Monday, February 28, 2005
see? it's theme day.
Speaking of buying DIY, I visited Cut+Paste today for some weird stream-of-consciousness reason and I saw The Small Object's beautiful Fill-in-the-Blanks Family Tree Print. Products from The Small Object are available at Pink Thread & more, which carries Pink Thread's Secret Keepers! AND I can pay via money order, which is the only way for me to order online right now since I'm trying to stay credit-card free. (Except for Amazon.com, but the small-limit credit card I use for that is ONLY for that.)
So I've already got two presents for Rabbit, and her birthday's still two weeks away! This may be a record.
So I've already got two presents for Rabbit, and her birthday's still two weeks away! This may be a record.
groupthink
Spring also means I put more thought into where I shop.
I love to buy DIY. It's not that hard to find what you need, and you get to support an artisan and get something that's generally one of a kind (or close to it, anyway).
Two crafty directories that I've found useful:
* Indie Collective
* I Buy DIY
There's also craftPOP.com, but I can never find what I need there, which probably says more about me than about the site, but there you have it.
I love to buy DIY. It's not that hard to find what you need, and you get to support an artisan and get something that's generally one of a kind (or close to it, anyway).
Two crafty directories that I've found useful:
* Indie Collective
* I Buy DIY
There's also craftPOP.com, but I can never find what I need there, which probably says more about me than about the site, but there you have it.
rolling with a theme
I'm looking into Square Foot Gardening. My only problem with it is that it looks a little too . . . easy. Part of me wants gardening to be hard so that it feels that much better when stuff grows. God, that's so drama queeny, but that's my approach with too many things in life.
let's see how many plants I can kill!
All the plants I love tend to die. Except! I received a Japanese elm bonsai tree thingie last spring, and although we had some touch and go ICU moments at the beginning of this winter, it's currently alive and well. I do need to learn to trim it, though, it's looking a little unkempt.
I'm going to try out veggie gardening this year; it seems like I've been waiting decades to have the land for a garden, even though it's only been three years or so. I am the beginningest of beginners, and have no idea where to start. There's a thread on GetCrafty that has quite a few links that will help me out:
* You Grow Girl: great info, nice site design, lovely funky vibe. Looks like it hasn't been updated since Spring/Summer 2004, though (but the user diaries have). My favorite find so far is an article on vegetable seed starting that breaks it down so that even I can understand it.
* Here's a frost chart (U.S.) that was linked in the above article. Exactly what I needed.
* Some posters suggested seed companies: The Natural Gardening Company (seed packets seem to be around $2.00); Seeds of Change (around $2.50 to $3.00), which has some interesting looking seed collections; and Johnny's Selected Seeds (around $2.95 and up). I may try to find some around here instead, but I don't foresee having much luck with that, so I'll probably end up ordering online.
* There's also GardenWeb, where I remember finding some recipes I've used for xmas presents -- maybe spa-type stuff? I'm not a fan of the site design, but looks like it has plenty of good info.
* And Garden Pursuits, whose webmaster lives in Virginia, so that might be a little helpful.
I'm also planning on growing some flowers, but that's not going to be as tightly planned; I'll probly just scatter some seeds (broadcasting, right?). And of course I'm growing herbs -- I'm not that worried about those, I've done them before. I've just always forgotten to water them or left them outside or whatever. Hopefully it will go a little better since they won't be the only plants I'll be tending to.
I've also added about twenty books to my wishlist. I feel very productive already, even though nothing's really started yet.
I'm going to try out veggie gardening this year; it seems like I've been waiting decades to have the land for a garden, even though it's only been three years or so. I am the beginningest of beginners, and have no idea where to start. There's a thread on GetCrafty that has quite a few links that will help me out:
* You Grow Girl: great info, nice site design, lovely funky vibe. Looks like it hasn't been updated since Spring/Summer 2004, though (but the user diaries have). My favorite find so far is an article on vegetable seed starting that breaks it down so that even I can understand it.
* Here's a frost chart (U.S.) that was linked in the above article. Exactly what I needed.
