My family's holiday traditions are firmly rooted in our Swedish and German heritage. Christmas was (and is) a big deal, the anticipation heightened by observing the season of Advent and music being an important part of our observance of the holidays.
Whether you observe the passing of the darkest days of winter and the coming of more light; the Coming of the Light of the world; the miracle of light lasting for 8 days; or however you mark this time of the year, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
In keeping with my family's traditions, I thought I would share two of my favorite carols with you.
Wishing you light, peace, and love.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Habits - They're Not Just For Nuns
It's not New Year's (obviously). I don't believe in resolutions. But how to make a positive action become a habit is of interest to me. One article I read states that a habit can take anywhere from an average of 66 - 254 days to form.
So many places to improve...I'm going to list many of them here, in no particular order, more for my sake, than for your's, dear reader. Perhaps this blog will help provide a type of accountability for me.
I would like to: go to bed at a reasonable time (11 p.m.) on work nights; knit more; exercise every day (I've got absolutely no excuse now that my commute is more reasonable); eat more healthy; cook on the weekends for the following week; lose weight; learn to like tea (because even though it's good for me, it only tastes like hot water with a little flavoring. Blech.); drink more water; keep in better touch with family and friends; blog more frequently (when it's not NaBloPoMo); save more money; spend less and more wisely; use more of my yarn stash; read more books (especially the ones I already own but haven't read); drink less Diet Coke (notice I'm not giving it up entirely); switch to greener ways to clean my house without using chemical cleaners; keep the house picked up throughout the week so it's not a big deal to clean on the weekends; pack a lunch to take to work; have a date night with DH every couple of weeks; listen to more podcast episodes (because I've only got 1000 in my iTunes that I haven't listened to yet).
I started trying to break some of my bad habits a couple of weeks ago. So far, I've been getting to bed before midnight somewhat regularly. I really have to force myself to stop what I'm doing. I've found it helps to actually get into bed around 10 - 10:30 p.m. and then read for a half hour or so. But if the book is really good, I really have to be stern with myself to put it down and shut off the light. I've been drinking more water at work. Now I need to start replacing caffeine-free Diet Coke in the evenings with water and tea. (I tried a blueberry tea tonight. I let the bag steep for a long time - but it still tastes mainly like hot water. This will obviously have to be an acquired taste.) Watching the TV shows about hoarders most definitely helps me keep the house picked up during the week (because I don't fast forward through the commercials but use that time to do small housekeeping tasks).
I'm not sure yet whether I'll try to post quarterly, semi-annually, or annually about my progress on forming healthy habits.
Have you formed any good habits lately? How did you do it and how long did it take you? Please share any tips you may have - I'm going to need all the help I can get.
OK, off to drink some water (as I grudgingly think how much I want a Diet Coke right now).
So many places to improve...I'm going to list many of them here, in no particular order, more for my sake, than for your's, dear reader. Perhaps this blog will help provide a type of accountability for me.
I would like to: go to bed at a reasonable time (11 p.m.) on work nights; knit more; exercise every day (I've got absolutely no excuse now that my commute is more reasonable); eat more healthy; cook on the weekends for the following week; lose weight; learn to like tea (because even though it's good for me, it only tastes like hot water with a little flavoring. Blech.); drink more water; keep in better touch with family and friends; blog more frequently (when it's not NaBloPoMo); save more money; spend less and more wisely; use more of my yarn stash; read more books (especially the ones I already own but haven't read); drink less Diet Coke (notice I'm not giving it up entirely); switch to greener ways to clean my house without using chemical cleaners; keep the house picked up throughout the week so it's not a big deal to clean on the weekends; pack a lunch to take to work; have a date night with DH every couple of weeks; listen to more podcast episodes (because I've only got 1000 in my iTunes that I haven't listened to yet).
I started trying to break some of my bad habits a couple of weeks ago. So far, I've been getting to bed before midnight somewhat regularly. I really have to force myself to stop what I'm doing. I've found it helps to actually get into bed around 10 - 10:30 p.m. and then read for a half hour or so. But if the book is really good, I really have to be stern with myself to put it down and shut off the light. I've been drinking more water at work. Now I need to start replacing caffeine-free Diet Coke in the evenings with water and tea. (I tried a blueberry tea tonight. I let the bag steep for a long time - but it still tastes mainly like hot water. This will obviously have to be an acquired taste.) Watching the TV shows about hoarders most definitely helps me keep the house picked up during the week (because I don't fast forward through the commercials but use that time to do small housekeeping tasks).
