Defective Typewriter

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T11:21:00.003-04:00

It's 11:27 a.m. on Sunday, July 4.

I am slightly buzzed from a Bloody Mary made from Ugly Dog vodka (distilled less than 2 miles from where I'm sitting right now) and home-canned-by-me Bloody Mary mix.

The sun is shining.
There is a lovely breeze.
The lake is full of water skiers, sailors, and cruisin' pontoon boats.

I am in the company of excellent friends.

It is a perfect summer day.

Content-ness level: about a zillion on a scale of 1 to 10.

Saturday cruisin'

2010-06-26T19:03:00.002-04:00

I just spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon doing this, while riding in this:

This 2007 SRT Magnum was modified/painted/whatever by West Coast Customs. My friend PC owns it. It's a ton of fun to ride around in but there's not a lot of headroom in the back seat [S, the lucky dog, got to drive it all day, PC rode shot-gun - I got the back seat] so with it's super-sporty suspension, I spent most of the day hunched over so as not to bang my head on the chopped roof.

(By the way, you don't know what fun is until you get two hetero males blasting this song with the hatch-gate open while cruising down the road.)

(S is addicted to Lady Gaga.)

(No, I'm not lying.)

Friday night conversations

2010-06-18T23:00:00.004-04:00

S: Monday is the Summer Solstice. Do you know what that means?
Me: It's the longest day of the year.
S: Yes, but do you know what that means?
Me: It's the first day of Summer.
S: Yes, but do you know what that means?
Me: Um....that there will be sunlight until about 10:30.
S: Yes, but do you know what that means?
Me: ???
S: The days are only going to get shorter. We're that much closer to cold and fucking snow.

Jesus. The pessimism rolling off him was palpable.

An old favorite revisited

2010-06-17T23:08:00.002-04:00

(I love the suit and the pink shirt. And the shoes. He's got great shoes.)

Shine
David Gray

I can see it in your eyes
What I know in my heart is true
That our love it has faded
Like the summer run through

So we'll walk down the shoreline
One last time together
Feel the wind blow our wanderin' hearts
Like a feather

But who knows what's waiting
In the wings of time
Dry your eyes
We’re gonna go where we can shine

Don't be hiding in sorrow
Or clinging to the past
With your beauty so precious
And the season so fast

No matter how cold the horizon appear
Or how far the first night
When I held you near
We’re gonna rise from these ashes like a bird of flame

Take my hand
We're gonna go where we can shine

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na

Shine

For all that we struggle
For all we pretend
You know it don't come down to nothing
Except love in the end

And ours is a road that is strewn with goodbyes
But as it unfolds, as it all unwinds
Remember your soul is the one thing
You can't compromise

Step out of the shadow
We're gonna go where we can shine
We're gonna go where we can shine
We're gonna go where we can shine

(And look, and look and look and look)
Through the windows of midnight
Moonfoam and silver

Flipped

2010-06-07T17:55:00.002-04:00

SQUEEEEEEEE!!!

I scoured the trailer for a glimpse of S's Impala. Didn't see it but who cares?! I can't wait to see this movie.

Mini-break

2010-06-04T22:08:00.003-04:00

Am house- and dog-sitting for my folks who are out of town this weekend.

As a home owner, it seems a bit weird to abandon my own house for the one I grew up in.

But the little small-town girl in me?

Loves it.

PS - my folks have cable TV. There's so much to choose from, I don't know what I want to watch! Who knew that so much choice would be paralyzing? Right now it's Jonathan Ross on BBC America - he has the most adorable lisp ever.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T08:33:00.003-04:00

The following is made possible by those who defend, who fight, and who sometimes don't come back:

As I type this, I am, quite literally, sitting lake-side with my dog padding around the shallows looking for the fish that always seem to be just out of his reach. This is his favorite game. Yesterday he caught a turtle. (Turtle was fine...just scared.)

S has just gone to refill our coffee cups, the sun is shining, and there are several fishermen out, trawling 'round the lake.

Swans, out floating in the middle of the lake, have their heads submerged, looking for whatever it is that swans eat. Every once in a while, we'll see one of their heads pop up for a few seconds before disappearing again.

The garden gnome, with his solar-powered light-up hat, is standing guard over the pontoon.

Canada geese, a couple of them, just flew in, honking their arrival. A couple of fluffy goslings are paddling past, following their mother. If you're quiet, you can hear her honking and beeping at her babies. I wonder if she's scolding them or encouraging them.

The peace has been shattered. The first water-skier of the day has appeared. In a few moments, the wake will reach us and will gently splash against the shore under the deck we're sitting on.

There's a parade in town at 10 today. Must go get ready so we can leave soon to get a parking spot.

Happy Memorial Day, you lot.

Post 223

2010-05-26T22:32:00.003-04:00

Softball tonight, you lot.

We won. 9-4.

I actually scored from first base because the other team kept over-throwing trying to get me out. So I kept running. It was really all very thrilling.

I've heard many "you are excellent at first base" comments from my teammates so I guess I'm doing something right.

Thanks, Lou, for the batting tips. I stepped into the ball more tonight than on previous nights and the results were excellent. While I was still hitting to Short, I was able to place it over their head...to land just outside the infield! :)

Post 222

2010-05-25T23:56:00.002-04:00

I've been a bit fuzzy-headed for the past few days.

Totally tuned in to me and what's going on in my life.

I've not been spending quality time with anyone. Not even S.

Who? Appears to be willing to give me time to lick my unemployed wounds and give me the space I need to get a fucking grip.

To all who commented on my last post? I thank you. Your words of support have helped and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you're out there. To those of you I dumped on in emails (you know who you are)? An extra special thanks for letting me vent and offering further words of encouragement.

As of today, five days post-termination (gah, what a horrible word) (and it was a termination. If they were to call me back from lay-off, I would not go. I really did hate it there.), I'm starting to form a plan. I don't have many details yet, but I have realized that it is important to continue on, to move forward, to not let this beat me.

I take after my dad in that regard. He's an eternal optimist and he has faith that his daughter will rise above and continue onward. And he did not frown, balk, or otherwise discourage when I said that the police academy might be where I end up. He mentioned that he had a ton of fun when he volunteered for the county's Mounted Division (he had a Palomino named Scout) and that I should not discount policing as a career.

Mom, on the other hand, is in full-on freak-out mode and until she calms down about all this, I find I'm tending to tune her out a bit. I hope that's not mean. I'm trying to cope, ya know?

Strife? Not so much, actually.

2010-05-21T12:04:00.005-04:00

Tuesday, 5/18:
Was my parent's 42nd wedding anniversary. I stopped at the flower shop where I worked many, many years ago and bought them some flowers. While I was at the flower shop, I told the lady that I had worked in that particular shop during the early 90's and that it was always one of my favorite jobs. She asked me about what I was doing now and when I mentioned that I was employed as an office worker, but not too happy with it, she said, "I'll be thinking about you...hoping that a change comes your way soon. It's so important to love what you do." She's one of those people who always know the exact, right thing to say. It boosted my spirits to have made a brief connection with someone who knew about unhappiness in your job.

Thursday, 5/20:
I got Let Go. Became unemployed.

Friday, 5/21:
The relief I had this morning upon waking up and NOT having to go to work there? Immense. Sure I'm freaking out about how I'll pay my mortgage, how I'll afford COBRA. Where I'll find a career I hopefully love (I do live in Michigan, people. The job market here sucks.). But you know what? The weight is gone. That horrible, awful, crushing weight of unhappiness in my job has vanished. Sure, I'm scared shitless but I'm breathing so much easier today. I don't have to deal with my boss anymore (he was a right git, that one), nor the office politics that I'd been separating myself from for the past few years -- effectively making me an outsider looking in - and let me tell you, my former co-workers? PETTY.

So here's to moving on. Moving up. Picking up steam and plowing ahead. And seriously thanking the Flower Lady for sending thoughts of change my way.

Softball and Rusty Skillz

2010-05-20T08:56:00.004-04:00

Two months ago, I called the local Rec center and put my name on their "looking for a team" softball recruiting list. A week or so later, I got chosen (based solely on a phone call but I'm not complaining!).

I was up front with Coach. Said I hadn't played in years (but didn't specify that it was well over 25 years ago that I played softball with any sort of regularity - we're talking middle school summer leagues, folks) but that I'd love to play if they could deal with my Rusty Skillz.

First practice, Coach was considering me for right field. For grins, he put me at first to see what I could do there. I can catch and have pretty good hand-eye coordination, and I'm not intimidated by my shortstop or my third-baseman (Cuz those boys can bring the heat [as S would say]). The position stuck - I play first and I love it.

We had our first league game last night. We lost 12-6. I wasn't expecting to beat this team...we scrimmaged with them several times and they are good (so good, in fact, that I think they should move up to one of the more competitive leagues). We, on the other hand, have a sloppy outfield defense - two outfielders who can't catch and when we're facing power hitters, that sucks. But our infield defense is pretty good so that's a point in our favor. We've got a couple of excellent hitters but I'm not one of them...yet. I hit it straight to the short stop every time.

My Rusty Skillz are getting polished up, and man, I had FUN last night.

Confessional

2010-05-14T11:12:00.002-04:00

I'm failing in/falling short of/losing sight of/ignoring/blowing off my goal to read 40 books this year.

I'm just not that into it. I can't be arsed to bother.

Especially not after I caught the Torchwood bug.

Instead, I'm spending a hell of a lot of time here.

(Yes, I have discovered Fan Fiction.)

Right now I'm so absorbed in the stories of other Torchwood fans that my reading goal is the last thing on my mind.

