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| Today's the Day! |
| 06.30.04 (6:37 am) [edit] |
Today is the last day of the month, and the antique dealer whose space I am taking over at the antique mall should be moving out today. I am SO excited. I have lots of stuff packed up and ready to move over there, and I have lots more to price. I can't really move in until I have some help, because there's no way I could bring in furniture myself. But Larry and perhaps my stepson David can help me later in the week and over the weekend.
Or I might even be able to talk my boss, Jon, into helping me. He is a pretty nice guy. Last night, I picked through some of his antiques that he hadn't priced yet and offered him a buck apiece for some kitchen utensils, and he actually accepted! First he grumbled... He also agreed to sponsor me in my marathon. I'm closing in on a fundraising benchmark (we have to raise a certain amount by certain dates in order to continue participating), and I think I am going to make it.
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| Morning Walks |
| 06.29.04 (5:41 am) [edit] |
Today I have a bunch of work to give to someone at the University, and I am ready to take it over there, but they probably aren't even open yet. So I am going to take my morning walk on campus today, and then turn in the work. It is so beautiful there!
Sometimes lately I have been too busy to get in my morning walk. I really miss it on the days when I can't get out. Connecting with nature first thing in the morning really sets a nice tone for the day. Giving myself time to just think whatever thoughts I need to think and feel whatever feelings I need to feel is the best thing I can do for myself. Regardless of how I feel when I start my walk, I always feel better at the end.
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| It's My Birthday! |
| 06.27.04 (9:56 am) [edit] |
I'm 49 today. I have the day off from my antique mall job because I switched days with someone and worked yesterday instead. And it was a great day! My supervisor brought in the most fabulous homemade carrot cake I have ever tasted in my life. And I got a card that all of my coworkers signed--I don't think I've gotten anything like that for quite a few years in a work setting. We were really busy because we were having a sale, so there were five of us running the shop and we were on the run all day. (Six, actually, if you include the boss, but he doesn't help out much! He likes to glom onto a customer who is going to make a big furniture purchase and spend hours with them.) It was a challenging, but very enjoyable day.
Today will be quieter. I have to do some proofreading for my other job, but then this afternoon my husband, daughter, best friend, and I are going to go on a picnic. We're going to pick up all the food at a deli so nobody has to cook.
OK, for anyone who is interested, I like chocolate a lot. Any form of it will make a great birthday present!
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| You Just Never Know! |
| 06.26.04 (8:22 am) [edit] |
You just never know what will sell on eBay. Here's a picture of something that I put up for auction last night, and it got snapped up immediately!
![]() =http://img47.photobucket.com/...
Yes, it is a vintage tray, commemorating memorable locations in The Peace Garden State of North Dakota...including the World's Largest Buffalo.
It just makes me wonder...how did this item end up in a Christian thriftshop in Snohomish County, Washington? Who bought it originally? What was the guy who bought it last night thinking? ("Wow, what a find!" I guess, huh?)
Did you notice the buffalo is mostly blue? What was the artist who created this thinking?
Any answers will be appreciated.
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| Blogging for Arthritis |
| 06.25.04 (4:21 pm) [edit] |
OK, today I'm going to use my blog to beg. I'm raising money for the Arthritis Foundation, which does all kinds of wonderful things for people with arthritis. They provide education, local exercise classes, lots of literature, lots of research. Did you know that one in three Americans has arthritis? I don't know the percentages in other countries, but that's something like 70 million people in the U.S. alone.
