Day 144 - South Beach Cravings

What I'm about to say makes me a bit uncomfortable and exposed but. . .for the first time in my life, I put myself on a diet.  A friend explained all the benefits of the South Beach Diet.  After doing a bit of research myself, I took the plunge. Have to admit that I've already lost a few pounds and I'm not starving.  However, the initial phase with no sugar or fruit or alcohol has its challenges.  Case in point - How does one satisfy that need for chocolate?  Tonight's hot chocolate recipe is made with light soy milk and sugar free Hershey's chocolate syrup.  This is SO much better than last night's version made with the same milk but unsweetened cocoa powder and stevia.

Day 143 - Simple Toys

Why is it that no matter how many expensive toys we buy, our cats are more predictably entertained by something as simple as a broken ziploc?

Day 142 - Trinkets for a Cause

I had an appointment at the dentist today.  As I was leaving, I noticed a display of about 10 different beaded bracelets.  While commenting on how pretty they were, I saw the sign that said "American Cancer Society - $10."  I felt a wave of sadness well up inside me as my thoughts shifted to my friend Paige who died just last month.  I decided on this dark blue one and slipped it on my wrist.  Wish I had bought one for all of Paige's friends at work.

Day 141 - Keeping Warm

In December I replaced my 20 year old pellet stove with a new EPA certified wood stove.  I'm loving it for the size, appearance and the heat it puts out.  Things are pretty toasty around here.  It didn't take long for Finnegan to figure out that the area underneath the stove is a great place to hang out.

Day 140 - White Buffalo Saloon

This tavern is probably less than a mile from my house but, until now, I'd never stopped in.  My friend Paul and some of his coworkers head here from time to time for pizza and beer and tonight I was invited along.  It's still your basic tavern with pool tables and darts but they have a surprising number of microbrews on tap, a full service bar and pretty damn good pizza (some say the best in Snohomish County).  Look at me - out on a school night!

Day 139 - Kitty Drugs

While cleaning out a cabinet in the laundry room, I came across all these bags of catnip.  Most of them were included with some toy or cat scratcher which I probably sprinkled freely for the first few days.  I DO remember how the cats loved the little mice that came inside that can where they became infused with that irresistable scent.  Now that I've combined all the stuff into one bag (stash), I plan to start doling it out on a regular basis.  Here's hoping they don't become addicted and have to go into rehab. . .no, no, no.

Day 138 - Electronic Organization

I spent the better part of today watching the Seahawks and Patriots lose while organizing most my school files.  What's that they say about time wasted looking for things? Depending on the situation, I would save to my desktop (on 2 different computers in my classroom), sometimes to a flashdrive, to my U-drive on the server. . .you get the picture.  Probably deleted somewhere in the range of 1,500 files. My school library now takes up 1.3 GB on this flashdrive (1,495 files, contained in 128 folders in 17 subfolders).  Next task involves all my digital pictures.  What are your thoughts on the best place to store them?  Picasa? Google? Other ideas?