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The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), is a large leafhopper species native to the southeastern United States. It is one of the main vectors of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, a plant pathogen that causes a variety of plant diseases, including phony peach disease of peach and Pierce's disease of grape vector Pierce's disease.
These sharpshooters are about 12 millimetres (0.5 in) in length. Their color is dark brown to black with black-and-yellow undersides, with yellow eyes, and the upper parts of the head and back are speckled with ivory or yellowish spots. The wings are transparent with reddish veins.
They have piercing, sucking mouthparts and rows of fine spines on their hind legs.
Glassy-winged sharpshooters usually lay a mass of eggs on the underside of leaves, and they cover them with powdery white protective secretions kept in dry form (called "brochosomes") on the wings. After the nymphs hatch, the remaining egg mass leaves a brown mark on the leaf's surface. The nymphs feed within the vascular system of the small stems on the plant where the eggs were deposited. After several molts, the nymphs become adult glassy-winged sharpshooters.
Sharpshooter feeding does not cause damage in grape; however, these insects vector the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease in grapes. (This bacterium also causes alfalfa dwarf disease and almond leaf scorch in California.) The blue-green sharpshooter is the most important vector of Xylella fastidiosa in coastal grape-growing areas. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is the primary vector in the Coachella Valley, Temecula, and Kern County. The green sharpshooter and the red-headed sharpshooter are present in coastal areas, but they serve as the primary vectors in most areas of the Central Valley.
When sharpshooters feed on vines, they inject the bacterium, which multiplies in the water-conducting system and causes water stress of the plant. Symptoms from early spring infections may become visible by fall of the year infected, but that is variety dependent. In vines infected the previous year, budbreak will be delayed or absent in spring, and leaf scorch appears by early summer and increases through fall, causing clusters to dry. Early-season infections (March-May) are more likely to survive the next winter than late summer infections and become chronic. Xylella fastidiosa can kill vines 1 to 3 years after infection.
Though usually not a serious pest in the area of its native distribution, North America (northeastern Mexico), the glassy-winged sharpshooter has spread into the United States, where it has become an agricultural pest. It was introduced into Southern California, most likely through the nursery industry. The map of California shows the current distribution of the glassy-winged sharpshooter in southern California and the counties at risk of infection.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter feeds on a wide variety of plants. Scientists estimate the host plants for this sharpshooter include over 70 different plant species. Among the hosts are grapes, citrus trees, almonds, stone fruit, and oleanders. Because of the large number of hosts, glassy-winged sharpshooter populations are able to flourish in both agricultural and urban areas. They feed on a plant by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into the plant's xylem. While feeding, sharpshooters squirt small droplets of waste from the anus (filtered xylem fluid, basically water with trace solutes, especially carbohydrates), often called "leafhopper rain." These droplets are messy and, when the water evaporates, leave a residue that gives plants and fruit a whitewashed appearance. Their feeding method, along with their voracious appetite for so many different hosts, makes glassy-winged sharpshooters an effective vector for the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium. Once they feed on an infected plant, X. fastidiosa colonizes the sharpshooter by forming a biofilm on its mouth-parts. The sharpshooter then transmits the disease to additional plants while feeding. A plant that is not affected by any of the diseases caused by X. fastidiosa becomes a reservoir, holding the bacterium for other sharpshooters to pick up and carry to other plants. X. fastidiosa is linked to many plant diseases, including phony peach disease in the southern United States, oleander leaf scorch and Pierce's disease in California, olive tree decline and citrus X disease in Brazil.
Oleander leaf scorch is a disease of landscape oleanders (Nerium oleander) caused by a strain of X. fastidiosa which has become prevalent in California and Arizona, USA starting in the mid 1990s. This disease is transmitted by a type of leafhopper (insect) called the Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata).
The disease has been called olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS; in Italian: complesso del disseccamento rapido dell'olivo). The disease causes withering and desiccation of terminal shoots, distributed randomly at first but which then expands to the rest of the canopy. This results in the collapse and death of the trees.
Leaf of Liquidambar showing distinct bands of discoloration between scorched and symptomless tissue caused by the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa.
Successful efforts using integrated pest management (IPM) of the glassy-winged sharpshooter include the use of insecticides, parasitoids (especially wasps in the family Mymaridae), and the impact of naturally occurring pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. One of the newly discovered pathogens is a virus specific to sharpshooters. The leafhopper-infecting virus, Homalodisca coagulata virus-1 (HoCV-1,Dicistroviridae), has been shown to increase leafhopper mortality. The virus occurs in nature and is spread most readily at high population densities through contact among infected individuals, contact with virus-contaminated surfaces, and/or as an aerosol in leafhopper excreta. One of the most successful biocontrol efforts has been the mass rearing and release of four different leafhopper parasitoids (in the mymarid genus Gonatocerus), which have been very successful in reducing the number of eggs that survive. The traditional means of insect management, such as scouting and land owner reports of leafhopper presence, followed by highly focused insecticide treatments, have also been of great value in reducing leafhopper numbers; all of these impacts have produced a system wherein reasonable, environmentally sound management of this insect pest is being maintained.
In 1972, Kerry Ray started his journey in tree trimming by pruning the trees at his rental house in Reseda, California. He then volunteered to help his LAPD motor officer partner, Randy, trim his parents Ash tree. So, they went out and bought a Homelite chainsaw, climbing gear and a black/orange trucker's rope...
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Information from their newsletter:
"JUNE 19 – 21 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
The National Museum of the American Indian hosts the
3rd Ibero-American Guitar Festival
The Ibero-American Guitar Festival of Washington, D.C., brings together the best performers on guitar and guitar-related instruments from the Americas, Spain, and Portugal.
Daytime events are free and open to the public, though seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Evening concerts require tickets. For complete schedule and information on purchasing tickets, visit www.dciberoamericanguitarfestival.org, or call 202-633-1000. Some tickets may be available at the door during the festival."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
EVENT: 3rd Annual Ibero-American Guitar Festival at the National Musuem of the American Indian
Information from their newsletter:
Posted by Teia Collier at Thursday, June 18, 2009
Labels: family event, Guitar Festival, NMAI


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This week at the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog we are being sponsored by two wonderful image companies, Glitterbabe's and Crafty Pad. For my DT card I chose to use the image from Glitterbabe's called Red Hat Snowlady. The theme for the challenge is MAKE IT SPARKLE so I added glitter and gems to my creation.
Stamps R Us ~ Bling It On
Stamptacular Sunday ~ Punch It
Craft Your Passion ~ Let It Snow
Pile It On ~ Traditional Christmas
Bizzy Bec's Creatalicious Challenge ~ Christmas & Make Sure It Sparkles
Wags N Whiskers ~ Christmas Themed
Sassy Cheryl's ~ Anything Goes


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Hi! How are you? Today I show you a look I put last week to walk around and drinks with friends. Comfortable and cool look for it was calorcita :)
For this occasion wear white shirt, basic jeans, cardigan in burgundy and white stars and tones as accessories, slippers to burgundy with golden studs, shoulder bag in the same tone gold necklace and rigid.
Kisses and happy day, Thank you for your comments and views **
Chaqueta - C&A Kids (a/w13)
Camisa - Pull&Bear (a/w14)
Jeans - Sfera (a/w13)
Bolso - Mentha Shop (a/w14)
Slippers - Zara (a/w13)
Necklace - Lefties (a/w13)


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Well my appointment on Monday wasn't so good. It was a little like meeting with Dr Doom. The gist of the conversation went a little like, well it's been a good run but there isn't anything we can do see ya bye.
To say the least I wasn't in the mood to really talk to anymore for a few days because, well, Duh?
And then on Tuesday I started the new antibiotic Dr Doom and Gloom prescribed and had a HUGE reaction to it. My hands just about fell off. Ha! You think I'm kidding. They were on FIRE and swollen up like stumps. After a shot in the ass and a prescription of antihistamines they were feeling better by last night. But holy hell today they ITCH again. But I can drive now and my fingers almost bend into a fist and I can feed myself.
I had to call Dr D&G yesterday because, well obviously THOSE pills weren't going to work. And apparently I tapped into Dr Happy and Perky. He was very sorry I had such a bad reaction. Only after he gave me a ration of shit "I thought you said you didn't HAVE any allergies?" "Didn't think I did, smart ass." He wants to start me on a dose of a CF only drug, but it's HUGELY expensive and he's working on finding a way to fund it. It's 30 days on and 30 days off, only it's like 280 a dose and you take 2 doses a day. I think I'm going to push for a sputum culture first. Most of what I've read states it works best for a type of infection I haven't had and I'm past the age to really susceptible for it. So for now this one is on hold. Instead he put me on another expensive, but at least "affordable" drug I'll pick up today. It's probably about 200, but it's for 10 days! Thats like 20 a day man!
