Book Tag

I feel rather like a proud parent.  I can still hear the words very clearly…  Rosanne would never knit, and never blog.  Now, she does both, rather well I might add.  So, it tickles me to no end that she’s gone from checking my blog once in a while just because she’s that kind of friend, to reconnecting with her inner crocheter, to taking up knitting, then blogging, and now, she’s tagged me!!

For the book tag, here are the rules:

     Pick a book at least 123 pages long.

     Open that book to page 123.

     Find the fifth sentence and post the next three.

     Then tag five other people to do the same.

Leigh stared hard at the screen as the pictures changed, her teeth gritted, her fists curled tight, taking on as much as she could.

“I don’t want this.”

The words emerged, clear and distinct, from the front pew.

One week ago, almost to the minute, I met Ms. Moriarty.  I’ve just started the book, and Rosanne and anyone else to whom I gave last year’s book (we have a book/author fundraiser every spring) knows why I was slow to get around to reading this one.  To say I didn’t care for The Glass Castle would be an understatement, and this one seemed to have a similar theme.  However, TGC was a memoir, and TROHL is fiction, pure fiction, and knowing Ms. Moriarty’s intent, I expect to appreciate this book much more.

Both books approach lives wrought with pain and struggle, but at least with Ms. Moriarty’s book, I believe that in the end, I’ll be able to empathize with Leigh.  Stay tuned.  I’ll let you know.   

I normally don’t tag, but I do believe I’ll call out names this time.

Devon, Ruth, Alana, Amanda and Natalie are all reading friends, and I am curious to hear what they’re reading.  By all means though, if I didn’t tag you and you wish I had, jump right in and leave a comment so I can see what you’re reading too!

Fruit and Circles

You Are an Apple

You are strong, powerful, and even a bit stubborn at times.You have enough strength to help those around you in trouble.You are adventurous and charming. Many people are drawn to you.You love life, and you enjoy traveling the world. You enjoy fine food, art, and culture.People have accused you of being a snob, but that’s not accurate.You do enjoy the best things in life. Unlike snobs, you truly appreciate quality… not just pretend to.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Another quiz that’s true enough…  I found it on Nichole’s blog. 

Now, for the circles.  It’s about my circles of friends and colleagues.  Through the course of events recently, I’ve been reminded that even though I try to avoid society’s “filters” I do look at people through my own jaded eyes.  For whatever reason, some people seem to be beyond fault to me, and when they do act like the humans that we all are, I’m caught off-guard.  That’s all I’m going to say about that, other than to be grateful that I’m visibly flawed, so no one is ever likely to put me on such a pedestal.  It would be a LONG, quick fall, to be sure.

On the flip side of the coin, I’ve learned recently that for YEARS, I’ve misjudged someone, unfairly so.  Since I don’t know who really reads this, no details, but it’s refreshing to be reminded that most of us really do have good hearts, even if our baggage seems to present otherwise.  Lessons learned, I hope.  People aren’t always what/who they seem, and if we don’t have the opportunity to really get to know them, then it’s very wrong to pigeon-hole them too.  So, while I hope the misjudged hasn’t a clue what I really thought all along, above is my humble apology…

In another circle reference, last night was a full-circle moment.  My father was the first chief and one of the founders of our little fire company, which is no longer just volunteer.  At our annual meeting, many awards are given out, and a few years ago, the Firefighter of the Year award was named after my departed father.   Last night, a man my father watched grow up presented my husband and a neighbor/friend of ours with the first ever dual award for their remarkable, probably life-saving efforts at a very bad car wreck, where it turned out the driver they saved was a good friend’s older brother.  

The Knight normally isn’t into recognition, but he candidly confessed a couple of years ago when he won the Chief’s Award, that he had REALLY wanted Daddy’s award.  Because our fathers were so close, the Knight grew up knowing and admiring the man who didn’t live long enough to be his father inlaw.  While trophies and plaques from years past languish in and under all sorts of things around the house, this one - and the under-appreciated Chief’s Award - are going on the photo wall in the great room. 

ETA - BAD, BAD WordPress!  No matter what I try - including coding it myself - I can’t get line breaks between paragraphs!

Spring Fling Coffee Swap Questionnaire

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?

Right now, ground, because my former coffee bean grinder has been used for flax seed for many years now.

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?

Not too bold, thanks, and definitely, leaded.  Otherwise, what’s the point?!

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?

Um… whatever smelled good when I got to the coffee house?  Probably the house blend.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?

