Public Sweets Annoucement:
Dragonflies has a sign up for the annual Blogger cookie exchange on her blog!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
My eating dilemna and weekend fun
Good news-Chris took a walk with me last weekend, so there's hope I can have a partner to get out of the house on weekends and exercise. Of course it took me laying out his entire outfit and telling him, "I'm ready to go, your clothes are on the bed." *snort* Whatever works! This weekend we are going to a really big corn maze.
The bad news is that winter is coming and neither of us want to venture out then. And there's no good indoor area for us to walk around town. In the winter, I tend to just use the treadmill in the basement.
Good news-I've been curbing my daily cookie/bar afternoon fix. It's a habit I've been trying to break forever. And no, a piece of dark chocolate doesn't do the trick, nor does a little pudding cup, low fat/low sugar prepackaged treats, or Fiber One bar (sometimes it does, but I get sick of those pretty easily). With the cafeteria downstairs, it's just too easy for me to indulge my craving. But I've found a reasonable solution.
Bad news-that solution is cereal that has a fair amount of sugar. A bowl of cereal cures my sweet tooth and my need to sink my teeth into something substantial. Plus, I can mix up the variety. I've tried the Special K chocolatey cereal and it wasn't particularly yummy. And healthier cereals with some Splenda? Not the same. I need to sit down and look at some lables to at least choose the lesser of evils.
The bad news is that winter is coming and neither of us want to venture out then. And there's no good indoor area for us to walk around town. In the winter, I tend to just use the treadmill in the basement.
Good news-I've been curbing my daily cookie/bar afternoon fix. It's a habit I've been trying to break forever. And no, a piece of dark chocolate doesn't do the trick, nor does a little pudding cup, low fat/low sugar prepackaged treats, or Fiber One bar (sometimes it does, but I get sick of those pretty easily). With the cafeteria downstairs, it's just too easy for me to indulge my craving. But I've found a reasonable solution.
Bad news-that solution is cereal that has a fair amount of sugar. A bowl of cereal cures my sweet tooth and my need to sink my teeth into something substantial. Plus, I can mix up the variety. I've tried the Special K chocolatey cereal and it wasn't particularly yummy. And healthier cereals with some Splenda? Not the same. I need to sit down and look at some lables to at least choose the lesser of evils.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Nudists
I forgot to mention-there was a small nudist (or "naturalists" as they called themselves...which I always thought were people that took you on flora and fauna tours) convention at the motel next to our house this weekend.
Chris and I noticed the place was full-kind of strange in October, but we figured it was either a wedding or lots of fall color tourists. But we also noticed the windows to the pool area were covered with green paper. Kids party?
Nope, the nudies were there. I hope they wore clothes to dinner, or that they didn't use the regular chairs in the dining area.
Chris and I noticed the place was full-kind of strange in October, but we figured it was either a wedding or lots of fall color tourists. But we also noticed the windows to the pool area were covered with green paper. Kids party?
Nope, the nudies were there. I hope they wore clothes to dinner, or that they didn't use the regular chairs in the dining area.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Upcoming road trip
I have a hotel night to use by the end of the year, so we are doing a quickie to Minneapolis in a few weekends. We're staying near Mall of America, which has two LUSH stores! I haven't purchased any LUSH since last July in Chicago. Chris said he agrees that I deserve some LUSH holiday items. He wants to hit some flight simulator place there.
We'll also be hitting some brewpubs (surprise!) and a cupcake bakery. :-) I suspect we'll need to do some mall laps to make up for the calories.
In other cupcake news, my black forest cupcakes were not devoured at our friend's Oktoberfest party. They were very pretty, but there were four competing desserts and lots of other food. I came home with 10 leftover cupcakes. Oh well, yummy for us!
In random news, I forgot my jacket at a bar that's not so convenient to return to. It will have to wait until this weekend. Also, Puffy's DD had reasonably good weather for the wedding this weekend. Given the rest of the week, they had the best possible day.
We'll also be hitting some brewpubs (surprise!) and a cupcake bakery. :-) I suspect we'll need to do some mall laps to make up for the calories.
In other cupcake news, my black forest cupcakes were not devoured at our friend's Oktoberfest party. They were very pretty, but there were four competing desserts and lots of other food. I came home with 10 leftover cupcakes. Oh well, yummy for us!
In random news, I forgot my jacket at a bar that's not so convenient to return to. It will have to wait until this weekend. Also, Puffy's DD had reasonably good weather for the wedding this weekend. Given the rest of the week, they had the best possible day.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Soft Pretzels
If I were a religious person, I would credit God for the soft pretzel. But since I don't, I'll give props to Alton Brown, for giving me the yummiest pretzel recipe evah! Normally, homemade soft pretzels just kind of taste like bread in a pretzel shape. His pretzels have that special crust that tastes very pretzeley. The secret is in the boiling baking soda bath.
We are taking these to our friend's Oktoberfest party on Saturday, along with a black forest cake. It's the friend who started chemo this month and her DH was hit with H1N1 and still is low on energy. They want to have the party, but their plan to bake a bunch of soft pretzels wasn't happening. Thus, a few of us are bringing batches for them.