I'm not sure yet whether I'll try to post quarterly, semi-annually, or annually about my progress on forming healthy habits.
Have you formed any good habits lately? How did you do it and how long did it take you? Please share any tips you may have - I'm going to need all the help I can get.
OK, off to drink some water (as I grudgingly think how much I want a Diet Coke right now).
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Toasted Buns
The old Stashmobile has been retired. It was a 2000 Toyota Camry. It was time - it had over 251,000 miles on it, 190,000 of which had been put on it since we got it in 2006. It served me well and I really liked driving that car. Now that I think of it, Franklin and Stephanie had been passengers in that car. (Hmmm, could this help the re-sale value?)
I wasn't really looking for a "new" vehicle. DH and I had been debating whether my car could/would make it through the winter vs whether we wanted a monthly car payment (even though the rate for an auto loan through our credit union was very low). Then, DH was looking at Craigslist and found a Camry Hybrid, 2008, 49,000 miles, and with every bell and whistle you can imagine. (All the bells and whistles he would never agree to adding on if we were buying a new car.) He found it on the 15th. The owner was moving 1,500 miles away on the 20th. We met the owner in Clinton, IA on the 18th, drove the car, had it inspected at the local Toyota dealer, and closed the deal. It's enough to make my head spin.
There are a couple of advantages to this car for knitters. First, the light from the dashboard is bright enough that it will backlight one's knitting when traveling after dark. I'll let you know once I've had a chance to test that theory.
See? The dashboard's so bright, I have to wear shades.
The other bell and whistle that I love, love, love is the seat warmer. Holy heat, Batman! How the heck did I survive upper midwest winters all these years without this feature?! (Especially when I hate wearing a coat in the car for any trip longer than 10 minutes.) For the knitter, if your fingers are cold, sit on them for a bit while the seat warmer is on - nice warm fingers for knitting. While I'm sure it's gotten old for DH, I haven't tired of calling him from the car when I'm leaving work, telling him that I may be freezing, but my buns are toasty!
I wasn't really looking for a "new" vehicle. DH and I had been debating whether my car could/would make it through the winter vs whether we wanted a monthly car payment (even though the rate for an auto loan through our credit union was very low). Then, DH was looking at Craigslist and found a Camry Hybrid, 2008, 49,000 miles, and with every bell and whistle you can imagine. (All the bells and whistles he would never agree to adding on if we were buying a new car.) He found it on the 15th. The owner was moving 1,500 miles away on the 20th. We met the owner in Clinton, IA on the 18th, drove the car, had it inspected at the local Toyota dealer, and closed the deal. It's enough to make my head spin.
There are a couple of advantages to this car for knitters. First, the light from the dashboard is bright enough that it will backlight one's knitting when traveling after dark. I'll let you know once I've had a chance to test that theory.
See? The dashboard's so bright, I have to wear shades.
The other bell and whistle that I love, love, love is the seat warmer. Holy heat, Batman! How the heck did I survive upper midwest winters all these years without this feature?! (Especially when I hate wearing a coat in the car for any trip longer than 10 minutes.) For the knitter, if your fingers are cold, sit on them for a bit while the seat warmer is on - nice warm fingers for knitting. While I'm sure it's gotten old for DH, I haven't tired of calling him from the car when I'm leaving work, telling him that I may be freezing, but my buns are toasty!
Monday, November 28, 2011
It's November -Time to Display The Valentine's Day Merchandise
I've been thinking about consumerism lately and not just because of the Occupy movements. I've been inspired by the efforts of Laurie over at Crazy Aunt Purl to de-clutter, spend less (and wiser), and by Benita's DIY over at Chez Larsson.
Jean's blog (and the comments) since last Friday started me thinking about the upcoming holidays. Now, I love Christmas - it's my favorite holiday and nothing can beat a Christmas tree with hundreds of lights on it. I'm not into knick knacks - except for Christmas. Then I don't have enough surface space in my house.
