Bobbie had a Silpada Designs Jewelry party last night. It was nice and relaxed - no awful games to play, or high pressure sales talks. Just the wares displayed and the catalog. I ordered some earrings.
Do you remember the first marketing party you were invited to? I think my first order was Tupperware - a non-party, at my job at Gamble Robinson in Sioux Falls. I ordered the brown canisters - I still have 2 left. One kicked the Tupperware bucket. I probably should have returned it. Does that stuff have a lifetime warranty?
Oh, honey I've been to lots of parties since then. I can't recall what the popular home decorating company was in the 1980's. Everyone had the stuff on their walls - sconces, mirrors etc. I was never wild about the stuff. Home Interiors, that's it! When I worked at First National Bank, it seemed like somebody had a party nearly every month.
Home parties are popular because it gives chicks a chance to get together. There are usually refreshments - food and sometimes alcohol. It can give ladies a chance to show off their homes. The attendees feel compelled to purchase something, though I'm better about "just saying no" than I used to be.
I once went to a Beauty Control party at Mendy's house. We did our colors - establishing which "season" we are. I'm a winter. I know - with my lilly white skin - you're not shocked about that, are you. I bought a few things, but generally dislike stuff I have to order when I can purchase perfectly good makeup at a store without the hassle.
I have attended several Longaberger Basket parties - even before my baby sis got into the biz. Mary Faber used to be a basket lady - she even talked me into having one of the only Chick parties I ever had. I did something wrong when I sent the invites though, and few people showed up. Someone said they didn't get their invite (I know...likely story...) Mary felt sorry for me though and still let me have my big basket at half price. I'm lucky that now I have my Betso connection and can get my baskets and pottery from her! I'm fixin' to get all new everyday pottery in April when it's on sale.
I've also been to a couple Premier Jewelry parties. What's that one that sells cooking stuff? I got a great mixing bowl from that outfit. Every once in a while someone at work puts a catalog out there for orders.
I must say, the strangest party I ever attended was the sexy stuff one Bobbie had - back in the early 90's. She even invited her mother-in-law! There was racy lingerie, sex toys and lotions and the like. We were able to make our discrete orders away from the other party-goers. Even today I still have some flavored oil that should probably be tossed. Does mocha oil go bad?
And I probably shouldn't tell the story about the sexy underwear I left in Jud's suitcase (I forgot it in one of those side pockets), when I borrowed it for a romantic getaway weekend for Pablo my sexy Poolboy and me.
I just hope Jud never found the racy undies...as I'm sure it would warp him for life...sure did make me laugh when I discovered them the next time I borrowed that bag for a work meeting though! Still brings a smile to my face.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ah relief
The world is a brighter place when one does not have a migraine. After three days of fighting migraines and taking meds for them I finally didn't get one. It used to be when I got a headache, it was the old fashioned kind with pain in my head.
Now they can come in many forms. Usually burning eyes and teeth. But yesterday my head actually pounded like the bad old days. Taking the medicine does help, but it also wipes me out. Especially after two other days of taking it.
Today I have a new lease on life - no stuffy nose, no eyes that hurt. Life is good. Even though the weather is bitchin cold! I do love my heated seats in my car. Someone said there are cars with heated steering wheels too - hmmm that would be nice!
Last night I got in my bed, and it was NOT hot. I have an electric blanket, and it was turned to HOT, but wasn't. You see I had forgotten to turn it off that a.m. - and the thing has an automatic OFF. Evidently that thing works. So I turned it off and then on again. Slowly it warmed up. Yay!
At work we had an emergency meeting to discuss proposed legislation. A group of legislators is studying ditching the bottle redemption law along with our present waste diversion goals - which is a big part of my job. I use a formula to figure the rates now.
The proposed bill would really throw a wrench into the present systems. The legislative sessions are like that - we have to be ready to react quickly to requests. Makes life interesting. Our boss Brian has to attend the committee meeting tomorrow to answer Qs.
Now they can come in many forms. Usually burning eyes and teeth. But yesterday my head actually pounded like the bad old days. Taking the medicine does help, but it also wipes me out. Especially after two other days of taking it.
Today I have a new lease on life - no stuffy nose, no eyes that hurt. Life is good. Even though the weather is bitchin cold! I do love my heated seats in my car. Someone said there are cars with heated steering wheels too - hmmm that would be nice!
