Should I answer this call?

I was looking back at yesterday's post and realized I said "two month anniversary." Can you have an anniversary that's less than a year? Will someone please go look that up and let me know a better word? Thanks.

Yesterday was filled with a good deal of aimless puttering around the house. Putting away Christmas presents and the piles of stuff that had all landed in the guest room or my room over the past two months. I paid some bills, after finding them in one of the piles. There may have been just a teeny bit of napping with Claudette before going to my niece's house for dinner.

It's quiet here. So quiet that I can hear the Christmas tree calling from the other room, "Is it time to put the ornaments away? I'm gathering a lot of dust here, you know!"

Oh geez. Pipe down. It's still just February, and I was estimating getting to that project in March. Well, we'll see what projects call the loudest this afternoon. Time to get ready for church now.

Back to the scene

Today is the two-month anniversary of the surgery on my right ankle. Two months! That doesn't sound that long, does it?

And last night was the two-month anniversary of the day I was benched for the season. This is a picture of the real bench where I hung out that night. (The one I used for that post was actually from a neighborhood park.)

In honor of that special occasion, I went back to the office for a full day yesterday. M. Beteh picked me up in the morning and the other MB took me home. And then I spent a lovely evening with Annnnagrammarian and her family - whine and wine plus sorting out Box Tops for Education and catching up on all the doings of the last several weeks. When Annnnagrammarian drove me home, we stopped by the court house to take some pictures.

Uh yeah. She had to drive me home. And not because I'd had two glasses of wine.

I was so hopeful on Wednesday that Dr. Prettygood (seriously ... that's his name ... but in French!) would clear me to walk and drive. But no. Gotta master the walking thing first. With the support of my boot for a couple of weeks and then without ... for a couple more.

So I'm all about walkety-walky-walking now. Though with the knee-high CAM boot, my gait is a little more like Frankenstein-style lurching, I am pleased as punch to discover that I can:

• carry a cup of coffee (or other liquid) from the kitchen to the bedr- office to the dining room to the library ... JOY!
• haul my backpack PLUS all my various and sundry baggages - all at the same time
• sit upright in a normal chair without an extra chair for my right leg
• go up and down the stairs (though I keep it to a minimum and have not been to the second floor yet)
• stand for longer periods of time without feeling like my left leg is going to break from bearing all my weight because now two legs can share the load
• make a bed, do laundry, take out the garbage, sweep and vacuum, and maybe undecorate the Christmas tree
• crouch down and get things from bottom drawers - can you imagine?
• go grocery shopping and push a cart
• wear clothes without pockets if I want because I can carry things in my hands 
• wear fuzzy sweaters without worrying about my crutches wearing out the armpits and wear bracelets without getting them caught/crushed as I crutcher around
• attempt to shop Amigo-free (while having a great appreciation for retailers and others who care enough to make their establishments accessible to all) 

In essence, I feel like I can fly!

So the past few days have been extra busy and I'm sorry I  haven't posted. I even missed recipe day on Thursday. Whoopsy. I'll make it up next Thursday. Because ... I can stand on two legs and COOK now! Part of the reason I've been busy is a dear friend was in town on Wednesday and she helped me move most of my stuff back home that evening. So I'm getting used to being back in my house again. I miss Sharon and Dr. Jake's B&B and retreat center, but I know they are just a phone call away. Remember when I was going there for a week or so and when after only 11 days I figured I'd start the process of moving back home? Well, a week or so turned into seven weeks and two days. How time flies!

So ... I'll end this long post with scenes of where I spent most of my time the last two months.

Here's my room - all tidied up for the next guest. The en suite bathroom was delightfully convenient.

Office

Conference room

Locker room

Skill development center









Looking back over the past seven weeks, I can only say I'm blessed. So very very blessed to have the love and support of family and friends during a time that was more challenging than I could have imagined. And one of the biggest blessings? My life slowed to a pace that afforded me a little more time to pay attention.

Wow. A wide-open Saturday ahead ... whatever shall I do?

Gotta run

... but I'll settle for making a few well-placed steps.

Just before I broke my ankle on Dec. 26, I was making all kinds of fitness resolutions. I planned to walk a few times a week with Kay in the evenings. I was going to fit in some brisk walk/jogs with Julie and Dooley. Annnnnnnother friend and I were thinking about giving yoga a shot. And when I was taking Blue for a tour around the neighborhood? I was pondering how great it would be to borrow her for frequent moonlit walks.

Today I'll visit with the surgeon to see if the bones have healed enough so that I'm cleared to start walking and driving.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for a good report!

