Thirty-something Random Things About Me....
Today is my birthday! And my day so far has consisted of finding a note stuck to the bathroom mirror from the Big Guy. I then cleaned the house, ran into town to return the jacket that I got for my birthday (it just didn't fit right), returned some holiday gifts that turned out to be the wrong ones, and now I'm sitting at my favorite coffee place, Caribou Coffee, enjoying some coffee drinks and surfing on the internet.
Oh, I know what you're saying, "Why are you surfing at Caribou? Why not at home?" I would. But our internet is down. That's what happens when you get the Dish Network and they have to go in through your cable jacks--and your internet is through the cable company. Whoops!
Anyway, I wanted to do this post on my birthday because I thought it would give folks some insight as to who I am....
You're sitting on pins and needles aren't you?
30-something Random Things About Me....
1. I'm an only child. Many people tell me, "...you don't act like an only child." I have yet to really understand what that means.
2. I haven't always lived in Minnesota. I was born in VA (parents were in the Army), and have lived in Ohio, North Dakota, Kentucky, Michigan and now back to Minnesota.
3. I've worked in higher education since 1996 when I knew I could no longer be in college forever.
4. OK, I took 5 years off to work for the most awesome summer camp in the world full time.
5. I've had the privilege to work at camp with some "famous" people including Slade Bradbury who was on Fear Factor Twins episode (and won) and Jen Bertrand who just recently won the HGTV Design Star.
6. It was at camp in 2004 that I climbed the largest outdoor climbing wall in Minnesota (it's at the camp).
7. I was able to get my butt up that climbing wall because during the winter and spring of 2004 I was able to lose over 60 pounds on the South Beach Diet.
8. Yes, I am currently back on the South Beach Diet, but I'm happy to report that I have not gained back all of that weight (only about 15). Thank you!
9. Because I worked at camp, I have some of the most amazing friends ever and they live near and far. Some as far away as Australia, England & Ireland.
10. I am allergic to penicillin & kiwi fruit. Did you know that most people who are allergic to penicillin are also allergic to kiwi? It's true! So, unless you want to see me swell up like a puffer-fish, I would leave the kiwi out of the fruit salad.
11. My parents are divorced and have been since I was 6.
12. My dad is not married, but my mom is.
13. My dad lives in Ohio, my mom lives in Montana.
14. I met my fella--the Big Guy--online at Match.com. Cheesy I know. But he is "my match".
15. I went to college to earn my BA at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. It was in English. No comments on the poor grammar or spelling because trust me, I know.
16. Because I went to UND I am a big time Fighting Sioux hockey fan. If you went to any rival school, I'm sorry, but we probably shouldn't talk during hockey season.
17. I earned my Master's at Murray State University in Kentucky. While I would not change anything about that experience, I can say that I am not a MSU sports fan. Sorry Racers. Loyalty, people. Loyalty.
18. I started out my career in higher education as a residence hall director (where I was in charge of the "dorm" and its staff.). Oh. The stories I could tell you.
19. Maybe the reason I'm not an MSU sports fan is because the basketball team lived in my building. They make up 90% of my stories while working at MSU--and those stories aren't always about good behavior.
20. During the election, the Big Guy and I were on opposite sides. Just to grind his ax a little bit I have a t-shirt for my candidate and I wear it all the time.
21. I walked in the Breast Cancer 3-day Walk (check out links to the right) and next year will be on the crew. Who knew that the camp skills of putting up tents, dropping off luggage and working in food service would come in handy? That sound you hear are the camp directors from camp laughing out loud because they know I hate physical labor.
22. Because of the walk, we started another project, "Cards by Amy's Angels" and you'll have to go check it out! Click here for details. In fact, it's been a popular site to visit and we even got a shout out by one of my favorite blogs, Boo Mama (that was BY FAR the best birthday gift ever!) THANK YOU BOO MAMA!!
23. Now that it's the holiday season, I'll tell you this--I am not a fan of the song, The Holiday Season by Andy Williams. Maybe it was working in retail back in 2000 and this song was played all the time. That "whoop-dee-do-and-dickory-dock" part drives me nuts. In case you're wondering, my favorite holiday song is "The Holly and the Ivy." Pick up a little George Winston and check it out.
24. Speaking of music, it wasn't until last year that I broke down and bought my first iPod. And I love it. In fact, if you hate the fact that your ear buds don't fit your ears--check out this. I love these.
25. As I put up the Christmas stuff yesterday I realized that I have a lot of snowman stuff. A lot. I like snowmen because you can leave them up past New Years. But in keeping with my strict rules, I do take them down at the end of January. Quick shout out to my mom for the awesome birthday package with homemade snowman stuff--including 2 table runners. I'll be sure to showcase them in the Boo Mama Holiday Home Tour.
26. Even though I've taken on the Card's by Amy's Angels project--I often don't have the patience for card making and scrap booking. I think it has to do with working at Archiver's for two years to make a little extra cash. If I saw another embossing kit or glitter enhanced card stock....
27. When I was in high school, I took Russian. "Я говорю по-русски плохо" (I speak Russian poorly)
28. When I was in college, I tried to take Russian again to fulfill my language credits. I dropped it for Norwegian. "Jeg kan snakke litt Norske!" (I can speak a little Norwegian)
29. While in high school I actually went to the Ukraine of the Soviet Union, as well as Czechoslovakia and Hungary. This was before they were broken into small little countries!
30. I've never been to Norway,but it is on the list. My grandfather is 100% Norwegian. Go figure, living in Minnesota, eh! When he was a child he went to school--which was taught in English, and then came home where they only spoke Norwegian. To this day when he says the number "3" it sounds like "tree".
31. I have one small addiction. It is called Facebook. I've connected with high school classmates, I've connected with college friends, I've connected with camp friends....I love it. And no, I'm not too old and neither are you. So get over there!
32. Blogging has been a fun addition to my life. I've come across some great blogs and even greater people. This has been a great way for me to share my thoughts! However, I will never, never, ever blog about people at work. Sorry!
33. I am the oldest grandchild on my mom's side of the family. As I get older I have a hard time thinking of my mom any older than 40 (did you hear that? She said, "Bless you, my child."). I also can't think of my grandfather any older than 60. After visiting with my cousin Karla yesterday (she highlighted my hair--she's so stinkin' talented!) we both agreed with this point. I didn't have the heart to tell her how old I was going to be today.
34. Speaking of age, I thought I was actually one year younger than I actually am today. Yes, I had a Jack McFarlin moment from Will and Grace when he thought he was 29 and he was actually 31.
