Sarah's Absolutely Awesome Post

Sarah the Penguin posted an awesome memorial post to Rosa Parks...it is so worth the read. Hope you enjoy it.

Chicago Bears Pull It Off

Whoohhoooo!!!! My favorite team wins in overtime against Detroit with a nice interception by Tillman for a touchdown!!!! Awesome, awesome. I was so glad I got to see it....since we never get the NFL games here that we want to see...what a fluke.

Chicago is leading their division...and I am saying, it is about time.

Deliverables

Well, it is Sunday morning here. Crisp and clear once again and I am delving into the second to last deliverable for my class this semester. The final is the last deliverable and there is nothing I can do about that until it is upon me, but our group project is due on the 14th of November and it pretty much has not moved forward at all.

I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to schoolwork (although you wouldn't know that from all my procrastination these days) and I like to get good grades...makes me feel good. So since I have not have contact with much of my group for this project (with the exception of one person), I had decided that I have to start working on this regardless and if I don't get help from them, then their grades will hopefully reflect that. I just can't risk my grade waiting until the last minute on something this big. It is not that it couldn't be done by one person, it totally can, it is just that we are supposed to share the work and the parts that are already supposed to be done by now are not done so those of us with the second parts can't really start to move. So needless to say, yesterday I started working on the parts that are supposed to be done by now...oh well, such is life when you are working in groups in a long distance setting (hell, for that matter working with groups at all).

It is frustrating to me though, that even with all my procrastination, I am still a multitasker. It seems that at least two members of this four member group are not multitaskers and this is part of the hold up. One lady won't do schoolwork at work, or at home after work. She will only do it on the weekend...well that is just not going to work since we only have a couple of weekends left and this project, while doable, is still time consuming and rather large...

I guess I am bitching, and I really shouldn't be since we could have been working on this ages ago but our instructor is not the best planner and it seemed that we had a paper and a midterm right on top of each other and that really slowed things down. I am just glad at this point that at least one other member is willing to do some work and we have already discussed that it might come down to the two of us...which is okay with me if we get it done and it is quality work. The others can just suck it up. Oh, I can't wait until I am done with this program and its silly group work...they never learn that it just doesn't work that well. Someone always slacks and ends up getting an A off the backs of others....ugh!!

Well, I better get motivated. Need to see if any of my queries were addressed yesterday and see what else I can get done today. Don't know if I have soccer or not yet but I know I have some mums in the backyard that need to be put in the ground. It is nice to have J back, but he is working today so I guess I am on my own for a while (which is okay when I have school work to do).

Cold Snap

Okay, this is killing me...it doesn't even matter that I know it will be warmer by next week this time...it is cold now.

I have switched my jewelry to winter, my toenail polish to winter, put flannel sheets on my bed, put my feather comforter back on the bed, switched all my clothes over to winter, and even have my winter PJs in the closet...I am about two seconds from burning one of my Duralogs...I was just not prepared for it to go from comfortable warm weather to Artic in 3 days time. Nobody adjusts that fast, do they?

I am getting in the hottub to warm up...even though it is only 8pm. At least my toes will be warm.

Miers withdraws nomination - Yahoo! News

I have not been following this much, since Roberts was put in a chief justice without any experience as such, I figured we were looking at another instance of Bush just putting in whomever he wanted regardless of qualifications.

I do find it interesting that the extreme right wing (and someone please explain to me how extreme anything ends up in Congress) had such an opposition to her. Makes me think that she might have been moderate enough to balance the scales a bit. Unfortunately, the Democrats once again, did not have enough fight in them to do anything worthwhile and she is gone without even finding out.

Her major issue was that internal White House info would be disclosed and she couldn't have that....didn't the White House end up keeping internal documents about Roberts confidential???? Why is it that when the Democrats want to see documents, the White House is somehow able to keep it from happening but when the extreme right in Congress wants to see documents, the nominee pulls out because she is convinced that the documents will be turned over???? Hmmm....

I also have issues with the fact that tax returns were not required this time around. I think that it is vital that conflict of interests be rooted out and tax returns are a part of that. We have enough of our administration involved in big finance, we don't need to have lifetime positions also involved...make sense to me.

Pumpkins 3 & 4

Here are pics of the second set I have done....

I did this one first tonight. It is on one of the larger pumpkins I bought, and it took a while to do this one because it was really thick. I had to use one of the larger saws and that made the detail work more difficult. I think it came out pretty good. It looks scary I think.

This is the second one. It is on a pink skinned pumpkin that is a bit smaller. I really like this one, but because the skin is thinner than a regular pumpkin and the meat is softer, I am willing to bet it won't last as long...bummer because it would be cool to have it around way after Halloween. I just did cut outs of leaf sillouettes in random spots.


I was able to pick up a bunch of other pumpkins today (acorn, pancake, spaghetti, turban) and I am using them as decor for a while but plan to cook them as well so there won't be any carving going on there. This is the only time of year when you can even get some of these varieties so I have to enjoy them while I can. I love the spaghetti ones...they are delicious. I did get a couple of dried goards from the farmers market the other day and I am going to try to clean them up and do the painting thing....we'll see if I end up with time to fit it in...

