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The Great Outdoors
Mark and I just celebrated our 7th Anniversary, which means he has been trying to get me out camping for 6 years, 11 months, and 3 weeks. (I got a 'buy week' my first week here. ;-) )
It's not that I don't like being outdoors. Really. I go outside quite often - to the store, to the pool, to the mailbox. It's just . . . you know . . . bugs - and cold and cooking over a campfire and - bugs. (Well, it does bear repeating.)
I think that I may have to revisit my aversion to camping, though. After perusing all of the goodies at
Sierra Adventure Gear, I think I could get into the
Great Outdoors - on a regular basis. Seriously!
Just look at this stove! You have to understand, in our first apartment we cooked on a two burner hotplate - for almost 2 years - that was not nearly as nice as this camping stove. This thing is fantastic! If it came with an oven, I'd throw out my current stove!
We've got a tent, by the way. Mark bought it a few years ago and, according to Frankie (the only person who's ever used it), it is a great tent. It has three sections - a main 'room' with two sleeping areas that attach on the sides. But, even in Arizona, it gets cold out there at night!
Not a problem, apparently. There are sleeping bags, like this one, that have zippers all the way around - so you can zip two together - and are actually rated by temperature. (I've really got to get educated, it seems.) We can even get pads to put down under the sleeping bags. How cool is that?
It appears that I will be spending time in the
Great Outdoors pretty soon. Just as soon as I find the bug spray!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
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Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Now That's What I Call A Bonus!
I've worked for some good companies over the years. Some were fun and some were generous. None were as generous as this
Illinois company.
In the midst of the stories about Wall Street and corporate greed, it was heart-warming to read about Peer Bearing Company's support of their employees. They are not the first company to pay year-end bonuses. But, I'm pretty sure, that no non-executives are lucky enough to get a check like these people did.
We used to call it profit-sharing, when I worked for a computer leasing company. But I can assure you - no organization I know has ever taken the term quite so literally.
Mr. and Mrs. Spungen - God Bless You!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
'A Christmas Story'
Everyone has their favorite Christmas-season movie -
It's a Wonderful Life,
Miracle on 34th Street, some versions of
A Christmas Carol, and
White Christmas. Not to mention, the
animated stories of Rudolph, the Grinch, and Charlie Brown that I've been watching since I was almost as small as the Peanuts gang.
At our house, we watch all of those (most years). But we have a couple that we - traditionally -
have to see or it just isn't Christmas.
One of my must-see movies is
Scrooged the manic remake of 'A Christmas Carol' starring Bill Murray and a cast of dozens. It's funny and, at the end, always makes me a little
verklempt. If you haven't seen it - I won't spoil the ending. Suffice it to say that their take on 'Tiny Tim' always gets to me.
Now, Mark likes most of these movies. But his must-see is
A Christmas Story. When I say must-see, I mean
MUST-SEE!
We missed it one year and the holidays just weren't the same. I've gotta find a copy of that movie - this year!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Great Cookie Jar Ideas
I get emails from the Folgers
Wakin' Up Club periodically. It's my favorite coffee, though I'll drink anything strong and coffee-like. ;-)
If you buy Folgers, you know that the resealable lid is the best - easy to open and close, and great seal. Now, what more could you ask for in a cookie jar? Okay, something that doesn't say
Folgers on the side? Problem solved!
Check out these
great design ideas: Snowmen, Ornaments, Sledding, Holiday Icons, Banners, or Bows. Not happy with any of those? Download a blank template and create your own design!
I already use my Folgers canisters for flour, sugar, and corn meal. Now I can put great stuff on the outside, too. Cool, huh?
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Scrapbooking
Are you into
scrapbooking?
It's something I keep threatening to start, in between everything else I've got going at any given moment. But, I'm lacking in inspiration - or I was.
Years ago, I had an idea for putting together all of the boys' stuff from school - menus from culinary trips, Valentine's Day cards, report cards, awards. You get the idea. But I didn't know where or how to start. I would imagine that's a common problem for beginners.
