get these brochures done!

Laughing Until Your Cheeks Are Sore

2010-01-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

The other night at Chili's ~ two friends & I (P & L) laughed so hard our faces hurt...

I was telling stories about my mother -- which I really can't share HERE, because too many people know exactly who I am ~ but I was thinking, after telling the Popcorn Salt Christmas Tale (which I can share, as we tell it to anyone who will listen to it -- every year... it is our own little Christmas Tradition now...), after L made the comment that this story could be a movie, kinda like "The Christmas Story" -- and after I shared the other "Multiple" story, that I really could write a lengthy essay or small book "stories about my mom" or something. This morning, after sleeping on it, I realize I have a lot of sources still to gather more stories, and it would be a good thing. Another project to put on the "Someday" list!

As I've started counseling, my eyes are opening to lots of choices I've made that I hadn't realized were made as my mother's daughter; not as my husband's wife. And that isn't even exploring making decisions as me, myself & I.

As the story-telling on my mom continued, bringing forth hearty, hooty & loud laughter -- I thought of my childhood ~ the only daughter of a single mom... who had some inconsistent good and not-so-good examples of father-figures... there certainly wasn't a rotating door of men or anything like that... far far from it. There were serious relationships, 2, maybe 3 if you count the User of Brazil; all of which were destined not to succeed for whatever reason.

She remarried after 37 years, and so it has been an interesting experience watching and experiencing my mother as a woman in love, in a relationship, and living as a wife. We both have struggled to put our husband(s) first; long habits are hard to break -- and both have come up short in some areas. We weren't able to put our husband first, which has put us on the path we're on.

hmmmmmmmmmmm

Interesting things to think about.

Red Knicker Day

2010-01-15T10:37:00.008-07:00

So, yesterday I was proven right in my predictions regarding my future with the TGC.

In order to do Special Projects for TGC I will have to submit a Request Proposal Form, in other words; I have to bid. When this decision was made and presented to me at the end of September 2009, I thought of this immediately... as an Independent Contractor I'd have no 'sway' or 'special relationship' with the organization, and who was to say that there would be a time when the Powers That Be would want to go outside of me for jobs they'd want done. And I was completely up front in saying that there are people out there who do these things (PR/Marketing plans, website design & upkeep, forms & fliers) who do it for a real living... it is all they do and they are professionals and will do a better job, at likely a higher price but in less time.

I smelled the dog, I knew this was coming -- as I think more about it this morning I'm so very very glad it came faster than later. When I was getting dressed yesterday I put on my red knickers.

Back in Scotland, some of the best training I have ever had was with a woman who had been contracted by Creative Memories to do Direct Sales training, Barbara Sharples. And she once said, "Women who wear Red Knickers rule the world." So, whenever I have a day coming that I know will hold special and unique challenges, I put on my red knickers. Yes, yesterday was a Red Knicker Day. (Translation: Knickers = Underwear, panties, lingerie)

I'm actually relieved. I feel free to say no. I still have a slightly bitter aftertaste in my mouth about how this whole thing came about... but now this meal is over, and I can truly move on. My prediction is that in 6 - 9 months things will be very different in the organization, not for the better.

In Other News:
I've picked up a second craft class (YAY) which is more money... And I now have a voice student who insists on paying me as well. (YAY YAY!!). So, I know that God is out there ~ and I just have to continue to Wait on Him, Trust Him, have Faith that where I am is where I'm supposed to be, and continue pursuing playing with the gifts and blessings He's given me. YEAH!

eta: correct spelling

Dec 26 - Jan 13... not weekly, but closer than previous posts!

2010-01-13T20:23:00.002-07:00

Outside my Window: Dark & Chilly
I am Thinking: I've spent too many days thinking of how I want to re-organize my room; now I have to do the physical labor of sorting, organizing, purging, simplifying and prioritizing.
From the Kitchen: The brownies I made two days ago are already gone. They were good though. Tonight I reheated some of himself's really really tasty split pea soup with ham.
I am Learning: That people who are inflexible are so for a reason... all my good habits from before leaving for OKC flew out the window when I came back... my sink has not been shiny for awhile. I'm not being so judgemental of those folks who have to hang on to the discipline of routine and for whatever reason cannot vary their lives. (why is 'judgemental' being flagged as a typo?)
I am Wearing: Clothes... took a shower today (yes, this needs to be said...) I am dressed but NOT to shoes, and while I didn't do hair and makeup (per Flylady), I did brush my teeth :-). Don't judge me that I didn't do any of that until after 4:30pm.
I am Creating: a creating space.
I am Going: to clean my desk tonight, and fold the clean laundry in the dryer that has been there for over two weeks (just towels and socks and stuff like that).
I am Reading: Ransom -- a Scottish Romance Adventure. [no change, haven't read any more since Dec 26]
I am Hoping: That I can stay focused.
I am Hearing: a song that is overplayed on my radio station playlist, only Delilah is playing in her show... "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it all...ya just might get it all....oh.. I'm goin' home, to the place where I belong..."
Around the House: a large (yet small) portion of my craft supplies are in the living room, my stamps are half-put away, mostly labeled (the big containers), and now I just need to be able to keep them somewhere as we gear toward getting my room done. More of my stuff is in Himself's Room on the guest bed. Ha. At least all of it keeps Rascal off that bed ;-) [absolutely no change here]
One of my Favorite Things: handwritten notes from long-time friends (notice I did not say OLD Friends! *lol*)
A Few Plans for Next Week: uuuuummhhhhhhgghhhhhhhhnnnnnn yeah. gotta work on that.

Thanks to Kat... would be great to do this weekly!! [Week 52 of 2009]

2009-12-26T20:15:00.003-07:00

Outside my Window: Dark & Cold
I am Thinking: I've spent a few hours on thoughts of how I want to re-organize my room; now I have to work to earn the money to pay for it.
From the Kitchen: *hahahahaha* heated up mom's Lasagna (supposed to have made Elk Shepherd's Pie... looking like tomorrow instead)
I am Learning: That I'm not as great a communicator as I thought with my hubby. Better late, than never, I suppose -- and we had a good conversation today.
I am Wearing: normal clothes -- have my light vest thing on and the space heater on in my room, which makes the temp perfect for me. I am dressed to shoes, and while I didn't do hair and makeup (per Flylady), I did brush my teeth :-). Baby Steps Baby!!
I am Creating: I just created a 'room template' on Publisher, so I can draw furniture bird's eye view of how my room can be set up.
I am Going: This has the potential to be very long... I am going to put two pictures in two frames -- it will get rid of two projects that have been out and bugging me for a long long time!
I am Reading: Ransom -- a Scottish Romance Adventure.
I am Hoping: That I can stay focused on getting my Studio Office up and running, for so many things are relying on me being efficient, and flourishing as an Independent Contractor.
I am Hearing: "Fantasy" by can't remember the name of this classic rock band - it is 70's Saturday Mix on 94.9.
Around the House: a large (yet small) portion of my craft supplies are in the living room, my stamps are half-put away, mostly labeled (the big containers), and now I just need to be able to keep them somewhere as we gear toward getting my room done. More of my stuff is in Himself's Room on the guest bed. Ha. At least all of it keeps Rascal off that bed ;-)
One of my Favorite Things: Clear Kitchen Counters - Himself did dishes and put away the ones that were dry from the drying rack. I love that look :D
A Few Plans for Next Week: Getting Ind Contracting contracts finalized, so everyone agrees on how to pay me, and how this will work; doing the morning routines with Flylady; walking the dog regularly.

Studio Before (Dec 2009)

2009-12-26T13:34:00.005-07:00

Yes, I'm still here... with a new attitude!

2009-12-26T11:16:00.002-07:00

December 26th(!)
Merry Christmas... Soon to be the beginning/end of the first decade into the 21st century. Yikes.

2010 for me has to be the year of FLYing (in FLYlady terms = Finally Loving Yourself and getting out of the CHAOS = Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). I want to take photos of the chaos I'm (we're) living in, but of course can't find my real camera...

So, this an hour later I'm now returning to the blog -- found the camera, took some pictures, loaded them up on the pc, answered some emails, and now it is 1pm (!) One of the things I love about Flylady is the timer concept -- anything can be done for 15 minutes. Set the timer. If the job isn't done, you can still move on. I don't take advantage enough of this idea, and it isn't a habit yet...

[1] Set My Timer for ALL the tasks/chores I don't want to do!!
[2] Do the Before Bed Routine
This includes Shining the Sink every night & going to bed before midnight!!!
[3] Do the Morning Routine
This includes shower, dress to shoes, hair & makeup, & teeth and getting up at a regular time!!!

They say the state of your house/surroundings is the state of your mind, and as I put in an email to a friend this morning, I'm functioning but I'm certainly not flourishing. Finding the external motivation that will overcome the 3-year old inside me who constantly stamps her foot and says to me, "But you don't HAVE to! You're a GROWN UP and can do ANYTHING you WANT!" is going to be tricky.

So, this is my only resolution for this year of 2010... to get out of the CHAOS. I anticipate that it will creep into my work habits, my play habits, my exercise habits (15 minute of loving movement is part of the Flylady routine), my housework habits, my rehearsal habits, and within the discipline of routine and habits I'll find there is freedom.

I know this from doing WDW a long time ago -- a Bible Based (now cult-like) Weight Loss program... but there is truth that there is Freedom within rules. Kinda like when you wear a uniform to school, you don't have to think hard about fashion, peers fashions, what to wear and stuff... it frees you from worrying about little stuff, and sure, there will always be things to worry about, but within the routine and habit there is flexibility, yes, but there is less time wasted on the small stuff.

So, for any blog-followers... I plan to be a regular blogger again, as I want to chronicle the journey.

I've started seeing a counselor, following an upset at my work -- where I'm no longer full time employed, but am doing special projects as an independent contractor -- which is another reason I need to get out of the CHAOS, because I WANT to work for myself, but need to follow my own rules (!) The counseling will be helping in the other areas I want to have more success in -- so here's to a fresh start, another new year and... once I overcome these challenges... here's to the NEW CHALLENGES and Opportunities of Growth & Development! (*just a little sarcasm there, not a lot* LOL).

Happy New Year Everyone!

Duh.

2009-09-17T14:01:00.001-07:00

Healthy thoughts are easier to generate inside a healthy body. ~ Omar Periu

Re-inspired....

2009-09-17T13:10:00.003-07:00

It has been longer than forever it seems since I've been in the mood to write anything.

Lately even Facebook Status (statuses? statusi?) have/has been a challenge.

Things at work are pretty close to the line. Two weeks ago I wasn't sure if there was going to be full paychecks for everyone. Today's payday again and it isn't too much better. We're down 30 girls and for our budget that is disastrous. I'm now sick.... sore throat, headache etc... so I'm home, doing some work (emails and stuff), feeling guilty about not getting more done at work, but don't want to expose anyone else to this -- which seems to be going around.

Normally I don't catch things that are 'going around' -- but when I'm consumed with worry... which, I hesitate to call it worry... it is more like anger... when I'm consumed by negative emotions I know my immune system is weakened and so voila! Here's the sore throat-headache which will turn into a cold if I don't really watch it. So... I'm drinking my singer's Tea, copious amounts of water, chewing raw garlic cloves (holy cow those things are HOT! but I feel better almost immediately after the initial shock and nausea goes away ;-), taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C every 4 to 6 hours, and the usual daily dose of echinachea, multi-vitamin and general pain reliever.

As someone who essentially lives life by emotions, when my feelings are 'off' everything else goes to garbage. I am so unmotivated in most other areas of my life when one section of my life is affected... which leads to MORE un (dis?)-motivation... because for me, the lack of doing anything only feeds the feelings of 'why bother.' That downward spiral again :-(

Hence my constant quest for self-discipline, self-control, whatever you want to call it. To just "put on my big girl pants and do it" makes me smile and often will get me over one thing at time... though it is a one-minute-at-a-time constant struggle for me... with food, with thoughts, with attitude... with doing things whether I "feel like it or not!" Work is completely overwhelming because when I'm in this mode I have a hard time concentrating or focusing (which is difficult enough without the emotional distractions....) on any one task, and soooo many things fall through the cracks.

On top of that we are all tired and worn out and overworked and underpaid. We all are feeling discouraged in one way or another.

I have the opportunity to go elsewhere and work... it isn't official, and there are a lot of things pending on what it might ultimately be; and it would mean going back to work for someone that I've worked for in the past and left because of the management style of this person. There were other reasons I left as well, but added altogether the reason I left was mostly my lack of coping skills with the management style and my lack of belief in myself and my talents and skills.

I also have the scrapbooking that I could do to earn extra money -- but the time between work and singing leaves me little time for that -- if I know my job pay is going to be less, I've offered to go part time and then I can supplement my income in the other ways.

I start reading personal fulfillment blogs, and personal enrichment articles, and things about minimizing and downsizing and being frugal and think, "yeah! if only I could clean my desk I'd feel better about it all and get things done." And while yes, there is some truth to that... that is too simple a solution (or at least, so it seems).

Dreamin' The Life is one blog that looks good...

Life Excursion has some well written and simple ideas...

Leo's Minimilist blog is always awesome... mnmlst.com
and his is where I usually go to start.

I envy those people who are born this way... sure I love clean counters and surfaces... clear of clutter, junk and stuff -- but the 'do it now' principle somehow always gets lost and before I know it, weeks have gone by and all surfaces are full, as well as the other places that seem to collect stuff.

I complain that I don't have enough room, which is why I go back to the minimalist ideal... if I have less stuff I'll not have the problem of not enough room.

But my passions - music, creative pursuits and sharing them, and learning... all these things require things in order to do them.

Now I'm just babbling...

oh yeah... and I'm supposed to be doing Weight Watchers online... this isn't working for me the 2nd time... I really do know better.

Has it been that long since I posted last? Sorry!!!

2009-07-23T08:15:00.004-07:00

Went to Mammoth Lakes... not as cool as it should have been for the 24 hours driving back and forth... 7900 feet above sea level should have afforded me some COLD!!! Did some scrapping, did some sleepin', enjoyed being all by myself for 4 whole days.

This weekend is Quartet Retreat... haven't even unloaded the van from the CA trip yet... leaving tonight or tomorrow, haven't decided yet. Not sure where my phone is... which could be a problem.

Miserably Hot.

Chorus is fun.

Hubby's doing great... heading home for 3 weeks... hoping he'll be shipping the rest of our (MY) stuff home.

Going to be doing some more craft classes... like I have time... but cutting out tv will allow me to do more crafting... and more money!

Also will be doing more scrapbooking... invested in a Cricut after coming back from CA, where I dropped off 54 pages (which I scrapped the week before... how much more I could make if I'd not procrastinate!).

Work is busy... scary times for non-profits who are extracurricular activities that aren't sports.

ttfn!

Way Cool!!

2009-06-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

2009-06-10T22:32:00.005-07:00

"Live like no one else... so that later... you can live like no one else." ~Dave Ramsey

Just got back from a 5 day road trip to Nevada with mom for a relative's high school graduation. It was blissfully COLD!! Quite unusual, really for the weather to be that cold in June -- it rained and snowed in the mountains, and on Friday the high was 62. I was in weather heaven!

I love that area of the country... small town-ish but near cosmopolitan areas... my favorite combo.

Mom & I listened to the "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey on the audio book that I downloaded on itunes... Good Stuff.

I read "The Shack" by Wm Young. Highly recommend it.
Don't live in Expectation. Live in Relationship... and love naturally puts someone else's needs above your own. Deep stuff. Interesting ideas... I read it with my filter on and it has some interesting things to think about regarding God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit... and how it happens that these terrible, awful, hideous things happen in this world.

Found an awesome used Craft Book for $20 --- one of the "different bits arrive every month" kinds of things in a huge binder... Senior Craft Class Fodder for a long time to come
:-)

Ate Basque Food Family style... Yum!! Saw relatives I've not seen in ages... also very fun!!

This is cousin Pat, me and "Big Neil" -- who, the last time I saw him he was probably a sophomore in high school... yikes!

Work in May was pretty insane... the girls had 3 concerts over two consecutive weekends, then there were Outside Auditions, Move-Up Auditions & Getting Ready to depart for Carnegie Hall, which is the tour they're on right now. I kinda kept up, but we've also been recruiting new Board of Director members like crazy, and we now have 14 board members (from the 8 that were there when I started in April of 2007...!), and lots of new stuff happening.

I'm excited that I've been asked if I would like to be a section leader in my chorus, which is something I've been wanting to do since joining the chorus (back in the early 90's!)... and my quartet is going really well, too!

The craft class has also been going well... and to pick up some extra money I'm going to start singing for the seniors again ~ maybe every other month or so. "Gazelle Intensity" is how Dave Ramsey describes doing things to get the emergency fund up to what it needs to be as fast as possible, then keeping up that intense pace to find extra ways to make money to pay off bills and get debt free asap. I'm not quite ready to sell stuff -- but taking on some money-making-musical endeavors sounds like a good plan!

