Quarantine Thoughts- Part 1

1. I should miss going places more than I do.  Right?  I think I may be built for lockdowns.  I don't miss going outside.  I don't miss restaurants, parks, movie theatres... Any of it.  I like being able to stay in and not be judged for it- you know, the people who say "but its such a nice day outside!"  


2. We are out of meat, and milk and almost eggs.  We order our food more than 2 weeks in advance, and usually don't get the entire order.  I can't go into the stores because I'm high risk due to my lung condition; so I'm at the mercy of the staff.  It's stressful.  I'm lucky though, because if we are really stuck, D can go in and pick up things and knock down old people if necessary. (joking. sort of.) 


3. FREAKING HOARDERS! Why do you need 1000 rolls of TP? So that other can't get any?  Then they feel the need to hoard too, and then no one can get anything because you drive up scarcity.  Think, people!


4. I think its pretty funny that people who thought they could be profiteers with the TP and hand sanitizer are stuck with all the stuff they bought.  This one grocery manager basically told people "tough titties" for buying too much TP, and no they can't return it.  Ah, sweet justice.


5. I was talking to D and I wondered, "If it was the end of the world, would be even know?  If its not a huge event, but a virus that moves through the population, how long would it be before we knew it was the beginning of the end?  What would be the signs?"  Isn't that a happy thought?  No more dystopian books for me for a while.

The Comeback

Well, well, well... Looks who's decided to grace this blog with her presence... Stephanie.  To what do we owe the honor?

Look, blog I'm sorry.  I've been really busy.

A likely excuse.  And a common lie for you, isn't it?

Ok, I haven't been that busy.  But I haven't been that interesting either.

Feeling sorry for yourself again?

What? No!

C'mon...

Ok, maybe a little.  But you know, the winter and all that.  It was freezing here-- even for Canada!  And so I haven't been getting out there and trying new things.  And I spend all my time at work, on work.  You know how the fall and winter are.

Why don't you try making a schedule.  That works for other bloggers.  And then people would get your witty repartee again.  If anyone still reads this, that is.

Now, now blog, let's not get nasty...

I'm sorry.  I've been feeling neglected.  You have that other blog that you write on...

I do, but that's for work.  You know that.  You said you wouldn't mind.

I don't, I guess.  But back to that schedule thing...

You are right, I will start a schedule, and make sure I post something, even if I think its innocuous and silly.

Those are the best posts.

Um, thanks?  Anyways, I will post on weekends.  Is that ok?

Its a start.  And better then nothing.

Than.  Better than nothing.

Listen, you better wrap this up, you're starting to correct your own grammar.

Ok.  Well, see you either tomorrow or next weekend.  With something to talk about.  Goodnight.

Night.

Currently...

 

Stress...

Pic link

...and that's how I feel about that.

Mayra over at Ponder Wonders has her Soul Food Link-Up every Monday.  If you have a cute or clever graphic that is inspirational, (or like mine, funny while making you think) you should go on over and link on up. 

Just a reminder...

What I Wore: Basic Black

“I wore black because I liked it. I still do, and wearing it still means something to me. It's still my symbol of rebellion -- against a stagnant status quo, [...], against people whose minds are closed to others' ideas.”  - Johnny Cash

It's been a really long time since I've done a style post.  See, the problem is, that I having really been dressing for anything more than comfort lately.  Its a crazy trap I fall into when I'm working so hard:  I wake up and put on the first thing in the closet and go to work.  Since I leave my house when its dark, and return when its dark, there's not much time for photos.  I could take them at work but its super busy there with the students and all.

So, today when we went to the mall, I took this picture to show you how I've been dressing lately.  Funny enough, I haven't be wearing much black.  So today I thought it would be fun to wear some.  That and I wanted to show off my boots.  Aren't those boots great?

