... without her, I wouldn't have much of a post today.
(yeah, like that's a surprise lately...)
A - Available or single: how about, no.
B - Best Friend: my pet
C - Cake or Pie: cake
D - Drink of choice: diet coke
E - Essential item you use everyday: my brain
F - Favorite color: Orange
G - Gummy Bears or worms: Bears. Worms are unwieldy
H - Hometown: currently New Boston
I - Indulgence: a good book
J - January or February: January - it's my birth month
K - Kids & Names: yes, one, Foo.
L - Life is Incomplete Without? - caffeine
M - Marriage Date: 09.06.03 - i like round numbers
N - Number of Siblings: nil
O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges for cooking, Apples for eating
P - Phobias or Fears: dark
Q - Fave Quote: At the side of the eternal Why, there is a Yes and a Yes and a Yes - e.m. Forster
R - Reason to Smile: fancy and whim
S - Season: autumn
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: um, how about - no.
U - Unknown Fact about Me: ancient Chinese secret
V- Vegetable You Don't Like: eggplant
W - Worst Habit: Grousing about that which I cannot control
X - Xrays: Probably enough to emit a slight glow
Y - Your Fave Food: Starch
Z - Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
14 December 2006
13 December 2006
Tick Tick Tick
winding down.
the clock, that is, not me. i'm about as not wound-down as someone can be without caffeine for blood. so much to do, so little time. i can't even wonkafy it, because truth be told, it's not even funny to me anymore.
i don't exactly want to cry.
i just really really really want to get in gear, tell work to get bent, and spend the rest of this week and next finishing the house and moving in and feeling like life at home is life at home, and not something happening in a mildly disarrayed construction zone.
we got the toilet into the w.c. last night.
and the first coat of paint on the bedroom walls
and the doors down (for stripping and refinishing) on the first floor
i don't have room to list everything we have left to do.
and at least two of the 'left to do' items fall into the category of 'shopping' which might not be so bad if it weren't for:
- - the fact that it's mid-December and there are lunatics out there that don't have their shopping done
- - the fact that in order to have my shopping done, and as much of the stuff in for the house as we already do have, i'm flat out broke
we ABSOLUTELY must finish the flooring this weekend.
the clock, that is, not me. i'm about as not wound-down as someone can be without caffeine for blood. so much to do, so little time. i can't even wonkafy it, because truth be told, it's not even funny to me anymore.
i don't exactly want to cry.
i just really really really want to get in gear, tell work to get bent, and spend the rest of this week and next finishing the house and moving in and feeling like life at home is life at home, and not something happening in a mildly disarrayed construction zone.
we got the toilet into the w.c. last night.
and the first coat of paint on the bedroom walls
and the doors down (for stripping and refinishing) on the first floor
i don't have room to list everything we have left to do.
and at least two of the 'left to do' items fall into the category of 'shopping' which might not be so bad if it weren't for:
- - the fact that it's mid-December and there are lunatics out there that don't have their shopping done
- - the fact that in order to have my shopping done, and as much of the stuff in for the house as we already do have, i'm flat out broke
we ABSOLUTELY must finish the flooring this weekend.
12 December 2006
Finderella
It falls apart later, but i'll get to that. later.
currently my life feels like a somewhat Disnified version of itself.
me as overworked finderella
my friends and family as the little mice and birds that do more than half the work, make me feel special, and keep me singing
the house as the wicked step mother
time and money the ugly step sisters who keep trying to get in the way
it falls apart with the whole who's the prince and what's my glass slipper, and where the heck is the fairy godmother in all of this...
but so far, the story fits, and sometimes it feels like i'll NEVER get all the work done in time to make it to the ball
currently my life feels like a somewhat Disnified version of itself.
me as overworked finderella
my friends and family as the little mice and birds that do more than half the work, make me feel special, and keep me singing
the house as the wicked step mother
time and money the ugly step sisters who keep trying to get in the way
it falls apart with the whole who's the prince and what's my glass slipper, and where the heck is the fairy godmother in all of this...
but so far, the story fits, and sometimes it feels like i'll NEVER get all the work done in time to make it to the ball
08 December 2006
Ho Ho Ho!
this the awesome Santa that the baby got to see on tuesday evening.
he's my all time favorite mall Santa. and he's lovely and diplomatic, telling each and every child who asks for something wonderful for Christmas, "I'll see what I can do." as a mom, i have to love it. Rock on Santa.
she loved it too... dancing with the Happy Feet penguins, waiting in line and being excited, using the static of wool coats and too much little kid energy to get most of her baby-duck-down hair to stand nearly on end (i.e. making mama a wreck about how she's going to look in the actual photo), seeing Santa and conspiratorially whispering to him he longing for a deer...
best of all, dinner that night was a trip to Olga's Kitchen (a treat for me, really) where i ate too much and loved every minute of it. if i would have thought for a second that i'd have room for it, i would have ordered soup, dessert, and some snacks too!
in other news - good news! - our flooring came in about a half a week earlier than we expected, so we'll be installing our new floors this weekend (instead of next!) and i couldn't be more giddy. tonight i'm painting the trim downstairs (the last step before we can install the floor!) and tomorrow morning we'll be getting the house into a truly livable state. wowzy!
05 December 2006
Claws
we're taking the baby to see Santa tonight.
when we prepped her ( ok, when *I* prepped her) the conversation went a little like this:
me: ok, so when Santa's says, "Hello there little girl, what's your name?" what do you say?
foo: Foo*
me: and when he says, "and have you been a good little girl this year, Foo?" what do you say
foo: You betcha' Santa.
me: and when he says, "well then, what can I bring you for Christmas?" what do you say
foo: toys!
me: and when he says, "what kind of toys do you want?" what are you going to tell him
foo: a deer
me: a deer? what kind of deer?
foo: a little deer we can put in the yard at my house
that's right, friends, my little girl wants a lighted yard deer from Santa for Christmas. don't you doubt for a minute that shortly after the first time we had this conversation, i trotted my big-mommy-backside off to Target and got her a lighted yard deer. my husband and i decided we're going to put it on the front porch for her to find on Christmas morning.
in other news we're still plugging along with the house. it won't kill me, i'm certain of it. i'm just really REALLY wondering if we're actually going to be able to have folks over between the holidays... at least without having to issue them some sort of tool or paint brush when they walk through the door. my husband assures me that we'll be just fine. but that's not really my style - - being all relaxed and having faith in things working out. i'm more the peel your nails off and stress until the last minute when it all actually does fall into place kind.
- - breathe - -
i'm off to lunch with a friend i haven't seen in months.
when we prepped her ( ok, when *I* prepped her) the conversation went a little like this:
me: ok, so when Santa's says, "Hello there little girl, what's your name?" what do you say?
foo: Foo*
me: and when he says, "and have you been a good little girl this year, Foo?" what do you say
foo: You betcha' Santa.
me: and when he says, "well then, what can I bring you for Christmas?" what do you say
foo: toys!
me: and when he says, "what kind of toys do you want?" what are you going to tell him
foo: a deer
me: a deer? what kind of deer?
foo: a little deer we can put in the yard at my house
that's right, friends, my little girl wants a lighted yard deer from Santa for Christmas. don't you doubt for a minute that shortly after the first time we had this conversation, i trotted my big-mommy-backside off to Target and got her a lighted yard deer. my husband and i decided we're going to put it on the front porch for her to find on Christmas morning.
in other news we're still plugging along with the house. it won't kill me, i'm certain of it. i'm just really REALLY wondering if we're actually going to be able to have folks over between the holidays... at least without having to issue them some sort of tool or paint brush when they walk through the door. my husband assures me that we'll be just fine. but that's not really my style - - being all relaxed and having faith in things working out. i'm more the peel your nails off and stress until the last minute when it all actually does fall into place kind.
- - breathe - -
i'm off to lunch with a friend i haven't seen in months.
04 December 2006
got the snow
it's snowing outside.
'they' said we were supposed to only get flurries.
'they' also said we were only getting flurries when we were obviously under 'showers' conditions
didn't surprise me - - my head's been splitting for the past 2 days.
and no, it's not from the stress of the presentation I had to give today
or the fact that it's december and we ONLY JUST finished painting the downstairs rooms
or the fact that the flooring is still two weeks away
it's from the weather. it almost always triggers a migraine
'they' also say that we're not supposed to be getting much more than flurries tonight or tomorrow and that we might get showers on Wednesday, but my head tells me otherwise, and since i second guessed it this morning (and came out to a snow-covered car at 3) when i shouldn't have, i'm guessing we might get more than they're predicting.
still, it's not deep or sticky wet
or impairing the actual road conditions
(though it did almost destroy the ability of most of the other folks on the road to drive faster than 35 miles an hour - - except for those who had to drive 90)
and certainly not snowman quality
but it's pretty.
and i love pretty snow.
especially in december.
all of a sudden
in spite of the head
and the presentation
and the pitiful state of the house that would be home
i am almost feeling a hint of holiday spirit
stirring in my self
and wondering if it's too cold for stringing lights
'they' said we were supposed to only get flurries.
