9/8/2012
Only 20 Minutes
Let's say hypothetically that you have 20 minutes to leave your house for perhaps forever. The reason doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the minutes and you've only got 20 and not a second more.
Here's the question. What do you take with you? I've thought about this a number of times and here's what I think I'd do. I used to believe that I would take photos first because they are irreplaceable. Truth is though they are memories. Memories that are stored in the recesses of your brain for all time. How many times a year do you REALLY look through your photos? Hmm, what's that? Once, twice or if you're like me perhaps never.
After thinking hard about the 20 minute test, here's what I would take. Medicine would be a given, valuable jewelry only (costume stuff can be replaced), and the pets. Then I would head upstairs and grab birth certificates, passports, social security cards, "pink" slips to the cars and any other crucial papers. Why? Because if you find yourself homeless or displaced for some reason, you must be able to prove who you are and what you own. The important papers of your life are difficult to replace.
Another thought is to keep in your cell phone, because I guess everybody has one now, all the phone numbers for the professionals in your life (insurance agent for instance). Provided you could come up with a system of keeping track of policy numbers in a non-obvious way that would be useful too.
Hopefully, your crucial papers are all in one spot, so you can grab and go. My papers are in different folders but sitting next to each other in the filing cabinet - literally just pick them up together.
Okay your 20 minutes are up. How'd you do? Jeff and I have thought through this process several times and each time, regardless of the scenario, we come up with the same answer - take paper. If you have extra time and space then you take time to gather up some treasures. Some day when you're bored look around at your house with a view toward which thing(s) would you absolutely want to take? It might be a favorite needlepoint or the family bible. The important thing is to KNOW before disaster strikes, what is important to you.
When you're racing against the clock that is not the time to scratch your head about what your valuable possession(s) are, other than the critical documents I mentioned earlier. You should have already thought about it and know the answer. An emergency is no time to dilly dally around with hysteria mounting.
Try and give this some thought. Check on those documents and get them centrally located for easy retrieval. Look at your possessions with a new eye. What would you miss the most? Remember, you can't take it all, you only have 20 minutes.
P
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Quiet
9/7/2012
It's early Friday morning although not as early as I am generally up and writing. The world inside and outside of my house is quiet. There are no horns honking, people talking or even birds flying. Nothing. I just spent a few minutes on the front porch and it was me and nothing. I believe you could have heard a pin drop if one had had the nerve to do so.
One of the reasons I get up literally at the crack of dawn is primarily so that I can beat the traffic down 270 - but also because before the headaches of the day start up, my world is quiet and peaceful. And I need that.
I like the quiet. You can actually hear your own heartbeat and think your own thoughts without interruption. You are at peace with yourself as well as with the world. By the time the first cup of coffee has gone down, the quiet begins to dissolve like cotton candy on your tongue. And the spell is broken and it will be hours again before the stillness will once again take over. Now that the days are getting shorter, the quiet arrives earlier in the evenings because nobody can play outside in the dark.
I'm going to stop writing, grab the last swig of coffee, gather up my things and get in the car. Perhaps today I'll play soft elevator music to keep hold of the quiet just a bit longer.
Have a wonderful and quiet Friday.
P
Quiet
It's early Friday morning although not as early as I am generally up and writing. The world inside and outside of my house is quiet. There are no horns honking, people talking or even birds flying. Nothing. I just spent a few minutes on the front porch and it was me and nothing. I believe you could have heard a pin drop if one had had the nerve to do so.
One of the reasons I get up literally at the crack of dawn is primarily so that I can beat the traffic down 270 - but also because before the headaches of the day start up, my world is quiet and peaceful. And I need that.
I like the quiet. You can actually hear your own heartbeat and think your own thoughts without interruption. You are at peace with yourself as well as with the world. By the time the first cup of coffee has gone down, the quiet begins to dissolve like cotton candy on your tongue. And the spell is broken and it will be hours again before the stillness will once again take over. Now that the days are getting shorter, the quiet arrives earlier in the evenings because nobody can play outside in the dark.
I'm going to stop writing, grab the last swig of coffee, gather up my things and get in the car. Perhaps today I'll play soft elevator music to keep hold of the quiet just a bit longer.
Have a wonderful and quiet Friday.
