Inspiration Alley

Missing Thursday Thirteen

I worked on my Thursday Thirteen last night, and clicked send at around 3:30AM.  I then signed off and went to bed.  I thought I was on time (for once) but to my surprise not so ... apparently it didn't save properly so it didn't get posted.  It was a good one too -- with lots of links.  I won't tell you the theme, because I'll post it again next week, and next week I'll check my work and make sure the post got saved.

Tonight I'm at work and FPL is working on the lines.  Yesterday, we lost part of the lines so while we had phones and computers, and lights, we had no air conditioning.  Now, I'm in an office without a window, and no real cross through of ventilation so it was crazy hot.  Sweating at work is not in my job description.  Tonight they worked on the lines, and I had to power down the building and the main computer servers so that FPL could reconnect the new temporary line.  Everything went well and there is a now a chill in the air again.  Computers came up fine, so I guess I didn't foul things up too much.

Thursday Thirteen (#10/104)

Thirteen Memes (other than the Thursday Thirteen)

I was participating in the blogathon this past weekend, and when I ran out of things to post, I did some Sunday Memes so I thought I'd share some of the other memes that I found.

1.  Pixos - once a week a theme is picked and you post a picture relating to that theme primarily showing differences in the theme for different locations.

2.  Booked By Three - about books and and reading - monthly

3.  Situation Sunday - you say how you would respond to several listed situations.

4.  Unconsious Mutterings (Sundays) - free association - write the first thing that comes into your head for a list of words.

5.  Word Beads (Sunday) - make a sentence (or poem, or several sentences) that use the 5 words posted.

6. Tuesday Twosome - questions with two choices all dealing with the same topic

7.  Foto Pherrets (Wednesday) - post a picture that represents the word given.

8.  Lens Day (Wednesday) - post photo in response to the word given.

9.  Loaded Questions (Thursday) - answer the 4 questions - hypothetical, anything goes, no brainers, personals.

10.  Thursday Challenge - post a photo for the theme.

11.  Friday Fill In - a fill in the blank meme

12.  Manic Monday - Random questions on Mondays

13.  Booking through Thursday - a meme on books and reading

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

You don't have to be a Thursday Thirteener to comment.

Thursday Thirteen #9 (77)

Thirteen Thoughts on the upcoming weekend.

1. I'm looking forward to the weekend.
2. I'll be able to spend some time scrapbooking (I'm attending a scrapbooking retreat)
3. It's going to be very cold (weather man says 29 degrees Friday night)
4. I'll be seeing my friends which I haven't seen since September (the last big scrapbooking event).
5. We'll be staying in cabins at Oleno State Park (just like camp when I was in Girl Scouts)
6. I have tomorrow off from work.
7. I don't have to drive because I decided it was cheaper to fly when you factor in gas, time, and wear and tear on the car.
8. I'll be able to do some shopping (OK ... I do that normally, but whatever)
9. I'm taking 4 great classes and two of them were offered at no cost.
10. I still have to pack and am going to need a bigger suitcase to hold the jackets and sweatshirts.
11. I starting a new book and will have plenty of time to read some at the airport and on the plane.
12. I'm looking forward to some R & R.
13. I can't wait to check out a Diner in the area.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! You don't have to be a Thursday Thirteener to post a comment. Thanks for visiting me. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen # 8 (#76)

               

Pet Peeves - Everyone has them, so I thought I'd share some of mine.

