Spinning...Cupcake Fibers.

I've been doing a little spinning lately since I don't seem to have energy for anything else. This fiber is from Cupcake Fibers and wonderfully and lovingly prepared. Each box is a special gift. I purchased this before I even had my wheel. I finally obtained the nerve to spin it and its been a great experience. I am glad that I practiced on other not-so-important roving before this.

I also finally named my wheel. It's funny how long it took. It's been 4 months so we are still in the "just getting to know each other" stage. I would think of a name and she would say to me, "well, it's ok, I'll spin by it, but not really my name." Kinda like a cat. You know, they have at least three: the one they are called, the one they come to, and their real one.

Her name came to me while spinning this yarn. Butterfly it is.

Good day. Happy spinning if you spin.

coffee...useful tips.

Coffee grounds are more useful than we think. Love this article. Check it out.

Thank you yahoo for the link.
Good day.

Movie quotes...Batman Begins.

"It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you." --Batman Begins (2005)

I just love the movies. Especially when you find a useful quote that makes you think or laugh or cry. I couldn't agree more with the above quote. In my opinion, what people do is much more important that what they say. Sometimes I miss that, and it's really to my own detriment and my own fault for missing this. I guess that's where truly observing people is the key element and not "wishing" or "hoping" for certain behaviors from others or myself.

The quote also reminds me to watch my own behavior as well and making certain that my own behavior is really the impression I want to impart to others. Remember you can only change yourself not others. I hope what you do is a positive influence to others.

Good day and enjoy doing what defines you. Let's hope it's a positive experience for all involved.

Food and GNO...

tomato basil
GNO-Blue Star
Hello,
Haven't been one much for posting lately. You'll have to put me on your GoogleReader to be notified of updates, if you so choose.

Here' is a lovely recommendation for food:

fresh basil
fresh mozzarella cheese
sliced tomatoes
balsamic vinaigrette

arrange mozzarella, tomato and basil one on top of the other, sprinkle the vinaigrette over the top and then eat. I love it when its this simple. I've been eating this for the past 3 days. yummy. and a glass of red wine. double yummy.

GNO- for girls night out we went to the Blue Star and had a meat and cheese plate and hummus. All were delish and the service was terrific. Of course, on a Tuesday night they were not busy. We complimented the meal with a lush, full-bodied, berry BenMarco Malbec wine from Argentina. mmmmmhmmm, good. I just love the presentation of food. So took some quick pics and encourage you to enjoy making your own.

Happy T day,
Good day.

Romantic at heart...

Personally, I am a romantic at heart, sssh don't tell. I absolutely love, love stories about true love, soul mates, kindred spirits. I believe its what we all search for and some are lucky enough to be smart enough to recognize it and "do the right things" and keep it. Others... well, others...oh, well never mind. I'll keep those many thoughts to myself for now.

Goodnightgram always has a lovely post when speaking of Officer Friendly (OF) and it always brings tears to my eyes. By the end of this post I was crying from the simple beauty of her writing.

I do so enjoy her love story and am honored that she shares it with us.
Good day and good weekend to you all.

In Search of...safe Herbal remedies...menopause.---Update

Peaceful Mtn-Hot Flash Rescue
Greetings and Salutations,

Remember my search for homeopathic remedies for menopause??? As some of you may or may not know I have seen two doctors who refuse to believe that someone as young as myself is going through menopause and refuse to help me. I also always mention my issues with any healthcare professional I may be around and they state the same thing too, I'm too young. My feeling: what do they know, everybody's different. Hence, my search.

This past week I became so desperate from no sleep and so many hot flashes that I thought I was going to spontaneously com-bust or fall over from being dizzy from the heat from the hot flashes that I finally bit the big one and found several remedies without giving myself a heart attack---at least so far anyway. There may be other health issues associated with each that I am unaware of at the moment that they cause. The cost was pricey $10 to $11 dollars for a 1-2oz bottle. I did say I was desperate.

