In the tradtion of Loobylu I am posting what is hot & not.
hot
it's over: this is the last WH&WN of 2009. Isn't that amazing? 2010 is sure to be filled with all sorts of new and magical hots
dreams: my dreamself fell asleep to dream of John Lennon for a brief moment last night. It makes me smile that even my subconscious self likes to have dreams of her own.
vampyres (in a cold sort of way, of course): I am in awe at vampyres becoming so openly adored. I fell in love with them around age nine. Not surprising, I think, since my favourite animal of all time is the Great White Shark. And I was fortunate to have close friends who thought my obsession with vampyres was a bit odd but acceptable. But I knew people who were thought to be freaks and lived in that brushed off clique of goths and it was hard for them to find love and acceptance outside of their own kind.
And now it's mainstream! It's not always well written (in fact it's most often NOT well written) but they are at least being considered as beings who deserve rights. They are no longer just devils ONLY good for the stake. I love offering up old friends, like Lestat, to people who would never have dreamt of reading of vampyres only a few years ago. And I was positively giddy when purchasing "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" when the older woman ringing me up snorted and said, "Everyone is a vampyre these days!" YES! It's wonderful.
Werewolves (in a very hot sort of way): I like lycans. Odd, I know for a vampyre lover (well, at least until Bella made that acceptable, too). I've always had a soft spot for them. When "Underworld" came out and then two more treats in the series it was delightful. And I must admit, although I have been adamantly opposed to Shark-boy playing Jacob Black in the Twilight Saga I've had second thoughts since seeing "New Moon" (the removed wig and partial nudity probably helped a bit).
Formulating goals: Tonight's the night to write down resolutions. I didn't complete all of mine for 2009 but I forgive myself. One of my goals for 0h-10 is to be realistic with myself. Another might be to not fret so much about the housework. I'll post when I have them down.
Projects: I'm already a fourth of the way through one of the blanket gifts for next Christmas. Woot!
Holding Steady: Still 8 lbs down. My jeans are very appreciative.
not
Aurora getting up at 3am for the past 3 days: we have a policy that she is not to get out of bed by herself(except for potty usage) unless it is light outside. She has completely ignored by reminders of this for the week and has crawled into bed (A DOUBLE BED) with us (Did I mention Eddie and I are large people?) and Alley and then we're all supposed to try to fall back to sleep. It is miserable.
And now for a small recap of 2009's most memorable HGI: WH&WN
hot
Compassion - when bad things happen, terribe things.. things that wake us up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, and people, in all their awkwardness, come together (or on their own) to do things to make someone's life better. There is no easing the pain. There are no words. But sometimes the simple act of giving a card, or a teddy bear or just standing in solidarity means more than we can ever imagine.
not
Insane number of hard things to deal with in 2009.. things like Michael Jackson's death - yes, I did take it hard. Seeing my grandma for the last time. Attending my grandmother's service. Eddie's mom having brain surgery this week. Eddie's grandma's death and service this week. Friend's tragedy this week.
hot
Giving the gift of Darcy: So excited to have been able to give the ever necessary Mr. Darcy (that's right the BBC Pride & Prejudice) to a very deserving person! Made both our days.
not
Needing a good three days alone and not getting it
hot
Winning Awesome Things: The inspiration for the early posting is thanks to Two Tuesdays, who I found through the WHWN listing on Loobylu. She listed these amazing mugs to giveaway (I know.. right?? GIVE THEM AWAY?) I made the assumption that I wouldn't win based on my location in relation to Ms Tuesday (the latter being in Australia). BUT I WON! WOOT
not
finishing an enjoyable series of books: now what?
hot
Craft Room to share with daughter: The combo craft play room is really nice. Aurora suddenly WANTS to go upstairs to work in our Office.
not
the ever bi-polar mini-person who also lives in this house
hot
no leaks: well, almost no leaks. The nighttime rooftop adventure paid off and only a teensy drip of the rest of the run off came through. Everything it beginning to dry up and Eddie assures me that the ceiling won't mold and we'll get to it this spring to fix the real problem.
Yea for hotness and even notness and for Loobylu and all the new friends she has brought together.
31.12.09
28.12.09
Preparing for 2010
I am all at once ready for 2009 to be over and apprehensive 2010 will end up following the same lines.
I'm sure it is just 2009's nasty sharp pointy teeth trying to tear into something else. Right?
I'm trying to placate it by lingering over cleaning up xmas decor. In fact, I'm going to be so bold as to wait until January 2nd, 2010. I hope 2010 is excited to be starting the year on such a lovely note as xmas cheer.
I have to admit my desire to countdown to the new year to find fairy dust, butterflies, rainbows and unicorns magically appearing all over is probably a bit optimistic considering I have no plans as of yet. And I think it highly unlikely any of those things will show up anywhere near where I habitate. But, the wonderful thing about a new year is one can never quite tell. And the more I think about it the more likely it seems it's just the time and type of surprise 2010 does have in store for me.
I am also very aware my 30th birthday is in just over a month away. And as 2010 is certain to be magical I refuse to not celebrate properly.
Birthdays, not so long ago, used to be anywhere from a week to a month long celebration. Why should they not be again? So my brain is bubbling and although some of these events may seem quite mundane to the young single women of the world I assure you they seem wonderful and decadent and necessary to me.
Ideas:
A weekday visit to my favourite restaurant (which also created & serves my favourite microbrew)
An evening of hors d'oeurves & cocktails at my place (sans kids)
Dinner at some place not too grand (panda express anyone) and a movie at the cheap seats
Any suggestions for other evenings?
The week will culminate on my birth date (which graciously falls on a Saturday this year) at my house with a small Pirate themed party.
I hope you are enjoying the last hours of 2009 and are looking forward to 2010.
I'm sure it is just 2009's nasty sharp pointy teeth trying to tear into something else. Right?
I'm trying to placate it by lingering over cleaning up xmas decor. In fact, I'm going to be so bold as to wait until January 2nd, 2010. I hope 2010 is excited to be starting the year on such a lovely note as xmas cheer.
I have to admit my desire to countdown to the new year to find fairy dust, butterflies, rainbows and unicorns magically appearing all over is probably a bit optimistic considering I have no plans as of yet. And I think it highly unlikely any of those things will show up anywhere near where I habitate. But, the wonderful thing about a new year is one can never quite tell. And the more I think about it the more likely it seems it's just the time and type of surprise 2010 does have in store for me.
I am also very aware my 30th birthday is in just over a month away. And as 2010 is certain to be magical I refuse to not celebrate properly.
Birthdays, not so long ago, used to be anywhere from a week to a month long celebration. Why should they not be again? So my brain is bubbling and although some of these events may seem quite mundane to the young single women of the world I assure you they seem wonderful and decadent and necessary to me.
Ideas:
A weekday visit to my favourite restaurant (which also created & serves my favourite microbrew)
An evening of hors d'oeurves & cocktails at my place (sans kids)
Dinner at some place not too grand (panda express anyone) and a movie at the cheap seats
Any suggestions for other evenings?
The week will culminate on my birth date (which graciously falls on a Saturday this year) at my house with a small Pirate themed party.
I hope you are enjoying the last hours of 2009 and are looking forward to 2010.
23.12.09
what's hot & what's not
If you've been following since last week's edition you'll note I've been trying to keep myself busy during my week vacation. And that means a lot of hot has gotten done.
And thank you to Loobylu who gives us a place every week to exclaim all the wonderful things in our lives and vent all those things that happen during life.
