ginosko

Did I think that with my out loud voice?

2012-02-01T16:39:00.000-06:00

According to this article, scientists are working on what they are calling "decoding", or translating brain waves to recreate what we have seen or heard - or may be thinking.

I'm not sure about you all, but I'd just as soon keep in the voices in my head in my head, not out for others to hear.

There are legitimate medical reasons to work on this technology, but as the article states, there are some ethical questions surrounding its use, should it be fully developed. No kidding - can you imagine the furor over whether or not a warrant is needed to tap the thoughts of a potential criminal? Or what your boss would think if he/she could hear what you really thought about their latest project?

This reinforces the idea of transparent living - who you are with people matching who you are when you are alone, or alone in your head. There's a reason Paul told us in Philippians to think on whatever is "true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, ... anything worthy of praise". How we think governs how we act.

Or so says the little voice in my head.

Witch doctors

2012-01-31T14:32:00.000-06:00

For years the weathermen meteorologists tolerated jokes about their profession - where else could your performance rating be so low and you still have your job?

But years of studying weather patterns are yielding results. I've talked about one of our local weather teams before, and their use of a fairly new predictive tool for winter weather cycles. Last year, it enabled them to predict both the timing and snowfall totals of the Great Groundhogs' Day Blizzard of '11(TM) with great accuracy.

Alas, while they have done their analysis for this season, this year's cycle is rather...wimpy. There isn't anything like the "signature storm" events from last winter, and frankly, not much at all in weather excitement.

But hey - they are saying we may have a day or two near sixty degrees near the end of February. It has been warm and dry enough already that I've seen college students wearing shorts (well, ok, that's really not all that out of the ordinary, as a certain segment of the university population (the crazy young men) wear shorts year-round) and even flip flops.

Today I am leaving the office on time for a post office run. It's sunny and fifty-three degrees. The moonroof will be open, the radio up loud. If this were an October day, rather than January, I wouldn't even be wearing a coat.

Day is done

2012-01-29T18:50:00.001-06:00

Sunday night. Feet up, relaxing at last. Fire, good cup of coffee and old Quantum Leap episodes. I feel much less jangly than I did at the start of the weekend, mostly due to spending much of the time with friends.

As predicted, my little Chinese friend learned canasta very quickly; she and her partner won Friday's game. We talked a bit about family and cultural differences (believe it or not, the card game Uno is extremely popular among the Chinese right now) and generally had a lot of fun. In spite of the fact any of us is old enough to be her mother, she is excited about coming back next month.

Saturday morning found me at Starbucks with a friend and a special guest: her three year old daughter. Little Miss A is sweet and cute - but also scary smart. Some of my favorite conversations are with three year olds - they are endlessly fascinating.

Sunday afternoon brought a reunion of my original card group, as Pam was in town. We tried playing Fluxx for the first time. Lots of fun, and never the same from game to game. As usual, the amount of food I set out for lunch apparently multiplied. This time, I successfully sent the rest of the cheese and sausage plate off with someone else, but still gained a loaf of bread and a huge hunk of wedding cake.

Totally random aside about wedding cake: There is a strange tradition around these parts that if a single person takes home a piece of wedding cake and sleeps with it under their pillow, they will dream of their future spouse (who, one hopes, likes to wash cake-encrusted laundry). Is this just a weird Milwaukee-ism, or has anyone else heard of this?

Company Girls Coffee 012712

2012-01-27T08:09:00.000-06:00

The mainline for coffee is set up in the kitchen - feel free to plug yourself in. It's been a challenging week, and my body wants to shut down before it's quite over, so the stimulant is much needed.

Taxes were filed Saturday, and as of this morning, the state refund deposit is pending on my account. I'm keeping an even closer eye on my account than usual, as I was notified yesterday of some suspicious activity. My bank has been incredibly helpful (see the previous post), but it will take time to rectify.

The paint sample and upholstery fabric samples for the sewing room arrived the same day, along with the news JC Penney is slashing all prices at least 40% as of February 1st. The sleeper chair that is part of the sewing room plan jumped to full price two weeks ago after having been half price for months and months; it will be affordable again when the price reductions take effect. If I can make up my mind on colors, I may have a redecorated sewing room by summer!

Busy weekend ahead. Canasta tonight, with a special guest. My current year international student "buddy" is coming along. She is a Chinese accounting/international business major, and smart as a whip; I'm sure she will beat us all once she learns the game (note to self: be sure to be partnered with her).

Saturday was supposed to be a birthday party for soon-to-be two year old twins, but their family has been sick off and on for over two weeks, so the party has been canceled. Their mom and I, however, are taking advantage of the time to go for coffee. Hoping this bug leaves their family for good, soon.

Sunday friends are coming for lunch (I think) and cards. Exact plans are a bit fluid, but we are sure we are getting together.

Busy at work, so I need to get back to it.

Banking done right

2012-01-26T13:13:00.001-06:00

A call came this morning no one wants to hear: suspicious activity on my check card. While it will be a pain to deal with, I do want to give a shout out to Associated Bank for their excellent customer service and willingness to work with people.

Since I use the check card for everything, including purchases on the net, I check the activity on the account several times a day. The call from Associated's fraud unit came about an hour after my last check - when the account was fine. Kudos to them for their vigilant monitoring and speedy, speedy response to unusual activity.

The banking associate who had the joy of taking my call had the patience of a saint and the willingness to work with me to figure out how to keep things moving in an increasingly paper check hostile world. She went above and beyond by not only asking her supervisor to cut the "rush" charge for a new card in half, but to have it FedExed to my workplace, rather than home, so I don't need to take time off to be home to sign for it.

Kelly not only deserves a gold star for the day; she deserves (and probably needs) a drink.

The one thing Kelly could not do for me is promise me a "consolation date" with Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is spokesperson for the bank. Too bad; tomorrow is crazy canasta chicks night*.

*This only makes sense if you have seen this commerical for Associated.

Fluff

2012-01-25T08:37:00.000-06:00

Not much time or energy to write lately. Too much to do at work, and a plethora of social things that I really don't want to turn down, even though I need the time for things like sleep, grocery shopping and more sleep. So, more random things that need to be vacuumed out of my head:

~~SOTU~~ ~~taxpayer funded campaign speech~~ SOTU - I don't care. Really. Tired of hearing about how "everybody gets a fair shot". News flash, Mr. President: life is not fair. No amount of government wealth distribution and legislation will make it so.

Choppers - Several helicopters flew over our complex early today, very low and very fast. My first thought was that there was a serious accident and Flight for Life had been called out. My guess was close. The helicopters from four EMS services will be landing downtown today. The convention center where they are scheduled to land is about six city blocks from here. One hopes they successfully avoid all power lines and adjacent buildings, as if they don't, there will be no one to call for emergency evacuation.

Wishful thinking - This morning I dutifully made the rounds, emptying wastebaskets and gathering up the never-ending unpacking detritus in preparation for Garbage Day. It wasn't until I got in the car (with two bags of garbage secure in the trunk to be dropped off at our communal collection point) that I realized that today is not, in fact, Garbage Day. Today is Wednesday, not Thursday.

Intercultural fun - I finally connected with the young Chinese student who is my current year International Friendship Program match. She is joining the Crazy Canasta Chicks this Friday. What could be more American than a card party with much laughter and snacks?

Time to ~~pay~~ get a refund from the piper - Did my taxes Saturday. Being able to itemize made a heckuva difference in the amount of dosh the government owes back to me. Now the internal debate begins: do I change my exemptions in order to lower the refund and increase my monthly take home, or do I leave it, given that the current political climate is one in which any or all of the deductions that generate the refund could be wiped out with one flourish of the president's pen?

Redecorating - Lord willing, the refund will primarily go towards redecorating the sewing room. If I ever finish unpacking the boxes in there, that is. New flooring, new curtains, fresh paint and a sleeper chair are on the list. A coupon arrived in the mail from Joann Fabric yesterday - one that gets me an additional 20% off regular or sale prices. Decorator curtain fabric is pricey, and that coupon will help greatly. Now, I need to settle on a paint color so I can go get the curtain fabric while the coupon is valid.

Midweek Thursday fly -by

2012-01-19T12:52:00.000-06:00

In a random order, some randomosity:

The recall petitions collected in the effort to recall our governor have gone to the board to be counted. They keep extending the time it will take them to come up with a final total. It wouldn't take so long if they would quit throwing little parties every time they run across a signature from "Mickey Mouse" or "Adolf Hitler".
It's four degrees. The windchill varies, up to minus twenty degrees. I will never, ever take for granted the luxury of underground parking.
I'm still sleeping with the window open a crack, and still get hot enough several times a night to throw off all the covers for a time. Ah, the joys of peri-menopause.
Our international students have a deadline of February 8th to come to our office for some annual paperwork and document verification. In spite of the temperature, I can tell you with 100% certainty that I will see several students from countries like Iran, Bangladesh and India this afternoon. The best and brightest from their countries, and they don't have the sense to stay in out of the cold?
But they are the best and brightest - our home-grown scholars can't compare in diligence and effort most of the time.
Based on a quick estimate, the condo purchase will double my usual tax refunds. Now the internal argument begins: Save it, use it to have the car preventive-maintenance tuned and serviced, or blow it all on creating the sewing room of my dreams? Bah. I hate being the responsible one.

Best quote about the Golden Globes

2012-01-17T13:32:00.000-06:00

I don't generally watch awards shows, and didn't watch the Golden Globes. But it is almost impossible to not see some coverage, at least of the clothing (barely) worn by the stars.

Stacy Kiebler arrived with George Clooney, managing to upstage the aging leading man. This quote is pulled from an article on Kiebler's very pretty red carpet look:

Makeup artist Marina Gravani spent two hours on Kiebler ahead of the Globes. From the start, she knew she wanted to keep the look simple.

Does anyone else spot the irony? Honestly, I can get the same basic look in less than five minutes. Two hours?

Good grief.

Sunday Monday night

2012-01-16T21:40:00.001-06:00

These three day weekends are always a bit confusing. This one more so than most, as it has kind of blended all into itself.

On Thursday night last week, I realized I was coming down with the dreaded Office Cold (TM). This is the lingering coughing, stuffy, headachy not-quite-sinus thing that has been hanging around the water cooler for the last couple of months. When I didn't catch it in time for it to make my vacation miserable, there was much rejoicing.

But it's a sneaky devil, laying in wait until I was back at work in the busiest part of the year.

Fortunately, we generally can go home an hour earlier on the day before a holiday...I left work at 2:30 on Friday and was wrapped in a quilt in front of the television, copious containers of liquid and boxes of kleenex to hand by 3:05.

And there I stayed most of the weekend. At my count, I watched at least six movies, half a dozen episodes of Quantum Leap and part of a strange infomercial. I did manage to make a huge pot of turkey soup on Saturday morning while the handyman was finishing up the plumbing stuff. As soon as he left I was back on the couch.

It seems to have worked. I felt well enough this morning to make it out to Starbucks for a while. Home for a rest (and General Hospital, if the truth is told) then off to a hair appointment that had been rescheduled from Saturday (I have to be really sick to miss a hair appointment). A quick stop at the grocers on the way home, and back in front of the television.

I do feel much better, but also have the sneaking suspicion it would be easy to overdo things and land back on the sick list. As a preventative measure, I plan to spend the evenings the rest of this week back on the couch watching movies until it is time for an early bedtime. Sounds like a plan to me...

Company Girl Coffee 011312

2012-01-13T07:49:00.000-06:00

Coffee IV needed here - stat!

The drive in was a little bit tense, as we finally got our first snow of the season - a nice, almost six inch snowfall that came fairly gently, over about twenty hours. Taking the city streets rather than the freeway, I go through three different municipalities (though it all looks like one city) with very different philosophies of snow plowing (and budgets). Makes an interesting drive.

Glad it is Friday, and a three day weekend to boot. See my plumbing adventure from last night here. I'll post pictures when the final install is done. Be warned - I really do want input on the color for the "not-orange" master bath. I'm leaning toward some sort of beige/tan/off white, but am open to other (not-orange) suggestions.

No great plans for the weekend other than a hair appointment. I seem to have caught the nasty cold the office is sharing, and may spend much of the weekend curled up under a quilt with orange juice and tissues close to hand, reading. Yup, poor me!

How about you? Have you had your first snow yet, or do you live someplace where you bask in above-freezing temperatures all year round?

For more Company Girl Coffee, visit Rachel Anne.

Livin' the vida condo

2012-01-13T07:32:00.000-06:00

Old plumbing repairs notwithstanding, this condo life is pretty sweet. Coming home during last night's snowstorm, I pulled into a dry, warm underground parking space. At five-thirty this morning I heard a snow blower for a few minutes; when I opened the front door at six for a peek at the weather, I discovered that the landscape service clears the snow all the way to our front doors.

Sweet!

The city of Greenfield, on the other hand, needs some lessons in snowplowing. I didn't expect the side streets to be done, but the intersections on the major road were only cleared in one direction, leaving a huge pile of slushy frozen stuff to drive through/over if you needed to turn.

Passing through three different municipalities on my short drive to work, I can clearly see the differences in snow plowing mentalities. Once I get to work, however, I know everything will be clear and dry. Our Facilities crew absolutely rocks - they take fantastic care of our students and staff.

This (moderately) old house 011212

2012-01-12T22:31:00.000-06:00

Ah, adventures in home ownership!

When last we left our intrepid new condo owner, the downstairs bathroom toilet ran due to the handle sticking, the upstairs toilet rocked her ~~world~~ foundation and the faucet in that same bath was slowly playing taps. Nothing needing immediate attention, but needing attention nonetheless.

Tim came tonight (in spite of the snow) as scheduled to wave a magic wrench and give 2nd Life to everything.

Fix number one was easy.

Fix number two...not so much. In technical terms, the pipe doohicky in the floor sat up too high for the toilet to actually sit over it and touch the ground, hence the rocking. Yay for the smell of hot cast iron as it was sawed to the correct level! The toilet tank was attached to the toilet bowl with a wish and a prayer; it is now securely bolted on and cannot escape. New seating completed the overhaul. Now it is truly a throne fit for a queen!

Fix number three presented problems only because an additional part was needed; the throne work had taken more time than expected, and the stores had just closed (did I mention almost five inches of snow? And a frozen layer of ice under that? And high winds?). The pretty, functional new tap is on, but not, um, functional yet. A short return trip Saturday should finish the job.

