Technically it never really ended, I suppose... when you're the cheer sponsor and the yearbook coordinator, your summers don't REALLY belong to you fully and completely. Any-hoo, I am apologizing for the lack of posting... but I am not going to blame the lack of posting on working too much. No, I wasn't posting because it was too hot in the room where my laptop lived.
I have moved my laptop into the room with the window unit now, thanks to the fact that my laptop's wireless connection seems to have resurrected for the time being. I'll take the reprieve; for a while, my sound was also gone, but it has also returned. Thank you Lord... if this poor old Toshiba Satellite can juuuuust hold out until Christmas, maybe I can get a replacement for it then. Maybe. I hope.
And in the meantime, since I can post while sitting twenty-four inches from the A/C unit, perhaps now I will actually POST something.
Showing posts with label blogfodder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogfodder. Show all posts
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
A little Zen
The Fort Worth Zoo yesterday was one of the most congested, people-filled places I've ever been in. I got lots of fun pics, but I have to confess, it wasn't as much fun and relaxation as I had hoped. There were just too many people there, elbowing in and out, screaming kids, strollers... it was a mess.
So we left earlier than we wanted to, without having seen anywhere near the whole zoo, and headed over to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.
It was kind-of busy, too, since it is Spring Break and it was a beautiful day. But in the Japanese Garden, I found one or two teeny moments of serene Zen.
I am super-tired today; I confess that I was kind-of thankful that my horseback plans had had to be shelved because they had to go deal with a cattle purchase at some sale barn somewhere. I really didn't feel much like getting out today. Couple that with the fact that our toilet wasn't flushing and I had to call a plumber, and you've got the makings of a less-than-pleasant day.
At least the plumber was a super-nice dude who took care of the issue with great speed and low expense.
I'm holding out hope that I'll feel decent tomorrow, although it won't do as much good because we're actually under a WINTER WEATHER WARNING. Yeah, you read that right. I hate winter. HATE IT. HATE IT HARD.
I guess I'm going to have to get a new driver's license. Today was the umpteenth time someone asked to see my DL for an identity verification and they look at the picture, then look at me, then look at the picture again, and I have to tell them that the picture was a hundred pounds ago. Ha!
On a completely different note, my blogmommy SarahK has announced that she and FrankJ are expecting a little one in October. This is the blog-couple for whom I played the piano at their wedding several years ago. Congratulations, you two!
So we left earlier than we wanted to, without having seen anywhere near the whole zoo, and headed over to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.
It was kind-of busy, too, since it is Spring Break and it was a beautiful day. But in the Japanese Garden, I found one or two teeny moments of serene Zen.
I am super-tired today; I confess that I was kind-of thankful that my horseback plans had had to be shelved because they had to go deal with a cattle purchase at some sale barn somewhere. I really didn't feel much like getting out today. Couple that with the fact that our toilet wasn't flushing and I had to call a plumber, and you've got the makings of a less-than-pleasant day.
At least the plumber was a super-nice dude who took care of the issue with great speed and low expense.
I'm holding out hope that I'll feel decent tomorrow, although it won't do as much good because we're actually under a WINTER WEATHER WARNING. Yeah, you read that right. I hate winter. HATE IT. HATE IT HARD.
I guess I'm going to have to get a new driver's license. Today was the umpteenth time someone asked to see my DL for an identity verification and they look at the picture, then look at me, then look at the picture again, and I have to tell them that the picture was a hundred pounds ago. Ha!
On a completely different note, my blogmommy SarahK has announced that she and FrankJ are expecting a little one in October. This is the blog-couple for whom I played the piano at their wedding several years ago. Congratulations, you two!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Not good news
Y'all pray for my pal, BlogDog... I just found out that they're without power over where he lives in Virginia. There are lots and lots and lots of people in the same boat. A dangerous situation, that's what. I think that his area got about two feet of snow.I worry.
The photo is from the Baltimore newspaper's web site.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Bundles of joy
Phyllo Mushroom Bundles
You are NOT going to believe how good these are. I decided I'd give phyllo a try after I read this recipe, and I was not disappointed.
Neither was my husband, who declared, "You can make these anytime you like, but just make sure you make enough for both of us."
Holy cow, they are tasty. I used baby portabella mushrooms, garlic and basil, and I left off the parmesan just because I didn't really feel like adding it.
