On Topic

2012-01-28T19:25:00.001-06:00

Dec 1, 2011

I really love Christmas. One of the ways I really like to celebrate is to do an advent calendar with small activities for each day. I think it is a great lead in to get us ready for Christmas. I hate the feeling when you realize Christmas is only a few days away and you haven’t really taken time to enjoy it.

I looked around at many ideas and have finally put together a list of activities I think help to celebrate Christmas - the birth of Jesus. And this year I finally made the advent calendar I promised my friend Gina last year! Here it is. I'm also hoping to get MINE done... Umm TODAY! LOL We'll see. But next year LOOK OUT... it'll be ready Way in advance!

I gotta go ...

2012-01-28T19:22:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we take or make a call when we only have a couple minutes to talk. I usually try to tell the other person the situation so they are not surprised or offended when I have to hang up. But sometimes there are those people that no matter what... well, stopping them is like stopping a freight train.

I had a quick question for someone so I sent a text. It turned into more than I realized and soon I got a text saying "Can you call me?". So I did, but I started the conversation out with, "Hi, I only have a minute, I'm meeting someone and I'm late already." I expect this to help keep the call short, but after addressing the initial problem the other party launches into several other unnecessary areas which makes me wonder if they thought I was kidding, or just didn't care that I was meeting someone.

When someone tells me they are meeting someone or doing something, I quickly assess whether we need to talk at all THIS VERY MOMENT and if we don't I usually say, "No problem, let's just talk later". Wouldn't that be the considerate thing to do? I guess some people just haven't learned that yet.

Lord, please help all of us, me included, to be more considerate of others and to treat them the way we ourselves would want to be treated. Thank you.

1st...let me say Happy Birthday to me !

2012-01-28T12:27:00.003-06:00

YAY!! Happy Birthday to ME! I love birthdays... I think of them as a special day to celebrate ... ME!

I think a person should be made to feel special all the time, but if not, then at least ONCE a year, on the anniversary of their birth.

So I started out the day with my friend Amy taking me for breakfast at a local haunt. Thanks Amy! That was nice. My mom had called me (first caller) and sang Happy Birthday to me... it was so nice of her since it was 6am her time! WOW... then I just kind of rambled thru my day with errands to the bank, the post office, the Goodwill and A&W for a hot dog. My, the day seemed to go quickly. I had several phone calls. To the point of my phone dying and totally not wanting to come back on! Oh well, time to go home.

At home the hubby was busy with dinner preparations; he was making surf n turf for dinner, and the boy had made me a chocolate cake. Chocolate Decadance cake! We had dinner and I sit here smelling the wonderful chocolate cake nearby while the guys do up the dishes in the kitchen. Yes, this is nice. Why can't we have birthdays more often....

Thank you Lord, for letting me have another one.

Cold... Cold... Cold!

2012-01-20T07:38:00.008-06:00

Brrrr it's been cold in the house lately when we wake up in the morning, but today it was even colder than usual. I really didn't want to get out of bed, the covers were so warm and snugly. But our dog decided she had waited long enough and wanted to go out. So I crawled out of my warm bed, slid my slippers on and proceeded to let her out for her morning business.

I went to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee (hmm haven't done that yet!) and I noticed, through my slippers!, how cold the kitchen floor was... wow... and even my cheeks and u

pper arms were cold through my pj's. Winter must really be setting in. So I decided to check the thermostat and see where we were at. I had noticed lately that 70 degrees in winter was oddly colder than 70 degrees in summer. Why is that??

The thermostat was set for 71 but WHAT? Oh MY... the current temp showed as 56 degrees!! No wonder I was so cold! I trudged downstairs and into the furnace room. Sure enough it wasn't making ANY noise! The access panel was already (still) off and I wasn't sure where the pilot light was but I knew it wasn't lit. So back upstairs I went and gathered the electronic lighter (we use for the grill) and the phone; dialed my husband (can I still say 'dialed'?) on the way back down. I told him the temp of the house, and that the heater was not on AND that we'd better fix it soon before our pipes freeze! So please.. tell me where/how to light the pilot. (I've lit pilots before so surely this one couldn't be that bad) WELL... he informed me, this one does not have a pilot we light manually. HUH?? Then how do we light it!? He said he'd turn around and come back home after calling work to let them know he will be late.

Well, ....

while waiting for him I figured I could at least do some 'prep work' and read the instructions on the side of the heater. "Set thermostat to lowest setting" HUH? Wasn't it cold enough? And how low would it go? it's digital!!... But I did and found out it only goes down to 45 ! YAY. The next step was turn off electricity to the unit... this one stumped me as there was no cord! So I called my husband, who was now almost home... and he said we probably would have to flip the circuit breaker to it. Ohhhh Ya... ok. Fortunately the switches are labeled and I found Furnace easily. By then he was home and sitting in the nice padded chair I had put in front of the heater control for him. The next step was to remove access panel (HA, done) and flip the gas switch to OFF. Well... that took a little finding but I managed to find it (Yay me!) and we flipped it... waited.... flipped it back... (hey, this is like rebooting a computer!) and then I trudged back upstairs to put the thermostat back to 71 and wait. Well, it took a little more doing, apparantly there was a connection that was trying and sparking and my husband saw it and turned off the circuit breaker again... opened the little plastic enclosure and dusted it off, put it back together and all was well in pilot land.

It's going to take a while to get the house up to temp tho... as of now it's been an hour and we're up 6 degrees. LOL Oh... so then... (ya, we're not done yet)... I put a load of laundry in the washer and started it. 10 min later I noticed an odd error code on the front. (Yes digital) I suspected a water problem, so I went to the laundry room sink... exactly... no cold water. Back bathroom... no cold water & kitchen... no cold water. CRUD. Odd thing was... the other bathroom, on the far side of the h

ouse, had cold water! So, my past experience says... turn on the taps, and hope the warming up of the house

will warm up the pipes, and run some hot water also.... so I'm doing that at the moment.... and so far I now have the slightest of a

trickle in the back bathroom but ONLY in that sink. I'm sure it'll thaw, but just in case I opened the oven and cranked it up to 350 to help warm up the house. (Yes, I know the pipes are downstairs... it's already getting warm down there).

So Happy Friday!

It's GROWING!!

2012-01-19T14:54:00.004-06:00

I'm a self-proclaimed bulb collector. I don't mean to be. I like flowers, and in order to have flowers come up year after year, you need bulbs. So I buy bulbs... and sometimes I even get them in the ground.

Last month I was in the basement looking for Christmas decorations and I ran across this bulb "kit" I had gotten some year(s) ago. I don't really remember when. It was cute, it included a bulb, a glass, and some stones. The idea was to not use dirt but to root it (or maybe even grow it) in stones instead. I can't remember the flower now, but I seem to have a notion that it was a large red one.

Well it was pretty shrivelled up, and I didn't really expect to see the flower...ever, so I threw out the box.... but not before deciding to give it One College Try. LOL I know ... shriveled u

p bulb, in a glass with rocks. Sounds funny... but what the heck. That was a month ago, maybe 3 weeks and LOOK! This is what I saw today!! I'm in awe...

Death by Crock Pot

2012-01-19T13:30:00.005-06:00

This morning started off like any other morning where our dog thinks she smells a mouse in the house. We have 2 acres around us which means in the winter the field mice do their best to get in where its warm and our dachshund does her best to catch them... and she DOES!

So she runs around whining and stalking behind sofas and bookcases until she finds the mouse and wins the prize. Meanwhile, I had dishes to get to. My crockpot from last night's chili cookoff at church was still soaking in the sink so I decided to get it done. As I lifted it up to pout out the cold sudsy water, my bleary eyes noticed something dark in the sink, almost food-like. So I scooped it up to throw it in the trash only to find it was a water soaked, half drowned mouse! Eeeewwwww! I tossed it back into the sink and quickly placed the crock pot (liner) back on top of it.

It was at that moment I realized I probably broke the mouse's back with the crock pot LOL! but as I turned around screaming, I didn't really care about it for a moment. All I cared about was the fact that I had picked up a wet mouse with my bare hands unknowingly! YUK!!

When my step-son refused to get rid of it for me (woosie), I got a plastic grocery bag from our supply and went back to the sink; lifted the crock pot and saw it was still there, I think at least half dead, if not more. So I placed the bag over it, so I could scoop it up without touching it a 2nd time. I carried it to the back door and heaved it as far as I could out the door into the yard. I think it went all of 10 feet! LOL ........It'll do.... for now.

