Different World

Blog on Ice--and a Bit about Blurb

2011-08-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Although it's been inactive for awhile, I've pretty much decided to put this blog on hiatus. Like a lot of other people out there, I'm dealing with some personal stuff and facing some hard decisions, but it wouldn't be nice to explode on here and scare off whatever readers I have left. Better to leave that stuff in a journal.

For now, I have transported most of this blog to a neat site called Blurb. They can turn your blog into a book and you have some creative control over how the finished product looks. Some sites give you more control than others, so it's good to check out various ones and compare. Anyway, I did this in case I make the decision to shut this blog down for good (which is a strong possibility).

Homemade Pizza!!

2011-05-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I bit the bullet today and made my first ever batch of pizza dough. That sounds silly, and it is. But I made bread dough a number of years ago, and I can assure you it's just as easy to mess up the dough as it is to make it. Knead it or flour just a wee bit too much--and you get a hockey puck.

Anyway, dough turned out fine. When I rolled the dough, though, one of the balls..became a puck. The other turned out fine and I made a thin-crust pizza.

I loaded it with beef, pepperoni, onions, green bell pepper, and shredded four-cheese. Mmmm. Once I get comfortable with dough I might just try my hand at a dessert pizza...with ganache, strawberries, and powdered sugar instead of the usual ingredients. (I've been watching too many decadent movies centered around food lately. Ah well.)

Is nothing sacred??

2011-03-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Last week I went for my regular trip to the laundromat near home. Put my clothes in the washer, then put them in the dryer. A while later...the owners came up to me and asked me about my clothes. They noticed that all the dryers were empty--one was running with no clothes in it. Uh oh. Someone had taken my clothes home!!

Thankfully the owners had been monitoring the machines and knew who else was there. They knew who took them because they had the name and phone number from an old order, and the customer was a regular who came every week, like me. So they called the customer and were assured that they'd come back in a few minutes.

So I waited...and waited...and waited...

The owners used their cell phones to call the customer, and I called them as well. They stopped answering their phone, and the owners asked me if I wanted to call the police. I declined and waited awhile longer. But when the laundromat reached closing time and that person STILL didn't show...

I bit the bullet and called the po-po.

The Oakwood Police Department, at least, showed up when THEY said they would. And the customer picked up the phone for THEM. The police told them to "make light feet" getting there with my stuff to avoid being arrested. They never showed. Sigh. So they filed a report and went after my clothes while the rest of us left for the night. An hour later...the police dropped off my stolen clothes with a neighbor, thank God. They were wet and smelled like ciggies, but they were mine. Most of my underwear and socks were missing, but that's fine...if someone is so desperate for clothes that they'll nab my used underwear, I say let them have 'em. Yuck. At least I got back my other stuff.

Pictures: Tornado Damage In South Alabama - WHNT

2011-03-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

Pictures: Tornado Damage In South Alabama - WHNT

Take a look at these pictures. Theodore, Alabama appeared on the national news today. My great-grandmother used to live there and I have other relatives in the area. Apparently an EF-2 tornado touched down near the intersection of Theodore Dawes Rd. and Old Pascagoula Rd., and ripped up a gas station. Wow. O_O

Spring is in the Air!

2011-02-22T15:45:00.000-08:00

The weather here lately has been fantastic. Groundhog Gen. Beauregard Lee predicted an early spring, so, barring any "March Surprise" (1993, anyone??) he got it right.

Finally cleaned up the car and put the closet in order, mostly.

It's also very freeing not to have my arms covered in layers of clothing. Let them breathe, I say!
They need room to move!! *\o/*

Took the car to the tranny shop (O/D light was flashing at times and my regular mechanic can't diagnose transmission problems). The car's been acting wonky again, so I wondered if it was finally giving up the ghost after 210,000 miles. Spent the weekend wondering if I'd have to sell it, or take out a small loan to fix it. Found out Monday...all it needed was a battery! The car sure has a funny way of telling me it needs simple repairs. (When the front brakes were going out some months ago, they didn't give the classic warning signs for that, either. I thought a wheel bearing had worn out.)

So the car's fixed, and it's get-up-and-go is BACK!! :D

(Still have to save for a replacement in the next couple of years, though. Even Nissans don't last forever.)

Made my first art card Sunday night. I thought about making some and selling them a year or two ago as a side hustle but never got started. The materials sat in my closet for months.
But sending the car to the shop made me revisit the idea. I may be tired every night after work, but I can draw. And God did not give me artistic ability just so I could park my butt in front of the TV every night. Now that the first card is done, my goal is to make a total of five cards by the end of the week. Time to get going!

Egg Roll Photo

2011-02-22T15:40:00.001-08:00

As promised, here's a picture of the egg rolls I made recently (mmmmm....) :

Egg Rolls and Other Musings (Warning: Controversial Rant)

2011-02-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

Soon I want to have pictures up for this, but a couple of weeks ago I made my first batch of egg rolls.

Last Christmas my parents gave me a 16" electric skillet (with deep sides), and so far I had made Chex Party Mix and a batch of pancakes with it--both with excellent results. Then came a new challenge: could it deep-fry? Turns out it can. Even with less peanut oil than the recipe called for. (I had 3 cups instead of 4 because I didn't check the bottle before I bought it-d'oh!They did come out a bit light in color, but still very tasty.) What's even better is that it didn't splatter everywhere, and my card table holds the skillet. I'm short, and the card table sits low enough for me to easily lower the rolls into the skillet while keeping one eye on the TV. My kitchen extends into the living room, so the TV's within spittin' distance.

Life's been pretty boring otherwise. We're in a transition at work, and so I'm exhausted pretty much on a daily basis. I keep wondering when the excitement's gonna end and I can get back to normal. My new motto should be: "Another day, another curveball."
As for my exploration of Orthodoxy, I'm still quietly doing that. At this point--and I've thought of this for awhile--I'm not sure I can commit to ANY church, including this one. Maybe there's no harm in just going every week and leaving my options open...indefinitely. That's why I was able to stay at Calvary Chapel for several years. They don't have an official membership. No pressure to commit. If I didn't agree with a teaching, that was fine. (In my 30+ years on earth, I have yet to agree with any church on every subject.)
Now...I'm about to say something really controversial, cause it's been circulating in my mind all day.

The older I get, the more I'm thinking...that no church has a corner on the truth.
*ducks for cover*

That's right, I said it.

None of them gets it entirely right. If they say they do, they're probably just plain arrogant. *ducks for cover again*
After 2,000 years...Christians still can't agree on Bible translations, hymns or praise songs, wine or grape juice for communion, open or closed communion, formal or casual dress code, interpretations of Scripture, rapture or no rapture, pre-trib or post-trib, who's going to heaven or hell, etc. You name it, they can't agree on it. I've seen people within the same church debate about this stuff.
Look hard enough into any church...and it's like watching sausage being made. You see the good, the bad, and the UGLY. O_O
Maybe Emily Dickinson had a point when she declared:

"Some keep the Sabbath going to Church --
I keep it, staying at Home --
With a Boblink for a Chorister --
And an Orchard, for a Dome --"

So anyway, I'm just taking it slow and have no desire to make a decision at this point. Just the thought of doing that makes me shudder. (That would probably be true of any church. I like stability, but I don't like being trapped.)

The Deep Freeze of 2011

2011-02-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

Last month we had an entire week of icy roads, and several feet of snow. The local newscasters named it "The Deep Freeze of 2011". Atlanta pretty much shut down for a few days.

Up North this would be likely be considered a normal winter. When my family lived in Michigan, I probably walked in snow this deep to get to the bus stop every day.

But this is Georgia, where the news media sees one snowflake, and panics. The public then takes the cue to stock up on milk and bread. All week I had to listen to the local news urging everyone to "stay home stay home stay home stay home". After a while they all sounded like the grown-ups in the Charlie Brown TV specials ("whah whah whah whah-whah whah whah.....")

Here's some photos of the snow. Some were taken at work, some at home.

The cat in one of the photos belongs to my neighbor. It was amusing to watch her try to navigate the snow. (Upon coming home that week I spotted her pawprints on my deck steps. She probably raced up to my front door one day and meowed her head off hoping I was home...)

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

2010-12-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

And now for a little levity this Christmas week. :)

Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink

2010-12-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been quite a ride these last few weeks at work (and to some extent, at home). Too bad I didn't take photos.

First, one of the common areas at my workplace had to be cordoned off during the search for and repair of a pipe that had burst inside the walls. Seemed like that fiasco went on for weeks.

Then after getting that mess fixed...the temperature outside dropped like a rock.

Then we had TWO pipe bursts on one hallway (they happened on either end). So that day I heard about it but didn't see anything yet. Then the fire alarm set off. Yaaaay, fun!! (False alarm, so we didn't have to stand in the cold. Just had our eardrums torn out while hearing it for five minutes.)

That afternoon while leaving work I could see flooding on the other end of the hall. It was underwater! I could hear water running but couldn't tell where the sound came from. The fire dept. was there. Oh boy.

I came home and my landlords were working on a pipe bust in our building. Thankfully, it did not affect me.

The next day, I worried that there would be no workplace to come to...or that we'd be traveling down the halls by canoe.

My worst fears did not materialize. However, the carpet was dry enough to take a peek around the corner. Part of the ceiling--was gone. I later learned that it had caved in, followed by a RUSH of water (someone told me it was like Niagara Falls). Apparently this cascade of water triggered the fire alarm the other day.

