tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135320632024-03-07T21:03:27.416-07:00Costumes by meI've decided to revamp my blog. Stay tuned for the changes as I'm doing them while I'm supposed to be working. ;)Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-740712455070386042022-03-04T22:45:00.003-07:002022-03-04T22:45:35.419-07:0040 day sugar fast day 4<p> I woke up really groggy (thanks useless drugs!) and really parched (also thanks useless drugs!). The rest of my day went pretty well once I got some water into me.</p><p>My foot pain is still the same and the drugs do not seem to be doing anything other than making me very groggy. ugh! The PA wrote me back that the reason they didn't look at my broken tailbone is the doctor didn't think that was what was causing my pain. I have an appointment with a neurologist, but the one med they gave me was supposed to stop nerve pain, and it isn't. great.</p><p>I did feel really hungry after I got my water. I considered making myself an egg, but never got around to actually doing it. :p </p><p>I replaced a zipper in a skirt twice. The first time I used a used zipper that was in my stash. After getting the entire thing sewn in, I went to test it to make sure it works and it ripped the teeth away from the tape in the waist. ugh! Pulled that one out and put in another one. fun times.</p><p>Not having sugar doesn't seem to be bothering me all that much. I guess it was more of a habit to have my coffee with sugar in the morning. I even gave up my tea.</p><p><br /></p><p>steps: 18,456 weight:-1lb</p>Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-26835075938864699402022-03-03T22:40:00.002-07:002022-03-03T22:40:56.992-07:00Sugar fast day 3. with foot "update"<p> On day 3 of my sugar fast. Today I had an MRI scheduled to attempt to figure out what is going on with my foot. So when I woke up at 7:30 I was in a rush/panic as I had several things planned. Haha.</p><p>First I had to get my dog Zuki out for our walk. We ended up doing a short version of our usual walk (so yeah, I didn't get in my 20K steps today) But we got in a good walk.<br /><br /></p><p>Once we got home, since it was nice and warm out today, I left her in the yard and ran upstairs for a quick shower. I managed to get that done by 9:30 so I had a bit of time to get some fluids into me before heading to the MRI.</p><p>Imagine my frustration when I arrived on time for my appointment only to have to wait to first check in and then again to get called back for my MRI. Lucky for them I came to the appointment dressed in metal free clothing and just had to remove my shoes and jacket. So I was probably able to help catch them up for the next patient.</p><p>I probably lost some weight from shivering in the MRI. IDK why they have to keep it so cold in there and then blow a fan on you. BRRR! They put headphones on you and let you listen to music while you are in there, but honestly even with the volume turned up it is very hard to hear the music and the MRI is very loud. I wasn't claustrophobic in there, but that was probably due to the fact that I just kept my eyes shut. I mean who wants to stare at a white tunnel?</p><p>When I got home I started making my lunch salad. I still have dried cranberries that contain sugar that I put on my salad...but I am not considering those as going against my fast. I won't be buying another bag until my fast is over...so when these are gone (it looks as if I might have 3 days worth left) that will be it until I decide what I plan to do when my fast is over. The rest of my salad was all good girl stuff.</p><p>Zuki & I went for our walk with our friends E & G. G & Zuki spent a lot of the walk "chewing" on each other. We went around 5 miles to help make up for the short walk this morning. We also met another Texas Heeler pup who looks like a taller version of Zuki. His owner says he isn't as energetic as Zuki is. weird</p><p>While I could have been more productive, I didn't do much with the rest of my day...dinner was super easy stuff and I have left-overs for tomorrow. I will try again tomorrow to get my sewing projects done. I don't have any other appointments so I should be able to do it. Hopefully I don't get frustrated with them...two zippers. fun</p><p>I got the results back from my MRI and it didn't show much. The doctor was pretty sure that my foot pain was probably not related to anything in my back...however, they ordered the MRI to look at the lumbar section of my back when I had told them that dr google said they needed to look at my sacrum which is where I have a broken tailbone. I sent a "nasty gram" to the PA who saw me about that. We will see if she bothers to respond to that. </p><p>Day 2 on the meds that they gave me and less grogginess this morning. Probably due to oversleeping and jumping out of bed in a panic. Still no improvement on my pain. Tonight I've added back in the Naproxin that I had stopped taking. It wasn't previously a huge help, but there were some times where I wasn't in as much pain. Fingers crossed.</p><p>steps: 18,309 weight down another pound.</p><h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; width: 501.578px;"><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="dropdown-5d134" class="bcv d-container go2538389840" id="dropdown-5d134" role="button" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 0px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;">Joshua 6:20</div><div class="dropdown-icon" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px 4px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="d-root"></span></div><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="dropdown-d2480" class="translation d-container go2538389840" id="dropdown-d2480" role="button" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 0px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;">New International Version</div><div class="dropdown-icon" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px 4px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="d-root"></span></div><div class="clearfix" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"></div></h1><div class="passage-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin-top: 50px; min-width: 0px;"><div class="passage-content passage-class-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="std-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Josh-6-20" id="en-NIV-5970"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.</span></p></div></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-46402762369876669922022-03-02T11:05:00.001-07:002022-03-02T11:05:30.465-07:00Is anybody out there?<p> I've decided to use this space as a Journal of sorts and a way to keep me accountable to the journey that I am starting.</p><p>Yesterday I started The 40-Day Sugar Fast (there's a book/devotional by Wendy Speake). Why you might ask, well I've been trying to lose the extra weight that I managed to "put on overnight"... or while I wasn't looking. I've developed a habit of mindlessly munching on snack foods because I need something else to do with my time. You know, like watching a movie and eating popcorn...or watching TV with a bag of potato chips.</p><p>Well the time for that to stop is now. My fast includes giving up all snack foods.</p><p>I think that the hardest part for me will be giving up my morning cups of coffee. I cannot drink coffee black w/o sugar. Just can't. For me coffee is really just a sugar delivery device. So bye-bye coffee. :'( I've replaced my two 14oz mugs of coffee with one 14oz mug of Apple Cinnamon Spice tea. No caffeine (I was already drinking decaf but I know that does contain a tiny bit of caffeine) no added sugars. So far, so good! The thing that I noticed yesterday was the feeling of emptiness I felt w/o my usual morning sugar fix. But I am still strong, and I can do this!</p><p>Yesterday I skipped lunch. When I returned from volunteering I just wasn't in the mood to make my salad, so instead I had carrots with ranch dip and later some cheese. No, that didn't really fill me up either and was frankly quite stupid of me, but I managed.</p><p>Dinner was no carbs...instead of the noodles that I made for hubby, I had zucchini...and was quite happy with my meal. I did need a bit of something later, so I had some peanuts. That worked out quite well.</p><p>Last night I had to take two medications for my still unexplained foot pain. They both make you groggy and you shouldn't operate any heavy machinery until you know how your body reacts to them... so even though the doctor prescribed them last Friday, last night was the first night I took both of them. I had tried the one Friday night (as I didn't have to do anything on Saturday) and I took the second one Sunday night. Both of them separate seemed to have the same amount of morning grogginess. And this morning I felt nearly the same...so it would seem that 1+1 does not = 2 on the grogginess scale. However, neither drug has had any effect on my foot. Unfortunately the one drug needs to build up in the body to start working, so phoey!</p><p>Today I'm doing fine w/o my morning sugar fix. I've drank most of my Apple Cinnamon tea. Oh! I just remembered that I need to do our laundry today. :p fun times.</p><p>I guess that since this is a blog that I should tell you that I lost 1 pound, but that was the extra salt/water weight that I had put on the day before by eating most of a bag of Tostitos with Guac (yes, I was doing a bit of splurging before the fast). :p No more of that for a long while...hopefully when I get through all of this, I can do a single serving of those snacks and walk away. If I can't, well, I'll have to see if hubby wants to eat those carbs for me. LOL!</p><p>Well if you've read this and got through the entire thing, WOW! Have a very blessed day!</p><h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; width: 501.578px;"><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="dropdown-fb16" class="bcv d-container go2538389840" id="dropdown-fb16" role="button" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 0px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;">Psalm 34:8-10</div><div class="dropdown-icon" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px 4px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="d-root"></span></div><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="dropdown-cd876" class="translation d-container go2538389840" id="dropdown-cd876" role="button" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 0px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;">New International Version</div><div class="dropdown-icon" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px 4px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="d-root"></span></div><div class="clearfix" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"></div></h1><div class="passage-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin-top: 50px; min-width: 0px;"><div class="passage-content passage-class-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="std-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-34-8" id="en-NIV-14397" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>Taste and see that the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is good;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-34-8" style="position: relative;">blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-34-9" id="en-NIV-14398" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>Fear the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, you his holy people,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-34-9" style="position: relative;">for those who fear him lack nothing.