UN. BE. FREEKIN. LIEVABLE.
It's the first thing from Pioneer Woman that I've actually made. I still read her blog, even though I hate her and am insanely jealous of her.
The house is now redolent with garlic and portabella and toasty buttery flaky stuff. You wish you lived here.
You are NOT going to believe how good these are. I decided I'd give phyllo a try after I read this recipe, and I was not disappointed.
Neither was my husband, who declared, "You can make these anytime you like, but just make sure you make enough for both of us."
Holy cow, they are tasty. I used baby portabella mushrooms, garlic and basil, and I left off the parmesan just because I didn't really feel like adding it.
UN. BE. FREEKIN. LIEVABLE.
It's the first thing from Pioneer Woman that I've actually made. I still read her blog, even though I hate her and am insanely jealous of her.
The house is now redolent with garlic and portabella and toasty buttery flaky stuff. You wish you lived here.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
No more snow
Well, I can't actually predict that there won't be any more snow this winter here in Ballyhoo... I *wish* I could say such a thing, but I can't... but I *can* say that there won't be any more snow blowing in under the back door thanks to BlogDog, who took pity on me after reading this post.
Hey, thanks, dude! I LOL'd, of course, and my kids were all, like, "Hey, it's that thing from TV! The Twin Draft Guard! Awesome!", but it works beautifully and you have saved the day.
Hey, thanks, dude! I LOL'd, of course, and my kids were all, like, "Hey, it's that thing from TV! The Twin Draft Guard! Awesome!", but it works beautifully and you have saved the day.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Skwerl tweeting?
Oh, for the love of Pete on a pogo-stick... this Twitter thing is getting waaaay out of hand.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
'Tis the season...
It's time once again for my annual Door-a-lanche... the spike in blog hits that I get from people Googling the phrase "christmas door decorating contest ideas" looking for inspiration. It usually doubles my traffic for the second half of November and the first half of December.
Y'all should come visit more often. There's more coolness where that came from.
Y'all should come visit more often. There's more coolness where that came from.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Random Facts About Me
This came from Facebook, but I thought I'd re-post it here. No particular reason, I guess.
01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
I guess so... nineteen years of marriage... does that count? [eye roll]
02) What was your dream growing up?
To be a jockey in the Kentucky Derby
03) What talent do you wish you had?
Playing the guitar well.
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
Hmmm... probably a raspberry Mojito
05) Favorite vegetable?
Wakame seaweed
06) What was the last book you read?
Beyond Consequences, Logic & Control (dealing with children with severe behaviors)
07) What zodiac sign are you?
Scorpio (not that I care or that it matters to me at all)
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
Tattoo around my left ankle that reads "Love the Lord your God with all your heart"
Two earlobe piercings on either side
Tragus pierced on my right ear
Rook pierced on my left ear
09) Worst Habit?
Laziness
10) If you saw a stranger walking down the street would you offer him/her a ride?
It wouldn't be a good idea, so no.
11) What is your favorite sport?
College Football
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
Generally optimistic
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
If I were alone, I'd probably just sit down and start texting on my celly. If I were with someone, I guess I'd tell jokes until we got rescued. I love to laugh.
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Being accused of something I didn't do, and losing a lot of friends (or people I had thought were friends) because of it. There are still people who think I am guilty of what I was accused of, and it still grieves me sometimes, but I shook the dust off my feet and moved on.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
I have no bellybutton. That's pretty much the weirdest thing about me.
16) Do you have any pets?
A charcoal-grey teacup poodle-girl named Bijou, and a lazy kitty-boy named Dude
17) What would you do if a friend showed up at your house unexpectedly?
I'd start cooking! I love to cook.
18) Are your first impressions of people usually accurate?
I'd say so, yes.
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
I have actually been to Clown School and learned about the craft, but I'm not fond of clowns because of too many serial killer movies and stuff. I did learn how to make balloon animals, so it wasn't a total loss.
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
I'd make my head a little smaller. I have a huge head. Or maybe I'd refine my nose a little -- it's kinda blobby. Meh... I don't spend much time thinking about either thing, really. I pretty much just accept that I look the way I look, yanno?
21) Are you more of a bad influence or a good influence on people?
I try to cheer people up and make them feel good, but sometimes I probably encourage naughtiness too.