Maybe it's part-and-parcel of getting older, but the commercialism is wearing on me - and not just for Christmas. I cannot believe how early merchandise is displayed. This year, the back-to-school items were still on the shelves when the Halloween items came out. Christmas items have been on display since the beginning of November. What happened to the days when this did not happen until after Thanksgiving?
What happened to common civility and decency? Pepper spray to get ahead in Black Friday lines? Seriously, people?
The difficult part, for me, is how to insulate myself from the commercialism while immersing myself in the customs or traditions of our respective families. Here are some tactics I use to insulate myself: skip TV commercials; ignore newspaper ads and flyers; turn down the radio during commercials when listening to Christmas music; avoid malls and any big box stores not just on Black Friday, but during the entire season.
What I'd like to know is if the holiday season is this commercialized and insane in other first world countries or is this insanity limited within the borders of the U.S. (Somehow I just can't see Canadians pepper spraying others to be first in line to buy electronics. Another reason Canada seems like such a nice place to live.) I know I have some readers who live outside the U.S. Please leave a comment on what the holiday season is like where you live.
Our Christmas gift giving has been scaled back in recent years, but this year, I'm going to make even more of an effort to shop locally. One of the ways we're going to scale back is to spent less on gifts and send what we would have spent to some charities. (My favorites are local food pantries, the local humane society, the Heifer International, and Doctors Without Borders.) While we can't afford to give large amounts of money, I think each dollar helps. I can't begin to imagine how the world economic situation is affecting charities.
One would think that the natural option for me would be to give hand knits, but I hate knitting on a deadline and it's too late this year for a slow knitter like me.
Maybe for next year.
If I start in January.
Jean's blog (and the comments) since last Friday started me thinking about the upcoming holidays. Now, I love Christmas - it's my favorite holiday and nothing can beat a Christmas tree with hundreds of lights on it. I'm not into knick knacks - except for Christmas. Then I don't have enough surface space in my house.
Maybe it's part-and-parcel of getting older, but the commercialism is wearing on me - and not just for Christmas. I cannot believe how early merchandise is displayed. This year, the back-to-school items were still on the shelves when the Halloween items came out. Christmas items have been on display since the beginning of November. What happened to the days when this did not happen until after Thanksgiving?
What happened to common civility and decency? Pepper spray to get ahead in Black Friday lines? Seriously, people?
The difficult part, for me, is how to insulate myself from the commercialism while immersing myself in the customs or traditions of our respective families. Here are some tactics I use to insulate myself: skip TV commercials; ignore newspaper ads and flyers; turn down the radio during commercials when listening to Christmas music; avoid malls and any big box stores not just on Black Friday, but during the entire season.
What I'd like to know is if the holiday season is this commercialized and insane in other first world countries or is this insanity limited within the borders of the U.S. (Somehow I just can't see Canadians pepper spraying others to be first in line to buy electronics. Another reason Canada seems like such a nice place to live.) I know I have some readers who live outside the U.S. Please leave a comment on what the holiday season is like where you live.
Our Christmas gift giving has been scaled back in recent years, but this year, I'm going to make even more of an effort to shop locally. One of the ways we're going to scale back is to spent less on gifts and send what we would have spent to some charities. (My favorites are local food pantries, the local humane society, the Heifer International, and Doctors Without Borders.) While we can't afford to give large amounts of money, I think each dollar helps. I can't begin to imagine how the world economic situation is affecting charities.
One would think that the natural option for me would be to give hand knits, but I hate knitting on a deadline and it's too late this year for a slow knitter like me.
Maybe for next year.
If I start in January.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Shhhh, It's A Surprise
I'd like to show you what I've been furiously knitting on since I finished the baby blanket, but the item is a gift - made from the recipient's own yarn and I'm not sure whether she reads this blog.
Here's a tease -
Every month I get together with a group of knitters and we decided to do a "brown bag swap" for December. In October, each person came to our gathering with a brown paper bag which included yarn and a slip of paper with their name on it. We then each picked a bag (other than our own, of course), and set off knitting. I picked Hmmmm-Hmmmmmmm's name and this project, while deceptively simple, has given me all the problems a deceptively simple pattern can. I've frogged it three times. I've finally gotten to the point where I've improved on keeping my row count (crucial on this pattern). But I've now reached the point where the item is growing, but the ball of yarn doesn't seem to shrink.
AND I've got more yarn that I wanted to make another item from but I'm not about to start until I've finished the first item.