P
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Lost Shoes
9/6/2012
Lost Shoes
You have read my little tirades about finding a shoe in or
by the side of a road. Maybe you’re not
as curious as I am, but whenever I see one I can’t help but wonder how it got
there in the first place. Today people I
had my first experience with shoes (notice the ‘s’ on the end). I’m driving down the road and in the middle
of the road is a black and white oxford which looks like a golf shoe. My brain goes into overdrive about how in the
devil did a shoe just appear in the road.
But wait it gets better. A block
away the other shoe is in the middle of the road – now we have a complete
set. This was my first!
After seeing the second shoe I’m really wondering. Was there an argument going on in the car and
party one throws party two’s shoe out the window? Argument continues and party one throws out
the other shoe? I’m sure if that was the
scenario that it was probably pretty cathartic for the thrower. But you must surely know that by tossing the
shoes out the window, they’ve got to be replaced. Right?
I can find no logical explanation for two shoes to be out in
the middle of the road a block apart, except being thrown out the window. How else would they get there?
Thoughts anyone? I
decided seeing both shoes today was some kind of lucky omen for me. I’ll let you know when the luck kicks
in. In the meantime, be on the lookout
for PAIRS of shoes, they’re a rare find.
I'm typing this with my "SAD" light on mere inches away from my face. Gads is it bright. No need to turn on an overhead light, it's like having the sun inside the house with you.
P
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
9/5/2012
I have just returned from having my head 'shrunk' which I do twice a month whether I need it or not. My doctor has loaned me a "SAD" full spectrum light box to use each day for 30 minutes to see if extra bright light makes any difference in my depression.
I set the box up on my side table near my chair where I do just about everything from reading and knitting to coloring. I did some catalog reading (favorite pastime) and knitting under the watchful eye of the box. It's too soon to tell, obviously, if I will become giddy with joy after using it. I can tell you this the sucker is bright and after you turn it off, your eyes need a few minutes to adjust to the 'dark'.
This loaner box is large and heavy; but, the doctor says they now make lights that are much more compact and easy to transport. Some patients apparently take them to work every day - the "glow" must be impressive.
So with some medication adjustments today and my new best friend, wish me luck as I continue to travel down this seemingly never ending road of depression. I'm being honest about this because I believe mental health conditions, of all kinds, should be talked about openly and without the stigma associated with them.
Here's to many days of sunshine for me!
P
"SAD"
I have just returned from having my head 'shrunk' which I do twice a month whether I need it or not. My doctor has loaned me a "SAD" full spectrum light box to use each day for 30 minutes to see if extra bright light makes any difference in my depression.
I set the box up on my side table near my chair where I do just about everything from reading and knitting to coloring. I did some catalog reading (favorite pastime) and knitting under the watchful eye of the box. It's too soon to tell, obviously, if I will become giddy with joy after using it. I can tell you this the sucker is bright and after you turn it off, your eyes need a few minutes to adjust to the 'dark'.
This loaner box is large and heavy; but, the doctor says they now make lights that are much more compact and easy to transport. Some patients apparently take them to work every day - the "glow" must be impressive.
So with some medication adjustments today and my new best friend, wish me luck as I continue to travel down this seemingly never ending road of depression. I'm being honest about this because I believe mental health conditions, of all kinds, should be talked about openly and without the stigma associated with them.
Here's to many days of sunshine for me!
P
Unraveling
9/5/2012
Unraveling
Have you ever pulled, rather than cut, a string from a sweater and ended up with a sleeve in your hand?
Well, that's kind of what's happening with the fireplace. Our den is cold - all winter long - the fireplace is drafty and this year I wanted to replace it with a gas log insert. Easy enough? Right? Absolutely. You remove the existing glass door screens, have the chimney swept for the last time and pay for the gas logs. Very doable.
But we are world famous for the cloud that hangs over the top of our heads. Don't know why, just wish it would move on. Bought the gas logs and are on the installation wait list which shouldn't be too long, because really who thinks about fires in the middle of summer? Second, removed the glass doors and have put them out on Craigslist to hopefully sell.
The chimney sweep was out yesterday and he used the same brushes and tools that they used in Mary Poppins - sadly though there was no dancing on the roof. When he started his cleaning he said something along the lines of, "it's a good thing you're putting in gas." Okay that didn't sound good, maybe some of our bricks inside the fireplace need repointing (I think that's what they call it).