You might ask, why am I raising money for arthritis? Well, there are several reasons. One, I have arthritis myself. In fact, a few years ago, one summer, I could barely walk, because I had so much pain in my left foot from bone spurs that resulted from some old break. I remember when I broke my foot--I was about 21 years old, and I was crossing a street when a car suddenly came around the corner going really fast, and I had to run so I wouldn't get hit. I was wearing loafers, not shoes with good support for running, and I felt a sudden pain in the ball of my foot. I didn't think much about it at the time, because I was young and able, so I just lived with the pain and never got it treated. But it came back to haunt me 25 years or so later in the form of arthritis. And when arthritis hit, it took visits to about three different doctors over the course of several months before I got a good diagnosis and effective treatment. In the meantime, it was really scary, because I was in a lot of pain and could hardly function! Now I take a supplement that deals pretty effectively with my arthritis, and I am grateful I haven't had to have surgery or any other really serious treatment. It seems like it should have been easier, though, to find out what the problem was. I would hope that other people get answers to their questions faster than I did!
The second reason I want to raise money for arthritis is that I know so many other people who have it. In fact, almost everybody in my own generation (I'll be 49 this Sunday) and older seems to have it. My best friend Helen probably has the worst case of it of anyone I know. She has fibromyalgia in addition to osteoarthritis, and sometimes it makes her hurt all over.
The third reason I'm raising money for arthritis is that if I raise enough, the Arthritis Foundation will pay for me to go to Ireland to walk in the Dublin Marathon on October 25th! I have a deal with the Arthritis Foundation...I practice walking so I can walk this marathon and I raise money, and in exchange, they pay my expenses to go to the marathon. (See, the only way I was going to get to Europe anytime soon was if I walked....)
So if you're still reading this blog, you probably have some interest in what I'm doing. Would you please click on my Dublin Marathon link and make a donation? Thanks! I will appreciate it, and so will the other people who benefit from your thoughtfulness.
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| Odd Pictures |
| 06.24.04 (9:18 am) [edit] |
Today I wished I had some odd pictures to post, because I'm just in that sort of mood. But I had none, so I searched the Web for some instead, and found a wonderful Website that has lots of fun stuff! The best, absolute best, thing on there is a history of Michael Jackson's facial changes over the years, with comparisons to other artists, movie characters, and so on. What a hoot! I can't copy it here, because it's copyrighted material, but here is the link, so enjoy!
anomalies-unlimited.com
http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Odd_Pics.html" title="http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Odd_Pics.html" target="_blank"http://www.anomalies-unlimite...
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| Only Boring People Get Bored! |
| 06.23.04 (9:43 am) [edit] |
How do you like that for a Mom-ism? It's one of the many things that parents tell their kids. I am often reminded of it when I am about to blog, because so many recent posts are about how bored people are. Yikes! The sun is out--go outside and find something to do!
Here are some more Mom-isms I found online:
•I'm going to give you until the count of three.
•Don't pick, it'll get infected.
•I would have never talked to MY mother like that!
•Who do you think you are?
•I don't care what "everyone" is doing, I care what YOU are doing!
•What, you want more money? Well, the people in Hades want ice water, but do you see me with a PITCHER?
•If I catch you doing that one more time, I'll...
•You had better wipe that smile off your face before I do it for you.
•When you don't listen to your Mom, that's when you get into trouble.
•Don't use that tone with me!
•Someday your face will freeze like that!
•What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?
•Look at me when I'm talking to you.
•You're going to put your eye out with that thing!
•Do you think your socks are going to pick themselves up?
•Your father is going to hear about this when HE gets home!
•No, you can't go steady! You KNOW what that leads to.
•Were you born in a barn? Close the door -- and DON'T slam it!
•Don't EVER let me catch you doing that again!
•Be good -- and don't do ANYTHING to embarrass your parents.
•No child of MINE would do something like that.
•I don't know is NOT an answer.
•Don't put that in your mouth, you don't know where it's been.
•If you don't do it NOW, then when are you going to do it?
•No.
•Beauty is as beauty does!
•What do you mean you aren't going to eat everything on your plate? Think of those poor starving children in India.
•You can't find it? Well, where did you leave it last?
•If bologna was a tin horn you'd have an orchestra!
•Money does NOT grow on trees.
•I'm not everyone else's parents and you're not everyone else!
•Five minutes of pleasure is not worth a lifetime of hell.
