Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category
Posted by terrepruitt on February 14, 2013
Other titles you might have seen: “Bag Ban Responsible For E-coli Outbreak”, “Are Reusable Shopping Bags Making Us Sick?”, “Reusable Shopping Bags Can Kill”. Well, it is terrible that the ban on bags has caused and outbreak of E. coli. It is so horrendous that the bags are making us sick. It is out-and-out scary that these bags can kill us! Just like the title of my post these titles are ridiculous. The bag ban is not responsible for anything, just like the bags aren’t going to kill us. What MIGHT happen is if the bags aren’t periodically wiped out and/or washed bacteria can spread and cause illness or even death.
Recently I was in a grocery store and the bagger commented on my bag. He said, “Oh your bag smells good.” And I said, “Does it?” He said, “Oh YES! You should smell some of these bags.” I hadn’t thought about that before. I mean, I thought about having to wash your bags because food goes in them and some food spills and you don’t want your food bag contaminated. Plus I use mine at the Farmer’s Market and I don’t always get a produce bag so dirt and bugs end up in there. So I spray mine and wipe them down. But I never thought of other people NOT doing it and baggers having to deal that. Then recently on Facebook someone commented on a post about E. coli outbreak in San Francisco. Again, I never thought of that because I just thought that people would wipe out their bags. I figured people would want a clean place to put the food they just purchased. Since I saw the comment about E. coli in San Francisco on Facebook I wanted to know if that was true. So I went looking on the internet. The titles, just like mine, and the things said in articles just crack me up. Would it really be the fault of the bag? Would the bag actually cause death? No, if there was something in the bag dangerous enough to infect me then it would not be the bag’s fault, it would be mine for not washing it out.
I came across an article that states the information about San Francisco’s E. coli outbreak is inaccurate because the study conducted used information from BEFORE the bag ban actually went into effect. This article mentioned that there was an accurate conclusion of a contaminated grocery bag having the norovirus and girls from a soccer team in Oregon all getting sick from it. But the article I found regarding THAT incident stated the first person to get sick got very sick in a bathroom and the grocery bag was in close enough proximity to have the germs deposited on it. While the first girl went home the bag with the snacks stayed behind and the girls that ate those snacks subsequently got ill. That is the staying power of the norovirus!
The first article had me thinking it was a grocery type of contamination that happened in the bag. I am glad I popped over to read the other article that clarified it.
Anyway . . . the point is the reusable grocery bags need to be washed. If you have the plastic-y kind that wouldn’t really survive the washing machine, spray them with a disinfectant and wipe them out. Or spray them and hose them out. But there are some types of bags that can be washed in the washing machine and that might be the route to go. You honestly might not have thought about it because using reusable bags is kind of a new thing, but now that you know the bag can kill you, I am sure you will think to wipe it out every once in a while. 🙂
Do you have a re-usable shopping bag you love? Where did you get it? Let us know!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: death from grocery bags, disinfectant, e-coli in grocery bags, E. coli, Facebook, grocery bags contaminated, norovirus, reusable grocery bags, San Francisco E. coli outbreak | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 8, 2013
This is my second “Goodie Jar” or “Good Things Jar” check-in. Since I am putting a note of “good things” that have happened into a jar to read on December 31, 2013, I think I might stick to this title and number. Not sure yet, but as of now, it sounds like a good idea.
So far I have seven things in my pitcher. I say things because most of them are notes I made to document the memory or event, but one is a “love note” I received from a friend. She has created a set of cards from her doodles and I purchased a set. A love note comes with the set. The note made me happy and brought up additional memories so I thought it would be a perfect addition to the jar because it is a good thing and will be a reminder of many good things. One of the other things is the jar is miniature copies of our tickets to a Sharks game. It was my first one and it was really fun, so I added that as a good thing.
As I have stated, if you are participating you don’t have to share what is in your jar unless you want to tells us your good things. I just thought I would share to give you an idea of what I am putting in our jar.
Since this is our second week hopefully you have at least two things in your jar. So? Are you putting things in your jar? How many do you have?
Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: 2013, December 31, good happenings, good things jar, Goodie Jar, Sharks | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 1, 2013
This is my first “Goodie Jar” or “Good Things Jar” check-in. Where we are putting a note of “good things” that have happened into a jar to read on December 31, 2013. The idea of this — for me is to remember to notice the good things that happen. No matter how big, no matter how small. It is to also serve as a reminder that even if or when there are things that might not be considered things that are a cause for celebration going on there are still good things happening. Have this jar will be a fun way to review some of the good stuff that has happened throughout the year!
If you are participating you don’t have to share what is in your jar unless you want to tells us your good thing.
So far I have two things in my “jar” and they are both Nia related. How about you? Do you have good things in your jar?
Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: 2013, December 31, Good Thing jar, good things happening, Good Think Jar, Goodie Jar, Nia | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 29, 2013
As the New Year approached and very shortly there after, I started seeing pictures of jars with paper inside posted on Facebook. The idea was simple, write down something good that happened and put it in the jar, at the end of the year read it, and be reminded of all the good things that happened to you during the year. Even though I loved the idea and I wanted to do it, I got caught up in other things and I forgot about it. Just this past week a friend posted a picture of her jar saying, “Do you remember this?” And I hadn’t. I had completely forgotten. I want to do that. I want a “good thing jar”.
First of all I don’t have a jar. So I am going to use a pitcher that I love, but hardly use. This way, I will be using something that I love and it will be pretty. Second, I don’t remember how often one is supposed to put something in the jar. Was there a rule? Was there a timeframe? I THINK it was “whenever” something good happened. I like that but I also want to make sure something gets in the pitcher. I am going to impose an at-least-once-a-week rule. It is not that good things don’t happen daily, I just think that life gets busy and I might not write something everyday but I want to make certain I do it at least once a week. I also don’t think there was a guideline on what “good” means. So for myself I am going to define it a bit. I am going to keep track of things that make me smile and the memory of which will make me smile. It does not have to be a significant thing, something say “to write home about”, but I want it to be something where I can say, “Oh yeah, I remember that. That was great!” Another thing I thought of, which I think might add to the experience is to date the note so I can remember better as I am reading about all the good stuff.
I love when I make deals with you and we have check-ins. Even though this is just a feel good kind of thing, I know that sometimes projects — even fun ones — get pushed aside and/or forgotten altogether when time is short, so I thought I would do a weekly check-in.
If you want to join me you can just post a comment on the post. I am going to do it on Fridays. My first check in will be Friday, February 1, 2013.
I have my first paper already in my pitcher. Of course is has to do with Nia and teaching another class for the City of San Jose.
Then on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, I will read about all the good stuff that happened throughout the year. I will be reminded of the things big and small. I am sure I will get warm fuzzies. I think this is a fabulous way to end a year and go into a new one.
What do you think? Is this a project you would like to join? Are you going to–join me?
Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: City of San Jose, Facebook, good things happening, New Year, Nia, Nia class, Nia San Jose, Nia Teacher, something to write home about, warm fuzzies | 9 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 1, 2013
I have already posted about one of the awesome gifts I received for Christmas. I received another one that makes me so happy when I use them I just wanted to share. You might remember I bought a speaker for my iPhone awhile back. I was so impressed with it I wanted to share about it because it is great to have a portable audio source, just in case. It is really helpful when you are teaching a dance exercise class like Nia. Well, more like it came up on Woot. My hubby looks at Woot and he knows how much I love my other speaker so he asked me if I wanted what they were selling on Woot. I glanced at it and said yes because it was LESS than I paid for my other speaker AND it was TWO speakers!
They are REALLY cool. When my hubby showed me I hadn’t even read all the cool features! First of all as I said, they cost less than my ONE speaker I originally bought. They are black but when they are in use and they are open they glow blue! These little guys are so cool.