Knitting up a storm

Another snowy day ...

Remember a while back when I said I was learning to knit? Well, Ashton has been fascinated with my scarf production, especially with the fun Pomp-a-Doodle yarn a friend gave me to learn my new skill. After experimenting with my own lumpy bumpy scarf, I purchased several more skeins online and made an "African Violet" one for Sharon (which hockey boy is sporting here, around his neck) and then matching "Shoreline" scarves for the Elizabeths and Kellio for Valentine's Day.

Ashton has pestered me mercilessly for the past few weeks, wondering when he was going to get HIS scarf. Today he was particularly persistent, claiming his neck gets so cold at recess, so I caved and started his scarf during my lunch break. Doesn't he look fetching with it on his head? He decided the black and white  motif was reminiscent of a Dalmatian. Or a cow.

Moo.

Hola, Amigos!

I've now had a couple of experiences with the little Amigo mobility scooters (manufactured right here in Saginaw County dontcha know). A couple of weeks ago, we went to Target to get laundry detergent and other necessary stuff. I was reluctant to try the Amigo because the last user hadn't plugged in the single remaining unit tucked behind the carts so I was afraid it would poop out and leave me stranded. Guess what? Good instincts. The battery died in the detergent aisle. So I crutchered the rest of the way through the store, with Sharon pushing the cart. Man, did my arms hurt.

Then, before the Elizabeths came home last weekend, Doctor Jake took me to Kroger so I could re-stock the fridge and pantry with some basics and especially college student food. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that our new Kroger maintains a whole fleet of Amigos. Wheeeeeeeeeee! I'll admit it was sort of fun. I'm very thankful that Kroger cares enough to keep their Amigos in good working order. And that other place? I'll just say they really missed the mark in the accessibility department.

So, we're off to Kroger again in a little bit, for another Amigo ride to pick up refreshments for the Star FK Radium concert at church this afternoon. 4:00 p.m. - State Street United Methodist Church, 3617 Mackinaw in Saginaw. Hope to see a lot of amigos and amigas there.

Waiting ...

Everyone has gone to watch the boys at the hockey rink - Sammy has Learn to Skate and Ashton has a game. Just finished posting the story about the grilled bunny on Tuna on Wheatley. Now I'm gonna work on the taxes and FAFSA thing.

Just a few more days (hopefully) until I can start walking and driving! I go to see the surgeon on Wednesday.

Happy Saturday!

Jake's crappie recipe

That's pronounced, "crOppie."

Jake says this is his old snowsuit ... he'll be wearing his red one when he goes out ice fishing tomorrow.

But doesn't he look cozy and contented? He's even more contented now that he's retired. This photo was taken about 8 to 10 years ago on an ice-fishing trip in Canada. Jake has been retired now for three years, one month and 17 days, eight hours and 27 minutes. Not that anyone is keeping track.

Hey Jake! What are you doing today?

"Anything I want."

Hey, Jake! What day is it?

"Every day is Saturday."

Yeah.

Last night Jake made dinner - pan-fried crappie and bluegill, with french fries, rye bread and coleslaw. It was the first day of Lent after all. Time for fish.

Jake thought we should include the recipe today on Shiny Things.

Jake's Pan-Fried Fish

Clean fish.

Heat oil (peanut or vegetable - about 1/4 inch depth in pan) in well-seasoned cast-iron frying pan until hot - 325F.

Dip fish in milk, then in flour or combination of flour and cornmeal. Or Drake's.

Fry 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels.

Let's eat! They're yummalicious ... all the way to the crispy tail.

Tuesday Tuna

Hanging out at Tuna on Wheatley today. Join me?

Signs of independence

I knew I had that photo of the Elizabeths' name tags somewhere. I took in September when I helped EM get settled in her room.

So I spent the night in my house last night by myself for the first time in over six weeks. And as I laid in bed this morning I pondered how I could not only get my own coffee but transport it to my bedr- ... er, home office. Aha! A thermal carafe! Excellent! I just happened to have one on the credenza within easy reach! Wrapped some toast up in paper towels and carefully hop hop hopped with filled carafe, mug and toast in a Trader Joe's handle bag back to the "office."

Shoulda figured that out earlier. I got up early and worked for a bit before calling the office - pre-coffee - for the Monday meeting ... M. Beteh called me "Charlie" but without the caffeine I was not so quick and had to have it explained to me.

I'm all ready to be productive now.

Elizabethan weekend

I felt like I ended yesterday's post so abruptly. I blame it on the pancakes.