In other news, MIL thought she might die during her colonoscopy. She sent a letter saying "If anything happens to me, my journals are in the cabinet above the fridge." Um, ok.
We are taking these to our friend's Oktoberfest party on Saturday, along with a black forest cake. It's the friend who started chemo this month and her DH was hit with H1N1 and still is low on energy. They want to have the party, but their plan to bake a bunch of soft pretzels wasn't happening. Thus, a few of us are bringing batches for them.
In other news, MIL thought she might die during her colonoscopy. She sent a letter saying "If anything happens to me, my journals are in the cabinet above the fridge." Um, ok.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I love my boss
Maybe it's to ease her guilt, but she's been putting out great feelers about jobs for me. She's making sure any job would include a significant raise for me. What a great woman.
I have another job that really interests me (and hires for on a rolling basis), but I don't have a nursing or social work degree (or "related" field degree, unless they consider education "related"). However, I know the job well and it's a job I helped develop some tools for, so I think I could claim significant experience. It's not one licensure is required for, so I could try and tapdance around the issue.
I'm feeling a little less lost than in pervious days.
I have another job that really interests me (and hires for on a rolling basis), but I don't have a nursing or social work degree (or "related" field degree, unless they consider education "related"). However, I know the job well and it's a job I helped develop some tools for, so I think I could claim significant experience. It's not one licensure is required for, so I could try and tapdance around the issue.
I'm feeling a little less lost than in pervious days.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Job news
Well, it sounds like my boss wants to take the job in California. She had an interview last week and after a brief chat with her, I bet she'll take it. Things have been terrible here, so she's wise to run. She asked if I was still interested in coming with her. Sigh.
I want to go. I love northern CA and I want out of my current workplace. I hate winter. It would be a raise. Real estate is relatively cheap around there now. We could buy low and have a good investment.
However...
1) CA isn't exactly is great financial shape and state workers are on worse furloughs than we are.
2) Chris would need to get a job, and outside of his current profession, there's not a ton of available work he'd qualify for/be interested in currently.
3) If we sold our house (and in this market, that's not exactly an easy thing to do), we'd probably only walk with $15-20K after some projects we'd need to do to prep it for selling and realtor fees. That's not even 10% down for most houses out there.
4) I don't know that I want to stay in academia. It's never been the best fit for me, and now is an opportunity to change fields.
The good news is my boss wouldn't leave until summer or fall next year. This gives me some time. Unfortunately I won't be done with my MSEd until summer next year, but I think I could apply for jobs it's required for in the spring anyway.
I guess when it comes down to it, I'd rather wait until we are better prepared for a move and the economy offers more options for work. If I was 100% sold I wanted to stay in academia, this decision would be easier.
I want to go. I love northern CA and I want out of my current workplace. I hate winter. It would be a raise. Real estate is relatively cheap around there now. We could buy low and have a good investment.
However...
1) CA isn't exactly is great financial shape and state workers are on worse furloughs than we are.
2) Chris would need to get a job, and outside of his current profession, there's not a ton of available work he'd qualify for/be interested in currently.
3) If we sold our house (and in this market, that's not exactly an easy thing to do), we'd probably only walk with $15-20K after some projects we'd need to do to prep it for selling and realtor fees. That's not even 10% down for most houses out there.
4) I don't know that I want to stay in academia. It's never been the best fit for me, and now is an opportunity to change fields.
The good news is my boss wouldn't leave until summer or fall next year. This gives me some time. Unfortunately I won't be done with my MSEd until summer next year, but I think I could apply for jobs it's required for in the spring anyway.
I guess when it comes down to it, I'd rather wait until we are better prepared for a move and the economy offers more options for work. If I was 100% sold I wanted to stay in academia, this decision would be easier.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
When did we turn 80?
My friend Mel, the one diagnosed with breast cancer recently, commented "When did we all turn 80? I could've sworn just last month we were all in our 30s?" Chris joins her on the sick people's couch (her hubby also is just getting over H1N1!) and goes in for surgery soon for his insanely broken shoulder.
What does this mean for us?
1. I have to drive myself to work, which isn't a big deal except I don't have anywhere to park. My options are to park about a mile away and walk, park a mile away and ride the bus, or pay $10/day to park at work. I'll be doing a combo of walking and bussing, depending on the weather.
2. I have to adjust grocery and meals. With him being home, but unable to cook, I need to make some adjustments. Not to mention his bloodwork results recently suggest we need to make adjustments.
3. I'm going to have a bored husband when I get home from work. This is a slight issue because I am starting my other class this week, so I'll have homework at least 5 out of 7 days to tend to, progressively more as the semester goes on.
4. We rejoined Netflix last night.
5. The cats are going to get really spoiled by having a person around all the time.
6. I have to juggle some meetings around, but I'll also take some time to work at home, which can be good.
What does this mean for us?
1. I have to drive myself to work, which isn't a big deal except I don't have anywhere to park. My options are to park about a mile away and walk, park a mile away and ride the bus, or pay $10/day to park at work. I'll be doing a combo of walking and bussing, depending on the weather.
