Getting Less Forgiving

Well, I watched the season premiere of CSI last night. Why is it that the shows lately with the most hype, or promise after a cliff-hanger ending last season are the ones that seem to be such a let down. I don't remember it being like that a few years ago. The only show that didn't disapoint at all from beginning to season finale this year was 'Burn Notice'. I can't wait for that one to come back, and sure hope they don't mess it up next season. The CSI cliffhanger with the one unit member trapped somewhere in the desert under a car was, at first, confusing they way they kept flashing back and forth, and then, well just boring really. I'd say that I'm through with that show except for the fact that I know hubby will still want to watch it. He's a lot more forgiving of disappointing shows. I guess I'm getting less so in my old age.

Long Time To Wait Under A Car

It's been months since the season finale of CSI where the investigator was pinned under a car in some wooded unkown location--tonight we find out what happened to her. It was raining too, what a bitch that is, pinned under a car and it's raining. I can't wait to find out what happens, and if they FINALLY catch the miniature killer, that guy (gal, whatever) was running loose all through last season. Everytime you think they got him, it turned out to be the wrong person, obviously. I think it's the chief.

No Loser

On Tuesday night I watched 'Biggest Loser' again, I think my favorite part of the episode was the very end where they showed the old man--Jerry--after he'd been kicked off the show and what accomplishments he made on his own. What an inspiration! He looked fantastic, and he did it at home, and at an age when most people would have said, the heck with it, I'm old, I don't need to worry about a few extra pounds. In fact, most people give up after 40 thinking they can lose weight, Jerry's visual proof that it indeed is possible, and the great feeling it gives is well worth the struggle. Way to go Jerry. I hated to see you leave the show, but I'm sure inspired by your story.

Insurance Woes

My sister-in-law has diabetes and a million complications on account of it and has an impossible time finding high risk life insurance. It’s so important too because when people like her have issues like that the medical bills are staggering. Not they ‘can be’, they ARE. People who can’t get, or can’t afford insurance when they have such serious pre-existing conditions are forced onto medicaid, and less than idyllic care. There are great companies that offer really good insurance for people who have conditions that other ‘normal’ insurance companies won’t touch and it’s vital that they find them.

Career or Temp?

On the same note, I just came across an ad for another job I've done before, and liked--working in the personnel department. I like helping people coming in for jobs, and helping those already working in a company with their affairs. It can be a little dicey at times when there are problems between one employee and another, or an employee and the company, but for the most part it's pretty smooth. Most companies have that makes keeping track of the people, the payroll (which I really love doing) and things easy and simple. I'm good at picking up new software too and most of them run along the same veins so it's easy enough to learn a specific one. That's more of a 'career' than just a temp job though so I think I'll pass.

Something To Think About

I was thinking for the past few days of getting an outside job again. At least for a little while. Working at home is really nice but the money is so up and down, and I'd really like a reliable check for a few months. It's always nice to have that right before Christmas. Man can you believe Christmas is right around the corner again? This year just zoomed on by. One of the jobs I'd thought about was an ad for a receptionist. I kind of like sitting at reception desks and doing that. You meet so many cool people all day, and the job is never really boring. At least not if the business is active. Not sure if I'll actually go out and get a job. There are so many things about working from home that I like, obviously. It is something to think about though.

Vacation, or way of life?

A good friend of mine has what seems like the perfect situation. She and her husband are retired and they have a BEAUTIFUL home in the Chicago suburbs right off of a forest preserve. It's amazing. They also have a really nice condo in Florida right off the beach. I've never been there but I've seen the pictures. In the summer they stay in Chicago, in the winter they move everything down to Florida. That just seems so perfect, but at the same time, I've thought about doing something like that, and when I think hard about it I wonder if that wouldn't get boring after a while. It's still the same old places every year. The only benefit is that in the winter you're not living in an icebox. Taking vacations and renting an Orlando vacation home rental seems like a better option to me, although it's true that I can't afford to do it ALL winter, so I do still have to come back and live in an icebox.

Real Loser

Anybody here been watching the 'Biggest Loser' show on NBC on Tuesdays? This is my first season watching the show. I don't usually get into reality shows at all, but when they are centered around something I'm doing too I tend to get excited about it. The only thing with the show is, although I work out everyday using varied types of exercises, watching that show makes me feel like I'm not doing a danged thing! The thing is, just going by the woman's losses because the men are loosing way more each week, but that's typical of the male/female difference in regards to weight loss, just going by the women, they aren't loosing any faster than I am in spite of being immersed in the program 24/7 and working out like maniacs. Some people I've talked to knock the show because it's not 'realistic' for just everyday people to go through that type of routine--true, but, probably not necessary either. Eat well, eat right, exercise, and it is possible to get the same results.

Drink UP

You know, speaking of water and things I've learned. Okay, we've all heard that drink 8 glasses of water a day thing, especially for diets, and Bob and I were talking the other day about that and why that should be so unusual, and why that's such an important thing for people to take to heart---but think about it, on the average, unless someone is consciously dieting, or very health concious, how often do they drink water? I know for my own experience, I rarely drank water. Okay, a sip here and there to take an aspirin, or vitamin, etc... but actually drink water instead of coffee, pop, tea, whatever.... nope. I just think that's pretty much the common thing too. It's so not a good thing. Water is so vital to our make up and can make such a drastic difference in how we feel, look, and even our general health.

