My LJ Idol Story is Up and a Bit of This and That

I succeeded in writing, editing (always the most time-consuming part) and posting my first entry into the newest LJ Idol competition. I don't quite know how I was able to steal the time to write it, and I can only hope that I can continue stealing time as needed to continue in the competition. I do love writing to a theme, and I'm always challenged, which is what makes it so much fun. When voting opens I'll give all of you a link, whether it's just to read or (if allowable) also to vote. 

I love the challenge of writing to an arbitrary theme, and 
our Dungeon Master chooses some really good ones. The 
theme this time was "Quality". If you're interested in reading 
what I wrote, check out
https://erulissedances.dreamwidth.org/1118554.html

I made a mash-up of two recipes yesterday, totally by mistake. I needed to add two pounds of ground beef to my cabbage recipe and I knew I had cooked that in advance. I thought it was in two containers, but it was actually in a plastic bag set off to the side in the refrigerator. So, I made my second recipe with the first one (a multi-bean chili) that I had made on Wednesday. No matter, it actually tastes pretty good. I added some of my powdered chili peppers from last year's crop, and it has just the right amount of *zing*. 

I've always been against paying dues to a lobbying 
organization, but getting it for free ... well, that's another 
thing entirely. I went ahead and joined, and I'll see if 
it was worth the $0 after my first year - LOL. 

My friend Claire (Chickie Mama) is always telling me that I should become a member of AARP. I'm not fond of paying dues to them, but AOL, )my old and dependable AOL which I still use after more than 30 years), offered me that benefit at no charge for two people. So, JTAP and I are now members of AARP - LOL.  I'll have to read through the paperwork and find out exactly what they will do for me besides lobby Congress (a hopeless task for any organization these days).   

It took a ridiculously long amount of time to get the 
"smaller" watermelon cut up and ready to eat, but at 
least I've got that mess out of the way and can enjoy the 
fruit. I do love watermelon, but it takes a lot of time to 
get it prepped for eating (unless you are eating slices, 
and we rarely do that). 

DH had brought home a "smaller" whole watermelon on Wednesday and it was taking up valuable countertop space. So I also took the time yesterday to get that cut up and into the refrigerator. I'm relieved to have my counters empty once again - I only have two very small ones and having a huge green fruit taking up one of them wasn't making me super happy - LOL. 

I'm totally relieved that the large shipment of crystal 
beads arrived in good condition into the hands of my 
customer. Now I can breathe for a bit - until she decides 
she wants some more colors, that is! LOL

Oh, and the large Swarovski Crystals shipment I was sending to California? It arrived earlier this week and all is well. Dana's got her crystals to play with, and I can breathe a little easier. We learned a lot with that order, and I'll be much better prepared if I get another customer who wants large quantities and a lot of subtotals. Life is a learning experience, after all - LOL. Have an excellent weekend and I'll be back on Monday. Slava Ukraini.