Recycling

I never thought much about it, I just do it. I do find, however, a lot of people don't recycle and don't see the point. Personally, I can see the difference recycling makes in the amount of trash I put to the road each week. Trash is picked up twice a week and recycling once a week. By recycling both of the bins only go out once per week.

It is not a required thing to recycle in this city, but we are given the option. The city will supply you with a trash bin (like the large green one pictured in the photo) and a recycle bin if requested (like the green one on the right in the photo) at no charge.

Plastic, paper, glass, cardboard, etc. can be placed in the recycling bin. I find myself placing the smallest of items, the cardboard from the toilet paper roll or soap box in the recycling bin. Why not? Every little bit helps. Additionally, it limits what goes in the trash bin.

I'm really shocked that recycling isn't encouraged at my workplace. I recently visited an office that did encourage recycling. In each of the breakrooms there was a bin specifically for plastic/glass and another for aluminum. Next to the copy machines were bins for paper that was to be recycled with the notification that sensitive documents should be shredded. I thought that was great.

My workplace talks about reducing paper resources by going electronic, but they haven't. Some people are all about the paper. Case in point, we were introduced to an electronic system for submitting our travel reimbursements. They would also use direct deposit to reimburse us (instead of a paper check that is mailed). Sounds good, huh? Not so much because after entering in all of the information we have to print out the information and submit it that way. Huh? Crazy, right? That was supposed to reduce the time it takes for us to receive our reimbursements, well it hasn't.

Do you recycle? Does your city make it easy to recycle from your home? What about your workplace? Does it encourage recycling?

Missed a day

I just realized that I didn't post yesterday. I was doing SO good in posting each day this month.

Oh well, it happens. Here's to finishing strong for the remainder of the month and consistency thereafter...

Harley

My time

I really dislike it when my time is not valued. One thing I dislike is being late for an appointment or when the party I'm with is late. If you tell me to be somewhere at 10:05, it is likely that I'm going to be there at 10:00. I don't want you waiting on my especially if you are doing something to benefit me. I think it is very rude to disrespect someone's time. We all have things to do and if you are taking your time to be of assistance to me, the least I can do is respect your time.

Unfortunately everyone doesn't have that same mindset. Why is that? Why wouldn't they want their time respected? You know, do unto others...

I guess some really don't care, and I had the misfortune of being the disrespected today. Well, I tell ya what, it won't happen again.

A young lady, that is a student at local college, asked me to get her an appointment at my hair salon. My first issue is that I go to the salon directly from work. It takes me about 20 minutes to get there at that time. The young lady's college is 20 minutes in the other direction. That means I have to back track 20 minutes then turnaround and go to the salon, passing back by wehre I work. Okay. Fine. I agreed.

Yesterday, I told her to meet me at 10:30 in front of Building X on the stop sign side. I indicated it would be quicker than me going all of the way to the back of the campus to the dorms. Fine.

This morning, at 10:05, I sent her a text message stating I was leaving my office in 5 min. and to meet me on the stairs side of Building X instead (it would be easier to turn around there). I placed my phone in my purse (it was on silent), spoke with a colleague, and headed out. About 7 minutes away from the campus I pulled my phone out of my purse and saw that I had a missed call from her. I immediately thought she was calling to cancel and that wouldn't have been good since I was so close to campus.

I didn't call at that point due to driving and I was so close. When I parked it was 10:29. No sign of the young lady. She didn't leave a message (which I dislike, but I digress) so I called her back. I stated that I was there...she said she had just left her dorm (um, what?) and she was running late. argh! 15 min. later she comes strolling up all casual (why no walking fast?) She gets in the car and apologizes.

Did you get out of class late?

No, I didn't go to class. I overslept. Your text woke me up.

Um, what? Oh gracious, I was pissed. Needless to say, we're going to be late. @#$!%

She attempts to make small talk in the car. I'm not rude, but seething inside. I ask her about the salon that used to in the student union (which is where her mother suggested she go):

Is there not a salon in the union anymore?

Oh yeah, there is. I just don't want to walk over there.

*&^%$#%^#@!*%$ I know, I just know she didn't say she didn't want to walk over to the union. Um, that's all of 1/4 of a mile. You're 18 years old. You can't walk 1/4 of a mile?!?!

Yet, I'm driving 20 minutes out of MY way. You arrive 15 min. after the designated time, and you can't walk 1/4 of a mile? Oh no, never again. Don't ask, 'cause it's not going to happen. Sorry. No can do.

How inconsiderate.

Oh, I did get offered lunch after we were done at the salon. She stated she was hungry and wanted to get me something to eat for taking her. I asked her where she wanted to go? She had to think for a minute and then came up with McDonald's.

Yuck!

Um, no thanks. Yes, I know she's 18 and that's what she likes, but I don't. Sorry. No can do. About the only thing I'll eat there are french fries and I steer clear of them. I told her I had plans to meet friends (which I did) in a little bit and I was just going to wait (though I was hungry).

