Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year! Our Trip To See The Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Wishing you all a great 2013!  I'm glad to see 2012 go for the most part and I know I'm not alone.  A lot of changes coming for me and mine, but I've always worn jersey 13 so this should be good luck!

I know many of you are dying to get my review of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert.  I'm not that familiar with them,  just "Carol of the Bells" and am constantly mixing them up with Mannheim Steamrollers.  Their shows are a bit different from what I normally see, but Mark thought the kids would really like it and I think they did.

Here is what I thought:

The tickets are pretty expensive, even for our seats in outer space.  The ones on the floor were up to $700 a crack and that wasn't happening.  This is one show where being on the floor though made a big difference.  Much of the light show and special effects are targeted for straight-on floor viewing.  Not only did we miss some of the effects, but many were downright annoying as the lights burned right through my retinas!  When we watched the video (below) we saw the sheets of light and smoke that were cool to look up at, but we were above them.  We also had stage stuff blocking the view on occasion.

They did make some effort to go to the back of the hall and got on lifts a few times so we could see them.  Overall, I enjoyed it.  But the "Christmas Story" is depressing and lengthy with too many dragged out solos.  A few entertained the singer more than the audience if you know what I mean.  I have been known to sing a little so I understand the joy of singing certain songs as more of a "vocal exercise" but they are best left as warm-ups or rehearsal pieces.

The "story" section went on and on and when it was over I thought the whole concert was over.  The kids were mad because their favorites weren't performed.  Then the lead guy said "before the second half" he wanted to introduce everyone... great.  As he did introductions of about a dozen of them, he mentioned that the 10ish string folks were from the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra.  While he had explained the names, talents and places his folks were from, he didn't even quickly name the COSO folks.  Considering his band members get introduced over and over around the world, it would have meant more to the COSO folks to take a minute and introduce them here in their hometown!

But I digress...between doing new songs (more self-aggrandizing solos) they did the familiar tunes and then it was interesting.  I also found out they are plain old Americans and I have no idea what the name connection is with Siberia. The musicians are excellent though, especially the lead violinist and guitarist.  They had some dance sequences that were odd and I haven't seen hair shaking like that since the 80s.  Wouldn't be surprised if they all had whiplash.  You had to have long hair just to be in the band!

We had a nice family day.  Would I go back to see them again?  Probably not unless I had that $700 seat and didn't have to pay for it.  Here is a you-tube link to the identical show done a few weeks ago.  Almost looks like a totally different show than what we saw at our vantage point...




Until next time!  
Gale

Saturday, December 29, 2012

How We Spent Our Christmas Vacation (or What We Did When I Wasn't Working During The Kid's Vacation!)

Hello!  I hope this finds you safe and well.  Here's what went on here at the 'Creek!


Audra's Rudolph Cupcake!
Day One- Hour One:

It started off on a gray, rainy, crappy day.  Audra and I walked in to a chilly house so I turned on the Harmon pellet stove.  Since we were both going to be upstairs, I asked her to turn that off.  A few minutes later I'm upstairs on the computer and smell something burning.  I ran downstairs and it smelled like we were burning leaves in the living room, but I didn't see anything.  I ran to the basement and likewise.  When I came up the steps I could see smoke seeping out of the hopper of the stove.  So, dummy me wants to see what's going on and I open the hopper lid.  Smoke rolled out of it.  Apparently, it got mad when turned off while trying to ignite.  Who knew????  So glad I was home.  I don't think the house would've caught fire, but it took us long enough to get the smell out that did happen!

Day Two- All Day:

Nasty wind and snow blowing sideways.  Shut the hens in, made the toy dogs potty in the snow they hate, ran a couple errands and called it a day.  Watched the perennial holiday classic "J. Edgar."  (Well, most of it.  Just messing!  Couldn't be further from a holiday classic:)
Taylor was in charge of the tree this year.  He wanted only red, white and gold ornaments and lights on a real tree.  He did a great job!

Days Three and Four- All Day:

Worked.  I am still trying to wrap my head around the shopping public.  Unless I am wrong, Christmas is always December 25th, every single year!  Although it could be worse (appliances aren't as bad as a toy department), I am amazed at the folks who come in and make unrealistic requests like this was an unscheduled event.  Buying a special order (2 weeks leads time) dishwasher on Sunday the 23rd and expecting it professionally installed on the 24th is more than a Christmas miracle.  It just ain't happening folks!  I think people like to make us jump through hoops just because they think they can.  If your refrigerator is working and it's not a gift, why isn't delivery on the 26th acceptable?  Even if it is a gift, can't you wrap up a photo and have it delivered the later?  My delivery guys have families too and there are only so many hours in a day (24 at last count.)  Remember, you had 365 days since last Christmas to plan for this one!  If you are still needing gifts, Walgreen's probably has the latest versions of Chia Pets on the shelves ready to go!  (A personal favorite is Chia-Obama...ROFLOL!)

Day Five- 

Enjoyed a lovely time with my dear friend Barb.   We have spent 26 Christmas Eve's and/or Christmases together!  After sharing a holiday meal of pizza on paper plates at Donato's (a bit of a communication lapse occurred) the kids, Mark and I went to a tiny church for a simple Christmas Eve service.  Next time though, I might opt for a larger church that has a nursery available for screaming and wailing little ones... I know...I should let that go, but I can't imagine why several sets of parents thought it was OK to stay...

The four of us were treated to "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" tickets for Sunday's performance by Mark.  The kid's were delighted.

Day Six- Christmas Day-

Went to my brother Jeff's for a lovely Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.  We really enjoyed a nice time together and were thankful that the weather held out for mom and my younger brother Stan to make it from Zanesville.  We swung by the new Hollywood Casino on the way home and it was actually open.  I would think folks could take ONE day off to celebrate Christmas with their families!