Hot
Getting presents early: a long time ago (was it really approximately half a lifetime ago? Well, yes, around half of my life) I became enamored of fiesta ware. So practical and simple and my what fun colors! My mother gave me a set of four in cobalt blue. And this week I have been given another full set in the Lemongrass! Which is the exact color of my kitchen walls. It is delightful!
enjoying the sequel: I love Alvin & the Chipmunks. Who didn't grow up on their great music remakes and trouble making? Today we took Aurora (who hasn't been to the theatre since Wall-e, her first trip) to see "The Squeakeul" and it was great. I laughed a lot, and, as usual, at lines or scenes where not a single other soul laughed. My only complaint was not enough screen time for Jason Lee (whom I have adored since Mallrats).
losing weight! Yes, down a whole 8 lbs. I don't think I've ever lost this much weight (not counting having a baby). WOOT!
Christmas cards: I love mail. I love letters. This is basically the only time of the year I can guarantee getting anything good anymore. (Anyone want a pen pal?)
Getting rid of things: What a wonderful breath of fresh air. The joy in having less things is it does allow organization to actually work! We can be organized as much as we want but if we still have too much stuff it takes the simplicity and time saving out of it so it doesn't much matter. It's lovely to see things set in their proper place and be able to walk around and not have to do heavy lifting to get to something.
Starting to let go: Oh, I haven't let go of everything, I assure you. I have the rest of my life to let go of things. But learning to loosen my grip and maybe even patch up some of those holes in my heart. That's an amazing start. Something I didn't think possible for a very long time. (And that's another good thing about letting go of physical things. It helps get through layers.)
Making it through another birthday: Yea for Aurora's bday and for everyone who came. We had a lovely full house (we EVEN had all the grand-parental units in the same room at the same time, a feat which has not been accomplished since Aurora's birth). So a big thank you to Samantha, Rebecca, Sunny, Angel, Isaiah, Alex, Emma, Gavin, Jennie, Ed, Spud, Mom, Dad, Deb, and Eddie.
Winning: I apparently won a "romance package" from a downtown hotel. Woot! Can't wait to get the package in the mail and see what we get. And such lovely timing what with my birthday and valentine's day approaching.
Almost Christmas Eve & I have no nots for this week: I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope your holidays (and preparations) have been more delightful than stressful, more meaningful than mean and more lovely than lonely.
We adore you all and want you to know that each one of you helps give our little family hope and courage as we examine the life we lead and try to make the world a better place one little word at a time.
And thank you to Loobylu who gives us a place every week to exclaim all the wonderful things in our lives and vent all those things that happen during life.
Hot
Getting presents early: a long time ago (was it really approximately half a lifetime ago? Well, yes, around half of my life) I became enamored of fiesta ware. So practical and simple and my what fun colors! My mother gave me a set of four in cobalt blue. And this week I have been given another full set in the Lemongrass! Which is the exact color of my kitchen walls. It is delightful!
enjoying the sequel: I love Alvin & the Chipmunks. Who didn't grow up on their great music remakes and trouble making? Today we took Aurora (who hasn't been to the theatre since Wall-e, her first trip) to see "The Squeakeul" and it was great. I laughed a lot, and, as usual, at lines or scenes where not a single other soul laughed. My only complaint was not enough screen time for Jason Lee (whom I have adored since Mallrats).
losing weight! Yes, down a whole 8 lbs. I don't think I've ever lost this much weight (not counting having a baby). WOOT!
Christmas cards: I love mail. I love letters. This is basically the only time of the year I can guarantee getting anything good anymore. (Anyone want a pen pal?)
Getting rid of things: What a wonderful breath of fresh air. The joy in having less things is it does allow organization to actually work! We can be organized as much as we want but if we still have too much stuff it takes the simplicity and time saving out of it so it doesn't much matter. It's lovely to see things set in their proper place and be able to walk around and not have to do heavy lifting to get to something.
Starting to let go: Oh, I haven't let go of everything, I assure you. I have the rest of my life to let go of things. But learning to loosen my grip and maybe even patch up some of those holes in my heart. That's an amazing start. Something I didn't think possible for a very long time. (And that's another good thing about letting go of physical things. It helps get through layers.)
Making it through another birthday: Yea for Aurora's bday and for everyone who came. We had a lovely full house (we EVEN had all the grand-parental units in the same room at the same time, a feat which has not been accomplished since Aurora's birth). So a big thank you to Samantha, Rebecca, Sunny, Angel, Isaiah, Alex, Emma, Gavin, Jennie, Ed, Spud, Mom, Dad, Deb, and Eddie.
Winning: I apparently won a "romance package" from a downtown hotel. Woot! Can't wait to get the package in the mail and see what we get. And such lovely timing what with my birthday and valentine's day approaching.
Almost Christmas Eve & I have no nots for this week: I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope your holidays (and preparations) have been more delightful than stressful, more meaningful than mean and more lovely than lonely.
We adore you all and want you to know that each one of you helps give our little family hope and courage as we examine the life we lead and try to make the world a better place one little word at a time.
22.12.09
The Mantel Place
Some things stayed, like the prints I found in an antique store and for which I spent my last $25 when I was about 16. My beer bottle with Cleopatra and Caesar on the left hand corner. The wine glass (and only undamaged survivor) my two best friends and I bought thinking we would drink out of them at our ten year reunion.
And for some close up on a few wonders like this perfume decanter (one of two) that belonged to my grandma Jinny and my mother gifted to me when I graduated from college.
The baby cups and spoons (the cups belonged to my grandma Jinny and my mother, Laurie).
The clock my grandma Jinny gifted me that had been a gift to her father from the school where he coached.
My grandma Jinny's glasses (that I had hoped years ago to make mine, but she was teeny and I am not and they are too small for my head) and watches that belonged to her and my great-grandma.
This delightful timepiece that belonged to my great-grandmother Alice. And is hung fittingly in a place of honor in the looking-glass.
What treasures do you have out?
21.12.09
Treasure Chest Found
right in my very own home.
Years ago my grandma Ellie gave me her beautiful cedar hope chest which I have kept filled to the brim ever since. And every five years, give or take five years, I revisit its wealth of goodies.
Upon first receiving it it very much contained things meant to start my life away from home. An old toaster and a paper towel holder, etc. And as I have grown up and moved on it has become filled with things to keep. It still houses the absolutely gorgeous baby cardigan and hat my great-grandmother Olga knit for my father for his baby photos and a couple of her handmade baby blankets by grandma passed down to me. And it also holds embarrassing yearbooks I really don't want to keep but know Aurora will someday enjoy.
So I decided this week was a good time to see if I could tackle all those little knick knacks I have insisted must be kept safe inside. And this evening was as good as time as any to find out if I truly have it in me to get rid of things that should be parted with and use things that should be lovingly used.
I haven't had too bad of a start. I went through a box which is filled to the brim with old letters and journals. I have thrown out a few letters (random college letters). A few special others were re-read and with a sentimental sigh closed back up and re-packed. And others still (so many others... rubber bands filled) that I merely ran the tips of fingers over and felt my heart and soul inside and knew now is not the time to revisit - and perhaps they will be something to sustain me when I am old and gray.
And the journals. Lord help us, the journals. I skimmed a few. Found myself chuckling at some remembered incident and cringing at others. And I must admit I wonder why no one put me into counseling. I could have used it. Perhaps someday I will give myself permission to let certain things go. Perhaps at (a very close) 30 my regret for past behaviors will allow me to work through it on my own. Either way I think the writing (even amidst childish obsession and unimportant daily routines) has captured some important moments and hopefully some lessons I'll get to share with Aurora.