Today was our first day of a long term ISP or homeschooling through a school. We started the day by dragging his desk out into the living room. G got right to it and in a hour had a good chunk of his weeks work finished. Right now he's outside enjoying some "PE" time. So far.. ha ha... it's a big difference seeing him studying something he enjoys. While the "guidelines" for 6th grade are the same... IE they ALL have to study Ancient Civilizations, world science... you don't HAVE to study them all in one way. G choose to go old school with his history choice, but had the options. He didn't choose old school science but rather a plan that would allow him to be more hands on. Today he was creating maps. He's also studying for his STAR testing which will happen next month. He has Spanish lined up to take in May and we may both take it at the college this summer if there is a class, his will be paid for through his school.
So I'm off to send off a couple buck kids to new homes, pick up some meds, pick up two more kids who will leave this weekend, and try to work off these jitters that the prednizone shot yesterday has created.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Ouch ouch double ouch!
Posted by Fogspinner at 11:24 AM
1 comment:
- Jen said...
That sucks about the meds but I hope it all works out.
G sounds like a smart kid!
- March 27, 2008 at 2:26 PM
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Accommodation: The Mullingar Park is a 4 STAR hotel with spacious and stylishly furnished bedrooms. All rooms are well equipped and include hairdryer, iron/ironing board, multi-channel flat screen tv's, dd phone and data port.
Services & Facilities: 24-hour room service, guest laundry and dry cleaning service, concierge desk, business support centre, ample free car parking and helipad.
Leisure Centre: 20 metre deck level pool, Hydrotherapy pool, Steam room, Sauna, Children's pool, Aerobic studio, Beauty treatment rooms, fully equipped fitness suite.
Bar & Restaurant: The Terrace Restaurant provides A la carte menu for fine dining. The Horseshoe Bar provides Luncheon Carvery. Cafe Revive provides bar snacks. There is also a Residents Lounge.
Location: The Mullingar hotel is located close to the N4 just 80km from Dublin. From Dublin airport take the M1 Motorway and join the M50 southbound through the toll bridge and take the 2nd exit at Lucan to join the N4. Continue on the N4 to Kinnegad where you will meet the junction for Mullingar and take exit 9 to arrive at the Mullingar Park Hotel.
Nearby: Westmeath is famous for its rivers and lakes, from the Shannon and Lough Ree to the Mullingar lakes and the Royal Canal. Top class Angling is available throughout Westmeath with all species of coarse fish and brown trout. All sorts of water sports can be enjoyed in the county as well as some of the finest Golf and Equestrian facilities in the country.
Athlone Castle, Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, Fore, Dun na Si and Locks Distillery are some major attractions. Mullingar is ideal for short breaks with a wide variety of visitor entertainment, quality restaurants, shopping and other activities.
Earliest check in: 2 pm Latest check out: 12 noon
Single Room B&B (Midweek Only): Single Room Ensuite, with Full Irish Breakfast. This offer is only valid Midweek (From Sunday - Thursday). Offer also includes full use of the leisure Centre & Spa. All Local taxes and Services Charges included.
Room price per night from: Euro 95
Double Room B&B: Double Room Ensuite, with Full Irish Breakfast. Offer also includes full use of the leisure Centre & Spa. All Local taxes and Services Charges included.
Room price per night from: Euro 170
2 Night Special B&B with Dinner: 2 Night Special with Full Irish Breakfast and dinner on 1 evening included in the Terrace restuarant. Offer also includes full use of the leisure Centre & Spa. All Local taxes and Services Charges included.
Room price per night from: Euro 165
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I have been thinking about this for some time, but after being reminded by ph3s, I decided to was about time:
The rules:
The person who gets the correct answer gets to post the next picture.
The picture can be anything from guess the aircraft, down to what kind of uniform he is wearing. It's your choice.
EDIT: If you do not post a picture within 7 days, the next person in line will post one.
Oh and Adrian: You may also participate
Now, let's start off with this picture, who can tell me where and when this was taken? And what operation it was?:


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Sunday, December 26, 2010
Om shanti shanti shanti
Friday, December 24, 2010
Favourite Cousin
Day 16: A picture of someone who inspires you.
This is my favourite cousin. She is one of the strongest people I know.
She travels to far-off places alone--and not ones that are familiar to us as Canadians like England and France, but places like Nepal and Isreal.
She is going through a really tough time in her life right now, but still she remains positive and optimistic. Taking on one challenge at a time instead of letting it all push down on her at once.
She runs businesses, she makes time for friends, she stays fit, she's never lazy. She makes me want to be a more energetic and take advantage of everything life has to offer. She's very inspiring.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tomorrow? The World!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Church of Football
There are many people I could never imagine my life without: my kids, my parents, my bff.... But that's not who I'm going to write about.
A few years ago, Twin A begged me to let him play football. I was very hesitant, but finally gave in. I had no idea that him playing football would be such a positive experience for all of us. At the time, I was very unhappy. It was a time of my life that I felt very alone. I was considering joining some sort of religion just so I had a group of people to call my own. Enter the Church of Football. The football schedule is all encompasing; it takes up most of the week. So we spent a lot of time together. It's where I met Malison (and through Malison I met her boyfriend and Cake Mix), and it's where I met two other families that I consider really good friends. I know that these people will be around for the rest of my life.
I can never express to any of these people how thankful I am to have them around. I know they are there whenever I need them (even when football season is over). They are an awesome support system and I not only can't, but don't want to, imagine my life without them.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I hate cliches.
I hate being thought of as a cliche. I cannot be put in a box and labeled.
Most especially, I hate the answers that come when you ask people what their pet peeves are:
"I hate intolerant people." What does that even mean? Everyone is intolerant of something. Granted, I'm not that fond of anything that deliberately physically or mentally hurts someone because of their race, religion, or sexual orientation, but I have to say that I'm very intolerant of whiners. (Quit faking, ya big baby.) Does that make me an intolerant person that other people should hate?
"I hate how Christmas has been so commercialized." Really? You hate when someone thinks so highly of you that they lose sleep trying to think of the perfect present for you? You hate how everyone joins together as one big community and sings and smiles and tells perfect strangers to have a merry Christmas? You hate how excited your children are when they tell you what the shopping store Santa said to them?
"I hate [insert driving behaviour here]." I read somewhere that anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot and anyone who drives faster than you is a moron. The funny thing is, we've all been the driver that has made a mistake. When I cut you off, it's because I didn't see you, not because I'm deliberately trying to ruin your entire day.
But the biggest thing I hate today? The fact that I'm responsible for putting the lights on the Christmas tree. I hate putting the lights on; I always scratch up my hands and I always end up with either extra tree or extra lights at the end.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
...and stuff
Have you ever seen a snowman sitting in a chair, watching the basketball game at a busy lounge on a Friday night? We put him there.
Have you jumped in a cab after a night out to find that a wise man from a ceramic nativity scene is in the inside pocket of your jacket? We put him there.
Have you ever spotted a plastic soldier, cowboy, Indian, or exotic animal in a flower pot in a hotel lobby? Chances are we put him there.
We've spent entire nights ending every sentence with "and stuff." We've bought an entire cake just to eat the icing. We've conducted many social experiments to see what people will do when they find a snowman or wise man or plastic toy in an odd place. I mail her birthday cards in the wrong month; we buy each other magnets from wherever we go because someone once didn't buy her a magnet because it cost too much; we think we're hilarious.
I promise day 11 will not be about my bff. Stay tuned...and stuff.
Monday, December 13, 2010
The first of many love letters to my bff
Just after high school, I had a boyfriend. We had a very...passionate relationship. We either loved each other intensely or hated each other intensely. We broke up a lot. My bff was always there, not as the kind of friend who says "there, there. It'll be ok" but more of the kind of friend who says silly things that make me laugh.
Then I got married and had kids. And throughout my kids' lives she has been there with all sorts of teacherly advice. "Make sure your kids play team sports. We can tell which kids are in team sports" and "don't ever buy cups, Christmas ornaments, anything with an apple on it for teacher gifts. We only like gift certificates. For Chapters and Starbucks. That's it. Don't think outside the box."
And I got divorced. And I had a new boyfriend. And we broke up. And I've had medical problems. And throughout it all she's been there. Again, not with any sort of sympathetic coddling, but it doesn't matter what's happening in my life, if I'm not laughing my ass off by the time our conversation ends then she hasn't done her job.
Thanks bff. If you were here, I'd hug you. Just kidding; that'd be really awkward.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Not seasonal
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Yes, I know how lame this is
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
In which I don't follow the rules of the game...again
The truth is: nobody's life is perfect. So while there are aspects of just about anybody's life that I find appealing, there are other aspects that I don't.