2. I have to adjust grocery and meals. With him being home, but unable to cook, I need to make some adjustments. Not to mention his bloodwork results recently suggest we need to make adjustments.
3. I'm going to have a bored husband when I get home from work. This is a slight issue because I am starting my other class this week, so I'll have homework at least 5 out of 7 days to tend to, progressively more as the semester goes on.
4. We rejoined Netflix last night.
5. The cats are going to get really spoiled by having a person around all the time.
6. I have to juggle some meetings around, but I'll also take some time to work at home, which can be good.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Work stress
It was one of those days yesterday when I held it together until 4:30, then left in tears. People just get so darn defensive and can't take feedback. I recorded meeting minutes a little too accurately from a meeting and got screeched at by the people some "frustrations" were (not in name) directed at (it was about our school website and people having difficulty getting their voice heard about needed changes...those were words I used). The communications group screeched when they saw the minutes(they are the people that aren't listening, but I worded it to be a "school" issue, so it wouldn't directly implicate anyone). Did I mention this is a completely voluntary committee that isn't required for me to participate in? If push comes to shove, I'll happily resign! However, I'm just enough stubborn on principle, I'm not backing down that easily.
I revised my minutes with the blessing of the rest of the committee and resent them with an apology for an inaccuracies or inappropriate wording. Sigh. I hope the day improves.
I revised my minutes with the blessing of the rest of the committee and resent them with an apology for an inaccuracies or inappropriate wording. Sigh. I hope the day improves.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Mid Week Miscellaney
1) I am making Buffalo Chicken Lasagne for dinner tonight. *waves at tummy*
2) MIL is coming this weekend. We are going to a show at APT, but in the new indoor theatre. Thank cod, because it's going to be cold. I'm also having her help me make Tummy's OTCC food. She lived in Germany for a year, so maybe she'll bring some expertise. Chris is doubtful about that.
3) I bought boots and a sweater at Kohl's last night. I hate buying shoes because they never have my size in the ones I want. I ended up buying a larger size in a shoe that ran small.
4) I had spanikopita for dinner at a greek restaurant last night. I realized when I went to order, that I didn't really know how to pronouce it. I've had it many times before, but it's always been part of a cocktail party offering, so I didn't have to say it.
5) Chili cookoff is Saturday. We decided to not take it very seriously and are making "chili dog chili." It will be a basic beefy chili with hot dogs slices cooked in, topped with cheese and onion. It will at least be entertaining.
2) MIL is coming this weekend. We are going to a show at APT, but in the new indoor theatre. Thank cod, because it's going to be cold. I'm also having her help me make Tummy's OTCC food. She lived in Germany for a year, so maybe she'll bring some expertise. Chris is doubtful about that.
3) I bought boots and a sweater at Kohl's last night. I hate buying shoes because they never have my size in the ones I want. I ended up buying a larger size in a shoe that ran small.
4) I had spanikopita for dinner at a greek restaurant last night. I realized when I went to order, that I didn't really know how to pronouce it. I've had it many times before, but it's always been part of a cocktail party offering, so I didn't have to say it.
5) Chili cookoff is Saturday. We decided to not take it very seriously and are making "chili dog chili." It will be a basic beefy chili with hot dogs slices cooked in, topped with cheese and onion. It will at least be entertaining.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Soup!
I've been making a few soups this fall. I made a potato leek soup a few weeks ago. This weekend I made a curried butternut squash soup in the crockpot.
1 cut up butternut squash (peeled & seeded, cut into 1 inch chunks)
1 apple (peeled & seeded, cut into 1 inch chunks)
1 onion (cut into 1 inch chunks)
5 cups chicken broth, mixed with 1 teaspoon curry powder (or, to taste)
Salt and pepper
Toss it all in the crockpot for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. When done, use a stick blender to puree all, or let cool and process in the blender in three batches until smooth.
I added a little bit of milk when done because I think I didn't peel the skin deep enough and it tasted starchy.
1 cut up butternut squash (peeled & seeded, cut into 1 inch chunks)
1 apple (peeled & seeded, cut into 1 inch chunks)
1 onion (cut into 1 inch chunks)
5 cups chicken broth, mixed with 1 teaspoon curry powder (or, to taste)
Salt and pepper
Toss it all in the crockpot for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. When done, use a stick blender to puree all, or let cool and process in the blender in three batches until smooth.
I added a little bit of milk when done because I think I didn't peel the skin deep enough and it tasted starchy.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Friday quickie
I will be sitting at our research display table at an event most of the day. Yuck! I'll at least have my laptop.
So what are you up to this weekend? My plan:
Friday night: Go to Kohl's and Target
Saturday: Go for walk with friend in the a.m., go to my dad's annual big truck show for an hour, and head home to work around the house.
Sunday: Homework!
So what are you up to this weekend? My plan:
Friday night: Go to Kohl's and Target
Saturday: Go for walk with friend in the a.m., go to my dad's annual big truck show for an hour, and head home to work around the house.
Sunday: Homework!
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