In my defense, I am reading a TON of longer fics on that site. I'm sure I've read at least three full-length novels worth of FanFic. (One story alone is well over 75 chapters long...and I'm on my second reading of it as it was that yummy.) (Shut up. I told you. I. Am. Obsessed.)

Also? I've ordered three of the Torchwood books and one of the radio plays from Amazon.

Can anyone say FanGirl?

GAH!

Here's another clip for those of you interested:

Against the laws of the universe...I am dating a wonderful man.

2010-05-04T09:16:00.004-04:00

Two Sundays ago (April 25), S called me on my mobile and said, "you need to be at home and ready to go at 4:45 tomorrow. Don't wear jeans."

Me: Um... where are we going?
S: It's a surprise.
Me: ???
S: Seriously. I'm not telling you where we're going.
Me: OK*

Monday evening rolls around. I head home after work, change out of my jeans, and am ready at 4:45, per instructions.

S picks me up and we head to G's house to pick her and A up. I confess to them that I have no clue what's happening. They think this is the greatest thing ever and torment me mercilessly**.

So we hop in the car and head out. I picked up that we were going to Royal Oak and thought we were going to see a concert. (Royal Oak has an awesome venue for intimate concerts.)

Anyway. We get to Royal Oak and S tries to find us a parking spot. Since none of them know exactly where the Royal Oak Music Theater is, we were randomly driving 'round when S makes a turn, and VOILA, there it is:

You can't really tell, but the guy with the white socks? Directly under the marquee? He was wearing a kilt.

CRAIG FERGUSON.

S had conspired with G to get CRAIG FERGUSON tickets.

Thereby proving - once again - that I. Am. Dating. A. Wonderful. Man.

Enjoy some Craig:

(I looked for video of his stand-up and while there are a few out there, the camera-phone quality isn't that great.)

*Really. That's what I said. The anticipation of the surprise was DELICIOUS.
**This was my first clue that this was going to be a GREAT evening. G and A wouldn't do anything unless is was top-notch cool.

Inadvertently going one step too far*...

2010-04-21T14:58:00.006-04:00

These are my new glasses:

Sleep much? Not me. I'm going to pack for a vacation in those bags.

I chose theses frames after they had dilated my pupils so I was all squinty and my vision was blurry. They were the only frames I could actually see on my face, so imagine my surprise when, after I picked them up, I was watching Doctor Who and I saw this:

David Tennant as Doctor Who

I have a girly version of Doctor Who's glasses (Image boosted from here).

(I understand there's a new Doctor now. I've not seen any of those episodes yet. So I may be behind the Doctor Who times, but by golly, I'm fine with that because I adore David Tennant as the Doctor.)

*Torchwood, current obsession numero uno, is a spin-off of Doctor Who.

The obsession continues

2010-04-14T09:20:00.003-04:00

The Torchwood obsession is still alive and kicking.

And I've added another: Doctor Who.

Holy shit, people.

I need to be stopped.

100 Word Challenge: Portrait

2010-04-12T10:44:00.002-04:00

Here's my response to the 100 Word Challenge this week. The prompt is portrait.

Endings and Beginnings

Today was the day his exile and misery would end. For months he had been stumbling through life. Every day he pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, then pushed himself further so his sleep would be dreamless. But more and more frequently he dreamed anyway. He dreamt about his life before, about what he had lost because of mistakes and stupid pride. His lover's face was prevalent in those dreams. With its portrait-like clarity it would beckon to him with promises of forgiveness, understanding, acceptance, strength, and love. God, he missed that face. It was time to go home.

New Favorite: Torchwood

2010-04-08T11:07:00.001-04:00

Vacation Crash and Burn

2010-03-25T09:18:00.003-04:00

Vacation plans for April have been canceled for me. S is probably still going to go as the first leg of the trip was a jaunt to visit his website designer. The second bit of the trip was to visit friends who live along the route home.

While it is my job that is keeping me home, I'm not nearly as disappointed as I thought I'd be at canceling my vacation. I had requested, and was granted, two weekends in a row off from my part-time job. Maybe I'll finally have some time to get work done around my house.

I am...

2010-03-23T16:04:00.003-04:00

...listening to this station at work. Sure makes the day go faster than the classical station did.

...bummed that my vacation plans will have to be canceled if I can't find alternate dates.

...watching surprisingly little TV. Even my beloved PBS has taken a backseat to life.

...reading surprisingly little. I finished a book last night but it was apparently utterly forgettable as I can't remember the title of it to save my life.

...surprisingly busy. Doing what, I have no idea. I do know that very little is getting done around my house. I've got a yard of leaves to clean up from last fall that must be attended to soon. I'm hoping Saturday.

...glad I went here recently. Saw this, too.

...not commenting on blogs lately. But I'm reading 'em like crazy. My comment mojo has left the building. Sorry folks.

...loving the spring sunshine.

...taking suggestions for inexpensive sunglasses suitable for softball. I don't want to spend $180 on Oakleys. There has got to be an alternative out there.

Origins

2010-03-17T14:37:00.004-04:00

In an effort to determine if I should be celebrating St Patty's day in the American way by hitting pubs and drinking as much green beer as I can, or if I should be celebrating it in the Irish way and taking myself to church, I called my mom for some help with family names. This is what I came up with when I did my 2½ minute surname origin search:

my last name is English (which I knew)
Mom's maiden name is Irish or Scottish (which I knew but I don't know which country her people are from)
My paternal grandmother's maiden name is English
My maternal grandmother's maiden name is English
my mom's grandmother's maiden name is English (on her mother's side)
my mom's grandmother's maiden name is German or Irish (on her father's side -- again, I don't know which country her people are from)

That, my friends, is a lot of English.

I think I'm going to celebrate in the American, non-Irish way! Except I refuse to drink green beer. Maybe I'll just pick up a bottle of Jameson's and drink it with pals. And S.

Dad doesn't know his grandmother's maiden name but he thinks his sister is working on their family tree. Maybe I'll know soon and maybe his side of my family tree is LOADED with Irish folk.

----------

On another note: skiing was great, I didn't break any bones and I can't wait to go out West and ski the big mountains. Boyne Highlands has an vertical drop of 552 feet. So it's not really a mountain, but it's plenty intimidating for beginners.

----------

GUINNESS CUPCAKES - my new favorite. Recipe here.

Sunday evening

2010-03-07T16:43:00.003-05:00

I'm sitting in a slope-side room here, drinking a delicious Bloody Mary (Bloody Mary mix was home-canned by me last fall, the dill pickles were canned by a dear friend), listening to S chatter on with our dear friends I & R - they're two floors down in the pool. S is a loud talker and I've got the slider to the balcony open just a smidge.

The sun is shining, I've spent the weekend learning*, and I've not once thought about work.

This weekend? PERFECT.

*Learning how to SKI! I've fallen a couple of times but have realized that it's all a part of skiing.

100 Word Challenge: Hidden

2010-03-01T11:57:00.004-05:00

In response to Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge, here is my response to the word HIDDEN:

Will it ever get here?

Come late April or early May, Michigan will be alive with flowers; crocuses and tulips and daffodils, iris and day lilies and hyacinths, too. My lavender wil finally bloom so I can bring its fragrant blossoms inside for various purposes: tea, lavender scones, sachets, and drying the blossomed stems for arrangements.

Come late April or early May, the grass will turn the most beautiful shade of green. The trees will bud then, bam, the next day they'll be full of leaves.

But right now? Now we're buried under a blanket of blinding white snow. All of Spring's beginnings are hidden.

Disappointing

2010-02-24T15:02:00.001-05:00

It is the end of February and I've only read 4 books so far. 36 to go if I'm to meet my goal this year.

I guess I'm in a reading slump.

The Monday After Superbowl Sunday

2010-02-09T00:36:00.002-05:00

Felt like hell when I woke up this morning. Called in and stayed home.

Sat on my couch and thought please don't get sick thoughts all day.

I think it worked. I'm feeling much better now.

But it's 12:37 Tuesday morning and I'm not in bed yet.

Tomorrow is going to suck, I'm sure. The day after a sick day, the work has piled up...you know the drill.

Anyway. That's not the point of this post.

The point is this:

I didn't get to see the Superbowl commercials.

I've mentioned before that I don't have cable TV. I have an antenna. The CBS affiliate was never a good signal to receive analog but at least I could watch through snow (both precipitation and bad signal).

Last night I got nothing from CBS except 'No Signal' floating on a sea of black.

My conclusion with digital TV is this: aside from the extra channels it provides, I was much better off with analog signal.

I mean, come on. My TV is 20 years old, ffs. DIGITAL TV DID NOT IMPROVE IT'S PERFORMANCE.

Bring back the analog. I wanna kick it old-school up in this bitch.

Nothin' doin'

2010-02-03T14:02:00.005-05:00

I am boring, people.

Nothing new is happening.

Nothing interesting is happening.

I do miss being in school. I think. Maybe I miss it because life is pretty dull at the moment. What with the working and the grey skies and the cold.

Still knitting. Finishing up a scarf for a pal's birthday. Have about 35 rows to go, then have to block it.

I'm taking a crochet class tonight. That should be fun!

Is it too early for spring cleaning? Maybe it's cabin fever I'm feeling. Either way, I'm in the mood to down-size my belongings. I'm going to have a huge clear-out this month. I was thinking I might have a yard sale. S's house is in a great location and would get a lot of traffic. Or maybe I'll donate it all and be done with it.

Who else out there watches the Super Bowl ONLY for the ads? It's the one time of year that I occupy myself during the broadcast and stop what I'm doing to watch the commercials. Heh.

100 Word Challenge: Thirty

2010-01-27T09:33:00.001-05:00

This is my submission to this week's 100 Word Challenge hosted by Velvet Verbosity. This week's word prompt is Thirty.

