For my birthday, DH bought me an iPad. He even encouraged me to get it early and get it "loaded up". I'm pretty sure my kids were pleased to know that an iTunes gift certificate would become the perfect gift. I'm apparently pretty hard to shop for...
I have purchased a few "apps for that" and several of them have come in handy. There's one that finds your location and then you can speak the type of food you're interested in and it will identify restaurants within a set number of miles. I played with the speech portion for a while and it even parses my dreadful Texas drawl. Very cool.
But the best thing about my new iPad is that I can listen to audio books for HOURS... it has a ten hour battery life. It's been really fun. As I clean house, do chores or sew, I'm listening to audio books. So convenient.
At our family reunion, I managed to entertain the grandbabies with their favorite games. Sneezies and Paper Toss will keep two and three year olds entertained for a long, long time. And that means sitting on Grandee's lap the whole time!
I've never been happier with a large purchase. I've loved my computers, but there was always a frustration factor associated with getting them loaded with my information. The iPad was easy to get information installed on. Even when I accidentally put a bunch of music on it. As soon as I figured out what went wrong, I selected a single check mark and it all got backed off. Very nice sync function.
I had a buddy rave about this device. I thought he'd drunk the Koolaid. Now that I've had a couple of months to play with mine, I've drunk it too.
--Sandee Wagner
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Simple Life Meets Project Runway
The only reality show that I've gotten hooked on is Project Runway. The Great Race left me in the dust, Dancing with the Stars makes me yawn and I can't work up any enthusiasm for American Idol. But when you get a bunch of emotional designers into a room and make them all sew haute couture, then that's worth watching.
So, last night, I videochatted up my good friend as we both watched Project Runway together. When she lived in town, she always came over on Thursday nights and we watched it together. When she moved to the East Coast, we decided that technology meant we didn't have to forgo the tradition.
I have given a lot of thought to why I love this show. I'm pretty sure that it's because it's a creative process. It's all about the fashions. I'm not a fashionista. I don't know what's in and what's not. But I do make clothing. I know how hard it is to draw a pattern and make a garment. The fact that they do what they do in such a short time period is stunning to me.
Last season, the one hour Project Runway show was followed by a half hour Models of the Runway show. If you can imagine skinny, pretty girls carping about their lot in life while they live in LA or NYC, then you can see why that show didn't make it. Who cares about the hangars the clothing comes on?
This season, they extended Project Runway to a 90 minute show. So my friend and I spent the same amount of time online, but it was all the runway drama. Very fun. During one commercial break, I noticed that two previous contestants who finaled in their season had a show on. I stayed tuned for On the Road with Austin & Santino (http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/on-the-road-with-austin-santino).
All I can say is wow. This really flashed me back to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie doing "The Simple Life". Two people who don't belong are dropped into some community where they stick out like a sore thumb. In the case of the Simple Life, they did stupid things and spoke inanely. In the case of On The Road, they make a fabulous dress for some local chick out of only the fabric and notions locally available.
And there you have it. My fascination.
You see, when they are able to make a fabulous creation out of the lovely stuff available at Mood, I'm not surprised. Mood is like Mecca for a cloth lover or seamstress.
When they can make fashion out of the fabric available in a small town variety store... now that's talent. Last night, Austin and Santino made a party dress for a cowgirl in Weatherford, TX. I've been to Weatherford and I've known cowgirls like that. What those two crazy designers did for that little lady was amazing. And they did it with crap from the boot and bridle store and the local drug store. Really.
The juxtaposition of these crazy gay/straight designers and cowboy society was so interesting. They treated it like a fascinating gift--or another dimension. And they were gracious and kind, not stupid. So when I say it's like The Simple Life, I mean in the 'fish out of water' way, not in the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie dumb way.
As always, these two designers understand how to make a woman look lovely in a dress. They both get a woman's form and how to maximize the good parts and minimize the flaws. They could not have picked a more interesting duo for this show. Both of these characters were full of drama and sass in their seasons on PR. Now, seeing them with their own venue is fun. I can't wait to see where all they end up.
