Day 30

So, they say it takes 21 days to form a habit.  This is Day 30 that I've blogged and I've kind of gotten into the swing of things again.   Yes, there are still days that I stare at the screen for a while wondering what to write.  Yes, there are days that I don't get a chance to write at the "usual" time.  However, it's way more consistent than it used to be and my "page views" are showing it.  If I really wanted to up my "views," I would mention things like iPhone apps, Kim Kardashian, Dancing With the Stars, or Bradley Cooper.  Any of those would get lots of "hits."  We'll see if it works.

How about this: Stars I'd Like to Meet

Nathan Fillion
Oprah
Jennifer Garner
The Bloggess
Ryan Reynolds 

That seems like a good list. 

Happy Almost December!  Make this last day of November count!

Little Things That Get on My Nerves

Bugs
Closing the garage door and then needing something from the garage.
Wet newspapers
The increase of commercials as the TV show progresses in the hour
Gum under chairs or desks
Cars that turn without signaling
Zits
The fact that most kids don't know about Calvin & Hobbes (that actually just makes me sad)
The half-done craft projects littering my house
When food has meat products in it when it could have been a fine vegetarian dish

Argh

I can't think of anything to blog. I can't think of anything to blog.  I can't think of anything to blog.  Suggestions?  I'll write again tonight if you supply a topic!

Decorating

I haven't decorated my house for Christmas yet, but I did buy a nifty wreath and hung it right away when I got home this afternoon.   (Mainly, I didn't want it to shed in my house AS WELL as my backseat). 

I always struggle with when to put up my tree, etc.   My house is not huge, so a big tree in the living room changes the whole dynamic of things.   So, I like to wait for at least a week into December.  Since this week is looking jam-packed, it shouldn't be a problem to wait. 

However, I did help a friend start decorating at her house and she had lots of fun supplies and the end result (of phase one of decorating) was beautiful.  It helped that her other helper was an art major!  So, that has gotten me to get more decorating magazines, which is always fun. 

If I don't get around to putting up my tree, I can always wrap lights around my rocking chair "O" Christmas Chair, O' Christmas Chair!  How lovely are your armrests...."

Norwegian

I'm half Norwegian and have cousins in Norway.  One of them doesn't speak English much, so when I write to him, I Google Translate it into and out of Norwegian.  It's actually a fun challenge that isn't SO much of a challenge if I just copy paste. 

I have a ton of books on learning different languages.  I should really crack into them again.

Can I Do It?

So, I'm toying with the idea of not spending a cent today.  Just as my plan is solidified, my dad calls and says "I got you a 20% off coupon".  I was joking yesterday about having one of us going and geting the coupon early that works for the rest of the day.  I told him to offer it to my mom or sister as I really DON'T want to go near the mall today.  We'll see what happens.

My biggest temptation would be to buy caffeine.  Isn't that weird/sad/funny?  We'll see.

Tomorrow: Muppet Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

I am thankful for:

• family and friends
• a job that gives me the rest of the week off (and summer's off too!)
• elliptical machines
• my cozy little house with indoor plumbing
• Lake Superior (views, hydration, rocks!  What more can you ask for?)
• prisms because rainbows are pretty
•  the ability to travel
• my health
• almond M & M's

What's on your list?

Brain Block

I have been sitting here a couple minutes, trying to think of something witty or at least mildly interesting (in my opinion) to write and it's just not coming.  I thought, a list of things I'm thankful for, but that would be better tomorrow.  I thought about how I keep calling each day this week "Fake Wednesday", and so on.   Today is Fake Friday and TGIFF to that!!!  Then, I was going to ask people what they do for lunch if their Thanksgiving dinner is in the evening. Do you skip it?  Have some salad or something?  I'm planning to rent some movies and hijack the TV from my dad.  He's not THAT much of a football fan and I think with the right movies, it'll work.  I'm also plotting Christmas lights for outside.  Plotting in my head.  Like, "I wonder if I should measure my deck rails to see how many feet of lights I'll need.  I should test them and see how many work, etc.  These are the things that bounce around in my head.  ALL THE TIME.   Yes, it's exhausting.  

Oh!   Two nights ago I had a Hunger Games like dream.  Scary!  If you haven't read them, I would recommend it.   You have until March 23, 2012 before the movie comes out and it looks awesome!

Target Ads for Black Friday

Maybe you've seen the ads on TV for Black Friday.  There is a hyper, crazy shopper lady with a track suit, prepping to shop at midnight on Thursday.  Well, that actress, Maria Bamford, is from Duluth!  How cool is that? 

I showed the commercial to one of my classes, not to promote Target, but to show that people from Duluth can do lots of amazing things, i.e.  dream big, kids! 

In unrelated news, Thanksgiving is coming.  What's your favorite dish?

Malfunctions Galore

Yesterday, various parts of my house decided to fight back.  My computer reverted to it's old hard drive, AGAIN, so I had to open it up and do brain surgery, with the help of a friend. 