Jonah
Thirty days isn’t a lot of time, but it would be enough. There were utilities to shut off and final bills to pay. She just told her landlord she was not renewing her lease. She had decided long ago that after Jonah died she would start over elsewhere. That time was now.

She had a destination in mind but decided to take the long way there. On her journey, she’d look for a new companion – one who would love her as Jonah had. One she could love in return, one who liked mountains. And snow.

Damn. She missed her Jonah.

Unfocused Reading

2010-01-20T09:50:00.005-05:00

It's 20 days into 2010 and I have only finished one book.

Pathetic.

I don't know if I blame the book club or not. Every time I pick up a book that is not the book club selection, I can't concentrate. I think what I need to do is plow through The Count of Monte Cristo (which is the book club book and is, so far, good) so I can get back to the books I've got in my to-be-read pile.

What about you? Do you find that if you 'have' to read a book, your desire to actually read the book flies out the window? Or am I just weird?

I've almost got my first audio book of the year finished. But with a 90 second commute (seriously. I should be shot for not walking to work) I don't get a lot of it listened to each day.

I really like the idea of the audio books - keeps your hands and eyes free. I'm taking suggestions for books to listen to next.

Hey, It's The Guy From Bones! No, Not Him...The OTHER Guy.

2010-01-16T18:30:00.003-05:00

Internets, you are awesome. And your cheekbones? GORGEOUS.

100 Word Challenge

2010-01-15T08:57:00.001-05:00

Inspired by Lou, I'm participating in this week's 100 Word Challenge hosted by Velvet Verbosity:

“Should I do this?” she wondered.

“CAN I do this?” she fretted.

“If I don’t try, I’ll never know,” she muttered out loud.

She immediately turned to stare out her window at the snowy city rooftops. Her mind wandered, in search of the ever-elusive first word. It’s always the first word that trips her up. Give her a starting point, somewhere to jump from, and she’s golden.

“No need to be nervous,” she told herself, “This task has a prompt, just what you need to help you write. “

She sat down and began writing her first 100 word challenge.

Notes to Self:

2010-01-14T14:01:00.002-05:00

It is JANUARY 14. Take down the damn Christmas tree already.
This is your 200th post. Are you going to do anything about that, or let it pass by like all your other bloggy benchmarks?
Finish the fookin' scarves already!
Oh my gah, DON'T let B cut your hair so short on top next time.
Plan FUN THINGS to do with your 71 year old mother this weekend. (Anyone have any good movie suggestions? Preferably on DVD...)
Finish Aunt J and B's birthday gifts.
Buy S's birthday gift.
Thomas', too.
And M's and T's.
(Cripes, January is worse than September for Birthdays.)
Create the dog-sitting certificate for J's fundraiser.
Start searching for recipes for this year's No-Eating-Out month.
PLAN YOUR VACATION.
Find a new job. You're miserable in the one you've got now.
Download books to listen to while knitting.
Finish Buffy, Season 2 on Hulu.
Re-watch the Firefly series.
Stop eating the cookies!
And the candy.
Don't forget to take your vitamins.

Untitled

2010-01-06T15:16:00.003-05:00

Not sure what to title a post that only contains a poem I read on another blog and loved so much I wanted to share it here.

The Snow Man
One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

Wallace Stevens (1923)

30 Books of 2009 - The Year End Review

2010-01-04T09:40:00.010-05:00

My reading goal in 2009 was 30 books. I am pleased to announce that I read 33 'new' books. I did not count the books I re-read this past year since I did not count those towards my goal of 30.

So. Here are the books I read, some with notes, most without:

Twilight
New Moon (finished 1/18/09)
Dark of Night (1/27-29/09) blogged about here even though the post is about the book's arrival.
Plum Spooky (finished 2/8/09)
The Hour I First Believed (finished 2/12/09)
Miss Buncle's Book (2/13-20/09)
Miss Buncle Married (2/20-28/09)
Derby Girl (3/1/09) blogged here.
The Leisure Seeker (3/1-5/09) blogged here. One of my favorite books of 2009.
The Two Mrs. Abbotts (3/19/09) - a Miss Buncle Book.
Eclipse (3/30/09)
The Kissing Game (4/10/09)
The Four Graces (4/4-12/09)
Breaking Dawn (4/12-16/09) series re-cap blogged here. (I'll admit that I'm very glad Edward was so much sparklier in the second movie cuz dude didn't sparkle enough in Twilight.)
Love With the Proper Stranger (finished 4/19/09)
Astrid & Veronika (finished 4/30/09)
Made in the U.S.A. (finished 6/5/09) blogged here.
No One You Know (6/6-14/09)
Flipped (6/24-28/09) blogged here. Can't wait to see the movie! I'm sure I'll be re-reading this one in 2010.
Dead Until Dark (finished 7/31/09) I don't really have any desire to read any more of this series. Sookie annoyed the heck outta me, mostly.
Otherwise Engaged (finished 8/3/09)
Hot Pursuit (8/11-14/09)
Wishful Drinking (8/15-17/09)
Anyone But You (8/20-22/09)
The Kite Runner (9/3-6/09)
Three Dog Life (finished 9/13/09)
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (finished 9/28/29)
Finger Lickin' Fifteen (finished 10/5/09)
Stand-In Groom (11/24-25/09)
Geek Love (finished 11/29/09)
Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict (12/2-5/09)
Size 12 Is Not Fat (12/6-10/09)
Size 14 is Not Fat Either (12/11-25/09)

My 2010 goal? 40 books I've not read before. I'm hoping to get one or two Austen's in this year. And the new Stephen King. I'm about half-way through Big Boned which is the third Heather Wells mystery by Meg Cabot (see #32 and #33 on the list above). I'm going to try to read more local authors this year. I've got a book called Four Days In Michigan very near the top of my to-read stack (it was written by one of the doctors in my doctor's office).

I'm also going to keep track of the books I re-read (I am a creature of habit - there will be re-read books this year) so I have a grand-total at the end of 2010. I haven't decided if I'm going to keep a separate list or include them all in one and just note particular books as re-reads.

Any suggestions on how I should track the books I start but don't finish? Or should I not bother to track them at all?

December 26

2009-12-26T17:54:00.002-05:00

Christmas was fine.

I gave some good loot and got some in return.

Today I bought myself some new house slippers (similar to these but NOT Ugg brand) and a Turtle Fur cap (except mine is 'plum').

Merry Christmas to me, eh?

December 23

2009-12-23T10:56:00.001-05:00

Road trippin'

2009-12-02T05:31:00.000-05:00

Going on a road trip with my brother for the rest of the week.

See you on the weekend.

30 Books

2009-11-30T10:20:00.002-05:00

Goal achieved.

I hit 30 books in just under 11 months (this doesn't include the books I re-read over the summer, of which there were probably five or six).

I'll keep reading - I'm curious to see how many I can finish by the end of the year.

Tools

2009-11-24T08:34:00.002-05:00

The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy and the thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own: for the children, and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone.

--Rod Serling
The Twilight Zone
The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street
Season 1, Episode 22
Original airdate: March 4, 1960

Gearing up

2009-11-19T17:36:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving is a week from today. Holy cats, people, how did that happen? It seems like it should only be September. Instead we're 5 weeks away from Christmas.

5 weeks.

Are you ready for it? For the rush, the shopping, and the Christmas music? Parties and presents and travel and tons of food? My answer is no. No I'm not ready. Even though I've already got the Christmas music station tuned in at work.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? We have to get through Thanksgiving first. Thanksgiving and then Black Friday. Which I will be working. In retail.

Digression: If you are going shopping on Black Friday, keep in mind that we peons are working as fast as we can to get you out the door so you can hit the next sale. Keep in mind that we'd probably rather be shopping ourselves, or home decorating our Christmas trees, or stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving leftovers. We'll wish we were almost anywhere else but there. So bring your patience with you, lady, because minimum wage isn't enough incentive to keep me from telling you to stuff it if you get snippy with me. end digression

My Thanksgiving will be spent at my parent's house, eating a ton, laughing a ton, and watching the parades on TV. I'm sure we'll play games, and it'll get loud, and we'll all have a great time. I'm really looking forward to it.

So.

Gear up! It's almost time to break out the Christmas tree, lights, and tinsel.

Home! Dogs! Chaos and Mayhem!

2009-11-12T11:42:00.006-05:00

S is home, safe and sound. His flight arrived on time even though it took off late. (How do they make up that time? Speed? I thought the plane roads had set speed limits so there would not be mishaps. Maybe I'm wrong.)

Anyway! We were up late into the night looking at pictures and chatting and catching up and I was so very glad he was home.

Then! We got up early to chat and look at videos and catch up and drink coffe and I was still so very glad he was home. As I continue to be.

He had many good stories from his 10-day cruise and I know I've not heard them all yet. (I'll ask if I can post some of his pictures.)

----------

This past weekend, I stayed at my parent's house. Sunday morning while they went to church, I took the dogs for a walk*. Their dog Annie is a Shih Tzu puppy and has not had much experience on a leash. She stuck close to Russ and followed his lead but she was not walking tail-up, ya know? Cautious, she was.

I thought it was adorable so I snapped a pic and texted it to my dad. My (72 year old!) father texted me back saying he got the pic. So I called him. Told him his Annie was doing fine and that Russ was being a good walk-on-a-leash role model** for her.

About this time, he darts sharply left just about jerking me off my feet. I had a brief glimpse of beady eyes and white teeth before Russ came up with The Raccoon With A Death Wish. Russ begins shaking it like it's a stuffed toy.

Meanwhile, I'm still on the phone with my dad. "HOLY SHIT, he's got a raccoon, I gotta go!"

