Proof that God has a sense of humor:
I was all prepared to celebrate today being the Last Day of Hurricane Season....
And there's a brand new tropical storm out there, Otto.
This whole year has just been so unreal. I wouldn't be surprised if we actually get snow this winter. (Last time there was actual accumulation here was back in '89, but it did snow up at the Cape a few years ago. So snowfall is at least a possibility.)
Now, Otto probably won't amount to much, and won't threaten us here, but it's just darkly amusing to have a storm crop up the last day of the season.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
I'm Done!
*cues carollers singing "Shopping is done!" to the tune of "Carol of the Bells", with male voices in harmony chanting "Done. Done. Done. Done."*
Yes, my friends, I am done with my holiday shopping! Everything I am giving is either in my possession (my office is great hiding spot) or on order. And I have only set foot in two stores - Toys'R'Us, and a specialty store that I will not yet name because DsD reads my blog. Don't want to spill the beans. I won't be giving away anything to say that I did a lot of my shopping on amazon.com. It's traditional!
DD does *not* read my blog, being only 5. I got her some Clikits stuff and a few LeapPad books. I also got gifts for two Salvation Army angel tree kids - there's a tree up at my work, and I picked two very little girls to spoil. I like buying for the real littles, especially ones that are only asking for simple things. Kids asking for high-ticket items like game consoles just don't really seem as 'needy' to me. (That may not necessarily be right, just my take on things. Counterexamples are always welcome!)
I'm also not spilling what I got for DH, since he regularly reads my blog. If I had some idea of what I might want for Christmas, I could hint here. But I really have no clue as to what I want. DH always gets me wonderful things...sometimes too wonderful - he's gotten some stunning pieces of jewelry that I don't often have a chance to wear, and sometimes they make me feel a little unworthy. He's also gotten me a beautiful Celtic harp that I haven't played much, but really want to learn someday. Hm. Maybe gut strings for the harp? I've heard they hold tone a lot better than the nylon strings she currently has (yes, my harp is a she).
Well...I'm sure I'll think of something, or he'll surprise me. He's got an upcoming business trip - maybe he'll find inspiration there. I'll be happy with anything he gets me - I hope he'll be happy with what I've ordered him.
Ah, but about my long weekend....it was very relaxing! Thursday we worked the dinner up at church - serving and cleanup, and we got to stuff ourselves as well. Then we went home and took a long nap, then went to my favorite Irish pub for dinner - they were also holding a fairly traditional Thanksgiving buffet. So we stuffed ourselves there too. So Thursday, and indeed much of the weekend, can be summarized by "eat, watch football, sleep".
I did do some stitching, though - a couple of ornaments for DD's teachers. I'm not good at ornamentizing, so I made them into coasters.
Ornaments: JCS 2001 Christmas - Heritage Series, "Snowflake 2001"; JCS 2000 Christmas - Moss Creek Designs, "16th Century Celtic Christmas"
Saturday I went through DD's clothes, and made a donation to the thrift store. Supporting the needy while reducing the clutter in my house - an excellent deal.
So that's my weekend in a rather large nutshell!
*wanders off as the "Done!" carollers fade out*
Yes, my friends, I am done with my holiday shopping! Everything I am giving is either in my possession (my office is great hiding spot) or on order. And I have only set foot in two stores - Toys'R'Us, and a specialty store that I will not yet name because DsD reads my blog. Don't want to spill the beans. I won't be giving away anything to say that I did a lot of my shopping on amazon.com. It's traditional!
DD does *not* read my blog, being only 5. I got her some Clikits stuff and a few LeapPad books. I also got gifts for two Salvation Army angel tree kids - there's a tree up at my work, and I picked two very little girls to spoil. I like buying for the real littles, especially ones that are only asking for simple things. Kids asking for high-ticket items like game consoles just don't really seem as 'needy' to me. (That may not necessarily be right, just my take on things. Counterexamples are always welcome!)
I'm also not spilling what I got for DH, since he regularly reads my blog. If I had some idea of what I might want for Christmas, I could hint here. But I really have no clue as to what I want. DH always gets me wonderful things...sometimes too wonderful - he's gotten some stunning pieces of jewelry that I don't often have a chance to wear, and sometimes they make me feel a little unworthy. He's also gotten me a beautiful Celtic harp that I haven't played much, but really want to learn someday. Hm. Maybe gut strings for the harp? I've heard they hold tone a lot better than the nylon strings she currently has (yes, my harp is a she).
Well...I'm sure I'll think of something, or he'll surprise me. He's got an upcoming business trip - maybe he'll find inspiration there. I'll be happy with anything he gets me - I hope he'll be happy with what I've ordered him.
Ah, but about my long weekend....it was very relaxing! Thursday we worked the dinner up at church - serving and cleanup, and we got to stuff ourselves as well. Then we went home and took a long nap, then went to my favorite Irish pub for dinner - they were also holding a fairly traditional Thanksgiving buffet. So we stuffed ourselves there too. So Thursday, and indeed much of the weekend, can be summarized by "eat, watch football, sleep".
I did do some stitching, though - a couple of ornaments for DD's teachers. I'm not good at ornamentizing, so I made them into coasters.
Ornaments: JCS 2001 Christmas - Heritage Series, "Snowflake 2001"; JCS 2000 Christmas - Moss Creek Designs, "16th Century Celtic Christmas"
Saturday I went through DD's clothes, and made a donation to the thrift store. Supporting the needy while reducing the clutter in my house - an excellent deal.
