Been kinda busy lately. Picked up a new treadmill and a rocking chair through MaxSold.com - they do estate auctions, all online. It's really fun, but also a little dangerous. I almost got a cedar chest too, but it got priced out of my range. Then I put some bids on some doll house furniture - I have a nice dollhouse (well, sort of nice - someone was throwing it out and I picked it up) and even some small Disney Princesses to go in it, but no furniture for them. Someone else wanted them more, though. I did get some Greek dolls, though. And I do love my new rocking chair. It's the old-fashioned kind. Could use a little refinishing but I find I don't even mind that there's no cushion. It's my new favorite place to sit in my house. I really should take some pictures, huh?
I spent Conference weekend helping a friend get to and from the hospital, then another friend - well, maybe it wasn't so much help, but since this is the friend that just lost her mom I did want to spend some time with her. And we had to see Captain America. Which was fabulous (see review to the right). So Sunday I binge-watched Conference. Not sure I remember a whole lot, so I really do need to read through the conference talks now. I did like Elder Bednar's talk on the guy with the truck, though. That was fun. I know there was another one that kind of struck me as well, but since I wasn't really taking notes (I was knitting) I don't remember.
I had a really good talk with my PT Joni this morning after our session. We talked a lot about how it's so easy to get discouraged when we are trying to make changes in our lives and it doesn't look like we're making any progress. I actually haven't lost much weight in the nearly 8 months I've been working out with her, but I'm so much stronger and more able to do things. Another friend has remarked that my whole complexion just looks better. The pants I put away last fall (they're not winter pants) are now getting so loose that I wish they had belt loops. My sewing machine may be getting some tailoring use soon.
Side note - so grateful to my Mom for teaching me how to sew, and even providing me with a sewing machine (20 years ago, for Christmas - still works. Gotta love Kenmore).
I spent last weekend putting sewing machine to good use yet again making a bridesmaid dress for a friend. It turned out really pretty, although there was a point I wanted to just chop it all into pieces. We had several fittings too, as I tried to make the dress she really wanted. I think she's happy with it, though.
So. Lifestyle changes. Bodies don't want to change their comfortable 'set point', so resist losing the weight that they've accumulated over many years. It will get easier, but it will also take a couple years for it to get easier. I've been thinking a lot about how easy it can be to use willpower to lose that 20 pounds or whatever, but without the lasting change, it not only comes back, it brings friends.
At Stake Conference a few weeks ago the talk that really made an impression on me was given. There are 5 steps:
1) Acknowledgement - you need to acknowledge that there's a problem. In my case, last September my 'ah-ha' moment finally came, and I accepted the reality of my health or lack thereof and my weight.
2) Will Power - it can get you started, but it's like an afterburner on a plane. It doesn't last long. For me, it got me to call Joni and set up Personal Training. It got me to join the Lean Eating program with Precision Nutrition (at Joni's recommendation). It got me started.
3) Hard Work - with out hard work, there is no progress. Sad, but true. Can't just wish for things to happen. Those pounds are not going to fall off by themselves.
4) Persistence - at some point the will power will burn out and you just have to keep going. Last week, due to some injuries (I fell on the ice) I wasn't able to work out, and we even decided to skip my PT session. It was kind of nice to get to work early in the morning, and to get things done. I got to sleep in a little every day (or at least it felt that way). If I didn't have Joni to return to this week, I may have taken me a lot longer to get back in the saddle. But I did, and now I am.
5) Industry - Day by day, bit by bit, or as my friend says, "Every day in every way it just keeps getting better and better"
3,4, and 5 kind of go together in my mind - can't really do one without doing the others at the same time.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Hope and progress
I feel like I haven't been doing a whole lot lately, but somehow I'm always exhausted. I've been working on going to bed earlier, and the last couple of days I have gotten to bed earlier than the day before, so that's good. Wednesdays are hard because I want to watch the American Idol kids perform and the show isn't over until 10:00pm. What, you say, you're going to bed at 10:00pm??? Yes, I'm turning into my Mom. My goal is to get up between 5:30am and 6:00am so I can work out or do intervals or whatever my workout plan for the day is before getting ready for work, but when I don't get to bed until after 11:00pm that doesn't happen. I've been so exhausted that my Sunday naps have been 3-4 hours long. One day it was 6 hours. As one of my friends put it, I'm running on a deficit.
There is good news, though. I had my training session this morning (delayed from Tuesday), so we went ahead and did measurements (I always need to do measurements on Saturdays and my PT helps me with that). This week we also needed to do photos (they're required once a month), so we just did it this morning. I am measurably smaller. I keep thinking of one time when I went to visit my sister and her kids were all concerned they wouldn't see me at the airport because I would be so small. No worries, kids, I haven't lost THAT much yet, and you'll see me in a month, but I will be smaller. Given that my brother-in-law has workout equipment in his basement, I'm thinking I shouldn't have any trouble doing my workouts there either. I may still bring my bands, though.
There has been some sadness too. My friend S's mother passed away last week. The funeral was on Tuesday, and I went (thus the rescheduling of my PT session). It was held at the funeral home, and S's uncle, a Baptist minister, presided. He gave a good eulogy/sermon/talk thing, I definitely felt the Spirit. There seemed to be a lot of emphasis on death, and the suffering of Job, but he did bring in Christ and the Resurrection at the end, which is always my favorite part. Without that part, there is no hope. Without hope, there is nothing, so why bother? I've been thinking a lot about my Mom this week as a consequence. There is quite a contrast between my Mom and S's Mom. S's Mom had been sick for many years with Parkinson's and corresponding health issues. She lived with S, and S was taking care of her, and she'd gotten so bad that S could barely go to work without something happening. Her attitude was very dark, and due to her own choices her quality of life wasn't that good. My mom was only sick that last year, but her attitude was good, and she was surrounded by the people she loved. Her funeral was packed. S's mom's funeral was mostly family (and not a big family like mine, about 1/3 the size of mine) and several of S's friends who showed up to support her (including me and C). Such a contrast, but you know, in Christ, it really doesn't matter. Both are now in a much better place and no longer in any pain. And also surrounded by loved ones.
So between my exhaustion and recurring headaches I haven't really done a whole lot lately. I'm not even caught up on my tv shows, although one is ending in a couple weeks and a couple more are finished until the summer, so that will help. Haven't even hardly been to the movies, but I did go see Veronica Mars. I helped back that movie, through Kickstarter, and so took the opportunity to go see it first :D It was great. I rewatched the entire series before going to see it too (another reason for being behind on my other tv shows). I love it so much.
Ok, I think I'm caught up now, and I'm grateful that it's finally spring (6 inches of snow three days ago, but it's mostly all melted now). Today is the first day of Spring. Another reason for hope.
There is good news, though. I had my training session this morning (delayed from Tuesday), so we went ahead and did measurements (I always need to do measurements on Saturdays and my PT helps me with that). This week we also needed to do photos (they're required once a month), so we just did it this morning. I am measurably smaller. I keep thinking of one time when I went to visit my sister and her kids were all concerned they wouldn't see me at the airport because I would be so small. No worries, kids, I haven't lost THAT much yet, and you'll see me in a month, but I will be smaller. Given that my brother-in-law has workout equipment in his basement, I'm thinking I shouldn't have any trouble doing my workouts there either. I may still bring my bands, though.
There has been some sadness too. My friend S's mother passed away last week. The funeral was on Tuesday, and I went (thus the rescheduling of my PT session). It was held at the funeral home, and S's uncle, a Baptist minister, presided. He gave a good eulogy/sermon/talk thing, I definitely felt the Spirit. There seemed to be a lot of emphasis on death, and the suffering of Job, but he did bring in Christ and the Resurrection at the end, which is always my favorite part. Without that part, there is no hope. Without hope, there is nothing, so why bother? I've been thinking a lot about my Mom this week as a consequence. There is quite a contrast between my Mom and S's Mom. S's Mom had been sick for many years with Parkinson's and corresponding health issues. She lived with S, and S was taking care of her, and she'd gotten so bad that S could barely go to work without something happening. Her attitude was very dark, and due to her own choices her quality of life wasn't that good. My mom was only sick that last year, but her attitude was good, and she was surrounded by the people she loved. Her funeral was packed. S's mom's funeral was mostly family (and not a big family like mine, about 1/3 the size of mine) and several of S's friends who showed up to support her (including me and C). Such a contrast, but you know, in Christ, it really doesn't matter. Both are now in a much better place and no longer in any pain. And also surrounded by loved ones.
So between my exhaustion and recurring headaches I haven't really done a whole lot lately. I'm not even caught up on my tv shows, although one is ending in a couple weeks and a couple more are finished until the summer, so that will help. Haven't even hardly been to the movies, but I did go see Veronica Mars. I helped back that movie, through Kickstarter, and so took the opportunity to go see it first :D It was great. I rewatched the entire series before going to see it too (another reason for being behind on my other tv shows). I love it so much.
Ok, I think I'm caught up now, and I'm grateful that it's finally spring (6 inches of snow three days ago, but it's mostly all melted now). Today is the first day of Spring. Another reason for hope.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
March Madness
OK, so, it's been a while.
