February 28, 2014

Snipe Hunt - Hunh!

For those of us who live in the City, a snipe hunt is also called a wild goose chase. For some reason we city-folk seem to know what this country saying means but don't know what snipe hunt is. 

Well I didn't either - until I went on one. Granted I was maybe 10 or 11 years old. I was visiting my family in Iowa. Rural Iowa to boot. We are talking a very small town of about 1,200 people or so. My male cousins (who are much older and know better), Jimmy and Jeff, decided to have some fun and their sister (who is my age by the way) didn't come to save me at all. I have not forgiven her yet. Maybe in a couple of more years I will think about it. 

I was so excited that my cousins decided to pay attention to me and play with me, that when they suggested that I accompany them on this hunt I jumped at the chance. It was October and very chilly out, so they suggested I put on a sweater. Then they thought better of it and went to the coat closet and pulled out sister's jacket. That wasn't enough, so they pulled out one of their coats. 

At this point I had been asking what did this creature look like. I didn't want to miss it because this city girl didn't recognize this elusive animal that we were after. I was getting vague answers like it's so big as they spread their hands out about 2 feet or so. It was brown and had some short spikes. I then proceeded in putting on one of their coats (they suggested since it has spikes) along with one of my Uncle Jimmy's big jackets to protect me. Add at least 4 pairs of gloves of various kinds, then came the scarves and big hats. Multiples of each of these. The last piece to add were my Uncle's big work boots. I looked like the Goodyear Tire man. I couldn't put my arm down at all.

As they are explaining what the procedure is (that they are going to take me outside, position me in just the right spot so that when they flush this animal out it will go right into my bag) I am glancing into the adjacent living room where my Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Jesse and my father are all sitting watching TV, reading the newspaper, etc. But it didn't seem that they were paying any attention to any of those things. But, I was way too excited to be going on this adventure to put any thought to that was unusual. 

So now it's time to go outside and start this adventure. It's about 30 degrees out and DARK, Dark, dark. Just as my dratty (yes that is a word in my book) cousins opened the door to take me out, my entire family suddenly and rapidly flying out of their chairs, saying "NO NO NO", and "I don't think so", and "Get back here." To be honest it scared me a little and I was so disappointed that I wasn't going this adventure. My Aunt Jesse then proceeded to undo all the work that my dratty cousins had done by peeling off all the layers. All the while it is slowly dawning on me what had really transpired as my (not dratty but RATTY) cousins were laughing and snickering in the corner while receiving evil looks from their father and mine. 

I felt so foolish after that, but then that whole event is designed to do just that. I would like to say I am scarred for life after this adventure but in all truth I feel like I had had a rite of passage of some kind. I felt like I was finally one of the family and could now say I was one of them. I still do feel that way. 

February 26, 2014

What shark?!

Hey did I ever tell you about the vacation in LA and I almost was eaten by a shark? No? Really? Well, the shark didn't eat me since I am here to tell you about it. 

I actually took a week's vacation. Elle and I went on a Theme Park vacation. We started at Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk then went to Pismo Beach then on down to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm then home. 

We were so excited to get going that we stopped in San Francisco and played around there for a while and then on to Santa Cruz. We had a great time at Santa Cruz.

On to Pismo Beach. I gotta say I was little disappointed. I thought it would be more like Santa Cruz. Not just a pier and not much more. 

Then we were in LA. We found a motel for the rest of our stay in LA close to Disneyland and a discount for paying cash. Do they still have that? Cash? What's cash you say. These  little green slips of paper. Yeah I don't carry any anymore either. Debit card city. But I digress. 

We make our plans. Off to Disneyland (my first time) the next day and then Knotts Berry Farm sometime in the next few days and then ... well we'll see.

Now one thing you need to know about my friend Elle. She loves the water. Our motel had to have a pool and we had to make it to the ocean. She is also very friendly. So she was hanging out at the pool and I was in our room figuring out how to get to the Hard Rock Cafe the next day. She comes back and says she made friends at the Pool with a family and they are taking us to Newport Beach about 15 miles away. Cool. Who? Well, I guess it's okay.

