Rambling Unsettled Vagabond

Wendy Inez Stanford Lawson

2012-01-10T08:18:00.000-08:00

You Are Enchanting and Artful

You are very charming... dangerously so. You have the potential to break a lot of hearts.

You know how what you want, how to get it, and that you will get it.

You have the power to rule the world. Let's hope you're a benevolent dictator!

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.

You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.

People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.

You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.

You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are incredibly wise and perceptive. You have a lot of life experience.

You are a natural peacemaker, and you are especially good at helping others get along.

But keeping the peace in your own life is not easy. You see things very differently, and it's hard to get you to budge.

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.

You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.

You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.

You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are loving, compassionate, and ruled by your feelings.

You are able to be a foundation for other people... but you still know how to have fun.

Sometimes your emotions weigh you down, but you generally feel free from them.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.

At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

In the midst of all the drama…

2012-01-08T17:14:00.001-08:00

It seems right now we are wading through a lot of problems. Some of it is tenant related, we are yet again faced with a tenant wanting to break a lease in winter. Some of it is work related stress – my new role requires managing people who don’t have the same work ethic I do. Family stress – unfortunately not all parts of my family get along. When home, work, and family stress collide all at once – I feel like I’m going to implode. And I don’t feel comfortable airing all the details on my blog – we all have issues, mine are not unique.

So I thought I’d try to focus on the positives and “tie a knot and hang on.”

I’m really blessed to have two wonderful supportive parents who have taught me responsibility, God, and family are all important priorities. My work ethic comes from them. They are amazing people and I’ve been blessed to see them through both the eyes of a child and the eyes of an adult. I love you Mom and Dad!

I’m really blessed to have a wonderful supportive husband. We are opposites in so many ways but I love to be able to “see” the world through his eyes. Our conversations are always eye openers – I’d like to think we help each other grow. I get to see things from his perspective and he gets to take a look at my perspective. We’ve certainly grown – at the beginning of our relationship – we’d have to agree to disagree a lot. Most recently we talk, talk, talk, until we have a united front. Even though we may not “agree” we form a united plan and work the plan. We’re getting better at being a team.

I’m really blessed to be employed in a position I both enjoy and enjoy sharing with others. My teaching background has come in very handy as I help my team and answer their questions. It certainly is not a job for everyone. I do customer service for health insurance – you know us – we’re the big bad insurance company who only wants your money and doesn’t pay your bills? Luckily, the majority of my calls actually do have positive resolutions – most things are fixable. I’m looking forward to this year really doing some added training to bring my crew up to snuff. I will get to attend a leadership conference in the fall that will bring me to MN and I can spend some time with friends while I’m there on business. And my company is large enough so when we move south I should be able to transfer to another office.

I’m very blessed to have an extended family all over the world – and being able to stay in touch on line helps keep me connected. Both Mom and Dad come from very large families and I have over 100 first cousins. Facebook is a family affair for me. It’s so nice to be able to “hear” how things are going. I wish we were all closer.

I am blessed to have two cute kitties – Momma and her daughter Sissy. Momma the strong alpha female is roly poly and runs like a rabbit kicking both back feet at the same time. She doesn’t have a real “meow” – just sort of a croak. And Sissy is skittish – any little noise will send her running. She’s lean and lanky and quite a crooner. She’ll sing for no reason at all.

I am blessed to have a roof over my head. While dealing with the fourplex can be stressful, our living expenses are less. The building pays for itself and most of the utilities. What we pay here is less than what we’d pay in rent somewhere else. But I’m beginning to wonder if the stress is worth the savings.

There are so many other things I’m thank for – working with great people, having a running car, running water, heat, lights, internet, books, computers, TV, a piano, and so on. I want for nothing. God is good. We will get through this rough patch – I know we will. And I know we’ll be stronger on the other side.

So that’s it – I’m tying my knot and hanging on.

TGIF, what’s going on?

2011-10-21T21:08:00.001-07:00

Wow, where to begin? Work? Family? Landlord?

How about family. Mom and Dad are in Texas for a few weeks having a ball. I just have to share it was quite a crazy few week getting Mom’s oxygen all lined out. Airlines no longer provide oxygen in flight and there is a specific list of FDA approved devices. The online rental companies charge you almost half of what it would cost you to buy one for just a 2 week rental. I might as well sell them a kidney. I have to offer big KUDOS to two local businesses.