A ruckus ensues: hanging up, raccoon shaking, leash tugging, screaming DROP IT -- all while standing in the middle of the road, mind you -- more shaking, and finally! I get the leash pulled up enough that Russ drops TRWADW.

On my shoes.

Luckily Russ had grabbed TRWADW by the scruffy bits of it's neck and shoulders so there was no blood***. Thank gawd.

TRWADW shook himself off, then made haste for the side of the road**** where he hopefully climbed a tree instead of sitting at the base of one WAITING FOR ANOTHER DOG ATTACK*****.

It was about this time that the bumping, dragging noise I was hearing registered. It was Annie, tearing ass down the middle of the road, dragging her retracto leash behind her. HOLY SHIT! My dad's pride and joy was running like her tail was on fire.

"ANNIEANNIEANNIEANNIE!" More screaming, some running, much tugging on Russ's leash with shouts of "This is your fault, MOVE YOUR ASS!" The yelling finally broke through her panic. Annie stopped, turned around, saw Russ trotting towards her and became her usual puppy self again.

But she made me carry her home.

My throat hurt until Monday morning.

To any of my parent's neighbors who were trying to sleep in? Oops, sorry.

*down the very un-busy-at-10 a.m.-on-a-Sunday-morning dirt road that is across the street from their house.
**he lied.
***Russ is current on his rabies shot and a close inspection revealed no scratches or puncture wounds on the big doofus. I'm watching him closely anyway.
****but not before looking over his shoulder to either a) determine he was clear for a get-away or 2) to send Russ a WTF? look. I think it was the latter.
*****GAH! Raccoon! Sitting at the base of a tree! Was he eating? Was he sleeping? Had he been hit by a car? I was going to go back and check on him but I still had the dogs with me. Poor critter. I hope he's o.k.

Awaiting takeoff

2009-11-11T22:22:00.002-05:00

S's plane.
Awaiting takeoff.
Me.
Awaiting S's plane.
The dogs.
Awaiting dreams of the mailman.
S.
Awaiting sleep.
Me.
Awaiting his stories.
The dogs.
Awaiting a nice long walk.
S.
Me.
The dogs.
Awaiting something.
Everything.
Lift off.

A couple of too-bright photos

2009-11-08T09:09:00.001-05:00

Before:

After:

Crappy cell phone pictures, but you get the idea.

Shelley, Austen, and Gaskell

2009-11-05T11:51:00.004-05:00

Oh, people. Do you KNOW how difficult I'm finding it to read Frankenstein? It's very slow going. So slow, in fact, that I was less than half way through it when my book club met on Monday to discuss it. I'm not even to the second part yet. I pick it up with every good intention, but find myself distracted by the language/style/whatever. I read a sentence, then have to stop and translate it so I can understand it.

AND?

Austen is written in the same style! I LOOKED!

AND!

Elizabeth Gaskell. I love the movie versions of her novels (Wives & Daughters*, Cranford, and North and South) and would love to pick copies up to read but HOLY CATS, the LANGUAGE!

I'm stressing over this. I love the IDEA of the Shelley, Austen, and Gaskell novels but am not sure I'm cut out to actually READ them.

Please tell me I'm not the only one.

-----

*OK, I just read the first little bit of Wives & Daughters on gutenberg.org and it probably won't be so bad.

Monday Morning

2009-11-02T09:27:00.002-05:00

Today I am...

2009-10-28T12:27:00.003-04:00

... reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I'm half way through it and have yet to begin to think of this as a horror story. Mostly it's just sad.

... listening to the hum of my computer monitor. I've not turned the radio on today.

... watching Wire In The Blood. Because one episode wasn't enough. I'm hooked on Robson Green and Hermione Norris. But mostly Robson Green. Holy cats, he's gorgeous.

... eating left-over coconut curry chicken.

... drinking water. Lots of it. This evening, I'll be drinking Sam Adams lager.

... making mom's shawl. Knit, knit, knit. It's getting huge and I'm on a roll and I can't wait to start the lace edge.

... waiting for a day off. One in which I don't have to call in sick to get. That'll be November 7. I'm waiting for November 7.

... wondering what I'm going to do with myself for two weeks while S is off sailing on the Atlantic.

... hoping S has a safe trip.

... thinking that stealing this idea from Badger, Blackbird, and Poppy was a grand idea.

The Reading Meme

2009-10-21T15:07:00.004-04:00

Eurolush tagged me for a meme last week. She got it from The Coffee Lady.

This meme is about one of my favorite things: READING. Here goes:

1.Most memorable place/experience reading a book?

One of my most memorable reading experiences was over the summer between 4th and 5th grade. I remember wearing my awesome lime green bikini, laying in a chase lounge in my front yard totally under the spell of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My brain was like Augustus Gloop, sucked up into the chocolate machine and jamming all the works -- I wouldn't get anything accomplished until I got that book finished.

I was, in fact, so involved in the novel that when my 4th grade teacher, who just so happened to be a neighbor of ours, rode up our gravel driveway on his bicycle I didn't hear him. When he spoke to me, I about crapped in my awesome lime green bikini.

I remember being so excited for Charlie. I also remember, when I had finished it, going into my house, looking at my mom while holding up my just-read copy and saying, "can we go to the library tomorrow so I can get another book? Because this was fun."

I wasn't a huge reader prior to that summer. But once I discovered how much fun books were? Nothing could hold me back.

2. Most unusual place/experience reading a book?

Hm. Tough one. I would have to say it was the time when I helped move a 41-foot sailboat from Detroit to Port Huron. At one point on Lake St. Clair, we were under sail, and I was reading. But what can I say? When you’re in the middle of a big lake, even when sailing, there’s not much to do. So I read.

3. Most dangerous place/experience reading a book?

Sitting on the edge of Mooney Falls, Havasu Canyon, Arizona. I’m not actually reading in this picture, I’m taking a picture of S who is taking a picture of me. But see where those three guys are standing? I was sitting there and got about a page in before I said, self, it’s too pretty here to be doing such a singular activity. So I put the book down.

Clicky to make it biggie. You should see more details.

4. Most luxurious place/experience reading a book?

· In bed, every evening before turning out the light.

· On the front porch swing of our B&B on Mackinac Island.

· In the hammock in S’s back yard.

5. Funniest place/experience reading a book? Or, add a reading-place/experience description of your own...

I’ve read in waiting rooms, at the Secretary of State, and while treating myself to lunch. I’ve read on the bus, as a passenger in a car, on our cross-country (U.S.) train trip, and on the Chunnel Train from Paris to London. I’ve read while sitting in traffic jams, on my couch, and on my front porch. When I’m on a reading binge, I carry a book with me at all times. When I’m not on a binge, I tend to think about books I’ve already read.

Sometimes I decide to read them again.

I'm tagging the Hotfessional, LouCeeL, LeahBear, and anyone else who wants to play along. Just copy and paste folks!

PS-Coffee Lady's esteemed colleague and blog friend, Bean Photo, is collecting these reading experiences. If you decide to do this meme, please email him when you have published: mail@beanphoto.co.uk.

Thanks!

Walk

2009-10-16T13:49:00.003-04:00

Robert & Helen own/operate the Buckle Yeat Guest House (in the village of Near Sawry where Beatrix Potter wrote her stories).

Between checking guests in and out and running their guesthouse, they often go for walks.

Today's walk is the kind of walk I want to take.

See their pictures here, here, and here.

In my dreams, I'm off to the Lake District.

'Shake it off' isn't working.

2009-10-15T13:49:00.004-04:00

What do you do...

when you can't shake the don't-give-a-damn mood?
when you want to sit on your couch and do NOTHING?
when every. little. thing. that goes wrong send you into fits of anger?
when the urge to tell the world to fuck off and leave me alone is really strong?

WHAT THE HELL DO YOU DO?

Discuss.

On sneezing, furnaces, and books

2009-10-12T13:58:00.005-04:00

I've done nothing but sneeze all day.
This is what I get for not turning my heat on yet.
Speaking of heat.
I broke down and tried to turn it on last night.
Friggin' thing wouldn't start.
So I've got a service call in.
$130 for them to come look at the beast of a furnace.
I'm hoping it's an easy fix,
that the owner of the company takes pity on my pocketbook,
and that tonight I have heat.
Because our predicted low for tonight is 38.
Cripes.
So.
To combat the sneezes, I'm drinking Pomegranate Green Tea.
I despise green tea.
So I added a bit of blue agave sweetener to it.
Not sure I like the tea.
Or the sweetener.
Tastes like artificial sweetener to me.
But then, I may have added to much this time.
I'll give it another shot before I decide for sure.
Damn heater.
My copy of Frankenstein has arrived.
I tried to start it last night.
Got about a sentence in and nodded right off.
At least I don't have much to re-read.
Also?
The Jane Austen novels started arriving this weekend.
I've received Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Emma.
The other three are en route.
I love paperbackswap.com
But I'm down to only two credits!
(I need to list more books.)
(Stat!)
Happy Monday.

Tied to my land line - should I break free?

2009-10-07T15:45:00.003-04:00

It seems more and more I'm hearing people say they don't have a home phone any more - they've switched to cell phone usage exclusively.

I can see the benefit of this, truly I can. No long distance charges, only one number to keep track of, and for me, it works out to be a bit cheaper each month to upgrade my cell plan and ditch the home phone service.

My concern is this: if I drop my home phone, will the phone company mess with my DSL service? I have this *probably* irrational fear that my DSL quality will drop if I drop my phone service. Have any of you been through the process of dropping home phones but keeping DSL? If so, what was your experience? (By the way, I don't have cable or satellite so getting internet through a TV provider is not an option I choose to explore.)

My phone company charges me more for DSL without a home phone. But even with the upgraded cell plan and more costly DSL service, I still come out ahead in the end money wise. But what about service wise?