I went to Oregon to see this cutie blessed:
Of course the day before I left this happened:
I agree, it does look pretty. A little annoying when you know you have to leave at 4 in the morning, though.
But we made it. I met up with my brother D and his wife J and one of their daughters D. Yes, I"m trying to be discreet with names. All these D's might be confusing, though, huh? Ok, so brother is D and niece is D3. Nephew is D1. Anyway, the aunties were very happy to have a chance to hold the little sweetie:
Grandma J got to hold her most of the time, and rightfully so.
The weather was quite rainy, but it was still beautiful. It was a good trip.
Since then things have been pretty normal. I work, I work out, and I crash in front of the tv, sometimes with Kitty:
She was being a sweetheart - the starry fabric is my pajamas. She was putting her paw on my arm! So cute!
So now that it's March you might think that it would be springtime.
Nope. This is yesterday (March 3). So bummed. So tired of all the snow and cold. Maybe especially the cold. Not fond of the layer of ice that was under this particular snow either (it rained quite heavily before it got cold enough to actually snow instead). And joy, there's been more snow predicted for next week too. Is it spring yet?
I went to Oregon to see this cutie blessed:
 |
| AJAndersen |
I agree, it does look pretty. A little annoying when you know you have to leave at 4 in the morning, though.
But we made it. I met up with my brother D and his wife J and one of their daughters D. Yes, I"m trying to be discreet with names. All these D's might be confusing, though, huh? Ok, so brother is D and niece is D3. Nephew is D1. Anyway, the aunties were very happy to have a chance to hold the little sweetie:
 |
| Auntie Julia and AJ |
 | |||
| Auntie D3 and AJ |
Grandma J got to hold her most of the time, and rightfully so.
The weather was quite rainy, but it was still beautiful. It was a good trip.
 |
| Can you see the rainbow? |
So now that it's March you might think that it would be springtime.
Nope. This is yesterday (March 3). So bummed. So tired of all the snow and cold. Maybe especially the cold. Not fond of the layer of ice that was under this particular snow either (it rained quite heavily before it got cold enough to actually snow instead). And joy, there's been more snow predicted for next week too. Is it spring yet?
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Another NYC trip
This one was because my friend P from college was going to be in NYC for a conference and got tickets for "Waiting for Godot" and "No Man's Land". Remember this?
He posted on Facebook that he was going. Well, I really wanted to go see them too. So I PM'd him about it, and we made arrangements, and I was even able to get seats RIGHT NEXT to his!
I got there on Tuesday night, January 14th, had a little dinner, and met P at the theater. Got there a little early, so I had to wait in line, but it wasn't too bad.
The first night was Waiting for Godot. It was a little bizarre, but I liked it, and it was beautifully acted. My interpretation was that these two elderly men were in Purgatory or Limbo waiting to be released. Patrick Stewart's character was the more aware one, while Ian McKellen's character was more forgetful and ornery. It was a good portrait of old age and how some of us get left behind while everyone else moves on. The days blend in to one another and you can't really tell the difference between them. So it was a little sad.
Wednesday night was No Man's Land. Same stage, a bit of a different set. This is set in a London home, in the library, with an older gentleman who's barely aware of his surroundings (Patrick this time) and another older gentleman who is more aware of what's going on (Ian). This one I didn't like as much, but it made a nice accompaniment to the other one.
Wednesday during the day P had his conference, so I was left to my own devices. Mostly I slept in, then I went shopping, and lastly I had Afternoon Tea at the American Girl Place. I'd brought my doll Cecile with me.
Isn't she cute? We had a nice little formal tea - for those of you who don't know it's three sets of different types of food, only a bite or two of each. I had the frozen strawberry lemonade (or was it just plain lemonade?) but did have some herbal tea later as it was fairly cool. Cecile loved her little cup and saucer too.
We got to keep the cup and saucer, and the little bow on her hand was my napkin holder. She looks very happy to be there, doesn't she? I acquired her friend Marie Grace as I was leaving (I had a crisis of "which doll to buy" before tea, so wasn't able to bring her to tea too).
It was a nice little trip. It was great to see P again too - it had been about 14 years, and we were able to do a lot of catching up.
He posted on Facebook that he was going. Well, I really wanted to go see them too. So I PM'd him about it, and we made arrangements, and I was even able to get seats RIGHT NEXT to his!
I got there on Tuesday night, January 14th, had a little dinner, and met P at the theater. Got there a little early, so I had to wait in line, but it wasn't too bad.
The first night was Waiting for Godot. It was a little bizarre, but I liked it, and it was beautifully acted. My interpretation was that these two elderly men were in Purgatory or Limbo waiting to be released. Patrick Stewart's character was the more aware one, while Ian McKellen's character was more forgetful and ornery. It was a good portrait of old age and how some of us get left behind while everyone else moves on. The days blend in to one another and you can't really tell the difference between them. So it was a little sad.
Wednesday night was No Man's Land. Same stage, a bit of a different set. This is set in a London home, in the library, with an older gentleman who's barely aware of his surroundings (Patrick this time) and another older gentleman who is more aware of what's going on (Ian). This one I didn't like as much, but it made a nice accompaniment to the other one.
Wednesday during the day P had his conference, so I was left to my own devices. Mostly I slept in, then I went shopping, and lastly I had Afternoon Tea at the American Girl Place. I'd brought my doll Cecile with me.
It was a nice little trip. It was great to see P again too - it had been about 14 years, and we were able to do a lot of catching up.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Just a few thoughts
Yes I still need to do a post on my last trip to NYC. But in the meantime, a couple things have happened that I would like to record. This may be a little too personal but since usually only family reads my blog, I think that's ok. You have been warned.
There was a shooting at my local mall last Saturday. I was in VA at the time, and I don't know anyone that was there or who was hurt (or who was killed, there were three including the shooter). While several of my friends have been frightened out of their minds I haven't really felt that strongly about it one way or another. I'm not entirely sure why, but I have a few ideas. Maybe I'm just jaded.
Then again, this is hardly the first shooting I've been even remotely close to. In fact, my first was probably as close as one can get without being in the same room. I was in grad school at the University of Iowa. One of my fellow grad students got it into his head that he deserved a certain grant/fellowship thing, and since he didn't get it, he went on a shooting spree, killing two of my professors, a fellow grad student, a school official, and injuring another student who just happened to be in the way. I was on the 6th floor of the Physics building when it happened on the 3rd and 2nd floors, and the next few days were kind of tense. Lots of counseling, cancelling of classes, returning to the building in packs. I suppose I just can't get worked up about something like this that happens remotely when I've been directly involved. I am of course sad for the people who were involved. If anything I do know what they're going through.
Second, the worst thing that could happen to me has already happened. My Mom passed away 14 years ago this month. I've been thinking about her a lot lately for some reason. Probably because of the anniversary of her death, but also because I've started working on my long-held issues from my childhood, and that brings up a lot of yuck involving her. Stuff I need to forgive or reframe and just move on. Because really, by the end, we were friends. We did lots of stuff together when I went home for visits. Time to let go of the past, because after all, it is past.
So after reassuring various friends and family that I was nowhere near the shooting at the mall, I've basically just moved on. Maybe I am jaded.
The second thing is that I've about had it with S&C. These are my two friends that I go to the movies with about once a month, or go about DC visiting museums and things. We met via internet message boards back in 2000, then met in person when a fellow friend from the message boards came to visit DC. The other people involved in our group have moved or stopped participating so now it's just the three of us. We're all in a similar situation, about the same age, single professionals with cats (S converted C and me), and we like a lot of the same things so it's good. Every now and then, though, I get a little fed up with them. Case in point was Saturday. Typical get together for lunch and then a movie (sometimes we do movie then lunch depending on the movie times). S told us all about her current woes (she does have a lot to deal with thanks to her being the only responsible person in her family, so we let her vent). C talked a while about her stuff. When I tried to tell what I'd been up to as soon as the opportunity presented itself they began talking about themselves again. Took the focus of the conversation back to them. For some reason I thought they should be interested in what I've been doing. Silly me. I turned the conversation to movies and tv shows that we watch and that was ok. More even, anyway.
So we get to the theater, they do their normal bathroom run, and I got delayed before joining them. They were talking constantly to each other, and didn't realize I'd joined them, but I thought for sure C would see me when we were washing our hands AT THE SAME TIME. No, she let the door swing shut in my face. That's when I started to lose it. "Why did I bother to come?" They did hear me ask that as they were about 30 feet in front of me, "we didn't know you were there" was the answer, but at no time did they pause their conversation long enough for me to participate or say anything. So I was upset with them. After the movie, I did want to use the restroom again but I knew if I did they would just abandon me there. So I didn't, and we did have a nice talk about the movie, but then I had an hour drive home. It's just too far for me to drive if they're going to just ignore me like that. Or treat me as their audience, with nothing interesting to contribute. So I'm taking a break from them. Fortunately two of my Saturdays in February are already taken, I'm pretty sure I can avoid them for March, and the weekend in April they want to go to a SF convention in the area is Easter weekend when I'll be in Utah. So I may not have to see them until May, and even then they had better plan on doing the driving. I'm not going to drive all that way just to be ignored again.
