In my little garden, in our back yard, are my little plants. They're growing well, actually, but I started so late that they have a long, long way to catch up. When we bought the vegetation, Greg decided to pick out a catnip plant. I've never tried to grow catnip before, but it seemed like it might be fun for our cats.
Of the 20 or so things in the garden, this one catnip plant is doing by far the best. It's really big and flowering and growing like one of the many weeds that my little plot sported until I spent 1 1/2 hours clearing it out last week. By the way, did I mention that it was 1 1/2 hours for a plot that's roughly 5 x 10 feet? But I digress.
Since we haven't had any rain for, oh I don't know, maybe six weeks or so, Greg and I went about our routine of watering last night. I was doing the garden and Greg was in the front of the house. I pointed out how well the catnip was doing and Greg pulled off three or so leaves, to bring inside for the cats.
They. Loved. It. Oh my god. Greg crushed the leaves a little bit to get them interested, which proved to be completely unnecessary. In very short order, they were both rolling, rubbing, stretching, pouncing, rolling, etc. etc. They bit on the leaves, rubbed ecstatically, chewed a little and rolled and rolled. It is a huge understatement to say that they were incredibly happy with these three or four leaves. If we brought the entire plant inside right now, I think we'd kill them both.
They would die happy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
So it's been four whole years
Four years ago, I started writing this blog, after my husband semi-forced me/appealed to my vanity. At first, I wrote only a few times a month, mostly about Julia--her birth, her progress, how Allie was interacting with her. Now, I write about all of us and what we're up to, and usually considerably more frequently than a few times a month. I'm certainly not funny like my husband, but I enjoy having the opportunity to let people (mostly family) know what we're up to. And if I hadn't started writing this blog, I'm not sure we'd have become friends with Dan and Kerry. They're wonderful people, and frankly I love being able to drop into conversation, "our friends in England." You didn't know I was that kind of a snob? Please. Who wouldn't think that was neat.
So for my latest update--what did we do this weekend? Well, it was the release of the last Harry Potter book, which my wonderful husband purchased for me (he took pains to tell me how long he had to wait in line to check out, of course). So I spent all of yesterday afternoon reading, plus yesterday evening and into the night. I finished at 1 a.m., which is as late as I can remember being awake in quite awhile. My opinion? I was happy.
I did get some laundry done and I cleaned all of our upstairs, which necessitated vacuuming vast volumes of very fluffy cat hair. Ick. Our kittens (who are almost a year old now) certainly shed less than our old cats, but their regular wrestling matches have definitely had an impact on dust/hair accumulation. Now that stuff is in the Dyson (vacuum).
The girls went swimming in the neighbors' kiddie pool today, Greg got immense amounts of groceries, I washed a bunch of dishes, and the three of them took a bike ride. A pretty typical summer weekend, really. Very nice, and something that I doubt I'd much remember if it weren't for this blog. So here's to four more years, plus.
So for my latest update--what did we do this weekend? Well, it was the release of the last Harry Potter book, which my wonderful husband purchased for me (he took pains to tell me how long he had to wait in line to check out, of course). So I spent all of yesterday afternoon reading, plus yesterday evening and into the night. I finished at 1 a.m., which is as late as I can remember being awake in quite awhile. My opinion? I was happy.
I did get some laundry done and I cleaned all of our upstairs, which necessitated vacuuming vast volumes of very fluffy cat hair. Ick. Our kittens (who are almost a year old now) certainly shed less than our old cats, but their regular wrestling matches have definitely had an impact on dust/hair accumulation. Now that stuff is in the Dyson (vacuum).
The girls went swimming in the neighbors' kiddie pool today, Greg got immense amounts of groceries, I washed a bunch of dishes, and the three of them took a bike ride. A pretty typical summer weekend, really. Very nice, and something that I doubt I'd much remember if it weren't for this blog. So here's to four more years, plus.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Rats!
I missed it! The fourth anniversary of this blog was on July 17th.
That first entry, by the way, was just a segment of an e-mail that I sent my husband, proclaiming the joys of diabetic chocolate. I was pregnant with Julia (very pregnant) and though I didn't develop gestational diabetes, my doctor put me on almost the same diet anyway.
