Naisiai's Xanga

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:40:20 GMT

I desperately need to go to bed. But here are so many important things going on lately to share on my blog. I can feel my muscles and bones reaching their expiration date for the day, yet I have this inescapable urge to post on my xanga. For now, this is as long as I'm going to let my self write. But there is a promise for a longer post tomorrow...unless my blog becomes like my poor fish bowl. Every day I pass by and acknowledge the need to tend to it, but just can't take the 5 minutes to do it.

Tomorrow. I promise.

I've had good luck with impulsive decisions.

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:23:09 GMT

Today I brought home a 2nd dog to my one bedroom condo. They are both rather small dogs, so I'm considering they take up about the same size as one big dog. A lady at work is going through a divorce and had to find new homes for 2 of her 3 dogs. Bonnie and Clyde are welsh pembroke corgis. Bonnie found a home first, so I took in Clyde. I find his name kind of awkward rolling off the tongue. He doesn't seem to answer to the name anyhow, so I'm calling him Sly short for Sylvester.

My family has had quite a few dogs, but recently we've been naming them "S" names. So it just fits. Sheena, Sebastian, Sophie, and now Sylvester.

Sebastian didn't get socialized much so he's a super anxious dog. I didn't want to make the same mistake with Sophie. She's got into two scuffles with two different dogs at the Condominium, so I thought getting her a playmate would get her used to the idea that the world doesn't revolve around her. Everyone is kind of skeptical of my decision, but I figured I'd at least try.

I researched how to introduce a new dog into the home, and how to take dominant dogs down a notch. So far it's been a success. We had Sly and Sophie meet at Teague park, a neutral area. They are still getting acquainted. If it turns out to be too much trouble taking care of two dogs, I've got the info on Sly from his breeder and can sell him or find him a good forever home.

One good thing has already come from it. Since Sophie saw Sly drink out of the water dish, she's actually been drinking from it today! She usually forgoes the water dish for the toilet.

I haven't been able to get them to sit close enough for a group shot, but here is one of me and Sly.

All Is Peachy on Pins and Needles

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:20:26 GMT

I'm eagerly awaiting several things right now. Almost a month ago I took my State Board Exam to become a certified English teacher in Texas. It's been 3 weeks and 5 days. My results are exactly 5 days late. It was slightly harder than I had expected, but I think I did well.

One week and 2 days ago I submitted some of my photography to a museum in an open call for a photography exhibit. The notification of acceptance/or regrets is 2 days late.

I applied for a management position at a holiday kiosk for Hickory Farms, a job I've had over several Christmases. The area and regional managers are both supposed to "get back to me soon".

I have applications out to 3 schools for substitute teaching. I'm just waiting a call every day for an assignment. Any teaching experience will help with my certification and hiring requirements for next fall.

About two weeks ago I submitted a request for Longview to be considered a writing region for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month in November). I also applied to become the Municipal Liaison if the region is created. This means officiating and facilitation Longview and East Texas writers participation in the event. The app deadline isn't until October 1st. So I still have a few weeks to hear back on that one.

All this anticipation is making me jittery.
I've taken on canning as a distraction as you can tell. I found several really great blogs to feed this new hobby. This week I tried a wonderful new recipe for canning peaches using Earl Grey tea infused syrup. The peaches are divine. I have already eaten and given away those cans, bought twice the peaches a second time, and am preparing for another batch.

You can find the recipe here.

How to Live in Small Spaces

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:12:37 GMT

Last year I bought an upstairs one bedroom, 1 bathroom condo with quaint little landscaping and lots of parking. My windows give me a great view of the towering pine trees with unlimited growth room. But unlike the trees, I have limited space. Over the past year I have figured out some great tricks to make such a small space livable.

Here are some tips to make the most of every nook and cranny in your home, no matter how small.

Windows: Use floor to ceiling curtains. This will make the windows appear larger. During daylight hours pull back the blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Bringing the outdoor scenery inside by opening the windows will let your sight travel rather than constrict your view to four walls.

