Mutterings, Madness

Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Limit :: Enough
Voice :: Loud
Change :: Inevitable
Expression :: Emotion
Tailor :: Made
Lemonade :: Pink
Thought :: Idea
Phoebe :: Friends
Impression :: Stamp
Sister :: Friend

More Mutterings


Madness

1. Do you make New Year's resolutions? If so, what is your most important one? No, I don't.

2. Easter is coming. Many Christians give up something for Lent. Do you give something up for any reason (or season)? What is it this year? No, I don't. I'm not religious.

3. Do you watch the Super Bowl? If so, do you watch it with a group? If not, what do you do while the game is on? Anything special? No, I don't (3 for 3 here... LOL) It's just like any other day for me. I'll do whatever strikes my fancy at the time.

4. Would you miss Monday Madness if it stopped permanently? Is this a trick question? I find MM interesting.

5. Name at least one theme for MM questions. Share at least one question for that theme. I'm not good at making up memes... That's why I do MM.

More Monday Madness

6 Weird Things About Me

I've been tagged!! Lisa and Carol both tagged me.

The rules: Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write in their blog of 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.

Here's my 6 Weird things:

1. When I can't sleep (which has been a LOT lately!), I visualize numbers in my mind and count backward, starting around 599. Being in the accounting field, you'd think I would've come up with that on my own but I didn't. A friend insisted that it worked. It does, too!

2. I love animals, but can't stand them licking my face. I think subconsciously it has something to do with being allergic to animal dander.

3. I have a "thing" about having my towels folded a certain way. I don't get mad if they're folded "wrong". I just re-fold them. Can you say OCD?!

4. I like sleep bundled up like a cocoon. I attribute it to my mother who bundled me up really tight when I was a baby.

5. When I'm under a lot of stress, I scratch my legs until I break skin. Most of the time I'm not even aware of it until the next day when it hurts. Sometimes it happens in my sleep, too.

6. My house looks "lived in" (i.e. messy) yet everything is organized. Go figure.

Probably more than anyone needs to know! Who to tag, who to tag?

How about: Barbara, Leeny, Erica, Kendra, Vicki, and Michelle.

Kicked to the Curb

*sigh* I think I’ve been kicked to the curb. I emailed D yesterday about mixed signals I was getting: the strong pursuit, the seemingly caring things he did, comments he’s made about being open to a relationship, and lately how he’s backed way off. I received a response last night: He told me how comfortable he’s been with me from the beginning, and how wonderful I’ve been. But then I got the “It’s not you, It’s Me" and “I thought I was ready for a relationship. I want a relationship, but I just don’t know if I’m ready anymore.”

I don’t know what’s worse: 1) the uncertainty of not knowing, or 2) the sadness of knowing.

Birthday 2007

Yesterday was my birthday. It wasn't anything special. I received TONS of emails and ecards from my online friends. I appreciated each and every one. Guess what my mother gave me? A pair of men's leather work gloves. I graciously thanked her, but in my mind I was thinking "What am I suppose to do with these?" I received text messages and phone calls from my siblings. One person at work wished me a happy birthday. The new guy? No phone call, no email, no text message, no nothing. Is it too much to expect birthday wishes from someone you've spent two months getting to know? My brother said it's a bunch of BS, and to get rid of him.

SBQ - First Happy Dance

Have you had a happy dance yet this year? If so, tell us about it! (Or just point to the entry that talks about it.) If not, when do youpredict it will be?

Yup. I've had my first happy dance already! It was the brass hummingbird bookmark that can be seen in my 1-7-07 blog entry. I'll be having another happy dance soon, so stay tuned!

Monday Update 1/15/07

Weather
We got our second snowfall of the season last night. Freezing rain first, then snow. When it was all said and done, 2-3” of the white stuff was on the ground this morning when I woke up. Celeste thought it was great, even though the snow was almost as deep as her little legs!

School
The textbooks for my meteorology class finally came in! I was beginning to worry about being a week behind, but the instructor sent out an email stating that the first week is basically orientation. Whew! I about fell over when the textbook was $125. Good thing my employer is paying for it.

Stitching
I started stitching a scissor fob for an exchange I’m in. I have one side done and most of the second side done. It’s a Meari original. LOL – Well, sort of. I used a Prairie Schooler design for one side but changed all the colors and used SSS threads. On the other side I’m putting part of a sampler design that I found in a magazine. Again, I’m using SSS threads to coordinate the other side.

Newest Aquisition
Everyone knows what Freecycle is, right? Not only do I belong to Freecycle, I belong to another group focused on people selling stuff in my city. Several weeks ago, a lady had listed a 29-gallon aquarium with hood, light, pump, decorations, and fish food, etc. She wanted $40 for it. A few days later, she reduced her price to $25. People had asked for photos... not a pretty sight.