The next day we go with this family. They seem friendly enough. We pile in their non-descript van. I am bit nervous by this time. We don't know these folks. It's Mom, Dad, Son and Daughter. As I think back on it could have been the Griswolds. But Elle we don't know these people. They don't know us. What were you thinking? After all it is her idea. I am just along for the ride. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

We did end up at Newport Beach (as I white-knuckled it and was having visions of being tied up and held for ransom.) But we made it. There are 8 million people in LA. Newport Beach is a famous beach. A big famous beach. There were 3 people at the beach. What is wrong with this picture? The gate was open. We entered the parking lot and didn't have any trouble finding a parking place. We got our things out and were marveling at the fact we really scored with the whole beach to ourselves. AWESOME!!! Cool. 

For some reason it didn't bother us that there was 1 older couple walking about a half mile down the beach and only 1 other person a half mile the other way. It was in the afternoon and a beautiful day. We went swimming in the ocean and splashed each other and threw each other around. And generally had a great time. The water was warm! We marveled at how our feet sunk in the sand so quickly in the sand with each wave. We could swim out in the waves and not freeze. Whohoo. Great time. 

Now it's time to leave. We pack up. The sun is going down. What a great day. The family is really cool. They really were very nice. We are in the van and heading out the way we came but the gate is now closed and locked. After driving around we can't find a way out so we basically broke out. Like breaking out of prison. It was a bit of an adventure. We went over a hill and burn then the sidewalk and out on the road. Off road 4 wheeling. Whohoooo. Fun. We went back to the motel, said goodbye to this very nice family (they were leaving the next day) and generally were pretty pleased with ourselves.

So this was on a Wednesday. We had other adventures in LA and decided a couple of days later to head home. We get home on Saturday and we are telling my folks about our trip and what a good time we had. Then my mother asks the question that stumps us both. The one that says we are so lucky. We have kept our guardian angels busy this week.

Mother - "So did you see the shark?" 

Us - Hunh? "What shark?" 

Mother - "The one that was spotted at in LA." 

Us - "Where in LA?"

Mother - "Newport Beach."

Us - "WHEN?"

Mother - "Wednesday."

Immediately I hear da dun da dun da dun the theme from Jaws is loud in my mind and I can see that large great white eating that boat the Orca. What shark? There are so many different kinds after all. It could much ado about nothing after all. 

A great white she says was spotted not 50 feet off shore. 

Now we know why there was no one on the beach that day. And why the gate was locked. 

Elle and I just looked at each other with our mouths open and said "Nope, didn't see it."

February 25, 2014

Thrift Store Gems

I was really busy this weekend. A really good friend - Gigi (names have been changed to protect others) - and I went on a Thrift Store shopping spree. We really had a good time. And I was treated to lunch/dinner combo. Pizza!!!! Yeah. RoundTable no less. More on that later.

I wish I had pictures to share but I need to work on remembering to take them when I am out and about.

I have to admit that I am not a frequent visitor to thrift shops. So this was a novelty for me. I am more of the Target/WalMart or JC Penney's/Macy's kind of shopper. I know that those stores themselves are in different leagues, but I like to have variety.

Now, I had cleaned out one closet about a year ago and had the donation clothing in my trunk. Just in case I actually stopped by a drop-off location when I am out and about someday. I am prepared that way. Unfortunately the only drop-off locations I came across were always across the street from where I was. Ok, so I only noticed them when they were across the street from where I was. Yes, I carried those clothes for year. Hey out of sight ...  Well they are at Goodwill now. 

Gigi and I were shopping and I was so surprised at the variety of the items offered. I expected all the clothes but not such nice ones. I was actually looking at a nice pair of slacks for work. Along with a nice pair of shoes. I have a new place to shop now. Who would have thunk? As my mother says anyway.  I even found a Pyrex bowl that they don't make anymore that I love. $1.99. Score!!! A pepper grinder for $4.99 that I had just priced at the Target/WalMark variety type of store for $19.99. Nice. And they take Credit Cards. I didn't have to have cash - does anyone carry cash anymore? 

So after such a successful venture at Goodwill off we went to another more local thrift store. About half the size of the Goodwill but it's in a former nightclub that my other friend (Elle) and I used to frequent in our younger days. Ahhh the memories.

That was a fund time too. Found different things and a of all things a sauce pan that I once had. Gigi found some planters.  I was surprised at the variety and quality of things in both stores. I am definitely hooked on thrift store shopping. Now to find more. 



February 20, 2014

I am a Mean Girl!

I went to a concert once (Heart - love those ladies). I feel like I could be Lindsey Lohan in Mean Girls. Not really but wait you'll see.

