Today is the last day of 2003. As I sit here in Las Vegas writing this, I am thinking of all the many things that have changed not only my little speck of the world but the entire world. This year is really showing its age. I'm sure that it will be glad when it can finally retire. It would be nice if 2003 can finish its limited time for this world in a quiet and peaceful manner but that isn't the way things look like they're going to happen. I look forward to a bright and shiny New Year, 2004. I recall that I had similar feelings at about this time last year. I watched the ball fall at Time's Square last year here in Las Vegas. I watched the fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip from my window at Sam's Town. I never imagined all the changes this world would experience. Some good changes, some bad. I toasted the New Year in 2003. My oldest daughter taught me how to blog. My youngest daughter got married. I'm building a new house. My son has applied to go to a college in Minnesota. I plan to toast the New Year in 2004. Do you have any idea what will happen in 2004? I'm not sure I care to know at this point but I do know from experience that I'll be surprised. Surprises aren't always bad and they aren't always good but I prefer to be surprised. My good surprises outweighed my bad surprises in 2003. I prefer to greet this shiny New Year with hope and positive expectation rather then dwell in the negative.
From Times Square to the Las Vegas Strip and California's Rose Parade, police were rolling out unprecedented security measures triggered by a hike in the national terrorism alert to orange, its second-highest level. Officials nationwide said there were no specific threats to traditional gatherings and urged people to go forward with celebrations.
In New York, workers sealed manhole Happy New Year everyone! At the midnight hour here in Las Vegas, I will raise my glass and drink a toast not only to the New Year but to the past. One can do nothing to change the past. One can only do what they are willing to do to affect the future.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia will be deferred until I get back to Arizona and home. Instead I thought I'd share some quotes that I've read that seem to fit for this last day of 2003. You may note that these quotes are all from women. I make no apologies for this and none are necessary. My book just fell open to this page titled Wise Women. If the book had fallen open to a page titled Wise Men...?
"You can have it all. You just can't have it all at once." Oprah Winfrey
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that would not have a single talent left and could say, 'I used everything that you gave me.' Erma Bombeck
"The only time a woman really changes a man is when he is a baby." Natalie Wood
"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right." Mary Kay Ash
"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." Beverly Sills
"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door--or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter what." Joan Rivers
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." Maya Angelou
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." Eleanor Roosevelt
"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances." Martha Washington
"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you till it seems you could not hold on a minute longer, never give it up--for that is just the place and the time that the tide will turn." Harriet Beecher Stowe
"Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." Isak Dinesen
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
We've only got 1 more day in 2003. That may either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your outlook. I prefer to look at it as a good thing.
Today was spent driving from Arizona to Las Vegas. Crossing the Hoover Dam is always interesting. Wow! Tomorrow is the last day of 2003. Actually...come to think of it....today is the last day of 2003. Today is New Year's Eve. I spent too much time down in the casino, only to arrive back in the room too late to blog for December 30th. Sigh.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia?
The word "garnet" comes from the Latin word for "pomegranate" (garnets were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds) I wouldn't know. Maybe I should ask my Mom. She has a pomegranate tree in her backyard that seems to be produces a quantity of fruit.
Today was spent driving from Arizona to Las Vegas. Crossing the Hoover Dam is always interesting. Wow! Tomorrow is the last day of 2003. Actually...come to think of it....today is the last day of 2003. Today is New Year's Eve. I spent too much time down in the casino, only to arrive back in the room too late to blog for December 30th. Sigh.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia?
The word "garnet" comes from the Latin word for "pomegranate" (garnets were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds) I wouldn't know. Maybe I should ask my Mom. She has a pomegranate tree in her backyard that seems to be produces a quantity of fruit.
Monday, December 29, 2003
We've only got 2 more days in 2003. That may either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your outlook. I prefer to look at it as a good thing.
I'm not going to think about all the things that I have to do to get this house ready for sale. Actually, just writing that sentence means that I have been thinking about it. But, I'm going to shove all that stuff into the "Worry about that later" file for right now. One can only live one day at a time. I'm going to ring in the New Year in Las Vegas this year. That means that tomorrow will be spent driving to Las Vegas. Tomorrow is Tuesday. Laundry Day. That means that today will be spent doing the laundry that I won't be home to do tomorrow. I'll worry about packing all the Christmas stuff away, ready for the move, when I get back from Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to the Sam's Town New Year's Eve party and all the shrimp that I can eat. If I were a man, I'd sound exactly like Homer Simpson right now. MMMM, shrimp. I'll try and blog tomorrow night from Las Vegas. Blogging between now and next year depends upon whether my husband and son will let me near the new laptop we got for Christmas. It's hard to get between techies and shiny new computers.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
In all recorded history, an approximate 100,000 tons of gold have been mined.
I'm not going to think about all the things that I have to do to get this house ready for sale. Actually, just writing that sentence means that I have been thinking about it. But, I'm going to shove all that stuff into the "Worry about that later" file for right now. One can only live one day at a time. I'm going to ring in the New Year in Las Vegas this year. That means that tomorrow will be spent driving to Las Vegas. Tomorrow is Tuesday. Laundry Day. That means that today will be spent doing the laundry that I won't be home to do tomorrow. I'll worry about packing all the Christmas stuff away, ready for the move, when I get back from Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to the Sam's Town New Year's Eve party and all the shrimp that I can eat. If I were a man, I'd sound exactly like Homer Simpson right now. MMMM, shrimp. I'll try and blog tomorrow night from Las Vegas. Blogging between now and next year depends upon whether my husband and son will let me near the new laptop we got for Christmas. It's hard to get between techies and shiny new computers.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
In all recorded history, an approximate 100,000 tons of gold have been mined.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
We've only got 3 more days in 2003. That may either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your outlook. I prefer to look at it as a good thing.
I got a pedometer for Christmas. No. My husband did not commit the ultimate sin and get me this device as a present. I did. I was curious as to how much running around I did on any given day. Apparently, I don't run around as much as I thought I did. I certainly don't step the recommended 10,000 steps a day. Not even close. I think the best I've done so far is 8,000. Right now, I've only walked 4,387 steps today. Part of that is because I've been playing Bingo on the computer but you'd think I would have stepped a few more steps then that since I went shopping and ran some errands. Oh well. 10,000 steps is the goal. Eventually. Not today. And the day isn't over yet either. But somehow I doubt I'll be stepping over 5,000 more steps today. Someone has to cook the supper. Someone has to read that book that is beckoning me from the bedside table. Someone still wants to play a few more games of Pogo Bingo.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
California was not the site of the first U.S. gold rush. The first U.S. gold rush started when a boy found a 17-pound nugget on his father's farm in North Carolina, in 1803. This gold rush supplied all the gold for the nation's mints until 1829.
I got a pedometer for Christmas. No. My husband did not commit the ultimate sin and get me this device as a present. I did. I was curious as to how much running around I did on any given day. Apparently, I don't run around as much as I thought I did. I certainly don't step the recommended 10,000 steps a day. Not even close. I think the best I've done so far is 8,000. Right now, I've only walked 4,387 steps today. Part of that is because I've been playing Bingo on the computer but you'd think I would have stepped a few more steps then that since I went shopping and ran some errands. Oh well. 10,000 steps is the goal. Eventually. Not today. And the day isn't over yet either. But somehow I doubt I'll be stepping over 5,000 more steps today. Someone has to cook the supper. Someone has to read that book that is beckoning me from the bedside table. Someone still wants to play a few more games of Pogo Bingo.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
California was not the site of the first U.S. gold rush. The first U.S. gold rush started when a boy found a 17-pound nugget on his father's farm in North Carolina, in 1803. This gold rush supplied all the gold for the nation's mints until 1829.
Saturday, December 27, 2003
We've only got 4 more days in 2003. That may either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your outlook. I prefer to look at it as a good thing.
The house is so quiet. My company has left. My husband went to do more genealogy research. And my son went to his music lessons. Oops. The dogs are barking. And the clean dishes need to be put away. I suppose I could put away the Christmas decorations but...I think I'll just sit here a while longer and enjoy the quiet. Oops. There's the phone.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Johnny Depp based his character, Captain Jack Sparrow, in the Pirates of the Carribean on a mix of Rolling Stone quitarist Keith Richards and the amorous cartoon skunk, Pepe LePew. I just watched the movie yesterday. My mother and father, who watched the movie with us, said that our son-in-law reminds them of the character Captain Jack Sparrow.
The house is so quiet. My company has left. My husband went to do more genealogy research. And my son went to his music lessons. Oops. The dogs are barking. And the clean dishes need to be put away. I suppose I could put away the Christmas decorations but...I think I'll just sit here a while longer and enjoy the quiet. Oops. There's the phone.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Johnny Depp based his character, Captain Jack Sparrow, in the Pirates of the Carribean on a mix of Rolling Stone quitarist Keith Richards and the amorous cartoon skunk, Pepe LePew. I just watched the movie yesterday. My mother and father, who watched the movie with us, said that our son-in-law reminds them of the character Captain Jack Sparrow.
