Oh crap. It has been a while. But y'all will forgive me right? That's what friends do. Right? :-)
It's been a busy summer. I built a raised bed for my garden - which has been a success despite the cool summer.
We are about to embark on major home improvements this weekend and this month (fixing rotted trim, repainting it and installing new outdoor lights - and waterproofing, cleaning, and repairing basement walls via some contractors).
Not to mention, I am teaching Steve to cook on his own. Pray that we don't burn the house down or break the new stove.
Not to mention my sister is pushing me to turn this blog into something that I could make a living at. Now - I love my job. But how cool would it be to have more than a few people reading this thing? The question is - what do I do?
I've considered adding a section on basic home improvement projects and/or dealing with contractors, from a woman's perspective; making your own traditions; and a few other ideas that are not well-formed enough to mention here. But seriously, it's hard to think about what idea would get me a larger audience. Who knows?
All I know for sure today is that I want to finish watching the Zips (even if they are going to get pounded) and get out and take advantage of this three day weekend.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
I'm pale and proud of it...
"Consumers should worry more about wearing enough sunscreen, several doctors said, rather than how high their SPF is.
Skimp and you lose. To get the SPF advertised, you must use a full shot glass on your body. That’s an ounce, which means a three-ounce tube should last, at most, a few outings.
Considering that slim tube could cost roughly $10, careful sunscreen use is a significant investment for park-going parents, beachgoers or daily joggers."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/fashion/14SKIN.html?ref=health
Friday, April 10, 2009
Put on a fresh coat of lipstick and deal with it...
I do tend to pick out bright colors, but it could be a dress or pants. Depends on the event. But I have found that there are a few things that I ALWAYS put on when it's an important day: lipstick and perfume. I guess that is from seeing my grandmother dressed up for church every week. She tended to always have those things on too. It was important to her, and it wasn't about impressing, but about showing that SHE took something seriously - and putting herself in the mindset to take it seriously. I think that little extra effort to show it's important to me goes a LONG way in impressing someone else.
Friday, February 13, 2009
things I've done - check!
Gone on a blind date X
Skipped school X
Watched someone die X
Been to Canada X
Been to Mexico
Been to Florida X
Been to Hawaii
Been on a plane X
Been on a helicopter
Been lost X
Gone to Washington, DC X
Swam in the ocean X
Cried yourself to sleep X
Played cops and robbers
Recently colored with crayons
Sang Karaoke X
Paid for a meal with coins only X
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't X
Made prank phone calls
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans X
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue X
Danced in the rain X
Written a letter to Santa Claus X
Been kissed under the mistletoe X
Watched the sunrise with someone X
Blown bubbles X
Gone ice-skating X
Gone to the movies X
Been deep sea fishing
Driven across the United States
Been in a hot air balloon X
Been sky diving
Gone snowmobiling X
Lived in more than one country X
Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets X
Seen a falling star and made a wish X
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
Seen the Statue of Liberty X
Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
Been on a cruise
Traveled by train X
Traveled by motorcycle
Been horse back riding X
Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
Been to Disneyland --- or Disney World X
Truly believe in the power of prayer X
Been in a rain forest X
Seen whales in the ocean
Been to Niagara Falls X
Ridden on an elephant X
Swam with dolphins X
Been to the Olympics
Walked on the Great Wall of China
Saw and heard a glacier calf
Been spinnaker flying
Been water-skiing X
Been snow-skiing X
Been to Westminster Abbey
Been to the Louvre
Swam in the Mediterranean
Been to a Major League Baseball game X
Been to a National Football League game X [played at halftime!]