Then, my basement started flooding.  Turns out the sewer pipe is clogged somewhere between my house and the street.  Oh joy!  That's not something my dad can fix, so I spent the night at their house (I'm fond of using water), and we'll get the Roto Rooter person here today. 

AND, I'm getting new front tires today.  That's not my house rebelling, but my bank account will feel it.  At least I'll be safer driving around that hills in the snow.  Uff!

Be

I just sorted through and read some of the Sunday paper.  Yes, I still get the paper.  It's very Old School of me, right?   Any way, I was sorting through the ads, the Classifieds, and the sports sections.  Usually, I read the News and some of the ads, but right now, I'm kind of disgusted with the whole "let's start Black Friday shopping the weekend/week before" stuff.  Really?  Can't you just wait?  It's a couple days. 

What would the world be like if we all STOPPED THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS for one week and just thought about what we are thankful for?  Spend a week thinking about what you have instead of what you want or what you think you need!  Imagine it!  Daydream about yummy food on Thursday and getting to spend time with loved ones. 

The toys, sweaters, gadgets that will break after two uses, and plethora of sweets will be there on Friday.  And if they aren't, maybe you didn't NEED them any way.

Great Day

I read in a Whole Living magazine the other day that if you tell yourself you are going to have a good day, you will or something like that.   I tried it yesterday and it worked!  I was cheerful, got good news at work, and had a good workout at the gym.  Then, I came home and watched a documentary about Annie Leibovitz, a famous photographer, and it was great!  Went to bed early and now I'm up and hyper!  Woo hoo!!!

I put it on Facebook and I'll put it on here.   Let me know if you want me to take your Christmas Card picture.  I'm totally game. 

Christmas City of the North Parade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKi0-Lzrm4c

I'm not a parade person, but I love the song!  It will get stuck in your head.   The parade is today.  I was only in it once, in 6th grade, as a crossing guard.  Brrrr...

Drag

Why is it that when one is looking forward to something time just drags?  I am so excited for the Festival of Trees on Saturday that I can hardly stand it!  You might be asking yourself, "What the heck is Festival of Trees?  Some hippie thing?   Some let's plant trees thing?"   Nope.  Festival of Trees is the Junior League's Christmas craft/art sale and it's HUGE!!!!!!   It's at the DECC and there are so many good things to buy that I usually have to either come with a lot of cash or pace myself.  Sometimes, we have to make trips to the car to drop off all of our loot before going to the second level!  It's great fun. 

I shouldn't be talking it up so much because it does get quite crowded and is very popular.  However, if you read this and we're friends, then I'd like to run into you there.  Sooooo..... feel free to go!

Okay, Fine.

Since it's mid-November and I do live in Northern Minnesota, I guess it's time to take out my shovels and put the grit back in my car.  I'm not doing this with a smile on my face, Mother Nature, but I'll do it. 

Stuff for car:
grit
shovel
boots
spare hat,mittens, scarf, blanket
emergency kit (that is always in there)

Did I forget anything?

Witty Responses Welcomed

Monday.  4:15 PM.  Local post office.   I'm 8th in line and the woman ahead of me is talking loudly on her cellphone.  There is no way NOT to listen.  I heard all about her weekend, the bicycle reflectors needed for the other person's bike, the fact that she takes a flashlight on her walks in the morning, though now it's easier with Daylight Savings Time, etc.  All of this, full voice, no holds barred.  She did get off the phone when it was her turn, which shows some decency.

My question for you is, what would have been a good (read "funny") response to this lady holding our airwaves hostage?   Singing?  Humming?  Reciting the Declaration of Independence?  Thoughts? 

Warped and Hilarious

A friend showed me a hilarious blog that I would recommend to anyone who likes warped humor and can handle swear words.  The writer's name is Jenny Lawson and her blog is     thebloggess.com 

Once you start reading her blog, you might not come back to mine, OR, you might want to see what other trick, links, or random weirdness I've got up my sleeve (usually, it's just my arm up my sleeve, but you never know).

Baby Sister

My folks have a picture of my mom rocking my sister Sara and me next to the rocking chair in MY kid rocking chair with one of my dolls, rocking her.  I guess this was very soon after I became a big sister.   Today is that kid's birthday.  So far, I think we've raised her pretty well.  

In other news, I spent THE WHOLE DAY trying to make my house look like there weren't squatters taking over.   It's sort of weird to wake up to a clean house this morning.  I will make it last.  I will make it last.  I will make it last.

Corners of My House

Menu

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and people have started planning their menus.  People have started dreaming about eating.  Maybe they've even started thinking about hanging out with relatives.

My questions for you:

1) What are your family traditions around food for Thanksgiving?
2) Are you one of the cooks?
3) Do you watch football that day?
4) Do you watch the parade?
5) What's your favorite menu item?

Conversation with Student (Grade 9)

A conversation with a student yesterday:

Kid: Give these to your kids.  Do you have kids?
Me: No.
Kid: Why not?  You should have kids!
Me: I don't want to be a single mom.
Kid:  Well, don't!  Have them with your husband.
Me: What husband?
Kid:  You don't have a husband?  You need to get one!!! 
Another kid: You better be hurryin'.  

