I've lost weight. My knees feel better. I lost a shoe size - I guess because my feet aren't as flat or my toes aren't as chubby. I went down another pant size. So, with some new clothes acquired, I have to get rid of clothing in the spirit of the 100 Thing Challenge. I'll go through the closet tomorrow and cull the herd.

I've been playing darts with intermittent progress. I'm going to play in a blind draw tourny tonight - or maybe not. I'll go down and see what's happening. The bar is a smoker and I hate smelling like smoke afterwards.

In the category of "what was I thinking?" I almost asked a gal home last week.

I've been re-reading "Inevitable Illusion" for some insight.

At the butcher shop, today, I had a small sip of a local cab-shiraz. Delish. I picked up a bottle to take over the holidays.

The gutters must be done tomorrow. I must climb the ladder. I can do it.

I picked up a new scent from Aveda last month. Nice. I hardly wear perfume, but I'm feeling girly.

I'm also planting the bulbs (daffodils, tulips, gladiolas, and the nekkid ladies) in front of venus.

I managed to get a few shallots out of the garden with another harvest of parsley, oregano, and thyme. I'll be drying herbs this week.

It's Saturday night. Have you hugged your loved one tonight? Do so.

I actually bought a needle and threads to reattach some of my buttons and sew a couple seams. Normally, I would turn everything in to the cleaners for tailoring by the seamstress. I just told myself that it was within my skill set to sew on a button. Also frugal. Next thing you know, I'll be darning socks the correct way instead of just saying, "Oh darn!" and tossing them into the rag bin.

Item: Change. Da Boss has taken an SES job. He is leaving us. I've been with him for 11+ years.

Item: The new drug (humira) is WORKING! I have more mobility in fingers & wrists by late afternoon. Still have morning stiffness. Have acute pain, but not "baseline" pain. Not dancing a jig just yet, but being cautiously optomistic. Still practicing good judgement and continuing all the lifestyle changes.

Item: I've accomplished another of my (career) goals for 2009. I'll review to see what is possible for the remaining time this year.

Item: My presentation on Monday night at Vincennes University had about 140 people.

Item: I stopped at a local coffee store in a small town in Illinois and got a great tip for a scenic drive. Fabulous!

Item: I managed to get a project done last weekend. (under the nice cut tag - cuz nothing says lovin' like an lj-cut!)

Item: Also baked biscuits last night.

( weekend projects - garage and baking )
Yum!

With butter and honey. Strawberry jam.

Have to take the bottom half of the wall (wainscoat, panel, sheet rock) out of the basement. Mold. Mildew. May have to take more depending on where the water is coming from. LA was extremely helpful.

Hail, Melusine!

( pictures of the basement horror wrought by water )

Everything is fixable.

waterfowl rehabilitation
waterfowl habitat
duck pond
coi pond
mushroom farm
waste water treatment plant
giant sump pump for neighborhood
hydroponics
rain forest habitat
community hot tub
community indoor pool
growth chamber for duck weed
algae pond for biofuels
local source for blue-green algae (nutritional supplement)
slime mold park
phantom of the opera get-a-way (just add candles, boat, organ, and a beautiful opera singer)
venice-in-peoria (just add gondola)
hot mineral springs thermal therapy (@$50/pop)
papyrus factory
ice skating (turn on the AC!)
foot washing before prayers

rubber ducky testing facility
sponge farm
loofa farm
dolphin tank
aquatic fun park
salt water fish tank

beach front property (just add sand)
lake view property (down the stairs)
wave pool
giant puddle for splashing in your rain boots
photo shoot for "singing in the rain"

So, there I was. Thinking about greenhouses. Getting upset because the big project would 1) look like crap and 2) be horribly expensive and 3) I might not use as much as I think. Four season harvest not so good last year. This year, slightly better in the Fall. But what about winter? So Plan B. Getting glass windows for my raised bed to form a greenhouse. Where to get windows? Freecycle. No luck. Enter the crappy (and I do mean crappy) basement. My beautiful basement causes me so much trouble. I get that cleaned up. Thank you to friends who know friends who have mega- wet vacuum with outside exhaust hose to get the water OUT, out of the basement (and into the garden). Thanks to plumbers named Mark and Kyle (and their apprentice James). Now my back hurts and I have to take a muscle relaxer. Anyway, so I'm carrying up more leftover stuff (my stuff is stuff - your stuff is shit *g. carlin*) to get the wood scraps, copper pipe, old galvanized steel vent, and other leftover construction shit out of the basement area to facilitate drying when I find a plethora of screens and old aluminum single plane glass and plexiglass windows. None of them fit my (newish) windows so I assume they are leftover from the previous owners. Freecycle, here I come! Somebody who needs these exact size storm windows before the winter scores! Except for saving two or three of the big 3' by 4' (estimated) windows for greenhouse covers. How cool is that?

