This is the cabin that we stayed in... it was actually a little bit scary. We had a mouse, which we named Jason, trying to get to our food. And if you saw how far away the outhouse was, and how gross it was, you would be VERY scared.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Cabin
This is the cabin that we stayed in... it was actually a little bit scary. We had a mouse, which we named Jason, trying to get to our food. And if you saw how far away the outhouse was, and how gross it was, you would be VERY scared.
Summit
The main activity scheduled for Saturday was a serious hike. We had maps and compasses and an ambitious hike planned. We packed our lunch early and set off. Straight up hill.
I never got any good pictures of the trail going up hill from our starting point, because I was fighting to climb that ridge. At first, I figured that if it got too difficult, I'd just turn around and go back to camp. But by the time I had come to the conclusion that it WAS too difficult, it was too late! I turned around and got sick to my stomache. I was way higher up than I like to be! I couldn't go back down -- the only option was to go up.
Jozien - I thought of you -- I think you wouldn't have had any problem! You have REAL mountains; I only had this little ridge that I was afraid of!
A beautiful view from the top, once I finally got there... I didn't think I was gonna make it at some points, though, and I think some of the others on the hike weren't too sure of me either! Well, I haven't even WALKED all summer, and now here I am climbing a mountain??? I am out of my mind. There were points where I was actually hanging on to rocks with my finger tips to pull myself up. It was only me that was crawling up on my hands and knees, mind you -- the kids scampered up like little monkeys. The other leaders were breathing heavy, but they were fine too. It was just me. I think I worried a few of the kids... They all kept offering me a hand up, and all I could imagine was falling down the mountain and dragging a kid with me... no way!
My only recommendation is to avoid the red trail in the future.
I never got any good pictures of the trail going up hill from our starting point, because I was fighting to climb that ridge. At first, I figured that if it got too difficult, I'd just turn around and go back to camp. But by the time I had come to the conclusion that it WAS too difficult, it was too late! I turned around and got sick to my stomache. I was way higher up than I like to be! I couldn't go back down -- the only option was to go up.
Jozien - I thought of you -- I think you wouldn't have had any problem! You have REAL mountains; I only had this little ridge that I was afraid of!
A beautiful view from the top, once I finally got there... I didn't think I was gonna make it at some points, though, and I think some of the others on the hike weren't too sure of me either! Well, I haven't even WALKED all summer, and now here I am climbing a mountain??? I am out of my mind. There were points where I was actually hanging on to rocks with my finger tips to pull myself up. It was only me that was crawling up on my hands and knees, mind you -- the kids scampered up like little monkeys. The other leaders were breathing heavy, but they were fine too. It was just me. I think I worried a few of the kids... They all kept offering me a hand up, and all I could imagine was falling down the mountain and dragging a kid with me... no way!
My only recommendation is to avoid the red trail in the future.
Camp
The view through the trees looking down at our campsite... this is the little lake, actually a pond, that our cabin was next to...
AT
Once we made it to the summit of the ridge, we hiked along the Appalachian Trail for quite a while. It was very warm and a great day for a hike. It's a new piece of the trail that I hiked, which I can add to my sections... Thru hikers are people I greatly admire, but the most I aspire to is to be a Section Hiker. I want to do as much of the trail as I can, in little tiny sections. I need to get a big map and color it in or something.
Anyway, coming down was easier, because I hiked along the AT to a local road, and walked back along the road.
Flora
Bridget was with me on the weekend, and she tells me this is a Jack-In-The-Pulpit plant, which she says is endangered... I haven't looked it up yet, but I can certainly say I have never seen one before. They were all over the place. More signs of spring!
Nick
Nick didn't want his picture taken too much, he was quite a teenager this weekend... Ok, that was a little scary too. I took this photo when he was busy working on the firewood with Kyle, so he wasn't looking. I thought it was a nice picture of him.
Campfire
You can't really see anyone in this photo, so I figured I'd post it.
They made a nice campfire. It wasn't spooky at all.
Friday
This was taken in the morning, before I went to work on Friday. Thursday's moon was better, but I didn't have the camera... oh well...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
How can I follow up that act?
I wanted to post again, but I have nothin' as interesting as my previous post going on, so expect to be bored! Just some random thoughts, in a flow of consciousness kind of order...
1. The moon was AMAZING this morning. I was on my way to work, and looked up and there it was, with all of the colors of a sunrise, a big full moon setting in the west (more or less.) I was SO upset I didn't have a camera. I actually thought about calling in late so I could go back home and take a picture of it and post it. What are the chances it will be that cool again tomorrow? Probably none, because I'm definitely bringing the camera tomorrow.
2. Full moon brings out craziness? I don't know if I believe that, but I definitely had a lot of negative things going on yesterday. Even so, I guess my brain chemistry is still full of whatever hormones I had running through my system last week, because even with about 5 different negative situations I managed to stay in a positive mood. Thinking about some of that stuff on Vincent's blog and on the Awakening Buddhism blog helped -- especially this one cartoon about "Now it's time to just drink a nice cup of tea."
3. I want to say HI THOR! If you are reading this. I love you. Smile.
4. The economy is so weird. I went to the mall yesterday and saw MANY closed stores, including Fortunoff's which is a store I really liked. I keep wondering... in a few years, will we be looking back and saying "that was the worst it was going to get, what were we worried about?" or will we be saying, "Wow, if I'd only known how much worse it was going to get, I would have prepared better." I can't think of any way to prepare effectively for the Great Depression II. Gram always said they did well, because they lived in the country and had plenty of food. I keep thinking about getting chickens. But I don't think they are zoned for our neighborhood. Anyway, I'm going to try to spend more time gardening this summer. I need the exercise anyway, right? I am starting with peas, which apparently should be planted on St. Patrick's day. So that's the plan.