•You made your bed, now lie in it.
•This hurts me more than it hurts you.
•Don't make me tell you again.
•Stop your crying before I give you something to cry about.
•Don't go out with a wet head, you'll catch cold.
•I'm not going to tell you how to spell that when you can look it up in the dictionary!
•Life isn't fair.
•Who do you think you are? Madam Butterfly?
•Would you do that if the Queen were here?
•When you don't listen to your Mom, that's when you get into trouble.
•Look it up in your contract: I'm the Mom, you're the kid. I get to do the nagging.
•There is nothing for nice girls to do past midnight.
•What do you mean CARRY ME? I carried you for nine months!!
•I'm not here to entertain you.
•That's OK, sweetie, anything to get you out of jail!
•Am I talking to a brick wall?
•Eat those carrots, they're good for your eyesight. You never see rabbits wearing glasses, do you?
•There's no shame in being poor, but there is shame in being dirty!
•You'll never live to see sixteen!!
•There's someone either dying or being created under your bed -- look at all this dust!
•Eat your meat.
•Did you flush?
•I worry about you.
•Can you give me an itinerary for your trip?
•Who are you going with? Do I know them?
•I hate having you drive alone at night.
•Somebody's gonna end up crying.
•You don't WANT to clean your room? You don't have to Want to!
•You can be anything you want to, if you just set your mind to it.
•A man who plays when he should be working will never amount to much.
•There's enough dirt in those ears to grow potatoes!
•What would you do if I wasn't here?
•If you don't quit that, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week.
•You'll miss me when I'm gone!
•AFTER you pick up your room, make your bed, brush your teeth and comb your hair, THEN you can go out to play.
•Don't say SHUT UP!
•Close your mouth when you're eating -- you look like a cow!
•Speak up; I can't hear your head rattle.
•Never leave the house hungry.
•Be good -- but if you can't be good, be careful.
•Eat the crust of your bread. It will make your hair curly and your teeth white.
•I resign!
•Remember who you are.
•The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.
•Do as I say, not as I do.
•What will the neighbors think?
•First marry for love, then marry for money.
•Sure, your brother has book smarts, but YOU have street smarts.
•When I was a little girl ...
•Do I have to send you an engraved invitation? Sit down and eat!
•Act your age.
•You just have big bones.
•You must get that from your father's side of the family.
•What have I done to deserve such ungrateful children?
•I would have never talked to MY mother like that!
•But you have a beautiful complexion.
•I hope someday you have children just like you.
•Two wrongs do not make a right.
•Don't talk with your mouth full!
•I wish you kids could see videos of yourselves eating!
•How are things in your little life?
•Don't leave any crumbs on the counter!
•You have a cute little figure.
•Do I embarrass you?
•If you slouch like that, you'll get a hump in your back and no boy will ever ask you out.
•You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relatives.
•This, too, shall pass.
•I don't know why you turned out the way you have.
•Wear clean underwear in case you get in a car wreck and have to go to the hospital.
•I brought you into this world, I can take you out.
•If you'd open your eyes as wide as your mouth, you'd find what you're looking for.
•Pretty is as pretty does.
•You can marry more money in five minutes than you can earn in a lifetime.
•Sit like a lady!
•When are you going to take your bath?
•Do you want a time-out?
•I don't care if Jimmy's Mom said yes.
•Those turtles are playing leapfrog; one got stuck.
Wipe your feet!!
•Enough is enough!
•It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
•I'm not just talking to hear my own voice.
•You girls are pigs -- we live in a pigsty!!
•I'm going to give you until the count of three.•
•As long as you live under my roof, you'll do as I say.
•You must think rules are made to be broken.
•So it's raining? You're not sugar -- you won't melt.
•Be a big wheel if you want -- just remember that little dogs go to the bathroom on big wheels.
•Whenever you leave the house, put a dime in your shoe in case you need to call home.
•Put that down! You don't know where it's been!