Day Seven- Level Two Snow Emergency- 

The dreaded blizzard has begun, though I thought maybe we would be lucky as it didn't start on time!  Now I have no excuse to not do indoor chores!  I diligently stopped at Turkey Hill yesterday and picked up necessities, but of course, now that I'm stuck here I realize we are running out of toilet paper!    Where did it all go that I bought last weekend???  Now rationing... found a partial roll in Taylor's room he was using as Kleenex and commandeered for the greater good.

Day Eight- All is well-

Aside from work and snow, that's about it.   I am excited to see this blog nearing 10,000 hits so quickly.  I plan to celebrate with a post many of you have been asking about,  The topic starts with an "H", but you will have to wait and see!

Keep safe!
Gale





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas Greetings From The 'Hood!

Hello!

The kids and I stopped by this Columbus, Ohio landmark (unfortunately, we didn't have time to stay for the lights to come on as it is lovely.)  I will just let the photos speak for themselves.  State Auto Insurance Company sponsors this "Christmas Corner" and has a full-time artist employed to be in charge of maintaining this display.  Choirs and bands give concerts here and on Christmas Eve, Baby Jesus is placed in the manger.  There is a sound track available by regular or smart phones telling the story.  You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.  "Christmas Corner" is located near the intersection of Broad and I-71.























If you just can't get enough of the "Diaries," please go to the index and enjoy some previous holiday posts!

Audra was invited again this year to perform for the Ohio Wesleyan president's Christmas card.  Here it is for you to enjoy as well.


Well, it's time for me to get to bed.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Gale

Friday, December 14, 2012

Gale's Gallery: Christmas 2012, Part Two

Maybe my favorite of all!
Hello,

I hope this finds you enjoying the season and not stressed out!  Many years ago I took ceramics classes as my night out with adults.  Every mom with toddlers needs a few hours a week on their own!  (Not sure it is different with teens... although there are fewer bottles and diaper changes LOL!)

You saw (I assume) the turkey I painted a couple posts ago.  That was done last year and my first piece in 15 years.  I ordered as bisque from an eBay seller (greenware dried out of the mold, then cleaned and fired once.)  That was actually the second turkey as the first one arrived in a dozen pieces.  I don't recommend ordering bisque this way.  It is best to go to a ceramic class or find a dealer in your area.  If one was a purest, they would have their own clay, molds and kiln.  I am not a purest:)

Aside from the breakage (and the current turkey came cracked on the bottom), getting high quality results starts with a well-cleaned piece of greenware.  I paid a little extra to have my greenware professionally cleaned because it saves time and I wasn't fast at that.  I also love instant gratification, so wanted to start painting asap!  BTW, cleaning is etching out the detail work and smoothing out the mold lines.  A bad job is the foundation for a crappy looking finish.  Garbage in, garbage out.  This also means don't expect bisque pieces at craft stores to come out nice.  Most of the time they will have lines, tiny holes and lack detail.

When I say paint, I mean I generally do acrylic painting.  These do not need a second firing and can not be used for food or liquids unless the interior was glazed and fired.  That is the stage after bisque, but before painting.  I finish off acrylic pieces with spray sealant.  I have done a few glazed pieces, but I mostly gave them as gifts, so I can't find any to show you.

Here are some of the pieces that survived moves, children, storage and not getting thrown out with the trees for all these years...  Just this morning I woke up to this carnage:


Anyone who still needs a reason to believe in God needs to see this!  Note Audra's sleigh fell off the tree and the runners broke off, but the angel and her delicate wings remains unharmed!

I only did ceramics for a few years, but each year had a new theme of ornaments.   I can't seem to get this crazy program to let me organize these so I apologize in advance!

This is a candy jar.



"Rudolph"
One of my more "formal" looking ones.  She has pearlized white
wings with an overlay of 14k gold.
My "Fallen" Angel
Stuffed Bear
It took me a whole summer to paint this.  Audra and Taylor both like it, so guess I will be painting another!
Candy Kiss Santa candy jar
This "lucky" Star Santa has survived though Audra thought it
would be fun for him to "dance" on a marble windowsill.
Note his poor cracked beard.  

Here are some ornaments that I would love to have, but since they are expensive, I just let the photos inspire me:  They are from Neiman-Marcus by MacKenzie-Childs.  






I promise to do a non-craft post next.  But lots of folks seem to enjoy my Gale's Gallery from the number of "hits."  

Remember, 
"Jesus Is The Reason For The Season" so don't fret about the small stuff!

Gale

Monday, December 10, 2012

Gale's Gallery: Christmas 2012, Part One

Greetings!  I apologize for the gap between posts, but I am sure you all are just as busy as me, if not, more so!  I have been trying to take photos for this for several days, but here in Ohio we are practically living in 24 hours of darkness.  I like natural light for photos, but gave up the wait.

This year I've streamlined many of our traditional activities and I don't think it's even going to be noticeable.  Taylor and I decorated one real tree, I put my mini-tree on the dining room table, put out my Nativity, probably no baking and shopping was mostly online.

I do have some crafts I'd like to share.  Mostly mine, but this time I am "borrowing" some other ideas as well that I like.  Please look in the index for holiday posts and ideas from last year too!

CRANBERRY WREATH:
This might be something "anyone can do" but it took me several years to get around to finishing it!  Not hard, but time consuming (and a bit painful.)  The complete directions for the "original" wreath are available at marthastewart.com.