Finding hidden space: Beds can be lifted to the highest height that is still accessbile. Bed risers can be found at Walmart. short oblong containers can fit underneath the bed. Use this for off-season clothes storage.

I store things like board games underneath my couches. Other things you might consider storing underneath the couches are things you don't use every day but might need accessble, like craft supplies, hand weights, or even old magazines or books you can't part with. Shallow boxes can be used to hold these things. Just slide the box out whenever you need something, and slide it back in when you're finished. To make the box more attractive in case it can be seen under the couch, I cover it in contact paper that is designed to line kitchen drawers.

Closets are a great storage asset if used right. It's become popular to line shelves with decorative storage boxes and tubs.I look for ones with handles to make taking things off high shelves easier.

To organize all the brooms, mops, swiffers and the like, there is a great gadget that has hooks and tension clips. I have it hung in my hall closet, but it would also work in the free space next to a refrigerator.
Another storage space commonly overlooked are doors! I've got something hanging on several of my doors, especially the inside of my closet doors. Instead of cluttering up the cabinet under the sinks with cleaning supplies, hang a shoe organizer on the door. This makes all your cleaning supplies visible and accessble. If you have children or pets in your house, you may want to intall hook locks or some other baby-proofing to the door.

A closet door is a great place for a fold-down ironing board. On the adjacent wall simply hang a dock for your iron and spray bottles. Although the hooks are designed to hang a full-sized ironing board up, I use them for an easy place to hang a cloth laundry bag and measuring tape.
And for all those delicates and days you want to save your energy bill by skipping the dryer, hanging one of these extendable multi-line laundry hanger in the bathtub is so convenient. This particular iron station is at Walmart.

Speaking of closets, you might consider doubling your clothes space by installing a second rod beneath the normal rod. Tension rods can be found at Lowe's.If you're unsure of how stable the rod might be, simply drill a small 1"x4" block underneath each end of the rod for extra support.For high shelves, store off season decorations and clothing, deflated air mattresses, wrapping paper, etc.

For suitcases, back packs, and all other bags you aren't using today, place them inside each other, and store out of the way in a closet or under a bed.

Remember, when looking for storage, look wall to wall and floor to ceiling. Use stackable containers wherever possible, especially in the pantry and kitchen cabinets. Lazy susans are not just for dinner tables. I use them in my pantry and underneath my kitchen sink for quick access to everything on the shelf or in the cupboard.

A small step stool is invaluable for the person who likes to store things at all heights in the hosue. My favorite is the EZ Folds 12" Folding Step Stool that folds almost flat. It can be found at Bed Bath and Beyond and is super sturdy.

You might also consider a stemware rack. Since my cubboard space is limited, I've taken all my stemware and display it in my kitchen on the hanging stemware rack. I also have my coffee mugs hanging over the sink. You might also consider hanging your kitchen knives on a magnetic strip, as well as your serving utensils, ladels, and spatulas. Ikea is a great place to find these. Another great find is a collection of wire baskets with magnetic backing that can attach to the refrigerator to hold things like chip clips, bills, spare keys, coasters, or vitamins.

And for my newest favorite addition to my home: a very handy and space-saving vacuum cleaner. If you live on a small space and it is hard to move your furniture to vacuum on a regular basis, consider buying a canister vacuum. The wand easily fits under beds, couches, tables, and chairs (that is, if you aren't using that space for storage). It is light enough to vacuum your curtains, mattresses, upholstery, and air vents. I even use it to vacuum the tops of my hanging pictures and paintings. A regular vacuum cleaner only reached a small percentage of my condo. This powerful little vacuum was only $100 at Best Buy!

Try to de-clutter your space every season. Donate, donate, donate anything you haven't used the last six months or year. Chances are, if you haven't used it this year, you won't use it next year.

Holi-Day

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:17:01 GMT

The Holiday season is fast approaching, at least for me. It's my favorite time of year because it means cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and comfort foods. Last year the holidays were marked by a sad time in my family. This year will probably be similar, but we get to celebrate being strong women who have survived hard times.

