My Little Mishap

A few weeks ago my family and I took a little jaunt over to the coast to see some beautiful homes my dad is building in Netarts, OR. We finished off our time at Pelican Pub in Pacific City- a fine dining choice to anyone who ventures that direction. And of course our outing wouldn't be complete without some sort of Palmer mishap.

There were seven of us in our party and the hostess said that she could either sit us in two back to back booths, or there would be a considerably long wait for a table large enough. We opted for the two booths. When led to our tables we noted that these were extra long booths- the kind that comfortably seated six, however, after inquiry, they could not allow a chair placed at the end due to fire safety regulations. Well, it didn't take too long for us to decide to forgo the two booth idea and just squeeze into one booth. Yes, we got funny looks from employees and patrons alike, but it was a close bonding experience nonetheless.

One would think that a person would be perceptive enough to realize that in such tight quarters it would be unwise to "goof off" due to the high likelihood that a mishap of any sort would be very likely.

I had a moment of clouded judgement.

Rewind for a moment to Thanksgiving. My cousin Taylor and I entertained ourselves for an extended amount of time with our water glasses and coasters. You see, what you do, is place the coaster on the edge of the table with it partially hanging over the side. Then, with your four fingers, flick it upwards and forward, aiming for it to land perfectly on the top of the water glass. Another variation can be done without the water glass and you simply flick upwards and then try to clasp it with the same hand when it is coming down. Both methods are entertaining and require quick hand eye coordination.

Back to the smooshed family dinner at Pelican Pub. There was a coaster and water glass in front of me. I was showing off my skill of the latter of the two variations, only trying to clasp the coaster on its way down. This is when the mishap occurred.

In my attempt to retrieve the free falling coaster, with my limited range of motion due to the cramped quarters, I hit the water glass propelling it towards me and directly into my lap. Well, this caused me to jerk upward, trying to avoid the ice cubes and cold water causing more upheaval of the table contents. Needless to say I caused quite the incident. Let's just say no one else was as amused as our family. And I was soaked for the remainder of dinner while avoiding all eye contact from the people walking by our table.

I learned my lesson though. Before entertaining myself with coaster games, evaluate the situation and remove anything that could compromise the integrity of the game.

