tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85047058399245855842024-03-05T03:00:08.535-08:00Chile CatsIn the beginning...Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-78306847544275855432011-03-22T14:48:00.000-07:002011-03-22T14:48:48.323-07:00Spring Break--Two of Them!<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Last week was Spring Break for one of the universities I teach for. This week is another. What have I been doing? Grading the back-log of papers and preparing lessons for the last 8 weeks of school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the types of papers I've been grading</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-SaMkH4L5rYIrInQ1-OUSuQthoH_lcaOWVJjs4E_aA7veSe2_jpmt1Q96nwmnnxAJ_QKcD0aX_DyZ-JcXv0MN-ZmYbnbsWDP8hxZvyk7Xe93yyNlw46ixViSy-Lpc6NvUoM_eE4iks_C/s1600/Independent+T1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-SaMkH4L5rYIrInQ1-OUSuQthoH_lcaOWVJjs4E_aA7veSe2_jpmt1Q96nwmnnxAJ_QKcD0aX_DyZ-JcXv0MN-ZmYbnbsWDP8hxZvyk7Xe93yyNlw46ixViSy-Lpc6NvUoM_eE4iks_C/s320/Independent+T1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One short lesson on how to do some stats in Excel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And I have taken a look at the spring flowers that are blooming...in between wind and dust storms that suddenly seem prevalent in our neck of the woods this year. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE miniature irises! Next fall, I'll plant more!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was so happy to see these blooming--‘Tete a Tete’ daffodils--another spring bulb favorite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I miss ya'all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Cathryn </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-11141595528514529942011-02-11T09:12:00.000-08:002011-02-11T09:12:15.633-08:00New & Improved? No Thanks!<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I inherited my gramma's paper-thin Irish and very sensitive skin. I went from being an oily-skinned adolescent into dry and flakey woman at the age of 21 years. And I discovered that most of the commerically prepared lotions, perfumes, soaps, other toiletries, and cosmetics would irritate my skin. I've spent a lot of money, trying one brand or type after another. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">About 4--maybe 5 years ago, a couple of friends implored me to try Burt's Bees for a couple of years but I was--to say the least--skeptical. They begged me to try it--mainly because they were tired of hearing me complain about another product irritating my skin. They told me to look at the ingredients and see the short list--which is always a good sign. It means that the product hasn't been so adulterated that it's no longer "natural." My husband picked up a trial sample kit for me to check out. His thinking was that if it didn't work, we would not be out a lot of money. That's logical, no?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I fell in love with </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion! It was the first lotion that didn't make my skin red, itch, or dry it out faster than I could put it on, or make my skin burn. I was hooked. I used it for my facial lotion, my body lotion, after sunburn care, and after gardening care. I used it religiously. I LOVED it. I started using other Burt's Bees products solely based on that lotion. I told everyone about it and even bought it as gifts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Last fall, I ran out and went to purchase a fresh bottle at my favorite local store. They didn't have any on the shelf, but cheerfully ordered it for me. When the new tube came in, it didn't look like my regular lotion. When I questioned the store clerks, they said that Burt's Bees was just changing their packaging. Assured I took it home and set it in the bathroom to use at the next morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Well, it did not smell like my beloved lotion. It kind of reminded my son's gym clothes..after they've been sitting in the locker for a month. And I discovered shortly after putting it on, I was red again and ITCHING! The itching drove me nuts! Looking at the ingredients list, I realized this was NOT my old lotion in a new package--it was a completely different product. This made me a bit angry because the company name--Burt's Bees--was synonymous with <em>TRUST</em>. I trust their products, I trust their name. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I did what most of us do...I went to the company website and wrote a review. And yes, it was a negative review for this so-called new and improved product.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Let me ask you something...Do corporations really think that the American people are <em>that </em>stupid to fall for something that is "New! and IMPROVED!" ??? How can a product be both new AND improved? Is this a sign of our failing education system? Or should we the people put <a href="http://www.billengvall.com/">Bill Engvall's</a> signs on Corporate America? This is one of those topics my high school speech and debate team would have tore to shreds. With ease. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So moving right along, I did find my beloved lotion elsewhere but realized it was getting harder and harder to find it. This week I received a package, containing three tubes of the "New and Improved" lotions. Delivered to my door by FedEx. At first, I thought my husband had ordered them for me and I tried to get them exchanged. When I finally was able to get ahold of my husband, he confirmed that he didn't order them for me because I can't use that new lotion. He did not order them for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Finally, I read the insert and realized because I had complained, the company sent me the tubes. Yeah--that's what I said...In their corporate expertise and wisdom, they sent me the very lotion I had complained about on their review. It's the same formula/ingredients of the lotion that turned me red and made my skin itch like crazy for hours, but gee...let's have her try a different scent. That will convince her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I called the company. Oh yes I did. How could I resist a challenge after they threw the gauntlet (in the form of three free tubes of the stuff I couldn't use in the first place!) down in front of me??? You may be a stronger person than I, but I truly could not resist this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">After a lengthy explanation with the company rep, here's the shortened version of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">ME: When I wrote that review--I said I couldn't use the "new and improved" product--that it made my skin itch badly and turned it red. So why would you send me the very product I can't use???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">COMPANY REP: We wanted to give you a second chance and try our other formulas to see if any of them work for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">ME: They all have the same ingredients as the one I can't use. This makes no sense to me...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">COMPANY REP: But they have different scents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">ME: But contain the ingredients that still make me itch and turn red. Are you listening to me? I want the old formula. It's available on your website--why can't I find it in the stores?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">COMPANY REP: We are discontinuing the old formula and completely switching over to the new ones. Once the old formula is gone, it's gone. There will not be any more. You'll have to deal with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">ME: (Snarkily) Ok...fine. I get it. You have a proven formula and judging by your customer reviews on your own website--most people want. But no--you're going to get rid of what works and make this so called "new and improved" which I find to be completely oxymoronic--your line. The one that most people can't use or hate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">COMPANY REP: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Cathryn--this is a lesson for you. We cannot get too attached to the products we like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">ME: *Blinking at that* We can't? Hmmmmmmmmm...OK, while I ponder on that last statement of yours...I don't want your complimentary gift. I want to send it back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">COMPANY REP: Oh we don't want it back! Throw it away if you want, but WE DON'T WANT IT BACK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">ME: Wow...even you all <em>know</em> how bad this product is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So now I'm facing the realization that Burt's Bees is no longer to be a company I can trust. They no longer care about their customers. If you visit their website, you will see that 95% (based on their numbers) of their customer LOVE the old formula, while only 23% like their new formula. But the company CEOs aren't listening to their customers because they know what's best or they don't care. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm already scouting other possible replacements on Etsy and other handcrafted sites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm mourning the loss of an excellent company and the loss of an excellent product. I'm grieving over the issue that this company seems past caring about the very customers who made it what it is. And I'm angry that another corporation has swallowed the WalMart line of profits first and profits only. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And like other devoted and loyal Burt's Bees customers, I'll buy up what I can of the old lotion. Because, like the company representitive told me, once it's gone, it's gone. And like she told me...we can't get too attached to products that work. Someone will taketh it away...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-67281470005204950652011-02-09T07:14:00.000-08:002011-02-09T07:14:17.763-08:00Another Caturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Topaz loves her pink afghan, rug, and acrylic fleece that line her basket. Believe me--it's HER basket. She gets all bent out of shape if another cat dares to occupy it in her absence. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eaC8akInsFcFjWWHIKNm1CSas_el0bhIaaztrDZqHwIqAJd52-RC0L6gX9Zi44L-v7U4jt2Irx3pzCrYdrzxVtLTXXrYPV7sAOVdKibhFP4F0kOlCyhCDLN80Hgl2VayeUGZNVFvv2YI/s1600/TopazGoofin1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eaC8akInsFcFjWWHIKNm1CSas_el0bhIaaztrDZqHwIqAJd52-RC0L6gX9Zi44L-v7U4jt2Irx3pzCrYdrzxVtLTXXrYPV7sAOVdKibhFP4F0kOlCyhCDLN80Hgl2VayeUGZNVFvv2YI/s320/TopazGoofin1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can roll and roll and roll...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2SdyuoZGtInL_p8b_jPpmAPjJuKZZ942Gk6OcJ4yLNQqQBUAovyr5I-QauvaWi5xYm32YI5gHgR51e9YlkI3FBbHmwwFk4G8nXMt3zPz2XbYWksGgXNyxEt8n37DZMFwy5qCET_TMOE/s1600/TopazGoofin5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoQLURkMWLDS4a4g7FzwXJl8GeGlcX9ShKPvc5MjxgA8tFCyB6xpHs9DUf5QSjp4A0m43CpkB9a4CjG8fK7oN1k6TSXHv0x6ZAgrmHkImJIQqNb3ck3ede_mrVLA38x8-5BkXHEhcSNst/s1600/TopazGoofin2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoQLURkMWLDS4a4g7FzwXJl8GeGlcX9ShKPvc5MjxgA8tFCyB6xpHs9DUf5QSjp4A0m43CpkB9a4CjG8fK7oN1k6TSXHv0x6ZAgrmHkImJIQqNb3ck3ede_mrVLA38x8-5BkXHEhcSNst/s320/TopazGoofin2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nuff said.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dPWtG02IQorVkFII6tW3fBWITqY5vsdfwP9P0od7ajlIEnnEdhnCirxxp06G5_GVYKg3B3yzpS5pw6g2HMRlgv0ROaQQhXpcdteGu9985tJKrr-ULp4U8vIZremLCpMvvkZEPsQC3ksK/s1600/TopazGoofin3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dPWtG02IQorVkFII6tW3fBWITqY5vsdfwP9P0od7ajlIEnnEdhnCirxxp06G5_GVYKg3B3yzpS5pw6g2HMRlgv0ROaQQhXpcdteGu9985tJKrr-ULp4U8vIZremLCpMvvkZEPsQC3ksK/s320/TopazGoofin3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops! Missed a spot from my last bath...10 minutes ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-sj_s6_9gf9oUgUhZME_l6OROwkjMxHNoSTSKMNtGx2OY9h6Ds4CWqUmJfZIzFv-hMhIGdAHg6nG8iuaYvpyQ6jCYBOsVoZlPhV7L3NCFSC63RjmYcx4f5voZ-_Lasym2pjjcmee5Q5V/s1600/TopazGoofin4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-sj_s6_9gf9oUgUhZME_l6OROwkjMxHNoSTSKMNtGx2OY9h6Ds4CWqUmJfZIzFv-hMhIGdAHg6nG8iuaYvpyQ6jCYBOsVoZlPhV7L3NCFSC63RjmYcx4f5voZ-_Lasym2pjjcmee5Q5V/s320/TopazGoofin4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am flexible! Not bad for a kitty of six years. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2SdyuoZGtInL_p8b_jPpmAPjJuKZZ942Gk6OcJ4yLNQqQBUAovyr5I-QauvaWi5xYm32YI5gHgR51e9YlkI3FBbHmwwFk4G8nXMt3zPz2XbYWksGgXNyxEt8n37DZMFwy5qCET_TMOE/s1600/TopazGoofin5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2SdyuoZGtInL_p8b_jPpmAPjJuKZZ942Gk6OcJ4yLNQqQBUAovyr5I-QauvaWi5xYm32YI5gHgR51e9YlkI3FBbHmwwFk4G8nXMt3zPz2XbYWksGgXNyxEt8n37DZMFwy5qCET_TMOE/s320/TopazGoofin5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom caught me in a private moment again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-78089122000724209442011-02-06T12:01:00.000-08:002011-02-06T12:24:08.521-08:00The Best Pancakes....EVER!<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Have you seen the movie "The Bucket List" starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson? That movie made me laugh and cry all the way through. After I saw that movie about writing one's personal "bucket list" before one passes from this life, I realized I had one concerning food. Yes, I am that weird. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">You see it all goes back to my early cooking days...back when I was like 9 or 10 years old. Yes I did start cooking that early. My mother had me frying chicken and mashing 'taters and preparing a salad for dinner at the age of 9 years. Anyway--I discovered there are certain meals and dishes, that for some reason, elude my abilities. I would try and try to make something from scratch and it would fail each and every time. I also discovered that using box mixes didn't fare any better and definitely not any tastier. Things like flakey pie crusts or... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">buttermilk biscuits...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">beans and rice or </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">lemon meringue pie...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Or....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Pancakes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">My mother made everything from that famous mix that convinced housewives nation wide that life wasn't meant to spent in front of a hot oven/stove to cook for your family. That was back when television advertising were convincing housewives across America that cooking for your family was a dreaded chore, instead of something to enjoy. It was in the days when Hamburger Help-You-NOT came out along with other "convenient foods." *Takes a deep breath* But that was also before we learned of the dangers of food preservatives, additives, extra salt, and empty calories.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Nontheless, even with using that famous mix, my pancakes either tasted like thin, rubbery disks or fat rubbery pucks. Either way, my pancakes made everyone run and hide because they were simply awful. I mean AWWWWWWWWW ful. So I tried other brands of mixes without any luck. Same results. It didn't matter if they were thick or thin, they were rubbery. And AWWWWWWWWWWWful. And rubbery. I kid you not when I tell you that they would bounce when accidently (or purposely) dropped on the floor.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyway, I gave up cooking pancakes, deciding that a good recipe simply didn't exist. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Then I ran across this recipe from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/best-buttermilk-pancakes-by-martha">Martha Stewart</a>. And I gave it a go...and suddenly (and over breakfast), I could actually make pancakes from scratch that didn't turn out rubbery. Or bounce when they hit the floor by accident. Or on purpose. I had to modify this recipe for my basic kidney needs, but it's very, very good. My husband is no longer afraid when I announce we are having pancakes for breakfast! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Here the steps to making the perfect pancakes...complete with pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Ingredient List: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">1 1/4 cups unbleached, unenriched flour + 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">2 tablespoons sugar, organic or raw</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">2 large eggs, lightly beaten</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">5 TBSP of apple cider vinegar</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups of whole milk </span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">1 stick butter, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">2-3 cups freshly washed blueberries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><i>* Optional: 1 tsp vanilla</i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Preheat an electric griddle to 375°F, or place a griddle pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Place the apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and add milk. Stir gently. Set aside. Melt the butter--so it's still creamy. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUq5Opq_mxyzgfR1XlkKwK06J5pIUec67d9Aoq4QtVf7a7fHikrCVf2W3aWd4ga5x64CoRkDEXgPnvSlCL2uc-n-7d4GhWjgwYnUA2L3lSB9o2YuR5pN6kpgdwyy3O3CVE33_FRpUFd-y/s1600/MakingButtermilk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUq5Opq_mxyzgfR1XlkKwK06J5pIUec67d9Aoq4QtVf7a7fHikrCVf2W3aWd4ga5x64CoRkDEXgPnvSlCL2uc-n-7d4GhWjgwYnUA2L3lSB9o2YuR5pN6kpgdwyy3O3CVE33_FRpUFd-y/s320/MakingButtermilk.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use my large 2 cup Pyrex mixing glass...It's a perfect fit. That brown you see is the apple cider vinegar. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">In a separate bowl, add flours, sugar, and baking soda. Whisk. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOaps5iPoyh-t_4gWySqYD97boLZn2X4DVW93D8jwfOmAydJLsvRblJy4S2dPvlr15qC8pnC_czWaOpMM8CHlvxwAKrM04MXMb2Yq9QlcUsry6GwTTWXdsg1tocSPIaVnXMfmGWpIjm5w/s1600/WhiskingDryGoods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOaps5iPoyh-t_4gWySqYD97boLZn2X4DVW93D8jwfOmAydJLsvRblJy4S2dPvlr15qC8pnC_czWaOpMM8CHlvxwAKrM04MXMb2Yq9QlcUsry6GwTTWXdsg1tocSPIaVnXMfmGWpIjm5w/s320/WhiskingDryGoods.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That brown you see is the organic sugar. It's got a strong flavor. But it means you can use less!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Add eggs, milk mixture, and vanilla. Whisk gently, so that it's all mixed. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW6XVZ5CQo4OBb29CZB5cGJYWFvo8_qNSuFo2BGlUBJfZ2hMWaKj_yq56qZKEIFR7cg7g53Eh5ODWGEoq12z1ua0XmGho3_oYvBOGRuOGheOHgpoT-Knk1tMTvzkOCwqGl5s5C1qiXc1W/s1600/WhiskSlightlyBeatenEgg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW6XVZ5CQo4OBb29CZB5cGJYWFvo8_qNSuFo2BGlUBJfZ2hMWaKj_yq56qZKEIFR7cg7g53Eh5ODWGEoq12z1ua0XmGho3_oYvBOGRuOGheOHgpoT-Knk1tMTvzkOCwqGl5s5C1qiXc1W/s320/WhiskSlightlyBeatenEgg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget your buttermilk! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">DO NOT OVER MIX. Batter should be lumpy. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIphqWL3WPlzBKlT5SeGRlBzPC3PWXfLVrVHAl2NiSBwV4p3bU_W40V62Y4K2XogS5bbhlPO2TIuXyjKJOWjrrT6kJdanYclUYfraBeQI8GN3CnzWsG9tEaIPWKzB55OCW5tDcmpHMy17t/s1600/MixBatter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIphqWL3WPlzBKlT5SeGRlBzPC3PWXfLVrVHAl2NiSBwV4p3bU_W40V62Y4K2XogS5bbhlPO2TIuXyjKJOWjrrT6kJdanYclUYfraBeQI8GN3CnzWsG9tEaIPWKzB55OCW5tDcmpHMy17t/s320/MixBatter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It should look similar to this--if you beat it until it's smooth, it will turn out to be rubbery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqL5v7e9P0tRZMI5dY885xRkDsRL0lFiohkhHR5iPdokG5_bh8LGemIa2MN7dQxA5ajqHe2d0SZjWUS_vrxOQ4rHFISQZCAFKxXkFIQcX8nS_GbaFtA4kts8qHCwuZKhCUcVlCdkBroxi/s1600/CloseUpBatter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqL5v7e9P0tRZMI5dY885xRkDsRL0lFiohkhHR5iPdokG5_bh8LGemIa2MN7dQxA5ajqHe2d0SZjWUS_vrxOQ4rHFISQZCAFKxXkFIQcX8nS_GbaFtA4kts8qHCwuZKhCUcVlCdkBroxi/s320/CloseUpBatter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the batter...You should see air bubbles popping!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Test the griddle by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If the water bounces and spatters, the griddle is hot enough. I love this tip because I always seem to rush this part. This reminds me to slow down a mite.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Using a pastry brush, brush melted butter onto the griddle. If it foams, you know your griddle is hot enough for batter. Another neat trick I learned.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLECnx0w_kWixTty3Q7CVUtix9Z4oKpgJcid_ZsQA0w_h2LKvn4bPFzRz3tR7RfnksmoOsijWKQvrka5APDtiYgF44sHtewZHIp24mA2QPkJ2GdG_yyrx0UHFxfkB3Wu1dzHbkO7cetQ8j/s1600/HotButterGriddle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLECnx0w_kWixTty3Q7CVUtix9Z4oKpgJcid_ZsQA0w_h2LKvn4bPFzRz3tR7RfnksmoOsijWKQvrka5APDtiYgF44sHtewZHIp24mA2QPkJ2GdG_yyrx0UHFxfkB3Wu1dzHbkO7cetQ8j/s320/HotButterGriddle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melted butter will get foamy if your griddle is hot enough.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Using a ladle or a quarter cup measuring cup, pour batter onto the griddle. At this point, you can add blueberries or cinnamon. Drop the blueberries gently onto the pancake. Or sprinkle some cinnamon on the top. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SpKRPlknv9uTQIdUULYjHdixnDA5XAjSOmWurYcnMpnDRiSfPgr_0camyub0-b2GGYSwzpdA7yp-Op6vXsvqIeVNK3MWY3UEbdGkKxk5WaHDhB39zSD8pkNhlkD490_h1gX3w01Hcg0y/s1600/AddBlueberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SpKRPlknv9uTQIdUULYjHdixnDA5XAjSOmWurYcnMpnDRiSfPgr_0camyub0-b2GGYSwzpdA7yp-Op6vXsvqIeVNK3MWY3UEbdGkKxk5WaHDhB39zSD8pkNhlkD490_h1gX3w01Hcg0y/s320/AddBlueberries.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drop blueberries on the topside or sprinkle cinnamon for an added bonus.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">When the pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over. If any batter oozes or blueberries roll out, push them back under with your spatula. Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXBs5CXADOHikGSDYi699z78h7ExNa2iXCh_CYncRN3i8RpIujBkxAPoD2HsB8QQgVjmFvStoBEe7dypTbFzC9aAEiZVWRk-4Jgw7TfCdA_FteFdFmR-9wyAG7CRPmcz5hQ5VtxxOS9T8/s1600/CloseUpPancake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXBs5CXADOHikGSDYi699z78h7ExNa2iXCh_CYncRN3i8RpIujBkxAPoD2HsB8QQgVjmFvStoBEe7dypTbFzC9aAEiZVWRk-4Jgw7TfCdA_FteFdFmR-9wyAG7CRPmcz5hQ5VtxxOS9T8/s320/CloseUpPancake.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbly and slightly dry on the edges...this lets you know it's about ready to flip over!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6f6i4UIeHnHtZVHqng2oHwqFZNPQ8KICtIcyA8w8bvw2zHtqOxDz3PD9qgDB18SQwTO4vEl2oUK7gnZX_45zRRflULpySaflpcG_M9u4CWmJ7j3hGqgNCv9fvGsN0X_e1I4nfe-R_-yD/s1600/Flip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6f6i4UIeHnHtZVHqng2oHwqFZNPQ8KICtIcyA8w8bvw2zHtqOxDz3PD9qgDB18SQwTO4vEl2oUK7gnZX_45zRRflULpySaflpcG_M9u4CWmJ7j3hGqgNCv9fvGsN0X_e1I4nfe-R_-yD/s320/Flip.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I flipped these about 30 seconds to early...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Repeat, starting at the step of brushing the griddle with melted butter and then ladling the batter. A word of caution--I live at 6500 feet above sea level. I'm not sure how this will work at lower elevations. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Top with melted butter if you need and pure maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar. Eat and enjoy!</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk8qndzploF1YVrpy1fU9Zqr94BV0inVjZeQ4CRc0AtXkEm41ZRhggdNScIAvgbBoorjw0nQPwztuOdBAKe0anamNF-TgvO9wtSEW2n2XUwsXDpoZZgg2_CYWdllj9UC-TcKee12mVJL6/s1600/ServenEat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk8qndzploF1YVrpy1fU9Zqr94BV0inVjZeQ4CRc0AtXkEm41ZRhggdNScIAvgbBoorjw0nQPwztuOdBAKe0anamNF-TgvO9wtSEW2n2XUwsXDpoZZgg2_CYWdllj9UC-TcKee12mVJL6/s320/ServenEat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry pancakes on the left, cinnamon on the right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span></i>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-71142993721562931622011-02-04T07:24:00.000-08:002011-02-04T07:24:13.121-08:00Caturday--Things We Keep On Hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Working with ferals over the years have taught us to keep a few things on hand at all times. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V4HhaXpm00yNhLGxf3cNpODEvhK8fOUKpk8028Fr7l6qeQosALUypzIIklheRtx1XxXnZ-3wmpsTE3FgM1YDCuF_iO9_whvQNitMgwJxmA-XeKkjuWwMiq1OiBmBBCFDCAdRiKya22ti/s1600/nutra-cal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V4HhaXpm00yNhLGxf3cNpODEvhK8fOUKpk8028Fr7l6qeQosALUypzIIklheRtx1XxXnZ-3wmpsTE3FgM1YDCuF_iO9_whvQNitMgwJxmA-XeKkjuWwMiq1OiBmBBCFDCAdRiKya22ti/s320/nutra-cal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutri-Cal is a must for cats who are malnurished or weak. It helps them to start eating again. It's also good as a hair-ball remedy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7SXC1oXblRha0iU5MrwJet8o-Rrsfa_n3o4ZoRg52yWzKolgi9lXfsozBRu7Gs4hN923ZmokIF1asZRqysX5Cii1ZUF9m6zUma-4CJFJ6h0bjeBGeSS_mkgNgfuTtEDiyNpufG1ywCTd/s1600/karo-corn-syrup-mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7SXC1oXblRha0iU5MrwJet8o-Rrsfa_n3o4ZoRg52yWzKolgi9lXfsozBRu7Gs4hN923ZmokIF1asZRqysX5Cii1ZUF9m6zUma-4CJFJ6h0bjeBGeSS_mkgNgfuTtEDiyNpufG1ywCTd/s320/karo-corn-syrup-mini.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If your tube of Nutri-Cal ends up going through the washing machine as mine did last week, light corn syrup can work in a pinch for cats who are weak and need a quick boost.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmZ5afgcwovynp1Pos3A3GG9cbnOw39d1Y_BJVfkJGoTYWK6XZaBQVmp49CtCOpLCkbeixZPb64rNSaa8yy55yb9GnSgbpkzU3LS2tYdk5tM5_KwL4kqpvLSYHOwWwKyJlhAYCfmo8Uzy/s1600/apple-cider-vinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmZ5afgcwovynp1Pos3A3GG9cbnOw39d1Y_BJVfkJGoTYWK6XZaBQVmp49CtCOpLCkbeixZPb64rNSaa8yy55yb9GnSgbpkzU3LS2tYdk5tM5_KwL4kqpvLSYHOwWwKyJlhAYCfmo8Uzy/s1600/apple-cider-vinegar.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple cider vinegar is good for giving cats a quick bath, especially for those who have ring worm. Use a 1 TBSP to 2 Cups of warm water and dab on affected areas. This works as good as the bleach solution, without the side effects of bleach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv1fjdlHpxxYHIP06D2q-XGU-6Vk8MZPpySE43SW5oIk1AtDLLTGzMeL_Ba-e4P3G3PJl5ZT0paBB6QV3IrpGeobms0kQYpZobJo_ugBnt5mI4XLszVdje6HVnHWBrP_iPvzapkLpVa0W/s1600/genesio-olive-oil-dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv1fjdlHpxxYHIP06D2q-XGU-6Vk8MZPpySE43SW5oIk1AtDLLTGzMeL_Ba-e4P3G3PJl5ZT0paBB6QV3IrpGeobms0kQYpZobJo_ugBnt5mI4XLszVdje6HVnHWBrP_iPvzapkLpVa0W/s320/genesio-olive-oil-dip.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive oil is also a necessity. It's perfect for treating earmites, soothing areas affected by ring worm, and for a quick hair ball remedy to get the gut moving.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QJi9JLrOFuk1l46Nsch9Ky8O9MYCjWa5FxOaxa924W1tkQdCprBfSI_BpTJ9jPLgYSjhLDI4NWpad67vIqVAI73wI4xWuhfzQQ-yl0GpuI6LdWVJvRCp1iLULISncZFio-qo_3GpitRA/s1600/Gerber-2nd-Foods-Chicken-and-Chicken-Gravy-2.5-oz.-12-Pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QJi9JLrOFuk1l46Nsch9Ky8O9MYCjWa5FxOaxa924W1tkQdCprBfSI_BpTJ9jPLgYSjhLDI4NWpad67vIqVAI73wI4xWuhfzQQ-yl0GpuI6LdWVJvRCp1iLULISncZFio-qo_3GpitRA/s1600/Gerber-2nd-Foods-Chicken-and-Chicken-Gravy-2.5-oz.-12-Pack.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby food chicken or turkey are excellent nutrition starters and are handy to have if you have a sick cat. The baby food can be diluted down with Pedialyte or KMR to provide a nutritious slurry.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpzgCpRQssIoy2xjI2tiBseE4dSHddKdv3pztnDdsq3VhDylwV8MgvH7GS5ZPL-tETJkcKsRfBXKgDnUO8103mNv0dmzrBb4grmFw-NkcaEcMQXdn5cUhUe4udmCyhNurqCQVfeKAXELR/s1600/020279995111C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpzgCpRQssIoy2xjI2tiBseE4dSHddKdv3pztnDdsq3VhDylwV8MgvH7GS5ZPL-tETJkcKsRfBXKgDnUO8103mNv0dmzrBb4grmFw-NkcaEcMQXdn5cUhUe4udmCyhNurqCQVfeKAXELR/s1600/020279995111C.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great milk replacer for unwweaned kittens, pregnant and nursing mothers. It helps them by giving them added nuttrition. We have occasionally used it to help nurse sickly cats back into health. It's not meant to give to cats as part of their regular diet when they get older. It also goes bad quickly after opening. We try to keep one can on hand in case of emergencies. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndh36wsHACHpYafFQblEtgBPjOugnDb3LXxC13aAejoEuXeSnCb7VNOKThjOyY_061NFzBMb_UjZa-zXZTFzUxAAfGJoJKa_qoo5CB-EDmMnCyaWFESP9T2aelZDwXYTmw8taWsT8h3pt/s1600/Pedialyte+unflavored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndh36wsHACHpYafFQblEtgBPjOugnDb3LXxC13aAejoEuXeSnCb7VNOKThjOyY_061NFzBMb_UjZa-zXZTFzUxAAfGJoJKa_qoo5CB-EDmMnCyaWFESP9T2aelZDwXYTmw8taWsT8h3pt/s1600/Pedialyte+unflavored.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unflavored Pedialyte is excellent for combatting dehydration if the cat can drink on it's own. We mix it with baby food chicken or KMR. If the cat can't drink or eat on it's own, please see your veterinarian.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkFHEBtij46BaeF5DEKnKDVerJjhyTq7u1w47uKsKNR4tNiDW5d5QY-7_kb2uKhxl4kACtALpbw4zouT38ZqFz20OFarxP1Y-WtyTyldZo4VP180KNIptxztJt0za2JQXBsJhiTQEUQJI/s1600/99002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkFHEBtij46BaeF5DEKnKDVerJjhyTq7u1w47uKsKNR4tNiDW5d5QY-7_kb2uKhxl4kACtALpbw4zouT38ZqFz20OFarxP1Y-WtyTyldZo4VP180KNIptxztJt0za2JQXBsJhiTQEUQJI/s1600/99002.jpg" /> </a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy8QkhXcF32AtZahPgQlAdN7zoNiz1SWG4CJrAlFwLgVeL5O4ZPUrW7hd0jFGo00480eROWhpYa_yklcaufg4e3yfL6elFmbilDOsPvGMrDyF1KDjOZ7NBCgmhjitW_dDQ_UxYbyF_ZWm/s1600/505px-Q_Tips_plain_BG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy8QkhXcF32AtZahPgQlAdN7zoNiz1SWG4CJrAlFwLgVeL5O4ZPUrW7hd0jFGo00480eROWhpYa_yklcaufg4e3yfL6elFmbilDOsPvGMrDyF1KDjOZ7NBCgmhjitW_dDQ_UxYbyF_ZWm/s320/505px-Q_Tips_plain_BG.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton cosmetic pads and QTips work well for dabbing on apple cider vinegar mixture or adding olive oil to the ears. They come in handy for so many uses, like cleaning, adding topical ointments, or giving kittens something to play with.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK5L3TcebFkFdeeYgIYTaKhT5FKIFQUJkieXQYVD8iD7FLD_vpdG566Ui7TwLX0rOEOW9nq3bFr51czMscnk-pjJhFkpfxzN82D_UQycF9XDG7_uN4PkuqMHyEiIlJRCVG-Vw5A84h1Hh/s1600/LovesHandprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK5L3TcebFkFdeeYgIYTaKhT5FKIFQUJkieXQYVD8iD7FLD_vpdG566Ui7TwLX0rOEOW9nq3bFr51czMscnk-pjJhFkpfxzN82D_UQycF9XDG7_uN4PkuqMHyEiIlJRCVG-Vw5A84h1Hh/s320/LovesHandprint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S-LL09S50l3wfZ1viZjM-UZAL2xMKzHa50_nAes9EjC-isjaQeafiru0VE3ogn-hp0GAwNz7xFu0MRCjoeKWHKTpUxgL2eUP1oBoihKE9xOozXUBiTD2Ie4Q1RNvdcRtgpEYIH-UmNvE/s1600/6a00e54f81b426883300e55204114b8833-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S-LL09S50l3wfZ1viZjM-UZAL2xMKzHa50_nAes9EjC-isjaQeafiru0VE3ogn-hp0GAwNz7xFu0MRCjoeKWHKTpUxgL2eUP1oBoihKE9xOozXUBiTD2Ie4Q1RNvdcRtgpEYIH-UmNvE/s320/6a00e54f81b426883300e55204114b8833-800wi.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flannel nursing blankets and fluffy towels are necessities for wrapping cats up after bathing, keeping them warm, or for "burrito" purposes. Please do not use that heirloom baby blanket--tending to sick cats means getting messy stains. Don't use your good, expensive towels either. We find our supplies at the thrift stores or yard sales. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN2QuKoK-0NNifT9aodDFHOLv4-TkM2R5TU6g4QGW4NChdlpdsBBo8bcN7UXfhrHlmsqpvV_iNhjHAuG7pLqa7c_hTbS4xj-b67RZWOcVDDGJbKw80i5-6wPB3sI58cUgTMWFwkiUB41I/s1600/6a00d83451dceb69e200e54fb542ab8834-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN2QuKoK-0NNifT9aodDFHOLv4-TkM2R5TU6g4QGW4NChdlpdsBBo8bcN7UXfhrHlmsqpvV_iNhjHAuG7pLqa7c_hTbS4xj-b67RZWOcVDDGJbKw80i5-6wPB3sI58cUgTMWFwkiUB41I/s1600/6a00d83451dceb69e200e54fb542ab8834-800wi.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've tried to use blow-dryers for drying, but we found a space heater in the bathroom works very well at keeping the room warm enough for kitties that are ill, wounded, or recovering from surgery. Small space heaters also will help dry a bathed kitty, along with fluffy towels. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqQdnYQ2DoAkd-LoCdAFwiMkoCz5MisFjVMoVrCh0Wn86Eb2WsWlwCcQ9vkaBEJjUIxUW0aeTi_eAhfALbdFFlI9hUylJjJCbUj2AKyV56WyUOPu-zv1PznMi2nyrCFOH0HmVLPW52fh8/s1600/41AMPNT3THL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqQdnYQ2DoAkd-LoCdAFwiMkoCz5MisFjVMoVrCh0Wn86Eb2WsWlwCcQ9vkaBEJjUIxUW0aeTi_eAhfALbdFFlI9hUylJjJCbUj2AKyV56WyUOPu-zv1PznMi2nyrCFOH0HmVLPW52fh8/s320/41AMPNT3THL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7EvZWNMsfDS1AGQUZt-PY1CbA0uz_yOqAM8bm_JnDHiJO4LIzL1iMtTVYS6JVNKRObVUTrGdpWNyIKbzfMoIsK8gA6gRFVSeJL44aaItpj0dBiRITCGuP4xSKFs172oEYN4wO28RQDh/s1600/0876057962.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7EvZWNMsfDS1AGQUZt-PY1CbA0uz_yOqAM8bm_JnDHiJO4LIzL1iMtTVYS6JVNKRObVUTrGdpWNyIKbzfMoIsK8gA6gRFVSeJL44aaItpj0dBiRITCGuP4xSKFs172oEYN4wO28RQDh/s320/0876057962.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QxuonheYjOcv3sUGUucllLa2EoXLpp6FZMKHYO46rjU07qwhZoZ6NU2ne2094meEbQTgPCuaZ6uBHMkfPZIoskVk77T_egNplZXtpw4iJuPdUWg2rhmrbtjC2Fz0ynMqpXxCdI0mjqC4/s1600/ShowImage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QxuonheYjOcv3sUGUucllLa2EoXLpp6FZMKHYO46rjU07qwhZoZ6NU2ne2094meEbQTgPCuaZ6uBHMkfPZIoskVk77T_egNplZXtpw4iJuPdUWg2rhmrbtjC2Fz0ynMqpXxCdI0mjqC4/s320/ShowImage.jpeg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, some excellent books that offers information, knowledge, and ideas in dealing with ferals. The books do not replace your veterinarian's expertise and knowledge but they can help you save some time and money. They are reference books.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-22915747361211212232011-02-01T14:06:00.000-08:002011-02-01T14:06:51.003-08:00Ingredients for Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yesterday, I received the ingredients for the <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Lori Anderson Bead Soup Blog Hop Party! </a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><a href="http://beaderbubbe.blogspot.com/">Agnes Shapiro</a>, my Bead Soup partner, sent me an eclectic mix of beads that did not gently nudge me out of my comfort zone. Not at all. Not even nudge me. Instead, Agnes did a really good thing and SHOVED me out of my comfort zone! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yes, she did shove me. And yes, that is a good thing! Seriously! I was getting rather complacent and some may even call me jade or cynical--well may be not cynical but definitely jaded--in my beading. In fact, I was starting to feel downright bead-cocky. You know what I mean. When the Bead Addict starts thinking "There's nothing I can't work with because I'm <em>*pauses to breathe on curled fingers before polishing them on the lapel*</em> THAT good!" I needed someone to knock back down to reality. Because in reality, I may be THAT good, but that's only because I'm THAT comfortable with my materials. And it's possible that I'm THAT comfortable because I'm in a zone, a groove, a habit, a...A Rut! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yep! That's what it's all about--<em>being stuck in a rut!</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Hello. My name is Cathryn and I'm a stuck-in-a-humdrum-rut bead addict. </span></em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">The group says, "Hello Cathryn. Welcome to Beaders Ruts Anonymous." </span></em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Because there's no cure for bead addiction...I know because I've been researching for one on the Internet. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And I'm digressing and it's only Tuesday. Digression is reserved for Thursdays. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Thank you Agnes! Thank you for sending me materials that have KICKED my out of my self-imposed rut! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So you wanna see what she sent me? I'm warning you now I'm not sure my photography skills are up to the task of capturing the colors, the textures, the vividness of these lovely beads....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35ABd7Y0_I0AQOgEz0JOGj8LqID6ldTQq1p2YGvaf9dPIXhKvbByo9iWX8MlLfVgkUlA7KlsAmbLYdzRrdkdEjf2EhyphenhyphensN4z0pJcW4X3466eppaqA8qWB7uO6Rrs4ObG5Uw5eVEoBfwODh/s1600/BeadSoupTeaser2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35ABd7Y0_I0AQOgEz0JOGj8LqID6ldTQq1p2YGvaf9dPIXhKvbByo9iWX8MlLfVgkUlA7KlsAmbLYdzRrdkdEjf2EhyphenhyphensN4z0pJcW4X3466eppaqA8qWB7uO6Rrs4ObG5Uw5eVEoBfwODh/s320/BeadSoupTeaser2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Told you, didn't I??? Can you see them well? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3s3g8lyfflFliwYTk4BqS_DVZfFhO4ifBd70S4Z9gT8mBT5RDGmqHgygF9MERi3nQgbz8K48hbgkoxCERyPbFbvk7XtmS7OmKxCcWeTnSOkqq4gphPvZhS_3Go3coAhMREVWSdhaKho3/s1600/SoupIngredientsTease.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3s3g8lyfflFliwYTk4BqS_DVZfFhO4ifBd70S4Z9gT8mBT5RDGmqHgygF9MERi3nQgbz8K48hbgkoxCERyPbFbvk7XtmS7OmKxCcWeTnSOkqq4gphPvZhS_3Go3coAhMREVWSdhaKho3/s320/SoupIngredientsTease.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May be this will help you out a bit...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5KYWgzF6RqC5Z76N1bS0QRjTv2KSRFSlcKDMtYHPU2gwO7S-FvuuLNFf9zcjapk8GZGbclMg_OR2MfXB8hy7EU62DpqifIjEiqLtkFfQkNzJ98lZ1B1P42JI-VfOhHgfAf7wZcSMML2d/s1600/BeadSoupIngredients_February2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5KYWgzF6RqC5Z76N1bS0QRjTv2KSRFSlcKDMtYHPU2gwO7S-FvuuLNFf9zcjapk8GZGbclMg_OR2MfXB8hy7EU62DpqifIjEiqLtkFfQkNzJ98lZ1B1P42JI-VfOhHgfAf7wZcSMML2d/s320/BeadSoupIngredients_February2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third time's a charm! <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mZ4gc_CzAyz9UboPbilHNN3ybepWeDg0t80Jy1UjBfPSHl5xDX-iOK_sl-dGl0ekHWTr6DEtE2IwmnlYcVxSt4o8rvaN98mo6NICEVxBj-BLF20Oj4YSOuHerEVSUBwn3Gm5Lcjq0Y4X/s1600/Closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mZ4gc_CzAyz9UboPbilHNN3ybepWeDg0t80Jy1UjBfPSHl5xDX-iOK_sl-dGl0ekHWTr6DEtE2IwmnlYcVxSt4o8rvaN98mo6NICEVxBj-BLF20Oj4YSOuHerEVSUBwn3Gm5Lcjq0Y4X/s320/Closeup.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see all those lovely colors ranging from peachy gold to slatey blues and flecks of sage?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm not sure what those stones are...I'm thinking feldspar but I'm not exactly sure. However, they rich in color--Taupe is the background but there's streaks, striations, tiny blotches of colors interspersed! This IS exciting! I recognize the shell and the mosaic turquoise and the porcelain beads...But those stones...they are alive and vibrant in a subtle way. If that makes any sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So now that I have the bead soup--I need to get back into the kitchen and begin making my soup. Thank you again Agnes for kicking me right out of my comfort zone and giving me a unique beading challenge! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">As for the soup tasting, stop by starting on February 26th for the biggest Bead Soup Party! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-89859072472104795802011-01-27T11:47:00.000-08:002011-01-27T11:47:01.140-08:00It Ain't Spring...YET!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm still in spring cleaning mode. Still. That's because of the weather, I'm sure. It's winter and we are having 50-60 degree weather here. What's wrong with this picture? Last year we had a lot of snow...Remember this?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddpfuAK4FU_K6-BNs5ZwihwJrLRc25z03vVx-exyLkTcIz0UoZmnvYPcDAlGRnGhNTpMrfZc0RhMsfS0uq8n53l51PDa8b08ebIdhJgnNTOyyRi_FzM4BlnsYc_jdiGy-jo_cfkUArpm1/s1600/0700_Feb4_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddpfuAK4FU_K6-BNs5ZwihwJrLRc25z03vVx-exyLkTcIz0UoZmnvYPcDAlGRnGhNTpMrfZc0RhMsfS0uq8n53l51PDa8b08ebIdhJgnNTOyyRi_FzM4BlnsYc_jdiGy-jo_cfkUArpm1/s320/0700_Feb4_2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 2010</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Well, we're dry. And warm. And dry. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yesterday, I saw my daffodils peeking up in the soil--it's way too soon for that. And I'm worried about our water supply for spring and summer since I'm planning for my garden. In this town, our drinking water comes from the main river--which is the size of a creek or "crick" if you're from my mother's neck of the woods. I don't know where that neck of the woods are specifically but all my life, she's referred to creeks as "cricks." I used to get in trouble in school for spelling <em>wash </em>as "warsh" because that's how my mother pronounced it. Same with "squarsh." And "warshing" the clothes, car, dishes, or floor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyways, I digress. It's Thursday. I'm allowed to digress a bit on Thursdays. It's in the rules. Or should be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>ANY-hoo</em>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">In this northern New Mexican town, we get our drinking water from our <strike>crick</strike> creek-sized river and two reservoirs where the location will remain under double secret security, thanks to Homeland Security and TSA. We don't have an aquifer here. So we really depend on snowfall in the winter and rainfall in the spring and early summer until the monsoons come to help us with our water supply. It looks like I need to start conserving warmup water already. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">But because the weather is warm, I'm in spring-cleaning mode. I've managed to fill up several bags of garbage because I'm tossing out stuff and junk and what I consider to be garbage. I've got seven boxes full of stuff and junk and clothes to take to our favorite charity thrift store. That's this current load. And I'm not done. I'm working on convincing my husband to part with some of his toys and some of the clothes he's never worn and the 15 backpacks, 7 rifle scopes (he only has one--maybe two rifles!) and 6 bows he picked up in a bargain or two or three. That's going to take some doing but as I pointed out--he can only carry one or two backpacks, rifles, or bow at time. The others are taking up space and driving me up the wall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yes, I have cabin fever and we're not even snowed in. Strange how that works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Now back east, people are complaining about another snow storm. I wish those storms would not pass us by but there you have it. What was I going to do about the no-snow-no-show? Then it hit me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I bought a beautifully made pendant from </span><a href="http://ikandiclay.com/About__Biography_.html"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Ivy Koehn </span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">(pronounced <em>cane</em>). Ivy works in polymer clay. I discovered I'm easily addicted to artisan beads like hers. So last year, she created a lot of them to entice me. Because she knows there are bead addicts in this world like myself. And I was easily enticed and smitten. And bought quite a few of them. More than I probably should have but oh my...they're so pretty! And I'm a confessed bead addict! What is so fabulous is that she also has a store on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ikandiclay">Etsy</a> as well as one on <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/iKandiClay-Polymer-Canes-and-Beads">eBay</a>! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKfGsyFGnJrR_UqUyL9BVU0seYQibU3X_EcUNZ8XtQqVEfm89RbIEzNx2upRwBr7g2Zo5y4efEFBjXNlwuWo5rSLnR51ssyMMUX6dKcl2EaTVn9oam-bYXc5K8CVNdZHIunbsFCze48mx/s1600/IvyBeads2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKfGsyFGnJrR_UqUyL9BVU0seYQibU3X_EcUNZ8XtQqVEfm89RbIEzNx2upRwBr7g2Zo5y4efEFBjXNlwuWo5rSLnR51ssyMMUX6dKcl2EaTVn9oam-bYXc5K8CVNdZHIunbsFCze48mx/s320/IvyBeads2.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of Ivy's beads I just had to have...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">One particular pendant I had purchased from Ivy was a claysicle. Oh my....It was breathtaking. And wintery themed complete with snowflakes. *fans the air around her to help her breathe* Yeah I know...silly to get all lightheaded and flushed over a bead but just wait until you see it! I put it together with some other beads and it's my Snow Charm. I'm wearing it daily in hopes it will bring snow to our part of the country. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gxlfdRqRSw6w8kmOvBoLN7hZw6chEEnGBfKiJ2ZDNBuWAQO4hpKwxBUY2XQl6nYtU_-EBKWNjnVg-6Nwn6wHhvH2wxNmrfni4m56jULcxmomfEUSXHs0lC5UqJw_wabM-RkagppdTAJK/s1600/ClaysicleNecklace1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gxlfdRqRSw6w8kmOvBoLN7hZw6chEEnGBfKiJ2ZDNBuWAQO4hpKwxBUY2XQl6nYtU_-EBKWNjnVg-6Nwn6wHhvH2wxNmrfni4m56jULcxmomfEUSXHs0lC5UqJw_wabM-RkagppdTAJK/s320/ClaysicleNecklace1.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my Snow Charm...in hopes it entices the weather faeries in making snow! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0xKsBXtpIgSBWagpTFo-foS6rMNR5HQlGxXh7pbHvPPkgR3VCqSJD4yiYZWceeIXX6M3t4ETeKnJl1dxN_ILGP2pAvJc0hjYimghaQZe4uwBpSACnNlort9DYAvUx4cl3pnjxNO5jjSN/s1600/Claysicle4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0xKsBXtpIgSBWagpTFo-foS6rMNR5HQlGxXh7pbHvPPkgR3VCqSJD4yiYZWceeIXX6M3t4ETeKnJl1dxN_ILGP2pAvJc0hjYimghaQZe4uwBpSACnNlort9DYAvUx4cl3pnjxNO5jjSN/s320/Claysicle4.JPG" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of this fabulous pendant by Ivy Koehn...Just simply gorgeous!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVms4bKuTYsG8ipMb35oJcOHyxhfbNZniyEUCpYK1TenTPLzHAZrCPook6VqHZWGmr9tBZbeLGyurwJVFardRFIkCrdObkSd-mAtTFn3DiLQJVdYqDIcZfcwAqUIu2ATihU7fdF-sUN7dP/s1600/ClaysicleNecklace2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> But that also brings me to another necklace I made. One I'm having a hard time parting with...meaning putting it in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fat32">store</a>. The beads were made by Mary Ellen of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beetreebyme">BeeTreebyME</a> and I fell hard for them. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Two sets.And I've been holding onto them for the past couple of years. A few weeks back, I decided it was high time I did something with them before someone accused me of hoarding beads. Seriously. This is probably the only place where I could be accused of hoarding tendencies. I work hard not to go there but I also know there's a fine line between having beads and hoarding...a very fine line. Microscopic thin and fine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyway...This is my Winter Blooms piece. The one I'm having trouble putting into the store. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_wlLU3M0f0awcgTe4FPjvTaT_AgTvVfTdQV6rc-iALMCemxS-eUrNY1G-YaZg0s8qyDteIVQsEAgGSi05Ri_54FWMd8x8IpA6BDDzgBf0cd0sYOSHHaCw5Qv4PyZEG2tNOokWvQeF2nR/s1600/Winters_Blossoms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_wlLU3M0f0awcgTe4FPjvTaT_AgTvVfTdQV6rc-iALMCemxS-eUrNY1G-YaZg0s8qyDteIVQsEAgGSi05Ri_54FWMd8x8IpA6BDDzgBf0cd0sYOSHHaCw5Qv4PyZEG2tNOokWvQeF2nR/s320/Winters_Blossoms.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Blooms by ME from BeeTreebyME...complete with snow quartz. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> And that brings me to another piece I'm having trouble letting go of and placing it in my store. Because I like it a bit too much, perhaps. Because it speaks to me. The pendant was made by Terri Stone of </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TLSClayDesign"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">TLS Clay Design. </span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I confess that I became hooked on artisan beads because of Terri's fabulous designs. But don't blame Terri--she creates and the Bead Addict must have! So easy to blame the Bead Addict for my bead purchases. This necklace was simple but vibrant. Every time I put it in the store box, it comes back out. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHqNI2oIlfL9jvczwwluTdxa-CNzh4Ni95jX1m3ZWTQgK1Dci3vaMAgUUnwNmt0Ylg0m6xFGd27dzjTJ9Pe1dEJJO5irKLqi47dJlZOuPyZVr5yJS1ba4ws-CifR9NFKw1ON-s-rjKlqt/s1600/OceanVortexNecklace2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHqNI2oIlfL9jvczwwluTdxa-CNzh4Ni95jX1m3ZWTQgK1Dci3vaMAgUUnwNmt0Ylg0m6xFGd27dzjTJ9Pe1dEJJO5irKLqi47dJlZOuPyZVr5yJS1ba4ws-CifR9NFKw1ON-s-rjKlqt/s320/OceanVortexNecklace2.JPG" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean's Vortex Necklace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4iP4ep87lSVH9D1b86jsvcArdbAfWNl77SPw0H-Rn5gVh1N6nI1RAT0l6y977XYeCP3bPQWqd0biFQ2h8I8M_9jNmeL9E7Y73DV6ygAZQ-7Z5qdM3qUHvTvSyh3bupZu0I5v2A_tUpRY/s1600/OceanVortexNecklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4iP4ep87lSVH9D1b86jsvcArdbAfWNl77SPw0H-Rn5gVh1N6nI1RAT0l6y977XYeCP3bPQWqd0biFQ2h8I8M_9jNmeL9E7Y73DV6ygAZQ-7Z5qdM3qUHvTvSyh3bupZu0I5v2A_tUpRY/s320/OceanVortexNecklace.JPG" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the fabulous pendent from TLSClayDesign</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Spring cleaning means I should put these pieces into the store and sell them. Right? And if you hear a loud, screetching "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" that's the Bead Addict. Not me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So what do you have trouble letting go of? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-26255913298388351562011-01-23T09:17:00.000-08:002011-01-23T09:17:49.691-08:00A New Beading Partner and Some Random Thoughts...<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Come dance with me! I have a new beading partner! Meet Agnes--owner and writer of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beaderbubbe">Beader Bubbe's Shop</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">and <a href="http://beaderbubbe.blogspot.com/">blog!</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Agnes has been married for 36 years and has six grandsons! I'm really excited she's my partner. She lives on the East Coast where the weather has been slammin' them regularly. Agnes is very creative and inspiring! Check out her blog and her store and see what I mean!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">We share some things in common: We both love cats. We both work in education. We both love to work just about anything when it comes to beads. We both do not work with yellows or oranges because we can't wear those colors! We both like silver!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So putting my bead soup ingredients together for her was a challenge. It should have been easy because we both work with so many materials and colors...but I found myself with several different sets of ingredients that would have made several different sets of beautiful somethings! And I wanted to send them all to her! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I was going to send them last week but because of decisions, decisions, and second guessing, I didn't. I was afraid that she would think I was weird or something. <em>I heard that!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've finally decided on which soup mix to send. I'll get it in the mail tomorrow so she gets it in plenty of time to oohhh and awww over it. I hope she ooohhhhhhs and awwwwwws over it. And I hope she doesn't think I'm weird or anything like that! <em>No comments from the Peanut Gallery Puleeze!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Now for Some Random Thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">A while back, one of my bead swap partners, Jayne of <a href="http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/">Mama's Got to Doodle</a> sent me these gorgeous bird's nest earrings in copper in one of our swaps. I fell instantly in love with them! The single egg represented my only child, my son, my pride and joy--ok you get it. And the double egg represented my husband and myself in our home, our nest, our sanctuary, our--well, you get the picture. I was so fascinated in how these were created that I had to learn how to do them myself. So after two weeks of reading tutorials and practicing and practicing and reading tutorials, I finally made a bird's nest pendant for myself. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIUhDhWYwRz-FgPS189pS8b6VN4pnGwamiwXl9oCQki31s6ulRQ5am9cBP7V41_NcBDfdDSp-Krd2a64RuRSpEVpwcsytLyJS7_czsJA_bXeq24x3OXQE1aKhddxKE60w2a1WlQUKMtxN/s1600/Attempting+Birds+Nests.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIUhDhWYwRz-FgPS189pS8b6VN4pnGwamiwXl9oCQki31s6ulRQ5am9cBP7V41_NcBDfdDSp-Krd2a64RuRSpEVpwcsytLyJS7_czsJA_bXeq24x3OXQE1aKhddxKE60w2a1WlQUKMtxN/s320/Attempting+Birds+Nests.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My attempts at creating a wire-wrapped bird's nest charm. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZtWIrbOutttdeFouJ9I485rdVCvVarP8QfjREOVD6GTftoBIQMufYTRXmyjA0ZK949UrZmMr2xEfrLoEJtBz8EbezPkdjgLOeI_cwgoC4ZLc1_V5uJ6Zao3bg3yDJNwfhZmg466ZOcxy/s1600/BirdsNest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZtWIrbOutttdeFouJ9I485rdVCvVarP8QfjREOVD6GTftoBIQMufYTRXmyjA0ZK949UrZmMr2xEfrLoEJtBz8EbezPkdjgLOeI_cwgoC4ZLc1_V5uJ6Zao3bg3yDJNwfhZmg466ZOcxy/s320/BirdsNest.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The earrings sent to me by Jayne and the pendant I made to match! Yes--those are coffee stains in the background!</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Well that was so much fun, I made a couple more. That was exciting! And Fun! I experimented with thicker wire and stones. And made a couple more. And that was exciting! And FUN! Next thing I knew, I had more than I could wear for any given occasion or more, so I put them up in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fat32">Etsy store</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qq-EidCXSGRGplp9x4Ky6ejYcopC3m3T96s-wCtFru99EnrcDur-tE78qRap6I2ol7OPr0zGFJ7EhL_z-ARVtnELSWYhfLuMtftLtyPQmjvMl_9pQRSQlljhCrkbut72amNz7cpvURFC/s1600/BirdsNest5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qq-EidCXSGRGplp9x4Ky6ejYcopC3m3T96s-wCtFru99EnrcDur-tE78qRap6I2ol7OPr0zGFJ7EhL_z-ARVtnELSWYhfLuMtftLtyPQmjvMl_9pQRSQlljhCrkbut72amNz7cpvURFC/s320/BirdsNest5.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the necklaces in my store--made with African Turquoise stones.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLqwh8kVM3b-9aEIXSPR2fqcORPwqRMQCsYGU7UoP89NqdmJwceXX1YEWQo4nBf8vNvZCEOy1og2XJ_TbMLfEMWAdG5pkOOENJDOQkRpUNgUS_-I_k68fX8jZqyNKMkdfoQTDXhX-BsMF/s1600/MilkyAmethystNest6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLqwh8kVM3b-9aEIXSPR2fqcORPwqRMQCsYGU7UoP89NqdmJwceXX1YEWQo4nBf8vNvZCEOy1og2XJ_TbMLfEMWAdG5pkOOENJDOQkRpUNgUS_-I_k68fX8jZqyNKMkdfoQTDXhX-BsMF/s320/MilkyAmethystNest6.JPG" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another necklace in my store--I LOVE the lavendar "eggs!'</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yeah--I'm dreaming of spring and my garden! Can you tell I miss my garden? I miss it terribly! But I'm planning on a bigger one and will do several plantings so I can have more produce to save for winter consumption. But I still miss my first garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Since I've been daydreamin' about spring and my new garden, the bug to clean, declutter, organize, and deep clean has bitten me hard. So far I've organized, cleaned, and dejunked the laundry room and two closets. I've cleaned and dejunked the back room and am working on our bedroom and office. I know spring's not here officially but I am itching to get this house really, really clean! It's probably because we are unseasonably warm most days. So I'm tackling one room at a time and doing what it takes to get rid of dirt and grime and dust. And pet dander. And human dander. And junk! Egads, how much <strong><em>junk </em></strong><strong><em>and stuff </em></strong>can two people collect?!?!?! Don't answer--I don't need people accusing us as being hoarders...yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I found out OxiClean powder is excellent for cleaning carpets, furniture, walls, and appliances. I gone through several boxes of baking soda and vinegar and gallons of hot, hot water. Most of my cleaning supplies are simple: Hot water, baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, Murphy's Oil Soap, elbow grease, cotton rags, and microfiber cloths. I LOVE those microfiber cloths for cleaning. Use one in the bucket of solution and one to dry and polish--it's that simple. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And I'm all about simple. When it comes to cleaning that is. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">A solution of hot water, vinegar, a bit of rubbing alcohol, and lots of newspapers works wonders for cleaning windows, but I'm going to wait on doing those. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Interesting giveaways are happening this week. Lori Anderson of <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Pretty Things </a> and Lisa Crone of <a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/">A Bead A Day</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">are both giving away PJTool & Supply Impress Art stamping kits! How cool is this? Visit both sites but remember I want one of these sets! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsKi851Uo-pb47UZH_gD9rdUCul8AHRDHvyw1VIj80zkiZrIHqDLp8hoNLsocOD4y4YLBPwM6G8DGhxrL9LyAMnqBy5khTygXtoc9tvIfXEc2HnORB2rqM9sxueTitaxAdIzFOFPrMx-s/s1600/ballroom+boogie+lower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsKi851Uo-pb47UZH_gD9rdUCul8AHRDHvyw1VIj80zkiZrIHqDLp8hoNLsocOD4y4YLBPwM6G8DGhxrL9LyAMnqBy5khTygXtoc9tvIfXEc2HnORB2rqM9sxueTitaxAdIzFOFPrMx-s/s1600/ballroom+boogie+lower1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Finally, I'm slowly coming out of vacation mode. I should have been out of it already but--*sighs* I enjoyed it just way too much...for the first time in four years. I'm still not fully into teaching mode--which will happen this week when I have actual papers to grade. I think that's why I'm in spring cleaning mode--because I'm not fully into teaching mode. And feel I need one more project to grab hold of for my anal-retentive/overachieving/OCD diva kicks me out of house and home! Anyone else having a hard time getting back into the swing of "normal" routines? What's your solution?