I did express myself to them in an email, not nearly as brutally as here, but did want to let them know how I felt. So they'll probably be thinking I'm being a drama queen because of this. How dare I with all that S is going through right now? Or even C? Both of them have aging parents that are ill, so I need to cut them all the slack. However, should I need some support from them I'm going to have to flash a neon sign or something. Too much work. I think I'm getting spoiled by my Visiting Teachers; they're both really good and supportive and our conversations are shared equally three ways. I love my Visiting Teachers. We were friends before, but this has somehow crystallized our relationship.
So there, rant ranted, vent vented. I do actually feel better now. I know, so selfish of me when so many of my friends are going through difficulties right now and I'm complaining about not getting enough attention.
There was a shooting at my local mall last Saturday. I was in VA at the time, and I don't know anyone that was there or who was hurt (or who was killed, there were three including the shooter). While several of my friends have been frightened out of their minds I haven't really felt that strongly about it one way or another. I'm not entirely sure why, but I have a few ideas. Maybe I'm just jaded.
Then again, this is hardly the first shooting I've been even remotely close to. In fact, my first was probably as close as one can get without being in the same room. I was in grad school at the University of Iowa. One of my fellow grad students got it into his head that he deserved a certain grant/fellowship thing, and since he didn't get it, he went on a shooting spree, killing two of my professors, a fellow grad student, a school official, and injuring another student who just happened to be in the way. I was on the 6th floor of the Physics building when it happened on the 3rd and 2nd floors, and the next few days were kind of tense. Lots of counseling, cancelling of classes, returning to the building in packs. I suppose I just can't get worked up about something like this that happens remotely when I've been directly involved. I am of course sad for the people who were involved. If anything I do know what they're going through.
Second, the worst thing that could happen to me has already happened. My Mom passed away 14 years ago this month. I've been thinking about her a lot lately for some reason. Probably because of the anniversary of her death, but also because I've started working on my long-held issues from my childhood, and that brings up a lot of yuck involving her. Stuff I need to forgive or reframe and just move on. Because really, by the end, we were friends. We did lots of stuff together when I went home for visits. Time to let go of the past, because after all, it is past.
So after reassuring various friends and family that I was nowhere near the shooting at the mall, I've basically just moved on. Maybe I am jaded.
The second thing is that I've about had it with S&C. These are my two friends that I go to the movies with about once a month, or go about DC visiting museums and things. We met via internet message boards back in 2000, then met in person when a fellow friend from the message boards came to visit DC. The other people involved in our group have moved or stopped participating so now it's just the three of us. We're all in a similar situation, about the same age, single professionals with cats (S converted C and me), and we like a lot of the same things so it's good. Every now and then, though, I get a little fed up with them. Case in point was Saturday. Typical get together for lunch and then a movie (sometimes we do movie then lunch depending on the movie times). S told us all about her current woes (she does have a lot to deal with thanks to her being the only responsible person in her family, so we let her vent). C talked a while about her stuff. When I tried to tell what I'd been up to as soon as the opportunity presented itself they began talking about themselves again. Took the focus of the conversation back to them. For some reason I thought they should be interested in what I've been doing. Silly me. I turned the conversation to movies and tv shows that we watch and that was ok. More even, anyway.
So we get to the theater, they do their normal bathroom run, and I got delayed before joining them. They were talking constantly to each other, and didn't realize I'd joined them, but I thought for sure C would see me when we were washing our hands AT THE SAME TIME. No, she let the door swing shut in my face. That's when I started to lose it. "Why did I bother to come?" They did hear me ask that as they were about 30 feet in front of me, "we didn't know you were there" was the answer, but at no time did they pause their conversation long enough for me to participate or say anything. So I was upset with them. After the movie, I did want to use the restroom again but I knew if I did they would just abandon me there. So I didn't, and we did have a nice talk about the movie, but then I had an hour drive home. It's just too far for me to drive if they're going to just ignore me like that. Or treat me as their audience, with nothing interesting to contribute. So I'm taking a break from them. Fortunately two of my Saturdays in February are already taken, I'm pretty sure I can avoid them for March, and the weekend in April they want to go to a SF convention in the area is Easter weekend when I'll be in Utah. So I may not have to see them until May, and even then they had better plan on doing the driving. I'm not going to drive all that way just to be ignored again.
I did express myself to them in an email, not nearly as brutally as here, but did want to let them know how I felt. So they'll probably be thinking I'm being a drama queen because of this. How dare I with all that S is going through right now? Or even C? Both of them have aging parents that are ill, so I need to cut them all the slack. However, should I need some support from them I'm going to have to flash a neon sign or something. Too much work. I think I'm getting spoiled by my Visiting Teachers; they're both really good and supportive and our conversations are shared equally three ways. I love my Visiting Teachers. We were friends before, but this has somehow crystallized our relationship.
So there, rant ranted, vent vented. I do actually feel better now. I know, so selfish of me when so many of my friends are going through difficulties right now and I'm complaining about not getting enough attention.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Judicious editing, Sun ejections, and an Arctic Vortex
A friend of mine relaunched her blog, moving it from the personal to public area, and I realized that my list of people on the personal area that actually update their blogs is very small. So I deleted the ones that weren't being updated. Please don't take that personally. I love blogs, but if they're not going to be updated, well, you know. Not such a problem for the public area since I have it set to only display the most recently updated blogs. I don't see the ones that don't ever get updated anymore.
Things for me have been kinda busy. Not crazy busy, not bored, just kinda busy.
Work has been a little crazy. We had a potential COLA (collision Avoidance) maneuver to get ready for, to execute on Monday, which really meant that I had to put in some hours over the weekend since it was my job to check everything out and make sure it got set up properly. Which was fine. I ended up skipping out on my plans to meet up with S&C to go see Christmas Lights because I kept coughing. I even decided that I would call the doctor on Monday if I was still coughing that much, but as luck would have it, my cough has calmed down. A lot. Still here, but not nearly as annoying. Just once in a while. But back to work. The current fun thing is that there's a CME headed our way (Coronal Mass Ejection, from the sun, headed towards Earth). Since that's what our spacecraft are supposed to be studying, the impact of the Sun on the Radiation Belts, you'd think we wouldn't have to do much, right? Wrong. We have a maneuver scheduled for the very time the CME is supposed to hit the Radiation Belts. 3 hours, both spacecraft, about the same time. 2-3 instruments actually turn themselves off when we do this, so now they want us to delay the maneuver. Oh boy. And I was trying to have a nice, normal week this week. I should really know better.
Church is being impacted by these work things now, too. I almost had to cancel going to the temple last Friday night because of the COLA maneuver, and now I may need to come in to work on Friday evening (I have the sister missionaries for dinner) or even Sunday (I'm supposed to help with a skit in Relief Society). The maneuver may be in the afternoon on Sunday, though.
Hmm, so maybe it has been crazy busy after all.
My cats have been getting along. Well, not really, but I don't close the door to the basement anymore, and while there is growling and hissing, there are no knock-down-drag-out fights.
And it has been COLD. An Arctic Vortex has come South to visit us here in America - the Midwest in particular, but here on the East Coast we've had single digits for the last couple of days. And Friday morning there will be a 'wintry mix'. Yay. that's probably when they'll want to do the maneuver.
But the good news is, I'm back in Primary, teaching the Sunbeams. These kids are so dang CUTE!!! And so much fun! I have a co-teacher, which is really nice. We're weaning them slowly off of snacks, and having plenty of coloring time. I'm really enjoying being in Sharing Time again, too.
Bye for now!
Things for me have been kinda busy. Not crazy busy, not bored, just kinda busy.
Work has been a little crazy. We had a potential COLA (collision Avoidance) maneuver to get ready for, to execute on Monday, which really meant that I had to put in some hours over the weekend since it was my job to check everything out and make sure it got set up properly. Which was fine. I ended up skipping out on my plans to meet up with S&C to go see Christmas Lights because I kept coughing. I even decided that I would call the doctor on Monday if I was still coughing that much, but as luck would have it, my cough has calmed down. A lot. Still here, but not nearly as annoying. Just once in a while. But back to work. The current fun thing is that there's a CME headed our way (Coronal Mass Ejection, from the sun, headed towards Earth). Since that's what our spacecraft are supposed to be studying, the impact of the Sun on the Radiation Belts, you'd think we wouldn't have to do much, right? Wrong. We have a maneuver scheduled for the very time the CME is supposed to hit the Radiation Belts. 3 hours, both spacecraft, about the same time. 2-3 instruments actually turn themselves off when we do this, so now they want us to delay the maneuver. Oh boy. And I was trying to have a nice, normal week this week. I should really know better.
Church is being impacted by these work things now, too. I almost had to cancel going to the temple last Friday night because of the COLA maneuver, and now I may need to come in to work on Friday evening (I have the sister missionaries for dinner) or even Sunday (I'm supposed to help with a skit in Relief Society). The maneuver may be in the afternoon on Sunday, though.
Hmm, so maybe it has been crazy busy after all.
My cats have been getting along. Well, not really, but I don't close the door to the basement anymore, and while there is growling and hissing, there are no knock-down-drag-out fights.
And it has been COLD. An Arctic Vortex has come South to visit us here in America - the Midwest in particular, but here on the East Coast we've had single digits for the last couple of days. And Friday morning there will be a 'wintry mix'. Yay. that's probably when they'll want to do the maneuver.