Pictures will follow once the work is done and the room cleaned and spiffed up a bit. This is the room I fondly refer to as the "not orange" bathroom. There will be a poll on the picture post on potential new paint color.

Any color but "not orange".

Perimenopausal moment #123749

2012-01-11T18:05:00.000-06:00

Silly, silly me. After work, I thought I'd stop at the big grocery store. Nothing urgent - just a stop for fresh vegetables, a loaf of bread and something different for tomorrow's lunch.

It wasn't until I pulled into the parking lot at the store that I remembered tomorrow is slated to be the first snowfall of the season. People lose their minds when that first snow is predicted. They flock to the store to stock up on enough food (and beer) to last a week or more. If this were Phoenix, I'd understand, but this is Wisconsin, where snow is a way of life three months out of the year; our sanitation crews do a great, fast job of clearing the streets.

The parking lot was full to the furthest rows, with ~~vultures~~ frustrated shoppers cruising for open spaces. I don't even want to think about the pandemonium inside the store.

There is steak for dinner, hot chocolate mix in the cabinet and the fixings for chicken soup in the freezer and fridge. I'm set for the next twenty-four hours.

Snow at last, snow at last

2012-01-11T07:15:00.000-06:00

Thank God Almighty, snow at last!

At least the skiers and snow bunnies will be happy.

Fifty degrees again today, but tomorrow much colder, with snow starting sometime after 8 a.m., continuing all day. Depending on who you believe, it could be anywhere from five to eleven (!) inches, but most weather people seem to be thinking around six, maybe seven total for our immediate area.

Guess who has to be at a seminar on the other side of town tomorrow morning? That would the be other side of town from home, and twenty minutes or so west of my workplace. At least after the seminar there shouldn't be too much snow to brush off the car (and a similar amount later, when I leave work).

Speaking of which - where is my snow brush?

For that matter, I've still not taken out my winter scarves and gloves (why yes, they are in a box in the sewing room, not yet unpacked - I know the box number, but I fear it is one of the boxes back in the corner amongst the sewing stuff). I do, however, know where my boots are.

After the snowpocalypse almost a year ago, anything under fifteen inches is a piece of cake. This will come down slowly enough that even if we do receive the higher totals, crews should be able to keep up with the clearing.

But rush hour tomorrow night is still going to be a mad house.

A random Tuesday

2012-01-10T07:29:00.000-06:00

The just-past-full moon hung in the west this morning - crystal clear, showing all her peaks and valleys. Absolutely awesome.

I was driving west rather than east in order to hit Panera for birthday bagels. Baking is rather hit or miss with me, so it is better all around for me to pick up a treat rather than try to make one myself.

First day back at work was typical - three people tried to dump some of their work on me, but I successfully defended myself. Oh, and if you are going to forward something to me? Please at least put in a message, so I know what exactly you are expecting. Honestly, I'm beginning to think I should do with work forwards the same thing I do with forwards to my personal e-mail account: delete them unread.

Left early to go to the doctor, and I exited the doctor's office around the time I would have normally left work. This is significant, because when I got home, the sun was still up. Not set, not in the process of setting, but fully above the horizon. Two weeks ago I would have needed headlights before I left the parking lot.

They are expecting a high close to 52 degrees today. Thursday's projection is a high of twenty-nine and snow flurries. Our weather is a bit confused/confusing. I remembered to buy hot chocolate two weeks ago, but it's been so warm I haven't wanted any.

All good things must come to an end...

2012-01-08T18:11:00.000-06:00

Last evening of vacation. In spite of the freakish warm January weather (they say forty-eight degrees on Thursday!) I felt cold, so I've got the fire going. The dishwasher is humming along, and I plan to order out for dinner, to keep the counters clean. Clothes are planned for next week, stuff for lunches is in the refrigerator. The work bag is ready to go, the coffeepot on the timer.

My brain, on the other hand, isn't exactly ready to go back. But it more or less has to go along with my body, doesn't it? In theory, anyway.

That list that I made a couple of weeks ago? Some things are crossed off, but most - well, things will eventually get done. In the place of doing was a lot of reading, dreaming and planning. And finally, enough sleep. A ridiculous number of movies ran across my screen, including The Help just this afternoon.

No regrets.

And no temptation to check e-mail to get a jump on the week, either. Here's to enjoying the last few hours of vacation.

This is your brain on quilts

2012-01-08T15:26:00.000-06:00

This showed up on Facebook from an internet quilter friend, and is oh-so-true:

There are a few areas on the other side of the brain that are not visible, like the center that attunes a quilter's brain to possible patchwork and quilting patterns in floor patterns, ironwork, nature - anything and everything. And the center that turns any vegetable pizza into a quilt pattern of toppings.

Yes, we are all a little obsessed.

Three appliance night

2012-01-07T17:42:00.000-06:00

For such a simple supper, it sure took a lot of cooking power. On the menu: homemade cream of broccoli soup and a cinnamon raisin bagel.

The soup recipe is the Creamy Asparagus Soup from the Everything Soup, Stew and Chili Cookbook, with the obvious substitution of broccoli for asparagus (which I hate). What is wonderful about the soup is that the broccoli has center stage - a little bit of garlic and shallot are the only additives beyond broth and cream. Yum.

But gee, what a mess. The stovetop is where the soup simmers, but the food processor got a workout pureeing the veggies. (I left about a third of the broccoli whole to give a bit chunkier soup). Adding the bagel meant pulling out the toaster oven as well. Good thing the kitchen is small; all I need to do to reach anything is turn around.

Dreams

2012-01-07T06:54:00.000-06:00

My boss, in a black Elvis pompadour with lots of thick, bright blond highlights.

A husky with a green face, a white pomeranian and a pot bellied pig, all mine, all in my office.

The pig was too tired to walk at the end of the day, so he rode in a Christmas gift bag. He was pretty limp - he may have been dead.

I'll never eat dinner that late again.

Company Girl Coffee 010612

2012-01-06T07:26:00.000-06:00

Yawn! Good morning,all. Coffee is especially needed this morning, as I allowed myself the luxury of staying up well past my bedtime to finish a computer game. No first-person shooter games for me; I prefer the hidden object, multi-puzzle themed games. The ~~excuse~~ argument for doing them is that it keeps my mind sharp, right?

After having been off since December 22nd, I'm set to go back to work on Monday. Ack. While I'm behind on this week's Small Things, I plan to work through all of the housekeeping schedule posts over the weekend. Finding the new normal after the move has been difficult, with more space to clean and organize. As much as having things organized, put away and prettified makes me happy, if it's too complicated, time consuming or aggravating to get keep it that way, it simply won't happen. I don't need perfect, just consistent.

Bit of plumbing work being done today (see previous post), so I'm off to the hardware store shortly. Does anyone else like getting lost in places like that? They fascinate me. Grocery shopping tonight, as I'd also like to do some freezer cooking tomorrow to get a jump on dinners for next week. I need to take a treat to work next week, as this Sunday is my birthday. Since when does the birthday girl have to do all the work?

Overall, though I didn't bother doing the one thing I thought I'd do over vacation (sigh- yes, finishing the unpacking in the sewing room), I managed to relax and have fun. Last time I counted, I finished six books and am in the middle of three more. New recipes were tried, the quilt store was visited, coffee dates were kept, too many movies were watched.

Now it's time to get back to routine, refreshed and ready to conquer. Though I do plan on sleeping late at least one more morning before I go back to work...

Throne rooms

2012-01-05T18:36:00.000-06:00

Hard time getting going today. Up early enough, but not exactly moving quickly. Out to the Panera on the other side of town, with plans to hit the grocery store, then the hardware store on the way home...never happened. So it is off to the hardware store tomorrow morning.

Why the hardware store? I'm having a little plumbing work done tomorrow - actually less than anticipated. Originally, the existing 3 gallon toilet tanks were going to be replaced with much more water efficient 1.6 gallon tanks. Unfortunately, the toilets were made by a company that has redesigned them sometime in the last forty years, and the new tanks won't fit the old bowls. Entirely new thrones are more than twice the cost of the tanks for the quality of unit I currently have, so my handyman recommended against it. The recovery of the investment via water bill savings would take years.

Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion I can fill a quart milk jug with water, drop it in the tank and achieve the same water savings as a smaller tank.

Thwarted on the tank replacement, the upstairs throne will be taken off and reseated - it wobbles a bit and needs checking out. The downstairs mechanism will be adjusted to put some spring back in the handle to keep the thing from running. Finally, the upstairs bathroom sink will get a new faucet, which is the reason for the trip to the store.

I loathe single-handle faucets.The kitchen sink in the old flat had one, and seemed to need annual repairs. Of the three sinks in the condo, only the one in my bathroom is a single handle fixture. Grrr. The one in the lower bath is a wonderful nickel and enamel job similar to this:

The plan is to find something similar for upstairs, particularly since the drawer pulls on the vanity are already a chrome and enamel style.

I was able to get a ballpark figure from Tim about the potential cost to remodel the kitchen. It came to about what I expected, though new appliances will goose that up a bit. At least now I have a target to save towards. It could happen as early as a year from spring, if I'm diligent.

Um, maybe not. But at least I can start planning out what I'd like. If you have any ideas for making a walk-through galley kitchen more efficient and easier on the cook, let me know.

Oh my darling, Clementine

2012-01-02T08:31:00.001-06:00

For whatever reason, when my sister and I were kids, we picked up on an old folk song with some rather depressing lyrics, dating from the Gold Rush days:

In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for a mine
Dwelt a miner forty niner,
And his daughter Clementine

Chorus:
Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Light she was and like a fairy,
And her shoes were number nine
Herring boxes, without topses,
Sandals were for Clementine. --Chor.

Drove she ducklings to the water
Ev'ry morning just at nine,
Hit her foot against a splinter,
Fell into the foaming brine. -- Chor.

Ruby lips above the water,
Blowing bubbles, soft and fine,
But, alas, I was no swimmer,
So I lost my Clementine. -- Chor.

But this really isn't about a morbid song, but I invariably think of the song every time I hear the name of the fruit. Perhaps that's why I never tried clementines until a week ago.

Oranges are not a favorite of mine - too messy to eat and you never know if you've gotten a good one until you eat the first piece. If you didn't, all that work to peel and segment it went to waste. Tangerines are a special treat, eaten only in early December (probably a result of getting them only once a year, in our St. Nick stockings, when I was growing up). But even the sweet juiciness of the tangerine was marred a bit by the seeds. No one looks good spitting out tangerine seeds.

But those darling little clementines? Oh, heavens. Easy to peel, seedless, sweet and just the right size for a quick snack. I'm in love.

There is one problem, though. I've only been able to find them in five pound bags. That's an awful lot of fruit for one woman to eat before it spoils.

But I'm willing to give it a try.

Hello, 2012

2012-01-01T20:02:00.001-06:00

Skipping from blog to blog over the last two days, I've seen insightful posts on the year past, round ups of favorite musings from 2011 and plans, resolutions and intentions for the new year.

My own 2012 started five minutes after I got up this morning, when I had to fix a disconnected toilet lever chain and stuck float.

One can only hope that is not a portent for the coming year, whether symbolically or actually.

The new year is a bit of a mystery to me so far. I haven't made any resolutions of concrete plans for the year, and think I may not. I'm anticipating a few changes, but want to approach them in a more low-key, gentle way. Last year was fairly intense, with the condo purchase and a few unexpected other issues, and I feel the need to recenter, nest a bit and go with the flow as much as possible.

In the spirit of "gentle", I took a two hour doze in front of old episodes of Quantum Leap this afternoon, then baked up a box of brownies and made shepherd's pie for dinner. A nice way to start the year, indeed.

A plurality of plurals

2011-12-31T05:55:00.000-06:00

Under most circumstances, I don't pull out my Grammar Police Deputy badge. After all, rules are made to be broken (albeit only by writers and actors who are deliberately using it to portray a character or make a point). True, some of the hesitation may also be due to the shiny glass walls around me (though in my defense, any lapses into unacceptable syntax are usually the result of laziness, rather than ignorance).

But this particular time of year drives me to grab people by their dangling participles and flog them with a subordinate clause. Why?

Happy New Years!

It is very sweet, but unnecessary of you to wish me good fortune for all the remaining years of my life. A single "Happy New Year" for 2012 would suffice. Or perhaps you meant the possessive: "Happy New Year's" - but New Year's what? A possessive needs an object.

While we are on the subject, the name of the grocery store is "Aldi", not "Aldis", unless you truly plan to run to multiple locations to stock up on supplies.

Of special irritation is the corruption of the name of the Bible-based kid's club, AWANA, to "AWANAS", as in "Our kids are in AWANAS at XYZ Church". As a long time leader for the club, I can tell you that the name is an acronym based on 2 Timothy 2:15 from the King James Bible:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Your gratuitous pluralization changes the acronym from "approved workmen are not ashamed" to "approved workmen are not ashamed...sometimes".

The ess is strangely seductive, its serpentine curves and sibilant sound singing a siren song to those struggling in the quicksand of grammatical correctness. "Add me", she whispers. "I'm harmless", she coos.

Resist her, my friend, resist her.

Sweet dreams

2011-12-30T07:39:00.000-06:00

While I went to bed at nine, I managed to wake up just before three a.m. Bathroom break, back to bed, and....nothing. Wide awake. In spite of steadfastly refusing to face the clock, I know it was after four-thirty when I finally fell asleep, since the clock radio had just turned on. Grr.

But the dream was worth the aggravation. A mini-mystery was going on, and for some reason, Shemar Moore was assigned to investigate it. Things were proceeding swimmingly, until the alarm went off.

I generally don't wake up feeling the need to throw the alarm clock across the room, but this morning, I almost made an exception.

Not much to say

2011-12-29T14:54:00.000-06:00

Yep. My brain is still recovering from too much work; I can always tell when I've been stressed beyond normal for a while, as it takes a ridiculously long amount of time for my mental functions to return once I'm on vacation. For example, it didn't occur to me until yesterday that I can wander around some quilt shops while I'm off.

Not today, though. Spent a few hours at the (other) local Starbucks reading, then tried out the (other) local grocery. Never shop hungry; the cart was three quarters full before I left the produce department. Little bit of rest (and General Hospital), and soon it will be back to cleaning.

