Jun 13, 2008
yardsale and books
Well – almost ready for the yardsale. Yesterday, Esa and I put up 3 signs in the neighborhood and Dan is putting up signs also today. Tonight will be pulling all of the tables, signs, and stuff close to the door. Hopefully, we'll have a good turn out. At least it sounds like the weather will be nice.
One of my goals is to read more. I just finished "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". I wasn't really impressed with it. I think I expected more because of the push it always got at the seminars that I went to. It was an easier read that what I expected too. A person (at one of the seminars) told me that it was better (to understand) on the audio than the book.
I've started "Into The Wild". I've already seen the movie. SPOILER ALERT: I didn't realize the guy was going to die in the movie and I expected the book to be him/his journal.
3:30 p.m. – well – let me just say my neighbors who are participating in the yardsale are very dependant on me doing this. I'm just waiting for the "there were no signs directing people to our house" comment.
I created a map and posted it on the yahoo group, and people either can't figure it out or are just too lazy. I've asked that people print it out and at least have it at their house to forward the people to the next place. We'll see how it goes.
(and their human parents)
This blog started as The adventures of a D.I.N.K. family where the two "kids" are four legged and how we are going to retire early. Now it's a 1 income, 1 entrepreneur, and 1 pup getting closer and closer to retirement.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
shopping results for the week, child before the internet, green tip, and one step at a time
Jun 11, 2008
shopping results for the week, child before the internet, green tip, and one step at a time
Shopping results of this week
So I went to CVS on Tuesday to get the weekly bargain. One was get $4 Extra bucks when you buy at Fusion razor – cool – I had 2 $4 coupons – I'll get them for like a $1! Well, I look at the receipt yesterday – and only got $4 back – DAMN! I looked at the ad – one extra buck reward per household – DOUBLE DAMN that fine print! I've learned my lesson. Damn – I hate when that happens!
Humor for the day (or should it be thought of the day)
Those Born 1920-1979
READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO. IF YOU DON'T READ
ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't
get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, no t to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts, or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes. No video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them... CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn'tit?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us...go ahead and delete this. For the rest of us...pass this ON!
Green Tip (from IdealBite)
Need to fuel your stomach, but don't have time for a long pit stop?
The Bite
Make it fast, and keep on truckin'. When you're on the road, fast-food restaurants aren't usually the greenest or healthiest option - but no matter where you stop, you can make your meal a little bit better for you and the planet.
The Benefits
· A tidier big rig. Take just what you need; how many of the 11 billion Heinz ketchup packets sold annually are just collecting dust in your glove box?
· Three honks for less gas use. American drivers use more than 2 billion gallons of fuel each year while idling (in drive-throughs and otherwise) - and idling creates twice the emissions of a car in motion.
· Truck-stopping global warming. Some major fast-food chains are switching to wind power for their energy, use only sustainable wood for stores, and incorporate organic ingredients.
Personally Speaking
At LAX on business, a starving Heather caved and went to McDonald's for fries (sans big bag and ketchup) for the first time in at least five years...and she has to admit they were better than she remembered.
Wanna Try?
1. Go inside. Your legs will get a stretch, and you'll use less fuel than driving-through. It's often faster too.
2. Order "for here," even if you're taking out to avoid the bag and excess napkins.
3. Grab just what you need. How much mustard do you want on your burger, anyway?
· Au Bon Pain, Chipotle, and Starbucks - better options when you're on the go, featuring some local and/or organic ingredients, recycled paper products, and more.
If 10,000 Biters take one fewer napkin at fast-food restaurants, in a year we'll conserve the total annual paper use of 25 Americans.
A Reminder that little by little, you'll get to your goal
I've heard this story before, but it's a good one and one that comes at a good time. From Everyday Cheapskate.
A Little Bit Here, A Little Bit There
I love to knit. That is not to say that I am a fast knitter or even that good at it. Mostly I make things that turn out marginally well; then I tear them out and start over on something else. But here's the funny thing: It's not the finished product that I find so enjoyable. It's the process. It's the gentle rhythm, the pulling of one loop of yarn through another, over and over again.
Curiously in all of knitting—and I'm talking about the most complicated and breathtakingly beautiful works of knitted wear—there exist only two stitches: knit and purl. That's it. And no matter how fast I knit, or how slow—how intricate or ordinary the pattern—one thing is sure: I can make only one stitch at a time. And one stitch makes absolutely no visual difference in whatever it is I'm working on at the moment.
