What's on your (PHOTO) Friday Menu? Menu?

It's Friyyyyyyaaaaaayyyy! Thank gawd (as we say in Boston). I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, though! The retreat is over (and went well) and new teacher contracts officially begin on Saturday, so I definitely still have some last minute emergency hires to get though (I imagine two more weeks of insanity) but then I think it might finally slow down??

Not too many fun pics this week, but this is the backyard of my old professor who I visited this week. She lives right in a busy urban part of the city, but she has created this incredible little oasis. This is her coy pond. It was so nice to spend time visiting her last weekend!

I forgot to take pics of most of the rest of our found antiques, but I did get one of the cookie jar. I love her!

And last, I have a before and after of my very subtle haircut. I just want to a cheap chain to get 1/4" off. Length-wise it's barely a difference, but it did help to get the split ends off and feels a teeny bit healthier. I am still working up the nerve to go to my real hairdresser... Maybe in a few months.

BEFORE

AFTER:

QOTD: Are you a confident public speaker? I am, and I generally like being a presenter, but yesterday over zoom was tougher than I expected. It was hard to interject and not interrupt because you can't make eye contact or make it clear when you are about to speak. It really did go well, but I realized that it's going to take some practice to be a better virtual presenter.

I am calling it now--I am getting tacos delivered from my favorite restaurant tonight! I know it isn't healthy to reward yourself with food after a rough week, but... fuck it. I deserve tacos.

You do deserve tacos!!! Happy Friday! I slept until almost 5 so I really enjoyed that! I am looking forward to my 3 days off, drinking my coffee and relaxing right now; I"ve got some shopping I need to do today; tomorrow I"m going to the Tattered Cover for Independent Bookstore Day...I haven't been in a bookstore since FEBRUARY!!; mail my sister's bday presents and I have pilates Saturday and Sunday. According to my trainer, it's time to start adding "movement" to my handstands on the TRX....I feel this may be one challenge too far but I'm excited. Jump pilates is my favorite workout but TRX is second, it makes me feel very strong!

My Friday Photos -- the big flower in the pot is the ONLY thing that grew from the 5 packets of wildflower seeds I planted in that pot; It's tall, comes up to my waist before it starts the droop. My aunt says it's an amaranth which I think is a type of wheat/seed? I've heard of amaranth bread....so I think this makes me a farmer now. The others are just some flowers I took pictures of.

I don't have a good plan for food today coffee is a given;

I have some ham left so will finish that off for lunch

I have one last protein waffle left so I'll probably have that; I don't think I will buy these again. They were fine but not great.

All the talk of pizza yesterday makes me think I might make the cheese crust pizza or try to make one like the sausage crust pizza I had at Lou Malnatti's last year -- if I can bring myself to turn on the oven.

Have a fantastic Friday everyone and a wonderful weekend!

Oh, I forgot the QoTD - yes, I can present in for to Of any group, any size and from the feedback I've gotten, have made the switch to virtual public speaking ok. I'm not comfortable with it yet but I guess that doesn't show. A good trick is I make sure I can't see my image when I'm presenting to the virtual group.

I used to be very shy, I had a speech in edit meme (couldn't say my Rs correctly) and slight stutter - speech therapy for years helped but not with my confidence. When I was a sophomore in high school, I walked into the speech and debate group and signed up and shocked everyone, but I knew I had to get over My shyness. My first competitive speech, I burst into tears and ran out of the room!

I have been working remotely on camera for quite a few years. When I go back to work in January, I am planning to add a lume cube to my setup. It will give better lighting.

A big problem with people presenting online is using the microphone that is built into the laptop. That can give a very distorted sound. I use a headset and am careful with how I adjust the mic.

I do look at my online image, but just to be sure my hair and makeup is not doing something weird. One thing that the pandemic should do is get kids used to presenting online.

I read your post quickly and thought that you planted the mystery seeds that people are getting in the mail.

hahahah, no....although, I want a green thumb so bad if someone told me they were kill proof, I might think about it....but hopefully I would still decide NO. The real question I have is how do you dispose of them? If you put them in the trash, might they germinate there? Same with recycle or if you flush them.....I'm glad I have not had to deal with that!

I didn't get seeds, but I did get a random keychain I didn't order last week... presumable for the same goal of writing verified reviews in my name. It's so strange.

I hope you enjoy the well-deserved long weekend. Love the flowers.

Good morning and happy friday! JB, tacos are always warranted. Enjoy!

*Edit to add pictures of the Hoosier at the bottom. I took a couple of the cobalt blue containers out as well, and there's a picture of the framed advertisement for this 1927 Hoosier. OMG I NEED TO DUST PLEASE DISREGARD THE DUST! I never go up there!

QOTD - I am a very confident public speaker, and I enjoy it. My current role doesn't afford me a lot of opportunity to do so, and that's ok. I'm not really interested in Toastmasters (mostly because it's run by someone in our organization that LOVES to hear himself talk) so...I will wait for an opportunity to arise someday.

Breakfast - fasting so water, hot black coffee, topo chico

Lunch - same old song. Tofu/kale/soyrizo scramble with vegan cheese

Snack - Fruit smoothie, or apple with peanut butter

Dinner - Up in the air.

Have a great day everyone!

That is awesome and that you have the original ad makes it so much more interesting. What a great and useful family heirloom. Thanks so much for the pictures

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