So, it's Sunday. I haven't posted in a while. Because... Because... not sure why. There haven't been any major septic tank problems. My job is... mediocre at best. I've spent time with friends. I've cleaned up a bit around the house... It's just ordinary days. Right now, ordinary is good.
We've disposed of cable TV, so right now we lack any kind of TV reception. Z has yet to set up the antiquated bunny ears. This is a priority on MY list so that I don't miss any more episodes of House or Grey's. The rest of it I'm not too concerned about.
Read many good books lately:
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld -- I need to go out and get the next in the series.
Dry by Augusten Burroughs -- LOVED it! Can't wait to see Running w/Scissors! Augusten is quickly becoming one of my fave writers.
At First Sight by Nicolas Sparks -- Sometimes you just need a good, sappy read!
Still working on:
Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. It's not really a book that you read cover to cover. I've been taking it in small chunks, and enjoying it. It's Melissa's book club pick.
Just started:
Rococo by Adriana Trigiani. MG turned me on to her, and I LOVE her writing. The Italian American culture is so close to home, and this one is set in my home state of NJ. Okay, I call it my home state because EVERYONE in my family is from there, but I was raised in good old GA. The only Yankee I got was an intolerance for grits and a love of hot coffee.
Made some chili this AM to bring over to the D Clan's house tonight. It's our annual pumpkin carving evening. What's better than a pot of chili, your brother and sis-in-law, your hubby, and 5 nieces and nephews all together carving pumpkins? Nothing, I tell you. I'm thinking of starting a seed-slinging contest. Andy and Eddie would be GREAT at it.
Z's had to work all weekend. Making the "MOVE." Glad that he's making the overtime, though -- sometimes our money seems to go down the drain -- literally, ha! I'll continue to work around here. Finish some Christmas presents I'm making, and plan for our trip to Brevard. White squirrels, here I come!!!!
Old People
I am enamored of this video right now. It just makes me laugh. I think it's because I picture my parents doing this...
My new mantra
"Gotta Tend the Earth if You Want a Rose!"
If I am going to become the person I want to be, I need to tend to myself. I need to take care of what I eat, when I exercise, when I take time for myself, when I am creative, and when I reflect. In order to be my best self, to become that rose, I need to tend to my body and spirit. I hope that by repeating this to myself every day and when I start to feel down, I will remember to feed that rose inside me.
Like Church...
Like Old Friends...
Like Peaceful existence...
The feeling you get when your heart is bursting from your chest...
Like Peaceful existence...
The feeling you get when your heart is bursting from your chest...
It's Emily and Amy.
This weekend MG and I are heading to NC to see them play. We're hooking up with an old friend -- a friend who was instrumental in M's and my friendship -- a person I haven't talked to nor seen in 5 years. Not too sure how I feel about it. I'm excited about the concert. I'm excited about seeing her, but I'm apprehensive, too. M tells me I've learned a lot; that I know how to keep healthier relationships. But there's always that little nagging voice in the back of my head that says, "remember how great this was? remember how much fun this was?" And I have to remind myself of the other times. The not so great, not so fun times. And that helps me keep a level head.
Lead with the head, not the heart.
I think that's to be my motto for this weekend.
But I digress... I am so freakin' excited about seeing the Indigo Girls! OMG! It has been a few years since I've seen them play. And the last concert I went to Zach was with me, so I was more worried about him having a good time... This time it's me and MG... and the old friend, too... surrounded by people who are moved by their music, who understand what it's like to find yourself in a song and take it on as your life's mantra.
It's like church. Like coming home. Like being alone with 5000 people. Like singing with your family. Like satisfaction.
SUSAN RULES!!!
And I'm not just saying that, really. But this next part is going to read strangely -- they do!!
Tuesday Night Trivia. 6 women. A bit of alcohol. Lubricated Brains. In addition to winning a bar credit, here's what you get:
Tuesday Night Trivia. 6 women. A bit of alcohol. Lubricated Brains. In addition to winning a bar credit, here's what you get:
Closing time... you don't have to go home...
but you can't pee here!
Yes. Another joy of home ownership -- the septic tank. Ours: full. Me: Not happy.