</span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-63871895028829935382011-01-22T08:17:00.000-08:002011-01-22T08:17:23.621-08:00Let Sleeping Cats Lie...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol5N4QECmj6Mq_n6ntqtsJPyn2ta3v6dsQsNsuaGvs32MFPhdJZ5i7zgyAi6MmPP5xzesvP4-eGF4CVKWueeaj03LxWS4f_s2FkYUafOBwjiZAK9yzZhogGTPci9jSKdZWwJ2kgsLvgU2/s1600/Merlin_TopazinBox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4p8emHOHW0J2bOpLAwP3bCv8hjujXRKj2i0eBcHxpmk-Xp6bKIJh6OKbwwGBjc_FmQxhNAymQ8pDpb0U-O7teMquebDLMmwUJ4ZkkMIS2A73svQ0U9xIB1Jo3Mgkxe28o9w83NwbK1SO/s1600/Cuddles_Freezer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Cats are--in a word--ingenious. Especially when it comes to their sleeping places. If you think a cat will listen to his or her human when the human politely makes the request of "Please Fluffy--do not sleep with me or shed hair on my furniture" you are sadly mistaken. And perhaps misguided. Cats are not like dogs, happy to be in a home with food, shelter, petting, toys, play time, and food. Dogs are very happy to resume their natural roles of being owned because it goes back to <em>the tradition</em> of dog-human relationships. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Cat-human relationships went a different route. Cats were worshipped as gods. And they remember--it's ingrained in them as part of their DNA. Therefore, cats are not owned by humans--they own them. Yes indeedy. This might be breaking news to a lot of cat lovers out there but do you really believe that you chose that beautiful, arrogant feline in your home? HA! That beautiful, arrogant feline CHOSE you! Or that sweet, sometimes a goofball cat chose you. Or that sick, needing human intervention chose you. Or that loving, spoiled, prissy kitty chose you. It doesn't matter which type of cat (or all of them) resides in your home with you--the bottom line is that cat chose you to serve him or her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I know. It really makes one think a bit. Kind of lowering to be viewed as a servant instead of a master, huh? There lies the difference between dogs and cats. It says a lot about pet owners too, huh? We won't go there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Back to sleeping arrangements. D and I have learned to share our queen-sized bed with as many felines that can fit around, on top, in between, and next to us. On any given early morning, we have as few as one or two cats or as many as seven sleeping with us. We count our blessings that not all of them demand time with us while sleeping at the same time. We have tried to provide as many sleeping sites as possible, but sometimes, cats will do what they want in spite of our endeavors. </span><em><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">(They were worshipped as gods, remember?)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaKCZnBg_TMy1N5Pia5-fG_iyaopfTHs-5SmUOBbZZk_5yKzED0UYy2Ufk7Nf1nu3eErm78gM8olBU3yhBZ9k6RAFp4X2NMZveQx7mzj3S6vno1A9VozKPfmY2wF0TgxIo3vSS2VsiqXz/s1600/Chile_Chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaKCZnBg_TMy1N5Pia5-fG_iyaopfTHs-5SmUOBbZZk_5yKzED0UYy2Ufk7Nf1nu3eErm78gM8olBU3yhBZ9k6RAFp4X2NMZveQx7mzj3S6vno1A9VozKPfmY2wF0TgxIo3vSS2VsiqXz/s320/Chile_Chair.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sometimes a padded chair will work. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaH0fdybz4Agd-HnxSbmfV9y0HME57Jyh4BgJb-uhTjNHoXymatLzSI12CH1YQ4QPEbvNY38R9eM5-PaSmI-fynyOMP2LBOXIPCgRdrE6S3cswopgAnRLiNDI2DItwyyhyB-KqokZG5-f/s1600/Lacey_HarleyCuddling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaH0fdybz4Agd-HnxSbmfV9y0HME57Jyh4BgJb-uhTjNHoXymatLzSI12CH1YQ4QPEbvNY38R9eM5-PaSmI-fynyOMP2LBOXIPCgRdrE6S3cswopgAnRLiNDI2DItwyyhyB-KqokZG5-f/s320/Lacey_HarleyCuddling.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Cozy afghans on a couch work wonders for sleep.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdqcTuW2W-YZ5xmdbTvd_jfNaGxLQCSJVstyK0KsFou7DArYCaLlXcfN-b1wSaeArS9M7BYLS7cbbWORsS78LfMzS8-Yxu4swnRJlvIya1tbrlD_qDiNwPGH0gczcBdJWxtPTUNRx0Axt/s1600/MerlinSleeping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdqcTuW2W-YZ5xmdbTvd_jfNaGxLQCSJVstyK0KsFou7DArYCaLlXcfN-b1wSaeArS9M7BYLS7cbbWORsS78LfMzS8-Yxu4swnRJlvIya1tbrlD_qDiNwPGH0gczcBdJWxtPTUNRx0Axt/s320/MerlinSleeping.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">High places invoke the feeling of safety for slumbering.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt6kDp5WR6spNITZmWPDS6I6cxCrF4b8laWqpAwm3U6sBxEYuLSKiagSRnb42VznvMDuWvaTPl83gAl-vuHkC59530eciCkwna68BV_B8j7n1Sj_Hiw19wmWptSyUvoes3Yq3tfaiDpJB/s1600/Cuddles_Lacey_Basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt6kDp5WR6spNITZmWPDS6I6cxCrF4b8laWqpAwm3U6sBxEYuLSKiagSRnb42VznvMDuWvaTPl83gAl-vuHkC59530eciCkwna68BV_B8j7n1Sj_Hiw19wmWptSyUvoes3Yq3tfaiDpJB/s320/Cuddles_Lacey_Basket.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A sheepskin and afghan lined basket can work. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5gYG2IYkW-mD4he01pvuPIdqbzM2CmWA6b50xrbhgd4ed750A0qPDsMuVR0FropBajtyx5Dp_eNnl6puttLOvCyO_OioI1qWubr0XQYbF2l__397esbUD0Eo64bllTddTY55u9MU_w_0/s1600/Arby_Cube.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5gYG2IYkW-mD4he01pvuPIdqbzM2CmWA6b50xrbhgd4ed750A0qPDsMuVR0FropBajtyx5Dp_eNnl6puttLOvCyO_OioI1qWubr0XQYbF2l__397esbUD0Eo64bllTddTY55u9MU_w_0/s320/Arby_Cube.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some cats prefer privacy...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4LGg7tWw0Kv1l73kgH1kThIO8vtnOinAyoJRGAQjQQagp_nIQ9RnPosQzVOeEpV0snNuVwfWHjbGCZiWdPiS4tCYhH1XIWRnSDKGwl38poHUawZ55_lxcGy9X4CBkLXasede1AcNbfW0/s1600/Merlin_TopazinBox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4LGg7tWw0Kv1l73kgH1kThIO8vtnOinAyoJRGAQjQQagp_nIQ9RnPosQzVOeEpV0snNuVwfWHjbGCZiWdPiS4tCYhH1XIWRnSDKGwl38poHUawZ55_lxcGy9X4CBkLXasede1AcNbfW0/s320/Merlin_TopazinBox.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Others don't mind sharing an empty box.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUMF7ipV48nRCCPS9MNiJhfu-HejI97eggsLol3QwlwAoU2a78xwZOoJJLpDEUBdt8fi4qCUIlVKeySs6kMQL5I9HMvIwUAN8ZJZP6LCoA8ngeUt5fg5Cl_cO-Kd7GitUsRbjACXD7_91/s1600/DoNotDisturb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUMF7ipV48nRCCPS9MNiJhfu-HejI97eggsLol3QwlwAoU2a78xwZOoJJLpDEUBdt8fi4qCUIlVKeySs6kMQL5I9HMvIwUAN8ZJZP6LCoA8ngeUt5fg5Cl_cO-Kd7GitUsRbjACXD7_91/s320/DoNotDisturb.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And others prefer cuddling with your favorite quilt!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-79831208378876306432011-01-16T13:39:00.000-08:002011-01-16T13:39:42.792-08:00Window Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm sitting here today, tired and sore from cleaning closets yesterday. I have one more to clean and organize </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">(mine!)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> but I ran out of steam last night after we got the last one organized to hold my husband's camping and field equipment. All that climbing up and down the step ladder, hauling boxes here and there, and decision-making! Do you realize I probably spent more energy on decision-making than I did climbing the stepladder umpteen gazillion times? It can be difficult to decide what to throw away, what to keep, and what to give to the local charity thrift store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><i>"Really, Cathryn...do you NEED to keep those papers of wanna-be poetry from when you were in high school? Let alone those papers and notebooks from Professor's L's sociology class(es) back in 1999 and 2000???? And while we are at it--why did you hang onto every 3.5x5 inch floppy disk?? It's not like you can USE them now, huh? Ok you can keep that first ever email you received from your son when he was summering with his father. But the rest of this HAS to go!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So I decided to concentrate on regular chores...you know the regular chores: laundry, dishes, meal planning, cat boxes, claw-clipping, answering student emails, and the like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">But what I'm really doing is window shopping on Etsy. In between the laundry cycles. I haven't started on my dishes yet and I won't do cat boxes until D comes back with bags of cat litter and boxes of baking soda...so I'm window shopping. And dreaming a little. The kind of daydreams that include winning a huge lottery where working at my paid job would be a choice--not a necessity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So here are some of my favorite finds on Etsy today. This is subject to change with the availability of the product, what I absolutely need versus what I want, and how much I'm willing to sacrifice to get it.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6N0_e5eIhi4DFo-bMfErEb7D9s2EZbe3c3QTmhPnnJ9HAAUu8D-uV3CWwryGjIEzOWmyTSIQ-BOrVwGyeRu7MlVw2IrP4t6-0_eJoohWz6bZfa9HryAJDkJN95hVQL1KFbdQxMWS0KHV/s1600/LoveinBloomPendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6N0_e5eIhi4DFo-bMfErEb7D9s2EZbe3c3QTmhPnnJ9HAAUu8D-uV3CWwryGjIEzOWmyTSIQ-BOrVwGyeRu7MlVw2IrP4t6-0_eJoohWz6bZfa9HryAJDkJN95hVQL1KFbdQxMWS0KHV/s320/LoveinBloomPendant.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Found this lovely pendant at M.E.'s <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beetreebyme">BeeTreeByME</a>. I love her stuff and have a whole drawer full of her artistic creations. This is perfect for my favorite aunt who is getting married this May. I would pair this pendant with these beautiful pink opal beads....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUq4uQJ7Groj-UCttZhtezeTVh0X347WMrsxFK0khokTdhPAD-0yinkHi4AxqXA6W8EaFSaWXbyhCuT3ZBEvUY2I_xz-DlF-pHMsbohgqafDn7AQzDOw3TvCeurmSQJ7paqv_5m-DRVCu/s1600/PinkOpalBeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUq4uQJ7Groj-UCttZhtezeTVh0X347WMrsxFK0khokTdhPAD-0yinkHi4AxqXA6W8EaFSaWXbyhCuT3ZBEvUY2I_xz-DlF-pHMsbohgqafDn7AQzDOw3TvCeurmSQJ7paqv_5m-DRVCu/s320/PinkOpalBeads.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">That I found at Anna's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlmostPrecious">Almost Precious.</a> What do you think? I've been lusting after these beads for a while and need some reason to get them. What better reason than making my aunt's wedding jewelry? I'm sure Anna will have other things I can use to make wedding party jewelry, huh?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8qRGlL62TH7Ws0Y3vheoqWJMzhKl-xLrPKJwi8fHwDXzB_StsjsOJJ3pNPaz0sITRRG8RvxtZtF7M6rV-G4bJkXLi-gQgCbFj8vpem6o9vkonyo9w1I9bQ8Kdqb5_jn6Frikv4kA68ZI/s1600/CrochetedShawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8qRGlL62TH7Ws0Y3vheoqWJMzhKl-xLrPKJwi8fHwDXzB_StsjsOJJ3pNPaz0sITRRG8RvxtZtF7M6rV-G4bJkXLi-gQgCbFj8vpem6o9vkonyo9w1I9bQ8Kdqb5_jn6Frikv4kA68ZI/s320/CrochetedShawl.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I love this shawl! It's delicate and warm and very feminine! Violet of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VioletUnderground">Violet's Underground</a> does beautiful crochet work. She also does baby clothes and Barbie doll clothing as well as crochets some amazing flower jewelry!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRzmjatLJ08z6uTiLMFXzzJmyqupZH6eA79vsmtdQjl1PBmN4bN8FCeQWGNhDIDD4bWjs5TPTYx17HuNMnn24e2udHn5UOhEVzGvyPon96D_H__BO9uLUq6n9hMYiS3mOTrTIe_LmUjxV/s1600/CoolCatShoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRzmjatLJ08z6uTiLMFXzzJmyqupZH6eA79vsmtdQjl1PBmN4bN8FCeQWGNhDIDD4bWjs5TPTYx17HuNMnn24e2udHn5UOhEVzGvyPon96D_H__BO9uLUq6n9hMYiS3mOTrTIe_LmUjxV/s320/CoolCatShoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">If I'm buy shoes this year, these would be the ones! How precious can you get with blue-eyed kitties? I found these sapphire-eyed kitty shoes at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkwear99">InkWear's</a> on Etsy. She also has tshirt I want badly to wear when I'm cooking. :D</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx4EgilhvkCjP-jmiBhJ-vaO8XbGSIoqBzn5JyQq8_mVBMdcFkB9XWb4kQKdLQiGxqv5veaMXENIcYPZ4XOuN314TB1Kv2PPkalaTbJtLqHr4KT0QORmmfLkwJg044IDrZWGG5sDmx3Ad/s1600/RedGraphicNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXx4EgilhvkCjP-jmiBhJ-vaO8XbGSIoqBzn5JyQq8_mVBMdcFkB9XWb4kQKdLQiGxqv5veaMXENIcYPZ4XOuN314TB1Kv2PPkalaTbJtLqHr4KT0QORmmfLkwJg044IDrZWGG5sDmx3Ad/s320/RedGraphicNecklace.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">For some reason, I'm totally drawn to the colors in this necklace. I love the symmetry and the balance of the moody and dramatic. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/clayhappy">ClayHappy</a> does some awesome polymer clay and resin work. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0hNl67tM2Dg1Lt-FrDXeV96_B-A749j0X39yp8ZcP9dz_yb1nPN9j62SdRAoKE-oYA1mUMlKZMksX14b8nF1Uvt13wmR2zONA9l3QQiZW6SjWRzEeH_f1DKL1TlUHqCg_THcVBHjp_Xt/s1600/CelticWomanLanyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0hNl67tM2Dg1Lt-FrDXeV96_B-A749j0X39yp8ZcP9dz_yb1nPN9j62SdRAoKE-oYA1mUMlKZMksX14b8nF1Uvt13wmR2zONA9l3QQiZW6SjWRzEeH_f1DKL1TlUHqCg_THcVBHjp_Xt/s320/CelticWomanLanyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I don't have any need for wearing a lanyard, but if I did, I would choose this one by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LANYARDLADY">LanyardLady</a>. It speaks to my Celtic blood but it's also elegant and classy. She's got some great lanyards if you need one. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu00aafsMP3iSf9BeYS5L_1rr3ycSibjQenKlmgHM1gr3XqFFVeu56Yw10ozb5vNw8dPg-LvJqV7eCB6Ko1mqClYAAk2DPiQ9XlBzgIxlwfW21o5UkaJB8eLyQR6HBnEoVhOGcbTYVXMo/s1600/SassyPC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu00aafsMP3iSf9BeYS5L_1rr3ycSibjQenKlmgHM1gr3XqFFVeu56Yw10ozb5vNw8dPg-LvJqV7eCB6Ko1mqClYAAk2DPiQ9XlBzgIxlwfW21o5UkaJB8eLyQR6HBnEoVhOGcbTYVXMo/s320/SassyPC.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> With the International Bead Soup Party coming up, I'm really tempted to buy these sassy and bold beads from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TLSClayDesign">TLSClayDesign</a> for the swap. They would pair up with carnelian and burgandy beads so deliciously!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2gNk4t_NkdMhGDGeGPd6_em_MC_nc5EVQyi-EJcOfkQzwSRLIX0nVb-VjPBgp9DAt1xn9sx8T669Dj7nPM_MUvSbgfz8vucvKgXaKK3P8EOmsV8C8o_Qf5OQnsmuvQxQM2WEODPbTIJE/s1600/WaterLilyNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2gNk4t_NkdMhGDGeGPd6_em_MC_nc5EVQyi-EJcOfkQzwSRLIX0nVb-VjPBgp9DAt1xn9sx8T669Dj7nPM_MUvSbgfz8vucvKgXaKK3P8EOmsV8C8o_Qf5OQnsmuvQxQM2WEODPbTIJE/s320/WaterLilyNecklace.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Now my friend Kat makes some awesome jewelry, like this Water Lily Bloomin' Necklace. I'm so totally in love (or is it lust?!?! Or just a super-dooper strong LIKE????) with this necklace. It reminds me of Monet's Water Lily series...soft and ethereal. I buy Kat's destash items from her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatsJewelryBox">store</a>. But I WANT this necklace! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKw96Fd4FYMwhxsqhFCL-ce65XR9YMNmtiEdo-Ez7qL9cj7SPzB1_xCuEdHhnCWHaZ0fzQVRufA_MQkQOdjD5fbCoWKrqczXF3prqUmnZZbfaWqWDQapeUNyPL18_rv8bGL5HU_ZV4jNS/s1600/CopperBracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKw96Fd4FYMwhxsqhFCL-ce65XR9YMNmtiEdo-Ez7qL9cj7SPzB1_xCuEdHhnCWHaZ0fzQVRufA_MQkQOdjD5fbCoWKrqczXF3prqUmnZZbfaWqWDQapeUNyPL18_rv8bGL5HU_ZV4jNS/s320/CopperBracelet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Now this speaks to me. It looks similar to my birth stone and it's on copper. I found this at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/gallagj">Jo's Jewels.</a> I also buy from Jo--her clearance or destash goodies. I like destash goodies--can you tell? But this is on copper and I love copper!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3YMz9Q_sQ-TY1xBZ3nR2nTN-KFvk0kLqugKLhczUu7T0ik0u95iDT3O8HF-wQf2BqWxRIOVENfvz8vLGe_ByabGN3CggoEQove-8rPDxOXe9hzgrK2CVHIPZKbN4XuxINaCNJMuFnvZ1/s1600/MermaidPendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3YMz9Q_sQ-TY1xBZ3nR2nTN-KFvk0kLqugKLhczUu7T0ik0u95iDT3O8HF-wQf2BqWxRIOVENfvz8vLGe_ByabGN3CggoEQove-8rPDxOXe9hzgrK2CVHIPZKbN4XuxINaCNJMuFnvZ1/s320/MermaidPendant.jpg" width="253" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrROinlQlDKaBa0091Cn6Uj8M0y7KLmwqQ0VmI1c5Lw4rse_5s9AvOWxMUS6edymSHToCR4TjgSIJnGpIAGonL4XwNXOhqBI7YOFfyODyMqFMLvEy5al2NbCD-Z1xx5JbyHqAUqHPeWtK/s1600/HarlequinGlass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I love Kristie Lou Brigham's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sculptedwindows">Mermaid Pendants. </a>I have a couple but one can never have too many mermaids, right? Ok--I probably have enough but this one is beautiful and special. I don't know why I want her except that she speaks to me! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_VN-nyqgLsYlIa5dnBJeXp5UbdHz8hKPDRXw5p8N4Q2rvBC8iK67BQW8xT4pYgHxsVuAr3ZAfhgXae5L-nLG2EHI2ymCxhIfGJ-kDvgPcWzyWBKp7HerUvVNExqOsDRHg5NrwsfR3H8y/s1600/HarlequinGlass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_VN-nyqgLsYlIa5dnBJeXp5UbdHz8hKPDRXw5p8N4Q2rvBC8iK67BQW8xT4pYgHxsVuAr3ZAfhgXae5L-nLG2EHI2ymCxhIfGJ-kDvgPcWzyWBKp7HerUvVNExqOsDRHg5NrwsfR3H8y/s320/HarlequinGlass.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And finally, I've been lusting, drooling over these vintage harlequin glass beads. I remember seeing them as parts of jewelry when I was a kid and I always wanted a necklace or a pair of earrings made with these beautiful, fiery beads. Well <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Briesboutique">Brie </a>has them. And I can make my own jewelry sets with them. On copper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Ok--laundry cycle is finished and the dishes are calling to me. I guess they've been sitting in the sink long enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So where do you window shop when you have a few moments? What would you buy if you win the lottery??? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv4XZ2vETK8xHKj5wFBMbYGkHvor0YVqK56s3emp3PH3_q-M6BTrt_8EAzS1yKwExVTFp1sl9IHiM2t_noD1Oi-LUVP6btvO8u-u93NQALHTo-e8PJaG26oylAEMu31AL3HUgKyc4iz2Y/s1600/PinkOpalBeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeqpRoaQJdyznAWinH7-YLRgMFh-qV-B99YsGvpmL282H8C3WhPuwjMsY4-bGPpMJg96k1iiv2bJG7khpYgXTnFq-CqtW_4iDCEfjDC7d6Hnl_hSyDcMu7Dci-nILdtVZ7OwXTb0c-wIq/s1600/WaterLilyNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"></span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-28121373578796982452011-01-14T21:41:00.000-08:002011-01-14T21:41:15.049-08:00Caturday<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">This is my son's suggestion--having a Caturday. According to my son, I should have one post per week dedicated to cats...cat advice, stories about the cats, cat photos...well you get it. He said it was because the name of the blog was "Chile Cats" after all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So here's to my first Caturday post. Complete with photos.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I hunted a stocking! I hunted a stocking!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPONGrTe90sMsPZCHc8i3nb113RX2tsTbtIl7_S9IiDxsCFkKjDb39-b3oAuWpGBk5xWuw5mxuzk56zYtb6SX6SPnlMDXrntRmoh1xott3maFWn9VbI58BcwUhPNUZ6pxaCvgNnZAf6t6/s320/Cuddles_ShreddingPaper.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I don't know why the humans want to invest in a paper shredder...I DO the job very well!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Get your own damn thingy...this one's MINE!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPONGrTe90sMsPZCHc8i3nb113RX2tsTbtIl7_S9IiDxsCFkKjDb39-b3oAuWpGBk5xWuw5mxuzk56zYtb6SX6SPnlMDXrntRmoh1xott3maFWn9VbI58BcwUhPNUZ6pxaCvgNnZAf6t6/s1600/Cuddles_ShreddingPaper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You make a nice pillow Sis..