It's a dog's life.......

Corgi puppy, google images

There is nothing cuter than a corgi puppy.....nothing.  I would love to have another corgi, but they are too expensive, and don't fit into my austerity plan for retirement...ha ha ha.

This semester I signed up for 3 classes ~ pilates, individual studies (a continuing class on my Chaco studies), and an archaeology class.
~I dropped the archaeology class because of the comments of my individual studies professor.  He did not recommend that I take the honors class because the Prof. is overshadowed by his wife's accomplishments & bitter about it......and the reviews on ratemyprofessor.com.  One student actually stated "obviously mentally ill", and another said he took an interesting subject and made is incredibly boring.  Not to mention that his lectures ramble, and rarely follow the reading material, which is what you're actually tested on.
~I dropped the pilates class last week because I developed a severe migrane about 3/4 of the way through the class.  I had to have Romeo come and get me, and one of the gym employees called an ambulance ~ they checked me out, said I was OK (as far as my heart and blood pressure) and then gave me a gurney ride to the car because I said I didn't know how I was going to walk all that way, because if I stand up, I was going to vomit.  It was embarrassing.
**So now I only have the individual studies and the history class I'm taking at BYU.  I looked for another phys ed class, but I couldn't find one that was on the weekend or evening.  Sound familiar?  My ongoing issue.  If you're tired of hearing about it, truthfully, I'm tired of bitching about it.
**I was basically accepted into the honors program, but the MANDATORY class is on Tuesday from 1pm to 2:50pm.  Again, I can't take it.  Once I recall my current anthropology professor asked me if I would be able to quit work soon........yeah, right.

Why do I continue, you ask?  Well, I'm a senior now.  I'm getting close to the goal.  Quit now?  No.  I'm a stubborn bitch, you see.

Enjoy your weekend...spend time with your family.  Be thankful for your blessings.
Love, 365

Gettin' around to it.....

I forgot to show the before and after photos of the stair remodel.  I don't really have a before photo, because Romeo had removed all of the carpeting on his first day of vacation, and didn't think about it.  I would have mentioned it, but I was out of the loop for his plans.....I simply came home and the carpeting was gone and he was pulling tack strips, nails and staples out.

Our stairs, sans carpeting, because some people are impatient and impulsive.

Here is a little bit of the carpeting that used to be on the stairs.  Here, I took the photo while looking down at the stairs from the second story.  

Going up, anyone?  I think the risers look lighter than the wall on the left because the sunlight is more direct....but they are painted the same color as the wall on the right.

Another photo of the lower set of stairs.  

No, it's not done yet.  We still need to patch and paint the nail holes on the risers, and caulk the small spaces between the wall and the stairs (& paint that too).  We haven't yet started the flooring for the landing either, but the plan it to finish it before cold weather, because we will need to polyeurethane it after installation, which smells awful.  Romeo thinks we can stain it before fitting it in, although I wonder if that is doable.

****************

When I turned on the computer this morning, I discovered my wireless mouse would not connect.  I've had this issue a few times before....

      I spent 45 minutes restarting, turning the blue tooth off and on, replacing batteries in the mouse......over and over with no results, until finally it connected.  I find this so frustrating and irritating.  Why does this always seem to happen when I am trying to get things done in a limited time frame?  ARGH!  Get me a hammer, I'll fix it good!!!

Love, 365

Stuff that bugs......

Silverfish ~ Google images

Stuff that bugs me.....

Mean people.  You know, the ones that cut in front of you, give you a dirty look (who knows why???), are nasty to their kids in front of you (which makes you wonder what they do when no one is watching).  There's a huge list here, but you get the idea.

Daddy long legs spider

People that wear the most hideous outfits in public.  Have you ever seen the photo extravaganza from Walmart shoppers?  Yeah, like that.  Too tight, too skimpy, too dirty, too much cleavage.....again the list goes on and on.  It makes you want to run the other way screaming "my eyes!  my eyes!".

Cat flea

Public phone conversations.  Really people, if you want to have a fight with your mother-in-law, please keep it to yourself.  If I can hear it, I feel like I'm included.  And I don't want to be.......

