The Day After Yesterday

Was quite busy yesterday with the election and didn't get a chance to blog. But, it was very worth it as I won my precinct for my party. So it is all good. All though I have been recuperating today. Didn't party hearty, just stayed up too late watching the returns. We went to our party's party for a bit and then I just couched out with the tube.

Even the Wild Child helped out yesterday - we hung door tags reminding folks to vote on a bunch houses in our precinct. She is such the little politician, I like hearing her talk to people at the party about how she got her vote out. LOL

Today's dinner is broiled chicken breast, rice, broccoli, rolls and fruit salad. It is actually warm hear after a couple chilly days. And after eating the hearty buffet last night a lighter meal is a good thing.

I cleaned my desk off today and am happy with the results. I got a bunch of coordinated things, folders, postits, memo pads, blank notes and a new desk basket (not a big splurge, found them at Dollar Tree, and they were just the tonic to spruce things up and give me a some new color on the desk. And now I have much more room to work, since I took my inbasket and have it up on a shelf over the desk.

Am still excited about the Martha Homekeeping book. She has a bunch of routines, and, I really like the basic plans. and I am copying them and personalizing them for my Control Journal. Will figure out how I can post my Control Journal contents soon. It isn't that I change every time I read something new; I really don't, but, I like to be quick to change when the change is good.

Chilly and Raining

What a cold dreary day. Had to run out to the bank and the supermarket to get stuff for a breakfast/goodie basket for my election judges tomorrow. Worth the effort as I have good judges and being an election judge is hard work. Hope the rain clears so more people will get out and vote tomorrow.

Had computer issues starting Friday afternoon. My daughter plays on NeoPets. Heck I used to, but, I don't think any of us had since last Spring, maybe late Winter. About 2 weeks ago, she decided to start again, and Friday afternoon the computer shut down for no reason, okay, on Thursday for no reason my network connections where gone and I had to reinstall the DSL. So when the computer came back up my antivirus went nuts and I had over 200!!!! According to a geeky friend who knows, he says it is from Neopets (we have/had a firewall and all) and that meant I had to restore everything, which sucks. I actually had to do it twice cause for some reason after the first time, it wouldn't boot so I had to do it again. Everytime I set it to do automatic updates for Windows it won't reboot - this has been an ongoing problem since last summer when I put on a new hard drive. If anyone has any ideas, send them my way.

Have been reading Martha's Homekeeping book and I really do love, love, love it. It has so much great info! I know I will use it all the time. Have to give a thought to doing some desk top reorganization though. It is a big book. LOL

Taking a break from calling my voters, will start again about 6. Dinner tonight is cheating and using a Banquet Frozen Salisbury Steak. I know - but both DH and DD think this is the best entree ever and we have it once in a while. DD had it at a friends and when I was in the hospital this summer, she pretty much stayed with my parents during the week and came home to stay with him on weekends. One day he took to the grocery store to shop and she picked it out. It was fine by him and then she was telling me later that evening at the hospital how good it was and wanted it again at the store. I keep a couple of those and some Stouffer's frozen lasagna in the freezer for those certain days. Seemed like a good thing to have on a cold day when I really didn't feel like cooking as I have too much to do. - I bake it in the regular oven and am serving it with mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and green salad.

DH will probably go to bed way early tonight as he worked all weekend and he is an election judge tomorrow, has to be there by 5. I am planning on catching up on Desperate Housewives. I recorded every episode this season but haven't watched any yet.

We had company yesterday and I cleaned Saturday so the house still looked great today. Just a little once over. Got several loads of laundry done and folded, but, never took them upstairs to put away. Will do that here in a bit.

Take a minute and vote tomorrow - it is an important election!

It's Here!!!!

It came. Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook, The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home. Wow - all I can say is Wow. It look's like it is everything I hoped it would be. It is also quite attractive. The cover photo is printed on the book cover, the dustcover is clear plastic with the name and inside info printed in blue. I was flipping through it quickly and I really like the way it is organized. I know what I will be doing this afternoon!

I love the book Home Comforts and it sits on my desk and I use it often. But, I really have to say the style of Martha's book is much friendlier, the author of Home Comforts is an attorney and it shows. Now, I actually worked as a legal secretary and assistant many years ago, the style doesn't necessarily bother me, but, I have heard others comment that it is written like a law book. Martha's book is in the tone of her other books. In the forward, Martha says that she was given a copy of Mrs. Beeton's book back in 1961 and always liked looking at homemaking books, So do I. I have a copy of Mrs. Beeton's and various other old books. Will have to get them all together I suppose and spend some time with the old ones again. But, after I have been through Martha's.