'they' also said we were only getting flurries when we were obviously under 'showers' conditions
didn't surprise me - - my head's been splitting for the past 2 days.
and no, it's not from the stress of the presentation I had to give today
or the fact that it's december and we ONLY JUST finished painting the downstairs rooms
or the fact that the flooring is still two weeks away
it's from the weather. it almost always triggers a migraine
'they' also say that we're not supposed to be getting much more than flurries tonight or tomorrow and that we might get showers on Wednesday, but my head tells me otherwise, and since i second guessed it this morning (and came out to a snow-covered car at 3) when i shouldn't have, i'm guessing we might get more than they're predicting.
still, it's not deep or sticky wet
or impairing the actual road conditions
(though it did almost destroy the ability of most of the other folks on the road to drive faster than 35 miles an hour - - except for those who had to drive 90)
and certainly not snowman quality
but it's pretty.
and i love pretty snow.
especially in december.
all of a sudden
in spite of the head
and the presentation
and the pitiful state of the house that would be home
i am almost feeling a hint of holiday spirit
stirring in my self
and wondering if it's too cold for stringing lights
30 November 2006
ratty, miserable, and not fit for dogs
it's one day from december, and the day has been pissing since before i woke up (which is ungodly o'clock every morning)
it's evil dark out all the windows, and a plague of rain.
WHERE IS MY SNOW???
(mid-grouse, i decided on a sip of tea, which promptly slipped my lips and took a vacation down the front of my shirt - - that will teach me for being a foul-mooded ingrate)
honestly, the rain is probably a blessing - - were it snow, i'd be forced to pack up my things and head home to work out the rest of the day there... oh agony!
probably i should stop before this turns into one of those abysmal rants that does no good and spirals me a little deeper down the path of all out pissiness
it's evil dark out all the windows, and a plague of rain.
WHERE IS MY SNOW???
(mid-grouse, i decided on a sip of tea, which promptly slipped my lips and took a vacation down the front of my shirt - - that will teach me for being a foul-mooded ingrate)
honestly, the rain is probably a blessing - - were it snow, i'd be forced to pack up my things and head home to work out the rest of the day there... oh agony!
probably i should stop before this turns into one of those abysmal rants that does no good and spirals me a little deeper down the path of all out pissiness
28 November 2006
turd
that's me.
a right turd
it's been too long since i've been on
but come on, it's been thanksgiving weekend
and we did a LOT of work on the house (i.e. the play room is completely painted, the kitchen and dining room each have one coat of paint, and the dining room and the living room each have their shiny new lighting fixtures installed, and the glue on the stairs is being ground away, and the floor has been repaired in the w.c., and we have two new toilets waiting for installation, and a new switch for the light, and well, so so very much!)
and my health is improving (i.e. I can smell things again)
and i'm catching up at work.
more to come...
a right turd
it's been too long since i've been on
but come on, it's been thanksgiving weekend
and we did a LOT of work on the house (i.e. the play room is completely painted, the kitchen and dining room each have one coat of paint, and the dining room and the living room each have their shiny new lighting fixtures installed, and the glue on the stairs is being ground away, and the floor has been repaired in the w.c., and we have two new toilets waiting for installation, and a new switch for the light, and well, so so very much!)
and my health is improving (i.e. I can smell things again)
and i'm catching up at work.
more to come...
15 November 2006
why to stop smoking
this is the bucket i mentioned
every time i see it, i think of what those poor folks' lungs must suffer on a daily basis.
p.s. - - it's a cold. i have a cold, a good old fashioned head cold, complete with sneezes and coughing and the whole 9. i've been better, sure, but it could be a lot worse (debilitating) so i'm not grousing.
13 November 2006
poser big mac
waiting for work to catch up with me - - don't worry, it will - -
in the meantime - another story about the house.
i have chemically enhanced sinus gunk flowing BURNING the back of my throat like acid from the work we did yesterday. it started with washing the walls in the "play" room. I washed ONE - one span of about 5 feet from top to bottom - wall and my bucket of TSP had gone from cloudy white/clear to the color of root beer - - with a stench something akin to dog pee in an ashtray.
i'm not kidding. the color of root beer.
after that we painted the second coat of primer on the dining room. this went fairly smoothly.
and then - - sigh - - the primer in the play room.
after three washes and a rinse, the walls were still covered in enough nicotine that the white primer turned orange. as if that's not enough - - try mixing kilz 2 (the latex version) and nicotine fumes IN YOUR LUNGS at close range. by the time we were ready to leave the first coat to dry last night i didn't know whether to throw up or pass out... and felt inclined to do both.
instead we came home and made dinner and i vowed that today, after work, we'll be going grocery shopping, spending some quality time with the baby, and making dinners that can go from freezer to oven or freezer to crock pot for the rest of the week.
p.s. - - i was FOOLISHLY optimistic. to date the living room, dining room, and kitchen are primed to the point of being able to accept paint. the play room and study have first coats of primer. the hall/stairs to the upstairs, and all of the upstairs rooms are not even spackled/sanded (nor is the back entry and stairs to basement). we have ordered appliances, and should be able to order flooring sometime this week. the downstairs toilet is out so that we can paint unimpeded and put in the new peel and sticks. tomorrow after work is going to be another busy day.
in the meantime - another story about the house.
i have chemically enhanced sinus gunk flowing BURNING the back of my throat like acid from the work we did yesterday. it started with washing the walls in the "play" room. I washed ONE - one span of about 5 feet from top to bottom - wall and my bucket of TSP had gone from cloudy white/clear to the color of root beer - - with a stench something akin to dog pee in an ashtray.
i'm not kidding. the color of root beer.
after that we painted the second coat of primer on the dining room. this went fairly smoothly.
and then - - sigh - - the primer in the play room.
after three washes and a rinse, the walls were still covered in enough nicotine that the white primer turned orange. as if that's not enough - - try mixing kilz 2 (the latex version) and nicotine fumes IN YOUR LUNGS at close range. by the time we were ready to leave the first coat to dry last night i didn't know whether to throw up or pass out... and felt inclined to do both.
instead we came home and made dinner and i vowed that today, after work, we'll be going grocery shopping, spending some quality time with the baby, and making dinners that can go from freezer to oven or freezer to crock pot for the rest of the week.
p.s. - - i was FOOLISHLY optimistic. to date the living room, dining room, and kitchen are primed to the point of being able to accept paint. the play room and study have first coats of primer. the hall/stairs to the upstairs, and all of the upstairs rooms are not even spackled/sanded (nor is the back entry and stairs to basement). we have ordered appliances, and should be able to order flooring sometime this week. the downstairs toilet is out so that we can paint unimpeded and put in the new peel and sticks. tomorrow after work is going to be another busy day.
10 November 2006
hiccup
there has been a break in my continuity.
i hate it when i get this way.
but the truth is, things are just so "awry" in my real world right now that I have no idea, half the time, when i'm coming or going or if i'm actually sitting still.
progress:
we have primed the kitchen - 2 coats. it looks like it might actually be paintable
plans:
today we will be sanding and priming the dining room and the living room. depending on our progress with these, we may actually be doing the study as well
weekend plans:
we have shopping to do. fortunately our friends at lowes have decided to throw a "veteran's day sale" for us, and much of the paint we need to buy will be on sale - - not ridiculously low priced, but sale is sale. we also have to get the new door knobs and deadbolts (all 3 doors worth) which is not setting well on my imagined bank account. still, has to be done, so it has to be done.
once the shopping is out of the way, it will be back to the painting. i'm actually (probably foolishly) hoping to get color on the walls this weekend
snag:
we think our electrician fell through. something about the house spooked him, apparently (even though he's never seen it) and we're now looking for someone with skill and a sense of charity. it may come to pass that i'll only be able to afford to have someone who can find us a ground wire (we have one, but apparently it's not connecting to any of the outlets) and straighten up the woeful state of the breaker box. we may have to wait for, hold off on, and pretend we don't need the additional outlets in the bedrooms, dining room, and kitchen (where we really, truly, need them most).
such is life.
07 November 2006
Fever Blue
the little one is suffering a fever and a bad tummy.
and yes, i feel like the worst mama in the world for not being home with her... cozied up.
worse because she begged me not to go.
for those of you considering buying a house - -
TEAR OUT THE CARPET BEFORE YOU BUY...
this is what we have in front of us to clean up. this is just the stairs. there's more in the dining room, and the living room. they were, supposedly, going to replace the carpeting... when we told them that they could just have it torn up, they decided against any changes to the carpeting at all... can you even think to wonder why?oh but won't it be the prettiest little house when we're done.
it's a rainy day today - sort of typical of Michigan in the autumn - - we have three kinds of autumn weather here
- - sunny and crisp and full of everything that is good about the fall
- - rainy and bleak and the kind of weather that makes you want a good book and a cup of something warm to eat or drink and a fire in the fireplace and a cat at your feet
- - snowy and bitter (rarely is autumn snow the lovely big fluffy flakes) and the kind of weather that makes you want a good book and a cup of something warm to eat or drink and a fire in the fireplace and a cat at your feet
all in all, it's a good time for warm liquids, fireplaces, and cats.
