A Sign Language Interpreter gets dressed

As many of you already know, I'm a Sign Language interpreter.  I've been rockin' this gig for many, many years.

What you probably don't know is that 'terps don't have a wide variety of choices when it comes to getting dressed for work.

We kid about standing at the open closet door saying "hmmmm what'll I wear today?  Yellow stripes?  No.  Hot pink polka-dots?  Can't happen.  I guess I'll wear something in solid black."

Part of our Code of Ethics includes professional attire.  The "professional" part I take with a grain of salt.  I call myself "the casual interpreter" in that I don't own a suit and haven't worn a dress or skirt . . . well, ever.

I'm a slack/pants, shirt/sweater kinda gal.

The reason for black clothing (it can also be navy blue, dark green or brown - as long as it's solid and contrasts with your skin color) is to provide a good background for your hands.

These are taking up about a third of my closet.

Because of my crappy lighting, they look gray but they're not.  Black all the way.

Now, just to break up the monotony I like to occasionally throw in some jazzy socks to keep myself from going crazy or being mistaken for someone working in the funeral biz.

So if you're local folk and see me walking Augie around town clad completely in black (unless I have my coolio socks on) you'll know I'm heading out for a job immediately afterward.

Food to die for

As some of you know I am one of the trustees for a family foundation - the Mignon Sherwood Delano Foundation.  We make grants to area non-profits every year.  It's a wonderful gig.

Every December we have a lovely dinner at the Delano Inn and eat like royalty.  This year was above and beyond.  We felt like . . . what's better than kings and queens?  Whatever - that was the feeling we all left with - not to mention full tummies.

Our caterer was new to us this year.  Our very own MugShots.  It is a coffee shop downtown that I wrote a blog about a few years ago.

Yes, they serve up coffee, tea and all the little goodies that go along with those beverages but they did a bang-up job in the fancy department Tuesday evening.

The Delano Inn got its Christmas on in a big way.  Jingle those bells.

Baked Brie en Croute with Apple Raspberry Compote

Stuffed mushrooms

Butternut Carrot Bisque

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese. OMG!!!

Greens with Campari tomatoes, herbed goat cheese, cucumber and carrot

Sorbet Palate cleanser (by now I was speaking with a French accent)

Herb stuffed Roasted Pork Loin, asparagus with Grana Padano, Roasted Redskins smashed with Rosemary Compound butter.

Dinner rolls with something way better than just plain butter to schmear on them.

And then . . . wait for it.  Peppermint Mocha Roll with hand dipped Chocolate Strawberries.

And to top it all off - handsome gentlemen Rob and Jamie; our chefs!

Insightful info.

Toothpaste is the topic of today's blog.  I know, I know, I've kept you waiting for some time now but, believe me when I tell you, it was worth it.

We've always been a Crest toothpaste family.  For so many years it was just the regular old paste.  Then someone in the research department decided to get all fancy with gels, stripes and flavors.

We tried them all and disliked them. 

I don't exactly know what happened that caused me to buy this one.

I hated the taste on the first go-round but . . . well, you know.  Ya buy it, ya use it until it's gone.

This was another issue.  Who the hell thought the flip top was a good idea?  You can see what a mess it is.  Yuck.

I found myself using massive amounts of this undesirable stuff just so I could throw it away in all good consciousness before buying a new tube.

The day finally came.  Yea!!  Back to the old reliable.

Ahhhhh.  The paste is back in the house with the twist off cap.
Life is good.

There's a new kid in town

Friends and neighbors, Doug Buter and Karen Koll, are doing something exciting and very cool at their home.

They've opened Studio 442 and filled it with beautiful things including jewelry, furniture, floral pieces, edible goodies and more.

They are located at 442 Cutler Street here in Allegan and will be open weekends through the holidays and then . . . ?

They're on the corner of Pine and Cutler.

Something to sit on.

Something to hang on your wall or door.

Something to place your pretty things in.

Something to sit and admire.

Something to hang around your neck.

Doesn't this bring back the old beaded curtain days?

This would look great any time of the year anywhere.

Perfect for admiring yourself which I like to do . . . often.

Storing socks or pencils in I'm thinking.

Multi-purpose shelving.  Multi-purpose jars, too.

A tisket, a tasket.  Sorry, couldn't help myself.

A trio looking for a home.

More pretties.

Even better viewing in person.  You need to check this place out.

Studio 442.  Stop in either before or after my open house next weekend.

Be careful what you volunteer for

So I'm sure you all remember that I'm a Sign Language interpreter.
99% of my freelance work is medical - doctors' offices, dental offices, hospitals, etc.

I do, however, do a teeny bit of legal interpreting so when an all day legal workshop came along in Grand Rapids recently, I jumped on it.

It was a fantastic workshop full of great information whether I do legal 'terping or not.

A portion of the day included a tour of the holding area in the lower level of the Grand Rapids courthouse.  We saw how they transfer people from the jail to the courthouse and where they "hold" them before being brought up to the courtrooms.

So there we were - huddled together listening to the very nice police officer describe how the whole process goes.  He asked for a volunteer and before I knew it (and what it involved) my hand shot up and I said (in a loud voice) "I'll do it."

Ouch!  My knees!

I was sucking it in - didn't want him to think I was too chubby for the belly chain.

He looks satisfied and I look puzzled.

So be careful what you volunteer for - you might end up in chains.
"Your honor - I plead the 5th!"

Sunday morning walk with Augie

I honestly feel like Mother Nature has given us a big fat kiss on the mouth with this fall.

Augie prefers taking his walks along the river front so we did both boardwalks this morning.  Always thinking, in the back of my mind, (which is quite crowded these days) that it might be the last beauty before the "you know what hits the fan."

The blue sky was amazing.

Our historic iron bridge in the background.

I was hoping I could capture the diamond-like beads of water on this grass but it didn't turn out like I wanted.  Still pretty though.

The Old Regent Theater doing a photo bomb.

The yellows were amazing this year.

Winery names

So recently Petey and I were driving around northern Michigan, the Traverse City area, and I noticed something about the wineries.

Well, first of all - holy cow there are a lot of them.  On every corner.  Ok, there aren't really corners in the wine country but you know what I mean.

What I really focused on were the fancy-pants names.  Like Chateau Chantal and Chateau Elan.  How about Bowers Harbor and Hawthorne.  Also Brys Estate  and Black Star.

Very dramatic and foreign.

Then my thoughts turned to alternate American/midwest names like:

                                  Vinny's Vines
                                  Grapes Are Us
                                  Mad Martin's Merlot

I'm sure I'll come up with more and you'll be waiting, right?