Fresh Face

Last night Owen typed me a message and Beth moved the camera so I could see him working away. OMG - how cute is this? Great that Skype allows a video capture like that. I have a weird green line that appears down the middle of the picture in the live feed, but clearly it's a glitch since the right-colored pixels are there somehow since the snap shots come out ok. Anyway. Love this Bubba! He's been on green all week. Keep up the good work!!!

I am enjoying Pandora - how have I not used this before? I used Yahoo! Music before it folded (at least I assume it folded) - and rated more than 10,000 songs - I heard all my favorites whenever I wanted. Loved it. This Pandora is sort of the same, except it's more genre based. I put in Trisha Yearwood and now I'm listening to country music that's LIKE her - i.e. everything I like in country music and so far (about 2 hours in) nothing that I don't like. I had some monotonous tasks to do so I wanted some music but couldn't face the idea of my own tunes (which, to be honest, includes a lot of what Pandora has been playing me today BUT in a fresh new mix I guess, adding in some things I love but don't own).

Yesterday my back started to hurt - so much that I was near tears and could hardly walk. I had a chiropractor appointment anyway so I struggled to it. She spent more time on me and I'm going back next week - it's feeling much better today, so hopefully it was just the stress of no caffeine and the power walk back from the doctor. But geez, it's like my body is rebelling against me. I hope it keeps loosening up and feeling OK as the day goes on.

Hair Raising!

In my spare time (I know, I know), I watched a couple blow drying videos. It stems from my obsession with hair products, which has really petered out since marriage - just that I'm keeping myself more in check and not being so frivolous with my cash, seeing as how it's now OUR cash. But it made me want to show an evolution from air dried hair (slept on) and flat ironed... Results:

Fluffy? Why yes. (A little gel/cream before I go to bed would smooth this out into more ringlet-y curls)

Halfway there - left side of my head is flat ironed.

Voila! Fully straight... Well, at least good enough for government work. I put in my contacts for the last picture, but all are sans make up. EGADS!

Happy Wednesday, aka Webcamming with O night!!!

Just My Luck

I just opened a 7-Up (clear liquids and no caffeine ... antibiotics ... you get the picture. if not, e-mail me) - and it spewed all over my keyboard and lap. Geez louise!

Anyway, I should be feeling better in 24 hours. Fingers crossed. I actually feel 100% better than I did when racing back from the doctor's office. For the love.

Other problems I'm having - a sty on my left eye and a cut in my nose, which has morphed into a zit on the outside. To get the picture: I said "see you later, alligator" and Shawn replied with: "after a while, rhinoceros" - nice, right? I also have a mark by my mouth ... Just in time for Kim's wedding - which should be great. We're going to Florida on Friday night - back on Sunday. Hopefully I'll have loads of pictures to share and experiences to write.

Am going to lie down and hope all my issues get resolved before Friday!

Reflect


I've posted this image before - it's also on an old page of my Web site (which I recently had to renew - domain and hosting, which led me to peruse it ... it's so early 21st century/web 1.0 ... must find time to fix it). It's still one of my FAVORITE shots of Shawn. From my one film class at OSU (don't get me started), I learned that low camera angles evoke power - plus I love the color of his grilling shirt and the frame of green leaves. AND it was such a happy time in our lives - we'd been together for almost a year, he was living in this super cool house and we were surrounded by friends in a BACK YARD! (Sure, the park is nice, but it can't compare to being able to have people over and grill in your yard.) Also, Sage is in a lot of the photos from this party, so there are fond memories there.

OMG - I also found my old Tripod blog: http://silvermari.tripod.com/blog/index.blog. Are you kidding me?

New Retainers


retainers
Originally uploaded by silvermari
I'll get to have the molds of my mouth that they made to create these new beauties. Straight teeth for life!

Good Ad: State Farm

> LeBron James dancing to Kid-N-Play

> McDreamy's voice over

>Good stuff!



I've got to say I laugh EVERY time this commercial comes on (and watching basketball, especially a Cav's game, it comes on a lot)!

500: Beautiful Mind

Right - I wanted my 500th post to be something good, but I'm incapable and will otherwise be blog stunted. Anyway.

Tonight Shawn is at a conference and I'm here so I watched "A Beautiful Mind." I read the book after it was recommended by/on the syllabus of the professor whose class I wrote about for work. I really enjoyed the book - I generally enjoy biographies and this was a very well researched and interesting subject. But I didn't write a review of it.

So the movie is not so good and seemed to stray so far from the "real" story - it was definitely more cinematic. Then I'm getting toward the end (crocheting away on the blanket that will never end ... but that's another entry) and WHO should I see as a professor in one of the last scenes ... one of our emeritus board members. I guess it came full circle, but geez louise. I even watched the credits to make sure it was him. And it sure was. Huh.

Basketball now. Rawk. Happy 500. (I blog more for work - we've surpassed 600 posts in less time than I've been writing here - oh well)

FWD: You Might Be a School Employee If ...

Jeff Foxworthy on School Employees

YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.

YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off.

YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.

YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! Without ever looking outside.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene pool' should have its own box on a report card.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, 'Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.'

YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.

YOU might be a school employee if you have no social life between August and June.

YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.'

YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U-HAUL boxes should they decided to move out of district.

YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.

YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?'

YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference.

YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!

YOU might be a school employee if the words 'I have college debt for this?' has ever come out of your mouth.

YOU might be a school employee if you know how many days, minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!

Best Part of Kazoo

Last night we went to Cirque du Soleil and it was pretty fun. Here was our favorite part ... The Wheel of Death.

Testing Windows Live Writer

So … I thought I would test this out. Anyway.

Easter 2009 015

This didn't work to post, but it did make a draft. I deleted the software though. I think I'll keep my notes in my notebook and transfer to the blog directly. MEH. The picture looks really cute though.

Note to Myself

I went to Target today - suburban paradise. I took the PATH train to New Jersey. I almost bought a notebook w/ a picture of a typewriter that was labeled "Note to Myself" - but what do I need another notebook for? (Answer: I don't)

I'm pretty tired now - walking with a load of Target goodies is bound to make me worn out. But it's all good.

Boring life = boring updates. Travel in a couple weeks will hopefully provide more interesting content. Hrm.

tact

This cracks me up - found it stumbling while dinner was cooking.

Confession: I put milk in my coffee today! Egads! I had a Latte and really liked it, so thought I would try some milk in my coffee. Yummo. But I am sure I'll vacillate between black and cafe au lait.

Happy Friday.

Lorien

Uh, this hotel is so swank ... and the COO at my org got a great deal on the room b/c the org is having a big meeting here later this month or next. It's got a rainhead shower and no ice machine ... if you want ice, call room service! Are you kidding me?

So what I really can't get over ... there's a computer in the room w/ free internet use. INSANITY. Who knew? So I thought I would be away from email and just relax tonight but noooooo. I'm rockin out on a faster computer than the one I have at home (exaggeration, but still this is nice).

I had dinner tonight and overheard the craziest conversation about Facebook. One woman had an iPhone and started bringing up various Facebook profiles of people the second woman knew (none were Facebook friends of either woman) - and the second woman was simultaneously enthralled in looking at pictures and comments she couldn't access herself and appalled that someone could look at her information in the same way, despite having her account as "friends only." Hrm. I don't know how my account is set.

A couple (?) weeks ago Shawn and I went to the Red Lion and heard a great singer - Abbey Payne. Of course she's unfindable online. This is the second time it's happened to me - I hear a singer at the Red Lion and then can't find them online after the fact (first was Mike Stanton). Anyway, note to Red Lion - include links for your artists (if they exist, maybe they don't in both cases). And artists, do some SEO so you show up on page 1 of a Google search of your name ... that is if you want to be found. I digress.

Am still battling a sore throat. The weather has been hideous and rainy (perfect for staying in, not so much for travel). I'm taking the train back tomorrow, and it's supposed to be better weather. We'll see. Going to get some good rest tonight - in a MUCH better bed than I own, although no bed is better than the one that also sleeps Shawn. (mushy public love note to the hubs!)

Update: The hotel computer blocked access to my blog. I had to set it to allow "mature" content. Wonder how that works. Am I mature in my writing? Uh...

Welcome to Cheesies: Easter Reflections


Here's a picture of Owen - 4.75 years old - wearing a headset Beth bought at a garage sale for a dime (!) - hours of fun ... "Welcome to Cheesies, can I take your order?" We had a lot of fun playing with it. (He made up the Cheesies' restaurant - not a real place I know of ... everything is $1, except it's $5 to take a picture of the proprietor...and isn't the photo priceless?)

The trip was WAY too short, and the travel way too exhausting. I'm coming down with my typical cold I think - or at least a sore throat, possibly allergy-related. But it's all worth it even for a little bit of time with the coolest kid on the planet.

Easter service at church was great. The choir did a cantata and the music mixed with the Bible reading was awesome. After church we had Easter lunch (ham, scalloped potatoes, salad, pea salad, deviled eggs, etc.) and then birthday cake - Gran celebrated a birthday last week, which was the "true" reason for my visit. The only dud thing was that Shawn didn't come with me. Otherwise all family was accounted for. In addition to a lot of time playing outside, Owen and I had a couple rounds of dominoes - Owen really loves the set that Shawn's mom gave him for our wedding. Good buy!

I'm almost ready for another trip tomorrow - to work. Going to be in the office for a meeting - the first time since I have moved away. I am also scoping out a swank hotel in old town. So should be nice. I'll be back Thursday, so just a quick trip. It will be exhausting though. BUT because my laptop is busted and I haven't replaced or repaired it, my luggage will be considerably lighter. HA!

Anyway.

