11.19

What the ...?

I go to move Ryan's planner and see a note attached. Seems he has missed 3 assignments this week. Grr... He needs to bring money? What? (I'm sure this is all explained at open house but since I can't go...) Getting the information out of Ryan is trying at best. He needs $.05 per page. How many pages? It will take forever to figure this out. Grr... We finally determine he needs $.15 and I tell him to get his piggy bank. He comes back with the bank and tears in his eyes and I can't do it. I give him the money but tell him next time he has to pay. sigh...

I check my email to see a message from Verizon about me cancelling my Internet service. What? Um... no! I try to call bit it's automated and you can't cancel a cancellation without speaking to a human and the offices are closed.

There were calls from Verizon after we hot FiOS tv but I figured they were curteosy calls. But... I go through 23 voicemails to make sure I didn't miss anything. Twenty of the calls were best left ignored, one from a customer trying to find the store (eyeroll), one from another customer who wants to know why the store is down for maintenance (read the blog!) and one from a club member but who has an out of state cell number so I didn't know to answer the call. Nothing from Verizon. Hmm...
(Update: I called and it was and old cancellation from October just making it to my mailbox. It was from when I postponed installation.)

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I went to go recharge my camera battery and the light wouldn't show. Then it did come on but started flashing. Crap! That usually the battery is no good. I decided to try my other battery, which is pretty fresh, and the same thing happened. So I figured the charger went bad. I checked amazon and saw they were so expensive. The Olympus site was no help. So I googled and found the answer. I needed to clean the contacts with alcohol and now it is showing a steady red light which means charging. I love google. I saved $50.

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At the zoo but there are also 800 hundred school buses. Give or take 6.

Joy.

Oh it gets better. I don't have my membership card. Is it my purse? Will they let me use one of the boys passes?

Crap!

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It was no problem to get in. Yay!

I had to walk to the end of the zoo to find the 3 zebras. They are with the rhinos and a big fat rhino hid the zebras from view. I did find another viewing area and for a while I was alone. Then those school kids found me. sigh... I took hundreds of shots hoping I will get a good one. I did put on my longer zoom but I shake so much with it. I used burst mode so I have triples of everything. The male zebra did finally stand and looked directly at me. When they stood perpendicular to me, the camera had a hard time focusing. Mother nature at work.

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I went to Bed Beth & Beyond to get a slow cooker. Their website shows they carry the same one as amazon for the same price. With their 20% off coupon, I could save $10. But they don't carry it in the store. I decided to get mini loaf pans but they don't carry any. I wonder why?

I got some greenish oranges at Shannon's. I was told they are ripe it just hasn't been cold enough to make them get orange. Hmm...

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Andy's bus driver has been messing with the schedule. Each day he arrived earlier than the last. Today I was ready and they were "late." oh well, it was nice to be outside.

11.18

I try not to look at my stats too often. It's pretty pathetic and definitely not an ego boost.

But I noticed that since I stopped posting my mundane everyday stuff, I've lost quite a few readers.

Really? You want to know what typical and non exciting stuff I do? Or maybe you are just checking out the photo and moving on?

Hmmm... something to think about.

11.14.09

Weekends are nice because I can relax a bit. Hang out in bed for an extra hour and doze, as long as Andy is quiet and still. I can check my email while sipping some hot tea before I decide to fix my own breakfast...

Heck in a handbasket!

My site was hacked again! I don't understand it. I applied the security patch but they still found a way in. I guess I need to upgrade but I am not at all confident in doing so.

In the past, I have asked my friend Kim to help. the last time she upgraded, there was some problem but I can't remember what happened. Anyway, she has shied away from helping and also from scrapbooking in general. Seems that since she no longer has a full time job, she is busier than ever. Odd how that happens.

Anyway, I went to the support site and read the tutorials. It got me even more anxious. I even posted for some commercial help. But then decided to go ahead and install a new version. I did back up everything so I can revert back if I really want to. But I am going to try to make the cosmetic changes myself. Since there haven't been any sales, I am not losing any more money than usual.

In the middle of this, my computer went into kernal panic. Fudge! All this before breakfast. Are you sure today isn't Friday the 13th?

