Essential E

Donor's Choose

2009-09-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

As you know, I’m currently teaching kindergarten in Virginia.

Here’s what you might not know: I’m part of the DonorsChoose.org teacher community, and we post projects for the resources that would make the biggest difference in our classrooms. If DonorsChoose.org teachers collectively get 5,000 people to give to classroom projects, $100,000 in additional funding will be released.

Please help! Visit http://www.donorschoose.org/wt-sp/362916/Hooker and support any classroom project. Please also re-post this link to spread the word.

Thanks in advance for your help in supporting the DonorsChoose.org teacher community!

Thank you!
Emily

Makes my Monday: Reflection & Revelation

2009-08-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

After much soul searching, I'm joining the many.... the many who take a moment and step back to examine their lives and said, wow, I spend entirely too much time on the computer.

I haven't posted for three whole weeks, and in that time I have tried to remove myself from blogging almost completely- no reading or writing. Honestly, it's been very freeing. I've been doing soo much art journaling, more real reading, and I know that as the school year begins, I need to be focused.

I also have really been thinking about this whole concept of paper and whether or not it's real if it isn't written down to be found someday by our grandchildren. I adore the idea of my journals being read by my ancestors.... I just don't know if the blournal will do it for me anymore.

Now, I can't quit completely, I'm going to continue to post little smidgens of thought and sound on the "inspiration board" which you can follow in any of your readers, but as far as regular diatribes on life and learning, I'm going to be putting it to paper.....

Makes my Monday- Baby News

2009-08-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

Not mine- LOL, just a smidge of a teaser there.

Sean and I have been married for almost 7 years and any time I get a hint of an upset stomach, everyone within shouting distance screams, "Maybe you're pregnant!??!?!?" We're not. *grin* Not yet people, give us another couple years to ourselves.... babies will come, promise. Maybe when I'm 30. Just two more birthdays. Then we'll talk more seriously.

However, my friends have been bitten by that little baby bug, lots of them are preggers. It's kind of crazy how all of a sudden, they have to get pregnant. They swear it will happen to us, but so far, we're ok being DINK's. (Dual Income No Kids for you people who aren't married to someone in the financial world- I wouldn't have had ANY idea- grin. )

Today's most important one though is my Meghann, my closest friend from high school, the main one I keep up with, my maid of honor, my dear, my heart - the one who has been ready to have babies since we were in high school. While kids all around us were getting pregnant, Meghann is probably the only one who could have handled it, and of course, we were waiting until we got married. Well Meghann has since gotten married, and her eggo is preggo. Today they find out if it's a boy or a girl and I just can't wait. My vote is boy, her Mom's vote is girl, you should see the running tally on facebook from last night~ hilarious. Either way, Meghann will be the most amazing mother that that child could have ever had. To my Meghann, who now belongs to a whole other set of people.

Wanderlust

2009-07-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

I'm desperate for my vacation... headed to Ocracoke in a little over two weeks, but it's not soon enough... I've been looking at the pictures of our house every day.... can you get me out of here? Where are you relentlessly craving to go?

Killer Hot Dogs?

2009-07-28T11:38:00.001-07:00

An American Institute for Cancer Research report claims that a 50g serving of processed meat a day (about what you'd get from a hot dog) can increase your risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent. This is thought to be because of nitrites -- preservatives used in processed and cured meats that, when broken down in the digestion process, might be carcinogenic. But that hasn't been confirmed yet. Colorectal cancer kills approximately 50,000 people every year in the U.S.

Because of this, Cancer Project president Neil Barnard has filed a lawsuit against several big processed meat producers, including Oscar Mayer and Hebrew National, demanding their products come with warning labels stating that hot dogs increase the risk of cancer, in the same way cigarettes carry warning labels about lung cancer, emphysema and so on.

"Just as tobacco causes lung cancer, processed meats are linked to colon cancer," said Neal Barnard, president of the Cancer Project and an adjunct professor at the George Washington University medical school in Washington, D.C. "Companies that sell hot dogs are well aware of the danger, and their customers deserve the same information."