5. I have SO MUCH work to do around here, I'm going to sign off now, and I'm not sure when my next post will be... check back around Sunday, I guess!
:D
1. The moon was AMAZING this morning. I was on my way to work, and looked up and there it was, with all of the colors of a sunrise, a big full moon setting in the west (more or less.) I was SO upset I didn't have a camera. I actually thought about calling in late so I could go back home and take a picture of it and post it. What are the chances it will be that cool again tomorrow? Probably none, because I'm definitely bringing the camera tomorrow.
2. Full moon brings out craziness? I don't know if I believe that, but I definitely had a lot of negative things going on yesterday. Even so, I guess my brain chemistry is still full of whatever hormones I had running through my system last week, because even with about 5 different negative situations I managed to stay in a positive mood. Thinking about some of that stuff on Vincent's blog and on the Awakening Buddhism blog helped -- especially this one cartoon about "Now it's time to just drink a nice cup of tea."
3. I want to say HI THOR! If you are reading this. I love you. Smile.
4. The economy is so weird. I went to the mall yesterday and saw MANY closed stores, including Fortunoff's which is a store I really liked. I keep wondering... in a few years, will we be looking back and saying "that was the worst it was going to get, what were we worried about?" or will we be saying, "Wow, if I'd only known how much worse it was going to get, I would have prepared better." I can't think of any way to prepare effectively for the Great Depression II. Gram always said they did well, because they lived in the country and had plenty of food. I keep thinking about getting chickens. But I don't think they are zoned for our neighborhood. Anyway, I'm going to try to spend more time gardening this summer. I need the exercise anyway, right? I am starting with peas, which apparently should be planted on St. Patrick's day. So that's the plan.
5. I have SO MUCH work to do around here, I'm going to sign off now, and I'm not sure when my next post will be... check back around Sunday, I guess!
:D
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Kingston Rocks!
I usually try to open my blog with what happened first, but this was so cool I had to open with it. We went skiing this weekend, to Bell Ayre Mountain in New York. (I'm not sure I spelled that right.) Well, I didn't ski, I shopped in Woodstock. And we stayed at the hotel in Kingston. And this is the video I took of Brian and Sully and the jam session.
It isn't a great quality video, because I don't use a cam corder, I use my regular camera; there wasn't much light, and it doesn't have a very good microphone. But if you know these guys, you definitely want to watch the video. I actually hit one of the few songs from start to finish where we got pretty much all of the words right to the song, even the verses!
So watch the video, and then read the rest of the posts. And if you feel like adding a comment, please do -- I'm hoping a lot of people from the trip will comment, c'mon you guys, don't be shy! Click on the word "comment" ... you don't have to sign up for an account, just write under "anonymous"... although I'd like it if you wrote who you were in your message!
It isn't a great quality video, because I don't use a cam corder, I use my regular camera; there wasn't much light, and it doesn't have a very good microphone. But if you know these guys, you definitely want to watch the video. I actually hit one of the few songs from start to finish where we got pretty much all of the words right to the song, even the verses!
So watch the video, and then read the rest of the posts. And if you feel like adding a comment, please do -- I'm hoping a lot of people from the trip will comment, c'mon you guys, don't be shy! Click on the word "comment" ... you don't have to sign up for an account, just write under "anonymous"... although I'd like it if you wrote who you were in your message!
Back to the beginning. Mostly everyone went to ski Saturday.
I didn't get many pictures of that, because I never left the parking lot. I only needed to pick up Bridget and Kyle, who had gone to the mountain for a while with the rest of their family. Bridget had suggested that this year, we spend the day shopping and sightseeing in Woodstock, instead. So that's what we did.
The ski people were all pretty happy with the day they had. You really couldn't ask for a better day to ski, because the weather was warm and gorgeous. Frank said it was like skiing on a snow cone, rather slushy and icy, but it didn't seem to bother anyone.
Shopping in Woodstock
Woodstock in the 1960's was a concert... if you haven't already heard of Woodstock, I suggest you google it. It was the era of Peace, Love, and Hippies. Some hippies found their way into town and never left. The whole town economy now seems to be run on Hippy nostalgia. It's a very artsy community, but way more open and flexible than similar artsy towns we've been too.
An interesting side note is that I heard it's the 40th anniversary of Woodstock this year.
Another interesting fact -- the actual concert didn't really happen in Woodstock, but on Yasgur's Farm, which is pretty far away. There's a museum there too, maybe we'll get to the museum next year. The town of Woodstock decided that the concert was going to be too huge or something, and cancelled last minute, leaving the promoters to find another venue. But everything had already gone to print, so they left it as "Woodstock." Anyway, that was what Dan told me.
Another interesting note... it was Kyle's birthday, he turned 18. Since he is into music but not into skiing, he came shopping with us. He said he had fun. Happy Birthday!
An interesting side note is that I heard it's the 40th anniversary of Woodstock this year.
Another interesting fact -- the actual concert didn't really happen in Woodstock, but on Yasgur's Farm, which is pretty far away. There's a museum there too, maybe we'll get to the museum next year. The town of Woodstock decided that the concert was going to be too huge or something, and cancelled last minute, leaving the promoters to find another venue. But everything had already gone to print, so they left it as "Woodstock." Anyway, that was what Dan told me.
Another interesting note... it was Kyle's birthday, he turned 18. Since he is into music but not into skiing, he came shopping with us. He said he had fun. Happy Birthday!
Yeah, I was there too.
Anyway, after the lengthy shopping trip -- quite a good shopping trip, I might add -- I found the tie dye peace sign magnet for my car I was hoping to find, plus we had a great lunch (Pea Soup and Mac and Cheese for me, yum!)-- we headed back to the hotel to prepare for the evening, a little nap and dinner.