In a week off, I've moved exactly two boxes out of the sewing room. One was a dishpan full of cleaning supplies that moved about twelve feet to the cabinet under the sink in the kitchen. The other was the box holding the patio furniture cover I bought several months ago, now that I've finally put the cover on the furniture. Eh - I have another week off.

Let there be light

2011-12-28T18:28:00.000-06:00

A few days after I moved in, one of the lights in the kitchen flickered and died. That's pretty much par for the course for me: the first week I lived in my old place, I had to replace the outer of the ring lights on the kitchen overhead fixture (note that was the only time in twenty years I had to touch that fixture - yeah for fluorescent lights!).

The lights in the little galley kitchen here are behind a dropped ceiling. There's an aluminum frame that supports frosted, waffle-weave plastic panels that hide four fluorescent tubes. The lighting (when it's all working) is actually nice to work in - bright but shadowless, making it easy to see what you are doing (a plus when wanting to chop vegetables, not fingers).

I know there are four tubes because I finally climbed up to get a model number in order to get a replacement. In a flash of brilliance (heh, pun intended) I grabbed my phone and took a picture of the info on the end of the tube. Well, it may have worked better if I could have read any of the four pictures I took. (you try taking a clear picture while standing on the top step of a stepstool and holding the camera over your head). But close enough.

Note for future remodeling: take out the drop ceiling and figure out a different type of lighting. The wall comes down almost eight inches to meet the top front of the cabinets (there may be duct work behind that portion of the wall, explaining why the cabinets don't go all the way up), which is the level of the current drop ceiling. Between being up one step from the living room and the drop ceiling, the kitchen is short about fourteen inches in floor to ceiling height.

Not that it makes a difference to the current owner, who tops out at 5 feet and not-quite-four inches tall.

A friend's kitchen has some lovely cabinets - carved crown molding, the door insets glass on some cabinets and mesh on others...I want them. Sigh. Given the dimensions of my kitchen, I'm willing to bet that when I do finally remodel, I'll need custom cabinets. The good news is that the kitchen is tiny and I won't need many.

Unseasonal

2011-12-26T15:46:00.000-06:00

Our run of unseasonable weather continues, with a high today of forty-five degrees, with considerable sunshine. We have had almost zero snow, none that stuck for more than an hour or so. In other words, it was a perfect day to finally move the patio set, fold the indoor/outdoor run on top of it, cover the whole thing with a canvas cover, roll the garden hose up, put it in the storage closet and sweep up the remaining leaves.

My middle name is procrastination.

As is usual for a vacation spent at home, I've made a list. So far, it's preliminary, as I know I'm still worn out enough to have forgotten important things (tomorrow's doctor visit and the repairman call on Friday are not on the list).

At the moment, it doesn't seem as if there is a lot of stuff on the list that is just "fun", but then, I consider having time to unpack and organize the sewing room as fun. I do know there are ~~two~~ three people I want to have coffee or lunch with this week or next, as well as an antique store or two I'd like to visit.

I won't know until tomorrow whether or not I'll be able to do any of it, as I'm seeing the doctor for some achilles tendon issues...I'm fairly certain the prescription will be rest and ice, which I've been doing in a half-hearted, I-have-too-much-to-do fashion for the last few weeks.

Bummer: forced to sit in front of the fire with my feet up, reading for hours on end.

The larder is full, and soup will be on the simmer fairly soon (turkey broth and meat frozen after T-day). Hot chocolate mix is nestled in the coffee cupboard, and I may make cookies tomorrow. New books on the kindle, and enough reading material in general to keep me occupied if off my feet. Frankly, that's not a bad way to spend a vacation...I can save the list for another time.

'Twas the night before Christmas

2011-12-24T21:43:00.000-06:00

Nice day all around. Hair appointment first - red highlights to go with the season. Then it was off to brunch with dear friends, a chance to see friends not seen in quite a while, and an afternoon to hang out with three sweet, beautiful little girls.

Then home, for a traditional Christmas Eve - frozen pizza and a movie. I can't tell you how long I've been doing this, maybe twenty years? Our family Christmas was always very early Christmas Eve morning, so other than maybe a church service, the rest of the day was my own. On the way home from church one year, I realized I hadn't eaten dinner, so I stopped at the only place open: Walgreens. On impulse I picked up a copy of Air Force One to go with the pizza, and a tradition was born.

Strange but true, and a nice break in the middle of what can be a hectic couple of days.

It's easy in the middle of the chaos to forget why we have this holiday. But rest assured, He has not forgotten about you. In fact, you could say remembering us is the whole reason He came. He loved us too much to let us continue to die in our sin, longed for a restored relationship with me and you.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Isaiah 9:2

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, but his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son to the Father, full of grace and truth...For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

John 1:9-14; 16-17

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Christmas Eve eve

2011-12-23T14:00:00.000-06:00

Not only is it the day before Christmas Eve, it's the first day of vacation AND canasta day. Can't get too much better.

I've already slept in (after getting up at 4:10 to use the facilities, and again around 6:40 for no good reason, checking e-mail and going back to bed), stripped the bed, put in a load of laundry, gone grocery shopping, switched the laundry to the dryer and put another load on to wash, put away the groceries, made lunch and enjoyed my warm barbecued shredded chicken sandwich with a juicy tangerine. Or two. They are really, really good and I only eat them around Christmas time.

Now it's time to put the coffee on (Aldi had these caramel wafer cookies - they don't have them often, and they are to DIE for, especially with coffee) and settle in for General Hospital. Still to do: take in the garden hose, make pasta salad, clean the kitchen, start the dishwasher then clean me up again for canasta.

It hasn't been as hectic as it sounds, truly. If I sound a bit giddy, well, yes, I am. Two full weeks to relax, get enough sleep and get to some projects. Maybe even get my writing mojo back.

Stuff

2011-12-22T08:27:00.001-06:00

Last day of work before a vacation that doesn't end until January 9th. We are free to leave an hour early today (our custom for the workday before a holiday), but I'm bugging out of here as soon as humanly possible. I had over thirty hours in for the week when I left here last night...I need some sleep.

And some Christmas cheer. While I've decorated, I've not made a single cookie, not even a quick batch of spritz. Nothing says "holidays" like little green christmas tree shaped spritz cookies with chocolate chips as the "star". Seriously. Three or four of those and a cup of good coffee perk me right up.

Christmas Eve is a bit of a logistical mess. A friend had talked several weeks back about having a brunch for friends (no family to stress her out) on Christmas Eve. At that point even having it was a maybe, and somehow I missed the actual invitation until yesterday, when she asked if I was coming. Yes, I am! While I have a hair appointment early, I should be done about half an hour before the brunch starts.

The logistical nightmare centers around the egg casserole I'm taking to brunch. There's no time to go home and let it bake between the hair appointment and brunch. I have a nice carryall thing for casseroles that keeps them hot, but if I make it before the hair appointment, I'd have to take that carryall into the salon in order to keep the dish hot (leaving it in a freezing car defeats the purpose of the carryall - we could reheat it at the brunch, but eggs get tough if overcooked...)

Don't even suggest I skip the hair appointment; root touch up is a sacred ritual conducted every three weeks.

I'll figure it out, after I have a nap later. Who knows, I may end up making a couple pans of baked french toast. It reheats a bit better than the egg stuff.

Can you tell I skipped breakfast - all this talk about food?

Five hours to go until freedom...

In the dark

2011-12-21T05:07:00.000-06:00

Ah, the winter solstice! Thanks to the persistent cloud cover, we haven't actually seen the sun much all week, but it's nice to know that after today, the days will get longer. Imperceptibly at first, but longer nonetheless.

In honor of the solstice, I may do something radical, like come home from work on time. Sunset is 4:19 p.m.; if I leave on time, I should be home before it drops fully beyond the horizon. There's that pesky fact of driving westward into the setting sun to get home, but I'll deal with it for a little vitamin D.

Unfortunately, in spite of lengthening days, the long winter stretches in front of us. At the moment, we have no snow cover; the "white Christmas" people are whining, as it looks like we won't have one. While I like snow well enough - especially now that I won't have to brush off the car, shovel or dig the car out after blizzards - once it comes, it's like an unloved relative who stretches their two week visit into a month. Snow just isn't pretty anymore in April.

Still, winter days are good for a few things: hearty soups simmering on the stove, creamy hot chocolate, stacks of books to be read, walks in the snow with your honey. After today,we have a little bit more day to enjoy those things.

Just keep swimming

2011-12-20T08:14:00.000-06:00

Totally over my head in pre-holiday, pre-vacation crud. Head cold is getting worse. Too much work, too little sleep has me forgetting things (yes, I did walk out of the office without my coat last night, so what?). Achilles tendon issue is getting worse, bad enough that I may make an actual doctor appointment for Friday (too much work to take time out of the workday - we are off on Friday).

In other words, not much to see here, please move on.

Sunday night drive-by

2011-12-18T20:14:00.000-06:00

I despise electric ranges.

Seriously.

I'm trying to do some actual work for work that must be done tomorrow (and since my coworkers never leave me alone at work, I get more done at home), while simultaneously cooking a big pot of shredded barbecued chicken for the potluck at work tomorrow.

Long story short, after less than ten minutes simmering, the dang bbq burned. Since this is my biggest stockpot (six pounds of meat - three for work, three for my freezer) I needed to temporarily dump the (unscorched) food into my second biggest pot (five quarts, and it barely fit), then soak and scrub the stockpot, so the chicken could be returned to it to be cooked the rest of the way. Sheesh. My cookware is enamel over cast iron (well, over stainless for the stockpot) and you can't use steel wool on it. It took forever.

So, it's after eight and I've not only not had dinner, but I've not gotten much work done. How could I, what with jumping like a jack in the box to go stir the chicken every six minutes when the timer goes off? Not to mention running upstairs to get the stuff I've been printing.

I was looking forward to a glass of wine, but with not having eaten since about noon, it probably isn't a good idea - drinking and doing accounting, you know.

It's been that kind of weekend, anyway. The highlight of the weekend was meeting a friend for coffee, who surprised me by both insisting on buying my coffee and giving me a sweet gift.

Speaking of coffee, that actually sounds like a good idea right now...though the way things are going, I'd forget to put the pot back under the spout before I hit "brew".

At last

2011-12-17T07:49:00.000-06:00

Snow! I swear it wasn't there when I got up to visit the facilities at 5:00. I always glance out the window, and there is a lovely faux gaslight next to the path outside my patio gate. The reflection of light off the snow would have been obvious.

But at seven-thirty, it was there, maybe just a skim coat, but enough to make everything white. According to the weather people, this dusting is all we will get, but hey, it's enough for me to haul out the "winter" dishes! (they have snowflakes on them, and I try not to use them until the first real snowfall). Tomorrow will be forty-three, so this batch of white stuff has no chance of hanging around.

This would be a perfect day to read in front of the fire and sip hot chocolate, but I do have to go out. Among other things, I want to drop the real estate tax payment off at City Hall (they owe me money back from the escrow check, so the sooner the better).

Company Girl Coffee 121611

2011-12-16T08:17:00.000-06:00

Good morning, and a chilly one it is, though as of yet, we have no snow accumulation. Nada, zip, nothing. All we have seen is a few fat flakes a week or so ago, coming down quickly but not sticking. That's unusual for this late in December. While others are ~~whining~~ concerned that we may not have a white Christmas, I'm content to wait. Once it sticks, it sticks around for a long time!

Long week of long workdays, most likely with work to take home for the weekend. Between coworkers who can't seem to do their own work and "emergencies", I've not been able to work on a project that must be done. Trying hard not to resent the coworkers (who seem to have time to stretch their half hour lunch to an hour and a half so they can go Christmas shopping), but not succeeding all the time.

In cheerier news, the wedding last Saturday was lovely, and the company at dinner hilarious. Dinner last night with a friend was much needed and delightful. Beginning next Friday, I am off of work until January 9th. Bliss.

In spite of the busyness this week, I breezed through another book in the Pandora series from Carolyn Hennesy. Yes, they are meant for early teens, but they are absolutely hilarious (when Pandora goes to collect Laziness and put it back in the box, she discovers it has taken the form of a gigantic nose hair on her uncle Atlas, who, as a result of its impact, has stopped holding up the heavens). Reading is my escape.

Cooking this weekend - we have a potluck at work Monday, and I've offered to bring shredded chicken in homemade barbecue sauce. It is easy to make, but the chicken needs to be cooked and shredded first. I think it's going to go in the crockpot all day tomorrow. I also need a couple of gifts for work, and finally decided to do deviled pecans and some sort of gift card. I have a few clear quart mason jars for the nuts; with a cute piece of fabric between the lid and ring and a bit of ribbon they should pack up nicely.

I would love to pack the jars up in reindeer bags, but alas, I'm fairly certain I tossed out the antler twigs when I was packing, and even if I hadn't, they are buried somewhere in the stack of boxes in the sewing room. The bags are easy to make - you fold the top to make the nose (don't glue yet!), then unfold so you can use the folds as guides for where to hot glue the stick antlers and felt ears (if you make a little tail on the bottom of the ears and pinch its sides together as you glue it, it creates a little fold that give the ears more of a dimensional look), rick rack and jingle bell. Pack the bag, then fold down the head, use a bit of glue at the nose point to hold it closed and add the button eyes and nose. Voila!

The year that I wrapped all of my family gifts in these bags? Yeah, I made them open their gifts from the bottom of the bag!

Vent(i)

2011-12-15T13:36:00.001-06:00

So...you e-mail me wanting to know about a charge on your account for a vendor you "never use" (because I'm filling in as back up for someone else, but am fourth on that list - what, is everyone else gone?) - even though you have the capability in our system to pull up an actual image of the document on which the charge is based.

Whatever.

I drop what I am doing (yeah, the four different things that are "urgent" to my boss and are keeping me away from the truly important project that has an immovable deadline) to look it up for you, only to discover that the request for payment originated and is signed...by you.

Sigh.

I wrote a very nice e-mail explaining that - carefully couched in terms that won't embarrass you for being a bit of a ditz, offering to change the account if it is incorrect.

I need a venti peppermint latte, preferably with peppermint schnapps as the flavoring rather than syrup.

