Words I miss using

1. duplex
2. pants*
3. route**
4. roof**
5. candy
6. yeah
7. mall*
8. tv
9. got
10. call

*2 and 7 are used here but they mean something else so I miss using them like I first learned to.
** 3 and 4 are words that they use here but I've stopped using them because people here point and laugh at the way I say them.

Cauliflower

So I have a new way to enjoy eating cauliflower -- roasted. I found it on Brownie Points. It's such a simple recipe: a little oil, a little salt and cauliflower. I've never enjoyed eating cooked cauliflower because of the mushy texture and metallic taste. My favorite way to eat cauliflower is marinated in a vegetable salad. Lots of raw vegetables (tomatoes, olives, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, onions), Italian salad dressing (a herby vinaigrette), and time. Marinated vegetables are best eaten in the summer though, with burgers and chips at the lake. But roasted cauliflower is just what I need since cauliflower is in season now when it's getting colder each day.

Hurray for new ways to eat vegetables! My hunt continues for a way to enjoy eating squash -- now that would be an amazing recipe.

Definately a bad day...

So I think I might have given myself whiplash when I fell yesterday. My neck, shoulder and arm hurt so much that not even regular doses of paracetamol laced with codeine plus ibuprofen seem to help much. Plus, it was a slow day at work today. They were good to me though, gave me a lot of sympathy despite the fact that I do a lot of stupid things and they have to give me sympathy often.

Tomorrow I have the day off. Nothing but rest and study planned -- despite the fact that I need to vacuum, wash dishes and do laundry. Those things will wait until my arm is up to it; or at least until the painkillers start to work.

3 reasons

There are three reasons that today should be a bad day.

1. I was late to work because, as I went to get my bike from the shed at 8.30, I discovered my back tire was totally flat and I had no money for a bus ticket.

2. After work, I decided to get the bus home. I was about a minute from the bus stop when the bus passed me, so I started to run for it. Then I fell -- and I mean fell -- face flat on the pavement. No blood involved but a lot of sore muscles, sore wrists and a really sore knee that is swollen and most likely going to be purple tomorrow.

3. When I got home I discovered Neil was sick and very unhappy.

There are also three reasons today should be a good day.

1. Work was very busy today and I got to work two hours on reception. Reception is the best part of my job. It's crazy and some of the customers are stressful, but there's so much variety and so many chances to help people and solve problems.

2. On my way home from the library I found an all day bus ticket valid for today.

3. When I told Neil about my face-on-the pavement flop he didn't laugh, he sympathized. I appreciated that.

Collections

Today's HSMSHS prompt is to take a photo to show off collections. I had to stop and think what collection I have. Although I'm a woman who likes the look of pretty shoes and handbags I'm too practical to actually buy enough for a collection. I used to collect thimbles but I haven't since I left my parents' house which is where that collection remains. I also used to collect mugs but the size of the collection became impractical so I gave away most of them. I guess the only things I have in enough numbers to be considered a collection are books, but there isn't really a logic to my book collection. Plus when I need more space I get rid of books I no longer have a need for. Did I just hear you gasp?

I guess I wouldn't consider myself a collector. I wonder if my husband does?

Halloween pumpkins afire

We had our annual Halloween celebrations last night which ended with our pumpkin lighting extravaganza. We were happy to have Michele join us this year and our dress-up theme (characters/people from Mythbusters) didn't detract from the night at all. I always worry that theme parties impose too much pressure on the fun. Instead it added a very creative element and a little bit of experimenting to the festivities.

Enjoy some photos of the night...

Autumn

I know I've been a little absent. But that's life right? Sometimes you gotta just live it.

Today's HSMSHS prompt: Autumnal - A characteristic of or occuring in Autumn.

This is my favorite time of year. I love the colors. I love feeling comfortable wearing a scarf and mittens without a coat. I truly look forward to taking walks to see orange and gold and red trees, to pick wild berries and to come home with a warm body (having been wrapped up in a scarf and mittens) but a chilled nose. Few things in life make me so peacefully happy.