Some of you have a perfect marriage. And I want that. But I don't want to trade places with you because your husband is not who I want.
Some of you have an unlimited source of money and presents and vacations. And I want that. But I don't want to trade places with you because I don't want to have to deal with what you have to deal with to enjoy it.
Some of you have the perfect job. And I want that. But I want the job that's perfect for me, not the one that you have.
So basically, I want what you have. I want the fame and fortune and success and happiness, but I want my own, not yours.
Who would I trade places with for a day? Nobody. I'll get there on my own.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Memories...misty, water-coloured memories of the way we were
Monday, December 6, 2010
I wish it was more interesting
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Too many to name
One of my pet peeves is people who condescendingly (and it *always* sounds condescending) say, "I don't have a TV." Like they are somehow better than you because you choose to spend your evenings watching your "programs" while they undoubtedly volunteer for some under-funded charity that simultaneously saves children and animals, while also training for an ironman triatholon and spending quality time teaching their children to understand finances and the small print on contracts. Judgemental bastards. (But not you dear reader; I totally don't mean you.)
I, however, spend my evenings watching TV. I'm not embarrassed to admit it. Every evening, after the children are in bed, I sit on my couch, knit, and watch TV. My kids watch TV too. And play video games. And often eat junk food. Yep, I'm that mom.
My favourite shows (in list form) are (in no order whatsoever):
1. Glee
2. Parenthood
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. The Office
5. The Biggest Loser
Those are the ones I try never to miss. There are more that I really, really like. And listing them would make this post even longer, but, ironically, I'm in the middle of a really good book and I need to go finish it now.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Daddy's Girl
Instructions for Day 2: Photo of myself and the person I have been closest with the longest.
There are many people I've been close with for a very long time, but this guy has been there for the longest.
In the toy store, he presses every single button on every single toy and then giggles like a little kid.
He bakes all the muffins and shortbread cookies. He makes more cookies for Christmas than they would ever need at their Open House. This is to account for the ones that will inexplicably disappear out of the freezer beforehand.
He rarely read me stories. Instead he made up cool adventures about a kid named Bartholomew Snuffenhouser.
When we go for a run, he always tucks in his shirt and pulls up his socks. Then waits for me to say, "You are not leaving the house looking like that." Then he giggles like a little kid.
He always made sure to tuck me in whenever he came home from work—whether it was 10 at night or 4 in the morning.
He only answers the phone if Mom's not home, no matter where she is in the house or what she's doing.
When I'm sad or frustrated, he's the only person in the world that can make me cry just by looking at me.
When I told him I was pregnant, he looked confused, and said "but I'm not old enough to be a grandpa." He seems fine with it now.
I got a brand new manual typewriter for my 10th birthday. Him and I had daily correspondence for the longest time on a roll of toilet paper. (It was endless and cheaper than paper—he is, after all, Scottish.)
All my friends are jealous of the relationship I have with him. He's my running partner; he's there whenever we need him; he's someone who believes in me no matter what I'm trying to accomplish.
Believe me: I know how lucky I am.
Friday, December 3, 2010
15 things
Day 1 appears to be 15 random facts (and we all know how much I love lists...and random facts) and a picture of myself.
1. This picture was taken at my brother's wedding. I was dancing with him. Despite my hurt feelings of late, he's my brother and I love him. He's a wonderful person and I know that he is there when I need him and that one day we will be close again.
2. I purposely picked a picture that was dark and hard to see.
3. I like how my arm looks in this picture. It looks tanned and toned.
4. I had a job interview in June. I drove back from a function in Calgary, hadn't been home yet, and was not feeling my finest when I met with the interviewer. It didn't go well. Actually, it was really awkward. Today, six months later, I emailed the interviewer and asked for another chance. I hope it works out; I'd be perfect for this job.
5. When I go to a bookstore, I cannot leave there with only one book.
6. Same with any store that sells yarn (except with balls of yarn, not books. Obviously).
7. My very favourite blogs are The Bloggess and Dooce. And I also really like Notes From the Trenches. These ladies are hilarious and they often make my day.
8. I love getting mail. I have two friends that are very good about sending me mail through Canada Post. Thanks girls.
9. I'm really proud of my kids. They are only beginners at being teenagers, and I may look back on this sentence some day and sadly shake my head, but for now they are really awesome.10. I went out with my former coworkers for lunch. I miss those people. They can be counted on 100 per cent of the time to get my sense of humour.
11. I love Disney animated movies. I didn't like Lilo and Stitch at all though. Not even a little.
12. My favourite number is 12.
13. I have a problem with starting projects but not finishing them. I have a lot of mostly done sweaters, mittens, purses, scrapbooks, cross-stitches, writing projects, and various miscellanious projects having to do with my damned living room. I need to dedicate time to unfinished projects; perhaps I'll start a club.
14. As much as I love to read, I've only been involved with one book club. It was a club dedicated to reading books from our childhoods. We read Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret. It was a fun club, but it ended because most of the other participants are teachers and summer ended so they all went back to school and had better things to do.
15. I don't think seeing my name in print will ever get old. Every time I see a new magazine with my byline I squeal a little.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Christmas letter
Or, do I do like last year where I deliberate about this forever until it's too late to do either?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Dear Santa
1. There are so many seasons of so many shows that I want to own. I gave a list to my mom but I doubt I'll get any that I asked for. Here's why: my mom is afraid of her computer. She's certain that the minute she even walks within a foot of it while holding her credit card, her information will get out into the world wide webs and suddenly evil people will start using it for nefarious purposes like buying shoes. So basically, if what I want for Christmas is not at Costco or Mark's Work Wearhouse, I'm not getting it.
2. I may or may not have mentioned my living room (over and over again). I finally got the desk upstairs, but I have yet to make the curtains or the throw pillows. And also, despite the fact that it's on my list of things to buy when I graduate, I have yet to get new living room furniture. There's always something that comes up that's more important: trip to Mexico, trip to San Fransisco, phone bill.
3. I could use some extra energy. I'm not sure if it's the subject of the article I'm working on right now that is making me lazy (because it's amazingly boring) or the fact that I am naturally lazy, but lately I only want to snuggle in my bed and read. And if not on my bed then I'll take the couch and TV.
Thank you for your consideration Santa.
[Lily Starlight]
Monday, November 29, 2010
The IT band in my right leg is tight. So tight that I haven't been able to run for the last six months or so. I can run for about 10 minutes before either my knee, hip, or both start hurting. It's very frustrating. So I've started seeing a physiotherapist. And that was helping and it looked like I was going to be able to start running again soon, but I've stopped doing the exercises, I really can't afford to go to physiotherapy too often, and now it's possible I'll never run again. OK, that might be a little too dramatic, but my motivation is low.
Hmmm...I'm pretty rambly today. If ya'all have any motivation ideas, I'd be happy to listen to 'em...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Anyway, I had ways to entertain myself so I wouldn't get bored. First I'd knock on the wall between my room and my brother's and ask him what he wanted to talk about. He wasn't very reliable though; he'd either say "Nothing. Go to sleep" or he'd start chatting with me then fall asleep in the middle of a sentence...usually my sentence. Rude!
So when that failed, I'd sing. Every song I could think of. Usually from the soundtrack of Annie. I really loved that movie. After exhausting the entire repertoire of Annie songs, I'd start in with anything I could think of by Helen Reddy or Barbra Streisand (what? My mom was a fan. Geez).
After wearing myself out singing, I'd start making up stories. Then when that didn't work, I'd try the doctor's suggestion of putting every part of my body to sleep. (Goodnight big toe, goodnight ball of my right foot, goodnight Achilles tendon, etc.) Eventually that would get boring and I'd go back to singing.
I read now. And fall asleep a lot more easily. Too bad; I miss singing.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
1. The sunshine on my bed--at some point during the day, depending on the season, the sun sleeps directly on my bed. It's warm and bright and happy.
2. My dad's new-found car-attitude--in 1983, my dad bought a brand new Volvo. It was his baby and if you even looked at it wrong, you got in trouble. He owned this car for 20 years. Neither my brother and I ever drove it (until brother bought it off dad, but even then the pressure was too high to keep it in tip-top condition and so it was sold again a couple of months later). Anyway, my dad retired from his career and needed to purchase a work vehicle for his new job (don't even get me started on what has happened to this vehicle--gah). All that history to say that recently he got a brand new truck. It's red; it's huge; that's all I know about it. The other day when my mom and dad came to pick up their dog from my house I was out. I came home when they were here and my dad's brand new truck was in my driveway, but running, so I moved it. And when I got out of the huge red truck, I misjudged how huge the truck really is and fell out while simultaneously pushing the door into the side of my stucco house. It removed the paint from part of the edge of the door. It crossed my mind that I should probably flee the country, but instead I went inside to see if I would still be considered "daughter." You guys, he totally waved it off like it was nothing.