The deadline is December 9th.
Think I'll make it?
Here's a tease -
Every month I get together with a group of knitters and we decided to do a "brown bag swap" for December. In October, each person came to our gathering with a brown paper bag which included yarn and a slip of paper with their name on it. We then each picked a bag (other than our own, of course), and set off knitting. I picked Hmmmm-Hmmmmmmm's name and this project, while deceptively simple, has given me all the problems a deceptively simple pattern can. I've frogged it three times. I've finally gotten to the point where I've improved on keeping my row count (crucial on this pattern). But I've now reached the point where the item is growing, but the ball of yarn doesn't seem to shrink.
AND I've got more yarn that I wanted to make another item from but I'm not about to start until I've finished the first item.
The deadline is December 9th.
Think I'll make it?
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Day at the Museum
A few weeks ago, a group of us went to the Milwaukee Public Museum for Cleopatra exhibit. It was a very well-done exhibit. I can't show you any highlights as photos were not allowed. However, you can find more in-depth information at National Geographic. I did learn quite a bit of new information about her and that time period.
One of the permanent exhibits is the Streets of Old Milwaukee which I remember fondly from my childhood and have to visit each time I go the the museum.
Knitting has made me more observant of the crafts displayed in the homes.
The Belgium home.
The Latvian home.
No visit is complete without a walk through the Butterfly Wing.
One of the permanent exhibits is the Streets of Old Milwaukee which I remember fondly from my childhood and have to visit each time I go the the museum.
Knitting has made me more observant of the crafts displayed in the homes.
The Belgium home.
The Latvian home.
No visit is complete without a walk through the Butterfly Wing.
Friday, November 25, 2011
My Own Black Friday
Today was a perfect day at work. The whole building was shut down, dark, and quiet. I was the only one there because while it was a county holiday, the day after Thanksgiving is not a state holiday. My co-workers took the day off. The phones were quiet as clients assumed no one would be working on the Friday after Thanksgiving. So I was able to get work done while listening to podcasts.
I thought I'd share with you what's currently in my iTunes.
My top three favorites right now are The Savvy Girls, The Knitmore Girls and A Playful Day.
The others I enjoy are Stash and Burn, Sticks and String, and Belle of the Ball.
Non-knitting podcasts are The Stephanie Miller Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, This American Life, The Moth, Stuff You Should Know*, and WTF with Marc Maron.
I treat blogs and podcasts like I do books - no reading the end first. I have to start at the beginning otherwise I feel like I'm missing a large part of the narrative. I just cannot listen to episodes out of numerical order. So for podcasts that have been airing for years, I'm just catching up.
What podcasts would you recommend I add to my list?
*I just typed Knit instead of Know. I can take a hint. Off to knit...
I thought I'd share with you what's currently in my iTunes.
My top three favorites right now are The Savvy Girls, The Knitmore Girls and A Playful Day.
The others I enjoy are Stash and Burn, Sticks and String, and Belle of the Ball.
Non-knitting podcasts are The Stephanie Miller Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, This American Life, The Moth, Stuff You Should Know*, and WTF with Marc Maron.
I treat blogs and podcasts like I do books - no reading the end first. I have to start at the beginning otherwise I feel like I'm missing a large part of the narrative. I just cannot listen to episodes out of numerical order. So for podcasts that have been airing for years, I'm just catching up.
What podcasts would you recommend I add to my list?
*I just typed Knit instead of Know. I can take a hint. Off to knit...
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Please Pass The Popcorn
If you're a child of the 70's like me, did you think a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving would have been a great Thanksgiving, too?
For those of you with a more political bent...
Today I am very, very thankful for my knitting...
especially in a household where nothing but football is on the TV.
For those of you with a more political bent...
Today I am very, very thankful for my knitting...
especially in a household where nothing but football is on the TV.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Back to the 70's
Speaking of Calgon, anyone notice a resemblance between the some of the Calgon commercials of the 70's and 80's and the commercial for erectile dysfunction that shows the man and woman - in separate bathtubs, no less - in a yard?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Calgon, Take Me Away*
It's been a rough week at work.
(Yes, I know it's only Tuesday.)
So here is a prelude to Thanksgiving. This is the song that we played for the processional at our wedding. (Even if you're not religious, I think Darwin Hobbs' voice - which joins in on the second verse - is worth hearing.)