Later I did go shake the mouse out of the bag wrapping and saw it was frozen solid and quite dead.. but I figured it'd make a good snack for some bird or other animal so I was helping the food chain. Not the way I had anticipated starting my day.

Love it... Love it....

2012-01-15T08:25:00.003-06:00

My name is Ruth

...and I am a Words With Friends addict.

(and now my Mom is also)

Pictures... Pictures....

2012-01-12T14:19:00.005-06:00

I must take pictures every day of the week... but to get them uploaded to the computer and then put in my blog seems an insurmountable task. WHY IS THAT???

So I'll start today with some pics I took of the back yard this morning! WOW... did we get a scenery change or what! One of these show how its blowing off the roof... and we should get another inch or so... But, it's nothing compared to what Alaska got dumped on them! Whew...am I glad I'm not THERE!

Underwater Bowling

2012-01-10T08:11:00.007-06:00

We went to the newest sporting goods 'store' in the midwest the other day. Actually calling it a store is a bit of an understatement. It's more of a World. There is a store... and a restaurant.... and a shooting gallery, and a BOWLING ALLEY, and a huge fish tank where they keep huge fish! and... and... and.... my goodness! Oh, the name? Bass Pro!

We went for lunch, the restaurant is actually access thru the "underwater" bowling alley, and for good reason, this is a place to be showed off! I tried taking pictures, I'll see how they post and then lighten them if needed, but you just need to go there to personally experience it.

The food was GOOD, I had a mahi-mahi sandwich and my hubby had a burger, one even HE couldn't finish! The fr

ies were great, seasoned but only lightly, not overkill like most places that season fries.

Try it, I think you'll like it.

Wooo Hooo Scrabble online that doesn't freeze

2011-12-30T14:27:00.002-06:00

I have recently discovered Words with Friends on Facebook... it's wonderful! I was playing scrabble online for a while but it keeps freezing up, or closing down... it's really annoying... THIS on the other hand only has you deal with a brief ad at the end of each turn (unless you upgrade, of course) and it's fairly easy to use. Altho... I did accidentally throw away a bunch of my letters once. I was confused as to whether we were picking the ones to Keep or the ones to Throw Away... OUCH. Anyway, its easy to get to, and oh ya... FUN!

Foods to NEVER Eat

2011-12-27T08:01:00.000-06:00

List 4: Foods to Never Eat / Foods to Avoid at All Times

Soda
Processed meals
Canned soups
“Diet” anything

These are foods you should cut out completely. Brown found that when he drank diet soda or ate processed foods, he would crave and eat sweet and processed things more often, contributing to his weight gain. And artificial sweeteners may be to blame. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can be addictive and put taste receptors into overdrive, causing the body to release more insulin – a hormone instrumental in storing body fat. So, instead, he stopped incorporating these foods into his diet altogether.

Eating Healthier - List 3

2011-12-27T08:00:00.001-06:00

List 3: Foods to Eat Once a Week

Red meat
White starch
Desserts
Alcohol

These are foods you should only indulge in every once in a while. With alcohol, for instance, Brown’s motto is, “If you’re going to have one drink a week, make it count.” So choose a drink or dessert you really enjoy and savor it, rather than going for something that you might drink more of, but not like as much.

Eating Healthier - List 2

2011-12-27T07:58:00.000-06:00

List 2: Foods to Eat Three Times a Week

Yogurt
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Sweet potato
Avocado
Oily fish
Tofu

These foods are healthy for you in moderation. For example, sardines are high in protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are very good for your heart; plus, the tiny bones contain calcium. Additionally, tofu makes a great low-calorie meat substitute that actually has more protein per calorie than ground beef. Brown frequently uses tofu in pasta sauces, tacos and stir-fry dishes. Cauliflower and broccoli are cruciferous vegetables that have been praised for their cancer-fighting properties, like antioxidants that help rid your body of toxins that might damage cells.

Eating Healthier - List 1

2011-12-27T07:39:00.002-06:00

I found this through a link on Dr Oz's website, it was a link to an article on 5 food categories to make sure to eat if you are trying to lose weight, or even just eat healthy. Alton Brown lost and maintained 50 lbs by using this rule.

List 1: Foods to Eat Daily

Dark leafy greens
Nuts
Carrots
Green tea
Whole grains
Fruits

These foods should be a part of your daily diet. Whole grains, like oats, are rich in fiber so they fill you up and keep you satiated for longer. Also, soluble fiber keeps your cholesterol levels in check and lowers your risk of heart disease. And fruits, especially purple ones like blueberries, blackberries and Concord grapes are rich in antioxidants and resveratrol, known to promote longevity. To get these foods in every day, Brown freezes the berries into pre-portioned packets and either uses them in smoothies or just eats them as is. Additionally, nuts are a good source of protein and you can fit them in easily every day by eating a handful about 15 minutes before a big meal to help curb overeating.

Princess top

2011-12-26T21:28:00.003-06:00

I started sewing a small top for one of my grand-daughters tonite. I didn't have a pattern, just another top for the other grand-daughter to trace from. I was lacking a stretchy fabric, since most of my stash is either cotton, flannel, fleece or corduroy... none of that stretches very well, so I'm feeling like I'm shooting blind as to whether it'll fit or not.

I traced the outline of the top onto the wrong side of the fabric - a Pink Princess flannel - leaving about 1/2" for seam allowance. Sewed up the sides & the top shoulder seams and hemmed the neckline. Not bad for a 20 min top... still need to hem the armholes. . ., and I might need to add some trim...

And then there is the matching headband....

2011-12-21T21:35:00.004-06:00

While I'm driving I can think of 3 or 4 items I want to blog about. By the time I get home... they have flown out of my head! Why is that?!

Today I was sitting at Culver's and listening to a group of ladies talking about how rude people are these days when standing in a line and talking on a cell phone. I don't know where these ladies work, but they apparently wait on people who stand in a line. One lady said a girl got up to the front of the line and the lady said to her, "Can I help you".... "Miss, Can I help you?".... "Miss... " and finally the girl says to her, "JUST a minute, I'm ON the phone!" and then into her phone she says "I can't believe how rude this lady is being to me, I'll have to call you back".

The pathetic part in this is the girl. She is the one being rude, and doesn't even see it! I think all check out lines, bank lines, and any other lines, should have a sign to the effect of... If you need to be on your phone, please step out of line. Others are waiting.

I can't believe the people these days and what they consider (or don't consider) rude. What happened to Common Courtesy?! Think about it people! Please.

Time to GET UP!!

2011-12-17T08:13:00.004-06:00

I woke this morning (at 5:15am) to the sounds of a scratching noise. I thought it was my cat doing her "I'm done with potty, lets cover it up" dance in her litter box... but it seemed too loud for that. Hmmm thinking I needed to investigate I crawled out of my nice warm bed. Tippy-toed into the dining room, then the living room to find no cat in the litter box, but instead my dachshund was between the love seat and wall digging for what she is sure is a mouse in the house.

I've been told that dachshunds were bred to go down into badger burrows and haul them out. Someone needs to tell her that a mouse is NOT a badger! LOL - While I did not take a video of this event (I was busy turning the love seat UPSIDE down for her to get under it) I did google and find this video that strongly resembles the determination displayed when they are Sure they are on the trail... it's funny but also annoying at the same time. She doesn't look vicious, does she!?

Snow Peaks

2011-12-15T21:07:00.003-06:00

I made these wonderful new treats called Snow Peaks. They don't exactly qualify as cookies... but they are wonderful. I saw a How To on the Food Network website, so I tried it. The recipe was created by Tyler Florence and after all, I followed his footsteps and adopted his cheesecake recipe, which was wonderful, so why not try this one also!

Again, I was thrilled by his recipe. Here is a picture of the results and the recipe follows. ... But be warned, they ARE addictive! Wow!.... and you will need to set aside not only the one HOUR baking time but then cooling time and time to dip their bottoms!

Have fun!

What to make....

2011-12-10T18:46:00.003-06:00

I had a booth at a vendor show today. It was sparsely attended and quite boring actually. During that time, I looked at other booths and the items they were selling. The ones that appealed to me were the hand crafted items. Oddly enough some of them were amazingly similar to things I have made in the past, and yet I am sitting at my table... selling plastics. Reputable plastic, but still... plastic!

