First, not sure "statuses" is a word. Second, I didn't realize how much I updated my Facebook status in February. It is entirely possible that I have a problem.
(Statuses (?) start from from February 1 and go through February 28, 2009)
Afton...
...had so much fun at the Melting Pot last night.
...is sad her grow light isn't working.
...is watching The Office on hulu.com.
...is blogging.
...thought the ER was nothing like they show on Scrubs.
...was just given a time limit by her 4 year old to get off the computer. He wants to play too.
...now owns a pink feather boa. Envy me.
...is not loving "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle."
...is making pork ragu over polenta and thinking of Debbie.
...is tempted to watch Dancing With the Stars after finding out Belinda Carlisle is one of the stars. I wonder if she still has the beat?
...has just about had it with little boys who leave the front door wide open.
...is going to order lemon raspberry cream cheesecake. (Or maybe white chocolate raspberry truffle?)
...is going to give "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" another chance.
...is going to do an Art Literacy presentation on Jennifer Bartlet in her 1st grader's class.
...Looking forward to book group tonight.
...wants a Macbook. And some coconut curry chicken soup.
...is glad for the tom kha recipe, now I just need me a Macbook.
...is going to the Barefoot Sage.
...wonders what the world is coming to.
...is trying to stay motivated.
...is really hoping that "Charmed Thirds" and "Fourth Comings" arrived at my library today.
...loved the creamy asparagus soup she had for lunch and is wondering why it did not return the favor.
...feels a manifesto coming on.
...is uploading photos to a painfully slow Costco website. Painfully...slow.
...was just reminded that U2 is awesome. Did they just say "sexy boots?"
...is pondering bangs.
...is so grateful for Yahoo's best and worst dressed Oscar's list. And to think I came "this" close to buying a mermaid dress.
...loves the rain. OK? There, I said it. I don't miss the sun, I have missed the rain all winter and I love listening to it. Bring it, rain!
...is reading.
...is picking out all the black jelly beans.
...is having an internal struggle.
...is no longer struggling and is off to Trader Joe's for a Thai salad.
...is anticipating a dark and stormy night.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Things I'm Looking Forward To
Strawberries
I've been talking with a friend about strawberries. More specifically we've been talking about the berry lady who organizes a huge order of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and Marionberries every spring/summer. The berries come in big and small buckets and in the case of the strawberries, are hulled and sliced and ready for any kind of strawberry preservation project you might have in mind.
In June I'm going to make strawberry jam and strawberry fruit leather.
The Father Son Camp-out
I'm starting to think of movies I can rent when all my boys are on the Father-Son Camp-out in May. Last year I rented "P.S. I Love You" which was horribly wonderful. Horrible because I cried through the whole thing and wonderful because there was no one else around to witness the embarrassing blubber-fest.
If you have any suggestions for good chick-flicks to watch on the night of the Father-Son Camp-out, please let me know.
"Silent on the Moor"
I believe March 9th is the day "Silent on the Moor" will be released and I'm already on the library's waiting list (3 out of 4!). Can't wait for the latest adventures of Lady Julia and Brisbane.
Hopefully it will be a dark and stormy day when I get the book.
My Garden
Next week I'm going to plant peas, broccoli and maybe chard if I can find some seeds. I am excited to think that in a short 65 days, we could be eating fresh peas and in 70, broccoli.
And don't forget my marigolds. They are doing splendidly! I am looking forward to the day, maybe in May, when I plant them all over our front and back yard.
I've been talking with a friend about strawberries. More specifically we've been talking about the berry lady who organizes a huge order of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and Marionberries every spring/summer. The berries come in big and small buckets and in the case of the strawberries, are hulled and sliced and ready for any kind of strawberry preservation project you might have in mind.
In June I'm going to make strawberry jam and strawberry fruit leather.
The Father Son Camp-out
I'm starting to think of movies I can rent when all my boys are on the Father-Son Camp-out in May. Last year I rented "P.S. I Love You" which was horribly wonderful. Horrible because I cried through the whole thing and wonderful because there was no one else around to witness the embarrassing blubber-fest.
If you have any suggestions for good chick-flicks to watch on the night of the Father-Son Camp-out, please let me know.
"Silent on the Moor"
I believe March 9th is the day "Silent on the Moor" will be released and I'm already on the library's waiting list (3 out of 4!). Can't wait for the latest adventures of Lady Julia and Brisbane.
Hopefully it will be a dark and stormy day when I get the book.
My Garden
Next week I'm going to plant peas, broccoli and maybe chard if I can find some seeds. I am excited to think that in a short 65 days, we could be eating fresh peas and in 70, broccoli.