Procare Home Medical in Anchorage went above and beyond. They had one device in the “acceptable list” they were willing to rent on short notice. (Short notice because Mom and Dad had to wait for PFD’s to buy their tickets about two weeks before leaving.) Not only did they step up with short notice, they ordered and rented us 2 extra batteries for a total of 4 to meet the other FDA requirement – batteries to last 150% of flight time.

Once we had Procare on board, Internal Medicine Associates, Mom’s lung doctor had to complete the Delta Airlines Physician statement and return it me the same day so I could get it to Delta within 48 business hours of Mom’s flight. A big shout out to nurse Deb, “You are simply amazing, thank you for putting up with all my calls and doing the form twice so it was all A-OKAY.”

The weekend before Mom and Dad flew out, I helped Mom make sugar cookies and decorate them to give to Procare and Internal Medicine Associates. It was so cool and so much fun.

So Mom and Dad are in a warmer climate, loving up on their kids, grand kids, and their one great grand child. I miss them so much. But I’m so happy – Mom had never met 2 of those grand kids and the great grand child. I can’t imagine. I wish we were all closer together.

Okay, moving along to landlord. Same. Repair this, renovate that, collect this rent, post that notice, pay that bill. Enough said.

Work – wow, work seems to dominate most of my life right now. But I received news today they are pulling back some of my responsibilities in one of my two jobs. They are adding some staff to the Express Desk and then I can pull back and just be back up for this team. This will allow me to really focus my team lead responsibilities at my site. I am very excited, I never thought I’d be excited to be “downsized” but it’ll be nice to do the work of one person instead of two and half.

And December is going to be weird. You see I have 80+ hours of PTO to use – my company has a “use it, or lose it” policy. And in the dual role I had, I really could not take a lot of time off – there was always an excuse. Well no more excuses and I have 10 days off in December, every Thursday and Friday off – so I have 4 three day work weeks with 4 four day weekends. How cool is that? Lots of time to have fun around the house. Yeah!

Okay enough update for now. Love to all my family and friends.

Life, no work balance right now…

2011-09-18T18:27:00.001-07:00

Right now, work has taken over. I’m not sure yet how long this is going to be like this. The prior company I worked (company R for privacy) before we were assumed by a larger company (company M) discouraged overtime, staffed appropriately, and did not ‘bite off more than they could chew.’ Company M is short staffed and is too departmentalized, not unlike any other large company.

We do have a crew of customer service reps in training so hopefully after this batch hits the floor we’ll be in a better spot. They should be done training soon, then I’ll retrain them. October is a big client’s open enrollment season and I’m a key player in troubleshooting and calling customer’s back. I love what I do – I love making sure member’s know their insurance benefits so they can make the most of it and I love helping on the back end when something did not go as planned. But I have to say, I’m tired of having more work than I can do.

My best friend’s Mom used to change jobs every 5 years or so, now I understand why. It’s easy to get burned out. I guess I need to find that place in side myself where I can leave work at work, work be damned, and be home when I’m home. It’s why I left teaching, so I could have a home life.

What have been up to?

2011-08-02T22:57:00.001-07:00

Or what have I not been up to?

Well – this last weekend was DH birthday weekend. Thursday after work I went present shopping. I already had in mind the few items hubby had asked for – an Indiglo Timex watch. Wal-Mart will match any other store in Alaska, but not their own website. Their manager explained this is due to shipping costs. But Best Buy will match their website prices – now if we could only get Wal-Mart to step up. So after perusing Wal-Mart and snagging some spare flip flops, a card, cinnamon muffins, tissue paper and a large decorative bag – I was done there.

They didn’t have the cast iron reversible grill / griddle I was looking for – so I headed over to Sportsman’s Warehouse. I snuck in the out door five minutes after they had closed and were trying to get their last minute shoppers wrapped up. I knew exactly what I wanted, headed straight to the cast iron, grabbed my reversible grill / griddle and checked out. I headed home and bagged everything up.

When I got home, I made up the muffins and started to help hubby on his computer – little did I know, behind my back – he ate up all the muffins before I even had the chance to glaze them. They didn’t even last until his birthday Friday.