Party by the Koi pond
We all split up for dinner. The older kids head out to the parking lot to the Pizzeria. Some of the parents and some of the younger kids eat in the hotel, or get pizza -- they even deliver -- or go out somewhere local. Last year we went to a great Japanese place. This year, some people went to a barbecue place.
But everyone knows, after dinner, head back to the middle. First one back grabs a good spot and a bunch of tables and chairs. And everyone brings a cooler. And everyone shares.
We're talkin' a lot of coolers...
It was HOT in there! It had to be 90 degrees -- it felt like a hot summer night. And the smell of the chlorine can be more than a little overwhelming.
But everyone knows, after dinner, head back to the middle. First one back grabs a good spot and a bunch of tables and chairs. And everyone brings a cooler. And everyone shares.
We're talkin' a lot of coolers...
It was HOT in there! It had to be 90 degrees -- it felt like a hot summer night. And the smell of the chlorine can be more than a little overwhelming.
More of the party
Meanwhile, the kids are circling the building, swimming, playing video games, pool, or billiards, or playing tag.
Ready for the show!
Brian came up ready for a serious jam session. He even wore his "Stumicks" shirt -- The Stumicks was the band that Sully was in. I think Sully is taking a hiatus right now from the band, so we can't go see him anytime soon. But really, this was almost better.We do have issues with the jam sessions -- no one can ever remember any of the words. Plus, everyone usually starts late into the night, which means we are always bothering someone sleeping someone nearby. So we started out in our regular party area by the pool, but we didn't last there long.
Big Timber Campground - where we go sometimes in the summer -- has Uncle Buck, driving around on his golf cart and yelling at everyone to shut up. (I don't blame him, I know we are loud.) But this place has another security guard guy -- I think of him as Walter, but Frank thinks his name is Carl -- who doesn't mind, and who doesn't yell. He has a great spot we can move to.
We were too loud, so they moved us.
The night ended back where I started - singing in Kingston
It was a great time! We rocked out... even people we didn't know joined in; people walking through the hall tried to help us remember lyrics - we can never remember the verses, only the choruses -- and this guy with the tats came in with his guitar just to jam with us. I have no idea who he is or how he found us, but it was really great. It was probably our best concert ever!
I can't wait 'til next year!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
It's an Amazing World link
Conan O'Brien had this comedian guy on and it was really good, and quite appropriate to the happiness topic I've been stuck on this week. Marisa sent me a link to a video, and you can find the same video if you click here on
"It's an Amazing, Amazing world."
I would put the video right on the blog, but it has disabled embedding, so I can't. The link should bring you to Youtube, though, and you can watch in there.
"It's an Amazing, Amazing world."
I would put the video right on the blog, but it has disabled embedding, so I can't. The link should bring you to Youtube, though, and you can watch in there.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
This post came from "Awakening the Buddha in Us", a blog I found through Vincent. I loved it, and since I've been so happy, it seemed like a great post.
Vincent's blog is here, called "This Wonder-ful life." I try to read it every day, it's got a lot of great messages.
Happiness: An Instruction Expressed Spontaneously
by Lama Gendun Rinpoche
Happiness cannot be found
through great effort and willpower,
but is already here, right now,
in relaxation and letting go.
Don't strain yourself, there is nothing to do.
Whatever arises in the mind
has no importance at all,
because it has no reality whatsoever.
Don't become attached to it. Don't pass judgement.
Let the game happen on its own,
emerging and falling back - without changing anything -
and all will vanish and begin anew, without end.
Only our searching for happiness prevents us from seeing it.
It is like a rainbow which you run after without ever catching it.
Although it does not exist, it has always been there
and accompanies you every instant.
Don't believe in the reality of good and bad experiences;
they are like rainbows.
Wanting to grasp the ungraspable you exhaust yourself in vain.
As soon as you relax this grasping,
there is space - open, inviting and comfortable.
So make use of it. Everything is already yours.
Search no more,
Don't go into the inextricable jungle
looking for the elephant who is already quietly at home.
Nothing to do,
nothing to force,
nothing to want
and everything happens by itself.
~End of Post~
Thanks to Awakening the Buddha in us
for such great thoughts!
Vincent's blog is here, called "This Wonder-ful life." I try to read it every day, it's got a lot of great messages.
Happiness: An Instruction Expressed Spontaneously
by Lama Gendun Rinpoche
Happiness cannot be found
through great effort and willpower,
but is already here, right now,
in relaxation and letting go.
Don't strain yourself, there is nothing to do.
Whatever arises in the mind
has no importance at all,
because it has no reality whatsoever.
Don't become attached to it. Don't pass judgement.
Let the game happen on its own,
emerging and falling back - without changing anything -
and all will vanish and begin anew, without end.
Only our searching for happiness prevents us from seeing it.
It is like a rainbow which you run after without ever catching it.
Although it does not exist, it has always been there
and accompanies you every instant.
Don't believe in the reality of good and bad experiences;
they are like rainbows.
Wanting to grasp the ungraspable you exhaust yourself in vain.
As soon as you relax this grasping,
there is space - open, inviting and comfortable.
So make use of it. Everything is already yours.
Search no more,
Don't go into the inextricable jungle
looking for the elephant who is already quietly at home.
Nothing to do,
nothing to force,
nothing to want
and everything happens by itself.
~End of Post~
Thanks to Awakening the Buddha in us
for such great thoughts!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Count my Blessings part 2: on a smaller scale, but a long list!