I'll write more tonight, reminiscing. Four years! That's a long time, doncha know.
That first entry, by the way, was just a segment of an e-mail that I sent my husband, proclaiming the joys of diabetic chocolate. I was pregnant with Julia (very pregnant) and though I didn't develop gestational diabetes, my doctor put me on almost the same diet anyway.
I'll write more tonight, reminiscing. Four years! That's a long time, doncha know.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Extreme dessert
The Food Network has a show called Foot Network Challenge, where chefs compete in making bizarre food items. I've seen pastry chefs do challenges involving blown sugar where some part had to be at least 5 feet tall, the whole thing had to be edible, and they had to move it (after it was finished) over an obstacle course. I've also seen them build wedding cakes unlike any you've ever seen in Wisconsin. A couple of weeks ago, it was a challenge for tappan chefs (like they have at Benihana's) and the competition included judging how funny they were with their "patter." The prize for each competition is $10,000. Not bad for one or two days TV work.
Tonight, they were doing extreme cakes. Most of the chefs came up with something that included fireworks. One made a "Revenge of the Sock Monkey" cake that was literally a five foot sock monkey made of cake with a removable brain made of dry ice and glowing red eyes. That won the $10,000 prize.
Does anyone want to eat these things afterwards? They show people in the audience, watching (for six or eight hours) with bated breath, ready to gasp if one of the sugar sculptures falls over and shatters. Dreams are crushed on this show. But for the winners--ah, the glory.
Anyone want a bite of sock monkey?
Tonight, they were doing extreme cakes. Most of the chefs came up with something that included fireworks. One made a "Revenge of the Sock Monkey" cake that was literally a five foot sock monkey made of cake with a removable brain made of dry ice and glowing red eyes. That won the $10,000 prize.
Does anyone want to eat these things afterwards? They show people in the audience, watching (for six or eight hours) with bated breath, ready to gasp if one of the sugar sculptures falls over and shatters. Dreams are crushed on this show. But for the winners--ah, the glory.
Anyone want a bite of sock monkey?
Sunday, July 15, 2007
It can't be
Tonight, while watching TV after putting the girls to bed, I saw my first ad for Back to School clothes. It was for Sears, which I have to admit would not be my first choice as a place to buy school clothes for Allie. I read something this past week about Sears, that malls no longer want them as an anchor store because they can't get other tenants to want locations in their wing. That's a big change from when I was a kid.
Regardless, I was saddened to see the ad because it seems that Allie has just started her summer break and it's half over, or almost half over. Earlier today, I sat down with her to read a book aloud. That's something we haven't done in probably three weeks. I told her I wanted to make sure she could still read.
She did great, of course. But since second grade is coming ever closer, I think I'd better start working on probability and statistics with her tomorrow night. After all, she's gotta get into a good college in a couple of years.
Regardless, I was saddened to see the ad because it seems that Allie has just started her summer break and it's half over, or almost half over. Earlier today, I sat down with her to read a book aloud. That's something we haven't done in probably three weeks. I told her I wanted to make sure she could still read.
She did great, of course. But since second grade is coming ever closer, I think I'd better start working on probability and statistics with her tomorrow night. After all, she's gotta get into a good college in a couple of years.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Trapped!
Last night, I went upstairs to read shortly after the girls went to bed. Greg was watching some show about ComicCon and I didn't need to see that. It was very pleasant in our room with the windows all open and a nice breeze.
I heard Greg close the sliding glass door next to the living room and expected him to come upstairs. Instead, he went downstairs to play video games for awhile.
About 1/2 hour later, he came upstairs and we both got into bed. We were talking and I was dropping off to sleep when we heard a cat meow, seemingly from outside. Greg said, is that one of ours? I thought for a moment and said, no, I fed them before I came upstairs and they both came to eat.
We heard the cat meow again and there was a rattling noise. I said, now that I think about it, I heard a cat meow a few times while I was reading, but I didn't think anything of it. I said, maybe you'd better check.
Greg headed downstairs, and I heard the slider open and close. When he returned, I said, my god, tell me one of the cats wasn't outside! He said, No. Dumbass was stuck between the door and the screen door.
