The morning after and things that go bump in the Night (or Dark)

The morning after and things that go bump in the Night (or Dark)

You do all your preparations.  You book a room with a reputable hotel chain.  You put your faith in them keeping you safe.  It is the second day of our Weekend Adventure.  Time to head home.   We wake up, hit the light switch and NOTHING …… wait, I must be hitting the wrong switch, so I try another, nothing…. Try still another…..Nothing…. huh….. no power.   I check the heater, no heat.   Okay, I did read possible power outages…..NO PROBLEM…. I dig out the tap light and put in the batteries..   AHHHHHH…..let there be light.     I then realize,   no power….means NO HOT WATER EITHER….How will I shower ?   OH NO ! ! ! …. Then reality really sinks in,,,,,,,, NO COFFEE ! ! ! !           This is not good.   Well, we figure we would go down stairs and at least take advantage of the Continental  Breakfast.   Hey, you don’t need power for juice and Danish, right ?   We open the door,   well, this isn’t good. 

The emergency hall lights aren’t lit.  A staff member is knocking on the room door next to ours giving the occupant his “wake up call”  explaining there is a power outage.   He is walking to go to the next room…..   He walks right into a door that separate one section of hall to another…. WHY ?   he is walking around in the dark, using his cell phone light to get around.   REALLY ?  Evidently,  that is the best light the hotel has to have their staff walk around with.   I am very concerned as to why the emergency lights are not illuminating the hallways……   I wonder, does that mean the smoke detectors are not operational either….  How can this be?   I thought these lights ran off a generator of sorts.   I guess not. 

 I gather my tap light and we proceed to find the stairs to go to the first floor….  We ask the gentleman walking around which way are the stairs….   He thinks  (THINKS ?) they are that way …..   as he points to the left.   We walk down the hallway, following the EXIT signs, (at least they are lit)   go thru a doorway and stand around looking for which way to go now. . .   I have no idea…..   I see no EXIT sign….   I finally find it,   It is dark, NOT LIT…   Isn’t that a serious safety violation. 

We make our way down the dark staircases with the small glow of the tap light.  The lobby area has lots of big windows so the day light is filtering in.  The front desk has a few candles.   I report my concern of the EXIT light not working on the floor above.    At least maybe we can get some coffee.   I see a staff member behind the desk with what looks like a cup of something hot……OH …. NO COFFEE….”The Breakfast room is closed.” So  NO SHOWER….. NO COFFEE…. NOT EVEN A MUFFIN.    I guess it is time to wrap it up and head home, so we go “UP the DOWN staircase”   -( I remember reading that book in my younger days and wasn’t it made into a movie?) gather our belonging and head out. 

We are only a few blocks from the interstate, not one Dunkin Donuts in sight.   I pick up my coffee cup and discover there is some coffee left from the day before.   Ummmmmmm  ICE COLD COFFEE.   There is even some coffee left in the thermos we usually bring.    We’re good…. Atleast for awhile.  

The landscape is incredible.   The trees are covered in a snow. It is more beautiful than anything I had seen the day before.  It certainly makes up for the lack of being able to see the colored foliage.   The temperature is only 27 degrees and I hope the elevated highways are not icy.  With the morning sun glistening on the mountain side, I attempt a Kodak Moment from the inside of the car, but the beauty can not be captured – maybe if I had a Nikon or Canon but probably not.   I don’t think glistening can be captured in a photo. 

As we finally cross into NJ, it is time to refill the gas tank and get some breakfast.  The line is long but moves along quickly.   As we wait for our meals, we learn from the couple sitting next to us just how bad the snow storm affected the area.  Loss of power & heat, closed roadways, downed wires, downed trees.   We were lucky to travel such a great distance with no issues, what lies ahead?    After a while we are back on the road and finally make it home with no detours or other issues. 

As I sit here this morning finishing this blog entry, I toss the notes of the remaining things I wanted to write about as I listen to the news.  I reflect back on the problems we left behind and the problems many are dealing with still today.   When we got home our house was about 53 degrees but I knew it would warm up after I turned on the heat as we had power, I shutter as I think of all of those still without power.

I think about the new travel pack I will make for when I go on my next overnight excursion whether it be just for one night or and extended period of time.  It will definitely be packed with flashlights, extra batteries, a battery operated smoke detector and c-o detector….I think I will have a note to be sure to add some certain foods too….maybe some crackers and peanut butter…..

I still have to figure out what to do about Caffeine needs though . 

Our Weekend Adventure (What do you mean a rare snow storm is on the way?)

Our Weekend Adventure (What do you mean a rare snow storm is on the way?)

It is Saturday morning and we begin our weekend adventure only 40 minutes late but that’s ok, we have to be there 30 minutes later than I thought….. So I guess you can say we are ONLY running 10 minutes behind schedule. 

I begin checking off the items on my mind’s list -   OH NO ! ! ! I forgot the check book.  I think an IOU for a wedding gift would be kind of tacky – who would forget a gift like that.  (Especially if you ultimately forget to mail it ) .  As my husband would always say, “It’s just a U-turn away”…. So back home we head… not to bad, we are only two blocks away. 

With check book in hand, I also grab a pad and pen to handwrite today’s blog entry for Sunday’s posting . 

( I am really trying hard to post every day). 

This was suppose to be an easy overnight trip. Our clothes are all picked out, my crocheting is in a bag for the ride,

invitation with address– check

hotel reservation confirmation – check

Mapquest directions – check (just in case GPS has issues)

Review Weather.com – “RARE OCTOBER SNOWSTORM HITTING THE EAST”            

(oh great ! ! ! )  just our luck   …. HUGH POWER OUTAGES EXPECTED  - double great.

So down to the basement I go to dig out my snow boots. I pull out the box of tap lights and grab that new package of AA batteries I got at Staples last week (you know the ones I am getting 100% rewards back).  Flashlights, headlamps – you name it, I grab it.   I will be prepared, I was a Girl Scout Leader.  (should I bring a snow shovel?  Maybe we have room for the small snow blower.)  I grab the big umbrella as I make my way out the door….maybe it will just be rain.

As we begin our journey, northwest, ½ hour into the ride, the rain changes to a wet, snow mix….. So much for wishful thinking.   Think it is time to bring out the GPS…MY Garmin GPS…. Not the Sony (I hate the Sony GPS)…. (With this cloud cover, maybe I will get a signal by the time we get there).   Hey, good news the GPS connects quickly.Bad news, the wet mix is now snow ! ! !

I was really looking forward to admiring the beauty of the foliage changes as we headed northern to the higher elevations… instead I see the mountains obscured by the low cloud cover….. STU   ….I mean crazy people driving without their headlights on, slush covered windshields on parked cars, even a guy at a used car lot looking at 4 wheel drive vehicles while his small, gas efficient car idles dangerously at the side of the road. WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN ?