The economy scares me... but I have to just keep reminding myself that I'm not in control, and I trust the one who is. I'm thankful, oh so thankful, that I have a job, and that we did have 13 new girls join at auditions in May... I think being in a smaller organization is a good place to be right now.

We finally got the too-big-table out of the dining area and now have the treadmill set up... not much more time for excuses! I'm going to quit the gym membership (the extra $31 a month doesn't need to be spent), and follow the example of one of the moms at work... she's lost about 40 lbs in the last 3 to 4 months by just coming in the door and getting on the treadmill for 45 minutes. She's not passing Go and she's not collecting $200!! That and lots of raw food (salads), makes a difference.

I have a relative who has asked to be taken off the ventilator... please send some good thoughts and prayers for his family... it is just really really sad. I don't know if I'll be able to go on another road trip so quickly... :-(

"High Priority"

2009-05-04T23:51:00.002-07:00

That's the name of my brand spankin' new quartet. Our registration was approved, our money is paid, the harmony has officially BEGUN!! It is tres exciting.
* * * * * *
In the sad/crappy news category is that someone I know has been a victim of domestic violence. She's okay, she has a support network (nowhere near here, which is good and bad), and how helpless do I feel. I've no experience at all with this (which I consider a blessing), but wish I could offer more help. I don't know if she knows yet what she's going to do.

I found out that if the police can't tell at the scene who is at fault in a domestic violence situation, both parties are taken to jail. So, she got beat up, *and* she gets to spend the night in jail.
* * * * * * *

Work is crazy and will be crazy until like, June 1st.

* * * * * * *
Got back from Pasadena ~ Sweet Adelines Region 21 Contest where my chorus hosted the other competing choruses & quartets. It was an amazing weekend. I spent the weekend at my brother's house, and got to hang out with a gal from the chorus 'cuz we drove together; which was also tres fun.

* * * * * * *
Planning a trip to N. California next... if I can get the 100+ pages of scrapping done.

Himself has painted the gargantuan shed (aka the man-cave) a very bright yellow. It's a bit "girly" - so we'll be changing that for a more sagey green color.

* * * * * * *

Life is good. I try very hard to remember that I'm not in control, and it helps.

Happy Easter a Day Late

2009-04-13T12:50:00.002-07:00

This has been the only weekend in a long long while where I've been home both days with nothing I *had* to do. Nowhere planned to go... no commitments. Saturday I started cleaning/re-arranging my studio/craft room... needed to be able to get to my filing cabinet which houses tax records and music. Put some of my clothes in the closet (lots of Sweet Adeline costumes etc...), and took down a 4-foot table that was just another flat surface to pile stuff on. Sometimes it got used as a workspace, but mostly it was a "hot spot." (Flylady's term for 'place where a bunch of stuff is put down, never to be put away again....')

The real reason I started the cleanse-craze is because I wanted to find the pictures of my high school production of "Oklahoma!" to post on Facebook (!) Whatever works, man. *wry smile!*

After this post I'll be finishing up some of the putting away in here... there's still some empty spaces that aren't filled with stuff ;-)

Saturday night my pal said, "let's color eggs" -- so I went over and we had yummy teryaki meatballs, veggies, m & m's - roasted peeps over the grill (can we say 'sick and wrong and VERY YUMMY'?!?!?), and were quite creative in our egg-art efforts. Oh yeah... and cake balls. Wow. Easy. Yummy. Gotta make me some.

Bake a Cake, crumble when warm. Mix in can of frosting with cake crumbles. Form into 2-inch balls. Freeze. Melt chocolate chips in microwave, use a little shortening to smooth out if you want. Dip frozen cake balls in melted chocolate. Place on wax paper and freeze again. Perfect size for sweet cravings without having the whole cake (and eating it too....!) She had done a pineapple/coconut cake with I forgot the frosting flavor... but really, any flavor would be soooo good!!

Since I can't get the photos off my camera at home, will have to wait to go to work and put them on my thumb drive and ...well, you know the drill.

Sunday I was supposed to go to church but didnt' make it. Not sure what is up exactly... still praying, still writing in my journal... still singing...

Instead, himself and I cleaned and tidied... which hasn't been done in a Very. Very. Very. Very.
Longggggggg time. Seriously. I've swept up the tufts of dog hair every couple weeks (yes, weeks), and that is about it. Yesterday we vacuumed -- moved the couches so we could sit on the opposite cushions and wear them down equally... so vacummed the entire living room floor... he hooked up the new surround sound system (the old went died) while the furniture was moved. We moved some furniture around to better house the technology/television stuff, I dusted a bit -- still some dusting to finish but it is so much better...

I did quite a few loads of laundry, and FOLDED it and AND put it AWAY. *yay me!!*

I changed the sheets on the bed and took off the electric mattress cover in preparation for warmer weather... though I have to say I had it on the night before... we've had some awesomely beautiful spring weather -- COOL. Breezy (o.k., winds up to 45 mph) and warmish days (low 80s) with nights down quite cool -- it rained pretty much all day on Saturday, and was cold (for April in Tucson)!! I'm lovin' it!!

I vacuumed our room, dusted, and did himself's laundry too... himself hooked up the former DVD player that was with the dead surround sound sytem to the tv in the bedroom and while we rarely watch anything in there, now we are DVD-capable, which is cool.

Tonight is "Friends & Family" night for chorus - we'll be doing our package for the contest weekend in a couple weeks in Pasadena... so full costume & makeup -- which is one of the reasons I had to get the clothing issue sorted and put in my closet in the craft room.

Last weekend was quartet weekend and the barbershop arranging day, which went really well, I thought!! It was fun, and as usual, I get inspired when I go.

Quartet was weird -- the other gals had just had a big performance two nights before, and were brain dead and vocally tired -- they'd driven down here, so they were done before we even started... and I was all weird too. We did some good ground-laying work on a song, and did some detail work on another -- but we did a lot of talking too, which is a good thing too.

This upcoming weekend is craft class (another motivation for organizing the craft room), and quartet again on Sunday up in Phoenix area.

So... since I've been kinda going non-stop until the weekend, maybe my 4 readers will forgive me. Or look on FB, where I'm still spending way too much time!!! Still love reading blogs, too, though!!!

Wow!! Where DID March go....??

2009-04-02T22:11:00.002-07:00

Zoomed by it did!! I've been a bbaaaaaaaddddd blogger!!

Have been spending far too much time on Facebook!

My new quartet is fab.
Himself is doing well... need to post pictures of his Man-Cave (aka HUGE shed)
Rascal is rascally.
Being back at chorus is great.
The weather cooled down the second half of March and it has been beautiful.
I walked 10 minutes yesterday.
My knee is still bothering me.
Our portable DVD is broken.
My house is a MESS!!
I finished re-reading the Mitford Series *so good*
My calendar is still saying February... perhaps that is why I lost a whole month, ya think?
We made Flower Pens last month in craft class.
This month we'll be making paper flower bouquets -- need to get busy experimenting exactly how that will work.
My dad had hip surgery... a little worrisome but he's doing very well.
My sister is going through a divorce -- we're all agreed it is the best thing, but the soon-to-be ex is being a real knob (that is Britspeak... look it up ;-)

Well... really, that's about all I can think of right now. How's that for random??

91

2009-02-23T17:46:00.002-07:00

Yep. 91 Flippin' Degrees on February 23rd. I'll have to start my griping about the hot weather earlier than usual, I guess. grump grump grump!!

Quartet is going well.

Himself is doing well.

My job is still a lot of work (for which I'm thankful...)

Passed my chorus audition last week, so now I've got to start paying money.
It is exciting as we're going to Nashville for the Sweet Adelines International Contest in October... and I know that most of the fun is in the journey ~

"It is good to have an end to journey toward,
but it is the journey that matters in the end."

I spent a lot of yesterday looking up vocal education stuff to work on with quartet.
I now need to do some actual singing...

Going to attend an arranging workshop on April 4th, here in town -- and there are a number of chorus members who want to come and learn more about arranging and barbershop chords etc... so time to brush up on my theory!

I can hardly move in my craft studio/office -- so need to clear some surfaces!

Today I cleared off most of the kitchen table.
I'm not Catholic, and don't know anything about Lent except you give something up. Usually until Easter, but I'm hoping my list will continue for a lot longer than that.

I'm giving up: Fast Food Drive Thrus... this has become a wallet-reducing habit. If I need to eat fast food (cuz face it, sometimes it happens), I have to GO INSIDE.

I'm giving up: TV Reruns... I can't tell you how long I've sat in front of the boob tube watching stuff I've seen before (or worse, shows I can't stand). No More. I've also written a list of the 7 shows (7 hours a week) of tv watching that I'm allowing myself. This is one of the reasons I end up staying up so late (even having fallen asleep in front of the tv, I still sit there instead of going to bed!!)

I'm giving up: Eating in front of the telly. (which is why I cleared off much of the kitchen table.) Usually after the meal I just sit there for another couple of hours, rather than getting up and cleaning up and going and doing something more productive. Getting up from the table is different that getting up from my reclining couch! Easier.

did I mention we turned on the cooler today?!!

A memorable Valentine Day

2009-02-14T23:17:00.005-07:00

Today was the 6-month mark since my good friend's husband was killed in the tragic bicycle incident.

At the intersection where the incident occurred, his daughters put together what is known as a 'ghost bike' -- a bicycle painted white, to signify that a cyclist had been killed at that place. There are a number of them all over town, but only because of his death did I know anything about them.

She and I went and got flowers to place on the bike.

We went to lunch and talked about how each of us got engaged... and how long they had dated, and I learned things that I'd never known about both of them.

We went to her house and had delicious blueberry coffeecake, with copious amounts of tea... then we made some papermolds (a cool craft thing), we napped a little, then after we came home we basically napped some more while trying to avoid being licked up the nose by a cutie chihuahua named Penny.

I was glad I was able to be around. This day that is traditionally a day full of red hearts and pink flowers, chocolate and mylar heart balloons... a day that we're supposed to celebrate the love we have for each other -- I think we did that. And we remembered Chuck and their life together, and I think it was exactly what it was supposed to be.

Himself got a beard trimmer for his birthday (yes, he's a valentine baby), and a bag of pistachio nuts for Valentines Day. I got to eat some chocolate hob-nobs (yum!).

Remember me?

2009-01-27T00:15:00.002-07:00

Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais & Tea Leoni & Greg Kinnear. Good Film. Watch it.

Watched some of the Third Mummy. ho hum. slept through a lot of it. And I even really like the main guy whose name escapes me right now.

I've been on Facebook. Hello, my name is Carrie and I'm a Facebook Addict. I even got my dad on there. (Hi Dad)

I keep meaning to post pictures... himself has been very very busy building a huge shed in the back yard -- it is 3/4 the way done -- most of the walls, the floor and a temporary roof, along with a door and a ramp are complete. Even some painting has been done.

Work has been busy -- chorus had retreat last weekend and 8 hours singing on saturday (which followed 3 hours the friday night before), followed by some light drinking and merriment at a piano bar... and I even made it to church on Sunday!! It was a great weekend but I'm spent.

And it is now late and I have a long week before I get to go scrapping in Bisbee for two nights and a couple days... very excited about that!!!

I haven't forgotten about my 4 readers... 3 of whom have caved and joined FB... I'm tellin' ya -- I've found people I love whom I lost track of and it is so cool to see pictures of them and their families!!

Kinda Spooky!!

2009-01-10T00:05:00.003-07:00

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* Share fun times with me.
* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* Reassure me often that you love me.
* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* being generous, caring, and warm
* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

* not being able to say no
* having low self-esteem
* feeling drained from overdoing for others
* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
* are outwardly compliant
* are popular or try to be popular with other children
* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
* are often playful with their children
* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
* can become fiercely protective

I found this quiz from Partake in Happy Hour's blog *waves* ~ and it is pretty cool. You can take it too:

http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz

Thanks A @ Happy Hour!

More Movies!

2009-01-02T21:12:00.002-07:00

So ~ last night we watched "88 Minutes" with Al Pacino -- I thought it was excellent! We then watched "Mamma Mia!" and I loved it! I really would like to see it live ~ but have to say Meryl Streep was terrific... thought Colin Firth probably should have been more featured in the singing, he has quite the nice voice... I love Pierce Brosnan, and he did an admiral job; but watching him sing made me uncomfortable because he looked so ill at ease for most of his stuff.

Had a really good conversation with my dad last night, which was something I needed. I read about people who are screwed up because their fathers are emotionally distant... my dad and I are so intune with each other it is kinda spooky ~ and he definitely is the polar opposite of emotionally distant! So ~ Love You Dad... oh so much :D.

Today I loaded up a bunch of photos onto facebook... for my two expat buddies (you know who you are) ... well, I just encourage you again -- in the light of the new year... to seriously consider being on FB. It is faster than blogging, easier... and in real time -- you can have the page up while doing other things... go away then come back and read your friend's updates and it is cool. Of course, it is a time vortex, which will suck away your time... but time-schwime, right?

I've updated my barbershop music database (yes, as exciting as it sounds *Yawn!*), and my barbershop audio database... our quartet gathering this weekend will be a music choosing and image discussion meeting, with maybe a little singing thrown in for good measure.

I have the craft class tomorrow and haven't done one. single. thing. And I'm here, bloggin like I have time (!!) It's gonna be a long night...

New Year's 2009

2009-01-01T01:11:00.003-07:00

We watched "Burn After Reading" ~ a Coen brothers movie with Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich & Brad Pitt. It was good, but we kept waiting for the funny. It is exhausting, waiting for the funny. Then we watched "And Then She Found Me" with Helen Hunt, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler & Colin Firth... I thought it was really really good. Started me crying though, and I haven't stopped.

Not an auspicious way to bring in the new year.

For tomorrow I got "Mamma Mia" and "88 Minutes" with Al Pacino... and by accident got one himself has already seen.

We had an outside fire, I did a really tasty cheese fondue with salami, bread, and since I'm trying to cut back on my wheat intake I tried lightly salted rice cakes & sour cream and onion mini rice cakes, which were pretty darn good! I made a couple of Shandy's for us (yum), and at midnight we had Bailey's over ice (mine with some half-n-half in it...mmmmmmm).

I'm still up, and have lots on my mind -- some good, some not so good. Say some prayers, send some good vibes :D

Happy 2009 to us all, and may the future be full of hope, blessings, confidence, honor, integrity, humor & harmony!!

The Year Ahead

2008-12-28T14:47:00.003-07:00

Based upon the last post ~ I decided that I really want 2009 to be the year I keep in touch. Send Birthday Cards, send Thank You Cards, send Thinking Of You Cards, Anniversary Cards, and if I don't get a card in the mail to call or email or facebook...!

And then the usual:

Lose Weight
Save Money
Do house work for 15 minutes a day (minimum)
Sing every day
Learn all my music
exercise 15 minutes every day (i.e., walk the dog)
Seriously exercise an hour 3 to 4 times a week
Go to bed before 10pm
Get up between 5 and 5:30 am
Spend less time watching television (need to be more specific... how about - watch my shows on Sunday afternoons when I'm home)
Limit my time spent online
Plan for Christmas every month (making cards & gifts)
Do it whether I feel like it or not!
Have a meal plan (to save money on the grocery bill)
grow 3 herbs in pots AND keep them alive (mint, basil, rosemary)
Stick to the Plan (keep focused whether I feel like it or not!)
Read my bible every day
Keep my prayer list and use it every day
Be grateful. Every. Single. Day.
Write in my journal (sorry blog world, some things I do keep private ;-) weekly

To me most of these are LIFE changes, not new year resolutions -- so, more of a "New Life Resolution" rather than new and/or temporary. This past year I got the exercise trainer, and just need to get back into the habit... which means getting to work early to leave on time... which means going to bed at a reasonable hour so I can get the unpleasant things out of the way (exercise & housework) in the early morning and still have time to do the things I enjoy (bible study, journaling, blogging, emails, keeping in touch) so that after the exercise in the afternoon I have the energy and time to craft (make cards & scrapbook), work on what my goals are for the yard, work on the music and goals with quartet & chorus, cook an evening meal and still spend some time with my amazing hubby.

Christmas Eve 2008

2008-12-24T15:25:00.002-07:00

I have to say this Christmas has been very weird.

No tree (a first for me) up. Not a single house decoration out.
Haven't sent or given a card... some work people got some ornaments, and that's it.
Himself and I aren't giving gifts to each other, but we need to give gifts to others...

Mom loved her Heritage album -- and her necklace, and her CD (which will also be sent to Dad after the Christmas rush...)! L appreciated his camouflage rifle bar-b-que lighter. I've not deposited Christmas checks from MIL, and the house is a mess. It just feels incomplete - and I think this feeling is because of all the 'unfinished projects' at work.

I started out with a plan, and good intentions, but sitting in front of the boob-tube increased the feelings of "don't feel like it" - along with the messy house, kitchen, craft room and what feels like my life in general. Doing everything based on how I feel is very dangerous indeed - and is a habit that needs to change.

I'm in a weird place... and I hope everyone is having a more peaceful holiday than I seem to be bringing upon myself .