Now and then I come to the last stitch, bind it off and surprise even myself by what I've created. How did that happen? It's remarkable really that just one stitch at a time can bring such pleasing results.
I love the story author Jaroldeen Edwards (Things I Wish I'd Known Sooner, Pocket Books, 1997) tells of the trip she took with her daughter one bleak and rainy day. She wasn't that thrilled to drive more than two hours to see flowers some woman had planted. But her daughter was insistent—"You're going to love this, Mom!" And tell me what mom could resist going along with that kind of enthusiasm.
They drove along the Rim of the World Highway, inching their way toward Lake Arrowhead through fog and drizzle. Jaroldeen now was certain she was being kidnapped by her daughter! Eventually Carolyn parked next to a small stone church and announced they would need to walk along a path, through huge, black-green evergreens and over a thick blanket of old pine needles.
Just as they turned the corner of the path, Jaroldeen stopped dead—literally gasping in amazement. "There before me was a most incredible and glorious sight! So unexpected and unimagined."
From the top of the mountain, sloping down several acres across folds and valleys, between the trees and bushes, following the natural flow of the terrain, were rivers of daffodils in radiant bloom. Every color of the spectrum of yellow—blazed like a carpet before us. Why? How? Her mind flooded with questions for how this could be.
As they approached the mountain home situated in the sea of yellow, she saw a sign posted clearly by someone tired of answering the same questions:
"Answers to the Questions I Know You are Asking: One Woman, Two Hands, Two Feet, and Very Little Brain. One at a Time. Started in 1958."
A little bit here, a little bit there.
Today I received a photo of the most darling little boy, Joshua Michael, who is approaching his first birthday. He's the first grandchild of my college roommate. Almost as adorable, is the hat he's wearing. Why? How? One woman, two hands, two needles and very little brain. One stitch at a time. Started about ten months ago.
shopping results for the week, child before the internet, green tip, and one step at a time
Shopping results of this week
So I went to CVS on Tuesday to get the weekly bargain. One was get $4 Extra bucks when you buy at Fusion razor – cool – I had 2 $4 coupons – I'll get them for like a $1! Well, I look at the receipt yesterday – and only got $4 back – DAMN! I looked at the ad – one extra buck reward per household – DOUBLE DAMN that fine print! I've learned my lesson. Damn – I hate when that happens!
Humor for the day (or should it be thought of the day)
Those Born 1920-1979
READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO. IF YOU DON'T READ
ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't
get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, no t to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts, or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes. No video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them... CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn'tit?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us...go ahead and delete this. For the rest of us...pass this ON!
Green Tip (from IdealBite)
Need to fuel your stomach, but don't have time for a long pit stop?
The Bite
Make it fast, and keep on truckin'. When you're on the road, fast-food restaurants aren't usually the greenest or healthiest option - but no matter where you stop, you can make your meal a little bit better for you and the planet.
The Benefits
· A tidier big rig. Take just what you need; how many of the 11 billion Heinz ketchup packets sold annually are just collecting dust in your glove box?
· Three honks for less gas use. American drivers use more than 2 billion gallons of fuel each year while idling (in drive-throughs and otherwise) - and idling creates twice the emissions of a car in motion.
· Truck-stopping global warming. Some major fast-food chains are switching to wind power for their energy, use only sustainable wood for stores, and incorporate organic ingredients.
Personally Speaking
At LAX on business, a starving Heather caved and went to McDonald's for fries (sans big bag and ketchup) for the first time in at least five years...and she has to admit they were better than she remembered.
Wanna Try?
1. Go inside. Your legs will get a stretch, and you'll use less fuel than driving-through. It's often faster too.
2. Order "for here," even if you're taking out to avoid the bag and excess napkins.
3. Grab just what you need. How much mustard do you want on your burger, anyway?
· Au Bon Pain, Chipotle, and Starbucks - better options when you're on the go, featuring some local and/or organic ingredients, recycled paper products, and more.
If 10,000 Biters take one fewer napkin at fast-food restaurants, in a year we'll conserve the total annual paper use of 25 Americans.
A Reminder that little by little, you'll get to your goal
I've heard this story before, but it's a good one and one that comes at a good time. From Everyday Cheapskate.
A Little Bit Here, A Little Bit There
I love to knit. That is not to say that I am a fast knitter or even that good at it. Mostly I make things that turn out marginally well; then I tear them out and start over on something else. But here's the funny thing: It's not the finished product that I find so enjoyable. It's the process. It's the gentle rhythm, the pulling of one loop of yarn through another, over and over again.
