I spent the weekend decorating for Christmas. I put the lights outside, sparkly snowflakes on the front of the house and colored lights going up the stairs. I put a little Christmas tree (I used to put it in my office when I worked in an office) in our entry way. Lights going across the fireplace. I have more to do but I did what I could this weekend.
I had movie night on Saturday night. Okay, it wasn't as successful as I wanted it to be. I was told to find a funny movie. Now, my opinion of funny movies is that everyone finds a different thing funny. Brenda and I find very different things funny a lot of the time. She loves the Three Stooges and I can't stand them. It is like pulling out my fingernails to watch them. I spoke to a few people and was given the recommendation "Rock of Ages". It went over like a lead balloon. The group is between 60 - 35. The older folks didn't know most of the music and one of them hates Tom Cruise. The younger folk had some chuckles. The movie was not a hit with this crowd. No more funny movies! We agreed to meet up again in January.
My bookclub holiday potluck is tomorrow and I decorated. I have not yet figured out what I am making. I have to bring a vegetable. I need to work that out in the next few hours. I have to set the table and go get the flowers for the table. Then make the veg dish. I already bought the wine and drinks. I also need to get some appetizer type thing. My day is already planned out!
I will give you an update on the dinner. I am just happy I am staying healthy through this time of the year. I got a flu shot last week so I feel like I have the shield around me. Like a superhero!
Any ideas for a veg/grain side dish, let me know!
I have 5 endorsements! Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award! I need those endorsements!!!
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
CHRISTMAS CARDS
I love to send out Christmas cards. I love to get Christmas cards. I love everything about Christmas. I have been wearing Christmas clothing since the day after Thanksgiving. Enough said. I enjoy the Christmas season.As I said I like sending out Christmas cards. I know it is hard on my hands but I try really hard to make it as easy as possible. I have mailing labels that I update year to year. I have return address labels that I print out. I make one sentiment and use it for almost all of the cards so I don't have to think too much. I just take my time and write the same thing over and over.
Occasionally I get creative and do something big like a few years ago when I made homemade cards. I invited my friend Ana over to help me. She has down syndrome and she was really excited to help me make cards. I even made stickers with a photo of she and I on it to put on the back of the cards saying made by... We glued a photo and put glitter around it and stuck labels. It was an all day project. Ana did the glittering and she had that glitter everywhere! But boy did we have fun. We had the music going and we danced. The people getting the glitter cards were less than delighted when the glitter went all over their house. Hey it is the holidays. Glitter is a must!
This year I have a new strategy. See, every year we have cards left over. Well, you can't send the same card the next year, can you? We don't. We go out and buy new cards. Since I am a crazy tree hugger, I have to find 100% recycled paper or some sort of non-tree paper cards to send and that takes time and money. This year I came up with a wonderful plan: we are going to send out all those cards left over from previous years! I wrote a little note to put in the card telling everyone about our marvelous plan to be economical, environmental and entertaining by sending them cards from previous years. Some folks will get photo cards of the family from a few years ago. Some will get a humorous card we sent out five years ago when we first moved. It should be funny. We will see if anyone remembers the cards from previous years.
Anyway, the cost from Christmas cards this year - 0. Except the stamps and my time to print out the notes. Well worth the time to clear out the boxes of old cards. At any rate I am having fun!
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award! I need those nominations!!!
Until tomorrow....
Friday, December 7, 2012
PASSWORD CONUNDRUM
Don't you hate it when a website refuses your password? Because I know I put the correct password in. I know the password was phonecall. I know it was. But for some reason the website will not recognize this password.
So I have to press the "reset" button. I HATE the reset button. Why? you ask. Because some websites send you the new temporary password right away, boom there it is in your inbox. And on you go with your task. But others don't. It is a crap shoot and here I am waiting to buy something or do something and now I have to wait. For who knows how long. The steam is going out of my energy in performing the thing I was going to do. Today I was going to buy office supplies. I made the list, checked it twice, and sat down to log in. No luck. Either your user name or password is incorrect. Huh?! I know what they are. I enter it in three times, no luck. I have to hit the reset button, ergh...
It just arrived. I timed it. It took 12 minutes for the temporary password to arrive. Twelve minutes! Usually by now I have moved onto another project because, frankly, who has 12 minutes to wait for a temporary password to arrive? I sure don't. I had allotted 12 minutes for this entire task.