Today, I have to call the sanitary district so they can check their end of this thing. I need to spray bleach on the floor (tile or concrete) and along the baseboards. I'll have to pull off the wainscotting and check the drywall for mold/mildew and to let it dry. The dehumidifier is running nonstop. The fans are moving air through the basement.

At work, it is evaluation time. Stress. What did I do over the past year? What are my goals for this year? How did my people do?

It's also time to write my five year plan for research which is incorporated into the National Program. Can I project what will happen in 5 years? or 3? or 1? Sure, in my fantasy world where I always prove my hypotheses, the data form straight lines of correlation with R=0.9999 and equipment never breaks.

My hands. My arthritis is manageable. The bloodwork is normal. So Why Do My Hands Still HURT?? How about 10 years of typing? In 9 years, I've written over 50 manuscripts. I spend 60% of my time working on the computer. Repetitive Strain Injury. The solution? STOP typing. I'll see what I can do. I'm going for nerve conduction tests once I see Doc. I obtained the voice recognition software at work and am practicing dictation. It's different to say words I think versus type them. The lag period to hands allow for on-the-spot editing while voice does not. Work will be supportive. I need to pump out all my writing projects before T-day so I can rest over December and January for therapy etc.

Whoops...big update. Need to head to work.

I've turned the furnace on. I wanted to leave it off, conserving energy, but it's too cold at 60F for me. My joints rebel. I set it at 65 when I'm in the house and programmed to hold at a lower temperature when I'm at work. I need the heat when I sleep or my hands go all crampy even with gloves.

For your listening pleasure (no vid)
Breathe by Abney Park



Item: I lost my silver vocation ring while in the desert southwest. The one engraved with "Mind Body Spirit Peace Love." It wasn't expensive (circa $5) but I've worn it ever since I professed monastic vows a few years ago. I think I left it in Tucson as I didn't have it in NM.

Item: I've maintained my weight loss while on the trip. From limited data, it's not so much what I eat as how much I exercise. Not that I'm pigging out on doublecheezbrgrs and cupcakes in the future.

Item: I didn't have a mental meltdown (yet!) after the trip in part to being able to take personal time at the end of the trip. I'm feeling antsy to get back to work which is a good sign.

Item: The basement lived up to its reputation by flooding in the back corner during a heavy rain yesterday. It looks like it was a misplaced gutter on the corner. La and I took the baseboards off to dry the wall. Called J.u.l.i.e. to get a survey of the underground utilities along the house to see about some type of drainage system away from the foundation.

Item: Replacing & reorganizing the gas lines in the utility room and in the laundry room cost about $400 but now I am safe from "years of gas leakage behind the wall." The tech showed me the dryer fitting and it was loose, black and corroded. Serendipity that the heating/cooling guy came in to service the unit right after I return from a trip so that the house was closed up so the "smell" was present.

Item: Is it worth the focus factor to drink a bit of caffeine (20 oz coffee) to get the concentration & appetite reduction but then I must have caffeine every day or else suffer migrainey withdrawal headache by 3 pm?

Item: I am harvesting & saving seeds right now from the heirlooms.

Item: My hands really hurt and the pain goes up to my elbows. I'm wearing my wrist guards (CTS). My blood work shows the inflammation factors in my body are normal (high, but normal), but my fingers/wrists and now elbows are painful - tender to touch as well.

Item: While in ABQ, I made a spontaneous stop at a local massage/spa office in the Gallerie (sp?) and had an absolutely wonderful massage. My therapist used energy techniques while doing some very gentle trigger point relief for my neck & shoulders. We actually harmonized with the music playing...tonal, rythm, breath, etc. It was incredibly relaxing. I need to find someone practicing that technique/style here in PIA.

