The view from room 306...Holiday Inn Sun Spree

It turned out to be a beautiful weekend on the beach....if only it hadn't been quite so windy and chilly....

Ghost....or no??

Took these this past Saturday night on the Ghost Tour in Galveston. There's certainly a difference in that there is a purple-ish 'orb' in one shot that's not in the other. Is it a ghost? You decide...

Cold, cold, cold....

That pretty well currently describes the island. The wind coming off the Gulf is 'like it's coming off ice' as my mother would say. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I woke to a grey day though 'local' news shows sunshine on the north side of Houston--my old 'hood'. Here's hoping it makes it down to the island before the day is out. I also woke to whatever the people on either side of me had blaring; tv, radio, somehing annoying. Not to mention a really stiff back from a somewhat uncomfortable bed. Oh and the fact my room never did seem to warm up last night. I'm not so sure I'll stay at the Sun Spree again after this weekend...not impressed.

Galveston oh Galveston....

It was a crappy afternoon and even crappier night on the island. I should back up.....I finally got to sleep sometime after 1am because I just had to watch Ugly Betty...it was a new episode. I didn't really sleep all that well and then Willy kept being a nuisance waking me up. I finally rolled out of bed around 7:30ish.

I really had no idea what I wanted to wear so packing was a challenge and I think I finally finished that around 9ish. Granted I also paid some bills and dealt with Willy as well. It was nearly 11a before I got packed, dressed and out the door (after chasing Sissy around because I don't quite trust her in with me gone overnight--must less two days).

I rush to the convention center and hike what feels like a million miles and finally get where I want to be. Lucky me I was able to get into the 12:30 SEI class--bummed about missing the 11a clear album class but I have no one to blame but me.

I don't think I spent too much at the vendor faire and got on the road to the island at 3p..and I was starving. With the traffic and the weather I got on the island about 4p. Check in and then off to eat--Joe's Crab Shack. After that, turn around twice and then down to The Strand for the Ghost Tour. Cool fun but a tad bit cold.

More later because I'm wiped out and hear my pillow calling!

Mr. Pickle comes to town...

Lance from Rusty Pickle is in town for CKC and lucky us, he taught a class at the Village. Robin really wants a shirt that says 'pickle-licious' but settled for a picture with 'Mr. Pickle' instead. Fun class and cute project.

Where does the time go???

I swear it was just a minute ago that I was walking in the door from work. I've turned around twice and here it is nearly bedtime. Seems I have a list nearly as long as my arm with very little checked off. And these are things I really needed to get done tonight since tomorrow night I'll be taking a class. Then boom, it's Friday and I'll be running crazy to get on the road to Galveston. Why can't I be the organized person who gets things done with time to spare instead of rushing at the last moment to complete everything? And to think, one of the items on my list I could have and should have done during break. Oh well....

What a SCREWED UP Day!!

Second day of class so it was wild and wooly...and actually people were more nuts today if that's possible. I spent more time today explaining and trying to put out fires and then there were the complaints that ended up down the hall because something didn't go someone's way. It's amazing how parents coddle their children.

I don't get it. I feel old because the parents are my generation and we weren't treated that way by our parents. So why do parents now feel they and their children are owed something and that everyone should cater to them? Why are today's youth not held accountable? Why has it become acceptable for them have mommy and daddy do everything for them?? It's very, very frustrating.

On a more positive note, Willy seems to be doing better and bouncing back more. I however continue to acquire new scratches and still look as though I've lost a cat fight. Now the question is, do I allow him to stay home with just his sitter checking on him or do I board him at the vet's over the weekend where someone else can wrestle with him to give him his medicine? I'll decide that tomorrow.

All that leads up to the fact that the annual Galveston weekend is fast approaching...excitment, excitement. The bad news is the weather is currently horrible and historically, this third weekend of January seems to always be nasty. Not fun beach weather. The up side, the Oaks (thanks for the email Duane). The down side, missing friends who won't be able to make it for various reasons.