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Anything that's simple enough for the humans...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICsNHqFCeuscO1oLOpMJDaOEsTvlSxETuL8Fe3gV9Bb3BdpnnmgfxQdYiodfb04evbcFN1Am8vej_jXgquJzIyO_0HcKJOJ2vg0EFLgaGyJtHoI1QswOmXw6pW17IvEOjxoTUctcp37QC/s1600/MerlinBox2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICsNHqFCeuscO1oLOpMJDaOEsTvlSxETuL8Fe3gV9Bb3BdpnnmgfxQdYiodfb04evbcFN1Am8vej_jXgquJzIyO_0HcKJOJ2vg0EFLgaGyJtHoI1QswOmXw6pW17IvEOjxoTUctcp37QC/s320/MerlinBox2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"....ought to be!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-74065429102978999422011-01-11T10:36:00.000-08:002011-01-11T10:36:10.296-08:00It's Starting...<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Have we ever discussed my sense of timing? No? You're sure? Then we need to do so. And I can do it in three words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">My timing sucks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm either early or late but rarely am I right on target. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> I envy those who can predict down to the milli-second of what's needed to be done and <em>WHEN</em>. Because I'm rarely right on target, I prefer to be early. I discovered this little obsessive-compulsive habit when I returned to college. <em>(Actually, the habit's been there all along, but it came out in force in college.)</em> I was the student you hated--the one who turned in her papers a week before the due date. The one who started working on her master's thesis while still an undergraduate student. Yeah--THAT student. Because if I didn't turn things in early, I totally missed the boat with the assignment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">If you can hang in there for a minute or two longer--this is going somewhere. I promise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So last fall, I decided to open an Etsy store. There were various reasons for this decision, but mainly I had to do something with all the jewelry I had been making. There's only so many women in my circle of friends and family to whom I can give jewelry to for birthdays, holidays, special days or celebrations, and just because. My beading was outsupplying the demand. And I had been able to ignore it for a long time because it wasn't like I was outfishing a source or geographical area, right? I wasn't actually doing anything unconscionable like deforestation or removing mountain tops. Right? </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Right?</em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> </em></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate In Butterscotch Earrings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Another reason to open a store is the Bead Addict. Do you know how hard it is to look at a beads and findings and beading tools and walk away from them all when the Bead Addict is literally screaming in your head? She's hard to ignore <u>all</u> the time. Some days it's easier to herd cats than it is to ignore her incessant demands to get this bead, purchase those strands, and ohmygod-look-at-those-prettypretty-stones! The Bead Addict can screech like a banshee when it comes to artisan beads. Would I be paying outrageous amounts of money for <strong>one bead </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">if she wasn't digging her fingernails into my brain with her screeching? Probably not. Ok...may be I would. Even without Bead Addict vociferating her relentless demands to buy, buy, buy, and buy now. <em>May be</em>. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vu8ws0fz_diDehyphenhyphene4D440Fv5oHL9NfomcnuXBnK6Rg7lspnIJ8IWkGdRtwKfSWWfWB7PxrtZiwam6QMOMMNd1YZL6a0lEFliEbAkADjbImAgvk65HbZherMmr9ZsUh89CwtRNP1sPxxk/s1600/Enticing+Agates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vu8ws0fz_diDehyphenhyphene4D440Fv5oHL9NfomcnuXBnK6Rg7lspnIJ8IWkGdRtwKfSWWfWB7PxrtZiwam6QMOMMNd1YZL6a0lEFliEbAkADjbImAgvk65HbZherMmr9ZsUh89CwtRNP1sPxxk/s320/Enticing+Agates.JPG" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enticing Agates Necklace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">A good reason to open an Etsy store also came from my ever-growing bead stash. Hello! I've gone from a simple Plano box of beads to three rolling carts, two file boxes, and more stashes than I ever thought I would. Beads are addictive. Or maybe I just have an addictive personality or genetic material. Or because beads are addictive. Hmmmm...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">As I type this I dare to glance at my desk, which is covered in beads, findings and chains, tools, wire and other stringing materials, loose beads, bagged beads, strung beads--you get the picture. It's not neat or orderly--which is what I need. My school materials are crammed in where ever I can squeeze them and not within easy reach and definitely not organized. Which adds to the mess on my desk. <em>(I have beads tucked inside the paper tray of my printer--it's that bad!)</em> This disarray, chaotic mess drives me a bit insane. Ok...totally insane!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Blue Princess Earrings & Necklace Set</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So I went through my beads carefully and decided that some beads had to go to make room for the ones on my desk that have no place to call home. It wasn't an easy decision but I had to make it. There are beads I've had for years that I haven't used. This both upsets and delights the Bead Addict--because it's her fault that I have so many beads we--I haven't used in years. She's the hoarding type when it comes to beads--can't let go of a single seed bead in case it could be used in some future jewelry project in some distant, misty future. But I'm more practical and realize that if we make a few pennies off these beads, then we can naturally afford to buy more beads, and may be we can get enough pennies to purchase artisan beads! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">But I found right after opening the store back in October that I underestimated the amount of work it was going to take--which seriously conflicted with the amount of classes I was teaching at the time and the amount of students I needed to to whom I need to attend. I also discovered it's not as easy to take a picture and post it on Etsy and watch it sell later. Those cute sales descriptions have to come from somewhere...and the photography skills needed are more than my point-n-shoot camera can handle...and I have to market my wares, which can cost more money than I had budgeted for. Then there was the time factor...time to photograph my stuff; time to write descriptions and figure out prices and policies; time needed to market everything on various sites. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Garden Necklace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">When my holiday/winter break came around, I was more excited at seeing my son and getting ready for the holidays than I was in working the store. The decision to close up shop for a bit was painless. Nonetheless, the decision to reopen took some considerable thought and planning and learning more than I realized at first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've set up my Excel spreadsheets for the store, but am going to revise them to work better for me. I've rephotographed most of my jewelry sets because #1) my hard drive with the previous photos crashed and #2) I learned some helpful hints to make my stuff hopefully more attractive until I can afford to purchase jewelry mannequins. I've also ordered business cards and learned I need a light box and found instructions to build one. I've also been reading how to make my descriptions more personable, rather than typical corporate-chain store-advertising. I'll be spending a bit more time on the computer than I used to do to promote my wares on Facebook, and other forms of social media. I've also decided on a plan of action for which pieces I'm keeping as gifts, giveaways, and for myself. Afterall, if I can't keep a few special pieces for us--the Bead Addict and myself--then I'm never going to shut her up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And I reopened today--<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fat32">My Other Vice</a>, complete with a sale on certain items. I hope to get my destash items in there soon so other <strike>bead addicts</strike> jewelry designers have a chance to look through my stash and find that perfect set of beads they've been missing to compliment the focal they have in their stash. I'm also hoping new <strike>bead junkies</strike> beaders will find my destash items just what they need to build their bead box. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">It's probably not the best timing since it's right after the holidays and everyone is broke, but that's how we got to this point in the first place. My timing issues, remember? But Valentine's Day and Easter are fast approaching. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">*gently nudges*</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> April and May will bring graduations, confirmations, holy baptisms, bat mitzvahs, proms, and weddings. Not to mention Mother's Day. *nudge-nudge-nudge*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So go look around. You don't have to worry about any sales pressure. You don't have to buy if you don't wish to. But come back often and have a cup of coffee or tea if you prefer while you browse. Stay for a spell and enjoy. You may recognize some beads from some of my (and hopefully your) favorite artisans and as the store grows, new artisans as I discover them. Drop me a line or two and let me know what you think or what you'd like to see. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweetheart's Blush Earring and Necklace Set</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-89407325764352385862011-01-09T12:50:00.000-08:002011-01-09T12:50:43.079-08:00Herding Cats!<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">This blog comprises my own opinions and does not include any feline opinions...or objections for that matter. Please keep that fact in mind before forging ahead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Have you heard that expression? "It's like herding cats!" I've learned it means that something or some task is next to impossible--or at best--extremely difficult. I really don't know about that since I...ah...er...herd cats on a daily basis. And while some days can be more trying than others, most of the time, it's not difficult to get them to head in the direction you need them to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Go ahead and laugh at me. But after eight years of managing ferals, combined with a lifetime of being owned by cats, I think I've got it down pretty much and pat. *grins at you* The first clue you need is to make them think it's their idea in the first place. Yeah, I know. It's easier said than achieved but that's the main concept in herding cats. However, that's true about motivating anyone into doing what you need them to do, right? Cats are not that much different. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Ok--there are two exceptions. Every cat remembers when they were worshipped as gods. Sure that may have happened hundreds of thousands of feline generations ago, but <em>they remember</em>. They also wish you and I and every other human being would remember this important piece of feline history as well. So be respectful. You don't need to bow down and worship them, but please be respectful. Basic courtesy makes them shiver with delight and gets you mousey points. (Similar to brownie points in human terms.)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What?!?!? Think like a HUMAN!?!?! You've got to be insane!<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The second exception is that cats do not think like humans. This bears repeating. Cats will not lower themselves to think like humans. After all, they believe they are much more intelligent than we are. Their level of intelligence is not defined by mere IQ exams presented by humans. Cats have better percipience of all matters that are important (they do not count politics, religion, or world view/philosophy as important). So if you give a cat's actions human translation, you are in danger of being too simple-minded to understand their lowest level of communication. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So with those two facts in mind, herding cats can be relatively easy. Motivation and reward works with cats. For instance, when my husband is filling up the food and water bowls for the ferals outside, his biggest concern is the indoor cats who are trying to make good on an "escape." Escape as in getting outside long enough to roll in the dirt, and for fun, have their human friends play chase. Meaning the humans chase the cat until they are ready to go back indoors. They don't see the consequences of possibly getting into a catfight with the ferals or getting hurt or getting lost because that falls under politics, religion, and/or worldview/philosophy. Remember--those things are not important to cats at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Therefore, it's up to us mere humans to understand what it will take to keep the indoor kitties separated from the feral kitties. We use motivation in the form of treat bag noise to entice them away from thinking about escaping. The reward is what comes out of the treat bag. We don't feed them their treats in a bowl because we realize we are dealing with hunters. So we toss the treat bits out and about and that allows them to "hunt them suckers down and eat them with joy!" That little bit of motivation is often enough to keep them occupied while D carries out bowls of food and fresh water for the ferals outside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Here's another example of herding cats--making them go where you need them to go. For the past year, Arby was terribly ill. We had her in Dr. J's office nearly every other week for nearly the past year. She was difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. She lost weight and because she's not a large cat in the first place, losing a few ounces constantly did not bode well for her. Her coat became ragged, she lost her playfulness, and she was miserable. We contemplated euthanasia but neither D nor I nor Dr. J were ready to give up just yet. Arby is a fighter and whatever was making her sick was not taking the life out of her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Finally, Dr. J tried a radical therapy---a shot of antibiotic + steroid + Vitamin B12 once a week for a month to see if that would kill the bacteria in her gut that was giving her acid reflux. To top it off, we were trying daily doses of Mylanta to help curb the acid that was burning her mouth and throat. Arby HATES shots. She doesn't care who gives them, she hates them. She uses claws, fangs, and twisty moves and then more fangs and claws to let us know she's not happy about getting shots. By the time the shot is administered, more than one person is injured, reaching for bandaids and white vinegar and a thesaurus (to swear effectively and creatively).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So remembering to think like a cat, I made a deal with her. She could eat off my plate every day as long as she let me give her weekly shot and two daily doses of Mylanta. She could eat people food as much as she wanted if she worked with me and didn't cause too many injuries in dosing her. She agreed. That night I took choice, tasty bits off my plate and placed them on a small plate for Arby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">It worked. Within two weeks, she was responding well to this new therapy and gaining weight. Within a month, her mouth wasn't ugly red or sore. She eats a combination of people and cat foods daily. She only has to go in occasionally for shots, instead of once a week. Her coat smoothed out and is silky. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And she's been playing again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Nonetheless, Arby is feline and cats do not like to be caught. So D will literally herd her into the kitchen where she lets me pick her up for her daily dose of medication. Somedays, she makes him chase her around the house. Other days, she prefers to get this nasty tasting affair over and done with quickly and runs into the kitchen so I can dose her. The motivation is to keep herself healthy so she doesn't have to deal with Dr. J and his shots...the reward is eating people food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So the next time someone tells you that something is "like herding cats" remember that it's not as difficult as it's made out to be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-56573277936488728562011-01-07T07:30:00.000-08:002011-01-07T07:30:42.077-08:00The Second Annual Bead Soup Party<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I wasn't going to join this year's Bead Soup Party, that's hosted by Lori Anderson of <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Pretty Things</a></span>. <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I told myself my time was very limited this semester and I just couldn't possibly squeek in one more item to my schedule. I participated in the first two bead parties and <em>had a blast! </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">But this year is different. I have to teach, get my store up and running, and plan this year's garden. I'm also part of the Assessment Team and have to concentrate on that as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">But you know me...despite my being logical and practical...I couldn't resist the siren's call of another rip-roaring, exciting, bead soup party! Yes I did! I sent my email into Lori this morning. Bless her--she organizes all us women into some reasonable, flowing, fun-loving group. That's no easy task. The thought of organizing a bunch of talented, intelligent, unique, artistic women makes me tremble. <em>In fear</em>. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Give me college students any day of the week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">That giggling you hear in the background is the Bead Addict. She's thrilled to no end that I relented to her incessant pressure to join this year's Bead Soup Party. She's bead-greedy for one thing. For another, she's been complaining that I haven't bought her--me--us a lot of new and interesting beads lately. Not like we don't have whole drawers full of beads or anything like that...Maybe this will keep her occupied so I can get the store up and running without hearing her complain that we can't possibly sell this set or those earrings or THAT necklace--because they are simply too pretty! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I like the bead soup parties because they make me stretch out of my comfort zone. I also meet new women who are creative and talented. My first bead soup party partner was Elizabeth of <a href="http://turquoiseskytoday.blogspot.com/">Turquoise Sky</a></span>. <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Whenever I wear that set I created from this <a href="http://chilecats.blogspot.com/2010/02/bead-party.html">Party</a>, I am reminded with fond memories the emails and the developing friendship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">My next bead party brought me in contact with Dana of <a href="http://danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com/">Dana's Jewelry Design</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">who sent me <a href="http://chilecats.blogspot.com/2010/06/bead-soup-unveiling.html">pearls</a>--my absolute favorite of all favorites! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yeah--I like bead soup parties...and I'm eager to join in this year! Please go to <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/p/bead-soup-blog-party.html">Lori's place</a> and join in the fun! The requirements are fairly simple; a blog, beads, and an email! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"></span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-29739485241755917702011-01-05T10:02:00.000-08:002011-01-05T10:02:03.088-08:00Civic Duty<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">A week before the last semester ended, I got a notice from the Distric Court with the dreaded words, "Jury Summons." I got out of jury summons last time I got a summons because I was a student. This time I'm not so lucky. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I went to the court house on the appointed day and saw a lot of different people there, all waiting with a tinge of anxiety and nervousness. A couple of us started talking. As soon as they found out I was a statistics professor, they immediately claimed that I would not be required to serve since no lawyer--in his or her right mind--wanted to cross a stats professor. Yeah, right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">But could you see me sitting on some jury and some attorney spouting off a bunch of stats to impress the jury?!?!? I'd be asking how that attorney reached their "statistical conclusion?" Not to mention I'd want to know their methodology, including how they collected their data, which statistical analysis was used and why, and actually see their findings. I like evidence...hard evidence. And just let a lawyer use that worn out phrase of "Studies show..." or "Research has proven...." Yeah--I'll be all over that one! My students aren't allowed to use such gobblety-gook in my classes! I doubt the judge would appreciate my asking "Which studies..." or "Which research..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Come to think about it...I think they--meaning the people being called to serve--might have a point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So I went to the orientation and stood in the back of the court room by the doors. The first thing I noticed was the odor. Plainly speaking, it stunk. It was bad enough for me to prop a door open for some fresh air until the bailif came by and said they had to close the door. I whispered to him that the room smelled. He gave me a weird look and I realized he did not smell what I did and that he was probably marking me down as a possible trouble maker. And I seem to fall into that category easy enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">There was the usual film about how this civic duty was righteous and honored, and required for citizens of this nation. Ok...I get that. But I personally feel that the our judicial system is...well...flawed. And I think it's best to leave it at that...until when I'm not serving as a potential juror. :D </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So when the judge came in and did his spiel about how we are all serving a higher calling, I almost felt like I was back in church--or one of them I attended as a child. <i>(Come to think of it, a court room is very similar to a church in its set up. Hmmmm...that requires some pondering!</i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><i>)</i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> When finished, he then asked if there were any questions. I caught my arm before it became visible up in the air, waving. I really didn't want to be the one to start a bunch of questions--especially since no one else seem to have any. I don't want the reputation as being a troublemaker early on...especially in front of a judge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyway--every Friday evening, I have to call this number to see if I'm needed the following week. I'm not looking forward to this while trying to teach. I can see this causing lots of late nights and/or early mornings in my attempts to keep my grading up and not fall behind. But we shall see. If I'm lucky, and the fates have already decided I'm in good favor, I will not have to serve. </span><br />
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</span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-59111932624712367072011-01-04T09:06:00.000-08:002011-01-04T09:06:40.791-08:00Planning...<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Because I teach college level courses, my week takes a bit of planning. Involved in the planning is thinking how much my students will need my assistance throughout the week. This gets a bit tricky because of the type of classes I teach and the requirements for each course. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yesterday, I worked on my syllabus for my Intro to Stats course. This course teaches beginning college students the basics of statistics and introduces them to the concepts of research. Since this course is strictly online and means not having any interaction with the students (outside a telephone conference or two), it means I have to develop step-by-step PowerPoint presentations that answer all questions. If you've worked with PowerPoint, you know the slide presentations can be short or extremely long. My Intro to Stats students will be using Excel to do their statistics. That little bit of information means doing lots of screen shots and then modifying them with arrows and text to help them understand the information I'm trying to convey. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4I_zSkv1kGy04vbKmqJ2eRfrzmGn5iNy_WPGvzlIsl88vJZusnT4NHzlnoNE0TZpUeagarsfxRC_zI1i0eREPqZtgQn06-XUHKEP_qitySfDdSCaeuwtxTj64sOii9B-Mef1LI6wm9SU/s1600/ChileCountExplanation3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4I_zSkv1kGy04vbKmqJ2eRfrzmGn5iNy_WPGvzlIsl88vJZusnT4NHzlnoNE0TZpUeagarsfxRC_zI1i0eREPqZtgQn06-XUHKEP_qitySfDdSCaeuwtxTj64sOii9B-Mef1LI6wm9SU/s320/ChileCountExplanation3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Sample of the Screen shots modified for PowerPoint slides</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I learned that if I post their information and assignments on Monday and made it due the following Monday, I would not get them graded in a timely manner. Much to the disgruntlement of my students, I now have their homework assignments due on Saturday nights by midnight. Because there is no interaction between me and the students--outside a few telephone calls, I have to grade differently. Grading for strictly online courses is distinct from grading face-to-face or voice chat classes. For face-to-face or voice chat classes, I only have to explain "why this is the correct answer" once. With online-only classes, I have to explain</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">"why this is the correct answer" <em>thirty times.</em> That can take me an hour per student to grade stats assignments. And there have been times when I've spent two or three hours in an attempt to understand where the student is coming from and how they reached the answer they did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Planning also means looking at the time I'm available to my students so I can answer their questions. Normally, I hold office hours for each class on a different day of the week. For example, my online-only class is on Mondays--the day I post their lessons. Tuesdays was for my Intro to Social Welfare students; Wednesdays for my online voice chat graduate stats students; and Thursdays and Saturdays for the interactive TV and face-to-face graduate stats students. The days I was available to my students were the days I was teaching their classes. This was also equally frustrating because if a Intro to Stats student sent me an email on Wednesday, chances are I would not even get to that email box to see it until the following Monday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>But Cathryn, why is that? Why can't you just open up your email box and see what the students are sending?</em> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Thanks to new technology called Blackboard, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I have a separate email box for each class I teach. All the classes are separated, with their own desktop, email box, chat rooms and discussion boards. So when I'm in one class, I cannot access any other class, unless I close out the class I'm in first. It's made worse because I teach for two separate universities and each have their own distinct, individual Blackboard accounts. To solve this, I told my students to call me if it was important, meaning they cannot complete their assignment without assistance from me or if it involved an issue that interfered with their learning (family crisis). But that also means my phone is always busy--or so the complaint goes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So planning my semester means parceling out blocks of time so I can be available to all students. I was going to hold an open office day on Tuesdays until I realized that I would be in meetings all day on Wednesday--which means my Wednesday students will not have access to me until class time. So Friday becomes the open office day for all students. It also means that Sunday is my only real day off since I hold review sessions on Saturdays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">All in all, I would rather teach college level than elementary or middle school or even high school. I can't imagine what those teachers go through just trying to plot out each quarter and semester. My classes are fairly easy to put together once I figure out a schedule. My hat is off to those who teach children. </span><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-16614626468094209412011-01-03T09:59:00.000-08:002011-01-03T09:59:04.182-08:00The New Semester<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Every new semester offers its own sense of excitement. This semester starts next week and there's a new book involved. I haven't even read it yet--just scanned it briefly when it arrived. I haven't looked at thePowerPoint presentations or my lesson plans or the assignments. I haven't written the syllabi for the classes I'm teaching. For the first time in four years, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've been </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">enjoying my time off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">There's two issues for me with that statement. The first is I really enjoyed my time off--really, really enjoyed it. My son came home for a very short visit (one week) and I resolved to teach him new recipes to take home with him as well as enjoy his company. My husband and I spent much needed time together. The cats got to have Mom's attention for more than just a few minutes at a whack. I got to sit down and bead every day to my little heart's content. That right there was such a balm to my frustrated, anxious, and disappointed psyche. Beading is very necessary for my soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The second issue is that I enjoyed myself. Meaning I'm behind on getting ready for this upcoming semester. I'm going to have to bust my butt to get ready to teach next week. And I need to do this while I'm still enjoying my time off. Because I don't <em>have</em> to be at work until next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">See what I mean?!?!?! ISSUES!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Seriously, I LIKE teaching statistics. It is a challenging and innovative class to teach. It makes me look outside my comfort zone while pulling students outside of their comfort zones. It expands the mind and opens up whole new possibilities. It's rewarding when I run into a former student months or even years later and they tell me they actually have been able to use what they learned in my class. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've had to reflect on some concerns that cropped up last couple of semesters with both my undergraduate and graduate students. One of the main problems is that I teach statistics. Statistics is one of those courses that every one is required to take and it's also one of the most dreaded courses to take. It's the course that even mathmeticians hate. So most students come in with the student role attitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The student role attitude is simply this: "<em>I don't know why this course is necessary. I'm never going to use this information in my career so it's another one of those waste-of-my-time-and-money courses. I'm doing to do whatever I have to do to survive this course, get through it, and get out with my GPA </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">(Grade Point Average) </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>intact." </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Some of you may recognize it immediately. From the first week of classes, I'm fighting an uphill battle from the get-go. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> I have to overcome that student role attitude with difficult material and a frustrating class. Having taken several semesters of statistics myself, I understand this. I can even relate to the students because I've been in their shoes. However, most of my students need this course and <strong>the knowledge</strong> for licensure, competency, and/or state board exams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So I tell them from the get-go: "I'm not worried about your grades. I'm more concerned about you <em><strong>learning </strong></em>this material. If you <strong>learn</strong> the material, your grades will be good." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Unfortunately, most students are worried about their grades and could care less about learning the material. Some of my graduate students are on a special scholarship that pays for their tuition, books, travel expenses, computers, and gives them a nice living stipend. Those students have to maintain a B or better in grade point averages (GPA). If their GPAs drop below a B, they lose their scholarship and have to repay all the money back. It really makes learning difficult when one's mind is anxious about passing a course with high enough grades. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Another concern is the rampant cheating that occurs in my online courses. Because of this, I have to revamp my assignments every semester so they are not easily recycled into the next semester. Some semesters give me more difficulty because of the possibility of cheating. Last semester, I had a married couple and three roommates taking my class. This meant for exams, I had to devise three separate ones so none of the students could take advantage. However, this doesn't alleviate cheating on the assignments. Most of the time I can catch that because students who are cheating usually will give the same wrong answer, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">especially when it's an answer that really far out. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The chances of that happening are slim. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've had to develop a zero-tolerance to all forms of cheating for all my classes. This disturbs me. Last semester, I was forced to fail students for cheating. That always frustrates and disappoints me when I'm left with no other choice but to fail students for cheating. Interestingly enough, I don't have a problem failing students who fail to show up to class or do the course work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Finally there is what I call the Demanding Student. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The Demanding Student is the one that will use up most class time and interferes with other students' ability to learn. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The Demanding Student does not want to work for his grade, but expects me to give him a decent grade. The Demanding Student can give me all kinds of reasons why he cannot get the work done but insists that I give him extra time to complete assignments. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">The Demanding Student comes to class unprepared and views the review sessions I hold for ALL my students are his one-on-one personal time with me. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Failing to convince me, the Demanding Student starts using attack mode, such as filing grievances against me, naming me as part of a lawsuit against the university, or sending me emails several times a week, telling me how unfair I've been to him. When the Demanding Student fails the course, he immediately demands to receive either an Incomplete grade or at least a C so that he does not lose his scholarship, funding, or class standing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">He is the most draining on the instructor and his classmates. It's bad enough when an instructor has one Demanding Student in a semester, but it makes teaching difficult when there's several Demanding Students in a class several classes. By the way, the Demanding Student is the only time I pull out my "adjunct faculty" card. It's similar to the "Get out of Jail Free" card in Monopoly. As in: "I'm adjunct faculty...I may not be here next semester to teach so you HAVE to get your work into me this semester." Or "I'm adjunct--that means I'm on contract and my contract ends on such-n-such date. I'm not working for free after that date."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So while I prepare for the upcoming semester, I'll be thinking of hopes and opportunities. Have you run into similar situations where you work or in your life?</span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-9438542394663342382011-01-02T10:11:00.000-08:002011-01-02T10:11:11.484-08:00Another New Year Already?<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Today is the second day of the new year. This means it's the day I take down the tree and pack Christmas away for eleven months. It's a day that I greet with a conflict of feelings: joy that my family was together for the holiday; sadness that the holiday season is over; excitement for the upcoming events; and a mixture of anxiety and enthusiasm because I have to return to work tomorrow. It's a day that drives me to create one last dessert because I know I have to go back to eating healthy in just a couple of days. It's the day I should clean my desk of all my beady things and get ready for my classes. Notice I said "<em>should.</em>" Doesn't necessarily mean I <em>will!</em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> But it will be the day I try to get one more beading project completed so I can work without distraction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Do you make New Year's resolutions? I learned that I set myself up for failure when I make resolutions. I'm good for about three weeks and then something interferes with my resolutions. Usually, it's me that interferes with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I admire those who can set New Year's resolutions down and follow through with them all year round. I always wonder what they have that makes them able to do it. So I asked a few people who practice the New Year's resolutions throughout the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I learned that the number one reason they are able to stick to their resolutions is because they <strong><em>plan how they will achieve their goals. </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">They don't simply chose and pick resolutions, but actually develop an action plan that will allow them to work at attaining those goals. And some of the people I talked to actually write down the steps of accomplishing those goals. Every one said it's easier to create easy, workable goals to accomplish that adds up to the major acheivement. It's similar to developing a purpose and the processes of a business or agency. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And resolution planning also involves realizing one's limits in time, money, space, and enthusiasm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">For example, if I resolve to eat healthier, I need to plan how to achieve that goal. That would entail defining what healthier eating means and what goal will be acquired by eating healthier. Then I would have plan the action steps to eating healthier, which would involve buying and growing healthy foods and learning new recipes and cooking tasty meals that are indeed healthier. Recognizing that I will be teaching three to four nights a week, I need quick meals that can be easily reheated. So that means I will need to cook enough food on the weekends to package up into simple meals for those working nights. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So with that in mind, I'm going to work better because I'm going to plan better. That made me realize I need to delay opening my store a little bit longer so I can clarify the purpose, goals and action steps needed to make the store a success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Oh yeah...the store is called <em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fat32">My Other Vice</a>. </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">It's closed for the holidays for now. I hope you will visit once it's opened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Meanwhile, I wish you all the best of the New Year--Peace, Prosperity, and Hope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-90109559520898490222010-12-31T09:02:00.000-08:002010-12-31T09:02:50.304-08:00Been Gone, Gone, Gone<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Wow! Has it been since July when I last blogged?!?!?! No wonder I've gone through withdrawals that included severe cramping, profuse sweats, writer's block, and a crashed hard drive! This return feels like heaven...both soothing and head rushing ecstasy. There's so much I want to share--I don't know where to begin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Where have I been? Between teaching summer college-level classes, the ferals, the indoor former ferals, the garden (reaches for a hankie), chile-roasting season, the local Farmers' Market, teaching a heavy fall semester, and opening an Etsy store, I've been here. I've been right here at my computer (until the hard drive said bye-bye). I have developed a hate-love-hate relationship with my computer that borders on being toxic. It was so bad that if the holidays had not come around when they did, I was going to need critical intervention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">When my hard drive died two weeks before finals, my husband--the computer geek/guru--did his best to rescue all my files, especially those that contained student work and gradebooks. He was not able to rescue my picture files. *sighs* Among the picture files were my son's family portraits that we took this summer, pictures of the cats, and pictures of my garden (reaches for the hankie again). I also took pictures for recipes I wanted to share and my girlfriend's granddaughter whom she shares willingly with me. I also had pictures of my beadings, beads trades, and those cute Kodak moments. *sighs again* I learned I better burn my photographs to CD for now on or lose them all over again when this current hard drive dies. Because with my luck, it's sure to die again. And it will die either in the middle of a project or near the end of the semester. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Just for the record, I HATE Windows 7 and Office 2010. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Next semester's teaching schedule should a bit lighter...I'm only teaching stats classes for both universities! While I miss my Social Welfare class, it's going to be fun to teach only stats. I won't have to divide my brain between the different types of classes. While I have to revamp some of my assignments and PowerPoint presentations, these are to either clarify where students had trouble last semester or to reduce cheating. Ok--I said teaching <strong>statistics is fun.</strong> That makes me officially a NERD, according to my son. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm also excited because I'm on School of Education's Assessment Team for reaccreditation, both locally and federally. While this is voluntary on my part, it's also building career skills while using my current skills. I like being a part of change and being part of the development of positive change within a system. The school is moving to a new direction that will produce better teachers and educators for our state. With our nation's current education crisis, this new and vibrant direction is vital and crucial. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">This new year should bring exciting possibilities. I'm looking forward to developing my garden. Last year's garden taught me I can't be so in love with it, that I don't work it to it's full potential. We ate well off the garden but I did not have enough produce (because we were eating it!) to keep us through the winter. So my goal this year is to plant more and often, and to learn how to can. Freezing is great but there's only so much freezer space and most of that is devoted to green chile. So I'm going to learn how to can various produce. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyways--I wanted you to know that I have not forgotten any of you. I have read your blogs, but I didn't comment because of time constraints. You have not been far from my thoughts. I learned some valuable lessons in the past six months--that when I take on too much, I start having to let go of the things I love the most. With this new year (and new possibilities as well as opportunities) I'm organizing my time and managing my life better. I may not be on here as often once the semester starts, but I'll be here more than I have been in the past six weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I wish you all the best blessing that the New Year has to offer: Hope, Peace, and Love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Cathryn </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-43945881660723003712010-07-18T09:17:00.000-07:002010-07-18T09:17:15.792-07:00Lack Of Appreciation<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've been watching the construction work going on in front of my house this past week. We are getting new sidewalks that have ADA ramps and new paving for our streets. Despite the noise and the stench which made working difficult, I'm feeling rather patriotic and proud about this bit of construction going on. Our little town has needed this bit of improvement for several decades. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dkGG1JfekYDoLtjjDQo_GVNWQXF-e15vCfIuN-BaK105pyRiw8rCGYtD4PSWPWpVQd6REK6L9kTBq95X8pOrsRX9waSIikptv8qMjfFyFyGssayFIJL92X0OkMFdeeacWwE8X0qo5SJ4/s1600/Back+Breaking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dkGG1JfekYDoLtjjDQo_GVNWQXF-e15vCfIuN-BaK105pyRiw8rCGYtD4PSWPWpVQd6REK6L9kTBq95X8pOrsRX9waSIikptv8qMjfFyFyGssayFIJL92X0OkMFdeeacWwE8X0qo5SJ4/s320/Back+Breaking.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> <em>New ADA compliant ramps being constructed...</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>gives freedom to those who need this little bit of assistance.</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzHZSIOocTlpvwJXdKKdMlTvkbQoDYTRrJm10cdnGqoKXmx8gjghqxsz9uqSGY3KAbRKi-76i0F-CSxXXFRiQ0wpUYIY8xg9wceJlgJYXRzjvo12cjxTjd117507dxkVe8jYi2QCASPna/s1600/Framing+the+sidewalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzHZSIOocTlpvwJXdKKdMlTvkbQoDYTRrJm10cdnGqoKXmx8gjghqxsz9uqSGY3KAbRKi-76i0F-CSxXXFRiQ0wpUYIY8xg9wceJlgJYXRzjvo12cjxTjd117507dxkVe8jYi2QCASPna/s320/Framing+the+sidewalk.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> <em>Framing the walk and making sure it will be level.</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhVVpddLn1cU7QRAm2x6RvtlMtwfDDMcALRAveXWRolLT-h6Y-0tFAIvCu2eod_QI4kB7I1MiZI1j1R01Sa8YU1KrMXUc73vvZJryIkoD09w6mei7rm6WE8X9N3cEboQs96P6je5Nu7WF/s1600/Pouring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhVVpddLn1cU7QRAm2x6RvtlMtwfDDMcALRAveXWRolLT-h6Y-0tFAIvCu2eod_QI4kB7I1MiZI1j1R01Sa8YU1KrMXUc73vvZJryIkoD09w6mei7rm6WE8X9N3cEboQs96P6je5Nu7WF/s320/Pouring.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> Pouring early in the morning!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrfJiosKruYtEe-2yLoMQY9QCSk_oSDaPzJdeI141LdNjH6y4ASrlM_3TH76ZnVkvE1kxF6vBJ3yprqz5_-hFiD4cCt7enbvL0J5lkRcSRuEDeh_NlavUIc2-SkaOY7VRaRa55oqIBJRF/s1600/slogging.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrfJiosKruYtEe-2yLoMQY9QCSk_oSDaPzJdeI141LdNjH6y4ASrlM_3TH76ZnVkvE1kxF6vBJ3yprqz5_-hFiD4cCt7enbvL0J5lkRcSRuEDeh_NlavUIc2-SkaOY7VRaRa55oqIBJRF/s320/slogging.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> Try walking through that all day long...</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDA0oDwRW569Ga9qQPi-GOoH_ooj1RARy_K7iUyhHR0AH3Uu_Oi2TCYApQEqs-p9ybIiN-CCkJhxGGXvGUx7FvT8YEcC-d8wOHpWs_UUcs_xdWZ8OtuBnrcYTk9g7hoFYXGnCx9m0ZY2D/s1600/Floating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDA0oDwRW569Ga9qQPi-GOoH_ooj1RARy_K7iUyhHR0AH3Uu_Oi2TCYApQEqs-p9ybIiN-CCkJhxGGXvGUx7FvT8YEcC-d8wOHpWs_UUcs_xdWZ8OtuBnrcYTk9g7hoFYXGnCx9m0ZY2D/s320/Floating.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> <em>Making it nice and smooth...</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf12OXXPJCuQM60INLlqa_u1bm7J7OLIEtzgl_qb_ukGavzhrfcHiqOTus86zUgCL4e4eTrA1MKdE6iN4ZihLp2b79AiOmAKhARHianLbVYLaUcbCBX69EOb5cPYLAyHSiFtV7hOLJaUiB/s1600/Smoothing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf12OXXPJCuQM60INLlqa_u1bm7J7OLIEtzgl_qb_ukGavzhrfcHiqOTus86zUgCL4e4eTrA1MKdE6iN4ZihLp2b79AiOmAKhARHianLbVYLaUcbCBX69EOb5cPYLAyHSiFtV7hOLJaUiB/s320/Smoothing.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> Hand finishing...</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR9cFpJS87qxLkPebKbbMxyGmXvKLIzYMGMvOUvG-ryGUXbLFjiOF35NPLarbJsEC_8J8M8dX-_oaeWR2d2tVoEdlhc_GWQpAR737xT8O7w_yNkKYZXcQCqhwwCUwmj3k9LUMRLoGe7WN/s1600/Here+they+come.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR9cFpJS87qxLkPebKbbMxyGmXvKLIzYMGMvOUvG-ryGUXbLFjiOF35NPLarbJsEC_8J8M8dX-_oaeWR2d2tVoEdlhc_GWQpAR737xT8O7w_yNkKYZXcQCqhwwCUwmj3k9LUMRLoGe7WN/s320/Here+they+come.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> Here they come--ready to pave!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBssjKyP9MdOg347jZW4EVvZWu3oNSo9RjDU9VOqWmKIC1ylWsF6hfpeeP0qNVj4WPPCruag-pKi9a2y0BHg8BBo0q8rC1a-RFPYsIXFnnzGbSz1awFkfSTo4uqP3eng34CwomBRMCUUA/s1600/Hot+Flames.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBssjKyP9MdOg347jZW4EVvZWu3oNSo9RjDU9VOqWmKIC1ylWsF6hfpeeP0qNVj4WPPCruag-pKi9a2y0BHg8BBo0q8rC1a-RFPYsIXFnnzGbSz1awFkfSTo4uqP3eng34CwomBRMCUUA/s320/Hot+Flames.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> <em>See the flames? That's HOT!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3W1-EQpdTI0Oq-v4cckjmtp_6u9qPfNiS-woYThIpyQrkqcjmzXennfNih9x3-1sdW7966K31nRmc1beb5yeD9ccxbeb1wcrqDt8R_5yf6KCPfPRzcznAmGKbaBKjHNqV-25j7OegEuZr/s1600/Paving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3W1-EQpdTI0Oq-v4cckjmtp_6u9qPfNiS-woYThIpyQrkqcjmzXennfNih9x3-1sdW7966K31nRmc1beb5yeD9ccxbeb1wcrqDt8R_5yf6KCPfPRzcznAmGKbaBKjHNqV-25j7OegEuZr/s320/Paving.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> Do you see the clouds of fumes, stench, and heat? </em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzVKW_9A6jY9sX_tKR-qCnAki2C7ekrD7m6E6UAz4NPPCV4TcPxTPPc_5jdNBzINIqqAeFtfr570am0_PrYnlIY2aW9g9lDoabxydpxaQ7-6ZhXw_x4e2DUMb_KFIc6eBsZAjbyqfMquO/s1600/Always+One.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzVKW_9A6jY9sX_tKR-qCnAki2C7ekrD7m6E6UAz4NPPCV4TcPxTPPc_5jdNBzINIqqAeFtfr570am0_PrYnlIY2aW9g9lDoabxydpxaQ7-6ZhXw_x4e2DUMb_KFIc6eBsZAjbyqfMquO/s320/Always+One.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> <em>Just some the crew following behind the heat and the stink...</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>But have a sense of humor and are good natured!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTDm1YA7y_YDkfOeKTWtb-bGz41hns65YQl2ZGH3GuvDfrTs2vHi4v2_SmFw9jm6wKTslXBXx1a0A9wWfHpYn220svENg0NhpVQEmIqvmFg1ZCo6TCQZlQZSEdve6dgymhF8m9sUTd2df/s1600/FlagWoman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTDm1YA7y_YDkfOeKTWtb-bGz41hns65YQl2ZGH3GuvDfrTs2vHi4v2_SmFw9jm6wKTslXBXx1a0A9wWfHpYn220svENg0NhpVQEmIqvmFg1ZCo6TCQZlQZSEdve6dgymhF8m9sUTd2df/s320/FlagWoman.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> I can't think of a more unsatisfactory position </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>to have that's lonely and boring than being a flag person and controlling the traffic. </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Lady--you have my deepest respect because someone needs to be on point. </em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I watched the men pour our sidewalk and talked to the guys. After watching them for several days, I realized that their jobs are not easy--hot, sweaty, back-breaking hard labor that most of us would not want to do. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Every one of them are grateful to have employment. Every single last one of them are proud of their profession and endeavor to make sure the quality and standard of their product is high.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So that's why I got irked--to put it mildly--when I saw two young women about to deface our sidewalk. The sidewalk was freshly poured and we were waiting for it to cure so we could walk on it. When I looked out the window and saw one of these two girls squattting down with the stick in her hand, poised above that fresh cement, I exploded out the front door. She jumped back like she was caught with her hand on the hot stove. I dashed back in to grab the camera and took pictures.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvXwIjB5C_LXq5Ub5Hei0uUF7J22TqATEqITpvH1y689IbNf-9Lhf8bea9ZDa33QxzP-MvAG3TeDgzOrXpJcU8tmLcekLOA53Do-66tDBQVmyx-gfy8BQ-rk7y7khquklZs4D2jKa4Sgc/s1600/Girls+who+started+marking+the+freshly+poured+sidewalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvXwIjB5C_LXq5Ub5Hei0uUF7J22TqATEqITpvH1y689IbNf-9Lhf8bea9ZDa33QxzP-MvAG3TeDgzOrXpJcU8tmLcekLOA53Do-66tDBQVmyx-gfy8BQ-rk7y7khquklZs4D2jKa4Sgc/s320/Girls+who+started+marking+the+freshly+poured+sidewalk.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> <em>The two girls ready to deface the sidewalk...and ruin that hard work.</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU16Vd3R-C3-ZCjx3MXXh8iRi0rzGM2env-oenkYWThT6eXtcTVP79oZeCcumEitmgb3DypwnoNstwK2vcAitVUKbF07irEMBPn8NgO0uVclyGlQz1eMRZR38VKNbw3yzcbJzfqKwM9G9G/s1600/Where+they+started+marking+the+sidewalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU16Vd3R-C3-ZCjx3MXXh8iRi0rzGM2env-oenkYWThT6eXtcTVP79oZeCcumEitmgb3DypwnoNstwK2vcAitVUKbF07irEMBPn8NgO0uVclyGlQz1eMRZR38VKNbw3yzcbJzfqKwM9G9G/s320/Where+they+started+marking+the+sidewalk.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em> What she started to do...</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Before they decided to jump back into their truck and drive off, I told them I was rather proud of that sidewalk...that the new sidewalk represented freedom for me and that I would defend and protect that representation of freedom from anyone who tried to destroy it. One of those girls looked at me and sneered, "What---Ever!" So I told her that the new sidewalk meant my elderly neighbor can now walk the streets safely without worry of tripping. That's "What---Ever!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Am I getting old? Or am I out of touch? I can't remember being faced with such obvious need to destroy something that benefits everyone....and I think I'll leave the politics alone today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Letting Freedom Ring in America Once Again... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">PS: I'll be out of touch for a few days while I finish my summer session classes. Be good to yourselves! </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-2155345274759147652010-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:002010-07-13T07:33:57.991-07:00Twisted Thinking...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv47R0wZVTZCTUdwOFvPydWnGzEYPBLYLVfwRvnNx2TeSA_gsRe1GKXNctt0spBrN194F2PDLcODV-pMPNvG7uytl8ZZEkidvfbdkRXyHVCBEPIqWO9DBK_BztMR1AgZIlsI-ogNRYHGLE/s1600/Putting+America+to+Work.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv47R0wZVTZCTUdwOFvPydWnGzEYPBLYLVfwRvnNx2TeSA_gsRe1GKXNctt0spBrN194F2PDLcODV-pMPNvG7uytl8ZZEkidvfbdkRXyHVCBEPIqWO9DBK_BztMR1AgZIlsI-ogNRYHGLE/s320/Putting+America+to+Work.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Yesterday morning I woke to see construction equipment on my neighborhood block. I did my usual bitchin' about the noise, the stink, and the interruptions to MY planned day. Obviously, to those who know me, I hadn't had my first cup of coffee. Before an hour was out, the jackhammering got to me. I went to find solace in my garden in the back yard but I could feel the vibrations all the way out there. I realized I had to go back inside and comfort the crazed felines because this type of noise was probably making them a little bit dramatic. Instead some of them were vying for window space so they could watch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Max: So that big machine is making the house shake?</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Buddy: Yeah! Ain't it cool? We're safe inside--trust me!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Cuddles: Like Mom would let anything happen to US...We kittens are SPECIAL.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Gabby: Like you're a kitten any more. Dad wouldn't let anything happen to you--but Mom is another story. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Harley: Oh cool! Look at that thingamajiggy thing! </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Lacey: I wonder why humans feel the need to break things up? Ooooooooo another machine!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Ava: I wanna see--move over!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>*groans and snarls as Ava forces her way to the front and center* </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Like I said--no drama--just feline curiosity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Then just before noon came the beep-beep-beep-beeeeeeep of the backup warning signals from the front-end loaders. I shut the windows and turned on the air conditioner but those things are loud. I mumbled through another cup of coffee, answered a few more phone calls. Then I realized I was looking at this situation from the wrong point of view. To figure things out, I took my camera and went outside to take some shots. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8qA58d50Ug_mVGNPfs2FASoCLr0IXiOGh1quwDm8ejHobfdZIU58iS47uAKRpGk2YRHUP8cPfYDMVjDKLU8gJFm4ouCBuKSNkeNf0uVmvxmcnX9vUXtZX29XhP84i5fyLYrkPD7nuBpO/s1600/JackHammer+America.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8qA58d50Ug_mVGNPfs2FASoCLr0IXiOGh1quwDm8ejHobfdZIU58iS47uAKRpGk2YRHUP8cPfYDMVjDKLU8gJFm4ouCBuKSNkeNf0uVmvxmcnX9vUXtZX29XhP84i5fyLYrkPD7nuBpO/s320/JackHammer+America.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> The jackhammer machine making the house shake, with its thunk-a-thunk-athunktatittat noise.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DPvvLmI-hEQHa4fhZ4Gqu9LltFHlUi06crHandSlJ3rcp5m6vDUWULnrQzydri5n3H1Iq9CU289oMp9DmBB0KfpVBzNwbZZ-J4e1NROrgCN2snFoMEhQdjDmTx76gFKqMl8BK3Ejf_9_/s1600/Working+America.