* Some posters suggested seed companies: The Natural Gardening Company (seed packets seem to be around $2.00); Seeds of Change (around $2.50 to $3.00), which has some interesting looking seed collections; and Johnny's Selected Seeds (around $2.95 and up). I may try to find some around here instead, but I don't foresee having much luck with that, so I'll probably end up ordering online.
* There's also GardenWeb, where I remember finding some recipes I've used for xmas presents -- maybe spa-type stuff? I'm not a fan of the site design, but looks like it has plenty of good info.
* And Garden Pursuits, whose webmaster lives in Virginia, so that might be a little helpful.
I'm also planning on growing some flowers, but that's not going to be as tightly planned; I'll probly just scatter some seeds (broadcasting, right?). And of course I'm growing herbs -- I'm not that worried about those, I've done them before. I've just always forgotten to water them or left them outside or whatever. Hopefully it will go a little better since they won't be the only plants I'll be tending to.
I've also added about twenty books to my wishlist. I feel very productive already, even though nothing's really started yet.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
whaaaat?
Roadkill candy is a bad idea? Who knew?
Ah, I love Trolli. That line carries some of the weirdest, sugariest, deliciousest stuff.
(What would I do without WTOP giving me this kind of breaking news?)
Ah, I love Trolli. That line carries some of the weirdest, sugariest, deliciousest stuff.
(What would I do without WTOP giving me this kind of breaking news?)
well, duh
If you have an elective c-section, you're just as likely to go through post-partum depression as a woman who gives birth naturally. However, the phrasing of this sentence:
"New mothers are as likely to experience depression after giving birth whether they go through labor and a natural delivery or an elective caesarian."
makes me wonder if you're MORE likely to have ppd after a non-elective c-section. That's the problem I had -- major ppd, lasted over a year, and I'm still recovering. I think it might have been more dramatic than it would have been if Rabbit had been born naturally, if only because it completely revamped my entire birthing experience. I expected something totally different, and felt a little like I hadn't lived up to my part of the deal. Also, it took a long time for me to feel that Rabbit was truly "mine," you know? Because I didn't even get to see her for, I think, twelve hours or so. She was taken out and whisked to NICU for breathing problems and I had to recover from the surgery and I never saw her until I saw her in the little plastic cage. Then she was in NICU for ten days. So that kind of experience, which I'm sure most emergency c-section mothers go through, probly puts you through a little more of a wringer, so I would think it would amplify your "normal" ppd symptoms.
Yes, I thought all that when I read that one sentence. It's almost Rabbit's second bday, it's on my mind a lot lately, especially since I'm still clawing my way up into normalcy.
"New mothers are as likely to experience depression after giving birth whether they go through labor and a natural delivery or an elective caesarian."
makes me wonder if you're MORE likely to have ppd after a non-elective c-section. That's the problem I had -- major ppd, lasted over a year, and I'm still recovering. I think it might have been more dramatic than it would have been if Rabbit had been born naturally, if only because it completely revamped my entire birthing experience. I expected something totally different, and felt a little like I hadn't lived up to my part of the deal. Also, it took a long time for me to feel that Rabbit was truly "mine," you know? Because I didn't even get to see her for, I think, twelve hours or so. She was taken out and whisked to NICU for breathing problems and I had to recover from the surgery and I never saw her until I saw her in the little plastic cage. Then she was in NICU for ten days. So that kind of experience, which I'm sure most emergency c-section mothers go through, probly puts you through a little more of a wringer, so I would think it would amplify your "normal" ppd symptoms.
Yes, I thought all that when I read that one sentence. It's almost Rabbit's second bday, it's on my mind a lot lately, especially since I'm still clawing my way up into normalcy.
southeastern swag market
Are you a vendor in the VA/NC area? Sell your wares at the Southeastern Swag Market! Then I can buy lots of cool stuff!
No, I'm just kidding (well, partly). But there aren't a lot of Bizarre Bazaar-type things down this way that I'm aware of, and I'm pretty excited about the possibilities. The GetCrafty thread with more info is here.