35. The Big Guy got pulled over for speeding the other day and got out of his ticket. This reminded me of the time I got pulled over driving from the airport in a camp van. There was myself, a counselor, the counselor's sister (who was a camper) and a 2nd camper. I got back to camp, told the camp director what happened, just as the 2nd little camper was calling home and said, "The counselor driving the van got pulled over!!".
36. Every year I make it a point to have my holiday shopping done before Thanksgiving. I am, however, not done. I'm still waiting for my mom & step dad's list (ahem...).
37. It was one year ago today that Amy had her first chemo treatment. I am thankful that she is OK and that she always has a way to remember my birthday--even if it is for cancer (darn cancer!).
If you made it all the way through this boring list--wow! I'm impressed.
Now go reheat some left-over turkey, and enjoy your Saturday.
Let's Connect!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Jesus, Mary and Joseph....
....have made an appearance in the neighborhood.
No, I'm not talking about someone seeing a likeness of the Virgin Mary in their oatmeal or in the wood grains of a door in their house.
I'm talking about the manger scene that is up in our neighborhood....along with lots of other holiday decorations.
Why am I writing about this?
Because, my bloggy readers, I have a strict rule. One holiday at a time.
We have yet to even roast the turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving. We haven't even turned on NBC to watch the coverage of the Macy's Day Parade. I haven't even taken the cranberries out of the freezer to make my favorite dish, Drunken Cranberries (recipe to follow).
It boggles my mind when I see folks doing the full scale decorating before Thanksgiving. In fact the local grocery store AND the local nursery already have their trees cut and in the lot ready for sale on Friday. The house that I'm referring to is no exception to the pre-Friday-after-Thanksgiving decorating. Here is a list of the things on display--that have been on display since the weekend of the 21st of November:
Large manger scene, complete with livestock
Two large, plastic candles, on either side of the front door.
Massive wreath (with lights) on the side of their house
Garland along the porch railings
The two young trees in their yard are covered in mini-lights
Lights along every edge of their house
Now, let me say this. I believe that the hanging of the lights takes the most time. I'm all for a little planning and getting those up early. I have hung lights outside and it is a pain in the butt. I'll even go as far as saying the the garland along the banister is OK too.
But for the love of Pete, do we need to turn on the decorations each night already?
And granted, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know their situation. Maybe they're out of town this weekend and won't be able to decorate. Or maybe there are some personal things happening that this was the best time to do it.
I'll give them that.
But again, do we need to turn on the lights to make a point to the neighborhood "I've decorated for Christmas!"
Seriously people...one thing at a time! One thing at a time!
Now, for the recipe for Drunken Cranberries. Actually I'm posting it here because I predict that my mother will call me tomorrow and say, "What's that recipe again?" Now she can just bookmark this post and have it forever.
Thank you to my dear friend Heather who gave me this recipe 5 years ago. I make it every Thanksgiving and the Big Guy's family LOVES it. Shhh....don't tell the Big Guy's grandma that there is spiced rum in it. We keep that a secret. ha!
Drunken Cranberries
1 bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 cup of brown sugar
3/4 cup of spiced rum or brandy (for all that is Holy, don't use both!)
Preheat oven to 325.
Mix sugar and alcohol together in a bowl until sugar is mostly dissolved
Place cranberries in an 8 x 8 dish (glass or ceramic is best)
Pour sugar & alcohol mixture over the cranberries.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Alcohol will cook off, the sugar will reduce and the cranberries will "pop" and shrink a bit.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
....have made an appearance in the neighborhood.
No, I'm not talking about someone seeing a likeness of the Virgin Mary in their oatmeal or in the wood grains of a door in their house.
I'm talking about the manger scene that is up in our neighborhood....along with lots of other holiday decorations.
Why am I writing about this?
Because, my bloggy readers, I have a strict rule. One holiday at a time.
We have yet to even roast the turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving. We haven't even turned on NBC to watch the coverage of the Macy's Day Parade. I haven't even taken the cranberries out of the freezer to make my favorite dish, Drunken Cranberries (recipe to follow).
It boggles my mind when I see folks doing the full scale decorating before Thanksgiving. In fact the local grocery store AND the local nursery already have their trees cut and in the lot ready for sale on Friday. The house that I'm referring to is no exception to the pre-Friday-after-Thanksgiving decorating. Here is a list of the things on display--that have been on display since the weekend of the 21st of November:
Large manger scene, complete with livestock
Two large, plastic candles, on either side of the front door.
Massive wreath (with lights) on the side of their house
Garland along the porch railings
The two young trees in their yard are covered in mini-lights
Lights along every edge of their house
Now, let me say this. I believe that the hanging of the lights takes the most time. I'm all for a little planning and getting those up early. I have hung lights outside and it is a pain in the butt. I'll even go as far as saying the the garland along the banister is OK too.
But for the love of Pete, do we need to turn on the decorations each night already?
And granted, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know their situation. Maybe they're out of town this weekend and won't be able to decorate. Or maybe there are some personal things happening that this was the best time to do it.
I'll give them that.
But again, do we need to turn on the lights to make a point to the neighborhood "I've decorated for Christmas!"
Seriously people...one thing at a time! One thing at a time!
Now, for the recipe for Drunken Cranberries. Actually I'm posting it here because I predict that my mother will call me tomorrow and say, "What's that recipe again?" Now she can just bookmark this post and have it forever.
Thank you to my dear friend Heather who gave me this recipe 5 years ago. I make it every Thanksgiving and the Big Guy's family LOVES it. Shhh....don't tell the Big Guy's grandma that there is spiced rum in it. We keep that a secret. ha!
Drunken Cranberries
1 bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 cup of brown sugar
3/4 cup of spiced rum or brandy (for all that is Holy, don't use both!)
Preheat oven to 325.
Mix sugar and alcohol together in a bowl until sugar is mostly dissolved
Place cranberries in an 8 x 8 dish (glass or ceramic is best)
Pour sugar & alcohol mixture over the cranberries.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Alcohol will cook off, the sugar will reduce and the cranberries will "pop" and shrink a bit.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Monday, November 24, 2008
It's Here! It's Here! The Card Blog is Here!
Yes! It's here! The card blog that I've been talking about forever is here.
While the finishing touches are still being added, you can at least come over and look around!
And if you like it--you can even add a button!
insert "oohhhh" and "ahhhh" here.
Special thanks to Jaime at Real Life Design for her touches to the blog. And a preemptive "THANK YOU" for stopping by!
Here's the link: http://cardsbyamysangels.blogspot.com
Happy Monday, everyone (and thank God for a short week! Whoo!).
Yes! It's here! The card blog that I've been talking about forever is here.
While the finishing touches are still being added, you can at least come over and look around!
And if you like it--you can even add a button!
insert "oohhhh" and "ahhhh" here.