Friday, December 26, 2003
We've only got 5 more days in 2003. That may either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your outlook. I prefer to look at it as a good thing.
I went out shopping today. A lack of judgement on my part. 1.) I misjudged the amount of powdered creamer that we had available in our house. 2.) I actually thought Waldenbooks might have a genealogy book that my folks were looking for.
On the positive side, I was able to pick up a huge container of powdered creamer that should last me for at least a little while at Costco. I also picked up a huge supply of romaine lettuce hearts for supper tonight and for tomorrow night, and the next night, and the next night too. Good thing we like salads. I was also able to eat a huge 1/4# polish sausage and a 20 oz. drink for $1.50. It's hard to beat that.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Seventeen muscles are used in smiling. The average frown uses 43. So this either means that I should be lazy and smile or get some exercise and frown.
I went out shopping today. A lack of judgement on my part. 1.) I misjudged the amount of powdered creamer that we had available in our house. 2.) I actually thought Waldenbooks might have a genealogy book that my folks were looking for.
On the positive side, I was able to pick up a huge container of powdered creamer that should last me for at least a little while at Costco. I also picked up a huge supply of romaine lettuce hearts for supper tonight and for tomorrow night, and the next night, and the next night too. Good thing we like salads. I was also able to eat a huge 1/4# polish sausage and a 20 oz. drink for $1.50. It's hard to beat that.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Seventeen muscles are used in smiling. The average frown uses 43. So this either means that I should be lazy and smile or get some exercise and frown.
Thursday, December 25, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, you opened that last little door. Or...you got really impatient and opened it yesterday. Or you got even more impatient and opened them all on that first day. But that's OK. It's Christmas! Tomorrow is the day after Christmas. There are only six more days until next year, 2004. I'm going to get in practice writing 2004. It seems like I just got used to writing 2003 and now I have to get used to writing 2004. Time marches on and waits for no man.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The hyoid bone is the only bone in the body that doesn't touch another bone. It is found above the larynx. It anchors the tongue muscles. That has to be one strong bone.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The hyoid bone is the only bone in the body that doesn't touch another bone. It is found above the larynx. It anchors the tongue muscles. That has to be one strong bone.
If you have an Advent Calendar, you opened that last little door. Or...you got really impatient and opened it yesterday. It's Christmas! Tomorrow is the day after Christmas. There are only six more days until next year, 2004. I'm going to get in practice writing 2004. It seems like I just got used to writing 2003 and now I have to get used to writing 2004. Time marches on and waits for no man.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The hyoid bone is the only bone in the body that doesn't touch another bone. It is found above the larynx. It anchors the tongue muscles. That has to be one strong bone.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The hyoid bone is the only bone in the body that doesn't touch another bone. It is found above the larynx. It anchors the tongue muscles. That has to be one strong bone.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that twenty-fourth little door. You've only got 1 more little door to open. It's Christmas Eve! But...you can only open door number 24. If you haven't figured it out yet, TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS! I hope everyone has been good this year because Santa knows who's been naughty or nice. Santa Claus is already on his way to town!
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring..." HA! I'm still stirring!
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The funny bone is not a bone. It is part of the ulnar nerve located at the back of the elbow.
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring..." HA! I'm still stirring!
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The funny bone is not a bone. It is part of the ulnar nerve located at the back of the elbow.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that twenty-third little door. You've only got 2 more little doors to open. By now, you will have either cheated and opened all the doors or you've got greater control then I. But...you can only open door number 23. For all the rest of you, you've only got 2 more days before Christmas. Try to be nice to someone today while you're out racing around. Signal your turns and lane changes. Don't talk on your cell phone while you're driving. But if you'd prefer my daughter's advice, keep in mind that if you don't see a speed limit sign posted in the mall's parking lot, there isn't any!
Just because your son is 17 years old doesn't mean that you shouldn't check his pockets before you launder his clothes. I wish I'd followed this little bit of advice this morning when I washed his dress pants...along with all the rest of the dark clothes that needed washing today. If I had checked his pockets, I would have removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum that he had stored in his pocket. If I had removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum from my son's pocket, I wouldn't have had to take the time to clean away gunky gum which stuck itself all over my dryer. If I had removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum from my son's pocket, I wouldn't have to check a whole load of clothes for gunky gum. If I had removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum from my son's pocket, I wouldn't have to rewash half a load of clothes. I suppose I should be happy that I saw the gunky mess in my dryer before I put the second load of clothes into the dryer. I suppose I should be glad that I only have to wash half a load of clothes instead of a whole load of clothes. I suppose that I should be glad that next year my son will be washing his own clothes...most of the time. I suppose I'll miss him while he's at college. But in the meantime, I plan to check his pockets. Better check my husband's pockets too.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Woohoo! Washing dishes by hand is not better for the environment than using an automatic dishwasher! Apparently, dishwashers save energy and water compared to hand washing. OH! Listen to this! Prewashing the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher is a waste of water because most machines can handle even heavily soiled dishes. I feel so vindicated!
Just because your son is 17 years old doesn't mean that you shouldn't check his pockets before you launder his clothes. I wish I'd followed this little bit of advice this morning when I washed his dress pants...along with all the rest of the dark clothes that needed washing today. If I had checked his pockets, I would have removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum that he had stored in his pocket. If I had removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum from my son's pocket, I wouldn't have had to take the time to clean away gunky gum which stuck itself all over my dryer. If I had removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum from my son's pocket, I wouldn't have to check a whole load of clothes for gunky gum. If I had removed the pack of JuicyFruit gum from my son's pocket, I wouldn't have to rewash half a load of clothes. I suppose I should be happy that I saw the gunky mess in my dryer before I put the second load of clothes into the dryer. I suppose I should be glad that I only have to wash half a load of clothes instead of a whole load of clothes. I suppose that I should be glad that next year my son will be washing his own clothes...most of the time. I suppose I'll miss him while he's at college. But in the meantime, I plan to check his pockets. Better check my husband's pockets too.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Woohoo! Washing dishes by hand is not better for the environment than using an automatic dishwasher! Apparently, dishwashers save energy and water compared to hand washing. OH! Listen to this! Prewashing the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher is a waste of water because most machines can handle even heavily soiled dishes. I feel so vindicated!
Monday, December 22, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that twenty-second little door. You've only got 3 more little doors to open. By now, you will have either cheated and opened all the doors or you've got greater control then I. But...you can only open door number 22. For all the rest of you, you've only got 3 more days before Christmas. Try to be nice to someone today while you're out racing around. Signal your turns and lane changes. Don't talk on your cell phone while you're driving. But if you'd prefer my daughter's advice, when walking back to your car, if you notice other shoppers walking past your car to get to theirs, press the buttons on your key chain remote so that your car's alarm makes a sudden loud "BLOOP BLEEP" that scares the crap out of them. Pressing the Panic button on your remote to set off the car alarm just as someone walks by can net an even more satisfying result.
So what plans do you all have for today? I'm going to dust...again. Vacuum...again. This house amazes me in its ability to gather all the dust from the surrounding environs of our community. It truly illustrates the statement, "I cleaned my house yesterday...You should have seen it."
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
One 35 to 40 foot tree produces a stack of newspapers four feet thick; this much newspaper must be recycled to save one tree. Please note that I've been saving trees every year since I bought an artificial tree for my Christmas celebrations. I do hope this makes up for the cord of wood stacked up in my Wisconsin garage, awaiting fireplace use in the spring.
So what plans do you all have for today? I'm going to dust...again. Vacuum...again. This house amazes me in its ability to gather all the dust from the surrounding environs of our community. It truly illustrates the statement, "I cleaned my house yesterday...You should have seen it."
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
One 35 to 40 foot tree produces a stack of newspapers four feet thick; this much newspaper must be recycled to save one tree. Please note that I've been saving trees every year since I bought an artificial tree for my Christmas celebrations. I do hope this makes up for the cord of wood stacked up in my Wisconsin garage, awaiting fireplace use in the spring.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that twenty-first little door. You've only got 4 more little doors to open. By now, you will have either cheated and opened all the doors or you've got greater control then I. But...you can only open door number 21. For all the rest of you, you've only got 4 more days before Christmas. Try to be nice to someone today while you're out racing around. Signal your turns and lane changes. Don't talk on your cell phone while you're driving.
My daughter sent me the following "funny". I think it may have been sent to me because of the driving courtesies that I mentioned in yesterday's blog. It's kind of like an advent calendar.
Rules for Parking. One For Every December Shopping Day Before Christmas.
Rule No. 1: When waiting for a parking spot, stop in the middle of the road, don't signal, and orient your car diagonally to prevent others from passing.
Rule No. 2: Always park on the lines, taking up as many spots as possible. Diagonal parking is preferred.
Rule No. 3: In a crowded parking lot, if you find a spot and have the opportunity to pull through to an adjacent one, drive up halfway and stop on the line, taking both.
Rule No. 4: As you pull into a spot, if you see that the space ahead of you is empty and you see another driver signaling to take it, pull though and take it from him.