I can't do the conversation justice without accents and word emphasis, but you get the idea.  Too funny!

Peace and Quiet

Duluth's elections for the year are over and while some of the results were wonderful (think parks and libraries), some of them were not (think school referendum).   However, the best news is that my mailbox will not be filled with "Please vote for me" fliers, my door won't be crammed with glossy paper, and my phone won't be ringing off the hook!  Yikes!   Peace and quiet, I welcome thee.

In unrelated news, I spent about 5 hours correcting tests yesterday and I'm still not done!   My hands are numb.  I'm down to 16 left, though, so I can see the light.  No, not that light.

Random Things I Like

agates
wandering libraries
goofy bumper stickers
penguins, owls (cartoon only), turtles
sparkly nail polish
candles
Crypto Quips
quotes
solar powered yard decorations
blue glass
songs about peace
photographing my friends' kids
learning phrases of new languages
traveling

Cars

My sister is selling her car, or more specifically, my dad is selling my sister's car.   When my dad sells a car, I am in charge of taking the pictures and creating the Craigslist post.  As soon as that 20 minute process is done, it's out of my hands. 

My dad is the guru of car numbers and stats and LOVES cars.  I think I get my memorizing of numbers from him.  Seriously, WOW.

So, essentially, if you need help selling a car, I got your back.

Plan Ahead

Friday is 11/11/11.   Could you think of something you could do 11 times on Friday?  Just for fun!    I just came up with this idea, so I have no plan yet, but I like the possibilities.  It's going to be a Friday, so maybe "yawn."  It would be more fun to have a silly plan.

Who's with me?

Cathy Lamb

Last July, my sister and I stumbled upon a local bookstore in Spooner, WI.  We both like to wander and while Sara was debating which book to get, I kept going back to this book:

Over and over, I went back to it.  So, finally, I decided to get it.  I like buying for local shops.  I like novels.  Makes sense.  The store clerk said that lots of people were happy to see that Cathy Lamb had a new book. 

I was engrossed in it!   I have since read The Last Time I was Me, Henry's Sisters, and I have 30 pages left of Such a Pretty Face.   There is only one book left: Julia's Chocolates and it's sitting on my shelf.  I have to ration out my Cathy Lamb books!  I hope she's got a new one in the works!

Each book deals with love, trauma, finding yourself, and family.   They are approximately 400 pages, but they are SOOOOO engrossing that you don't notice the length and weight except when you carry the book with you everywhere IN CASE you have time to read.

Maybe You Knew

So, tomorrow is opening deer hunting weekend and a bunch of my students are either going to be heading out early or have already left to go shoot Bambi.   Well, I was thinking of wearing a T-shirt for Invisible Children, an organization that helps kids who are struggling in Africa.   Then, I thought, "I could wear my new Blaze Orange sweatshirt with it!"   Well, not only does it highlight a good cause, but it's ironic.  I'm a dork.  Maybe you knew that.

No, I didn't order these glasses.  I ALMOST got them as sunglasses, just for a laugh.

Weird

Two days ago, I titled my blog entry "One a Day Plus Iron."  Then, one of my "whole living" tips online was to add Vitamin B to my diet to help with stress.  Well, who doesn't need help with stress, right?  So, I checked with the pharmacist and he said it would be fine to add it.  

I took it at lunch and by choir practice, I was zinging one-liners.   WHAT?   I'm cheerful at night AND goofy?  Amazing!  We'll see if this trend continues.  Too bad I can't pass them out to my students.

Adapt

A few friends and I had a conversation about adapting to living with another person.  One friend was married and two of us are in our mid-thirties and never married.  We discussed what little things would drive us crazy if we had to change them and ended up talking about how glasses should be put in cupboards: right side up or upside down?  

I guess my parents fought over how to fold laundry.  Do you think people just copy what their parents did?  And if so, then really they are copying the parent-who-won's style!

So, survey: 
1) Do you put glasses in the cupboard right side up or upside down?
2) Do you fold towels length-wise first or width-wise first?

Blog a Day Plus Iron

A friend told me about a National Novel writing challenge and asked if I wanted to be his writing buddy.  You write a novel (50,000 words) during the month of November.  Um, no thanks.  I don't have the patience to create character development or a plot arc.   Let me tell silly little stories and be on with my day. 

I did, however, think that this could be a chance for me to challenge myself to write a blog entry EVERY day this month.  Yes, folks, EVERY DAY!   So, the challenge is on.  If you have a topic that you're itchin' to read about and you think I might have something to say about it, let me know.  I can't guarantee it won't be a list of Things that are Green or whatever.

Actually, I did a post of "Things that are Blue" and SERIOUSLY, that is the most popular "hit" off Google for my blog.  I guess people search for Things that are Blue.  hmmmm....

Let the challenge begin!!!