Until that time, there are tons of things to be done.

Scarred by Evil Cat....

I look as though I've been in a cat fight and in a way, I have. Trying to give Willy three different meds is definately detrimental to my health. I've tried wrapping him in a towel then holding him by the scruff of the neck much as mother cats hold their young after which time I do my best to pop two different pills as well as an eyedropper of liquid medicine down his throat. The scruff of the neck thing doesn't work--it does not paralyze or deter him one bit. My guess is he is really a small child in a fur suit walking on all fours as once you think you've managed to shove the pill down his throat he will uncermoniously spit it out. I guess the good news is that he does have attitude and his appetite seems to be increasing. Only five to eight more days of going through this. I'm not sure if he'll be bald or I'll have no skin left by the time it's all over. Pray for us!

Sunday evening...

The cusp of a new week and what a week the coming one promises to be. Spring semester begins tomorrow which generally brings confusion and harried students and their parents. This is one of the times a year I really wish I could get away with displaying a sign that states: Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. But alas we all just smile and try to do everything we can to make people happy knowing somewhere along the line there will be at least one we are unable to appease (no matter what we do).

For local scrappers the excitement this week will be CKC downtown at the GRB. Three days of scrapping heaven...classes, crops and shopping. I'm hoping to pop into the vendor faire on Friday.

Thursday night is the big Rusty Pickle class at the Village. A prelude of what is to come over the weekend downtown. So happy the ladies at the Village were able to get 'Mr. Pickle' to teach this class!

And then the big finale of the week....the annual Galveston weekend with girlfriends to see....THE OAKS!!! Fun, fun, fun. I'm hoping to fit in the Galveston Ghost Tour on Friday night. What fun that should be. Then it's lounging on Saturday and the Oaks that night followed by what is normally a fabulous dinner at Rudy and Pacos. Sunday is one last lavish meal capped off with the Oaks 'island farwell' then a return to reality. Thank goodness next Monday is a holiday!

Some days ya just gotta do nothing...

And for the most part, today was one of those days. I admit too, I've been trying to work in more of those days when I can.

Willy came home this morning with several meds---getting them down him is quite an ordeal. He's still not quite himself but I'm hoping the appetite stimulant he was given will help him start to eat and bounce back. I guess we just have to take things one day at a time. I just hope I don't have to endure too many scratches in the process.

I did sit down tonight and play with my last bookclub kit--since bookclub is tomorrow. I've managed to make two (unrelated) pages but I did use the kit and it really was a challenge as it contained paper I wouldn't normally choose. Not sure if I'll play anymore before bed but it could happen...

Ahhhh, the weekend....

It was the first full week back to work after the holidays and I am beat. It's not even nine o'clock on Friday night and I can't seem to stop yawning and my eyes just want to slam shut. By the end of the day on Thursday I was just thirty minutes shy of forty hours for the week....could be one of the reasons I am so tired. When I first got home I had grand aspirations of doing something crafty....well, forget that!

It's a bit lonely around here tonight because Willy is at the vet. He's not been himself this week and has eaten very little all week long. Initially I thought he might just be pissed because Sissy's been inside quite a bit and she does eat anything left out and has been sleeping in several of his spots--including on my bed. I've made her stay out almost all week but it hasn't seemed to help him so she was allowed to stay in last night and this morning he was carted off to the vet. The initial exam revealed nothing and the feline leukemia test was negative (that goodness). Unfortunately they've not been able to get enough blood for other lab work. I guess the good news is the vet said he was being a bit difficult this afternoon so maybe with the fluids he's been getting and the antibiotics they've started him on he's starting to bounce back from whatever is going on. With luck he'll get to come home tomorrow. (And hopefully it won't hit me too hard in the wallet.)

EXHAUSTED!!