Can I tell you pissed I was? I was pissed to the highest pissitivity (I don't think that's a word!).

Best believe, if she wants to go to get her hair done, she needs to go to the salon that is on campus. Plain and simple.

My time is my time.

Conference bullets

Some thoughts I had a few weeks ago while at a conference...

• One lady brought her own desktop iMac to use to present.
• I dislike when the program write-up is vastly different than what is presented. In those instances, I don't mind getting up and leaving.
• Why is the food in convention facilities vastly overpriced and not too appealing? I guess since they have you hostage they can do that.
  
• Sessions during that conference were back-to-back-to-back-to-back. You had to miss a session to get something to eat (that was overpriced).
• A regular bag of M & M's totaled $1.57. I passed.
• Just about all of the sessions that interested me were on yesterday.
• Nametags are great. I meet a lot of people in my job from all over the state. I'm not always good with remembering faces, but names help. I take a quick glance at the nametag so that I know where I know someone from because otherwise I have not a clue.
• I ran into a lady that I was roommates with, one summer, in undergrad. I don't think I've seen her since that summer many, many years ago.

Thankful for posts kept in draft. Today is one of those days where I don't have much to say.

More on mammograms

So yesterday I posted on the new recommendations of a government panel about breast cancer screening. Since then, I've done further reading and listening to this issue. One of the podcasts I listen to when I work out is NPR's Tell Me More. During yesterday's show (I listen to a day behind) one of the guests was Dr. Diana Petitti, Chair of the task force that is credited with making the recommendation that was widely publicized on Monday. One of the first things Dr. Petitti stated was that it was not a recommendation put forth by the committee that breast screenings of women under 50 are discontinued, but routine screenings should be discontinued.

I wanted to correct a misperception that the task force recommended against screening women in their 40s. What the task force recommended was against routine screening. The task force thinks that the decision to be screened in the 40s should be an individualized decision that occurs after a woman has a discussion with her physician rather than automatic or routine screens

Give me a break!

So it should be up to the individual on whether or not they are screened for breast cancer. She goes on to say that the statement was not against screening in the 40s, but against routine screening. Again, why wait until a woman is 50? How is that going to help.

Next she gives the rationale:

Well, I think every screening test and every medical encounter is weighing the benefits and the harms. The task force reviewed the evidence and felt that the benefits of starting in the 40s as compared with perhaps starting later was small in relationship to the harms. And some people would call the harms negatives, and those negatives are false positive mammography with all of the attendant anxiety and imaging procedures that might come with it.

Mmmmmmkay. Tell that to a woman that is 41, 38 or 46 and has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Tell them they should have made an individual decision to not have the exam. Perhaps the cancer would have been caught 1, 3, 7, or 1o years down the road. Then what? Masectomy time? Or would it be too late for any kind of treatment?

Today Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health & Human Services, came out against the statement made by the panel. Read her statement here. She was interviewed on the CBS Evening News by Katie Couric. In that interview, she stated that insurance companies shouldn't deny coverage and it should be maintained as is with screening beginning at 40.

I have my doubts...we shall see what really becomes of this...

Read the full transcript or listen to the interview quoted above here. There is another doctor interviewed that disagrees with the panel's statement.

Mammograms

Listening to my favorite new station yesterday afternoon, NPR, as I generally do I hear a story on women and mammograms. As I focus in what they are saying I become inflamed. A panel has suggested that the average woman get baseline mammograms at the age of 50, not 40. !!! What!?!?

average woman

What is that? Hasn't it been proven over and over again that early detection is key? Finding a lump or mass in the breast at the beginning stage has better long term results, right? So why in the world would waiting 10 years for a baseline mammogram help? That is simply crazy, crazy, to me.

Oh, wait, this was also stated: "The new guidelines also say that women need not perform breast self-examinations." You gotta be kidding me!

That is how many women find out about the cancer at such an early stage. I can think of one person in particular that noticed something amiss, likely because of just such examinations. There are others that I know of in my community that were first, self-diagnosed by conducting such examinations.

What really pisses me off about this statement is the effect it may have on health insurance. We already know that the health insurance industry do their best to offer individuals the most minimum of coverage, no matter that you pay each month or have been paying for years. I sometimes think their aim is just to take our money each month without providing a needed service. It is like they will find a teeny-tiny reason to deny a medication (like for her) or a service (like my mom is in need of physical therapy). They insurance people, not medical health professional, like to make a decision of whether or not you will benefit from X, Y, of Z. Um, if the MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL states that is what is needed, what is the problem? Ugh!

This can't be good.

ETA: I received my first baseline mammogram at the age of 36. No, I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family, but my doctor recommended doing it then. Start early. Be aware. I'm thankful he wanted me to do it, and my insurance covered it. Then. With this new recommendation, who knows how this will change that opportunity for others...

Offended or not?

Have you ever been confused for a person working in a restaurant/store? What was your reaction? This happened to me a few weeks ago in a hotel restaurant...