Been to a NBA game
Skipped school X
Watched someone die X
Been to Canada X
Been to Mexico
Been to Florida X
Been to Hawaii
Been on a plane X
Been on a helicopter
Been lost X
Gone to Washington, DC X
Swam in the ocean X
Cried yourself to sleep X
Played cops and robbers
Recently colored with crayons
Sang Karaoke X
Paid for a meal with coins only X
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't X
Made prank phone calls
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans X
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue X
Danced in the rain X
Written a letter to Santa Claus X
Been kissed under the mistletoe X
Watched the sunrise with someone X
Blown bubbles X
Gone ice-skating X
Gone to the movies X
Been deep sea fishing
Driven across the United States
Been in a hot air balloon X
Been sky diving
Gone snowmobiling X
Lived in more than one country X
Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets X
Seen a falling star and made a wish X
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
Seen the Statue of Liberty X
Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
Been on a cruise
Traveled by train X
Traveled by motorcycle
Been horse back riding X
Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
Been to Disneyland --- or Disney World X
Truly believe in the power of prayer X
Been in a rain forest X
Seen whales in the ocean
Been to Niagara Falls X
Ridden on an elephant X
Swam with dolphins X
Been to the Olympics
Walked on the Great Wall of China
Saw and heard a glacier calf
Been spinnaker flying
Been water-skiing X
Been snow-skiing X
Been to Westminster Abbey
Been to the Louvre
Swam in the Mediterranean
Been to a Major League Baseball game X
Been to a National Football League game X [played at halftime!]
Been to a NBA game
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Big time Big Shot!
So I am getting interviewed! Ah the life of a super star... My friend and DG sister from University of Akron has decided to interview me for her blog.
So here are her questions and my answers!
What is your greatest accomplishment since graduating from college? (since we knew each other then!)
Hmmm. This one is tough. I think surviving graduate school (not mention the Masters degree) should be the answer. But I don't think that it is it - that really was more a daily thing than one LARGE thing. I could be romantic and say "getting married" but that is too old fashioned, and not totally my accomplishment (I mean, he did ask...). Finishing my first afghan? Teaching myself to knit?
This is going to seem like a small thing, but I really think my greatest accomplishment is my rose garden. I actually managed to keep one of them alive for more than a year!
What is your best memory from DG days?
Probably the Initiation where I got welcomed my first grand-little into my family. Partly because that was the week I had pink hair and no one could keep a straight face during the ritual. :-)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years - still married, possibly with kids, and a better paycheck. In 10 years - still married, hopefully with kids who are not a pain in the butt/have manners/can do laundry and dishes, and a whole lot of memories from fantastic trips. I like to set the bar low.
Is there a question in the universe that you would like to answer or solve? If so, which one?
Why are people mean/stupid? I mean really, we are all human - I don't get the whole "you are different/I want to feel powerful, so I have to persecute you." thing... on both a small throwing-crayons way and a large dropping-bombs way.
And stealing from Ms. Mac, if you had to choose a flavor of ice cream that most fits your personality, what kind do you think you would you be? Feel free to make one up if necessary.
Ooh... another toughie. Probably homemade chocolate chip cookie dough (from my Ben and Jerry's recipe book). Some "raw" stuff, doesn't come together until the end - but always comes through, and decadent.
And that concludes the interview!
Part of the deal was that I continue this by interviewing more people. So here are the rules.
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. Be sure you link back to this original post.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Let’s go!
So here are her questions and my answers!
What is your greatest accomplishment since graduating from college? (since we knew each other then!)
Hmmm. This one is tough. I think surviving graduate school (not mention the Masters degree) should be the answer. But I don't think that it is it - that really was more a daily thing than one LARGE thing. I could be romantic and say "getting married" but that is too old fashioned, and not totally my accomplishment (I mean, he did ask...). Finishing my first afghan? Teaching myself to knit?
This is going to seem like a small thing, but I really think my greatest accomplishment is my rose garden. I actually managed to keep one of them alive for more than a year!
What is your best memory from DG days?
Probably the Initiation where I got welcomed my first grand-little into my family. Partly because that was the week I had pink hair and no one could keep a straight face during the ritual. :-)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years - still married, possibly with kids, and a better paycheck. In 10 years - still married, hopefully with kids who are not a pain in the butt/have manners/can do laundry and dishes, and a whole lot of memories from fantastic trips. I like to set the bar low.