Catching Up With Photos

2008-12-22T08:45:00.003-07:00

These are the "Pebber Nodder" Danish Christmas Cookies ~
recipe to follow... (these are the ones that call for white pepper in the
recipe -- and so far have been a favorite of all who have tried it)
I know they're not much to look at ~ but they're good!

These are the "Cookies in a Jar" Orange-flavored Cranberries & White Chocolate chips.
YUM! (Recipe to follow)

These are "Grandma's Ginger Snaps" or something like that -- very very good!
crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside! One of my favorites!
(you'll see evidence of the white pepper for the other cookies on the counter - ignore the dirty stovetop...)

These are the Holiday Cards we made in the Craft Class in November --
I don't have a picture (yet) of the snowflake ornaments...

I remembered this morning that my new computer at work has a multi-card reader
built into the base... and I can transfer photos from my camera card to my thumb-drive
and take those home and download via USB. YAY!

More photos coming... but wanted to prove that I've done a FEW of the many cookies to bake ... more cookies (and recipes) coming soon!

Christmas in Cave Creek

2008-12-20T10:16:00.003-07:00

Drove up to have Christmas with mom and step-dad for this weekend... brought the Heritage Album I've been doing for mom... and I was right, some of the photos in this book of her at toddler and younger age she's never seen before. I couldn't wait to give it to her -- so last night at 11pm I said, "I can't wait" and gave it to her -- and we'll go over to her oldest sister tomorrow to verify locations and dates... Feeling very happy that I did it and it is done!!

I also gave her a cappella company's "Praise and Harmony" CD -- choral singing of a cappella hymn favorites. She's loving it :D She put it on the stereo and music is filling the house. I've been drinking flavored coffee, reading book 4 of the Jan Caron "Mitford" series, eating delicious coffee cake, listening to great music and just hangin' with mom. It is good.

I have one more thing for her -- my friend and co-worker (Artisitic Director of TGC) is from Colombia, and her mother is up here visiting for the holidays -- and her mother (who speaks very very little English) makes these incredible one-of-a-kind and unique necklaces. Last year my friend wore one every so often and said her mother had left some with her to sell, but she never remembered to bring them to me at work... well, last Thursday her mom brought at least a dozen necklaces to our Staff Holiday Lunch Party and I bought 3!! Yikes!! One for me, one for mom, and one for awesome aunt M. who bought me lots of great baking things at Target for my b/day and Christmas.

I have a lighter in the shape of a camaflouge rifle for step-dad.

Do I need to say anymore on that?

I think I want to make some more ornaments... still can't get photos off my camera without going to Walgreens, so photos of the really fun and festive ornaments I made for work peeps (until 1am Wednesday night/Thursday morning -- just in time for the 11am work party... nope, not a procrastinator, not me?!!).

Peace!

Monday's Thoughts

2008-12-15T10:15:00.002-07:00

So ~ I got almost all the components of mom's gift done ~ one more thing to do, which will take about an hour. I'll go over to T's tonight and finish. Didn't get a single ornament done.
* * * * *
When I got home last night (around 9pm) ~ himself starts out with, "Well! Let me tell you about YOUR dog!" and proceeded to tell me that while he was out, the 8 x 8 Corningware dish that held "Bill's Magic Cookie Bars" (or, what was left of BMCBs... about one 1/2-inch row of graham cracker/chocolate chip/coconut/evaporated milk gooey goodness...) was broken, there was crockery all over the house, and blood on the kitchen tile... apparently licking broken glass isn't enough to deter my determined dog from licking and eating anything... no blood left on him by the time himself had returned home from Lowe's -- but Rascal was i.n.s.a.n.e. from the sugar rush and wouldn't calm down... other than being super hyper he wasn't injured, nor did the chocolate seem to adversely affect him.

We started watching "Hancock" (the reluctant anti-hero superhero with Will Smith, Jason Bateman & Charlize Theron) -- which was a much better movie than I anticipated ~ Will Smith is just a good actor, and there was quite a bit of comedy in the movie too. Anyhoo - in the middle of the movie himself took the dog for a 15-20 minute walk because Rascal was so hyper. Then we did the "Run Down The Hall and Jump on Our Bed As Fast As You Can, Then Jump Off and Run Down the Hall Just to Do It All Again" game for a few laps, which seemed to tire him out... but holy cow!!
* * * * *
This weekend we also watched "Chronicles of Narnia ~ Prince Caspian" ~ which was excellent also. I read that entire series but didn't remember a single thing except the part when Lucy sees Aslan but no one believes her and they should travel one way but go another and end up going back and taking the original what-seemed-impossible-but-isn't path...

Some violence... but without being bloody, gory and gratuituous... nobody naked... nobody swearing, although there might have been one "hell" -- yet great special effects and general excellent movie making!! It's amazing what a good story can do, eh?
* * * * *
We have Christmas lights up in the front of the house, a new front trellis fence with one gate done and another being built (another Rascal-proofing measure), but still don't have the Christmas tree up. At this rate when it goes up it probably won't come down until around Valentines Day. *sigh*

'Tis The Season!

2008-12-14T09:37:00.002-07:00

The concert is over... it was beautiful as usual! Our parent volunteers who co-ordinate the entire thing are awesome. My work is all the run up to the actual day... on the day I bring the money for change for the box office & flowers; and I bring the programs... then I sit around and chat to the fun parents... mollify the uncool parents... and stand around looking official... letting everyone see that Staff is at least a presence. I also watch the box office during the show ~ because we often have quite a few latecomers -- even in the 2nd half!
* * * * *
So -- I got up at 10:30 am yesterday and made my list for CRAFT DAY at T's:

Goal #1: Finish Mom's Christmas Present. I don't think she remembers to read this blog very often (or else I'd have more embarrassing comments ;-), but just in case... I got half done Friday night (very very pleased with myself!) and think I can knock the rest out today.

Goal #2: 25 ornaments made. This may be a little optimistic... but whatever.

To Take (In my HUGE black rolling suitcase, no less):

Plain Glass Ornaments (to decorate) check
Beading Supplies check
Bewjeweller & crystals check
Hot Glue Gun check
Quick Cutz Die Cut tool & Dies check

In my other rolling cart:

Some scrapbooking embellishments check
Embossing Gun, poweders and ink check
Glitter & Aleen's Craft Glue check
3 different kinds of hole punches check
The stamps I use to decorate the glass ornaments check
Scrapbook Paper to stamp on ... still looking at what I have... may need a Michael's run
Cotton Swabs & styrofoam bowls to hold the glue check
Fancy Scissors check
Personal Trimmer check
Adhesive Options: Zig Pens (2), Tombo mono-glue runner (2), Xyron "X", Zots (3 sizes), Double sided mounting tape, -- plus the aforementioned hot glue & Aleen's Craft Glue, Pop-dots (3 different varietes!)
Tulle Net (for ribbons on cards) check
All My Ribbon (2 containers full) check
Colored Pencils check
Stamp cleaning Supplies check
brushes for watercolor pencils check
Sponges for stamping check
Extension cord -- cuz they always come in handy!

I still don't have packed:

Watercolor Pencils
Chalks & hairspray (to "set" the chalk with)
cardstock - plain and colored

You would think, after this list... that my craft room and supplies would be empty. But no.

It is hard for me to stay focused on the one task at hand. I've got a few ideas for the ornaments -- but really should stick with one or two at the most...! I also want to make little tags for each ornament with the person's name and year on it -- I have the tag-maker (a brand new punch from CM!) now, which I'm looking forward to trying out.

Oh the obsession...

I still want to make the circle/triangle paper ornaments again, cuz T bought a Sizzix die that cuts and scores the circles -- which will save MOUNTAINS of time to make them!
* * * * *
I won't have time today to post the recipes or photos of the cookies -- but on Thursday night I made "Bill's Magic Cookie Bars" and "Raspberry Oatmeal Bars" -- I forgot the flour in the raspberry bars. They look funny but taste good! the 'magic' cookie bars need some modification before they get given away to anyone ~ but they taste yum-mmmeee!!

So -- I've made 7 cookies (8 if you count the 'bark') in the '25 days of Christmas Cookies' so far... with the concert over I should have the energy to do a few more this week. The weekend will be at mom's ~ and she may be up for doing some of the roll-out cookies... I'll bring up my new awesome non-stick rolling pin! :D

Happy Crafting & Cookie Cooking to all....

Crazy Busy

2008-12-10T21:54:00.004-07:00

Hectic & Busy... but a good time.

I've not been sleeping all that well ~ too much to do and not enough time in which to do it!!

But... I'm in a new quartet - so a Big WhOO HOOoooo!!!

We sang on Sunday up in the Phoenix area, and had the 'lay your cards out on the table' talk and rang quite a few chords... and ate some Christmas cookies! They all want the recipes - which is a good sign.
* * * * *
I haven't made any cookies since the Cookies-In-A-Jar recipe - which is delicious... so I can now safely give away this as a gift, now that I've tried the recipe!

I've been home too late to be in the mood to bake -- I would have started a batch tonight at 9pm, but have to get up at way-too-early to go to way-too-far-away work Board Meeting -- and don't have any of the fru fru niceties that I wanted to have for a few of the folks -- but I'm hoping to take care of that this weekend at the CRAFT DAY on Sunday afternoon with my pal T.

Saturday I also hope to bake bake bake and get the things I want to make organized to take to her place.
* * * * *
Friday is a crop, and I'm bringing my new (I still say new, but she's been there 6 months!) office assistant, who scraps a little, but needs to be introduced to the obsession...

And I made plans to craft later on in the month with one of the moms who is a friend from work... so that will be fun too.
* * * * *
I've still not got the tree up (which makes me bummed) and not sure when it will get up -- maybe Saturday... but only if we move some furniture around -- right now we don't have the room.
* * * * *
Went to my chorus' show on Saturday afternoon - it was really good! Spent the morning with my Aunt M ~ we went to breakfast at the Good Egg (yum) and I filled her in on the drama of last year's birthday story... and then she took me shopping -- I wanted some baking supplies so we went to Target and got some good stuff.

One of the reasons I've procrastinated baking is that I don't have the room to do any rolling of any kind... so tonight I went to the dollar store and got a holiday plastic table cover, and will use it to cover the dining table and do my rolling out there.

I do need to do some serious clearing of that flat space, however, first.

After the show we went to dinner with mom and "mom 2" - another "M" -- to a restaurant I've been wanting to try for awhile, but the wait is always ridiculous... so going at 4pm on a Saturday would be a good time to avoid the crowd. Oregano's is very good, with HUGE portions at extremely reasonable prices ~ my 4-cheese pasta was a bit on the dry side, but very tasty... and it came in a baked bread bowl, which was cool!
* * * * *
Well, time to snooze -- these mornings are cold and dark!

25 Days of Cookies... Decided

2008-11-30T13:09:00.005-07:00

I've found the 25 + 1 cookie recipes to try... in no particular order of preference:

Pecan Sandies
Chocolate Chip Kisses (Meringues)
Millionaires Shortbread
Easy Decadent Truffles
Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Highland Toffee
Frosted Banana Bars
Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies
Chocolate Brittle Surprise *made these last night
Apricot Tea Cookies
Bill's Magic Cookie Bars
Lemon-Lime Crackle Cookies
Chocolate Crinkles
Dora's Christmas Cookies (to decorate)
Spiced Gingerbread Men (to decorate)
Eggnog Cookies
Lemon Square Bars
Big Soft Ginger Snap Cookies
Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti
Delicious Christmas Cookies (Graham Crackers & Coconut)
English Tea Cakes
Peppermint Kisses (Meringues)
Chow Mein Noodle Cookies (aka "Bird's Nests")
Frosted Butter Pecan Cookies
Pebber Nodder (Danish Christmas Cookies)
Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies

I've printed out the recipes (all but one came from All Recipes.com) and I plan to photograph and post (plus review on the All Recipes site) my success (and failures). I need to take a photo of the Chocolate Brittle Surprise... which is very very easy, satisfies the sweet tooth and can be flexible with the ingredients (always a bonus when you're dying for sweet and don't have much in the house!) It is fast, no fuss, no candy thermometers (another plus) -- doesn't look terribly festive for a cookie exchange or a gift of cookies to give away, but I like it. One of the reviews referred to it as "Bark" - which it kinda is like... (not woody, however ;-) Himself didn't seem to be a big fan, but hey - more for me!!

I'm thinking (really, worrying) now about realistic storage and presentation -- and while ziplock bags do wonders, am wondering what the best solution will be in keeping the cookies until it is time to give them away. If I could clear off one small section of counter next to the stove, that would be the perfect place for ziplock bags and/or Ziplock Storage Containers...

I had the kitchen clean yesterday -- now it is a mess again -- I did make some awesome Turkey Soup, however!! Not the healthiest after-much-turkey-what-do-I-do-with-the-leftovers soup, but extremely yummy.

I so don't want to work -- I just want to stay home and clean my house and get ready for Christmas!! (whine whine)

Great Times ~ Great Friends

2008-11-28T14:34:00.002-07:00

Yesterday was a really great Thanksgiving at one of my good friends' parents home. Their In-laws were there from Washington state... kids were around... there were dogs... and football... and much fun was had at my friend's expense... and her sister enjoyed having someone else to pick on her with...

The food was good. The day was cool (for a change -- fall like, instead of Indian Summer/Hotter than it should be ;-)... and we have so much to be thankful for.

* * * * * * *
I want to do a 25 Days of Christmas Cookies -- experimenting with Biscotti, shortbread, cookies I've never made before...and then give them as gifts in decorated bags with hand-crafted Christmas Cards. A noble goal.

I figure finding 25 (or more) cookie recipes to attempt shouldn't be hard -- the hard part will be narrowing them down! Ziplock bags and wax paper should keep them fresh in the freezer until it is time to give them away. I've started the list of people I want to give them to, and dates to have them done by in order to get them to those people before I stop seeing them before Christmas...

This project should help me keep my kitchen clean because I hate cooking (especially baking, for some reason) in a dirty kitchen.

At the same time, I want to put together in a much more organized fashion, my own cookbook of recipes that we've tried and liked and that I should make more often. I have a binder of recipes that look good that I want to try -- some of which I have done with much success... but organizing a recipe book is a bit daunting -- categorizing dishes that could be "main" or "side" or even "Appetizer" -- my few attempts at getting it organized have seen me become incredibly overwhelmed, and just get up and leave the table (in search of food to placate my feelings of disorganization and lack of self discipline for not finishing what I start), and then leave the PILES of papers, recipes, binders, pens, notecards etc... on the dining table; which then makes me feel even WORSE about the lack of organization, self-discipline etc...

Right now I'm making Turkey soup from the Turkey Carcass -- my first time, really... I want to try homemade noodles for it -- but not sure I have enough room in my kitchen to roll them out.

* * * * * * *
I watched the last half of the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special last night, and then another Charlie Brown Mayflower Special that I'd never seen before. I like the Charlie Brown Holiday specials a lot! I wish we had "The Snowman" (A British Holiday animated no-words-just-music special over here...) to watch. I hope to get to watch some of my faves... I need to find out from the website what the schedule(s) will be.

20th Anniversary of my 21st Birthday

2008-11-26T17:04:00.002-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday... it was pretty quiet... himself got me a 22-inch flatscreen monitor for my 'puter (Yay Himself!!)... Dad gave me money & a cool book "Then Sings My Soul" - 150 Christmas, Easter and All-Time Favorite Hymn Stories... Mom bought me a pair of shoes... 2nd mom gave me a $25 Gift Card for Michael's Crafts... ex-step-mom (who really is still very mom-like) gave me a watercolor of a sunset she painted herself... very cool... and a couple cards, and a neat bag 'o gifts from one of the cool moms at work with musical motif things.

We ordered pizza last night and watched tv -- and that was about it. I'm making a cheesecake for Thanksgiving tomorrow (since I don't like Pumpkin Pie)... actually ~ give me a plate of mashed potatoes & cheesecake and I'm thankful!! :D

I'm once again burned out/bored at work... same stuff, different day -- and then I feel bad about feeling that way.

But I'm excited about a possible new quartet -- as my friend says, "eager to pursue" it and see what happens!!

Obsessed -- sometimes (long)

2008-11-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

So -- Sweet Adelines International Convention happened November 4 - 8 (I started this post on the last day of the convention, November 8th while watching the chorus finals) in Honolulu Hawaii. The organization started broadcasting live over the internet a few years ago -- so somewhere in the range of 3,000 women worldwide watched the contest...

Wednesday (November 5th) was Quartet Semi-finals
All the winning quartets from 35 regions around the world in one place to compete - plus 4 or 5 "wildcard" quartets. [Wildcard quartets have the top 5 scores worldwide -- but who didn't win their region -- some regions have some really high-scoring quartets. The Wildcard aspect came about because in some regions the same quartets (and choruses) kept winning... but that region's second place quartet score was higher than many of the winning quartet in other regions.]