Special thanks to Jaime at Real Life Design for her touches to the blog. And a preemptive "THANK YOU" for stopping by!
Here's the link: http://cardsbyamysangels.blogspot.com
Happy Monday, everyone (and thank God for a short week! Whoo!).
Friday, November 21, 2008
An Oldie, But a Goodie....
Today over at SITS (Secrets in the Sauce) they are having a "Dear...." link up.
I did one of these to our neighbor lady who yelled at me this summer for parking in a space that was for visitors (which, I didn't know it was for visitors).
You can read all about it here.
And while you're reading that....I'll be leaving work early today to head up to see Amy and one of my other college friends, Heather. We are off to see Twilight and make cards for the Cards by Amy's Angels project (haven't heard of the project? Click here for details.)
Today over at SITS (Secrets in the Sauce) they are having a "Dear...." link up.
I did one of these to our neighbor lady who yelled at me this summer for parking in a space that was for visitors (which, I didn't know it was for visitors).
You can read all about it here.
And while you're reading that....I'll be leaving work early today to head up to see Amy and one of my other college friends, Heather. We are off to see Twilight and make cards for the Cards by Amy's Angels project (haven't heard of the project? Click here for details.)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Because I Always Carry a Meat Thermometer....
If you ask the Big Guy, he'll tell you that I'm a bit of a food freak.
OK. My mom and family will tell you that too. But that's besides the point.
For example....
If you ask the Big Guy, he'll tell you that I'm a bit of a food freak.
OK. My mom and family will tell you that too. But that's besides the point.
For example....
- I only keep left overs for 4 days because Oprah said so.
- I don't buy cans with any dents because Rachel Ray said you could get botulism
- If I think any food is questionable, I don't touch it.
- If it has mayo in it, I won't eat it because mayo is made with raw eggs
- I won't eat salad from a bag because of the E Coli scare a few summers ago
- I don't eat off buffets because of too many stomach bugs at camp from grubby little boys who won't wash their hands
And the list goes on.
But what I read today even made me say, "Seriously?"
Today is my late day at work, and before going in I usually run errands (Target, the bank, etc). Because I'm running around, I don't pack a lunch and instead stop by the local Cub Foods to pick up a few things. Today was no exception. I stopped into Cub and picked up two (2) South Beach Diet frozen meals. One was a Santa Fe Beans and Rice dish. The other was the Grilled Chicken and Veggie pizza.
I also picked up some Caramelized French Onion Soup from Campbell's Select.
Mental note: skip the soup. It's nothing like what you get in a restaurant.
Tonight I made my pizza for dinner (I normally don't get home until 8:30 p.m. and that's just too late to be eating dinner). I flipped the box over to see how long this thing needed to cook.
Under the cooking time was a note:
Pizza is done when cheese is melted and pizza reaches 160 degrees.
Oh. OK. I'll just be sure to dig out my handy meat thermometer and take its temp.
Let's just say that if I did want to test its temp (I did not, for those wondering....I'm living life on the edge...) how would I do it?
IT'S A PIZZA.
So, I nuked the thing for more than 5 minutes (supposed to go for 3) and called it a day.
The cheese was melted.
It was hot to eat.
I think I'm good.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
3 Things....
My friend Meghan sent me an e-mail titled "Three Things". Meghan lives in England with her husband Mike and her twins, Evie & Alex. Meghan and I met in grad school and have kept in regular touch since then. She's lived an awesome life and have lived in Europe for about 10 years now (she's from New York). Since we're planning a trip to England in 2012, you can bet that a visit to Meghan's is on the list.
I thought this was so cute that I'd put it here on my blog. I have to give 3 answers to every question. So...here goes!
Three jobs I have had in my life: Camp counselor, call center worker, Residence Hall Director
Three places I have lived: Grand Forks, ND; Murray, KY; Cincinnati, OH;
Three places I have been: London, Hawaii, Napa Valley
Three people who e-mail me regularly: Meghan, Amy, & Facebook notification service
Three of my favourite foods: Sweet Potatoes, lefsa, Cheesy Wild Rice Soup
Three Places I'd rather Be: Home, Norway, Australia
Three things I am looking forward to: Time off at Thanksgiving, Time off at Christmas, late winter/early spring trip with the Big Guy.
My friend Meghan sent me an e-mail titled "Three Things". Meghan lives in England with her husband Mike and her twins, Evie & Alex. Meghan and I met in grad school and have kept in regular touch since then. She's lived an awesome life and have lived in Europe for about 10 years now (she's from New York). Since we're planning a trip to England in 2012, you can bet that a visit to Meghan's is on the list.
I thought this was so cute that I'd put it here on my blog. I have to give 3 answers to every question. So...here goes!
Three jobs I have had in my life: Camp counselor, call center worker, Residence Hall Director
Three places I have lived: Grand Forks, ND; Murray, KY; Cincinnati, OH;
Three places I have been: London, Hawaii, Napa Valley
Three people who e-mail me regularly: Meghan, Amy, & Facebook notification service
Three of my favourite foods: Sweet Potatoes, lefsa, Cheesy Wild Rice Soup
Three Places I'd rather Be: Home, Norway, Australia
Three things I am looking forward to: Time off at Thanksgiving, Time off at Christmas, late winter/early spring trip with the Big Guy.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Big Day in my Family....
I'm a kid of divorced parents.
In 1979, after my parents divorced a few years before, my mom and I loaded up the station wagon and headed from Ohio to Minnesota. My mom wanted to be closer to her family and since they weren't moving to Ohio, we went to them.
Growing up, I remember that we would have a big celebration in February for all the family members born in February. There was Little Grandma (my great-grandmother) born on the 7th. Then my Uncle Wayne, born on the 10th (I think. I'm sure my mom will correct me). My grandmother (my mom's mom) was born on the 12th and my mom rounded out the birthdays by being born on the 13th.
But now that both Little Grandma and Grandma have passed on, the torch has also been passed from February birthdays to November birthdays.
And today is no exception because today marks 3 birthdays on my calendar.
Three.
It would be 4 if my friend Lisa were a family member because she too, was born today!
So--a big ol' shout out to the following family members:
Dad: Yes. Today is his day. He's 62. I guarantee that his day today will consist of going to work, coming home, and cooking some sort of steak. That's what he does. Everyday. Oh, and going to the American Legion for a beer.
Aunt Kathy: She too is celebrating her 62nd Birthday. And yes, in case you're wondering, my dad and Aunt Kathy are twins. My Aunt Kathy is a riot. Her birthday will probably consist of something with her grandchildren (she has 7 at last count). And cake. I would also like to point out the following photo of my Aunt Kathy....
I'm a kid of divorced parents.
