Cool school!

What an amazing and very different school we visited yesterday. They actually own the entire little residential street they're on and the classes are held in different houses. Two of the houses are HUGE because of additions they students built (not the current students -- though, they're doing building as well, an addition for another private school in a different town). There are a few outbuildings they built, too, all post and beam and stained glass (beautiful pieces also created by the students, who apparently also make it for various other schools, churches and other buildings).

Everything is very casual, possibly due to the "home" feel of the place and the fact they have to walk outside from place to place (it's quite rural). There's a dress code, but it's not strict. Jeans are allowed and T-shirts, but nothing too short, too tight or too skimpy which works for me. The "feel" is sort of a cross between regular school and homeschool. Class size will be bigger there, but not a lot. Her current school's high school classes run 3 - 5 students. This place averages 10 - 12, a good size.

DD is excited about much of it. Nervous, too, but she's not really super happy where she is, has struggled to make friends (most of the kids there have gone to school together for years) and is pretty sold on the new school. I told her SHE needed to decide what was going to work best for her.

Dru had asked yesterday if she has to test, etc. to be enrolled or if they'll automatically take her. We have to fill out the application, get copies of her report card and references from teachers and mentors and she'll have to shadow a day there (thankfully they're in sessions when DD is off on spring break in a few weeks, so we'll do it then). Her current school required her to test to make sure she could do the work for the grade we wanted her enrolled in. I imagine this one will, too.

=============

In other news, I swear winter has returned. We had 30 - 50 MPH all day yesterday, so bad it grabbed my storm door last evening and flung it open, hard. Didn't break the glass, or the door itself, but yanked the bottom whoosie-whatsit (the thing that controls how fast it closes) right out of the frame and bent it neatly in half, breaking the plastic cover and twisting the metal.

We had to chase down our lawn chairs and garbage can (why is it always windy on garbage day?) as well as my pooper scooper and some other things that stay outside. It's bitterly cold, impossible to walk in or even stay out in for more than a couple minutes. And it's just as cold and windy today. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I'm guessing this wind is blowing in that front. Hopefully then it will stop. But my dog is bouncing off the walls.

The joy of New Hampshire.

================

Whazzup...

So WOW! The temperatures here have dropped like a rock. We went from balmy and in the 60s to "HOLY COW it's winter!". Of course, we're getting our chimney cleaned today, so can't have a fire in the stove to keep the house toasty -- and when we heat with oil, we keep the thermostat WAY down. :::shivers:::

Still, I can't complain. It's been very mild (last year was FREEZING) and, really, even though it's cold, it's not as cold as it usually is in December. And, Sarita? In response to your kind offer yesterday, no I don't want any snow. Thank you anyway. *G*

I realized today that we're nearly in double digits for December and I don't even have my cards out. That's on my list of things to do for this weekend. Used to be I had my cards out the day after Thanksgiving and that I started my Christmas shopping the day after Christmas (because WOW the deals!). Now? I'm lucky if I remember it IS time for Christmas and show up on the 25th.

It's amazing how much of DD's homework is done on the computer. Right now, she's using our old desktop, but next year she's required to have a laptop. Add THAT to my school supplies shopping list -- whee!

Last night she was working on a science assignment in Google documents. And once it's done, they simply share it with the teacher so he can grade it. Crazy. And her teachers are all readily available via email and many of them are on the school chat in the evening for questions. I wonder if public school does stuff like that? Is it the wave of the future?

No big plans for the weekend aside from getting my cards out. And mastering Word Press (hahaha).

You?

===================

You Are Meticulous

You are smart, clever, and perceptive. You know how to synthesize and process information. You notice every detail, and you are good at finding inconsistencies. Nothing slips by you. You often see things that other people never notice. When you imagine how something should look, you see it clearly in your mind. You are more of a thinker than a talker. When you speak, you usually have something important to say.

The Diagonal Test

That's mostly right (except that I can't seem to grasp the concept of Word Press). And the funny thing? I didn't *want* to choose that one -- I kept thinking I should like one of the pink ones better, but they annoyed me. The only one I looked at that didn't grate on my nerves was this one. Funny.

And... a nod to my title -- who remembers when this came out?



======================

Just Two More

It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop. ~Vita Sackville-West

Two more scenes.

That's all I need to finish for the sequel to "Kitchen Matches" to be complete. More, I've already sent it through a couple of CPs for crits on what was there and polished it up.

Two more.

Why is that so hard?

*sigh*

=================

My dog is going to peel her skin off. This morning, she couldn't even walk to the door, her back legs were twitching with each step in the need to scratch. We gave her a bath with medicated shampoo and two kinds of soothing leave on spray and it helped for a while. Last night, though, she woke me up several times scratching. And she has a big, red welt on her shoulder.