Review: Cash

Cash: The Autobiography Cash: The Autobiography by Johnny Cash

My review

This felt like a compilation of all the stuff that was rejected from his first autobiography, which I haven't read. This was a Strand find, and overall I liked it. There were a couple things I jotted down while reading it (all in one day, on the plane trip to Oklahoma). I passed the book along to my dad, since it has a lot of Cash's spiritual journey and ruminations. I guess it was sort of a memoir. I could take it or leave it though. Meh.

View all my reviews.

ABC Puff Stitch for Bryn


ABC Puff Stitch for Bryn
Originally uploaded by silvermari
Quickly posting this blanket. It isn't blocked yet, but all things considered it's pretty square. It's one of the most darling ones I've done, with all white puff letters and adding lilac thread into the block edgings. The Q is out of alignment, but I am saying that gives it character and a homemade quality!

Only One More SLEEP!

Inside the Madness

It's a mad, mad world. Can't deny it. Watching Fringe last night saw the last 5 minute/overrun of American Idol, a show with which I am not acquainted and don't care to be. Anyway, a digression brought about by the word "mad."

So at work we have to fill out a form to request leave (a new development - before this it was always an informal agreement w/ the supervisor). That's good I guess, but yesterday when getting my metal removed I had to make a return appointment. Since the appointment is in one week, it's impractical for me to snail mail a form requesting the 45 minutes off that I'll need to go pick up the new retainer. So I checked and a scanned copy is acceptable. Great.

I haven't used my scanner since the bedbugs, but it's right here by my desk and shouldn't be a problem. WRONG. For some reason it doesn't connect with the already installed software, so I need the disc to reinstall. I search everywhere EASY I think it might be. Then I realize most of the CDs are in the bottom of a trunk at the bottom of my closet.

Yep, I spent a good 30 minutes of work time pulling stuff out (while cursing the bedbugs that caused everything to be so tightly packed away) so I could get the scanner CD and scan this form for 45 minutes off. Real ironic.

But the WORST part is that the CD wasn't there with all the others (HP reinstall CDs for my laptop, CD for Microsoft products I got at OSU, etc.). That's when I remembered - I was so smart that I put the CD itself into the scanner where it would always be easily findable.

I like to think of myself as competent and together. Clearly that is not the case.

*Edit - As a salaried employee, I actually do work longer than the prescribed hours, so my 30 minutes of closet diving won't really affect things. (Wouldn't want people to think I'm a slacker!)

Metal Mouth No More

I went to the dentist today and had my bottom teeth, permanent retainer removed. They also did molds for new retainers (top and bottom). So for the first time in 11 years (more than that if you count when I had my braces on), my mouth is completely metal free. The backs of my bottom teeth feel so weird - smooth because he polished them - while the other teeth feel normal. Bizarre.

So I go to the dentist and am so excited. The dental hygienist greets me and says "Excited to be here?" and I'm all "YEAH!" because I really am. And it's not just the cleaning out of my mouth - it's also a good and exciting thing for me to walk outside of this square box and actually speak to other people on occasion. I really think I'm circling the drain on this one. (Not to mention the ... well, you know)

But the trip out perked me up, and in one week I should have my new retainers. If my teeth move between now and then the retainer will straighten it back out. Hopefully their 11-year memory will hold them in place for a week.

Somewhere in my room at my mom's house I have my old teeth mold - I wonder if I'll get to keep this one.

SilverMari to Martin Silver

Someone in Chicago named Martin Silver seems to have used my gmail address to sign up for updates from Highland Park Hospital. I kept getting messages and just deleted them. But today I got one that used Martin's name, so I knew something wasn't right. SO, I requested they stop sending me emails. Hopefully Martin signed up using his REAL email address (I suspect a typo - leaving out the t and n in Martin perhaps?).

Review: Here is New York

Here is New York Here is New York by E.B. White

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars

New York today is the same as New York of 1948 but also SO different. I didn't fully get the geography, but that's because I don't venture past my set paths (neighborhood downtown, church uptown and some regular tourist spots in between). But that was also a point E.B. White made in this slim book - basically an essay about the city.

I read this paragraph aloud to Shawn:
"New York is nothing like Paris; it is nothing like London; and it is not Spokane multiplied by sixty or Detroit multiplied by four. It is by all odds the loftiest of cities. It even managed to reach the highest point in the sky at the lowest moment of the depression. The Empire State Building shot twelve hundred and fifty feet into the air when it was madness to put out as much as six inches of new growth."
This gives me hope in this time of our new depression (in more ways than one, I'm afraid) - and how beautiful is that writing? I completely agree with the jacket's description of White's style: "a pure and plainspoken literary style: his writing was characterized by whit, sophistication, optimism and moral steadfastness." I mean, the man was responsible for "Elements of Style," so he knows what he's doing.

And he's writing about my city (well actually I'm just borrowing it).

I think I'll pass along this copy to my Gran, since it's written about New York around the time/just after the time she visited my Grandpa when he was stationed here.

View all my reviews.

Want to Order a Crochet Hat?

Thanks for your interest in silvermari crochet hats . Most of what I make are sized for infants and toddlers, although I can size up and dow...