They have their own bag, I love things that have their own storage. They fit together and stick with magnets. They have a volume control. They have an audio in cord and a connection cord. One speaker has the audio in cord. The other speaker has the cord that connects them. So you can just use one if you want. BOTH cords retract back into their respective speakers. How cool is that? I had just been telling someone over Christmas that I think every electronic device that has a cord (whether optional or not) should have a place that the cord can be stored ON/IN the device. But that is just me because I have what seems like a million cords and I don’t know all the devices they belong to. So every time I put these speakers away I am so impressed because I just pull gently and the cord goes right in. They are great sound for such little devices.
This particular pair came with a “BONUS! USB wall adapter” which the package claims is usually an extra $19.95. The speakers on Woot didn’t even cost that much AND it came with the additional adapter. I loved them so much I looked online to see if we could get more. We can, but at more than twice the cost and without the “BONUS”. I don’t NEED them so I’m not going to spend it. I just really like them and since the places I teach Nia at for the city of San Jose do not always have sound systems I was thinking I could keep a pair in my car.
The iHome/first speaker I bought does not have an electrical adapter. It only charges off a USB. So when I use it at a venue I am teaching at I have to make certain it is charged. But these speakers I just got, I could leave in the car and not have to worry about them being charged because in a pinch I could plug them in and use them. Also the iHome speaker does not have a volume control. Which is fine, because the device it is used with does. But I found out that it is really cool to have two options of volume control!
Of course these speakers would work with iPhones, iPads, iPods, MP3 players, MP4 players, and laptops!
Yeah, no post about goals and resolutions, just an excited post about something that makes me happy. I hope you enjoyed your New Year’s Eve. I wish for you to enjoy 2013.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: awesome gift, Christmas gift, City of San Jose, iHome, iPads, iphone, iPods, laptops, MP3 players, MP4 players, New Year's Goals, New Year's Resolutions, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, retractable cords, small speakers, USB wall adapter, Woot | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 29, 2012
I always forget about the last post of the year. I mean, I know that I am writing one because it is eventually going to happen, but I don’t think of it as being special. I know a couple of years my hubby has suggested a “blog review” or something and I know I have done that before. But to do that every year is tiring I think. I do love the Holidays and the decorations and I am sad when they have to come down. A lot of people have certain dates and/or days on which they take theirs down. I like to wait until after the first of January and then the exact day usually just depends on timing. When is my hubby going to be around to help me with all of the boxes? When we will have the most time? When do we really want it all to go away? If he is not going to be around when I want it done, then I just do it myself. So I am not stuck on any particular day. Sometimes it depends on the tree. In 2011 our tree had to come down because it was the worst tree we had ever had in terms of dry. We only turned the lights on it on two days and then I was too afraid to have that heat on it. I remember trying to shut the curtain so the sun wouldn’t shine on it and dry it out any more. I didn’t want the house heat on – afraid that would speed the decay. 
The day after Christmas I was “undecorating” it and I put it outside. That tree scared me. This year the tree is better. Much better. It will make it until New Year’s Day at least. It is also smaller than our trees we have had in the past so the disruption of furniture and traffic has not been so great so it is not that much of a bother. There is one decoration that I remember I left up for a long time after Christmas last year and that was our Christmas cards. When we receive a card I usually leave it on the counter for my husband to read, then it gets taped on the wall. By the end of the season we usually have a wall decorated with cards. I remember last year I didn’t take them down for weeks.
I also save some from year to year. Some of the cards we receive are so beautiful or so cute I just don’t want to throw them away. I consider them a Christmas decoration. I have one that has plastic jewels on it. Glitter ones almost always get saved. I have some that are actually pictures. Now I am not talking about the picture postcard cards. Those always get saved. I keep those and when the Christmas boxes come down I look through them. It is fun to see how families grow and age. But I some friends who are professional photographers, they take pictures for their Christmas cards, I save those. 
Frilly ones and puffy ones, usually get saved, as do blue ones and ones with sparkles. Homemade ones also get put on the wall year after year. I keep the ones from years past on a separate wall because for some reason people used to walk in and say, “You got all those cards!?!?” And I would explain that this wall — pointing to the current card wall — was different from that wall — pointing to the years past wall.