In 1979, after my parents divorced a few years before, my mom and I loaded up the station wagon and headed from Ohio to Minnesota. My mom wanted to be closer to her family and since they weren't moving to Ohio, we went to them.
Growing up, I remember that we would have a big celebration in February for all the family members born in February. There was Little Grandma (my great-grandmother) born on the 7th. Then my Uncle Wayne, born on the 10th (I think. I'm sure my mom will correct me). My grandmother (my mom's mom) was born on the 12th and my mom rounded out the birthdays by being born on the 13th.
But now that both Little Grandma and Grandma have passed on, the torch has also been passed from February birthdays to November birthdays.
And today is no exception because today marks 3 birthdays on my calendar.
Three.
It would be 4 if my friend Lisa were a family member because she too, was born today!
So--a big ol' shout out to the following family members:
Dad: Yes. Today is his day. He's 62. I guarantee that his day today will consist of going to work, coming home, and cooking some sort of steak. That's what he does. Everyday. Oh, and going to the American Legion for a beer.
Aunt Kathy: She too is celebrating her 62nd Birthday. And yes, in case you're wondering, my dad and Aunt Kathy are twins. My Aunt Kathy is a riot. Her birthday will probably consist of something with her grandchildren (she has 7 at last count). And cake. I would also like to point out the following photo of my Aunt Kathy....
This was my birthday in 1974. I got a sit and spin. I apologize for the quality of the scan. I thought it would come out in color and well...technology got the best of me.
Yes. That's my mom's handwriting on the bottom of the photo. It says, "Aunt Kathy's turn!" Don't ya' just love the 70's?
Savanna: Today, my little cousin Savanna, turns 16. You know what that means? The DL....Drivers License. I promise, Savanna, that when you take me for a drive I won't freak out. Though inside I'll silently be saying The Lord's Prayer over and over again hoping that you don't take the curves and turns at 45 MPH.
I have no photos of Savanna on the computer. Besides, since she's 16 she would probably freak out (OMG! Like, whatever...).
So, happy birthday to Dad, Aunt Kathy and Savanna.
Next birthday on deck? That would be mine. (groan)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
It's That Time of Year....
You know that it is getting close to the holiday's when the clementine boxes appear in the produce aisle of your local market. Just like the bulk fancy nuts. Today was no exception.
Oh, how I triple love those clementines!
I don't know what it is about citrus fruit and the winter. Granted, that is when they're in season, but it is also the time of year I crave them the most.
Maybe they make me think of sunshine.
That, or my body just needs the vitamin C.
Regardless, I love these things and am so excited because I know that the Big Guy will probably not touch them. Therefore, they are mine! ha ha!
Oh, how I triple love those clementines!
I don't know what it is about citrus fruit and the winter. Granted, that is when they're in season, but it is also the time of year I crave them the most.
Maybe they make me think of sunshine.
That, or my body just needs the vitamin C.
Regardless, I love these things and am so excited because I know that the Big Guy will probably not touch them. Therefore, they are mine! ha ha!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Another Kitchen Sink of Blog Posts....
Turning 4 is a Big Deal....Today is my cousin's 4th Birthday. She is also my Godchild. I missed her super-awesome Halloween theme birthday party, so I had to send her gifts in the mail. I have been told that little miss sassy pants loves them and should have an amazing birthday.
There she is...on a pig.
Post Office Time Saver....While at the post office today, mailing a package (...to a certain blog author who runs a ministry for girls and is throwing a surprise Christmas party for her volunteers before they leave on Christmas break...), I realized I needed to stand in line. At this post office there is ALWAYS a line. But lately I've preferred their automatic mailing center kiosk.
Yes. A mailing kiosk. No line. Fast. Best thing ever.
Since I needed to send mine so fast that Superman has to be asked to do the job, I stood in line. The guy in front of me says "What's that thing out there?" I started raving about the self serve mailing and literally, the woman behind me says, "I could mail my package there?" She was out of line faster than you could imagine.
And she was out the door well before I was.
Therefore, my friends, if your post office has one--use it.
Livin' Low Carb--The Update....The Low Carb is going well. Down 5 pounds this morning. The first time I did this I lost a little over 7 in the first two weeks. So, I'm on track.
My scale, however, is not. I stood on that thing this morning before taking a shower and I was the same as last week. I then showered, ate breakfast, put together said package, and thought, "hummm..." and in that time lost a pound.
What?
Anyway, it's going well and the fruit is making a comeback. However bread is not. Not for a very long time. I am on the hunt for a soy flour crust for a pizza. The Big Guy is craving some pizza. Anyone have one to share?
English Lesson 101....Oh, and those words that people were wondering about from the last post? OK. OK. I'll share. I wasn't going too because, honestly, it's embarrassing! Here they are:
Pursuant: I thought this was a form of "pursue" and that's what kept tripping me up in the sentence. it means: "in accordance with."
Tangential: This word means "...of relating to or moving along or in the direction of a tangent." It also means "merely touching or slightly connected."
I'm going to go eat my apple now.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I May Have Been an English Major, But....
I've been in higher education since 1996.
OK. Minus the 4 summers I worked at camp from 2002-2005. But it was sort of like being in higher education since I worked with college students.
That counts, right? Right?
Anyway, I have worked in many areas of higher education. I've been a residence hall director (oh the stories I could share!), worked with new student orientation, taught English at a 4 year university, taught English and College Algebra at a 2 year tech school, and now I'm an academic advisor. I love working at a university. I have said for many years that if I could have ever majored in "college" I would have done it.
And while I recognize that people come from different backgrounds, is it too much to ask that you not ramble at me like you're reading from a thesaurus?
I got an e-mail from a student that seriously caused me to reach for my American Heritage Dictionary to see what the word meant.
I'm not kidding.
The same thing happened last week when a committee that I'm on, sent around a draft of a new policy that will soon be a part of the upcoming catalog. I read this one sentence over, and over, and over again (and over again!) and I realized that I had no idea what one large word was referring too. Again, American Heritage and I spent some quality time together.
Part of me is a little embarrassed that I'm admitting that I had no idea what these words meant. And another part of me thinks that people who want to get their way sometimes like to use big words to sound "powerful" or "smart".
I will be the first to admit that when I took the GRE to get into grad school I did not do well on the language part.
We interrupt this blog post for a flash back to 1996
So, when I realized that I wanted to go to graduate school, I made the decision way too late. Like when you're in high school, you should really be looking at grad schools a good year or 2 in advance.
Not me. I made the decision to go to grad school during Christmas break in 1995.
I was graduating in the spring of 1996.
It was after I decided on the school (Murray State University in KY) that I realized that I needed to take the GRE.