The photo is of Peaceful Mountain Hot Flash Rescue and its a soothing mist for "in the moment" hot flashes. I've been using it for a few days now and it really does work. One mention, is it smells very peppery-ish, like pepper spray. Be careful if you use it. I have to hold my breath and spray lightly as its hard for me to breath a little right after I spray it. It seems similar to Icy-Hot, and by that I mean that if you fan yourself it gets hot where the spray is, which is totally counterproductive to what you desire, but if you leave it alone it feels like its cool where the spray is on your skin. Kind of like its freezing. Interesting, eh???

I have noticed that I've been sneezing more since using it. Maybe the so-called "pepper" in it??

The ingredients listed:

inactive ingredients: aloe vera concentrate, black cohosh root, chaste tree fruit, lavender buds, natural plant extract, phenoxyethanol & caprylyl glycol & sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, purified water, sage leaf, St. John's Wort aerial parts, vitamin C, Vitamin E (soy), and wild yarn root.

active ingredients: Capsicum Annuum 3x, Pulsatilla 3x, sanguinaria Canadnsis 3x

I really do like that the USA-FDA requires ingredients to be listed if over a certain percentage. Its great.

I also found some liquid Valerian Root and liquid Black Cohosh.
The valerian root is supposed to be helpful for sleeping and the black cohosh for menopause symptoms and also a sedative.

Here's an interesting link for the black cohosh. Turns out it can cause liver damage. Hence my opinion in my side note below.

and link for the Valerian root

For each I only use half the recommend drops 15 (30 drops recommended), which is the full eye dropper. I use half to 1/4 eye dropper. Remember my experiment with the herbs for thyroid? I almost caused myself a heart attack, since the herbal company used 20 times the recommended amount. ugh. I also put the liquids in cranberry juice instead of water as the liquids taste horrible but aren't so bad in juice.

The valerian root does seem to be helping with sleep issues and the black cohosh with hot flash issues. Yeah me. I am thrilled to be able to sleep again and not so intense hot flashes. Plus I've noticed my attention span is getting better, which is good since I am having problems with this too. Maybe because I have now gotten some sleep for a few days in a row instead of having one good night and several bad nights.

Looks like both should only be used short-term due to the health concerns.

I also make certain to drink lots of water to help with reducing hot flashes too. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Its always a good idea no mater what your health issues.

Side note: as I was in the herbal store there was a conversation going on ahead of me that it turns out the FDA is looking into regulating the herbal industry. The two speaking were against it. Personally, after my near heart attack experiment, I think its a good idea. The implementation of regulating is going to be where they get it right or wrong on whether or not it is helpful. But at least with regulation the claim a company makes must be correct, which means research, which means money.

Thank you to NCCAM for the links.
I have not been given any benefits from Peaceful Mountain company for my comments.

Good day and good luck if you have a similar search.

Fellow blog posts...inspiring.

I've been really bad about keeping up with fellow blog posts. I really enjoy them. I just have not been doing anything lately that I enjoy. No spinning, no knitting---gasp, something must truly be wrong if no knitting!!!

I guess you could say I took a break from life. Today I have been reading a couple favs: Adventures in Paradise

and the following:
Be More with Less--10 Things you should Quit today. I think what I like most about her post is this quote, "you have to let go,instead of try harder. All that pushing, reworking and forcing might set you back." ---I couldn't agree more with this statement.

I feel as though over the past year I have been pushing, reworking and forcing life and its really set me back. My own choices and thoroughly my own disappointment in myself regarding said choices. I suppose that's why I have needed a break from life and rejuvenate, for lack of a better word.

I also like her statement about "fixing" people or "fixing" other people's problems. We all know people like that don't we?? Those that live to do this. Those that feel good or needed or complete when they do this??? This issue has also indirectly affected me and has been something of a drain. I need to let it go and be happy that its finally gone from my life. Yeah, me.

What have I been doing??? I took the time to rediscover lost enjoyments. For example I went to an auction and had a great time people watching and finding and looking at old items. I forgot how much I used to enjoy going to auctions. It was nice to revisit this pastime.

Take time with life and click the link above and find out what you should quit. Enjoy.
Good day.

5 things you should NOT purchase...