So that's my weekend in a rather large nutshell!
*wanders off as the "Done!" carollers fade out*
Sunday, November 28, 2004
'Tis the season
With Thanksgiving, it is readily apparent that the seasons have changed. Besides the insane crush of holiday shoppers and the exponential explosion of holiday shopping ads, there are other signs. The local contemporary Christian radio station has started playing Christmas music. I've seen an ad on TV for Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Several of my neighbors already have Christmas lights up! I'm sure I'll talk more about neighborhood light displays later - the neighborhood has a contest, and some houses go a bit overboard.
At church, the change of seasons is apparent, but in a completely different way. Today is the first Sunday in Advent - the altar hangings and priestly vestments have changed to purple, and there is a large Advent wreath. No more flowers, but there are evergreens. The church won't be decorated for Christmas until Christmas Eve. (And I've learned that it was once considered bad luck to have decorations up before Christmas Eve! My neighbors must be courting disaster!)
And the music has shifted in tone to one of contemplation and expectation. Our very talented music director has put together another good set of liturgical music for the season, on the theme of "O Come O Come Emmanuel". Very beautiful. I've always liked that particular hymn, and I was pleased to learn last year that it dates back to the 9th century, and is based on the O Antiphons, a set of traditional antiphons done by the Church from December 17-23. Sometimes tradition is very cool - in a sense I feel connected to history.
And ultimately, that's what makes me feel like Christmas is coming. Now all I need is snow!
At church, the change of seasons is apparent, but in a completely different way. Today is the first Sunday in Advent - the altar hangings and priestly vestments have changed to purple, and there is a large Advent wreath. No more flowers, but there are evergreens. The church won't be decorated for Christmas until Christmas Eve. (And I've learned that it was once considered bad luck to have decorations up before Christmas Eve! My neighbors must be courting disaster!)
And the music has shifted in tone to one of contemplation and expectation. Our very talented music director has put together another good set of liturgical music for the season, on the theme of "O Come O Come Emmanuel". Very beautiful. I've always liked that particular hymn, and I was pleased to learn last year that it dates back to the 9th century, and is based on the O Antiphons, a set of traditional antiphons done by the Church from December 17-23. Sometimes tradition is very cool - in a sense I feel connected to history.
And ultimately, that's what makes me feel like Christmas is coming. Now all I need is snow!
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
A cornucopia of quizzes
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the states. Things should be pretty peaceful here over the holiday weekend. Tomorrow we're helping out with a dinner for senior citizens hosted by our church - we did this last year, and had a good time. And there's the added bonus of Thanksgiving-dinner-with-fixins without bearing the entire burden ourselves of cleaning up dinner-with-fixins. Maybe we'll make a tradition out of it. We won't have guests other than perhaps one of our gaming buddies, and no travel hassles for us. Just immediate family, stitching, and lots of football-watching! I'm looking forward to it.
Lots of quizzes making the rounds on blogs I tend to read, and so in honor of Thanksgiving with its many dishes, here are a handful of quiz results. Enjoy!
YOU ARE ROSEMARY
What herb are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Hmm....and here women were supposed to be from Venus! Not sure I necessarily can relate to that, but hey. It sounds good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lots of quizzes making the rounds on blogs I tend to read, and so in honor of Thanksgiving with its many dishes, here are a handful of quiz results. Enjoy!
YOU ARE ROSEMARY
What herb are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
|
You Are a Life Blogger! |
| Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible. |
|
You Are From the Moon |
| You can vibe with the steady rhythms of the Moon.
You're in touch with your emotions and intuition. You possess a great, unmatched imagination - and an infinite memory. Ultra-sensitive, you feel at home anywhere (or with anyone). A total healer, you light the way in the dark for many. |
Hmm....and here women were supposed to be from Venus! Not sure I necessarily can relate to that, but hey. It sounds good.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Florida-fried fools
With all the media attention paid to skin cancer, especially in recent years, I am completely bewildered by the large number of tanning salons in the area.
Especially since we're only a 15-minute drive from the beach. And there is, in fact, one tanning salon within *sight* of the beach. I have yet to figure that one out. I guess people want to rotisserie themselves without getting sand in their skivvies.
Y'know, one would think that since one roasts meat in hopes achieving a nice golden-brown look, that attempting such a maneuver on one's own skin would NOT be a good thing. I know double-digits of people who have had surgeries to remove cancerous growths from their skin. Every year, especially in the heat of summer, the paper has articles on the perils of skin cancer.
And yet there are numerous tanning salons in the area, which means there is a large enough clientele to keep them in business. Maybe the sun has already taken out their brain cells.
I will admit, I am a bit biased in regard to the state sport of sunworshipping. Being a redhead, and like most redheads, having very fair skin, I have a rather healthy respect (or is it fear?) of what the sun is capable of doing to my skin. (It only takes one instance of second-degree sunburn to drive that lesson home...) It follows that the primary appeal of living in Florida for many people, the beach, is completely lost on me. I worked beachside for almost 3 years. Literally...it took only a dart across a street and a walk down wooden stairs to put the sand in my sandals. And in that three years, you know how many times I went to the beach?
Three. Once to get water for my stepson's science fair project, and twice for shuttle launches.
I'll save the golden-brown for the Thanksgiving turkey.
