tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59107862011-12-29T10:44:47.587-05:00Spiced Teajust conversationIlonanoreply@blogger.comBlogger1461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1115054298556468632005-05-02T13:16:00.002-04:002010-02-09T00:36:44.397-05:00Gentle reminder....
[updated to say] the host, where my new wp blog was to be, folded my blog. It is no more and I don't have the database for it.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1114697130963461612005-04-28T10:01:00.001-04:002008-08-01T19:54:18.407-04:00Blogger has eaten some of my work... so that's one reason nothing new has shown up here... updated to say that the weblogs.us site is no more.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1114022738484318022005-04-20T14:45:00.000-04:002005-04-20T14:45:38.483-04:00The Evil Empire of CatsIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1113060741542745302005-04-09T10:34:00.002-04:002010-02-09T00:35:07.157-05:00The wedding is over, my daughter is on her honeymoon, I've peeked out into my garden, and blogged a bit, but generally I have enjoyed the fact that I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. It is so nice to be a slacker.
Until the next thing, which actually is coming right up. Another family wedding, but this time to attend and a graduation.... combined with a vacation hopefully.
I am not even thinking of aIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1112040946805972942005-03-28T15:05:00.002-05:002011-10-18T22:29:51.461-04:00I have not blogged recently as I have been tottering on the edge of hysteria in the preparations for the wedding.
I think everything is under control and then I think everything is out of control-it's a coin toss as to which depending on the day.
I did run across some very helpful flower arranging books- I will report on that when I have more than a few seconds to breathe. Right now however Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1110953924002201842005-03-16T01:11:00.001-05:002010-02-08T22:35:17.291-05:00Met with the legal people. The paralegal was sick and I felt very sorry for her. I was late to the meeting, too. ADVICE: try not to go through probate. I just think it is extremely complicated. It has high costs, too. Not that estates don't anyway. Death is expensive these days. I just want to be buried in a plain box.
But they won't do that, you know. You can't get buried in a box in your back Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1110475975930391252005-03-10T12:13:00.000-05:002005-03-19T13:40:02.233-05:00I changed the layout to something simpler in preparation of redesigning all my blogs between now and June. This one will have colors and backgrounds changed with some original graphics, but I like clean and crisp so the basic design is blogger dots. How do you like the little avatar? I picked that up from a free avatar site long time ago. You have to go through hundreds to find what you like, andIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1110376971441670362005-03-09T09:01:00.001-05:002010-02-08T22:36:01.321-05:00I found out what I don't like about the whole wedding planning process:
The word "perfect".Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1110248030071028922005-03-07T21:05:00.001-05:002010-02-08T22:39:42.506-05:00Received my Adagio teas, today. I was so happy and surprised that the package arrived so soon after signing up. After I try the teas, I plan to order from them...just because I liked getting the samples. I will most likely order a collection of oolong, since that is my favorite tea of the moment.
Unrelated. I posted some jokes on my other blog, and I started thinking about how people need to Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1109884777062548462005-03-03T16:08:00.001-05:002010-02-08T22:41:50.127-05:00What Happened to Truegrit?
For those of you who happen to know this is a blog done by little ol' moi the same who is notoriously infamous (as opposed to famous) for writing truegrit, I will proceed to complain about the strange transmografications (ok the spellings off-it's a weird word) of truegrit -as the guys over @ weblogs.us try to upgrade their servers...or whatever. I sympathize with themIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1109618954960182642005-02-28T14:22:00.001-05:002010-02-08T22:46:47.531-05:00Wonder how to set a table...properly? The guild of pro butlers lets us, of the plebian class, know all the how-to and the lingo of table-setting. Silverware, anyone?
Oh, yes, I 've had to brush up- the wedding is coming up. I bought the most beautiful Stash tea, a Jasmine white for part of a shower favor, but now I want to try it out myself. Why oh why do I not learn to always buy two of those Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1109181374247397122005-02-23T12:56:00.002-05:002011-10-18T22:28:02.767-04:00Taking my vitamins, getting slightly more sleep, and getting on top of the wedding errands. Not on top of my game yet, but this is a great improvement. YAY! Of course, the blogging has suffered, but something's got to give- something always does.
The main trouble is that I am still very unfocused -never a good thing for easily distract-able me. I have a little to tidy up on the executor businessIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1108590956380839382005-02-16T16:55:00.001-05:002010-02-08T22:54:02.995-05:00Personality Disorders is a page I came across through a link while blog-exploring. I think via Wide Awakes, or something. Anyway, they were comparing the Left to those who have the Peter Pan Syndrome. As I read through I saw a picture of my husband. I kind of knew that, but it brought it home to me.
