Gustav, Hanna and Football!

The Gulf Coast is preparing for Gustav. Even though the storm is slated to hit further West from LA (lower Alabama), just a slight wobble of this storm can move it either East or West. The East side of any hurricane is devastating to anyone unfortunate to be on that side of the storm. Not only is the wind bad, but the rainfall and tidal surge is horrible. I do not wish anyone bad luck with this storm and PRAY that it will weaken before landfall, but the weather maps and forecasts don't indicate this at all. EVERYONE PRAY PRAY PRAY THAT THE WINDS WILL SUBSIDE. I hope that all individuals in the New Orleans area have made their evacuation plans and are heading out now. Then right behind Gustav is Hanna. Hanna is going to make her way somewhere in the Caribbean and where it will end up is any one's guess. Yes we are approaching peak for hurricane season. The downside of living on the Gulf Coast--June 30th thru November 30th every year. November 30th can't come quick enough. The same thought pops into my head this time of year: snow or wind, snow or wind, snow or wind.

*

Yep! It is college football weekend. So besides all folks down here preparing for hurricanes and tropical storms, all football fans will be glued to the televisions. Not sure what game I will watch today, if any. I hope your team wins! Did I mention I like those Michigan Wolverines! GO BLUE! Sorry Tide and War Eagle fans!

Domesticity

My niece, Bunny, and I have been waiting for months for the release in the US of Jane Brockets book "The Gentle Art of Domesticity". To my surprise the book was on the shelf at my local bookstore a whole month early. If you have read the blog Yarnstorm, you will enjoy the book. The blog and book gives us the license to be "domesticate diva's" and to love every minute in what is called "the simple pleasures of home".
*
For me, I never really thought of knitting, embroidery, quilting, cooking, baking and cleaning as domesticity. Maybe cleaning, but not the other five. As far as knitting, embroidery and quilting, it is satisfying the "crafty bug" deep inside of me. Cooking and baking are necessity unless it is around the holidays. I don't mind cooking, but it doesn't rank high on my list of favorite things to do. Nevertheless, reading this book sheds light on all things considered "day-to-day" and makes them more than ordinary. Her books helps you feel fulfilled in what was once considered mundane tasks or chores.
*
I love the fact that Jane Brocket looks at books, movies, art, textiles, food and nature and brings them into the comfort of "home-sweet-home" so they can fill our senses of hearing, taste, touch, smell and sight.
*
After reading just a few pages of this book, you may be swept back to simpler times (that is if you have some age on you) of sewing, gardening, canning and do-it-yourselfers. I really think there are a lot of people now who are jumping on this bandwagon. Reading some of the blogs out there in the internet world, I can really see where young people (and older folks) are enjoying gardens, canning fruits and vegetables, sewing, knitting and embroidering. Maybe there is something to this "domesticity" thing. Do you think it helps the inner spirit? I do. With the fast-paced world and 40 hour work weeks that seem to never end, we need someone to promote sensory-satisfaction (sewing, knitting, quilting, etc) in the confines of our humble abodes. Thank you Jane Brocket. I will wear my "domesticity" badge with pride!
*
This will be a good weekend read since Snowbird is resting her tailfeathers and is also waiting on what remains of Tropical Storm Fay to make her way into LA (lower Alabama).

Diagnosis Finally!

FINALLY! There is a diagnosis for Snowbirds tailfeathers--the lower back pain. It is called SPONDYLOLISTHESIS. That is a mouthful to say without slurring or stuttering. One vertebra slips forward in relation to an adjacent vertebra. And what caused the slip? Two cracks / breaks / fractures in L5. How did that happen? Who knows. Doctor said it could have happened in childhood and just gotten worse with time and the disk finally slipped. The back has always bothered me, but has been worse over the last 7 years. So we will have a program of treatment which includes injection in lower back to reduce inflamation on Monday so he can see the nerves and what all is being compressed.

