Your Aura is Blue |
 Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor |
Friday, January 11, 2008
What color is your aura?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorisyourauraquiz/
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Cedar Fever
I never suffered from allergies, until I moved to Austin. Who knew that this place was such an allergen, but it's one of the worst in the country - and it's all because of the cedar around here. This week, it's particularly bad, and I am about to die.
I Googled "cedar fever" and one of the top results was a page on austin.about.com. December through February are the worst months. For me, it's not the sneezing. It's the burning, itchy, stinging, itchy, watery, itchy red eyes. Did I mention they're itchy, too? My eyes itch, the skin around my eyes itches, my eyebrows even itch. It's miserable.
I have Allegra to take PRN, and it usually does a great job. When my eyes get like this, I have drops to put in them that usually work. But the meds are no match for the cedar right now. The rain is supposed to help keep the pollen in check - it rained yesterday, but I'm still miserable.
Your daily pollen count - notice that one of the "worst cities" listed for today is Austin.
I have no idea what the mountain cedar tree looks like, but at this point if I did, I'd clear it all out and have a big ol' bonfire.
I Googled "cedar fever" and one of the top results was a page on austin.about.com. December through February are the worst months. For me, it's not the sneezing. It's the burning, itchy, stinging, itchy, watery, itchy red eyes. Did I mention they're itchy, too? My eyes itch, the skin around my eyes itches, my eyebrows even itch. It's miserable.
I have Allegra to take PRN, and it usually does a great job. When my eyes get like this, I have drops to put in them that usually work. But the meds are no match for the cedar right now. The rain is supposed to help keep the pollen in check - it rained yesterday, but I'm still miserable.
Your daily pollen count - notice that one of the "worst cities" listed for today is Austin.
I have no idea what the mountain cedar tree looks like, but at this point if I did, I'd clear it all out and have a big ol' bonfire.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Next blog, please
Yesterday, I entertained myself for an hour or so by clicking on the link above for the "Next Blog." This is definitely NSFW (not safe for work), as there were a few that were quite, um, interesting. Also, there were a lot of foreign language blogs. But I found several that I added to my Blog folder in my bookmarks.
I'll share one with KnitforKnot. It's a blog that reviews eco-friendly cleaning products. It's called Eco Clean Review.
There was another interesting one that I bookmarked, a woman who after a struggle with IF is now pregnant with triplets. Bless her heart. It's called Belly Laughs.
It's very interesting to see what others devote an entire blog to. There was one where the author wrote down the happy thoughts he/she's had that day. There were usually only 1 or 2 per day. There were also plenty of weight loss blogs. And blogs with pictures of babies.
In other news, Cass is gone to California for the day - for an interview. Luke is playing hooky from school today. I'm probably going to go get the pink Chi when the kids get up and dressed. My hair can't take any more of the cheap, temporary flatiron. We leave 1 week from today for Vail.
I'll share one with KnitforKnot. It's a blog that reviews eco-friendly cleaning products. It's called Eco Clean Review.
There was another interesting one that I bookmarked, a woman who after a struggle with IF is now pregnant with triplets. Bless her heart. It's called Belly Laughs.
It's very interesting to see what others devote an entire blog to. There was one where the author wrote down the happy thoughts he/she's had that day. There were usually only 1 or 2 per day. There were also plenty of weight loss blogs. And blogs with pictures of babies.
In other news, Cass is gone to California for the day - for an interview. Luke is playing hooky from school today. I'm probably going to go get the pink Chi when the kids get up and dressed. My hair can't take any more of the cheap, temporary flatiron. We leave 1 week from today for Vail.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Travel musings
I was reading this article on the travel section of MSNBC (my favorite, of course!) just now, and a paragraph stood out to me.
I just recently got an explanation from a European friend as to why hotels don't typically have washcloths over there. She says that they are considered a personal hygiene item, and it would be like the hotel leaving a toothbrush in the bathroom for everyone to share. They usually carry their own washcloths with them, if they require one, when they travel. Ahhh haaa!
In Frankfurt, I kept noticing at night that my skin looked green. How odd. Blech. Finally I realized that all the street lamps were yellow light, not white light. Cass says they are sodium vapor lamps. I don't know why they use them, but I'll forever remember that about Frankfurt.