One of these days, I would like to have a booth selling items I have made. I guess I just need to decide WHICH items to make and take.

Snow in Autumn

2011-12-07T22:10:00.003-06:00

It snowed yesterday.... the slow, gentle type of snow floating down nicely, begging you to catch it on your tongue! ... it melted before it touched the ground so we have no accumulation. I love that kind of snow. The air was filled with large flat flakes, everywhere you looked! but not a speck on the ground... just wanted to record when it first snowed this year. Contrary to some beliefs, it's NOT winter yet... it's still Autumn.

Time for Pies!

2011-11-23T20:49:00.004-06:00

Well this year I decided to make 2 pies. I know... there are only the two of us at home this year. But I LIKE Pumpkin pie, it's like a tradition, a part of Thanksgiving, that I am not willing to give up.... EVEN tho.... I know my hubby doesn't like it. Sooooo I asked what his favorite pie would be and he said "Chocolate".

Hmmm OK... I have never made a chocolate pie so I asked him to look up a recipe so I could see if I had all the ingredients. Cocoa - check, eggs - check, butter - check, sugar - check, vanilla & milk... when I had milk but I didnt think it'd be that creamy with skim milk so I picked up some 2% milk. I figure, let's go all out, it's Thanksgiving! LOL... actually I looked in the store for a quart or 1/2 gallon of whole milk but no deal, and I didn't see the need to buy a gallon! So I got a half gallon of 2%.

Making it didn't take anything at all! It was an easy recipe, and went together fast.It's cooling now. So now it's time to get started on the Pumpkin pie!

I already steamed the cut up pumpkin, disgarded the seeds, and mashed the pumpkin meat. Now onto the recipe...

Tupperware Day

2011-11-22T08:44:00.003-06:00

It's a Tupperware day! I have orders to bag up and deliver, YAY!!! I love when people get their new Tupperware and look in the bag like it's Christmas! It's so rewarding to know they love their purchases! It's fun to see them getting in the party mood with all the great items we have for entertaining!

I also love the compliments I get on my car as I pull up to houses. I have nicknamed it the "Tuppermobile", it seems to fit! What do you think?

Out for a drive . . .

2011-11-21T07:50:00.003-06:00

We went out for a drive yesterday to see the leaves on the trees.... we got about 5 miles down the road when I said, "Um.. .I think we're too late. They are all gone." LOL Joke was on us, but it was a nice drive. We pulled over at one point and looked across the river, and watched the seagulls. Then a woman pulled up in her car with a 1/2 bag full of torn bread. She got out of her car and started tossing handfuls and the seagulls acted like they had been waiting for her. TONS of them flocked around and made real fast work of that bread! 5 min flat (if that) and it was cleared out.

Chewie

2011-11-17T20:24:00.006-06:00

Chewie is my long time Lhasa Apso. But he's getting older and losing alot of weight. Why do they do that? When my cat got older, she did the same thing... it's sad to see bones sticking out of skin with no meat between them. So he stopped eating the dog food I bought him as if on a food strike. I thought maybe he lost interest in eating, but it seems he just lost interest in that particular food. Today I got out some leftovers of chicken and some white rice... blended them together and cut the chicken up as small as the rice, and he devoured it! That was great to see... then he dived into his water bowl... YAY! I only wish we could get some meat back on his bones.

Crossing the Line?

2011-11-15T21:23:00.002-06:00

Is it just me, or do you think people are 'stretching' the stopping point at stoplights? As I learned it, way back in Driver's Ed, those fat white lines that are painted at intersections are the lines you are supposed to stop BEHIND. Has this changed? Well, I have seen several times cars that roll a bit past the line, but these 2 cars ahead of me, took the cake! The light is red... and they are stopped PAST the line! What the.... ???(^&%

Sure Glad I Got Up Early

2011-11-07T06:29:00.008-06:00

I'm SO glad I got up early today; I couldn't sleep and at 5am I decided if I got up now, I could put the coffee pot on, and throw my quilt-in-progress out over the (for once) clear dining room table and start the next step towards finishing it. I'd really like it done before Thanksgiving.

So I went out to the kitchen and started making coffee. As I was filling the pot and getting my Tupperware coffee canister out from the cupboard, I glanced at the stove. ICK! There is still splattered grease on the back panel. And as I look around, I see cauliflower still sitting in the small collander (it was draining last nite). A few items on the counter also not put away... hmmm those dishwashers need to be fired! Ahh but then who would 'get' to do it...right, the Cook! (me)

You see in our house, we'd adopted the rule that she who cooks does not clean up. Now don't get me wrong, I do clean as I go, as much as I can. I wiped the counters 3 times in preparation of dinner last nite and my darling step-son (half-jokingly) informed me that I COULD have wiped it 4 times, then he wouldn't have to wipe it. "Nahhh wouldn't want to deprive you of that one wipe kiddo!" So As my husband washes, the kiddo is supposed to put things away off the counter and wipe it down (A lot gets missed) as he's waiting for items to dry. I also heard dad tell him to clean the stove while he's waiting but, he dawdles along and manages to forget it, knowing it won't get caught until sometime later - like morning.

So as I'm wiping the back of the stove, I see that the grates and burner tray area also need cleaning. Off come the grates and put in the sink. Run the hot water and add dishsoap... and they can soak in there while I clean the top part of the stove. Of course that leads to the front area where the knobs are. Oh My... when was that done last? ok.. off come the knobs, and HEY I might as well get a stool... Ahh now I can reach better and not break my back. This also puts me in clear view of the oven front door. Not sure what some of those streaks are and since it's a black hi-gloss and glass stove and oven, I can see it all clearly when I'm up close. So I wipe down the oven door, and work on down to the lower oven - the handle and the door... my what a nice shiny stove we have now. You see it's only 2 years old, so it SHOULD be shiny! That's what I keep telling them...

Of course, as I'm wiping a few crumbs from the oven door off, and they spill onto the floor, I'm just about to feel bad for getting them on the floor when I notice.... Hmm "someone" didn't do the floors yesterday. Oh, yes... let me mention: in our house, they don't LIKE the idea of "Saturday chores" they want to do that on Sunday. Right. There are a few problems I have with this... Whatif I want to invite friends over for games on Saturday night? [I REALLY would like to do that] What if step-son goes to see mom for the weekend? Whatif... whatif... well it doesn't seem to matter. Even though I asked that we put it back to Saturday after a trial run of doing it on Sundays... they disagree and want to do it on Sundays. ~ Guess what guys?! It's NOT Working.

OK so as I look at the floor and realize I have company coming at 9:00 this morning, I decide there is only one choice. Do it myself. Great. Out comes the broom and mop. Swept the kitchen floor and if I hadn't known better (and i do) I would have thought it was 2 weeks worth of dirt & dust. My Goodness! Then, after sweeping the kitchen, I remembered the other area dear hubby is supposed to sweep - the front hall; the very thing new company will see first when they arrive. Yup... off I go to sweep there. Yuk! Midway thru sweeping dear hubby trapezes through on the way to his morning shower. It's then that I realize, I need MUFFINS! (No, looking at him didn't remind me of it, there is no link there... LOL) I had a blueberry muffin mix I wanted to get whipped up for my company. Get out the Bowl, Milk, Spoon and Mix... dump in bowl, ok ... stir. Oops preheat oven! While I'm waiting for the oven to warm up I'll finish sweeping that front hall. Hubby emerges clean from his shower just as I'm scooping up the dirt & dust into the dustpan from kitchen and front hall. (Did I mention I started coffee an hour ago? Yes, I haven't had a drop of it yet)

Floors swept, I get muffins into the paper cups and ready for the oven, and along comes Hubby for his goodbye kiss. "Why'd you get up so early, honey" he asks. "Well, I couldn't sleep and just got up, but it seems it's a good thing I did. I have company coming today and someone didn't do his floors yesterday~" No reply.

As he leaves for the day, I retrieve the rug for the front hall, which I had taken outside to shake and air out; Then, begin mopping the front hall, and then the kitchen. Before finishing the kitchen, I realize I have not had any of that precious coffee I made an Hour & a half ago! So I poured it and took it out to the living room. There, it can sit and cool, and wait for me. I go and finish the kitchen floor, wipe the kitchen counter from my muffin mixing, and wash out the bowl, measuring cup and spoon I used. Set the timer. While I'm finishing these steps is when it hits me... I've had a workout this morning, I can feel it on the back of my neck and along my hairline, perspiration (and frustration). The Sunday chores idea is Just Not Working.