•Don't cross your eyes or they'll freeze that way.
•If you swallow a watermelon seed, a watermelon will grow in your stomach.
•If you run in the road, a car will hit you and you'll turn into a grease spot and be forgotten.
•Don't run with a lollipop in your mouth.
•Don't sit too close to the television, it'll ruin your eyes.
•Never try on anyone else's glasses or you'll go blind.
•Don't put beans up your nose.
•(On threatening to run away) Don't let the door hit you in the rear. . . I'll help you pack. . . Is that a threat or a promise?. . . write if you get work.
•Stop the world and I'll get off.
•Why don't you go out and play on the yellow line?
•If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
•Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow.
•Never say "shut up," say "be quiet."
•Don't say "no", say, "I'd rather not."
•Wash behind your ears or you'll have a potato field growing back there.
•Close the door behind you -- were you born in a barn?
•Never answer the phone on the first ring.
•You have to make your bed in case the house burns.
•How can you sleep in an unmade bed?
•If you don't clean your plate, you won't get any dessert.
•Eat burnt toast, it'll make your hair curly.
•You can't start the day on an empty stomach.
•Why should a farmer buy a cow when he can get the milk for free?
•Lift up your legs when you go over a railroad track and make a wish.
•Two wrongs don't make a right.
•The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
•A miss is as good as a mile.
•Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
•You can't judge a book by its cover.
•It's no use crying over spilt milk.
•You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
•You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
•Little pitchers have big ears.
•Whistling girls and crowing hens always come to some bad end.
•If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
And the all-time clincher...
•Why? Because I SAID so, that's why?
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| Hooked! |
| 06.22.04 (9:24 am) [edit] |
Yes, I have the antique dealing bug now, big time. Yesterday I priced almost 100 items that I had sitting around in my office. I haven't even started on the garage yet, where probably several hundred more sellable items are lurking.
Today I have to work for my employers, though, so no time for my own little adventure!
I did, however, take the time this morning to pick cherries and raspberries in our yard. Aren't they gorgeous?
![]() =http://img47.photobucket.com/...
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| Got My Number! |
| 06.21.04 (5:08 am) [edit] |
Yesterday while I was working at the antique store, I got my own dealer number assigned to me, so now I can start preparing price tags for my stuff! Boy, am I going to get some stuff moved out of my house and garage!
I had to think about how to prepare a meaningful inventory system. I think today I will start listing items on paper and then I will have Larry help me design a spreadsheet that tracks everything I need to keep track of.
It's another gorgeous day, and I have a bunch of editing work to do, but I think I will take it to the beach or someplace fun like that, so Betsy can play and get some sunshine. Otherwise the only tan we're going to get this summer will be from our computer screens!
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| Father's Day Thoughts |
| 06.20.04 (8:06 am) [edit] |
This is for my husband, Larry. He's a really good dad and partner! Today is Father's Day and I have to work all day at both of my jobs, and he's got a great attitude, taking it all in stride. He's going to grill some steaks for when I get home from work. What a guy!
Last night, he took all of his kids to see the Harry Potter movie (again!) and he also put on an impromptu barbecue yesterday afternoon.
He takes care of all the details in our home...bill paying, clock winding, car maintenance...anything that requires attention to detail on a regular basis.
So thanks, Larry, for all that you do. And to the rest of my readers, check out Larry's Website on my links...he's got pictures of our family, Schipperkes, Miatas, and other things that interest him.
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| Good Stuff is Flowing to Me |
| 06.19.04 (9:25 am) [edit] |
So I just decided a few days ago that I'm going to rent my own space at the antique mall where I work, and I cannot believe how antiques and great display pieces are flowing in my direction all of a sudden!
I got a free old-fashioned handmade camping kitchen the other day that will be wonderful for displaying retro kitchen utensils. I picked up a free table and chairs a month or so ago that I can sell. I found a couple of dressers that will work as great display items for antique linens. I even found some displays for cards, and I have two friends who make handmade cards, so I can sell some of their work in my area.