For at least 1/2 hour. He could have been out there all night, trapped in a four-inch wide space, if we hadn't had the windows open upstairs.
Stupid cat.
I heard Greg close the sliding glass door next to the living room and expected him to come upstairs. Instead, he went downstairs to play video games for awhile.
About 1/2 hour later, he came upstairs and we both got into bed. We were talking and I was dropping off to sleep when we heard a cat meow, seemingly from outside. Greg said, is that one of ours? I thought for a moment and said, no, I fed them before I came upstairs and they both came to eat.
We heard the cat meow again and there was a rattling noise. I said, now that I think about it, I heard a cat meow a few times while I was reading, but I didn't think anything of it. I said, maybe you'd better check.
Greg headed downstairs, and I heard the slider open and close. When he returned, I said, my god, tell me one of the cats wasn't outside! He said, No. Dumbass was stuck between the door and the screen door.
For at least 1/2 hour. He could have been out there all night, trapped in a four-inch wide space, if we hadn't had the windows open upstairs.
Stupid cat.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The cats will play
4:10. That's what time it was this morning when my daughter called me. Why can't my children ever call for Daddy? No, there's something instinctual that upon waking makes them yell my name, not Daddy's.
I stumble down the hall and figure out it's Allie this time. I go into her room and she says, Rabies is chewing on something by my bookcase. Rabies is long gone, of course, so I ask her what she wants me to do. Allie says, make him stop. I say, he already stopped, as I feel around the floor trying to see if there's anything there that a cat would find chewable. Of course, I don't have my glasses on and it's not really light out yet, so this is a useless endeavor.
Allie hops out of bed and joins me in checking the floor. She doesn't need to wear glasses, so I guess she can see a little better than me. I tell her, Allie, I don't know what he's doing but if he starts doing it again, throw something at him. She determines that she can throw one of her dolls and I leave.
Of course, the chances that I'd be able to get back to sleep until my alarm at 5:30 are pretty minimal, especially since both cats then come into our room and start chewing on something near the door. I put a hand on Greg's arm (he's slept through all of this, of course) and he awakens with a roar of WHAT? I tell him to throw one of his three pillows at the cat and he does so. The cats go tearing down the hall. There's a pile of books stacked near the door that fall over, then there's quiet in the house at last.
I didn't go back to sleep, of course. Damn cats.
I stumble down the hall and figure out it's Allie this time. I go into her room and she says, Rabies is chewing on something by my bookcase. Rabies is long gone, of course, so I ask her what she wants me to do. Allie says, make him stop. I say, he already stopped, as I feel around the floor trying to see if there's anything there that a cat would find chewable. Of course, I don't have my glasses on and it's not really light out yet, so this is a useless endeavor.
Allie hops out of bed and joins me in checking the floor. She doesn't need to wear glasses, so I guess she can see a little better than me. I tell her, Allie, I don't know what he's doing but if he starts doing it again, throw something at him. She determines that she can throw one of her dolls and I leave.
Of course, the chances that I'd be able to get back to sleep until my alarm at 5:30 are pretty minimal, especially since both cats then come into our room and start chewing on something near the door. I put a hand on Greg's arm (he's slept through all of this, of course) and he awakens with a roar of WHAT? I tell him to throw one of his three pillows at the cat and he does so. The cats go tearing down the hall. There's a pile of books stacked near the door that fall over, then there's quiet in the house at last.
I didn't go back to sleep, of course. Damn cats.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Want that
When I was a kid, my sisters and I played with some neighbor girls who were almost the same age as us. They had a pool table in their basement.
We were very envious of that pool table, mostly because we could almost never talk them into playing a game with us. It seemed indecent that kids who so obviously didn't care that they had a pool table, had a pool table available any time they wanted it.
This same family were also the first people we knew of who got Pong. Remember Pong? It came out, according to Wikipedia, in 1975. We would all gather around the TV, desperately wanting to be the ones with the controllers in our hands, actually playing games of Pong, instead of watching the other kids play Pong. We had to try to be good friends. Good friends didn't complain when their friends wanted to play first (or more) and good friends were OK when their friends wanted to move on and play something else. We wanted our own Pong machine.
It was almost a physical yearning and it seemed so unfair. Remember that kind of envy?