What's a girl to do?

Reading

2009-10-06T11:12:00.002-04:00

I'm making a lot of progress towards my 30 Books in 2009 goal. Only two more books to go and not a single Jane Austen has been read yet! I am bitterly disappointed in myself. How in the world do I keep not reading her books? You know what? As soon as I hit "publish" I'm going to go order all six of her books. That way I'll have no excuse - the books will be right there, within reach.

I joined a book club. Frankenstein is our first book. Thrilling!

A knitting post without pictures

2009-10-05T11:15:00.005-04:00

I've not made a lot of progress on my mom's shawl. Holy schnikes, people. You really have to like the knit stitch in order to tackle this shawl. As a new-just-this-summer knitter, I'm still painfully slow - even with a shawl that is all knit stitch. Also? It doesn't help that I'm working with the tiniest needles ever. I want to make myself one of these shawls but, damn it, I'm going to at least triple the needle size when I do.

In order to break up the monotony of the shawl, I knit myself a scarf. Again, all in knit stitch. But! This one was knit in a 5-row sequence: knit rows 1-3; row 4, k2, wrap yard 3 times around right needle*, repeat to end of row; row 5, knit all, dropping the wrapped yarn. This is the pattern I used as a guideline. I CO 26 stitches, though, and used size 7 needles. Took one skein of this yarn an acrylic/wool blend which is perfect for autumn - even though the acrylic content is high.

Can I just go off on a tangent here about yarn? And how I think I'm turning into a yarn snob? I refuse to buy 100% acrylic yarns. I think *most* of them feel horrible. I'm always surprised when I pick up a skein of soft, fluffy yarn, only to read that it is 100% acrylic. I'm amazed at how nice it feels. But I always put it back. WHY? What is my aversion to acrylic yarn? It's usually cheaper than natural fibers, for sure. It may have something to do with all those acrylic sweaters I had when I was a school girl that would pill up like crazy. Also, they didn't breathe at all. Nor did they wick moisture. Get over-heated once and you'd be walking around damp all day. It was just gross.

Last evening, I cast on 100% wool to make a felted bowl. I'm learning how to knit in the round on four double-point needles.

So. That's it. My knitting post without pictures.

Three months late: My blog award appreciation fail.

2009-09-29T14:15:00.009-04:00

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:

Eurolush - Adventures In Germany
Eleanor - eleanor from the commentbox
Heather - Confessions of a Coal Miner's Granddaughter
Shannon - Welcome to The Nut House!
Red Hamster - In The Wheel
Wendy - Martha MacGyver
Penny - Miss Night Owl
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.

Live birthday blogging from Mom & Dad's

2009-09-26T14:41:00.004-04:00

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.

On fires and magic and sneaks

2009-09-23T23:02:00.004-04:00

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.

In which I try to capture a little magic

2009-09-16T15:42:00.004-04:00

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?

The Weekend In Pictures.

2009-09-14T16:53:00.007-04:00

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.

My Denimless Summer: A Success Story

2009-09-08T10:21:00.003-04:00

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!

60 second blog post, redux

2009-09-07T09:47:00.003-04:00

60-second blog post

2009-09-05T09:27:00.003-04:00

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.

Corn fritters & canned tomatoes

2009-08-31T00:06:00.003-04:00

Friday night, S and I went to the cottage. The first time I've been there in almost a month. It was so relaxing. I made corn fritters. (Recipe found on Duyvken's blog here.) S kept remarking on how sweet the fritters were. I used no sugar, just wonderful Michigan sweet corn. They were yummy and will have to be made again soon.

Saturday, I canned tomatoes. I got 10 quarts of chunky tomatoes for S, and 4 quarts + 16 pints of tomato juice for me (which I plan to use in chili).

Sunday I worked 7 hours, then came home and canned 1 quart + 6 pints of Bloody Mary mix! I'm going to test one of the jars within the next couple of weeks. My plan is to give them as gifts - along with a small bottle of vodka and a jar of pickles (even though I prefer celery in my Bloody Marys - but pickles are more convenient to give since I'm not canning them). So here's hoping that the mix turns out well!

It's a Heavenly Day.

2009-08-28T10:35:00.002-04:00

Enjoy.

A funny Basset Boy Bart story

2009-08-25T14:20:00.004-04:00

Yesterday morning, I got up at super early because those pesky dogs wanted breakfast.

So I dumped some kibble into their bowls and trooped off back to bed for a little more shut-eye.

At some point, Bart woke me up because he was licking. Something. He was licking something. Licking, licking, licking, oh my god!, the LICKING. I grumbled, I scolded, I screeched "BART! Stop licking!"

Eventually he quit. Rather, he quit licking loud enough for me to hear him.

Which is saying something because as much as I ♥ dogs, I can't stand to hear a dog lick.

ANYWAY.

Bart.

He decided to cuddle with me at some point.

So when I finally peeled my eyes open, I became the big spoon to Bart's little spoon.

He looked up at me with his big brown Basset Hound eyes and implored me, "PLEASE! Get the kibble out of my nose!"

He truly tried to inhale his breakfast.

No wonder he was lickingLICKINGlicking yesterday morning.

And I can add "Basset Hound Nose Picker" to my dog-sitting resumé.

Lucky me.

A rant that has been brewing for awhile.

2009-08-19T13:33:00.008-04:00

S and I have been dating for over three years now.

We're asked all the time, "When are you going to get married?"

The answer is, "more than likely, never."

This never fails to astound people.

A couple of weeks ago a friend of S's asked me 'the question' and in the process not-so-subtly implied I'm delusional if I think S is going to ask me. (I had a hard time not losing my shit on this person.)

S is very vocal in his views on marriage - his friends all know his views:

He has no plans to ever get married.

He was upfront about this when we started dating.

I knew what I was getting myself into.

Do they think I'm not able to understand what S means when he says "I'm not going to get married"?

What people fail to understand...

what they fail to take into consideration...

what they can't wrap their minds around...

is that I don't want to get married.

WHY do they give me that you're-crazy!-what-woman-doesn't-want-to-get-married look? For fuck's sake that look pisses me off. I am not defective just because I don't want to get married.

People, I've been there. I've done it. It wasn't the best experience of my life and it wasn't the worst. But I don't want to do it again.

See, here's the thing...

I LIKE being single. I LIKE having my own house and my privacy and the freedom to do what I want, when I want because it's only me I've got to look out for. I like letting the dishes stack up and falling asleep on the couch and leaving books everywhere. It's my life and I'm tired of people making me feel inferior because I don't want to get married. DEAL WITH IT PEOPLE. This is your issue - not mine.

What S and I have? It's perfect for us. It works for us.

So stop asking us when we're getting married.

Because we're not.

(A word of advice - if you're one of those people who asks couples who have been dating a long time when they're getting married? For the love of God, STOP. It's not cute and it's not funny. It's an uncomfortable question to be asked, it's an uncomfortable question to answer -- because more than likely we can't tell you to take a flying leap -- and it's really none of your business anyway.)

----------

Now, just because I don't want to get married doesn't mean I can't appreciate the symbolism of the day. Check out what this bride did.

Comfy Couch for Russ

2009-08-16T16:44:00.001-04:00

We were out in the yard and S was playing with the dogs. He paused to take a break and with no prompting whatsoever, Russ decided to have a seat.

Who has time to blog?

2009-08-05T11:24:00.008-04:00

Not me, apparently.

So far I've had a very busy and most excellent summer. Which leaves no time for Defective Typewriter!

I've had a fabulous vacation to Mackinac Island, made especially nice this year because S and the rest of his sailing team took FIRST PLACE in their division of the Port Huron to Mackinac yacht race. So aside from some quality alone time on an idyllic island, I got to hang with some pretty happy sailors.

I've learned how to knit! And I'm knitting up a storm. I've progressed from kitchen items to shawls. I'm making my mom a shawl for her to take to church with her. (See the pattern here.) The body of the shawl garter stitch (knit every row) so you'd think it would go pretty fast, right? Wrong. See, the whole "new knitter" thing is working against me as I have to go slow to keep my stitch tension even. At one point, I had to rip out a dozen rows and reknit them because they looked awful. But, the more I knit, the easier it is. I've got the continental knitting style down-pat, let me tell you. (I took a 'learn to knit' class at Joann's at the beginning of June which was invaluable for learning knitting basics. The teacher taught us the 'throwing' method which, in my opinion, is super inefficient. While searching the interwebs for videos on how do different stitches, I hit upon this video which is what I used to learn the continental method. An interesting article discussing the merits of both methods is here.)

So here's the shawl in progress:

S think it looks like a loin cloth.

I've got about 11 1/2 inches done on each side. The shawl is supposed to be 40" on the sides and 60" across the top. I figure I'll get it done sometime in 2011.

The yarn is wonderfully yummy: Moda Dea Bamboo Wool. It's 50% rayon from bamboo and 50% wool. It's scrumptious and I love knitting with it.

Enough about knitting.

Bart is here! I've had him for a week and I am enjoying him so very much. Pictures from last Thursday evening:

Been working a lot at my part-time job, too. It's a blessing and a curse, I tell you. Blessing because, let's face it, having that extra bit of cash is nice and it's a curse because it's summer! And who has time to work a second job? Me, apparently.

Which is why I have no time to blog!