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-34-10" id="en-NIV-14399" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>The lions may grow weak and hungry,</span><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div><p><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-34-10" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.6rem; position: relative;">but those who seek the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> lack no good thing.</span></p><p><br /></p><h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; width: 501.578px;"><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="dropdown-91056" class="bcv d-container go2538389840" id="dropdown-91056" role="button" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 0px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;">Joel 2:12</div><div class="dropdown-icon" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px 4px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="d-root"></span></div><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-labelledby="dropdown-9b4f" class="translation d-container go2538389840" id="dropdown-9b4f" role="button" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 0px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="dropdown-display-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;">New International Version</div><div class="dropdown-icon" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px 4px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; white-space: nowrap;" tabindex="0"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="d-root"></span></div><div class="clearfix" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; float: left; font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; min-width: auto; position: relative;"></div></h1><div class="passage-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin-top: 50px; min-width: 0px;"><div class="passage-content passage-class-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><div class="std-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;"><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.5rem; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-12" id="en-NIV-22324">Rend Your Heart</span></h3><div class="poetry" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>“Even now,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="position: relative;">“return to me with all your heart,</span></span><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div><p><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Joel-2-12" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.6rem; position: relative;">with fasting and weeping and mourning.”</span> </p>Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-28439148247480620782016-08-25T08:56:00.001-06:002016-08-25T08:56:18.569-06:00Organizing CostumesMy friend T started a costume rental company. She also has been doing contract jobs for several theaters in the area doing their costumes. She is the one who got me the job of doing costumes for the theater summer camp that I mentioned before.<br />
<br />
When a theater group that we had done volunteer work for before (forced volunteer work really as for our kids to be in the show the parents had to put in hours) closed down, my friend purchased their costume stash. To that end we had to move the costumes quickly because the lease on the storage space was ending. When we picked up the costumes we stuffed our vehicles with as much as we could carry and dumped them into T's house. (some went to B's & my houses as well)<br />
<br />
Yesterday we went to T's house to attempt to organize the costumes and try to get her house looking more livable. We started on her son's old bedroom (he has moved out) where the majority (? okay, maybe only half) of the costumes went. <br />
<br />
First we had to move a bunch of costumes out of the bedroom so that we could get in. We also needed to move garment racks into the room to put the costumes on. {there was also some dog negotiations going on as T's dog was sure that we had come to see her and was mad at T for hogging HER guests!} Once that was tackled we went to the task of looking at each item, determining what it was and then where it should go.<br />
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Determining where things should go became a work in progress as we would put things in a spot and then when more and more pieces of a show appeared have to move the group together. <br />
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Surprisingly we were able to work our way through the piles and get everything looking much more organized. There is even still room in the room for more...which is very good as to have garment racks for the room, T pulled costumes off the racks that were upstairs and brought the racks down. We determined that we could fit at least two more racks in the room. T is going to get her husband to install two garment bars in the room's closet for hanging short items. So we can put shirts on the top bar and pants on the bottom bar. That will free up more space on the 5 racks currently in the room. We may also decide to put certain shows into bins.<br />
<br />
After we left T moved some of the piles of costumes she pulled off the racks upstairs downstairs. <br />
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So we are going to need at least 1 if not 2 more organizing trips there. I can probably organize the costumes that I have at my house by myself (although I can also enlist my daughter to help me.). I don't know if B is going to want our help to organize what she has. I do know that she insisted that we get everything organized so perhaps she has been working on her stash already.<br />
<br />
Eventually we'll need to catalog the shows at least and/or the costumes so that they can all be rented. We noticed while organizing that many items were missing and know that those were rented or loaned out by the former owner and not returned to them...several things were sold or gotten rid of also. It will be frustrating recreating costumes that we have already made. sigh<br />
<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-62755038106786571952016-08-07T11:09:00.002-06:002016-08-07T11:09:46.236-06:00the joys of having a jobAfter all these years of volunteering to make costumes for theater, my friend got me a job getting paid at it. This summer I costumed 4 kids summer camps where they attend the camp every day for 3 weeks and put on a mini version of a show at then end of their camp. Each camp for this age group is a half day with several kids taking two camps so they are there the entire day and doing two shows.<br />
<br />
It has been interesting.<br />
<br />
There was the frustration in locating costumes for shows that had been done over and over by this theater company and then making what I was unable to find. Pictures would have been helpful! as I learned the reason that I couldn't find one of the costumes is because I thought it looked like something else!<br />
<br />
I didn't initially apply for this job because of the distance to the theater and because the next two days of my life for the final show. See Kiddo is in a show also (I'm not costuming that show!) and this is her show week as well. So Friday I will miss her show for the one I am working. :(<br />
<br />
The camps were held at two locations, each doing two shows. Show 1 at location A and then show 2 at location B...then show 1 at location B and finally this week show 2 at location A. Location A is an hour from my home and is also where they store the costumes for the shows. (another reason I didn't jump at taking the job)... however, after doing the job I got over the distance as for most days most of my time was the driving to and from... the job itself isn't difficult and is right in my skill set. So thanks to my old volunteer job for giving me the skills to do something that I can get paid for.<br />
<br />
Last week my friend who got me this job asked if I could help her with another job she is working on. The show she is doing is renting costumes from another theater and she was told that she would need several cars to transport the costumes. The costumes were an hour away. ugh! Unfortunately, the only day that she could get the costumes was yesterday...which is also my daughter's voice lesson day and trying to change her lesson is now impossible. double ugh!<br />
<br />
Our plan of attack was that we would get there at 11am. Load up my car and I would head back home so that I could get kiddo to her voice lesson at 1pm. We would work out getting the costumes from my car to my friend's house later.<br />
<br />
SCREECHING HALT! when we arrived at the rental theater about 10 min early, the gal is no where to be found! When she finally does show up at 11...she informs us that the costumes aren't actually at that location. WHAT? So we caravan to the storage facility which is about a mile down the road.<br />
<br />
Luckily, the costumes were all in labeled bins and easy to load up. Unfortunately, while the costumes needed several of this person's sized cars to transport... they could have all fit in my car (yeah, I drive a big gas guzzler that has a lot of cargo room!) and we didn't need 3 cars to get them back. <br />
<br />
We loaded my car with 4 of the 7 bins and I zip out of there by 11:15. Praise God that traffic was not backed up and it only took me an hour to get home with plenty of time to get kiddo to her voice lesson.<br />
<br />
After voice we had to get Kiddo ready for her dress rehearsal. She is in Thoroughly Modern Millie... which requires her to have her hair bobbed short... her hair length is to the middle of her back. so we have learned how to do a faux bob. It looks really good and she totally looks like she's from the 1920's.<br />
<br />
Get kiddo to dress rehearsal at 5. Meet with friend to inventory the costumes I brought back and transfer them to her car. At 6:30 go to rehearsal for her show (the one we got the costumes for) so we can measure the cast. Have a lot of awkward moments with the cast...I had them all hold the tape for their inseam and diverted my gaze to the floor to get the measurement. Most all of the men had been measured for a suit before and totally understood how to get this measurement. whew! although, most of the costumes for this show don't really require pants...soooo<br />
<br />
Get finished with that show at 9, rush to my house to pick up two costumes for a different show (btw: I'm currently storing a bunch of costumes in my basement) and then run back to pick up Kiddo...who was finished early. oops...IDK why my phone didn't ring...perhaps that was when I was in the basement and the phone was upstairs.<br />
<br />
Of course instead of getting a good night's sleep, I'm up early this morning. :p I told hubby that I was practicing for tomorrow where I'll have to be in traffic at this early hour.<br />