The combination of low blood sugar and caffeine is not so good so I decide to eat something. My usual oatmeal or maybe an egg? Oh how about a soft boiled egg using my new egg timer and egg cup. OK, the cooking was fine. The timer seems to work. Now how do I open this thing? Yes, I googled how to eat a soft boiled egg. Hmm... seems I don't have a special spoon but the regular one works OK as long as the opening is big enough.

Apparently there are egg toppers which will help you crack and open the egg easier; cheap egg topper; expensive egg topper and crazy expensive egg topper. For my first time, I did OK. No need to spend money on some fancy gadget I may not use often.

I did use this Norpro Egg Rite Egg Timer. I wasn't sure so I pulled the egg out just past soft. The white was completely cooked, not runny at all. It was good but not enough. I thought about boiling another but decided to save time and fry one. My fried egg turned out runnier than the soft boiled. ;) Of course I had to add some cheese and it was good thing since I opened the "meat drawer" and saw the stewing meat. Oh right! I said I would beef stew today. I pulled out the slow cooker so I wouldn't forget, again.

After my breakfast I cut up the vegetables. Just onion, celery and carrots. I'll add the potatoes later. I realized the slow cooker is in need of replacement. It's not a crock pot but similar to this West Bend 84905 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker. The non stick interior is scratched up and probably not safe. I'll need to research them and get a new one. I did like that it wasn't as heavy as a crock pot and was supposed to be easier to clean. But those cheap non-stick appliances just don't last. The oblong shape took up less space in the cabinet and Cuisinart does have some similar. But theirs are more expensive. Not as bad as the All-Clad one but twice the price but...

11.11.09

There was no school on Wednesday. The boys opted to stay home. They played the wii and I got to nap. Poppa fixed one of the medicine cabinets.

I baked chocolate chip cookies. I am a bit surprised how many calories are in one small cookie. But the extra chocolate chips is so worth it.

I had planned to bake oatmeal cookies but I didn't have enough oatmeal. Meanwhile, the butter was softened and ready. I looked again at Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share (Martha Stewart Living Magazine) and thought about chocolate sugar cookies. I needed more butter so I pulled another half stick to soften.

I fell asleep for about an hour but it took another hour of dozing to get me out of the chair. By then it was 3:00. I got up to pee and bake the cookies. Usually the first step is to pre-heat the oven. It was so I read through the whole recipe and saw that this one requires an hour in the fridge to firm up. Ugh. Searched for another recipe and found chocolate chip cookies which are always a favorite. But I didn't need 2 1/2 sticks of butter. I grabbed the half stick softened in the bowl and threw it away.

I added more chips because, well, it's chocolate! But I decided to use the smaller scoop to make me think I was being good. Right, each small cookie is still over 100 calories. Darn that chocolate! I told my dad I was putting them in the freezer and you should have seen his face. What?! Don't you have an air-tight container? Yes, but they still dry out. They stay fresher in the freezer and it only takes a few minutes for them to thaw. And... it keeps me from eating them all in 2 days.

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I am reading Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously. It's not a very good book. She rambles and jumps back & forth. I thought there would be more about Julia Child.

Bonnie said she thought of me when reading this. Not the cooking but the blogging. Yes, I blog but I am certainly not going to get a book or movie deal out of the thing. Right?

But this got me thinking that maybe I could do a similar thing with Martha's Cookies book. I could bake a different cookie each week. But then...
• who would eat them? There are lots of recipes I don't even want to eat.
• who would read it? Sure my faithful 3 readers but... Besides, I am not a writer and do not have adventures like Julie Powell does.

So I won't be doing anything like that. I have been thinking about the direction of this blog. There just isn't enough interesting stuff in my life to post everyday. I am thinking of backing off to maybe 2-3 times per week.

Who knows, I will probably change my mind this afternoon.

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Oh, I dipped under another digit today! I love when that happens.

11.10

11.9

The back of my van is filled with stuff to go to Salvation Army. The garage is cleared out and almost everything is put away. I can park my car in there today.

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I have developed a new pain in my ankle. It started yesterday and I wasn't sure what caused it; standing at the garage sale? different shoes? going without shoes? It wasn't painful to move, only to walk. I thought I might have to skip my walk this morning.