Because the 15 top-scoring quartets at international contest do not have to re-compete in their regional contests the next year in order to compete at the international level again, in theory the quartet contest could be 35 + 5 + 15 quartets -- each singing no more than 6 minutes each = 55 quartets. This year there were 50 competitors. That is a minimum of 300 minutes. It takes judges between 5 and 15 minutes to score between competitors... so this is a MARATHON of singing.

The director of my chorus (Tucson Desert Harmony), Dayle Ann Cook, is the Lead (singer) of SparX quartet -- and they made the top 10 quartets -- enabling them to move on to the Finals (which was yesterday). Our region (Region 21 is S. California, Arizona, New Mexico & El Paso TX) had two quartets competing in the finals... SparX, and Affinity - the members of which are another post.

Barbershop singing has a PR problem... if you don't know firsthand, then you think singing barbershop is 4 (old) guys with waxed handlebar mustaches and striped vests with straw hats singing "Goodbye You Coney Island Baby." Singing 4-part a cappella harmony is actually quite hip today! This ain't your grandpa's barbershop, baby!!

CARA - Contemporary A cappella Recording Award (Sponsored by CASA - Contemporary a cappella Society) they have a barbershop category in the contest! CASA is hip, its funky, it has cool young people! There are colleges & universities out there that young people choose because of the a cappella extracurriculars! I'm tellin' ya it is COOL!

Sweet Adelines is one of the most dynamic, supportive and organized women's organizations that exist today. With Vocal Education as a core belief, and hundreds of amazing vocal teachers, educators, and women who exemplify that really -- we can be whoever we want to be -- it is a shame it has to fight such an old-fashioned image. It encompasses women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds and abilities... with the goal of constant "Lock and Ring" in singing -- creating an audible "fifth voice" -- a note that is heard above the highest note being actually sung. Music is such a beautiful marriage of Left and Right brained talents -- the art and science a perfect blend!

Real Women. Real Harmony. Real Fun

This Organization offers constant education regarding singing, leading, strategic planning, marketing & team management -- by women who are successful in their non-singing lives in these areas. Opportunties to develop just about any skill you can think of exist and all you have to do is sign up ... and of course, pay $!

Singing is good for your health. My personal motto is, "Everyone can sing, not everyone has to listen!" Singing in a group creates an energy that spills over into your life, and, to be simple -- just plain makes you feel better about yourself and your life. Getting to chorus after a long (and sometimes crappy) day at work is sometimes the hardest thing to do -- but wow -- afterwards I feel energized, enthusiastic, optimistic and happy.

As we age, singing helps in all sorts of ways... an excerpt from the linked article above says this about singing and seniors:

Singing, particularly in a chorus, seems to benefit the elderly particularly well. As part of a three-year study examining how singing affects the health of those 55 and older, a Senior Singers Chorale was formed by the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C.

The seniors involved in the chorale (as well as seniors involved in two separate arts groups involving writing and painting) showed significant health improvements compared to those in the control groups. Specifically, the arts groups reported an average of:

30 fewer doctor visits
Fewer eyesight problems
Less incidence of depression
Less need for medication
Fewer falls and other injuries

Even lead researcher Dr. Gene D. Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health, and Humanities at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., was surprised at how big of an effect the seniors' arts participation had on their health.

"My surprise was not a factor of whether the intervention would work, but how big an effect it would have at an advanced age," said Cohen. "The average age of all the subjects was 80. This is higher than life expectancy, so, realistically, if an effect were to be achieved, one would ordinarily expect to see less decline in the intervention group compared to the control. The fact that there was so much improvement in many areas was the surprise factor."

The seniors themselves also noticed health improvements, said Jeanne Kelly, director of the Levine School of Music, Arlington Campus, who led the choral group. The seniors reported:

Feeling better both in daily life and while singing
Their everyday voice quality was better
The tone of their speaking voice did not seem to age as much
Easier breathing
Better posture

America, Get Singing!! Belt it out and Feel Good about it!

I have more to say on the subject, but this is a LONG post!

Long Time Not Here...

2008-10-26T12:08:00.002-07:00

I'm woefully behind in blogging...

I got back from my voonderbar week away -- and hit the ground running with prepping for the TGC Rummage Sale.

I hate the Rummage Sale.

In case I'm not clear - the Rummage Sale and everything it is associated with... -- is detestable.

I enjoy going to other folks' rummage sales... yard sales... etc... It gives a peek into how strange people live (and by strange I mean unknown... and sometimes weird).

Last year we made $3,000 on the Rummage Sale and for all the agonizing over the lack of help sorting and pricing through the donations that over 100 families dropped off (that is a lot of trash... er -- treasure!!) -- fretting over how many volunteers were actually going to be there to help on the day -- struggling with l i f t i n g and c a r r y i n g -- two things which are truly truly odious to me... I figure $3,000 was barely worth it.

Yesterday we'd only made $1,500 -- which really sucks cuz we were more organized, had done more pre-advertising... had our girls promoting on a local radio station the Friday morning before it starting... had signs out... and in the economy we're in one would think we were in a position to do better. But no.

It will be over today. And for that I'm grateful. And in case you're worried that my feelings are not known amongst my workmates -- please do not be worried.

* * * * *

As for my terrifically fantastic vacation -- I scrapped over 50 pages in total -- 25+ for my sister (with some pages done from said sister and step-mom); and 25 pages of my good friend D's 40th surprise party (he turns 42 in February). I still have the random life photos to put on the pages for D's second album... but the party is done done done.

Seeing family was great -- as always. It was a huge bummer himself couldn't come with me :-(
and he was missed big-time by my family. We played Taboo and Catch Phrase and Clue... ate obscenely (though not as bad as it could have been), and I did a lot of laying around -- oh, and did I mention scrapbooking?

We went to Sea World in San Diego -- and I haven't shared with the world the results of my doctor's visit the Friday before I left -- I came away with the knowledge that my knee issues aren't just because seats are too low... my knee cap is sliding out of its groove -- my sis gave me some exercises to help with it -- and walking helps a lot. I mention it now because walking 600+ acres of sea world wiped me out. I mean, I was done by the time we had walked from the car to the entrance... which is so very pathetic and didn't help me feel good about myself. I got some good pics, but still have to get them off my photo card at the drugstore -- card reader at home isn't wanting to play.

I also came away from the Dr. with high blood pressure medicine (I blame the job -- NOT that I'm way overweight and don't exercise --NNOOooooo.... those two things have nothing to do with it!! ;-) -- some happy pills (which I'm extremely happy to have), and two other things that I won't share with the world, but suffice to say that these are things that never crossed my mind in my 20's & 30's. bleh -- I say BLEH to aging ungracefully (disgracefully??).

After seeing family, I went up the mountain 7,650 feet to Big Bear to scrap with 38 other women for 3 days. I've never done this kind of thing before (not that I haven't wanted to!), and it is so worth saving money and doing 3 times a year! I got so much done, had tons o' fun and I was relaxed and truly vacationing... usually I'm scrambling seeing and doing as much as I can when I go away -- and this was just a really really wonderful chance to unwind and be lazy but still get stuff done!

And I was blissfully chilled - cold even! The weather was gorgeous - warm in the sun, cool in the shade, a beautiful breeze... the hotel was kinda cheesy but very comfortable and the staff was friendly and the food was (mostly) very tasty.

T and I are planning to plan a local (but still 'away') scrapping weekend -- I'm muchly looking forward to it!

Craft Class - October 2008

2008-10-09T05:43:00.001-07:00

Craft Class Toilet Roll Napkin Rings

(Try to ignore the distracting mess of my desk...)

Voting in Arizona -- morphing to ranting about poorly designed websites

2008-10-06T08:18:00.004-07:00

Beware a whiny, whiny rant.... with some valid points :-)

Today's the deadline to make sure you're registered to vote in the upcoming General Election.

Of course, we moved in October last year -- and I just today changed my address via
ServiceArizona's EZVOTER.

It (meaning the EZVOTER website and its services) wasn't advertised in the paper, on the radio or tv that it could be this easy (to change your address or party affiliation online). But I remember seeing the option when I changed my driver's license address (online) a few months ago... and I totally meant to go back, but didn't write it down, so of course, forgot that it was that easy.

But, as it has been publicized last week on my radio station, and on the news Friday night -- that today is the deadline, I dutifully went online with a vague memory of knowing it could be easy... a couple weeks ago -- rather than having to go to a (gasp) building (horror!) during business hours (oh the inconvenience...!) to the police station, the voter place, the library etc... and for whatever reason (like maybe it was too late at night for me to be coherent using a search engine), I couldn't find the right websites. All I got was Pima County blah blah blah.

Well -- THIS is the site I was looking for... easy-peasy lemon-squeezy! Easy, intuitive, informative! So thank you Jan Brewer, Secretary of State in Arizona!! No thanks to Pima County... where this page gives nothing simple or easy -- very small and hard to read if you're over 50 -- and I just noticed the small link with absolutely no explanation for EZ VOTER at the very bottom of the page.

[pet peeve: if you don't know........., you don't know to ask. Put another way -- if you aren't aware that there is more information to be had, and you don't know enough about what it is you're doing and/or how to do it... sometimes you don't have a question -- because: you do not know that you don't know... make sense? I'll talk about Benidorm and travel brochures for package holidays in the UK in another post!!]

*Make the connection in my seemingly unconnected pet peeve and stupid web page-- if you don't know EZ Voter exists, you don't know what you're looking for, and there isn't a simple wee explanation that says something like "Change your address or party affiliation online with EZ VOTER" -- I know I sound like a big whining baby -- and perhaps I am -- but seriously, why go to the bother of putting the link on the page without some kind of publicity about what it does. I'm sure the employees in the Pima County Recorder's office do NOT mind if LESS people call them or come into their office...!*

Which brings to me to a general pet peeve about badly designed, user-unfriendly websites... Don't these people know that if we're looking to do something online we want it spoon-fed to us? (DUH!!) Don't they know we can't be arsed to look it up, drive anywhere, pick up the stinkin' phone.... puh-leeze!! If I wanted to work at it I wouldn't be sitting in my underwear, drinking coffee and eating my breakfast bagel while doing serious work ;-) !!

This website does a valuable, wonderful service and I truly believe in it's mission, cause, the people who work there etc.. but Oh. My. Stars. what a nightmare to navigate. [Of course, I just went there to get the link and it is under construction. hrmph. we'll see....! ;-) ]

All that to say -- I'm quite relieved that I am now legally registered to vote -- because folks, it's gonna be close!

Technology Today

2008-10-04T11:16:00.003-07:00

So... after our van was attempted to be stolen (just no good grammar way to write that thought when I'm in a hurry), we had to get the starter mechanism repaired. And there is a computer chip that has to connect with the ignition key (van key) in order for the van to go.

Well -- himself's key is all fine and good.

Mine... not so much. So this morning I had 15 minutes I'll never get back -- thinking the van was broken forever in a weird way that wasn't the battery or that anything was really *wrong* with the van -- when, in fact, I was just using the wrong van key.

My key opens the doors too. It just doesn't make the van go.

Who would think that changing keys (which you think are exactly the same, when in fact they are not), would make the van go.

I tell you -- not such simple times we live in, ya know.

- - - - -
so, now I'm off to teach seniors how to make napkin rings with toilet paper tubes.

I know you want one.

Paul Newman

2008-10-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

Hollywood has lost another class act.

frivolous and fun

2008-10-02T06:48:00.001-07:00

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

A Bit 'o fun (since I'm not writing much!)

Oh the Randomness

2008-09-27T00:09:00.003-07:00

Life is full!

I'm struggling with sinus headaches = toothaches because of the pressure -- worse on the back teeth that have a crack and are sensitive when I don't have sinus pressure.

Work is way busy -- tomorrow is United Way's Days of Caring -- a great thing but a pain in my backside... too much detail for how tired I am at the moment.

I've been a baaaadd blogger -- so much for consistency!

My knee hurts but it is better.

Had a great weekend at mom's last weekend -- napped, watched movies, ate popcorn... and it was a great rest before the crazy that is now.

Looking forward to my brother & sister in law's open house in October ... lots of family, and I'm gonna be scrapbooking in the woods... so much fun to be had :D. I have such high hopes of how much I can get done in 72 hours (notice I dont' say 3 days!!).

we'll be draining the (green) pool this weekend.

Hubby got great news with work so he's a happy camper.

Rascal is adorable as usual.

I'm blessed, and so thankful.

I've recently been experimenting with EFT -- and it did make my sinus headache diminish by leaps and bounds.

Baronness and Sad Tomato -- would you get your hiney's on Facebook please?! (kiss kiss)

Consistency

2008-09-15T06:59:00.002-07:00

Is something I lack... I'm consistent in that I like to sleep... I like to stay up too late... and I often make a huge effort to avoid something I don't want to do.

I started this blog to help me track how much time passes, and to help me remember what each year has achieved, or not achieved -- I'm a better writer than what goes out there... but often the emotional *crap* (for lack of better word) engulfs me, and I can't see the funny side of anything -- and there are a lot of funny people and situations out there!

I spent a couple hours yesterday finding more Pepperdine alums on facebook -- it is fun!

I've moved my craft room around a little... getting easier access to the music and trying to clear some space for my new keyboard (yay!).

I'm going to a weekend crop soon, and have so many projects to choose from:

finish my 3-volumes of college life
begin my "Quilters" album in preparation for the reunion that needs to start getting organized
Get up-do-date with the Christmas Album
Finish my friend's 40th surprise party album (he'll be 42 in February)
Begin/Finish my mom's (surprise) album
Re-do the Edinburgh Festival album from 1990 (part of college but separate, like Quilters)
Get my Bravvo! tour out of three 3-ring binders and condensed into one album

If I finish college, that will clear out a box of stuff... and a table will be free for the keyboard
I'm thinking that makes the most sense right now.

It is going to be a busy week at work... need to get going!

Craft Class Again

2008-09-13T10:44:00.002-07:00

We're doing Autumn-Halloween pocket door hangers -- it has been fun putting it together.

Right now I'm sitting in my 'studio' -- I had to find a corner rounder (found it!) and knew where it was, but it was two or three layers of stuff to go through before I could get to the box they were in... So I figure I might as well re-arrange a little -- himself wants my desk for his work-at-home that starts end of this next week, so I'm losing a great (second-hand) desk -- gaining some space -- so I'm trying to think how best to re-arrange.

And I'll be returning to Sweet Adelines, and so have to have access to all that stuff.

I'm going away to scrap for a weekend in October, and it sure would be nice to have all the stuff I've been saving to scrapbook "someday" in page kits ready to go...

Not impossible, and now that it is cooling down slightly (I actually turned the blower of the evap cooler up to 70 last night!!!) I am much more likely to stay in here and get some work done.

- - -
I've not been to the gym since August 14th. My knee is really really hurting, worse than ever before... and I know that walking will strengthen what needs to be strengthened... and do my back a lot of good too.

I got my can of pepper spray (they were out of the pocket/purse size, so I have a MAJOR can of pepper spray) and the silver police whistle -- now for the flashlight and the massive something in which to hang all this stuff and wear while I'm out walking my dog. Cuz when you have a handful of dog poop (which also could be a formidable weapon....) and a dog leash in both hands, you don't want to be worrying about the flashlight and the pepperspray -- but yet you want it handy and ready-to-go.

If I'd left T.'s earlier than 11:15pm (if I'd been leaving closer to 9pm) I would have gone to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. I'm going to do that today. Sometime today. I miss the workout, I miss feeling proud of myself for doing something good for me that I don't necessarily enjoy.

it's been a busy week...

2008-09-07T21:33:00.003-07:00

I sang with a quartet today -- much fun was had by all!!

I had a work strategic planning meeting on Saturday -- lots of good work, lots of plans...

I had my work evaluation on Friday -- it was what I expected but still wasn't spectacular

My knee is killing me -- stupid black slip on shoes

I finally bought Pepper Spray & a Whistle (no more excuses not walking Rascal!) -- it will help my knee to walk.

I haven't been to the gym in 3 weeks -- miss the elliptical. Really!!!

I've decided to go back to Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus (if they'll have me) and begin the journey to International Contest in Nashville next year -- need to get organized, as I hope to go back in October... maybe November since October will be BIZEEE

T. & I made some CUTE door hangers for the craft class this Saturday -- fall themed and halloween themed, and they have a little pocked for a notepad and pen in case you're not home and someone stops by and wants to leave a message! :D

I'm going to bed before 10pm!

Labor Day

2008-09-01T23:15:00.003-07:00

It's still hot.

I'm still crabby.

I have one good day and like, 9 bad ones.

Self-discipline is miles away.

But my kitchen floor was mopped at 10:25pm this evening.
And 3/4's of my counters are clean and sanitized.
And the only dishes at my sink are two water cups.

And there will be coffee at 5am.

Spent the weekend at mom's -- finished the book I started when I was up canning peaches -- brought back some canned peaches, peach & apple jam, homemade applesauce & spiced peaches.

Working Woes

2008-08-26T06:22:00.002-07:00

Overwhelmed.