Curiously in all of knitting—and I'm talking about the most complicated and breathtakingly beautiful works of knitted wear—there exist only two stitches: knit and purl. That's it. And no matter how fast I knit, or how slow—how intricate or ordinary the pattern—one thing is sure: I can make only one stitch at a time. And one stitch makes absolutely no visual difference in whatever it is I'm working on at the moment.
Now and then I come to the last stitch, bind it off and surprise even myself by what I've created. How did that happen? It's remarkable really that just one stitch at a time can bring such pleasing results.
I love the story author Jaroldeen Edwards (Things I Wish I'd Known Sooner, Pocket Books, 1997) tells of the trip she took with her daughter one bleak and rainy day. She wasn't that thrilled to drive more than two hours to see flowers some woman had planted. But her daughter was insistent—"You're going to love this, Mom!" And tell me what mom could resist going along with that kind of enthusiasm.
They drove along the Rim of the World Highway, inching their way toward Lake Arrowhead through fog and drizzle. Jaroldeen now was certain she was being kidnapped by her daughter! Eventually Carolyn parked next to a small stone church and announced they would need to walk along a path, through huge, black-green evergreens and over a thick blanket of old pine needles.
Just as they turned the corner of the path, Jaroldeen stopped dead—literally gasping in amazement. "There before me was a most incredible and glorious sight! So unexpected and unimagined."
From the top of the mountain, sloping down several acres across folds and valleys, between the trees and bushes, following the natural flow of the terrain, were rivers of daffodils in radiant bloom. Every color of the spectrum of yellow—blazed like a carpet before us. Why? How? Her mind flooded with questions for how this could be.
As they approached the mountain home situated in the sea of yellow, she saw a sign posted clearly by someone tired of answering the same questions:
"Answers to the Questions I Know You are Asking: One Woman, Two Hands, Two Feet, and Very Little Brain. One at a Time. Started in 1958."
A little bit here, a little bit there.
Today I received a photo of the most darling little boy, Joshua Michael, who is approaching his first birthday. He's the first grandchild of my college roommate. Almost as adorable, is the hat he's wearing. Why? How? One woman, two hands, two needles and very little brain. One stitch at a time. Started about ten months ago.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
stuff that went on today....
Jun 10, 2008
stuff that went on today....
Postpoints Health Tip
So this is the e-mail I received today from Postpoints. Funny, last time I went to the eye doctor, she said the floating dots are normal for getting older (OUCH!). I guess I just need to watch for an increase in floaters.
Fast action could save your sight! Get to an ophthalmologist quickly if you see any of the following signs, which could be a signal of a detachment or tear in your retina:
· Floaters that drift in your vision as your eye moves. They may look like dots, veils, cobwebs or strings. Pay particular attention to a sudden increase in the number of dark floaters.
· Flashing lights, especially in peripheral vision. They may ripple or flicker.
· A shadow or curtain that comes down across your field of vision.
-- Health section
The things you find when you're not trying
So we are assigned to do headshots and bulletpoint bios for future RFPs (request for proposal). I type in template for bio and find this website: http://blog.lodewijkvdb.com/about - How to be an original. Pretty cool. Amazing all of the different blogs out there and that are interesting.
I'm not in to throwing everything out there for everyone to read though (even my friends), hence the (many) diary posts. My goals are my goals and only I can achieve them.
stuff that went on today....
Postpoints Health Tip
So this is the e-mail I received today from Postpoints. Funny, last time I went to the eye doctor, she said the floating dots are normal for getting older (OUCH!). I guess I just need to watch for an increase in floaters.
Fast action could save your sight! Get to an ophthalmologist quickly if you see any of the following signs, which could be a signal of a detachment or tear in your retina:
· Floaters that drift in your vision as your eye moves. They may look like dots, veils, cobwebs or strings. Pay particular attention to a sudden increase in the number of dark floaters.
· Flashing lights, especially in peripheral vision. They may ripple or flicker.
· A shadow or curtain that comes down across your field of vision.
-- Health section
The things you find when you're not trying
So we are assigned to do headshots and bulletpoint bios for future RFPs (request for proposal). I type in template for bio and find this website: http://blog.lodewijkvdb.com/about - How to be an original. Pretty cool. Amazing all of the different blogs out there and that are interesting.
I'm not in to throwing everything out there for everyone to read though (even my friends), hence the (many) diary posts. My goals are my goals and only I can achieve them.
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