Another task hubby is responsible for... is folding towels and washcloths when they come out of the dryer. I suppose it's my fault for leaving them in the dryer last night, but now I have to fit in time to fold and put those away as well. ~~Ding.. the muffins are done and step-son is up and wanting breakfast. Passing him in the kitchen I say, "I hope there is cereal". "There is." he informs me. Good. Because next on the list are the bathroom chores that HE didn't do last night after returning from mom's.

Ahhh, I finally got a sip of that coffee while writing this blog.
Well.... Break time is over, off to get those bathrooms done!

Shop Hoppin

2011-10-10T11:05:00.006-05:00

Saturday was 'Shop Hop' day with Sandy ... it was fun. If you aren't familiar with a Shop Hop, here's how it works: This year there are 14 quilt shops participating, and you go to as many as you can, shop around, find new things, and collect goodies... and get your card stamped... etc... to get in a drawing.. Oh, also this year, each store give you a printed copy of a particular "STEP" in the directions of putting a quilt together. If you go to all 14 stores, you get all the steps... otherwise... well, you get the idea. It's also kind of fun to see what the stores decide to hand out as their 'goodies'... or Not! Sometimes they can be kind of chintzy, and other times they really put some thought into it and give you something you can actually use! Thank you to those stores :-)

The event runs for 2 weekends in a row; we made it to 7 stores... and we'll see if we can finish (or not) next weekend..

It was the best part of my weekend... oh, and driving home, a coyote ran out of the center of the interstate and darted across the road... RIGHT in front of us... Sandy slamming her brakes to miss... She did a great job of avoiding it (thank you Sandy)

All in all... it was a F-u-n T-i-m-e!

Scattered Tacos

2011-10-10T00:02:00.004-05:00

Tonight we had a version of 'walking tacos' for dinner... but we didn't walk! lol We started with Scoops on a plate, added the taco seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and taco sauce... Yummmm

Also helped that I make my own recipe of Taco Seasoning... no more mixes, since we couldn't agree on one we all liked, I just Googled and experimented til I got one we all like... and I know ALL the ingredients in it... nothing I can't pronounce! Want the recipe...? OK.. here it is!

Taco Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all together in a small bowl and store in a Tupperware Spice container. (if you don't have one, contact me and I can order one for you!) You can also order them on my Tupperware website!
http://my.tupperware.com/ruthinman

Dog Food...Gonna make my own!

2011-10-07T19:40:00.004-05:00

I am so tired of trying various dog foods to find one my Chewie can eat!!! Arrrghh! Now he has blood in his urine again... Im wondering if it's the Ocean Fish in this new one??

So.. Im thinking of just making ground up food for him. I want to be sure he gets all the nutrients he needs and to leave out the junk he doesn't need, like sodium, sugar, etc... Any hints or tips on things like that to leave out or be sure to put in?

All comments welcome!

Little Yummy Bites of Goodness!

2011-10-06T10:22:00.005-05:00

I made CREPES today! From scratch! Yummm Ohhh Yummmm! WOW... Who would have ever thought it was that easy!!?Why on earth do people buy Crepe Mix? Let me tell you the recipe I used. I got it from Giada de Laurentiis yesterday when I saw her making them on TV. Yes, she does have a habit of making things look easy... but this WAS easy!

Put in blender:
4 eggs
1 cup milk (skim is fine)
1/2 cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/8 tsp salt

Hit BLEND for about 30 seconds. As long as it looks well blended and creamy it's good to go!

Heat small 8" frying pan (or a crepe pan if you have one). Keep it on LOW and put in about 1/2 Tablespoon of butter. Wait for it to look frothy and foamy (not brown!) and gently pour in 1/4 cup of batter. (Use the measuring cup so you don't put too much, or else you'll have an eggy pancake). Swirl the pan a bit to get it as large as the pan allows. Let cook about 45 seconds - 1 minute. You should see bubbles, or when you lift with a silicone spatula, it lifts easy and flip. Cook on other side 30-45 seconds. Get parchment paper ready to lay it on and I layer a sheet in between each crepe to allow them to cool. (They are easier to handle when slightly cooled).

That's it, my friend, you have crepes. NOW what to do with them?

Ahhhh well today I did several things with them! 1st I made a jam filling. Take any preserves and warm them, maybe add a SMALL dash of vanilla. Instant filling! or...
- Slice a banana and lay slices in a row
- Slice strawberries, put on top of bananas
- Add a couple small dollops of... whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, pudding, ricotta cheese
Fold over, add a dollop for garnish! .... and ENJOY!

Clean Sink

2011-01-08T10:09:00.003-06:00

Do you have any idea just how good a clean sink makes you feel about your kitchen? Or even in general! I guess I knew before, but had forgotten. Recently, maybe a couple months ago now, I began slowly following the Fly Lady technique of getting my house under control. She starts you out with Baby Steps - exactly what I needed! Starting a whole new routine of anything just doesn't work! It needs to be eased in... slowly....

So step 1 is to shine your sink. Now she doesn't just have you wipe it down, she means really CLEAN it. Fill it with hot water and bleach and clean all the tiny crevices around the edges and taps, etc. Once you do this, you will be amazed at how easy it is to keep it clean. Maybe it's because you have a renewed sense of Wanting to. ;-)

What the....!!*^(^%$^

2010-10-28T10:00:00.005-05:00

Have you ever had that one annoying person you just HAD to deal with? Well I had mine this month.

After a long stint of being unemployed, I found a new job. It was part time, but it seemed to be just exactly what I needed; until I met Bobbin (named changed). Everyone seemed really nice at this place, friendly, considerate, helpful, ... except Bobbin. She was basically rude, inconsiderate, sharp tongued, unhelpful, unapproachable, and did I mention rude? Anyway, it was apparent we were not going to be close friends. I was informed by others that it wasn't just me she acted that way to, which didn't make it any easier to take but at least I didn't think I had done something to upset her.

One of my last encounters with Bobbin was due to my first paycheck not being deposited into my bank acct the day it was due to. I asked if they were going to give me a manual check, and you would have thought I had asked for the moon. She even resisted in helping determine why it hadn't been deposited, but finally called me at 3pm to let me know my check was waiting. I took it to their bank to cash and managed to have money to live on that weekend. The following Tuesday, she informed me (on the showroom floor) that the deposit had finally made it to my bank and if that was true I would have to repay the money. (DUH??) So I called my bank to confirm the deposit & called their bank to find out the fastest way to return it. I didn't want that money in my account (and not in their account) any longer than possible and I'm fairly self-sufficient that way, (figuring out what needs to be done and doing it) I don't need instructions for every little thing.

So on Tuesday afternoon, I stopped at my bank and withdrew the cash for the same amount and then took it to their bank Wednesday morning. The bank associate knew the correct account to put it into without me needing to know that info and gave me a receipt I could take back to my employer. I put the receipt in Bobbin's "in-box" (as she requested all things to be put) and later on, she waved it at me and asked "What's this?" I told her it was the receipt from the bank showing I had returned the money.

Guess what... Bobbin had a 'fit' that I would actually deposit money into the bank! WOW... I thought it was a good thing to do... returning the money, in cash, as quickly as humanly possible... but she scolded me good for doing that! It's HER JOB to do the banking, she says. It appears she had a chat with the owners about it and the next morning (today) they called me in and said they had talked and had "decided to go in a different direction, that things just weren't working the way they thought it would." After asking them 3 times what the REAL reason was... they finally told me it was the bank incident and if I was "comfortable enough to go and deposit money in their account, they just weren't sure what else I would be 'capable of' in the future" .........WHAT???? HUH!!??? How does this even make sense?

Oh, they were sure I'd "find the right job" sometime in the future, and they'd pay me through the day. OH! Thank-you-very-much! I thought I had FOUND the right job. I think it will be tough for them to find ANY-one to do that job and get along with Bobbin....

The part I found interesting, is that they talked yesterday with her about this, and never called me in to ask me about it. Whatever she told them, they just took at her word, and decided to let me leave. This is the 'procedure' they chose right in the middle of a reorganization going on where they have written an employee manual of steps to follow. I wonder if these are the steps in that manual... I suggested to them, that if something happens in the future involving an employee, they MIGHT think of talking with them about it before making a decision and getting their take on the event. It MIGHT have some bearing on the case, ya know?