I kind of feel like a mastercard commercial right now:
Calling the Septic pump guys to your house: $0.35
Having them dig up your yard, open your tank and pump it: $600
Watching your shit disappear into a large truck: priceless
It was nasty, but necessary. I think my favorite part of the WHOLE process was not being able to go to the bathroom for 12 hours.
Oh wait -- actually, it was when we were done, Mr. Septic Man told me to flush each toilet 3 times. I also hopped on one foot and rubbed my belly for good luck -- it just seemed like a natural thing to do.
"In nomine potty, et fill-ed, et s'pumpitus sanctus..." It's all done now.
A clean septic tank is a happy septic tank.
It always happens that way...
Why is it that I finally get away for a weekend -- down to FL to visit my parentals -- and I get sick? Zach gets some time off so we can enjoy the beach together -- and I'm sick. Fever, stuffy, sore throat. So now I get to take DayQuil and hope that I start to feel better so that I don't waste my entire holiday weekend. This sucks!
2Peas music challenge
What song/CD makes you:
DANCE: OMG, there are sooo many -- the one that pop into my mind right now is Guns N Roses: Paradise City. Makes me want to jump up and do my Axl Rose/Davy Jones dance. Love it!
HAPPY: Roll to Me -- that really short song that came out the mid 90's ("look around your world pretty baby is it achin' with some nameless need?")
SAD: Ghost -- Indigo Girls, my 18th birthday, secrets revealed, *sigh*
REMEMBER/REMINISCE: Breakfast at Tiffany's, not the "soundtrack" -- that song, again, from the mid 90's: "And I said what about Breakfast at Tiffany's, she said I think I remember the film and, as I recall I think we both kinda liked it, and I said well that's the one thing we got." It just screams high school for me. My friend Nick and I sat in the car one day returning to rehearsal from our afterschool break and sang it at the top of our lungs. Man, I loved that guy!!!
SING OUT LOUD: every song I know, but especially Joining a Fan Club by an obscurely known band called Jellyfish. They were hot in the late 90s, but now defunct.
Damn! I'm a 90's girl, aren't I?
Inner Peace... the search continues
"What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen." -- Henry David Thoreau
How can something so small...
be so scary?
My dog is afraid of this little thing:
I don't get it. I really don't. I understand that he has claws, but she outweighs him seven times!!! He walks by, she jumps on the couch. He is at the bottom of the stairs, she won't walk down them. He's on the left side of me, she walks to my right. No amount of cajoling will get her to relax when he's around. They have almost 2 weeks together. They'd better work it out!
My dog is afraid of this little thing:
I don't get it. I really don't. I understand that he has claws, but she outweighs him seven times!!! He walks by, she jumps on the couch. He is at the bottom of the stairs, she won't walk down them. He's on the left side of me, she walks to my right. No amount of cajoling will get her to relax when he's around. They have almost 2 weeks together. They'd better work it out!
mmmmm.... chocolate
M&M's has finally released DARK CHOCOLATE!!!
It is a happy day in our household!
(Not bad for a camera phone and a little photoshop, huh?)
And... a big shout out to my S-I-L, Melissa...
And... a big shout out to my S-I-L, Melissa...
Happy Birthday!
The Me Challenge: My Theme Song
My first challenge for Mandy's and my Circle Journal was about a song that touches you, defines you. Then, I checked out the Me Blog today, and this is the challenge! Love it!
Here is my take... my theme song:
The Wood Song by Indigo Girls
Reason 1743 why I LOVE my husband
So, last night we were laying in bed watching "One Week to Save Your Marriage" on TLC. Just winding down and falling asleep, really. Zach was cracking up at the husband on the show -- his childishness, the way he yelled at his wife about listening -- it really was quite funny. Somehow, our conversation rolled around to this:
"So, babe, do you think we need to go on and save our marriage?" I asked, laughing.
"If we have to do something like that, make sure it's that show with Chip Foose!" was his reply.
I laughed soooo hard! We don't need marriage help, but to think that if we did, he would want to get help on Overhaulin' with Chip Foose!
I love this man!
"So, babe, do you think we need to go on and save our marriage?" I asked, laughing.
"If we have to do something like that, make sure it's that show with Chip Foose!" was his reply.