A little of both.  I’m really a tea girl at heart, but on cool mornings, a cup of joe seems to “fit” better.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?

I’m now educated enough to answer this one!  Give me a basic coffee with a flavored creamer, unless Starbucks is serving it up for me!

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?

I’m a mug girl, but in terms of quantity, unless I’m really cold, a dainty cup will do.

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you’d enjoy it!

THE perfect cup would be shared with friends, after a lavish meal, while enjoying tiramisu or another rich dessert.   Just a good-quality brew, with real cream and maybe one Splenda, depending on my taste buds.  It would be served in a china cup and saucer, thanks much, but “touched up” at least once until I finished my cool, creamy dessert.

8. You’re sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you’re there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?

Given THAT setting, the rich brownie or an equally rich pastry of some sort.  I can’t see myself doing something healthy with a cup of coffee; that’s what my green tea is for.  And I’m really not much on salty treats…

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?

I must be finally growing up; I’m drinking coffee AND I can say that I both knit and crochet, although knitting is by far my passion.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

That’s tough to answer.  Every yarn has a purpose.  I admit to liking acrylics, but I also love primo blends.  I don’t like yarns that don’t feel good while I’m knitting/crocheting.  Boucle, chenille and even basic cottons aren’t high on my list, although I’ve used each with high satisfaction when it suited the purpose/project. 

You can’t go wrong with a great sock yarn, especially if it’s something I haven’t seen before.  Wick and Tofutsies are also favorites. 

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

I’m sorry to confess that I have a list:

1. Crochet - Sissy’s snuggle
2. Knit - Pedicure socks
3. Knit - Clapotis
4. Knit - Bigfoot Shawl, aka: Fredfoot

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you’d never find in your stash?

My favorite colors are vast and varied, and changing.  For the summer, I love blues, pinks, and greens.   In general, add in reds, browns and purples too. 

Well, there’s not much of anything missing from my stash save school bus yellow and halloween orange.  Even those show up sometimes.  Just don’t send me a hank of bright yellow and/or orange yarn, and I’ll be happy.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?

Of late, I’m a Knitpicks Harmony girl for circs, and Bryspun straights.  For hooks, I have an Addi to try, but otherwise, have the rather garden variety metal ones on hand.   Really, it depends on the project. 

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?

Um, I do have a host of stitch markers, but I don’t know that one can ever have too many.  I have a few tape measures, but there again, more is better, especially since Sissy thinks they’re her toys!

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that’s just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?

Dang.  Tough call.  I have a great sock yarn stash, so that would depend on brand, colors, fiber content, etc.  If it was something special, that might be it. 

The Malabrigo worsted would also be in the running.  I don’t have much of a worsted stash, and if it felt THAT good, how could I resist?

The bamboo blend would also be a contender.  Blended with what?  What weight?

Spring

1. We’re starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?

Today it is!  Truly lovely…

2. What’s your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?

Tulips. 
3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?

The flowers, flipflops, more daylight hours…  so many things!

4. They’ve predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?

Well, I’d start with morning yoga on the deck, and then I’d take the dogs for a long, long walk.  Then, breakfast on the deck, and maybe some light yard work, or some knitting outside.

5. The day after, it’s going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?

Eas-peasy.  Sleep in.  A good cup of steaming chai (I know, this is a coffee swap…) and lots of knitting and blog surfing.   I doubt it would impact my mood, as long as it didn’t stay cool and rainy for several days. 

Sissy and Mugsy always cheer me up.  The Knight would also probably take me out to dinner, which would be cheery too!

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?

Roosters.  This time of year, pearls! 

2. Are you allergic to anything?

Not that matters here.

3. Do you have pets?

Sure do!  Mugsy and Sissy, both dear dogs often seen on my blog.  There’s also poor Flipper, the photo-shy beta fish.

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?

I was swap-crazy last year, but have toned it down a bit this year.  My last two swaps were the cocoa swap and the previous coffee swap.

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.

Cass always cracks me up.  In general, my friend’s blogs are my favorites, so it’s hard to pick three.  

Firefly Nights is a dear friend, and you’d never know she’s new to blogging.  I enjoy her mixture of topics, and she never fails to inspire me.

Lots of Yarn is a new favorite.  Margaret is opening my eyes to the wide world of fiber, one post at a time.

Favorite Seasonitis

 

Just so you know, each season really is my favorite.  I’m fickle like that.  Right now, with Spring trying to happen around here, it’s my favorite, but check back with me in three months.

