On the edge, ready to jump off

1-26-12 absent brain

I am having a fantasy this week:

Greg takes an early buy out from his Federal job, I retire and we live a simple, relaxing life back in Des Moines. What would we do? We’d stay in bed as long as we want, we’d hug a lot, we’d read, we’d go for walks, we’d eat healthy cheap meals at home, we’d clean our own house, we’d have time to volunteer. I’d work on that children’s book and do some art.

Well my fantasy is telling me that:

1) I have brain overload and can’t handle the fast pace of my current life, 

or 2) I am feeling the effects of the Dragon new year already and I am looking for a change, 

or 3) Solar flares are affecting my thinking.

My conclusion this week:

After 3 years of writing this blog, I need a sabbatical. I also will be unplugging from Facebook for the month of February. Sad to say my friends will not be able to see where I check in to eat, and they won’t be privy to my random thoughts…. and I won’t be tracking their every move either. Think of the freedom that will bring us all!

I’ll be willing to keep posting Ann’s GUEST Blogs on Wednesday and I also would be happy to post any other guest blog posts from my friends who want to fill in for me.

Can I do this? Can I unplug from this communication overload and focus my energy in places which need more of my attention? Let’s see.

“jump”

Wednesday GUEST BLOG

1-25-12 hungry brain
Ann is one of the best cooks I know! ~ Judy

Memorable Evening - Dinner For Twelve

Like Judy, this girl has her hands full with winter projects. There’s #1 healthy habit- week 3, #2clean sweeping- yet to be started, #3project woolly(mittens)- in high gear, and #4dinner for twelve for a great friend.

Long story short, I work for a utility company (x 14 years) and my co-worker has worked here for 42 years. Yes, you heard me, 42 years and she works in Davenport. She is my right and left hand and really, the brains of the operation. I could write a ton more, but she’s very humble and wanted to sign off without a big hurrah. Rats, no balloons, tea or cookies. Then came my ah! moment, have a dinner for her at my house. I asked and she agreed, just keep it simple.

Now, how to make this special? I could cater (too expensive), ask everyone to bring a dish (not special) or just cook a good meal and make it special. Yep, that’s what I did. Well, I had 2 weeks to get this done.

The guest list was thinned down to twelve, twelve good friends who have worked with her over the last 20 years. Then the menu, make it like a menu with choices and have help serving it. That’s where Judy and Sue come in. I knew if I was serving and running around, it would not be special. Sue and Judy agreed and I can’t thank them enough.

While the menu looks complicated, it really wasn’t’ that hard to make.

Julia Childs French Onion Soup – made from scratch with a ton of onions, brandy and wine.
Cranberry n’ Pear Green Salad – very yummy with chocolate balsamic vinegar
Fresh Green Beans Bacon Bundles – made ahead and baked before dinner
Georgia’s Meatball Pasta – thanks to my friend Georgia for making the pasta n’ sauce, I added the pasta n’ cheese and cooked it in the crockpot.
Steak in Mushroom Sauce – minute steak browned, browned mushrooms n’ onions, then cooked onion soup in the crockpot.
Grandma Bonnie’s Apple Pie – yep, grandma Bonnie Longaberger and I finally got to use my pie crust shield.
Tyler Florence Four Layer Coconut Cake – made from scratch with cake flour, baked, cut, assembled with rum sauce and butter cream filling, frosted and covered in coconut.

            

I cooked/baked everything on Wednesday evening and by my calculation, I needed three hours to finish up for 6 pm serving time on Thursday. I ended work at 2:30, rushed home to turn on the crockpots, warm up the soup and hang my signs (coats here, bathroom there, do not enter here and there, food station signs). 

Yes, I’m a bit detailed.

We ate in the living room (I moved the furniture to the bedroom), with party lights overhead, jazz music on. The dinner called for chargers and I was able to locate my read chargers along with a matching set of dinnerware for twelve (thanks to my Target after Christmas sale last year). The table looked very nice.

            

Sue and Judy were excellent, tended to our needs and served the dinner to a tee. I made dinner menus with their names on them so it would be easy for serving. Additionally, I had a nice table map for them to remember who was who. Can’t say enough, they were terrific HELP!        

