Just a bunch of silliness, really

Wanna Go For Coffee?

2012-02-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

While talking with a friend today, and by "talking" I mean messaging, I had an insight that I hadn't fully considered before.

As much as the internet has made the world significantly smaller, it also has made the world more insular. Many of us have far-away-friends or e-friends that we've never actually spoken to.

Yet we know the day-to-day details of each others lives. We know nicknames, habits, and many of the traits that one used to list on those seventh grade friendship quizzes.

While this is lovely, this expansion of our world, the addition of friends that we would otherwise never know, it has a strange side effect.

Loneliness.

But wait, what? I just said that we had MORE friends than we ever would have pre-interwebs, I just said we were More knowledgeable about the people in our lives so what the eff with the loneliness?

With the push of a button, the click of a mouse, our friends are there. Virtually. They are there. We get caught up on gossip, moods, and milestones. We even "chat".

But as my friend pointed out this easy access can actually isolate us. We know information but we don't necessarily connect or bond. We're not intimate, even though we believe that we are.

This is not to diminish how nice it is to keep up with each other via the interwebs or to imply that I am ungrateful for my far-away friends.

As for myself, I am forgetful. I write here nearly every day. I write about whatever is going on in my head in that moment. Like after today's chat, as I was thinking about it, I planned on writing about it. I wanted to share what I was thinking about because my friend pointed out an issue that I hadn't considered. So of course I want to share it with my friends for discussion.

I might write about Kevin being sick but did I tell bff's C & K? Nope. I can't tell you why, it just seems easier to write it here. Or I'll have a sarcastic thought and tweet it instead of the email, note, or phone call that I would have done in the past.

I often wonder if I remembered to tell my friends or sister-in-law something and realize that I didn't. I think it's because I thought I already had, I wrote it "somewhere".

Also, as my friend pointed out, we have the tendency to hibernate instead of going out. Coffee dates aren't as easy as logging in. Scheduling get-togethers take too much time when we can catch up while laying in bed with our laptops and smart phones in mere minutes. It's easy to catch up via electronics instead of in person in this busy world.

On a positive side though, us socially anxious folk feel better with this ease of logging in and catching up. It's not as stressful, not as anxiety making, and so much easier to stay in touch.

So, here's the thing. I will make an effort to send that email, make that call, or go have coffee. While we will each understand that while this whole interweb thing is easier, we have to actually See and Talk to each other.

Join me, won't you?

The Tortoise

2012-02-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

I have posted before about the Parkinson's dance class that happens here at the YW. It's probably one of the more inspiring things I have seen in my lifetime. The instructor, Pam, is one of the most kind and positive humans.

I am going to use her words to describe the video:

Without further ado here is our friend Rick, a poet, writer, and smartass.

Things are Fine

2012-02-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

So, of course, in the middle of everything that's been going on Kevin has been sick. Well, sick isn't the right word. "Symptomatic" is the right word but we've both become to loathe that word.

We just passed the six years mark in November from his whole Graves Disease adventure. Six years since radiation & treatment and he had almost a full-year without the requisite blood test & exam, the first full year ever. (considered remission, like but not even close to leukemia)

His symptoms began acting up again about one month ago. We attributed it to the stress of his mom being sick, the snow week, and some drama from the racing org we used to belong to.

Then time passed and things weren't getting better. Fret. We made some adjustments and things didn't get better. Double fret.

BTW ~ this is where I say THINGS ARE FINE ~

He is a very good patient in the fact that he sees a doctor when something is wrong and follows instructions to the letter. He made the doctor appointment, did the blood test thing, and we waited.

He just called to tell me that he's okay and that his meds are being adjusted. He was running a little "fast" or "high".

The only bummer is that it can take up to ONE MONTH for everything to subside and level. One month. Gah. There are some smaller adjustments to make and that's okay, we've done those before. It could be So Much Worse in the grand scheme of things so really, we have no room for any sort of attitude.

We were just a little disappointed because we were both "You got this" and it just feels a little like God/The Universe/Whatever just gave a little push and said "Nope, you don't."

Because, really, we both know that this is going to happen. This is how it is. But for a while there, we forgot that 2005 ever happened.

Now Heidi Can Get Married

2012-02-12T12:41:00.000-08:00

I am a Howard Stern fan. I realize that the line is pretty dark and deep between people who like Howard and people who don't. I understand. He can be a bit much at times. However, you will be hard pressed to find a better interviewer than Howard.

Howard is also a defender of equal rights. His rant this week about gay rights was epic and true. Even though it's obvious, I feel I must say NSFW or around kids and it is harsh & crass at times:

I was not surprised that Michelle Bachman had something to say about he calling her one of the two worst people in America. What did surprise me is that she paraphrased the speech from The American President in her response. It's like she thinks we're all too stupid to figure it out.

"These are serious times, and our nation faces serious issues. The direction that America is headed requires serious discussion by serious people, and Howard Stern is not a serious person" michellebachmam

"We've got serious problems, and we need serious people, and if you want to talk about character, Bob, you'd better come at me with more than a burning flag and a membership card. If you want to talk about character and American values, fine. Just tell me where and when, and I'll show up. This is a time for serious people, Bob, and your fifteen minutes are up. My name is Andrew Shepherd, and I *am* the President" Aaron Sorkin

*facepalm*

I guess I just don't understand how things like this are happening without people pointing it out. The above MB quote was posted on the Huffington Post and even they didn't point out the similarities.

This is where Howard Stern has earned my respect for using the power of his listeners for good. He points out the haters and the morons (his word) and let's us know that the media isn't always straightforward and balanced. He reminds us that not everyone thinks like they portray.

Please join in my in doing the happy dance for the repeal of Prop 8 in California. Let's hope it turns the tide in a positive direction.

It's also with happy anticipation that gay marriage in Washington State will be signed into law this week. I cannot wait to call Heidi, the girl I call my sister, to celebrate upon it's signing. I cannot wait for my small corner of the earth to be one of eight states to offer full human rights to all citizens.

The One Where I Clearly Have Issues

2012-02-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, you guys already know this but I have photographic evidence!

Who can guess what's wrong with this picture? There are three things.

I'll wait.

*singing jeopardy theme music*

Are you ready?

There are usually two towels on the rack, as by design. I am just a little OCD about this. Kevin, in his cleverness, chose to attempt to thwart my OCD by centering the single towel on the rack. Oh silly boy, that didn't work at all.

Because a) it's still just one towel. 2) it's not centered and c) it's crooked.

Yes, I have issues. And how much do we love that Kevin tried to help? (:-D

News & Notes

2012-02-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

So, what shall we talk about? My brain is a little full.

This new job thing has been good, I'm enjoying most of it. The only issue I have had is that one coworker. The one that announced the other day that "You're wearing a sweater!" (then walked out the room.) The same coworker that couldn't find something on a shelf that was labeled, at eye level, and hasn't moved in five years. Something wily like STATIONERY.

Like the stationery, she is not seeing that I am busy and doing stuff that can't be interrupted, put off, and half-assed. I don't know what her trip is but I'm thinking about bringing that spray bottle I've been threatening.

I wasn't going to watch Smash. I wasn't going to watch Smash. I have too much stuff to watch already, I didn't need to watch Smash.
I SO watched Smash, and absolutely loved it. Loved it. Just perfection.

I never thought that I would say this: there is just too much good television available. Keeping in mind that we don't watch much reality television.

We just watched Castle, the Blue Butterfly episode. They did a classic 1940's film noir and it was very enjoyable. A necklace was a main plot point and Nathan Fillion mentioned on the twitter that it was for sale. I clicked the link and at last look, the bid is $2075.00.


I kind of want this, really bad. Etsy, maybe?

Kevin's mom is home and doing okay. The blood pressure thing has abated but now her cholesterol is sky-rocketing. It seems like it's just going to be this way from now on. Kevin's dad has been incredible in taking care of her. We are all amazed at how well he is going with everything. He's learned to cook, clean, balance their accounts, everything. He loves it, he loves being needed.

Georges St Pierre is on the television....I....um....what were we talking about again?

I am not enjoying the large framed fake glasses that kids-these-days are wearing. They just look dumb. The new 80's fashions are giving me whiplash right now. I love the return of colored jeans.

I am considering on breaking my own word on buying a Swiffer mop. Does anyone have an opinion? Buy one? Use a standard mop & not add to the landfill? Buy something else?

Okay, time for bed. Have a great week!

Love, Hate, Meh

2012-02-06T21:52:00.001-08:00

My mother in law sent this blanket over with Kevin tonight wanting to know if I would like it.

It's that crazy loose knit chenille, like an overgrown scarf. In the photo it looks more red than the actual rust shade that it is. What's crazy, other than the actual blanket, is that it matches our bedroom exactly.

But I can't decide if it's a keeper. If one went with firstly impression, mine was "Eww Kevin. That looks like shredded up Muppet!" Not exactly the stuff dreams are made of, right?

So what say you, poppets? Love? Hate? or Meh?

Drop in the Bucket

2012-02-05T21:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the most demotivated day. It was one of those days that you knew nothing good was going to happen from the moment your eyes open. I even slept a little later than usual just to attempt to ward it off.

24 oz mocha later and you find me on the couch catching up on the dvr and being grumpy. I even tweeted my dismay after starting & stopping the tweet a few times. Yes, I couldn't even muster a tweet.

Finally, I became irritated enough to try something. I realized that I need to focus on the area around the couch. Set our goals low, shall we? I decluttered (thusly creating a mess in my office but shut up) the bookshelves.

One Craig Ferguson episode later, I dusted everything in the living room.

I had to go to the bathroom so I managed to drag out the laundry and begin it. As I'm dejectedly throwing towels in the wash, it occurs to me that I've unwittingly participated in Swistle's Drop in the Bucket theory. I love the Drop in the Bucket theory and I was so happy that it had happened.

Because I decluttered, I realized I needed to dust, because I dusted, I then needed to vacuum. Because I had to go potty, I started the laundry. Before I knew it, I had the majority of my chores done.

All it takes is one little task, one drop in the bucket.

60 Seconds

2012-02-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

There is a line in a movie: "You have sixty seconds. Your house is on fire. What do you take?"

I have thought and thought about this and I just don't even know.

My first impulse was pictures, but how do you choose? Sweep my arms down the hallway, off the entertainment center, off the shelves?

Okay, how about the laptop? No, I use Google for storing stuff so it's not a necessity. Yes, rebuilding Bookmarks is a pain but not worth smoke inhalation.

There are two china cupboards full of heirloom china but there's not a Piece I Can't Live Without.

We have furniture that I love but not the kind of love that will cause me to risk singeing my hair to rescue.

(By the way, the question assumes spouses, children & pets are already safe.)

Finally I realized that in my little effed-up mind that I think I would rather lose everything than to take something then regret that I didn't grab something else. I think it would be worse to realize that I grabbed the jewelry box but wished I'd grabbed my great grandmother's journal. I believe that I would probably forget half the stuff I'd lost almost immediately. While I love my stuff, it's not that important.

This is not, I feel I must say, an invitation, Dear Universe, to burn down my house.

Your turn: what would you take?

Crimes Against Humanity...Or Not?

2012-02-01T20:29:00.000-08:00


It's polyester, one piece and reminds me of Shirley Temple: the later years

Also polyester,pleated bottom, and reminds me of kitchen curtains


Fuschia, terry cloth, and makes me worry for Abby Cadabby's well-being

I suppose that saying it's polyester is a given here. This is a formal, or maybe church dress. You might not see but there are darts at boob level, who ever thought that was a good idea?

What's funny about these outfits is that in the photographs, they look okay. In reals, they'll take your breath away with their awfulness.

But be truthful, how many of you said "That's not so bad..."?

For this Post I am Andy Rooney

2012-01-31T20:49:00.000-08:00

I'm so tired of celebrity baby names. I really am. If I were to follow trend, then our imaginary baby would be called Rojo Seis Seis (red 66).

I am also tired of Jennifer Hudson. Well, not necessarily her but the company she now shills for. Although I've never been a fan, even back in the American Idol days. She just comes across as rude and condescending to me. That's not my point. I feel like the commercials are just misrepresentation.

She went from sixteen years old to an adult. From a poor kid to someone who can afford all resources one needs, and she had twins. What's the average weight gain with twins? Oh, and she experienced a seriously unbelievably devastating personal crisis. Gosh, I wonder how in the world she could have lost all that weight without the help of that weight loss company.

Or let me go a little further with that: Weight Loss Companies marketing using celebrities that just lost 30 lbs with their program. The catch? They just had a baby. What's the average weight loss after pregnancy? Usually 10-30 lbs.

My far away friend CK mentioned the other day the pet peeve of the use of "over" instead of "more than". Two that make me crazy is "towards" instead of "toward" and "to try and *verb*" As in "...to try and make the cake." No, it's "...to try TO make the cake."

One girly rant, which I never do, I have pre-menopausal PMS. I have never, ever, had any symptoms before. Now it's like textbook plus middle of the night hot flashes. WTF is that all about? I know unreasonableness is a symptom but seriously: WTF.

There are two plot points I don't understand in movies. The symbolic throwing of jewelry into water. I just see it as so wasteful and pointless. (I just watched Titanic, in case you need an example).

The other being is when there is an impasse in a relationship then one simply allows the other to walk away without a word. No "Don't Go", no chasing after, nothing. So not real life.

Toilet Paper Commercials. I just...they're just...sigh...Make them stop.