Especially since we're only a 15-minute drive from the beach. And there is, in fact, one tanning salon within *sight* of the beach. I have yet to figure that one out. I guess people want to rotisserie themselves without getting sand in their skivvies.
Y'know, one would think that since one roasts meat in hopes achieving a nice golden-brown look, that attempting such a maneuver on one's own skin would NOT be a good thing. I know double-digits of people who have had surgeries to remove cancerous growths from their skin. Every year, especially in the heat of summer, the paper has articles on the perils of skin cancer.
And yet there are numerous tanning salons in the area, which means there is a large enough clientele to keep them in business. Maybe the sun has already taken out their brain cells.
I will admit, I am a bit biased in regard to the state sport of sunworshipping. Being a redhead, and like most redheads, having very fair skin, I have a rather healthy respect (or is it fear?) of what the sun is capable of doing to my skin. (It only takes one instance of second-degree sunburn to drive that lesson home...) It follows that the primary appeal of living in Florida for many people, the beach, is completely lost on me. I worked beachside for almost 3 years. Literally...it took only a dart across a street and a walk down wooden stairs to put the sand in my sandals. And in that three years, you know how many times I went to the beach?
Three. Once to get water for my stepson's science fair project, and twice for shuttle launches.
I'll save the golden-brown for the Thanksgiving turkey.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Short weeks
Ahhh, life is good. A short work week this week, and we're thankfully not traveling! I actually managed to accomplish some household tasks over the weekend, in addition to finishing my dragon-in-progress. Here's the week in review:
Last week:
Curves 3x - Done!
Clean out purse - Done!
Finish Futurecast- Done, and framed!
Start going through and weeding out clothes - Done!
This week:
Exercise 3x somehow (my Curves is closed starting Wed pm)
Clean out DD's closet
Go through DD's toys/clothes
Start cleaning up computer room
We'll see how much of these I actually get to. I'd really rather just stitch and watch football, but entropy acts upon my house at roughly the same accelerated rate at which it acts upon my car!
Last week:
This week:
We'll see how much of these I actually get to. I'd really rather just stitch and watch football, but entropy acts upon my house at roughly the same accelerated rate at which it acts upon my car!
"Noctyrne" Futurecast conversion
Since I've had several requests, here's my conversion for Futurecast:
Fabric: 28ct Lugana Silkweaver Solo (unnamed) (I got this piece in a trade. It's approximately DMC318, with subtle hints of green, blue, and purple)
Overdyed: Victoria Clayton "Midnight Rainbow" silk perle #12
Key:
dot: Kreinik 329 #8 braid "Bahama blue"
star: Kreinik 032 #4 braid "pearl"
Z: Kreinik 1223 #4 braid "passion plum"
A - DMC798
B - DMC797
C - DMC796
D - DMC820
1 - DMC552
2 - DMC327
+ - 1 strand DMC415 / 1 strand Kreinik 001C silver cord
bs dragon - 1 strand DMC820
bs outer edge border - 1 strand Anchor Marlitt 819
bs inner edge - 1 strand Sulky green/purple metallic thread
bs globe - 2 strands Kreinik 001C
eye: 4 strands Kreinik 001C (bs with 2 strands)
Mill Hill beads:
dragon: 03002 antique midnight
border: 00332 emerald, 03047 blue iris, 03034 royal amethyst
Fabric: 28ct Lugana Silkweaver Solo (unnamed) (I got this piece in a trade. It's approximately DMC318, with subtle hints of green, blue, and purple)
Overdyed: Victoria Clayton "Midnight Rainbow" silk perle #12
Key:
dot: Kreinik 329 #8 braid "Bahama blue"
star: Kreinik 032 #4 braid "pearl"
Z: Kreinik 1223 #4 braid "passion plum"
A - DMC798
B - DMC797
C - DMC796
D - DMC820
1 - DMC552
2 - DMC327
+ - 1 strand DMC415 / 1 strand Kreinik 001C silver cord
bs dragon - 1 strand DMC820
bs outer edge border - 1 strand Anchor Marlitt 819
bs inner edge - 1 strand Sulky green/purple metallic thread
bs globe - 2 strands Kreinik 001C
eye: 4 strands Kreinik 001C (bs with 2 strands)
Mill Hill beads:
dragon: 03002 antique midnight
border: 00332 emerald, 03047 blue iris, 03034 royal amethyst
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Noctyrne
I just finished this little guy - Teresa Wentzler's "Futurecast", with my own color scheme. It took me about 20 hours (I'm beginning to like quick finishes)
The scan's actually a little darker than he really is.
I went to my framer yesterday to get mats and a frame for him....I love that my framer can cut mats for me on the fly. I wanted to go ahead and get the framing supplies *before* Thanksgiving - my framer is at the mall, and there is no way I am going to the mall *after* Thanksgiving. I even got the foam core cut for him, and I'm going to try to do the framing myself. Hopefully that'll turn out okay.
Other than maybe a quick ornament or two, I'm going to work on Last Supper until it's done.
The scan's actually a little darker than he really is.
I went to my framer yesterday to get mats and a frame for him....I love that my framer can cut mats for me on the fly. I wanted to go ahead and get the framing supplies *before* Thanksgiving - my framer is at the mall, and there is no way I am going to the mall *after* Thanksgiving. I even got the foam core cut for him, and I'm going to try to do the framing myself. Hopefully that'll turn out okay.
Other than maybe a quick ornament or two, I'm going to work on Last Supper until it's done.