 
            

To end the special evening, I got out the karaoke machine for 30 minutes, a lot of laughs on my behalf. And as a parting gift, all the girls got to pick out a special gift, a sweater mitten I made, aka “project woolly”. This was a major hit, each one got to try on and select the one that fitted them best. Darn, I should of gotten a group shot.

             

Congratulations to my good friend on her 42 years of service. I’m sure she will remember this evening for a long time. Like I said  … ING … The beginning of a new adventure for Joan!

        

Chat Later,

That Girl, Ann Marie

Tuesday part 2

1-24-12 over worked brain

My father called to give me a hard time about not blogging this week..... So a quick note at lunch:

Today the sun came out and I have started to gain back some energy. Work the last few weeks has been draining…. Trying to juggle too many projects at once, plus missing my “revival” time with Greg (and Clover).
I love this picture Greg sent me.

However, this week...., I AM celebrating the start of a new Chinese Year of the Dragon. I remember my acupuncture friends warning me last year to “hang on”… cause the Rabbit year would challenge everyone. This has proven to be true when I look around me and see many of my friends or friends of friends struggling in many different ways last year.

I ran into my friend Mark at church Sunday, after not seen him for months. He said this last year was the worst in his life. His marriage is ending. This really makes me sad since that family was one of my favorite families.  So after receiving this news, which punched me in the stomach….. I decided to lay low the rest of the day…. And ride out the last day of the Rabbit year on the couch watching TV. Hey, I even took an afternoon nap. This was something that rarely happened in 2011. This made me realize I have been pushing myself way too hard in 2011. Time for a change- and I really enjoyed being lethargic all day Sunday.

I got out my CD’s of Northern Exposure (one of my favorite TV shows from the early 90’s) and started a marathon watching of season Five. This was perfect viewing for me on a gloomy winter’s day.

Not to say that I wasn’t out socializing at all this last weekend..... Friday night Sue took to over to the Drake fitness area and we walked the track for an hour.  Saturday night was a long planned Progressive Party on my street. Luckily I was not hosting and only had to walk a few houses away to have some fun.

House one (Amy and Jon)  had great appetizers…. So many to pig out on, which was my dinner. House two (Tamara and Doyle) was desserts.  And as usual IF there is a piano around…. Steve started to play, along with Marilyn- and we were all entertained with lovely background music and even did a sing-along.

My one neighbor, Jenny, owns a coffee shop down in the East Village area of Des Moines and we talked art. I now have my next place to exhibit my Peace Art come this spring- which I am very excited about. The East Village is a perfect spot for my art, since a lot of hip, young people live and work there.

So all in all….

Life is going along pretty well, and gee- I shouldn’t even complain at all about this winter’s weather, it has been so easy when compared to the winter of 2009 into 2010, although I know my parents in Northern Iowa have received a lot more snow than Des Moines has so far this year.

Peace Out everyone!
Ann has a blog for tomorrow, but I won't commit to writing on Thursday- sorry.

Happy Peace

1-24-12

VTGIF! .....Very thankful!

1-20-12 frazzled brain

So glad it is Friday..... my short work week has proven to be stressful..... or I suppose I let it become that way. I've been trying to work with a committee to set up our Fall Workshop and Banquet Dinner. It is hard to please everyone and hard to get all the pieces lined up in a row.

A light dusting of snow today, but I believe the heavier snow will be north of here. I guess I am now in the snow mood and not stressing about shoveling so much. Yet that is easy to say with only a few inches on the ground so far this year.

Last night Sue and I when over to Ann's house to help her with her "over the top" project for THIS week. Ann was hostessing a retirement dinner for 12, in honor of a co-worker. Man, she spent all week cooking and baking... and cleaning... to the extreme- but the food was fabulous. I sampled most of it. Sue and I became "the help"... serving the food and working the kitchen.

Holiday weekend report II

1-19-12

 Holiday weekend I am thinking every week needs a three day weekend. It would be nice to only work a 4 day work week. I guess I could easily do that by putting in FOUR- ten hours days. Some people do that.

Last Sunday I got out of bed earlier than I really wanted to, (since I was up until mid-night)….. but at 8:30 Sue and I went over the Chefs to have breakfast together, which was fun to have time to visit with her one on one. Then I went home to shower in time to attend 2^nd service at church.