But the good news is, I'm back in Primary, teaching the Sunbeams. These kids are so dang CUTE!!! And so much fun! I have a co-teacher, which is really nice. We're weaning them slowly off of snacks, and having plenty of coloring time. I'm really enjoying being in Sharing Time again, too.
Bye for now!
Friday, January 3, 2014
Happy New Year!
So all my Christmas presents finally showed up. I shall have to be sending out Thank You cards this weekend.
New Year's Eve was quiet for me. I got off work after 4 hours, did a quick shopping trip, then went home. I've been rewatching all the Harry Potter movies in the last week, and this night I watched The Half-Blood Prince and the first Deathly Hallows. I fed the kitties and decided (after much coughing-yeah, still not completely better) that I could greet the New Year in the morning. So I did.
New Year's Day I went to see The Hobbit again (time number 3) with Kellie, my all-things-Tolkien buddy. She's the one coming with me to New Zealand in December too. We had a nice lunch, did some shopping, and then went to see Frozen (see review on side-panel ->). Very cute, but I can't help but think they made it with the idea of a Broadway musical in mind. There were just a few more production numbers than absolutely necessary. But it was cute, and now there are two more princesses for me to collect.
Other than that I've just been working, watching my movies (finished up Harry Potter NY night), and trying to get over my cold.
Although last night was kind of interesting. The Weather people predicted rain. We got 3 inches of snow. So today at work there's just 2 of us, and I wouldn't have bothered but I didn't want to leave the other guy here alone. Plus I have some simulations to do which I could do at home, but it's just easier if I do them at work. And the roads are clear, so really, once my car was cleared off, I had no more excuses.
New Year's Eve was quiet for me. I got off work after 4 hours, did a quick shopping trip, then went home. I've been rewatching all the Harry Potter movies in the last week, and this night I watched The Half-Blood Prince and the first Deathly Hallows. I fed the kitties and decided (after much coughing-yeah, still not completely better) that I could greet the New Year in the morning. So I did.
New Year's Day I went to see The Hobbit again (time number 3) with Kellie, my all-things-Tolkien buddy. She's the one coming with me to New Zealand in December too. We had a nice lunch, did some shopping, and then went to see Frozen (see review on side-panel ->). Very cute, but I can't help but think they made it with the idea of a Broadway musical in mind. There were just a few more production numbers than absolutely necessary. But it was cute, and now there are two more princesses for me to collect.
Other than that I've just been working, watching my movies (finished up Harry Potter NY night), and trying to get over my cold.
Although last night was kind of interesting. The Weather people predicted rain. We got 3 inches of snow. So today at work there's just 2 of us, and I wouldn't have bothered but I didn't want to leave the other guy here alone. Plus I have some simulations to do which I could do at home, but it's just easier if I do them at work. And the roads are clear, so really, once my car was cleared off, I had no more excuses.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Christmastime
I had some help getting ready for Christmas this year. These are my two sweet Sister Missionaries, Sister Fullmer and Sister Cox:
They helped me hang the lights in the window, put up my tree, and decorate it. It was great. I wouldn't have gotten it all done with out them :) (they've both since been transferred, and we don't have any sister missionaries at the moment. sad!)
Kitty decided she liked her cat-tree again (it goes in cycles):
Even Ani came out to investigate:
Both cats are really good about leaving the ornaments and things alone. There were a couple things under the tree with ribbons that got attacked, and Ani found some ribbons I didn't (he eats them, so I try not to have things with ribbons under the tree). I have to say, having my tree up this year was really nice. I don't always put it up, particularly if I go anywhere for the holidays, but this year I stayed put.
My Christmas wasn't too bad. I caught a cold the week before, which ruined several of my plans (Helicon concert: skipped. Second viewing of The Hobbit: delayed. Mailing of Christmas Cards: delayed until Christmas Eve). Not helpful spending the whole weekend plus a couple days on the couch. I did go over to my friends' house Christmas Eve, though. We had Chinese Food and watched The Count of Monte Christo. I got to pick the movie :) I'd brought a selection as well, and they had all but two of them. I got to see their kids (I did hold the baby for a bit, but once I started coughing I didn't even suggest it again), and we had a good time. It was really nice. Christmas Day I slept in, opened presents, and then took a nap instead of going to another friends' house. Seriously, this cold was no fun. But in the afternoon I did feel enough better that I went to see The Hobbit again. I love that movie. And I don't mind the Kili/Tauriel thing as much as I thought I would. Helps that in the EE of the first movie Kili does actually flirt with some of the elves in Rivendell. He's just a big flirt, for the most part. And she does save his life, three times. Maybe four. Plus I love Kili, so of course he can do no wrong. But I digress.
All in all, it was a pleasant holiday. Although I have to say, if it weren't for my friends I wouldn't have had any presents on Christmas morning at all. Well, ok, I did buy one present for me and had them deliver it in a gift box, but does that really count? I found I didn't mind as much this year as I have in the past. Maybe it was the cold medication, but really, I'm getting used to the family having things delivered late.
I did have to be careful of Facebook, though. Too many Merry Christmases from all these families. And a conversation with my friend the night before. Do you realize that many of my friends that I knew in college or High School that are my age are beginning to be grandparents? My life plan was so much different than this. Don't get me wrong, I have a good life, and I do enjoy the majority of the things I do - and the things I don't enjoy I can either stop doing (drama club) or endure (cleaning the bathroom). But I wanted to get married in my early 20's, have 6 kids, and be a very Molly Mormon. I might have even agreed to live in Utah. I know, right? By this time I could have expected a grand-child of my own (my mom's first grandchild came when she was 44, two years younger than I am now). Instead I have cats. And am completely self-sufficient. Like I said, not a bad life, but sometimes I just get sad for what-might-have-been. And this family I might have had would have left me presents under the tree, cuz I would be the Mom. And my greatest joy would be being together with all of them. Just like my Mom, actually. Miss you, Mommy.
My friend was quite shocked to learn I'm 46. She thought I was 35. This happens to me a lot :)
Next year will be different. Next year I'll have just returned from New Zealand and probably won't even know what day it is :D
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| Sis Fullmer and Sis Cox and the tree they decorated |
Kitty decided she liked her cat-tree again (it goes in cycles):
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| This was my profile pic on Facebook for December |
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| "what the heck is that?" |
My Christmas wasn't too bad. I caught a cold the week before, which ruined several of my plans (Helicon concert: skipped. Second viewing of The Hobbit: delayed. Mailing of Christmas Cards: delayed until Christmas Eve). Not helpful spending the whole weekend plus a couple days on the couch. I did go over to my friends' house Christmas Eve, though. We had Chinese Food and watched The Count of Monte Christo. I got to pick the movie :) I'd brought a selection as well, and they had all but two of them. I got to see their kids (I did hold the baby for a bit, but once I started coughing I didn't even suggest it again), and we had a good time. It was really nice. Christmas Day I slept in, opened presents, and then took a nap instead of going to another friends' house. Seriously, this cold was no fun. But in the afternoon I did feel enough better that I went to see The Hobbit again. I love that movie. And I don't mind the Kili/Tauriel thing as much as I thought I would. Helps that in the EE of the first movie Kili does actually flirt with some of the elves in Rivendell. He's just a big flirt, for the most part. And she does save his life, three times. Maybe four. Plus I love Kili, so of course he can do no wrong. But I digress.
All in all, it was a pleasant holiday. Although I have to say, if it weren't for my friends I wouldn't have had any presents on Christmas morning at all. Well, ok, I did buy one present for me and had them deliver it in a gift box, but does that really count? I found I didn't mind as much this year as I have in the past. Maybe it was the cold medication, but really, I'm getting used to the family having things delivered late.
I did have to be careful of Facebook, though. Too many Merry Christmases from all these families. And a conversation with my friend the night before. Do you realize that many of my friends that I knew in college or High School that are my age are beginning to be grandparents? My life plan was so much different than this. Don't get me wrong, I have a good life, and I do enjoy the majority of the things I do - and the things I don't enjoy I can either stop doing (drama club) or endure (cleaning the bathroom). But I wanted to get married in my early 20's, have 6 kids, and be a very Molly Mormon. I might have even agreed to live in Utah. I know, right? By this time I could have expected a grand-child of my own (my mom's first grandchild came when she was 44, two years younger than I am now). Instead I have cats. And am completely self-sufficient. Like I said, not a bad life, but sometimes I just get sad for what-might-have-been. And this family I might have had would have left me presents under the tree, cuz I would be the Mom. And my greatest joy would be being together with all of them. Just like my Mom, actually. Miss you, Mommy.
My friend was quite shocked to learn I'm 46. She thought I was 35. This happens to me a lot :)
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| Snow the week before Christmas. It melted by Christmas Day, though. |
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| Kitty's new favorite hang-out, under the tree, behind the nativity. |
Next year will be different. Next year I'll have just returned from New Zealand and probably won't even know what day it is :D
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
An Update
greetings!
I hope you've enjoyed the last two posts about a couple trips I took. So what else have I been up to?
