I Wish I Liked It

I recently read The Happiness Project:  Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun.  It has some interesting parts, and as I read it, I thought about many things.  I could probably blather on about it, but I am not much of a book reviewer, and I feel very wrong recommending a book or not; it feels very naked and weird.  For example, I read We Need to Talk About Kevin, thought that, overall, it was quite a book, but cannot quite urge anyone else to read it because it is not a feel-good read, and, well, other things.  

So, if I am not going to review the book or really talk about it, why did I bring it up in the first place?  Well, this week's Ten on Tuesday topic brought it to mind.  In it, the author writes of her personal truths, commandments, and happiness theories, often in the form of lists. One such list is her Secrets of Adulthood, and these are two that I thought of when I read this week's topic.  

You can choose what you do, but you can't choose what you like to do.  

Just because something is fun for someone else, doesn't mean it's fun for you--and vice versa.  

Anyway, I do have my list of things that I wish I liked, have tried to like, but am not going to torture myself over whether I like them or not.  There are things that are optional, and those that are not, and getting bound up over whether I enjoy them is supremely unhelpful. 

Blueberries
Raw tomatoes
Exercising
Certain People
Sports
Housework
Dancing
Getting Up Early
Olives

Being Neighborly 

What with all of this happiness talk, I felt compelled to knit a little bluebird of happiness (which, by the way, is quite a challenge to photograph).  I hope to keep it perched next to me as a reminder to keep my focus where it belongs, or maybe it will flap its little wings and chase off the drama llamas. 

Timely Ten

As I have been suffering snuffling along with this stupid cold for the past few days, it was easy to compile a list for this week's Ten on Tuesday topic.

Ten Ways You Care for Yourself When You Have a Cold

1. Neti Pot--It takes a bit of getting used to this one, but it really helps
2. Puffs Plus with Lotion--When I need to use a lot of tissues, these are much easier on my skin
3. Tea--It helps me get in the fluids that I need, so I drink a lot of weak tea
4. Chicken Soup--They say it helps, and they say if is all mental. I really do not care what they say; I just know that it feels soothing when I am sick.
5. Juice--Again, they can continue to debate debate whether Vitamin C helps, but I am still drinking my orange juice
6. Mindless Knitting--When that is the extent of my abilities, once I get going, I can crank out miles of this stuff*
7. Lemon Water--Getting in enough fluids is important, and a little lemon in my water really helps me stick with it
8. Hand Lotion--Washing my hands often is important, but it leaves them needing a good hand lotion
9. Hand Sanitizer--For those times when I cannot get up and wash my hands or do not have access to soap and water
10. Hot Bath/Shower--It can help ease breathing and warms me up when I feel chilled

*The Proof:

Tuesday, Right?

Look! I have been weaving a little bit. This is a little change purse I wove on the inkle loom. I love it. Also, today is Tuesday, so...

We all see that along with the price of gas, the price of our food is increasing, and for most, those costs are going up faster than our income. So, let's follow along with Carole and talk about ways to save at the grocery store.

1. Make a shopping list. Hey, we are making a Ten on Tuesday list; we can do one for groceries, too.

2. Check the pantry. You might be buying duplicates you do not need.

3. Do not shop while hungry or in a state of craving. You will come home with some really tasty grub, but the price is high in so many ways.

4. Shop at a less-fancy store. Some grocery stores are nicer shopping experiences than others are, and only you can decide if it is worth paying more for it.

5. Check the price per unit. Sometimes the bigger package just costs more.

6. Coupons! Not only do you have those in the paper and through the mail, but also printables from online, and electronic ones you load to a shopping card or that go on a fancy mobile phone.

7. Price matching. You might be able to shop wherever you like if your favorite store matches prices from sales ads.

8. Sales. Check that colorful flyer for savings. Often the manufacturers offer coupons that you can pair with a special price for even more savings. You might notice a pattern about the same items going on special. Stock up when there is the good price and wait if you can between times.

9. Generic/store brand. You might need to experiment a little, but sometimes the difference is not noticeable, but the price sure can be. Still, you need to watch for times when you need to use twice as much of the less expensive brand, but only save one-third, or for times when a sale and coupon pairing beats the generic.

10. Be realistic. Know what you will prepare, and prepare what you purchase. If you will not use it, you did not save any money, no matter how good the deal was, or what your intentions were.