Last night I got in my bed, and it was NOT hot. I have an electric blanket, and it was turned to HOT, but wasn't. You see I had forgotten to turn it off that a.m. - and the thing has an automatic OFF. Evidently that thing works. So I turned it off and then on again. Slowly it warmed up. Yay!
At work we had an emergency meeting to discuss proposed legislation. A group of legislators is studying ditching the bottle redemption law along with our present waste diversion goals - which is a big part of my job. I use a formula to figure the rates now.
The proposed bill would really throw a wrench into the present systems. The legislative sessions are like that - we have to be ready to react quickly to requests. Makes life interesting. Our boss Brian has to attend the committee meeting tomorrow to answer Qs.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Winter doldrums
Hmmm while I'm on a roll...the gov and the legislature is going crazy, spitting out potential bills that have bad implications for our department, DNR and me. While I agree, the present trajectory of the state unions does not seem to be sustainable, I don't like the gov's union buster mentality. Isn't there someone reasonable out there - without a stake in the game to help pave the way to a reasonable situation for all? In our staff meeting this a.m. Alex read off the proposed bills. The gov won't let the DNR legislative liaisons register for or against bills without his permission. It's downright depressing.
This afternoon I got another migraine - a pounder this time. I had one yesterday too. I've been getting more lately, ever since fall. A year ago I started taking Topamax, which worked wonders for a while. But not so much lately. Good thing I'm going to see the doc in a month.
So...enough with the whining. Marco Island is a mere 2 months away!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Latte with my buddy
Top - must be from a canoe trip to Van Buren County. Bottom - this fall ISU vs. Utah football (damn - we look better today, don't we??)
The first time I recall ever seeing Debra Imming Peterson she was hugely pregnant with Keith - so it was 23 years ago. She came into the bank - FNB when I was working there. I may have just found out I was preggers with Jud and was in awe of her rotund pregnant belly!
Then we took a parenting class together - Keith was an infant and Brett and Amy were 3ish. The two youngsters would be with "teachers" while the parents got parenting tips from Jill Glantzman and Mary Faber? (then McCann). We learned about things like how to use "timeout" instead of spanking. They were correct that most of us have no idea how to parent. So we imitate our parents - even if their styles sucked! I think McFees were in the class too.
One of my fave things about the class was to hear the other parents tell about problems they'd had with their kids during the past weeks. I thought most of their stories made Amy seem like a little angel in comparison! We were either lucky or Amy was being parented really well...prolly a combo.
After Jud was born, Mary Faber offered to get some boy sleepers from a friend whose son had outgrown them. Yep, it was Deb. Then they moved to Mason City, so I thought we'd never see each other again. No so fast - when Jud was around 3 they moved back! (boomerang movers!) Neither of us was working full time, so Deb ended up coming over for coffee (sound familiar?) so the boys could play - Brett and Amy must have been at school. I found out she was really nice - and was on my way to finding a BFF. (though I didn't yet know it...)
Through the years, with our children in the same St. M grades we spent a lot of time hanging out due to kid activities. But we found out we had lots in common! Three sisters (though she's the over-achiever eldest, and I'm the well-adjusted third child). We grew up together as we went through stages of our lives.
We canoed, and then got smart and bought kayaks! That gave us a great venue to spend time together. We've taken some cool trips and have shared history, dreams, angst, fears, sadness, joy and laughed until we cried. We've talked about our childhoods, families, children, husbands, sex lives (Deb is kind of an expert, since she's the Planned Parenthood Manager). We always hopes our voices didn't carry over the water when we talked about that stuff... We discussed health, mental states, careers, and parents' health and deaths.
When we're not kayaking, we make time to take walks together, have her over for some wine (Pablo likes to hang out with her too cuz she's so easy to talk to), or like Saturday - go for latte. We also hang out in a larger group though I'm sad that due to my DSM job I can no longer participate in the exercise group. But I still get to do Monday breakfasts!
Besides my husband, Deb knows me better than anyone. Our political persuasions are very similar - perhaps because the fact that we've grown up together. Deb too grew up in a conservative family - so I don't know how the two of us grew to be socially liberal. So that's another thing we can commiserate about.
Every gal should have a Deb in her life! I'm a lucky girl. I have a Pool Boy and a Debbie.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I miss my friend Lisbeth
I've finished listening to the Stieg Larsson Millenium Trilogy. "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" "Girl Who Played with Fire" and "Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". The three books on CD amounted to around sixty hours of listening pleasure.