5 things to stop buying is an interesting article with helpful hints. Read and start saving today.

Thank you yahoo for the link.

Good day.

I'm going to be published...

CPW
Duprex label
Who knew that a quick trip to check out a spinning wheel and take pictures of it would cause an uproar in the CPW spinning world. Turns out I found a label that no one had seen yet and created a mystery. I just love the spinning world. A great group.

Anyway, one person is putting together a booklet on the Canadian wheels and asked if they could use my photos, which I wholeheartedly endorsed. Very Coolio.

Now I can make the 15 minutes of fame claim and state that I've been published. I know, it is a stretch but I'm ok with that. :)

Will have to purchase a copy just so I can be able to prove the claim.

I am now hooked on finding spinning wheels and taking pictures of them. hmm, new hobby? new obsession? nah, just fun.

pictures copyrighted by me and the booklet they will be in.
Good day.

Weight loss...

link to 5 Bizarre weight loss tricks. Sounds like fun. Will have to try wearing blue more and smelling bananas and peppermint. Do you think this will work during grocery shopping??? ...scenario: pick up a banana and smell it through your shopping and you'll buy less??? 'cause you won't be hungry, yes??? LOL

thank you yahoo for the link.
good day

taxes...

Things just got a little tougher out there.

Please got to this link to see what Obama and his congress are doing for you. You will actually owe approximately $3500 more in taxes. Yes, more. As for the poor folks out there you'll owe more too and get even less. I guess you'll have to think about maybe working for a living now or panhandle more. Shoot, even those of us working may have to panhandle now. It'll be our second job.

You can thank Bush for the breaks you have and were given that are now going to be phased out.

So, under a Republican President you had less taxes and more credits and under a Democratic President you owe more and receive less credit.

What does this mean? It all = less $ for you.

Makes you think, eh??

Thank you Yahoo.com for the link.

I need to keep this in mind...

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit."

I need to keep the above quote in mind for my next relationship. What is he doing to me and what am I doing to him. very good to keep in mind.

Think about it.

PS-I copped the quote from the Hydle blog.

Happy Face...fun stuff.

Here's a link to something fun to do.

The first four words you see in the face describe you.

my first words that I saw: Happy, Impatient, Elegant, Outspoken.

FUN. Good day.

Warren Miller...like there's no tomorrow.

Leadville-skijoring-March2011


Warren Miller...like there's no tomorrow

Hello,
Went to the Warren Miller film..."like there's no tomorrow(2011)" on Saturday night, 11/5. It was a lovely evening spent with DD. I wish she was a little more talkative. Where did my friendly, talkative child go? I hope she comes back soon. It was still a nice evening together. We had dinner at the Saigon Cafe. Love that place and then went to the film. Sad, but the seats were mostly empty.

My review of the film is that it was not on par with what I have previously seen. It was slow moving and somebody thought it would be funny to take a lot of time up in the film to produce a Sasquatch story-line. In a word, DUMB. or please save sh-t like that for You-Tube. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do.

Hey, I came for the awesome skiing and snowboarding and the stories of those people not some B rate movie-line about a snow monster. I can go to the dollar movies for that, thanks very much. I paid very good money to see some actual snow-sports and cinematography of same. Can you say refund this year.

From my understanding Warren Miller is no longer active in the shooting and producing of the films. Its a shame, truly. Good for him to be retired, not so great for us to sit through a film that is now not as well done. I did like and do recommend "Children of Winter(2008)," which is much more on par with what to expect from the name. It keeps you riveted the whole time and isn't sidelined by a silly idea.

Now I know why the theater was practically empty. Save your money this year peeps!

Here's an explanation of the Warren Miller films.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the link.

Good day.
photo copy righted by me-march2011

Tab Benoit...

Went to see Tab Benoit on my own last Friday night. What a wonderful concert. I even purchased a CD and was able to have him sign it. Who is Tab? He's a Cajun singer and guitar player from Louisiana. He was very funny telling stories of growing up and how he started playing music full time. Makes me laugh just thinking about it. He used to be an instructor pilot. You'll have to go to a concert and hear from him to see how he went from pilot to guitar player.