No, I'm just kidding (well, partly). But there aren't a lot of Bizarre Bazaar-type things down this way that I'm aware of, and I'm pretty excited about the possibilities. The GetCrafty thread with more info is here.
and now for clever stuff
Normally this kind of thing goes above my head, but WTOP reported on this engineer who's training viruses to build stuff, with end-result applications like computer wires and self-repairing thread. The WTOP mini-report is here (it's the report from 2/25/05, "Viral Engineers").
Once again, a little behind in the news (about a month and a half), but I'm slowly catching up.
Once again, a little behind in the news (about a month and a half), but I'm slowly catching up.
Friday, February 25, 2005
this is how I know spring's on its way
1) I crave Lush products, especially sparkly bath bombs and citrus-y shower gels
2) I start hunting for good craft books for inspiration for that inevitable burst of creative energy that hits me in the middle of March
3) thrifting seems like a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon again
4) I get excited about the farmers' market opening back up, fresh veggies and home-baked bread and ripe juicy peaches on their way sooner or later. and this year, there's added home-garden excitement.
5) the Self magazine Shape-Up Challenge starts and I think about doing it, then put it off. this year I've actually signed up. I haven't worked out in at least two years. this will be interesting (and by "interesting," I mean "probably painful").
2) I start hunting for good craft books for inspiration for that inevitable burst of creative energy that hits me in the middle of March
3) thrifting seems like a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon again
4) I get excited about the farmers' market opening back up, fresh veggies and home-baked bread and ripe juicy peaches on their way sooner or later. and this year, there's added home-garden excitement.
5) the Self magazine Shape-Up Challenge starts and I think about doing it, then put it off. this year I've actually signed up. I haven't worked out in at least two years. this will be interesting (and by "interesting," I mean "probably painful").
like Barbie said . . .
math is hard! (transcript)
I realize Summers offered THREE hypotheses, the "women are intrinsically less suited to mathematic and scientific careers" theory being only one of them, but still. Sweet lord.
Yes, this was "news," like, two weeks ago, but I just heard about it Tuesday. At least he was "given a scolding," but that really doesn't make him less of a tool, does it?
(first link via Feministing.com)
I realize Summers offered THREE hypotheses, the "women are intrinsically less suited to mathematic and scientific careers" theory being only one of them, but still. Sweet lord.
Yes, this was "news," like, two weeks ago, but I just heard about it Tuesday. At least he was "given a scolding," but that really doesn't make him less of a tool, does it?
(first link via Feministing.com)
Friday, February 18, 2005
it doesn't count as nostalgia if you weren't born yet, does it?
Holy cheese and crackers, Penny Postcards is the best e-postcard site I've ever seen. It's got tons of those vintage postcards that I'm always hunting for in thrift shops and can never find. (Instead I find packs of approximately 500 Disney World and Kings Dominion postcards, always unopenable and packaged with a good postcard in the front. Bastards.)
I never actually send e-postcards, but I do like to print out the good ones and use them in crafts sometimes. And I love looking at stuff like that for crafty inspiration, and just to admire the colors and creativity. (God help me, I almost used the word "whimsy.")
(link via Heidi @ Step Into My Thimble)
I never actually send e-postcards, but I do like to print out the good ones and use them in crafts sometimes. And I love looking at stuff like that for crafty inspiration, and just to admire the colors and creativity. (God help me, I almost used the word "whimsy.")
(link via Heidi @ Step Into My Thimble)
real life is boring to read about
Work is once again crazy busy, I don't know why it's blowing up this way, but I'm not about to be sad about it.
So we're going to get a puppy. I'm not sure about this. I mean, it's going to happen, it's gotten past the point where I can talk Ben out of it, but ehhhh.
Don't get me wrong, I love puppies. I really miss Ellie (our 5-year-old lab/husky mix who ran away last summer and never showed up again). BUT Ben has a sketchy history with animals, he's like I am with crafty projects. He's interested for a couple of months, and then they're pretty much forgotten about, which means I end up having to do all the vet stuff, the washing, the walking, etc., etc.