Went in at 8a.....'put out fires all afternoon' to the point of not being able to get away for lunch, managed to run home about five-ish to check on Willy (not sure he's getting sick or just pissed at me because Sissy's been hanging around) and change into comfy clothes then back to the office till.....10:30pm to finish preparing appeals for tomorrow morning's meeting. Thanks to the boss man for taking pity on me around eightish and going to pick up a burger for me (otherwise I'd probably never had gotten anything outside a handfull of m and m's today). It's after 11p and I should be in bed but I've got killer indigestion from the burger not to mention my back killing me because I couldn't make my chiropractor appointment. Ahhh, January in finanical aid....

Creative Afternoon...

Yeah me...I actually sat down this afternoon and played! I had this cute little Close to My Heart circle album just waiting for the right project. I put together some pictures and thoughts from my 'Christmas trip' to Lake Charles to see the Oaks. It was my Merry Christmas to me and this is my sweet little reminder.

Better Late than Never...

I finally got my New Years cards done...they go in the mail this evening. So if you receive one via mail, act surprised. If not, I probably don't have your address but I am thinking of you and.... Happy 2008!

Making Progress

Granted, it may not be by leaps and bounds but it is progress. Tree and all Christmas decorations are down and put away--check. Laundry is started, 'bout half done--check. A bit more progress has occurred in the dining room...I can see more of my dining table than I've seen in a while and the boxes are gone from the bakers rack as well as two boxes from beside it--check. I can actually see an accomplishment and I'm thinking it's almost time to reward myself by (messing everything up again) and working on some cards and things.

I wish I could say I've been working hard all day (but at the same time maybe it's a good thing I can't because there's not a lot accomplished for an entire day's worth of work). I am seldom one that can set to focusing totally on getting the cleaning done but I'm not. I'll do a little then piddle--either flipping channels (which I've not done today), or playing on the internet (which I have done), or even just sitting. What I can say is that along with actually accomplishing something I have also stayed off the roads which saves money because I am not driving or shopping! Let's see how long I can keep this up!

Something I found...

Just by accident really. I was trying to check out one blog and ended up on another. What I found is a Cathy Zielske's (a scrapbooker) blog that includes a post about resolutions or should I say...never say...resolution (here entry title). Go check out her January 1, entry; never say.....resolution at http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/. Instead of coming up with resolutions she's derived a list of things she's swearing off of in the new year. I think the concept fits nicely with my challenge to come up with goals because I don't think we feel quite as guilty if we fall short of goals. Enjoy.

Oh and happy first weekend of the year! What will you make of yours??

Is your clutter responsible for your weight???

A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves

Published: January 1, 2008

After the holidays, many shoppers load up their carts with storage bins, shelving systems and color-coded containers, all in a resolute quest to get organized for the new year.

The country’s collective desire to clean up is evident in the proliferation of organization-oriented businesses like the Container Store and California Closets. Reality shows like “Mission Organization” on HGTV and “How Clean is Your House?” on Lifetime feed a national obsession to declutter. The magazine Real Simple has even created a $13 special issue on cleaning house.

Getting organized is unquestionably good for both mind and body — reducing risks for falls, helping eliminate germs and making it easier to find things like medicine and exercise gear.

“If you can’t find your sneakers, you aren’t taking a walk,” said Dr. Pamela Peeke, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and the author of “Fit to Live” (Rodale, 2007), which devotes a section to the link between health and organization. “How are you going to shoot a couple of hoops with your son if you can’t even find the basketball?”

But experts say the problem with all this is that many people are going about it in the wrong way. Too often they approach clutter and disorganization as a space problem that can be solved by acquiring bins and organizers.

Measures like these “are based on the concept that this is a house problem,” said David F. Tolin, director of the anxiety disorders center at the Institute of Living in Hartford and an adjunct associate professor of psychiatry at Yale.

“It isn’t a house problem,” he went on. “It’s a person problem. The person needs to fundamentally change their behavior.”

Excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a brain injury often find housecleaning an insurmountable task. Attention deficit disorder, depression, chronic pain and grief can prevent people from getting organized or lead to a buildup of clutter. At its most extreme, chronic disorganization is called hoarding, a condition many experts believe is a mental illness in its own right, although psychiatrists have yet to formally recognize it.