OK, the previous list of my blessings were general. But I have a lot of more specific things. I'm going to try to keep in concise. But it will probably be long. And I'll probably come back later and add more. :)
1/2. Thor, my darling husband, whom I shall love forever, and who obviously didn't like being number 7 on the list :D
1. Whatever brain chemical/hormone is currently responsible for this great mood I'm in.
2. The food I just ate, tasty, hot, and filling. Even though it was leftovers.
3. This computer, which I can (and do) play on all day long.
4. The heater on (since it's so cold outside.)
5. The sun shining through the window.
6. The snow sparkling. And causing the snow day yesterday.
7. My husband and my boys. Obviously. I can go on more about that later.
8. The rest of my family, both the in-laws and the out-laws.
9. All of my friends. You know who you are.
10. Laughter. OK, specifically how hard we laughed last night watching TV.
11. Nirvana, for this song that I'm listening to right now... (RIP KC!)
12. Satellite radio, for no commercials.
13. My house, that I've always lived in, that feels like part of my family.
14. My teapot, and tea cups, and all that tea and sugar and milk.
15. Blackberry jelly, honey, and cinnamon and sugar, and toast and butter.
16. Peanut butter cookies (even if they are hard) and Biscotti (even if they are ugly.)
17. Books I have kept because I love them.
18. Books I haven't even read yet... I know they are out there.
19. Sleep. I love sleep.
20. My job. Where I have to go to right now.
21. Scouts! My avocation.
22. Making plans for tea with friends! :D
23. Toilet paper, ketchup, beer, mayonnaise, and other condiments. And I guess the wheel and fire, and all of those other inventions that we couldn't live without.
24. The stars in the sky, and especially the moon.
25. The fact that the sun is still out even though it's after 5:00 PM.
26. Digital cameras! No more buying film and paying for developing it!
27. Colored Pencils and heavy paper.
28. Crayons and princess coloring books.
29. Walt Disney World! And even better -- NASA!
30. My pink tent and my mummybag sleeping bag!
31. Woodstock and shopping in little crafty stores!
32. Leftovers! Yay leftovers! I don't have to cook tonight!
33. My Orange Aztec!
34. Pearl Jam and Uncle Ed!
35. My back patio swim club complete with fancy lights and fire pit -- opening soon!
36. Tissues with Lotion!
37. Sparkly costume jewelry!
38. Fleece sweat shirts and blankets!
39. Ipods, and the ability to surround your head with music at all times!
40.
OK, I can go on forever. You add more, and I'll add them to my list.
I guess, like I said, I'll write more later.
1/2. Thor, my darling husband, whom I shall love forever, and who obviously didn't like being number 7 on the list :D
1. Whatever brain chemical/hormone is currently responsible for this great mood I'm in.
2. The food I just ate, tasty, hot, and filling. Even though it was leftovers.
3. This computer, which I can (and do) play on all day long.
4. The heater on (since it's so cold outside.)
5. The sun shining through the window.
6. The snow sparkling. And causing the snow day yesterday.
7. My husband and my boys. Obviously. I can go on more about that later.
8. The rest of my family, both the in-laws and the out-laws.
9. All of my friends. You know who you are.
10. Laughter. OK, specifically how hard we laughed last night watching TV.
11. Nirvana, for this song that I'm listening to right now... (RIP KC!)
12. Satellite radio, for no commercials.
13. My house, that I've always lived in, that feels like part of my family.
14. My teapot, and tea cups, and all that tea and sugar and milk.
15. Blackberry jelly, honey, and cinnamon and sugar, and toast and butter.
16. Peanut butter cookies (even if they are hard) and Biscotti (even if they are ugly.)
17. Books I have kept because I love them.
18. Books I haven't even read yet... I know they are out there.
19. Sleep. I love sleep.
20. My job. Where I have to go to right now.
21. Scouts! My avocation.
22. Making plans for tea with friends! :D
23. Toilet paper, ketchup, beer, mayonnaise, and other condiments. And I guess the wheel and fire, and all of those other inventions that we couldn't live without.
24. The stars in the sky, and especially the moon.
25. The fact that the sun is still out even though it's after 5:00 PM.
26. Digital cameras! No more buying film and paying for developing it!
27. Colored Pencils and heavy paper.
28. Crayons and princess coloring books.
29. Walt Disney World! And even better -- NASA!
30. My pink tent and my mummybag sleeping bag!
31. Woodstock and shopping in little crafty stores!
32. Leftovers! Yay leftovers! I don't have to cook tonight!
33. My Orange Aztec!
34. Pearl Jam and Uncle Ed!
35. My back patio swim club complete with fancy lights and fire pit -- opening soon!
36. Tissues with Lotion!
37. Sparkly costume jewelry!
38. Fleece sweat shirts and blankets!
39. Ipods, and the ability to surround your head with music at all times!
40.
OK, I can go on forever. You add more, and I'll add them to my list.
I guess, like I said, I'll write more later.
Count My Blessings post - edited at Lunch
Well, I still don't have much to say -- (see previous post) -- but that's never stopped me before, has it? I thought about it all morning, and I've decided that I want to count my blessings. Now seems like a good time, since nothing important is happening, and I'm in such a good mood!
1. Health -- I think that has to be blessing number one. I feel good, I'm pretty healthy. If you don't have your health, it doesn't matter what else you have. I'm even feeling pretty mentally healthy, which is good considering how hormonal I've been on occasion over the last few years. That is truly a blessing!
2. Health -- again -- because my family is also pretty healthy right now. Well, Nick just got over the flu, and he's still stuffy and everything, but he's strong enough to fight it off without too much trouble, and like my Gram used to say, it's what germs you catch and fight off that make you stronger and healthier. And even Frankie is very healthy right now. It might last, it might not, but you've gotta live in the right now. And right now, we are all doing great.
