Taking that next step

I need advice.  I have been talking about purchasing a digital camera for over two years but my fear of buyer's remorse has stopped me from taking that final step. I had a wonderful 35 mm that took the best pictures but when I misplaced it I decided first that I was not mature enough to be trusted with a camera and must be punished. I believe I have now done my penance and I would like to take a technological leap forward. But here I stand, still on the precipice.

I need all you great photogs to recommend a camera to me. I want to be able to see the feathers on the bird up in the tree but not necessarily the one in flight. I do not want a delay in the flash or the baby will have stopped smiling by the top the shot is complete. I want to take breathtaking pictures of mountains in the distance and butterflies on flowers.  And, since I am not very technologically inclined, I don't want to have to refer to the manual for the next year in order to remember how to set the darn thing.

And, I need to know where can I get the best deal.

So what have I done for the last two years?  I still love photography so as part of my penance I have swallowed all pride and continued to purchase the Kodak or Fuji disposable cameras. Forget  the zoom.  Forget immediate viewing.  Forget reliable flash. But I must say I have still gotten some of the best shots with those little cameras and when I get them developed they are all ready to be added to my latest scrapbook endeavor.

I must admit it was a bit embarrassing when my granddaughter was born. There were all the relatives at the nursery window with their fancy schmancy, state-of-the-art cameras and yours truly was front and center with her WalMart special. It wasn't like I could act as though I had left my real camera at home.  "I went off without my X3000 Ultra Zoom so I just stopped and picked this up on the way to the hospital." I almost did not get my grandmom certification.

So, can you help me out? Of course, after I get the camera I will be looking for instructions on how to get the pictures from the camera into my Dust Bunny journal.  I can hardly wait!

Tags: camera, photography, advice, grandmother

The Pig Line forms to the right

Why is it that when you have a group luncheon that the people who bring nothing or at best, a 2-liter bottle of soda or a package of napkins, are the first in line, overfill their plates and come back for seconds before everyone has even been through the line the first time? It never ceases to amaze me.

Once in a while, at the office, we find an excuse to have a potluck lunch.  A sign-up sheet is posted to allow everyone to see what suggested items they can bring.  If you don't do a sign-up sheet you might end up with lots of dessert and no meat or veggies. Of course, there are always those who do not want to make a committment until the last minute or the non-compliant employees who do not think they should have to identify what they bring.  No problem - as long as they remember to actually participate.  

And, then there are the people who will sign up under the misc category and they bring $2 worth of soda.  Or a bag of ice and nothing more. You can bet, at offices around the nation and not just at mine, those people will be first in line.  They pile their plate as though they have not had a full meal in eons, giving no thought to the rest of the staff that are waiting in line behind them.  They will start a second plate just for dessert, come through the line often, wrap up a full plate in the refrigerator for grazing later and then take home any leftovers that are still available.

At one such luncheon, where I use to work, one of our vice-presidents had brought two very large trays of coldcuts and cheeses.  One was in the refrigerator and one was placed on the buffet table.  There was tons of food at this lunch and everyone had their fill.

As people left for the day, they raided the refrigerator, filling containers with the remaining meat which they took home to their families.  It turns out the VP had picked up the second tray for a family gathering that evening and had just put it in the refrigerator as a convenience.  It had her name on it but no one took the hint.  She was in shock as she prepared to leave and found the tray bare with just pieces of lettuce and some bits of ham left.  I will never forget the look on her face.

We are having a farewell luncheon for one of my employees at work tomorrow.  Only about a third of the staff have signed up. I will let you know how many eat.  

Footnote:  I was so concerned that there would not be enough food I cooked enough for an army myself last night so there was plenty.  Sure enough I heard comments made that the same handful of slackers filled their plates, came back multiple times and only made a minimal contribution toward the whole effort.  I just do not understand how someone can be so oblivous to doing the right thing as an adult in a group setting.  Oh, well.  I did my part and the honoree was very appreciative. And, there were leftovers!!! 

Tags: farewell lunch, buffet, food

Taking on my new role

I was just reading about Robin's husband, Michael, being deployed again http://journals.aol.com/robinngabster/TheYellowBrickRoad/ and it jogged an old memory. 

