Ugly Sweater Run 2014

Second year that we have done this one, and it was the second year that it was done...how cool is that. This isn't a timed run so we just do it for exercise and fun which is great in itself.

This year, I managed to find an ugly sweater at the local St Vincent's, so I didn't have to borrow one this year. Once again, it was chilly out so we had to bundle up but we managed to get the race in without rain so no slicker was needed.

I also had just received my shirts from the Wear Blue Run To Remember organization. I wore my long sleeve shirt under my ugly sweater so I would be supporting the org even if it wasn't on the outside.

I didn't run much of this since I hadn't been training in a few months, but I am sure I will be feeling it afterwards anyhow. My time wasn't too bad considering how little I ran. I hope to do a couple other runs in February but I am not sure how much of them will be ran either...it will depend on training time. My cousins and my uncle did the run as well. We all got back in just before the rain started.
___________________________________

Seven Years Ago on In My Words...Naha Harii

How To Search Your Own Timeline On Facebook

I am always clicking on new things in Facebook to find the best ways to use the settings and privacy options as well as how to show or not show things on my Timeline or even my own NewsFeed.

I use the Activity Log a lot to adjust settings for particular posts or to even removed posts from Facebook altogether.

Just the other day, I was in there, and realized that there is a search function that I was no previously aware of. It seems like in the past, trying to find something you might have posted on your own Timeline was a task in torture to try to scroll down to find it without missing it or realizing that Facebook was only showing you the "highlights" instead of all posts so you just wasted part of your life accomplishing nothing.

So after discovering this search function the other day, I thought I might post about how it works so others that want to search their timelines also might use it.

From your Home or NewsFeed page, you click on your own name either in the top right or top left parts of the page (see image below). Note that I am running FB Purity on my Facebook to filter out things I don't want to see so you won't have the FBP icon on yours unless you are running it too.

This should take you to your own Timeline where you will see your profile pic on the left side and your personal cover photo along the top. You then click on Activity Log on the right bottom of the cover photo area (see image below).

Once you click on the Activity Log, you will see a listed page that has some filter options on the left and then the search box at the top right.

If you want to search only posts that you have posted, you can first filter the list by clicking on the Your Posts filter on the left side, and then put in your search terms to the search box before clicking on the magnifying glass icon. If you want to search for something someone else posted on your Timeline, you can filter the list by clicking on the Posts By Others link on the left, and then put in your search terms in the search box before clicking on the magnifying glass icon (see image below).

You can filter the list by Apps, and other things by choosing any of the items on the left column and it will limit where the search is focused. I tend to use the Your Posts and Posts By Others the most.

I am thrilled to see that Facebook has a search function of some type finally...even if it is a little complicated to get to. I hope this helps other users that might be trying to find something they shared or someone else shared with them.
___________________________

Five Years Ago on In My Words...My Christmas Meme

Minnesota 2014

Just got back from a trip to see Gpa at his new digs in Minnesota.

I think I lucked out because we had fabulous weather pretty much the entire time I was there and so over the 6 days, we were able to golf 9 holes on four of them. It was so much fun and being that it was the last week of October, it might have been some of the last golf of the season for both of us.

I was able to see two of our cousins while I was there, one of which, we golfed with and I am hoping that now that Gpa lives closer to them, each time we come out to visit, we'll get to see them as well.

Gpa's new place is cute and he has everything he needs set up pretty well. Being that he only moved 19 days before I came out to visit, we did a lot of errands while I was there to finish out some things that he needed to get done. We worked on getting his paperwork for his driver's license, setting up the bathroom the best way to work for him, and tried out a pizzaria within throwing distance of his apt that turned out to have pretty good pizza. Gpa is doing great adapting to the new surroundings, and will know all the local shortcuts in no time.

We drove by and even parked in the lot at Mall of America but didn't go in so that is on the check list for next visit for sure. I would love to check out some of the other touristy things next time as well as maybe some geocaches.

It was a really great visit, and I am looking forward to getting out there again!
__________________________________

Two Years Ago on In My Words...Catching Up and Cold

Smile 100/100 Thunder And Lightening

This is my lucky shot from a storm we had. I was standing on our front balcony and the storm was so perfectly located that I could stand there forever just taking pictures hoping to get the lightening in one.