I got nothin' so have some bullets & a video

2009-07-16T17:42:00.005-04:00

Today is the 7th day S has been on the set of Flipped with the '61 Impala.
Last night while on the set, I watched Callan McAuliffe chase fireflies.
He's Australian.
And adorable.
But so is Madeline Carroll.
Enough about Flipped.
Basset Boy Bart is coming for another visit on Sunday.
I'll have camera ready in case Russ does his little girl bark again.
It really is quite funny.
I hate my job.
I'm knitting up a storm.
Kitchen stuff mostly.
Hand towels and dish rags.
Socks next.
Haven't touched my sewing machine in weeks.
Haven't read a lot either.
But!
Mackinac Island is fast approaching.
I leave on Sunday the 26th.
But!
Have to make it through next week at work before then.
Pray I don't strangle someone.
Or tell a customer to take a flying leap.
Because?
I hate my job.
Maybe I can go work in the movies.
Speaking of which.
Whip It! is being released October 9.
Have a peek here.

Basset Boy

2009-07-09T09:36:00.004-04:00

His name is Bart.
He's 4.
He's affectionate, likes to lay on the couch, sleep in the bed, and ride in the car.
He'll be staying with me from the end of July until some time in October.

The meet-n-greet went well. Russ was a bit excited, barking a very high-pitched (and quite annoying) bark. I don't know what this bark means exactly but it didn't seem to phase Bart at all.

We're going to have a few more meet-n-greets before E leaves for Boot Camp so the transition to my house will be easier on Basset Boy Bart. (By the way, we think he's named Bart after Bart Starr -- I'll try to confirm this.)

This is going to be so much fun.

Good things come to those who wait

2009-07-07T10:09:00.004-04:00

This little guy's human dad, E, is joining the Marines at the end of the month. S, knowing that my heart's desire is for a Basset Hound of my own, volunteered me to dog sit while E is in basic training. (God, I love that man.)

If you remember this post you'll understand that I cannot convey in this post the excitement I am feeling right now.

We're having a meet-n-greet on Wednesday to make sure Basset (I don't even know his name!) and Russ get along before fully committing to keep him during E's absence. Send good thoughts my way, would you?

Book the 19th: Flipped

2009-06-28T13:31:00.004-04:00

Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen, is a quick, fun read. Here's the cover blurb:

The first time she saw him, she flipped. The first time he saw her, he ran.

And from the second grade to the seventh, that's how it was. She says: "My Bryce. Still walking around with my first kiss." He says: "It's been six years of strategic avoidance and social discomfort."

But in the eighth grade, their views of the world -- and each other -- turn upside down. Hey says: "I'd spent so many years avoiding Juli Baker that I'd never really looked at her, but now I couldn't stop." And she says: "I felt a cold, hard knot tighten in my heart. I was through with Bryce Loski."

Is there hope for happiness in junior high?

Have you flipped?

I mention this book specifically (when I've not mentioned a lot of the other books on my 30 Books in 09 list) is because it's being made into a movie. And the movie is being filmed here in my area.

The movie, directed by Rob Reiner (how COOL is that!?), is being set in the late 50s and early 60s.

And who owns a 1961 Chevy Impala?

S, that's who.

And guess who gets to take his 1961 Chevy Impala to the set on Monday and Tuesday so it can be one of the "extras"?

S, that's who.

And guess who is taking some time off work to go watch a movie being made?

Me.

That's who.

My Busy Weekend

2009-06-22T13:52:00.002-04:00

It's 2 p.m. on Monday and I am still exhausted from this past weekend.

Day by day, in bullets:

Friday, June 19, A Father's Day Celebration:

8:30 - out the door to spend the day with my parents
9:00 - arrive at Mom & Dad's. Eat yummy mom-fixed breakfast.
9:30 - head out to the Boyscout Rummage Sale
10:15 - spend money on lovely goodies (there is a Thrifty Thursday post in my future)
10:30 - break from thrift shopping for Dad's chiro appointment.
10:45 - back on the road to find yard/garage sales
11:30 - Church rummage sale!
11:50 - spend some more money (another Thrifty Thursday post - 10 cent Vogue patterns!)
12:15 - back to my folks house. Mom needs a nap, Dad got called to fix a friend's mower.
12:30 - head out to hit the Boyscout Rummage Sale solo and find more yard sales. (Find yet MORE Thrifty Thursday fodder.)
2:30 - find a great yard sale with a vintage blender.
3:00 - head to the local A&W for lunch and a free root beer float (yum)
3:45 - slip into a food coma and laze about at Mom & Dad's for about an hour.
5:00 - head to my brother & sister-in law's house.
6:30 - head to the mall to meet my best bud, K.
7:45 - leave mall, head towards home but first...
8:30 - stop and cover an appointment for S who got called away for a drain emergency.
9:10 - walk through front door.

Saturday, June 20, Motor Muster

9:00 a.m. - leave for Motor Muster at Greenfield Village. (We took an old car. Pics later. Maybe.)
10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. - walk around Greenfield village and look at all the old cars, soak up the sun, and pray for a reduction in humidity.
8:30 - shopping for Dad's Father's Day present and lunch fixin's for Sunday.
10:00 - head to I and R's for a beverage.
10:30 - head off to Mom & Dad's. Again.
11:40 - head to one of the local elementary schools for my 12 to 1 a.m. Relay For Life walk.

Sunday, June 21, Relay for Life and Motor Muster

12 to 1 a.m. - Relay for Life walk. (4 miles, baby!)
1:50 a.m. - fall into bed, exhausted.
8:30 a.m. - wake up, prepare cooler with lunch fixin's, get dressed, hop in car, and...
10:15 - arrive at Motor Muster.
5:00 - leave Motor Muster.
6:00 to 8:00 - nap
8:05 to 8:50 - walk dogs
9:15 - pour wine
9:30 - watch "how to bind off" video on youtube so I can start another practice knitting piece.
11:00 - go to bed.

I slept so soundly last night that I slept right through my alarm and was a few minutes late for work.

Oops.

V

2009-06-17T13:30:00.003-04:00

Do you all remember V from the '80s?

I do. I was 10 when it was released in May of 1983 and it was my first exposure to SciFi (I was a bit too young to partake in the Star Wars craze). I loved it.

It's being remade.

I will be watching it.

Oh, yes.

I will be watching.

Call me sentimental.

2009-06-15T14:54:00.004-04:00

I love the Pure Michigan ads*.

Sunrises

Woods

Nicknames

Back Yards

Go here to see more ads.

Or go to Pure Michigan and start planning your trip.

*voice-overs done by Tim Allen.

I learned a new word today...

2009-06-11T09:45:00.003-04:00

The Coffee Lady posted today about being the Queen of Faff.

Well, of course, I had to look it up because, hello, NOT A BRIT. (Actually, I followed the link that she so thoughtfully provided us.) In case you can't be bothered to click the link, here's the definition:

Faff (faffing): To muck about, wasting time doing something not necessary.

Hey! That's what I do! A lot. Seriously. TCL maybe the Queen of Faff across the pond but here in the US? I hold that title.

Example...

WHERE do my evenings go? Last night, I mowed the lawn (required as I don't want to get fined by the city), went to dinner with a friend & her kids, and got a pedicure.

Did I get the dishes done? No. Laundry? Of course not! How 'bout writing those thank you notes for my graduation that was at the end of April? NO WAY. Nor did I work on a myriad of other things that need to be done.

I faffed the evening away. I was faffing around. When there's work to be done? I faff.

To show that I do officially belong to the Queen of Faff club, here's my admission token:

Family lunch.

2009-06-08T11:38:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, through a series of seemingly unrelated events, it worked out that me, my parents, and my brother were able to have lunch together. No sister-in-law. No nieces & nephew. No boyfriend.

Just the four of us.

For the first time in probably a dozen years. Probably longer.

It was wonderful.

And it was over too soon.

I must try to arrange these lunches more often. Can I just say to my sister-in-law, "Hey, love you and the kids, but you're not invited."?

Also? I'd like to take my brother to a movie and dinner. Just the two of us. That, I think, would be pretty easy to arrange. Maybe I'll take him to see the new Star Trek movie.

----------

The Orphan Car Show was yesterday. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Rain threatened for a big part of the morning, but it held off.

Book the 17th...

2009-06-05T23:33:00.004-04:00

The month of May was a weird one when it came to my reading. I read a ton of little romance novels that have been lurking on my shelves for years. They were all books I'd read before so I've not counted them in my 30 Books of 2009 quest.

I'm also not counting A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby which I only got halfway through before I decided I'd regret spending time to finish it. (I could not stand three of the four characters. And the one character I did like began to get on my nerves.) This book marks the end of my relationship with Mr. Hornby. I've tried to like his books. Alas, it is not to be. He irks me. Next time I see a Nick Hornby novel, I shall leave it where it lay and shall be happier for it.

So.

Book 17.

Made In The U.S.A. by Billie Letts. This book started out very dark. It took me places I didn't want to go, but lead me out safely in the end. But that's Billie Letts for you. Nothing fancy, just a good story involving some wonderful characters. And the names! Her characters always have the most unusual names. Lutie and Fate McFee, for example. And Floy.

So! Onward! I've got a book club book to read, along with one I won (!!!) via a blog contest. Hopefully I can knock both of those out within a week or so.

Not to mention the DOZENS of books on my 'to be read' shelves (yet I never have anything to read. Funny how that works, isn't it?).

Happy reading!

Bad attitude days...with sunshine.

2009-06-04T14:58:00.003-04:00

People, I have been pissy lately.

So much so, that I took a day and a half worth of sick leave from work. It was either that or run the risk of snapping and telling a coworker to go stick their head up their ass. I'm not embarrassed to call the days off mental health days.

Poor S. He's been a trooper.

On a happy note, it's sunny today.

Happier note: I've not killed any of the veggie plants I've planted so far...and I've got a few more to plant yet.

Hopefully I'll give enough of a crap to go exercise tonight. Hopefully that'll help.

That and a new job.

Thank you! (This post is long overdue...)

