got bored of my old template, tried to find something new, was thinking I wanted something pink or purple-ish, but there's not a lot of selection in that color. Someday I'll have to sit down and make my own template, but until then, there are dots. I just wish that they were pink.
Been busy at work lately. Lots to do to get ready for the Big Review coming up the first week of October. We have a final flip-thru this Thurs and Fri, which shouldn't take too long since we don't have to present our slides, just flip through them and mention the things that are new. Since I have a Red Risk to present, I got to present that part at yesterday's team meeting. Silly me, I included in that presentation information that I had recieved from the instrument teams. I wanted to make sure I had understood what they had told me. Some of the teams were very instructive and helpful. One of the instrumenters--and of course he had teleconned in so I wasn't even sure who he was--started nit-picking about the slides themselves. I finally told him that I wasn't going to update those slides because they were never going to be seen again. Sigh. We were finally able to move on, and I didn't get a lot of grief when I finally threw up the graphic of the timeline. I hope I handled that appropriately. It's hard to know since my boss wasn't there (he's at a conference in California this week), and I don't think anyone else would give me input on how I did. Although, I imagine that if I really screwed up, I would be taken aside and Talked To.
In the meantime, a Yearly Event is approaching that tends to make me more crazy than usual. This year is worse because it's a Milestone Event, and I always promised myself I'd stop being smart-alec-y about my age on this particular milestone. Yes, it's my birthday. Always dificult because my family is usually far away. I have three sisters that remember me on my birthday (and I remember theirs), and if I'm lucky my Dad will send something before the end of the year, although since I did see him in July we can just count that. My brother already wished me a Happy Birthday, and I've even recieved a couple of cards (more if you count the stores that are giving me discounts if I spend my birthday money in them). It's also a reminder that it's one more year closer to the time when I will never be able to have children. In a way it's like a little death every year.
This year seems a little worse, because this year I leave the 30's behind forever. I feel like I should have a party, but I don't know when I could have it, and it's weird throwing a birthday party for oneself. I suppose it would be ok if I told everyone not to bring presents, otherwise it just seems lame. But if I did have a party, I would have two cakes. The first would be a tombstone with something like "RIP 30's" on it, and the second would be a celebration cake with lots of sprinkles and curlicues, "Forty and Fabulous". And I would invite Everyone. My poor house would be too small to hold everyone, but I'm sure only about 10 people would show up anyway. Well, maybe more. I did have quite a few people come to my open house last January.
So if I seem mopey over the next week or so, now you know why. Once I get out of my poorme stage, I'll be more cheerful again I promise. In the meantime, I'll just try to distract myself. Shouldn't be too hard this weekend, since My Friend and her three kids are braving the Renaissance Festival with me! It is Adventure Weekend, so that should be very diverting :D
And in the meantime, there are dots. Even if they're not pink.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
More on Meyer
So last week book club was all about Eclipse. I mentioned this article: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20049578,00.html
(Sorry, Cami, she states that she really is writing for 12-year-old girls)
I've been passing along to my sisters and to my star wars email group that they should try reading this series (always passing along that mothers should read before daughters do).
I still feel that Eclipse wasn't as good as Twilight. Bella annoyed me, the triangle annoyed me, and I really hated that I found the pattern of the books:
1) Bella moping around feeling miserable and hating herself for 3/4 of the book
2) Mad excitement running around the country or to another country or even out in the country trying to save Bella from being eaten. (oddly enough this part always brings me back into the book--I really do like my excitement)
Twilight kept my interest, New Moon did a pretty good job, but Eclipse? Well, it was ok. I'm kinda thinking both Jacob and Edward can do better...
My sister Beckie has now read the entire set three times. I think she likes it almost as much as Harry Potter (she read OotP so many times she had to buy a new book because the old one fell apart--literally and without help from her children).
(Sorry, Cami, she states that she really is writing for 12-year-old girls)
I've been passing along to my sisters and to my star wars email group that they should try reading this series (always passing along that mothers should read before daughters do).
I still feel that Eclipse wasn't as good as Twilight. Bella annoyed me, the triangle annoyed me, and I really hated that I found the pattern of the books:
1) Bella moping around feeling miserable and hating herself for 3/4 of the book
2) Mad excitement running around the country or to another country or even out in the country trying to save Bella from being eaten. (oddly enough this part always brings me back into the book--I really do like my excitement)
Twilight kept my interest, New Moon did a pretty good job, but Eclipse? Well, it was ok. I'm kinda thinking both Jacob and Edward can do better...
My sister Beckie has now read the entire set three times. I think she likes it almost as much as Harry Potter (she read OotP so many times she had to buy a new book because the old one fell apart--literally and without help from her children).
Monday, September 10, 2007
a little bit of this and that
thanks, everyone, for the support on Friday. Considering what Kellie was going through, I really have no right to complain, as Joni says. And yes, of my four sisters, the one mentioned knows who she is. My brother (who reads my blog but rarely comments) knew exactly who she was. A much kinder person than I am, I'm afraid, as he always says that she means well. Yeah, right, tell that to my ex-sis-in-law that my lovely sister tried taking her kids away from. Like I said, Mike is a much better person than I am.
My presentation went... well, at least it's over now. Sort of. It was the 'dry-run' for the 'flip-thru' that happens just before the real thing, so I only have to do it two more times. Lucky me, I get to cover one of the very few hot topics, and the only real 'red' risk that we're carrying right now. Sigh. So my presentation went longer than it should have, but mostly because we had to go over the entire commissioning timeline and make sure we really did not fit into the 45 days we've been allotted. So I get to work on the presentation some more this week and try to fix the flaws in it.
Saturday I overslept again--I'm sensing a theme here. I did make it to my RPG group before they killed all the undead that we were fighting, so that was something. We managed to destroy the Heart of Darkness that we were after, although it was so hot in my freind's sunroom my friend started being concerned I might get heat stroke or something. I used to refer to myself as a Child of the Desert, but I may have been in Maryland too long. Or maybe I just really needed to eat some salt since all I was drinking was water and I may have flushed out my system. Probably a good thing I did not go to the RenFest then. Went home and mowed my lawn--after sunset. Watched Capricorn One, which I hadn't seen before. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was really good. Far more suspenseful than I was expecting.
Sunday I did NOT oversleep--I made it to ward council, to church, to my meeting in Germantown, and then home again where I worked over my finances and realized that I simply must not spend any money this week (I get paid on Friday). I still blame the dogs--not without good reason. The Good Dog Rescue person I was working with told me they had torn up my check. Well, they hadn't. They cashed it. I didn't have enough surplus to cover it, so my overdraft protection kicked in (there's a reason I have it set up that way). So now I have to figure that out.
So not a terribly crazy weekend, but after stepping on the scale Sunday morning and realizing I gained 10 lbs in the last 3 weeks, I have three new goals. 1) add exercise back into my life. 2) Portion control! 3) go to bed earlier! Wish me luck!
My presentation went... well, at least it's over now. Sort of. It was the 'dry-run' for the 'flip-thru' that happens just before the real thing, so I only have to do it two more times. Lucky me, I get to cover one of the very few hot topics, and the only real 'red' risk that we're carrying right now. Sigh. So my presentation went longer than it should have, but mostly because we had to go over the entire commissioning timeline and make sure we really did not fit into the 45 days we've been allotted. So I get to work on the presentation some more this week and try to fix the flaws in it.
Saturday I overslept again--I'm sensing a theme here. I did make it to my RPG group before they killed all the undead that we were fighting, so that was something. We managed to destroy the Heart of Darkness that we were after, although it was so hot in my freind's sunroom my friend started being concerned I might get heat stroke or something. I used to refer to myself as a Child of the Desert, but I may have been in Maryland too long. Or maybe I just really needed to eat some salt since all I was drinking was water and I may have flushed out my system. Probably a good thing I did not go to the RenFest then. Went home and mowed my lawn--after sunset. Watched Capricorn One, which I hadn't seen before. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was really good. Far more suspenseful than I was expecting.
Sunday I did NOT oversleep--I made it to ward council, to church, to my meeting in Germantown, and then home again where I worked over my finances and realized that I simply must not spend any money this week (I get paid on Friday). I still blame the dogs--not without good reason. The Good Dog Rescue person I was working with told me they had torn up my check. Well, they hadn't. They cashed it. I didn't have enough surplus to cover it, so my overdraft protection kicked in (there's a reason I have it set up that way). So now I have to figure that out.
So not a terribly crazy weekend, but after stepping on the scale Sunday morning and realizing I gained 10 lbs in the last 3 weeks, I have three new goals. 1) add exercise back into my life. 2) Portion control! 3) go to bed earlier! Wish me luck!
Friday, September 7, 2007
dizzy, dopey, dreamy day
Had the worst dream last night. For some unknown reason I was living at my Dad's house (still had my berry-red Saturn ION, though). My sister, the one I really don't care for, had come to visit with her kids and a new baby. Not sure it's possible for her to *have* any more babies, but this was a dream; work with me here. She kept finding the lamest reasons to not let me hold her baby. I asked politely several times. She finally wrote me a rather nasty note saying that she would never trust me with her baby, that Dad had told her how I treated new-borns, and to stop asking. I was confused. I couldn't remember a time I had been anything but careful and sweet to babies, so I had no idea what my Dad had told her. He of course wouldn't tell me, and I remember thinking I needed to have them both talk to my friend Brenda, who did trust me with *her* baby. I woke up around that time, feeling a little sick at heart and more than a little like I had been drugged. Not sure what I ate last night, but no more eating after 9:00pm. The maisma has stuck with me all day long. I have to go give a presentation soon. Maybe I'll head over there early and try to get in a nap...
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Lazy, lazy weekend...
Had all these plans for this weekend. Was going to go shopping, go to the movies, go to the Renaissance Festival...
I did mow my back yard, mostly. My friend came over and we worked on Quiet books for a while. I even managed to get prepared for my SA Committee meeting tonight. For the most part, though, I read. I read one book. It was an 800+ page book. And it was quite good. "Outlander", I forget the author's name. I stayed up late Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night reading. Spent most of Saturday reading, forbade myself to read on Sunday so I'd get something else done. Spent most of Monday reading too, and finished it. Stayed up that night too, but not quite so late, and on to the 2nd book in the series by that time. You see, this poor woman had stepped through two standing stones in Scotland, in 1945, and came out, still in Scotland, but in 1743. I had to see if she got back to her century before I could put it down. Didn't actually find that out until the second book, though. Course, the love story, which was the main part of the whole story, was very intense. I got a little tired of her doing silly, 20th century things like walking off by herself, getting in trouble, and having her 18th century husband (initially a marriage of convenience) rescue her. The last time she was able to rescue her husband, though, so that was good. She was married in 1945 and had a lot of anxiety about the propriety of her being married in two centuries--she didn't want to get married but that was the only way to protect herself from the evil 6xgreat-grandfather of her 20th century husband (who was a verra nice man, but his ancestor wasn't). So yeah, I'd have to recommend this book, and thank my sister for lending it to me. whew! Luckily she leant me the second one as well, so I'm set for a little while. And speaking with a Scottish accent. Does anyone else do that? Get so involved in a book you end up talking like the characters?
Someone at church asked me how I was doing, and I said "I'm here". Given the late nights, it was a bit touch-and-go when I hadn't even gotten up at 11:30am on Sunday morning. Good thing it was Fast Sunday--didn't have to worry about eating. Kinda the same sleeping-in problem on Monday, which is why I missed out on the Renaissance Festival. Oh well. I have a few more weeks before it disappears for the winter... They're going to take away my 'rennie membership', though, if I don't stop sleeping through the festival!
I did mow my back yard, mostly. My friend came over and we worked on Quiet books for a while. I even managed to get prepared for my SA Committee meeting tonight. For the most part, though, I read. I read one book. It was an 800+ page book. And it was quite good. "Outlander", I forget the author's name. I stayed up late Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night reading. Spent most of Saturday reading, forbade myself to read on Sunday so I'd get something else done. Spent most of Monday reading too, and finished it. Stayed up that night too, but not quite so late, and on to the 2nd book in the series by that time. You see, this poor woman had stepped through two standing stones in Scotland, in 1945, and came out, still in Scotland, but in 1743. I had to see if she got back to her century before I could put it down. Didn't actually find that out until the second book, though. Course, the love story, which was the main part of the whole story, was very intense. I got a little tired of her doing silly, 20th century things like walking off by herself, getting in trouble, and having her 18th century husband (initially a marriage of convenience) rescue her. The last time she was able to rescue her husband, though, so that was good. She was married in 1945 and had a lot of anxiety about the propriety of her being married in two centuries--she didn't want to get married but that was the only way to protect herself from the evil 6xgreat-grandfather of her 20th century husband (who was a verra nice man, but his ancestor wasn't). So yeah, I'd have to recommend this book, and thank my sister for lending it to me. whew! Luckily she leant me the second one as well, so I'm set for a little while. And speaking with a Scottish accent. Does anyone else do that? Get so involved in a book you end up talking like the characters?
Someone at church asked me how I was doing, and I said "I'm here". Given the late nights, it was a bit touch-and-go when I hadn't even gotten up at 11:30am on Sunday morning. Good thing it was Fast Sunday--didn't have to worry about eating. Kinda the same sleeping-in problem on Monday, which is why I missed out on the Renaissance Festival. Oh well. I have a few more weeks before it disappears for the winter... They're going to take away my 'rennie membership', though, if I don't stop sleeping through the festival!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tagged by three freinds on LJ...
A. List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
B. Tag seven people to do the same.
C. Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag "whoever wants to do it.
1)I like to watch Dr Who. Yes, even the one at 12:00 midnight on PBS.
2) I love being a 'fan'. Witness my Star Wars, Harry Potter, Firefly, and other fascinations. I'm not obsessed, I'm focused.
3) I love to dress up--Halloween is the only day I could get away with it before I discovered Renaissance Faires.
4)(this may be in the TMI category, be warned) Having been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all my life, and never married, yes, I am still a virgin. No, that's not a plea for someone to change my status.
5)I never served a mission for my church. It's amazing how many people think I have just because I not married (since I didn't marry, I must have served a mission? Oh brother).
6)I have a Master's degree in Astrophysics. I believe this is one of two reasons why I'm not married (see number 4 for the other reason--science and religion don't mix well in the minds of possible suitors).
7) I have a lot of dolls. Including several Star Wars 12-inch dolls, and several Barbie Princess dolls. My latest aquisition is a baby doll with a breathing mechanism in it. I love to hold my breathing doll. I know, I know, TMI.
As for who to tag... hmmm, I tagged three people on LJ, so here I'm going to tag Joni, Mendy, Kellie, and Cami (had to leave them all someone to tag!)
B. Tag seven people to do the same.
C. Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag "whoever wants to do it.
1)I like to watch Dr Who. Yes, even the one at 12:00 midnight on PBS.
2) I love being a 'fan'. Witness my Star Wars, Harry Potter, Firefly, and other fascinations. I'm not obsessed, I'm focused.
3) I love to dress up--Halloween is the only day I could get away with it before I discovered Renaissance Faires.
4)(this may be in the TMI category, be warned) Having been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all my life, and never married, yes, I am still a virgin. No, that's not a plea for someone to change my status.
5)I never served a mission for my church. It's amazing how many people think I have just because I not married (since I didn't marry, I must have served a mission? Oh brother).
6)I have a Master's degree in Astrophysics. I believe this is one of two reasons why I'm not married (see number 4 for the other reason--science and religion don't mix well in the minds of possible suitors).
7) I have a lot of dolls. Including several Star Wars 12-inch dolls, and several Barbie Princess dolls. My latest aquisition is a baby doll with a breathing mechanism in it. I love to hold my breathing doll. I know, I know, TMI.
As for who to tag... hmmm, I tagged three people on LJ, so here I'm going to tag Joni, Mendy, Kellie, and Cami (had to leave them all someone to tag!)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
So Faire!
Went to MDRF on Saturday, and it was so fun! I actually overslept so I missed the first Fight School and Super Stupina, but I ran into my friends the Ravenwolves Clan almost immediately and we hung around together all day. They are the Best Family Faire-ever! (Those who came to my housewarming party got to meet all but Lady Ravenwolves and the oldest son)
We wandered around the grounds for the most part, stopping for quite a while to talk to Amras the Squirrel King and have some lunch. It was So Hot. Lots and lots of water to be drunk. Switched to Lemonade around 4:00pm or so, though, when my persperation started tasting a lot like the water I was drinking. However, it was so nice to hang with them and see so many of our faire friends.
There are some new shops at the festival this year. A Master Weaver has set up shop there, with clothing and capes and things. She names her patterns--Shady Grove, Cardinal, Peacock, and several more. You can guess what the colors are like. I'm defnintely getting some, and at least one skirt/top/vest combination that I could wear to church it's so nice. Another new place is a drum and flute place, where you can get a small drum to hang on your belt, or a timbre, or even a flute--a practice one if you prefer! They are simply beautiful! And I'm thinking I know what I might be picking up for Christmas gifts this year... at least for family... I am going to go so broke.
We saw four shows--far fewer than normal for me, but I did get to hang with my friends. We saw Slavya, a women's singing group from Bulgaria. They sang all in Bulgarian, and told us about the songs before singing. They didn't have any CD's, or I would have been sorely tempted.
After Slavya, we saw The Chess Game, which is in a different location this year. Normally it's played on the Jousting Feild, but this year they wanted to make it part of the King's story, so it made more sense for King Henry and Princess Anna to play on a stage rather than at the feild where no one can hear them. The fighters still got to fight for each square, though. Always good to see the fighters!
Between shows, we got recruited to sing for Princess Anna at her bridal shower. Unfortunately the Princess didn't show, but the song (to the tune of Row, row, row your boat) goes thusly:
Soon, soon, you'll be our queen, but Anna don't relax!
