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August 31, 2004
A Ploy?
Some of us in the office were just discussing how expensive eating healthy can be. As we're being more health conscious, our skinny wallets are even skinnier. Carbs are cheap...bread, pasta, etc. etc. Could America's obesity problem be linked to this fact? Hm. I also realize that it has a lot to do with our propensity toward convenience. By buying the prepackaged salad instead of the tasty and colorful ingredients, eating microwave meals and driving thru the fast food line we are spending much more and getting much less bang for our buck. I don't think it's necessarily laziness, but lack of time, perhaps? I have these weird visions of Mrs. Ingalls baking bread running through my head.
Kind of like the whole technology thing...computers make life easier, so we have more time to get more work done and then feel the need to work faster and faster and faster. AAAAAAAHHHH. Then, we work late so when we get home we throw some Ravioli in the microwave and off we go to soccer practice.
But without computers, no email and blogging. And, living in an apartment, I have no place for a garden.
Whine, whine, whine.
Posted by stacey at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2004
Grrrr. My computer crashed midway
Grrrr. My computer crashed midway through my posting. I had to start all over. Whine, whine, whine.
I'm heading to Philly to meet up with some friends. I'm looking forward to a weekend off. All the work is worth it, though. We've heard some great stories already from Purple Door last weekend and last night we had a blast at the 20th Birthday party for WJTL.
Embarrassing moment: Last night while rushing around doing stuff at the WJTL bash, I did a typical clumsy Stacey thing. I was grabbing some boxes to take over to the dumpster, when suddenly I had the slow motion vibe going on and started to trip, thought I caught myself, then landed on both knees. Of course, there were hundreds of people around and I heard gasps and sounds of concern, to which I tried to cooly reply..."Nope, nothing wrong here. Just hurt the pride" Then continued walking toward the dumpster. I'm such a dork.
Posted by stacey at 04:05 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2004
Zoolors
I was just thinking of my Geometry teacher and Student Council Supervisor Ms. Murray. I was intimidated by her, but we got along. I got a D in her Geometry class. Math is not my strong subject...especially all the theorems and junk that I didn't "get" in Geometry. One time we went to Ms. Murray's house for a Student Council meeting. I remember she had a big white harp. That was surprising to me. She didn't seem like the harpist type...I always wanted to play the harp and wanted to be the harp type...long flowing hair, long flowing perhaps hippie-ish dresses, birkenstocks...My pastors wife was also a harpist. She was very soft spoken and sweet.
Mrs. Murray used to use the word "zoolors" as an exclamation of surprise. Today I used that word in my head when Ann whispered to me, "4 months till Christmas".
On an unrelated note, in a prior post I discussed my hair conundrum. Yesterday I dyed it dark black with red streaks. I like it. I feel funky. Thanks for the encouragement Elisabeth. I have plans for more funkiness. It may take place this Saturday.
Posted by stacey at 12:46 PM | Comments (1)
August 20, 2004
it's the little things
When in the midst of set up for a festival, it's the little things that make you happy...Diet Green Turkey Hill Iced Tea, beef jerkey, a ride in a gator around the grounds, or a newfound watch that came free with the Banana Boat Sunscreenn we bought for our crew. Wondertriplets power activate. This is the kind of simple stimuli that gets us through when we are really tired from lack of sleep.
It's sunny out. We are praying for more of the same tomorrow. !It is so exciting as all of our friends continue to arrive. I Love Purple Door. Come and join us!!
Posted by stacey at 07:52 PM | Comments (1)
August 18, 2004
Purple Door
Today is the day that some of us head off to Ski Roundtop to get this party started. I love Purple Door...I guess cause I've been at it since the beginning whether with Rainchildren, as a friend of staff, as a volunteer, or now on staff and it's exciting to watch a festival grow and change. It's a lot of hard work, but it is such a thrill when the event is up and running...and then again when it's all over. We are constantly reminded that we could never do it without all the people who sacrifice their time, but most importantly, God's Grace!