Lighten Up

There is a time for sitting with unhappy feelings and thoughts as we acknowledge reality and process. However, after a while, it changes, and we are just sifting through rotting garbage. This Tuesday, we are all about lightening the mood.

1. Realize that the heavy mood is becoming too much and unhelpful.
2. Watch Cartoons: Animated silliness helps you shake off a case of super-seriousness

3. Video Games: Whether you are solving a puzzle, swinging the Wii-mote, or racing your car, focusing your concentration on a game for a bit is a great way to switch gears.
4. Soap Operas: The combination of ultra-seriousness and absurdity is agreat way to finish flushing out feelings of drama and revenge.

5. Sing: Pick something light, bright, and joyful, and sing it loudly.

6. Move: Take a walk, dance, or exercise to shake out the tension stored in your body, and your mind and heart will take the hint.
7. Bake/Cook: Whether making something for ourselves or to share, a special yummy brightens the day.
8. Sunshine: Get out and let some of that natural light do what it does for us.
9. Snuggle: Find that special someone and be close.
10. Laugh: Whether we find something to tickle the funny bone or just let loose because we could see how ridiculous we had become, laughter gets the good brain chemistry going.

Meanwhile, the needles are clicking along with the baby knits and hopes of being in the zone enough to crank out a few more.

Yay, Vacay!

So, this week's Ten on Tuesday topic is: Ten Things to Bring on Vacation. A book, iPod, camera, and knitting popped into my head immediately. Then, I mulled it over some more and thought about different ways to approach the topic. I could not settle on just one, so I present you with three vacation-packing scenarios.

Budget-Minded:
Snacks
Drinks
Sandwiches
Fruit
Instant Coffee
Pillows
Sleeping Bags
List of places with free admission
Paper GPS (map)
Loyalty Card for discounts and freebies

The Unlikely:
Cruise Tickets
Passport
Resort Reservation Confirmation
Fancy Clothes
Sea/Snow/Hiking Gear
Personal Assistant/Sherpa/Staff
Airplane
Yacht
RV
Segway

and finally,

Prepared for Troubles:
Anti-diarrheal
Pain Medication
Allergy Medication
Tampons
Hand Sanitizer
Bottled Water
Sedatives
Chocolate
First Aid Kit
Bail Fund

Instead of TV

This week, Carole asks us to write about things to do instead of watching television. Of course, many of these things can be done while the tv is going, and I am writing this list while watching a show. Still, we increase the quality of the experience of most any activity when it is the sole focus.

Knit

Spin

Walk

Bake

Read

Sleep

Garden

Bubble Bath

Card/Board Games

Deep, Meaningful Conversation

Camping On Tuesday

While it has been a number of years since I went camping, (we are conveniently forgetting that fiasco 2 1/2 years ago) it used to be a regular happening through my childhood, and I do remember some of the necessities.

1. Toilet Paper--You cannot leave this to chance

2. Marshmallows--Toasted over the campfire, and hopefully part of s'mores

3. Hershey Bars--Chocolate is a necessity, and s'mores cannot go on without it

4. Graham Crackers--Third component for s'mores, and a good on-the-go snack, too
5. Insect Repellent--Mosquitoes and ticks can really ruin a camping trip
6. Sense of Humor--Things will go wrong, and you need to be able to laugh
7. Wet Weather Gear--Sogginess is not fun
8. Sunscreen--Neither is a sunburn
9. Matches--Fire Good
10. Sleeping Gear--Because lack of sleep drives away a sense of humor

Oh, Land Legs, Where Are You?

We are back from our travels, and it was something else. Nearly everything has been put away, and most of the laundry is done (from the trip, that is), the grass is cut ( we will not mention the weeds), and beginnings of bread are in progress. While waiting for the swimmy head to stop, how about some Ten on Tuesday?This time it is the things we like about where we live, and I do not need a list of ten to describe just why I am glad to have found this place.

This is where I found my Bruce!

I will be back later with tales of spinning and knitting.

Ten Thumbs on Tuesday

The bulk of my mitten knitting for this pair is done. They just lack thumbs, and I hope to add those in a day or two. Since I normally only carry yarn in my left hand, colorwork can leave my right hand a bit fatigued. Then, last night, because I mistakenly I ended my mitten three rounds too soon (making a few modifications), had to un-kitchener, pick up the stitches, Russian-join, knit the omitted section, and re-kitchener the tip, I am ready to set this project aside for a little bit.