I laughed soooo hard! We don't need marriage help, but to think that if we did, he would want to get help on Overhaulin' with Chip Foose!
I love this man!
Feeling Wacky on Wednesday!
Are you more...
01) Banjo for the fun, danceable sound or violin for the soulful, spirit-lifting sound? depends on the day, but usually Banjo
02) Bus/subway for cheapness and ecological responsibility or cab for door to door convenience? subway all the way -- too bad we don't have a good one in the ATL
03) Paper grocery bags for the capacity and biodegradableness or plastic grocery bags for the convenience and reusability? plastic bags -- can't beat 'em for kitty litter!
04) Liking fruit that you peel (bananas, oranges, etc.) or fruit that you don't peel (apples, pears, etc.)? no peel, please
05) Expensive 3-ply kleenex or discount 2-ply kleenex? 3 ply.
06) Super soft toilet paper to be cushy on your widdle bum or rough, no-nonsense toilet paper to be sure to get your dirty asshole clean? cushy, baby!
07) Watching fake wrestling (WWE, for example) for the kitchy drama or watching real fighting (boxing, UFC, etc.) for the realness? neither. don't like fighting
08) Coy about telling people what you want when asked ("Oh I don't need anything.") or upfront about telling people what you want when asked ("I would LOVE a new watch.")? up front.
09) Believing NASA is amazing for inventing the Space Pen (works in no gravity) or believing NASA is stupid for not doing like the Russians who just use pencils? $1M on a pen. waste of money. Russians rule!
10) A Spanky fan or an Alfalfa fan? Alfalfa.
01) Banjo for the fun, danceable sound or violin for the soulful, spirit-lifting sound? depends on the day, but usually Banjo
02) Bus/subway for cheapness and ecological responsibility or cab for door to door convenience? subway all the way -- too bad we don't have a good one in the ATL
03) Paper grocery bags for the capacity and biodegradableness or plastic grocery bags for the convenience and reusability? plastic bags -- can't beat 'em for kitty litter!
04) Liking fruit that you peel (bananas, oranges, etc.) or fruit that you don't peel (apples, pears, etc.)? no peel, please
05) Expensive 3-ply kleenex or discount 2-ply kleenex? 3 ply.
06) Super soft toilet paper to be cushy on your widdle bum or rough, no-nonsense toilet paper to be sure to get your dirty asshole clean? cushy, baby!
07) Watching fake wrestling (WWE, for example) for the kitchy drama or watching real fighting (boxing, UFC, etc.) for the realness? neither. don't like fighting
08) Coy about telling people what you want when asked ("Oh I don't need anything.") or upfront about telling people what you want when asked ("I would LOVE a new watch.")? up front.
09) Believing NASA is amazing for inventing the Space Pen (works in no gravity) or believing NASA is stupid for not doing like the Russians who just use pencils? $1M on a pen. waste of money. Russians rule!
10) A Spanky fan or an Alfalfa fan? Alfalfa.
Pictures!
Did someone say "L'Orange?"
My new pink and green friend, Croppy, from Crop'n'Glue 
Make n Take w/ Ali
Kickin' it with the charismatic Cathy Z.
Ali, sharing her expertise.
Bringin' the funk with my pal, Mara, in the Encyclopedia from Hell
(I mean, of Alterations)
Mandy loved the flowered carpet
The happy graduates.
Whew! I can't wait for Nashville!
Becoming a Life Artist
So, I'm back from CKU-Albums. What an awesome, amazing, fabulous, (insert your choice of excited adjective here) experience! 4 days surrounded by women who love to do what I love to do. New friends, new experiences, new life lessons learned. I took the album class "A Week in the Life" with Ali Edwards. Wow. Just wow. She is a total inspiration and someone that I admire now more than ever. Enjoyed watching Cathy Zielske's antics. What a completely fun person. Her personality just exudes, well, fun. I stalked Tim Holtz, but not really. I know he doesn't bat for my team, but he sure is nice to look at! And, now, officially the cutest scrapartist out there: Ginger Rohlfs. I'll have to get a pic from Mandy. She's just adorable!
So, as soon as blogger lets me, I will post the pictures from this awesome weekend...
