RESIST

Got this shirt from Amazon the other day!!

Love the message...it isn't about a party winning that I don't agree with. It is about someone in office, that along with Congress, is more concerned with lining pockets than the good of the people and the world. I want them to use their brains and do what is right, even if it isn't the most financially profitable thing for them.

I really don't think I am asking too much when it comes to these six things...anyone in a public office representing those in this country and around the world should already have it in their playbook from the start.
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Nine Years Ago on In My Words....Seventh Generation

Bum Knee

Skinned knee

I was volunteering at an event this weekend. It was at a local winery in one of the open fields. I was looking around while walking to get a feeling for where everything was before my shift started.

I stepped into one of the few holes in the field that weren't marked and felt my right ankle starting to turn. In order to save my ankle (which I really didn't want to sprain or break), I decided to go down...and down I went. My bag went flying and I think I did a complete roll after slamming my left knee into the ground at initial impact.

I got up pretty much unscathed, other than this little skinned knee, a slightly tender ankle and a completely embarrassed ego. Thankfully I didn't have any food or drink in my hand and nothing in my bag was lost or damaged. A couple of people came to my aid but for the most part, I think that most people didn't even see me go down. I do think I squealed...lol. I worked my shift and treated my injuries later in the evening.

Right after my shift, I had a play to go to, so I didn't end up getting any ointment on it until after 11pm and then I went for a 4 mile walk. My knee and ankle were a bit swollen when I got home, but I put a bandaid on the scrape so the bedding wouldn't irritate it and took some naproxen before bed and it all felt a ton better the next day.

I always feel like a little kid when I scrape my knees...

Three Years Ago on In My Words...Twelve Year Old BooBoos

Smile 88/100 Volunteer

Work had signups for volunteer days for this amazing event.

I drove over around midday to help hand out awards to some very special athletes. We had to wear our uniforms to represent for work so it was nice that the wind was blowing a bit and that we had some shade tents to hang out in between awards.

I ended up helping with awards for bocce and for softball and it was a great day over all just to see all the smiles and accomplishments.

Each volunteer received one of these tshirts as a thank you. I wear it with pride.

I took this picture in our living room with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash but with the macro turned on. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light and then added a fuzzy border to it.
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Eight Years Ago on In My Words...Guts and Determination

Smile 75/100 New Book

I am a member of the Stephen King Library, so when a new book comes out in hard cover, it is sent to me at a discounted rate. I have pretty much all of his books in hardcover (other than those that were only published in audio or ebook). He is and has been one of my favorite authors for as long as I can remember.

I got on a bit of a horror kick when I was pretty young. I remember checking out these compilation horror books that had lots of short stories in them when I was in fourth grade. I saw Salem's Lot on TV when I was in 6th grade and was just hooked on Stephen King.

I remember my mom reading The Shining and telling me how much it affected her and when I read it, I just couldn't put it down. So for years, family and friends would buy me the books for holidays or birthday. In the early 90's, I joined the library and was sent a hardcover copy of each of his books until all the previously published ones were received and since then, I get the books as they are published. This one came in the mail last week and as soon as I am done with the three books I am reading on my nook, I will be settling into this!

I took this picture in our dining room with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash but with the macro enabled. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then added the fuzzy border.
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Six Years Ago on In My Words...My Vice

POTD Day 23 I'm Loving

This is a piece of orgonite that my cousin made for me a few weeks ago. I put it in the window in our living room near most of the electronic equipment in the room.

I love the color green too, so it is really perfect.

My cousin started making these healing objects for herself and for others recently. You can read more about orgonite on her website at this location.
She recently got some really terrific news from her latest bone scan and I have to believe that items like this and all the other positive energy sources in her life were responsible to helping her body to heal.

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash in the morning sun. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then added the fuzzy border.
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Six Years Ago on In My Words...AWWA Donation Site

Dances With Wolves And More

Perhaps I am a crazy person, but there are some terrific movies out there, that I just can't watch again. I love them, and perhaps even own them, but have the hardest time watching them again...mostly because I know what is going to happen in them.