Unfortunately, this time around, he had one up on me because I told him we could get another dog after we had our own place. So he promised to do his share, and we shall see. The puppy we're getting is a female German Shepherd, and supposedly she's caramel-colored. I say supposedly because I've never seen her. She's three months old, and I was afraid she was a purebred (I prefer mutts), but she's not. Ben's friend S breeds them. (Don't ask me why, I have no idea.) I'm a little wary about the German Shepherd/kid mix, but after doing a little reading, it seems like the only thing to worry about is the usual dog/kid stuff, along with a little extra territorialism. (Of course, there's also this: "A sound German Shepherd makes an excellent companion. An unsound one is a disaster waiting to happen." But again, I think that goes for any dog.)
I think we should name her Nico, hehe. But I don't think that will fly with Ben. Dear god, as long as it's not a name that refers to the color of the dog's fur, I will be fine with whatever.
Whatever happens, I promise you I will not be a crazy dog person. You know what I mean.
So we're going to get a puppy. I'm not sure about this. I mean, it's going to happen, it's gotten past the point where I can talk Ben out of it, but ehhhh.
Don't get me wrong, I love puppies. I really miss Ellie (our 5-year-old lab/husky mix who ran away last summer and never showed up again). BUT Ben has a sketchy history with animals, he's like I am with crafty projects. He's interested for a couple of months, and then they're pretty much forgotten about, which means I end up having to do all the vet stuff, the washing, the walking, etc., etc.
Unfortunately, this time around, he had one up on me because I told him we could get another dog after we had our own place. So he promised to do his share, and we shall see. The puppy we're getting is a female German Shepherd, and supposedly she's caramel-colored. I say supposedly because I've never seen her. She's three months old, and I was afraid she was a purebred (I prefer mutts), but she's not. Ben's friend S breeds them. (Don't ask me why, I have no idea.) I'm a little wary about the German Shepherd/kid mix, but after doing a little reading, it seems like the only thing to worry about is the usual dog/kid stuff, along with a little extra territorialism. (Of course, there's also this: "A sound German Shepherd makes an excellent companion. An unsound one is a disaster waiting to happen." But again, I think that goes for any dog.)
I think we should name her Nico, hehe. But I don't think that will fly with Ben. Dear god, as long as it's not a name that refers to the color of the dog's fur, I will be fine with whatever.
Whatever happens, I promise you I will not be a crazy dog person. You know what I mean.
Monday, February 14, 2005
more birthday chatter
It took me forever to decide what to get with the fifty bucks, but in the end I decided on:
* Iron Jawed Angels, of course, because if I don't get it now I'll have to wait until I have extra money again, haha;
* 100 Best-Loved Poems and Great Love Poems (Dover Thrift Editions), because I want to read some damn poetry and don't know where to start (I'm beginning to think I want to look into Pablo Neruda and Rainer Maria Rilke, though);
* The Bone Lady, which is NEVER in stock at Borders;
* Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You: Stories, which looks good;
and * I Can Fly, which is a Little Golden Book illustrated by Mary Blair (also starting to look into different illustrators -- there are so many different things to learn about, it's so sad to think what little time there is to do it in).
Some of those Dover Thrift Editions look like a pretty good bargain, by the way. And I discovered about a dozen Little Golden Books that I want to get (all for Rabbit, of coooourse). And I now want The Art and Flair of Mary Blair: An Appreciation as well; one of the craftistas mentioned it in her blog and it looks pretty cool. (I've got to find some modifier other than "really" and "pretty," I think.) My Amazon Wishlist has been getting a good workout this week, let's just put it that way.
I also went ahead and ordered some more from QPB, because I can put aside a little chunk of money each week to pay for it, which works best for me:
* The Partly Cloudy Patriot
* Maus I: A Survivor's Tale
* Reading Lolita in Tehran
* Elizabeth & Mary (aka I've been reading too much Philippa Gregory)
* Purple Hibiscus
* A Mighty Heart
* Across the Nightingale Floor
* Queen of Scots
* A People's History of the United States
* When Presidents Lie
* Sex with Kings
* Please Don't Kill the Freshman
* Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
and * Ten Poems to Open Your Heart (because it has one of Pablo Neruda's poems in it and I was curious and it was free with my bonus points).
Lots and lots of books. I always spend too much around my birthday, but QPB's "buy one, get the rest half off" sale was still going and I'm weak. I'd list all the authors but they'll get their dues in the book blog when I read them.