We were very envious of that pool table, mostly because we could almost never talk them into playing a game with us. It seemed indecent that kids who so obviously didn't care that they had a pool table, had a pool table available any time they wanted it.
This same family were also the first people we knew of who got Pong. Remember Pong? It came out, according to Wikipedia, in 1975. We would all gather around the TV, desperately wanting to be the ones with the controllers in our hands, actually playing games of Pong, instead of watching the other kids play Pong. We had to try to be good friends. Good friends didn't complain when their friends wanted to play first (or more) and good friends were OK when their friends wanted to move on and play something else. We wanted our own Pong machine.
It was almost a physical yearning and it seemed so unfair. Remember that kind of envy?
Monday, July 09, 2007
Best. Invention. Ever.
Air conditioning.
The air conditioning at work went out today. It was 84 degrees for most of the day in my office. No fan, no air movement, just warm, warm air and warm office machinery.
I was so glad to get out of there, I can't begin to tell you.
The air conditioning at work went out today. It was 84 degrees for most of the day in my office. No fan, no air movement, just warm, warm air and warm office machinery.
I was so glad to get out of there, I can't begin to tell you.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
It was a truck fire
Greg's blog indicated that we went to Anika's birthday party yesterday, and that was one of the fun parts of the day. One of the completely not fun parts of the day was when it took us 4 hours and 15 minutes to drive a distance that should have taken us about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The other not fun part was when we walked back to the hotel from the restaurant (with the girls, of course) at 9:30 p.m. or so and we saw a scary crazy person. I know, I shouldn't label people as crazy, but this guy was wearing hospital scrubs and still had identification bracelets around both of his wrists. His behavior was abnormal, and he was standing on the sidewalk, right in the direction we needed to go. Fortunately, his attention was drawn by a man parking a car on the street and we passed behind him, then booked down the block. He followed us for a minute or so and then disappeared.
As for that other not fun thing, the trip down, oh my. We got about 35 minutes into our journey when the traffic on the interstate came to a complete halt. I hate when that happens. We did the stop-and-go thing for awhile and then got to Beloit, where the state troopers forced everyone off the road. They closed the interstate. We've been through this before, unfortunately, so we knew what would happen next. The traffic was forced east (which is actually the direction we needed to go), but it was northeast, which wasn't that great. The police blocked the turnarounds and they blocked several exits on the detoured route, so we had to keep going northeast. And the state highway that we were detoured to the last time this happened was, itself, detoured for road construction.
Are you starting to get a feel for how hopeless this situation felt?
We ended up heading south and east eventually, on a two-lane highway through small towns that were completely unprepared to deal with all the traffic (both directions) from a very busy section of interstate. After an unfortunate map reading error, we eventually got back onto the interstate heading towards Chicago. It just took us two extra hours. The actual interstate closure was caused by a truck that had a tire shred and start on fire. The truck was carrying ethyl alcohol, and though it didn't explode, it did burn. The driver wasn't hurt.
The girls were very good, we got there eventually and had a great time at the party, and the rest of our weekend was pretty darn pleasant. We're just glad to be home. Next weekend, we're planning on staying in our own bed. Our new-decorative-bedcover-compliments-of-(Don't-you-love)-IKEA bed, thank you very much.
As for that other not fun thing, the trip down, oh my. We got about 35 minutes into our journey when the traffic on the interstate came to a complete halt. I hate when that happens. We did the stop-and-go thing for awhile and then got to Beloit, where the state troopers forced everyone off the road. They closed the interstate. We've been through this before, unfortunately, so we knew what would happen next. The traffic was forced east (which is actually the direction we needed to go), but it was northeast, which wasn't that great. The police blocked the turnarounds and they blocked several exits on the detoured route, so we had to keep going northeast. And the state highway that we were detoured to the last time this happened was, itself, detoured for road construction.
Are you starting to get a feel for how hopeless this situation felt?
We ended up heading south and east eventually, on a two-lane highway through small towns that were completely unprepared to deal with all the traffic (both directions) from a very busy section of interstate. After an unfortunate map reading error, we eventually got back onto the interstate heading towards Chicago. It just took us two extra hours. The actual interstate closure was caused by a truck that had a tire shred and start on fire. The truck was carrying ethyl alcohol, and though it didn't explode, it did burn. The driver wasn't hurt.