I hope that this year many real connections are made between attendees and/or staff that will lead to people getting to know God or strengthen their faith. I hope relationships are strengthened through an enjoyable weekend together celebrating arts, music and faith. I pray for safety of everyone involved. I pray that the artists will enjoy themselves. I pray for agreeable weather. I look forward to seeing Over the Rhine, one of my favorite bands!!! I look forward to seeing friends that I only see at this festival.
I'm off to finish up what needs to be done at the office today. Hope to see you Friday and Saturday at Ski Roundtop in Lewisbery, PA for Purple Door 2004...as Karen says, it's the year it rhymes.
Posted by stacey at 08:42 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2004
Online Listening
I think there can be something really wonderful about online streaming of radio. It makes the world seem a little smaller in some ways and bigger in others. Being able to hear great music from other parts of the country or even the world is such a treat....and for people like me who live far from home, it's a great way to hear a little of the accent, familiar voices, weather, and all the little things. It's also fun to eaves drop on what the day is like across the country. I've been listening to a great station out of Seattle today. and raving about it to just about everyone I've spoken to. My friend Trish gave me the hook up and for that I am grateful.
Just before typing this entry, I received an email from a WJTL listener who is in Australia and is overjoyed at being able to listen to the station she loves from overseas.
Technology can be a very great thing, can't it!?
Posted by stacey at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2004
Am I Obsessed?
The binge has to end. I have been getting more and more liberal with my carbs and yesterday I completely went nuts and had cake, cornbread, pizza WITH THE CRUST, chips, frozen coffee beverages, and who knows what else. That is not a happy medium. Today I must break the cycle. I have my Atkins shake in hand and am ready to conquer the world...or at least a few more pounds. My goal is so within reach, I just want to get there and settle into some sort of friendly relationship with carbs...but I never NEVER want to fall into the trap of getting back where I was before...uncomfortable, wearing clothes that aren't even my style, but I have to wear them because they are what fits, and just plain miserable. On the other hand, I also hope to get to the place where I am not constantly looking to shed just a few more pounds either. I know that's probably a tall order in our culture, but I still will strive for that sort of confidence...to be content in this skin.
Posted by stacey at 08:49 AM | Comments (1)
August 13, 2004
Entertaining
So, today we had a baby shower for Trish in the office. It turned out very nice with plenty of food and gifts, etc. etc. I am so funny when it comes to entertaining, though. I get so "in the zone" and so hyper about wanting things to go well that I find myself half listening to the people who I am talking with. I'm focused on the next part of the event or wondering if so and so got enough food. That's so my grandmother. It cracks me up to think about it now....but earlier today I was flying around probably looking like a psycho. Oh well...as long as people had fun and Trish got honored, thats all that matters...and the cake, yes I ate a very liberally frosted piece of cake... delish.
On an unrelated note, this was a funny moment that happened to me today...I went to Senorita Burrita tonight with my friend Heidi and ordered burritos to go. I was supposed to order Karen a Buritto Bosso, but I was all excited and marched up to the counter and ordered 2 Burritos Tono for some reason (one for her and one for me)...I realized my mistake 2 seconds later and asked them to change the order, but alas they were already midway through making them...Whatever shall I do, I thought??? I ended up throwing all caution to the wind (today was pay day) and bought a 3rd burrito and brought it back to the office for "Radio Friend Phil" who was on the air. He was thrilled. I also bought a Chai Freeze. Yummy. Oh, and Senorita Burrita is now selling tshirts. I want to get the green one. The End. I'm off to root for Gary Gulman on Last Comic Standing. He's a cutie and on the message when you vote...yes I voted, it says something to the effect of "Hi, this is Gary Gulman, thanks for voting for me. I'll give you a big hug when I see you" AWWWW. The End Part 2.
Posted by stacey at 09:58 PM | Comments (1)
Espresso Smoothie
A week and a day til Over the Rhine. AKA Saturday of Purple Door. Zippadee Doo Da.