Stupid blogger

2011-12-14T10:34:00.000-06:00

I just spent ten minutes writing a wonderful post regarding this article in the Journal Sentinel, the stupidity of the recall process and the refusal of the GAB to strike obviously fraudulent signatures. I scheduled it to post at 4:14 a.m. tomorrow, hit "publish" and got the message that the post posted.

Only it's not in my list of posts, either as posted or scheduled.

So go read the article and draw your own conclusions on the Mickey Mouse (literally) nature of our recall process.

Bedtime babbling

2011-12-13T21:35:00.000-06:00

Tired, so this may make no sense.

Tired, working ten hour plus days is something I really try not to do. They wouldn't be quite so long if I could concentrate a bit better, but the cold I caught near the beginning of November is just hanging on and on, messing with my sleep and keeping my head full of cotton. Never bad enough to see the doctor, who wouldn't be inclined to do much for a virus anyway.

Lots on my mind that I can't share at the moment, but will make a huge difference in my life once settled, one way or another. Tired of thinking about it, and much of it is out of my control.

Dinner with a friend Thursday, coffee with another Sunday. I think I'm forgetting something (it's happened a lot lately, and it's not all perimenopausal moments) that conflicts with the Sunday thing, but there's nothing on my calendar. Is that really only a week until Christmas?

On the bright side, I'm taking the week after the week of Christmas off, so I will be off Friday the 23rd through January 8th. Hurrah! Maybe I'll catch up on sleep. Maybe not; getting back in the habit of getting up at 4:30 once you've broken it is fiendishly difficult, especially in winter. I'm sure by the time the end of next week rolls around, I'll have a list made up of things to do.

For right now, it's off to bed.

Wherein a childless woman gives advice to parents

2011-12-12T17:59:00.000-06:00

I'm not often in the habit of reading young people's fiction, but one of my favorite actresses has written an engaging, highly entertaining series of novels for the young teen crowd centered around Pandora.

Yes, that Pandora.

Check out Carolyn Hennesy's series - Pandora Gets Jealous is the first. Pandy is a curious, intelligent, sassy thirteen year old who desperately needs a top notch item for a school project. Just in time, she rediscovers the box her father has been charged by Zeus with protecting. Things don't go quite the way she expected, however, and she ends up in the biggest trouble of her short life.

Between Thursday night and Saturday morning I blew through the first two books, and I may or may not have just downloaded the third a minute ago...

Really - since reading tastes vary so much, I rarely recommend books. But if you have a preteen or early teen hanging around your house (or if you yourself want to read some fun books), run over to Amazon or out to your local bookstore and pick up the first book - you won't regret it.

Creative spark

2011-12-12T09:07:00.000-06:00

The same young couple generally sits next to me in church on Sunday morning. She is a nursing student who usually works every other weekend, but her husband attends even the weeks she cannot (believe me, that is worth noting - a lot of men wouldn't).

As these things go, he and I have had a few conversations, but this was the first time I thought to ask him what he does for a living. He laughed and said he does a variety of things - working in heating and cooling pays most of the bills, but he is also a part time assistant baseball coach at my university's cross-town rival.

He played baseball for the team when he was an undergrad, so when the opportunity came up to coach, he took it as a way to give back to the program he loved. You would think that for an ex-jock, that type of job would be absolute heaven.

But it wasn't until he mentioned his third job that his face really lit up - he works a bit as a carpenter. Nothing gives him as much joy as being able to work in wood, cutting, sanding, creating something out of what to most people is just potential firewood.

We talked for a bit about that - the drive people have to create. It doesn't matter whether it is cabinets or quilts, businesses or bagels, we all seem to have an urge to create something. It's not always a product either; working to instill values in your children is just as much an act of creativity as painting their portraits.

That bit of creative spark is a bit of the divine in us. How are you fanning that spark?

It's that time again

2011-12-11T14:11:00.001-06:00

It is that time again - the sixth blogoversary of ginosko.

It's hard to believe I've been blathering here that long. I realize some of you only come around for the occasional cake and pony rides (ice cream cake in the freezer - be sure to shut the door when you are done - and pony rides on the patio; be careful, though, as that grey pony bites); your patronage is much appreciated. Some of you prefer to come around cloaked in anonymity, which is fine, though the commenting process is fairly simple. To leave one as "guest", ignore the login prompt, type whatever you wish and press enter.

Please do converse amongst yourselves in the comment box. As any six year old knows, naps are still a fact of life; hostess or not, I need to have a bit of a one right now.

4:38 a.m.

2011-12-11T06:34:00.000-06:00

For as long as I remember, my internal clock has been set to wake me up at a certain time every morning, generally ten to fifteen minutes before the regular workday alarm would go off - weekday or not. At the moment, that internal clock is stuck on 4:38 a.m.

It is a bit freaky to consistently, day after day (or rather night after night) surface to consciousness at exactly the same time every day, whether it is to groan and roll out of bed, or roll over, pulling the covers over my head. Most days, it's do the first while thinking of the second.

As much as I love early mornings - the quiet, the crisp, cold air, the self-righteous satisfaction of being awake and moving before most of the rest of the world - I'm not exactly Sister Mary-Margaret Sunshine first thing. That first hour or so is lived in my head, reviewing the day's plans, thinking over weighty thoughts (make coffee at home or pick some up) and fighting off any lingering sleep-fog.

Oh, if pressed I can make conversation during that first hour - but beware, as my internal filters take some time to become operational after a night spent letting dreams romp freely around my unconscious. What you are likely to get is a waterfall of words, carrying with it the rocks, tree roots, clumps of dead leaves and old shoes that usually get caught in the weir, dammed up before reaching the main stream.

A bit like what is happening now.

I need to retreat back into that lovely, open space in my mind - grab the Kindle and head off to Starbucks for some reading before church and a quick review of the grocery list and meal plan I've already written up today.

After all, I've already been up for two hours.

Wedding

2011-12-10T21:08:00.000-06:00

My cheeks hurt. Does that ever happen to you - you laugh so hard for so long that your checks actually ache from all the smiling and laughing?

A dear young friend was married today (er, no, we weren't laughing through the ceremony). It is a joy to see two people so very much in love, and about to start on a lifelong adventure together.

No, the ache-inducing laughter happened between the the wedding and the dinner, as a group of us from church hung out at a table, swapping stories of misspent youth (or in several cases, misspent adulthood). The phrase "hamster powered Chinese parachute from hookers" actually made sense at one point. (conversations are considerably more entertaining when everyone at the table is just a tad hard of hearing)

If a group of people look at one another during church tomorrow and suddenly start laughing, well, just ignore us.

Company Girl Coffee 120911

2011-12-09T07:56:00.000-06:00

Whatever you have to drink today, be sure it is a hot beverage; today's high will only be twenty-five degrees. Brrr.

The cold someone shared with me has kept this a low-key week; I get home after work, sit down to eat dinner and don't get up until it is time for bed. A few things did get done, though, like hanging a wreath above the fireplace (pictures two posts down). It was hard to place, as there is this annoying recessed electrical outlet that would sit squarely in the center hole of the wreath were I to hang it up where it belongs.

After two weeks with just half a dozen ornaments on it, the tree is now decorated, though sans angel. She is in a box...somewhere, along with the Christmas stocking, some garland and assorted table top decorations. I fear those boxes are at the back - and on the bottom - of the stack in the sewing room.

A sweet young couple is getting married tomorrow afternoon. They were friends for the longest time, and only recently realized it was something more. They became engaged in August, and are marrying tomorrow. Pray for her family - I'm not sure her parents are ready for the whirlwind of changes (her fiance is a Marine, currently stationed in S.C., soon to move to San Diego, apparently - lots of change!).

For more Company Girl Coffee, visit Rachel Anne.

A Christmas miracle

2011-12-08T08:51:00.001-06:00

As miracles go, this is small potatoes, but in the circumstances, I still think it is miraculous.

Every single traffic light on the way to work this morning was green when I reached the intersection.

Considering that I have about an eight mile commute to work, primarily along a major thoroughfare that narrows from three lanes down to one, with the frequency of stoplights increasing as you go, that's pretty significant. A conservative guess would put twenty or so of those Christmas-colored lights between me and my workplace.

Other than one blow-through-on-the-yellow experience, no "slow down enough so the light turns green before you get there" games were played to accomplish this feat of efficient commuting, either.

Other than that, the morning has been less than satisfactory. I slept well, but had several things to do on the way out. Last night I loaded the trunk full of cut to size, taped together cardboard box remnants to put out for recycling this morning (the assigned garbage spot is some distance from the condo). While I trust my calendar, the fact that no one else had yet put out any recycling makes me wonder if I have the week wrong...I'll find out when I get home tonight if I need to reverse the process, only to repeat it next week.

Eating breakfast at my desk is an iffy proposition; the breakfast sandwich decided to go on the attack, leaving a noticeable spot on my blouse in spite of my fast blotting action. No one at all was in the office when I got here, whereas usually there are at least two or three others. I wasn't mentally prepared to walk into a dark office. The next person didn't show up until over half an hour later - for a bit there, I wondered if it were Saturday and I was mixed up, or if the university was closed and I didn't know it (not even the cleaning guy was here), or everyone was abducted by aliens and I was judged unfit for experimentation...

In light of all that, I'm going to stick to my story of a string of green traffic lights counting as a miracle.

It may be the best thing that happens to me all day.

Update: I just found out why no one was here early this morning: Mary Jo's father passed away suddenly this morning. Prayers are much appreciated for Mary Jo, her mom and her sister as they deal with his loss.

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

2011-12-08T04:14:00.001-06:00

I've been reading Like Mother, Like Daughter for a while now, as a result of seeing a number of {pretty, happy, funny, real} posts around the blogosphere. Since I'm in a search for daily content this month, I thought I'd try my hand.

{pretty}

Apples, cinnamon sticks and greenery. What could be prettier? This wreath is new this year, hanging above the fireplace. The walls are actually green - less olive than sage, less yellow than mint. The flash rather washed out the colors; the wreath looks lovely against the green wall.

{happy}

These little ornaments make me happy. Many of my ornaments are glass, clear or frosted, some embellished with little roses or faux engraving. And the best part? Most of them have been purchased at Target over the years - inexpensive happy.

{funny}

Sigh. Apparently I'm becoming "well behaved", as at the moment, you could truthfully say that I rarely make quilts. I really need to get the unpacking done so the sewing room can be used.

{real}

The {happy} picture notwithstanding, you can see the tree is not fully decorated. The paper bag holds fall decorations that need both a plastic bin and a storage spot. The bubble wrap in the lower right corner coddles a wedding present that needs wrapping. The boxes hold ornaments and small decorations. The picture is blurry because I'm tired and will soon go to bed without having put anything more on the tree. Frankly, I'm beginning to like the "half a dozen ornaments and lights only" look.

Midweek randomosity and brain lint

2011-12-07T04:14:00.001-06:00

Stuck in slow moving traffic the other night behind a car with a vanity plate "INOTONI". Which Toni do you know? Toni Tennille? Tony Soprano? Tony the Tiger? Or are you not named Oni? Or do you live in Otoni, wherever the heck that is? Inquiring minds.

One of the first things I'm going to do when the sewing room is set up is make a decorative - thick, heavy padded - fireplace screen. The fireplace is not exactly airtight, even with the dampers and glass screen closed. The tile surround gets so cold you can almost see the frost forming. But hey, if I ever need to cool baked goods down quickly, I can just set them on the hearth. (I love my condo - this is really not a complaint, just a fact of life)

I'm doing my annual silly holiday book reading again. So far this year, a murder mystery set in an old folks' home and a magical novella. The second was better than the first, though the second falls into the "Christian fiction" category, a subject on which I have a lot to say...at some other time.

I need to stick to a decision on what cookie to make for an exchange.I am not a baker; there are only about six types of cookies I make well enough to use in an exchange, and three of them are already on the list, being made by others. Of the three left, one is technically a bar and not eligible. I thought I found an easy one (again, technically a bar, but also a candy (toffee squares) so I thought I'd be ok) but someone else is doing an almond-toffee cookie. How about I just bring a couple of bottles of wine for the swap party? Recipe suggestions are welcome.

Only another two weeks or so until the days start inching longer. Driving in the dark both to and from work is for the birds.

Wisconsin: A Portrait

2011-12-06T04:17:00.001-06:00

Wisconsin, according to Jeff Foxworthy:

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you may live in Wisconsin.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't even work there, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you've worn shorts and a jacket at the same time, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Wisconsin.

If "vacation" means going anywhere North of Milwaukee for the weekend, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both doors unlocked, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Wisconsin. If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Wisconsin.

If the speed limit on the highway is 70 mph -you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Wisconsin.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you may live in Wisconsin.

If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Wisconsin.

Funny, it appears I can agree with everything on this list...

Sound...check

2011-12-05T04:34:00.001-06:00

As the holidays approach, church services tend to become more complicated. Sunday, for instance, our own service included an advent reading, an a capella call to worship, three videos and a short presentation by a visitor. Then there were the usual things, like a few worship songs and a sermon.

The focus of the videos, guest and sermon was missions - developing a missions-oriented world view and witnessing to the hope we have in us. Not surprisingly, our adversary didn't want the service to be very effective.

Our entire sound system died just before the morning run throughs.

Even our very talented Chief Sound and All-around Tech Genius and the incredibly capable Sound Guy couldn't figure out what was going on. What they could - and did -do, however, was reroute everything, setting the video controller up in the theater's own sound both, running other cables and generally working a miracle before the service started. Unless you had been half an hour early to the service, you didn't know there had been a problem.

Would we have gone on if the sound system hadn't come back? Yes - worship isn't dependent on amplified voices, sophisticated video programs and a rock beat, but on hearts raised in adoration and awe. But would some people have been distracted and fussed, as a result missing the point of the message and the opportunity for God to work through it to convict them of the need to open their perspective, look beyond their comfort zone? Yes.

It's not healthy to constantly look around you and see Satan at work in everything. But neither should we forget that there are forces that are working diligently in opposition to God. Peter described what our mindset should be:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

1 Peter 1:8 - 9

For today, New Day 1, Satan 0.

Early Sunday

2011-12-04T06:21:00.000-06:00

Well, perhaps not as early as I would have liked. Oh, make no mistake - the sun isn't up yet - but I've been trying to lever myself out of bed for the last hour and a half. It's easy to continue resetting the alarm for half an hour later on Sunday mornings.