Our roles and how they changed were some of the really challenging things in our marriage. I wasIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1108089057606351912005-02-14T09:30:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:13:08.638-05:0030 answers ...
... to 30 questions.
1. What time did you get up this morning?
* 8:30 this morning
2. Diamonds or pearls?
* I like pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?
* "Sideways"
4. What is your favorite TV show?
* I don't watch TV,but I catch up with the video releases. I like "24"
5. What did you have for breakfast?
* coffee and a popsicle
6. What is your middle name?Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1108364370626858722005-02-14T01:34:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:15:45.958-05:00I heard a good sermon today; even though I tend to be so distracted lately I did manage to pay attention. It started out with a statistic from Fast Company Magazine: of the people asked whether they would choose one more hour of time at home each day or $10,000 more income, some 86% chose more income. The message from this was that we need intimacy and love, but we don't make time for it. It's a Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1108016357724327442005-02-10T01:43:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:19:23.342-05:00I tell all my secrets here. I don't usually let the cat out of the bag..heh,heh, it's coming.... but Bill the Cat is for illustration purposes only. The truth is, um, I hate to say this, but I don't like cats all that well.
There. It's out. No I did not kick it once it was out, it just sort of scatted. Cats do that.
I used to like cats when I was little; but then I also liked ants, and Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1107623645131652522005-02-05T12:14:00.000-05:002005-02-05T12:14:05.130-05:00Bill The CatIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1107622794140379272005-02-05T11:42:00.000-05:002005-02-05T12:06:04.546-05:00Want to know how it's gone with me, lately? Really? Let me tell you ;) First, this month had been a long slide into depression...then I developed a most miserable cold, which tends to raise me out of depression since then I am truly miserable as opposed to thinking that I am miserable. So I make it through last night and get to the upside of believing that I will get better soon, only to decide IIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1106793979453561852005-01-26T21:46:00.001-05:002011-08-25T12:02:04.312-04:00Grandma MosesJS Online: Grandma Moses' art getting a 2nd look: "A critic's perspective"
...is an article from some time ago. Something that most people don't know about me is that when I was a child I won an art contest with a Grandma Moses style painting. It was hung in the Art Museum and I received a coffee table book on Grandma Moses, an Arbuthnot anthology of stories, a real life artists easel and oil Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1106335361213295002005-01-21T14:18:00.000-05:002005-01-21T14:22:41.213-05:00Idling the hours away... actually just followed a stat link to A9 search engine. They have this nifty feature of a sidebar with pics relevant to the search query. Just sort of interesting. I saw this http://a9.com/ilona%20.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1106170253449395892005-01-19T16:10:00.000-05:002005-01-19T22:26:29.776-05:00blogger is extremely weird and inefficient today. Made inexplicable copy of the last post and absolutely will not upload the hello pics. Blah, a truly toady day.
That reminds me. Have you ever found that child book characters describe you? I am more toad than frog, and more eeyore than pooh. Most definitely I am more Puddlegum, marshwiggle, than Reepicheep. BTW, I think of all those characters IIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1106155230635527752005-01-19T11:58:00.002-05:002011-10-18T22:33:22.380-04:00I notice interior design is going more modern with clean lines. Lots of Pottery Barn look. I tend to like the pared down decorating , but have had lots of clutter in real life. I am torn between design sense and sentimentalism. Knick-knacks seem to win. Plus we have most of our family people living in the house most of the time since I am a SAHM who homeschools and my husband is semi-work at homeIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1105570169562521892005-01-12T17:27:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:44:59.921-05:00We've been talking movies lately, haven't we? Besides finding myself mirroring Napoleon Dynamite, only the "idiot" response not the mouth hanging slightly open with the maddening lack of response, lately, I have been thinking some about the movies I watched.... and the next logical step to that is:
A List!
Yes, I came across a meme to list the five celebrities you find most attractive (only notIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1105509251817624972005-01-12T01:44:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:46:09.233-05:00Tonight saw "The Village". I think that is what it is called-my husband picks the movies, I just watch them. That is one very strange movie. The end was actually a bit of a surprise, mainly because I wasn't sure whether the highly stylized manner of most of it wasn't just symbolic and presenting a philosophical view-which it was, but the end was something of a surprise.
I know that I am Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1105413798461983252005-01-10T22:06:00.000-05:002005-01-10T22:23:18.460-05:00hmmmm. I feel the need to explain my economic position in life. I don't know if there are lots of others my age that find themselves in this position or not... I have made life decisions that were outside the scope of the average...like having ten children.
Most all my life I have lived in the lower middle class and a few times during job layoffs and such dipped into where I probably would have Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1105408712798388412005-01-10T20:42:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:48:54.550-05:00About some movies I watched lately.