I just took a trip to MacHeads on Centerville Rd to pick up a computer for my friend Brian and also went in search of a coffee shop in that area for an icy treat for my friend Karen and I. Well, a new place opened right next to Macheads in the Manhattan Bagel called Java Java Java. It just opened last week. I just enjoyed a terrific Large Mocha Espresso Smoothie. I have had so much sugar this week. I hope I don't gain 10 pounds.
Hey, I just noticed the sky has turned blue and there are white puffy Simpsons clouds. Is this the calm before the storm between hurricanes?
I must confess that currently there are cut out pictures of Mark Ruffalo, Topher Grace and P Diddy staring at me as I type...and also Gumby and Pokey on my rubber band mug. Laugh at me at will.
Posted by stacey at 04:54 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2004
Vanity
Well, I'm thinking about my hair because my brother, who aids me with the cool factor, has suggested something to me. He has suggested that I dye my hair dark, like black.... and get some streaky highlights in it. My hair is pretty dark with reddish highlights and I had put some extra highlights in earlier this year, but they are pretty much grown out. So, I am now trying to decide what to do. He also thinks I should grow my hair out long like it used to be. Oh the deep decisions I am faced with. No, really, I'm not this shallow am I?
I always saw myself as the older woman with long flowing silver hair like my great grandmother. She would always wrap it up into a bun so you didn't know how long it was until she allowed us great grandkids to play with it. Oh the torture we would put her through. I loved her...Nanny is what we called her. She was the best. (although she did drop my mom on her head when she was a baby)
As I am getting older I am realizing that the greys do not come all beautiful and all at once like I imagined, but poke out here and there and are annoying. Should I embrace the greys like Nanny and be natural, or go for the hip look? I have always seen myself as the natural kinda girl, but am really more of a mish mosh of styles...my decorating is like that too. Hmmm. Where am I going with this thought. Well, I guess I just wonder what to do with my hair.
Posted by stacey at 08:45 PM | Comments (5)
August 10, 2004
window cleaners
Today the complex sent window cleaners around to wash the outsides of our windows. The other day, when I tried to remove the screens from my window, I almost dropped them. It must have been a sight. I had to call for help, thankfully Ann came by to rescue me before I crushed a passerby below.
Well, today the window cleaners were here and it was a little disconcerting to look out the window and see someones face where there usually isn't one...in my 2nd story window. He wasn't there very long, and I had already seen him when he was doing the other side of the building, but it was still startling. I had to wonder how often these guys inadvertently scare someone. Then I wondered if they get scared by the person screaming whom they have just scared. I wonder how many window cleaners on ladders have fallen off due to this sort of startling?
Posted by stacey at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2004
Recommendations
I am enjoying a sugar free Chai Freeze from Square One. Yum. I recommend it. I love Square One. I also love downtown Lancaster. Some areas, anyway. Friday night I went to First Friday with Mici Ferrari and her son Alex and we enjoyed the galleries, a great little Mexican restaurant called Cocina Mexicana and another cool little coffee house called the Purple Mug. (I still prefer Square One and Senorita Burrita...for the record).
What a gorgeous weekend.
I also must recommend a certain special kind of portable restroom that I found at Musikfest in Bethlehem on Saturday. They had this Charmin sponsored cushy outhouse trailer kinda thing. The line was quite long...but it was very worth it. There were people checking the rooms before you went in. There was a light, it was clean, a mirror, there was a little sink, and they even had the paper towel roll pre-pulled down for you. I think the floor was even some kind of nice wood or something. The line was long, but hey, that gives you time to talk with your friend in line.
Musikfest is great. It's all week. If it wasn't so far, I'd probably go back another night this week. Lots of polka, and other fun music. food vendors, and just a good time walking around people watching with friends. We spent a lot of time at the polka tent and then also saw the Red Elvises which was entertaining. Dave and I drove out together and listened to my new favorite band Stellastar both ways. It was nice to spend time with Wayne and Nate, Mike and Elisabeth and Emmett, Colin, and I also met Jessica who was very fun and nice, and Dave. I don' t have to try very hard to have fun when I'm with these guys. That's always nice.
