I Love That Smell!

So my girlfriends and I got together over the weekend for some fun and games. We made homemade pizzas on Friday, which was a treat because we all belong to me (ha!) who like their pizza smothered in marinara. We had not a smidge of marinara in site. Fresh veggies, olive oil, fresh mozzerella and a little sea salt was all we needed. Oh! And fresh herbs. Basil, ahhhhhhh. We each took a leaf or two, tore it up into tiny pieces and topped the pizza. Boy, did that add some taste! So much that I'm considering creating a small hydroponic systems area where I can grow fresh herbs and small veggies throughout the year. I have the space on our back porch and I'd love to have fresh herbs year-round.

Sometimes Cheesy Gets Me...

I was digging through a couple of old boxes last night and pulled out a small jewelry box that was unfamiliar. Curious I opened the box and found some old jewelry that belonged to my great-grandmother. Inside was a locket with my great-grand's pictures inside, a man's wedding band (I'm guessing she was buried with hers???) and a watch enscribed with "For All Time..."

Yeah, I know, kind of cheesy and sappy but it made me kind of misty for the great-grands. They were very affectionate with each other, held hands and sat closely on the sofa. That "For All Time..." statement was from the heart. Makes me wish I had the hubster's Blancpain watches enscribed with something... Hmmm, wonder what I'd say?

Blech: Computer Disaster!

and not the natural kind!

Okay, I'm now officially over the disaster but at the beginning of the year, I had a major computer meltdown and lost a lot of very vital information. My scanner software got a total workout because some of my files were much easier to scan into new documents than to find the old programs - some didn't even exist anymore! - and try to re-create them.

I hadn't backed up any of my fiction manuscripts in weeks, I hadn't transferred final copies of several articles to CD and I hadn't transferred my updated financial statements to CD. Yeah, I was toast. And it was completely my fault...because I had also not updated my anti-virus software. Never a good thing to ignore those update bubbles that pop up!

Now that I'm in the recovery phase, though, I'm making an effort to be better prepared so once a week I do file transfers. I have my virus software set to update automatically (and upgraded to high-speed internet so it actually does update!) so all I have to do is restart to have the updates installed. I also upgraded to the best Norton anti-virus software I could find...so another crash won't leave me wondering which end is up.

Costumes 'r Us...

Okay, not totally...but every year around Halloween, a lot of my friends ask me to help with their kids (or their own!) Halloween costumes. Sometimes being handy with a needle and glue stick has perks! This year, though, we've had costume parties all year long. It's getting a little ridiculous!

Is it just us or do you guys have costume parties at "other" times of the year? I mean other than Halloween? We rarely have costume parties at Halloween, but every year we throw a big costume party over New Years. This year should be really fun because we're close to DHs college buddies again. They're good guys, but they get a little...excited about costumes and parties.

One of the parties was just for grown-ups...so I actually pointed my friends here: adult halloween costumes because, really, there are only so many costume ideas around that are actually cheaper to make from scratch. In most cases, I've found that it's cheaper to look around at the pre-made shops. Just a little helpful info!

But, with all this partying going on, I've had a couple of article ideas for crafty mags. Score!

Too Good To Be True??

I was watching the news the other night (a novel concept...since leaving TV news, I rarely watch...but I digress) and the health segment was all about a new wrinkle reducer out there. Supposedly the pill was created to help in weight loss and then they learned of a few 'side effects' - like reducing acne and wrinkles. Um. Okay.

I'm not saying that it doesn't but that's a lot for one little pill to do. I say more research is needed...so I'm wandering around the Web tonight looking for more information. So far, no luck. Everything I read is basically what was mentioned during the television report. For my money, I'll stick with a good wrinkle cream when the time comes. Because who know what other 'side effects' might be in that little thing, right? How about you?

Working From Home...

...isn't all sweetness and roses. Sure there are benefits - I don't have to live by the alarm clock, I can wear my jammies all day if I want and nobody cares if I sit down to work right while I'm still sweaty from a workout. But there are drawbacks, too. I don't get to talk to real people or hang out over the watercooler gossiping about a favorite show. And I don't have a great, cheap benefits package.

So I each year I check out different companies to see what kind of insurance packages are out there. In my search I found this site which offers insurance quote information. It's really quick and simple to use. You just have to enter in some basic information - gender, age, height and weight. The quote also asks for some basic history - like are you a smoker, have you been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes - that is simple to fill in. I was looking for coverage for my husband and myself since his policy through work is not great. Once I entered in our information, I had 20 or so quotes in all different ranges - and all with good deductibles, co-pays and low monthly costs. Perfect!

Not Just Functional...