First someone on a blog dissed Open Water. I thought it was a bit home-movie at first, but by the end I felt that it was probably one of the more horror producing for all that. It was an interesting movie in some ways and not in others. The dialog seemed fairly realistic, and the manner of filming gave it a fresh feel.
Now on the other hand everyone is Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1104947631735883952005-01-05T13:44:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:53:12.336-05:00I have watched ye olde stocks falling the last couple days... easy come easy go. Trying to get my kids jump started on their schooling- essay writing to be exact. Yes, I know how to write.... I just don't want to do it that way. {sure, Ilona} -hey! third person! Now how effete is that?
I watched Troy on video last night. and -completely unrelated- could not sleep well all night. I think it was Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1104864303932393892005-01-04T13:43:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:49:37.135-05:00Russian Chai
The Russian word for tea is Chai, and I will always remember it. When I was in St.Petersburg, I found that tea was everywhere and seemed to be more favored than coffee. I spent my week in St.Petersburg during a very cold November, and every resturant was quick to offer tea. In Russia, they brew their tea thick and hot and pour it into small glasses. I had thought that England or Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1104775004904119732005-01-03T13:45:00.001-05:002010-02-08T23:55:10.385-05:00What new things did I learn in 2004? I learned how to work with MT code for my other blog. Sort of learned. It is more complicated than I thought and I can't rely on frontpage to jimmy with it since that ____ program automatically changes the strange code into stranger characters, and I don't know how to turn the auto-change off yet. So I hybrid it with Notepad, which does really strange things Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1104625765169850962005-01-01T18:48:00.000-05:002011-10-18T22:44:13.468-04:00good things bad things......
good: my husband decided he wanted a new printer, so he took mine and bought me an excellent new one! I have eaten lots of good chocolate lately. I think that's good. It tasted good:) and other yummy things. Happy Holidays indeed.
bad: I am tired of words. I have overloaded on reading blogs and writing blogposts. Way overload. it is intellectual binge and purge.
Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1104425048656123682004-12-30T11:22:00.000-05:002011-11-21T16:18:27.217-05:00After Christmas BluesThe news: my home phonelines are down, I drive my mom back home today, this weekend I will blog in earnest and I am planning a makeover for truegrit. My son thinks my pic looks "disturbing". Maybe I can get a new pic taken today in the fog before I brave the roads.
I am on my old computer in my husbands filthy office. I tell you I don't think he wipes any thing off ever. He has my old IBM and itIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1104166320329133622004-12-27T11:50:00.000-05:002011-10-18T22:40:20.285-04:00Today my mother is in hypermode. Talking a mile a minute with the kids... the older ones mostly. I am getting ready to get off the computer and get ready for my dr. appt.
I am glad to get out for a bit altho' I hate doctor appt.'s
======
I went to the appointment. Everything is stable. I am over that hurdle for the next few months.
My mother's talking has upped and -if possible- speeded Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1103770953234144382004-12-22T22:01:00.000-05:002004-12-22T22:33:25.253-05:00I have lots of things I do not want to talk about... as well as those which I do not wish to think about....
I am not in angst over that, and wouldn't have thought about it except for reading a blog that had many posts on the thoughts one woman had on her mother's death.
I realized that I do not feel like talking much about my father but that unpleasant thoughts come up every once in awhile Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1103561358101462582004-12-20T11:32:00.000-05:002004-12-20T11:51:54.110-05:00This morning I wrote a poem and posted it on the garden journal. It is really rare for me to write poetry- but the muse was at work today. I don't write well, so I son't attempt much that is expressive very often. Just every once in a great while.
Usually it comes out of depression of a certain sort... kind of a sad reflective mood.
Good thing I wrote it when I did or at this point it Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1103005491310778342004-12-14T01:24:00.000-05:002004-12-14T01:24:51.310-05:00too trueIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1102777474144493052004-12-11T10:04:00.000-05:002004-12-12T16:17:16.910-05:00
peace Ilona, your subconscious mind is driven most by Peace
You are driven by a higher purpose than most people. You have a deeply-rooted desire to facilitate peacefulness in the world. Whether through subtle interactions with love ones, or through getting involved in social causes, it is important to you to influence the world.
You are driven by a desire to encourage others to think about Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1102717042194927562004-12-10T17:11:00.001-05:002010-02-09T00:12:42.127-05:00I am a little put off with the truegrit blog server... it is out again after I wrote this really long blog that took alot out of me to write. I saved it on Notepad but still.... I will have to format it correctly once the host is back online.
I'll try to contain my irritation, after all it is a free server, and they are transferring their system to wordpress, I think. I suppose I will put up Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1102646577920421462004-12-09T21:38:00.000-05:002004-12-09T21:48:45.300-05:00People infuse meaning into all sorts of things, that is the our spiritual nature without its compass. In the light of that the Teamuse newletter has an article on "Tea and Superstition".