Item: I made it to the Farmer's market today to say "warm winter!" to my farmer friends. Sad. Inevitable. I picked up a perfect personal pie pumpkin for some tasty pumpkin challah bread and assorted autumn treats.

Item: I really need to clean my home office and organize the office closet.

Item: There was a house on 2 acres (about 1 acre pasture) about 20 minutes from PIA for auction today. Might have been worthwhile to bid but it was located between two fields...chemical drift would be a problem.

Item: Procrastination is the bane of my existence. Why do I do it? I'll think about it tomorrow or the next day.

Item: I have one candle in the yoga room that refuse to keep its wick lit for more than a few minutes.

Item: The neighbor's black lab has taken to whining when let out into the back yard located next to my bedroom window.

Item: I love strawberry jam.

Item: I am content with all that I have. Thank you.

I arrive home from a nice trip. My home always "smells" after its been closed up for more than a few days. I turn on the AC to cool & reduce humidity. The heating/cooling guy arrives bright and early the next morning for my checkup of the new system. He says that the house smells of gas. Oops! Call Ameren-Cilco. The man with the electric sniffer arrives. Yep. Gas leak - slight, but noticeable. Apparently the leak is suspected around the dryer which I haven't run more than 3 times this summer. Did I mention the sniffer? I love technology. For your consideration, breathing the gas can cause health problems (!?). The heating/cooling guy is cutting a small hole in the finished wall behind the dryer to try to isolate the joint/leak in the wall. I've learned a lot about soft copper and black iron. Hopefully, the trauma to the basement will be minor. I hate my basement. More information later...

Edit 1:52 pm
About $150 in materials, $250 in labor.
Replacing all the copper from the main line (it's a spaghetti bowl) with "black iron" and flexible stainless steel. The flexible is needed so they won't have to tear out the finished walls and ceiling. They'll be able to get to it tomorrow while I'm still off from work.

I'm juice fasting today and tomorrow. Fresh green juice! Green tea from Taiwan. Water. Water. Water. I'm also harvesting the last of the beans and tomatoes. Collecting seeds. The kale and fall lettuce is up. Basil is flowering.

I'm glad to be home.

The old area (pyramid composters) with falling down cold pile.



Reorganized area with compost tumblers.

Finally, items on the home improvement list are getting knocked off.

( Yes, indeed, I have skills )

Warm chocolate brown.

black eyed susans
turkey vultures feeding on carrion at roadside
father & daughter playing in the yard across the street
the laughter of a 3 year old
apple-carrot-ginger juice
heirloom tomatoes
ocean breeze candle scents wafting over the bed

I am acting Research Leader for 2 weeks. I get to handle year-end purchasing. I get to represent during the "reorganization" discussions. Fun. On Monday I am taking my research group out for lunch. Double fun!

I am down 20 pounds from the start of the year. I do aerobics 3x/week for 20 minutes. Alternate abs, back, arms, and legs with weight training - mostly isometric, low weight, high rep.

I have to fire my personal trainer. She is mixing business with personal and spends more time talking about herself than helping me. I signed up to receive physical/mental training, not be her amature psychologist, business manager or gal pal. I'm paying for her expertise. I tried to jump back over the line, but its no good. She wants me to meet some of her needs - and motivate her. What I get is "push me, pull me" e.g. call me, make an appointment, cancel; ask me to call, stand me up. Harangue me for NOT calling. Sheesh. Not professional. Not particularly a good friend either. Oh well.

Birds ate my blueberries and my one strawberry. Boo.

There is no sign of end blossom rot on my tomatoes! Yay for eggshells.

My icky skin rash is gone and I am back on my arthritis meds and feeling better.

The power company replaced my meter with a fancy "remote reading" one. They managed to damage the siding on the house. I'm sure another big $$ credit will be on my bill.

I went over to J's house tonight to see if any of her cats (she has 6) were interested in me and might like to come live with me. Four were friendly. One seemed fascinated. I can't adopt until after September or even December. I still have to think about how to take care of a new cat when I travel for 1-2 weeks at a time.

The garden is massive. It's happy. I'm happy.

I realized that I expect good things to happen in my life and they do.

No news update would be complete without Zombies. ZOMG!



What's in YOUR head?

Looks like the rain is clearing and I'll be able to host the BBQ as planned around 5 pm.