Dances With Wolves...just can't stand to watch the whole wolf scene. Animal cruelty is just too hard to watch.

Last Of The Mohicans...this is great but just the overall end of the movie is a bummer and I really have to be in the right frame of mind to do it.

Saving Private Ryan...this one is just such a heartbreaker.

Black Swan...I felt stressed out and anxious through this entire one, even though I liked the movie, I couldn't watch it again.

Gangs of New York...great movie but just so awful at the same time.

Update: A Simple Plan...just a complete downer, even though it is a great movie.

Casino...just because of the violence and the knee drilling...ewww!

Reservior Dogs...just so harsh and the policeman scenes...

Boys Don't Cry...just another complete downer

Full Metal Jacket...kid goes crazy and commits suicide and then war scenes

Slingblade...because I love the main character and it sucks how it ends...

This, of course, is only a small segment of those great films that are hard to watch (for instance there are several war movies that I could list). And who knows, maybe that they are hard to watch is what, at times, makes them great films. I am sure I will be watching most of them again at some point in the future but when I am scrolling through the movie channels on cable, and one of these is available, I tend to skip over it for something less stressful, cruel, or sad...
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Eight Years Ago on In My Words...Locked Out (one of my funnier moments)

POTD Day 11 Something Good

This is the second baby blanket I am making this spring. This niece is due in late spring so I started her blanket after the one I made for my niece that is due in April. She is having a boy so this blanket has more blues than the other one did (which you can see progress shots of that one here and here).

I am using a granny square stitch but instead of doing squares, I am doing rows with it. I have been varying the width of the rows to keep it fun and non-symetrical. The navy blue is the "field" color so it is in between each color (and set at 3 rows) and it is also at the top and bottom and will be the color that I border the entire thing with.

I really love how this one is coming out...super fun (once you get past the first starting rows) and fast. I might be making one of the same stitch but different colors for my sister soon.

I took this picture in our living room with my Fuji Finepix f50 with the macro enabled but no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then added the fuzzy border.
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Nine Years Ago on In My Words...Sharp Items

Reading For Research

Saw this cool article on NPR and decided I wanted to check out these books. I have had a couple of children book ideas for a while and even took a children book writing class last year and thought that these books might be good research material. I immediately added them to my Goodreads "To Read" list and put requests in for them on my library card.

So far 5 of them have come in and today, I went and picked them up. While I was there, I picked up a couple of books that have been made into movies that I want to read before I see the movies.

I plan to read the children's books tomorrow and take notes in my writing notebook. I'll take the books back when the last two come in, and hopefully I might have one or both of the "movie" books done too. I am also in the middle of a couple of books on my Nook so there is no lack of reading material on my plate....LOL.
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My Reading Blog is located at http://mishkabook.blogspot.com if you want to check it out. I need to update it but plan to get on that in the next day or so!!

POTD Day 18 Happy Place

Beaches...gosh I love beaches! This pic was taken while collecting seaglass with one of my girlfriends while we were in Japan. Beaches have always been a calming and relaxing source for me. I love everything about the beach...the water, the sun, the waves, the sand, the seaglass...etc.

When we lived in Japan, we lived 2 blocks from the beach. I saw it everyday and now that I only see it in pictures, I miss it so much. Both times we lived there, we had to drive along the beach just to check our mail...we actually probably didn't appreciate that we had the beach there for the taking each and everyday.

It gives you perspective when you lose something you didn't realize was so important to you. These days, the beach is a 3 hour drive...thank goodness we have lakes and rivers to help with the withdrawls...

I took this pic with my Fuji Finepix f50, no flash, macro enabled. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then added the fuzzy border.
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Six Years Ago on In My Words...Ocean

POTD Day 4 Words To Live By

This word is the one word that directs all the actions in my life. Loyalty, consideration, love, and so many others stem from this word and what it embodies for me. I expect integrity from those I have in my life, and I hold myself to that same standard. I just don't have the time or the inclination to deal with anyone that lacks it.

On that note, this image is not mine. I found it on the web, photographer unknown, and then I edited it in GIMP to crop and border it. I wish I knew who the photographer was so I could credit them...it is a great shot.
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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Looking Back

Birthday Madness

Own personal Google Doodle on your bday!!