--Sandee Wagner
So, last night, I videochatted up my good friend as we both watched Project Runway together. When she lived in town, she always came over on Thursday nights and we watched it together. When she moved to the East Coast, we decided that technology meant we didn't have to forgo the tradition.
I have given a lot of thought to why I love this show. I'm pretty sure that it's because it's a creative process. It's all about the fashions. I'm not a fashionista. I don't know what's in and what's not. But I do make clothing. I know how hard it is to draw a pattern and make a garment. The fact that they do what they do in such a short time period is stunning to me.
Last season, the one hour Project Runway show was followed by a half hour Models of the Runway show. If you can imagine skinny, pretty girls carping about their lot in life while they live in LA or NYC, then you can see why that show didn't make it. Who cares about the hangars the clothing comes on?
This season, they extended Project Runway to a 90 minute show. So my friend and I spent the same amount of time online, but it was all the runway drama. Very fun. During one commercial break, I noticed that two previous contestants who finaled in their season had a show on. I stayed tuned for On the Road with Austin & Santino (http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/on-the-road-with-austin-santino).
All I can say is wow. This really flashed me back to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie doing "The Simple Life". Two people who don't belong are dropped into some community where they stick out like a sore thumb. In the case of the Simple Life, they did stupid things and spoke inanely. In the case of On The Road, they make a fabulous dress for some local chick out of only the fabric and notions locally available.
And there you have it. My fascination.
You see, when they are able to make a fabulous creation out of the lovely stuff available at Mood, I'm not surprised. Mood is like Mecca for a cloth lover or seamstress.
When they can make fashion out of the fabric available in a small town variety store... now that's talent. Last night, Austin and Santino made a party dress for a cowgirl in Weatherford, TX. I've been to Weatherford and I've known cowgirls like that. What those two crazy designers did for that little lady was amazing. And they did it with crap from the boot and bridle store and the local drug store. Really.
The juxtaposition of these crazy gay/straight designers and cowboy society was so interesting. They treated it like a fascinating gift--or another dimension. And they were gracious and kind, not stupid. So when I say it's like The Simple Life, I mean in the 'fish out of water' way, not in the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie dumb way.
As always, these two designers understand how to make a woman look lovely in a dress. They both get a woman's form and how to maximize the good parts and minimize the flaws. They could not have picked a more interesting duo for this show. Both of these characters were full of drama and sass in their seasons on PR. Now, seeing them with their own venue is fun. I can't wait to see where all they end up.
--Sandee Wagner
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
If You Love Me...
I did a little road tripping last week. Going through small town America is fun, but there are always physical needs that one must see to. Women through history have been challenged with the search for clean restrooms.
Of all the purveyors of fast food and large inexpensive drinks, McDonald's leads the crowd in clean restrooms. They are not always pretty or new, but you can count on them being clean. That has weight in my book.
As we headed to Branson, MO last week, we stopped at a Brand Spanking New McDonald's restaurant. Not newly remodeled, or new management. Brand new physical building with the 'Now Open' banner flying high.
This restaurant had that new, retro 50's look, lots of sleek horizontal lines, soothing green and brown colors. Comfy chairs as well as the obligatory booths and tables. It was a shiny thing of loveliness. Until I got into the restroom.
I comprehend that people will steal toilet paper. Theft of the stuff is a real issue for fast food joints. They are always on the hunt for some new gadget that will keep the paper secure and still feed it out as needed. Some places have gone to the Huge Rolls that they assume no one can use at home. Others with a locked stacking device where normal sized rolls descend in a chute arrangement as they are used. This shiny new McDonald's had the latter setup.
Each individual roll of toilet paper had no tube or center hole (thus making it less attractive for theft and home use, I guess) and they stacked up with the bottom one available to 'unroll' and use.
In case you are wondering, I need the quote marks around unroll. Because it wasn't that easy.
With all the money spent on the amazing physical plant, the McDonald's management must have run out of pennies, because this bathroom was stocked with the cheapest single ply toilet paper ever made. The kind of toilet paper you get when you're in a third world country. With the weight of the rolls above sitting on the bottom one, you could not roll out the paper. It was too fragile to pull on. If you used one hand to elevate the above rolls, and tried to spin the lowest one, you couldn't gain a purchase and tug out a bit of paper.