It's not as if I was out all night; bedtime was still before ten. Maybe it was the fact that the bedroom was finally cool enough for me to be comfortable, thanks to cranking the window open far enough to actually feel a breeze. Adjusting to the heating patterns in this place is taking a while.

Dinner with the neighbors was a lot of fun. Smart, sassy, intelligent women with whom I seem to have quite a bit in common. Well, except for dog ownership. The hostess for dinner is one of the few owners around here who doesn't have a dog (or two). There seems to be a real sense of community within the two or three buildings in this little area, fostered at least in part by the previous owners of my unit, who hosted get togethers several times a year. It seems I have a lot to live up to...

Not that I mind. But other things need to slow down a bit before I can think of planning a party. We're doing a reading at church this morning, then I'm off to the grocery for a few things, back home to make turkey soup (provided I remember to defrost the stock when I'm done here) and finally, after that, I can collapse in front of the television, wrapped up in a quilt with a box of kleenex to hand. Being sick when you really need to keep going isn't fun.

Flurries in the forecast for the day, though not enough to justify bringing out the winter dishes. We're two weeks beyond the average date of our first measurable snowfall - it will come sooner or later. Things are a bit upside down at the moment, as the local tv station claims today's high will be 48 degrees, and the current temperature is 50 degrees. I guess it is going to get colder?

Better get going. My local Starbucks (the closest one to me, opposed to the myriad other ones in the city) is done being remodeled, and I'd like to see it. Well, no, I lied - I desperately need coffee and I'd prefer someone else made it for me. It's going to be a long morning.

21 Adult truths

2011-12-03T04:22:00.002-06:00

The following is stolen borrowed adapted from a list a friend put up on Facebook. How many of the following are true for you?
1. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. (ed. Yah think?)
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. Most days, anyway.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person dies.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind-of-tired.
10. Bad decisions make good blog posts.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report to which I swear I made no changes.
14. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Light than Kay.
15. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
16. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
17. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
18. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
19. Shirts get dirty, underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
20. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
21. The first testicular guard, the "cup", was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Company Girls Coffee 120211

2011-12-02T07:41:00.001-06:00

Good morning! Grab a mug of coffee and have a seat. For a special treat today, we have apple/cranberry pies with raisins.

The pie is a silent auction item, baked by an impressively domestic coworker and successfully bid on by yours truly. It tastes incredible. The only drawback is that I have no coffee myself to go with it (couldn't carry the pie and a cup of coffee into the office, along with the purse and work bag...priorities demanded the pie make it in). You may want to hurry if you want a slice; I've put it out for my coworkers to enjoy, and food disappears quickly around here.

Crazy week. Last Saturday was the first time the Canasta Chicks came to the new place. We had a small group, and one new victim...er, volunteer. How wonderful it is to remember that God invented laughter for us to enjoy, and how much it soothes the soul!

Picking the meat off a bird carcass has to be one of my least favorite jobs of all cooking tasks, but the results are worth it. There are pounds of packaged turkey meat in the freezer, along with a nice big container of broth. Next week the temperature is dropping into the high twenties (for daytime highs, not nighttime lows) and I'm already having daydreams of hot turkey soup by the fire.

Our departmental Christmas party - one of the joys of working for a Jesuit institution is that we can still call it that, rather than "holiday" party - was yesterday afternoon. No Santa this year, but a coworker (male) dressed in full elf costume - yellow tights, green tunic, funny hat and curled-toe shoes. Did I mention he is 6'4" tall?

Busy day tomorrow as well - hair appointment, rehearsal and then dinner with the neighbor ladies. The women who live across the path and in one of the other buildings have invited this "new girl". It should be a lot of fun, judging from the women I've already met.

I'm hoping next week is slow. The tree has been "up" for a week (four foot prelit little thing), but I've yet to put an ornament on it. Then there is the matter of locating the angel...need to go back to the packing lists to figure out where she may be hiding.

Discussion question: which day do you do your St. Nick stockings? The evening of the 5th into the 6th, or the evening of the 6th into the 7th? Just curious.

*Update in the comments on just exactly what the St. Nick stockings are!

It's the most wonderful wordy time of the year

2011-12-01T04:30:00.000-06:00

Yes, it is December 1st, and by now long time readers should know what that means: Holidailies! Well, my personal version of Holidailies. The 2011 site - if there is to be one - is not up yet, and in the last couple of years the daily posting period has run from about St. Nick's to January 6th or so. Personally, I find I confuse easily, so I'd rather limit the drivel to the calendar month of December.

As always, I make no claims that what is about to come pouring out of my keyboard is great literature, insightful introspection or even coherent sentence fragments. I do, however, plan to post at least something every day this month, even if it is only what I'm having for dinner (fried potatoes, onions/mushrooms/green pepper mixed into scrambled eggs, covered with a bit of mexican cheese, if anyone cares). According to Diane's Rules of Posting, a picture counts for a couple of hundred words; I may finally post pictures of the new place.

With that warning in mind, let the posting begin!

Why yes, this totally counts as today's post.

Recall record keeping

2011-12-01T04:14:00.000-06:00

Fueled by ~~having an extended tantrum over~~ the changes to collective bargaining made by Scott Walker and his administration, ~~big labor~~ a group of concerned citizens is mounting a recall effort. They are busily circulating petitions, stopping traffic at major intersections, and, according to statements by the organizers, being secretive about exactly how many signatures they have collected thus far.

Petitions are due to the Government Accountability Board by January 17th. The GAB then has thirty days to review them. Once they do so and pass the petitions on to the politicians targeted in the recall, the politicos have ten days to challenge any signatures.

Now call me silly, but I thought the purpose of the 30 day review was for the GAB to strike obviously fraudulent signatures. Not so, according to an article in the Journal Sentinel and a statement by the board elections specialist:

The signatures of Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler will be counted on recall petitions targeting Gov. Scott Walker as long as they are properly dated and include a Wisconsin address, the board charged with reviewing the petitions was told Tuesday.

Suspicious signatures will be noted when the Government Accountability Board reviews the petitions, but reviewers will look to see that signatures are accompanied by a Wisconsin address and are dated as having been signed during the circulation period, board elections specialist David Buerger said.

"We will flag them, but we will not strike them without challenge," Buerger said after being asked whether Mickey Mouse's signature would be counted. He noted that in previous recall petitions, Adolf Hitler's name was struck because the address given was in Germany, not because of the name itself.

Both the GAB and the politicos are expected to ask for extensions of the time to review the signatures. I'm willing to bet that the first will be granted, while the second will not. The initial GAB review is paid for by the taxpayers - including the salaries of fifty or more temporary workers who will be hired - while the politicians pay for their efforts out of their own fundraising.

This whole process just plain stinks.

Two steps forward, one step back

2011-11-30T13:29:00.000-06:00

Subtitle: The further I go, the behinder I get

The plan was to finish unpacking the dining room (all of three boxes, one of which may be carried, unopened, upstairs) and begin work on the sewing room over the long weekend. How many boxes were unpacked? Zero.

How many have been unpacked in the two evenings since the weekend? Negative four.

Yes, thanks to my prediliction for on-line shopping, I managed to bring more boxes into the condo than were broken down and disposed of during the last two days. Although I did break down the boxes the merchandise came packed in, so I suppose it is a net of zero.

Profligate spending is not usually one of my vices; this whole moving thing, though, has encouraged replacement of things that have seen better days. Replacing the twenty-year old 27" tube television, for instance, meant also securing a new antenna and a sturdier stand than my old magazine table.

On the plus side, I can now state with authority that I am an expert with a box cutter.

In the actually-used-to-cut-boxes, utterly non-terrorist way, of course.

That's irony for you

2011-11-28T15:29:00.000-06:00

Part of my review of the cash receipt vouchers includes looking at the description (keyed into the system by student employees based on the information on the CRV) for reasonableness. I just had to make an interesting correction.

The entry, for payment for a retreat, said, "Finding all things in God", a statement that is gospel truth and warms my heart.

The actual title of the retreat, to which I had to correct the description, is the much more universalist and Jesuit-minded, "Finding God in all things".

It physically hurt to change it.

Now I've seen everything

2011-11-28T10:21:00.000-06:00

A little while ago, I received a cyber Monday offer from the local symphony. It seems everyone is getting into the act.

It's a pretty good deal, too, as it is buy one, get one free. And yes, I did actually call a friend to see if she was free for one of the Christmas concerts. She's not, but I may scoop up a couple of tickets anyway...even if I can't find a friend who is free that night, I'm not paying more than I would anyway.

Post-turkey thoughts

2011-11-28T07:11:00.000-06:00

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 7:17

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 28:7

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Thanksgiving is good for us. No, not the once-a-year feast of gratitude and gravy-laden turkey, but the day to day attitude of thankfulness for the blessings we have been given.

Several studies have shown that being grateful increases our "positive effect" - happiness. It seems also to lead to better lives in general, from better grades to less depression.

The most recent study referenced in the linked article came to the conclusion that gratefulness to God, in particular, is especially powerful. And why not? Rather than self-congratulatory back patting ("I am so thankful my boss recognized my hard work and gave me that promotion"), gratitude to God is looking beyond ourselves, taking ourselves out of the center of our lives ("Thank You, God, for providing me with a job that uses the skills You have given me to bring glory to You.").

Now that the turkey leftovers have been consumed or frozen, the extended family and friends have returned home and the handprint turkeys put in the scrapbook, what is the level of your current day gratitude meter? Has the attitude of thanksgiving been put away with the cornucopia centerpiece? Or can you continue this week being grateful for the riches we enjoy?

Something to think about.

The end to a long weekend

2011-11-27T18:54:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy couple of days. The rehearsal yesterday afternoon ended up being more of a fun chat with a new friend, as only the other woman involved in the reading showed up. The three guys spaced out, read the date wrong and didn't get the e-mail. I'm not surprised; I've been a bit of a space cadet myself.

Saturday evening the Crazy Canasta Chicks met, with a new member. Even if she weren't delightful, witty and a great fit for the group, we would probably keep her, as she brought a tray of chocolates =) As usual, we all were at a place where we really needed the stress relief, and we probably did just as much laughing as playing. Like a good hostess, I made sure my team lost, even if it was unintentional.

This afternoon, I had the privilege of having lunch and spending some time with friends who have three small, energetic, funny little girls. A mutual friend of ours also came, and it was so very sweet to see that one of the twins - at twenty months - has a crush on him, and wants to sit with him whenever he is around. He would take a drink of his coffee, and she would raise her water glass at the same time - over and over. Little cutie. They are all cuties, and their daddy had better practice his intimidating looks before they start dating. And the food....

Joy is a fan of Nigella Lawson, and is an excellent cook and baker. Chorizo, chicken, potatoes and onion seasoned with orange zest/juice and roasted - awesome. One of the great benefits of being a guest is being sent home with goodies - pumpkin muffins that will be breakfast in the coming days, plus cookies and one of the peanut butter squares that were dessert (um, that one barely made it home). Thank you, Joy!

Mr. T is now devoid of meat, the meat divided, weighed and frozen while his carcass boiled away. Still cooling, but then it, too, will be frozen for a week or two - until I feel like facing turkey again. Lots of soup and casseroles in my future.

Now to relax for an hour before getting things ready for work. I've been staying up much too late (average bedtime since Tuesday night: 11:10) and morning comes early.

While it's always good to take a day or two to give thanks for our blessings, it's in the little, day to day things that we see the depth of love in God's provision for us. A chance to get to know a new friend or two, a car that runs reliably, the comfort of a windproof home, a full refrigerator and a full heart. We will never understand this side of eternity all of the things for which we should be grateful, but we can certainly start with becoming more aware of the day to day blessings we often let slip by without thought.

So tonight, I'm simply grateful for a container of M & Ms, Once Upon a Time, and you all, gentle readers.

2011-11-25T18:24:00.000-06:00

For the first time in months, I slept in this morning. Really slept in. As in surfaced for good around nine, but didn't get out of bed for another forty-five minutes. While it felt great to get some decent rest, it made for a very slow start to what should have been a productive day.

The grocery run has been postponed until tomorrow, but the laundry is being done. I brought up the putty knife to fill some of the myriad nail holes, but while I located the hammer, I'm not sure where the new hangers that I bought last week were hidden when I had company Saturday. There is one more place to look; if they aren't there, I'll have to dig in the "tools" box the next time I go downstairs to change the laundry over. I may have something in there.

Tomorrow afternoon people are coming over to rehearse for an hour, and in the evening, the Crazy Canasta Chicks are coming, including one new recruit. I've discovered that having people over regularly encourages me to continue the organizing, unpacking and decorating. It even motivated me to put together the Christmas tree and pull out some of the decorations. Note that I still am not sure where to store the fall decor I took down...decisions, decisions.

At the moment I'm facing a pretty big decision on another life issue. Actually, I do know what needs to be done, but I'm still resenting the fact that I have to do it, if that makes sense. More on that when the dust settles.

Better get to it - one more load of laundry to wash and I should be good to go.

Thanksgiving proclamation

2011-11-24T12:18:00.001-06:00

New York
3rd October, 1789

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

By way of contrast, see this article and the linked 2011 proclamation. Breaking with 220 years of tradition, Mr. Obama sees no need for us to ask for forgiveness of sin, whether national or personal. How far - not in a good way - we have come.

Early release

2011-11-23T10:47:00.000-06:00

We got the word in our morning meeting that we may leave an hour early (we generally can the day before a holiday, but we try not to take it for granted, as it is not officially "holiday"). Yay for early ~~parole~~ release!

No running home for me, however, as I made plans to meet the young lady who is my match in our foreign student friendship program at four. We are meeting at the campus Starbucks, which not only has life-sustaining coffee, but a fireplace. It will also be mostly devoid of the usual crowds of caffeine-fueled students; they only had class Monday this week. The Kindle and my journal are in my bag, and I can amuse myself quite well between early quitting time and our meeting.

That will be a perfect beginning to the long weekend.

Java Jive

2011-11-22T14:41:00.000-06:00

Regular readers may be aware that I stopped drinking the office coffee eighteen months or so ago. After years of coffee made to tar strength, pots left to char on the burner and the frustration of dealing with half a dozen people who would consistently take juuuuuust enough coffee that a skin was left in the pot so they wouldn't have to make more, I gave up.