But I got dressed anyway and put on my newest sneakers. It still hurt but not as much. As I did the morning stuff, the pain faded and eventually disappeared. So I did walk and it didn't hurt. Well, except for the regular arthritis.

I'm too young to feel old. (physically)

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And yet when my dad is here, I revert. Hiding in my room so I don't have to talk to anyone.

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I had my annual lunch with my other friend named Bonnie. We seemed to only be able to get together once a year because she is so busy. And the 2 hours goes by too quickly.

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I got an iHome. It isn't the exact one I wanted but it's fine. And I used a 20% off coupon at Bed Bath & Beyond.

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11.10

Apparently there have been weekly photography meet-ups all along. The calendar got deleted and Jeff didn't have the time to post everything again.

Oh well, I really didn't have time for them.

It was nice that I could get there on time this week.

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After a month of resceduling, the Verizon FiOS has been installed. It's amazing how long it took considering that they used the exisitng cable wiring.

There are loads of cool features but it will go to waste. I just don't have the time for TV.

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Debating getting an ebook or paperback. There is only a couple dollars difference in the two. The paperback is cheaper. With amazon Prime, I get free shipping.

Paperback:
• cheaper
• can share
• easier on the eyes

eBook:
• no trees were killed
• no clutter
• can read anywhere
• can get instantly

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surprise!

11.6

Surprise!

I awake Friday to an email stating that my web site account has been suspended due to malicious hacking & phishing. What?!

All of my sites are suspended. Fudge! I don't have time for this! I have to get ready for the garage sale.

I see Andy on the bus and call hostmonster. The tech is very nice and he quickly finds the offensive hack and I remove the files. Meanwhile, Ryan needs an invention idea and for me to sign the paper, then he needs help in the bathroom.

Finally the sites are back up. Whew!

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I see Ryan off to school and debate about working on the garage and going for a walk. I get an email from Nancy saying that dad is on his way here.

Surprise!

Will he take 2 days like he said he would earlier this week? "He said he would stop if he gets tired." Great. We have haircuts tonight so we may not be here when he arrives.

I decide a walk though a shorter one will be good for the stress I am feeling at the moment.

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It doesn't take long to set up for the sale. I have had the items collected so it's just a matter of putting the items on the tables. Of course I feel like I should have gotten more items from the store but I always put it off.

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I have to run errands so I missed my dad's call saying he will be here about 5. Yep, we will miss him so I have to write a note. I tell him to call if he wants Chick Fil A.

He does call.

Surprise !

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Because of the time change, it's getting dark by the time we Chick Fil A. Ryan doesn't like being out in the dark. He has both interior lights on in the back of the van. Andy loves being out after dark. I ask Ryan if he wants me to take him home and we can see Poppa, drop off Poppa's chicken then take Andy to the bookstore. I'll take Ryan to the bookstore tomorrow.

Yeah, I know I spoil them. But life is better when they are happy and feel like they have choices.

Surprise!

The boys hug poppa!

In the past when my dad has arrived, the boys hide in the playroom for 15-20 minutes before they come out and say hello. They could be shy or they could be avoiding bringing in any of dad's stuff.

This year, he was in the house when we got home. Both went right up to him. Ryan let poppa hug him. Andy nearly tackled poppa because he is so much bigger.

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11.7

Lying in bed before the alarm goes off. I tell Andy I need to get dressed for the garage sale. "I'll get dressed too."

The garage sale went well. Jo noticed I lost weight which felt good. Then Roe showed up and she has lost even more weight. She looks great and I am happy for her but feel fatter at the same time.

Surprise!

I have to check my iPhone and find an email staying that my account has been suspended again. Fudge! I have to just let it go for now, no time.

The last 2 hours of the sale go by SO SLOW but I am happy to get rid of the roll top desk and the old blue dresser. The bookshelf and bike don't sell but that's OK. I will put the bike on Craig's List. I made over $300!

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I work on the site through the FTP and get rid of the hacked files. And I even go through and install the latest security patch before I call hostmonster.

Surprise!