Excuse me. What? GRE? Oh, yeah. That test that is sort of like the ACT to get into college, but only for graduate school. Riiiiight. In talking to my very-prepared-for-her-future friend, Nancy, she said, "There is a test in April."
It was currently late March.
I bought the GRE for Dummies book (irony, maybe?) and focused on bit and pieces. I then went to take the exam with my normal exam attitude, If I don't know it now, I'll never know it, and noticed a girl flipping through a small notebook. She was memorizing endless lists of words. I looked at Nancy and said, "What's up with her?" Trying to sound cool, but really freaking out in my head.
That's when Nancy dropped the bomb on me. "Kelley, most schools look at the language and the math highly. You need to do well on those." Oh. Great. Tell the girl with the test anxiety that I need to concentrate on that!
I took the exam and let's just say that after it was done I never wanted a drink more in my life. And I'm not a drinker.
But I passed. And passed with enough of a margin that I was actually accepted at two schools.
And even though that test is long over--and I still don't recall anything I was tested on--it still doesn't make me want to memorize the dictionary.
I've been in higher education since 1996.
OK. Minus the 4 summers I worked at camp from 2002-2005. But it was sort of like being in higher education since I worked with college students.
That counts, right? Right?
Anyway, I have worked in many areas of higher education. I've been a residence hall director (oh the stories I could share!), worked with new student orientation, taught English at a 4 year university, taught English and College Algebra at a 2 year tech school, and now I'm an academic advisor. I love working at a university. I have said for many years that if I could have ever majored in "college" I would have done it.
And while I recognize that people come from different backgrounds, is it too much to ask that you not ramble at me like you're reading from a thesaurus?
I got an e-mail from a student that seriously caused me to reach for my American Heritage Dictionary to see what the word meant.
I'm not kidding.
The same thing happened last week when a committee that I'm on, sent around a draft of a new policy that will soon be a part of the upcoming catalog. I read this one sentence over, and over, and over again (and over again!) and I realized that I had no idea what one large word was referring too. Again, American Heritage and I spent some quality time together.
Part of me is a little embarrassed that I'm admitting that I had no idea what these words meant. And another part of me thinks that people who want to get their way sometimes like to use big words to sound "powerful" or "smart".
I will be the first to admit that when I took the GRE to get into grad school I did not do well on the language part.
We interrupt this blog post for a flash back to 1996
So, when I realized that I wanted to go to graduate school, I made the decision way too late. Like when you're in high school, you should really be looking at grad schools a good year or 2 in advance.
Not me. I made the decision to go to grad school during Christmas break in 1995.
I was graduating in the spring of 1996.
It was after I decided on the school (Murray State University in KY) that I realized that I needed to take the GRE.
Excuse me. What? GRE? Oh, yeah. That test that is sort of like the ACT to get into college, but only for graduate school. Riiiiight. In talking to my very-prepared-for-her-future friend, Nancy, she said, "There is a test in April."
It was currently late March.
I bought the GRE for Dummies book (irony, maybe?) and focused on bit and pieces. I then went to take the exam with my normal exam attitude, If I don't know it now, I'll never know it, and noticed a girl flipping through a small notebook. She was memorizing endless lists of words. I looked at Nancy and said, "What's up with her?" Trying to sound cool, but really freaking out in my head.
That's when Nancy dropped the bomb on me. "Kelley, most schools look at the language and the math highly. You need to do well on those." Oh. Great. Tell the girl with the test anxiety that I need to concentrate on that!
I took the exam and let's just say that after it was done I never wanted a drink more in my life. And I'm not a drinker.
But I passed. And passed with enough of a margin that I was actually accepted at two schools.
And even though that test is long over--and I still don't recall anything I was tested on--it still doesn't make me want to memorize the dictionary.
Monday, November 10, 2008
I Hate my Spam Folder....
So, as some of you know, I'm working on this idea of sending cards to people who have cancer. I've sent a few cards already to those who've asked. It's been a lot of fun and I've decided that this should probably have an entire blog to itself.
I contacted a very cute blog designer and she is working on a new design for me.
I contacted her, she contacted me, I wrote her back.....
and then nothing.
On her design blog, she has a queue of upcoming projects, and I'm at the end. So I just thought, "She probably does one thing at a time, giving her full attention to the blog at hand." I mean, I think I'd probably do it that way. I'm very much a one thing at a time person. I do that when working with my students. I get all of the things I need to do for them completed before moving on. I wasn't upset that I had not heard anything, I just figured she's busy rocking out her creativity on some super awesome blogs.
While riding the bus today into work, however, something made me think, "You need to check your spam folder."
Sure enough...there they are. Two messages from my blog designer giving me the next step instructions. There was even a very nice follow up message to wonder where I was.
Oh. I was here.
But thanks to Yahoo, I missed her messages.
So, thank you, Yahoo. Your spam filter is so wonderful that not only did her messages end up there, but messages to me about winning the lotto in the UK as well as sending some Prince of a 3rd world country my bank information came into my inbox with no problem.
So, as some of you know, I'm working on this idea of sending cards to people who have cancer. I've sent a few cards already to those who've asked. It's been a lot of fun and I've decided that this should probably have an entire blog to itself.
I contacted a very cute blog designer and she is working on a new design for me.
I contacted her, she contacted me, I wrote her back.....
and then nothing.
On her design blog, she has a queue of upcoming projects, and I'm at the end. So I just thought, "She probably does one thing at a time, giving her full attention to the blog at hand." I mean, I think I'd probably do it that way. I'm very much a one thing at a time person. I do that when working with my students. I get all of the things I need to do for them completed before moving on. I wasn't upset that I had not heard anything, I just figured she's busy rocking out her creativity on some super awesome blogs.
While riding the bus today into work, however, something made me think, "You need to check your spam folder."
Sure enough...there they are. Two messages from my blog designer giving me the next step instructions. There was even a very nice follow up message to wonder where I was.
Oh. I was here.
But thanks to Yahoo, I missed her messages.
So, thank you, Yahoo. Your spam filter is so wonderful that not only did her messages end up there, but messages to me about winning the lotto in the UK as well as sending some Prince of a 3rd world country my bank information came into my inbox with no problem.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Winter Has Arrived....
Last night I got home from work and as I watched the news, they talked about the blizzards that were hitting North Dakota and South Dakota.
Oh, how I do not miss North Dakota winters. When I was in school at the University of North Dakota (GO SIOUX!!), I remember that there was always a preferred path that you took to class. I lived over in the Wilkerson complex and all of the residence halls were connected to the complex (where you ate, got your mail, use the computer lab, etc) by tunnels.
Yes. Tunnels!