The girls were very good, we got there eventually and had a great time at the party, and the rest of our weekend was pretty darn pleasant. We're just glad to be home. Next weekend, we're planning on staying in our own bed. Our new-decorative-bedcover-compliments-of-(Don't-you-love)-IKEA bed, thank you very much.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Late agua
I don't know what it is. I drink some water during the day at work. I often drink water with dinner. But I don't drink enough water each day--not as much as the health police tell me I should.
So I guess that's why, in the evening about the time we tell the girls to get into their pajamas but before they actually have to go to bed, I get thirsty. I get a large glass out of water with lots of ice and I start drinking. It's not just me, either. Greg does the same thing, so we'll share the same glass. Then we go back and forth, debating over whose turn it is to get up and refill the glass from the refrigerator.
Greg drinks more than I do, and then he chews the ice cubes. If I get thirsty more after he starts that, I get another glass. Now if I could stop snacking when I'm drinking my water, I'd be doing something good for myself.
I delude myself that at least I'm doing it halfway right!
So I guess that's why, in the evening about the time we tell the girls to get into their pajamas but before they actually have to go to bed, I get thirsty. I get a large glass out of water with lots of ice and I start drinking. It's not just me, either. Greg does the same thing, so we'll share the same glass. Then we go back and forth, debating over whose turn it is to get up and refill the glass from the refrigerator.
Greg drinks more than I do, and then he chews the ice cubes. If I get thirsty more after he starts that, I get another glass. Now if I could stop snacking when I'm drinking my water, I'd be doing something good for myself.
I delude myself that at least I'm doing it halfway right!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Tomato envy
I took a look at my Dad's tomato bushes this weekend. Then I surveyed by sister Pam's tomatoes, and lastly I took a gander at my sister Claudette's tomatoes.
I would like to have any one of theirs. I think my largest tomato plant is about nine or ten inches high. The plants that my family have were probably that height about six to seven weeks ago.
I don't even like tomatoes, unless they're in sauce, and yet I have severe tomato envy. If any of them find a neat hole dug where a tomato bush used to be, I'll try to look innocent.
I would like to have any one of theirs. I think my largest tomato plant is about nine or ten inches high. The plants that my family have were probably that height about six to seven weeks ago.
I don't even like tomatoes, unless they're in sauce, and yet I have severe tomato envy. If any of them find a neat hole dug where a tomato bush used to be, I'll try to look innocent.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Weekend spent
My family went to visit my family this weekend. We left on Friday after work and arrived about 8:45 p.m., to be greeted by almost my whole family (poor Mike). The next morning, the group of us went to Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay. After hours of carnival rides, arm painting, picnicking, and more rides, we headed to an amazing fireworks store where my husband selected a large amount of blatantly illegal rockets-red-glare.
It's not illegal to sell these babies, by the way, just illegal to set them off. Yet set them off we did, or started to, at a bonfire at my sister's house later last night. The festivities will continue this evening, and tomorrow, and the next night, until we actually reach the holiday.
Well, it's only supposed to be about a $110 fine for lighting these things. That's about how much my husband, the firestarter, spent on the actual products, so that seems fair.
It's not illegal to sell these babies, by the way, just illegal to set them off. Yet set them off we did, or started to, at a bonfire at my sister's house later last night. The festivities will continue this evening, and tomorrow, and the next night, until we actually reach the holiday.
Well, it's only supposed to be about a $110 fine for lighting these things. That's about how much my husband, the firestarter, spent on the actual products, so that seems fair.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
A Thursday night
The girls are in the upstairs hall bathroom, playing "Showtime" with the curtain in the shower. Allie seems to be getting the most applause, not surprising since she makes the most noise overall.
They have Rabies trapped in there with them, and they've been opening and slamming the cabinet drawers. If I'm going to prevent a recurrence of the infamous cabinet drawer incident, I guess I'm going to have to get up and rescue him.
The girls have now come out on their own, and they're playing on top of my bed. Pretending to be ghosts with my top sheet, despite my warnings about falling off the bed or pulling the sheet out, which would seriously tick me off since I have a headache and my nose hurts.
