Entry for July 31, 2006 - Red LIght Cameras

These little buggers are everywhere.  While I don't make a habit of running red lights, I have ducked under a yellow light or two.  With the cameras you have to be careful.  The first generation of red light camera consisted of a trip line on the road surface, and a flash mechanism on one pole, and a camera box on another pole.  These were easy to spot, and there was usually a sign warning you that the camera was present at an upcoming intersection.  The second generation of red light cameras consisted of a hanging globe camera, with a flash mechanism on a nearby pole.  Still pretty easy to spot, though the warning signs were not always evident.  Now, they have these white tubes everywhere, and they are hard to spot.  Sometimes there is a separate flash mechanism, sometimes not.  And they definietly no longer bother with warning signs.  Are these white tube cameras actually red light cameras?  Are they decoys?  Who knows.  Don't drive behind me, as I will slam on my brakes at yellow lights if I see a white tube.

Entry for July 28, 2006 - Internet Filtering

I suppose they had to do it - some people were very blatant with their abuses.   Most message boards and blogs are blocked.  They've taken all the fun out of going to work  

Entry for July 13, 2006 - Cream Cheese Pie

I've tinkered with this recipe to make it low-fat/low-sugar, but it loses something in texture with fat-free ingredients. 



Makes 2 pies ( I can get 3 small pies out of it)

2 - pre-made pie crusts (graham or regular)

2 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese

1 cup sugar

2 cups  sour cream

2 tsp vanilla flavoring



beat cheese until smooth.  gradually add sugar.  blend in sour cream & vanilla.  fold in topping.  spoon into pie crust.  refrigerate

Entry for July 10, 2006 - Yoga, New Age & Christianity

In June, I took a class that fulfilled my annual training requirement - Stress Management Techniques - that included yoga and guided imagery.  Just prior to attending the class, I ran across a thread on the Catholic Answers forum where several posters felt that yoga was not  compatible with Christianity, that it was Hindu in origin, and should be avoided.  Guided imagery was also discouraged as New Age.  I don't really know what is New Age, and what isn't - it is very unclear.  What came to my mind when I thought of New Age was Scientology.  I read about Scientology a long time ago - in the 70's - before the computer age.  People would connect to an electronic device - kind of like a lie detector or EKG - that measured energy or "enngrams", and the goal was to reach a state of clear - to eliminate any negative "enngrams".   I couldn't beleive that people were buying into this (and that many still do).  So back to yoga.  I did approach yoga with caution, but didn't find anything that was not compatible with my Christian beliefs.  I found the exercize & relaxation very beneficial - something that works with any religion or none.  There was some mention of "the God within", which I thought of as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  I thought the instructor was quite careful to keep it neutral, though we watched a film called "What the Bleep Do We Know?" - which did, IMO, attack my beliefs.  When I got back from the class, I did a bit more reading.  There were opinions on both sides of the yoga issue.  One church document regarding New Age, which lumped yoga, guided imagery & even 12-step programs as things that can lead to "New Age thinking", but did not comdemn the practices.  Then another document that was supposed to clarify, but did not.  I asked a Deacon friend, and his guidance was that yoga as exercize is fine, but not as philosophy - and that guided imagery has great benefits, but could be misused.  Pretty much what I thought to begin with.  All that being said, I purchaed a book - Prayer of Heart & Body by Fr. Thomas Ryan, and a "Christian Yoga" CD.  

Entry for July 08, 2006 - Wal-Mart and Applebees in DE

Today, I went to Dover to visit DD, and we went to Wal-Mart.  I go nuts at the "monster" Wal-Mart in Camden.  They have so much stuff there that I can't find here - and a full grocery.  I took my cooler & ice pack.  I seem to find the Wal-Mart wherever I go.  DD says she doesn't shop there except when I come, (because the Target & Safeway are much closer) but she did agree that you get a lot for your $$.   We went out to dinner at Applebees - I had Teryaki Shrimp &  Steak  Skewers, and split a strawberry/lemon cheesecake with DD.  All from the Weight Watchers menu.  You can be on a diet and still treat yourself at Applebees.  Exercize today was walking with DGS and the kids across the street.

Entry for July 06, 2006 - Losing Weight

I was a skinny child, skinny teen, and remained skinny throughought my 20's - I ate anything I wanted but didn't gain weight even when I tried.  I weighed 105 the night my son was born, and 98 when my daughter was born.  I smoked cigarettes from age 14-29.  I weighed 90 lbs when I quit smoking, and I also changed from working on my feet to working behind a desk.  My metabolism must have changed, and at first the weight gain was welcome.  6 years later, I had gained 45 lbs and outgrew several clothes sizes.  At 5'1", I was now officially overweight, so I joined Weight Watchers.  I kept the weight off for 5 years, then went back to WW.  Now it seems like a cycle - because I had gained again - was 145 lbs - so I am back on Weight Watchers - though I am using the online program instead of going to meetings.  I also joined Curves a couple of years ago.  Curves is great - the first exercize program that I've ever stuck to.  I felt really good from exercizing, but I wasn't losing weight until I re-joined Weight Watchers. 

Entry for July 04, 2006 - Family Reunion

I went to Philippi, WV for a family reunion at my dad's.  I always enjoy my visits there, though I don't go every year.  This time, I went with DD & DGS, and stayed with my step-brother & sister-in-law.    I have a few freinds from when I lived there (1977-84) - but didn't get to visit anyone this time since I didn't have my own car, though I did go to Curves & to Mass with DS, DIL & 2 grandkids.   DD, neice & I  rode into Elkins on Monday - went to Wal-Mart, & I went to another Curves.  I could have spent all day in Elkins - since I lived there for a while, and went to college at Davis & Elkins.  I really wanted to find someone  I knew - a hairstylist named Mark  Skidmore - that I worked for when I lived in Elkins, but he has fallen off the radar - obviously doesn't have his salon anymore - I did find an address & phone number for his brother in another town.   I mentioned Curves - and I'm also still on Weight Watchers.  It was very difficult stick to a diet while at a family reunion for 5 days.  I managed - but have already used most of my "weekly points" for this week.