So Friday, breakfast – cheese pizza – hubby’s favorite food. Open presents. Remind dear hubby one present is in the mail and will arrive in a few days. Computer power supply arrives in the mail. I swapped the power supply that vents out the back with the supply that was venting into the tower. We used the spare supply in DH’s old computer. I reinstalled a fresh copy of Windows XP, reinstalled all the drivers, and now we have a spare PC. DH enjoyed his pizza and video games and presents. Saturday DH was coming down with a cold that he so kindly shared with me – we were down sick through Monday – but it still was a cuddly weekend.

I had time to play around with Linux – I downloaded Knoppix on a boot CD and was able to use it to determine hubby’s hard drive in the old machine was viable, only the Windows was messed up. I downloaded Ubuntu for my laptop and partitioned my drive – I now have 2 operating systems to choose from – I just got carried away in the idea of free software. The whole concept of a free operating system and free software is a kind of cool thought. What a busy weekend.

3 day weekend turned project weekend

2011-07-24T19:24:00.001-07:00

With hubby on call… weekends are hard to plan.

So this weekend turned into fixing some drywall and re-caulking the tub in apartment #3. Thanks again Dad for the help! We got them a shower curtain with a liner – and gave them instructions on it’s use. We tightened up the fixtures and put a rubber gasket between the tub faucet and the wall. We applied a thick bead of caulk around the tub. I painted the drywall patches today. We also put some caulk around the chrome circle around the spigot. Apparently water was getting into the wall with the fixtures and causing ‘rain’ in my bathroom. Hopefully – this will keep the water where it belongs – in the tub. Next weekend – replace the bathroom fan. Apparently the other one broke a few months ago and the tenant removed the motor thinking to replace it but they never told us it was broken. Hmmm…..

Hubby’s computer was freezing – so I downlaoded “speed fan” and found out his GPU was over heating. Apparently the graphics card fan was not working. So I researched and laid out the options. Option 1 – replace the graphics card fan, cheap but we have to wait for delivery of the part and no guarantee the cards not damaged. Option 2 – replace the card and power supply. Option 3 – replace the computer if the cost of repair is about 1/3 of the cost of a new computer. We chose option 2 and went shopping for a new video card. Hubby chose a middle of the rode card, little higher than what I was recommending but certainly not top of the line either. It’s perfect for his needs. Only glitch – new power supply vents at the bottom rather than the back – my mistake. I’ve ordered one that vents from the back and it should be here in the next 3-8 days. We’ll swap it out and put this supply in a spare tower we have that used to be hubby’s computer.

And to top if all off I modified a molle vest for dear hubby. The US military molle vest we found online doesn’t fit my extra large guy. The only part of the vest that is not adjustable is the hips – so I split it in two places and added straps and buckles to the hips now adjust too. I broke 2 needles and it ain’t pretty, but it will hold up.

Only thing I didn’t get to was the lawn mowing – the rain moved in too soon. I could use a nice quiet weekend with nothing.

Accomplishments…

2011-07-10T22:41:00.001-07:00

Saturday we, Mum and Dad and I, tackled a project I’d been waiting to do for a year. Last year Dad and hubby built lofts in the landlord storage shed so all the wasted ceiling space could be utilized. It more than doubled the space of that closet. Well I had bought the lumber to do the same thing to our other storage closet but it did not get done last year.

After our mini camping trip on the Fourth of July weekend, with all the camping gear out of the shed and the BBQ grill out in the backyard – it just seemed like the right time. Half the stuff was already out of the storage shed. So Dad and I with Mum supervising tackled this project.

We used 2x4’s to create a loft area, laid down some plywood pieces we already had in there across the 2x4’s and moved all the floor rubber maid containers and boxes into the new loft. We ran out of 2x4’s so we resorted to two 1x4’s together about 18” inches from the wall going across the back wall to create a niche for our winter tires to stand up vertically rather than laying on the shed floor. We’ve got some extra tires from our previous vehicle we need to get rid of or repurpose, but all the tires are now more easily accessible.

There is now a whole lot more space for the BBQ grill and camping gear and everything we use most often is so much easier to get. Woo hoo…

We also mowed, weed whipped, and Dad brushed all the dried moss of the storage shed roof – thanks Dad! And today to celebrate – we went to the movies! What fun!