*And if you're so young that you don't remember the Calgon commercials, I don't want to hear about it. That's what You Tube is for.
(Yes, I know it's only Tuesday.)
So here is a prelude to Thanksgiving. This is the song that we played for the processional at our wedding. (Even if you're not religious, I think Darwin Hobbs' voice - which joins in on the second verse - is worth hearing.)
*And if you're so young that you don't remember the Calgon commercials, I don't want to hear about it. That's what You Tube is for.
Monday, November 21, 2011
A Year of Knitting Selfishly
2012 is going to be the year of knitting for me.
(I'm sure that statement will have me laughing 'round about June of next year.)
Like most things in life, I think there are many reasons behind this goal, resolution, or whatever you want to call it. I feel like I've been knitting on demand since summer - and all the items are gifts for others. I'm a slow knitter; I often have little knitting time during the week, which makes for very slow progress; and then when the item is finished, it's sent off and usually I don't see it again which, I think, exacerbates the feeling.
Then there's my Ravelry queue. I used it as both a way to note (for future reference) patterns that pique my interest and also patterns that I saw and said "I MUST knit that!" I may not ever knit the ones that simply pique my interest but this way, two years down the road, when I'm trying to remember that cute mitten pattern and where I saw it, I can just search my queue.
And there's the fact that every time I wear a (store-bought) knitted item, multiple people ask if I've knit it and I have to keep saying no. I would like to start saying "why yes, yes I did."
I want to start knitting (OK, OK, and finish) a wardrobe for myself - hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters and especially sweaters and knitted jackets I can wear to work.
What's on your list to knit for yourself?
(I'm sure that statement will have me laughing 'round about June of next year.)
Like most things in life, I think there are many reasons behind this goal, resolution, or whatever you want to call it. I feel like I've been knitting on demand since summer - and all the items are gifts for others. I'm a slow knitter; I often have little knitting time during the week, which makes for very slow progress; and then when the item is finished, it's sent off and usually I don't see it again which, I think, exacerbates the feeling.
Then there's my Ravelry queue. I used it as both a way to note (for future reference) patterns that pique my interest and also patterns that I saw and said "I MUST knit that!" I may not ever knit the ones that simply pique my interest but this way, two years down the road, when I'm trying to remember that cute mitten pattern and where I saw it, I can just search my queue.
And there's the fact that every time I wear a (store-bought) knitted item, multiple people ask if I've knit it and I have to keep saying no. I would like to start saying "why yes, yes I did."
I want to start knitting (OK, OK, and finish) a wardrobe for myself - hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters and especially sweaters and knitted jackets I can wear to work.
What's on your list to knit for yourself?
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Hey Honey, Was That A Flying Pig?
While I really like the end result of the log cabin baby blanket, I was not enamored with the process of knitting it, especially as the blanket grew in size and it took longer to knit the blocks.
And all that freaking garter stitch! Have insomnia? Forget reading dry, dusty, voluminous tomes in bed in order to lull yourself to sleep. Put down that copy of War and Peace and pick up your knitting. Knit garter stitch! Guaranteed to have you nodding off over your knitting.
I swore, swore it would be acold day in hell a long time before I took on another garter stitch project. All that simply knit, knit, knit. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. While that's all good for company knitting, I needed some excitement, something to stir the creative juice pot. Something to keep me awake during these dark days of winter.
So what have I cast on?
Yes, I turned right back around and fell back down into the rabbit hole of garter stitch with the Oakland Shawl.
Oh, Kauni, you crunchy, colorful temptress. I can't put you down because I want to see what color is next.
And all that freaking garter stitch! Have insomnia? Forget reading dry, dusty, voluminous tomes in bed in order to lull yourself to sleep. Put down that copy of War and Peace and pick up your knitting. Knit garter stitch! Guaranteed to have you nodding off over your knitting.
I swore, swore it would be a
So what have I cast on?
Yes, I turned right back around and fell back down into the rabbit hole of garter stitch with the Oakland Shawl.
Oh, Kauni, you crunchy, colorful temptress. I can't put you down because I want to see what color is next.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Log Cabin - Not Just A Syrup For Pancakes
I've been working on this since July. It's for a friend's first grandchild who arrived in late July.