Chippty, choppety, chippety, choppety, hope you're spared the AX!!
Prior to Fight School 2: RELOADED we sat and listened to E! Muzeki. They were fabulous. They play gypsy music, and they are so talented! I am definitely getting one of their CD's--I couldn't on Saturday because I just had enough left to buy a Fight School T-Shirt! Yay! They were out of time, but the Fight School boys told them to play their last song--a rendition of Led Zepplin's Kashmere that has to be heard to be believed. And I don't even like Led Zepplin. 'Course, this meant that the Fight School boys got to play around backstage for us to giggle at. What was also neat was the belly dancers came out and danced while the band was playing (Christie? Christina? you must come!)
Fight school was great as always (I'm not prejudiced at all, am I?) Just a couple favorite phrases: "Batista!" "I don't care if it's hot, these people deserve a show!" Afterwards I did get my first t-shirt (only had enough $ left for one), and all four boys signed it. I even got two signed post cards! Not sure how that happened, I think one more was signed than actually needed, but now I have one to frame and one to put in my scrapbook forever and ever!
So fun! I'm going again on Labor Day and I'm seriously considering Celtic weekend--which is the 8th, not the 15th as I told one of my freinds.
Pictures of the weekend will be forthcoming. and hopefully sooner than last years (which I think are still not posted...)
We wandered around the grounds for the most part, stopping for quite a while to talk to Amras the Squirrel King and have some lunch. It was So Hot. Lots and lots of water to be drunk. Switched to Lemonade around 4:00pm or so, though, when my persperation started tasting a lot like the water I was drinking. However, it was so nice to hang with them and see so many of our faire friends.
There are some new shops at the festival this year. A Master Weaver has set up shop there, with clothing and capes and things. She names her patterns--Shady Grove, Cardinal, Peacock, and several more. You can guess what the colors are like. I'm defnintely getting some, and at least one skirt/top/vest combination that I could wear to church it's so nice. Another new place is a drum and flute place, where you can get a small drum to hang on your belt, or a timbre, or even a flute--a practice one if you prefer! They are simply beautiful! And I'm thinking I know what I might be picking up for Christmas gifts this year... at least for family... I am going to go so broke.
We saw four shows--far fewer than normal for me, but I did get to hang with my friends. We saw Slavya, a women's singing group from Bulgaria. They sang all in Bulgarian, and told us about the songs before singing. They didn't have any CD's, or I would have been sorely tempted.
After Slavya, we saw The Chess Game, which is in a different location this year. Normally it's played on the Jousting Feild, but this year they wanted to make it part of the King's story, so it made more sense for King Henry and Princess Anna to play on a stage rather than at the feild where no one can hear them. The fighters still got to fight for each square, though. Always good to see the fighters!
Between shows, we got recruited to sing for Princess Anna at her bridal shower. Unfortunately the Princess didn't show, but the song (to the tune of Row, row, row your boat) goes thusly:
Soon, soon, you'll be our queen, but Anna don't relax!
Chippty, choppety, chippety, choppety, hope you're spared the AX!!
Prior to Fight School 2: RELOADED we sat and listened to E! Muzeki. They were fabulous. They play gypsy music, and they are so talented! I am definitely getting one of their CD's--I couldn't on Saturday because I just had enough left to buy a Fight School T-Shirt! Yay! They were out of time, but the Fight School boys told them to play their last song--a rendition of Led Zepplin's Kashmere that has to be heard to be believed. And I don't even like Led Zepplin. 'Course, this meant that the Fight School boys got to play around backstage for us to giggle at. What was also neat was the belly dancers came out and danced while the band was playing (Christie? Christina? you must come!)
Fight school was great as always (I'm not prejudiced at all, am I?) Just a couple favorite phrases: "Batista!" "I don't care if it's hot, these people deserve a show!" Afterwards I did get my first t-shirt (only had enough $ left for one), and all four boys signed it. I even got two signed post cards! Not sure how that happened, I think one more was signed than actually needed, but now I have one to frame and one to put in my scrapbook forever and ever!
So fun! I'm going again on Labor Day and I'm seriously considering Celtic weekend--which is the 8th, not the 15th as I told one of my freinds.
Pictures of the weekend will be forthcoming. and hopefully sooner than last years (which I think are still not posted...)
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
TV Viewing Schedules
I mentioned my TV Viewing Schedule in my last post, and went as far to write it all down when I realized it really didn't have much to do with anything. But I didn't want to lose it, so here it is.
Last year, in Fall/Winter/Spring I used to watch:
Sunday night: Battlestar Galactica (really too violent for Sunday night, I would often tape it)
Monday night: LA family cop show on the Family Channel; Heroes
Tuesday Night: Gilmore Girls; Veronica Mars; Law & Order Criminal Intent; L&O SVU; Eureka (when it was on) (yes that is too many shows to watch in one night, I wasn't always successful, and my VCR was constantly full)
Wednesday Night: Lost; Medium
thursday Night: catch up on the ones I missed on Tuesday, sometimes "are you smarter than a fifth grader?", or a movie, then 'The Riches' in the spring, on FX (another family, not really a family show, though--Minnie Driver was the impetus for that one)
Friday Night: Stargate SG-1; Stargate Atlantis; Dr Who; Occaisionally Numbers
Saturday Night: more catch up or movie night
The new season hasn't been released yet, but since Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, and Stargate SG-1 have been cancelled, Lost and Medium don't start until January, as long as nothing really new or interesting shows up on the new schedule I might actually have time to read this year :D
My Summer viewing schedule is not nearly that bad:
Sunday Night: the 4400, the Dead Zone
Monday Night: starting to watch the Heroes repeats
Tuesday Night: Eureka
Wednesday Night: nada
Thursday Night: Who wants to be a Superhero?
Friday Night: Dr Who, sometimes Monk, Psych
Saturday Night: really late, Dr Who.
See, lots more time for movies and books :D
Last year, in Fall/Winter/Spring I used to watch:
Sunday night: Battlestar Galactica (really too violent for Sunday night, I would often tape it)
Monday night: LA family cop show on the Family Channel; Heroes
Tuesday Night: Gilmore Girls; Veronica Mars; Law & Order Criminal Intent; L&O SVU; Eureka (when it was on) (yes that is too many shows to watch in one night, I wasn't always successful, and my VCR was constantly full)
Wednesday Night: Lost; Medium
thursday Night: catch up on the ones I missed on Tuesday, sometimes "are you smarter than a fifth grader?", or a movie, then 'The Riches' in the spring, on FX (another family, not really a family show, though--Minnie Driver was the impetus for that one)
Friday Night: Stargate SG-1; Stargate Atlantis; Dr Who; Occaisionally Numbers
Saturday Night: more catch up or movie night
The new season hasn't been released yet, but since Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, and Stargate SG-1 have been cancelled, Lost and Medium don't start until January, as long as nothing really new or interesting shows up on the new schedule I might actually have time to read this year :D
My Summer viewing schedule is not nearly that bad:
Sunday Night: the 4400, the Dead Zone
Monday Night: starting to watch the Heroes repeats
Tuesday Night: Eureka
Wednesday Night: nada
Thursday Night: Who wants to be a Superhero?
Friday Night: Dr Who, sometimes Monk, Psych
Saturday Night: really late, Dr Who.
See, lots more time for movies and books :D
Spent last week writing a document that was due on Friday. Took up all my time at work. Evenings were fairly calm, I don't think I had to go anywhere except for Quiet Book Construction on Thursday. So see, you haven't missed anything.
Saturday was really fun--I got to help with our Primary activity. They had a Medieval theme, which meant I got to wear my garb. yay! I didn't get any pictures, sorry--I was busy helping the kids make their sheilds. They all did very, very well! and they had so much fun! We did run out of pink, which could have been expected given the number of princesses there. The remaining princesses were ok with yellow or green, though. One girl was so sweet, she made a sheild for her baby brother.
Afterwards I went home, returning to my 21st century shape (bodices really do change the shape of your body, when worn correctly), and watched "The Dish", a great little movie about the Australian Ground Station that was the only on in the Southern Hemisphere big enough to transfer video images from the moon to the Earth during the Apollo 11 moon landing. Yup, Neil spoke through Australia to Huston. Then I finished out Season 1 of The Magnificent Seven--a lovely little guns & cowboys series that was, alas!, too short. I think I did something after that, but in the evening I went shopping. I loved having that day all to myself.
Sunday was nice too, stayed in bed way to late reading 'Flyte', the second in the Septimus Heap series. (yes, I finally finished 'Eclipse') Went to church and got to hold baby William during the third hour. The poor sister who had him the second hour (I did offer!) got baby spit-up all over her. Yuck! After church was the Single Adult Potluck dinner, and the Why I Believe Fireside. Both went well, although it looked rather sad to the first sister who showed up at the dinner, me sitting in the room with no tables (I can't get the tables myself), looking rather forlorn. I did make it home in time to watch 'the 4400' and 'The Dead Zone', both of which are on my summer Viewing List (which is a lot shorter than my Fall/Winter/Spring Viewing List).
So far this week is looking a lot like last week--I have visiting teaching but not much else. Well, maybe a birthday party on Thursday, provided my VT is done.
Saturday was really fun--I got to help with our Primary activity. They had a Medieval theme, which meant I got to wear my garb. yay! I didn't get any pictures, sorry--I was busy helping the kids make their sheilds. They all did very, very well! and they had so much fun! We did run out of pink, which could have been expected given the number of princesses there. The remaining princesses were ok with yellow or green, though. One girl was so sweet, she made a sheild for her baby brother.
Afterwards I went home, returning to my 21st century shape (bodices really do change the shape of your body, when worn correctly), and watched "The Dish", a great little movie about the Australian Ground Station that was the only on in the Southern Hemisphere big enough to transfer video images from the moon to the Earth during the Apollo 11 moon landing. Yup, Neil spoke through Australia to Huston. Then I finished out Season 1 of The Magnificent Seven--a lovely little guns & cowboys series that was, alas!, too short. I think I did something after that, but in the evening I went shopping. I loved having that day all to myself.
Sunday was nice too, stayed in bed way to late reading 'Flyte', the second in the Septimus Heap series. (yes, I finally finished 'Eclipse') Went to church and got to hold baby William during the third hour. The poor sister who had him the second hour (I did offer!) got baby spit-up all over her. Yuck! After church was the Single Adult Potluck dinner, and the Why I Believe Fireside. Both went well, although it looked rather sad to the first sister who showed up at the dinner, me sitting in the room with no tables (I can't get the tables myself), looking rather forlorn. I did make it home in time to watch 'the 4400' and 'The Dead Zone', both of which are on my summer Viewing List (which is a lot shorter than my Fall/Winter/Spring Viewing List).
So far this week is looking a lot like last week--I have visiting teaching but not much else. Well, maybe a birthday party on Thursday, provided my VT is done.
From Jann's blog...
| HowManyOfMe.com | ||
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The funny part is that there was one in Iowa City when I was going to school there...
Friday, August 17, 2007
Pay it Forward
found this on Mendy's blog, and could NOT resist! :D
I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.)
How fun! Now let's all pay it forward, give each other gifts just for the heckuvit, and comment away!
If you are one of the three, I'll contact you to get your mailing info (if I don't already have it.) If you're not one of the three, hurry and click over to the winners' blogs to see if you can make it!
I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.)
How fun! Now let's all pay it forward, give each other gifts just for the heckuvit, and comment away!
If you are one of the three, I'll contact you to get your mailing info (if I don't already have it.) If you're not one of the three, hurry and click over to the winners' blogs to see if you can make it!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
One more about the book...
I know, I should really leave this alone. but I just CAN'T!! At least my sister's reading the infamous teenage vampire series, I would really love to know what she thinks. I leant her Twilight, then found out last night she had to run out and buy the next two :D
There may be spoilers here, but I think everyone that reads my blog also has read the book (I think I'm woefully behind)
I was considering some of the comments that were posted after my last Eclipse post (and no, I haven't finished the book nor gotten to *that* part yet), and it sounds like a lot of people think that the Edward/Bella relationship is the most perfect ideal one there could be--so very romantic. I'm going to disagree. I know I'm in the minority, but I think Jacob is much better for her. Edward is so busy taking care of her and trying to protect her--even from himself--that he doesn't seem to see her as a true person. Her ability to block him from her mind intrigues him, yes, and the smell of her blood intoxicates him, but is that love? Her complete collapse after he left in book 2 seems more like an obsession rather than love to me. I personally wouldn't want someone protecting me from life and from death.
On the other hand, Jacob protects her, tries to keep her from hurting herself, but allows her to be who she is. She's happy, really happy, not obsessed when she's with him. He tells her everything she needs to know to keep herself safe, and is there to help. He is much more empowering to her, allowing her to make her own decisions yet be there for her. Also, his world doesn't revolve around her--he has his own life and interests.
Maybe, just maybe, this is the author's point (keeping in mind that I haven't read the last book yet so I don't know if this is the end of a trilogy or the start of a series). She keeps Bella out of trouble, but will someday help her to see that Edward truly isn't good for her. Jacob, while possessing an inhuman part, is far more human, far more good. Or maybe Bella just likes the bad boys, the way so many women do.
Course, this is just my perspective. I couldn't see the love story in "The Time Traveler's Wife" either. But for me, if I were in Bella's situation, I would have to choose Jacob.
There may be spoilers here, but I think everyone that reads my blog also has read the book (I think I'm woefully behind)
I was considering some of the comments that were posted after my last Eclipse post (and no, I haven't finished the book nor gotten to *that* part yet), and it sounds like a lot of people think that the Edward/Bella relationship is the most perfect ideal one there could be--so very romantic. I'm going to disagree. I know I'm in the minority, but I think Jacob is much better for her. Edward is so busy taking care of her and trying to protect her--even from himself--that he doesn't seem to see her as a true person. Her ability to block him from her mind intrigues him, yes, and the smell of her blood intoxicates him, but is that love? Her complete collapse after he left in book 2 seems more like an obsession rather than love to me. I personally wouldn't want someone protecting me from life and from death.
On the other hand, Jacob protects her, tries to keep her from hurting herself, but allows her to be who she is. She's happy, really happy, not obsessed when she's with him. He tells her everything she needs to know to keep herself safe, and is there to help. He is much more empowering to her, allowing her to make her own decisions yet be there for her. Also, his world doesn't revolve around her--he has his own life and interests.
Maybe, just maybe, this is the author's point (keeping in mind that I haven't read the last book yet so I don't know if this is the end of a trilogy or the start of a series). She keeps Bella out of trouble, but will someday help her to see that Edward truly isn't good for her. Jacob, while possessing an inhuman part, is far more human, far more good. Or maybe Bella just likes the bad boys, the way so many women do.
Course, this is just my perspective. I couldn't see the love story in "The Time Traveler's Wife" either. But for me, if I were in Bella's situation, I would have to choose Jacob.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
halflings and movies...
So what did I do last week? Dropped Bonnie off on Sunday, had FHE at the Francos and Single Adults on Monday, went to the Stake SA committee meeting on Tuesday, went to the Ward SA Committee meeting on Wednesday, finished HP 7 (second time) on Thursday, went to a movie (Hairspray) with my friend Jann on Friday, then caught up on all my missed summer tv shows (I'd actually watched most of them in real-time, so catching up wasn't hard to do). Normal, basically.
Saturday I overslept and went to RPG (role-playing game--Yes I do Dungeons and Dragons. It's helping me with my math) with my friends. My little halfling (11th level, thank you very much!) had a great time disabling all the traps the DM (Dungeon Master) had set up. He kept saying, "this is a tricky one," or "this one is trickier than the last one", and I would roll my die and get a 38 when I had to beat a 35. First try. Definitely had all the luck. The poor Paladin that was with us almost died three times because he kept rolling so badly :::shakes head::: But I had to leave rather quickly because I was supposed to go to a SA activity. My friends tried to dissuade me, "call in sick!", "don't go", "blow them off!" I had to tell them twice, "I have to go, I'm IN CHARGE." One other person showed up--not too surprising since we weren't able to advertise because the one person who was going to set it up (or at least find out the details) didn't, and we can't even be mad at her because she had an accident about a week or so ago (sigh). So we pulled it together, and like I said, one other person showed up. Bro Paul. We went to see Stardust (which was enjoyable, not as good as LotR, but also much better than such fare as "Time Bandits"). I really hope people don't start thinking I'm dating Bro Paul, though, because I'm not. We're just the only two responsible people in the entire Stake SA program. I hate my calling. Don't suggest I ask to be released, though, because there is literally no one else in the entire stake that can carry this, and it really must be done. It is important. I just wish I had help. And no, Bro Paul isn't much help, he just manages to show up half the time. Boy, I think this is turning bitter.
Sunday was great, though. Slept in, read New Moon (which I hadn't read yet, and needed to catch up to all my other friends), went to church taking my friend's daughters with me. That was a lot of fun. Got home and read some more. Managed to stop in time to watch the 4400 and the Dead Zone, but basically that was about it.
See, a nice normal weekend with no visitors and no jaunts to Virginia. Next weekend should be about the same. Except for the baby shower in Westminster.
