Hi All!
Well, my stomach is still on the rampage so I will be making this a short post today. I just got off the phone with my mother and she is full of ideas about just why my stomach is giving me problems. All I know is that it isn't fun. At all!
I hope all of you are feeling better at the moment than I am!
Trisha
Voice Update: Surprisingly, my voice is doing well despite my feeling totally icky!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
What is That Sound and It Must Have Been Something You Ate
Hi All!
Luckily, I was awake at about two in the morning when Hubby turned over and said "What's that sound?"
Since I had been awake for a while, I knew exactly what the sound was even though it has been a LOOOOONG time since it has been heard in this part of the world. The sound, my friends, was rain. Yes, rain.
Rain was thumping on the roof and rattling down the downspouts. When the wind shifted it pelted the window panes with tiny tinkles of sound. It was a symphony of watery sound.
It is understandable that Hubby was woken by the sound. It has been several weeks, or maybe even months since we have had rain. Each time the weather man tantalizes us with the possibility of rain, it misses us or manifests as a barely-there mist. This time, however, it was real rain. The kind that soaks you to the skin in less than a minute if you venture out to pick up the paper in its protective plastic bag.
Normally, I would tell you how much rain we have actually gotten to this point but, as I said during my date night, our rain gauge is broken and we can't find another.
Noble Pig - a rain gauge is just a hollow tube with inch measurements on the outside which catches rain. By noting how high the rain is in the tube you can tell how much rain you have gotten.
Our trusty rain gauge, which we have had for about ten years, finally gave up the ghost and cracked during out recent ice storm. Since Hubby is the kind of man who enjoys the weather station I gave him for his birthday several years ago, he also likes knowing exactly how much rain we have gotten. The online search for a rain gauge is on!
In other exciting news . . . my stomach is conspiring against my plans for this week to be the week when I am finally feeling back in control of my life. It all started late in the evening of my "date night" with hubby. Cramping and the feeling that everything in my body was becoming liquid before making a rather hasty exit. Nice, huh? I thought so too.
When I woke up on Sunday I felt better. Until I actually ate. Then . . . the cramping and liquefying began anew. Imagine the fun I had! Well, to increase my enjoyment of the whole experience, I also got the upgrade to "waking up multiple times during the night to visit the bathroom." Something that is soooooo "special!"
Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep last night. Between the rain, the bathroom visits, and unusually restless cats (both decided to walk up and down my body pretty much all night long), I was able to log in about four hours of actual sleep. Goodness. This week is certainly beginning well, don't you think?
When I told Hubby I was still feeling rather "punky" this morning he responded with "It must have been something you ate." Gee - you think?
Trisha
Voice Update: Massaging away the day . . . that is the name of the game if you want good voice.
Luckily, I was awake at about two in the morning when Hubby turned over and said "What's that sound?"
Since I had been awake for a while, I knew exactly what the sound was even though it has been a LOOOOONG time since it has been heard in this part of the world. The sound, my friends, was rain. Yes, rain.
Rain was thumping on the roof and rattling down the downspouts. When the wind shifted it pelted the window panes with tiny tinkles of sound. It was a symphony of watery sound.
It is understandable that Hubby was woken by the sound. It has been several weeks, or maybe even months since we have had rain. Each time the weather man tantalizes us with the possibility of rain, it misses us or manifests as a barely-there mist. This time, however, it was real rain. The kind that soaks you to the skin in less than a minute if you venture out to pick up the paper in its protective plastic bag.
Normally, I would tell you how much rain we have actually gotten to this point but, as I said during my date night, our rain gauge is broken and we can't find another.
Noble Pig - a rain gauge is just a hollow tube with inch measurements on the outside which catches rain. By noting how high the rain is in the tube you can tell how much rain you have gotten.
Our trusty rain gauge, which we have had for about ten years, finally gave up the ghost and cracked during out recent ice storm. Since Hubby is the kind of man who enjoys the weather station I gave him for his birthday several years ago, he also likes knowing exactly how much rain we have gotten. The online search for a rain gauge is on!