Although I'm gearing up for fall festivities that celebrate loved ones, I spent last night researching a certain holiday (or Holy Day) that Indians use to usher in Spring, the season of love itself.

Michelle (my sister) came over last night for pizza and a movie. I rented a fun cross-cultural movie called Outsourced. Michelle and I have a strange affection for cheesy Bollywood movies. This one was a little different, I guess because of the Western director. There wasn't the beloved cast and crew Bollywood dance. Oh well. What it lacked in kooky gimmicks, it made up in cross-cultural miscommunication-the funniest and most dangerous kind of miscommunication. Since we both spent out teen years as summertime globetrotting missionaries, we have a keen interest in all things overseas.

One particular scene of the movie had me entranced. A neighborhood ran amuck with men and boys hurling fistfuls of vivid powdered pigment at each other. It was like a game of tag exploded in a giant cloud of pinks and blues. "Holi" is a festival of colors in India. It has it's roots in the Hindu religion and mythology, but the Indian people find it a joyous spring ritual.

Michelle and I both agree, India is a must-see. Between the two of us, we've traveled to well over 30 countries, but neither of us have been to India!

I've been to Little India in Singapore, where I bought some spices, ate some food, and took pictures of the colorful saris. I've even been to some Hindu temples. I imagine all of these to be mere glimpses of all India has to offer.

I think Outsourced, although a comedy, did a great job showing some realistic sides of the country, as did the heart-wrenching drama Slumdog Millionaire.

The timing of all this is interesting. Since spending the past week making jams and marmalades, I've been itching to try some chutney. The sweet mango chutney came back into popularity among tea sandwiches and delicatessens over the past few years, but I'd like to venture into some real Indian flavors.

In closing. I thought I'd share some pictures of what Indian culture I have experienced first-hand.
This is some fabric I bought just outside of the Mustafa Market in Singapore.

It reminded me of this lovely flower I tried to capture on film the day before at the Orchid gardens.

And in keeping with the theme of today's post on color, the Hindu temples are some of the most colorful I've ever seen. It really is fitting that they have an entire festival to celebrate color.

Do You Eat Novels For Breakfast?

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:14:06 GMT

It's only 6 weeks away! I want to start building a good writing group now. If you haven't heard, November is National Novel Writing Month (shortened simply to NaNoWriMo). If you're in the Longview area and want to write a novel, please check out the NaNoWriMo Website then send me a message. The goal is to write a 175 page novel (50,000 words) by midnight November 30th.

I'm forming a writing group of NaNoWriMo-ers to push each other along to finish that goal. Write ins can be a really exhilarating experience. November can also be a really busy month, so I'm starting to get the group organized early! Part of the Nanowrimo philosophy is to write with total abandon from the seat of your pants, writing furiously while giving the internal editor a vacation until the project has been completed.

If you know someone who might be interested in taking up the challenge, coming to some write-ins and joining the group please let me know!

Homemade Marmalade

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:47:00 GMT

I'm learning to make my own preserves and marmalades. I've always liked marmalade for its visual quality. My first batch was a Raspberry Lemon marmalade. It went okay as far as first ventures are concerned. I did spill a good amount on my stove. There's nothing like spending an evening cleaning up a big mess of sticky red goo from your kitchen. Things I know for next time, make sure big stock pots are not in short supply around the kitchen. I need at least two. Chop the lemon pulp a little finer and attempt at getting some pretty cuts. Peel the lemons then grate the peel. The recipe said to grate the lemons before cutting them. Then trim off the white part. Then cut the lemons and take the seeds out. This left a very big lemon mushy mess.

Next up, I'm trying a strawberry plum jam, an orange marmalade, and a blueberry preserve. Kacy just started making her own soap. In exchange for some of her soap, I'm sending her some of my preserves. I think we're both getting a good deal.

