Something New, #3

Here Comes Da Judge

Today my new thing was speaking to a judge. I make a lot of phone calls around the state and have talked to a lot of county clerks, register of deeds and court clerks, but never a judge.

I called a small town in central Kansas today and was asking the judge's clerk some questions. She said, "Well, the judge is right here, can he help you?" Ummm....okkkaaaayy...I guess in small towns in central Kansas, the judge and clerk share an office.

Actually, he was very helpful and not nearly as intimidating as I thought. Since I have a high squeaky voice anyway, he probably thought I was much younger than I actually am, so I worked that to my advantage.

Since I don't have a photo of the judge, here is one of Judge Reinhold.

Something New #2

Get Off Your Botto!

Instead of doing the elliptical machine when I worked out, I opted for the seated bicycle thing. After sitting all day, I thought this was just for wimps or women who didn't want to get sweaty.

I was mistaken.

After I got up to my heart rate, the machine adjusted incrementally and my legs started shaking. I did manage to do my minimum of 30 minutes, but did a slight Bridget Jones when I dismounted. I did a total of 10 miles, but only burned about 170 calories. Yeah, that would be the real Coke I had at lunch.

I may try it again, as my inner thighs are really talking to me now.

Betsy had a good brain twinkle tonight. She commented the grass clippings from a newly mown lawn on the side walk: "Mommy, that looks like the spinach in the school cafeteria, but the spinach in the school cafeteria also looks like a hairball the cat coughed up."

I think they still have the same spinach from when I was in school.

Something New, #1

Rescue 911

Since today is the day I start trying something new, I thought I'd start out with baby steps. Instead of getting my usual Almond Amaretto (isn't that redundant?) coffee at the QT, I decided to live dangerously, and get the Toffee. (Hey, I have to come up with 395 of these, so give me some time to build up to things like bungee-jumping.) I survived deviating from my usual selection, but the birthday gods had other plans.

The parkway across from where I work has a pretty good sized creek running down the middle. My boss took me to lunch, and on the way back as we were going over one of the bridges over the creek, there was a mama duck and her babies in the street. She had led them off the grass and down the curb, and was trying to get them back up the curb. There were about a dozen of them, and they couldn't get back up. We parked at our building, and I ran in to get my cell phone so I could take a photo and find something to use for a duck ramp. I found a folder I thought would work, and ran back out.

Here's what I learned. Ducks are bad at following directions.

No matter how many times I asked, they did not go up the folder-ramp. Mama Duck kept quacking at me, and the ducklings were peeping themselves silly. So I finally just used the folder as a duckling-lift, and scooped up a batch and popped them on the grass. That group took off down the embankment while I scooped up the rest. That batch scooted down the embankment, then to the ledge over the culvert. They all dropped about 12 feet down into the creek, where Mama Duck and the rest were waiting, already in formation. Carolyn and Michelle from the office cheered me from the parkway.

So I feel like I did a good deed, and tried something new to boot. I also learned how to get a photo from my camera onto my computer, so I guess that makes 3 new things I did today.

I'd better pace myself.

OOps...

...celebrated my windfall too soon, as I bounced two checks. I guess I have to look at it like I'm still $30 ahead.

Happy Windfalls!

WOW! Twice this week I received $50 checks for overpayments. The money fairy must be looking out for me! Maybe it helped that I dusted my prosperity corner.

The Little One's Brain Twinkle

"Mommy, Doc and Jessie are eating grass! Do they think they're cows instead of dogs? I know, they are cows in dog disguises! What do you call a dog that's a teenager?"

Mid-life Crisis Intervention

Next week I'll officially be 44. I've been giving my age as 44 for the past several months, just to ease myself into it. I know it's just a number, but it seems well, so OLD. My deskmate is 21 and her mother just turned 42, and already has two grandchildren. Actually, I did a mental WHEW when I heard that. I cannot imagine having a baby when I was 21. That would have been a hot mess...

I digress...

ANYWAY, with my birthday nearing, I feel like it's New Year's so I should make a resolution. Something other than get down to the weight on my drivers license, which realistically, will probably never happen. So I want out of my life's rut.

So I'm taking inspiration from one of my favorite authors, Marc Acito, (OK outright stealing his idea) and aiming for trying something new every day. This is going to be a real challenge, as my life is so busy and structured that its hard for me to deviate from my regular routine.

I'll start on the 28th, so at least I have the weekend to think of something to get me through the first week.