I'm such a slow knitting that I consider it a victory that it is finished before the boy graduates from high school (mainly because I really didn't want to have to turn this into a afgan for a college dorm bed).
Of course the colors are not showing true in the photos. The red is a more ruby red, the orange is deeper, and the green is more a forest green or india green. Deep, primary colors.
I'll share the secret with you - I was running out of yarn (Cascade 220 Superwash) and bought the only other color my LYS had - black. So to introduce it, I alternated thin stripes of black with the other colors before knitting the border in black. I'm really pleased with the result as it appears more as a design feature than last minute I-don't-have-enough-yarn desperation.
I'm such a slow knitting that I consider it a victory that it is finished before the boy graduates from high school (mainly because I really didn't want to have to turn this into a afgan for a college dorm bed).
Of course the colors are not showing true in the photos. The red is a more ruby red, the orange is deeper, and the green is more a forest green or india green. Deep, primary colors.
I'll share the secret with you - I was running out of yarn (Cascade 220 Superwash) and bought the only other color my LYS had - black. So to introduce it, I alternated thin stripes of black with the other colors before knitting the border in black. I'm really pleased with the result as it appears more as a design feature than last minute I-don't-have-enough-yarn desperation.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Travel Bug
Travel. I dream about it. I daydream about the places I've been and the places I haven't seen yet. I love to dream about where to go on our next international trip.
All aspects of travel hold much enjoyment for me - the saving, the planning and researching, the packing, and the actual traveling. When I'm "in between" trips, recalling past trips sustains me until I can add to the memories.
View from Neuschwanstein.
Salzburg.
Austrian farmer's market.
What do you daydream about?
All aspects of travel hold much enjoyment for me - the saving, the planning and researching, the packing, and the actual traveling. When I'm "in between" trips, recalling past trips sustains me until I can add to the memories.
View from Neuschwanstein.
Salzburg.
Austrian farmer's market.
What do you daydream about?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A Playful Swap
I listen to A Playful Day podcast and the podcast's group on Ravelry recently had a swap.
Look! It's from across the pond!!
But looks like it's from NASA. (Isn't this cool bubble wrap?)
The excitement heightens!
Ta-da!
The yarn is a lovely Louisa Harding yarn and the goodies are nearly consumed (and, of course, the salt and vinegar crisps were the first to go). My keychain had just broke - and look, a brand new one - with a sheep on it! I've been wearing the fingerless mitts nearly everyday since I got the package.
Wow, is it ever hard to take a picture of your own hand, especially when you're trying to show off the cable detail!
Many, many thanks to my swap pal, Claire!
Look! It's from across the pond!!
But looks like it's from NASA. (Isn't this cool bubble wrap?)
The excitement heightens!
Ta-da!
The yarn is a lovely Louisa Harding yarn and the goodies are nearly consumed (and, of course, the salt and vinegar crisps were the first to go). My keychain had just broke - and look, a brand new one - with a sheep on it! I've been wearing the fingerless mitts nearly everyday since I got the package.
Wow, is it ever hard to take a picture of your own hand, especially when you're trying to show off the cable detail!
Many, many thanks to my swap pal, Claire!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
It's Up
The new Twist Collective issue is available.
Dear Santa,
I would like one of everything, including the yarns featured in the ads.
I've tried to be good all year and I think I'm on your Nice List. If I'm on the other list, I'd prefer lumps of coal over eyelash novelty yarn.
Love, Stashhaus
P.S. Hello to Rudolph and all the other reindeer. We'll leave them some treats right next to your milk and cookies.
Dear Santa,
I would like one of everything, including the yarns featured in the ads.
I've tried to be good all year and I think I'm on your Nice List. If I'm on the other list, I'd prefer lumps of coal over eyelash novelty yarn.
Love, Stashhaus
P.S. Hello to Rudolph and all the other reindeer. We'll leave them some treats right next to your milk and cookies.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Chili Cook-Off
So the folks in the building where I work decided to have a Chili contest. Each department picked a day and provides chili and the fixings. Everyone else gets to eat and vote.
Last week it was my office's turn so me and my 2 colleagues pulled out the stops. We weren't just going for the points for the chili, but for the whole meal and overall presentation. We had real plates, silverware, glasses, pitchers, serving dishes, etc. The only disposable item used was the napkins.
