OMG! My cat wrote an article about prepping raw meat for his meals - or at least he would have if he spoke/wrote English and had access to the internet.
http://www.catinfo.org/#Home-Prepared_Diets
I will never, ever, ever, be this crazy!
Could you imagine grinding raw rabbit meat (after removing the pelt, of course) for your cat to eat? Or purchasing organic turkey/chicken thighs for your cats?
People are crazy. I love my pets, but their dry/wet food combo works just fine.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
distance learning and distance "working" -- reducing our carbon footprint
I was just thinking today that I live in Southern California and haven’t driven my car in 3 days. "Preposterous!," you think.
Not at all! I work from home most of the week (usually only going into the LA office once/week). Not only do I love my job more than I would if I worked in a traditional office environment, but I work harder and perform better. Since working from home, I’ve reduced the expense of gas/transportation/parking; I’ve reduced my ‘carbon footprint’; I’ve reduced my personal meal expenses; I’ve reduced any inner-office drama because I interact with most of my colleagues via chat/email or the occasional phone call; most of all, I’ve reduced my general stress.
I work 8-9 hours per day, sometimes more. I am committed to my job and my overall performance. I wonder if I would be just as committed if I had to face gridlock traffic or inner-office drama? Would I be excited about my company if I had to miss dinner with my family because my train was late?
What’s ‘green’ about telecommuting:
1. No need to commute – that’s less cars on the roads.
2. Preserves the environment – not just the emissions…
3. Improves health – less stress commuting, less time away from family.
4. Increased performance/productivity – I can work in my bathrobe and not “waste” time looking presentable for the general public.
It is awesome! I love it! This is month 10 of working from home and I have no complaints.... I wonder if my brother's business school talks about the benefits of telecommuting as a cost-saving measure. The downside of telecommuting: it isn't for everyone ~ you have to hold yourself accountable for meeting your goals. The plus-side: there are very few places in the world that I can't work.
I wonder if other telecommuters are equally in love with working from home.
Not at all! I work from home most of the week (usually only going into the LA office once/week). Not only do I love my job more than I would if I worked in a traditional office environment, but I work harder and perform better. Since working from home, I’ve reduced the expense of gas/transportation/parking; I’ve reduced my ‘carbon footprint’; I’ve reduced my personal meal expenses; I’ve reduced any inner-office drama because I interact with most of my colleagues via chat/email or the occasional phone call; most of all, I’ve reduced my general stress.
I work 8-9 hours per day, sometimes more. I am committed to my job and my overall performance. I wonder if I would be just as committed if I had to face gridlock traffic or inner-office drama? Would I be excited about my company if I had to miss dinner with my family because my train was late?
What’s ‘green’ about telecommuting:
1. No need to commute – that’s less cars on the roads.
2. Preserves the environment – not just the emissions…
3. Improves health – less stress commuting, less time away from family.
4. Increased performance/productivity – I can work in my bathrobe and not “waste” time looking presentable for the general public.
It is awesome! I love it! This is month 10 of working from home and I have no complaints.... I wonder if my brother's business school talks about the benefits of telecommuting as a cost-saving measure. The downside of telecommuting: it isn't for everyone ~ you have to hold yourself accountable for meeting your goals. The plus-side: there are very few places in the world that I can't work.
I wonder if other telecommuters are equally in love with working from home.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
health care reform?
A friend of mine sent a link about health care reform. It's about 9 minutes and is really informative. Check it out. :)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
It's official ... I am Kimberly Kanter McBroom - the case of the missing cell phone
After an hour and a half of waiting (standing) in line at the social security office, number '70' was selected and I became a McBroom. I got so excited that I wanted to call my hubby and tell him the good news; but alas, I lost my cell phone last weekend and was unable to call/text/email/etc....
The cell phone missing thing: is not a big deal! Surprised you, didn't I? Many of you dug through your purse/pocket and "felt" that your cell was near just thinking about the loss of my cell. I thought I was going to freak out, but the list of the most inconvenient parts about not having my cell phone is as follows:
1. The time - I don't own one watch, at least not one that I can locate. Thank God for the microwave.
2. My alarm clock -- the phone did it all. Now I need to find my college alarm clock and see if it still works.
3. Email - Thank goodness there are at least two computers within 15 feet of me at all times.
4. Text messaging - it's a bummer! I IM/Skype chat all day at work, so I feel 'connected,' but my friends don't IM with me, so that makes me sad. :(
5. My address book! Now I have to walk all the way to a computer and "lookup" phone numbers.
That's it. That's all I miss. I called AT&T to report the missing phone and found out that I am no longer under contract with them, and haven't been for a year. I thought that I was "stuck" for another year. I canceled. I don't have a cell phone bill -- I definitely don't miss that. What do you do when you need to call Kim? You have a few options, some more obvious than others:
IM me! (I'm using Skype and Messenger)
Email me! (i have more email accounts than I should admit)
Call my landline, duh! (obviously not listed in this blog, although all 3 of my readers would probably think it was convenient, but not 'safe')
The cell phone missing thing: is not a big deal! Surprised you, didn't I? Many of you dug through your purse/pocket and "felt" that your cell was near just thinking about the loss of my cell. I thought I was going to freak out, but the list of the most inconvenient parts about not having my cell phone is as follows:
1. The time - I don't own one watch, at least not one that I can locate. Thank God for the microwave.
2. My alarm clock -- the phone did it all. Now I need to find my college alarm clock and see if it still works.
3. Email - Thank goodness there are at least two computers within 15 feet of me at all times.
4. Text messaging - it's a bummer! I IM/Skype chat all day at work, so I feel 'connected,' but my friends don't IM with me, so that makes me sad. :(
5. My address book! Now I have to walk all the way to a computer and "lookup" phone numbers.
That's it. That's all I miss. I called AT&T to report the missing phone and found out that I am no longer under contract with them, and haven't been for a year. I thought that I was "stuck" for another year. I canceled. I don't have a cell phone bill -- I definitely don't miss that. What do you do when you need to call Kim? You have a few options, some more obvious than others:
IM me! (I'm using Skype and Messenger)
Email me! (i have more email accounts than I should admit)
Call my landline, duh! (obviously not listed in this blog, although all 3 of my readers would probably think it was convenient, but not 'safe')
Thursday, August 19, 2010
KAZURI necklace from Kenya -- a new treasure (video blogging, oy vey!)
When I play it back on my computer, there isn't a lag. But when I upload it to Blogger, there is a big lag. Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Planning a Housewarming Party - for a home I don't own
I'm so excited to have all my friends and family come see our new home, that I forgot a few important factors:
1. We don't own the house until September 20th (when escrow is estimated to close)
2. We don't own furniture (not enough to fill 4 bedroooms at least) - lots of empty rooms filled with big dreams for the future.
3. I don't think I have enough seating to have a good party. People want to relax, not stand around.
Before I even move into the house, I start talking myself out of the housewarming party. I hate when I get all negative like that. Never to fear, the internet is here! I found some new inspiration while looking at Evite choices for housewarming parties....
1. We don't own the house until September 20th (when escrow is estimated to close)
2. We don't own furniture (not enough to fill 4 bedroooms at least) - lots of empty rooms filled with big dreams for the future.
3. I don't think I have enough seating to have a good party. People want to relax, not stand around.
Before I even move into the house, I start talking myself out of the housewarming party. I hate when I get all negative like that. Never to fear, the internet is here! I found some new inspiration while looking at Evite choices for housewarming parties....
It's a drunken watermelon on tap!
A little rum, some basic clean plumbing supplies, a knife, limes, and you've got a party! This is the best thing since sliced bread. If you want to keep the party PG-13 or have it for a baby shower or something, substitute juice for the alcohol ~ serve on ice in a pretty glass with potential fruit accessories... YUM!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
hairballs
Cat owners unite in a common hatred: hairballs. Cats periodically regurgitate hair on the carpet, never on a linoleum or "easy cleanup" surface. Stepping barefoot in a larger-than-life pile of hairy cat vomit was not my idea for a writing topic, but the sensation has permeated my day like a socked-foot haphazardly placed in a warm, wet pile of cat barf. I discovered National Hairball Awareness Day (04/30) during some very angry Googling this afternoon.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Riot Cola
What a mistake! I "let the fizz out" as the label suggests and let me tell you something, it was not a riot! There was nothing riot-like in the whole experience. Not only was I underwhelmed with the flavor of Riot Classic Diet Cola, but I debated marching back into the store and demanding my 49 cents back. Think of all of the things I could purchase for $0.49:
1. A postage stamp (just one First-class stamp)
2. A weekday newspaper, but definitely not a weekend edition.
3. 2 gumballs from those machines (if you can round your $0.49 up to $0.50, there are many possibilities in the vending machine department)
4. One local call at a payphone (California Payphone Directory) - this site even lists the phone numbers of payphones in California - other than a drug deal, I can see very little use for this information.
5. A cheap condom from a bathroom vending machine (usually those are in the men's bathrooms, although I think they should be available in both the male and female restrooms).
6. Promotional Click Pens (each)
7. One hour of work from a prison inmate. Seriously, paid under $0.50 cents/hr! My problem is not that they are working in prison, but that somebody is making a lot of cash off this system. I haven't heard anything lately referring to prisoners "paying their own way" or supporting themselves and their families from prison. I have heard that prisoners are a cheap labor force which satisfies many government contracts ... Food for thought.
8. Feel free to contribute your thoughts and ideas - especially if you had an epiphany about what 50 cents can buy!
8. Feel free to contribute your thoughts and ideas - especially if you had an epiphany about what 50 cents can buy!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Resolutions and busy weekends
I've been a busy gal lately. Work and Alan's finger surgery have owned my brain this week so I've not been able to contribute to the blog.