After church I helped set up my art display panels for the Art Reception at being held later Sunday afternoon. With the panels, the artists were encouraged to bring more of their work to display- beside the large pieces hung in the sanctuary. I also had lunch with a few church friends.

Sunday’s Art Reception turned out very nice. There was a trio playing music, and some delicious fancy finger food served with punch.

I had many positive comments about my large pixel art. One guy- a friend of a friend of a friend- who collects art…. Thought my piece should sell for $800 to $1,000 ! Wow I wonder if I will ever get into that market?  I suppose if I move to KC and start running in the art circles that my KC artist neighbors do….. Their art sells for that much.

Anyway, you know me…. I’m not ready to give up my creation so easily… as long as I still have my “day job”…. The money doesn’t mean that much to me. The process of creating and the journey I take as I create is the significance I attach to my art.

Late Sunday night, Greg did take the northern route back from Detroit car show, so he came through DM and spent the night here with me. You think that would make me feel better, but actually it made me miss him more- since he took off again in the morning to drive to KC.

I decided I needed to relax on Monday, so I watched TV and play around with a small pixel art piece. 

Since the sun was out, I did get off the couch and go for a 60 minute walk- otherwise I really just vegged out…. Which was nice so I’d be fresh for the work week ahead. 

Guest Blog from Ann

1-18-12 mid-week brain
I am impressed with Ann's passion! I won't get out of bed early for too many people.... Ann is quite a "mover and shaker" here in Des Moines!

Morning Coffee With Morning Joe

Yes I’m in withdrawals right now, the road to the White House has moved down South and I’m still questioning the vote count in Iowa. The GOP gave the nod to Mitt by 8, but I say Santorum won by the mere fact that not all precincts used the same counting method. After watching my precinct count, I’m sure we were off by a few. I hope there’s a group of aged citizens counting the 125,000 plus paper ballots somewhere.
            

While I love my politics to the right, I enjoy watching one MSNBC news program “Morning Joe” with former congressman Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzenzinski (5-8 am daily). Like they say, a good offense is a good defense, and why not hear what the other side is saying. So for the caucus, Morning Joe aired pre and post caucus shows live from a local coffee shop, Java Joes. I debated, on New Year’s Day, do I really want to get up at 4:30 am to drive 20 min to a packed coffee shop? Well I did, and not for one day, but for three days. It was so well worth it. (for a full view, click on the pictures).
            

Monday, the coffee shop was packed at 5:30, so I stood in the back of those seated. To get a seat, the patrons came at 3 am to see the 4:30 am show. Wow, and I thought I was a nut. Tuesday “caucus day” jammed pack and Wednesday, still a good crowd and I got a front row seat at 5:30 am.
            

If you watch cable news, the usual suspects showed up including David Greggory, Tom Broakaw, Chris Matthews, Andrea Mitchell, Michael Steele, Caty Kay, Willie Giest and two candidates, Michele Bachmann and Mitt Romney.

I had a great time and there is so much to a live show. The crew of 20 or so with two dozen or so guests, spending the New Year in Des Moines, Iowa. Thank you Joe and Mika for bringing the crew and Lewis, thanks for the mug!

Chat Later,

That Girl, Ann Marie

Holiday weekend report

1-17-12 tuesday brain

It’s been three whole days away from my computer and since I stepped into my home office. That was a needed break thanks to the three day weekend- I kept busy with other activities.

Friday evening I was feeling sorry for myself, since I wouldn’t see Greg. He was off to the Detroit Car show, meeting up with his long-time friend Tom. It’s nice of them to have that annual activity together.

I had planned to use Saturday to clean, but I started Friday evening…. And finished Friday evening- took about 4 hours to get my art room in order… AND get the guest room in order again. That was a great feeling!

So on Saturday, now being ahead of schedule, I decided to go shopping for some material to recover the pillows and do a little “make over” in the living room since I brought in that new coffee table last week.

It took a couple of trips to the fabric store and Pier 1 before I got sometime I liked. I spend $30 dollars on fabric to cover 6 pillows, and I spend $30 on one decorative pillow on Pier 1, which I hoped would tie everything new together. Lucky I have a pretty neural/pain couch, walls a sage green, and can make only a few small changes to get a new look easily.