Friday all day

Hope you're having a great Friday. I am, I suppose, although it is a very big Friday in my life, I have quit smoking. Why today? I don't know. I was finishing a pack late last night, when I realized it was my last pack, and I thought, either I could run up to the local convenient store and get some, which being about midnight I really didn't want to do, or, leave a note for DH to get me some before work, which he would do, but, I just thought, NO. No it is time to stop. So I found a couple patches on top the fridge in a med basket I keep there (hmmmm, there is a project, reorganize the crap on top the fridge) and stuck one on my arm, I have a couple boxes of Smoking Withdrawal tabs from Natra Bio which is a homeopathic product that provides relief for cravings, nervous tension, irritability, all the while helping one detoxify. I bought some early summer when I thought I might quit but didn't attempt it. Oh, and I also have some Endits from the same earlier time - although then I bought all the stuff and then said screw it I don't want to quit. So I can't really say I tried any of them, except the patch, but, I was thinking the other two things will help. And you know, so far they are. I am not plotting a run for smokes and I really think, although maybe I am afraid to say it, that this is it? Wish me luck.

I am anxiously awaiting the UPS to bring me the books I ordered. One being the Martha Stewart Homemaking book pictured at left. I have to run out in a bit, run a couple quick errands (go to bank, pay sewer/trash bill at City Hall and that is it. I went to the grocery store Wednesday and other than running out and getting milk (but I don't want to go get that one, we buy it from a store called Farm Fresh on the other side of town cause they have hormone free milk, but, it is also the store with best deals on cigs in town, so I need to stay out of there. For a few days anyway. DH can get later. So actually it is a pretty good Friday in terms of not having to run all over. But, I hate to leave till the books come as UPS just leaves the boxes on the front porch and last year I had a pair of shoes stolen!

My three kitties are running around like wild cats right now. I have a chair by my desk that I have a Surefit slip cover on and they are currently running under the slipcover and over the chair and down the back. It appears to be some kind of game. .

Chores today - pretty much just the basics as I am okay with the not smoking but figure I should take it easy. Although having written that I am now wondering if activity is the answer. Hmmm. Well, I also have to do some campaign literature and that will get me outside a while. I also plan on doing some pilates later (I do Winsor Pilates, which I adore.) I am actually thinking of doubling a workout and also doing them daily for a while instead of three time a week.

And I must write today, the NaNoWriMo thing is going great. I have 3200 words, so I am better than my goal, but, I decided to write daily anyway. And probably not going to take the weekend off. We'll see.

Must remember to stop and get some kind of sugar free candy. I like Charm's Sour Balls but they are sugared so I don't want to suck on many of those. Most sugarfree candy though isn't that great, I haven't seen any made with Splenda, which would probably help. Ah, maybe I would be better off munching on carrot and celery sticks or brushing my teeth a lot. That with the Endits might help. Maybe that and just very occasional use of the Charm's which are sitting here anyway. My biggest problem I have always thought in quitting smoking is the act of smoking. I like the idea of pulling out the cig, lighting it, inhaling, etc. (must stop this) so the Endits do give that ritual thingy. I know they tell you change your routine, but, that is so hard, actually the changing the routine to something temporary which will not be my real routine ends up, in my opinion, being my problem. So, I am doing everything the way I normally do, with a few small exceptions and moving on ward. I am trying to keep in my mind a smoke free life and all and keep telling myself that the first few days or week will be the hardest.

Something really cool

Today Yahoo launched a new site that I have been exploring this morning. Yahoo Food at http://food.yahoo.com/ is really nice. It has so much there, kind of a great one stop beginning to finding all kinds of food and recipe information. Except for a recipe for pork chops, which is what's for dinner here this evening. Oh, well, they have a Martha section so you know I like it anyway. If anybody has any ideas on pork chops let me know. I like to try new things now and then, but, will probably just end up making DH's favorite smothered chops.


Pretty day today. A bit chilly, but, it is actually fall the way I like it. Fall is just so brisk. I guess that it inspires me. Doing just fine on the NaNoWriMo. I am actually amazed at myself.

Today's agenda is light housekeeping - ie just my basic daily stuff. I pretty much model on the Fly Lady stuff. I do like her ideas for the most part. I just don't like the shoe shit. I am sitting here comfy in my new slippers. I finally found them, they are velor booties, little ankles ones that are softy and cushy, and just hug my ankles in cushy warmth. I had some a couple years ago and then couldn't find any I liked at a price I would pay for slippers. So I found them the other day at Walmart. I plan on buying several pairs and putting them up for when these wear out. They only have them for the holiday shopping season. These have rubber soles so you can run out in the yard and all and not worry. The last pair I had washed well a few times, no dryer, but eventually fell apart. I am declaring them the official slipper of the Barefoot Domestic Goddess. They come this year in black (my choice) and pink. Which I will pick up a pair of when I stock up as it makes the Wild Child so happy when Mama wears pink. You know I pretty much wear all black, but, thanks to her I do add some color in periodically.