Struck a chord…

2011-07-04T01:10:00.001-07:00

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying.."I will try again tomorrow." ~Mary Anne Radmacher

Fall seven times, stand up eight. ~Japanese Proverb

It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. ~Albert Einstein

Saints are sinners who kept on going. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce. ~Vivian Komori

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it. ~Albert Schweitzer

Sample chair done!

2011-06-26T22:37:00.001-07:00

So, as promised earlier in the summer, with the help of my Dad, I’ve built a 2x4 chair. We followed the plans from 2822 Shop exactly. This was the test chair.

Changes planned for the next chair:

1. Hubby is tall, 6’7” so add about 3-4” to the legs.

2. Hubby and I are both big and wide so the plan is to widen the seats too.

3. Taller back and longer seat bottom to accommodate cushions.

4. Cushions – firm and not real thick, comfortable, durable.

Confession

2011-06-20T08:18:00.001-07:00

So, in the past 6 years I’ve regained about 100 of the 150 lbs. I had lost from 2000 to 2005. I’ve joined Spark, a free community that allows you to track fitness, nutrition, weight, and other goals – like financial goals. It’s not just a community for weight loss, it’s for anyone wanting support to live a healthier life.

I have a blog there is at JUFOME (just for me). It’s tied to my Facebook page so occasional updates will print there.

So I’m back on the lo carb, portion control, get some activity wagon. I’ve struggled with weight since about 3rd grade on, with my highest weight being 349. I’m putting the brakes on my weight gain NOW. I am not going back to that weight.

My breaking point came when my DH wanted to buy me new clothes because I don’t have much that fits well anymore. I had been dragging my feet on buying new clothes because then I would be admitting I had increased yet another size. I blew up and later had to apologize to DH for blowing up over something so silly as him wanting to buy me clothes. Crazy huh? Any wife in her right mind would never pass up an trip to the store to have someone else buy you clothes, right?

So meditating some to think about why I’m back where I was before, I scoured the web and found Spark People. I love that it’s free. You can use their menu plans or make your own. As I lo carb and am gluten free – I make my own. You get points for tracking food and fitness, you get points for reading educational articles. You can do what you want with it – more or less. You can be as much a part of the community as you want – you can set it to private and have it all to yourself or be more public and give and receive motivation.

What got me back where I am? Hubby’s rich, delicious GF cooking and huge servings – not hubby’s fault – I could have dished myself or just stopped eating. I certainly have a “clean the plate” mentality and it was just so good. And lack of activity – I want to do things with DH and DH just doesn’t want to do those things – so it’s time to get up off my duff and just DO. I know I’ll feel better.

So that’s it – that’s my confession. I’ve regained weight and I’m making a plan to get it back under control. I will do this, again. Later world. (And Grunty and Chubbs – I try to comment on your great blog but it won’t let me – so know that I read you, every post.)

Sunday Stealing June 12,2011

2011-06-12T09:04:00.001-07:00

Every week Sunday Stealing “steals” a meme from somewhere on the net for us all to share. Today’s meme was ripped off a blogger known as blogger and blog named PT-LawMom.

Sunday Stealing:The Seriously Random Question Meme, Part 1

1. Your ex's car is on the side of the road, on fire. What do you do? Call 911

2. Your best friend tells you she is pregnant. What is your reaction? Excitement

3. When is the last time you wanted to punch someone in the face? Never? Violence only begets violence, however my beloved husband who is the opposite of me tests my patience from time to time.

4. What is the last thing you spent money on? Raffle ticket at the AK Run for Women – breast cancer support walk/run.

5. Do you think you gained or lost weight this past month? Neither, but I’m trying to lose.

6. Crunchy or Puffy Cheetos? Ummm… didn’t I just say I was trying to lose weight? Pass on the Cheetos please.

7. The first person on your friends list just called you a bitch. What do you do? Look again and make sure it was my friend, my friend wouldn’t call me names.

8. Congratulations! You just had a son. What’s his name? Hunter Thomas, hubby’s pick.

9. Congratulations! You just had a daughter. What’s her name? Donna Colleen, family names in hubby’s family.

10. What are you craving right now? A weekend to myself.

11. What was the last thing you cried about? Argument with spouse.

12. When you buy something and your change is 2 cents, do you keep it or tell the cashier to keep it? I usually put it in the donation jar at the counter for a local charity.

