Shorty No More

I recently found a pair of shoes that I will worship for the rest of my life. I know you're probably thinking they are some snazzy sneakers, or Manolos or something. They're not.

They are black, clunky Dansko's.

These shoes are magic.

When Sketchers put out their fitness sneakers, I was interested in them. I love Sketchers and they stated that they help with posture. This pinged on my radar. I am constantly working on my posture....she says as she is huddled over the laptop.

I saw them in the store during the holidays and they were on sale! I stopped to check them out and Holy Sneakers Batman! $110. Yeah, no. Not happening.

But then, Then! I found these:Behold: Magic Shoes.

My posture is better, my joints don't ache, and best of all: I Am Taller.

I am just under 5' 3" right now. With these sporty boots, I am a Normal Height.

Because you're probably average height, you may not understand the Hugeness of this.
I can reach things! I don't have to jump to get into my own truck. I can reach things!!

The only problem with these shoes? $140 plus shipping. Yikes. And I want brown ones too.

$140 is totally worth being taller AND having better posture. And I will ask you to remind me of this when I have to order a new pair.

Dog Motivation

Kevin has been forgetting to turn off the back door light after letting Missy in. It's not a huge deal, I just worry about it bothering the parents next door.

Last night I mentioned that he left it on again.

"I left it on for Missy, in case she wants to go outside."

???

"So... you leave the light on because by the time she figures out how to open the door with her paws, she'll be too tired to turn the light on?"

"No, if the light isn't on, she won't even try."

Love Shelf

One of the pages I follow on FB is the local independent bookstore. The other day they posted this blog page which I enjoyed thinking about. The above picture is from their page, isn't it perfectly lovely?

Our house has books everywhere, books next to my chair, on the bookshelves in the living room & office, next to the bed. For the longest time, I had a colorful stack artfully stacked under the window. (I wish I had a picture) The only room that doesn't have books is the kitchen. *insert your own joke here*

We have two big bookcases from the Moody House in the office. Our entertainment center has built-in bookshelves (built by Kevin's dad). I try to keep my books contained to those shelves, I haven't always been successful. I usually know when I've failed when Kevin begins muttering. Note: I rarely acknowledge his endless stacks of magazines. Okay, maybe I push them around with the vacuum cleaner and maybe the OCD straightens them regularly. Point being, he has just as many magazines as I do books.

What was I talking about again? Oh yes, book shelves.

I would love to live in the kind of house that has built-ins. Oh, how I long for built-ins. Or maybe just more space for books. Okay, both. Although our limited space helps control the books, along with Kevin's occasional grumbling about seeing books everywhere.

Not to say that I haven't imagined the strange cupboards in our hallway that we use for our CD's, DVD's and games into a snazzy quasi built-in bookshelf.

What kind of bookshelves do you have? bookcases? built-ins? stacks? How are they organized? Mine are haphazard, simply because I can't figure out any organizational system that makes me happy.

All the Colors of the Rainbow

House Beautiful is one of my favorite magazines. It's like a giant wishbook for me. I take something away from each magazine.

One of the past issues, that I'm just now wading through is all about color. It has a color quiz to help you determine Your Color.

Well, let's just see about that:

What Color....
do you see in the morning? Gold comforter
are your eyes? Dark Brown
do you wear the most? Black
do you never wear? Yellow
do you wear to feel sexy? Black
do you receive the most compliments? Green
of lipstick do you wear? Rose
of bedroom? White
of sheets? Green
of Favorite Crayon? Purple
of prom dress? Clear (I didn't go :-)
of gemstone? Diamond
of favorite flower? Tulips...so um, Purple?
of your car? White
makes you happiest? Red
makes you saddest? Gray
makes you calmest? Sage (green)
makes you grind your teeth? Fuschia
afraid to try? Dark Brown

So, what have I learned? Um, f*ck all. The common denominator color was Green, with brown & black being runner-ups.

I guess this means that my house is decorated in my color and my instinct to paint the living room chocolate brown is correct. As for the rest? Perhaps my tendency to dress like Wednesday Adams is also correct. Who knew!

Give it a shot, it was fun to think about!

*this post is my official calling-it-in post of the week. It's been a drama-filled week. So much for that resolution*

"Let’s seize this moment – to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more."

Remember this - I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of three hundred million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That's just how it is.

Those of us in public office can respond to this reality by playing it safe and avoid telling hard truths. We can do what's necessary to keep our poll numbers high, and get through the next election instead of doing what's best for the next generation.