Then he got on the roof. Here's where a simple job began to unravel and become a TAD more expensive than was originally expected. He tells us that the first 13-15 courses (rows) of brick on the top of the chimney should be replaced. Apparently, those bricks m-o-v-e! I can't explain it in technical terms, just that his fear was that the top part of the chimney MIGHT come tumbling down and when he touched them they had a lot of "give". It's a good thing that the big bad wolf doesn't know that he could probably huff and puff those bricks down. His suggestion, which we eventually took, was to replace the top part of the chimney BEFORE the gas log insert and chimney sleeves were installed.
Buying the gas log inserts was one thing, but replacing part of the chimney wasn't on the agenda or in the budget. Still, the thought that during a storm the bricks could come down and possibly hurt someone or something wasn't acceptable either.
Today, the masons are coming out to put up the scaffolding and start taking the chimney down and then rebuild it. It is a necessary expense - but, if I hadn't wanted the gas log insert in the first place, Jeff and I would never have known or even suspected that the chimney was damaged. A good thing? Absolutely. We're just going to feel the hit in the old checkbook after today!
Once the bricks have been replaced - the wolf can come back anytime and we'll be safe and snug inside.
Enjoy your Wednesday - it's my last day at home - return to work tomorrow so I'll try and enjoy myself as much as possible today.
P
Unraveling
Have you ever pulled, rather than cut, a string from a sweater and ended up with a sleeve in your hand?
Well, that's kind of what's happening with the fireplace. Our den is cold - all winter long - the fireplace is drafty and this year I wanted to replace it with a gas log insert. Easy enough? Right? Absolutely. You remove the existing glass door screens, have the chimney swept for the last time and pay for the gas logs. Very doable.
But we are world famous for the cloud that hangs over the top of our heads. Don't know why, just wish it would move on. Bought the gas logs and are on the installation wait list which shouldn't be too long, because really who thinks about fires in the middle of summer? Second, removed the glass doors and have put them out on Craigslist to hopefully sell.
The chimney sweep was out yesterday and he used the same brushes and tools that they used in Mary Poppins - sadly though there was no dancing on the roof. When he started his cleaning he said something along the lines of, "it's a good thing you're putting in gas." Okay that didn't sound good, maybe some of our bricks inside the fireplace need repointing (I think that's what they call it).
Then he got on the roof. Here's where a simple job began to unravel and become a TAD more expensive than was originally expected. He tells us that the first 13-15 courses (rows) of brick on the top of the chimney should be replaced. Apparently, those bricks m-o-v-e! I can't explain it in technical terms, just that his fear was that the top part of the chimney MIGHT come tumbling down and when he touched them they had a lot of "give". It's a good thing that the big bad wolf doesn't know that he could probably huff and puff those bricks down. His suggestion, which we eventually took, was to replace the top part of the chimney BEFORE the gas log insert and chimney sleeves were installed.
Buying the gas log inserts was one thing, but replacing part of the chimney wasn't on the agenda or in the budget. Still, the thought that during a storm the bricks could come down and possibly hurt someone or something wasn't acceptable either.
Today, the masons are coming out to put up the scaffolding and start taking the chimney down and then rebuild it. It is a necessary expense - but, if I hadn't wanted the gas log insert in the first place, Jeff and I would never have known or even suspected that the chimney was damaged. A good thing? Absolutely. We're just going to feel the hit in the old checkbook after today!
Once the bricks have been replaced - the wolf can come back anytime and we'll be safe and snug inside.
Enjoy your Wednesday - it's my last day at home - return to work tomorrow so I'll try and enjoy myself as much as possible today.
P
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ever Wonder....
9/4/2012
Ever Wonder....
Why we fly? Without words, I'm going to show you two reasons why. Beautiful.
Ever Wonder....
Why we fly? Without words, I'm going to show you two reasons why. Beautiful.
Careers
9/4/2012
Careers
I type for a living and have since 1968 - you do the math - that's a long time. Still love typing and always will, just don't get enough chances to do so anymore. Gone are the days of hours and hours of straight typing. Now we revise, correct, format and print a document that somebody else has screwed up and can't figure out how to fix their mistakes.