Love ya Tab!!
photo copyright by me.

Menopause the Musical...Girls Night Out.

Last night was a blast. The BF(best friend) put together a Girls Night Out and a bunch of us girls got together and went to see Menopause the Musical that was showing in our town. It was hilarious. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. Love, love, Loved it.

Thanks so much, K, for putting this together.

I recommend that you see this musical play if it comes to your area.
Excuse me while I have a hot flash...
Good day.

I miss you G...

the sadness is overwhelming and the hole seems bigger as time passes. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you.

In Search of...safe Herbal remedies...menopause.

Valerian root may help with insomnia and anxiety.

Black Cohosh ---- of an important note please read the safety side effects of this plant.

Remember to be very careful when playing with natural remedies---remember my post on playing with herbs previously??? I almost caused myself a heart attack. Make certain you read up on any side effects and safety concerns. Also, see a doctor.

I am going to purchase the above and see how they work and report back later.

Thank you Wikipedia for the links and information.

Good day.

Bible in a Year...conclusion.

Greetings, I decided to go ahead and post my conclusion. I hope you get it and read your own bible in a year:

I finally finished my task/bargain/deal/goal I set for myself of reading the bible in a year. This post is my conclusion and I feel that I should start at the beginning so that you may understand how this task came about.

Approximately one year ago I made a bargain with Our Lord Your God. I won't go into exact details regarding the bargain. Suffice it to say that it was pretty specific and I was pretty miserable. Miserable enough to make a deal with Our Lord Your God.

So my bargain was that if He kept His side of the bargain within 3 days then I would keep mine, which was to read the bible in a year. Easy-peasy, right?

I had long been promising myself and Our Lord Your God to get this done. In fact there have been at least 3 instances before this of making a bargain with Our Lord Your God of promising to read the bible in a year if He would only follow through with His part of my bargain. As I recall, He has always previously followed through with my requests and I always poo-poohed it and gave up reading as I had previously come to the conclusion that His part was really way too easy and why should I follow through with my end of the bargain when the reading was so tedious and difficult and His part would have happened anyway. No biggy. right?

This time however, I felt was different. This time I felt that if I did not follow through with my side of the bargain that my life would be really difficult until I did follow through. I don't know why I got this feeling, I just did.

So this time, when I made the bargain with Our Lord Your God I felt the bargain made was to be much more difficult for Him to follow through. As stated before, All times previously were considered by me not so difficult for Him. So this time, I chose to put an exact time limit on my request and I thought the request was REALLY, REALLY difficult. Plus, the reading of the bible had to be easy this time and not so tedious as the previous times. Oh, how naive can you possibly get??, I ask myself. This Being, who moves mountains and holds back the waters of the sea. Who sends rain or drought? Who makes water into wine? Who hardens hearts or softens them? What in the world could I have been thinking???

I thought I would be smart. I thought I would be cunning. I thought I would be sneaky! I would make my requirement IMPOSSIBLE! And He had to follow through with His side of the bargain first. You can't loose that way, right??? I even put a time limit of 3 days too. Smart, right? and my only part in the whole bargain---was I had to read the bible in a year and it had to be easy for me to read. Not even study it. Just read it. I could do that right? right. The bible book I have has set the reading of it out into ten minute increments a day, easy-peasy. Right??? I didn't even have to figure this out for myself. It was already set up for me. No problem. Right??? So why haven't I finished it before now? Because the bible is really not that easy to read. Even with the NIV that is fairly easy to comprehend and already set up for me. Its really just not that easy to do. I digress. Back to my story.

The bargain was made with all requirements set for each side and the wheels were set in motion and to my utter astonishment, on the third day all requirements were met by Him. Why? Why? Why? You can make your own conclusions to this question. Personally I am still quite confused.

To be fair, it did take a fourth day. And to be fair, I did put off reading sometimes and I would eventually catch up.

My best advice if you ever make a bargain with Our Lord Your God: Set the bar so high its impossible. In fact, when you feel you have set it to the impossible, go a step even further. Put time limits on it that are impossible. State an exact time in the day. State an exact date. Make certain you are specific about your requirements and write them down if you need.