On cold days, I'd take the tunnel to Wilkerson, walk as fast as I could from Wilkerson, across the Coulee (pronounced cool-ee. It's a river. Which smelled TERRIBLE in the spring.), over to Gamble Hall. I would then cut through Gamble and over to Merrifield. Thankfully, 99% of my classes were in Merrifield.
Now, you're probably wondering--how cold was it? It can't be that bad.
Oh. You have no idea.
See this girl? See her Lands End coat with the hood, that is filled with down? Notice how the hood is up and pulled tight?
Last night I got home from work and as I watched the news, they talked about the blizzards that were hitting North Dakota and South Dakota.
Oh, how I do not miss North Dakota winters. When I was in school at the University of North Dakota (GO SIOUX!!), I remember that there was always a preferred path that you took to class. I lived over in the Wilkerson complex and all of the residence halls were connected to the complex (where you ate, got your mail, use the computer lab, etc) by tunnels.
Yes. Tunnels!
On cold days, I'd take the tunnel to Wilkerson, walk as fast as I could from Wilkerson, across the Coulee (pronounced cool-ee. It's a river. Which smelled TERRIBLE in the spring.), over to Gamble Hall. I would then cut through Gamble and over to Merrifield. Thankfully, 99% of my classes were in Merrifield.
Now, you're probably wondering--how cold was it? It can't be that bad.
Oh. You have no idea.
See this girl? See her Lands End coat with the hood, that is filled with down? Notice how the hood is up and pulled tight?
Notice how long the coat is, past her knees?
EVERYONE had a coat similar to this. You didn't know who you were walking with or walking towards on the UND campus in the winter. With hoods up, scarves around your face, gloves on your hands, and a back pack on your back--the only thing you saw were a person's eyes!
Oh...and forget about doing your hair. I went to UND in the early 90's, when the high bangs (also known as "the claw") were well in style. While I had short hair, I still managed to get some height up front.
Oh yes I did. I may not have used aqua net, but I could do some damage with some Paul Mitchell spritz and a hair dryer.
Anyway, today was no exception. I woke up this morning, got ready for work, and at 6:00 a.m. when I pushed the button to open the garage door I was the lucky recipient of at least an inch of wet, heavy snow.
I was not prepared for this. Not at all. I'm not very happy with the weather department at KARE-11 right now. Last time I checked, there is a big difference between "snow around dinner time Friday evening" to "snow when you wake up on Friday morning."
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
United We Stand, Divided We Fall....
Tonight I read a few blogs--and a lot of facebook status'--that made me say, "hummm....". What was in common with the blogs and facebook, you ask (besides the fact that they are a HUGE time waster...) ??
The outcome of the election.
My camp friend Justin, said it best on his facebook page, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
I know that over 63 million people are happy that Senator Obama won the election.
I also know that 56 million people are not.
And while I know that my blog does not reach 56 million people (can you imagine the comments? Uff da!), we have to accept the fact that Senator Obama has won. We need to pick up and move on. We need to trust that he's going to do the best job possible.
We also have to stop the negativity. He wasn't elected just because he is African American. He wasn't elected to make America a socialist state. He wasn't elected to upset those who strongly oppose abortion. He wasn't elected because of your taxes. He wasn't elected as a joke to see if someone who was a community organizer can really lead the country.
We also need to remember that Senator Obama is an American. Who is Christian. He is not an Arab nor is he a Muslim.
He was elected because 63 million people are tired of what America currently is. They want to have hope, opportunity, and positive change. They want a president who is honest who thinks about everyone, not just a small group like so many in government already do.
So, my bloggy readers, I encourage you--regardless of who you voted for, please. We need to stop making those that voted the opposite of us feel bad for their choice.
Remember, united we stand. Divided we fall.
I found this on YouTube and I think it sums it up pretty well (....no worries...it is kid and work friendly!)
Tonight I read a few blogs--and a lot of facebook status'--that made me say, "hummm....". What was in common with the blogs and facebook, you ask (besides the fact that they are a HUGE time waster...) ??
The outcome of the election.
My camp friend Justin, said it best on his facebook page, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
I know that over 63 million people are happy that Senator Obama won the election.
I also know that 56 million people are not.
And while I know that my blog does not reach 56 million people (can you imagine the comments? Uff da!), we have to accept the fact that Senator Obama has won. We need to pick up and move on. We need to trust that he's going to do the best job possible.
We also have to stop the negativity. He wasn't elected just because he is African American. He wasn't elected to make America a socialist state. He wasn't elected to upset those who strongly oppose abortion. He wasn't elected because of your taxes. He wasn't elected as a joke to see if someone who was a community organizer can really lead the country.
We also need to remember that Senator Obama is an American. Who is Christian. He is not an Arab nor is he a Muslim.
He was elected because 63 million people are tired of what America currently is. They want to have hope, opportunity, and positive change. They want a president who is honest who thinks about everyone, not just a small group like so many in government already do.
So, my bloggy readers, I encourage you--regardless of who you voted for, please. We need to stop making those that voted the opposite of us feel bad for their choice.
Remember, united we stand. Divided we fall.
I found this on YouTube and I think it sums it up pretty well (....no worries...it is kid and work friendly!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg
Note: I'm having issues embedding videos. I just can't seem to do it! Anyone willing to help? GRRR!
"You're Out of Your Mind".....
That's what a young lady said to me while standing in the kitchen at work.
Why, do you ask?
Because my co-worker Sarah asked me, "So, how is it so far with the no carbs?"
This of course prompted 2 other girls, who were easily a size 4 with perfect hair, teeth and skin to say to me, "NO CARBS?!?! Oh, I would just die without carbs."
Part of me wanted to be very catty and not very lady like (I did live in the south, so I do know how to be a proper lady. Kind of...) and say, "Well, that may be true, but you see, I'm not a skinny girl like you where all I eat is a 1/2 a Lean Cuisine Meal and then say 'Oh. I'm full.' and then sip Diet Coke all day. No, see, I'm a big girl. I've always been a big girl. And while I'm not as big as I used to be (photos coming later) my jeans are starting to feel tight. And while you may have never experienced this problem, let me tell you--it's terrible. So, yes. I have to give up the carbs."
But no. I didn't. I put on a big smile and said, "Yep. No carbs. It's just for two weeks."
Then the questions began:
"What do you eat?" Sarah, who I adore, jokingly said, "Do you eat a lot of cheese. 'Cuz I could do this if I got to eat a lot of cheese!" I said that yes, I can eat cheese, but it's lots of veggies & lean meats and I can even eat my homemade hummus.
"What do you eat with your hummus?" I looked at skinny girl #1 and said, "veggies". Here eyes were huge--like she's never seen a celery stalk or radish before.
"Can you have fruit?" As skinny girl #2 eats and apple in my face. My reply was "no".
