The night before my mother died I dreamed of my next door neighbor (her father has a brain tumor).
[Real life]: I told my other neighbor M. that B's dad had the tumor. I assumed [bad idea every time] that M. knew since her son was taking care of B's dog. Of course M. had no idea. I thought about confessing to B. that I had told M.
But didn't. Until the dream.
And in the dream I confessed and we both cried in my car in my driveway. Later that morning I wondered if her dad had died too.
But she has not been home much for me to ask.
****************************************************************
Yesterday morning I dreamed I took Lillie (my black cat) to an outdoor coffee shop. I held her in my arms, (this would NEVER happen in real life), and oddly enough, she was quiet (again - total dreamland). There were two dogs who were very interested in her, so I was trying to fend off the dogs and order coffee. When the coffee came, it was in a very tall, about three feet high, vase type contraption. The coffee was more like chocolate pudding and there was seafood in it. They assured me I would LOVE it.
WTH.
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
12/25/11
12/23/11
Happy...Whatever
Oh dear. I had a post. Or at least post ideas. Until I clicked "New Post" - or what is now the pencil icon in Blogger. Hmmm...you will just have to muddle along with me I guess.
***********************************************************************
Happy Pagan Holidays, Solstice, Hanukkah, Christ-mass, etc., etc., etc.
***********************************************************************
Look what E. gave me! (sock monkey hat in case you can't see from the angle) I LOVE it. Our server at P.F. Changs (Jewish Christmas Eve) last night thought it was a bear, but it was dark in there.
He got a $10 tip for saying my dirty martini would be so dirty I'd need a cigarette afterwards. That and it is the pagan holidays.
*****************************************************
I am STILL freakin' sick at three and 1/2 weeks.
*****************************************************
Received the death certificates yesterday - zero "sanitized" copies. Not sure what I can do without those.
*******************************************************
Had a nice Atkinsy breakfast of bacon and eggs. BACON!
******************************************************
Saw The Descendents last night (see Jewish Christmas Eve above). Excellent George Clooney gazing, but movie less funny than expected; seriously - could they not have given that woman some chapstick?!
******************************************************
***********************************************************************
Happy Pagan Holidays, Solstice, Hanukkah, Christ-mass, etc., etc., etc.
***********************************************************************
He got a $10 tip for saying my dirty martini would be so dirty I'd need a cigarette afterwards. That and it is the pagan holidays.
*****************************************************
I am STILL freakin' sick at three and 1/2 weeks.
*****************************************************
Received the death certificates yesterday - zero "sanitized" copies. Not sure what I can do without those.
*******************************************************
Had a nice Atkinsy breakfast of bacon and eggs. BACON!
******************************************************
Saw The Descendents last night (see Jewish Christmas Eve above). Excellent George Clooney gazing, but movie less funny than expected; seriously - could they not have given that woman some chapstick?!
******************************************************
11/25/11
Let's Take A Walk
At Booker Creek.
Park in the Home Team's parking lot, don't have to cross Franklin Street.
Headphones - check. Purse in trunk - check. Keys in hand - check.
First, start the music player...now....figure out the Cardio Trainer app...stop the apps music player because I already started the "real" one...okay...re-start the workout...now re-start the music playlist...put phone in pocket...pause the workout inadvertently...take phone out of pocket...restart the workout...lock phone...NOW put in pocket...
And we're off.
It's about noon and I'm regretting my wardrobe choice (a heavy long sleeved tee-shirt) because it's hot! All the leaves have fallen off the trees so the path, deliciously shaded in summer, is now exposed.
Passed a small gaggle of coltish teenagers with mothers? aunts? followed by a mother and her young (5-6) year old daughter. That's right, left them in the dust.
[Calories burned: twenty nine. Or so says the male vaguely British Cardio Trainer app voice]
You know what I've noticed? Runners rarely nod to walkers. Other runners - yes. Walkers mostly nod or acknowledge other walkers. Like RV campers and tent campers - two groups who think the other group is stupid. As a tent camper, I found RVer's to be rude and inconsiderate neighbors for the most part.
Know what else? If you see someone more than once, the greetings decline. About the third or fourth pass, you just politely look at the ground. Or up at the trees. Or pretend your phone/MP3 player is acting up.
Older men are all or nothing: a full good afternoon or the slight head bob.
[Calories burned: eighty six]
I thought about light poles and telephone poles and wondered why we don't put them underground. They make it hard to take pictures of trees holding their white hallelujah hands up to the Carolina blue sky.
Obviously good photo opps is not the only reason underground lines seem like a good idea. There are hurricane and ice storm reasons.
Thinking about the singer of the Video Games video and I wonder - What it would be like to go through life looking like that? I have never had that kind of beauty or power - that I was aware of anyway.
Reminded me of The April Witch by Ray Bradbury. The premise of the story, as I vaguely recall, was this: a witch possesses a girl to experience love.
What it would be like to go through life looking like that? I can't even imagine.
[Calories burned: one hundred twenty five]
I thought about this blog and what I would write about. Thought about the man with a Jack Russell and a poodle because it seemed like an odd dog combo.
Another Jack Russell was walking off leash and he came over to greet me. He was all white except for the left side of his head, which was black. They are cute dogs. Too smart (and active) for me though.
I thought about how the sidewalk was slippery with the crumbled brown carcasses of dead leaves, pine needles, and sweet gum balls.
I thought about my mother dying and all the things I'll need to do: call the VA, the Coast Guard, Social Security, TROSA, my siblings, my mother's friends (not necessarily in that order of course). I thought about death certificates and where do I get them. How many will I need? Ten? Fifteen? What about her taxes? What am I not thinking of? What don't I know that I don't know?