Saturday I overslept and went to RPG (role-playing game--Yes I do Dungeons and Dragons. It's helping me with my math) with my friends. My little halfling (11th level, thank you very much!) had a great time disabling all the traps the DM (Dungeon Master) had set up. He kept saying, "this is a tricky one," or "this one is trickier than the last one", and I would roll my die and get a 38 when I had to beat a 35. First try. Definitely had all the luck. The poor Paladin that was with us almost died three times because he kept rolling so badly :::shakes head::: But I had to leave rather quickly because I was supposed to go to a SA activity. My friends tried to dissuade me, "call in sick!", "don't go", "blow them off!" I had to tell them twice, "I have to go, I'm IN CHARGE." One other person showed up--not too surprising since we weren't able to advertise because the one person who was going to set it up (or at least find out the details) didn't, and we can't even be mad at her because she had an accident about a week or so ago (sigh). So we pulled it together, and like I said, one other person showed up. Bro Paul. We went to see Stardust (which was enjoyable, not as good as LotR, but also much better than such fare as "Time Bandits"). I really hope people don't start thinking I'm dating Bro Paul, though, because I'm not. We're just the only two responsible people in the entire Stake SA program. I hate my calling. Don't suggest I ask to be released, though, because there is literally no one else in the entire stake that can carry this, and it really must be done. It is important. I just wish I had help. And no, Bro Paul isn't much help, he just manages to show up half the time. Boy, I think this is turning bitter.
Sunday was great, though. Slept in, read New Moon (which I hadn't read yet, and needed to catch up to all my other friends), went to church taking my friend's daughters with me. That was a lot of fun. Got home and read some more. Managed to stop in time to watch the 4400 and the Dead Zone, but basically that was about it.
See, a nice normal weekend with no visitors and no jaunts to Virginia. Next weekend should be about the same. Except for the baby shower in Westminster.
Questions not to "Eclipse" the issue
Haven't finished reading the book yet, so am going on what I've heard and seen posted about it. Many of my LDS friends are really into this series about teenagers and vampires. Some of them are quite disappointed by the third instalment, others think it's just wonderful. The thing that seems to bother the disappointed ones the most is that the author is also LDS.
I read the review Joni posted (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/books/review/Schillinger7-t.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin) and what I got out of it is that the author really doesn't follow LDS standards when she writes. So are we mad at her for not upholding the standards we know she has, or upset because of what she wrote? I think I'm putting this badly, but do we think that just because a person is LDS that we can expect certain things from them, that if we knew they were not LDS we wouldn't be surprised by? Would my friend have let her daughter read the book if the author had NOT been LDS? Everything else being the same, would it matter if the author was not LDS?
I've come across something like this before. A man I knew in California was a producer of theatrical productions--I was in two of them. But it seemed to me and my brother-in-law that he used his 'LDS-ness' to get ahead in his industry, producing productions that families would want to see, not necesarily for the greater good, but to get gain. Is this what Ms Meyer is doing? Or is she merely being a young adult author, albeit targeting the late-teen crowd? Was she pummelled by her editor into adding things that we consider 'inappropriate', but that the editor would make the book more marketable?
I think we need to not judge people for their religion. You know, expect certain things from an author/performer/artist because he or she is LDS/Catholic/Muslim/Buddhist. Like or dislike the work for what it is. If they hold up their standards respect them for it.
Discuss.
I read the review Joni posted (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/books/review/Schillinger7-t.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin) and what I got out of it is that the author really doesn't follow LDS standards when she writes. So are we mad at her for not upholding the standards we know she has, or upset because of what she wrote? I think I'm putting this badly, but do we think that just because a person is LDS that we can expect certain things from them, that if we knew they were not LDS we wouldn't be surprised by? Would my friend have let her daughter read the book if the author had NOT been LDS? Everything else being the same, would it matter if the author was not LDS?
I've come across something like this before. A man I knew in California was a producer of theatrical productions--I was in two of them. But it seemed to me and my brother-in-law that he used his 'LDS-ness' to get ahead in his industry, producing productions that families would want to see, not necesarily for the greater good, but to get gain. Is this what Ms Meyer is doing? Or is she merely being a young adult author, albeit targeting the late-teen crowd? Was she pummelled by her editor into adding things that we consider 'inappropriate', but that the editor would make the book more marketable?
I think we need to not judge people for their religion. You know, expect certain things from an author/performer/artist because he or she is LDS/Catholic/Muslim/Buddhist. Like or dislike the work for what it is. If they hold up their standards respect them for it.
Discuss.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
alas and alak!
I think I just like saying that.
It's been a while, but I have been very very busy. I'll try to keep this short, I really don't have a lot of time to write today, but I really feel I need to catch up somewhat.
Last Thursday I FINALLY got to talk to my friends about Harry Potter (book club, you know). It was great. I need to do a write up of my impressions for my email group, but given that I absolutely hate sitting down at my home computer (it is SO SLOW!!) I tend to do other things. Besides, I'm reading it again. Meant to read book 6 again first, but got caught up in other things.
Friday I got to work really early to help Bob out at TIMED, and then found that I had been volunteered to attend a couple meetings I hadn't planned on, and I needed to leave by 2:30 so I could meet up with my sister and take her oldest daughter off her hands. Well, I didn't get out until 3:00pm and with stopping for gas and whatever, I really didn't leave Laurel until 3:15 or so, but I did get to the park by about 5:30pm, traffic and all. Poor Beckie left her house at 2:00pm and didn't get to the park until about 5:00pm. There is a lot of construction along I-78, I think, which turned her 2-hour trip into a 3-hour trip. Mileage-wise the park we meet at is about the same for both of us. But we picked up Bonnie and got dinner at McDonalds, and then they were off, back to East Stroudsburg and Bonnie and I were off to my house. She talked the WHOLE WAY. She's 7. It was fun, though.
We got to my house and she claimed she wasn't going to bed until I did, so we worked on her quiet book and got ready for bed around 10:30pm, and I read more HP. Saturday morning I was having a dream, and thought a little animal was walking on my arm. Turns out Bonnie had gotten up and was patting me on my arm, "Wake up, Aunt Julia! We need to go to the zoo now!" Of course, it was 6:30 in the morning, so needless to say we did NOT go the zoo right then. We did, however, have breakfast and work more on her quiet book. She wanted to. She's a very crafty sort of kid. She doesn't like to watch TV much, she would rather be doing things. We managed to finish four pages for her book while she was here. She did a lot of the lettering and some of the cutting, while I did the tracing and sewing.
So at 9:30 am we did leave for the DC Zoo, picking up my friend Dina along the way. She had never been to a zoo before, she said (or if she had, it had been a really long time). We got there ok, but it was hot and there were a lot of people there. The zoo had spritzers on to cool the people down, and Bonnie really enjoyed running through them. She would get so soaked! We had parked at the bottom of the hill, so we walked all the way up and saw the Pandas. That baby panda is just so cute! I'll get my pictures up at some point so you can see too! We had lunch, then walked down and saw the elephants and monkeys. We'd seen the lions and tigers on the way up. The line for the invertebrates house was kinda long, so we skipped that. There wasn't a line on the way up, I guess we should have gone in then (but since I really don't care for snakes, I wasn't too disappointed). Dina wanted to see the sea lions, but the exhibit was closed--after we'd walked around for another 15 minutes trying to find it, Bonnie crying that she wanted to go home the whole time. So we did go home. We drove up by the temple, but while Bonnie wanted to see the temple, she didn't want to get out of the air-conditioned car. Dina took a picture, though.
We dropped Dina off, then went back to my house and worked on Bonnie's book some more. And she played with my dolls. I have a lot of dolls (I think I keep saying that). We went shopping after dinner--she needed some new sandals, and her mother said she'd pay me back if we could find some. Apparently she only had her tennies and her church shoes, and that was it. We were able to find some really cute pink shoes at Toys 'R' Us (they have a kids clothing section) that were even on sale. If I'd realized that before we got to the checkout counter, I may have bought her two pair, because that would still have been within her mother's spending limit, but it's ok. She loves her new shoes.
Sunday was good, too. Again with the waking up too early, but at least it was 7:30am this time. I'd stayed up late making another page for her quiet book, so I wasn't too happy about that and made her wait until 8:00am before I got out of bed. She had breakfast (fast sunday, you know), and we worked a little more on her book before she decided she really wanted to do something else. We had made mini-cupcakes the night before, so now we frosted them and got them ready to take to her family. Then I let her play my bowed psaltery for a bit. She had lunch, and then we went to church. Other than she wanted to sit on the very front row, it was really good. We brought both quiet books, hers and mine, and she was a busy--and quiet--little girl. After Sacrament Meeting I had a meeting with the Bishop (no, no callings extended (or released from)), but it was a good little meeting, and Bonnie was really good there too. We got home, changed clothes, and then Bonnie started loading up the car while I was finishing getting things ready. I tell you, this girl has initiative. The whole weekend I was constantly surprised at a lot of the things she would do, just because she had thought of it. We were able to get toys and books for her brother and sister, and she even got ready for church without me asking her to. I guess I'm not around enough to watch her grow up, so when I see her doing things like that it's a surprise. A pleasant surprise, so say the least. I'm sure her mom doesn't get to see a lot of that, though, given that Bonnie and her sister tend to fight a lot.
So we drove back to PA. One thing we did, and I'm still not sure it's legal, was have her sit in the front seat, in her car seat. She is 7, and my car couldn't sense her so the airbag thing stayed off, but it was fun to have her in the front seat with me. Maybe some of my friends with similar-aged kids can enlighten me?
We met up with Beckie and Malena just fine--they had another three-hour trip, though, to our two-hour trip. I felt really bad about that--we could have met farther up the road if I'd known. We won't be doing this again until next year, though, if they are still living in this part of the country.
Monday was FHE at the Francos with the Single Adults, and it was so fun. I really enjoy that family. I brought Sis Keats, Sis Clark, and Bro Paul with me, so it was nice. Tuesday was the SA Committee meeting, and tonight is the Ward SA Committee meeting. So yeah, no time to really slow down and breathe yet. Tomorrow night. And I think a movie might be in order Friday night (anyone want to come?)
I think the crazy part of the summer is over for me now, though. All the visits are completed, the dogs have been adopted, no SA conferences to attend (well, I've decided not to go to the one at the end of the month), and only MDRF to get ready for. :::sigh of relief!:::
It's been a while, but I have been very very busy. I'll try to keep this short, I really don't have a lot of time to write today, but I really feel I need to catch up somewhat.
Last Thursday I FINALLY got to talk to my friends about Harry Potter (book club, you know). It was great. I need to do a write up of my impressions for my email group, but given that I absolutely hate sitting down at my home computer (it is SO SLOW!!) I tend to do other things. Besides, I'm reading it again. Meant to read book 6 again first, but got caught up in other things.
Friday I got to work really early to help Bob out at TIMED, and then found that I had been volunteered to attend a couple meetings I hadn't planned on, and I needed to leave by 2:30 so I could meet up with my sister and take her oldest daughter off her hands. Well, I didn't get out until 3:00pm and with stopping for gas and whatever, I really didn't leave Laurel until 3:15 or so, but I did get to the park by about 5:30pm, traffic and all. Poor Beckie left her house at 2:00pm and didn't get to the park until about 5:00pm. There is a lot of construction along I-78, I think, which turned her 2-hour trip into a 3-hour trip. Mileage-wise the park we meet at is about the same for both of us. But we picked up Bonnie and got dinner at McDonalds, and then they were off, back to East Stroudsburg and Bonnie and I were off to my house. She talked the WHOLE WAY. She's 7. It was fun, though.
We got to my house and she claimed she wasn't going to bed until I did, so we worked on her quiet book and got ready for bed around 10:30pm, and I read more HP. Saturday morning I was having a dream, and thought a little animal was walking on my arm. Turns out Bonnie had gotten up and was patting me on my arm, "Wake up, Aunt Julia! We need to go to the zoo now!" Of course, it was 6:30 in the morning, so needless to say we did NOT go the zoo right then. We did, however, have breakfast and work more on her quiet book. She wanted to. She's a very crafty sort of kid. She doesn't like to watch TV much, she would rather be doing things. We managed to finish four pages for her book while she was here. She did a lot of the lettering and some of the cutting, while I did the tracing and sewing.
So at 9:30 am we did leave for the DC Zoo, picking up my friend Dina along the way. She had never been to a zoo before, she said (or if she had, it had been a really long time). We got there ok, but it was hot and there were a lot of people there. The zoo had spritzers on to cool the people down, and Bonnie really enjoyed running through them. She would get so soaked! We had parked at the bottom of the hill, so we walked all the way up and saw the Pandas. That baby panda is just so cute! I'll get my pictures up at some point so you can see too! We had lunch, then walked down and saw the elephants and monkeys. We'd seen the lions and tigers on the way up. The line for the invertebrates house was kinda long, so we skipped that. There wasn't a line on the way up, I guess we should have gone in then (but since I really don't care for snakes, I wasn't too disappointed). Dina wanted to see the sea lions, but the exhibit was closed--after we'd walked around for another 15 minutes trying to find it, Bonnie crying that she wanted to go home the whole time. So we did go home. We drove up by the temple, but while Bonnie wanted to see the temple, she didn't want to get out of the air-conditioned car. Dina took a picture, though.
We dropped Dina off, then went back to my house and worked on Bonnie's book some more. And she played with my dolls. I have a lot of dolls (I think I keep saying that). We went shopping after dinner--she needed some new sandals, and her mother said she'd pay me back if we could find some. Apparently she only had her tennies and her church shoes, and that was it. We were able to find some really cute pink shoes at Toys 'R' Us (they have a kids clothing section) that were even on sale. If I'd realized that before we got to the checkout counter, I may have bought her two pair, because that would still have been within her mother's spending limit, but it's ok. She loves her new shoes.
Sunday was good, too. Again with the waking up too early, but at least it was 7:30am this time. I'd stayed up late making another page for her quiet book, so I wasn't too happy about that and made her wait until 8:00am before I got out of bed. She had breakfast (fast sunday, you know), and we worked a little more on her book before she decided she really wanted to do something else. We had made mini-cupcakes the night before, so now we frosted them and got them ready to take to her family. Then I let her play my bowed psaltery for a bit. She had lunch, and then we went to church. Other than she wanted to sit on the very front row, it was really good. We brought both quiet books, hers and mine, and she was a busy--and quiet--little girl. After Sacrament Meeting I had a meeting with the Bishop (no, no callings extended (or released from)), but it was a good little meeting, and Bonnie was really good there too. We got home, changed clothes, and then Bonnie started loading up the car while I was finishing getting things ready. I tell you, this girl has initiative. The whole weekend I was constantly surprised at a lot of the things she would do, just because she had thought of it. We were able to get toys and books for her brother and sister, and she even got ready for church without me asking her to. I guess I'm not around enough to watch her grow up, so when I see her doing things like that it's a surprise. A pleasant surprise, so say the least. I'm sure her mom doesn't get to see a lot of that, though, given that Bonnie and her sister tend to fight a lot.
So we drove back to PA. One thing we did, and I'm still not sure it's legal, was have her sit in the front seat, in her car seat. She is 7, and my car couldn't sense her so the airbag thing stayed off, but it was fun to have her in the front seat with me. Maybe some of my friends with similar-aged kids can enlighten me?
We met up with Beckie and Malena just fine--they had another three-hour trip, though, to our two-hour trip. I felt really bad about that--we could have met farther up the road if I'd known. We won't be doing this again until next year, though, if they are still living in this part of the country.
Monday was FHE at the Francos with the Single Adults, and it was so fun. I really enjoy that family. I brought Sis Keats, Sis Clark, and Bro Paul with me, so it was nice. Tuesday was the SA Committee meeting, and tonight is the Ward SA Committee meeting. So yeah, no time to really slow down and breathe yet. Tomorrow night. And I think a movie might be in order Friday night (anyone want to come?)
I think the crazy part of the summer is over for me now, though. All the visits are completed, the dogs have been adopted, no SA conferences to attend (well, I've decided not to go to the one at the end of the month), and only MDRF to get ready for. :::sigh of relief!:::
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
All right, I give!
have to make sure it's a good bandwagon before I jump on...
Remember, one-word answers.
1. Where is your mobile phone? purse
2. Relationship? nonexistant
3. Your hair? curly
4. Work? slow
5. Your sister(s)? friends
6. Your favorite thing? dolls
7. Your dream last night? odd
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream car? Mustang
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your shoes? on
12. Your fears? dying-alone
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? content
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? shannon
15. What are you not good at? Relationships
16. Muffin? oatbranwithraisons
17. Wish list item? books
18. Where you grew up? california
19. The last thing you did? lunch
20. What are you wearing? clothes
21. What are you not wearing? renaissance-garb
22. Your pet? adopted
23. Your computer? slow
24. Your life? crazy
25. Your mood? even
26. Missing? home
27. What are you thinking about? requirements
28. Your car? red
29. Your kitchen? small
30. Your summer? insane
31. Your favorite color? purple
32. Last time you laughed? yesterday
33. Last time you cried? lastweek
34. School? over
35. Love? family
Remember, one-word answers.
1. Where is your mobile phone? purse
2. Relationship? nonexistant
3. Your hair? curly
4. Work? slow
5. Your sister(s)? friends
6. Your favorite thing? dolls
7. Your dream last night? odd
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream car? Mustang
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your shoes? on
12. Your fears? dying-alone
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? content
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? shannon
15. What are you not good at? Relationships
16. Muffin? oatbranwithraisons
17. Wish list item? books
18. Where you grew up? california
19. The last thing you did? lunch
20. What are you wearing? clothes
21. What are you not wearing? renaissance-garb
22. Your pet? adopted
23. Your computer? slow
24. Your life? crazy
25. Your mood? even
26. Missing? home
27. What are you thinking about? requirements
28. Your car? red
29. Your kitchen? small
30. Your summer? insane
31. Your favorite color? purple
32. Last time you laughed? yesterday
33. Last time you cried? lastweek
34. School? over
35. Love? family
Alas! FUSE!
FUSE* is dying. They're still trying to resucitate it, but there is little hope. The fourth wheel got stuck again in June, and all efforts (so far) to get it restarted have been futile. Without at least one wheel, the little satellite that could no longer can. Poor FUSE. Poor people who spent so many years, sweat, and tears on it. Poor those that will need new positions very soon. I feel really bad for the Primary Investigator. He was devastated last year when NASA wouldn't renew funding past 2008. Now he will have to find something else to do. then again, FUSE took a lot of really good data for 8 years. There's plenty of data to wade through. Maybe enough to keep him busy until he's ready to retire. Not that old scientists ever retire, it's not like it's a physically demanding job, after all.