06 November 2006
why?
because we bought a house.
we signed on it last monday.
tuesday was halloween, and since then the house has owned us.
it's already been a lot of work and expense, and we don't have a whole lot of progress to show.
seriously.
the ratty carpeting from the main floor and the staples and tack strips are up.
the floors (that need to be re-covered because they were neglected so badly that we can't refinish them without repairing them and we haven't the time or funds for that) have been scrubbed.
the walls downstairs are tsp'd and patched...
the walls upstairs are tsp'd, waiting to have errant nails and screws and mollies removed so the patching process can begin.
the foam (from the backing of the ratty carpeting that was on the stairs) has been scraped off, and we're determining what to do about the GLUE residue that is left behind... looks a lot like sanding is going to happen...
and the colors for the walls have been selected (though not purchased, because there's still too much to do)
we may be able to prime the downstairs walls tonight - - we're starting in the kitchen.
i still haven't been in touch with an electrician - - that is slated for tonight, I think. he has a lot to do too - - starting with straightening out the double lugs and crossed wires in the breaker box - - add to that that I want an outlet and switch for a garbage disposal and some additional outlets in the kitchen (and it would be best if they were all gfi) and some other additional outlets throughout the rest of the house... oh, and having the grounding on all these outlets actually work would be nice too...
i see the dollar signs spinning around my head like the little birds in the cartoons. i can almost hear the "cha-ching" every time i stop to think about how much needs to be done.
we are optimistically (aggressively) aiming to be able to live in the house sometime around thanksgiving. depending on how hard we work, it's still a wild possibility.
my mom and dad are helping, his mom and dad are helping, the baby is helping, the cat would help if he had thumbs - - even if not by choice.
but yes, behind all the complaining, and under all of the stress - - truth is i'm wildly happy to have the keys, and the mortgage, and the work and worry and everything else that goes along with owning our own home.
we signed on it last monday.
tuesday was halloween, and since then the house has owned us.
it's already been a lot of work and expense, and we don't have a whole lot of progress to show.
seriously.
the ratty carpeting from the main floor and the staples and tack strips are up.
the floors (that need to be re-covered because they were neglected so badly that we can't refinish them without repairing them and we haven't the time or funds for that) have been scrubbed.
the walls downstairs are tsp'd and patched...
the walls upstairs are tsp'd, waiting to have errant nails and screws and mollies removed so the patching process can begin.
the foam (from the backing of the ratty carpeting that was on the stairs) has been scraped off, and we're determining what to do about the GLUE residue that is left behind... looks a lot like sanding is going to happen...
and the colors for the walls have been selected (though not purchased, because there's still too much to do)
we may be able to prime the downstairs walls tonight - - we're starting in the kitchen.
i still haven't been in touch with an electrician - - that is slated for tonight, I think. he has a lot to do too - - starting with straightening out the double lugs and crossed wires in the breaker box - - add to that that I want an outlet and switch for a garbage disposal and some additional outlets in the kitchen (and it would be best if they were all gfi) and some other additional outlets throughout the rest of the house... oh, and having the grounding on all these outlets actually work would be nice too...
i see the dollar signs spinning around my head like the little birds in the cartoons. i can almost hear the "cha-ching" every time i stop to think about how much needs to be done.
we are optimistically (aggressively) aiming to be able to live in the house sometime around thanksgiving. depending on how hard we work, it's still a wild possibility.
my mom and dad are helping, his mom and dad are helping, the baby is helping, the cat would help if he had thumbs - - even if not by choice.
but yes, behind all the complaining, and under all of the stress - - truth is i'm wildly happy to have the keys, and the mortgage, and the work and worry and everything else that goes along with owning our own home.
24 October 2006
I am SO sorry
life has been super plus crazy busy this week
my only link to the remotest sense of sanity has been my classical music - - and that's probably mostly just because 95% of the folks on there are dead and their peacefulness resonates through thier legacy.
work - oh yeah crazy
life - oh yeah too crazy
i believe there's supposed to be something else, but the insanity of work and life have swallowed it whole.
ah - - but today the sun is shining and tonight i'm hosting my friends again - - this time for dinner - - and it's a great day for mom to take the halloween photo of the baby for the cards that i have to mail out this week. and the drive home will be pretty... and maybe the weather will hold long enough for me to clean up the front porch and do a little decorating and weeny up the house some and maybe even get in a little play time before the evening sets in.
anywho - the sorry bit - - it's for not being more regular.
i really mean to be...
i will really try to do better...
my only link to the remotest sense of sanity has been my classical music - - and that's probably mostly just because 95% of the folks on there are dead and their peacefulness resonates through thier legacy.
work - oh yeah crazy
life - oh yeah too crazy
i believe there's supposed to be something else, but the insanity of work and life have swallowed it whole.
ah - - but today the sun is shining and tonight i'm hosting my friends again - - this time for dinner - - and it's a great day for mom to take the halloween photo of the baby for the cards that i have to mail out this week. and the drive home will be pretty... and maybe the weather will hold long enough for me to clean up the front porch and do a little decorating and weeny up the house some and maybe even get in a little play time before the evening sets in.
anywho - the sorry bit - - it's for not being more regular.
i really mean to be...
i will really try to do better...
20 October 2006
Countdown
the deep insanity of the season is upon us...
the remainder of the month is all activity, and apart from the manic nature of it all, i couldn't be happier. ok, i could be happier if each of the next 11 days was full of cool (not cold) sunny days and crisp evenings, and a few thunderstormey nights. but it's not nice to mess with mother nature, so...
yes, when it's all over i WILL have to sit back and heave out a sigh and wonder how i made it through it all with even a shred of sanity left (and then immediately start planning and working toward Thanksgiving and then Christmas) but for now, i am looking blissfully forward to the next week and half... i can feel the energy already building in me and i'm GIDDY.
i think my daughter might actually understand Hallowe'en this year. i still feel compelled to do some test runs of the whole trick or treating thing... and i'm still fairly certain she's not going to want to do any of the pumpkin gut scraping... still, again, whatever.... but she's super plus ready to be a cow...
her moo is PERFECT.
we're working out the bugs of arragning an OFFICIAL at work trick or treating session for my department... i think this might be an actual first in the company... i'm beyond geeked... i'm sure you can guess... odd bit is that I'm not the one who approached the boss about it. i thought about it, but i have something of a reputation as a boat-rocker already... surprise.
ok - that's about it for right now. if it stays low, i might pop in again later... hopefully with a better something to throw your way...
the remainder of the month is all activity, and apart from the manic nature of it all, i couldn't be happier. ok, i could be happier if each of the next 11 days was full of cool (not cold) sunny days and crisp evenings, and a few thunderstormey nights. but it's not nice to mess with mother nature, so...
yes, when it's all over i WILL have to sit back and heave out a sigh and wonder how i made it through it all with even a shred of sanity left (and then immediately start planning and working toward Thanksgiving and then Christmas) but for now, i am looking blissfully forward to the next week and half... i can feel the energy already building in me and i'm GIDDY.
i think my daughter might actually understand Hallowe'en this year. i still feel compelled to do some test runs of the whole trick or treating thing... and i'm still fairly certain she's not going to want to do any of the pumpkin gut scraping... still, again, whatever.... but she's super plus ready to be a cow...
her moo is PERFECT.
we're working out the bugs of arragning an OFFICIAL at work trick or treating session for my department... i think this might be an actual first in the company... i'm beyond geeked... i'm sure you can guess... odd bit is that I'm not the one who approached the boss about it. i thought about it, but i have something of a reputation as a boat-rocker already... surprise.
ok - that's about it for right now. if it stays low, i might pop in again later... hopefully with a better something to throw your way...
18 October 2006
oof
for a while i was in the swing...
i was watching a netflix dvd at least once a week
i was reading - - a LOT
i was reeling in the amount of time i had to spend with my family
something happened
i'm out of the swing
and feeling a lot like i have a faceful of sand.
i hope this isn't indicative of how ALL the holidays are going to hit me this year...
i was watching a netflix dvd at least once a week
i was reading - - a LOT
i was reeling in the amount of time i had to spend with my family
something happened
i'm out of the swing
and feeling a lot like i have a faceful of sand.
i hope this isn't indicative of how ALL the holidays are going to hit me this year...