People on cell phones in public areas. Do they think that no one else can hear them? I just want to shout "I Can Hear You!" Or answering their phones while you're talking to them (as in clients, not as in friends but that's annoying as well. I love the idea of everyone putting their cell phones in the center of the table and the first to look at their phone buys dinner. )

Okay, I feel better. Your turn to be Andy Rooney.

Quote of the Day

2012-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valliantly, who errs and comes up short again and again...who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least her fails while daring greatly."

~Theodore Roosevelt

Love in Three Photos

2012-01-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

Once again the interwebs has given me a fun idea for a post. I do hope you play along.

SLATE has put up a contest to post three pictures that depicts a love story. Here, I will use their words instead of mine:

The challenge: Slate wants you to submit a love story in three photos. The photos must tell a story, as in beginning, middle, end or beginning, what you thought was the end before another beginning. We want stories of love, lust, heartbreak, makeups, breakups, and surprises. The three photos can span decades or just a few weeks. Captions for each photo should be one to two sentences. Shorter is better. Think of this as a photo haiku.

The best stories will be featured on Slate the week of Valentine’s Day.

An example: Some of the inspiration for this project came from Chris Verene’s book Family. Verene is the king of presenting complicated, heartbreaking love stories in just a few photos. (Read more about his work here.)

For article link click here

Here is mine. My in-laws have a sign in their house that says "All because two people fell in love"

Kevin's Parents 1957


My Parents Wedding Day 1956

Our Wedding 1993

I am having fun with this that I may post more. Please play along!

Scenes from the last twelve days

2012-01-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

Kevin's mom is home from the hospital after twelve days. This was a bad spell that included: (you might get a drink first)
respiratory failure
heart failure
pneumonia
stroke
uncontrollable blood pressure
plaque on the brain
angina

So, yeah. Fun. A big change in all of our lives.

Kevin, myself and the brother-in-law go to the dark side of humor when things like this happen. We use humor to get through and are thusly awful.

One of the moments that made me laugh until tears is while we were in the waiting room. A woman walked toward us dressed in a bomber jacket, blue-blocker sunglasses, Harrahs Las Vegas sweatshirt, sneakers, and jeans. She clearly had stuff going on. She passed us and when she was out of earshot, Kevin says:
"She used to be a Japanese zero pilot.

I knew that things were bad when my sister-in-law lost patience. She never loses her cool. Never. And she has PLENTY of reasons to in her life. This last trip to the hospital there was a whistler in the waiting room. We're all tired, stressed, and had-enough. T is quietly knitting and begins muttering "It wouldn't be so bad if Someone would stop WHISTLING!" This starts me giggling and Kevin's sarcasm flipped into high gear.

Oh, and I nearly forgot the European lady whose husband was in ICU. She interrupted our nurse in the m-i-l's room because her husband's bed needed adjusting. The nurse actually said "Oh, no she did not!" and chased her out. Unfortunately Mrs. Not From Here walked to the m-i-l's door and stood while on the PHONE. I got into touch with my inner black girl saying "Oh HELL NO" and walked up to her. "You. Need. To. Walk. Away. Right. Now. K. Please. THANKS."

We didn't see her again.

This is the latest one. With all the aforementioned health concerns, the in-laws lifestyles need to change dramatically. Kevin's mom is a snacker and salt addict, which she will deny to her dying day.

But if she ever tries to deny it again. I have this:

This is a full-size laundry basket full of snacks that were located AROUND HER RECLINER. Just around her RECLINER.

If you don't laugh, you'll never survive this life.

Inspirations

2012-01-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

I had to write an essay for work, my first writing assignment for my new position. At first I was a little eye-rolly about topic but once I was done I actually felt a little better about my job.

Inspirations

I was asked to write about a woman in YWCA Bellingham history who inspired me.

I immediately thought of Frances Larrabee who saw that there was a need for women's housing and made it happen. Without Frances, our lovely YWCA wouldn't exist.

The longer I thought about it, however, the more women I considered. In a woman-centric program, singling out just one doesn't seem possible. I have encountered countless people who have been a motivation, an inspiration, or just touched my life in an impactful way.

My very first day, Diane brought me flowers as a welcome gift. The small act of kindness will never be forgotten. She has been a constant here at the YW, volunteering her time whenever and however she can. It is an especially happy day when Diane is here. Diane taught me about kindness.

Pam teaches dance for people with Parkinsons each week. I don't know if I've ever met a more positive person. Pam makes you feel better every time you see her. Pam shows me what hope looks like.

Many volunteers spend time here at the YW. It wouldn't be fair to single out just one. Watching them give their time week after month after year is incredible. The Boutique would not be the amazing place that it is without them. They demonstrate the gift of time.

Countless women have lived at the YW while I've worked here. They each teach us something while they are here. Many demonstrate strength to us simply by taking the steps to make their lives better.

The YWCA has a variety of donors who support us in so many ways. We are always flattered when they stop by with clothing for the Boutique or items for the residence, and on the best days: treats and kind words. Our donors seem to understand not just the giving part but also the caring part of contributing.
We were blessed with Julie, who brought the YWCA from turmoil and downturn into a thriving place that continues to grow. Julie showed us tenacity.

Now we have Cheri leading us into the future. She makes challenges seem like "Isn't this going to be an adventure!?!" She is grabbing us all by the hand saying, "Let's see where we can go!"

Nope, there is not just one woman who is inspirational here at the YWCA. There is an entire community.

Six Words

2012-01-22T20:17:00.001-08:00

I just finished the latest Oprah magazine. It featured an article about Six Word Autobiographies: State your life in six words.

I read all of them and liked most of them. My favorite was "Reads like a Monty Python sketch."

I thought about mine but the one I like is seven words and a U2 lyric: I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Finally I figured it out. At least until I think of the perfect one (as soon as I press publish)

I'm just along for the ride.

What's your six words?

Quote of the Day

2012-01-21T17:16:00.000-08:00

To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.
~Katherine Paterson

Whatever You Do, Don't Laugh

2012-01-19T22:18:00.000-08:00

Kevin's mom is struggling so send out a thought to whomever you believe in.

With that, I'm sharing a quick funny story and calling it a day.

We laughed at Modern Family where Lilly cursed profusely because we just experienced that with Girl Little.

The kids were sledding for the fourth time in two days. Girl Little didn't want to because she didn't have gloves and she was just kind of over it.

As she went down the stairs to play in the snow she casually states:

"I'm a pussy because I don't want to go sleighing."

Kevin & I were stunned into hysterical silence. We knew we couldn't laugh nor scold so we just tried to be nonchalant and nod understandingly.

As soon as we turned away, however, we busted out.

(PS..."Sleighing" is sledding. We don't know where sleighing came from)

To add to the funny of this story, this is the angel with the potty mouth:

Snow Day

2012-01-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

We have over two feet of snow, more on the way, it's 21 degrees and a Nor'easter is on it's way.

We spent the day at the hospital, at the grocery store, and sledding with the kids.

How's your winter going?

A Lot Less Tomorrows

2012-01-15T20:44:00.000-08:00

Kevin's mom is in the hospital again. I say again because it is about an annual thing. This time though, she nearly didn't make it. That's a first that we hope isn't repeated any time soon.

She gets sick every January and it invariably turns into pneumonia. We thought it was that again this year but it seems like they're having a difficult time putting their finger on a diagnosis this time. No fluid in the lungs = no pneumonia, no shadows on the lung x-rays = no cancer, yet she was in respiratory failure.

She's on steroids, antibiotics, iv fluids, and occasionally on oxygen. It seems like every time they back the respiratory medicine off, she struggles.

So that's fun.

We have been talking about how she's been failing in health. We've been slowly wading into the "How are we going to do this" waters. Now we are being shoved into the deep end of the pool and can't ignore it any longer.

Even Kevin's dad has come to the realization that this is it. To quote Grey's Anatomy (strangely) he's realized that there are a lot more yesterdays now than there are tomorrows.

We have to think about dividing up chores...who's going to clean the house and help cook. Who is going to begin going to doctor's appointments, every single time. Who is going to help pay the bills. And lots of other tasks that we aren't going to think of until they are needed done.

Included in all this is keeping an eye on Kevin's dad so that he doesn't overdo it. He's so healthy that a person easily forgets that he's 75 years old. Last weekend he spent both days working on the racecar with Kevin like one of the young guys.

So, that is what is on our minds right now. We are unsure when she is coming home and what care will be necessary upon her return.

One more movie quote before I go: the scene in While You Were Sleeping when Jack tells his father he doesn't want the family business. The father says "Just now, right this moment, everyone's healthy, everyone's happy." Jack tells him "I'm sorry but it's not this moment." That is what New Years Eve felt to us as the new year rang in.

Dilbert is An Accurate Depiction of the Workplace

2012-01-13T21:54:00.000-08:00

As I often say: my brain is full. It's been a week, which is so pathetic to say after having vacation and while looking at at a three-day-weekend.

The new job duties have been fun, so far. Not fun as in confetti canons and dancing bears but fun as in Stuff I'm Good At and Stuff I'm Not So Good At But It's Not Frustrating.

My new boss has turned out to be a fun person to work for. She reminds me from time to time of Melissa McCarthy. She doesn't curse in front of us but claims that she does curse. When/if she ever actually does, I am simply going to give her a ten dollar bill because it's going to be epic.

She doles out support and sympathy and discipline in a fair, straightforward way. I can sadly say that I've not experienced that in a consistent way before. It's lovely.

So what's the problem, you're asking. Co-workers. To quote Samuel L Jackson: Mother Effing Coworkers.

A tiny caveat: my office is the main office thus the hub of activity.

That being said:

One co-worker will actually go behind my desk to look out the window. She is sometimes spying on clients (in a good way) but sometimes she's just looking out the G.D. window. It got so bad that in a desperate psychological warfare tactic, I moved my desk incrementally to make the pathway narrow & not as accessible. (I know, I am evil)

Today, as I'm working on a deadline and with HEADPHONES ON...bright yellow ones at that...she kept trying to talk to me about nothing really. That's simply annoying until she takes the picture & tchotchke off my printer/scanner to make a copy "Because I can't figure out my printer. Or it's broken. Probably broken."

DEADLINE. HEADPHONES. You have your own PRINTER. GET OUT OF MY SPACE!

To add to the pressure of the deadline, my boss was at a regional meeting (yes, very Dundler Mifflin) all day so that just left myself and the co-worker.

BECAUSE our other coworker suddenly had to go to Seattle today because it's supposed to snow on Monday. She had to take an emergency day off to go to what I suspect is IKEA. Yes, an IKEA emergency. Never mind that it's not supposed to snow until Sunday evening, leaving um, let's see...Saturday and Sunday. Days she already had off.

I guess I should be grateful that I had a fairly quiet day. Most days, there are constant stream of interruptions. Again, I understand that the location of my office is unfortunate and not a good match for meeting deadlines or avoiding interruptions.

In the end, it's not the new job that is stressing me out. It's the coworkers. I use creative visualization to cope with the irritation: imagining spraying them with water sprayers, shooting nerf guns, throwing staplers.

I'm afraid it's going to denigrate to me shouting "SERIOUSLY!?!" at an inopportune moment.

Bonehead

2012-01-09T21:14:00.000-08:00

Back in the good old divorce days, I referred to Michael as Bonehead. It was the nicest word I could come up with that I could say to my mom.

I never used the word prior to that and I don't use it now. I don't even use it to describe him anymore. In fact, I used it just the other day and Kevin was all "Wait, what?"

How I came about "knowing" the word was my old roommate, Jeff. He lived with us for a little over a year I think. (Married 18 mos. so you can see how successful we were from the start)

There were two things I loved to do with Jeff...no, not *that*....watch B movies and grocery shop. He made both entertaining and educational.

One afternoon we went to the grocery store. We parked next to a car that had three young children in it, the eldest being maybe six years old. This surprised and annoyed the both of us.

Jeff asked the boys what they were doing and they said "Waiting for mommy." He somehow figured out that they hadn't been in the car long and that mommy was coming right back.

Then somehow the conversation turned to calling each other boneheads, as boys are wont to do. It just made me giggle that he had this car filled with boys laughing and saying "bonehead, bonehead, bonehead!"

The best part was the last thing he said to them: "And when Mommy comes back? SHE'S a Bonehead!!!"

All I could imagine was this probably harried mom coming out to a car full of boys chanting "Mommy's a bonehead, Mommy's a bonehead!"

So, Bonehead...feel free to use it as you please. It fits many different situations.

A Lot of Stuff to Learn

2012-01-07T15:36:00.000-08:00

With this whole new job responsibilities thing I am going to have to work on being a grown-up. I took this job for the lack-of-responsibilities only to find myself, a mere five years later, in a completely different job with all kinds of new responsibilities.

I accepted this job on a whim, not particularly interested in the mission nor aware of what all the program offered. I had another job at the time that was cake but I apparently lost my mind and accepted it.

I accepted it on the basis that it was flexible (bwahahahaa) and low-key. (double bwahahahaha)

The other day I actually said "This isn't what my life used to look like!!" then I immediately realized how silly that was. Well, of course it isn't. Duh.