More mortifying photos and lovely heirlooms to uncover. Can't wait to share to some of the goodies as they get set out in places of honor. And if you're lucky, maybe even a few of those horrific, but oh so great, photos I've found.
Years ago my grandma Ellie gave me her beautiful cedar hope chest which I have kept filled to the brim ever since. And every five years, give or take five years, I revisit its wealth of goodies.
Upon first receiving it it very much contained things meant to start my life away from home. An old toaster and a paper towel holder, etc. And as I have grown up and moved on it has become filled with things to keep. It still houses the absolutely gorgeous baby cardigan and hat my great-grandmother Olga knit for my father for his baby photos and a couple of her handmade baby blankets by grandma passed down to me. And it also holds embarrassing yearbooks I really don't want to keep but know Aurora will someday enjoy.
So I decided this week was a good time to see if I could tackle all those little knick knacks I have insisted must be kept safe inside. And this evening was as good as time as any to find out if I truly have it in me to get rid of things that should be parted with and use things that should be lovingly used.
I haven't had too bad of a start. I went through a box which is filled to the brim with old letters and journals. I have thrown out a few letters (random college letters). A few special others were re-read and with a sentimental sigh closed back up and re-packed. And others still (so many others... rubber bands filled) that I merely ran the tips of fingers over and felt my heart and soul inside and knew now is not the time to revisit - and perhaps they will be something to sustain me when I am old and gray.
And the journals. Lord help us, the journals. I skimmed a few. Found myself chuckling at some remembered incident and cringing at others. And I must admit I wonder why no one put me into counseling. I could have used it. Perhaps someday I will give myself permission to let certain things go. Perhaps at (a very close) 30 my regret for past behaviors will allow me to work through it on my own. Either way I think the writing (even amidst childish obsession and unimportant daily routines) has captured some important moments and hopefully some lessons I'll get to share with Aurora.
More mortifying photos and lovely heirlooms to uncover. Can't wait to share to some of the goodies as they get set out in places of honor. And if you're lucky, maybe even a few of those horrific, but oh so great, photos I've found.
At a bit of a loss
I have a few hours to myself. And I have oddly been fretting (since yesterday evening) on how I am going to spend them. Sometimes I worry myself.
Yesterday morning I went through A's toys and clothes. We've (and I mean in the royal sense) re-sorted the toys that have taken over four rooms of the house. Now, most everything is back into her playroom and there is room for it all in her playroom because I have cleared a few of the less essential toys (mainly things she is now too old for). And I've also given up on ever trying to get Ms "IT'S TOO TIGHT!" into any turtlenecks and odd bunchy sweaters, so those have also found their way into bags into the hallway.
And I believe these will find themselves on their way (this afternoon) to the Rescue Mission - well, all except for Alliwicious Squeakerkins II.
And the end result of the de-cluttering is deliciously bright
But I have just managed to solve my own problem (whilst wondering the house to capture the above images). There are definitely some deeper cleaning issues calling out for my attention (before A gets home).
So I am now off to turn my music up more loudly than is recommended with dust rag and vacuum at hand.
I hope this Winter Solstice finds you in a similar carefree predicament! And I hope you fill your hours with non-stress activities whether it be clever craftiness, getting cozy with a cup of tea and good book, snuggling with a dear one, or a little cathartic cleansing (and hopefully a little bit of all).
From my house to yours, lots of love!
19.12.09
Surviving Four Years
Here we are.. the evening of the day of the fourth birthday (party - since her actual birthday day is tomorrow).
In other words, four years ago I was at this moment 14 hours into labor. Already on to my second nurse and I hadn't even hit the hard stuff yet. Nine hours from this mark I began wondering if it would ever end and nine and half hours I couldn't even talk. And then I hit the 24 hour mark and gave up on my plans of doing it without an epidural. And then a few hours of blissful sleep and at 12:45pm (36 hours after entering the hospital) Aurora Grace arrived.
And I knew, without a doubt, that she held on as long as possible just to show me she was as strong as me and she hadn't even taken a breath. And also to make sure her sign was most certainly Sagittarius on the cusp of Capricorn - that way we at least would know where we stood with each other; head to head, not always hand in hand.
I believe I am living up to my one true goal - to be honest with her. I am not always cut out for this job. I have always known I am selfish and impatient and blunt to the point of vicious. This is who I am. I sometimes find it hard to soften those hard cut edges so I don't wound her beyond repair. My desire for honesty is so that I do not someday break her heart with disillusionment. But I also find myself wondering if my truth will do it to her anyway.
I find my heart hurts on daily basis now. It breaks from the arguments and my ineptitude and with anger. And it aches when she finds compassion for me. And it overflows with the pain of love when we find those wonderful moments when it all comes together and we are just ourselves and enjoying the moment.
Today our four (+) years together culminated in her birthday party. And we had a few life lessons, like just because mommy thinks that baking the cake herself is something important she should do she REALLY shouldn't if she can't cook, and Aurora is really patient and thoughtful and thankful (sometimes), and everyone really can get along when we make an effort to.
So without further ado here are a few pictures to catalogue the day (like our hogwart abstract cake)
In other words, four years ago I was at this moment 14 hours into labor. Already on to my second nurse and I hadn't even hit the hard stuff yet. Nine hours from this mark I began wondering if it would ever end and nine and half hours I couldn't even talk. And then I hit the 24 hour mark and gave up on my plans of doing it without an epidural. And then a few hours of blissful sleep and at 12:45pm (36 hours after entering the hospital) Aurora Grace arrived.
And I knew, without a doubt, that she held on as long as possible just to show me she was as strong as me and she hadn't even taken a breath. And also to make sure her sign was most certainly Sagittarius on the cusp of Capricorn - that way we at least would know where we stood with each other; head to head, not always hand in hand.
I believe I am living up to my one true goal - to be honest with her. I am not always cut out for this job. I have always known I am selfish and impatient and blunt to the point of vicious. This is who I am. I sometimes find it hard to soften those hard cut edges so I don't wound her beyond repair. My desire for honesty is so that I do not someday break her heart with disillusionment. But I also find myself wondering if my truth will do it to her anyway.
I find my heart hurts on daily basis now. It breaks from the arguments and my ineptitude and with anger. And it aches when she finds compassion for me. And it overflows with the pain of love when we find those wonderful moments when it all comes together and we are just ourselves and enjoying the moment.
Today our four (+) years together culminated in her birthday party. And we had a few life lessons, like just because mommy thinks that baking the cake herself is something important she should do she REALLY shouldn't if she can't cook, and Aurora is really patient and thoughtful and thankful (sometimes), and everyone really can get along when we make an effort to.
So without further ado here are a few pictures to catalogue the day (like our hogwart abstract cake)
17.12.09
what's hot & what's not
hot
cleaning: also involves boxing up, throwing away, moving on, letting go, being honest, being practical. Have begun (early) my christmas break cleaning. Began with the kitchen pantry (but only the food pantry) and last night started on the bedroom (the one in which we don't sleep but houses clothes). I have a large box filled past the brim of things that I simply don't use, won't use or will not continue to use from plugs, shoes, dresses, jewelry, curtains and all sorts of other things. The lovely thing about being brave (and letting go is something that takes courage, I assure you) is that then there is the pleasure of uncovering things I acutally love and now WON'T need to feel guilty about hanging onto. Why? Because there is space for those lovely things and even perhaps displaying for their future :)
no leaks: well, almost no leaks. The nighttime rooftop adventure paid off and only a teensy drip of the rest of the run off came through. Everything it beginning to dry up and Eddie assures me that the ceiling won't mold and we'll get to it this spring to fix the real problem.