17 October 2006
membership drive
it's that week again.
the week when my radio stations are asking me for money. it makes me feel like such a free-loading-slacker that i don't actually have a membership for the clubs that i keep sneaking into, every day, on my way to work, oftentimes at work, and then again every day on my way home. for the one radio station that keeps me smart and the other that keeps me calm.
the other, that by the bye, may actually have saved the life (or at least the rear bumper) of the uppity cadillac that decided to teach me a lesson about letting people into my 2 car length safety zone on a rainy morning drive - that wanted to show me how to be nice by driving 40 miles an hour at 10 to 7 on a VERY BUSY morning rush enhanced major thoroughfare in the inside lane.
some people just aren't happy until they see the first bird of the morning, i guess...
back to the point - - i feel like a right bum for listening and not paying.
until the little voice of all the rich people in the world sneaks in and tells me, you don't get rich by paying for something you can get for free, and the measely 50 bucks you could afford to front the station won't even make a dent in your tax return... you never ever donate to charity unless you can claim it and have it make a difference...
i'm glad i don't have semi-anual membership drives, by the way. you can rest assured that you will never hear that kind of self-abasing begging from me. why? well, the simple honest truth is that i don't want to suffer the bad news of discovering that 90% of my readership comes from misdirected search returns and the "next blog" button (my site meter tells me enough of that all on its own). not to mention, i'd probably have to wrack my brain trying to design and develop cool little reward gifts that didn't set me back more than I pulled in... i'm thinking sculpy and shirnkey dinks here...
it's a dark and rainy tuesday... nearly abysmal outside. it's the kind of day (as i said to a far too well dressed gentleman on the way up this mornig) that makes you glad to be in the office. it's the kind of day that a lot of work gets done without feeling at all like something more fun has been missed. (except that I can have a LOT of fun indoors with my little girl... who is probably waking up just now).
the stress/strain is starting to subside from my neck and shoulders. thank heaven.
roll on October...
the week when my radio stations are asking me for money. it makes me feel like such a free-loading-slacker that i don't actually have a membership for the clubs that i keep sneaking into, every day, on my way to work, oftentimes at work, and then again every day on my way home. for the one radio station that keeps me smart and the other that keeps me calm.
the other, that by the bye, may actually have saved the life (or at least the rear bumper) of the uppity cadillac that decided to teach me a lesson about letting people into my 2 car length safety zone on a rainy morning drive - that wanted to show me how to be nice by driving 40 miles an hour at 10 to 7 on a VERY BUSY morning rush enhanced major thoroughfare in the inside lane.
some people just aren't happy until they see the first bird of the morning, i guess...
back to the point - - i feel like a right bum for listening and not paying.
until the little voice of all the rich people in the world sneaks in and tells me, you don't get rich by paying for something you can get for free, and the measely 50 bucks you could afford to front the station won't even make a dent in your tax return... you never ever donate to charity unless you can claim it and have it make a difference...
i'm glad i don't have semi-anual membership drives, by the way. you can rest assured that you will never hear that kind of self-abasing begging from me. why? well, the simple honest truth is that i don't want to suffer the bad news of discovering that 90% of my readership comes from misdirected search returns and the "next blog" button (my site meter tells me enough of that all on its own). not to mention, i'd probably have to wrack my brain trying to design and develop cool little reward gifts that didn't set me back more than I pulled in... i'm thinking sculpy and shirnkey dinks here...
it's a dark and rainy tuesday... nearly abysmal outside. it's the kind of day (as i said to a far too well dressed gentleman on the way up this mornig) that makes you glad to be in the office. it's the kind of day that a lot of work gets done without feeling at all like something more fun has been missed. (except that I can have a LOT of fun indoors with my little girl... who is probably waking up just now).
the stress/strain is starting to subside from my neck and shoulders. thank heaven.
roll on October...
13 October 2006
how to increase the stress level in your life
make a major life committment
work with people who have NO IDEA of what you do
(or how you do it)
change your method of birth control
consume far FAR too much caffiene
live with a teething two year old
maintain three stellar friendships
decorate for halloween
plan a halloween dinner menu for 10
still don't have a costume
(or a free weekend for the rest of the month)
forget an important phone number
(that you - - for whatever asswipe reason dont' have written down)
(anywhere)
in a moment of bliss find the phone number
start wearing makeup again
(and then realise that you haven't put it on yet today)
(and it's 10 minutes before your lunch date)
work with people who have NO IDEA of what you do
(or how you do it)
change your method of birth control
consume far FAR too much caffiene
live with a teething two year old
maintain three stellar friendships
decorate for halloween
plan a halloween dinner menu for 10
still don't have a costume
(or a free weekend for the rest of the month)
forget an important phone number
(that you - - for whatever asswipe reason dont' have written down)
(anywhere)
in a moment of bliss find the phone number
start wearing makeup again
(and then realise that you haven't put it on yet today)
(and it's 10 minutes before your lunch date)
12 October 2006
brane ake
oh my.
i came in to work this morning, totally having forgotten that i was teaching a lunch hour class on how to use one of our tools.
i found out about 20 minutes before i was supposed to lead the session.
i had 20 minutes to get a 2 hour presenation prepared.
i didn't have any breakfast
i didn't even take a potty break
i just finished... and i'm so mentally drained i feel like sitting down and bleeding for an hour.
i came in to work this morning, totally having forgotten that i was teaching a lunch hour class on how to use one of our tools.
i found out about 20 minutes before i was supposed to lead the session.
i had 20 minutes to get a 2 hour presenation prepared.
i didn't have any breakfast
i didn't even take a potty break
i just finished... and i'm so mentally drained i feel like sitting down and bleeding for an hour.
10 October 2006
by the bye
this morning's mood is probably the best reason i have for removing the black eyeliner crayon from the makeup bag that makes it way to the office.
dark day
not in a bad way.almost sexy.
just feeling like
dark thoughts
dark dreams
mystery
morning serenade
of Bauhaus
could have been
the cause.
it's a day for
a half a smile
out of the corner
of the eye.
maybe i missed my calling
(and the dollop of talent too)
and I should have been a goth star...
09 October 2006
Sunny Monday
In about 10 minutes I'll be free for the day.
Free to wash my hair, take a walk, and possibly go out for some fresh air and fun with my little girl. i'm having a hard time thinking of her as a baby today - - her 2 year molars are finally coming in and she's being WAY more brave than i would be in her shoes.
she's watching winnie the pooh's halloween movie... or at least one of them (i don't know if there are more)
i have been battling agaist the urge to bake up a storm this week... ok, since the beginning of the month, really. i have pumpkin pie cravings, and want to make cupcakes and brownies, and fresh bread, and....
and i'm holding up miserably against my task list for halloween... the front porch is still loaded with summer remnants, and only the pumpkins out there even hint at the fact that we're trying to greet the season. Inside is faring better, with the black curtains up and the birds perched on their respective curtain rods... i may use this afternoon/evening to make my black feathery wreath.
for now, though, i'm going to grab a pawfull of cookies and a cup of tea and rest my weary head.
happy monday!
Free to wash my hair, take a walk, and possibly go out for some fresh air and fun with my little girl. i'm having a hard time thinking of her as a baby today - - her 2 year molars are finally coming in and she's being WAY more brave than i would be in her shoes.
she's watching winnie the pooh's halloween movie... or at least one of them (i don't know if there are more)
i have been battling agaist the urge to bake up a storm this week... ok, since the beginning of the month, really. i have pumpkin pie cravings, and want to make cupcakes and brownies, and fresh bread, and....
and i'm holding up miserably against my task list for halloween... the front porch is still loaded with summer remnants, and only the pumpkins out there even hint at the fact that we're trying to greet the season. Inside is faring better, with the black curtains up and the birds perched on their respective curtain rods... i may use this afternoon/evening to make my black feathery wreath.
for now, though, i'm going to grab a pawfull of cookies and a cup of tea and rest my weary head.
happy monday!
05 October 2006
gateway cosmetic
my friend Q told me a long time ago that i should re-consider lipgloss - - that long ago little girl first step into the magical world of cosmetics.
until we had this conversation (and the following Christmas, when by serendipity, my mom gifted me with my tarte dual ended lip gloss) i hadn't worn, nor thought of wearing makeup on a daily basis since my 20's.
now, a fairly substantial portion of my morning ritual is the application of 'my face'
granted, my ritual is more streamlined than many i can cite among my acquaintance... but it's still longer and more detailed than lather, rinse, dry (which it used to be). unless it's a special occasion i rely on 4 products and two brushes... and a mirror. if my eyes are bright and my skin is clear, i can get away with 2. on weekends, i'm still zero makeup - - unless it's a special occasion.
just let me serve as a warning - - unless you're of a mind to modify your clean face ways - - steer clear of lip gloss. go with chapstick - or better yet - a small tub of vaseline that you can use for other things too...
happy thursday
until we had this conversation (and the following Christmas, when by serendipity, my mom gifted me with my tarte dual ended lip gloss) i hadn't worn, nor thought of wearing makeup on a daily basis since my 20's.
now, a fairly substantial portion of my morning ritual is the application of 'my face'
granted, my ritual is more streamlined than many i can cite among my acquaintance... but it's still longer and more detailed than lather, rinse, dry (which it used to be). unless it's a special occasion i rely on 4 products and two brushes... and a mirror. if my eyes are bright and my skin is clear, i can get away with 2. on weekends, i'm still zero makeup - - unless it's a special occasion.