In other news, two vehicles from my dad's house were stolen last night. It's bad enough he died and Michelle and I have the burden of sorting through someone's life work and possessions at the start of our own adult lives, but to have someone come in and just take more from us is sickening. It's been going on for months, but we never thought they'd steal the cars. Michelle has worked so hard for months to sort out the estate and pay off debts. She has carried on an enormous duty almost all by herself, and I hate to see her hard-work undermined. They may have been able to get away with stealing scrap metal from around the carport and the big slate pool table top, but vehicles from which we have all the documents are a different story. We're reporting them stolen this afternoon, and I have a mind to take out all my stress and pain and torture from losing my dad and having to relive his life, heartbreak, sickness, and death while packing away all of his belongings on those people who have been stealing from us. If they are caught, I will be glad to watch their lives unravel around them and send them straight to jail.

Update:
I thought you all might like the marmalade recipes I've tried.
This Raspberry Lemon Marmalade tastes wonderful and has a pretty pink color. I didn't get it to set quite right, so I'd suggest having some extra pectin on hand just in case.

Raspberry Lemon Marmalade
4 lemons
1 ¼ cups water
⅛ teaspoon baking soda
1 cinnamon stick
3 cups raspberries, crushed
7 cups sugar
1 (3 ounce) package liquid fruit pectin
1. Grate peel from lemons and place in a medium saucepan. Trim white pith from lemons and discard. Cut lemons in half and remove the seeds. Chop pulp; set aside.

2.Add water, baking soda and cinnamon to saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

3.Add lemon pulp; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon.

4.In a large kettle, combine the raspberries, sugar and lemon mixture; bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes.

5. Quickly stir in pectin; return to a bull rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; skim off any foam.

*Before using canning jars, soak jars and lids in near boiling water. Make sure jars are hot when pouring in preserves.

6.Pour hot into hot jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rim of jar and place on lid, screw on cap until resistance is felt, but do not force.

7. Place jars in pot of boiling water for 5-10 minutes to process. Using jar tongs, remove jars and set on clear countertop overnight. Freeze or refrigerate. Good for 6-12 months.

This second recipe tastes wonderful. The orange and strawberry flavors are equally prevalent. I'd suggest straining out the orange pulp for a prettier looking marmalade. The sugar can also be cut by a few cups. It's a very sweet marmalade.

Strawberry Orange Marmalade
2 oranges
2 lemons
½ cup water
⅛ tsp baking soda
32 ounces strawberries
7 cups sugar
3 ounces liquid fruit pectin
1.Peel outer layer of oranges and lemons; set aside. Remove the white membrane from fruit and discard. Set the fruit aside.

2. Chop peels; place in a large saucepan. Add water and baking soda; cover and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, section oranges and lemons, reserving juice. Add fruit and juice to saucepan; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Add strawberries. Measure fruit; return 4 cups to the saucepan. (If you have more than 4 cups, discard any extra; if less, add water to equal 4 cups.)

5. Add sugar and mix well. Boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

6. Stir in pectin, boiling for one minute. Remove from heat. Skim off foam.

7. Ladle into half-pint jars or freezer containers, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath or store in the freezer.

Let Me Introduce You to You.

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:20:06 GMT

I find that I can learn a lot about myself that I've forgotten just by reading my old blog or journal entries. I read these things that I fully felt at the time and I realize all over again that I am pretty much just as passionate about those words now as I was then, they just haven't been in the forefront of my mind. My daily life and circumstances haven't changed me much at the core, just what I have time to think I suppose.

Reading my old entries is like talking to an old friend. I love it and I recommend it to anyone who just needs a refresher on themselves.

I know I've changed a lot over the years, but at the same time I feel I'm essentially the same and it is good to remind myself of the things that are important to me. I've been wondering. Is it that we recreate ourselves every day and with each new journal entry?

Spare Keys, Spare Parts, Spare Time.

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:29:19 GMT

I had some spare time since John is studying like a fiend to graduate by December. This might explain why I've been getting things done around my house. Can you believe all my laundry is organized and put away? I know. I'm amazed. Let's see how long it lasts.

I've decided in my spare time to find a place for all my spare keys to live. I've been trying to complete all my crafty projects with materials from around the house. My original thought was to get a board and hammer in some nails to hang the keys on. I admit that I did buy the tags a few weeks ago. So not everything was just lying around.