I'm often at a loss for words to express how frustrated, annoyed, overwhelmed, defeated, disorganized (using the thesaurus now) in a constant state of upheaval, agitated, unhinged (that is a good description) I often feel with how much there is to do. Some of it is the nature of the job, some of it is my emotional state (combined with hormones = whiny, crying & crabby), and some of it is being in the constant stage of change or learning that makes me feel like I'm not ever enough.

I know I'm extremely capable at 75% of what I'm doing. 25% of following through isn't happening, and I had a pretty short blue line (Kolbe). Doing it for a year is just torturing me - I know that I hate it when it gets to a certain point in the details, and seeing how many things get missed because I just struggle with tracking and remembering and forgetting to remember...

I also have learned that the shifting priorities sucks. I had never lived that before and can't say I have any appreciation for it at all (can you hear the sarcasm?!).

OGAD - an Opportunity for Growth And Development
An excuse for ... [I haven't decided yet... any comments?]
AGO - Another Growth Opportunity
AFGO - Another F-en Growth Opportunity
My favorite phrase at the moment.

Let's just sum it up to say that my commitment lessens each day because there is only more and more to do, which, after a year, it seems like things should be settling into something manageable.

Life is fragile

2008-08-15T12:31:00.004-07:00

Please remember that.

We never know when our lives will be forever changed by the death of a loved one.

Never take for granted... always say I Love You... have the difficult conversations that begin with, "what if..."

Please send good thoughts - say some prayers... my very good friend's husband was tragically killed yesterday in a bicycle accident. A vibrant, energetic, full-of-life retired Air Force pilot turned teacher with two daughters, two grandsons and a much loved brother. Please pray for this family.

Beijing 2008

2008-08-10T11:08:00.002-07:00

I love the Olympics. I cry when gold medallists hear their national anthem on the podium. I ache when gymnasts fall. I'm amazed at the dedication, the persistence, the pursuit of a single goal -- the focus and determination... if I could apply just 1/2 of that in my own life to one single objective I've set for myself -- how much I could achieve.

These athletes inspire me. Dara Torres - 41 years old with an amazing body and strength -- wow!
Michael Phelps -- what a cool story.

Not Much New

2008-08-09T10:46:00.003-07:00

Where DID the week go?

It's been miserably hot & humid -- work has been a big blah for me... too much to do and too many meetings and too many people in my office... (which means very little work getting done on my part).

- - -
Today's Craft Class we're doing Memory Albums or, more accurately, Memory Pages...
There are only 5 or 6 people signed up -- but I think it will go well.

Now I have to shift my room around so himself can install my window A/C unit.

YAY!!!!

- - -

...My name is Desert Diva

2008-08-04T23:21:00.002-07:00

and I'm an a cappella music addict.

I try to escape it. I listen to other types and genres of music, and even enjoy them. But in my heart of hearts, my soul yearns to hear and sing harmony. Normal harmony -- hearing over 6 different notes sung and my ears crack.

I spend hours on Youtube listening and watching barbershop and a cappella performances.

I try to say I'll take a break from quartet singing, but I am powerless and will be going up to Phoenix for a fun, trial sing with some serious singin' women... one of whom is the bass from the Phoenix quartet (Hearts Afire) I love(d) so much.

If you have not heard amazing a cappella, you probably have gone through life thinking you've missed something... but not really sure what that hole in your soul longs for.

If you've heard even sort of bad a cappella (not even REALLY bad), you've gone through life being thankful you don't have to hear that again. Don't let one or two or a million horrible listening experiences lead you away from the transcendence of your spirit and soul that can come from listening to the old instrument made by God -- the human voice.

Acoustix, some of the best men's a cappella you'll ever hear!

Underage, the SAI Young Women In Harmony Champs (2005). [they're older now and they've changed the name of their quartet to "LoveNotes"] at the time they won, 3 of them were 17 and one was 20 years old!! I was going to post the Youtube video of "And So It Goes", but that song is on their myspace page and the sound quality is much-o better!!

I found Sweet Adelines when I was 22 or something like that -- and I've been off and on since then.

But I'm not addicted to just barbershop... oh no.

DaVinci's Notebook (they broke up) has a very funny song called "Liposuction" - clever lyrics, good harmony, sarcasm at its a cappella best :D

The Flight of the Bumblebee... you've never heard it like this! (The Swingle Singers)

My name is desert diva and I am absolutely okay with being an a cappella music addict.

Edinburgh Fringe

2008-08-03T08:35:00.004-07:00

It's that time again... when a city of 600,000 swells to over a million people between the participants and the audience members of the largest annual arts show... from two-seater performance venue (two actors in the front, two audience members in the back of a VW Bug was one such venue one year) to major stage productions - the Edinburgh Festival boasts a traditional Theatre Festival, A Jazz Festival, A Book Festival and a Film Festival -- all going on at once in one of the most historical and beautiful cities (IMNSHO) in the world.

As a student at Pepperdine, I was lucky enough to participate in the Fringe! We put on an adaptation of a medival morality play, "Everyman" (Brian Bremer was the star, and he's still acting today -- I just looked him up on imdb.com!), adaptation and music by Charles somebody-whose-name-I've-been-trying-to-remember...

[Brian and I took tennis together as one of my final classes... he'd bring diet coke & Milky Way Dark for breakfast and share it with me -- it was an 8am class, which required physical movement and being you know, halfway awake... and if you know anything about theatre people it is we are NOT morning people.... so--- we'd bat the ball for 5 minutes, have a Milky Way break... drink some diet coke... bat the ball around a few more minutes, then sit and talk about nothing -- that is, when he was there ;-) ]

I didn't take full advantage of the festival when I lived so close (smacks self in head), because it cost money -- but even to just go in and not pay for any show was always a fabulous people-watching experience!!

I tried to post a photo -- but my pc is so ready to crash... and the photo was taking forever to load -- so maybe another Edinburgh Fringe Anniversary.

Ohhhh -- and one time I sang a bit of opera ~ "O Mio Babbino Caro" for Eddy Izzard & friends outside in front of a ton of fringe-goers. Quite fun :D

- - -
and yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of the scaredest I've ever been.

So Far This Week

2008-07-31T08:12:00.003-07:00

I'm having a ball on Facebook... quick snippets of catching up with some long lost friends has been pretty cool.

I'm missing singing -- reading The Pitch Pipe (the quarterly magazine of Sweet Adelines Int'l) always makes me want to run back to chorus. Hanging out with C, the bass of my Phoenix quartet and just doing a tiny wee bit of singing with her in the car makes me really really miss it.... *sigh* -- and I waiver between immersing myself in music or spreading myself over the other talents and things I want to do. Focus is a hard concept for me to master.

So much fun to be had!

Himself just got word from his work yesterday that he'll be working from home -- I'm green with envy. There will be a web-cam so he will have to be dressed -- when this concept was mentioned as a possibility a few weeks ago I stipulated he'd still have to shower every day (!). So plans are being made to finish 'his' room and make it really into an office. We'll be adding Cox digital phone to our package, and his company will pay for phone and internet costs... woot!! And with what he'll be saving in gas and lunch, we think that will be around $250 a month.

Yay!!

25 minutes ellipticalling -- with 10 or 15 minutes at incline 4 and 5 -- Killing Me!! Listening to Wicked on my ipod -- I stopped when I got shaky. Yay Me!!

Things I Like

2008-07-29T23:04:00.004-07:00

I like...

staying up late, not getting up early
Diet coke over ice, not straight from a can
celery with peanut butter or with hot artichoke dip
gel pens not regular ink pens
things color-coded so I don't have to read everything, I can just look at the color
Mountains over beaches
cold weather over hot weather
fall over summer
milk chocolate not dark chocolate
dogs over cats
listening to christian talk radio, but sometimes the music is a bit same-y
Leno over Letterman (and I like Conan too)
College sports over the pros
Burger King over McDonalds
Mexican over Italian
tulips & daisies over fancier flowers
Bookman's (used bookstore) over Barnes & Noble or the other big bookstore chain
doing nothing
being busy (contradictory, no?)
performing over being in the audience
comfort over style or fashion
hoop earrings that stay in my ear as part of a continuous loop (they don't have removable backs that fall off and get lost)
wearing silver most of the times
pearls over diamonds
interesting angles over straight walls (attics & basements vs regular rooms)
hardwood floors
mushy indoor-outdoor carpet
light wood over dark wood (except I love cherry wood)
binders, not hanging files
journal books over blogging (but I've blogged more than I've journalled)
Facebook over My Space
that I don't have a 'style' -- I like so much of everything - bold, soft, eclectic, traditional...
Beatles over Stones

visiting with family & friends in California, coming home, The theme song from "The Greatest American Hero", Pie a la mode, foot rubs & pedicures, Bill Cosby, Hee-Haw, corny jokes, bad puns, silly conversations, writing, cleaning the bathroom & kitchen (which seems odd since my kitchen isn't clean very often), floating in the pool looking up at the stars, how I feel when I'm done exercising, singing a cappella, singing harmony parts, being casual not dressy, Harrison Ford movies, Friends re-runs, that first drink of coffee in the morning, organizing and labelling and figuring out how something will fit, sticky notes, talking to people about their past and hearing their stories, getting people together who haven't seen each other in a long time...

being quiet and contemplating how very blessed I am.

My Life.

Making Soap

2008-07-29T08:23:00.002-07:00

How much fun did I have this weekend?!

First -- Saturday morning worked -- two more girls auditioned for the Tucson Girls Chorus before we have camp this weekend...

Then -- Taught the craft class in the afternoon -- we did Puzzle Frames, and they turned out really really cute -- and the ladies had a good time. My friend T and I are still finding puzzle pieces all over ( my carport, her dining room floor...). She was a star and fed me for three nights, and allowed all our stuff to be spread out all over her dining room -- it is a good thing we started this craft early!

Saturday Night - the bass of my former quartet was in Tucson and we had a fabby time -- dinner at the Blue Willow, she came over and met my dog - saw my house, which himself had spent a considerable amount of time making look more presentable than when I'd left that morning!

Sunday afternoon -- Making Soap!! 4 of my favorite people who are connected to the TGC all went to the treasurer of the board's house and helped make soap: pumpkin, lavendar & luxury mint. It was cold processed and was extremely fun and informative.

Yes, of course I want to start making soap now -- and it takes up a whole closet in her house, so I've decided I need another house/apartment/condo to do my business. Cheaper to buy a "Condo" (former apartment) for $45,000 than rent for $400 a month... of course I investigated!

But before I can formally investigate, I need to put together the binder of 2 years worth of craft projects; the business plan; and probably book a class at at least one other property, and have saved $1,000 for a down payment. How much fun would it be to have a craft space that is big enough to have over 6 to 12 people, be able to have a full kitchen for crafting and eating, and enough space for music in one bedroom and supplies in the other??

Ahhh... nothing like pie in the sky.... pipe dreams... hey -- If I Can Dream It, I Can Achieve It!! :D

Ow OwwOwwOwww....

2008-07-22T22:16:00.002-07:00

Yep, workout today kicked my be-hind!

Killer aerobic and weight workout (the first half of which I was queen of the whinebabies...!), I finished with 40 minutes on the elliptical and then about 30 minutes of stretching.

I then got home and fixed killer stir fry with brown rice -- watched a couple "Friends" and then floated in the pool for about 30 minutes -- and even did some leg lifts in the water, and some waist twists -- not sure if they do any good, but it felt great.

My good friend and former bass of my Phoenix quartet will be here Saturday, so will be fixing killer stir fry & tofu again after my craft class that afternoon.

We're doing puzzle frames and that is basically what T & I did all weekend... yes, we're seeing puzzle pieces in our sleep (!)

got to sleep now!

Making a Living Without a Job

2008-07-20T09:46:00.004-07:00

~ By Barbara J. Winter
(Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love)

A book I bought over 10 years ago... to create a job around something you love doing is basically the premise of the book. It has lists of personality traits that make doing this kind of thing easier, and what to work on if those traits do not come naturally.

It has been my goal since forever (my mid to late 20's) to start and run my own business -- the flexibility that can come with it, the ability to work whatever hours suit me (usually from 6pm until 2 or 3am is my best creative time) and make lots of fun creative decisions (name of business, logo, how will I market and advertise, websites... communication --not to mention the actual business product, etc...), the sense of real accomplishment... that truly all the experience(s) I've had will have led to this soul-satisfying, constantly-recharged and re-charging of my creative sensibilities yet is a solid, real and "IT MATTERS" way to spend my energy.

So my friend T mentioned kinda casually - but with all seriousness - that we should put together a book of the crafts that we have been doing for the seniors. Crafts for the seasons ~ 14 ~ A Crafter's Dozen (because more is always better for those times when you don't have enough ;-).

Well, I started a binder for my crafts classes - the intent of which is/was to put together by month the supplies I used, do a write up on the level of success of the project by my audience (indpendent seniors), and have photos of the 'demo' of the project, as well as pictures with the class members and their creations.

Progress -- pages done (but not journalled)

2008-07-19T08:42:00.004-07:00

I went to a crop last night and actually put down 6 pages!! I've not been that productive in my own album for a loonnggg time.

It was a fun crowd -- much laughter, some awesome food... good times!

The hostess of the crop has been out of town a lot in the past year -- and had to come home because their house was broken into and the thieves got sooo much stuff! She lost most of her Creative Memories tools - antique and sentimental jewelry, safe boxes with passports, social security cards etc..., two complete silver services (her mom's and her MIL's), along with the every day stainless steel (except for the 5 pieces in the dishwasher).

It is horrible what has been taken, let alone the feeling of violation. We all bought stuff from our CM consultant because then the hostess would get credit and can start re-building her stuff... and 4 of us chipped in to buy her a tool tote as she starts re-acquiring supplies.

Nothing Like Old Friends

2008-07-18T07:25:00.002-07:00

So -- on Facebook I've caught up with one of my favorite theatre buddies from Pepperdine -- he was Fagin when we did Oliver, he was in the light booth for Quilters, and we went to Edinburgh for the Festival one summer, putting on a modern adaptation of the old morality play "Everyman" with music... weird and special -- very very funny guy whom I'll call "T" and shortly after we were friends on Facebook, another mutual friend ("S") asked me about another guy -- who played Bill Sykes in Oliver, was an absolutely unspeakably amazing King in 'The Lion in Winter' -- seriously amazing amazing... and fabulous voice too... and he also went to Edinburgh -- then after graduation from Pep went to France and become a Priest... we'll call him "D".

*sigh* we all had little crushes on "D."

Anyhoo -- "S" writes me a message on Facebook that do I know what happened to "D" -- if anyone would know, *I* would... and it just happens that in June there was a 20-year reunion of Pepperdine Year-In-Europe folks -- which I chickened out from going, despite being in Southern California (planned my trip around the reunion but didn't go... another post). The organizers (not an official Pepperdine planned gathering, for sure) had an amazing list of email addresses and were awesome in that they let everyone see everyone else... it happens that "D" went to Florence, and while he wasn't at the reunion (still living in France), he did do an update page and there were current pictures and an address.

So yeah, I had the email and the address... so I put "T" in touch with "D" and gave the info to "S" because she was "Baby Doe" when "S" & "D" did that opera with "D" as the husband. I was originally cast as the not-very-sympathetic wife, but ended up dropping out because it was one too many things going on that semester -- one of them being Quilters.

I love getting people together... especially people who impacted me and my life -- 2010 will be my twenty year college reunion, which boggles my mind. I like keeping in touch, keeping track of people... and there are a number of people in my life that while I don't talk to them every month, or even every year -- I could call them and we'd catch up to the last time we'd seen each other without any kind of awkward.

I'm incredibly blessed having these kinds of friends -- and in this busy busy (unimportant non-urgent unessential busy-ness) world, taking an extra 10 minutes to call someone you've not talked to in a coon's age... well, connections and relationships are what carry us through.

"The best mirror is an old friend" ~ George Herbert

"The best way to keep your friends is not to give them away." ~ Wilson Mizner

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends whom we choose." ~ Teyhi Hsieh

The Cost of Everything...!

2008-07-16T07:05:00.002-07:00

Our Cable bill is increasing - $2 for basic and $3 for expanded... so today I'll be calling and just go back to basic.

I'll miss HGTV... but that's about all I watch. And himself and I watch reruns of Friends & a lot of Two and-a-half Men. Really we'll just be missing a lot of reruns.

So now I'm thinking I *REALLY* need to get to the gym more so I can watch those shows I'll miss on the 4 Dish Network tv's there...

30 minutes yesterday on the elliptical -- just happy I got there!

I went later than usual and while it was still light outside, it is a lot creepier than when there are more people in the gym. I like the gym less crowded inside, but appreciate the crowd when I go to leave and get in my car.

*** *** *** ***
One of my local friends who is also an awesome blogger (and yes, you have an inspiring ministry!) is moving :-( If I ever get to North Carolina, however, I'll have a ton of people I can catch up with (Hi SadTomato!!), some relatives, and this caffeinated singer-dancer-sewing gal!