But I also know this: if people had made that decision fifty years ago or one hundred years ago or two hundred years ago, we wouldn't be here tonight. The only reason we are is because generations of Americans were unafraid to do what was hard; to do what was needed even when success was uncertain; to do what it took to keep the dream of this nation alive for their children and grandchildren.

Iowa or New Mexico?

Kev and I have been muttering about moving elsewhere again. This happens every once in a while with us. It's mostly a pipedream. Until our parents pass it won't happen, if even then.

Despite the paragraph above, I love living here in Washington State. I love the green, most days I love the rain, I like being near the ocean, the forest, the mountains. I've been other places but I usually like home best. However, I would still like to experience living elsewhere.

Kevin would prefer a warm climate, he's very happy in Vegas. He would also consider living where there are actual seasons. Here we have three seasons, really: rainy, sunny, and sometimes winter. He says that he wouldn't mind winter if it were actually cold & snowy consistently.

I agree that I would enjoy distinct seasons. I know that I wouldn't enjoy a hot climate, I'm just not built that way. So there is some agreement between the two of us.

While not sleeping, I've thought of different places we could live. In the car world, it seems like the Midwest is the place to be. Parts of the East Coast is also an option. I would love to live in the New England area, nearer to BFF K.

It occurred to me that I couldn't live in a red state (sorry Bea, and other red-staters!) Washington state is a liberal state and I've become spoiled by that. As I don't see my role in the world to be an activist, it just doesn't seem like a good idea.

We also agree: no living where there are tornadoes. This is a dealbreaker, even though we have family in Kansas and Missouri.

Kevin prefers small towns & country. City living is not an option for him, not even the suburbs. I also don't care for cities but I think I could cope in suburbia.

Alas, this is simply pondering. But it is fun to imagine where we would live in a different world or time. Perhaps we can be snowbirds one day.

What state would you move to, if given the chance? Or have you moved to a different state? How did you decide?

Join the Revolution

I know there is a preconceived notion about Howard Stern and I will acknowledge that some of it is true. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can do without the strippers & whores. I can do without the prank calls, I don't listen when he has that stuff going on.

That being said, I love listening to him in the morning. He is one of the best interviewers on the planet. He can make a guest that you think "Why would they have that guy on?" and make it interesting. He has a way of asking questions and getting answers, that most people wouldn't normally answer. He will not have a guest that comes with a scripted interview or refuses to answer certain questions.

Howard says things that no one else would say. He calls it like he sees it and I can only admire that, even if I don't always agree. He is topical and knowledgeable. I have found myself wondering what he thinks when something newsworthy happens. (Conan vs. Leno, for instance)

Last year I spent lots of time in the truck so had plenty of opportunities to listen. He had interviews with Ernest Borgnine and Chloris Leachman that were fascinating. They told stories of old Hollywood that otherwise we would never hear. He interviewed Rod Blagovich and you actually kind of liked the guy by the end of the interview. The Stevie Wonder interview was hands down the best interview I've heard.

He appears to be a loyal and giving friend. Rosie O'Donnell gives Howard 100% credit for her radio show. She has nothing but positive to say about him. He gives generously to many charities and what impresses me is that he takes no credit for it whatsoever.

He says he is retiring after this year. It actually makes me sad. I don't think there will ever be another quite like him.

"Post this if you agree"

I haven't talked about Facebook for at least a week so it's about time.

Recently there have been many status updates saying "If you love your mom, post this as your status update." "If you hate cancer, post this" etc. etc.

Unfortunately today has this:

"Shame on you America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations. (99% of people won't have the guts to copy and repost this)"

Sigh.................................

First off, I hate the "99% don't have the guts to post this." Don't insult me because I don't want to burden my friends/family with my opinions. And don't assume that everyone will agree with your post.

What really bothers me about today's update is the arrogance. I am so tempted to post "Really? Let's see your donation receipts and volunteer hours log. Oh, you don't have them? Then HUSH." (this is an assumption as well, but you get my point.) My charities? United Way, American Cancer Society, Livestrong, YWCA. I walk the walk baby.

While it is true that there are Americans in need, we are lucky enough to live here in the States. Haitians did not choose to live there, just like we did not choose to be born here.

Also, people have a short memory. The world came to our aid during 9/11 and Katrina.

It's easy to be cynical. It's difficult to do something. As Obama has reminded us time & again: It's up to us. We are the change that needs to happen. Being cynical is not helping anyone.

John Mayers latest tweet today was this: Proud to live in a country where even in one of the worst economic times, we pool together millions of dollars to help others.