Others had been as frustrated as I because that roll appeared to have been mauled by a mountain lion. I found myself scratching and searching for a end, a perforation, anything to allow me to gently (oh so gently) tug against the whisper thin paper.
What I found was myself cussing and screaming in a family restaurant bathroom stall. Yes, that angry and frustrated. I finally shredded off enough paper to make a difference, then bolted from the stall to wash my hands. I exited the glamorous bathroom and looked immediately for the 'tell us what you think' brochure or number. I really wanted to tell them something: if you want people to think your place is nice, don't scrimp on the toilet paper.
If you love me, buy two ply toilet paper. I'm worth it. I thought McDonald's was the place to stop, buy a drink or an ice cream and use the facilities. I may have to rethink that idea.
--Sandee Wagner
Of all the purveyors of fast food and large inexpensive drinks, McDonald's leads the crowd in clean restrooms. They are not always pretty or new, but you can count on them being clean. That has weight in my book.
As we headed to Branson, MO last week, we stopped at a Brand Spanking New McDonald's restaurant. Not newly remodeled, or new management. Brand new physical building with the 'Now Open' banner flying high.
This restaurant had that new, retro 50's look, lots of sleek horizontal lines, soothing green and brown colors. Comfy chairs as well as the obligatory booths and tables. It was a shiny thing of loveliness. Until I got into the restroom.
I comprehend that people will steal toilet paper. Theft of the stuff is a real issue for fast food joints. They are always on the hunt for some new gadget that will keep the paper secure and still feed it out as needed. Some places have gone to the Huge Rolls that they assume no one can use at home. Others with a locked stacking device where normal sized rolls descend in a chute arrangement as they are used. This shiny new McDonald's had the latter setup.
Each individual roll of toilet paper had no tube or center hole (thus making it less attractive for theft and home use, I guess) and they stacked up with the bottom one available to 'unroll' and use.
In case you are wondering, I need the quote marks around unroll. Because it wasn't that easy.
With all the money spent on the amazing physical plant, the McDonald's management must have run out of pennies, because this bathroom was stocked with the cheapest single ply toilet paper ever made. The kind of toilet paper you get when you're in a third world country. With the weight of the rolls above sitting on the bottom one, you could not roll out the paper. It was too fragile to pull on. If you used one hand to elevate the above rolls, and tried to spin the lowest one, you couldn't gain a purchase and tug out a bit of paper.
Others had been as frustrated as I because that roll appeared to have been mauled by a mountain lion. I found myself scratching and searching for a end, a perforation, anything to allow me to gently (oh so gently) tug against the whisper thin paper.
What I found was myself cussing and screaming in a family restaurant bathroom stall. Yes, that angry and frustrated. I finally shredded off enough paper to make a difference, then bolted from the stall to wash my hands. I exited the glamorous bathroom and looked immediately for the 'tell us what you think' brochure or number. I really wanted to tell them something: if you want people to think your place is nice, don't scrimp on the toilet paper.
If you love me, buy two ply toilet paper. I'm worth it. I thought McDonald's was the place to stop, buy a drink or an ice cream and use the facilities. I may have to rethink that idea.
--Sandee Wagner
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Dress for Success
You all know I'm clearing out closets in preparation for the Great Migration into Northern Africa.
A couple of weeks ago, I eyed my dusty collection of work attire. Now, I'd by lying if I didn't say that it spans several sizes. Before we moved to SoCal, I cleared out a bunch of the smaller clothes (having gained a bunch of weight in menopause). What I had left was a half of closet rod of my favorite, nicest suits sized in such a way that it was a realistic goal to wear them again.
I have the shells and t-shirts I wore under the suits and the matching pumps. What I don't have is a job in a corporate atmosphere where you dress for success. And with my forced inactivity of the next couple of years staring me in the face, I decided it was time to let them go.
I could have just pitched them all at GoodWill or the AmVets nearby. Instead, I carried them into the local Dress for Success storefront.