Basically, you wind red binding around a floral styrofoam wreath.  Then paint tiny nail heads (pins are too small) with red nail polish (pun intended.)  This is easier if you poke them into scrap styrofoam and do a bunch at once.  Martha used glass beads of different sizes for texture.  Not only were faceted glass beads hard to find, but expensive and heavy!  So, I used three sizes of plastic ones and it still looks nice.

Next you slide a bead over the nail and push it through the binding into the wreath.  This is the part that hurts.  Maybe a little hammer would work better.  You just keep filling in (the back is flat and just covered with the binding.)  In 7 or 8 years, viola!  I had a wreath!

I wanted to do something different than cards this year, so I made a few paper stockings instead.

This is the year of shortcuts, so I used a Sizzix stocking die and cut them out of scrapbook paper.  Just added a candy cane with ribbon.  My glue pen wasn't holding, so I used colored staples.  I've been kinda disappointed in the Martha Stewart Craft adhesives.  The tape runner has giving me problems too.   BTW, that tiny tree is a mainstay at our house.  It's a Hallmark miniature from the 90s.  The first thing up and the last down.

Another tradition is running over to West Liberty, OH for a Marie's Candy run.  It's in an old train station and is always decorated like Santa's Workshop (well I guess not always.  It's cute at Easter also.)  I love the peppermint chews, but I only get 1/4 pound as they are gone by the time I get home!  Audra loves the chocolate and carmel coated pretzels.

They do a lovely job of wrapping the boxes of candy so they are "eye candy" as well under the tree.   As we were leaving we saw a candy train station.  I had Taylor take a pic with his ipod.

Really cute!  You can order online at mariescandies.com  (not the this, but the candy!)





Well, it's getting late.  I am planning to have another Gallery or two, plus a humor post this week.  When we get to the 10,000th hit, I will post some photos and write about my Hollywood years.

Until then, 
Gale

Monday, December 3, 2012

And So It Begins...

The mad dash for the Christmas finish line.  I have asked my co-workers to please remind me how much I love the holiday season.  I do.  I really do.  But, something has to be done about it coming earlier every year!  Wal-Mart starts the frenzy by putting out decorations in September.  Not to be outdone, the rest of the big box stores follow suit.  Where I work, we had the Grim Reaper across the aisle from Santa.  Kinda creepy!  I thought Christmas in July was a joke, but now it's not funny.

Silly me, I thought it was first Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Black Friday, then Christmas, then New Year's.  I happen to like that order.  Well, Black Friday has been moved up with Pre-Black Friday specials, but the worst to me is opening Thanksgiving Day.  It's shameless.  It's not even necessary.  Since Thanksgiving is a national holiday, why not pass a law that retail establishments be closed, period.  That way folks can be thankful for something other than they were able to find a parking place, jump a line waiting for the handful of "leader" products (the ones that lure you into the store, but will likely run out in a couple minutes), fight off would-be grabbers out of your cart, waiting in line to pay, then making it home alive.

I had to be at work at 4:30 a.m. Friday with folks waiting outside, albeit only a few, and though bleary-eyed, I did sell my first appliance at 5:02 a.m.  This could have been done just as easily at 8 a.m. (actually for me, easier.)  If everyone pushed back the time from the ridiculous to the sublime, people would still buy stuff.  The same goes for being open on Sunday.  I remember as a kid that one planned to get gas, food, whatever because everything was closed.  The argument that closing hurts the economy doesn't wash with me because a) the economy sucks anyway with them open on Sunday and b) if you are going to buy something, you will still buy it another day.  I sell appliances, right?  If you wanted a washer on Sunday and couldn't get it, would you just decide to live with a broken washer or would you get it Monday????  Nobody says, "Nope, if I can't get it Sunday, I'm just gonna forget about it!"

But I digress...those of us actually in retail don't enjoy the benefits of the Black Friday sales anyway.  By the time we get off, it's old news and all the good stuff is gone.  Or in my case, I went home and took a nap.  Perhaps that was a good thing as I can't pass up a "deal."

I am heading into Columbus to pick up a few things and hope to enjoy "Peace On Earth."  The last time I was in Macy's it looked like a war zone.  Then home to finish decorating and maybe make some cards or ornaments.  Perhaps I will put on TV one of my favorite videos about the "true meaning of Christmas."  It's "The Toy That Saved Christmas" starring the Veggie Tale gang.  I especially love the intermission song where Larry slams the door on the IRS agent...



Until next time, enjoy the season and be careful out there!  If you are staying in, I hope you will check out the other holiday-related posts up in the right corner index by subject page!

Gale


Monday, November 19, 2012

It Was The Weekend Before Thanksgiving...




...and all I did was work, so sorry I haven't posted anything.  I plan to post a Thanksgiving one shortly.

Above are two folks I am very thankful to call my children.  (Can't you tell?  They look alike, then both look like me!  LOL)

To tide you over, check out some of my previous posts on the Index by Topic page.  The Top Ten list that runs down the side of this is out of kilter because I have had many, many new readers in the last few months (another thing for which I'm very thankful!  Bless you!)  Please go to the index for links to the posts below:)

A few of my favorites on the humor side (in no particular order):

"Harley & Me-- The Story of A Girl and Her Hog"

"Ask A Stupid Question..."

"Does Anyone Know Of A Shady Park Bench With WI-FI?"

Crash Test Dummy Series

"On Your Mark, Get Set, OH No!"

"Out Of The Mouths of Babes"

In case I can't make the post before Thanksgiving, here's wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!  See you at 4:30 a.m. on Black Friday @ Lowe's!

Until next time,
Gale

PS:  It probably wouldn't hurt to read the "Be Kind To Salesperson" post either LOL!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Election Post-Mortem: Elation and "Much Ado About Nothing?"

(Welcome!  If you are new to The 'Creek, be sure to check out a variety of posts at the Index By Topic in the upper right corner!  Also there is a 2016 post! Enjoy!)


Tuesday Night, November 6, 2012 at 9:30 p.m. (waking up from a 20 minute nap with the election report on TV as it literally put me to sleep):

I stood with the millions of Americans (and children crying on You-Tube) begging for an end to the election.  It couldn't come soon enough.  Tonight is (almost) as exciting as Christmas Eve except I'm not staying up late and I know that the gift will be peace (if not on Earth, at least on the airwaves, phones, internet (especially Facebook) and in my mailbox.)  I got rid of my landline and the house was blissfully quiet after that.  But, at the end of the day, all of the notable races ended up with the incumbents winning, so why did we bother?  I'm hoping it was at least a wake up call for them that they had better get on the ball!  I fear it will just wind up being the status quo.

I am deeply grateful to have a DVR, which I use to zip through the commercials, but there were so many that even fast forwarding them I still was overwhelmed.  It seems they start advertising earlier every election.  By the time they've torn each other apart, I know (if it's even true) way more than I care to know and am not sure any of them will be any count.  Aside from the presidential race, we in Ohio had a nasty U. S. Senate race.    As you may have heard a few million times, Ohio was the biggest "jewel" in the race crown, so we were bombarded with campaign stops, commercials, calls, etc.  NBC news reported there were 40,129 (presidential only) TV ads in Ohio since October 1st.  Talk about "battleground fatigue!"  Apparently both sides had a lot of money.

Speaking of which, NBC reported that Obama and Romney's camps spent around $900 million.  Well, apparently someone in this economy has money!  Those who wax poetic about how awful that is and that the money would've gone so far to help the poor, yada yada... Number 1--That money wouldn't have gone there anyway.  There's not a default mechanism for that in campaign spending that I know of. 

Number 2--The money spent could be thought of as an economic boost to several industries such as food, lodging (candidates, staff, reporters), transportation, broadcast stations advertising income, printers for all of the propaganda and so on...

BTW, Obama did nothing wrong by using Air Force One to get around the campaign trail.  That is a presidential perk that every one of them has used and it's a perfectly legal benefit for the incumbent (perhaps annoyingly expensive to the taxpayers.)  Who really wants that job anyway?  They all (except Reagan and Bush #41) were young-looking in the beginning, then gray-haired by the end of their terms!  (Bush #41 and Reagan started out old, only Reagan must have had a huge supply of hair dye:)

I am impressed that so many folks went out and voted.  Many, many have died for that right and it is our duty to participate.  In my precinct there were lots of people, but no wait.  It went very smoothly.

Well, off of my red, white and blue soapbox.  I now look forward to endless holiday ads to replace the campaign ones....

Until next time,
Gale



Saturday, November 3, 2012

This Gale's Storm Thoughts...

Hello,

I hope this post finds my Eastern Seaboard friends safe and well.   I send my thoughts and prayers to those who have suffered great losses in "Frankenstorm Sandy's" path.  I certainly don't want to minimize its devastating effects on many lives.   I promise not to get "windy," but a few things caught my attention that I would like to vent on.

It was the worst of times, it was the best of times:  My husband Mark made a post on Facebook as he was delivering generators and supplies to NJ and other potentially damaged areas last weekend.  He said he saw what makes the USA a great place to live.  There was convoy after convoy heading East to get staged for the aftermath, as well as busloads of folks and supply trucks.  The weather was already getting crappy and Mark got the call at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening to leave immediately and drive without sleep 10 hours.  Believe me, he (and they) didn't do it for the money.  Nobody was going to get rich fighting the wind, rain and cold.

I applaud all of the folks there helping their neighbors and the agencies and private citizens who are on the ball donating what is needed.  Those power crews are gonna be working insane hours for a long time.  Not to mention those trying to keep the peace, pumping out water or trucking supplies in to crucial spots.  I hope the complaining doesn't get them down because you will never please everyone.  I kind of feel sorry for President Obama because he was accused of using the storm for political purposes by going and doing what a sitting President is supposed to do.  If he hadn't gone to survey the damage and meet the local officials, they would have said he wasn't doing his job because he was more concerned about the election.

So, now is where I will vent.  Since it was all that was on TV, I watched several stations report on the impending storm.  There were newscasters hanging onto trees, beach piers and standing in the middle of the street with water up to their knees in mandatory evacuation areas, perhaps not setting a good example in safety.  There was a guy dressed as Santa running around Battery Park giving interviews as to why he was doing that (I still didn't get it) and off of Coney Island, there were people bobbing in the water apparently surfing as folks were to be leaving.

There was what, a week of warning?   So, why were some people still not prepared?  I am not talking about the elderly and ill.  Just regular folks.  Generators, batteries, non-perishable food items, clothes, water, etc. are sold all year around, but people wait until an impending disaster to get them creating long lines and/or shortages (if they even go get them then.  I believe in miracles too, but in this case I would hedge my bet by getting supplies.)   When authorities tell them to evacuate, some people are bound and determined not to leave their house.  Duh.  These people put our first responders in harm's way to save them unnecessarily.  I heard the governors told them not to expect to be rescued until after it's over.  Good.  I think they should be fined if they have to be rescued even then.  They didn't obey the law.

Their excuses run from "I want to protect my house"--really?  If a wave, tree. barge, (in this case, possibly roller coaster/ferris wheel) or whatever hits your house, how is your being there gonna stop it???  to "I can't leave my animals"--sorry, I have several animals and used to run a kennel.  Never have more animals then you can evacuate without anyone's help and have a plan.  We have a crate for every pet.  Getting them out before is a heck of a lot easier then in a canoe later.  (IF they will take you...)