I write the date on the card and put it in the box with the decorations and voila I have a jeweled or glittery or sparkly or fuzzy or puffy or frilly or homemade decoration for next year. (Sometimes the card might be glittery AND sparkly AND fuzzy AND frilly and homemade . . . ahhhhh!) I am sure that eventually I will have to throw some of them away. A few are looking a little worn and might be on their last year of decorating, but at least I have enjoyed it for more than just one season. And you might be familiar with my Christmas decoration scheme/theme and that is to SEE “Christmas” wherever you look so this gives me a few extra “decorations” that don’t take up a lot of room to store. They are very pretty.
Plus it is fun to read some of the notes and comments from years past. I have already picked out at least 5 that we received this year that are going to go on the wall next year.
What do you think? You have to admit that you receive at least one card a season that is too pretty to just throw away? Right?
Well, Happy New Year. Make it a great one!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, Happy New Year, Holidays decorations, re-using Christmas cards, recycle | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 25, 2012
It is Christmas, and while I did not have to “work” — as in teach a Nia class, I still have to “work” — as in post a blog post. Had I been a little more organized I would have had it written and had it post on a timer, but I was not that prepared. I had been thinking about what to write when last Monday after Nia one of my students was talking about one of her family’s traditions. I had asked her to give me more info or to write about it. But as I had been interrupting her story, I stopped my line of questioning/instruction and she finished her story and then I never got back to asking her more information. Then on Wednesday I forgot. I was thinking I would see her on Christmas Eve, but I did not. So I am going to share her tradition without a lot details as to how it works for her family because I don’t know them. I think the idea is so cute I wanted to share. THEN, I got one of the greatest Christmas gifts ever last night and I wanted to share a bit of it too. So Merry Christmas. This is me sharing a tradition of one of my students that maybe you would like to do yourself and a beautiful gift I received.
First the cool tradition. I haven’t heard a lot of the details but it sounds as if my student’s kids are going to moving out soon. I believe that is one of the reasons she shared with us the tradition she started when they were young. She has had her kids gift each other a Christmas ornament every year. She was saying, when I came into the conversation, that this way they will have a start on having ornaments for their tree when they move out AND they will sentimental value. Each ornament will be a memory. She had said that one year her son crafted a little birdcage and put a picture of a bird in it to represent their family pet. I thought that was so cute. Not only did her son have an ornament for his sister, but he had made it. You may know from reading some of my previous posts that I LOVE Christmas Ornaments. I love the entire process of unwrapping each one to hang on the tree. It is as if I am receiving little mini Christmas gifts with each ornament I unwrap and place on the tree. And many have memories attached, so to me decorating the tree is a lovely process and tradition. So I really, really, really, really, really LOVED this idea. As I mentioned, I loved it so much I wanted to share it. I think it is great to have kids receive “their own” ornaments that they can take with them when they move out and that will have meaning for them.
Now one of the greatest gifts I received was a book. Apparently my nephew-in-law has a brilliant girlfriend. She had a book made for his sisters that contains their grandma’s favorite recipes and a party tip. His girlfriend designed it to have the actual copy of the recipe placed on the page along with family pictures. You might have read some post on my blog that shared the fact that their grandmother (my mother-in-law) died last year in November. My sister-in-law (John’s sister) is a smart cookie too and she knows a great idea when she sees it and she asked if she could use the book template for gifts also. So SHE swapped out some of the pictures to include more of the recipient’s family. So the ones made for the girls have more pictures pertaining to them. The one made for my husband and I has more pictures pertaining to us and so on. FANTABULOUS! It is awesome!
I am in awe of BOTH of these things . . . . the ornament tradition AND this wonderful recipe book. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and the rest of this season is grand for you.