Is there a question in the universe that you would like to answer or solve? If so, which one?
Why are people mean/stupid? I mean really, we are all human - I don't get the whole "you are different/I want to feel powerful, so I have to persecute you." thing... on both a small throwing-crayons way and a large dropping-bombs way.
And stealing from Ms. Mac, if you had to choose a flavor of ice cream that most fits your personality, what kind do you think you would you be? Feel free to make one up if necessary.
Ooh... another toughie. Probably homemade chocolate chip cookie dough (from my Ben and Jerry's recipe book). Some "raw" stuff, doesn't come together until the end - but always comes through, and decadent.
And that concludes the interview!
Part of the deal was that I continue this by interviewing more people. So here are the rules.
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. Be sure you link back to this original post.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Let’s go!
Friday, February 06, 2009
My favorite room
the front room - just painted yellow, with new curtains and shades. Sunny and bright.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
If I could tame a wild animal
Färentuna church by Per Ola Wiberg (Per Ola Wiberg (Powi))
dragon... imaginary, invisible, and handy for protection.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Upsides of a cold day...
- huevos rancheros
- free lunch
- getting out early
- getting things done
- feeling not sick
- three day weekend
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas, Christmas time is here...
So the holiday season is in full swing, and today marks the beginning of family obligations. Thankfully, we will be getting Steve's family out of the way tonight... err, I mean giving them first dibs... this year by going out to dinner. I love them, I really do. But it's very harried and whirlwind whenever we see them, but then, there is a toddler in the mix with this group.
Next up, Christmas Eve and Day, per our tradition installed at the year prior to our marriage, at home, just the two of us, spent mostly in pajamas. I have a food extravaganza planned, most of which will be pre-prepped so that I only have to put things in the oven or crockpot and then go knit.
Boxing Day will be a trip up to my parents house to spend (relaxing, lazy) time with mom, dad, sis, and Tutu (my maternal grandmother). We will be leaving prior to my mom's-side-of-the-family gathering on Sunday, so as to avoid traffic on our return trip. Prior notice was given that it would be better for us if this gathering was on Saturday, but alas, the logistical aspect didn't work out. But I just saw most of them over Thanksgiving, so no sweat on that.
Don't worry... there will be pictures of the food extravaganza. :-) But to tide you over, here are the recipes I've got planned. Most are thanks to Ree (of Confessions of Pioneer Woman) so avoid if you are shy about butter or heavy cream (I'm not, and hey, it's Christmas!).
Christmas Eve
Cioppino (my adapted version will be a "Feast of 7 Fishes" version, since Steve's family is Italian)
Christmas Day
AM: Strata and Cinnamon rolls
Dinner: roast chicken with chestnut stuffing, corn and wild rice casserole, braised red cabbage, no-knead rolls
p.s. I think I missed my blog-iversary. So Yay for me... my how time flies.
Next up, Christmas Eve and Day, per our tradition installed at the year prior to our marriage, at home, just the two of us, spent mostly in pajamas. I have a food extravaganza planned, most of which will be pre-prepped so that I only have to put things in the oven or crockpot and then go knit.
Boxing Day will be a trip up to my parents house to spend (relaxing, lazy) time with mom, dad, sis, and Tutu (my maternal grandmother). We will be leaving prior to my mom's-side-of-the-family gathering on Sunday, so as to avoid traffic on our return trip. Prior notice was given that it would be better for us if this gathering was on Saturday, but alas, the logistical aspect didn't work out. But I just saw most of them over Thanksgiving, so no sweat on that.
Don't worry... there will be pictures of the food extravaganza. :-) But to tide you over, here are the recipes I've got planned. Most are thanks to Ree (of Confessions of Pioneer Woman) so avoid if you are shy about butter or heavy cream (I'm not, and hey, it's Christmas!).