There are a few things that have recently tripped me up a bit:

I was offered my own company debit card. This makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it. I know, I already do a lot of money stuff so this should be easy but still. Then today I ordered a business account COSTCO card with an attached AM-EX card as well. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Letting go of tasks for someone else to do is a struggle for me. It's taking me a little time to realize that I am going to have Important Stuff to Do and in order to accomplish that, I need to let other things go. I've become so used to having time to do everything that not having time for everything is disconcerting. (goodbye days of watching television online)

On the reverse of that, my coworkers are going to have to learn that I am no longer at their beck & call. For this, I may need a spray bottle. (imagine: training cats)

I know but have rediscovered that I tend to think in-the-moment and not in the future. I think it comes from being the youngest child, a Sagittarius, and a child of alcoholics. I need to learn to think a little further ahead. I don't enjoy deadlines but I find that without them, I might not ever finish anything in a timely manner. (hello finished, unpublished novel and other unfinished novels)

It's time to just say yes, I guess. (so confidently stated, really, wasn't that?) No matter what, I need to try to say yes. And follow through. And consider deadlines. And learn to say "Not right now". And not to throw office supplies at coworkers.

Yeah, that's a lot to learn. I can't promise on that last one.

Quote of the Day WTH Does That Mean Edition

2012-01-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Green leaves on a dead tree is our epitaph --

green leaves, dear reader,
on a dead tree.
Connolly, Cyril

Rear View Mirror

2012-01-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

I am not sure what disappears into the distance faster than a vacation.

I've been back at work for 6.5 hours and this, this is where I am:

(Why, yes, that is a reindeer hanging on my monitor)

Luckily for me, I had a substitute this year while on vacation so I can safely say: "It could have been worse." Having a substitute feels like such a luxury and even better? she totally rocks. In years past, it almost wasn't worth the hassle of a vacation for all the mess I would have upon returning.

Thankfully, a lot of the above is busywork. Filing, double-checking, and quick little tasks. Well, other than that stack. That stack. Ugh. (there's a similar stack waiting but I didn't have the heart to include it in the picture)

But it's not all bad. It's been a peaceful day, which is rare in social services. Kevin wants Taco Time for dinner (I know!) and it does feel good to be back on a schedule.

And, I have Martin Luther King Jr. Day off in a week & a half.

It's fun to post a picture of my desk! What's yours look like? C'mon, play along!

New Year's Meme

2011-12-30T20:48:00.000-08:00

It’s back! The New Years Meme! You should do it too, it’s a fun way to look back on your year.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Workwise...so many things. Personal life: lose. We had the worst race season

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?  
Same answers as last year: I did make them and for once, I believe that I managed to at least bump into each resolution and make its acquaintance.

My resolutions for 2011:
1. Continue cooking more.
2. Continue to simplify, in every way.
3. Try to remember not to enter into melodrama of any kind. I believe Swistle referred to it as jackassery.

These resolutions worked out so well I am keeping them for 2012!!!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?  
Yes, our friend Scotty whose wife gave birth to a beautiful little girl named Peyton

4. Did anyone close to you die?  
Not close. A few former clients from work, old-timers from my hometown. My high school best friend’s father.

5. What countries did you visit?  
"Oh Canada, our home & native land.."

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Time.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Today. Today was one of those rare just Kevin & Me days. Easter & Christmas with the kids. Kevin & the Little birthday party

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  
Not running screaming from my work and into the bay.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I didn’t get as much debt paid down this year, too many unexpected expenses

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I believe I was remarkably healthy this year!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
  Plane tickets...books...my Vegas hoodie. (same as last year)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
  Barack Obama. He inherited a mess and is fixing it, all the while encouraging us to do the same.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?  
The entire GOP

14. Where did most of your money go?
  Same as last year: Bills, Racecar, Vegas trip. Mochas!

15. What did you get really excited about?
Christmas with the nephew & monkeys. Vegas!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adele - Rolling in the Deep

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: 
– happier or sadder? Happier, in the grand scheme of things.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner! again!
– richer or poorer? Richer this year, surprisingly. We've been Lucky.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?  
Spent time Not. At. Work.

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

20. How did you spend Christmas?  
Eve - at my parents
Day - Next door, immersed in children's excitement and food

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Every day.

22. What was your favorite TV program?  
I always have a difficult time choosing favorites. Castle, Big Bang Theory, Parenthood

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?  
No. I'm not a hater. It's a waste of time

24. What was the best book you read?
Reading? Books? what is this that you speak of?

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? 
Adele

26. What did you want and get?
A new-to-me truck

27. What did you want and not get?
A CPSA championship

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Watching it right now: Life As We Know It

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
43 and I went Christmas shopping

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Time. Time at home, work not so crazy busy, time to just breathe.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
  Casual, comfortable. I actually have some color in my closet and shoes that are not sneakers

32. What kept you sane?  
Mochas. Kevin.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Craig Ferguson. Hello, my naughty monkey.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?  
The GOP presidential nomination

35. Who did you miss?  
No one that I don't usually miss.

36. Who was the best new person you met?  
My new boss. She’s pretty cool

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.  
Take one thing at a time & eventually you’ll get through

Mecca

2011-12-29T20:43:00.000-08:00

My brothers each gave me a Barnes & Noble giftcard, as did Kevin. This is my favorite kind of gift, for sure. I walked into the store today with $125 worth of gift cards!

The one book I wanted really badly was Paul Carr's The Upgrade but it wasn't there. I have to order it from Amazon and then I have to decide if I want it in actual book form or on my droid. This is not a serious problem, I realize, but disappointing for sure.

I usually buy my calendar this time of year but I bought one for my birthday. I glanced at the journals but I already have too many unused ones. They sure are tempting though, aren't they? I already did the after-Christmas shopping for cards so I started with the sale racks.

Some day I am going to buy the classics and read/reread them. They had a lovely set of classics that I considered but it felt like buying homework so I continued on.

I did check my Amazon wish list for books I had saved but there wasn't really one that jumped out at me. I thought Emily Giffin had a new book out but I was wrong. Then I blanked on author names that I wanted to check.

This turned out to be a good thing though as it forced me to go one by one down each bookshelf. I did eventually remember who I wanted to look for but it didn't much help. One book that I read & loved the author only wrote one book, how unfair is that?

I must have made the security folk nervous because I kept circling and circling the same shelves. There are entire areas of the store that I am not interested in: science fiction, cookbooks, and self-help. I glanced at teen fiction and history section but it was more out of boredom than anything else.

Eventually I realized that I was carrying eight, EIGHT, books. I did some quick math and realized that I was finished shopping. This didn't stop me from checking out the magazine racks though.

Then I spotted the Nook kiosk. My cards would pay for a Nook and I enjoyed playing with one of the bigs Kindle. (great story I will share later) I looked at the stack of books then back at the Nook then back at the stack.

There is just something about holding an actual book that I can't let go. I understand the lure of having many books in a device smaller than a magazine but it's just not the same.

I don't believe that the cashier quite understood my delight/embarrassment at having a stack of gift cards and still having to pay $5.33.

You know where to find me

Step Away from the Tree

2011-12-28T16:23:00.000-08:00

I have defrocked the house with the exception of the Christmas tree. It's always the last thing to be put away each year. My mother has always said that it's bad luck to take it down prior to New Year's Day but I'm not so sure.

This year I just going to wait until the feeling of delight upon seeing it is gone. If that's tomorrow or February, then I'm good with that. (Kevin, perhaps, not so much)

Last year I decided that I was bored with our tree decorations. We had kind of an old fashioned tree with country kitsch. Many of the ornaments were gifts from the school, from either the families or the staff.

Also, I have a few ornaments from our mutual pasts. There is a pair of horses & a Christmas elf that was Kevin's before me. I believe they were his mothers at one time. I have a set of brass bells and the angel from my past life. I like the blend of old and new.

However, my eye kept being drawn to the sparkly ornaments in the stores. Michael's has a great selection as does Macys and JC Penneys. It was fun to browse then hope that the ornaments were still there after Christmas.

So it was fun to open the box and discover the new ornaments I had purchased but not been hung yet. I repeated the tradition this year as well. Now I will have a handful of ornaments to discover next year.

I've gone all Karma Chameleon with the new sparklies: red, green, and gold. Gone are the snowflakes, the gold ribbons, and random ornaments that don't match yet somehow go together. There is an ornament featured in a Hallmark movie that I really admired. I kept an eye out for it or something similar and I finally found one from last years after-Christmas sales.

I believe I've reached the saturation point though. I am not sure that I can fit another ornament onto the tree. I might have to get a back-up tree if I keep this up; which is a shame because I've created a lovely tradition of buying an ornament on my birthday. I also enjoy searching through the remnants of the Christmas shelves during the week of New Years to keep the after holiday blahs at bay.

Like yesterday when I finally purchased the church ornament I've coveted for years and the initial ornaments at Target that I never could justify buying.

So, we'll see. I might take it down tomorrow or I might enjoy it until it is eligible to become a Valentines Day tree. Or, more likely, I find it in the yard when Kevin can't take it one minute more. (:-D

In the meanwhile, I think I'll just avoid the after-Christmas sales until next year.

Cell Phone for Christmas

2011-12-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

Kevin never loses anything, never. It's a strange & wonderful thing about him. So, it was surprising when he told me that he had lost his cell phone at his brothers on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. He said, bless his heart, that they had looked for almost an hour before he came in to tell me. He was so disappointed.

Unfortunately the kids were at their dads so we couldn't enlist them for help. Without them, four of us walked the driveway searching in vain. To add insult to injury, this is Washington State so there are leaves on the ground, making it impossible to find something in a black plastic case.

Luckily, Kevin has a work cell phone so he has a back-up. Droids have back up assist so his contacts & stuff were all saved in the ether somewhere. I called Verizon (again: let's hear it for Verizon customer service!) to see if there was any way they could pinpoint where it was. Unfortunately, no but it was worth asking.

On Christmas morning Kevin told the kids that if they found his cell phone, he would give them $20. Unfortunately for Kevin, Santa had more influence than he did.

We opened gifts with six kids. We had supervision of the boy Littles. Kevin had one and I had the other.
They were So Excited when they opened "cell phones" from their stockings! "Look Unca Kevin! I have a cell phone!" They were so excited and being five, they didn't understand that they were pretend.

After presents, Nephew suggested that we could find a replacement on CraigsList. I wouldn't have ever thought of that. We searched, Nephew made a few texts & calls and within an hour Kevin had found a phone. They would meet in town in an hour & Kevin would have a much cooler phone than the one he had.

The kids were playing in their room with all their loot when one of the Boy Littles came out, looking downright heartbroken. "I'm sorry, Kevin." We both panicked a little, thinking he'd done something wrong. "Why are you sorry, buddy?" Kevin asked him.

"Well, I'm sorry because I can't call you. This phone doesn't work. It's not real."

Kevin expressed dismay and disappointment. "That sucks, buddy."

Boy Little replies, in the saddest tone ever "I know, right?"

Oh my God. Our hearts broke into a million little pieces. Kevin said it was a good thing that he didn't have his phone because he would have given him his.

It's wrong to buy a five-year-old (or three of them) a cell phone, right? Right?

2011-12-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
~Ada V. Hendricks

News & Notes - All is Calm

2011-12-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

Wooosh, that's the month of December passing me by.

How is everyone doing this lovely holiday season? Other than being a little overwhelmed with the work/life balance, I'm doing well.

I was radioactive yesterday. My laptop wouldn't boot so I borrowed one from work but I have to write an essay to be published about the history of our YWCA in exchange.

Work had more of it's own surprises: a broken stove, a broken vacuum,a grandfather clock that was donated but needed transportation and an alarm beeping from our phone system. On top of the to-do list I already had because I'm officially on vacation until January 4th.

2012 will be interesting, workwise. My job responsibilities are changing & increasing so that will be fun. I'm a little anxious about it but mostly looking forward to the challenge. I made it through this year with all the changing responsibilities, why not try something new?

Today I slept in, glorious! then went into town to finish shopping. We were mostly finished but for two things that I forgot: stocking stuffers for the kids and groceries. You know, the little stuff. We're going to need food over the next four days or so! I also managed to wrap all of Kevin's presents into one box so I needed to think of something small to give him. Yes, I realize that I could just unwrap the box but that's crazy talk.

I returned home with the intention of doing my regular Saturday chores so that I could relax but I was stuck in "If you give a mouse a cookie" mode. I needed to start laundry. I needed to make the bed before I could fold the laundry. Then Kevin called so I ended up putting him on speakerphone so I could try to accomplish something, anything. Then i remembered that I forgot candy for the girls at the mocha stand & the mailman.

And so the afternoon went. Now I have all the presents wrapped except for the big kids. Our Christmas cards went out on Monday. Our bills are paid and my chores are nearly finished. Kevin is snoozing in his chair while I write this. WHEW!

I didn't find the Target wrapping paper so I'm guessing it was just for the commercial. I did find some Snoopy paper though so that makes me happy.

Oh, I've been meaning to ask: what is up with the mardi gras colored Christmas decorations? did you notice it? Especially in Target, they had decorations of teal, lime, and fucshia. Michaels did as well so I missed a memo somewhere.

Kevin now shares my (our) love of Target. Before he was meh about it but he had to do some Christmas shopping and he really liked it there. It's too bad I don't take him shopping with me more often but it's expensive when he goes!

I've discovered socks from REI. I was given a few pair...wool and wool-esque...and I'm in love. With poor circulation, my feet are always cold and these socks are magic.

I have a gift card for Walmart, Starbucks, and Barnes & Noble. I'm looking forward to next week when I can go shop without the holiday pressure.

I think I hear birthday brownies calling my name. I hope that Christmas finds you merry & bright. Take some time to sit back and enjoy the moment.