Thirteen Pet Peeves

1. Bad Customer Service - Customer service seems to be a dying art.  It's difficult to find a place that actually puts the customer first these days.
2. Women who pee on the seat in public restrooms while trying to straddle it.  If we all just sat down there wouldn't be an issue - or perfect your aim at home - or hey ... what about wiping up after yourself.
3. "Waiting on" VS "Waiting for" - you are not waiting on someone one unless you are a waitress (or waiter).
4. People who drive in convertibles with the top down and the windows up. 
5. People who mumble, then say "Forget it" when you ask them to repeat their comment.
6. CoWorkers / Employees who bring in their kids fundraisers - if you order from one person, you're expected to order from everyone which now has become 7 or 8 people, several times a year - right now it's Girl Scout Cookie Time. 
7. Instant Messaging (IM)
8. People who put on so much perfume or cologne that you can smell them approaching from a block away.
9. Bra straps showing (yes even those clear ones).
10. Shopping carts just abandoned in the parking lot when there are clearly marked areas designated to place the cart.
11. People who use the excuse of being "too busy" to have done something right - you'd have more time if you did it right the first time.
12. Bad drivers - you know the ones - those that don't use their turn signals, those that just have to pass you and then they slow down, or those that when entering an expressway slow way down or even stop on the entrance ramp.
13. People who can't follow instructions.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! You don't have to be a Thursday Thirteener to post a comment.  Thanks for visiting me.  Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #7 (#75)

Thirteen Shows I Watch -

These are the shows I usually catch on the tube - this doesn't include reality, talk, or game type shows, and is not in any particular order of preference.

1. Ugly Betty
2. My Name Is Earl
3. Crossing Jordan
4. Law & Order (all of them)
5. Bones
6. Brothers & Sisters
7. Medium
8. The Office
9. NCIS
10. The Closer
11. The Unit
12. Criminal Minds
13. The Nine

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #6 (73)

13 New Years Superstitions -

I do many of these each year, and remember having to have a man enter when growing up.  Grandma would pull in the mailman.  We also eat sardines for New Years, though I've never seen anything about this tradition - I still do it and make my husband eat them as well.

1. Kissing At Midnight - not only to share the moment with those we love but also to ensure those affections and ties will continue through the next twelve months.  Failing to smooch sets up the stage for a year of coldness.
2. Food - Eating anything in the shape of a ring or circle as a symbol of complete life cycle - the Dutch at doughnuts and pretzels for the purpose.  Eating cabbage leaves which are said to bring in paper currency while rice is also considered to be a lucky food on New Year's Day.  Eating Black eyed peas on New Years (common in the south) will attract general good luck and money.  Eating 12 grapes as the clock chimes (spanish/cuban custom) will ensure luck for each of the 12 upcoming months (or some say food for each of the 12months)
3. First footing is a very popular tradition. The first person to enter your home sets the tone for the coming year.  It is said that Lady Luck likes a handsome, tall, dark-haired man for escort to step inside the home  So, the first person to step inside your home after midnight should be a dark haired man. Blondes, redheads are said to bring bad luck and women should be shooed away lest they bring disaster on the household.
4. Many believe that the people you spend New Year's with are the people you will spend the rest of your life with, which is why most people like to surround themselves with family on friends on New Year's Eve.
5. Stocking Up - the new year must not be seen with bare cupboards lest that be the way of things for the coming year - same goes for wallets - be sure their full to ensure prosperity in the coming year.
6. Paying off Bills - the New Year should not be begun with the household in debt so checks should be written and mailed off prior to Jan 1st.  Likewise personal debts should be settled before the New Year arrives.
7. Nothing goes out - Nothing (absolutely nothing including garbage) is to leave the home on New Years Day.  The year must be started with something being added to the home rather than removed.  Some leave an item outside the front door with a string attached to pull inside without breaking the threshold - or better to have a handsome male bring a small gift.
8. Work - make sure you do and be successful at something related to your work even if you don't go to your job.  However, limit your activity to a token amount because to engage in a serious work project on New Years day is unlucky.
9. New Clothes - wear something new on New Years to increase the likelyhood of receiving more in the coming year.
10. Breakage - avoid breaking things on the first day of the year lest wreckage be part of the year to come.  Avoid crying on this day or it will set the tone of the year to come.
11. Laundry - do not do laundry on New Years Day - lest a member of the family be washed away (die).  Some carry this to the washing of dishes as well.
12. Letting the Old Year out - open up the doors and windows to let the old year escape unimpeded. Doors are flung open to assist the old year leaving.
13. Loud Noise - make as much noise as possible on New Years - you are not only celebrating but scaring away evil spirits.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #5 (72)