I've never wanted it to freeze early before, but I'm kinda pulling for one good hard freeze. Then in can warm up again.

==================

No, I didn't feel the earthquake yesterday -- we were driving, and I expect that hid it from us. My SIL felt it pretty significantly, as did others around here. Poor folks down in that area! Hurricane Irene is supposed to come through, too. God's not pleased with that area right now.

Of course, Irene is supposed to hit US, too. So if I'm offline, it's cuz I lost power folks. We're pretty far inland, though, so hopefully it'll just be heavy rain and a little wind.

Whee.

==================

You Are a Pretzel

You are reliable and dependable. You can be counted on, through thick and thin. You enjoy relaxation and quiet. You don't have a need to make things exciting. You are comforting and stable. You know what you do best, and you stick to it. You prefer a steady life, but you have been known to add some spice when things get routine.

What Baseball Park Snack Are You?

That's about right!

==================

Back To School Shopping

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. ~John Dewey

More crazy weather yesterday. Thankfully, up here we only had a little rain, but south of us got hammered with tornado-like weather again (including poor Springfield, MA -- and they're still trying to recover from the tornadoes last month).

My friend, Michele, lost three trees in her yard -- the top of a very large maple broke off and took down a nearby birch and pine.

Scary stuff. I can't get over this weather -- we aren't exactly in tornado alley, yanno?

In other news, I went school supply shopping yesterday. I'd already gotten some random things at Staples a couple weeks ago (they had a screamin' sale), but this time I landed at WalMart. Binders, paper, liquid paper, glue, folders, pens and pencils, erasers... oh my!!

When I was in school, the school provided most of that stuff. We brought folders (I had Pee Chee Folders ... remember those? They were uber cheap, like $0.03 / each) and binders and that was about it. School provided paper, pens, scissors, glue, etc.

I think what boggles my mind nowadays is that the school system actually gets more money, but the parents have to supply more stuff. When I was in school, I played the flute -- and the school provided the instrument. I was in sports, and the school provided the uniform and transported us to games.

Mind-boggling.

We haven't done clothes shopping as the school is adjusting their dress code slightly. We'll get the new on on August 1st. And then the fun truly begins...

Today, we're going to go see "MegaMind" at the Regal Summer Film Festival. Um, whee?

Have a great day!

=======================

You Are Fired Up

You are bold, adventurous, and even brazen. You feel like the world is your oyster. You value your time, and you treat it like it's precious. No one is allowed to waste it. You function well with heavy work loads. You like being and staying productive. You are direct and to the point. You rather not waste time with small talk.

The Deserted Beach Test

About 75% right.

=======================

Friday Frying

Summer has set in with its usual severity. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

A quick post to chat before I put up the next one -- it's another "dog dish" post, and I don't normally do two a week -- but LOOK at that cover! How could I resist?

It's sweltering here. In the high 90s with about 800% humidity (which is what makes it so bad) and we have no A/C in our house. Even with my fan, my laptop gets so hot I almost can't touch it. My glasses won't stay up .... just slide on down on the sweat that drips from my skin. By 9:00 it's not safe to be outside doing much of anything. I walked the dog yesterday at 7 a.m., and by the time I was home I was dripping.

We have two more days of this coming (today and Saturday). While I'm reasonably certain I'll survive it, it's really very uncomfortable.

And, although we still have no monarchs, we're making up for it in Milkweed Tussock Moths. Check it out:



They stay in a group like that until they're quite big, completely decimating the leaf they're on and moving to the next. It's really pretty incredible.

Wishing everyone a cool, pleasant and fun weekend! Anyone have plans? I do! My friend, Michele, is coming up for a visit. I can't wait.

=====================

You Should Play Classical Guitar

You have an idea of how the world should be. You have a very clear vision for your life. People respect you for holding on to your ideals. You don't stray from what you believe in. You're the type of person who still believes in changing the world. You passionately believe that things should be better. You have strong emotions. You listen to your heart... it has rarely led you astray.

What Classical Instrument Should You Play?

That's about 80% right!

==================

Answers and Ambling

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker

Yesterday, Brandy asked: So CVS and Walgreens don't mind you stacking coupons?

I can't use two manufacturers coupons, but I *can* use a store coupon with a manufacturers coupon. The register returns, up rewards, etc., are also considered manufacturers coupons, so I have to make sure I buy enough stuff that I can use them -- usually if you aren't getting everything free, they don't care.

And Angelina said: Can you be my personal shopper? I'm really bad at finding deals, and I never remember to bring coupons.