Merry Christmas!

I'll Take Smart Assery for $100, Alex

2011-12-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I watch Jeopardy. As the child of alcoholics, I can kick ass on "Potent Potables". (yes, I'm aware that's horrifying) and I do well with pop trivia, literature, and some history. I do, however, suck at the "in the form of a question" thing.

Anyway, the final Jeopardy question category was NFL. I laughed out loud at the expressions of fear and dismay of the contestants. The question had me yelling at the television: "What NFL franchise began in the mid 1970's and both the team & city begins with the same first three letters?"

Again, the contestants looked horrified and disappointed. "That's so EASY!" I'm yelling at the television. "Seattle Seahawks!"

As the contestants rejectedly revealed their answers, or lack thereof, I felt myself turn into one of the kids next door, yelling "Burn! Nerd!"

Yeah, I'm a great influence on small children.

Quote of the Day

2011-12-21T21:44:00.000-08:00

People take different roads seeking fulfillment & happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they have gotten lost.

~ H Jackson Brown Jr.

Brad Pitt Could Be My Dad

2011-12-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

So I was walking through the Bon....fine, Macys. whatever...after choosing some ornaments to buy myself for my birthday when I see/hear a group of Macys employees working on a display.

It turns out they were talking about Tom Selleck. the youngest of the group said "He's hot, even if he's old, I'd like me some Tom Selleck."

Reflexively I said aloud "Owwww" and she looked at me. "What? he is old! he's like my grandpa!"

"Omg, not helping!" I said, while thinking "F*&king OW". I laughed while I said it so she continued:

"Well, he is. He's older than you! People older than you can be attractive. Take Brad Pitt! He's like 43 and could be my DAD but he's really hot."

At this point I'm just laughing and trying to squash the impulse to shove her into the sweaters.

I am exactly 43 today.

She sincerely said "You're not as old as either of those. You don't look old!"

Nice try, little girl. I am still stinging from the Brad Pitt comment.

It was a nice birthday, even if I was unintentionally insulted by a preschooler.

In 10 Minutes

2011-12-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

I walked into the bank for work and was rick-rolled. As soon as I opened the door, all I could hear was "Never Gonna Give You Up".

The kindergartener teller laughed politely when I mentioned it so that was equally embarrassing and funny.

As I was leaving, a very attractive guy in a suit was walking toward me so I smiled at him...it is the holidays after all. Turns out he was also leaving so I held the door open for him. He thanked me pleasantly which increased his attractiveness.

I continued down the sidewalk while he cut through the parking lot. Not paying attention, as usual, I slipped off the curb and stumbled. I muttered aloud "Well done, me, falling off the curb".

Mr Attractive kindly inquired if I was okay. I laughed & admitted that I'm just a klutz. Then it occurred to me was that it was instant karma for flirting with an attractive guy whilst being married.

It's been cold here so I stopped at the mocha stand to buy a hot chocolate. What's that shiny light on the dash? I asked myself. Yep, out of gas. again, well done me.

I did make it back to the office in one piece. I had my doubts. A lot can happen in ten minutes.

Feliz Navidad Cha Cha Cha

2011-12-14T21:48:00.000-08:00

The littles very first Christmas program was Monday night. They were so excited to see almost a whole row of just their family. It was fun to attend, although it felt like I was closer to the grandparents ages than the parents.

They did pretty well. Girl little flashed the "Loser" sign, twice. Boy Little P sung and danced, and Boy Little C just looked miserable. He's more of a sports, hulk smash, guy than a Broadway guy.

The school they attend is multilingual. To reflect that, the kids sung one carol in English & one in Spanish. It was actually quite adorable.

We also visited their classroom and met their teacher, which was lovely. They were so excited to show us where they sit, their cubbie, their art, the fish, etc. We chatted with the teacher and offered sympathy & support for having triplets in her class (her first!).

It was just one more lovely experience that the littles have brought us.

Yelling at the Television

2011-12-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

Today is apparently International Yell At Your Television Day. Did you notice?

*SOMEONE* (bff C) said I needed to watch The Virgin Diaries so being the friend that I am, I set it on the dvr even after seeing the commercials and being emotionally scarred for life.

I understand that reality television finds the lowest common denominator when it comes to casting but Oh My Gah. Where do they find these people? While it didn't feel scripted (though I am sure that it is) I cannot conceive that these people actually exist. Not the virgin part, but the complete lack of knowledge of human affection or interaction.

Say that they only watch network television, PBS, or Christian programming, they still feature kissing. Even commercials feature kissing. Disney channel, I am sure, shows kissing. How do these people not know, even a little bit, how to do something as simple and as a human as kiss?

Don't watch the show as it has no redeeming qualities other than perhaps a conversation starter. (such as finding out that *someone* didn't even watch the whole thing :-) Kevin just kept saying "This is why premarital sex is a good idea!"

To add insult to injury, the following program was Toddlers & Tiaras. After watching Living Dolls years ago, I know that my threshold for child pageants is incredibly low, if non-existent. I have never wished for an airplane ticket, a gun, and an empty credit card so hard in my life.

I refuse to watch any show featuring child pageants because I believe they shouldn't be legal. (pageants, not the shows but really, the shows too) I honestly believe that it's porn. Adults are dressing up small children as adults for their own personal enjoyment. That is a fetish, not a hobby or a competition.

While switching shows on the dvr, we could hear & see the show playing. It caught my attention because the girl on the stage wasn't a girl, she was a baby. A baby. She had clearly just learned to walk and as a result, she fell. Flat on her face, bum in the air, fell. She started to cry, because she's a BABY.

The attendant, because "mom" is in the audience, leaves her be to see if she'll recover "properly" and continue. Because she's a BABY, she does not. So the attendant half-assed consoles her. All I can think is "Don't touch that baby you skeevy excuse for a human" then the camera pans to the "mom".

She's appearing worried, not because her baby has just face planted but because HER DIAPER WAS SHOWING. "It's okay because in these circumstances, you can't help but have the diaper show."

Meanwhile you pathetic excuse for a human being, your baby is STILL CRYING.

I use the eff word. I'm no prude but it's not normal for me to use it regularly or loudly. I found myself yelling "SHUT THE F*&K UP YOU HORRIBLE PERSON!!!"

I startled myself, and certainly startled Kevin. I switched it immediately because I just don't need that sh*t in my brain. I don't want to support that "industry" in way, shape, or form.

Moral of the story: reality television finds the lowest common denominator and glorifies it. We have to stop watching it, especially and specifically when children are featured.

*stepping off my soapbox now*

Where's Waldo?

2011-12-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Day

2011-12-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

“This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it.” ~ Dorothy Parker

Christmas in a Small Town

2011-12-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Things like this make me appreciate living in a small town.

Lazy Girl

2011-12-10T12:31:00.000-08:00

I have a former co-worker who claims that full moons have no effect whatsoever on human behavior. To that, I am calling BS whilst flipping her off with both hands and laughing maniacally! This week was crazy, in very literal terms. Three paranoid schizophrenics, six police officers, & one trespassing order is my effed up version of the 12 days of Christmas.

Today I am determined to sit here in this doggone recliner and watch mindless made-for-tv holiday movies until it is time to go to bed. No chores. No shopping. Nothing.

Except our Christmas cards, of course. But they're so far away, down the hall in my office. I just don't think I can make it that far and all the way back. Not without chocolate, and more coffee. Even then, I am not quite so sure.

But we've received three cards already, including one typically horrific annual Christmas letter and photo.

We'll see how it goes. Today I am not promising anything to anyone other than my eternal devotion to my living room.

News & Notes

2011-12-07T18:46:00.000-08:00

Do any of you watch Glee? If not, why not? (:-D

They sung the slow version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and whoever thought of that arrangement is GENIUS. I was in high school when that song was Top 40 and it was crazy popular. To hear an ennui version one would think I would hate it but I love it more.

Tresemme and I broke up. I thought it was long-term but when it started washing the color out of my hair & pulling it then we had to break it off. (It was tangling & breaking when combing it out)

Also, another bathroom related topic: have any of you used the Suave Body Wash that is Cucumber/Melon scent? Don't. Just Don't. It smells like fruity adult beverage vomit.

My next Christmas goal is Christmas cards. I am going to sit down in front of Hallmark Channel this weekend and do them in one batch. In previous years I try to do two batches but that has only been about 90% successful.

Kevin's mom has suddenly aged. It's worrisome. She's basically healthy, she's just aged. The difficult part is we think that she has actually gotten to the not-being-left-alone stage of life. She doesn't enjoy going out to dinner much anymore either, which is huge. We thought it was anxiety or even depression but we're starting to notice the revert to childish behavior that the elderly develop. This is going to be a difficult transition.

I was chatting with our lovely college-age intern just now and it came up that people her age don't often watch the older, syndicated sitcoms and thus many cultural references are unfamiliar to them. (think Seinfeld, Friends) This is bumming me out, actually probably more than it should.)

So, Kevin has almost, nearly, dared me to go across the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver. It is 450 feet long across a canyon and 230 feet above the river. It is decorated for the holidays so it would be in the dark when we went.
I am carefully considering it. If it were a solid bridge then no problem but it's a suspension bridge and that gives me pause. HOWEVER, I refer to my own post days ago about not letting fear make my decisions so there's that.
But it's freaking expensive! $25 per person. We will see.

I hope your week is going well, poppets!

Transferable Skills

2011-12-05T21:41:00.000-08:00

I have gone to school & have years of experience in Early Childhood. Beyond Psych 101 that I took as a senior in high school, I've only studied Child Psychology.

Working with adult women, as it works out, has many transferable skills from the ECE world.

New changes in my job has stretched my limits and mind in dealing with mental illness. Nothing like having two paranoid schizophrenics triggering each other for about a 30-day period to test your limitations.

I've learned that a person has to really trust their gut. Like Oprah says: trust those whispers (that aren't from paranoid schizophrenics) and act accordingly. If you feel in danger, disengage. If you feel like someone needs help, they probably do, perhaps a listening ear, perhaps a boundary, perhaps assurance that there is someone paying attention to their well-being.

Sometimes people just want to be left the hell alone. This seems to be the case with some people with mental illness. There are a handful that really do seem to just want to be left alone with their illness. I think that needs to be honored too. I believe some are just lost souls that will never find recovery. It's sometimes tough to be at peace with that, for everyone involved.

An instructor reminded us that sometimes we assume too quickly. Maybe that person isn't an ass, isn't a slut, or isn't just fun all the time. Often there are underlying explanations for their behavior. (this immediately made me think of the freshman in college, taking Psych 101, and diagnosing all their friends & family)

Recognizing also that sometimes people just are jerks. There's always room for that, right? And that mental illness or personality disorders are not an excuse for asshat behavior but a reason to help us "normal" folk cope with them.

One of the suggested methods of communicating is strangely much like improvisational acting, using the "Yes, and..." response. The mental image that this gave me nearly did me in. Also, speak slowly and add long pauses, much like Forest Gump. (aren't these great? a comedian could have an hours worth of material here easily)

It occurred to me that these suggestions are applicable to us "normal" folk as well when it comes to communicating. Along the same line of my ECE skills & education being helpful in working with adults. These are good communication skills to use with everyone and not necessarily just with our friends with the tinfoil hats.

Santa's Helper had a Busy Day

2011-12-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

I went shopping a little bit this morning. I started early while everyone else were still in church, being the heathen that I am. While I don't enjoy being up early on a Sunday, I really don't enjoy holiday crowds.

I am finished shopping for the littles. It is nearly impossible to find something that isn't violent, computer based, or commercial. I finally found two Fisher Price dinosaur sets for the boy littles. I caved a little bit on girl little and bought a Polly Pocket set.

Now I have two nine-year-olds and one eight-year-old to shop for. Again, the struggle to get them actual toys instead of what's on the shelves. I think I'm going to go to the book store for the two eldest.

Shopping for my mom is easy. She requested the new Susan Boyle CD. (I know...sigh...) I am repeating last years present: a pretty box, the cd, a picture of us, cozy socks, and some Lindt candy. It's my favorite kind of gift to give: lots of little fun things together.

I also discovered that I ordered the wrong book for Kevin. Gah! Especially since the wrong one is already here and I already ordered the dvd's he wanted. Oh and it's three times more expensive. So, fun.

Now I just have to buy for my brothers and the bigs then I'm finished. I have to wait until I go on vacation the week before Christmas so that will be interesting. At least it gives me a few weeks to think about it.

I'm not complaining though. I am lucky to have such problems: having to buy presents for my family and the ability to buy them.

How are you doing with your gifts? anything fun or creative?

Spam

2011-12-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

The blog fortunately gets very little spam. I am usually very quick to delete it.

This one is so funny to me that I have to leave it:

I found this is an informative and interesting post for I think it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.

In fact your creative writing ability has inspired me.

This is a lovely comment, if it weren't left by a Company Name who I shan't repeat. Or if it weren't left on a post that included a picture of a dog stuffy on a toilet.

Oh, interwebs, how I love you so.

Quote of the Day

2011-12-01T21:22:00.001-08:00

“We can choose to enjoy the magic of this time of year. We may not always get to choose the people and circumstances around us, but we always have a choice about how we relate to them.”

— Mike Robbins

Where's Waldo?

2011-11-30T21:26:00.000-08:00

Last night I tucked him under one of Kevin's pillows on our bed. Kevin luckily found it before falling asleep as I didn't think it through and anticipate him finding it in the middle of the night & screaming like a girl.