Hostmonster has a 3 strikes rule. If I get hacked and suspended for phishing again, they will not reinstate my account. All my stuff will be gone.

I take the store off-line just waiting to see what will happen. I don't even want to post to my blog in fear of something bad happening. Stress!

I think about this the rest of the day. Thinking that any email that comes in might be bad news.

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Because we did it once, Andy claimed this as a tradition so I take him out to lunch after the garage sale. He is happy to leave Ryan at home so we can eat inside. And he can play.

I get home only to leave again to take Ryan to the bookstore.

I got an iPhone app called Nice List. It's a Christmas list. It's cool because it keeps track of your estimated costs. I see that my list for Andy is $300 more than my list for Ryan. Oops. I will have to save some of those things for Andy's birthday.

Surprise!

I also see why I am always so broke around the holidays and reduce the amounts of some of the gift cards.

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11.8

I go to Starbucks instead of church.

Surprise!

Andy's teacher walks in. Busted. She and her boyfriend are going to a VW car show in Dad City. Oh that would be cool to photograph. Uh, Dad...?

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I didn't go to the car show. I started the routine of getting fries from Wendy's for lunch. Then I fix hot dogs for Andy when I get home. In the past, I would have snarfed down a cheeseburger before I got home. But the smell of Wendy's makes me sick. I fix eggs and tomatoes at home.

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thursday 11.5

This week has been spent getting ready for my garage sale and attempting to clean off my desk. I had to get new garage sale signs since I never got mine back from Sue.

I went to Lowes and checked out their curtain rods. They have a better selection that Lowe's and the prices are comparable. They also have a better selection of fan pulls.

I had intended on getting a nice mirror for Andy's room. But I couldn't resist $6 for a door mirror. OK, $10 when you add in the hardware. Now I just need to add it to the list of things to install.

I was determined to actually flip my king sized mattress instead of just rotating it. It took some manuveuring bit I got it down. So nice to have a stain free mattress. (Before you go there, it's from the boys sleeping with me. Don't judge!)

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I've been walking everyday and I already bored with the neighborhood route. I need to find new places. The weather has cooled down enough where I don't sweat much during my walk.

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wednesday 11.4

I've started a new blog.

What?

Why? Especially when this blog is so lame. And my 3 faithful followers almost cringe every time they see a new post.

Oh no. More whining and complaining but at least she includes a photo.

Well, see that's the point. It seems like I use this to vent and moan with few hurrahs in between.

My new blog is where I put those snarky snippets. And where they will stay unless I can put a positive spin on them. Further, I won't be linking to it. It's best left somewhat anonymously. In fact, it should be the kind of things written in a journal but seeing as I almost always have computer access but don't always have pen & paper...

So this will continue to be my (somewhat) daily blog though it may not be posted daily.

Thank you to my 3 faithful readers who continue to wind their way through my rambles.

tuesday 11.3

I wish I knew what was happening to our weekly photography meetings. They were halted when the leader when to Maine for a couple of weeks. I know he is back but there have been no new meetings on the calendar. I emailed him but haven't heard back.

So I walked again. Even with my wonky shoes, I feel good. And my pace is getting a bit quicker.

Andy had a dentist appointment. He did well but would not allow the x-rays. Andy prefers Dr Duga but he had left so we were seen by Dr Feeney. Andy was fine, I am the one who doesn't care for her.

Andy still likes to play at Chick Fil A. Even though he is way too tall they allow it since he is mostly harmless. He does not intentionally bump into people. Ryan has not liked going into CFA for years. So we do the drive through when Ryan is around.

Andy has taken over the laptop now that it sits on the desk. This makes Ryan a bit upset so he mostly hangs out in his bedroom. I had to ask him to come out and look at shoes. Bad moods means he hates everything. Sigh. I did get him approve some Converse slipons. They should arrive Wednesday!

monday 11.2

6:42

I've too much to do today. This week. I need to find a way back to the fun stuff like photography.

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12:12

I walked today and realized I need new shoes. And of course the ones I live are not cheap. Oh well. They will be here soon!

Downloaded a bunch of new songs. Yes, I purchased all but one which was a free download fom the artist.

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Zappo's shipped my shoes and they should be here tomorrow. For free. Wow!