I actually use a couple of couponing sites (via Facebook) who help "match up" coupons with deals, and I clip nearly every coupon out of my flyers weekly. Even if I don't think I'd use it (like the one I have ... and forgot to use... for Blink eye drops), I clip it. I do draw the line at things like Fixodent, but for the most part I pull every coupon because if I can get it free, even if it's not something *I* would use, I probably know someone I can give it to.

Also, I never go anywhere without my box o'coupons in the car -- which is why I'm doubly annoyed at missing that Blink coupon. :::slaps self on hand:::

It's fun and I also have my DD helping -- she clips coupons for me every week for a small fee :-)

In other news, we've decided NOT to do the craft show this coming weekend for a number of reasons. Partly because I'm SO not prepared, partly because we'd be out in the roasting sun with no protection for six hours (and it's HOT here lately, people... it was 90 yesterday with a "real feel" of 98), partly because I can't get in touch with the organizer for ANY details, partly because my husband is going boating on Saturday and DD has already missed two other trips for stuff (like agility last weekend) and partly because I've just had a really bad feeling about it for the past couple weeks. That's a little "woo woo" I know, but I really believe in intuition (don't you think your brain picks up on things subconsciously that you don't realize consciously?), so I'm kissing the reservation fee goodbye and giving it a pass.

That does mean, however, that all the stuff DD has been cranking out has to get up on DistinctivelyDD (she's done maybe 50+ earrings, several necklaces and some bracelets and hair pins). It also means I'm going to have a contest for her very, very soon.

This morning, after several insanely hot, VERY dry days (my POOR garden ... I'm watering, but it's still struggling), we're having a thunderstorm. The rumbles have just started, but I'm just so grateful for the rain. I hope it pours... It should also clear out the 90+ degree heat and 9 billion percent humidity. Those of you down south are probably laughing up your sleeve at me, but just remember -- I don't have A/C here.

I've also been insanely busy. I can't remember the last time life has been this nuts. I won't go into it all, but suffice it to say I seldom get a moment to just slow down ... it's go-go-go all day long. I've tried to visit your blogs, but I'm a day behind again. I MISS you guys when I don't visit (though I am on Facebook a lot, so at least can see your posts there, in passing... I really do love Facebook).

I'd like to say that things will settle soon, but I don't see that happening any time in the near future. It's a good thing, really, but exhausting! LOL...

How's life in your neck of the woods?

=======================

You Are a Lion

You are just in all your actions. You want to be seen as both honest and fair. You are wise and discerning. You focus on what really matters in life. You have ideals, but you try not to let those ideals get in the way of living your life. You are conscientious. You are diligent and reliable, even when it isn't easy to be.

What's Your Inner Big Cat?

Mostly right :-)

===============

Are We In Kansas?

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. - Dorothy Gale

So ... New England had a crazy day, weather-wise, yesterday! Just after lunch, our town emergency system called and told me we were under a tornado watch. Tornado? REALLY?

We've had them before, but so seldom as to be nearly non-existent. We aren't the midwest, folks. We have mountains and trees and valleys... our terrain alone just isn't conducive to tornadic activity. Apparently Mother Nature thought otherwise, however.

Though the weather around my place settled down pretty well (we had some wind, rumbles and a little heavy rain), south of us was another story. My friend, Michele, reported HUGE hail and heavy winds. There were trees downed in her town and other damage.

Worst hit, though was Springfield, MA, who actually did have a tornado hit:



It's amazing watching it suck up all that water from the river before hitting the town.

Folks, we're used to blizzards and ice storms and even hurricanes. But tornadoes???

Today promises to be much calmer and the storm cleared out the extreme heat and humidity, so that's even better.

Still... tornadoes? Sheesh...

Yesterday, Dru asked me the status of the story I'd hoped to submit this past weekend. Well... I'm doing another scene. I know, I know ... but it needed it. It just keeps growing. If I can manage to find time in the next few days, though, it should be done. Finding time is the problem.... life has been particularly crazy this week and I barely have time to breathe.

I keep thinking life will settle down. Apparently not. *sigh*

===================

You Should Win a Grammy

You are extroverted and sociable. You feel comfortable at any fete or soiree. You like to be the center of attention. You have a flair for working a room. You have no problem getting front of a group and singing your heart out. You were born to perform. You are both a risk taker and a showoff. Whenever possible, you go for the glory.

What Award Should You Win?

Though I have no fear of standing in front of crowds speaking or anything else (hello... umpteen years of drama), the rest really isn't me.

=======================

This and That

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

I opened up the door to take the dog out this morning and walked into a wall of heat and humidity. It was warmer outside than in my house! It's supposed to be in the 80s today ... but don't think that means sun. It means steam! We're still expecting rain today. It *does* look like tomorrow might be nicer -- clouds in the morning, but sunny and warm in the afternoon. DH talked to his folks about fishing, so he just might get his day out (I'm doing everything: crossing fingers, praying, dancing to the sun gods...)

