Desperately, DESPERATELY need to start doing something exercise-centric ASAP.
I'm tired of being a slug. I look like Jabba the Hut. Cycling seems like something I can do, especially seeing as I have the bike already. Heck, I have 2 bikes, since Amanda's is still in the garage here.
Ok, so I know you're doing the cycle-to-work thing, which is super admirable, but I don't know how far you travel (one-way). There is no way on this planet I'm gonna be able to do that within the next 2 years or so.
About 12 miles for me, one way, with a lot of "hilly" terrain - even if I got good enough to manage it, I'd need several showers once I got to work to deal with the miasma of sweat and dust and bug parts.
So how since I know that you and Waterspout are doing a bit of a "partners" thing - do tell, how much did you start with? How far did you go? How hilly is it where you live? I need more inspiration, Girl!!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Weekends
Weekends aren't long enough. They need to be 2 days but 2 days with like 40 hours each.
I guess if I would be good and do stuff DURING the week, this whole weekend thing would be less oppressive, but meh.
Tonite dinner will be a small steak, asparagus, saute'd mushrooms and a tiny potato.
Reward for being a good lil' domestic type and finishing my chores.
bleh.
I guess if I would be good and do stuff DURING the week, this whole weekend thing would be less oppressive, but meh.
Tonite dinner will be a small steak, asparagus, saute'd mushrooms and a tiny potato.
Reward for being a good lil' domestic type and finishing my chores.
bleh.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Friday... ahhh
What a lovely day outside. I've already accomplished a ton at home, and a lot here at the office too.
I hope I can keep up the momentum once I get home tonite. I'd love to get myself set up with a lot of chores behind me come Monday.
Also want to get me some quilting done, and some piecing too. I've got this idea...
*wink*
Hopefully in a few months, I'll have a very pretty delicate lace tablecloth for my bedroom endtable. I wish I could use it in the livingroom, but Mindi and Kili wouldn't let me. It promises to be as wonderful as the one Grandma Rennhack used to have on the small round table in the livingroom (I have the table, it's in MY livingroom - but until the cats are gone, no lace tablecloths!!)
I want an aspidistra. I gotta find someplace that sells them.
Well, he's off and running - soon, if not already. Kal, a super-long-time friend (watched him grow up online.. *smile*) has started his classes to become a part of the Ambulance Service...
Good luck, Kal, take bajillions (exact number) of photos!!
They're wrapping houses near mine in Tyvek, then covering them with aluminum siding. I am ambivalent about aluminum siding. Part of me thinks it would be awesome - especially the no more peeling and cracking bad paint jobs, part of me does not want my fence screwed up and my flower garden trampled by construction workers.
I need to remember to take the lemonade powder mix out of my car trunk (boot to you UK'ers). Someone remind me, k?
Thanks.
I hope I can keep up the momentum once I get home tonite. I'd love to get myself set up with a lot of chores behind me come Monday.
Also want to get me some quilting done, and some piecing too. I've got this idea...
*wink*
Hopefully in a few months, I'll have a very pretty delicate lace tablecloth for my bedroom endtable. I wish I could use it in the livingroom, but Mindi and Kili wouldn't let me. It promises to be as wonderful as the one Grandma Rennhack used to have on the small round table in the livingroom (I have the table, it's in MY livingroom - but until the cats are gone, no lace tablecloths!!)
I want an aspidistra. I gotta find someplace that sells them.
Well, he's off and running - soon, if not already. Kal, a super-long-time friend (watched him grow up online.. *smile*) has started his classes to become a part of the Ambulance Service...
Good luck, Kal, take bajillions (exact number) of photos!!
They're wrapping houses near mine in Tyvek, then covering them with aluminum siding. I am ambivalent about aluminum siding. Part of me thinks it would be awesome - especially the no more peeling and cracking bad paint jobs, part of me does not want my fence screwed up and my flower garden trampled by construction workers.
I need to remember to take the lemonade powder mix out of my car trunk (boot to you UK'ers). Someone remind me, k?
Thanks.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Movie Reviews!
Went to see "The DaVinci Code" yesterday. Good movie. I recommend.
Only a few things were not to my taste.
Tom Hanks is an excellent actor. He does, however, have a VERY distinctive voice. When he was just moving, or "doing" things, he was completely believeable. Every time he opened his mouth and spoke - *wham* - Tom Hanks.