<br />
Back on Monday Kiddo was doing her laundry and hubby asked if I could wash something he needed. I told him I was doing our laundry on Wednesday. This morning, I'm up and ask for the item...he is wearing it! After he changes out he asks if I am using the new batch of laundry soap. and then says to not bother to wash his item with the new soap as he doesn't like the smell of it. I figured out how to wash his clothes without using my soap (I used dish soap, borax & washing soda instead)...but I have to figure out how to alter the scent of my batch of detergent that I made so that my family doesn't turn their nose up at it.<br />
<br />
Thursday & Friday I needed to be up at location A for the dress rehearsals at 8:30 in the morning. In normal traffic, you can get there from my house in about 1 hour 5 min. However, in rush hour it is another story. If I leave my house at 6:10am I can be there by 7:15. If I leave my house at 6:30, I might not make it by 8:30!!! :o so to be sure that I was there on time I left each morning at 6:10 and just hung out at a local coffee shop, using their free wifi for an hour before heading just down the street to work.<br />
<br />
However, on Friday I needed to be there from 8:30 to "12:30" (I actually ended up being able to leave at 10:20) and then return by 5pm for the 6pm show. I didn't really want to drive all the way home and then go back up there. So I decided to go get my hair color done by a girl from our church who is attending beauty school...she's almost ready to graduate. I arrived at the beauty school way too early for my 2pm appointment though and went across the street and got my nails done also. <br />
Unfortunately, getting my hair done took a bit longer than we anticipated and with traffic I was a tiny bit late in returning to the theater.<br />
<br />
Not a big deal...the cast and everyone were able to start getting the kids into their costumes without me and were mostly done by the time I arrived...they started a bit early. Got the kids all in costumes and ready to go.<br />
<br />
After the show, I loaded up and headed for home. Since Kiddo's show would be done in about 30 min, I decided to go hang out at her theater instead of going straight home (even though my house is just 5 min down the road). Chatted with the mom of one of the cast mates and saw a few friends after the show.<br />
<br />
Now that my summer camp job is over, we'll start on the next show. I get to sew a pink bunny costume and we'll see what else I have to do. :D<br />
<br />
Kiddo is going to audition for 2 more shows coming up...that I may help costume as well. My friend has the contract for them and I might be asked to assist her. It will be nice to not have to drive all the way to location A for a good long while. :DRenee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-41876614543427462652016-06-03T20:45:00.000-06:002016-06-03T20:45:48.788-06:00Bees!I had seen several ads posted on Craigslist for free bee swarm removal, and thought it would be cool to actually have a swarm.<br />
Around May 23rd or so (date pretty foggy there) I was out working in my
garden and thought I heard bees buzzing by. I looked around but didn't
think anything of it.<br />
May 26th I was out in the back yard again and
knew I heard bees. I looked around and saw that we had bees who had
decided "su casa es me casa!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13237627_10206418442196241_4668422697448114268_n.jpg?oh=faee3513a62595b3e9072fde807a2da6&oe=57D80365" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13237627_10206418442196241_4668422697448114268_n.jpg?oh=faee3513a62595b3e9072fde807a2da6&oe=57D80365" width="192" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love bees but I know tha<span class="text_exposed_show">t
hubby is highly allergic and while having bees in a hive is awesome
(honey!) having bees in your wall is not awesome. So right off I
contact a friend of mine who keeps bees
who upon hearing that the bees are in my wall has me contact John, who
has me contact Stuart. Stuart says he has an opening on June 2nd...do I
want it? um yeah!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Today Stuart opens up the soffit</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13307259_10206460929058386_4652344305759234681_n.jpg?oh=06459d65de13b8f3144ca5f647885475&oe=580D3BA3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13307259_10206460929058386_4652344305759234681_n.jpg?oh=06459d65de13b8f3144ca5f647885475&oe=580D3BA3" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show"> takes a few
pictures. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDXT0JyhU38N4OzML2CKBAEBMOwsjqCyrD5iOOCk2L7MQKLi0D88AIXXfs1q1zBC2KLTZCuRPvRou8k_f8XSlfP8C1RwRVVZNe_wWq7WV8RcEsIhCmZWp-tRdqgYI1yHVdR4y7A/s1600/bees1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDXT0JyhU38N4OzML2CKBAEBMOwsjqCyrD5iOOCk2L7MQKLi0D88AIXXfs1q1zBC2KLTZCuRPvRou8k_f8XSlfP8C1RwRVVZNe_wWq7WV8RcEsIhCmZWp-tRdqgYI1yHVdR4y7A/s320/bees1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hive after opening up soffit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_y_uWXLpefFvWV3eAKScR7YcQlw0dxDP44L7f3xmVAIK-gqrB7_42YcwaA-Ts1wtsVt08uVRvrBJ6c7VW4q-nJQILb_dsbwUai2uDde59u84H-jI1O-5p-kz9Uj3t7-579MKaA/s1600/comb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_y_uWXLpefFvWV3eAKScR7YcQlw0dxDP44L7f3xmVAIK-gqrB7_42YcwaA-Ts1wtsVt08uVRvrBJ6c7VW4q-nJQILb_dsbwUai2uDde59u84H-jI1O-5p-kz9Uj3t7-579MKaA/s320/comb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after vacuuming off most of the bees</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I grabbed a few also...there are more on my camera. My
dining room made for the perfect bee operation view point.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13325734_10206460932178464_1271826128553231554_n.jpg?oh=d87652a0ac6b833477778483c6bfdaa3&oe=57D3727B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13325734_10206460932178464_1271826128553231554_n.jpg?oh=d87652a0ac6b833477778483c6bfdaa3&oe=57D3727B" width="320" /></a></div>
He vacuumed
the bees using a shop vac with hoses that ran through a special bee box
first. The bees get caught in the box. He cut out the comb and we
discovered that the queen (who was hiding behind the very last comb) had
been very busy laying a lot of eggs. After finding the queen bee and
cutting out all the comb, he went to lunch to give the bees a chance to
figure out where the queen had moved to.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Funny, at first the bees
were flying mostly around where the hive used to be, but after a while
they figured out where the queen was and stayed by her...some fanning
her with their wings.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> After lunch, vacuumed out the rest of the bees
in the soffit, and started putting it back together. now the soffit is
all sealed back up and the bees are on their way to a new home...I
don't know where. But Stuart said that last year he had to provide his
own bee removal service because one of his swarms had decided to move
into his own house. <i class="_lew" title="grin emoticon"><span class="_4mcd">:D</span></i> I hope this swarm behaves better for him.<br /> oh no honey in our hive...so no honey for anyone.</span>Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-68720841217598872512016-04-22T10:27:00.000-06:002016-04-22T10:29:15.294-06:00Did it myself! Cell phone case tutorialSo we were shopping at the Disney Store on Tuesday and I found this beauty <a href="http://www.disneystore.com/alice-through-the-looking-glass-iphone-6-case/mp/1398297/1029706/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.disneystore.com/alice-through-the-looking-gla…/…/</a>
but it only comes for the iPhone. I have an Android. So today we
went shopping for stuff to make it with! We found gear die cuts and
gold paper (originally gift bags). Had a blast cutting out all the
gears.<u><i>:D</i></u> <i class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_d580ab"><u></u></i> freaked out the kid because her cutter didn't like it much. oops, she needed a new plate anyway. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_7f72ac"><u>;)</u></i><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the steps for you. But I should be able to explain it...I hope.<br />
<br />
Items I needed:<br />
<br />
clear cell phone case for my phone. I found this easily by googling my cell phone brand. The only problem I had is that the site selling the case did not indicate that the case I bought wasn't entirely clear. There is part of the case that is cloudy. However, for this it doesn't matter much as you can still see the design and from a distance the cloudy part isn't noticeable.<br />
<br />
background paper. Since the original design that I was copying from Disney is white, I just used scrap white paper. The thinner the paper, the better as there is some bending required. If you have white wrapping paper that works really well.<br />
<br />
the gears. We found these <a href="https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/RESERVE-Tim-Holtz-Sizzix-GEARHEAD-Thinlits-Die-661184--661184THS?gclid=CPSu-aLRoswCFZaEaQod7GgK2Q" target="_blank">Tim Holtz gear dies</a> at our local craft store and I had a coupon. My daughter already owns a die press although we did need to improvise getting the thickness correct (there is an adapter you can buy, but we just used an embossing folder).<br />
I wanted to copy the gold foil look and since we couldn't find gold foil scrap booking paper we bought some gold foil gift bags instead. They were thinner and worked better. gold foil wrapping paper would have also worked for this.<br />
The dies have tiny holes on the back to help remove the cut paper. We gently pushed the paper out of the dies with pins.<br />
<br />
the rabbit. My daughter actually already had the rabbit stamp (go figure!) so all we needed was the gold ink stamp pad. It took a few tries to get that right but practice makes perfect.<br />
<br />
Now for the assembly! First I popped off the back cover of my cell phone and traced it onto some thicker paper to make a template that we saved to make other cell phone case inserts. (actually, my daughter popped her cover off to make the template.) Traced the template onto the white paper and carefully cut it out, using an exacto blade for the cut outs for the camera, flash & speaker.<br />
<br />
Carefully arranged the gears to see where everything would go, but don't attach yet as the rabbit stamp goes on first. Stamped the rabbit and then glued down the gears. Let everything dry with some weight on it so it is flat.<br />
<br />
Then place the new cover over the back cover of the phone and place the clear case on.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206229109263036&l=a149c0f6e2" target="_blank">Finished phone case</a><br />
<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-81332447577175725822016-04-19T10:33:00.000-06:002016-04-19T10:33:36.108-06:00Update on Constant Snoopervision RequiredWhen I posted http://lillyput.blogspot.com/2016/03/constant-snoopervision-required.html I had assumed that my dryer wasn't working because of a broken belt. I mean it sure sounded like the belt had broken...there was a slapping sound at first and then the drum stopped spinning.<br />