Please ignore the fact that I have four or five boxes of books in storage, and one bookshelf full of unpacked books I haven't read yet. I call them standby books.
* Iron Jawed Angels, of course, because if I don't get it now I'll have to wait until I have extra money again, haha;
* 100 Best-Loved Poems and Great Love Poems (Dover Thrift Editions), because I want to read some damn poetry and don't know where to start (I'm beginning to think I want to look into Pablo Neruda and Rainer Maria Rilke, though);
* The Bone Lady, which is NEVER in stock at Borders;
* Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You: Stories, which looks good;
and * I Can Fly, which is a Little Golden Book illustrated by Mary Blair (also starting to look into different illustrators -- there are so many different things to learn about, it's so sad to think what little time there is to do it in).
Some of those Dover Thrift Editions look like a pretty good bargain, by the way. And I discovered about a dozen Little Golden Books that I want to get (all for Rabbit, of coooourse). And I now want The Art and Flair of Mary Blair: An Appreciation as well; one of the craftistas mentioned it in her blog and it looks pretty cool. (I've got to find some modifier other than "really" and "pretty," I think.) My Amazon Wishlist has been getting a good workout this week, let's just put it that way.
I also went ahead and ordered some more from QPB, because I can put aside a little chunk of money each week to pay for it, which works best for me:
* The Partly Cloudy Patriot
* Maus I: A Survivor's Tale
* Reading Lolita in Tehran
* Elizabeth & Mary (aka I've been reading too much Philippa Gregory)
* Purple Hibiscus
* A Mighty Heart
* Across the Nightingale Floor
* Queen of Scots
* A People's History of the United States
* When Presidents Lie
* Sex with Kings
* Please Don't Kill the Freshman
* Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
and * Ten Poems to Open Your Heart (because it has one of Pablo Neruda's poems in it and I was curious and it was free with my bonus points).
Lots and lots of books. I always spend too much around my birthday, but QPB's "buy one, get the rest half off" sale was still going and I'm weak. I'd list all the authors but they'll get their dues in the book blog when I read them.
Please ignore the fact that I have four or five boxes of books in storage, and one bookshelf full of unpacked books I haven't read yet. I call them standby books.
is there already an official Valentine's Day grinch?
Ah, Valentine's Day, I loathe you so. I hate the commercialism of you, the way you turn love into a cheap chocolatey gimmick. I hate the way you make out-of-the-clique kids in school feel and the way you make single adults feel. Burn.
And now I'll stop talking to an idea, which isn't even an inanimate object, which means I'm triple crazy. But I really don't like Valentine's Day. This is not to say that I grit my teeth while being told "Happy Valentine's Day," or that I won't make Ben a card later today (procrastinate much?), because I'm not that far over on the Old Lady side of the spectrum.
I suppose I should tell a V-Day story here, if only so this isn't merely a bitching post. Okay, how's this: when I was fourteen or so, Dad bought me and the sibs each a little box of candy for Valentine's Day. I was so excited (always been a sucker for paternal displays of affection) and happy, and then I looked at the box and it was one of those joke boxes. You know, the front said "Your teeth are like stars, Valentine," and the inside said "Do they come out at night?" Yes, it's funny, and I would enjoy getting something like that now, but at fourteen I was pretty fragile, and it was a huge disappointment. I wanted something nice and sweet, maybe with frolicking unicorns emblazoned across the front. (I kid!) You can tell that my father was never a fourteen-year-old girl.
And here's how you can tell I married a man who is exactly like my father, like all the books say happens: from my loving spouse, for my birthday, a rather important birthday, I received a card and a t-shirt. NOT JUST ANY T-SHIRT. No, this was a "How do you like your pussy?" t-shirt. Moving, huh? He means well. That's all that matters.
And now I'll stop talking to an idea, which isn't even an inanimate object, which means I'm triple crazy. But I really don't like Valentine's Day. This is not to say that I grit my teeth while being told "Happy Valentine's Day," or that I won't make Ben a card later today (procrastinate much?), because I'm not that far over on the Old Lady side of the spectrum.