Let's set the stage. By this time I was seasoned concert goer. I knew the ins and outs of attending the outside amphitheater that we had. It was small, it held only 10,000 or so. I had my best location to stand with the best view for me. I am short (5' 2") so it was always a challenge to find someplace where I could see the stage. Well I found this one spot on the left side on a bit of rise. It was out of the way for the most part and I didn't get knocked around a whole lot and it had a really good view of the stage. It was about even with the sound board so not too far back. It was my spot. I stood there at every concert. My friends would go up front but I had my spot. 

Well it was August and HOT and muggy. The concert was sold out. My friend Elle (not her real name but she likes this name so we will go with it) and I got to the concert in plenty of time and she stayed with me for the opening act then went up front as usual. We would meet up later. So there I was and Heart had just come on stage. I am pumped. I am so excited and ready to enjoy the music and the experience. 

There was this girl in front of me with two really tall gentlemen. (I called them trees since they blocked my view substantially.) She was (well probably still is) very pretty with long curly dark brown hair. We are at a concert so we look our best being girls and basically in competition with each other for the guys. So she had on (like me) a ton of AquaNet (hair spray of choice for all my young adulthood and still now too). 

Well she must have been having an argument with the trees. They kept coming and going and she was constantly looking back over my shoulder for them. Then she would turn back around but her hair would swing and more often than not hit me in the face. Ouch. She had a thick head of hair. Also she kept moving in front of me. I would dodge left and so would she. Then I would move right and so would she. I really couldn't see at all. I was craning my neck and very uncomfortable. 

So I moved out of my little mound and went to other side where I found an opening. And wouldn't you believe it but she AND her two tree showed up right in front of me again. Well then I thought she isn't at my spot so off I go to reclaim MY spot. Aha! I can enjoy the rest of this concert. By this time with all the music and bodies and yelling and ... well you know it was HOT. I was sweating. There is no other way to say it. And it was sticky sweat too. But hey I am at a cool concert so I ignore it. 

Then, you guessed it. Little miss I-have-an-attitude shows up again. Parks right in front of me. We are back to where we started. Swinging her hair in my face, etc.  

It's the end of the concert. I have had to work harder at this concert than any other I have been to enjoy it. I am hot and sticky and cranky. Well sure enough little miss Attitude turns around, looks me straight in the eye, looks me down and then back up and has a look on her face that says EWE, then turned back around and deliberately flipped her substantial long hair across my face. Not only ouch but that's IT. I'm done. 

I had a lighter in my hand and as of it's own volition - without my conscious thought - it came up and I ... and I ... started the lighter and ...

Well, let's just say that I ran after that. I didn't look back to see what happened. I pushed and shoved my way to the front. I found Elle, then screamed "We're leaving! NOW!!!!". I pulled Elle by the arm, not too lightly mind you, and tried to disappear in the crowd that was leaving concert since it was over. 

I knew where the car was and went straight to it. I threw Elle in the passenger side and ran around to the driver's side, slammed the door shut, started the car to leave. All teh while looking out for what might be running after me. 

Finally, when we were safely away, I related what had happened to Elle. She was staring at me, open mouthed. Surprised and shocked would not be too strong of a description. This was totally out of character for me and she knew it. Then she high-fived me and said way to go. 

So I would suggest not pushing me too far if you know what's good for your hair. Wink Wink.

February 19, 2014

My Babies!

My babies are my cats. I know I know.  I told a friend of mine once, if I ever referred to or treated my cats like children - shoot me. Put in the ground. I don't deserve to live. Well that was a long time ago. So here I am referring to my cats like my children. Deal with it. They are both 14 years old so no spring chickens these animals. I have never had a cat longer than 2 years so this has been forever for me. They have been through 5 moves with me.



This is one of my babies. I call him my Big Boy. His name should be Sylvester but it's Exide. That's another story. This is my favorite picture of him. It's everywhere. He is 25 lbs and HUGE. The size of a medium dog. He acts like a dog too. He has such personality that I could never imagine not having him. I often say that if he were a man I would marry him. 



This is my other little one. Her name is Jules. She is 8 lbs. and she OWNS Big Boy. It is so funny to see her swiping at him to discipline him. He is 3 times her size and he cowers. Sissy. And talk about head-butting. She loves him so much that when she head-butt's him I wonder why they don't have fractured skulls. It is loud. She is a leg sitter. She has to be on my lap at all times. How dare I want to move is the most common look I get.



