August 30, 2008

I’m feeling sick

My computer crashed on Friday afternoon. It’s taken me a little more than twenty-four hours to get things back up and running. I was back online briefly earlier today,then crashed again. I was stuck for a while on a DOS page for BIOS ROM chcecksum error - whatever that is. Then I found something called CHKDSK/F running - it deleted some index items, then I finally got a start screen, but one quite different from the norm. I left it open to see what would happen and Windows began re-installing itself. Do you know what that means? Everything I had saved on my computer is gone. I have no documents, no photos, no email, no email addresses, no bookmarks … everything is gone. I can re-intall the templates for my termite inspection reports, but the reports I’ve issued since my last full back-up (about a month ago) are gone. All of my writing is gone - I don’t think I ever backed up my personal stuff. Address lists and mailing labels, all of my BookCrossing labels and bookmarks - gone. Some reference letters I wrote for friends and former co-workers undergoing employment screening - those are gone, too. Looking at my blog in IE is all messed up, too - the text font is different and my left sidebar has dropped off. It looks fine in Firefox, so I know it’s my IE and not my blog that’s wonky, but somehow that doesn’t help much. I feel nauseous and lost and want to bang my head against the wall. If you know of something more productive I should be doing right now, I’d sure like to know what it is. I’m so befuddled I haven’t a clue where to start, except that I know I need to figure out how to reconfig email so I can at least get future mail. It will take forever to rebuild my address book and past experience tells me that some addresses will never appear in my inbox again, so I’ve lost those contacts. Maybe things will look less dismal to me when the sun comes up tomorrow, but right now - yeah, I’m feeling pretty sick.

Technorati Tags: computer crash, computer nightmares

August 28, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #44

Val’s questions this week for Four Foods on Friday focus on the humble potoato. I’m good with that. Starches form the largest part of my diet because they are easy on my lousy digestion. Potatoes were an important part of my diet even when I had more options to pick from just because I’ve always liked them. They are so versitile that you could prepare potatoes daily and never run out of new ways to serve them. Right now I have russett potatoes and new potatoes on hand, in addition to several bags of frozen potatoes, one package of quickie potato casserole and a canister of instant mashed potatoes that is probably stale because I never think to make instant. I’ve had pototoes served various ways at least three times this week, and have the makings for potato/leek soup for tomorrow. Enough of that, though. On with the questions:

#1. Potato Chips. What kind of chips are your favorite?

I like potato chips, but rarely eat them. These days I go for the baked whole-grain chips instead, like Sun Chips. When I buy potato chips I usually buy the ridged plain ones to go with dip.

#2. What’s your favorite thing to dip chips in?

Nacho cheese dip.

#3. What’s your favorite way to eat a baked potato?

I sometimes make a meal out of an overstuffed baked potato with bacon, cheese, sour cream and mushrooms, but most frequently I eat them with just butter and maybe a little cheddar grated across the top. Plain is good, too!

#4. How do you make mashed potatoes?

Is there more than one way to make them? I guess I’ll find out when I visit the other FFoF participants and see how they answered. I cut the potatoes into manageable-sized cubes (with or with out peels depending on my mood.) Cover with water, add a little salt and boil. When they’re done I pour off most of the water and mash them. Once I’ve got the big chunks broken up I add a little milk and butter, then whip them with the electric mixer until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. Chives, parsley and garlic are good add-ins, but not needed - plain mashed potatoes are great without any frills.

Technorati Tags: blogs, food blogs, food meme, potatoes

Office chores

I’m really awful about keeping up with all of the things I should do as a business owner. I seriously hate office chores. If I could just do my inspections and issue my reports I’d love my job. There’s all this other stuff that needs doing though, and I neglect most of it horribly. That’s why I’m rather proud of the productive day I had yesterday. This morning, for the first time in months, there was no filing piled up on my work table, waiting for me to set it in order & put it away. There are also no checks waiting to be entered into the books and prepared for deposit. How far behind was I? The photo above is a clue. A few of them don’t show, but those are the twenty checks that have been waiting patiently for my attention. Most of them are payments from escrow companies for my inspection services. Five of them are tax refunds. Yep - five tax checks. Remember how stressed I was about filing my taxes so late? I’d been paying my taxes quarterly (fed) or semi-annually (state) as a good little business owner is required to do, but I neglected to file my taxes on time. I hadn’t kept good track of things, so I wasn’t sure if I still owed a bunch on taxes until the refunds started coming in. Turns out I payed more than was due for 2006 and 2007 to both the IRS and the State of Hawaii, so both of them sent me separate checks for each year. Uncle Sam was also kind enough to send my econoimic stimulus check, which I was afraid might be witheld as a penalty for filing late.