So, I’m jumping on Robin’s bandwagon with my own Top 10, Spring Edition. 

1. Flowers - Love me some flowers.  Big, small, squat or tall.  I’m craving tulips at the moment, and it will be a few weeks before I have them, if said critter doesn’t eat ‘em.
2. Green grass.  We have this wad of dead, brown stuff out front at work.  It needs to go.
3. Flipflops!  One of my best “real life” friends and I end our emails in the late fall and this time of year with a toe report.  “Toes showing” means fair weather, obviously.
4. Pedicures!  Hand in hand with #3, of course.  Now, I know Anners, MJ and other “proper” ladies stay pedicured all year ’round, but I don’t.  I’m really picky about pedicures, and since my oooo lala nail tech pal moved back to Jersey and her fashion show clientele, I’m at a loss. 
5. Capri pants.  I’ve hated shorts all of my life, so having a non-skort option still delights me.
6. Long walks with Mugsy, and now I’m sure, Sissy too.  There’s nothing more balancing than to walk down our wooded lane with the trees budding, the birds singing, and the pollen flying.  (Mugsy has allergies.  I don’t, not so much.)
7. Finally this year, the return of the ponytail!  I love, LOVE just pulling my hair off my neck, because as unladylike as it is, I love a good sweat, unless I’m wearing silk or linen.
8. Linen!  Love it.  I live in a VERY casual town, so with a plain linen shift, I can go anywhere.  Swap the flipflops for something with a kitten heel and add a fresh coat of lipstick, and I’m good to go to even the most upscale events. 
9. Long days.  Love ‘em.  It’s Standard Time that I hate.  I tend to be an early riser, so I get up in the dark more often than not.  Not having daylight when I get home (for blog photos, no?) is depressing.
10. The Dogwood Festival, and all the other cool, local events that happen when there’s no threat of ice.

As usual, I hope you’ll want to join in, and if you do, let me know so I can see what inspires you about Spring!

Now, of course that’s not all I have to say today.  Nancy and Reggae still need TLC, so keep it comin’!

I also was remiss in my place cards yesterday at the I Told You So Magic Loop Rocks table.  Stacey *MUST* be seated in the front row with Anne.  While Anne shrugged and wrote my ignorant lack of appreciation for Magic Loop (ML) off to the complications of learning ML AND socks at the same time, Stacey was not so dismissive.  She assured me that I would see the light, that I SHOULD see the light.  She’s too sweet to make me eat my words, so…  I have to give credit where it is due. 

While work is puttering along, I have a busy evening ahead.  After work, I have to head to a meeting with three other ladies about the cookbook.  There, I will also present mom to be her shower gift that should have been given at the shower I skipped on Saturday.  Then, I’ll grab dinner for the Knight, and either head home or meet him at the firehouse, whichever time dictates.  The firehouse’s annual meeting is tonight, so that’s where we’ll spend the bulk of our evening.  It’s sure to be dramatic, as a long-term board member is not running for re-election, and I haven’t a clue who might fill his big shoes.  Big non-profit fun, huh?

In other news, Fox seems to care that I now have obligations on two Tuesday nights every month, making House a struggle for me, so they’re just not showing new episodes for a while, and then, they’ll be on Monday nights, unless Fox changes the schedule yet again.  Sigh.  Figures.  I’m not a big TV gal, and so when I did get hooked on a show, the writers went on strike and now, I’m left pouting.

How goes your Tuesday?

Can’t Help Myself

Sorry.  Y’all haven’t had a chance to tell me I blog too much before I’m at it again. 

Gaylen had this cool quiz on her blog.  I feel a bit vain confessing that it seems rather accurate, but…

What Chan Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you… especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You’re a strong person. You are usually the best at everything … you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic “Type A” personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What’s Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

Then, Criquette had this one, which also is rather close to accurate: 

You Are a Log Ride

You prefer to live a fairly calm, relaxed life… with a few surprises thrown in.You don’t tend to get yourself worked up easily. You can roll with what life throws at you. In relationships, you are steady and solid. You maintain a pretty broad perspective on what’s going on. That’s not to say you can’t get swept away. You’re emotions run as deep as anyone else’s.Your life seems like it has been remarkably easy so far. But that’s due to how you manage it. You never stretch yourself too thinly, and you think out your decisions carefully. Taking the time to enjoy each day is important to you, and you don’t let your emotions rule you. You stay the course and do what’s right… knowing it will all work out in the end. At your best, you are tolerant and understanding of other people’s quirks. You take “go with the flow” to the extreme. Even if you don’t like where you’re going. At your worst, you repress your feelings and end up being a little tightly wound. You definitely have some explosive emotions that occasionally come to the surface!