3. Yoga pants--I'm not gonna lie. I rarely wear anything else anymore. I feel like maybe I'm becoming a candidate for What Not To Wear (this in addition to Hoarders; is it possible I watch too much TLC). They're just so comfy and warm and comfy.
4. My country--it's politically stable and there are no poisonous bugs.
5. My house--besides keeping me warm and dry, I have the kind of house that my friends can walk into and totally ignore me while going about doing their own things. As I write this I have a friend sitting at my kitchen table filling out a job application. People feel welcome here, my friends, my kid's friends. It's nice that people can come here, because honestly, I sure don't want to go out there.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
There once was a time when I dutifully cleaned and did laundry on a schedule. The bathrooms were cleaned every Tuesday, the laundry was washed, dried, folded and put away every Saturday, the kitchen was cleaned every single day. This morning, as I rushed out of my bed to take the children to school, I noticed that I had two baskets of laundry sitting on my floor. UNFOLDED and NOT PUT AWAY. How did this happen? Stay tuned on the TLC channel; I could be on Hoarders any day now.
Monday, November 22, 2010
1. My parent's dog. She is a bad houseguest. I ask her to please sleep at the bottom of the bed on the other side (it's a king-sized bed; there's plenty of room), but she insists on sleeping right by me. Also, she is far to small to be outside in this weather. That means that she is supposed to go to the bathroom on these pads. She insists on missing, sometimes by about 15 feet. And then she barks and barks and barks every time I come back into the house and it's so high-pitched that I think my ears are going to fall off. Don't get me wrong, she's cute and she's a nice dog, but I just would like if she were a better guest in my house. I also think I might be allergic to her, and having her sleep so closely to me is not helping.
2. My driveway. It's not going to shovel itself, but it seems that other members of my household have noticed that if they wait long enough that it will. Ten minutes here and ten minutes there would have it done in no time, but they dawdle so much that all of a sudden it's time to go to school or dinnertime or bedtime. I often think they work way harder at dawdling, putting huge amounts of time and effort in, that it would take less work just to go shovel.
3. Censorship. I censor myself when writing so as not to hurt anyone's feelings or give too much of myself away. Everywhere I write I'm so careful: I'd write a book but what if a character swears or has sex and my dad reads it. I'd blog about more stuff but what if [insert one of the very few reader's names here] thinks I'm talking about her. (Not you though. Promise.) And private information? Feggedaboudit. What I share is so watered down that sometimes I don't even bother...hence the months of silence on this blog. And honestly, how interesting is it to read about nothing, because that's really all I have left once I'm done with the censorship.
Wow. I'm in a mood. I should stop before I get myself in trouble. Have a lovely day friends.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Title goes here
I haven't been here for a long time. Maybe you've noticed. At least two of you have because you've both asked why I don't blog anymore. I'm back. I'll try to do better, but honestly, I can't guarantee anything. The thing is , I don't blog when I have so much going on in my life that my brain is just spinning because I don't want to bog you down in my stuff and I don't blog when I have nothing going on in my life because I have nothing to say.
Today I'm trying for five random things because sometimes that's just fun.
1. I shovelled the driveway two days in a row. I have a long-ass driveway and it takes a long time and I don't even finish it because I want to leave some for the other members of my household. I don't want them to get used to me doing it. It kind of bothers me that my neighbours drive on my driveway because they pack down the snow, but it doesn't bother me enough to say anything. I like my neighbours; if they find it easier to drive on my driveway then I'll just live with it. Later on this year it won't matter anyway because I'll have given up the goal to always be able to see the cement. Shovelling is a novelty that wears off pretty quick. I came inside when I was done and my hair was everywhere and my glasses were fogged up and the zipper pull broke off my jacket. I'm not sure the last time I felt that panicked. I COULD NOT get out of my jacket. I was trapped there forever with hair in my face and I couldn't even see. It was horrible. I felt my breath quicken as I tried and tried to figure out a way to pull down the zipper WITHOUT THE PULL twisting this way and that like an acrobat contortionist. Finally I pulled the jacket off like a t-shirt. It was scary people; you don't know fear until you're trapped in a winter jacket with foggy glasses and messy hair.
2. I went to visit my bff last weekend. Honey was away so it was just the two of us. I missed him; I like them together, but it was really nice to have girl-time. I'd love to say we spent the day shopping then visited the spa in preparation for our night out, but in all honesty, we went to one store, then picked up food, went back to her place, put on our sweatpants and we were in bed by 1030. Sadly, it was perfect. I don't want to read too much into it, but it's possible that I'm getting... old.
3. My plans fell through today. I thought about all the stuff that needs to be done: the cleaning, the writing assignments, random chores and errands (on a side note, I've never been able to say that word--I know it's ERrands, but it always comes out of my mouth as erRANDS). But then I remembered what the Universe wrote yesterday: What if it was your downtime, your lounging-in-bed-too-long time, your walkabout time, and your blow-Friday-off time that made possible your greatest achievements? So today, I'm going to have a nap, I might go for lunch, I will definitely have a long, hot shower and I will blow-Friday-off.
4. I might just start now.
5. Because five random things right off the get-go might be a little over ambitious.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Receptionist
It was heaven.
As of last Friday, that break from my real life has ended. There was drama. It was like a reality show: backstabbing, conniving, people being sent home, a new Head of Household. And I couldn't stay. I'm not sure there was anyone there who actually wanted me to (especially since I never impressed them with any of my skills), but I didn't give them the opportunity to vote me off; I just left.
And now I'm back where I started from. Only this time there is not cushy job to fall back on. This time I actually have to try. I can't just wait for opportunities to fall in my lap; I actually have to go out and find them. And it's scary.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Otherwise: I'm a certified Nutrition and Wellness Specialist as of yesterday. I may have an opportunity to focus more on my writing career soon. It's not all bad. Change is scary though. And exciting.
Friday, August 13, 2010
2. I think I might have figured out why I'm so tired all the time. Why running is such a strain. I visited my fantastic new doctor yesterday. He poked and prodded at me for a while, then decided that it's quite possible that I've been running on a broken foot for the last six weeks. Perhaps my exhaustion stems from my body's need to heal while I continue to pound the broken part into the ground over and over and over again.
3. My kids tell people I'm a receptionist. "Because it sounds better." GAH! Like I didn't *just* go to school for four years to get a degree. Like I don't have letters behind my name.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Reason #475 why she's my best friend
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Do I need some sort of vitamin supplement? Is it allergies? Am I depressed (besides the tired thing I have no other symptoms of anything)? Don't know. Don't know anything and I'm too lazy to make the appointment to find out.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Green star - the green star symbolizes my nutrition goals. I find that I don't eat enough fruit and vegetables. Canada's food guide recommends 7 to 8 servings per day. Who wants to waste all their calories on fruit and vegetables? So I'm trying to eat both fruit and vegetables every single day. I only average about 4 servings per day. That's ok; I don't seem to be dying of scurvy or anything yet.
Red star - the red star is my exercise goal. I aim to get at least a half hour every day. This is the one that I don't get the most of. I have a lot of excuses, none of them good, for why I skip it. Between running three times a week with my dad and the new exercise regime I plan to make the other football mommies take part in, I will then only need to find time/energy for the weekend days. You know. The days I like to spend reading in my bed.
Gold star - the gold star is my wellness goal. This month I made a list of 31 things that need to be done around my house. Everything from replacing the burnt out lightbulbs in the bathroom vanity and vacuuming my furnace filter to bringing up that damn desk from the basement. The same desk I meant to bring up in February. There's a reason I have to go to the extreme of rewarding myself to do things.
Blue star - the blue star is the water star. All I have to do is drink 2 litres of water a day. This is the one I get 99.9 per cent of the time. Yes, I do pee a lot. Twice while writing this post actually.
Silver star - extra wellness goal because there are five different colours on a sheet of star stickers. Every day I must work on some sort of craft. This one is great for more than just getting crafts completed though. It also keeps me from snacking at night. It's hard to craft and eat at the same time.
In other news, it's my UNniversary today. I would be celebrating my 16th wedding anniversary today if that had worked out. I texted the ex to wish him a happy unniversary, he replied with two lols and an emoticon...no wonder we're divorced.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
High School
Monday, April 12, 2010
That Scene in 40-Year-Old Virgin
I try never to wear bathing suits. And the one I would wear if I absolutely had to is boy-cut. So, it's not that I'm fond of unruly jungles, and I do maintain "that area" well enough, but the need for perfection is not that necessary. Any other time that part of my body is viewed, the person doing the viewing is not really searching for...uh...stray branches.
Regardless, on this vacation I will be wearing a bikini. Prompting the need for more than just a careless swipe with a razor. For the first time in my life, I got a bikini wax. And you know what? OW!