So now the water's mostly dried up, but folks...WINTER HASN'T STARTED YET. It's too early for this in the South. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the La Nina effect to kick in starting in January. (Warmer and drier weather. Suits me.)

The real Santa Claus

2010-11-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

This may be a little early in the year (not according to some stores--their Christmas stuff is already up). But I've done a bit of research on the guy who inspired our modern-day Santa Claus. Was this man real or a legend?

Turns out there WAS someone named Saint Nicholas, born centuries ago, who was much more fascinating than the one we see in commercials and malls. His image today, and his actual life and deeds, are worlds apart. If you want to be inspired, read here:

St. Nicholas Center

Life of Saint Nicholas

Mind vs. Heart

2010-11-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

Today my book came in. :)

"Bread and Water, Wine and Oil" by Arch. Meletios Webber. was recommended to me more than once, so I ordered it. Almost as soon as I found it on my doorstep, I started thumbing through it. That's how I read books. Can't seem to handle going from beginning to end, so I bounce around.

After reading a few pages I came across the same message I'm finding in the other Orthodox books I'm studying--and it's a challenging one.

Stop living in your mind, and bring your mind into your heart.

This is hard for me. My mind is extremely active. It loves to analyze and make sense of things. Even with the TV on to distract it, it's still going going going like the Energizer Bunny. If I try to calm it down, I get very restless, and then negative thoughts pour in. Fearful thoughts pour in. The what-ifs and the existential questions start plaguing me. This is why I can't bring myself to toss my TV set. For now, it's preserving my sanity.

Taking the mind into the heart frightens me. I don't want to know what's there. Something scares me about going to that place--the heart. But like the rest of us, I have to face down my fears at some point.

Like I said, this new path that I'm on is 180 degrees the opposite of what American culture teaches. It is definitely counterculture, in every way possible. Sometimes I fear that it will be impossible to make the jump. My life would have to change in so many ways, and everything I believe, think and value is up for question and reevaluation. It is not a journey for the squeamish. But for now, I'm sticking with it.

An alternative to regular Christian radio

2010-10-27T13:10:00.001-07:00

Not sure how I learned about this Internet radio station (Ancient Faith Radio), but I like it so far. For those who are either Orthodox or exploring the faith, it seems to be an excellent resource. Other Orthodox stations exist, but they're not always broadcast in English (and some of us are not inclined at the moment to learn Greek or Russian!)

I don't have Internet at home, so it's neat to be able to download podcasts onto my computer and listen to them later. (Like many other new things in life, I'm behind the curve on this one.)

Going Back to the Beginning

2010-10-22T11:16:00.001-07:00

Okay, I'm breaking my silence here and sharing a bit about the path I've started on.

A few weeks ago, I began attending an Orthodox church with my family. At first I went in order to support my mom's journey into Orthodoxy (and because I was curious), but now it looks like I might be headed that direction. This was completely unexpected. Everything about this church is so strange to someone who spent 3 decades immersed in Protestant teaching that I'm having a slow time of it trying to unlearn my previous upbringing, or at least rethink it.

I became a Christian at a very young age--about 22 years ago--but a few years later, started drifting away from my commitment, and have been doing so ever since. I can't even see the shore anymore. It's like being in a marriage and completely forgetting why you got married in the first place. When that happens, it's time to go back to the beginning.

Sorry if this is confusing, but I spent years going to church and accepting what was taught without question, never truly examining the roots of those beliefs. I've heard people argue about doctrine, about theology, about Bible translations, etc. Over time, going to church or being around other Christians...just turned me off. I'm not a big fan of debates or arguing, and I'm tired of going down rabbit paths. Nor do I wish to accept so-called "solid" answers just because "God said it, I believe it, that settles it." We weren't given brains for nothing. It's tempting to run back to what I know--to what is familiar. It's easier not to have my assumptions challenged or blown out of the water. But isn't that true for all of us?

So I'm exploring this path right now, and fighting the urge to be impatient about it. Like someone said. "There is no rushing into Orthodoxy." Some people embrace it right away, some take months or even years.

"If you are afraid of criticism...you'll never do anything."

2010-10-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

This quote hit me between the eyes today. I saw it on one of the online forums I frequent. Although the discussion related to Juan Williams' recent firing from NPR, it touched on a basic fear I've struggled with my entire life. One reason for my not being more specific about the path I mentioned in a previous post has to do with this. (How do I bring it up without sounding as if I'm running off to join the circus??) Part of me wants to just "lay it out there", and the other part wants to keep quiet.

Candles and Callings

2010-10-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

This blog's been getting quiet lately. It's starting to echo. Need to write more.

For now I've decided against Internet access at home. Don't need an extra bill every month (though I may change my mind in the dead of winter while weighing the options of braving the cold for free wi-fi vs. staying home without beloved Internet. Brrr.)

Recently I had been reading about the dangers of burning paraffin candles (all the soot they put out, and the carcinogens and stuff that can build up in your space--the zinc wick clips are hazardous too). So I thought, why not try a beeswax candle? Churches tend to burn pure beeswax candles for a reason. They don't damage pictures or walls, they're natural (no fake scents, just the mild scent of honey), they're less messy, and the light is more pure. Then I learned how difficult it can be to find this type of candle--they're expensive (you won't find them at Walmart, that's for certain). I would buy one online if the local post office could find my new address...

So I decided to--get some beeswax at the craft store, and try making candles myself (what am I thinking???) They'll have to be thin ones. Beeswax ain't cheap. Thank God I had birthday money. Someone in front of me gave me her 40%-off coupon (an unexpected blessing--I didn't even ask!) When the cashier gave me a coupon with my receipt, I handed it to the next person. This doesn't happen every day, so it was fun to pass the blessing along.

Lately I've been rather quiet, not just here. I've been considering a path that I never knew existed, and it could turn my life upside-down. At this time I am afraid to even speak of it, for some may not understand. This path completely runs counter to modern culture, but then again...so do I in some respects. I can't imagine how Mother Theresa felt when she was on that train riding to her annual retreat at the convent...and felt the call to leave that convent and serve the poorest of the poor! So I've been asking questions, which are leading to more questions, and more questions.

When Home Feels...Like a Funhouse

2010-09-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been on a little hiatus from here. Moved at the beginning of the month and haven't set up Internet access yet.

It's been a bit of an adventure since moving into my apartment. I love the idea of having a tub (epsom salts baths are great, so if you're thinking of moving, consider a place with a bathtub!) And at first I hated the shutters on my windows--they're old, and the slats don't quite close properly. But when I opened them and then the windows behind them, it reminded me of a theater playhouse. Or those windows in Paris. Okay, my mind plays strange tricks on me. :)

Still haven't quite gotten used to the slanty floors. The first week I slept in fear of falling out of the bed! So I turned the bed to elevate the head rather than one side of the bed. (If you've ever lived in or walked through an older home, you're used to sagging or sloped floors.) I bought a clothes rack to hold some of my clothes since the bar in the closet is too low for dresses and stuff. BAD IDEA. Late one night an arm of the rack gave way and everything fell to the floor. I screamed. Hope I didn't scare the neighbor downstairs. :O

Also haven't figured out the kitchen yet. This is the first time I've had a kitchen with pantries only. There's the under-sink cabinet, and that's it. So I'm learning to be creative with my space, and wondering if I pared down my belongings enough. "Make it work", as Tim Gunn would say.

So, I'm having a love/hate relationship with this apartment right now.

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's a...Saucer Squash?

2010-08-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

This evening, I went to check on my flower box for a few minutes and see how the plants are coming along.

It wasn't dark out, but still too dark to take pictures. But as I looked down at what I THOUGHT was a zucchini plant...a surprise stared back at me instead.

Baby squashes??? Pattypan squashes??? I couldn't believe it. While the plants have exploded in that little space, I had all but given up hope of ever seeing a vegetable. Looks like I almost gave up too soon.

Speaking of Change...

2010-08-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

Lately my mind is racing, worrying about my upcoming move. Life changes always stir up my deepest fears, and boy are the little mind demons active tonight!

Since life has been in such an upheaval lately...figured I might as well reflect it in my hair.

So I got it cut.

Project Flower Box Rescue, part deux

2010-08-06T10:26:00.001-07:00

Today I spent some time reworking the flower bed that I tried to revive a month or so ago. The mandevilla did not take off or thrive as hoped (maybe cause it was in SHADE?) Since the pattypan squash next to it was growing fast, and the potted zucchini plant was dying for more space, I got rid of the mandevilla and put the zucchini next to the squash.

Then I added the eggplant and the mystery squash to some open space in the flower box, since they were root-bound as well.

Some of the moss roses are holding up quite well, while others are...not looking so hot. (Hmm, maybe shade and water aren't a moss rose's best friends.) The touch-me-nots ALL died except the smallest.

In the other flower box, weeds came back with a vengeance after I spent hours pulling up roots and dead plants. But the lantana plant has burst into bloom. The butterflies ♥♥♥ this bush! (It got a boost from Miracle-Gro, too.)

The colors in the lantana blooms remind me of a pinata. :)

If the Heat Wave Keeps On Going Like This...

2010-08-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

...I will end up like this witch.

Warning: Sudden Turns Ahead!

2010-07-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been witnessing a lot of people going through sudden changes, often good ones that have been a LONG time coming. For other people, they've had sudden reversals in fortune, sudden losses that are just...wow.

For a couple of months now I've seen this tendency accelerate. At first, I thought it was another figment of my imagination, but I asked several people and the consensus says my hunches are dead-on.

