Big Binge Downsized

I did not pack a full lunch today.  I left for work with my low fat cheese sticks, and the knowledge that I had an errand to run during lunch and that I could pick something up to go with my cheese sticks while I was out.

At noon I left the office to go to Walgreens to get a card, 2 gift bags, and some tissue paper, with the plan to buy those items and then either go home for something to eat or pick up a salad at Sonic.  

Once I was in Walgreens I decided I would just pick up something there to eat and go back to the office.  Did I pick up something semi-healthy?  No, I decided I wanted Corn Nuts.  The problem was they didn't have normal Corn Nuts, the had the new Corn Nut Chips.  So I picked up a bag of those, but they were in the candy aisle, so I started looking around at the candy.  When I checked out, I had a card, 2 gift bags, Corn Nut Chips, and movie size boxes of JujyFruits, Junior Caramels, and Mike and Ike's Italian Ice.  Not a very healthy lunch.

Once I returned to the office, I took out my cheese sticks and opened the Corn Nut Chips.  The chips  are just not the same as the Corn Nuts.  Too salty.  So after a handful of those tiny little chips, I closed the bag and put it on the bottom of my office trash can.  I finished the cheese sticks and then I opened the JujyFruits.  I took out 3 of each color and enjoyed them while I read CNN.  Then I buried the box on the bottom of my garbage can because I decided that even though they were my favorite candy when I was little, they didn't taste same today as they did then.  

I then opened the Junior Caramels.  I love caramels. Maybe it was a mind thing, but I swear they had a hint of Junior Mint flavor.  I ate 5 and then put the box away because they needed to be frozen.  

Only box left was the Mike and Ike's.  I opened the box and poured out 10.  I arranged them by color and started snacking.  Ooooh, WAY too sweet.  I buried the box on the bottom of my office trash can.  

That was the end of my big binge.  I would have been better off just buying some chewing gum to go with my card and gift wrap and going home to eat lunch, but in my mind I knew that all along.

When I came home from work I put the Junior Caramels in the freezer.  For a snack tonight I took out three to try.  They were better frozen, but they still have that odd mint thing going on, and even though I love the taste of mint, it doesn't work on the Junior Caramels.

Just Because I Can, Doesn't Mean I Will

An acquaintance became very angry with me this past weekend because I did not answer his text in what he considered a timely manner.  This has made me even angrier.

Why is it that everyone seems to want an instant reply these days?  Yes, I saw his text.  His text was a statement, not a question, or anything else that needed a reply.  I was with friends, and saw no reason to give a reply.  I had a fabulous day with my friends and then just as I was getting ready to send him a text saying I hoped he had a decent day, I received a blast from him in a FB message telling me that he was upset I didn't reply to his text with at least a "not now," and he was never texting me again.  Excuse me?  

This person lives across the country from me.  He doesn't have a clue as to what I am doing during the day, or if my phone is even charged. What makes him think he has the right to blast me? 

I have noticed more and more that people want instant answers and get upset when they don't get them.  I have no phone signal in my office.  Sometimes my text messages won't show up until I leave for the day, but people will be calling me five minutes after they send me a text saying "Well, why didn't you answer me?"  My answer is usually "What are you talking about?"  

Even if my phone has a full signal and I get the text when it is sent, where are the written rules saying how long I have to answer the text?  Evidently there are many blogs and sites that give response time etiquette.  I like this one: "Text Message: IF the message needs a response, a few hours to 12 hours is normal.  A day is pretty long, longer should only be because your phone is dead, lost, no service."

This one is good too: "Other people have lives too - Not everyone will be able to respond immediately. There are times that people will be away from their phone or not in a position to send a response. If you need something immediately, texting may not be your best option."

Most of the texting etiquette I read said you should respond the same day.  I was going to answer him, and it would have been less than 12 hours. 

My answer to him was that I had a great day, he wasn't going to "guilt" me over not answering a statement that did not require an answer, and that I pretty much didn't care whether we texted again.

Quite frankly, I don't have time in my life for someone that is going to be that demanding.  