Me: How old are your kids?
Torture Inflictor: They are four and six. *rub, rub, rub, RIP*
Me: OH THOSE ARE NICE AGES. DO THEY GO TO SCHOOL HERE?
TI: My son goes to [local school].
Me: That's a nice school. Well, I don't really know because that's not where my kids went, and I didn't go there either, but I know other people who went there, I mean their kids went there and they seem to like it. Well, they liked it, their kids don't go there anymore...
TI: *eyes dart around making sure there's an escape route*
Apparently, when I'm in a shitload of pain I can still have a normal conversation. A totally coherent and not at all crazy conversation. As you can see I maintained a steady voice throughout and didn't babble unintelligibly. I'm very proud.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Good writers have a voice. A voice that comes through in their writing. My voice is not coming through at all. This sucks.
And it's time for a change. Starting now.
So, without further ado, here are some random thoughts:
1. The other day I asked [Twin B] what he wanted to be when he grew up. He answered that he didn't know. So I asked the question in a different way: If you had to decide what you were going to be right now, what would you choose? His answer: Well, I guess I'd be a janitor because I don't really have the education to be anything else. My kid is brilliant.
2. So Jesus "died" and then we found out that he wasn't really dead, but we don't celebrate the second time that he died. I hear Jesus was kind of a big deal, so if we get a week off for his birth and four days off for his death/resurrection, then I think his second death deserves at least a long weekend.
3. I think I would be good at writing sit-coms for TV. I write them in my head almost constantly.
4. I hate my rear view mirror. It's the one that shows all the flaws. I often find myself driving down the street pulling out grey hairs rather then watching the road. It's also the one that points out which stray eyebrows need to be plucked. Yesterday it found a wrinkle. It was near my mouth. I've spent a lot of time since then pulling my cheeks back to see what I'd look like if I didn't have a wrinkle. But at least my eyebrows are good.
5. My friend is bringing over her baby this afternoon. He's pretty new. I haven't held a baby in a very long time. But the best part is that I get to stop at Chapters after work. I can't decide if I should get Sandra Boynton, Dr. Seuss, or Eric Carle. What a wonderful decision to have to make.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
**Side note** I was actually asked what colour I would be if I were a colour in a job interview once. Stupid question, I thought. I answered that I would be skin colour. Duh. I got the job anyway.
Obviously, I am far too logical to find this kind of metaphor appealing in my own writing. It's just so...so lame. Anyway, this is what I came up with. And surprisingly, it's still one of my favourite pieces of writing to this day.
I am not abstract art,
there is no confusion, no need to tilt your head to one side.
I am not large, obscure words;
do not take out your dictionary or thesaurus.
I am not a violin,
all intricate and needing to be played exactly.
I am a daisy
I am a giggle in church
I am baby-soft skin
I am a fawn
I am not a mango!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Painting the ceiling
So the fireplace was removed and obviously the wall behind it is a different colour than the rest of the wall necessitating the need to paint. And before I can paint the walls, I needed to paint the ceiling. Which is what I did this last weekend.
Saturday before lunch, I ran to the paint store. I bought paint, a pole to attach to the roller handle, and a tray lining to pour the paint into. The girl there asked me four times if I had everything I needed. I assured her that I did.
After lunch I came home, changed into my painting clothes, threw a bandanna on top of my head and started moving furniture. I was getting ready to tape when I realized I didn't have any. I thought it might be possible to get around not taping if I'm really careful, but then when I went to put the roller on the handle, I realized I had no handle...or safety goggles...or the tray to put the lining in.
I changed back into my regular clothes (keeping in mind that the hallway is packed full of couches and every time I have to go to my room I have to crawl over them then perform all kinds of acrobatics to actually get there). I ran to Rona and picked up all the supplies that I had assured the girl at the paint store I already had. Then came home and changed yet again.
I spread out the drop sheets, taped around the lights, donned the brand-new (too big) safety goggles, rolled the roller in the paint, and started painting. It was going along very smoothly for about five minutes. But then...the handle broke. Snapped right near the metal part that attaches to the roller. I ended up painting the rest of the ceiling standing on a chair covered in old pillowcases (that kept falling off every time I moved the chair), holding onto a little stub of the handle. I'm not sure if I can properly portray my frustration. Let's just say that what was coming out of my mouth was not very ladylike.
This week, I'll be prepping the walls and getting ready to paint them over the weekend. Hopefully, that won't be worthy of a blog post. Can everyone please cross their fingers that this goes a tad bit more smoothly? Thanks.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Some stuff I've been thinking about
1. My cousin: He is in the midst of trying to remove his childrens' mother from their lives. He has four kids--two girls and two boys. The girls have been protected from her for as long as they've been alive. She can see them, but she's not allowed to take them. The boys however, have the pleasure of being in her company often. Last week, she hit them with a broom handle on their legs, arms, and backs. Why? Because it was 830 at night and they were whining because they wanted to have dinner.
Anyway, my cousin is a good guy. He's quite a bit younger than me. He grew up on the family farm. His parents split up when he was young and his mom and two younger siblings moved to a different province. He stayed with his dad. I love my uncle, but he hasn't always been the most responsible guy, and my cousin has always been the adult. It makes sense then that he would fight to have full custody of his four children. He's a caretaker. And thank god for that.
But the thing is, he's stuck. He lives an hour and a half from a big city; he doesn't have enough education to do more than farm and occasionally work as a bartender for the local bar. He doesn't have a whole lot of options open to him, especially with full custody of four kids. And the true heartbreak lies in the fact that these kids don't have the opportunities that other kids (mine for instance) have and so they will more than likely follow this farmer/bartender path as well.
It's just so sad. And I'm so helpless to do anything.
2. Why am I procrastinating on starting the rest of my life? I was all gung-ho. I quit my job with big plans to do a few different things. And then...stopped. It's like if I don't try I won't fail. But honestly, I need to get moving on these things; the money I have now is not going to last forever. (Especially with three sports that need to be paid for rightthissecond.) One thing I have to do is move a desk upstairs from my basement. Instead of just doing that, I had my fireplace removed, necessitating the need to paint my entire living room, which of course, can only happen if I fill all the holes. So, obviously, I can't move the desk upstairs yet, which means I can't put my sewing machine on it, which means I can't start my life. There has to be a way around all of this...
3. My body. It's yucky. I want not to think about it, though, so I made a deal with a friend that we wouldn't. I'll still workout/run every day and not be stupid about what I put into my mouth, but, other than that, no weight talking here. Deal?
That's probably not all I've been thinking about. But enough for today. I'm feeling kind of heavy (but not in a weigh-too-much way because I don't talk about that here, more in an emotional way). I think I'll read a little lamebook.com to lighten the mood.
Friday, March 5, 2010
First Week
This one is different. This one I'm only here for four hours a day. I have time to workout in the morning, I have time to do all my errands before work and at lunch, and still be home for the boys when they come home after school. Everyday, I make a list of things that need to get done, and I'm actually able to check everything off. For that matter, I'm running out of things that need to get done.
And while I'm at work? I answer the phones (which I am totally getting the hang of), I sort the mail, and when I'm not doing that? I'm working on some freelance writing. The boss has left very implicit instructions that I am not to learn anything more than answering the phone and doing mail. So far, those rules have been followed.
I do feel a little guilty at times though. I watch others run around like chickens with their heads cut off while I sit here reading magazines and making notes on style and story needs. And sometimes I feel like maybe they're looking at me and hating me because I'm not helping while they run around like chickens with their heads cut off.
But then I remember: I chose this for a reason. I chose to leave all the security of having a full-time job. Not so that I could help others do their full-time jobs; not so that I could waste my degree by working as a receptionist, but so that I could spend some time with my children and try to figure out if I can be good at stuff that actually makes me happy. This job is the money-maker for now. This job is temporary until one or two or three of the other things I have planned works out. This is not a shitty go-nowhere job like the ones I had almost 20 years ago because it is a stepping stone to something amazing.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Fist Fight
The question is: Have you ever been in a physical fight with someone from the opposite sex?
The answer: Yes.
Shocking? Of course. Who would hit a girl? Here's the story:
In the high school I graduated from, we had an event called "Safe Grad." This required the school (teachers/principal) to pick out a random location (a field somewhere) and not tell any of the students where it was. Then, on the night that Safe Grad happened, a few busses full of graduates would drive out to this undisclosed location to party and drink. When any of the students were ready to leave, there were volunteer parents on hand to drive them home. The thought was that it would give us a safe place to party while ensuring that there was no drinking and driving.
So, there I was, at my Safe Grad, drinking and partying and having a really good time. I was talking to a friend of mine (actually, an ex-boyfriend), when a bigger boy standing behind him called his name. My ex turned, and having a little experience in the fine art of fighting, ducked. Do you see where this is going? That's right, the bigger boy punched me right in the cheek. I was stunned.