Work is going pretty well. We had a Ground Software Load about a month ago that keeps causing us problems. The vendor has been told, but there's not a whole lot we can do about it at this point. If necessary we could go back to the previous release, but we're not to that point just yet. Soon, though. If they don't come through, it will be very soon.
Three holiday parties at work in the last two weeks. Kind of a lot, but I was good for the most part. Mostly. I did bring a salad to one of them. Ran into some people from Drama Club at the Department Party. It's good to see them, but also good for me to be unfettered at the moment.
Church - I got released from Librarian and now I'm - wait for it - in PRIMARY!!!! I've been kind of lobbying for this for a while. The whole Primary presidency knew of my desire, and I even talked to the Bishop about it acouple times. Yes, I know we're not supposed to ask for callings, so I didn't ask, I just said things like, "Can I go back to Primary?" or "I heard you released the Primary Chorister, did you know that I've done that calling before??" Apparently my name had been approved by my tithing settlement when I asked if I could go back to Primary. Bless his heart, the Bishop didn't even give me a clue, just said he'd keep it in mind. No, I don't have an official class yet, but I am helping out with the CTR-5's until the end of the year. Cuz there are like 10 kids and the teacher really needs another adult in the room. They're all really good kids, though. They can't split the class because there are no more available class rooms (who's bright idea was it to build a small, phase-3 building in an area where there are so many families transplanted from Utah--i.e. lots of kids). I may get my own class in January or team-teach one. Either way, I'm thrilled to be back with the kids.
Home - I'm still in the midst of Christmas prep. I had all my presents bought and then realized I need two more. Argh!!! That's ok. I'll wrap and package the ones I have tonight, then tomorrow night I can get two more gift cards. I'm thinking Barnes & Noble. I have my Christmas letter all ready to send, and the majority of my Christmas address list printed out. There are a few I'm going to have to hand-print, but that won't be bad. I do need to get some stamps, though. Probably when I mail the packages at some point tomorrow.
My personal training is going well. I'm going to be continuing through all of next year, as well as starting Precision Nutrition - it's a program with lots of coaching that's going to help with the other aspects of my life, as well as providing home workouts for me. Since this will be helping out my personal trainer (who did this in 2012), she's giving me a break on the cost of the PT. And gives me a person to report to as well as the online coaches. Let's see if I can finally change my lifestyle and behaviors in 2014. Because at the end of 2014 I'm going to New Zealand. I'm going to climb Mt Erebor for real. And it's going to be AWESOME!!
I hope you've enjoyed the last two posts about a couple trips I took. So what else have I been up to?
Work is going pretty well. We had a Ground Software Load about a month ago that keeps causing us problems. The vendor has been told, but there's not a whole lot we can do about it at this point. If necessary we could go back to the previous release, but we're not to that point just yet. Soon, though. If they don't come through, it will be very soon.
Three holiday parties at work in the last two weeks. Kind of a lot, but I was good for the most part. Mostly. I did bring a salad to one of them. Ran into some people from Drama Club at the Department Party. It's good to see them, but also good for me to be unfettered at the moment.
Church - I got released from Librarian and now I'm - wait for it - in PRIMARY!!!! I've been kind of lobbying for this for a while. The whole Primary presidency knew of my desire, and I even talked to the Bishop about it acouple times. Yes, I know we're not supposed to ask for callings, so I didn't ask, I just said things like, "Can I go back to Primary?" or "I heard you released the Primary Chorister, did you know that I've done that calling before??" Apparently my name had been approved by my tithing settlement when I asked if I could go back to Primary. Bless his heart, the Bishop didn't even give me a clue, just said he'd keep it in mind. No, I don't have an official class yet, but I am helping out with the CTR-5's until the end of the year. Cuz there are like 10 kids and the teacher really needs another adult in the room. They're all really good kids, though. They can't split the class because there are no more available class rooms (who's bright idea was it to build a small, phase-3 building in an area where there are so many families transplanted from Utah--i.e. lots of kids). I may get my own class in January or team-teach one. Either way, I'm thrilled to be back with the kids.
Home - I'm still in the midst of Christmas prep. I had all my presents bought and then realized I need two more. Argh!!! That's ok. I'll wrap and package the ones I have tonight, then tomorrow night I can get two more gift cards. I'm thinking Barnes & Noble. I have my Christmas letter all ready to send, and the majority of my Christmas address list printed out. There are a few I'm going to have to hand-print, but that won't be bad. I do need to get some stamps, though. Probably when I mail the packages at some point tomorrow.
My personal training is going well. I'm going to be continuing through all of next year, as well as starting Precision Nutrition - it's a program with lots of coaching that's going to help with the other aspects of my life, as well as providing home workouts for me. Since this will be helping out my personal trainer (who did this in 2012), she's giving me a break on the cost of the PT. And gives me a person to report to as well as the online coaches. Let's see if I can finally change my lifestyle and behaviors in 2014. Because at the end of 2014 I'm going to New Zealand. I'm going to climb Mt Erebor for real. And it's going to be AWESOME!!
Thanksgiving by the seaside (Nov 27-30)
Greetings! As you may have noticed, I've decided to do some posts about my different activities, instead of just mentioning them in one catch-all post. At least this way I make sure I have PICTURES!! :D We love pictures, don't we, precious?
Anyway, for Thanksgiving I went back up to the beach house in NJ that my friends own.
It was so nice. I got a nice big room and bathroom all to my self (the one Glen had for those in the fam who read this). I got to play with a 3-year old, a 1 1/2-year-old, and a 9-month old. Even got to relate to the 5-year-old with CP who is doing so well! His body is actually about the same development stage as the 9-month-old, so it's fun to see them rolling around on the floor together. Mentally he's much closer to a 5-year old, though, so don't mess with him! :D
That Wednesday night we went out on the roof and watched the shadow of the earth rise in the east:
And the sun set in the west:
Cold, but beautiful.
Thanksgiving day was spent getting ready for the feast (ok, I kind of bailed and watched the baby, but as any good parent will tell you, that's a huge deal). I did help with the beans, though, and I did make my family's traditional cherry cream pie. Yum! Didn't have to call Dustie this year either!
All their local family came, plus some who were visiting. It was nice to see them again (I'd met them 2 years ago when I came here before). After dinner Helen, Glen (not my brother, the guy married to Jim's sister Kathy--freaky how many of their names are the same as my family's names) and I walked up to the lighthouse. On the way we saw that some people had already put up their Christmas lights
There's a jetty just beyond the light house that we walked out onto. It was nice and dark, so many stars. I forget sometimes, living where I do, just what stars can look like. The Milky Way, Taurus and the Pleiades, Andromeda and Perseus. Orion started to rise too just as we were leaving. It was very nice. Ok, so it was cold and about 3 miles round trip, but so worth it.
Friday I spent making ornaments (sorry, no pictures), and Saturday we came home. Got home early enough for me to get several things done even. It was a nice holiday. Kelly kept apologizing for her (very loud) kids, so I finally said, "Why do you think I come?" Just teasing, but I still believe holidays are better with small children. So much more fun.
Anyway, for Thanksgiving I went back up to the beach house in NJ that my friends own.
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| Remember this view? |
That Wednesday night we went out on the roof and watched the shadow of the earth rise in the east:
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| Earth's shadow |
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| Sunset |
Thanksgiving day was spent getting ready for the feast (ok, I kind of bailed and watched the baby, but as any good parent will tell you, that's a huge deal). I did help with the beans, though, and I did make my family's traditional cherry cream pie. Yum! Didn't have to call Dustie this year either!
All their local family came, plus some who were visiting. It was nice to see them again (I'd met them 2 years ago when I came here before). After dinner Helen, Glen (not my brother, the guy married to Jim's sister Kathy--freaky how many of their names are the same as my family's names) and I walked up to the lighthouse. On the way we saw that some people had already put up their Christmas lights
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| Christmastime begins after Thanksgiving dinner |
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| Barnegat Light Lighthouse - a functioning lighthouse. |
Friday I spent making ornaments (sorry, no pictures), and Saturday we came home. Got home early enough for me to get several things done even. It was a nice holiday. Kelly kept apologizing for her (very loud) kids, so I finally said, "Why do you think I come?" Just teasing, but I still believe holidays are better with small children. So much more fun.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
A trip to NYC - November 9, 2013
OK, so after going to NYC three times in one week last June I wasn't all that thrilled about going back, but when I found out Orlando Bloom was going to be on Broadway, I just had to get tickets. Fortunately I had a friend who wanted to come with me (along with her 10-year-old daughter). We went up separately - I took the train in the morning, they took the bus the night before. I wandered a bit, checked out the theater. Yes, he played Romeo in Romeo & Juliet
I also found the theater I'll be going to in January to see Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan
I sat in Times Square for a little while - it was chilly, but not too bad. I saw someone making a movie there.
Then it was time to meet up with Tess and her daughter, and go to the theater
The production was the best production I've ever seen of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo - I mean, Orlando - was fabulous, and so was his Juliet, Condola Rashad (yes, the daughter of Phallycia Rashad of Cosby Show fame). She was perfect playing a 14-year-old. So scattered and talking so fast!! It was easy to believe that these two characters were just so caught up in each other that they couldn't see anything else, just like teenagers do. And Orlando even took his shirt off for part of one scene!! (I know, such a fangirl). His first entrance was on a motercycle, and it was just fabulous. I wanted to get his autograph, but I guess there were some issues with really crazy fangirls, and also the actors/stage crew wanted to raise funds for a Broadway charity, so I got this, signed by everyone:
I'm telling you, that thing is getting framed and put on my wall in a place of honor. It is so totally worth it. I got it from one of the supporting actors, Con (he showed me where he signed it). It was so fabulous.