We are now 1-1/2 hours driving…. In the Pocono’s…..Snow is covering the roadway, we pass a salt truck…(FYI - I know this is a picture of a semi, we had already passed the salt truck )  you can’t even see the exit signs for Rt. 380….It is a winter wonderland out there….. It looks like a day in late Jan. maybe February, not the end of October.  All I can say is …..good thing the traffic is very light. 

I look up from my crocheting, 6 rows done, 2-1/2 hours on the road and we cross out of PA into NY….Since getting out of Scranton, there is no snow, no rain, only exciting thing I see is a State Trooper sitting on the side of the road with his lights flashing..The outside ambient temperature has risen from a low of 31 to a high of 36 and it appears to be rising….this is a good thing. 

More time passes and we finally turn off the interstate and continue to follow the GPS directions….. taking us thru farm country….cow’s grazing and hanging out, 2 white horses that are standing so still they look stuffed and an Alpaca Farm sign…..wait …..WHAT ?

One car passes us by on this 15 mile county drive.   I think, how do people even find these places to live…and then remember how to get back to them.    A random car is parked on the side of the road probably collecting fire wood from the wooded area about 10 feet in from the street. Atleast it is a macadam roadway, not some dirt road.  A few more cars….could we be getting back to civilization ?   I then remember I really need to find a CVS, Walgreens or Walmart.   I FORGOT TO BUY A WEDDING CARD ! ! OH NO ! ! !   We arrive at the end of the road and the restaurant is just up a bit…. Not another thing in site…..We have 1-1/2 hrs to spare so I plug into the GPS ….”shopping” …we are about 5-1/2 miles West of the town of Greene.   It shows there is an Eckert Drug Store… good deal . 

 

What can I say about this town of Greene….. I feel like I am in the old West….. The whole town is about 3 blocks long….only there are cars and not horses.... Building connected to building connected to building….. The GPS tells us “you have arrive”  and it is not an Eckerd Drug store….. it is “MIMI’S “.   We decide to park and talk a stroll thru town…(shouldn’t take us but a few minutes)  Luckily we find a Rite-Aid….. I get my card.   I remember I have two letters I forgot to mail. Is there a Post Office ?  just down the street…. So we walk….we get there …They are “OUT TO LUNCH”   (REALLY ? )..   that’s okay, I will just drop them in the box. 

We decide it is time to head back to the restaurant for the wedding after we grab a small bite to eat at “Bonnie’s for Breakfast and Lunch”   How bad can it be …. The establishment has been there for over 25 years.  What a deal…. Where can you get an egg salad sandwich WITH potatoe chips for just $2.95.     It is time to leave Greene…. This cute  little town …. It may be little but it has … the local lunch joints, the drug store, 3 real estate agencies (really ?  three? ) , a pizza place and even a Chinese restaurant  - eat in or take out.  I wonder if they deliver ? ? ? 

We travel East, 5.1 miles  (hey look another alpaca farm ) soon we arrive at the SILO ….. is this the place?   There is no one here…(just some waitresses)… It is almost two….. the wedding is at 2:30.   ARE WE AT THE RIGHT PLACE ? ?  ARE YOU SURE?   We go back to the car, check the invitation…..right place…Where is everyone? ? ?

So we finally find someone who directs us to the proper door we should have gone in….. (Not the front door ? ? ? some door in the back ? ? WHO KNEW) …….

We find table 12 and we sit……. and wait……I glance out the window,  the view of the mountains is beautiful ….. an then I notice …….it is beginning to snow….OH GREAT ! ! !

What’s that say ?

What’s that say ?

Yeserday morning the house felt a little on the cool side.   I checked the thermometer in the living room that measures both the inside and outside temperatures.    WHAAT !!!!!! It got down to 36 degrees last night.    I’m sorry……. It is not even November yet.    I refuse to turn on the heat.   IT IS NOT IN MY BUDGET……it is right  before Halloween ……we have all this trick or treat stuff to get….. How can we disappoint all the little kids and tell them, sorry we had to pay the electric and gas company the money we usually use to buy your goodies.   I will just have to put on my fleece wear and suck it up.  

We already have started gathering the treats…… the snack packs of various kinds of chips,  those cheese and cheddar cracker packs, some popcorn packages, packages of hot chocolate, and I even found some decorator pencils while in the basement yesterday….what young child wouldn’t like a sparkly colored pencil.. do they still use pencils, is learning how to write still taught in our schools ?  To see some of the handwriting of some adults, I think penmanship was stopped a long time ago. 

I have seen some handwriting that looks like art….. just beautiful!   Oh how I wish my handwriting was better.   I remember bringing home many report cards, penmanship – D…..  just above failing.   What happened that my writing was so bad…. Didn’t I learn to hold my pencil correctly,   I think I learned how to color inside the lines,  why can’t I make my letter look pretty (and legible)  As I think back, the Bic pen wasn’t even invented yet or was it just not affordable to the likes of my family – only for the wealthy.   I believe it was in fifth grade , we could only use a fountain pen….. yes ….. a pen that you had to fill the ink into a little tube.  (Gosh am I dating myself)   and they had little nibs that went on to the end of the pen – kind of like the pens you use if you do calligraphy - just don’t mess up that nib.   And the school would only let you use a particular color of ink…. Was it indigo ?...(oh no, I don’t remember, I just remember you NEVER wanted to get that ink anywhere but in that pen )   If you were really lucky (and had the money),   you could use one of those pens that had little plastic cartridges that came pre-filled with ink. (Wasn’t that a Parker Pen)  Just pop that little cartridge in…. no bothering with pulling out the ink jar and pulling the little lever on the pen barrel to fill the reservoir.  

Your pen was your special tool   It was to you, what a paint brush was to an artist or a musician’s instrument.   You made sure you knew where it was… You cared for it, you may even have had it rebuilt if necessary.   I still love special pens, I remember a repair man taking a pen that I received as a birthday gift once.   I made the guy come back…. I didn’t want the money to buy another one.  I wanted the pen I received as a gift.   While  although I prefer to type on a keyboard….. I can write faster and it is easier to read…… DON”T TAKE MY PEN – especially…. My special pen.   Take one of those cheap, disposable, clone pens…. The ones your can get 12 for $1….who cares, everyone looks the same.  I feel special when I use my special pen…. I think about what I want to write and I try to form my letters carefully… (but I still think I would get a D)…. But I know you can read it.  

A guy was explaining some of the features of his new phone today…… he gave it a command….. It responded with the answer back.. I know there are computer programs now that will automatically write what you speak.   Technology is just moving too fast….. (hey, maybe he could talk to that piece of paper that he filled out that I can’t read what he wrote and readable letters will automatically appear)

I shutter to think that the pen and pencil may someday go by the way of LP records, 8-track tapes, or beta-max recordings.   The pen may be mightier than the sword BUT I think technological advances may be even mightier. 

