Naughty & Nice

So I just finished a post detailing how good I've been -- how I learned to load photos from my camera to the computer and upload the ones I want into my post -- and I included a photo tour of our house decorated for Christmas and a bridal shower, complete with captions.

Then I navigated away from the page without saving and lost all my work. Bah! Humbug!!

So, here is the tour -- minus the sparkling commentary.

Oh Christmas Tree

I am posting this to publicly declare my intent to learn how to get photos from my camera to the computer... without stopping at Target to use the machine to make a CD. I told Ben I would learn to do this last Christmas. So I fear the threat of public humiliation is my only hope.

Once I am successful I will take photos of my Christmas tree and other decor and post them.
Gotta learn how to do that, too.

But did you check out the festive new colors on the blog? : )

Image Problem

Apparently, I'm not the only one completely turned off by the way Abercrombie & Fitch does business. Their sales and stock are way down and, refreshingly, consumer backlash to the image they've crafted is a large part of the reason why. Good.

Besides their hideously inappropriate advertising -- don't get me started -- I was disturbed to find out that store employees are evaluated and ranked according to looks. Specifically, one guy I read about was bumped to the stockroom because he wasn't attractive enough. I thought he was cute enough in the photo the newspaper ran. Now, I realize a company's representatives reflect on them, but come on!

Today in Kate's gym class they measured height and weight and she mentioned to me with small concern that as the girls were talking about the results, of the girls' weights she heard, hers was the highest. Hello?! She's ten years old!

What is wrong with the world?!

Some celebrities have had so many injections and procedures that they look as airbrushed as the photos on the magazines. You've probably noticed that just like when you see the pictures, in real life you can tell when someone has been retouched. I once heard someone say that cosmetic surgery doesn't really make you look younger, just different. (Have you seen Madonna?)

But it's not just celebrities anymore. And that bothers me.

I understand the desire to be the best you can be -- but why the need to look "perfect?" Why not do the best you can with what you have and be grateful for it? What are we teaching our children?

God Bless the USA

John McCain just gave the most gracious concession speech... he sounded sincere and humble as he praised Senator Obama and expressed condolences on the passing of his grandmother, acknowledged this historic election, thanked the people for their support, and encouraged the country to move forward together. Classy.

I'm A Sally

I'm not really a crafty girl. Creative, yes. The truth is, I don't enjoy most crafty stuff. In crafting everyone follows the same pattern, personalizing their work by color choice. But I'm ususally not satisfied with the presented options. I'm difficult. When given the choice to paint with red or blue, I mix the two to make purple.

It never fails to draw comments. And I get those comments in restaurants, too. AlthoughI must say that my reputation for tweaking is grossly exagerrated. I order straight from the menu all the time. Truly I do.

That said, I wish I could tweak the menu on November 4th. I would order up a hearty serving of fiscal Dem spike with moral Republican. Too bad it's not an option. Because I have issues with the red and blue.

First, for all the talk against big government, the GOP seems to spend a lot. It's irresponsible! Somebody has to pay. sarcasm alert If we all ran our budgets like the government... oh, wait. A lot of us have been doing just that and isn't this a fine kettle of fish?

Second, I believe we have a responsibility to help others, even if the welfare system needs work. I also believe that we are all God's children, even Muslims (sorry -- ran into an offensive ad on YouTube that juxtaposed Obama's views to that of the so-called Christian right).

On the other hand, I am, generally speaking, against abortion. And gay marriage. Even though it hurts and offends people. I don't want to hurt or offend people, but there you are. We disagree. I also don't agree that it makes me intolerant. Why are my feelings less valid than someone else's? Maybe they are the intolerant ones.

You might have noticed that there are a lot of people who think you have to support gay marriage and be pro-choice to vote for a Democrat. You don't.

I was a state delegate for Obama. Even so, I'm no groupie. I think he is smart. And hardworking. And I think the diversity of experiences in his unconventional upbringing has exposed him to many different viewpoints and loyalties and ideas. And that's a good thing. I think he will choose smart people to advise him, and I think he will listen to them and think before acting. I think he will restore some of the dignity our last two presidents took from the office.

But even so... wish I could tweak the menu.

Ragnar

That's the name of the relay race my crazy running friends did last week... the one I drove for, made an out-of-control coconut cake for, and slept on the floor of a van for. You can read/see all about it at http://www.runningfromthekids.blogspot.com/

See the crazy person on the hood of the van, in silhouette against the sunrise? Yup, that's me.