Same thing with the "Grail expert" guy. Great acting... but... He's Gandalf.
Sorta blows the "total immersion" effect for me. Also, during the obligatory "car chase" scene, Ron Howard uses the annoying "hi-tech quick-flash, strobe" type effect to indicate speed. I hate that effect. It annoys me, rather than places me in a more "real" sensation.
Other than that, I really liked the effects and the way the plot of the movie synched with the book. Great adaptation.
As for the subject matter? Well - I don't discuss that crap. It's an interesting work of fiction. The author ACKNOWLEDGES it as a work of fiction in the front of the book. Those folks who choose to take offense are... IMNSHO - Morons.
But then, I am, if naught else - an Iconoclast at heart.
Only a few things were not to my taste.
Tom Hanks is an excellent actor. He does, however, have a VERY distinctive voice. When he was just moving, or "doing" things, he was completely believeable. Every time he opened his mouth and spoke - *wham* - Tom Hanks.
Same thing with the "Grail expert" guy. Great acting... but... He's Gandalf.
Sorta blows the "total immersion" effect for me. Also, during the obligatory "car chase" scene, Ron Howard uses the annoying "hi-tech quick-flash, strobe" type effect to indicate speed. I hate that effect. It annoys me, rather than places me in a more "real" sensation.
Other than that, I really liked the effects and the way the plot of the movie synched with the book. Great adaptation.
As for the subject matter? Well - I don't discuss that crap. It's an interesting work of fiction. The author ACKNOWLEDGES it as a work of fiction in the front of the book. Those folks who choose to take offense are... IMNSHO - Morons.
But then, I am, if naught else - an Iconoclast at heart.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Chicago Cubs Peonies
*sigh*
Jim tells me my Peony bush is a Cubs peony bush - I'll have to wait for next year.
The little bud that looked like it would make a flower has turned into a little black ball that looks like it will fall off.
However, some of my other flowers look like they're about to bloom, and there has been some nice "progression" thus far... Daffodils, Bleeding Hearts, Iris, and soon to be lupines and what looks like daisies, but they might could be something else entirely. These are the flowers that were there last year, but the stick that I left by them to tell me what they were got washed off over the winter so now it's just a plain stick. *grumbles*
Anyhow - if there had been peonies in the middle there, between the end of the Iris and when these new flowers open up, it would really make me hopeful that I can get a continuously blooming perennial garden going.
Jim tells me my Peony bush is a Cubs peony bush - I'll have to wait for next year.
The little bud that looked like it would make a flower has turned into a little black ball that looks like it will fall off.
However, some of my other flowers look like they're about to bloom, and there has been some nice "progression" thus far... Daffodils, Bleeding Hearts, Iris, and soon to be lupines and what looks like daisies, but they might could be something else entirely. These are the flowers that were there last year, but the stick that I left by them to tell me what they were got washed off over the winter so now it's just a plain stick. *grumbles*
Anyhow - if there had been peonies in the middle there, between the end of the Iris and when these new flowers open up, it would really make me hopeful that I can get a continuously blooming perennial garden going.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Childhood Memories
Took a walk through one of the forest preserve areas on Saturday. I'm pretty lucky to live in an area where there is a lot of small preserved natural areas to visit and reconnect in.
This particular place is about 1/2 way between home and where I work, and has some nicely maintained paths, and a few benches. This is the perfect time of year for walking about, since there aren't any stinging insects out for the most part, and the mosquitos are there, but not all-inclusive like they will be in a month or two.
Anyhow. Walking around, I felt like a 10 yr old again, wandering alone in the woods back behind Mom & Dad's old house up here. I remember sitting in the woods for hours, playing with acorns and twigs and a few sturdy toys, make-believe fairy houses. I remember when the brambleberries would ripen in the summertime and provide a sweet feast in between meals, staining clothes and hands and face all purple.
Got to thinking about the old apple tree in the clearing back behind the woods - the only tree I've ever really successfully climbed. I wonder if it's still there, or if it got chopped down when they built those 3 mini-mansions on Walnut St.?
So much has changed. I went into the White Hen to pick up a pepsi - there was a shelf full of gum and breathmints at the register. I remember when the drugstore in town had that same kind of shelf with penny-candy. Well, now it's 1/2 dollar candy...
I'm old.
This particular place is about 1/2 way between home and where I work, and has some nicely maintained paths, and a few benches. This is the perfect time of year for walking about, since there aren't any stinging insects out for the most part, and the mosquitos are there, but not all-inclusive like they will be in a month or two.