Edit (6:00 pm): Okay, not really. Still raining and wet. My garage looks like a one bedroom apartment party at grad school. Everyone still came. Food was delicious.

through my thoughts
through my emotions
through my actions
experience my divinity
experience my humanity

Mindfully. Peacefully.

( the progress report )

I'm satisfied.

Bartenders everywhere are crying. I finally cleaned out the liquor cabinet. Never fear, the wines are still safely stored.



The GDP in PIA has dropped without my patronage. My CC bill is $300 less on average per month. Bartenders in all major cities (DC, CHI, DFW, BOS, SF) are filing missing persons reports, wondering what happened to me and the entourage. I was quite the party girl.

I went to see the Rh today. The blood work is fine. My blood pressure (135/90) is up because of long-term use (>6 months) and anti-inflammatories. Rh says to continue my supplements which are currently: C, D, Ca, E, Super B with Folic, probiotic, and multivitmin. My skin is clearing up from the psoraisis due to the DMARD. My fingers/hands/wrists are actually worse. My index fingers are swollen. An increase in the DMARD starting on Sunday. More bloodwork in 4 weeks. I really like Rh. He suggested getting a steroid shot in my knuckles to relieve the swelling and pain. After a reasonable silence to think it through and a couple of questions, I consented. The main question to myself: how long do I want to suffer? I got a doctor's note to take the day off because my fingers hurt then got numb and are clumsy. No driving. No typing. I am writing this using dragon-speak. Cool, eh? Unofficial reasonable accommodation from work. My hands feel like they are wrapped in pillows.

Tomorrow, M&M and I are going to see the White Sox game aginst the Pirates. They got spanked by Minneapolis. Tailgating. Se got tickets row 19 on the fir1st base side. I'm going to bring my mitt. Should be a nice day.

My student, To, is defending her Honor's Thesis on Monday. I get to sit on her committee. Fun. I get a real sense of pride and satisfaction when I see students I have mentored excel. My former HS student, DS, published a children's book! I tried to find it on Amazon but I think it doesn't come out until the end of June. He has a book signing up in the Heights. I also heard from Chad, my first student 10 years ago. He's doing well. He is a legend around work enough that people say "I wish I had a Chad" which means a wonderful, smart, hard worker. We hooked up on LinkedIn. No, I'm not on Facebook. No time. No inclination.

If I wasn't such a perfectionist, I post original dragon-speak as some of the words/phrases/syntax are...fascinating.

My beans are up. I'll try to get some pictures of the completely planted garden on Sunday.

My hot water heater failed yesterday. Brrr. The plumber is in the basement right now replacing the thermocouple assembly which includes the ignitor, the pilot, the burner, the gas valve, the thermostat, etc. Fascinating...and expensive: $280 (labor). The class action settlement only covers the part, not the labor. Oh well.

Edit: 11:16 am. Fortune favors me. I came home after a short stint at work for lunch and to work in the garden. I have hot water all over the utility rom as the overflow/pressure valve tripped. The water is not too much. My plumber is on his way back. I must remember to appease the lusty undines and convince them that my basement is not a fitting home for them and they need to stop trying to terraform my basement into something more hospitable. I like dry basements!

Edit: 11:54 am. Note to self. Lock the doors when you are in the basement or the backyard. I was downstairs sucking up water when Bbrian the plumber (not to be confused with Joe the Plumber&trade) stopped back to help. I didn't hear the phone, the door or him until he was in the room with me. Good for him taking the initative to come in. Stupid of me for security and safety. My father would have a cow if he knew because he reminds me about locking the doors despite living in a "safe" neighborhood. "It's not your stuff I'm worried about. Somebody could be waiting for you." Sorry, Pops. You are right. Demonstably correct.

Hot water is highly over-rated.

( very boring picture )

The Last English King (CE 1066) by Julian Rathbone
Genghis Khan: Bones of the Hill (CE 1200) by Conn Iggulden

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon (e_moon60 or Pak's World)

The Next Enlightenment by Walter T. Anderson
The Divine Matrix by Gregg Braden

Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston (Space Clearing)

Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke
I'm reading this as I prepare for the neighborhood garage sale in two weeks. I want to continue to declutter my life. I plan to have signs that read: $1 & $5 and pile all my stuff under these signs. You can see some stuff from Gail at her website. Bandwidth warning: There's a video that autoplays.