I also told them it's a shame they won't get the chance to get to know me, or they would realize how ridiculous it was to even think about "what I might be capable of doing in the future" !

Can't Turn Your Blinker on AND Talk on the Phone?

2010-10-03T21:56:00.003-05:00

Then HANG UP THE PHONE!!! I talk on the phone in the car, admittedly more than I should. But what gripes me is when someone is so on the phone that they don't signal when turning. COME ON! If you can't signal, then you shouldn't be on the phone. Use Hands Free if you need to be. But the driving rules shouldn't go out the window just because you don't have a free hand.

Oh, and by the way... it's a signal of what you INTEND to do.. not a signal of what you are already doing! In other words, the rule is to signal "at least 100 feet before turning.", not AS you turn.

Personal Drive.... where does it come from?

2010-08-25T08:28:00.002-05:00

I am finding my self wondering how a person develops 'drive', or are we born with it? You know, the stuff inside that makes you want to do something... ANYthing... it could be the desire to pursue a certain career, or the desire to excel as something in school, or even the unexplained passion some people have for helping others. Where does it come from? Is it something you're born with, or do you see it in others around you and 'inherit' it... or is a learned thing...? Can you learn it later in life? What do YOU think?

Your Permanent Record

2010-08-17T07:25:00.003-05:00

Throughout your school years, teachers, principals, and even parents would warn you of the terrible effect your mischief was having on your "Permanent Record". Perhaps this frightened you. You might have even thought it would prevent you from ever getting a good job! Blemished forever, you hung your head in shame.

At some point, someone may have even told you... nobody cares. Nobody was watching you. There was no permanent record. You felt FREEDOM at last!

But... today I was reading a student manual for a high school in our state, and it mentioned the following rule it must follow:

STUDENT RECORDS
In compliance with the provisions of the xxxxxx School Student Records Act, the following schedule for retaining and destroying student records will be maintained:

Permanent Records: Retained for sixty (60) years. These records include student information such as name, birth date, address, grades and grade level, parent’s names and addresses, and attendance records.

Temporary Records: Retained for at least five (5) years. These records include student files such as family background information, eligibility information, anecdotal notes, and disciplinary information.