If you'd like to take a crack at the coconut cake -- aka Ragnar Cake -- you can find the recipe at
http://creampuffsinvenice.ca/2007/06/22/coconut-my-love/

But be warned that it took almost as long to make as our team spent running from the kids.

err... Driving from the Kids?

My crazy running friends -- and I say that with much affection -- are running a relay race from San Antonio to Austin this weekend. The team name is "Running From the Kids" and since I am going along, albeit as driver of the support van, my name is on the tee shirt.

In the future, unsuspecting gym gawkers who are in-the-know will see my tee shirt and suppose that I participated in a big fat relay race.

Or maybe not.

On Apples & Autumn

Honeycrisp apples are sooo good. Firm flesh and a sweetness that is not cloying, yet falls short of tart. I should be more like a honeycrisp apple.

Just so you know, I got to put on a sweater today, a first for the season, and closed-toe shoes to boot. Of course the sweater is cotton and the shoes open-back clogs, but it is a small victory nevertheless.

Two days ago I set out the tiny maple which is a token of the potential glory of this, my favorite season. It is a souvenir from a Wisconsin trip a few years back where the air was beyond crisp and the trees ablaze in fall color. This little tree sits near my kitchen sink and gives me a touch of autumn that is sorely lacking around here. And it makes me smile.

Autumn is a golden afternoon with fallen leaves crunching under your feet and lending earthy pungency to the air. Pumpkin patches and hay rides. Soup on the stove and fresh bread in the oven. Hot apple cider with cinnamon donuts. Apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Acorn squash roasted with butter and pepper. What's not to love?

It is no secret that I consider it a small crime that fall comes so late, so sporadically, and with such mediocrity to Texas. And although I know it is stupid to let the weather dictate my mood, pretty much anytime in October the thermometer dips below 70 it's a cause for celebration (after twelve years, I no longer entertain hope for September) and today is one of those days.

Hooray!

Looks Familiar

No disrespect to Sarah Palin -- but don't you agree she looks like Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island?

I'm just saying...

Lazy Days of Summer (?)

Last weekend I went to my high school reunion (and thank you to the gentleman in MN who guessed it was the 10th) with Karen, aka the evil twin. We did the nostalgia tour of our old schools, houses in Plymouth and Crystal, ditto the church buildings, the lakes district, Minnehaha park, and the Walker Art Center (I do NOT approve of the new monstrous addition with angled floors and jiffy pop exterior).

At the reunion, held in a hotel bar (lame!) we hobnobbed with classmates from a former life, some whom we'd known since grade school. It was kind of weird. For the most part, people seemed to be about who they were in high school. Karen and I were grateful for no skeletons in our closets.

The week before the reunion the girls and I had just returned from the world's longest road trip... no kidding. In mid-June we drove (with John) up to Nauvoo, Illinois and spent a few days there enjoying the pioneer sites before heading up to Wisconsin for Ben & Jenne's wedding. We stayed at the Heidel House resort on beautiful Green Lake and had a great time with the Davis family at their home. Then John flew back to work and the girls and I pressed on by ourselves across South Dakota (we stayed overnight in Mitchell, home to the Corn Palace) and on to Mount Rushmore. It hailed on us, but we were undeterred beneath the golf umbrella and forged ahead as the crowds retreated to the gift shop area. So when the sun came out again I was able to get a great, crowd-free photo of the monument and the girls.

We stayed with the Settles in Parker, CO for two nights and then drove on to Orem to Aunt Karen's house. While there we helped with Ben & Jenne's reception in Grandma's backyard, celebrated the 4th of July with the East Milcreek parade and the Cul de sac of Fire bbq and fireworks all across Utah valley from the Hunt's new home in Cedar Hills. Another day my favorite roommate Erika and I left the kids and had grownup lunch at Cheesecake Factory, then took the kids to see the model homes out at Daybreak. The girls and I visited the Angerbauers at their home in Sandy, went to Kitt Kittredge at the Thanksgiving Point theater with the Bankhead girls and Sophie Ervin, chatted with Beautiful Aunt Kelly at the Bairds house, and had lunch with the Faulconers.