I've been bringing in McDonald's or Starbucks every day since.

Because I Am A Nice Person (T), I offered to do an internal clean of the office machine as part of my kitchen assignment for the office cleaning day. It's not difficult - run a pot of vinegar through the machine, followed by several pots of plain water to flush everything out.

We finally got to it this afternoon. Apparently, it had been taking twenty minutes (they timed it) to drip a single pot. Exactly why no one thought to clean the dang thing before this, I don't know. After the second pot of plain water, the coffee maker was gushing a Niagara-force flow again, good as new.

My own machine is a fancy-schmancy Cuisinart model that is supposed to tell me when it is time to "decalcify". I've had the machine for more than two years, and it hasn't told me yet. Given how slowly it runs, I may just go ahead and do it (radical me).

On another coffee note, the Starbucks I generally spend an hour or so in pre-church is remodeling, I believe so their counter area is big enough to accommodate the machine they use to steam the breakfast sandwiches. They are still open, but as a walk-up business only. The grand reopening is scheduled for December 4th. I went to church this past week sans coffee; it was not a good thing. I may need to break out my own espresso machine again, though where in my kitchen I'll store it, I don't know.

So much trouble caused by a little, dry roasted cherry.

Dinner aftermath

2011-11-20T18:18:00.000-06:00

Five pounds of beef roast. Four college co-eds, and skinny little things at that. Which of the two came away from last night's dinner victorious?

The co-eds, of course.

Actually, I deliberately cooked for a bigger crowd in order to send some leftovers home with the girls. I would have killed for a home cooked meal whilst in college, and leftovers to take with me back to the dorm would have put me over the moon. All that is left in my refrigerator of the beef, roasted veggies, rolls and apple crisp is a small container of veggies and a lonely roll. Wait - there are a few more apples and the rest of the gallon of ice cream; I can make more apple crisp!

While our students are personable, bright, polite and focused, they also unintentionally made me feel very, very old. It's rather easy to ignore the advances of age when you have no children of your own to mark the time. It's even easier when you have a group of friends who are twenty or more years younger than you are (as long as you ignore the fact you've watched them grow up from the age of eight). But time is marching on.

If I weren't so tired, I'd ramble on a bit about the odd phase of life this is, being neither fish (young person) nor fowl (middle aged soon-to-be in-laws and grandparents), still working but thinking more about the time after (if there is any, in this economy). But I need a rest.

That's a rest, not a rest home.

Company Girls Coffee 111811

2011-11-18T10:14:00.000-06:00

Welcome! Have a seat, and I'll rustle up some coffee. I've not had any yet today, as today is...

Office Cleaning Day!!

I needed both hands to bring in my work bag and a bucket of cleaning supplies, so no coffee.

Office mates laughed a little to see me don an actual apron, but my cleaning assignment was the kitchen (yes, the place I never use, and when I do, I CLEAN UP AFTER MYSELF, unlike several colleagues who shall not be named - unless I decide to publicly shame them). I knew I'd be splashing water around and leaning on things, so apron it was.

They are just jealous of my Thanksgiving-themed finery.

Our regular cleaning guy is fantastic, but he is not responsible for dusting cubicles, nor for anything in the kitchen beyond trash and floor cleaning. Every so often, we all lend a hand and get everything back to baseline clean.

I will say that it is very instructive to clean alongside other people - it's pretty easy to separate the type A from the type B.

After cleaning here, I need to go home and - you guessed it - clean. Last week's supper for twelve strangers was postponed due to sickness, so the young ladies are coming tomorrow night. Two massive slabs of beef (I've named them Chuck and Charlie, too) will braise in the crockpot, while the oven is used to roast veggies. We all should be able to take some leftovers.

So very much to be thankful for this season; may we not only remember to spend time giving thanks now, but throughout the year.

Currently: 11/17/11

2011-11-17T13:24:00.000-06:00

Stolen from Stephanie at Simple Things:

Weathering: The coldest day of the year so far. It is noon and it still isn't above freezing. It warms back up a bit for the weekend, but I think this is a sure sign of things to come.

Wearing: Black skirt, medium blue shirt and a multi-blue pashima style (it's rayon, not actual pashima wool) long scarf. My office is cold, and I'm considering converting the scarf to a shawl style wearing.

Listening: The computer is streaming K-Love, and I can hear bits and pieces of conversation out in the main office. It's actually pretty quiet this afternoon; a lot of people are in another building for a meeting on our system upgrade.

Watching: As of last night, I'm running through old episodes of Quantum Leap on Netflix. It's amazing how often the series makes reference to God, with an assumption that the viewer is watching from a distinctly Judeo-Christian point of view. Whether it held up throughout the series is yet to be seen. The show would never, ever make it to air these days.

Reading: For mind-candy: Heat Wave (yes, a novel based on a television show - it's better than you would think), Plum Lovin' (does Janet Evanovich write any of the Plum series anymore? This one is quite well written). For knowledge: Sheila Walsh's The Shelter of God's Promises. For preparation for Christmas: Immanuel: Praying the Names of God Through the Christmas Season. I think that's everything.

Drinking: What I really want to be drinking is Starbucks' signature hot chocolate, which is no longer on the menu. They've replaced it with some salted caramel thing. I'll give it a try, but I'm pretty sure I won't like it. I may need to order the regular hot chocolate without the chocolate drizzle, and carry my own cinnamon.

Eating: I have a slice of chocolate cake sitting here for a mid-afternoon snack. Dinners this week have been hit or miss. Saturday, company is coming, and the plan (for the moment - ask me again when I'm at the store) has been changed to a hunk of beef braised all day in the crockpot, with roasted veggies, salad and apple crumble. Planning on enough leftovers for Monday lunch.

Inspiring: In an effort to jump start my willingness to clean out the room that will eventually become the sewing room, I bought this. The hope is that over the long weekend, that room can be cleared of everything that is not sewing supplies. Meanwhile, I look at quilting magazines and sigh.

Wishing: Wishing I had time to do the things I want to do, rather than only having time to do the things I need to do. Isn't that the eternal human struggle?

Thinking: I need to make another list. My thoughts are scattered, I'm still thinking through a rather knotty issue that may have a huge impact on my day-to-day life and I can't remember half the time whether I'm here or there. A list would help.

Loving: The colder weather, the beginnings of the Christmas season (who am I kidding - that's been going on for weeks), the idea of warm nights by the fire, comfort casseroles and warm fuzzy slipper-socks. I love popping out to bring in the mail at 9 p.m., and running into a neighbor who is out putting out stale bread for the birds. I even love the ducks that won't fly or walk any faster across the condo complex roads - even when you creep up on them and honk the horn.

Although, if they keep that up, there may be duck liver pate on the Christmas menu.

By the numbers

2011-11-16T09:09:00.000-06:00

The Post Office notified me yesterday that my sixty day forwarding order is about to expire. I've now been a homeowner for fifty-nine days, and in the condo for about forty-five.

So far, so good.

Most of the immediate neighbors have been met, either in the garage or as I've been getting mail. They all appear to be my age or older; this is a positive, as our building and our little corner of the complex is nice and quiet. No racing cars, excessively loud music or all night parties to disturb the peace.

In the past forty-five days I've had one moving day meal delivery, two impromptu visits from friends and neighbors and thrown two (it would have been three, but last Saturday's dinner had to be postponed a week) dinner parties.

The local pizza places (one independent, one chain) can now reliably find the place before the pies cool off. Grocery, prescription and sundry retailers have been located. The least expensive place to buy gas was found, as was a little cafe for leisurely Saturday morning breakfasts (if I ever get to have one of those again).

It feels like home.

Giving in to the season

2011-11-12T17:10:00.000-06:00

Really, people, it is too early to be going all Christmas. A local radio station turned to all holiday music yesterday, and from what I heard this morning, the local Panera has done the same. Black Friday deals are already being leaked. Sheesh.

But I suppose I'm just as bad, as I appear to have accidentally begun Christmas shopping. A favorite on-line shop had a sale on something that is perfect for a friend, and my mistake in reading a description on a sale item on another favorite site netted me what will be a perfect gift for another.

To top things off, as I vacuumed today, I moved furniture in preparation for putting up the Christmas tree.

I've given in.

La la I can't hear you and I'm keeping my eyes closed

2011-11-10T14:09:00.000-06:00

Rumor has it that our area saw some snowflakes yesterday, and even again today.

That simply cannot be true.

After all, I've not yet unpacked the winter scarves and gloves, nor taken out the winter dishes. While the patio has been blown clear of most leaves, the furniture is yet uncovered. I'm not ready.

Of course, my state of readiness has no bearing on when the first real snowfall blows our way. I'm not sure why I'm whining, anyway, as underground parking eliminates the never-ending task of brushing snow off the car. I'm in denial as well about the fact that Thanksgiving is two weeks from today. Yikes.

If you need me, I'll be the one sitting on the couch, with the heat turned high, clutching my summer clothes and whimpering, "No, not yet, I'm not ready, it can't be..." over and over.

Indian giver*

2011-11-10T09:49:00.000-06:00

It seems that Amazon is getting itself in trouble with various publishers as a result of its announcement last week of a lending library for Kindle owners. The publishing houses claim that works are included in the library that are not included in any deal with Amazon, and that in fact there is no deal with Amazon for any works from their houses.

The argument is based is part on the type of model used in publishing to sell books (or rights to books, in the case of electronic delivery), and how the publisher, author and others in the food chain are to be compensated.

In other words, what's in it for me?

Yesterday afternoon I downloaded my first book from the lending library. I can keep it for a month, though once I start reading it, I'll be done in a few hours. The loans are limited to one title per month - not much at all for a voracious reader. What it will do for me, however, is provide an opportunity for me to try out authors and genres I wouldn't normally peruse if I needed to pay for the book. Like most readers, if I discover a new author, I'm likely to go back and read everything they have written to date. In other words, I buy more books. That sounds like a win-win for Amazon and the publishing houses.

We're in the midst of a change in publishing that rivals the upheaval when Gutenberg invented moveable type. We'll see how it all shakes out.

*Before you get your undies in a wad about the un-PC nature of the title, consider the definitions/etymologies offered by Urban Dictionary. The insulting, un-PC definition fits the situation with Amazon, as Amazon has the ability to pull back any of the questioned titles that have been downloaded, without any action on the part of the Kindle owner. The kinder, more PC definition also fits, as the publishing houses most definitely expect some sort of return "gift" (cash) for the use of their titles. I mean no disrespect in using the term; it simply fits the situation perfectly.

I don't think that word means what you think it means...natural version

2011-11-09T10:22:00.000-06:00

From a description of a throw sold by a high-end natural fiber linens company:

Here, a heavenly soft two-color throw, crafted of bamboo viscose. The ultimate in naturally luxurious comfort, bamboo viscose is silky-soft like cashmere but made from all-natural materials.

Sheesh, I always knew those Cashmere goats were unnatural.

Ah.....CHOO!

2011-11-09T10:15:00.000-06:00

It was inevitable. If the flying in a metal tube in close contact with people who refuse to stay grounded when they have colds didn't get me, the germs from the woman who sat next to me for three days of the conference - who insisted it was "allergies" - would.

Truth to tell, it's probably a combination of that and an immune system which has been brutally abused over the last eight weeks. Long, late nights packing, more activity than normal, running for supplies, setting up for entertaining...my body just plum wore out. So I e-mailed in, took two Advil and went back to bed for four hours.

It's almost time for another dose of Advil.

It's also time to drag myself downstairs for a bit. If I want sustenance other than cherry flavored cough syrup, that is. "Feed a cold, starve a fever", or the other way around? Who cares - I'm hungry. Last night, in spite of already feeling rocky, I put together an easy chicken cacciatore and ended up with more leftovers than anticipated. It may not be lunchtime yet, but it is much past breakfast. My tastebuds were still working yesterday, so I can at least imagine what it tastes like.

After that, it's time for another nap.

A lasting legacy

2011-11-07T14:14:00.000-06:00

Five years ago one of our staff people had the brilliant idea of having a silent auction along with our departmental ~~holiday~~ Christmas party, with the proceeds going to charity. My own role in the process was serving as the communications guru - announcements, badgering for contributions, urging on the bidders. In that role, I sent out a number of e-mails detailing the types of auction items we needed, the process for bidding and a few other organizational details.

The announcements for this year came out today. I suppose I should be flattered that every year since the first, whoever has been organizing the event has used my original memos and e-mails - pretty much word for word. I laugh every time I see it.

So...what type of basket/donation should I make this year? No time to make a quilt (and the sewing room is still awash in boxes). Dinner for six? Basket of knitting supplies? Gardening kit?

I suppose I should just go look at the list I wrote in 2006 and pick something...

Sunday evening at home

2011-11-06T18:13:00.000-06:00

After returning from the conference, all I wanted to do was laze around. Truthfully, that is pretty much all I've done.

The weather people kept saying this is probably the last nice weekend we will have until spring, and I had convinced myself I really needed to sweep up the piles of leaves on the patio...but would put it off until Sunday. Around midday Saturday I was in the loft, watching something on the computer, when I heard a leaf blower start up...on the roof. Apparently, one of the maintenance guys from the condo association does this each fall, blowing leaves off the roof and out of what few exposed gutters we have.

Fifteen minutes later, the leaf blower got loud again - this time, I peeked out the bedroom window, and realized the maintenance guy was blowing the leaves off of my patio! Hurrah for procrastination - in this case, I reaped a definite benefit.

I'm about to go make muffins (alas, from a box, not from scratch) and throw together a tuna casserole for dinner. Yesterday I made up a menu for dinner for all of next week, but I opted not to go to the store today, so the Monday and Tuesday dinners will need to be switched. Just didn't feel like it today, and I have enough staples in the house to throw together a couple of the meals on the list. Aldi is less crowded on a Monday night after work than on a Sunday early afternoon, especially on a day with a Packer game that starts at three. You would think people expected to starve to death during a three and a half hour football game, they are so frenzied about accumulating massive amounts of food before the game starts.

Speaking of massive, did I mention that one of the Steeler football players was on my flight from Memphis to New Orleans? They had just announced boarding for first class passengers when a mountain thumped through the boarding area. The biggest man I have ever seen. My seat mate was from Philly (a law enforcement officer who was himself over six feet) and mentioned that the mountain was indeed a football player.