I am grateful that I have a new position, and very shortly I'll be made an APL'er. I'm really glad my new satellites (there are two) won't have any wheels on them. Propellant doesn't last forever, but at least there are no moving parts! Well, ok, maybe one relay per thruster, but if one gets stuck there are other thrusters to do the job.
*FUSE=Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, the satellite mission I was on for almost 10 years.
I am grateful that I have a new position, and very shortly I'll be made an APL'er. I'm really glad my new satellites (there are two) won't have any wheels on them. Propellant doesn't last forever, but at least there are no moving parts! Well, ok, maybe one relay per thruster, but if one gets stuck there are other thrusters to do the job.
*FUSE=Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, the satellite mission I was on for almost 10 years.
Huffle-what??
Your Score: Huffledor
You scored 55% Order/Chaos, and 69% Moral/Rational
Morality with an orderly/chaotic split. You've got a fixed idea of morality, you know that for sure, but your view on regulations waffles. Rules are rules, but you're also able to see when it's really more of a guideline. Your strengths arise from your balanced view of order that allows you to carefully choose strategies for furthering your causes; your weakness is the fact that, given the success your strengths are likely to give you, you may not be receptive to the idea that you are not absolutely in the right.
The 4-grid I used to determine this is as follows:
| Chaotic | Orderly | |
| Moral | Gryffindor | Hufflepuff |
| Rational | Slytherin | Ravenclaw |
| Link: The Sorting Hat Test written by 8sevenatenine8 on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Various and sundry items...
It has been a week, hasn't it?
so sorry, I've been trying to do my write-up of the weekend, and in the process haven't really wanted to write anything else, but now I realize that I want to do a journal page and put it up on the web (I will credit all pictures I borrow, but if someone has a problem with me doing that please let me know and I won't use your pictures). In the meantime, my pictures are here
Not nearly as many as I had thought, but there you go. I have more in my phone, something else I need to work on.
Yes I have read the entire HP book, and did it withing 24 hours of recieving it. I went to the party at Borders the night before, and got my book about 1:45am. I got home and started reading, I fell asleep around chapter 4, then got up and read a couple more chapters until time to leave for the trip to the Burrow, where I finished it before 2:00 am Sunday morning. I must say, though, the most frustrating thing is NOT talking about it because there is ALWAYS someone around who HASN'T READ IT YET!! I mean really, what's the point if you can't talk about it?
Monday night my friend Tess and I wen to see the HP movie (yes, twice for me, once for her). Now that I know how it all ends, I'm a little disturbed that the movie makers felt that Dobby was no longer important after movie 2 and have cut him out of all subsequent movies. That's all I'm going to say. That's all I said in the theater, and a woman got mad at me. Yikes. Nuttier than squirrel poo, that's all I have to say.
And for those that were wondering, my laughing fit on Saturday evening was caused by the image of Snape running away from a bottle of shampoo. Gotta love those Weasly Twins!!
The rest of this week has been rather tame as I finished reading book 2 of The Dresden Files. Another story about a wizard named Harry, only in Chicago. Except it was very violent and I had to skip a number of pages because it was just too much (there were werewolves, need I say more?). This may be the last one I read of this series. Time to return to Honor Harrington, I think.
Emotionally I've been a bit of a wreck, what with feeling invisible and all. I've never learned how to insert comments into a group successfully, and when it becomes apparent that no one has any intereste in anything I say, I typically leave. It frustrates me that after all this time my first reaction is still flight. When am I going to learn how to deal with other people?? No self-help suggestions, please. Sure I can make people like me by listening to them but why is no one interested in listening to ME?? Like I said, invisible. I'm convinced I'm just not that interesting of a person. Sigh.
Today I feel a little better, though, and tonight people are coming over my house for quiet book makeing. This will hopefully get me motivated enough to finish my niece M's book and start on my niece B's book. They both need to be completed by next weekend, so we'll see. I should have lots of time this weekend to work on them; it's the first weekend in about 3 months that I don't have anything planned. Well, sort of. I did make plans to meet my friend S in VA for a movie, but that doesn't really count, does it?
Have a great day!
so sorry, I've been trying to do my write-up of the weekend, and in the process haven't really wanted to write anything else, but now I realize that I want to do a journal page and put it up on the web (I will credit all pictures I borrow, but if someone has a problem with me doing that please let me know and I won't use your pictures). In the meantime, my pictures are here
Not nearly as many as I had thought, but there you go. I have more in my phone, something else I need to work on.
Yes I have read the entire HP book, and did it withing 24 hours of recieving it. I went to the party at Borders the night before, and got my book about 1:45am. I got home and started reading, I fell asleep around chapter 4, then got up and read a couple more chapters until time to leave for the trip to the Burrow, where I finished it before 2:00 am Sunday morning. I must say, though, the most frustrating thing is NOT talking about it because there is ALWAYS someone around who HASN'T READ IT YET!! I mean really, what's the point if you can't talk about it?
Monday night my friend Tess and I wen to see the HP movie (yes, twice for me, once for her). Now that I know how it all ends, I'm a little disturbed that the movie makers felt that Dobby was no longer important after movie 2 and have cut him out of all subsequent movies. That's all I'm going to say. That's all I said in the theater, and a woman got mad at me. Yikes. Nuttier than squirrel poo, that's all I have to say.
And for those that were wondering, my laughing fit on Saturday evening was caused by the image of Snape running away from a bottle of shampoo. Gotta love those Weasly Twins!!
The rest of this week has been rather tame as I finished reading book 2 of The Dresden Files. Another story about a wizard named Harry, only in Chicago. Except it was very violent and I had to skip a number of pages because it was just too much (there were werewolves, need I say more?). This may be the last one I read of this series. Time to return to Honor Harrington, I think.
Emotionally I've been a bit of a wreck, what with feeling invisible and all. I've never learned how to insert comments into a group successfully, and when it becomes apparent that no one has any intereste in anything I say, I typically leave. It frustrates me that after all this time my first reaction is still flight. When am I going to learn how to deal with other people?? No self-help suggestions, please. Sure I can make people like me by listening to them but why is no one interested in listening to ME?? Like I said, invisible. I'm convinced I'm just not that interesting of a person. Sigh.
Today I feel a little better, though, and tonight people are coming over my house for quiet book makeing. This will hopefully get me motivated enough to finish my niece M's book and start on my niece B's book. They both need to be completed by next weekend, so we'll see. I should have lots of time this weekend to work on them; it's the first weekend in about 3 months that I don't have anything planned. Well, sort of. I did make plans to meet my friend S in VA for a movie, but that doesn't really count, does it?
Have a great day!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Dogless
Well, it happened. I mentioned in my last post that the Good Dog Rescue people had recieved a couple of applications for my dogs. The applications were processed just as I was going on my vacation, so the woman from GDR worked it out with my boarding kennel to take the dogs out and have them meet the applicants. Well, that happened last Saturday. I got a call while at Shore Leave letting me know that both dogs had been adopted, separately. I got an email this morning letting me know that they're both doing ok, although it's still an adjustment for them. It's a bit of an adjustment for me too--I do miss them. Although, I don't miss them enough to think I want them back. One friend said that this was probably a good thing, to help me know just how much I want a pet, or if maybe having a pet isn't the right thing for me. So far, I'm adjusting ok to not having my little buddies around, and it's nice to think I can just go where I want after work and not worry about getting home to feed and walk the dogs before they explode. This really is for the best. For them, and for me. They get one human a piece to love and care for them, so they don't have to share attention or water or anything.
I'm once again alone and selfish, but still entirely too busy to think about it too much. Maybe next week. Plus, I now have my 'breathing' baby, so that's comforting.
I'm once again alone and selfish, but still entirely too busy to think about it too much. Maybe next week. Plus, I now have my 'breathing' baby, so that's comforting.
A fortnight of activities
Yeah, I know, most people like to record things as they're happening, and I confess I've done that before, but for the last two weeks I haven't really been anywhere NEAR my computer...
So what have I been up to?
Well, after Malena left, I returned to dogs that were still a little freaked out, but they calmed down eventually. Monday, Tuesday were basically work then SA stuff (FHE and Stake Committee Meeting, respectively). Wednesday, being the Fourth of July, I was able to stay home. I did some yard work, then watched the first two Harry Potter movies--I have a goal to watch all four previous movies before seeing the new one--and worked on Malena's quiet book. There was a thunderstorm that evening that cut the power for about 5 minutes and freaked the dogs out for about an hour and a half. They hid behind a door and wouldn't come out for the longest time, poor guys!
Thursday and Friday were really more like another Monday and a Friday, although I did watch HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Thursday night and went to Ward Temple Night on Friday night. Instead of getting ready for the Next Great Adventure: my Dad and his wife Nancy were coming on Saturday! It was ok, though.
Saturday morning was spent cleaning house and then in the early afternoon taking the dogs to yet another Adoption Event. We couldn't stay long because I still had much to do at home before picking D&N up at the airport--including cleaning the car out. I had intended to do that anyway, but since both dogs were carsick on the way to the adoption event, it became necessary. Poor little guys, right? Again we met up with people who thought they were cute but not what they were looking for, and while there were a couple people who had submitted applications for them neither were able to attend this particular event. So they came home with me and I put them in their crate and went to clean out my car.
I picked up D&N at the airport with no trouble, then we went out to eat at Applebees. Still yummy. We went home, and with a couple hours to kill before bedtime, Dad requested we watch the first Star Wars. The one he showed in 1977 while he was working as a projectionist in the evenings. I'm always up for Star Wars, so we did :)
Sunday was nice, we watched Testaments and basically hung out with the dogs. Interesting note: the dogs like my dad! They almost never barked at him unless they were startled. They barked at Nancy a lot, though. We got ready for and went to church, where I had the opportunity to hold Baby R all through church--mostly because I wouldn't relinquish her, but her parents were happy to let me since they both had to teach that day :D. I did give her back when church was over, though. We went home, had Taco Pie (yes, from Freezer Meal Swap, and it was Yummy!), and watched The Empire Strikes Back.
Monday we got up and were ready to go so D&N came with me to drop the dogs off at their boarding place. I arranged with them to let K from the Good Dog Rescue to come take them out if necessary, to meet potential adopters, since I was planning on leaving them there for a week. We joked about getting the dogs adopted before I got back. Then it was on to Strasburg, Pa for D&N and me. It was a lovely drive, and we had lunch in the Red Caboose Restaurant--yes, an actual caboose from a train. Dad loves trains, hence the visit to Strasburg. My sister Beckie and her family were going to meet us there around 2:00pm at the Railroad Museum, so we decided to visit the toy train museum first. D&N are putting in a G size train in their back yard, and love to look at what other people have done. Actually, Dad's always been into toy trains, and has instilled that love in about two of his boys. Now he finally has time to pursue his hobby :D. The toy train museum was quite fun, but meeting up with Beckie and her family didn't go well--my phone wasn't getting any signal for some reason, and they got caught in traffic. They did finally get there around 4:00pm, and Doug (her husband) decided that we had to ride the train. There's an old steam engine train that runs from Strasburg to Paradise, about a 20 minute trip. Collin, the almost-3 year-old, was in heaven. He LOVES trains. He was so excited to see all the trains, and to be able to take a ride on one! So cute! After the train ride we went back to the Red Caboose Restaurant for dinner, since they were hungry and it was close, and did actually work ok for a family restaurant, even if we couldn't put the tables all together (there were 8 of us). The drive to Beckie's house was fairly uneventful, although we started first and they managed to catch up to us on the way :D That was kind of fun.
Tuesday Dad really didn't want to go sight seeing, so we watched the kids so Beckie could go grocery shopping BY HERSELF! (You mothers know how valuable that is.) We played a bit, had lunch, and then D&N and I went out shopping while Beckie had to work and her babysitter came to watch the kids--we figured it would be better for us to get out of the way, and we had to pick up a few things anyway. We got back after Beckie put in her time, and after Davi had left, and we did some puzzles with the kids. Puzzles Nancy and I had bought for them while we were out. Because that's what aunts and grandmas are supposed to do :D A quiet night after dinner, with them visiting and me reading reading reading--I had set a goal to read all the HP books before the next one came out, and I was only on book 4! I finished it while I was there, though.
Wednesday it was time for us to leave. We walked Bonnie to school (she's in summer school), and then took our leave. Malena cried and cried--she kept trying to talk us into staying a little later, but we knew that it really didn't matter when we left, she still wouldn't want us to go. So we gave hugs and kisses all around (Collin was quite calm about the whole thing, but then, he is 2), and left. Dad wanted to go back to Strasburg, and since we were going that way anyway I wanted to visit a couple places nearby. We stopped first at the Farmer's Market in Bird-in-Hand, which I haven't been to in quite a long time. I found a beautiful little doll that plays "what a wonderful world" in the right colors for my bedroom--which is where she is right now. Dad found a little bell that he was looking for (one of the reasons he wanted to return to Strasburg), and Nancy just liked going through all the little shops and by all the little areas. I was so tempted by the little Amish dolls, but I'd already bought a pair on Monday and my rule is that I only get one pair per trip! Besides, I'd just bought the musical doll...
After the Farmer's Market, we went to the Doll Outlet store. Not sure what town it's in, but it's not far from the outlet mall just outside of Lancaster. They advertise that they have over 5000 dolls there, and they do! I loved walking around and seeing all the dolls. Upstairs they had baby dolls. I found one that has a breathing mechanism inside it. He came home with me. I really just couldn't put him down, and I figure he'll be a good substitute for those days when I don't have access to a baby at church or something :) I love to hold little babies, I find it very calming. They must too, because they all fall asleep! My one true talent, is what I call it. Ah, but I digress. We had lunch in Intercourse, PA, at a little place that has managed to cash in on the Amish way of life (I would really like to know how the Amish feel about that), and I got some dried sweet corn and some Apple Butter. The sweet corn is to make creamed corn for Thanksgiving. Not sure if I'll be at Beckie's or not for Thanksgiving since that's when her baby is due, but if I'm in MD and you're in MD you're welcome to come over and try some!
We did return to Strasburg, but it was raining and Dad didn't want to get out of the car. The Railroad Museum had been closed on Monday, due to the PA Legislature not passing a budget, but they passed it on Tuesday so it was open on Wednesday, but since we were there for Dad and he no longer wanted to go, we just drove home. I have now seen a LOT more of Eastern PA than I ever expected to. But it is a very nice drive, and it is so very green. Dad did make a comment about all the trees in MD--they're nice, but how do we see where we are, or where we're going? Well, we don't, is my answer. You just have to read the signs. We got home in time to have a makeshift dinner--the whole time they were there D&N wanted to make sure I wasn't doing a lot of work for them, so we had a lot of leftovers and freezer meals. Not really a problem for me, since that's kind of what I had planned, but I do wish I had been able to talk them into the kabobs! We watched The Return of the Jedi that evening--sense a theme? Yes, it was at Dad's request, now you know where I get it from :D
Thursday Dad didn't want to do any sight-seeing, so we came up with a list of small, odd jobs that needed doing around the house and went to Home Depot to get the supplies. Nancy decided she wanted to mow the lawn using my push mower, and discovered--with Dad's help--that it hadn't been put together properly (sorry Daely! (my niece and I put it together when she was here in March)). So Dad fixed it, and it works a lot better now. We put up garden hose holders in front and back, I clipped the bush in front, Nancy mowed, and then we were tired and hot so we went inside for lunch. After lunch we did the inside jobs--a vent that needed putting in, attatching a full-length mirror to the back of a door, and a couple of other things. Then we sat and watched The Phantom Menace. Dad had never seen the Star Wars prequels.
We went to dinner at the Crab Shanty in Ellicott City. Very nice, seafood place. I don't usually care for seafood, but I figured they were visiting Maryland so they should have Crab Cakes. Dad ordered a variety platter, I ordered Crab Cakes, and we all shared. It was very good, but I still don't care that much for seafood. Don't mind fresh water fish, and I do like crab cakes, but for the most part, I'm not a shellfish person. I did manage to grab the check before Dad did, though! He's been paying for everything--including two tanks of gas--all week! After dinner we went back home and watched The Attack of the Clones.
Friday morning was their last day. They got up at their usual 7:00-7:30 time, but their plane didn't leave until 1:30pm, so we put in the final movie, The Revenge of the Sith. There are parts of that movie I really have a hard time watching. I did get to hold my baby the whole time, though, and that helped (me hide my face!). Then, since they were packed and we were out of things to do, I took them to the airport about three hours early. Well, Dad wanted to be there at 11:00 am, so it was really only a half-hour earlier than that. Hugs and good-byes, and they were on their way.
And so was I. Off to the bank for some cash, to Wal-Mart for some last-minute things, then home to do some quick laundry before leaving to go to Shore Leave, the sci-fi convention I've been going to for the last 5 years. I usually really enjoy it. This year, not so much. But that's ok. I got to see Nichelle Nichols (Lt Uhura from Star Trek), Claudia Christian (Cmdr Ivonova from Babylon 5), Paul McGillion (Dr Becket from Stargate Atlantis), and a few others. My friend was giving a presentation on her satellite, New Horizons and the Jupiter flyby that happened a couple months ago, so I went to her presentation too. I managed to spend all my money in the dealers' rooms, although you do have to acknowledge that I finally bought the $50 "Dressing a Galaxy" by Trisha Biggar (she did all the costumes for the Prequel Star Wars movies), so that was 1/4 of what I had brought. Lots of little things for my friends, pictures for EstelSolo, and an autograph. I did stand in line for an hour for an autograph by Ms Nichols, but the picture I had bought for her to sign turned out to be pirated--she wouldn't sign it. The pictures they had available at her table were $20, and I no longer had $20 by that time. So I stood in line for nothing. I should have gone to the art auction.
