Bleah

My luck has run out. Unlike last winter, when it seemed I was in a continuing cycle of sick/almost well/sick again, until this week I was able to keep just one step ahead of all the nasty germs and viruses. I could blame this on my lawyer, whose cough grew progressively worse over the four hour deposition on Wednesday. But my ears were creaking and sore earlier this week, which should have been a clue to me to put myself into an overnight Sudafed fog, thereby nipping the congestion in the bud. But no. In a desperate attempt to get ahead of the creeping crud, I self-medicated last night with chicken soup, Advil and Sudafed. On the 1-10 scale of feeling crappy, I'm pretty firmly holding at a 5 with sinus pressure and a nasty cough combined with a general run down feeling. So if you don't see me out and about this weekend, rest assured that I am holing up at home and not sharing my bug with you. You're most welcome.

K-nig-ets

This is just so darn funny! As a language geek, a fan of Arthurian Legend, and Monty Python, this comic has crossover appeal. My immediate reaction was to ponder whether they had horses or merely coconuts to bang together. I know, this is the peak of your day. Try to carry on.

Ten Things About Today

1. In a weak moment this morning, really before the coffee kicked in, I kinda sorta started to set up a profile on OKCupid.

2. Referring to item 1, this was so not the best thing to do while contemplating my impending deposition.

3. I know I already devoted an entire post to this wine. But seriously, Zinfatuation 2010 is so delish.

4. I recognized while typing item 3 that I am two glasses under its influence. This realization has only reinforced the fact that I find it delicious.

5. I must divulge that the two reasons I bought Zinfatuation 2010 were first, its very reasonable price point, and, second, I found the name amusing.

6. The deposition itself was not horrible. Long, yes. It was an exhausting four plus a little hours.

7. Points to me for only almost crying once.

8. Points to me for dressing like a grownup.

9. Points to me for my lawyer not having to intervene even one time with an objection or an aside.

10. I am so very effing relieved for this afternoon to be in the past.

Zinfatuation 2010

My very bestest new friend.

Drama Queen

Engaged in studying for my deposition tomorrow. Just going over some documents so I'll feel a little less anxious about the whole thing. Considering the multiple meanings of the word deposed, I would really prefer to be sitting on a throne wearing an ermine cape and a tiara for the occasion. Opposing council probably wouldn't be amused. For the record, I object to that.
  

Bombay Sapphire Martini With a Goldfish, Please

Last week was Sara's birthday. She's been sharing some of the hilarious cards she received and this is one of them. This is particularly funny because Sara has a ginger cat. Named Carla. It would seem that diva goes with the territory.

Stymied Steinie

I love presents. Particularly the unanticipated sort of gift. Throw in handmade by the giver and you totally have me. Thursday afternoon Reid returned from his trek across the street to the mailbox with a package in hand. And it contained a lovely note and a crocheted rose from Andrea. I squealed with delight. Einstein is also enamored of my flower. The theory is that Isis, Andrea's cat who must be involved with everything Andrea does, including yarn craft, has introduced her presence into the very fiber of this flower and Steinie is picking up on it. I'm inclined to agree. Though he doesn't seem certain which end to sniff. Clearly, Isis lives in every inch of the flower. Thanks, Andrea! For sending me an unexpected and created-by-you gift. And the subsequent entertainment.

Money Talks

If I were a better person I wouldn't be amused by this. No, scratch that. This situation is most certainly amusing so I shouldn't start off with besmirching my own character. Okay, technically this is gossip since when I heard it, it did not fall from the lips of the person in question. So what we have here is a confession of one guy to another, told to me by the confessee. Here goes. It seems that a single man of my acquaintance has either entertained aloud a desire to date/romance, or expressed such desire directly to every last one of my circle of girlfriends. With the exception of moi. And the reason being, surmises the confessee, is that I am not financially in the same league as the confessor. Because he doesn't wish to give up any of the various activities that he enjoys, nor apparently does he wish to subsidize a lady friend's ability to participate. I find this so very amusing. And I'm completely cool with it since I have zero romantic interest in him. But dammit! I wanted my turn to say no! Since it seems all the others have. Said no. Okay, fine. This last little part I wouldn't find amusing if I were a better person. Still, we all have our dealbreakers, and he has every right to draw the line where he chooses. But puh-leez! This does seem to be a pretty stingy line to draw. For me personally, the activity involved isn't the big thing. Sharing that activity with someone whose company I cherish is the larger matter. And if it's something I truly love and enjoy doing, the company I share it with is that much more critical. Who is paying the way is a detail. That said, I have never kept a financial spreadsheet where a relationship is concerned. I believe generosity grows from affection and if you nickel and dime away at it the affection can erode down to nothing. Fairness isn't always equal and there are myriad more costs hanging in the balance in any relationship beyond the financial. If you ask me, I likely have dodged another bullet in the boyfriend department. And I'm amused. It's a win/win.