I did it kinda backwards. I had tried to read the first book - Dragon Tattoo and fizzled out on that a couple years ago. I just couldn't get into the book and took it back. Then last year I'd heard people talk about the books, and became interested again.
I've blogged before about how I enjoy listening to books while I commute. In some ways I like listening better than reading! Hard to believe as I've been a life-long reader. But I read so fast that sometimes I miss things. When I listen, I'm forced to hear every word. (Unless I space off).
Last November I went into the Waukee library and found #3 of the trilogy on CD. I began to listen and was immediately sucked in! The series is set in Sweden - where I went with my mother in 1983. (We also visited Norway, Denmark and Finland) The reader has an English accent, yet he can do other accents which he needs to do in the course of the book.
The book is told from a variety of viewpoints, and I grew to love Lisbeth of course (unloveable as she is...) and Mikael. I also liked many of the "bit" characters - Larsson was great at framing them and giving them personalities. He often went into great detail into their histories to give us insight into their personas. I liked Lisbeth's boss at the security company - decent guy, and Makael's sis. Needless to say the bad guys were very sinister and dispicable!
Book 3 was very satisfying! Unfortunately I then knew I had to listen to the rest of the books. Merely reading would not do. I lucked out and found Dragon Tattoo just before Christmas. Ah...more listening pleasure. It started slowly - good thing I knew it was worth sticking with! No wonder I bailed out the first time I tried reading it. Exciting by the end though - especially once Lisbeth is introduced.
Last week I finished up Fire. Again - started slowly. But excellent once it got going - and answered so many questions I'd had from the other two books. Why was Lisbeth the way is was? How did her father end up in that position? So I was actually sad last weekend when I finished up the last CD.
I almost need to go through Book 3 again - just to hear the reader again...not right away though. So sad the Stieg Larsson dropped dead of a heart attack November 2004 after he wrote the books. Evidently he left no will causing strife between life partner, Eva, and his father and brother. Check out the website. http://www.stieglarsson.com/the-truth-about-stieg-larssons-legacy
The Swedish version of the movies based on the books have been popular, and now there are US version being made. Hope they're good!
I did it kinda backwards. I had tried to read the first book - Dragon Tattoo and fizzled out on that a couple years ago. I just couldn't get into the book and took it back. Then last year I'd heard people talk about the books, and became interested again.
I've blogged before about how I enjoy listening to books while I commute. In some ways I like listening better than reading! Hard to believe as I've been a life-long reader. But I read so fast that sometimes I miss things. When I listen, I'm forced to hear every word. (Unless I space off).
Last November I went into the Waukee library and found #3 of the trilogy on CD. I began to listen and was immediately sucked in! The series is set in Sweden - where I went with my mother in 1983. (We also visited Norway, Denmark and Finland) The reader has an English accent, yet he can do other accents which he needs to do in the course of the book.
The book is told from a variety of viewpoints, and I grew to love Lisbeth of course (unloveable as she is...) and Mikael. I also liked many of the "bit" characters - Larsson was great at framing them and giving them personalities. He often went into great detail into their histories to give us insight into their personas. I liked Lisbeth's boss at the security company - decent guy, and Makael's sis. Needless to say the bad guys were very sinister and dispicable!
Book 3 was very satisfying! Unfortunately I then knew I had to listen to the rest of the books. Merely reading would not do. I lucked out and found Dragon Tattoo just before Christmas. Ah...more listening pleasure. It started slowly - good thing I knew it was worth sticking with! No wonder I bailed out the first time I tried reading it. Exciting by the end though - especially once Lisbeth is introduced.
Last week I finished up Fire. Again - started slowly. But excellent once it got going - and answered so many questions I'd had from the other two books. Why was Lisbeth the way is was? How did her father end up in that position? So I was actually sad last weekend when I finished up the last CD.
I almost need to go through Book 3 again - just to hear the reader again...not right away though. So sad the Stieg Larsson dropped dead of a heart attack November 2004 after he wrote the books. Evidently he left no will causing strife between life partner, Eva, and his father and brother. Check out the website. http://www.stieglarsson.com/the-truth-about-stieg-larssons-legacy
The Swedish version of the movies based on the books have been popular, and now there are US version being made. Hope they're good!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
SnOprah the storm
is over! I could have made it to work today. Instead I was snug as a bug at Joan's - who by the way didn't get home last night from her job at FedEx until about 8:30 PM. And that was after going in for a 7 AM start. She was dead tired after a stressful day of dispatching drivers for pickups and deliveries - some to closed businesses.