I got one of my biggest laughs while in Frankfurt from Cass's co-worker Yury. We had already arrived at the hotel, Yury and Miguel were on a later flight. Yury texted when they were on their way to the hotel - something like "We are approaching you at approximately 100 miles per hour!" Yes, the cab ride from airport to hotel in Frankfurt was quite, um, exhilarating! It's disturbing to glance over at the speedometer to see the needle approaching 160 km per hour. But still, it's kinda fun!
Cass told me that on his trip to Berlin just 2 weeks before we went there, he had a bathroom incident. He was in the hotel bar and had to use the restroom. They were marked with "D" and "H" - and no universal man/woman pictures. He couldn't guess which was which, so he had to go ask. He was told to use the "H" one. FYI "H" = Herren (men) and "D" = Damen (ladies)
I also had a bathroom incident while in Berlin. This one was probably aided by the fact that I'd had way more to drink than I can usually handle. It was while we were out at the graffiti-ed up partially demolished building that had several bars/night clubs in it. I had to use the restroom, and Simon made a big deal out of the fact that I needed to go to the door on the LEFT, not the door on the RIGHT - because they weren't marked at all. I walked out to where I was told the restrooms were, right at the entrance to the place. I stood there, on my right was the entrance/exit, OK I don't need that door (are you laughing yet?), so I went to the door on the left. It reeked, and I was thinking if this bathroom smells this bad, I wonder what the mens room smells like. I finished up, and as I was about to walk out, a guy walks in. Oops, sorry, stupid American here!! When I got out, I saw that there were 2 doors together there, and I had totally walked into the one on the right without noticing the one on the left.
Yeah, you can be embarrassed and annoyed by stuff like that - but it's so much more fun to experience that stuff and have a story to tell. I've got tons of 'em. LOL!
Pay attention to how things are different. Embracing cultural differences—while they still exist—is what sets travelers apart from tourists. We got a kick out of how Dutch street sweepers use brooms made with twigs (in Paris, the twigs are neon-green plastic). In Amsterdam, we had mayonnaise on the superb fries at Vlaams Frites Huis, and at a supermarket, we bought chocolate sprinkles for Molly's kids to put on their toast. At our hotel, 't Hotel, we ate cold cuts and cheese for breakfast, commiserated about those half-panels of glass Europeans use in showers, and thought of Anne Frank every time we walked up the canal house's staircase—it was a "leg breaker," to use Frank's phrase.I guess I've morphed from a tourist into a traveler. The first few times I was in a foreign place, I was annoyed by such things as that ever messy half-panel of glass that is supposed to keep the water in when you shower, the odd fixtures in the bathrooms which take some logical thinking to use, the lack of washcloths in all the hotels, and the weird choices of food at the hotel buffets. Now they are endearing to me, for lack of a better word. I look for them wherever I go.
I just recently got an explanation from a European friend as to why hotels don't typically have washcloths over there. She says that they are considered a personal hygiene item, and it would be like the hotel leaving a toothbrush in the bathroom for everyone to share. They usually carry their own washcloths with them, if they require one, when they travel. Ahhh haaa!
In Frankfurt, I kept noticing at night that my skin looked green. How odd. Blech. Finally I realized that all the street lamps were yellow light, not white light. Cass says they are sodium vapor lamps. I don't know why they use them, but I'll forever remember that about Frankfurt.
I got one of my biggest laughs while in Frankfurt from Cass's co-worker Yury. We had already arrived at the hotel, Yury and Miguel were on a later flight. Yury texted when they were on their way to the hotel - something like "We are approaching you at approximately 100 miles per hour!" Yes, the cab ride from airport to hotel in Frankfurt was quite, um, exhilarating! It's disturbing to glance over at the speedometer to see the needle approaching 160 km per hour. But still, it's kinda fun!
