meg's garden: About Me

Another page of my life...

Mon, 19 May 2008 20:23:59 GMT

FOR TODAY May 19th...

Outside My Window...

A lawn in desperate need of mowing, lots of droopy plants begging for water & deadheading after the extreme heat this past weekend, & several wasps buzzing around the front door- time to call the bug guy.

I am thinking...

how incredible that we are beginning the last two weeks of school~ & that come August, my baby boy will be a high school Senior.

I am thankful for...

the comfort of central air conditioning & the return of cooler temperatures

From the kitchen...

I think it will be a good evening for salads & maybe a little grilled chicken.

I am wearing...

a dark blue skirt, a medium blue knit top, & navy loafers

I am creating...

Excel worksheets that will help greatly reduce the amount of time I spend reconciling general ledger accounts each month~ less time spent at work is always good!

I am going...

to take Sam to the movies this week (maybe tonight)~ he had the opportunity to see Prince Caspian yesterday with his friends & turned it down so we could see it together

I am reading...

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskill (I really enjoyed the PBS series, & found a copy on my bookshelf while looking for something else) & Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

I am hoping...

that Chris’ case of the “Grummpies” is very short-lived. He has been rather harsh with Sam &, while I make a point trying not to correct & micro-manage his parenting style, I’m concerned about damage it could do to their relationship.

I am hearing...

someone rattling the front door of the office & cursing; even though we have always been closed on Monday & Wednesday, and put a large “Sorry, We’re Closed Today” sign on the door, they still get angry when I won’t jump up to let them in.

Around the house...

I still haven’t gotten to those curtains, so tonight they come down & into the washer; I must set out some ant traps~ the heat & lack of rain has driven the legions into the house in search of water; & the electric mower needs to be repaired or replaced~ I’m seriously considering an old fashioned rotary push mower, then there would be no excuse for the mess out back J

One of my favorite things...

the scent of spearmint, especially in my iced tea

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Finish the reusable shopping bag for the Ravelry swap; mail off some t-shirts to Africankelli for her trips to Nicaragua & Mozambique; & get Sam registered for a learn-to-golf clinic in June (his request) & another evening of tennis lessons to revamp his game (his coach’s request)

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

The last of my Red California Poppies~ hiding a little surprise…

A little Dahlia hidden underneath,

watching the bird feeder J

Please drop by Peggy’s blog, “The Simple Woman”, to join (or just read along) the other ladies as they take a snapshot of their day & focus on the simple things.

Let me just check my Daybook...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:41:32 GMT

For Sunday, April 27th

Outside my Window...I see the cats “roaming in the gloaming” of twilight- Daisy is laying on the patio, soaking the warmth from the bricks into her old bones, Poppy is exploring the perimeter of the beds, smelling each green thing, & Dahlia has flattened herself into the grass, waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting bug.

I am thinking...about all the activities of the weekend- the heat & sounds of the Highland Games in Sacramento, the beauty & variety of Filoli Estates.

I am thankful for...the gift of a big hat & the miracle of sunscreen (SPF 30) ; I was outside all weekend, wandering in the hot sun, & not a single sunburn!

From the kitchen...the scent of tea brewing for a pitcher of sweet tea- black tea with lemon peel & spearmint

I am creating...two little knitted washcloths for a surprise baby shower later this week.

I am going...to the Michael Buble concert in Sacramento on Sunday, a gift to myself

I am wearing...a pale yellow challis skirt with large coral roses & green leaves, a coral colored polo, & spring green knitted low-rise socks

(shown by request of Jane)

I am reading... The Grey Mask by Patricia Wentworth, & finishing up Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim

I am hoping...that the weather will be kind during Chris’ sojourn in Denver, & that no crisis will extend his stay beyond the two weeks

I am hearing...the sounds of the television show Chris is sleeping through, Sam taking his evening shower, & Beatrice the Lovebird singing her “Goodnight Aria” to her cousins outside the window.

