>I KNOW there are new Alternachicks out there lurking... come in and say hello!

Heya! I was lurking, occasionally posting, and just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a pagan and a worker-owner of a solar installation cooperative, so I think I qualify as an alternachick; although if there was a "neo-hippie living the dream" group I might end up there. I have a wonderful DH, two neurotic cats and a half-greyhound dog. I love to cook, especially Indian, southeast Asian, and Japanese food. I have PCOS and the attendant weight gain issues, and I'm pretty new to dieting. (Eat less? Are you nuts?) I'm enjoying one thing about this process - I've been exercising 6 out of 7 days a week for the last three weeks, and I'm really starting to feel great! Hopefully my pants' size will reflect it, too.

I have never been told I have a look that encourages morons to go away - I'm kind of jealous! How do I cultivate one?

Looking forward to reading you all!
Kim

Kim, for the look, I'd suggest studying the look on Squeak's face (see above pic).

A solar installation cooperative!? How cool! I'm dying to have some panels on our house. I'm actually going to build a Trombe wall panel next summer for one of our cold back rooms. I'm pretty excited about it!
Yeah, you're TOTALLY an Alternachick.

Welcome Kim!

Hey Ellis, Hi Squeak,

Thanks for the welcomes. Solar is neat - your wall is a product I'm unfamiliar with, but I'm assuming it's a passive solar room heater, yes? We deal more in electricity generation and water heating but it's all good. We're getting a lot of calls from folks who were really put out after the events of Nov 2 ('nuff said) who are looking to make a difference any way they can. All I can say is, "sure, we can help you!"

Ciao!
K--

Hey all can't beleive it is December... It has been cool here, not like it has for you Northern Folks but it got in the 30's two nights in a row. We have had to put one of our dear cats out in the yard(due to inappropriate tinkling on the carpet) and then resorted to bringing her in due to the cold the past two nights. She is adjusting pretty well for having never been outside in her life til this past weekend- but Having a brand new house smelling of cat urine isn't an option. It is horrible and I feel bad, but the other options were not near a nice as having her in our backyard- so far she has ventured as far as the bottom of the steps.

Ellis your kitchen looks like our old house did while we were rentovating it... it gets scary sometimes. You get up to go get something to drink and then turn back around and go back to bed because the sight gives you the heeby-jeebies.

Den- Writing bills hurts yep it does... wait til January and the Christmas bills start rolling in. You do need to take it easy on your wrist though. DH lost his job back in July due to corporate restructuring- was a small office but there were a couple of guys there who had in 20 + years, were DH had over 7 years. DH is still temping but at least he has found that- there is one guy who hasn't found work yet. It is scary. It is hard to see the economy improving.

Ruth - how did the Christmas shopping go? I went with my mother yesterday. we finished most of hers and I am almost through have about 6 gifts left to buy- have most of the clothes boxed up and ready to wrap (yuck).... is there a rule that kids can't wrap their own christmas?

Jessica - glad your home safe and that cute boyfriend made it to save Thanksgiving.

Solar - Nice to have you around... I don't post alot - I mostly lurk but these are some great gals.

Well hope everyone else is doing well.... Off to get ready for work.

Squeak - My boss actually put in my review that I have in uncanny ability to tell any client what a dumbf*** he is while making the client feel that he was happy to learn how not to be a dumbf*** from me. I think it's the great survival instinct that the working world has taught us - we can't actually come out and say it but we sure know how to convey it. OH! ALSO - you are hot! One sexy cutie with those glasses! Shazam!

Jessica that's great! And thanks

Kim - that sounds like interesting work!

Happy Sunday Chicks!

That's right. There's a diagram of it here:
http://www.bagelhole.org/article.php/Housing/361/
It looks pretty simple to make.
That's great that more and more people there are looking for alternatives, Kim!!

Amy, how's it going with your cat? I'm sure she'll be fine. Cat's are pretty hardy. We have a lot of city cats (well, obviously they're city cats ) here who seem to be out all winter. At least three of them sleep on our verandah.

DH is cutting the hole for the sink right now. And the dishwasher is all hooked up! I'm NEVER renovating another kitchen. Never.

Mauvais, are you back? Did you have fun, hon?!

Boo hoo! Mauv came to California and I didn't know!?! Bummer!

I am soooo tired. Today, I learned why I hate group projects! In Cultural Anthropology, I found out that NOBODY did our powerpoint presentation. The guy that was supposed to do it was like, "oh yeah, I forgot. I've never done it before so I was putting it off." Being the obsessed person I am about my grades (and being on an A/B border in this class), I took it from him. I got it done but then I had to start on my other anthro final (which is ridiculously long). I have been working on this crapola since 3 PM (my time). Sheesh!

I can not WAIT for this semester to end.

Hi all,

Been hella busy - Jess, just read what your boss said in your review. THAT is hilarious! You got skills gerl!

Welcome Kim,

Hey everybody else!!

Tiki

Hello everyone!

I am back from my trip to California. It was really nice but I am not sure I would want to live there - it is just so different from where I live. I think if I lived there I would have to live near the mountains

They were having unusually cold weather there according to the locals so I was glad I had a couple of sweaters with me and my gloves.

We had a great time and the people were really nice. I didn't have time to go to Disneyland but did make it out to dinner at the Downtown Disney area and picked up a few Jack Skellingtonitems for my collection.

Welcome Solarmama - you are definitely an Alternachick! I love the fact that you work with solar energy

Ellis- I would be really interested in your project as our two back rooms are cool too and I would like to do something about that in a more natural and energy saving way.

Welcome back, Mauvais.
I don't know about Ottawa but we have freezing rain at the moment. The dogs and I are going to have a long nap and hope Spring comes soon! Stop it, Ruthie. *****ing about the weather is a sign of old age! The schools are closing early and so is the Sears catalogue outlet! What is the world coming to?

Nonsense! It's simply a sign of being Canadian!! ***** away, darling. I'm right there with you!

I just got back from taking Mom for her mammogram. The roads are bad, and the freezing rain is really coming down.

Mauvais, we'll build them next summer in our backyards.

I feel like eating something really big. Like a turkey dinner. Maybe I'll throw a packet of **** Goering in the microwave...

**** Goering? I remember him from the Nuremberg trials! I didn't realize he was still alive!

He's not. He's in my freezer.