OK, so I'm not wearing boots, but today marked the fist day that I tried wearing shoes that were b.f. (before fall). They aren't that spectacular, but they do have a bit of a heel - maybe an inch and a half of a chunky heel. I wore them for about 4 hours and then switched to the flat shoes I've been wearing. It was just nice to feel a little taller for a change. 4 hours was quite enough though. I'll ease into them.
Hope all is well!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Raw Peanuts
We stopped at the Farmer's Market today - it's huge and the produce looked great! We picked up some Lemongrass, Honey Crisp Apples, Green Beans and Raw Peanuts. Guess which two were my picks and which two were Steve's.
Yes, I'm pretty "vanilla" - Dad, you're not the only vanilla person in the family. Steve is a bit more adventurous and picked the Lemongrass and Peanuts. Steve cracked one of the peanuts open at the Farmer's Market and took a bite. It was wet, white and a bit nasty tasting. He had to quickly find the garbage to spit it out.
So, tonight we looked up how to roast peanuts. (350 degree oven for about 30 minutes). Such an odd smell wafting up the stairs. It smells like green beans cooking. He brought me one a few minutes ago. It was still rather damp and it felt like a pea in a pea pod. Kind of crunchy, wet and slimy. We decided to put them back in the oven for a little longer, so we'll see what happens.
Raw peanuts - freaky!
This post approved by Steve for publishing.
Yes, I'm pretty "vanilla" - Dad, you're not the only vanilla person in the family. Steve is a bit more adventurous and picked the Lemongrass and Peanuts. Steve cracked one of the peanuts open at the Farmer's Market and took a bite. It was wet, white and a bit nasty tasting. He had to quickly find the garbage to spit it out.
So, tonight we looked up how to roast peanuts. (350 degree oven for about 30 minutes). Such an odd smell wafting up the stairs. It smells like green beans cooking. He brought me one a few minutes ago. It was still rather damp and it felt like a pea in a pea pod. Kind of crunchy, wet and slimy. We decided to put them back in the oven for a little longer, so we'll see what happens.
Raw peanuts - freaky!
This post approved by Steve for publishing.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
43 and Counting
No, I'm not talking about my age! In my previous post, I mentioned adding a couple of states to my list of states when I travel to Louisiana and Mississippi in a few weeks. So, I'm sure many of you are wondering - at least one person was - what states do I still have to hit?
Well, thankfully I've hit the "hard to hit" states of Hawaii and Alaska. I've been to Hawaii a couple of times in the last 5 years or so. Last year, 2006, Steve and I took a weekend and flew to Alaska on miles so that Steve could hit his 50th state! I've been stuck pretty much since then with my grand total of 43. Now that's not too shabby, but when the spousal unit is sitting there with 50 states, I have to be a little envious.
So, I figure when I go to Houston next month, I'll add a day or two onto my trip and make a foray into Louisiana and then into Mississippi. I might have been in Mississippi a long time ago, but since I can't remember definitively I'm going to add it so there's no question!
The remaining 5 states should be relatively easy to hit if I can arrange a trip out to the Northeast. The states are: Delaware, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
States that I've had to make a special trip to hit include North Dakota (seriously - you don't go through North Dakota for many cross country trips!) and Nebraska - another one that is hard to hit by being on a road trip.
I'd like to get back to a few states that I've been in but have not really explored. Those include Washington and Connecticut.
Speaking of Connecticut - does anyone when spelling certain words remember your grade school days of how you learned how to spell? I still spell Connecticut by saying Connect-i-cut. Mississippi is another one of those words that requires a little mental discussion.
Well, I've digressed - no big surprise there!
One more tangent - I'm doing this Fantasy Football league with my nephew. I lost last week, but it is fun! I'm watching the Vikings/Lions game right now and I have the Vikings defense and the Lions receiver. Both of which are doing fairly well at the moment. This does give a new dimension to watching football games.
Count up your states and let me know your count.
Well, thankfully I've hit the "hard to hit" states of Hawaii and Alaska. I've been to Hawaii a couple of times in the last 5 years or so. Last year, 2006, Steve and I took a weekend and flew to Alaska on miles so that Steve could hit his 50th state! I've been stuck pretty much since then with my grand total of 43. Now that's not too shabby, but when the spousal unit is sitting there with 50 states, I have to be a little envious.
So, I figure when I go to Houston next month, I'll add a day or two onto my trip and make a foray into Louisiana and then into Mississippi. I might have been in Mississippi a long time ago, but since I can't remember definitively I'm going to add it so there's no question!
The remaining 5 states should be relatively easy to hit if I can arrange a trip out to the Northeast. The states are: Delaware, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
States that I've had to make a special trip to hit include North Dakota (seriously - you don't go through North Dakota for many cross country trips!) and Nebraska - another one that is hard to hit by being on a road trip.