Around the house...everyone is shedding clothing to get comfortable- it got rather warm today & it’s hard to sleep in a stuffy room; I think I’ll turn on the A/C for a bit.

One of my favorite things...clean sheets on a freshly made bed

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...commemorate the 45^th anniversary of my entrance to the world tomorrow; finish the second washcloth & put together another row on the Church quilt; Thursday is the National Day of Prayer & our choir is performing at the banquet.

Here are some picture thought I am sharing for you...

Please drop by Peggy’s blog, “The Simple Woman”, to join (or just read along) the other ladies as they take a snapshot of their day & focus on the simple things.

A peek at my daybook...

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:49:37 GMT

For Today, April 16, 2008

Outside My Window...
Trees bending in the wind, silhouetted against a bright blue sky

I am thinking...about my little vegetable plot, the plants waiting to go in the ground, & the goodness I hope to harvest this summer

I am thankful for...God’s provision- we owe some tax money to the state & the side job my husband did this weekend covered the whole of the debt.

From the kitchen...Chicken curry, rice mix, & home-grown peas & carrots are waiting for the first cook to arrive home

I am creating...a tangled mess by frogging (for the third time) the beret I’ve been working on since January; first it was too small-more like a beanie; then the crown shaping went wonky & the cables were skewed; now it’s way too big & slouchy *sigh*

I am going...to send an e-card to my Mother- it's her 71st birthday today (shh~ don't mention to her that I told you)

I am reading... “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth Von Arnim, “The Moving Finger” by Agatha Christie, & “Northanger Abbey” by Jane Austen

I am hoping...to get caught up on my work at the office, since looming deadlines disturb my peace of mind.

I am hearing...Bach’s “Suite #4 in D Major” playing over my computer speakers

Around the house...there are too many little piles of paper & clutter; we have all become lax about keeping things tidy

One of my favorite things...the rumbling, contented purr & crooked, gap-tooth smile of my littlest feline flower, Dahlia

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Venture back to yoga this evening- I have to test out my left arm at some point; pull out some things for an impromptu garage sale this Saturday- the boy needs to raise some funds for a convention & the community-wide Spring Cleaning pick-up will be a week from Thursday; work on the very neglected quilt for the Women’s Ministries auction- I haven’t had the pieces out of the bag since November

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My Silly little Dahlia- I wish you could see her funny little smile

Please drop by Peggy’s blog, “The Simple Woman”, to join (or just read along) the other ladies as they take a snapshot of their day & focus on the simple things.

Whys on Wandering

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:23:54 GMT

I often have folks visiting the garden who remark about the off the wall stuff we do around here on the weekends. Many ask if I’m hyperactive or simply driven to be “on the go” all the time (uh, no – I’ve talked about my true nature here); others wonder where I come up with this stuff. I will agree that we are pretty fortunate to live where we do; within 2 hours, we can be at the ocean, in the mountains, or one of many destinations that people travel long distances to visit. But really, with very few exceptions, by putting in a little effort, anyone can find seasonal & regional events, state parks, festivals, museums, or the like in their own areas. My biggest resource is the newspaper; I get two daily papers & look not only in the community events calendar, I read the little ads in the margins promoting boutiques or special events, & the lifestyle sections, noting interesting places that might allow visitors. I also peruse magazines, especially regional or family ones, like Sunset, VIA, or Better Homes, for places of interest or special promotions.

That addresses the “how”, but not the “why”. I am by nature a homebody, content with my books, garden, & crafts; but a lesson I took away from my first marriage is that keeping your life & interests very narrow, keeps your personality very narrow. It is a bit of a cliché, but if you stop growing, there is nothing left but to die; quiet appeals to me, boredom does not. So I look out for new experiences, fresh vistas, something to anticipate- that is what makes the day-to-day grind of work foolishness, chores, & obligations bearable. I want to see a love of the arts, music, culture, heritage, & history grow in every member of my family- this was the best legacy given me by my upbringing. Besides, as is typical of most people, there are many places in my state I have never seen. We didn’t travel much in California when I was growing up; therefore, my first visit to Disneyland was at age 30, Yosemite Valley at 38, Lake Tahoe & Mt Shasta just 2 years ago, & I’m slowly making my way around to most of the Spanish Missions.