Speaking of thumbs, I continue to be entertained by my amazingly green thumbs over in my PVZ Zen Garden. Yes, I caved and bought the full game, but am glad that I did. While it did eat much of my weekend, it was perfect for when I could not sleep and could not concentrate on anything more demanding. Even if it devours my chances at Ravelympic gold, I made the right choice.

I am glad that Carole keeps coming up with Ten on Tuesday topics since the official site has not been updating for a while. Thinking up ten of my favorite places to knit was easy.

Sporting events--I do not enjoy sports, but I can enjoy being with others who do without losing my mind.

Coffee shops--It is wonderful to sip a tasty beverage while clicking along with needles. Whether it is a small local place or part of a large chain, I love knitting at the coffee spots.

Cars--While Bruce drives, I love to knit during a long road trip. The stitches add up even on short trips across town, too.

With friends--Technically this is not a location, but wherever I am with fun people, whether the stitches flow or not, it is always a great time.

Medical facilities--It makes the inevitable wait seem shorter, relieve stress, and provide a necessary distraction.

Outside--This does not happen often, but when the weather is just right, knitting in the sunlight and fresh air is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors.

My living room--Sitting and knitting at home is still one of the best.

Social gatherings--Sometimes I need a little help in the social settings, and knitting helps calm my nerves, relax, and enjoy time with others.

Yarn shops--It is inspiring to sit and knit among all of the pretty colors, fibers, and other knitters and their projects.

Lines--Waiting at the bank, the post office, the store, or anywhere else with knitting in hand seems to make the line move more quickly. Even if it doesn't I don't mind the wait as much, and play little games in my mind estimating how much I will knit before it is my turn.

It Might Be Getting to Me

I do not feel like it is. I think I am doing OK. However, there is a little nagging thing happening. I keep getting up and looking around to find the source of a sound. I think I hear one of those electric musical Christmas ornaments playing somewhere. Did I mention that we do not have a tree or decorations?

I am currently crocheting away on gifts for my brothers. The tight gauge and fiddly pieces mean I need to take frequent breaks. I clean house for when the kids and their sweethearts grace us with their presence on Friday. I stare vacantly at the television or computer. I try to come up with a good Ten on Tuesday list.

This week is all about the New Year's Resolutions. Hrm. I would like to think that I am always trying to improve, so these are mostly about things I am working on currently, but there are a couple of new items for the list.

1. Manage time better
2. Manage money better
3. Exercise more regularly
4. Keep the house tidier
5. Find a new primary care physician
6. Declutter
7. Spin more
8. Invert more
9. Cook more
10. Belly dancing--I'm trying it

Hunger-Inducing

Following can be good. I let someone else pick the 10 on Tuesday topic, so why not use the one Carole and Hillary chose?

Ten Things I Love to Eat/Drink at the Holidays

1. Rocky Road Candy--from Mom's Betty Crocker cookbook, except we use walnuts instead of the listed peanuts

2. Fudge--this is another recipe from that same cookbook

3. Mom's punch--it has cranberry juice and lemonade and lemon/lime soda, and other things I do not know

4. Buckeyes--the rolling and dipping of buckeyes feels like it takes forever, so we often doe this as a group. My stepdad has a different recipe that he makes, but we like ours with the crushed Rice Krispies

5. Sugar Cookies--these have the colored sugar on top. You place the ball of dough on the baking sheet, dip the flat bottom of a glass in the colored sugar, and then gently smoosh the dough.

6. Peanut Brittle--I experiment with finding just the right peanuts, as there is plenty of feedback on which are the peanuts to use.

7. Cinnamon Rolls--whether homemade, or from a can, these disappear quickly soon after they are out of the oven

8. Hot Cocoa--It is cooked on the stove, very tasty, and is great with our with out marshmallows or whipped cream.

9. Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, & Gravy--Of course, this is good any time of year, but it helps set a festive, family-together scene.

10. Oranges, Cranberries, Pears, Grapefuit--These cool, light, refreshing treats are a special treat.

Not Enough Know-How

It has been interesting to think of the items for this week's Ten on Tuesday. I wondered about which things I would like to learn to do, and which I just wish would come to me by magic. I thought about how much time, effort, and dedication I am willing to put towards these skills. Then, I realized I was spending too much time in my head. I will attempt to tackle some of these at some point in my life. In fact, I have given real effort to some, had passing flings with others, and am currently working on a couple of items from the list.