I will have to move my PT Cruiser out of the garage for a couple of weeks until I get my new space at the antique pavilion. There's no room for the Unschool Bus right now!
It's not only material stuff that's flowing in my direction. There have been a lot of "meant-to-be" type of moments happening lately. Yesterday, for example, I tried all day to get to a local church that was having a rummage sale, but I'd forgotten my purse at home and I had a bunch of other things to do. By the time I finally got home and got my money, the sale was over. So on the way home, I stopped at St. Vinnie's, which was having a 50% off sale. Not only did I find some fabulous retro stuff to sell, but as I was checking out, I turned and saw a long-lost friend standing next to me. It was great to reconnect, get each other's phone numbers, etc.
Then this morning, I was going to go work out with my Dublin Marathon team, but I didn't plan my morning very well and I was running too late to get there for the start of our workout. So I decided to walk in my own neighborhood instead. I walked near my friend Mary Ann's house and there she was, out in front, setting up a moving sale all by herself. Well, Mary Ann has Parkinsons and the last thing she needs to do is to be carrying furniture around. So I set up some things for her at her sale. I got a really good workout, and was able to help my friend. She gave me a bunch of cool antiques, too, to sell! Plus I bought some from her.
And now my best friend is coming up to my house to spend some time sitting on my deck with me before I hunker down to get some editing work done today. It's a gorgeous day!
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| Day in the Park |
| 06.18.04 (7:56 am) [edit] |
Today we are having about our third day in a row of gorgeous sunny warm weather, and I am going to take my daughter to a party to celebrate the end of the school year, so I will be hanging out in a park today. I have to bring my editing work along with me and hang out at a different picnic table than where my daughter and her friends will be partying, but still, if you gotta work, doing it outside at a picnic table is pretty good!
My editing job is very mobile. I can pick up my work and take it with me just about anywhere. I have worked at picnic tables all up and down the West Coast, and on the train to British Columbia, and on planes. Just so long as I meet the deadlines, it doesn't matter exactly when or where I do the work.
Right now the workload is very high, so I am grateful that I can at least find some joy in being able to pick the spot where I get the work done!
Yesterday I had the day off and I spent it pretty productively doing things for my own benefit rather than for the benefit of my employers. I still worked, but I was working for myself! I arranged to rent my own space as a dealer at the antique mall where I work. I'll have a small, but clean and well-situated space, at the end of the month.
My decision to become an antique dealer was really confirmed last night. I had a meeting to attend, and I spoke to a few friends there beforehand about renting this space, and they all had antiques they would like me to sell for them! Big ones, even! I have already made arrangements to display two brass beds.
This Sunday at work, I will be assigned my dealer number, so I can start going through my stuff and begin to price it. That way, when the space is available, I'll be all ready with my inventory to fill it up.
I'm really jazzed about doing this. I see what the other dealers do with their spaces, and I know I can be just as effective as the best of them.
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| Clarity |
| 06.17.04 (8:02 am) [edit] |
![]() =http://img47.photobucket.com/...
This is my neighbor's sign. He put it up to keep people from driving into his flower bed next to the driveway. I love it!
Lately I've come to appreciate clarity. I haven't always had it, either inside or from other people. But that is changing. I'm clearly happy about my daughter's new school, I'm clearly loving my new job at the antique mall, and this week it's become very clear to me that I would like to rent some space in the mall as an antique dealer.
I'm also very grateful that the supervisor on my new job is so clear. I never have to wonder about how I'm doing on the job--she tells me every day what I'm doing right and what I have left to learn. If I've forgotten to do something that's part of closing the store, I will be sure to hear about it the next day! She doesn't try to make me feel bad about mistakes, she just informs me of them so I can not keep making them. I like that level of clarity in a boss. I have never had it before.
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| ISSUES |
| 06.16.04 (5:55 am) [edit] |
Yesterday I wanted to blog, but tblog gave me a message saying that they were "fixing some issues."