There is another, equally compelling reason- I want to create shared interests & memories with my family, things we can look back on in years to come, or stories that my children will share with their own children. You see, although we had the advantages of a upper middle class upbringing, my family was rather scattered, slightly troubled, & emotionally distant, so I don’t have much in the way of “warm & fuzzy” memories of time spent together; the only family traditions I brought to my marriage was sparkling cider at Thanksgiving & taking obscene numbers of photographs at every event. I envied my husband’s (both of them) memories of family trips, holiday traditions, & silly rituals; it is especially poignant to hear Chris’ reminisces, since his father died a year before we first met. The regret over what they missed sharing over the past 30 years is enough to break my heart if I think about it too long; so I make a conscious effort to bank up treasure troves of memories for all of us, just in case. Some of the saddest words I know are ones of regret- “We thought about it, but never got around to it”, “Dad would have loved this”, “We’re all so busy- we just don’t have time together”.

Okay, the sermon is over; now get out there & make your own memories- this is the best time of year to find something new & interesting where you live.

Manic Monday

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:39:19 GMT

I have my friend Gail to thank for helping me find something to contribute today~ I’m not functionally creative today & original thoughts seem to be difficult to come by. I think I’m due for a vacation, one with absolutely nothing to do but sleep in, putter around the house, & maybe do a little local shopping or visiting. At least, that is the plan for five weeks from now- but then, you know what they say about plans...

Describe yourself in one word: Contented
What is your favorite kitchen utensil and why? Silicone spatulas. I love how flexible & heat resistant they are- I mix, scrape, & cook with them; plus, they make a great noise when smacking an errant hand or tush that gets in my way!
What is the one thing that frightens you the most about growing old? I don’t really fear anything about growing old- I have a family history of long-lived, healthy, & active seniors- though I am concerned about having enough income to retire & remain independent. I know my boys would gladly care for us if the need arose, but of course I’d prefer that they didn’t have to make those decisions.

And now, the return of...

Cat Haiku

The rule for today:
Touch my tail, I shred your hand.
New rule tomorrow.

I've been triple tagged

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:04:29 GMT

Well, seeing as I’ve been tagged by no less then 3 people for this one, I suppose I ought to comply J It will be a little difficult, since I tend to ramble on about my eccentricities.

THE RULES OF THE TAG ARE:

Each person posts the rules before their list, then list 8 new things about themselves.

At the end of the post, that person tags 8 other people (or more) letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come and read the post, so they know what they have to do.

1. I can’t remember the last time I vacuumed or dusted my own home; this is not due to either my inherent laziness or my aversion to housework- I am very allergic to dust & after doing either of those activities, I’m miserable for several days.

2. I. Do. Not. Like. Eggplant. Period.

3. I currently have 3 in-progress cross stitch project that haven’t been touched in probably two years- about the time I took up knitting again.

4. I’ve broken my tailbone twice- once when I was twelve & again when I was thirty-two; it is the only bone I’ve even broken & it still bother’s me from time to time (usually when I need to use the restroom- I know, TMI :-P )

5. I am fascinated with Highland cattle; I have a stuffed one from England & photos in my study at home & my cubicle at work, as well as a computer wallpaper.

6. I’ve read Pride and Prejudice at least 5 times & plan to read it several times again throughout my life.

7. I have always loved cameos, even as a child; I currently have four- one I brought back from Italy 28 years ago- & would like to add to my collection.

8. I’ve had my ears pierced since I was eight (by my aunt, with an ice cube & a big ole darning needle), own 20 pairs of earrings, but only put them on maybe 3 times a year.

So, consider yourself tagged (or not, you know I’m not the pushy type)- Kat, Jane, Cindy, Amy, Faye, Dana, Guinevere, & Cara.

Dirty Little Secrets...