In other exciting news . . . my stomach is conspiring against my plans for this week to be the week when I am finally feeling back in control of my life. It all started late in the evening of my "date night" with hubby. Cramping and the feeling that everything in my body was becoming liquid before making a rather hasty exit. Nice, huh? I thought so too.
When I woke up on Sunday I felt better. Until I actually ate. Then . . . the cramping and liquefying began anew. Imagine the fun I had! Well, to increase my enjoyment of the whole experience, I also got the upgrade to "waking up multiple times during the night to visit the bathroom." Something that is soooooo "special!"
Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep last night. Between the rain, the bathroom visits, and unusually restless cats (both decided to walk up and down my body pretty much all night long), I was able to log in about four hours of actual sleep. Goodness. This week is certainly beginning well, don't you think?
When I told Hubby I was still feeling rather "punky" this morning he responded with "It must have been something you ate." Gee - you think?
Trisha
Voice Update: Massaging away the day . . . that is the name of the game if you want good voice.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Book Bonanza!
Hi All!
Even thought I am busy as a beaver reading books for my classes which are . . . shall we say, less than enjoyable, I have managed to read a few for my own pleasure. So, hang onto your hats and . . . away we go!
The first book is another of Grandma's Goodies - The Dreamers by Vera Caspary.
This book is . . .okay. It was good enough to keep me reading but not good enough to make me not want to put it down. The story is that there are three daughters of a "poorish" family. Their father dies and they are left with their rather puritanical mother. The oldest is a bookish woman who isn't that pretty. Next comes the self-centered beauty who need constant adoration to feel complete. Finally is the baby, a strong willed woman who becomes and artist and lives a rather bohemian life.
The oldest teaches school and remains at home to help their mother. She contributes to the household finances even when the Great Depression hits and the school can no longer afford to pay her salary. The middle daughter marries a man whom she believes will "take her away" from her old life. Unfortunately for her, she finds herself caught in a bad marriage. She has an affair which eventually causes a divorce and a remarriage. The youngest moves into an artists loft where she has an "illicit" affair with a married man.
All three daughters continually search for their own identities during the course of the book.
This book is . . . interesting. However, I don't believe I would run out to the book store this minute to look for it. If it happens to fall into your hands . . .fine. If not, no big loss!
Next is Always the Bridesmaid By Sarah Webb.
Set in Ireland, the main character is a 29 year old woman who has recently broken her engagement to "the perfect man." (Please forgive me but I don't remember her name and have given the book to a charity book sale!) She has moved back home to live with her parents and to lick her wounds.
Enter her younger sister who returns from Australia with a handsome fiance. The knife twists as the younger sister plans her wedding and asks her older sister, the main character, to be her bridesmaid. The knife twists again with mc's (main character's) best friend gets engaged. Again, MC is asked to be a bridesmaid.
During all of the wedding planning, MC's ex-fiance becomes involved with her other best friend. MC finds out when going to her friend's house for a surprise visit and learns the man has spent the night!
MC's only refuge is her job at a quirky, local bookstore. While working she meets a handsome, rich, young author who appears interested in her. Many unexpected twists and turns occur in the course of the book ending with an ending that will leave you smiling.
This is a good "chic " book and, as the cover says, would be perfect to take on vacation for a beach read.
Finally is Fireside by Susan Wiggs.
Hubby had no end of fun making fun of the author's last name. I am so glad that he gets some enjoyment out of my reading!
Apparently, this is a book which continues a story about a small town called Aurora. I have never read any of Susan Wigg's books so I really have no clue.
In this book, a woman arrives in the small town dressed in a badly wrinkled evening gown and high heels with dark glasses hiding her eyes. At the airport, a handsome man helps her get her heels unstuck from the moving walkway despite her very, very apparent dislike of him. The two part ways only to find themselves flung together by fate.
The man is at the airport to meet his twelve year old son, whom he has never met. His son, AJ is coming to stay with his unknown father because his mother has been caught in an immigration "sting" in Texas, their home state. A battle to keep his mother from being deported continues throughout the book even though everyone who knows the woman is sure that she was born in the United States.