The defendants in the lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, include Nathan's Famous Inc., Oscar Mayer owner Kraft Foods Inc., Sara Lee Corp., Marathon Enterprises Inc. and ConAgra Foods Inc., which owns Hebrew National.

Perfectly reasonable or a little extreme? Either way you go, I guess it's just another reason I'll stick with my smart dogs...

Makes My Monday- Thunder Storms

2009-07-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

After a lovely weekend together, Sean and I woke up around two this morning to a horrid thunder storm with some crazy intense lightning. (This picture is not from our storm)

It meant two things that made my Monday. My early morning Monday was made nicer because Sean snuggled up, knowing that the thunder would be freaking me out. Secondly, now my day-time plans are a little more free because I don't have to water all the plants and flowers!

What's making your Monday? Let me know and then link back to Cheryl at Twinfatuation to let her know too!

Loving this....

2009-07-25T09:56:00.001-07:00

Curly Girls are the Best Girls

2009-07-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

If you ask me, us curly girls are the best girls.... & I'm not biased at all!

Kristen Sara over at While We're Waiting just did a giveaway that I was so sad not to win. In it, she had some Curly Girl items, and curious, I headed on over to their site to check it out. I have fallen in LOVE> Their stuff is outstanding and I am infatuated.

So imagine my utter delight when Kristen Sara announced that she was doing another giveaway- a specifically Curly Girl contest! These prints are fantastic and their quotes are outstanding. Here are just a couple of my favorites:

"It isn't enough to put your heart and soul into something, the really important thiings require much more than that."

"There is nothing more powerful than a woman with an open heart."

"One of the hardest things to realize is that our someday is right now."

I love their style. Well, Kristen Sara is giving away one of their miniature box prints! You simply must go and check out her contest. Only, don't win, ok? I'd like this one....

Help! I'm Bored

2009-07-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this site has taken up far more of my time this morning than it should have- especially since since I have schloads of paperwork to be finished and turned in before I can leave school today. Please check it out-

In addition, Help Remedies sells these adorable little pill cases that I'm in lust with- How cute would these be floating around in your bag? Much safer looking than the random bottle-o-pills I pull out now if you ask if I have some tylenol.....

She's Crafty....

2009-07-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

Two days and counting.... and then I can make all the inspired goodness that I've been flagging all summer long! The question is where do I start? You tell me, what would you do? This morning's quicklinks are the various projects that I've starred so far this summer in my google reader as "when Summer School is over." Well it's almost over....

* Spruce up Your Swimsuit- Love Maegan shows us how to take an old suit that you don't wear anymore and cut it up to add ruffles to a new or current suit.

* Wall art with an old Window Frame- I love this one- using wallpaper to make a fabulous wall hanging. We use to have all these old windows- great for anyone who has recently had their windows replaced....

*Kristen Sara's Grandmother's Strawberry Freezer Jam- My mom and sisters and I used to make strawberry freezer jam when I was a little girl too, so this recipe stuck out to me like crazy. This might be the first thing I tackle, before the strawberries are out of the stores!

*Matchbook Summer Notes- These sweet downloads from Shabby Chic Crafts have been sitting in my "crafty" desktop folder for weeks now... I'm itching to do something with them.

*Wine Cork Trivet- I have been saving wine corks for God knows how long- in hopes to find the perfect project. Here it is! Something easy, simple and useful! Those folks at Crafty Nesters have done it again!

And now I throw you the gauntlet- have you got any great project ideas? For the kitchen? For the Home? For my craft table? (aka my living room floor.) I'm ready to get moving in t-minues 48 hours.....

I Keep Getting Older

2009-07-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

but they stay the same age..... 5, that is. Just another day in kindergarten.

Two more days of summer school. The kids are driving me crazy. Is it horrid to say that? We're all just sick of each other. In reality, we've all been in school since September without a real break. That's a cup of crazy if you ask me.