What in the world takes 12 minutes for an automated system to send me a temporary password? They already know it is me and my user name and email match up. It should take 30 seconds to 1 minute to send a temporary password. It can't be that they are suddenly inundated with users that need temporary passwords. All of a sudden thousands of users forgot their password and need temporary passwords...
I don't know what takes so long but if I were in their marketing department, I would take a long look as to why. I know that if I was any busier, and didn't have this blog post to write, I would have moved on and would not have bought my office supplies today. It would have been their loss. I think I missed my calling to work in Marketing. I could just go around and tell companies what their problems are and how to fix them in order to increase their business. A Fixer!
Okay, well, I got my temporary password, time to get back to business and purchase those office supplies and keep America's economy rolling right along!
Don't forget to endorse me for Health Activist Unsung Hero!
Until tomorrow...
So I have to press the "reset" button. I HATE the reset button. Why? you ask. Because some websites send you the new temporary password right away, boom there it is in your inbox. And on you go with your task. But others don't. It is a crap shoot and here I am waiting to buy something or do something and now I have to wait. For who knows how long. The steam is going out of my energy in performing the thing I was going to do. Today I was going to buy office supplies. I made the list, checked it twice, and sat down to log in. No luck. Either your user name or password is incorrect. Huh?! I know what they are. I enter it in three times, no luck. I have to hit the reset button, ergh...
It just arrived. I timed it. It took 12 minutes for the temporary password to arrive. Twelve minutes! Usually by now I have moved onto another project because, frankly, who has 12 minutes to wait for a temporary password to arrive? I sure don't. I had allotted 12 minutes for this entire task.
What in the world takes 12 minutes for an automated system to send me a temporary password? They already know it is me and my user name and email match up. It should take 30 seconds to 1 minute to send a temporary password. It can't be that they are suddenly inundated with users that need temporary passwords. All of a sudden thousands of users forgot their password and need temporary passwords...
I don't know what takes so long but if I were in their marketing department, I would take a long look as to why. I know that if I was any busier, and didn't have this blog post to write, I would have moved on and would not have bought my office supplies today. It would have been their loss. I think I missed my calling to work in Marketing. I could just go around and tell companies what their problems are and how to fix them in order to increase their business. A Fixer!
Okay, well, I got my temporary password, time to get back to business and purchase those office supplies and keep America's economy rolling right along!
Don't forget to endorse me for Health Activist Unsung Hero!
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, December 6, 2012
VISIT TO THE NUTRITIONIST
Today I went to the nutritionist and faced the music. I didn't lose any weight. I was supposed to lose at least 5 pounds. I lost not one single pound. Not one.
Why you ask? My excuses are 1) my ankle, 2) the weather, and 3) Brenda's surgery. I know these are not good excuses.
So this time we didn't set a goal. We spoke about how to have snacks that are nutritionist and that I can keep in my bag. I have a problem because I get hungry sometimes when I am at a clients and I have nothing to eat. I need something to keep in my bag that won't spoil and that is nutritious. His suggestion is SoyJoy bars. I am going to try them.
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award! I need those nominations!!!
Until tomorrow...
Why you ask? My excuses are 1) my ankle, 2) the weather, and 3) Brenda's surgery. I know these are not good excuses.
So this time we didn't set a goal. We spoke about how to have snacks that are nutritionist and that I can keep in my bag. I have a problem because I get hungry sometimes when I am at a clients and I have nothing to eat. I need something to keep in my bag that won't spoil and that is nutritious. His suggestion is SoyJoy bars. I am going to try them.
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award! I need those nominations!!!
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY PARTY
Today was our neighborhood holiday party potluck. As you may remember I am co-captain of our neighborhood watch. The other co-captain hosted the party (he has the bigger house.)
I decided to make Modern Cheese Balls. That is what the recipe is called. They are basically goat cheese rolled into balls and then rolled in various things. The four things are chopped up wasabi peas, granola, ginger snaps and Parmesan cheese & fennel seeds.
They were a hit. Well, once people knew what they were they were a hit. I should have made a sign. I had to explain what they were to each person. Once they tried the goat cheese balls, they loved them. The wasabi ones were gone first. Then the granola, then the Parmesan cheese. This was a good thing to bring to a party for gluten free people. I am not sure about the ginger snaps and the granola but the Parmesan and wasabi balls are gluten free. This was a really easy recipe to make, it was just a little bit time consuming.
The best thing at the party was a vegan, gluten free chocolate cake. It was SO good, you would have never known it was vegan. YUM!