Then it was off to Idaho, with a stop at Great-grandpa Cliff's grave, and we stayed with the Egbert-Fabanich clan in their beautiful home in Ashton. We did Yellowstone the first day, Jackson the next, and floated the river on our last day there. In between the girls enjoyed the two trampolines, giant playset, cat, and dogs. We stopped to feed the bears at Bear Country on the way back and got to pet a baby goat, chickens, pig, and even a deer!

Back in Utah, we rendezvous-ed with the Greers for lunch and a trip to the Church History Museum. I got my hair done -- too dark, I am a witch -- and was root-free for a college friends gathering the next week. The entire Smaellie family and Pam Rock gathered at the Hadfield's home in Orem, where we acted like our college selves and reminisced and ate too much dessert. We visited the Smaellies at their house later that week and Susan and I went to lunch with Erika while the kids had a great time together. Katie and Anna had their first overnight with Grandma and Grandpa and were thrilled to swim, watch movies, climb the rocks, make cookies, and eat ice cream. They all had such a good time theyvisited Grandma and Grandpa again while I went with Erika to Gardener Village. Karen and I took the girls back later and had fun windowshopping and less fun eating at Archibald's. Another day I met Catherine Horsley and Susie Angerbauer for lunch and then scoped out the house the Horsleys are thinking of buying. It is near the home the Copes just bought; we stopped by to say a quick hello to Tricia and the kids in the midst of house projects before they move in.

We love it at Aunt Karen's house! The girls zoomed around the cul-de-sac on their scooters or the Jessop boys' bikes. They had playdates with the kids from the ward and usually bedded down in "their room" happily at night. They are wonderful travelers. The only real complaints came when it was time to move on from whichever fun place we were leaving. We stopped in Albuquerque on the way home and finally got back to Texas on July 25th. Then when I left again early on the 31st their dad took them to movies, dinner and breakfast out, and to the pool.

This week Anna is in a little summer camp for kids... and it is a good thing! While she has been occupied, Kate and I have gone to get her ears pierced (I missed her birthday because of the reunion) to Lowes for new toilet seats (2), a bit of school shopping and a trip to Eyemasters to check out new frames. Tomorrow she has an eye exam, but besides that I think we are both done.

Anna, however, came home from summer camp and within the hour had asked me what was the plan for the day. So I think my summer break will start on the 25th.

Name Game

So I stole this from a friend's blog, but I think it works better when you and your mother actually have a middle name.

1. My rock star name (first pet and current car): -- Avalon

2. My gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor and favorite cookie): GC Snickerdoodle ...GC for German Chocolate, but really any chocolate plus nuts flavor is good.

3. My "fly girl" name (first initial of first name and first 3 letters of last name): Scli (?!)

4. My detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Chocolate Brown Kiddo

5. My soap opera name (middle name and city where you were born): -- Bremen

6. My Star Wars name (first 3 letters of your last name and first 2 letters of your first name): Clish ...much better

7. My superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front): Pink the Tap Water tee hee

8. My Nascar name (first names of your grandfathers): Ralph Everett

9. My witness-protection name (mother's and father's middle names): -- Nathan

There was one more I deleted by accident so I made up my own number ten:

10. My garage band's name (Kindergarten teacher's last name and favorite number):

Woggaman 4

Haves & Have Nots

Thanks, Erin, for inviting all to pinch this from her blog. My haves are in boldface.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity -- no, but went to school my freshman year with less than $100 for spending money and paid $30 to the ward budget. I was po'.
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain -- oh,did you mean to the top?
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise -- graveyard shift. so romantic.
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables -- remember the ET brussel sprouts, Dad?
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill mental health days are preventative medicine
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping -- NO WAY!!!! Ewww!!!
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar -- definitely not in Italy.
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run -- have you met me?
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking -- most recently at Ben & Jenne's wedding
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
3 7. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (for just a moment?!)
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach -- either a kid or had kids. Would love to sometime.
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke -- not in public... I think there is a reason it is popular in bars
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud football
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie "while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads"
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest (won as best couple for Ozzy & Sharon)
63. Got flowers for no reason -- once on my mission: a street vendor gave them to me... it was like one of those Impulse commercials of the early '90s... a few elders did mock
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently -- at one time...
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone -- a verbal fight
67. Bounced a check -- back in high school, I think
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money -- we got a jar of candywith a roll of quarters in it at a Mity Lite party
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph -- Las Vegas desert
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name (last name counts... right??)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes -- just last month!
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch -- I count bread making as an art
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt -- but I did it poorly
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair -- Hah!!! How many years, now?
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band does junior high band count?
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise I think I asked for a raise on my $20 clothing stipend
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class -- was upgraded once... never been the same since... the legroom alone!
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss I AM the boss of them
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem "there once was a lady from Turkey..."
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox and it was a metal one, too
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma -- not allowed to
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube -- only with a screwdriver : )
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

"I love my Mom because ' I rile like her'. "

Don't the best Mother's Day gifts come from tiny people?