Christmas Eve
Cioppino (my adapted version will be a "Feast of 7 Fishes" version, since Steve's family is Italian)
Christmas Day
AM: Strata and Cinnamon rolls
Dinner: roast chicken with chestnut stuffing, corn and wild rice casserole, braised red cabbage, no-knead rolls
p.s. I think I missed my blog-iversary. So Yay for me... my how time flies.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
random facts
1. I hate the sound of metal on metal because it reminds me of going to the orthodontist and having them mess with metal on my teeth. I could feel the vibration through the bones. Eeewwww...
2. My middle name (Martina) is after my dad's middle name (Martin).
3. I like wearing heels. And pantyhose (if they are comfortable). It makes me feel girly.
4. I will eat raw green peppers til the cows come home, but I don't like cooked ones unless they are on fajitas.
5. I have a light up alarm clock. And even that can't get me out of bed some days. But I do consider myself a morning person.
6. I trained as a classical opera singer in college when I was majoring in Biology.
7. I've broken three arms: right, left, right (again). All were results of rollerskating accidents. But I love to ice skate still!
8. I am obsessive about lists, putting things in a certain order, and arranging things, but my bedroom floor is a MESS of clothes 50% of the time.
9. I like coffee. Black, or with cream and sugar, or with milk. Doesn't matter. It just has to be HOT.
2. My middle name (Martina) is after my dad's middle name (Martin).
3. I like wearing heels. And pantyhose (if they are comfortable). It makes me feel girly.
4. I will eat raw green peppers til the cows come home, but I don't like cooked ones unless they are on fajitas.
5. I have a light up alarm clock. And even that can't get me out of bed some days. But I do consider myself a morning person.
6. I trained as a classical opera singer in college when I was majoring in Biology.
7. I've broken three arms: right, left, right (again). All were results of rollerskating accidents. But I love to ice skate still!
8. I am obsessive about lists, putting things in a certain order, and arranging things, but my bedroom floor is a MESS of clothes 50% of the time.
9. I like coffee. Black, or with cream and sugar, or with milk. Doesn't matter. It just has to be HOT.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
From the mouths of babes...
THIS... is all any boy needs to know about dating. Perhaps if we TOLD them this stuff early, it would stick in their heads til adulthood...
Alec Greven
How to Talk to Girls
| Leave it to a fourth-grader to make one of life's complexities look like child's play. With How to Talk to Girls, 9-year-old Alex Greven lays out some elementary principles: comb your hair, dress nicely, try not to act desperate, and don't overdo it with the compliments. With accompanying illustrations, Greven's book makes for some whimsical—and remarkably practical—advice on an age-old dilemma. |
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
thank you...
I don't know about you, but last night was a little teary for me. I cried when McCain conceded. I cried with MLK, Jr.'s daughter spoke. I cried when I saw Oprah crying. I cried when Obama spoke.
I was a mess. Like the whole government. Like, I am sure, 51% of the voting public. *92%* of the voting public in D.C. (uh, WOW)
Why did I cry? I think it was partly relief - that this whole election thing is over. We are starting the process of moving on from Bush and from all the negative things.
I also cried because it means hope. My faith in people (at least 51% of the people voting in the US) has been restored. I think all the talk about how this SHOWS the American dream is possible really hits the nail on the head. I won't try to say it all again, but for me, and for a LOT of other US citizens, I think this means the Dream is starting to come true.
I was a mess. Like the whole government. Like, I am sure, 51% of the voting public. *92%* of the voting public in D.C. (uh, WOW)
Why did I cry? I think it was partly relief - that this whole election thing is over. We are starting the process of moving on from Bush and from all the negative things.
I also cried because it means hope. My faith in people (at least 51% of the people voting in the US) has been restored. I think all the talk about how this SHOWS the American dream is possible really hits the nail on the head. I won't try to say it all again, but for me, and for a LOT of other US citizens, I think this means the Dream is starting to come true.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
"I keep telling you, this isn't 'a few birds'! These are gulls, crows, swifts...! "
"Why are they doing this? ...
