Sunshine can be deceiving.

 

I know, I know. All sorts of free time, but no time to write. Things have been uneventful... no word yet about going back to work, but the unemployment checks are keeping a roof over our heads and groceries in the fridge (including Haagen Dazs Vanilla Honeybee Ice Cream, OMG YUMMM) so I'm not worrying yet.  

***

It's a beautiful day today. Makes me want to dig in the dirt and plant things! Except it's still 40 degrees out there, and still freezing at night, and I guarantee that as soon as we put plants in it'll freeze again. But I do have some seeds started indoors, in a sunny spot on my craft table, and I have my copy of the new Gardener's Supply catalog burning a hole on my coffee table. I keep telling myself to not go overboard this year, that we won't be here through the whole summer, and to save my money for new plants wherever we move to. Easier said than done...

***

I took up a new crafty hobby a couple weeks ago (like I need another!) and tried my hand at crocheting. My first attempt was a bit wonky, but looks like a scarf. Unfortunately I used a tight stitch so it's a bit stiff - it looks like a wrap-around popped collar or something. I bought a new skein of yarn yesterday to see if I can make a lap blanket to match our bedroom. Yes, I know I'll need more than just one skein to do this, but I didn't want to buy 10 skeins only to burn out on the project. My craft closet is already overflowing with half-finished cross stitch projects, I don't need to add to that pile.

***

I have this great picture in my head of what our next living room is going to look like. I want it to be centered around this photo my brother-in-law took.

It goes with our existing black & red decor, and opens up the color palette for new furniture. I want to make a quilt throw in plaids and tweeds to go with. Of course this is all months and months down the road, so I have plenty of time to oogle furniture (like this awesome couch!!) and change my mind a million times about the fabrics to use in the quilt.

***


I spent a day last week sorting through our CD collection, reorganizing them in their binders and ripping a few more into iTunes.  I came across the very first mix CDs I made in college, when the shine was still on Napster and I'd rounded up a ton of crappy oddball songs that I thought I wanted.  Holy lord, is it ridiculous.  I actually had to Google the lyrics of a few of them because I not only couldn't remember the artist, but the name of the song escaped me as well (and some I still can't figure out).  That's how craptastic these songs were.  So naturally I added all of them to my computer.  

(Daggum narrow columned set-up...)
Yeah.  Awesome, right? 
I'm just bummed that I still can't find my "Monster Ballads" CD.  That thing had some kick-ass tunes on it, like the stuff you'd request to hear at junior high dances then get your friends to go ask your crush to dance.  Sad.

Second verse, same as the first

I could title this post the same as the last... it's snowing again, and it's a Random Tuesday Thoughts post again, and I'm not feeling particularly creative.

***

Holy weird dreams, Batman. Last night I dreamt that a co-worker was having a dinner party at her house, but to make it more interesting she had her house moved to Santa Monica during the party, with all of us in it. She told us that she did this often, but that the IRS had caught up with her about paying property taxes in both Ohio and California, so she couldn't do it anymore. While we were in Santa Monica it started to rain, and the city started to flood. There was an Infantry company based in an underground bunker beneath the city, and they told us it was zombie skeleton pirates causing the flooding, and they couldn't be killed. There was a giant zombie greyhound guarding the entrance to the bunker, but we cut off its head with a sword and it died, so we knew the zombie pirates could be killed somehow too. We were in a baseball stadium with the soldiers and the zombies were down on the field, and I kept yelling "Where's the damn Browning?! Somebody tell me you have a Browning!" We finally found it propped up against a wall (the rifle was painted bright blue for some reason) so I grabbed it and climbed up on top of the press box and started shooting at the zombie pirates. I figured out they could be killed by shooting them straight through the heart, because their blood had been chemically changed and that was what was keeping them alive.

Somebody do a dream analysis on that shit.

Stopping by blogs on a snowy morning*

This particular brand of organic instant oatmeal? More like instant glue. Just add hot water, and voila! Use it to stick your cat to the ceiling!