I did go to the Masquerade. I love to see the costumes they come up with--they're usually very good, and so imaginative. I was thinking about entering this year, but I wasn't feeling too good (I had started coughing the night before, so I even nixed the Blood Drive), so I skipped that. Actually, the costume that stands out for me was one a kid did, based on Pirates of the Carribean, The End of the World. He was the little kid in the beginning who started singing the song--which he also did. It was a very good re-enactment. Maybe next year, if I go, I'll show up as Elanor the Hobbit.
That was Friday and Saturday, Sunday I did make it to church but left when I realized I was falling asleep, and still wasn't feeling 100%. So I went home and finished the Harry Potter book I was reading (Order of the Pheonix--one more book to go!). I did go to the SA potluck that night, but the fireside was cancelled due to lack of interest (the ward responsible for getting a speaker didn't, and since I was on vacation I didn't do it either). I got home in time to watch HP and The Goblet of Fire, so I am now all ready for the movie. Which is good, because that's what I'm doing tonight!!
So what have I been up to?
Well, after Malena left, I returned to dogs that were still a little freaked out, but they calmed down eventually. Monday, Tuesday were basically work then SA stuff (FHE and Stake Committee Meeting, respectively). Wednesday, being the Fourth of July, I was able to stay home. I did some yard work, then watched the first two Harry Potter movies--I have a goal to watch all four previous movies before seeing the new one--and worked on Malena's quiet book. There was a thunderstorm that evening that cut the power for about 5 minutes and freaked the dogs out for about an hour and a half. They hid behind a door and wouldn't come out for the longest time, poor guys!
Thursday and Friday were really more like another Monday and a Friday, although I did watch HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Thursday night and went to Ward Temple Night on Friday night. Instead of getting ready for the Next Great Adventure: my Dad and his wife Nancy were coming on Saturday! It was ok, though.
Saturday morning was spent cleaning house and then in the early afternoon taking the dogs to yet another Adoption Event. We couldn't stay long because I still had much to do at home before picking D&N up at the airport--including cleaning the car out. I had intended to do that anyway, but since both dogs were carsick on the way to the adoption event, it became necessary. Poor little guys, right? Again we met up with people who thought they were cute but not what they were looking for, and while there were a couple people who had submitted applications for them neither were able to attend this particular event. So they came home with me and I put them in their crate and went to clean out my car.
I picked up D&N at the airport with no trouble, then we went out to eat at Applebees. Still yummy. We went home, and with a couple hours to kill before bedtime, Dad requested we watch the first Star Wars. The one he showed in 1977 while he was working as a projectionist in the evenings. I'm always up for Star Wars, so we did :)
Sunday was nice, we watched Testaments and basically hung out with the dogs. Interesting note: the dogs like my dad! They almost never barked at him unless they were startled. They barked at Nancy a lot, though. We got ready for and went to church, where I had the opportunity to hold Baby R all through church--mostly because I wouldn't relinquish her, but her parents were happy to let me since they both had to teach that day :D. I did give her back when church was over, though. We went home, had Taco Pie (yes, from Freezer Meal Swap, and it was Yummy!), and watched The Empire Strikes Back.
Monday we got up and were ready to go so D&N came with me to drop the dogs off at their boarding place. I arranged with them to let K from the Good Dog Rescue to come take them out if necessary, to meet potential adopters, since I was planning on leaving them there for a week. We joked about getting the dogs adopted before I got back. Then it was on to Strasburg, Pa for D&N and me. It was a lovely drive, and we had lunch in the Red Caboose Restaurant--yes, an actual caboose from a train. Dad loves trains, hence the visit to Strasburg. My sister Beckie and her family were going to meet us there around 2:00pm at the Railroad Museum, so we decided to visit the toy train museum first. D&N are putting in a G size train in their back yard, and love to look at what other people have done. Actually, Dad's always been into toy trains, and has instilled that love in about two of his boys. Now he finally has time to pursue his hobby :D. The toy train museum was quite fun, but meeting up with Beckie and her family didn't go well--my phone wasn't getting any signal for some reason, and they got caught in traffic. They did finally get there around 4:00pm, and Doug (her husband) decided that we had to ride the train. There's an old steam engine train that runs from Strasburg to Paradise, about a 20 minute trip. Collin, the almost-3 year-old, was in heaven. He LOVES trains. He was so excited to see all the trains, and to be able to take a ride on one! So cute! After the train ride we went back to the Red Caboose Restaurant for dinner, since they were hungry and it was close, and did actually work ok for a family restaurant, even if we couldn't put the tables all together (there were 8 of us). The drive to Beckie's house was fairly uneventful, although we started first and they managed to catch up to us on the way :D That was kind of fun.
Tuesday Dad really didn't want to go sight seeing, so we watched the kids so Beckie could go grocery shopping BY HERSELF! (You mothers know how valuable that is.) We played a bit, had lunch, and then D&N and I went out shopping while Beckie had to work and her babysitter came to watch the kids--we figured it would be better for us to get out of the way, and we had to pick up a few things anyway. We got back after Beckie put in her time, and after Davi had left, and we did some puzzles with the kids. Puzzles Nancy and I had bought for them while we were out. Because that's what aunts and grandmas are supposed to do :D A quiet night after dinner, with them visiting and me reading reading reading--I had set a goal to read all the HP books before the next one came out, and I was only on book 4! I finished it while I was there, though.
Wednesday it was time for us to leave. We walked Bonnie to school (she's in summer school), and then took our leave. Malena cried and cried--she kept trying to talk us into staying a little later, but we knew that it really didn't matter when we left, she still wouldn't want us to go. So we gave hugs and kisses all around (Collin was quite calm about the whole thing, but then, he is 2), and left. Dad wanted to go back to Strasburg, and since we were going that way anyway I wanted to visit a couple places nearby. We stopped first at the Farmer's Market in Bird-in-Hand, which I haven't been to in quite a long time. I found a beautiful little doll that plays "what a wonderful world" in the right colors for my bedroom--which is where she is right now. Dad found a little bell that he was looking for (one of the reasons he wanted to return to Strasburg), and Nancy just liked going through all the little shops and by all the little areas. I was so tempted by the little Amish dolls, but I'd already bought a pair on Monday and my rule is that I only get one pair per trip! Besides, I'd just bought the musical doll...
After the Farmer's Market, we went to the Doll Outlet store. Not sure what town it's in, but it's not far from the outlet mall just outside of Lancaster. They advertise that they have over 5000 dolls there, and they do! I loved walking around and seeing all the dolls. Upstairs they had baby dolls. I found one that has a breathing mechanism inside it. He came home with me. I really just couldn't put him down, and I figure he'll be a good substitute for those days when I don't have access to a baby at church or something :) I love to hold little babies, I find it very calming. They must too, because they all fall asleep! My one true talent, is what I call it. Ah, but I digress. We had lunch in Intercourse, PA, at a little place that has managed to cash in on the Amish way of life (I would really like to know how the Amish feel about that), and I got some dried sweet corn and some Apple Butter. The sweet corn is to make creamed corn for Thanksgiving. Not sure if I'll be at Beckie's or not for Thanksgiving since that's when her baby is due, but if I'm in MD and you're in MD you're welcome to come over and try some!
We did return to Strasburg, but it was raining and Dad didn't want to get out of the car. The Railroad Museum had been closed on Monday, due to the PA Legislature not passing a budget, but they passed it on Tuesday so it was open on Wednesday, but since we were there for Dad and he no longer wanted to go, we just drove home. I have now seen a LOT more of Eastern PA than I ever expected to. But it is a very nice drive, and it is so very green. Dad did make a comment about all the trees in MD--they're nice, but how do we see where we are, or where we're going? Well, we don't, is my answer. You just have to read the signs. We got home in time to have a makeshift dinner--the whole time they were there D&N wanted to make sure I wasn't doing a lot of work for them, so we had a lot of leftovers and freezer meals. Not really a problem for me, since that's kind of what I had planned, but I do wish I had been able to talk them into the kabobs! We watched The Return of the Jedi that evening--sense a theme? Yes, it was at Dad's request, now you know where I get it from :D
Thursday Dad didn't want to do any sight-seeing, so we came up with a list of small, odd jobs that needed doing around the house and went to Home Depot to get the supplies. Nancy decided she wanted to mow the lawn using my push mower, and discovered--with Dad's help--that it hadn't been put together properly (sorry Daely! (my niece and I put it together when she was here in March)). So Dad fixed it, and it works a lot better now. We put up garden hose holders in front and back, I clipped the bush in front, Nancy mowed, and then we were tired and hot so we went inside for lunch. After lunch we did the inside jobs--a vent that needed putting in, attatching a full-length mirror to the back of a door, and a couple of other things. Then we sat and watched The Phantom Menace. Dad had never seen the Star Wars prequels.
We went to dinner at the Crab Shanty in Ellicott City. Very nice, seafood place. I don't usually care for seafood, but I figured they were visiting Maryland so they should have Crab Cakes. Dad ordered a variety platter, I ordered Crab Cakes, and we all shared. It was very good, but I still don't care that much for seafood. Don't mind fresh water fish, and I do like crab cakes, but for the most part, I'm not a shellfish person. I did manage to grab the check before Dad did, though! He's been paying for everything--including two tanks of gas--all week! After dinner we went back home and watched The Attack of the Clones.
Friday morning was their last day. They got up at their usual 7:00-7:30 time, but their plane didn't leave until 1:30pm, so we put in the final movie, The Revenge of the Sith. There are parts of that movie I really have a hard time watching. I did get to hold my baby the whole time, though, and that helped (me hide my face!). Then, since they were packed and we were out of things to do, I took them to the airport about three hours early. Well, Dad wanted to be there at 11:00 am, so it was really only a half-hour earlier than that. Hugs and good-byes, and they were on their way.
And so was I. Off to the bank for some cash, to Wal-Mart for some last-minute things, then home to do some quick laundry before leaving to go to Shore Leave, the sci-fi convention I've been going to for the last 5 years. I usually really enjoy it. This year, not so much. But that's ok. I got to see Nichelle Nichols (Lt Uhura from Star Trek), Claudia Christian (Cmdr Ivonova from Babylon 5), Paul McGillion (Dr Becket from Stargate Atlantis), and a few others. My friend was giving a presentation on her satellite, New Horizons and the Jupiter flyby that happened a couple months ago, so I went to her presentation too. I managed to spend all my money in the dealers' rooms, although you do have to acknowledge that I finally bought the $50 "Dressing a Galaxy" by Trisha Biggar (she did all the costumes for the Prequel Star Wars movies), so that was 1/4 of what I had brought. Lots of little things for my friends, pictures for EstelSolo, and an autograph. I did stand in line for an hour for an autograph by Ms Nichols, but the picture I had bought for her to sign turned out to be pirated--she wouldn't sign it. The pictures they had available at her table were $20, and I no longer had $20 by that time. So I stood in line for nothing. I should have gone to the art auction.
I did go to the Masquerade. I love to see the costumes they come up with--they're usually very good, and so imaginative. I was thinking about entering this year, but I wasn't feeling too good (I had started coughing the night before, so I even nixed the Blood Drive), so I skipped that. Actually, the costume that stands out for me was one a kid did, based on Pirates of the Carribean, The End of the World. He was the little kid in the beginning who started singing the song--which he also did. It was a very good re-enactment. Maybe next year, if I go, I'll show up as Elanor the Hobbit.
That was Friday and Saturday, Sunday I did make it to church but left when I realized I was falling asleep, and still wasn't feeling 100%. So I went home and finished the Harry Potter book I was reading (Order of the Pheonix--one more book to go!). I did go to the SA potluck that night, but the fireside was cancelled due to lack of interest (the ward responsible for getting a speaker didn't, and since I was on vacation I didn't do it either). I got home in time to watch HP and The Goblet of Fire, so I am now all ready for the movie. Which is good, because that's what I'm doing tonight!!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Pivotal Day
Today is the middle of the year. 2007 is half over, we only have 6 months remaining. So the question of the day is, how are you doing on your New Year's Resolutions??
Of course you don't have to answer, but as for me, I think I will. I keep dropping the number of resolutions I make each year. This year I think I had three. One: to lose weight. And guess what?? I've lost 10 lbs since January!!! Yay for me! Two and three I'll have to go look up, but I would guess I'm not doing so well since I can't remember them. Oh well.
I had quite the weekend. My 5-year-old niece came to visit me for the weekend as a part of her birthday gift. The other part was her quiet book that is still not finished :::sigh::: We went to Port Discovery, and after about two hours (which included leaving to get lunch at the McDonalds next door) she was exhausted and so was I. So we went back to my house. She wanted to play with the dogs, but the dogs were scared of her, so all they did was bark and lay around. They wouldn't relieve themselves outside, either, but would wait until we were both upstairs and then make puddles in the house. On top of that my niece was coughing a lot, so although she claimed she felt fine I suspect she really wasn't feeling well. Sunday morning was ok as we played games and watched some morning Disney shows, the dogs were mostly ok but I locked them up when we went upstairs to play dolls (yes, I played Barbies with my niece!). We tried going to church, but that was a fiasco as she had a meltdown in the car before we even went into the building. I suppose I should have just bagged it right then, but taking the Sacrament is important, and I was fasting for Fast Sunday so my dogs will find a good home. We did go in, but ended up in the lobby until after they passed the Sacrament. We went back out to the car, only to find that I had lost my keys. Fortunately I was able to find them again quickly, thanks to my friend for noticing that I had left them in the chapel! We made it home and changed, where she had another meltdown, but we managed to get everything in the car and on our way to meet up with my sister who was coming down from PA to pick her up. The best part was that my niece slept all the way to the park near Hershey. :::sigh:::
So the weekend was rough, with a few good spots. The dogs did allow Malena to walk them when we went out for our morning and evening walks. She did enjoy going in the drain at Port Discovery--I went in after her the first time, and it really is kind of interesting, entering in from the kitchen and coming out the bathtub. It's very dark, you have to feel your way through it. Malena really enjoyed doing that, particularly after she found a glow stick someone had dropped. We watched Cinderella, both Toy Story movies, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and she helped me with her quiet book (which I will finish hopefully soon--it just needs sewing).
Of course you don't have to answer, but as for me, I think I will. I keep dropping the number of resolutions I make each year. This year I think I had three. One: to lose weight. And guess what?? I've lost 10 lbs since January!!! Yay for me! Two and three I'll have to go look up, but I would guess I'm not doing so well since I can't remember them. Oh well.
I had quite the weekend. My 5-year-old niece came to visit me for the weekend as a part of her birthday gift. The other part was her quiet book that is still not finished :::sigh::: We went to Port Discovery, and after about two hours (which included leaving to get lunch at the McDonalds next door) she was exhausted and so was I. So we went back to my house. She wanted to play with the dogs, but the dogs were scared of her, so all they did was bark and lay around. They wouldn't relieve themselves outside, either, but would wait until we were both upstairs and then make puddles in the house. On top of that my niece was coughing a lot, so although she claimed she felt fine I suspect she really wasn't feeling well. Sunday morning was ok as we played games and watched some morning Disney shows, the dogs were mostly ok but I locked them up when we went upstairs to play dolls (yes, I played Barbies with my niece!). We tried going to church, but that was a fiasco as she had a meltdown in the car before we even went into the building. I suppose I should have just bagged it right then, but taking the Sacrament is important, and I was fasting for Fast Sunday so my dogs will find a good home. We did go in, but ended up in the lobby until after they passed the Sacrament. We went back out to the car, only to find that I had lost my keys. Fortunately I was able to find them again quickly, thanks to my friend for noticing that I had left them in the chapel! We made it home and changed, where she had another meltdown, but we managed to get everything in the car and on our way to meet up with my sister who was coming down from PA to pick her up. The best part was that my niece slept all the way to the park near Hershey. :::sigh:::
So the weekend was rough, with a few good spots. The dogs did allow Malena to walk them when we went out for our morning and evening walks. She did enjoy going in the drain at Port Discovery--I went in after her the first time, and it really is kind of interesting, entering in from the kitchen and coming out the bathtub. It's very dark, you have to feel your way through it. Malena really enjoyed doing that, particularly after she found a glow stick someone had dropped. We watched Cinderella, both Toy Story movies, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and she helped me with her quiet book (which I will finish hopefully soon--it just needs sewing).
Thursday, June 28, 2007
something you don't see every day...
Headline from Fark.com (no I don't go there, my friend had this in his LJ)
"Section of Salt Lake City on lockdown after discovering suspected terrorist trumpet. Police put out APB on the angel Moroni."
The headline is better than the story (a suspicious package was noticed, police were called, a robot detonated it, then they opened it to find a trumpet). Come to think of it, that might make a really good fictional story. I'll have to think about that...
"Section of Salt Lake City on lockdown after discovering suspected terrorist trumpet. Police put out APB on the angel Moroni."
The headline is better than the story (a suspicious package was noticed, police were called, a robot detonated it, then they opened it to find a trumpet). Come to think of it, that might make a really good fictional story. I'll have to think about that...
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Weekend
Well, I did get sick. But it didn't impact me too greatly. I did miss the barn dance on Saturday night, but I made the rest of the conference. And it was good.
Friday afternoon I went to the DC Stake Center early--originally I was going to attend the temple session, but I figured taking a cold to a closed room was not a good idea. I'm pretty sure I was still contagious at that point. So I hung around and offered to help but most of the stuff was already done. I went to the Visitor's Center around 7:00pm, to see if they needed me there, and I did quite a bit of running up and down the stairs in the theater room. The Knudsens from C2 were performing, and then Sis Okasaki spoke to us. She taught us three lessons using chewing gum. It was very good. Then it was back to the Stake Center for dessert and registration. I stayed and helped clean up, then followed Linda to the Seneca Stake Center to help her unload, then followed her to her house where she let me sleep on her couch. With my cold. I thought that was very nice of her.