22) What color eyes do you have?
Brown. Medium golden brown. Not super-dark, not light, and not mixed with green or blue at all either. Just brown.
23) Ever been arrested?
Ugh, no. And the only way it would ever happen would be if they made chocolate illegal.
24) Bottle or can soda?
I don't drink soda, generally, because it has corn syrup in it and I'm allergic to corn products. The sodas that are made with cane sugar usually come in glass bottles. I don't really drink them very often, either, because I try to avoid consuming that much sugar all at once. It's just not healthy for me.
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
Level my house. [sigh] I'd *like* to get myself a camera, but practicality would win out.
27) What's your favorite place to hang out?
Anywhere with my BFF Cindy.
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
Not in the way they're usually understood. I do believe that there are unseen things going on that we have no concept of, but I'm not going to claim to know definitively how that works or what they're like.
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Blog... sleep... paint... play the piano
30) Do you swear too much?
Yes, I probably do.
31) Do you have a pet peeve?
Liars.
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Scattered
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
Sure. There's not enough of it in my world.
34) Favorite and least favorite food?
Favorite - Japanese
Least favorite - Italian
35) Plans for this evening?
Load the dishwasher... watch a DVRd episode of Iron Chef, maybe... clean the kitchen... take a shower... yeah, I'm super-interesting and I lead a fascinating life. [eye roll #2] Hey, give me a break. I spent most of the day trying to deal with a mentally-ill teenager. I need some boring down-time.
01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
I guess so... nineteen years of marriage... does that count? [eye roll]
02) What was your dream growing up?
To be a jockey in the Kentucky Derby
03) What talent do you wish you had?
Playing the guitar well.
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
Hmmm... probably a raspberry Mojito
05) Favorite vegetable?
Wakame seaweed
06) What was the last book you read?
Beyond Consequences, Logic & Control (dealing with children with severe behaviors)
07) What zodiac sign are you?
Scorpio (not that I care or that it matters to me at all)
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
Tattoo around my left ankle that reads "Love the Lord your God with all your heart"
Two earlobe piercings on either side
Tragus pierced on my right ear
Rook pierced on my left ear
09) Worst Habit?
Laziness
10) If you saw a stranger walking down the street would you offer him/her a ride?
It wouldn't be a good idea, so no.
11) What is your favorite sport?
College Football
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
Generally optimistic
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
If I were alone, I'd probably just sit down and start texting on my celly. If I were with someone, I guess I'd tell jokes until we got rescued. I love to laugh.
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Being accused of something I didn't do, and losing a lot of friends (or people I had thought were friends) because of it. There are still people who think I am guilty of what I was accused of, and it still grieves me sometimes, but I shook the dust off my feet and moved on.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
I have no bellybutton. That's pretty much the weirdest thing about me.
16) Do you have any pets?
A charcoal-grey teacup poodle-girl named Bijou, and a lazy kitty-boy named Dude
17) What would you do if a friend showed up at your house unexpectedly?
I'd start cooking! I love to cook.
18) Are your first impressions of people usually accurate?
I'd say so, yes.
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
I have actually been to Clown School and learned about the craft, but I'm not fond of clowns because of too many serial killer movies and stuff. I did learn how to make balloon animals, so it wasn't a total loss.
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
I'd make my head a little smaller. I have a huge head. Or maybe I'd refine my nose a little -- it's kinda blobby. Meh... I don't spend much time thinking about either thing, really. I pretty much just accept that I look the way I look, yanno?
21) Are you more of a bad influence or a good influence on people?
I try to cheer people up and make them feel good, but sometimes I probably encourage naughtiness too.
22) What color eyes do you have?
Brown. Medium golden brown. Not super-dark, not light, and not mixed with green or blue at all either. Just brown.
23) Ever been arrested?
Ugh, no. And the only way it would ever happen would be if they made chocolate illegal.
24) Bottle or can soda?
I don't drink soda, generally, because it has corn syrup in it and I'm allergic to corn products. The sodas that are made with cane sugar usually come in glass bottles. I don't really drink them very often, either, because I try to avoid consuming that much sugar all at once. It's just not healthy for me.
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
Level my house. [sigh] I'd *like* to get myself a camera, but practicality would win out.
27) What's your favorite place to hang out?
Anywhere with my BFF Cindy.