I hate fooling with money. It doesn’t matter whether it’s coming in or going out, I hate to fool with it. When I first started my business I rushed to the bank with deposits as soon as checks came in. After a while I realized that was inefficient, so I started logging payments as they came in, but going to the bank once a week. Then maybe once every two weeks. Then I started letting them accumulate and didn’t log them in until I was ready to go to the bank - once every three or four weeks. When I started opening mail yesterday I was more than a little chagrinned to realize that some of the checks were postmarked six weeks ago. Obviously not acceptable! I’m adding a new vow to my list of “things I will improve on.” My checks are all tallied up and my deposit slip is filled out. As soon as I’m through with this post I’m going to head to the bank. I’ve made a committment to my business: in the future all office chores will be cleared away a minimum of once a week. I’m getting better at keeping my life and my business organized. This is just one of many areas where I’ve failed in the past. I’m putting it out here in front of all of you to impress upon myself that this needs to be something that I take seriously and address in a business-like manner. I almost asked you to wish me luck, but that would be ridiculous. Keeping my business running smoothly doesn’t need luck, it needs my committment, so let’s just leave it at that. I’m committed to doing better.

Technorati Tags: banking, business, business chores

Staying toasty-warm

I haven’t left the island of Oahu in over nine years. When my off-island family and friends moan and groan about their weather I don’t exactly smirk, but I’ll admit that I’ve gotten a little spoiled. A hot day here means the temperature has gotten into the high eighties in the afternoon. When we say that it’s cold we mean we needed a lightweight blanket in the wee hours because the temperature plummeted to the low sixties. I hinted last week that some major changes are coming in my life. I’m still not ready to tell all, but here’s another clue that might help you figure out what my big announcement might be: I should be in Texas sometime this coming winter. I’m looking forward to my trip. Almost everyone I’m related to lives near Dallas, so I’ll get to spend some time with people I love very much but haven’t seen in ages. The only thing I’m not looking forward to is experiencing cold again. I own three light-weight, dressy jackets. That’s as close as I come to having a winter wardrobe. I’ve already started shopping online for sweaters and long-johns and other winter gear. I haven’t made any purchases yet, but I have decided on one thing I absolutely have to have. It’s a Cabin Cuddler and it will come in handy for my flight, but that’s not why I have to have it. I need it because I know I’m going to be spending a lot of time sitting on my aunt’s couch visiting with relatives and at my sister’s kitchen table catching up with her life. I already know it will be cold the whole time and I don’t want that to take away from the experience. I’m sure my Cabin Cuddler will quickly become a family joke because I intend to take it everywhere I go. I’m going to be wrapped up and toasty warm every time they see me!

I’ll be documenting my trip here, of course. It’s what I do. There will be lots of photos too, because that’s also what I do. I’m already anticipating your comments: “Oh, skeet! You look just like your cousin! You look kinda cute wrapped up in your travel blanket, too!” And: “Um, skeet? Did you take any clothes on your trip? All we’ve seen so far is your Cabin Cuddler.” Hey, get used to it, folks. I intend to have a wonderful time this winter, but I do not intend to be cold! I was actually dreading that aspect of the trip, but I’m feeling much better about it now, thank-you-very-much! The Cabin Cuddler folds up compactly in its own little travel tote, so I’ll be able to keep it in my bag and always have it handy as I hop around from relative to relative re-establishing the ties that I’ve neglected so dreadfully these last few years. It’s got its own inflatable travel pillow, too, which will come in handy for my flights (since those penny-pinching airline don’t supply pillows anymore.) At $29.95 I may even buy two of them, just to make sure there’s always one handy. A certain cousin who shall remain nameless will ask to borrow one and might not want to give it back. Yep, I love her enough to be prepared for that eventuality, but I don’t want to have to suffer for the sake of that affection. And, hey - get this: shipping is free, even to Hawaii. (Y’all know it’s one of my pet peeves that free-shipping offers never include Hawaii.) I still have a lot of ducks to get into a row to make this trip happen, but knowing I will have a Cabin Cuddler and won’t have to freeze has gotten me over a huge hurdle.

This concludes my second clue to the startling news I’ll be announcing soon. You may now commence with your guesses as to what is going on in the world of skeet!

Technorati Tags: blankets, Cabin Cuddler, cold weather, family, travel, travel comfort, travel blanket

August 26, 2008

Let’s talk about Jenn!