====or=====
Find out more about Darjeeling tea, its history and its qualities.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1102643401601230952004-12-09T20:50:00.000-05:002004-12-09T20:50:01.600-05:00Love me, love my graphics! Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1101924530384113462004-12-01T13:46:00.000-05:002011-08-25T11:59:45.523-04:00I've been shopping more often at my nearest Wild Oats, and comparing it with where I usually shop for groceries, Krogers. I have to say that Wild Oats has it over Krogers in the fresh produce portion, especially, and since they carry all Organic brands of cereals, Wild Oats usually has better buys on those types of cereals. And their yams during the Thanksgiving season were awesome. Big fat ol' Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1101749194294947432004-11-29T13:20:00.001-05:002010-02-09T00:07:40.616-05:00My activities: I have explored the 'about atheism' forum some, read a few atheist articles on the Christians Right, explored numerous Christian blogs, checked on how the stockmarket is doing (down today), drank my daily quota of coffee, and blogged a bit.
I am getting ready to go offline, check the kids schoolwork, get something to eat for lunch, and hopefully fend off a threatening headache.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1101701497762283082004-11-28T23:05:00.000-05:002004-11-28T23:11:37.763-05:00Today we had our first Advent devotion. It was nice to have the two boys participate before they traveled the long way to their homes in the South. We sang a few worship songs and a few carols, three of the kids took turns playing the guitar accompianment and they all played surprisingly well. Wow:)
We prayed and then hung around together before they left. Good start to the season, with one Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1101492274971582142004-11-26T13:17:00.001-05:002011-08-25T11:55:55.828-04:00ThanksgivingThe Thanksgiving celebration went fairly well this year. I did struggle, but all came out well and I didn't struggle as much as some years. All Blessings. I made the whole huge feast... but it was more bland tasting than I like. I am not sure why. Maybe I tried to have too many dishes and made more bland tasting choices. Like a sun-dried tomato dressing for the salad instead of a sharp Italian Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1100299982927111542004-11-12T17:36:00.000-05:002011-08-25T12:03:49.352-04:00That Chai recipe was from the Chicago Mensa Site, btw. Check out the many interesting recipes in their "Cheap Eats" section.
I am getting ready to write another essay on the subject of being a SAHM. But in the meantime I am thinking about creative ways to try to contribute to our family's income. Seriously looking into trying ebay...since I have a veritable wealth of clutter and I always try Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1099930704488075032004-11-08T11:15:00.000-05:002004-11-08T11:18:24.486-05:00Want to make your own Chai? Try this recipe:
Hindi Chai
Indian Spiced Tea
2 green cardamom pods
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Generous dash or two ground cloves
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated or finely chopped (optional)
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1-1/2 Tbs. sugar
2 heaping tsp. black tea or 2 tea bags
Lightly crush the cardamom pods in a mortar, to release their fragrance. Alternately, you can Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1099598453061529562004-11-04T14:53:00.000-05:002004-11-04T15:00:53.060-05:00Everyone I read is being so genteel about the election, so far. That means "so far so good".
The stock market is up, and that is excellent. Yes, I care about that since inheriting a bit of stock. I have no retirement. nil. So I am very thankful to be part of the capitalists of society now. Not that stocks are a sure thing.... they are not. But even if I had much in the way of Soc. Sec. how sureIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1099425320878846132004-11-02T14:43:00.000-05:002004-11-02T14:58:34.676-05:00Here was my day. Got up late since I stayed on the computer way too long last night, rushed off bleary -eyed to a bank to clear up a discrepancy in what was supposed to be closed acct., then went to another bank to deposit a check. It was like a mausoleum. I hate buildings that are like mausoleums. The close, musty smelling vault-like feeling. Major Ick. Think of going to work in a building like Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1099340267322761052004-11-01T14:49:00.000-05:002004-11-01T15:24:50.870-05:00 Mixing it up a bit TOO much
I have mixed around the blogs a bit again. TrueGrit is not supposed to have all my emotive whining.... you are dear tea blog! Do we cry in our tea? Or is that something else? Cry in the whiskey? I don't remember. Maybe it's milk, but the whole purpose of having the different blogs that I kept alive was to keep their focus relatively pure.
After making the mistake ofIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1099161362352613272004-10-30T14:19:00.000-04:002004-10-30T14:36:02.353-04:00Ice Tea
I feel like writing about ice tea, but it's out of season, you know? At least up north here, it is. And I always drink it unsweetened anyway, which is not Southern at all. The only sweet tea I ever drink is when someone else makes it, or I am sick. Then I use honey.