Cass told me that on his trip to Berlin just 2 weeks before we went there, he had a bathroom incident. He was in the hotel bar and had to use the restroom. They were marked with "D" and "H" - and no universal man/woman pictures. He couldn't guess which was which, so he had to go ask. He was told to use the "H" one. FYI "H" = Herren (men) and "D" = Damen (ladies)
I also had a bathroom incident while in Berlin. This one was probably aided by the fact that I'd had way more to drink than I can usually handle. It was while we were out at the graffiti-ed up partially demolished building that had several bars/night clubs in it. I had to use the restroom, and Simon made a big deal out of the fact that I needed to go to the door on the LEFT, not the door on the RIGHT - because they weren't marked at all. I walked out to where I was told the restrooms were, right at the entrance to the place. I stood there, on my right was the entrance/exit, OK I don't need that door (are you laughing yet?), so I went to the door on the left. It reeked, and I was thinking if this bathroom smells this bad, I wonder what the mens room smells like. I finished up, and as I was about to walk out, a guy walks in. Oops, sorry, stupid American here!! When I got out, I saw that there were 2 doors together there, and I had totally walked into the one on the right without noticing the one on the left.
Yeah, you can be embarrassed and annoyed by stuff like that - but it's so much more fun to experience that stuff and have a story to tell. I've got tons of 'em. LOL!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
RNFs
There is absolutely no other flatiron like a Chi.
I have 8 days to get sorta back in shape before our ski trip.
I hope there isn't an avalanche while we're skiing.
Toll roads rock.
I am a total sucker. Luke wanted these, and I bought them for him last night. He bounced around the store in them (just like the commercial!).
I have 8 days to get sorta back in shape before our ski trip.
I hope there isn't an avalanche while we're skiing.
Toll roads rock.
I am a total sucker. Luke wanted these, and I bought them for him last night. He bounced around the store in them (just like the commercial!).
Friday, January 4, 2008
2 business days
That's how long nV can go without Cass. :) His boss called tonight and booked a trip to Austin for next Friday. Not really sure what it's all about.
Who knew he was so important? (just kidding!)
He actually set foot in a mall with me today. I cannot recall the last time he did that. Of course, I had a game plan, very short list of things to do/places to go. We were in and out in under an hour.
Who knew he was so important? (just kidding!)
He actually set foot in a mall with me today. I cannot recall the last time he did that. Of course, I had a game plan, very short list of things to do/places to go. We were in and out in under an hour.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Catch up
We have arrived safely back in Round Rock. We definitely left a trail of stuff in Mississippi.
Cass left his shaving kit (with meds) in Grenada. He left a pair of blue jeans in Starkville. I left a pair of boots and my beloved Chi in Waynesboro. So, there's your proof that we were actually there. (I'm going to have to run out and get a new Chi tomorrow - cannot go without it even a few days!)
I was very sad to get the news of Mr. Rhodes' passing the morning after we arrived in Indianola. But I was very thankful that we were already there, and that we could go pay our respects to Mar and Lo. I don't have many memories of him, but I remember him as probably the first adult to treat me more as an equal than as a child. No matter how infrequently I saw him and his family, they always welcome me with a smile and a hug. I know I'm mixing my tenses here, but it's just so hard to speak of him in the past tense.
I'm so sorry that Marcus and Lorraine lost her Dad, and that their kids lost their Poppa. I'm also sorry that we didn't get to see more of Mar, Lo, Jennie, Jennifer, Gene and Suzanne.
The Liberty Bowl was fun - thank the moon and stars that we won. I would have felt awful that I dragged all of us up to Memphis to watch a loss.
Cass's moment to shine was when his Garmin GPS routed us around all the stop-and-go traffic (more like stop-and-stop traffic) approaching the Liberty Bowl and got us to the parking lot in time for kickoff. We had to park in "secure parking" that consisted of a fenced in parking lot with razor wire on top. Our seats were in the corner of the endzone, but the entire stadium was covered in maroon, so it didn't really matter where your seats were. Cowbells were in abundance, and they actually served cold beer in the 40 degree weather. Cass only had 2, a Bud Light and a Yuengling, because I think that was about all he could stand. When the sun went down, it got cold. There's just something about the Liberty Bowl that is just frickin' cold - like sitting on an ice slab, I describe it. At some point, we were huddling under Sandra's brown poncho - then Cass decided to wear it. Mississippi State won 10-3 (take note Clarion Ledger - the score was not 10-7). Again, the magical GPS got us around the traffic and back to the hotel within about 30 minutes. God love the Garmin!
