Just Jot January - 2018

It is the end of the month and while I did not quite make it to posting every day, this is my 26th post.  I'd say that's good practice for the A to Z, right?

The #JusJoJan for today is actually part of Wordless Wednesday so I'm going to post the pictures of the moon that I took last night and this morning.

Here are the ones from last night:

And at 5:30 this morning, this is what we saw:

Pretty cool, huh?

So, now that January is over and there are no more #JusJoJan's to do, I have a couple of other things in mind.  Bet you can't wait!

Just Jot January - 2018

This is the last of the prompts for #JusJoJan and it is suggested by Judy E. Martin at Judyedwinamartin.com.  The word is Scrumptious.

What a delightful word, isn't it?  Just saying it makes my mouth water.

Since I've been attempting to eat healthy most of the time, I try to make my meals looks as scrumptious as possible.  Here are a few:

chicken salad

Poached eggs on muffins with cutie tangerines

Strawberries filled with ricotta cheese and topped with chocolate chips

John Holton at The Sound of One Hand Typing had the word scrumdillyishus in his post and that made me think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's scrumdiddlyumptious so I had to go and check that out.  This is what I found:

I love See's Scotchmallows and this looks like it might be equally delicious.   

It's been fun playing along with everyone this month.  Thanks Linda!  I need to figure out something fun to do for next month!  Maybe a 10 questions kind of thing.  Or colors.  I'll just surprise you! 

Just Jot January - 2018

I'm glad we're ending the #JusJoJan month on a more positive note than we began.  The prompts earlier on were kind of depressing to me.  Fantastic, suggested by Jill at JilyWily is a much easier topic to write about, don't you think?

Tomorrow night and into Wednesday morning there is going to be a full moon event that hasn't been seen in many years.  NASA is calling it a Super Blue Blood Moon.  Super because it is at it's closest to the earth, blue because it is the second full moon we will have this month and blood because there will also be a full lunar eclipse which makes it have a red appearance.  Apparently the last occurrence of this fantastic phenomenon in the Western Hemisphere was in 1866. 

You all know that I am a full moon watcher and the thought of this rare happening is very exciting.  I'm even going to set my alarm so I can get up early to try and catch the eclipse. 

I would love to get a fantastic picture of this.  What a night to get your intentions heard by the Universe, right?  Cross your fingers for me!

Just Jot January - 2018

Today's #JusJoJan is the word Knight, put forth by Leta Hawk at Hawk's Happenings.

I have often called my husband my Knight in Shining Armor and even started our wedding scrapbook with "Once upon a time..."

This is each of us in 1956.  He is smiling.  I am making
"funny face."

It is not too far fetched to say that he saved me, maybe not from a locked tower, but I had been in an unsuccessful first marriage and was coming off a breakup from another less than perfect relationship (with his brother no less).  I could have gone into a deep spiral thinking that there was no one out there for me and that I would end up being a lonely spinster.  (I was only 26 and I'm way to optimistic for that but you get the idea).  I wrote a bit about the love story here.

Instead, there was this really attentive, funny, sensitive, romantic fellow who made me feel that I was someone special.    

Someone he wanted to share his life with.

We've been on many adventures together, some of which have felt like we were fighting dragons, and he has the scars to prove it!  We've even found some castles along the way.  

Fairy Tale?  Sometimes it seems that way.  Perfect?  No way.  Being married for 33 years (34 in May) is definitely work.  Worth it?  Absolutely.  

When we celebrated our 30th Anniversary in Reno, we had a caricature made.  I think it captures us perfectly!

Here's a card I made for the Etsy site a while ago but I could easily have given it to him :)

That's my Knight story and I'm sticking to it.  Have a Knight in Shining armor of your own?  Tell the story!

Just Jot January - 2018

Address is today's prompt in #JusJoJan as put forth by another blogger friend of mine, John Holton at The Sound of One Hand Typing.  I first met John through the A to Z challenge and he has been very helpful with some of the technical issues I face as a blogger.  Plus, since I do typing all the time, the title of his blog intrigued me.  You should definitely check his site out.

Anyway, "Address" is the word we are concentrating on today.  In my 62-3/4 years on this planet I've lived at 9 different addresses.  That seems like a lot to me.  I've had 4 addresses in San Bruno, 3 in Millbrae (although one was actually the same address just a different apartment number), 1 in South San Francisco and 1 in San Francisco.

I don't remember the house in San Francisco because we moved to San Bruno when I was about 2.  The first address I remember is from this house although when I lived there it was much different.  There were no houses in the background and the front was lined with rose trees.  There was a large front porch.  Kind of makes me sad to see how much it has changed. 

When I was about 21 I moved into this apartment building.  I started on the ground floor and then I married the guy who lived above me and moved in there.  We were only married for about six months and then he moved out.

From the apartment I went into a house I shared with my girlfriends and then I met my future husband and we moved into an apartment in South San Francisco for about a year.  Then it was back to San Bruno, first in an apartment and then into a rented house when the kids started coming.

Right before our last child was born we moved into this house and have been here for the last 21 years. 

We've never had a house with this address but I think it would be cool if we did!