13 Fun Christmas Links

1. Today's Cost for the 12 days of Christmas
2. Track Santa
3. Christmas Games and Puzzles
4. How to be Organized for Christmas (a little to late for this one)
5. Christmas Urban Legends
6. Christmas Traditions around the World
7. Christmas Carol Lyrics
8. Free Christmas Fonts to download
9. Christmas Trivia (I got 17/25 78%) - I guessed at many
10. Christmas Screensavers
11. Christmas Free ECards
12. Christmas Recipes
13. Christmas Countdown

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #4 (71)

Thirteen Books I Want to Read

1. Lisey's Story - Stephen King (I think Santa is bringing me this one)
2. Brother Odd - Dean Koontz (I know I'm getting this for Christmas)
3. The 5th Horseman - James Patterson (I just read the 4th of July over Thanksgiving)
4. Predator - Patricia Cornwell (next one to read in the Kay Scarpetta Series)
5. On Top Of Spaghetti - Johanne Killeen (a cookbook I heard about on MarthaStewart)
6. True Evil - Greg Isles (his newest)
7. Motor Mouth - Janet Evanovich (not out yet, but 2nd in a series)
8. Martha Stewarts Homekeeping Handbook - Martha Stewart (man I need this book or a maybe a maid)
9. The Mephisto Club - Tess Gerritsen (the next Jane Rizzoli book)
10. For One More Day - Mitch Albom (read the Five People you meet in Heaven and liked it, so I thought I'd read this one as well)
11. Anxiety of Everyday Objects - Aurelie Sheehan (I forget where I heard about this one, but it sounded like I would enjoy it.
12. The Husband - Dean Koontz (yes I read all of his books)
13. Scrapbooking Techniques - Inking - Carol Heppner (I love stamping, and I scrapbook, so this looks like something I'd enjoy and might give me a few tricks to try)

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #3 (#70)

Thirteen Cool Christmas Gifts:

Have fun shopping!

1. Miss Army Kit - pocket knife kit for the girl on the go!  Very cute. (They make one for men too which is called a Metroline Kit but not something my hubby would like.
2. Safety Girl Kit - along the same lines as above - but for the car and has ALL essentials
3. Toaster Oven Cookbook - was on my sister's wishlist but I stole it for mine too.  I need to learn a few new things to cook in my toaster oven.
4. Flip Out Jewelry Case - this comes as a set of two - one black and one red - I bought them for my office employees.  I don't watch QVC that often but when I saw this I was sold.  Holds your jewelry at home or when traveling without things getting tangled or moving around in the case.
5. Sundae Gift Basket - when I can't come up with something specific for families we visit at Christmas I can usually find a great gift basket.  I love this one.
6. Property of TShirt - also can get as a sweatshirt.  I got these for all of my nieces.  Also works if you want to make your significant other wear one with your name on it.
7. Toll Pass Holder - works in several states (including Florida) - I will never have to hold the sunpass up to the windshield again.
8. Kid's Cookbook - the reviews were good so I got this for my niece who likes to cook (mostly instant mashed potatoes but I'm hoping to help her learn something else).
9. For the traveler - luggage tags with attitude
10. Travel Clock - in pink or black - had to get one for me.  Avon has some other items of note but I couldn't link to them on their website - they have a cute sterling initial ring that is perfect for girls/teens.
11. Accutire - for the men on your list - great kit which fits in your glovebox.
12. Keurig Brewer - I used this at a scrapbooking crop and promptly went out and bought one myself. 
13. Ice Cream Ball - makes ice cream in 20 minutes (the amazon link has some reviews) but it's much cheaper here.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #2 (65)

The idea is that every Thursday you make a list of 13 about any subject you want.  You also link to all the other people who participate. Anyway - if you visit please leave a comment or link if you participate

Thirteen Favorite Candies (since we all just got some in our Halloween Candy Bags)

1. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Miniatures
2. M&M's Dark Chocolate (a new favorite)
3. Reeces Peanut Butter Cups
4. Milky Way Midnight
5. Butterfingers
6. Rolos
7. York Peppermint Patties
8. 3 Musketeers
9. Twix
10. Bit-O-Honey
11. Smarties Candy Rolls
12. Nerds
13. Sugar Babies

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!