Veggie Chips and Destination Imagination (Again!)

Hi All!

As I am typing this, Skor is playing with a veggie chip under the desk. I don't know if he is trying to eat it or just licking the sea salt from it. He seems enthralled. Actually, I am enthralled with the veggie chips myself.

The color of the chips got washed out in this shot but here is what veggie chips are. They are dehydrated veggies - carrot, squash, sweet potato, green bean, and taro. These little buggers are crunchy and slightly sweet and sprinkled with sea salt to add another layer of flavor. I am addicted.

My local Kroger store sells these in the produce department and once I got the nerve to actually try them. . . I fell in love. These are healthier than potato chips and also satisfy my sweet tooth now that I am resisting the urge to eat sweets. They are perfect!

Who knew a green bean could be so sweet?

The Destination Imagination tournament is this coming Saturday and that means I am in the thick of preparations. Hubby was sweet enough to lug my boxes of supplies out of the closet and I spent a bit of time going through the boxes getting out what I will need this year. Today I will really get into things as I start portioning out supplies for each team and each room.

Here is my guest room at the present moment courtesy of DI.

Lovely, isn't it? Wouldn't you like to come and spend a night with us? I should mention that the dragon is always in the guest room. He is a hand puppet and is absolutely adorable. He is the companion to my wizard hand puppet who hangs out in the music room. Hmmmm - maybe the dragon needs to relocate!

Next to the windows you can see some of Hubby's golf balls. Anyone want some slightly used golf balls?

DI has also taken over our coffee table (and soon the entire living room!). Do you see the pile of brown envelopes peeking out at the left side of the table? I had to put labels on each of those and then divide them into 6 groups (there are six different rooms teams will be going through and certain teams go to certain rooms). Soon I will be labeling six sheets of paper for each of those envelopes.

On top of the pile is a file box filled with index cards - two for each of the 130 teams - which I had to hand write this year because the powers-that-be didn't deem fit to give me enough pre-printed labels! Now THAT was fun!

At least I have Gilmore Girls re-runs to watch during the drudgery!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still not feeling like talking too much. I DO but I don't feel like it. My voice is good but I am getting really phlemy so that isn't helping matters much. I hope I don't have a cold!

Sunburn, Henry, and Melody

Hi All!

Yesterday was busy and fun - and busy. After my morning routine (actually I slept through my alarm so my morning routine was greatly altered!), I got my act together and had an al fresco luncheon with my friend M and her daughter A.

We went to a wonderful park which had a great playground for A to play on, pavilions, and a pond with fountains. After A played in the playground for a while - that kiddo loves her slides! - we walked back to the pond and ate our packed lunch - chicken salad, fruit, veggie chips, and bread - sitting in an ampitheater looking at the pond. It was a cool day with a slight breeze. Fabulous!

The food was great, the company was better and the chance to just relax and slow down a bit was heavenly.

It wasn't until I was home getting ready for bed at the end of the day that I noticed that I had gotten sunburned! Yikes! Luckily, it isn't bad but it is a clear reminded that sunscreen is essential even in March when the weather is only 50 degrees!

The next time I will remember to take along my camera so I have pictures to post for you! I hope to go back again with M and A.

Right after the picnic lunch, I headed off to the college and to the ASL lab. I have an assignment for fingerspelling class due today and it had to be video taped. The assignment involved writing twenty sentences, each of which contained two numbers, two fingerspelled words, and a FLS (fFngerspelled Loan Sign - a "shortcut" so to speak). Let me tell you - getting all of that into a sentence isn't exactly easy. The last time I had to write twenty sentences it took me FOREVER!

This time I decided to amuze myself and write a little story. My story was about Henry and Melody (the Henry in the story is NOT the Henry that teaches my ASL 3 class. In fact, I didn't even notice that I had used the same name until I was all done recording my sentences!). These two people need help with their taxes and both go to the same accountant where they sit in the waiting room next to each other. It is love, love, love at first sight and the two marry and take a two week honeymoon in Barbados.

It kept me amused. We will see what the teacher thinks!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing well. I am still not feeling too eager to actually talk but . . . the voice is kicking bootie!

Unexpected Visitor

Hi All!

It has been a busy, busy weekend for me. There was the support group meeting. Then I needed to get busy on Destination Imagination stuff. Then last night I was invited to go bowling and out to eat with two friends from class and two deaf guys they had met.