It’s been a while since I last updated you on my friend Jenn who blogs over at Footprints on the Moon. She’s doing something right now that I admire greatly, so I thought I’d tell you about it. Y’all know about my epic struggles with clutter. The reason I haven’t given you an update on that lately is that there’s nothing much to report. I’m easily distracted - what can I say? Jenn, though, makes up her mind to do something and then she makes it happen. She set some goals for herself and has been working diligently ever since to realize them.

One of her most important goals is to pay off her debts. Like most of us (well, me, anyway) she’s spent money that she doesn’t have and is left with the bills to pay. I love the way she’s organized her debts into a bar graph that she has to see every day, thus keeping herself motivated to take care of them. She can see a visual of her progress every time she makes a payment. Smart, Jenn! I’d copy that idea, but past history tells me it would end up being just another embarrassment staring me in the face.

Jenn hasn’t limited her goal-setting to her finances. In July she committed herself to do 101 Things in 1001 Days. I know a couple of other people who are doing this, too. Again, something that I admire greatly. It takes a lot of stick-to-it-ivity to set the one or two goals that many folks set each New Years. Most fail to reach those goals. I’m going to make a bold statement right here, right now: Jenn will reach her goals. She’s got the focus, the motivation and the desire. She has a plan. I believe that she will stick to that plan and allow her motivation to carry her to each and every goal she sets. I owe her several more linky-love posts (she’s a frequent winner of Tuesday Teasers.) We’ll check back in with her from time to time and I’m betting there will be signifigant progress to report each time. Don’t wait on me, though. Hop on over to her place and give her a little encouragement. Not that I think she needs it, you know, but everyone appreciates an “Atta girl!” every now and then. Hey, Jenn - atta girl!

Photo credit: froggybluesock

Technorati Tags: blog reviews, blogs, Footprints on the Moon, personal blogs

Lance needs to clean up his act

Y’all know Lance is the light of my life. He’s always been a friendly and fun companion, but more so since our old Buddy died. I can’t imagine how much tougher that would have been if I hadn’t had Lance to help me get through it. He’s become much more outgoing since he adjusted to the loss of his companion, too. You’d need an animal behaviorist to explain it, but my take on it is that he feels like it’s okay to monopolize my time and space now that there’s not another dog around to share me with. I live a pretty solitary life. There’s no one else around to share a laugh or a cuddle with, so Lance is pretty good company to have. Well, most of the time. There’s one thing he does, though, that makes me crazy. I’ve told you about it before, but … wait for it …

And there it is. I managed to dodge just in time on that occasion, but Lance is a face-kisser and manages to plant one on my mouth from time to time. Shall we talk about dog bad breath now? Yes, let’s! Lance was born with a heart condition and can’t go under anesthesia, so he’s never had his teeth professionally cleaned. I do what I can, but the beagle has a major case of halitosis going on. He’s also got that bad doggie habit we don’t like to talk about. If I don’t run outside & grab the pooper-scooper the minute he goes, he cleans it up himself. Yeah, that habit. Then he dares to try to kiss Mom on the mouth? Not happening!

Like I said, I do what I can. I have doggie toothpaste and one of those little doggie toothbrushes, but you’d think I was torturing Lance if you heard him squeal every time I use them. He wiggles and squirms so much that most of the toothpaste ends up on me or on his face instead of in his mouth. I keep trying, though, because he’s got some really ugly plaque build-up and the nastiest mouth odor you can imagine. I picked up his Science Diet today at the pet warehouse place. I cruised the dog care aisle, as usual, looking for something I haven’t tried yet that will help with his nasty breath. Those green chews that everyone loves? They’ve been known to choke dogs to death, so I threw the last batch out and won’t try those again. I did see a new brand of doggie toothpaste, but it’s $19.99 for a small tube. That seemed pretty steep, so I passed on it. When I got home I went online and started looking for something more affordable. Wouldn’t you know that I found my answer at the same place I told you about a couple of months ago when I found my own favorite dental health products at discounted prices. Yep, the very same SmileWarehouse.com that carries my Oral-B toothbrushes for half what the drug store charges also has dog plaque remover for Lance. I feel a “Duh!” moment coming on! I shopped there several times and never noticed that they carry oral care products for pets. It turns out they have a product called Triple Pet Plaque Off that will help eliminate plaque and tarter build-up when I add it to Lance’s drinking water. I’m not saying that I’m going to start letting Lance kiss me on the mouth any time soon, but I think maybe our “in your face” games are going to become a lot more pleasant in the future. Smilewarehouse.com has a whole line of pet oral care products in addition to the stuff we all use for ourselves. You should check them out before the next time you re-stock your toothpaste and tootbrushes, and check out the pet care products while you’re there. Just sayin’.

