What I'm Listen To

What I'm Listen To
Originally uploaded by ASUJoan

Superfreak by Rick James. I have this little mp3 player for walking but it's too windy today. I'll play it through the speakers while I clean up. Have a good weekend!
I'll be away for a few days for work. More about that when I return.

Weirdness?

I have a lot of white shirts. Some are t-shirts with printing on them. I prefer to work out in white shirts. Despite the number, I can't say I wear plain white shirts often - maybe under something else. Over the years I've started grouping my shirts according to color and style and yes - I HATE wire hangers! Old age is making me weird, I guess.

Things Change

In November my body (not mind) told me my days of a runner were probably over. I was never a good runner. It wasn't easy for me. A 5k was like a marathon for me. It was a love/hate thing. I enjoyed being outdoors, felt as though I accomplished something, and got the maximum workout in a short amount of time. After reaching this conclusion, I did nothing for a few months which was uncharacteristic for me. Lack of activity took it's toll on both physically and emotionally. What could I do? I don't like the gym despite belonging to the Y. Hiking is a fav but much to my regret I don't live in the mountains. I already do strength dvd's but needed cardio. When I took my son shopping, I bought a pedometer. Kinda dorky, I know. I put it in my pocket and took note of my steps for several days without trying to exercise. What a big difference between the days I'm at work behind the desk versus being out and about or even at home doing stuff around the house. That was phase 1. I've moved on to phase 2. I'm trying to incorporate walking as much as possible. Funny, I hate to admit I turned my nose up a little at walkers when I was running. This weekend my daughter and I hit one of the resevoir trails. Today I left work and instead of doing a few errands that could wait I walked (fast) around a park. Another option is walking on the track at school while in the carpool line. I'm recording what I do on Buckeye Outdoors in the sidebar. I don't want to come across as bragging because I don't feel I'm doing that much. My goal is to build up to 10,000 steps. However, blogging about it and listing it on Buckeye makes me feel more accountable.

UPDATE: No flu so far though my daughter has classmates starting to drop out. My son hasn't heard much about it at his school yet.

Modern Day Plague

I can't keep up with all my blogging friends who have had the flu. It seems everyday when I read your posts, another one has been afflicted. Locally, I've read in the newspaper of the flu spreading but up it has kept its distance. Yesterday my daughter went home with a friend. The mom called me a few hours later. Her son got in from school and didn't feel well. She thought it might be strep throat. She brought my daughter home. Later I got the call. The boy was diagnosed with flu and sent home with Tamiflu. No fault of anyone but now I worry about my daughter's exposure.
A few years ago both kids got the flu. I nursed them back to health without getting it myself. A month later at Christmas, my brother was kind enough to give flu as a gift. It hit my husband, my parents and me. Actually my husband left to work out of town when he came down with it. He got Tamiflu. This was several years ago and I didn't know about the drug. He didn't get as sick as me (in my opinion) and got better sooner. I was home with 2 kids who were not sick. My parents usually were my backup but they were out of commission. Thank goodness for a few friends who kept their distance but helped out!
For the first time this year I got the flu shot on the recommendation of my doctor. It was a Friday. It made me feel a little weak. I think I slept Sunday away.
I wonder how all this will play out. I got the Lysol/Clorox wipes out. I swear by those. I feel wiping down phones, remotes, door handles, etc. kept me from getting the flu when the kids did several years ago. I'll keep you updated. I wish you good health.

Cloudy Side of the Moon

Haven't heard of Cloudy Side of the Moon? It was Pink Floyd's album that didn't turn out well :).

Wednesday night was the lunar eclipse. I was looking forward to it especially since I have a new camera and like taking pictures of the moon. It turns out the whole event was a comedy of errors and certainly defined me as an amateur photographer. My daughter and I went out on our front lawn right before the eclipse began. The moon was bright. I got ready to snap a picture when my son came out and told me I had a phone call. I went in and took the call. When I came out, the sky had clouded up and the moon was hidden. I could see there would be a few breaks in the clouds so my daughter and I were optimistic. Soon I began to realize I didn't know my new camera as well as I thought especially fumbling with it in the dark. My daughter shined a flashlight but that was more of a hindrance than help. I admit I'm rather new to photography and have a lot to learn. The moon would come out from the clouds, I'd snap a shot and realize I needed to change a few settings (still doing my best in the dark) then the moon would hide behind the clouds again. After much trying, my battery went dead. I quickly switched back to my old camera. In the end, I didn't get any good shots. Most were blurry despite a makeshift tripod. In hindsight I should have: not taken that phone call, shot pictures of the moon earlier in the week to try out settings and note which worked and CHARGED MY BATTERY! Lessons learned. Here is one blurry, cloudy, grainy shot:

3 Recent Flickr Pictures

I call this one "Stairway To Heaven" but actually it's the stairway to (fill in the blank) my kids' room so I'd pick a word that rhymes with well.