My Downfall

This is the only time of year that I can get it, and I always have to get some (just like I have to get candy hearts at Valentine's, and Robin Eggs at Easter)...so while I am trying to meet some goals of fitness by Christmas...a bag of these made it into my home today and is open, sitting in a candy dish. The really bad part is that I am the only one here for a few more days....ahhhh...the temptation.

Pumpkins 1 & 2

Here are pics of the first two pumpkins I have carved this fall...



I did this one first. One of the easier ones...but I didn't have any big pumpkins so finding designs that were small enough was difficult. This is supposed to be three bats flying in front of a full moon...but I think it is kind of hard to see.



This was the second one I did today. Boy, my hand was tired after this one. I did it while I watched "The Village" on DVD (which I rather enjoyed). This one had a lot more work to it but I think it came out a lot better looking. It is not scary but still really cool looking. I can keep him up even after Halloween I think.

I have plenty more to do still. Just got two more today for cheap, cheap...its an addiction I tell you...Can't wait for J to see them.

Fun Day

Today is going to be my fun day. Besides the exercise I have to get done as soon as it gets warm enough to breath outside without freezing my lungs, the rest of the day is allocated to things I want to do and have not had time for with midterms and papers piling up...

I plan to carve a few pumpkins, make some cards, decorate my house spookily, watch a movie or two....yeah!!! A free day...and I just found out that J is going to stop by for a few minutes to pick something up and then it is back off to work for him until Halloween. It will be nice to see him for the first time in a week.

It's Here

Well, any delusions I might have had about it being warm here are over now....we have a severe weather warning tonight and tomorrow night...here is how it reads.

232 PM EDT TUE OCT 25 2005...COLD TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT......A FROST ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT...A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING UP THE NEW ENGLAND COAST BROUGHT BRISK NORTHWEST WINDS TODAY.

THE BRISK NORTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO GRADUALLY DIMINISH TO AROUND 5 TO 10 MPH OVERNIGHT... AS THE LOW PRESSURE MOVES AWAY. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR THE TEMPERATURES TO FALL INTO THE MID TO UPPER30S TONIGHT. THERE MAY BE SOME SCATTERED LIGHT FROST LATE TONIGHT BUT THE LIGHT BREEZE IS EXPECTED TO GREATLY LIMIT FROST FORMATION.

THE COLDEST NIGHT IN THIS CURRENT COLD SPELL IS EXPECTED TO BE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE SURFACE HIGH WILL MOVE OVERHEAD ALLOWING THE WINDS TO BECOME NEARLY CALM WITH CLEAR SKIES. THE TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST TO FALL INTO THE MID 30s. SCATTERED FROSTAPPEARS LIKELY BY DAYBREAK THURSDAY... ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE OF URBAN AREAS.

Time to put the summer stuff away, break out the winter clothes and change my jewelry (a ritual I do at the end of summer). I already have the down comforter on the bed with the flannel sheets....sad to say. I have to bring the ferns in tonight too or they will be dead by morning...ugh, like I didn't already have enough on my "To Do" list tonight....haha.

How Does That Work

I leave the area for three days and I come back and Fall is in full swing. It is only 39 degrees outside right now....brrrr. It is supposed to continue like this for the rest of the week. I did get in the hottub last night even though the trip to and from the house was a bit chilly.

I guess I will wait on my walk this morning until things warm up just a bit. I have a bunch of things to do outside today too....hopefully that forecasted 60 is not just a fib...come on sun, warm this place up...

I'm Back

Actually I got back Sunday night but was busy with getting things done around the house and getting unpacked so I didn't get a chance to write, although I did read a bit. I managed to make it through the weekend without much computer contact (actually I worked on my friends machine all evening on Saturday because it is infected with Malware, but I didn't do email or write so it doesn't really count).

Yesterday, I was busy procrastinating (yeah I did a bit of that, but didn't feel bad about it because I did other things I wanted to do instead of the school work), doing three loads of laundry, watering plants, feeding birds, sending off postcards (like to do that after a trip), and researching and writing a 9 page paper for class. Needless to say, while I read a lot of blogs yesterday and did some emailing, I just couldn't get in the groove to write myself.

I'll recap my weekend and upload some pics in a bit, just wanted to say I was back and I am watching you!!!!

Epiphany

This morning it dawned on me that I am not living my life to the fullest extent that I could, and haven't been for a while. I don't know why I realized this today, but I did and I am grateful. If I were to die today, I would regret the way I have been living, because it has been wasteful.

I let myself get bogged down in trivial things. I let the fear of getting hurt decide things for me, and am letting procrastination rule my world, which keeps me from doing the things that I really enjoy. I need to spend less time worrying, and more time taking care of business so I can enjoy life and those that are important to me.