<br />
However, when hubby took the dryer apart he realized that the belt was just fine... the problem was that, oh gosh, I don't even know what you would call the part...let's see if I can describe it. The drum of the dryer sits on rollers on the bottom and then has an axle of sorts connected to the back of the dryer. This axle looks very similar to an artificial hip joint. http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/hip/hip_arthroplasty/hip_arthroplasty_components02.jpg <br />
<br />
Here's a picture of the actual part and they call it a shaft. (go figure!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="470053-1-S-Frigidaire-5303931781 -Shaft" border="0" class="current_part_thumb" data-schematicitemnum="" data-schematiclargeimage="" height="75" id="Central_Content_ImageViewer_ThumbnailList_imagefile_1" src="http://www.partselect.com/470053-1-M-Frigidaire-5303931781-Shaft.jpg" width="100" />What broke was the ball from the shaft. No idea why it sounded like a broken belt. ???<br />
<br />
So I searched for our favorite local appliance parts online and discovered that they are no longer in business. *SOB!* I had to order the part online. Not a huge deal, but we had a trip planned for my daughter's 18th birthday and wanted to have clean clothes for that.<br />
<br />
Luckily even though FedEx Smartpost tried to give me heart failure by leaving my order in the truck for 24 hours just two hours away from my house and pushing back the delivery day by those same 24 hours...we did get the part in time and hubby was able to get it installed in about an hour & a half.<br />
<br />
Of course our snoopervisor had to check out the package (she checks all packages coming into and out of the house now) and keep a close eye on all work. All work was approved by the snoopervisor!<br />
<br />
I now have a running dryer! YAY! Not bad for a dryer that is going to be 24 years old this summer. note: we have not had to replace anything on the washer in all of those years. Going out on a limb of speculation here, but I assume that part of why we have had to replace some of the parts on our dryer are because the washer & dryer were in storage for 20 months back in 1999-2001. Or those parts were never meant to last this long.<br />
<br />
At any rate I am so glad that we have these well built old machines. I am just bummed that all the kitchen appliances are not so well built and instead of just replacing a part when they go down, we have to get new ones.<br />
<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-4083494964012393122016-04-18T16:12:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:12:04.789-06:00Stop and enjoy the real world around you!On the second day of our 3 day trip to Disneyland I noticed the following article online and shared it on my Facebook. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/went-without-smartphone-7-days-212218807.html <br />
<br />
note: I did this from our hotel room...NOT while actually in the park. <br />
<br />
I shared it because I also noticed how many people were at the park but not really experiencing the park. More than half the adults and several kids too were all busy with their cellphones instead of enjoying their vacation.<br />
<br />
Now I can understand checking on your phone while waiting in the lines...especially if you were waiting for a character visit that wasn't even going to start for 15 minutes or more...you can only take so many pictures of the very cute duckies. (btw: we got to see 2 clutches of baby ducks while there!) <br />
<br />
But come on people...you've paid a bunch of money for this trip...enjoy it!!!<br />
<br />
Sigh!Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-74014096214313379822016-04-05T08:16:00.001-06:002016-04-05T08:16:41.782-06:00Reinforcements NeededI've kept a garden in the lower portion of my yard since we moved into this house in 2001. The back yard has a slope that is somewhat contained by two retaining walls. The upper wall is about 15 feet from the back porch to give you somewhat of an area to enjoy the yard...it then slopes down to the far left corner where a second wall is and then that area was never sodded and just kept as a garden. This has worked out well for us and every year I've managed to get something to grow there.<br />
<br />
Over the past few years I've had to put up a fence around this area because my dog likes to help herself to the garden. If there are carrots, she'll dig one up for a snack. I knew that tossing my egg shells in the garden was a risk, but the fence was in pretty good shape and it was winter so I didn't think too much about it...<br />
<br />
until yesterday<br />
<br />
Lately Lilly who used to be happy sleeping in her bedroom until I got up each morning (for the most part) has started asking hubby to let her out. She has now been getting a small breakfast (hubby always gives her 3 pieces of his cereal) and goes outside each morning. However, she hasn't been a good girl about it and usually keeps hubby from leaving for work on time.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I heard the back door slam open and shut a few times and then heard the utility room sink. When I got up I discovered that Lilly was locked in her bedroom (aka my laundry room with the utility sink). The sink still had very dirty water in the bottom. So now I knew why I heard the sink...someone had dirty paws.<br />
<br />
When I got to my computer there was a note from hubby explaining the situation to me...Somedoggy had gotten into the garden. sigh!<br />
<br />
I had been planning on reinforcements to the garden for a while because the neighbor's bird feeder has attracted the squirrels who think that the garden must be for them and they eat all they can find. What I originally wanted to do was put a hoop house over the garden. http://www.ericsprojects.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSC02244.JPG However, hubby has been pretty dead set against this idea. He doesn't care for the look of it and hasn't been all that supportive of my gardening efforts because he doesn't like vegetables so he doesn't see the point. There is also the problem that the retaining wall isn't exactly square and there are other obstacles that would need to be addressed.<br />
<br />
While searching online for solutions to my pest problems I realized that I still had some 1/2" hardware cloth from our old rabbit pen that had been recycled...some of it never used at all. So my plan was to put the rabbit fence around the garden. Then I could use my bird netting across the top of the garden to keep the critters out.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I did not know exactly how much hardware cloth I actually had and how much I actually needed. There wasn't enough to put hardware cloth on all 4 sides of the garden like I wanted. I was only able to put the fence on two sides. However, this works to keep the dog out of the garden as the sides I wasn't able to fence in with the rabbit fence are the back which has our 6ft yard fence and then the remaining side has blocked access and I put up my old plastic fencing as a temporary fence until I can get more hardware cloth. Now I just need to go take some measurements to see how much more I need.<br />
<br />
While I am at it, I want to try planting potatoes in containers this year. I've been watching gardening videos and having containers for the potatoes appeals because when it is time to harvest...all you have to do is dump out the container and sift through the dirt. The dirt can be reused and the potatoes don't get damaged from a shovel or pitch fork. Cool!<br />
<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-91750561186536666362016-03-31T08:59:00.000-06:002016-03-31T08:59:34.523-06:00Constant Snoopervision RequiredHey everyone! I know it has been a long time. Busy, lazy, just couldn't think of anything, etc...<br />
<br />
Lilly my dog will be 14 this year and over the past few months we have noticed some changes in her behavior. First is that her leg that she had surgery on in 2012 is bugging her more frequently. She limps almost every day and she has a much harder time getting up the stairs and up from a nap also.<br />
<br />
We've also noticed that she is losing her hearing. She uses this to her advantage when she is outside and getting into trouble (by barking at the neighbor dogs)...it is easy to not come when called if she can't hear. sigh!<br />
<br />
As part of her hearing loss she has started following me around. Wherever I am, she has to follow. If I leave while she is napping she goes into panic mode searching for where I might have run off to. That brings us to yesterday...<br />
<br />
Yesterday was laundry day. When I got to the first load to be dried I discovered that the drum belt on my dryer had broke...so no dryer. That meant that I needed to hang all of our clothes to dry. After living here for almost 15 years we've had dryer issues before so I have back up ready...and I use it for other purposes. One of my drying areas is in my basement. There are 4 support poles that I have drying lines tied to. So I took my first load to the basement to dry there. and Lilly followed.<br />
<br />
Lilly likes the basement. It is nice and cool and there are lots of things to snoopervise there as she isn't allowed there on a regular basis. The problem of course is climbing the stairs back to the main floor. She made it fairly easily.<br />
<br />
For my second load I had several sweaters so I wanted them to hang outside as long as possible...we were expecting bad weather after noon. So I grabbed a clothes rack that I have and set up outside to hang the clothes...Lilly followed.<br />
<br />
For my final load I was in the laundry room putting everything on hangers to join the 2nd load on the outdoor rack. But I had gotten up for it while Lilly was asleep. She woke, didn't see me and started searching. I could hear her (her nails need trimming) and I tried to holler to let her know where I was. But she didn't hear me and she went down the stairs to the basement. Poor puppy! <br />
<br />
Over the course of the day she went downstairs 3 times. After that I just started blocking the stairs to keep her from going down. She didn't seem all that bothered by it.<br />
<br />
A few days ago Lilly woke from her nap and for some odd reason didn't notice that I was right here at my computer (just like when she fell asleep) and she started searching the house for me. When she couldn't find me anywhere she tried to determine if I was upstairs (she isn't allowed up there) and I was watching her from my chair here. I think she felt rather silly. Poor puppy!Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-84962803853489303592016-02-15T12:26:00.000-07:002016-02-15T12:26:01.652-07:00nope!We started looking into the Early Colleges program that is offered through our school district. Basically it is a high school that also offers college classes through the local community college, but some of the classes are taught in the high school building (main ones like English & Math classes.)<br />
<br />