While waiting for the immigration mess to be cleared up, the man and AJ move into an oddly painted boarding house in town which just happens to be run by the airport woman's mother. Doesn't this sound like a fun twist to the story?
This is a fun book and I would say it would be perfect as a vacation or fireside read for anyone who likes to read "light" literature.
Well, there they are folks! My most recent "non-class" reads. As I type this they are on their way (thanks to Hubby) to a local book sale to benefit an education foundation. Since I will no doubt be shopping at the sale, I feel like I should contribute to their stock. If anyone is in the area of Carrollton, Texas during the time of February 26 to March 1 - stop by the sale. All books are $1 with hardbacks at $2. The inventory is absolutely enormous with the sale filling an empty Old Navy store to the brim. Let me know if you want more info!
Trisha
Voice Update: I am still doing well. I am getting back on the massage boat, so to speak. Yesterday at DI training I only had some missing unspoken consonants during the last part of the training so . . . not too bad!
Even thought I am busy as a beaver reading books for my classes which are . . . shall we say, less than enjoyable, I have managed to read a few for my own pleasure. So, hang onto your hats and . . . away we go!
The first book is another of Grandma's Goodies - The Dreamers by Vera Caspary.
This book is . . .okay. It was good enough to keep me reading but not good enough to make me not want to put it down. The story is that there are three daughters of a "poorish" family. Their father dies and they are left with their rather puritanical mother. The oldest is a bookish woman who isn't that pretty. Next comes the self-centered beauty who need constant adoration to feel complete. Finally is the baby, a strong willed woman who becomes and artist and lives a rather bohemian life.The oldest teaches school and remains at home to help their mother. She contributes to the household finances even when the Great Depression hits and the school can no longer afford to pay her salary. The middle daughter marries a man whom she believes will "take her away" from her old life. Unfortunately for her, she finds herself caught in a bad marriage. She has an affair which eventually causes a divorce and a remarriage. The youngest moves into an artists loft where she has an "illicit" affair with a married man.
All three daughters continually search for their own identities during the course of the book.
This book is . . . interesting. However, I don't believe I would run out to the book store this minute to look for it. If it happens to fall into your hands . . .fine. If not, no big loss!
Next is Always the Bridesmaid By Sarah Webb.
Set in Ireland, the main character is a 29 year old woman who has recently broken her engagement to "the perfect man." (Please forgive me but I don't remember her name and have given the book to a charity book sale!) She has moved back home to live with her parents and to lick her wounds.
Enter her younger sister who returns from Australia with a handsome fiance. The knife twists as the younger sister plans her wedding and asks her older sister, the main character, to be her bridesmaid. The knife twists again with mc's (main character's) best friend gets engaged. Again, MC is asked to be a bridesmaid.
During all of the wedding planning, MC's ex-fiance becomes involved with her other best friend. MC finds out when going to her friend's house for a surprise visit and learns the man has spent the night!
MC's only refuge is her job at a quirky, local bookstore. While working she meets a handsome, rich, young author who appears interested in her. Many unexpected twists and turns occur in the course of the book ending with an ending that will leave you smiling.
This is a good "chic " book and, as the cover says, would be perfect to take on vacation for a beach read.
Finally is Fireside by Susan Wiggs.
Hubby had no end of fun making fun of the author's last name. I am so glad that he gets some enjoyment out of my reading!Apparently, this is a book which continues a story about a small town called Aurora. I have never read any of Susan Wigg's books so I really have no clue.
In this book, a woman arrives in the small town dressed in a badly wrinkled evening gown and high heels with dark glasses hiding her eyes. At the airport, a handsome man helps her get her heels unstuck from the moving walkway despite her very, very apparent dislike of him. The two part ways only to find themselves flung together by fate.
The man is at the airport to meet his twelve year old son, whom he has never met. His son, AJ is coming to stay with his unknown father because his mother has been caught in an immigration "sting" in Texas, their home state. A battle to keep his mother from being deported continues throughout the book even though everyone who knows the woman is sure that she was born in the United States.