Also, I checked and last year we found our first swallowtail caterpillars on June 29th ... that date is looming, so if we get a little sun over the next day or two (so butterflies can actually ... yanno... FLY) we're going to start checking for eggs and babies. The milkweed is coming up, too. So I expect Pillar Place 2011 to start soon.

RE: the dog who fell off the dog walk on Sunday. I heard from the owner yesterday and she said she was shocked, but that Missy was absolutely fine. Thank goodness. I told DD and she was relieved. I think she'll always feel like it was her fault, but that's something she'll have to figure out on her own, I guess.

Last night, I got this really strong image for a scene in "Now and Forever". That happens to my quite often really. I tend to "see" parts of the book in my head, like a movie. This one will be my ending scene, and I think it has both an "awwwwww" factor, which I strive for, but should also make the reader laugh.

Today, God willing and DH don't fuss (*G*), I'm going to get it written down.

Then ... I think it's ready to submit. Finally!! My goal is to have my query and synopsis done by next week. I hate writing synopses...

I was reminded how much worse my life could be due to weather problems yesterday, when an author friend who lives in Minneapolis shared her tornado story (she's fine). I have a brother who lives on the Missouri border and who has family only a few miles from Joplin, the town that was completely destroyed by the tornado that hit (they're fine). And then I think about the farmers in Mississippi who've deliberately had their lands flooded in a very Spock-like "the good of the many over the good of the few" decision (though I do wonder how this will impact food prices over the next year). I have to say, I'm SO proud of those farmers. They took the decision to flood their lands stoically, and then took steps to protect what they could. Seeing pictures like this makes me proud:



I can't imagine how awful it was for them to see their land and their livelihood underwater. But good for them for doing what they could to protect what was theirs.

So, although I really hate all the rain ... I remember it could be far, far worse than it is.

===================

You Are Trustworthy

Of all the types, you are the most responsible and loyal. You take your duties seriously. You thrive when you are able to do something practical and productive. You hate to waste your time. Some people say that you are a bit neurotic or cautious, but you believe it's better to be safe than sorry. You do your best to live a engaging and important life. You want what you do to matter.

The Scribble Circle Test

That's about right...

===================

Rain

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while. ~Kin Hubbard

I really only have one thing on my mind:



When I did a search for "It's Raining Again" -- THIS came up, too (and made me laugh), so I had to share:



Who remembers THAT song? *G*

I think it may stop raining eventually ... so, THIS should be my next theme song:



I'm fairly sure I have webbed feet. And the dog is going just a little (okay a LOT) crazy from not being able to get outside and get her wiggles out.

I'm going a little crazy, too. When I don't some sunshine, I get really, REALLY low. I checked the forecast, and this is what they say:



Geez... even the days with a sun on them don't sound THAT great. But, I'll take what I can get.

I shouldn't complain -- we aren't being flooded out of our house. There are no tornadoes or other natural disasters. Truly, we're very lucky and blessed. But I really would like just a teeny bit of sun.

======================

You Are Intense

Your passion fuels you. Your fire for everything and everyone burns brightly. You are protective of those closest to you. You do the worrying for other people. You are direct and to the point. You move quickly, and you don't like to waste time. You are a very inspiring person. You show others that dreams can come true.

The Petit Dessert Test

That's pretty much right.

========================

(Not) Spring Weather

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it. ~Patrick Young

Not much to say today because we haven't done much! Yesterday was supposed to have been sunny and warm -- I had high hopes that much of the snow we'd received would melt. It was sunny for about fifteen minutes. The rest of the day was overcast and windy.

I realize that weather prediction much be difficult, but I'd sure love a job where I could be wrong more than half the time and still get paid.

Today is supposed to be cloudy and cool and tonight into tomorrow they're predicting upwards of 4" of snow again.

:::grumble grumble:::

I almost wish we hadn't been teased with such beautiful weather last week. All the walking and outdoor time is making me itch something fierce for a real spring.

I did buy flower seeds yesterday -- I couldn't help myself. I got:

Cosmos:


Straw Flowers:


Cactus Flower Zinnia:



And Bachelor Buttons:



Even though I intend on using most of my flower garden space for colorful veggies, I just couldn't resist SOME flowers ...

Now if only spring would cooperate.

==================

You Are Down to Earth

You are a sincere and truly nice person. When you're kind to people, you mean it. You strive to build close relationships. You can bring stability and support to the lives of others. You are predictable, stable, and consistent. You take pride in being able to be counted on. You are a team player, and you enjoy pitching in to do your part. You are a very social creature.

The Nail Polish Test

I'm not terrifically social, but otherwise this is about right.

