Interesting

My Uncle Tom is one of the most interesting people I know.  He is a retired science teacher and a geologist.  When I was little, he gave me several interesting rocks and minerals from his collection, which I still own.  I would take such good care of these things; I would vacuum out their little boxes, and make new labels for them all the time.  I don't know if it was because of my Uncle, or just something in my genetic make-up, but I love science.  In fact, when I decided to go back to school to be a teacher, I majored in Group Science, with an emphasis in Biology.  So I'm a Science teacher. 

Anyway, Uncle Tom sends me the most interesting e-mails and links so I'm posting one here because I found it fascinating.  The video I'm linking to is about a 5 minute video and it shows some of the interesting things that go on underwater in the sea.  The more I study science, the more I'm convinced that life on Earth didn't just happen.  I'm not interested in starting a philosophical discussion about this, just expressing my opinion. 

One of the many science classes I took in college was cellular Biology.  We learned in depth about the functions of each cell in your body and how they all function together to keep you alive.  Amazing!  If it wasn't such dry material, I'd suggest taking this class, just to learn about the amazing things your body does 24 hours a day, without you even knowing it!

Another class I had to take was Botany.  We were trudging around in the arboretum in early January, studying leaf buds on trees, and bark patterns and such.  Of course, it was the coldest January on record that year, but it was another interesting class because even things in nature take care of themselves.  The leaf buds that were visible in January, were the beginnings of new leaves that were waiting to open when the weather warmed.  It was fascinating to me that trees were already preparing for Spring, way back in November!  How did these leaf buds not freeze?  How did the trees know to do this?  Amazing! Just more proof to me that God exists. 

Happy
A few things make me happy today:  we had our taxes done and while I knew I was going to have to pay, its not nearly as much as I had figured.  ( I never thought I'd use the words "happy" and "taxes" in the same sentence.)

I'm playing in my first concert this Sunday. I haven't done that in oh, I don't know how long.  If you need something to do Sunday, come see the West Michigan Concert Winds at 4 pm.  You won't be sorry. 

aaaaaand.... back to reality

We woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow this morning!  Do I seem excited about it?  I'm not really.  I'm tired of the snow, but it sure makes everything look pretty and clean.  I don't know if my snowblower works but I do have a shovel so I'll be out soon trying to clear my drive way.  Or maybe I'll just drive over it repeatedly to pack the snow down and call it good.  That works too. 

One of my favorite things in life is to be inside with a cup of hot coffee while the world outside is covered in snow.  Living along the shore of Lake Michigan, lake effect snow affords me many of these days.  Just another reason I love where I live.   

Time to address the goals:
Goal #1:  I've been on the treadmill twice this week so far, doing mostly walking, but throwing in a burst of running every now and then.  My sister is doing a little running too so at least I'm in line with her.  We may not finish with lightning speed, but at least we'll finish together. 

Goal #2: I've paid 75% of the original balance of the first bill I'm concentrating on and should be able to pay that off in 2 weeks.  Yay!  Progress!  This of course, all depends on what my tax guy says today.  Last year we paid a lot, which I wasn't prepared for, so this year I'm at least mentally preparing for that.  I've been keeping money untouched in a couple of accounts so that I can pay my taxes and hopefully still pay that 1st bill off. 
Darn you Uncle Sam!!! I want to keep my money!

Happy
I've always enjoyed watching figure skating and remember many Saturday afternoons as a young kid spent watching it on TV.  For a hot second, I even planned on figure skating in the Olympics! (Didn't we all plan on doing something in the Olympics?)  Last night I stayed up late to watch the women's figure skating and was so impressed with Joannie Rochette. Her mom passed away just a few days ago and she was still able to skate with such grace and poise.  Obviously I wasn't in the audience, but it seemed that when she skated, the entire audience was pulling for her, and it wasn't about a competition between countries, but a collective show of support for this girl.  And that made me happy.  If you are lucky enough to still have your mom living, call her.  She'll love it.  And tell her you love her.  : )

Something to look forward to...

Its snowing again today.  What should I expect?  It is February in west Michigan after all.  But I've had enough and if I knew who to complain to about this, I'd do it.  Sigh.  So I'm posting pictures of my garden last summer to give me (and perhaps you) something to look forward to.

Cake Wrecks

Wow!  3 posts in one day! 

Check out these cakes:

I found these on one of my favorite websites:  Cake Wrecks

Yes, I've mentioned it before but these cakes are cracking me up! Look at that top one.  Its supposed to be a baby but it reminds me of ET, or the baby dinosaur in that old Disney show.  (not the mama, not the mama!) Either way, if my baby looked like that, I'd be seriously creeped out!

And the second picture just makes me laugh.  Look at Frankenstein and his bride.  Aren't they cute?  And then the cake itself is stitched like Frankenstein. 

Go over to Cake Wrecks and check out the Star Wars cakes from February 15th.  Go on.  They're hilarious. 