Do you have any holiday traditions to share? Maybe you have had a custom for a long time? Maybe you just started one? Did you get a gift that you are excited about that you want to share? Tell us!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas gifts, Christmas memory, Christmas ornament, Christmas tradition, Christmas Tree, family traditions, Merry Christmas, Nia, Nia class, Nia students, recipe book, work on Christmas | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 22, 2012
As I was coming home from Target, one day I saw a huge rose. It made me happy. I loved it. Later on – as in months later – I was at a stop light and noticed a man sitting at a utility box. As I drove past him I realized what he was doing and decided to stop and talk to him about it. He explained it was something the city of San Jose was doing. Anyone could sponsor a box and an artist would volunteer to paint it. I first posted about this in July, then in August. Since then I have taken a few pictures of painted boxes in my area. I would love for people who have seen other art work to send me pictures so I could post more. I’ve only seen six. I am sure there are more.
These boxes make me happy. Even if I don’t care for the art work, I love that they are adding art and color to the city. I also think it is really great that the city is not paying for it and that they are sponsored projects. As you are driving, walking, moving, living in San Jose look around. See if you spot one. Take a picture or two and send it to me. If you can, take a picture of the “label” so we know who the artist is. I forgot to get a picture of the label naming the artist of the coffee cup boxes.
I took a lot more than the pictures shown here and in my last post, but these were the ones that showed the art the best.
In my last post I mentioned that some of the boxes are very close to busy/traffic-y corners. Like the rose. That is a busy intersection. I didn’t want to stand in the street as long as it would have taken to get a good shot. I forgot that I had taken a picture while I was at the stop light on the other side of the street. That one came out ok. I love this rose!
This is the photo I took from across the street while waiting at the traffic light! Such a vibrant rose.
Wow! Look at the sponsor. I just noticed that (right now as I was putting this picture in my post)! Awesome “Ladies Loving All Art”. That might spawn another blog post!
No, your vision is not off, you ARE seeing double . . . sort of. Two shots looking the same, sorry, but I liked both angles even though they are just slightly different. 🙂
Look at this one! SOOOOOO colorful! It is mouth-watering good, huh? Look at all that fruit!
This set of utilities boxes is yummy and fun!
What a beautiful color blue. It is like the sky!
Ooooh, LOOK! The fruit in the tree looks like hearts! Love that!
WOW! Listen to this one! It is as if the you can hear the music the musicians are playing! Swirls of notes and sounds!
I am very happy about this project. I think it is very cool. Thank you, San Jose. Thank you, sponsors. Thank you artists for sharing your talent.
So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite out of all six boxes? They are all pretty cool, but I bet you have a favorite, huh?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Art Project, Citiznes Advisory Council, City of San Jose, coffe cup boxes, Isabel Quinonez, Jim Fonseca, Ladies Loving All Art, Micah Bariteau, San Jose Art Project, Target | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 20, 2012
One day driving in San Jose I noticed a utility box painted as a huge flower. I thought it was the coolest idea. The boxes are not the prettiest things and they are everywhere so why not paint them. Then some time later, on my way home from either my Monday or Wednesday Nia class, I noticed a man sitting near the curb while I was at a stop light. It didn’t register in my brain what he was doing until I was past him and the corner. I had pull over to the curb and back up a little to get back to him. He was painting the utility box. He explained to be that it was the San Jose Art Box Project. I posted about it in July. I followed up with a post of his finished project in August. Since then I have snapped a few pictures of boxes painted throughout the city. Well, at least in the places I go. I am sure there are other ones around that I don’t even see. But I did happen to spot the ones on my normal paths. I even found the flower one that I first noticed. I wasn’t sure where I had noticed it, but then I found it.
Here are six that I have seen around. I am sure there are more. I would love for people to contact me and send me pictures so that I can include more on my blog. Some might wonder what painted utility boxes have to do with health and wellness, and if they are wondering that then I doubt I could explain it. But for those of you that appreciate a little color, I am sure you understand. I might not even particularly like the way the box is painted, but I do like that fact that they are painted. I love the fact that art is being added to our industrialization. I love that the artist is basically a volunteer, they get paid, but I think that barely covers the cost of the paint. I love that people in the community are donating to such a project.