Rule No. 5: Always park close enough to the adjacent car so that the other driver must grease up with Vaseline to squeeze into his or her car.
Rule No. 6: When getting out of your car, hit the adjacent vehicle with your door really hard.
Rule No. 7: When driving through the parking lot, ignore the painted lanes and drive diagonally from one end to another at a high rate of speed.
Rule No. 8: When stopped in front of a store and waiting for a friend/relative to make a purchase, make sure that you are stopped in the middle of the road. The same rule applies to picking up and discharging passengers.
Rule No. 9: When a vehicle from the opposite direction is signaling and waiting for a parking space, position your car so that you are in his way and let the car behind you take it.
Rule No. 10: If you have handicapped license plates, use up a regular parking spot.
Rule No. 11: If you hit the adjacent car with your door and leave a dent, wait for a car, which is painted the same color as yours, to drive down the aisle looking for a place to park. Then back out, giving up your spot like "Mr. Good Guy," and park somewhere else.
Rule No. 12: If the vehicle in front of you stops to let a pedestrian cross or another vehicle turn, pull into the lane of opposite traffic and attempt to pass him.
Rule No. 13: When exiting a shopping center into a busy road, exit through the narrow "ENTER ONLY" driveway, stick the nose of the car into traffic, and wait.
Rule No. 14: When driving through a parking lot with alternating one-way aisles and angled parking spots, drive the wrong way. Then when you see a parking space, take 20 minutes to do a 12-point turn to pull into it.
Rule No. 15: Always leave your shopping cart behind or tightly between parked vehicles.
Rule No. 16: Empty your ashtrays on the ground in shopping center parking lots. While you're at it, dump out all the garbage, too, including that Wendy's or McDonald's bag sitting in the back seat from breakfast.
Rule No. 17: If you are forced to change an infant's diaper in a parking lot, leave the soiled diaper under the car next to you.
Rule No. 18: When another vehicle is waiting for you to pull out of a spot in a crowded parking lot, take your time. Adjust the mirrors, your seat, and the radio. Roll down your window, light a cigarette, and eat your lunch. Feel free to go through your shopping bags and look at what you just bought.
Rule No. 19: When pulling into a parking spot, if there is a shopping cart in the way, lightly tap it with your bumper and send it rolling into another car. Then, when you step out, if the cart is still too close, push it down the parking lot aisle and let it go. While the cart is flying solo, turn around and walk toward the stores.
Rule No. 20: When walking back to your car in a busy shopping center, gesture to other drivers waiting for a spot to make them think that you are getting in the car and leaving. Then walk between the cars to the next aisle and do it again.
Rule No. 21: When shopping at the mall, which requires you to load your bags into the car and go back in to do more shopping, do NOT tell the driver who is sitting patiently watching you load your car and signaling for your spot.
Rule No. 22: When walking back to your car, if you notice other shoppers walking past your car to get to theirs, press the buttons on your key chain remote so that your car's alarm makes a sudden loud "BLOOP BLEEP" that scares the crap out of them.
Rule No. 23: If you don't see a speed limit sign posted in the mall's parking lot, there isn't any!
Rule No. 24: If you back into a parked car, and the driver isn't with it, take out a piece of paper and start writing. This is especially effective if there are 15-20 witnesses. On a piece of paper write, "There were ___ witnesses when I hit your car. They think I'm writing my name, address, and phone number."
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
A mastodon and a mammoth are not one and the same. The mastodon lived in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North and South America. It appears in teh Oligocene (25-38 million years ago) and survived until less than one million years ago. It stood a maximum of 10 feet tall and was covered with dense woolly hair. Its tusks were straight forward and nearly parallel to each other.
The mammoth evolved less than two million years ago and died out about 10 thousand years ago. It lived in North America, Europe, and Asia. Like the mastodon, the mammoth was covered with dense, woolly hair, with a long, coarse layer of outer hair to protect it from the cold. It was somewhat larger than the mastodon, standing 9-15 feet. The mammoth's tusks tended to spiral outward, then up.
My daughter sent me the following "funny". I think it may have been sent to me because of the driving courtesies that I mentioned in yesterday's blog. It's kind of like an advent calendar.
Rules for Parking. One For Every December Shopping Day Before Christmas.
Rule No. 1: When waiting for a parking spot, stop in the middle of the road, don't signal, and orient your car diagonally to prevent others from passing.
Rule No. 2: Always park on the lines, taking up as many spots as possible. Diagonal parking is preferred.
Rule No. 3: In a crowded parking lot, if you find a spot and have the opportunity to pull through to an adjacent one, drive up halfway and stop on the line, taking both.
Rule No. 4: As you pull into a spot, if you see that the space ahead of you is empty and you see another driver signaling to take it, pull though and take it from him.
Rule No. 5: Always park close enough to the adjacent car so that the other driver must grease up with Vaseline to squeeze into his or her car.
Rule No. 6: When getting out of your car, hit the adjacent vehicle with your door really hard.
Rule No. 7: When driving through the parking lot, ignore the painted lanes and drive diagonally from one end to another at a high rate of speed.
Rule No. 8: When stopped in front of a store and waiting for a friend/relative to make a purchase, make sure that you are stopped in the middle of the road. The same rule applies to picking up and discharging passengers.
Rule No. 9: When a vehicle from the opposite direction is signaling and waiting for a parking space, position your car so that you are in his way and let the car behind you take it.
Rule No. 10: If you have handicapped license plates, use up a regular parking spot.
Rule No. 11: If you hit the adjacent car with your door and leave a dent, wait for a car, which is painted the same color as yours, to drive down the aisle looking for a place to park. Then back out, giving up your spot like "Mr. Good Guy," and park somewhere else.
Rule No. 12: If the vehicle in front of you stops to let a pedestrian cross or another vehicle turn, pull into the lane of opposite traffic and attempt to pass him.
Rule No. 13: When exiting a shopping center into a busy road, exit through the narrow "ENTER ONLY" driveway, stick the nose of the car into traffic, and wait.
Rule No. 14: When driving through a parking lot with alternating one-way aisles and angled parking spots, drive the wrong way. Then when you see a parking space, take 20 minutes to do a 12-point turn to pull into it.
Rule No. 15: Always leave your shopping cart behind or tightly between parked vehicles.
Rule No. 16: Empty your ashtrays on the ground in shopping center parking lots. While you're at it, dump out all the garbage, too, including that Wendy's or McDonald's bag sitting in the back seat from breakfast.
Rule No. 17: If you are forced to change an infant's diaper in a parking lot, leave the soiled diaper under the car next to you.
Rule No. 18: When another vehicle is waiting for you to pull out of a spot in a crowded parking lot, take your time. Adjust the mirrors, your seat, and the radio. Roll down your window, light a cigarette, and eat your lunch. Feel free to go through your shopping bags and look at what you just bought.
Rule No. 19: When pulling into a parking spot, if there is a shopping cart in the way, lightly tap it with your bumper and send it rolling into another car. Then, when you step out, if the cart is still too close, push it down the parking lot aisle and let it go. While the cart is flying solo, turn around and walk toward the stores.
Rule No. 20: When walking back to your car in a busy shopping center, gesture to other drivers waiting for a spot to make them think that you are getting in the car and leaving. Then walk between the cars to the next aisle and do it again.
Rule No. 21: When shopping at the mall, which requires you to load your bags into the car and go back in to do more shopping, do NOT tell the driver who is sitting patiently watching you load your car and signaling for your spot.
Rule No. 22: When walking back to your car, if you notice other shoppers walking past your car to get to theirs, press the buttons on your key chain remote so that your car's alarm makes a sudden loud "BLOOP BLEEP" that scares the crap out of them.
Rule No. 23: If you don't see a speed limit sign posted in the mall's parking lot, there isn't any!
Rule No. 24: If you back into a parked car, and the driver isn't with it, take out a piece of paper and start writing. This is especially effective if there are 15-20 witnesses. On a piece of paper write, "There were ___ witnesses when I hit your car. They think I'm writing my name, address, and phone number."
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
A mastodon and a mammoth are not one and the same. The mastodon lived in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North and South America. It appears in teh Oligocene (25-38 million years ago) and survived until less than one million years ago. It stood a maximum of 10 feet tall and was covered with dense woolly hair. Its tusks were straight forward and nearly parallel to each other.
The mammoth evolved less than two million years ago and died out about 10 thousand years ago. It lived in North America, Europe, and Asia. Like the mastodon, the mammoth was covered with dense, woolly hair, with a long, coarse layer of outer hair to protect it from the cold. It was somewhat larger than the mastodon, standing 9-15 feet. The mammoth's tusks tended to spiral outward, then up.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that twentieth little door. You've only got 5 more little doors to open. No cheating! By now, you will have either cheated and opened all the doors or you've got greater control then I. But...you can only open door number 20. For all the rest of you, you've only got 5 more days before Christmas. Be nice to someone today while you're out racing around. Signal your turns and lane changes. Don't talk on your cell phone while you're driving.