Friday, November 19, 2004
It is official...
Remember to say, when time and place shall serve, that I am A Geek.
A Super Geek, in fact, at 48.32347%, according to Innergeek, home of the Geek Test. I'd probably score higher if I were more into Star Trek. I also think I should get extra credit for having married someone I met on the Internet *prior* to 1995, but that's just me...
Thanks again to Weather Goddess Glenda for pointing it out.
I actually do have my old revision Geek Code around somewhere, but not on my home PC. Maybe I'll post it at a later date...
A Super Geek, in fact, at 48.32347%, according to Innergeek, home of the Geek Test. I'd probably score higher if I were more into Star Trek. I also think I should get extra credit for having married someone I met on the Internet *prior* to 1995, but that's just me...
Thanks again to Weather Goddess Glenda for pointing it out.
I actually do have my old revision Geek Code around somewhere, but not on my home PC. Maybe I'll post it at a later date...
Thursday, November 18, 2004
On the threshold of chaos
A wondering friend reminded me that there are a mere 38 days until Christmas. 38 days in which to decide what to get my loved ones as gifts, and 38 days in which to buy them.
I hate shopping. At least anywhere other than in bookstores and craft stores. I think "mall" really should be spelled with a "u". Especially after Thanksgiving. I dislike the crowds, the hassle, the crass commercialism. And the insanity begins a week from now...I'm already overhearing folks discussing what they're going to be doing on the day after Thanksgiving, commonly called Black Friday. One would think shopping is an Olympic event, the way some people are so worked up about it!
I'm sorry, but count me out. I have no intention of going anywhere *near* a store on Black Friday.
But despite my loathing of malls, department stores, and other dens of heated monetary exchange, purchasing of gifts must be done. And so, I owe a great deal of gratitude to Jeff Bezos - for the past 7 years or so now, I've done most of my Christmas shopping on amazon.com. Books, music, gift certs for lovers of such...and they will even giftwrap and ship to your victim! I love it.
Of course, in some ways amazon has also been my downfall in the past...I have a notorious tendency just to order myself what I want, so when it gets close to Christmas or my birthday, I have no idea what to offer as suggestions. I have been a bit better this year about holding off, and putting items I'd like on my wish list instead of my shopping cart. So I have little things I can offer as suggestions to folks. (Though I may just ask for home improvement gift certs from parental units...)
I have actually been thinking about gifts for people for about a week now, and I think I have a good handle on what to get DsD. I need to get with my mom for some suggestions for my nephews. DD is at the age where she wants almost everything she sees on TV, so it's just a matter of deciding which of those items to potentially get her.
The trickiest person for me to shop for, though, is DH. Our anniversary, Christmas, and his birthday all fall within a fairly short span of time, so my gifting frenzy for him is just around the corner. I have only the vaguest of ideas for what to get him....
Oh, the insanity!
I hate shopping. At least anywhere other than in bookstores and craft stores. I think "mall" really should be spelled with a "u". Especially after Thanksgiving. I dislike the crowds, the hassle, the crass commercialism. And the insanity begins a week from now...I'm already overhearing folks discussing what they're going to be doing on the day after Thanksgiving, commonly called Black Friday. One would think shopping is an Olympic event, the way some people are so worked up about it!
I'm sorry, but count me out. I have no intention of going anywhere *near* a store on Black Friday.
But despite my loathing of malls, department stores, and other dens of heated monetary exchange, purchasing of gifts must be done. And so, I owe a great deal of gratitude to Jeff Bezos - for the past 7 years or so now, I've done most of my Christmas shopping on amazon.com. Books, music, gift certs for lovers of such...and they will even giftwrap and ship to your victim! I love it.
Of course, in some ways amazon has also been my downfall in the past...I have a notorious tendency just to order myself what I want, so when it gets close to Christmas or my birthday, I have no idea what to offer as suggestions. I have been a bit better this year about holding off, and putting items I'd like on my wish list instead of my shopping cart. So I have little things I can offer as suggestions to folks. (Though I may just ask for home improvement gift certs from parental units...)
I have actually been thinking about gifts for people for about a week now, and I think I have a good handle on what to get DsD. I need to get with my mom for some suggestions for my nephews. DD is at the age where she wants almost everything she sees on TV, so it's just a matter of deciding which of those items to potentially get her.
The trickiest person for me to shop for, though, is DH. Our anniversary, Christmas, and his birthday all fall within a fairly short span of time, so my gifting frenzy for him is just around the corner. I have only the vaguest of ideas for what to get him....
Oh, the insanity!
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Wonderful Wednesday...
Today has been a good day. At work, a patch I was working on has passed testing. My work on it is pretty much done - it was on a subsystem I am not very familiar with, for a customer that has historically been somewhat less than cooperative, on a tight schedule. But I did it. I'm proud of myself, but mostly I am just extremely relieved that it's over. And Monday I get to start on a new project - I don't know yet what I'll be doing, but I am looking forward to it.
Having this one project over with lifts a great burden off my mind. I am not as good as I should be about leaving thoughts of work at the office...
I got home to find a package from my secret stitcher - with *six* beaded ornament kits in it! I am speechless...and spoiled! (Thank you again, Midnight!) I don't do small projects very much, but with these kits so I can get in the occasional quick finish.
And to top off the day, a two-hour Mythbusters comes on in a bit. A wondering friend tells me that her local needlework shop was visited by the Mythbusters, and will be seen in this episode.