When I took this one, it looked like just a flash on the camera but then when I transferred it to the computer, that is when the details were shown.

I love that this is my last picture for this project too because I have always been a huge storm fan! In another life, I am sure I was a storm chaser...LOL

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash. I edited in GIMP 2.6 for color and light and then added the fuzzy border.
__________________________________

Eight Years on In My Words...Technical Difficulties

Smile 99/100 Park Friends

This is my cousin and his friend heading over to the water park section of one of our local parks.

We try to hit this park each time we go to the Grower's Market so he can have some play time after being so good doing what the "grownups" want to do first.

He is going to be three this winter and he is already such a little man! Seeing them head off for their little adventure made me smile.

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 in normal sunlight with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
________________________

Nine Years Ago on In My Words...Green Anole

Smile 98/100 Veggie Snack

These were the veggie snack during the cleanse. I could eat as much of this throughout the day that I wanted.

It was a combo of cucumber, green beans, celery and radishes in a lemon, oil and pepper mix of dressing. It was super yummy and crunchy.

The only down side is that the radishes lost their coloring in the liquid and made the whole thing a little less appetizing in looks, but it still tasted great.

I took this picture in our kitchen with my Fuji Finepix f50, with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
____________________________

Five Years Ago on In My Words...Making A Cup Of Coffee

Smile 97/100 Pool

Nice sight on a hot day...still have a lot of work to do up here around the deck but one day at a time, is the only way to tackle it, otherwise it becomes overwhelming.

I think this shot is actually from last summer because I have cut the plants along the fence way back so they are not dropping fruit and leaves into the pool.

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border to it.
__________________________________

Two Years Ago on In My Words...Productive Day

Smile 96/100 Cleanse Breakfast

This quinoa breakfast was a great starter during the cleanse weekend. It had prunes, and some seeds in it and it was very filling. Didn't feel deprived at all.

I made the quinoa in a saucepan on the stove instead of in the rice cooker since the amount being made was below the minimum for the rice cooker. It was pretty easy to make on the stovetop and definitely makes me feel like the options for having quinoa more frequently now are there.

I buy it from Trader Joe's and think it has a great flavor. I took this picture in our kitchen with my Fuji Finepix f50, with no flash but the macro turned on. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
________________________________

Five Years Ago on In My Words...Yummy In My Tummy

Smile 95/100 Detox Juice

This is an awesome combination. It is pineapple juice, pomegranate juice, one lemon squeezed and then water. It is a natural detoxifier. It helps to flush your body while still providing you essential vitamins and liquids.

It was part of the 48 detox I did on my days off this week to just give my body a nice cleanse. I was able to drink as much of this during the day as I wanted and I found it to be very refreshing.

The "ice cubes" are the reusable ones that you can freeze and add to drinks to keep them cold without watering them down.

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 in our living room with the flash off but the macro enabled. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 to balance color and light and then added the fuzzy border.
__________________________________

Six Years Ago on In My Words...Toenail Woes

Smile 94/100 Fireworks

Was out of town for the 4th of July but that was okay. My MIL and I went to a park nearby and watched the city's fireworks display.

It was a long well done display. The main launch area was behind an airfield and there were parts of the display that shot off from different areas of the airfield in a diagonal across the main display area. It was pretty cool to see the different display options.

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 using the continuous shutter option with the natural light setting. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
_____________________________

Last Year on In My Words...Driving Some Balls

Smile 93/100 Shitake Stew

This yummy shitake and cabbage soup was part of the cleanse I did. I was able to eat as much of this as I wanted and it was super tasty.

I think that after the cleanse is over it would be really good with shrimp added to it as well.

It ended up being a lot more than one person can eat in 48 hours but that is okay, I am good with leftovers.

I took this picture in our kitchen with no flash on my Fuji Finepix f50 and then edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then to add the fuzzy border.
_________________________________________

My Favorite Soup....Thai/Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

Smile 92/100 Clean Bed

Cleaned up this bed the other afternoon so I could get some other things planted in here. It has been a messy little spot for a while now. The border of the bed disappeared sometime while we had the place rented and it has just gone down hill.

I have new border for it, and I am changing the shape of it so that I can mow around the rocks. I want to put in some extra dirt we have around the place to fill it out a bit.