In order to take the college classes DD had to take a test to see if she was ready to take college classes. She did awesome on the English part of the test and scored just 6 points off the max score.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately since we haven't really focused on math classes much (the major she wants doesn't require math) she didn't score well enough in that area for college level classes in math.<br />
<br />
And this particular school felt that she couldn't handle the course load if she took the college English...so the decided she wasn't allowed to.<br />
<br />
Well the only reason we wanted the school was to get the college English classes.<br />
<br />
Seeing as they didn't think she could do it (even though I signed a waiver that if she didn't pass the class with a c or above I would pay for the class), we decided that this wasn't the program for DD.<br />
<br />
We're now looking at other options. I've got my eye on a good one...it should work out.Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-592012601457011892016-02-15T12:24:00.000-07:002016-02-15T12:24:42.893-07:00Hacking the laundryIt is once again laundry day at my house and I thought that I would share with you all my tips for making laundry day a bit easier on me...feel free to add your own in the comments.<br />
<br />
Sorting the laundry. <br />
Kiddo has a <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Honey-Can-Do-Three-Bag-Mesh-Rolling-Hamper/15641335" target="_blank">3 laundry sack sorter</a>. One for whites, one for colors and one for her jeans. She puts her delicates on the bottom. Hubby & I have 3 plastic laundry baskets...same idea. As we take off our dirty laundry, we all self sort our items.<br />
<br />
Delicates<br />
they go into those mesh laundry bags (like the ones in the sorter link above) and get tossed in with the rest of the load. No hand washing here. Once the load is done the bag is easily found and those items can then...<br />
Hang Delicates to air dry.<br />
This house came with a laundry drying bar in the laundry room, but that is more for items you hang on clothes hangers. So I had hubby (could have done it myself, but he complains less if I let him do it) help me install a clothes line in the laundry room for hanging up the delicates. the heat of the dryer in the laundry room keeps it more arid in there so items are usually dry by the time I finish the last load (I wash the delicates in the first load to facilitate this!)<br />
<br />
DIY laundry detergent<br />
http://happymoneysaver.com/making-your-own-laundry-detergent-worth-the-cost/ I started using this recipe a few years ago and I will never go back to buying name brand detergent again. This recipe is way cheaper, last so much longer and gets our clothes so much cleaner. I mean why would you ever pay for all that filler in the name brand stuff? I don't put in the fragrance stuff as my family doesn't like it...they prefer the smell of the regular ingredients.<br />
<br />
DIY dryer balls<br />
http://livesimply.me/2014/09/04/homemade-wool-dryer-balls/ I made up a batch of dryer balls. I'm pretty sure that I blogged about them here before. While I was felting them, they sort of imploded...or exploded? anyway, it was a mess because I had forgot the important step of stuffing them into old hose before trying to felt them. So I rewound them, stuffed them into the hose and then just left them in the hose. They're still in the hose today, but it's not looking so good. I figure once the hose totally dies the balls will hold up on their own for a long time. Now I set the dryer for the sensor setting and the clothes get dry faster because they're getting fluffed up more.<br />
<br />
finally<br />
DIY "dryer sheets"<br />
even though the dryer balls are supposed to eliminate the static, here they just don't. So I did this http://lifecheating.com/2013/11/16/never-ending-dryer-sheets/ I didn't cut the sponges, I bought a six pack of smaller sponges and used a smaller container so the sponges all stand up on end (makes rotating easier) I did notice that this method would leave an oily residue on our clothes, so I tossed an old wash cloth over the sponge (I put the sponge in first, then the wash cloth, then our clothes with the dryer balls). Now all the extra oils are soaked up by the wash cloth and the clothes are static free.<br />
<br />
In the summer I hang the clothes up outside when I can. Unfortunately that isn't much here.<br />
<br />
oops, not done yet...<br />
http://www.instructables.com/id/Fast-way-to-fold-a-T-shirt/ Only I don't even do that much when folding the shirts. I lay the tshirts out flat. Pick up a shirt at the first folding line, fold the shirt in half and then tuck the other fold line as I'm setting the shirt on the pile. Hubby isn't a fan of this method (since it isn't the way his mom did it) so he refolds his shirts, but he doesn't dare say anything about the way I do it, lest he wash his own clothes. bwahaha!<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-4643059907665878632016-01-20T21:08:00.002-07:002016-01-20T21:08:42.175-07:00I am a TERRIBLE consumer!I'm a part of a survey panel company. They send me emails and I take their surveys. I was doing them with this company a long time ago and quit because it was so frustrating how often they didn't want to have me finish the survey because I wasn't who they were looking for... reminded yet again what a terrible consumer I am. but that isn't a bad thing. so I still do the surveys and eventually I earn enough points to get stuff from them...so yay there!<br />
<br />
Today I was canning beef broth and thinking because, you have plenty of time to think while you're waiting for the canner to get to pressure. and I thought about why I am such a terrible consumer...<br />
<br />
and basically it is because I'm not buying the carp the advertisers are feeding us.<br />
<br />
Do you remember how back in the old days when you bought something it was actually worth what you had paid for it? How companies fought to make good products to earn your hard earned money and to earn your trust so that you would continue to buy their brand? <br />
<br />
They stopped doing that. I think it was around the time that credit cards became more popular with businesses to accept. I can still remember having to write checks at places because they didn't take credit...yeah, I'm dating myself here. But I'm pretty sure that quality products went out the window around the same time that everyone had copious amounts of money...even if it was borrowed. No longer did you have to save up the money to go and buy a new microwave...just charge it! Want a new album by your favorite artist but don't get paid for two weeks and the rent is due? charge it!<br />
<br />
And that brings me back to canning of broth. Why on earth would anyone in their right mind be canning food in this day and age? I mean except for the preppers out there...they have a reason. For me there are a few reasons... 1) why am I throwing out perfectly good bones when I can make broth from them? I mean most everyone makes a turkey soup after Thanksgiving. Why not with the chicken bones? 2) do I even know WHAT they're putting in the stuff at the store? I mean I can read the ingredients, but WHAT IS NATURAL FLAVORING? 3) this way I don't suffer the ever shrinking can. It seems that every time something is NEW AND IMPROVED it is also smaller. Do you know how many recipes were made from the old size? sigh! 4) bone broth has <span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: open_sansregular, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">collagen, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: open_sansregular, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">glucosamine and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: open_sansregular, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">chondroitin sulfate...good for you stuff! (sorry for the font change, had to cut & paste because I can't spell any of that...hummm I thought I read somewhere you shouldn't eat it if you can't spell it? alrighty then)</span> <br />
<br />
I really wish that I could convince hubby that we need a compost bin. If I had a compost bin then I could put the bones after I make the broth into that and let them rot and become compost for the garden...now if I put them in our compost pile, my dog will dig them up and eat them...and she shouldn't have cooked bones.<br />
<br />
Now I have in my pantry 4 jars of chicken bone stock (I just used one yesterday, so I had 5) and 6 jars of beef bone stock. Chicken is on sale, so I'm gonna stock up! <br />
<br />
So now, I've been studying prepper youtube videos and getting loads of tips on how to can stuff. I'm probably gonna can some potatoes here next because I'm tired of the bag going bad before we can eat them. worst case, we have mashed potatoes.Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-55335138702360933952015-12-11T13:47:00.001-07:002015-12-11T13:47:55.554-07:00Playing the run around game!I cut my finger while getting ready for Thanksgiving on Nov 25, <b>2014 </b>We went to our closest ER and got me all stitched up. DH paid the co-payment while I was being treated and went home on our merry way.<br />
<br />
We soon got our Explanation of Benefits(EOB) from our insurance and all was good... or so I thought. Honestly I didn't read it and notice that I "still owed."<br />
<br />
Even so the hospital didn't bother trying to get the left over $90 until Sep 23, <b>2015</b>!!! hummm couldn't have been hurting that much. :-/<br />
<br />
So I see on the bill from the hospital that they have broken up the charges for my visit so that rather than paying just my normal co-pay, I was charged 3 times and owe a co-pay for each charge...thus the extra $90. I call up the hospital to ask why they have charged me 3 times and no good reason...just that I owe the money. I got rather testy with the guy, said "I AM NOT PAYING THIS!" and hung up on the jerk.<br />
<br />
I then called up my insurance. Where they immediately saw that yes the hospital had billed me incorrectly and said that they would take care of it. I received a new EOB in the mail shortly afterward showing that my co-pay had already been satisfied. And thought nothing more of it...<br />
<br />
until...<br />
Oct 27th when I got a bill for the entire amount minus $450. (about $2K) ??? The bill says that "If you provided insurance information, it was billed and all efforts to collect from them have been exhausted."<br />
<br />
can you say <b>WHAT???</b><br />
<br />
So I call up the insurance on Nov 4th and the gal there says they paid on Oct 15th. She calls up the hospital billing who says they'll investigate...should hear in 30 days.<br />
<b> </b><br />
on Nov 26th the hospital sends another bill for the $2K. I've been busy, so today with a bit of lag time I call up the hospital. They say that my bill is still outstanding and that no, they have proof of my insurance but that the insurance reversed the payment. Say what? They guy who just happens to be the exact same guy that the insurance gal spoke with on Nov 4th says that insurance gal never sent him an EOB. But if I fax him one he'll look into it. <br />
<br />
I don't have a fax, so I get the snail mail addy.<br />
In the mean time I call up the insurance and they say that they'll send the EOB by the end of today. (humm... not so trusting now) so I ask "just for grins...can I get that fax number?" he gives it to me and I google how to fax from my computer.<br />
