Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Three months late: My blog award appreciation fail.

Way back on June 25 (!!!), Ree the Hotfessional gave me an award! I remember I commented saying thanks but I never did anything with it! Yeah, I totally fail.

Am I a sucky blogger or what?

Don't answer that.

Without further ado, here's my first-ever bloggy award:

"This award is given to the writers of blogs that “are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

In keeping with the spirit of this award and in no particular order, I pass the bloggy love on to:
  1. Eurolush - Adventures In Germany
  2. Eleanor - eleanor from the commentbox
  3. Heather - Confessions of a Coal Miner's Granddaughter
  4. Shannon - Welcome to The Nut House!
  5. Red Hamster - In The Wheel
  6. Wendy - Martha MacGyver
  7. Penny - Miss Night Owl
  8. Mrs. Coffee - The Coffee Lady
These are a few of my favorite blogs. They are all, in turn, funny, sweet, sensible, bubbly, charming, crafty, generous, a touch sarcastic, and very, very readable.

Thank you, Ree, for giving me my first bloggy award! If anyone chooses to bestow another upon me, I'll try not to let three months pass before I pass the bloggy love along.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Live birthday blogging from Mom & Dad's

S and I brought the old camper out to my Mom & Dad's last evening for a night of camping and S'mores. (And wine - of which I was the only one who partook). Mom sat out with us until almost 11. Dad came out and stayed until 11:30 or so. We had a great time.

So here I sit at my parent's house, on my 37th birthday, after a morning of church rummage sales, yard sales, and a fantastic brunch. My mom is sitting across the table from me, muttering to herself about her crazy computer not liking it when she puts a black ten on a black jack. Every once in a while, she tosses in a well isn't that a bummer and proceeds to tell me what she has that should play but can't because, basically, the computer won't let her cheat.

My dad is firmly ensconced in his Laz-Z-Boy knock-off, watching the TV. He's muttering about how U of M coaching hasn't been the same since Bo retired and how the whole football program is going to hell in a hand-basket. Especially since they're currently losing to Indiana (Go Hoosiers! I tend to root for whoever is playing Michigan. U of M fans drive me frakin' nuts.) He's also talking to his dog. Maybe he's telling the dog about U of M football. Either way, he's covered from toes to chin in his maroon fuzzy blanket. I wish I had a camera.

About an hour ago, mom beat me three games in a row in Rummikub. I'm going to demand my re-match now.

I'm having a great birthday.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

On fires and magic and sneaks

This building is within three blocks of my house. I drive past it every day. It burned last night and I slept through all the noise. I am sorry to see it go. The Thompson block was built in 1861 and was used as a Civil War barracks. I had hoped the renovations that were underway would help revitalize that corner of my crazy, wonderful little city.

On a happier note...

The Wizard of Oz is magic. Pure magic. I sat there in that theater tonight and grinned through the whole movie. Poor S. I must've elbowed him a dozen times to make sure he was paying attention to scenes that I absolutely love.

On another happy note...

Saturday is my birthday. It's also the day of the sneak preview of Whip It! We bought our tickets for it when we were at the theater this evening. It's going to be fun to spot all the Ypsilanti locations in it that are supposed to be Texas.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

In which I try to capture a little magic

Bossy posted today about The Wizard of Oz. It appears that the movie is coming to theaters for one night (Wednesday, September 23) to be shown in hi-def. This is where I admit that I'm not sure I know what hi-def means when it comes to seeing movies in theaters - is it digital? Or is there some special hi-def reel-to-reel film that I don't know about?

No matter.

I totally bought tickets. I'm really looking forward to seeing TWOO all shiny and clean and bright.

I've never seen the movie in a theater, and I don't think I've ever seen it without commercial interruption (was it ever broadcast commercial free?). I remember watching it on TV every year and thinking it was magic. How did they switch to color like that? How did Glenda float like that? Golly, her pink dress sure is sparkly. The horses that changed color? Miraculous!

I thought the Scarecrow really was made of straw. No person could be all bendy like that.

What about you? You going?

Monday, September 14, 2009

The Weekend In Pictures.

9/11/09 -- Friday Night --Flat tire at the Model T plant on Piquette & Brush in Detroit.


9/12 -- Saturday -- Old Car Festival. S finally bit the bullet and bought him some knickers. He was photographed more than the car.


9/12 -- Saturday evening -- Port Huron to Mackinac awards banquet at the yacht club.

9/13 -- Sunday -- Another day at Old Car Festival. Was fun! And gorgeous outside!

These are the cars that were being judged. (S's car has a 40 year old restoration so he doesn't have it judged.)

Conducting music or traffic?

Big-wheels! Everywhere we looked, big wheels! (Info about them here.)

This guy reminds me of Rich Uncle Pennybags from Monopoly.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

My Denimless Summer: A Success Story

I did it.

I went denimless all summer, where all summer = Memorial Day Weekend in May to Labor Day Weekend in September.

I wore jeans yesterday and while I had missed the look of them, I can't say the experience was any different from wearing any other pair of pants.

My addiction to denim has been broken. They are no longer my crutch, my style, nor are they my default go-to clothing item. I'm not giving them up completely but from here on out, my closet will no longer contain ONLY blue jeans.

Success!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

60-second blog post

I'm sitting in a McDonald's in Kalkaska, MI (look it up - no time to link).

S is on day 3 of the DALMAC bicycle tour. Today is a 90 mile day for him.

I get to come to McDonald's and pay $3 for a decent internet connection.

And hit ever yard sale I can find.

Yesterday was the Amish Quilt Auction & Flea Market. I bought only three things. Not including lunch.

Marth MacGuyver (Again, no time to link -- sorry Wendy!) would be proud of my thrifting skillz. No wasted efforts on my part. I'm honing my "holy cats, that is JUNK" eye and avoided the stalls that only had crappe from someone's basement.

That is all. I must go kill, yet again, the stuffed raccoon that is sitting on top of the ice machine. The thing has been staring at me for an hour and I AM THOROUGHLY CREEPED OUT.