The poor stuffy dog has been found in all kinds of places this week:

(under my chair)

(This one needs no explanation, I suppose)

(under the dresser)

Where, oh where, will we find him next?

Preschooler

2011-11-29T16:55:00.000-08:00

I just saw another email stating how important a food diary is. I can see the merit in this if you have a health concern like an allergy or auto-immune disease. But if you're simply dieting or have food issues, I just see it as a way to beat yourself up.

Good Morning America had a segment on how telling your friends that you're dieting can sometimes be counter-intuitive. That's right, your friends want you to fail. I am not sure what I think about that. I would like to think that my friends aren't complete bastards but I've experienced otherwise in the past so there's that.

Anyway...if I were to keep a food diary, it would be simple: Copy & paste the average preschooler diet and we're good to go. Well, preschoolers don't drink coffee but other than that.

Breakfast:
If I eat something, it's cereal (Cheerios) or cake.
Coffee...lots of coffee or I have no will to live.

Lunch:
PB&J...sometimes tuna, sometimes bologna. I warned you: PRESCHOOLER
Grapes
Yogurt
Used to have chips but I'm a grown up now & have abandoned those. (stop laughing)

Snack...this is inconsistent. If I'm making dinner I will do tortilla chips & salsa (shut up, I know what I said) or crackers & cheese if it's the weekend.

Dinner is usually turkey something or other, salmon something or other, or chicken something or other. With vegetables, fruit & milk. It's rare that we have red meat. (rare, red meat. Get it? I'm so funny. Not really)

I don't snack at night, at most I will have a piece of Dove Dark Chocolate & warm milk if I feel insomnia coming on.

So, yeah. Preschooler. I am not the size of a preschooler so I'd really like to talk to someone about that.

You're up, poppets. What do you eat?

No Dogs on the Bed

2011-11-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of vacation, I'm sad to announce. We're both not ready to return to work but am ready to return to some sort of schedule. With that, I did chores & errands like I normally would this weekend.

I also considered frocking the house for Christmas but I just couldn't get motivated. I took out a few things but just didn't have the energy for the tree. I did manage to put up outside Christmas lights on our steps and set up the Christmas village. (which I am going to relocate, I don't like it there.)

In the meanwhile, I put away the Thanksgiving decorations and decluttered a bit.

I brought home a dog awhile ago, a stuffed one. (or a plushie, or a stuffie, depending on where you are from) He sat by the front door for awhile. Today I decided that he would rest on our bed.

Kevin came in and announced "Get that damn dog off the bed!" and I laughed. Only he would refer to it as a living thing.

Hours later, I went into our bedroom to change clothes. The dog was gone, stuffed under the bedding, Godfather style. (if you haven't seen the movie, this is irrelevant)

He is, if nothing else, entertaining.

Thanksgiving - a recap

2011-11-25T15:36:00.000-08:00

My family:
Little Brother & his girlfriend broke up. (not during, that would be awkward)
Niece acted her age.
Mom held the boys dessert/birthday cake hostage until they put up the Christmas tree.
Mom asked Kevin if he's always been so loud. (new hearing aids, and yes.)
Skirted political talk & called Little Brother out on "What's wrong with being gay?"

Kev's Family:
Too much food, too many people. (both problems & blessings)
Snuggly Girl Little
Rascally Boy Littles
Helpful Oldest Big
No one threw any food. (yes, it's happened before)
Christmas planning

We slept in today and both have been wandering aimlessly. I've half-heartedly begun getting organized for Christmas. I shopped on Amazon for my first ever Black Friday Sales.

I finally put on the station that plays Christmas music 24/7 until midnight January 2.

And I'm torturing the dog. She hates these:

Entrance to the office, note her bed on the right.

I laid down in the hallway to provide you with the dogs eye view

I'm Not Afraid

2011-11-24T23:05:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite quotes is "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." ~ Mark Twain

I went on the New York Roller Coaster while we were in Vegas. As I said before, it was life affirming. (It also made me question my ability to manage my own life.)

I'm not necessarily afraid of heights but they can make me uncomfortable. Not enough that I will allow my discomfort from going up in the Stratosphere, the Space Needle, or walking across the Deception Pass Bridge.

So it was with utter dismay that as we begin to climb up on the roller coaster's first big hill that our friend Miguel states "You know I'm afraid of heights, right?" (this is where I lose my mind: "Are you EFFING KIDDING ME!?!?!")

"It's okay" he continues "I don't let it keep me from doing this."

Then fast forward to after our trip when a friend tells us that they teach their daughters not to let their fears make their decisions. For the second time in a week, I'm given two pieces of unintentional advice about fear.

It is something I am going to think about over the next little bit. The universe has whispered to me twice and I feel like I need to listen.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' "

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

Random Item of the Day

2011-11-22T19:19:00.000-08:00

This is Kevin's mom's chair. It looks like a child's chair but she used it to rock her babies (her words) I think it has further family history but it's sketchy. Kevin's mom has memory issues so we have to eventually get the history from his aunt or uncle.

When it was time to close the Moody House (Kevin's parent's long-time home) we divided up many things, including this chair. The parents had already designated what they wanted to go to who and the boys were responsible for the remainder.

If they couldn't agree on which of them that would get it, then they played Paper Rock Scissors. It worked throughout the whole time until it got to this chair. Both boys wanted it but neither could stand the look of disappointment on either face.

So it lives here. It's kind of in the way but it makes Kevin happy. He can see it every time he sits down in his recliner. I wish that we could continue the tradition but it's impossible. Perhaps one of the grandkids can use it when the time comes.

All is Calm

2011-11-21T21:48:00.000-08:00

We've made it home safe & sound about four hours ago. The washer & dryer are running, the house is clean, and we are completely unpacked, Yep, unpacked.

Once I am home from a vacation I have a deep need to be unpacked immediately. Not to imply that I want to forget my vacation but more to just quickly return to normal. Kevin also likes to just return home as if we've never left. Thank God we found each other because we would drive someone else mad.

The nice thing about this habit, I guess I will call it, is that we're now in our jammies & chilling. Tomorrow when we wake up, it will just be a quiet day. No suitcases to trip over, no "I can't find socks to wear". Just a few more loads of laundry that I can convince myself is just "normal" laundry and not the remnants of a really fun trip that I wasn't ready to be over.

News & Notes - Vegas Edition

2011-11-19T15:29:00.001-08:00

This is being posted via my droid so forgive me if this has errors or appears stilted.

I am cozy in my hotel room with my feet up, a smoothie & a book next to me. There's a movie on and a view of the Strip outside my window. We've been here three days and have two more to go. Oh and it snowed at home while we've been gone.

We did the New York roller coaster again. Well not "we" *I* did. In the dark, which was More Fun! It is definitely Life Affirming.

Bought a pink Vegas Hoodie. So Happy!

We had dinner at Benihana for my brother & sister in-law's 30th anniversary.

We went to Coyote Ugly (like the movie) and had such a good time! I was invited to dance On The Bar...omg! (totally didn't)
I was flirted up by a lovely redneck who was strangely also from Washington. He was my people! We stick together in foreign lands!

We visited Pawn Stars. It is in the Top 10 most cool things I've done. The "Stars" weren't there but there were 2 people working that spent 10 minutes talking with us about the pawn business. We saw many things that were featured on the show.

We went to the Bellagio to see the Conservatory & the Chilhuly Glass, both breathtakingly beautiful. One of the pictures I took is below.

We saw the MGM lions, the Seigfreid & Roy tigers and the dolphins at the Mirage. We went back to the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay. Its just like a trip to the zoo! We even ate lunch at the Rainforest Cafe which was neat but I was relieved to leave. (The ADD did not enjoy)

I returned to the Titanic Museum again. I'm happy to say that it was just as powerful the second time. The passenger I was assigned survived so I still don't know how I would react if they didn't. I bought the book this time. I've been wishing for it for a whole year.

Second most fun thing was the CSI Experience. I have never watched the show. ( I know, I'm one of three). They give you a CSI Investigators vest to wear, a clipboard and a case to solve. First step is the crime scene where you note all details, facts and questions. Next you run the information through toxicology, DNA, fingerprints, criminal database and some forensic tasks to determine what's fact. Then you examine the "body", which is a white manicquin (sp?) that a computer projects the anatomy onto it. The final step is presenting your case to Grissom via computer. If you solved it correctly you receive a diploma. If not then you're encouraged to do it again.
It was So Fun! I want to go back to try it again!

It has been a beautiful trip, full of fun & friends. I wouldn't change a thing. Two more days...what fun will be next!?!

Quote of the Day

2011-11-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing?

Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.

Richard Bach

If You Need Me...

2011-11-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

I'll be here:

Stop Wearing the Pumpkin Sweater

2011-11-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

We've shared the Crimes Against Humanity posts in the past. These outfits were photographed from the YWCA's clothing giveway program. (Dress for Success)
The program at my work is slightly different in that it provides clothing for all women, not just women needing work clothing.

I never in a thousand years thought that this program would be of any interest to me. Now it's one of my favorite things to do with my day. I love to play with the clothing donations that come in. It's fun to create outfits to put up for display. There is a special kind of happiness in giving clothing to women in need.

I have learned so much about clothing over the years. I knew on the surface about fabric or "fashion" but now I feel like I actually *know*. I can put together an outfit in just a few minutes now.

Although I think I have this skill simply from wearing Garanimals as a child. Garanimals was the clothing brand that had animal themed tags that showed what shirts & pants matched.

Because of the program, I now wear red shoes and "big girl shoes" instead of sneakers. I have color in my closet instead of my Wednesday Adams black, and
I know what cut or style of clothing to choose that looks best on me.

Most of all, it makes me think about what I wear each day. It makes me choose items I wouldn't normally wear and it keeps me from falling, too much at least, into a rut.

Now it's your turn. Go through your closet & get rid of the pumpkin sweaters & the stuff that you'll fit in "someday". Give it away so that others may benefit please. Most importantly though: try something new. You'll see how fun it can be.

Yeah That's Gonna Happen

2011-11-14T18:16:00.001-08:00

I just text Kevin to ask what he would like for dinner.

He stated his choice then said "and get on it!"

I replied "Yeah that's gonna happen"

He replied "You know it!"

So I sent him this:

News & Notes

2011-11-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

In case I haven't mentioned it at least eleventy times, I'm going to Vegas in three days.

I spent today making sure that we have everything we need for the trip. In that quest, I managed to forget sugar, which means no coffee and a trip back to town. Sigh....

If you watched Grey Anatomy this week, Route 2 is actually Highway 2 and no, they didn't exaggerate the road at all. It's a bad highway, for reals.

Chris Martin from Coldplay was interviewed by Howard Stern this week. He seems like a genuinely nice guy.   He sung with just a piano and omg, he brings tears to your eyes. Also, I thought Apple was a dumb Hollywood name but when you hear Chris Martin pronounce it? *swoon* I love it.

Here's the newest thing I'm trying now. First was soda, then red meat then processed foods and now................chips. Did you just gasp? I know, I know.
I seem to have grown an addiction to Pringles that needs some intervention. you'll know that it's not going well when I'm on the national news for running a truck carrying chips off the road.

Guess what I did today? I went back to Kohls...*facepalm*....I really dislike that store. But I had a quest: a silver "J" to go with the other initials that I bought last weekend just to have Kevin ask why I didn't get our last initial.

Okay, I'm watching Craig Ferguson and Dominic Monahan is doing Geoff Peterson's voice. I have to say: I am having difficulty concentrating. What a voice!

Hey, wanna talk about my upcoming vacation again? No? okay! (:-D

The thing with reading mindless fluff is that people can see the cover of the book and I don't like that.   I have a paperback of a Nora Roberts triology that I'd like to take on our trip but it's a used, older book so it looks like a bodice ripper. Hmmm, what to do? Swallow my pride & dignity or pack three other books.

One more television item: Glee's "first time" episode was perfectly lovely. So well done! I loved that they featured the straight & gay couple, they addressed being ready, waiting for the "right" person, and using protection. They hit all the perfect notes. (pun intended)

Washington State just deprivatized hard liquor sales and I'm very disappointed. It took two attempts for the law to pass and it was quite the debate.   Deprivatization bothers me on two levels: Costco spent millions of dollars to support the bill and I don't like that Costco "bought" the votes. I really don't like the ease of access to alcohol now. I can only picture my dad, a lifetime alcoholic, having now even more access. It just makes me nervous and sad. Oh, and 900 people are now unemployed and I'm not sure how many storefronts are closed. In this economy, I just don't see how that is a good idea.

My mother is already done Christmas shopping. Yes, we all hate her right now.

There are three voices that make me stabby: Richard Simmons, Jennifer Tilly, and Rosie Perez. That's all.

Spankings

2011-11-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

i took one last look at the twitter the other night and watched with trepidation as Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) made a huge fail.

Remember Swistles Giant Internet Hand of Spanking? It's theory was put into practice right before my eyes.

He handled it as best he could with an immediate contrite and sincere apology. He went as far as to retweet the spankings that others posted to him. I am a little horrified at how judgy people became, how quickly they jumped, and how vitriolic they were.

When I read the initial tweet, decrying the firing of a certain coach, I thought "Hmm, I wonder what that's about?" Also, I was kind of waiting for a follow-up tweet. A joke, a clarification, something. Sure enough, the next one was an apology.