It was a neat chance to interact with Deaf people. We bowled (actually, I watched since my fingers REALLY don't like bowling too much) and then went to Chipotle for dinner. The guys were young (as were the other girls I was with) and were really nice. It was fun. However, I didn't get home until about 10:40 last night. A late night for an old person like me!

On Sunday, while I was trudging through DI stuff in the living room, Hubby walked into the kitchen, stopped short, and told me that we had a visitor. It was this guy.

Our local hawk! This picture isn't the best but I was moving up towards the window trying not to frighten him so he wouldn't fly away. It didn't work too well since he flew away about five seconds after I snapped this shot. He (or she) was pretty amazing. Of course, there were no other birds in the area. Gee - I wonder why!

Today will continue my busy week - which I don't think will end until after this weekend when the DI tournament is over. I have some homework for class to finish up, I have a lunch with my friend M and her daughter. I need to grocery shop so there is food in the house! Doesn't that sound like fun? Stay tuned for updates because I think I just might go nuts this week!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still going strong thanks to massage and exercises!

Support Group Meeting

Hi All!


Okay - I have some time to add some comments.

All the worrying was for nothing . . .the support group meeting went really well. I think that I worry that no one will show up! I really, really, really want this group to work and to be meaningful to people.

Here is my friend Lori - she is explaining the literature we have available for people.

This is my resfreshment table. I had cheese and crackers, Chex Mix, and two kinds of cookies. There was also water to drink.Here is all the literature we have for people. Everything from pamphlets explaining what SD is to information on obtaining an amplified phone for free from the state of Texas.
Susan, my speech therapist (and Lori's too) came to the meeting to talk briefly. The thing most people wanted to see and know about is the massage. She demonstrated on Lori and then went around and did mini massages on everyone who wanted to try. She is wonderful!

The next several pictures are of the fine folks who came out for the meeting. Aren't they wonderful?

I am in the corner of this picture in purple - not a very flattering picture!

Well, that is about it for the support group. I am glad it is over. I am thrilled that so many people showed up. I can't wait to be a nervous wreck over the next one!

Trisha

Voice Update: My voice is doing really well. The people at the support group had a hard time believing that I had SD until I played them some of my earlier podcasts when my voice was bad. They were amazed. Speaking of podcasts. . . I need to stop procrastinating!

I'm Ready!

Hi All!

Well, the support group meeting for people with SD is today. I was up WAY too late last night getting ready. For some reason, I am nervous about this meeting. I don't know why.

There will be nice snacks - I baked mini chocolate chip cookies and mini peanut butter cookies (be proud of me - I didn't sample any since I gave up sweets for Lent!), I cut up three kinds of cheese and got out the Ritz crackers for a cheese plate (for those who gave up sweets for Lent!), and even bought a bag of Chex Mix for those who like munchies. There is a case of water out in my car just waiting to be lugged into the meeting room.

Lists of upcoming events are printed with neat little note paper on the flip side - the note side has the SD icon I use with the name of the support group and the date and then room for notes. Extra business cards - mine - are printed and ready to go.

My Spokeman personal amplification system is charged up and ready. My camera is sitting next to my stuff to be taken to the meeting.

Everything I can think of is ready. So . . . why am I nervous?

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing well. The crunchiness is still around a bit in my throat but it is getting better every day. I still don't feel like talking - must be one of those "moods" I get into now and again. Talking just is a pain so I don't want to do it. Go figure!

Finally Friday!

Hi All!

Has this week lasted forever or is it just me? On Tuesday I was positive it was Thursday and yesterday I kept thinking it was the 28th instead of the 26th! Last night I got home early because my Deaf Culture teacher had strep and dismissed class early. As soon as I was home I felt like flopping into bed and snoozing.

However, I couldn't fall asleep because Hubby was calling me from Lubbock to let me know when to pick him up at the airport today. So I listened to some podcasts, played some solitaire on my iPod while trying to keep my eyelids from drooping.

What a week!

Lent has started. Normally, I don't give up things because I never have the willpower to keep my resolve. This year I am giving it a go and giving up sweets. It has been two complete days and part of a third and so far, so good! It doesn't seem like much of a victory but for me - it is wonderful! It will be interesting to see how long I can do this. I am determined to go all the way!

Do you give up anything during Lent?

Trisha

Voice Update: Still plugging away at making the crunchiness go away. It isn't too bad but I just don't feel too much like talking. That could be a problem when the next meeting of the North Texas SD Support Group is tomorrow! By the way - if anyone is reading this and has SD in the DFW area, contact me if you are interested in attending the meeting tomorrow from 1:00 - 3:00.