I also got some positive comments on the Santa plate. It is a cute plate that I think was my grandmothers.
The party was a lot of fun. I always have a good time with my neighbors. We have a good group of people in our 'hood. I also think I may have recruited a new book club member. It is a new person in the neighborhood. She seems real nice and she is interested in books.
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award!
Until tomorrow...
I decided to make Modern Cheese Balls. That is what the recipe is called. They are basically goat cheese rolled into balls and then rolled in various things. The four things are chopped up wasabi peas, granola, ginger snaps and Parmesan cheese & fennel seeds.
They were a hit. Well, once people knew what they were they were a hit. I should have made a sign. I had to explain what they were to each person. Once they tried the goat cheese balls, they loved them. The wasabi ones were gone first. Then the granola, then the Parmesan cheese. This was a good thing to bring to a party for gluten free people. I am not sure about the ginger snaps and the granola but the Parmesan and wasabi balls are gluten free. This was a really easy recipe to make, it was just a little bit time consuming.
The best thing at the party was a vegan, gluten free chocolate cake. It was SO good, you would have never known it was vegan. YUM!
I also got some positive comments on the Santa plate. It is a cute plate that I think was my grandmothers.
The party was a lot of fun. I always have a good time with my neighbors. We have a good group of people in our 'hood. I also think I may have recruited a new book club member. It is a new person in the neighborhood. She seems real nice and she is interested in books.
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award!
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
FEELING BETTER TODAY
I don't know what happened but I feel better today. I drank some tea. Went to bed early last night. Today I feel better. Today I took it easy and drank tea and soup.
It makes me wonder how that happens. How is it I can feel like total crap at 8 pm on Monday and 8 pm on Tuesday I feel just fine. I know with my RA that happens all the time. I feel like I was run over by a truck one day and 12 hours later I feel just fine. Also the reverse happens where I feel on top of the world one day and 12 hours later I feel like I was run over by a bus.
But how is it possible that I can have a sore throat and feel like I have a fever one day and the next morning I feel fine. Just like any other morning. Sore throat gone, no fever. I thought colds lasted for days. Let's see how I feel tomorrow.
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award!
Until tomorrow...
It makes me wonder how that happens. How is it I can feel like total crap at 8 pm on Monday and 8 pm on Tuesday I feel just fine. I know with my RA that happens all the time. I feel like I was run over by a truck one day and 12 hours later I feel just fine. Also the reverse happens where I feel on top of the world one day and 12 hours later I feel like I was run over by a bus.
But how is it possible that I can have a sore throat and feel like I have a fever one day and the next morning I feel fine. Just like any other morning. Sore throat gone, no fever. I thought colds lasted for days. Let's see how I feel tomorrow.
Don't forget to nominate me for 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award!
Until tomorrow...
Monday, December 3, 2012
COMING DOWN WITH SOMETHING
Today I felt it. That tingle in my throat. Oh, no, is it a sore throat? Maybe. Aches in my neck, back, arms. Stiffness in my joints. Could it be anything else? Even my scalp hurts.
I got into bed with some tea. I hope I will feel better tomorrow.
Until tomorrow...
I got into bed with some tea. I hope I will feel better tomorrow.
Until tomorrow...
NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD
I got a very surprising email this weekend. I have been nominated for a 2012 WEGO Health Activist Unsung Hero Award. The Unsung Hero Award is "The member of your community who may not know how amazing and valuable they are." ME, Amazing?! Really? I need people to endorse me to get the award. If you wish to endorse me, click on the WEGO Health badge, enter your email and click Endorse Me!
So much makes today a great day. The rain came and went and nothing floated away, drowned, came crashing down and we didn't lose electricity. I fixed my table top all by myself. Okay, my brother did an over the phone consult and the guy at the hardward store bore out the holes but besides that I did it all myself. We had a table top made years ago that fits over our current dining room table. When I bought the table second hand the person lost the leaf. I hired a guy to make a table top that seats 6-8 people. It is very nice but when we moved one of the pieces that holds the table top on the table fell off, okay got ripped off. I thought I would have to have a professional person put it back on. But I consulted with my bro and he said he thought I could do it. Today I sanded, filled the holes, sanded again, glued, and drilled. All fixed.
I also cleared out more stuff from my office (it is never ending, it feels like) and went food shopping. The store looked like everyone thought a hurricane was coming. Store shelves were empty. It was a storm for goodness sake.