I'd like to get back to a few states that I've been in but have not really explored. Those include Washington and Connecticut.
Speaking of Connecticut - does anyone when spelling certain words remember your grade school days of how you learned how to spell? I still spell Connecticut by saying Connect-i-cut. Mississippi is another one of those words that requires a little mental discussion.
Well, I've digressed - no big surprise there!
One more tangent - I'm doing this Fantasy Football league with my nephew. I lost last week, but it is fun! I'm watching the Vikings/Lions game right now and I have the Vikings defense and the Lions receiver. Both of which are doing fairly well at the moment. This does give a new dimension to watching football games.
Count up your states and let me know your count.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Land of Disney
I'm sitting in the Orlando airport at the moment waiting for my flight back home. I've been here since Wednesday at a conference for work. Prior to this visit, my last trip to Orlando was probably a good 20 years ago.
It was a good trip - sadly I didn't see Mickey or Minnie. I wish I would have planned a trip to one of the theme parks - maybe next time. Most of my time was taken up with work and the conference. Today I had a little time to myself until I had to check out. I didn't make it to a beach, but I did hang out by the hotel pool for a short time. It was pretty hot and humid here this week, so I didn't last too long outside today. Probably just as well since I had no sunscreen. I thought about buying some at the hotel, but decided that $15 for sunscreen that would probably spill out in my suitcase wasn't worth it.
I had a good time down here and am looking forward to my next conference in 3 weeks to Houston. I'm going to spend an extra couple of days on that trip and add Louisiana to my list of states. Just in case I've never hit Mississippi, I'm going to do a quick trip into that state as well.
So, from the land of Mickey Mouse - signing out!
It was a good trip - sadly I didn't see Mickey or Minnie. I wish I would have planned a trip to one of the theme parks - maybe next time. Most of my time was taken up with work and the conference. Today I had a little time to myself until I had to check out. I didn't make it to a beach, but I did hang out by the hotel pool for a short time. It was pretty hot and humid here this week, so I didn't last too long outside today. Probably just as well since I had no sunscreen. I thought about buying some at the hotel, but decided that $15 for sunscreen that would probably spill out in my suitcase wasn't worth it.
I had a good time down here and am looking forward to my next conference in 3 weeks to Houston. I'm going to spend an extra couple of days on that trip and add Louisiana to my list of states. Just in case I've never hit Mississippi, I'm going to do a quick trip into that state as well.
So, from the land of Mickey Mouse - signing out!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Reflections on the Library
Steve and I went to the library this afternoon to get a little work/studying done. When did libraries become a place to socialize? I remember being at the library when I was a teen and having a librarian shush me. No more - one of the louder voices at the library today belonged to a librarian helping a patron find a book. The only way to have peace and quiet is to get a study room, which are few and far between. Sadly, I was out in the main area with everyone else.
The big draw of course to the libraries these days are those who need to use the computers. I think it's great there is a place to go for those who don't have one. Unfortunately the internet wasn't working at the library today, so many people were at a loss on how to do research. Hmmm....wasn't that covered in middle school - how to do research at a library. Do they even cover that these days or is it all about what you can find on the computer? I did see a sign at a different library a few months ago that said "Teacher won't let you cite Wikipedia, try the library."
We witnessed an argument between a middle-aged couple. I'm not sure where the woman had been, but there was a guy who had been using a laptop to play Solitaire for a couple of hours. This woman came up (presumably a wife or girlfriend) and they started talking. He was trying to explain to her why he wasn't able to do whatever research she thought he should be doing - the internet wasn't working. They were not seeing each other's point at all but just kept getting louder trying to make their point. Someone nearby finally commented for them to quiet down - which they did. Seriously though - he played Solitaire the entire time. As soon as she walked away he was back at the game!
Just a different type of library experience than what I grew up with. I guess I'm officially old!
The big draw of course to the libraries these days are those who need to use the computers. I think it's great there is a place to go for those who don't have one. Unfortunately the internet wasn't working at the library today, so many people were at a loss on how to do research. Hmmm....wasn't that covered in middle school - how to do research at a library. Do they even cover that these days or is it all about what you can find on the computer? I did see a sign at a different library a few months ago that said "Teacher won't let you cite Wikipedia, try the library."
We witnessed an argument between a middle-aged couple. I'm not sure where the woman had been, but there was a guy who had been using a laptop to play Solitaire for a couple of hours. This woman came up (presumably a wife or girlfriend) and they started talking. He was trying to explain to her why he wasn't able to do whatever research she thought he should be doing - the internet wasn't working. They were not seeing each other's point at all but just kept getting louder trying to make their point. Someone nearby finally commented for them to quiet down - which they did. Seriously though - he played Solitaire the entire time. As soon as she walked away he was back at the game!
Just a different type of library experience than what I grew up with. I guess I'm officially old!
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