My first impulse was to tweet "Dude, read the headlines & delete the tweet." It's incredibly sad to me that others impulses were to call names and judge. Did not one of them think "Gosh, he's usually not like this. Something must be wrong."?

I guess my whole rant is that everyone needs to take a breath before posting on the interweb.

And I still will be a fan of his. Because I hope that when I eff up next, I handle it the way he did. With sincerity, contrition, and humor.

Happy Veteran's & Remembrance Day

2011-11-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as

it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Sour Grapes

2011-11-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

Today at lunch I received a text from Kevin. He was wondering why he had such crappy grapes in his lunch:

(Jeff is the coworker)

I just happened to be doing errands so I stopped and took this picture:

I guess his staff were waiting to see my response, wondering if it was going to be bitchy or funny.

Funny it was.

And I win this round.

Clip Clop Clip Clop Clip Clop

2011-11-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

There was a story in my childhood that always creeped me out. It was the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I am scared of horses. I can appreciate them from afar but I have no interest in being near them.

On Saturday morning my father-in-law left early, say 6:00 am-ish, and encountered a horse in the middle of the road. It was not quite light out and definitely foggy. It was by grace that my father-in-law spotted it in time to stop. Surely they both would have died if he hadn't.

It turns out that the horse had been loose a while. It had made the rounds of the neighborhood, including walking past our house. Twice. Most likely in the middle of the night.

It creeps me out. Clip clop clip clop past our house in the dark.

Quote of the Day

2011-11-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Fast Family

2011-11-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

They say that you make your own family, “they” mostly being people who have come from dysfunctional homes. I think the statement is true but I also think it’s something that we say to make ourselves feel better.

Of course I have Kevin’s family, they’ve become my core support system over the years. A rough transition for all who were involved. Me a feral child who doesn't cope with intimacy well and they who assume that everyone has a family like theirs.

I’ve come to realize that I probably won’t have the relationship that everyone wants with their birth family. I mean, I love my brothers but we just don’t have the framework to relate to one another. It can be learned, or grown, surely but everyone has to be willing.

As my nieces age, we spend less time together and that makes me a little sad. I adore my sister-in-law but it’s just a challenge to sync everyone’s schedules and make things happen. Also, there is guilt for not including The Mom and Little Brother if we get together without them.

We returned to our home track this summer. Our friends are all around. Everywhere I looked, there wa s a friend. Steven who talked me out of a tantrum, Mig who doesn’t take my (or anyone’s) shit, Mig’s wife and daughters, the couple we refer to as “Our Canadian Friends” and many assorted others.

It occurred to me as we sat around talking that this is our family. These are our siblings and cousins and the people we call upon when things get rough. These are the people that make us laugh, soothe our fears, and help us solve problems. This crazy bunch of racers is our family. A fast family.

Banned!

2011-11-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

BFF C is in China right now. Ever the brave soul, she's traveled from India through China on this trip. She's been sending regular pictures & notes which is fascinating and a little calming. I always worry when she's gallivanting around the world.

Today's email was very interesting. Titled "Blogs", it says that this blog and the ever-so-lovely Swistle's blog is unavailable in China.

I am banned in China.

I don't have a bucket list but if I did I would crumple it up & toss it away. For I am banned in China.

*contented sigh* My inner teenager just did a fist pump and yelled "YES!"

These are not Dorothys

2011-11-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

I think I've found a source of happiness that most everyone can enjoy.

Red shoes.

I have two pairs now and it's surprising how much they make me happy.

The first pair is the LLBean slip-ons that Kevin calls my "comfortable shoes"

(one of our friends called these man shoes)

I can't tell the brand of the shoe...all I see is DP. They are nearly as comfortable as the Danskos. I love that they're slip-on, have a cushy heel and, like my Dansko's, make me taller. I bet with these I'm 5'4"!!

Happiness can be found in red shoes...or just shoes that you enjoy, I suppose. I think the red makes you extra happy though.

Fast Forward

2011-11-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

I didn't write about going to my childhood friend's father's funeral...good gah that's a horrible sentence to punctuate...when it happened because there was just SO MUCH in my head at the time.

It was the first funeral - and it was a funeral, not a memorial service - since my dad's passing. It didn't trigger anything serious, I just felt a detached sense of observance. Surely it was sad but not the overwrought Lifetime Television kind of reaction one would imagine.

As we were discussing the service at the reception, I mentioned to my friend that it was nice that he and his brother spoke. "How else would it be? He's our dad" he responded.

It made me take a step back. None of us kids spoke at my dad's memorial. The speaking was done by the Fire Department Chief and the Department Pastor. I don't know that it occurred to us to speak. A stark comparison of two families in one moment.

My dad didn't want a service. He wanted a wake, a true one with alcohol and food. I'm sure he was right irritated with the formal fire department service that was held in his honor. Tough, I think, funerals are for the living not the dead.
(here's the original post about my dad's service. Get a box of kleenex)

The most difficult was seeing my friends in pain, mourning their father. A person is so powerless in that situation, either as the griever or the consoler. Suddenly we were sixteen again, huddled together, us against the world.

Also, seeing how we have all aged, as humans are wont to do. It was a little disconcerting, as if life had suddenly been put into fast forward.

We all grow up, we all endure, we all pass. We're all in this together.

Wishbooks

2011-11-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Catalogs are starting to arrive now. I love catalogs. I rarely order anything but I derive pleasure from flipping through the pages.

Right now I have a car catalog from the boys, a catalog called "Potpourri" that has all kinds of kitschy stuff but best of all I have a Target catalog. Did anyone know they have a catalog? It's mostly holiday focused stuff but I think I will keep it for awhile.

I believe my love of catalogs came to me as a child. My mom always got the Montgomery Ward, Sears, and JC Penney catalogs in the mail. What a great day when they arrived!

My mom used to keep them then let me cut out pictures to create scrapbooks, posters, dolls, or wherever our imaginations led us. I am sure that if snooped today I would find at least one vintage catalog.

We also used to get the Avon catalog. One of my grandmothers often bought me the holiday themed children's jewelry. I loved everything about the Avon catalog, even though we never ordered anything.

I will keep catalogs that has interior design stuff that I like with the thought that someday I will order something or find something just like it elsewhere. It's when I do that when I remember being a child. My mom called them...and still does...wishbooks.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

News & Notes

2011-10-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

I've become addicted to Good Morning America. I'm now officially middle-aged. Although I think it might have to do with this face:

Eighteen days until I'm on vacation. Only eighteen days! I'm more excited about not being at work than going to Las Vegas. Although I'm not to the making obsessive packing lists just yet. I feel that coming on really soon though. I won the Best Packing Award Ever last time because we had an complete change of clothing when we had the emergency layover in Portland.

I am loving, loving, loving our new 4Runner! This is the nicest vehicle I've ever owned, for sure. Electric everything, sunroof, all the fun stuff. It is funny how everyone knows someone who has a 4Runner and/or loves them themselves. I'm surprised by the love for a vehicle that is 17 years old.

I just finished watching the Joan Rivers documentary. Even if you are not a fan...or don't even know who she is...watch it. I cried about halfway through it. She has been through so much in her life and is only seen as a caricature. It's heartbreaking.

My mother-in-law gave me a Kohl's giftcard. I am not a fan of this store. I am not sure why but it makes me particularly stabby. I think it's because they proclaim to have such great deals when all they do is take higher priced items and mark them down to a regular price.

It took me an hour to find anything that I really wanted. I bought a .5 oz bottle of Escape for our trip, a pair of underwear, and two sparklies:

Kevin likes them but wondered why I didn't buy our last initial. Sigh. I hate him (not really) because now I have to go back. (:-D

The Best Buy issue has since been resolved. The promised giftcard arrived today, I exchanged the incorrect unit, bought the new one, and managed to save some money in the long run.

Interesting fun fact: half the staff at Car Toys (local car audio shop) used to work at Best Buy. They told me that their employee discount is up to 50%, depending on the item. So the 10% discount the manager offered specifically sucks.

I have a staff retreat on Monday morning. Okay, how many of you groaned? I know, right? Who does these things anymore? We're a staff of five, two of which are new and three of which who don't particularly enjoy each other. I know, that's the intention of a retreat but a relationship of nearly five years isn't going to be dramatically changed in a three hour retreat. This isn't Lifetime Television.

If your my friend on the facebook then you've seen this but I'm sharing it here as well because Oh. My. Gah. Click through, you won't regret it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtawDJtcRg8&feature=player_embedded

Quote of the Day

2011-10-26T21:28:00.000-07:00

Amy Moore, great grandmother, circa 1940's

A recorded past is no more than a bygone present composed of the footprints made by human beings actually going somewhere but not knowing (in any extended sense), and certainly not revealing to us, how, they came to be afoot on these particular journeys.

~Michael Oakeshott, On History

Vizzini Said "Go Back to the Beginning"

2011-10-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

We have had some pretty great successes in racing. We've won races and championships. We've broken records. We've raced with the big boys in Vegas.

As high as the highs can be, the lows can be brutal. This season was an all-time low. We fought gremlins all season, we got a late start, we just couldn't get our sh*t together.

Every season we begin with high hopes and big plans. This season was just like all the others except one change: the series in which we competed. We returned to our home track and felt like all was right with the world again.

The universe had other plans for us though, as it often does. We struggled. We had issues where we've never had issues before. I kept telling Kevin "It's just our turn." We've seen it with other racers before. It's just our turn to have problems. It wasn't our turn to set the world on fire, it was our turn to catch fire. (true story)

Our friend Mig cuts to the chase, as he always does. "You need to start with the simple stuff." And so we are. Everything is packed & put away. Racing plans are on the shelf until the new year.

Come January we will start again. We will make a new plan and try it again.

I guess this applies to real life. When things aren't going well, take a step back. Start with the simple stuff and work your way forward. Make a plan.

Most importantly: start again.

The One Where I Lose My Mind

2011-10-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I both have Sirius in our vehicles. We also have it set up so that we can listen in the house and the shop. With our recent vehicle do-si-do, we had to switch our systems. As mine has an antenna problem and Kevin's has a display problem, we decided to buy a new receiver so that we were good to go again.

We went to Best Buy on Saturday, against my better judgement to buy a new one. We talked to a young kid (aren't they all, these days?) who then referred us to the installer, who happens to be a girl.

Disclaimer: as a girl that lives in boy world, I get it. I get that it's difficult so I try to be open-minded. That being said, 85% of the time: it's a disaster.

Continue...

She pointed out which receiver to buy, indicating that it said XM because Sirius was being bought out by them. We were skeptical as they just merged into one company and we hadn't heard anything about it. We're both Howard Stern listeners and he is a major stockholder yet he had said nothing. But why would she make it up? So we bought it, actually not that expensive all told.

Kevin spends an hour Sunday morning taking out the old system and installs the new one. He has me call Sirius to activate the new receiver, which has always been very easy.

This is where Sirius says I can't do it. Because it's an XM receiver and not a Sirius one. I told him about the "merger" and he is completely surprised by this news. Go figure. I had that sinking feeling that a mess was about to begin.

I called Best Buy to complain. First I get just whoever answered the phone then I get a "manager". I explained what had happened and that Sirius was Completely Surprised about this merger that the installer said was happening.

The manager assured me that the installer was probably right because Sprint once sold their cellular tower but didn't tell their customers that their service was changing until after the fact.

Did you understand that? I was momentarily befuddled. WTF is she talking about?

So I asked her "You're telling me that an installer in NW Washington State knows more than a customer service rep at that Actual COMPANY?" She continued to defend her. Clearly no progress was to be made. My guess? They're friends.

She essentially told me that we were out of luck, implying that we should have known better and there was nothing that can be done on behalf of Best Buy.
We could return it but that the receiver we needed is $70 more. $70 MORE.

When I began to lose it, she offered a WHOPPING 10% discount. 10 Whole Percent!!!!

This is where sarcasm comes into play. "That's about, what? $10-15 dollars? that's RIDICULOUS! Your EMPLOYEES receive a better discount than that." She offered that the discount will pay the taxes on the new receiver.

Oh, very well then, you'll pay the Taxes! That's just so helpful, I don't know why I'm still mad. She mentioned that of course Best Buy couldn't sell us a more expensive receiver at the cheaper price. (*cough* bullsh*t* ahem) I told her that I didn't expect that but I did expect her to make an effort as the installer/cashier sold us the incorrect receiver based on a make-believe story.

She, foolishly, stuck to the 10% discount.

I told her that she had just guaranteed that I won't be a Best Buy customer again and she didn't respond. Not at all.

I did the mature and reasonable thing and hung up with a curt thanks.

I called Sirius back to ensure that I didn't get a bad customer service rep. I didn't. Imagine that. They did clarify that they are going to sell new receivers that aren't provider specific but that there was, in fact, no buy-out.

Not to be thwarted, I looked up Best Buy on the interweb and found the 1-800 customer service number. Now I'm on a roll. Time to get my bitch on.

I got a wonderful guy named Will who was audibly surprised at the managers behavior. He scoffed at the 10% discount and was incredulous at the defense of the installers mistake. He too questioned the knowledge of an installer from podunk nearly Canadians versus the actual Sirius company.

Thanks to Will, there is an $80 gift card on the way to us right now to cover the difference in cost of the receivers with huge apologies on behalf of the company.

The best part? The installer/cashier wrote her name on the receipt and encouraged me to complete an online customer service survey!!! *happy hand clapping*!! I am going to have Such A Good Time! Perhaps I'll just provide a link to this.