"Oh, GAWD, I just couldn't do it." (with wide eyes and microwaving their Lean Cuisines) My reply, "It's just 2 weeks and after that I can have fruit, whole grains, and the like."
Seriously--these two skinny girls looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. Once I shared with Sarah, in private, that I was eating more than cheese and won't turn into a large cheese curd she said to me, "Oh! Sure! You can eat a lot of stuff." Sarah has always been supportive of me--she even encouraged me to do Weight Watchers with her last year.
However, I cheated with the points then wondered why I gained weight. Hummm. Sarah was super successful and lost 35+ pounds. But now I'm going to sabotage her weight loss and give her all my carbs from the house. ha ha ha!
Kidding. I wouldn't do that.
Or would I? You're awesome Sarah!
So--day two has come and gone. So far so good. Tonight I made Rachel Ray's Black Bean Soup and that sucker is loaded with so many veggies and fiber I'm feeling good. Later this week we'll have turkey & ham lettuce wraps with lots of veggies & avocado (ummm....avocado), we're also having chili, a chicken made in the crock-pot, and taco salad with lots of lettuce rather than chips.
All in all, I'm proud of myself and the Big Guy. Really, we're doing this not only for my benefit, but for the Big Guy too. Pretty soon he'll no longer be known as the Big Guy on my blog. He may now be the Former Big Guy!
I'm off to pack my lunch box because there is no way 1/2 a Lean Cuisine will fill me up.
That's what a young lady said to me while standing in the kitchen at work.
Why, do you ask?
Because my co-worker Sarah asked me, "So, how is it so far with the no carbs?"
This of course prompted 2 other girls, who were easily a size 4 with perfect hair, teeth and skin to say to me, "NO CARBS?!?! Oh, I would just die without carbs."
Part of me wanted to be very catty and not very lady like (I did live in the south, so I do know how to be a proper lady. Kind of...) and say, "Well, that may be true, but you see, I'm not a skinny girl like you where all I eat is a 1/2 a Lean Cuisine Meal and then say 'Oh. I'm full.' and then sip Diet Coke all day. No, see, I'm a big girl. I've always been a big girl. And while I'm not as big as I used to be (photos coming later) my jeans are starting to feel tight. And while you may have never experienced this problem, let me tell you--it's terrible. So, yes. I have to give up the carbs."
But no. I didn't. I put on a big smile and said, "Yep. No carbs. It's just for two weeks."
Then the questions began:
"What do you eat?" Sarah, who I adore, jokingly said, "Do you eat a lot of cheese. 'Cuz I could do this if I got to eat a lot of cheese!" I said that yes, I can eat cheese, but it's lots of veggies & lean meats and I can even eat my homemade hummus.
"What do you eat with your hummus?" I looked at skinny girl #1 and said, "veggies". Here eyes were huge--like she's never seen a celery stalk or radish before.
"Can you have fruit?" As skinny girl #2 eats and apple in my face. My reply was "no".
"Oh, GAWD, I just couldn't do it." (with wide eyes and microwaving their Lean Cuisines) My reply, "It's just 2 weeks and after that I can have fruit, whole grains, and the like."
Seriously--these two skinny girls looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. Once I shared with Sarah, in private, that I was eating more than cheese and won't turn into a large cheese curd she said to me, "Oh! Sure! You can eat a lot of stuff." Sarah has always been supportive of me--she even encouraged me to do Weight Watchers with her last year.
However, I cheated with the points then wondered why I gained weight. Hummm. Sarah was super successful and lost 35+ pounds. But now I'm going to sabotage her weight loss and give her all my carbs from the house. ha ha ha!
Kidding. I wouldn't do that.
Or would I? You're awesome Sarah!
So--day two has come and gone. So far so good. Tonight I made Rachel Ray's Black Bean Soup and that sucker is loaded with so many veggies and fiber I'm feeling good. Later this week we'll have turkey & ham lettuce wraps with lots of veggies & avocado (ummm....avocado), we're also having chili, a chicken made in the crock-pot, and taco salad with lots of lettuce rather than chips.
All in all, I'm proud of myself and the Big Guy. Really, we're doing this not only for my benefit, but for the Big Guy too. Pretty soon he'll no longer be known as the Big Guy on my blog. He may now be the Former Big Guy!
I'm off to pack my lunch box because there is no way 1/2 a Lean Cuisine will fill me up.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Today is the Day To....
Make your voice heard.
Exercise your right as an American
Make history
Rejoice in the fact that the political ads are over!
I'm not telling you who to vote for, or even who I'm voting for. Because really, that doesn't matter. What matters is exercising your right that was given to you as a citizen of this country.
So, get out there people! Get out and VOTE!
Monday, November 03, 2008
Saturday, November 01, 2008
My Mouse Story...
I was just reading Dry as Toast. I came across this blog this week through SITS. I have to say, I LOVE her blog. It gives me the giggles and who doesn't love having the giggles.
But I have to say, her latest post caused me to laugh out loud and recount my own story around mice.
My friend Meghan will be happy to know that this is not about the time we found a mouse in her graduate school apartment. But be warned. That story will make its way here at some point. Heh heh heh.
Aren't I such a good friend?
As I've said before, I used to work at a summer camp. I love this camp and am very lucky to have worked there full time. I've said it before, but the reason I left camp was simply the lifestyle. It's tough to move up to camp every May and move back every September.
I lived at the boys camp. I had a little cabin on the edge of camp that I shared for 2 summers with the program director. Kerry and I hit it off and it enjoyed living with one another.
Especially because we had a love of Dairy Queen.
The first summer we lived together, we had a mouse problem. If you think about it, the cabin was left empty for 8 months out of the year. It was natural for critters to make themselves at home in the cabin. When we came back in May, it was really like we were moving into their territory.
Oh, who am I kidding. I hated those mice and I was never so happy to set a mouse trap every May to get rid of those little suckers.
Through out the summer, we would set a trap and within a few days, we'd catch a mouse. We'd see nothing for a few days and then we'd have to set another trap. We had to keep all of our food (even the dry/canned goods) in the 'fridge because honestly, we couldn't risk the mice getting to it.
The first four week session of camp came and went and camp was now officially half over. I remember one particularly warm day using the bathroom in our cabin. As I was doing my business, I remember smelling this awful smell.
No, it wasn't me. Thank you.
To be honest, it smelled like sewer gas. I can hear you thinking, "How in the world do you know what sewer gas smells like?"
We interrupt this blog post for a flash back to Kelley's past....
So, when I was in grad school, I met a boy. A boy who stole my heart. He stole my heart so badly that after we graduated, we were in a serious relationship and I was going to do anything in my power to work as close to him as possible. He was going to live in Michigan to be close to his family. I made my way there eventually and we decided to cash in on the amazing housing market.