13. What color is your tissue box? Don’t have one open right now, last one was green.

14. Do you have a ceiling fan in your bedroom, and if so, is there dust on that fan? Yes, sometimes, not now though, recently cleaned.

15. What was the last voicemail you received about? To inform me that a co-worker was calling in sick.

16. Have you ever blocked someone on Facebook? Not persons, but applications.

17. Scariest thing you’ve experienced in the last year? Wondering if hubby would find stable employment.

18. Do you wear a name tag at work? Nope.

19. What kind of car do you want? A hybrid truck with an average 100 miles to the gallon.

20. What do you order when you go to Burger King? I don’t eat at BK, but if I didn’t have a choice – I’d order a double cheeseburger with no bun.

10 Random things for Friday / June 10th 2011

2011-06-10T07:30:00.001-07:00

1. I have one long term tenant who has gotten used to paying late rent, and it’s partially my fault – we’ve waived the late fee a time or two when his wife was unemployed. We try to be as accommodating and understanding of people’s circumstances as we can without putting ourselves in financial ruin. However – they are now both working – come on people – get your act together. Pay your rent on time! And oh yeah, late fee is due too.

2. Hubby and I had one of those great “ah ha” moments yesterday. One of those moments where we appreciate our differences and we remember ways we can support each other’s needs. I’m “touchy feely” and hubby is not. But he made extra efforts yesterday to hug and caress randomly through out the day, my whole mood changed. He was happily surprised – the power of touch by a loved one.

3. I need to schedule my tattoo appointment, I got the gift certificate at Christmas and have just been putting it off. “I’ll do it after this or that or this…” Time to just do it.

4. Lime and grass seed. I need to lime the lawn to counteract the dog urine from the neighbor’s dogs and then throw some grass seed in the empty spots.

5. I need to update my parents’ virus software this weekend. And I need to add my Mom’s family group to her Facebook page.

6. Fishing – need to do some. Trying to find a day or two hubby and I have off together where we can drive down the peninsula and fish all day.

7. CDL hubby is studying to get his CDL – yeah hubby! He will get more work with his current employer and be more of asset – job security.

8. Fences – they make good neighbors. We are getting estimates to put up a fence between our property and the next – we share our front yard. Both our fourplexes face each other. He has 2 dogs – urine and feces all over our lawn. I’ve lost one lilac bush. The other bushes are not so happy. But everything in the backyard is thriving. So we’re hoping a fence will save our lawn and plants. Here’s hoping.

9. Work… always plenty to do. It always make me cringe when I hear a comment like “you are the first person who really heard me” or “why didn’t the other 5 people I spoke with do what you’re doing for me?” We still have to work on our first line customer service.

10. Hmmmm… I need to finish crocheting this shawl for hubby’s aunt…

Spring cleaning

2011-05-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

Whew, busy day.

Got a lot done.

There are still a few more things to do, but I’m bushed. I rearranged the living room slightly – I moved the piano to another wall. And I got rid of some of the clutter. Just enough change to not overwhelm the husband.

I got rid of one old TV and only one more older TV to go – but it’s too heavy for me to lift. I went through a lot of bags of things that had just migrated to our make shift storage room. I’ve put together a pile on top of that old TV that can all be donated.

I did six loads of laundry, swept, vacuumed, did a load of dishes, and evicted hundreds of dust bunnies.

I would have mowed the lawn, but the 2 minutes in I ran out of gas.

Tomorrow’s going to be busy too – with the crazy weather in the Midwest, the call load will shift to remote office. I’ll be headed into work early. And just a few more things to do in the vacant apartment.

Thanks Dad for all your help! Thanks Mom for letting me borrow Dad!

God bless all – I hope you have a wonderful week!

I am mild mannered... depends on who's asking :)

2011-05-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

Found this at my Aunt's Blog Where the Road Takes Us.

You Are Mild-Mannered

You are polite and courteous. You always mind your manners.

You are very considerate and thoughtful. The world needs more people like you.

You want to live a peaceful life. You don't have time for toxic people.

You like to blend in. Standing out in the crowd is overrated.

The Petit Dessert Test

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

What am I up to this May?

2011-05-17T07:29:00.001-07:00

The usual. Cleaning, painting, organizing the install of the new carpet, calling my Dad to help fix the door, cleaning the oven, scrubbing the tub, washing windows, and so on.