***

It's an especially lazy day today. I thought yesterday was lazy - but yesterday I actually did the dishes. I can't even get motivated to do that. Which may not sound like a big deal, but I HATE dirty dishes in the sink. BUT! I got motivated to post, so that's a win at least.

***

Portion of a chat convo earlier this morning with a friend from work:

Him: so what's the snow like at your place?

Me: white. and cold. and blowing like Jenna Jamison.

Him: that's so not right. funny, but not right.

Me: I'm never right.

***

I finished season 1 of Lost last night. I think I'm hooked now. Or I could be honest and admit that it's just Sawyer. Holy dimples, batman.

***

I had some money left on a gift card to JCPenney, so I got on their website this morning to scour their mega-winter-clearance-sale for a new coat. My poor leather jacket is looking pretty beat up - I mean, when you can take one look at it and know that I carry my purse/laptop bag on my left shoulder, and that I pack waaaay too much into it - then you know it's time for a new coat. I found a super cute wool jacket, black & white plaid, for $19.99! SCORE. I'm glad I saved my Christmas gift cards. I can still go shopping despite being broke.

***

I made my daddy's peach cobbler this weekend, and it turned out exactly like I remember it - sweet and gooey and doughy and yummmm. I'm going to post the recipe on Tasty Kitchen today. If you haven't visited this recipe site yet, go! It's the Pioneer Woman, so of course it's awesome. I've posted a few recipes there already - look me up!

***

*I really do love this poem. Hint to family members that need birthday gift ideas: a collection of Robert Frost, please.

Another Tuesday, another...

It's Tuesday already? Lord. If I'm not careful, my entire blog will consist of RTT's.

***

I need a new pillow. Not that mine is worn out or anything, but it's definitely not right. I've had consistent neck and shoulder pain for a long time now, and I think it's about time to do something besides bitch and moan and wish for a massage. I sleep on my stomach and on my side the most - I don't really need a pillow when I'm on my stomach, but I need something really supportive when I'm on my side. Anybody have any suggestions?

***

Ashley from The Accidental Olympian sent me a bag of Oly Rollers coffee as a thank-you for helping her pick her roller derby name (Ash & Burn!) and holy cannoli, is it good. Strong and dark and just right for waking my sluggish ass up in the mornings. Thanks Ash!

***

I'm trying to be better about accepting compliments. My Inner Critic doesn't like it, and doesn't believe it when people say something nice, so the automatic reaction is to laugh it off or deny it. I've found that the simple act of accepting a compliment does wonders for my self esteem. Yesterday a co-worker really buttered me up, and it had me literally buzzed on an ego-high all day. It was awesome. The Inner Critic is still there of course, but I'll try to use her to keep me grounded rather than letting her bring me down. It'll be hard to do but I think it's a good goal.

***

I hate being on the verge of a decision, but not being able to make the decision. It's like sitting on a precipice, trying your damnedest to keep your balance for just a little longer, until you really know which way to step. And all the while you have something flying around your head, buzzing and whirring and bugging the ever-loving shit out of you, trying to knock you off-kilter. I'm going nuts, trying to wait and be patient, when I just want to know what's going to happen and what I need to do next. I'm over-thinking things (as usual) and it's just making my emotional state even more of a roller coaster. So I'm reading a book on how to reign in the over-thinking side of me - and hoping it gives me something to grip, and a fly-swatter.


***
I always seem to be one step behind the music scene. Just in the last few months did I catch on to Muse, The White Rabbits, Vampire Weekend, and today, Rodrigo y Gabriela. LOVE.

Dear So & So, From the Couch Edition

Dear Workplace,
Why is it that I feel guilty when I take a sick day (or have to go home early)?  It's not like anybody says anything to me or looks at me sideways, so why do I care?  And for that matter, why don't more people stay home when they're sick rather than sharing their germs with the whole damn office?  There is something psychological going on here... hidden messages in our screensavers or something...

Sincerely,
*cough* *sniff* *coughcough* *hack*

***

Dear Self,
I swear I witnessed you latching the kitchen babygate last night.  So how the hell did the dog get in there, eat the cat food, eat the zucchini bread that was thawing on the counter, and shit in the basement?  Apparently head colds amplify memory loss or something.