A List About Lists

• My name is Tiffany and I am a chronic list maker. I admit it. I habitually write lists. I am addicted to it. I’ve always been aware of this little quirk of mine and I’ve accepted it- it is the cross I bare, so to speak.
• There is a possibility that this tendency is genetic. In a recent conversation with my sister, she admitted that she has been trying to cut back on the amount of lists she writes as it can get overwhelming. Though, I totally know the feeling and wish her the best in that endeavor- my first thought was “Thank God I’m not the only one!”
• So, now that I have just put it out there, allow me to draw you a little deeper into this idiosyncratic world of mine.
• One would think that the traditional “to do list” is what a chronic list maker, such as myself, chronically makes. Oh how naïve one would be to assume such a thing, for the “to do list” is merely the beginning of the countless kinds of lists that can be made. It is the door, if you will, into the sick little world of a list maker.
  Though it is just the tip of the iceberg, I frequently write to do lists. I write to do lists for the day and for the week- sometimes even for the month. I write to do lists for what I need to do at home, what I need to do at work, what I need to do online, etc. Sometimes my to do lists are random items that need to be accomplished, place almost haphazardly on some sort of paper.
• Other times, I categorize the items either by priority or type. For instance, if I categorize by type, I group together items that are similar. All of the errands, the phone calls, the paperwork, the chores, the leisure activities, etc are all grouped separately. I can then tackle it one category at a time if I so desire. If I am prioritizing my to do lists, then I usually number the items, otherwise I use bullet points or dashes. (Just a personal preference.)
• If you think that is sick, I warn, it only gets more ridiculous as I go on.
• Then, there is the grocery list. Those who know me well know that I have been a grocery shopper for many moons. As a junior higher, it became one of my chores and I loved it. (Right there we have a problem, don’t you think?) I got to help plan the menu and make the grocery list for our family’s meals. Then, once a week, I would go to Winco with my dad to do the shopping. Due to the longevity this particular list making ritual has had in my life, it has been streamlined to maximum efficiency- the root desire for many list makers. Not only is the template for my grocery list categorically organized (yes, I have a template that I use), but it is also tailored for the specific store where I shop. That’s right folks- my list takes me from the entrance of the store and efficiently makes a path to the registers to check out with minimal backtracking.
• I told you it would keep getting more and more…sick.
  The packing list has also served me well long term. I remember some of my first packing lists scribbled on my Strawberry Shortcake stationary. Even then, it was organized by categories: toiletries, clothing, accessories, toys, etc. One of my best works for this type of list was for a trip a few years ago. I color coded the clothing items that could be mixed and matched for different outfits. How completely satisfying that list was!
• Wish lists are a variation of the traditional “to do list”. These lists are, as the genre clearly states, are things I wish to do, see, go, read, watch, etc. I have ongoing lists of places I wish to travel, activities I wish to try, books I wish to read, movies I wish to watch, etc. Sadly, I add to these lists more frequently than I cross off.
• Writing a list of favorites is also a practice of mine. Often these lists become excellent references later on. For example, a list of my favorite children book authors comes in handy when I am in a bookstore pursing the children’s section, looking for new titles. A list of favorite desserts to make comes in handy when planning the menu for a shower or some sort of gathering that requires a surefire treat to serve!
• Lists to brainstorm- I actually teach my third graders to write lists when they are brainstorming for a topic they want to write about. I teach them to list whatever they know about the topic, questions or wonderings they have about it, where they could find out more about it, etc. The list becomes a great prewriting tool. Hopefully I don’t pass on the tendency to over do it when comes to lists to my third graders!
• What compels me to write lists? Well, there is the sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing off an item- never erasing, always crossing off- one solid and sure stroke with a blue ball point pen. That’s my favorite way. When a list is completely crossed off, you feel like you have conquered something. Also, there is a sense of order about a list. All that needs to be done is not floating around aimlessly in your head. A list takes the pressure off of your memory and creates more brain space for more relaxing thoughts and ideas to float about.
• I think that lists are simple, efficient, and get to the point without other words blubbering on and on and getting in the way. (Well, most lists anyway….)
• I probably will continue to write lists as it is just who I am. It’s part of what makes me, me. So, with that, here’s to all the list makers out there that know exactly what I am talking about!

A Week of Saturdays

If someone asked me what my favorite day of the week was, I would be hard pressed for an immediate answer. There are pros and cons for each day of the week. I would need to take careful thought weighing the positive and negative aspects to come up with an opinion on the matter. So that is what I have done here.

Of course I think about Mondays- they’re great because it is a fresh start to the work week and I’m a pretty big proponent of fresh starts. Thursdays are an all around pretty great day because it is almost the weekend and there is always good deals at Best Little Roadhouse (right Beth?) plus Thursday night TV shows are usually a kick in the pants (when there is not a writing strike underway).

Now Fridays are Fridays which in and of itself puts them in the running for being a good day because you still have got the weekend in front of you (TGIF, right?), but then again most of the time you are tired from a full week and can’t enjoy the start of the weekend to the fullest capacity. (Just about anyone would vouch for me on this one!)

Then there’s Tuesday and Wednesday which are kind of stuck in the middle with nothing too extraordinary about them- so if you are going for simplicity- those are the days to root for. They’re your typical, nothing crazy, kind of days. They are what give the week a sense of normalcy.

Sundays are great- generally a family day and in many cases that’s a real good thing. Church is always good and the lunch after is always a treat. The downside is that Sunday signals the end of the weekend and the beginning of the work week- so that can put a damper on an otherwise wonderful day.

Now for Saturday: Saturday is a pleasant mixture of catch-all/lazy/whatever-you-want-it-to-be. It’s the day when the to do list comes out and you can whack off items like there’s no tomorrow- heck, you’ve got a full day- not just a few hours or minutes here and there between work and weekday obligations. I mean, you can really tackle some big projects on a Saturday. Or, if you choose, you can have a lazy day. The kind of day where make-up and cute hair aren’t required and sweat pants, a good book, and no alarm clock is a must. Throw in a lifetime movie and you are set! Or you can take a hike or go shopping or sit in a coffee shop for a few hours or browse through the children’s section of a bookstore at leisure or do whatever you want. The options are endless and there is nobody to mandate your agenda. You’ve got 24 hours to do whatever you want with.