We will never rent to a military person without a deposit again. We were given to understand the military program we were participating in “had our back.” Come to find out they can only suggest the gentleman make good and if they choose not to – it’s small claims court.

1 kicked in front door – $45 door frame, $20 trim, $20 new hardware

1 broken window they repaired with picture frame glass – $150

1 missing front door key – rekeying and replacing keys – $120

and 1 huge water bill for the last 30 days because they were mad at us for not renewing their lease – ick.

Angry but glad their gone. Moving on. I’m always surprised at the lack of responsibility out there. I feel horrible if I cause damage to something in any capacity and feel a need to take ownership. Well, I know I probably take responsibility for more than myself – it’s how I’m wired. But I could never understand not “owning your stuff.”

On the positive, I think we have new tenants already lined out. We posted the vacancy on Craigslist and not five minutes later got a call. And thanks to hubby and Dad, it should be ready by the end of the week. Big Kudos to Dad and I – we took the front door frame out and replaced the broken board – not an easy task. Got it back in and rehung the door. Deadbolt hits home now.

Gonna be a busy week!

Curious as a Cat Monday

2011-05-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

5/16/2011

Week Number 281

1) You wake up chained to the wall of a medieval torture room. The torture devices are laid out on a table in front of you. What’s your plan?

Well now, ain’t that interesting. I think at first I’d wonder how this 20th century girl woke up so far in the past. “Oh shoot – I over shot – I meant to stop in the late 1800’s.” I’d look around and hope my husband came with me in this nightmare and hope he’s not in the role of the torturer (he he). I’d wait for the torturer to enter and I’d offer him the secrets of the future in trade for my freedom. After he released me, I’d whip out my hand cranked flashlight and make light on command. While he was distracted by the light, I’d pull out my taser and zap him. Then I’d make my escape.

2) What era is your favorite for fashion so far in your life?

Well, I kind like jeans so I guess I like now the most. But 1800’s frontier America, cotton and calico full length dresses, 3/4 sleeves, caps or bonnets, aprons, and boots. Works for me too.

3) You've just won a lifetime supply of candy! Which type do you pick? (By the way, it’s miraculously healthy to eat—no calories, no damage to teeth or other body parts.)

An easy one. Peanut M&M’s.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

“Wow! When did I have time to organize my desk? Oh that reminds me I need paper clips too.”

Public Domain Photo

Neptune

2011-05-10T07:22:00.001-07:00

Found this blog quiz at my cousin’s Sweetly B Squared

What is Your House Ruled By?

You Are Ruled by Neptune

You are a genuinely nice person and a joy to be with. You are a light in others' lives.
You are self-effacing and unassuming. You are free of swagger and bravado.

You have deep and profound relationships. You foster closeness and openness with people.
You bring people together and often are the social glue in your group. You love friendly gatherings.

I don’t know. I think I have some swagger and bravado, what do you think?

Curious as a Cat Monday on Wednesday

2011-05-04T07:05:00.001-07:00

5/02/2011

Week Number 279 (wanna play along, click here)

1) When the power goes out, do you grab matches and candles or a flashlight first?

Flashlight, right next to hubby’s computer, then the candle in the kitchen.

2) If you could personify and speak to your deepest, darkest fear, what would you say?

Death, is that you? I know I should be glad to see you sometimes, but you still really bug me. After you visit my loved ones, I no longer get to enjoy them in this lifetime. The separation that comes after you is deep and permanent and frankly I don’t like. But I know it’s a reality, one I think I’m handling better. Someday I’ll be glad to see you and maybe sit and have a cup of tea with you.

3) You're gathering signatures for a petition - what's your cause?

Flat tax across the nation, no deductions, just a simple flat tax – no giant tax code. Everyone could file their own taxes – income X percentage – that’s it. Everyone the same. No IRS agency required.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Think we can make a cake look like a piece of furniture? The only way to keep you husband from eating the cake – hide it in plain site.

Curious as a Cat Monday (on Wednesday)

2011-04-27T07:42:00.001-07:00

Week Number 278 (click here if you’d like to participate) 4/25/11

1) Who is your favorite fictional character? What would you do if you met him or her?

Well now, that’s a tough one. I think I have lot’s of favorite characters but only a few favorite authors. I guess I’ll go with Anne Shirley from Green Gables and I’d hope we’d sit down and drink some cordial together and chat about family blessings.