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
Not in the way they're usually understood. I do believe that there are unseen things going on that we have no concept of, but I'm not going to claim to know definitively how that works or what they're like.
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Blog... sleep... paint... play the piano
30) Do you swear too much?
Yes, I probably do.
31) Do you have a pet peeve?
Liars.
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Scattered
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
Sure. There's not enough of it in my world.
34) Favorite and least favorite food?
Favorite - Japanese
Least favorite - Italian
35) Plans for this evening?
Load the dishwasher... watch a DVRd episode of Iron Chef, maybe... clean the kitchen... take a shower... yeah, I'm super-interesting and I lead a fascinating life. [eye roll #2] Hey, give me a break. I spent most of the day trying to deal with a mentally-ill teenager. I need some boring down-time.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Blogging has suffered, I know
I've been coming home completely exhausted in the afternoons, and after I get supper fixed and all my doin's done, I've been going to bed at 8pm or thereabouts. I'll catch up eventually and start blogging again, I promise. :) This week is the end of the first grading period, so I'm buried deep in grades and papers and works of art.
Next week: Homecoming! Which means we have a Spirit Day every single day. Watch this space for fun pictures.
Next week: Homecoming! Which means we have a Spirit Day every single day. Watch this space for fun pictures.
Monday, July 27, 2009
My fifteen minutes
It's an article about Salvia divinorum, but because I posted a photo of Salvia farinacea and titled it "Getting a Buzz" it made it onto the NYT's feed. Bwa ha!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A possible use for skwerls
FrankJ has a plan! You want to click that link and read it -- it's not long, but it's pithy and perfect.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
FrankJ has done it yet again
Today he posted his list of "Fun Facts About Hamas." You want to go read it.
A small sampling of the fun and games over at IMAO today:
A small sampling of the fun and games over at IMAO today:
* Contrary to popular belief, Hamas has nothing to do with ham. Actually, if you throw hams at them, they’ll get angry.
* Many liberals feel a great amount of sympathy for Hamas as they’re a lot alike since they’re both misunderstood, smelly, and wish to indiscriminately kill the Jews.
* If you make a Mexican laugh, and he wants an encore, he’d say, “Ha! Mas!”
Monday, December 29, 2008
Day Treatment, day 4
We gave the day treatment staff a brief vacay last Thursday and Friday, but this morning we were up-n-at-em again. I got to air some of my grievances privately to the professional staff, mainly that behavior modification ALONE wasn't cutting anyone's mustard in this house, and that we needed some medication intervention ASAP. They need to see up-to-date labs on her, which we'll be drawing tomorrow morning early, and then they're going to gradually switch her to Risperdal from the currently ineffective Geodon (which works for some folks, just not for us).
And they worked with her pretty intensively today on owning up to the role she plays in the peacefulness (or absence of such) in our family. She came up with a list of three things she can do to contribute to a happy home atmosphere.
She was very tetchy and cantankerous on the way home, but I kept my cool and told her it was too bad she was choosing to be insulting and grouchy. She clammed up, but continued to harass and harangue, so she didn't earn a point. At home she was incensed that supper wasn't immediately ready, so I told her I could see that she was having some trouble holding it together and that she should go use her coping plan. She was REALLY pissed that I wouldn't let her eat something else instead (food issues are a real trigger, it seems), but she did go upstairs and wait.
At supper I dished out everyone's food and we sat down together. She was still agitated, but we were patient and quiet and continued to talk in calm tones. I asked her to bring me her folder with her point sheets, which she did begrudgingly, and as soon as I began filling out her point sheet she underwent an instant transformation into Cooperative Martha. She began bubbling over to tell me about her day at Day Treatment and the things they talked over and worked through.
One very encouraging thing that the lady at Day Treatment told me privately was that Martha was putting forth a gargantuan effort NOT to lose it during the day... and that children with seriously big mental illness issues CAN'T exert that much control for that amount of time. It doesn't mean she doesn't have significant issues, obviously, but it does mean that some of the more serious problems can be ruled out.
And we plug away.
We're waiting right now for the arrival of the Purple Fish Guts family, who are spending the night with us on their way to a family wedding event. I'm going to go into the kitchen now and start making some guacamole; I stopped at the Dallas Farmer's Market this afternoon and picked up the ingredients. YUMMY!