Compulsive hoarding is defined, in part, by clutter that so overtakes living, dining and sleeping spaces that it harms the person’s quality of life. A compulsive hoarder finds it impossible, even painful, to part with possessions. It’s not clear how many people suffer from compulsive hoarding, but estimates start at about 1.5 million Americans.

Dr. Tolin recently studied compulsive hoarders using brain-scan technology. While in the scanner, hoarders looked at various possessions and made decisions about whether to keep them or throw them away. The items were shredded in front of them, so they knew the decision was irreversible. When a hoarder was making decisions about throwing away items, the researchers saw increased activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in decision-making and planning.

“That part of the brain seemed to be stressed to the max,” Dr. Tolin said. By comparison, people who didn’t hoard showed no extra brain activity.

While hoarders are a minority, many psychologists and organization experts say the rest of us can learn from them. The spectrum from cleanliness to messiness includes large numbers of people who are chronically disorganized and suffering either emotionally, physically or socially. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help: a recent study of hoarders showed that six months’ therapy resulted in a marked decline in clutter in the patient’s living space.

Although chronic disorganization is not a medical diagnosis, therapists and doctors sometimes call on professional organizers to help patients. One of them is Lynne Johnson, a professional organizer from Quincy, Mass., who is president of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.

Ms. Johnson explains that some people look at a shelf stacked with coffee mugs and see only mugs. But people with serious disorganization problems might see each one as a unique item — a souvenir from Yellowstone or a treasured gift from Grandma.

Many clients have already accumulated numerous storage bins and other such items in a futile attempt to get organized. Usually the home space is adequate, she says, but the challenge is in teaching them how to group, sort, set priorities and discard.

Ms. Johnson says she often sees a link between her client’s efforts to get organized and weight loss. “I think someone decides, ‘I’m not going to live like this anymore. I’m not going to hold onto my stuff, I’m not going to hold onto my weight,’” she said. “I don’t know that one comes before the other. It’s part of that same life-change decision.”

On its Web site, www.nsgcd.org, the group offers a scale to help people gauge the seriousness of their clutter problem. It also includes a referral tool for finding a professional organizer. But since the hourly fees can range from $60 to $100 or more, it may be worth consulting a new book by Dr. Tolin, “Buried in Treasures” (Oxford, 2007), which offers self-assessments and advice for people with hoarding tendencies.

Dr. Peeke says she often instructs patients trying to lose weight to at least create one clean and uncluttered place in their home. She also suggests keeping a gym bag with workout clothes and sneakers in an uncluttered area to make it easier to exercise. She recalls one patient whose garage was “a solid cube of clutter.” The woman cleaned up her home and also lost about 50 pounds.

“It wasn’t, at the end of the day, about her weight,” Dr. Peeke said. “It was about uncluttering at multiple levels of her life.”

(cut and pasted from Yahoo: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/health/01well.html?ex=1356843600&en=c438e1196ccd5843&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Weekend 'to do' list....

-take down the Christmas tree and put away decorations (nope, haven't done it yet because my mom always left everything up till after the first of the year--actually till after Russian Orthodox Christmas and it's a tradition I've tried to follow however I found it falls on the 7th this year and frankly, I want the tree down this weekend...so much for traditions....)
-laundry (that was a given wasn't it)
-get some cards made and in the mail
-work on some scrap projects (finally)
-work on finishing up that project from last weekend of organizing the dining room
-try to do some organizing in the extra bedroom/scrap room
-take time to just veg (what can I say, I enjoyed the opportunity to do so during the break and want to make sure I contine to take time for me to just be )

....only two weeks to the annual girlfriends' Galveston weekend (unfortunately it's the same weekend as CKC so I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to get by CKC---unless I can sneak out of the office extra early that Friday and stop on my way down to the island....)