And don't forget my marigolds. They are doing splendidly! I am looking forward to the day, maybe in May, when I plant them all over our front and back yard.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday Scribblings: Trust
This is a continuation of Sunday Scribblings: Art
When the bus finally reached the MOMA, I made an efficient exit and headed straight towards BART, the folded note laying flat in my front pocket.
I fed my ticket into the turnstile and ran down the stairs just in time to make my train.
I found two empty seats in the back corner of the train and sat down tossing my bag onto the adjacent seat. I tried to appear angsty and menacing so I could enjoy the ride with my personal space still in tact.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the current senior English assigned book and tried to muster interest in Hester’s plight. It was not easy. The mohawked teen and his tattooed girlfriend whispering to each other by the doors were far more interesting.
I forced myself to focus and finally got into the story.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
I looked up. It was him
“Uh, what are you doing here?” I said.
“I’m riding BART. Do you mind?” He gestured to the seat, then sat on the edge, scooting over to occupy the full seat as I pulled my bag to the floor.
“I thought you said you lived in Pacifica. This train is eastbound.”
“Yeah, I know.” He said.
OK, this was starting to get a little disturbing. I really didn’t know anything about this guy other than the fact that he’d been coming to the art enrichment programs at the MOMA for a few weeks.
It’s possible that I also might have noticed that he was tall, had thick, wavy brown hair that I personally felt was wasted on a boy and should have been mine, and dark brown eyes that some might call “thoughtful” if they were so inclined to make those kinds of observations, which I was pretty sure I was not.
“Then, I think you are on the wrong train.”
Why was he here? Did he want to make sure I didn’t snitch? Keep me silent-- permanently? Make me an offer I couldn’t refuse?
I quickly went through my mental self defense file: Fingers to the eyes, jab and dig, violent stomp on the inside ankle, knee to the groin, car keys to the face. I casually fished around in my bag for my keys while trying to make eye contact with anyone on the train who seemed strong and heroic. Of course no one was looking.
“I just wanted to thank you for not saying anything about…you know.” He patted the messenger bag still slung across his chest. “I know this looks bad, but there is a very good explanation. You have to believe me.”
“Why don’t you enlighten me?” I suggested.
“I would love to,” he started, “but…”
I shook my head and turned to look out the window into the blackness of the tunnel. I suppose I didn’t expect him to confess, but why go all the trouble of following me on to the train if he didn’t at least have some kind of story to share?
“I know I’ve given you no reason to trust me.” He said. “But I just want you to know I’m not a thief.”
I turned and looked at him.
“My name is Marcus.” He held out a hand as if he wanted to shake and I took it-- reluctantly.
“And will you be attending art enrichment at the MOMA next week, Marcus?” I asked.
“No, I won’t be back.”
I can’t say I was surprised. “The perfect crime.” I said, giving him a weak smile.
“This is my stop” He said, getting up. “Maybe I’ll see you around.” He smiled back at me as he made his way to the exit.
I watched him slowly ascend on the escalator as the train pulled out of the station. If he was trying for “mysterious” he was only slightly off the mark. As for “confusing” and “maddening”—bull’s-eye.
I turned, leaning my back against the wall of the train, stretching my legs out to the empty seat next to me and meant to get back to my book when I noticed it.
Down by my foot, in the seat that was moments ago occupied by “I’m not a thief” Marcus, was a folded up piece of notebook paper.
When the bus finally reached the MOMA, I made an efficient exit and headed straight towards BART, the folded note laying flat in my front pocket.
I fed my ticket into the turnstile and ran down the stairs just in time to make my train.
I found two empty seats in the back corner of the train and sat down tossing my bag onto the adjacent seat. I tried to appear angsty and menacing so I could enjoy the ride with my personal space still in tact.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the current senior English assigned book and tried to muster interest in Hester’s plight. It was not easy. The mohawked teen and his tattooed girlfriend whispering to each other by the doors were far more interesting.
I forced myself to focus and finally got into the story.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
I looked up. It was him
“Uh, what are you doing here?” I said.
“I’m riding BART. Do you mind?” He gestured to the seat, then sat on the edge, scooting over to occupy the full seat as I pulled my bag to the floor.
“I thought you said you lived in Pacifica. This train is eastbound.”
“Yeah, I know.” He said.
OK, this was starting to get a little disturbing. I really didn’t know anything about this guy other than the fact that he’d been coming to the art enrichment programs at the MOMA for a few weeks.