I got a fabulous daisy pen from Kate. And Anna's kindergarten class created booklets for their moms. Among the surprising revelations, I found out that I am 20 feet tall and weigh 10-20 pounds. My favorite tv show is Hannah Montana (never seen it), I know all about horses (?) and if I could have one wish come true it would be "Pegasus, and it has wings."

My creative authoress correctly noted that I am happy when she snuggles with me, angry when she breaks glass ("she is rile mad"), I have brown hair and blue eyes, and I like salad.

Pretty cute.

Mrs. Cliff Goes To The County Convention

Religion and politics are two subjects people generally avoid in polite company. Why? I think it's mostly because we have a hard time behaving ourselves when it comes to things we feel strongly about and then there are bad feelings. It is a real shame.

It is a shame that we can't respect each other's right to an opinion, and a voice. It is a shame when winning an argument/political race becomes more important than the people involved.

I spent 12 hours yesterday at the Denton County Democratic Convention as a delegate for Barack Obama. I stayed to the bitter end, mostly because I wanted to learn how the whole process works. I ended up acting as our precinct's chair when the official chair did not show up. Because of this unofficial position I felt a responsibility to represent the interests of both sides, not just the one I supported.

Throughout the long day there was confusion more than once about the processes involved in seating delegates (deciding who actually gets to vote on matters including which delegates get to go on to the state convention) and there were a few glitches. Most people took it in stride. But I was disturbed at the manner a select few chose to comport themselves. There were some things going on, in my group and with others at the convention, some "don't ask, don't tell" sort of positions taken to promote preferred candidates, that bothered me. To me, the line between strategy and backroom dealing got pretty thin.

I felt uncomfortable. Sneaky. Following a reversal in instructions about assigning delegate status, I went to bat for the opposing candidate's side within our paired precincts to make sure we, the majority, were not unfairly taking advantage of a mistake made which ended up strengthening our position at their expense.

Shortly after, as I was talking to one of the women who supported the other candidate, I inadvertently made a stupid remark that colored the rest of the day's events. This woman was decidedly not happy with one particular man's behavior and attitude, and I blurted out that because of it he was probably afraid their side would vote for me and then he wouldn't get to be a state delegate. Her eyes started to gleam and I realized that she hadn't considered the possibility. I quickly told her that I would be informing my side what they (the other candidate's supporters) were now contemplating and then let the chips fall where they may. Well, the chips flew.

My compatriots did not appreciate my indiscretion. The man in question, who had taken it upon himself to orchestrate the strategy for our candidate (which was to make sure we'd have enough votes for both the delegate and alternate slots to the state convention) said I had jeopardized the strategy... and then wailed in frustration that he had been working it for my benefit. I was stunned.

I didn't think there was any way that our candidate wouldn't get both slots, as we were a definite majority, and I couldn't figure out the sheer hostility aimed my way. Then it dawned on me that they might think I had undercut this man, purposefully or out of stupidity-- neither or which is flattering to me -- and in so doing I had the potential to become the delegate to state, leaving him as the alternate. I never thought that would actually happen. I was pretty certain it would work out as originally planned because of our majority lead and because he had the most support among our group. But then I made it worse by suggesting we vote by signed ballot rather than a roll call, so that every vote had an equal weight (rather than the last voters having the advantage of being able to swing the decision). I know, dumb move. I just felt that regardless of the outcome, we needed to work within the rules to make sure both sides had a fair shot. If the roles were reversed, my side would certainly have resented having anything less.

Obviously, I should never have made the comment to the opposing side. And once I had said it, I could have neglected to tell my group. Either way I might have avoided the additional drama and bad feelings. But, unfortunately, that is not who I am. Besides an almost tragic lack of self-editing, I have a tremendous desire, almost need, to play by the rules. And it isn't always popular.

Maybe I am naive. But isn't the whole point supposed to be that each side has a fair shot at the prize? Can't we dignify our opponents with the opportunities we would want for ourselves? Must we take an eye for an eye?