Here I was searching the sky for the wayward U.S. spy satellite but didn't see it.

I took this one while waiting in the car line at my daughter's school. Kudzu was introduced into the southeast U.S. in the early 1900's. It has taken over. The vine looks dead but it's only fooling you. All things in kudzu's way will be suffocated this spring.

The 7 Wonders

Thanks for your kind words regarding my post yesterday. I guess things got worked out. My child and I both received apologies via email.

I was tagged by Wayfaring Wanderer to list 7 Random facts about myself. BTW, she's an excellent photographer living in the NC mountains. Check out her blog if you get a chance. I listed random facts before. So for those long time readers, if I repeat myself I apologize. Here goes:

1. I became afraid of heights literally overnight. We stayed at a high rise hotel at the beach. It had balconies and the middle was open. You could walk out your door and look down to the first floor. No problems. Once I got home, for several nights as I was drifting off to sleep I had images of accidentally dropping my daughter from up high. After that I had a fear with heights. My fear is lessen a lot when the kids are not around.
   
2. I can't dive. I use to be a pretty good swimmer but never learned to dive.
   
3. I met my husband while we were both in college. He delivered a pizza to me. No it wasn't love at first slice. He thought I was rude. I probably was a little drunk. Imagine that? We met again since we ended up having mutual friends.
   
4. I went to 6 different schools in grades 1-12 due to busing/desegregation and a school closing. I lived at the same address the whole time.
   
5. I can drive a stick shift. My first 2 cars had manual transmissions. Starting on hills while living in the mountains was a breeze for me.
   
6. I began college with the intentions of being a speech therapist. Most of my friends were business majors so I declared myself a finance major prior to taking any business courses. So much for being an individual! I later got an accounting degree, too. At times, I regret I didn't stay with speech or branch into audiology since I'm now deaf in one ear.
   
7. Coke over Pepsi. However Diet Pepsi over Diet Coke.
   

Wasted Day

It's 1pm and I'm still in my p.j.'s. It's a beautiful day outside. Our office is closed for President's Day and I had intentions of making the most of it. Not gonnna happen. It all started last night when one of my kids got an angry and uncalled for email from someone on my side of the family. I ended up replying with a well thought out response. No regrets about what I did but the whole thing came out of nowhere and was very unsettling. Go after me not my children! There usually isn't a lot of drama in my family. I couldn't sleep. I don't function without sleep. So after the kids went off to school, Chloe Cat and I went back to bed. I guess I should be thankful I had the day off to do that but I'm still pissed about my wasted day. Now it's time to pick up my daughter. Oh well.

I Really Can Be a Good Mom

I didn't get the concert tickets last fall. I used the situation as an opportunity to teach my daughter about: supply and demand, price gouging, and illegal ticket brokers. I did score tickets to the movie. I'm surprising her this afternoon when I pick her up at school.

Happy Valentine's Day My Blogging Friends

Snow Day Today!

Take Me Away

All is good. My husband got the kids in line and they cleaned up last night. Listening to the whole thing play out and not having to be involved was music to my ears. It was worth pimping myself out.

Taking my last 2 posts into consideration, you probably aren't surprise to find out I don't like clutter. I get a joy throwing items away. I don't collect things except in the last few years I did start buying magnets of places we have visited. Last night it was cold and dreary so I grouped together magnets of warm places - any of which I'd go visit now:

Let's Make A Deal

Well , I guess I have a theme going so why not continue. After the kids left for school and before I had to go to work I went looking for the cat. I like to make sure she's not locked in a closet or something. I guess I have avoided really looking at my kids' rooms and the playroom. Well thank goodness Chloe Cat wasn't in any of those spaces. She probably would have gotten sick or hurt. It was bad. Those 3 rooms can qualify us for the Clean House show. I told my husband I couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of being the nag. I said I would do anything if he could handle the situation with the kids tonight and get their butts in gear. Suddenly he got interested. It's come down to me pimping myself out for a clean house.
Here is a picture of my son's room. A panoramic video would really do it justice. If any of you see him (TRISH) don't you dare mention I posted this. Actually I've posted several pictures of his room in the past. That's a secret.