=================

This and That

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

So, Dakota went to the doggy doc yesterday and definitely has kennel cough. It's a mild case (her tonsils are inflames and her lymph nodes are swollen, but it's not in her chest and lungs), but she still has to be kept away from other dogs for ten days. I don't know who's going to be more upset by this, her or me. I really depend on her playtime with other dogs to get her wiggles out. Walks with me are fun, but not exactly as stimulating as playtime. Oh well, it is what it is.

We had ice yesterday morning and then rain the rest of the day. We did lose power for a millisecond -- just long enough to make me have to reset all the clocks in the house and to freak DD out. She was watching her school DVD and had just hit the pause button on the remote when the power shut off. She thought SHE had done something! LOL...

Speaking of DD, she's been experimenting with wire-wrapping on her jewelry. Her first tries weren't very good, but I think she's getting much better. Check it out:


Those earrings are actually listed on her site (you can click on the photo to see more pictures). This necklace isn't yet -- I just took the pix yesterday, but I thought she did a great job (she even wire-wrapped the "eye" loop):



She's also starting to experiment with creating her own "findings" -- the earring wires, head pins, eye pins, etc. We need to invest in some more tools, but we're waiting until her business picks up again. She's donating three sets to the Brenda Novak auction, and I'm trying to think of ways to get the DistinctivelyDD name out there. All suggestions welcome :-)

=======================

You Are Chocolate Syrup

You are both powerful and vulnerable. People are drawn to your delicious contradictions. You are patient and loyal, but you can also be determined and sensuous. You get yourself into sticky situations at times, but you have the grace to recover beautifully. You can be passionate to the point of being possessive. You come on strong.

What Ice Cream Topping Are You?

About 75% right...

=====================

Slip, Sliding Away ....

"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be" - Marcel Pagnol

It's been an interesting few days. First, weather: Snow Friday -- a lot. Well over a foot. Snow Sunday -- more than they expected. Easily 6 - 7". Today? Ice, Ice Baby. Ugh.

I know spring is around the corner... I just wish it would hurry along. I keep seeing posts on Facebook about people putting in their gardens. I am green with envy.

Funny thing, though, some critter came out and ran around in the snow last night. When I took Dakota out, there were little trails everywhere! I wonder what it was, and what it was doing?

I need to take Dakota to the vet today, too, so I hope the ice changes over to rain early. It's supposed to do so after lunchtime. I won't drive in ice. Snow is bad, but ice is downright deadly.

Those of you whole are friends with me on Facebook already saw that Dakota seems to have kennel cough. She started on Saturday -- sounded like she had something stuck in her throat. But she did it over, and over, and over all day long. Then she woke me early on Sunday coughing. Though she didn't do it much the rest of the day (we kept her quiet) we need to take her in to the doctor.

Here's what kennel cough sounds like, for those of you with dogs:



Was incredibly busy all weekend, but did try to visit some of you. I'm SO behind, but am trying to work my way through the many hundreds of posts in my reader. Hopefully today I'll be able to do so.

How was your weekend?

=============================

You Are Sledding

You are a very self-aware person, but you never take yourself too seriously. You have an ironic view of life and yourself. When things get tough, you can get philosophical. You are easygoing and easy to please. You love to break out of your comfort zone. You are too much of a generalist to specialize in anything. There are many fields you dabble in.

Are You Skiing, Sledding, Skating, or Snowboarding?

About 50/50 ...

========================

The Day After Valentine's Day

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown

Not much to say today ... it's been uneventful. Yesterday we had warm, sunny weather (for us -- it was in the 40s) and the snow melted like crazy! It sounded like I had a creek running in my lawn (we have a culvert that goes under our driveway) from all the run off from the snow on my roof and the drifts around the driveway.

I took the dog for a walk, too -- it was just too nice to stay indoors.

For Valentine's Day, DH and I stayed home and watched "Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy". Truthfully, he watched and I sat in the living room and read.

Did you do anything special for Valentine's Day?

=====================

You Are an Adventurous Valentine

Your heart soars whenever you have the chance to do something new, and that goes double for Valentine's Day. You would love excitement and novelty to celebrate this special day. You especially love surprises! Your ideal Valentine's Day is unconventional, quirky, and not traditionally romantic by any means. You don't like a lot of pressure on V-Day. You just want to have some fun!

What Kind of Valentine Are You?

That's about right.

=========================

Monday!

Amount of time it takes for a dog to "do its business" is directly proportional to outside temperature + suitability of owner's outerwear. ~Betsy Cañas Garmon, www.wildthymecreative.com

Whew! What a crazy weekend -- our party had 100 authors and more than 3,000 comments. Fun and craziness abounded. I'm still a bit pooped, but ready to get back to routine.