"...They said when you got here the whole thing started. ..."
"...Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from! I think you're evil. EVIL!"
Friday, October 17, 2008
at least I know I have a brain in there...
[I've been twittering about this but didn't want to write a post about it. Much like Miss Summers at Suburban Bliss:: Birth Control Via The Written Word, I am a whiner when it comes to being sick. I also know that a lot of people DON'T want to hear it, so I haven't talked about it.]
But my life as of late has been consumed with doctor's appointments. What started out as a sinus infection turned into an ear infection and that turned into raging, continuous inflammation in my ears/nose/throat/eustachian tubes. So for the past four months, I've had vertigo - every time I turn, sit, stand, bend over, lean down, lean back. Dizzy spinning, fullness in my hears and sinuses, my vision gets criss-crossy and it's difficult to focus - physically and mentally. I mentioned this to my doctor, and she has sent me for a CT scan, to an allergist, and an ENT. I've had allergy testing, an MRI, bicaloric testing, tracking tests, etc., etc., etc. All this to find out that I have a brain in my head that is (apparently) working fine. They haven't found any central nervous system problems that could be causing balance issues. My ENT doesn't see an ear infection or too much inflamation. (He's not living with my mucous membranes though - I FEEL them as inflammed and have pain in one ear.) The ENT suggests I have my deviated septum fixed to aid in drainage to help with the the recurrent sinus congestion, thereby fixing/preventing the dizziness. He seems to think (now) that the sinuse issues are causing the dizziness (before it was a different issue, but apparently he can change his mind/diagnosis).
I'd like a second opinion, but I'm sick and tired of going to doctors right now. I also don't think getting the inside of my nose straightened out is going to fix this completely either. The allergist switched up my meds, which has been helping the inflammation. At least now the dizziness is not as intense. So I will be sniffing flonase and astelin for the next few months and praying a lot. And trying to figure out how I can do yoga and not pass out from the dizziness/nausea if I move too fast.
But my life as of late has been consumed with doctor's appointments. What started out as a sinus infection turned into an ear infection and that turned into raging, continuous inflammation in my ears/nose/throat/eustachian tubes. So for the past four months, I've had vertigo - every time I turn, sit, stand, bend over, lean down, lean back. Dizzy spinning, fullness in my hears and sinuses, my vision gets criss-crossy and it's difficult to focus - physically and mentally. I mentioned this to my doctor, and she has sent me for a CT scan, to an allergist, and an ENT. I've had allergy testing, an MRI, bicaloric testing, tracking tests, etc., etc., etc. All this to find out that I have a brain in my head that is (apparently) working fine. They haven't found any central nervous system problems that could be causing balance issues. My ENT doesn't see an ear infection or too much inflamation. (He's not living with my mucous membranes though - I FEEL them as inflammed and have pain in one ear.) The ENT suggests I have my deviated septum fixed to aid in drainage to help with the the recurrent sinus congestion, thereby fixing/preventing the dizziness. He seems to think (now) that the sinuse issues are causing the dizziness (before it was a different issue, but apparently he can change his mind/diagnosis).
I'd like a second opinion, but I'm sick and tired of going to doctors right now. I also don't think getting the inside of my nose straightened out is going to fix this completely either. The allergist switched up my meds, which has been helping the inflammation. At least now the dizziness is not as intense. So I will be sniffing flonase and astelin for the next few months and praying a lot. And trying to figure out how I can do yoga and not pass out from the dizziness/nausea if I move too fast.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Save the Filter!
From TakeBackTheFilter.org...
What you can do...
- Sign the petition.
- Write a letter to Clorox executives.
- Send us your used filter cartridges.
- Spread the word!
The sample letter I will send:
Dear Clorox:
I have used Brita pitcher filters for many years. Each time I throw a cartridge in the garbage to replace it with a new one, I feel very sad that this amount of plastic will end up in a landfill, where it will last forever in our environment. I use the Brita system in order to avoid the waste of plastic water bottles. I urge you to redesign the filter cartridges so that they can be refilled and/or create a system for us to recycle these plastic filter cartridges instead of sending them to the landfill.