In the end, it all worked out. By popular consent and according to the rules, we ended up voting by roll call. So of course our side won both slots to the state convention. And I will be going, as an alternate, as planned.

But I still feel sick about the whole thing.

But Let's Talk About Me

This post is all about me. I got the idea from a blog I just read. Yep, I'm a big fat copycat.

Other things you may not know about me:
I believe you should use your friends wisely (see above).

I'm really good at belting in the car. Selections from Wicked and the Dixie Chicks are my specialty. My girls are impressed with my singing.

I usually drive with the radio off.

I like quiet.

I have monkey toes. I can pick things up with them.

I love tuna casserole but never make it. I beg Karen to make it for me when I visit her.

I take one bite out of most sandwiches I make for John. He is no longer surprised.

I laugh at myself. Frequently.

I love vegetables. Tomatoes are a fruit.

I really hate to sweat.

I like resistance training. I'd love to have a personal trainer. But they'd probably make me do more cardio. Ugh.

People sometimes mistake my exuberance for wildness. But I am pretty square.

I absolutely will not go to scary movies. I watched parts of The Sixth Sense DVD through my fingers. I regretted it for some time afterward.

I frequently resolve to do better with dinner.

I'd like to be really really good at something tangible.

I can keep secrets but don't seek them out.

For some reason, I win a lot of games the first time I play. It bugs some people. Until we play again.

I don't care much about winning unless some else is obnoxiously interested it it. Then I want to beat them.

Cupboard doors and open drawers need to be closed. Crooked pictures need to hang straight.

I am going to be a fabulous grandmother.

My hands get cold when I sit still.

I have a hard time figuring out what I want. I'm better at recognizing the opposite.

First Step

Looking through my older posts I realized that I have a problem.

It's the laundry.

I have heard that if you do just one load a day you can catch up. But I think the current situation calls for a major intervention. Then I'll have to take it one day at a time.

I may need a sponsor.

Pulled Over

Scenario 1: a woman is pulled over on the way to church with out-of-date registration (seven months) a license with the address three houses old -- yes, they give tickets for that -- and an old insurance card with an expired date on it. No ticket.

Scenario 2: a woman is pulled over on the way to help at an evening wedding reception. She thinks her car must have a light out, but the officer tells her she was going 40 in a 30. Ticket.

The first woman, who has yet to hit the big 3-0, is way cute. The second, late thirties and pretty average, would be me. I paid a big fine, opted for deferred adjudication and cannot receive a ticket for 90 days.

I chose to do this because I thought it would be better for me to have to be extra careful for three months than to take some internet defensive driving course and go on my merry way -- but each time I catch myself going 5 miles over the limit my heart races because I just know there is a policeman parked behind a tree waiting to give me a ticket .

But I am not bitter.

A Painting Fool

Happy to report that the front entry and front stairwell are now Universal Khaki like much of the rest of the house. I had toyed with Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage in the entry, but couldn't do it (have you met me?). Have only my bedroom and Anna's to paint now... they are currently splotched. Gotta get motivated...

I celebrated my painting progress on Friday with a trip to Canton for First Monday Trade Days. I came home with a fabu-less ($35) concrete garden bench that now lives in one of my flower beds. I heart it. If you are in the area, come check it out.

Then tell me how great it is.

Back On The Ladder Again

Weir's furniture called on Monday to say they would deliver the sofa that was supposed to come Friday on Wednesday... the day I had planned to start painting the gameroom. I thought it might be fun to surprise John (who was in Ohio) with everything done when he got back Wednesday night so I didn't reschedule. Fool!

All morning and into the night Tuesday I painted over the "Banana Cream" in the gameroom. Now it is a color called "Napery" which is about the color of french vanilla ice cream. Come to think of it, it is about the color of this blog. It's not exciting, but works. In a fit of exhausted delirium around midnight I painted the floorboards to match in the spot where the carpeting was pulled up (See May's And now for something completely different). It is slightly less offensive than water-stained woodgrain, but we are anxiously awaiting new carpet in February or March.

Now I am trying to psyche myself up to go do Anna's room while I still have Michele's 9 foot ladder... which I brought home in the back seat of my Toyota. (What? She's only about a mile away.) The entire five minute ride home I was wondering if driving with a ladder hanging out your window is illegal?

I could also do the entryway. Or finish that one part of the kitchen. Or my bedroom.

Uggh.