My husband did indeed help me with all the present wrapping. It's all done. I made my last batch of cookies this morning. The cake I made for the neighborhood party was a big hit. I was only able to save one small piece for my orphan son who had stayed home to entertain friends with a LAN party and pizza fete. Today will be spent cleaning up after the messy friends and my son. The last of the guest computer systems will be removed by 3 PM and my house will be back to pre-LAN party order. I've never seen so much equipment outside of a college computer lab.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
American naturalist John Muir (1838-1914) was the founder of conservation and the founder of the Sierra Club. He fought for the preservation of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, and the creation of Yosemite National Park.
My husband did indeed help me with all the present wrapping. It's all done. I made my last batch of cookies this morning. The cake I made for the neighborhood party was a big hit. I was only able to save one small piece for my orphan son who had stayed home to entertain friends with a LAN party and pizza fete. Today will be spent cleaning up after the messy friends and my son. The last of the guest computer systems will be removed by 3 PM and my house will be back to pre-LAN party order. I've never seen so much equipment outside of a college computer lab.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
American naturalist John Muir (1838-1914) was the founder of conservation and the founder of the Sierra Club. He fought for the preservation of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, and the creation of Yosemite National Park.
Friday, December 19, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that nineteenth little door. You've only got 6 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 19. For all the rest of you, you've only got 6 more days before Christmas. That's less then a week people. (As if you need me or anyone else to remind you that there are seven days in a week and six days is definitely less then seven days.) Now's the time to remember the real meaning of Christmas so you don't kill anyone when you're out at the stores.
I have to go to the store this morning. I need green sugar to decorate my cookies. My son went out looking for some but the shelves were bare at the one store he went to. I'll try another store. Maybe a couple other stores. I know that you can make your own colored sugars but somehow they never look quite the same. When going to the store at this time of year, one must bring along a huge amount of patience, understanding, and forgiveness. Tempers are short. There are lots of people out there who are downright cranky! That's why I prefer to avoid shopping at this time of year. Of course, I'm not saying that I don't get cranky when I'm stressed out but, I'm not stressed out right now. I'm almost done. The finish line is within sight. But as my Grandmother D. used to say, "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back." I think she proceeded this with, "Well, Mama pin a rose on you."
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The Philadelphia Zoological Garden, chartered in 1859, was the first zoo in the United States. It opened in 1874 on 33 acres, and 282 animals were exhibited. I remember visiting the small Como Park Zoo in Minnesota as a child. Monkey Island was a particular favorite.
I have to go to the store this morning. I need green sugar to decorate my cookies. My son went out looking for some but the shelves were bare at the one store he went to. I'll try another store. Maybe a couple other stores. I know that you can make your own colored sugars but somehow they never look quite the same. When going to the store at this time of year, one must bring along a huge amount of patience, understanding, and forgiveness. Tempers are short. There are lots of people out there who are downright cranky! That's why I prefer to avoid shopping at this time of year. Of course, I'm not saying that I don't get cranky when I'm stressed out but, I'm not stressed out right now. I'm almost done. The finish line is within sight. But as my Grandmother D. used to say, "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back." I think she proceeded this with, "Well, Mama pin a rose on you."
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The Philadelphia Zoological Garden, chartered in 1859, was the first zoo in the United States. It opened in 1874 on 33 acres, and 282 animals were exhibited. I remember visiting the small Como Park Zoo in Minnesota as a child. Monkey Island was a particular favorite.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that eighteenth little door. You've only got 7 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 18. For all the rest of you, you've only got 7 more days before Christmas. That's only one short week people. Time is now speeding by at twice its normal speed, though I'm sure everything will still be just fine. But you only have one week before Christmas so you'd better get moving.
One week! I'm still in control. Just wrapping presents and those last few batches of cookies to make. If I don't make my chocolate mousse cake for the neighborhood Christmas party, people are going to be disappointed. The raspberries are in the fridge. I just have to make the cake today so it'll chill in the fridge overnight. I'll glaze and add the finishing touches tomorrow. Dare I say that my husband has offered to wrap presents today? I'll let you know if this actually comes to pass. If I find a bit of time, I'll even see if I can fit some music into the equation. I really should practice my clarinet since I have to play for two services on Sunday and another service on Christmas Eve. I'll leave the final cleaning of my house for the weekend.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
A barrel of oil weighs about 306 pounds and contains 42 U.S. gallons. This is as political as I plan to get.
One week! I'm still in control. Just wrapping presents and those last few batches of cookies to make. If I don't make my chocolate mousse cake for the neighborhood Christmas party, people are going to be disappointed. The raspberries are in the fridge. I just have to make the cake today so it'll chill in the fridge overnight. I'll glaze and add the finishing touches tomorrow. Dare I say that my husband has offered to wrap presents today? I'll let you know if this actually comes to pass. If I find a bit of time, I'll even see if I can fit some music into the equation. I really should practice my clarinet since I have to play for two services on Sunday and another service on Christmas Eve. I'll leave the final cleaning of my house for the weekend.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
A barrel of oil weighs about 306 pounds and contains 42 U.S. gallons. This is as political as I plan to get.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that seventeenth little door. You've only got 8 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 17. For all the rest of you, you've only got 8 more days before Christmas. Time is now speeding by at twice its normal speed, though I'm sure everything will be just fine. But you only have a little more then a week before Christmas so you'd better get moving.
OK. I made the pizzelle today. I still have to make the meringues. And now my blog isn't working too well. For some reason my identity and password have been lost. What? This sure is weird. They keep changing things on me. It's like I never existed but I do. Pout!
My daughter fixed it but I had to change my identity. I don't know what happened. Sigh. Now I have to log on as a different person. But I'm still me. Good old stodgy, ultra conservative me. And to top it all off, they changed the format on me for writing this thing and I liked the old way better. Complaints. Nothing but complaints.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The best varieties of wood to use in a wood-burning stove are: hickory, beech, oak, yellow birch, ash, hornbeam, sugar maple, and apple. These types of wood have a high heat value. One cord equals 200-250 gallons of fuel oil or 250-300 cubic feet of natural gas.
OK. I made the pizzelle today. I still have to make the meringues. And now my blog isn't working too well. For some reason my identity and password have been lost. What? This sure is weird. They keep changing things on me. It's like I never existed but I do. Pout!
My daughter fixed it but I had to change my identity. I don't know what happened. Sigh. Now I have to log on as a different person. But I'm still me. Good old stodgy, ultra conservative me. And to top it all off, they changed the format on me for writing this thing and I liked the old way better. Complaints. Nothing but complaints.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The best varieties of wood to use in a wood-burning stove are: hickory, beech, oak, yellow birch, ash, hornbeam, sugar maple, and apple. These types of wood have a high heat value. One cord equals 200-250 gallons of fuel oil or 250-300 cubic feet of natural gas.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that sixteenth little door. You've only got 9 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 16. For all the rest of you, you've only got 9 more days before Christmas. Time is now speeding by at twice its normal speed, though I'm sure everything will be just fine. But you only have a little more then a week before Christmas so you'd better get moving.
I decorated some of the brown sugar cookies today. Just the ones that I plan to give away as gifts. They have to sit out overnight. Herein lies the problem. I have to threaten to kill anyone who eats one of these cookies. They're hard to resist. Even I have a hard time fighting the desire to reach out and grab just one. Maybe I'd better decorate a few more of those little suckers.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Glass building blocks were introduced in 1931.
I decorated some of the brown sugar cookies today. Just the ones that I plan to give away as gifts. They have to sit out overnight. Herein lies the problem. I have to threaten to kill anyone who eats one of these cookies. They're hard to resist. Even I have a hard time fighting the desire to reach out and grab just one. Maybe I'd better decorate a few more of those little suckers.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Glass building blocks were introduced in 1931.
Monday, December 15, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that fifteenth little door. You've only got 10 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 15. For all the rest of you, you've only got 10 more days before Christmas. Time is now speeding by at twice its normal speed, though I'm sure everything will be just fine. If you're a kid or a chocoholic, you've already opened all those little doors anyway and the Advent Calendar is sitting in the corner all covered with dust.
I made four batches of spritz today and three loaves of lemon bread. I may have to break my diet and try the lemon bread to make sure that it tastes OK. I haven't made that recipe since my oldest daughter was in pre-school. With a whole tree overloaded with lemons in the backyard, I thought I should make some attempt at making something with them. Waste not, want not. I wonder if my Mom and Dad want some lemons...or what about my Aunt and Uncle who live in Las Vegas. I'll have to make sure and bring them some. I may make some more lemon bread. The recipe says it freezes well.
I'll have to make the pizzelle first and the meringues too. My son keeps on reminding me that I need to make the meringues. And then my sister wrote and said she planned to make meringues, so now she's going to think that I got the idea from her but they're my son's absolute favorites and he never lets me forget to make them. I won't put nuts in them though...so I guess my meringues will be different then her meringues.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Glass is a liguid. It just flows really slowly. You've heard of the expression, "He/She/It moves slower then molasses in January"? Glass is a lot slower then that.