I'd also like to do something for Mark with all of the pictures from the hospital, before and after his transplant. We go through the pictures a lot, but it would be nice to have a book with notes and remembrances that he could pull out or show to friends.
Happily, I found a place with tons of supplies and, luckily for me, some great ideas. Who knows? I may get those books done one day, after all.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Blog Photos
As an active blogger, sometimes I really need a picture to break up the stream-of-consciousness writing in a post. You know what I mean - the perfect
blog photo to create or enhance a mood or a thought.
Until recently, I had to already have the picture or stop what I was doing to hunt down what I wanted, save it to my computer, modify the size or quality, and upload it to my website. Then, I could - finally - add it to my post. Only to find out that the site where I found it didn't have the legal right to distribute the image and it had to come down.
At that point, the entire thought process was interrupted, at best; totally lost, at worst. Not even remotely a practical way to work. (And, make no mistake, some days blogging is a lot of work.)
Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels the need to streamline this process, because there is a site that has done all of the hard work for us happy bloggers. Just find the picture you want, copy, and paste. Voila!
Just look at these pictures! Aren't they amazing!? Even if I could take images of this quality - I don't exactly have access to polar bears in Arizona. Nor am I guaranteed flamboyant sunsets when I need them. Why try to do it all myself, when I can take advantage of someone else's skills?
I just did a quick browse on topics that I like - landscapes and animals - found the pictures that appealed to me; selected the alignment I wanted (left or right); picked an appropriate size; and clicked for the code. A quick Ctrl-V and the photo was added to this post.
Now, without further ado, I have three great pictures! And . . . it actually took less time to do it than it did to describe it.
Need great pictures for your site, blog, or webpage?
Acobox.com has them!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Computer Parts - Video Cards
We've got two computers - a used Dell laptop (mine) and a rebuilt desktop (Mark's). You've probably read that parts of the laptop don't quite work - battery doesn't charge, AC connection is loose.
Well, the desktop has a couple of issues, too. Hence, I've been shopping for (among other things)
video cards. Little did I know, many games don't work well unless the video card can support the speed of the graphics. I play games, you might have guessed, that aren't exactly graphics-intense, so it's never been much of an issue for me.
Sitting here, staring at a page of video card options, I'm glad that my needs are simpler. It's going to take me a while to figure this one out.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Stop! It Hurts!
I am a sucker for a funny story. What can I say? I love to laugh. Not a little laugh, either. I need, on a regular basis, one of those
tears-rolling-down-your-cheeks,
gonna-wet-my-pants belly laughs.
Today, I found
Peter McKay and I haven't stopped laughing since. Okay . . . maybe while I was trying to catch my breath about 20 minutes ago. But that's it!
It's the little, commonplace occurrences in our lives that are the most aggravating. Waiting - anywhere - in line; the moron - in front of us - who waits until the light's turning red to make that left turn; telephone customer service reps - for the most part - who don't think and don't care. You get the idea.
However, if you turn your head to the side a little - gain a different vantage point - there's humor to be found in almost anything. (Well, anything where you have no major bleeding or loss of body parts.) I'm not above a little slapstick, either; like watching the cat try to turn and run on the newly waxed floors. Never fails to make me giggle.
I highly recommend
"Odor In The House" and
"For Whom The Bell Tolls". In fact, I'm going to go read them again!
Just as soon as I go to the bathroom.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Happy Anniversary!
Seven years ago I quit my job, sold my car, and moved to Arizona.
For those of you who didn't know - Mark and I met on UPOC in June of 2001. Over time, we fell in love and decided that we wanted to be together. But a lot of things happened before we managed to do more than just talk on the phone.
Mark's daughter got married in September 2001 - at the same time as the funeral for his oldest sister. I remember asking him to have a dance, with a tall blonde woman, and pretend it was with me. There was a country song, "Could I Have This Dance?", that made me cry each time I heard it, because I wanted to be the one dancing with the man I loved.
It wasn't too many days, or so it seemed, and we woke up to the Twin Towers being attacked and falling down.