I was going to take a picture in the playroom of all the trash scattered next to the waste paper basket but I couldn't take being in there. I ran out.

Not A Pretty Picture

You know I like to take pictures but it's not all beauty. Here's my kitchen Friday afternoon:

I can say most of the mess is not mine.

I did take this photo earlier that day which I will post to counterbalance the kitchen shot:

Are We or Aren't We?

.... that is the question. Rumors are flying that App will go down to LSU to open the Tiger's 2008 season. The battle of the Number 1's! We've been there before and lost. Emails, IM's, texting, surfing, etc. have been going on like crazy. I'm not sure my husband got much work done today given he was my source for all information.


In other news (is there other news?) not really. There are a few other topics I'd like to bring up but I'm tired. My son may be getting his learner's permit as I write this. Help us all. It's Friday. Happy Hour time? Yep. Have a good weekend.

UPDATE: It's official. Last year I was in The Big House (Michigan) Labor Day weekend. This year it will be Death Valley (LSU). Also, Son got his learner's permit (yikes).

Come On Get Happy

I should very happy today. 15 years ago I became a mom and today I took off from work. Still I can't seem to shake off my bad mood. Any suggestions? First of all, I woke up and found the washing machine had leaked water all over the floor. It doesn't appear to be from the connections which makes it more perplexing and probably expensive. My husband moved it out into the garage for a test run this evening. It is not good for a family of four to have a washer down for the count. I'm mad about the it and even more mad that I let myself get upset over the situation. In the big picture and with all that I'm fortunate to have, I really should let it go. Second - a minor incident with my son this morning. Out of respect for him I won't blog about it. Half of me is irritated. Half of me feels bad for him. Today is his birthday.
My 6th Secret in flickr for 30 Secrets in 30 Days was about tennis. I hung up my racket. The housewives out here in the 'burbs are too cut throat. They spend more time on their game than I do at the office (then again that's probably not a good example).

I need to go get this birthday thing together - later.

UPDATE: My mood is better. The cloud has gone away, blue sky now:

Bring On the Sleep

I'm feeling better so I don't need to take pictures of bright things to improve my mood as I did yesterday. Last night I took half a Lunesta and went to bed early. My family must not have liked my decision because they made as much noisy as humanly possible. Nevertheless, I fell asleep.

A Little Beauty Peaking Through

Prism
Originally uploaded by ASUJoan

I'm not feeling my best. I feel as if I'm fighting over some mysterious illness. I took a bright picture and I even dressed better than usual for work in an attempt to lift my spirits. I use to dress nice all the time. Now I wear jeans or workout clothes. My boss says she doesn't care what I wear as long as I do the payroll.

In case you are wondering, the above picture is from a prism reflecting onto my kitchen cabinet. I took another shot last month. I'm still continuing with my 30 Secrets in 30 Days over on flickr. Today's post is just a random fact, nothing earth shattering.

Off to a pancake supper to fatten up before Lent begins.

Secret #4

I was a waitress during the summers when I was in college - polyester uniform and all. 2 summers I worked nights. The last summer I worked the breakfast shift. Much more money in breakfast. More times than not, I'd go out with my friends come home and sleep a few hours then be at work at 5:30. I'd nap in the afternoons and start all over again.
Posted for 30 Secrets in 30 Days.

I've also worked in retail, made crafts (I hate baby's breath!), did bankcard collections, been a loan officer, and financial manager of a large state trade associate to name a few jobs. What about you?

Secret #3

I have a fear of heights. High places use to not bother me in the least. I think it came on after a scare with my daughter when she was young. This picture is a re-post. It was taken on top of Grandfather Mountain, Linville NC in August 2007. Walking over the mile high swinging bridge and being on the mountain made me so queasy. I use to visit here all the time with no problem.
Posted in 30 Secrets in 30 Days.

Any fears you would care to share?

Secret #2

Secret #2
Originally uploaded by ASUJoan

I got a new camera and really don't know how to use it. So far everything I've done has been in automatic modes. It's been a hectic week and the weekend is shaping up to be the same. We have a family gathering today and a Super Bowl (GIANTS!) party tomorrow. I look forward to a little quiet to get to know my G9.

Posted for 30 Secrets in 30 Days

We're in a drought here in the southeast. Friday it poured. We do need the rain. By afternoon the sun came out:

Secret #1

Secret #1
Originally uploaded by ASUJoan

I like Lucky Charms. They are magically delicious. This is my first entry for 30 Secrets in 30 Days. Sorry it really won't be secrets but rather random facts.

Do you have a favorite cereal?