All requests to inspect or obtain student records should be submitted in writing to the Main Office. Requests will then be forwarded to the appropriate school personnel for processing (see School Board Policy 7.34-7.35). All records will be reviewed periodically to validate, update, and dispose irrelevant information.

~~~~ SO, while there IS actually a Permanent Record, the Good news is,.. disciplinary information is only kept in the Temporary Record. LOL

Streets

2010-08-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

Wow, I got an email today that reminded me what beautiful street designs we have across the country... and heck in other countries too... here is one that made me just ask "Why"... Im sure there are other pictures of streets out there... post yours and lets see how many we can get. (Thanks Jane)

DQ Flavors

2010-08-07T08:19:00.005-05:00

I was just reading a blog about DQ flavors... and now I feel I must go get one. I am trying to remember the name of the flavor I had... it was like chocolate covered cherries... it was sooo good.... AH!! Choco Cherry Love

Nutrition Facts:
730 Calories - Need we say more?

What's YOUR favorite flavor??

Top 10 TIPS for Time Management

2010-07-29T08:23:00.000-05:00

I found this on a wise lady's blog, and printed it for myself, but couldnt help sharing it with you all. Thanks Karen!

My TOP TEN TIPS for Time Management

1. Have a TO DO LIST - every day without fail, and cross them off as you do them.
2. Get a great diary with a monthly planner - you have to like it to use it.
3. PLAN your day - look at your TO DO LIST and prioritize and get moving!
4. LIMIT the time you spend on each job - create your own daily deadlines - it's amazing how you'll get things done quicker if there a time limit!
5. Make your PHONE CALLS FIRST - don't put them off or make excuses!
6. SCHEDULE time for things like, household chores, kids school run, after school activities - put them in your diary as you would an appointment.
7. Plan to do some EXERCISE 5 times a week - even if it's a walk to the shops or school.
8. DO something good for yourself every day - read a book, play your favourite music, but add it into the diary.
9. At the start of the week (eg Sunday night), review your plan for the week and make lists accordingly - don't get caught in the Monday morning "Oh no I haven't done ...."
10. SLEEP - yes it's important. If you get to bed at a reasonable time you'll be firing on all cylinders the next morning. Allow yourself some relaxation time before you go to bed.

Okay so there's one more thing! Learn to say "NO" when necessary. We can't be all things to all people and if we try we end up missing out on the things we WANT to do. So, do whats right, but remember if you feel like you're being put upon, then you probably are and say no!

Stop, smell the roses...

2010-07-22T07:19:00.003-05:00

I can't believe June 2nd is the last entry in here... time just flies so fast. Actually, time doesn't "fly" at all, we just say that when we have been in a whirlwind of activity and we didn't notice it passing by. I guess in some ways, that's a good thing, it shows we have been busy, not bumps on a log. But sometimes we get so busy we don't stop to think about what is important. Are we letting work overshadow our lives? I know I'm not, I'm unemployed. But even unemployed people can get so busy with the tasks they've set up for themselves on a daily basis, that they don't realize what they are Not doing, or seeing as time slips by. There is definite merit to the phrase "Stop and smell the roses" before the roses have all withered and fallen to the ground.

Maybe we tend to think, "Oh, there will be time for that later... " Not always. For some, later comes sooner than they expect. We don't come with expiration dates stamped on our foreheads and we never know what accident or unforeseen illness will cut our visit short here on Earth. We think we are so indestructible... HA.

Stop, smell the roses... and thank God for each and every day that you are here to live again. Celebrate each day He gives you, and be thankful.

Job Opportunity

2010-06-02T01:49:00.001-05:00

Tupperware® is a 63 year old company
- and is stronger still in today's economy.

Looking to make some extra cash? Part Time or Full Time?

Looking for a job you can ENJOY?

Sign up with us NOW and start earning cash the very 1st day!

Everyday can be your payday... why wait 2 weeks for your first check.

Email for more info ...or call (309) 635-7946 today!

Do you WATCH how you park?

2010-04-15T02:35:00.003-05:00

I go into a grocery store, and come out 10 minutes later to find someone parked like this next to me. REALLY? Do you not pay attention to how you park ?? Do you not look at the car next to you to make sure they can get IN their car, and drive OUT of their spot?

This picture was taken after I got IN my car, looking backward. There is NO WAY I could back out of my space. If the space in FRONT of me hadn't been a striped zone, I would not have been able to get out of my spot. And if I'd had to wait for this person to return to their vehicle, I'm pretty sure I would NOT be a happy camper by the time they showed up.

People! All you need to do is apply the Golden Rule!! Park how you would like someone to park next to YOU. Simple.

This 'n That of Yesterday

2010-03-31T07:53:00.006-05:00

So, the wood has been cut, (referring to previous post on chair seat) I THINK, at least I do know my hubby bought the wood, and took it to the garage, but honestly that is the last I've seen of it. It also needs the edge run through the router, to give it a curved edge, but I think if that was done, he'd have brought it back in the house... wouldn't you? So.. maybe it's not done.

Yesterday I found a great yard sale, an impromptu yard sale at that, and bought a wonderful sewing cabinet! However when I got it home and in the sewing room that I just redesigned and moved all around.. it turns out the part where you put the sewing machine into the cabinet, is on the wrong side. I wouldn't be able to sit at it, so now I have to sell it! Arrrghhh... Nice modern looking black... well made, heavy feel, not flimsy. So if you want it!... EMAIL ME PLEASE! Here's a pic.

Still Here

2010-03-19T20:45:00.002-05:00

I decided today to recover the seats of my dining room chairs. So I got some nice spring green fabric from Jo Ann Fabrics which I thought I would get at 50% off since I had a coupon. It didn't ring up with a discount so when I got out to the car, I sat and looked to see if I could tell why... and there it was. The coupon starts... tomorrow. Arrrgh. Ok...

After I got home, I took one of the seats off the chairs and started removing the fabric. What I found was the wooden bottom of the seat was cracked in several places... so I now need to go get new wood, cut and shape it to match the seat. Then I need to replace the padding as well... nice simple project, eh?

Yeee Ha!!!

2010-02-20T19:59:00.002-06:00

I love it, my Mega Quilter just let me zip along and LOOK! Its done! At least this part is... now I can take it off, quilt the border, put on the binding and it'll be DONE!!!! YAY! Completion feels SO good... (and I'm only CLOSE!)

Hellooooo Again!

2010-02-20T08:02:00.000-06:00

I was reading a magazine last nite (Quilting Arts) and read about the most fun thing to do ~ it was a 5 day exercise someone at the magazine had readers/quilters participate in. I am hoping they do another! THEN when I got online today I went to a website of a fellow quilter and read her blog telling something about this BAG that her and her friends pass around... and keep for 6 weeks. I'm not sure how it works or what they do with it... but I think it's a Project bag of some sort.. .I emailed her for answers... so meanwhile if anyone here has a clue or has heard of this.. please feel free to enlighten us!

Meanwhile I managed to get my Mega Quilter back in the running! YAY!!! I found I was using the wrong TYPE of bobbin... (needs the flat/no hole bobbin), the wrong TYPE of thread (needs machine quilting thread) and my tension (which was building) was in need of a LOT of adjustment. So with that guidance from a friend I met on Facebook, I set out to correct all items, AND WOOOOHOOOOOO I'm loop-de-looing all over the place! LOVE IT, LOVE IT... LOVE IT...(Thanks Bobbie Jo)

So, I'm headed back to my quilting, and I'll check back with ya'all later!

I'm back!

2009-08-11T08:03:00.000-05:00

Ok I got a bit sidetracked since April... mostly I jumped whole-heartedly into my Tupperware business. Have you read where Tupperware and Avon are THE businesses to be in? While everything else is failing, these types are succeeding! ya!
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE56U5EY20090731

http://www.reuters.com/article/earningsSeason/idUSN2233813520090723

Well... anyone needing to make a little money quickly.... email me! We just returned from the annual "Jubilee" conference Tupperware has in Orlando... WOW... great things coming out, great samples they gave us! MOE than covered the cost of the trip, and what fun.. what weather... I'm so glad I went, and August is going to be a Rockin Month!

April Showers Bring May Flowers....

2009-04-30T07:20:00.000-05:00

Indeed! Look at this loner poping thru all the mud... and ready to blossom...

Duct Tape Rules!

2009-04-08T07:59:00.000-05:00

Never have I seen a BETTER use for Duct Tape!!!

Relaxing....

2009-03-14T23:33:00.001-05:00

Waiting sucks. . .

2009-02-20T13:14:00.000-06:00

Have you ever noticed how much we 'wait' in our lives? And it's never fun. Mostly we notice the times we wait in line, at the grocery store, at the car wash, at the bank, and the driver license renewal place. Horribly long endless lines. But then there are other times we are waiting also...we wait for our food in a restaurant, then wait for the check as well! Sometimes we wait for a good parking spot and sometimes not. Then there are things we wait for that take a REALLY long time...we wait for our children to grow up, we wait for 13 year olds to become mature, we wait for grandchildren from our children, we wait for the new grandchildren to get old enough to come visit, we wait for our adult children to grow some more so we can be friends with them. Waiting, waiting, waiting. -- Waiting sucks.

Valentine's Day 2009

2009-02-16T14:43:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day met us with a bit of ill health, as I had been sick with a head cold and cough since last Thursday, and a sore throat last Wednesday...however we had a very nice, intimate dinner at home consisting of steamed crab legs, ribeye steak, assorted veggies and a couple of very decadent desserts - see pictures

Happy Day...

2009-02-09T10:07:00.000-06:00

Well I'm looking forward to the day... I get to drive 3 hrs and see my girl and the babies once more before they take off for Florida (home) this week. Not sure when I'll get to see them again, as I'm job hunting again.. work was slow, so they asked me to take a 'pause'... unfortunately the bills don't... lol.. .but I'm hoping they will call me back or something else will materialize soon.

Keeping a stiff upper lip in the Midwest!..

Happy February

2009-02-02T09:45:00.000-06:00

Did you watch the Superbowl last nite? I did... so, what was your favorite commercial? OR your favorite play, if you MUST discuss football.

1) My favorite play was by Steelers #92 making that entire 100 yard run and touch down. I can't even BELIEVE they had to discuss whether it was a touchdown or not! I think if they had decided anything different they'd have a war on their hands...

2) My favorite commercial.. I actually have a few, but I really liked the one where the horse saw the dog getting treats for fetching sticks, so he went and fetched a branch. And he didn't even get a Treat!!!

Guidance for the day....

2009-01-22T13:02:00.001-06:00

Now is the time for peace in your life. Go along with other's ideas.

Working Out...

2009-01-20T07:20:00.000-06:00

Are they kidding??? Ok let me start at the beginning. A friend from work (and yes, I will still call her a friend) asked me if I wanted to go to her gym with her and try a few free workouts. Well, hey it's a new year, and I would like to lose some weight and get healthier,... so sure why not.