Our relationship started in a flurry of emotions.
We're still emotional, today.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Las Vegas Strip Map
Now, this is fun. I've been in and out of the Las Vegas Greyhound station many times, traveling to see my kids. It's not the greatest neighborhood in Vegas, to say the least. Honestly, I have always wondered where the bus station is located in comparison to
the Strip and all of the famous casinos.
Today, I found a great map of the
Las Vegas strip and finally got my answer - many, many miles north of the 'fun stuff' on the boulevard. Not surprising, given what I saw in and around the station.
What did surprise me was the number of casinos - almost on top of each other - in the few short miles that make up the Strip. Some day, I'm going to head south and get a good look at all of the casinos. Like my mother, I'm not interested in gambling. But I can't resist the glitz and lights.
Can you imagine how many hundreds of thousands of communities would be able to survive for years on the electricity expended on any given day in Las Vegas?
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Bathroom Faucet
I cannot believe that I forgot to post this! We have a new bathroom faucet! And it's beautiful! (to paraphrase Stephen Sondheim)
The manager came through a few weeks ago - inspecting the condition of the apartment - and I mentioned that we were thinking of getting a new bathroom faucet; would that be a problem?
If I'd known what was about to ensue, I'd have kept my big mouth shut.
She ensured us that they could replace it, though it was a low priority. Honestly, it probably wouldn't have happened at all, except . . . we developed a leak under the kitchen sink and, while they were messing with that, it was a good time to replace the bathroom faucet . . . except it wasn't.
Apparently, the building and it's fixtures are older than Methuseleh. (We weren't surprised.) When maintenance attempted to turn the water off under the kitchen sink, they found other problems.
No big deal - they'd just replace the bathroom sink faucet and the shower handle, and come back in a couple of days - after they alerted the complex that the water would have to be turned off for an hour or so. Nope - not gonna happen!
Amazingly, the same plumbing problem with the kitchen sink existed under the bathroom sink -- and in the shower!
To make a long story shorter, all of the plumbing problems were resolved; we got our new bathroom faucet and shower handle! All is right with the . . .
Oh, crap! The kitchen sink is still leaking!
Maintenance (and Mark, in whom I have much more trust) are quite sure it's the kitchen faucet. An order is placed; in a few days the faucet will be replaced.
Ummmm. We're still waiting.
Perhaps - when our kitchen falls into the kitchen below us - they'll remember us. Who knows?
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Sports Gift Ideas
It's shopping season, so it's time to find the perfect gift for everyone on that shopping list. Not so easily done. Which is why I'm always on the lookout for something a little different; something special.
I stumbled across a
sports gifts site and got really excited. When I moved to Arizona, I left behind all of my Minnesota Vikings paraphernalia. I really miss my jackets!
Well, the site wasn't what I expected, but I'd be willing to bet that these blankets, pillows, towels, and wall hangings are just what a lot of people are looking for. Personalize items for your local team or your favorite PeeWee player. They even have items for Curling fans! Way cool!
I did find the NFL items and - knowing me - will probably be back. Can't have enough Vikings, Bengals, and Buccaneers goodies!
In all fairness, those aren't afghans. Blankets, yes. Afghans, no.
I'm just sayin'.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
New FaceBook Page
I've been playing around on FaceBook recently. It's actually a great way to keep up with friends, as long as they have pages. Even better, it's a great way for You to talk to Me - about JMark Afghans.
As much as I love all of the pages and sites that I've developed for
JMark Afghans, I think the FaceBook page is a great deal of fun. I just created a few topics for the discussion board and can't wait to see who stops by with comments and questions.
Even if you don't have questions, stop by and become our Fan, post a Review, or just leave a Comment! We can't wait to see you!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Rearranging the 'Furniture'
Well, it's Fall and I've got the urge to rearrange, redo, and clean-up. Since we have absolutely no room to change where the furniture goes, I started looking at webpages.