So of course afterwards I left Tess and her daughter to their hotel and took the train back home. What a great day!!
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| The Richard Rogers Theater |
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| Me in front of the poster - see, I was there! |
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| Coming here in January! |
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| the guy in the blue shirt is the director. I think. |
Then it was time to meet up with Tess and her daughter, and go to the theater
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| In our seats - front row balcony |
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| A very minimalist stage. It worked great! |
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| My new poster! |
So of course afterwards I left Tess and her daughter to their hotel and took the train back home. What a great day!!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
October came and went
October seemed really busy. It actually started with September and my annual trip to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. I met up with Shannon and Clare, and we saw a few musical acts as well as the human chess game. It was really packed, though. I heard that they were within a few people of needing to close the festival for the day. It's really not that much fun when it's so full, but we still managed to do the things we wanted to do. We did see the Medieval Babes, among others:
General Conference was the next weekend, and then I took the first of two trips into DC. This first one was to see Elizabeth Smart - you remember the girl that was kidnapped from her home when she was 14 and then returned 9 months later. She wrote her side of the story, "Her Story", and was doing the book tour thing. My friend Ashley and I got to meet her!
She is just the sweetest thing. You would never know such a horrid thing had happened to her. She's just so bright and cheerful, like a ball of sunshine. She has a perfectly normal life now, but has become an advocate for children who are abused. Given her experience, she is a great advocate.
The next trip to DC involved my friend Lauren and a chance to see 2CELLOS. They were absolutely awesome. They are as their name implies, 2 cellos. There was a drummer at one point, but for the most part it was just these two guys:
Sorry the picture isn't better, my iPhone does ok most of the time but still needs a 'dark room' setting. Their opening act was pretty good too, though I can't remember their name (oops). We decided not to stay for autographs - the line got really long really fast. I have one of their albums, but should really get more.
My kitties are doing pretty well too. Ani is getting bolder every day. Sometimes he will even sit by me! Usually he just climbs all over me and tries to eat whatever book I'm reading, though. He does come upstairs - he will try to sneak all the way up into my bedroom, which Kitty really hates.
Kitty is her usual ornery self. She was preventing me using my laptop this particular day, so I took her picture. She's getting better at not attacking me, though. Last night she was really sweet. I woke up, cuddled with my pillow, and she had curled up by my head with her paws in my hair. It was really sweet.
Since it's been getting colder, I got a blanket down from my closet, and several other blankets and sheets fell to the floor. I was too lazy to pick them up (it was well after midnight that night), and Kitty quickly adopted them as her her bed. Yup, it's still there, about a week later. I haven't had the heart to pick it up just yet.
I took the Sister Missionaries to the Ward Trunk-or-Treat. They love, love, LOVE my costume!
Apologies for the sideways pictures, not sure how that happened :(
So that was my month. November, well, I'm going to NYC this weekend, so I'll have to get back to you on that!
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| The Medieval Babes - always worth hearing |
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| Me, Elizabeth, and Ashley |
The next trip to DC involved my friend Lauren and a chance to see 2CELLOS. They were absolutely awesome. They are as their name implies, 2 cellos. There was a drummer at one point, but for the most part it was just these two guys:
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| 2CELLOS |
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| Ani wasn't pleased I stopped petting him to take his picture |
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| Kitty face |
Kitty is her usual ornery self. She was preventing me using my laptop this particular day, so I took her picture. She's getting better at not attacking me, though. Last night she was really sweet. I woke up, cuddled with my pillow, and she had curled up by my head with her paws in my hair. It was really sweet.
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| All curled up for bedtime |
Last but not least was Halloween. I spent a lot of time making a costume for my friend's daughter. but I did manage to pull this together. I'm a Lady Dwarf. Still haven't worked out the persona or name yet, though I did get some suggestions from Facebook.
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| Lady Dwarf - and yes I styled the beard myself |
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| Me with two of our Sister Missionaries (there are three of them) |
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| Me with our third Sister Missionary |
So that was my month. November, well, I'm going to NYC this weekend, so I'll have to get back to you on that!
Monday, September 30, 2013
On the way to becoming fabulous!
Greetings my readers (or as I suspect is true, reader)
Since my last post I went on a trip/vacation. I went to CA to see my nevvy married to a beautiful young woman:
I then went to Albuquerque to play with a couple friends:
Too fun, I tell you. Much museums, much shopping, and so much teasing.
Then it was my birthday, although I kind of felt like I'd been celebrating for a week or so, and it got extended a little. I got presents from my sisters, one of which is totally amazing:
Can you see it? It's The Hobbit in quilt form. Simply beautiful. And yes, she made it herself. She does that kind of thing (the woman makes her own soap).
I also went to see Les Miserables at Toby's Dinner Theater the day after my birthday. It was wonderful. Usually their productions are good, but this was somehow above their normal level. My friend's son Jace was in it, as Gavroche. He died really well.
So I've acquired books by Geneen Roth - "When Food is Love" is the first one I've been reading. As I read, I think of things in my childhood that happened, or as a teenager, and I journal about them. It seems that just looking at the issue for what it is makes it not an issue anymore. I've been a lot happier lately, more so than in a long time. Of course, I've been stressed out for the last 2 1/2 years thanks to Drama Club, and other things too, so this is the first time I've been unstressed about anything for a long time.
So I'm taking the opportunity, and thanks to Uncle Bill the financial means, to hire a personal trainer. I am going to get healthy. My PT is actually a friend of mine, who I've known for a long time, but had moved to Hawaii for a while. She's back now, her and her family, and she works through Columbia Association. I suppose I really should have moved to Columbia instead of Laurel; oh well. I'll see how much the membership costs, and see if it will balance against the extra I have to pay for not being a member.
Lots of stuff going on. Inner work, outer work, and basically just being for a while. It's hard to explain that I'm really not being selfish, taking time to work on me. Some people just don't get it. I've spent too much time trying to make others happy, trying to anticipate their needs (usually anticipating the wrong thing, adding to my stress because I feel unappreciated), and putting myself last with the end result that I'm unhealthy and can't physically do as much as I'd like to.
End result - I'm more cheerful than I've been in a long time. I always thought of myself as a happy, cheerful person, but after my Mom passed away, the cheerfulness kind of went away. I feel now as if it has come back. Yay :D
Since my last post I went on a trip/vacation. I went to CA to see my nevvy married to a beautiful young woman:
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| Lauren and Dalan |
I then went to Albuquerque to play with a couple friends:
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| Me, Wendy, and Lori |
Then it was my birthday, although I kind of felt like I'd been celebrating for a week or so, and it got extended a little. I got presents from my sisters, one of which is totally amazing:
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| The Hobbit in quilt form |
I also went to see Les Miserables at Toby's Dinner Theater the day after my birthday. It was wonderful. Usually their productions are good, but this was somehow above their normal level. My friend's son Jace was in it, as Gavroche. He died really well.
So I've acquired books by Geneen Roth - "When Food is Love" is the first one I've been reading. As I read, I think of things in my childhood that happened, or as a teenager, and I journal about them. It seems that just looking at the issue for what it is makes it not an issue anymore. I've been a lot happier lately, more so than in a long time. Of course, I've been stressed out for the last 2 1/2 years thanks to Drama Club, and other things too, so this is the first time I've been unstressed about anything for a long time.
So I'm taking the opportunity, and thanks to Uncle Bill the financial means, to hire a personal trainer. I am going to get healthy. My PT is actually a friend of mine, who I've known for a long time, but had moved to Hawaii for a while. She's back now, her and her family, and she works through Columbia Association. I suppose I really should have moved to Columbia instead of Laurel; oh well. I'll see how much the membership costs, and see if it will balance against the extra I have to pay for not being a member.
Lots of stuff going on. Inner work, outer work, and basically just being for a while. It's hard to explain that I'm really not being selfish, taking time to work on me. Some people just don't get it. I've spent too much time trying to make others happy, trying to anticipate their needs (usually anticipating the wrong thing, adding to my stress because I feel unappreciated), and putting myself last with the end result that I'm unhealthy and can't physically do as much as I'd like to.
End result - I'm more cheerful than I've been in a long time. I always thought of myself as a happy, cheerful person, but after my Mom passed away, the cheerfulness kind of went away. I feel now as if it has come back. Yay :D
Monday, September 9, 2013
Grief
If you follow my Facebook posts, you know that last weekend was unexpectedly hard. I went to Time Out for Women with four friends. Friday was so much fun, with the evening portion of the event. Michael McLean was there, singing for us, the presenters talked about five women who helped keep Christianity alive through the dark ages (well, really early Renaissance, but who's counting?). I hoped they had a book on that, but maybe they're still working on it. Michael performed, with his partner, songs from his new show Threads, which was really good.