Walking back to my table, with nothing in my hand, a lady was rising from her table (perhaps to go to the buffet). Mid rise, she looked at me and stated she was going to need some coffee and water for her table. I stopped walking and didn't make a response. She still had this expectant look on her face like I was supposed to respond. I then informed her that I'm sure someone, who works here, will help you in due time. She had a horrified look on her face and stated, oh, you don't work here. She apologized and stated that she just assumed I worked there because I had on a white shirt and black pants. I then had a puzzled look on my face as two people, who worked there passed by and they each had on a yellow shirt and black pants. Now, since when does yellow and white resemble? Mmmmkay.

I know mistakes like that happen. I mean, I've been in Target and asked someone with a red shirt on once for help and that person didn't work there. Fortunately, the person was good natured about it and stated that he would never wear a red shit to Target again as I was the third person to approach him. I can say that when I have made that mistake it was always with a male as most women that have a purse on their shoulder or perhaps it is just the look of the women in retail establishments.

But it has happened to me when I've had a purse on my shoulder. I was in a department store once looking through a rack of clothing and a lady asked me for help. I guess I could understand if she was standing on the blind side to my purse, but she wasn't. What, do you not pay attention that much? Sheesh!

I don't know what to think when that occurs...

Mid-way

15 days into NaBloPoMo and I'm doing okay. I've posted each and every day, so far, and mostly just once a day. Sometimes that is a stretch in that I've posted merely a photo, but a post is a post.

Today is one of those days where I don't have much to say, but I'm posting.

Tennis bags

I spent the day at a state tennis tournament. The tennis were quite stylish!

Candy Cane Kisses

Love these! Was excited to see them in the store today. Last year I stocked up on them so I had some for about a month into the new year. I'm sure I'll do the same thing for 2010.

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Fb Connections

Recent connections:

• A guy that my mom taught in HS found me on Fb. He actually graduated from HS 2 years before I started HS, but he used to come over to the house (guess that was okay back in the 80s) for extra help. He desperately wanted to speak to my mom, his favorite teacher. I sent him the phone number, because I knew she wouldn't mind, and he called almost immediately. They must have talked on the for over an hour.
  
• The very first boy that I kissed sent me friend request today. Wow! So unexpected! I haven't seen him since we graduated from HS. He and I have actually known each other since the 6th grade.
  
• Fb has been great for those us, in this area, celebrating our 20 year HS reunion. So many pics have been posted from the various HS here, and it has been great seeing old friends & rivals from the various schools in Red Stick City.
• My college roommate finished from a rival HS and her reunion was a few weeks ago. Although she & I didn't meet until college, we knew a lot of the same people in Red Stick City. I went to the mixer on the first night of her reunion and saw people that I matriculated with during middle school. It was great fun! I've now reconnected with some of those folks on Fb.
  
• Another cool connection I've made on Fb are people from my church youth group. There are some of us still there as adults, but many moved to various places for college and thereafter. Now we can stay connected through Fb and not just when folks come home for holidays, illness of family members, deaths, or vacations.

Honoring Soldiers

Ever so grateful for the job that is done by all of our nation's soldiers, past and present.

New shoes

I really dislike when the weather starts to change meaning I can't wear sandals. My feet adore sandals, especially those made by Clarks. Those, by far are my favorite brand of shoe. They are quite comfy and stylish. Last spring I purchase 2-3 pair and I've been faithfully wearing them, and some other Clarks shoes day in, day out. I'm not much of a shoe person, in that I dn't have a lot of variety. My main requirement is comfort.

Last week I wore a pair of brown shoes that were killing me mid-day. They had to go and in the trash they went as soon as I got home. Some may find that extreme, but I see no point in keeping a pair of shoes that I'm not going to wear. So away they went. The main reason they were hurting was the style and the amount of pressure I was feeling on my baby toe.

The cuticle grows really hard on those two toes and depending on the cut of the shoe it can be quite uncomfortable. I don't have that issue with sandals so they are my prefernce. Surprisingly enough, I don't have that issue with tennis shoes either. I can wear them all day with little problem, I guess it is the cushion and looseness of the type of material.

Anywho, I headed to my local Clarks store on a mission to get at least 2 pair of shoes, 1 black and 1 brown. I also had a 20% off coupon - added incentive. I found 3 pair of shoes! Hooray!

I got this one in black and brown:


and this one in black:


Both shoes are quite comfy and they were on sale! Score! I'm also have one of their frequent buyer cards and it is now full. Next month, I may get another pair of shoes that I saw that I liked.

Ice skating

There was an ice skating rink just outside the hotel where I was staying. Several people in the group I was there went out onto the ice Saturday night. Not me.

Yes, I have gone ice skating in the past. Many, many years ago. I don't have a desire to do so again. About 10 years ago was the last time I went roller skating and I suffered a really bad fall. I've not done any skating since and I don't ever plan on it.

It was fun to watch though...



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