Birthdays are a tricky situation. While I like having people remember my birthday, I don't want to get older...LOL. This year, I got a call from my aunt about two weeks out, asking me to save the date, that she and my grandmother and mother wanted to take me to a local Mexican place for dinner. That sounded cool to me, and I put it on my calendar.

The day arrives, and I get the posts on Facebook for my birthday, which is great, and some texts and cards in the mail. I work on some stuff around the house and head over to my grandmother's a little early so I can tackle a couple loads of laundry before we go out. When I get there, Grandma lets me know that she won't be able to make it since she has a bit of a cold coming on and doesn't want to be sick for Tday. I totally understand and tell her that we'll make sure there are leftovers brought home so she can have some good food too!

Cute pumpkin stand (made for bigger pumpkin)

I have texted my cousin and one of my local sister in laws to see if they want to come with us since it is going to be a small scale dinner celebration. I don't hear back from either of them. The week before, at bunco, I overhear my other local sister in law and my mother in law both talk about obligations they have that same day, so I don't ask them to try to come.

Ducks PJs were put on first night!

My mom's birthday was earlier in the week so we planned to have a couple of things for her too, and she didn't know we were going to do it, so I was excited for her surprise.

Cards from mail and party!

We leave for the restaurant and sit down at a table, start looking at a menu and wonder why they haven't given us any chips and salsa like normal. After a bit, my mother in law and father in law walk in...LOL. That is when I start to realize that not everyone has been forthcoming with me over the last two weeks.

Mylar balloon still flying in the livingroom!

Over the next ten minutes pretty much all of my local family shows up at the restaurant for a big birthday surprise. We take up most of the bar area. We have our own cake, and the restaurant (where we do a lot of birthday celebrations) is super helpful like they always are. They come out with two sombreros and they sing for me and my mom. We both open presents and over all it is a fantastic time and definitely felt the love!
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Six Years Ago on In My Words...White Towels

SmartWool Socks Acquired

There are two more pairs that didn't make the pic

Cooler weather always makes me rethink my sock situation. I am a bit of a sock hoarder, I admit, but I pretty much think you can't have too many socks.

So I went onto my favorite website for obtaining inexpensive SmartWool socks, because while I love the feel and the patterns, I really can't pay full price for them. On this site, I can find them for about 60% off and that is the way to go!

Once these awesome ones came in the mail, I went through my sock drawer and dx'd any that were worn out, or just weren't getting worn.

Out of these ones, there were two pair (same sock, different patterns) that I ended up not being able to wear because even though they were advertised as being "over the calf" there was no way in hell I could pull them up over my soccer calves. I gave them both to my cousin and she loves them!!
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Earlier This Year on In My Words...SmartWools Socks

Dilation Experience

Still somewhat dilated after 3 hours

Yesterday I went in for an annual eye exam at a new optometrist. Our insurance covers the exam itself, but the renewal of my contact prescription is always extra and it isn't covered. I had been told when making the appt that it would be between 70-110 dollars depending on how extensiive the contact portion of the exam needed to be. I have been wearing contacts for over 20 years and I have had no problems, so I am usually just going through the steps to get a new prescription so I can order contacts through the mail, and I wasn't excited about having to pay at least 70 dollars out of pocket (on top of the costs of contacts and solutions).

This new place was awesome (I'll be writing up a full review for my review blog soon), the staff was super friendly, and the exam was more thorough than any I have ever had before. I think I moved between 4 different rooms while I was there, and the entire exam was 1 hour and 45 mins. I was starting to think that I was going to be paying the $110 for sure, but I was kind of okay with it since I was getting the full meal deal treatment.

Near the end of the exam they did the pressure test (but not with the puff of air, thankfully), and then they dilated my eyes (my first time). What a weird experience that was. I could see everything okay (obviously the far away stuff was blurry, as it normally is when I don't have my contacts in) but once I put my contacts back in, all of a sudden I couldn't see anything that was within an arms length from my face. The doctor even said that it was like instantly having the vision one might have at 75 or 80, in an instant, and that was no joke...I was basically blind to anything close to my face.