I thought about squirrels and birds and pondered on why the air smelled vaguely of the sea.
Then I had walked two miles.
[Calories burned: Two hundred and sixty six - the equivalent of four oranges]
Park in the Home Team's parking lot, don't have to cross Franklin Street.
Headphones - check. Purse in trunk - check. Keys in hand - check.
First, start the music player...now....figure out the Cardio Trainer app...stop the apps music player because I already started the "real" one...okay...re-start the workout...now re-start the music playlist...put phone in pocket...pause the workout inadvertently...take phone out of pocket...restart the workout...lock phone...NOW put in pocket...
And we're off.
It's about noon and I'm regretting my wardrobe choice (a heavy long sleeved tee-shirt) because it's hot! All the leaves have fallen off the trees so the path, deliciously shaded in summer, is now exposed.
Passed a small gaggle of coltish teenagers with mothers? aunts? followed by a mother and her young (5-6) year old daughter. That's right, left them in the dust.
[Calories burned: twenty nine. Or so says the male vaguely British Cardio Trainer app voice]
You know what I've noticed? Runners rarely nod to walkers. Other runners - yes. Walkers mostly nod or acknowledge other walkers. Like RV campers and tent campers - two groups who think the other group is stupid. As a tent camper, I found RVer's to be rude and inconsiderate neighbors for the most part.
Know what else? If you see someone more than once, the greetings decline. About the third or fourth pass, you just politely look at the ground. Or up at the trees. Or pretend your phone/MP3 player is acting up.
Older men are all or nothing: a full good afternoon or the slight head bob.
[Calories burned: eighty six]
I thought about light poles and telephone poles and wondered why we don't put them underground. They make it hard to take pictures of trees holding their white hallelujah hands up to the Carolina blue sky.
 |
| Much cropping involved |
Obviously good photo opps is not the only reason underground lines seem like a good idea. There are hurricane and ice storm reasons.
Thinking about the singer of the Video Games video and I wonder - What it would be like to go through life looking like that? I have never had that kind of beauty or power - that I was aware of anyway.
Reminded me of The April Witch by Ray Bradbury. The premise of the story, as I vaguely recall, was this: a witch possesses a girl to experience love.
What it would be like to go through life looking like that? I can't even imagine.
[Calories burned: one hundred twenty five]
I thought about this blog and what I would write about. Thought about the man with a Jack Russell and a poodle because it seemed like an odd dog combo.
Another Jack Russell was walking off leash and he came over to greet me. He was all white except for the left side of his head, which was black. They are cute dogs. Too smart (and active) for me though.
I thought about how the sidewalk was slippery with the crumbled brown carcasses of dead leaves, pine needles, and sweet gum balls.
 |
| Erv Evans, NC State University |
I thought about my mother dying and all the things I'll need to do: call the VA, the Coast Guard, Social Security, TROSA, my siblings, my mother's friends (not necessarily in that order of course). I thought about death certificates and where do I get them. How many will I need? Ten? Fifteen? What about her taxes? What am I not thinking of? What don't I know that I don't know?
I thought about squirrels and birds and pondered on why the air smelled vaguely of the sea.
Then I had walked two miles.
[Calories burned: Two hundred and sixty six - the equivalent of four oranges]
11/24/11
Thanksgiving 2011
Mom is the same - eating very little, sleeps a lot, rarely laughs anymore. I used to get her to laugh all the time. One of the few understandable things she said to me today was, "That's so weird."
I don't know what was weird, but that was clear as a bell.
A. told me Mom often doesn't sleep in her bed. She's agitated ("end of life agitation"), can't seem to get comfortable, wants to be around people, so they bring her out to the living room with her oxygen and settle her in a recliner for the night.
I took over some new clothes - cute little zip up jacket in pink, fuchsia tee-shirt and nice black sweatpants. While she slept off her two bites of turkey at the dining table, I took the opportunity to go through her closet. Got rid of clothes that weren't hers (there were quite a few), weeded out the too small stuff, hung up pants on pant hangers (!), and arranged shirts by color. (Shut up.)
A woman visiting her father brought her Landseer Newfoundland named Oreo. It was hilarious watching Avery and Oreo play - Oreo's head was bigger than the entire puppy! Someone said Avery had cattle dog in her and sure enough, she was nipping at Oreo's heels trying to herd him. That skill might come in handy, herding seniors to the dining room for instance.
Seriously though, what a great idea for a facility like CB to adopt their own dog. The administrator said they've received many emails and phone calls saying that very same thing. (now they need a cat!)
****************************************************************************
Speaking of cats - here's a typical morning scenario:
The third one was just out of camera range. Can't a person pee in peace?!
I had turkey, cauliflower broccoli
au gratin, and chipotle cranberry sauce for dinner. The last item is kinda cheating, but I made it myself and there's very little sugar in it.
For dessert I had an obscene amount of whipped cream.
And I may have more later.
*******************************************************************
I've been watching The Monkees on Netflix. Too funny.
I don't know what was weird, but that was clear as a bell.
A. told me Mom often doesn't sleep in her bed. She's agitated ("end of life agitation"), can't seem to get comfortable, wants to be around people, so they bring her out to the living room with her oxygen and settle her in a recliner for the night.
I took over some new clothes - cute little zip up jacket in pink, fuchsia tee-shirt and nice black sweatpants. While she slept off her two bites of turkey at the dining table, I took the opportunity to go through her closet. Got rid of clothes that weren't hers (there were quite a few), weeded out the too small stuff, hung up pants on pant hangers (!), and arranged shirts by color. (Shut up.)
A woman visiting her father brought her Landseer Newfoundland named Oreo. It was hilarious watching Avery and Oreo play - Oreo's head was bigger than the entire puppy! Someone said Avery had cattle dog in her and sure enough, she was nipping at Oreo's heels trying to herd him. That skill might come in handy, herding seniors to the dining room for instance.
