Magic Mouse

My work computer is a MacBook Pro, Mac OS X 10.5.8 (Leopard). I've had it since approximately October 2007, and it takes major abuse: daily travel to-and-from the office; constant travel outside of the office; and the occasional trampling by a tiny terrier.

I mangled the W key months ago and woke up recently to find the L key on the floor - completely removed from the laptop (I blame the tiny terrier). The damaged keyboard became quite a hassle on telecommuting days and made me recall past keyboard woes, so I must add a tangential anecdote.

When I worked at Michigan State University, I inherited a desktop system from a previous employee. I immediately discovered that the Z key stuck - almost to the point of being completely non-functional. After a few inquiries I was told that an unfortunate lemonade incident was the culprit so I put in a request for a new keyboard. When the request was not handled promptly I went straight to the computer support guys and asked them what was up.

Computer support guys: "How important is the Z key anyway?"

Me: "My name is Tracey Glazener and my supervisor's name is Elizabeth Plagwitz. How important do you think the Z key is now?"

New keyboard immediately followed.

So, my current employer recently acquired a wireless keyboard and mouse for me to keep at home. The mouse is the new Mac Magic Mouse and I love it so far. The scrolling/swiping features are awesome and the mouse functions very well on make-shift surfaces (I no longer have a mousepad at home so I use either a spare piece of cardboard or chipboard).

I just brought both items home Friday, so battery life is still an unknown issue, but a co-worker of mine said the office also bought him a rechargeable battery set that works very well.

If you're a Mac-user (everyone should be), then I recommend trying this mouse out at your local Apple store. It is now included with every new iMac purchase or sold separately for $69.

Singin' the ABCs

First, my lovely goddaughter, Sydney, 2-years-old.



Then it was her brother Felton's turn, 4-years-old.

Creature comforts

Here I recommend the BEST SLIPPERS EVER. No, they are not cute, but your feet won't care. I'm prematurely on my second pair - due to secret insight I will reveal later in this post - and I can't imagine my life without them. I even have an upstairs pair and a downstairs pair.

LL Bean's Wicked Good clogs are amazing. From the LL Bean web site:

"Here in Maine, "wicked good" is as good as you can get. When you slip into these soft shearling slippers, you'll understand exactly how they earned their name. Unlike similar-looking imitations, our slippers are made from superior sheepskin. Known as one of nature's best insulators, shearling draws away moisture so your feet stay warmer on chilly winter mornings. Best of all, the shearling wraps completely around your foot so you feel nothing but soft, warm fleece against your skin. Cushioned cork-and-latex midsole. Lightweight, textured EVA outsole for indoor/outdoor traction."

The indoor/outdoor reference might become problematic - as it did for me when I found myself picking up take-out in my slippers one night. But really such is no worry - it's not like these slippers sport floppy bunny ears or obnoxiously vibrant colors. They really just look like Birkenstockey clogs.

The main tip I offer is to NOT wear these slippers without socks (barefoot). Although infrequently, I wore my first pair without socks, and the shearling wore down significantly quickly. If one considers the properties related to friction, this shouldn't be a surprise. I was obviously slow on the uptake.

While I knew that LL Bean is the most amazingly forgiving company there is (they'll let you return just about anything); I decided to order another pair before making a judgement on quality. I'm so glad I did.

My second pair, purchased over a year ago, is in perfect shape. Still fluffy on the inside and comfy all-over. Get a pair - you won't be sorry!

Word of the day

Linsey-woolsey

lin·sey–wool·sey
Pronunciation: \ˈlin-zē-ˈwoŏl-zē\
noun
A strong coarse fabric with a linen or cotton warp and a woolen weft.

This entry is in honor of my mama - a fabulously talented fiber artist. She doesn't have her own web site, but you can see some of her work on the Carolina Designer Craftsmen site.

DogGone Miracle

As most of my friends know, and as I've certainly reported here, my dog Bailey is a neurotic ball of the hairiest stress. The slightest beeping noise launches a full-on panic attack (oven, alarm clock, distant car alarm); his reactions to thunderstorms rival Marley's; linoleum or any other floor lacking dog-claw gripability sends him into a tailspin. I love him, but he is truly pathetic.

I picked up DogGone Songs over a year ago at PETCO because it was on clearance for about $2. I must've thrown it into the oblivion pile when I got home because I just ran across it again last night and WOW. I put it on for Bailey and it was like instant Prozac. He went from a shaking, vibrating mess to a blissfully relaxed dog, curled up and asleep. I was astonished (and angry for having neglected to try the dang CD earlier).

If you click on the images below to enlarge them, you should be able to read about the composer. Additional plus: a portion of all proceeds from the sale of this CD go to Guide Dogs for the Blind. It's available on Amazon.com and from other pet-oriented merchants online.

CD total running time is 46 minutes.

Embellishment advice?

I was lucky to find buttons to embellish my Valentines Day bears, St. Patrick's Day bears and Patriot bears - but when I started looking WAY forward to Halloween I found myself out of luck. I couldn't believe it. No cute Halloween buttons - really?

I'm sharing my first improvisation on this post - the knitted piece of candy corn. What do you think?

Any other ideas? Please bear in mind that I am seriously NOT a talented knitter. I can only produce VERY easy items. Even though this candy corn was made by my own "pattern," we're talking about an unpatterned pattern anyway. Keyword: GUESSWORK.

The knitted candy corn pieces are approximately 1/2" wide by 1" long. Anything larger won't work well.