I made four batches of spritz today and three loaves of lemon bread. I may have to break my diet and try the lemon bread to make sure that it tastes OK. I haven't made that recipe since my oldest daughter was in pre-school. With a whole tree overloaded with lemons in the backyard, I thought I should make some attempt at making something with them. Waste not, want not. I wonder if my Mom and Dad want some lemons...or what about my Aunt and Uncle who live in Las Vegas. I'll have to make sure and bring them some. I may make some more lemon bread. The recipe says it freezes well.
I'll have to make the pizzelle first and the meringues too. My son keeps on reminding me that I need to make the meringues. And then my sister wrote and said she planned to make meringues, so now she's going to think that I got the idea from her but they're my son's absolute favorites and he never lets me forget to make them. I won't put nuts in them though...so I guess my meringues will be different then her meringues.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Glass is a liguid. It just flows really slowly. You've heard of the expression, "He/She/It moves slower then molasses in January"? Glass is a lot slower then that.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that fourteenth little door. You've only got 11 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 14. For all the rest of you, you've only got 11 more days before Christmas. Time is now speeding by at twice its normal speed, though I'm sure everything will be just fine.
I finished the peanut brittle last night. Four batches. And I bought the nuts for the fudge and the lemon bread after church today. My son and I had a short practice too. Added to the calendar is a LAN party to be held at MY house on the 19th with 20 systems. What? Where? Where is everyone going to park? Where are they planning on plugging these systems in? So my house is going to become a huge computer lab on the 19th. OK. I hope the neighbors don't complain about all those cars parked outside. Then on the 20th, I've been told that we're going to have a concert out in our backyard? What? Isn't it going to be a bit cold? Hot chocolate? Cookies? I hope the neighbors don't complain. But it's going to be Christmas music. I know I have one neighbor who will complain, regardless. I'm making my son go out and warn everyone so we can avoid adding the police to the invitation list. Oh, and don't forget about the brass practice at 9 AM on the 20th because I was just told today that my son is going to be playing at church on Christmas Eve at the 6 PM service. I wonder if I can talk my husband into letting us eat out that night. I have to play for the 4 PM service. Apparently we'll be partaking of a fashionably late supper that night. After church. I think eating out that night might be a good idea. One of the best I've ever had. I only have to make the pizzelle, the spritz, and the fudge. And wrap the presents. My husband is going to help me wrap the presents. MY HUSBAND WILL HELP ME WRAP THE PRESENTS!!!!! Hah! But I did get all the presents bought.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Myrrh comes from a tree of the genus Commiphora, a native of Arabia and Northeast Africa. It is a resin obtained from the tree trunk.
I finished the peanut brittle last night. Four batches. And I bought the nuts for the fudge and the lemon bread after church today. My son and I had a short practice too. Added to the calendar is a LAN party to be held at MY house on the 19th with 20 systems. What? Where? Where is everyone going to park? Where are they planning on plugging these systems in? So my house is going to become a huge computer lab on the 19th. OK. I hope the neighbors don't complain about all those cars parked outside. Then on the 20th, I've been told that we're going to have a concert out in our backyard? What? Isn't it going to be a bit cold? Hot chocolate? Cookies? I hope the neighbors don't complain. But it's going to be Christmas music. I know I have one neighbor who will complain, regardless. I'm making my son go out and warn everyone so we can avoid adding the police to the invitation list. Oh, and don't forget about the brass practice at 9 AM on the 20th because I was just told today that my son is going to be playing at church on Christmas Eve at the 6 PM service. I wonder if I can talk my husband into letting us eat out that night. I have to play for the 4 PM service. Apparently we'll be partaking of a fashionably late supper that night. After church. I think eating out that night might be a good idea. One of the best I've ever had. I only have to make the pizzelle, the spritz, and the fudge. And wrap the presents. My husband is going to help me wrap the presents. MY HUSBAND WILL HELP ME WRAP THE PRESENTS!!!!! Hah! But I did get all the presents bought.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Myrrh comes from a tree of the genus Commiphora, a native of Arabia and Northeast Africa. It is a resin obtained from the tree trunk.
Saturday, December 13, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that thirteenth little door. You've only got 12 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 13. For all the rest of you, you've only got 12 more days before Christmas. You've passed the halfway mark and if you're at all behind in your preparations, time will speed by at twice its normal speed. However, if you're a young person without a care in the world, time will slow down and pass at a snail's pace.
The snowball cookies are all baked and hidden along with the Jan Hagel. I made the fruitcake bars today but I don't think I'll have to hide those since I'm the only one who really likes them besides my Mom and Dad and they're not here yet. I was going to make the fudge but I ran out of nuts. Nuts! I was just at the store and I forgot the nuts. I'll go get some tomorrow after church. Instead I'll make the peanut brittle. I don't classify peanuts as nuts since they grow under the ground. Kind of like potatoes. I'm not really fond of peanuts, though they do taste pretty good, salted and roasted in their shells with beer. And peanut brittle just isn't peanut brittle without the peanuts. And I do like peanut butter and jam sandwiches if I'm starving to death and can't find anything else to eat.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained by tapping the trunks of trees belonging to the genus Boswellia. The milky resin hardens when exposed to the air and forms irregular lumps--the form in which it is usually marketed.
The snowball cookies are all baked and hidden along with the Jan Hagel. I made the fruitcake bars today but I don't think I'll have to hide those since I'm the only one who really likes them besides my Mom and Dad and they're not here yet. I was going to make the fudge but I ran out of nuts. Nuts! I was just at the store and I forgot the nuts. I'll go get some tomorrow after church. Instead I'll make the peanut brittle. I don't classify peanuts as nuts since they grow under the ground. Kind of like potatoes. I'm not really fond of peanuts, though they do taste pretty good, salted and roasted in their shells with beer. And peanut brittle just isn't peanut brittle without the peanuts. And I do like peanut butter and jam sandwiches if I'm starving to death and can't find anything else to eat.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained by tapping the trunks of trees belonging to the genus Boswellia. The milky resin hardens when exposed to the air and forms irregular lumps--the form in which it is usually marketed.
Friday, December 12, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that twelfth little door. You've got 13 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 12. For all the rest of you, you've got 13 more days before Christmas.
I made a double batch of Jan Hagel today. Most of these cookies are going to good homes. I fully intend to eat at least some of them though, diet or no diet. I sent my daughter a batch of unfrosted brown sugar cookies today. It's a sacred, secret, family recipe. I sent her a kit complete with powdered sugar to make the frosting and decorettes. I hope the cookies make it one piece. But I bet she eats them even if they come in several pieces. Brown sugar cookies are a tradition in our family. I think I'd be lynched if I decided not to make those cookies some year. Hey! Next generation! When are you all going to start making the cookies so I can go play Bingo and wait for my cookies to arrive in the mail? Good thing I like to cook. I'm planning on making another batch of said brown sugar cookies when my son gets home from school. He needs to know how to make them when he's off on his own. I made my first batch of brown sugar cookies, all by my lonesome, when I was an exchange student in Bolivia. Believe you me, it wasn't easy finding brown sugar down in Santa Cruz in the 70's...much less cream of tartar. They turned out great though. I think my youngest daughter made her first batch when she was in Florida last Christmas. I just sent the recipe to my oldest daughter. I wonder if she made a batch this year in Omaha? I still have to make the snowball cookies (Mexican Teacakes or Russian Teacakes), the fudge, the peanut brittle, and the spritz. I wonder what I'm forgetting?
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The presence of a ring (halo) around the sun or, more commonly the moon in the night sky, betrays very high ice crystals composing cirrostratus clouds. The brighter the ring or halo, the greater the odds of precipitation adn the sooner it may be expected. Rain or snow will not always fall, but two times out of three, precipitation will start to fall within twelve to eighteen hours. We got some rain last night but I wasn't watching for any halo's around the moon.
I made a double batch of Jan Hagel today. Most of these cookies are going to good homes. I fully intend to eat at least some of them though, diet or no diet. I sent my daughter a batch of unfrosted brown sugar cookies today. It's a sacred, secret, family recipe. I sent her a kit complete with powdered sugar to make the frosting and decorettes. I hope the cookies make it one piece. But I bet she eats them even if they come in several pieces. Brown sugar cookies are a tradition in our family. I think I'd be lynched if I decided not to make those cookies some year. Hey! Next generation! When are you all going to start making the cookies so I can go play Bingo and wait for my cookies to arrive in the mail? Good thing I like to cook. I'm planning on making another batch of said brown sugar cookies when my son gets home from school. He needs to know how to make them when he's off on his own. I made my first batch of brown sugar cookies, all by my lonesome, when I was an exchange student in Bolivia. Believe you me, it wasn't easy finding brown sugar down in Santa Cruz in the 70's...much less cream of tartar. They turned out great though. I think my youngest daughter made her first batch when she was in Florida last Christmas. I just sent the recipe to my oldest daughter. I wonder if she made a batch this year in Omaha? I still have to make the snowball cookies (Mexican Teacakes or Russian Teacakes), the fudge, the peanut brittle, and the spritz. I wonder what I'm forgetting?