Curling Pants

Four years ago I was enamored of this article of clothing during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This time around it's the pants, baby. Yes, the pants worn by the Norwegian men's curling team. If pressed to choose a favorite, I would have to say I'm torn between the design that incorporates the flag of Norway and the flowered version. All I can say is, it takes a confident guy to dress this way. Or more to the point, sweep a mile in my pants.

Sometimes, Instead of Going to Bed Like a Normal Person, I Stay Up and Blog

Now that I have thought this, it won't leave my brain. You're so lucky I share this crap with you! My mildly OCDish tendencies have an appreciation for palindromes and balance and numerical oddities. So it has just occurred to me that I got married fourteen years before the turn of the century and we are now in the fourteenth year of the new century! I'm sure this has some sort of magical portent for something. Or something. All I know is, I suddenly have this lovely feeling of calm and reassurance. And I like it. Now I suppose you're wondering about the photo. No reason. I just happened to recall seeing that bumper sticker several years ago. Welcome to my random moment of joy. Stay as long as you like.

The Case of The Red Striped Pajamas

Twenty-eight years ago today I embarked on the marriage train for a twenty year ride. The weekend prior to getting married my best girlfriends threw me a party and made me wear this outfit. As I recall the striped jammies were quite comfortable. And I never saw them again after that night. I regret this primarily because they had awesome potential costume possibilities. 

Fast forward two and a half years and we see my firstborn wearing a strikingly similar set of red striped jammies. I'm pretty sure there's no cause and effect here, but just to be safe be very, very careful what you wear at your bachelorette party. Pay special attention to garments that disappear without a trace. You never can predict where they might surface later on.

Another Bittersweet Birthday

Today he would have been 50. Here he is, 6 year old Cullen blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. Wherever you are I hope there's cake. And beer. And hugs. I love you and miss you so very much. Happy birthday, little bro.

The Greening of My Thumb

Meet my poinsettia. From Christmas 2012. Meaning, children, that I have kept this baby alive for well over a year.

As if this were not miracle enough, it seems to be blooming.

Let's take a closer look, shall we? Well. Shucky-darn. That does appear, indeed, to be the emergence of some colorful bracts. To recap, I have kept a plant alive for well over a year. And it is blooming. Yay me!

Love Post for Friday

It is Valentine's Day. And the moon is full. This, children, is a potent combination. Which has me thinking that it could be a wild night. Not necessarily for moi, as I'll be staying in and cooking dinner for Reid and me. But there will be wine. Specifically champagne. Hey, I need to open it as I will be needing wine for the lemon butter reduction I'm preparing to go with the broccoli. As you may have deduced I have fully rationalized this decision and will not be talked out of it. I believe this day is an opportunity to celebrate and express all kinds of love. Meaning that dinner at home with my son may not be romantic, but it is certainly an effort made with love. In the balance, there is no way I'm letting this full moon night pass by without casting some romantic vibes out there. Pragmatic romantic vibes. Linguistically it may be an oxymoron, but I have learned to embrace the fact that I'm a pragmatic romantic. So I made a list. Goes hand in hand with Practical Magic. And, yes, that is the movie I'll be viewing tonight. I just decided that right now. If you love someone, tell them. And not just today because you may feel it's a romantic day of obligation.

Love Post for Thursday

Newt and Steinie. When they were tiny. No, I'm not going to write a poem. How adorable is this, I ask you. 

Fernberries?

This pot of ornamental ferns has sprouted fruit! Perhaps it felt a little inspired being right next to the blooming azalea. Unless ferns are a competitive or show-offy sort of plant. 

A little closer view, they are about the size of a pea. I just noticed them today so I'm not certain when they first appeared. My brown thumb just got a teensy bit greener.

Soups of Winter

Soup may be my favorite cold weather fare, which means I've made a lot of soup this winter. A lot of soup, people. Is winter over yet? I believe I have gone through my entire soup repertoire and am repeating myself. A list of this winter's soup's, then, the final two on the list are bubbling on the stove right now. And I would truly love to possess a gorgeous soup tureen like the one pictured here. Sometimes presentation is everything, sometimes you're really hungry and it's presentation, schmesentation and you gobble from your greasy fingers over the sink. Whatever works.

*Chicken Tortilla
*Roasted Potato with Smoked Sausage
*Cajun Seafood Chowder
*Classic Chicken Noodle
*Creamy Chicken Mushroom



I forgot tomato bisque and broccoli cheddar cheese! I also have made really great vegetable beef and French onion in the past but the lack of availability of beef soup bones have caused these two to slip off the list of regulars!

Love Post for Wednesday

I'm Julie

Y'all know how much I adore Friday Night Lights. I just took this quiz and have discovered that despite our age difference and the fact that I have never been even spittin' distance to blonde that I am most like Julie Taylor. Weirdly we are much the same, just read her description:

You believe in true love and that gets you into a lot of trouble. You make a lot of mistakes, but you learn from them along the way. Sometimes it feels like you’re the only one that cares about culture in your town, but don’t let it go to your head. You have a hard time making friends, but the ones you do make are your friends for life.