Funny thing, my husband and I had just been talking a day or two before about issues...how everybody's got 'em. At our house, issues are so prevalent, I think even the dogs have 'em. Maybe even the house plants.
Last night, I thought again that I would try to blog. But NO! My computer was having issues!
Now that I am finally able to write something here, I can't narrow down a topic...I just have too many issues, I guess....
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| Flexibility |
| 06.14.04 (6:39 am) [edit] |
Yay, today I finally have some flexibility in my schedule, after weeks of being so busy I've felt like I was always on the run! So I can get to a few things that have been nagging. I wrote a letter to my parents, and I'm going to write a fundraising letter to send to various friends, family and acquaintances so they'll contribute to my Dublin Marathon effort. And maybe I will finally get my green beans planted!
My vegetable garden pretty much got derailed these last few weeks. We had really nice weather early in the spring, so I actually got an early start this year. But then the weather got rainy and my schedule got too busy. Thank goodness we don't have to rely on my "farming" to survive! We'd be in big trouble. I usually put a lot of effort into my garden patch each year in exchange for just a few fresh-picked vegetables, but that taste of summer is worth it!
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| Writing Inspires Me |
| 06.13.04 (7:34 am) [edit] |
When I first started this blog, it was a way to share my homeschooling experience with others who might find it interesting. Since then, things have changed, and my kid is attending a wonderful alternative school. I've kept writing, though, about my own activities, and daily writing has had some really great effects.
Mostly what I've noticed is that writing regularly gives me ideas of things to write about. Recently I started writing a little nonfiction just for fun, and I'm also beginning work on a professional article in my field. I think blogging has loosened up some of my writing skills to the point where I'm feeling I can use them elsewhere.
Another thing about daily writing is that it helps me put some structure on the ideas that seem to be just floating aimlessly around in my head. I think in pictures a lot; when I translate my ideas into words, they become a bit more concrete and usable.
There's probably nothing original to be written about writing! But we still each come to these insights ourselves...
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| Read My Drivel, Please |
| 06.12.04 (11:03 am) [edit] |
Ha! I wrote something political yesterday and got more hits than usual. Too bad I don't have something astute to say every day.
Today is my daughter's 12th birthday and she got to open her presents up this morning because tonight we'll be at a big school event. We took her out for a Chinese dinner last night. She absolutely LOVES her new stuff--a skull and crossbones watch from Hot Topic; a tablet computer input device for her Oekaki and fan art drawings; another Manga instruction book; an R.L. Stine book for older readers called "Dangerous Girls;" a framed tiger poster; and a big shoji screen that I bought at the antique shop, which will shade her computer screen from the dreadful sunshine. She's ready for a summer at the keyboard!
Come Monday, though, we'll be having a discussion about places to go and things to do this summer. We are beginning to look for someplace that Betsy could volunteer her time helping to care for animals. It's been taking me at least an hour a day, sometimes two, to get Betsy back and forth to school. So I figure we oughta have at least that much time to hang out at the beach or someplace fun each day. And some days we will have more, depending on my work schedule and other timewasters! I definitely want to plan some small camping trips or road trips for my "weekends" that fall on Thursday and Friday. So we're kind of back to home schooling for the summer, in a very relaxed sort of way.
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| Reagan on the $20 or $10 bill?! |
| 06.11.04 (7:11 am) [edit] |
I heard on NPR yesterday that the idea is being floated to put Dead President Ronald Reagan's face on the $10 or $20 bill. It will, literally, take an Act of Congress for this to happen.
I will urge my state's Senators and Representatives to fight it. Regardless of how many people have forgotten their history, Andrew Jackson and Alexander Hamilton made far more important contributions to our country than that old right-wing actor ever did. Instead of displacing these forgotten important figures, we should educate people why their faces were chosen for the bills in the first place.