I married right out of college and my young husband and I grew into our roles as husband and wife, taking on much the same responsibilities we had seen our parents take.  We were both from traditional families and the dads did the yard and the cars and the moms handled the household duties.  Of course, we also shared many of the chores in order to keep things running smoothly.  There were many things that I took for granted because I just never had to worry about them.

We eventually developed a routine that Saturday morning Hubby was up and at 'em early while the kids and I slept in a little later.  He would take my car, do whatever maintenance was necessary that week and fill it up with gas.  Often he would pick up breakfast or donuts on his way back home and the kids and I would be ready for the day's events.  Good times!

Fast forward 15 years. Imagine my surprise to learn that the car was not the only thing being maintained on Saturday morning.  I was hardly prepared for being a single mom  but that was the hand I was dealt so I learned to manage. Talk about your shock and awe! I hardly knew what hit me.  

I could sew, cook, entertain and manage a budget on a shoestring but I was absolutely clueless when it came to the car. I did not know a registration from an inspection. I had hardly ever had to pump my own gas at that point.  It has now been another 16 years and I can laugh about it today but at the time there was nothing funny about it.  My dad had handled guy things when I was growing up and then my husband took that lead. Why would I even want to deprive him of that manly opportunity?

I know!  I know! Feminists every where are gnashing their teeth and passing judgement on my way of life.  Well, don't you worry.  I got mine!  BIG time.

Someone had to have pointed out my expired inspection sticker because I stopped at a garage to get one. (Maybe it was my 12 year old son who had noticed.  He was a guy-in-training.)  I timidly approached the man in the jumpsuit and told him what I needed.  He then asked me for my proof of insurance.  WHAT?  No one told me I had to have anything with me but my checkbook! Oh, NO!  My mind was a blank. I burst into tears much to the shock and dismay of the mechanic.

I apologized and my words and tears tumbled out.  "I'm sorry.  I don't know what I am doing. I just got divorced and my husband always took care of these things and no one told me about insurance and I have no idea where it is or if I have it.  I'm just so sorry.  I don't mean to be crying I just don't know what I am doing. Where do I go now for the insurance?"  Big gulp of air here.

The guy behind the counter looked at the floor, probably for a trap door that would open up and allow him to escape the maniacal woman who stood before him. He then said he was not sure about my insurance but sometimes people kept it in the glove box. My mind cleared and I remembered.  Of course.  We had always kept a copy of our insurance there in the event we were in an accident or got stopped for speeding. In my panic I did not even remember that I had insurance.

I went out to the car and looked.  Sure enough I found the required paperwork. I stopped sniffling and decided that maybe I did not need the car inspected that day after all.  I put on my sunglasses and pulled away casually.

When I eventually did get my car inspected it was at a different location and I was prepared and confident.

Tags: divorced, inspections, insurance, car

Turn it up!

As much as it pained me, and I do mean that literally, I was glad to be at the oral surgeon's office yesterday.  I had been putting off some much needed work and when I had my car accident last fall, my teeth were no longer the priority.  I had only completed the first phase of a multiphased process last year so letting it go unattended for this many months finally caught up with me.

Not sure about you but I love the nitrous oxide!  I could sit there with drool rolling off my chin all day if they would keep me hooked up.

I went ahead and took a personal day at work yesterday so I could relax after the procedure and not go back to the office looking as though I had lost the latest round of Ultimate Cage Match.  Smart move on my part because when they turned me loose, I had a mouth of gauze and a glassy look in my eyes. But I did not care.  It had been fun.

A lot of people I know have had a bad experience with the gas but for me, it is the closest thing to doing drugs I will ever know.  

When the doctor first came in and started to prepare me for the novacaine I immediately asked for the gas.  They hooked me up and I kept taking deep breaths but nothing ... I still knew where I was and what was about to happen.  Not good. I told the assistant that I could not tell any difference so she turned up the concentration a bit.  Still nothing.

Then we realized that one of the hoses was not connected so all that precious gas was floating in the room.  Dang!  Repositioned, snug fit and whish ... I felt it kick in. Please understand that I do not want to have an out of body experience but with my TMJ and overall dislike for dental work, I would rather be anywhere but in that chair.  The gas helps me not care.