Before:

 After:

A lighter fabric

Saturday evening, Ann didn’t want me to be alone, so she planned a small karaoke party at my place. Ann, Sue, Mary, and Kelley came over AND some “white Russians” where also invited in. Even with the addition of the white Russians, our vocals didn't improve, but we did have fun.

To be comminuted…..

PS: we got snow last night, 2 to 3 inches maybe- but the nice and pretty fluffy light kind of snow. 

TGIF the 13th

1-13-12 non-superstitious brain

This morning, my Internet seemed to be moving as slow as I was, or was it only AOL I was having trouble with? This drastic change in weather really zaps my energy. I believe it could be the low humidity in the house. I’ve been running my humidifier nightly, but in the bedroom can barely get it much above 12%. Just a few days ago it was 25 to 30%.

I’m moving stiff and slow…. Of course some could be the exercise and light shoveling I did yesterday.

In spite of the cold north wind, which blew for a good 36 hours here, I did venture out Thursday night to walk over to my local restaurant with Ann. Sue and Carolyn also met us there. I did feel empowered by facing the cold…. But then I also wanted to test out my new winter coat which Greg gave me for Christmas. It’s two layers and yes it was very warm!

Here I look and felt Kenny from South Park!

This morning, when I saw a squirrel out back begging, I did venture out with some sunflower seeds. I got seven showing up.... here you can see 5.

1-12-12 winter brain
Not much going on this week except work..... and the weather has turned from spring-like.... back to winter. The cold wind started blowing Wednesday afternoon and snow started about 6 PM.

In the evenings this week, I've been working on art projects. Last night I finished the pixel art I showed you Monday, but I ended up changing it up and putting it on a black canvas. It measures 12 x 12 inch.

FYI to friends who are in the central Iowa area. Sunday there is an Art Reception to open up the Westminster Fine Art's Show, which my large pixel piece is hanging in the sanctuary. Come see me. There is music and food.

1-11-12 happy brain
I'm happy that Ann has a goal to get more healthy. I couldn't imagine my life without her and I want her around as we age!  We can do this together.~Judy

Healthy Habits 2012

My turn to chime in on getting healthy. Yes, 2012 is my year to be more active and unlike Newt Gingrich, I plan on losing the baggage I’ve packed on over the last 10 years. Sorry no pics here, but I’m sure there is an error or two in my writing.

I was thinking how to do this, Molly has a challenge to walk via miles and now minutes. She has done and excellent job in 2011 w/ her activity and pounds. Sue is swimming and walking, string bean Judy is shedding the pounds that I hope to lose … haha. New habits, well it reminded me of a class that I took in college, 1984, developing new habits.

In a nutshell, the new habit was wearing my seat belt. Back in the 80’s, did everyone wear seat belts? I devised a plan that I would use the radio button as my reminder switch. I would turn on the radio after I buckled up and when I unbuckled, turned it off. If I found myself without the tunes on, more than likely, my seat belt wasn’t fasten. I gave myself 30 days and for the most part, it worked. I was driving my little blue Subaru Bratt at the time, oh how I loved that mini-truck. I remembered from the class and from nursing school, it takes 30 days to develop a new habit.

So for 2012, my new habit is to be more active and eat smarter/healthier, which in turn, I should shed some pounds. That got me thinking of the keys to developing a habit. Here are a few key points that I found on the web with some adjustments.  

>30 days, focusing on small change instead of large ones.

 >Using a trigger to help condition the new pattern.

>Use the KISS method, keep it simple stupid!

> Write/log down the commitment to the habit.

>Use check points/milestones along the journey, readjust as needed.

 >Make a public commitment, post changes somewhere.

Goal - create the habit to increase my physical activity, walking and eating are the keys to success. 

Activity – daily walking then after 2 months, group activity, hopefully Zumba.

Trigger – my radio which is set to NPR. Can’t listen unless I have walked.

Since I spend more time at work that I would like to admit, the details:

>Arrive at work 7 am, 30 min walk before 8:00

 >Drink water/ice tea before my am coffee

>Oatmeal for breakfast, take a multi-vitamin

>5 min walk at 10:30

>30 min walk at 12:30

>15 min walk at 3:00

 >Limit my sugar intake, wont’ be that hard 

>Limit pop/soda to, no more than 2 x per month

I’m off and running, started the walking on January 5^th, adjusting my food intake on a daily basis, ginned up for Get Health America and Molly’s challenge and have put the walking time on my outlook calendar at work. As for pop/soda, I’ve only had 2-3 diet coke’s since my December 1, 2011.