DH has jury duty this week, so we won't *exactly* be on routine, since he leaves late and gets home early, but even so, more than we have been. DD chose the pieces she's donating to the Brenda Novak Auction this year (she's donating a set of three earrings, a necklace and a bracelet/earring set) and has also started making more new pieces and pulling some older stuff that just doesn't meet her approval now that she's getting so much better at her "job".

We did manage to take Dakota to the dog park both mornings this weekend to get her wiggles out. She had loads of fun, except when she was being beat up on. I said something to another person about Dakota being a 99 pound weakling, and they said "She's 99 pounds?" ... am I the only one who gets what I meant?

Thankfully we didn't get the snow they were predicting. It was plenty cold (our trips to the dog park only lasted 30 mins or so), but no new white stuff, for which I am eternally grateful. We're expecting a warm up this week into the 40s as well, so I'm thinking spring might actually arrive as scheduled.

I'm hoping to get caught up on reading blogs, and do a little writing today. We'll see. Depends on how focused DD will be at school -- she's been a wee bit difficult of late.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Monday and a great week!

======================

You Are Warmhearted

You are a truly kind and loving person. You care for others deeply, and it's not an act. You are one tough cookie, even though it isn't always apparent from the outside. You have a lot of inner strength, and you can dig deep when you need to. You are both patient and persistent. You are willing to wait for someone to come around.

The Bra and Panties Quiz

About 75% right...

====================

Jury Duty part Deux

“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” - Thomas Jefferson

“I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system -- that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.” - Harper Lee

So ... my DH showed up for the jury pool (for the last time) yesterday. He'd just finished serving on the jury last week for the civil case he was selected for. Yesterday, they were seating five cases (with alternates, it comes out to needing about 70 jurors) and there were only 100 people in the pool.

Odds were good he'd get chosen.

The scary part? Two cases were for three months and one was for SIX months.

He laid it all out for the judge. Explained about how his job wouldn't let him take off that long, that he was the sole-breadwinner and long cases were a hardship he couldn't afford. The judge said he'd see what he could do, but no promises.

In a good news / bad news situation, DH was seated again, but only on a case that's scheduled for three days.

Phew.

Then he's done. Hallelujah.

It's snowing. Not a ton (they predict 2" by the end of the day), but enough to make it sloppy and for stupid people to cause accidents. Of course, it's on the one day I have to go out -- art lessons. I swear, it only snows on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. At least we won't miss agility (again) since it's supposed to be clear.

I'm having fun with my story. It's refreshing to actually enjoy what I'm writing for a change. I'm interspersing writing with reading, so haven't gotten tons done, but the reading I'm doing is as a writer, not a reader, so it's part of the whole "writing" gig.

Only got 230 words yesterday. But every word counts.

My local Agway has their seeds out. I almost bought some yesterday ... I'm planning my garden and, assuming the snow melts by then, will put in my "cold" crops at the end of April: peas, spinach, swiss chard. In May, I'll plant my summer stuff: cucumbers, squash, tomatoes. I might try carrots, though we don't usually have a lot of luck with them, and I'm thinking about beets (I don't actually like beets, but beet greens are good).

I'm SO ready for spring.

==============================

You Are a Crow

You are highly intelligent and have a lot of mental strength. You value self-reliance, and you work hard every day to improve your life. You believe that life is magical, and you are always looking for new and exciting opportunities. You follow your own path, and the turns you take are often unexpected and inspired.

What Bird Are You?

Except that crows always make me think of "The Stand", the rest is true. I'm just not sure I like being a crow ...

==================

And Again, And Again, And Again...

Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~Robert Byrne

I'm just going to start repeating posts if this weather keeps up. Because...

It snowed yesterday.

It rained south of us (which wasn't great either because ... hello ice on the roads), but here it snowed ALL DAY LONG. It was fat, heavy, slushy snow until right around bedtime, when it turned to light, fluffy, airy snow.

I don't know when it stopped. I only know that my DH got home around midnight, told me it had taken him forever because the roads were awful, and it was still snowing. I shoveled the driveway for the last time at 9 p.m. and this morning there's easily 3" of snow on it.

It's not supposed to snow today, but tomorrow we're going to get whomped again. And then, HA, this weekend they say it's going to be unbearably cold with highs in the single digits. Fun times will be had by all... not.

I'm SO ready for spring...

(Because Tori asked...) I was going to take pix this morning, but the screen on my slider is frozen in place again and I can't get outside that way. Once everyone in the house is awake, I'll show you how high the drifts are around my driveway...