Anyhow. Walking around, I felt like a 10 yr old again, wandering alone in the woods back behind Mom & Dad's old house up here. I remember sitting in the woods for hours, playing with acorns and twigs and a few sturdy toys, make-believe fairy houses. I remember when the brambleberries would ripen in the summertime and provide a sweet feast in between meals, staining clothes and hands and face all purple.
Got to thinking about the old apple tree in the clearing back behind the woods - the only tree I've ever really successfully climbed. I wonder if it's still there, or if it got chopped down when they built those 3 mini-mansions on Walnut St.?
So much has changed. I went into the White Hen to pick up a pepsi - there was a shelf full of gum and breathmints at the register. I remember when the drugstore in town had that same kind of shelf with penny-candy. Well, now it's 1/2 dollar candy...
I'm old.
Monday, May 15, 2006
"Hello, this is your back
I'm sorry, I'm out right now, but if you leave your name, number, and a brief massage, a bottle of wine, some Flexeril, a couple of Oxycodone and a heating pad, I may get back to you in a day or so...... BEEP"
Planted all the geraniums, all but 1 of the new perennials, and went Costco-ing.
Apparently, somewhere in there, Ms. Back decided to take a leave of absence.
owie.
Planted all the geraniums, all but 1 of the new perennials, and went Costco-ing.
Apparently, somewhere in there, Ms. Back decided to take a leave of absence.
owie.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Red Flags in the Breeze
I read this article the other day about "20 Red Flags a Relationship Won't Work"
The author's premise was that if one of these "red flags" waved more than twice with any given dating situation, that he knew to bail out ASAP - Do not Pass GO, Do Not Collect $200.
So it got me to thinking about what would be "red flags" for me.
First and foremost - lies. Catch you in a lie, and it's probably the kiss of death to any "future plans". I'm pretty good at spotting them, although I often don't let on that I've noticed. Lying is just not something I can tolerate, especially given things that have occurred in my past - and my own internal data processing systems.
GIGO - and if I don't have truthful input, I will make decisions based on faulty data - not unlike GWB. GODDESS FORBID that I should EVER do anything like GWB!!!
Secondly - unkept promises. This is, to a great degree, directly related to lying, in my opinion. It's so easy to say "I'll try. I can't guarantee, and please dont' be upset if I can't - but I'll try." rather than "I promise". If you promise something to me, I am going to plan as if it were already happening.
Third - keeping secrets. Ok, I'm probably one of the most "private" people around (for someone who is blogging, this seems an oxymoron, but... *shrug*). I don't flop out my entire life for everyone to see, and I'm pretty reticient to talk about me or my problems. I don't mind this in someone else, until keeping these secrets affects me.
An example would be me expecting you to be here for dinner, you don't call and cancel, and I make a HUGE dinner - which is then ruined waiting for you to arrive.
That sort of thing.
Or.... Not mentioning your live-in-girlfriend when you tell me you love me and want to be with me forever..... (Erick)
Just little stuff like that.
Annoyances, really.
Well, there is 3. I'm sure there are more that I can think of, especially once I get a chance to think it over with regard to mentally replaying some of my more spectacular romantic failures.
I'm thinking that I might be able to handle a few bad instances of the first two... but more than 1 of the 3rd would be an auto-deal-breaker. And the "Erick" scenario? NEVER AGAIN.
The author's premise was that if one of these "red flags" waved more than twice with any given dating situation, that he knew to bail out ASAP - Do not Pass GO, Do Not Collect $200.
So it got me to thinking about what would be "red flags" for me.
First and foremost - lies. Catch you in a lie, and it's probably the kiss of death to any "future plans". I'm pretty good at spotting them, although I often don't let on that I've noticed. Lying is just not something I can tolerate, especially given things that have occurred in my past - and my own internal data processing systems.
GIGO - and if I don't have truthful input, I will make decisions based on faulty data - not unlike GWB. GODDESS FORBID that I should EVER do anything like GWB!!!
Secondly - unkept promises. This is, to a great degree, directly related to lying, in my opinion. It's so easy to say "I'll try. I can't guarantee, and please dont' be upset if I can't - but I'll try." rather than "I promise". If you promise something to me, I am going to plan as if it were already happening.