Suggestions are very welcome!

A call to all dog-loving facebookers

If you're on facebook, please become a fan of the Pedigree Adoption Drive. For every fan they will donate food to shelter dogs. http://www.dogsrule.com.

At no surprise, the commercials that aired during the Westminster Show were almost completely dog-related. The Pedigree ads had me weeping. They have the art of tear-jerking nailed.

I still remember the first time I saw their original "adoption drive" ad, in which the narrator basically states, "I don't know how I ended up here. I am a good dog - and I just want to go home." I was reduced to a blubbering idiot for the following 15 minutes.

All dogs rule - but if just a simple facebook click can help some homeless ones, I'm hoping everyone out there will find the time to "click to give."



xoxo and sloppy kisses from Bailey (Mr. Elkhound) and Zoe (tiny shelter-girl extraordinaire)

Latest Knittings

So I lied when I said the Valentine's bears were the last to be posted on this blog. Behold: shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day and patriots for Memorial Day and July 4th. My niece has already had her mother ask me when her Easter bunnies will arrive!

Word of the day

In honor of the Supernatural marathon that aired yesterday, I give you the word of the day:

Douchebaggery: a combination of the following words: douche pronunciation: \˙düsh\

and \˙bag\ + ery.

Definition according to Urban Dictionary: The state of being a douchebag - committing acts that define an individual as being a douchebag, such as ripping off friends, screwing your friends over or generally just being a giant douche.

This word could easily be construed as offensive, but if you heard Dean say "Douchebaggery," in the episode, "Criss Angel is a Douche Bag" I bet you'd forgive the offense - or at least I hope you would.

My favorite substitute for potty-mouth

Hinkless Zoe

Zoe seems to have rid herself of the hink, and Bailey is Bailey - still trudging along with minor complaints.

I had to include the following photo of Zoe on the mend because I could not ignore the fantabulously tacky sheets. The tacky sheets that protected my futon, carpet and my dog's bed from a vomit-shower.

I'm pretty sure said sheets were purchased on phenomenal sale by my dear dad from Kohl's, or somewhere similar.


Buffer sheets. Score.

Word of the day

I recently changed my screen saver to the Apple Word of the Day, and some of the words have really been out of left field - even for me who practically memorized the dictionary before taking my GRE exam in 1999.

I thought it would be fun to occasionally share some of the stranger ones.

From Wednesday, February 10th:

zaf·tig
Pronunciation: \ˈzäf-tig\
adjective
The definition used by the screen saver referred to "of a woman": having a full rounded figure: pleasingly plump

A fond memory

When I was in the 6th grade I happened to be friends with more boys than girls - likely because my interest in boys related solely to my ability to beat them on the track or in the pool. But I remember one boy in particular who said something to me that still sticks with me more than 20 years later.

At the end of one particular school day there was some sort of announcement over the loud speaker regarding something about a popularity-type contest - I really don't remember the specifics - and my friend looked me dead in the eye and said with complete sincerity, "Tracey, you're the prettiest girl in this school."

The fact that he was popular but never pursued me as his "girlfriend" (what does that mean at that age anyway) actually made me believe him. Not that I thought it was true, but I believed that he thought it was true. I'd known him for more than four years, and even though he made me crazy for most of that time I still regarded him as a dear friend. He'd always stood by me and supported me (as much as any 8-11 year-old can anyway).

We remained friends through high school, and I think we would've stayed that way beyond graduation, but unforeseen circumstances stole his presence from my life.

I think of him quite often and I'll never forget what he said to me that day in my 6th grade class. I knew I wasn't the prettiest girl, or the smartest girl or the most popular girl; but for about 5 seconds approximately 23 years ago, he truly made me feel like I was.

An Eeyore Elkhound

I've been referring to Bailey as Eeyore for quite a while now. I can't help it. Bailey is constantly putting forth a "Woe is me" face. Granted, he is over 12-years-old, so he is due a bit of curmudgeon-like behavior.

But don't get me wrong, my Bailey is the sweetest boy who ever lived. Yes, I try to keep that fact a secret - allowing shifty "neighbors", etc. to believe he is a ferocious beast - but it's hard to disguise his loving nature. I'd trust him with a newborn. There's not a harmful bone in his tremendously hairy body.

In his old age he has become quite nearly deaf, he's much slower to rise from the floor and he's less likely to discern a patch of grass from a patch of carpet in my house, if you know what I mean! Nevertheless, he's still my #1 buddy; my roommate & constant companion for the last 12+ years; and essentially the best friend I've ever had.

Old. Stinky. Slow. Dusty. Talented escape artist. HAIRY. I wouldn't have him any other way. Long live my Bailey boy!

The hink in the Zoe

I worked at home on Friday due to sinus issues, and at some point during the day Zoe decided to create her own drama.

She hacked and threw up at least 5 times - all over the futon, the den, the foyer carpet, etc. I then put her in her crate on a towel and left it alone for a while.

Upon letting her out just under a couple of hours later, she promptly threw up again, and started to shiver and shake. I laid an old sheet on the futon and tried to make her comfortable. She threw up several more times and then finally settled down after I placed the space heater practically on top of her (just as she likes it).

She has since seemed to find comfort in her usual curled-up position, and I'm holding my breath - hoping she is just fine. Rest assured, if she's still vibrating Saturday morning I'll be taking her to the vet.

Please join me in hoping that Zoe really is just a drama queen!