Ten Things I Wished I Knew How to Do

Play a musical instrument

Fix automobiles
Grow lavender
Speak, read, and write seven languages
Be a better friend
Sew
Draw well
Bellydance
Swim
Not sweat the small stuff

The Second Time Around

Many times my like or utter contempt for a remake depends on how I felt about the original version. If I loved the original, the new one probably irritates me intensely. If I was not around for the first go, I am usually more open to a different take on the song. Sometimes the new interpretation is not necessarily an improvement, but good in another way. This brings us to the Ten on Tuesday topic. I like these remakes, and I like many of the originals. After writing this list, I have a good soundtrack in my head. I will take that any day.

Ten Favorite Song Remakes

Somebody to Love (Queen/George Michael)
I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston)
(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You (Elvis Presley/UB40)
I'm a Believer (Monkees/Smash Mouth)
Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder/Red Hot Chili Peppers)
The Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie/Nirvana)
Hurt (Nine Inch Nails/Johnny Cash)
Red Red Wine (Neil Diamond/UB40)
Always on My Mind (Elvis Presley/Pet Shop Boys)
They Won't Go When I Go (Stevie Wonder/George Michael)

Ten on Time Suck Tuesday

Finally, a Ten on Tuesday topic that speaks to me.

Ten Ways to Waste Time on the Internet

1. Ravelry--whether you lose a day to the forums or the patterns, it can be quite the time suck
   
2. YouTube--because I could need to see that mini sirloin burger commercial or Duran Duran at a moment's notice, and the suggested similar videos are equally important
   
3. Wikipedia--everything is true on this uneditable collection of topics, right?
   
4. Hulu--at least I give those hours away watching what I want to watch
   
5. Games--until the eyes burn from not blinking for so long
   
6. eBay--what don't they have for sale? Also, if I have to pay, I did not win /rant
   
7. etsy--pretty, shiny, fluffy
   
8. Blogs--wait, they aren't time wasters, but valuable resources
   
9. Stalking Research
10. Quizzes--how else would I know that the innerwebs judge me to be: 67% knitting addicted, the delete key, angora fiber, bubblegum flavored gum, Shropshire Sheep, 72% pure, interchangeable needles, mohair yarn, a Knitting Goddess, and that if I were a felony I would be stalking?

Don't Judge Me

Ten Television Guilty Pleasures

The Venture Bros
Home Movies
Robot Chicken
Days of Our Lives
The Young and the Restless
Futurama
Flight of the Conchords
My Name is Earl
Dexter
How It's Made

Responsibili-Tuesday

Ten Ways to Save Money

Coupons
Stock Up
Adjust the Thermostat
Drive Slower
Inflate Tires
Exercise
Plan Ahead
Stay Home
Make a Budget
Eat at Home
DIY

Thankful Tuesday

Ten Things I Am Thankful for This Year
(in no particular order)1. Love
2. Chocolate
3. My husband
4. Skanky Knitters
5. My family
6. Ice Cream
7. My faith
8. My home
9. Flowers
10. Friendship

Music Memories

Ten Bands/Artists That Remind You of High School

1. Nirvana
2. Nine Inch Nails
3. The Essence
4. Pearl Jam
5. Alice in Chains
6. R.E.M.
7. Toad the Wet Sprocket
8. P.J. Harvey
9. Queensrÿche
10. Blind Melon

I almost skipped Ten on Tuesday this week. I do not want to remind myself of high school. Also, there is some music I still enjoy from those days but do not really care to associate with that time in my life. Still, I guess this list still works for the topic, and this is a busy week and the knitting progress is likely to be slim to share.

It Was Good

Ten Greatest Things That Happened This Summer

First trip to Little Barn
Daughter Began College
Sister Quit Smoking
Ravelympics
Our Garden
Riding Lawnmowers
New Great-Grandniece
Ten Minutes for Spinning
WWKIP Day
Our iPod

KISS

Ten Simple Things That Make Me Happy
Knitting
Chocolate
Spinning
Stretching
Sleeping
Flowers
Hugs
Colors
Bubble Baths
Coffee