Seriously though, what a great idea for a facility like CB to adopt their own dog. The administrator said they've received many emails and phone calls saying that very same thing. (now they need a cat!)
****************************************************************************
Speaking of cats - here's a typical morning scenario:
I had turkey, cauliflower broccoli
au gratin, and chipotle cranberry sauce for dinner. The last item is kinda cheating, but I made it myself and there's very little sugar in it.
For dessert I had an obscene amount of whipped cream.
And I may have more later.
*******************************************************************
I've been watching The Monkees on Netflix. Too funny.
11/15/11
A Veritable Plethora of Stuff
Maybe.
I am prickly. That's what the ex-BF said about his family - they were a prickly bunch (he included himself in that description, just so you know).
That's an apt description of how I feel lately.
Yesterday the cashier at Kohl's kept my 15% discount card after swiping it, saying that it was for one time use only. She gave it back when I asked for it, but only reluctantly.
I wanted to call a manager and have the poor girl flogged or something else Nathaniel Hawthorne-y. Because she was wrong.
Instead, as I signed the credit card receipt, I muttered "that's BS" under my breath. Passive-aggressive is my middle name ya'll.
Today at the pharmacy in Kroger my eye rolling and heavy sighing was JUST BARELY contained when I was chided - yes, chided - for not picking up an order, then a big deal was made about them having to ring up two avocados and take a coupon.
All the while someone was standing INSIDE MY PERSONAL BUBBLE (granted I have large sphere). It took TWO "looks" for her to step back. RESPECT THE BUBBLE!
Especially the prickly ones.
Then I come home to zero Netflix movies because the mail person at our building is a doofus and for some reason is not picking up the outgoing mail. Erg.
So yeah. Prickly.
******************************************************************************
I am addicted to La Croix sparkling water, mainly the grapefruit (pamplemousse in French) and the lime. When I saw the coconut flavor in Target, I thought - okay, sure, I'll try it.
Oh friends. As it turns out, I do not like drinking what suntan lotion smells like.
*****************************************************************************
My nephew called me last night, to check on his Nana. Awww. Sorry the report is so crappy.
I took over some size eleven (that's MY size!) slippers last night - hoping they might fit when the edema is bad. She had some TED hose on and was wearing her normal slippers. She fell asleep in the dining room so I took my leave.
But not before Miss Myrtle almost made me cry by asking me what she could do that was the right thing. She just wanted to do the right thing so she didn't have to be in there. Sigh.
The hospice social worker called today and said she was sleeping (still?) and her feet were elevated. She asked me how I was doing. Of course I said fine.
************************************************************
Speaking of shoes (well awhile back we were) - how cute are these:
Pretty f*&^ing cute right? That's what I thought too, so I ordered them. They look like just the cure for pricklyitus.
I am prickly. That's what the ex-BF said about his family - they were a prickly bunch (he included himself in that description, just so you know).
That's an apt description of how I feel lately.
Yesterday the cashier at Kohl's kept my 15% discount card after swiping it, saying that it was for one time use only. She gave it back when I asked for it, but only reluctantly.
I wanted to call a manager and have the poor girl flogged or something else Nathaniel Hawthorne-y. Because she was wrong.
Instead, as I signed the credit card receipt, I muttered "that's BS" under my breath. Passive-aggressive is my middle name ya'll.
Today at the pharmacy in Kroger my eye rolling and heavy sighing was JUST BARELY contained when I was chided - yes, chided - for not picking up an order, then a big deal was made about them having to ring up two avocados and take a coupon.
All the while someone was standing INSIDE MY PERSONAL BUBBLE (granted I have large sphere). It took TWO "looks" for her to step back. RESPECT THE BUBBLE!
Especially the prickly ones.
Then I come home to zero Netflix movies because the mail person at our building is a doofus and for some reason is not picking up the outgoing mail. Erg.
So yeah. Prickly.
******************************************************************************
I am addicted to La Croix sparkling water, mainly the grapefruit (pamplemousse in French) and the lime. When I saw the coconut flavor in Target, I thought - okay, sure, I'll try it.
Oh friends. As it turns out, I do not like drinking what suntan lotion smells like.
*****************************************************************************
My nephew called me last night, to check on his Nana. Awww. Sorry the report is so crappy.
I took over some size eleven (that's MY size!) slippers last night - hoping they might fit when the edema is bad. She had some TED hose on and was wearing her normal slippers. She fell asleep in the dining room so I took my leave.
But not before Miss Myrtle almost made me cry by asking me what she could do that was the right thing. She just wanted to do the right thing so she didn't have to be in there. Sigh.
The hospice social worker called today and said she was sleeping (still?) and her feet were elevated. She asked me how I was doing. Of course I said fine.
************************************************************
Speaking of shoes (well awhile back we were) - how cute are these:
11/13/11
So Far (continued)
I've taken a walk:
When I started walking again after taking the above picture, my right knee got all stupid and wonky. It seems mostly better now.
After the walk, it was Walmart for cat litter, cat food, whipped cream, (one rule on this crazy diet - DO NOT run out of whipped cream), and in spite of not being not on the "need" list - Elf.
I HATE Christmas, but I LOVE that stupid movie.
Off to CB to visit Mom, the hospice volunteer was there. Mom's feet and legs were so swollen; they had alerted hospice. Nothing else to do.
Afterward, I returned slippers to Target that won't fit her sausage-like feet, then the Post Office to mail a package.