The only negative thing about Saturday that I can think of is that at the end of the day your thirst for the kind of relaxing, accomplished, day to call your own, is not quenched. Most of the time you are left wanting more. You have tasted the fruit of Saturday and then, poof, it’s gone. That let down has got to be weighed because at times, the effect of a Saturday coming and going- slipping between your fingers, leaving you grasping to hold on to it- can be a pretty big let down.

Having processed all these thoughts, I am going to say that even with the possibility of a disabilitating emotional let down at the end of a Saturday, I would most likely chose it as my most favorite. Sure, it’s a likely choice. Probably no surprise there. But, I truly weighed my options. And out of the seven choices, Saturday is truly on top.

So for my spring break this year- a joy that people my age, unless they are in my profession, seldom get to enjoy- I have planned the ultimate week. A week of Saturdays - my proclaimed most favorite day. Everyday is Saturday this week. Each day is a new day to decide what to do with and how I want to go about doing things- one day at a time. My next task is to write my Saturday to do list because for me, a Saturday is not Saturday without a list of what I want to accomplish with my catch-all/lazy/whatever-you-want-it-to-be day.

Lazy Mornings

I had a lazy morning today. These seem to be too seldom in my life. I didn't wake up to a blaring alarm, and yes, my alarm is blaring- it's the only way I am able to come out of my coma-like state in the wee hours of the morning. Actually I have two alarms that are set in 5 minute intervals so that within a span of 15 minutes, 6 alarms of buzzing and beeping bring me to some sense of awareness. And, to be more acurate, the wee hours of morning I speak of is actually 6 AM. Not so wee or early, but for me, it's still a struggle. Anyway...lazy mornings.

After a full weekend, a lazy morning was just what I needed. Instead of buzzes and beeps waking me up, it was the light making it's way past the mini-blinds and into my room. Instead having to rush into my morning routine, I stayed in bed and read. I finished a book that I started too long ago and have only been able to read a few pages at a time before my eye lids get too heavy at night. When I finally decided to emerge from my warm cocoon in my bed I made myself a cup of tea (now I just sound old) and turned on some tunes. Since then I have basically been milling about. Doing this and that and whatnot. Mostly blogging.

And all of this just makes me feel happy. There is no pressure about anything today. I can live in an intentional aimless state for a few hours. Reality will come into play soon enough. Until then, I will soak up my lazy morning turned afternoon.

Oven Cleaning Woes

If I ever buy myself an oven, I am not going to just willy nilly pick out any ol’ thing. No. I have opinions about important features ovens must have. Less than 12 hours ago, I did not have these opinions. But, now, I have opinions. My future ovens will be self cleaning ovens. My current oven is not.

I don’t think the opportunity to clean an oven has ever come my way before today. In fact, I’m sure of it.

I know how often I should vacuum and dust, how frequently I should change my sheets and clean out the fridge, and when I need to scrub the toilet. But, when does an oven need cleaning? I mean obviously if there was a mess in there I would clean it up, but other than that, when does one go about such business?

Well, lately our smoke detector has been piercing the air with it’s discontent of the air quality every time the oven is in use. One tires of rushing around opening windows and doors and fanning a cookie sheet under the alarms. It takes the joy out of the baking experience. This led us to believe it was time. It was time to clean the oven.

So, after googling instructions of how to go about such a feat, my roommate and I tackled this task with much gusto and elbow grease- literally. We made a vinegar and baking soda solution of some sorts and scrubbed like we have never scrubbed before. It took almost half an hour…and let me tell you 30 minutes of vigorously scrubbing can really do a number on the old body. My hands were sore, my knees and ankles were achy, and my neck was strained. I mean, we really got in there and scrubbed that baby. It was intense.

The experience formed my opinion. There is no need for such labor if there is an oven out there that can do itself- by all means, that is the way I will go.

P.S.- It wasn’t all bad. Melissa and I laughed a lot during the whole experience. We laughed at the crazy oven, we laughed at being crouched over the stupid thing on the kitchen floor, we laughed at the intense scrubbing we were sharing in, we just laughed. So, if you have to ever clean an oven, don’t go at it alone.