Loving presents: I love wrapping presents I love and am excited to gift. It makes the anticipation for christmas grand.
baking: the Harry Potter Hagrid-esque doggy biscuit shaped oatmeal cookies seemed to turn out well! Friday we'll be adding the final touch - painting "Sirius" (like the "milkbone" imprint) in the center with melted chocolate.
We also venture into cake making and chocolate molds tomorrow! So excited!
healing: my toothiness still hurts, but to a much more tolerable and somewhat edible degree. Oh, but I'm down 6 lbs!
Having my kitty home: That full day and night with out my squeakerkins was a bit hard (but fortunately I didn't have to worry about her jumping out windows and the like). And we were so glad to pick her up yesterday and have her squeakiness follow me from room to room last night. All is back to normal.
not
Neither a lender nor a borrower be: well, I'm certainly a borrower this month. What with general living expenses we have borrowed much more than we should this month from the bank and from my mother. Argh! Which makes January look bleak as well. BUT I'm going to find the silver lining here somewhere and I think our taxes in February should help right us.
bad estimates: I WAS very happy with the new vet with the amount of attention they gave us and even let us come visit Alley during the stay, BUT when I showed up the lovely bill ended up being $50.00 over their quoted price. Apparently they weren't quite truthful over the phone. As in when I say my kitty needs to be neutered and vaccicinated and they say "neuter and wellness exam comes to $78" I expect that to include the actual shots. And I did opt for the $25 pain meds.. so that makes the bill right ove $100...But what it really meant was we'll charge separate for the so-called wellness exam and your bill is now $155. Grrr.
Thanks to the inspiration for it all, Loobylu, who keeps us going every week with this delightful chance to catch up.
cleaning: also involves boxing up, throwing away, moving on, letting go, being honest, being practical. Have begun (early) my christmas break cleaning. Began with the kitchen pantry (but only the food pantry) and last night started on the bedroom (the one in which we don't sleep but houses clothes). I have a large box filled past the brim of things that I simply don't use, won't use or will not continue to use from plugs, shoes, dresses, jewelry, curtains and all sorts of other things. The lovely thing about being brave (and letting go is something that takes courage, I assure you) is that then there is the pleasure of uncovering things I acutally love and now WON'T need to feel guilty about hanging onto. Why? Because there is space for those lovely things and even perhaps displaying for their future :)
no leaks: well, almost no leaks. The nighttime rooftop adventure paid off and only a teensy drip of the rest of the run off came through. Everything it beginning to dry up and Eddie assures me that the ceiling won't mold and we'll get to it this spring to fix the real problem.
Loving presents: I love wrapping presents I love and am excited to gift. It makes the anticipation for christmas grand.
baking: the Harry Potter Hagrid-esque doggy biscuit shaped oatmeal cookies seemed to turn out well! Friday we'll be adding the final touch - painting "Sirius" (like the "milkbone" imprint) in the center with melted chocolate.
We also venture into cake making and chocolate molds tomorrow! So excited!
healing: my toothiness still hurts, but to a much more tolerable and somewhat edible degree. Oh, but I'm down 6 lbs!
Having my kitty home: That full day and night with out my squeakerkins was a bit hard (but fortunately I didn't have to worry about her jumping out windows and the like). And we were so glad to pick her up yesterday and have her squeakiness follow me from room to room last night. All is back to normal.
not
Neither a lender nor a borrower be: well, I'm certainly a borrower this month. What with general living expenses we have borrowed much more than we should this month from the bank and from my mother. Argh! Which makes January look bleak as well. BUT I'm going to find the silver lining here somewhere and I think our taxes in February should help right us.
bad estimates: I WAS very happy with the new vet with the amount of attention they gave us and even let us come visit Alley during the stay, BUT when I showed up the lovely bill ended up being $50.00 over their quoted price. Apparently they weren't quite truthful over the phone. As in when I say my kitty needs to be neutered and vaccicinated and they say "neuter and wellness exam comes to $78" I expect that to include the actual shots. And I did opt for the $25 pain meds.. so that makes the bill right ove $100...But what it really meant was we'll charge separate for the so-called wellness exam and your bill is now $155. Grrr.
Thanks to the inspiration for it all, Loobylu, who keeps us going every week with this delightful chance to catch up.
15.12.09
The Harrowing Adventures of Crzylady
AKA: The Hits Just Keep on Comin'
AKA: It Never Rains But It.. Well, You Get the Idea
I will preface this epic tale by reminding the gentle readers I had a minor oral surgery last week and my mouth is still very uncomfortable and angry at the world in general, but mainly just food.
As it is December and money does not exist in my world I have had to borrow money from my mother to neuter my cat who just couldn't wait until January and I was feeling panicked that spraying would ensue. So this morning after dropping Aurora off at pre-school I came back through slushy raining snow to pick up Alley the Second and take her (yes, I know he really is a he, but I call him a her. It's better to just go with it) to a new vet. Why a new vet? Because imagining walking back into my old vet (the vet that at the age of five I remember sitting in the waiting room with my grandmother reciting capitols of all 50 state) has caused me to break down in tears. The last time I went was with Alley the First almost exactly one year ago. That was a horrible day. Much more horrible than this one.
And then off to work and to get my money*!
*backstory (which we simply couldn't do without now could we Dr. Doofenschmirtz?) about house payments: house payment is due no later than the 16th, which happens to be tomorrow. We cannot pay the house payment until we are reimbursed through our Dependent Care Flex Benefits (because our house payment is outrageous). This month the receipt for said payment was received 10 days later than normal and we can't be reimbursed, of course without said receipt. And then I didn't take Aurora in last Friday because I was home with my toothiness. And then Eddie was struck with strange consumption and couldn't go into work or leave the bedroom for three days.
So receipt was not picked up until Monday morning. As our flex benefits paybacks land into our account within two days or so I was not overly concerned. But then the fax system at work has been on the fritz a lot lately. I tried more than one fax and found them all to be NON-operational (any Star Wars fans? hmmm? maybe? Did I even get a smirk or an inner snort?). I tried 5 more times. Since Eddie and I work at the same institution it doesn't help to have him try. And yes I could have tried to take it to some copy place but then we're trying to save money here.
So I think, "I shall scan these magical gold giving papers and email them to this local company." And being the self-sufficient and internet savvy woman of the world that I am, I travel to flex benefits website to find email information.
The only email given is a general "Info" and I don't want my claim floating for months out in limbo because I couldn't pick up the phone and ask someone to whom I should direct the email. So at 8:30 am this morning I pick up the phone and call. And the lovely recording informs me I have called outside of normal business hours can I please call back between 9am and 5pm. I set the phone down and ready myself for a 9am work meeting.
Shortly later after my 9am I dial again and am directed to press "1" because I am an employee requesting something to do with my money. I get a voicemail. I leave a message detailing my issues and asking for the email address to which I should send my claim. I am then called by a work client and am on the phone for 20 minutes during which time a person calls me back but does not bother to leave the email address just simply her direct line. Thank you. That was helpful.
I call said woman back and am given two email addresses a "claims" and the "general info" which, you'll recall, I didn't want to email in the first place and am informed that both emails actually dump into the same inbox. Silly me. What the hell was I worried about. So I scan my pages and send them winging to "claims". Five minutes later my junk mail informs me that email address does not exist. So I maturely refrain from stabbing my eyeballs out with a pen and amuse myself instead with screaming silently into my hands clasped over my mouth.
I still do not know if it has been received (it is now close to midnight).
But the good news is I had a lovely lunch of coconut curry lentil soup with my sister, Chelsea, who has been in town a couple of days.