My birthday was lovely, I brought cupcakes for the kids, we had a nice time, I went home to a rainy afternoon and nooked up on the couch to read. There just isn't much nicer than a cozy rainy afternoon to read by yourself. I got some sweet surprises from dear friends and felt loved all around from the people who mean most to me.

Lastly, my sweet husband came home with flowers, cake and the first disc of season two of Mad Men. We made a delicious dinner and curled up together to watch.... pure heaven. I'm so madly in love with him. Have I mentioned that before? We went to a birthday party this weekend and they put the photos online today. Imagine my delight that someone was able to sneak this one of us.... I'm so smitten....

And the Winner is....

2009-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

First off, a HUGE thank you to everyone who entered my first give away! I had fun checking out which shirts you all loved, especially in comparison to the ones I already owned! So without further ado.... the random generator winner is..... Kristen Sara! She had all three shots to win and it paid off, getting her her choice of shirt! Congratulations Kristen Sara, I'll be e-mailing you soon with the information you need to claim your shirt from PopIdiot.

And now for one gratuitous weekend picture of me and the man.... I mean, it is my birthday..... * grin* Happy Monday to you all! -e

Cacoon, The Return to My Life

2009-07-18T05:34:00.000-07:00

We watched Cacoon Last night..... it's been a LONG time since I've seen it, and I fell back in love with it all over again. I adore watching those fabulous octogenerians flipping around that pool! It breaks my heart when Rose dies and Bernie carries her over to the pool. I cried.....

Last weekend we watched Weird Science! Seriously, she was so hot. That scene where she reams out his parents cracks me up every time. I also adore it when she tells the girls that they should shower with the boys if they get the chance. The look on their little faces. I love it.

We're on some kind of revival kick..... What 80's movies really do it for you?

Zooey Darling, I adore you

2009-07-17T02:48:00.000-07:00

If you don't love Zooey Deschanel, you can't get with me. Period. I mean, who hasn't become so smitten with their She and Him cd that they just don't know what to do with themselves?!?

Who after season two of Weeds didn't wonder if they could get away with giving people "heart hugs?" *I tried, I don't reccomend it.*

Who hasn't steadily followed her career and thought that she has just become more and more divine with each step that she takes?

Where have you seen her? Probably more places than you think:

Your Highness (2011) (filming) .... Belladonna

(500) Days of Summer (2009) .... Summer

Yes Man (2008) .... Allison

Gigantic (2008) .... Harriet 'Happy' Lolly

The Happening (2008) .... Alma Moore

"The Simpsons" .... Mary (1 episode, 2008)
- Apocalypse Cow (2008) TV episode (voice) .... Mary

"Tin Man" .... (3 episodes, 2007)
- Tin Man (2007) TV episode ....
- Search for the Emerald (2007) TV episode .... DG
- Into the Storm (2007) TV episode .... DG
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) .... Dorothy Evans
... aka L'assassinat de Jesse James par le lâche Robert Ford (Canada: French title)
... aka The Assassination of Jesse James (USA: short title)
"Weeds" .... Kat (4 episodes, 2006-2007)
- Doing the Backstroke (2007) TV episode .... Kat
- Pittsburgh (2006) TV episode .... Kat
- Yeah, Just Like Tomatoes (2006) TV episode .... Kat
- Mile Deep and a Foot Wide (2006) TV episode .... Kat

Surf's Up (2007) (voice) .... Lani Aliikai

Raving (2007) .... Katie

Flakes (2007) .... Miss Pussy Katz

Bridge to Terabithia (2007) .... Ms. Edmunds
The Go-Getter (2007) .... Kate
The Good Life (2007) .... Frances
Live Free or Die (2006) .... Cheryl
Failure to Launch (2006) .... Kit
Once Upon a Mattress (2005) (TV) .... Lady Larken
Winter Passing (2005) .... Reese Holden
"American Dad!" .... Candy Striper Stripper / ... (1 episode, 2005)
- Stan Knows Best (2005) TV episode (voice) .... Kim - French Maid/Candy Striper Stripper