*

Sitting is not the best thing for Snowbirds tailfeathers and it shows with the lack of knitting projects. I have spent most evenings laying down because I can't stand the pain from sitting for long periods of time. Makes the 40 hour work week almost unbearable too. Constant pain can not only be physically tasking, but emotionally draining as well. I tried knitting halfway sitting up in bed, but not really comfortable. Knitters will try anything to work on a project. So if I do a couple rows here and there, I might be able to complete another project without any undo stress on the tailfeathers.

*
Thank God for this doctor! Maybe Snowbirds tailfeathers will be on the mend.

Beijing - 2008 Summer Olympics and Tropical Storms

Yep Snowbird has been caught up in the Summer Olympic Mania. I have watched mens and womens gymnastics, diving, swimming and beach volley ball to name a few. Last night I watched Michael Phelps tie the record Mark Spitz made in 1972. Not giving away any age here, but I remember when Mark Spitz made that history 36 years ago. It was a joy to watch Mark Spitz being graciously interviewed last night and his comments about Michael Phelps. Two great athletes together. More Olympics to watch this weekend.

*

I will also try to post some knitting this weekend. The needles have been put down somewhat through the Olympics and also to give Snowbirds tailfeathers a rest. The lower back has been giving me fits. So I do my eight hour work day that involves sitting for the better part of the eight hours (I try to take a "walk about" every hour-on-the-hour to stretch and relieve the pressure in lower back). When I come home, I do whatever little bit needs to be done and then lay down to take the stress off the lower back. Thus the needles have been put down. Doctors appointment on Tuesday for next plan of action for my tailfeathers.

*

Almost forgot! Watching the goings on of Tropical Storm Fay in the Atlantic. Errr! Do not like tropical anything when it has to do with weather and I think you can understand since I live on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The cone on the weather maps make me just a tad bit nervous. Those cones seem to be inching over our way every time I look. I hope this one keeps low winds and just blows through without incident. Will have to wait and see.

Standing on My Soapbox--Trumped Up Resumes

Sometimes I feel like things need to be said and other times it's good just to suck it up and say absolutely nothing. However, I am on my soapbox now.

*

I look at how hard I have worked throughout my life (35 years worth) and what it has taken me to get where I am at in my insurance career (licensed insurance agent with two designations and working on #3 and #4). Then I look at what others are trying to accomplish in their careers, but it is done with dishonesty.

*

When a resume is published and disseminated, make sure what you put on that resume is, in fact, true. Do these people who "trump up" their resumes think they will never get caught? It usually comes out in the wash. Most of the time, it is the little things that will break the resume falsifier.

*

I know of an instance here locally (and not in my office) where the person has made out that they have certain experience, qualifications and education. Now this is all questionable. Case-in-point: Most offices use a word processing program that we all know. Do you know how to print an envelope using this program? This is the basic-of-basics that even this old timer can do. Yes, they can send e-mails all day, but then most elementary kids can do that with their eyes closed. Do you know what an FEIN is? This person should and yet did not, but was supposedly in a previous operations position where this is actually "101" knowledge. Why lie about your work history? You either have the knowledge, are qualified to do the work or you are not. It is one thing to boss people around (and a lot of people are good at dishing out orders), but it is quite another to "know" the job for which you were hired. Remember: questions and comments in the workplace are a dead giveaway as to whether you are what you say you are. Liars are usually found out.

*

This is one time that I can honestly say that this individual needs to be discovered and fired. I don't say that often, but then I think falsifying a resume deserves the harshest outcome.

*

I can truthfully say in my working life of 35 years, my jobs have been secured honestly and without falsifying my resume. "Atta girl and boy and kudos" to all of you who have secured your jobs honestly with a resume that is not trumped up. Shame on all of you who have done otherwise!

*

P.S. I DON'T BEGRUDGE ANYONE A JOB, BUT OBTAIN IT HONESTLY!