Last nite we went. Upon entering we were greeted by a nice buff looking 22 year old guy whom we'll call Joe. My friend introduced me as her guest and Joe led me to an office to fill out paper work, releases and such. (no contracts) Then my friend took me to the women's locker room where we changed and got our lockers for our other stuff. So far, so good. I followed her then to the cardio room to warm up. Here they had treadmills, bikes, and eliptical machines and 8 or 10 TVs on the wall - silent. It seems if you bring a headset, you can plug it in on any device you choose to use and can dial up the tv you want to watch... or you can bring your own music, and just listen to that. This part was ok... I could treadmill most the nite.. But then, once we were 'warmed up' she led me back into the main workout room with all the weight machines. Joe joined us again and led me to a machine to get me started on. He did demo how to use it, made sure I could do it, then told me to do 3 sets of 15 and he'd return soon. (He does this with everyone, doling out their punishments, er um, exercises, and returns later) well I tried a couple wing presses, but found 50 lbs to be way too heavy for my first exercise, and first time in 10 years doing this... so I moved the pin down to 40 (should have gone to 30) and finished my 3 sets of 15. When he checked back with me, asked how I was doing, I said well I had to move the pin down to 40 and he asked "Why?" - as my jaw half dropped, I replied, "because 50 was too heavy!" (Duh?) So we continued around the machines... 3 sets of 15 of whatever he put me at. Once, doing some squats holding a large weight, I couldnt finish 3 sets.. it was just too heavy. After all these, then he led me into the leg room where I had only 2 machines to do, leg curls, forward and backward, and then he said I'd be done. I had news for him, I was done LONG before that! LOL

In my opinion, when someone hasn't exercised in over 10 years, and is as overweight and out of shape as I am... you don't start them out with weights that make them wonder if they will be able to drive home. I heard the pain came the next day,... HA.. he made the pain happen immediately. I went home and soaked for an hour in a hot bath full of Epsom salts.. and I can move this morning! Still sore, but I can move.

I think my husband has a good idea... for me, it would probably be better to do a water aerobic class which is much easier on the joints, etc.. I think I'll look for one.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-15T12:56:00.001-06:00

Well it's January 15th, I figured it's about time I welcome in the New Year. I usually let Christmas linger on in my heart until about now, then I start realizing that my BIRTHDAY IS COMING!!! Yee Haw! i DON'T know why at my age I'm still as giddy as a school girl about my birthday, but I am! Perhaps it's that I made it one more year! Who Knows.. but I like to celebrate it! This year one of my ways of celebrating it is to have a "Quilt In" with some of my quilting friends! I'm quite excited about it.. and I'll have to post pictures afterward. (You bet!) Other than that, I don't know what I'll do, other than dinner, I'm sure... I usually try to get a massage on my birthday, but I am working on that day this year, so I'm not sure how that will go... and also, my ceramics class is on my birthday... maybe I can finagle getting off a few hours early... Oh, and my husband and stepson are cooking dinner for me that night!..

Last year (or was it the year before) I had asked for something (anything) that required "tickets". You see, that would mean some Planning would have to go into it... and it'd be something other than dinner out... and it'd be an adventure because I wouldn't know what it was!... My husband surprised the heck out of me and got tickets to see the Blue Man Group! It was wonderful,.. and we had to spend the night in a hotel too... one of the best presents he's ever planned... try it ladies.. you'll be surprised in some way or another! LOL

Oddities - you name it.

2008-12-27T19:29:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't posted all month so I thought I'd share some odd pictures I've taken and at least invite remarks on them. Take your time... give it some thought... then go ahead and click that pencil icon below this.

A Good Idea

2008-12-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

I love sitting at Panera's, you get to hear snippets of so many different lives. Sometimes you hear good ideas, or a sad story where you want to lend a caring shoulder, even plans for vacations and lives. Today I heard a good idea. The line that perked my interest was... "...instead of giving those clothes to the Goodwill, we had another idea..." People are always carrying the eternal bag of clothes in the back seat/trunk/hatch wherever which is destined for the Goodwill. You know the bag... look around--- you have probably one. They even talked about it on the radio one day and tons of people called in stating they had the SAME BAG in their car! LOL... anyway.. back to the story... this person said, "there are alot of people at nursing homes that live on limited incomes that can't even afford the Goodwill! Even if they had a way to get there... so why not donate them to the Nursing Homes" I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA! Now I can envision a few issues... like let's talk to the Nursing home first... see if they can accommodate the clothing. Or should they have one day set aside to receive it all... ? I think there just needs to be a little planning involved, but overall.. .it's a GREAT idea. Don't you think? Even churches can get involved and have a Senior Clothing Drive. Maybe even have a rummage sale at the Nursing Home where each item of clothing is a nickel. Or 3 items for a dime. Just to give it some order, and to let the seniors still have some dignity in paying for items of clothing. Otherwise I can see it being a Free For All one day with possible injuries as they make the mad rush to the tables of clothing.... Oh, and.....Please...No tank-tops.

Dear Santa, please bring them a manual... How to Drive in Snow....

2008-12-02T00:49:00.000-06:00

It was horribly slow crossing the bridge.. I knew it would be... then as I took turned onto Knoxville, the green mustang in front of me didn't take into acct the rear wheel drive of her car, or maybe it was the sheet of black ice she didn't see... but she kept giving it too much gas, until she finally- I stopped and just waited... yup, she spun out... I knew she was going to spin...it was inevitable so I just sat and waited for her to finish... she really clobbered this telephone pole on the side of the road... it bent her axle real good and her front wheel looked like it was going in a different direction than the rest of the car.... So I got out told her she needed a tow truck, as she wasn't going anywhere with the wheel like that... I asked her if she was ok, and did she have someone to call... and a phone to use.... After she thanked me for stopping... I continued on ... slowly... to work. I also called 911 to let them know there was an accident slowing down traffic, and that she didn't SEEM to be hurt... Got to work at 9am. That's about what I expected for the first snow day. Why is it that people forget from year to year how to drive in snow?

It's Here! It's Here! Snow........

2008-11-30T07:46:00.000-06:00

This is what I saw when I opened the door to let the dogs out this morning... it was a shock! Then... it was beautiful.... the next thought was... "where is my snow brush, I'll have to brush off the car before I leave". Yes, it's here The First Snow...it's always so pretty, and so startling. We listen to the radio say, "Possible snow tonite and tomorrow" but when we open the door and actually SEE it, that's a whole new ballgame. So here it is... the season begins... the season of Snow. I may not feel this later on in the season, so let me say it now. Thank you Lord.

Thanksgiving Eve

2008-11-26T15:47:00.000-06:00

Well here it is the eve before Thanksgivng... not quite eve, it's only 3:45pm... and I'm on my way to the grocery store... of course.. need to pick up those last minute details for dinner tomorrow.... like potatoes.. corn... cranberry... oh, and pumpkin pie... am i missing anything... I sure hope not!

When do they suddenly KNOW....

2008-11-24T12:07:00.000-06:00

In a restaurant... in an office... doesn't seem to matter where, but there is definitely some age where girls finally get it, that they talk TOO LOUD. Well if you ask my husband, I still do, but my voice just kind of carries... I'm talking about the girls that act like there is no one else in the place except them, and they might be talking to a person who is hard of hearing... they must own the place.

Although, today I was in Panera bread and I heard HOPE. There was a small group of girls talking... loud enough I could 'enjoy' their conversation, whether I wanted to or not... someone must have said something to them (I wish more people would) and one girl replied, "Oh, I'm sorry, we tend to forget that our voices carry" - HOW NICE that was to hear... so there MUST be an age when they realize this, and start working on talking quieter... I think she was mid twenties...too bad it can't be sooner...

Tupperware again? YUP!

2008-11-22T00:25:00.000-06:00

When my daughter was a baby, less than 2 years old, I used to sell Tupperware. I was quite good at it, and it's a good solid business to be in. They can't go under, they give a Lifetime Warranty on their product, heck! But seriously, this year when I found myself unemployed for 6 months... I thought about Tupperware. Well, I went to a festival, and saw a lady with a Tupperware table set up... THEN I thought about Tupperware. OK?... anyway... she made me a good offer... and away I went, back into the land of plastic. AND HAS IT CHANGED! There's so much cool stuff, I can't even learn about all of it yet... and then the funniest thing happened... I got a job. LOL, ya go figure... now that I WANT the time to learn about the new products and maybe get organized, and try to drum up some parties... I get a full time, 8 hr a day, 5 day a week... Job. They really cut into daytime hours, ya know??

Ok... I can do this. Maybe not well, at first... but I'll get there... Im still learning to get up early every morning.. make breakfast... make Lunch!... think about dinner... NAHH... and leave on time for work. Oh ya, then STAY at work all day... and come home around 5pm.. whew.. that's a LONG day. LOL... seriously it does take some time to get back in the saddle... so Im workin on that..

I'm also working on building my Tupperware business now... tomorrow I have a 'vendor show' I'm scheduled at... I'll have a table... display all my wares... hopefully have people who will be interested... and with any luck, come home with orders, or party hosts lined up. That's the plan. So to that end, I sat tonite and made little labels for EACH PIECE of tupperware i have... with its Name, Description, price, page number, item number. So my last basket it packed... I'm ready to go... now I need some sleep. I'll take pictures tomorrow, and post them here... stay tuned, ok?

Oh, and if you'd like to do an ONLINE party... go here: http://my2.tupperware.com/tup-html/R/ruthinman-product.html
and click the blue square on the right...

Cya tomorrow!

Ok.. here's a pic of my table...

Campaign Behavior ... or Mis-Behavior

2008-10-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

How bad is this going to get before it's over? Why can't they campaign like adults? All this crap makes me wish there was a 3rd choice!

Stomach Viruses Suck

2008-10-16T23:25:00.000-05:00

I'm here to tell ya... that's true. And this is the longest one I've had... completing my 5th full day now, I'm feeling more energy but still not over the main symptom, if you know what I mean. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

Autumn is Here!

2008-10-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