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:27:34 GMT

As I’ve said before, I am not a Domestic Diva; housekeeping historically falls low on my list of priorities (as witnessed by the piles of paper & clutter surrounding me). Most of my adult life, I have searched for ways to bring the order & cleanliness I crave into my home, & have made good progress through my path to Simple Abundance & the gentle proddings of FlyLady. Although I have noticed that my attitudes towards home-caring have shifted in the past couple of years, I still don’t like to vacuum, dust, or clean toilets. This being said, I’m going to share a little secret with you: no, you need to come a little closer- I have to whisper this…

I love to do laundry

SHHH! Don’t shout it out like that- & no, I’m not weird! I find doing laundry very satisfying (as long as I’m not having to it by hand with a rock & a stream like my sister); thanks to the modern innovations of automatic washers & dryers, I can have sweet smelling, fluffy clean clothes & towels anytime. I love to shop for laundry supplies, checking out all the new scents & looking for new products; I even enjoy ironing, as long as it isn’t hot outside & I don’t have a huge pile to do. I even got excited over this meme a found in my wanderings- I honestly can’t tell you where I saw it, but the author wasn’t picky about the credit.

“There are no rules for the meme. Add, subtract, change questions, tag whomever you choose (or not), credit me, don’t credit me, whatever. I’m just curious about your laundry!!”

1. In your home, who does the laundry? We all do, but Sam & I do the majority.

2. Do you sort your laundry? Most definitely.

3. If you sort, how many different color/fabric type groups do you sort it into? I sort into a minimum of 4 types- whites, darks, lights, & towels, but will separate out “special needs” garments, like sweaters, uniforms, or new fabric.

4. Do you hand wash anything? Wally the Washer gets a real workout around here; I hand wash very little- silk items, handknits- most everything goes into the machine, delicates into those mesh bags & “Gentle Cycle”

5. Are there any articles of clothing that you send out to be cleaned professionally? Very little- satin, kilts, or suits

6. If you have any clothes cleaned professionally, is that drycleaning? Or regular laundering/pressing? Just dry cleaning- I wouldn’t pay anyone to do my regular-type laundry because I enjoy that.

7. At home, what detergent do you use? Any detergent additives that you regularly use? I like using liquid detergent, like Kirkland Free & Clear or a new brand I just found at Cost*co called Ecco. I also use White King Water Softener in every load, since our water is so hard here, & occationally will add Borax to extra dirty stuff (like Chris’ uniforms- gas, oil, grey water, blech)

8. What whiteners/brighteners do you use? I only use Oxiclean, Borax, & water softener- bleach has been banned from my house (too many clothes ruin by Chris using bleach to clean everything- besides, the cats go crazy over the smell & I’m afraid they would actually drink it!)

9. Do you use any fabric softeners? Yes- I use fabric softener sheets; I’m not picky about the brand & will buy generic, as long as the scent is nice & not overpowering.

10. How do you handle stains? . The first thing is to pre-treat- I have a couple of products I like, such as Z’out or Shout Gel, but also use liquid dishsoap. Then I’ll wash it as normal & treat again if necessary.

11. Do you use different water temperatures for your different loads? Yes. Whites and towels get hot, light colors are washed in warm, dark colors & delicates go in cold.

12. Do you use a tumble dryer, or do you hang your clothes to dry? I use Drake the Dryer for almost everything; even tennis shoes get the dryer treatment with the handy-dandy rack that came with it. I like the theory of line drying, but the reality with the Central Valley air quality is everything ends up stiff & smelly L

13. In your home, who folds the clothes? Sam, mostly; then I refold my clothes & towels because I like them “just so” J

14. Where do you fold your clothes? (i.e., in the laundry room, at the kitchen table, etc.) Either in the living room while watching tv, or on my bed.

15. Who puts the folded clothes away? Sam takes the clean laundry to the appropriate room, & everyone puts away their own clothes.