Comfort food

I found a recipe once for a rice dessert.  Technically, its called Yummy Sweet Rice, but at our house, we call it "That Rice Stuff".  If my son had one last meal, he would request this I'm sure.  Or at least it would be a part of the meal because these days, he has a hollow leg.  Anyway, I'm posting the recipe.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures but use your imagination. Imagine rice in a baking pan with some other ingredients and you'll be set.  Hahahahaha!!!!

2 cups uncooked Minute Rice
1 egg slightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Heat the oven to 350.  Prepare the rice as directed on the package.  Meanwhile, mix the egg and sugar in a large bowl until blended.  Add the milk and vanilla and mix it well.  Then stir in the rice and pour into an ungreased 1 1/2 quart dish. 
Top with the following:
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons sugar

Dot it with 2 Tablespoons of margarine cut into pieces and Bake for 20-25 minutes. 

Around our house, this counts as a breakfast food - its got protein so it keeps you full for a while.  Or at least it does in theory. And it doesn't take long to make; I got up a little bit earlier than usual and made it for breakfast today.  Anyway, this fits into several food categories:  breakfast, dessert, snack, comfort food...  whatever.  

Undercover

I have a new favorite show:  Undercover Boss. I watched the first episode last weekend and was pleasantly surprised.  The CEO of Waste Management decided to go undercover and spend a week working with people he employs, trying out their jobs.  Disguised, of course.  I had anticipated that we would be hearing people bad-mouthing their boss, or seeing questionable business practices but instead, saw employees who genuinely loved their jobs and who had interesting personal stories.  The boss spent the day cleaning porta-potties with a man who made his job seem like an adventure.  The employee never once complained about the disgusting nature of the job, but made it almost seem fun.  And then there was a woman working in an office, doing the work of 4 people but only getting paid for one.  She was so friendly and efficient, that she made it seem like it was easy to simultaneously do 4 jobs.  She even invited the Boss back to her home for dinner - and she didn't even know who he was!  He learned that this woman had had 4 different types of cancer by the time she was 21, and that she was living with her father, her sister and brother-in-law, in addition to her husband and child for financial reasons. 

At the end of the show, the boss revealed himself to the people he had worked with throughout the week.  He offered to help each of these people in some way; for one employee, his offer of help was to simply change the way they make people clock in and out for lunch. 

The thing that was most inspiring about this show was that the Boss learned that its important to see what each person in his company is doing.  He talked about how productivity is so important to him, and that he makes many decisions based on productivity issues, but failed to think about how these decisions might affect his employees.  (One female garbage truck driver has to use a coffee can as a latrine because productivity decreases if she stops to use the bathroom).

This made me wish that my bosses, the ones in an office somewhere in The Big City, would spend a day with some of their employees.  Maybe they would see that having us fill out yet another form isn't helping our customers, and its not making us more efficient.  I hope I don't sound bitter, because I am very grateful to have a job, and I do love my job.  Sometimes, it seems that decisions that come from the top of the company make sense to the bottom line, but really affect morale of the employees which in turn makes customer satisfaction suffer.  Maybe...sometimes...the employee knows best.  Hmmmm. 

Happy
I love the Olympics.  Summer - Winter, it doesn't matter.  I'm glued to the tv and I'm cheering along with the crowds.  Most of these sports are things I'd never watch any other time, but for these two weeks, they are my first choice.  I find myself using language I don't even understand:  half calf, double McTwist, triple salchow, etc.  And most of the time, I get choked up when, during the medals ceremony, I get to hear our own National Anthem.  Cheesy, I know. But it makes me happy!

Bathroom Ideas

Its time to start thinking about what I want in my new bathroom.  I don't even know where to look other than the internet.  I have a general idea of what I want, and I know my choices for cabinets and such will be dictated by my budget and what's available, but I still have to decide on basic color and style themes.  Help!

I like the color of the walls, but its a little too minimalistic for my taste.  Plus I need more counter space for my hair appliances and such.

What the heck are those things on the wall?  Toilets?  No thanks.

I like this one.  Its very similar to the layout already.  I have one of those huge 2 sink things and its nice to have the space to set soap and lotion on.  I also like the color of the cabinet.  I'd like a little more color on the walls though.

I REALLY like this cabinet.  Especially the drawer pulls/handles.  Of course, the tub is not an option.  I like the way they've separated the mirrors, too.

I like the storage next to the sink.  I kind of like the sink too.  There's no drawers or anything but I don't think I need that anyway.  Hmmm. 

 

I like everything about this. 

Beadboard panelling!  I've thought I might like this on the lower 1/2 of the walls.  Reminds me of a farmhouse. 

Eureka!  Except the pedestal sink doesn't give me enough counter space.  I do love it though! I'm sensing a pattern in wall colors here. 

I like this too.  Even the wall color. 

Well, that's enough for now. Any suggestions? Comment please.  :)