Red flour beetle

Rudeness....in general.  Please treat your fellow humans in the manner in which you wish to be treated.  This means you don't cut in line, you don't make huffing noises when the person in front of you is taking a little longer than you wanted, when traffic is down to one lane you don't speed all the way down to the merge and force your way in.  Didn't your Mom teach you anything?  Did you ever listen?  Pretend she is watching everything you do, and act accordingly.

Bed bug

Facebook posts that show a photo of some pitiful thing, then declare that if you don't repost, you're an asshole.  Or someting incredibly religious with the same repost idea....which doesn't seem very Christian.  Or whatever.

***************************************

Classes start on Monday.  I guess I'm ready......there is one class I'm not sure I'm going to commit to, because my current anthropology professor thinks he is not a great instructor (because the wife is much more accomplished and he's not enjoying being second fiddle, apparently).  His "rate my professor" ratings aren't that good either.  I figure I'm going to one class, and then decide.  Although Romeo thinks I should just drop it now.  He's probably right, but please don't tell him that.

Enjoy your weekend!

Love, 365

I blame Pintrest........

*Google images

Well, today is the day!  About six weeks ago, Romeo was talking about some of the things he planned to do over his 2 week vacation...and one was about shampooing the carpet on the stairs.  I just happened to be on pintrest (I only recently found that it's not just manicure designs and make up tips) and viewed a before and after of a couple that removed their carpeting and replaced it with wood.  They did theirs in a weekend ~ well, that's what they said anyway ~ so we talked about it, and decided to go for it.  We talked about how easy it will be to clean them, and how noisy they might be too.  But in the end, we decided to do it.  

That was on the Sunday before his vacation started.

On Monday when I arrived home after work, he had removed all of the carpeting and was prying the staples and strips.  I was a little surprised, because I thought we were going to plan it more in advance.  

The following weekend we took a trip to Lowes and Home Depot for stair treads and that sort of thing.  We found them, and chose the pine treads (to keep the cost down) and discussed what to do with the raisers (which we decided to paint the same color as the walls), and finally found a stain that matches our laminate flooring.  

2 weeks ago: measure, cut and try in each an every stair step, because all are slightly different.  There are 14.  Stack in the house, clean garage, and collapse in the living room for some boob tube time.  Fall asleep.

1 weeks ago: Haul the treads out to the garage, belt sand, find sand, stain, and put on 3 coats of polyurethane ~ although that 3rd one was the next day.  Unfortunately, the stain was not water based as we assumed, and by the time I was done wiping the excess stain off, I was feeling pretty sick.  So I took a nap while Romeo did the coats of polyurethane, because he thought I would get sick from the smell of that too, which I didn't disagree with.  Repeat the collapse/boob tube/fall asleep scenario from the week before.

Today: Yesterday we cut, primed and painted the raisers (I'm not sure I'm spelling that right).  Again, we tried in each one, because again, all slightly different.  It was not as tedious because the wood is thin and flexible, so it was easier to "make it fit"....with enough force behind it that is.  

Romeo thought out loud that we could probably get it installed and finished yesterday, but I suggested we shower and have dinner, to start the installation today...hopefully with enthusiasm and patience.  Something Romeo lacks when finishing up a project, lol.

I will post photos (mayber later today).  Unfortunately I don't have the before photos, because of said carpet removal on his first day of vacation. 

Hopefully I won't bang my toe again, which really did revert to it's normal color/appearance within 3 days.

Hope you have a great week!

Love, 365

Measuring time & distance....

What the hell is that thing?  (Google maps)

I pulled this photo from Google map photos....very odd.  I suppose it could be the top of a building, but considering how small the rest of the buildings are, it could be a parking lot.  Although I've never seen a triangular parking lot.  I think it might be aliens.

This morning when I left my house to go to work, I decided to see if I could really make it to work in the 13 minutes Google maps predicted.  Before I began working at this new office, I searched the well known site so that I could get to work on time, but not arrive too early.  The estimated time was 13 minutes.  I hadn't ever tested it out, so figured I would do it this morning.  Now, I have a "highway" that I live right next to.  I put quotation marks around it, because for years we just thought of it as a road in Albuquerque like all the others.  But since assholes have illegal contests of speed (racing) on it like clockwork on Friday and Saturday nights, and we used to call the police to complain, we were told that city cops don't patrol that particular street because "it's highway #(whatever)" and under the jurisdiction of the state highway patrol.  How typical to pass the buck.