Dress for Success is an organization that establishes not only stores for getting professional interview clothing, but when the job seeker accepts the position, they give them some separates and mix and match outfits for them to give them the basis of a professional wardrobe. They give jewelry and accessory advice and even provide pantyhose. This nonprofit recognizes that first impressions are important and a lot of jobs (the nicer paying ones certainly) require a wardrobe that most women can't afford until after they've received a few paychecks.
I liked what the website said about this organization. They don't open their doors and sell stuff you donate. No, they make appointments with women who are referred to them and then give them the star treatment by allowing them to 'shop' for anything they'd like.
All Dress for Success requires is that the suits be clean and on hangers. Check. They want the clothing to all be 'interview appropriate'. Check.
So, I made an appointment. I cleared out my closet. Checked to make sure that all the matching accessories were included and then loaded the car. I took all the professional clothing into Dress for Success this morning and they were so thankful and appreciative. The set up there is like a small boutique and I could envision a young person, right out of some federally funded job training program being shown how to present themselves in the best possible light.
I like this charity. I'm glad to have made a donation to something that will help other women get a job in a tough job market. It feels good to give to a good cause.
--Sandee Wagner
A couple of weeks ago, I eyed my dusty collection of work attire. Now, I'd by lying if I didn't say that it spans several sizes. Before we moved to SoCal, I cleared out a bunch of the smaller clothes (having gained a bunch of weight in menopause). What I had left was a half of closet rod of my favorite, nicest suits sized in such a way that it was a realistic goal to wear them again.
I have the shells and t-shirts I wore under the suits and the matching pumps. What I don't have is a job in a corporate atmosphere where you dress for success. And with my forced inactivity of the next couple of years staring me in the face, I decided it was time to let them go.
I could have just pitched them all at GoodWill or the AmVets nearby. Instead, I carried them into the local Dress for Success storefront.
Dress for Success is an organization that establishes not only stores for getting professional interview clothing, but when the job seeker accepts the position, they give them some separates and mix and match outfits for them to give them the basis of a professional wardrobe. They give jewelry and accessory advice and even provide pantyhose. This nonprofit recognizes that first impressions are important and a lot of jobs (the nicer paying ones certainly) require a wardrobe that most women can't afford until after they've received a few paychecks.
I liked what the website said about this organization. They don't open their doors and sell stuff you donate. No, they make appointments with women who are referred to them and then give them the star treatment by allowing them to 'shop' for anything they'd like.
All Dress for Success requires is that the suits be clean and on hangers. Check. They want the clothing to all be 'interview appropriate'. Check.
So, I made an appointment. I cleared out my closet. Checked to make sure that all the matching accessories were included and then loaded the car. I took all the professional clothing into Dress for Success this morning and they were so thankful and appreciative. The set up there is like a small boutique and I could envision a young person, right out of some federally funded job training program being shown how to present themselves in the best possible light.
I like this charity. I'm glad to have made a donation to something that will help other women get a job in a tough job market. It feels good to give to a good cause.
--Sandee Wagner
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Circle of Life
I sat at the hospital last night with a dear friend while her mother lay dying. Her mom was quite old and had lived the past four years in a nursing home suffering with dementia. She didn't even recognize her daughters for the past two years.
The hospital identified that her organs were shut down--there was no possibility of recovery or treatment. They offered palliative care and a quiet place for the family to gather and say their goodbyes.
As an outsider, it was easy for me to judge the hospital staff's kindness and care. I could view the whole thing objectively. She lived a long life, she was 82 when she passed. For the family, it's an enormous loss. A loss of the relationship, the parent, the opportunities to forgive and reconcile.
Because, you see, she was not a nice woman. She had many flaws. She was a substance abuser and she desperately sought love while ignoring her obligations to her kids. At one point in time, she left her high school aged daughter to care for the younger kids and moved in to live with a boyfriend. Nowadays, a neighbor would call Social Services and report such behavior. Her kids raised each other with very little help from their alcoholic mother.
So, it wasn't that loving bedside scene you see in the movies. This woman didn't really appreciate her daughters when she knew who they were. Her mind had checked out and I'm sure she was looking at strangers around her bedside, if she saw anyone at all.