Now I'm going to eat salad and whipped cream - not at the same time - and watch Elf.
 |
| Yea, that's my shadow |
After the walk, it was Walmart for cat litter, cat food, whipped cream, (one rule on this crazy diet - DO NOT run out of whipped cream), and in spite of not being not on the "need" list - Elf.
I HATE Christmas, but I LOVE that stupid movie.
Off to CB to visit Mom, the hospice volunteer was there. Mom's feet and legs were so swollen; they had alerted hospice. Nothing else to do.
Afterward, I returned slippers to Target that won't fit her sausage-like feet, then the Post Office to mail a package.
Now I'm going to eat salad and whipped cream - not at the same time - and watch Elf.
11/6/11
The Cleaning Frenzy Continues
Maybe it's the extra hour of sleep. It's like the new year - wait it IS the new year according to the Celtic calendar.
I even had an epiphany about my bowls that have been on the second shelf for seven and a half years. They are always hard to reach, especially when they're all clean and stacked high.
Whaaaaaa??????
All I can say is - Duh!
And now I see the glasses and mugs order should be reversed on the second shelf because the mugs are used more. Talk about a creature of habit - the mugs went right back where they have been for seven and a half years.
Cleaned the ceiling fan and reversed the spin cycle using this ladder, a birthday present last year from employers, even though they were not my employers at the time.
Having a small house I am NUTS about stuff that collapses (colanders, measuring cups) and fits into a small space.
*************************************************************************
Debra over at As I See It Now posed the question "What's On Your Refrigerator" a few days ago. Intriguing.
Here's what's on mine:
The bowl postcard was sent to me by my friend E. who lives in New Mexico. The potter on the postcard is Betsy Williams. Her work is exquisite. E. is also an excellent potter and I have quite a few of her pieces.
The other is for a local artist I like a lot. There's a link to her website at the bottom of this blog.
That Paint Guest Room decree has been up there for about a year. Guess I'm ignoring it.
That is a picture of me from the Steve's BBQ days about a hundred years ago. I like it even though my left eye looks wonky. (and hello - pleated pants are not our friend!) The haircut was by a guy named Cedric who would come to your house.
I even had an epiphany about my bowls that have been on the second shelf for seven and a half years. They are always hard to reach, especially when they're all clean and stacked high.
PUT. THEM. ON. THE. FIRST. SHELF.
Whaaaaaa??????
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
And now I see the glasses and mugs order should be reversed on the second shelf because the mugs are used more. Talk about a creature of habit - the mugs went right back where they have been for seven and a half years.
Cleaned the ceiling fan and reversed the spin cycle using this ladder, a birthday present last year from employers, even though they were not my employers at the time.
 |
| Very sturdy with wide steps and a handle |
 |
| Fits in tiny space when folded |
*************************************************************************
Debra over at As I See It Now posed the question "What's On Your Refrigerator" a few days ago. Intriguing.
Here's what's on mine:
 |
| Front |
The other is for a local artist I like a lot. There's a link to her website at the bottom of this blog.
 |
| Right side |
 |
| In case I forget |
See the ring on my right hand? That's so I'd know which hand was my right. Now I wear rings on both hands so I have to say in my head, I write with my right.
Takes time and is why I need driving directives early in the game.
***********************************************************************
Okay, I am fired up from caffeine and off to switch the glasses and mugs.
D'oh!
11/5/11
You're Purdy
Well that's what Mom said the other night.
The hospice social worker had called to say that Mom had a headache while she was there and they gave her some morphine...(maybe that's why I was purdy!), and it just seemed like I should stop by.
Her verbal skills are deteriorating fast. Really fast. "Hey" is still clear as a bell though. We sat in the dining room and she folded a Kleenex over and over. That was pretty much it for about an hour.
CB called last night to say that Mom was sitting on the floor in her room. (they have to tell you everything)
No injuries, everything was fine; they bundled her back into bed.
******************************************************************
This was the sky today:
Walked, talked, and saw "Puss N' Boots" with a couple of the Gals (there is a small select group of us who like animation).
There was a chicken in the theatre...a chicken purse that is! It's Anon CP's. Dear me, that is a good fun time.
CP could be a bit broody (ahahaha) because she is getting real chickens (not purse ones) that will live in one of these adorable houses from Omlet (UK of course). They have cute beehives and houses for bunnies and hamsters too. Beekeeping kinda fascinates and scares me at the same time. Hmmm.
*****************************************************************************
I read somewhere that if you want to be productive - don't take off your shoes when you get home.
That is the first thing I do. The second thing is feed the cats. (Because there is no peace otherwise) Third thing is put on my pajamas.
Today when I got home, I did not take my shoes off. The pantry got cleaned out and organized. (Maybe there's something to that)
I discovered there were at least twenty glass jars that were holding stuff I don't want around now - dangerous carby things like pasta and croutons.
All this must go.
Except the cat.
Eleven jars! need a good home. Made in France. Every single one of them. (they don't come home unless they're from Italy or France)
******************************************************************************
I just finished watching Sons of Anarchy Season Three, which was mostly set in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There was a lot of talk about Orangemen, Provos, The Army, the UVF, and a song about the "big fellah" (Michael Collins) I wondered if most people got all that.
********************************************************************************
And finally, some music. This is my favorite version of Amazing Grace as sung by Tim Eriksen. The part at the end - sounds just like Mongolian throat singing.
The hospice social worker had called to say that Mom had a headache while she was there and they gave her some morphine...(maybe that's why I was purdy!), and it just seemed like I should stop by.
Her verbal skills are deteriorating fast. Really fast. "Hey" is still clear as a bell though. We sat in the dining room and she folded a Kleenex over and over. That was pretty much it for about an hour.
CB called last night to say that Mom was sitting on the floor in her room. (they have to tell you everything)
No injuries, everything was fine; they bundled her back into bed.