Saturday I did sleep in a little, but not much. I got to the Seneca Stake Center about 8:00 am (breakfast was at 9:00 am) and helped as much as I could. I made copies of the choir music (I feel my one true contribution to the conference was the music, but I did try to help out where I could). I was first in line at the breakfast buffet, when it was time, but set my plate on my table and then wandered around for a few more minutes getting juice, running to get my vitamins (an essential thing when one is sick--and thanks Mendy for the offer of the Airborne, maybe next time!). While going to the chapel where I had left my purse, I saw Lon (the piano man) at the registration table. yay!! Especially since he was to play for us. I heard him periodically throughout the day in the chapel playing the piano. He's so good. He came and ate breakfast at my table, too :D
Sis Okazaki gave the keynote address, on being of good cheer. It was very good, as expected. Then it was time for the first workshop, but I'm afraid I slipped out and went to the powder room and laid on the couch for about an hour until lunchtime. Not a great loss--that particular workshop speaker is very good, but all stuff I've heard before. After lunch Bro Daines from my ward (ok, so I had two contributions to the conference) gave his workshop on "The Morning Breaks, the Shadows Flee, and the 10th Article of Faith". Really about the Second Coming. And how it's more of a series of events, instead of a single event (hey, he quoted Elder Eyring, so it's official!). Excellent, excellent talk. Bro Daines has such a unique perspective, given his work in 71 underpriviledged countries. After that was Bro Laird from Seneca Stake talking about having balance in our lives. I'm not sure exactly what I got out of that, other than a desire to figure out where I'm spending all my time and seeing if I can bring some balance to that. Then there was another workshop from the very first workshop speaker, which I again ditched, only this time to help start cleaning up the building in preparation for our departure to the barn. Chior practice was to be after the final workshop, and she went on and on and on... like I said, she's good, but perhaps we should have only given her one workshop to do. so Choir Practice didn't start until 5:30 pm, way late, and with a trip to the barn for dinner and the dance waiting for everyone. It went ok, although short. Then I went home for some much needed rest and sleep. I had boarded my dogs for the weekend, so it was very quiet.
Sunday it was up early and off to the Seneca Stake Center. I actually got there about 8:45 am, which was early. Choir practice was supposed to start at 9:15 am, so I was able to help do a few little things. Not a whole lot needed to be done, though. People came, and we practiced our two songs for the Testimony meeting we were having. It went fairly well. The meeting itself was very good--I was very happy that Pres Johnson from my stake came and said a few words along with Pres Hammond from Seneca Stake. I again was in charge of music--the choir sang one song for prelude, and one song after all the talks and before the testimonies began. I was somewhat anxious for Pres Johnson to be there for the testimonies of the single adults. I don't think he truly has a feel for the Single Adult program, and I knew this would be a good experience for him. And it was. Lots of heartfelt testimonies. Truly, this is my favorite part of Single Adult conferences.
Then it was time for lunch, eat up all the leftovers, then put away all the tables and things and say good-bye to everyone until next year. Definitely going to do this again--and definitely going to do my best to NOT BE SICK NEXT TIME!!!
Friday afternoon I went to the DC Stake Center early--originally I was going to attend the temple session, but I figured taking a cold to a closed room was not a good idea. I'm pretty sure I was still contagious at that point. So I hung around and offered to help but most of the stuff was already done. I went to the Visitor's Center around 7:00pm, to see if they needed me there, and I did quite a bit of running up and down the stairs in the theater room. The Knudsens from C2 were performing, and then Sis Okasaki spoke to us. She taught us three lessons using chewing gum. It was very good. Then it was back to the Stake Center for dessert and registration. I stayed and helped clean up, then followed Linda to the Seneca Stake Center to help her unload, then followed her to her house where she let me sleep on her couch. With my cold. I thought that was very nice of her.
Saturday I did sleep in a little, but not much. I got to the Seneca Stake Center about 8:00 am (breakfast was at 9:00 am) and helped as much as I could. I made copies of the choir music (I feel my one true contribution to the conference was the music, but I did try to help out where I could). I was first in line at the breakfast buffet, when it was time, but set my plate on my table and then wandered around for a few more minutes getting juice, running to get my vitamins (an essential thing when one is sick--and thanks Mendy for the offer of the Airborne, maybe next time!). While going to the chapel where I had left my purse, I saw Lon (the piano man) at the registration table. yay!! Especially since he was to play for us. I heard him periodically throughout the day in the chapel playing the piano. He's so good. He came and ate breakfast at my table, too :D
Sis Okazaki gave the keynote address, on being of good cheer. It was very good, as expected. Then it was time for the first workshop, but I'm afraid I slipped out and went to the powder room and laid on the couch for about an hour until lunchtime. Not a great loss--that particular workshop speaker is very good, but all stuff I've heard before. After lunch Bro Daines from my ward (ok, so I had two contributions to the conference) gave his workshop on "The Morning Breaks, the Shadows Flee, and the 10th Article of Faith". Really about the Second Coming. And how it's more of a series of events, instead of a single event (hey, he quoted Elder Eyring, so it's official!). Excellent, excellent talk. Bro Daines has such a unique perspective, given his work in 71 underpriviledged countries. After that was Bro Laird from Seneca Stake talking about having balance in our lives. I'm not sure exactly what I got out of that, other than a desire to figure out where I'm spending all my time and seeing if I can bring some balance to that. Then there was another workshop from the very first workshop speaker, which I again ditched, only this time to help start cleaning up the building in preparation for our departure to the barn. Chior practice was to be after the final workshop, and she went on and on and on... like I said, she's good, but perhaps we should have only given her one workshop to do. so Choir Practice didn't start until 5:30 pm, way late, and with a trip to the barn for dinner and the dance waiting for everyone. It went ok, although short. Then I went home for some much needed rest and sleep. I had boarded my dogs for the weekend, so it was very quiet.
Sunday it was up early and off to the Seneca Stake Center. I actually got there about 8:45 am, which was early. Choir practice was supposed to start at 9:15 am, so I was able to help do a few little things. Not a whole lot needed to be done, though. People came, and we practiced our two songs for the Testimony meeting we were having. It went fairly well. The meeting itself was very good--I was very happy that Pres Johnson from my stake came and said a few words along with Pres Hammond from Seneca Stake. I again was in charge of music--the choir sang one song for prelude, and one song after all the talks and before the testimonies began. I was somewhat anxious for Pres Johnson to be there for the testimonies of the single adults. I don't think he truly has a feel for the Single Adult program, and I knew this would be a good experience for him. And it was. Lots of heartfelt testimonies. Truly, this is my favorite part of Single Adult conferences.
Then it was time for lunch, eat up all the leftovers, then put away all the tables and things and say good-bye to everyone until next year. Definitely going to do this again--and definitely going to do my best to NOT BE SICK NEXT TIME!!!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Weekends and colds
I simply cannot be sick. I had a tickle in my throat last night, and today I'm blowing my nose and sneezing. But I simply don't have time to be sick. The Seneca Single Adult conference is this weekend, and I am on the committee. I am in charge of the music, I am leading the music, and I am leading the choir. I simply must be there. So, vitamins and large bottles of fruit juice, along with some cottage cheese and pineapple (and maybe some mac and cheese since that's very good comfort food) are my new diet. For now.
Last weekend went fairly well. Saturday morning was quiet, and the dogs and I just hung out. I took them to an adoption event in Arlington--the very place where I first met them, in fact. We had fun, meeting all the other dogs and the people who had come by to meet them. There were several people interested in them, but couldn't commit to adopting at this time. There's another event on July 7 that we'll go to--third time is a charm, they say. Either they'll get adopted or I'll decide to just keep them since they are doing much better and I don't have to lock them up so much. I'll be gone a lot in July, but at least I found a good place for boarding. I think I still need someone to help me with them for MDRF weekends, but that's still in the future.
Sunday--Father's Day. A holiday I don't have to dread or simply survive. Yay! Dad actually called me before I could call him, and we had a nice talk. We were able to settle more plans for the week when he comes out to visit me. I also got to talk to my oldest brother, Blaine, who was visiting Dad with his family. It was very nice. He was making noises like he and his family may come see me sometime :) That morning I allowed the dogs to roam downstairs while I got ready for church, and they pulled all the throw pillows off the couch. Then when I came downstairs to check on them, they had to tell me about it. This is the first time they've barked at me, but it was a happy sort of 'we were playing, mom!' bark. So I think it was ok. I taught in Relief Society on Sunday too, but with everything else that was going on only got about 15 minutes to teach. Which is fine--although I hope I didn't go so fast the Spirit got dizzy. Fortunately the lesson was on something I could talk about, and was able to flex my lesson so the important parts got in. I tend to be a less-structured type of teacher anyway, to allow for comments and the need to expand or contract a lesson.
So this week I need to prepare for the coming weekend, and my doggies get shipped off to the Preston Country Club for Pets (sounds pretty nice, huh? and not as expensive as you might think). They do like it there.
Last weekend went fairly well. Saturday morning was quiet, and the dogs and I just hung out. I took them to an adoption event in Arlington--the very place where I first met them, in fact. We had fun, meeting all the other dogs and the people who had come by to meet them. There were several people interested in them, but couldn't commit to adopting at this time. There's another event on July 7 that we'll go to--third time is a charm, they say. Either they'll get adopted or I'll decide to just keep them since they are doing much better and I don't have to lock them up so much. I'll be gone a lot in July, but at least I found a good place for boarding. I think I still need someone to help me with them for MDRF weekends, but that's still in the future.
Sunday--Father's Day. A holiday I don't have to dread or simply survive. Yay! Dad actually called me before I could call him, and we had a nice talk. We were able to settle more plans for the week when he comes out to visit me. I also got to talk to my oldest brother, Blaine, who was visiting Dad with his family. It was very nice. He was making noises like he and his family may come see me sometime :) That morning I allowed the dogs to roam downstairs while I got ready for church, and they pulled all the throw pillows off the couch. Then when I came downstairs to check on them, they had to tell me about it. This is the first time they've barked at me, but it was a happy sort of 'we were playing, mom!' bark. So I think it was ok. I taught in Relief Society on Sunday too, but with everything else that was going on only got about 15 minutes to teach. Which is fine--although I hope I didn't go so fast the Spirit got dizzy. Fortunately the lesson was on something I could talk about, and was able to flex my lesson so the important parts got in. I tend to be a less-structured type of teacher anyway, to allow for comments and the need to expand or contract a lesson.
So this week I need to prepare for the coming weekend, and my doggies get shipped off to the Preston Country Club for Pets (sounds pretty nice, huh? and not as expensive as you might think). They do like it there.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Where would we be if...?
Flashback Friday--a good idea.
Today I've been thinking about my friends S&C, the ones I met up with last weekend to see Pirates. I met them back in 2000, under unusual circumstances. If not for those circumstances, there's no way we'd have ever met each other--C works at the Holocaust Museum downtown DC, procuring items for the museum and other stuff I'm sure. She is an artist trained and very smart. S works for--well, I'm not really sure, but it has something to do with Homeland Security and Immigration. She deports people, as she told her neighbor from somewhere south of the border who's fixing up her house to hold far more than just the 5 people she says will live there. Very smart woman, weilds a sword--S and C took Gum-Do, Korean Sword fighting. I couldn't because both these women live in Fairfax county and that's where the school is--and I'm not about to chance the beltway on Wednesday evenings to get to VA by 7:00pm. All three of us are single, professional women, who otherwise wouldn't have met, if not for Star Wars.
All three of us were members of an online group called alt.fan.wedge (AFW), fans of Wedge Antilles, from Star Wars (the only non-main character Lucas carried through all three original films to give the audience a sense that other people do survive big battles, not just Our Heroes). My friend B introduced me to the group (I knew her from church, so not unique that I would have known her), along with a few other groups. Well, in November of 2000, K, the Prophetess of the Animist Warrior God known as Wedge Antilles, (yes, these are the things we come up with) was coming to DC for a visit with her friend Morwen (I can use her name because it's not her real name anyway). So a call was sent out to the group, a place was arranged for us to meet, and B was even willing to go just not by herself. So we went together. We took the metro to a restaurant in DC (I couldn't even tell you where it was now) and met up with about 9 others at a restaurant in DC, including S and C. We read X-Wing books and did the drinking game (water and soda only--most of them were underage and the rest of us were driving, although C may not have been). A little daring to go into DC to meet people we'd only talked to online, but B and I were together, she'd met K before, and we figured it would be fine, and it was. After this initial meeting we tried holding 'meetings' of the DC chapter of AFW, and there were about 9 of us at the largest gathering. We would try to run Role Playing Games in the Star Wars Universe, but after our numbers dwindled to just S, C, and me, we decided that wasn't really working anymore. By then we were friends, and we got together to do things. S and I went to Star Wars Celebration II, all three of us went to Star Wars Celebration III, and even now we get together to go to movies and the Renaissance Festival and other things.
It's good to have friends from all walks of life. I have a very diverse group of friends.
Today I've been thinking about my friends S&C, the ones I met up with last weekend to see Pirates. I met them back in 2000, under unusual circumstances. If not for those circumstances, there's no way we'd have ever met each other--C works at the Holocaust Museum downtown DC, procuring items for the museum and other stuff I'm sure. She is an artist trained and very smart. S works for--well, I'm not really sure, but it has something to do with Homeland Security and Immigration. She deports people, as she told her neighbor from somewhere south of the border who's fixing up her house to hold far more than just the 5 people she says will live there. Very smart woman, weilds a sword--S and C took Gum-Do, Korean Sword fighting. I couldn't because both these women live in Fairfax county and that's where the school is--and I'm not about to chance the beltway on Wednesday evenings to get to VA by 7:00pm. All three of us are single, professional women, who otherwise wouldn't have met, if not for Star Wars.
All three of us were members of an online group called alt.fan.wedge (AFW), fans of Wedge Antilles, from Star Wars (the only non-main character Lucas carried through all three original films to give the audience a sense that other people do survive big battles, not just Our Heroes). My friend B introduced me to the group (I knew her from church, so not unique that I would have known her), along with a few other groups. Well, in November of 2000, K, the Prophetess of the Animist Warrior God known as Wedge Antilles, (yes, these are the things we come up with) was coming to DC for a visit with her friend Morwen (I can use her name because it's not her real name anyway). So a call was sent out to the group, a place was arranged for us to meet, and B was even willing to go just not by herself. So we went together. We took the metro to a restaurant in DC (I couldn't even tell you where it was now) and met up with about 9 others at a restaurant in DC, including S and C. We read X-Wing books and did the drinking game (water and soda only--most of them were underage and the rest of us were driving, although C may not have been). A little daring to go into DC to meet people we'd only talked to online, but B and I were together, she'd met K before, and we figured it would be fine, and it was. After this initial meeting we tried holding 'meetings' of the DC chapter of AFW, and there were about 9 of us at the largest gathering. We would try to run Role Playing Games in the Star Wars Universe, but after our numbers dwindled to just S, C, and me, we decided that wasn't really working anymore. By then we were friends, and we got together to do things. S and I went to Star Wars Celebration II, all three of us went to Star Wars Celebration III, and even now we get together to go to movies and the Renaissance Festival and other things.
It's good to have friends from all walks of life. I have a very diverse group of friends.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Thunderstorms
When I lived in Iowa, that first year, we had a thunderstorm every day in the summer. About 3-3:30 pm it would cloud up, storm like there was no tomorrow ("end of the world" type weather), and then clear up and go away within the hour. I loved these storms. The air always smells better after a thunderstorm (and the scientist in me has to mention that it's the ozone created by the lightening that makes the air so fresh). Of course, this is also the best time to look for rainbows. I remember one day I had gone home to make lunch (I lived basically across the street from the building I spent most of my time in), the sky got very dark, it stormed, and then cleared up and the sun was shining again by the time I needed to return to my office in the Van Allen building.
This week in MD the weather has been much the same--cloud up, storm, then clear up. I love this kind of weather. We never had this in California, growing up. We'd get rainstorms, and the occiasional thunderstorm, but there was no regularity to it. So yes, I love thunderstorms. Especially when I can watch them from a window, safe and dry. My poor doggies hate them, though. Too loud!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Monday, monday...
Hi everyone!
Last week was fairly normal for me--work all day, have things to do all evening. I was able to be home for my dogs for three nights in a row, mostly due to one activity being at my house. Fortunately the friends that came over didn't mind the dogs being around--and the dogs were very well behaved, I must say. They just laid on the couch and watched.
Thursday night was book club--the discussion was rather circular, beginning and ending (for me at least, since I left when the subject was returned to) with potty training. Of course I had to share my one little thing, which is really Bill Cosby's routine about the monkeys in the sewers swiming around and coming up to tickle our bums, and couldn't even tell it right I was laughing so hard, but other than that, I really have not much to add to such conversations. The book discussion was about "A Woman in Berlin: Eight weeks in the conquered city" which I hadn't managed to finish, but got far enough that I could add to the discussion. When I was a teenager I read "The Hiding Place" and several other books about the Holocaust and different groups of people that were affected, but this is the first one I read that was concerned with Germans--the normal, every day people who were affected by what their leaders did. It was really good--and so well written it was hard to remember it wasn't fiction. Definitely recommend this one.