And then back to work.
And then home to get Aurora and back to brave the slushiness that is currently our streets to visit Alley (we can't pick her up until tomorrow morning).Alley is groggy and can barely lift her head. We talk to her despite her lack of squeaking (she is officially Alliwicious Squeakerkins the Second). And then back home for dinner and cookie baking.
As we're preparing to bake cookies I ask Aurora to wash her hands. She has to go into the bathroom since she can't reach the water in the kitchen sink even with her step stool. She calls for me to help, although I have no clue why and when I get into the bathroom the entire counter is covered in water.
So I blame Aurora. The response was, "I didn't do it." So then I blame Eddie. And in order to blame Eddie I have to stand at the top of the stairs to the basement and yell, "Can't you wipe up the effing water from the bathroom sink when you're done!?" To which Eddie replies, "I didn't do it." To which I, of course, yell back with the most appropriately snarky martyred mom response, "Oh! Right! Aurora didn't do and you didn't do so I wonder who in the hell could have?" Aurora politely responds that it might have been Sheepy.
And then we begin to bake.
Look at me getting all prepared (no, really, look.. it did happen and I have documentation).
As you can tell from the photos above I am not a slim and lithe girl, nor have I ever been. The teeny windows in a house that is 102 years old are not really meant for fat arse old ladies to climb in and out of, but I managed - after assuring myself that if I fell through the roof with my ankle still stuck inside Aurora's room it would actually work to my benefit.
After making it outside and closing the window behind me (with a thoughtfully placed t-shirt in it just to make sure I could re-open of the outside) I begin gingerly testing the roof. All seems solid.
After about 15 seconds of brooming snow and lots of water off of the porch roof (which is flat and actually has BARRIERS AROUND THE RIM SO WATER CANNOT ESCAPE) I realize having a snow shovel would have been much smarter, but that it would require getting back in through the window and then back out and I wasn't sure I had that many more moments of pretending to be thin and flexible.
After a minute passes, Aurora calls, "Mommy, have you fallen? I heard a noise." And she continued to politely check on me every couple of minutes. After 15 minutes I decide I've done as much as I can and head back in. This is another interesting adventure since the roof immediately outside of Aurora's window is angled.
See the top window to the right is the one I came out and in from and the flat portion of the roof is what I "broomed" off and the porch light is immediately outside the bathroom window, where the ceiling is leaking.
So I decide that with the angle of the roof and my slippery snow boots I'm not going to be able to go in foot first. So I dive in head first. At which point the window slams down on my thighs. Fortunately I had only pushed Aurora's bed a foot away from the wall and was able to use the sheets to pull it close enough to support the top half of my body as I waited ever so patiently for my very helpful (thank god) daughter to pry the window off my fat legs.
She managed with the height of the window to get it about an inch which was just enough to shimmy one leg in and prop with my ankle as I slid my other leg in. And then I didn't want to get god only knows what kind of grime from the standing water on the roof all over her room so I'm stuck lying on her bed with my feet propped in the window frame as I ask Aurora to do mommy one more favor and bring her the towel from the tubbers.
Did you catch the mistake? I meant the towel with which she had dried herself off and which I knew I had yet to hang back up at an unreachable Aurora height. What she heard was exactly what I said, "towel from the tubbers." So she rightly calls from the bottom of the stairs, "But Mom it's all wet!" And I answer stupidly, "it's okay, just bring it up."
And Aurora soon reappears with a sopping wet wash cloth which she did indeed get from the tub. So as my back and legs continue to cramp I manage to not panic again and tell her to put that towel in her bathroom sink (her upstairs bathroom two feet from her). She also amazingly manages not to panic and although she tells me twice should couldn't possibly move two feet to put the dripping washcloth in the sink she finally does and then brings the correct towel so I can fall to the floor without getting squirrel shite everywhere.
And then we put everything in the laundry room and head back upstairs to read her bedtime story and sing her song. And when I come down stairs every five minutes for the next 20 minutes she asks, "what was that noise? Are you okay?"
And I soon discover that she is in fact really four years old and not the older woman she has appeared to be so much as of late as I put her back in bed and she looks at her ceiling and then back at me to ask, "Mom, what happens if the water gets me."
Oh my god. So I reassure her that mommy fixed it all.
"But mommy, you said there's still some out there." Of course I did, "But I checked your roof (which I actually did) and there isn't any snow on it and it's not flat so there isn't any chance..." yatta yatta yatta. Finally she believes me but only after I promise her that when it's not a school night she can sleep with me and she'll sleep with my pillow and I'll sleep with hers and won't it be oh so much fun. Can't wait for Thursday and the crazy pillow antics.
And five minutes later as I sit down to write this opus Eddie calls to say he won't be home for another two or more hours because the leak is in the foundation and they can't stop the water and there are other people working on other leaks all over campus and did I manage to not fall off the roof and maybe I should go back out and see if I can shove something down the drain pipe (there's a fucking drain pipe?!!!?) to unblock it so the water won't collect.
Wait! Why wasn't this drain pipe mentioned BEFORE I went on the roof. I'm not going back out. I'm sorry. The dripping has slowed. I'm done. I.. no, I can't. Aurora's asleep. She's worried. I'm not going up there again tonight. But, oh boy, I just can't wait to do it tomorrow.
AKA: It Never Rains But It.. Well, You Get the Idea
I will preface this epic tale by reminding the gentle readers I had a minor oral surgery last week and my mouth is still very uncomfortable and angry at the world in general, but mainly just food.
As it is December and money does not exist in my world I have had to borrow money from my mother to neuter my cat who just couldn't wait until January and I was feeling panicked that spraying would ensue. So this morning after dropping Aurora off at pre-school I came back through slushy raining snow to pick up Alley the Second and take her (yes, I know he really is a he, but I call him a her. It's better to just go with it) to a new vet. Why a new vet? Because imagining walking back into my old vet (the vet that at the age of five I remember sitting in the waiting room with my grandmother reciting capitols of all 50 state) has caused me to break down in tears. The last time I went was with Alley the First almost exactly one year ago. That was a horrible day. Much more horrible than this one.
And then off to work and to get my money*!
*backstory (which we simply couldn't do without now could we Dr. Doofenschmirtz?) about house payments: house payment is due no later than the 16th, which happens to be tomorrow. We cannot pay the house payment until we are reimbursed through our Dependent Care Flex Benefits (because our house payment is outrageous). This month the receipt for said payment was received 10 days later than normal and we can't be reimbursed, of course without said receipt. And then I didn't take Aurora in last Friday because I was home with my toothiness. And then Eddie was struck with strange consumption and couldn't go into work or leave the bedroom for three days.
So receipt was not picked up until Monday morning. As our flex benefits paybacks land into our account within two days or so I was not overly concerned. But then the fax system at work has been on the fritz a lot lately. I tried more than one fax and found them all to be NON-operational (any Star Wars fans? hmmm? maybe? Did I even get a smirk or an inner snort?). I tried 5 more times. Since Eddie and I work at the same institution it doesn't help to have him try. And yes I could have tried to take it to some copy place but then we're trying to save money here.
So I think, "I shall scan these magical gold giving papers and email them to this local company." And being the self-sufficient and internet savvy woman of the world that I am, I travel to flex benefits website to find email information.
The only email given is a general "Info" and I don't want my claim floating for months out in limbo because I couldn't pick up the phone and ask someone to whom I should direct the email. So at 8:30 am this morning I pick up the phone and call. And the lovely recording informs me I have called outside of normal business hours can I please call back between 9am and 5pm. I set the phone down and ready myself for a 9am work meeting.