I'm writing about it anyway. The best tea to make for ice tea is either good ol' Lipton or Constant Comment. Heavy bodied Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1098579113657496032004-10-23T20:48:00.000-04:002004-10-23T20:51:53.656-04:00I wrote last month about the vertigo returning. I came across an exercise that is supposed to work - it is something that I read referred to on official medical sites, and I finally found it on a medical reference site... although I will have to find that url. The info I copied is this:
In general, MEP does not seem too complicated. It involves sitting on a bed and turning the head to the side ofIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1098578423801347292004-10-23T20:22:00.000-04:002004-10-23T20:40:23.803-04:00I'm a little frustrated lately. Some of it is in my own distractedness, some in having to correct things on the computer ( the updates and the virus programs and numerous other things), and some with the irritating habits of some bloggers.
I keep getting called on in the most picyune stuff and addressed with the most patronizing manner. Read my links, read my posts.... as if I hadn't already. I Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1097783536765294702004-10-14T15:52:00.000-04:002004-10-14T15:52:16.766-04:00Blue Cat's Graphics - Original Cat and Non-Cat Stuff.
This is posted as a public service to all you cat-lovers out there... super nice graphics and all the cats and kitties your heart could desire. Even Anime Cat icons! And cat folders... and kitty Firefox themes...well, you get the picture.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1096042175529620102004-09-24T11:46:00.000-04:002004-09-24T13:16:56.683-04:00In sort of a punk mood today. The vertigo/dizzy thing returned and it is slower going away this time. Major inconvenience. It seems tied to hormones, but maybe not... it might be a Potassium thing. I think that because it seems better after I get more potassium via orange juice or something similar. Leaning towards the thinking that this is part of the problem.
What it means for my real life is Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1095883205117133602004-09-22T16:00:00.000-04:002004-09-22T16:00:05.116-04:00FlickrThis is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1094684210822885052004-09-08T18:53:00.000-04:002004-09-24T13:18:39.130-04:00I was writing in my other blogs and almost felt there were pixies throwing in the typos...but I know it is just because I am so tired. I am finally finishing up the stock market stuff for the executor responsibilites. I only need to get some of the important papers off for the taxes and I can take a breather.
I think I can take a breather...sometimes I fool myself.
Probably defending my mind Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1094511551245865012004-09-06T18:49:00.000-04:002004-09-06T18:59:11.246-04:00One of the best gifts I ever got for one of my kids was a little screen bug house. I have a child who is interested in all things "nature" and she was always collecting insects and things, so I came across a nice size bug house and bought it for her. She uses it all the time, although some of the living things have met an early demise, at times. I try to remind her to let things go, after a Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1093108646748964542004-08-21T13:15:00.000-04:002004-08-21T13:17:26.746-04:00I hate flash. It gives me a headache. Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1093099933056888472004-08-21T10:44:00.000-04:002004-08-21T10:54:14.636-04:00Generic Blog Day.
I decided to use one of the nice new blogger designs.... it will take me awhile to customize it, especially at my pace of blogging! I saved the other template.... so I will be able to either resume the old ways ( not likely) or more likely just change the basic design to be more of what I want it to be.
Today I am basically happy ( relatively speaking ). It is tentative and itIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1092435771020042452004-08-13T18:08:00.000-04:002004-08-13T18:22:51.020-04:00You know it's been a long time since posting when you forget your password! But then I recalled it and here we are.
No one bothers to read anything updated as poorly as this..... soon it will be my truly secret diary:)
Anyway, the main reason for blogging today is that I will soon be launching into homeschooling mode. I am kind of an old and tired homeschooler.... sometimes you could Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-109130616278609342004-07-31T16:19:00.000-04:002004-07-31T16:36:02.786-04:00Yikees! Look how long it's been. That means that no one bothers to check this blog anymore. You, dear reader, just happened here on a lark, right?
My mother was here for a week and that displaced all blog time. I drove to get her and drove her back- all in day trips. Then on the way here we had to get her dog to the kennel. My home is sure death for that dog. If he doesn't run out on the road, Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1089644798210327202004-07-12T11:00:00.000-04:002004-07-12T11:06:38.210-04:00I was going to audioblog last night, but then just didn't feel like it. I don't like the phone very much. People who know me well know this fact... and now you!
I posted some more serious stuff on truegrit. I amnot a funny person normally... only by the occasional accidental "Wow-I was kinda funny". Mostly I am serious and that makes me sort of an Eeyore wet-blanket dead serious type. Good in aIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1089125571067897712004-07-06T10:42:00.001-04:002010-02-09T00:09:41.239-05:00You can always tell when a blog is made by someone who is technologically proficient AND organized. Which in my mind are synonymous characteristics, but probably aren't.
Those sorts of blogs are usually minimalist in styling, but highly pleasing in aesthetics. They have all these neat and tidy categories that help you navigate through the posts and topics.