--- --- --- --- ---
The weather has been a lot cooler (more humid, but I don't mind 85 degrees and humidity!), so I've been in a better mental state... cooling down at night is such a huge thing that helps my whole state of mind.

The pool has been FULL of bugs, and the flying ants aka termites have been mating like crazy... lots of them dead in my pool, but some of them were at work inside my office... atop the curtain rod... yeah -- little tiny winged insects squirming and wriggling... just disgusting... so we sprayed RAID flying insect bug spray, and the next day my desk was full of dead winged insects.

Lovely.

Some More Bragging...

2008-07-12T11:07:00.003-07:00

So... on Thursday I did 60 minutes a t o n e t i m e on the elliptical!!!
10 minutes incline:3 resistance:15
20 minutes incline:4 resistance:35
15 minutes incline:2 resistance:25
15 minutes incline:2 resistance:15

I actually did 60 minutes and 30 seconds because when I checked how many calories I'd burned it said 399 -- so I did another 30 seconds so I could say I burned 400 calories.

I am so proud!! And I'm not even counting the 10 minute warm-up I did *before* my weight training session.

Oh Yeah... did I mention I did the 60 minutes AFTER my 30 kick-my-patootie weight-training??!!

And yesterday I went in and did 30 minutes elliptical only -- making it three times this week... and I'm thinking I may even go in today just because ;-)

I have to say my calves are quite sore.... I'm trying to stretch after each session so the muscles don't cramp up.

I'm trying to slowly increase the incline, because that is what makes my heart really start working harder... I'm really strong, but my cardio fitness is way behind.... yes, I am in the "cardio zone" for heart rate the entire time I'm doing it -- my stride is right around 70... but I really really hate going fast -- I like slow and resistance, not fast and I-can't-breathe... if that makes sense.

I've been working out with just two weeks "off" since mid-april, and when I started on the elliptical I could only do 3 minutes. My trick was increase by a minute each time... and if I was really tired or wasn't hacking it -- I'd take a break and then go back for another 3 minutes... just telling myself "only 3 more minutes" and eventually it got to 30 minutes. Some days I just do the 10 minute warm up before working out with weights, and then the 20 minutes required. Pushing myself just makes me angry and whiny, so I'm taking the 'slow and steady' approach and now am feeling really proud of myself.

I took my ipod with me the day I did the 60 minutes -- and it totally helped... of course I "rock out" to Scottsdale Chorus singing barbershop -- but hey, whatever floats yer boat! Or keeps the elliptical rotating... ;-)

Now it is time to get serious about the eating habit change. I'll be making up the menus etc... today... and I think counting Weight Watchers points is a good way to start ~ remembering portion control and I'll be back to 40 days with no meat (fish, eggs and a bit of dairy in the form of mozzarella cheese & low-fat yogurt)... I had to start over after the 4th of July :D

What's on your TiVo?

2008-07-11T23:54:00.003-07:00

Currently:

Carol Duvall Show (7 shows, all reruns)

Law & Order: SVU (5 shows, some old, some new - it is set to only keep 5 at a time and they're back up for when we are really desperate for something to watch.)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (my favorite of the L&O franchise)

Friends (we watch reruns all the time... the only show we agree on)

Family Guy (himself's pick -- ugh)

Divine Design (Canadian designer is really good!!)

Inside the Actor's Studio (2 shows I've had saved for over a year... need to watch them, eh?)

Stargate Atlantis (Himself's show, but I do enjoy it most of the time)

Gardening By The Yard (5 shows -- I like the host, he's a goof ;-)

Kinda pathetic, actually...

Italian Ice

2008-07-10T07:06:00.003-07:00

YUM!! There's a new/old place in town - Zona Ice that has Italian Ice, Frozen Custard & Gelato (all of which are fewer calories than DQ ;-). Last night I met my friend (see "Hijacked!" post) and had a large Cappuccino Cream Ice for dinner. It was delish :D

We set our craft class schedule... we gabbed about the new management at my old workplace... we discussed me being the director/leader of the senior living community chorus...
* * * * * *
I've decided that I'm not going to be going back to barbershop for awhile -- still gonna keep my membership and I still love it blah blah blah... but too many other things that I want to do, and I just have a hard time going to just sing -- I want to get highly involved, and then I say "yes" to too many things and then nothing I am doing gets done to any kind of standard and I feel bad all the time.

I think I have found a voice teacher -- just need to give her a call and set up a time, because I do want to stay 'in voice.' And I'm planning to join a less-intense singing group of ladies in September. And, if next year I'm the director of this senior chorus, I will definitely have my hand in musical adventures!
* * * * * *
We now have a scale that works. I'm so delighted. I am really -- but it has gone up 10 lbs since I started working out ~ which I know is a normal thing when you start building muscle, but still... so in the next couple weeks I'll be getting serious about working our aerobically at my gym 5 days a week, rather than once a week, and making better eating choices. I kinda dropped the ball over the 4th of July weekend and now I'm in chocolate mode!

Question

2008-07-09T06:49:00.003-07:00

So.... anyone out there ever owned a franchise and wanna share some information with me?

Pros & Cons... Lifestyle while you ran the business... income during that time... did you enjoy what you were doing... what would you do differently... what are the strengths and weaknesses of the franchise business you were in...?

Curious Minds Want To Know!

Hijacked!

2008-07-08T23:28:00.004-07:00

I met a friend/ex-boss for dinner tonight.... there was a socializing/networking thing going on with an organization I belong to... my friend and I were to meet at 5:15pm -- eat & discuss upcoming projects -- then network. I thought my friend could get some good networking going with these other folks.

My friend was 35 minutes late. I, however, know that she usually runs late and had ordered chips & guacamole... and had brought my work evaluation form to start doing while waiting... meanwhile, the networking thing starts... my friend arrives, we eat and finish eating and are having a lively and interesting time... and the networking table folks finish and all come over to our table to make fun of me and how glad they were I could come and hang out with them all for the evening.... one of them stayed for another hour and a-1/2 and we had a super time - she's really nice!!

After closing the restaurant and being the last ones to leave... still chat in the parking lot for 20 minutes... I call my friend...we laugh... and make plans to meet tomorrow after we work out.

Fest

2008-07-06T09:50:00.003-07:00

Yesterday and the day before I watched Gilmore Girls -- ALL DAY. Marathon-like. Two 12+ hour days doing nothing but catching up on a tv series. Slothful to the max!

I have two more CD's to go before I've seen every episode. ABC Family doesn't ever seem to show the last season -- I've seen the penultimate last episode (WAY out of order of the season I'd been tivo-ing) -- but yesterday afternoon I started watching the 7th and final season of this awesome series.

Himself made Donner Kebab (flavor) beef -- which was awesome. One of the things we miss about the UK... traditionally made with lamb, the beef did a nice replacement job! I had a hot-dog on Friday because, you know, it is American and it was in the spirit of Independence Day.

It is traditional monsoon season -- hot, with afternoon and evening storms and lightning. Very cool...but the weather zaps me.

Rascal has been digging up bones he must have buried 6+ months ago, because one of them appeared to have roots sticking out from it. His nose gets covered in dirt and mud, and his paws... well, himself and I laughed and laughed about what a mess he is and how he'll try to sneak the nasty bone (with roots and bugs and mud) through the kitchen, down the hall, and if not stopped, will re-bury it in our bed, most likely. With the dirt being softer (i.e., being mud), Rascal re-buries and checks on his stash of rawhides so carefully buried in the yard.

He is such a great dog. He drops the bone when we catch him, trots over, allows me to wipe the first layers of dirt and mud off his nose, then one paw at a time allows me to try to get the mud out from between the pads & crevices of his front paws. Complacent, resigned... knowing that he was taking a chance bringing it inside, that there was slim to none odds that he'd get the bone in the house without being noticed and caught... he makes us laugh and is overall just a great great dog!!

Happy Independence Day Holiday Weekend!

working like you don't need the money

2008-07-03T19:54:00.006-07:00

If you had all the resources in the world, and didn't need to work for money -- what would you do?

I'd draw, paint, sing, sew, act... and somehow help people by doing it. Help them see a sunnier side of life, of themselves... that it is okay to be silly, and humor doesn't have to dig at someone else to be funny. To share a part of themselves and be vulnerable in a safe environment. And to feel the joy of applause, of making someone laugh, of overcoming fear.

I'd get people together. I love planning reunions.... reconnecting with friends I've not heard from or seen for years -- and would love to be that kind of event planner.

I'd learn constantly -- new skills, discover new authors, new musicians, how to build things. Just be in school or classes all the time.

Why didn't someone tell me during high school when I was thinking about college to not listen to that inner voice that was saying "Get a real major -- art isn't a real major... and okay, you'll get a music scholarship, but really -- what is THAT all about?"

I'm really in a bad mental space right now -- can't seem to shake the negative. I'm blaming PMS and the heat. I'm zapped. Today was better than yesterday... but that ain't sayin' much. Trying hard to get out of myself a bit, but I'm so miserable I can't stay focused. Praying constantly. I'm snapping and grouchy, and tired.

I am extremely thankful for a/c, my pool, and ice cream.

Whiny & Grumpy

2008-07-02T08:06:00.004-07:00

When it is hot, I am grumpy. Night before last at 8:30 pm it was 90 degrees. (We got an outside temp thermometer). The pool was 86. Divine!! :D

If I am tired, I am whiny. I was up at 5:30 am two mornings in a row and by 2pm I'm just done.

If I am hungry, then I'm just grumpy but don't really know it.

Yesterday I worked out with the trainer for the first time since being back from my trip -- and my knee hurt from, er, rough-housing in the pool. So it was all upper body. And dang it was all heavy. I did 10 minutes 2.5 mph on the treadmill, weights, 10 minutes on the elliptical at incline 2 and resistance 25; then a break (I was tired!); then another 20 minutes on the elliptical at incline 2 and resistance 28.

Last week when I did the elliptical 3 days in a row my calves hurt so bad... today they don't seem too bad. And I'm not sore from the weights, so it probably wasn't as bad as I was whining about.

- - - - - - -
Conversation Monday --

her: do you have a sunburn?

me: no.... I just don't do heat and have bad skin.

This is at least the 2nd or 3rd time I've been asked about my skin (when I'm not wearing makeup) and not responded all that nicely. Which is how I know I'm one of the above: hot, tired, grumpy or a combination of the three.

Funny how when I don't wear makeup how more people notice how red I am. And I don't sit in the sun, but when it is over 70 degrees inside and out, I get red. Rosacea doesn't help, and while I'm not having an outbreak at the moment, it does give me a lovely year-round ruddy appearance. [note sarcasm]

Wearing makeup in this weather -- why bother... it just slides off. And I wear minerals, which don't slide off the other 10 months of the year.

It isn't high blood pressure (well, it could be, but I've been looking this red since we moved to freakin' Arizona when I was 11). It isn't even that I'm working out all that hard. I just --

do. not. handle. heat. well.

period. full stop.

yes, I'm a little grumpy.

I hate to brag but....

2008-06-30T20:08:00.003-07:00

I just made THE BEST stir fry EVER!!

This recipe makes excellent stir fry sauce!!

I'm a stir fry novice -- my last attempt was pretty woeful... but tonight I stir fried red & yellow bell peppers and cabbage in olive oil with garlic & onions - then the sauce, took that and put it in a separate pan that had the sauce and a bit of olive oil simmering; then stir fried broccoli, zucchini, chopped spinach and frozen veg mix with corn, asparagus & a few carrots (I took most of the carrots out since I can't stand cooked carrots - blech).

After stir frying that in olive oil and more garlic and sauce, I put that in with the cabbage mix and stir fried TOFU (!). Me -- and himself loved it!

This was my first time really cooking with tofu - I sliced and cubed it after draining it for only an hour (everything I read says a minimum of two hours, but this was 'firm' tofu so it wasn't as crucial as other types), marinated it in the sauce for 30 minutes and stir fried with the sauce, then finished it up with a bit more olive oil to kinda crisp it up just a little.

I had the peppers already chopped up, so my prep wasn't too bad -- and cooked basmati rice in the rice cooker.

And I watched "Divine Design" during all this too.

I'm just so pleased with my vegetarian meal... and that this will probably become a staple meal in our house (yay -- more veggies!!)

:D :D :D

I'm really excited -- can you tell?

To Be Clear

2008-06-28T09:25:00.005-07:00

Just because someone doesn't understand what you're saying, does not mean you are not saying it clearly.

You may not be saying it clearly enough for that person, but it does not mean you deserve attitude and pissy tone because you're "talking in half sentences."

Sometimes a simple, "I don't understand what you are talking about, (are saying, are trying to say, mean....) will let the other person know that more information is needed. All of these things are nicer and don't put the other person on the defense. After the 3rd time of asking, then you might have the right to be annoyed and pissy... perfectly understandable to then flap your arms and raise your voice and blame me for not making sense.

So we're clear then.

15 Years in 10 Bullet Points (Ha!)

2008-06-22T15:41:00.004-07:00

The Rules: Think back on the last 15 years of your life. What would you tell someone that you hadn't seen or talked to for 15 years? How would you sum up your life? You get 10 bullet points. A list of 10 things to summarize you.

15 years ago = June 1993.

[1]*I finished my Boston to Florida tour in April of '92 and was working at Tucson Lifestyle Magazine (I think). I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do with my life after graduating with a degree in Public Relations except that I didn't want to work in the field of Public Relations. Or Marketing. Or Business.

[2]*I was working/playing with an independent Musical Theatre Company - the founder of which had amazing and wonderful influences on my life. This was also not always healthy. Without calling it a cult, it was, in fact, a very tight-knit and opposite-world-view group. I love them still. (When I say working, don't think we made money)

[3]*I decided to move in with SJ ~ whom I love very much but haven't heard from her in about 10 years. She and I have food issues -- she dealt with them in the anorexic/bulimic way -- I just ate and ate and ate. I could not afford to live with SJ, and was quite unhappy in our living situation. So the way I changed my situation was to go back to school for my music education degree, cuz that is what I really should have done. I moved back home and to the UA on a full vocal performance scholarship.

[4]*After one semester with a terrible voice professor, I quit. The real reason: I didn't want to work at it, and while I did have a voice prof who was not a teacher, that is just the excuse.

[5]*I worked as a Temp's Temp while wondering what in the heck I was doing (I worked in a Temp Office as the office receptionist/assistant and was sent out if/when someone flaked for a job and didn't show up). That ended badly for details I don't remember, but learned how difficult it is to work in a small office and that clear communication is critical to success.

[6]* Summer of Hell -- I worked as a karaoke waitress, a coffeeshop waitress, threw newspapers in the a.m. with my mother, worked part time in retail at Lane Bryant. I don't know when that was exactly, but it was in these years sometime -- when I was living with SJ, I think. And yeah, still doing the theatre. 5 part-time jobs... no money... and throwing newspapers with my mom... aw crap.

[7]* 1995 - quit the theatre, went back and worked at American Airlines and loved it. Went back to barbershop. Living at home. Mom moved to San Diego -- life was kinda hell, actually in many many ways.

[8]* 1997 - met himself on AOL in a random chat room and in 1998 we married and I moved to Scotland until 2004, at which time I moved back to the USA and started working for INFONXX (?) a cell phone information service. Life improves dramatically for many many reasons. After a year in Scotland I started looking for how to make myself happy, and life is a constant surprise (not all pleasant) for my endlessly patient and wonderful himself. Coming to America was sort of an ultimatum regarding how we lived our life.

[9]* 2005 - himself joins me after selling our Scotland house and we made probably $30,000 after all was said and done.... bought the van, himself adjusted for 6 months (which means he bummed around and acquired stuff) while I worked as an Activities Assistant for an independent senior retirement community. Life is fabulous.

[10]* Present - He's been working 2 years for the best call center in our town, making great money when you consider where we live and what he is doing; I'm going into my second year at a job I love (making history here), we just bought our first American House and Rascal, our four-footed fur friend completes our family. Life is life, but really great in the great scheme of things.

------------------
stolen from Life is Short ~ Partake in Happy Hour.

Now You Play :D

Some Things Added

2008-06-22T12:28:00.004-07:00

I've just added a couple things to the "Things Holding My Attention" list --

[1] Being Green, Frugal, Clean & Healthy
[2] Link to Natural Clean House
[3] Link to Flylady (Fly = Finally Loving Yourself; help for those living in CHAOS = Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)

Being Green is usually cheaper -- using vinegar, lemon, baking soda etc... rather than the chemicals... easier on old pipes, safer to use in general, and did I mention way cheaper? I struggle with recycling because I don't always move the item to be put in the recycling bin off the counter/surface right away, so it ends up being clutter -- then it has been there so long that I don't see it... and well -- you see the downward spiral of adding to my clutter disease.

So -- I'm not going to obsess about recycling or the green thing, it is mostly related to being frugal.

Being Frugal -- himself and I went to a financial planner a year ago last May -- and we have yet to really put it in place. Lefty (isn't that a great name for a financial planner?) gave us some great tools -- and now that we're kind of settled and making our new house a home, we need to get on the stick (or is that phrase get off the stick?) and start making some progress.