Last week, she sent a message out the group saying that it was taking up too much space and she was again reducing the price to $15. I expressed my interest, and asked what she had in the tank that it was so nasty. Goldfish. I know goldfish are the dirtiest of fish creatures, but she apparently hadn’t kept up a cleaning schedule either. She offered to wipe it down before I came. I went to look at it, and it did look much better cleaned up some. I arrived home with my new acquisition, and set to work cleaning it. Two hours later, I had myself a shiny new (Well, new to me.) aquarium.

I was still skeptical as to whether it was a “working” aquarium... meaning “Did it leak?” So, I sat it on the concrete basement floor and filled it with water. I figured if the floor was dry in the morning, it would be good to go. I’m happy to say that for $15 I have myself a pretty nice aquarium! To buy one new, it’d cost me around $100. Once I get it set up and settled, I'll be getting freshwater tropical fish.

Cooking
I know I’m a fairly good cook, but it’s always nerve racking for me to cook for new people. This past weekend, I cooked lasagna for the new guy I’ve been dating. One thing I liked was when he told me, “I’ll try anything once.” I also made steamed broccoli and garlic bread. D is not much for cooked vegetables, but he tried some and actually liked it. I keep telling him the key is not to overcook. LOL He really liked the lasagna, too. (Whew!) D even took the dishes to the kitchen after the meal, and rinsed (and stacked) them. I’d also like to include that he sat and watched figure skating with me on Sunday and didn’t complain. What a guy...

Mutterings
I say ... and you think ... ?

Episode :: TV
Source :: water
Jerk :: several names come to mind, but I won't mention
Introduce :: new people
Ralph :: uncle
Stare :: interest
Cast :: leg
Scenario :: example
Flu :: sick
Mad :: angry

More Mutterings

Friday Feast 1/12/07

Appetizer
What comes to mind when you see the color orange?

Two things. First, it reminds me of sunshine… round and bright, like the sun. Second, it reminds of me of pumpkins and jack o’ lanterns at Halloween.


Soup
Did you ever get into trouble when you were in school? If so, what was it for?

Yes, twice that I remember. The first time was 4th or 5th grade on the playground. A bunch of us were pretending to have a wedding. We got into trouble when the bride and groom got caught kissing. The second time, I was in 9th grade art class. My friend and I were talking and laughing while working on our art projects – apparently not to the teacher’s liking. We both were reprimanded and our names were put on the board.


Salad
Which topping(s) make up your perfect pizza?

I’m not really picky when it comes to pizza. As long as there aren’t anchovies are something nasty like that, it’s all good.


Main Course
Do you believe in UFO’s, aliens, etc? Why or why not?

LOL, my mother is an alien… errr, I guess the politically correct term would be immigrant. UFO’s to me are UnFinished Objects… and yes, I have a few. So yes, Virginia I believe.


Dessert
What color is your bedspread/comforter/quilt?

A combination of tan, beige and offwhite.

More Friday Feast

ABC's of Me

I got this from Barbara's blog... Thought it looked fun.

The ABC’s of Me

A - Available or single? Dating a very nice guy
B - Best Friend? Toss up between my sister and Patti
C - Cake or pie? Pie
D - Drink of choice? Ice Tea, Amaretto Stone Sour
E - Essential item used every day? LOL, a shower
F - Favorite color? Don’t really have one
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms? Neither, but if I have to choose - bears
H - Hometown? Pearl City and Dakota
I - Indulgence? Being pampered
J - January or February? February
K - Kids and names? Don’t have any
M - Marriage date? Not married
N - Number of siblings? 3
O - Oranges or apples? Both
P - Phobias or fears? Fear of heights
Q - Favorite quote? A perfect day is doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
R - Reasons to smile? Reminiscing over good times, hearing children laughing and playing, a walk through the park or woods on a beautiful day, waking up to the sounds of birds chirping, being with someone you care about
S – Season? Spring and Fall
T – Tag? Yes
U - Unknown fact about me? If I told, it wouldn’t be unknown
V - Vegetable you don’t like? Canned vegetables. Fresh and frozen are great, if properly prepared.
W - Worst habit? Being too hard on myself
X - X-Rays? They don’t bother me
Y - Your favorite food? Fish, seafood, sushi
Z - Zodiac sign? Aquarius

Class Action Law Suit Won!