So Much for Breakfast,
Me

***

Dear Dog,
Since you seem to have developed thumbs overnight, you can clean up your own shit.

No, You Don't Get Breakfast So Quit Dancing Around By Your Dish,
Mama

***

Dear Princess Fuzzy Butt,
Yes, I know the dog ate your food and the world is ending because your dish is empty.  LET. ME. SLEEP.  You are THIS close to being shut in a closet.

Get Your Fat Ass Off My Chest,
The Lady Under the Blankets

***

Dear Mother Nature,
Dumping six inches of snow on the day I stay home sick is a happy coincidence!  It's pretty, and I don't have to drive.  My favorite kind of snow.  Too bad I can't go out and take pictures.... or get groceries.  Oops.

Many Thanks,
The Smart Person Who Failed to Stock Up Before the Storm

Wordless Wednesday: Winter Fruits

Bye bye, '09

(I stole this from Sundry.  Did it last year too.)


1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Learned to teach a class, and somehow managed to teach it several times without making a total ass of myself.  Earned a fancy "title" to put on my business cards.  Told off a co-worker when stuff he did made me look like a fool.  Started sewing a real quilt.  Made a bunch of homemade stuff like salsa & pasta sauce & pumpkin puree.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?



Kind of.... I didn't really make any last year though, come to think.  I really don't like making yearly resolutions.  I've found it's easier to set monthly goals - it gives me a better sense of accomplishment which in turn motivates me to keep going.  It worked for me this year with going to the gym, until I caught a cold & couldn't go, then spent a weekend in the hospital and still couldn't go... threw me completely off.  But this year, each month I'll re-set my goals of eating healthier and getting more exercise, creating things and staying motivated at work.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Friends back home had another little girl, & cousins did too.

4. Did anyone close to you die?


No.  Which is good of course.

5. What countries did you visit?


No foreign travel yet.  I think I visited one new city in the U.S. - the booming metropolis of Yuma, Arizona.  Good times!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I'm hoping that the company will have more money so that I have more opportunities to DO stuff.  Also a kitten.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
God, I suck at dates.  My trip to Phoenix & Yuma, and when B & I went to Chicago.  Whenever those were.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


Teaching that class, especially the one time in Phoenix when I totally had to wing it.  That felt pretty good.

9. What was your biggest failure?
My attitude about a lot of stuff.  And dropping out of therapy.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major, but there was this story which was kind of funny.  Also was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome which sounds unpleasant but it just leaves me a bit sore.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I would say my Macbook, but I didn't buy it.  Woot!  Hmm, maybe my food processor?  It gave me the means to turn a mountain of tomatoes into a freezer full of pasta sauce and salsa.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I'll have to say B again, who made a difficult decision to ensure his well-being and take some strain off our relationship.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


The aforementioned co-worker that I finally worked up the nerve to tell off.  But then he apologized and was pretty sincere about it, so while he royally pissed me off I've managed to let it go.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, groceries, credit card debt, and the university.  Did you know that when you cook at home, you have to buy a lot of groceries?  It's appalling.

15. What did you get really excited about?
An idea I ran past my bosses that was completely out of left field, and they are so far totally supportive & enthusiastic about it.  Ask me again in May, and we'll see where it goes!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Sara Bareilles' cover of Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, from her live album.  It gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it, and both B and I love it.



Also, Supermassive Black Hole by Muse, it was my go-to driving song all year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Neutral.  Things have changed, but not for the better or the worse, just changed.
– thinner or fatter? Fatter I think.  It's all this cooking.


– richer or poorer? Always poorer!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?


I wish I had gotten off my ass more.  At work, at home, with exercise and creative things... I could have done so much more than just SITTING.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Spazzing out about stupid stuff that wasn't worth spazzing out about.

20. How did you spend Christmas?


Just B and I, a lazy day.  We'll celebrate with the family tomorrow.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Erm... well... I developed a couple new crushes.  But they don't really count.