Keep in mind that if you do this then my additional advice to you would be that when you make such a bargain and it has been accepted and His part completed, I recommend that you MUST fulfill your part of the bargain as well, or the future unpleasantness in your life will be unbearable until you do fulfill your end of the bargain. Plus you must remember that if his task is to be completed first don't forget that. It's so easy to forget isn't it? Kind of like credit card use is NOT free money.

That's just my opinion on such bargains and also from reading the bible. There are actual guidelines in the bible regarding such bargains. So be careful if you decide to make a bargain with Our Lord Your God.

As I journeyed through my year I have learned a lot. Reading the bible takes very little time and most days it was enjoyable and exciting. It really does read like an adventure story and I recognized many quotes from the bible that people have used in movies and books. Admittedly, Numbers & Chronicles were trying and Jeremiah was confusing. Psalms and Proverbs are beautiful.

In the Old Testament, Poor Moses was driven mad by the whinny, ever complaining Israelites, such a trial for him. And because he became so angry with them at one time, he didn't get to go to the promised land. Due to defying God through his anger. You should read it for yourself for the reason why. I, myself, had not realized the true reason until I read it for myself. Its not what you saw in the movie the "Ten Commandments." Hmmm, who knew???

Aaron lost his two older sons due to their stupidity and refusing to ask Moses about the correct way to do something and were incinerated immediately. Yes, that means burned alive. Yikes!!! Can you imagine??? Poor Aaron was quite depressed about this. He eventually came round and even found the time to try to overthrow Moses with the help of his sister, Marion. Personally, I believe that they were jealous of Moses and his relationship with Our Lord Your God. You should read about the immediate punishment that Our Lord Your God sent to turn them from their evil ways. EEEk. As you may or may not know, Moses was the last man to have a personal relationship with God, and by that I mean the last to actually physically see Him.

The Four Gospels in the New Testament were instructive and even though repetitive, very interesting to read the different perspectives each apostle had for the time and what was important for each to impart.

I have learned so, so much and have been reminded of other writings in the bible that were my favorites from long ago readings and study. It was also helpful to discuss my progress with a co-worker. I recommend you find a mentor and discuss what you have read with another person, if you decide to read the bible in a year yourself. It sets things into a more comprehensive understanding of what you have read.

Of note, I've had my Bible in a Year book for 10 years and have finally used it. I still have the original receipt for it that I use as my book mark.

Through the year I found myself reluctant to mention that I was reading the bible in a year to others. Not because of embarrassment, because I didn't think it was an appropriate conversation piece. Interestingly enough, whenever I have brought it up the people around me always had a better idea for me with regards to my reading.

Its like the situation of people always having a better dead body story to tell. I know you don't get that. But as a suggestion, I dare you to tell a dead body story and I bet you there will be someone with a better dead body story. The dead body story could be anything, a murder, a death of family or friend, a pet. Try it. You'll see and finally get what I mean by this. Anyhoo...

I would always emphasize to these people that the goal was to read it not study it. Because without fail the better idea would be to have a concordance while reading. A concordance is for studying not reading. People unfortunately don't really pay attention and will always have a better great idea for you. I guess this is where patience for others comes in that the bible mentions continuously.

I do recommend that you read the bible in a year. All in all, it was a very good experience and an exciting read. There were times when I did get a little behind, which I do not recommend since its hard to catch up---even if it is set up at 10 minutes per day that can add up when you get behind. Hence, another reason why its taken me 10 years to complete said task, which happily now is completed.

Unusually enough when I only had 5 days to go I actually wanted to quit. What's up with that??? Is that amazing or what?? I had a huge strong desire to NOT continue. I persevered and am happy that I am done.

Will I get anything for it??? No, I already did. Remember? I am now pleased to have fulfilled my side of a promise. And that's all folks.

Enjoy your own adventure of a bible in a year. Thank you BibleGateway.com for the many links and verses used this past year.

Grace be to you and Good day.