******************************************************************
This was the sky today:
Walked, talked, and saw "Puss N' Boots" with a couple of the Gals (there is a small select group of us who like animation).
There was a chicken in the theatre...a chicken purse that is! It's Anon CP's. Dear me, that is a good fun time.
 |
| Cluck! |
 |
| Settling in for the movie - hence the blurriness. |
CP could be a bit broody (ahahaha) because she is getting real chickens (not purse ones) that will live in one of these adorable houses from Omlet (UK of course). They have cute beehives and houses for bunnies and hamsters too. Beekeeping kinda fascinates and scares me at the same time. Hmmm.
*****************************************************************************
I read somewhere that if you want to be productive - don't take off your shoes when you get home.
That is the first thing I do. The second thing is feed the cats. (Because there is no peace otherwise) Third thing is put on my pajamas.
Today when I got home, I did not take my shoes off. The pantry got cleaned out and organized. (Maybe there's something to that)
I discovered there were at least twenty glass jars that were holding stuff I don't want around now - dangerous carby things like pasta and croutons.
Except the cat.
Eleven jars! need a good home. Made in France. Every single one of them. (they don't come home unless they're from Italy or France)
******************************************************************************
I just finished watching Sons of Anarchy Season Three, which was mostly set in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There was a lot of talk about Orangemen, Provos, The Army, the UVF, and a song about the "big fellah" (Michael Collins) I wondered if most people got all that.
********************************************************************************
And finally, some music. This is my favorite version of Amazing Grace as sung by Tim Eriksen. The part at the end - sounds just like Mongolian throat singing.
10/30/11
One Last Post For The Day
Yesterday in the wet cold we Gals tried out a new walking venue (for some of us) over in Meadowmont, a high end Chapel Hill "planned community", (which I find slightly creepy. Brings to mind the movie "Pleasantville").
10/23/11
Today (Again)
You know, sometime I just can't be bothered with thinking of some new and clever title. Sorry.
First - I have made it down into the next decade on the scale. Shut the front door! 18 pounds lost since I first dared to get on the scale again.
This is what I made for supper:
Had a lovely day at WSM with the Gals, came home and cleaned (used my steam cleaner), washed clothes, cooked meatloaf and took out the recycling.
Now time for some Modern Family while enjoying some whipped cream for dessert.
If you enjoy personality tests (even though there's no science to them according to someone I know :), here's a good one Steffi sent me.
Can you guess what my number is?
First - I have made it down into the next decade on the scale. Shut the front door! 18 pounds lost since I first dared to get on the scale again.
This is what I made for supper:
 |
| Turkey meatloaf muffins |
Now time for some Modern Family while enjoying some whipped cream for dessert.
If you enjoy personality tests (even though there's no science to them according to someone I know :), here's a good one Steffi sent me.
Can you guess what my number is?
Below is Dr.Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55, he did this test on Oprah and she got a 38.)
Answers are for who you are now and not who you were in the past.
This is a real test given by Human Relations Departments at many of
the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees.
There are 10 simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper. Record your
letter answers to each question.
Ready?
1. When do you feel your best...
A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night
2. You usually walk...
A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly
3. When talking to people you...
A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with..
A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're
interrupted...
A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most....
A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before
going to sleep you are.....
A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are...
A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant
POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1
10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with
care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and extremely dominant. Others
may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always
trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile,
rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make
decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and
adventuresome, someone who will try anything once,someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the
excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing,
practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center
of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their
head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone
who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful &
practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a
person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's
extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in
return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake
your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to
get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They
see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder.
It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or
on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully
from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this
reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive,
someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make
the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or
anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist.
Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that
you aren't.
10/15/11
Today Was A Soft Day
You know the kind.
The sky was perfect Carolina soft blue, the breeze had just a tinge of soft chill, the temperature was 74 soft degrees, the soft light was fall.
It was nice.
I walked some, sat and laughed with my friends some, drank coffee some. Grocery shopped some, came home, sat some, read some.
Here's what the cats did:
The sky was perfect Carolina soft blue, the breeze had just a tinge of soft chill, the temperature was 74 soft degrees, the soft light was fall.
It was nice.
I walked some, sat and laughed with my friends some, drank coffee some. Grocery shopped some, came home, sat some, read some.
Here's what the cats did:
 |
| SQUIRREL!!! LOOOOK! On the steps! OMG!OMG!OMG! |
 |
| Whatever. |
10/8/11
Today
reminded me of this e. e. cummings poem:
i thank You God for most this amazing day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am alive again today, and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth day of life and love and wings:and of the gay great happening illimitably earth) how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any-lifted from the no of all nothing-human merely being doubt unimaginable You? (now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
10/4/11
Personal Bubble
Reading Cataline's (aka Anon CP) post (read it here), reminded me of something that happened recently.
A gentleman got out of his car to help our UPS driver with the door and locked himself out of the car. Being as I was in the parking lot trying to get my previous Windows phone to work, I got sucked into the maelstrom. Procured a wire coat hanger and then, because he was sure it wouldn't work, proceeded to call AAA for a locksmith. Just as they were confirming the address, by jingo, he unlocked the door. Whoo hoo.
Then...
He wanted to give me a hug for helping him.
I'malmost certain I had the Brad Pitt + baseball (statistics, whatever people) movie look on my face (as in ewwwwwww.), then I said, out loud, "I'm really not a hugger." (If you could only see the look on my face as I relive/type this).
But he was OBLIVIOUS and did it anyway. Talk about no good deed going unpunished.