22. What was your favorite TV program?


Leverage and Bones.  Which, if you haven't seen Leverage, you should!  January 13th!  Season two starts up again!



On DVD, I caught the Wire bug (ha!!) and have gotten a little hooked on Angel too.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?


There were some people that I severely disliked during the course of the year, but it's mostly okay now.

24. What was the best book you read?
Hunger Games and Catching Fire, the whole Percy Jackson series, An Echo in the Bone, and World War Z.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The White Rabbits


and Sara Bareilles.  If you get beyond the annoying song from the radio, the chick has an amazing voice.

26. What did you want and get?
An awesome computer, and Photoshop Elements 8.

27. What did you want and not get?

Something out of therapy.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Avatar and Star Trek.  Done and done.  Those two will always be on my favorites list.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We had a real party this year!  And I have no pictures except this one, which is sadly sober!  Considering I turned 30, I would have thought I'd be drunk off my ass by this point...

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More work opportunities.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Getting away with jeans when I could - or at least until HR sent out a memo.

32. What kept you sane?


The couch.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Christian Kane.  I mean, really.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?


Climategate and the whole climate change/global warming load of crap.  Urgh.

35. Who did you miss?


My friends from home.

36. Who was the best new person you met?


Lisa, one of our reps in Chicago who unfortunately isn't with the company anymore.  But she's still awesome.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.


My inner critic is a raging bitch.  I'm waaaaay too hard on myself and take things waaaaay too personally.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.


I couldn't think of one last year, but this year I'm cheating a bit because I have a particular song lyric typed out and taped to my computer monitor:

"You don't always have to hold your head higher than your heart."
Hope - Jack Johnson

Personal Soundtrack

Like Avitable, I could have sworn I'd done this before... but I can't find it.  So screw it.

1. Open your music library (iPod, iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every stage of life, type the song that’s playing
5. When you go to a new stage, press the next button
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool…


Waking Up: Rock & Roll - G. Love & the Special Sauce
First Day at School: Rebel Child - Gretchen Wilson
Falling In Love: Island Girl - Elton John
Fight Song: Things Ain't Like They Used to Be - The Black Keys
Breaking Up: Stoned Love - The Supremes (Forrest Gump Soundtrack)
Prom: Where Did I Go Wrong - Martin Sexton
Life: It's Kosher - Dialogue from Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels Soundtrack
Mental Breakdown: Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Driving: Lot of Leavin' Left To Do - Dierks Bentley
Flashback: After Hours at McGann's - Gaelic Storm
Wedding: On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
Birth of Child: Black Magic Woman - Santana
Final Battle: Wrong Way - Sublime
Death Scene: Love Live Rock - The Who
Funeral Song: The Heart of Life - John Mayer
End Credit: O Tannenbaum - Nat King Cole

Traditions

Swiped from Swistle.  Merry Christmas all!

Eggnog or hot chocolate? I like hot cocoa but my favorite is hot apple cider with a splash of Captain Morgan.

Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? When I was little, Mom and Dad would sign their gifts as Santa & Mrs Claus.  We don't have kids but usually stocking gifts get signed from Santa.

Colored lights on a tree or white? Colored on the tree.  If we did outside lights they'd be white.

Do you hang mistletoe? We didn't this year, I couldn't find it in the box.

When do you put your decorations up? My rule is usually the weekend after Thanksgiving but this year it was the weekend before.

What is your favorite holiday dish? I don't really have one - we usually do something different for dinner each year.  But Mom's "Pink Stuff" was a favorite when I was a kid.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.  But growing up we did.  Because we had so many people at our house on Christmas day, it made sense for us to open ours the night before.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? We have a fake, pre-lit tree (B begrudgingly agrees that it looks nice), with a garland of red, white, & green wood beads and a garland that looks like hard candy.  Lots of glass icicles, and a hodgepodge of fun ornaments.  Nothing fancy, but it's cute.

Snow: love it or hate it? It's pretty to look at, as long as I don't have to go out in it.

Can you ice skate? I could when I was a kid, but I haven't tried in years!

What is your favorite holiday dessert? Pumpkin pie!