Shortly later after my 9am I dial again and am directed to press "1" because I am an employee requesting something to do with my money. I get a voicemail. I leave a message detailing my issues and asking for the email address to which I should send my claim. I am then called by a work client and am on the phone for 20 minutes during which time a person calls me back but does not bother to leave the email address just simply her direct line. Thank you. That was helpful.
I call said woman back and am given two email addresses a "claims" and the "general info" which, you'll recall, I didn't want to email in the first place and am informed that both emails actually dump into the same inbox. Silly me. What the hell was I worried about. So I scan my pages and send them winging to "claims". Five minutes later my junk mail informs me that email address does not exist. So I maturely refrain from stabbing my eyeballs out with a pen and amuse myself instead with screaming silently into my hands clasped over my mouth.
I still do not know if it has been received (it is now close to midnight).
But the good news is I had a lovely lunch of coconut curry lentil soup with my sister, Chelsea, who has been in town a couple of days.
And then back to work.
As we're preparing to bake cookies I ask Aurora to wash her hands. She has to go into the bathroom since she can't reach the water in the kitchen sink even with her step stool. She calls for me to help, although I have no clue why and when I get into the bathroom the entire counter is covered in water.
So I blame Aurora. The response was, "I didn't do it." So then I blame Eddie. And in order to blame Eddie I have to stand at the top of the stairs to the basement and yell, "Can't you wipe up the effing water from the bathroom sink when you're done!?" To which Eddie replies, "I didn't do it." To which I, of course, yell back with the most appropriately snarky martyred mom response, "Oh! Right! Aurora didn't do and you didn't do so I wonder who in the hell could have?" Aurora politely responds that it might have been Sheepy.
And then we begin to bake.
Look at me getting all prepared (no, really, look.. it did happen and I have documentation).
Shortly after this image was taken Aurora lost interest and wandered off. She soon after came up from the basement bawling because Daddy wouldn't let her sit in Mommy's chair because he was watching a big kid movie (and for your information it had nothing to do with Debbie or Dallas.. it was "Defiance"), so instead I put in Tinker Bell on my laptop while I finished baking.
Because I'm tired of lost minutes I also re-arranged the kitchen pantry while waiting for timers to go off, which included throwing out old food and re-tupperwaring and labeling things. And then when I finished that I did the dishes.
And then polished two silver goblets I got at a second hand store for $3.50
And then Eddie got called into work (again) to deal with leaks. This is what happens when you live four blocks from work. And also what happens when there is sub zero temperatures followed by snow and then lots of rain.
He heads out and I finish up in the kitchen and prepare to give Aurora a tubbers. We head into the bathroom and whilst she bathes and swims I do my usual eyebrow plucking. At which point I notice more water on the bathroom counter. I wipe this up with a sigh and back to plucking.. and then I get hit in the face with water. And I look up to discover the weird patch job that has always bugged me from when we bought the house is actually leaking water. Oh! and then I step in water and realize there is also water dripping from the bathroom fan in the middle of the ceiling. And did I mention Eddie is at work?
I get Aurora out of the tubbers and dry her off. And then we go on a hunt. I can't find a flashlight because it's not in its home which is the labeled "Household Tools" drawer in the Laundry room (thank you, Eddie).
Fortunately my four year old is prepared and tells me I can use her flashlight if I can find it.
"Where is your flashlight, Aurora?"
"In the piano bench. You look and when you find it I'll tell you."
She was absolutely correct and her little flashlight allowed me to check all the scary attic entrances in her bedroom and playroom upstairs. I can see no running water or leaks. So that leaves only one option. The water is coming off the back porch roof which can be reached through itty bitty windows in Aurora's room.
So I get on my snow boots, put on my hat, scarf and gloves and grab a broom and my phone. I call Eddie to let him know I'm going out onto the roof. I then give the phone to Aurora and we have a short "how to call for help" lesson.
She knows now that to call Daddy when Mommy falls off the roof all she has to do is push "2" which is awesome because it is also the button which stands for "Aurora" because it has an "A" on it. And that she holds it down until she hears lots of beeping, and then she waits until she hears Daddy and all she has to say is, "Mommy is hurt. Please come home."
As you can tell from the photos above I am not a slim and lithe girl, nor have I ever been. The teeny windows in a house that is 102 years old are not really meant for fat arse old ladies to climb in and out of, but I managed - after assuring myself that if I fell through the roof with my ankle still stuck inside Aurora's room it would actually work to my benefit.
After making it outside and closing the window behind me (with a thoughtfully placed t-shirt in it just to make sure I could re-open of the outside) I begin gingerly testing the roof. All seems solid.
After about 15 seconds of brooming snow and lots of water off of the porch roof (which is flat and actually has BARRIERS AROUND THE RIM SO WATER CANNOT ESCAPE) I realize having a snow shovel would have been much smarter, but that it would require getting back in through the window and then back out and I wasn't sure I had that many more moments of pretending to be thin and flexible.
After a minute passes, Aurora calls, "Mommy, have you fallen? I heard a noise." And she continued to politely check on me every couple of minutes. After 15 minutes I decide I've done as much as I can and head back in. This is another interesting adventure since the roof immediately outside of Aurora's window is angled.
See the top window to the right is the one I came out and in from and the flat portion of the roof is what I "broomed" off and the porch light is immediately outside the bathroom window, where the ceiling is leaking.
So I decide that with the angle of the roof and my slippery snow boots I'm not going to be able to go in foot first. So I dive in head first. At which point the window slams down on my thighs. Fortunately I had only pushed Aurora's bed a foot away from the wall and was able to use the sheets to pull it close enough to support the top half of my body as I waited ever so patiently for my very helpful (thank god) daughter to pry the window off my fat legs.
She managed with the height of the window to get it about an inch which was just enough to shimmy one leg in and prop with my ankle as I slid my other leg in. And then I didn't want to get god only knows what kind of grime from the standing water on the roof all over her room so I'm stuck lying on her bed with my feet propped in the window frame as I ask Aurora to do mommy one more favor and bring her the towel from the tubbers.
Did you catch the mistake? I meant the towel with which she had dried herself off and which I knew I had yet to hang back up at an unreachable Aurora height. What she heard was exactly what I said, "towel from the tubbers." So she rightly calls from the bottom of the stairs, "But Mom it's all wet!" And I answer stupidly, "it's okay, just bring it up."
And Aurora soon reappears with a sopping wet wash cloth which she did indeed get from the tub. So as my back and legs continue to cramp I manage to not panic again and tell her to put that towel in her bathroom sink (her upstairs bathroom two feet from her). She also amazingly manages not to panic and although she tells me twice should couldn't possibly move two feet to put the dripping washcloth in the sink she finally does and then brings the correct towel so I can fall to the floor without getting squirrel shite everywhere.
And then we put everything in the laundry room and head back upstairs to read her bedtime story and sing her song. And when I come down stairs every five minutes for the next 20 minutes she asks, "what was that noise? Are you okay?"
And I soon discover that she is in fact really four years old and not the older woman she has appeared to be so much as of late as I put her back in bed and she looks at her ceiling and then back at me to ask, "Mom, what happens if the water gets me."
Oh my god. So I reassure her that mommy fixed it all.
"But mommy, you said there's still some out there." Of course I did, "But I checked your roof (which I actually did) and there isn't any snow on it and it's not flat so there isn't any chance..." yatta yatta yatta. Finally she believes me but only after I promise her that when it's not a school night she can sleep with me and she'll sleep with my pillow and I'll sleep with hers and won't it be oh so much fun. Can't wait for Thursday and the crazy pillow antics.