A gentleman got out of his car to help our UPS driver with the door and locked himself out of the car. Being as I was in the parking lot trying to get my previous Windows phone to work, I got sucked into the maelstrom. Procured a wire coat hanger and then, because he was sure it wouldn't work, proceeded to call AAA for a locksmith. Just as they were confirming the address, by jingo, he unlocked the door. Whoo hoo.
Then...
He wanted to give me a hug for helping him.
I'm
But he was OBLIVIOUS and did it anyway. Talk about no good deed going unpunished.
10/2/11
A Fallow Period
Fallow: not in use; inactive: My creative energies have lain fallow this year.
Yep, that's me right now.
I'm sad about my mother. Sad that there is less and less of her every time I go. Sad about me and my cowardly ways.
Can I confess that I hope for the big one for her? I really do.
Last year when I was working for The realtor Dude, one of his colleagues, a very funny woman whose father was in a similar situation to Mom's, said all she wanted for Christmas was for her father to die. He waited until New Year's.
It sounds so crass, but, boy, I totally get it.
And then I worry about who's going to take care of me.
__________________________________________________________________
So anyway, I took the Windows phone back and paid for an Android - which I LOVE.
8 mega pixel camera (I think that's more than my "real" camera), an e-book reader - which remembers where I left off - shut up. And - I have reception in my office.
Yep, that's me right now.
I'm sad about my mother. Sad that there is less and less of her every time I go. Sad about me and my cowardly ways.
Can I confess that I hope for the big one for her? I really do.
Last year when I was working for The realtor Dude, one of his colleagues, a very funny woman whose father was in a similar situation to Mom's, said all she wanted for Christmas was for her father to die. He waited until New Year's.
It sounds so crass, but, boy, I totally get it.
And then I worry about who's going to take care of me.
__________________________________________________________________
So anyway, I took the Windows phone back and paid for an Android - which I LOVE.
8 mega pixel camera (I think that's more than my "real" camera), an e-book reader - which remembers where I left off - shut up. And - I have reception in my office.
9/25/11
Oh, And...
I have a new phone.
Still not sure I like it. I've already taken one [of the same phone] back because it went through the battery overnight when it wasn't doing anything.
Cons:
- I have zero reception at work in my windowless office. Or anywhere else at work for that matter, except the parking lot. While the other two people who are on the same freaking network/plan have coverage all over the place and come into my office talking on their phones to taunt me. Joshua, my reluctant BF over at the AT&T store, said I should get reception in my office - since other people do.
- It's a smartypants phone with a big screen - yet videos are crappier than they were on my smaller not smartypants phone. What's with that?!
Pros:
It takes pretty good pictures.
Yesterday, after seeing it in the Southern Season weekly email, I bought some of this:
It is good but salty (lots of salt - 200 mg in 1 teaspoon); slathered some on my eggs this morning.
Figure it was offset by the lower sodium bacon.
I can see it pepping up soup or stews come winter. Or meatloaf.
Still not sure I like it. I've already taken one [of the same phone] back because it went through the battery overnight when it wasn't doing anything.
Cons:
- I have zero reception at work in my windowless office. Or anywhere else at work for that matter, except the parking lot. While the other two people who are on the same freaking network/plan have coverage all over the place and come into my office talking on their phones to taunt me. Joshua, my reluctant BF over at the AT&T store, said I should get reception in my office - since other people do.
- It's a smartypants phone with a big screen - yet videos are crappier than they were on my smaller not smartypants phone. What's with that?!
Pros:
It takes pretty good pictures.
Yesterday, after seeing it in the Southern Season weekly email, I bought some of this:
Figure it was offset by the lower sodium bacon.
I can see it pepping up soup or stews come winter. Or meatloaf.
Has It Really Been Two Weeks OR What The Hell Have I Been Doing?
Whoa, what the heck HAVE I been doing?
Losing weight for one. (-10 and counting...) Yay! "meat" diet.
Who knew a box of Popsicles a night (aka supper) coulda been throwing a wrench in the old losing weight game plan?! Heh.
Meanwhile, people torture me on their Facebook pages:
My niece made this crepe filled with vanilla pumpkin creme and drizzled with caramel. FOR BREAKFAST!
It's a good thing she lives in Alaska. :)
Allison did this:
She makes sure to mention that about 1/2 of the cookies have tiny pieces of dark chocolate in them.
These two need to have a bake off. And a cookbook.
As CP says: pumpkin creme and orange sugar cookies can go to hell. (actually she said that about fruit - same diff.)
Ate at Gourmet Kingdom again last Sunday. Lotus root is my new favorite vegetable (thanks D. for the recommendation). I can't describe the taste, except maybe incredible.
What else? Lots of brain stretching at work.
Imagine being a dispatcher with: ten instructors, five or more classes a day in various parts of the world (two simultaneously in India every day), coordinating across multiple GMT zones, conference bridges, and virtual machines. Oh and the printing...40 books shipped here, 2 books shipped there, 60 books printed in India and shipped here and there...
Every day we (I) get three/four/five new rosters of 15 people each, which cannot be copied and pasted easily into the template we use to send out emails telling them what machine they're on, their access code, conference bridge, etc. First name needs to be in a separate cell from last name, then the email.
I have "the claw" by the end of the day from doing Ctrl c, Ctrl v 225 times.
AND we haven't even ramped up yet!
Here's another video from Ok Go, the folks that brought you the treadmill video a few weeks back.
Most of their videos are fun, but this is my favorite:
Been watching Pee Wee Herman's Playhouse. What a great show. I love Jambi.
Losing weight for one. (-10 and counting...) Yay! "meat" diet.
Who knew a box of Popsicles a night (aka supper) coulda been throwing a wrench in the old losing weight game plan?! Heh.