Third - keeping secrets. Ok, I'm probably one of the most "private" people around (for someone who is blogging, this seems an oxymoron, but... *shrug*). I don't flop out my entire life for everyone to see, and I'm pretty reticient to talk about me or my problems. I don't mind this in someone else, until keeping these secrets affects me.
An example would be me expecting you to be here for dinner, you don't call and cancel, and I make a HUGE dinner - which is then ruined waiting for you to arrive.
That sort of thing.
Or.... Not mentioning your live-in-girlfriend when you tell me you love me and want to be with me forever..... (Erick)
Just little stuff like that.
Annoyances, really.
Well, there is 3. I'm sure there are more that I can think of, especially once I get a chance to think it over with regard to mentally replaying some of my more spectacular romantic failures.
I'm thinking that I might be able to handle a few bad instances of the first two... but more than 1 of the 3rd would be an auto-deal-breaker. And the "Erick" scenario? NEVER AGAIN.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Fraturday
Woke up this morning and really, seriously thought it was Saturday. Even set myself up for what I would accomplish on my "day off".
*sigh*
Maybe it's because I got SO MUCH stuff done yesterday, both at home and at work. The auditors were in, so I was a busy little mouse for the best part of all day. Tom has a project for me to do today or Monday, so I'll be busy again. I like busy. Busy is good. Busy makes the time fly by and keeps me out of trouble.
Got all but a few bills paid last nite too. This is good. Would be better if today was Saturday, however.
Oh, well - time to go raid the Dryer for some clean trousers and get out of my morning garb and into work garb.
I WANT MY SATURDAY!!!!!!!!
*sigh*
Maybe it's because I got SO MUCH stuff done yesterday, both at home and at work. The auditors were in, so I was a busy little mouse for the best part of all day. Tom has a project for me to do today or Monday, so I'll be busy again. I like busy. Busy is good. Busy makes the time fly by and keeps me out of trouble.
Got all but a few bills paid last nite too. This is good. Would be better if today was Saturday, however.
Oh, well - time to go raid the Dryer for some clean trousers and get out of my morning garb and into work garb.
I WANT MY SATURDAY!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
A Day Without (illegal) Immigrants
Well, yesterday was the "boycott" day that the illegal invaders of our country staged to "prove we need them".
Traffic was just wonderful! I breezed into work and back home without even 1/2 the usual congestion. I'd say that bodes well for being able to deal without having illegal aliens in the country!
At work, we had normal activity, the plant ran smoothly, and there really wasn't anything at all that was inconvenienced. Guess we don't "need" any illegals for that!
On the way home, I stopped to buy some food from a fast-food place and got excellent service, the person at the drive-up was polite and spoke EXCELLENT English! I could understand every word, and my order was assembled quickly and correctly.
I also stopped for gas, and picked up a few odds and ends that needed to be purchased - since I wanted the retailers to know that they would still have customers, even if the ILLEGAL ALIENS weren't there to shoplift.
It was just wonderful, a whole day without the illegales.
Maybe they should make it a week! A month!! A year!!! How about a DECADE? Or even better - a CENTURY WITHOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!
Ahh... bliss.
Edit in: Please note, this only applies to folks who illegally enter this country - without doing the RIGHT thing and following the procedures to enter legally. Immigrants who come here and do all the correct procedures, no matter WHERE their country of origin - are most welcome and appreciated.
Traffic was just wonderful! I breezed into work and back home without even 1/2 the usual congestion. I'd say that bodes well for being able to deal without having illegal aliens in the country!
At work, we had normal activity, the plant ran smoothly, and there really wasn't anything at all that was inconvenienced. Guess we don't "need" any illegals for that!
On the way home, I stopped to buy some food from a fast-food place and got excellent service, the person at the drive-up was polite and spoke EXCELLENT English! I could understand every word, and my order was assembled quickly and correctly.
I also stopped for gas, and picked up a few odds and ends that needed to be purchased - since I wanted the retailers to know that they would still have customers, even if the ILLEGAL ALIENS weren't there to shoplift.
It was just wonderful, a whole day without the illegales.
Maybe they should make it a week! A month!! A year!!! How about a DECADE? Or even better - a CENTURY WITHOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!
Ahh... bliss.
Edit in: Please note, this only applies to folks who illegally enter this country - without doing the RIGHT thing and following the procedures to enter legally. Immigrants who come here and do all the correct procedures, no matter WHERE their country of origin - are most welcome and appreciated.
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