So as the little children come to my house on Halloween, and if they are lucky enough to get one of these flashy looking pencils,  I hope they can look back someday and remember  the writing instrument they received instead of a piece of candy.  I hope they will bring it to class and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to use this tool to learn how to form their letters and words that look like art (and that can be read easily).  And hopefully  get a better grade than a D. 

A trip down to the basement…Detoured to Memory Lane

As my neighbor would call it, it was a “me” day.   It was Thursday, and I had the day all to myself.   No special jobs to go to, no emergency “you have to come over and help me out” call,  just a day for me to decide whatever I wanted to do.

The day was rainy and somewhat depressing but I felt pretty motivated.   I wanted to sew.  I can’t remember the last time I felt motivated to use the sewing machine.   I knew exactly what I wanted to do.   A long time ago I purchased a fabric panel to make a soft Christmas book.  (I had emptied a bag of stuff out and saw some quilt batting and thought it would be a small perfect project that could easy get completed)

Before I started I wanted to get some banking done and get some lunch.  On my way home,   My “smart” car….. starts talking to me .....bing ...bing ...binging….. I look down at the smart lights and  it tells me,  Your Engine is excessively hot…I know some consider it a  "hot" but ugly car,  but REALLY ? Do you have to announce it?… I look at the temp gauge and it is buried in the HOT RED ZONE…… OH SHOOT…… It is raining, I am about 2 miles from home…. What am I going to do?.. Do I even have an umbrella with me ?..... So I did what anyone would do…. SHUT OFF THE CAR AND SIT THERE, searching the memory banks, I contemplate what to do next, so much for my "me" day…….A few minutes pass…… I pop the hood…… I check the anti-freeze overflow tank, it is filled with anti-freeze….. I hear a fan running …. Huh…. My smart car is trying to be "cool" and bring the engine temp down…WHO KNEW?….I turn the key, and the temp is going down…. BING.....I then remember if you turn on the heat, it should dissipate some of the heat, maybe it will go down enough so I can at least get home…In notice the a/c button is lit and the temp setting is on hot, WHY ?, maybe that is why it ran hot? WHO IS PUSHING MY BUTTONS?  …. Who knows ….. the temp is back down to normal and I FINALLY get home …WHEWWW….. I will definitely have to get this checked out..... but not today.

So back to my sewing project,  I know exactly where that panel book material is…. At least I thought I did.   I go over to the sewing machine that is located in the basement and  OH NO ! !…… there were piles of boxes all over.    When Hurricane Irene was coming around a few weeks ago, many items were picked up off the floor and just PILED everywhere and anywhere.  GREAT ….. so I start my search…….

The adventure to find the Christmas fabric is ready to begin but I hit a detour, I am sent down Memory Lane instead…..

I find a box,

a few gas credit card receipts …. Huh, look at that… gas was $1.33 a gallon.   It only cost $13-14 to fill the tank…. Unlike the $50+ it takes today, I find an old pay stub.....wow, I was really socking the bucks away back then, a letter from my best friend in  high school … she is commenting that she is now as old as our old Steno teacher was when we were back in High School -we would even write letters in steno to each other so no one could read them - including me now;  a plastic alpha bead bracelet that spells out the word “MEEP”…..(strange how I have heard my daughter using that word not long ago, I thought we made it up…..)A pattern of an afghan I made for my brother to match his new Cavalier, (I think that was before he got married and he has been married 27 years now... ); my orange t-sheet from our Girl Scout survival camping trip at Camp Hoover when the girls learned about Hug-a-Tree and how to make a shelter out of a black, plastic bag and don't forget to bring a bright piece of clothing when you go camping.  There are things from past Halloweens , (that homemade, big stuffed pink character my daughter insisted she had to have as a costume prop, all the McDonald potato toys so lovingly collected by my dad and given to his granddaughter, a homemade mini-mouse costume for a 3 year old, mini holiday books picked out at the school book sale brochure- did they count for the Pizza Hut Book-It program ?  )   

There were photos, old newspaper clippings of special events, all those magazines and books on choosing, getting into and paying for college, tons of old computer magazine (remember Windows 95 ? ),  a box of record albums that run on 78 speed (can you even get a turn table that will run that speed anymore and who are these artists?), 8-track tapes,  Magnovox and Mattel video games and to many tapes too mention -(remember Donkey Kong and what about that Burger game-one of my favorites ?),   and lets not forget all those stuffed animals - beanie babies, The "mom I have to have it" Owl, rewards for selling enough Girl Scout cookies, the menagerie is endless.

SO MUCH STUFF…….. EVEN MORE RECIPES ! ! ! !   UGHHHHH.

I look at  the Puffalumps and consider putting them in one of those vacuum storage bags to gain some space,  but don’t think I can bring myself to “suck the life” out of them.  

So many memories…….how does one begin to part with these things…. I read somewhere to take pictures and put them in a book,   but how do you touch or hug a picture?   Do the memories come back as strong?.   I do manage to discard some things and other things will be put away.  

At last, I finally locate the item I originally started out looking for.   It will have to be put to the side and done another time.   The day is almost over, it has been a long journey.  I decide I will need to visit this place again.  

I will consider making up a Memory book of pictures for when I get old and forgetful to help remind me of all the wonderful events and chapters of my life. (I have already forgotten the name of that Burger game that  I loved playing so much)…

As I shut off the lights and make my way upstairs, my eyes catch sight of a favorite t-shirt,   On the front is Calvin of Calvin & Hobbes (who didn't love reading them ) ……   The shirt expresses my sentiments  PERFECTLY! ! !  Maybe some day I will be able to fit into it again.   Oh.... such memories ! ! ! 

Stupid Can’t be fixed ……. Or can it ?

You have probably seen the t-shirts at some point…… Just letters and an arrow on the front or back of a T-shirt.   Who would buy it, much less who would even think or want to wear it…..One proudly announcing ”I AM WITH STUPID” , the other clarifying who “STUPID” was.

Stupid…… it is just a word.  But it is a powerful word.  We have probably all used it at one time or another, maybe have even been called it a few times.   I don’t think it is a very nice word, It can ruin our day, make us sad, question our self worth.   Our household even considered it a “bad word” when our daughter was growing up.    I remember the day when I must have been having a bad day and I used it for some reason…my daughter, maybe only four or five at the time….. started to cry.  “Mama, you said a bad word, you are not suppose to say that word”.  SHAME ON ME ….

Not long ago, I saw a post on facebook…..one person calling another stupid.   I was horrified….I was offended ….. It was such a “bad” word…. I told the person you shouldn’t use that word….. I felt better.  It turned out to be an inside joke I was not privy to.