Meanwhile, people torture me on their Facebook pages:
It's a good thing she lives in Alaska. :)
Allison did this:
 |
| Sugar cookies with orange sugar syrup glaze |
These two need to have a bake off. And a cookbook.
As CP says: pumpkin creme and orange sugar cookies can go to hell. (actually she said that about fruit - same diff.)
Ate at Gourmet Kingdom again last Sunday. Lotus root is my new favorite vegetable (thanks D. for the recommendation). I can't describe the taste, except maybe incredible.
What else? Lots of brain stretching at work.
Imagine being a dispatcher with: ten instructors, five or more classes a day in various parts of the world (two simultaneously in India every day), coordinating across multiple GMT zones, conference bridges, and virtual machines. Oh and the printing...40 books shipped here, 2 books shipped there, 60 books printed in India and shipped here and there...
Every day we (I) get three/four/five new rosters of 15 people each, which cannot be copied and pasted easily into the template we use to send out emails telling them what machine they're on, their access code, conference bridge, etc. First name needs to be in a separate cell from last name, then the email.
I have "the claw" by the end of the day from doing Ctrl c, Ctrl v 225 times.
AND we haven't even ramped up yet!
Here's another video from Ok Go, the folks that brought you the treadmill video a few weeks back.
Most of their videos are fun, but this is my favorite:
Also like Collections of Colonies of Bees: (just music)
Been watching Pee Wee Herman's Playhouse. What a great show. I love Jambi.
9/9/11
Friday Wrap-up
My next door neighbor's a nice girl. We share the garbage can and split the bill.
Her father has a brain tumor.
He's my age.
I can't stop thinking about it.
She told me yesterday that his scans don't look good, but they're getting to spend lots of time together.
In a weird way something like this is a blessing - because we have a chance to be with them, kinda wrap things up a bit. Something you don't get when they die suddenly.
*********************************************************
After work I wandered around Kohl's because there were not one, but two coupons - 20% off and $30 in Kohl's cash - burning a hole in my pocket. I'm not walking outta there without using them.
I avoided the Petite section since it makes me sad.
Feck off sad.
And it did, for a while.
After Kohl's I went to see Mom.
She was sitting outside with two other women, enjoying the not sweltering almost fall weather, having a conversation. Conversation is a relative term I guess, but they were all on the same page and enjoying it. Mom pulled up her pants leg and the others did the same. Then they compared whiteness.
We left their fine company and went off to her room to try on the new clothes I procured last week. On the way I discerned something was rotten in Denmark. Oh la.
And then...I had to do the thing I said I NEVER WANTED TO DO AGAIN (hello?! Is anyone listening?) and change my mother's Pull-ups. We both felt better when that was over.
She tried on two pairs of pants and two shirts, which is like an Olympic event for her. The third pair of pants - we're saying they fit because the other two did.
Say cheese came out something like sprayed knees.
That ship has sailed = he's healed?
Okay, you are going to think I am SO mean, but she reminds me of a troll doll in this picture. (I LOVED my troll dolls - so there.) But even more way cuter. See?
She wanted to leave the room and walk about in her new finery. We sat for a few minutes in the living room without the TV (no one is ever in there), holding hands.
"Light of God, light of God," she said out of the blue.
"I'm going..." (to sneeze I think)
"The ladle thing. How'd he look?"
"I don't know. I was done one one one."
Then it was time for her shower and my release back into the real world.
I was heading like a horse towards the barn for Only Burger when I realized the cats were out of kitty crack, which necessitated a drive in the opposite direction to Phydeaux. Burger King is right next door. I am now regretting my dinner choice.
*********************************************************************
Check this out: http://www.jeanniejeannie.com/2011/08/29/the-art-of-clean-up-sorting-and-stacking-everyday-objects/
Her father has a brain tumor.
He's my age.
I can't stop thinking about it.
She told me yesterday that his scans don't look good, but they're getting to spend lots of time together.
In a weird way something like this is a blessing - because we have a chance to be with them, kinda wrap things up a bit. Something you don't get when they die suddenly.
*********************************************************
After work I wandered around Kohl's because there were not one, but two coupons - 20% off and $30 in Kohl's cash - burning a hole in my pocket. I'm not walking outta there without using them.
I avoided the Petite section since it makes me sad.
Feck off sad.
And it did, for a while.
After Kohl's I went to see Mom.
She was sitting outside with two other women, enjoying the not sweltering almost fall weather, having a conversation. Conversation is a relative term I guess, but they were all on the same page and enjoying it. Mom pulled up her pants leg and the others did the same. Then they compared whiteness.
We left their fine company and went off to her room to try on the new clothes I procured last week. On the way I discerned something was rotten in Denmark. Oh la.
And then...I had to do the thing I said I NEVER WANTED TO DO AGAIN (hello?! Is anyone listening?) and change my mother's Pull-ups. We both felt better when that was over.
She tried on two pairs of pants and two shirts, which is like an Olympic event for her. The third pair of pants - we're saying they fit because the other two did.
That ship has sailed = he's healed?
Okay, you are going to think I am SO mean, but she reminds me of a troll doll in this picture. (I LOVED my troll dolls - so there.) But even more way cuter. See?
She wanted to leave the room and walk about in her new finery. We sat for a few minutes in the living room without the TV (no one is ever in there), holding hands.
"Light of God, light of God," she said out of the blue.
"I'm going..." (to sneeze I think)
"The ladle thing. How'd he look?"
"I don't know. I was done one one one."
Then it was time for her shower and my release back into the real world.
I was heading like a horse towards the barn for Only Burger when I realized the cats were out of kitty crack, which necessitated a drive in the opposite direction to Phydeaux. Burger King is right next door. I am now regretting my dinner choice.