<br />
I scan all the documents and fax it to them. So I've either opened up a can of whoop butt or confused the world. sigh<br />
<br />
All I want for Christmas is a paid hospital bill!<br />
<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-1451378785437092602015-12-07T08:08:00.001-07:002015-12-07T08:08:37.186-07:00oh that wasn't all!The theater conference saga continues!<br />
<br />
We arrived at the conference earlier than the school we were going with. So we hung out, they had provided music in the lobby for the kids to dance to, but we mostly just people watched and kept an eye out for our group.<br />
<br />
At about 10 til their arrival time, I checked with registration to see if they had showed up yet... they had NOT.<br />
<br />
At 20 min after they were supposed to arrive, I checked again. Seeing as the first session was due to start in 10 min the registration gal allowed me to go through the check in bag to get our badges so we could go ahead to our first session. She just asked that we let the school person know so they wouldn't be freaked out as to why our badges weren't there.<br />
<br />
After 3 checks we discovered that our badges were not there. So the registration gal looked and saw that we were registered LATE (which explains why we couldn't get our IEs). So they printed out our badges and sent us on our way. We never did check in with the highschool...although we were at one point sitting near them and said hi to several of the kids we knew.<br />
<br />
The schedule for the conference indicated that the vendor hall would be set up before the conference and be open during the entire thing. um... not so much! After our first session when the others were checking into their hotels we went to check out the vendor hall and there wasn't anyone to talk to...EXCEPT for the one college that has been bugging us like crazy since we first signed up to go...it is in another state...in literally the middle of nowhere. So while they may have a decent program, they don't have an audience for any of their shows. :-/<br />
<br />
I'll spare you the details on how I thought a lot of the content presented at the group events was totally inappropriate for high school kids and totally juvenile in the gratuitous swearing. Let's just say that I am SO very glad that my child isn't in the public school system as the director was PROUD to be able to present this garbage to our kids. sigh! I got an earful from some totally liberal brainwashed mother on Facebook that if I didn't like that content then Theater isn't what I should be involved with. Sorry but I choose to not pimp out my child for entertainment value! And so far my child has indicated that she won't audition for shows that compromise her morals. I pray she stays strong in that.<br />
<br />
Good things about the conference are that she and her friend got to do a lot of very interesting classes and DD did her audition...where she got 5 "callbacks." We thought going in that the callbacks would be offers to attend the schools and possible scholarships. Um nope! they weren't even close. Basically, the callbacks were offers to apply and audition for that school's program. :( And the kicker...the school DD wants wasn't part of the process even though they were at the conference. They couldn't spare the manpower to go to the audition due to an event at the school...projects for finals that the students had to do. <br />
<br />
However, DD & I were able to talk to school reps and DD got to take a class from and chat with a professor...cementing her desire to go to that school. so we're happy about that.<br />
<br />
Now onto getting her into a program to knock out her core required classes for free through the early colleges program.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-1376943787174044732015-12-03T08:34:00.002-07:002015-12-03T08:34:26.474-07:00Just what I don't need!more stress!<br />
<br />
DD is in the middle of a show. A Christmas Carol. I'm in it also. :D and I've been working on making our costumes and some extra bits for the rest of the cast...the majority of the costumes are being made by my friend and they'll all become part of her costume rental when we are done.<br />
<br />
our tech week schedule has changed so I may have to cancel our trip to the Operation Christmas Child distribution center to pack boxes... most of the folks who were going have to be at rehearsal. I have to break the news about this to DD today...I'm sure she's going to be heart broken.<br />
<br />
and today we are heading off to a theater conference. but let me share that saga<br />
<br />
<div>
My daughter and her friend are both
students of a voice teacher here AND the president
of highschool's Parent Patron's club. (I believe you heard from him when
we first learned that our girls did not have IE spots) He likes to
have all of his students compete in different events as their scores
reflect on him. So he highly encouraged us to attend theater conference this year
and made arrangements for us to go through highschool's Theater troop...
even though when I inquired last year I was told that homeschoolers
could go solo to the event.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We first asked highschool for permission to join them and promised that highschool would have
no responsibility for our kids. All they had to do was get us in the
door. They agreed, took our money and registered us for just theater conference...while not registering us for the IEs that we requested (the
ENTIRE point of us going pretty much.) Apparently the person in charge
messed up several other students IEs as well. There was no
communication between highschool and us after they got our money.
Apparently the person in charge of doing the registration was under the
impression that we would register for our IEs ourselves...but no one
told us that was part of the process. and apparently this was NOT part of the process for everyone as several of highschool's theater troop did get registered for their IEs through this person.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After we
found out that our girls were registered but not for IEs we also learned
that I, as their chaperon needed to be registered also, but no one knew
how to do that. That's where I got in touch with you while voice teacher
badgered anyone who would listen. He learned just a few minutes ago
that I am registered to attend. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
okay, so we can go to the conference and I can go also. DD can do her audition for college because that was separate and I did it. whew. Now the scheduling and negotiating all the getting there, food and stuff.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
DD is a picky eater. Friend is a vegetarian. We have to figure out how to feed both girls. fun as Friend is used to just eating at home.</div>
<div>
Showers for all of us to leave the house by 7am for two days. yay</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm gonna hide now</div>
Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-3133103216653193352015-11-27T10:54:00.002-07:002015-11-27T10:54:58.384-07:00Our Thanksgiving feastSharing our thanksgiving meal...and documenting it so I remember for next year...what worked...what failed<br />
<br />
Turkey - It is only the 3 of us, so last year I cut our small bird in half and only cooked one half...this year I thawed the other half and cooked it... It was already brined from last year (a huge time saver!) and it turned out perfect! The half size is perfect for our family as we will have enough for dinner tonight also and possibly turkey with gravy tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Gravy - cooking just the half bird can make gravy time a bit scary, but I've learned that if I carve the bird I get enough juice to make the gravy with. A brined bird makes for a really flavorful gravy. This is something that always concerned my mom. She searches all over town for her special sausage and then bastes her bird constantly. Me, I brine the bird and roast it...no basting! <br />
<br />
Mashed Potatoes - this year after boiling the potatoes, I ran them through the food mill into my crock pot with a stick of butter and some milk. I set it at low until it was heated up (a lot of heat is lost in the milling process) and then left it at warm until after dinner. We had nice soft potatoes that didn't get all dried out in the oven. The only problem was that the potatoes did dry and stick to the sides of the crock...but a bit of soaking and scraping (I use an old gift card as a scraper) got it right out.<br />
<br />
Rolls - I made the rolls with my bread maker several weeks ago...I just had to thaw them out and pop them into the oven. yum<br />
<br />
Yams - couldn't be easier. I don't care for yams. But DH & DD like them in the syrup that they're packed in add in brown sugar & butter. Bake for an hour. done!<br />
<br />
Rutabagas - I'm the only one who eats these, but since I don't eat the yams, this is my treat. This is also how I sliced open my finger last year! But I searched online how to cut the rutabaga... and while I didn't find it any easier, I also didn't end up in the ER again this year. I just cut it up, add some salt & sugar and boil them until soft. Then run them through the food mill.<br />
<br />
Mushrooms with quinoa - This was my attempt at a stuffing replacement. I'm the only one who eats stuffing. But basically stuffing is just bread with fat. I read online that it was done as an attempt to add calories to the diet. My family stuffing recipe does that quite well...and I don't need it. So I tried the mushrooms & quinoa instead. It tastes just fine, but Thanksgiving food it is NOT! So I'll probably have it for lunch this afternoon. I'll stick with just mushrooms next year.<br />
<br />
Green Beans - just microwaved with seasoning<br />
<br />
Corn - just microwaved... no matter what I do to the corn, hubby always adds salt at the table. So I stopped bothering to add any salt when I cook it.<br />
<br />
Cranberry Sauce - DD could just eat the entire dish with a spoon. oh it is just the jellied cranberry juice. She'll eat the whole cranberries also (but not the fancy stuff with oranges & spice :p ) but I get the cheap stuff and she loves it.<br />
<br />
Pumpkin Dessert - This is sort of like a dump cake or cobbler. Mix pumpkin (I get whole pumpkins and make the puree myself...which no one seems to notice or care. If I manage to grow the pumpkins myself it's a savings of money. fingers crossed for a good crop next year!) with spices, sugar, eggs & evaporated milk. pour into a greased pan and sprinkle a dry yellow cake mix on top. pour melted butter on top. The original recipe called for pecans, but DD might be allergic and it is fine w/o the nuts. bake til cake is golden brown & delicious!<br />
<br />
Cherry Dessert - Oh this is soooo easy. Cherry pie filling (that's the hard part...finding one that isn't full of garbage) dump into greased dish and sprinkle with dry cake mix and pour melted butter on top. bake til cake is golden brown & delicious!<br />
<br />