3. Peace. I know there isn't peace in the world, but there is peace in my home. My family isn't currently involved in any war. We aren't even arguing, even with each other. There isn't a lot of strife or stress or aggravation. Peace is wonderful. Why can't we all give peace a chance?
4. Karma. I'm grateful for Karma. Is that logical? I'm not sure. But I believe that there is a law to the universe, that is sensible and right and true, and that things even out and you can make mistakes, learn from them, and move on. I'm glad to be able to trust that it will all work out in the end. I'm grateful that I believe in it because it makes it easier to let things go that would only bother me otherwise.
5. Love. Obviously, I'm grateful for the blessing of love. I have a love-ly family and friends, and I'm grateful for all of them.
6. Plenty. I'm grateful for having everything I need, in abundance. It's generosity from Life and from Creation and it way exceeds what I deserve. I have all the food I need, and a great home, more clothes than I really need (even if they don't look too good on me sometimes because of all the food I have!) I even have toys and keepsakes from my family and stuff like that.
7. Nature. We are all blessed by having such a beautiful world to live in. Even though my neighborhood has its share of litter and too many buildings and so many people squished together, nature is indomitable and still squeezes its way in. The sky is beautiful today, and the wind is freezing, but it's a great thing. The sunrise was beautiful (I was actually awake to notice it today!) I'm looking forward to some trips that will take me to some more wild places, and I'm even more grateful for the magnificent nature I'll find when I get there. (Not as wild as your place though, Jozien!)
8. Art... I always have music on. I love my music. Even if I can't create it, I love all art. I create what I can, and I'm grateful for that; but I love what other people create, too. Visual, Musical, Stories, all of that stuff is amazing and wonderful, and I love it.
9. Work -- Yeah, I'm counting work as a blessing. It's wonderful to have something productive to accomplish. So in this sense, I'm grateful for work in general, not just my job in particular. It's like the meat and potatoes; you don't realize when you are a kid how good it is to work on something; you can't just play all the time, that's kinda like trying to live on dessert.
OK, that was the general list. Next post will be a more specific list.
1. Health -- I think that has to be blessing number one. I feel good, I'm pretty healthy. If you don't have your health, it doesn't matter what else you have. I'm even feeling pretty mentally healthy, which is good considering how hormonal I've been on occasion over the last few years. That is truly a blessing!
2. Health -- again -- because my family is also pretty healthy right now. Well, Nick just got over the flu, and he's still stuffy and everything, but he's strong enough to fight it off without too much trouble, and like my Gram used to say, it's what germs you catch and fight off that make you stronger and healthier. And even Frankie is very healthy right now. It might last, it might not, but you've gotta live in the right now. And right now, we are all doing great.
3. Peace. I know there isn't peace in the world, but there is peace in my home. My family isn't currently involved in any war. We aren't even arguing, even with each other. There isn't a lot of strife or stress or aggravation. Peace is wonderful. Why can't we all give peace a chance?
4. Karma. I'm grateful for Karma. Is that logical? I'm not sure. But I believe that there is a law to the universe, that is sensible and right and true, and that things even out and you can make mistakes, learn from them, and move on. I'm glad to be able to trust that it will all work out in the end. I'm grateful that I believe in it because it makes it easier to let things go that would only bother me otherwise.
5. Love. Obviously, I'm grateful for the blessing of love. I have a love-ly family and friends, and I'm grateful for all of them.
6. Plenty. I'm grateful for having everything I need, in abundance. It's generosity from Life and from Creation and it way exceeds what I deserve. I have all the food I need, and a great home, more clothes than I really need (even if they don't look too good on me sometimes because of all the food I have!) I even have toys and keepsakes from my family and stuff like that.
7. Nature. We are all blessed by having such a beautiful world to live in. Even though my neighborhood has its share of litter and too many buildings and so many people squished together, nature is indomitable and still squeezes its way in. The sky is beautiful today, and the wind is freezing, but it's a great thing. The sunrise was beautiful (I was actually awake to notice it today!) I'm looking forward to some trips that will take me to some more wild places, and I'm even more grateful for the magnificent nature I'll find when I get there. (Not as wild as your place though, Jozien!)
8. Art... I always have music on. I love my music. Even if I can't create it, I love all art. I create what I can, and I'm grateful for that; but I love what other people create, too. Visual, Musical, Stories, all of that stuff is amazing and wonderful, and I love it.
9. Work -- Yeah, I'm counting work as a blessing. It's wonderful to have something productive to accomplish. So in this sense, I'm grateful for work in general, not just my job in particular. It's like the meat and potatoes; you don't realize when you are a kid how good it is to work on something; you can't just play all the time, that's kinda like trying to live on dessert.
OK, that was the general list. Next post will be a more specific list.
A post about absolutely nothing.
I certainly didn't expect to be posting this morning, but I actually woke up feeling awake -- which almost never happens before 8:00! I normally veg for the first 1/2 hour or so in the morning because I can't move -- and then I run around like a crazy person to get ready, because I'm running late. I'm feeling quite alive today. That is a pretty good sign that it's going to be a good day! :D
We had a snow day off yesterday, just as i had been hoping. And you would have thought that it would be a good time to post, since I was home all day, but I was just having fun hanging out and I never got around to it. And since I didn't have much to say... actually, I still don't have much to say... I didn't bother writing. So I decided to post now, since I'm awake, but... well... I still don't have much to say. But I did warn you of that right up front, didn't I?
Oh well, time to get dressed; I'll try to think of something interesting for later. Until then, Ciao! :D
We had a snow day off yesterday, just as i had been hoping. And you would have thought that it would be a good time to post, since I was home all day, but I was just having fun hanging out and I never got around to it. And since I didn't have much to say... actually, I still don't have much to say... I didn't bother writing. So I decided to post now, since I'm awake, but... well... I still don't have much to say. But I did warn you of that right up front, didn't I?