When I was setting up my home office a few months ago, I went for functional. And two days later I figured out that functional just wasn't working for me. I won't go into the left-brain, right-brain issues, but I really do work better in a space that is comfortable, energizing and fun as well as functional. So I started looking around for alternative type office furniture. What I found was an oversized (in length) desk, a 9-box cubby for my filing system and window table for my plants and a few knick knack type things. After the first day I knew I'd made the right decision. With the extra-long desk, I can spread out my papers, magazines, collages and other writing paraphernalia without feeling like I'm taking up the entire room. And the cubby-filing-system just works so much better than regular, boring, metal filing cabinets!

Comfort + Style = Good Buy

Since going freelance, that I like versatility I've found in every corner of my life. Bored writing business articles? My 2 year old is an ever-inspiring glass-overflowing story idea. Have a trip coming up? Why not sell a few travel related articles that I can work on for the trip?

But I've found that versatility is now everywhere - including my wardrobe. Buying new jeans? I don't go ultra-trendy because I want to be able to wear them forever. Looking for a new computer? I want social network shortcuts, great word processing programs and a good video editor rolled into one. And now that we're living in the Great White North, I also like boots that go from season to season. These snow boots are perfect for running along after the toddler and then keeping my feet warm when I'm photographing nature for a client. And, the boots I found are perfect for rain and snow so I can wear them season to season. Definite good buy!

Old House, New Kitchen...

I've been talking a lot lately about the new house - the one we're renovating from 1960's boredom. When we chose our house we knew there were issues -- the kitchen hadn't been renovated since about 1970, the bathrooms were way too small and we wanted a master suite. We started with the kitchen and I convinced the hubster that we needed an outdoor kitchen as well because we cook out/eat out almost as often as we eat/cook in.

What I'm envisioning is an indoor/outdoor room with a deck attached...so I've been searching for the right things for inside...I even convinced our contractor that I needed Kohler kitchen sinks outside as well as in the inside kitchen.

I've been drooling over the photos pages on websites and in catalogs and we're pulling the trigger. Construction starts here next week -- which means I'll be writing from the 'road' (most likely the in-laws!)...I see many articles coming out of this project. I'll keep you posted.

Have you been following...

the President's talks on education and healthcare recently? I've been reading and watching very carefully because I have two friends who are going into those fields. I actually think he has a point -- our children do have fewer days in school than just about any other developed country. Added to that, when they aren't in school many of our children do 'fall through the cracks' -- they don't have books in the home, they aren't helped with their homework and the rest. I know it will be an adjustment if the school years lengthen, but it isn't the end of the world. Same with healthcare. I want to know that the doctor taking out my apendix is qualified, trained and practiced at the job...not just that he barely passed his exams, did poorly as an intern and then cruised a healthcare medical jobs forum to find his position. Those job boards are great tools for job seekers, but I'd rather my doctor was recruited to the hospital ... call me crazy.

Vitamins, Vitamins

I don't think I've updated you guys lately on the weight loss project. Here's your update - I'm not in maintaining phase. But I still haven't reached my goal. I think the summer is just too hard - there are barbecues every weekend, fun places to visit, fairs...Oh the food challenges! But I am maintaining and over the last two weeks I've even managed to drop about 4 more pounds...so I'm not complaining.

So far I haven't taken any supplements, but I know of several people who have - either to help speed their metabolisms or simply to supplement their diet because of the amount of foods they have cut out. I'm of the belief that you can eat anything on a diet, but in moderation. So, I take my multivitamins and that's it... but if the maintenance wagon keeps up I might be convinced to try a supplement of some sort. We'll see.

Blech!!

How many of you saw the piece on the national news last night about dirty colons? Ewwww, I did...and it was definitely cringe-worthy! Why do I care? Because I lost both of my paternal grandparents to colon cancer when I was young...and I actually (even though I have a way to go until I hit 40) have a colonoscopy every couple of years just to check things out.

Some say that colon cleanse regimens are the best way to lose weight fast. Personally, I think those cleanses are just great ways to keep your system regulated.

First you need to know the purpose of the colon - that is to get rid of toxins and waste collected from other organs. If the colon isn't working properly those wastes build up and you get that picture up there. Gross. It can also recycle waste into those other organs, causing them to funcion improperly. Not a good thing. So, a cleanse works by cleaning up the waste built up in the colon and then expelling it from the body. There are also cleanse regimens for the kidneys and liver - I haven't looked into those yet.

I am a believer in alternative medicine, but I believe it's used best when in coordination with Western medicine. I still haven't made up my mind about the cleanse...but I am leaning toward it. I'll let you know what I decide - and how it works! And of course before I do anything I'll check with my doctor.

Safe Dieting? Check With Your Doctor First!

Are there safe diets? Safe diet pills? I ask because there are so many horror stories out there about things that go wrong. My solution to the age-old problem? Do nothing without my doctor's approval.

Oh, I research on my own. For example, I've found these hydroxycut reviews very helpful. But before I put anything in my body, I'm a doctor girl. I'm sure he loves my endless questions.

What he tells me, more often than not, is that diet and exercise -- not just diet pills -- are the best solution. So that is primarily what I do. I watch my calorie intake, I exercise and I drink lots of water. How about you?