It’s possible that I also might have noticed that he was tall, had thick, wavy brown hair that I personally felt was wasted on a boy and should have been mine, and dark brown eyes that some might call “thoughtful” if they were so inclined to make those kinds of observations, which I was pretty sure I was not.
“Then, I think you are on the wrong train.”
Why was he here? Did he want to make sure I didn’t snitch? Keep me silent-- permanently? Make me an offer I couldn’t refuse?
I quickly went through my mental self defense file: Fingers to the eyes, jab and dig, violent stomp on the inside ankle, knee to the groin, car keys to the face. I casually fished around in my bag for my keys while trying to make eye contact with anyone on the train who seemed strong and heroic. Of course no one was looking.
“I just wanted to thank you for not saying anything about…you know.” He patted the messenger bag still slung across his chest. “I know this looks bad, but there is a very good explanation. You have to believe me.”
“Why don’t you enlighten me?” I suggested.
“I would love to,” he started, “but…”
I shook my head and turned to look out the window into the blackness of the tunnel. I suppose I didn’t expect him to confess, but why go all the trouble of following me on to the train if he didn’t at least have some kind of story to share?
“I know I’ve given you no reason to trust me.” He said. “But I just want you to know I’m not a thief.”
I turned and looked at him.
“My name is Marcus.” He held out a hand as if he wanted to shake and I took it-- reluctantly.
“And will you be attending art enrichment at the MOMA next week, Marcus?” I asked.
“No, I won’t be back.”
I can’t say I was surprised. “The perfect crime.” I said, giving him a weak smile.
“This is my stop” He said, getting up. “Maybe I’ll see you around.” He smiled back at me as he made his way to the exit.
I watched him slowly ascend on the escalator as the train pulled out of the station. If he was trying for “mysterious” he was only slightly off the mark. As for “confusing” and “maddening”—bull’s-eye.
I turned, leaning my back against the wall of the train, stretching my legs out to the empty seat next to me and meant to get back to my book when I noticed it.
Down by my foot, in the seat that was moments ago occupied by “I’m not a thief” Marcus, was a folded up piece of notebook paper.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
And Now, What You've All Been Waiting For...
...Pictures of my toilet.
I got a box of bathroom cleaning goodness yesterday as part of my Bzz Agent responsibilities.
The main item was the Dow Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner. (In just 14-21 days, you too can have a clean shower!)
As an extra added bonus, however, I also received the Dow Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel.
Oooh, this thing is weird: It's like a cookie press for your toilet. No kidding.
You get a little tube filled with the aforementioned "toilet cleaning gel" and a plunger apparatus to use with it. Then you squirt out these little stars of gel under your toilet's rim. Each time you flush, a little of the cleaner comes off, keeping your toilet fresh and sparkly for seven days. (We will just have to see about that!)
Cons: The scent is a little intense for me and it appears there is a strange alien life form living under the rim of our toilet bowl. Kind of scary.
Pros: For the first time EVER, the boys are remembering to flush the toilet after each use. Ahhh! They are really excited to see that little gel blob get smaller and smaller. Also, flushing seems to tone down the scent quite nicely.
As for the Automatic Shower cleaner, I don't think it's going to work out for us. It's supposed to lay flat against the wall but we have an awesome dispenser type thing that eliminates the bottle build up in the shower.
Well, see for yourself:
I got a box of bathroom cleaning goodness yesterday as part of my Bzz Agent responsibilities.
The main item was the Dow Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner. (In just 14-21 days, you too can have a clean shower!)
As an extra added bonus, however, I also received the Dow Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel.
Oooh, this thing is weird: It's like a cookie press for your toilet. No kidding.
You get a little tube filled with the aforementioned "toilet cleaning gel" and a plunger apparatus to use with it. Then you squirt out these little stars of gel under your toilet's rim. Each time you flush, a little of the cleaner comes off, keeping your toilet fresh and sparkly for seven days. (We will just have to see about that!)
Cons: The scent is a little intense for me and it appears there is a strange alien life form living under the rim of our toilet bowl. Kind of scary.
Pros: For the first time EVER, the boys are remembering to flush the toilet after each use. Ahhh! They are really excited to see that little gel blob get smaller and smaller. Also, flushing seems to tone down the scent quite nicely.
As for the Automatic Shower cleaner, I don't think it's going to work out for us. It's supposed to lay flat against the wall but we have an awesome dispenser type thing that eliminates the bottle build up in the shower.
Well, see for yourself:
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday Scribblings: Sports
Sadly, this story is 100% true.