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) .... Trillian

Eulogy (2004) .... Kate Collins

"Cracking Up" .... Heidi (1 episode, 2004)
- Birds Do It (2004) TV episode .... Heidi

Elf (2003) .... Jovie

House Hunting (2003) .... Christy

It's Better to Be Wanted for Murder Than Not to Be Wanted at All(2003) .... Gas Station Girl
... aka Wanted (USA: informal title)

All the Real Girls (2003) .... Noel

Whatever We Do (2003) .... Nikki

"Frasier" .... Jen (1 episode, 2002)
- Kissing Cousin (2002) TV episode .... Jen

Sweet Friggin' Daisies (2002) .... Zelda

The New Guy (2002) .... Nora

Big Trouble (2002) .... Jenny Herk

Abandon (2002) .... Samantha Harper

The Good Girl (2002) .... Cheryl

Manic (2001) .... Tracy

Almost Famous (2000) .... Anita Miller
... aka Untitled: Almost Famous the Bootleg Cut (USA: director's cut (DVD title))

Mumford (1999) .... Nessa Watkins

"Veronica's Closet" .... Elena (1 episode, 1998)
- Veronica's Fun and Pirates Are Crazy (1998) TV episode .... Elena

I am absolutely counting the days until her new movie 500 Days of Summer comes out. I can't wait.....

Saving the World- one Curly Girl at a time...

2009-07-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

From one curly girl to to the world- I am in LOVE with these curly girl designs. Thanks again Kristen Sara for turning me on to them!

*Mental note- need to go for a bike ride today...

What would you need to save the world?

ps- I would also need a cup of coffee- at least one.

Current Crush- Jason Mraz

2009-07-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Jason Mraz has to be the most perfect summer music- driving on the beach, by the ocean with your windows down dreaming music. I'm in love. I have probably listened to this song 100 times in the last 48 hours. It's on permanent repeat in my cd player. I have a serious crush.

PS- Only a few more days to enter my Birthday Contest! Don't forget! -e

Sleeping to Dream by Jason Mraz
I'm dreaming of sleeping next to you
I'm feeling like a lost little boy in a brand new town.
I'm counting my sheep and each one that passes is another dream to ashes
and they all fall down.
And as I lay me down tonight,
I close my eyes, what a beautiful sight.

Sleeping to dream about you
and I'm so damn tired.
Of havin' to live without you
But I, I don't mind.
Sleeping to dream about you and I'm so tired.
Oh, yes I am

I found myself in the riches
Your eyes, your lips, your hair
Well you were everywhere, out there.
I woke up in the ditches.
I hit the light and I thought you might be here
But you were nowhere. Oh love,
Well, you were nowhere at home.
As I lay me back to sleep,
This love I pray that I can Keep.

Sleeping to dream about you
and I'm so damn tired.
Of having to live without you
But I, I don't mind.
Sleeping to dream about you and I'm so tired.

I'm so tired.

Well its Just a little lullaby to keep myself from crying myself to sleep at night. Once I dry my eyes I'll...

Sleeping to dream about you
and I'm so damn tired.
Of having to live without you
But I, I don't mind.
Sleeping to dream about you and I'm so tired.
I'm so...tired.

Thought, ergh- FRUSTRATION - for the Day....

2009-07-15T02:28:00.000-07:00

First off, you have time still to Enter my Birthday Giveaway! And if you already entered, remember that if you post about it on your site, you need to come back and comment again to let me know and get another entry! Also, you get a bonus entry if you follow me or have me on your blog roll, but you have to comment on the birthday giveaway post to let me know that. All in all, you can have three entries, but should have three comments to let me know.

Ok- seriously, I started this post at 7 something this morning before I went to school. Unfortunately, blogger didn't work at school today- it was being picky. So all I got done before school was the above reminder to enter my contest. My frustrations at school led to a myriad of things, the most important of which was......

a digital inspiration board.

There are things that I find and want to blog about or keep attached to my blournal that aren't really worthy of a whole post. Thus the board. I'm going to put a link to it on the side as soon as I get a chance, but for now, check it out if you get a minute and tell me if you think this is a crazy idea.

