Ok so I totally forgot to post this video I made of the annual burning of the Christmas tree. Every year we head to Lakehaus on or around New Year's for the weekend. One of the fun activities we do is burn the all of our Christmas trees.
This is a 6' (or so) tree that we had in our living room. The boys built a stand out of wood and tossed in the tree. I would not recommend doing this if you live in a densely populated area. Lakehaus is in Ocala National Forest and doesn't have a lot of neighbors. We also had a hose standing by! I should point out that this tree went up in about 30 seconds. Remember that when you feel too lazy to water your tree at home....
Ok, enough blather... watch this sucker BURN!
Angi - Smoke Free and Healing for One Month, Four Days, 12 Hours and 58 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 2 Days and 11 Hours, by avoiding the use of 711 cigarettes.
Friday, February 13
Tuesday, February 10
A response to John McCain's lack of understanding.
I got this message on Facebook today:
Today, John McCain said: “$50 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts — all of us are for the arts,” McCain said. “Tell me how that creates any significant number of jobs?"
Please tell him about your job:
http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
Dear John--
I understand you are not aware of how funding for the arts creates jobs. So, I'd like to tell you what I do for a living. I am a...
Thank you so much for asking what I do.
Sincerely,
xxxx
Here is the letter I sent....
Dear Senator McCain,
I understand you are not aware of how funding for the arts creates jobs. So, I'd like to tell you what I do for a living. I am a Stage Manager. My job is to make sure everything happens during the production. Without me the lights will not go, the sounds will not happen, the set will not move, no one will be dressed and the actors will not enter.
In any given production I have a crew of at least 5 and upwards of 50 working under me to make the show run. This does not include the actors, the ushers, or the concessions people who work to make sure you have a good time while attending our production.
I am saddened to hear you do not believe we need more funding for the arts. I am saddened that you do not understand how giving money to the NEA can create more jobs.
Due to cuts in funding, the theatre I have worked in for the past 9 years has to cut 45-60 jobs this season. That $50 million could help give some of those people back their jobs. Additionally, the more money we have, the larger the production we can put on. We can do a musical with a cast of 50 instead of a straight play with a cast of 4. Larger shows mean larger scenery, more lights and costumes -- hence the need for more people. This is where the creation of new jobs comes in!
Saying you support the arts and actually doing it are two different things.
Thank you so much for asking what I do. I hope my note has helped you to understand how $50 million in funding for the Nation Endowment of the Arts can, in fact, create more jobs.
Sincerely,
Angi
AEA Stage Manager
Today, John McCain said: “$50 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts — all of us are for the arts,” McCain said. “Tell me how that creates any significant number of jobs?"
Please tell him about your job:
http://mccain.senate.gov/public/ind
Dear John--
I understand you are not aware of how funding for the arts creates jobs. So, I'd like to tell you what I do for a living. I am a...
Thank you so much for asking what I do.
Sincerely,
xxxx
Here is the letter I sent....
Dear Senator McCain,
I understand you are not aware of how funding for the arts creates jobs. So, I'd like to tell you what I do for a living. I am a Stage Manager. My job is to make sure everything happens during the production. Without me the lights will not go, the sounds will not happen, the set will not move, no one will be dressed and the actors will not enter.
In any given production I have a crew of at least 5 and upwards of 50 working under me to make the show run. This does not include the actors, the ushers, or the concessions people who work to make sure you have a good time while attending our production.
I am saddened to hear you do not believe we need more funding for the arts. I am saddened that you do not understand how giving money to the NEA can create more jobs.
Due to cuts in funding, the theatre I have worked in for the past 9 years has to cut 45-60 jobs this season. That $50 million could help give some of those people back their jobs. Additionally, the more money we have, the larger the production we can put on. We can do a musical with a cast of 50 instead of a straight play with a cast of 4. Larger shows mean larger scenery, more lights and costumes -- hence the need for more people. This is where the creation of new jobs comes in!
Saying you support the arts and actually doing it are two different things.
Thank you so much for asking what I do. I hope my note has helped you to understand how $50 million in funding for the Nation Endowment of the Arts can, in fact, create more jobs.
Sincerely,
Angi
AEA Stage Manager
Monday, February 9
Passing the one month mark!
Well it's official.... Hubby and I have been off the cigarettes for an entire month! I am so proud of Matt for sticking this out. He's put up with my bitching and moaning forever! (The best part is, he hasn't killed me....YET) Ha Ha, seriously... We were both whiny and crappy for a while but he is over it and I think I will be soon.
All in all, I gained 16.3 lbs in during my quit phase. I know I am beating it because since last Wednesday I have lost 6.1 of those pounds! I have a ways to go, but it is a start! I hate that we had to gain weight at all, but I understand the whole "healthy intestines absorb more nutrients" thing. But that doesn't mean I have to like it!!! (I should mention that I am very fat and losing 6 lbs. in 6 days in not a huge weight fluctuation...put your eyes back in your head and DO NOT comment that I lost weight too fast.) :)
Matt handled this whole thing better than me. I think it is because he doesn't have the fiery temper I have. He would just get quieter and quieter while I would yell louder and louder...
He also disappeared into his studio a lot (most likely to get away from me) to work on his photos. I should mention that you can see his fantastic work by clicking here.
I did a lot of cleaning the house, a lot of bitching and SOME exercise. I know I should exercise more, but I am sedentary by nature and I am doing the best I can! Okay, I did some cooking too. As evidenced by all the recipes I posted on here. But I think that also came from being on "vacation" for the past 3 1/2 months. *sigh* Vacation, my rear end! I am laid off. I just hate to put a negative spin on it. BUT the good news is I start working again in less than 2 weeks. The long, dark tea-time of my soul is almost over!
I have found that I talk about quitting smoking all the time. I think my friends are tired of hearing about it. The smokers think I am preaching and the non-smokers are tired of saying "good job!" But I can't seem to stop. Smoking was such a part of my life for so long that I think about it quite a bit. I am trying, pals, I am not trying to drive you insane. Actually, I am trying to keep myself from going crazy!
Another thing I realized is that we needed a period of time away from our smoker friends. Matt and I both have addictive personalities so we have a hard time saying no! I have only seen pals that smoke twice in the past month. Both times I had to run away to resist asking for a cigarette. However, I feel like a month is the right amount of time. Now I think I can go see smoking pals again. So any of you who I have been avoiding, chat me up, bitch me out, whatever...just call me so we can get together! :)
Ok, I think this blather has gone on long enough. Time to marinate some chicken. I am trying a new recipe tonight called Chicken with Roasted Lemon and Rosemary. I'll let you know how it turns out.
XOXO
Angi - Free and Healing for One Month, 10 Hours and 56 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 2 Days and 4 Hours, by avoiding the use of 629 cigarettes that would have cost me $143.62.
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