While waiting for the immigration mess to be cleared up, the man and AJ move into an oddly painted boarding house in town which just happens to be run by the airport woman's mother. Doesn't this sound like a fun twist to the story?
This is a fun book and I would say it would be perfect as a vacation or fireside read for anyone who likes to read "light" literature.
Well, there they are folks! My most recent "non-class" reads. As I type this they are on their way (thanks to Hubby) to a local book sale to benefit an education foundation. Since I will no doubt be shopping at the sale, I feel like I should contribute to their stock. If anyone is in the area of Carrollton, Texas during the time of February 26 to March 1 - stop by the sale. All books are $1 with hardbacks at $2. The inventory is absolutely enormous with the sale filling an empty Old Navy store to the brim. Let me know if you want more info!
Trisha
Voice Update: I am still doing well. I am getting back on the massage boat, so to speak. Yesterday at DI training I only had some missing unspoken consonants during the last part of the training so . . . not too bad!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sorry I am So Late Today!
Hi All!
Sorry that I am late posting this but . .. I was DIing this morning. Remember Destination Imagination? It is the problem solving program for kids and I am in charge of a part of the tournament. Today was a training for the adults who are going to be judging or appraising (which is what it is called in DI) at the tournament.
Anyway - I had training today from 8:00 until about noon. It was actually sort of fun despite the early hour and the lack of sleep (thank you so much, kitties!) the night before. When I got home I took a nap and then woke up and went on a DATE with hubby!
Yes, you read that right! Hubby took me out for a date! What does that mean? Well, we went to the Irish Rover Pub for dinner (Hubby had the fish and chips and I had a steak and mushroom pie- both were yummy) and then . . . hold your breath! Then he took me to Home Depot in search for a new rain gauge. After our shopping trip - which was fruitless because Home Depot has stopped carrying rain gauges! A hardware store which doesn't have rain gauges!- after that Hubby took me to Wendy's for a Frosty - yummy, yummy!
Now we are at home and I am checking email and doing a quick blog before we watch a movie together. What a sweetie Hubby is!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still doing really well. Unfortunately, I didn't do much massage today because I was either in training or sleeping. Rats! Back to work tomorrow!
Sorry that I am late posting this but . .. I was DIing this morning. Remember Destination Imagination? It is the problem solving program for kids and I am in charge of a part of the tournament. Today was a training for the adults who are going to be judging or appraising (which is what it is called in DI) at the tournament.
Anyway - I had training today from 8:00 until about noon. It was actually sort of fun despite the early hour and the lack of sleep (thank you so much, kitties!) the night before. When I got home I took a nap and then woke up and went on a DATE with hubby!
Yes, you read that right! Hubby took me out for a date! What does that mean? Well, we went to the Irish Rover Pub for dinner (Hubby had the fish and chips and I had a steak and mushroom pie- both were yummy) and then . . . hold your breath! Then he took me to Home Depot in search for a new rain gauge. After our shopping trip - which was fruitless because Home Depot has stopped carrying rain gauges! A hardware store which doesn't have rain gauges!- after that Hubby took me to Wendy's for a Frosty - yummy, yummy!
Now we are at home and I am checking email and doing a quick blog before we watch a movie together. What a sweetie Hubby is!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still doing really well. Unfortunately, I didn't do much massage today because I was either in training or sleeping. Rats! Back to work tomorrow!
Friday, February 6, 2009
All That For Nothing . . .
Hi All!
Remember all the hassle my procrastination caused me? I rushed around like a crazy person and worked and reworked my paper and my Powerpoint. I sweated over my AOL Gloss paper making sure that I had the right number of each specific kind of sign. Forgoing lunch, I headed to the lab early to practice my presentation and to learn the signs I didn't know.
While not feeling really prepared, I was resigned to the fact that I was as prepared as I was going to be. Class came and I sat at my desk nervously only comforted slightly by the fact that I knew every other person in class was just as nervous. After the professor told us how he would evaluate our presentations and all of that vital information, the presentations started.
Only THREE students gave their presentations before the end of class. THREE! I was not one of the THREE! Now I have to wait until Tuesday! I have MORE time to sweat and stew and refine and tinker. Great!