They told me the effects of the dilation would last for a few hours. I went up the counter to pay, and much to my delight and surprise, I was only charged 20 bucks!! That is their renewal visit cost, and I think because neither of my prescriptions changed, they felt like that was the best way to go. I was thrilled. Of course, signing the credit card receipt was a lot of fun when I couldn't even see the line on the piece of paper....LOL.

When I got in the car, I had to hold my phone as far from my face as I could reach so I could text my sister the good news on the payment. The weird part was that my distance vision (with the exception of the sensitivity to light) was not affected at all so driving was not a problem. The effects wore off mostly after a few hours, and by this morning, it was all back to normal.
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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Loving The New Contacts

Best Day Of My Life

21 years ago on this date, I married my best friend and the love of my life. It has been an amazing adventure and I wouldn't trade any of it. Love you J, always and forever!
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Eight Years Ago on In My Words...Swing Of Things

Driving Some Balls

I finally did it. I put the seats down in the back of the truck and put my golf clubs in there, so I would be motivated to go to the driving range. We live in a neighborhood connected to a small public 9 hole course so there is no reason why I have not hit balls since playing with Gpa in Nebraska last year. I even got a punchcard so I could save some money on buckets of balls.

This last year, I got a new driver from Gpa for my birthday and this was my first time hitting it. I hit one just like it when I was in Nebraska, but I hadn't had a chance to hit the actual one he made for me. No excuse for this except I have had a hard time lately making time for myself that doesn't involve home improvement or computer work. My time management skills need some polishing up, for sure.

I was amazed at how well I hit considering the time off. I just tried to focus on letting the club do the work, keeping my eye on the ball, and keeping my legs bent. I did at least 2 practice swings before each ball was hit, which make the whole process last longer and seems to make my shots better, especially when I haven't hit in a while.

I didn't hit any of the recovery clubs, just the even irons and my two drivers. The new driver has a bit more loft than my old one so that helps get the ball up a bit more. I really cracked it a few times and it was definitely a satisifying feeling to see it really fly.

One side note: there are no bathroom facilities near the range so they have a big port-a-potty set up. I had to use it before I started to hit balls, and I noticed that it had a few spiderwebs in the toilet itself...I opted to do the squat and run version. Good thing too, because when I brought up the fact that the "john" needed servicing, the clubhouse assistant manager said they were aware and that it should be locked because the spiderwebs belong to black widows....nice!
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Eighteen Months Ago on In My Words...My Birthday

Kleenex Tells All

Okay, when you have blown your nose through an entire box of Kleenex Ultra, you have to admit to yourself that you actually do have the head cold you were trying to fight and the battle has been lost.

Today has been productive to a point, even with the cold but it would be a lot more productive without the cold, that is for sure. Add to this Shark Week, a pool full of algae, and a sprinkler system that is not functioning and you have a glimpse into the craziness I am facing. I would prefer to just hang on the couch catching up on past seasons of Dexter, but that is not to be...

Resorted to using some real Sudafed that I had left over from a precription last year because the clogged ears and sinuses were causing my brain to not function and somehow I thought driving a 3000lb vehicle while my brain wasn't functioning was probably a bad idea...LOL.

First stop was to the post office since I hadn't checked our mail since returning from the wedding trip. Next was the pool supply company to see if they could help me figure out what was going on with the system. Left there to fill up the tank, and then to Home Depot to pick up some Weed and Feed for the front lawn as well as some hostas for select spots in the yard. Stopped at the auto parts store for the glue the pool people told me I needed for the gasket fix I did last week, (which of course I can't use until I get the algae issue under control), and then to the store for another box of Kleenex. Finally loaded up, decided to stop at Taco Hell for a fast lunch.

Now I need to get a move on a few tasks outside and inside that I will post about later on the house blog, and some allocated rest so I can get over this crap and move on to tasks that require more exertion.
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Four Years Ago on In My Words...Caught Up To Me (apparently I am never in a good position for catching a head cold).