*********************************************************************
Check this out: http://www.jeanniejeannie.com/2011/08/29/the-art-of-clean-up-sorting-and-stacking-everyday-objects/
9/4/11
Cleaning House
Here's how the housecleaning ritual works for me:
Step One: Get the vacuum out of the closet.
Step Two: Let it sit in the living room for days, (okay, okay!), I mean, weeks, waiting for it to magically clean the house by itself. Or maybe those damn cats will stop using the hose as an attack launch site, GET THE HINT and learn to vacuum. (Or stop shedding completely.)
Sigh. None of those things ever happen.
Step Three: Go on a tear and clean everything - in the front part of the house that is - including steam cleaning the floors.
Then I'm sweaty and exhausted and NEVER want to have to clean again. That never happens either.
When I was little (around three) I had a crush on Mr. Clean. That's right, you heard me. The bald headed, earring wearing, genie-in-a-lamp-looking, cartoon man. This cartoon crush led to my liking of bald men.
Pretty sure this should be addressed in therapy.
It's quite possible he was the reason I married my ex-husband, since his pate was clean shaven at the time of meeting.
(The power of advertising!)
(Want to win at trivia? Mr. Clean's first name is Veritably.)
Once, a bald man bought my mother and I lunch. We were both wearing hats and looked pretty stunning and it's possible he thought we were high pricedcall girls...escorts. Joke was on him.
That's the only time anything like that has ever happened to me, unless you count that time in Ireland when this young man asked if I cared for a "bit of sport". He took it pretty well when I declined. He wasn't bald or I might have considered it. (just kidding people.) Also, he was very drunk and I was not. It might have turned out differently if things had been reversed.
(An aside: Proctor and Gamble, Mr. Clean's parents, has taken to assuming that I want Febreeze in my Magic Erasers, (which I am totally over the moon about - Magic Erasers, not Febreeze). P&G, I would like to go on record as Do Not Like-ing. I can't get the perfumey stink off my hands.)
While we're on the subject of my cartoon boyfriend - someone told me he was gay. They said that about Bert and Ernie too.
I find this hilarious.
First - Are you kidding?
Second - My cartoon BF is not gay!
Step One: Get the vacuum out of the closet.
Step Two: Let it sit in the living room for days, (okay, okay!), I mean, weeks, waiting for it to magically clean the house by itself. Or maybe those damn cats will stop using the hose as an attack launch site, GET THE HINT and learn to vacuum. (Or stop shedding completely.)
Sigh. None of those things ever happen.
Step Three: Go on a tear and clean everything - in the front part of the house that is - including steam cleaning the floors.
Then I'm sweaty and exhausted and NEVER want to have to clean again. That never happens either.
When I was little (around three) I had a crush on Mr. Clean. That's right, you heard me. The bald headed, earring wearing, genie-in-a-lamp-looking, cartoon man. This cartoon crush led to my liking of bald men.
Pretty sure this should be addressed in therapy.
(The power of advertising!)
(Want to win at trivia? Mr. Clean's first name is Veritably.)
Once, a bald man bought my mother and I lunch. We were both wearing hats and looked pretty stunning and it's possible he thought we were high priced
That's the only time anything like that has ever happened to me, unless you count that time in Ireland when this young man asked if I cared for a "bit of sport". He took it pretty well when I declined. He wasn't bald or I might have considered it. (just kidding people.) Also, he was very drunk and I was not. It might have turned out differently if things had been reversed.
(An aside: Proctor and Gamble, Mr. Clean's parents, has taken to assuming that I want Febreeze in my Magic Erasers, (which I am totally over the moon about - Magic Erasers, not Febreeze). P&G, I would like to go on record as Do Not Like-ing. I can't get the perfumey stink off my hands.)
I find this hilarious.
First - Are you kidding?
Second - My cartoon BF is not gay!
8/25/11
PTO
PTO = paid time off. Taking most of my ten days from OJ (old job - no, wait, New Job, almost Old Job).
Today, several of us went to the NC Museum of Art to catch the 30 Americans exhibit before it exits (stage right) on September 4.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Kehinde Wiley
Iona Rozeal Brown
Hank Willis Thomas
Afterward we wandered over to the new building for lunch at Iris. These flowers were on the table:
I don't get it and as a Libra, the distinctly unbalanced look disturbs me.
Today, several of us went to the NC Museum of Art to catch the 30 Americans exhibit before it exits (stage right) on September 4.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Kehinde Wiley
Iona Rozeal Brown
Hank Willis Thomas
Afterward we wandered over to the new building for lunch at Iris. These flowers were on the table:
Our waiter K*^e, who spent most of our time together acting like he was in a zombie movie, got a little (key word) animated when he asked us if we knew what they were called. We did not.
"Billy Balls", he informed us.
Score one for zombie K*^e! (The real name is Craspedia.)
While we are on the subject of host/wait staff, one of the aforementioned had the Amish beard-only thing going on.
I don't get it and as a Libra, the distinctly unbalanced look disturbs me. Gah - do both or nothing! When this person came over to ask if everything was okay - we all starred in horror at his empty upper lip.
Or maybe that was just me.
I mean, a 'stache sans beard is fine, but a beard alone is a thing to be shorn.
AND - another male facial hair thing I don't get - the semi-beard, or what I call the George Michael look.
W.
T.
F.
Again, no halfway with me - grow the beard (and the mustache) already or shave. It takes just as long to manicure that stubble, maybe longer. Do women like this?!
And don't EVEN get me started on the soul patch. Good lord.
ANYWAY...from there we drifted to on-line dating and the hilarity of profile surfing, as one will.
Here's one: if you [a woman] are "sassy mouthed and hard-headed - move on."
You know what - I AM sassy mouthed, hard headed, and proud of it. And you sir, probably have an Amish beard.
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