mstra_margarita

The Women's Crusade

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:19:23 GMT

great article in NY Times on women, 3rd world in particular, and best use of aid dollars. It's frightening to read about the millions of missing women in the world.

www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/magazine/23Women-t.html

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:38:47 GMT

Going nuts. In addition to the drama with getting the house ready to sell, arguing with a minister over theology of baptism, the subsequent drama with my mother for upsetting her minister, my father-in-law had surgery for internal bleeding two days ago. When my MIL went to pick him up at the hospital, she had a stroke. It was minor enough that she was released yesterday, but please, enough already.

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:56:42 GMT

Took the kids to the drive-in last night which did not go as we expected. They did NOT fall asleep on the 1/2 hour drive. Miss M got to play on the playground and then watched the movie on Daddy's lap, crawling around periodically (not sure why other than she's 2!). Mr. J drank his bottle then fell asleep in Mommy's arms. We only stayed for one movie, but we had a good time and will definitely be back!

Need to stop procrastinating and get back to work!

Fixing the House

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:45:28 GMT

So I was going to post about all the stuff we've done to the house or still need to do, but that was too depressing, and I've decided to spare you.

On the up side the new granite countertops look great; our bathroom finally looks the way I think it should; the new stairs look awesome, and I think the landscaping will make the house pretty (flowers!).

In the process I have learned more about permits for residential construction/repairs than I really wanted to know. (Ignorance is not bliss; ignorance is expensive and pisses off inspectors. Next time I follow my gut instinct and wait until everything is all done and clean before calling for the inspector rather than relying on someone else's advice.)

We are continuing to pack and clean (although I haven't even really started on the major cleaning since the contractors are still here). Hopefully the house will be on the market next week.

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:00:44 GMT

OK, LJ Brain Trust, what's the best way to send a fax for free on the 'net?

Re-Booting the Brain

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:28:00 GMT

Yesterday was an almost complete loss. I had pushed myself past exhaustion into the space where my brain goes all wonky, and I am dizzy and nauseous just lying still (not to mention what happens when I move). When J's alarm went off I told him he was going to need to stay home with the kids as there was no way I could take care of them. I then proceeded to spend most of the next 28 hours in bed, where, with the assistance of Dramamine, I've been attempting to reboot my brain. Today is much better; the wooziness is almost gone. Note to self: DON'T DO THAT AGAIN! I don't know what it is about not sleeping enough that results in dizziness, but it happens to me every few years. I thought I'd been getting "enough" but evidently I was wrong.

On the house front we got the inspection done on the new house, and there were only a few minor problems that the current owners are fixing. We've started work on getting our yard cleaned and landscaped (anyone know how to get rid of an old hot tub that leaks?). We're scheduled to get the painter/handyman here next week to start work. Hopefully we'll get this house on the market in about 2 weeks, a little later than I'd hoped, but I think the work done will be worth it. Still working on getting the granite countertops.

Government stupidity/poor communication

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:32:08 GMT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090427/us_nm/us_newyork_plane

People must have shorter memories than I thought. I feel so sorry for those in lower Manhattan who freaked today. I can just imagine what that must have been like.

It has taken me years to not get nervous about planes flying overhead. I still notice them, but the adrenaline doesn't surge the way it used to. I don't know if I will ever get to the point where that day doesn't flash through my head when a plane is flying particularly close. It was challenging when we were buying a house as Jeff needed to be close to work (i.e., the airport), and I really couldn't cope with the sound of a plane overhead. Our househunting trip was the third week of September, 2001. I made Jeff check the flight paths before we bought our house. I still hear planes now and then, but it's a rarity.

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:53:38 GMT

Must see this movie

http://www.clearspring.com/widgets/4970f50e5904bf70?p=4979f29f34aeac79

I giggled all through the preview, making Miss M ask

"Why you laughing, Mommy?"

Where do I begin to explain?

Catching Up

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:53:41 GMT

Where has this fall gone? How can it be almost Christmas?

Marguerite just told Jeff she had no "rad" moves. Got to love Backyardagins. They're now fighting with her boffer swords. She alternates between being so much fun and driving me nuts. She's finally doing better after her bout with intestinal flu. She ended up in WakeMed hospital with dehydration last week. Slightly scary, but we caught it before it got really bad. I would pick the day she comes down with the flu as the day to give up the pacifier.   She still occasionally complains to Daddy that "Mommy took the green binky".

Aah, she just came and kissed me night-night.