16. Do you have a certain day of the week you consider ”laundry day”? Yes- everyday! Seriously, I do a load a day (per FlyLady)

17. About how many laundry loads do you do per week? I’d say 7 to 10 loads a week- 2 or 3 loads of towels (there is a lot of shower taking around here- the guys both bathe twice a day & even though I only bathe once a day, I like a fresh towel every other day) at least one load each of darks, lights, & whites, then a load of Chris’ work clothes & a load of miscellanous, like dishtowels, car washing towels, throw rugs, cat blankets, etc.

18. Do you iron? Only when I have to; I like to iron, but it is inconvient to do- the only area is the kitchen & the guys or cats always seem to be underfoot. I purposely buy clothes that need little or no ironing, because it just gets put off.

So, now you know my dirty little secret- or clean little secret- or clean little pleasure…whatever- you know what I mean. Oh, and before you ask- no, I won’t do your laundry for you- not unless you want to fly me there & feed me well- but I guess we could negociate…

Countdown

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:12:23 GMT

Not much time to contemplate right now; the first of the month is always a bit of chaos & angst at work, compounded this time with missing staff & my quickly approaching vacation (yeah me!), so I will just offer up a few bullets of arbitrary observations:

öThe blouse was finished late Saturday evening; I wasn’t thrilled with the fit of the sleeves & around the abdomen (must get more serious about losing this weight), so I nearly abandoned the whole thing as a lost cause. But stubbornness & frugality won the day; I rigged, adjusted, & slapped on the buttonholes, & viola- a presentable garment. I got a couple of compliments- which I graciously accepted without pointing out the glaring flaws- & was much more comfortable in the long run. Turns out we were hopping busy at Ravenswood, despite the warm temperatures- I gave three full tours myself & didn’t have time to knock the croquet ball around with the ladies.
öI’m finally wrapping up the church quilt; all that is left is slip-stitching the binding & I think I will forward that on to the other ladies to complete. The only time I have to work on it is in the evening, & as the fabric is dark green, being stitched with black thread, I’m getting a headache trying to see clearly; I think one of the stay-home ladies would have an easier time working in daylight. I’m also donating a nearly completed quilt I made 10 years ago (it just needs binding- can you tell I don’t really like that part?); it was a Stash Challenge quilt I made originally for Jessica- she didn’t like my color choices & showed no interest in having it. It has been sitting in my fabric closet, aggravating me every time I see it, so I decided to donate it to the cause- someone will love it & Women’s Ministries will gain the profits.
öThe emails & phone calls have been flying fast & furious of late amongst my extended family- my brother D’s wedding is a week from Saturday & everyone seems to be in panic mode. Having been through more than my share of this pre-nuptial insanity, I have been fully sympathetic, but refused to be sucked into the chaos. Until this weekend. When D called me- for the very first time in his life (yes, I am serious- my siblings do not call me- we only talk if we happen to meet at our parents’ house)- & asked me to sing at his wedding. In two weeks. Okay, that came from left field; but this is my little brother, getting married for the first time at age 39, so against my first impulse to run in the opposite direction, I say “Yes, if you really want me to- what did you have in mind?” Among effusive (for him) thanks, he says he’ll email me the song list- pick out a couple I think I can do & it will be fine. Okaaay. I wonder silently whether bride-to-be W knows anything about this, but I guess that’s not my problem. The long & short of the story is: I’ll be singing “Over the Rainbow” & “Devoted to You” accompanied by electric/acoustic guitar (youngest brother B), mandolin (youngest sister’s “man” E from Kauai), & ukulele (step-dad’s sister’s boyfriend M). Yep. Ukulele. And we’ll only have one rehearsal- the night before, once everyone arrives in Whistler. Oy. Have I mentioned my family is insane? Well, maybe not insane; maybe more unconventional with a twist of peculiar. Poor W- she has no idea what she’s signed on for.

Five more work days & I am so out of here; this has been a hard-won vacation, & I plan on enjoying myself, despite my nutty relatives. For the next 9 days, every evening but one has a commitment, & that one will be spent packing & coaching the guys on their duties while I’m away.