I was there for my friend. No one should have to go through that alone. But sometimes, you're glad when a person dies. It ends bad treatment and allows people to get beyond bad memories.
As I face getting older, I am coming to realize that it's the relationships with people in my life that I need to focus on. That's what's really important in life. Not the stuff. Not the accomplishments. The love.
The circle of life reminds us that each life ends with spiritual rebirth. Babies start out and begin a life, full of promise. Some folks die full of regret. I don't want to be that guy. I want my children to have better memories of me when I pass. Because once her mother is buried, all my friend will have left are tragic memories. It makes me sad.
--Sandee Wagner
The hospital identified that her organs were shut down--there was no possibility of recovery or treatment. They offered palliative care and a quiet place for the family to gather and say their goodbyes.
As an outsider, it was easy for me to judge the hospital staff's kindness and care. I could view the whole thing objectively. She lived a long life, she was 82 when she passed. For the family, it's an enormous loss. A loss of the relationship, the parent, the opportunities to forgive and reconcile.
Because, you see, she was not a nice woman. She had many flaws. She was a substance abuser and she desperately sought love while ignoring her obligations to her kids. At one point in time, she left her high school aged daughter to care for the younger kids and moved in to live with a boyfriend. Nowadays, a neighbor would call Social Services and report such behavior. Her kids raised each other with very little help from their alcoholic mother.
So, it wasn't that loving bedside scene you see in the movies. This woman didn't really appreciate her daughters when she knew who they were. Her mind had checked out and I'm sure she was looking at strangers around her bedside, if she saw anyone at all.
I was there for my friend. No one should have to go through that alone. But sometimes, you're glad when a person dies. It ends bad treatment and allows people to get beyond bad memories.
As I face getting older, I am coming to realize that it's the relationships with people in my life that I need to focus on. That's what's really important in life. Not the stuff. Not the accomplishments. The love.
The circle of life reminds us that each life ends with spiritual rebirth. Babies start out and begin a life, full of promise. Some folks die full of regret. I don't want to be that guy. I want my children to have better memories of me when I pass. Because once her mother is buried, all my friend will have left are tragic memories. It makes me sad.
--Sandee Wagner
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Outdoor Gear
This is the time of year to buy stuff for the patio. All the stores are marking it down, getting rid of it and stocking school supplies in that big seasonal section of the store.
I had my eye on a combination umbrella stand drink cooler table. I got it $40 cheaper than the sale price I saw at the first of the summer. Do I really need it? Probably not, but the moment I saw it, I thought it was genius. I wanted it. I don't even own an umbrella--I'll have to buy one to use with it. But I'm sure going to be rigged for outdoor entertaining any minute now.
I only feel like a 'winner' when I buy something on sale. If I pay full price, I feel like I've caved or missed out on something. When I get a bargain, I feel like I've won the lottery. I know there are a lot of things that I should buy right when I see them (like anything at Sam's or Costco) because they are liable to be out when I get around to making the decision to buy them. I tend to use my parents' rule for acquisitions. They would see something they really liked and pass it by. If, four days later, they still wanted it, they went and bought it.
A lot of time, if I can wait four days, I don't really want something that bad. Or I completely forget about it. A mind is a terrible thing to waste...
I'm focused on outdoor gear because I'm moving to the desert and I know that outdoors is where the entertaining is done. Patios, gardens and courtyards are where people gather. I need to have my gear collected so I can make friends and engage the locals.
So, cooler table, check. Now off to Academy to buy an umbrella.
--Sandee Wagner
I had my eye on a combination umbrella stand drink cooler table. I got it $40 cheaper than the sale price I saw at the first of the summer. Do I really need it? Probably not, but the moment I saw it, I thought it was genius. I wanted it. I don't even own an umbrella--I'll have to buy one to use with it. But I'm sure going to be rigged for outdoor entertaining any minute now.
