So much for all the rain.  The weather people said something in the ballpark of 2-4 inches.  It poured this morning and then cleared up, with lots of fog and the occasional drizzle.  It was also supposed to rain all weeked, but it just might be nice.  I plan on getting my butt outside both days. 

Have laptop, will travel.

I can’t believe Sunday is Mother’s Day already.  I hope my mom will be okay.  Well I know she’ll be okay, but not too sad.  I hate it when she’s sad and I know being so far away gets to her sometimes, so I’m sure this first Mother’s Day down south will be hard.  Hopefully by this time next year, we’ll be down there and I’ll be able to spend the day with her. 

I do miss her though.

I love days like today.  It’s raining and dreary outside and I’m at home, still in bed (after noon!) with mah kitties, my laptop, and a big cup of coffee.  I’m getting tons of work done, and feeling all sorts of productive.  It’s a good day today is. 

I have video to share.  But, it’s big.  And I can’t really make it any smaller.  Is it normal for video to take like, oh 12 hours to upload?

Hi, I’m new.  I’ve never done this before.  Are there tricks?

I just finished reading an article at A List Apart titled Four Day Week.  This is a fantastic article for any of you who work for youself, or have the ability to alter your schedule with your employer.

As some of you might recall, I recently went from a 5 day work week, to 3 at my “day” job.  This was a huge adjustment because I had a hard time doing all my work in 5 days, so how the hell will I get it all done in only 3 days?  Somewhere along the line, I tricked my brain.

I’m a deadline sorta person.  The closer I get to a deadline the more alive I feel.  The rush to get it done and make it good in “this little amount of time” gets me moving and I end up doing some of my most productive work during that time.  Given more time, the ability to slack off, or procrastinate sets in and things seem to never get done.  Or Friday comes and it’s a mad dash to complete everything.  Now?  Thursday is my mad-dash, but since I only work Tuesday and Wednesday in my office, I am forced to get that much more done on those days so Thursday can be more relaxing and a nice transition into a 4 day weekend. 

Does it work?

I think it does, if you are focused and driven enough to get the job done.  Will there be work on Thursday that still needs to be done?  Sure!  But there used to be work on Friday that still needed to get done but had to wait until the next week.  There will always be more work, other things to get done, more paper being thrown in your direction.  You can let it keep you late, or work another hour.  Or you can let it go and remember that there’s always another day. 

I was talking to Sean about our first anniversary and how he’s getting a bit of shit for taking some time off (it’s their busy season, you know) and I said to him.  In 10 years or 20 years when you look back on your first wedding anniversary, will you be proud that you spent it working for one pool sale, or that we made a memory together that will be with us forever?  Will you say: Damn that was a great day at work, look at all the money I made or I got to spend a day with my wife, loving, remembering and celebrating the vows we made?

I know what I’d choose

My latest obsession is Color Schemer.  Not only is it simply fun making and creating new color schemes, but it’s nice to be able to share those schemes with other folks.  And then there’s the simple inspiration that comes from viewing schemes created by other people and then downloading and using them in a brand new way.

I love new toys.

Sometimes you have to weed out your “garden”.  Get rid of the drama, the cling-ons, the whores. 

I’ve had to do this a few times in my life, when I realized what I was getting from the relationship was so much less than what I was putting in.  Some people can live with getting less.  Some people can actually live with being the person taking more.  Personally, “that kind”...the “taking more kind” is the kind that I weed out.

I have learned that those types of people are way to high maintenance for me.  It’s ALL ABOUT THEM.  It’s fine for them to do the fucking over because that’s what they do, but god forbid they need to compromise or not think of themselves for one brief moment and they throw a fucking tantrum.  These people don’t get to play in my garden for long. 

Occasionally I will think about how these people got into my life, and how I totally missed who they really were and what they we truly after.  Does it bother me?  Not so much.  Does it make me weary?  Not weary but aware.  I could waste my time being annoyed and pissed off, but that’s what Karma is all about.  I can get up every day and know that I’m honest with others and I treat them how I want to be treated.  I don’t pretend to be something or someone I’m not.  I don’t lie to get ahead.  I don’t use people whom I call “friend”. 

That’s whats different about me and the weeds.  The weeds are annoying, nutrient-sucking, thieves….and once they’re gone, everything is pretty again!

It’s like the best of both worlds with this recipe.  Pumpkin !!!  Slow Cooker !!!

How could it go wrong?

Slow Cooker Pumpkin-Apple Dessert

Ingredients:
1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
3/4 cup fat-free cholesterol-free egg product
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Ice cream, if desired (and who doesn’t desire that shit?)

Directions:
1. Spray 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spoon pie filling into cooker; spread evenly.
2. Beat remaining ingredients except ice cream with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pie filling.
3. Cover and cook on High heat setting 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with ice cream.

Note: This recipe was tested in slow cookers with heating elements in the side and bottom of the cooker, not in cookers that stand only on a heated base. For slow cookers with just a heated base, follow the manufacturer’s directions for layering ingredients and choosing a temperature.

Courtesy of Betty

not just for men