So, our trip to Italy was great. At some point I will get the chance to go through all my pictures and maybe absorb some more of what I saw.  I was majorly frustrated by not being able to take pictures in most of the museums. We didn't care much for Milan (everything was closed on Monday except the Duomo and it was raining). Fortunately the rental car we got was nice, a Kangoo, and could easily hold all our stuff. We stopped at the Certosa di Pavia on the way to Ferrara. I really want to go back there on a sunny day because it was amazing on a rainy day. I got to see the effigies of Ludovico il Moro and Beatrice d'Este (and take lots of pictures). Completely worth the trip. We drove on to Pavia so Jeff could see the castle there as he thought it was the castle of the duke that Fiori (14th century fencing master for those not hearing abour HMA as much) had helped to train.

We continued on to Ferrara through an absolutely horrible rain storm. Thank God for the autoroute and for my MIL who gave us a GPS with European maps for an early Christmas present. The weather cleared overnight, and Ferrara was charming. The Hall of Months was AMAZING. I wanted to take pictures SO BADLY. sigh. Still, it was incredible seeing frescoes in person that I have spent so much time studying in books. Jeff wanted to see the castle while we were there. Ironically, it turned out that THAT was the castle of the duke that Fiori had worked for. Since the whole point of renting the car had been for me to be able to see the Hall of Months, it was a major bonus that Jeff got to see the castle.

We continued on to Florence in time for me to check in at the conference, meeting up with broderesse at our hotel. Many thanks to salviati for the recommendation, btw. It was a great place to stay. The conference was over the top. I met so many wonderful people, including authors of books I've read. It was like a collection of fangirls (and some boys) geeking out.   Santina Levey is this very sweet, frail little old lady - she started off the conference (after the dull pompous men were through) talking about her dear friend Janet Arnold. She spoke of her with sch love and affection she brought tears to my eyes. I also got to meet Roberta Orsa Landini and Carole Collier Frick (who played with Miss M at the Palazzo Vecchio), so nice and rather bemused by the attention they received. I'll try to post more on the conference later.

After the conference we continued on to Siena, which we loved. We stayed in a really neat residenzia that had a painted ceiling and a playroom with toys. I got to see Lorenzetti's Good and Bad Government, which was wonderful! So much fabulous art. So little time. It was so hard having so little time to see everything. Miss M was a good sport most of the time. Jeff got to be an expert at picking her up stroller and all and going up and down stairs of the museums. It was hard having her with us at times, but it would have been harder leaving her at home since she would have had to have gone to stay with someone. I couldn't stand the idea of being away from her that long.

Well, this is getting long, and I need to go make gingerbread men for a pre-school Christmas party. I'll write more on the trip later. I did want to let people know that we're almost paper pregnant (we still have to finish an update on our homestudy). Miss M's birthparents are expecting (got caught by Mirena's 99.8% effectiveness rate) and have asked us to parent. If all goes as we hope, we'll be adding a baby boy to our family at the end of February/beginning of March. It's not final, till it's final, though, so please keep us all in your prayers and good thoughts.

Off to bake!

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:49:03 GMT

"The B&B was accurately restored with special attention to preserving the original materials typically used during the 2nd half of the 20th century. "

And this is supposed to be an inducement to stay???

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:14:46 GMT

She's always been one of my favorites, so I'm good with the result!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz ...

You Are a Bette!

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me

* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette

* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette

* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often

* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents

* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:31:11 GMT

I had a great time at WoW yesterday. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and I was surrounded by wonderful friends. We had a great location right at the end of the heavy field, very close to the equestrian area. Geoff finished up his MIT-equestrian training in the morning and got to joust in the afternoon. His horse wasn't terribly cooperative, but he still had a good time. Miss M and I hung out in the pavilion with Trephina, Catarina, Rhieinwylydd, Ysolt, Guinevre and numerous other fabulous people. Blessings on Ysolt who read and sang Miss M to sleep for a much needed nap. Her generosity gave me a chance to sit, deconstruct a garment and listen to R&G play their harps. I felt like I was truly in a ladies' bower. We had much merriment and good food (thanks to all who contributed). I also got to see a number of people that I hadn't seen in a while. At the end of the day we all chipped in and got the pavilion down and the truck packed before it was dark. My thanks to all who helped. We left in good time to get G home for his shift this morning.

I wish all events could be that wonderful and happy.

I plugged the pasty recipe into WW recipe builder. It was slightly higher than I thought, but not too high. It's 4 pts for one and 7 pts for two. With the mixed vegetables it's not entirely period, but it does provide a slightly more balanced meal (and I'm usually struggling to get my veggies in). Hopefully this cut will work. If it doesn't, I would greatly appreciate LJ help!