I am stunned that the captain and crew of that Disney ship would attempt to sail around a storm that was 900 miles wide at one point to sail down to FL.  It wasn't even a modern vessel, but a copy of a sailing ship used in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.  Probably not a technological marvel.  Why?

The moral of this post is "Don't Mess With Mother Nature!  She always wins."  Our house was a direct hit from an albeit small tornado a few years ago.  We were very fortunate as we were safe even though we had no idea it was coming at 5 a.m. on a Sunday.  But that was quite a wake-up call to take weather seriously.

They say nature is unpredictable, but hurricane season comes every year, followed by blizzard season, then tornado season, then fire season.  So we might as well get used to it and be prepared.

Stay safe until next time,
Gale

Friday, October 26, 2012

My "Rescue 9-1-1" Blunder-- Part Two


...and here's "the rest of the story!"

Well, we had some time to rehearse alright, but not because of my request.  The house was disgusting and the cast/crew had made some comments, even sending someone to the store to get cleaning supplies.  The girls (of course) came back with rubber gloves and disinfected what they could, plus had to do the dishes, etc.  Well, the owners (and the subjects of this episode) overheard comments and were offended that anyone would find their home abnormally dirty.  (Think "Hoarder" episodes... hey, the flies were going out the doors...)  They threatened to throw everybody out.   (Darn, they didn't!)

So, trying to rehearse was a nightmare between the cleaning crew, arguing and who would have a better sense of smell than a human???  You got it!  The dogs were so distracted with the place they couldn't focus for more than a second.  Plus, I saw the original dog scratching... I pulled my gang out and we practiced in the motor-home, applying a generous amount of flea protection to the dogs.  I also appreciated being able to keep an eye on my Range Rover to make sure it hadn't wound up on blocks... such was the neighborhood.

After observing the situation, most of us were having trouble believing the storyline...  We started shooting mid-afternoon while the production company unhappily arranged for a second night in the hotel and the per-diems.  We weren't starving, because "Ann" was smart and put stuff in her fridge.  The three of us went through two pounds of M & M's we nicknamed "stress tabs."

One scene, the director, me, an actress and the cameraman were in the bathroom getting a shot of the dog coming through the door to the shower.  (I was actually getting the dog to come to me, so I was in the shower with the actress portraying the mother, fully dressed with shoes on and still grossed out even though it got bleached!)  The poor cameraman had to sit on the toilet because the director was in the only other out of range spot.  I said to the cameraman, "That has got to be against union rules."  He said, "If not, it's at least against the laws of humanity!"

This whole shoot was like an out-of-body experience in a dream you can't wake up from.  The main dog's owner we'll call "Bertha" decided she should be paid a trainer's fee because we needed her help sometimes.  That wasn't in the budget, but she was ticked and I was frazzled, so I believe I gave her a cut of my ever-dwindling profit to stop her from walking off with her dog in the middle of the shoot.  They weren't going to give her money as they didn't even like her.   I was asked to tell her to chill or leave the set more than once.

Thankfully, "Ann" was calm and helped me through this, helping to figure out how to "cheat" some shots and keeping "Bertha" at bay.  When we were finished, we were so drained we just grabbed stuff and left.  I needed to get the other collie home (she did get some face time though!)  Of course, I left two brand new personalized director's chairs in that backyard, a cooler and who knows what else.

I hadn't talked to the sitter in a few hours, so decided to stop at a pay-phone to save some money and call.  Well, it turns out that two year old Audra had been helping herself to the cupboard while the sitter was on the phone.  She grabbed a box of red jello (which was a fluke we even had it, but it came with free alphabet cookie cutters someone gave her for Christmas.)  She ripped open the box and spilled the powder in the center of our living room on the pale silver carpet.

Not a big deal, except instead of vacuuming it up, the sitter claimed they didn't want to ruin my "sweeper" so they, "mopped it up as best they could."  I let that process a second and then I said, "what do you mean by 'mopped it up?'  You added water?????"  Take a guess.

I came home to an enormous red spot in the center of the front room that had already dried.  I tried everything and then had two cleaning companies come out that specialized in stains.  This cost a couple hundred, not to mention it didn't work.  You couldn't cover it with furniture, so the only option was to buy new carpeting for the living and dining rooms, plus at least the hallway because it was the same carpet throughout and nothing new would match exactly due to the age of the carpet.

Well, it was a rental and I wasn't doing that even if I could afford it.  We might get dinged on the carpet (though legally landlords are supposed to paint and change the carpet) when we moved, but it wouldn't be as much as replacing it.  So, I cut an organically shaped piece out of a closet and put in a nearly matching carpet sample there.  I took the piece to the living room and cut out the stain and used dog clippers or something to lower the pile and blend it in.  If you didn't know it was there, you couldn't easily tell.

That would be the end of the story, except when I got the final check from the company, I had forgotten per diems with some companies are merely advances and not extra pay (though I usually got this in addition.)  So, backing out the per diems and paying for the dogs, "Ann" and "Bertha" left me with nearly nothing, nothing or in the hole.  Can't remember.  Certainly after the carpet, way in the hole.

My wise brother Jeff summed it up by saying, "Well, now you know this is something you don't want to do anymore."  I gave it a try and learned from it.  So mistakes are often kind of helpful in a painful way.  I could focus on another direction.  The show came on and it looked okay, but I never accepted another assignment!