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DPvvLmI-hEQHa4fhZ4Gqu9LltFHlUi06crHandSlJ3rcp5m6vDUWULnrQzydri5n3H1Iq9CU289oMp9DmBB0KfpVBzNwbZZ-J4e1NROrgCN2snFoMEhQdjDmTx76gFKqMl8BK3Ejf_9_/s320/Working+America.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Picking up old sidewalk pieces...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwwAzW7cHr7cSNydq92q_o2f_2Pn_4Jxu1gtJnXGRzqid4ln0yEaRzxPtrLPSilwu5-uWI0Xdg_P6OCWLjisyk1eV2phaGuNJSCdCxzgiHeLrzSed9rme4ixd2_kdiwZh76XEADTOpKd9/s1600/Working+America2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwwAzW7cHr7cSNydq92q_o2f_2Pn_4Jxu1gtJnXGRzqid4ln0yEaRzxPtrLPSilwu5-uWI0Xdg_P6OCWLjisyk1eV2phaGuNJSCdCxzgiHeLrzSed9rme4ixd2_kdiwZh76XEADTOpKd9/s320/Working+America2.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Busting up the sidewalk in front of my house...I apologize for the poor quality of the shot--I had to take this from inside the house while I was on the phone to a student.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv47R0wZVTZCTUdwOFvPydWnGzEYPBLYLVfwRvnNx2TeSA_gsRe1GKXNctt0spBrN194F2PDLcODV-pMPNvG7uytl8ZZEkidvfbdkRXyHVCBEPIqWO9DBK_BztMR1AgZIlsI-ogNRYHGLE/s1600/Putting+America+to+Work.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2qh4l77zHV7Kt84DGQV8Nd8nMTiLCxklymBX3Pa_vegl1h10h-3rXAJ51dR73cmb5b7PRMedP51F5-vu-ds9eL27LsyiiYT_TsiXOB_NS51abtNNtfY3Z6CV7dpX3sDSW4XvfcOGS68f/s1600/Putting+America+to+Work2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2qh4l77zHV7Kt84DGQV8Nd8nMTiLCxklymBX3Pa_vegl1h10h-3rXAJ51dR73cmb5b7PRMedP51F5-vu-ds9eL27LsyiiYT_TsiXOB_NS51abtNNtfY3Z6CV7dpX3sDSW4XvfcOGS68f/s320/Putting+America+to+Work2.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I needed to focus on the positive aspect of this neighborhood intrusion. What I was witnessing was a piece of reenacted history. Do you know what part of history I'm referring to? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">You see those men down the street? I don't know any of them. Nonetheless this so-called intrusion into my life meant that each one of those men are working. That means they are making money. That means none of them will lose their homes or their families this week. And in today's economic crisis, that's a very positive aspect. At least this week, some small part of America is working and that helps our community and our country in many different ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And you see that trench? That means we are getting a new sidewalk that's been needed for decades. That will make my morning walks with my elderly-young neighbor safer for both of us. I won't worry about us tripping over broken, chunked-up sidewalks any more and she'll feel surer about walking to get her needs met. To top it off, they are putting in wheelchair ramps at every intersection--so the people who need to use wheelchairs or walkers can also have more freedom. Those ramps will help those who have joint or back problems because they will no longer have to try to maneuver over foot high curbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">They're working on the street in front of my house as well. I believe repaving will begin next week. That means we are finally getting those potholes fix and the road will be brand new. I realized that means less wear and tear on our vehicles--especially right now when most of us simply can't afford it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">It's about to get political folks--skip on down if you wish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">This noise of this reconstruction of our neighborhood is the true sound of Freedom. It's not fighter jets and sonic booms and explosions and gunfire that rings Freedom's bell. It's this construction noise. The attitude of caring for our own people so they can simply walk about their neighborhood is the idea of Freedom that makes our country great. It's not how much we can hand out in dollars of aid across the oceans and seas...it's what we do here that keeps people working. It's building that sense of community so its members can enjoy their personal freedoms as well as their economic freedoms. This is what makes the United States of America great. This is why I'm proud to be an American citizen and truthfully, it's been a long time since I've felt this sense of patriotism. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">America, the beautiful. Let Freedom Ring. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-88076151948258738832010-07-11T14:53:00.000-07:002010-07-11T14:54:04.209-07:00A Greeny GiveAway!<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">This is about beads. Sorry folks but yeah...I'm in bead mode. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Jen over at <a href="http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/">Jen Judd Rocks!</a> is celebrating her success of being published! I can't imagine being published once and here is Jen--getting her happy self published SEVEN times! Yeah you read that right! Woooooooohoooooo! I know a celebrity! Woooooohoooooooo! Congratulations Jen!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyway, she's giving away TWO beady stash giveaways! How about that? Check out her blog for details and go over there and toss your name in the hat to receive some bodacious greeny beads! Can I say bodacious? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMgWd7CTpE0mj0raQDGMNyCbOSlBl9KjeXu3hGzddTGWV9pWG6bcb6e5G6spIA8txGboAAMpUH9ZG7WXHo5TQ-uXF9xfBNTJcOKwhXAZMLomQDrE8KFGD6u1oRm9p9NxoKMyK0gIYoxOw/s1600/July+Giveaway+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMgWd7CTpE0mj0raQDGMNyCbOSlBl9KjeXu3hGzddTGWV9pWG6bcb6e5G6spIA8txGboAAMpUH9ZG7WXHo5TQ-uXF9xfBNTJcOKwhXAZMLomQDrE8KFGD6u1oRm9p9NxoKMyK0gIYoxOw/s400/July+Giveaway+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I like to spread the good news and the love--especially bead love. It's just a thing I have for beads--you know? Some people call it addiction, others say it's an obsession. I think it's a bit of both! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Check out Jen's blog--she's wild and crazy and totally into beads. I like that about her! </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-52820349307559375072010-07-10T08:19:00.000-07:002010-07-10T08:52:26.365-07:00When Creativity Sparks...<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">While everyone else was celebrating our independence day, I was in creative mode. While everyone else was grilling, putting together bowls of potato and macaroni salads, and getting ready for the fireworks shows from shore to shore, I was frantically putting together beads. It was frantic because I was fighting the sun setting and losing daylight. I needed to bead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Now for those of you who aren't bead junkies, this doesn't seem like a bad thing. But for those of you who are bead junkies--and I'm proudly in those ranks--the need to bead becomes an obsession. The more you aren't able to bead, the more it fixates in your brain. The more you look at beads, the more clever ideas you could put together--if you only had: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">1) time </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">2) didn't have these papers that needed to be graded last week </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">3) and a gazillion household chores weren't insidiously chanting your name and begging to be done and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">4) you didn't have other depending on you for their needs...in my case...the cats and students. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">So while you all were out celebrating our nation's birth of independence, I was beading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">A sample of what I put together...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW9uiw253Fq4hsl7XtVlSEq0XhnhBRGGSdhIMR7q5UWXTMuefORbKxBqBv3vJ_FXEMSQ6RJOQOUaouwjxuFXHZ10oc7pFaVEWMT1moLuKL2pOBXS1CQ-VT-8Nmqmqs5w7y_TyLA2Vl-Sk/s1600/10+Pairs+of+Earrings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW9uiw253Fq4hsl7XtVlSEq0XhnhBRGGSdhIMR7q5UWXTMuefORbKxBqBv3vJ_FXEMSQ6RJOQOUaouwjxuFXHZ10oc7pFaVEWMT1moLuKL2pOBXS1CQ-VT-8Nmqmqs5w7y_TyLA2Vl-Sk/s320/10+Pairs+of+Earrings.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Yep--that's 11 pairs of earrings. But I wasn't done yet...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EHQdatr86o6XTHSN6RTQq3GCZDijtMjYxymhT8LsdYM_shZTHzXflLZKZ1Cin8Trv3sB5ygIZ3NAade25dDZT6MQjk_YQonhza-BoYGbTgcpvITS1g8vcZ9hYjBmFoYQu7m4jtslOraU/s1600/Jo+earrings+pt1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EHQdatr86o6XTHSN6RTQq3GCZDijtMjYxymhT8LsdYM_shZTHzXflLZKZ1Cin8Trv3sB5ygIZ3NAade25dDZT6MQjk_YQonhza-BoYGbTgcpvITS1g8vcZ9hYjBmFoYQu7m4jtslOraU/s320/Jo+earrings+pt1.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> There's three more pairs of earrings. But don't hang up the phone just yet...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57WcyR53odryBht99otYOaHiErVASepJ-BZGidcvy0LYpMH461q-SpWbxc3yHue21gc9CHMMldHD_i-DVQdj8zANEC6ZQrnAdXH9EpZTs_twJQaX4hEjaZVj1tVRG-3WzN-6U8ALMEhRv/s1600/JoEarrings+pt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57WcyR53odryBht99otYOaHiErVASepJ-BZGidcvy0LYpMH461q-SpWbxc3yHue21gc9CHMMldHD_i-DVQdj8zANEC6ZQrnAdXH9EpZTs_twJQaX4hEjaZVj1tVRG-3WzN-6U8ALMEhRv/s320/JoEarrings+pt2.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> The two on the left are added to the count. I added the two pairs on the right to balance out the shot, but I beaded them back in late May or early June. So look but don't count them in the total--which we are up to 16 pairs of earrings.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnwqxmIifgbyphsFYz1eZjAUQ1-fW8RWqHLe22FsSnqIZlzKRF8PYsmYg7Tt-ZEt68Yz8UM_lgzmuwYKyZj1VZ58cJFLiIO9v6N5mPw57hx9hFJWJog_dPccgA-1ZQh0l7bWy50SnbE0i/s1600/Julie+Earrings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnwqxmIifgbyphsFYz1eZjAUQ1-fW8RWqHLe22FsSnqIZlzKRF8PYsmYg7Tt-ZEt68Yz8UM_lgzmuwYKyZj1VZ58cJFLiIO9v6N5mPw57hx9hFJWJog_dPccgA-1ZQh0l7bWy50SnbE0i/s320/Julie+Earrings.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Seventeen, eighteen....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RNPF3aHp0OM8VZ-KbyUKnR3fj2-2vwDulafdbQK-k7K-r814sG2Gs5R7oQkYGrQUu0f1FE957ot9d9ue8g_v6-EwUcgJBk9xS_GdAU34TS7qVtS91f61BPAgpdIAckMf4SYiSxxYN5Sz/s1600/Julie+Earrings+pt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RNPF3aHp0OM8VZ-KbyUKnR3fj2-2vwDulafdbQK-k7K-r814sG2Gs5R7oQkYGrQUu0f1FE957ot9d9ue8g_v6-EwUcgJBk9xS_GdAU34TS7qVtS91f61BPAgpdIAckMf4SYiSxxYN5Sz/s320/Julie+Earrings+pt2.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> Nineteen pairs of earrings! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">And it didn't stop there...I had to finish this necklace for my sister-in-law, who is remarkably talented herself. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZe90VjRo_nOaFWj3SEkQnRNp3uUjYiB_Fd5FCRInlZjgMiif2XCty3PNkQ8Gk1_7ZpVzmsZD6MhpNGeo8VYbMbEBlCq9ntnv6GIWU_Cd-LavVWhO9tzRkB3ZGe6p8YnMQ5-ubmCHc-ye/s1600/Julie+Necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZe90VjRo_nOaFWj3SEkQnRNp3uUjYiB_Fd5FCRInlZjgMiif2XCty3PNkQ8Gk1_7ZpVzmsZD6MhpNGeo8VYbMbEBlCq9ntnv6GIWU_Cd-LavVWhO9tzRkB3ZGe6p8YnMQ5-ubmCHc-ye/s320/Julie+Necklace.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Later that night, while I watched a movie to help keep the cats calmed during the fireworks display booming across our town, I discovered I was still in creative mode so I finished this for my newest grand-niece--her baby poncho. Last night I finished the cap. I fondly remember Paddington Bear and loved his hat...I tried to style her little cap in that fashion.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1VQXlm_xZYoshiwDyMfmGHYG8XXMlKzkiJxH_O5GwNI55bFngTj9hyckST9gA7mo-K6x2vEbDkJJwO44ORfZ_2ubf5Vw4XL2A8jVoAvM3XNtTJJPFoXOIygcntNSvoAwMomrFNnUYMEo/s1600/Tylee+Cate+Poncho+Hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1VQXlm_xZYoshiwDyMfmGHYG8XXMlKzkiJxH_O5GwNI55bFngTj9hyckST9gA7mo-K6x2vEbDkJJwO44ORfZ_2ubf5Vw4XL2A8jVoAvM3XNtTJJPFoXOIygcntNSvoAwMomrFNnUYMEo/s320/Tylee+Cate+Poncho+Hat.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I'm good for now. I think. </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-20665155218329832552010-07-07T06:27:00.000-07:002010-07-07T06:27:32.040-07:00Bloom Where You Are Planted..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_NfGO2yNjVN9WkGW3kZR-k-d_45x1HiBhbgmorY7w3zaoETFtXh73GyUyawyrK4pMbXKrdY3HVBFTR3WTLg0yTmaOaOBrOQpIaZVqlyaJpnIcuFM46culRquR2xKBgEozhhGtIpBHtp/s1600/Blooming+Cholla.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Blooming cholla...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_NfGO2yNjVN9WkGW3kZR-k-d_45x1HiBhbgmorY7w3zaoETFtXh73GyUyawyrK4pMbXKrdY3HVBFTR3WTLg0yTmaOaOBrOQpIaZVqlyaJpnIcuFM46culRquR2xKBgEozhhGtIpBHtp/s1600/Blooming+Cholla.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_NfGO2yNjVN9WkGW3kZR-k-d_45x1HiBhbgmorY7w3zaoETFtXh73GyUyawyrK4pMbXKrdY3HVBFTR3WTLg0yTmaOaOBrOQpIaZVqlyaJpnIcuFM46culRquR2xKBgEozhhGtIpBHtp/s320/Blooming+Cholla.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDkvXdgWMnonK23j9JA3HmyO0E3j02Ona8QKUhew5yRfLzapHpqrQDp14n_Hy06pjNbhyXY73UG_3L715e5sM8FZuCIWcV9uoHaQAm-p8tOWCP_3wiZA04s1kIDiLOUgUZsQfGtcGhyphenhyphenKY/s1600/Cholla+Bud+and+Bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDkvXdgWMnonK23j9JA3HmyO0E3j02Ona8QKUhew5yRfLzapHpqrQDp14n_Hy06pjNbhyXY73UG_3L715e5sM8FZuCIWcV9uoHaQAm-p8tOWCP_3wiZA04s1kIDiLOUgUZsQfGtcGhyphenhyphenKY/s320/Cholla+Bud+and+Bloom.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Garden angel... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8lDurih49jjqA0vEm-943M5QTOGIQXTITWMl3sqF11CZ3gmeZl-C0QUFP_A-50kB49SNCrBTCb68k1Fd8INgSNcf8KBquAa2K-vEDsH8tAIcVxFetwKHPBkCUnsE469UF7tgY0_uu5cJ/s1600/MC+Garden+Angel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8lDurih49jjqA0vEm-943M5QTOGIQXTITWMl3sqF11CZ3gmeZl-C0QUFP_A-50kB49SNCrBTCb68k1Fd8INgSNcf8KBquAa2K-vEDsH8tAIcVxFetwKHPBkCUnsE469UF7tgY0_uu5cJ/s320/MC+Garden+Angel.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504705839924585584.post-76051344750054883952010-07-04T08:19:00.000-07:002010-07-04T08:19:02.767-07:00A Flaw of Mine<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I don't know if I've shared this bit about myself with you or not...but here it goes. I'm not a patient person. Patience and I have had this running battle for many years--all my life, in fact. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I believe we were forced to live together as an evil experiment that is still being run. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">We don't get along very well at all. Sometimes I'll win a skirmish but mostly Patience wins. Think about it--how can constantly beat Patience at the patient game?!?!?! Every time I try to push forward or for progress or for anything--here comes Patience telling me "Just wait..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Here's an example of our dialogs:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Me: I need to go back to school. Now that I've made that decision, decided on my major course of study, I've decided I want to go for the Master's degree. In fact...let's skip all the crap courses and just head straight into the Master's program.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Patience: Be patient. You have to take those crap courses first...your Master's degree will come in time.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Me: I don't wanna wait! I'm 38 years old--I'll be--gee--I'll be like 40-something by that time...</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Patience: That's why you need those crap courses--your inability to do some simple arithmetic proves you need the basic foundations first.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Me: I don't wanna wait--I'm a good student and I don't wanna be 45 years old before I get my Master's degree. So see? I can too do simple math if I have to!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Patience: Have patience. Start from the beginning and build your skills. Something tells me if you're really determined, you will get your Master's in record time...Have patience.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">See what I mean? Ok--Patience was right--I was 43 when I graduated with my Master's degree. And Patience was right that I needed those crap courses to build the foundation of skills I needed. But still...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Anyway--now you know. I'm not a patient person. Remember the garden I wanted? Dreamed about? Dreamed BIG about? I've been learning patience the hard way. I planted the seeds and waited. The first signs of green were mostly weeds. I planted even more seeds, watered, weeded, and dangedit--WAITED. Impatience set in and I grabbed plants at the local box stores and planted them. And watched them get eaten by bugs and burned by the drought because watering was restricted to once a week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">I've been finally rewarded. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O4epvUKFkkIQ4rhYlmhGRBwafvai_4BNf1iXq6R7wVL7wXUmHFtUvsBbl3KIY8rOg2_NDRzluG29GIHLbTngrEecbCo7T67-fdrSLUrAGrjhJo-6oVa5OOXJrl_nus5f2iEngRws3h5u/s1600/Zucchini+plants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O4epvUKFkkIQ4rhYlmhGRBwafvai_4BNf1iXq6R7wVL7wXUmHFtUvsBbl3KIY8rOg2_NDRzluG29GIHLbTngrEecbCo7T67-fdrSLUrAGrjhJo-6oVa5OOXJrl_nus5f2iEngRws3h5u/s320/Zucchini+plants.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Zucchini plants mostly from seed. Yes--those are weeds I've got to pull. Again. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ITZys9pGfy05LnGfwz4LGzLGikwi23hbgcQSxSf7qnQLtEH_U5wrDWYadfiDX5mpD3L7heEpSttcSZnwdHxjQBsHILpa3m-AtowL1KjqY3MRih75kK9EIAsfokTmwtQsJD0nwSmux9DS/s1600/Zucchini+Flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ITZys9pGfy05LnGfwz4LGzLGikwi23hbgcQSxSf7qnQLtEH_U5wrDWYadfiDX5mpD3L7heEpSttcSZnwdHxjQBsHILpa3m-AtowL1KjqY3MRih75kK9EIAsfokTmwtQsJD0nwSmux9DS/s320/Zucchini+Flower.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">Look what I spotted...a flowering zucchini. Woooooooooohoooooooo! There's still hope that these plants will produce actual fruits. Ok--vegetables. whatever...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pzhyGTDR0Ida6IUGs6SOwXqSFbWr_m6VMR3LG5Shs-5c25aKAzgntY8ivpraw9COYHIKKNye8HSOCEEXM2mdQGu8yFolGAqwAi7L97GSKLqrBx3Abo31CpAgX7Voz8kaRJDUxQ-v3eNi/s1600/Bell+Pepper+Bud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pzhyGTDR0Ida6IUGs6SOwXqSFbWr_m6VMR3LG5Shs-5c25aKAzgntY8ivpraw9COYHIKKNye8HSOCEEXM2mdQGu8yFolGAqwAi7L97GSKLqrBx3Abo31CpAgX7Voz8kaRJDUxQ-v3eNi/s320/Bell+Pepper+Bud.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> The pepper plants have buds on them! I'm so excited since they've been so difficult to keep alive. Yes--these are from plants I bought since the seeds never came up. I'm doing it differently next year. But still this is sooooooooooo exciting! I've visions of roasting peppers dancing in my head!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;">My wax beans and my green beans are growing. I'm still waiting for the tomato plants to do something--anything! The basils may have to be transplanted in the front yard where they have some shade. But I think I'm going to plant some pumpkin seeds and see how they do. Especially now that we've had lots of rain! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Patience: I told you to just wait...Patience is rewarding! All you have to do is....</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Me: Yeah, yeah, yeah--we've been through this already! And please don't say it!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "Helvetica", sans-serif;"><em>Patience: ...have Patience. </em></span>Cathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com12