And today is January 11^th, happy birthday to my little brother who is turning a big milestone this year.  Let’s all make 2012 a good year.

Chat Later

That Girl, Ann Marie

Fun food in 2012

1-10-12 healthy brain

HERE is an interesting recipe for my foodie friends. Not sure I could pull this off, but I do have agave in the house now, thanks to Molly.

Johnna is quite adventurous with food!

http://52sweets.blogspot.com/2012/01/520-sweets-chocomole.html

Monday in the mood to blog

1-9-12 happy brain

I enjoyed my week in KC with Greg and Clover cat, but due to the warm weather, it was hard to believe this was only the first week of the New Year….. i t sure seemed like March!

Last week in KC I did a lot of walking, also due to the warm weather, and due to one of my goals for 2012 is to get more active. I’m also giving up sugar as much as possible Monday-Friday. (Eat more vegetables!) Only on the weekends will I allow myself to have dessert or a sweet something or other. Maybe with these two things I can finally firm my middle age belly fat.

For 2012, I’m also continuing my Peace Art. HERE >>> http://onesmalldailypeaceofart.blogspot.com/

I decided I just had to- because, not only was I have fun doing it, but I also believe this daily time creating made for one of the most healthy years I’ve had in the last 20 years. It could be the creative outlet helped me deal with stress and/or the fact I was focusing on spreading something positive out into the universe- PEACE!

Besides the Peace Art, I’ve also been playing around with more pixel art. Here I had one laid out, but I think I will move it onto a bigger canvas so I can use more of the bright pixel pieces I’ve created….. anyway you get the idea.

On Saturday, Molly and I went shopping, as Greg enjoyed time outside washing his car…. That is his therapy. I was looking for something new for the DM living room, since I had moved the large ottoman down to the KC house, which matches the loveseat in the KC living room. I found an “artsy-fartsy” table at TJ Max. Molly gave it a “thumbs up” when I was unsure. Now that I have it back home in DM, I really think I’m going to like it. Now a new project- find some fun material to sew some new pillow cases which will help blend the table colors into the rest of the room.

There is close up of the finish/paint job on the table.... interesting huh?

TGIF

1-6-12 January brain?
During our walk yesterday after work, Greg and I came upon what I think might be crocus coming up in a yard? We enjoyed the 65 degree, sunny day!

If you want other surprising sight, take a look at the Iowa Caucus process.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Moving my body in January

1-5-12 awake brain

Today's weather is suppose to be warm again, expected in the 60's today...... so I got up early in order to have time to walk after work in the daylight. This will be day three of walking. Molly has started a "walking challenge" for her friends all over the country. She is challenging us to walk 500 miles in 2012.

This idea came from my God-daughter Chelsea, who last year set a goal of running 1,000 miles in 2011. Chelsea achieved this. I'm glad Molly decided on 500 miles instead of 1,000. The goal of 500 is obtainable if I walk 2 miles a day; 5 out of the 7 day week.

Otherwise, not much new going on here. Having a good week with Greg and Clover. Reading the Steve Job's book at night and just relaxing. No big projects here this week.

Wednesday GUEST Blog from Ann

1-4-12 missing brain
I was not in town to attend the Iowa Caucus this year, but I learned, via Facebook from a neighbor, that my precinct when 33% with Romney. Of course many of my other neighbors were at the Democrat side of the Caucus. Here is Ann's experience this week. ~Judy

WHY IOWA MATTERS:

What an exciting time to be an Iowan. Did you caucus last night? Did your candidate win, show or place? Was the pundits right? Well you know I’m a Perry supporter and was asked to be a precinct leader, which means you help out on caucus night and speak on behalf of Gov Perry. To get my mojo set, I took time over the weekend to follow Gov Perry in Central Iowa.

 First up, 12:30 rally at Boomers Coffee shop in Fort Dodge on NYE. Before the rally, I dropped in at the local drug store and struck up a conversation with the druggist. I tried to negotiate off a $1 item, only to have him roll his eyes, then we talked politics. I walked away with a beautiful decorated Christmas tree. I made a friend there.