Mythbusters and stitching... tonight will be very nice.
Having this one project over with lifts a great burden off my mind. I am not as good as I should be about leaving thoughts of work at the office...
I got home to find a package from my secret stitcher - with *six* beaded ornament kits in it! I am speechless...and spoiled! (Thank you again, Midnight!) I don't do small projects very much, but with these kits so I can get in the occasional quick finish.
And to top off the day, a two-hour Mythbusters comes on in a bit. A wondering friend tells me that her local needlework shop was visited by the Mythbusters, and will be seen in this episode.
Mythbusters and stitching... tonight will be very nice.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Chemistry...
It's been a long and busy day, so I don't have anything particularly clever to say.
I did find a neat little quiz, courtesy of a friendly weather goddess. Enjoy.
You are glucose. People feed off of you. You are
sweet, caring, and a source of energy for
everyone around you. You can inspire others
with your creativity and depth, and you can
keep people alive when in times of famine.
People love you...or at least the way you
taste.
Which Biological Molecule Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I did find a neat little quiz, courtesy of a friendly weather goddess. Enjoy.
You are glucose. People feed off of you. You are
sweet, caring, and a source of energy for
everyone around you. You can inspire others
with your creativity and depth, and you can
keep people alive when in times of famine.
People love you...or at least the way you
taste.
Which Biological Molecule Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Monday, November 15, 2004
An Incredible weekend...
This weekend my family and I went to see The Incredibles, the latest offering from Pixar. So far, I have liked all of Pixar's offerings, and I am always astounded and pleased with advances in computer animation.
The Incredibles follows the story of a pair of superheroes, forced to go underground in a sort of witness protection program by a spate of lawsuits against superheroes in general. The superheroes, a married couple, have lived their lives in forced anonymity while raising a trio of children, two of whom also have superpowers that they are forced to hide. When one of the parents receives an offer that will enable him to exercise his superheroism on the side of good, all heck breaks loose.
It would be cliché, but very true, to say that The Incredibles is, simply, incredible. It was a very well-done, action-packed, enjoyable family film. Attending from my party were two thirtysomethings (DH and I), two older teens (DsD and her BF), and a kindergartner (DD), and all of us quite enjoyed it.
If you haven't seen it yet...do so. You won't regret it.
So anyway, that was the high point of my weekend. I also got a fair bit of stitching in, and might even finish Futurecast this week! After that, I'll be working on Last Supper, which I hope to finish by Easter. Apt, no? I might fit in a few small pieces to get in the occasional quick fix - we'll see.
It's been almost two weeks since I last did weekly goals:
Last two weeks:
Curves 3x - done for both weeks
Clean out purse - ...not yet...
Website updates - done!
Balance checkbook - done!
This week:
Curves 3x
Clean out purse
Finish Futurecast
Start going through and weeding out clothes
My stepson's currently-vacant bedroom has become a holding area for donation items, including clothing and other items. Hopefully over Thanksgiving or such we'll get that catalogued and out the door!
The Incredibles follows the story of a pair of superheroes, forced to go underground in a sort of witness protection program by a spate of lawsuits against superheroes in general. The superheroes, a married couple, have lived their lives in forced anonymity while raising a trio of children, two of whom also have superpowers that they are forced to hide. When one of the parents receives an offer that will enable him to exercise his superheroism on the side of good, all heck breaks loose.
It would be cliché, but very true, to say that The Incredibles is, simply, incredible. It was a very well-done, action-packed, enjoyable family film. Attending from my party were two thirtysomethings (DH and I), two older teens (DsD and her BF), and a kindergartner (DD), and all of us quite enjoyed it.
If you haven't seen it yet...do so. You won't regret it.
So anyway, that was the high point of my weekend. I also got a fair bit of stitching in, and might even finish Futurecast this week! After that, I'll be working on Last Supper, which I hope to finish by Easter. Apt, no? I might fit in a few small pieces to get in the occasional quick fix - we'll see.
It's been almost two weeks since I last did weekly goals:
Last two weeks:
This week:
My stepson's currently-vacant bedroom has become a holding area for donation items, including clothing and other items. Hopefully over Thanksgiving or such we'll get that catalogued and out the door!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Gesundheit!
So the cold that ambushed me a couple weeks ago still seems to be lingering around. I've had a bit of a cough over the past two weeks but no other symptoms. Until yesterday, when the congestion decided to put in another appearance. (And true to form, the coughing is pretty much gone...).
Today I have been besieged by sneezing fits. I had one earlier today that lasted for a good five minutes, and by the end my shoulders were aching from sneezing so hard. And I just finished up another one right before I sat down to type this.
What I really dislike is sneezing while I'm driving. Especially since you have to close your eyes when you sneeze, it being a reflex and all. I'm concerned someone's going to pull out in front of me or hit their brakes or someone will dart into the road during that split second my eyes are closed.
I had a sneezing fit attack while I was driving DD home from school, and it was a real struggle trying to hold back the sneeze until we were stopped at a light, and I couldn't quite manage it every time. Fortunately I didn't hit anything or anybody, but I sneezed more often than I really cared to.
Good thing I have off work tomorrow - I've got a steamy date with Nyquil planned tonight.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Pop quizzes
In the eternal human quest to discover and/or define oneself, a new phenomenon has arisen...
The online personality quiz.
To that end, here's a handful of quizzes I've found on various blogs over the past while. Enjoy.
Which Rock Chick Are You?
