10

1. The street cleaners have gone by twice this morning. Personally, I think street cleaning doesn't really work. The first truck goes by and sprays water and then the second truck follows with it's big round brushes and swirls the mud around on the street. What's the point? I've never gone outside after they've done their job and said "Wow, it's so nice to have a clean street!" Why? Because the street is never any cleaner. A classic example of our tax dollars at work.
2. Speaking of tax dollars, in Spokane we have four seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring and Road Construction. We approved a bond several years ago to repair the city streets - and boy, do they repair the city streets. It's great when they're done, but sheesh, it's a pain to get around town every summer.
3. I've got a class today. It's such an easy class I have absolutely no prep for it. Seriously. I got up this morning, threw some jump rings and a pair of pliers in a basket and will pass out chipboard and rub-ons at the store and my prep is done. These are the classes I feel almost guilty about taking money for. Sure, it's a cute project, but I don't really have to work at all today. Piece o' cake. I love my job.
4. Something made me think of the phrase "I've got a hitch in my gitalong..." the other day. I'd love to use it in conversation, but can't find a reason to. I did catch my toe in my computer cord the other day and almost tripped and killed myself and now my toe is really sore... I wonder if that applies. What is a gitalong, anyway?
5. I went to a DeMarle party last night. If you've not heard of DeMarle, it's WONDERFUL silicone bakeware made in France. It's unique from all the silicone you see in the stores because it has spun glass in it - which carmelizes whatever you bake in it - creating a perfect, bakery quality glossy finish on all your baked goods. I have a couple pans I bought a year or so ago that I use all the time. Great stuff. I picked up a new fluted round pan that should make beautiful cakes. I'm not a huge fan of home parties, but this stuff is something I love and know I'll use. And frankly, I needed to get out of the house for awhile after our marathon jam session.
6. I can't decide if we should have smoothies or cereal with our strawberries this morning... we had pancakes with strawberry syrup last night. With peanut butter and whipped cream. It was decadent. Dessert, really.
7. I know I've told you about Paper Back Swap before, where you post used books you're willing to send to other people, and then earn credits to get books from other people. I've used it numerous times to get books for free. It's awesome. They have a sister site now called SwapaCD. Same idea... I post CD's I'm done with, and people can request them from me. I pay the postage to send it, then receive a credit to request a CD from someone else. SwapaCD has a 49 cent fee for each transaction. I've already gotten four CD's. Both sites make it extremely easy - with printable mailing labels for each thing you need to send with the amount of postage you need right there so you can just wrap up your book/CD, slap some stamps on it and pop it in the mail. Easy squeezy. And it's recycling. And I get stuff for essentially free. I'm a HUGE fan. I always check there for something new I want before I go to Amazon to buy it. If it's not posted on PaperBack Swap or SwapaCD, I can add it to my wish list and I'll be the first to know when it's posted. How great is that. Seriously, people. It's really cool. And, you can transfer credits back and forth - so I can use credits I received for sending a book to get a CD.
8. Gracie thinks she's a race horse this morning. Silly dog practically flew in the house after her morning potty.
9. Today is my dear friend Susie's birthday!!! Happy happy birthday, Sus! My little happy package is going to be late. I'm always late. It's that darn post office thing I've got going on. Or, rather, not going on. Whatever. I love you and you will get a package. Soon. (-ish)
10. Strawberry shortcake at my house tonight!