Why....

is it that you can sometimes feel more tired on days when you've done nothing as opposed to those where you've worked hard? Tonight I can hardly hold my eyes open and yet I spent the vast majority of today doing....nothing. Sitting, waiting, fielding a few phone calls. But compared to what I needed to do, I did nothing. Our mainframe system all but crashed and as a result we had no information system all day. We were told just as we were leaving for the day that things were back up and running so we should be able to hit the ground running tomorrow. As a result I should really be wiped out tomorrow night since I have a ton of work awaiting me.

Can you say s-l-u-g???

After a much needed trip to WalMart (yes it really was needed even though I forgot one of the main items I went for) I ended up doing basically, nothing. So much for that momentum I had going when I first got in from work.

And before I forget....

A big shout out to Carol and Mechiel for taking the new years goal challenge. However, not only did Carol take the challenge, she has really expanded upon it. If you don't already read Mechiel or Carol's blogs, take a peek (there's a link on the right of my blog). You guys are an inspiration to me!

Back to the grind...

...back to a routine. Other than that damn clock waking me this morning and having to get out of bed before 9am, the day hasn't been too bad. Once I got out of bed, in the shower and moving things went rather smooth--I was even fiften minutes early for work (let's see if I can keep that up). Naturally things were busy at the office, but thankfully not unbearable--and that was even having one staff member out.

Once I got home instead of parking on the couch (as I am prone to do) I got started on a few household chores. You know the fun stuff like emptying the litter box and cleaning up after kitty. (I swear sometimes I think that cat has learned to pick up the litter in his paw and hurl it!) And now since there's another kitty using the litter box it makes for even more fun--thankfully she seems to be a bit cleaner than him (boys). After that it was on to the kitchen and unloading and reloading the dishwasher. Not bad for about a half hour's work. Now to keep up the momentum tonight!

Last Day of Freedom...

Here it is...my last day of freedom for a while (not counting weekends). In reflection, it's actually been a nice break. I was able to get away for a few days, see some friends, sleep in and even spend a few days doing absolutely nothing. But today ends that for tomorrow I return to work and like every time this year, registration hell. I worked a little during the break (probably should have done a bit more), got a few things done around here (very few) but for the most part did rest. Now the question, what will I accomplish today??

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Almost Happy New Year....

...just a couple hours left in 2007. May each of you have a wonderful and successful 2008 and may it be all you wish and more.

A start on 2008 goals...

I sent out a challenge to all my buddies to blog about their goals for 2008 so it's time I started on mine. I've actually spent the biggest part of today working on one of mine which is to get rid of all the boxes stacked in the corner of my dining room. Yes, I've been living here since June of 2006, and there were still about 15 boxes stacked in the corner of the dining room (that count doesn't include the four of scrap supplies stacked on or beside the bakers rack.

So anyway, I can now say the 15 boxes are no more (ahead of schedule--yeah for me). To be honest, I wasn't even sure what was in all the boxes and figured I'd actually be moving them to the storage closet on the patio (hey, they would be out of the dining room!). I found several boxes of books (so maybe I don't have boxes of books in storage being ruined-yeah), cds and videos along with some miscellaneous kitchen things. I made a trek to Target to pick up an inexpensive bookcase (twenty bucks and it's not bad looking) for all the books. There isn't a lot of room in my tiny place since I have quite a bit of furniture but the bookcase works in the corner where the boxes were stacked!

Goal: go through boxes in dining room and disburse items to permanent place or purge them. (Done!)

Goal: continue to go through items in apartment to find them a permanent home or purge them

Goal: go through items in storage unit and find them a permanent home among my things or purge them.

Goal: go through my closets and purge clothing I do not or cannot wear (send items in good condition to charity---Tim, you may be getting a call for a pick up!)

Goal: go through and sort scrap supplies so I know what I have so I can use them. Purge any that I feel are no longer my style or that I will not use (any suggestions are greatly appreciated on what to do with them because I know I have stuff in good, useable condition).