What he said.

Nigh Night Time

The Huffington Post is running a series of articles on getting enough sleep. It's called the Sleep Challenge. Usually I eye-roll these articles. I've read plenty of articles on how to "avoid" insomnia. I put avoid in quotations because I'm very skeptical that it can be completely avoided.

I battle insomnia off and on. Usually I can kind of feel it coming and just resign myself. I program the television to auto-tune, I make sure I have a book to read, I use my lavender-scented B&BW lotion.

I am wired as a night bird. Kevin unfortunately is not. He is a Morning Person. The fact that we have murdered one another is simply a miracle. I can't count how many times he has rolled over at 2:30 in the morning & muttered "For the love of God, just go to sleep." As if I hadn't thought of that!

You'll notice that often these posts pop up after 8:00 pm. It seems to be the time that my brain comes alive. I've often told Kevin that if I thought I could get away with it, I would so vacuum at 10:00 pm. Instead I do laundry, start the dishwasher, read, write, whatever I can do quietly.

Back to the insomnia thing, all of the above seems to be breaking the rules. No computer within an hour of bedtime. This makes me laugh because it's just not feasible for many people in this culture.

Also, no television in the room. Again: fail. If the only television were in the living room I would probably get Less Sleep. I would have to actually get up in the middle of the night versus just turning on George Lopez then eventually falling back asleep.

The other two no-no's are alcohol and exercise. Neither of these are a problem for me but I could see the allure of having a nightcap. Warm milk has been an old standby that does help as well.

The one thing that I did notice working is dimming the lights about an hour before bedtime. I've mentioned before that one could do surgery in our bathroom and the kitchen is nearly as brightly lit. Turning off or dimming those lights does seem to make a difference so good to know.

One other theory that I'm experimenting with is exact bedtimes and waketimes. It does seem to help. However, this is not always feasible, especially once summer comes and our schedules vary.

The one Never Fail technique...no not sex, although that works for boys...is putting in Sabrina. The Harrison Ford version. Something about that movie puts me out every. single. time.

How do you fall asleep?

Cuppa Joe

*why, yes, that is a Dove chocolate next to the cup*

So, what's your favorite coffee cup?

Yes, all of us Pacific Northwesters are obsessed with coffee. You live in gray, barren, dark, and rain for five months and then we can talk about caffeine being a major food group.

My favorite cup at home is a wobbly, copper colored cup, clearly someones not-so-skilled handiwork. My favorite cup at work is my beloved Dunder Mifflin cup. It's perfect in size & weight and it's a Dunder Mifflin cup, for the love of all things holy.

But of course my absolute favorite cup of all time is an iced mocha cup from Starbucks, or Blanchard Mtn Coffee Company or I Wanna Mocha or...

It's Like Actual Therapy

Have you ever watched Being Erica? The second season is just beginning on SOAPNet but it's a CBC Original Series. (Canadian Broadcasting Co) so it appears that you can watch more online.

I became fascinated with this show last year and tonight was probably one of the best things I've watched in a long while.

The premise of the show is that Erica's life sucks. Really sucks: Dead-end job, broken relationships, and everyone's life has progressed but hers. She begins therapy and she begins fixing her life, one regret at a time. But in ways that you can't imagine.

Her therapist is an enigma who randomly throws out prophetic and poignant quotes. There were many times that I repeated the quotes in my head, trying in vain to remember them.

The magic of the show is that you travel with Erica as she progresses. There are funny moments, cringy moments, and moments that leave you sobbing as if you've actually sat in Dr Tom's office. You experience her life and can't help but relive your own past.

We've all been there: Stuck. Broken. Confused. Full of regrets. The point is: it's up to us to fix them. Erica makes you feel like you can.

That's One Ugly Bunny

When I was cleaning out Monica's closet I had to reorganize some boxes. I unearthed "Bunny", my childhood lovey, which I sort of wrote about earlier this year...click the link because the picture, OMG the picture!!!

I remember I chose this bunny from a grocery store over in Eastern Washington. I was with my grandma and my brothers on a trip. I was four or five, I think.

However, I remember more vividly my mom being slightly horrified that I had chosen such. an. ugly. toy. I remember her bargaining with me to choose another rabbit that I had instead. I was steadfast, this was my bunny.

He's very loved now, 35 years later but when I bought him his ears were erect. (held up by wires, that had to be removed because they were pokey) His hat had a fuscia colored bill that I don't think lasted very long either. His nose is now nearly gone and I think he had whiskers at one time. Clearly a high quality toy.