Now changes are coming for me. Recently got word that ALL 3 of my housemates are moving out. (One bought their first house.) So now my landlord has two houses--this one and another one...to fill in short order. In other words, looks like I'm moving again. I really have NO IDEA how next month will go...anything could happen between now and Sept. 1st., depending on who moves into those houses.

Just when I thought I could relax and stop moving every couple of years, here we go. (Maybe I should save up to buy one of Jay Shafer's Tiny Houses--at least I could just hitch it to the back of a U-Haul truck every time I need to move.)

On top of this, I have a new employer next month. Things are in transition, nothing's set in stone. Looks like this company has an excellent reputation, though, so that's good.

Sigh. I just love living in the dark.

(photo courtesy of SP8254)

Shoot Me Now

2010-07-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, sooooo.....the month of August shall be here in a few days, and already........

I'm feeling like that guy in Van Gogh's "Scream". Oy.

More later. Lots going on.

Fashion - Vintage Vogue: 1940s-50s

2010-07-25T09:55:00.001-07:00

This runs along the lines of what I talked about in my last post. (Yes, these are fashion photos, and hence not quite realistic. But the images breathe class.)

Is Classiness Due for a Comeback?

2010-07-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

Not sure what has gotten into me lately, but for some time I've been longing for something to return to our culture.

CLASS.

A few months ago I looked at some reminiscing photos, and came across one from the 1940's or '50's. People were enjoying a meal on an airplane. Yes, a MEAL, with china and silverware and flowers and everything. Each person had their own table, and everyone was dressed up. Maaaan. You don't see that anymore. :/

So that probably planted a seed.

Another thing that has me thinking about this is the increasing polarization of our country. Take ANY hot-button topic, from obesity to the environment, start talking with those who disagree with you and pretty soon the gloves are off. Yes, the stakes are high, and the emotions are high. But I am tired of the absolute viciousness with which many people now attack each other. Are we no longer capable of discussions that DON'T hit below the belt? Has civility died without my knowledge? Must we throw away relationships, family or otherwise, with those who don't agree with our views?

Yesterday I watched "84, Charing Cross Road" and then found myself going through clips from the '40's and '50's on YouTube. There's a glamour, a sophistication to the era that is lacking nowadays.

Funny thing is, I didn't care about all this stuff that much before...so suddenly I do??

Anyway, this theme has been eating at me lately. Can anyone relate?

Fiddling With the Ol' Blog Again

2010-07-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had a little fun with the blog design. Didn't expect the change to be so drastic but hopefully it won't put anybody off. ;)

Homemade Cornbread

2010-07-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got up the nerve to try some of that stoneground cornmeal I picked up at Mingus Mill. (For those who want to buy some, it's not cheap. I paid almost $10 for a 5-lb. bag.) There's a recipe on the bag that I decided to start out with--they give a couple of free recipes to customers at the mill, but those can wait for later.

Yeah, I know, there's a piece missing, but...I just had to try it... :)

And I must say that the texture was very different than your average cornbread. It's not so refined or dry. Maybe I didn't bake it all the way through or something, but the bread was nice and moist. Kinda gritty. This would be a real good bread to eat with buttermilk.

Gardening --Round Two

2010-07-10T19:13:00.001-07:00

This evening, I started tackling the other flower box on the patio in earnest. This one is wider. It has a couple of plants in there I'm leaving alone.

So I'm sore tonight, after hours of pulling up dead roots and weeds (spider roots are pure evil). There's enough yard waste from that flower box--gallons of it--to start a nice compost heap.

The other night, I read that looking at a plant lowers your heart rate instantly. Really...that might explain why I actually enjoy puttering around in the yard looking at mine. (I'm NOT an outdoors person in any way, shape or form so this is unusual.) I had the car fixed this week and the place where I work is going through huge transformation (change = STRESS). Looking at my pattypan squash plant take off or seeing the moss rose pop out a new color...ahhhh. It just calms me and makes me smile inside.

Those of you who garden can probably relate to this.

No Knead Bread by the Sullivan Street Bakery & Mark Bittman, The New Yor...

2010-07-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

I'm eating this bread right now (sent home with me by a friend). Mmmmmmmm.....:9

AAUUGGHH!!! (Translation: What have I gotten myself into?!??!)

2010-07-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I appalled one of my friends by complaining that gardening's *cough, cough* HARD. He said, "What?!?!! It's easy." Umm, okay, try tilling through Georgia red clay. Yep, easy-peasy.

So, anyway, he had me over so I could see his garden and learn a few things. It was a really neat visit. (Who knew you could grow avocadoes and lettuce on the deck??? I didn't.) As you can see in the picture, he sent me home with a bunch of stuff.

Now I'm looking at this stuff and thinking, where do I START?? (Actually, he told me where to start, I'm just not sure where to take it from there.) There are green thumbs on both sides of the family and yet I'm a babe in the the woods when it comes to growing things. All I know is I'm going to need a lot of containers...

America's Test Kitchen, The Tasting Lab : a Gardenfork.tv Parody

2010-06-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

If you're an America's Test Kitchen fan, you'll probably appreciate this. Of course, it's all in good humor.

Project Flower Box Rescue

2010-06-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

Where I live, we have built-in brick flower boxes in the patio area. Within the past year, they've been neglected, and looked it.

This past week, I'd decided...that I've had ENOUGH. It was time to do something about them and quick. So far I've finished one, which I will show the progress on here. (Please keep in mind...I'm no gardener. So I probably made a hundred mistakes already.)

Here's how the flower box looked before...it was downright depressing.

So I decluttered it and got to tilling. Took HOURS.

Waited til today to add new soil to the box because yesterday's tilling WORE. ME. OUT. (I suppose some of the old soil should have been removed first, but that would have been a major pain.)

Okay, so here's some of the moss roses I bought at the farmer's market:

I also picked up a mandevilla at the store. People tell me it's an annual here, but it's a fast climber. So it should start racing up that trellis in no time!

On the left are more of the moss roses. On the right, touch-me-nots (also from the farmer's market).

So it's been an exhausting weekend (that's an understatement) but the patio's starting to look better. One of my housemates saw the new plants and liked them. So far, so good. When I get my strength back, the other flower box is the next project in the pipes.

Side note: Our pool's getting fixed after all, so now I'm really glad these boxes are getting freshened up. :) Ahhhhh. Welcome, summer.

Can Caffeine Make you Crazy?

2010-06-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today my nerves were on edge all morning. I thought it was just the usual work stress--try to get something done, get pulled here, pulled there, "can you do me a favor? I need you to do blah blah blah". Every time something went wrong or another unexpected something came up, I felt incredibly jumpy. After a while I took Rescue Remedy to calm me down. Once it kicked in, I could feel the toll that stress took on me. I felt drained.

Things turned out all right, but as I drove home, I started to wonder if caffeine was causing me to feel the way I was. All day I felt like the Icelandic volcano...with a giant fist stuck in it. Lately I've been feeling that way on a DAILY basis. In the past two or three years I've had noticeable heart palpitations.

It also occurred to me that I'm probably using caffeine as a prop to help me compensate for lack of sleep and a mediocre diet.

So I'm considering the unthinkable...weaning myself off of caffeine.

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! = :-O

Anyway, I don't plan to give up coffee. That's a nice ritual that I'd like to keep. I've been drinking the regular stuff since I was 13, so switching to decaf after almost 20 years isn't gonna happen overnight. Without my caffeine, the headaches, foggy head, and general grumpiness kick in. So I'm going to find ways (such as using Rescue Remedy) to help me cope. One concern is losing my edge at work, so I need to keep that in mind while doing this.

Anyone reading this have experiences with stepping down caffeine? How was it?

Goats on the Roof

2010-06-16T18:25:00.001-07:00

(This is a post I promised my readers weeks ago. Sorry for the wait!)

On the way home from my weekend trip to North Carolina, I made a stop in Tiger, Georgia, at one of the most bizarre roadside attractions I've ever seen. Some time ago, they were featured on the local news, so I'd heard of them before.

Basically, rumor has it that some goats climbed to the roof of a store and have stayed there since. So the store converted their roof to a...lawn. Rather than explain this weirdness, I'll just show it to you in pictures. Enjoy!

Say The Things - Parody of 7 Things by Miley Cyrus

2010-06-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Okay fellow bloggers/Tweeps/Facebook users...how many of you have obsessed at least once in your life over the comments section of your blog? Or checked to see if anyone retweeted your "tweet"? Or liked/commented on your Facebook status?

C'mon, be honest. Raise that hand...

Taking a Break from Twitter

2010-06-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

It's official: Twitter and I are going through a separation.

Soooo....since I can't bring myself to completely divorce myself yet, my tweets are now private...if I post at all. That's why the Twitter widget is no longer here. Not that anyone cares, just FYI.

Bizarre Foods Crew Challenge: Durian

2010-06-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

After reading about my mom's misadventures handling stinky durian fruit, I came across this gem.

Returning to a Long-Lost Friend: Reading

2010-06-06T15:33:00.001-07:00

Today it dawned on me...that it's been a LONG time since I've gotten absorbed in a good book. A fiction book.

As a kid, I read a ton of books. Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, Judy Blume books, the Ramona books, Cynthia Voigt novels (the Dicey books), ad nauseam. Like many of us, I guess life got in the way and I stopped reading fiction. Today I decided to give it another try.