I joined the swim team when I was 15 because my friends were doing it, which admittedly, is not always the best reason to do things. As it turned out, my friends, along with almost everyone else on the swim team had been swimming competitively since they were out of diapers. Or so it seemed.
Nothing shined a greater spotlight on the disparity between my skill and the skill of my swim team teammates than when coach asked me to demonstrate the butterfly for her.
We went down to the far corner of the pool, I waded out about 20 yards from the wall and leaped forward into the water. I envisioned every graceful, massive-shouldered Olympic butterfly swimmer since Mark Spitz as I heaved my body up, out of the water with singular leg kicks. I brought my arms up and around and tried to synchronize my stokes so I was up when I was supposed to be up and down when I was supposed to be down.
There was a moment I realized it was taking a long time to span that 20 yards to the wall. Much longer than it should. I felt more like a struggling, drowning butterfly than a graceful, flying butterfly.
I did not give up though. I kept swimming with the mistaken belief that the next series of strokes would be the ones that would finally put my body into butterfly harmony.
I reached the wall, stood and looked up at my coach, breathing hard and waiting for her verdict.
I admit, there was a small part of me that was hoping she’d pronounce me a butterfly prodigy; that she’d praise my unique form as the most innovative sports development since the Fosbury Flop. I could revolutionize the sport of swimming!
“Don’t worry,” she said, turning to walk away, “I won’t ever have you swim fly in a race.”
And that pretty much sums up my athletic ability.
I joined the swim team when I was 15 because my friends were doing it, which admittedly, is not always the best reason to do things. As it turned out, my friends, along with almost everyone else on the swim team had been swimming competitively since they were out of diapers. Or so it seemed.
Nothing shined a greater spotlight on the disparity between my skill and the skill of my swim team teammates than when coach asked me to demonstrate the butterfly for her.
We went down to the far corner of the pool, I waded out about 20 yards from the wall and leaped forward into the water. I envisioned every graceful, massive-shouldered Olympic butterfly swimmer since Mark Spitz as I heaved my body up, out of the water with singular leg kicks. I brought my arms up and around and tried to synchronize my stokes so I was up when I was supposed to be up and down when I was supposed to be down.
There was a moment I realized it was taking a long time to span that 20 yards to the wall. Much longer than it should. I felt more like a struggling, drowning butterfly than a graceful, flying butterfly.
I did not give up though. I kept swimming with the mistaken belief that the next series of strokes would be the ones that would finally put my body into butterfly harmony.
I reached the wall, stood and looked up at my coach, breathing hard and waiting for her verdict.
I admit, there was a small part of me that was hoping she’d pronounce me a butterfly prodigy; that she’d praise my unique form as the most innovative sports development since the Fosbury Flop. I could revolutionize the sport of swimming!
“Don’t worry,” she said, turning to walk away, “I won’t ever have you swim fly in a race.”
And that pretty much sums up my athletic ability.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Creating
My last post was a little negative so I thought I'd share a few positives.
About my book complaints, I was referring to "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. While I still have my original gripes, the second half of the book was actually much more encouraging. The chapter on family dinners was especially enjoyable, and Kingsolver's assertion that cooking is a dying art was food for thought.
I was very much intrigued by the chapter which covered cheese making and am actually looking at taking a cheese making class next month in Yamhill.
Look at my lovely little marigolds!
These plants are just putting forth their second or "true" leaves. I'm so excited to see them grow and am already thinking about the different places in the yard where I will plant them.
Finally, I made these frosted sugar cookies today. Even though everyone here at home loves these cookies, they are a bit labor intensive, so I don't make them often. I figured, however, I'd make the effort for my sweetie for Valentine's Day since I know he will truly appreciate it.
About my book complaints, I was referring to "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. While I still have my original gripes, the second half of the book was actually much more encouraging. The chapter on family dinners was especially enjoyable, and Kingsolver's assertion that cooking is a dying art was food for thought.
I was very much intrigued by the chapter which covered cheese making and am actually looking at taking a cheese making class next month in Yamhill.
Look at my lovely little marigolds!These plants are just putting forth their second or "true" leaves. I'm so excited to see them grow and am already thinking about the different places in the yard where I will plant them.
Finally, I made these frosted sugar cookies today. Even though everyone here at home loves these cookies, they are a bit labor intensive, so I don't make them often. I figured, however, I'd make the effort for my sweetie for Valentine's Day since I know he will truly appreciate it.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Gripe (or two, or four)
People who don't know how to walk on an indoor track
It's a 3 lane track. The sign says slow walkers/runners stay on the inside lane. People! Assume you are the slowest and move to the outer lanes to pass. Please don't meander down the middle of the track with your walking buddy, essentially taking up the entire track and making me break stride when I have to suck it in and press up against the wall to pass you. Come on! It's like freeway driving. There are slow lanes and passing lanes.