I left my house at 7:27am, and arrived at work at 7:40.  13 minutes, right?  However, in order to get there that quickly, I realized I was speeding.  Even so, I was riding along with the traffic.  Everyone was going 5 to 10 mph over the posted speed limit.  I was a bit freaked out at first, but then I remembered the city cops telling me they don't patrol that particular stretch of road.  So, I guess it is a 13 minute ride.  

Love, 365

Is it just me, or did the summer zing by?........

I can't believe that summer is nearly over, and soon kids and teachers will be back at school.  Guess I'll have to leave a little earlier for work, to make way for all the extra traffic in the mornings.  Boo.

I have been at my new work place for about 5 months now.  My previous experience is that you discover the not so great parts beginning in the first week or so.  To their credit, it has taken me this long to discover that it's not perfect by any means.....although it seems that this place is as perfect as it gets in many respects.  Everyone gets along pretty well.  Which means that all of us are fairly logical and reasonable, with no real desire to dominate, manipulate, control or create chaos just for the fun of it.  At the same time, it is not perfect, because there is no such thing as a perfect workplace.  There are some resentments of others because they always seem to get what they want.  Here, I am talking about vacation time at Christmas.  Funny.  But, I detest taking time off at Christmas, because for 14 years I worked for a dentist that took one week at Christmas and 2 weeks the first part of June, and that was that.  If you wanted a week off at some other time, tough.  So, as a result of that (which was 20 years ago, lol) I really prefer not to take vacation time at Christmas.  Which means that I don't care, and sometimes find it strange that others find it such a great time to take off.  Unless you have young kids.  Besides, Christmas isn't my favorite time of the year.  It's tedious to put up decorations and a tree and move around furniture for a few weeks of the year.  I'd just as soon forget it.  I cam very close to skipping it last year, but Romeo wanted it, so I acquiesed.

~ Another issue I recently discovered was that we don't do yearly reviews.  Now, in my experience, an employer that doesn't review your performance, at least with you present during the review, is avoiding the expectation that a good review will result in an increase in pay.  In fact, one of my co-workers admitted that it is not unusual to go 2 to 3 years without a raise.  I admitted that at my one year anniversary of employment, I'm marching my ass (ok, I didn't say ass) right into the practice manager's office with a list of accomplishments/suggestions (that worked, of course) and so on that I feel I've contributed that increased the bottom line.  Then, I will ask for a small bit of it.  She looked up with an interested expression and told me good luck with that.  And then she told me a story (which I'm not convinced is completely accurate).  Basically she said she turned down a substantial raise and suggested that everyone should get one at Christmas (yeah, this is the part I find difficult, but maybe I'm to cynical) similar to the one they did a few years ago, but it didn't happen.  I'm really not too bothered about it.  Enjoying your work place is worth a lot more than earning more money.  But I won't sit by and let years go by.  Been there, done that, have the tee shirt.

So, I am still quite happy with working there.  I feel like I'm making a difference, and everyone is reasonable and easy to get along with.

Ouch......but notice my pedicure still looks fab!

Romeo and I have a history of DIY projects.  We've totally redone the landscape, which still gets a tweak here and there.  We replaced the carpeting downstairs to laminate flooring.  We remodeled the kitchen (although we had the cabinets and countertop contracted out), and did all of the tear-out, moving the gas line for the new oven, etc.  Recently I saw a DIY project on pintrest showing a remodel of the stair case from carpeted to wood.  Which we decided to tackle.  So, yesterday while we were measuring and cutting the stair treads (which required more than 30 trips up and down) I stubbed my toe....OUCH!  I am now calling it my little eggplant.  

Well, I need to get busy with the cake I'm making for work tomorrow.  Have a great week every one!

Love, 365

The real trouble with reality is that there's no background music.

Sun Dagger, Chaco Canyon ~ New Mexico

Courtesy Bing Images

Hello!  It's been awhile....and my excuses are the usual....busy, enjoying the summer, not much desire to write.  My summer class is going along, and sadly I've not really put forth as much effort as I should be.  I'm torn between taking another single credit class with my current professor mostly because I think the university might ask him to retire soon.  He mentioned that he feels that his ideas have become outdated and other newer theories overshadow those that he has held so dear, and worked so hard to promote.  I like him, and find his theories plausible.  We will never know all the details of the Chaco phenomena.  Not only is there no written language, the native Americans are very tight lipped about their history and origin stories.  