I'm surprised we got off the ground.

Anyway, time to make the muffins and casserole, then watch Once Upon a Time and hit the hay. I've four days of work e-mails to cull through tomorrow...it is going to be a long, long day.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig

2011-11-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

The best part of traveling is returning home. What a difference between last year's trip to New Orleans for the tax forum and this year's - and not really in a good way. Bits and pieces that may or may not be blogged more fully later:

- Two people killed and fourteen others wounded in gunfights overnight the night before the conference started - the worst of the incidents happening in the heart of the French Quarter (it's telling to note that the first ten google results on a search for this yield reports on the incidents from papers other than those in NOLA-this type of thing is a huge problem for the tourism industry for the city).

- A cab driver who didn't know where the restaurant to which I needed to go was located, resulting in a bit of an unexpected tour through the French Quarter. The night after all the shootings.

- A hotel with no wireless in the rooms, lousy wireless in the public areas and overall hotel services that were uneven and not exactly conducive to having a good stay.

- Airports. 'Nuff said.

- Delta, which gave me great service on six different flights last year with no issues, deciding to mess with me in a very annoying way this year, on much simpler flights.

On the plus side, I met a slew of interesting people (introvert's trick: get other people to talk about themselves. They will carry the rest of the conversational ball effortlessly), including people from Honduras, Ethiopia and Iran. The Iranian (a cab driver in my own city, who has been here 35 years) said that as a result of the way previous presidential administrations have branded Iranians, he is actually a "barbarian (Reagan) axis of evil (Bush) terrorist (Muslim - the second Bush), Frankly, he had a point (and was actually a nice guy).

Because I can, I'm going back to bed for a while. There is a tube of cinnamon rolls in the frig for later, cafe du monde chicory coffee on the counter and a bit of patio work to do on a sunny, but brisk day. Unpacking, cleaning, puttering - it's good to be home.

New homeowner discovery #2384

2011-11-01T07:22:00.000-05:00

That extra switch in the bathroom? The one that seemed to be a duplicate switch for the exhaust fan? Um, yeah...if you turn it on for more than the second it takes to hear that it is a fan, you will discover that it is a heat blower in the exhaust fan.

I did kind of wonder why the main floor bathtub had a nice heat lamp built into the ceiling, while the walk-in shower on the second floor didn't have that sort of amenity.

Nice to find that out just as the weather (and the chill in the house in the morning) is getting colder. Score!

Perimenopausal moment #378391037 - Cheese edition

2011-10-30T20:19:00.000-05:00

Every so often, the brain fog that is the result of hormone storms colliding with sleep deprivation have a very real financial cost.

Earlier this week, I wandered into the cheese store to pick up goodies for today's party. The idea was to pick up half pound chunks of four or so varieties of cheese for a platter. So...brick, fontina (good for eating on crackers as well as melting in things), gouda and...cranberry cheddar, a local product.

The old gentleman at the counter carved off the blocks, ringing them up and adding them to the andouille sausage I grabbed from the freezer case. While he was checking me out, we were idly chatting about the heat in the sausage and other culinary delights. I wasn't paying much attention to the total on the order, as I was tired and in a hurry.

Once home, I put the whole bag into the refrigerator, too tired to do much more. It wasn't until the next day that I got around to pulling the cheese out of the bag. At that point I discovered that the clerk had misheard my "cranberry cheddar", giving me "ten year old cheddar" instead.

Eeep. Ten year old cheddar runs around $36 per pound. No wonder the total on the order seemed a bit high.

I did consider returning it, but curiosity got the better of me, so I cut it up and served it. Oh.my.gosh. It was worth every penny. Smooth, concentrated flavor. Best cheese I've ever had.

And best I will ever have; I never intend to make that mistake again.

Slow kind of day

2011-10-29T18:19:00.001-05:00

Somehow, I managed to both go to bed early and sleep a bit later than usual, for a gain of about nine and a half hours sleep. Bliss. After dinking around checking e-mail and a few other things, I made my way downstairs, intending to run a few errands...

...and the phone rang as soon as my foot hit the bottom stair. It was close to an hour later when I finally left the house, but it was time well spent.

Target, how I love thee! There is a Target on the major street less than five minutes away. I needed some household stuff, but also needed heavy duty paper plates and bowls, pretty fall napkins, a nice journal to use as a guest book and a one pound bag of frozen cooked shrimp. Target had all of it, saving me two other stops. Hurrah!

More unpacking today. The kitchen is close to done, but I needed to stop to clean a bit for the lunch tomorrow. At long last I've put the rug down in the dining room (an eight by five rug I'd used years ago at the old place, but never got around to taking to Goodwill - good thing!). To my surprise, even with two leaves in, the table fits in the dining room with room for people to sit at either end. It was a bit worrisome, as the dining room is one step up from the living room. I'd hate to have a guest push back their chair after dinner and fall out of the room.

Time to start chopping veggies. I'm making jambalaya, which is easy to cook, but requires a whole lot of chopped up stuff. Green pepper, onion, celery, garlic, tomatoes, sausage, chicken. Then there's the shrimp tails to pull off. If the prep is done beforehand, it takes only a few minutes to throw it together and throw it in the oven.

I'd better get to it, as I'm starting to lose steam.

Go west,, Big 12, young man

2011-10-28T11:35:00.000-05:00

Yet another school is leaving the Big East, and yet another idiot is suggesting that Marquette restart the football program it eliminated in 1960. If we had the kind of money it takes to build a stadium and fund a football team, we would use it for scholarships.

After all, our raison d'etre is to educate students, not entertain the masses. And for the record, no, sports boosters do not generally donate money to any university fund other than those that are directly sports related. Sports teams are maintained as a student recruitment tool, and as part of the "student experience".

We provide an excellent education at a (fairly) reasonable price. We're doing all we can to hold tuition increases to the bare minimum, while still providing all the amenities to which the current generation of students feels entitled. We've done an outstanding job navigating the minefield of the last three years without resorting to massive tuition increases or any layoffs or reductions in service.

University. Not sports franchise.

Company Girl Coffee 102811

2011-10-28T07:19:00.000-05:00

Wow, is it really the end of October? Grab a cup of something warm, pick one of the quilts stacked up over there to pull around yourself and have a seat.

Busy week. One set of card ladies came over last Friday; we had a blast. These are some of my dearest friends, and it was great to show them the condo. Tonight the Crazy Canasta Chicks are meeting...and I'm considering staying home. I've been running quite a bit this week, and among the things I've forgotten (see the previous post) is my coat. Since I exit through underground parking, it's easy to skip checking the weather and dressing appropriately. It isn't until I'm ready to get out of the car at work that I finally realize I've been an idiot. My body, however, has been happy to incubate the virus lurking in my sinuses.

More fun with people this weekend, as a group of people from church and some other friends are coming for lunch. In the "forgetful" vein, I forgot that I currently only have access to plates for eight; there are ten people total for lunch. Anyone have recommendations on where to go for cute, sturdy paper plates?

The advantage of having groups of people over in rapid succession is that the house stays fairly neat in between - no hurried all-house cleaning for company needed. Since I'm still technically in the process of unpacking, I don't stress about things not being "perfect", whatever that is. Plus, there are wonderful leftovers to take for lunch.

A business trip to New Orleans is coming up. In spite of having much less time in the city this year, I'd still like to get out a bit - hopefully, to the flea market, as that is the one place that is open early enough for me to take advantage of it the one morning I am free. If I work it right, it will be breakfast at Mother's, the flea market, then coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde before heading back to the hotel for the conference.

Next weekend, I plan to do nothing. Absolutely nothing. All weekend.

A forgetful kind of day

2011-10-27T09:08:00.000-05:00

Signs that trying to do to much lately is wearing on me:

I remembered to gather up the garbage and put the bag in the trunk on the way out this morning for garbage day...but forgot to actually drop the bag in our assigned spot (we are supposed to put our garbage and recyclables in a specific spot that is some distance from our garage, but is next to the road on my way out in the morning - totally spaced out and forgot to stop. Hope I remember to take the bag out of the trunk later!).

I remembered to e-mail everyone this morning to find out if/where we were playing canasta this Friday...but forgot to bring with me the grocery list I need for the shopping I need to do tonight if indeed I'm going to be out Friday night. The list, which includes all sorts of things needed for a luncheon on Sunday, is much too long for me to recreate.

I remembered to stop at the cheese store last night...but forgot to pick up some applewood smoked bacon. That just makes me sad.

Because you know - bacon is the cure for everything.

Say cheese!

2011-10-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

I'm off to the cheese shop after work to pick up some andouille sausage (that sentence does make sense; they sell a variety of sausages as well as crackers, wine, cutting boards - anything that goes with cheese). It's impossible to go without buying some cheese, though.

So - what is your favorite cheese? Fontina is already on my list. Although it is a semi-soft product that melts beautifully and is used extensively in cooking, I like to eat it straight off the block as well. I'm not averse to ~~stinky~~ "assertive and piquant" flavors.

Let me know what you like - I may give it a try!

2011-10-26T08:15:00.000-05:00

Just a few things that caught my eye:

Utah Valley University is being sued by a professor denied tenure because students rated his class as "too tough". What I find interesting is that the course is described as a "capstone" - in other words, the students in question would be near the end of their academic endeavors. By this time they should be able to think and learn under any teaching method.

Wisconsin is adding text messages to the "do not call" list. About time, too. As a rule, I don't text; it is beyond annoying to hear the beep, check the message and discover it is some fly-by-night little company trying to sell me something.

Apparently stabbing someone seven times and cutting her throat is "wrong", at least according to the hit man who did the job. Wold looks like an ax murderer in his mug shot; Johnson, who apparently acted as intermediary, looks like Santa. All three should be locked up for life.

Women who drink more than three cups of coffee a day have a 20% lower risk of skin cancer. For men, the benefit is 9 percent. See, it's the coffee drinking that keeps my skin clear and smooth. That may be why the new stylist at my salon thought I was fifteen years younger than I am (even as she rinsed the hair dye out...).

Yes, vacuums make me happy. The Dyson 25C arrived yesterday, purchased through Woot for half the retail price. It is factory reconditioned, but still came with a decent warranty. The comparison with the ten year old Dirt Devil should be interesting.

Open home

2011-10-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

The condo is officially open for visitors and dinner guests, though I'm still (and will be for a while yet) unpacking. The original card group came for dinner and play on Friday, and fun was had by all. My friends are very gracious, complimenting the house while ignoring the stacks of partially-full boxes.

Flush with the success of Friday's dinner, I've started inviting people for lunch next Sunday. The Packers have a bye week, which will make it a bit easier to actually fill the house (why yes, in Wisconsin you really do have to take things like that into account; now, if I had a 50" plasma TV and invited people to lunch on a Sunday, I'd have no problem finding guests!).

Did you know that showing hospitality is a command from God?

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:9

Hospitality, at its heart, isn't about the meal, the house or the decor, but about connecting with people. As Sandy Coughlin says at her excellent blog Reluctant Entertainer, "Hospitality is not about you. It's about making others feel warm and welcome."

Peter finishes the sentence by reminding us we are to be hospitable "without grumbling". Entertaining shouldn't be a chore, but a joy, as we invite people not only into our homes, but into our lives. It's more about open hearts than open houses, sharing feelings than sharing food.

How hospitable is your heart?

Company Girls Coffee 102111

2011-10-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

Good morning, and a chilly one it is! At least it is no longer raining, and the weekend should be a bit warmer; it should be perfect for covering the patio set and cleaning up the patio for the winter.

Other than those couple of winterizing tasks, the weekend should be fun. My dearest friend, who currently lives in Missouri, is in town and our old card group is getting together for munchies and mayhem. Still-full moving boxes ring the perimeter of the dining room, as well as completely occupying the future sewing room, but the rest of the place is ready for company.

Since this is company girls, is it ok if I get all excited about a vacuum cleaner? Rather than lug my ten year old Dirt Devil up and down the steps, it seemed better to buy a second vacuum and keep one on each level. After a bit of research, I narrowed it down to a couple of models from one manufacturer. As it turns out, I was able to get a factory refurbished unit at not quite half the regular retail price. It should be here tomorrow. Woo hoo!

Oh - and it is amazing how well the old machine works once I remember to change the bag! Oops.

The plan is to goof off the rest of the weekend. I may put together a file cabinet, or finish putting shelf paper in the kitchen, or just stretch out in the recliner while reading with my eyes shut. At some point I should start planning menus. I've met four of my other seven neighbors in the parking garage, and promised them all a dessert get-together. In November, seven strangers will join me for dinner as part of my university's "Dinner for Twelve Strangers" (don't sweat the numbers - the idea is to invite students into your home for a meal). Somewhere in there I want to start having friend over as well...

For more Company Girls, join Rachel Anne.

Blowing in the wind

2011-10-20T12:16:00.000-05:00

We've had about twenty-four hours of high winds, with gusts somewhere up around fifty miles per hour. Any ability for rational thought on my part has blown away.

I forgot to take the chuck roast out of the freezer this morning.

Said roast is meant to be plopped in the crockpot tomorrow to slowly braise all day. After work, it will be shredded and an envelope of onion soup added. Another half hour of cooking yields a really tender, flavorful sandwich filling.

The four friends coming for dinner Friday night would really appreciate it.

Between using some jump-start techniques to begin the thawing process after work today and leaving the roast on the counter all night tonight the chunk of frozen cow should be thawed enough for me to trim it in the morning. There's no danger of it being undercooked; ten plus hours in a crockpot should be enough even if it starts partially frozen.

Right?

Midweek meanderings 10/19

2011-10-19T09:47:00.000-05:00

Tired, stuffy nose, runny nose (simultaneously, no less) and generally achy. The cold isn't bad enough to stay home, but isn't making things any easier. So a meandering, no-real-sense-to-it post to at least clear out the brain lint.

It sucks, part one: During the week off to move, I made the special trip to the hardware store to get vacuum cleaner bags. Through no fault of my own (Dear Dirt Devil, why are there two "C" type bags?) I bought the wrong ones - didn't discover it for almost two weeks. Back to the hardware store tonight.

It sucks, part two: Thanks to the lovely Mir and her discount shopping site, Want Not, I scored a refurbished Dyson DC25 for just about half regular retail. And it is purple, which makes me happy. It will not, alas, be here in time to keep me from visiting the hardware store. The plan is to keep the old Dirt Devil upstairs, while using the other downstairs and on the steps.