I suppose I should tell a V-Day story here, if only so this isn't merely a bitching post. Okay, how's this: when I was fourteen or so, Dad bought me and the sibs each a little box of candy for Valentine's Day. I was so excited (always been a sucker for paternal displays of affection) and happy, and then I looked at the box and it was one of those joke boxes. You know, the front said "Your teeth are like stars, Valentine," and the inside said "Do they come out at night?" Yes, it's funny, and I would enjoy getting something like that now, but at fourteen I was pretty fragile, and it was a huge disappointment. I wanted something nice and sweet, maybe with frolicking unicorns emblazoned across the front. (I kid!) You can tell that my father was never a fourteen-year-old girl.
And here's how you can tell I married a man who is exactly like my father, like all the books say happens: from my loving spouse, for my birthday, a rather important birthday, I received a card and a t-shirt. NOT JUST ANY T-SHIRT. No, this was a "How do you like your pussy?" t-shirt. Moving, huh? He means well. That's all that matters.
Monday, February 07, 2005
finally, a resolution I can keep!
So my birthday's this week. I've given myself $50 to spend online, and am having a hard time deciding what to get:
* Iron Jawed Angels (HBO movie about the fight for women's voting rights, a film with a few flaws that I loved anyway and have been wanting for months now)
* the first season of Angel (I think this was on sale a few weeks ago, and could kick myself for not getting it then as an early birthday present, but oh well) or the complete Firefly
* some mundane stuff from my wish list that I wouldn't buy otherwise
* a semi-nice bookshelf (either a short one for the kitchen/cookbooks or a large one for my fiction/nonfic)
The problem is when I have money, I can never remember what I wanted to buy when I didn't have the money. It will probly end up being books. It always is.
I'm also trying to figure out how to enjoy the day. Tuesdays are days on which I work from home, so I think I'll get stuff done tonight and take Rabbit into town nosing around used bookstores, the library, and other places Ben doesn't like to go tomorrow morning, followed by a lunch at a Rabbit-friendly restaurant and some park-visiting if the weather holds (maybe a picnic? It's been nice and warm the past few days.). Then I'll take a nap with Rabbit and paint my nails tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow night Mom is watching the baby while Ben and I go out to dinner, and she's going to keep her overnight since she's watching her Wednesday while I'm at work anyway. I don't know what we'll do after dinner, but I think the day in general will be pretty fun. Last year bit because I kept waiting for other people to help me enjoy it. Lesson learned.
Next year I'm going for a birthday week, for each of us, but this year I think we'll enjoy being in our own house for our birthdays too much to worry about that.
* Iron Jawed Angels (HBO movie about the fight for women's voting rights, a film with a few flaws that I loved anyway and have been wanting for months now)
* the first season of Angel (I think this was on sale a few weeks ago, and could kick myself for not getting it then as an early birthday present, but oh well) or the complete Firefly
* some mundane stuff from my wish list that I wouldn't buy otherwise
* a semi-nice bookshelf (either a short one for the kitchen/cookbooks or a large one for my fiction/nonfic)
The problem is when I have money, I can never remember what I wanted to buy when I didn't have the money. It will probly end up being books. It always is.
I'm also trying to figure out how to enjoy the day. Tuesdays are days on which I work from home, so I think I'll get stuff done tonight and take Rabbit into town nosing around used bookstores, the library, and other places Ben doesn't like to go tomorrow morning, followed by a lunch at a Rabbit-friendly restaurant and some park-visiting if the weather holds (maybe a picnic? It's been nice and warm the past few days.). Then I'll take a nap with Rabbit and paint my nails tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow night Mom is watching the baby while Ben and I go out to dinner, and she's going to keep her overnight since she's watching her Wednesday while I'm at work anyway. I don't know what we'll do after dinner, but I think the day in general will be pretty fun. Last year bit because I kept waiting for other people to help me enjoy it. Lesson learned.
Next year I'm going for a birthday week, for each of us, but this year I think we'll enjoy being in our own house for our birthdays too much to worry about that.
memorandum
Once again, an open letter:
Dearest friends and loved ones,
When we exchange gifts, if you happen to have bought less for me than I for you, please do not get all humble and say, "Now I feel bad because you got me more than I got you." It does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy. It makes me feel bad because I think I went overboard. The truth of the matter is, I like buying things for other people. I like pretty/nice/fun/shiny things, period, and when I see something I think you'll like I have a hard time not grabbing it and running for the door, so actually, you received LESS than I would have liked to give you.
