Each New Day

While I am still learning new things every day, I don’t have much time to blog about it anymore! I recently saw part of a program about the terra cotta soldiers and they think they were designed. I learned that they think the bright colors they were painted with were covered in lacquer. I learned that this lacquer comes from a tree and that only a minuscule portion can be taken from the tree at any one time. The lacquer tree is related to poison ivy and poison sumac and can cause an outbreak on those harvesting the lacquer.

While we were on our trip a couple of months ago, we talked to a guy who had a phone case that charged his phone. While I don’t know much about it, I thought it seemed like a good idea. It seems that the case can charge your phone while on the go, giving you several more hours of phone usage. I think this is going to be a great Christmas present for my son!

I have been learning how to balance my time. I have recently taken on a weekend job and it has been a balancing act. Or a juggling act. A little of both it seems! Learning to balance the time it takes to get everything done that needs to be done and still having some energy for my family and myself as well as the clarity of mind and concentration needed for all tasks at home and at work has been a real learning process for me. I think the hardest part has been trying to fit in time for grocery shopping!

I don’t shop at Sports Authority very often. But I did buy something this summer. So I signed up for their rewards program. So that if I do ever buy anything I will earn points. I learned a little more about this today. The points are only good for about a three month period. Meaning that the rewards I’d earned (a $5 coupon) has already expired. And the other thing is that shopping online does not count towards earning points. Never mind that our local stores do not carry the brand of running shoe I wear, but the website does! Too bad. But maybe I will earn some points later on and be able to use the rewards I do earn.

I learned on our recent trip just how much I love being away! It was sure nice to be without a phone or even computer. I had my book with me but think I only finished about one chapter! I really did nothing but rest and relax and enjoy our time completely away from everyone and everything!!

I learned not too long ago that the Internet and the Web are actually two different though related things. I had not known this, and have long used the terms interchangeably. What made me realize the difference was the tribute at the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I did a short search and came up with some good, easily understood information about the difference between the Internet and the Web (the internet is the “platform”, the networking infrastructure. The web is the way of accessing info over the net, the linked pages, the searchable space.) I was amazed at how “long” ago this all took place, and how rapidly it became a public phenomenon.

I just learned today that the sand used in the Olympic Beach Volleyball competitions is a different kind than found on a regular beach. It is apparently finer and free of debris and shells. This is good so the players don’t cut their feet. The sand also is less sticky and so doesn’t stick as badly to the players bodies.

I make a spinach curry that we all enjoy, but have had a hard time finding a substitute for the “paneer” (Indian cheese, similar to ricotta.) I have tried hard white cheddar, aged cheddar, even made my own paneer (not a great success.) But today I found this blog recommending the perfect sub for paneer. I went to the Latino market to make sure I got the right thing and sure enough found the recommended queso fresco. It worked out really well. I was even able to fry it for a few seconds without it getting too mushy or melting. It didn’t even start to melt when I put it in the curry sauce. The taste was just right for us. I think the grocery store will likely have the queso fresco as well, making this dish even easier to make.

I learned last week just what a job painting is! I decided to take on the task of painting our bedroom while my husband and daughter were gone, and while I had one day without the baby I keep. So….I definitely learned a lot! I started with the ceiling-learning how hard it is to paint that. I also learned some about ceiling fans, as I ended up buying a new one! (We were in the market for a new one anyway!) Then came the walls. The rolling is not so bad, and the second coat does seem easier. I hate the cutting in and it’s important to be so careful. Using a straight edge does help. Then all the trim….whew! I was glad when I was done (it took all week long!) and so happy I had some folks to help me out too! (Couldn’t have done it without them!) Now I just need to get my husband to do the doors….

It does look so much better, so much fresher and cleaner. And feels better too. It is a relatively cheap and “quick” way to freshen things up.

I just learned that here on blog.com there is a function available for multi author blogs. I am not sure exactly how that works. I just told my son to check it out as he had an idea that we might start a blog together. The family that blogs together….!