and that's it. For lunch, I served cheese, sausage & crackers. I served dinner at 4:30 because it was done by then. Lilly thought it must be midnight though. sigh!Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-18346877527157493552015-11-08T20:03:00.000-07:002015-11-08T20:03:58.452-07:00ConflictedIt's over now and I'm really okay with how everything ended up going, BUT!!!<br />
<br />
I came across this article today <a href="http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/blogs/it-selfish-have-adults-only-wedding" target="_blank"> Is it selfish to have adults only weddings?</a> and that got me thinking about it all again.<br />
<br />
I should probably first say that when I got married I wanted an adult only wedding... BUT I DIDN'T GET IT! I was not a fan of children back then (honestly, my kid is the only one I really like...okay some of her friends are really cool...but) so I didn't want them at my wedding, messing anything up. I can also add here that back then America's Funniest Home Videos was in full swing and the most popular videos were guys getting hit in the jewels and kids messing up weddings. We also did NOT want our wedding video taped... guess what we have...<br />
<br />
I was not able to have a kid free wedding because my dear fiance is the youngest of 5 children who were all married with kids and so to exclude their children would have really ticked off my new in laws...so we had the kids there. Steps were taken to insure that the kids did not ruin my wedding and they didn't. a fun time was had by most and there were no tantrums from the bride. ;)<br />
<br />
Now we are into the time of life where my husband's older nieces and nephews are getting married. The same kids who all had to be invited to my wedding. After attending two weddings in hubby's hometown we had already decided that when the next one got married that we were probably not going to attend...so when the save the date card arrived with a Fall date on it, we weren't all that concerned. We didn't want to go anyway.<br />
<br />
But then came the invitation for the wedding. It was addressed to just hubby & me. The invite and reception said it was "Respectfully an Adult Only Occasion." and the RSVP card had that only 2 seats were reserved for us at the reception. It was very clear that my nearly adult (17 & 1/2 year old) daughter was not invited at all. <br />
<br />
And even though I had no intention of going to this wedding...I was really bothered by the fact that the couple had clearly excluded my daughter. (I know, weird right?)<br />
<br />
But then I got to thinking...<br />
<br />
Perhaps the couple really didn't want any of us at the wedding?<br />
<br />
I mean think about it...<br />
<br />
Do they really expect for us to a) leave our kid at home alone (I know, loads of people do at her age and that's fine...we choose not to) b) pay to fly the 3 of us out there and leave daughter to do something else while we go to the wedding? Or did they expect us to fly all 3 of us out and then ask for kiddo to babysit her younger cousins?<br />
<br />
I don't know. And honestly I am not upset at not going to the wedding. We've done two there and there isn't much of anything else for us to see or do in and around hubby's hometown. And sorry family but the thought of flying anywhere for just one or two days? I don't think so.<br />
<br />
I guess this opens the door for when kiddo gets married though and she doesn't want kids there... thanks for making it okay couple... and I really do hope that no one gave you any grief about your kid free wedding. It's your party. I guess I'm just a wee bit jeally cuz I didn't get my kid free wedding. :-/<br />
<br />
<br />Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-7058871247131435482015-10-25T16:32:00.000-06:002015-10-25T16:32:41.520-06:00it's crazy herestarting to wonder when it isn't crazy<br />
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So kiddo is in a musical revue...she's been practicing and rehearsing for that...every night on her own and then at least once a week with the group, sometimes more. They opened last night to a decent sized audience and they'll close and strike this evening.<br />
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This afternoon she has an audition for her next show. Different theater company. Fingers crossed as getting in here could lead to a lot more things. She's pretty attached to her current company, but the new one could mean payment instead of paying.<br />
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There's an audition next week with her current theater company but she is leaning toward not doing that show at all...we'll see how she feels this evening.<br />
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and now it is the next day so I have updates on the stuff above and more things to add as always...<br />
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the revue is now over. They did very well. I didn't go see it as I've been listening to these songs for the past two months and a wee bit tired of some of them. But overall it was a marvelous show and we're looking forward to the next one.<br />
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Unfortunately the audition didn't work out for kiddo. they had about 20 girls or so show up with ages ranging from 11 to 17. and all different looks. But judging from the first cut it seemed they were going for a shorter girl...so certainly looking for a size difference between the older and younger versions of this character...oops I forgot to mention that...kiddo was going for the younger version, the older was already cast. However, the silver lining of this is that a friend of ours who was in the revue also was not cut yet. So we look forward to hearing if she is cast or not. Her mom was telling me that they were asking the girls with lighter hair if they minded coloring their hair for the show...our friend already has darker hair. :D plus for her!<br />
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We still don't know if kiddo is going to audition for the other show yet. She was trying to determine if any of her friends were going to be in the show also and of course she can't get anyone to commit to it. ;)<br />
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In the mean time she has a different kind of audition coming up in December...this one will be for getting into a musical theater program in college. there is a chance of a scholarship, which would be awesome but it will be interesting to see which schools might be interested in her. A friend of hers ended up in New York! so fingers crossed on that one.<br />
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still plugging away on the driver's license. I went out with DH & kiddo last time and she was driving my car for the first time...she did awesome. She still needs to get comfortable with my car, but most of her problems were with DH changing the directions on her. We were both ready to hit him. lol<br />
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My garden never really did all that well this year...I think I didn't get started in time and all the rain we had also put a hamper on things...now things are cooling off quickly so today I took several of the plants and put them on the compost pile. I am still hoping for a few more tomatoes but they and the peppers keep splitting so probably not.<br />
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Time now to make kiddo's halloween costume and then start making broth out of all the bones in the freezer to make room for our turkey and stuff. I have no idea how much I might get...I should go count my jars first. ;)<br />
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I found a sewing job the other day. The gal had wanted to meet on Saturday to discuss the details, but of course I was busy...hopefully we can get together soon so I can knock that one out...super easy sewing job, shouldn't take me more than an hour. and then I'll look for others. or maybe keep an eye out instead.Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-56583512958042936882015-09-12T12:26:00.001-06:002015-09-12T12:26:56.189-06:00Not that it will help any...today I posted this to my Facebook http://theadaptivemarketer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Social-Media-Explained.jpg<br />
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reason?<br />
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someone decided to use Facebook like Twitter to keep me totally up to date on a soccer game. Not to worry, she wasn't the first who felt like I needed to know all about the game... I've had several Facebook "friends" who wanted me to be aware of other sporting events or other things constantly! <br />
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ARGH!<br />
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While I'm sure that folks on Twitter aren't wanting the play by play either...but really I'm pretty sure that it doesn't go on Facebook.<br />
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I had unfriend a family member recently because their FourSquare let me know where she was...all the time! and even though I hid her posts they kept popping back up. and I couldn't block FourSquare because I use it for the discounts...sigh!<br />
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Maybe I should just stop social media-ing.... yeah right!Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-4771349561346823292015-09-10T07:50:00.000-06:002015-09-10T07:50:21.524-06:00I got me a treadmill!After lots of searching, I finally found a used treadmill that wasn't falling apart and I could get home easily enough. Turns out it was at our favorite thrift store! I had seen several listed on craigslist but this one the money is going to a great cause.<br />
All we had to do once it was in the house was to realign the belt. And even though hubby nearly blew a gasket that I had got the treadmill and moved it inside by myself, he insisted that he be the one to fix it. It really bothers him how independent I am sometimes.<br />
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I've used it several times now...still trying to figure out the controls on it...and even with the manual it is confusing. I'm a bit spoiled with the treadmills at my old gym that "talked" you through it. ah well. Another thing is the book rack/control panel is set too far back. If you get close enough to use them you're bumping your feet into the motor housing. I know it doesn't work so well for the folding (oops, did I remember to fold it back up last night???) but the bar should be over the tread more. <br />
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In other news:<br />
Darly did get into the musical review (we knew she would though). She's currently singing 4 songs with a few solos. There are still more solos to be assigned so she's working on that music so she can get a few of them...she really wants one that would be one of her bucket list roles. fingers crossed!<br />
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She did NOT get into the "Improv" show that wasn't really improv. The folks casting went with their own people. Which I know happens all the time, but why bother wasting folks time if you're not really going to consider them??? Another thing we learned was that this show was for a fundraiser that was going to be $100 per person to attend (not the cast, but if I wanted to see the show). And then there was all that the part required, in the end it didn't seem to me that the pay was going to make the part worth doing...we're a bit spoiled in that the improv troop that Darly is in charges more per hour than she would have made doing this show. ah well<br />