2) What part of the human body do you find to be the weirdest?

They all kind of go together so if one is weird aren’t they all weird which I guess makes me weird. It’s amazing that if one little part doesn’t work it really can affect the whole body. I guess I’ve always wondered why the baby making parts are part of or near the waste disposal parts – not that either part is weird, just that they are located together is weird.

3) What song reminds you of a specific time in your life? What about it makes that time so memorable?

Uh oh, another tough one. Ask my husband – I can’t remember song names or artists for the most part. But I can tell you if I like something or if it strikes a chord. Think. Think. Think. Think. Well, I guess I’ll say the children’s hymn “I am Jesus Little Lamb” – it comes to mind because when I was stabbed in 1997, I sang the hymn to myself while riding in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. I had a sense of calm and knew I would be okay. Really weird and really personal, but there it is.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

This brings to mind my husband’s desire to garden and lay up foods and such. This reminds me of the herbs he’d like to grow and dry or freeze for cooking. We’ll have to try that this summer – we can shop at the farmers markets that run all summer. If we stock up on those herbs that are available – we should dry some to use during the winter. Or make a puree and freeze them.

Frugal Fun Furniture

2011-04-27T07:30:00.001-07:00

We will be needing a new couch soon, the old one is worn and the boards are breaking. It seems nothing is built a solid as it used to be.

So, I’ve decided I’d like to build my own couch. Something made from wood so I can make it the length I want with the angles I want and the height I want (6’4” husband).

And if it’s made from a combination of 2x4’s and 1x4’s – it’s easily repairable or easily disassembled and reassembled.

And I can make cushions in any “puffiness” or “firmness” with whatever covering we choose. We could have a durable everyday ticking fabric and a more decorative “guest” covers.

Having 3 kitties in the house – if they happen to scratch a leg – well that’s okay that leg is now inexpensive and replaceable. Hair on the cushions? No problem, take that cover off and wash it. I can make the covers easy to put on and take off. And with the price of 2x4x8’s as $0.98 each – I can build my couch for much less than buying one new.

There are a few plans on the internet for chairs like the one pictured above. I intend to build a chair first – and have DH test it out for height, width, and angles. Then I’ll extend it. If it works out well – I’ll make a loveseat size and a sofa size.

Check out Ready Made and 2822 Shop. I found some plans for chairs, foot stools, and even a small center coffee table with storage inside. It’ll be fun – a daughter father project when building the furniture itself and a daughter mother project when we start on the cushions.

Fun Frugal Furniture

(I even found a pattern for a rolling compost bin from East Texas Gardening … I’ll build that after the couch is done.)

What’s your Mothering personality?

2011-04-17T23:07:00.001-07:00

While I’m not a mother, I thought this was interesting. I snagged it from The Adventures of Grunty and Chubbs.

The 'Give 'Em Their Space' Mother

ISTP (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)

"My feelings are my own business. Not theirs. So I honor their privacy too."

Non-intrusive and respectful of differences, the ISTP mother gives her children the personal space they need to develop as separate, self-sufficient individuals. As children grow and mature, she enjoys observing how each one becomes his or her own person. She seeks to accept and honor each child's interests, opinions, and choices.

The ISTP mother does not believe in authority or control for its own sake. Instead, she favors a non-directive approach. Yet she has high expectations for each child's self-discipline as a key to self sufficiency.

To these ends, the ISTP mother wants to "be there" for her children—to meet their basic needs and keep them safe. Her goal is to help her children think for themselves and take responsibility for their own actions.

Tips

The ISTP needs to find a comfortable way to connect with her children's feelings and concerns on a regular basis. She can develop systems or techniques the family can use to initiate more personal conversations. For example, a child might place a baseball cap on his door handle by 7 P.M. as a signal to his mother that he would appreciate a bedtime chat that night. Or she might keep an open mother-daughter journal that allows for each one to communicate personal thoughts through written conversation.
The greatest gift the ISTP mother can give herself is a break from day-to-day household routines. She may enjoy going out by herself to visit a bookstore or see a movie. Or she may prefer to hire a housekeeper (if she can afford it), or delegate those chores she finds intolerable to other family members.