And I'm hoping I did not make EK/Twinkle Star sound flighty and indecisive about her life direction. Heck, I remember when I was that age and changed my major about every other week. International Relations. History. History and Anthropology. Political Science. (No really. and then I took Economics. Yoiks.) My degree? French - with cognates in Russian, History and Anthropology. Wise adults kept telling me that my major didn't really matter. But my problem then - and now - was that I really didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up.

But listening to the Elizabeths yesterday, I was inspired by their energy and vision. By the hope and possibility they both represent for our world. I'm so glad both girls are in a place where they have the chance to explore the practical application of their studies. That both are truly looking at careers that use their gifts.

And that right now they can do that in an environment that nurtures their dreams and their intellects. And that they don't have to be too serious all of the time.

I always knew Elizabeth was a good name.

E Entertainment

annagrammarian gave me the idea for today's post. Yesterday I had nonchalantly dropped that the Elizabeths were coming and annagrammarian first asked if the Amazing E had undergone mitosis or meiosis and then when I clarified that the Amazing E's roommate is also an Elizabeth she asked if they needed to determine a schedule for name use. By annagrammarian's calculations, after a week of taking turns (one gets it Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the other Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), the girls would go nameless on Sunday.

According to the Elizabeths, this very topic is actually discussed at length. Or has come up - in Ann Arbor. So while I sit here sipping my coffee and the girls make pancakes and eggs, we're going to do our first-ever Shiny Things interview to fully investigate this deep issue.

ST: Tell me about what happened to your door. I heard something happened to your door.

EK: So one morning I was in the room and EM was already gone and I walked out and ... Bam! I discovered that someone had taken one of our name tags and left the tape, leaving us with only one Elizabeth on the door. So then I just centered it on the door because really, we only needed one anyway.

EM: It was traumatic at first. But we got over it.

EK: Yeah. It really bothered me that it was off center for a while. And then when we got new name tags for the new semester we had three name tags.

ST: Is name tags one one word or two?

EK: I'm going to change my name to Twinkle Star.

ST: So, what do your mutual friends call you? How do they resolve the Elizabeth issue?

EK: Generally EM wants to be called Lizz, so I let her. But when I call her that I visualize two Z's.

ST: We could call EM Bituzi and EK could be Liz.

EM: Um, no.

ST: So, EM, you're not willing to make concessions. Is that right?

EM: Well, I'm OK with us both being Liz(z). I just don't want to be the Elizabeth.

ST: So ... Twinkle Star, what is your major?

TS: I'm a Psychology major. And I recently applied to the school of Education.

EM: She crawls into bed to change her major and she emerges with a new one. Like a butterfly.

ST: Like a butterfly?

EM: Oh yeah. That's exactly it.

ST: Does she routinely do this or was that a one time occurrence?

EM: Well, she's done it a few times now. I've actually lost track.

ST: Ah. Well, Twinkle Star, how many times have you changed your major?

TS: Hmm, my declared major is Social Anthropology.

ST: That sounds cool. So how many times?

TS: Let's see: Psychology and Social Anthropology. Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology. Psychology and Sociology. Sociology and English. And now it's just Psychology. Then there's the decision about elementary or secondary education. And I'm not going to tell you about the part on my School of Education application where I put Language Arts with a Math minor. And then ...

EM: ... changed her mind after taking a math class for a few weeks.

ST: Whoaaa ... this is like a little walk down memory lane. You do know that I changed my major like 17 times, right? But I do see a pattern. So, EM. How about you? What's your major?

EM: Linguistics and Spanish.

ST: How did you know that was the right choice?

EM: It was a gut feeling. Actually, with Linguistics ... I put it on my application before really knowing what Linguistics was. At that point it was Linguistics and Judaic Studies because the university didn't offer Foreign Language or Religion as majors. And then when I did some research I was pretty sure that was what I wanted and then when I took my first Linguistics classes my freshman year I KNEW that was the right thing. I want to teach English as a Second Language after college. And I want to work on my Spanish and thought the classes I'd have to take as a Spanish major would help in the areas I wanted to improve.

ST: I remember you being so sure you wanted to be a pastor when you were 14. Back then I couldn't believe you were so certain - especially since I STILL don't know what I want to do when I grow up. Do you still want to be a pastor?

EM: Yes. But I also knew I wanted to work in the community before serving a local church. So my studies in this major have helped me see some of the things I'd like to do in the community. Now I just have to decide if it's here or abroad. Or with adults or kids. Do I need an advanced degree or ...

ST: So still lots of choices. But you have a direction. I've always admired that about you. That and so many other things.