Now this is the two of them together. Definite size difference. Definite personality difference too. But I love them both more than I can say. At least until they are meowing at me for dinner. One other thing is that my little girl is ALL girl. She will wag her hiney at my Big Boy asking him to play with her. Then when he does and lays on her she squeals as if he is smothering her so he lets her up then she jumps out from under him about three feet away then looks back at him as if to say "Well aren't you going to come after me?" It's so .... cute! Yes I am gushing. Look how far I have fallen. No help for it.



Sorry, one more. I couldn't resist. Awe. That face. Who could resist that face. Sigh. 








February 18, 2014

Train Trip from Hell

I took a trip to Vancouver, BC, once. It was in the mid 1980's. I had just started working for DHHS, SSA, OHA. A very long acronym for Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings and Appeals. I took out garbage and shredded for 3 months at minimum wage which was at that time $2.90 per hour, until they liked me and hired me on permanent in the mail room where I would stay for the next 2 years. It was my first paid office job.  

Now that I am a bona-fide office worker I want to take a vacation. I wanted to go somewhere cold and all by myself. Somehow I picked Vancouver, BC. It was January folks. I thought it would snow and I didn't want to go to a ski resort. Like I know how to ski anyway. Plus I thought it would be too expensive and I wanted someplace different.

I also decided not to fly up. I decided to really go all the way and take that train. It would take 24 hours to get there. But I thought it's not the destination it's the journey so what the heck. The train left Sacramento, CA, at 11pm and ended in Seattle, WA, at 6pm. From there it was a bus trip up to Vancouver, BC. I didn't bother getting a sleeping berth. I can stay up in the seat for a day. I'm young I thought. I had watched all those old movies that showed all those characters from the 1930's through the 1950's on the train. I thought it would be kinda cool to do just that. I hadn't taken into account progress and updating. It wasn't quite like the movies. 

The seats were BIG. And assigned. Two per side and really comfortable. I was able to get next to the window. The train itself was full which surprised me. But everyone seemed pleasant. There were some veteran train travelers that gave me some pointers. Such as keep your coat down as it will get a bit chilly. They were right. It did. My seat mate was a single man in his mid to late 20's and little scruffy looking. Who am I to complain though. Off we go and it wasn't too long before I and my other travelers realized that my seatmate was a bit drunk and very flirty - with everyone. Eventually he settled down to just me. Lucky me. Then as we were several hours into the trip he wanted to share his sleeping bag with me. Ewwwwe. I very nicely said thank you but no thanks. So, rebuffed he went searching elsewhere for companionship. Why I didn't just changed seats you ask. Well there weren't any other seats available - I asked. The train really was full. 

I eventually fell asleep just to wake up to my seatmate's head on my shoulder and his sleeping bag around me. Now we can really say ewwwe. I extricated myself from him and went to breakfast in the dining car. Now in the dining car you share tables with other passengers. I really liked this. I was able to talk to all kinds of really nice people. So this morning I sat with a nice couple that when they saw me they motioned me to sit with them. The first question they asked was "Are you all right?". How nice of them to be concerned. They then related to me the events of my seatmate the night before and that evidently most of the train was aware he was sitting next to me and they felt sorry for me. Wow, now that was news. And I felt grateful for all their good wishes.

Now all day he was very contrite towards me and a tad bit too solicitous. He asked where I was going and all that. He stated that at Seattle he would then head east with the train towards Minneapolis. Good I said to myself as I breathed a sign of relief.  

So at 6pm we come into Seattle. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. We came across the Puget Sound at dusk. Awesome. Then it was off the train right next to the Space Needle. Cool. Then onto a bus. Only about 10 people were on the bus to Canada. But so was this man, my seatmate. Now I start to get nervous. He sits in the back of the bus all by himself as the rest of us were up front. I finally asked the bus driver if he bought his ticket at the last minute and he had. I relayed the ordeal from the night before as did all the other passengers. He was too kind. He said he would take care of it. So at the border we went across and reboarded - this time without my seatmate. I saw from bus that the driver had had him stopped and detained. I was so relieved and thankful for that bus driver. Then all the other passengers gave me their phone numbers in case I needed anything during my trip. They were really looking out for me. 

I have rarely felt so blessed and looked after. Let's just say that I haven't taken a train since but I am bound to not let that experience keep me from enjoying another trip. It is the journey not the destination.   

February 17, 2014

I went to Target!