What is your favorite holiday tradition? B & I haven't really established any yet ourselves, but my best friend and I usually call each other on Christmas day to compare our loot!  And my dad would always put a train around the base of the tree, more for the cats than for us though.

Candy canes: yum or yuck? I don't like peppermint, but other flavors are sometimes okay.

Favorite Christmas show? A new one this year, Prep & Landing!  It's hysterical.  But always, Charlie Brown's Christmas.

I had to add a couple more...

Favorite ornament: We have a lighthouse that B's dad gave us that plugs into the light string & blinks, and I also love our silver pinecone.  It makes me think of home.

Favorite holiday movie: Growing up we started watching The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and B's family watches National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation every year too.

Most memorable gift you received as a child:  I remember the doll that Mom made for me, and the wooden cradle and high chair.  She made me clothes and bedding for it, it was so cute.  I kept all of it, but it's in storage somewhere.  Once I get it all together, it will have a special place on a shelf.

RTT: Minimalist

So a while back I entered one of the bazillion blog contests out there - the leave-a-random-comment-and-we'll-draw-your-number kind of thing - through BlogHer.  Mona's post about her fart-iferous household made me bust up, and I didn't even pay attention to what the prize was, I just wanted to share a laugh.

So about a week ago I'm sorting through a boatload of junk email that I hadn't bothered looking at (until I realized that my comment notifications from this blog were being filtered there.  Whoops.).  Lo and behold, I come across an email from someone at BlogHer, saying essentially that, out of the kindness of their hearts, they'd been holding on to the prize I'd won until they heard back from me.  Holy cannoli!  I won something!

How fitting, that a post about farts would win me a box full of Febreeze!  So thanks Kirida & BlogHer, for a very fun and sniffy little prize!

***

Why didn't anybody tell me about Angel sooner?

Hello.

***

We put up our tree the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Earlier than we usually do, but I'm glad we got it done.  Christmas decorations make it feel so cozy.

I'll add better pictures later.  I'm too lazy trying to think of other things to talk about.

***

Thanksgiving dinner was a success, although the raspberry jalapeno chutney was a little too zingy I think.  The Christmas Potluck is coming up at the office, and I signed up to bring a cake.  Not my usual fare at Christmas, so I'll have to find something creative.  Chocolate zucchini maybe?  Or pumpkin?

***

Yeah, my creative juices are sapped today.  Sorry folks.

Anthropomorphism

I really had to think about some of these.

Swiped from Avitable:

If I was a/an _____, I'd be ______

TV show: Monk or The Closer - Anal retentive, controlling, yet a bit ditzy


Song: Fix You, Coldplay


Movie: Wall-e


Book: The Idiot Girl's Action Adventure Club - Laurie Notaro


Fictional character: Claire, from the Outlander series - smart, caring, yet you never know what's going to come out of her mouth


City: Seattle - busy & creative with a profound ability to chill


Verb: "Flop"


Color: Moss green


Animal: Cat


Emotion: Anxious


Article of clothing: Warm wool socks, preferably stripey


Flavor: salty sweet, like chocolate covered pretzels


Food: see above - bland on the inside with a sugary coating


Vice: nail-biting


Plant: Bougainvillea


Mythological animal: Chimera


Letter: R

Inanimate object: A box of kleenex

School Activity: Marching band


Positive attribute: Organized


Negative attribute: Picky

I am...

(Many thanks to Mocha Momma for today's blog fodder.)

saying no to: bad food cravings - retail therapy and other unnecessary spending - social events when I'm far from feeling social

saying yes to: social events when I need to be social - offers of help - trying new things

giddy about: 70-degree days in November - Christmas - next spring, and the possibilities it will bring - seeing my Mom again this week

scared of: missing our chance - something bad happening while I'm away from home - taking what I have for granted

deeply inspired by: insanely motivated people who are taking the bull by the horns

obsessed with: Good tasting, real food.

in love with: my Macbook - my red patent leather heels - Indian Summers & fall color

haunted by: the fact that I've changed jobs every 2 years almost on the nose since I graduated from college, and NONE of them have been related to my degree.

saved by: my husband and his steadfast, if sometimes completely goofy, perspective on life.