What Carnival Ride Are You?

Is it too much?

Seriously my good readers, do I blog too often?  Should I restrain myself and just compose a draft at work and then add the other stuff at home, rather than often having two-post days?  Personally, I like little blasts, and you know I get work ADD and need your blogs and Ravelry bits to distract me, but that’s just me.

Anyhoo, aside from wondering if I bother you with my babbles, I was honored with another award today.   

Along with the award, Ashley and her mom have a fun contest.  They just want to know what we think about yarn and yarn shops.  When you stop in, be sure to drop my name.  It won’t open any doors for you, but it might help me win.  I liked the questions so much that I thought I’d share the questions and my very long answers here.  This subject is near and dear to my heart, as you know, since I have no LYS I hold dear…  So, sign up and let them know I sent you!

1. What yarn do you like to buy? What weights/fiber content/colors?

If you follow my blog at all, you know I’ll buy anything.  I say I hate yellow, but I did a lovely baby blankie last summer in yellow acrylic.  Every yarn out there has a purpose.  I’m not crazy about cotton, but it makes great cloths for dishes, bathing and babies.  I am learning that I love blends.  Right now, silk and alpaca rock, but mohair, silk and wool was fun too (save the boulce). 

Weights.  Good question.  I’m not much on bulky, but once in a while, it’s fun to whip out something in a jiffy.  (Hence, the run on FOs of late?)  I love wee skinny sock yarns, and even laceweights, but gee, it takes forever and a day to finish.

2. What type of atmosphere do you look for in a yarn shop?

Go to Knitting Addiction.  It remains the PERFECT shop in my book.  It’s not the largest shop in the world, but it is big enough for a great variety, from Blue Sky Cotton to that elegant mohair blend I used in Omega.  When you walk in the door, there’s almost always someone knitting on one of the sofas to the left, and Jeanne and Brittany are attentive and great at helping you figure out what you want without being at all pushy. 

3. What makes you come back to a yarn shop?

In the end, it’s the people.  I can find the yarn I desire online, and often, that’s just what I do.  The Loopy Ewe has me so loyal that I rarely buy anything I know they carry from anyone else. 

4. What classes would you be interested in taking?

It would be easier to say what doesn’t interest me.  I am looking for a two socks class, be it Magic Loop or two circs.  There’s something very simple eluding me and making it impossible for me to pull off a technique other knitters do with ease. 

I also want a lace class, because I’m sure there are things I could do better there.  I would enjoy a crochet class too, because I’m still very new to that version of yarn sticking.  I would need a class to do respectable color work, but with all the great variegated yarns and self-striping stuff, I’m not the least bit interested right now.

5. What don’t you like in a yarn shop?

I could name names here too, but my Daddy taught me to keep my trap shut if I couldn’t say something nice.  Instead, I’ll say that I don’t like pushy sales people.  I don’t like snooty sales folks, you know, when you feel as though you were supposed to dress up to come into their store?  I don’t like stores where the staff suddenly become engaging and helpful after I’ve spent a wad of dough on their loot.  

Most of all, I despise the practice of “free lessons with purchase.”  I’ve learned what that really means is “if you didn’t buy it here, you might have to pay me to help you.”  Hello?  How does that make me want to come back? 

6. Would you only buy brands that you are familiar with?

Heck no.  On a yarn crawl, I seek out the new and different.  I have no loyalties brand-wise, save Tofutsies and my friends who crank out quality yarns and are willing to indulge me.  

7. Is there anything besides yarn and spinning supplies that you are interested in purchasing when you go into a store of this nature?

Here’s the deal.  Don’t spin.  Don’t dye.  Don’t wanna’.  I *MIGHT* take a class on one or both, just because I’m a curious bird, but I keep saying it; knitting is my passion.  My world is most Zen when I have my knitting, Mugsy and Sissy all on the sofa with me.  I like magazines, patterns, books, notions… Especially the local, indie notions.  I like things I can’t find anywhere else, that make me want to come back, again and again, often, and always with a generous budget to spend.

8. How do you go about looking for a LYS, online/yellow pages/yarn store listings/etc?

Google.  Word of mouth.  Make me consider you a friend, and I’m very loyal.