I usually have problems finding boots that fit my calves.  I have huge, muscular calves on the account that I run.  I was so happy when one of my fave plus size clothing stores started carrying boots.  They fit me like a glove.  And they are leather.  I love them.

Head to toe: Scarf: I bought it at a train station!/ Coat: The Bay / Pants: Lululemon (but I got them at one of those discount shows.  There's no way I would pay 100 bucks for leggings!) / Boots: Addition-Elle / Purse: Danier Leather

There's still some time to join the first question of the "No Stress Bookclub!"  New question comes out tomorrow!

80's Music Anger Management

I love Songza.  Love it.  I can choose what I want to hear and it plays it.

I am a little afraid that it can read my mind though.  Tonight, I wanted to hear some 80s music, and so I chose (duh) an 80s music playlist.  The playlist is called "80's Music Anger Management."

Here's the thing:  every song that has played is awesome.  EVERY. SINGLE. SONG. IS. AWESOME. 

Here's what has come on so far (links go to the You Tube Videos):

• Radio Ga Ga by Queen
• Working for the Weekend by Loverboy
• Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
• Working in a Coal Mine by Devo
• Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
• Shout by Tears for Fears
• Kids in America by Kim Wilde
• Our House by Madness
• Once in a Lifetime by The Talking Heads
• Tenderness by General Public
• A Little Respect by Erasure

Awesome, right?

Now "Walk like an Egyptian" is on, so you know what I'm going to do...

Will answer for friendship

So, Sierra doesn't think she had any friends to tag with this questionnaire thing. That just isn't true, so I tagged myself.  Here are my answers:

 

1. What was your first job? – My very first job was babysitting.  I watched this kid who was like 6 years younger than me while his mom went to her club meetings or something.  He was the greatest kid.  Not hard to watch or anything.  I would let him stay up, and then 5 minutes before his mom would get back we would rush him to bed.  after a while, he would decide to go to bed at his bedtime.  He said that he would be too tired in the morning otherwise.  See?  You don't have to be a hard ass to get kids to do what you want!

My first "real job" was as a youth leader and lifeguard at the YMCA.  I taught swimming lessons, and a youth leadership program.  It was one day a week, and it paid pretty well.    

2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you hate Nickelback?  40+.  But, Fox You (Very Much) loves them; and I can't figure that out.

3. Dumbledore gives you a cloak of invisibility. Where do you go with it? – Lately, I've been thinking about celebrity couples.  Not the lame ones, but the really fabulous ones.  I wonder if Laurence Fishburne and his wife Gina Torres walk around professing their fabulousness.  So I guess I would use it to spy on celebrities.  And the ones I don't like, you bet I'd sell those stories.

4. Who are your celebrity crushes? – Um, none really.  I love Brandon Flowers, but a lot of people don't know who he is, so more for me.  He's a little unkempt, but that's how I like my boys.  I like them to look a little homeless. Besides, he's a musician.  They are far superior to actors.  Movie stars give me the creeps.  I mean, you don't know who they will be when you are talking to them.  They make their living lying to people.  How can you know that they are ever sincere?  Trust?  I doubt it. 

5. Would you rather be the top scientist in your field or get mad cow disease? – Top scientist.  Have you seen the movies?  They always get into cool adventures, and have awesome romances.  Mad cow disease just gives you... I dunno... cramps?

6. Zero ramifications: who do you wish you could punch in the face? – Just one?  Or one a day?  I need more details here.  Can I throw one punch and line a bunch of people up on the other end of it then run down the line?  If so, then Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Ann Coulter.

7. How do you prefer your coffee? – One spoon of sugar, and enough soy milk until it is the same color as my skin.  That's what I tell people when they pick up coffee for me.

8. Have any books inspired your spirituality recently? –The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood talks about an elaborate religion ("called the gardeners") based on environmentalism; and that was pretty intriguing.  After I read it, I changed my Facebook profile to note that my religion was ecology.  I think that's the closest I have ever been "spiritually inspired."  What do you want?  I'm an atheist. 