We have to stop meeting like this: I met another neighbor down in the parking garage last night. This would be the fourth of the other seven condo owners I've met in the dark garage. Time to set a date for the dessert night I've promised all of them - a chance for us all to chat in comfort (and better light).

Let me entertain you: Things always seem simpler in my mind than they turn out to be in reality. Part of the joy of God providing this condo for me is the ability to open it up to others. In my head, the idea of having people over on a regular basis sounded great. At least until I realized last night that in the space of a month, I am having or have had one friend over for coffee, four card-playing buddies in for dinner and cards, seven strangers/neighbors for a dessert night and a bunch of strangers/university students to the place for a "dinner for twelve (or, in my case, seven) strangers" my work periodically puts on.

And did I mention I'll be out of town for work for four days in the middle of all that?

Eh. One of the myths of entertaining is that everything has to be "perfect" before you can have guests enjoy your home and company. The fastest way to get to know people on a deeper level is to be vulnerable, and being willing to invite them into your less-than-showroom-perfect home is a start.

Big Easy, redux: New Orleans is once again the location of my annual work conference. No vacation time this year, though, so my opportunities for sight seeing are limited. One goal for this year is to actually get to Cafe Du Monde, probably early in the morning (they are open 24 hours a day, a help when you have a strange conference/travel schedule). I'm still working on the tin of their coffee with chicory that prompted TSA to search my bag last year. A return to Snug Harbor is possible; Wednesday nights are Big Band nights. The Flea Market opens at 7 a.m. - another boon when you have to be at a conference that starts at noon.

Then again, I just might use what free time I have to sleep.

Include me out

2011-10-17T10:00:00.003-05:00

A few years ago, Zondervan tried to foist on the Christian community a new, "gender inclusive" Bible "translation" called Today's New International Version. After a fair amount of backlash, the publishers went back to the drawing board, changed a few things and reissued the TNIV under the name "NIV 2011", launched last fall and arriving in stores in bulk in March 2011.

To underscore their commitment to pandering to political correctness, they then announced they would no longer print copies of the previous, unadulterated NIV. Only the NIV 2011 would be available from that point forward.

All this is background to an article by Mary Kassian on the Council for Biblical Manhood & Womanhood on why the changes are actually bad for women. She makes her points well, with a delightful edge of snark.

A sample:

Gender inclusive Bibles imply that women are too stupid to figure out that in the Bible, the words "man" and "brothers" are inclusive terms. The male translators have to fix the words for us, since we're not theologically astute enough or bright enough to get it on our own. Quite frankly, I feel like gender-inclusive Bibles insult a woman's intelligence.

Go read the rest.

God said what He meant, folks. Just to be sure that we understood what He meant, He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us to understand:

When the Spirit of truth comes,he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:13

And if that isn't enough, all we have to do is ask for wisdom:

If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

Charity case

2011-10-17T04:44:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season. In spite of the recent sightings of Christmas decorations and gift baskets, I'm not referring to that season. No, 'tis the season of the Community Campaign.

A few years ago, our Advancement department had the idea of combining our annual scholarship solicitation with the local United Way and United Performing Arts Fund drives. Since they were going through the effort to solicit all employees for the UW/UPAF drive, they figured the university may as well get a piece of the generosity.

That's fine with me; one less begging letter crossing my desk. What isn't fine with me are the various ways I'm being strong armed into availing myself of this "opportunity" to give. The official message from the fund drive chair - reinforced by our new president - that we are striving for 100% participation. Reiteration in an e-mail from our area vice president. Pitting the two divisions in Finance against one another, with the highest percentage of participation earning a prize. Adding insult to injury was the automated solicitation telephone call to my work number, received over a week after I made a contribution.

Make no mistake: I'm all for helping as much as I can, and I happen to work in a place that values generosity in both gifts of cash and time. What rubs me the wrong way is the spirit in which it is done. Giving is lauded, celebrated, receives brownie points on annual evaluations and is expected, without being expressly stated. Doing charity work in venues other than the campus is appreciated, but working in a campus-supported ministry earns the gold star.

Whatever happened to humility in charity?

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you."

Matthew 6:1 - 4

Duck, duck....Geese!

2011-10-16T13:23:00.000-05:00

Even though my condo is in the middle of the city, there is a sizable pond nearby. Greenfield is also home to a number of cemeteries, which provide lots of calm, peaceful green space. It's no wonder we often hear flocks of low flying geese honking their ways across the skies.

This morning, as I left to go to church, I ran across a small flock who decided to rest their wings, taking a stroll along our road instead.

By the time I pulled out my phone to take the picture, they had already crossed the road. In fact, I had driven past the straggler of the group, who by the time this was taken was behind my car. They didn't seem phased at all to have an auto pacing them.

To my left, on top of a small hill, three more geese stood as if they were generals reviewing their troops.

Not a big deal, but the whole thing made me smile.

Early (but still much later than usual) Saturday

2011-10-15T06:42:00.000-05:00

It's hard for other people to understand why I'm excited at sleeping in, when that "sleeping in" still has me getting out of bed just before six a.m. But hey, it beats rolling out at the usual 4:50.

Besides, a nap is written on today's calendar in ink.

Much to do before then, however. First up, a big grocery run. I've a plan for meals for at least the first part of the week and Friday's dinner, when my card-playing pals are coming over. Of course, the plan depends in part on unpacking the dry groceries that are still in a couple of boxes. Unpacking all of them means putting the rest of the shelf paper in the cabinets. Putting in the shelf paper means adjusting the cabinet shelf to a level I can actually reach. Dominoes, you see.

Last night the second floor got a cleaning, though I do still need to haul the vacuum up to do the actual floors. A second vacuum is on the "to be purchased" list, never fear. Today (pre-nap; the nap is the carrot in this scenario) I'll pick up and clean downstairs, or at least as much as I can considering one room is mostly full of moving boxes that will be there for a while. I'm hoping to empty out the boxes of miscellaneous stuff by the end of the month, to clear the way to putter around setting up the sewing room over the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Sometime (after the nap) a bit of outside work; time to take in the patio umbrella, shift and cover the table and chairs for the winter. Oh, and wind up and store the hose. And toss out the old owner's dead flowers. And roll up the indoor/outdoor carpet under the table.

Maybe I will go back to bed for an hour or so.

Company Girl Coffee 101411

2011-10-14T07:36:00.000-05:00

It's a brisk, breezy morning here, so grab a latte mug filled with your favorite hot beverage. In fact, you may want to stock up, as the weather appears to have finally turned to full-on Fall! There is a rumor that a couple of days late next week will see highs only in the forties, along with (dare I say it?) light frost overnight. Yay for killing allergens!

Semi-busy weekend ahead. One goal is to finish lining the kitchen cupboards and get as much of the kitchen set up as possible. It's been a lot of take out the last several weeks, and I'd really like to get back to cooking.

The second goal is to put away (in other words, find permanent homes for) some of the flotsam in the living room, so it can become an inviting space for guests. A friend is indeed visiting Saturday night, giving this project a bit of a push.

Next Friday a dear friend will be in town, so the old card playing gang is getting together. I need to make sure there is room in the dining room to both serve an easy dinner and play cards (see goal #1 above).

Sleep is high on the priority list. A little bit of a virus is making its home in my sinuses and I'd dearly love to do nothing but doze on the couch and sip orange juice. How sad is it that I need to schedule that?

That's about it here. For more company girls coffee, visit Rachel Anne.

Cool days, warm meals

2011-10-13T13:09:00.001-05:00

We set a record for October with nine straight days of seventy degree or higher temps (including two days eighty and higher!).

Payback is, well, cold and damp. The next week shows highs only in the low to mid-fifties, and lots of rain.

My kind of weather.

In the bustle of moving, I still managed to pick up two new cookbooks, both from Gooseberry Patch. Once highlights autumn recipes, the other slow cooker, skillet and casserole dishes. Sometime in the last month I also downloaded a soup, stew and chili cookbook.

Some form of one-pot meal will be simmering on the back burner most days. If you are interested in stopping in for dinner, drop me a line!

The little things

2011-10-13T09:36:00.001-05:00

Last night, for the first time since I moved, I went straight home after work. No errands, no stopping off anywhere else, no detour to pick up something for dinner.

Straight home.

It felt wonderful. There was leftover Chinese in the fridge for dinner, and a quart of cookies & cream custard in the freezer (bought Sunday and forgotten about - can you believe it?).

The evening was spent doing the little things. Find the right tupperware to use for reheating dinner. Break up all the stryofoam packed around the small file cabinet pieces. Gather up all the garbage and take it downstairs in preparation for today's pick up. Measure the pantry and kitchen for shelf paper. Cut and install some of the shelf paper. Drop the silverware tray into a newly lined drawer. Fill the knife block. Move several large, empty boxes sitting in various spots on both floors to the basement for recycling break down.

Puttering. Wandering from task to task, no set list or agenda. More was accomplished than when I have a detailed plan. Just do the next thing, whatever that is at the moment. Eventually, everything will get done.

Tired

2011-10-09T20:42:00.001-05:00

Aren't weekends supposed to rejuvenate you for the work week ahead? I'm just plain tired. It's been a bit of a domino game around here, but not a fun one. Tomorrow the last of the the stuff at the old place is being moved out. In order to have boxes to pack up some of that stuff (not a lot, but strange odds and ends and all of the good stemware) I needed to unpack some of the boxes here.

So I unpacked a number of boxes of books and a couple of the larger kitchen boxes. The books have been (mostly) shelved, but the kitchen stuff...at least I finally went and bought some pretty blue shelf paper. Not that I've put it in yet, so the kitchen stuff from the empty boxes is mostly - on the dining room table.

Friday night I completely took apart and thoroughly cleaned the refrigerator (why yes, I've mostly been eating take out and fast food for the last ten days). I even have a few things in it (most notably the three bottles of wine I brought here from the other place today) but not enough to actually make a meal with.

I'm enjoying the process of unpacking, figuring out where to put stuff, weeding out things that can go to Goodwill. I'm in no real hurry, though I did get the urge to put some things up on the walls, on some of the myriad nails and hangers the old owners left. A pretty mirror in the entryway, a favorite picture in the living room (it lived in my bedroom at the old place) and a new old-looking clock in the living room. The hanger for the clock needs to be moved, as it is too high and too far left, but if I plan to paint in the spring, I don't really want to put more holes in the wall that I'll have to spackle before painting.

The big excitement for the weekend, of course, was the big win by the Brewers on Friday, and now, their big win today. I took the afternoon off tomorrow, not for the game, but for the final move; I'm hoping I can sit on the patio and enjoy our mid-seventies weather. Heaven knows by Wednesday I'll have to make sure the outside water is turned off and the patio furniture is secured for the winter, as it is changing from well above normal to below normal almost overnight.

Enough of the sleep-deprived babbling, and on to the sleep. Catch you next week.

National League Championship Series, here we come!

2011-10-07T21:54:00.002-05:00

The Brewers pulled one out in the tenth inning tonight, defeating Arizona and sending us onward. Not sure who we will play - St. Louis is leading Philly 1 - 0 in the bottom of the eighth, but I can't stay awake much longer. If nothing changes, we play St. Louis at home Sunday. Otherwise it's off to Philly.

Congrats to the Brew Crew, and best of luck on the way to the Series.

Update: Cardinals it is - home field advantage!

Company Girls Coffee 100711

2011-10-07T07:56:00.000-05:00

Good morn...YAWN...ing all. Excuse the yawn. I did some unpacking last night that involved, among other things, running up and down from the second floor to the basement multiple times and shifting both the mattress and box spring off and back on to the bed frame.

Do any of you have something that is of sentimental value, but it causes you grief on a fairly regular basis? Call me odd, but for me that thing is the slats supporting the box spring etc. on my bed.

You see, thanks to the minuscule size of the bedroom at my old flat, I've continued to use the twin bed set from my childhood for the last twenty years. It's very nice, old growth maple furniture, made to last a lifetime. When my parents first bought it back when I was two and they were expecting my sister, my grandfather, a frugal old Sicilian, cut slats from left over, discarded pieces of board and trim he had squirreled away.

Only he cut them just that much too short.

About once a week or so I need to reach under, lift up the box spring/mattress and shove one (or two) back into place, as I am a fairly restless sleeper and things...shift.

A number of years ago I tried to buy a board and have slats cut. Unfortunately, the hardware stores I called seem to think that their customers are too stupid to measure correctly, and wouldn't cut the board to length. I'm a bit tired - literally - of dealing with the issue, and the previous owners of the condo left behind a hand saw...

This week's mission, therefore, is to go ahead and get what I need to fix the problem once and for all.

Or at least until I finally buy a grown up bedroom set sometime next spring.

For more Company Girl Coffee, visit Rachel Anne.

Better kitty pictures

2011-10-05T19:02:00.000-05:00

JSOnline has a better set of pictures of the lion cubs here. They still make me smile.

Batten down the hatches

2011-10-05T14:15:00.001-05:00

According to Accuweather.com, the Midwest needs to brace for a "brutal", cold and snowy winter. They predict the worst hit city to be Chicago, just ninety miles south of here. One of their meteorologists even says, "People in Chicago are going to want to move after this winter."

Well, don't they always?

You can't blame me for feeling just a little bit smug. The condo has underground parking, and a landscape crew that is responsible for all the digging out and plowing. Thanks to the way the place was built and upgraded, I've both gas and electric heat, should they be needed.

The downside, though is massive windows, along with two sets of patio doors. The doors I can - and will - shrink wrap with weatherproofing plastic (did you know you can get a starter kit free every other year from We Energies just for the asking?), but the big, trapezoidal windows above the living room patio doors are too high to reach, even with a decent sized ladder. Or rather, too high for me to risk my neck to cover in order to save a couple bucks on the heating bill.

The local weather crew won't make any predictions until later in November, but thanks to a little tool called the Lezak Recurring Cycle, once they do, they have been extremely accurate. After that cycle sets up in fall, it comes back around like clockwork.

Still, we've a little time to prepare, to check the car battery, stock up on essentials and mentally gird up to face the cold. But before that, I intend to spend one more Saturday sitting in the sun on the patio reading; the forecast high for then is seventy-eight degrees.