More to come.

I love cheesecake!

I was browsing at Amazon and just got these cool little pans. I have several large springform pans, but, these caught my eye. I am going to make small cheesecakes for Thanksgiving, instead of one large. In multiple flavors, then if they are sliced, everyone can have an assortment instead of one large slice. Not sure yet on flavors, will figure this out and post the recipes soon.

How cool is this!

This is a book I have wanted for years. All of Martha's advice on homekeeping in one handy volume. 752 pages and I will have it Friday!!!! (I am too cheap to pay for next day delivery, but, I am an Amazon Prime Member which means I get it in two days!)I have actually written MS several times over the years suggesting this book, although, I am sure I am not thanked. Doesn't matter. I am just happy it is out.

Here is what the Amazon review says about it:

"Book Description
Whether your home is small or large, an apartment in the city or a country cottage, it is a space that should be at once beautiful and livable. The key to that is managing the upkeep without feeling flustered. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive resource that not only tells how to care for your home and everything in it, but that also simplifies the process by explaining just when. With secrets from Martha Stewart for accomplishing the most challenging homekeeping tasks with ease, this detailed and comprehensive book is the only one you will need to help you keep your home looking its best, floor to ceiling, room by room.

In Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook, Martha shares her unparalleled expertise in home maintenance and care. Readable and practical–and graced with charts, sidebars, illustrated techniques, and personal
anecdotes from Martha’s decades of experience caring for her homes–this is far more than just a compendium of ways to keep your house clean. It covers everything from properly executing a living room floor plan to setting a formal table; from choosing HEPA filters to sealing soapstone countertops; from organizing your home office to polishing your silver and caring for family heirlooms.

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is organized for clarity and maximum practicality:

Room by Room covers the upkeep of the appliances, tools, furnishings, and surfaces found in each room, from the entryway to the kitchen, from the attic to the laundry room.

Throughout the House instructs the reader on the proper ways to routinely clean and periodically maintain everything in the home, including dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, polishing, scrubbing, waxing and much more.

Comfort and Safety focuses on techniques to ensure your home is running properly and safely, such as recognizing when to clean vents, fixing a leaky faucet, and eradicating pests.

A-to-Z Materials Guide provides an invaluable resource that explains the unusual materials that many favorite objects are made of–from abalone to zinc–
and how to care for them so they last.

Encyclopedic yet friendly, Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is a seminal work–a must-have for everyone who wants a well-cared-for home that will endure for generations.

About the Author
Martha Stewart is the author of many books on cooking, decorating, gardening, weddings, and other domestic arts, and is the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She lives in Bedford, New York."

I will post more about this when I actually have it in my hands!

Where does the time go?

Here it is, November 1. Hard to believe, but, the calendar says so. I am actually kind of excited today. November is the month of NaNoWriMo which you can find at http://www.nanowrimo.org/

I have wanted to do this for years, but, never signed up until this year. I am working on getting today's done. To write 50,000 words in a month you need about 1700 per day, more is better and you need to figure out if you are going to do it Monday to Friday or include weekends. What I am doing is going with my momentum and then will figure out in a couple of weeks where I am and then adjust. Daily counts, as you all might imagine, freak me out. Just the "Daily" part is probably drawing chuckles. Ah, well, I can only give it a go.

This is a busy month for me. I just got 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies yesterday to be delivered for some and some sold. We order like that as DH finds it easier to sell at work if he has the boxes of cookies with him, rather than take orders. It is for a good cause. My daughter just loves being a Girl Scout, actually, she is a Brownie and in her final year of that.

Then there is the election. I am a precinct committeeman and have to finish getting literature out this week and then start my phone calls this weekend. Between Saturday and Monday night, I call all the registered voters in my precinct (of my party) and remind them to vote and see if they need a ride to the polling place. Call people really gets the vote out. But, it makes for a busy week. I am really nervous about this election. I know how I want it to go, how I really think it will, but, I am so worried about potential election fraud/voter machine mischief (not in my state or local area but nationally) that sometimes it just makes me sick to my stomach.

Last night was Halloween and my darling daughter was a Fire Fairie. She was totally adorable. A Fire Fairie is a fairie dressed in reds, oranges, pinks, etc. She was so cute. I can't get over it. There probably won't be too many years left for her to Trick or Treat. I will miss it.

This is the time of year (November 1) when I start really planning the holidays. I always think I will start in July or so, but, never do. Thanksgiving first. Luckily the menu is pretty standard year to year. The difference this year is that my Mother wants to have it at her house, for the last 10 it has been here. So, there will be some changes, and I won't be cooking the turkey for the first time in a decade. I am kind of disapointed to be honest; but, my Dad doesn't want to leave home and then go home after dinner. So we change.

More later today. I am along with the NaNoWriMo keeping my blog window open and have some more stuff I want to post about.