Then you have the distractable typesIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1089036756337689462004-07-05T10:12:00.000-04:002004-07-05T10:12:36.336-04:00Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1089012453256327312004-07-05T03:27:00.000-04:002004-07-05T03:27:33.256-04:00Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1088987836022952432004-07-04T20:30:00.000-04:002004-07-04T20:37:16.023-04:00Well, folks, that was another rather sad audio from me. I have had some truly head-shaking reality checks of late. How I go blank on tape, what I look like in a digital pic.... I don't know if I want this much reality all at once.
My next audio will address people I know. That is my plan to try to get more comfortable with recording. The problem is that I have absolutely no idea where I want Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1088986816652398042004-07-04T20:20:00.000-04:002004-07-04T20:20:16.653-04:00Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1088731166810756462004-07-01T21:11:00.000-04:002004-07-01T21:19:26.810-04:00I just looked at a "Klingon" blog.
I am sorry. I didn't get the point.
It is sort of like when you are a kid and you want a secret language for you and your friends... before you discover how hard it is for people to really understand each other anyway, and that secrets aren't power, but communication is....
Just blew steam.
Are you ready? I will soon make another audio blog.
Alright. So Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1088326743635211512004-06-27T04:59:00.000-04:002004-06-27T04:59:03.636-04:00Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1088202569550117172004-06-25T18:23:00.000-04:002004-06-25T18:29:29.550-04:00What a let-down. I tried and tried to contact audioblog, but they were down for maintenance... and then I did the famous 'put my back out". This time very badly. Couldn't crawl without pain. I cried from the frustration. It made me think of people who face that type of debility every day.
I can't imagine.
I will try to call again...although I started to think, maybe it will cost a fortune in Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1087610685155968412004-06-18T22:02:00.000-04:002004-06-18T22:29:29.903-04:00I was too distracted and didn't settle down to compose myself for the first audio. Yes, I am like that.
Ever clean a toilet? Think about this nightmare.
I mean who thinks up these things? The new rococo .... good grief.Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1087572690302193722004-06-18T11:25:00.000-04:002004-06-18T11:31:30.303-04:00I am going to tryout the free audioblogger on this page. The idea of making a fool of myself scares me a bit... but I will get over it. Whether with self fulfilled prophecy or with unfounded fears shall be seen. Or heard.
I almost did last night, but two things put me off: I wasn't sure I wanted the sound of the fan in the background, and it was late at night... tempting me to late night Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1087488598130282082004-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:002004-06-18T10:25:36.350-04:00I learned a new word today, "colophon". I don't know why, but there are very few new words that I learn anymore. It is not like I know them all... it is more that it is highly unusual for people to use a more imaginative vocabulary.
I'm guilty of late, aussi.
Anyway here is what that word means:
An inscription, monogram, or cipher, containing the place and date of publication, printer's name, Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1087428859350106102004-06-16T19:13:00.000-04:002004-06-18T22:31:21.116-04:00I am a little put out by the rainyness and otherwise oppressive dampness, but underneath is some of the sun-instilled optimism of my vacation respite. Not quite ready to break out in a rendition of "I feeeeel GOOD!" but still buoyed.
I am more aware of how the little nastiness of life and people's dogged attempts at creating mindless trouble are the sources of lots of general depression. I must Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1087265890998855152004-06-14T22:06:00.000-04:002004-06-14T22:18:38.053-04:00Hidey-Ho! I am back from vacation. I posted in truegrit ( twice ;)..... and now forgot what I was going say here. Oops.
Um, I think it was about how hot it is here, hot and humid. And about the herbal pro-biotic that my sister recommended. I found it while at a great health food place in South Carolina, Earth Fare. It's called Primal Defense. Hopefully it helps me; even though it was 25% off it Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1085752344654762352004-05-28T09:40:00.000-04:002004-05-28T09:52:24.653-04:00I woke up with a terrible sore throat today. The family has been going through a lousy sort of cold virus and now it is my turn. So far, I still breathe. heh.
While I still feel good enough I am going to eat some cheescake..... not just any kind, but one made with lemon mascarpone mousse filling. And I will enjoy every calorie laden bite.
I have been sleeping better and that is a good thing. Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1085411838921671472004-05-24T11:11:00.000-04:002004-05-24T11:17:18.923-04:00I keep putting the spiceytea posts in other blogs...bad me. It is spring and I am working everything like crazy. Everything...all at the same time. Let me tell you, this does not feel good to do. But it makes headway into the obligations. I have lots I want to post in truegrit, but get bogged down by either emotions or demands on my time. This is a good thing, it keeps me from blathering about Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1084915652691806252004-05-18T17:23:00.000-04:002004-05-18T18:26:12.006-04:00Want to know who I used to want to look like ( in my early teens)? Marianne Faithfull. I used to want to look like her and sing like her. At that time she was my favorite female rock star.