Otherwise, life keeps moving along.  I have procrastinated again about what to do for fall semester.  I need to go to the Univ. of Texas at Austin to check out their history classes, and go on to the Univ. of NM, and cancel the class I was thinking of taking.  I'm not going to take it because I would have to ask to leave work early one to two days a week, and although I don't think it would be a problem, I really don't want to ask until I've been there a bit longer.  

My Mom has not been doing well.  She has, over the years, lost much of her muscle mass ~ because she doesn't exersize, not even walking.  She has a wheel chair and a walker.  It's not because she has an underlying medical condition, it's just that she doesn't want to do stuff that hurts or is uncomfortable.  Which I get, but is unrealistic.  My sister and I have been encouraging, but as my sis says, it's really up to her.  And she just doesn't want to.  The depression is probably a direct result of her isolation, which is self imposed....mostly because she won't work on getting her strength back.  It's not a fun circle to be in.

A few days ago, I finally broke down and realized that there is no financial way for me to go and visit my Mom (& sis, son, nephew, etc).  I had been fooling myself figuring I could work it out, but with no vacation time until February, and having taken a pay cut (although I really enjoy my new workplace), I just can't swing it.  Sometimes being terminally optimistic is not a good thing, eh?

Before I go, I wanted to share this recipe (I apologize for the stupid pop up ads & other crap, which really drives me crazy).  Very refreshing during the hot summer months!

Well, gotta go and run a bunch of errands, finish laundry, and figure out what we're having for dinner.  

Love, 365

Summer busyness....

Hollyhock in bloom...

It has been a very busy time, taking class (still doing research, and it has become very fascinating looking into nutritional resources of the Anasazi).  I'm trying to increase my visits to the gym, with some strength training.  Plus, it just seems like there is so much to do during the summer....watering plants, dusting inside (OMG the dust), and all the usual stuff.

Plus, I seem to write more when I'm stressed out and frustrated, and less so when I'm happy and busy.  So, there ya go.

Not to say that everything is coming up roses or anything.  My Mom had fallen twice in the same day, and ended up in a rehab hospital.  It's tragic but predictable, because basically she sits 99% of the time and has lost much of her muscle mass (not to hard to figure out why I want to spend more time at the gym....).  She is improving, but my sister and I are a bit concerned if she'll keep up the workouts when she gets home.

Seems like I worked out the problem at UNM...the counselor I met with today said that if I do take the history classes at another college, it won't pose a problem with accruing the hours I need to graduate from there.  It annoyed me though, that she stated "we aren't an online college".  I responded (I was a bitch if you want to know) "well, perhaps there should be some thought about that, since I noted that UNM enrollment has been steadily declining".  There.  That should really change things, huh?  Right.

Well, gotta review the schedule for fall classes and work on my research.  It is so effing hot today.  I'm glad to be sitting inside in the air conditioning.

Love, 365

Baking and playing.......

Swirly bundt cake pan

A few weeks ago I purchased this bundt pan from Williams-Sonoma...truth is, I've been wanting it for the past 5 years, after purchasing one for my Mom.  (She probably never uses it!  But there it is in case she decides to.....)  It is made in the USA....another nice perk.  When Williams-Sonoma first started carrying it, they had a cinnamon roll mix with instructions on how to make it in this particular pan, and I must say it was great!  They no longer carry the cinnamon roll mix, but there are tons of bundt cake recipes out there.  And if you want to try the cinnamon roll idea, just make them and after you put all the goodies in the dough, just wrap it around the pan for the final rise.  Cream cheese frosting is a must!  They really look great too.....   I just had to look a little harder to find recipes that didn't include cake mixes, because "from scratch" means no premade stuff...my own rule.  That is conveniently broken if the recipe looks too good to pass up.  Lol.

Ironically, this is the shape of my previous bundt pan....which I passed on to someone who wanted it.  

I made lavendar and lemon bundt cake as a tester for my swirly one.