Tonight when she gets home we'll be performing snow removal. I don't know how to do the snowblower or I'd start now. I can, however, run a shovel. And I did so to scoop the snow chunks away from the air vents for the furnace.
I'll be ready to go to the office after working at home all day. And just after lunchtime I will have enough hours to head home to Creston. It sounds like the roads should be okay. And it may even warm up to the double digits by then. I hope Paul was able to talk Odie into going outside last night before she exploded! (She refuses to go potty in blizzards - wind/snow - not her thing).
Tonight when she gets home we'll be performing snow removal. I don't know how to do the snowblower or I'd start now. I can, however, run a shovel. And I did so to scoop the snow chunks away from the air vents for the furnace.
I'll be ready to go to the office after working at home all day. And just after lunchtime I will have enough hours to head home to Creston. It sounds like the roads should be okay. And it may even warm up to the double digits by then. I hope Paul was able to talk Odie into going outside last night before she exploded! (She refuses to go potty in blizzards - wind/snow - not her thing).
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How do you spell
RELIEF..in an Iowa blizzard? Massage. So I scheduled one for today. I've got some comp time hours built up, so I left work early and drove to Waukee - roads weren't too bad. And there at her home salon Chris the masseuse did her thing. She found the knot that has formed in my shoulder due to the stress of work and driving in bad weather. And she worked it baby! Warm table, calm music, low lights. Ah...
Oh...it hurt so good! The knot makes an actual noise when she works on it. Crunch. I set up a half hour massage but she worked on me longer than that - the consummate professional - determined to defeat the knot! I tipped her this time - which I've not done before as she says "no tips". She protested, but I insisted, dammit. (sorry about swearing Chris - she's a minister's wife) She also gave me some tips on what to do to remind my shoulder how to relax.
I think my should needs to drink lemondrop martinis. That would relax it! But as we know, lemondrops have lots of calories. I know I'm on Weight Watchers Maintenance now, and boy did I maintain last week. Lost a whole .2 lb! Course I ate really bad stuff all weekend - including a huge sloppy Clone Cone (ice cream in Cyclone colors) at the ISU basketball game.
After my massage I went to Joan's as the weather was deteriorating - crappy wind! Oprah had a show about going Vegan. They were going to show slaughter houses. Ick - I'm out. Not watching that! So I flipped the channel to Ellen - very funny! Julianna Margulies and Kevin Nealon were on. Both were hootilicious. Kevin had Ellen in tears...of laughter. And Julianna, star of my fave show "The Good Wife" seems to be a very cool lady. Quite delightful, especially compared to seeing animal slaughtered...
Just what the doc ordered (not the blizzard part) but a massage and an afternoon of TV...
Oh...it hurt so good! The knot makes an actual noise when she works on it. Crunch. I set up a half hour massage but she worked on me longer than that - the consummate professional - determined to defeat the knot! I tipped her this time - which I've not done before as she says "no tips". She protested, but I insisted, dammit. (sorry about swearing Chris - she's a minister's wife) She also gave me some tips on what to do to remind my shoulder how to relax.
I think my should needs to drink lemondrop martinis. That would relax it! But as we know, lemondrops have lots of calories. I know I'm on Weight Watchers Maintenance now, and boy did I maintain last week. Lost a whole .2 lb! Course I ate really bad stuff all weekend - including a huge sloppy Clone Cone (ice cream in Cyclone colors) at the ISU basketball game.
After my massage I went to Joan's as the weather was deteriorating - crappy wind! Oprah had a show about going Vegan. They were going to show slaughter houses. Ick - I'm out. Not watching that! So I flipped the channel to Ellen - very funny! Julianna Margulies and Kevin Nealon were on. Both were hootilicious. Kevin had Ellen in tears...of laughter. And Julianna, star of my fave show "The Good Wife" seems to be a very cool lady. Quite delightful, especially compared to seeing animal slaughtered...
Just what the doc ordered (not the blizzard part) but a massage and an afternoon of TV...
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