Unlike dear Jane & her ever-lovin’ Homer, I am not a “fly by the seat of your pants” traveler; I have a one-inch thick folder (started when D & W announced their engagement & subsequent Canadian wedding) with- in order:

1. passport receipt/paperwork,

2. flight itinerary,

3. car rental receipt,

4. directions from Vancouver airport to hotel #1,

5. reservation confirmation to hotel #1,

6. directions from hotel #1 to bed & breakfast in Whistler (no confirmation receipt on this one- Mother is paying for this, so I’ll just have to trust she’s got it in hand, or sleep in my car),

7. directions from bed & breakfast in Whistler to wedding venue,

8. directions from bed & breakfast to hotel #2 in Vancouver,

9. reservation confirmation to hotel #2,

10. directions from hotel #2 to Tsawwassen,

11. confirmation receipts for ferry rides between Tsawwassen & Victoria,

12. directions from ferry building to bed & breakfast in Victoria,

13. & a list (with directions, times, cost, etc) of 3 things that are “must see” & 3 that are “would really like to see if there is time”.

And this is one of my more relaxed trips- I don’t have to factor in the guys interests & wants, so I’m positively cavalier about my timetables & activities. Well, accept for the flight & ferry reservations; oh- and the rehearsal & wedding of course. Maybe if I did more traveling, I could just “go with the flow” like my friends & siblings do; then again, I’m an accounting geek-daughter of an Eagle Scout/engineer & bi-polar interior decorator- my very nature is to err on the side of caution & allow for any contingencies. Add to that the fact that I’m taking this trip all on my own (for the first time in my life!) & will have no one to blame but myself if I get lost or miss a travel connection. There is something comforting in having all those pretty, printed pages in hand- my personal hedge against disaster.

Yep, that’s me, Mrs. Serene herself- the living embodiment of stress-free nonchalance.

Prayers accepted.

This is my 128th entry

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:25:51 GMT

A year ago today, I posted my very first blog entry; it was a whim, pursued after seeing a little blurb on MSN, which has changed me in subtle, yet significant ways.

The original intent was to hone my rusty writing skills & keep in touch with family; the reality has become a living journal, shared mostly with virtual friends- the majority of my family is clueless & the rest are waiting for my invitation.

As a naturally shy person, I have found it difficult to initiate conversations with new people; this vehicle has allowed me to reach out, to make the first overtures of friendship.

In the busyness of my world (& if you’ve read more than 3 entries, you know how hectic that can get) I would go to & from without seeing much around me; now I find myself slowing down to observe & record what I see, either through my camera or my keyboard, to share with anyone who drops in.

I have been privileged to meet people from across the globe, as well as my own back yard. I’ve laughed hysterically, shed tears, celebrated births, mourned deaths, learned a few things, passed on some knowledge, & have been diverted, angered, intrigued, & challenged in turn.

In pondering this journey over the last 12 months, I’ve found that I am less alone on the road then I thought; I’ve found you, my fellow travelers & friends. For this, I am truly thankful.

More random stuff about me

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:48:09 GMT

Since I’m not ready to think about this past weekend without going on a little rant, & I’ve spent the past 3 entries griping about my life, I’m going to take the path of avoidance & do this meme from Jane’s:

1. If you could pick your own name, what would you choose and why? I suppose I’ve already done this- “meg” is a name I picked out for myself- of course, only people in Blogland use it J This is a tough one, because I grew up with the name of “Mary” in a world full of “Rainbow”, “Zephyr”, “Antoinette” (Berkeley thru 60’s & 70’s) so basically anything was cooler then my name.

2. What non-famous person do you admire most and why? I’d have to say my husband, Chris; he is the hardest working, most selfless person I’ve ever met. He is just a truly nice guy, who goes out of his way to help anyone who asks & is fiercely protective of his family.

3. If you had $1 million to donate to a charity, what one would you choose and why? I would donate to a local organization- Interfaith Ministries, who provides food & household supplies to anyone in need, so they can build their own facility & stock it properly.