Well, this concludes this morn ... er, afternoon's episode of E Entertainment. I think our pancakes are about done.

T.G.I. Flamingo?

Perhaps this whimsical flamingo and its friends from a window display I saw a few years ago in Traverse City will deflect attention from my writer's block? Hey look! A mermaid!

In other news ... the Elizabeths are coming today! Hooray hooray!

Cut it out

This is how desperate I am to overcome my blog-writer's block - and also make good on my promise to post daily.

Faceless paper cutout on pillow. Fascinating.

So how are we doing on our them/topic for the week? Is everyone thinking of random wonderful gestures to brighten someone's Valentine's Day experience?

I can't really say what I'm doing because it'll spoil the surprise for the recipients ...

Oh! It's Thursday! Recipe day! Almost completely forgot! I'll share my favorite recipe for rolled ginger cookies. I don't think I've shared that yet, have I? We like to make crispy little ginger people with this recipe at Christmas, but it's also great for heart-shaped dunkers. In fact, I think we have some of this dough in the freezer. Maybe the Elizabeths can bake some cookies when they come this weekend! Oh ... I love Thursdays!

Rolled Ginger Cookies

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup molasses

2 Tbsp cider vinegar

5 cups sifted all purpose flour

1-1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2-3 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in egg, molasses and vinegar.

Sift together dry ingredients; blend in with wet ingredients. Chill 3 hours.

Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on floured board. Cut in shapes and place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet.

Bake at 375°F for 5-6 minutes. (Modify cooking length based on hotness of oven and desired doneness of cookies - I prefer crunchy dunkers; others prefer chewy ... non-dunkers.)

Cool slightly; remove to rack to cool completely.

Extreme acts of random chocolate

I just have to share what my dear friend M. Beteh did for EVERY SINGLE PERSON in our office for Valentine's Day. She baked a huge brownie heart, spread melted caramel in the center and decorated with what tastes like white chocolate (colored red) swirlied around the edges. (Denise got a sugar-cookie version since chocolate gives her migraines. And Cathy got a gluten-free confection.) M. Beteh spent two days baking so she could deliver the customized gifts of chocolate joy to everyone on Monday. I received mine when I went in yesterday afternoon. yum yum yum yum yum.

My pants thought it would be a good idea if I shared my extreme chocolate gift with the family, so I asked Julie to take a photo before we completely decimated it last night. Everyone did their part, but we still have a little section left to enjoy over the next few days.

There's still time to perform extreme acts of random kindness - in the form of chocolate or other sweet gestures - before Feb. 14. Anyone want to share what they're doing? Maybe that can be our theme for the week.

Stay warm and dry today ... winter finally hit mid-Michigan!

HOW TO COMMENT
I've been asked to regularly include how-to information for commenting. I'm going to add to the bottom of each post until I'm able to find some other way of putting this on the site (or, ideally, find an easier way for people of all e-abilities to comment). Please COMMENT and let me know if this was helpful! 
1. Directly below the "You may also like"  images just below each post, to the far right of the text that begins "Posted by ..." is text that says "xx comments." Click on that text. It will open up a comment box. I promise.
2. Enter comment.
3. Click on Post Comment button below the box.
4. Select Name/URL. You can enter your name or whatever name you want to be known by. If you have a blog or other Web address (URL), go ahead and enter (then curious commenters and others can go visit yourblog)  ... if not, leave URL blank. You may also select Anonymous ... but it's much more fun to make up a name and have an e-persona than be known as Anonymous, don't you think? 
5. Click on Continue. Sometimes, your comment will publish right away.  Sometimes, the system is stubborn and you'll see some text that says something like "Blogger was not able to publish your comment" or similar. So click on Post Comment again. It will take ... or it will bring up a box with squiggly letters. If your comment appears on the page - you're done!
6. If you get the squiggly letters, enter them in the box. This is protection against spam. I think you'll be prompted to click "Enter" or something similar. Your comment will appear on the page, and you are done.

My left shoes

No photo again. Sigh.

And no profound meditations here, but I was struck this morning by seeing the two left shoes I've been alternating wearing the last five-ish weeks or so. I just recently started wearing matching socks again - though not every day. (When I'm staying around the house, I wear one sock with a nonslip grippy bottom. A pair of those socks is good for two days since I don't need a grippy sock inside my CAM boot.)

Oh yes. My days are filled with drama.

My left foot/leg is getting quite a workout. I keep trying to remember the name of the one-legged beings in Gulliver's Travels. That's me. Hop-hop-hopping around. Getting used to the nicknames: Gimpy, Limpy, I-LEAN ...