Rest In Peace Sophie... our Rhode Island Red hen died right after I finished Part One.  She was fine (at least to me) in the yard a few minutes before.  We are now back to the original nine hens. --GW-T

Until next time,

Gale

Saturday, October 20, 2012

My "Rescue 9-1-1" Blunder---Part One

What I really needed was someone to rescue me... "If I were to write a book entitled "Dumb Things I've Done" it would wind up looking like a set of encyclopedias (hey a good way to organize it!)  I would have to say that this story would be in the Top Ten." --GW-T

I'm typing this story totally from memory (one that I have suppressed for maybe 18 years):

Once upon a time, there was this gal (me) who wanted to make some money as a stay-at-home mom and do something "fun" at the same time.  I owned and trained a wonderful golden retriever bitch "Windi" to obedience high in trial awards, as a water rescue dog in Malibu and a motion picture trick dog during the 1980s.  (I will post about her soon.)  So, I figured doing a little TV/print work around Ohio would be a piece of cake compared to Hollywood.   This was not the case.

My dog love of my life "Windi" had long passed away, but I am well connected in the "dog world."  I have been active in many clubs, forming many life-long friendships with folks who would trust me with their dogs.  I set up a little business and mailed out a few brochures.  I did some print work and would pay a rental fee (or offer, some folks just liked having their dogs in ads) and charge the customer a wrangler fee for myself.  I wasn't getting rich, but all I had to do was a little training and show up ---usually.

My "big break" was when a casting director called and asked me to send some photos of collies to do a "Rescue 9-1-1" in Dayton.  This was a reality show way before they were popular.  All I had to do was match dogs and have a spare that could paw at a door and push it open.  No biggie.  I also needed to give them a rate upfront.  That comes into play later.

I have lots of friends with collies, so I easily found a matching pair, way better looking than the original dog, but nobody would know that.  I found one of them through a trainer friend, who wanted to become involved.  So, I decided to be broker and turn over the training which could take a few hours to her.  Unfortunately, the owner of the main dog decided she too wanted to participate.  That has never been my policy as the potential for disaster is exponentially multiplied---and I usually like being right, but not this time.   The owner was originally just coming along for the ride...I would only be paying the dog...

We, of course, only had a short time to get our act together before the shoot.  Thank goodness the trainer friend I will call "Ann" had a motor home we could use as a home base.  I swung by and picked up my 2nd dog and met them at a rest area.  We got to the hotel in Dayton and settled in with our instructions.  All was well, get up at 4 a.m. and go.

I went to the morning meeting and the director changed everything.  Why I didn't expect that, I don't know.  With "Windi" I could train on the spot if need be, so I guess I hadn't thought about it.  This happens all the time, even though we were supposed to be re-creating an actual event.  The director, who immediately said he hated working with kids and dogs, obviously knew nothing about either.  There was a set of six week old twin babies who were miserable the whole shoot and never stopped crying.  My dogs kept coming unglued with that as it upsets them to hear anything cry.

This director also decided this was his one chance to direct a "Lassie" episode and wanted us to have the dog walk in the nursery, put feet on the bed, see the baby not breathing, fretting and barking, then circling a certain number of times,  jumping on the bathroom door as well as pawing, push it open and jump in a shower, dragging the mother out to "save" the baby.  Shooting would start in 30 minutes.  We had to be done by dark.  And oh, there won't be room on the credits to add me.

I left the meeting shell-shocked and went back to the motor home to explain.  This was to be shot in a sequence and not takes of each trick, meaning the dog would have to go from A to B to C on it's own.  There would have to be all three of us directing that poor dog.  The house was tiny and between us, the cameraman, gaffers, sound guy, etc. it was crowded and overwhelming to the dogs.  My beautiful second dog was mostly an insurance policy and not really trained.  I did work with her on the door stuff a little.  Everything obviously had to be hand signaled as you can't have us hollering commands all through the scene.

I went back to the A.P. (assistant producer) and explained the situation.  We would need some time to rehearse in the house at the very least and I would see what I could do, but this was not in the original agreement and I was making no promises.  They could tape some barking and plug it in where necessary and we had to get the dog to do that without saying anything.  Try it sometime.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my original babysitter was unavailable and poor Mark had to arrange a replacement at the last minute as he had a business to run.  This also turned into a disaster and the dollar a minute cell phone bill escalated---chipping away at my "profit."  This would prove to be the least of my worries.

Believe me, you will want to come back next week "for the rest of the story"...

Until then, have a great week!

Gale

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Gale's Gallery VII: Art Anyone Can Create--Scarves

Hello Arts 'N Crafters!

I do apologize for a) that I haven't posted any craft pieces lately-- usually involves taking pictures and thinking instead of my normal rambling verbiage... b) if you aren't into making scarves I think you'll want to browse the 77 other posts for now...sorry to disappoint!

However, lots of you have read the other Gale's Galleries, so I will continue as I have many projects left in my "art arsenal."

Today we will knit a super simple scarf that my yoga instructor and friend Bonnie showed me.  If however, you feel you would just like one and not make it, please let me know and I will give you her contact info as she makes them to sell in a variety of colors.  Bonnie could make a killing if we could only find scarlet and gray yarn!  They have one, but it has black and white in it.... but I digress.

First, the yarn.  At first glance this looks like a nightmare to work with.  It isn't the fastest, but it is doable.  The key is to get it separated beforehand.  It will pop back somewhat, but I chose to wind it on a leftover remote (Finally!  A use for the dozen that sit around!  It just happened to be handy, anything will work.)  There are many types of yarn for this, but I've tried Red Heart Boutique Sashay.  It requires size 9 needles.  (I hate working with long metal ones, they are cumbersome and slippery.  For easiest results, I got bamboo circular needles and just kept flipping it.  That way the project is safely stored on the loop when not in use.)

Leaving a 5 inch tail, you cast on 6 to 10 stitches, depending on how wide you want the finished project.  You can make a scarf a skein if you go 6.  You don't even really have to cast on, just run your needle through 6 holes.

Knit into the top row of stitches in the yarn.  It doesn't matter if it's not always in the same spot as you won't see it anyway.  Keep stretching out the yarn as you go to make it easier.  This is easy straight knitting, but kinda slow going because of the yarn bunching up.

Below are steps of what the yarn looks like to help visualize the technique:

The original skein of Red Heart Sashay yarn found at least at Jo-Ann's and Michael's.

What it looks like unfurled.

This one I used metal circular needles, but stitches kept slipping.  From now on, I will only use bamboo or those rubbery "baleen" needles.

Almost done!

Keep going until you are about 10 inches from the end, then cast off leaving about 5 inches left of a tail.

I chose to skip the sewing part on the ends, because the knit is so loose it looked like it would be a pain and might not hold.  So, I knotted each end then sealed with "Fray Check" liquid fabric glue after I cut off any excess.  Since the ends are covered by the lace, you can't see it and it will hold forever.

I actually got a bright idea to try and stretch the yarn width-wise before knitting it by putting in on a "bobbin."  Since there were several old remotes nearby, I wound the yarn on one.  Humorously, folks thought I had used my current DirectTv remote and panicked!  Like I would do that (at least on purpose????)


So enjoy sitting in front of the TV and knitting these quick little fun scarves!

Until next time,

Gale


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

"Drawing Winners!"

Hello all!,

Hope this finds you well and enjoying a lovely Fall day!  I will have a post in the next day or two, but if you must get your 'Creek fix, there are 77 prior posts to tide you over...you can find them on the Index By Topic page in the upper right corner.

A couple weeks ago I requested a favor if you had a moment to answer a few questions for me in hopes of improving this blog.  The responders were to be put in a drawing for a Starbuck's gift card.  Since three fabulous ladies took their valuable time to help me, I decided to give them each a gift card.   Thank you girls!

Now, the rest of you are "up the 'Creek without a latte"... but cheer up as I am sure there will be further opportunities for other gifts and prizes!

Your blog buddy,

Gale

P.S.:  Your comments are always welcome!   

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Eat, Drink and Be Merry...For Tomorrow You May Die-t!


A Wisconsin news anchor was featured yesterday speaking out on a viewer telling her she was too heavy to be on TV.  Good for her!  This reminded me of a favorite essay I wrote several years ago, that still applies to this day.   I am thinking many of you will be able to laugh and relate!  GW-T

“It is better to have dieted and lost, than to have never dieted at all.” –Gale Williams-Thompson

Disclaimer:  The following is not to be construed as any sort of advice.  I am not, nor wish to be, a medical, nutritional or fitness expert.  This is just a good-natured essay about my observations, successes and failures in the attempt to keep (actually, get back) my girlish figure.  Enjoy!

Diet is a four-letter word.  It is no coincidence that the first three letters spell die.  For me, it is about the same thing.  Now there is a difference between dieting and exercising for health concerns (being medically obese) and just being somewhat overweight.  Fortunately, at least at the moment, I fall in the latter category.  But I recognize the time will come when I will have to get with the program.  Just shoot me!

For more than four decades I have fought the Battle of the Bulge.  I have won, but I have lost even more.  Pardon the pun.  At present, I am not winning.  What truly works is to eat like a rabbit and work out constantly.  (Remember manatees get huge eating just lettuce!)  But it isn’t realistic.  Most of us have to juggle full time work, children, errands and house chores.  We are pooped and want real food!
My journey began when I was still very young.  I was a pudgy kid who grew out of it in high school.  My first attempt to diet was eating handfuls of caramels called “Ayds”.  They were supposed to be appetite suppressants.  I guess they worked because after I ate them, I didn’t want dinner!  I still didn’t lose weight.  Imagine that. 

These were terrible, yet popular in the '70s.  I don't think you were supposed to eat a box in one sitting.  They took awhile because they were wrapped in cellophane.  (Which might have been tastier!)

I would eat Ayds while drinking “Tab” or “Fresca.”  These sodas are still available.  I would say that growing up on these drinks has trained my taste buds to actually prefer diet soda.  In the 80’s, I remember eating bread that had wood fiber (sawdust?) in it.  It’s not around anymore.

I drank gallons of this chemical concoction that was later found to be full of cyclamates...whatever that is.  Apparently, lots of lab rats didn't survive it.  I think it's reformulated now and I being sold again.  

 I spent some of my twenties living in Los Angeles eating “Slender Bars” nearly every breakfast and lunch.  I told myself they were tasty. I think they are also extinct.  My mom tried the group humiliation method of dieting.  I tried the “looking for a Hollywood agent” humiliation method.  I was told I was too pretty to be a character actress and too heavy (then, a size 10) to be an ingĂ©nue.

Look how happy she looks!  It was made up of styrofoam looking (and tasting) pebbles with some spray-painted chocolate coating.  You could never find the chocolate caramel nut ones.

In L.A., I learned that being broke could be a good diet aid.  However, it doesn’t work even if you have a little money, because you can afford carbohydrates.  Healthy foods are generally more expensive.   Some people get so depressed that they can’t eat.  Not me.  When I’m depressed, bring it on. Especially chocolate!  I did get down to a three dress and six jeans somehow.  Mostly by not eating and working out every spare minute.

