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.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve 2008
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.
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
Monday, December 22, 2008
Catching Up With Photos
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!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas in Cave Creek
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!
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, December 15, 2008
Monday's Thoughts
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*
* * * * *
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*
Sunday, December 14, 2008
'Tis The Season!
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):
In my other rolling cart:
I still don't have packed:
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....
* * * * *
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
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....
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Crazy Busy
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!
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!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
25 Days of Cookies... Decided
I've found the 25 + 1 cookie recipes to try... in no particular order of preference:
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)
- 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)
Friday, November 28, 2008
Great Times ~ Great Friends
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
20th Anniversary of my 21st Birthday
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!!
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!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Obsessed -- sometimes (long)
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:
I have more to say on the subject, but this is a LONG post!
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
I have more to say on the subject, but this is a LONG post!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Long Time Not Here...
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!
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!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Craft Class - October 2008
Craft Class Toilet Roll Napkin Rings
(Try to ignore the distracting mess of my desk...)
Monday, October 06, 2008
Voting in Arizona -- morphing to ranting about poorly designed websites
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!
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!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Technology Today
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.
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.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Oh the Randomness
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)
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)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Consistency
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:
I'm thinking that makes the most sense right now.
It is going to be a busy week at work... need to get going!
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
I'm thinking that makes the most sense right now.
It is going to be a busy week at work... need to get going!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Craft Class Again
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.
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.
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