Today I am going to attempt to show you some sign language using the movie function on my camera. I don't know how this is going to work yet so . .. be patient and please, please, please, ignore the fact that I have no make-up on! I will give you a transcript of what I sign so you know what is going on.
Remember all the hassle my procrastination caused me? I rushed around like a crazy person and worked and reworked my paper and my Powerpoint. I sweated over my AOL Gloss paper making sure that I had the right number of each specific kind of sign. Forgoing lunch, I headed to the lab early to practice my presentation and to learn the signs I didn't know.
While not feeling really prepared, I was resigned to the fact that I was as prepared as I was going to be. Class came and I sat at my desk nervously only comforted slightly by the fact that I knew every other person in class was just as nervous. After the professor told us how he would evaluate our presentations and all of that vital information, the presentations started.
Only THREE students gave their presentations before the end of class. THREE! I was not one of the THREE! Now I have to wait until Tuesday! I have MORE time to sweat and stew and refine and tinker. Great!
Today I am going to attempt to show you some sign language using the movie function on my camera. I don't know how this is going to work yet so . .. be patient and please, please, please, ignore the fact that I have no make-up on! I will give you a transcript of what I sign so you know what is going on.
Transcript: Hi! My name is Trisha. I live in Texas. I took up ASL because I have a voice problem called Spasmodic Dysphonia. It isn't bad. It doesn't hurt at all. ASL interests me. I learn a lot about Deaf culture and I meet nice Deaf people. If you are interested in ASL, you should take up ASL classes. Ok. Bye!
Now wasn't that a hideous video of me? Oh well! Enjoy!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still truckin' right along. I am still doing my massage in the car despite the odd looks I get from people. Last night, in Deaf Culture class, I remembered to turn my body towards the movie screen while we watched a video. If I only turn my neck, I usually end up with a stiff neck that complicated everything! The joys of SD!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Working, Working, Working . . .
Hi All!
Well, today is the day my presentation is due in class and so I am working like a busy little beaver. What? Oh . . . I guess because I am blogging right now I am not exactly working at the moment. Let me restate. . .
Well, today is the day my presentation is due in class and so I have been working like a busy little beaver. Is that better? Okay!
Did I mention that I have been busy? First, I researched my topic (The Pros and Cons of Easy Access to Information and Communication). There is a LOT of stuff on the Internet that is almost,but not quite, what I wanted. Having to narrow things down was quite a challenge! Next, I wrote my paper. This wasn't too hard because I have been doing papers for classes for years and years! This one included footnotes and references. Fun! Then, I worked on my PowerPoint keeping it succinct and making sure that I didn't overload people with the content. After that, I started planning what I would actually say during the presentation. Since the teacher wants us to basically say the same thing as our paper . . . I went back and forth to get everything in the presentation. While doing the presentation part I had to be aware of requirements to include - this was the frustrating part of the whole thing!
You see - in ASL classes, they teach you various things and then expect you to include them in your next presentation even if your topic isn't conducive to using those particular things! Hence the struggle. However, I believe that I finally, after much angst, got everything included. I hope.
Today I need to get to the ASL lab early so I have plenty of time to have someone work with me to refine my presentation. I don't know all of the signs I need! Yikes! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS TODAY!!!!!!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still on track with the massage. My throat has been really dry lately making talking a bit difficult.
Well, today is the day my presentation is due in class and so I am working like a busy little beaver. What? Oh . . . I guess because I am blogging right now I am not exactly working at the moment. Let me restate. . .
Well, today is the day my presentation is due in class and so I have been working like a busy little beaver. Is that better? Okay!
Did I mention that I have been busy? First, I researched my topic (The Pros and Cons of Easy Access to Information and Communication). There is a LOT of stuff on the Internet that is almost,but not quite, what I wanted. Having to narrow things down was quite a challenge! Next, I wrote my paper. This wasn't too hard because I have been doing papers for classes for years and years! This one included footnotes and references. Fun! Then, I worked on my PowerPoint keeping it succinct and making sure that I didn't overload people with the content. After that, I started planning what I would actually say during the presentation. Since the teacher wants us to basically say the same thing as our paper . . . I went back and forth to get everything in the presentation. While doing the presentation part I had to be aware of requirements to include - this was the frustrating part of the whole thing!