Hot Wheels

2011-10-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

The other day I posted a picture to the facebook showing my odometer that reads over 344,000 miles. I love my truck and really never wanted any other vehicle. Well, other than my little romantic dalliance with the Chrysler 300 in Vegas.

I have an unnatural attachment to the vehicles I drive. I'm not sure why. I had another Toyota years ago that we sold to buy the truck that tows the racecar. I was so sad about it that the new owner brought me a rose when they came to pick it up.
(I know, right? How sweet is that?)

Kevin drives a Mustang. This is his third one. And his least favorite. Also: I hate it. He's been making noise about selling it for about a year. To my frustration, however, every time I mentioned putting it up for sale there were plenty of reasons not to. But now it has enough miles on it and a few issues that threaten to become problems that we need to sell it.

Kevin didn't want to sell it without fixing a few of the issues. I kept saying that we should just sell it with full-disclosure and move on. But he's just too honest of a guy to do that. He would feel guilty forever for selling something that had issues, full disclosure or not.

Then one of his workers had a Ford Ranger for sale that Kevin wanted to buy. We went around & around about selling the Mustang to buy it versus getting a loan. I am Anti-Car Loan in a big way. (Understanding, of course, that they are a necessary evil)

Also, I imagine my father haunting me for the rest of my life over owning a Ford. He being a Ford lover and me: not so much.

So, discuss, discuss, discuss and a month goes by. I finally resign myself to driving a Ranger with a car loan. We put tires on the car, we plan on replacing the windshield & have an appointment at the shop. I research car loans vs. personal loans and discover the joys of rebuilding credit. (Major Illness & radiation treatment plus unemployment = unhappy credit reports)

It's fine. It's just a truck and I need to not be a brat. When in swoops Luis, another one of Kevin's staff. His hobby is buying vehicles, fixing them up and reselling them.

He has a Toyota 4runner, which I have always coveted. It's white just like mine and Luis will trade for the Mustang. Hooray!!! All problems solved.

I have to trust Kevin completely that it's something I would like as his work is too far away for me to go see before the weekend. He took the Mustang to work on Friday with the title to trade. This is a trust exercise for sure.

He calls at 7:15 am to tell me that he's not bringing the white one home because it wasn't what he wanted. BUT he would be bringing home a burgundy one that is in much better shape. Still a straight-across trade.

Are you exhausted yet? I am.

He brought it home last night and I love it. It's a change for me because it's an automatic and I'm used to a shift stick. Kevin was teasing me mercilessly to stop using the imaginary clutch. Also, I keep trying to use the non-existent column shift instead of the one on the floor.

Fast forward (not really) to this morning. We had plans of going to the wallyworld to buy floor mats & seat covers. It was taking Kevin forever to leave.

Turns out, my father-in-law wanted to buy the white 4runner for my brother-in-law because it was such a good deal. (My b-i-l drives our old piece of sh*t Honda car that is way past it's expiration date.)

Now we're meeting Luis to get the white 4runner so there are two 4runners in the neighborhood. It's what all the cool kids are doing now.

Because the truck is used, it needs a few things of course. We went to the wrecking yard, we went to Schmucks (auto part store, rhymes with) twice, and the wallyworld. And Best Buy. New carpet, new seatcovers, oil change, Sirius receiver, antenna and now we're broke. (:-D

Quote of the Day

2011-10-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

"I will try again tomorrow".

- Mary Anne Radmacher

2011-10-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

Last night I was sitting on the couch watching television when I heard someone, not Kevin, come in the backdoor. It was Girl Little.

She came into the kitchen, circled the island while saying "I have something for you" and slapped the refrigerator.

She brought over her first ever school picture. Apparently, she had already learned that those live on the refrigerator.

I told her thank you and that the picture makes me very happy. "It does?" she asks with wonder. I gave her a hug & kiss and assured her that of course it did.

Without further discussion, she leaves. Her mission complete. That's our Girl Little, always on the move.

Even though we can't see it well there, I will probably not move it. I just love that it's a five-year-old's level and exactly where she put it.

Too Damn Early

2011-10-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

Kevin's alarm goes off at 5:15 every morning and he's out the door about fifteen minutes later. (yes, I know, we hate him)

For the longest time I went back to bed after he left. Then I started over-sleeping because I am so burnt-out so I made a drastic change. I began staying up until it was time to get ready for work.

Historically I give myself the least amount of time between awake & leaving for work because I will get distracted and next thing I know, I am late. Not so much recently though.

I am also surprised to report that I have yet to take someones life or fall asleep at work.

After Kevin leaves I do a few chores to make sure I stay awake. I start/finish laundry, I start/finish dishes, I make the bed. I have to wait until the blankets aren't still warm from us or Game Over. I'm so going back to bed.

After that I sit on the couch and catch up on the dvr. I drink coffee and have breakfast. I chill. This morning is the first morning that I actually took a little snooze.

I am also surprised to report that this has helped my stabby mood at work. I have yet to understand why but it has. Also, I am so tired by 9:00 pm that I am not staying up until all hours.

I tried once to bring the laptop over and convince myself to write but it's just too effing early for anything good to come of that. I was all caught up on my social media that morning however.

So, that's what I'm up to. How about you? What do you do in the morning before work?

Adventures in Shopping

2011-10-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

I usually do all my shopping on Saturday mornings. This Saturday I was not fit to be around other humans so I stayed home. So, I went on Sunday feeling like I had already started out on the wrong foot.

I went to Target first. I am still on the quest for another one of those towels, which still haven't been in stock. So that's frustrating. This would be known as a #firstworldproblem I guess so I need to get over it.

It's time to begin planning packing the suitcases for Vegas (30 days!!!!) so I'm making sure we have enough socks and all that for the trip. Thus I am aimlessly wandering through Target. Again. Still. Always. Whatever.

They've recently remodeled to include groceries and frankly, I'm a little disappointed in how small the addition is. There are a few things that are less expensive than Freds so I threw random items in the cart as I went along.

This is the first day that I have my spiffy new RedCard from Target and boy how lucky am I that I had it. Do any of you have the redcard? Is it worth it? I only signed up because it's not credit and I can donate to the kids school.

I spotted my high school BFF's mom as I was leaving so we stopped to say hello.

"How are you?" she asks.
"I'm good, thanks" I reply.
"So, you're well" she says.
I laughed, "Yes, I am Well."
Nearly 25 years later and I'm still a teenager with poor grammar to her. (:-D

Next I went across the street to JCPenneys to exchange a shirt (too big!!! hooray!)
I decided to get some underwear for the trip. I actually found what I wanted (multiple pairs of black...stores don't carry it, look next time. Also: #firstworldproblem)

I went to the cashier and viola...no cash card. No checkbook. Panic. Panic and frustration. I still had one more stop to make. Luckily I had just gotten cash back at Target so I was good to go with this purchase.

But I still needed to buy a part for our lamp that Kevin was rewiring. GAH.
I assumed that the lamp part was going to be less than $6.72 so I braved it and stopped to buy the part.

Kevin is great at sending pictures (or the actual part) when he sends me for stuff. I stood in the aisle with my cell phone comparing the picture with everything that was on the shelf. Finally I had to accost a gentleman to question him as what I was looking at didn't match what I was looking at, if you will.

After that, I think I totally could have gone on a date. I really shouldn't trust strangers as much as I do.

I was a little worried that I nothing left but $1.62 but I was fairly confident that I hadn't been pick-pocketed or dropped it in the parking lot. I tend to be on the scatterbrain side when it comes to my cash card. It's been washed more times than necessary. It's been left at a restaurant, at work, in Canada. Usually though, it's in some unglamorous place like my jeans or sweatshirt. I knew better than to call Kevin to search. First: he would panic. Second: he would dump my stuff all over the desk, which I was already planning to do so why should he get the fun?

The checkbook I vaguely remembered writing bills at work so I assumed it was in my bag. Double word score for me: it also held my license. It's a good thing that I didn't get pulled over and even better that Kevin bought a State Patrolman's coffee this morning at the coffee stand. (double good karma)

All's well that ends well. My checkbook was in my bag, my cash card was in my purple sweatshirt, and I bought most of what I needed at Target.

Accent Vlog...Sideways Version

2011-10-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

The ever so lovely Swistle and Du Wax Loolu both posted Accent Vlogs. Firstly, it's was wonderful to hear their voices and secondly I immediately wanted to do it.

I don't have a video camera beyond my phone but I prevailed. I managed to do it with the first take without the dog barking or Kevin starting the racecar or something else to goof it up.

So of course the video loaded sideways. Video on my cell phone defaults to quicktime and because I refuse to upgrade, y'all need to tip your head and/or monitor. (lucky those of you who have laptops!!)

A few notes...
I need to trim my bangs.
I need to sit still. Sorry for the movement.
I meant to say "They all passed when I was a child" regarding my grandparents.
If you look closely, Swistles blog is on the laptop when I spin the phone around.
When did I get a lisp? I have a bit of allergies going on so I'm blaming that. I can't imagine I've lived my whole life without knowing I have a lisp.

Alrighty then...here we go...tag you're it....

Quote of the Day

2011-10-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

“People do not always make breakthroughs because they refused to quit. Sometimes they make them because they know when to quit. When they realize that enough is enough, that old patterns aren't serving them, that it's time to repack their bags.”

— Richard J. Leider

Don't Be A Smart Ass

2011-10-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

Pulling out of my parents driveway yesterday I noticed the road sign that is for their road. I still can't believe that it's the name of the road.

Quite a few years ago, the county required that their driveway become a private road instead of a driveway and needed a name. My parents were actually quite excited about this. As the oldest homeowners on the road, they were chosen to pick the name.

They didn't want to use their last name because it wasn't just their road. They considered using the name of the old man that lived there before them, which I thought was kind of sweet.

But they weren't satisfied so they were making a list of characteristics of the neighborhood, the lake, the area. They even called all of us kids to get our input.

As my mom was listing all the options, ideas, etc. I mentioned that I remember my eldest brother scaring the ducks and mudhens away. He used to wait for them to drift into the cove and shore in their big groups. Then he would whip back the drapes to scare them away. As a very young child I thought this was HYS.TER.ICAL. As an adult, I thought this was a funny representation of my childhood: my brother being an obnoxious kid.

Meanwhile, I also mentioned that we used to ice skate most winters (thanks for taking that away climate change) and that the lake was always busy in the summer.

A few week later my mom calls to let me know what they choose. I was waiting, anticipating a nice name like Tucker's Lane (the old man preceding them). Nope.

Coots Cove Lane.

(Coots are kind of a mudhen.)

While it's lovely, I suppose, that they honored the memory, I could just imagine the neighbors surprise and dismay upon hearing that they had to change their address to that.

Lesson learned: Don't be a smart ass

How Does $9.69 turn into $65.98?

2011-10-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

I remembered that I had a random JCPenney gift card in my bag the other day. I thought it had only $3-ish on it. I thought about what I could bother going into the store for and decided that I wanted another new hand towel for the bathroom. A patterned one, not a solid color. Target didn't have any more towels like the one I bought the other day so I was in problem solving (panic) mode.

So, I went to the store on the way to my moms as a mood defense. If I got a prize prior to going to my moms, perhaps it will go more smoothly. What I didn't think of is: Columbus Day sales.

I looked at all the towels and was unimpressed. This is where I say that I am underwhelmed by their home goods section. They rarely have anything that I like.

They had leftover Christmas decorations on sale. I am proud to say that I avoided it. I did cast a few sneaky glances their way. But I couldn't look myself in the eye if I bought Christmas decorations on October 10.

I realized that I need long sleeve shirts. So I wandered over to that section. Nothing really called out to me until from the corner of my eye I spotted zippered hoodies. I want another black hoodie because I can't wear my Vegas one to work. They were on sale! 50% off so $15 each. I also wanted a red one so I got it with the effed up logic of buy one, get one free.

Then just as I was getting ready to leave I spotted Henley shirts on sale as well. Guess how much? That's right: 50% off. I bought a purple one, a purple & black one, and a blue one.

This is why I avoid JCPenney. I tend to overshop there. It's also why I don't have a credit card there anymore. It's like a bookstore to me: I have no self control. This is how a $9.69 hand towel turns into $65.98 worth of clothing.

Random Item of the Day

2011-10-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

This chair used to be my paternal granfathers. I remember sitting in this chair as a child, usually while reading books. Even now I enjoy sitting in it to read or watch television. It's in our bedroom so it doesn't get used often. As it's probably about sixty years old, it's for the best.

I want to get it refurbished someday but the last time I checked into it, it was going to be crazy expensive. I wouldn't dream of attempting it it myself with the tuck & roll upholstery. It's actually in really good condition other than the wear on the armrests. I would have it recovered with period correct fabric and probably in a dark forest green. The rosy pink isn't bad but not my style.

Habits

2011-10-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Kevin is a charming guy. He's never met a stranger in his life. A phrase that I heard Dennis Quaid use once was "He's always running for mayor." It's a clever way to describe him. The nice thing is that he has no agenda and is just a genuinely friendly guy. People just naturally react positively to him.

One of the most impactful things I have learned from him is his way of approaching people or situations. He tries to remember and use people's names, he looks them in the eye, he shakes their hand if appropriate. He makes them feel like they've just met their best friend.

Being around someone who is gregarious and positive tends to wear off on you. Without realizing it, you tend to pick up some of their mannerisms. I realized this while we were at the racetrack last weekend. Watching him work just made me realize that I have learned so much from him when it comes to dealing with people.