I hardly ever get political in my blog, but, geez, the thought of looking at Reagan's face every time I go to the ATM or bank is appalling.
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| Birthday Preparations! |
| 06.09.04 (7:04 am) [edit] |
My daughter Betsy will be 12 on Saturday, and I've been so busy lately, I haven't had much time to think about what to do to celebrate. But fortunately today I wrap up my work week and start my "weekend," so I can put some energy into making her birthday special for her.
On her actual birthday, Saturday, we'll be going to a big potluck and annual meeting for Betsy's new school in the evening. So she'll get to play with a lot of her school friends while older students and parents meet to handle some policy decisions. I'm going to see if we can get tickets to a later evening showing of the new Harry Potter movie, to go to after the meeting. That would be really fun!
On Friday, which is the last day of school, Betsy will be taking about 30 cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. Since I only have a 12-cupcake pan, I think I'll get started on this project today...or maybe I'll just call Costco and see how much they would charge for a slew of cupcakes... I think Larry and I will also take Betsy out to dinner on Friday night.
Then there are presents. We bought one special item for Betsy that cost quite a bit, so there won't be a lot of buying or wrapping. But there's gotta be some! Since school will be over this week, I'm thinking I should find some fun summer activity type things to give Betsy...maybe something that will get her outside and away from her computer screen. That will be a challenge!
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| Salome Shirt |
| 06.08.04 (8:40 pm) [edit] |
Today I was going to work at the antique store in the afternoon, but I was busy all morning away from home, so I got dressed in my work clothes early. And, of course, while taking my friend Helen to the airport, I spilled my Maya Mocha down the front of my nicely pressed, embroidered work shirt. I stopped in a rest room and tried to get the stains out, but no go!
So I went to one of my favorite thriftshops, White Elephant, which benefits homeless animals, and I bought a Seattle Opera shirt that was sold a few years ago when they did a production of "Salome." Brand-new shirt, nice picture, cost $1.25! It was easier and cheaper to stop and buy the t-shirt than it would have been to drive home before work. I'm really glad I opted for the t-shirt; it was hot in the store today. I wonder what it will be like in the middle of the summer?!
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| Car Naps |
| 06.07.04 (10:26 pm) [edit] |
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My "unschool bus" is actually a dark blue PT Cruiser and it is one of my favorite places to take a nap! Last night I worked really late to meet an editorial deadline, so I was dead tired today after I dropped off the work and also dropped off my kid at school. So, before starting work on the next deadline, I went to a nice park on the shore of a big lake, took a walk, and then settled in for a nice long nap. I had brought an antique quilt and a couple of pillows with me, today's newspaper, a novel...it was great! It started to rain while I slept, and the coolness was also refreshing. Very healing! I almost got back to normal.
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| Vintage Person |
| 06.06.04 (6:22 pm) [edit] |
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Amazingly, many of the items we sell at the antique mall where I work were commonplace while I was growing up. Today I noticed some cap guns in one of the cases--EXACTLY like the ones I had when I was little. Who woulda thunk it?
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| Dublin Marathon Kick-Off! |
| 06.05.04 (4:17 pm) [edit] |
Today I got to go work out with the other Arthritis Foundation volunteers who are going to run or walk in the Dublin Marathon in October. I met the coach for the first time, and met my mentor in person (we'd previously emailed each other). It was really fun! We learned how to do stretches so we can prevent injuries and we had some bagels and a shoe clinic after our workout. Since we met at a retail sports shoes store that was offering team members a discount today, I went ahead and got fitted for some new shoes. They are really serious about getting you the right shoe! I'm pleased with the results.
I'll be meeting with this team every Saturday a.m. for the next 19 weeks or so, and we'll also have a few social or clinic-type events at other times. I am definitely the oldest, slowest walker of the group...at least, of those who showed up today! But I felt very included, anyway.