9. What color light saber would you chose in a battle with Jar Jar Binks? – Pink.  I've never seen a pink one and its about time.

10. Are you original? Are you the only one? Are you sexual? – No.  The costumes in that video did rock though.  And if we're being honest, I did learn that dance routine for a recital.

11. YOU BETTER ROCK YO BODY NOW (EVERYBODY, YEEEAH)- Ok.

I answered the questions in hope that you will consider me a blog friend.  So, what d' you say, Sierra? 

Nothing to Say

I'm a bit of a blabbermouth.  But every once and a while, I have nothing to say.  Is this common for bloggers?  I am usually willing to talk (and write) about everything and anything; but lately, I have been coming up with fewer and fewer things to share. 

Its not because I'm particularly busy.  Although I am busy, I've always made time to update my blog.  I guess its because everything that I've been doing as of late has had to do with school and work.  I don't usually like to blog about work, so I haven't had much to say about anything else.  As you've read, I am not in love with the conflict that is happening between my union and the government.  So because I am so disheartened by that, I've stopped talking about it with non-teachers altogether.  I know that's not fair, but I'm sick of defending myself and my profession.

I also have been getting some not so nice emails about my blog here.  I'm torn between publishing them here and writing and open response, or just ignoring them.  Really, these emails are turning me off blogging.  I'm not going to quit, but I'm not impressed with these responses.  Jerks.

Maybe this counts as a type of writer's block.  But, I can think of tons of things that I could write about and do, I just don't want to right now. I don't know.  Maybe its just a slump.

What you you do to get over the hump?

Have you ever...

...seen my car air freshener?  Its one of my favorite things.  It smells like cookies.

I have a weakness for silly things.  Every time I get into my car, I smile.  I bet Mandela would smell good.  He would smell like freedom.  I'm sure freedom smells like cookies.  Or cinnamon rolls. 

Sundays are for relaxing

I should be working on something for school.

But the sun was calling me, and I couldn't bring myself to stay inside and mark all day. Besides its a holiday weekend here in Canada!  So we had a lovely day, instead!  Relaxing and letting the day slip away.  If you remember, I had trouble relaxing on the March Break.  But the sunshine erases all responsibility from my mind, and I can lay around in it for hours.  Which is just what we did.


We went on a tour of Dundurn Manor/ Castle and then had a picnic on the grounds.  It was so peaceful.

Then we came home for an easy dinner and some frosty gin & tonics with some key limes.

Now I think I will read one of those books I picked up yesterday at the used book store.

How was your Sunday?

Finding the time to celebrate

It has been a busy week work-wise, so I haven't been spending as much time doing the things I love.  Life is like that though.  But this week I got some great news- I got a full time job!  This means I will have to be more efficient with my time and hobbies.  I can't wait for all the challenges and perks that come with being a full teacher.  Luckily, I know the kids in the class I'm going to teach, so that is one things I don't have to worry about.

To celebrate, I went out for a walk with my friend Sara (link to Sara's blog) for some exercise, some shopping and some tea at my favorite coffeehouse!  There were beautiful flowers everywhere!

And a little note was left on the table for us:

I love everything about this space.  There are so many textures and colors.  I had to get a photo of my favorite door:

After a lovely walk, and some goodies for me and D, I came home and continued working on this:

With the rate I'm working on it, this blanket should be finished in no time.  Not too bad for an afternoon.

Re-Learning how to Relax

I'm on vacation this week, March Break!  As a teacher, I work so hard throughout the school year making lesson plans, getting to school early, leaving late, marking and grading homework, report cards.  I often have to apologize to non-teacher friends for being so absent through the school year.  Because I like being busy, I forget how to just step back and chill out.