So I picked up four books:

"The Note" by Angela Hunt

"At Home in Mitford" by Jan Karon

"Watermelon Days & Firefly Nights" by Annette Smith

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

There's also a couple of other books I considered picking up (maybe for next time):

"Mr. Darcy's Diary" by Amanda Grange

"Bitsy's Bait & BBQ" by Pamela Morsi

Please bear with me. I'm a babe in the woods when it comes to the adult world of fiction and I don't tend to follow the recommendations of Oprah's Book Club or the New York Times bestseller list. At times I might pick something wildly inappropriate or poorly written. I might find what looks like a promising read, and find junk instead. The fiction section of the library feels like a walk in the dark. But I'm willing to give it a go. :)

My Weekend-On-a-Whim (WARNING: lots of photos)

2010-06-04T06:55:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I took off for Maggie Valley, North Carolina, almost on a whim, to see my aunt and uncle. (I'd intended to for months, but it just didn't happen til now.)

So Saturday I called them and the next thing you know, I'm running like the wind trying to pack my suitcase and clean house a bit. That afternoon, I made it and the car didn't fall apart after all. :)

This is part of the view from the front porch--I can see why they like coming up here. It's very peaceful.

And here's the creek that runs next to the house:

During my stay there, we took a trip on Blue Ridge Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

We also took a quick detour on the parkway to Mingus Mill. This one, built in 1886, runs on water power, but not with a water wheel. The water travels through a flume instead.

Inside, you can see how they make cornmeal here...first picture shows the turbine, I believe, and the second one shows where the corn goes to make cornmeal...

Upstairs, they have a wheat cleaner...

If I'd thought to pack extra batteries beforehand and the battery light hadn't come one, I could have taken more pictures of the exhibits upstairs. (Lesson learned: ALWAYS pack extra batteries with the camera.)

Before going back to the house we passed through Cherokee (didn't stop, though) and saw dancing Indians, casinos, shops. I would have had my picture taken with an Indian if they didn't charge for it, which they do nowadays.

On Sunday afternoon, we stopped by Granny's Chicken Palace on Hwy. 19 for some good eats. Basically it's to Maggie Valley what Dick Russell's is to Mobile. There were four of us (uncle's nephew was with us) and they gave us two BIG plates of fried chicken--enough for eight people! Plus a bowl of cole slaw, a bowl of green beans, and a bowl of rice smothered with some sort of cream or chicken gravy. I believe the vegetables come with free refills...we had two more bowls of the rice. Mmmmm.

Anyway, the weekend was a gorgeous one and we had a good time. And North Carolina actually isn't that far away...from northeast Georgia it's a day trip. I plan on returning in about a month.

For my blog post, I'll share about my little side trip to Tiger, GA to see "Goats On the Roof".

Weekend Trip to the Smokies...details to follow soon...

2010-05-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I paid a spur-of-the-moment visit to my aunt and uncle in North Carolina (it's their second home).

I've been tired the last couple of days, so as soon I can this week, I'll post more details and some photos. On the way home, I took a little detour to "Goats on the roof" in Tiger, GA so that will probably be a separate post...again, with more photos.

In the meantime, enjoy the suspense, hehe....

Random Musings aka What the Heck Just Happened?!?!!

2010-05-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been an insanely busy past couple of months, and this week I got a couple of shocks as well.

First one: THIS

My old band director from high school finally got a road named after him. I have a feeling he has a LOT of fans out there...heck he has a pseudo-Facebook page (looks like it was made by some of his students). He has always expected the best out of his students--nothing less would do. In high school I remember him as crusty on the outside and a teddy bear on the inside. (The picture below was taken ages ago. He looks more like Santa Claus now.)

The second shock this past week, and totally unrelated, was that the guy I dated last fall had kept a big, BIG secret from me. Lucky for me he lost interest in me long before this happened. I found out when he made the news--he'd been living quietly as a fugitive from the law for seven years. No one in his community suspected anything.

Ladies, this is a lesson: Get a background check on your man!!

So here's hoping next week is a bit less crazy. Meanwhile, I'll be enjoying the fantastic weather we're having.

What's Your Blog's Personality?

2010-05-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a nifty site for those of you who get into personality tests. For fun or for serious navel-gazing.

I've had an off-and-on obsession with those...the Myers-Briggs, the enneagram, what's your color personality, that sort of thing. Guess you could say I like to try to figure things out...even things that are best left to mystery. As a kid I spent hours bent over a jigsaw puzzle, trying to make the pieces come together and make sense.

Anyway, my blog, according to the site, is an ISFP. (I'm an INFJ--not sure how those two types get along.) Basically you just type any blog's name in and see which of the Myers-Briggs (Jungian) types it is. Pretty cool! Have fun with it. :)

What's a Single Girl to Do?

2010-05-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight I'm watching movies and pondering what's for dinner. Doesn't sound anything short of mundane...except that I'm single.

For awhile I've wrestled with the dilemma of being torn. Torn between the pleasure of working with food, and the reality of cooking for one. Meal planning advice tends to be geared toward families, and many singles are left to keep company with Ramen noodles, cereal, Ronald McDonald, or a TV dinner.

Sorry, but that doesn't cut it. especially for those of us who secretly salivate over fruits and vegetables, cuts of meat, cheeses. It's like hearing the call of the siren. She's beautiful, but you'd better not listen to her or she will lead you to destroy yourself on the rocks.

So I'm trying to figure out what to do. Mom had some good suggestions for me, but I'd like to consider other options, too. I share a fridge with three roommates, so fridge and freezer space is precious. (If I'm lucky, there's a couple of spaces in the freezer for my stuff. So no once-a-month bulk cooking for me.)

On another website, someone mentioned learning to shop like the Europeans--going to the market every day. Makes sense to me--if you buy fresh for each night's meal, not only do you get more variety, it prevents spoilage of produce in the fridge and the inevitable embarrassment that follows. Hmm, that might be a method worth trying.

In the meantime, I'm going to go figure out what's for dinner. Sorry, Ronald, won't be seeing you tonight.

Looking at Cosmetic Changes for the Blogs

2010-05-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Until Mom pointed it out, I hadn't noticed that my Twitter gadget wasn't posting my tweets. Figured out why...when you change your tweet name, you have to edit the html for the gadget too). Learn something new every day.

Pretty soon, I want to get the header fixed here, too. The solid brown is kind of jarring next to the pattern in the background.

The art blog might be needing some changes, too. not sure I'm keen on the new background, either, or the way "artsy fartsy blog" sits with me...sounds like I'm belittling my own work, and the world of art in general.

So basically speaking...my blogs need some work.

This is truly frightening...

2010-04-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

The idea that the global "powers that be" could have control over our food supply gives me the willies.

Take a look at what the Food Freedom blog has to say about the infamous bill.

What Does the iPad Have In Common With Modern Christian Culture?

2010-04-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

This article brought some clarity to what's been bothering me about modern Christian culture in America for years. It draws a comparison between the culture and the iPad.

Never thought an Apple product would highlight this issue, but it does. Centuries ago, Christians led the way in the arts and music. They set the standard for quality. Some of our best music, buildings and art came out of the church. What happened? Over time, this has reversed itself, and now Christian musicians, authors, etc. are trying to mimic secular culture in an attempt to appear hip and blend in.

Now I understand why musicians such as Michael Card and the late Rich Mullins appeal to me. There's a richness and distinctness to their music, and it's authentic. I don't get the sense that they're trying to play to an audience or create something that sells.

There's a lot more I could say about this, but I'll leave it here for now. And iPad lovers--please don't hate on me. I didn't make the comparison...the article did.

Surrounded by Spring Cleaning

2010-04-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

Lately it seems I've been surrounded by transformation. At work we're getting new paint, new carpet, new furniture, and new accessories. The building is roughly ten years old, so it's about time. We've also been cleaning, organizing, decluttering. My role at work has been changing somewhat as well.

At the house today I've been continuing the process of cleaning, decluttering and organizing that started a few weeks ago. Maybe seeing the metamorphosis at my workplace is putting a little discontent in me at home. I'm tired of living like a college student, and don't much like living in clutter or filth. Staying hidden away like a recluse at home has been getting old, too.

Sometimes in life, we just need a CHANGE, don't we? It's very comforting to keep everything the same, but eventually stuff becomes detritis and circumstances become shackles. Maybe that's why people get into spring cleaning every year--it's a chance to throw open the windows, let some light in, and tackle the scary stuff in the corners and closets.

How is Bullying Normal?

2010-04-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I caught a few minutes of the 700 Club. They were reading a letter from a viewer those 9-year-old had been beaten up at school. The viewer wanted to know if they should contact the school or not. I missed Pat's response, but the subject weighed on me a bit.

At the moment I don't wish to rehash my own experiences on this. But I have observed that bullying is not as innocuous as society has led us all to believe. Take the recent suicide of Phoebe Prince. Sometimes I get the feeling that schools are clueless in handling this sort of thing. They just let it happen.

Outside of a school setting...bullying would be considered assault. Or harassment. And people who engage in bullying behavior don't necessarily outgrow it, either. They take it into the workplace. I know, because we have them at my workplace too--and just like school, they know EXACTLY who to zero in on.

I am tired of hearing people excuse bullying by acting as if it somehow builds character or should be written off as part of growing up. Puh-leeze. Maybe so, but those victimized by it often get the message (silently) that they do not deserve respect from others. That they should take whatever crap others give them. That abuse is okay. That constantly trying to earn everyone's approval is the way to prove they're worth something.