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The presence of a ring (halo) around the sun or, more commonly the moon in the night sky, betrays very high ice crystals composing cirrostratus clouds. The brighter the ring or halo, the greater the odds of precipitation adn the sooner it may be expected. Rain or snow will not always fall, but two times out of three, precipitation will start to fall within twelve to eighteen hours. We got some rain last night but I wasn't watching for any halo's around the moon.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that eleventh little door. You've got 14 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 11. For all the rest of you, you've got 14 more days before Christmas.
Not to panic. My Christmas cards are going into the mail tomorrow. I made one batch of brown sugar cookies today. Of course, since I promised my son that he could help me make the sugar cookies this year, I'll have to make another batch when he's home. Whenever that may be. He's been pretty busy. I have most of my presents bought but none of them wrapped. I still don't know what to get my husband. I never know what to get for him. I don't know what to get for my son either. Anyone have any suggestions?
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
No matter how cold the air gets, it still contains some moisture, and this can fall out of the air in the form of very small snow crystals. The fact that snow piles up, year after year, in Arctic regions illustrates that is is never too cold to snow.
Not to panic. My Christmas cards are going into the mail tomorrow. I made one batch of brown sugar cookies today. Of course, since I promised my son that he could help me make the sugar cookies this year, I'll have to make another batch when he's home. Whenever that may be. He's been pretty busy. I have most of my presents bought but none of them wrapped. I still don't know what to get my husband. I never know what to get for him. I don't know what to get for my son either. Anyone have any suggestions?
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
No matter how cold the air gets, it still contains some moisture, and this can fall out of the air in the form of very small snow crystals. The fact that snow piles up, year after year, in Arctic regions illustrates that is is never too cold to snow.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that tenth little door. You've got 15 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 10. For all the rest of you, you've got 15 more days before Christmas.
I unpacked all my snowglobes and found places to put them throughout the house. Usually I only unpack a few to display each Christmas but this year I went all out and unpacked them all. There really is a method to my madness. Since we're going to be selling this house next year I'm really going to have to pack things in a more secure manner for moving. The way I see it. Taking all the snowglobes out is actually a precursor to packing them for the move to the new house. I'm planning on doing the same thing when I pack away the ornaments for the tree. See how efficient I am? Oh. And today I went to Fry's Electronics and I didn't buy anything. Of course, the General was with me at the time so maybe I should pat myself on the back too hard. I definitely wouldn't have been there in the first place if he hadn't needed to buy some computer dohikey.
I did stop at the PetSmart and buy dog food. The guy at the checkout stand was surprised that I was buying a 40# sack of the stuff since all I have are too tiny little chihuahuas. Hey! It's cheaper to buy one 40# sack then buy four 10# sacks. Makes sense to me. Now I won't have to buy dog food until Wisconsin. Meanwhile, while I was hauling sacks of dog food with my daughter (I actually bought another smaller sack of treat dog food too to mix in with the healthy stuff) my husband and my son-in-law drooled over electric guitars at the nearby Guitar Store. One of the Gibson's was actually $6000. I don't think the General needs another guitar...at least not one in that price range.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
An average of 10 inches of snow is equal to one inch of water. Heavy, wet snow has a high water content; four to five inches may contain one inch of water. A dry, powdery snow may require 15 inches of snow to equal one inch of water. We sure could use a bunch of that wet snow up in the high country of Arizona this year. The lakes around here are looking pretty puny.
I unpacked all my snowglobes and found places to put them throughout the house. Usually I only unpack a few to display each Christmas but this year I went all out and unpacked them all. There really is a method to my madness. Since we're going to be selling this house next year I'm really going to have to pack things in a more secure manner for moving. The way I see it. Taking all the snowglobes out is actually a precursor to packing them for the move to the new house. I'm planning on doing the same thing when I pack away the ornaments for the tree. See how efficient I am? Oh. And today I went to Fry's Electronics and I didn't buy anything. Of course, the General was with me at the time so maybe I should pat myself on the back too hard. I definitely wouldn't have been there in the first place if he hadn't needed to buy some computer dohikey.
I did stop at the PetSmart and buy dog food. The guy at the checkout stand was surprised that I was buying a 40# sack of the stuff since all I have are too tiny little chihuahuas. Hey! It's cheaper to buy one 40# sack then buy four 10# sacks. Makes sense to me. Now I won't have to buy dog food until Wisconsin. Meanwhile, while I was hauling sacks of dog food with my daughter (I actually bought another smaller sack of treat dog food too to mix in with the healthy stuff) my husband and my son-in-law drooled over electric guitars at the nearby Guitar Store. One of the Gibson's was actually $6000. I don't think the General needs another guitar...at least not one in that price range.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
An average of 10 inches of snow is equal to one inch of water. Heavy, wet snow has a high water content; four to five inches may contain one inch of water. A dry, powdery snow may require 15 inches of snow to equal one inch of water. We sure could use a bunch of that wet snow up in the high country of Arizona this year. The lakes around here are looking pretty puny.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that ninth little door. You've got 16 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 9. For all the rest of you, you've got 16 more days before Christmas.
I collect snowglobes. My sister-in-law sent me the following SNOWGLOBE in an email. Enjoy!
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Snow is not frozen rain. Snow forms by sublimation of water vapor--the turning of water vapor directly into ice when its temperature reaches the dew point. The result of this sublimation is a crystal of ice, usually hexagonal. Snow begins in the form of these tiny hexagonal ice crystals in the high clouds; the young crystals are the seeds from which snowflakes will grow. As water vapor is pumped up into the air by updrafts, more water is deposited on the ice crystals, causing them to grow. Soon some of the larger crystals fall to the ground as snowflakes.
I collect snowglobes. My sister-in-law sent me the following SNOWGLOBE in an email. Enjoy!
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Snow is not frozen rain. Snow forms by sublimation of water vapor--the turning of water vapor directly into ice when its temperature reaches the dew point. The result of this sublimation is a crystal of ice, usually hexagonal. Snow begins in the form of these tiny hexagonal ice crystals in the high clouds; the young crystals are the seeds from which snowflakes will grow. As water vapor is pumped up into the air by updrafts, more water is deposited on the ice crystals, causing them to grow. Soon some of the larger crystals fall to the ground as snowflakes.
Monday, December 08, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that eighth little door. You've got 17 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 8. For all the rest of you, you've got 17 more days before Christmas.
Today was completely shot. A dentist appointment. Oh well. All done for another year. I hope. My dentist is a very nice man and does a great job but I'd just a soon not spend too much time with him.
I have most of my out-of-town presents bought and sent. Gotta love the internet. I have to wait until my husband gets his computer back up and running before I can do the Christmas letters. Poor man bought a new mother board and he's been struggling with it for over a week now. He just fried the power supply and went out to get a new one.
I'm all excited because my parents are coming to visit for Christmas. Good thing I didn't send their gifts out to them yet. I can't wait to take them out to see the new house. Actually there isn't too much to see yet but I can at least show them the lot and the footprint.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
I've been listening to talk radio a lot, especially at night. Coast to Coast AM is one of my favorites. That show is really "interesting". Anyway, in honor of that show, UFO expert J. Allen Hynek (1910-1986) developed the following scale to describe encounters with extraterrestrial beings or vessels:
Close Encounter of the First Kind-sighting of a UFO at close range with no other physical evidence.
Close Encounter of the Second Kind-sighting of a UFO at close range , but with some kind of proof, such as a photograph, or an artifact from the UFO.
Close Encounter of the Third Kind-sighting of an actual extraterrestrial being.
Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind-abduction by and extraterrestrial spacecraft.
Today was completely shot. A dentist appointment. Oh well. All done for another year. I hope. My dentist is a very nice man and does a great job but I'd just a soon not spend too much time with him.
I have most of my out-of-town presents bought and sent. Gotta love the internet. I have to wait until my husband gets his computer back up and running before I can do the Christmas letters. Poor man bought a new mother board and he's been struggling with it for over a week now. He just fried the power supply and went out to get a new one.
I'm all excited because my parents are coming to visit for Christmas. Good thing I didn't send their gifts out to them yet. I can't wait to take them out to see the new house. Actually there isn't too much to see yet but I can at least show them the lot and the footprint.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
I've been listening to talk radio a lot, especially at night. Coast to Coast AM is one of my favorites. That show is really "interesting". Anyway, in honor of that show, UFO expert J. Allen Hynek (1910-1986) developed the following scale to describe encounters with extraterrestrial beings or vessels:
Close Encounter of the First Kind-sighting of a UFO at close range with no other physical evidence.
Close Encounter of the Second Kind-sighting of a UFO at close range , but with some kind of proof, such as a photograph, or an artifact from the UFO.
Close Encounter of the Third Kind-sighting of an actual extraterrestrial being.
Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind-abduction by and extraterrestrial spacecraft.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that seventh little door. You've got 18 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 7. For all the rest of you, you've got 18 more days before Christmas.
