Cool Links: Camera Simulator

A friend posted this link on Google+.  It's a website that simulates a SLR camera so that you can see how manipulating the different camera features affects the photograph.  Check it out here.

New Thing: Fitocracy

Fitocracy!  I had been using it for motivation (*ding - level up!) and accountability, but recently the gains in strength and endurance have been more apparent.

My user name is nmnjr.

Biscotti

I love baking, and I love mailing things to friends and family.  The perfect intersection?  Biscotti.  They are cookies that are baked twice so that they are dry.  That means they ship well and don't go bad quickly.  Eat them dunked in coffee, tea, or milk.

I made three flavors today:
Chocolate Hazelnut
Pumpkin (using pumpkin grown by a friend that was in my freezer)
Almond

I must admit, although I love chocolate, I am a sucker for pumpkin baked goods.  Even in the dog days of summer.

I'm Still Alive!

I know all my non-existent readers were wondering.

What's new since November?

I've added Biology to my studies.  I am now taking two science classes so that I can get science-certified.  I am applying for a provisional science certification (Alt. 4) this spring so hopefully I will have a better chance for a job next fall.

On a related note, I'm not sure I will continue working to become a Physical Therapist, which was my other idea behind the science classes.  We dissected a fetal pig for Biology.  Let's just say it wasn't pretty.  I'm not sure I can handle Anatomy and Physiology with the cat dissections.  I'm very good with the theory, but I like cats much more than pigs.

I have a new favorite brunch recipe to share:  Cinnamon Baked French Toast.  Soooo delicious!  And so easy to make ahead.  It was devoured before any pictures were taken.  I don't look at the Pioneer Woman as often as Simply Recipes, but they do look tasty!

Oh yeah, and I'm pregnant!  Sleeping 23 hours a day means there wasn't a lot to update the blog with, but now that I'm in the second trimester, energy is back!

P.S. Ten Items or Less

The 10 items or less experiment ended on Day 20.  I missed certain items of clothing, and the laundry every other day was getting annoying.  However, there is a big bag of clothes I did not miss waiting to go to Goodwill.  Yes, I'm a terrible procrastinator.  (Odd phrasing because actually I'm quite good at procrastinating...)

Lessons Learned:

• Good quality, well-fitting basics will get you through 95% of life.
• If you're not going anywhere, pajamas are a good way to not dirty up an outfit.
• No one pays attention if you wear the same clothes 2 days in a row, or they are too polite to comment.

Upcoming Tuition

The credit card was high because of the tuition for 3 classes (2 for the husband and chemistry for me).  We always paid the statement balance, but it wasn't ever getting close to zero.

Well, we've paid down the credit card so its again close to zero.  Just in time for the next tuition bill.  Maybe we'll get some Christmas money from the families.

Green Guilt

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/garden/30guilt.html

I will admit that we didn't recycle for many years, despite claiming to be pro-environment.  New Hampshire doesn't have bottle and can deposits, and the bins for separating took up so much room and work.  But now our town has single-stream recycling, which might be the best green invention ever.

After reading this article, I'm glad to see we're in good company.  We will probably use disposable diapers too.  And I've never seen "An Inconvenient Truth," either.