Which File Extension are You?
Which OS are You?
The online personality quiz.
To that end, here's a handful of quizzes I've found on various blogs over the past while. Enjoy.
Which Rock Chick Are You?
Which File Extension are You?
Which OS are You?
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Acclimatization
We've had a bit of a "cold snap" the past few days - it's actually been in the 60's today, which to me is a nice change. DH was traveling back home from a business trip, and DD, DsD, DsD's boyfriend and I went out to dinner at a local hotdog/wing place. We sat at an outside table, enjoying the weather....and DD needed her jacket because she was cold.
She's definitely a Florida girl, if this is cold. She has seen snow in her life...twice that I can recall offhand (a Scotland trip at 7mo, and last winter up in Virginia), but for the most part she's lived in the high 80's and brutal humidity that characterizes weather down here 90% of the time. To her, this is natural. The good thing, of course, is that thunderstorms are no big deal to her, being practically a daily occurrence over summers. Heat? Sun? Bring it on.
I, on the other hand, have still not adjusted to that heat, humidity, and beating sun that are the hallmark of the climate. I've been down here 14 years, and all that's happened is that my blood has thinned enough to freeze me when I go back north.
It is interesting, in any event, how the climate of one's formative years plays a part in what constitutes pleasant weather.
She's definitely a Florida girl, if this is cold. She has seen snow in her life...twice that I can recall offhand (a Scotland trip at 7mo, and last winter up in Virginia), but for the most part she's lived in the high 80's and brutal humidity that characterizes weather down here 90% of the time. To her, this is natural. The good thing, of course, is that thunderstorms are no big deal to her, being practically a daily occurrence over summers. Heat? Sun? Bring it on.
I, on the other hand, have still not adjusted to that heat, humidity, and beating sun that are the hallmark of the climate. I've been down here 14 years, and all that's happened is that my blood has thinned enough to freeze me when I go back north.
It is interesting, in any event, how the climate of one's formative years plays a part in what constitutes pleasant weather.
Monday, November 08, 2004
More Monday miscellany...
This weekend was our parish Fall Festival, with the usual run of midway games, entertainment, and inflatable rides. DD was very excited about the Festival - so much so that at 8am Saturday morning, she woke me up with a "Mom! You said you were going to take me to Fall Festival today!". Never mind that it didn't open until noon. We did go in the afternoon both Saturday and Sunday, and DD had a blast. Especially with the bouncyhouse and the velcro wall! The weather was cooperative, too - in the 70's and sunny. Perfect for fair-going. Although I spent time both afternoons trying to sleep off the effects of being out in the sun. If it weren't for life being a diurnal thing, I'd be more of a nocturnal critter.
Still, the Festival was a lot of fun for a good cause. And a darn sight cheaper than Disney!
For years, DH and I have been maintaining that the Miami Hurricanes football team has been overrated. Yes, they've often been ranked in the top ten...but with the exception of Virginia Tech and West Virginia, they haven't really been playing anyone of note. This year, they've joined the ACC, and have lost their last two games...to unranked ACC opponents. (Clemson's victory this weekend, in Miami no less, was SOOOO sweet). They're not doing so well now that they have some real competition.
Miami, welcome to the ACC!
I'm also pleased to see that the Florida Gators are not doing so well either - they're another team I feel has been consistently overranked. Florida State (another ACC newbie) is up there too. The BCS makes for strange bedfellows, though. It still irks me to feel compelled to cheer for FSU because they're an ACC team and therefore we need them to do well, if only to make the ACC look good and to improve Georgia Tech's strength-of-schedule. Now that FSU's been an ACC team for a couple years, it's a little easier to root for them. Miami, on the other hand, will take some doing.
This week's entry in the "Some people have too much time on their hands" category - Online bubble wrap. Enjoy.
Still, the Festival was a lot of fun for a good cause. And a darn sight cheaper than Disney!
For years, DH and I have been maintaining that the Miami Hurricanes football team has been overrated. Yes, they've often been ranked in the top ten...but with the exception of Virginia Tech and West Virginia, they haven't really been playing anyone of note. This year, they've joined the ACC, and have lost their last two games...to unranked ACC opponents. (Clemson's victory this weekend, in Miami no less, was SOOOO sweet). They're not doing so well now that they have some real competition.
Miami, welcome to the ACC!
I'm also pleased to see that the Florida Gators are not doing so well either - they're another team I feel has been consistently overranked. Florida State (another ACC newbie) is up there too. The BCS makes for strange bedfellows, though. It still irks me to feel compelled to cheer for FSU because they're an ACC team and therefore we need them to do well, if only to make the ACC look good and to improve Georgia Tech's strength-of-schedule. Now that FSU's been an ACC team for a couple years, it's a little easier to root for them. Miami, on the other hand, will take some doing.
This week's entry in the "Some people have too much time on their hands" category - Online bubble wrap. Enjoy.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Domes-ticity....do-mes-ticity
My apologies for not writing yesterday. Between illness, election stress, and just plain busyness, I haven't been able to think of anything particularly clever to write.
The weekend should be pretty relaxing. Our parish Fall Festival is this weekend, and DD has been really wanting to go. Last year we had a great time, and DD and I tried the velcro-wall inflatable. Let me tell you, that is harder than it looks, but it's a blast! I hope we have as much fun this year.