What the “normal” folks need to understand is that those “beautiful people” on the west coast are beyond obsessed.  The stars you see with the perfect bodies have (highly paid) fitness gurus, nutritionists and cooks.  They work out many hours daily.  One fault of society, in my opinion, is outward looks are more prized than they should be.  Body type is only a somewhat changeable inherited trait.  We should be looking more carefully for inner beauty, wisdom and altruism.  It is insulting for many of us to hear about how 106 pound actress Renee Zellweger is working hard to “pack on” twenty pounds for her second Bridget Jones movie.  I would love to weigh only 126 pounds and I’m not alone!  I wouldn’t have to work hard to put on a lousy twenty pounds either!

Though not officially diagnosed, I am sure I had anorexia nervosa while in L.A. (I went from a size 12 to a 3.)  One time I tried bulimia (upchucking), but that was more awful than it was worth.  It was easier to just not eat and over exercise.  I lost my energy, health, monthly cycles, ruined my metabolism and was still thinking I needed to lose more weight.  I am a relatively large framed person and a size three is too small.  If I went a day without working out, I felt really guilty.  After I moved back to Ohio (where normal folks live) it didn’t take long for me to change my lifestyle, gain it all back and then some.

Some of the unsuccessful things I’ve tried in the last decade include, Meridia, Redux, medically endorsed diet shakes (yuck!), no fat diets, all carb diets, no carb diets (whichwould probably work the best if I could only give up everything I love.)  Show me a diet that includes chocolate milk, bread, Oreos and French fries and we’ll talk.  The old fashioned diet pills of the 60’s & 70’s (I believe also known as speed, but they were legal) work fine if you don’t mind never sleeping, rather lying there feeling your heart race.  Once again, they were too nasty to be worth it.


My “Top Ten Diet Rules” are:
#1            If it tastes good, it’s fattening!  Example:  Margarine will never taste as good as butter.  Diet foods are flavorless, unless you add a chemical substance to it such as fake sugar, fake fat, and fake salt.  Often those have worse side effects than the calories!
#2            If it’s “diet”, we eat twice as much of it.  Example:  Remember the “Snack Wells” craze?  It reminded me of the “run on the bank” video footage from the Great Depression.  The cookies are fat free maybe, but certainly not calorie free.  A ton of people (pardon the pun again) gained weight on them when they first came out.  Me too!  The supermarkets limited how many boxes you could buy and only distributed them certain days.  I even had to put my name on a waiting list. 
#3            Diet frozen meals are diet because there is more packaging than food.  Perhaps they should flavor the box!
#4            Thin folks get sick and even die.  Buses aren’t picky about what who they run over.  Many diseases, especially cancer, don’t weigh their victims and give them extra credit for being in shape. (I would rather go into it in a good “fighting weight” though!)  James Fixx, author of “The Complete Book of Running” died jogging at age 52!  My thin exercising friends are always whining about shin splints, bad knees, and other aches/pains.  They have to go to sports medicine specialists. 

#5             Exercise:   Don’t sweat it (just kidding!  It IS good for you!) However, a close friend of mine, who could certainly be considered a health nut, came home from an “extreme” vacation in such bad shape her husband called the squad.  It appeared she was having a heart attack.  Fortunately, it was only some strained muscles.  But, she was in the hospital undergoing lots of elaborate tests (which I couldn’t even afford) and scared to death.  Meanwhile, I was probably on my riding lawn mower, sitting in front of the computer or TV, or even taking a nap. 
#6            Tofu tastes just like it looks. 
#7            Eat from as many food groups as you can.  These include Chinese, Mexican, Italian, fast food, junk food, and take-out food.           
#8             Diets are prejudiced.  They are anti-white.  No white sugar, white potatoes, white bread, 

white pasta, white flour or white rice.  One diet from a recent “Reader’s Digest” even suggested 

chocolate would be better for you than potatoes.  No kidding!  I need to look into this one further.                     

Unfortunately, during both of my pregnancies, all I could keep down was mashed potatoes.  I can 

certainly vouch that they are indeed fattening!





 #9            The only good reason to diet and exercise is to be healthy.  It’s important to take good care of yourself.  Moderation is the key.  The truth is that thin people eat less and do more than heavy ones.   Sad, but true.

#10            Don’t listen to those commercials that attempt to make you feel like a loser.  You know the ones where folks declare they became instantly happy when they got thin.  You have to work on happiness as hard as your health.  I don’t recall being blissfully happy when I was thin.  Actually, it was rather stressful period of my life.  Once you lose the weight, all you do is worry about gaining it back.  Plus, other problems just fill in the void.  I looked pretty good though!

Socially, I wish we could treat weight as a matter of fact issue like my 7-year-old son Taylor does.  Though I died of embarrassment, a heavy young girl in a scout uniform came by our car while we were waiting for his sister.  He said “Look Mom, there’s a big, fat Girl Scout!  I said, “Taylor, shhh, that’s not nice.”  Then he said even louder, “But Mom, she’s big, she’s fat, she’s a big, fat Girl Scout!”  I hurriedly turned on the car and rolled up the windows.  He didn’t mean anything by it.  It was just an observation, not a slam against her personally.

Another recent conversation we had involved those awful diet shakes I occasionally attempt.  He said, “Mom, do you drink those to get skinny?”  I said yes.  He said, “Well, you aren’t too skinny yet!”  Then he wanted to taste it.  I told him to take a small sip and he complied because he “only wanted to get a little bit skinny.”  The next time I opened the fridge he asked, “Mom, are you going to drink another one to get skinny faster?”


The Bible (Hebrew, Isaiah 22:13) states “Eat, drink and be merry.  For tomorrow, you may die.”  Here’s to your happiness, whether you are fat or thin.  Life is to be enjoyed!

Until next time,
Gale