I only feel like a 'winner' when I buy something on sale. If I pay full price, I feel like I've caved or missed out on something. When I get a bargain, I feel like I've won the lottery. I know there are a lot of things that I should buy right when I see them (like anything at Sam's or Costco) because they are liable to be out when I get around to making the decision to buy them. I tend to use my parents' rule for acquisitions. They would see something they really liked and pass it by. If, four days later, they still wanted it, they went and bought it.
A lot of time, if I can wait four days, I don't really want something that bad. Or I completely forget about it. A mind is a terrible thing to waste...
I'm focused on outdoor gear because I'm moving to the desert and I know that outdoors is where the entertaining is done. Patios, gardens and courtyards are where people gather. I need to have my gear collected so I can make friends and engage the locals.
So, cooler table, check. Now off to Academy to buy an umbrella.
--Sandee Wagner
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lakes and the Good of the Many
I've been driving my sister around looking at lakes. We've been to MO, AR and OK lakes looking at the water quality, the shoreline and whether the lake was residential or not.
I don't guess I had ever thought about whether or not a lake was privately owned or public. There are lots of lakes that I've gone boating on where people had properties that reached to the shore. They built docks, boat houses, zip lines into the shallows. In short, they owned a slice of the shoreline.
Other lakes have no houses on them. The state or Corps of Engineers maintains the property rights along the shore of the lake and they provide camping spaces or picnic areas. No one owns shoreline and no houses are built on the waterfront.
Since my sister wants that boat dock, we're looking for a lake where lots are available on the shoreline. When we were chatting about it yesterday, I mentioned a couple of lakes that appear NOT to be residential (DeGray in AR, and Tenkiller in OK) and how pleasant they were to look at from the water. Big sis said, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".
Now, don't get me wrong, whenever someone can work a Spock reference into the conversation, I'm completely entertained; however, it did make me think. That's exactly what the state/government/Corps of Engineers are doing. A lot of these lakes were engineered for flood control or for power generation. They dammed up streams or rivers so that they could harness the running water to turn some turbines. Since they made these bodies of water, if there is flooding, they could be blamed for loss of property. So they don't allow anyone to live below the "Corps line" or to build below a specific flood plain.
Keeping a lake pristine, or a shoreline free from commercial buildings is aesthetically pleasing for outdoorsman. Anyone can enjoy the lake and imagine they are out there alone. With no structures to impede the view, it's a more pleasant natural experience.
I've been on both kinds of lakes, in and out of the water. I can't say that I like one better than the other. Does having houses along a lake shore keep you from enjoying water sports on a lake? Inquiring minds want to know.
--Sandee Wagner
I don't guess I had ever thought about whether or not a lake was privately owned or public. There are lots of lakes that I've gone boating on where people had properties that reached to the shore. They built docks, boat houses, zip lines into the shallows. In short, they owned a slice of the shoreline.
Other lakes have no houses on them. The state or Corps of Engineers maintains the property rights along the shore of the lake and they provide camping spaces or picnic areas. No one owns shoreline and no houses are built on the waterfront.
Since my sister wants that boat dock, we're looking for a lake where lots are available on the shoreline. When we were chatting about it yesterday, I mentioned a couple of lakes that appear NOT to be residential (DeGray in AR, and Tenkiller in OK) and how pleasant they were to look at from the water. Big sis said, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".
Now, don't get me wrong, whenever someone can work a Spock reference into the conversation, I'm completely entertained; however, it did make me think. That's exactly what the state/government/Corps of Engineers are doing. A lot of these lakes were engineered for flood control or for power generation. They dammed up streams or rivers so that they could harness the running water to turn some turbines. Since they made these bodies of water, if there is flooding, they could be blamed for loss of property. So they don't allow anyone to live below the "Corps line" or to build below a specific flood plain.
Keeping a lake pristine, or a shoreline free from commercial buildings is aesthetically pleasing for outdoorsman. Anyone can enjoy the lake and imagine they are out there alone. With no structures to impede the view, it's a more pleasant natural experience.
I've been on both kinds of lakes, in and out of the water. I can't say that I like one better than the other. Does having houses along a lake shore keep you from enjoying water sports on a lake? Inquiring minds want to know.
--Sandee Wagner
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