...and you?

It's one of those days where I can't come up with my own material.

I swiped this from Avitable, who in turn swiped it from someone else.

(Can you tell that NaBloPoMo is already starting to kick my ass?  I'm meme-ing and it's only day 7.)

***

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The subject of happiness is a whole post in and of itself.  But for the purposes of this little questionnaire, my answer is sunshine coming in the window & warming my spot on the couch while I read a good book with a cat on my lap.

What is your greatest fear?
The unpredictable.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My controlling tendencies.  (That's putting it mildly.)

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Rudeness & condescension.

On what occasion do you lie?
I like Adam's answer: I lie when I'm scared not to.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Food.

What is your current state of mind?
Uncomfortable, both physically and mentally.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
Creativity

What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Intelligent Wit

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"I don't know" and "Seriously?" and insert any expletive here.

When and where were you happiest?
I can't define any one moment as THE happiest, but that first Christmas with B, when he first met my family & got to spend a little time with my dad... that's up there on the list.

Who are your favorite writers?
Diana Gabaldon, JK Rowling, Neil Gaiman, CS Lewis, Jennifer Crusie

Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I had stronger artistic talents.  (Yes, Mom, I'm not bad, but I wish I was gifted like you are.)

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
That we all lived closer together.

If you died and came back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A cat.  Eat sleep sunbeam antagonize the dog sleep cuddle eat...

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My lack of physical fitness.  I'm not overweight but I'm terribly out of shape.

Where would you like to live?
Oregon.

What is your most treasured possession?
Photographs.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Boredom and loneliness - I can handle one without the other, but not both at the same time.

What do you most value in your friends?
Intelligence, whether it be book-smart, people-smart, or street-smart - and compassion.

What are your favorite names?
As in, what would I name my kids?  Cassidy, or Sydney; Colin, or Gabriel.

What is it that you most dislike?
Stupidity borne out of ignorance.  (Agreeing with Adam's answer here.)

What is your greatest regret?
Taking someone I love for granted.

How would you like to die?
Surrounded by friends & family - I want to have the chance to say goodbye to everyone.

What is your motto?
"Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end."  (I'm a Vulcan in disguise.)

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Body,

Stop with the pain, please.  Right Shoulder, your constant aching and occasional stabbing pains are getting old.  Lower Back, I know you're having some 'internal turmoil' right now but I'd appreciate it if you laid off with the muscle spasms.  And Head, if I could remove you and leave you in a jar on the nightstand, I totally would.  You're all on notice.

Sincerely,

Ibuprofin Ain't Cuttin' It

***

Dear Northwest Airlines/Delta/Whoever You Are,

I hope you appreciate the effort I will be putting into packing this weekend.  I will even be weighing my suitcase.  Seven days, split between work and vacation, into one bag?  This might get ugly.

Cordially,

At Least Phoenix Will be Warm So I Can Pack Clothes That Weigh Less

***

Dear Subconscious Mind,

I'm really not sure what to do with you anymore.  You're kind of freaking me out, with the way you randomly spew things into my consciousness while I'm trying to brush my teeth and get ready for the day.  This morning?  The odd bit of the Jabberwocky poem that I remember from my freshman year of college ("Oh frabjous day, calloo, callay!" He chortled in his joy.), when I had to perform it in my drama class (which is another story altogether).  Seriously, STFU and let me put on my makeup in peace.

Thank you kindly,

Not Awake Enough For That Bizarre Shit

***

Dear Dog,

You seem to be the subject of a few of these notes.  I wonder why.  At any rate, please, please, PLEASE behave yourself next week while I'm gone.  I know B is a bit more lax about the rules than I am, but that doesn't mean you can take advantage of him.  Stay out of the damn kitchen, and keep your bathroom business in the yard, not the basement.  I'm tasking the cats with keeping you in line, and you know you hate it when Gyro gives you the evil eye.