I gotta say we are kindred spirits. Which makes it totally creepy that I have a major crush on her daddy. We'll just leave that where it is. Unless it happens to come up in therapy. At least I'm learning from my mistakes.

Love Post for Tuesday

I love this stuff! Please do not limit its use to your hands. My northern plains winter elbow affliction has responded beautifully to it. And it comes in a pink tube. And the clever dispenser cap is easy on my cranky hands. Rock Star arrived in a lovely assortment of Julep products from Michael and Liz just before Christmas. And I love them, too.

Love Post for Monday

Valentine week is upon us, children. So I shall post something lovable every day. And I ask you, what is there not to love about this? 

Grownup Crap

It is rather disheartening to observe that I have spent 100% of my entertainment budget a mere 25% of the way into the month. Not to mention the budget-busting visit from the furnace guy last week. I rationalized calling him when the high temperature for the day was -4 and the indoor temp had stubbornly refused to rise above 58 degrees. Perhaps this will inspire me to stay home and file my income tax, go through the boys' collective nearly 30 years of school stuff stashed under the stairs and pare it down to 2, yes 2, totes worth, work on the massive photo organization project I have been devising, and attend to the crumbling tile grout in my bathroom floor. By then it oughta be spring. 
  

Subliminal Sochi Welcome

Please look upon these fellows representing the Russian Olympic games. They are the torch bearers. Their responsibility is to carry the Olympic flame in relay fashion from its home in Greece to Sochi, where the torch is lit during opening ceremonies. Although in general I am not enthusiastic over their uniforms, I must say that I love how a rainbow is splashed up one sleeve, across the shoulders, and down the other sleeve of the jackets. I am almost certain this was not intentional.

Lunacy

Have I mentioned how much I love this calendar? It's not just the gorgeous artwork. Or that the subject is my ruling planet. Though that would be more than enough.

Instead of the usual twelve month format, it is a true lunar calendar. Divided into moon cycles. Each page beginning with the new moon. Sigh. 

Seriously Affected

Holy crap! Sometimes a movie so enthralls and bedevils and surprises me that immediately upon completion of viewing it I watch the first twenty minutes again! Because I must! Side Effects affected me in this manner last week. And I feel the need to watch it again. Soon. Fortunately, sucky winter weather is perfect for bundling up on the couch for a movie. I won't say anything further about this movie except watch it! Now! Oh, and Rooney Mara is an exceptional and amazing actress. And I was reminded of why I love Steven Soderbergh. I'm done now. Really. Go watch it.

Appdate

Concerning question #4 in this post, I have a new answer! When I bought my current laptop a year ago it arrived loaded up with Windows 8. Meaning that it did not possess the Windows start-up menu that I was fond of. Not so much for its fabulousness, mostly for my familiarity with it. Sensing my mild despair, Reid consulted the interwebs and discovered an app called Clamshell which emulates the old start-up menu. So there you have it. It's possible, at least for moi, to enjoy an app without realizing it.

Going for Baroque

I participated in a fun little art challenge on Facebook today. Which caused me to learn a little about fellow MoonMaiden, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1656), an Italian Baroque painter. Above is her self portrait. Her work at the age of 17 was so mature that it was erroneously thought to have been painted in part by her father. Artemisia was a feminist who defied convention by pressing charges against her painting tutor who raped her. No surprise that some of her works were populated by violent images of women who resembled her. She corresponded and developed relationships with notables of the time including Galileo and worked under the patronage of the Medici family and Charles I of England. Today she is highly regarded as one of the most progressive painters of her time. As far as I'm concerned, she rocks.

What She Said

Thanks, Miss Pam!

I finally made my pilgrimage to Sephora. A gift card from sister Pam had been pining away in my purse for a year so I thought it was time I put it to use. I found matte eyeshadows that brighten and flatter the aging skin around my eyes. And Dior mascara that I just may become addicted to.

Then there was this ingenious device. A travel brush with one end for blush and the other end for powder. And it's pink! How could I not fall in love with it and take it home with me. And since it's a travel brush, pretty much everywhere else. 

Bill vs Ken

This should be both interesting and enlightening. All I know is, I would follow Bill Nye pretty much anywhere in the realm of science and rational thought. As far as Ken Ham is concerned, this is America and I will defend to my last breath his right to practice his choice of spiritual belief. That said, Creationism is not even the tiniest bit scientific and should never be presented as such. 

Clarification

So. Sodomy and Scrambled Eggs were work-in-progress titles for two quite popular songs. The first, by Billy Joel, was eventually given the much more palatable title of Honesty. Scrambled Eggs, of course, is the Beatles' somber yet beautiful Yesterday. I have heard an alternate set of lyrics to Yesterday entitled Leprosy. I'll let your imagination fill in the rest. As far as I know, the only other thing sodomy and scrambled eggs have in common is that they begin with the letter s. Knowing any more would be too much information.