Oh well, time to get dressed; I'll try to think of something interesting for later. Until then, Ciao! :D
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Another great night -- with chance of snow tomorrow!!
Last night, after the play, I had a great night at home with Thor and Nick. (Frankie was out gallivanting around. I think he had fun too. He is 18 after all.)
We sat in the dining room and drew and listened to music.
At the end of the night, Nick remarked "Well THAT was a cheap night." I thought that was pretty funny. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad!
We all drew, not just me. If you look at the picture, you'll see our spirograph - remember that? I love spirograph! I brought it down for Nick. He was having trouble letting loose his creative side. Thor did fine, with a little beer and some music on. He's a very creative guy anyway, although I think his specialty is poetry.
Anyway, I drew a bunch of pictures of people, which is unusual for me. I have always tended to stay away from people. But now I'm thinking about drawing people more. I'm not sure why, but that's the plan.
So today, being Sunday, is a day to cook dinner and do laundry and get to bed early... BUT...
SNOW IS COMING!!! They seem very convinced that it's gonna be a big one! Which is excellent!!! Because that means that I should PROBABLY have the day off tomorrow!
So I'm gonna take the gamble and stay up late tonight too. So maybe more drawing. Or not, I don't know yet.
And I'm so confident, I'm gonna go make myself another cup of tea, which I can't do this late if I'm going to bed.
YAY SNOW! YAY TEA!
Saturday in NYC
Yesterday was a lot of fun. I went into NYC with several friends -- Lori's birthday trip, arranged by Laurie, and with Jess, Lisa, and a bunch of people -- (Hi, y'all) -- and saw Mamma Mia on Broadway. This clip I found on Youtube gives you the feel of it --it isn't the best quality, it is a bit jarring at first, but it evens out... The scenery was basically the same but I don't think this clip is from Broadway...
I was one of the few people in our group who hadn't already seen the play or the movie at least, which actually worked out great for me because the story was all new to me. It was very enjoyable.
I wasn't a real big ABBA fan in the old days, but they had some great catchy tunes. I never owned any of their music, but the play made me want to go out and get some.
I especially love this song, although when I was "17, young and sweet" I certainly wasn't a "dancin' queen." Although the song makes me wish that when I WAS 17 I lived life with less inhibitions and more abandon. Even just watching the actors on stage made me think back to being that age, and acting. I was in a few college plays, but I wasn't brave enough emotionally to put it out there, and I didn't make enough of a commitment to acting to be good at it. I always was too reserved. I guess it's a good lesson going forward, too, isn't it? One of those life lessons that everyone spouts, and in theory you know, but putting in practice is hard. You've gotta live life to the fullest. You've gotta get busy living or get busy dying. You fail at everything that you don't attempt.
And it isn't to early to start NOW; that was part of the point to the show too, I think. The daughter in the story is getting married, and the Mom has been living her life taking care of her, and even though at first you think the story is about the daughter's wedding, you find out quickly it's about the mom's life more than anything else.
The "happily ever after" ending is nice... but if you think about it, it's really only the beginning. The time to live is now, and there is no such thing as "happily ever after." There is never an ending, always a new beginning. (And I guess on Broadway, there is a new happily-ever-after ending every single day, and then they do it all over again for the next performance.) How amazing it is that those actors can stay so ENTHUSIASTICE ALL THE TIME! Even when the scenes were being changed, and the stage was dim, they were in character and choreographed and ENTHUSIASTIC!!! Well, they are living the dream on Broadway, so if anyone SHOULD be excited, they should.
Anyway, the play was great. We all had a really good time, and then after the play we went to "Ellen's Stardust Diner" which was diner food with singing waiters -- and I do mean CONSTANTLY singing waiters -- and really talented, too. We got in right as the show let out, and got a table with no wait, and then the place filled up quick. The food was really good, and as our waiters came around and took our orders, they also took turns singing songs. It was a little loud... and you do run the risk of being sung too, or having a microphone shoved in your face. But going back to that "live life" lesson, how bad is that really?
The waiters were ALSO unbelieveably enthusiastic. They must be EXHAUSTED at the end if their shift.
Well, all in all it was a lovely day.
I was one of the few people in our group who hadn't already seen the play or the movie at least, which actually worked out great for me because the story was all new to me. It was very enjoyable.
I wasn't a real big ABBA fan in the old days, but they had some great catchy tunes. I never owned any of their music, but the play made me want to go out and get some.
I especially love this song, although when I was "17, young and sweet" I certainly wasn't a "dancin' queen." Although the song makes me wish that when I WAS 17 I lived life with less inhibitions and more abandon. Even just watching the actors on stage made me think back to being that age, and acting. I was in a few college plays, but I wasn't brave enough emotionally to put it out there, and I didn't make enough of a commitment to acting to be good at it. I always was too reserved. I guess it's a good lesson going forward, too, isn't it? One of those life lessons that everyone spouts, and in theory you know, but putting in practice is hard. You've gotta live life to the fullest. You've gotta get busy living or get busy dying. You fail at everything that you don't attempt.
And it isn't to early to start NOW; that was part of the point to the show too, I think. The daughter in the story is getting married, and the Mom has been living her life taking care of her, and even though at first you think the story is about the daughter's wedding, you find out quickly it's about the mom's life more than anything else.
The "happily ever after" ending is nice... but if you think about it, it's really only the beginning. The time to live is now, and there is no such thing as "happily ever after." There is never an ending, always a new beginning. (And I guess on Broadway, there is a new happily-ever-after ending every single day, and then they do it all over again for the next performance.) How amazing it is that those actors can stay so ENTHUSIASTICE ALL THE TIME! Even when the scenes were being changed, and the stage was dim, they were in character and choreographed and ENTHUSIASTIC!!! Well, they are living the dream on Broadway, so if anyone SHOULD be excited, they should.
