06-30-08

The joy of condiments.

Fun things come in small packages.

Sometimes I wonder what the mailman would think if he had any idea what was in the packages he carts around. Today I got my order from www.minimus.biz. Bruce thinks I will just buy anything, but I have a method to my madness. I don't want to waste valuable cooler space on condiments and spend time worrying whether the mayo has been kept cold enough. I knew there had to be a place where I could buy the little packets restaurants and caterers use, and where there's a will, there's a way.

Yes, I am easily amused.

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”
Truman Capote

“Americans can eat garbage, provided you sprinkle it liberally with ketchup, mustard, chili sauce, Tabasco sauce, cayenne pepper, or any other condiment which destroys the original flavor of the dish”
Henry Miller

“Condiments are like old friends-highly thought of, but often taken for granted.”
Marilyn Kaytor

06-29-08

Today was the last day of our Vacation Bible School.

All week there have been rumors that there would be a roller coaster at the all-church picnic today. We weren't sure what to think of this news, but knew that if anyone could pull that off, it would be our children's director, Lisa. She is over the top.

It wasn't an actual roller coaster, but it was quite the sight! It tied in to the adventure park theme of the week perfectly. The week reinforced that choosing Jesus is the ticket to the best ride of their lives.

Bruce had quite the ride today... he skinned his elbow racing a teen through the inflatable. Sometimes the biggest kids get the biggest owies.

"Choose this day whom you will serve." Joshua 24:15

06-28-08

Bruce doesn't get credit for having the bathroom operational again (we were both sweating after getting it placed, so there is progress), but he does get kudos for building my raised bed and filling it with soil. I planted it this morning, after running to the farmers market and Lowe's for seeds, starts, and plants. I plan to have flowers in the red family (zinnias, poppies, and nasturtium) along the front row, and salad makings (lettuce, spinach, and peppers) taking up most of the space. I may have produce coming out my ears (also have zucchini in the back yard), but I'm going to plant every few weeks to try to space out the harvest. Or, it may just be a "learning season" while I figure out how to garden again.

I liked hits photo, with my shadow in the lower corner, even though you can't get perspective of Bruce's creation.

“With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.”
Lope de Vega quotes

“Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow -- perhaps it all will.”
Albert Einstein

“The earth laughs in flowers.”
E. E. Cummings

06-27-08

What's in your bathroom drawer?

Do you ever come home to find your bathroom counter and sink gone and your bathroom drawer out for all the world to see?

This is my reality.

I'm hoping that we will have a working sink again soon, but the starting and the finishing of projects seem to be the stumbling blocks, so we'll see...

“Spend some time this weekend on home improvement; improve your attitude toward your family.”
Bo Bennett

06-26-08

I had a different photo in mind for today, but things can change. Normally I can stay out of my secret candy stash during the week, but things change. The kids have not known the whereabouts of my private stash, but things change. Usually I curl my hair, but this week things have changed.

“Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat.”

06-25-08

Here she is, with her summer haircut and her sore toe.

Anastasia had to have minor surgery on her toe to take care of an infected ingrown nail that has been bugging her for way too long. She's been spending a lot of time on the couch in front of the TV, we need her able to hike for our trip coming up. And I could not handle her straggly hair another moment. She's upset it is so short (too short for a pony tail), but only girls who take care of their hair get to make decisions about it.

Both of these unpleasant tasks needed to wait until after her ballet recital, but not very long.

"Tweens are at the place in life where they are beginning to assert their independence from Mom and Dad.” - Atoosa Rubenstein

06-24-08

Today found me in Cosmopolis, clearing out my office to make room for others to move into my space. Since I only use it once a month now.

I threw away my Attila the Hun hat, but I wanted to take a photo for posterity.

When I first became a manager, my boss loaned me a book called Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun, swearing by the wisdom on its pages.

Some of the tips include:

You must not be threatened by capable contemporaries or subordinates. Be wise in selecting capable captains to achieve those things a chieftain can attain only through strong subordinates.

Huns should focus on opportunities, not problems.

Some Huns have solutions for which there are no problems.