I don't mind the scheduled existence working in a school.  I like routines (to a point). This week is routine free, and I have to admit I find the idea a little daunting.  So, this week, I am going to re-learn how to relax.  I'm going to try doing things on their own time.  Try doing an activity because I feel like it, or because I want to.  Not because of a schedule I have to follow.  Today was tricky, and I ended up with a headache (mostly due to the weather)... But I managed to do a few things for myself.  I even made myself sit down and not do anything. This was so hard!  I kept telling myself I was wasting time!  Which is why I needed to just sit.  Here's a peek at my day:

Tea and muffin at my fave coffeehouse.  I was having a pretty good hair day, so had to record that.

My favorite muffin!  They make the best blueberry muffins at the Mulberry Street Cafe (link).  I have tried, but I can't get the recipe.  They are just crunchy enough on the outside, and so moist on the inside... Yum.  Perfect breakfast for one of my least favorite parts of acting, memorizing lines.  I'm planning to do an hour each morning and 1/2 before bed.  I should know those lines in no time.

With my coffee was a lovely surprise: art by Andy DeCola (link). I like his poppy, bright paintings.  His statement says he has a "love/hate" relationship with the pop culture of the 80's. But we know my stance, I love the 80's.  I love the names of some of his paintings: a diptych "Shermer High School" and another called "Jack and Diane."  These two were my faves on display.

Shiloh's been amusing me to no end.  We bought him a birdbath that attaches to the side of his cage, because he LOVES baths.  He has yet to use it as a birdbath though.  He drinks out of it, and not much else.  It's funny because if I'm sitting in my chair, he sits on the ledge of the bath, and watches.  Sometimes sleeps.  What's hilarious, is he uses his drinking cup for a bath.  It's hilarious because its not really big enough, and its a little deep for a bath.  But he loves it.  He falls into it head first, and flaps his wings around as well as he can.  It cracks us up, because after he's done, he'll go around to the big basin and drink.

During my nap, D made dinner.  He was so proud of himself, and I was proud of him too!  He made curried chicken and rice.  It was so delish. 

In return for such a great supper, I made D a bit of a treat: a Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (link) with a link in case you have the urge to make one.  The salt makes this treat awesome.  I didn't think it would work, but it adds... something.  I got to use my dad's cast iron skillet for this.  This skillet is older than me!

So, not the most exciting day, but a good start in relaxing.  I would like to accomplish more tomorrow... Ooops.  There I go again.  I think I'll just take tomorrow as it comes.

Notes on a Sunday Morning

I'm just relaxing here a little on this sunny Sunday morning.  I wanted to share some of the random (read: ridiculous) thoughts I'm having.  I've been doing a lot of thinking this weekend, as I have lost my voice (the flu strike again!), and I wanted to share some in case you didn't already know how odd of a person I am.

I think my lovebird is bulimic.  After he eats, he comes to the side of the cage that I'm by and starts to throw up.  At first it was cute.  Then it was annoying.  Now its worrisome.  I think I may need to find a bird vet.

About 90% of the furnishing in our apartment comes from IKEA.  The only items that don't are the piano, and the kitchen chairs.  Everything else is Sweedish and comes apart with Allan keys. I don't know if this is good or bad.  It was affordable, and I love it.  D has stopped arguing with me about the merits of IKEA stuff, so I may have won a battle of wills.  I love IKEA so much, I wrote a song about it.

    
I'm getting kind of sick of the war games D plays on PS3. Usually I like watching him play it, but there is only so much snare drum and gunshots a person can take.  We've had discussions on how war should not be "played" as a game, but he likes to relax.  And he works so hard that he deserves to relax.  So I don't have the heart to fight with him about it. 

I want to get a trombone.  I love that instrument.

I love this Hyacinth.  Its makes the apartment smell so nice.  And the color! I want like 60 more. My allergies be damned!

So, that's what's going on here this lazy Sunday.  Tea and thinking.  Thinking and tea.  Maybe a walk a little later.  Then a nap.  Got to get rid of this flu once and for all!