The best way for me to describe how I feel when the gas takes its full effect is for me to take my two hands in front of me and have the fingers go at each other in a little frenzy. My mind is a jumble and I recognize it is a jumble ... and I don't care. 

So what happens next?  You might think it was the doctor's turn but you'd be wrong.  THIS is when they sent the person from the Billing office in to talk with me about my financial obligation for the procedure.  I started laughing and suggested the timing was a bit off.  But I signed the paperwork anyway ... I didn't care.

I think I may have taken a bit of a nap because two hours had passed when they pronounced me done. I know I actually never went to sleep because I remember various steps they went through and smart ass comments I made along the way.  Gas makes me think I am a comedian.  They laughed from either polite acknowlegement or the fact that I had actually signed the financial paperwork while under the influence. 

But all good things must come to an end and the nitrous was replaced with oxygen. I waited the appropriate amount of time before I drove myself to the pharmacist and got the pain meds filled.  Home again.  Popped the pills and for the next few hours I slept.... I REALLY did not care.

Today I am as good as new.  Guess I better read the documents I signed. I think I'll care.   

 

Tags: dentist, oral surgery, nitrous oxide, gas

Taking Inventory

I read recently that making lists was a sign of OCD.  I do not think I would be diagnosed as such but I do like to make the occasional list.  It is part of what keeps me on track. And, often, as a result of a journal I read, it prompts me to take inventory for any number of reasons.  Here are some of the lists I have made in 2008 with just one entry per list. 

What lists have you made recently?

1.  I make lists for the grocery store.  Current pressing need - something salty 

2.  Things I need to return to the store before it is too late.  That blouse that makes me look preggers

3.  Places I've been.  England was the fartherest away. (Or is that 'furtherest'?)

4.  Places where I want to go.  New Zealand

5.  Number of times I have been to the doctor this year.  Not as many as I thought.

6.  Things to do at work to raise morale.  Baby picture contest.

7.  People I have hired in my career.  Over two hundred.

8.   People I have had to let go.  Cindy comes to mind.

9.   Which states I have slept in - not just driven through.  35

10. The words and actions my granddaughter has mastered at age 9 months, 10 months and 11 months.  I sense a pattern here.   This will be another journal entry.

11.  Friends I have lost contact with that I would like to find again.  Mindy is at the top of this list.

12.  Concerts I have attended.  23 - Neil Diamond was the best

13.  Famous peopleI have met.  Dolly Parton is the most famous on the list.

14.  Bills I need to pay. This list is getting shorter!  Yeah me!

15.  Software applications I use.  8

16.  Software applications I know.  over 20

17.  Total number of jobs I have had.  Going all the way back to my teens - 16

18.  My top 10 favorite tv shows ever.  Mary Tyler Moore

19.  My top 10 favorite movies ever.  Out of Africa

20. Kinds of music I like.  I identified eight genres. and none of them require the use of the word "yo".

 

Tags: OCD, lists

Patrick's Sunday Seven Episode 146

We all have our tools. I’m not talking about those greasy devices that mechanics have on toolbelts. There are basic items that we’d almost feel lost without. Some are high-tech, like our cell phone, and others are low-tech, like a ball-point pen. But there are items that we almost can’t do without (or have at least convinced ourselves that we can’t do without) as we do our normal thing.

I was inspired to post this topic by my friend Rick, who posted a picture of some tools on his desk. Have a look at the picture here, and you might find a few items there that would make your list.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
Name seven everyday “tools” that you use on a daily basis.

Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. You may include this link in the URL space when leaving your comment, or in the comment itself. As long as it’s there in one spot or the other.

My Answers:
1. Cell phone
2. Keys
3. Garage opener
4. Remote control
5. Radio alarm clock
6. Glasses
7. Curling iron

Tags: Sunday Seven, tools

Patrick's Saturday Six, Episode 216

It’s time to think positive…about being negative. Are you cynical? Are you practically Oscar the Grouch? Or are you that happy type that most of the rest of us would like to shove down a storm drain be much more like?

Being negative is this week’s topic!

Here are this week’s “Saturday Six” questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal…but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit!  Enjoy!