And wonder of wonders, we're actually in a cold snap. Relatively speaking, of course...it's in the upper 60's, after being in the upper 80's yesterday. It feels quite nice, and I hope it lasts through the weekend. There's just something patently unnatural about pushing 90 in November.
The holiday season is just around the corner! I occasionally get on a baking binge in December, as do many other folks. Which would explain why this week's Friday Forum was on cookies!
Friday Forum 11/05/2004 - Cookies!
1. What is your ultimate favorite kind of cookie? Do you usually bake them yourself or buy them somewhere? Why are they your favorite?
My single favorite kind of cookie is homemade chocolate chip, especially when warm!
2. Tell us which type of cookies you prefer. Chewy? Crispy? No-bake? Cookie bars? Or something else?
Chewy, homemade right-out-of-the-oven warm. Never tried no-bake, and I don't like burnt cookies. My favorites (besides chocolate chip) are oatmeal-raisin (or oatmeal with some other minced fruit) and homemade shortbread.
3. Do you bake cookies often, or do you prefer to buy them? Do you have any special secrets for making awesome cookies? Have you ever entered a cookie contest?
I probably buy cookies more often than make them, but don't do either particularly often. I prefer homemade cookie.s I've done cookies for bake sales, but have never entered a contest. My "secret" with chocolate chip cookies is using the mini-chips - you get better distribution in the cookie that way.
4. What do you like to eat or drink along with your cookies? [For example, milk, tea, coffee, ice cream, etc.]
Hot tea is the best with cookies, especially shortbread!
5. Will you be baking any cookies for the upcoming holiday season? Why/why not? Are there any traditional cookie recipes in your family?
I may or may not be baking cookies - it really depends on whether I get the urge, and whether I have time. I sometimes get on a holiday baking binge, but the past few years it's been rum cake that fulfills the urge. For a while I was making peanut butter "mice" - shaped peanut butter balls with peanut ears, cinnamon-dot eyes, and thin red licorice tails. I've had people give me the licorice so I'd make the cookies. It's been about 7 years since I've done that, though.
The weekend should be pretty relaxing. Our parish Fall Festival is this weekend, and DD has been really wanting to go. Last year we had a great time, and DD and I tried the velcro-wall inflatable. Let me tell you, that is harder than it looks, but it's a blast! I hope we have as much fun this year.
And wonder of wonders, we're actually in a cold snap. Relatively speaking, of course...it's in the upper 60's, after being in the upper 80's yesterday. It feels quite nice, and I hope it lasts through the weekend. There's just something patently unnatural about pushing 90 in November.
The holiday season is just around the corner! I occasionally get on a baking binge in December, as do many other folks. Which would explain why this week's Friday Forum was on cookies!
Friday Forum 11/05/2004 - Cookies!
1. What is your ultimate favorite kind of cookie? Do you usually bake them yourself or buy them somewhere? Why are they your favorite?
My single favorite kind of cookie is homemade chocolate chip, especially when warm!
2. Tell us which type of cookies you prefer. Chewy? Crispy? No-bake? Cookie bars? Or something else?
Chewy, homemade right-out-of-the-oven warm. Never tried no-bake, and I don't like burnt cookies. My favorites (besides chocolate chip) are oatmeal-raisin (or oatmeal with some other minced fruit) and homemade shortbread.
3. Do you bake cookies often, or do you prefer to buy them? Do you have any special secrets for making awesome cookies? Have you ever entered a cookie contest?
I probably buy cookies more often than make them, but don't do either particularly often. I prefer homemade cookie.s I've done cookies for bake sales, but have never entered a contest. My "secret" with chocolate chip cookies is using the mini-chips - you get better distribution in the cookie that way.
4. What do you like to eat or drink along with your cookies? [For example, milk, tea, coffee, ice cream, etc.]
Hot tea is the best with cookies, especially shortbread!
5. Will you be baking any cookies for the upcoming holiday season? Why/why not? Are there any traditional cookie recipes in your family?
I may or may not be baking cookies - it really depends on whether I get the urge, and whether I have time. I sometimes get on a holiday baking binge, but the past few years it's been rum cake that fulfills the urge. For a while I was making peanut butter "mice" - shaped peanut butter balls with peanut ears, cinnamon-dot eyes, and thin red licorice tails. I've had people give me the licorice so I'd make the cookies. It's been about 7 years since I've done that, though.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
La la, how the life goes on...
I must say I am pleasantly surprised that the election has been resolved quickly. Congratulations to President Bush on his re-election, and applause to Senator Kerry for graciously conceding instead of getting lawyers involved. I confess I was rather concerned there would be a repeat of 2000, so I'm glad it's all settled.
So back to life as I know it! I went to Curves today for the first time in a week. I got a little winded, but I did at least manage to complete my workout. I failed on all of last week's goals, only getting to Curves once before I fell sick, and I didn't do any housework to speak of other than the usual run of laundry. So, I'll just carry those goals over to this week:
Curves 3x
Clean out purse
School/church website updates
Balance checkbook
Mythbusters come on in about 90 minutes - I'm looking forward to watching it and maybe getting a few stitches in.
So back to life as I know it! I went to Curves today for the first time in a week. I got a little winded, but I did at least manage to complete my workout. I failed on all of last week's goals, only getting to Curves once before I fell sick, and I didn't do any housework to speak of other than the usual run of laundry. So, I'll just carry those goals over to this week:
Mythbusters come on in about 90 minutes - I'm looking forward to watching it and maybe getting a few stitches in.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Vote!