AND while you're clicking out, head over to While We're Waiting's Kristen Sara- she is doing a fabulous giveaway- seriously, a fabulous giveaway- to celebrate her double digit following. I almost don't want to send you there, because I would love to win it! She announces her winner on Monday, the same day I announce mine!

And if you're heading out for other people's rad giveaways, go on over to Life is Bananas- Mayra has a sweet giveaway too! I mean, seriously, could the blog world be any more full of awesome giveaways right now?

But come back and tell me what you think of the inspiration board.... please? -e

Swearing Reduces Pain- No F*cking Way!

2009-07-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

First off, don't forget to Enter my Birthday Giveaway! And if you already entered, remember that if you post about it on your site, you need to come back and comment again to let me know and get another entry!

Moving on, NPR did a little blurb this morning, here's a more in depth article from the BBC News... Check it out:

Swearing 'helps to reduce pain'

TV chef Gordon Ramsay is notorious for his swearing

Uttering expletives when you hurt yourself is a sensible policy, according to scientists who have shown swearing can help reduce pain.

A study by Keele University researchers found volunteers who cursed at will could endure pain nearly 50% longer than civil-tongued peers.

They believe swearing helps us downplay being hurt in favour of a more pain-tolerant machismo.

The work by Dr Richard Stephens' team appears in the journal NeuroReport.

Dr Stephens, from Keele's school of psychology, came up with the idea for the study after swearing when he accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer as he built a garden shed.

If they want to use this pain-lessening effect to their advantage they need to do less casual swearing

Researcher Dr Richard Stephens

He recruited 64 volunteers to take part and each individual was asked to submerge their hand in a tub of freezing water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice.

They were then asked to repeat the experiment, this time using a more commonplace word that they would use to describe a table.

Despite their initial expectations, the researchers found that the volunteers were able to keep their hands plunged in the ice water for a longer period of time when repeating the swear word.

Natural response

On average, the students could tolerate the pain for nearly two minutes when swearing compared with only one minute and 15 seconds when they refrained from using expletives.

While it is not clear how or why this link exists, the team believes that the pain-lessening effect occurs because swearing triggers our natural 'fight-or-flight' response.

They suggest that the accelerated heart rates of the volunteers repeating the swear word may indicate an increase in aggression, in a classic fight-or-flight response of downplaying a weakness or threat in order to deal with it.

Dr Stephens said the findings might also explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today.

But he cautioned: "If they want to use this pain-lessening effect to their advantage they need to do less casual swearing.

"Swearing is emotional language but if you overuse it, it loses its emotional attachment."

Rohan Byrt of the Casual Swearing Appreciation Society said he thought the study was the first time swearing's benefits had been proved.

e's Birthday Giveaway

2009-07-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

OK party people- it's about time I had my first giveaway- Don't you think? My birthday is one week from today and I thought that would be the perfect excuse! I was planning to do a Birthday Fav's package- a La this lovely Lady- but was approached by the Silver Fox, aka Kelly, from Popidiot to do a giveaway and thought it would be perfect timing to tie them in together!

Kelly is a local guy who I've run into around the art show scene a few times- he screen prints his shirts himself, and they are some of my absolute favorites to wear. I seriously own half of their inventory, and Sean owns the other half- his stuff is so great.

His philosophy is this:

It's a ridiculous world~ Dress appropriately. You don't need to be a genius to understand a popidiot shirt. There's nothing to get. It's all right there on the front between your neck and your belly button. Life is complicated enough. That's why we stick with the simple pleasures: robots, monkeys, spacemen and hula girls.

The best part of their work (and this giveaway) is that they are truly a shirt company for the intelligent masses. They have something for everyone in your life! Fabulous shirts for your man- adorable ones for your kids- even onesies for your babies! And, of course, I'm not leaving you out- I seriously rock out in their shirts all the time~ and their little motorcycle panties- I adore them! The hardest part of this giveaway will be picking your favorite.

