Calling all Creative Types

I said I was available to sub in Primary on Sundays, because now that I'm in my new ward, I'm kind of bored just going to Sunday School and Relief Society (I know, I shouldn't be bored, but I am). They took me up on my offer right away and I'm leading Primary music this week and next. It's been a while since I haven't been behind the piano.

I want to make a conducting poster. The idea is to sandwich the leg from a pair of tights between two pieces of decorated posterboard. I've seen one a that's a worm coming out of an apple and one that's an elephant's head with a trunk. The child who is helping puts her arm into the tight leg and waves the trunk or worm as she is conducting. I have some grey tights and a pattern for an elephant head. Any ideas about how to securely fasten the tights leg into the poster?

I would also like to make a singing thermometer (the temperature reading goes up as the children's singing improves). I made a lame, inadequate one once. If anyone knows of a good way to make an easy to use thermometer, please let me know. I would like one that the children can operate themselves.

Mecca

I just discovered Tractor Supply Company. Where have I been all these years?

I first knew of TSC when I lived in prisontown. TSC was next door to a barbecue joint I frequented, but I don't think I ever ventured inside TSC. I was too busy eating barbecue. Too bad for me.

TSC is close to the new house, so I stopped in after work Friday. I found several items for which I have been hunting lately, including:

• foam drink koozie that doesn't advertise an acoholic beverage
• large metal dustpan for shop and yard work
• sturdy handheld dustbroom for same
• weed pulling tool (I actually hadn't hunted for that yet, but while in TSC I remembered I wanted one)

I'm not too interested in TSC's clothing, equestrian, or livestock supplies, but you never know when you might need to repair a fence, put a new fender on a trailer, or pick up more blasting grit for your sandblaster.

Counting Down

For those who may be wondering, I have begun, but not finished, the Move.

The movers came today and took a fraction of my belongings to the new house. They also took a larger fraction of my pocketbook, but it was worth it to have someone else move the piano, dresser, couch, etc.

Because I'm in forgiving company (I am, right?) I will reveal that it took 8.5 hours to prepare the few items the movers did take. So, I have some work cut out for me in the next 10 days.

If you missed the photos of the (empty) house, they are on Flickr. Check back in a year or two for an updated, decorated view.


photo: Chicago Daily News. 1903. Two men loading household goods into a horse drawn van while a girl stands nearby on moving day [photo]. DN-0000718, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. From American Memory http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/cdn:@field(NUMBER+@band(ichicdn+n000718))

Tagged

The Duchess has tagged me again. I don't have 8 friends to tag in turn, but I can at least fulfill part of the duties of a tagee. It's the least I can do in payment for enjoying all the good tunes she spins on her blog.

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS
The Closer
The Bionic Woman
Homicide: Life on the Streets
Sports Night
Boomtown
Lost
Law & Order
Life on Mars


8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY
Worked
Ate frozen Macaroni and Cheese
Watched two episodes of Prime Suspect
Baked cookies
Taught seminary
Folded laundry
Worked
Worked


8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO
Seeing my newest nephew (and his family) in March
Seeing my dad very soon
Being totally moved into the new house
Reading the new Laurie R. King novel in April
A visit to Utah in July
Seeing my mom in April
Spring Break
Christmas

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Wendy's
Tin Star
Chipotle
International House of Pancakes
Macaroni Grill
Tomato-Tomato
Mom's house
Linda's house



8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
Tenure
A lawn mower
Independent Wealth
All my family living in one state
9 hrs of sleep a night seven days in a row
A Personal Soda Fountain
Personal chef

Beverage Blog

How long could a non-tea and coffee drinking teetotaler sustain a blog about beverages? Probably not very long, but that's what's been on my mind lately (it's not a very fertile place).

• My current go-to beverage is Diet Barq's, which I can't buy where I live. I stocked up at Christmas, so I can get my fix for a few more weeks.
• My current evening beverage, meant to be drunk with dinner but which usually turns out to be the same as bedtime (please, no comments), is orange juice and (diet) lemon lime soda. I'm apparently craving sugar (go figure).
• I recently discovered that in a pinch, evaporated milk, Ovaltine powder, and a microwave (with a utility knife to open the milk) will produce an acceptable hot drink.

I think that exhausts all beverage ideas. On to the next stimulating topic!

Life Lesson

I may be closer to age 40 than to age 30, but I'm still learning new things all the time.

Case in point: When you finish the last Lindt truffle, discard the bag. DO NOT leave the empty bag in your desk drawer. To do so is a sure set up for disappointment or even heartbreak.

It's Not Magic...

but it is good news.

Since deciding to buy a house, I've been obsessively manipulating the old-school Excel spreadsheet where I keep track of my finances, forecasting different scenarios for rebuilding some cash savings and repaying the people who have loaned me some short term money. Last I checked, it looked kind of grim.

Suddenly, things look a lot better. I don't know if I made a mistake previously (I hope I'm not miscalculating now) or what happened, but things are looking OK. I'm trying to not tempt fate by thinking about things like layoffs, transmissions falling out, freak tornadoes, etc. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

It's Magic

I can't believe it's taken me this long to figure out that the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser really is magic.

It made quick work of all the grime on the pantry shelves. Now if only something else would make quick work of packing, moving and unpacking all the pantry contents!

photo: Chicago Daily News, 1929.

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/cdn:@field(NUMBER+@band(ichicdn+n090143))