At 17, I was a little, um, well, like any other 17-year-old I suppose. At that age, we all just have a sense of entitlement, I think. My first thought was "Nobody hits [Lily Starlight]." Although, really, who was I to make that assumption. Maybe people do hit [Lily Starlight]; maybe people dream of hitting [Lily Starlight]; maybe that was a thing that was going to start happening on a regular basis.
Looking back on it now, I'm almost a little embarrassed. Because I hit him back. With my tiny, ineffectual, little fists. I hit him five or six times. He felt awful for what he had done and he kept apologizing over and over. While I was hitting him. As hard as I could. He kept talking like nothing was happening. Apparently when I fight I float like a butterfly and sting like a...butterfly. *sigh*
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Last Day
I have been thinking about what to write in this email for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I still have no idea what to say. There is a lot of pressure for a writer to make written things sound good. Eeshk! Probably you'll expect me too spell everthing write two. I'm not sure if I can handle the pressure.
I thought about making this sound like a break-up letter. It's not you; it's me. I think we should just be friends. I love you, but I'm not in love with you. But then I realized I don't want to break up with y'all (thanks for the word [American girl from Augusta, Georgia that works there]). I'm leaving but I'm not dead or anything; it'd be nice to hear from everyone occasionally.
I guess all I can really say is thank you. Thanks for the experience, thanks for the fun, and thanks especially for the treats at coffee central.
And also, a special thank you to whomever left the Lindt chocolates on my desk this morning. My favourite!
The End.
[Lily Starlight]
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
And also, what a daydream killer.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I quit while one of my coworkers was on holidays. Those of us left at work discussed how we might tell her about my leaving when she came back.
It's important to know that this is the newest member of the team. She only started a few months ago. I am the first person to quit in the entire company since she has started working there.
Scenario 1:
We thought it would be fun to have a team meeting this morning, where the boss would announce that the executive has demanded that she let one of us go. She would then say that she loves all of us and couldn't decide, so she will pass a hat around and whomever gets the piece of paper that says "FIRED" on it will be the person that has to leave. At this point the rest of us would say things along the lines of "I hate when she does this" or "Awwww, that's why Mary doesn't work here anymore."
Scenario 2:
The boss was to come in and ask me to do a small favour (perhaps ask me to send an email to one of the salesmen). The idea was that I would totally freak out. Tell her that wasn't in my job description and that if that's the way this company was going to treat me that they would have to find a way to work without me. I would then throw my stuff in a box and storm out.
We seriously giggled for hours thinking of all the ways we could mess with the new girl's mind. We're mean like that. As it turns out, we did neither of these things. Human Resources sent a notice out that I was leaving and took all our fun away.
Honestly though, if more days had been like that, I'm not sure that I'd be quitting...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Going Out
I should have stayed home. I drank too much. I called an old friend at 230 in the morning to come and get me even though I could've just as easily (more easily for him) taken a cab. The thought of being in my house alone was suddenly the most vile, horrible thought ever.
So, I didn't go home. I had that friend (the one who woke up and hopped in his car in his pajamas at 230 in the morning on a freezing January morning) drop me off somewhere else.
I shouldn't have gone out...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Team Building
Brianne and Martin got to know each other as the evening continued. Brianne told him how her mother had died in that terrible combining accident. "She was driving down Jasper Ave during rush-hour on her way home from work as a top-level finance wizard. A big truck with farm equipment drove past her and a combine fell on top of her. It was awful. I had to identify the body. She still had the John Deere logo embossed into her forehead." Brianne looked up at Martin with big, sad eyes. Martin patted her hand and looked back sympathetically. "I know exactly how you feel, Brianne. My goldfish died so I know what it's like to lose someone important to you. Do you want to go somewhere to get some food." Brianne was grateful for his understanding, "OK," she answered, "but nothing with peanuts; I'm deathly allergic."
As Brianne was putting on her jacket her shirt lifted slightly and Martin noticed the key chain that she was wearing on her belt loop. The one she never took off. It was a John Deere key chain.
On their way out of the bowling alley, they dropped their shoes off at the shoe counter. The man behind the counter was smarmy. He looked Brianne up and down slowly and wiggled his toothpick suggestively. Martin stepped in front of her and declared, "I suggest you stop making the lady uncomfortable. She doesn't like it." The shoe guy answered as all smarmy characters do with a clichéd, "What are you going to do about it?" "I'm a black belt in seven different marshal arts is what I'm going to do about it. I said, leave the lady alone." The smarmy shoe guy looked away and wiggled his toothpick to show that he would back down…but not because he was scared or anything.
It was a funner day than usual.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
There's the "supportive group." These are the people that have no reservations that I'm doing the right thing. They are so happy I'm quitting the job that is slowly picking away at me piece by piece until I become just a warm body with no personality. Their eyes shine when they talk about what a positive move this is. They are behind me 100 per cent.
There's the "supportive, but...group." They want to be supportive; they're trying to be supportive, but what am I going to do for money? But, what am I going to do about benefits? But, what if it doesn't work out? But, what if I'm making the wrong decision? (Is it wrong that I actually fall into this group?)
And finally, there's the "are you crazy group." These are the people that can't believe that I would take a secure, although, mind-numbing job and throw it down the drain. Especially when we're in a recession! Are you crazy? Do you know what a bad idea this is?
Which group do you belong to?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Kids: keep (Maybe. They'll be teenagers in less than a month and I'm not sure I'm ready for that)
Extra belly fat: chuck (and that goes for the thighs and hips too)
Family: keep (I have a really good family. They drive me nuts but I'm pretty sure that's the definition of family)
Shitty self-esteem: chuck (if I can't actually be self-confident then I'll just pretend that I am)
Friends: keep (these people are amazing. Much like my family only less likely to drive me nuts)
Secure, full-time job with benefits...


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Evolution Robotics has announced today that they shipped the first batches of Mint robots to selected retailer. Among these retailers we can find Amazon.com, Frontgate, Hammacher Schlemmer, Home Shopping Network, RobotShop.com and SkyMall. National retail chains in the US will start selling Mint later this year. Mint is a new kind of floor cleaning robot that uses an attached cloth to mop the floor. Mint is compatible with Swiffer brand Dry and Wet Cloths and other similar products, but the robot comes with a reusable microfiber cloth that allows the the owner to use any other cleaning solutions. Mint's suggested street price is $249.99.
PASADENA, CALIF. - September 16, 2010 - Evolution Robotics, Inc., a leading robotics technology company, today announced that its Mint Automatic Floor Cleaner is now available for purchase through select retail partners and online channels. This initial set of retailers includes Amazon.com, Frontgate, Hammacher Schlemmer, Home Shopping Network, RobotShop.com and SkyMall. Later this year, Mint will also be available in stores through national retail chains. Mint is a robotic floor cleaning appliance designed exclusively for hard surface floor cleaning. Mint automatically dusts and wet mops hard surface floors using popular cleaning cloths, such as Swiffer® brand Dry and Wet Cloths® and other similar products. In addition, natural, reusable microfiber cloths ship with each unit, allowing consumers to continue to use their preferred cleaning products. "We are very excited to have a great group of retail partners assembled and selling Mint so customers can now experience the latest evolution in floor care," said Dr. Paolo Pirjanian, CEO of Evolution Robotics. "Early customer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing our belief that a hard surface floor cleaner that is automatic and easy to use serves an unmet need in the market. Customers that purchase Mint will spend less time cleaning their floors, benefit from much cleaner floors, and will have more time to spend doing the things they enjoy."
Mint has been honored with a Popular Mechanics' Editor's Choice award for best new product at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and a silver IDEA (International Design Excellence Award) in the "Home Living" category by the Industrial Design Society of America. Guided by Evolution's own NorthStar® technology, Mint is smart enough to navigate and clean a room systematically without human assistance and meticulously tracks where it cleans to ensure it doesn't miss a spot. To clean into hard to reach places, Mint's unconventional square body breaks the mold of traditional round robots allowing the cleaning cloth to clean along edges of walls and all the way into corners. Mint adapts to different home environments using a range of sensors including first‐of‐their‐kind floor sensors to detect floor transitions and sensors for cleaning on slippery floors which allow Mint to adjust friction of the cleaning pad to maintain optimal traction with its wheels.
About Evolution Robotics
Evolution Robotics, Inc. is based in Pasadena, CA, and partners with brand leaders to make their products smarter by providing solutions for vision, autonomous navigation and intelligence. From toys to cell phones and vacuum cleaners to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the company's technologies have been brought to market through partners which include Sony, Bandai, Sharper Image and AU Phones from KDDI in Japan, representing more than 50 million installations. Evolution Robotics is an operating company of Idealab, a creator and operator of technology businesses. www.evolution.com


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Student Discounts
Students who want to make their money stretch a little further can take advantage of our Student Discount which gives you 15% off our services.