I just came across some site that mentioned her and then did a look-up to see what happened as the years ensued. Wild. While she not much regretful, it is a sad story to read. But she seems to have come out OKIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1083284339110494832004-04-29T20:18:00.000-04:002004-04-29T20:23:16.750-04:00The days have been good. And today, with lovely warm weather, I enjoyed homemade bread with butter, excellent coffee, and I felt really great. Things are going better than usual... and when it is like that I fully enjoy it, but I also have thoughts about those who are having a hard time. I don't know why my mind works that way. I am not feeling guilty or anything, but I think about the young menIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1083006377230212792004-04-26T15:06:00.000-04:002004-04-26T15:11:06.153-04:00Thanks to Blogger, I now have a GMail account. I am pretty happy with it...just from looking through. I haven't actually tried using it yet, simply because I decided to keep it for particular purposes. I have no idea how it handles spam, so I am reticent to put it out in public on blogs and in sign-ups. I used to use a Netscape mail, but that was so awful due to no control of incoming messages. Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1082592357953401342004-04-21T20:05:00.000-04:002004-04-21T20:22:21.576-04:00All classics that you have read in bold letters:
1984, George Orwell
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Animal Farm, George Orwell
Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
The BFG, Roald Dahl
Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
Bleak House, Charles Dickens
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1081135086633684172004-04-04T23:18:00.000-04:002004-04-04T23:51:23.390-04:00Just Like a Dream had something to pass the time. Perfect distraction for the languishing: another list.
If I were a month I would be: November
If I were a day of the week I would be: Sunday
If I were a time of day I would be: Late night
If I were a planet I would be: Uranus
If I were a sea animal I would be: Sea Anemone
If I were a direction I would be: NNE
If I were a piece of furniture I Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1080799427929142412004-04-01T01:03:00.000-05:002004-04-01T01:07:26.153-05:00The Top 10 Things They Never Taught Me in Design School
Really good to keep in mind. Reprinted from Michael McDonough who has a teeny-weeny font-text, but pretty pictures. Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1080791853146926952004-03-31T22:57:00.000-05:002004-03-31T23:08:53.890-05:00My, my, my. I found a little essay-post that explores the act of self-censoring. "Eventually, always being the protagonist starts to feel like the lie it is."
That is one way to look at it. And I am sure that those of us who portray ourselves on the web are guilty of that to a certain extent ( and truthfully, there are some who are way beyond "certain extent"); but I have tended to look at someIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1080275003171011392004-03-25T23:23:00.000-05:002004-03-25T23:26:52.810-05:00Well, well, well. Upsaid has done the force your hand sort of thing. Buy or we terminate you.
So it is on to putting together a new blog for the opinions part of my online life. The only problem will be a format that fits in the frame on my website. I chose tblog despite the fact that it won't fit. I also had a live journal experiment. I must choose again.
Oh the choices.
Anyway, here are Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1079744728031991722004-03-19T20:05:00.000-05:002004-03-19T21:06:44.700-05:00A Name Game
If you call me firefornow, you know me from when I raised hell on the Delphi forums-to do battle,(ahem, of course)
If you call me Ilona, you could be most anyone I have met in some way.
If you call me Mom, you could be one of any ten people.
If you call me Honey, you are the lady at the grocery store.
If you call me Mrs. [husband's last name], you are one of my kids friends .
If you Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1079714443754743232004-03-19T11:40:00.000-05:002004-03-19T12:14:55.763-05:00Open Brackets has perfectly wonderful French words to use!
cagoterie: zealous, bigoted devotion; fla-fla: self-consciously pretentious, à la keeping up with the Jones’s, and suivez-moi-jeune-homme: (literally: follow-me-young-mans) the ribbons on women’s bonnets.
Aren't those wonderful? For those who love things about languages, check out Gail Armstrong's site. But be forewrned that if you use Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1078710331261438312004-03-07T20:45:00.000-05:002004-03-19T11:50:46.310-05:00I watched a number of movies this week. As usual, lately, I didn't sleep very much. Not sure what that will end up doing to me in the long run...but for the short run, I find I am very easily distracted ( losing my place more than usual) and I blogged excessively in the truegrit blog.
Then I felt ashamed.
I do that.
Anyway, the movies I saw were "Radio", "School of Rock", and that last DylanIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1078342285154180592004-03-03T14:31:00.000-05:002011-08-25T11:53:29.691-04:00100 THINGS more than you really wanted to know......
1. I am complex
2. but sometimes I would rather be simple
3. I take too long to say something, a living run-on sentence.
4. I like color, especially saturated color
5. I gravitate towards purples, but like greens, too.
6, I say "I" too much and this exercise doesn't help.