Folks. I took the weekend off. I had such a good evening with my new found friends Elle and Gigi that I said naw to writing. 

That now brings me to what I did do on the weekend. Well, not much. My favorite past time is always shopping. I am a woman after all. I love to shop. I live for shopping. I will shop. Even if it's only Target or PetSmart. Yep that was it. I wondered how I could spend 3 hours in Target. Three whole hours of my life spent inside a bargain department store. 

Granted they have just about everything and it IS one-stop shopping. I managed to get some groceries but they were out of what I really needed. Diet Pepsi (see my other post on this issue.) They had regular Pepsi and Caffeine-free but not regular Diet Pepsi. So I didn't make out there. 

I found the movies section and of course my other compulsion was assuaged there. I found Hunger Games with all the behind-the-scenes action. Yeah!!!. Score!!!!

I then went to the housewares section. DANGEROUS is all I can say. I found the spatula I was looking for ~ on sale even. Score again! I managed to get away before buying any more Pyrex.

I managed to stay away from the household items like furniture and bedding this time. 

Onto to the boring items like which fabric softener do I get this time. Then there is the question I hate to answer - Where is the fabric soap cheaper?  WalMart or here? Hmmmm. So I stand there for at least 10 minutes trying to answer that question. Taking into account that it would take more gas to drive over to WalMart plus my time and energy. There, take that. Hunh. But...... After 10 more minutes of dithering I decided to punt and left it for another day as I had enough at home for this week. 

Now I am to the real reason I am here at Target. Cosmetics. I need to refresh and rejuvenate my supply of age-defying makeup. Well I wont go into all the details if those decisions, that will take WAY too long. Just say it was about an hour, and about 12 screaming children and an immense amount of willpower not to slap someone silly on my part, later that I went up to the counter to checkout. 

Then the real horror started. $175 later, WHAT????, yep. It doesn't jut take a village to look this good but also pile of dough. Now off to work to go.

February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

Just want to say Happy Valentine's Day. I have to admit this is not one of my favorite holidays. I usually don't have a Valentine of my own so it's another reminder that I am single. For those who are saying you are so lucky all I can say is "the grass is always greener over the septic tank" (Thank you Erma Bombeck!).

So tonight I am going to Starbucks and drown my sorrows with my other single girlfriends with a latte.

Maybe I should have sent myself those flowers just to make myself feel better. Hmmmm. Well like the old saying goes There is always next year.

February 13, 2014

Green Dress/Lucy Story

This is one of two stories that my mother likes to tell about me. I actually love this story too. I tell it when I want to emphasize that embarrassing things happen to everyone - even me. Ok they happen to me all the time, but it's still funny.

I was in college. At that time I had no need to dress up other than go out to a club to dance and get a date hopefully (another story). But I had been in jeans and t-shirts for a long time, years. I wanted to start dressing better but didn't really know how. In comes a roommate who was basically model material. She was tall and slim and nice and well you get the picture. She had a boyfriend who bought her dresses (I hated her just for that alone). Beautiful dresses. I fell in love with these dresses. One dress in particular. She had this emerald green dress with black lace that was gorgeous. I coveted this dress. I also need to say that we had a rule that our rooms were our rooms. You didn't go into each other's room unless you had permission.

So one saturday my model roommate's boyfriend came over to take her to a movie. My mother was visiting and my other roommate was home as well. So the boyfriend comes and meets us all and they leave to go to movie. I see them leave to get in their car and then I rushed back to her room to grab the dress to show my mother. Mostly to say Here Mom. I want this dress. Get this dress for me please. 

So I am showing my mother and roommate this dress when over her shoulder I see my model roommate coming back. Panicked that I had broken a rule and was now getting caught, I rushed down the hallway to put the dress back in her closet. Thinking that my mother and other roommate would distract them for the time I needed to put the dress back. I was so wrong. Nope. They didn't. I am putting the dress back into the closet as I see them coming down the hallway. Thinking that they forgot something and they pick it up and leave again I slipped into the closet. 

Now this bedroom is tiny. It fits a twin bet, a dresser and 2 feet to turn around in. The closet is only about a hanger deep and five feet long. And it is FULL. But I close the closet door and peeking out to wait for them to leave. But I don't hear them leave. Instead I hear the door close and not much else. The only "much else" I hear is indicative to - well - kissing at first and then a jacket hitting the floor and well you get the rest. Now I don't know what else to do so I am thinking that my mother or roommate will come and distract them enough for me to get out of the closet. I wait. More clothes hit the floor. I wait some more. 