They learn to accept treatment that most other people wouldn't tolerate. They start to make disturbing choices...like going back to an abusive spouse. Or treating their sexuality like currency in exchange for a man's love. Ridiculous!

I don't have any answers for this yet, but I find it a bit strange to live in a culture with anti-bullying programs in schools...while a group of teenagers beating up another teenager becomes entertainment via YouTube. Perhaps as a society--we are going about this all wrong.

2010-04-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

This week we lost our DSL connection at the house. We're in the process of getting a new modem, but at first I didn't know what was going on. Took my laptop to the library, but it didn't recognize the signal, I guess. For the first time in months...I had no access to the online world.

So I racked my brain to remember what I did before the Internet was invented. Then I realized that my environment...actually felt more peaceful. Watched some old episodes of Chef!, relaxed. Ialso continued working on my room to create a space that's more inviting and easy to find my way around.

Anyway, when I visited my sister yesterday and FINALLY had access to the Internet...I had mixed feelings about it. While feeling a rush of relief, a feeling of sadness happened too. Not sure why. Thoughts, anyone?

My Little Side Trip Into the World of Real Asian Food

2010-04-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

On my trip to Super H a few weekends ago, I brought home the most exotic soup I've ever tasted, ever. Certainly not the kind you'd find on the menu at that little Chinese restaurant down the street.

Anyway, it came in a sealed plastic bag, and I had no idea what I was in for. Once I opened the bag and poured the contents into a container to warm them, that's when I smelled it. The pungent odor of the soup. Whoo. The soup was bright red, like sweet and sour sauce, and had large blocks of tofu in it. Here's something different...

After warming the soup, I tried it. That's when I noticed the eyes. The little, beady eyes of the shrimp staring at me. Of course I had thrown the bag away so I didn't really know what else I was eating.

I also saw legs of something in there. Squid? Octopus? For a few minutes I felt as if I'd been transported to Thailand, or Korea or someplace like that. So now I know you don't need a passport to get a taste of the exotic in your life. You can get it in your dish.

Overall, the soup was all right, though I won't eat it again. I would like to go back to Super H, though. My curious nature will probably have me trying out something else unusual.

Easter in the heart

2010-04-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

This Easter feels different to me. Over the past year three people I knew, two of them family, crossed over into eternity. Perhaps for that reason, the typical symbolism of the holiday suddenly resonates with what my heart longs for.

I can't say it in words, but a sunrise (or the lily here) can say it better than I can. Happy Easter everyone!

(Photo courtesy of The Gifted Photographer at Flickr Creative Commons)

Finally! An electric razor for women

2010-03-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

For a long time, I envied men because they had the luxury of shaving with an electric razor while women have had to fight with razors, wax strips, Epilady and other forms of torture. I use a shower that's very small and has no place to plant your foot, so I would bend over and then deal with the sudden drop in blood pressure when I stood back up. Fun.

Enter the lady electric shaver...

It's not perfect, but it's a darn sight better than the alternative methods offered to us women.

Have you Read the Bill?

2010-03-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

While many in this country are busy mouthing off about the health care bill Congress just passed--I'm staying out of the fray at the moment. Too scary out there. :-O

However...for those of you who are feeling a little curious about what's actually IN the bill (HR 3590), here 'tis.

And if you still want to know more...here's the House Reconciliation Bill. (HR 4872)

Oh My Goodness, I Think I Just Experienced "Produce Heaven"...

2010-03-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Last week, one of the guys that works in our kitchen at work mentioned a store called Super H (also known as H Mart). I had told him that I wanted to buy some sake cups. (There's something special about drinking tea out of a small cup with no handles, like you do in an Oriental restaurant.)

Anyway, he told me a little about the place, and I read a LOT of glowing recommendations about this Asian market.

Today, when I set foot inside, I felt as if I were transported into another world. Most of the writing in the store was not English, and there were tons of foods I'd never seen in my life! It was fantastic. For those of you who've never seen a fresh fruit or vegetable--the produce section is HUGE. Everything is FRESH. Walmart's produce sucks sludge compared to the quality they sell at H Mart and Super H. Even Kroger and Publix come in a distant second. The meat sections--also huge.

Just like Sam's Club, H Mart has demonstrators for customers who want to sample the food. And first-timers--don't go to the store when you're in a rush. It's like Disney World--you need time to soak it all in. I can't tell you how many times I slowed down and stared at foods during my time in the store. The Asian customers probably thought I was crazy. Another warning: Prepare to spend money--you never know what you'll find there.

Now here comes the fun part...I told you that I planned to shop for sake cups, right? I ended up buying a Japanese tea set instead (didn't know sake cups were TINY). Anyway, take a look at what I bought:

The tea pot has a tea infuser inside. And like I said, you never know what you'll find. They have soup spoons, too.

Last, but not least, let me show you a sample of something you probably WON'T find in your local grocery store:

I could tell you more about the place, but I still haven't entirely explored it myself. It's one of those places that requires more than one trip to fully experience. Go check it out for yourself if you haven't been in one already. Have fun!

Fixed the Hummingbird Camera Link

2010-03-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

For those who went to the hummingbird cam and were redirected to "mybookface"--I changed the link to the website so it leads to the right place. The original site has been compromised by a hacker, so I don't want any more of my visitors being "rickrolled". How embarrassing. :-p

Anyway, this should resolve the issue. My apologies!

Something Fishy Going On

2010-03-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today I tried to visit the hummingbird cam website mentioned in yesterday's post. Something is wrong. The website directed me to a place called mybookface.net instead.

Not sure if my computer is infected, or if anyone has experienced this trying to access the website. If any of you had this happen today, my apologies. I'm currently trying to find the virus/trojan/whateveritis.

This is so fun--NOT. X-(

Hummingbird Egg Watch

2010-03-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Well, that's one of the things I'm up to now that I'm feeling better these days. Learned about a hummingbird cam (with Phoebe as the star).

WARNING: It's addictive now because there's a mysterious black mark on one of the eggs. People are divided about whether it's a hole or a mark. When Phoebe gets off her nest you'll see it.

Meanwhile, back at the house...
I've been trying a technique called "bookending" introduced by ProNagger (Rachel Cornell). She's very good at motivating people to take action in ways that are doable and leave you feeling positive about what you've accomplished. So far I've managed to get several things done that did nothing but stare at me for months.

Also just bought a French press yesterday. Should be fun learning how to make coffee in a whole new way.

Well, it looks like one of Phoebe's chicks is getting ready to meet the world, so back to the hum cam. :-)

Here's a New Twist on the "To-Do" List...

2010-03-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight I came across this post on Lisa Sonora Beam's website. It's an older post, but I love the idea of taking the things you're terrified to do, and writing them down.

There's a few things I could put on that list already. What about you? Don't be shy about this. ;-) Write down everything that gives you the willies.

My foray into the World of Blood Type Diet cooking

2010-02-22T18:04:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I tried out a recipe from the Blood Type Diet website. They have a Recipe Center on their website where you can find recipes according to blood type (some of them work with all types, and recipes can be altered as needed). It's a chili recipe that's quite similar to the White Chicken Chili recipe I already have on hand, and tastes just as good. If you're looking for comfort food, this hits the spot.

A bowl of this is FANTASTIC with some shredded mozzarella on top.

Stuck in Winter Sickie Purgatory

2010-02-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

For the past week I've been sick, so I haven't posted here. It's rare that I catch anything, so maybe the stress of traveling + snow might have caught up to me.

As usual I pushed myself to work while sick, and since it's just a cold I figured it shouldn't be a problem to keep pressing on no matter what. Someone called it "gotta keep on going" syndrome. Last Friday I learned that trying to go full speed while coughing, sniffling and sneezing is not a good idea.

I don't know about you, but everybody I know right now is either getting sick, already there, or getting better. (Maybe there are one or two people who avoided it, but their turn will come soon enough.)

Anyway, haven't been resting as much as I should (what woman does?) and so this weekend I'm trying to stay home and do as little as possible. Here's to hoping that I'll be back to normal in a few days.

A Double Whammy of Trip and Snow Fatigue...

2010-02-13T16:39:00.001-08:00

Lately I've been a bit quiet here. Last Monday I came home from a trip to see my family and rolled in LATE. Since then I've been recovering, and still don't feel totally settled.

There's nothing like coming home to a reasonably clean room, and sinking in new, clean, high-count sheets (I think the thread count was 400?) Feels fantastic at 2 in the morning.

On another subject: Georgia is getting Round Two of the snow that we got just awhile back.

(After sliding around like one of those bumper cars at Six Flags this morning, I feel for those in the mid-Atlantic who have been getting it a lot worse than the South. Haven't seen that kind of snow since living in Michigan.)

Taking a Quick Detour on Memory Lane

2010-02-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Today my mind thought to when my great-grandmother was younger.

You see, she passed away on Saturday night. For years her brain and body were slowly destroyed by Alzheimer's disease. A few years ago, when I went to see my grandparents (who were taking care of her), I hardly recognized her. She wasn't the woman I remembered. Working with other people with dementia had not prepared me emotionally for the shock.

So, now she's at peace, and I'm thinking back to when she was full of life. She used to have a large turntable in her house. Once she and her late husband, Raydar, had come home from a cruise. My family was over for a visit, and Great-Grandma put on a Hawaiian album. As the music played, she started dancing and looking at Raydar. She was sending him hints. Time to go back to Hawaii! They went on cruises together and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Mom wrote a beautiful post about her, complete with photos.