Have you ever enjoyed doing something so much that you've totally lost track of time? And then you become totally surprised and bewildered when something draws your attention back to the time that you've spent on that activity? I did that this morning. I love playing my clarinet with our contemporary group at church. There was a practice this morning at 7:45 AM. I arrived five minutes early and I hadn't even had my morning cup of coffee yet. We ran through the music that we were going to be playing on Christmas Eve. There was a lot of music to go through and we went through each piece at least two times. All of a sudden I'm beginning to notice that my reed is starting to act up. Only another person who plays a reeded instrument can understand this concept. The reed was getting "lazy". It had outplayed its alotted time limit and I was frustrated that I'd have to stop and change reeds. Then my lips started acting up. I was loosing air at the corners of my mouth. Frustration. I still wanted to keep playing. I was mad at myself because mouth muscles were way out of shape. Surely I hadn't been practicing enough. But wait a minute! Wake up! It was now 9:45 AM! I'd been playing for two solid hours! Well duh! And guess what? I had to come back at 10:45 AM to practice my clarinet with the church orchestra for another hour. I spent three hours playing my clarinet today. I was enjoying myself so much that I totally lost track of how much time I was playing. Now I have the swollen lip to show for it all. Oh well. I don't have to play anymore today. Tomorrow will do. In the meantime, I'll get this Christmas letter all printed out with my new printer and get the cards all addressed and ready to mail. My next practice will be on Thursday for the choir cantata which plays for two services next Sunday.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The moon has a tail. A glowing 15,000 mile long tail of sodium atoms streams from the moon. The faint, orange glow of sodium cannot be seen by the naked eye but it is detectable by instruments. Astronomers are not certain of the source of those sodium atoms.
Have you ever enjoyed doing something so much that you've totally lost track of time? And then you become totally surprised and bewildered when something draws your attention back to the time that you've spent on that activity? I did that this morning. I love playing my clarinet with our contemporary group at church. There was a practice this morning at 7:45 AM. I arrived five minutes early and I hadn't even had my morning cup of coffee yet. We ran through the music that we were going to be playing on Christmas Eve. There was a lot of music to go through and we went through each piece at least two times. All of a sudden I'm beginning to notice that my reed is starting to act up. Only another person who plays a reeded instrument can understand this concept. The reed was getting "lazy". It had outplayed its alotted time limit and I was frustrated that I'd have to stop and change reeds. Then my lips started acting up. I was loosing air at the corners of my mouth. Frustration. I still wanted to keep playing. I was mad at myself because mouth muscles were way out of shape. Surely I hadn't been practicing enough. But wait a minute! Wake up! It was now 9:45 AM! I'd been playing for two solid hours! Well duh! And guess what? I had to come back at 10:45 AM to practice my clarinet with the church orchestra for another hour. I spent three hours playing my clarinet today. I was enjoying myself so much that I totally lost track of how much time I was playing. Now I have the swollen lip to show for it all. Oh well. I don't have to play anymore today. Tomorrow will do. In the meantime, I'll get this Christmas letter all printed out with my new printer and get the cards all addressed and ready to mail. My next practice will be on Thursday for the choir cantata which plays for two services next Sunday.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The moon has a tail. A glowing 15,000 mile long tail of sodium atoms streams from the moon. The faint, orange glow of sodium cannot be seen by the naked eye but it is detectable by instruments. Astronomers are not certain of the source of those sodium atoms.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that sixth little door. You've got 19 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 6. For all the rest of you, you've got 19 more days before Christmas.
We went to the last Italian class today. I think we need more lessons. I only know enough right now to know that I don't speak Italian...but I can tell you in Italian that I don't speak Italian. That's progress. Oh...and I can ask you what your name is and where the bathroom is. Definite progress.
Progress is being made on the home front too. The new home front. We drove over to our lot to check things out and the footprint of the house is taking shape. They've dug a trench around the entire outline of the house footing and it looks like they plan to put up forms for the slab next. I didn't bring my camera so I'll have to swing by next week to document the progress.
Woohoo! Hamilton High School won their state championship football game tonight! I'm not really a football fan but our son marches in the band so we braved the crowds and the traffic to attend the game at Arizona State University's football arena. The game promised to become really depressing after the opposing team immediately scored two touchdowns but things looked up from there. The game went into overtime(s) with the score at 14-14. Then it was tied at 21-21. Then it was tied at 28-28. It was a real nailbiter. In the last overtime, Hamilton scored another touchdown and then more important, prevented the opposing team from tying the score yet again. Woohoo! The final score was 35-28. Go Hamilton Huskies! The band marched brilliantly and sounded great throughout the game. Go Band! As a senior, this was a great way to finish up the marching season.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Since 29.53 days pass between full moons (a synodial month), there is never a blue moon in February.
We went to the last Italian class today. I think we need more lessons. I only know enough right now to know that I don't speak Italian...but I can tell you in Italian that I don't speak Italian. That's progress. Oh...and I can ask you what your name is and where the bathroom is. Definite progress.
Progress is being made on the home front too. The new home front. We drove over to our lot to check things out and the footprint of the house is taking shape. They've dug a trench around the entire outline of the house footing and it looks like they plan to put up forms for the slab next. I didn't bring my camera so I'll have to swing by next week to document the progress.
Woohoo! Hamilton High School won their state championship football game tonight! I'm not really a football fan but our son marches in the band so we braved the crowds and the traffic to attend the game at Arizona State University's football arena. The game promised to become really depressing after the opposing team immediately scored two touchdowns but things looked up from there. The game went into overtime(s) with the score at 14-14. Then it was tied at 21-21. Then it was tied at 28-28. It was a real nailbiter. In the last overtime, Hamilton scored another touchdown and then more important, prevented the opposing team from tying the score yet again. Woohoo! The final score was 35-28. Go Hamilton Huskies! The band marched brilliantly and sounded great throughout the game. Go Band! As a senior, this was a great way to finish up the marching season.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Since 29.53 days pass between full moons (a synodial month), there is never a blue moon in February.
Friday, December 05, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that fifth little door. You've got 20 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 5. For all the rest of you, you've got 20 more days before Christmas.
That does it! No more Pogo for me until I get something done. I can't believe how much time I've wasted on getting the badge this week...and nothing to show for it. I don't even know how to play Euchre. I'm going to go out Christmas shopping, do my Italian homework, wrap some presents, order some internet presents, and decorate the tree. Today! If I never see that stupid solitaire game again it will be too soon for me.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Mole Day was organized by the National Mole Foundation to promote the awareness and enthusiasm for chemistry. It is celebrated each year on October 23rd. I can't believe I missed it! Happy belated Mole Day everyone! By the way, a mole is a fundamental measuring unit for the amount of a substance and refers either to a gram atomic weight or a gram molecular weight of said substance.
That does it! No more Pogo for me until I get something done. I can't believe how much time I've wasted on getting the badge this week...and nothing to show for it. I don't even know how to play Euchre. I'm going to go out Christmas shopping, do my Italian homework, wrap some presents, order some internet presents, and decorate the tree. Today! If I never see that stupid solitaire game again it will be too soon for me.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
Mole Day was organized by the National Mole Foundation to promote the awareness and enthusiasm for chemistry. It is celebrated each year on October 23rd. I can't believe I missed it! Happy belated Mole Day everyone! By the way, a mole is a fundamental measuring unit for the amount of a substance and refers either to a gram atomic weight or a gram molecular weight of said substance.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that fourth little door. You've got 21 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 4. For all the rest of you, you've got 21 more days before Christmas.
I am slowly decorating the house for Christmas. Slowly is the operative word here. I put up the tree today. All four feet of it. I still have to decorate that tree but since the lights came already attached, at least I don't have to dig out strings of lights to test. All I have to do is dig out the ornaments. I also put up my Dicken's 12 Days of Christmas figurines. Maybe I'll tackle putting out the snowglobes tomorrow. At this rate I'll finish decorating the house for Christmas on Christmas and then I'll have to start putting it all away again.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
How to Make a Chemical Garden
Mix 4 Tbsp. of bluing, 4 Tbsp. of salt, and 1 Tbsp. household ammonia. Pour this mixture over pieces of coal in a dish or bowl. Put several drops of red or green ink or mercurochrome on various parts of the coal and leave undisturbed for several days.
A crystal garden, a dishful of crystals that grow like plants and look like coral, will begin to form. How soon the crystals begin to form depends upon the temperatures and humidity in the room.
I am slowly decorating the house for Christmas. Slowly is the operative word here. I put up the tree today. All four feet of it. I still have to decorate that tree but since the lights came already attached, at least I don't have to dig out strings of lights to test. All I have to do is dig out the ornaments. I also put up my Dicken's 12 Days of Christmas figurines. Maybe I'll tackle putting out the snowglobes tomorrow. At this rate I'll finish decorating the house for Christmas on Christmas and then I'll have to start putting it all away again.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
How to Make a Chemical Garden
Mix 4 Tbsp. of bluing, 4 Tbsp. of salt, and 1 Tbsp. household ammonia. Pour this mixture over pieces of coal in a dish or bowl. Put several drops of red or green ink or mercurochrome on various parts of the coal and leave undisturbed for several days.