Now they're pretending that they're flying in clouds (under the sheet). All of Daddy's pillows are too tempting of a target, so they're jumping into that pile too.
Watching them play (and not fight) is heartwarming and sweet and all that, but I can't help wishing that they'd clear out so I can try to go to sleep. I hate being sick.
They have Rabies trapped in there with them, and they've been opening and slamming the cabinet drawers. If I'm going to prevent a recurrence of the infamous cabinet drawer incident, I guess I'm going to have to get up and rescue him.
The girls have now come out on their own, and they're playing on top of my bed. Pretending to be ghosts with my top sheet, despite my warnings about falling off the bed or pulling the sheet out, which would seriously tick me off since I have a headache and my nose hurts.
Now they're pretending that they're flying in clouds (under the sheet). All of Daddy's pillows are too tempting of a target, so they're jumping into that pile too.
Watching them play (and not fight) is heartwarming and sweet and all that, but I can't help wishing that they'd clear out so I can try to go to sleep. I hate being sick.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Isn't this what it's like?
I feel that if I take a deep breath, I'm immediately going to have to cough. It hurts when I swallow, like I accidentally got some glass down there. I feel like there's a short fat kid sitting in the middle of my chest. My head feels like it has a steel band around it. My nose is mostly stuffed up, at least where it isn't running. I know by tomorrow or the day after, the bottom of my nose is going to be bright red and sore from wiping so much. My lips are going to get chapped from having to breathe with my mouth open while I sleep.
Gee, only 6-9 more days to be sick with this cold.
Gee, only 6-9 more days to be sick with this cold.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The everlasting germ and other headaches
Almost two weeks ago, Allie got a nasty cold from a boy at daycare. It took a long time for Julia to get it, really until this past Friday. About the same time, Greg started getting symptoms too. And now today, Tuesday, I have that horrible feeling that you get in your nose and throat when you know you're getting sick. And there's absolutely nothing I can do about it.
I also had a pretty unpleasant visit with the dentist today. Though I'm having no problems at all, as a new patient with this dentist, I have two other appointments to go. They're doing an extraordinary level of examination, checking for TMJ and proper bite and periodontal disease and oral cancer. I'm not usually too paranoid about going to the dentist, but they took 18 separate x-rays today (yes, you read that right), then poked hard around each of my teeth repeatedly with a probe (boy howdy, was that fun) and then cleaned my teeth.
I have a headache. Not a particularly good day.
I also had a pretty unpleasant visit with the dentist today. Though I'm having no problems at all, as a new patient with this dentist, I have two other appointments to go. They're doing an extraordinary level of examination, checking for TMJ and proper bite and periodontal disease and oral cancer. I'm not usually too paranoid about going to the dentist, but they took 18 separate x-rays today (yes, you read that right), then poked hard around each of my teeth repeatedly with a probe (boy howdy, was that fun) and then cleaned my teeth.
I have a headache. Not a particularly good day.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Because he said he'd have me
I love watching TV with my husband above all others. That's because only with him can I be absolutely as contemptuous and scathing as I like about stupid people on various shows. He understands, echoes and expands on my comments, and doesn't believe I'm a horrible person in the end. What more could you ask.
Tonight we were watching House Hunters, a show where people do nothing but look at houses for sale and then buy one (it's surprisingly addictive, trust me). The woman of the couple was not very bright. She was a student, and one of the things on their wish list was an area for her to study.
They visited a house that had nice built in cabinets and a built in desk in one room. She walked up to the desk and said, "These built-ins are nice, I could use this one as a desk!" Gosh, you know, I bet that would work out really well, since it was a desk.
Then they saw a small dining room. The husband said, "Kind of a small room." She said, "Not too small for a table and chairs!" Wow, a table and chairs. What a great sense of how best to use a space this woman has.
She was also a real estate agent herself, but they used a real estate agent to find a house. OK, isn't that kind of the whole point of that career, being able to find a great house when you want one?
They live in the Baltimore area. I'm glad they're out there and I'm here. That way, the chances that I'll meet her someday in person and tell her that I'm sorry she's stupid are much lower.
