Alrighty then! neVER mind.

I checked out Cracker Box. Not my cup of tea. Beautiful ornaments but way too "frou-frou" for my taste.

I was checking on my garden earlier this week and I have a tomato that is almost ripe and my red pepper is starting to turn red! My jalapeņos could be picked at any time (I've already had one). I may have to find a recipe to use them for the Super Bowl which we'll watch half-heartedly unless we go see a movie instead. I wish my squash hadn't died, but I found out that they do better to be planted after the threat of frost has ended. I'm thinking that if I replant them sometime in February I'll be okay.

My garden is frozen, with a dusting of snow, and a big dog sitting at the back under the bare winter shrubs, hunting racoons.

Dagmar

I also laughed at your directions via KFC, Saef.
Because I NEVER eat fast food anymore, I have no clue where the restaurants are in my town. People often give directions by starting, It's near the KFC or near Burger King-- and I just look at them blankly.

I succumbed to a couple of treats at my office party yesterday. I tried to rationalize it to myself.... and I went to zumba after. The scale is still up-- every day this week it's been rising-- I hate weeks like this.... ugh... hopefully it will start going downwards tomorrow.

But, dh comes home today and is already planning on cooking dinner (not sure what). He's only home till Tuesday and then he flies back to China. Tuesday is his birthday so we have to try to fit in some celebrating while he's here. Monday he has conference calls in the evening so that's out. Sunday is Super Bowl so that is out. He's always jet lagged for a few days coming home.... so... not sure what/when we'll do. My iPad mini has an issue and I've scheduled an appt at the Apple Store Saturday afternoon. We're thinking we'll do that and then eat somewhere in that area-- probably all the celebrating we'll do....

Allison - I'm jealous of your garden.

Saef - I'm not big on video games and such either. Saef's movie review idea could be fun.

My boss let me get a Varidesk to test out. Two other coworkers want one, but he wanted me to test and see if it worked before we committed for them. So far I like it, but I may need a different keyboard. Mine has a wrist rest built on, and this desk raises the level as well. Keyboard probably needs to be flat. It has an app that runs that you can set with how long you want to sit v. stand. The default is 45 minutes sitting and 15 minutes standing.

Oh my... please give me strength today.... I'm tired and dragging and the TREATS from our party were brought to school! Everyone is around them like hawks-- I hope they disappear quickly. My stomach had the audacity to growl (and continues to growl) when I saw them and it's not even 8 am.

It was funny at the party when I swooped in to get a treat (or 3 as the case may have been)-- quite a few people noticed and made comment-- they must realize that I never eat "unhealthy" stuff.

Now to stay busy long enough for everyone else to pig out! I'm betting the good stuff is gone before 10 am.

Saef, I second the recommendation for The Bletchley Circle, it is excellent! I hear The Americans is also very good though I haven't watched it. Also like Silver's idea about working on writing in your free time.

Michele, good luck avoiding the treats!

I second this! You write so well, it would be a pleasure to read your blog (unlike so many that I've seen).

Shannon, I want that desk. But my overlords told me no.

JZJ - I expected mine to say no as well. Much to my surprise, he came in and saw it today, told me it was awesome, and to go ahead and order one for everyone else in the office who wants one. Surprise surprise.

I was reading some reviews of the single sized one, Shannon, and someone said that while in standing mode typing made the monitor shake a bit. That one thing made me not want one despite really thinking it would be a great idea for me. It's cool your boss said to order them for whoever wants one!

I haven't noticed any shaking while typing, though I bought the huge one since I have two monitors and a laptop.

Thanks for the recommendation--I've been wondering about this. Those British mysteries are my favorite Netflix addiction. I just finished Broadchurch (wonderful!) and started Wallander, which I guess is set in Sweden, but all the characters speak English with British accents. Oh, and if anyone hasn't seen "Top of the Lake," I highly recommend it.

Sheila

hmmmm . . . I'm reading about Bletchly Park right now - Alan Turing during WWII. One of the code breakers is one smart woman. So I'm not so far off.

I loved Wallander for the visuals - nothing like it produced for North American TV. But the story lines are totally depressing and the main character is quite compulsive and an alcoholic workaholic. I found I could only watch a couple of epis per week.

For some lighter fare check out "Lilyhammer" season 1. After that the joke gets old but the first season is highly entertaining (particularly if you know a tiny bit about socialism in the Scandinavian countries)

Dagmar

Shannon, I'm jealous of your new machine. That's great! Teaching I'm standing and walking a lot anyway. But I only teach half the day and do a lot of database, tech work the other half.

I'd read a Saef blog too! Love your writing/wit.

I'm so out of touch with all these shows and series. When I'm down to one job in a few months, and I have my new house cleaner, I'll start catching up of 20 years of missed tv. Then I'll definitely need a treadmill to watch tv.