The snow is starting. Ruh roh.

Name dropping

I'm going to break my self-imposed writing rule for Shiny Things and not post a photo today. I'm very sorry about that but I've misplaced the little adaptor thing that enables me to upload new photos from my camera and am fresh out of good images. (If you have a photo or two you'd like me to share/write about, please e-mail it/them to me.) And I'm very sorry that it's been 6 days since I posted at all. I hope those who stop by daily will forgive me and will keep stopping by. Today is the first day of me trying - again - to stay in the daily habit.

So being that first day - and being that it's more than halfway through Monday and I need to get back to work - I don't have much to say. Except this: I just read ("just" = on Saturday) the text of the State of the City speech Saginaw's mayor, Greg Branch, delivered last week. If you did not hear and/or read his address to regional leaders, I encourage you to click here to read it in its entirety. I am honored to know Greg and his family and count them among my dear friends. Dropping Greg's name won't mean much to my out-of-town readers, but if you appreciate really good writing, I encourage you to click that link and take a gander.

Where in the world are you from ... and why are you here?

No, Claudette is not getting all existential. She really wants to know where my readers hail from. And we are completely comfortable with dangling prepositions, thank you. That's so far down the list of spelling/grammatical faux pas - certainly way below unnecessary apostrophes.

Ahem. We also want to know why you stopped by today. And maybe why you pop in daily or on another fairly regular basis.

You may or may not have noticed that there's a little thing called Sitemeter at the bottom of the page. I know I've mentioned it before. I am pretty e-challenged in general, but I was able to figure out how to add that to the blog so I could have some idea of how many people stop by every day. I'm able to rather non-scientifically connect increases in traffic to the days I post a link on Facebook. And dips in traffic when I miss a day. I can see that I have had visitors from California and South Carolina and Missouri and Florida and also from Sweden and the U.K.! (Plus all over Michigan.)

I just have the freebie Sitemeter gadget so I cannot get really specific on traffic and other metrics. Or maybe I can but I don't have the time, skill or inclination to go that deep right now. So you can be an anonymous lurker and chances are I'll never know. But wouldn't it be more fun if we could all interact more? If you had a role in shaping the content of Shiny Things?

Some may remember that a few months ago (see November 2009 posts) I attempted to generate ad revenue here and over on Tuna on Wheatley to help my daughter with school. And in my zeal, I, uh, unwittingly violated some rules and the ads were removed. I just heard back from the rule-makers on my appeal: It was denied. Sigh. But some positive things came from the experience:

• I got in the habit of writing (almost) daily
• I gained readership I wouldn't have otherwise
• I learned that some dear friends and family members - and some of their dear friends and family members - were willing to try something new to help with my little project 
• I learned to read all of the print on things I e-sign - fine and otherwise

While I'm still smarting a little from the finality of the denied appeal, I can now move on to Plan B. It's always good to have a Plan B.

So I'm asking for some input/assistance with developing my Plan B. Will you please help by answering just four little questions in the comment section?

1. Where are you from? 
2. Why do you read Shiny Things?
3. How often do you read Shiny Things?
4. What keeps you (or would keep you) coming back to Shiny Things?

Feel free to share any additional comments ... you know I LOVE comments.

Thank you, dear readers ... have a great day!


HOW TO COMMENT
I've been asked to regularly include how-to information for commenting. I'm going to add to the bottom of each post until I'm able to find some other way of putting this on the site (or, ideally, find an easier way for people of all e-abilities to comment). Please COMMENT and let me know if this was helpful! 
1. Directly below the "You may also like"  images just below each post, to the far right of the text that begins "Posted by ..." is text that says "xx comments." Click on that text. It will open up a comment box. I promise.
2. Enter comment.
3. Click on Post Comment button below the box.
4. Select Name/URL. You can enter your name or whatever name you want to be known by. If you have a blog or other Web address (URL), go ahead and enter (then curious commenters and others can go visit yourblog)  ... if not, leave URL blank. You may also select Anonymous ... but it's much more fun to make up a name and have an e-persona than be known as Anonymous, don't you think? 
5. Click on Continue. Sometimes, your comment will publish right away.  Sometimes, the system is stubborn and you'll see some text that says something like "Blogger was not able to publish your comment" or similar. So click on Post Comment again. It will take ... or it will bring up a box with squiggly letters. If your comment appears on the page - you're done!
6. If you get the squiggly letters, enter them in the box. This is protection against spam. I think you'll be prompted to click "Enter" or something similar. Your comment will appear on the page, and you are done.