We bought a house. And that house had MAJOR septic issues. It's a long story that involves a new house going up next door, a drain field that was actually under the neighbors new home, and a septic tank that had to be drained 2 times in two weeks.
So, needless to say, because of my new knowledge of septic tanks, and drain fields, I have smelled my fair share of sewer gas.
Just the type of thing you wanted to know...eh?
We now return to our blog post about mice in the summer camp cabin....
As the week went by the smell got stronger and stronger. I went to our full time maintenance guy, Marty, and told him what I was smelling. He swore to me that there was no way that it was the septic because it was just pumped before camp and it was a huge tank--5 cabins were attached to it.
But to humor me, he sent down one of his staff to check it out.
Later that afternoon, I was in my office talking to parents and coordinating this and that. Marty came into my office with a kitchen sized trash bag full of something
Oh. You think you know where this is going? Just wait.
The conversation went something like this (M = Marty, K = me)
M: Kelley....I have something for you (hands me the bag)
K: What is it (as I walk to the counter to get it)
M: It's what we found in your bathroom
K: (stopping dead in her tracks) Say what?
M: Here--take it (shoves bag in my direction)
K: NO WAY!! I'm not taking a bag from you. I know better around here.
M: (laughing....hard)
K: So, what is it
M: Don't you want to look
K: Not really....
M: OK. We went into your bathroom and agreed that there was a bad smell and it did smell a bit like the septic tank...
K: See! I told you!
M: Yes. Well, we determined that the smell was coming from under the cabinet that was holding the sink. So, we cut out the bottom of the cabinet and this is what we found (Marty holds out the bag again)
Inside this bag--this very full bag--was the biggest mouse nest you have ever seen. All the fluffy stuff that mice gather (dryer lint, cotton balls, etc) as well as mice droppings, live mice and even dead baby mice.
The combination of the dead mice and the mouse droppings was what created the smell.
How did they get in? Because the cabinet goes around the plumbing, in a cabin that isn't insulated, they crawled around the pipes. And because this cabin was mainly used by seasonal staff, if at all, it had obviously been there for some time.
Marty assured me that they sealed up all the holes and we shouldn't have any more problems. True to his word--he was right. No more mice that summer or for the next 4 that I was up at camp in that cabin.
It still didn't stop me from putting out mouse traps every summer. Just in case.
I was just reading Dry as Toast. I came across this blog this week through SITS. I have to say, I LOVE her blog. It gives me the giggles and who doesn't love having the giggles.
But I have to say, her latest post caused me to laugh out loud and recount my own story around mice.
My friend Meghan will be happy to know that this is not about the time we found a mouse in her graduate school apartment. But be warned. That story will make its way here at some point. Heh heh heh.
Aren't I such a good friend?
As I've said before, I used to work at a summer camp. I love this camp and am very lucky to have worked there full time. I've said it before, but the reason I left camp was simply the lifestyle. It's tough to move up to camp every May and move back every September.
I lived at the boys camp. I had a little cabin on the edge of camp that I shared for 2 summers with the program director. Kerry and I hit it off and it enjoyed living with one another.
Especially because we had a love of Dairy Queen.
The first summer we lived together, we had a mouse problem. If you think about it, the cabin was left empty for 8 months out of the year. It was natural for critters to make themselves at home in the cabin. When we came back in May, it was really like we were moving into their territory.
Oh, who am I kidding. I hated those mice and I was never so happy to set a mouse trap every May to get rid of those little suckers.
Through out the summer, we would set a trap and within a few days, we'd catch a mouse. We'd see nothing for a few days and then we'd have to set another trap. We had to keep all of our food (even the dry/canned goods) in the 'fridge because honestly, we couldn't risk the mice getting to it.
The first four week session of camp came and went and camp was now officially half over. I remember one particularly warm day using the bathroom in our cabin. As I was doing my business, I remember smelling this awful smell.
No, it wasn't me. Thank you.
To be honest, it smelled like sewer gas. I can hear you thinking, "How in the world do you know what sewer gas smells like?"
We interrupt this blog post for a flash back to Kelley's past....
So, when I was in grad school, I met a boy. A boy who stole my heart. He stole my heart so badly that after we graduated, we were in a serious relationship and I was going to do anything in my power to work as close to him as possible. He was going to live in Michigan to be close to his family. I made my way there eventually and we decided to cash in on the amazing housing market.
We bought a house. And that house had MAJOR septic issues. It's a long story that involves a new house going up next door, a drain field that was actually under the neighbors new home, and a septic tank that had to be drained 2 times in two weeks.
So, needless to say, because of my new knowledge of septic tanks, and drain fields, I have smelled my fair share of sewer gas.
Just the type of thing you wanted to know...eh?
We now return to our blog post about mice in the summer camp cabin....
As the week went by the smell got stronger and stronger. I went to our full time maintenance guy, Marty, and told him what I was smelling. He swore to me that there was no way that it was the septic because it was just pumped before camp and it was a huge tank--5 cabins were attached to it.
But to humor me, he sent down one of his staff to check it out.
Later that afternoon, I was in my office talking to parents and coordinating this and that. Marty came into my office with a kitchen sized trash bag full of something
Oh. You think you know where this is going? Just wait.
The conversation went something like this (M = Marty, K = me)
M: Kelley....I have something for you (hands me the bag)
K: What is it (as I walk to the counter to get it)
M: It's what we found in your bathroom
K: (stopping dead in her tracks) Say what?
M: Here--take it (shoves bag in my direction)
K: NO WAY!! I'm not taking a bag from you. I know better around here.
M: (laughing....hard)
K: So, what is it
M: Don't you want to look
K: Not really....
M: OK. We went into your bathroom and agreed that there was a bad smell and it did smell a bit like the septic tank...
K: See! I told you!
M: Yes. Well, we determined that the smell was coming from under the cabinet that was holding the sink. So, we cut out the bottom of the cabinet and this is what we found (Marty holds out the bag again)
Inside this bag--this very full bag--was the biggest mouse nest you have ever seen. All the fluffy stuff that mice gather (dryer lint, cotton balls, etc) as well as mice droppings, live mice and even dead baby mice.
The combination of the dead mice and the mouse droppings was what created the smell.
How did they get in? Because the cabinet goes around the plumbing, in a cabin that isn't insulated, they crawled around the pipes. And because this cabin was mainly used by seasonal staff, if at all, it had obviously been there for some time.
Marty assured me that they sealed up all the holes and we shouldn't have any more problems. True to his word--he was right. No more mice that summer or for the next 4 that I was up at camp in that cabin.
It still didn't stop me from putting out mouse traps every summer. Just in case.
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