Peace, Or At Least The Illusion Of It

This is the view looking towards some of the beautiful hills near us while sitting on our front deck. The tinkling of the windchimes, the flapping of the flag (which is actually not flying in this image), the plants, the breeze...all of it, just lovely. I took this pic right before a great thunderstorm came our way. The air was full of the ions, the wind was still in anticipation of the storm. It was amazing. I sat and watched the weather, and read a magazine (something I rarely find time for) and just enjoyed the atmosphere. It is a perfect spot.

And I should get out on the front deck and enjoy it more...but I don't, because I get bogged down in the To Do list and the Make More Stuff For Me To Do list, and the Things You Should Be Doing list.

SmartWool Socks

I have been a SmartWool wh0re since my sister turned me on to them a couple of years ago. I have many of them...but can't seem to ever have enough.

This is not my first trip down the road of sock addiction. I have always liked socks. When I was in highschool I always wore 2 1/2 pairs, every day. Two on one foot and 3 on the other and they always coordinated with my clothes. These days, I can do all that coordinating with one pair of socks!

Okay, back to SmartWool...they aren't the only ones I like but they are in the top three (and that is only in the wool category, I have entirely different brands I like in athletic socks). I also like Wigwam and Goodhew socks but it seems like SmartWool has the coolest colors and designs.

Big draw back of all of these sock brands is that they tend to cost more than anyone would ever want to pay for a pair of socks. In fact as far as I am concerned, in most cases I could buy 5 pairs of socks for the price of one SmartWool pair...if bought at normal prices. I have to say that the price (and this goes for all three of these brands) is due to the fact that these are very well made wool socks that don't itch.

This is the trick. You don't buy any of these brands at full price. I tend to get all of mine from Sierra Trading and ridiculously low prices. I buy the irregulars, when they are running a big sale (like 75% off). These two pairs were actually purchased with a free gift card I got from Sierra Trading last time I made a purchase with them. They didn't cost me a dime, including the shipping. I am excited to try them out soon!
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Four Years Ago on In My Words...25 Random Things

Facebook Break

Last week, my sis decided to take a break from Facebook...a serious break, like she deactivated her account kind of break. While I don't want to do anything like that, the same day, I decided that I wanted to back away from it quite a bit.

I thought that after the elections the political crap would slow down and Facebook would go back to its normal stream of ecards, cute baby pictures, and actual updates from friends and family, but NO SUCH LUCK!

I am sick of all the political crap, and it wouldn't even be that bad if people didn't resort to name calling, hatred and putting everyone in a fucking box. I am not a box person....in fact, I have always absolutely detested being put in a box and have always gone out of my way to make sure that everyone around me knows I do not like being put in a box, and do everything in my effort to not be available for box status.

At this time, Facebook is nothing, but a box labeling place and I am sick of it, so I am staying away. I have a few places that I visit online, that auto post to Facebook and that is fine...I will continue to auto post my reading and my fitness, and perhaps even a few posts from my blog...but for the most part, I will be limiting my visits to Facebook itself.

This isn't an issue of time wasting...as I don't really spend much time there normally...it is just a matter of it being filled with negative crap that I don't need to see everyday. I joined it to stay in touch with family and friends and all of that gets hidden beneath all the politics and advertising so it just isn't worth much of my time. One of my closest friends says she only checks in once a week or so and finds that it is better because she sees the updates from those she wants to see, and is more easily able to ignore the idiotic crap. Perhaps that is what I will do, but right now, I haven't been on there for a week and it feels pretty good to not have that negative aspect in my life.
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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Done Messing Around

Jingle Bell Hell 2012 Race Recap

Borrowed from Jess

Distance: 3.27 miles or 5.26K
Elevation Change: 200+ft
Weather: 37 degrees, 11 mph winds, hail
Time: 47.5 mins
Laughed: Yes
Hell: Yes!!

This year I have been really terrible about my running (even terrible about my walking for that matter), so when I heard about Jingle Bell Hell 2012 from XLMIC and RunWithJess, I just knew I had to commit and see if it would help me get back on track with my outdoor exercising.