Stupid -  according to dictionary.com –

a.         Lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind, dull 

(Who doesn’t know someone who would fall into this category)

b.         Tediously dull, especially due to lack of meaning or sense –

( and just why am I doing this? , but hey if you want to pay me to do it, fine with me )

c.         Annoying or irritating, troublesome  

(describes my computer to a tee right now….it won’t let me copy and paste these definitions )  

d.         In a state of stupor.

            (definitely me when I don’t get my 8 hours of sleep)  

And speaking of stupid, what about those drivers out on the highway you have to watch out for…. You know the ones I am talking about….. you are making your turn , you have the right of way, your blinker is on and they decide THEY should go first, they cut you off, they go in your lane….WHAT ARE THEY THINKING ! ! ! !….. I can’t decide what definition they fall under….. is it a,b,c, d or ALL OF THE ABOVE.   

And squirrels…..what is their problem?….Driving home the other day, I turned on the highway and a squirrel darts out.  They see you coming and they decide they can run across the streets, but then as they are approaching the vehicle, they make that quick turn and run back…They have that built in radar.  I would definitely define him as a classic A & D definition.    How do I know ?   Well, let’s just say I know and we will leave it at that.  STUPID SQUIRRIL ! ! !

I have decided I have to remove this word from my vocabulary….. I don’t want “dull” and “Tediously dull, especially due to lack of meaning or sense “ things in my life.  I want excitement and meaningfulness. (maybe this is what the squirrel was doing.?...nah...not the kind of excitement I want ....darting towards the path of a moving car).  And it is not in my power to control “annoying or irritation, troublesome” and “being in a state of stupor” ?    Just how hard can this be ?  

Wednesday morning,  I saw a glimmer of hope….. another squirrel ….. just sitting in the middle of the street.   I approach in my car, and he doesn’t move,  OH NO …. NOT AGAIN…… I wait for the sound…. BUT….  I don’t hear anything…… Could he have been smart enough to just sit tight ?    Not move……. Just let the car roll on by….over his back.

Maybe stupid can be fixed, maybe we need to just let things roll over our backs more, like this squirrel did, like I think he did anyway …….or…….maybe there is just too much  ……..CRAZY out there ! ! ! …

I think I am going to have to look that definition up on dictionary.com.  Then I will have to think about that word and its meanings for awhile.....Hummmmm ......I think that could lead to another interesting and thought filled post.  

Mother Nature

Mother Nature....your are amazing.  All you have to do is take a few minutes and really look around you.   Have you ever stopped to watch a spider build it’s web?  It is an amazing site to watch…… Running back and forth, up and down, and just where do they get all that “string” ?   We have a few spiders that live in the Lambs Ears around the base of our swimming pool.  During the summer, we enjoy looking over the side of the pool and watch our tiny neighbors build their webs to catch the nights dinner.

I remember one year, don’t remember how long ago, but we sat out in our back yard (and boy was it cold ) and watched the sky.  So many shooting stars were happening that night…… watching the trails of light ….. etching the evening sky.

I heard on the radio yesterday morning of a rare event.  

 “The mid-South was surprised Monday night with a rare sighting of the phenomenon known as the aurora borealis, or Northern Light, and forecasters say the effect could make a second appearance tonight:

Reported sightings of the aurora trickled in from Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and as far south as northern Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service (NWS)."

How did I miss this post on my Yahoo mail ?   I would have sat up all night…. In the back yard ….. in the cold……..Just for the remote possibility of seeing this amazing event.      

Many times when I walk from our living room to our kitchen, I catch a glance of the sun going down and get a chance to see the beautiful colors in the sky….. Mother Nature….. Where can I get those colors of crayons ?  Are they a custom mix?  Catching that site, you have to be quick as it can change in a matter of seconds.  From my recollection, one night after going to bed, I believe it was somewhere between midnight and one, I woke up and knew I would not be able to fall back asleep.  On nights like this,   I would get up, make myself a cup of tea, watch a little tv, until I was ready to fall back asleep.   As I walked from the Living Room to the kitchen, with my usual  habit of looking out the window, something caught my eye.  It was the night sky…… HEY….. WHAT IS THAT ? ? ? I saw blues and greens …Flashes of many colors….It was  a psychedelic  light show……WHAT ?  It is suppose to be dark…..black, maybe with a bit of moon light.. I went and opened the front door and saw what I believe to be the Aurora Borealis ! ! !   in NJ ! ! !  It can’t be I thought…. I had seen photographs, but that is only visible way up north…. Not here.   By the time I realized what I was watching…. I rushed to wake up the other family members….but….. it was too late…. It was gone …. A brief view for only my eyes to see.   I never did see any news reports on it… It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. 

I don’t have a lot of wants in my life.  I wonder sometimes why….I am pretty content with what we have.   We live a fairly simple life… Our home is small and yet large enough.  We are not big spenders but we do try to do some fun things.  We have our pool to keep us cool in the summer and our vacations are usually in the off season.  We are lucky to have jobs that allow our budget to work .  

Vacation planning is always a challenge.  It shouldn’t be.  Where should we go, what should we do.   I like to visit museums, I want to see interesting places and things…. I don’t want to just sit on a beach somewhere and read a book.   I want to expand my mind…. I loved our trip to Rhode Island one Christmas….

participating in their live Nativity and touring the decorated homes of the wealthy of the past…the Gilded Age ..can’t even imagine having that kind of money…..I would love to go to Hawaii again, maybe tour a volcano…… I hear Alaska is nice……BUT…. To see the Aurora Borealis…… THAT WOULD BE AMAZING…… 

My husband saw an ad in the travel section not long ago……I think it was a cruise or maybe pointing out inexpensive air travel……I remember responding when he showed me the ad…. ‘THE NORTHERN LIGHTS” …. I haven’t thought about it since then…. Until now…. I HAVE A WANT ! ! Something to add to my bucket list.  

So as we begin to approach the end of the year, with all the upcoming holidays and their preparations, along with the increased work load that comes along with being in the profession I am in,  I need to fit in the planning to fulfill my want to see the Aurora Borealis.   I have never traveled outside the United States…. All these new travel rules…. Better get on this……

I will begin to gather some Passport Applications and start looking at the travel sections ……. 

Or…..

Maybe I will be lucky enough to wake up one night, and catch a glimpse of them just outside my door ….. here in New Jersey.  

I will be looking for you tonight Mother Nature dressed in your best attire…… in the late, night time sky…..just outside my front door. YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING ! ! ! 