Today I'm going to the grocery store, to the library, to the dump ... and wherever else the spirit moves because I haven't left the house in three days. I'm going a little stir crazy. Normally I go somewhere almost every day. Cabin Fever is an ugly thing... we even missed agility last night for the second week in a row. :-(

==================

You Are a Window Seat

You are a highly imaginative person. In fact, you are a visionary. You are very curious about the world. You want to see as much of it as you possibly can. You are mentally alert. You like to daydream, but your dreams always have meaning. You come up with many profound and original thoughts. You find entirely new ways of doing things.

What Airplane Seat Are You?

Hmmm... maybe. My LASR/WC biz partner, Judy always hates when I start a chat with, I was thinking ..."

====================

Snow Day ... Again

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France

NOAA says this about our weather today:

Today: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 27. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow and freezing rain before 1am, then a chance of snow. Low around 25. Light north wind. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

I'm hoping it stays snow -- ice and freezing rain can lead to power outages, though they've downgraded the wind, thankfully, so that may alleviate the problem.

DD is supposed to "shadow" tomorrow at the private school we're looking at. That means she'll attend classes all day, following a "buddy" throughout the day. She's terrified, nervous, worried... she's had very little change in her life (same house, same friends, same parents *G*) so finds it very difficult to deal with it when it comes.

I can understand a little, though I had plenty of change growing up. We moved constantly, my mom and dad were divorced, I went to many different schools -- I seldom stayed more than a year or so at any given place. So, I learned how to deal. But change is never fun. Still, she needs to learn how to handle it.

Speaking of DD, here are a couple of her first tries at leather tooling:




For first tries, I think she did well... she's still learning, though she's run out of leather and I need to find out where to buy more (and how much it costs).

So, today we'll be pretty well house bound -- had I known this was going to start so early, I would have gone to the store. I'm out of carrots. And orange juice. I realize that doesn't sound like a tragedy, but I use them every day. *sigh*

Also, DH is staying home from work, so things here will be a bit different... oh well, guess I can handle change, too!

How's your day going?

Oh, also, I'm having trouble with my Google Reader -- it's giving me errors on about half the blogs I follow. I don't have you stored anywhere else, so if I haven't visited you recently, that's most likely why! Maybe I should keep a list elsewhere?

=========================

You Are Sunrise

You are a high charging, successful person. You know how to stay motivated and how to motivate others. You are energetic and enthusiastic. You get up each morning ready to take on the day. You are quite career-focused, but you work hard in every aspect of your life. You are a self-starter and widely admired. You won't your stop hard work until the world is a better place.

Are You Sunrise or Sunset?

That's mostly right.

=============================

Monday Meandering

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat. ~Author Unknown

I've been reading online about how folks down south (like Tori and Brandy) got snow this weekend and just have to laugh. Here I sit, only a few hours from the Canadian border and ... nothing. Forget global warming, I think our poles are shifting...

It's been clear and quite cold. There is ice on the sides of the road and on my lawn, making it nearly impossible to give Dakota any exercise. She was bouncing off the walls this weekend, so yesterday morning, we decided to crash the Sunday agility class and get her some exercise.

It was fun -- I got to see some folks I hadn't seen in a really long time. Dakota had a hard time focusing (so did DD who was running her), but we still accomplished what we'd come for. She was at least a little tired when we left.

Today, I'm starting to really follow FlyLady. I need to focus and get done what needs getting done, and her system is really great. For Monday, she has what's called "home blessing".

From the FlyLady website:

On Mondays, The Weekly Home Blessing hour is the time FlyLady spends blessing her home. No detailed cleaning required; vacuum the middle of the floors only! The time on this can depend on the size of your home, could take less than an hour or more than an hour but on average about an hour. Set your timers and have fun - you are blessing your home and family!

FlyLady sets her timer for 10 minutes to work on each of 7 ways to bless your home:

Vacuum
Dust
Quick Mop
Polish Mirrors and Doors
Purge magazines/catalogs
Change Sheets
Empty all trash cans

Easy enough (except the quick mop ... when you have pets, you can't just mop the floor... too much hair). I'm going to do it in reverse order so I can get the garbage outside for the garbage guys to pick up, and I don't have magazines or catalogs to purge, so that's one less thing.

I'm kinda excited to clean my house. How weird is that?

Happy Monday all!

=========================

You Are Compassion

You are not a petty person. You truly want the best for people, and you feel empathy for them in their struggles. You believe that we are all interconnected. When someone is happy, it makes you more joyful. You believe that you have gained a great deal of freedom from not judging others. You don't believe that anyone should have to suffer. It pains you to see others living a hard life.

Which of the Four Divine States Are You?

Hmmm... yeah, mostly, I guess...

==================

So Sad I Have To Laugh

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran

You ever have things happen that are so frustrating and upsetting that you have to find time to laugh?