just let me serve as a warning - - unless you're of a mind to modify your clean face ways - - steer clear of lip gloss. go with chapstick - or better yet - a small tub of vaseline that you can use for other things too...
happy thursday
03 October 2006
bleeding brain...
i think i used to own a halloween candle that was marketed as "bleeding brain"... it was, if i recall correctly, a skull candle that burned down red, and if i'm not wrong, not only did it bleed from the top but from the eyes and possibly the nose as well. hold on a second, let me see if i can find one...
ah yes, here we go :
N.B. - - eyes only - - it appears i was wrong.
this is how i've been feeling lately.
no - not because of the coming holiday - halloween could NEVER be responsible for doing this to me. it's everything to do with the utterly ridiculous weather we've been having lately, pressure systems dancing about (tap dancing, feels like, right inside my sinus cavities) and making my head throb. today is day FOUR of the screaming migraine that only the storms and fronts can cause. i (foolishly) thought that the booming thunderstorm of this morning would bring me some relief, but i'm still reeling. why? because apparently ma nature's not done with me yet, no siree, we're going to be getting some clearing this midday (supposedly) and then another bank of storms moving in through the late afternoon and evening.
otherwise, i'm great. work is getting done (between bouts of blindness) and life is living its way around the grousy grumpiness. caffiene, aleve, advil, and solitude are doing their parts as well... also toast (my personal panacea).
ok - off to have another great day.
02 October 2006
and me?
francy pants just got her student id for the Sorbonne
pink dot K just got a new job
K just got the news that she's having a boy
and me?
well - i have three of the spiders for my halloween decorating at work up on the wall and ceiling.
i have sore muscles from FINALLY transplanting the apple tree - heaven help me i hope it lives
i have a bruise on my ankle from lumberjack saturday
i have a mile-long to do list for the month of october and i'm already behind
and i have my own success story in the works, i think... i hope... i'll let you know.
pink dot K just got a new job
K just got the news that she's having a boy
and me?
well - i have three of the spiders for my halloween decorating at work up on the wall and ceiling.
i have sore muscles from FINALLY transplanting the apple tree - heaven help me i hope it lives
i have a bruise on my ankle from lumberjack saturday
i have a mile-long to do list for the month of october and i'm already behind
and i have my own success story in the works, i think... i hope... i'll let you know.
29 September 2006
weekend one
in which we think about a new beginning
take bins of costumes to the haunt
work on cleaning the room (entails much doing of laundry)
bathe the cat
and FINALLY start making a dummy or scare crow or something
possibly we will also
take the baby for her routine autumnal pony rides
bake something yummy
make a trip to the Home Depot
have at least one comfort meal
i LOVE October.
take bins of costumes to the haunt
work on cleaning the room (entails much doing of laundry)
bathe the cat
and FINALLY start making a dummy or scare crow or something
possibly we will also
take the baby for her routine autumnal pony rides
bake something yummy
make a trip to the Home Depot
have at least one comfort meal
i LOVE October.
26 September 2006
pee pot
i had a great post all set up to send and the freaking pop-up blocker wouldn't let me spell-check it and now it's gone.
i'm too pissy to re-write it. you have to wait until i'm in a better mood.
pleh
i'm too pissy to re-write it. you have to wait until i'm in a better mood.
pleh
25 September 2006
PSA
wash your hands
use a snissue - once - when you cough or sneeze, then throw it away
wash your hands
if you're sick, stay home - - if you can't stay home, don't touch anything
carry a personal sized hand sanitizer
and wash your hands
flu season is fast approaching. being a typhoid mary myself, i made a concerted effort this morning to pay close attention to the entire flu presentation being offered to me and my coworkers by the local health division (i don't know why they don't call it a health department anymore, but apparently they don't). i had to make the effort to pay attention because for the most part, i knew more about avian flu (from my somewhat regular visits to the cdc website)than the presenter. what i DID get out of it, though... the useful stuff... was this.
WASH YOUR HANDS - all the time - even when you think you've already washed them.
and a very powerful reminder that i absolutely MUST add one or two of those 5 gallon jugs of water to my shopping list each time i go grocery shopping for the next few trips. we don't have nearly the "emergency kit" at home that we need...
anywho... stuff to do beckons...
use a snissue - once - when you cough or sneeze, then throw it away
wash your hands
if you're sick, stay home - - if you can't stay home, don't touch anything
carry a personal sized hand sanitizer
and wash your hands
flu season is fast approaching. being a typhoid mary myself, i made a concerted effort this morning to pay close attention to the entire flu presentation being offered to me and my coworkers by the local health division (i don't know why they don't call it a health department anymore, but apparently they don't). i had to make the effort to pay attention because for the most part, i knew more about avian flu (from my somewhat regular visits to the cdc website)than the presenter. what i DID get out of it, though... the useful stuff... was this.
WASH YOUR HANDS - all the time - even when you think you've already washed them.
and a very powerful reminder that i absolutely MUST add one or two of those 5 gallon jugs of water to my shopping list each time i go grocery shopping for the next few trips. we don't have nearly the "emergency kit" at home that we need...
anywho... stuff to do beckons...
21 September 2006
guilty pleasure
one of my guilty pleasures is reading the Diary of V from Redbook.
it's nothing more than a soap opera, meant to make most women feel incredibly sane in spite of the mistakes they've made and the things they might regret. some days, it works... most of the time it sort of makes me laugh. i've been visiting on and off for years (i liked it best when it was an 'article' and not a blog... but that's just a little tiny preference whatever...) i don't even remember what brought me there the very first time, it was so long ago...
anywho
the last post on this blog was last friday. i don't check daily... usually about once a week, typically when i need a break from the overwhelming stress of my work, and typically over a cup of tea and some toast. i checked tuesday because i had just returned from vacation. i checked today because the last couple of work days have been fairly intense. like i said, the last entry was from last friday. in that stretch of time there are over 400 posts, a good percentage of which are barking about the fact that it's been a week since there's been a new post. some of them even got downright mean, sniping at the author for her lack of creativity and for her tardiness in posting - - these people who check back daily to read her work - - griping about it because there wasn't any.
it got me a little bummed and it got me to thinking...
i'm possibly something of a hypocrite.
there are about 4 blogs that i check on a daily basis. each one of them makes me smile - for it's own merits - every time there is a new post. when there's not a new post, i have to admit to a little bit of a hollow feeling. they're little bits of lives that i get to participate in vicariously (i willingly admit to my almost obscene sense of voyeurism) and they keep me connected to people who matter to me (even if they think they don't - or even if they don't know how much they do). one of them is the reason i started in here to begin with.
ok - back on track - the short story is this...
i either have to get better at checking in here daily (at least during the work week) and saying SOMETHING once a day, or i have to let go of my hollow feeling and my disappointment when there's nothing new in the blogs i read regularly.
so there.
it's nothing more than a soap opera, meant to make most women feel incredibly sane in spite of the mistakes they've made and the things they might regret. some days, it works... most of the time it sort of makes me laugh. i've been visiting on and off for years (i liked it best when it was an 'article' and not a blog... but that's just a little tiny preference whatever...) i don't even remember what brought me there the very first time, it was so long ago...
anywho
the last post on this blog was last friday. i don't check daily... usually about once a week, typically when i need a break from the overwhelming stress of my work, and typically over a cup of tea and some toast. i checked tuesday because i had just returned from vacation. i checked today because the last couple of work days have been fairly intense. like i said, the last entry was from last friday. in that stretch of time there are over 400 posts, a good percentage of which are barking about the fact that it's been a week since there's been a new post. some of them even got downright mean, sniping at the author for her lack of creativity and for her tardiness in posting - - these people who check back daily to read her work - - griping about it because there wasn't any.
it got me a little bummed and it got me to thinking...
i'm possibly something of a hypocrite.
there are about 4 blogs that i check on a daily basis. each one of them makes me smile - for it's own merits - every time there is a new post. when there's not a new post, i have to admit to a little bit of a hollow feeling. they're little bits of lives that i get to participate in vicariously (i willingly admit to my almost obscene sense of voyeurism) and they keep me connected to people who matter to me (even if they think they don't - or even if they don't know how much they do). one of them is the reason i started in here to begin with.
ok - back on track - the short story is this...
i either have to get better at checking in here daily (at least during the work week) and saying SOMETHING once a day, or i have to let go of my hollow feeling and my disappointment when there's nothing new in the blogs i read regularly.
so there.
20 September 2006
nippety tuck
it's starting to get cool in michigan. the nip in the air. the tucking in of feet.
the autumnal evenings are creeping deeper into the mornings. it's not yet "jacket" cold, but there is definitely a chill in the air.
still - i'm not getting excited yet.
every time i get excited about the onset of autumn, we get one of those ridiculous Indian Summers that go and ruin everything.
still - i really want to go get pumpkins. and corn stalks. and go on a hayride. maybe next week won't be too soon. and i just ordered our tickets for Greenfield Village's Halloween Walk. and we're already talking about/deciding on a HalloWeekend at Cedar Point.
roll on autumn...
the autumnal evenings are creeping deeper into the mornings. it's not yet "jacket" cold, but there is definitely a chill in the air.
still - i'm not getting excited yet.
every time i get excited about the onset of autumn, we get one of those ridiculous Indian Summers that go and ruin everything.
still - i really want to go get pumpkins. and corn stalks. and go on a hayride. maybe next week won't be too soon. and i just ordered our tickets for Greenfield Village's Halloween Walk. and we're already talking about/deciding on a HalloWeekend at Cedar Point.
roll on autumn...