Much Love,

Mama, aka the Keeper of the Yogurt

Attack of the RTT

So yesterday I had INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION, and I WROTE, DAMMIT.

Today, I've got this:

[caption id="attachment_326" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Insert LOL caption here..."][/caption]

I can't even think of a good LOLCat caption for it.  Help me out here people.

For the visitors from Keely's, this is Gyro (as in Gyroscope, not the flatbread sandwich).  He likes "helping" me with my quilting.

***

Temerity Jane is hosting a challenge during NaBloPoMo: Becoming A Person Who Comments.  I think I do a decent job of commenting, but how do I GET people to comment?  Yesterday I had NINE WHOLE HITS on my post and NO ONE commented.  (NINE!  I KNOW.)  Most of them were from my link on Facebook, so they're people I really do know, so why don't they comment?  Was yesterday's post unworthy of comment?  Well.... probably.  But still!  SAY SOMETHING DAMMIT.

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I'm having fun with my camera lately, can you tell?

[caption id="attachment_327" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="To-May-To"][/caption]

Think I need to start working on photographing people, though.

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Archer Farms Kona Blend is my new favorite coffee.  At least until we open the Buttered Rum flavor.

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There are people who are so perpetually pissed off, rude and disrespectful to everyone they encounter, that when they're rude and disrespectful to you, all you can think about is how to piss them off even more.  Let's just say, "It's on like Donkey Kong."

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Today is Election Day, and I'll be hitting the polling place after work to vote for Ohio's Issue 1, in which veterans of ODS, OEF and OIF get additional compensation from the state in honor of their service.  In other words, B gets a little extra cash, which he totally deserves for all the B.S. he's had to deal with.  Boo.  Yah.  Oh yeah, guess I'll vote for Mayor too.

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Am I the only person who HATES when people bring candy/cookies/donuts to work & puts them out on the community counter?  I might bring homemade cupcakes but I only share them with people that I know aren't dieting, and only occasionally rub it in the faces of friends who are.  But putting stuff out on the counter is just plain insulting.  Also, irresistible.  *NomnomMilkDudsnom*.

Creatively Speaking

I've got to start keeping a notebook beside my bed.  Last night I basically wrote an entire post in my head, and do you think I wrote it down or made any note of it at all so I could remember it today?  NO.  Because I'm SMART like that.

I know that it was about writing though, so I guess I'm already off on the right foot.

Several people I read are doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) (as opposed to NaBloPoMo which is what I'm doing), and I thought about doing that for, oh, two seconds, before nixing it.  I realized last night that I haven't done any truly creative writing since I'm not sure when.  I do remember writing a poem for an assignment in 6th grade, about my old grey & white cat.  My mother and sister RAVED about it and still bug me to write poetry to this day because of it.  I just remember being mad that my teacher read it out loud in class but didn't get the rhythm of it right - but of course I was too chicken to read it out loud myself so it's my own fault.

I remember writing short stories in grade school (4th grade maybe?) for a collection that our teacher "published" at Kinko's and gave to all of our parents.  I totally don't remember what I wrote but I think it was something about a horse.  Which isn't surprising; I was a bit of a horse nut when I was a kid.  But through high school and college, I remember writing a LOT of reports, and LOT of research papers, and a LOT of articles for journalism classes, but nothing really creative.

Some might argue that my blog could be considered creative, but it's not - it's not a product of my imagination, it's a product of my life and mind - a journal, not a story.  It's not always entertaining, and I don't necessarily mean it to be.  It's simply an outlet, and what goes on in my head isn't always funny or enlightening or meaningful for other people.  But then I also don't reveal everything that's going on in this particular space, since I link to it from Facebook and my mother and other family members read it, so that itself may be limiting it's entertainment value.  But I'm not that brave yet.

But back to my point: ultimately, no.  I'm not a creative writer.  Could I be?  Maybe.  I haven't tried.  Do I want to?  Maybe.  It's not something I've thought about, it's not on my Bucket List or even my weekend To-Do.  Will I give it a shot?

......