9. What days/hours are you likely to visit a yarn store?

Well, I like to shop in my pajamas, so to speak, but in person, really weekends are best for me.  For the local shops who can’t seem to endear me to them, evening, weeknight hours when you’re *NOT* hosting your cozy knit group and ignoring me would be nice.  I also resent having to call to see if you’re going to be operating your business when I want to shop.

As a reward for plowing through my drivel, here’s the Omega in action… er… in person?

(photo by MJ)

My hair looked cute earlier today, before a dozen Sissy walks in the wind.  There really is a green in the wrap that matches my sweater.  I’m going to try contacts again soon…
 

Monday Stuff

Monday, my day to catch up on blog reads and such, from the comfort of my desk at work.  It’s been a rather chaotic morning in the office, but thanks to multi-tasking, it didn’t interfere too much with my efforts in here blogland.

Despite a host of posts to read from all of you, there are really only two things requiring action.  Anne is having a fun contest, with Malabrigo as a prize, so do go enter, and do tell her I sent you!   Don’t forget Devon’s contest and Amanda’s too. 

Also, Firefly has tagged me with her first meme.  For the record, I enjoy memes.  I don’t tag others specifically, because I know not everyone shares my enthusiasm for getting to know you trivia, but if you do tag me, an email or a comment here on my blog warning me is nice, just in case my blog reader has a bad moment…

So, six not-so-important things about me that I might not have shared already:

1.  I won’t use bar soap except in my own home.  I have a skin condition acquired from my first house fire, and it’s just not worth the risk.

2.  I love REAL butter, but I won’t eat margarine or mayonnaise.  Miracle Whip will do when the bread needs moisture if I don’t want mustard.

3.  I don’t like chicken unless it is fried.

4.  Left to my own devices, I am early to bed and early to rise.

5.  I hate to talk on the phone.

6.  Because of my back problems, I wear Crocs and Dansko clogs almost exclusively in the fall and winter.  In the spring and summer, I wear Clarks and Crocs.

Consider yourself tagged if you’re interested!

Basset Things

Another photo-heavy post, but y’all know I love to share a great package!

There’s nothing like having an Etsy-seller friend send you a message and tell you she’s holding something she thinks you’ll want.  That’s just what my Ravelry Group Basset Cases co-moderator Piddleloop did about ten days ago.  I’d been eyeing her bags (well, she and her sister are a team) for a while, and this batch of bags was the last of this fabric.  It’s the Sissy-Fred bag, and I’ll be hard-pressed to use anything else for small projects. 

 (The inside.)

 Treats for the pups.

All the other goodies that came with it, and a gratuitous shot of the Prince’s rear… ehm…  Mugsy sure seems to be shoving his way into photos of late.

The precious tin seen above.  How cute it that!?  Pink and hounds!  Sigh…

The goodies came in Hello Kitty bags.  They’re too cute not to recycle.  I know someone out there loves Hello Kitty, but I can’t recall whom…  Is it you, Anners?

I love a fun package with extra treats.  Thanks again, Piddleloop!  I hope to be sending out a few surprises of my own later this week.  I’d hoped to do it today, but Sissy and Mugsy were loathe to get out of the bed this morning, and then Sissy insisted upon taking care of business at home before we could leave…

Then, Paula tagged me with a meme:

4 Things About MEME

4 Jobs I’ve Had:
Payroll specialist, firefighter, dispatcher, accounts receivable clerk

4 Movies Watched Over and Over:
Sound of Music, Men of Honor, A Few Good Men, Days of Thunder

4 Places I Have Lived: Keswick, Warrenton, DC, Charlottesville (not very diverse, but such is life!)

4 Shows I Watch: House, House re-runs, Mythbusters, whatever the Knight is watching

4 Places I Have Been: OBX, Nashville, Chicago, Phoenix

4 Favorite Things To Eat: Dark chocolate, pesto, cranberries, pasta

4 Places I Would Rather Be: OBX, at home, anywhere one of my pals is, in a nice yarn shop

4 Things I Look Forward To This year: My next trip to OBX, my next yarn crawl, getting the cookbook approved, meeting some of my blogging friends in person

Thanks Paula!  Now, I’m not going to tag anyone in particular, but if you’d like to join in, consider yourself tagged!