So, as soon as blogger lets me, I will post the pictures from this awesome weekend...
Monday Music Mambo
Monday Music Mambo - Week 109
Today is opinion day, so give me your opinion on . . .
Country Music. Tolerate it. I mean, I enjoy the Dixie Chicks, I can handle some crossover, but I cannot do twangy men or women. No twang. Period.
The Beatles. Love 'em. How can you not? Though, I must say, I am more of an early fan rather than later. The acid music doesn't rock for me as much as the bubble gum. Sang em at my wedding reception, had em sung at my wedding, sang em at my senior recital in college. Can't go wrong with Lennon and McCartney.
Synthesizers. Yeah. Not too sure about this. Good if used properly, suck if used for everything.
Banjos. If its bluegrass, hell yeah. If it's Deliverance, hell nah!
Ray Charles. God is love. Love is blind. Ray Charles is blind. Ergo, Ray Charles is God. QED.
Heavy Metal. Married a metal head. Can only take so much before my head starts pounding. But I'm willing to listen... for a while... and a price.
"Stairway To Heaven" Why not? Yeah, it's a cliche. Yeah, everyone learns to play it on guitar. Soooo... why the hell not? It wants to be a good song. Really.
Violins. Only if they're in tune. 'Nuff said.
Bruce Springsteen. He's the Boss. Not Tony Danza. American Spirit at its finest. And, he's a Jersey boy. A man after my own heart. Love him.
The Blues Blues riffs, good. BB King, good. Using blues progressions in all forms of music, good. Blues sung by white women who think they're sexy, not good.
http://bdinsanity.blogdrive.com/ <-- You can Mambo, too!
Today is opinion day, so give me your opinion on . . .
Country Music. Tolerate it. I mean, I enjoy the Dixie Chicks, I can handle some crossover, but I cannot do twangy men or women. No twang. Period.
The Beatles. Love 'em. How can you not? Though, I must say, I am more of an early fan rather than later. The acid music doesn't rock for me as much as the bubble gum. Sang em at my wedding reception, had em sung at my wedding, sang em at my senior recital in college. Can't go wrong with Lennon and McCartney.
Synthesizers. Yeah. Not too sure about this. Good if used properly, suck if used for everything.
Banjos. If its bluegrass, hell yeah. If it's Deliverance, hell nah!
Ray Charles. God is love. Love is blind. Ray Charles is blind. Ergo, Ray Charles is God. QED.
Heavy Metal. Married a metal head. Can only take so much before my head starts pounding. But I'm willing to listen... for a while... and a price.
"Stairway To Heaven" Why not? Yeah, it's a cliche. Yeah, everyone learns to play it on guitar. Soooo... why the hell not? It wants to be a good song. Really.
Violins. Only if they're in tune. 'Nuff said.
Bruce Springsteen. He's the Boss. Not Tony Danza. American Spirit at its finest. And, he's a Jersey boy. A man after my own heart. Love him.
The Blues Blues riffs, good. BB King, good. Using blues progressions in all forms of music, good. Blues sung by white women who think they're sexy, not good.
http://bdinsanity.blogdrive.com/ <-- You can Mambo, too!
Normal...?
Are You Normal?
Your Normalcy Quotient is: 49 out of 100.
Your quiz results make you a Wonderful Eccentric
You've earned the title of wonderful eccentric, and while you're not a wild, gun slinging maverick, you certainly like to follow your own way. Of course, you probably don't think of yourself as eccentric. As Einstein might say, "It's all relative."
Take this free personality test by Clicking Here>> or going to www.chatterbean.com/runormal/
Your Normalcy Quotient is: 49 out of 100.
Your quiz results make you a Wonderful Eccentric
You've earned the title of wonderful eccentric, and while you're not a wild, gun slinging maverick, you certainly like to follow your own way. Of course, you probably don't think of yourself as eccentric. As Einstein might say, "It's all relative."
Take this free personality test by Clicking Here>> or going to www.chatterbean.com/runormal/
So... I really do scrap.
Finished this 2 page layout today... for a circle journal.
I hope to post more of my 8X8 and 8.5X11 layouts... unfortunately, my scanner can't take 12X12 layouts.