And they worked with her pretty intensively today on owning up to the role she plays in the peacefulness (or absence of such) in our family. She came up with a list of three things she can do to contribute to a happy home atmosphere.
She was very tetchy and cantankerous on the way home, but I kept my cool and told her it was too bad she was choosing to be insulting and grouchy. She clammed up, but continued to harass and harangue, so she didn't earn a point. At home she was incensed that supper wasn't immediately ready, so I told her I could see that she was having some trouble holding it together and that she should go use her coping plan. She was REALLY pissed that I wouldn't let her eat something else instead (food issues are a real trigger, it seems), but she did go upstairs and wait.
At supper I dished out everyone's food and we sat down together. She was still agitated, but we were patient and quiet and continued to talk in calm tones. I asked her to bring me her folder with her point sheets, which she did begrudgingly, and as soon as I began filling out her point sheet she underwent an instant transformation into Cooperative Martha. She began bubbling over to tell me about her day at Day Treatment and the things they talked over and worked through.
One very encouraging thing that the lady at Day Treatment told me privately was that Martha was putting forth a gargantuan effort NOT to lose it during the day... and that children with seriously big mental illness issues CAN'T exert that much control for that amount of time. It doesn't mean she doesn't have significant issues, obviously, but it does mean that some of the more serious problems can be ruled out.
And we plug away.
We're waiting right now for the arrival of the Purple Fish Guts family, who are spending the night with us on their way to a family wedding event. I'm going to go into the kitchen now and start making some guacamole; I stopped at the Dallas Farmer's Market this afternoon and picked up the ingredients. YUMMY!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Hey!! I'm four years old!!
In blog years, that is. And I totally forgot my bloggiversary, too (October 26). Thanks to my blog-compadre MaggieKatzen (who I loooove to hang out with) for reminding me.
And those links in my first post? I'm pretty sure they all still work. I know that I do still visit all those places regularly. Consistency hasn't been one of the personality traits I'd ascribe to myself, but it's nice to know that my favorite lurks are still up and running.
And those links in my first post? I'm pretty sure they all still work. I know that I do still visit all those places regularly. Consistency hasn't been one of the personality traits I'd ascribe to myself, but it's nice to know that my favorite lurks are still up and running.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Bloggy Breakfast
KING ME! KING ME!This morning I had the privilege of meeting up with Elisson of Blog d'Elisson and his patient and gracious and beautiful wife SWMBO. What a wonderful visit over coffee and biscuits! They are even more lovely in person than they seem on his blog.
I hope that's not the only time I ever get to visit with them -- absolutely wonderful people.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bloggy Lunch Date
Just got back from lunch at The Fried Pie Company & Restaurant (in Gainesville, Texas) with blogger couple Maggie from MaggieKatzen and RTO Trainer from Signaleer! Had a delightful time and laughed a whole bunch. I hope we get a chance to do it again sometime.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Contest!!
Not here, of course... someday when I win the lottery or something, I'll host cool giveaways like this:
IowaGeek's (NON) Scrap Bribing
Prize is either a Flickr Pro account or a Premium Picknik account. I'm gunning for the Flickr Pro account, myself, but that's because I've already got pretty good photo editing software and capabilities.
Y'all go on over there, and leave a comment, and be sure to mention that you saw it HERE on GradualDazzle's Anywhere But Here blog.
IowaGeek's (NON) Scrap Bribing
Prize is either a Flickr Pro account or a Premium Picknik account. I'm gunning for the Flickr Pro account, myself, but that's because I've already got pretty good photo editing software and capabilities.
Y'all go on over there, and leave a comment, and be sure to mention that you saw it HERE on GradualDazzle's Anywhere But Here blog.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Quote of the day
From McGehee:
[snickersnicker]
Brought to you by the founder of the Get Offa My Lawn Party, with which I have aligned myself now that I have next to no use for the Repubicans.
That wasn't a typo, by the way. It's a Mark Levin-ism.
In 1976, the American people invited Jimmy Carter to become president and mind the public’s business. He wasn’t very good at it, so in 1980 the American people invited him to go home and mind his own damn business. He’s not very good at that either.
[snickersnicker]
Brought to you by the founder of the Get Offa My Lawn Party, with which I have aligned myself now that I have next to no use for the Repubicans.
That wasn't a typo, by the way. It's a Mark Levin-ism.
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