And five minutes later as I sit down to write this opus Eddie calls to say he won't be home for another two or more hours because the leak is in the foundation and they can't stop the water and there are other people working on other leaks all over campus and did I manage to not fall off the roof and maybe I should go back out and see if I can shove something down the drain pipe (there's a fucking drain pipe?!!!?) to unblock it so the water won't collect.
Wait! Why wasn't this drain pipe mentioned BEFORE I went on the roof. I'm not going back out. I'm sorry. The dripping has slowed. I'm done. I.. no, I can't. Aurora's asleep. She's worried. I'm not going up there again tonight. But, oh boy, I just can't wait to do it tomorrow.
13.12.09
My Place and Yours - Just Five Minutes Peace
Thanks to the fun Pilgrim for this week's theme at Meet Me at Mike's (and thank you Pip, as well).
This one is a bit difficult as there are many five minute breathers, each as important as the next.
There are weekend mornings re-organizing the laundry room. Which is always in flux as it holds so many things from glassware, linens, the gift closet, dirty laundry, clean laundry, kitty things, is our main entrance, 15 pairs of shoes (even though we each only wear two at the most) and recycling. And I love to put each thing in its little storage bin at the end of the week and have a lovely clear space to clutter up again beginning on Monday.
I love sitting in my little crafty space upstairs with a well watched movie in the laptop while I snip pieces of felt.
I love late nights sitting downstairs with the tv playing nothing of much importance while I catch up on the lovely blogs I follow and discover new corners with new friends and new ideas.
But my favourite is, and I believe shall always be, curled up on the couch, with a couple of cozy blankets, a cup of tea (hot or iced, dependent on the weather) and a book. Sometimes a new book. Those can be fun. Finding new friends. But, most often, sinking in, without any worry or care or need or time constraint, to a familiar story. To reunite with much loved characters who became inscribed on my heart within just a few short pages to be carried with me through the decades.
And in case you are looking for a few friends some of mine are:
The Outlander Series (The Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, and Voyager are my favourite) by Diana Gabaldon
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
The Vampyre Chronicles (The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, Memnoch the Devil are my favourite) by Anne Rice
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Coningsby by Benjamin Disraeli
Tom Brown's School Days by Thomas Hughes
The Belgariad Series by David Eddings
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carrol
This one is a bit difficult as there are many five minute breathers, each as important as the next.
There are weekend mornings re-organizing the laundry room. Which is always in flux as it holds so many things from glassware, linens, the gift closet, dirty laundry, clean laundry, kitty things, is our main entrance, 15 pairs of shoes (even though we each only wear two at the most) and recycling. And I love to put each thing in its little storage bin at the end of the week and have a lovely clear space to clutter up again beginning on Monday.
I love sitting in my little crafty space upstairs with a well watched movie in the laptop while I snip pieces of felt.
I love late nights sitting downstairs with the tv playing nothing of much importance while I catch up on the lovely blogs I follow and discover new corners with new friends and new ideas.
But my favourite is, and I believe shall always be, curled up on the couch, with a couple of cozy blankets, a cup of tea (hot or iced, dependent on the weather) and a book. Sometimes a new book. Those can be fun. Finding new friends. But, most often, sinking in, without any worry or care or need or time constraint, to a familiar story. To reunite with much loved characters who became inscribed on my heart within just a few short pages to be carried with me through the decades.
And in case you are looking for a few friends some of mine are:
The Outlander Series (The Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, and Voyager are my favourite) by Diana Gabaldon
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
The Vampyre Chronicles (The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, Memnoch the Devil are my favourite) by Anne Rice
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Coningsby by Benjamin Disraeli
Tom Brown's School Days by Thomas Hughes
The Belgariad Series by David Eddings
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carrol
The weekend is declining
I am surviving. The surgery they did Thursday morning was very minor (not even any pain killers), however, I am a bit of a wimp and whiner and the gaping hole in my mouth is still painful and gross. But I am alive and losing weight I think. All in all, not a bad thing. I have a small infection and they've given me a mouth rinse that also kills most of my taste buds (it really is a side effect not just my imagination). So as long as I eat mushy things about 5 hours after the mouthrinse I don't have too hard of a time.
We have spent an interesting few days. Eddie got sick and didn't leave his room most of the time. Aurora and I lived in our PJs and watched lots of Christmas specials. I also have acquired a new favourite cartoon (Phineas and Ferb on Disney Channel). We got some more presents done.
Aurora drew on some felty ornaments and I stitched them up. Very cute.
My younger sister is visiting from Portland and brought me an awesome gift... I have been looking for a used hard copy of "The Vampire Lestat" for quite some time. around 10 years or so. She called and asked if she could bring me anything from Powell's (city block size used book store).
Not only did she find a hard back of my favourite book of the whole series BUT she found a signed addition! I admit, I cried. I am also changing my name to "Julie Jo". I'm not really sure how anyone could get rid of a signed copy, but so much the better for me!
Chelsea and I played our "annual" scrabble game. She won, as usual. Although I am proud to say we used every letter and I was only short 40 points.
We also watched "Julie & Julia" and I thought it was very cute. Another small inspiration in the mode of cooking (not that I'm much inspired to cook). I am gearing up for Aurora's 4th birthday party (this coming Saturday) and I'm attempting my first cake. And I mean real cake. As in not from box. Cross your fingers.
We have spent an interesting few days. Eddie got sick and didn't leave his room most of the time. Aurora and I lived in our PJs and watched lots of Christmas specials. I also have acquired a new favourite cartoon (Phineas and Ferb on Disney Channel). We got some more presents done.
Aurora drew on some felty ornaments and I stitched them up. Very cute.
My younger sister is visiting from Portland and brought me an awesome gift... I have been looking for a used hard copy of "The Vampire Lestat" for quite some time. around 10 years or so. She called and asked if she could bring me anything from Powell's (city block size used book store).
Not only did she find a hard back of my favourite book of the whole series BUT she found a signed addition! I admit, I cried. I am also changing my name to "Julie Jo". I'm not really sure how anyone could get rid of a signed copy, but so much the better for me!
Chelsea and I played our "annual" scrabble game. She won, as usual. Although I am proud to say we used every letter and I was only short 40 points.
We also watched "Julie & Julia" and I thought it was very cute. Another small inspiration in the mode of cooking (not that I'm much inspired to cook). I am gearing up for Aurora's 4th birthday party (this coming Saturday) and I'm attempting my first cake. And I mean real cake. As in not from box. Cross your fingers.
10.12.09
what's hot & what's not
I just rolled out of bed... is that a hot or a not?
hot
finishing our holiday event: nothing broken, food delicious (as always), getting to traverse from one small group of people to whom I want to talk to another, yummy sparkling wine punch, pretty sparkly blue and white, no major incidents (that I saw).
getting more work on my mouth done: means I'm closer to having my tooth implant completely finished
time for crafting: at least I hope I'm not in too much pain that I can craft and get more christmas presents out of the way
care package! oh! Rebecca Just came to the door with a lovely care package with all sorts of non-chewing foods, sexiest man magazine, cute crafties, and ice packs! WOOT!
not
having oral surgery: I have to admit I'm not quite shaking in my shoes (i.e., I'm not crying like the night before I went into the hospital to have Aurora) BUT I do remember how much excruciating (UNPREPARED FOR) pain I was in during the first leg of this toothy process. Two weeks of agony. And while I know this won't be that horrendous because they are not shoving a metal spike into my skull I know it's still going to hurt and I just don't want it to.
did you notice I don't have all my christmas presents done? this is going to be a sparse year for presents anyway but it's kind of dis heartening to have spent time crafting on things and thinking how wonderful all the gifts are going to be and then you see this kinda miserable LITTLE stack of things and think, "is that ALL i've got?" Definitely going to have to start larger projects so I don't feel so miserly at Christmas time.