Standby Appointments
If you're happy to be flexible about when you visit us, you might like to take advantage of our Standby Appointments where we can offer you a cut & blow dry at a discounted rate.
Recommend a Friend
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Late Deals
We offer some great discounts on hair and beauty services with our Late Deals. Check back often to get the best offers we have.


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By WRSC (Canada) and Courage to Resist. July 16, 2009
Christopher Vassey served 5 years in the United States Army with a decorated combat tour in Afghanistan. After returning stateside, the Stockton, California native decided the war contradicted his moral values and personal political beliefs. With another combat tour around the corner, and carrying the haunting memories of war, Sgt Vassey made a decision that would change his life forever.
Chris packed his bags and headed north to Canada where he joined hundreds of other US troops who are seeking refuge from our unjust, endless occupation wars. He has made Toronto, Ontario his home for the last year. He has made friends, family, and dreams of a peaceful future in Canada. If permitted, he wants to become a permanent resident of Canada and work towards his citizenship.
-thanks to Courage To Resist


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- Home
- Media
- Technical Reports
- ARL-TR-3068 - Launch Dynamics of the XM1002 Cartridge, 120-mm Target Practice...
Launch Dynamics of the XM1002 Cartridge, 120-mm Target Practice Multipurpose Projectile, TPMP-T
|Report No.
|James F. Newill, James Garner, Anthony Farina, Rollie Dohrn, and Dipak Kamdar
|September 2003; 20 pages
|This report details the launch performance of the experimental XM1002. The study compares the accuracy performance of candidate XM1002 designs to aid the development. The results show significant differences in launch characteristic of the two types of projectiles, which are related to their transverse moment of inertia.
|Approved for public release
Download Report ( 0.878 MBytes )
If you are visually impaired or need a physical copy of this report, please visit and contact DTIC.


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Dental Unit Cloth Cover
Color: blue/yellow/pink/rose/green
Features: four pieces, fashion and easy. Good elasticity, not shrink after washing.
Standard full set: headrest cover / back cover / body cover / stools cover
Net weight:
Name: Ms Cara Jiao
Mobile:+86 136 6371 5484
Tel:+86 371 63937550
Add:No. 101, Tongbai Road, Zhengzhou, China 450000


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I am SO thankful for the Body of Christ. What would we have without each other? It would be hard to stick close to Christ on our own. Let's do our part not to be isolated. I'm half talking to myself - I have a tendency to be a recluse and I'm still really lacking local girlfriends.
I've been mildly obsessed with Joyce Meyer's materials recently. At the gym the other day, I listened to her podcast, and it got me excited. I thought I should share!
She was talking about how we wallow around in our struggles like pigs in mud sometimes, but that we don't have to because God and Jesus Christ have given us absolutely everything we need already. If you read through any of the new testament and reflect on that, you'll see the truth in it. Once we decide to make Jesus our Lord, we get his spirit and his mind in us. We get holy spirit, which empowers us. See Acts chapter 2. But remember how you can possess something and not use it? Like that ugly shirt you got from your aunt, or the lotion you haven't opened yet that's just sitting there. Why would the principles not be the same with holy spirit? It's like having muscles that we don't work out - our holy spirit can and does atrophy.
We have to activate what we got, people! And it can be hard work, but it pays off... and it's not THAT hard.
Anyway, she was saying that we have the seed of God planted in us if we are born again. Seeds don't just spring out of the ground into full grown plants with fruit all over them, though. And babies (which start with a baby making seed) don't burst out of you the moment after you get pregnant. You can't even SEE that you're pregnant for a long time, and plants take forever to grow to the point of producing anything, it seems.
In the same teaching, Joyce suggested not fellowshipping with your sin. Don't focus on the stuff you do wrong all the time! You are forgiven! Fellowship with God and get your brain thinking what He wants you thinking!
So let's not be acting like we aren't powerful people who have what it takes to live the way God would have us live. All we have to do is truly and firmly believe what God says to us and about us. The fact is, we are more than conquerers. We are lights in this world. We are free. We are loved. We are beautiful. We are strong. We ARE blessed, already. We CAN take captive our thoughts to make them obedient to Christ. We are able to be disciplined (that's one of many I'm working on). We all have an important ministry and purpose on this earth. Each one of us are unique and we should be different than everyone else.
Joyce's point was to stop asking God for what you already have and just USE it already! Just believe it and decide that you are going to live in victory.
How awesome is that?
Monday, February 21, 2011
1 comment:
that is so awesome! ;). I do agree that there is no point of asking God for something that we already have. I have done that before. Asking God to help me how to speak in tongues and yet I am not doing anything for me to be able to do it. Then one day, I just decided to speak and thank God I did! It is in me all along! I just have to use it! Praise God!ReplyDelete
You are such a great encourager! God bless your beautiful heart! ♥
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Cultural differences and the conversations between cruisers of different nations are fascinating stuff.As we meet and talk with a variety of people that we would never have met in our previous lives, so our perceptions and beliefs about the world in which we live change and grow. Just simple things like exchanging DVD's opens a whole new world of cultural education. Sure there are the global Hollywood numbers but also each nation has its own favourite movies, the ones that contain pointers to the psyche of that nation and even to the sector of that population that the cruiser comes from. The cowboy tale, the ex slave etc.
Sometimes my mind finds it difficult to cope with the information that bombards it. Some cruisers simply switch off, I have been shocked by the number of times that I have heard the statement, 'Oh we really don't want to think about those things, we just live in our own world'.
Maybe I should not be taken aback by this, but I am. It is inconceivable to me that an individual refuses to face the information and changes that are going on around them, all the time. It must be like being dead.
Recently a young friend sent us an email asking about our careers, how we trained,what we did, what we learnt etc. My final advice to her was whatever you choose to do remain curious, ask questions, don't be afraid to express a point of view.
Books like Naomi Klein's 'The Shock Doctrine' are raising disturbing issues. Take a look at this piece of film...
With the current election fever raging in the US this is a time of fundamental reexamination. Even the Oscar`award for best documentary 'A Taxi to the Dark Side' reflects this trend of questioning.


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The Commission on Fine Arts has rejected a plan to add a statue of a woman to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in honor of nurses and other women who served in that war.
The 4-to-1 vote Thursday apparently blocks the drive for the new statue at the memorial, unless Congress overrules the panel with special legislation, said J. Carter Brown, chairman of the Federal commission.
Commission approval is required by law before monuments and memorials may be built on Federal park grounds in Washington, Mr. Brown said.
The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project has been raising money and pushing plans to add a statue of a woman in military uniform to the memorial, and had gained the backing of Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel. Durenberger Urged Statue
Senator Dave Durenberger, Republican of Minnesota, urged the panel to permit the additional statue, saying, ''The time has come, in the opinion of many of us, to complete the Vietnam Memorial with a sculpture that represents the women's experience in the Vietnam War.''Continue reading the main story
An estimated 10,000 women served in Vietnam during the war, from 1964 to 1975, said Donna-Marie Boulay, a former Army nurse from Minneapolis, who has directed the monument project. Most were nurses.
Mr. Brown, who is director of the National Gallery of Art, said the commission members felt the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is complete as it is. He said allowing the statue of a woman would open the door to others seeking added representation for their ethnic group or military specialty. He said permitting the added statue ''would stand for the perpetual incompleteness of the memorial.'' Opposition to Proposal
Among those opposing the new statue was Maya Lin, the artist who designed the stark, black V-shaped wall on which are the names of all Americans who died in the war, including eight women.
Also opposed to it was Frederick Hart, sculptor of the statue of three male soldiers that stands in trees across the open lawn from the wall. Mr. Hart is a member of the commission but abstained from voting.
His statue of three soldiers was added to the design for the memorial in a political compromise that permitted construction of the memorial to proceed and ended a bitter fight over the plans for the memorial.
Congress passed legislation last year authorizing establishment of a separate memorial on Federal land in Washington honoring women who have served in the armed forces. Mr. Brown said that ''seemed the opportunity to do it right from scratch and not do it as an afterthought.''Continue reading the main story


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Make sure to follow me on my NEW blog Gabbing Ginger!
Make sure to follow me on my NEW blog Gabbing Ginger!
AWWWW NEW YORK. Such a wonderful place! So much culture and SO MANY people. I love going but I also getting to come home!
My husband had never been so we were the "typical" tourist over the long weekend!
We stayed at the Double Tree In Times square and here is a summary of everything we did!
Thursday- Walked around times square… Ate lunch at Carnagie Deli [HUGE sandwiches] and tried out a pub and went to the mets game!