My first goal is to get my student loans paid off. No self-judgement, no beating myself up, just stand up and admit that I have not been the most responsible loan payee (cough cough sputter).
They're over $30,000.00. Yikes. Ouch. Now out there in cyber space for everyone to see. Accountability. Follow-through. Responsible. All those grown-up words. blech.

I like to spend, himself likes to save.
We'll have 3 "save to spend" accounts and himself will be in charge of the "save for the sake of saving" account.
We thought three things:
Travel (home to Scotland)
House (big items)
Hobbies (Sweet Adeline travel & events, woodworking tools, craft events/weekends, tools & supplies)

There is also the Car Account -- when my car is paid off, I'll still put that amount of car payment into an account, and while we may not be able to buy a car with cash on the next vehicle, we should be able to on the vehicle after that.

At least, that is what I think we decided -- it was over a year ago we had that conversation.

Key to the process [For ME!] is reminding ourselves what the goal is -- Lefty recommends that before going to sleep at night, we stand in a hug with each other, read over our lists of "wants"(the things we're saving for) -- to remind ourselves of the reasons we're not buying the iced coffee from McDonald's or the fun bags o' crap from Big Lots.

I'm the one that needs the reminder - the visualization of what it will be like when: -- I have no more payments to student loans; when we have a beautiful garden & Arizona Room, when I have an organized craft/music studio, when himself can build furniture for us...

Being Clean
Flylady. (she's now a link in the same area)

How it works for me:
[1] I can do anything for 15 minutes. Even if I don't want to do it, I will set the timer (!) and for 15 minutes I will clean up my sink/kitchen area. If it doesn't take 15 minutes I can quit, or, depending on my mood, I can extend my zone. I use this for everything I don't "feel" like doing -- which is a lot, I'm afraid.

[2] Soap is soap - swish & wipe the bathroom.
I've acquired probably 25 washcloths because the one I'm done using gets a squirt of generic cleaner and I wipe down the toilet & sink. The shower got sprayed before I got out. (with vinegar! -- a natural disinfectant!!)

[3] I don't have to move furniture to clean, and using a feather duster is okay.

[4] You can't organize Clutter.

There are other excellent tools she helps develop habits with... but those are the ones I try to remember all the time.

Being Healthy
I'm working out -- and now I'm feeling better and it is getting easier, so I'm more likely to keep at it -- AND I have a couple buddies who meet me there.

I'm seriously considering going to a plant-based diet. I need a plan, and my first goal is to do it for 40 days. I'll need to have my list of snack foods, and it will take making my lunch and taking it with me, and again -- having a PLAN. When I start I'll keep ya posted.

That would be huge (because plant-based means vegan, and I'm doing it for health. There are other benefits to the planet blah blah blah - yada yada yada... but I don't want to end up with a medicine cabinet full of medications in the next 10 years).

The China Study is a book that (supposedly) explains how a no-animal-protein lifestyle can reverse some serious diseases (heart, diabetes, cancer). I'm still reading -- and I may change my mind...

but let me say that 20 years ago I really really considered going veggie -- lacto-ovo. I like beef, I like chicken... but I love pasta, cheese (!), eggs (!), rice, beans & almost all vegetables (except for weird lettuci [lettuces?], sprouts (grass), tomatoes & mushrooms) -- I'm open to I think everything else!

ETA: I think Dr. Andrew Weil, author of "Eating Well for Optimum Health" is probably the most balanced viewpoint I've come across so far... and the more I research Vegan/Vegetarianism I appreciate that.

Really....?!!!!

2008-06-22T11:57:00.002-07:00

Seriously.... dumbest product ever. And I don't even have kids!

I found the link at this blog about frugality, budgeting etc...

I'm really really hot.

I hate being hot. Really hate it. I don't want to get in the pool yet because then I'll waste the day lounging in the pool... that will be my reward this afternoon...

But I'm really hot.

I'm Back

2008-06-22T01:01:00.003-07:00

From my week long trip to CA -- from Tracy to Sacramento to Orange to Huntington Beach to La Verne...

Safe and Sound -- very warm, weary and full of thoughts.

I'm reading The China Study.

I'm still scrapping for my client... I made $400 for my efforts this time, AND my car got washed and practically detailed inside -- I hardly recognize it! It is bee-yew-ti-ful!!! :D

I saw my freshman year college roommate and had dinner with her at Soup Plantation aka Sweet Tomatoes 'round here....

Saw my favorite cousin -- and that was a good, needed visit.

I saw another friend from Scotland who lives in Paradise in Huntington Beach -- but it was hot for the beach -- 85 and most folks don't have A/C...

Stayed with my brother and his wife who are busy getting their house ready to rent and waiting for everything to go through on the house they're buying.

It was whirlwind, busy, and I'm tired. But so glad I went!

pat pat pat

2008-06-13T23:07:00.001-07:00

I'd like to boast a little.... 40 minutes on the elliptical at incline 4 - resistance 32.

Whoo hoo me!!

AND I was talking to my friend at. the. same. time. breathing, exercising... it just is too much ;-)

Happy Birthday Dad

2008-06-13T08:24:00.002-07:00

Today is my dad's birthday ~ and he told me a few weeks ago that he was actually born on a Friday the 13th, and 13 has always been a lucky number for him.

So - in honor of it being Friday the 13th, here are 13 things about my dad.

[1] He goes by his middle name (which my sister tried to do with her son, but is really hasn't stuck I don't think)

[2] My dad is an excellent card player (I was warned and told, but saw it for myself when we all sat and played hearts, my husband kept up pretty well, I must say)

[3] My dad sleeps naked (this is a great story, for a much later post)

[4] He tells a good story/joke/anecdote

[5] My dad is incredibly good looking, if I do say so myself!

[6] My dad is the younger of two siblings, he has an older sister, who, by all accounts for the last 30+ years has been (sometimes affectionately, sometimes not) called "Crazy Aunt C."

[7] My dad graduated from Pepperdine with a degree in history and has consistently worked in social services related to youth services/youth help since then (I'm pretty sure... skipping the forays into selling cars with his uncle; helping to run a short-order restaurant with my grandfather; trying his hand at farming -- there may be some other short-lived career adventures, but to put it in broad strokes - he's always had the heart to improve conditions of others.)

[8] My dad almost always plays devil's advocate in conversations & discussions.

[9] My dad is dyed in the blue denim liberal.

[10] When I start thinking about how much I love him I start to cry.

[11] I love it when he calls me "Blondie"

[12] In 4th grade I spent one semester living with my dad, step-mom, step-brother, half-sister & half-brother on a farm outside Alex, Oklahoma. What a change from my life as an only child of a single full-time working mom.

[13] He's got a great voice and an aptitude for music -- I wish he could/would find more joy in that in himself.

I love you dad!

What Teachers Do You Remember?

2008-06-11T07:34:00.006-07:00

Bay Area California
Montessori Pre School
David
Tracy

Anderson Elementary 1st Grade
Mrs. Anderson (not sure if that is right -- same name as school? probably not)

Parkview Elementary 2nd - 6th Grades
2nd & 3rd Grade
Mrs. Lumby (my mom didn't think she had any personality, but I adored her!)
Mrs. Willis (much meaner!)
Mrs. Schubert (not the primary teacher, but in the group)
Mrs. Can't remember

4th Grade
one semester at Alex School in Alex, Oklahoma
Mrs. Dickey (yes, it was funny even back then) Her son was the replacement drummer in the Band "America." When I look back she read some funny books to us, but I think they would not be considered politically correct today...

2nd half of 4th grade - back to Parkview
Mr. Shiriyama (sp?)
Mr. Mitchell -- his reputation was as a mean teacher, but I thought he was nice (such a teacher's pet = me)

5th Grade
Mr. Higgins - great teacher, though his head was wayyyy too small for his body!

6th Grade
back to team teaching:
Mrs. Kopp (main teacher)
Mr. Shoppell (Shuh-PELL) - after lunch and recess he would read while everyone kinda calmed down -- back in 1978 he read "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" - had he not read them I wouldn't ever had known about C.S. Lewis (spring break that year I devoured the entire series in a week when I saw the books in a bookstore while on a weeklong trip with my mom, aunt M & her husband, Bob) . Yes, I was in a public school.
Mrs. don't remember didn't have much personality, as I recall. Taught the English portions of the curriculum.

MOVED to ARIZONA
7th & 8th Grade (jr. high! scary!!)

Mr. Stanton -- English Teacher - very hippie/granola/Birkenstock kinda guy. I liked him.
Ms. Foster who married my future high school algebra tutor (she later became the librarian)
Mrs. Young (easy to remember!) - Art Teacher - she had a horrible reputation as a mean teacher, but I thought she was pretty funny, actually.
Mrs. Music Teacher (would flip us off while "scratching her nose" and say, "My mama didn't raise no cross-eyed babies!" and put in our yearbooks, "Don't B #, Don't B b, Just B Natural" with the appropriate musical notations
Mrs. Schoenig - Typing Teacher (only class I ever got a D in - mom forced me to take this class under much protest from me! Glad I did now -- of course ;-) Touch typing on a manual typewriter. Egads, I must be 40!!
Mr. (Coach) Robertson - PE teacher from hell. But I still remember his name. Go Figure.
Mr. Carpenter - Science Teacher/homeroom teacher. Rumor had it he was 2nd up for the Challenger Space Shuttle mission (Disaster)
Mr. Kirshner - Never had him as a teacher, but will never forget the Halloween both he & Mr. Carpenter "dressed up" in 3-piece suits... you know, 'cuz you Dress Up for Halloween. Then they traded places for homeroom.
Mr. Math Teacher (nice, understood algebra at this time)
Ms. Math Teacher (nice, showed me that you could sometimes read the name of the person you liked whose name you'd scribbled over by turning the page over...)
Mrs. English Teacher (nice, older lady - didn't cope with this generation of hoodlums I went to school with very well)

That's all I remember right now from jr. high aka Middle School.

High School - SRHS 1981-1985

Mr. Fried (Freed) (pre-algebra) - loser -- He had a crew cut in 1981/2 -- not a buzz, not a standing up kind of hairstyle, but a 1950's crew cut. I also think he may have suffered from being colored blind, because holy cow the combinations of clothes he wore! Or just maybe he wore golf clothes to class...
Mr. Young - Algebra teacher - worse loser
Mrs. Ponchetti (Geometry) - worser yet, but at least was a nice person. Sucked on butterscotch candies all hour and talked about her red-headed grandchildren's adventures.
Mrs. Phillips - Computers, Senior year - dragon breath. More programming -- I didn't stick around long!!
Mrs. Johnson - Freshman Advanced English - read Princess Bride before it was movie - very cool
Mr. Collard - Art Teacher -- great great class. Every Friday we'd watch slides and he'd talk about artists and styles, and I loved it. I had an aptitude -- why did I listen to anyone and not major or at least spend more time in art classes....? (why is it we ask these questions at 40+?)
Mr. Fox - journalism/English Teacher
Dr. John S. Davis - Choir Teacher - influential - a great guy.
Mrs. Husted - Drama. Anyone who knows her name knows how awesome she is. Awesome. I only took the class for one semester (last semester) of my senior year... after having been directed by her as "Laurie" in the musical Oklahoma earlier in the year.
Mr. McPheeters - Southwest Literature 2nd semester Sr. Year. Best looking teacher in school.
Ms. Hiner - a class where we just brought our own books to read for an hour - I was in heaven. Technically we were supposed to give small, private reports to her after we finished a book. 1st Semester (I think) Sr. Year
Mrs. Muller - Senior English - actually read Shakespeare and wrote papers (not articles) She was the Senior Class Advisor and Student Council Advisor if I remember correctly.
Mrs. Valley -Grammar Review - thankful I took that class... lots of fun and I think I may have learned stuff ;-)
Mrs. Drudge - data processing. bs. it was easier programming, but I still wouldn't have made it through the class without Shel & RB. And if I were teaching high school, I would have changed my last name.
Mr. Bubany - Economics (sort of) teacher. I liked him - his rep was a dork, though. We had to bring a newspaper to school and read 10 minutes every day - he taught the principle that nothing is ever "Free" - you have to give up something (time, effort etc...).
Mrs. Irwin - Media something or another -- I don't remember much learning going on in the class... she was kind of wacky.
Mr. O'Donald - Chemistry. "Young sucking Face! Young's Sucking Face!" He didn't put up with hypocrisy -- now looking back I see that.... kids making out in the hallways but not wanting anyone to 'notice.' One of my favorite teachers... he was there every day after school and I was there just about every day trying to figure out the main formula and get the math right. At the end of the year he had a stamp for yearbooks, "To the best student I ever had." hee hee hee.
Mr. Kreamer ( pronounced Kramer) - coach - had him for summer school government because I'd heard horror stories about government teacher Mr. Powers (!) Kreamer was a good teacher and cool.
Ms. Piccone & Ms. Orosco - PE teachers -- Ms. Orosco was a kick in the pants, and Piccone was cool too.
Mr. Westfall - Driver's Ed. What a joke.

eta: yeah... I got out the yearbook!

Meme-ing

2008-06-10T19:56:00.003-07:00

I found this meme from Coffeegal over at La Vida Dulce

In your entire life, have you ever...

gone on a blind date? oooohhhh yes. Some of my best stories are bad blind dates! (probably a great topic for Thursday 13 some day)

skipped school? Yes

watched someone die? No

been to Canada? nope

been to Mexico? Yes

been to Florida? Yes

been on a plane? Yes

been lost? Lost as in absolutely no clue where I am or how to get out if it, no. Turned around and thinking I was going one way when in actuality I was headed the opposite direction...? That describes my first year of driving in Kilt Country!

been on the opposite side of the country? Yes

gone to Washington, DC? Yes! I love DC... got to see it with Cherry Blossoms in full bloom :D

swam in the ocean? Yes... Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and have been at the beach on the coldest, windiest day ever Atlantic Side, so didn't stick a toe in.

had your booze taken away by the cops? No!

lettered in a high school sport? I was a choir and I have a choir letter ;-)

cried yourself to sleep? Yes

played cops and robbers? Does playing Charlie's Angels count? 4th grade - I was Jill. The only episode I knew was when they were undercover in jail (episode with a not-yet-famous Kim Basinger...) and Jill fakes food poisoning to get into the infirmary. It was the only episode I knew because it was on at 9pm and my bedtime was like, 7:30 (!)

played dolls? Yes -- dolls and barbies

recently colored with crayons? No, but on choir tour in college I took a coloring book and crayons on the bus to help pass the time -- and have colored with my niece when she is here.

sang Karaoke? Yes... one of my nicknames, actually. "I've Never Been To Me" & "I Could Have Danced All Night" are the geeky songs I sing.

paid for a meal with coins only? Yes... and I was even done with college!

done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes

cheated on an exam? Yes. And that's all the detail you'll get.

made prank phone calls? Oh yes! Caller ID put an end to that didn't it?

laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? Probably.

caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes

danced in the rain? No

written a letter to Santa Claus? Of course!

been kissed under the mistletoe? Yes

watched the sunrise with someone you care about? Yes/No... kinda sorta. The sun rose, I didn't much care...

been arrested? Never

blown bubbles? Yes -- I love blowing bubbles!! I thought it was awesome when weddings had bubble blowing rather than rice/bird-seed throwing!!

gone ice-skating? Yes -- badly -- a long long long time ago.

been skinny dipping outdoors? Yes, several times. We had a spa ;-) Now we have a pool!

had a nickname? Care-Bear, Blondie, Carrie-okie (Karaoke)

been to Africa? No... but would like to help a friend at church do stuff with a school in Ghana maybe one day.

eaten cookies for dinner? Absolutely, as a side to dish to ice cream.

been on TV? I was an audience member (back to the camera) on Win, Lose or Draw game show... the only contestant I remember was Mario Van Peebles (oh babe-ee!! cutie cutie cute-ee!!).

stolen any traffic signs? Do "Blinkies" count? If not, then no.

been in a car accident? Oh yeah. Stopped traffic on the 101 heading east in the valley. Really really sucked. No one was cited at the time, but yet I was sued... but nothing happened cuz the guy on the motorcycle with wearing shorts, a wife-beater t-shirt, no helmet & Flip Flops for shoes... and and who went through 3 lawyers *after* I unknowingly spoke to the first one and told that lawyer exactly what happened (no one told me not to talk to anyone but my insurance company....) and he rejected the case... well, after 6 months of not getting more than his medical stuff paid for... you get the idea. I have always watched out for folks who ride motorcycles -- I know too many people who ride them -- this guy was sort of an idiot.

And I was a passenger in a car that got rear-ended on PCH - we were at a dead stop and were hit by a guy going probably over 30 mph... nothing serious - had our seat belts on -- car was an oldie but goodie that was solid.

And yep, some fender benders.