We have this:




Do you see the "flood watch until Friday 4 p.m." on there? Yeah, so not going to the fair on Friday either. Saturday will be nice, but will be an absolute ZOO. Last time I went on a Saturday, I was miserable. Hardly any room to move, or walk; long lines for rides, nowhere to sit.

DD cried herself to sleep last night.

I'm not sure what we'll do at this point. And it makes me terribly sad.

So ... I watched a few Geico commercials, because HA they always make me smile:



Though I have to admit this is one of my favorite commercials EVER:



What can you recommend to make me smile today?

====================

You Are a Golden Delicious Apple

You have a glow to you, and you are naturally attractive. You know how to highlight your good points. Beneath that shining exterior is a sensitive soul. You are more thin skinned that people realize. You prefer others to be gentle with you. You need to be handled with care. You may be fragile, but you're also tough deep down. You're firm enough to stand up for what you believe in.

What Kind of Apple Are You?

Um .... 50/50 I guess. And I really hate golden delicious apples. They're mushy. Blech.

======================

This, That and The Other

A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need. ~ Sidney Carroll

For those of you on Google Reader -- this WAS posted yesterday, but I remembered Elaine was coming by, so I pulled it. Bonus: you get yesterday's post AND add-ons for today :-)

Moving on ...

I had my cranky-pants on Tuesday and had to make a concerted effort to be pleasant. It must have worked, because at one point DD said, "Did you wake up in a good mood?" -- understand, I'm not exactly an effervescent person, even on a good day, lol. So, I guess my acting skills are still working!

The dog was full of it too, so we swung by the dog park on the off chance someone was there with their dog. There were two guys there with a pointer and a German Shepherd mix -- both really active, good-natured dogs. And the three of them ran. And ran. And ran. And ran. Finally, Dakota flopped down on the ground and refused to move. I figured that was our cue to leave! LOL...

We went to the dog park again VERY briefly yesterday as well. We were a little early for a nearby appointment, so killed fifteen minutes there. This time there was a Wheaten Terrier and a little mutt terrier, both of which were utterly disinterested in playing. Dakota gave it her best try, but was ignored while they simply wandered around and sniffed. :-(

The weather has been so pleasant lately. Still warm, but less so and less humid as well. It's been nice to be able to get outside with feeling as though my innards were cooking. Today, they're calling for rain off and on all day. We already had one little cloudburst, which was very nice. We desperately need it, so bring it on!!

I'm still working on my writing. I haven't been saying much about it because it seems as though every time I mention a project by name, or in any detail, I hit a wall! Not that I'm superstitious or anything (nope, not me).

FlyLady is going okay, too, except I have to admit that I don't get up and get dressed first thing in the morning (which is one of her basic rules). I can't. I get up before the crack of dawn and DH sleeps for another few hours. Other that that, I've been keeping the sink clean, doing other cleaning in 15 minute bursts (I love my timer!!) and mostly staying on top of stuff.

The timer thing really works when I apply it.

DD has been writing reviews for the Aurora site. The first couple, I interviewed her about the books and wrote up the review based on what she said. This last one, I opened up her other reviews, reminded her of our basic "rules" (opening hook, positive closing, very little synopsis -- tell us what you did or didn't like, not what the book is about ... we post the blurb, so don't need that) and let her go. It took her three days of working a couple hours each day, but she presented me with a review yesterday that was really, really quite well done. Except for a couple grammar/punctuation issues, it's turnkey! I'm so proud.

I can't believe we'll be starting back to school in a month. I also can't believe she's in junior high. Where does the time go? We're going to hit Staples for some back-to-school office supply shopping (I have an office supply fetish, I really, really do. Just walking into the store makes me all tingly). One good thing about homeschooling -- I buy her clothes when she needs them, not at the whim of the calendar.

I remember when I was little, I used to have a budget of $100 for my back to school clothes shopping. That included undies, shoes and socks! I usually ended up with something like one pair of pants, a few shirts and a dress (plus "necessaries"). Can you imagine spending only $100 today? I went to Kohl's a couple days ago (after we purged DD's clothes, and I realized she had ONE pair of pants/capris that fit her!) to get DD some capris. Oy. Vey. She's in women's sizes now, and the prices kill me.

Ah well. Them's the breaks.

Do you like shopping for anything in particular? Anyone else have an office supply fetish? What do you remember about school shopping from when you were young?

=========================

You Are SPF 15

You enjoy the sun as much as most people. You aren't outdoorsy, but you enjoy the outdoors from time to time. You tend to limit your sun exposure. A little goes a long way for you, and you don't like to overdo things. You are strongly prefer indoor activities, away from bugs and the elements. And if you're going to be outdoors for too long, you always seek out the shade.

What's Your SPF?

That's pretty much right.