Oh, never mind.
Kids who come into my house and don't shut the door
I know I've got a super fun house and playful kids. I'm happy to have you here. Just SHUT THE DOOR for the love of Pete! I'm pretty sure this is the same rule in your house because as I drive up and down the street, I've noticed the doors to your homes are always closed. You need to close every door when you come in...garage, back, front...close them! Especially when it's, you know, FREEZING outside. Or when it's 102 and I've been running the AC just to keep the house at a balmy 80. CLOSE THE DOOR!
Extreme food and lifestyle choices and the people who push them
I agree that there are problems with transporting watermelons to my grocery store from Chile in January. It's creating issues with pollution and probably global warming but it's just not natural. Watermelons are for July. OK? They taste better in July. It makes sense to wait. Additionally, I admire you for your choice to eat only local foods grown in season. YAY! You are amazing. I don't know how you do it...especially in January when there is pretty much nothing growing unless you live in Southern California.
But you do realize that not everyone has the luxury of living on 20 acres and spending the time when most people have to go to work tending heritage turkeys and heirloom tomatoes, don't you? Or gathering wild morels for crying out loud.
Some of us have microscopic yards and CC&R's that prohibit livestock.
And yes, I realize that buying from Farmer's Market only seems more expensive; that the real cost is in the damage we are doing to the world by perpetuating genetically modified plants and bringing hard, unripe, flavorless food thousands of miles to sit on a shelf for 5 days. But not all of us get a royalty check every month supplementing our household income so we can pay $2 for a bunch of kale at the farmer's market instead of 50 cents a bunch in the store. (Not that I'd eat kale in the first place.)
A shortage of heart shaped Valentine Jr. Mints
Just can't find them anywhere. They are even better than regular Jr. Mints, if that can be possible.
And while I'm on the subject of Valentines, I really miss the valentines that used to come with cute little white envelopes. You know, the ones you'd get for people in your class? Now you just fold over a teeny tiny little piece of card stock which is expected to hold together with a miniature heart sticker. Whatever.
It's a 3 lane track. The sign says slow walkers/runners stay on the inside lane. People! Assume you are the slowest and move to the outer lanes to pass. Please don't meander down the middle of the track with your walking buddy, essentially taking up the entire track and making me break stride when I have to suck it in and press up against the wall to pass you. Come on! It's like freeway driving. There are slow lanes and passing lanes.
Oh, never mind.
Kids who come into my house and don't shut the door
I know I've got a super fun house and playful kids. I'm happy to have you here. Just SHUT THE DOOR for the love of Pete! I'm pretty sure this is the same rule in your house because as I drive up and down the street, I've noticed the doors to your homes are always closed. You need to close every door when you come in...garage, back, front...close them! Especially when it's, you know, FREEZING outside. Or when it's 102 and I've been running the AC just to keep the house at a balmy 80. CLOSE THE DOOR!
Extreme food and lifestyle choices and the people who push them
I agree that there are problems with transporting watermelons to my grocery store from Chile in January. It's creating issues with pollution and probably global warming but it's just not natural. Watermelons are for July. OK? They taste better in July. It makes sense to wait. Additionally, I admire you for your choice to eat only local foods grown in season. YAY! You are amazing. I don't know how you do it...especially in January when there is pretty much nothing growing unless you live in Southern California.
But you do realize that not everyone has the luxury of living on 20 acres and spending the time when most people have to go to work tending heritage turkeys and heirloom tomatoes, don't you? Or gathering wild morels for crying out loud.
Some of us have microscopic yards and CC&R's that prohibit livestock.
And yes, I realize that buying from Farmer's Market only seems more expensive; that the real cost is in the damage we are doing to the world by perpetuating genetically modified plants and bringing hard, unripe, flavorless food thousands of miles to sit on a shelf for 5 days. But not all of us get a royalty check every month supplementing our household income so we can pay $2 for a bunch of kale at the farmer's market instead of 50 cents a bunch in the store. (Not that I'd eat kale in the first place.)
A shortage of heart shaped Valentine Jr. Mints
Just can't find them anywhere. They are even better than regular Jr. Mints, if that can be possible.
And while I'm on the subject of Valentines, I really miss the valentines that used to come with cute little white envelopes. You know, the ones you'd get for people in your class? Now you just fold over a teeny tiny little piece of card stock which is expected to hold together with a miniature heart sticker. Whatever.
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