We had three types of chili - aptly named.
It was...
Last week it was my office's turn so me and my 2 colleagues pulled out the stops. We weren't just going for the points for the chili, but for the whole meal and overall presentation. We had real plates, silverware, glasses, pitchers, serving dishes, etc. The only disposable item used was the napkins.
We had three types of chili - aptly named.
It was...
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Put The Sweater On. Take the Sweater Off. Put The Sweater On. Take The Sweater Off...
It's been a very schizophrenic fall/early winter. The weather can't seem to make up it's mind.
It rains.
It's mild and sunny.
It snows.
Today it's back to mild and sunny and not a trace of snow left on the ground.
It rains.
It's mild and sunny.
It snows.
Today it's back to mild and sunny and not a trace of snow left on the ground.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Smallville 911
First 911 call. Some months ago.
Officer: 911.
Me. Hi, this is [Stashhaus]. I'm westbound on highway xx, just west of address #####. There's cattle outside of a fence.
Officer: OK, we'll send an officer out.
Second 911 call. A couple of months ago.
Officer: 911.
Me: Hi, this is [Stashhaus]. I'm westbound on highway XX. Just west of address #####, there's cattle outside the fence on the north side of the road.
Officer: Ok, we'll send someone out. Hey, are you on your way here for court?
Me: Yes, and I"m running late because I had to turn around to get the nearest address to let you know where the cattle are. I'm coming for the mental commitment case. Are you guys the ones transporting Mr. Client from the mental institution to court?
Officer: Yeah, in fact, he just arrived.
Me: Can you let the court know I'm running 10 minutes behind schedule?
Officer: Don't worry. Mr. Client didn't have breakfast and he's hungry. We'll feed Mr. Client some lunch, then he'll be ready for court about the time you get here.
Me: Thanks.
Third 911 call. Yesterday.
Officer: 911.
Me: Hi, this is [Stashhaus]. I'm heading east on highway XX. Just east of address #####, there's cattle out between the fence and the highway on the south side of the road.
Officer: Are you on your way to work?
Me: Yeah.
Officer: Our courthouse is closed for Veteran's Day. Is the XX county courthouse open?
Me: Yes, it is. I've got a hearing this morning.
Officer: Why aren't they closed for Veteran's Day, too?
Me: I don't know.
Officer: 911.
Me. Hi, this is [Stashhaus]. I'm westbound on highway xx, just west of address #####. There's cattle outside of a fence.
Officer: OK, we'll send an officer out.
Second 911 call. A couple of months ago.
Officer: 911.
Me: Hi, this is [Stashhaus]. I'm westbound on highway XX. Just west of address #####, there's cattle outside the fence on the north side of the road.
Officer: Ok, we'll send someone out. Hey, are you on your way here for court?
Me: Yes, and I"m running late because I had to turn around to get the nearest address to let you know where the cattle are. I'm coming for the mental commitment case. Are you guys the ones transporting Mr. Client from the mental institution to court?
Officer: Yeah, in fact, he just arrived.
Me: Can you let the court know I'm running 10 minutes behind schedule?
Officer: Don't worry. Mr. Client didn't have breakfast and he's hungry. We'll feed Mr. Client some lunch, then he'll be ready for court about the time you get here.
Me: Thanks.
Third 911 call. Yesterday.
Officer: 911.
Me: Hi, this is [Stashhaus]. I'm heading east on highway XX. Just east of address #####, there's cattle out between the fence and the highway on the south side of the road.
Officer: Are you on your way to work?
Me: Yeah.
Officer: Our courthouse is closed for Veteran's Day. Is the XX county courthouse open?
Me: Yes, it is. I've got a hearing this morning.
Officer: Why aren't they closed for Veteran's Day, too?
Me: I don't know.
Friday, November 11, 2011
For Me Fridays
It seems to be conventional wisdom that women tend to put others before themselves. The result is that we don't take care of ourselves like we should.
I don't know about overseas, but for some time here in the US, there has been a campaign by the American Heart Association to make women aware of heart disease because it is the number one cause of death among women - one woman per minute. Part of the reason that women are unaware they are having a heart-related health problem is that heart attack symptoms in women are often mistaken for minor ailments that women ignore or think they can deal with later.