19 September 2006
vacation turd
ok...
i know i said i was going to try to log on and do my thing while i was away, but i couldn't...
ok...
didn't.
i suck
if it's any consolation i was sick on the last day - and still am. i think we caught a cold on the ride to florida and it incubated while we were there. all of us - except the baby, mostly - are down with some degree of snotty nose and sneeze and cough.
:: highlights ::
- - shopping at publix. i don't know if i'm politically meant to hate this store, but from one who honestly enjoys grocery shopping, it was a pretty good time
- - the pool. the water was warm and clean and didn't have even the slightest hint of chlorine sting or smell. it was a great option when the ocean was just too rough (i.e. most of our vacation)
- - the ocean. two and a half whole days of it... playing in the surf, picking up shells, and the roar of crashing waves when moving was just too much work
- - character breakfast on Saturday morning. Donald Duck is my daughter's new boyfriend. nevermind that we're all convinced that the actor in the suit was a woman...
- - quality time with my mom and my daughter.
:: the price ::
- - 9 days away from my husband and my cat
- - the cold
- - the two weeks of work i have to do this week
was it worth it?
totally.
would i do it again?
not without my man.
peace out - i'll get back again when i have less on my plate.
i know i said i was going to try to log on and do my thing while i was away, but i couldn't...
ok...
didn't.
i suck
if it's any consolation i was sick on the last day - and still am. i think we caught a cold on the ride to florida and it incubated while we were there. all of us - except the baby, mostly - are down with some degree of snotty nose and sneeze and cough.
:: highlights ::
- - shopping at publix. i don't know if i'm politically meant to hate this store, but from one who honestly enjoys grocery shopping, it was a pretty good time
- - the pool. the water was warm and clean and didn't have even the slightest hint of chlorine sting or smell. it was a great option when the ocean was just too rough (i.e. most of our vacation)
- - the ocean. two and a half whole days of it... playing in the surf, picking up shells, and the roar of crashing waves when moving was just too much work
- - character breakfast on Saturday morning. Donald Duck is my daughter's new boyfriend. nevermind that we're all convinced that the actor in the suit was a woman...
- - quality time with my mom and my daughter.
:: the price ::
- - 9 days away from my husband and my cat
- - the cold
- - the two weeks of work i have to do this week
was it worth it?
totally.
would i do it again?
not without my man.
peace out - i'll get back again when i have less on my plate.
08 September 2006
sous chef
i don't know what made me think i'd be able to get so much done today.
what's my so much?
i still have two months of data waiting to be shepherded into reports... i have about three hours, total, interspersed with meetings, follow up meetings, an office bridal shower, and printing up the boarding passes.
three hours isn't really even enough to do one of these report syntheses. still, i'm going to try. for the gipper - or someone.
then, when i get home, i have a dinner to make, two bags to pack, an appointment to attend, and an evening to enjoy with my man and my baby. tomorrow will be, without a doubt, hectic if not downright chaotic.
i need a sous chef for living to get it all done for me, so i can start my vacation by relaxing and making a little peace bubble around myself...
or maybe i AM the sous chef
coo coo ka choo...
what's my so much?
i still have two months of data waiting to be shepherded into reports... i have about three hours, total, interspersed with meetings, follow up meetings, an office bridal shower, and printing up the boarding passes.
three hours isn't really even enough to do one of these report syntheses. still, i'm going to try. for the gipper - or someone.
then, when i get home, i have a dinner to make, two bags to pack, an appointment to attend, and an evening to enjoy with my man and my baby. tomorrow will be, without a doubt, hectic if not downright chaotic.
i need a sous chef for living to get it all done for me, so i can start my vacation by relaxing and making a little peace bubble around myself...
or maybe i AM the sous chef
coo coo ka choo...
07 September 2006
babblage
- - how much wonderful lives in the world?
- - who do you love and who loves you?
- - when was the last time you were pampered (and i don't mean diapers)?
- - what's your jones, and how much of it does it take to get you going?
my husband is giving me ass-kickin' Halloween this year - - it's my anniversary gift from him.
- - he's building me a ghost (we're going to build the 'person part' together)
- - he bought me a skellington
- - i got a funkin
- - and some glow in the dark Halloween sculpey kit that's so new it's not even in their website!
oh yeah... i'm SO set... spooky mookie here we go!
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
in other news, i have two nights to pack for our vacation at the ocean - - i'm hoping the weather holds and we can have some good days on the beach or at the pool (rather than trapped indoors for fear of being blown away). i could do it in the morning, but i'm rather keen on having a nice family breakfast on saturday morning before we leave. speaking of that, i'm not sure how regular my internet access will be (depends on how steep the charge for access, or how nearby the nearest Panera is!), but i'll try to post at least once or twice... if not, beware the torrent on my return.
in the meantime, i have office-wise ends (loose and otherwise) to tie up...
- - who do you love and who loves you?
- - when was the last time you were pampered (and i don't mean diapers)?
- - what's your jones, and how much of it does it take to get you going?
my husband is giving me ass-kickin' Halloween this year - - it's my anniversary gift from him.
- - he's building me a ghost (we're going to build the 'person part' together)
- - he bought me a skellington
- - i got a funkin
- - and some glow in the dark Halloween sculpey kit that's so new it's not even in their website!
oh yeah... i'm SO set... spooky mookie here we go!
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
in other news, i have two nights to pack for our vacation at the ocean - - i'm hoping the weather holds and we can have some good days on the beach or at the pool (rather than trapped indoors for fear of being blown away). i could do it in the morning, but i'm rather keen on having a nice family breakfast on saturday morning before we leave. speaking of that, i'm not sure how regular my internet access will be (depends on how steep the charge for access, or how nearby the nearest Panera is!), but i'll try to post at least once or twice... if not, beware the torrent on my return.
in the meantime, i have office-wise ends (loose and otherwise) to tie up...
06 September 2006
happy anniversary
3 years today.
happy anniversary to me and my husband.
the sky is as beautiful blue
the sun is as warm and bright
my heart is as full - no much much more deeply filled with love, love, love
happy anniversary to me and my husband.
the sky is as beautiful blue
the sun is as warm and bright
my heart is as full - no much much more deeply filled with love, love, love
05 September 2006
early september in michigan
it's nighttime dark when i wake for work... and when i make it out to the car to leave, the stars are still high in the sky. the sun doesn't even start to shine through until sometime near when i'm pulling into the big lot at the office.
the nighttime is crisp and cool, still full of the sounds of the nocturnal life in the woods, but no longer even a hint of balmy in the air. sometimes, especially if it's damp, a wisp of the rusting of early weeds will waft its way up to my open bedroom windows.
the days are occasionally warm enough for late season swimming - though i prefer the porch swing and a book - and the sky is occasionally blue. more often than not, though, clouds - sometimes all the colors of a pigeon - fill the sky and generally do more than just threaten rain. thunderstorm season is hard on our heels. i, for one, don't much mind.
peaches and blueberries are in full swing, with apples soon to come full term. while i'm not overly fond of eating pies, i love baking them - - filling the house with the sweet and spicy warmth that only baking can truly claim. i bought fresh new yeast lately too - which means bread, from scratch. and beans and split peas, and i think we have lentils kicking around somewhere - the stuff of the hearty soups that can't come out in the summertime. stew and chili, soon, too on the menu... with crusty bread rolls and cornbread thick with corn and butter and maybe even some honey... just as soon as the air is right for getting fat and wearing a favorite sweater to make it not matter.
mmmm - i can smell the corn and straw coming our way... the scarecrows and pumpkins and hayrides and haunted houses and all the wonder of the year's rich middle age... and her halloween crisis!
enough, before i wish my life away...
the nighttime is crisp and cool, still full of the sounds of the nocturnal life in the woods, but no longer even a hint of balmy in the air. sometimes, especially if it's damp, a wisp of the rusting of early weeds will waft its way up to my open bedroom windows.
the days are occasionally warm enough for late season swimming - though i prefer the porch swing and a book - and the sky is occasionally blue. more often than not, though, clouds - sometimes all the colors of a pigeon - fill the sky and generally do more than just threaten rain. thunderstorm season is hard on our heels. i, for one, don't much mind.
peaches and blueberries are in full swing, with apples soon to come full term. while i'm not overly fond of eating pies, i love baking them - - filling the house with the sweet and spicy warmth that only baking can truly claim. i bought fresh new yeast lately too - which means bread, from scratch. and beans and split peas, and i think we have lentils kicking around somewhere - the stuff of the hearty soups that can't come out in the summertime. stew and chili, soon, too on the menu... with crusty bread rolls and cornbread thick with corn and butter and maybe even some honey... just as soon as the air is right for getting fat and wearing a favorite sweater to make it not matter.
mmmm - i can smell the corn and straw coming our way... the scarecrows and pumpkins and hayrides and haunted houses and all the wonder of the year's rich middle age... and her halloween crisis!
enough, before i wish my life away...