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I submitted Darly's headshot & resume for another role, but we haven't heard anything so I guess that's a no. It would have been nice if they had told us that they got it. sigh<br />
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Lots of Halloween gigs coming up, but I'm not sure we can squeeze them in with the musical review. One that came up today had their show running for two weekends including the weekend of the review. <br />
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Darly went driving last night. With me she was pretty much totally against driving. She got mad at me for DH asking her to go drive. But apparently that went really well. Parents are hopeful to get her driving here soon. Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-88727783364396107202015-09-07T09:55:00.002-06:002015-09-07T09:55:17.614-06:00BIG Sore Loser!Darly decided to teach DH & I a card game that she plays with her friends. It is called Nerts. You can look it up...it's all over the internet and it's a game that I enjoy.<br />
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At first I was winning the game almost exclusively. I play solitaire all the time and the game is solitaire with more people. My winning was upsetting to the other two players though, so making sure that I was following all the rules I found that I could stall my wins to make the game higher points for everyone. Well THAT didn't go over well when DH noticed that I wasn't playing my winning card and ratted me out. So I had to be more sneaky about it...<br />
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At this point, DH feels that to keep me from winning that HE has to be in charge of shuffling my deck so that I can't win. And at first I allowed this because he was being rather bratty about it and I assumed that allowing him this simple concession would calm him down and show that I was winning only by skill, not trickery.<br />
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um no. It seemed that allowing the shuffling made him worse...even though I wasn't winning the hands anymore. He was STILL being a BRAT about it. He was even winning hands (okay, I was still throwing hands) but that wasn't enough to make him quit.<br />
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Sigh! It seems that I will have to give up playing my new favorite game...at least with DH. <br />
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I've known since meeting him that all of DH's family plays for blood at games...highly competitive and will play all night in order to be the winner. It's so sad. I usually do not play with any from his family. This makes them complain that I'm just a sore loser... but really I don't care about winning...I just have fun playing the game...but not against any of them. They totally take all the fun out of the game.<br />
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At one point Darly gave DH a mini speech about how it was JUST A GAME OF CARDS! It was awesome. I told her that I couldn't be more proud of her. <br />
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I'm pretty sure that sore loser totally ignored her! sighRenee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-13726222353464360472015-09-04T10:12:00.002-06:002015-09-04T10:12:53.673-06:00Dares BEARS.....in dem dare NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!!!!!! (translation: there are bears in my neighborhood!)<br />
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okay, they found one cub about a mile from my house...but where there are cubs there are momma bears...usually. We still don't know where momma is. Baby was caught and taken to a rehab center where he'll be fattened up and snuck into a hibernation den in a few months to wake up and wonder "whut now?"<br />
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Apparently the word is that last winter froze the berry bushes so the bears are hungry. There have been 8 caught closer to the mountains and one in my friend's neighborhood...which is totally odd because she's pretty much in the all human part of town. At least "our bear" could follow the gulch to where he was picked up.<br />
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I've always said that "I don't run, unless there's a bear chasing me. So it is a good thing I live where there aren't any bears!" Now it looks like I'm gonna have to move. sigh<br />
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well at least I no longer have to worry about meeting a bear on the walking trails... because I bought a treadmill. Unfortunately, the trauma from getting the treadmill into my house has me not using it yet. That and I also have to adjust the belt and that's just effort! :p<br />
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In other news: Darly finished up Fiddler on the Roof Aug 16th. Then took a tiny break...<br />
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Aug 29th - Audition workshop<br />
Sept 1st - Audition for Broadway Musical Review<br />
Sept 2nd - Audition for "Improv" show (that's in quotes because I don't think that means what they think it means)<br />
Sept 3rd - rehearse for her standing improv show<br />
Sept 4th - work on picking song for Musical Review<br />
Sept 5th - Improv show<br />
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WHEW!<br />
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The Audition workshop was just as I suspected...a great big LONG ad for acting classes with this group. But for FREE what can you expect? At least we came away with some useful tips.<br />
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The musical review audition went well - but today we have to run over for a bit more work on picking a perfect song for Darly...the director wants to match her voice up perfectly.<br />
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The "Improv" show...hummm well first they asked folks to prepare a monologue, but never had them do it. Then they provided way too much for the bits...almost an entire script. It was weird. and they seem to think that a 5 hour long performance will be all short form improv. Like I said ...I don't think it means what they think it means. <br />
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Improv rehearsal (see we know what improv is!) - I had to leave Darly to go pick up DH at the airport, so I don't know too much of what went on, but they had fun getting ready for the show. BTW: you can't really rehearse improv...you just run a version of the games so you can fit the suggestions into it.<br />
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and in a bit we'll be off to go work on that music piece for the Musical Review. Hopefully she didn't fall asleep in the shower!Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13532063.post-74492958842276130822015-08-17T09:53:00.002-06:002015-08-17T09:53:26.183-06:00Show's over...now what?We finished up Fiddler last night and struck* the theater (*strike - remove everything we brought to the theater and return back to it's original state as much as we can). Darly & I are both so very tired. I woke up two hours ago but now feel as if I could go nap for another 5 hours or so. ergh!<br />
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Saturday night I heard from the director of the film that Darly was cast in. He had recast the role of Tony and wanted to shoot Darly's scene today at 9:30, an hour away from where we live. sigh!<br />
We decided to decline the role...let me count the ways...<br />
<ol>
<li>Going into this project we knew that the only payment would be if the film made money. So we accepted for just the film credit. (meaning: we only expected for Darly's name to be listed in the film's credits.)</li>
<li>Darly was cast into a very small role in the film because of her look. The cast is mainly Latino with a very few Anglo parts.</li>
<li>The script is very short (less than 100 pages) but the writer/director/producer is a film student and is used to writing much shorter so he felt it was very long.</li>
<li>The story is, well let's just say it isn't something that is going to have the same appeal at the box office as say um *insert movie title that you wished you hadn't paid to see here* </li>
<li>The project has faced a lot of setbacks. Mostly due to the inexperience of our "fearless leader." I am pretty sure that he STILL has not secured a location for his interiors.</li>
<li>Originally, filming was going to take place before tech week for Fiddler. Due to setbacks and recasting filming was pushed back several times...including to have a filming day during tech week. Luckily the new Tony couldn't make it as it was going to be difficult for us to film that day. </li>
<li>The locations that the team has come up with so far all all about an hour away from where we live. (note: no pay)</li>
<li>Darly got a last minute job a few weeks ago that actually paid, so the desire to have a film credit on her resume isn't as pressing...and that film will actually be seen by people as it was produced for educational use.</li>
<li>When we went for the read through, that became not a true read through because 1. only part of the cast could be there and 2. our "fearless leader" decided to turn it into a teaching moment to share his newly gained education with the cast...who were all more experienced than he was. :-/</li>
<li>While some of the cast members had more film experience, it seemed from the reading that was able to happen that Darly was the best trained actor there. The director loved everything that she did and was trying to figure out how to expand Darly's role.</li>
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After the read through, Darly was less enthused to be a part of this production. She was willing to still do the role if the filming took place on the 10th. When that fell through she was looking for a way to get out of the role. So when the director suggested filming on the 23rd, I sent back some pretty hard to meet time constraints with the suggestion that if we couldn't do it then we would have to drop out. So Saturday when we got the email to film today (17th) at such an early hour we decided that nope, we're too tired and done to continue with this.<br />
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Auditions for the next musical got pushed back, so we're happy to not have to audition today...as a day of rest is needed. :D<br />
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But now I'm looking for our next project. Future shows with the theater company that did Fiddler have not yet been set. Shows with the other big theaters in town aren't all that interesting to us...so we're looking at smaller theaters. <br />
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Maybe I should just go nap. ;) Renee Nefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.com1