 The rally started on time, 50 media and 100 supporters. I had a close up and personal view of the Governor. Yep I chatted with him and took a picture with his lovely wife Anita. Then it was off to the Giggling Goat in Boone. The crowd was much bigger and he delivered a good stump speech.

 Monday evening, I drove to Perry, Iowa for a great rally at the Hotel Patee. Larry Gatalin was the warm-up act with Gov. Bobby Jindahl and Gov Sam Brownback saying a few good words to the large crowd. I left the event feeling inspired, just maybe … just maybe I can convince a few to vote my way.

We caucused at a Baptist church with 328 voters showing up. I followed a surrogate for Ron Paul, his grandson Ben, age 15. He was very cute and said a lot of nice words about his grandfather. How do I follow that?

Here’s my speech:

We have an important decision tonight.  Like many of you, I have followed the candidates closely, I was looking for a candidate of faith, family, executive leadership, a person of moral conviction and of good character, one that will be consistent and job ready the first day in office.

I found that person in Gov Rick Perry, and I saw that over the weekend while he was in Fort Dodge, Boone and Perry. I’ll give credit to one of the candidates wives saying “if you want to know what a person will do in the future, look at their past” That is so dead on.

Gov Perry came from humble beginnings, grew up on a farm, studied animal science in college, joined the Air Force then went back to Texas to farm before entering state politics. He has walked the walk. 

Gov Perry is a proven leader, with real-time executive leadership, a fiscal conservative who has the experience of creating jobs, balancing state budgets, working hand-in-hand with elected officials to get the job done. He has a track record of growing the economy in Texas while protecting the citizens of Texas and the border.  This is why I am caucusing for Gov Rick Perry.

Day one in the oval office, Gov Perry has committed to, by executive order, eliminate regulations and red tape so that business owners can do what they do best, build and create. (This includes repealing of mandatory healthcare), This translates to jobs, goods and services moving, money in our pockets, real commerce. That is job one in my book.

Gov Perry will work to make government work for you, reduce the size of the government, balance the budget, eliminate the agencies that are inefficient and/or obsolete (energy, commence, education), work to make congress accountable for their actions. ( I rather like the part-time congress), allow states to make the laws that work best for that state, update the tax code, protect life and marriage.

One size does not fit all – and that is what we have in Washington. It’s time for a new leader that is from outside Washington, one that does not have a record for supporting this, voting for that and now have to explain. With Gov Perry, the democrats will not be able to use that line. 

Tonight, Iowa matters, your vote matters. Look beyond the rhetoric, the polls, the pundits. I ask that you join me in casting your vote for a great American, a true conservative, a proven leader, Gov Rick Perry.

The results in my Ankeny 12 precinct (didn't quite) mirror the state-wide outcome: Romney and Santorum tied at top with 25% each, Paul close with 21%,  Gingrich 13%, Perry 10%, Bachman 5% and Huntsman 1%.

           

I’ve had a lot of fun over the last few days, on the campaign trail and at a coffee shop downtown. Morning Joe was live at Java Joes . Oh how I had fun and will write more later with a few pics. That’s a wrap!

Chat Later,

That Girl, Ann Marie

Happy New Year

1-3-11 refreshed brain

I've been off work for only a week, but today as I started back to work- it felt like I was gone for at least two weeks. I guess I packed a lot of activities into that week, so it felt like more time off than just a week.

Ann will be filling me in (and you) on the Iowa Caucus activities tomorrow, since I chose to stay in KC this week and miss all the excitement. My brain is still really relaxed and thus I am not all that motivated to blog, but I suppose it will just take getting back into the groove.

For today, I'll just post a few pictures.

My New Years Weekend included NY Eve at the neighbors for dinner and game night. I also got to have lunch with my God-daughter Chelsea, along with Teresa and Molly. Chelsea is doing well with her new job.

I also agreed to attend a football viewing of his Cleveland Browns game on Sunday at the usual Browns Backers Club bar: Buffalo Wild Wings. I drank 1/4 of a beer.... really living it up !

Other pictures I saw on Facebook where pictures from my sister's family.... which gave me a smile.
CJ's girlfriend came for a first visit to their family..... this could be serious?

 I guess Catherine handled the dog better than I would! I don't think Chunks was happy in his hat.