And yes, I've been on TV twice and both times I was OK with how I came across (other than how my voice sounded). Have you ever been on TV and what did you think of your appearance?
Tonight we were watching House Hunters, a show where people do nothing but look at houses for sale and then buy one (it's surprisingly addictive, trust me). The woman of the couple was not very bright. She was a student, and one of the things on their wish list was an area for her to study.
They visited a house that had nice built in cabinets and a built in desk in one room. She walked up to the desk and said, "These built-ins are nice, I could use this one as a desk!" Gosh, you know, I bet that would work out really well, since it was a desk.
Then they saw a small dining room. The husband said, "Kind of a small room." She said, "Not too small for a table and chairs!" Wow, a table and chairs. What a great sense of how best to use a space this woman has.
She was also a real estate agent herself, but they used a real estate agent to find a house. OK, isn't that kind of the whole point of that career, being able to find a great house when you want one?
They live in the Baltimore area. I'm glad they're out there and I'm here. That way, the chances that I'll meet her someday in person and tell her that I'm sorry she's stupid are much lower.
And yes, I've been on TV twice and both times I was OK with how I came across (other than how my voice sounded). Have you ever been on TV and what did you think of your appearance?
Saturday, June 23, 2007
It's over
Today, I put in my garden. Yes, I fully recognize that it's more than a month late. Yes, I know that area nurseries are pretty much giving away what's left of their straggly, leggy plants. Yes, it really didn't take that long to do.
Regardless, it's done and the pitiful plants are in the ground. Now they'd better get goddamn busy growing. I want tomatoes in two weeks so Greg can make salsa.
Regardless, it's done and the pitiful plants are in the ground. Now they'd better get goddamn busy growing. I want tomatoes in two weeks so Greg can make salsa.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Deadly
We were discussing what to have for dinner tonight. Julia is coming down sick and she never eats anything when she's ill, so I was resolved to give her something she really likes to improve her nutrition chances.
I offered chicken nuggets. Greg suggested spaghetti. Allie said she wanted chicken nuggets. I suggested chicken nuggets and spaghetti. Julia said she just wanted spaghetti. Greg said he would make chicken breasts on the grill for himself and Allie. Allie whined that she wanted chicken nuggets.
Greg said, it's the same thing! Allie said, it's not the same! Greg said, the only difference is the breading. That breading will kill you. Allie looked doubtful and worried.
I made like a zombie and proceeded to try to strangle Greg, saying, I'm the breading and I'm going to kill you. Allie laughed. She got chicken nuggets and spaghetti for dinner. The kids won again.
I offered chicken nuggets. Greg suggested spaghetti. Allie said she wanted chicken nuggets. I suggested chicken nuggets and spaghetti. Julia said she just wanted spaghetti. Greg said he would make chicken breasts on the grill for himself and Allie. Allie whined that she wanted chicken nuggets.
Greg said, it's the same thing! Allie said, it's not the same! Greg said, the only difference is the breading. That breading will kill you. Allie looked doubtful and worried.
I made like a zombie and proceeded to try to strangle Greg, saying, I'm the breading and I'm going to kill you. Allie laughed. She got chicken nuggets and spaghetti for dinner. The kids won again.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Do you have a plan?
I was listening to the radio on the way home tonight and an author was talking about Hillary Rodham Clinton. Apparently, when Hillary agreed to marry Bill, the two of them made a pact. They came up with a twenty year plan that would result in Bill becoming President of the United States. Later, after Bill had actually become president, they came up with a new pact that said, 8 years for Bill, then 8 years for Hillary. Right now, they're working on this second part of the pact.
I think this is amazing. At the time, apparently in the mid-70s, Hillary was about 28 years old. I didn't look it up, but I would assume that Bill was a couple of years older. When I was 28 years old, I was planning nothing more than decorating the condo I'd just bought.
If you're older than 28, did you have a plan then? Do you have a plan now?
I think this is amazing. At the time, apparently in the mid-70s, Hillary was about 28 years old. I didn't look it up, but I would assume that Bill was a couple of years older. When I was 28 years old, I was planning nothing more than decorating the condo I'd just bought.
If you're older than 28, did you have a plan then? Do you have a plan now?
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