Anyway, the play was great. We all had a really good time, and then after the play we went to "Ellen's Stardust Diner" which was diner food with singing waiters -- and I do mean CONSTANTLY singing waiters -- and really talented, too. We got in right as the show let out, and got a table with no wait, and then the place filled up quick. The food was really good, and as our waiters came around and took our orders, they also took turns singing songs. It was a little loud... and you do run the risk of being sung too, or having a microphone shoved in your face. But going back to that "live life" lesson, how bad is that really?
The waiters were ALSO unbelieveably enthusiastic. They must be EXHAUSTED at the end if their shift.
Well, all in all it was a lovely day.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
FAFSA and Finances
Wow, do I feel productive this week! I am refinancing our mortgage, the taxes were done in a spectacularly quick fashion -- not really happy about them, but they're done at least -- and we've filed the FAFSA, which is the Financial Aid form for College for Frankie.
The FAFSA form is basically simple to fill out. They make it very clear. What is very difficult is trying to figure out the numbers. Yeah, sure, I understand what numbers are supposed to be in this box, but how do I figure out that number??? It's not just what you earn, it's also how much do you have saved? How much do you have invested? And I don't have a lot of huge investments, but I have a strangely large number of little tiny investments. One share of stock here, one share there. Literally.
Anyway, I added everything up as well as I could, and I crossed my fingers and filled it out. Frankie helped.
From everything I've heard, I am not supposed to expect any financial help with paying for college, but I had to fill it out anyway. So at least it's done.
The FAFSA form is basically simple to fill out. They make it very clear. What is very difficult is trying to figure out the numbers. Yeah, sure, I understand what numbers are supposed to be in this box, but how do I figure out that number??? It's not just what you earn, it's also how much do you have saved? How much do you have invested? And I don't have a lot of huge investments, but I have a strangely large number of little tiny investments. One share of stock here, one share there. Literally.
Anyway, I added everything up as well as I could, and I crossed my fingers and filled it out. Frankie helped.
From everything I've heard, I am not supposed to expect any financial help with paying for college, but I had to fill it out anyway. So at least it's done.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Happy Mardi Gras!
glitter-graphics.com
I think Mardi Gras is a really big holiday SOMEWHERE, even if it's not too big here in my town. But we celebrate it anyway, as we do all of those minor holidays, with food. Tonight's menu is Pancakes. Or maybe Waffles. Kinda depends on what the kids want. I don't really have any beads to throw at you, but happy Mardi Gras anyway!
Monday, February 23, 2009
My views on Obama's Stimulus bill...
If you don't feel like reading a lot, check back tomorrow... I'll have more pictures. This is going to be a long one...
Plenty of controversy in the news (click here) and everywhere else, about Obama's stimulus bill.
I was watching Sunday Morning news shows, and they were talking about the stimulus bill, and I decided I wanted to read it. Because I want to make up my own mind about it.
For those of you who don't know me, I'm purely a liberal democrat. Which will probably be obvious. It's not very "politically correct". Well, it's better now than it was Pre-Bush. But anyway, I believe in big government, I understand the reason for taxes -- not that I WANT to be taxed to death, but I understand it. I like the things taxes pay for, like roads and schools and protected wild areas. And I WANT someone taking care of the people who can't take care of themselves. There are often good reasons why someone needs a hand. I'm not against Republicans, but I'm a Democrat.
I am also someone who sincerely believes that there are more than two sides to every story. Just because I'm a Democrat, and a bleeding heart, and just because I WANT to believe it's gonna all work out fine, doesn't mean I want to be brainwashed.
I don't want to be "spun". I don't want to just listen to the Democrats and believe that it will all be fine because Obama's taking care of us now. I also don't want to just listen to the Republicans and believe that we are in serious trouble because Obama is creating huge inflation problems that are going to be more and more difficult to recover from. I want to make up my own mind.
I think most people want to make up their own mind, and it's a great thing that you can find the bill on line so easily. I was impressed by that. If it's government by the people and for the people, the people need easy access to what's going on, right?
But most people (well, me) spend all of the energy they (I) have on family and job, television and blogging, and don't have extra brain cells to even THINK about what's going on with the country. I think that's why we're all so susceptible to spin. I hate to think that I've let spin determine my opinion about something, but I do it all the time. Because it's too hard to get the kid to his doctor's appointment, make dinner, finish the laundry, never mind trying to figure out if the country is going in the right direction or down the hill in a hand basket.
(Of course, it's a litttttle late for me to be reading this stimulus thing now that it's already passed, isn't it? :D)
I thought it would be a good idea to have my own opinions, so I could be less affected by the spin.
So I really tried. And I made it through the first 17 pages. But I can tell you, I probably won't be reading much more. So this is as good as it gets, probably. Starting with Div. A, Appropriations, Title 1, Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related.
1. Those numbers mean nothing to me. I'm only a regular person. The only budget I manage is my household budget, and we aren't talking billions, we're talking hundreds. There is a difference in proportion that is impossible for me to grasp.
2. 24,000,000. for Agricultural buildings and facilities for construction and repair and improvements. Well, who is getting this money? What buildings? Do we need those buildings? It makes sense to do upkeep on assets that we already own; better than having them fall down and then we have to build new ones. And I guess it will help construction workers keep jobs, right? And some farmers maybe? Hope so. I hope no one from the Agricultural department decides to just funnel it into his farm, which he owns because it's a tax deduction because he grows tomatoes and keeps a pet sheep out back. I hope someone's watching where the money goes...
