We survived. Actually, it was a really fun day.
02
Feb 11
Baking Lean Bread
Decided to try baking Peter Reinhart Lean Bread. Turned out really well considering there is no sugar in it. I think if I try the recipe again I will make sure to stretch and fold the dough more and wait longer in between. I was sort of in a rush. It was late and I still had to walk the dog. I think additional stretching and folding will make the bread a little lighter.
However, I think this is the next bread/baking recipe I’m going to try, Super Soft and Moist Chinese Bakery Buns.
01
Feb 11
New Years Resolutions: Feb 1 Update
Instead of trying to accomplish a lot of resolutions in a short period of time, I decided to break my resolutions up into reasonable chunks.
There are several reasons to break your resolutions up into pieces. First, self control only comes in limited quantities. Second, the momentum and management makes accomplishing your resolutions much easier. Leo Babauta at Zenhabits.net explained it much better.
The other habits would come later. Starting with just one habit accomplished four important things:
- It became much more manageable. One habit is doable — 15 habits are too hard.
- It gave me focus. I could pour all my energies into one thing. When you have too many habits you’re trying to change it diffuses your energies and you most often fail.
- It taught me how to change habits — and then I could apply that knowledge to the next habit change.
- It allowed me to succeed and then use that energy and enthusiasm to succeed at the next thing.
So, my list of resolutions for January was small but still contained some significant tasks.
1) Quit Smoking = Success
I actually stopped 1/7/2011 and have not had a cigarette once. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. This is the most important of all my resolutions.
2) Organize Electronics in Basement = Success
So, my basement is where old gadgets and electronics go to die. I have cleaned up all my cables and organized my electronics. I have put some of the items up on my garage sale site. I have a lot more to put up on the site and sell but organizing them is complete.
01
Feb 11
Kiva Update: Just made our 40th Loan
Added three loans to Kiva.org. I’m really happy that we are able to help out some families with small children.
Divina Raymundo
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Location: Jala-jala, Rizal, Philippines
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Loan Use: to buy fishing net, fish traps, and provide working capital
Tough, hardworking and a good mother of three are characteristics that describe Divina, a 39 year old woman. She is married to Jericko, who is also 39, and they work closely together as fishermen. The couple is motivated to work harder by their children, who live with them.
Flordeliza Fie
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Location: Brgy. Banganan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
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Loan Use: To purchase additional products to sell
Flordeliza Fie is from the village of Brgy. Bangana, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. She is 44 years old. Flordeliza is married and has 4 school-aged children. To make a living, Flordeliza owns and operates a business venture in the food sector making and selling food. The main source of income for the business comes from preparing and selling cooked food for daily meals. Flordeliza has been engaged in her business for over 8 years and earns approximately 4,500 PHP a month for these activities.
Gina Villegas
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Location: Brgy.Banganan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
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Loan Use: To purchase new items to expand product offerings
Gina Villegas is from the village of Brgy. Banganan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. She is 40 years old. Gina is married and has 3 school-aged children. To make a living, Gina owns and operates a general store. The main source of income for the business comes from selling both food and daily use products in the local community. Gina has been engaged in her business for over 7 years and earns approximately 4,000 PHP a month for these activities.
31
Jan 11
Best Music Player on the Internet: Google Chrome and Last.FM
Steps for getting the best online music service on the internet.
1) Get Chrome. Here is a picture of some of the apps I have installed. Pretty cool. http://goo.gl/WQqbS
2) Go here and get the Last.FM free music player. http://goo.gl/9FkZa
3) Go to last.FM and find some music you like. This is a link to a list of the top Elliott Smith songs. http://goo.gl/rQURV. This is a link to the album Sigh No More by Mumford and Sons http://goo.gl/MhWkl.
4) Click on the blue button to the left of the song name. The button should turn red.
5) Thats it. All the songs should be queued in your browser and you can right-click the icon in the browser bar to view song information and pause tracks (which you can’t do in Last.FM) from this controller.
29
Jan 11
Look what I made today: Spanish Omelet Recipe – Tortilla Espanola
How do I go my whole life without knowing how to make this. Excellent.
http://spanishfood.about.com/od/tapas/r/tortilla.htm
27
Jan 11
Great Customer Service from Land’s End
Transcript of my exchange with Land’s End.
1 2011-01-26 20:52:15 customer http://i.imgur.com/U24qa.jpg (Land’s End had a 40% off one item promo on their home page which returned this error when I entered it).
2 2011-01-26 20:52:18 customer Nice error message.
3 2011-01-26 20:53:16 customer Do you have a free shipping promo code instead?
4 2011-01-26 20:53:58 Bobbi I don’t know what the error message is.
5 2011-01-26 20:54:02 Bobbi We offer free shipping from time to time in some of our catalogs and e-mail updates, but we don’t have an unlimited free shipping offer. Would you like to sign up today to receive our e-mail updates? I will also be able to give you free shipping as a one-time courtesy.
6 2011-01-26 20:55:53 customer Sure.
7 2011-01-26 20:56:06 customer XXXXXX@gmail.com
8 2011-01-26 20:56:11 Bobbi Thank you.
9 2011-01-26 20:57:01 Bobbi This is for a $50 minimum order.
10 2011-01-26 20:57:16 Bobbi The Code you can use is SPRINGMEN and the PIN is 2103.
11 2011-01-26 20:57:18 Bobbi To add a Promotion Code and PIN, you need to be on the billing page. There is a field above the credit card area to add the Code and PIN you’d like to use.
12 2011-01-26 20:58:55 customer OK. I have to add $3 to my cart. This is my first time buying anything from Lands End. I found the link on Reddit and they recommended your shirts.
13 2011-01-26 21:02:17 Bobbi Your customer service representative is currently busy but will be with you shortly. Your chat is important to us. Thank you for your patience.
14 2011-01-26 21:02:38 Bobbi I see. If you want to place the order as it is, I can remove the shipping costs for you, then, without you having to add to the order.
15 2011-01-26 21:07:13 Bobbi I’m sorry; I’m not receiving a response Is there something else I may help you with?
16 2011-01-26 21:07:50 customer I will place the order as is. One moment
17 2011-01-26 21:09:14 Bobbi Thank you.
18 2011-01-26 21:11:58 customer Order #: 1813XXX
19 2011-01-26 21:15:04 Bobbi Your customer service representative is currently busy but will be with you shortly. Your chat is important to us. Thank you for your patience.
20 2011-01-26 21:15:14 Bobbi Thank you.
21 2011-01-26 21:15:20 Bobbi I have removed the shipping.
22 2011-01-26 21:15:31 Bobbi Your new total is $49.79.
23 2011-01-26 21:15:47 customer Sweet. Thanks.
24 2011-01-26 21:15:51 Bobbi Can I send an updated order receipt to the gmail address?
25 2011-01-26 21:16:14 customer That would be great.
26 2011-01-26 21:16:23 Bobbi It is on the way. Is there anything else I can help you with?
27 2011-01-26 21:16:39 customer No. I’m all set.