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, December 1, 2012
NEW FRIEND
Today I met in person a business associate I have been talking to on the phone for a few years. I will call her H. H and I have been "phone friends" for some time. She is associated with one of my clients so I talk to her quite often. We have talked many times about getting together but this and that has always gotten in the way. But today was the day!
We met at a mutually located restaurant. She lives about 2 hours away so we found a favorite restaurant at a mid-point. I sent her a photo ahead of time so at least one of us would know what the other looked like. As soon as I heard her talk I knew it was her. She has a very distinct accent.
We had the best time! We talked about work, family, the holidays. I brought some photos to show her. We had great food; which always makes it a good time! Then 2.5 - 3 hours later we said good-bye with a promise to meet up again soon.
Isn't it interesting how some work associates make the jump to friends and others don't? I work in a sensitive area in my work so I am not always afforded the luxury of having work associates become friends. I have to be very careful who I associate with outside work hours. H is removed enough from my clients that there is no conflict in my friendship.
But back to my question, who makes the leap from work associate to friend? Some work friends are friends as long as you work at that location but as soon as you leave, the friendship doesn't survive. I have two friendships that survived my last job and no friendships that survived the previous job. The two friendships have survived for many years and both people left the job prior to me leaving. At first we would talk about what was going on at the company since they left but once I left we had to find other topics to talk about. Those two relationships survived the transformation.
I hope this friendship continues. H was very nice and quite fun. We had a lot in common.
Until tomorrow...
We met at a mutually located restaurant. She lives about 2 hours away so we found a favorite restaurant at a mid-point. I sent her a photo ahead of time so at least one of us would know what the other looked like. As soon as I heard her talk I knew it was her. She has a very distinct accent.
We had the best time! We talked about work, family, the holidays. I brought some photos to show her. We had great food; which always makes it a good time! Then 2.5 - 3 hours later we said good-bye with a promise to meet up again soon.
Isn't it interesting how some work associates make the jump to friends and others don't? I work in a sensitive area in my work so I am not always afforded the luxury of having work associates become friends. I have to be very careful who I associate with outside work hours. H is removed enough from my clients that there is no conflict in my friendship.
But back to my question, who makes the leap from work associate to friend? Some work friends are friends as long as you work at that location but as soon as you leave, the friendship doesn't survive. I have two friendships that survived my last job and no friendships that survived the previous job. The two friendships have survived for many years and both people left the job prior to me leaving. At first we would talk about what was going on at the company since they left but once I left we had to find other topics to talk about. Those two relationships survived the transformation.
I hope this friendship continues. H was very nice and quite fun. We had a lot in common.
Until tomorrow...
POOP IN THE HOUSE
No, not my poop! It is the little dog Lucky's poop. It has always been tough to housebreak Lucky. Don't get me wrong Lucky loves to go out side. She just doesn't always like to "go" outside when it is raining. Both our dogs have an aversion to the rain. I know most dogs don't like the rain but our dogs will hold their pee for 12 hours just so they don't have to go out in the rain.
Lucky has a special kind of dislike of the rain. She will stand by the door shivering with her big eyes begging to be let in. I will force her to go down the deck stairs and she keeps running back up. Then as soon as she gets inside she will skulk off and poop in my office or in the kitchen. Real sneaky-like. The kind of walking dogs and cats learn to do where their license doesn't jingle on their collar. You don't even hear them coming. We call it creeping or skulking. Lucky has mastered it. That is why I have to keep her tied up at night. If I don't she will creep off and poop somewhere and get into trouble.
Anyway with all this rain, Lucky has been in punishment three times today. She just won't poop outside when it is raining. Our pets we love them. This rain is not stopping any time soon so Lucky better get used to it.
Until tomorrow...
Lucky has a special kind of dislike of the rain. She will stand by the door shivering with her big eyes begging to be let in. I will force her to go down the deck stairs and she keeps running back up. Then as soon as she gets inside she will skulk off and poop in my office or in the kitchen. Real sneaky-like. The kind of walking dogs and cats learn to do where their license doesn't jingle on their collar. You don't even hear them coming. We call it creeping or skulking. Lucky has mastered it. That is why I have to keep her tied up at night. If I don't she will creep off and poop somewhere and get into trouble.
Anyway with all this rain, Lucky has been in punishment three times today. She just won't poop outside when it is raining. Our pets we love them. This rain is not stopping any time soon so Lucky better get used to it.
Until tomorrow...
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