Friday night was the first meeting of Stake Conference, in the temple, on the seventh floor. It was really good. Of course you can't take notes in the temple, but I did write down what I remembered the next evening while waiting for the Saturday evening session. There were three things that stayed with me. One: to go to the temple more often (not hard in my current state of almost never going). Two: you can go to the temple to get something out of it for yourself, not just helping those that have gone on before. Three: whenever you have the chance to go to the temple, you should perform some ordinance there, not just show up and then leave without taking the opportunity to help others. That third one I took to heart that night. I knew I wouldn't be able to sit through a session without falling asleep, but I was able to do something else that helped five people. And I stayed awake :)
Saturday morning I cleaned and tried working with the dogs--that didn't work. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon managed to escape the backyard for a few mintues. Fortunately they both came back to me, and given that it was Saturday morning there were no cars and mostly no people--and they didn't make any messes anywhere. They just ran around for a couple mintues then came when I called. I may be ready to try a dog park with them.
Saturday afternoon my friends S and C came up from VA, and we met up with D from work. We had lunch, then went to see Pirates of the Carribean 3. My review: it was good, but I can't say I liked the ending. The story, the effects, the music, all was what I have come to expect from the movies, and there were multiple Jack's, which is always good. Although there was less of Will in this movie, it seemed, so I, of course, didn't care for that so much. But I didn't really like how it ended. Or how they tied 19th Century pirates into ancient Greek mythology. I will, of course, get the DVD when it comes out, because I have to have the set, and I have to watch it again for the things I missed, so maybe I'll like it better after watching it a few more times.
Saturday evening was the evening session of Stake Conference. It was all about families and what a great responsibililty it is to be parents. Not a lot there for me, but I did manage to glean a few things out of it. Which are written in my notebook. Which is at home. Sunday morning was the main session of conference, for my ward and two others at least. I have to say it was a little odd for me. My normal Stake Conference experience is one of two things: I'm in the choir, or I'm sitting off to the side by myself. This time I wasn't in the choir (I'm about all choir'ed out for the moment, and they kept having rehearsals when I had other committments), and this time I was surrounded by friends from my ward. I got to hold two babies--not at the same time, of course--and it was really great. (ok, sappy moment alert) I just can't express how much it means to me that I have really been accepted by people in my ward. Yes, there's often not a lot of common ground (reference the potty training above), but that doesn't seem to matter. I don't think I've ever been in a place where I have felt like this, like I belong--not just allowed to participate. My poor little lonely heart is very greateful for all these freinds that are now in my life. Ok, sappy moment over. Crying at work not good.
After conference I went home, fixed one of my freezer meals (from the freezer meal group I'm a part of), read Harry Potter 1 and took a nap with the dogs, watched Farscape, and had my Home Teachers come over. The dogs didn't like them very much at first (they have never growled so much! I had to clap my hands at them to get them to stop), but they warmed up to Charlie by the end. Since I had given him treats to give the boys. We'll see if they remember him next time.
I hope everyone is happy and healthy. ttyl! (talk to you later)
Last week was fairly normal for me--work all day, have things to do all evening. I was able to be home for my dogs for three nights in a row, mostly due to one activity being at my house. Fortunately the friends that came over didn't mind the dogs being around--and the dogs were very well behaved, I must say. They just laid on the couch and watched.
Thursday night was book club--the discussion was rather circular, beginning and ending (for me at least, since I left when the subject was returned to) with potty training. Of course I had to share my one little thing, which is really Bill Cosby's routine about the monkeys in the sewers swiming around and coming up to tickle our bums, and couldn't even tell it right I was laughing so hard, but other than that, I really have not much to add to such conversations. The book discussion was about "A Woman in Berlin: Eight weeks in the conquered city" which I hadn't managed to finish, but got far enough that I could add to the discussion. When I was a teenager I read "The Hiding Place" and several other books about the Holocaust and different groups of people that were affected, but this is the first one I read that was concerned with Germans--the normal, every day people who were affected by what their leaders did. It was really good--and so well written it was hard to remember it wasn't fiction. Definitely recommend this one.
Friday night was the first meeting of Stake Conference, in the temple, on the seventh floor. It was really good. Of course you can't take notes in the temple, but I did write down what I remembered the next evening while waiting for the Saturday evening session. There were three things that stayed with me. One: to go to the temple more often (not hard in my current state of almost never going). Two: you can go to the temple to get something out of it for yourself, not just helping those that have gone on before. Three: whenever you have the chance to go to the temple, you should perform some ordinance there, not just show up and then leave without taking the opportunity to help others. That third one I took to heart that night. I knew I wouldn't be able to sit through a session without falling asleep, but I was able to do something else that helped five people. And I stayed awake :)
Saturday morning I cleaned and tried working with the dogs--that didn't work. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon managed to escape the backyard for a few mintues. Fortunately they both came back to me, and given that it was Saturday morning there were no cars and mostly no people--and they didn't make any messes anywhere. They just ran around for a couple mintues then came when I called. I may be ready to try a dog park with them.
Saturday afternoon my friends S and C came up from VA, and we met up with D from work. We had lunch, then went to see Pirates of the Carribean 3. My review: it was good, but I can't say I liked the ending. The story, the effects, the music, all was what I have come to expect from the movies, and there were multiple Jack's, which is always good. Although there was less of Will in this movie, it seemed, so I, of course, didn't care for that so much. But I didn't really like how it ended. Or how they tied 19th Century pirates into ancient Greek mythology. I will, of course, get the DVD when it comes out, because I have to have the set, and I have to watch it again for the things I missed, so maybe I'll like it better after watching it a few more times.
Saturday evening was the evening session of Stake Conference. It was all about families and what a great responsibililty it is to be parents. Not a lot there for me, but I did manage to glean a few things out of it. Which are written in my notebook. Which is at home. Sunday morning was the main session of conference, for my ward and two others at least. I have to say it was a little odd for me. My normal Stake Conference experience is one of two things: I'm in the choir, or I'm sitting off to the side by myself. This time I wasn't in the choir (I'm about all choir'ed out for the moment, and they kept having rehearsals when I had other committments), and this time I was surrounded by friends from my ward. I got to hold two babies--not at the same time, of course--and it was really great. (ok, sappy moment alert) I just can't express how much it means to me that I have really been accepted by people in my ward. Yes, there's often not a lot of common ground (reference the potty training above), but that doesn't seem to matter. I don't think I've ever been in a place where I have felt like this, like I belong--not just allowed to participate. My poor little lonely heart is very greateful for all these freinds that are now in my life. Ok, sappy moment over. Crying at work not good.
After conference I went home, fixed one of my freezer meals (from the freezer meal group I'm a part of), read Harry Potter 1 and took a nap with the dogs, watched Farscape, and had my Home Teachers come over. The dogs didn't like them very much at first (they have never growled so much! I had to clap my hands at them to get them to stop), but they warmed up to Charlie by the end. Since I had given him treats to give the boys. We'll see if they remember him next time.
I hope everyone is happy and healthy. ttyl! (talk to you later)
Friday, June 8, 2007
My brain is fuzzy...
What a week!
Note to self: staying up late to read when you want to be up early to get to work on time the next day is NOT a good idea! I don't care if Harry *is* still stuck with the Dursleys!
Monday blew off FHE--actually not as bad as it sounds, because the family that signed up to have us come over forgot they'd signed us up, and I forgot to call and remind them a week before, and so since everyone forgot, I stayed home with my dogs. They liked that.
Tuesday some friends came over and we worked on quiet books. The dogs were funny. I tried to confine them in the kitchen, because it seemed cruel to me to lock them up downstairs, and they jumped through the barrier and joined us. Fortunately they like to lay on the couch and just *be* with us, so it was fine. My friends didn't mind, either. Silly doggies.
Wednesday I again stayed home, only this time I worked on my front yard. Heeding warnings that it was going to be hot and yucky I decided to mow, trim, cut, and sweep. The dogs were in the back yard for part of it, which makes me nervous because if they try hard enough they can get out of the gate (they've done it before). Then they were in the house, which makes me nervous because who knows what they'll get into if I'm not there to watch. But they were good, both places, and now my front yard looks like someone cares about it.
Thursday I went quickly home after work to walk and feed the dogs, and make a quick supper for myself. I had a Chiropracter appt, and I didn't want to tease the boys by coming home and then leaving again, so I went to PetSmart and spent another $70 on the dogs. I got them 'Gentle Leader' harnesses, so maybe I can break them of their pulling habit. At least when we're on walkies. I also picked up a couple more toys. Then I went to book club and read more in my car until time to go in (I'm still only about 1/2-way through the book). The book was "A woman in Berlin: 8 weeks in the conquered city". Very interesting, well-written, and tasteful description of the atrocities suffered by women in the city after the Russians conquered it in 1945. Definitely need to finish it. The discussion started out by the other women discussing potty training, then we talked about the book for a while, but when the conversation turned back to potty training I knew it was time for me to leave. Should I ever need a discussion on potty training, I'm sure there will be someone willing to discuss it with me. So I went home and let the dogs out, and they played in the back yard for a while. Obi-Wan is getting really rambunctious, while Qui-Gon has a much milder temperament.
Well, the rest of the week was filled in with work and sleep. sometimes at the same time (I fell asleep during a meeting on Tuesday--unfortunately it was a small meeting, and the guy running the meeting noticed, but he wasn't offended. He just teased me about it).
Since I've had the dogs my diet has been a bit out the window. However, I have managed not to gain any weight. I'm sure the additional exercise is helping with that.
Note to self: staying up late to read when you want to be up early to get to work on time the next day is NOT a good idea! I don't care if Harry *is* still stuck with the Dursleys!
Monday blew off FHE--actually not as bad as it sounds, because the family that signed up to have us come over forgot they'd signed us up, and I forgot to call and remind them a week before, and so since everyone forgot, I stayed home with my dogs. They liked that.
Tuesday some friends came over and we worked on quiet books. The dogs were funny. I tried to confine them in the kitchen, because it seemed cruel to me to lock them up downstairs, and they jumped through the barrier and joined us. Fortunately they like to lay on the couch and just *be* with us, so it was fine. My friends didn't mind, either. Silly doggies.
Wednesday I again stayed home, only this time I worked on my front yard. Heeding warnings that it was going to be hot and yucky I decided to mow, trim, cut, and sweep. The dogs were in the back yard for part of it, which makes me nervous because if they try hard enough they can get out of the gate (they've done it before). Then they were in the house, which makes me nervous because who knows what they'll get into if I'm not there to watch. But they were good, both places, and now my front yard looks like someone cares about it.
Thursday I went quickly home after work to walk and feed the dogs, and make a quick supper for myself. I had a Chiropracter appt, and I didn't want to tease the boys by coming home and then leaving again, so I went to PetSmart and spent another $70 on the dogs. I got them 'Gentle Leader' harnesses, so maybe I can break them of their pulling habit. At least when we're on walkies. I also picked up a couple more toys. Then I went to book club and read more in my car until time to go in (I'm still only about 1/2-way through the book). The book was "A woman in Berlin: 8 weeks in the conquered city". Very interesting, well-written, and tasteful description of the atrocities suffered by women in the city after the Russians conquered it in 1945. Definitely need to finish it. The discussion started out by the other women discussing potty training, then we talked about the book for a while, but when the conversation turned back to potty training I knew it was time for me to leave. Should I ever need a discussion on potty training, I'm sure there will be someone willing to discuss it with me. So I went home and let the dogs out, and they played in the back yard for a while. Obi-Wan is getting really rambunctious, while Qui-Gon has a much milder temperament.
Well, the rest of the week was filled in with work and sleep. sometimes at the same time (I fell asleep during a meeting on Tuesday--unfortunately it was a small meeting, and the guy running the meeting noticed, but he wasn't offended. He just teased me about it).
Since I've had the dogs my diet has been a bit out the window. However, I have managed not to gain any weight. I'm sure the additional exercise is helping with that.
Monday, June 4, 2007
15 mintues and too much to share...
It's been a while since I've written a 'journalistic' entry. In that time, I've managed to offend a few family members (since I have a blog I seem to feel that they should read it to find out about me), went to a Single Adult conference, had an epiphany, and met a family that might be willing to take my dogs.
So my family makes me crazy, but maybe I'm the one just going crazy because they don't do what I want them to. When they freely admit they don't read my blog because they don't have time then send me a silly 'spam' email I tend to think they're just not interested in my life and times. Why shoudl they be? I'm pretty boring, but I still manage to organize millions of ions about it.
I went to the Liberty SA conference in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, over Memorial Day weekend (instead of Star Wars Celebration IV--I guess my priorities have changed? Or maybe I just had no desire to stand in line all weekend (side joke--Celebration III was "In Line", Celebration IV was "Still in line"). Anyway, I'd been feeling like I lost my testimony of the Single Adult program, and really hoped that this conference would help me get some of that back. (The epiphany was about a week later when I realized it wasn't my testimony of the program that was suffering, it was me having to do all the work for my ward and for the stake. But that's a different story.) I went to the conference with my friend Tess, who wanted to stay an extra day and tour Philadelphia with her friend Nick, which we did. The conference was good--I've been the last three years, and it's always good. I wasn't feeling well so I didn't get what I was hoping for--in fact, I spent almost the whole time wishing I could just go home and lay on my bed. But I managed, and I also manged to get the guy I have a slight crush on to agree to come play piano for us at the Seneca Single Adult Conference so I get to see him again there :) He may think he's too old for me, but I don't think so. I think he's just right. Course, he plays the piano so wonderfully, I think that's where my crush started. Ah, but I digress. Tess and I had official Philly Cheesestakes at the same place where Sylvester Stalone filmed the movie Rocky (Nick told us we should be impressed), and we even went up the steps that he ran up in the movie and jumped in triumph. Yeah, I wasn't too impressed by that either. But there was a cool building nearby that kept changing from white to blue. Impressive, as Darth Vader would say. Oh, but the cheesestakes were everything I'd hoped they would be. YUM!
I picked up my dogs from the place where I had them boarded for the weekend on Wednesday, and they were like different dogs. Friendly and outgoing and basically cheerful. I started feeling bad that I may not be taking good enough care of them if they can go to this place over the weekend and come back so different. I seriously thought about letting the Dog Rescue place take them back to the Farm where they keep most of their dogs, but I did find out that place really isn't a good place for them. They're cared for, but there's almost no human interaction. So I still have them. I took them to an Adoption eveng on Saturday, and there was a family returning from a trip to the pool that met them. The family currently lives in the apartments above where the Adoption event was taking place, but they're having a house built, and have apparently discussed getting dogs. The girls, probably 10 and 8 or so, really loved my boys. They went right upstairs and looked them up online, and the older one started crying because the mom kept saying she had to talk to their dad first (he was away on business). I ran into the mother a little later, which is when I found this out. She was quite taken with them as well, and would like to take both of them. If I can just hold on until they can take them, I think this would be a good family for them.
Ok, I'm out of time so I can't pull out all the minute details and go through them at length, but truthfully I was quite the emotional mess last week, and this week I'm doing much better. Plus I got to hold Felicity's baby on Sunday! Yay! Baby-holding always helps!
So my family makes me crazy, but maybe I'm the one just going crazy because they don't do what I want them to. When they freely admit they don't read my blog because they don't have time then send me a silly 'spam' email I tend to think they're just not interested in my life and times. Why shoudl they be? I'm pretty boring, but I still manage to organize millions of ions about it.
I went to the Liberty SA conference in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, over Memorial Day weekend (instead of Star Wars Celebration IV--I guess my priorities have changed? Or maybe I just had no desire to stand in line all weekend (side joke--Celebration III was "In Line", Celebration IV was "Still in line"). Anyway, I'd been feeling like I lost my testimony of the Single Adult program, and really hoped that this conference would help me get some of that back. (The epiphany was about a week later when I realized it wasn't my testimony of the program that was suffering, it was me having to do all the work for my ward and for the stake. But that's a different story.) I went to the conference with my friend Tess, who wanted to stay an extra day and tour Philadelphia with her friend Nick, which we did. The conference was good--I've been the last three years, and it's always good. I wasn't feeling well so I didn't get what I was hoping for--in fact, I spent almost the whole time wishing I could just go home and lay on my bed. But I managed, and I also manged to get the guy I have a slight crush on to agree to come play piano for us at the Seneca Single Adult Conference so I get to see him again there :) He may think he's too old for me, but I don't think so. I think he's just right. Course, he plays the piano so wonderfully, I think that's where my crush started. Ah, but I digress. Tess and I had official Philly Cheesestakes at the same place where Sylvester Stalone filmed the movie Rocky (Nick told us we should be impressed), and we even went up the steps that he ran up in the movie and jumped in triumph. Yeah, I wasn't too impressed by that either. But there was a cool building nearby that kept changing from white to blue. Impressive, as Darth Vader would say. Oh, but the cheesestakes were everything I'd hoped they would be. YUM!
I picked up my dogs from the place where I had them boarded for the weekend on Wednesday, and they were like different dogs. Friendly and outgoing and basically cheerful. I started feeling bad that I may not be taking good enough care of them if they can go to this place over the weekend and come back so different. I seriously thought about letting the Dog Rescue place take them back to the Farm where they keep most of their dogs, but I did find out that place really isn't a good place for them. They're cared for, but there's almost no human interaction. So I still have them. I took them to an Adoption eveng on Saturday, and there was a family returning from a trip to the pool that met them. The family currently lives in the apartments above where the Adoption event was taking place, but they're having a house built, and have apparently discussed getting dogs. The girls, probably 10 and 8 or so, really loved my boys. They went right upstairs and looked them up online, and the older one started crying because the mom kept saying she had to talk to their dad first (he was away on business). I ran into the mother a little later, which is when I found this out. She was quite taken with them as well, and would like to take both of them. If I can just hold on until they can take them, I think this would be a good family for them.
Ok, I'm out of time so I can't pull out all the minute details and go through them at length, but truthfully I was quite the emotional mess last week, and this week I'm doing much better. Plus I got to hold Felicity's baby on Sunday! Yay! Baby-holding always helps!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Things that go THUMP!