2009-05-29T17:09:00.005-04:00

My bloggy pal Penny (aka Miss Night Owl) makes jewelry and sun catchers in any shape you could ask for. (Visit her etsy shop - SO creative!)

Just before I graduated in April, I got an email from Penny stating that she'd like to make me a sun catcher as a graduation present and what shape would I like it in? She can do anything, she said.

So I thought on it and realized that the shape I most wanted was the lake where the cottage sits. So I google mapped it and this is what I sent her...

View Larger Map

Except her version didn't cut off the corners of the lake.

She is SO speedy! I sent her the email on April 20, and I had the finished product in hand on April 25.

And it is BEAUTIFUL!

Penny's dad claims it looks like someone sat on West Virginia (hee!) but I think it's a wonderful representation of the lake I love so much. The blue heart bead up near the top marks the spot where the cottage sits.

The cottage has been rented out for the past two months, so I've been able to enjoy the sun catcher at my house. The renters are now gone and the sun catcher is going to it's permanent home on the lake this weekend.

Thanks so much, Penny! We keep a journal out there so each time we visit, we make an entry. I'm going to be sure to include the addition of the sun catcher so future visitors will know where it came from.

Denimless, Week #1

2009-05-29T13:28:00.002-04:00

Week #1 was a success!

Monday evening I went to Old Navy (after all the holiday festivities, of course) and bought 1 pair of non-jeans pants, 1 skirt, 1 pair of linen shorts, three pairs of capri pants, and two tops.

The pants I bought? The most comfortable pants I think I've ever worn. And they've got straps at the bottom so I can roll them up and convert them to capris! Who knew? Convertible pants!

A change is in store.

2009-05-22T13:59:00.006-04:00

Eleanor in Australia wrote this post the other day about the uncomfortable quality of bluejeans for her specific body type. This got me thinking and I found that I am the exact opposite -- I find jeans amazingly comfortable. Further, they are my comfort. They are my default go-to clothing item when I'm not sure what to wear to casual events. I am confident in them. I figure if they make me under-dressed then oh well -- at least I'll be comfortably, confidently under-dressed.

Further though revealed that jeans are my crutch. They are my clothing rut. They are the fashion uh-oh that I've been stuck in for years. I am going to remedy this...

I've decided that for the summer, I'm going to try to ditch the denim!

No denim jeans on chilly evenings (yes, we have chilly evenings in the summer - this IS Michigan), no denim shorts or jackets. I'm even going to stow away my most comfortable bum-around-in shirt that is only denim colored (it's the softest cotton shirt ever).

I'm giving myself the weekend to pack all the denim I can find in my house into boxes for summer storage. My denimless state will begin on Monday, May 25.

Eleanor has discovered that jeans are not her style. I'm hoping that by the end of the summer they won't be my style, either.

Wide widths

2009-05-20T14:25:00.002-04:00

I wrote Keen this letter today:

Hello Keen!

You've got some mighty cute shoes, Keen.

Mighty cute.

But you don't make them in wide widths.

Which means I can never buy a pair of your shoes!

And this makes me sad, Keen.

Very sad.

Because you've got cute shoes!

Keen, I'm begging you...

Make some of your cute shoes in wide widths!

Cheers,
Hopefully a future loyal Keen wearer

Specifically, I lurve these:
Sienna Stretch Ballerina in sweet pea or flamingo (how fun!)
Madrid MJ in topaz
Coronado Sandal in amaranth or misted yellow
San Mateo in carob
Ventura Canvas

Anybody got an "in" with a Keen decision maker? If so...send 'em my note!

Bonfire

2009-05-17T10:11:00.004-04:00

S and I braved the chilly evening last night to enjoy a fire in the firepit.

We sipped on glasses of Tito's and talked about the housing market, lawn care crews, and camping in the backyard.

And then S proceeded to try to scare the ever-lovin' shit out of me.

A sure sign of spring in Michigan

2009-05-13T21:26:00.003-04:00

The car shows have begun!

Shiny classics are popping up all over.

Here is S, schmoozing it up with the owner of that classic wagon behind him:

S is wearing a vintage late-1950's bowling shirt. It was his dad's. What makes it even better is that his dad's name was Earl.

Here's the back of the bowling shirt:

The Dag-Wood is now called the Fleetwood. They make kick-ass breakfasts there.

I've changed my profile picture. Here it is in full-size for you to see:

Look at how GREEN that grass is! I totally wanted to roll around in it.

Isn't she dreamy?

She's a tad creepy, too.

A Meme

2009-05-12T20:16:00.003-04:00

So I was tagged by Eurolush to do the latest meme makin' the rounds. Here goes:

What are your current obessions?
Reading cheesy romance novels that I've already read. Margaritas. Short hair.

What's for dinner?
I had a bowl of jasmine rice with scrambled eggs and soy sauce. Quick, easy, filling.

What is your greatest fear at the moment?
That my plastic microwave rice cooker is loaded up with BVAs or BVPs or PBRs or whateverthehell it is you're supposed to avoid in plastic and that it is, every time I make yummy jasmine rice, increasing my chances of getting some sort of cancer. I really need to get a new rice cooker.

What are you listening to?
The hum of the fan from my NEW (used) LAPTOP!!!

If you were a goddess what would you be?
Protector of the innocent, upholder of justice, and avenger of abused animals.

What are your favourite holiday spots?
S's cottage, eastern Kentucky, Mackinac Island, Petoskey.

What are you reading right now?
A cheesy romance! W00t!

What is your guilty pleasure?
Reading a trashy & very cheesy romance novel while sipping on a margarita.

Who or what makes you laugh?
S. Dogs. Eddie Izzard. Billy Connolly. Badger. Eurolush.

What is your favourite spring thing to do?
Opening the fraking windows! And LEAVING THEM OPEN. (I've had at least two open at all times for the past month.)

Where are you planning to travel next?
Planning? Europe. In reality, I'll probably head to Petosky or some other place in the northern lower penninsula.

What is the best thing you ate or drank lately?
I made some cranberry pomegrante green tea iced tea the other day. It was yum. Other than that, it would probably have to be all those lovely margaritas I've been sucking down lately.

When was the last time you were tipsy?
Um. Let's see. Today is Tuesday. It wasn't last night I was a the pub with S. No, no, it was Sunday evening. Sunday!

What is your favorite ever film?
No way can I pick one. I'll give you top three: The Color Purple; Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth, o'course); and Love Actually.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned from your children?
I ain't got none!
But my niece and nephew taught me that I have no patience for children so it's a good thing I don't have them.

What song can't you get out of your head?
Currently, the earbugs are silent. But I've been on a kick with Patsy's Crazy lately.

What book do you know you should read but refuse to?
Prior to graduation, it was textbooks. Cripes almighty I hated reading text books. So I didn't do it. Post graduation, I'd have to say it would be anything political. Seriously. I hate politics.

What is your physcal abnormality/abnormal physical ability?
I am right handed but I can write left handed, backwards, and upside down. I'm not fast at it, but I can do it. I don't know that that is anything more than a dumb party trick, though.

What is your favourite candy?
Cadbury's caramel eggs. Thank God they only make them in the spring.

What is your favourite body part?
On myself? My eyes. On S? His bald head. And his smile.

What other bloggers are you tagging?
Well, everyone else but Penny has been tagged. So I'm tagging Penny!

That's it! I was going to post some photos but it's 9:00 and I'm damn tired. So you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Cheers!

Catch up...

2009-05-11T08:27:00.002-04:00

Oh people.

What a crazy couple of weeks.

Graduation went very well. I'm glad I walked. (The pictures turned out horribly so I'm not sharing them. You're welcome.)

Work has been nuts so I'm VERY BEHIND in reading the blogs I enjoy. I've got 215 posts in my Google reader. 215!

I missed out on Badger's "Who Wants Some Crap?!" Giveaway. I am both bummed and grateful that I missed out. She had great crap to give away but I don't need any more! I am also inspired to maybe give away some stuff myself.

I've been sewing. Not a lot, but still. Sewing!

All of a sudden the trees have leaves. And the birds! Oh the birds.

And the sun!

Speaking of sun, Penny over at Miss Night Owl made me a suncatcher as a graduation present. I LURVE it and am planning a post about it.

Have been reading a ton but not sure I'm going to count the books in my 30 books of 2009. They're all those cheesy little romance books that you can storm through in an evening, and I've already read them. Some of them I've read several times. It's like watching a favorite movie over again.

Eurolush will be glad to know that I've slowed down on the DE Stevenson books. The Miss Buncle books are, so far, the best of I've found.

OK. All for now. It's Monday morning. I'm back in the office after working off-site all week last week. Catch-up has begun. And it pretty much sucks.

Hugs to you all! I've missed blogland.

It's officially retired.

2009-04-21T17:15:00.004-04:00

Seven and a half months.

Thirty weeks.

Two hundred ten days.

It's intended purpose has been served.

None the worse for wear. I'm sure I'll find a ton of uses for it.

Classes are over.

My last final has been taken.

I am no longer a student.

I am an ALUMNI.

(Commencement is Sunday.)

I banned it YEARS AGO.

2009-04-20T10:09:00.005-04:00

Do you remember this post?

Apparently I "don't know much about typography and need to get a new hobby."

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Twilight Saga

2009-04-17T09:52:00.004-04:00

Over the past couple of months, I've been slogging my way through the Twilight series.

Having finally finished them and given myself a couple of days to think about the series, I can say this:

I didn't hate them. I mostly enjoyed them.

My favorite of the four was Breaking Dawn. This was because there was a big chunk of the book told from a different character's point of view. After three and a half books, I was mighty tired of being in Bella's head. (I would've enjoyed the series more had we had different perspectives - that's just my preference.)