Saturday began well enough, but once it started, it began to go downhill. Presenter one talked about how half his family was killed in a car accident. Presenter two talked about her struggles to have children, including adopting a child only to have the birth mother want the child back. Presenter three must have talked about something else because he didn't fit the unintentional theme of the day. Presenter four talked about how his brother-in-law and baby died - from illness at separate times, but the baby was named after the brother-in-law. At this point I was about ready to die myself. But it wasn't over yet. Also, interspersed between the presentations was the musical group, Mercy River. All so sweet, singing about being 'higher' and the challenges they face being mothers. Yeah. Mothers. I'm not a mother, I'm probably not ever going to be a mother at this point, and so far the themes have been overcoming death/adversity and motherhood. So the last presenter gets up, and first thing says that "no one died". Then proceeds to tell how she had cancer in her eyes when she was a child and lost most of her sight and later in life lost the rest of it, and even though she was so funny, I found it most upsetting and disturbing. I walked out of there far more depressed than when I walked in. The theme of the conference was "Higher", as in Think Higher, Believe Higher, Live Higher. Uplifting, right? So how was I so depressed afterwards?
I posted a sad litte fb post afterwards, on our way to Cheesecake Factory (man did I need some cheesecake!), got a lot of random comments on it, but one friend said that maybe there's something I need to deal with, and that this is really a blessing. I think she may be right.
I went and talked to a friend last night - she works at an end-of-life center, so she knows a lot about dealing with grief. I needed to vocalize what I was feeling and thinking, and she was the perfect sounding board. We came to realize that that I have been stuffing and storing a lot of grief, not wanting to deal with it, not having time to deal with it - making myself too busy to deal with it? I'm trying to make lifestyle changes, not just counting calories or killing myself exercising, but actual changes that will make me overall healthier and happier. I'm realizing that I need to deal with these these things along the way. It was interesting to me that as we were driving to CF after the conference was over, I had a great desire to eat. I didn't care what, I just wanted to eat for comfort. I was smart about it, mostly, but that's what I did. And I felt better, except that I'd given myself a headache from crying/trying not to cry.
So lifestyle changes, dealing with things I was saving for a rainy day (tears count as rain, right?). You know what I miss? I miss the opportunity to just talk with my sister on a regular basis. I really should call her up about once a month just to talk. Just because. Course then she'd have to listen to me (!) but I'd get to listen to her too, and all about her kids' antics. Miss you, sis.
Saturday began well enough, but once it started, it began to go downhill. Presenter one talked about how half his family was killed in a car accident. Presenter two talked about her struggles to have children, including adopting a child only to have the birth mother want the child back. Presenter three must have talked about something else because he didn't fit the unintentional theme of the day. Presenter four talked about how his brother-in-law and baby died - from illness at separate times, but the baby was named after the brother-in-law. At this point I was about ready to die myself. But it wasn't over yet. Also, interspersed between the presentations was the musical group, Mercy River. All so sweet, singing about being 'higher' and the challenges they face being mothers. Yeah. Mothers. I'm not a mother, I'm probably not ever going to be a mother at this point, and so far the themes have been overcoming death/adversity and motherhood. So the last presenter gets up, and first thing says that "no one died". Then proceeds to tell how she had cancer in her eyes when she was a child and lost most of her sight and later in life lost the rest of it, and even though she was so funny, I found it most upsetting and disturbing. I walked out of there far more depressed than when I walked in. The theme of the conference was "Higher", as in Think Higher, Believe Higher, Live Higher. Uplifting, right? So how was I so depressed afterwards?
I posted a sad litte fb post afterwards, on our way to Cheesecake Factory (man did I need some cheesecake!), got a lot of random comments on it, but one friend said that maybe there's something I need to deal with, and that this is really a blessing. I think she may be right.
I went and talked to a friend last night - she works at an end-of-life center, so she knows a lot about dealing with grief. I needed to vocalize what I was feeling and thinking, and she was the perfect sounding board. We came to realize that that I have been stuffing and storing a lot of grief, not wanting to deal with it, not having time to deal with it - making myself too busy to deal with it? I'm trying to make lifestyle changes, not just counting calories or killing myself exercising, but actual changes that will make me overall healthier and happier. I'm realizing that I need to deal with these these things along the way. It was interesting to me that as we were driving to CF after the conference was over, I had a great desire to eat. I didn't care what, I just wanted to eat for comfort. I was smart about it, mostly, but that's what I did. And I felt better, except that I'd given myself a headache from crying/trying not to cry.
So lifestyle changes, dealing with things I was saving for a rainy day (tears count as rain, right?). You know what I miss? I miss the opportunity to just talk with my sister on a regular basis. I really should call her up about once a month just to talk. Just because. Course then she'd have to listen to me (!) but I'd get to listen to her too, and all about her kids' antics. Miss you, sis.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
September
I know, everyone always asks this, but where has the year gone?
The last few weeks have been quiet for me, as I spend the weekends chillin' with the kitties and doin' the church thing. I'm in the Library, you may remember, which means I rarely get to Sunday School anymore. My counterpart, Bro Bishop, usually takes his autistic son to his class, which I agree is more important. I did actually get to Sunday School this past week though (the son didn't want to move from the floor where he was resting). and of course, they were talking about marriage. Yikes. It wasn't too bad, or preachy, but I seriously can NOT relate. So I left early, knowing they'd all think I was going back to the library, which I did. Cuz there's really no where else to go. Except maybe stay in the hallway and play with the babies. That's fun sometimes. Or talk to their mommies, which I ended up doing later.
I've added a new musical group to my list - Simple Plan. A friend of mine on Facebook (hereafter FB) LOVES them. Like I loved Duran Duran in the day (and when I was her age, actually). So she finally got me to listen to some of their songs, and I like them. So that's fun. I have a hard time choosing new music - I don't listen to the 'new music' radio stations because they generally play too much rap or hip-hop for me, I don't know that there's an alternative - or what we used to call alternative - music station in the area, so I usually end up listening to Jack FM, which plays all old music from the 70's and 80's. Usually 80's, and I'm happy with that. But I do miss out on new music. My niece is supposed to keep me informed, but she's lousy at it. (sorry 'kota!)
Work is going well - we passed our one-year mark last Friday. Our spacecraft are 1 year old! Yay! One more year of Primary Mission, then we're on to see if we get Extended or not. If we're still working and producing good science, there's no reason why we couldn't be. Unless Congress decides to be stupid, which is always a possibility.
I've been reading again - I even updated my Goodreads account to reflect some of the books I've been reading. I didn't put down that I recently re-read the Percy Jackson series (I had to, after the movie!). I'm currently reading another urban fantasy with a female protaganist, Royal Street. I'll let you know how it is (well, if you're friends with me on Goodreads, and I think most of my readers here are).
I began a new page on Facebook for Aidan Turner: Aidan Turner All the Time, if you're interested. I only post about 2-3 pictures of him a day, cuz that's what I really want. Pictures of Aidan to look at.
Isn't he cute? Those of you who have known me for a while know that this is standard behavior for me (I did mention Duran Duran, did I mention the scrapbooks I made? no FB in those days, sadly)
Managed to work in my yard this past weekend - the rosemary bush was blamed for knocking out my AC, so I cut it back down to size, Anyone want a rosemary bush? I like it, it just likes to take over my backyard. Need to do more, though. The goal is to get it to a place where I can have my Visiting Teachers over to visit with me in the back yard. Maybe in October.
The last few weeks have been quiet for me, as I spend the weekends chillin' with the kitties and doin' the church thing. I'm in the Library, you may remember, which means I rarely get to Sunday School anymore. My counterpart, Bro Bishop, usually takes his autistic son to his class, which I agree is more important. I did actually get to Sunday School this past week though (the son didn't want to move from the floor where he was resting). and of course, they were talking about marriage. Yikes. It wasn't too bad, or preachy, but I seriously can NOT relate. So I left early, knowing they'd all think I was going back to the library, which I did. Cuz there's really no where else to go. Except maybe stay in the hallway and play with the babies. That's fun sometimes. Or talk to their mommies, which I ended up doing later.
I've added a new musical group to my list - Simple Plan. A friend of mine on Facebook (hereafter FB) LOVES them. Like I loved Duran Duran in the day (and when I was her age, actually). So she finally got me to listen to some of their songs, and I like them. So that's fun. I have a hard time choosing new music - I don't listen to the 'new music' radio stations because they generally play too much rap or hip-hop for me, I don't know that there's an alternative - or what we used to call alternative - music station in the area, so I usually end up listening to Jack FM, which plays all old music from the 70's and 80's. Usually 80's, and I'm happy with that. But I do miss out on new music. My niece is supposed to keep me informed, but she's lousy at it. (sorry 'kota!)
Work is going well - we passed our one-year mark last Friday. Our spacecraft are 1 year old! Yay! One more year of Primary Mission, then we're on to see if we get Extended or not. If we're still working and producing good science, there's no reason why we couldn't be. Unless Congress decides to be stupid, which is always a possibility.
I've been reading again - I even updated my Goodreads account to reflect some of the books I've been reading. I didn't put down that I recently re-read the Percy Jackson series (I had to, after the movie!). I'm currently reading another urban fantasy with a female protaganist, Royal Street. I'll let you know how it is (well, if you're friends with me on Goodreads, and I think most of my readers here are).