Since I've been in San Bruno for most of my life it doesn't seem like I've moved at all but technically there were nine addresses.  My husband has had many more since his father was in the service and they lived in Germany and the Philippines for a while, not to mention several places in California and in Wisconsin. 

How about you?  Move around a lot?  Can you remember all the addresses?

Just Jot January - 2018

Today's #JusJoJan is the word "Prediction" as suggested by Dar at Darswords. 

I have been known to use my Sherlock Holmes Tarot cards to peek into the future, but since I am the one reading the message, it is easy for me to make things fit into my world/expectations and make some predictions.   

One time I did have someone else read my cards as I was pregnant with our last child and at age 42 I was apprehensive about it.  There was a woman where I worked who offered to read my cards for me.  She said that the pregnancy was going to be fine (which it was) and asked me if I knew anyone named Aaron.  At the time I did not but many years later a family moved into the house next door and the husband's name was Aron.  She didn't actually predict that that would happen, but you have to admit that Aron is not as common a name as Mike or Joe, right?

Today, though, I am going to talk about a different kind of card and make my own prediction.  In this blogging world I've participated in several different "challenges" like the A to Z (coming soon!) and December Reflections and this #JusJoJan.  I have found many different blogs to read and have "met" some very interesting people from all over the place.  One of them was doing a 365 challenge of his own, James J. Cudney IV at This is My Truth Now and that of course caught my attention since I was doing my 365 picture project.  Jay and I started commenting on each other's posts and we really have a lot of things in common, although I am old enough to be his mother. 

Anyway, I try not to be too "markety" when it comes to talking about my Etsy shop and the cards and things I make but I do have the link on my site and do mention when I put up a new batch of cards or something that I am particularly proud of:

Recently Jay took advantage of one of those "nudges" and found some cards that he liked and purchased them.  Fortunately for me he liked them enough to make me/my shop the subject of one of his 365 posts!  Even though he recently experienced the loss of his dog, Ryder, he still took the time to communicate with me and get this blog out there.  You can read his kind words here.

My prediction from this card reading?  At least for today, I'm going to get a bit more traffic on my site, both here and Etsy.  That's kind of an easy prediction because he has a whole lot more followers than I do and even if only a handful of his followers take a look, it will be more than I usually get in a day :)  Thanks again, Jay.  I'm happy we connected. 

Side note:  Jay is an author and has written and published his first book, Watching Glass Shatter, which I read as part of my reading challenge last year.  It is a terrific story of a fractured family and I am looking forward to his next book and the short stories he is writing about the characters in WGS.  You should check that out too!

How about you?  Believe in Tarot?  Make any predictions?  Like to send cards?  Leave me a comment or "like" this post so I can see if my prediction comes true :) 

Just Jot January - 2018

Since I'm not doing 365 pictures again, I decided to take part in the #52ListsSundays with Liz Lamoreux and her tribe.  I had seen the book "The 52 Lists Project" by Moorea Seal on the shelves at Michaels and decided I wanted to get it anyway and when I read that Liz would be doing it too, that strengthened my decision.  We started on January 7, which was the first Sunday of the year.  We are on Instagram under the #52ListsSundays. 

Create lists to help you discover the creativity you already have!  Doesn't that sound like fun?  She broke the year into seasons and there is a list for every week.  

Here is my week one...goals and dreams.

Week two was favorite characters from books, movies, etc. 

This week was the happiest moments of my life so far and next week is the soundtrack of my life...looking forward to that one.  I'm sure that they won't all be easy but it is definitely making me think about things.  

I've done other projects with Liz Lamoreux like the Inner Excavation workshop in 2015.  It is fun to use pictures and prompts to look deep inside yourself.  

That's my #JusJoJan  for Wednesday.  Anybody else doing the 52 lists?  

Just Jot January - 2018

Missed a few days of Jots here but I think that happens to everyone once in a while.  The prompts I missed were Silence and Liberty, both good words but they just didn't grab me.  Maybe my silence was a liberty I was taking because I had a lot on my mind but didn't really feel like sharing it. 

Anyway, today's #JusJoJan prompt is Colour from Super at Supernatural Snark or Color as I am used to seeing it.  John at The Sound of One Hand Typing gave a great description of why it is spelled two ways so I won't go over it again, you should just check his blog out.

I really enjoy coloring, especially while I watch TV since it seems I always have to be doing something with my hands.  A few years ago I got several coloring books for Christmas gifts:

I haven't gotten around to them all yet but here are some that I have done:

and here are some of the coloring instruments I use:

Overkill?  Not at all!  Sometimes I feel like using colored pencils, sometimes markers.  Sometimes I start with pencils and then outline with markers.  Of course I also use the pencils and markers when I am making things for my Etsy Shop or in my scrapbooking.  Here are some things I colored to make into card fronts:

Well, that's me and colo(u)r.  How bout you?  Like to color?  Obsession with pens and pencils?  Got an Etsy shop to share?  Love to hear about it.  

Just Jot January - 2018

Today's #JusJoJan is combined with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (#SoCS) and the prompt for today is "oc."  I am to use words that begin with those two letters and let my mind "go with the flow."