Meat Pastys

POINTS® Value: 4
Servings: 20

Preparation Time: 30 min
Cooking Time: 13 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Course: main meals

Ingredients

20 item(s) biscuit, prepared from refrigerated dough (100 calorie biscuit)
1 1/4 pound(s) uncooked ground turkey breast
1 tsp table salt
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup(s) dried currants
15 oz mixed vegetables (1 can)
1/2 cup(s) white wine
2 tsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Brown and drain meat. Add salt, pepper, currants, vegetables, wine, vinegar to meat. Simmer a few minutes and then add pumpkin pie spice. If mixture is juicier than desired, add flour to thicken. I may add a bit more of all spices if it seems too bland.

While mixture is simmering, open biscuit package and flatten them using your hand. You may have to do each one a couple of times as they shrink back. I do one 10 biscuit package at a time.

Spoon a heaping tablespoon full of meat onto biscuit dough, fold over and to form a crescent and pinch dough closed. Keep biscuits 1-2" apart on cookie sheet (ungreased). Do one package of biscuits and put in oven before starting on the next. Let cook about 13 minutes (depends on instructions on the biscuit package). Place on rack to cool. The pies do best if they cool completely before being wrapped in foil to preserve. May be served hot or cold.

Adapted from How to Cook Forsoothly

Random Updates

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:18:47 GMT

Since I haven’t really posted in a while, here is a collection of random facts, thoughts, etc. Those of you who see me on a regular basis probably know a lot of this, but I feel like I’ve been out of touch for a while. They’re in no particular order – you get to see how my brain flits about.

(Edit- please let me know if the following shows in a cut. Part of it is showing in my journal on my friends page and the rest is missing.)

September Miss M started preschool – YAY! I know have a few hours of guaranteed silence (relatively speaking) four days a week. I am greatly enjoying this. I’m not getting as much accomplished as I had hoped I would, but having some more “me” time is a good thing. I have her in two schools because I couldn’t decide which one I wanted her in the most. One is really close, but I like the program better at the other one. For next year she’ll probably continue at the one that’s farther away (20 mins vs 6). The one nearby seems very rigid and not as creative.

The first day that I took M to the school farther away I decided to run an errand at the local Wally World. I pulled into the parking lot ,and there it was. Like a SIGN. It said

WEIGHT WATCHERS

Since I’ve been unhappy with my weight for a while (like, oh, let’s just say since I was 8!), I decided it was time to rejoin. It’s been interesting because I’ve been using the online tools, and they’ve been really helpful. I was never good at tracking before, but I’ve been doing this a month now and have tracked every day (including the really bad days). The tracking is also helping me to focus on getting some actual activity in. The good news is that I’m now down 12 lbs. Clothes are getting to be more comfortable, and last night someone actually asked how much I had lost – it’s starting to show!

The only downside is that I now have to start being much more aware of eating regularly and my blood sugar. I haven’t quite wrapped my brain around all of the whys, but I think I’m retraining my body to be much more sensitive to what it’s receiving. I’ve never been tested for insulin resistance, but I have wondered if I am. Diabetes does run in my family (a great reason for me to be more proactive), so I have pondered the resistance issue. When they’ve tested my blood sugar, it’s always been normal. Anyway, last night I think my blood sugar dropped really low for some reason (I would have thought that I was in the OK range in terms of when I had last eaten), and I way overreacted to the restaurant NOT BEING AS I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE. My apologies to those who were there if I was bitchy at you. Hopefully I was nicer person to be around after I ate.

Monday was our anniversary (7 wonderful years); Jeff and I celebrated on Saturday night by going out to The Melting Pot (nom, nom). It was fabulous as usual (and with some judicious changing of the menu not as calorie laden as I had feared). Jeff, my sweet, sweet husband, surprised me with a vase of roses and lilies waiting for me on our table. We had one of those magical times when we reconnect and remember why we are so happy that we married. I am such a lucky woman to be married to such a good man. I am so thankful that he has been so much healthier this year. My thanks to the generous

for babysitting.

I just remembered that I need to post that I have short hair! Just above my shoulders! I finally found a stylist that would actually cut it. The previous two liked it better long and talked me out of cutting it. This time I found a picture (of Meg Ryan, go figure!) and could explain what I wanted. The result – cute hair that I don’t have to do anything to other than scrunch! I now need to work on more hats and other accessories for SCA events.

SCA – So far I’m pleased with the decision I made after Pennsic – get back to the FUN! I am studiously (g) avoiding politics (SCA and other) as I’m tired of my head going all explode-y (a Buffy marathon a few weeks back is still having an impact, sorry, Justus). I made the decision to not go to the local baronial business meeting this past month. Not sure what I’ll do this month. I do miss seeing people.