Goal: Cook more meals and eat at home. Also, eat healthier.

Goal: Either go to the gym and workout or at the very least walk on a regular basis.

Goal: save some money instead of spending every nickel I get!

I think that's a decent start for now. It's time for me to get back to picking up around here for the night.

Super Duper LAZY...

That pretty well describes me of late. I do admit to getting out the day after Christmas--yes, I'm nuts. Had lunch with Robin and shopped for calendars at Bookstop. On the way home I stopped by some friends and we played board games till nearly 10p--so much fun. Thursday I went in to the office but only stayed a short while--the wax fumes and lack of heat were a bit too much. Since then I've done pretty much nothing--I'm blaming it on the wax fumes.

So much for my grand ideas to get my place overhauled. I can say for certain I hardly lifted a finger to do anything. Now I still have four days before reality returns but I'm thinking I really don't want to spend that time homebound, cleaning. Chalk it up to my mother who was always up for getting out and doing stuff rather than sitting at home. And suddenly I have lots of ideas of how to spend the last few precious days of freedom---see a movie or two, go to the museum, check out some of my old haunts. No telling what I'll get into before Wednesday!

On a side note: flipping channels last night I came across a political debate on one of the cspan stations. This is not something I would normally watch but this was a debate between the 'lesser known candidates'...read: people who don't have a shot in hell at ever being elected dog catcher, much less president. So with it being a trainwreck, I couldn't help but watch. Where the hell did these inbreds come from? I was really intrigued by one of them so naturally, I googled him...Michael Skok.....it's apparent from looking at this guy he has some sort of medical issue going on and I don't want to make fun of someone for such a thing BUT...check out this guys site and read some of his discourse...I could only laugh at it. There's one part where he lists 'updates' of his days...now you would think someone running for a major office would be writing about various issues but not this guy--he basically writes that he has nothing to write! He's nearly 60 and lives with his mom and talks about his few friends which mainly consists of neighbors. I'm telling ya, it was like a trainwreck and I just couldn't look away. Good for a laugh. Bored?? Goggle the guy and read his stuff...oh and be certain to check out the pictures! LOL

Happy Christmas Eve....

The View from Room 1104....

Favorite Shot...

I love how I managed to catch the candy canes in mid air. What a once in a lifetime shot!

Sleigh BelLS Ring....

Priceless moments...

I'll never be able to listen to the particular song performed during this portion again without at least giggling because of something Richard told me later that night after the show.

An Oak Ridge Christmas

I had the great fortune again this year to see the Oaks' Christmas show. Although somewhat altered because it was at a casino, it was still wonderful. There's no one that can sing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" like Richard Sterban. Unfortunately due to being a casino show it required a shorter show so it had to be cut down and we missed out on Jimmy singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and the most important missing piece was "Silent Night".

Back from the Bayou...

I have returned from two restful, entertaining, amusing days in bayou country. As with any trip there were ups and downs but the important thing is that it was more up than down. Once I get unpacked and settled I'll share some of the details and possibly a picture or two.

On another note, Kudos to Carol. I see where she has started her 'goals for 2008'. I'll be working on and sharing some of mine in the coming days.

Busy, busy....

Must have stayed up too late last night (I'm getting old) cause I ended up sleeping in till about 9 this morning---so much for an early start! But....it has been a somewhat productive morning/mid-day. So far I've managed to get in a couple hours work at the office (could have easily done much more but stopped myself before getting lost in files--that would have been an all afternoon ordeal), had the oil changed, dropped by the post office to mail a couple of packages and college mail, ran by the liquor store to pick up a gift, a stop at the dollar store for cat food because I forgot to get it last night at Walmart and grabbed my dry cleaning on the way home. Now I just need to run out to Vicki's to pick up something then back home to clean out my car and do laundry, oh and pack. If I get going I can get the outside part done within an hour or so and have the rest of the afternoon/evening to do the laundry, pack and maybe even play a bit. Let's see how far I get!