On the occasion of the Federal Government Shut Down today, I decided I should check on my Social Security application.

Is the occupant of this residence losing any sleep over this situation?

I read online that the shut down does not affect Social Security payments, however it could affect the people who do the processing of applications.  I have applied to start receiving benefits beginning in March of this year, after I turn 63.  I had wanted to try and wait until I was 65 but instead have chosen to take it now and since I can still make a little money in addition to that, I can keep my transcription business.  I may have to give up my occupation at Michaels, a prospect that is not totally devastating to me, even though I'd have to give up my discount.  They give out coupons all the time and even though they are not quite as deep as my employee discount, they are close enough.  (I was going to say "Close enough for government work" but then I realized that they are NOT working...and that that statement is an indication that I deserve Social Security benefits since it is a phrase that started in World War II! Also interestingly, when the phrase was first coined it meant that the work could pass the most rigorous standards but now it has changed to mean just barely passing...)

Anyway, it occurred to me that I could check the status of my application online so that's what I did and low and behold there was a decision made.  I clicked on the link and it took me to a copy of the letter they were sending me, which has today's date on it, and says that I am entitled to monthly benefits and I will begin receiving them in April!

I haven't figured out how to put a GIF in my post but trust me, I'm doing a happy dance.  I'd play the ocarina if I could. 

One more little "oc" that popped into my head is that our daughter, Amanda, used to call Oscar the Grouch "Ockers". 

So maybe that will be me doing my happy dance? 

Have a wonderful Saturday all. 

Just Jot January - 2018

The #JusJoJan for today is "Revolt" as suggested by Sandra at "What Sandra Thinks."

This is an easy one for me as I just had an experience that made me revolt against the system.

My husband and I went to dine at Outback Steakhouse after a recent procedure he had for which he had to fast the night before.  (He has those occasionally and we always end up going out to eat right after, no matter how groggy he is from the anesthesia - LOL).  At any rate, Outback is right down the street from the Surgery Center so it was an easy decision.

Since it was between lunch and dinner, there was no line and no waiting.  We got seated at a table and ordered drinks which were perfectly made.  My husband even went over to the bartender to tell her so. 

Next we ordered our meal, which included the appetizer blooming onion.  When we ordered this our server (name withheld to preserve anonymity) immediately picked up the Ziosk machine that was at our table and put in the order for the onion. 

I'm sure you've seen those machines before, they are popping up at all the restaurants.  You can play games on them (only a few are free, the rest you need to pay for) while you wait and you can order more food or drinks yourself and pay your bill with them.  I do not like them, but didn't say anything about it at the time.  

Our food came.  This is what happens when your husband has to fast and you worry about him while he is undergoing the procedure:

(Yes, healthy eating is still part of my goals for the year but sheesh it's only January and once in a while it is okay!)

Anyway, the food was delicious and the server was attentive.  Everything was great until it came time to pay the bill.  She immediately picked up the Ziosk device and was going to assist me in using it to pay.  I politely told her that I did not use those machines as I had tried them once and been the victim of fraud.  Someone had taken my credit card number and within hours had tried to pay for a hotel room in another part of the state.  

She proceeded to tell me that it was Outback policy to use the machines AND THAT SHE WOULD GET IN TROUBLE IF WE DID NOT USE IT.  I explained again that I did not use them because they are sitting unattended on every table and the "bad people" know how to get in and hack them.  (A fact which I Googled in preparing for this post and there were several versions of how to do a hack on the machines.  Some were old, it is true, but there were some articles from just last year!)  I told her I would be happy to talk to the manager for her and let him/her know why I was not using the machine and the server told me that it was okay, this one time.  She said they were "not supposed to use the computer in the back" but that this one time it would be okay.  She said she would only get written up if her entire section didn't use the machine.  

We paid the bill, made sure to give her a good tip (it wasn't her fault the company was pressuring them) and I even wrote on the receipt that she gave excellent service.  My husband gave the bartender an extra tip.  Obviously we did not have a miserable time there.  However, because it really made me mad that Outback would have such a policy, I immediately got on my computer at home and sent off emails to both the local Outback and to corporate headquarters.  By this time it was late afternoon on a Friday and Monday was the holiday so I didn't expect to hear anything right away. 

Yesterday I got an email from the Managing Partner at the local Outback.  She apologized for our "less than perfect" experience at Outback and said that while the staff is trained on using the Ziosk machines, they should not "force the tablet" on us or make us "feel bad for not using it."  She wanted to invite us back as her "personal guest for the experience we deserved."   

I thanked her for her response but wanted to make sure that our server in NO WAY got in trouble for our comments.  I said that clearly the servers were being pressured by corporate to use the systems and that I did not feel they should be held responsible for the customer's actions and that I felt it was a bad policy.  I gave her our mailing address so that she could send us the invite or whatever she is sending.  We'll see what happens. 

So, that was my revolt against the system.  What is your opinion?  Do you use the kiosk machines on the tables at restaurants?  Have you had your card numbers stolen?  Make sure to visit the other participants in #JusJoJan to read their revolting stories - LOL.