If you're registered to vote in the US and you have not yet done so, please, go and vote!
I went to my polling place before work this morning, and after an hour wait, was able to cast my ballot. My county uses optical readers, so if you bubble in more than one oval for a particular race, it rejects your ballot and you have to redo it. No hanging chads here! In the much-disputed 2000 Election, our county had no problems, and we were using the optical readers then too. My first election up north had punch ballots.
Like many people, I'm mostly just waiting for this to be over. Having registered as an Independent, I get targeted by *both* parties. The past two weeks I've been bombarded with political calls (which thanks to caller ID I just let the machine handle), and junk mail - on Saturday alone we had eleven pieces of political junkmail, from both camps. I don't recall getting anywhere near this much last election, but maybe since Florida was so pivotal, the campaigning has been all the more heated. At the moment, the Florida state flower is the campaign sign!
And it has certainly been quite heated. Maybe I've had my head in the sand all these years, but this election has been uglier than any other one I can recall. And I know that unless one candidate wins by a landslide, there will be legal wrangling and cries of foul play. There have been jokes about armies of lawyers just waiting to stream into Florida post-election, and they may not be far off the mark. The campaigns are over - I fear the headache is just beginning.
God help us all....
I went to my polling place before work this morning, and after an hour wait, was able to cast my ballot. My county uses optical readers, so if you bubble in more than one oval for a particular race, it rejects your ballot and you have to redo it. No hanging chads here! In the much-disputed 2000 Election, our county had no problems, and we were using the optical readers then too. My first election up north had punch ballots.
Like many people, I'm mostly just waiting for this to be over. Having registered as an Independent, I get targeted by *both* parties. The past two weeks I've been bombarded with political calls (which thanks to caller ID I just let the machine handle), and junk mail - on Saturday alone we had eleven pieces of political junkmail, from both camps. I don't recall getting anywhere near this much last election, but maybe since Florida was so pivotal, the campaigning has been all the more heated. At the moment, the Florida state flower is the campaign sign!
And it has certainly been quite heated. Maybe I've had my head in the sand all these years, but this election has been uglier than any other one I can recall. And I know that unless one candidate wins by a landslide, there will be legal wrangling and cries of foul play. There have been jokes about armies of lawyers just waiting to stream into Florida post-election, and they may not be far off the mark. The campaigns are over - I fear the headache is just beginning.
God help us all....
Monday, November 01, 2004
Almost human again.
Good news - I'm feeling almost human again! I've been stricken with this cold, or whatever it is I have, longer than I have been in quite a while, and it's a bit frustrating being afflicted with intermittent energy drains. At least I'm not really congested anymore - I still have a bit of a cough, and my energy level is maybe 60%, but I'm on the mend.
Yesterday evening was a good Halloween. DsD carved the Great Pumpkin, and I commented that it looked like a member of KISS, so DsD's BF took a strip of pumpkin flesh and attached it to the mouth. We then took "Gene" outside to greet trick-or-treaters, and it got a number of positive comments. While DsD and BF took DD out trick-or-treating, I stayed home and handed out candy. We had 92 kids come by - a new high for us. The treaters came by comparatively early this year - we had our first ones come by around 5:30, and by 8pm the streets were empty. Normally kids are out until around 9 - maybe being on a weekend, everyone could get an earlier start. We turned our lights off at 8:15, and proceeded to dissect "Gene" for cooking. We have probably a good 10lb or so of cut-up pumpkin now. If you know of any pumpkin recipes (besides pie), feel free to pass them along!
Tonight when I got home I had a very nice surprise waiting for me - a package from my Secret Stitcher! I got some cool stationery, some green tea lotion and bath gel, a homemade soap, #26 Piecemaker needles, a fat quarter of Dyeing4U "Antiquity" 28ct Jazlyn (very pretty - a nice medieval parchment look), and a packet of floss and specialty fibers cryptically labeled "Part 1". She also sent DD a pretty purple pen, and DD appropriated some of the lovely stationery to go with it (thief! Baggins!) I feel quite spoiled!
Midnight, if you read this, thank you!
Yesterday evening was a good Halloween. DsD carved the Great Pumpkin, and I commented that it looked like a member of KISS, so DsD's BF took a strip of pumpkin flesh and attached it to the mouth. We then took "Gene" outside to greet trick-or-treaters, and it got a number of positive comments. While DsD and BF took DD out trick-or-treating, I stayed home and handed out candy. We had 92 kids come by - a new high for us. The treaters came by comparatively early this year - we had our first ones come by around 5:30, and by 8pm the streets were empty. Normally kids are out until around 9 - maybe being on a weekend, everyone could get an earlier start. We turned our lights off at 8:15, and proceeded to dissect "Gene" for cooking. We have probably a good 10lb or so of cut-up pumpkin now. If you know of any pumpkin recipes (besides pie), feel free to pass them along!
Tonight when I got home I had a very nice surprise waiting for me - a package from my Secret Stitcher! I got some cool stationery, some green tea lotion and bath gel, a homemade soap, #26 Piecemaker needles, a fat quarter of Dyeing4U "Antiquity" 28ct Jazlyn (very pretty - a nice medieval parchment look), and a packet of floss and specialty fibers cryptically labeled "Part 1". She also sent DD a pretty purple pen, and DD appropriated some of the lovely stationery to go with it (thief! Baggins!) I feel quite spoiled!
Midnight, if you read this, thank you!
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