Contemplating what bills would arrive today, I made my way up the steep steps to the post office. The same steps I've fallen down, mind you... but we really don't want to go *there*, do we? I make my way toward the PO Boxes. As graceful as I am, I managed to drop all my mail as I was taking it out of the box. Well, all but one. I figured "What the heck!" and threw the last piece on the floor just for the fun of it. LOL Hey, had to bend over anyway! I get a lot of junk mail, so my routine is to walk to the side counter and open all my mail. I throw away anything that doesn't have my name on it, before leaving the PO. I opened an envelope from one of my credit card companies, thinking it was a bill. But no! I had a credit... A credit due to a class action lawsuit. Guess how much they gave me?!? Are you sitting down?

I got a whopping.......... TWO CENTS! LOL, Can you believe they would actually send out a statement showing a credit for two cents?! It cost more in postage and paper, not to mention the labor it took to create that statement. Unbelievable... LOL

Celebrity Look-Alike?

Call me crazy... but I don't think any of these people look like me. (I don't even know who some of the celebrities are!)



Matsushima Nanako - 70%
Jodie Foster - 66%
Shu Qi - 64%
Aya Matsuura - 64%
Hayden Panettiere - 61%

Monday Update 1/8/07

Let’s see... What’s new with me?

Today I woke up to find that the volume on my alarm clock was turned down so I didn’t hear the alarm go off. I rushed around getting ready for work and get out the door on time only to find that my &*$^&! car wouldn’t start! Thank goodness I still had my brother’s battery charger in the trunk. Of course, *that* made me late for work. I’m blessed to have an employer who is flexible and understanding about these things.

My new semester at college started today. I am taking my 2nd science requirement via an online class. It’s called Fundamentals of Meteorology. So guess what? I’ll be subjecting you to all to weather and climate factoids I find interesting. Aren’t you the lucky ones?! LOL Last Friday, I called the college bookstore about getting the books I need for this class. Much to my dismay I found out that the books weren’t in and they thought they had another week before class started. Apparently, I had been the first student to call and inquire. Hello? Classes start the 8th. So after a “meeting” they got it all straightened out, and those of us who signed up through my college won’t have books right away. They were suppose to be in today, but when I called I was told they weren't. Wish me luck on this class since it's the last one I need in order to graduate!

The weather here has been unusually warm for January. It’s been in the 40’s and 50’s. It was so nice on Sunday, I changed the oil in my car –and- cleaned up some of the dead debris on my back porch.

I had another date with D on Friday night. We went out to eat and then bowling. I won two games out of five. I question whether he allowed me to win the second one, not that it bothers me because I had a lot of fun. I almost fell on my face getting out of his vehicle at the restaurant. Had it not been for him holding my hand, I would’ve found myself kissing the blacktop. Like he said... It’d ruin the date if I hurt myself and had to have him carry me into the house. (You all know how accident prone I am!!)

I finally got some stitching in. In addition to the brass bookmark finish, I stitched on the comedy/tragedy bookmark I started last summer.

Last but not least, today is my cousin's birthday. Happy Birthday, Joe!

Am I Intelligent?

Here are the results of the Intelligence Test I took (obviously I didn't read carefully enough):

The Intelligence Test, better than any IQ test

You GOT a score of 7 out of 11

Your rating: Normal Intelligence

Now Here's the Twist... Your answers not only can tell your current intelligence, but the combination can also forcast your upcoming love life.

Your Projected Love Life: Wow! Your love life is bitchin

LOL, OK... tell me something I didn't know.

Goals.... or Delusions?

I "borrowed" this idea from Terri's blog. Documenting goals is the first step to achieving them, right? Right! So here we go....


Clear out some WIPs and UFOs

Treasured Memories Quilt Afghan
Drama Bookmark – Leisure Arts
Mime


Make progress on WIPs and UFOs

Japanese Garden – Martina Weber
Firefly Fairies


Finish the 10 Project Challenge. – Actually I want to see how many projects beyond 10 I can finish before buying new stash that I absolutely have to have. So far, I have finished nine out of 10 projects.


Stash Organization. My stash is in desperate need to organization and cataloging, since I only have a vague idea of what I have.


My Non-Stitching Goals: Debt and Health. These are actually continuations of 2006 goals. If all goes as planned, I should be debt free by the end of 2007. While I don’t feel I’m *that* out of shape, I really feel I need to establish some sort of exercise regimen. So that’s a plan.