This happened to me THREE TIMES this holiday season. Please, just accept your gifts. I don't think of holidays as a large equal-exchange program, complete with little scales to measure the worth of each person's gifts, and I wish you wouldn't make me feel like I should.
BUT I STILL LOVE YOU LIKE A TINY CUTE PUPPY, ANYWAY,
karen
Dearest friends and loved ones,
When we exchange gifts, if you happen to have bought less for me than I for you, please do not get all humble and say, "Now I feel bad because you got me more than I got you." It does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy. It makes me feel bad because I think I went overboard. The truth of the matter is, I like buying things for other people. I like pretty/nice/fun/shiny things, period, and when I see something I think you'll like I have a hard time not grabbing it and running for the door, so actually, you received LESS than I would have liked to give you.
This happened to me THREE TIMES this holiday season. Please, just accept your gifts. I don't think of holidays as a large equal-exchange program, complete with little scales to measure the worth of each person's gifts, and I wish you wouldn't make me feel like I should.
BUT I STILL LOVE YOU LIKE A TINY CUTE PUPPY, ANYWAY,
karen
football talk
Well, not really football talk, as I wasn't all that interested in yesterday's game. Please do not think of that as a girly "Football is hard!" declaration, I just have nothing invested in either team. Don't hate either team, don't love either team.
But I did watch some of it, anyway, and since we all know the commercials are more important than the game, I will report that my favorites were the monkey/whoopee cushion and the cat/knife commercials. I seem to have a weakness for animals in ad spots, which probably goes back to those evil sinning "Bud. Weis. Er." beer-guzzling frogs.
(Ben's favorite was the Mustang commercial with the frozen guy. How do we even get along? A car commercial? I hate car commercials even more than "Lost another loan to Ditech! [wa-waaaa]" commercials.)
In other news, I'm really looking forward to next season -- I have a feeling the 'Skins will at least make it into the playoffs, though I doubt they'll be playing the Superbowl next year. This year wasn't the best (although there were a few games in there that rocked), but the defense is so beautiful it makes you want to cry, and my faith in Patrick Ramsey is still alive and in one piece. Dad seems to have the same faith, and he knows more about these kinds of things than I do, so I'm not totally out in left field. And Ramsey's supposedly starting from the get-go next year, which will be nice.
If my 'Skins make it to the playoffs, I will host a theme party next year for the Superbowl, no matter who ends up playing the actual Superbowl. There. That takes care of that; I dislike hosting parties (too much anxiety and perfectionism in my blood), and my luck is pretty monkey's-paw-ish, so playoffs, here we come!
But I did watch some of it, anyway, and since we all know the commercials are more important than the game, I will report that my favorites were the monkey/whoopee cushion and the cat/knife commercials. I seem to have a weakness for animals in ad spots, which probably goes back to those evil sinning "Bud. Weis. Er." beer-guzzling frogs.
(Ben's favorite was the Mustang commercial with the frozen guy. How do we even get along? A car commercial? I hate car commercials even more than "Lost another loan to Ditech! [wa-waaaa]" commercials.)
In other news, I'm really looking forward to next season -- I have a feeling the 'Skins will at least make it into the playoffs, though I doubt they'll be playing the Superbowl next year. This year wasn't the best (although there were a few games in there that rocked), but the defense is so beautiful it makes you want to cry, and my faith in Patrick Ramsey is still alive and in one piece. Dad seems to have the same faith, and he knows more about these kinds of things than I do, so I'm not totally out in left field. And Ramsey's supposedly starting from the get-go next year, which will be nice.
If my 'Skins make it to the playoffs, I will host a theme party next year for the Superbowl, no matter who ends up playing the actual Superbowl. There. That takes care of that; I dislike hosting parties (too much anxiety and perfectionism in my blood), and my luck is pretty monkey's-paw-ish, so playoffs, here we come!