Now I figure I have get myself out of this so I wonder when is the best time. Could it be when they are in the throws of passion then they wont even notice me and I can slip out? The room is WAY too small to get that done without them seeing me. I can wait until they are done and slip out then. But then she will want her robe and I am standing on it. That wouldn't be good. Now, of course, at this point I really need to use the bathroom - bad. I can't wait any longer and I decide to just chance it. I open the door and SURPRISE! It was a surprise all right. You haven't seen two more surprised faces - ever.  So I am stating my apologies and trying to explain as I am inching the two feet it takes to get out the door. 

I close the door and am so angry now that my much loved mother and trusted roommate didn't come to my rescue in some way. I get to the living room and what do I see? I see my roommate on the floor rolling around laughing so hard she needed to use bathroom and my mother on the couch laughing so hard she needed a change of clothes. I am incensed that they found my predicament so funny and that they were not feeling sorry for me in any way. The first thing they said was what were you doing in there? What do you think I was doing. Jeez. Friends hunh. Family hunh. 

I found out the next day that at least my model roommate wasn't upset and she and her boyfriend found the incident humorous.  And I did finally get my green dress a couple of years later. I love it until it couldn't be put back together anymore.

There is my Lucy story. 

February 12, 2014

eReaders

Who is not aware of the eReader vs. a real book controversy. Okay so controversy is bit of a strong word to use, but I have been mulling this issue over for quite some time. Here are my pros and cons on the subject. What do you think?

Real Books

I have a fairly large collection of real books. I love my real books. I love looking at my real books in the bookshelves. I get a certain bit of pride looking at all the books that I have read on my bookshelves. I can look at a book and remember a section that was particularly meaningful to me when I read it. I remember it and I feel warm and fuzzy all over. So I really like my real books. I have a sense of accomplishment. 

Then I see all the books I still need to read. It can get a bit overwhelming in the amount of books I have yet to read then I say to myself, "pick one and start it - NOW". That appears to be working since I have read three of those books in the last month. What is I like about a real book you ask.  I like the tactile sensation of having a physical book in my hand. Of the sensation and excitement of turning a page and see what is next in the story and seeing how far I am come in the book. Also, how far I have to go which can be disappointing when I really like the book and don't want it to end. If that is the case it is then a frantic search on Amazon.com to find the next one. 

There are drawback with a physical book. You need to take it with you if you want to read anywhere else but home. So if I am going to my local coffee house (Starbuck's) to read for a while I need to remember to take my book with me when I leave my house. Then there is the space issue. (I have always wanted a library in my home - working on it but that is for a later post.)

eReader

I also have a Kindle Fire (1st gen.) I have learned to really like my Kindle. It was challenging at first. The same cues were not there that I so liked with a regular book but I soon figured it out. There are some cool things like an instant dictionary. I really like having so many books at my fingertips when I want to read them. Like most readers I have multiple books that I am reading at one time. It's easy to put in my purse or bag and just take with me so no carrying a dozen books with me. You get more feedback from other readers at what they liked by how many highlights there are. Plus, let's face it, it's cheaper. Doesn't take up space is another plus. Also, you can download the app onto your desktop computer (whether that be a desk computer or a laptop) and your phone. You almost don't even need the actual device itself.

But the drawback is that it doesn't take up space. I can see the fruits of my labor at a glance. I don't get that same thrill looking at my list of books that I get when I see the actual book. It's harder to mark the spots that I love the most. The pictures are not the same to look at either, if included. You really can't back and forth between the actual book and the eReader as it's harder to see where you are either in the book or in the digital version. So you have to pick one or the other. 

At least this is my thinking on this subject. I invite anyone to chime in and see what y'all think about this issue.

February 11, 2014

Office Food Stuff

I work in an office. Because it's an office then it is mandatory that food be available. This is a hallmark of any office environment. Unfortunately most of my coworkers missed this memo. So, I, being the oh-so-helpful-I-will-pick-up-the-slack person I am, (tongue seriously in my cheek there), have gotten in the habit of bringing in all kinds of foods. 