If I text someone on a time sensitive issue and I do not get a response that allows me to deal with the issue, then I make a phone call.  No big deal. 

My boss and I communicate by text after hours and on weekends when there is a situation that needs taken care of immediately.  I prefer that to phone calls because the matter can be handled quickly and efficiently as we can stay on task. Phone calls can get off track and you can end up spending a lot of time working in your off hours.  However, if she sends a text and I don't reply in a time frame acceptable for the issue, she will call my house or cell, knowing if I don't answer, I am truly not available at that time.  Is that written down some where?  No, it is just common sense. 

So if you text me, and I don't reply, wait for it.  If you must have an immediate reply, then call.You could email, but I am just going to read your email on my phone, and if I don't feel you need an immediate response, you are not going to get one, so maybe you should just call first. 

Accomplishment #179

Paid the bills!  They all seemed to come at once this week, but I sat down after work today and entered them all into the online pay and put them all in the box to file. 

Accomplishments #173-178

Even though I have been concentrating on quilting projects lately, I have accomplished a few things in the last few days.  My accomplishments include:

•  Sorting out the junk mail from the "real" mail
• Sorting through a few drawers and cleaning them out
• Dusting
• Scrubbing the bathroom sink
• Puttering around in the garden a little
• Laundry
• Cleaned out the linen closet
• Picked pins up from floor
• Picked thread up from floor
• Picked up scraps of fabric from floor
• Emptied Dishwasher (that doesn't happen much because I have children home now)
• Started cleaning out magazines
• Cleaned the bathtub

Great Productive Weekend

I had a great weekend, that was also very productive, for many of us.

Saturday BFF, Loni and I really worked on our different projects. BFF is making me a quilt. It is absolutely gorgeous.  Reminds me of a dark version of Monet's Water Lilies.  Loni sewed all the labels on her quilts, washed and dried them.  I sorted through my different projects trying to find one that was ready to work on since I still have trouble holding the ruler down with my left hand.

I decided to work on one I cut out for Loni at least two years ago, but wasn't real happy with some of the fabric selections. I decided to throw out the ones I hated and go with more of some of the other selections.

We took a break to go to BJ's for dinner and then to Wal-Mart so BFF could look at baby quilt kits.  Loni found a couple of projects there too.

Once we were home BFF and I worked on projects while Loni was looking at her projects she purchased.  We watched "Guarding Tess" while working.  BFF was able to get her project ready for sandwiching, and I pinned all my blocks together.  After Loni and BFF left, I started piecing my blocks together.  I worked until about 1:30 A.M.

Today, Sunday, Mina stopped by to visit before heading to the airport.  It was great to see her, even if it was for just a few minutes.  We planned our 4th of July weekend.

After Mina left I continued piecing the blocks until it was time for Loni and I to go run errands.  We went to JoAnn's, Aaron Bros. (buy a frame, get one for a penny sale), and Target.  Once home I started piecing again until it was time to grill the chicken quarters for dinner.

Once we cleaned up the kitchen after dinner it was pool time.  I spent an hour in the pool giving my shoulder a good work out.  Then it was back into the house for more piecing while watching reruns of "The Closer."

This is going to be one bright quilt.  It is so bright I am having trouble getting my camera to take a picture of it.  I have all the blocks pieced and ironed, but I made a mistake in putting it on the design wall.  I thought I figured out the mistake, but then I found out I hadn't, so now I will have to start over again tomorrow.  I bet Loni is sorry she told me she likes bright colors.

All in all it was a great weekend, and I am looking forward to the next one.

For right now I am calling this quilt, Bright Cat Quilt

Close Up

On design wall, but not correctly

Earthen Angel Quilt Top - Completed 6-25-11

I found this kit on clearance.  The pattern is really too traditional for my tastes, but there are turtles in the fabric and I need practice on keeping my points.

Earthen Angel Quilt Top

Earthen Angel - Center of Quilt Top

My Friend Laura Made Me a Purse

My friend Laura made this purse for me using fat quarters.  It is really cute.