As you know, the Brita company in Europe has developed a comprehensive take-back recycling program for all of its filter cartridges. This program is not dependent on city recycling systems. The Brita Company itself collects, dismantles, and recycles the filter cartridges. Why not use this as a work-around solution to help your consumers to take their environmental conscientiousness a step further, instead of relying on city waste management systems (which are currently not able to recycle the filters in the US)?
I know that Clorox has been making efforts lately to become much more environmentally-friendly with its purchase of the Burt’s Bees line as well as development of Green Works cleaning products and the FilterForGood campaign. It would be wonderful if similar attention could be placed on products that Clorox already manufactures, such as redesigning the Brita filter cartridges so that they can be recycled, as well as creating a take-back program so that they are recycled domestically rather than being shipped overseas, as much of our plastic is these days.
I look forward to hearing your views on this issue.
Sincerely,
Nicole XXXXXXX
I have used Brita pitcher filters for many years. Each time I throw a cartridge in the garbage to replace it with a new one, I feel very sad that this amount of plastic will end up in a landfill, where it will last forever in our environment. I use the Brita system in order to avoid the waste of plastic water bottles. I urge you to redesign the filter cartridges so that they can be refilled and/or create a system for us to recycle these plastic filter cartridges instead of sending them to the landfill.
As you know, the Brita company in Europe has developed a comprehensive take-back recycling program for all of its filter cartridges. This program is not dependent on city recycling systems. The Brita Company itself collects, dismantles, and recycles the filter cartridges. Why not use this as a work-around solution to help your consumers to take their environmental conscientiousness a step further, instead of relying on city waste management systems (which are currently not able to recycle the filters in the US)?
I know that Clorox has been making efforts lately to become much more environmentally-friendly with its purchase of the Burt’s Bees line as well as development of Green Works cleaning products and the FilterForGood campaign. It would be wonderful if similar attention could be placed on products that Clorox already manufactures, such as redesigning the Brita filter cartridges so that they can be recycled, as well as creating a take-back program so that they are recycled domestically rather than being shipped overseas, as much of our plastic is these days.
I look forward to hearing your views on this issue.
Sincerely,
Nicole XXXXXXX
Saturday, October 04, 2008
baby
NO I am not pregnant. I am talking about my attitude. I feel like a big baby - "my head hurts... I'm dizzy... I am sick to my stomach... I have indigestion... I have arthritis..." - but a lot of my life lately has become health issue related.
I realized today a lot of this has to do with the amount of stress I take on. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE volunteering. I do. And most of the stress is from juggling... from trying to keep straight what needs done when for whom and for what. Not necessarily the actual duties involved with volunteering, although the fact that I have no time for housekeeping, sleeping, and spending time with my husband due to how much volunteering I do might ... just *might* be stressing me out too.
How can I fix this? One - adjust my medication (pass the wine please!). Two - adjust the visits to my psychologist (as in, schedule one). Three - get more sleep. Four - Eat better/take my vitamins and meds. Four - exercise more.
Better sleep, food, tagging my support system, and exercise will help me reduce my body's stress response to the stress, while I figure out how to decrease my volunteer involvements. Bonus is that I might not feel so darn lousy in the mean time. Wish me luck.
I realized today a lot of this has to do with the amount of stress I take on. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE volunteering. I do. And most of the stress is from juggling... from trying to keep straight what needs done when for whom and for what. Not necessarily the actual duties involved with volunteering, although the fact that I have no time for housekeeping, sleeping, and spending time with my husband due to how much volunteering I do might ... just *might* be stressing me out too.
How can I fix this? One - adjust my medication (pass the wine please!). Two - adjust the visits to my psychologist (as in, schedule one). Three - get more sleep. Four - Eat better/take my vitamins and meds. Four - exercise more.