My Gosh, is it October already??? WOW...one of my favorite seasons... autumn. I even like the word "Autumn" ... I don't care for "fall" it sounds like a negative word... that's what you do when you miss a step, or slip on the ice... you fall. No thanks... I'll take Autumn. The trees are starting to turn colors... the burning bush in our back yard is going to a deep red... very pretty... and best of all, the BUGS are gone!... ha ha ha they don't like autumn... maybe that's the best of all..

Going Down...

2008-09-19T16:46:00.000-05:00

Well it's been a busy couple of days... But... it seems something made a difference, since the very next morning Thornton's price was down, and has dropped a couple times since then. We are now down to $3.84 - I'm thinking we should be down to $2.00/gal everywhere, but that's not likely in this week.. who knows...

Gas Gouging

2008-09-15T21:28:00.001-05:00

I'm resurrecting this blog, it was one I had started a while back, and due to the number of blogs I had, it fell by the wayside... must be lots of things there, by the wayside. Hmmmm...

So today my plight is this. Gas Gouging. Everytime we have some type of weather or nature related catastrophy, the gas prices creep up. Why? Do they really think we buy that crap? Here is a prime example...Thornton's - everyone else had gas for $3.99-$4.05 and what was Thornton at? $4.29
This Thornton's was in East Peoria, IL - there were others reported as well, in Sunnyland, IL which included the Shell and Mobil on Washington Road. Unexcusable. Even the lawmakers are calling for investigations.Attorney General even wants to know about it... you can call them and report these companies. "Consumers who question the legality of any price increases at their local gas station are strongly encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-771-7755."

When you have One Job... Do it Right

2006-08-01T09:45:00.000-05:00

I wore a 'safari necklace' to work today. It's made of wooden beads and wooden animals. (Giraffe, tiger, elephant, lion, etc) It's very pretty and I get lots of compliments on it. There's one part I don't like about this necklace, and that is the back of it; the part that lays on the back of my neck. It's made of alternating wooden beads & discs all the way around. This results in the wooden discs either hurting my neck, or catching my hair in them, or both. Usually both.

I was showing it to a co-worker, and remarked about the disadvantage of it, and she had this to say,"You know, they have ONE job, it's to make a necklace. You'd think they could do it RIGHT and think about the person wearing it and design it for comfort as well as appearance. One Job! That's all they had to do. Why couldn't they do it Right?"

She said it all.... I rest my case.

Salad & Water -- vs. -- Quarter Pounder, Fries & Coke

2006-05-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

I walked into McDonald's today for a quick lunch "to go".
As I stared up at the menu and was impressed that they offered a "healthy" option combo of salad & bottled water. This lunch included the Asian Salad and a bottle of Dasani water. (By the way, for those of you who don't know, Dasani is "purified" water, NOT spring water)

I said to the clerk, "I wonder why a 'salad & water' costs more than a 'burger, fries and a coke'?!"
She was confused so I pointed to the sign up above, which showed the salad as $6.19 and with tax I had just paid $4.59 for the #2 combo.

Well she didn't know, so she asked another person, who fumbled for an answer, during which, a 3rd person leaned into the conversation and said,
"Because the salad costs more to put together."
"hmmm", I said, "salad, mandarin orange segments and sliced almonds vs. meat, bread, potatoes, and a soft drink... I don't think so. "

Why do they think they need to charge us more just because people are suddenly caring what they put in their bodies?

I'm just not 'buying' it. And so I didn't.... and I won't.

Flowers for Mother's Day? ...Order in April! and DONT use 1-800-Flowers!

2006-05-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

I don't normally speak poorly of a company on the first time they fail to come thru with what they advertise, but this is the 2nd time...

"1-800-Flowers" or online at www.1800flowers.com ... for the 2nd time DID NOT deliver the flowers I ordered.

The first time was for a birthday, my daughter's birthday, and it was 3-4 years ago. I ordered those with plenty of notice... 3-4 days, and they never did show up! I swore then that I'd never use them again, and I waited a good long time before giving them a second chance. This year... that 2nd chance came... and they flopped.

On Friday, May 12, I ordered flowers for my mom to be delivered to her at her office. She has room for them there and can enjoy them all week long... The website promised SAME DAY DELIVERY if the order was placed before 2-pm in the time zone of the recipient. I made sure of making that deadline - I ordered at 9-am central, which was 7-am in her time zone...so they had 7 hours of advance notice!

Not only did the flowers not arrive on Friday, but they called me later and asked for her home address so they could deliver them on Saturday... I supplied them with not only her address but also her Cell phone number to make arrangements in case they missed her again. Did they arrive?... NO Did they call her?.... NO.

It's Sunday now.... still no flowers. I called them and asked what they intended on doing....

Yes, they did agree to issue a full refund, but that doesn't put flowers on my mother's table, now does it?

gRAMMAR gONE bAD

2006-05-11T06:24:00.001-05:00

I'm sure you have heard a few of these that just make your skin crawl... due to all the grammar lessons we endured in our schooling... feel free to add some of your own!

"I’ve ran into that" -- SHOULD BE -- "I have run into that" (or) "I ran into that"
"I seen it" ---SHOULD BE -- "I have seen it" (or) "I saw it"
"The report will be ran overnight" --SHOULD BE -- "The report will be run overnight" (or) "The report will run overnight"
"We was going to call you" --SHOULD BE -- "We WERE going to call you"
"Was You?" -----> "WERE you?"

Leave me some space!

2006-05-03T13:07:00.000-05:00

It seems lately I am posting about traffic gripes, but that is what's griping me lately so that's what I write.

Did you ever wish you could have a way of telling other drivers how you feel? Bumper stickers are wonderful but many times written too small, thus defeating the purpose. This morning I entered the interstate and came up to speed as quickyo as possible. To accomodate this, a car in the 'slow lane' moved over (thank you!) to allow me on. It seems she (yes, SHE) also decided just HOW fast I would get up to and when it would be safe to move back into the 'slow lane' in FRONT of me. And I DO mean directly in front of me! How did she know I was done speeding up? (I wasn't) But time and time again people do this, change lanes in front of me, and leave very little space between us. This leaves me no where to go, but to change to the 'fast lane' and pass them. This leads to my Leap Frogging that I referred to in my earlier post of April 28... it's an endless and fruitless move....

So please... when changing lanes... LEAVE ME SOME SPACE.

Thankyouverymuch.

Leapfrog?

2006-04-28T06:26:00.000-05:00

While traveling the 4 lane highway to Bloomington to get to work, I came up behind a slow moving vehicle who was trying to pass a semi. It was difficult for him, I guess, as he was barely going any faster than the truck. Ok,... so I gave him a little space and stayed with him. The fellow behind me (and it was a fellow) didn't see all this and decided he could go faster if he were in front of me. Now, there are only 2 lanes in our direction, so he had to get in the slow lane and go around me to pass... and he did. And then he saw .... the hold up was not ME.

"I hope you're happy", I muttered to him. "You're SO much farther ahead now!" LOL

This leap-frog behavior continued as we managed to get around the truck, he pulled off into the right lane finally and I passed him and several others. For the next 20 miles we kept changing places and finally as we both exited at the same exit, one behind the other, it was evident.... It really doesn't matter... we both got there at the same time.

What makes people do this? Why do they think it will make a difference? All I can say is... What's Up With That?

What Happened to Teaching Manners to Kids?

2006-04-27T08:39:00.000-05:00

Note: This happened a few weeks ago and I'm just getting around to posting it.

I'm the first person to agree that kids ought to be allowed to act like kids and have fun. Along with that though, comes teaching them when to be quiet and respectful of other people.

Case in point, someone brought their kids into work today. How did I know? I could hear them from 40 yards away... squealing and squeaking and squawking...and jumping off of a chair as if they were from Dr Doolittle's last cast. I don't know how young or old they were... but I do know that whatever parent/grandparent/guardian brought them in should be silencing them and teaching them to use their 'inside voice' ... even the dog on TV has been taught to do that! I also know that My mother or grandmother would never have allowed this behavior in public, or doesn't the "adult in charge" realize it is interrupting people who are trying to work? I guess they brought the kids in to see where Mommy or Daddy works.... or perhaps the babysitter or Grandma was taking them shopping or the like and stopped by for a few moments...

...Ahhh finally, I heard someone "Shhh" them... after all this time (at least 15 minutes have gone by.. long enough to irritate me, distract me and move me to writing this!) I thought perhaps the word "Shhh" had been eliminated from the American Parent's Language. Many times lately I have been in stores and heard kids screeching at their parents for one thing or another... the parent IGNORES them. I realize that "ignoring demanding kids" is one method of correction, but when it is interfering with someone else's shopping, reading, or whatever the public place is for... it shouldn't be practiced at that time. Parent's PLEASE use some discretion as to how you discipline your child... or in some cases... Please DICIPLINE your child!... That's what public restrooms are for... (hint hint)

Whatever the public place is... there is a proper behavior they need to learn for that situation. If you take them into an office,... Please... inform them AHEAD of time (just before you open the door to go in) that they will have to be quiet and careful to not disturb others that are working... at least I should be working instead of writing this... and I WOULD be... IF I could concentrate. Maybe it's time for lunch...

It's NOT a turn lane!

2006-04-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

I live in a rural areal where the main 'street' is a highway... Route 99 we'll call it. There are roads that cross this highway leading to residential homes, churches and the like. In this area of the state, they didn't see fit to paint in 'right-turn lanes' to get the traffic off the main road while they are slowing down to approach their turn. Some people pull over into the painted 'shoulder area' on the right and use it for that purpose and others choose not to ...since it's not actually a 'turn lane'. I don't know the legality of using this area as a turn lane, but that isn't the issue I'm bringing here today.

The issue I have, are with the drivers BEHIND the car that is turning. It seems that those people (I don't mean to generalize, not all, but many of them fall into this category) presume or at least think the turning driver SHOULD move over into the shoulder area to turn. In fact some of them will not slow down at all, thinking perhaps they can coerce the driver into moving into that 'lane'.

HELLO!!!!... it ISN'T A TURN LANE.

Whether we CAN or not... it isn't put there for this purpose. Hence... it would really be nice if you would quit EXPECTING us to move into it and just come to terms with the fact that if You don't want to slow down while waiting for us to make our turn.... CHANGE LANES; move into the left lane & go around us!