There may be a 5th book in the series - Midnight Sun. It's Twilight all over again but from Edward's perspective. I've read the first chapter Stephenie Meyer (And? What is the deal with all the e's in her name. Why no a in her first name?) has posted and am looking forward to reading it - if it ever gets written and published (damn those fools that posted it online!).

So. Aside from wanting to choke the hell outta Bella at times, overall I enjoyed the series.

And if that's wrong, well...I'm o.k. with that.

Last Lecture

2009-04-15T08:47:00.001-04:00

As I was walking to the pub with S last night, I realized that yesterday afternoon's social psychology lecture was THE LAST ONE.

Just have to get through finals now.

I didn't pass out...

2009-04-07T15:25:00.002-04:00

...but there for a while, I thought I was going to.

Went on a field trip today.

To the morgue.

To watch autopsies.

REAL autopsies.

It was what I expected but also more.

I'm glad I did it.

Even though it was never on my list of 100 Things To Do Before I Die.

What I came home with

2009-04-06T10:28:00.004-04:00

Birch run was a success.

I was not able to resist the Coach outlet and I bought my first ever Coach shoulder bag. None of that double-C-logo emblazoned stuff for me this time. Aside from the little Coach tag hanging from the strap, I don't think it's easily identified as a Coach bag. It's kelly green and has a flap and silver hardware and I ♥ it. No camera so no picture for you. I'll try to borrow S's camera and get a snap.

I also bought:

another suit. A brown one.
a pink shirt to go with my brown suit.
a board book on how to mix classic drinks. (Ha! Success with buying only ONE book!)
Pyrex bowls and a cast-iron skillet. (No wine rack or food processor, though.)
Yankee Candles - large jars of Rose of Morocco, Canary Island Banana, Mum, and Tea & Honey votives. (I'm not too sure about the banana - it may be too sweet. I'll keep you posted.)

I laughed a lot, swore at my aching feet, and tried to keep within my budget.

Oooh! Almost forgot: I bought Russ and Chewie Coach collars.

Spoiled much? Not our dogs.

EDIT: Per Penny's request - photos of the dogs. (The bag will have to wait until I get S's camera - I barely got the one of Russ with my POS camera.)

Russ in Coach.

Chewie in Coach.

Girls' weekend

2009-04-03T11:36:00.005-04:00

My best friend K and I are going to Birch Run this weekend. We're going up on Saturday evening and shopping our asses off on Sunday.

Lord, please watch over me and give me the strength to resist the Coach store.

I'm going to be shopping for business wardrobe basics. Something that would be appropriate for interviews. I can't go too overboard because my first job may be a uniformed one - so, obviously, I wouldn't need a huge business wardrobe right now.

Heavenly Father, there are 40 stores that sell shoes. Help me resist those, too.

I also want to find some kitchen stuff. I would like to find some sort of counter-top wine storage. Maybe something for three bottles or so. Unfortunately, I don't have room for the type of awesome wine storage Eurolush has (top picture, partially hidden behind the chair). I'd like a food processor and Badger has me wanting a pasta maker.

There is a Border's Outlet too, Lord. Grant me the strength to only purchase ONE BOOK. And Lord, help me remember to take my coupon.

Impersonations

2009-03-31T15:27:00.003-04:00

Impersonations have always fascinated me. When they're done well, they're cool. When they're done superbly, they are amazing.

Kevin Spacey is a superb impersonator. He does more than voices and I could watch him do this for hours.

This video is about 6 and a half minutes long but you won't be bored*. I promise.

----------
*I don't have cable or satellite, therefore, I don't have Bravo. But back in the days when I did, I loved the Actor's Studio. By the way, you've seen Will Farrell do James Lipton, right?

Friday Fun

2009-03-27T10:05:00.002-04:00

Some random youtube for Friday.

This video makes me very happy indeed. Especially around the 35 second mark.

Stop the madness!

2009-03-26T16:21:00.004-04:00

DAMN IT ALL!!!

I need to stop:

spending money like it grows on trees
eating out (see bullet point 1)
being a slug
eating crap (see bullet point 2) (I think April is going to be another No Eating Out Month. Cuz March? Sucked.)
bitching, moaning, and whining

Am I the ONLY ONE who gets on her own nerves?

Blah

2009-03-24T10:49:00.004-04:00

It has dawned on me that I am furiously unhappy in my current job. And that I have been so for several years. This unhappiness is finally starting to motivate me to find something else. Something with a start date as close to graduation as possible.

In the meantime, my attitude about the place I currently work makes it really hard to get out of bed in the morning.

Soon. It will be finished soon.

What's going on

2009-03-18T15:24:00.007-04:00

Remember this car?

S and I drove it to Pittsburgh this past weekend to visit C & C. Let me tell you, she rides great. She ran like a champ and gave us no problems whatsoever.

----------

Today was my first job fair. In the end, it turned out OK. But, oh people 'twas a rocky start. I had issues getting my resume ready. Not only did I have computer issues, I am a terrible writer and have a very hard time putting the proper spin on my duties. I only gave out one copy of my resume and I even told the guy "please know that I am more than my resume." I hope I didn't kill that potential relationship. Anyway. I have some web sites to look at and some research to do. But, yay -- the job search has begun!

I felt very comfortable in my new suit and green blouse. (I didn't get a picture as my camera is right crap.) When I tried my fancy duds on for S last night he looked quite surprised and said, "that looks really good." See, I'm not a clothes shopper. I don't have the best luck in finding clothes that fit properly or look good on me. But HA! I did this time! neener neener neener

That doesn't change the fact that I was a nervous wreck this morning - upset tummy and rapid heart rate and all that awful stuff that comes with nerves.

This is what I learned: Job fairs aren't anything to be nervous/terrified of! Especially when half the people there are wearing jeans or gym clothes (no lie - I didn't get close enough to her to find out if she was coming from her workout or going to it) and you know you look damn good in your fancy new duds with your crappy resume printed on really nice resume paper.

I made the correct impression. Gym clothes lady didn't.

----------

In other news, we were told today at work that we would all have to take 4 hours off unpaid per month for the next six months to prevent a staff member layoff. I'll gladly take those four hours. The first 4 hours I take will be spent at the career services office!

Texas Beer, Texas Dog

2009-03-12T08:56:00.005-04:00

I lived in Round Rock, Texas from October of 1998 to September 12, 2001 (one never forgets where one was on 9/11).

While I was there, I grew to love wild flowers, minor league baseball, and Shiner Bock. The Tex-Mex was to die for, the people were friendly, and live music was everywhere. Some of the best we heard was at Joe's Generic Bar on 6th. The summer heat was unbearable for this northern gal and in the summer I spent as little time as possible outside -- but I did enjoy wearing shorts on Christmas. Quite the novelty.

I'd been there about a year and a half when I decided to adopt a second dog. I scanned the papers and read an ad for a lab-mix, free to good home. The folks I adopted him from said I was the third person who had come to look at him but I was the first person he walked right up to and started licking*. So, I took my boy home and shortened his name from Rusty to Russ - because having an orange dog named Rusty was just too...obvious, I guess.

ANYway. Russ will have been with me for nine years this August.

What's your point, you ask? Why the huge adoption story? It's because when I was at the grocery store last night, S found a six pack of Shiner Bock (!!!) which is hard to find in Michigan. The flood-gate opened and I've been thinking of Texas. So I thought I'd reminisce a bit here.

And share a photo with you...

Two of my favorite things from Texas.

----------
*They failed to tell me that he had been shot with a pellet gun recently (my blood boils when I think about that) and that I should keep an eye out for infection. I discovered that on my own about two weeks later when he developed a huge pus pocket on his side - and it leaked!

A lamb in wolf's clothing

2009-03-09T14:01:00.004-04:00

Upcoming job fair + wardrobe of jeans, cargo pants, and sweatshirts + a burning desire to get a hella awesome job = clothes shopping.

I bought a suit. A black one.

And this shirt:

Next up:

Resumé.

And shoes.

Not necessarily in that order.

The Leisure Seeker

2009-03-05T19:58:00.004-05:00

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian - Book the 9th towards my goal of 30.

It's about an elderly Michigan couple who hop in their camper and head out west along Route 66. John has Alzheimer's, Ella has cancer. It's about a final hoorah, love, and keeping promises.

I figured out how it would end very early in the book but that didn't keep me from crying when it was over. (I'm a sap. Don't judge.)

Simply, I really adored this book.

(The author lives in southeast Michigan. Bonus!)

Derby Girl

2009-03-01T23:04:00.004-05:00

Last spring/summer, parts of a movie were filmed in my town. It's set in Bodeen, Texas with large parts taking place in Austin. It's going to be very interesting to see how they make my town look like Austin. (If any of you see the movie (and I will because, HULLO, parts filmed in my town!) and you happen to spot a glass-front building with EARL'S DISCOUNT FURNITURE in big white letters? That is, literaly, 1/4 mile from my house. I'll try to take a picture. Or maybe a video a la Eurolush.)

Anyway.

Last week I found out the movie -- Whip It! -- is based on a Shauna Cross book called Derby Girl.

Being the geek that I am, I checked Derby Girl out of the library and devoured it this afternoon and evening (book 8 in my '30 Books' goal).

What can I say? It's a book about a 16 year old girl, quite the misfit, who finds her calling in roller derby. It was a quick read and I did not hate it.

Probably because I remember those growing pains and the anxiety and fuck-ups of trying to figure yourself out.

----------

S and I are officially done with our month of not eating out. Overall, it was a huge success. We celebrated with dinner at the local watering hole. Yummy black-bean burger, sweet potato fries, and ginormous Stella Artois. And you know what? That dinner out was special because we hadn't eaten out in a month. Who knew? It was like we were on a date.