Now I really like baking all kinds of things.  Bread being one of my most favorite foods to bake. If I don't say so myself I bake a mean bread. So on Monday mornings is THE morning to be in my office as I have fresh bread. My coworkers line up for my bread. Ok so they are already in the breakroom and it happens to be there but still. I also bake other scrumptious stuff too. Like cakes and brownies and cookies and muffins and ..... Well you get the idea. Truth be told I just like baking for someone other than myself. Plus I really like the comments I get. Like, "You are so mean" as that person is taking a handful of cookies or my personal favorite " You are EVIL." I get that one alot.

Since I need a warm place for the bread to rise I make sure my kitchen stays warm by baking all the other good things. So usually I bake a cake on the first rising. Not just any cake but a white cake, my favorite. I love white cake because it's moist and tastes like vanilla. I love everything about making that cake. I am so good at that cake that I don't even need any instructions anymore. I love to separate those eggs (and I have gotten pretty good at too!) I feel like a real baker since aren't real bakers proficient at separating eggs? I love the smell when it's baking and the look of it when it comes out of the oven. Heaven. 

While the cake is cooling I am molding the bread and leaving it for the second rising. Now it's time for the next good thing. I have a choice to make at this point. Is it cookies or brownies? Hmmmm. How much work do I want to put in at this point. Do I make that scrumptious lemon cookies or do I go with the always loved chocolate chip cookies or do I cut to the chase and just go for brownies. I got to say at this point it is usually the brownies. I am pretty tired of being in the kitchen by this time and just want to keep the kitchen warm. But let me tell you that whatever I bake at this point is a hit in the office.

Then it's time to put the bread in the oven after I have bathed it in a combination of butter/margarine, garlic salt and rosemary. Delicious. Smells good the whole time it's baking. Wrap it up and there you go. 

So I guess it's true that the way to the heart is through the tummy. Paraphrased of course. But works for me.

February 10, 2014

Water (ehhhh)


Water is the foundation of our own bodies. We learn in school how important it is to drink water to rehydrate ourselves. Fitness experts constantly are espousing the benefits of water. Weight-loss programs are always saying how you need to drink your water to lose weight (the jury is still out on this one). We see celebrity after celebrity holding a bottle of water. And since we want anything a celebrity has logically we want that bottle of water too. Bottled water is bombarding us day in and day out through ads and just plain folks carrying their bottle (like my coworkers that seem to leave their half-drunk bottle on my desk.) And yet I have NOT yet caught onto the water drinking binge. I still drink my old fashioned Soda.

Yes I am a soda-holic.  I even say that proudly. I am a Soda-Holic. There. I drink Diet Pepsi instead. (My soda of choice.) I drink a soda with my lunch everyday. I have one with my dinner. I have one when I get home and have one when I am watching TV. I have a glass next to my bed to drink during the night. (Probably why I don't sleep well and wake up every 2 hours.) So I am a certified soda-holic. Is there a 12-step program for those of us who suffer from this disease? Is it a disease? Hmmmm.  Well I digress. I have been bone tired after a long day at work and chores at home, ready to crawl into bed, and will still get dressed (out of my just about to get in bed pajamas) and go to the store to get more. I can't be without soda in the refrigerator. Would that be one definition of a soda-holic? Maybe so. 

So, now I have confessed I have a problem. I have aired my damaging soda dependence and have decided that I need to start drinking water.  Gasp!!! Yes I have actually started to drink more water. I have been at my Weight Watchers meeting and have been asked each and every week if I have address this challenge. Bless their hearts that they keep asking. 

So I say today that I may have turned the tide. I have taken that step. I have crossed that hurdle. Or any other cliche you can think of . But believe it or not I am have been drinking those little half bottles like I drink soda. I have had 4 just today and am proud of myself. (Tongue slightly in cheek.) Not just for the health and financial benefits (less soda = less buying = less spending) but I actually like it now! Everyone told me that would happen but I didn't believe them. They said that I would start craving it and I said Naw - no way. Water doesn't quench my thirst. I just feel slushy I would say. (I did too.) If there was a choice between water and soda, I always went to the soda. 

Well I can now say that I am convert. I hope I am not one of those annoying folks who espouse all the virtues with a fair amount of vehemence of something they once eschewed.  But really who knew?  Who knew that I would actually choose water over soda. I have a refrigerator (a small one) at my work that I keep well stocked with soda and now it is 70/30 soda/water. I still have my soda. Pepsi Cola Co. can still count on me to help keep them in business. Yet I am starting to drink less and less. So I am at least going in the right direction. I don't have my soapbox yet but I am well on my way.