But that's just what you have to do. Go to their site- pick your favorite. Leave a comment telling which your favite is, deisgn, color, the works. Now choose carefully and be specific! THIS WILL BE WHAT YOU WIN! Kelly is generously letting me give away ANYTHING that they have in stock. **Not the hoodies- which is a friggin shame for you because they are fabulous- totally worth ordering one- I love mine!** So, if you want to choose for yourself, choose away- if you want to pick something to give to your man, go for it, something for your kids, it's yours.

Now of course, we have to give some extra chances, that's the way these games are played! For the sake of my ease and the random number generator, please leave a SEPERATE comment for each of these submissions. If you are a follower or have me on your blog roll, please comment and tell me so~ extra chance. If you post about this contest, another chance- but please people, a real post- not a little blurby thing on your sidebar.... you know what I'm talking about..... *grin* and please provide the link to it in your comment so that I can check out your neato articles! These are truly fabulous shirts and a super cool artist- if you don't win, buy them anyway.

You have until Sunday night, July 19th to enter, I will announce the winner on Monday, July 20th.... my Birthday! Good luck! -e

Giveaway!

2009-07-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

Coming soon! I promise.... my internet was down all weekend & I didn't get a chance to work on this at all, I'm going to be all over it this morning- I'm so excited! Check back~ it should be up by lunch time I hope! -e

INTJ and an Announcement.....

2009-07-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

First of all.... Be sure to back on MONDAY for an announcement for my FIRST GIVEAWAY! I'm so excited! And now on to today's regularly scheduled post.... *grin*

Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

It's been a long time since I took the Myer's Briggs personality test, but a friend and I were discussing what our types were and I thought it was time I took it again. Imagine my surprise when my type had changed DRASTICALLY.... I used to be a hard core ENFJ. You can take the test here and then comment about what your type is- I'd be so interested to know! I've italicized the more interesting parts of my write-up below- or more true- and added my own notes in blue. I found it fascinating that they included the famous people who shared my style & especially loved that they included fictional characters!

To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness", of self-confidence. This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their own areas of expertise -- and INTJs can have several -- they will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and if so, how. INTJs know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don't know.**I was telling someone just the other day that I respect decisiveness more than most things in life- even if it's the wrong decision, make a choice! I can't stand someone wishy-washy. So this was especially true for me.

INTJs are perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in this pursuit of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the type: INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake.**This is one of the characteristics that has made me such an excellent teacher, I think. I don't feel like I have to do what the other teachers are doing, even if they might be more experienced or older. This has caused some drama over the years, and too this characteristic is one of the reasons I'm one of the more strict teachers in my grade level. I think that there are higher expectations that can be met. Period.

INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs can be unsparing of both themselves and the others on the project. Anyone considered to be "slacking," including superiors, will lose their respect -- and will generally be made aware of this; INTJs have also been known to take it upon themselves to implement critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers. On the other hand, they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the individual contributions that have gone into a project, and have a gift for seizing opportunities which others might not even notice.**There is no quicker way to lose my respect than to be lazy or whine about what your job entails. Do what you are suposed to do, do it well and be passionate about it. If you aren't doing your share, I'm going to pick up the slack because that's what I do, but I'll probably never respect you again and they're right, you'll know it.

In the broadest terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know". Typical INTJ career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a combination of intellect and incisiveness are required (e.g., law, some areas of academia). INTJs can rise to management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing their abilities as well as enhancing them, and (whether for the sake of ambition or the desire for privacy) many also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.

Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel. While they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations.

This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). To complicate matters, INTJs are usually extremely private people, and can often be naturally impassive as well, which makes them easy to misread and misunderstand. Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense. :-) This sometimes results in a peculiar naivete', paralleling that of many Fs -- only instead of expecting inexhaustible affection and empathy from a romantic relationship, the INTJ will expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.**I am just on the cusp of an F and used to be a "feeler" instead of a thinker, so I think that some of these things don't really apply-highlighted the ones that still stand true for me. I'm able to put myself in the situations of others and have a beautiful relationship with my husband. I can flirt with the best of them and can be social if the situation is one in which I am comfortable. I do however find large groups more and more draining, and more often would just rather be in small settings with a handful of people that I love.... or just that main one that I love.

Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their willingness to "work at" a relationship. Although as Ts they do not always have the kind of natural empathy that many Fs do, the Intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and facial expression. This ability can then be honed and directed by consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those they care about, and those relationships which ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized by their robustness, stability, and good communications.

Famous INTJs:

Susan B. Anthony

Lance Armstrong

Arthur Ashe, tennis champion

Augustus Caesar (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus)

Dan Aykroyd (The Blues Brothers)

William J. Bennett, "drug czar"

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)

Raymond Burr (Perry Mason, Ironsides)

Chevy Chase (Cornelius Crane) (Fletch)

Katie Couric

Phil Donahue

Michael Dukakis, governor of Mass., 1988 U.S. Dem. pres. candidate

Richard Gere (Pretty Woman)

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor

Greg Gumbel, television sportscaster

Hannibal, Carthaginian military leader

Veronica Hamel (Hill Street Blues)

Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote)

Orel Leonard Hershiser, IV

Peter Jennings

Charles Everett Koop

Ivan Lendl

C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Joan Lunden

Edwin Moses, U.S. olympian (hurdles)

Martina Navratilova

Michelle Obama

General Colin Powell, US Secretary of State

Charles Rangel, U. S. Representative, D-N.Y.

Pernell Roberts (Bonanza)

Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California

Josephine Tey (Elizabeth Mackintosh), mystery writer (Brat Farrar)

U.S. Presidents:: Chester A. Arthur; Calvin Coolidge; Thomas Jefferson; John F. Kennedy; James K. Polk; Woodrow Wilson

Fictional:

Cassius (Julius Caesar)

Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

Gandalf the Grey (J. R. R. Tolkein's Middle Earth books)

Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' nemesis

Ensign Ro (Star Trek--the Next Generation)

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Hamlet)

George Smiley, John le Carre's master spy

Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)

Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs)

It's the Little Things in Life that Matter

2009-07-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by the very cute and stylish PinkBow to name 6 little things that are making me happy. Tada:

Pandora Radio is making my ears happy... check it out if you haven't already!

Glitter is making my art journal happy!

Candied Ginger is making my tummy and my tongue very happy!

This delicious summer VINO makes me happy all over!

My Chucks are making my toes happy.

Polka Dots make my soul happy.

Now consider yourself tagged- link back and comment so we can know know what little things make you all warm and fuzzy inside!

Dear E.....

2009-07-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Keep it Anonymous. I absolutely loved this idea from Grace's Birdcage, so I'm stealing it.

Answer as you like- silly or serious- just make sure you keep it anonymous. Here's the question:

What are you afraid of?

Where I was Yesterday

2009-07-08T02:28:00.000-07:00

1. Take your Blog to The Next Level on Bakery- where I got this snazzy Speedlinking idea... we'll see where it goes....

2. Shopping: Shoestring Home on Blueprint Bliss- gorgeous ruffled items- still with the ruffles!

3. E-Cloth Giveaway on Missy Maintains- Great E-cloth review and giveaway opportunity- I've been eying these so it was useful!

4. Top 10 Myths About Google Analytics- Very Interesting- I'm still not using this feature- not quite sure about all the mechanics of it. but this helped to explain some of the intricacies...

5. Today (July 6 edition) from Immeasurably More- I've been seeing this little reflection all over the blogs & thinking it would make a great mini journal page- a quite where am I today...

+ a bonus- I didn't read this for the first time yesterday, I keep coming back to it....

6. Summer Lovin from Snips, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails- Fabulous summer love list, I've been brainstorming about what needs to go on my own.... make yours and link in!

Shoot Em Up

2009-07-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

We're doing loads of grilling these days and even a veggie burger needs some fixins. How awesome is this condiment gun? I want it for our next cookout. Get it here for $30.