Fall at Fort Meigs

We took a walk at Fort Meigs Park today - the sun was out, and it was a bit chilly but we had a grand old time.  Jake bounded through the grass like the boisterous hound dog he is, and even got in the river for the first time.  I got some great photos of seed pods & other fall foliage, and a nice one of the "Regal Beagle" too.  (Okay he's not a Beagle but he sure can pose pretty when his nose isn't going into overdrive!)

I'm also thinking about trying out NaNoBloMo or NaBloPoMo or whatever the hell it's called - basically November is National Blog Posting Month and the idea is to write one post every day.  I'm not sure if I'll really be able to live up to that but I might give it a shot - so here's today's, more pics than words, but still a post.

For all you dog-nerds out there

I admit that I'm more of a cat person than a dog person, but I still love dogs.  I'd love to work with a therapy dog, or maybe even search & rescue, but ultimately my goal is to one day have enough property and a barn to turn into a sanctuary for pets that might not otherwise be adopted - long-time residents at the Humane Society, special needs, or senior pets.  It'd be fun, for one thing, to have a herd of dogs running around like crazies, but it'd feel good too, to know that I was able to provide a happy home for them.

Along these lines, I LOVE watching dog shows on TV.  I would never buy a purebred dog - I just can't justify spending the money when so many adoptable dogs are out there - but I'm not opposed to responsible breeding.  I like watching the shows to familiarize myself with the breeds, to be able to recognize them when I see them in the world.  It's like how some people can recognize what year/make/model a car is, purely trivia, but also fun to be able to ID mutts too.

Anywhoo.  Long rambling intro to this meme I found at save the pitbull, save the world.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE A DOG FROM EACH CKC/AKC “GROUP,” WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
(excluding your own breeds)

Group 1- Sporting:  Chesapeake Bay Retriever.  My nephew has one that, while I haven't met him, has been extolled as the GREATEST dog by my mom.  And that's a big compliment from my mom!  They don't strike me as being as hyper-dumb-overbred as some of the others either, but I'm no expert.
Group 2- Hound: Irish Wolfhound.  They're just so regal.
Group 3- Working:  A Swissie.  Man, I'd put that dog to WORK in the garden, hauling a cart around for me.  That, and they just have beautiful, mushy faces.  MUSH.
Group 4- Terriers:  This is tough - I hate to admit it but I love terriers.  I think I'd have to say the Norfolk Terrier appeals the most.  Any of them would keep mice out of a barn quite nicely though.
Group 5- Toys:  Havanese.  Totally my 'old lady' dog.
Group 6- Non Sporting:  Shiba Inu.  They can be feisty, but make for a good little guard dog.
Group 7- Herding:  This is also a hard one, because I love having a super-smart dog.  I think I'll say the Belgian Tervuren piques my interest the most though.

What about you, fellow dog-nuts?  (Wait, that doesn't sound right...)  Neuter and spay, everyone!  :-)

[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Jake-ster, our English Foxhound/Lab mix"][/caption]

Wordless Wednesday

These are a few...

The Pioneer Woman does photo assignments on Flickr, and today she referred to I Heart Faces for more weekly assignments.  I'm excited to start doing these (using NEW photos, not just archived ones) to keep the creative juices flowing and get some use out of my fancy SLR!  (Although this first project is using archived photos.)

So this week's assignment on I Heart Faces is "My Favorite Things." It's ironic, every time I think about having my own shop/studio, I think about naming it this even though I've never seen The Sound of Music.  But I remember having a record with that song on it when I was little, which I loved.



My husband - Sappy, I know, but he's one of my favorite people EVER.  It doesn't matter what we're doing (or not doing for that matter), he makes me smile, laugh, roll my eyes, grimace, hide my face... but most of all he makes me feel good.



Gardening - I don't always have the best luck with my plants (poppies that took over the world & drowned coreopsis...) but I like getting out in the warm spring sun, digging in the dirt and making things pretty.







My Pets - I love having fur-babies to cuddle and snuggle and play with, despite how exasperating they can sometimes be.

Well, it's a start... and of course there are more things that I love, I just don't have any good photos of them on-hand.