Strengths

Honoring differences. While she may not always agree with them, the ISTP mother fundamentally believes her children have the right to their own points of view. She tends to follow their lead in what interests them, rather than trying to shape or control what or how they think.
Respecting a child's privacy. The ISTP mother provides her children with the physical and emotional privacy she values for herself. She is careful to knock before entering a child's room, doesn't ask who called on the phone, and backs off from asking personal questions that to her seem intrusive.
Fostering self-sufficiency. The ISTP mother believes in self-discipline. Not liking to be confined by rules or authority herself, she may be intentionally "lenient" with her children so they can think situations through on their own, choose their actions, and then assess their own behavior.
Engaging children in intellectual discussions. As she helps her children think for themselves, the ISTP mother enjoys intellectual discussions with them at any age. Her best times as a mother may be those moments when she and her children discuss what they are studying at school—grammar, geography, world events—or what they want to do in life.

Struggles

Providing emotional support. The ISTP mother may feel out of her element when it comes to giving a child the emotional closeness he or she needs. She may struggle with showing warmth and affection, coaxing a scared child, or figuring out the emotional aspects of a child's behavior.
Asking personal questions. When her child needs help handling an emotional issue, the ISTP mother may be reluctant to probe his or her feelings—she doesn't want to put the child on the spot or set off an emotional outburst. But her children may confuse her non-intrusive behavior with not caring.
Traditional domestic tasks. Handling the domestic side of child-raising does not appeal to the ISTP mother. She tends to be uncomfortable if called on to fix home-cooked meals regularly, insist children sit down to eat, dress them in matching outfits, or provide little touches that make their rooms homey.

Some of this is “dead” on but without being a parent… I wonder…

Stubborn me…

2011-04-13T22:04:00.001-07:00

Life is always changing. Usually I can roll with the punches. But I’ve always craved stability, sameness, ROCK, home… We moved around a lot, well at least it seemed like a lot when I was younger. I attended a boarding school from age 13 on so I was only “home” in the summers; then college, then teaching in Alaska.

In my heart of hearts, I’ve always wanted the cozy house you grew up in your whole life with the neighbors you’ve known for years. Sounds silly doesn’t it? I’m realistic to know that home is where you make it, it’s an attitude, a feeling, being with those you love. But sometimes I still want the silly old building on the foundation. So I sometimes have a yearning, a homesickness if you will that churns up when change is on the horizon. A resistance to change…

My parents are aging, we’ve lost so many aunts and uncles and other friends and relatives in the last few years – it just hits home how lucky I am to have both parents. And to have them only minutes away. It’s absolutely precious. But in a year or two that’s all going to change.

I love the thought of moving closer to family, but I hate the thought of moving in general. The buying of a new home, making new relationships. Change, change, and more change. Now – when the moment arrives – I’ll embrace it and make an adventure of it, I assure you. But now I sit in dread… and my “homesickness” whelms up.

Alright, enough contemplating my stubborn me. Time to let go. Let life move and flow.

I have learned…

2011-04-13T21:33:00.001-07:00

I have learned that when it feels as if everything has stopped

and yet I haven’t that means I’m moving,

even when it seems almost in spite of myself.

If I’m moving, then I’m living, and if I’m living,

then I’m going to make the most out of it.

~ Jazzy Carlson

The Awakening

2011-04-11T21:08:00.001-07:00

quoted from Luminous, yahoo.com, I just really liked this…

A time comes in your life when you finally get it... when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change... or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there isn't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter). You learn that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions. You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new-found confidence is born of self-approval.
You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with... and in the process you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life. You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love.

How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK.... and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want... and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.
You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less.

You learn that your body really is your temple; you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise. You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve... and that much of life truly is a self-fulfill

Curious as a Cat Monday

2011-04-11T20:25:00.001-07:00

Week Number 276

1) Do you collect anything? Why, or why not?

I’ve collected things, then feel cluttered and let go of my collections – usually art and craft supplies or music CD’s or music books and the like. But I still have my collection of books by Anne McCaffrey.

2) Would you describe yourself as spiritual, religious, or something else?

Hmmm… now that’s person – religious and spiritual – I’d say I was raised religious but have become more spiritual.

3) When was the last time you used a telephone book?

Does it count if I’m using yellowpages.com?

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

It makes me think of a sea anemone or sea coral of some sort. It also makes me think of sweet potatos or squash.

Check out Curious Cat and play along.