I took this picture in the afternoon in our front yard with my Fuji Finepix f50 and then edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light. I then added the fuzzy border.
_________________________________

Last Year on In My Words...Virtual 5K And Overall Catch-up

Smile 91/100 New Filter

This is the new sand filter and valve for our pool that we had to replace this year. It is amazing how much better it works than the older one.

This pic is before the pump house was put back on. We had to remove it so that they could do the work. We unbolted it and then tipped it up and off the space and set it up on the deck to the side.

I took this picture in the morning before we put the pumphouse back over the pump, filter and valve. I took it with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no artificial light. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
_______________________________

Our Home Blog for DIY....The Bamboo Lagoon

Smile 90/100 Borrowed

So I made a little trip to see family this week and because of the cost of checking bags, I have taken to only bringing a carryon when I can swing it. A short trip like this, is a perfect example.

My carry-on that I normally use, is apparently one inch too wide to be a carry-on anymore, so I borrowed this bag from my SIL because it fits under all the requirements and I knew I wouldn't have to worry. I am going to buy one eventually, but for this last minute trip, this was a perfect fit.

I have another trip coming up in a few weeks, and I will be borrowing this bag again. Hopefully I can find an economical replacement soon. I took this pic in the airport in Denver between flights, with my Fuji Finepix f50 and edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then to add a fuzzy border.
_____________________________

Nine Years Ago on In My Words...In A Pinch

Smile 89/100 Google Gift

I am actually pretty thrilled to have this Chromebook from Google. They gave them to us at the last conference they hosted and I use it much more than I thought I would.

It is super light which makes it comfortable to take along. The battery lasts a long time, so I don't need to have it plugged in all the time or bring the adapter for everywhere.

It is a great little Internet computer and convenient to bring on trips when I don't need to do a lot of offline work. I took this picture at the airport in Denver on my way home from a family trip with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and then added the fuzzy border.
_______________________________

Eight Years Ago on In My Words...Technical Difficulties

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.
______________________________

Eight Years Ago on In My Words...Guts and Determination

Smile 87/100 More Rain

This was the view on my way home from work. This is looking south towards the mountains that border our town.

We did get some rain from it, but I think some areas south of us also got some fires from the lightening.

I just love the look of the sky when it is so black and the sun is shining behind...the contrast is just awesome.

I took this picture from our truck with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
________________________

Eight Years Ago on In My Words...Storms

Smile 86/100 Ideal Lunch

Made pineapple curry the other day from a fresh pineapple I cut up. One of my favorite things to eat but since I am trying to lose a few pounds, I decided to bring leftovers to work and put it on spring greens rather than rice.

Great way to spice up salad, for sure. While on lunch in the breakroom, I get a few mins to read my Nook. I am working on the Harry Potter series and I have been renting them as ebooks from the local library system. It has been a great adventure.

I took this pic with my Fuji Finepix f50 in our breakroom at work with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color, light and to add the fuzzy border.
__________________________________

Six Months Ago on In My Words...POTD 23 Bedtime

Smile 85/100 Rain

Supposed to have cooler temps and some rain this week. We need it...drought conditions here for ages and we are already in fire season.

I enjoy a good summer storm, love how clean everything smells and all the charged particles in the air that give you energy.

I took this pic with the Windows Snipping Tool on my laptop. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light and then added the fuzzy border.
________________________________

Nine Years Ago on In My Words...Kiss Ass Lightening

Smile 84/100 Iced Coffee

This is something I do in the summer time. Since we make coffee using a french press, it is a bit more work to pull it off, but nothing major.

I make coffee in the press, like I would normally do, and then let it cool a bit in the press pot. Once it isn't blazing hot anymore but still warm enough to dissolve sugar, I pour it into this container with a small amount of raw sugar (the same amount I would put in my normal cup of coffee in the morning which is one tsp per cup). I shake the container to dissolve the sugar and I set to making a second batch. This container holds two of our french press potfuls. Once I have it filled up, I put it in the fridge and then I have yummy iced coffee for the week or more.

I like to add almond milk to my coffee after I pour it into my glass (and I actually don't drink it with ice), and it is a nice cool summertime wake up.

I took this picture in our kitchen 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 the fuzzy border.
__________________________________

Five Years Ago on In My Words...Making A Cup Of Coffee