So I'll try to keep things posted whilst I'm recovering...
Thank you to the Loobylu who helps keep us blogging every week
hot
finishing our holiday event: nothing broken, food delicious (as always), getting to traverse from one small group of people to whom I want to talk to another, yummy sparkling wine punch, pretty sparkly blue and white, no major incidents (that I saw).
getting more work on my mouth done: means I'm closer to having my tooth implant completely finished
time for crafting: at least I hope I'm not in too much pain that I can craft and get more christmas presents out of the way
care package! oh! Rebecca Just came to the door with a lovely care package with all sorts of non-chewing foods, sexiest man magazine, cute crafties, and ice packs! WOOT!
not
having oral surgery: I have to admit I'm not quite shaking in my shoes (i.e., I'm not crying like the night before I went into the hospital to have Aurora) BUT I do remember how much excruciating (UNPREPARED FOR) pain I was in during the first leg of this toothy process. Two weeks of agony. And while I know this won't be that horrendous because they are not shoving a metal spike into my skull I know it's still going to hurt and I just don't want it to.
did you notice I don't have all my christmas presents done? this is going to be a sparse year for presents anyway but it's kind of dis heartening to have spent time crafting on things and thinking how wonderful all the gifts are going to be and then you see this kinda miserable LITTLE stack of things and think, "is that ALL i've got?" Definitely going to have to start larger projects so I don't feel so miserly at Christmas time.
So I'll try to keep things posted whilst I'm recovering...
Thank you to the Loobylu who helps keep us blogging every week
6.12.09
Preparation
I prepare for events. I prepare my hair. I prepare for cleaning. I prepare Aurora for school. I prepare Eddie for living in general. I prepare crafts for sales. I prepare words for stories.
Today we prepared Eddie's parents for their new Wii.
I prepared the house for guests.
I prepared some christmas presents for wrapping.
I prepared a new craft project for gifts (learning to crochet with plastic bags).
I am also trying to prepare myself for our annual college holiday party and an oral surgery this week.
I have two weeks to prepare for Aurora's fourth birthday (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban theme).
I am going to prepare for bed and dreams.
Good night
Today we prepared Eddie's parents for their new Wii.
I prepared the house for guests.
I prepared some christmas presents for wrapping.
I prepared a new craft project for gifts (learning to crochet with plastic bags).
I am also trying to prepare myself for our annual college holiday party and an oral surgery this week.
I have two weeks to prepare for Aurora's fourth birthday (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban theme).
I am going to prepare for bed and dreams.
Good night
4.12.09
My Place and Yours - Where I Lay My Hat
What makes home home and strange places "bearable". For me it is Fluffy. Fluffy Snuggles. He has had a very adventurous life and is coming up on his 26th birthday.
Fluffy was a gift from my Uncle Dale when I was four.
Fluffy goes anywhere I do, if I'm staying the night.
He has been from San Diego to Israel.
Granted he has missed a few raucous parties in college, but he made some of them, too.
When I was very little I came home from school to a distraught mother who informed me our puppy (a standard poodle, named Sorsha) had gotten into my room and eaten Fluffy's nose. A very sad day, indeed. Although he lost his sense of smell at a young age he hasn't complained.
He has little liked the part he has had to play over the years in the personal torture manufactured by my sisters.
Fluffy has been tied to tractor sprinklers, microwaved, stuck in the oven, hung from a basketball hoop, dressed in woman's underwear, shoved into a toilet, and forced to write suicide notes. Many of which caused a lot of worry, and frequently tears.
He has recently become so worn I contemplated "putting him away". The struggle between keeping him safe from damage (and not having him near me) or sticking needles into him and changing his appearance was almost too much to handle. I spent weeks contemplating, usually ending in tears, but I knew I couldn't live without him. I cried while I sewed up his holes and worn spots, just a few months ago.
I will be turning 30 in a couple short months and I still sleep with Fluffy every night. Last year, my daughter asked one evening if she could sleep with her best friend, Sheepy (who is remarkably close in coloring), AND Fluffy. Eddie ridiculed me when shamefully I began to cry as I frantically explained that Fluffy was mommy's best friend and couldn't possibly be parted with.
Fluffy has been a witness to everything. All my horrible deep dark thoughts and all the sunshine and wishes I've ever had. He comforts me in my sleep and whispers to me in my dreams. I cannot imagine ever being without him.
Thank you to Meet Me at Mike's and the queen of theme this week at Myrtle & Eunice. I very much appreciate the chance to share my love of Fluffy with the world.
1.12.09
what's hot & what's not
Thank you Loobylu for providing our lovely meme (even with the extremely grueling NaNo WriMo schedule)
hot
Eddie turning 30 (before me)
Taking a deep breath: even if the house is still a mess and the christmas pressies aren't done and the bank account is.. wait, where is it?
Hanukkah Party: Early? Yes. But excited the new JSU at the college is planning one Wednesday night (and I'm helping pour drinks). Professor Berger (with whom I went to Israel at 18 and the reason I went to my alma mater) is, of course, helping to spearhead the event and it should prove to be pleasant at the least.
Holiday Sales: Looking forward to the two holiday sales (one Thursday evening and one Saturday day). Would be nice to have even a few sales so we can get pressies shipped off.
Writing: I'm enjoying my baby story (and by baby I don't at all mean it is about or for babies but that it is in fact in its infancy). Going places I didn't quite have completely in mind previously and loving that aspect of the writing so much more because it is allowing for all sorts of interesting phrases and imagery.
not
Horrible Mornings with A: the worst one to date Tuesday morning. I actually called in to work at one point because i really didn't know what to do and didn't think I could do anything but lock her in her room all day. Spent a good hour in tears trying to cope with her, after I dropped her off at day care and then again at work.
Laundry, and dishes, and dirty cat boxes: can't I have a house elf? a free house elf that I can pay a galleon and give one sunday off a month? It would be lovely. We'd give him socks and hats and all sorts of beautiful tea towels to wear.
And just so we don't leave on a completely depressing note, here is a fun picture that will fill in for my failed photography for the 2nd portion of the writers' challenge
hot
Eddie turning 30 (before me)
Taking a deep breath: even if the house is still a mess and the christmas pressies aren't done and the bank account is.. wait, where is it?
Hanukkah Party: Early? Yes. But excited the new JSU at the college is planning one Wednesday night (and I'm helping pour drinks). Professor Berger (with whom I went to Israel at 18 and the reason I went to my alma mater) is, of course, helping to spearhead the event and it should prove to be pleasant at the least.
Holiday Sales: Looking forward to the two holiday sales (one Thursday evening and one Saturday day). Would be nice to have even a few sales so we can get pressies shipped off.
Writing: I'm enjoying my baby story (and by baby I don't at all mean it is about or for babies but that it is in fact in its infancy). Going places I didn't quite have completely in mind previously and loving that aspect of the writing so much more because it is allowing for all sorts of interesting phrases and imagery.
not
Horrible Mornings with A: the worst one to date Tuesday morning. I actually called in to work at one point because i really didn't know what to do and didn't think I could do anything but lock her in her room all day. Spent a good hour in tears trying to cope with her, after I dropped her off at day care and then again at work.
And just so we don't leave on a completely depressing note, here is a fun picture that will fill in for my failed photography for the 2nd portion of the writers' challenge
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