A crystal garden, a dishful of crystals that grow like plants and look like coral, will begin to form. How soon the crystals begin to form depends upon the temperatures and humidity in the room.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that third little door. You've got 22 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 3. For all the rest of you, you've got 22 more days before Christmas.
Bill Engvall is one of my favorite comedians. I just learned that he's come out with another CD which I'll have to run out and buy. Not today though. I actually found myself saying something today that made me think about his Here's Your Sign routine. I actually found myself saying, "I hate headaches." What an incredibly stupid thing to say! This is in the same line as saying, "I hate being sick." Unless you're a total masochist, of course you hate headaches, being sick, or any other form of pain and suffering! Dumb! I blame the stupidity today on the headache I've had for the second day running. Not a migraine. I get those too. This is a sinus headache. Not as bad but definitely annoying because you know that you have a cold lurking in the background just waiting to beat you up at the most inopportune time. Of course that's a kind of stupid thing to say too since I really don't think there is an opportune time to get sick. Oh well. At least I can share a "funny" that a friend sent me this morning.
New Medications for Women Only
DAMNITOL
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 hours.
ST. MOMMA'S WORT
Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to six hours.
EMPTYNESTROGEN
Highly effective suppository that eliminates melancholy by enhancing the memory of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out.
PEPTOBIMBO
Liquid silicone for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and improves flirting.
DUMBEROL
When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low IQ, resulting in enjoyment of country western music.
FLIPITOR
Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.
MENICILLIN
Potent antiboyotic for older women. Increases resistance to such lines as, "You make me want to be a better person ... can we get naked now?"
BUYAGRA
Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency and duration of spending spree.
Extra Strength BUY-ONE-AL
When combined with Buyagra, can cause an indiscriminate buying frenzy so severe the victim may even come home with a Donnie Osmond CD or a book by
Dr. Laura.
JACKASSPIRIN
Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary or phone number.
ANTI-TALKSIDENT
A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories withtotal strangers.
SEXCEDRIN
More effective than Excedrin in treating the, "Not now, dear, I have a headache" syndrome.
NAGAMENT
When administered to a husband, provides the same irritation as nagging him all weekend, saving the wife the time and trouble of doing it herself.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
A decibel is a measure of the relative loudness or intensity of sound. Right now I can only tolerate a decibel level of about 10. That's the equivalent to a light whisper. Unfortunately, my husband is currently vacuuming the house (I am not complaining because anytime that I can get my husband to help out is a treasured opportunity), but the decibel level is closer to 80 right now. That's the equivalent to rock music or the sound of a subway. I have a noisy vacuum cleaner.
Bill Engvall is one of my favorite comedians. I just learned that he's come out with another CD which I'll have to run out and buy. Not today though. I actually found myself saying something today that made me think about his Here's Your Sign routine. I actually found myself saying, "I hate headaches." What an incredibly stupid thing to say! This is in the same line as saying, "I hate being sick." Unless you're a total masochist, of course you hate headaches, being sick, or any other form of pain and suffering! Dumb! I blame the stupidity today on the headache I've had for the second day running. Not a migraine. I get those too. This is a sinus headache. Not as bad but definitely annoying because you know that you have a cold lurking in the background just waiting to beat you up at the most inopportune time. Of course that's a kind of stupid thing to say too since I really don't think there is an opportune time to get sick. Oh well. At least I can share a "funny" that a friend sent me this morning.
New Medications for Women Only
DAMNITOL
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 hours.
ST. MOMMA'S WORT
Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to six hours.
EMPTYNESTROGEN
Highly effective suppository that eliminates melancholy by enhancing the memory of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out.
PEPTOBIMBO
Liquid silicone for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and improves flirting.
DUMBEROL
When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low IQ, resulting in enjoyment of country western music.
FLIPITOR
Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.
MENICILLIN
Potent antiboyotic for older women. Increases resistance to such lines as, "You make me want to be a better person ... can we get naked now?"
BUYAGRA
Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency and duration of spending spree.
Extra Strength BUY-ONE-AL
When combined with Buyagra, can cause an indiscriminate buying frenzy so severe the victim may even come home with a Donnie Osmond CD or a book by
Dr. Laura.
JACKASSPIRIN
Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary or phone number.
ANTI-TALKSIDENT
A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories withtotal strangers.
SEXCEDRIN
More effective than Excedrin in treating the, "Not now, dear, I have a headache" syndrome.
NAGAMENT
When administered to a husband, provides the same irritation as nagging him all weekend, saving the wife the time and trouble of doing it herself.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
A decibel is a measure of the relative loudness or intensity of sound. Right now I can only tolerate a decibel level of about 10. That's the equivalent to a light whisper. Unfortunately, my husband is currently vacuuming the house (I am not complaining because anytime that I can get my husband to help out is a treasured opportunity), but the decibel level is closer to 80 right now. That's the equivalent to rock music or the sound of a subway. I have a noisy vacuum cleaner.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that second little door. You've got 23 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 2. For all the rest of you, you've got 23 more days before Christmas.
I found some yarn that isn't the exact same color that I need but close enough to avoid a trip to Walmart. One must think of the self preservation aspect of this whole thing. So my new son-in-law's Christmas stocking is all done and waiting to be hung by the fireplace along side my daughter's Christmas stocking. I also finished my Christmas letter but I still have to edit my address file. Actually, I'm going to make my husband to that. In the meantime, it's Tuesday. Laundry day. Also, we had our first meeting with the building supervisor for our new house. We were told that the footprint for the house will be outlined in the dirt this week sometime so I may have to go back out there to take a picture.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The reason golf balls have dimples is because the dimples minimize drag. The dimpled ball can travel farther then a smooth ball. I do not intend to take up golf when I move into our Active Adult Community. I may take some painting classes or even stained glass classes.
I found some yarn that isn't the exact same color that I need but close enough to avoid a trip to Walmart. One must think of the self preservation aspect of this whole thing. So my new son-in-law's Christmas stocking is all done and waiting to be hung by the fireplace along side my daughter's Christmas stocking. I also finished my Christmas letter but I still have to edit my address file. Actually, I'm going to make my husband to that. In the meantime, it's Tuesday. Laundry day. Also, we had our first meeting with the building supervisor for our new house. We were told that the footprint for the house will be outlined in the dirt this week sometime so I may have to go back out there to take a picture.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
The reason golf balls have dimples is because the dimples minimize drag. The dimpled ball can travel farther then a smooth ball. I do not intend to take up golf when I move into our Active Adult Community. I may take some painting classes or even stained glass classes.
Monday, December 01, 2003
If you have an Advent Calendar, today is the day that you should open up that first little door. You've got 24 more little doors to open. No cheating! You can only open door number 1. For all the rest of you, you've got 24 more days before Christmas.
So much time and so little to do. Don't I wish. I did finish the Christmas stocking for my son-in-law. Witness, I didn't blog yesterday. It's almost finished. I still have to find the correct color yarn to embroider his name on it but it's all knitted and the seams are all sewn. I dig around in my yarn collection (doesn't everyone keep a collection of yarn in their closet?) to see if I can find that yarn today. You'd think I'd be able to find something that approximates the correct color in all those bags and tubs of yarn in the closet. Failing that, I'll have to make the life threatening trip to Walmart. Wish me luck!
I didn't just spend my time knitting yesterday. I also started on my annual Christmas letter. I wish I'd kept my father's old Christmas letters so I could look up and see how he handled weddings and son-in-laws in those letters. It sure has been an interesting experience. I wonder if my daughter is going to start her own annual Christmas letter now that she's married? I wrote my first Christmas letter when I got married 25 years ago. I didn't even have a computer back then. Of course, Tina and John don't have a computer yet either. At least I had a typewriter. Maybe I should see if I can find that old typewriter and loan it to them. I think it's in the garage.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
For all you people out there eager to start fireplace fires to chase away the winter chill, you may be interested to know that the paper you plan to use as kindling ignites at 450°F.
So much time and so little to do. Don't I wish. I did finish the Christmas stocking for my son-in-law. Witness, I didn't blog yesterday. It's almost finished. I still have to find the correct color yarn to embroider his name on it but it's all knitted and the seams are all sewn. I dig around in my yarn collection (doesn't everyone keep a collection of yarn in their closet?) to see if I can find that yarn today. You'd think I'd be able to find something that approximates the correct color in all those bags and tubs of yarn in the closet. Failing that, I'll have to make the life threatening trip to Walmart. Wish me luck!
I didn't just spend my time knitting yesterday. I also started on my annual Christmas letter. I wish I'd kept my father's old Christmas letters so I could look up and see how he handled weddings and son-in-laws in those letters. It sure has been an interesting experience. I wonder if my daughter is going to start her own annual Christmas letter now that she's married? I wrote my first Christmas letter when I got married 25 years ago. I didn't even have a computer back then. Of course, Tina and John don't have a computer yet either. At least I had a typewriter. Maybe I should see if I can find that old typewriter and loan it to them. I think it's in the garage.
Today's Little Bit of Trivia
For all you people out there eager to start fireplace fires to chase away the winter chill, you may be interested to know that the paper you plan to use as kindling ignites at 450°F.