But typing wasn't always my career goal. In 1967 I received a scholarship to Illinois State University and I was prepared to come out the other side 4 years later as a business education teacher. Remember those? They taught typing, shorthand, office machines and skills, stuff like that.
I wanted to teach and had envisions of my classes being highly sought after and fun. And then I threw away my scholarship because I didn't want my parents to have to pay a lot of money for my education. Looking back and by today's standards it probably wasn't much. I went to a junior college instead and did well in everything except Economics. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now. The professor and I had an agreement - he wouldn't ask me any questions - and I wouldn't answer any. Worked out well and I eked out a passable, but barely, grade. Skill classes were where I really shined. I could take shorthand at 100 wpm and could type that fast as well. I was sure I was on the right path.
Let's just say that after one year in college, I was at the juncture of two roads and I selected the wrong one. Didn't think so at the time - but this many years later - it was. Altered my life forever and dashed my dreams of ever standing up in front of a classroom telling them where the "a" and "s" keys are on a typewriter (computer).
Could I have gone back? Sure but I wasn't that ambitious. I was working full-time and raising 3 boys. Before moving east Jeff was a road warrior and was gone more than he was home and I had my hands full. There was no time in my life to further my education.
Jeff and I did take a few classes at the local junior college to keep his GI Bill money coming in. One of the classes he was required to take was Philosophy taught by an old, bitter spinster woman. There are no other words fit to describe her. In class I diligently took notes and when it came to take tests I would hear this nagging whisper in my ear "write bigger"!
The final exam was to take two philosophers and compare them for similarities and differences. I wrote NOT one but TWO final exams. I received an A on both papers but on my submission the teacher wrote "It didn't behoove you to copy off of Mr. Bassett's paper." That was the LAST class we ever took together!
While I never formally taught and never will, I am the person my coworkers seek out when they have a document or spreadsheet that is giving them trouble. I have become pretty adapt at headers, footers and section breaks. I guess in a small way I'm a teacher.
Have a great day.
P
Careers
I type for a living and have since 1968 - you do the math - that's a long time. Still love typing and always will, just don't get enough chances to do so anymore. Gone are the days of hours and hours of straight typing. Now we revise, correct, format and print a document that somebody else has screwed up and can't figure out how to fix their mistakes.
But typing wasn't always my career goal. In 1967 I received a scholarship to Illinois State University and I was prepared to come out the other side 4 years later as a business education teacher. Remember those? They taught typing, shorthand, office machines and skills, stuff like that.
I wanted to teach and had envisions of my classes being highly sought after and fun. And then I threw away my scholarship because I didn't want my parents to have to pay a lot of money for my education. Looking back and by today's standards it probably wasn't much. I went to a junior college instead and did well in everything except Economics. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now. The professor and I had an agreement - he wouldn't ask me any questions - and I wouldn't answer any. Worked out well and I eked out a passable, but barely, grade. Skill classes were where I really shined. I could take shorthand at 100 wpm and could type that fast as well. I was sure I was on the right path.
Let's just say that after one year in college, I was at the juncture of two roads and I selected the wrong one. Didn't think so at the time - but this many years later - it was. Altered my life forever and dashed my dreams of ever standing up in front of a classroom telling them where the "a" and "s" keys are on a typewriter (computer).
Could I have gone back? Sure but I wasn't that ambitious. I was working full-time and raising 3 boys. Before moving east Jeff was a road warrior and was gone more than he was home and I had my hands full. There was no time in my life to further my education.
Jeff and I did take a few classes at the local junior college to keep his GI Bill money coming in. One of the classes he was required to take was Philosophy taught by an old, bitter spinster woman. There are no other words fit to describe her. In class I diligently took notes and when it came to take tests I would hear this nagging whisper in my ear "write bigger"!
The final exam was to take two philosophers and compare them for similarities and differences. I wrote NOT one but TWO final exams. I received an A on both papers but on my submission the teacher wrote "It didn't behoove you to copy off of Mr. Bassett's paper." That was the LAST class we ever took together!
While I never formally taught and never will, I am the person my coworkers seek out when they have a document or spreadsheet that is giving them trouble. I have become pretty adapt at headers, footers and section breaks. I guess in a small way I'm a teacher.
Have a great day.
P
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