It is kind of fun to be sitting at a light just waiting for it to turn green and then all of a sudden spotting an Art Box. Then it is fun planning the path to get to it. Some of them are on really busy corners . . . . like the rose . . . I couldn’t really step out to far in the street to get a good shot, but I did what I could.
I believe the art on the box must be reflective of the neighborhood. That would explain the coffee art box. It was right in front of a Starbucks.
Normally I would put them in a collage, but I am short on time and so here are some of the pictures of the utilities boxes in San Jose. I have a lot so this post will be some, then my next post will be the rest.
This was the set in front of the Starbucks!
You can see the little coffee cups has faces!
So cute!
I forgot to get a picture of the artist’s label so I don’t know who did these coffee cups.
Chris has a sense of humor. See the purple cat dressed as a yellow bird? Sneaky!
This one is very colorful and had different types of art on the box.
This woman is an example of what I mean by “different types” of art.
Stay tuned for the rose. The box that I actually saw first and thought it was just a one time thing.
So how do you like the art so far? Don’t you think it is cool?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Art boxes, Chris Hofer Borror, Fernando Amaro, Isabel Quinonez, Jim Fonseca, Jr., Micha Bariteau, Monday Nia class in San Jose, Nia, Nia class, painted utility boxes, San Jose Art Project, Starbucks, volunteer artists, Wednesday Nia class in San Jose | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 6, 2012
Do you move fast? Do you do five things at once? Do you have more than one project going on? Are you doing one thing while your mind is thinking about another? It is hard to slow down, huh? I think part of it is technology. We have cell phones that can do so many things we get instant gratification so we don’t have to wait for anything. We can call someone while we are doing something else. We can look up something on the internet while we are talking to someone all the while doing something else. Multi-tasking is expected. We must be productive and in order to do so we have to do more than one thing. I posted about multi-tasking in September 2009. I actually attempted to stop and only do one thing at a time. It proved to not be possible for me. As an example, when cooking dinner I have to do more than one thing at a time. 
It is not feasible to cook the pasta, then the meat, then make the salad — or any order of that. More than one thing has to be going on at a time. So I realized that multi-tasking is necessary, but there are ways I can be more aware of what I am doing. There are some tasks that I can do without doing something else. Part of this for me is just slowing down. I need to have patience to get through one task before I move onto the next.
I have been thinking about this a lot this week as I have been decorating the house for Christmas. I love to have it look like Christmas every where you look. It doesn’t have to be Griswald-y, but an ornament here, a candle there—just SOMETHING. While I have been doing this I have been using a ladder. In our garage it is a bit tricky. We park both of our cars in the garage so the “edges” tend to get a little cluttered. We also have bicycles hanging from the rafters near where the Christmas boxes are stored. All this week I have been having to tell myself, “Slow down.” Literally. I want to get it done quickly — plus I am excited because I just love all this stuff. So I would bolt up the ladder and realize once I was up there that I couldn’t move freely, I had to think about the fact that I was on a ladder, the fact that I was wearing floppy shoes, that there was a bike an inch from my head, back, butt (depending on where I was on the ladder). I had to think about how I was going to move once I got the box in my hands. I had to think how I was going to climb down the ladder with a box in my hand and a handle bar at my shoulder.
It is not easy for me to do some things slowly and I have been pondering that this week. I think that being more patient is part of it. If I were more patient with getting some of the things done I want to get done then I wouldn’t be rushing through what I have to do. Part of it is also because there is going to be some work done involving the house at the end of this week and I was rushing to get things done before that deadline. Also, I wanted it all done before I my Nia Class on Thursday evening! But still . . . . it is not easy to slow down.
I want to say that I HAVE been JUST brushing my teeth. I have made a conscious effort. But it wasn’t since September 2009, it has been more recent!
Do you find rushing to be the case? Do you rush through things just to get to another thing to rush through?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas decoration, Christmas Ornaments, instant gratification, multi-tasking, multiple projects, Nia, Nia class | 4 Comments »
Terre Pruitt's Blog 