I've found myself being reminded of Kevin when I say something to a client or donor. I've picked up a few of his habits. Or if I'm anticipating a potentially tense situation, I try to think of how he would handle it. Usually he is just direct and often presents the issue to the person as being part of the solution instead of part of the problem. He really should have been a lawyer.

It's funny how people can teach us without even realizing or intending. Sometimes others habits can become your own habit.

Sparks

2011-10-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's quote was prompted by a friends facebook post. It's one of my favorite quotes, easily in the top ten. For those of you who missed it: It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.~ Ben Franklin

It just gives me a visual for a feeling (or is it an impulse?) One spark can fan into a fire. A spark is easily extinguished, a fire not so much. The more sparks you allow, the more fire is created. The more fire, the higher the difficulty in containing all the sparks.

Temptation is a spark.

Here's the thing: how do you define temptation? Is it physical? spiritual? mental? The actual definition is this:

temptation

noun

1. the act of tempting; enticement or allurement.

2. something that tempts, entices, or allures.

3. the fact or state of being tempted, especially to evil.

Temptation is actually all of the above listed. Temptation is the urge to feel, taste, hear, see. It's also a need. It is also a feeling. It's complicated and complicating.

It is the urge to take that bite of cupcake, that drink of alcohol, that first inhale, or that first touch It is the urge to say the negative thing instead of the positive. It is the need to buy that new sparkly instead of save. It is the urge to fight instead of pacify.

We encounter temptation every day. Some days it is intense, others it is subtle. Along that same line, sometimes giving into temptation is harmless. Have that cupcake, but exercise later. Other times, it is devastating. Allow that touch or take that first hit and life as you know it is all over with.

Temptation is a spark. It's all about how you control it. It can momentarily light a room or it can burn it down.

Quote of the Day

2011-10-04T20:08:00.001-07:00

It is easier to suppress the first desire
than to satisfy all that follow it.
~ Ben Franklin

The Reset Button

2011-10-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have been driving past the University regularly. School is just starting up again so I've seen plenty of arriving freshmen, with brand new WWU sweatshirts or clothing stating who they used to be in high school.

Freshman really do stand out in the crowd. I have enjoyed watching the nervousness of the kids moving in, the stoic expressions of the parents, and the weariness of the returning students. It's like watching a live version of Circle of Friends.

I didn't do the going away to college thing so everything I know is second-hand or speculation. People watching is one of my favorite sports, in case you hadn't picked that up yet. I love making up stories in my head as I see the different kids on campus.

Like the quote says: youth is wasted on the young. Or maybe it's a good thing that they don't fully recognize the opportunities that lie ahead of them. I can see where that could be paralyzing as well.

I think it would be equally exciting and terrifying to go away to college. I wish a little bit that I did the college thing instead of the married thing. It just seems like it would be one of the few - if not the only - opportunity to press the reset button on your life. You can completely start all over; choose who you want to be by leaving all the previous conceptions of you behind.

News & Notes

2011-10-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

We finished our race season today and it suuuucccckkkeeeedddd. This was simply not our season. Gremlins plagued us all season. However, we spent time with our friends and that is never a waste of time.

Work is settling down a bit. There's still a bit of toe-stepping and awkwardness but so far, so good. Now that I'm on the other side of it, I am amazed and relieved. Mostly relieved.

45 days until we leave for Vegas. Our tickets are purchased and our time off is scheduled. I am so ready. So. Ready.

Are there any new shows that I should be watching? I actually enjoy PanAm. It's kind of cheesy but in a good way. Kevin watched The Playboy Club and it's not as awful as one would think. We both loved Two Broke Girls the first episode then we were a little meh about the second one.

I have a tiny rant about television though. It concerns me that some of the shows that everyone says are SO GREAT are also so dark, violent, and well, dark. Meth addiction, gangs, zombies, vampires. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed PanAm, it's fluff. It's set in the 60's and life just seemed more simple. I guess I just don't need all the darkness in my head.

I don't like the swiffer mop at all. But the commercials entertain me. I like the lonely guy that hangs out at the space bar and the cowgirl. It's just very clever how they've turned dirt into likable characters.

I'm nearly done with a book that I've alternately loved and disliked. It's set in Seattle so that's good. It has multiple characters and that usually makes me happy. I guess, maybe, it just needed a stronger editor. It's called Broken for You, by Stephanie Kallos.

Another week is starting soon so I must away. Kevin is working 6:00 am to nearly 6:00 pm right now so we're both a little worn around the ages. Okay, he more than me but still. 5:15 am comes early.

Have a good week y'all. Or as the local weatherman says "Make it a great day"

Twelve

2011-09-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

A news report on Good Morning America stated that the average American owns twelve cars in their lifetime. It made me stop and think "That can' possibly be." The number seems just high.

So I thought about it.

My very first car was a truck. A Chevy LUtV truck. It looked a like a junky one of these:

(all images from Google Images)

I ran the wheels off this truck. I think I would still drive it if I could.

Michael's parents actually bought me a car just like this because they were horrified with my junky old truck.

I loved this car beyond all reason. I put it in a ditch on icy roads & Michael refused to fix it so it's junk now.

If I ever get an opportunity to buy another one, I so would.

I drove one of these for a few months while I was married to Michael too.

This is the very first brand new car that I have ever owned. It was a great little car that got awesome mileage but no power at all. Kevin didn't like this car AT ALL.

This car was lovely but just too big for me. I also received a little too much attention from a certain ethnic demographic for my comfort level.

We bought a truck just like this when we bought this property because we needed a four-wheel drive truck. The only reason we sold it is because we needed a tow rig.

Finally, we land on this truck. This is similar to the truck that I drive every day. It's also the truck that I rolled in the snow and we paid to get it fixed because it's such a good truck. It has 346,000 miles now!!

So not quite twelve but still a few. I'm sure there are a few that I had for a minute and didn't keep. Oh yes, a 1965 El Camino that made me carsick to drive. Or our towrig which is a huge Chevy dually crew cab four wheel drive truck.

How many cars have you owned? Which were your favorite?

Happy Mail

2011-09-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

I really hope that the US Postal Service doesn't stop mail because then I wouldn't be the recipient of such Happy Mail. Happy Mail is an unexpected present, card, or note from a loved one.

After a day that was particularly frustrating, I opened the mailbox to a manilla envelope. Happy, Happy, Happy!

I open it to find one of the most clever presents ever from lifelong BFF C.

Just seeing the handwriting made my day. I saw this handwriting every day for so many days in my life. Then the sentiment, oh the sentiment. I could imagine myself in Levi's and Nikes while heading to English class.

Then there was this:

Peechees!!!!! OMG they still have these!!!

They are the same as back-in-the-day. They have the same characters which make me want to color them in. They have the same conversion charts, which are wonderful now. I can practice my standard to metric conversions that I need now but not when I was 17.

Kevin looked at the multiplication chart and commented "It looks smaller than I remember."

So, here's to Happy Mail. I hope this gives you a feeling of nostalgia and makes you want to send your own version of Happy Mail.

Quote of the Day

2011-09-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.
Michel de Montaigne

This Is What Love Looks Like

2011-09-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

When I said I wanted to get new plates for us, this isn't at all what I had in mind.

This is what love looks like, ladies & gentlemen. Because really? what do I care what the plates he uses if it makes him happy? I choose to see the humor in it instead.

He also has one in racecar red!

Sweetie Baby Honey

2011-09-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

Somewhere someone was talking about terms of endearment for their spouses.

Ours isn't the normal "honey" or "dear". I call Kevin "Pal". I can't quite remember where it originated from but I'm pretty sure it was based around the whole two broken humans, one of which was a giant bucket of bitter, situation. Something along the lines of "You're not my boyfriend, you're my pal". Said in total jest, of course.

The only time that I can remember Kevin not wanting to be called a term of endearment was in Blockbuster, of all places. Without thought, I called out "Kevin-honey" to which he walked over to me, frowning, and said "Hey, I know! When we're in public, how about Not calling me Kevin-honey!" A total sitcom moment.

So of course I ante'd up with that. "Sweetie, baby, honey" is what I call him when I'm trying to get rise out of him or if I'm just feeling sassy. (100% of the time)

What do you call your loved one?

The Coffee Experiment Update

2011-09-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

The coffee experiment is going remarkably well actually. I have to admit: I am surprised. I'm surprised that either of us hasn't caved yet. However, with the oncoming Fall weather Kevin is now leaving for work in the dark and increasing cold then will work outside in total crap weather for ten hours. I am curious if he will want to have a coffee on the way home or in the middle of the day. I have to say that as hard as he works, I can't blame him.

Anyway, here's me: off-topic again.

This is what we've settled upon. Kevin prefers Starbucks VIA, vanilla flavor.

picture from starbucks.com

He takes two packages in a 16 oz cup with some sugar, french vanilla creamer, and a bit of chocolate. For a guy that didn't drink coffee at all, this is remarkable. He's made the transition easily while I still find myself a wee resentful.

I prefer to use our sparkling new coffee pot. I finally chose Millstone Coffee, Chocolate Velvet flavor.

picture from millstone.com

Like Kevin, I add a bit of sugar and french vanilla creamer. I enjoy it quite a bit. My only complaint is that I'd like to have more later in the morning. I need to find a Snoopy thermos or something to take extra to work.

Meanwhile, we still get coffee over the weekend because Missy would Lose. Her. Mind if we stopped doing that and it's not worth the drama.

before treats

after treats

Anyway, it's also nice that if you're having a horrible day that it is a treat again to buy a coffee as an attitude adjustment. Not to mention the little extra change in our pockets to spend on other stuff, like towels at Target.

Like A Mirror

2011-09-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

You know when you read a book and you realize that you identify with the character? You know how usually it makes you feel normal or makes you more interested in the story?

I've read two books recently where that has happened. One is written by an author I'd never read before and one was written by one of my favorite local authors.

It wasn't necessarily a flattering discovery. I was reading and thinking "Hmm, the person seems familiar" then the character reacted to something just like I would - or have - and I realized it was Me that I was being reminded of.

Both protagonists are kind of control freaks. I've realized that I do have that tendency. (stop laughing, friends in real life) In many ways, it can be good. I can channel those powers for good instead of evil. In my job is an example, it's a good trait to possess. In my personal life though, it can be challenging.

There are two ways to look at it:

The negative: it can seem like it has to be my way or that things have to be a certain way for my comfort and happiness. Also, it can mean that people often think of say "Oh she'll take care of it, she always does." which can be crazy-making when I don't want to be there person to take care of it.

The positive: The books gave me perspective: a window into how others might view me, an example of how I can be difficult without meaning to, and a goal to strive toward.

Have you ever done this? Read a book, or even saw a movie, and found the character very similar to you?

Great Ideas in the Middle of the Night

2011-09-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

You know when you think of a great idea as you're falling asleep then can't remember it upon waking? I hate that. It happens more often than I'm happy to admit.

Articles suggest that a person journals. I already kind of do that here. Also, I've never been a Dear Diary kind of girl.

Or another suggestion is to keep a list of ideas, tasks, etc.; another way of journaling I suppose. I tried that but it was too inconvenient. Keep a pen & paper near the bed, having to turn the light on and put glasses on whilst trying not to disturb Kevin. By the time I'm all ready to write down what it was, I'm annoyed and exhausted.

I've tried to repeat a word to remind me like ten times before I fall asleep but often that turns into counting sheep so FAIL. Although sometimes it works.

Writing first thing in the morning is an option that also doesn't work for me. I unequivocally hate everyone in the morning. My motor skills take a bit to wake up as well. Bonus round: what I write first thing in the morning? total crap.

Usually I just fall asleep with a sarcastic "That would be great, if I remember..."

Random Item/Alternate Uses

2011-09-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

I love reading (i.e. looking at the pictures) interior design magazines. I also enjoy watching Nate Berkus because his style is very similar to what I like.

I can't remember where I got this idea but it is so easy...provided you have curtains...and inexpensive.

Donations of jewelry comes into work all the time. It's mostly costume jewelry which is almost always out of date. If a piece catches my eye, I will usually bring it home until I think of a use for it. This is what I've come up with thus far: decorations on the curtain ties.

Please forgive the poor contrast on the pictures. It's nearly impossible to shoot into a window with my cell camera.

This is a pin that is too big to use as a pin without being scary

Another pin that is just too large to use as a brooch

This is actually one of a pair of earrings that hangs on a dual window.
I often find it's mate elsewhere. (thanks Kev, you're very clever)

This is another brooch. I love the amethyst gem.

I just love the little, eye catching detail that these brooches & earrings give to a room. They're like a little treasure discovery when you see them. One problem I'm having? I'm out of curtain ties to put them on.

Dear Dog

2011-09-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

I know that it started raining after nearly a month without it. However, I don't appreciate being charged like George Costanza in an emergency so that you can get in the door before me.

Yes, I understand that the vacuum is very upsetting and interrupting your nap. I also acknowledge that I did move your bed to vacuum and that's very traumatic. You might want to go talk to the other dogs that spend 24/7 outside. I am sure they will be very sympathetic.

It's very helpful that you lay just in range of anything that might, perhaps, maybe, fall from the counter. I am sure you remember the gabillion times we've discussed you being Not. In. The. Kitchen.

As you pretend to not be watching me eat dinner, I will pretend to not see you pretending. You are very lucky that Kevin is not home right now. If you continue to be so good at pretending, I just might share my pizza crust with you.