31 August 2006
jetsam
today it's breakfast time and i am craving protein like i can't even tell you.
it could be that through the course of all day yesterday i consumed about 600 calories (i don't eat much when i'm feeling even remotely under the weather)
fortunately i have access to meat and cheese (German breakfast) and if only i had a crusty roll (preferably topped with sunflower seeds) life would be utterly sublime.
it's almost bitterly cold in here this morning, and i'm SO desperate to drink my (just brewed) tea, but i KNOW that if i even get close to drinking it, i'll burn my tongue and be miserable for the rest of the day. oh! for a modicum of patience
my throat is still sore, but i have a good night's rest under my belt, so i feel like i'll be able to make it through the day.
my husband is likely in the air, or soon will be, on his way to TN.
don't tell him, but i miss him already
it could be that through the course of all day yesterday i consumed about 600 calories (i don't eat much when i'm feeling even remotely under the weather)
fortunately i have access to meat and cheese (German breakfast) and if only i had a crusty roll (preferably topped with sunflower seeds) life would be utterly sublime.
it's almost bitterly cold in here this morning, and i'm SO desperate to drink my (just brewed) tea, but i KNOW that if i even get close to drinking it, i'll burn my tongue and be miserable for the rest of the day. oh! for a modicum of patience
my throat is still sore, but i have a good night's rest under my belt, so i feel like i'll be able to make it through the day.
my husband is likely in the air, or soon will be, on his way to TN.
don't tell him, but i miss him already
30 August 2006
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
The challenge, as defined by Francey Pants:
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
make a list of what you did and will do
thoughts you had
literal or not
funny or serious
a written snippet of your life
put it on your blog
link me to it
Mine:
yesterday
hurrywait at work
hurrywait at home
pillowtalk till too late with my man
today
curled with my purring cat
nursing a sore throat
listening to the sounds of life while i work
tomorrow
early at the airport to say
"love you bye see you soon"
to my south-bound husband
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
make a list of what you did and will do
thoughts you had
literal or not
funny or serious
a written snippet of your life
put it on your blog
link me to it
Mine:
yesterday
hurrywait at work
hurrywait at home
pillowtalk till too late with my man
today
curled with my purring cat
nursing a sore throat
listening to the sounds of life while i work
tomorrow
early at the airport to say
"love you bye see you soon"
to my south-bound husband
29 August 2006
juggle little monkey... juggle
i have so many balls up in the air right not it's not even funny.
most of them are work related, but HOLY CRAP!
some days i feel very much like just making sure they're all up in the air, then pulling a duck and cover as they call come down and protect myself as best i can, and then crawl away from the wreckage before anyone notices.
no. of course i won't do that. more likely i'll be spending a little extra time this week - - somehwere - - getting a little extra work in. oh woe - how to do the right thing for everyone involved with the least effort for me.
yes - i'm sad to admit, i am that pathetic.
*
in other news
i have to return my kick-butt maryjanes from land's end. they don't fit or look right. fortunately i'll be able to do that on a quick run to Monroe (where the closest, most friendly Sears store resides).
still (always) more grocery shopping to be done
friends abound this evening... am making angel food cake 'especial' for the visit
work progresses slowly (for me) on the pigman's lair work
i need more socks, but since suit season is fast upon us, may hold off and just wear tights (oooh i just love tights!)
i'm desperate for the perfect pair of mary janes.
62 days till Halloween.
most of them are work related, but HOLY CRAP!
some days i feel very much like just making sure they're all up in the air, then pulling a duck and cover as they call come down and protect myself as best i can, and then crawl away from the wreckage before anyone notices.
no. of course i won't do that. more likely i'll be spending a little extra time this week - - somehwere - - getting a little extra work in. oh woe - how to do the right thing for everyone involved with the least effort for me.
yes - i'm sad to admit, i am that pathetic.
*
in other news
i have to return my kick-butt maryjanes from land's end. they don't fit or look right. fortunately i'll be able to do that on a quick run to Monroe (where the closest, most friendly Sears store resides).
still (always) more grocery shopping to be done
friends abound this evening... am making angel food cake 'especial' for the visit
work progresses slowly (for me) on the pigman's lair work
i need more socks, but since suit season is fast upon us, may hold off and just wear tights (oooh i just love tights!)
i'm desperate for the perfect pair of mary janes.
62 days till Halloween.
28 August 2006
fugit...
holy cats - where did august go?
i'm trying so hard to get everything in... so much to do and so little time... and yet each week is monthlong in my head. and while i'm cursing the fleeting summer, i'm secretly wishing the week away so that i can be focusing on vacation. (i'm leaving on saturday the 9th).
my reading list is still an arm's length, so much more i want to digest, and where oh where is the time to read? i can't seem to get in more than a couple of pages at a time - - well, not that and eat and sleep and tend to the baby and live a little, and oh - of course - that whole having to work that so very gets in the way!
i have to do some of that right now - actually.
p.s. did i mention that even with friday off, i wasn't really off, and spent the whole day being so busy that it was probably more taxing than being at work?
i'm trying so hard to get everything in... so much to do and so little time... and yet each week is monthlong in my head. and while i'm cursing the fleeting summer, i'm secretly wishing the week away so that i can be focusing on vacation. (i'm leaving on saturday the 9th).
my reading list is still an arm's length, so much more i want to digest, and where oh where is the time to read? i can't seem to get in more than a couple of pages at a time - - well, not that and eat and sleep and tend to the baby and live a little, and oh - of course - that whole having to work that so very gets in the way!
i have to do some of that right now - actually.
p.s. did i mention that even with friday off, i wasn't really off, and spent the whole day being so busy that it was probably more taxing than being at work?
24 August 2006
the secret truth
is that i really want my daughter to find and plow through all of my various notebooks, journals, sketch pads, and other detritus when i'm gone and realise:
that everything she ever thought about me all those years we were being crazy together
all the times she thought i was a monster
every time she imagined i was slightly off balance
whenever she believed i was touched by passion or madness
she was right.
i sincerely hope that during the course of our lives together she sees the truth of me, i certainly intend to share it with her. at the same time though, i also wish - - or maybe hope - - that when i am gone and all she has of a tangible me is maybe a lock of hair (or one of those really cool rings) and my books and books and books of scrawl, that the same truth of me surrounds her.
so i write things and draw things and scribble (though not as often as i want) in book after book after book. building the written legacy of my love.
that everything she ever thought about me all those years we were being crazy together
all the times she thought i was a monster
every time she imagined i was slightly off balance
whenever she believed i was touched by passion or madness
she was right.
i sincerely hope that during the course of our lives together she sees the truth of me, i certainly intend to share it with her. at the same time though, i also wish - - or maybe hope - - that when i am gone and all she has of a tangible me is maybe a lock of hair (or one of those really cool rings) and my books and books and books of scrawl, that the same truth of me surrounds her.
so i write things and draw things and scribble (though not as often as i want) in book after book after book. building the written legacy of my love.
23 August 2006
girley up
i am not much of a girley girl - - oh sure, every now and again i like to wear makeup, or perfume (always vanilla at the bottom) and even sometimes a skirt and a flirty pair of shoes - - but in general, i'm a little more earthy than girley.
for some reason, though, over the past few weeks, my finger nails have been growing. growing like rabbits breed. and, truth be told, i like having the length to gently scratch along my daughter's back, or skritch along the back of my husband's neck, and under the kitty's chinney chin chin. the nails, you see, enable me to bring finger-nailey-comforts to those i love.
the other thing about finger nails - - mine in particular - - is that they're not very strong, or thick. they need, if i want to keep them, reinforcement. namely, lacquer. typically i would just throw on a coat of clear and move along, but recently - - like the every now and again- - i've been of a mind to paint them in the girliest of rosy hues (today is the tamest of the lot, being a sandy beigey pink). this is extremely unfortunate for me, because i also cannot leave it alone. one chip and i'm nipping away at the flaked up nail digging the paint off, working on destroying the other nails... it's a wreck.
oh - and a nasty side effect of the girley nails? the overwhelming urge to wear lip gloss... and if you're going to wear lip gloss, probably you should put just a little color on your eyes - and then some mascara... and once you've gone that far, your skin could use a dusting of powder to control the shine, and probably your brows need a little tending to... and then, well, look at yourself, you're all dolled up in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt... what on earth have you done?
it really is that vicious, this cycle of mine.
i buy my nail polish from DHC (home of my skincare "regimen") (today i'm wearing B07) and my makeup from a company called Tarte (my favorite is their dual ended lip gloss in Fred and Ginger).