Friday- The weather was all over the place but we headed for Wall Street and to the Pier area. Got to the One world Trade Center, so amazing but so sad reflecting on how that day changed our lives forever. Then we went to the Pier area! Sat and had a drink with a wonderful view and then ate lunch at a food truck park! We tried @shortysonwheels and it was AMAZING! Then we headed back to change for dinner and a broadway show! We ate at Carmines and saw Of Mice and Men with James Franco, Chris O'Dowd and Leighton Meester. SO MUCH FUN!
Saturday- We got up and went to see Barndard College at Columbia Univeristy where AOII was founded! Then walked to see Central Park! We went to meet my cousin and stopped by Radio City Music Hall and 30 Rock. We met up with my cousin and ate lunch in her neck of the woods then ventured to see the Empire State Building. Then ventured for some Juniors Cheesecake! After that she left and we decided to see an off Broadway show called Avenue Q…. HILARIOUS! Of course we were starving afterwords so we went to a hole in the wall to get some true NY Pizza…. MY FAV!
I wore my Fitbit on the last day and we walked of 25,000 steps and 10+ miles! SO CRAZY. We loved it and hope to visit again soon! Below are a few fun pictures!
My New York trip is coming up this Thursday! I have become pretty awesome at packing and have some tips too! See below for my Ideal carry on and whats inside!
This PackingGuide is AMAZING!
Some of the items below are a dream carry on some I am excited to enjoy on my trip 🙂
Scarf [Kate Spade]- I love them as accessories and they help out when I get cold! Love this navy/white nautical look for summertime!
Album [Sam Smith]- can't.stop.listening.
Book [Psychos, Eleanor & Park, Fangirl]- Reading on my iPad mini kindle app of course 🙂
Sunglass [Tom Ford]- The modern cat eye. Chic and fab.
Water [Fiji]- Gotta stay hydrated. Plus I love bringing Crystal Light flavor packets to help me drink more!
Chapstick [Aquaphor]- This product can be used on lips, to make cheeks look dewey and tame eyebrows just to name s a few things!
Purse [Michael Kors] BONUS: this carry all wallet clutch.
What are your trip must haves?
After this post only TWO MORE DAYS! I can't wait to write my recap/opinion piece on my #100daysofhappiness!
LOTS of great things are happening!
My BEST FRIEND/AOII SISTER came to visit me this weekend and we had so much fun! Find her blog here :). We did an outdoor Smart Barre Class at Trailhead in Fort Worth! SO much fun… but we definitely got sunburned! Afterword Kona Ice was there with free snocones! YUMMY!
My flowers are blooming like crazy! Bought these Diplandia's on a whim and they have been so easy to take care of **KNOCK ON WOOD**!
While Paula was in town we ventured to La Madeleine since they don't have one in Oklahoma! We had the Sampler and our favorite Strawberries Romanoff…. TO DIE FOR, SERIOUSLY! I think I need to find a Pinterest knockoff….
Mark and I also became members of the Fort Worth Club this week! I am excited to try out some of their events! We had a great meal there the evening we did the tour!
We went to a housewarming party and acted like we were in college again playing games and enjoy everyones company! We even busted out some Mexican Train (domino's game)… SO FUN!
Another fun thing that got planned this week is Mark and my trip to NYC! Mark has never been so I am excited to get to go on this adventure with him!
FINAL thing… Tory Burch had a sale a bit ago that I talked about and I am OBSESSED with these leopard flips!
It is that time again to update the good ole #100days of happiness! After this adventure ends I will pick back up on more unique posts!
Over the weekend my oldest friend came to town for a visit! I have known Kate for over 21 years… sheeeeeeesh! You should follow her blog Prairie Yuppie! She owns a ridiculously cute boutique in Stillwater, OK and competes in beauty pageants! While she was here we ventured around Fort Worth, and went to the Colonial! The quote below is our friendship… we could sit for hours and not say anything and be comfortable…. BUT lord knows we can chats each others heads off too!
True Friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable- David Tyson Gentry
Colonial was so fun! We had access to a few tents and the weather was perfect! We got to spend time with old friends and new friends and it was FABULOUS!
Belli [Facewash]- No, I am not pregnant but I have been having TERRIBLE breakouts but I don't want to start medicine or anything ridiculously harsh on my skin. SO I have been searching for things that will help my face. I LOVE the philosophy clear line but wanted to try something new. I found rave reviews for this from NON pregnant people so I thought I would give it a whirl! And I LOVE it. Doesn't smell and really gives you the fresh and clean feel! It really has reduced my break outs… right now I only have one pimple…. a month ago i had so many I couldn't even count them all!
Cherry Coke Zero is a serious problem I have. I love it and it really does help curb my coke cravings especially in the summer when I crave it even more! Cue Rascal Flatts singing Mayberry. I don't drink it everyday but I like having it around when I am have a sweet craving! SO YUMMY!
Kate and I decided to treat Mark to homemade breakfast after he
put up with us hung out with us all weekend. Omelets and bacon… can't.beat.that.
Also, I have gotten to take advantage of working from home and some amazing weather by laying out with my laptop in hand! I LOVE it! Stay tuned for a blog post about the highs and lows of working from home! Should be funny…. at least for me.
Hope y'all had a fabulous weekend!
This update seems to have a lot of food pictures! Enjoy!
-I tried out a new bacon wrapped chicken recipe…. and it was a success! As I have said before my recipes are sometimes not done by measurement.
Preheat over to 375. Butterfly chicken breast. Stuff with a few blobs of cream cheese and chopped onions. I also added some fresh herbs from our garden (oregano and thyme). Wrap with bacon and secure with toothpicks. Bake for about 40 minutes.
-If you haven't downloaded the time hop application, do it! It is fun to see what you posted about so many years ago! Mine alerted me to a post I had about moving to Texas 4 years ago! Can't believe how fast time has flown!
–Tory Burch was having a seasonal sale! I purchased a pair of Reva's and Flip Flops. I will post pictures once they get here! So excited!!!
-Last post I talked about the Betty Crocker Ultimate Brownie Mix. Well on the back of the box they had a recipe for brownie bites. SO I had to try. I followed the recipe EXCEPt it said it made 42 bites… I only made 32 and they were the perfect size! I also made some homemade peanut butter icing:
8oz cream cheese- room temp
1 big scoop of margarine (about the size of a stick of butter)- room temp
1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
Mark took these to work and they were gone VERY quickly! So yummy and bite size!
–Casey and I went on an adventure to shop and to see
Zac Efron without his shirt on a movie. We met when we worked at Texas Motor Speedway for Speedway Children's Charity. So we got a laugh out of taking a selfie with the TMS pace car. We used to get to drive those all the time…. They are fun and FAST!
-Mark was out of town so I tried a new breakfast. I fried an egg, cooked some lunchmeat ham and melted cheese on a "slimmie" bagel. Turned out so yummy! One of my favs now!
Back at it again and it has been awhile! Here is the happenings of my life recently!
We have been trying to go on walks lately and we stopped to take a quick picture of downtown Fort Worth. It was such a beautiful night for a walk!
This. brownie. mix. It is real people! So yummy but SO dangerous!
At en engagement party over the weekend I tried the Shiner Ruby Red Bird. It was yummy but it was hard to drink the whole thing because it was so flavorful and it filled me up!
So the other day Mark got me some "just because" roses. They were so sweet and smelled amazing! He doesn't do it often but when he does it is because he means it. I love them!
Mark and I are trying very hard to be less wasteful with our food/groceries. The other night we cooked some pork loin we had in the freezer, asparagus and then I made some yummy biscuits with cheese and fresh oregano. It turned out great and it was all random items we had in the fridge!
One of Mark's cousins is having her confirmation and I went to pick out a card the other
day. This verse is one of my favorite and I really needed to see it the day I went to pick out the card. Definitely a GREAT pick-me-up!
Essie's top coats are THE best! I use them with their own lines as well as with the OPI colors I have. It really helps it last longer than a regular polish top coat! LOVE it!


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They also have 15% off Valrhona chocolate for two days through June 22nd. Coupon code TODAY15.
They are still continuing their 25% off Zotter chocolate sale (coupon code ZOTTER25). Here is the complete list of their special offers.
World Wide Chocolate is also currently offering 10% off all orders with no minimum purchase (coupon code 1day10-0). Typically this all brand offer is only 5% or requires at least a $25 minimum order. Their other more or less normal offers are:
- 15% off orders over $100: 1day15-100
- 20% off orders over $225: 1day20-225
- 25% off orders over $575: 1day25-575
REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.
Between May and September, World Wide Chocoloate also includes free warm weather packaging of a reusable frozen gel pack inside insulated container (usually an additional $6.99).
World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Currently shipping is free on orders over $200 (this used to be $150). Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.