My 2006 finishes – 29 Finishes:

01-05-06 Cherished Teddies Basketball Player
01-22-06 Special Delivery – EMS Designs
01-28-06 Popcorn Bear Bookmark
01-29-06 Yoshi Bookmark
02-19-06 Snowman Bookmark
02-26-06 Love Scissor Fob – Shepherds Bush
03-05-06 Stitchers Scissor Fob – Lorri Birmingham
03-18-06 Floral Bookmark
04-04-06 Dogwood Floral Bookmark
04-09-06 Dragonfly Bookmark
04-23-06 How Does Your Garden Grown – Lizzie Kate
04-28-06 Love You To The Moon Bookmark
05-10-06 Spring 99
05-11-06 Rose Card
06-10-06 I’ll Get You My Pretty – Sue Hillis
06-17-06 New Car Card
07-21-06 Spring Scissor Fob – Lizzie Kate
07-22-06 Butterfly Bookmark – Cross My Heart
08-20-06 Bees & Clover Scissor Fob – Lorri Birmingham
08-26-06 Christmas Wreath – DMC
09-02-06 Angel Keychain
10-17-06 Therapy Bookmark – Stoney Creek
10-22-06 Cardinal Snowflake Ornament – Thea Dueck
10-27-06 Freedom – Stoney Creek
11-05-06 Yummy Gingerbread Man Ornament
11-12-06 Santa Ornament
11-23-06 Gingerbread House Ornament
11-26-06 Ascot Albert Ornament – Sugarplum Express
12-10-06 Let’s Bee Friends Bookmark – Disney

First Finish of 2007

I stayed up late last night to finish up the backstitching on this bookmark. It came from a kit by Bucilla called Brass Stitchables Hummingbird Bookmark. As you can probably guess, the bookmark is made of brass.

This counts as #9 toward my Project Challenge. Projects Completed so far:

1. Therapy Bookmark
2. Cardinal Snowflake Ornament
3. Freedom
4. Yummy Gingerbread Man Ornament
5. Santa Ornament
6. Gingerbread House Ornament
7. Ascot Albert Ornament
8. Winnie the Pooh Bookmark "Let's Bee Friends"

Nine down... One to go!

A New TV... Finally

Making an electronics purchase is never easy for me. I tend to do a lot of research and then over think whether I really want to buy something before I actually do. For those who follow my blog, you know that my large TV decided it was time to take leave and go to TV heaven. Since that time, I’ve been looking at TV’s online and reading reviews... all in attempt to find that perfect TV at the best price.

The day after Thanksgiving, I made a trip to Circuit City with the intention of plopping down a huge chunk of change, and making some sales person a happy camper. I arrived at CC with flyer in hand – luckily I didn’t have any questions for the sales clerk because she really didn’t have a clue about the TV I wanted to purchase. I asked if they would honor competitor pricing... and they were going to. I also asked if I could use the 18 months no payments no interest promo they had going on. I got the green light on that, too. Then a manager came and told me that I could either have the promo -or- the price match, not both. I simply told them I’d be taking my business elsewhere... and they let a sale walk out the door. You’d think that 1) they’d want a large sale, 2) they’d want the financing business, and 3) they’d want a happy customer that would return. Apparently not.

Fast forward to last Friday night. I was surfing online at Best Buy and came across the same TV. Again, I read over the reviews and searched for the best price at competitors. I had found a much lower price at another brick & mortar store in NY (I am in Illinois), even with shipping. I’ve ordered at this other store plenty of times so I knew they were reputable. I printed out the ad and off to Best Buy I went. I was fully prepared to be disappointed again. I asked about price matching. The clerk took it to his manager and yes indeed they’d price match - I saved $200. Interestingly enough, another customer overheard my conversation with the clerk and came to ask if they’d price match from places online. I explained I was waiting to hear, and so he hung around until I found out. I imagine he went home and printed out competitor pricing, too. While waiting, I noticed the store had 6 months no interest financing, so I inquired about it. The clerk said I could use that, too! At this point I’m thinking to myself: “This is why I like shopping at Best Buy.” The clerk brings out the last TV in stock and the box is damaged. He assures me the TV could be returned if it didn’t work. After the clerk rings me up, he informs me that my promo is 18 months no interest financing. What a nice surprise! I love to take advantage of financing deals like that because I make sure to pay it off in less than the promo time and essentially I get to enjoy the purchase interest free and not have to take money out of my savings to do it.

The nice guy that he is, D came over and he hooked up the TV, DVD/VCR, and surround sound. I am electronically challenged if you didn’t know! The moment of truth came when we turned on the TV… Remember the damage on the box? It definitely caused a pretty design on the screen when the TV was turned on. Immediately, I called Best Buy and told them what happened. Apparently the truck had come in after my purchase and 5 more TVs were on it. They said I could bring it back for exchange. So, D and I drive 45 minutes to return the TV before the store closed. The electronics geeks in customer service were appalled at the fact the clerk sent me home without checking the TV first. Finally we were on our way... and got the TV home and hooked up. By that time, it was late and we ended up not watching any movies.

After all that drama, I suppose you’re wondering what TV I bought. It’s a Panasonic 32” LCD HDTV-enhanced flat screen. It barely weighs 40 lbs. and is only about 4” thick. I read lots of reviews about it and they were all good. Here’s what it looks like:





Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to Me!