Kitchen Gadgets, Apple Pie & Unmarked Spice Jars

On Sunday, I had wanted to play Colonial Mom and bake an apple pie.  That didn’t happen.  I spent most of the day looking for that favorite recipe.  I knew exactly where it was.  In that “Pie” Cookbook that I had.  I looked in the bookcase where most of the cookbooks are kept,  NOPE….. not there.   I looked in another area where the Cookbook Encyclopedia series is stored… NOPE …. Not there either…… AHHHHH….. Found a box filled with more cookbooks…..WHAT, not here?   Where could that book be?  I thought a moment, and realized I didn’t see my garnishing books anywhere….OK… another place to look.  SUCCESS….. there it was, under those books.   (Why ? )  I opened the book, began to look thru the pages and THERE IT WAS.  The newspaper cut out with a recipe for the best Apple pie I ever tasted along with a crust recipe I had gotten from an old neighbor who baked all the time.  From my recollection, this crust was so easy to roll out, I was excited.   I looked at the clock and realized, it was late and I was really to tired to begin making an apple pie.  It would have to wait for another time.

Monday morning, I feel a sense of guilt of not making the pie the day before.  This blog has given me a new sense of accountability.  I MUST make this pie…. I wrote it down, it was a goal…not just a dream.   It was early enough, I didn’t have to leave for a job for hours.   So I started.

I love kitchen gadgets, my latest being “eggies” even though the review were mixed. (hey, I could always use them to make Jello eggs at Easter if the extraordinary stuffed eggs don’t work out)  You name it, I probably got it…… slicers, dicers, zig-zag cutters, mixers, bakers, silicon pans, crock pots, pressure cookers, … the list goes on and on).  Unlike the Colonial Mom, I began to gather all those time saving kitchen wonders…… definitely that apple corer/slicer/ cutter, the pastry blender, that special “Paint” brush…..

I begin and I have 6 Granny Smith apples sliced/diced and peeled in lightening speed time.   I begin to collect the ingredients and begin mixing the sugar and spices with the apples and see my cinnamon jar is empty… not a problem, here is the unlabeled jar that came home with my daughter from college last year.  I shake in the cinnamon, what a wonderful aroma…WAIT…WHAT ! ! ! !  WHAT IS THIS…. OH NO…… IT IS NOT CINNAMON…. IT IS COCOA POWDER ! ! ! ..whoops …..I go back to the pantry and find some cinnamon and think “its only a little, how bad can it be”  With the  apples, sugars and spices all mixed in the bowl I begin waiting for the juices to form and drain.

Time to make the crust.  I carefully read the recipe and gather the ingredients for that.  Going to be more careful on this one.   I reach the ingredient…..VINEGAR…. but what kind of vinegar ?   I have white , red, balsamic, pomegranate, apple cider…. That’s it  Apple Cider,  it has to be that,  I mean it IS an apple pie.  I begin to mix all the crust ingredients, making a mental note that I need to get more Crisco for my next baking event….hey, I really need some tunes, so with dough covered fingers I go and turn on the radio to listen to some music while I work.    I find the deep dish pyrex pie pan…. The one I remember my mom using when she would make pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving when I was a child……I roll out the dough and realize how “dough circle” challenged I am.  Who would think it would be so difficult to roll out a 12 “ circle of dough….I try to think back to when I was a child, I loved playing with my Play-Doh, I rolled out dough all the time….. have I forgotten how?     I will try to do better with the top, it has to be like riding a bike, it will come back. 

With crust in pan, (OH NO, I don’t have any apricot preserves to paint on the bottom, this Chinese duck sauce packet will have to do ),  I drain the apples as instructed, mix in some cornstarch….another item to add to the grocery list…..dump these delicious smelling apples into the crust and proceed to thicken the liquid…..time to think about the pie top.   I contemplate creating a lattice top… look at the time and decide otherwise.   Maybe I can find a cookie cutter of some leaves…. I remember that from a magazine somewhere…. I mean this is a work of art… after pouring in the thickened liquid into the apples,..I roll out the 12” inch circle  (much better this time)  fold it carefully and place it on top of the pie, unfold it and cut away the excess along the edges.  Plenty of dough to create some leaves……. I look thru my mini cookie cutter…… hearts, circles, rabbits ….. no leaves…… flowery looking ones, and then I see the one I will use…… I roll out the leftover dough, carefully cutting and placing the cutouts along the top of the pie.   Edges crimped (where is that special pie edger tool ? )  The assembly is finished and it is ready to go into the freezer (12 hours for a crispy dough)…..I look at the clock…. About 1 hour and 15 minutes has elapsed, not as bad as I though,( but the kitchen is a disaster).  I am elated I have accomplished this goal.

The pie is still in the freezer, it will be baked later today for tonight’s dinner.   I look at my work of art…… with the circle of Angels and the Big Heart in the center and say a prayer to say how thankful I am for all I have in my life and the Angels who watch over all of us and keep us safe from harm.

Mrs. SMITH…. Watch out….. this pie may just put you out of business ! ! ! ! ! 

The new look in footware ...

I hate shopping for footware.  I love my Brooks walkers.  They support my arches (with my poly-sorb inserts), they support my ankles, they are well made and last me about six months, and they are EXPENSIVE.  I found them at a specialty shoe store years ago when I was having such pain in my toes due to developing arthritis in my big toe joint.  I went to this store because I was tired of wasting money on footware, spending $40-$50 on a pair of sneakers only to discover my feet would hurt.  (I now buy them online,  usually saving $30 a pair and they are delivered right to my door).  I am lucky, my work locations don't require me to wear "dressy" shoes.   After all the years I wore fashion high heels, my toes are now paying the price   So for the last 20 years or so, I have been living in "sneaker" type footware.    

On Sunday's, we usually occupy the front pew in church.   As all the people walk by, I find myself looking at their feet...... actually their shoes.   Always on the lookout for something that appears to be comfortable footware.   A big craze over the last few years has been UGGS.  I thought about them, tried on the comparable styles at K-mart and said, NOPE.... no arch supports.   The summer time is really challenging, watching all the wonderful styles of sandles, and flip flops.   I probably would be crippled by the end of the day.  OH.... WHY DID I ABUSE MY FEET SO FOR FASHION....

As of late, I have been noticing what appears to be that people at church have been forgetting to change their footware in the morning.  Now don't get me wrong, I love my slippers.  I can't even think of walking around in the morning barefoot.  I love my Dearfoams, it is like putting my delicate toes in a soft, warm cloud, so much better then stepping on that cold, hard wooden floor.   BUT .... wearing slippers to Church ?

An event is coming up and I need a pair of "dressy" footware.   My Brooks just won't cut it. So with a 30% OFF special coupon from Kohls in hand, and knowing they were having their "spend $50. / get a coupon for $10 back", I decided to set out on a quest to find a comfortable pair of shoes to wear to this event.  (It is a wedding and I shutter to think of the time I may be spending be-bopping around on a dance floor-will my toes be able to handle it?)