Somewhere along the way, I added the scarf from a fabric scrap. Much better, yes? Yeah, my mom was equally displeased with the scarf as she was with the actual rabbit.

I freed Bunny from his box and washed him. I was a little afraid that he would disintegrate in the wash but he didn't. I'm sure still to my mom's dismay.

I left him on the bed yesterday with the intention of finding a more appropriate home for him. Kevin went in to take a shower and all I heard was "What the hell is that thing?"

He came out later and said "No, really. What the hell is that thing on the bed?" I explained what it was and he moved on.

Finally, it was time for bed and he went into the room he muttered "You got to find another place for it because that sh*t's scarier than the Paranormal Activity movie we watched."

(I guess I'll have to find another home for him)

422-6411

I had insomnia last night so I wasn't going to post. Four hours sleep = incoherent writing so I was going to avoid that. Yet, here I am.

One of the fun things about writing, I've found, is that just when you think "Meh, I don't have anything to say today." something usually pops up. Tonight's muse was the parking lot of a bar.

Because Kevin is a rocking husband, I bought dinner tonight. Also, he wants to watch four hours of 24 tonight so bringing dinner home speeds up the process. I will be sleeping on the couch while "reading magazines" and being startled alert by Jack Bauer saving the world one terrorist at a time.

Buying dinner tonight was not planned so I just ran down to the local bar & grill for sandwiches. The bar has been there forever and it feels like it. I think the people sitting at the actual bar have been sitting there since before I was born. Although smoking isn't allowed in Washington State, it still permeates the air. Like all bars, it was dark & sports were playing on multiple televisions. Every head turned as if I was dropped into an episode of Cheers.

While I'm not a big drinker or bar person, I feel at home in them. You see, I was raised by alcoholics. Thus the telephone number as the title. I had that number memorized by the time I was six. I remember calling that number because my brother was picking on me or I was hungry or needed something for school.

So the smell of an old-time bar is a childhood memory. I think I can walk into any bar & feel at home. I was raised by the people there.

$39.99

I spent today on random projects, really random projects. The goal was to finish my Kodachrome moments project.

I started the day at Michaels and spent $39.99. It didn't occur to me that being MLK Day that there would be SALES. So I was impressed that I was so well-behaved. You see the thing with Michaels store is that it makes me believe I can make stuff; which is really kind of not true.

I came home with my new treasures. Behold:


And this is the last progress I made on the photo project.

Why you ask? Because I got stuck in "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Do you know that book? It essentially begins "If you give a mouse a cookie, then he will need a glass of milk and if you give him a glass of milk, he will need a napkin." This is the cycle that I stumbled into.

I gathered all of our pictures then began to ferret out the gabillion assorted picture frames I had in Monica's Closet. In order to do that, I had to organize the closet. This resulted in some consolidation of boxes, burning the trash consisting of our 2008 bills, then bagging up stuff for Goodwill.

By the time Kevin got home, I was sitting exhausted at the dining room table surrounded by frames and photographs. He's met me, he's not surprised.

We'll work on it over the weekend.

Kodachrome Moments

Okay, so I watched Hoarders again. I know, I know, I KNOW.

It brought to attention my drawer full of photos that I just can't decide what I am going to do with. I also have about a gabillion discs of photos thrown in a drawer that are being sorely neglected.

I have a KODAK photo frame that I can't figure out....well, not so much figured out as lost interest in. I have extra picture frames stored in two different closets. I even have that random photo album from Christmas that while it is intended as a baby album, is still an album. (this is where I say: But you have a dog, that's kind of a baby and then you duck because I've thrown something at you.)

And our Vegas trips. I've been three times and haven't done any sort of scrapbooks. I suck.

So, tomorrow. Tomorrow I am going to Best Buy and purchasing a scanner/printer.
Then I'm going to Michaels to buy a scrap book and possibly some photo albums and frames.

Then I'm going to spread out everything and do....something...perhaps add to our photo wall.

You've Got This

People say that the internet, FB, Twitter, etc actually isolates people more than brings them together. To that, I say: BullSh*t.

The blog world is small so you may have heard about Anissa. She is a mommy blogger who had a stroke about two months ago(?) The story is heartbreaking. Her website is here I have never met her but wish I can. She sounds like a rockstar of a friend.

But what is absolutely fantastic is that her friends and her internet friends have banded together to help. Strangers and friends are doing what they can to help Anissa & her family in any way possible. This is the first video that was made for her:

Love for Anissa! from Undomestic Diva on Vimeo.