We introduced ourselves today by talking about something we're looking forward to this summer, besides getting ready for the marathon. Most people were anticipating vacations or family coming to visit--I've already taken my vacation this year, though, so my big thing that I'm looking forward to is getting hearing aids! Back in my teens and 20s, when I played in rock bands, it never occurred to me to protect my hearing. Now in my late 40s, I really need some help! So I've scoped out some information about hearing aids and will be able to get some very good digital ones at Costco sometime this summer.
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| Transformative Conversation |
| 06.04.04 (7:07 am) [edit] |
I was reading a book at the library a few weeks ago that was so delicious, I had to buy my own copy. It's called, "Conversation: How Talk Can Change Our Lives," and it's by Theodore Zeldin, who is both brilliant and a straight-talker. In thoughtful yet simple words, he explains what makes conversation important, rich, and pleasant. His main point is that the best conversation changes us.
This has surely been true in my own life, especially in recent years. When I was younger, of course, like any rebellious young person, you could talk 'til you were blue in the face to me and I probably didn't hear much of what you had to say. But now some of the most subtle things that people say get me to think about things later on my own and make some changes. Often the person isn't trying to persuade me or change me...he or she is simply sharing a story or a personal insight. But, now that I've learned to be more open to people, I don't have to be hit on the head with a 2 by 4 to see the significance of what they're saying and how it might apply to my own life.
Recently, for example, a friend talked about how hard she's had to work to be treated with respect in the workplace. When I had a little incident come up in my own workplace, I was able to think back to my friend's comment and very gently but firmly ask for a bit more respect, which was freely given to me. As a result, I have a better place to work now and an improved relationship with this particular coworker.
There are many more recent examples I could give of this phenomenon of transformative conversation, but they are rather personal for a public blog...the point is, though, conversation has led me through many crossroads and even helped me remove some roadblocks in my life. Especially lately, now that I'm aware of how this can happen.
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| Joys of Cooking |
| 06.03.04 (7:08 am) [edit] |
My friend Helen says that cooking is one of my "love languages," a way that I express my affection for others and at the same time nurture my own soul. It's so true. I've never wanted one of those big Cuisinart food processors because chopping vegetables is a form of meditation for me. And successfully creating a dish from my own sense of what would taste good, without using a recipe, is great therapy.
Yesterday I browned a whole floured chicken in olive oil in a big Dutch oven on top of the stove. Then I added chopped celery, leeks, carrots, and fresh mushrooms, and covered everything with enough water to stew the chicken. I went outside and got fresh rosemary and tarragon from my herb garden and added those, along with some salt and pepper, then let it cook for about an hour and twenty minutes, until it was time for me to go to work for the evening at the antique mall.
So when Larry and Betsy got home from their respective busy days, there was this awesome chicken for dinner, to enjoy along with some jasmine rice and garlic bread. And I had some when I got home from work later in the evening. I had several hours free yesterday before I went to work and could have done anything I wanted, and my choice was to cook this lovely dinner.
Today I have choices, too. It's theoretically my day off from both jobs, but I think I will get a little ahead on some editing work. And I'm going to either put some new items up for auction on eBay, or clean out some old eBay inventory and hold an impromptu driveway sale...the weather is supposed to be so nice today and tomorrow!
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| Liquid Naps |
| 06.02.04 (12:02 pm) [edit] |
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Espresso is not an acceptable substitute for solid couch time.
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| Balance |
| 06.01.04 (5:17 am) [edit] |
I heard a funny about balance one time. "I don't have a lot of balance in my life, but I recognize it every time I swing past it."
Actually I think I do have pretty good balance in my life today. I work, I take care of my home and family, I read, I play. But I am definitely busier than I used to be, and I had to get my old Daytimer out that I hadn't used in several years and start using it again recently. And I'm back to making some crockpot meals once or twice a week in order to make sure my family has dinner even if I'll be busy over the dinner hour. Overall, though, it feels good. I just have to make sure I don't let some of the things that make me feel really good--like walking and occasionally doing artwork--fall through the cracks.
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