As for mid-year, new wife, resolutions: we're doing okay. I am exercising and reading a more difficult novel than normal. So, things are on the up and up.
I found the sewing store where I want to take lessons.
Our home is one month-and-a-half from being ready.
Life is good.
I'll be back...
As for mid-year, new wife, resolutions: we're doing okay. I am exercising and reading a more difficult novel than normal. So, things are on the up and up.
I found the sewing store where I want to take lessons.
Our home is one month-and-a-half from being ready.
Life is good.
I'll be back...
Monday, July 26, 2010
How much is a single digit worth?
How much is your middle finger worth? Is it worth more if someone takes it from you? How much would you pay to keep your middle finger? Is it $900? That seems like a lot of money. But middle fingers are important for many reasons. For example, one of my new life goals -- to possess this xray of my own hand:
Someday, I shall have this fantastic x-ray of my own hand, preserved and captured in this declarative pose. Let the search begin.
Someday, I shall have this fantastic x-ray of my own hand, preserved and captured in this declarative pose. Let the search begin.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
September is National Sewing Month
Kim (transfixed on her computer screen) : September is National Sewing Month.
Alan (reading sports stats on his Iphone) : Well that's one to talk about around the water cooler tomorrow.
The little foot thing on my sewing machine popped off and my bobbin is all screwed up now. I think that I wasn't supposed to sew the elastic waistband with the machine or at least change the settings in some way. So many rookie mistakes! How about the fact that I didn't double the material when I layed out the pattern and only cut one of the "back panels" of the pants. This mistake created Alan's new PJ shorts, no longer had the material for pants. I was thinking about the bobbin while eating at the cousin's place. Too bad I stayed so late, I could have finished those pants.
Only the short pj pants' legs' hems and the finishing touches on the waistband left to sew! I hope to finish after work tomorrow, but I have to go into LA. I usually don't get much done on the days that I commute into LA. They don't look as gigantic with the elastic in the waistband. I couldn't have imagined them being the real size before. All I want to do is make a few simple garments, some crafts, and home decor (curtains and whatnot). It is going to take a few more pj pants for me to get some practice under my belt. Thank God for YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16pQfQBGA3g).
Until then...
Alan (reading sports stats on his Iphone) : Well that's one to talk about around the water cooler tomorrow.
The little foot thing on my sewing machine popped off and my bobbin is all screwed up now. I think that I wasn't supposed to sew the elastic waistband with the machine or at least change the settings in some way. So many rookie mistakes! How about the fact that I didn't double the material when I layed out the pattern and only cut one of the "back panels" of the pants. This mistake created Alan's new PJ shorts, no longer had the material for pants. I was thinking about the bobbin while eating at the cousin's place. Too bad I stayed so late, I could have finished those pants.
Only the short pj pants' legs' hems and the finishing touches on the waistband left to sew! I hope to finish after work tomorrow, but I have to go into LA. I usually don't get much done on the days that I commute into LA. They don't look as gigantic with the elastic in the waistband. I couldn't have imagined them being the real size before. All I want to do is make a few simple garments, some crafts, and home decor (curtains and whatnot). It is going to take a few more pj pants for me to get some practice under my belt. Thank God for YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16pQfQBGA3g).
Until then...
Something's wrong with the size....
Alan's shorts on top of the pj shorts I am trying to make...
I am learning how to sew with my new sewing machine from Leslie and Jamie. Although I am a novice, my first attempt at pj pants (which quickly turned into PJ shorts after a rookie mistake), seem a wee bit large. Next time, I think I'll pick the "medium" size guide from the pattern.
So, I am going to "take in" the sides before I work with the elastic in the band. Hopefully, fixing up my mistake won't take that long. Some one-hour pattern! I'm two days deep into this one.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Starting a New Blog
http://kiminlasvegas.blogspot.com/?spref=gb
is the old blog.... Soon, I'll figure out how to access that one from my other account, but until then some updates:
1. Diet is going well, excercise is even better.
2. Becoming a McBroom involves a new social security card, driver's license, and changing my name with my company, bills, etc.... Oy vey!
3. I still owe Alan a love letter.
4. I am reading a crappy mystery novel, but what else is new? I need something "hard" to read! I'm going to checkout Goodreads.com and see if my friends have any suggestions.
5. Some pictures of McBrooms i found in a Google Image search:
is the old blog.... Soon, I'll figure out how to access that one from my other account, but until then some updates:
1. Diet is going well, excercise is even better.
2. Becoming a McBroom involves a new social security card, driver's license, and changing my name with my company, bills, etc.... Oy vey!
3. I still owe Alan a love letter.
4. I am reading a crappy mystery novel, but what else is new? I need something "hard" to read! I'm going to checkout Goodreads.com and see if my friends have any suggestions.
5. Some pictures of McBrooms i found in a Google Image search:
Some Gal Art Some Guy Some much taller gal...
Which McBroom are you? Today, I am the second pictured ("art"). I just feel like I look more like the art than the other McBrooms. What do you think.
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