Holiday Break: Day Four

Had lunch with a colleague/friend who as a surprise brought along one of his coworkers who is also a colleague/friend. It was a wonderful surprise.

Almost hard to believe it's Tuesday. The days are flying (as I knew they would). I am sitting in a sea of paper trying to get in gear to finish up some gifts tonight. I think it might happen--as long as I actually get away from the computer and work on them. First though I'll need to make yet another run to Walmart since my printer is now out of colored ink. Maybe once I get the gifts finished I can do something fun for me.

Tomorrow will be busy with errands--pick up dry cleaning, get the oil changed, clean out/up the car, post office--ugh and pack. Thursday morning it's adios Texas, hello Lake Charles.

Holiday Break: Day Three

No progress at home but I did manage to finally get clothes to the cleaners. After that I made a run to Petsmart for cat food then stopped by Kohls for new tennis shoes. I also made a stop by the new Whole Foods in Sugar Land and picked up a few things. Back home I enjoyed some couch tim. Maybe tomorrow I can get motivated to do a bit more.

Willy

just because...

Quilt Show Pictures.....finally....

Holiday Break: Day Two

Despite the dead heat gun and not finding the stamp I wanted, I made trading cards this morning and went to Book Club this afternoon. I've only glanced through the book briefly but nothing really caught my eye. Not sure how I feel about this kit-maybe it'll grow on me.

Surprisingly I came straight home after Book Club. No stop for a newspaper, no stop for dinner; just straight home. So far I've managed to find my dining table (now all the scrap stuff is scattered in the spare bedroom as usual), take out the trash, vacuum the living room and hallway (which the cat hated) and fixed a little dinner (nothing exciting, just some chicken on the George Foreman and some pasta salad--more easy than anything and it meant I didn't spend any money). Oh, and I've scheduled some bill payments--isn't the internet great.

I need to finish just a few Christmas cards (I finally found my stamps this morning) and work on a few other projects. If only I can motivate myself to do so without making a huge mess on the dining table again (since I still can't see the top of my drafting table).

Hoping for a divine revelation...

I have been looking for a few things in my spare bedroom/scrapbook room since yesterday and have yet to locate them. I was hoping for a divine revelation while I slept so that when I woke I would either remember where I put what I'm looking for or would find it upon walking in the room. No such luck. And the heat gun is definitely dead, dead, dead....it met the trash can this morning.

Lazy, lazy, lazy....but in a good way....

So by noon I had dishes washed and some laundry done and Christmas cards started. And that's about where it ended. Sometime after that I lost my mojo...it might have been when I could not find my postage stamps--still haven't located them and I just had them the other day. I did manage to fix some lunch around two or so....watched a couple of holiday movies and decided I don't like watching holiday movies....read some....played on the computer and basically did nothing the rest of the day but I'm not complaining (though some may think I am). I rarely take days to do nothing....I usually think of something I feel I need to do and end up turning a short errand into a half day or more affair running the roads somewhere. But not today. The only thing I regret is that I didn't actually take a nap!

On another note, my heat gun died when I was trying to emboss my trading cards for book club...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Holiday Break: Day One

How wonderful it was to sleep in this morning even though I did wake around 6ish and had to remind myself it's Saturday and that I could sleep in. Willy crawled in bed and stretched out beside me (yes, he stretches out) around 8ish. Lately he wants to lie right beside me on the edge of the bed after which he'll proceed to either place a paw on my hand or rest his head on my hand-goofy cat.

After a few strange dreams, I decided to open my eyes and finally crawl out of bed around 9:30. I grabbed a quick Whataburger breakfast (I am addicted to the honey butter chicken biscuits) then started the dish washer and laundry. Not sure what got into me but so far I've managed to fold an overflowing basket of clothes that have been sitting on the dryer for heaven knows how long, do two loads of laundry and I've even started my Christmas cards. And it's not even noon!