Craft-wise I just took a class on quilting and finished my first quilt! It was really entertaining when the teacher saw my collection of fabrics. Everyone else had these pretty calicos. I had solids. A dark apple green, periwinkle and black. When she finally saw it all put together she decided she liked it (and I think that surprised her). I used the black as the main color so it reminds me of stained glass.

Still working on finalizing our trip to Italy next month. I have hotels for everywhere but Ferrara. Also still trying to decide how we’re getting from Milan to Ferrara and then on to Florence. We’d like to drive a bit and see the countryside as well as avoiding backtracking to Milan from the side trip to Pavia. The car rental company I used for England and France is coming up as prohibitively expensive, but I have a line on an Italian one – Maggiore. Anyone ever use it? We also need to work some more on museum reservations. And I need to buy a new digital camera. I’m trying to decide if I want more pixels or more zoom.

Whew! Thanks for reading (unless you gave up several paragraphs ago).

silverstah

Congratulations to Me!

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:12:18 GMT

Yay! We finally did it! As of Saturday afternoon the wonderfully talented and amazing ladyhelwynn and silverstah became my apprentices! I am truly blessed to have such wonderful women in my household!

I had a good time researching how I wanted to do the ceremony. I wanted it to be an apprenticing, not a squiring, so we signed contracts and had them witnessed by the "notary". I will be paid in bread and cheese on the Guild of Tailors feast days as well as at Epiphany. Yum!

The Atelier of the Silver Peacock is now official!

Continuing the Buffy meme...

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:25:24 GMT

"Whatever is causing the Joan Collins 'tude, deal with it. Embrace the pain, spank your inner moppet, whatever, but get over it." -- Cordelia

Of course the one I us the most is probably

"Bored now" Willow (vampire)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:15:26 GMT

Anybody have a good recipe for a low fat pastry crust that will work for pasties? I want to make some for Jeff for this weekend, but the recipes I have need lard (yuck) or butter (yummy but not heart healthy). I've run into issues with some doughs in the past not holding up to the filling (part of it is me overfilling I think).

Sad anniversary

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:08:20 GMT

Maybe some year I will be able to get through this day without tears, but not this year. At least the time between Pennsic and the anniversary was better this year. Last year was really hard because it was a Tuesday again. LJ ate the post I had worked on last year. Maybe some day I'll actually manage to get all my memories down of that day.

My love to all of you, especially those of you from my "breakfast, breakfast, breakfast" club. Spike still wears the American flag I received at dinner that night.

A 2 yr old needs a story, and I need a hug.

Random Updates

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:25:12 GMT

So tired. I've had insomnia for about a week now. I just can't seem to make myself get to bed at a reasonable time.

Marguerite is watching Sesame Street - James Blunt is singing "Triangle" to the tune of "You're Beautiful". She's trying to use the balloon from Benefse's reception as a pillow with not much success. Now she's decided that Teddy's bed is much more comfortable. I keep trying to catch a picture of her in there, but the camera is never around when I need it.

She has been so much fun lately. Her language skills are improving so quickly, and it's so funny to hear what she comes up with.   Lately if you tell her that it's time to do something she doesn't want to do she usually replies "No, thanks" or "I don't think so"!

We went to String Thing yesterday. Hopefully she wasn't too annoying to people. Francesca was very welcoming and gracious, but I know that not everyone enjoys having children around. I always worry that she's irritating people and that I'm being oblivious. Clue-by-four me as needed.
_____________________________________________________

Miss M starts pre-school next week. I'm looking forward to having some time to myself. I haven't felt very creative lately and would like to really dive in to some of the projects that are waiting in the sewing room. Last fall I concentrated on getting some of the UFO's done, with some success, and I think I want to focus on doing that again although I bought some yummy silk from Clare last week and need to check on an idea I had for it.  I really want to decrease the amount of stuff in the sewing room. At a certain point I just can't focus on anything if the room isn't reasonably tidy.   Reasonably being relative.
_____________________________________________________

Plans for our trip to Italy are coming along. So much to see, so little time. It's been over 20 years since I was there, and Jeff has never been. I hadn't even started studying Italian art when I was there last, so there are tons of paintings, frescos,etc that I want to see. I'm trying to squeeze in a trip to Ferrara to see the frescos at the Schifanoia palace. I've taught a class on the fashions depicted and would love to see the details that don't show in the art books.
_____________________________________________________

We're planning to go to SSBB this weekend. Jeff wants to play with the horses. He had a great time at the equestrian practice this weekend, including getting to joust for the first time. He's hoping to authorize as a banneret this weekend as well as get in another MIT-Equestrian session.  Jeff was really happy this weekend to meet a man in his 60's who was playing equestrian games and learning to joust. He is so happy finding different things to do than can help take the place of the heavy fighting that he has to forgo. I was so happy that he got to fight in some of the historic martial arts tournaments at Pennsic. If he can do those, fight in battles at Gulf Wars (it's cooler than Pennsic) and do the equestrian games and jousting, he should be happy (as well as very busy).