in other news, i've just started carrying my MOLESKINE sketchbook around with me. it was a gift from my husband. i'm going to be using it to capture my thoughts on scare crows, pig-people, and other things halloweeney.
for some reason, though, over the past few weeks, my finger nails have been growing. growing like rabbits breed. and, truth be told, i like having the length to gently scratch along my daughter's back, or skritch along the back of my husband's neck, and under the kitty's chinney chin chin. the nails, you see, enable me to bring finger-nailey-comforts to those i love.
the other thing about finger nails - - mine in particular - - is that they're not very strong, or thick. they need, if i want to keep them, reinforcement. namely, lacquer. typically i would just throw on a coat of clear and move along, but recently - - like the every now and again- - i've been of a mind to paint them in the girliest of rosy hues (today is the tamest of the lot, being a sandy beigey pink). this is extremely unfortunate for me, because i also cannot leave it alone. one chip and i'm nipping away at the flaked up nail digging the paint off, working on destroying the other nails... it's a wreck.
oh - and a nasty side effect of the girley nails? the overwhelming urge to wear lip gloss... and if you're going to wear lip gloss, probably you should put just a little color on your eyes - and then some mascara... and once you've gone that far, your skin could use a dusting of powder to control the shine, and probably your brows need a little tending to... and then, well, look at yourself, you're all dolled up in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt... what on earth have you done?
it really is that vicious, this cycle of mine.
i buy my nail polish from DHC (home of my skincare "regimen") (today i'm wearing B07) and my makeup from a company called Tarte (my favorite is their dual ended lip gloss in Fred and Ginger).
in other news, i've just started carrying my MOLESKINE sketchbook around with me. it was a gift from my husband. i'm going to be using it to capture my thoughts on scare crows, pig-people, and other things halloweeney.
22 August 2006
the sound of me at peace
it started out with my skirt fitting me the way i wanted it to - - the skirt that is a size smaller than all of my other clothes that fit. all hail old navy, the saviour of my self esteem.
and then the quiet of the morning - - my morning was deliciously quiet, still... ignoring the tail lights and headlights on the road, the drive in was golden pink sky, silhouetted trees, and the classical strains of WRCJ 90.9 FM. i don't own half - not even a 10th of the classical music i would like, so i cheat and listen to the radio. sure, i have to listen to whatever 'they' pick, but most often they know better than i do, so i'm not fussed. not to mention, if i don't like what i'm hearing, i can just pop over to NPR for a little while and get my head out of the sand. heaven help me is there anything better than public radio and an awesome skirt? ok, a perfect hair cut and color and a kick ass pair of shoes... but after that, all that's left is champagne and the sea.
the office was quiet when i got in as well, and no one has come bothering me yet today. i actually had to make the trek to the coffee machine (and tea-water dispenser) to determine if life had continued among my coworkers.
oh - and i put on some make up today - eyes and cheeks and lips - the whole 9 (except liner, because my eyes have been leaking because of the allergens) - and so i feel double plus pretty in my new denim skirt (and pink and white striped oxford). did i mention my nails were lacquered pink as well? a fresh coat over the weekend... the baby's too.
ah... if only i were someplace sunny and sandy and listening to the roar of the crashing waves, breathing in the salt of the seas of time...
happy tuesday.
and then the quiet of the morning - - my morning was deliciously quiet, still... ignoring the tail lights and headlights on the road, the drive in was golden pink sky, silhouetted trees, and the classical strains of WRCJ 90.9 FM. i don't own half - not even a 10th of the classical music i would like, so i cheat and listen to the radio. sure, i have to listen to whatever 'they' pick, but most often they know better than i do, so i'm not fussed. not to mention, if i don't like what i'm hearing, i can just pop over to NPR for a little while and get my head out of the sand. heaven help me is there anything better than public radio and an awesome skirt? ok, a perfect hair cut and color and a kick ass pair of shoes... but after that, all that's left is champagne and the sea.
the office was quiet when i got in as well, and no one has come bothering me yet today. i actually had to make the trek to the coffee machine (and tea-water dispenser) to determine if life had continued among my coworkers.
oh - and i put on some make up today - eyes and cheeks and lips - the whole 9 (except liner, because my eyes have been leaking because of the allergens) - and so i feel double plus pretty in my new denim skirt (and pink and white striped oxford). did i mention my nails were lacquered pink as well? a fresh coat over the weekend... the baby's too.
ah... if only i were someplace sunny and sandy and listening to the roar of the crashing waves, breathing in the salt of the seas of time...
happy tuesday.
21 August 2006
what's new pussycat
he's curled up at my feet on the footstool, and i haven't the heart to wake him.
family called me downstairs at about 10:30. i had been working in my room, so as not to be a temptation to the baby, but she was so engrossed in Diego and whoever else was chomping up the cablewaves it left me fairly free to work.
while reports were doing their magic (running) i washed some towels for upstairs... and a load of my whites. then again, on the next runtime break, made up some falafel (i know the spelling isn't right) from a box mix (you can make anything out of a box these days) for lunch. it was good. mom hasn't had hers yet - baby needed ... NEEDED ... a nap.
and back to now - - Ghengis is curled and snoring between my feet on the ottoman (mom and baby doing the same in the bedroom) and i really want to run through another round of laundry, but i don't have it in my heart to disturb the cat
i have to go to the post office this afternoon - - after my work day officially ends - - and drop my netflix (kingdom hospital disc 3 - - only one left to go...sigh) in the post (i can't bear the thought of trusting it to anything but the luscious comfort of the big blue box) so they can send the last one. mom's pick of the week will probably arrive tomorrow - Geisha night Tuesday at Hidden Oaks... i'm excited.
finished Ghost Writer... it was ok. not a 5 star by any means, but still a decent read. i'm working on Jennifer Egan's "the Keep" now. it was on Diane Rehm (sp?) not too long ago - the day i placed the hold on it actually, which i thought was spooky. i'm only just a few pages in, but i like it... it's gritty and real - which is always a really good place to start a scary story.
enough
family called me downstairs at about 10:30. i had been working in my room, so as not to be a temptation to the baby, but she was so engrossed in Diego and whoever else was chomping up the cablewaves it left me fairly free to work.
while reports were doing their magic (running) i washed some towels for upstairs... and a load of my whites. then again, on the next runtime break, made up some falafel (i know the spelling isn't right) from a box mix (you can make anything out of a box these days) for lunch. it was good. mom hasn't had hers yet - baby needed ... NEEDED ... a nap.
and back to now - - Ghengis is curled and snoring between my feet on the ottoman (mom and baby doing the same in the bedroom) and i really want to run through another round of laundry, but i don't have it in my heart to disturb the cat
i have to go to the post office this afternoon - - after my work day officially ends - - and drop my netflix (kingdom hospital disc 3 - - only one left to go...sigh) in the post (i can't bear the thought of trusting it to anything but the luscious comfort of the big blue box) so they can send the last one. mom's pick of the week will probably arrive tomorrow - Geisha night Tuesday at Hidden Oaks... i'm excited.
finished Ghost Writer... it was ok. not a 5 star by any means, but still a decent read. i'm working on Jennifer Egan's "the Keep" now. it was on Diane Rehm (sp?) not too long ago - the day i placed the hold on it actually, which i thought was spooky. i'm only just a few pages in, but i like it... it's gritty and real - which is always a really good place to start a scary story.
enough
18 August 2006
... a few of my favorite things...
This is my friend FrancyPants and her Beau, Ivan. Right now they are my favorite "other" couple. There is something about delicately beautiful and righteously deep love that stirs me at the very roots of my soul. To the point, apparently, even, of properly punctuating a sentence or three.
I watched this wonderful talking skull video with my daughter and husband last night. The little fiend wanted to watch it again and again and again. I think it may have disturbed her a little, but she's so crazy brave it's not funny. At any rate, this is my favorite "blue sky big dream wish list" item (the price is prohibitive).
I go to Scary-Art.com to look for ideas of things i might like to do / make / build for Halloween. I think it might be neat to have a halloween doll or something every year. I'm undecided right now, but it's a favorite place for inspiration.
Finally the baby. She's always going to be on this list - along with the smell of fresh cut grass and watermelon (they have to be combined smells to be really good), and homemade cherry lime ade, and shopping at the fresh produce stands and truck farm trucks along the way - - to wherever the left, right, forward drive on saturday takes you, and the almond cookies my husband bought special with dinner last night because he knows how much i like them, and the fact that todays grey sky isn't (so far) affecting my mood, probably because it started with classical music, which today is really moving me.
17 August 2006
box on the porch
i'm an addict
i LOVE having a box on the porch for me when i get home. no one really sends me boxes on my porch, so i buy the love. yesterday it was these:
they're officially the first pair of shoes i've bought myself since the baby was born - almost 2 and a half years ago.
i've been struggling for a couple of years to find "bone" shoes that i liked
no real other news...
p.s.
my next box will be the denim skirt (and a couple of pairs of pj's for baby)
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