I went down each aisle looking at the various selections, "Nope, too narrow", "not dressy enough", "these look like something my grandmother used to wear", "Maybe a nice pair of boots?".......WAIT-----------Why are these "slippers" in the shoe aisle ? ? ?   Could it be ?   Is there no longer a distinction between indoor and outdoor footware?    Is this why i have been thinking people have been coming into church forgetting to change their shoes and wearing their slippers outdoors?   I didn't realize i was so fashion challenged.

I was curious....I picked up the "shoe",  with it's slip on feature and fleece lining.  Another style that just would not work for me.   How do you get an arch support in a shoe like this.   I continued my search and finally found a pair I thought would do.   The price was right - on sale for $26 - with my 30% off, they will come down to $20.   I tried my size on,  just a little snug but not too bad..... I went 1/2 size up and slipped in my Poly-sorbs.   OMG ! !  they fit perfectly.     I thought, could it be, could I finally wear a pair of real shoes.

I look forward to breaking my shoes in today so I will know if I can handle them at the wedding.   As far as the new style of  footware that seems to be breaking out,   maybe I will have to give them another look over.... when it is time to replace my current Dearfoams - or maybe I will stick with what I know and hope  Costco has their usual special pricing at Christmas time.

A Yearly Tradition? Storytellers

This past Friday and Saturday, East Jersey Olde Towne Village was holding it's yearly Halloween Story telling event. The events are free ..... you just have to pre-register.   We have been going for a few years now... so i guess it has now become an annual tradition.  The weather last night cooperated unlike last year when it was cold, and rainy.   This year it seemed the attendance was much lighter then in the past.  Maybe it was because we got there earlier than usual this year and had some time to enjoy the light refreshments of Hot or Cold apple cider and an assortment of cookies - chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, coconut macaroons,  chocolate..... the assortment was abundant.  Stories of haunted houses, reincarnations,an undertaker that switched heads , and people who were thought to be dead that were buried alive, I have to admit I did jump a few times.

For those who don't know, East Jersey Olde Towne Village is a collection of buildings from revolutionary times and even prior that have been moved from their prior locations and positioned on park property to form a little town.   The buildings are now heated and have bright lights.  Collections of artifacts that have been found around the area when it was occupied by early settlers creates a mini museum of sorts.  Various types of events are held year round... My most favorite was the reciting of the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe (they must have raised him from the dead because this guy looked just like Poe's picture).    I have also learned the art of Philippine palm weaving and  Polish Pysanky egg decorating.   They have an up coming event in Indian fabric dying (I believe)   .
The best part, IT IS ALL FREE ! ! ! JUST SIGN UP.   There is not much to do these days that is free so I think I will begin to pay more attention to the events that are offered .  There is so much history in this area, areas that I have never explored, including many of the buildings on this property.

So with this upcoming season of pumpkins and harvests, I am thinking I may take the afternoon and think of what a Colonial mom would be doing this afternoon......I think I will bake an apple pie..... now where is that favorite recipe of mine ? ? ? ?

New College Curriculum needed

I  think a new course of study needs to be added to College curriculum.  - : Engineering Science - Concentration: Real Life.

ADVANCED HOME MECHANICS-As I was vacuuming the carpets this morning and realized I smelled something burning,  I KNEW EXACTLY what it was.   The belt running the beater bars was jammed for some reason, not spinning and starting to heat up.   I then proceeded to unplug the vacuum and begin disassembling the area of trouble.  As I went through the steps of raising the height level, releasing the belt, undoing the thing-a-ma-gig, removing the cover, and finally getting the bar out,  I got out my trusty, little pointed scissors, and proceed to cut all the wound up hair that had accumulated around the belt area on the bar.  But that was not the problem..... I had neglected to pick up a small, left over skein of yarn that had fallen on the floor and the vacuum had picked up the end and the yarn started to wrap around the bar until it was so jammed, the bar couldn't spin anymore, there overheating the rubber belt.   NOT A NICE SMELL AT ALL.   Luckily, I caught it in time and saved the belt.  (I have in the past not realized what was happening and realized too late, doing such damage to the belt, it had broken.    As I put everything back together again, I thought about how many vacuum's get thrown in the garbage because of the lack of knowledge of how to take it apart and clean out the hair that is shed by the long haired occupants of the home.   Just where are you suppose to learn how to take apart a vacuum with a beater bar....I don't recall it being in the instruction manual... but then again, who reads that anyway.

Another class should be - PURCHASING A CAR - 101.    
How are you suppose to know to look at where the battery is installed?  "What do you mean it is going to cost extra to have a new battery install because that support bar has to be removed" .    
And you know those nice windshield wipers that both the driver and passenger side  sweep to the center, giving a greater area of cleared vision during rain or snow storms?  Well, if they are not positioned JUST PERFECTLY.... they will jam.... during the rain.... and you can't see...and you will get wet trying to dislodge them from one another.......NOT BUYING A CAR WITH THEM ANYMORE.  And speaking of wipers, the ones that  hide out of site into the hood area.... they are great for collecting acorns ! ! !

And you know those expected MPG's that are posted ..... DON'T BELIEVE IT ! ! ! ! ..... And what the heck is TIER 1 Gas ?   I have heard of Regular and Super.  but  TIER ONE ? ? ? Never saw that on any gas pump.... how much extra is that going to cost to operate this vehicle.  

Let talk about this needed class GROCERY SHOPPING-HOW TO NOT BE OVERCHARGED 
I buy an onion at $.49 / lb and a tomato at $.79   and the cashier puts them on the scale together to price them out.... WHAT ! ! ! .... is this some special kind of new scale that can differentiate  between an onion and tomato and the two different prices ? ? ?  (Maybe I would have gotten the right response if I asked the question in Spanish). I think this could fall under basic math but what about having to memorize all those shelf prices so you can watch the register that it rings up correctly.  WHAT, I get it free if it  rings up wrong and I catch it ! ! !  What about all those other people who are overpaying for this item.?  SHAME ON THEM for not watching and knowing.  

COOKING - OUTSIDE THE BOX  - I am sure we all had some sort of cooking in either Jr. high or high school,  but I am getting really tired of the open the jar of sauce and cook some pasta up.   How do you make a meatloaf again?     I think a nice mid-term project would be to make up a cookbook with 30 days worth of easy to make recipes so on those days when you worked all day and maybe had to go to school at night, you can whip up something  good and forgo the boxed mac and cheese or raman noodles.

Mandatory classes would include
YOUR BEST FRIEND-YOUR SMART PHONE-How to keep it and pay for it; 
LAUNDRY - Keeping your clothes from turning pink  
BUDGETS & PLANNING-What is that 
CREDITS CARDS AND SPENDING-let the games begin 
and lets not forget
YOUR COMPUTER-know more than just where the on switch is

As I think about things that have happened over the years, maybe I could have been better prepared if I had the opportunity to take :
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WATER HEATERS 
HURRICANES & BASEMENTS 
WASHING MACHINE HOSES DON'T LAST FOREVER


Actually the list is endless and it is time for me to go cook up some lunch.