You see - in ASL classes, they teach you various things and then expect you to include them in your next presentation even if your topic isn't conducive to using those particular things! Hence the struggle. However, I believe that I finally, after much angst, got everything included. I hope.
Today I need to get to the ASL lab early so I have plenty of time to have someone work with me to refine my presentation. I don't know all of the signs I need! Yikes! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS TODAY!!!!!!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still on track with the massage. My throat has been really dry lately making talking a bit difficult.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Weird Thing Is . . .
Hi All!
Yesterday, I wrote about procrastination. Of course, writing the blog on procrastination was my way of putting off working on a paper, PowerPoint, and presentation for my ASL 3 class. Nice, huh?
Yesterday, I got myself working and, instead of reading blogs (which explains any lack of comments), I wrote my paper and completed my PowerPoint. Nothing too exciting but I certainly felt a little less pressure because two thirds of the whole thing were completed. The process of the work was so absorbing that by the time I surfaced enough to check the time at the bottom of my computer screen, I had just enough time to shower, change, scarf down some lunch, and make it to class in the nick of time.
In actuality, I was just in the nick of time to get some lab hours in before class. Lab hours are problematic this week due to my lunch with M on Monday and the need to wait for the plumbers today. Two prime lab hour amassing days down the drain! Of course, I will still head to the lab on Friday and will probably get several hours then.
Okay - back to class. Remember how I have the paper and PowerPoint done. Well, in class we were presented with some things we need to include in our projects. We were also given some more guidelines. Great timing, huh? So now I need to revise what I have done to fit the guidelines and to include the material presented in class.
Here is the weird thing - I am oddly motivated to get to work! My fingers are itching to edit that paper and PowerPoint and I am already thinking in ASL Gloss (the system used to write an English translation of ASL) about what my presentation will be like. I want to get busy!
And yet . . . I don't!
Weird, huh?
Trisha
Voice Update: Still doing well. Massage was the topic of choice yesterday in the front of my mind. During a movie in class (which WAS very interesting) I did some massage. The stop lights along the way all were massage breaks. The woman in the SUV next to me during one massage break was obviously fascinated with what I was doing - she missed the green light for the turn lane and got honked at!
Yesterday, I wrote about procrastination. Of course, writing the blog on procrastination was my way of putting off working on a paper, PowerPoint, and presentation for my ASL 3 class. Nice, huh?
Yesterday, I got myself working and, instead of reading blogs (which explains any lack of comments), I wrote my paper and completed my PowerPoint. Nothing too exciting but I certainly felt a little less pressure because two thirds of the whole thing were completed. The process of the work was so absorbing that by the time I surfaced enough to check the time at the bottom of my computer screen, I had just enough time to shower, change, scarf down some lunch, and make it to class in the nick of time.
In actuality, I was just in the nick of time to get some lab hours in before class. Lab hours are problematic this week due to my lunch with M on Monday and the need to wait for the plumbers today. Two prime lab hour amassing days down the drain! Of course, I will still head to the lab on Friday and will probably get several hours then.
Okay - back to class. Remember how I have the paper and PowerPoint done. Well, in class we were presented with some things we need to include in our projects. We were also given some more guidelines. Great timing, huh? So now I need to revise what I have done to fit the guidelines and to include the material presented in class.
Here is the weird thing - I am oddly motivated to get to work! My fingers are itching to edit that paper and PowerPoint and I am already thinking in ASL Gloss (the system used to write an English translation of ASL) about what my presentation will be like. I want to get busy!
And yet . . . I don't!
Weird, huh?
Trisha
Voice Update: Still doing well. Massage was the topic of choice yesterday in the front of my mind. During a movie in class (which WAS very interesting) I did some massage. The stop lights along the way all were massage breaks. The woman in the SUV next to me during one massage break was obviously fascinated with what I was doing - she missed the green light for the turn lane and got honked at!
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