I began a new page on Facebook for Aidan Turner: Aidan Turner All the Time, if you're interested. I only post about 2-3 pictures of him a day, cuz that's what I really want. Pictures of Aidan to look at.
Managed to work in my yard this past weekend - the rosemary bush was blamed for knocking out my AC, so I cut it back down to size, Anyone want a rosemary bush? I like it, it just likes to take over my backyard. Need to do more, though. The goal is to get it to a place where I can have my Visiting Teachers over to visit with me in the back yard. Maybe in October.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Heat Wave!
It's currently 80 degrees in my house. Windows open, fans blowing. Yup, the A/C went out. The guy from BGEHome came and looked at it today - oh joy the motor's out. Not only is it out, but it's not one they have on hand. So they have to special order it. And the fan is a little tipsy too, so he's replacing that as well. The bad news is, I'll be without A/C for a few more days (he said end of the week). The good news is, I have a policy with them, so I don't have to pay for anything. So, so glad I didn't follow the instinct to give up that policy this year. Almost did. Saved me a thousand dollars. I'm thinking that policy just paid for itself.
So I went home around lunchtime today thinking I'd be there all afternoon. I set up my computer so I could call in to our telecon, and next thing I know the guy is calling saying he'll be there in 30 minutes (he was there in 20 - he rocks!). So Kitty of course has to climb up on the table and smack me in the face. Sans claws, thankfully. She attempted to use me as a scratching post too (that never goes over well). I found her toy and she got over it. I think she was feeling the heat too, she really didn't want to run and jump very much.
I've been to a couple of movies lately (see movie side-bar) and am going to see The Mortal Instruments with my friends S and A. So much fun!! Aidan Turner is in it! Ok, so he's not the main character, but he's an important one, and there are pictures of him being chained to a chair so that has to be a good scene, right? I love when my Facebook News Feed is full of pictures of Aidan. He's too freaking cute.
So a few days ago I had a bit of a realization. I went to the Sci-Fi book club at work for the first time in a while, and realized I just don't have much in common with them. I tend more to movies and urban fantasy series' these days, and they prefer more hard SF. Ok, and I should confess that one girl really gets on my nerves. She's one of those that is always right and if you disagree with her you're just wrong. No discussion, no nothing. You're just wrong. And she does a lot of the talking. I'm thinking I may not go back. I get the notes from the meeting so I know what they're talking about, and if there are any good book suggestions, and while I'd like to discuss what I've been reading they're not reading the same things. This was part one of the realization.
Part two was, I went to Shore Leave this year - the Baltimore Star Trek Convention that has mostly guests from other series' and shows. More on that later. Went to a panel on women in sci-fi and it got way off track. The conversation left sci-fi and went real life and then I got attacked for saying that being a woman in a technical field is getting better. Lots of bitter women in the room. Then I went upstairs after the panel and one of the dealers yelled at me. Ok, so maybe was just talking very loudly, but not really answering my concern about the thing I wanted to buy. So I didn't buy it. I'm thinking it's going to be a while before I go back. There's going to have to be a REALLY GOOD GUEST there. I could have flown to Boston and met Aidan Turner and Dean O'Gorman instead. Seriously - they were at Boston Comic-Con. See?
They were both so adorable. While I got picked on. So part 2 is that I'm not going back to Shore Leave unless they have someone like Adrian Paul there. Next year, I'll go to Dragon Con with my niece.
I did get to go see Greg Evigan that night, though, and Julie Caitlin Brown.
Both amazing, I got their autographs the next day, and Julie had some
CD's - two music ones (I got one) and a book one, Love First. Got that
one too. I need some refocusing in my life, I think.
However, Saturday was brilliant. I dressed as a Jedi, mostly for ease of movement through the crowd, and had my Yoda backpack with me.
Got to see Neil Grayson (from Eureka), a couple guys from Warehouse 13 (which I don't watch regularly but will now add to my Netflix queue), and Amanda Tapping, who I simply adore. How can those women from that panel say things are not getting better when we have people like Amanda Tapping fighting those battles and making it better?
The highlight was seeing William Shatner. He just left Nashville that morning after being in a horse competition the day before - where he won 2 championships. I had no idea he was so in to horses. I immediately had to share with my new friend on FB since she is also very 'in' to horses. Also, he has such a lovely voice, and a lovely way of speaking. Not like Captain Kirk at all. I'm thinking I should look to see if he's done any audiobooks, just to hear him speak.
I also stood in the 'free autograph' line - my number was in the 400's so I didn't have to wait long to get in line, just enough time to find some real food (nutrition bars just don't cut it after a while). Here's Neil:
He took the time to talk to all the fans, so the line kind of queued up again after getting Amanda's autograph. He was really sweet, though. I told him about my wall of pictures at home. Which I still need to redo, come to think of it.
So that was my adventure. It's taken me all week to write this, and my A/C is not fixed but the weather has been so nice I haven't minded. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I expect the humidity will get worse after that, but they're coming to fix it on Monday.
So I went home around lunchtime today thinking I'd be there all afternoon. I set up my computer so I could call in to our telecon, and next thing I know the guy is calling saying he'll be there in 30 minutes (he was there in 20 - he rocks!). So Kitty of course has to climb up on the table and smack me in the face. Sans claws, thankfully. She attempted to use me as a scratching post too (that never goes over well). I found her toy and she got over it. I think she was feeling the heat too, she really didn't want to run and jump very much.
I've been to a couple of movies lately (see movie side-bar) and am going to see The Mortal Instruments with my friends S and A. So much fun!! Aidan Turner is in it! Ok, so he's not the main character, but he's an important one, and there are pictures of him being chained to a chair so that has to be a good scene, right? I love when my Facebook News Feed is full of pictures of Aidan. He's too freaking cute.
So a few days ago I had a bit of a realization. I went to the Sci-Fi book club at work for the first time in a while, and realized I just don't have much in common with them. I tend more to movies and urban fantasy series' these days, and they prefer more hard SF. Ok, and I should confess that one girl really gets on my nerves. She's one of those that is always right and if you disagree with her you're just wrong. No discussion, no nothing. You're just wrong. And she does a lot of the talking. I'm thinking I may not go back. I get the notes from the meeting so I know what they're talking about, and if there are any good book suggestions, and while I'd like to discuss what I've been reading they're not reading the same things. This was part one of the realization.
Part two was, I went to Shore Leave this year - the Baltimore Star Trek Convention that has mostly guests from other series' and shows. More on that later. Went to a panel on women in sci-fi and it got way off track. The conversation left sci-fi and went real life and then I got attacked for saying that being a woman in a technical field is getting better. Lots of bitter women in the room. Then I went upstairs after the panel and one of the dealers yelled at me. Ok, so maybe was just talking very loudly, but not really answering my concern about the thing I wanted to buy. So I didn't buy it. I'm thinking it's going to be a while before I go back. There's going to have to be a REALLY GOOD GUEST there. I could have flown to Boston and met Aidan Turner and Dean O'Gorman instead. Seriously - they were at Boston Comic-Con. See?
They were both so adorable. While I got picked on. So part 2 is that I'm not going back to Shore Leave unless they have someone like Adrian Paul there. Next year, I'll go to Dragon Con with my niece.
I did get to go see Greg Evigan that night, though, and Julie Caitlin Brown.
.jpeg) | |
| Greg Evigan (yes, from BJ and the Bear) |
 |
| Julie Caitlin Brown (from Babylon 5) |
However, Saturday was brilliant. I dressed as a Jedi, mostly for ease of movement through the crowd, and had my Yoda backpack with me.
 | |
| Me and my little friend, Yoda |
 | |
| Me as a Jedi (with Yoda backpack) |
Got to see Neil Grayson (from Eureka), a couple guys from Warehouse 13 (which I don't watch regularly but will now add to my Netflix queue), and Amanda Tapping, who I simply adore. How can those women from that panel say things are not getting better when we have people like Amanda Tapping fighting those battles and making it better?
.jpeg) |
| Amanda signing autographs. Yes, I got one. |
The highlight was seeing William Shatner. He just left Nashville that morning after being in a horse competition the day before - where he won 2 championships. I had no idea he was so in to horses. I immediately had to share with my new friend on FB since she is also very 'in' to horses. Also, he has such a lovely voice, and a lovely way of speaking. Not like Captain Kirk at all. I'm thinking I should look to see if he's done any audiobooks, just to hear him speak.
.jpeg) | |
| Bill Shatner - didn't have my good camera with me, but iPhone does ok |
I also stood in the 'free autograph' line - my number was in the 400's so I didn't have to wait long to get in line, just enough time to find some real food (nutrition bars just don't cut it after a while). Here's Neil:
.jpeg) |
| Neil Grayson signing autographs |
He took the time to talk to all the fans, so the line kind of queued up again after getting Amanda's autograph. He was really sweet, though. I told him about my wall of pictures at home. Which I still need to redo, come to think of it.
So that was my adventure. It's taken me all week to write this, and my A/C is not fixed but the weather has been so nice I haven't minded. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I expect the humidity will get worse after that, but they're coming to fix it on Monday.
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