I am starting today (even though I am leaving town for a few days) to make some changes. I need to make more time for myself (and this doesn't mean procrastinate even more). I keep telling those in my life that are fighting these same issues this very advice but I realize that I have not been taking it myself enough. I am going to write more, sing more, do art more, exercise more, love more, and appreciate the small beautiful things that are out there around every corner.

I know this sounds really cheesy, and I apologize to those that I might be causing to gag, but I am serious about this. Life only comes around once, and I feel like I have been letting it float by without being very involved for a while now. That is going to stop. It's all too short to do that.

Leaving On A Jet Plane...

Yep, I am out of town for the weekend and I'll be at a friend who still uses.....dial up (oh the horror). So needless to say, I won't be blogging over the weekend or even checking email for that matter...I don't know what I will do. I am sure I will have withdrawls of some sort. I am not even taking my laptop with me, so I won't even have that to comfort me....eeek!!!

Wounds Galore

I don't know what is going on with me lately, but I seem to have a case of "accident prone" and I am not sure who I picked it up from.

Not only do I still have the bruise (although it is fading) and dent in my shin from soccer two Sundays ago, I have a new bruise on my right bicep from a collision with someone's elbow this last Sunday. I look like an abuse case.

I also managed to puncture my thumb on some kind of thorny object in my yard the other day. It didn't bleed but enough "poison" got in there that my thumb is tender. Needless to say, that little thorny thing is not in my yard anymore.....killed it yesterday with the clippers. That'll show it.

Yesterday while I was loading my truck up with the tons of fall flowers and plants I bought to replace all my dead summer stuff, I got stung by a yellow jacket on the back of my leg. I was able to treat it with ammonia (which seemed to work well) and today it just itches a bit when my shorts touch it.

Last night, while cleaning out wax from one of my many candle holders, I managed to slice my left hand a bit. It was a clean shallow cut so even though it bled a little bit, I just put a bandaid on it and it seems to be healing already....

I don't know what it is with me but if I keep going at this rate, I'll only be able to walk on one leg and use one arm to do anything with....ugh!!!

How Is That Possible?

When I woke up this morning around 7:30am, it was only 51 degrees out according to Weather.com on my computer...that was 6 degrees cooler than it was supposed to get last night.

It is now 11am and it is already 81 degrees according to the same source...30 degrees difference in 3 1/2 hours...wow!!!

Not Really Evil

Thanks to P'nut for this one.


Raw evil score: 24.44%

Oh well, I tried. Guess it goes with the month...huh?

Sally Field and ER

I have been watching reruns of ER on TNT in the mornings and I have to say that Sally does an awesome job on that show. I just looked it up and she won an Emmy for her performance and it was well deserved.

Whewwwww!

Well, I finished the midterm last night with 20 minutes to spare ( I was done a bit earlier but wanted to double check my formatting and all my hyperlinks). It is not my best work but I think it is okay.

Thing is, our instructor put a limit of 2 pages on each question (there were 3 questions), but then asked pretty complicated questions. So the options were to go a bit vague and fit it in the required limit, or get specific but not get it all in....I chose to go a bit vague and I hope that works out.

Now I have a little paper due next Monday at midnight, and then a group project (which we haven't really started) due three weeks after that. The little paper is something I want to get done in the next couple of days (completely possible) because I am going to a friends house for the weekend and she only has dial up and our school atmosphere would not like that much. Oh, and I guess there is a final near the end but that is still a ways off.

So I am going to breath easy for part of today, look over the paper requirements and see if any of the gazillion sheets of research I printed yesterday can be used for this one as well, and start on it later in the day. If I can finish it before Thursday, it will mark my first time in a long time of finishing something up early rather than letting the procrastination bug get me....

Brrrrr

Last winter was our first winter in a long time. We had been living in a tropical location that had very mild winters. We knew that our first winter would feel very cold to us, and it did for the most part. It was the first time I had seen snow in 5 years.

We have a house that has a heat pump for heating and cooling. In the winter, I had set the old style 80's thermostat to 70 degrees during the day and 65 or so at night. I knew I was being wimpy, I could stand it colder than that but I was just not prepared to put my body through it during our first winter. Our energy bills weren't too bad and the house was comfortable for the most part.

During the summer this year, I broke down and picked up a 10 dollar digital thermometer to see what the temp in the house really was (good thing I did too because that thermometer ended up being what we used on our refrigerator issues as well). Turned out that the old 80's thermostat was not reading very accurately and we were actually running the AC more than what was necessary for the temp we were trying to achieve. The digital thermometer enabled us to set the temp where it should be so as not to kill the fish but also to not kill the checkbook.

Anyhow, it has started to get cooler here at night (still have beautiful days in the mid 70's) and last night I noticed that the digital thermometer was reading less than 70 degrees but the heat had not kicked on....that was because the 80's thermostat said that the house was 75 degrees. So in having the 80's thermostat set at 70 degrees, we were actually dealing with a house temp of 65 or so. Which also means at night last year I was setting it near to 60...so I guess I am not as wimpy as I thought. The heat just kicked on this morning and it is 66 degrees in here...