Learning to Be at Peace with Anger (#mindfulist)

2010-01-27T15:32:00.000-08:00

"When a strong emotion arises, how do you respond?"

The MINDFUList prompt here brings up an issue I've wrestled with throughout life, and especially within the last few years.

Over the years, I've gone through a number of these emotions, and the one that I'm becoming intimately involved with at this time is....anger.

Anger. It's a scary feeling. Society frowns on it. We are taught to suppress it, dial it down, count to ten, walk it off. Women are definitely not encouraged to express it (we're made up of sugar and spice and all things nice, right? Ha!)

What we are often NOT taught to do is figure out what it's telling us.

I have heard that anger is a sign that we need to make changes in our lives, and that it tells us when others are violating our boundaries. With this I agree. It also shows us where we're putting up with others' junk, or witnessing injustice to others. Even Jesus knew when to show anger, as demonstrated by his cleansing of the temple with a whip.

So when I feel angry, I sit with it, try to get the message it's sending. Journals provide a great outlet, by the way, for processing emotions like anger. They give you a chance to work out what's wrong and what's next. (They're not perfect though; a couple of years ago it took yoga classes to untangle it so it wouldn't kill me!)

Sometimes it's even necessary to give voice to the anger, and that can be scarier than anger itself. As a person who's allergic to confrontation, I'm learning to find my voice, but it's slow going.

2010-01-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

This blog post challenged me tonight. (Ken Robert the "Mildly Creative Guy" passed it on via Twitter.) Very good read.

I can't add anything much to it, so I will let speak for itself. Read it carefully.

http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/what-you-dont-do-doesnt-matter/

And now, a ray of sunshine from Haiti...

2010-01-22T19:26:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this. It'll put a smile on your face. Thanks to Ryan Seacrest for passing on this photo (and WomanOnFire for retweeting it).

Get Moving (#mindfulist)

2010-01-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

I'm glad Gwen made this suggestion to find ways to "get moving" at your desk.

My day job keeps me physically active all day, so when I come home, the first thing I do is turn on the laptop and plant myself in front of it. Trouble is, I have a table full of things to sort, put away, get rid of...and it's all within arm's length. (I'm lazy, yes.)

So it's time to put my arms to work and figure out how to deal with this mess. Anyone else have a trashy-looking table or desk that needs work? ;-)

It's a Plant! It's a Pen! It's Both!

2010-01-18T14:35:00.000-08:00

Something I saw at work inspired me to try a twist on an old idea.

Have you ever seen flower pens? Basically a single silk flower is secured to a pen with floral tape. Since I didn't have any on hand, I figured an old silk vine plant would do. So I hacked it up and started making these:

Then I cleaned one of my flower pots and put a bunch of the pens in there. Now the pot holds what LOOKS like an ordinary houseplant.

Nifty, huh? Now I never have to worry about finding a pen. I can just grab one out of the pot.

Jill Bolte Taylor's fascinating observation of her own stroke

2010-01-15T17:56:00.000-08:00

This story hits close to home for me. A few years ago my birth father began having a series of strokes, and as far as I know, all happening in the right brain.

Jill (whose stroke happened in her left brain in 1996) studied her own stroke even while it was taking place--and walks her audience through that experience.

My birth dad gave me a bit of a window into this as well. He used to tell me that his brain was like a Pac-Man game. His thoughts were like the dots and the stroke (Pac-Man) would come along and eat them up. Sometimes he told me and my sister he felt "crazy". But he was still in there--and I learned very quickly to cherish that.

Clear the Decks! (#mindfulist)

2010-01-13T15:52:00.000-08:00

Today, in response to Gwen Bell's challenge to create a "minimalist computer experience"...

I deleted some of my bookmarks. (Why have Twitter/Myspace/Facebook there if I already have TweetDeck?)

And I plan to look at my email and Facebook accounts to see if they need some further housecleaning. Already got rid of most of my apps because--who needs a handful of farms, zoos, aquariums, or whatnots? Unless you're gifted at juggling 500 things at once--in other words, NOT me--you get them mixed up and then virtual animals and plants start dying. Then you feel like a bad mother. UGH.

What can you do to create more simple online experience for yourself?

** Also, please keep Haiti in your prayers, and consider contributing. Things look pretty bad down there. **

Have You Ever Laughed So Hard that You Cried?

2010-01-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

The scarier and weirder life gets, the more I appreciate the power of comedy. There's something very cleansing and healing about a good hearty laugh.

My parents love watching Brian Regan, so for those of you not yet acquainted with his shows, here's a sample:

Amazing What You See When You're Not Looking...(#mindfulist)

2010-01-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

This afternoon while sitting in a left turn lane, a car crossed my line of vision. I didn't even notice it until after it cut in front of me and through the stalled traffic in the intersection to go left.

Then I thought, "Did that car just do what I thought it did? Did I see what I just saw?"

Guess you could say I zone out when I'm sitting at traffic lights.

When do you zone out during the day?

Those Chinese Proverbs Might Be Onto Something...(#mindfulist)

2010-01-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” -Chinese proverb

Wow. These two states have been pulling at me for years. Subconsciously I've been aware of the above truth. I experience it at work every day.

(Note to everyone who reads this: if you want to know what your "ideal environment" would be...notice what makes you tense up--and what makes you relax. Then you have your answer.)

In my workplace, I've consistently noted that those who act bossy, pushy or controlling make me nervous, tense, and guarded, and downright paranoid about messing up or doing things wrong. Others don't do this, and I feel myself loosening up around them. I can BREATHE. Work seems to flow a lot smoother as well.

When I'm allowed to work independently (not alone though) at my own pace, my personality changes and I feel more confident and happy. Most days at work, I spend the ENTIRE DAY tensed up, because there is constant pressure to move fast and multitask.

I do not like pressure. Nor do I like anyone else setting my agenda for the day. Nor do I like doing the same tasks over and over. Unlike many of my coworkers, I actually LIKE it when a special event comes up and our work environment is shaken up (as long as it's fun).

I cannot stand lack of respect either. When someone treats me like I'm incompetent, it burns me up. Ooooooo. If I know the ropes and you're new, don't take over my work and treat me like an idiot, or I might consult my inner warrior. >:-(

Anyway, I think I'm posting this proverb on my wall at home where I can see it every day...preferably while I'm listening to music that makes me want to smile and dance in my seat.

See what YOU notice...(#mindfulist)

2010-01-06T15:54:00.001-08:00

Watch the following video and see if you notice anything unusual. Don't overthink it--just PAY ATTENTION. And have fun. (I missed a LOT of things while going through it the first time.)

What did you find? What did you miss?

I'm down with Downtime (#mindfulist)

2010-01-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

"How do you respond when your favorite site/commenting system/email provider experiences downtime?"

One of the upsides of having bookmarks, as I've discovered, is the ability to move around online faster with more options.

If one site crashes, I just flit to another one. (With Twitter, I just hit "refresh" every few seconds. The "fail whale" shows up every now and then, which usually means big news. Like the misguiding Mashable headline about MSNBC buying Twitter and it's domain name.)

Power On (#mindfulist)

2010-01-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

2009 is over, so I'm going through blog challenge withdrawal/general malaise. Ever finish something and then feel lost? I've been trying to figure out what's next. For now I'm dipping my toe in the water of Gwen's next challenge: The Mindfulist.

We live in a time when "mindfulness" has to be consciously done, because everyone has a cell phone, computer, iPod, or something else. Even the President has his Blackberry. Is anyone paying attention?

A few years ago I took yoga classes. Sometimes I felt emotional or joyful for no reason during poses. Emotions definitely come up, and the pace of everyday life doesn't usually allow for those.

So on that note, I'll try my hand at the following prompt:

"Power On: What was your first thought as you powered on/opened up your computer today"

Hmm. That's a toughie. The only thought I remember having at that moment was wondering how much battery power the laptop still had. Work was brutal today and I was anxious to get to the computer and forget about it.

Usually when I push that button I'm hoping for new mail, or fresh posts on my favorite sites. When I was younger, I loved checking the mailbox. Even now, I look forward to mail (NOT bills or junk mail), and search immediately for op-eds and letters to the editor when I read the paper. The AJC has a Vent section for grumpy Georgians to spout off, so I go there, too.

Don't Run Before You Walk

2010-01-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

Tried to change my template (new year, new look for the blog). Unfortunately I didn't take the required "HTML for dummies" class first.

So if my blog vanished into thin air for a few minutes, no, I didn't go away...just got lost for awhile in Blogger purgatory. It's good to be back.

Test Post

2010-01-01T19:57:00.001-08:00

Trying to find my missing blog...

Here's a start on my list...(#best09)

2010-01-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

Found these at Hobby Lobby at 50% off, so I grabbed them. They're a good start on fulfilling #3 on my 2010 list (previous post).

Things That are Gonna Change (#best09)

2009-12-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

"December 31 Resolution you wish you'd stuck with. (You know, there's always next year...)"

I don't do New year's Resolutions. Everyone else does them. If I hear one more person say their resolution is to lose weight, I think I'm gonna frag us all.

Just kidding. However, I do have a list in my head of changes I want to see next year, because I sense it's time to put my foot down on some things.

So here's my list...

Things That Are Gonna Change in 2010

1. No more letting others decide who I am, how I should feel, who or what I should love, what is best for me. This type of passivity may have been okay in my twenties. It isn't now.