What is your...

mother's name? Norma

favorite drink? water, raspberry lipton tea, oreo milkshake

birthplace? Chico, CA

favorite vacation spot? Northern California

favorite salad dressing? Ken's Balsamic Vinegrette

favorite pie? Cheesecake

favorite number? 20

favorite movie? Oh so many...can I have one per genre? For the moment I'll go with Notting Hill or Love Actually. On Golden Pond is always in the top.

favorite holiday? Christmas

favorite food? Macaroni & Cheese. Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Ice Cream. Cheesecake.

favorite day of the week? Any day I don't have to go or be or do!

favorite brand of body wash? Olay with Shea Butter

favorite toothpaste? Crest - original flavor (hard to find anymore!)

favorite smell? cinnamon rolls, orange blossoms, desert after the rain

Do you have any...

tattoos? no

body piercings? Ears

Do you drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door PT Cruiser (and mini van)

What do you do to relax? veg out - pool (huge grin!), tv; read (has been too long though); play Freecell; read blogs.

How do you see yourself in 10 years? Excellent question. Right now I just hope I'm exercising regularly :D

Play along if you'd like (and let me know please...!)

Some Perspective

2008-06-10T19:44:00.003-07:00

I know our gas prices are way-high... I've always said I wouldn't complain about any price of gas over here until we start paying +$5 a gallon... in Scotland 4 years ago that is what we paid per gallon of petrol. And ya know what? Their gallon is smaller than our gallon. We are creeping up on that number... and I'm not saying that this is a positive thing... just consider:

1 UK Gallon = .833 US Gallon

I just did a check on what the price of petrol is going for over there now... 4.10GBP (Great British Pounds). 1 UK gallon of petrol (aka gasoline) = 4 pounds 10 pence.

Today's conversion rate (from this website) is:
4.10GBP = $8.05 USD

Dang.

Here is the article from the Scotsman newspaper... and if you read near the bottom you'll see the town I lived in (home of BP in Scotland) is mentioned.

So... just a reminder tha it can always be worse, or... get worse.

Cardio dying... a good thing

2008-06-06T19:16:00.003-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I hate sweating? How much I love my new pool?

I took today off from work, did some client scrapping (6 pages), ate lunch while watching tv and then had a little snooze. I'd turned DOWN the cooler (can't believe this is *ME*) and then, had to put on a little blankie for my snooze because I was cool.

un -- be -- lieve -- a -- ble

[of course, it was only 96 degrees today]

I worked out Tuesday, Wednesday & today with my trainer...

He killed me with cardio on Wednesday - but I burned 300 calories - 200 for 1/2 hour on the elliptical and 1/2 hour on the treadmill. 200 cal burned on the elliptical ... 100 cal on the treadmill. Hmmm... which one is easier on me AND burns more calories. DUH.

But today trainer did 5 minutes climbing at like, __ 13 __ (!!!) incline and 3 mph on the stinkin' treadmill... but I quickly proved that I'm a wuss and battled him... took it down to an incline of 6 (which is still hard for me) and 2.5 mph. After lifting weights we came back to the treadmill and he left me where I'd left off, for another 5 minutes... more weights then another 5 minutes on the treadmill with slightly higher numbers.

I'd much rather do longer length of exercise at a pace I can keep up with and enjoy (thereby making a lifestyle change that will last) than too much too fast that will keep the "I hate to exercise" thought in my head forever.

Make sense?

Things have been much calmer but still busy at work.
I'm going to be painting more garden art in the future...

Keychain I bought at the dollar store

2008-06-02T01:16:00.002-07:00

"So much to do, so few people to do if for me."

my new favorite quote

Happy June 2nd ~ month of many birthdays in my family!

2008-06-02T01:02:00.002-07:00

I'll post pix of the pool fun when I can get the photos off of my camera... my card reader is hiccuping.

Went to church today... third time in a row, but the first time at the church I'm a member of for at least 3 months... it was o.k.

Went to Michael's and spent $50 -- they were having a 25% off your entire purchase, even things on sale -- and I only spent $50!! Oh the self control.

I'm going to be painting more rocks soon. I know y'all are waiting with baited breath!

Talked to my dad for an hour lounging in the pool yesterday. It was great. :D

Craft class yesterday went really well -- would post pix of the very cute masculine (isn't that an oxymoron - "cute masculine") vest cards for Father's Day... if my card reader would work.

Himself's not been smoking for over 4 weeks now... I'm so proud!! He's not been grumpy -- he has been a little more irritating in ways when he thinks he's being cute and funny, but not really... ya know? But I can only imagine how hard quitting is -- and I'm really really glad for him :D And he bought AND assembled my pool. I love him very much.

Went to a memorial on Friday afternoon -- have been to what seems a lot more funerals in the past two years -- this gravesite memorial gave me the opportunity to think about what I would want at my funeral (sounds morbid, but I don't mean it to be...), and to have that talk with himself... along with setting up a will.

Will be scrapping tomorrow!

at last!

2008-05-27T21:41:00.001-07:00

I have a poo-ool... I have a poo-ool... with floaty toys and everything....

*HUGE SMILE*!

I shouldn't... but I do

2008-05-23T00:24:00.002-07:00

Finally!

Derek & Meredith... Grey's Anatomy... 2-hour season finale.

Guilty Pleasures.

* * * *
Back to my trainer after two weeks off - gonna hurt tomorrow.

Work is still busy but no looming "Do or Die" Deadlines.

Heading to see mom with friends for the Memorial Weekend - himself will be at home with Rascal.

Haven't felt much like blogging, but am reading a lot!

peace.

The countdown begins

2008-05-12T00:58:00.003-07:00

...until May 20th when I can relax a little with no looming deadlines (except the advanced choir leaving for europe June 1st, but I'm not going... so that isn't as stressful for me as it is for the Artistic Director!).

The TGC concert went really well.

I've had a hellauva week.... good news: himself quit smoking a week ago Wednesday and is chewing Nicotine gum. The bad news is that the morning after he stopped smoking we discovered someone tried to steal our van -- from our driveway -- dog didn't make a sound.

We'll get the van back tomorrow -- luckily they broke it too much for it to be drivable -- something about the ignition having a computer chip that is fragile and if broken the vehicle doesn't run. Yay!

It's been an emotional mother's day weekend -- got my mom a really pretty scarf -- haven't given her anything in a couple years, so a card and a scarf, before the actual day... I feel like I accomplished something. I'm still hanging out with a lot of emotion regarding the whole lack-of-communication thing... mostly because I know my mom's putting up with a lot on her side of this situation.

Time for sleep

Hit Song on the day and year you were born...

2008-05-03T22:30:00.003-07:00

How fun is this...

on November 25th 1967 ~ Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock
I didn't think I knew the song, but when I heard the tune it was familiar.

Himself... February 14th 1966 ~ Lightnin' Strikes by Lou Christie
(didn't think I'd know it... but it is familiar)

My mom... June 26th 1939 ~ Wishing (Will Make It So) by Glenn Miller
My dad... June 13th 1941 ~ Maria Elena by Jimmy Dorsey

Himself's and my anniversary... June 20th 1998 ~ The Boy is Mine by Brandi & Monica
Never heard it before.

Graduation 1985 (gonna guess the date...) June 3rd ~ Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears

Here's the website... fun stuff! (and it will link to itunes so you can hear a snippet of the song)

My Week

2008-05-03T20:58:00.003-07:00

I don't remember much, to be honest...

I went in late on Monday -- (which is been approved, and is a habit I'm trying to keep) -- but have been hustling ever since.

Work is crazy busy with end of the year stuff -- who will be coming back to chorus. How do we communicate the increase of tuition and new payment system (quarterly rather than monthly). Auditions are coming... need to make sure all the small details we've thought of ever since the last audition gets included. I had a dream night before last about re-wording some of the information -- that when you join the Tucson Girls Chorus you're investing in your daughter as well as the organization... it isn't just dropping your kid off for an hour or so every week... and the ROI (Return On Investment) is the growth and confidence built that you see in your daughter.

There's making sure all 120 families are caught up on their accounts -- which is a nightmare because our accounting system is a screwed up mess -- it confuses everyone, including us... so trying to explain to parents is just a nightmare. bleh.

Then there's the program layout -- which I love doing but takes a million hours and I condense it into half a million. And the flyer distribution to the zillions of schools in the 7 districts that are in town... and getting it together for parents to come and deliver a handful of flyers to their local schools --

Ahh... you'd think I've only been working.

And mostly I have. Was in today from 11:30 to 8:20. And I'll be there tomorrow... and no going in late on Monday this week. :-(

Our van was broken into and someone(s) attempted to steal it Wednesday night/Thursday morning -- so Thursday was pretty much shot dealing with Police, Insurance, Car Rental and my wonderful himself who, the night before had finished smoking all his cigarettes and bought nicotine gum and is quitting smoking... great for him to find out Thursday morning about the van.

Dog didn't make a sound.

I did work out twice this week, and went and visited a small singing group called "Desert Tones" -- it was fun, low-key... this small group of women gave our girls a substantial donation -- and with the challenges we're running into in the tour cost for the Advanced Choir because the dollar has taken such a dive, along with the rising cost of fuel, well -- lets just say the timing is beautiful.

May 2oth... that is when I can breathe.

How has almost a week gone by?

2008-04-25T21:52:00.002-07:00

And what was I doing?

I've worked out twice (yay me!!)

Work has been less crazy but just as busy.

I want to go to the county fair tomorrow (and I've not wanted to go to the fair in years).

I am eating a lot more salad... always a good thing.

We're not going to build the Arizona room this year. We need to save up for the things we want... and before we do anything we need to get our emergency fund back up to a decent amount.

I have another workout buddy (Yay!)

I haven't managed to go to bed very early lately... and it is key to getting up early!

I really really need to clean my car. Inside and out.

I finally loaded up my ipod -- and figured out itunes on my pc. I'm entering the 21st century ;-)

I refuse to text. I understand the value of it... but hate pushing a key on the number keypad more than once to get the letter I need. It bothers me to just find a name of someone to call (!)

There is nothing more I can think of to write.

A Good Reminder

2008-04-20T10:37:00.003-07:00

"Be Kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Attributed to Plato

"Without music, life would be a mistake"
Neitzsche

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
Norman Vincent Peale

"That which does not kill you makes you stronger."
Neitzsche

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Jesus Christ

"What goes around comes around" OR "You get what you give"
Proverb... cliche'...

"Life is short, eat real sugar."
me

"When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else."
Joseph Campbell

"Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music."
Jimi Hendrix

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
Calvin Coolidge

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who amd I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God... It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates other."
Maryann Williamson, used in Nelson Mandela's 1994 inaugural speech

*Bonus
"They may forget what you said. But they'll never forget how you made them feel."
Carl W. Buechner

* * * * * * * * * *
So my Thursday Thirteen is on Sunday... "whatever!" :D

Bizzare Websites

2008-04-19T09:22:00.002-07:00

Of all the weird stuff on the 'net, once in awhile my mind wanders to the three more bizarre (therefore memorable) sites I just happened upon by accident.

Knowing I wanted to post these on the blog, naturally finding them again has taken 20 minutes (so much more information out there now!)...

Why Does Corn Show Up In Poop? The original page I found on this site, but this site has some interesting thoughts as well.

Life Gems. I'd never heard of this until I came across this site.

There's one more but I can't find it and I've got to get going.... maybe later.

Kinda Cool...

2008-04-18T07:22:00.001-07:00

You Are a Comma

You are open minded and extremely optimistic.

You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything.

You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests.

You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time.

Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to.

(But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.)

You excel in: Inspiring people

You get along best with: The Question Mark

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Workout #3!!

2008-04-17T22:37:00.004-07:00

Well... I could hardly put my left side hand on my hip today... my arm muscles hurt so bad.

I worked out again with my personal trainer today -- 5 minutes walking, 40 minutes weights, 4 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes walking -- mostly right around 2 mph. The difference today was that I spent 15 minutes stretching. Oh it hurts so good!!

* * * * * *
Nothing major going on except I was a crabby b-word pretty much all day... couldn't get anything done between the phone, email, talking to people who were coming into my office, and the pile of crap on all three surfaces that I'll generously call a desk being covered with papers and more papers and calendars and calculators... ack!!

After Saturday things will be better.

I really want to vent about this Combined PR Event We Are Doing experience in the worst way... but I wouldn't be nice, or even funny, really... and I really do want to KMMS... (Keep My Mouth Shut) as it has managed to get me into trouble a number of times in the past, and I need to just Get Over It Already.

*********
I'm going to hang out with some fun and funny people tomorrow and crop and scrap... which will be much fun!!

How To Catch Wild Pigs

2008-04-15T21:02:00.002-07:00

Found this story on another blog, and rather than put it all here... I'll put a link to it instead.

It is a political analogy... and if you know how a frog won't jump out of water that is heated until in eventually boils to death, you get the gist.

A good read, anyhow.

Work out, then chocolate ice cream - nothing incongruous there, is there?

2008-04-15T20:18:00.002-07:00

It's hot. When its hot I eat a lot of ice cream. I tried to do frozen yogurt one summer with a cheap freezer thing-a-ma-bob, but it broke and wasn't all that great... and took way-hay too long to freeze up the yogurt.

Yes, my second workout with weights today... yi-yi-yi!!! I was really in pain last Friday and Saturday... and I know it is a good pain, so I was enthusiastic when I groaned and moaned... ;-)

I need to get in the habit of going every day - and tomorrow my goal is to go after work and just do 20 minutes on the treadmill. I also want to take advantage of the food plan that the personal training program gives me. I've resisted for so long being told what to eat... and that hasn't worked spectacularly for me... eating when I'm hungry and eating what I want to eat works for me, when I focus on actually doing it.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

So... on my way to the fitness center after work, I'm heading south and turning left to get to my gym. In my town our green arrows in most intersections come after the main green light... so I was in a line of left-turning cars and as it got to my turn to actually make the left, I saw what had been hidden infront of the tall SUV in front of me... a blind man was crossing the street in the middle of the intersection!

I saw a man who had obviously seen what was going on and was running to him to let him know that he was *standing in the middle of 12 lanes of opposing traffic.*

It looked like the blind man thought he had crossed the entire intersection (West to East) when indeed he'd only crossed 4 lanes, came to the island that separates the dual road, so he turned to then cross North to South. Holy Crap!!!

I said a prayer of thanks for the guy who was running to help him out. I said a prayer of thanks that everyone so far had seen him and wasn't honking obnoxiously at him (which only would have confused him, I'm pretty sure). Then I said a prayer of thanks for my health and my sight. How easy it would be to make that mistake, especially if my mind was on something other than crossing 6 lanes of traffic.

So... if you're reading this, give thanks.

Dumb Laws website

2008-04-15T07:19:00.002-07:00

I thought this was a fun find on the world wide web this morning...

Dumb Laws; Stupid Laws

Have a dumb-law free day ;-)

Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus going to International Contest 2009!!

2008-04-13T14:47:00.003-07:00

Wahhhh-hoooooo!

I had a slight twinge of regret... not being a part of going up and getting that Region 21 blue ribbon medal... I know I'm doing the right thing, but that is something I'll never be a part of ~ that first blue ribbon...

But I have every intention of going back to chorus after the weather cools down and I'm firmly entrenched in a regular workout/exercise routine.

Today I'm in organizing mode -- I'm revved up from contest yesterday and inspired... hard to stay motivated and inspired... that is my constant challenge. (or, as Beth would say, OGAD - another "Opportunity for Growth And Development" ;-) I'm also in a clearing the crap mood -- getting rid of some clothes first. Going and getting next year's calendar second, then coming back and putting some craft stuff away. In 15 minute increments. I may stop at the fitness place and do some walking on the treadmill.

I signed up (finally) onto itunes and am switching over my music to my ipod ~ it is taking awhile... but I've already made one 1-hour walking music playlist... and will make a few. I also want to go and see about the podcasts and listen to some of those.

Oh Why Am I Not Asleeping?

2008-04-09T00:26:00.003-07:00

Big Mama's blog post today cracked me up -- inspired me...? or just made me envious about being able to write a post that would make himself's quirks lovable. Like how he balls up his socks to wash them. you know, like you pair socks up after you've washed, dried and sorted them -- getting them ready to put them away? Well, he balls them all up before washing them, in order to prevent single sock syndrome. I have a sneaking feeling that this prevents them from getting the cleanest clean possible.

I'm sure I can come up with more ~ but it is late, I should be sleeping.

Speaking of Himself ~ our first of the two wedding anniversaries was Monday, April 6th. I know I have so many people reading my blog -- anyone venture a guess... quite a few people know, I know (how many times can I write/type know??)... no prize offering, sorry.

I went to my chorus "Friends & Family Night" where they do their stuff over and over in preparation for the big contest on Saturday in Phoenix. They rocked! I think I'm going to ride up with friends to watch for the day -- I came home tonight and watched a bunch of barbershop on You Tube.

like this:

Yep, revealing a lot about me today.

I went and signed up with a personal trainer - 20 minutes on the treadmill with hills yesterday kicked my butt. But I have a goal! Thursday I go in for weights. whoo hoo.

I am excited about working out -- it is cutting back on the fat in my diet that sucks the big one. whine whine.