And OMG, it was wonderful.  I made it for the racquetball ladies night group party yesterday.  It took a little doing to find the dried lavendar flowers, and the flavor is fantastic.  The recipe is on the Williams-Sonoma website.  For free.  They have lots of great recipes, and if you're looking for something new, it's a great place to check out!

Key lime bundt cake.  Yep.....

Got this recipe from another blogger.  If you want to visit her site, just click on the title & it'll take you there.  I didn't make the glaze for this one, but decided to make whipped cream instead, and threw in the left over zest and just a little sugar.  I haven't tried it yet, but Romeo said it was good.  However, he says everything I bake is good.  I have to cut a piece for the Ladies Night group for a birthday.  The person who it running the group is paying me to make a dessert when we have birthdays, which plays right into Romeo's plan...I'll have to bake something, and I only need to take a slice to the party.  We used to bring a whole cake, but hardly anyone wanted to eat any....then she was buying cupcakes.....and that got old.  So, now they get something home made & hopefully delicious.

Other than my baking spree, all is about the same!  I am still enjoying my workplace and although I do have a class this summer, it's not terribly taxing.  Which is good, because it's summer...and I want to get out and hike & explore.  Hopefully soon.

Enjoy your week!

Love, 365

Not just another Sunday

Google images.....

Memorial Day used to be Decoration Day, to honor those that lost their lives in the Civil War.  

By 1890, our country "memorialized" all of our men and women that died in wartime.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

(Moina Michael, 1915)

Moina began to wear a red poppy in honor of fallen soldiers.  She decided to sell them, with the proceeds to go to soldiers in need, and her idea spread around the world.  In 1948 the U.S. Postal service created this stamp to honor Moina for her efforts.

I don't recall ever hearing her name in our history books.....I'm sure there are many more heroes in the U.S. that have never been recognized for their efforts (men and women).

But, while we are enjoying our barbeque's and enjoying a well deserved day off, making it a 3 day weekend for us, we should take a moment to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us and for our country.  And dear Moira for creating a unique fund raiser to help soldiers in need.  

Love, 365

I am gonna totally lose my shit.......

Out it comes.....(google images)

Seriously, I need to make a big decision this summer, regarding my bachelor's degree goal.  If I want to graduate from UNM, I need a certain # of hours there.  Like 92.  This is part of the audit.....

Now, does this make sense to anyone?  On the top it says I need 26 hours.  On the bottom, unless I am not understanding (which is very likely), it says that after I've earned the 94 hours, I have to take 15 more.  WTF?????????

At UNM, you must also have a minor.  I picked history, mostly because I like ancient history, and partly because I had taken so freakin many history classes at CNM (community college) I figured that I won't need that many upper level classes.....and I really only need 15 hours.  (Notice that there is a weirdly demonic correlation between the 94 and the additional 15 hours....hmmmmm)  The issue at hand is finding upper level history classes online (none) or after work (also none).  

If I take the required history classes at another college, I won't have enough hours earned at UNM to graduate with my degree.

Slap me.....

So, all this time, I hadn't really considered this logistical problem. 

I wrote an e-mail to the Dean of Students (don't ask me why I thought this was a good idea), but I haven't (wow, surprising, right?) heard from them.  Basically I mentioned the requirements, the fact that I work full time, and that the history department doesn't offer any upper level classes online or after 5pm.  

I don't think they care......

Waaaahhh.....

So, I suppose I will have to schlep over to the counselors office (that don't care, and make you feel like you're a whiner), who will probably send me to someone else that doesn't care.  

I think I'm going to have to accept the fact that regardless of the $$ I've spent so far, they will be annoyed that I'd really like to finish.  Without taking this.....

"Queer History Ancient Time to Today"

Are they kidding?  Nope.  Not that I have anything against the gay/lesbian/&whatever lifestyle.  I just choose not to study it.  I'd rather take....

"Medieval & Modern Apocalypse" 

(note the time it's available)

Another issue is: if I transfer to another college that allows me the freedom to take all my classes online, I will probably face the same hours issue.  Plus, I won't be able to participate in the traditional graduation ceremony.  I was kinda looking forward to that.

So, kinda sucks.....hopefully there will be someone at UNM that will respond to this:

Not sure what else to do......

Love, 365