2. No longer saying only what others want to hear. I need to practice more honesty toward myself and others--getting better at this, but still have miles to go. (Maybe when I hit menopause, this will no longer be an issue...) Also need to start speaking up more often.

3. My home environment. Basically I want to make a more focused effort on making this both practical and attractive. Style + substance.

4. My ambivalence about values, beliefs, etc. I want to get clearer about where I stand here. 2009 taught me that undermining my values for anyone DOES NOT WORK.

5. How I use my time. Am I being efficient with it? Am I moving forward and being focused with it? Being scattered in many directions is getting old.

These aren't resolutions. They're guidelines for I want to see in my life beginning next year.

What about you? Do you have things in your heart that need to come out or take shape? Are there lines in the sand you might need to draw in your life or relationships?

Congress Seats for Sale (#best09)

2009-12-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

"December 30 Ad. What advertisement made you think this year?"

Saw a news story today about a Florida veteran, Gene Gartman, who's making billboards to protest what's happening in Congress lately, and one of the signs caught my eye...

"CASH FOR CONGRESS!
CLOSE OUT SALE ON ALL
2009 SEATS,
NEW CONGRESS COMING
NOV 2010!"

Couldn't help but smile when I read it. It's an interesting variation of the Cash for Clunkers theme, and it's catchy.

Best Stationery (#best09)

2009-12-28T16:19:00.000-08:00

"December 28 Stationery. When you touch the paper, your heart melts. The ink flows from the pen. What was your stationery find of the year?"

When I buy stationery...which is rare...I tend to shop with my eyes. If something captures my interest visually, and makes me stop, that's when I know what to buy. Just did this yesterday...

(courtesy of Hallmark)

Twitter with a twist (#best09)

2009-12-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

"December 27 Social web moment. Did you meet someone you used to only know from her blog? Did you discover Twitter?"

Although I've joined the masses at Twitter, it wasn't the conventional use of the medium that snagged me in. No one wants to hear about the average person's eating or shopping or bathroom habits.

The Twitter Idea Party and the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge have kept me coming back. That is it. Barbara Sher and Gwen Bell have taken something as silly as Twitter...and used it to accomplish something good.

Idea Parties existed long before Twitter--Barbara created them because no one makes dreams happen alone. These parties basically act as brainstorming sessions--one person states a wish and obstacle, and others come up with as many ideas as they can. Some work, some don't. Twitter made the Idea Party accessible to anyone with a computer and an Internet connection (most people nowadays). Several people have launched their dreams this year already.

The Blog Challenge has given over 700 of us the chance to reflect back on 2009, and share our experiences. Blogs by their very nature can be an exercise in narcissism: "Look at me! Look at me!" However, Gwen's challenge has turned blogging into a means of connecting with others in a meaningful way.

Both women have revolutionized Twitter in their own way, and many of us are better for it.

Is This What "A-ha!" Means? (#best09)

2009-12-26T18:08:00.000-08:00

"A-ha moment". I've always had a hard time grasping that phrase. What does it mean, anyway? It's just another catchphrase everyone in society gets but me. And yet...

This summer may have been the time I had what came close to one. I had put off working on my scrapbook for ages. It sat there, condemning me (not out loud...just sat there, staring at me). Some of the supplies to make my first pages were lying around. What was I waiting for?

Something snapped last summer when Dad was dying. Suddenly I needed family photos around me, in frames where I could see them. It no longer mattered if the scrapbook looked like something from a magazine. Putting it together gave me strength. It grounded me to connect to the past. I didn't care if it fit my vision or looked perfect.

Was that an " 'a-ha!' moment"? The second when you you feel something shift inside of you? An awakening?

Merry Christmas y'all!!

2009-12-25T05:35:00.000-08:00

(courtesy of katiescrapbooklady at Flickr)

May everyone have a wonderful Christmas.

Novice Web Tool User Here...(#best09)

2009-12-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

December 23 Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn't live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.

Rather than identify one tool that has enriched my life online, I'll share what tools I've added or tried this year. Web tools are still relatively new for me.

Twitter has two tools I'm testing now...lists and TweetDeck.
--Lists allow you to group your followers. This can be very useful if you're following more than one topic and need to sort who comes from which group.
--TweetDeck puts your Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn accounts on one screen so all updates are available at a glance. You have the option to clear the updates after reading them as well. I got tired of jumping back and forth from one site to another, so I'll see how this goes.

Along the lines of the Twitter theme, I'm also giving Twitterfeed a go. This feed site sends blog posts to Twitter. It's a mixed bag. Some days it posts pretty quickly--other days, the traffic is so bad that I could wait hours and hours. Which brings me to my next tool...

Tiny URL. I LOVE this. You copy a URL, paste it in a window on the site, and voila! It's in shorthand. Sometimes if I can't wait on Twitterfeed, I just "tiny" my blog post URL and post it on Twitter. It shows as a link.

For photos, I'm currently using Flickr and Google Picasa. And for photo editing, Mom introduced me to GIMP. This really helps if you're like me and don't take photos with a decent camera. Or you have a stack of tatty-looking old pictures. GIMP's free, and from what I hear, works about as well as Photoshop.

Now, as far as web browsers go, Safari is a unique animal...it allows you to look at your favorite sites in a 3-D format. It's like having a huge TV screen in front of you divided into windows--click one and that window instantly fills the screen. The grid button takes you back to the main screen. Pretty cool. It's MUCH better than typing in URLs.

It's been fun learning to work with these various tools. Some will probably fall by the wayside as I pick and choose what works and what doesn't. But in the meantime, I'm in experimentation mode--sometimes on a daily basis!

Best Project (#best09 blog challenge)

2009-12-21T15:32:00.000-08:00

December 21 Project. What did you start this year that you're proud of?

I'm working on that project right now.

Writing a blog? Done that before and abandoned it. Who hasn't?

No, it's when Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge came along that that I started working harder on it and learning things. Granted, I am still FAR behind the curve, but it's exciting to explore new options, like posting photos or installing a feed (both of which I have yet to master). Life coach Rhonda Britten has pointed out that confidence does not come first. You take risks, and then you gain confidence. Very true.

This blog pretty much came alive this month because someone else provided the topics and those of us doing the challenge are responding to it as a community. We are sharing experiences and learning from each other. Now if I could just find a way to keep this up come January...need a challenge for 2010. ;-)

Best Car Ride (#best09)

2009-12-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

For me, the most memorable car ride in 2009 happened in August.

The trip happened as a response to a family emergency--my birth dad was in ICU--but I don't normally take long car rides, so this trip was unusual for me.

I rented a car because NO WAY was I driving out of state in something with close to 200K miles on it. (The car they chose for me was the same color, make and model as my dad's car...spooky). This trip made a first for me...I had never driven more than about 2 hours in any direction alone. Mobile was about 3 times that far away...

The minute I hit the on-ramp to the interstate, dark clouds came over and dumped rain. Oh, my goodness. The traffic was swimming in it until downtown Atlanta got close. Now, if any of you have been through Atlanta...you know what it's like. White-knuckle driving.

(Since I'm not brave enough to shoot pictures while driving, I looked to jcburns at Flickr to provide the photo. This is NOT rush hour, apparently.)

After that leg of the trip, the interstate had construction for about thirty MILES. Eew. But the skies had cleared up by then, and music helped a lot. I discovered that country, and anything fast-paced and fun to listen to, makes the drive go faster and smoother. Driving a rental is loads more fun than driving an old car--I actually LIKE driving when I'm in a rental. I want to be on the open road.

I didn't stop too often...my goal was to get to Mobile. Montgomery made for a lot easier drive than Atlanta, but the last leg of the drive was LONNNNG. And boring. Bugs suddenly appeared from nowhere and kept splatting against the windshield and fender, leaving yellow guts all over the car! I'm sure the guys at the rental were just thrilled to pieces to clean that off. :-p

Didn't actually stop in Mobile...I went to my aunt and uncle's place and we drove to the hospital together. My hometown has some pretty neat stuff. Like the tunnel...

(courtesy of greeblie at Flickr)

...and the Dolly Parton Bridge...

(courtesy of Bill on Capitol Hill at Flickr)

...and the U.S.S. Alabama, in Mobile Bay.

(courtesy of annerre at Flickr)

At the time of this trip, I had not been to Mobile in ten years. But seeing the same things I saw while riding in the car as a child...it all came back. Great-Grandma used to live here, too, so when we'd go to visit her, we went through the tunnel and the bridge. There's nothing like driving on the same roads you used to ride with your family.

One Word to Describe 2009 (#best09)

2009-12-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

This year has taken me on a wild ride. The best word I can use to describe the trip?

Transformative.

Earlier in 2009, I learned about a woman named Barbara Sher. Some of you who are reading this know who she is. She herself could be described as "transformative"--through her insights and guidance many have brought their dreams to reality. Anyone I've met on Twitter can thank Barbara for that...she created the Twitter Idea Party.

This year my dating life got a shake-up, too. It's been a few years since I dated anyone, and this year I met two guys. Neither one worked out, but they taught me some things about relationships and helped me get a better sense of what I'm looking for. They also reintroduced me to fun. ;-)

Back in the late summer my birth dad passed away due to complications from a massive stroke. Today I'm still coming to terms with it and deciding how best to move forward. When you lose a parent, it changes you. Even if that parent was gone for most of your life. Someone once said you lose a part of your past when one of your parents dies. Perhaps that's why I'm becoming more focused on connecting with his side of the family and learning more about my history.