N-Ice Day

We’re having a not so icy day.  However, the family business trusted the weather folks, and we were all prepared for a big, crippling ice storm last night, so the Knight and I are at home.  I’m the only one awake, actually.  Mugsy and Sissy did get out of bed with me, but they’ve romped around the house, and it’s morning siesta time.

It’s amazing how much we think like our friends sometimes, isn’t it?  I have two in particular for which “really? me too!” is so commonplace that we laugh about it.  Nichole and I connected through one of many mutual swaps last year, and within a few emails had decided we were twins, separated by time and space.  Emails often include snarks about “wondertwin powers” now, and if you get that, maybe you’re our wonder triplet…  Firefly and I have many, MANY years of knowing we share opinions and experiences that most others don’t, but every now and again, it still makes me laugh.

So, imagine my surprise when I’m blog reading this morning, and she has THIS up.  Why is that funny?  Because this morning, when I reached for sweats instead of tailored jeans and a twinset, I thought about my attire behaviors and attitudes.  I don’t “dress up” on a daily basis, because I work in the construction industry and have three dogs in the office with me.  In years past, I’ve worn more tailored pants to work, but Sissy and wool pants are a bad combo right now.  Still, I NEVER go to town in sweats, and I ALWAYS put on my jewelry before leaving the house.  The firehouse is an exception to the rule, but I won’t even wander into one of the country stores on either side of the trip to the station from our house if I’m in sweats.  Weird, huh?  But now I know.  I am a Shlumpadinka.  Fine.  I’ve been called worse. 

Now, I’m going to shlump into the kitchen and tend to a few things.  I’ll be back later to share something that has photos and is perhaps more interesting.

Coffee Confessions

Well, it’s been more than a couple of months since the Coffee Swap, where Michelle  spoiled me rotten.  I thought about emailing her with an update, and decided that perhaps everyone might care (or not).  If you recall - or for those who didn’t read that post - I basically signed up because Anners (poke, poke??) and Holly were hosting, to be supportive and a good friend.  Ha!  The joke was on me.  I went from liking an iced coffee from McDonald’s once in a while, with a Starbucks peppermint mocha once a week or so during the winter holiday season, to reaching for a cup of joe in the mornings at work instead of a cup of tea.

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modernAt your worst, you are: childish and over indulgentYou drink coffee when: you’re craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

(Not so much, me thinks.  Michelle is the only person who has called me sweet more than once.  Low addiction level is about the most accurate part…) 

Now, here’s more than you want to know perhaps, but I’ve thought a lot about this.  I’m still a tea girl at heart (anyone up for another tea party?), however I’ve come to realize that I don’t hate coffee; I dislike cheap, poorly brewed coffee.  I also have learned that I like a bold roast.  Not terribly dark, but not so mild that I might confuse it with black tea when I add a generous slosh of milk, or preferably, a flavored creamer.  No sweetener, aside from whatever’s in the creamer, thanks much, and if I can see steam, it’s too hot.  Evidently, I did not inherit my Nannie’s asbestos lips as she called them.  For that reason, I like the liquid creamers best, but the powders do travel well!  Interestingly enough, I seem to prefer a simple roast for my coffee, with the flavor in the creamer, not the bean.  Who knew!?

At home, I still prefer tea, black in the morning (or chai), followed by green tea until about dark, and then white tea.  I didn’t consciously decide I’d do the tea caffeine step-down throughout the day; my body and tastebuds just really seem to like that routine.  The Knight bought me another electric kettle so I can make a “proper” cuppa’ at work too, but I suspect the social part of me will still reach for coffee in the morning, even if I rarely do finish the cup.  (Note to self: take a smaller cup to work for the coffee and leave the big mugs for the tea, but never the two shall mix!  Yep, a little OCD here…  If I drink coffee from a mug, I have to wash it vigorously by hand and then run it through the dishwasher before I’ll use it for tea.) 

Also, if I’m thirsty, it must be green or white tea.  Coffee or black tea doesn’t quench my thirst.  If only I could listen to my body so well on food choices and exercise and…

So, thanks to Michelle, Anne and Holly for introducing me to a brave new world.  My coffee pot at home still only brews for Anne (or other guests), but I have broadened my horizons, and I liked it.

You Are a Cappuccino

You’re fun, outgoing, and you love to try anything new. However, you tend to have strong opinions on what you like. You are a total girly girly at heart - and prefer your coffee with good conversation. You’re the type that seems complex to outsiders, but in reality, you are easy to please

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?

(That is me, about as close as any silly quiz can get.)