This wouldn't have happened without the internet. So do what you feel you can: send good thoughts out into the universe, pray if that's your thing. Email to the address provided on Anissa's site if you want to send care packages or live in the area.

She could just as easily be one of us. Hopefully we are blessed enough to have such a crew rally around us if ever the need arose. From what I understand, she would so be there for us.

The latest video was posted the other day. It applies to anyone who is going through a challenge right now. Go grab a box of Kleenex, turn up the speakers and listen:

Give Anissa a Hand from davezwife on Vimeo.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

There's a new book out called "Dump 'Em" and it's about how to break up with friends, hairdressers, and other "non-romantic" relationships. The author makes the point that there is tons of advice about ending romantic relationships but none about ending other relationships.

The main basis seems "Be honest." While that's lovely in theory, in practice it's not always possible. As much as friends say "You can be honest with me..." it's not really true. We say it but when it comes to criticism, we usually don't want to hear it or in some cases, simply can't hear it.

To clarify, the author explains that the breaking up has to be approached without an agenda, be specific, and say it calmly. Well, that just seems to be unlikely.

I've had friendships end in my life. Some of you know that I ended a friendship a few years ago that was pretty harsh. Unfortunately, it was the only way possible. With time, I see now that there was no other way.

Mostly I just let relationships fade away. I've found that time and distance will usually take care of it. I see no benefit or purpose in having a discussion that will most likely end in snot & tears when the simple passing of time will take care of it.

How do you deal with ending friendships?

All Idol, All the Time

We're watching American Idol tonight. Every Year I say I'm not going to watch it and every year I do. Tonight, I just wanted to see how they handled the whole Paula/Ellen/Simon thing and then I was going to turn it off. Well, it's 9:35 pm and we're still watching it.

I love watching it through Kevin's eyes because he's so reactive. His running commentary: "OMG, why doesn't Someone TELL Them!?!?!?!?!" is a regular refrain. Or my other favorite "Make it STOP........."

A few years ago, I was listening but not watching. I mentioned that I didn't think the person was bad. All I heard was "OMG, Did you hit your head today?"

Okay....*pause*....

Hottie cancer survivor singing Michael Buble "Feeling Good." Whew! I need a cool drink please.
*fanning myself with a magazine*

I guess I'll watch it this year.

Personal Ads

Okay, we need some positive up in here.

If you were to write a personal ad for your partner/mate/spouse, how would it read? How would yours? It has to be positive and not include "smart", "funny", "cute", and all that easy stuff.

Salt & Pepper Haired Man's Man.
Can make a stranger laugh. Never passes a dog without petting it. Sings randomly. Plays in a giant sandbox and is good to his family. He believes in dates, hello kisses, and doing chores without being asked. If that's not enough, he is an effin' racecar driver.

Brown-Eyed Girl.
Up for an adventure girl, hearing "can't do it" is like a dare. Talks to babies & animals like they're people. Creative writer and notorious under-achiever. She believes in U2 as a religion, karma, and sarcasm. Y'all gotta have thick skin to be her friend.

Post your personal ad in comments or post a link to your blog.

Date Night

Kev & I had date night last night. We had one of the top three pizzas EVER. (Coconut Kennys for those of you who live here)

We also went to see Sherlock Holmes. I know! I broke my sworn oath to not go into a movie theatre ever again. That's what we do when you're married...oh wait, what? that didn't work out, did it? Breaking sworn oaths not so much part of marriage. What I meant was Sometimes you do stuff you don't want to do when you're married. Whew, that's better.

Great movie. I mean, really, how can you go wrong with Robert Downey Jr.?

In true movie attendance experience, we sat next to a sixteen year old douchebag on a date. He kept making "jokes" and "witty comments". I let it go during the commercials (because that's what they ARE now)

UNTIL.

Until a National Guard ad came on & he began being disrespectful. "What do they need swords for? why are they dancing? why is he swimming in the mud?"

Instead of throwing an elbow & breaking his nose, I cut my eyes to him & stared. He shut up & ducked his head but I kept looking. "Seriously." I said. Finally he looked up & said "Sorry".
"Clearly. You've. Never. Met. A. Soldier." then I looked away.

Sadly, he didn't stop there. He kept it up throughout the movie. He would stop when I, or Kevin, would look at him. Apparently, he was raised by wolves.

At the credits, we stood up. I looked at him and said "I think you owe me the price of the ticket and an apology to your mother."

Kevin looked shocked then looked at him like "Yeah, she said it" and laughed.