There's plenty more that happened this year, but I'll save that for another day. Suffice it to say...

It's been an interesting 12 months.

(photo courtesy of Creativity + Timothy K Hamilton)

Best tea (#best09 Blog Challenge)

2009-12-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

This year I haven't fallen in love with a new tea...not much of a tea drinker. (I'm one of those people who wake up with...coffee (gasp!)

But a couple of years ago I found a tea that still qualifies as my current favorite: Green Tea Heaven. And I found it here:

The store I visited (maybe this is true for the other ones) had a few carafes outside the entrance to try samples of their tea. They only sell their teas in loose-leaf form, so people can mix flavors if they want. Green Tea Heaven is a Sencha blend with bits of dried fruit (strawberry, raspberry and other stuff) in it.

Aaaaaah.

(first photo courtesy of shawnblog at Flickr, second photo courtesy of Charles Williams at Flickr)

Blog Challenge (#best09)--best packaging

2009-12-15T20:09:00.001-08:00

coca cola
Originally uploaded by samantha celera

Last September, I stopped at a gas station in Baldwin County, Alabama. Can't even remember the name of the place.

After filling up my car, I went inside, thinking I would just pay and then head for home. And then I saw the cutest Coca Cola ice chest just standing there. It's what you would expect to see in a country store. (I would show you a picture, but for the life of me I cannot find a photo of one of these.)

The vintage chest was a gray-green metal, and it opened from the top. So I lifted the lid and reached into the ice for a bottle of Coke. Then I popped the top off with the built-in bottle opener and dropped the cap into the cap catcher, also built in.

That ice chest packaged the Coca-Cola botle just right.

Blog Challenge (#best09)--day 13

2009-12-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

"What's the best change you made to the place you live?"

Had a tough time answering this one. My landlords made TWO major improvements to the house this year, and I'm hard-pressed to choose one. So I'll talk about both.

Last winter the house always seemed to be cold, and we couldn't figure out why. Upon inspection, turned out heat was escaping into the crawl space. The house also ran on one thermostat, and it's L-shaped. One end was perpetually colder than the other. So some HVAC guys came and took care of both problems. The A/C and heating received a major overhaul, and the house has felt great ever since.

The other change involved the windows. We have vertical blinds in one part of the home, and half of them didn't open (probably due to age and use). The ones in my room had such a large gap I was looking for anything to cover it--a blanket, a mirror, anything. I value my privacy at home, so the new blinds made a huge difference. I really wish I'd taken before and after photos.

Blog Challenge (#best09) best food

2009-12-12T09:55:00.001-08:00

Like many of you, I grew up with Fruit Roll-Ups. They're sweet and they're chewy. But this trumps the store-bought kind: homemade apple leather.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_fruit_leather/

Recently Mom sent me home with some from her kitchen. Once I tried it, I was done with the artificial stuff. My stash also disappeared in less than a week.

If you've ever tried homemade apple sauce, you have an idea of what fresh apple leather tastes like. For those of you who have never tried it, find someone who makes it, or try your hand at making your own. Once you go homemade, you'll never go back.

Blog Challenge--day 11 (Best Place)

2009-12-11T19:45:00.000-08:00

This laptop has become my "best place" this year, for several reasons.

1.) I can go from this place to a lot of other places. My mind need constant stimulation, and there's always something on the Internet.

2.) Online it's much easier to connect and keep in touch with family and friends. Lately I've been getting to know my birth dad's side of the family and this medium helps considerably.

3.) I don't have to keep driving to the library, which means less wear and tear on the car. The library staff finally have a chance to miss me. (Those four walls started to close in after a while.)

3.) YouTube! There are videos for everything...and that's great for those of us who learn visually. We can just watch someone walk us through the how-to of doing something. (That's assuming they know what they're doing.) Then there are workshops and conferences, music videos...and karaoke. If you've ever wanted to belt out an Evanescence song, here's your chance.

4.) I have met some fantastic people here. People who have challenged me, who have made me laugh, who have guided me.

5.) I'm listening to one of the reasons right now...music. There's nothing like turning on a favorite playlist while you do other stuff online.

Dance With My Father (#best09)

2009-12-09T18:42:00.001-08:00

Of all the challenges thrown in my path this year, losing my birth father proved the hardest...and is making me grow the most.

He spent most of my life absent, until my sister found him with the help of one of his cousins. Just like that, he became part of our lives again. We experienced both healing...and deep pain. In the first two months, I shed more tears than I had in years. Parents can touch their child's soul in a way that no one else can.

Last August, our father had a massive stroke and died a few weeks later. During his last days my world was shaken to the core. One of my long-held beliefs began to dissolve. I realized that you can't wait for everything to be perfect before you move forward with something. My scrapbook, which had collected dust for ages, started to come together much more quickly--this time I followed my heart instead of my ego.

Over the past few months, I've been more productive than I have been in a long time, creating my life. I'm also learning more and more about my dad's side of the family, and uncovering the mystery about his part in my heritage. This has helped me tremendously to heal and to find strength. Dad loved family history. I believe Dad is looking down from heaven at me and my sister, and smiling. He's proud of us.

(For those who wonder about the little girl in the photo above, that's my niece Krissy. My sister was taking the picture.)

Blog Layout Confusion

2009-12-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

I know the layout keeps changing...I liked the last one but the Twitter box was butting into the posts, and the whole idea of going to a blog is to read them. So I'm trying to settle on one I like. For now this one will do. (Now the links to my other blogs are to the right of the page.)

Art Blog

2009-12-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

To see a bit of my creative side, go to my new blog, Another Side of Me (link is listed on left).

Can't Just Name ONE Blog I Like (#best09)

2009-12-07T17:09:00.001-08:00

So according to the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge I'm supposed to talk about a really good blog that I found.

Well, what if I could point to MORE than one? What about THREE?

1.) "Patty K: Dressing Inappropriately Since Second Grade". When I stumbled on this I just had to read. A woman who lives in her pajamas?? On a boat?? That piqued my curiosity. Someone said you should "follow your curiosity", so that's what I did. She's certainly not boring, and I find her candidness refreshing. Did I forget to mention she's doing the blog challenge, too? See her blog at http://www.pattyk.com

2.) "Mildly Creative: Leading a Life of Quiet Inspiration". Ken Robert has a way of making you think. For those who are creatively or otherwise blocked, I highly recommend you read his articles. The titles alone were enough to spark my interest: "7 Ways and Reasons to Start Things You Won't Finish"; "How to Be Authentic with People Who Love You But Don't Understand You"; "Please Be Curious" (Can you see why I like this blog? Anyone who gives me permission to be curious gets MY vote.) You can find him at http://www.mildlycreative.com

3.) "Stamping Between the Dishes and the Laundry". This is my mother's blog. It has two things that really appeal to me: the visuals and the music. Kim MacNutt makes greeting cards and has a neat way of expressing herself to boot. Her blog has a playlist of classical and other soft music. Sometimes I go to her blog just for the music! I'll play it while getting other things done or fooling around on the computer. Go to her blog here: http://stampingbetweenthedishesandthelaundry.blogspot.com (yes, it's a mouthful!)

Now go check them out!

December 4--Blog Challenge (Book)

2009-12-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so "what book--fiction or non--touched you?"

Hands down, my choice is "Refuse to Choose!" by Barbara Sher. In this books, she talks to people who have so many interests that they cannot settle on one (they're known as "scanners" or "eclectics"). I've found, however, that Barbara's advice and help, both in her books and at her website, can help anyone.

Since buying the book, I've joined the online forum at her website, connected to Twitter (she holds Idea Parties every Thursday there, and I think it's a brilliant way to use the medium), and become more productive creatively. (I also started this blog.) We live in a society that pressures people to hone in on one career, think positive, change themselves into something they're not, and handle things on their own. Barbara blows all those concepts right out of the water.

"Wherever you find a perfectionist, a critic is not far away." --Barbara Sher

Like many of her other quotes, this one is spot-on. For years, I held off on creating my scrapbook because I wanted it to look like something out of Memory Makers magazine. One day I realized that the purpose of scrapbooks is preserve memories, not to create a showcase. Who was I trying to impress? So this year I got to work on pulling it together, and the work helped me stay grounded and centered while my dad was dying.

"Where were you when you read it?" (second part of blog challenge question)

I read it at home, in my room. Unlike most of my books, I took a pencil--and eventually a pen--to it and underlined quotes such as the one mentioned above. If I underline a book, it's good.

"Have you bought and given away multiple copies?" (third part of question)

I've bought one copy for myself--can't afford to buy multiple copies. But I have quoted Barbara on another forum, and talked to Mom about the book. (It's rare that I let my parents know what I'm reading--I tend to keep much of my life private.)

So, have you read a book this year that touched your life?

Oh, for those who would like more information on Barbara Sher, her website is here:

http://www.barbarasher.com/

It has a forum, links to her blogs as well as her videos on YouTube, and many other resources. Please check it out.

Long Time, No See

2009-12-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

I've been away from this blog way too long. For awhile I was tempted to give it up altogether. After my dad passed away a few months ago, I didn't know if I wanted to continue writing here. But the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge gave me something new to do. Read about it here:

http://www.gwenbell.com/blog/2009/11/30/the-best-of-2009-blog-challenge.html

So this is going in a new direction for now. I may post something daily, or not. We'll see. And I dare those who read this to try the blog challenge, too. Go for it.

RSS feed

2009-12-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to link this blog to Twitter. And I plan to update it shortly as well.