The thought crossed my mind that maybe I should keep track of the things I manage to get done over break so at the end I'm not looking back wondering how the hell I wasted two and a half weeks. And I have quite a list of things I want and need to get done. Seems I'm off to a decent start--I just have to keep it up!

Color Changes...

....yes, I've obviously been screwing with the templates and colors. Here's what I've decided on at the moment. Leave me a message and let me know what you think. Basically if enough people have trouble reading it and hate it, I'll change it to something else....

Break...

Winter Break aka Christmas Break (trying to be PC) is here. The first part of the week seemed to drag by and today flew. So many things don't hit till the last day and it makes for a hectic day. We spent a good part of today just laughing while trying to cram some work in between. Grades were finally run about five-thirtyish so then we could begin to run our processes. Our wonderful computer system kinda does it's own thing so we have to run one program multiple times and even then we may not get the desired results. On top of that our reports did not run correctly the first time so about sevenish we were handed new reports where the number of students had tripled. Everyone else had been gone since 4p but bossman and I along with our programmer were there till 8pm. I would like to say it's all done but unfortunately it isn't. I'll go in a couple of times between now and the first of the year to do the final clean up and run a few things in the hopes we won't be too overwhelmed when we return. Heck, I might even go in tomorrow. The nice thing is I can go in at my leisure with no interruptions.

Despite a little work, I'll have the biggest part of two and a half weeks to do whatever I want. (Although I have plenty of work to do at home.) My first project is to finish a few gifts and get cards made and in the mail (maybe this weekend since the weather is supposed to be crappy). After that I have got to get some things done around my place. Fit in a quick roadtrip to Louisiana and maybe one to San Antonio and break will be over and it will be January before you know it.

Unfulfilled goals....

I had plenty on my 'to do' list today but accomplished little...very little. Let's see....one load of laundry.....a trip to the Village for paper....a fruitless trip by Target for printer ink--have to run by Walmart tomorrow in hopes of getting that....a picture cd made instead of loading camera software (but at least now I can access the pictures in my camera!)....four pictures printed...an idea for Christmas cards (we'll see if that works out)...zero gifts made--gonna be a very busy week!....gift acquired for Tuesday night party....and here it is after 9pm already....no wonder I'm yawning....

Decorate

Tree went up on Thanksgiving....

Goals...

I've got a lot of goals for today....get some Christmas gifts made (though it looks as though that will require a run to the Village), get my gift 'together' for a Christmas party and Chinese gift exchange Tuesday night (lots of ideas there when initially there were none), get my apartment picked up (a thorough cleaning will take longer than I have left in this weekend but next weekend and week is another story), get some pictures printed, try to finally load that camera software so I can download pictures from the camera, finish laundry, pay some bills (yuck), get Christmas cards made, work on book club, work on trading cards......so much more than I'll be able to cram into just today. Maybe even try to post a little more before bed.....oh and did I mention I slept until nearly 10am and it's already after 11a?

Sissy's home!!!

My sweet, little orphan kitty is back. This morning when running out to pick up something to eat I heard a faint mewing that seemed to be coming from the patio downstairs. When I would call her name it would get a little louder and last a little longer. At that point I figured out that she must be trapped in the neighbor's patio storage closet. I last saw her Wednesday when I was home for lunch and when painters were starting to do trim work on this building. She must have run for cover in the storage unit when they were painting the door and trim and got shut in when they finished. Poor little thing has been in there since Wednesday.

It was before 9a and I didn't want to disturb the neighbor but fortunately her kitchen window was up and I could tell from the sounds someone was up. I knocked on the door and apologized for disturbing her and told of the dilemma. She agreed that was a likely occurrance and checked the storage unit. Sure enough, Sissy came bolting out. It took her a few minutes to get her bearings but once she did, she was more than happy to come bounding up the stairs for some fresh water and something to eat. She's back to being hesitant about coming inside but considering her ordeal I'm just happy she's not reverted back completely to being so totally skiddish. Given a day or two and I may be able to start coaxing her back in--Willy will just have to deal with it!