So drink up... water's free too. :)

Finale Week

This kind of sucks, I thought when the US Open was over that Burn Notice was coming back for antoher 'season'. That's how they made it sound before they took the 'break'. But it was Thursday's episode, and then next week is the season finale. It looks like a real great finale, and it's a two-hour one, so that's really cool. I really look forward to watching that on Thursdays. I'm going to miss it. Painkiller Jane's finale is next week on Friday too and I'll miss that show, but not as much as Burn Notice. There's just something about the way it can keep you in suspense and make you laugh all at the same time. My kind of show.

New Seasons, New Shows

The new fall lineup is going to be starting soon. Most of it seems to begin the week of the 21st. A few things have already started up, like 'The Biggest Loser' which I'm watching for the first season since I'm on a diet too. Fun new shows that I'm looking forward to are 'Cain' which looks like the Sopranos in the nightclub business, and some body cop show that I suddenly can't remember the name of.It kind of looks like a 'Lethal Weapon' type of thing. It will be good to have some regular shows to watch again, and Burn Notice will be starting back up in a week after the US Open winds up. That's really cool. I can't remember any show having a 'no-break' first season then second right in a row. But they say it's really popular. I can see why. I really love it.

The Good Earth

I have always had an intense interest in Earth science. It was my absolute favorite course in high school, although I loved most of the science courses. One of my Earth Science teachers was a serious 'spelunker' and had a rock obsession. He had all the tools too! It was amazing what he would find just locally not to mention the things he would bring back from expiditions. The things he did with those bare rocks with the rock tumblers
and polishers he had was nothing short of miraculous either. I always wondered where he got the equipment he had and I just found a great source today! I think I'm feeling a re-kindling of my love for rocks building up inside. I know I've found some really interesting pieces just on my own property--now I'm beginning to wonder what they'd look like if they were properly prepared.

Country Property

You'd think that living out in the country I wouldn't have to worry about vandals, and property destruction... well at least I thought so. Basically I don't really have a problem with vandals, but property destruction is another story all together. Just in regards to mail boxes and having them torn out of the ground, or broken in two by speeding motorists, or local kids playing Halloween pranks, or just being a pain, I must have invested a year's salary over the course of time in replacements. I like nice mailboxes. They add so much to the curb appeal of your property. I've taken to just putting in a plain pole and box though. It just doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money just to have it plowed over.

My New Blinds

I am so excited! I got my Blinds from Blinds Chalet (http://www.blindschalet.com) on Thursday and my son came over yesterday to help my husband install them. They were SO easy to install. They didn't come with any directions, although there are complete instructions online on the Blinds Chalet site, however I didn't have access to my computer yesterday, (server down--figures huh?) so I couldn't get online to see them, but even without instructions they were a breeze to install. For mine it did take two people only because they were quite large. I ordered them to fit my main window in the living room where I've always wanted a pair of blinds but could never find the style that really pleased me for such a focal point window. Well, I found them. I am SO very pleased with the way these blinds look. Not only that but the Blinds Chalet blinds come with a molding that covers the top 'mechanism' hanger that you normally always see on mounted blinds. It adds such an elegant, and beautiful finishing touch to the blinds.

Here's a picture of the blinds open, it was kind of difficult in the lighting with the sun coming in.

And then here's a picture of them closed:

Here's a close-up of the molding:

And the pictures really don't do them justice at all. I couldn't take my eyes off of them all day yesterday! They add such a pleasant touch. Ordering the blinds was quick and easy with the detailed online order form at Blinds Chalet. They had so many styles to choose from that I had difficulty at first deciding, but went with the faux wood style. My picture window is so large (72") that I felt the small slats on standard aluminum or pvc type blinds would look out of place. The faux wood blinds have a thicker slat that has a lot of substance, and that is 2" wide.

I already have blinds in all of my other windows, but they are just the standard aluminum and I am so hooked on the molding aspect of these blinds that I'm planning on replacing many of the existing blinds in other rooms, especially the family room, and kitchen.

I was worried about the living room blinds but I couldn't be more pleased if I were twins. They are fantastic, and the Blinds Chalet folks were fabulous to work with. Check them out if you are considering blinds of any style for your home. You'll be amazed at the many varieties of blinds and window coverings available.

Alternative Exercise

Did you know that bar stools make great exercise equipment? Yeah, they do. I have been using one in my normal daily routine both as a balancing aide, as a 'bar' to hold onto during complicated yoga moves, and as an aide in stretching. I've also used a kitchen chair. I won't deny I've spent 'a few' dollars on exercise equipment over the past couple months, but by and large I've saved some money too, by figuring out what alternatives could work in the place of more costly equipment.

Live With It

I watched 'the Biggest Loser' last Tuesday. It was very inspirational. I never watched it before, but now that I'm seriously working on my diet and health, I figured it might be something to get into, and it really as. Although this first episode of the season wasn't really 'the show' but rather a reunion of past 'losers' in a way that was even more inspirational. Having lost the weight, and then KEPT it off, because as we all know, that's REALLY the hard part. If I'd kept all the weight off that I've lost in my lifetime of dieting, I'd have disappeared long ago. Keeping it off is what counts, and like someone said today on a commentary, what that's all about it DIETS... diets don't work, because at some point you stop dieting, and it all comes back. It's about lifestyles, and changine how you do things in a healthy way that you can live with forever.