Podcast Anyone?

Hi All!

Previously, I have posted about my love affair with my iPod Classic. My music all in one, very portable place is fabulous and I am enthralled by the shuffle feature which lets me enjoy different kinds of music back-to-back. True, I also had some "issues" with my iPod that I had to work out with the "geniuses" at the Apple store but, I still like the device a lot.

Also, you may know that I produce a podcast of my own about Spasmodic Dysphonia. A podcast is rather like a radio show which you can download to your computer to listen to whenever you would like. Regular people can create podcasts and post them to the internet for free (like me - I am cheap!) or businesses, universities, etc. can produce podcasts for their customers. Schools utilize podcasts to help students study and to keep parents up to date with school activities. The uses for podcasts are literally endless.

However, while I have mentioned podcasts in passing, I have never really told you my all time favorites which I listen to regularly. So this post is all about the podcasts to which I listen.

Agatha Presents Mystery: This podcast originally caught my notice because it plays the Agatha Christie Radio Mysteries Series which I enjoy. The podcast also plays other radio mystery shows and they are good for those long journeys!

APM: Performance Today - Piano Puzzler: As a lover of classical music and a lover for puzzles, this podcast is perfect! Composer Bruce Adolph creates hybrid compositions which combine the style of a well known composer with a popular tune. A caller tries to identify both the composer and the tune. A fun listen which works your brain!

B&N Tagged! Published by the mega book store, Barnes & Nobles, this video podcast reviews newly published books. Each podcast has a theme and normally a guest author to talk about his/her book. If you enjoy reading this podcast can suggest some interesting new reads.

Best Of You Tube: Also a video podcast, this production is NOT associated with You Tube and it shows selected videos from You Tube. Always good for a chuckle or some awe!

Dancing With Elephants: A podcast created by a family living in the Chicago area, this podcast is entertaining. The entire family participates in the creating of the podcast including the two young children who, by the way, are very intelligent. A super listen to people who have children to find out how one family deals with the daily/weekly issues that happen in families with children.

Decoder Ring Theatre: This podcast recreated old-time radio shows with great success. The dramas have modern twists and are an enchanting way to pass the time.

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing: Almost everyone I know who listens to podcasts has this one in their playlist. Grammar Girl talks about grammar topics suggested by her listeners and guides confused writers down the correct grammar path.

NPR: From The Top Podcast: This podcast is created from a popular radio program which showcases amazing young musicians. The musicians are all under the age of 18 and are from all over the country. Another terrific listen for classical music fans. These kids are amazing!

NPR: Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me! Podcast: A "game" show heard weekly on NPR which deals with current events. There are three guest panelists who make comedic answers and try to convince call in contestants that their wacky story is correct. Just a lot of fun.

Podictionary - for Word Lovers - Dictionary, Etymology, Trivia, & History: A short and sweet podcast exploring some unusual and some familiar words. Good for the word geek.

The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd: Another modern twist of the classic radio dramas, this one features scientists who travel through time to historical times. The "bad guys" try to steal historical artifacts to sell on E-bay in the current time while the "good guys" foil their plans. Fun and with lots of features for children.

Short Cummings Audio: One of my favorites - short, pithy narratives on a wide variety of topics by Ken Cummings. Entertaining in a nice, short package for those times when you want something good to listen to but don't have a lot of time.

Stuff You Missed In History Class: Produced by the makers of the website How Stuff Works, this is a wonderfully informative podcast features a different topic each episode and is filled with intriguing facts and trivia.

Storynory - Stories for Kids: While I am definitely not a kid, I like listening to stories so this podcast is a hit with me. All kinds of fun stories.

Tapestry of the Times: A podcast of a radio program featuring historical recordings from the Smithsonian Folkways recordings. Full of interesting music and back stories. A very wide variety of music that isn't normally played on the radio!

YarnCraft: If you are a knitter or crocheter this is a good podcast for you. It is published by Lion Brand yarn and covers all kinds of topics of interest to people who yarn craft.

Most of these podcasts have websites you can find using google and you can listen to the podcasts on your computer without needing an MP3 device. Of course, if you have an MP3 player - you can download them and have these shows "to-go!"

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. The Insecurity Thugs are making me not really feel like talking but the crunchiness is waning and my voice is strong. Yeah!