It all began with a music playlist on
our MySpace page. The silly thing took forever to load and then - much to my dismay - listed the same song 5 times, instead of listing the 5 songs I'd chosen. While I was fixing that problem, I started looking at the format - which hasn't been updated in forever. Unfortunately, I lost the contact tables that I had on the old page. But I do like the new look.
As I was cleaning and sprucing up the MySpace page, I ran across a template for
Random Musings that I'd started a while back, but never implemented because IE doesn't play nice. Flushed with confidence from MySpace, I decided to update this blog format. Foolish, foolish woman!
The Firefox version was, pretty much, a piece of cake. And I was congratulating myself when I realized that IE is never that easy. Sure enough - my little rearranging project turned into a serious remodel. It's done now, but until I develop magical powers - I am not messing with multiple columns . . .
ever, ever again! (lol)
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
New Partners-In-Shopping!
With the holidays approaching, we can all use new ideas for gifts. Whether it's goodies for a new smartphone, those favorite CDs and DVDs, or the latest in inspirational reading ~ we've got it!
Please welcome our newest
'Shopping Partners' ~
Handango, Inc. offers over 75,000 mobile software and game titles ~ including dictionaries, eBooks, GPS utilities, and smartphone software for Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm, T-Mobile G1, and Symbian devices.
Simply select your phone and start browsing!
f.y.e. has all of your entertainment needs ~ music, movies, and games. New and used, as well as a variety of media storage. Enter to win a Sony Playstation or autographed guitar. Or get a Backstage Pass for even more savings ~ including 20% off on Your Birthday!
Hay House has what you need, whether you're interested in self-improvement, life inspiration, health and healing, spirituality, astrology, or even feng shui. No time to sit and read? Download your favorites to your iPhone, or any of 500 compatible devices.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Trick or Treat!
Well, for another year - we had
zero goblins grace our door. In fact, over the 7 years that we have lived here, we only had any Halloween visitors one year - and that was management's kids.
There are quite a few youngsters - judging by the noise level out my front window - living here right now. So I was surprised to hear no knocks last night. Of course, the fact that we are now gated and it would take Houdini to get in here after hours
might have a little something to do with it!
Guess I'll just have to share the candy with . . . ME! Yum, yum, yum!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Happy Halloween!
I love Halloween! As long as I can paint my face and not be me.
And get lots of candy!!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Great Vacation Spot
I wasn't looking for one, but I think I've found the perfect spot for a family vacation . . . the
Outer Banks!
There is a cottage - if you can call it that - in Duck, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, video and kids' room, a private pool, whirlpool, and fireplace just 400 yards from beach access. The 2-story house has porches on both levels. I just fell in love the minute I saw it. And you just can't beat the price.
The only problem is - with all of the TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and high-speed Internet - I'd never get anyone to the beach!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Backyard Fire Pit
Well, since I'm house-hunting again, I might as well do a little decorating, too. The lighting hunt isn't going too well, so I think I'll do some outdoor shopping.
With an above-ground pool and 1.2 acres, the home near Wilmington just cries for some landscaping. And, of course, one of the first things I decided to look for were
fire pits. You know - the
citified version of a bonfire in the backyard?
It didn't take me long to find the perfect item, either. Almost 4' in diameter, accented with mosaic tile and wrought-iron legs - I can already imagine roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, after a day at the pool.
Eventually, I'll need to add a lawn and walkway (nobody loves a muddy yard), but not today!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Safety Products
During a web search for something totally unrelated, I ran across a website for
self defense products. Honestly? Most of them scare me. Mace, pepper spray, and stun guns - I just don't like the idea.
Not all self-protection items involve pseudo-weapons, though. There are motion sensors, alarmed doorstops, and - my personal favorites - diversion safes.
You've seen them. They look like rocks and soda cans (and more), but they hold cash or other valuables - hiding them in plain sight. What burglar is going to take the time to go through every can in the pantry or refrigerator? Especially if a motion detector started screeching the minute they tried to open the door.
Best of all? The prices are reasonable and, depending on what you order, shipping may be free.
Now, I just have to remember what I was searching for to begin with.
(After I order a couple of safes and a door jam, that is.)
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