We got to go look around Southaven with Sandra and Dean, as well as cut-up and carry on with them in the van while driving around. :) Their potential neighborhood is really nice and pretty, and I can't wait to go visit them there.
We spent one night in Grenada at my parents' home-away-from-home - the trailer (or cabin, depending on who you ask). Dad and Uncle Bob just finished adding on a big sun room on the back, and I thought Cass was going to take up residence out there.
Then we were off to Waynesboro on New Year's Eve. Memrie and her whole crew (even Patrick!) were there. I got to see their new house plans, and we got to eat some of Memrie's taco soup, which I love and make all the time. Luke was the center of attention with the boys, and I know he loved every minute of that. We watched a lot of football and stayed inside, because it was down in the 20s while we were there.
Now we're back home, and we've got a few days before the kids go back to school. Luke's supposed to start Monday, and the girls go on Tuesday. I'm sure I'll give Luke Monday off as well, so he can hang out with us one last day. That's the beauty of preschool for him - this is his 2nd year in his class, so he can afford to miss. LOL! He'll be thrilled, because as he says "I don't like to be teached anymore!"
I know I'm late, but Happy New Year everyone.
Cass left his shaving kit (with meds) in Grenada. He left a pair of blue jeans in Starkville. I left a pair of boots and my beloved Chi in Waynesboro. So, there's your proof that we were actually there. (I'm going to have to run out and get a new Chi tomorrow - cannot go without it even a few days!)
I was very sad to get the news of Mr. Rhodes' passing the morning after we arrived in Indianola. But I was very thankful that we were already there, and that we could go pay our respects to Mar and Lo. I don't have many memories of him, but I remember him as probably the first adult to treat me more as an equal than as a child. No matter how infrequently I saw him and his family, they always welcome me with a smile and a hug. I know I'm mixing my tenses here, but it's just so hard to speak of him in the past tense.
I'm so sorry that Marcus and Lorraine lost her Dad, and that their kids lost their Poppa. I'm also sorry that we didn't get to see more of Mar, Lo, Jennie, Jennifer, Gene and Suzanne.
The Liberty Bowl was fun - thank the moon and stars that we won. I would have felt awful that I dragged all of us up to Memphis to watch a loss.
Cass's moment to shine was when his Garmin GPS routed us around all the stop-and-go traffic (more like stop-and-stop traffic) approaching the Liberty Bowl and got us to the parking lot in time for kickoff. We had to park in "secure parking" that consisted of a fenced in parking lot with razor wire on top. Our seats were in the corner of the endzone, but the entire stadium was covered in maroon, so it didn't really matter where your seats were. Cowbells were in abundance, and they actually served cold beer in the 40 degree weather. Cass only had 2, a Bud Light and a Yuengling, because I think that was about all he could stand. When the sun went down, it got cold. There's just something about the Liberty Bowl that is just frickin' cold - like sitting on an ice slab, I describe it. At some point, we were huddling under Sandra's brown poncho - then Cass decided to wear it. Mississippi State won 10-3 (take note Clarion Ledger - the score was not 10-7). Again, the magical GPS got us around the traffic and back to the hotel within about 30 minutes. God love the Garmin!
We got to go look around Southaven with Sandra and Dean, as well as cut-up and carry on with them in the van while driving around. :) Their potential neighborhood is really nice and pretty, and I can't wait to go visit them there.
We spent one night in Grenada at my parents' home-away-from-home - the trailer (or cabin, depending on who you ask). Dad and Uncle Bob just finished adding on a big sun room on the back, and I thought Cass was going to take up residence out there.
Then we were off to Waynesboro on New Year's Eve. Memrie and her whole crew (even Patrick!) were there. I got to see their new house plans, and we got to eat some of Memrie's taco soup, which I love and make all the time. Luke was the center of attention with the boys, and I know he loved every minute of that. We watched a lot of football and stayed inside, because it was down in the 20s while we were there.
Now we're back home, and we've got a few days before the kids go back to school. Luke's supposed to start Monday, and the girls go on Tuesday. I'm sure I'll give Luke Monday off as well, so he can hang out with us one last day. That's the beauty of preschool for him - this is his 2nd year in his class, so he can afford to miss. LOL! He'll be thrilled, because as he says "I don't like to be teached anymore!"
I know I'm late, but Happy New Year everyone.
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