One day my dogs were learning to go up and down stairs. They were getting pretty good at it, and would practice running up and down. To keep them on the same floor where I was, I shut the door at the top of the basement stairs. When it was time to go upstairs, I went up the stairs to open the door, but Qui-gon rushed ahead of me. Since it's quite dark in that particular stairway, you guessed it, THUMP!!! He turned around and ran downstairs tail between his legs. Took a few minutes (and me laughing all the time) for him to be ready to try THAT again!
Yesterday morning I decided to set up their pen around their crate to give them more room. I tied the pen to the crate, hoping they wouldn't chew through the twine I was using. I went upstairs, thinking to put my lunch together for work, listening to see if they would be ok. A few minutes went by, and then I hear this THUMP!! I go downstairs and both dogs had jumped over the 30-inch high pen, and were running around the downstairs, thinking themselves quite clever.
Dogs. Dogs definitely go THUMP!!
Yesterday morning I decided to set up their pen around their crate to give them more room. I tied the pen to the crate, hoping they wouldn't chew through the twine I was using. I went upstairs, thinking to put my lunch together for work, listening to see if they would be ok. A few minutes went by, and then I hear this THUMP!! I go downstairs and both dogs had jumped over the 30-inch high pen, and were running around the downstairs, thinking themselves quite clever.
Dogs. Dogs definitely go THUMP!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
My life as a movie...
Complete this sentence: If my life were a movie . . .
Our heroine would be a smart, strong, capable woman who has to save the world by being smart, strong, and capable.
It would most definitley NOT be a love story
It would most likely be either sci-fi or fanstasy.
There would be dragons. Lots of dragons to fight and overcome. And everytime the heroine thinks she's getting close to her goal, turns out there are more dragons.
In the end she does reach her goal, right before she dies. From saving the world. Again.
If my life movie had a sountrack, the songs would include (20 song maximum):
California Girls (Beach boys--this is my theme song)
Walking on sunshine (katrina and the waves)
Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.)
Shiny Happy People (R.E.M)
Here I stand and face the rain (A-Ha)
Changes (David Bowie)
Heavenly Father Loves me (no particular artist)
Wild Wild West (The Escape Club)
I'll Walk with God (from "The Student Prince")
Don't Cry Out Loud (can't remember the artist, mostly I just play this one on the piano)
I think it's going to rain today (Bette Middler, "Beaches" soundtrack)
The actors who would play the roles in my life would be:
Me: Barbara Stanwyck (from the 30's--hey, the rules don't state that they have to still be living!)
Parents: Rosalin Russel and Danny Kaye
Siblings: David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduci, Greg from the Brady Bunch, Marsha from the Brady Bunch, Bobby from the Brady bunch, Cindy from the Brady Bunch, and the little girl from the Partridge Family (Tina?)--and yes, this is in order, leaving me out because I'm being played by Barbary Stanwyck.
Friends: you can be played by whoever you prefer, leave me a comment!
Love interest: Robert Urich (from Spencer for Hire, not SWAT)
Our heroine would be a smart, strong, capable woman who has to save the world by being smart, strong, and capable.
It would most definitley NOT be a love story
It would most likely be either sci-fi or fanstasy.
There would be dragons. Lots of dragons to fight and overcome. And everytime the heroine thinks she's getting close to her goal, turns out there are more dragons.
In the end she does reach her goal, right before she dies. From saving the world. Again.
If my life movie had a sountrack, the songs would include (20 song maximum):
California Girls (Beach boys--this is my theme song)
Walking on sunshine (katrina and the waves)
Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.)
Shiny Happy People (R.E.M)
Here I stand and face the rain (A-Ha)
Changes (David Bowie)
Heavenly Father Loves me (no particular artist)
Wild Wild West (The Escape Club)
I'll Walk with God (from "The Student Prince")
Don't Cry Out Loud (can't remember the artist, mostly I just play this one on the piano)
I think it's going to rain today (Bette Middler, "Beaches" soundtrack)
The actors who would play the roles in my life would be:
Me: Barbara Stanwyck (from the 30's--hey, the rules don't state that they have to still be living!)
Parents: Rosalin Russel and Danny Kaye
Siblings: David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduci, Greg from the Brady Bunch, Marsha from the Brady Bunch, Bobby from the Brady bunch, Cindy from the Brady Bunch, and the little girl from the Partridge Family (Tina?)--and yes, this is in order, leaving me out because I'm being played by Barbary Stanwyck.
Friends: you can be played by whoever you prefer, leave me a comment!
Love interest: Robert Urich (from Spencer for Hire, not SWAT)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Memories...
Stolen from Jann, borrowed from others (trying to locate it in the other's blogs...)
Okay, as a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you :) If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.
Okay, as a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you :) If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.
Monday, May 21, 2007
A sad tail
I really wanted a dog.
Or dogs.
I wanted a friend to greet me when I come home from work.
I wanted someone who would encourage me to exercize and eat properly
I wanted someone to take care of.
In return for affection I would exercise, feed, and play with my new friend or friends.
So I adopted two year-old beagles.
(Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan)
Or dogs.
I wanted a friend to greet me when I come home from work.
I wanted someone who would encourage me to exercize and eat properly
I wanted someone to take care of.
In return for affection I would exercise, feed, and play with my new friend or friends.
So I adopted two year-old beagles.
(Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan)I didn't really realize just how much time I spend outside of my home.
I didn't sit down and figure out that 3-4 times per week, sometimes more, I come home to eat only to leave for another couple of hours.
I expected to crate the dogs whenever I couldn't be with them.
I didn't realize this meant they were in their crate 20-22 hours per day.
When I did, it broke my heart.
So I called the woman from the rescue I've been working with, and told her my problem and concerns.
She agreed that it wasn't healthy for the dogs to be crated so much.
Better than being in a kennel, but not better than being with a family, which is what they really need.
They need a place where they can run and play.
They need a place where they are not in their crates so much of the time.
They need someone who can work with them on their chewing issues.
They need someone who can be with them more often.
So my little beagles will be moving to new families.
They'll be with me until a new family or families are found, but they will be leaving.
My poor little guys will probably not even realize why they have to go.
I hope they will be happy.
For now I will concentrate on my garden and my house.
Maybe some day I won't be gone so much.
Maybe some day I won't have to go to all the single adult activities (80% of why I'm gone so much)
Maybe next time I will get a cat.
At least a cat won't need to be crated while I'm gone.
I hope.
PS I do know this whole dilemma was created because I wasn't listening to the Spirit. I prayed about getting dogs, about getting these dogs, and I couldn't really make up my mind. I had so many doubts and concerns but I decided to go ahead with it anyway. Every day with the dogs I seemed to revisit whether or not I should keep them. The stress was undoing all the good the exercise was doing. Once I decided to give them back, all the doubts and questioning and concerns just stopped. I grew depressed thinking that I was so unfit as a mom I couldn't even take care of dogs, but then I realized that I had it backwards. If I was a bad mommy I would selfishly keep them. Or I wouldn't care that they have to be confined so much of the time. I need to give them up, and hope that they are better for the experience.
I didn't sit down and figure out that 3-4 times per week, sometimes more, I come home to eat only to leave for another couple of hours.
I expected to crate the dogs whenever I couldn't be with them.
I didn't realize this meant they were in their crate 20-22 hours per day.
When I did, it broke my heart.
So I called the woman from the rescue I've been working with, and told her my problem and concerns.
She agreed that it wasn't healthy for the dogs to be crated so much.
Better than being in a kennel, but not better than being with a family, which is what they really need.
They need a place where they can run and play.
They need a place where they are not in their crates so much of the time.
They need someone who can work with them on their chewing issues.
They need someone who can be with them more often.
So my little beagles will be moving to new families.
They'll be with me until a new family or families are found, but they will be leaving.
My poor little guys will probably not even realize why they have to go.
I hope they will be happy.
For now I will concentrate on my garden and my house.
Maybe some day I won't be gone so much.
Maybe some day I won't have to go to all the single adult activities (80% of why I'm gone so much)
Maybe next time I will get a cat.
At least a cat won't need to be crated while I'm gone.
I hope.
PS I do know this whole dilemma was created because I wasn't listening to the Spirit. I prayed about getting dogs, about getting these dogs, and I couldn't really make up my mind. I had so many doubts and concerns but I decided to go ahead with it anyway. Every day with the dogs I seemed to revisit whether or not I should keep them. The stress was undoing all the good the exercise was doing. Once I decided to give them back, all the doubts and questioning and concerns just stopped. I grew depressed thinking that I was so unfit as a mom I couldn't even take care of dogs, but then I realized that I had it backwards. If I was a bad mommy I would selfishly keep them. Or I wouldn't care that they have to be confined so much of the time. I need to give them up, and hope that they are better for the experience.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Huge sigh of relief!
I checked with PetSmart/PetsHotel and with my vet, and both were fully booked for Memorial Day. My vet gave me two references, and the first one had space for my boys! What a relief! I may end up paying an extra day to give me time to get home and settled (and because I know I won't be back in time to pick them up when the place wants me to pick them up), but I think that's ok.
Yes, I am going away Memorial Day weekend, to once again go to the Liberty Single Adult conference in New Jersey (just across the river from Philadelphia). I am so crazy. My friend Tess is coming with me, so this will be better than the last two years when I went by myself and stayed by myself but at least was able to get some sleep. This should be fun. And I don't have to worry about my dogs.
Who are still in their crate most of the time. I tried letting them out and they chewed up my couch in the basement. I think they may be ready for some more freedom, though. I'll be borrowing a baby gate from a friend and see how they do in the kitchen with food and water and a place to snuggle. If they're really good I'll only take them down to be in the crate for night time.
I can't believe it's been almost two weeks! I hope they forgive me for putting them in a kennel next weekend!
Yes, I am going away Memorial Day weekend, to once again go to the Liberty Single Adult conference in New Jersey (just across the river from Philadelphia). I am so crazy. My friend Tess is coming with me, so this will be better than the last two years when I went by myself and stayed by myself but at least was able to get some sleep. This should be fun. And I don't have to worry about my dogs.
Who are still in their crate most of the time. I tried letting them out and they chewed up my couch in the basement. I think they may be ready for some more freedom, though. I'll be borrowing a baby gate from a friend and see how they do in the kitchen with food and water and a place to snuggle. If they're really good I'll only take them down to be in the crate for night time.
I can't believe it's been almost two weeks! I hope they forgive me for putting them in a kennel next weekend!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Another Mother's Day survived
I have a really hard time with Mother's Day. I used to be somewhat ok with it, but ever since my Mom passed away I just can't seem to deal with it appropriately. Some years I avoid church altogether, one year I went to my sister's for the weekend, a couple of years I had responsibilities so I went but tried to avoid the treat the women get handed--sometimes successfully, sometimes not. It seems to be the little gift we get that tips me overboard, not sure why that's such an issue for me. Probably didn't help that we sang funereal hymns in Sacrament Meeting, either.
This year I thought i would be ok--I have my doggies, I have more friends than I have had in the past, and I was substituting in Primary, so I thought I'd be distracted enough I'd be ok. Alas, I still found myself out in my car sobbing. It's not Christmas, it's not Thanksgiving, it's not even on her birthday or the day she died, but it's Mother's Day that I miss my mom the very most.
I'm thinking next year I go back to hiding under my covers until the day is over. I really don't enjoy being honored for something I'm not, and reminded of something I no longer have. Both on the same day is just too much.
So I went home after church, carried my dogs upstairs (they are scared of stairs), and we watched a sappy girl movie (In Her Shoes). My dogs will bark at other dogs, even if they're on the TV. Silly dogs, can't tell a real dog from a pretend dog. Or maybe it confuses them that they see a dog but can't smell one?
This year I thought i would be ok--I have my doggies, I have more friends than I have had in the past, and I was substituting in Primary, so I thought I'd be distracted enough I'd be ok. Alas, I still found myself out in my car sobbing. It's not Christmas, it's not Thanksgiving, it's not even on her birthday or the day she died, but it's Mother's Day that I miss my mom the very most.
I'm thinking next year I go back to hiding under my covers until the day is over. I really don't enjoy being honored for something I'm not, and reminded of something I no longer have. Both on the same day is just too much.
So I went home after church, carried my dogs upstairs (they are scared of stairs), and we watched a sappy girl movie (In Her Shoes). My dogs will bark at other dogs, even if they're on the TV. Silly dogs, can't tell a real dog from a pretend dog. Or maybe it confuses them that they see a dog but can't smell one?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Alas! Poor FUSE, I knew it well...
I got some saddening news today. Some of you may remember that I used to work on the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) program. FUSE had a hard life, losing three of four reaction wheels, failing gyros, and torquer rods that weren't built to do the job of three reaction wheels. It was managing, when I left, but it was hard, and stressful for the systems engineers. And the planners. And the RT controllers. You know, everyone who was needed to make it work. The science was still very good, though.
Today I found out that it's fourth and final reaction wheel got stuck on Tuesday. They're not throwing in the towel, they're going to do everything they can to save the satellite, but quite honestly, the 8-year old spacecraft may have reached the end of its life. NASA already put an end date on its funding (Sept '08), although they were trying to appeal that decision. However, with this new development, NASA may decide to pull funding now--a few people will be needed to clean up and turn off the lights, but after that the bird is target practice (re: satellite folklore where the Air Force took out a science satellite they thought wasn't being used anymore).
It's sad to think FUSE might be ending--after all, XTE, my first mission, is still going, not strong, but functional. I'm also quite glad I no longer work there. It's a shame for the guys they just hired out of school, though. I don't know what will happen with them, they haven't been there long enough to even be trained properly.
In other news, my dogs have decided they like the taste of my futon in the basement. So they don't get to be on it while I'm not home anymore. They knew I wasn't happy, although I didn't yell or even say anything. I just cleaned up the mess, and they hid in their crate. If they're bad today I'll move them back into the laundry room. I would love to give them free reign of the house, but I just can't. Not yet. Too much too soon makes doggies think they're in charge. I'm just glad they know not to potty in the house.
I still feel bad about being gone so much, though. I've had something every night this week, including tonight. Tomorrow I want to try to take them to the pet store to find some better chew toys (they don't seem to like the ones I already bought them), and maybe car harnesses so I don't have to take the crate everywhere we go, but we'll see. Maybe we should just stay home and try grooming (they've been shedding a lot!).
Today I found out that it's fourth and final reaction wheel got stuck on Tuesday. They're not throwing in the towel, they're going to do everything they can to save the satellite, but quite honestly, the 8-year old spacecraft may have reached the end of its life. NASA already put an end date on its funding (Sept '08), although they were trying to appeal that decision. However, with this new development, NASA may decide to pull funding now--a few people will be needed to clean up and turn off the lights, but after that the bird is target practice (re: satellite folklore where the Air Force took out a science satellite they thought wasn't being used anymore).
It's sad to think FUSE might be ending--after all, XTE, my first mission, is still going, not strong, but functional. I'm also quite glad I no longer work there. It's a shame for the guys they just hired out of school, though. I don't know what will happen with them, they haven't been there long enough to even be trained properly.
In other news, my dogs have decided they like the taste of my futon in the basement. So they don't get to be on it while I'm not home anymore. They knew I wasn't happy, although I didn't yell or even say anything. I just cleaned up the mess, and they hid in their crate. If they're bad today I'll move them back into the laundry room. I would love to give them free reign of the house, but I just can't. Not yet. Too much too soon makes doggies think they're in charge. I'm just glad they know not to potty in the house.
I still feel bad about being gone so much, though. I've had something every night this week, including tonight. Tomorrow I want to try to take them to the pet store to find some better chew toys (they don't seem to like the ones I already bought them), and maybe car harnesses so I don't have to take the crate everywhere we go, but we'll see. Maybe we should just stay home and try grooming (they've been shedding a lot!).
Monday, May 7, 2007
I'm a mommy!
Well, I did it. I'm not too sure about this still, but I have a brace of beagles. They're not too happy yet, having lived most of their lives in a kennel (they're only a year old), but I'm hoping they warm up to me soon. Pictures, you ask? Why, yes!
go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/julia0925/
I also have pics of my house in winter and early spring. I need to take another picture before all the flowers on my tree fall off.
Wish me luck! (with the dogs)
go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/julia0925/
I also have pics of my house in winter and early spring. I need to take another picture before all the flowers on my tree fall off.
Wish me luck! (with the dogs)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Huzzah!!
I'm going to get my doggies this weekend!!! I'm getting a brace of beagles, and I'm naming them Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. We are going to have so much fun! It's still a little scarey, when I think of how much my life is going to change, but all the changes are good ones. It will be good for me to take care of something other than myself all the time, and it will be good for me to excersize more.
In the meantime, I've been on my diet for three weeks and I've lost FOUR POUNDS. Yay for me!!!
And I'm totally--what's the word?--jonesing about Faire. I've started planning out what I want to do and who I want to do it with. Which is really crazy since they don't even have the schedule up on the MDRF website yet!!! Me and two friends are going to VARF in June, though, so that should help. Too bad I can't bring my dogs, though. I've been reading up on beagles, and apparently Queen Elizabeth had beagles (or at least small hunting dogs with melodious voices), so they're 'period' :D
Happy day to all of you!
MDRF: Maryland Renaissance Festival (see link ->)
VARF: Virginia Renaissance Faire
In the meantime, I've been on my diet for three weeks and I've lost FOUR POUNDS. Yay for me!!!
And I'm totally--what's the word?--jonesing about Faire. I've started planning out what I want to do and who I want to do it with. Which is really crazy since they don't even have the schedule up on the MDRF website yet!!! Me and two friends are going to VARF in June, though, so that should help. Too bad I can't bring my dogs, though. I've been reading up on beagles, and apparently Queen Elizabeth had beagles (or at least small hunting dogs with melodious voices), so they're 'period' :D
Happy day to all of you!
MDRF: Maryland Renaissance Festival (see link ->)
VARF: Virginia Renaissance Faire
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