Taxes are done and so is ACLS

I have spent a portion of most of my days off this month studying for ACLS (advanced cardiac life support).  It is something as an er nurse that I have to recert in every 2 years, and I always stress about it.  Real life situations are different than the testing and as I get older I like tests less and less.  So the good news is that I am done for 2 years,yahoo, and should only have to take it once more before I (hopefully) retire.  Still have to do the Pediatric equivelant of acls this fall and trauma course next year. I spent Friday evening surfing blogs on the net.  It was so nice to not have anything I had to study for or do.   My taxes are done and ready to take to accountant Tue.  Spent the weekend doing them.  I really need to do the paperwork at least every month  instead of tying up 2 days getting it together.  I always start out good in Jan. (easy as there are few receipts to keep tract of) but by the time I'm done with the first fiber show I tend to forget all about entering the info into the ledger! I was happy with how the show year ended so now I have to spend Feb creating since I haven't gotten anything done in Jan.   The bracelets and pins/brooches sold very well so need to  make more of those.  Have some ideas for different designs that I need to try out.     

Two for Tuesday-Books made into Movies

Two recent movies that have been made from books are THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett and THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Steig Larsson. Both of them are on my list to read and see. Will have to rent The Help as it's no longer at my local theater but hope The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo stays here until next week so I can see that on "the big screen". Everyone that I've talked to that has read or seen either or both books/movies have loved them. One of the docs I work with had rented the Swedish film with subtext and he loved it and now we have it out in English so that's even better. The Help is Kathryn Stockett's first book but Steig Larsson wrote two other books before he died, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest and they are on my list to read also.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

RESOLUTIONS- The magazines, web, newspaper,and radio all have info on resolutions for the New Year.  They all warn against setting unrealistic goals (I'm going to loose 50#, yea right!- they say it is better to set a goal of I'm going to loose 10# and then when that goal is reached set it for another 10# etc).  I don't make resolutions generally except one that I have yet to meet for my business of getting better organized with receipts, etc so I'm not scrambling at the end of the year to find receipts and get them in the ledger (yes I do it on paper, that's not going to change).  This year I've done better than last year and most if not all of my receipts and info I need is in one file folder/box. I still have to put the info in the right colums of the ledger but that's not as stressful as looking all over the house for a receipt that I know I got for something I bought. I do hope for everyone good health for the New Year.  It would be great if we had less natural disasters this coming year too.  So many areas of our country and the world were affected.  It often takes years  to recover from the devistation that takes only moments to happen.  So stay safe and healthy this New Year.   

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas with family- good food and good times.  My nephew is in the army and stationed in South Korea but we were all able to say Merry Christmas to him via Skype even tho it was the middle of the night for him (of course we are worh him loosing a little sleep over!).  I made everyone Grandmas coffeecake and delivered it to the various households when I got into town last night  so they could have it on Christmas morning just like we used to.   The thing with family is that they don't forget- they like to remind you of the time you did this or that (some things are best forgotten but are still brought up often at family gatherings),  Family also remembers the good times.  There is always a lot of joking and kidding at our get togethers. Tomorrow morning I am spending with my 2 brothers and tomorrow night is girls night- we'll all get together and go out to eat and to a movie.  I don't get "back home" as often as I once did so I treasure the time I get to spend with my family.

CHICAGO,CHICAGO

Had a great time in Chicago. Took train from Grand Rapids Thur am.,checked into hotel early as our room was ready( stayed at Hilton Garden Inn, a very nice place that we really like), ate a delicious lunch at the Weber Grill (located in hotel), and then walked to the Merchandise Mart where the One Of A Kind Show was held. The weather was clear and warm (for Dec in Chi ) and not too windy.  There were a lot of new exhibitors at the show or maybe just new articles.  As you can see from above picture I bought a clock for living room wall that can be hung either vertical or horizontal.  I wasn't even looking for a clock but I really liked it and a number of years ago I saw another clock that moved and just didn't have the money for it and don't know where I put or even if I got a business card and they have never exhibited there again so bought this one with not a lot of pondering. I bought it from Twisted Dimensions Art.  It was a bit bulky to carry arround on Fri. tho until we stopped at a store on the Magnificent Mile (Arts and Artisans) and they gave me an oversize bag which made carrying the clock so much easier.  This store carried the work of wonderful artisans- everything was beautifully crafted. You would have thought that 5 hours of walking the show Thur. and all the tempting items I saw would have been enough but no, in I go.   I seriously considered a beautiful coat that was fitted and looked great on but decided that I really want to loose weight and one big purchase was probably enough, but I kept there business card and will stop back there next Dec. for sure unless I get to Chi. before that.  Macy's window this year is Believe and the Make a Wish Foundation is the  recipient of money from % of sales of certain Christmas ornaments and other items. Saw an article on Yahoo that listed the top corporations/businesses that give to charity and Macys was one of those listed.  Overall a wonderful time- both Kathy and I found things to buy for us and/or presents.

Thankful

Yes, I know I'm a few days late but I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving day.  I went to Meijers early thur and got an ipad.  Yes, I know I'm still computer challenged but it's going to be nice to travel with and I will be able to download books even when I am on the road (for some reason when we went to N.C. to SAFF I only took 2 books and enough yarn to do one baby blanket and had read both books and finished the afghan by  early on the last day of the show. Ended up buying a book to read on the way home but that was finished long before we got home. Now with my ipad that won't happen) Anyway the ipad was a good deal as I got a coupon for $80. to spend at Meijers. So I am VERY thankful for my friend/computer guru who got my ipad up and running for me.  Black Friday I was at Joann Fabrics getting a few things for organizing more of my stuff.  Am off to Chicago later this week to go to One of a Kind Show.  They always have wonderful/talented exhibitors.  We will get to wander the Magnificent Mile and eat out.  And it looks like the weather will be decent for Chi. in the winter.  

SAFF Pictures

The first 3 pics are of the arena below us with vendors and you can see other vendors set up around the upper level. We are on a platform that is temporary and built over the upper cement steps/seats.  There are a number of these temporary platforms for vendors.  In the fourth pic you can see the wood railing (with electrical cord taped to it) and directly below us are a group of ladies that were knitting and catching up with each other.  You would find groups like that scattered on the seats, sometimes it was spinning or knitting.  Not all of the areas were of groups of people that knew each other- often there were signs that said "open spinning" etc and all were welcome to come and join. Even without a sign indicating an open group most everyone would welcome you into their group if you asked to join them.  The last pic is of part of the booth and the bracelets displayed on rack and brooches on the table.