Better sleep, food, tagging my support system, and exercise will help me reduce my body's stress response to the stress, while I figure out how to decrease my volunteer involvements. Bonus is that I might not feel so darn lousy in the mean time. Wish me luck.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Making Strides
Hey all...
Now you are probably wondering about the new widget. Well, I am participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Oct. 5 in Columbus, OH. Not a big walk, but... it's a way to raise awareness and a way to raise money. So click on the widget and donate a few bucks. I get exercise - you get to sleep in and do something good - cancer research gets money. We all win.
Now you are probably wondering about the new widget. Well, I am participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Oct. 5 in Columbus, OH. Not a big walk, but... it's a way to raise awareness and a way to raise money. So click on the widget and donate a few bucks. I get exercise - you get to sleep in and do something good - cancer research gets money. We all win.
Monday, September 15, 2008
roughin' it
For those of you who haven't heard, The remnants of Tropical Depression Ike started moving through southern and central Ohio yesterday around noon. Much of central Ohio is without power. We are included in this, Steve and I. Although both our jobs have power... and Internets... so therefore, I can post.
The wind started really picking up around 2 or 3 PM. We stowed patio furniture and all my plants in the corner of our patio that is more sheltered. Other things we either brought inside, or made sure they were stowed. Luckily, we had no damage to the house (at least none I can see at this point) - which is a miracle as far as I am concerned because of all the trees in our neighborhood. We do have a yard littered with smallish and medium branches, but nothing on our house! One of our neighbors has a broken fence.
Our power went out at 4:02 PM last night. I know the exact time because our stove has a clock on it that is "analog" and so stopped right at that time. We cooked dinner on the grill last night (not what I expected), and tried to keep the fridge closed most of the evening.
We had every candle in the house burning. Luckily for us, we have a battery operated weather radio (that also picks up TV stations) from our camping gear. We also have a few stickup LED lights handy - I keep one on our hall closet frame, so it's easy access to lights up our "emergency gear" - candles, radio, flashlights, meds, first-aid items - so we can get these things in the dark or power outage.
We got most of our maneuvering (cooking, cleaning, stowing of stuff that could blow away or over) done in daylight, so we didn't break out the headlamps, but we may do that today. If power is still out tonight, we may head over to my sister's to have hot water for showers. At the very least, we will be taking our food over there to store and/or cook.
We have T -5 hours to get our perishable food stuffs from the freezer into my sister's freezer. Everything in the fridge is going to either have to get chucked or will be eaten tonight depending on temperatures in the fridge and the nature of the item.
The wind started really picking up around 2 or 3 PM. We stowed patio furniture and all my plants in the corner of our patio that is more sheltered. Other things we either brought inside, or made sure they were stowed. Luckily, we had no damage to the house (at least none I can see at this point) - which is a miracle as far as I am concerned because of all the trees in our neighborhood. We do have a yard littered with smallish and medium branches, but nothing on our house! One of our neighbors has a broken fence.
Our power went out at 4:02 PM last night. I know the exact time because our stove has a clock on it that is "analog" and so stopped right at that time. We cooked dinner on the grill last night (not what I expected), and tried to keep the fridge closed most of the evening.
We had every candle in the house burning. Luckily for us, we have a battery operated weather radio (that also picks up TV stations) from our camping gear. We also have a few stickup LED lights handy - I keep one on our hall closet frame, so it's easy access to lights up our "emergency gear" - candles, radio, flashlights, meds, first-aid items - so we can get these things in the dark or power outage.
We got most of our maneuvering (cooking, cleaning, stowing of stuff that could blow away or over) done in daylight, so we didn't break out the headlamps, but we may do that today. If power is still out tonight, we may head over to my sister's to have hot water for showers. At the very least, we will be taking our food over there to store and/or cook.
We have T -5 hours to get our perishable food stuffs from the freezer into my sister's freezer. Everything in the fridge is going to either have to get chucked or will be eaten tonight depending on temperatures in the fridge and the nature of the item.
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