1. Is the glass half-empty or half-full?  half full

2. Are you more of your own worst critic, or do you tend to be everyone else’s worst critic instead? a little of both

3. How do you feel about technological advances: are you generally optimistic that a new system will make life better or worse? I love new technology and yes, I think it will make life better. I wish I could afford it!

4. Take the quiz: Are you too negative? Nope, I am positive.

5. A friend asks your opinion about something, and you know that being honest might hurt his or her feelings. How honest are you likely to be? I will diplomatically try to be honest but stop if I think it might be too hurtful. You can usually tell if someone wants the real truth.

6. You see a panhandler on the street: which tends to be closer to your immediate impression: that he’s a good person who’s down on his luck or a bad person who doesn’t want to work? I'm more likely to think it is a person who does not choose to work.

 

Finally

I went to the doctor today and learned that the x-rays show my ankle is making progress.  Everything is where it should be and I can start therapy. There is still a considerable amount of swelling but with screws holding the outside ankle bone in place and smaller anchors holding the tendons where they belong the joint has stiffened up and formed some scar tissue as well.  The therapy should/will relieve that.

The doctor said I am now able to start weaning myself from the toe-to-knee brace to a lace-up support that will allow me to wear an athletic shoe. I immediately switched out to the lightweight version and found the foot and ankle strong enough to be able to drive with the right foot. Yeah, rah!!!

I don't want to overdo it but I am very excited that I should soon be able to wear normal shoes. The fashion statements I have been making leave much to be desired,

Playing Patrick's Sunday Seven

I am so excited to find Patrick's Place once again. Click here to get the full effect.

The 2007-2008 television season has come to a close, and here is a list of the Top 20 shows of the season. You’ll note that in some cases, some shows may be listed more than once: one day’s regularly-scheduled episode may do better than another day’s, and rather than average them together, Nielsen lists the show twice.

You don’t necessarily need that list for this week’s question, because it’s entirely up to you which shows you list, but I thought I’d supply it at least as an idea starter.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
Name your favorite shows of the 2007-2008 TV season.

Here is mine:

1.  The Office

2.  Two and A Half Men

3.  The Big Bang Theory

4.  Boston Legal

5.  The Paper (MTV)

6.  60 Minutes

Tags: TV, Patrick, Lists

Patience is required

I waited for four months and just when I thought I was going to be released from knee therapy, I learned that I had to have more surgery.  My knee was finally healing but the broken ankle still did not look right.  I soon learned that it was far from healed.

I had been told originally that there was really nothing to be done. The two broken bones would heal while I wore my little ankle boot. Oh, contraire.  Major bones had to be rebroken. Tendons had to moved and the joints had become something of a trash heap of bone debris.  I sure wish someone had paid enough attention when they were working on the knee to take care of the ankle. Oh, that's right.  I then learned I was being treated by a "knee specialist" but now I needed an "ankle specialist." Silly me, I thought an orthopedic surgeon could handle them both.  Guess they both have bills to pay and tanks to fill. So I was shuffled off to another partner in this maze of specialists and medical bills.

Now here I am, almost seven months later, limping along with a swollen foot, strapped into a walking boot in the hot Texas summer.  I did not get released today to begin therapy or even start wearing even tennis shoes. No, I am still hobbled and I have learned that, in spite of my best efforts, I am unable to float in the deep end of my pity pool.

Someone hand me a margarita.

Countdown

Tomorrow should be a red letter day for me.  After two surgeries and six months of braces, walkers, casts, crutches, wheelchair and riding the short bus, I hope to be able to leave them all behind and walk and drive normally.  I am sooooo excited.  I know I am going to have to go through some therapy but that will be nothing compared to what I have already been through.  

You just do not appreciate things when you have them; only when they are taken away.  When this whole experience is over, I hope I will appreciate driving while I sit facing the front.  I won't mind where I park. I will shop both sides of the store in the same visit. I will step off the curb without holding on to someone or something. I will shop for fun. I'll probably spend more money. I will swim. I'll have more energy. I will buy new shoes. I will not think about the number of steps involved when going out with friends. I won't look like a wobbling weeble - most of the time.

Yep, it's going to be a new day!  Yeah!!