7. Because I am an introvert, an extroverted introvert.
8. that Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1077855203303334562004-02-26T23:13:00.000-05:002004-02-26T23:17:28.903-05:00I don't know what it is with me lately. I'm up, I'm down, encouraged, then discouraged. All over the place and I still have some trouble sleeping. I have lots of trouble being productive.
I know it has been a hard year.... my husband calls it the hardest year of his life. but sometimes I think he hijacks my pain and then I have to center on him. But sometimes I think I am all wrong....so there Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1077745280177302862004-02-25T16:41:00.001-05:002010-02-09T00:02:18.998-05:00I finally did it. I bought a digital camera... and now comes the learning curve. What a learning curve it proves to be! Just looking for the right camera was totally confusing. I only half researched -which is not like me, but that is what I did.
Ended up buying a Sony. Went looking for a Nikon, but ran into one of those blah-blah supercilious salesmen types. He just kept saying: discontinued Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1077154213118032482004-02-18T20:30:00.001-05:002010-02-09T00:15:01.553-05:00Groundhog Recipes Either they will just love this idea.... or it can mean nightmares for the more sensitive? Don't know, but aghhhh, the hedgehog cake is too much. Like eating Miss Tiggy-winkle. Mr Bill's voice in the background, "Noooooo,nooooo".
This site has some other sorts of foods that look delicious without the emotional angst.
Enjoy;)Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1076531325736030612004-02-11T15:28:00.000-05:002004-02-11T15:33:47.840-05:00Bitchin'
Ok, I love this sort of post.
I don't know why.
I think it was that last sentence, "Tis the season to be a lonely, bitter wench."
It just amused me no end.....
I could'a done without some of the comments, however.......Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1076530568067786642004-02-11T15:16:00.001-05:002010-02-09T00:16:56.394-05:00I am thinking of my father again.
My father locked out love; he wouldn't allow it entrance. Instead he sought for lust from his different girlfriends, and then for sympathy as substitutes.
There is a lesson that it teaches me: a person should not scorn love.
We might want to separate out the demands and obligations along with expectations and images that are illusory, but the kernel of Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1075825088969770522004-02-03T11:18:00.000-05:002004-02-03T11:26:22.733-05:00Unfortunately I resumed taking online tests. Here is the newest:
Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1075441564839707222004-01-30T00:46:00.001-05:002010-02-09T00:19:11.006-05:00I never used to believe that it would help my problems very much to discuss them. I talk quite a bit once I get going, and don't mind discussing most things, but usually kept my innermost problems to myself.
I have been almost confessional on some of my blog posts, and am finding it does do some good after all. It has defused some things, helped dissipate some of their power.
So now I see whyIlonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1075353957428042782004-01-29T00:25:00.000-05:002004-01-29T00:41:37.606-05:00a couple last things.... nobody buys anything from me :( I got my report from Amazon. $0.00 again ... I will never add to that paltry 1.75 from last year. I am a bust at business.
I will try to work on my webstuff better this year, maybe. I have tried out a number of blogs, and now will have to delete some. That is right... I opened up several more, just to see the format. But practically Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1075353354141891922004-01-29T00:15:00.000-05:002004-01-29T00:18:05.610-05:00Only short stuff since I started the theological treatise (?!!) on truegrit. I sewed the head back on the bear for one of my little girls last week. Only took a year or so to get to it. heh.
In homeschool we read some material on ..... are you ready..... I have to look it up: the reticular formation of the brain. It was very complex. I will have to have us re-read after we are done with the Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1074987730445861182004-01-24T18:42:00.000-05:002004-01-24T18:44:15.903-05:00Nice Cup of Tea has lots of interesting stuff and a poll on Lapsang Souchong. Can I say "neato"...no , but I liked finding this page....Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1074969784815527742004-01-24T13:43:00.000-05:002004-01-24T19:04:51.403-05:00I have spent an unconscionable amount of time blogging, mostly in truegrit. Which is my "serious" blog. That is what I call it anyway.
It is all due to the fact that I got on the topic of religion. I always have lots to say on that topic.
I meant to do some garden journaling, but now I am not sure I should put more time in...well, while I make up my mind I will do the "movie thing" on yet Ilonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910786.post-1074644733672194482004-01-20T19:25:00.000-05:002004-01-20T19:30:30.966-05:00I have dared myself to clean house this week. I know that sounds simple and uneventful to many... but for those who really have no sense of joy in housecleaning.... you know my pain.
Anyway. Yesterday started out well enough. I cleaned a bunch of things and organized some. Today I got all caught up in cooking. That is fine, and technically domestic, but the house is not perceptibly better. I Ilonanoreply@blogger.com