Technorati Tags: dental care products, dog dental care, doggie bad breath, oral care, pet oral care

Tuesday Teaser photo verification

We have a winner! Megan has been bombarding me with answers each week lately, totally getting into the spirit of Tuesday Teasers. This week she made one guess that was off the mark and then had a moment of enlightenment. Reading her comment, there can be no doubt that she absolutely knows she’s guessed the correct answer. It made me chuckle and grin to read it!

Congratulations to Megan, who has won a linky love post for her blog. Mahalo to all of you who stopped by and especially those of you who posted answers. To the other three hundred or so visitors - don’t be shy next time! Wrong answers are as much fun as the final, correct answer and you’ll get some some do-follow love just for posting. We’d love to know who you are and have you throw yourself into the wild race for an answer next time!

Technorati Tags: contest, contest winner, package tape, photo puzzle, Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser for August 26, 2008

Can you identify the item depicted above? Take your best guess and post it in the comments below. If your guess wins, you’ll get a nifty prize. Here’s how it works:

1. Write a comment giving your guess as to what the item is. Be as specific as you can. For instance, indoor lighting would be too general as an answer if you needed to identify a lava lamp. Sometimes the brand will need to be specific, as when you identified the Enregizer Bunny and auto company logos. Guess as many times as you want, but put each answer in a separate comment, please!
2. First person to identify the item wins. If more than one person provides the correct answer, time and date stamp will determine who was first.
3. The author of this blog will be the sole judge as to what constitutes a correct answer. Sorry - no hints will be given. I will attempt to respond to your answers at least every few hours, but I am not continuously at the keyboard so please be patient.
4. The contest will end in forty-eight hours, whether or not a correct guess has been submitted.
5. Skeet’s Stuff is a do-follow blog, so you get some link value just for commenting.

What will you win?

1. The author of this blog will write a LINKY LOVE POST (review) about the winner’s blog (commercial sites ineligible.) The LLP will contain the url for your blog plus at least two deep links and will be posted here on Skeet’s Stuff, a PR4 PR2 PR0 (bah google!) Ha! PR3 blog. Skeet writes good reviews.

2. The weekly winners will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $10.00 gift card from Starbucks or Amazon or a ten dollar payment through PayPal so they can start saving for those sexy new shoes or a gallon of gas.

3. Drawing for the monthly prize will be held on or about September 1, 2008, and will include all weekly winners for the month. There are four Tuesdays in August, thus the maximum number of people who will be eligble is four.

Comments submitted with commercial links will be deleted. If you would like to market your product, service or website through skeet’s stuff I’ll be happy to discuss your needs and my prices. Please submit your request via email.

Technorati Tags: contests, photos, photo contest, photo puzzle

August 25, 2008

Halloween costumes

Do you remember last year when I painted my face for Halloween? It turns out I don’t make a very convincing clown. I think I frightened more children than I amused. I’m not into scaring little children, so I’m already thinking about what I can do this year that will add a little fun to Halloween for the neighborhood kids. Back in “the old days” I always costumed at least twice a year - Mardi Gras and Halloween - and I’ll admit that my prime consideration then was “How hot can I look?” My criteria these days have changed - it’s no longer “all about me.” Now I’m more interested in Halloween costumes that will amuse and entertain the the little folks. I noticed last year that several adults in the neighborhood costumed for Halloween, so I’m hoping there will be even more this year. I wish our homeowner’s association would do a block party for the kids and encourage everyone to make it a family affair. We did that once in the years I’ve lived here and it was a great success, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. The good news is that there are more kids in the neighborhood this year, so I think I’m obligated to now that it’s taken me a while to sort through them all and narrow down my choices, but I think I’ve finally found one that just right. That’s it over on the left. What do you think? Once I decided on a pirate costume I had to sort through them until I found one that was appropriate for a woman of my … ahem … mature years. A lot of them are pretty sexy and just the sort of thing I’d have worn in days past, but I’d look a little ridiculous in them these days. This one, though, is all about pirate fun, so I think contribute to the spirit of the thing for them, don’t you? I’ve been looking at costumes for a couple of weeks. I really like the period costumes - something from the French court or reminescent of a Jane Austen heroine - and those fit well with my own interests, but I don’t think kids would “get” them. Kids are more interested in acton and adventure and whatever is hot at the moment, so I’ve pretty much decided that Pirate Costumes are the way to go. There are so many wonderful costumes availableit’s right for any woman, regardless of age. I’ve pretty much settled on it, but I have a ittle time before I have to commit, so I’ll keep checking for udpates at blog.halloweenadventure.com until it’s time to make up my mind. Since online orders can be delivered so quickly these days, the only time constraint I have to be concerned with it that I have a coupon code that expires on October 10th. You’ll want to make a note of it for yourself, of course: Coupon Code: PPP05BLOG2008 will give you 5% off TILL OCTOBER 10th, 2008.

Hey, maybe we should make a pact to have an online Halloween party this year. We can all costume and pass out virtual candy to each other. You’ll have to post a picture of yourself in costume in order to participate, but I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours. What do you think? Any takers? We could have some fun with this! Ha, now that I’ve thought of it I’m liking this idea! Let’s just do it, okay? Comment below, let me know that you’re interested and tell me what costume you’ll wear. I’ll see if I can find someone to make us a badge for everyone’s blog and we’ll have some fun trick-or-treating at each other’s places. You on board? Please, please, please say yes!

Technorati Tags: costumes, Halloween, Halloween costumes, pirate costumes

August 24, 2008

Waipi’o Majors Little League Day in Hawaii (by proclamation)

I don’t make it a habit to copy others’ words and post duplicate content, but this is special and needs to appear as is. From the office of Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle:

On behalf of the people of Hawai’i, we would like to congratulate the World Champion Waipi’o Majors on winning the 2008 International Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

Since 1939, Little League Baseball has promoted and nurtured the interest of baseball in our youth. Discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and physical fitness are developed through coaches’ exemplary leadership, shaping not just high-quality athletes but good citizens as well.

Throughout this year’s World Series, Hawai’i’s Waipi’o Majors embodied the legacy of Little League Baseball that has shaped the character and leadership skills of so many youth who came before them. The team’s performance was truly inspiring, with a thrilling, historic, “one-for-the ages” 7-5 comeback victory to win the United States Championship over a talented team from Lake Charles, Louisiana, becoming only the third team from Hawai’i to earn the national title.

The skilled outstanding performance throughout the tournament was capped off in the final game against the international champion team from Matamoros, Mexico as the team captured the World Championship in decisive fashion by a score of 12 to 3, scoring in every inning with great pitching, hitting, and fielding. With gritty and focused determination, the Waipi’o Majors fought back from the brink of elimination at the state championship tournament in July to win for the third year in a row.

Throughout the regional championships, working together the team collected wins against teams from Utah, Massachusetts and the previously unbeaten team from Nevada. The entire state of Hawai’i cheered the players on as Waipi’o finished the West Region tournament with a 5-1 record.

The team’s overall 12-2 record in the 2008 International Little League Tournament will not soon be forgotten.

The team’s spirit, hard work and passion brought much pride to all our residents and honor to our state. Only nine teams from Hawai’i have claimed the achievement of participating in the Little League Baseball World Series with only two of those teams reaching the championship game.

Manager Timo Donahue and coaches Kiha Akau and Gregg Tsugawa’s guidance, mentoring, knowledge of baseball and hard work clearly helped lead the Waipi’o Majors Little League team through a triumphant season, resulting in capturing the 2008 International Little League Baseball World Series title.

THEREFORE, I, LINDA LINGLE, Governor of the State of Hawai’i, and I, James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., Lieutenant Governor, do hereby proclaim today, August 24, 2008, as WAIPI’O MAJORS LITTLE LEAGUE DAY in Hawai’i, for the team’s hard work and sportsmanship resulting in winning the 2008 International Little League Baseball World Series. Representing the United States, the State of Hawai’i and our community with sportsmanship and aloha, the Waipi’o Majors brought great pride to their family, friends and coaches. These athletes are true champions in every sense of the word. Congratulations Waipi’o Majors!

DONE at the State Capitol, in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawai’i, this twenty-fourth day of August 2008.

Linda Lingle Governor, State of Hawai’i
James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawai’i

Adding my own congratulations to the boys from Waipi’o, and mahalo to Governor Lingle and Lieutenant Governor Aiona for recognizing that Little League is about more than “just” baseball and that baseball is more than “just” a game. My son played for Pilney Little League in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana throughout his growing-up years. I can attest that participation in Little League builds sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork in all of the kids fortunate enough to participate, along with a long list of other desirable qualities that they’ll carry within them for life. The World Little League Championship goes to the Waipi’o All Stars, but every Little Leaguer is a winner in my book.

Technorati Tags: baseball, Hawaii local news, Little League Baseball, Little League World Series, Waipio All Stars