While at my sister's house today she let me rummage around in her garage for this craft project I've been wanting to figure out. When we renovated her house we put in cherry wood laminate flooring. She's still got a few boxes to put down in her home office. I picked up the tail end of a board. It was perfect!

I bordered it in some polka dot contact paper that I picked up at Target last year when I first bought my condo. Let me take a second to say how far this one roll of contact paper has gone. I used it to cover a side table in my living room. It is also what I used to cover the background of a couple of window boxes John's mother gave me. They both hang in my ktichen. One is the backdrop for a Norman Rockwell picture. The other is the backdrop for some antique handkerchiefs.

I've also cut squares of this polka dot contact paper and stuck it around the perimeter above my kitchen cabinets. It's great because it has a mild adhesive that won't damage the surfaces I stick it to.

Instead of nails I decided on small 3M decorating clips. Here is the finished project!

Instructions on creating your own spare key organizer:

What you will need:
-A plank of wood or other sturdy surface, any size depending on the amount of spare keys.
-Tags or hoops for the keys.
-Contact paper for the border.
-Scissors.
-3M decorate clips.
-1 permanent marker

1. Measure and cut 3 inch wide strips of contact paper to the correct lengths the cover the board. Take off the protective backing and line the contact paper along the edge of the board, leaving about 1.5 inches off the edge. Wrap the paper around and seal around the corners, making sure there are no creases or bubbles.

2. Line up the keys with even space between each key. Mark each spot with the permanent marker. Use 3M foam tape to attach the clips. Press the clips on firmly before hanging the keys. Voila! A cute place to organize your spare keys!

When Bank Work Abates, Housework Abounds.

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:29:29 GMT

Labor Day weekend. What does it mean to you? I must admit I don't know much about Labor Day. I know you're not supposed to wear white afterward. I know people have flags out. I also know you're not supposed to work on Labor Day.

My bank didn't get the memo. Not only are we open until 7 pm weekdays and 6 pm on Saturdays, but we're open on a lot of holidays. Since I had to work on Memorial Day, my assistant manager was "nice" enough to let me off on Labor Day. Of course, I had to work Friday night and all day Saturday. So while most are having 3-day weekends (my manager himself taking a 4-day weekend), I get a less than exciting 2-day weekend, totally missing the coveted 'date night' hours as usual. This is thanks to landing myself on someone's bad list. I'm pushing through it though. I had a really good example of work ethic growing up watching my father. It's just been really difficult for me to stick to it, keep my head down, not complain no matter how unjust management is, keep my energy up to finish strong, and do it all with a meek and faithful heart of a servant. I want to do my job as unto the Lord. It's hard. I've always done good work at my other jobs, but I've never before been in a job with so much opposition. I guess that is the difference. I know workplace tension is present in any job. And I know there's probably no dream job. But how does everyone do it? How do you stick with it? I need more stamina! I'll get there.

Today, Sunday, the day of rest is a much needed sabbatical from Bank work, as well as tomorrow on Labor Day. My sister is having us over for the ritual holiday grilling. Aside from chowing down and resting from Bank Work, housework calls my name. I've been having fun lately with my little house projects and baking spurts. This weekend, laundry is rearing it's ugly head. I don't know how I can have so much laundry and still feel like I can't find anything to wear. I've got piles of clean laundry, baskets of dirty laundry, boxes of winter clothes, closets full of summer clothes, and a dresser full of everything in between. Laundry is my home-front taskmaster. I'm determined to do this work as unto the Lord as well.

This is why I've joined an online program for christian homemakers. I'm loving it so far. It provides scriptural encouragement from keeping up with my home, and a support system of other members. I'm getting some good recipes and cleaning tips. What's great is that I even get to share some of my crafty ideas like the bill organizer. I definitely recommend the website. I'll be starting a De-cluttering Boot Camp soon. I'll be sure to post my progress, because I am a monumental packrat.

I'm Taking my Homemaking Higher. Join me...