3. 22,500,000 for oversight and audit of programs, grants and activities funded in this act. That sounds like a good idea, someone to keep everyone honest. I hope the auditor is honest.
4. 176,000,000 for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service Facilities.... I get that. Deferred maintenance is like when I needed a new roof, and kept putting it off until it was the right time to do it. And I guess it's a good time to pay roofers, when they are really out of work because nobody's building new houses right now. And I would assume that Bush probably deferred a LOT of maintenance, to balance the budget with all of that war expense going on.
5. .... the next part of that was "... provided that priority be given to critical deferred maintenance projects that can be completed, and to activities that can commence promptly." That seems like a good idea; don't start it if you can't finish it, and we need to start hiring people RIGHT NOW.
6. "50,000,000 to maintain and modernize information technology." In agriculture? I guess so; everyone uses computers now, right? And hopefully that will hire some IT guys for a while.
Allright, I just took a break for dinner. This is already a blog of mammoth proportions, and I am only on page three or something of the bill. I didn't find out where any of this money is coming from (my friends tell me it's coming straight off the printing press, manufactured just for this.) I didn't find out what happens when all of these dollars hit the economy and help us a little for now, and then the bubble bursts again next year.
I've gotta just sum it up.
There are so many facets to this mess that I can't see all of them. I bet no one can. I hope Obama and his advisors can see more of them than I do.
The rest of us will just have to keep crossing our fingers.
Plenty of controversy in the news (click here) and everywhere else, about Obama's stimulus bill.
I was watching Sunday Morning news shows, and they were talking about the stimulus bill, and I decided I wanted to read it. Because I want to make up my own mind about it.
For those of you who don't know me, I'm purely a liberal democrat. Which will probably be obvious. It's not very "politically correct". Well, it's better now than it was Pre-Bush. But anyway, I believe in big government, I understand the reason for taxes -- not that I WANT to be taxed to death, but I understand it. I like the things taxes pay for, like roads and schools and protected wild areas. And I WANT someone taking care of the people who can't take care of themselves. There are often good reasons why someone needs a hand. I'm not against Republicans, but I'm a Democrat.
I am also someone who sincerely believes that there are more than two sides to every story. Just because I'm a Democrat, and a bleeding heart, and just because I WANT to believe it's gonna all work out fine, doesn't mean I want to be brainwashed.
I don't want to be "spun". I don't want to just listen to the Democrats and believe that it will all be fine because Obama's taking care of us now. I also don't want to just listen to the Republicans and believe that we are in serious trouble because Obama is creating huge inflation problems that are going to be more and more difficult to recover from. I want to make up my own mind.
I think most people want to make up their own mind, and it's a great thing that you can find the bill on line so easily. I was impressed by that. If it's government by the people and for the people, the people need easy access to what's going on, right?
But most people (well, me) spend all of the energy they (I) have on family and job, television and blogging, and don't have extra brain cells to even THINK about what's going on with the country. I think that's why we're all so susceptible to spin. I hate to think that I've let spin determine my opinion about something, but I do it all the time. Because it's too hard to get the kid to his doctor's appointment, make dinner, finish the laundry, never mind trying to figure out if the country is going in the right direction or down the hill in a hand basket.
(Of course, it's a litttttle late for me to be reading this stimulus thing now that it's already passed, isn't it? :D)
I thought it would be a good idea to have my own opinions, so I could be less affected by the spin.
So I really tried. And I made it through the first 17 pages. But I can tell you, I probably won't be reading much more. So this is as good as it gets, probably. Starting with Div. A, Appropriations, Title 1, Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related.
1. Those numbers mean nothing to me. I'm only a regular person. The only budget I manage is my household budget, and we aren't talking billions, we're talking hundreds. There is a difference in proportion that is impossible for me to grasp.
2. 24,000,000. for Agricultural buildings and facilities for construction and repair and improvements. Well, who is getting this money? What buildings? Do we need those buildings? It makes sense to do upkeep on assets that we already own; better than having them fall down and then we have to build new ones. And I guess it will help construction workers keep jobs, right? And some farmers maybe? Hope so. I hope no one from the Agricultural department decides to just funnel it into his farm, which he owns because it's a tax deduction because he grows tomatoes and keeps a pet sheep out back. I hope someone's watching where the money goes...
3. 22,500,000 for oversight and audit of programs, grants and activities funded in this act. That sounds like a good idea, someone to keep everyone honest. I hope the auditor is honest.
4. 176,000,000 for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service Facilities.... I get that. Deferred maintenance is like when I needed a new roof, and kept putting it off until it was the right time to do it. And I guess it's a good time to pay roofers, when they are really out of work because nobody's building new houses right now. And I would assume that Bush probably deferred a LOT of maintenance, to balance the budget with all of that war expense going on.
5. .... the next part of that was "... provided that priority be given to critical deferred maintenance projects that can be completed, and to activities that can commence promptly." That seems like a good idea; don't start it if you can't finish it, and we need to start hiring people RIGHT NOW.
6. "50,000,000 to maintain and modernize information technology." In agriculture? I guess so; everyone uses computers now, right? And hopefully that will hire some IT guys for a while.
Allright, I just took a break for dinner. This is already a blog of mammoth proportions, and I am only on page three or something of the bill. I didn't find out where any of this money is coming from (my friends tell me it's coming straight off the printing press, manufactured just for this.) I didn't find out what happens when all of these dollars hit the economy and help us a little for now, and then the bubble bursts again next year.
I've gotta just sum it up.
There are so many facets to this mess that I can't see all of them. I bet no one can. I hope Obama and his advisors can see more of them than I do.
The rest of us will just have to keep crossing our fingers.
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