I don't know about you, but this is my usual M.O. There I am, *someplace where I absolutely cannot make a call, and I think, "I really need to call my doctor/eye doctor/dentist. I need to do this when I get back to my office." I get back to my office, but do I remember to make the call? No. Because there are eleventy-billions things to do before the end of the day/week/whatever upcoming deadline. Then, I'll get home and realize that I didn't call to set up an appointment.* Repeat from * to *. Then a week goes by, then a month, then I'm asking myself, "What year was my last exam?"
So as a way to start changing with how I tend to myself, I'm starting For Me Fridays. I'm using my lunch hour on Fridays (which tend to be relatively sane compared to my calendar for the rest of the week) to make the appointments.
Annual exam with my doctor - check. Annual eye exam - check. Now I need to schedule a dental appointment.
Too bad knitting doesn't drown out the sound of a dental drill.
I don't know about overseas, but for some time here in the US, there has been a campaign by the American Heart Association to make women aware of heart disease because it is the number one cause of death among women - one woman per minute. Part of the reason that women are unaware they are having a heart-related health problem is that heart attack symptoms in women are often mistaken for minor ailments that women ignore or think they can deal with later.
I don't know about you, but this is my usual M.O. There I am, *someplace where I absolutely cannot make a call, and I think, "I really need to call my doctor/eye doctor/dentist. I need to do this when I get back to my office." I get back to my office, but do I remember to make the call? No. Because there are eleventy-billions things to do before the end of the day/week/whatever upcoming deadline. Then, I'll get home and realize that I didn't call to set up an appointment.* Repeat from * to *. Then a week goes by, then a month, then I'm asking myself, "What year was my last exam?"
So as a way to start changing with how I tend to myself, I'm starting For Me Fridays. I'm using my lunch hour on Fridays (which tend to be relatively sane compared to my calendar for the rest of the week) to make the appointments.
Annual exam with my doctor - check. Annual eye exam - check. Now I need to schedule a dental appointment.
Too bad knitting doesn't drown out the sound of a dental drill.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Rainbow
Up until this week, the weather has been unusually mild.
There was a huge rainbow that I just had to photograph because it's unusual (for me, at least) to see both ends of the same rainbow.
There was a huge rainbow that I just had to photograph because it's unusual (for me, at least) to see both ends of the same rainbow.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Chicago
A few weeks ago, I attended a conference in Chicago.
This is the Chicago Cultural Center.
And the famous water tower.
Oh, how I love this city!
This is the Chicago Cultural Center.
And the famous water tower.
Oh, how I love this city!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Channeling Andy Rooney
Why do hotels believe they need to pile the beds with decorative pillows?
I recently stayed at a chain that rhymes with "schmyatt." This is the bed. (Which, by the way, they claimed was a queen-size bed. HA! For pygmies, maybe. We have a queen size bed at home. I beg to differ. I'll save the rest of my opinions regarding my stay for my letter to the CEO.)
Notice that there are already 3 pillows on the bed. So that makes 6 pillows (if you count the 3 on the other bed in the room).
Then there are the decorative pillows. These are the other pillows that were on the two beds. They take up a whole corner of the room.
And what's with the length of fabric that they drape over the foot of the bed? It's not a bedspread. I can't imagine it gets washed frequently (ewwww). It's just another decorative piece that ends up on the floor, along with the rest of the pillows.
Maybe this is why a bare-bones continental breakfast costs an arm and a leg (not including room service fee and gratuity). Someone's gotta pay for all those freaking pillows.
I recently stayed at a chain that rhymes with "schmyatt." This is the bed. (Which, by the way, they claimed was a queen-size bed. HA! For pygmies, maybe. We have a queen size bed at home. I beg to differ. I'll save the rest of my opinions regarding my stay for my letter to the CEO.)
Notice that there are already 3 pillows on the bed. So that makes 6 pillows (if you count the 3 on the other bed in the room).
Then there are the decorative pillows. These are the other pillows that were on the two beds. They take up a whole corner of the room.
And what's with the length of fabric that they drape over the foot of the bed? It's not a bedspread. I can't imagine it gets washed frequently (ewwww). It's just another decorative piece that ends up on the floor, along with the rest of the pillows.
Maybe this is why a bare-bones continental breakfast costs an arm and a leg (not including room service fee and gratuity). Someone's gotta pay for all those freaking pillows.
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