Well, need to run. We need some fresh air before it starts to rain.

Stop Oil Speculation

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:28:27 GMT

www.StopOilSpeculationNow.com.

I received a link to this site this morning. I encourage all of you to check it out. I know that some of the increase in oil prices is due to shifts in the demand curve, but oil speculators are causing the price to rise even faster. The proposed legislation sounds reasonable to me, and I have sent e-mails to my Congressmen to support it.

oop but funny

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:21:23 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDU0KurkZ-k&feature=related

No video just sound.

Just to make Justus twitch

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:35:59 GMT

http://www.rr.com/view/content/story.cfm?storyId=5161779&view=ENTERTAINMENT&sSect=LP1-T2VGEN

No Sapphire Joust for Me

Fri, 23 May 2008 02:41:23 GMT

I had hoped to go and see people, but, yet again, Miss M has gotten sick. This time it's a lovely little virus called Hand-Foot-Mouth aka coxsackievirus. She hasn't slept through the night the last two nights, and it's been really difficult to get her to eat or drink. Thank goodness for Popsicles. Fortunately this one adults generally don't catch - because we had it as kids. Since she seems pretty miserable large portions of the time, I hope this is so.

On a happier note we finally got the turtle sandbox filled with sand. She had a good time playing outside, and it seemed to distract her from the pain in her throat. We now have this lovely area off to the side of the house where we can sit in the shade and watch her play. It was really peaceful at times with the birds singing and the breeze going through the trees.

___________________________________________________________

Need to get started on the Pennsic sewing. I feel like I have no clothes. In reality I know that I have clothes, but I'm tired of them. I want field garb that's persona appropriate as well as some Middle Eastern to wear when I know I'm going to be toddler chasing.

Sleepy now.

Women in Art History

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:30:47 GMT

www.artgallery.lu/digitalart/women_in_art.html

really beautiful and fascinating to watch. Thank you,nancaurelia!

Catching Up

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:16:39 GMT

I HAS NEW CAR!

Since Spike, my beloved Aztek, scared me a few weeks ago by some serious hesitating while driving (seems to be OK now) and he has over 100K on him, I began seriously searching for a new vehicle for me. I started out with the idea that I was replacing Spike and needed the same functionality. Unfortunately, they don't really make vehicles as versatile as the Aztek that get the kind of gas mieage I was hoping for. Somewhere in the process I realized that I didn't need to fully replace Spike (which we're keeping as Jeff will drive the 25 mpg Aztek to work now instead of the 18 mpg F-150) - what I needed was a car that was really good for driving around town and occasional trips when we didn't have a lot to take. So...

I now have a new (mostly) 2008 Honda Civic sedan! Somebody traded it in with 5400 miles on it (I can't explain it), which meant that they had taken most of the depreciation hit, and I got a really good deal on a new car! I like it, but I'm having to readjust to being so low vs. the Aztek and climbing out of it is still a bit of a challenge. On the drive home he told me his name was "Bertie" (think George VI - reasonably nice looking, not terribly exciting but very dependable)

The sewing room is almost clean! I have swatched all the fabric I'm planning to and have it organized neatly! I redid my UFO list the other night and have knocked off two projects on the list! Now I'm working on sleeves for the purple patterned dress with the purple velveteen guards. Unfortunately what I keep finding for the dress are pictures where there aren't any sleeves or they are matching voluminous sleeves, and I don't think I have enough fabric left. I have this picture in my mind of short sleeves that are gathered into the armscye and then are gathered around the upper arm leaving a 2 -3" ruffle. Very cute, and I have enough fabric. The few examples of it I've found tend to be on mythological creatures. Sigh. I still have a few books to go through. Obviously this wasn't a common style, but I would swear I had seen it someplace!

For those who have suffered from Internet arguments...

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:00:55 GMT

From the French word of the day post...

"Arguing is to the modern Frenchman what thinking was to Descartes, a proof of
existence....Vitupero ergo sum: I bicker, therefore I am."

--from the book "Culture Shock! France" by Sally Adamson Taylor: