experience new things

im tired of the same old shit so im getting off the couch and trying almost anything that comes my way!

CAN indeed clean your silver jewelry.

Now I’m not a huge jewelry wearer, and my poor neglected silver jewelry shows it.

While browsing the web for home remedy cleaners, I stumbled up the concoction.

I felt like a certified mad scientist.

Tin foil? Check
Vinegar? Check
Salt? Check
Baking soda? Check

It was uncommonly cool! I took a sheet of tin foil in a pan and added very hot water and the various other ingredients, I stirred the water and dropped the jewelry in, making sure it had full contact with the tin foil.

Voila!

And no messy chemicals!

Sigh.
It is so very easy to amuse myself.

:0)

And I just wanted to say…

That in the time I have been with 43 things I have come across some pretty amazing people. I wish I could dress this up in beautiful words, but I have not (sadly) the skills.

I have come across the most beautiful, caring people that I have ever met in my whole life. I have seen them urge people on towards their dreams, cheer hopeful and creative entries, create wonderful personas that invite the reader to stay awhile and sit, and comfort people when they thought no comfort might exist.

I am in awe of the depth of love and compassion found here. Not to mention the HUMOR (that gets us through life).

I humbly bow to all of you that make this site worth visiting. Again and again and again and again (B/C it is so worth it).

Ferocious hugs to all!
:0)

I went horseback riding over the long Labor Day weekend with my sister and her friends. When she first mentioned the idea, I thought, what the hay… I need to shake things up a bit. As the day neared, I thought more about it and began to worry. I’m no spring chicken anymore… What if I fall off? What if my horse bolts? Will I be sore after an hour of riding? And finally, what do I wear? What is the latest mode of fashion for horseback riding? Well, I’ve never been haute couture… but I very much dislike being dressed inappropriately for an occasion.

My sister (what a saint) explained patiently that jeans are still de rigor when riding and my light-weight hiking boots with ankle support would do just fine for footwear. Ok, check! She also assured me that the horses are very well trained and chances for the horse bolting were slim (but still there… Right? Right?). Ok, check! As to me falling off, that was entirely up to me but I’m sure she felt that I was up to the task of staying mounted. That was to be my main goal for the outing… Stay on the horse. Everything else would be icing on the cake.

We arrived and jockeyed for a parking place among the large pick up trucks that filled the small parking area. I stepped out of the car and inhaled the heady aroma of stables and corral. We filled out our forms and releases in a small rough wood paneled room, set up with simple tables and chairs and decorated with pictures of employees at rodeo riding events and other Western memorabilia. Yes, there were 2 pictures of John Wayne. I’m pretty sure that’s mandatory.

As we 4 gals lined up on the porch for the guide to pick horses for us, I was summoned into the corral by the descriptive, “You, in the blue t-shirt, the tiny lady on the end…” Major was the name of my horse for the next hour, and he was the same gingery color as my hair. I felt sure we would get along because of this. I certainly hoped so, anyway, because he was a BIG horse. (My guide later tells me on the trail that Major likes to try to get away with things and can be mischievous… What? What?)

After considerable shortening of my stirrups I was ready, and we followed our guide to the trails, single file. The trails were interwoven through a large tract of forest behind the stables. No, it wasn’t all flat. Plenty of ups and downs throughout the trails. Our guide explained the importance of leaning back as the horse descends an incline so that you don’t put extra weight on to the front quarters where so much of their weight was already being carried. He also explained that it was not mean to kick your heels into your horse’s side… It didn’t “hurt” them. I can honestly say that Major certainly didn’t react much to my ineffective flailing of heels when trying to hurry him along at the request of the guide (We were slowing the line down). Every so often Major would simply stop and have a quick snack of green undergrowth. I was told this was because I was too slack on his reins. Good to know…Okay.

Quickly enough, I quit worrying about falling off and began to enjoy it. The light filtering down through the trees, the birds chirping, the easy movement of the horse beneath me, the colorful commentary of our guide…

And then, all of a sudden, we were heading back into the corral. As I waited for my turn to dismount, I patted and scratched Major on his neck, murmuring my fervent thanks for not bucking me off. When at last I did swing my leg over and slide off, I took some pretty silly steps as I got used to actually walking again. There was laughter (Uh yah…. so funny – not!), much comedic commentary by all and me looking confused as to why I was the only person affected like this. Thankfully, it went away soon enough. By the time we got to the car, I was walking normally again.

During the drive home the car was filled with the pungent aroma of horse and the excited chattering of yours truly, on when we could go back again.

Yee Haw!

Well, the system has finally caught up to moi… Even though I had received the summons for jury duty, somehow it never sunk in that I’d actually be picked. Who am I kidding?

Here’s how the first day went…

I woke up and was stretching luxuriously when I happened to glance over at the clock. It was blinking. Yes, kiddos… the power had gone out overnight. Ack… bad dream, bad dream! I LEAPT out of bed and skittered into the kitchen. The wall clock (with batteries) shone a steady 8:02 AM. I had to be there at 9 AM. Criminy!!!

Off I scurried to the bathroom where I (no joke) showered, brushed my teeth, put makeup on, and dressed in about 12 minutes flat. I dashed out the door then had to return briefly to grab a book (They say to bring reading material) and dashed to my car. Like a good citizen I drove the speed limit, but unwisely made the decision to take the beltway. It took 15 more minutes to reach the next exit, where I came off the beltway to take the back roads the rest of the way. I made it to the parking garage with 2 minutes to spare and ran full tilt for the court house.

When I got there and went to check in, people were still trickling in behind me, thank goodness. We read through our informational pamphlets, got our $15.00 service fee and sat down to watch a lovely little orientation film (circa 1970 or so) explaining the process and what the different employees did.

Another lovely wait while they called our numbers in batches for the different trials. I was second batch and we filed behind a lady to take us upstairs to the courtroom we were going to go through the jury selection process in. I had what I thought to be a high number, but alas, I was finally called to stand and the prosecution and defense both had no objection to me as a juror (Darn my quasi-conservative librarian-looking outfit!) Maybe they thought I was acually an intelectual, and as such, would be able to weigh facts with the proper amount of dilligence. Sigh. At least the chairs were comfortable. I did learn a very important thing that day… bring a cardigan. I think they keep it really cool in the jury area to prevent anyone from falling asleep.

That was three days ago and I get to return on Monday to continue. I actually have no problems about performing my civic duty, but it’s starting to cut into my vacation time… Yes I will be needing to cover my time off starting Monday, with vacation time.

I’ve been hoarding it for beach time in Mexico next year, or a spell in London, or Ireland, or Scotland, or Spain, or Portugal…

Ce la vie! Everything happens for a reason. Guess I am meant to be in this to learn something.

This definitely qualifies as a new experience…

Last few days have been a blur of newness. My first ever business trip, which also involved my first visit to a British Airways Executive Lounge (!) and then to several locations in sunny Somerset.

Met the blokes I’ve been having conference calls with during my last few weeks of new job, and our ‘team bonding’ activity was my first ever go at clay pigeon shooting. I was okay at it – but I really have to post some pics of the bruise across my collarbone. Oops! War wounds :)

Okay, not the first time I’ve ever done that, but first time with the new lot. And it is a new experience for this former drive-to-work’er to walk to a bar after work, have a drink, and be able to get a bus home.

The new colleagues were all very nice, too :)

Isn’t it what life is about, getting out there, experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to places you’ve never been before? While staying grounded in your sanctuary, your home, loved ones, old friends, but I so want to experience as much of this world and in this life as possible.

Thanks to my shiny new bus pass.

I may end up being a proper city girl one of these days after all!

New things frighten me.