I wonder how popular this kind of program would be ?

SOOOOO......What's for dinner?

Thank goodness it is Friday.  Friday dinners are tough around my house.  My husband likes to keep up with the "no meat on Friday".   Growing up,  Catholic families never ate meat on Fridays because that was the Catholic rule.  Don't particularly know why that rule was changed.   At his house, each day of the week was dedicated to a particular food...ie: Chicken or Pork on Monday, Steak on Tues, Pasta on Wednesday, Steak (again) on Thursday (his dad loved steak) ,a non-meat meal on Friday, Saturday was "mom doesn't have to cook day " - dinner out or something like pizza ..and Sunday was the BIG MEAL  --- dinner with Nana -  the Roast Beef or Roast Pork, with potatoes and vegetables -  the FEAST !!!

Well, I was well prepared today.   I collect recipes .... from everywhere.... newspapers, magazines, the labels from jars or the back of boxes.   I just can't help myself.  My favorite garlic bread recipe came from a garden seed magazine one of my best friends from high school sent me years ago.   I have recipes in notebooks, file folders, hanging on the fridge, in a computer program,  not to mention all the cookbooks I have accumulated over the years.   WHY DO I KEEP THEM ! ?  There are so many good recipe sites on the internet.   But, what if I have to make it again and I can't find it, then what.    A cousin of my husbands decided to do a "family cookbook".    I sent her all of my favorites so now they are in a word document too!.  She even included family tree information..  It was nice sharing family recipes, recipes we may never ever know about or even think of trying.

Tonight's dinner -  Salmon with Spicy Cranberry Sauce and Pumpkin Cheddar Mac and Cheese.  The Salmon recipe looks like it is a page ripped out of a magazine and the M&C was off the internet ( the print is so small though I had to put on a pair of reading glasses while i was preparing dinner - so since I am now in a darkened room, forget about me reading where it came from. )

Eating food and making dinner is such a major part of our being.  As I look back at the years, I wonder why I haven't put in more effort to make REALLY GOOD food.   Well, this is someone that I have now determined  that I want to be.  Try to find the time to make some really good meals and share them with all that I know ....
because I know..... they are probably thinking the same thing.....

UGHHHHHH....WHAT AM I GOING TO MAKE FOR DINNER TONIGHT ! ! ! !


 

Coupons, Rebates and Rewards

Who doesn't love to save money.   Today was a wonderful day.

I saved $15.00 on my oil change using the sign up coupon I got when I signed up for the Auto Rewards Club a few months ago.

I then went to Staples.  Got some ink for one of the printers and because I had 3 empty non-hp ink cartridges to turn it, I will get this month's special of $10.00 Rewards each (limit 3).  THAT'S $30.00 in rewards.... FREE MONEY TO SPEND .... Oh, and did I mention that I get 100% back in rewards for the 16 package of AA batteries I bought, that's another $10.  (I really didn't think I needed the AAA but I can alway go back before Saturday)

I stopped and filled the Aztek gas tank and used my AAA credit card that will give me 2% back on gas purchases ... and I even got the good gas.... Exxon with that special molecule that will keep my engine running cleaner.  Hey, why not, the credit card price was the same as all the other gas stations.   Sorry Petro19, you are just not a bargain this week.

I am thinking of using the credit card to pay this month's phone/internet/cable bill.   That should be worth about $3 that will help pay the AAA bill when it comes in.

I am ashamed to say though that my husband has me beat with his grocery couponing.   Last weeks grocery bill was about $104..... after all the coupons came off,  it was just over $60.   I don't know how he does it, he has a gift.

I wonder if you could make a living shopping for others and keeping all the coupon saving ?

WHAT I DID TODAY !

Pasta night has come and gone....atleast for this week.  I lost track of time at work and didn't get home till about 6:30..not much time to search for a good recipe.  I did, however, pull out the pasta machine and attempted to make some home made ravioli..... they were ........ just ok.. I din't have much time to look for an amazing stuffing so just used ricotta cheese.  My dough should have been rolled out thinner too.. At least it was dinner and i did something I have been wanting to do for quite awhile.  I did find however an interesting recipe that I may make on Friday though..... pumpkin mac and cheese.. (I think that is what is was called)  Found it on RRay site.... the last recipe I made from that site was amazing !

I finished up 16 rows of my latest crochet project which is very encouraging since the project was put to the side for quite awhile.

I feel like I had a good day at work .... somewhat anyway..... report problems that took way too long to fix because someone else didn't know what they were doing.... but .... I believe everyone wants to do a good job and I was able to identify that the new person was just never told how to do it right.   Is training people on what to do so hard ?

Well, most of my goals for the day have been met .... some at a higher level than other..... just one left to finish....and that is to get that notebook bedside.

Did I say "Dreams"?

I really need to understand my body needs a full 8 hours of sleep.  Maybe I am not as old as I sometimes feel.  They say as you get older, you need less sleep.  Well apparently, I need a full 8 hours.   I am usually up at 6 AM.  Today ..... slept till 8.   Maybe this rainy, dark gloomy weather has something to do with it.   Well it is really cramping my style this morning..... losing 2 hours of valuable morning time before heading off to my Wednesday assignment.   Oh well, will have to do a shortened post.

So let me tell you about my dreams.  I remember having three last night.  (I really have to put a notepad by the side of the bed) but only remember two.  I know the third was interesting but for the life of me, can't remember it now.  (I did when I woke at six and decided to sleep in a little)

It has been said that if you look at the dream and make your first association as to what comes to mind, you can probably relate it to something that has happened the day or so before.... something on your mind.

My first dream was that I was at a train station.... I think it was Baltimore... not that I have ever been in that train station but it was a large station ...(watched enough old movies to know what train stations other than Bound Brook and NY Penn look like)... anyway.... I kept looking around wondering what train I was suppose to be taking... Not much of an exciting dream, but I was confused.... Who isn't these days with the state of our world and economy.

My second dream was that I was called into an office to discuss job processes and procedures.  The offices looked like a place I worked back in the late 70's.   I loved that job, they relocated to Princeton.  "They" helped pay for my college expenses.  I worked there for 15 years.  I didn't think my boss was very good, they finally let him go, and the new female boss was a "killer"... I left there after my child was born, the commute was just too much.  Anyway, in the dream a new person who took over some job assignments (not sure what kind of company this was or where it was at),  couldn't understand BASIC  record/bookkeeping procedures.  They were suppose to be so "experienced".   I remember, shaking my head to myself in disbelief, and as I was walking out the door,  I looked at the boss (a current person in authority ) and I said, "I hope you are not paying this person more than what you were paying me" and I shook my head and I left.