Posted by stacey at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2004
one more thing
Is anyone watching summer reality tv? I have watched a little of Last Comic Standing, Big Brother and Amazing Race...I voted for Gary Gulman last night on Last Comic Standing. He's funny and attractive. On Amazing Race, Chip and Kim (the African American couple) are becoming my favorites. Big Brother is cheezy, but I get sucked in very easily. I like Cowboy, I feel for him...he's such a follower.
Posted by stacey at 01:36 PM | Comments (0)
Between the Cracks
The other day I was doing some organizing in my office...packing up some boxes for storage, getting rid of junk, etc. I moved some fileboxes beside my desk giving me a view down the crack behind my desk. Much to my surprise, there was quite a treasure trove of lost items. Some of these were: a pen disguised as a potted flower given to me by one of my volunteers, some pen caps, paper clips, candle jar lids, my Stryper "Honestly" vinyl, an old desk calendar, and a few pennies. I just have to laugh thinking about all the cracks and crevices in my life where things are getting lost. Gulp.
Every once in a while I have to do a Google search with a couple of names of friends I've lost touch with. I do this in hopes of finding a website, blog, jobsite or something to find them. I have kept tabs on most of my friends through life...but there are a few people lingering out there, that I would like to find and see how they are. Some out of fear, some out of curiosity, some out of guilt and some out of love. People are treasures I don't want to lose like the junk that falls behind my desk.
Posted by stacey at 01:19 PM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2004
Sweet Tooth
I'm bracing myself...haha that's almost a pun. I'm going to the dentist for a crown tomorrow am. Wahoo. I'm not worried so much about the pain, just the remainder of the bill that is left after insurance...but I have put it off long enough. Tis time, yes tis time. Thank you God for insurance!!! With my array of medical issues, insurance is absolutely necessary.
On the subject of medical issues...I must discipline myself to stay away from low carb products that use sugar alcohol. That stuff just about kills me...but yet I go back for more. Ring the bell and I'll probably drool, too. Anybody have any suggestions for low carb sweets that rely on Splenda instead of Sugar Alcohol? I don't think splenda bothers me. It saddens me because my friend Brian told me about Turkey Hill Low Carb Peanut Butter Paradise ice cream, but I think that and an Atkins Enduldge candy bar may have been the cause of this mornings desperate pain.
Posted by stacey at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2004
Special Purpose
I just flipped my calendar page for today's quote, and it is very timely once again...
"I believe that nothing that happens to me is meaningless, and that it is good for us all that it should be so, even if it runs counter to our own wishes. As I see it, I'm here for some purpose, and I only hope I may fulfill it. In the light of the great purpose all our privations and disappointments are trivial." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Interestingly enough Pastor Tommy had suggested some scriptures for us to memorize this week and the one for today was Jeremiah 29:11, which is one I already know. Goes along well with the quote, doncha think? I'm glad God knows what's going on and why. It makes tough situations a lot easier to swallow.
Posted by stacey at 04:03 PM | Comments (1)
August 01, 2004
Bibleman Takes Lititz By Storm
I just returned from working at the Bibleman event our radio station promoted. It was cute to see all the little boys and girls in their purple and yellow costumes so full of excitement. I heard one little boy say, "This is going to be the best day of my life!". That was hysterical. I never heard of Bibleman until college, when a bunch of my brothers friends had some sort of a weird little gang called Biblemen as a joke. I guess Bibleman fame didn't make it up into northern VT...or maybe I'm just a little old...Anyway, it was fun being around all of the excited children tonight. I even got to see a little boy that I had taught in Wonder Club, the preschool program I used to work with. He's so tall now...going into 3rd grade. YIKES. I'm getting old.
Posted by stacey at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)