I wonder what Sigmund Freud would have to say.  

Really wish I could remember that 3rd dream.

My goal for today...... put a notebook by the bedside...then get into the shower.... I think I can handle that easily.    And of course, figure out something amazing for Pasta dinner night.

Wishes, Dreams and Goals

So I remember, I believe it was from a management class, it was stated that your desires are only wishes and dreams until you write them down.... they then become your goals.   There must be something to this because I think this blog is finally a way for me to reach some goals....

I was amazed at how focused I was this morning .... FINALLY .... all the dishes cleaned out of the sink and put away to boot..... My "DOG WALKER" self took a morning stroll down by the lake, and the "AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER " attempted to make an appearance.... didn't work out so well....will have to work on that one.

So I did all the dishes, walked the dog, played photographer and even was a "GAMER"  all before 9 AM.  quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself.   I didn't want to play "COMMUTER" again today but it was out of my control, the BB rotary was all backed up, so I took River Rd..... had no choice.... go delayed due to road paving and then got on the short span of Interstate I needed to take and traffic was ALL OVER THE PLACE..... found out later something did happen that caused all the traffic congestion but still don't know what it was.   So my 8-9 minute drive ended up taking about 20 minutes....oh well , not to big of a deal

Four hours of my day was spent being "MOVING CONSULTANT"......"yes, it is affordable to you"  "okay, I will write the expenses down again for you",  "I do plan on making a list of all the people and places you have to call to change your address and have your services shut off".  Will I make it to Dec. 1 when this move takes place ?   This "hat" is usually only worn on Tuesday Mornings so I think it will have a rest.

Since I had to play "OFFICE ASSISTANT" yesterday afternoon, I decided to stop at my bookkeeping job and try to catch up some.  I mean it is Oct. 18 and I really should have the Sept. 30 financial out to the owners soon.... YA THINK ! ! !    Hopefully, my "BOOKKEEPER" hat will fit snugly tomorrow and I can get everything done with little interruption.

Happy to say, the "TAX FILER" finally got it all together and got the sales tax return filed, but it was after 5 pm .. good thing today is the 18, so it will be paid on the 20th.... gotta watch those deadlines.

I got to play "COMPUTER TROUBLE SHOOTER" today too.   Went to start up a program and it would not open up.... so i did what any computer guru would do..... REINSTALL...(I was a little nervous, i have to admit)..then  the printer started to act up at the office..... no problem .... pull the power cord, plug it back in and resend to the printer..... wa la. ! !

Tomorrow is Wednesday ... and we all know what that means..... don't we ?   It is Pasta night. ! ! !   "ITALIAN CHEF" hat ..... I need to really add some new recipes to the menu.....Food Network or foods.com I will be looking.... maybe there will be some really cool thing done with pasta on CHOPPED tonight..... I will be watching , how about you ?

Well, my "CROCHET QUEEN" hat is calling out to me .  I have 144 more rows to complete my current project..   I saw a new pattern called a crocodile stitch that I am eager to try.  Maybe some new goal setting for tomorrow...maybe figure out what "labels" I should fill in on my posts.

So until next time.... adios

A "Seinfeld" life?

I woke up this morning and realized...... I have now become a "Writer"....and it is enjoyable.  When I look back on yesterday's events, I realize my day could be a "Seinfeld" episode..... A lot of random things, about nothing.   Maybe this is how the writers get their ideas.

I will say, however, that since I am beginning to write this blog, I was much more aware of everything going on around me and things that I accomplished....  Kind of like .... Take the time to stop and smell the flowers.   I think I actually slowed down a little instead of pushing so hard at the daily grind. Really need to stop pushing so hard, take the time and slow down some. (almost missed the fact of an upcoming major bank merger conversion  .... good thing I procrastinated in ordering more checks.....Should have read that bank mailer we received.. how long ago did it come in?)  Funny how things happen. You call on one thing and find out about something you missed and it saves your butt.  I think it is our angels watching over us giving us a helping hand.  

I  kept a sheet where I jotted down the things I wanted to cover, but must have "filed" it away.  Story of my life..... what did i do with that piece of paper?  Another area I will improve on.

Have a busy day today... not sure what  I will  get accomplished but, hey, tomorrow is another day...just have to be aware of the things that have deadlines . Never did get the sales tax done yesterday.... maybe today, I still have some time.

So I have started the day as an Office Equipment Repair person, was given a majorly jammed 24-page shredder.... started looking at it when I woke up, but it will take me time to see if I can get the jam cleared -Where is that screw driver ?.  Maybe later tonight....or it will become an on-going challenge... Who doesn't love a challenge.

Well off to begin today's adventure ..Will I take an alternate route to my destination today ?   hummmmm.... maybe not...too much road construction going on. ..  I do think I will start today being a "Dishwasher" (after a cup of coffee that is),  Maybe next I will be the "Dog walker", take a walk by the lake, take the time and enjoy the view.......  and then who knows what next, maybe a "Mail Deliverer".

OK.... gotta go !

going home

and what a great way to end the day,  listening to "Under the Boardwalk".....maybe i can learn to be a DRIFTER

how many hats can i wear

so i made it through my first blog day.... and this is who i think i was today...
i was a commuter...i got stuck in traffic.. what was i thinking taking a different way to the office..who knew they would have one of the highway lanes shut down....thats okay...SUGAR, SUGAR by the Archies was blasting on the radio....i remember that summer well....i was young and looking forward to growing up....what was i thinking....i want to be back in the bubblegum era again. And why was it called bubblegum music anyway

i was the auto fleet manager.....i finally got around to making an appointment for an oil change for the Aztek

can you say bookkeeper turned office assistant. the only reason i know how to do the fedex is because there was no on knowledgable the last time your staff was on vacation


i am the fax magician....don't understand why i am the only one who knows how to send a fax from your personal fax machine...thats okay ...i will bill you for the time

?

laundry.    i will at some point figure out how to correct a post or if there is a limit per post.  enough for today...Off to my days adventure and two rows of crocheting.   I can fit that in

a new day new beginnings

It is 7:32 am, monday morning. the first day of a new week....work week atleast.

I had thought of creating a blog before but never felt i had anything people would have an interest in reading....maybe i am wrong.

A facebook friend just started a blog which i enjoyed reading so i thought, why not.   so my adventure of discovering just who i am begins with this blog.

To begin, i am a 56 years old married female with one child who is a senior in college.  The separation was difficult.  Prior to her college years, i was MOM and most of what i did evolved around what moms do....our children are one of the most important things in our daily lives and boy do they keep us busy.  So as i begin to really try to structure my time to 

do or learn or go back to things that i put to the way side the last twenty years  ......today I will begin with ....... setting up a time schedule to    crochet, file a sales tax report, put away yesterdays laundry