4. What is the one thing you really wish you had time to do? I would really like to learn to play the mandolin- there are just not enough hours in my week to devote to lessons & practice.

5. What is your biggest regret and why? That I didn’t stand my ground with my ex-husband & keep my oldest son with me; Robb is an awesome man, but just too serious & worry worn; his dad put a lot of emotional pressure on him because Robb was “all he has to live for” & he’s too old for his age.

6. What is the worst thing you did while growing up that you never got caught for? I’m going to have to plead the Fifth on this one

7. What is your favorite meal and dessert? Fresh cracked crab, green beans, & sour dough French bread, followed by cheesecake~ oh, my- I gain weight just thinking about it.

8. What is the biggest lesson in life you have learned to date? I am not responsible for the choices (read- mistakes) my children make.

9. What is your favorite non-domestic animal? Oooo- tough one: otters- they are so fun to watch, they have a natural sense of play & joy; hummingbirds are mesmerizing; tigers are gorgeous

10. If you could do ONE truly selfless thing for someone, what would you do and for whom? I would provide a first-class, full-ride college education for a deserving young person who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend.

11. Is there anyone in your life you wish you could spend more time with and who is it? My oldest child, Robb- we really don’t know each other very well, since he lives across country & is busy making a life for himself.

12. What are your biggest pet peeves? People who don’t clean up after themselves; small children being allowed to run around in stores; telemarketers calling at any time; the constant use of profanity in normal conversation (wait now- my little diatribe was event specific- I don’t talk like that all the time)

13. What is the one thing you would like to accomplish before you die? To own my own home.

14. What was your most embarrassing moment to date and what happened? See entry for June 5^th, 2007

15. What is your dream job? Being a silent partner in a highly successful restaurant- no work, free meals, & a steady paycheck.

16. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Much as I am now, only with no children at home, traveling more, & 75 pounds lighter.

17. What is your favorite album right now and why? I’m currently loving Chris Botti’s album To Love Again

18. What are your favorite bands? I like Nickel Creek & Célé Dé, but mostly listen to classical or individual artists

19. What kind of books do you like to read and who are your favorite authors? Mysteries for certain- my current favorites are Joanna Fluke, Tamar Myers, & Lillian Jackson Braun; I’m also a huge fan of Jane Austin, Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables), Garrison Keillor, & P. G. Wodehouse.

20. What is your favorite magazine? Can’t pick just one- Scottish Life, Better Homes & Gardens, & Victoria (it’s coming back in September- YEAH!)

21. Do you collect anything and if so what is it? I mentioned last week that I collect teapots (& plants, which often die); I also collect corny, clean jokes, books, & evidently, cats.

22. If you could have three wishes, what would they be? Sorry- nothing noble: abundant wealth to live the way I want; that all of my children would be living useful, fulfilling lives in God’s will; & that I would be a flab-free, fit 130 pounds for the rest of my life.

23. Do you have any bad habits and what are they? Sugar- it’s my downfall; impatience; & procrastination- face it, I’m plum lazy!

24. What are you most proud of and why? That I finished a college degree- two actually- & came out without any school debt.

25. What do you like to do in your spare time? Read, crafts, visit gardens & museums, sleep.

26. If you could meet any famous person, alive or dead, who would it be and why? Dame Judy Dench: I want to be her when I grow up- she’s beautiful in a real woman way, funny, talented, & lives on her own terms.

27. If you could live in any time era, what would it be and why? I’m with Jane on this one- despite the drawbacks, the current era is pretty awesome; in the past, I would have no personal freedom as a woman & almost endless hard work just to survive.

28. What was your favorite subject to study in school? History & Home Economics (ironic, since I don’t cook or clean unless I have to)

29. What extracurricular activities (if any) did you participate in during school? Drama- I was in several plays & even did a movie in high school- & dancing- ballet, jazz, square (my tastes were, well, eclectic)

30. Who was your favorite teacher and why? I’d say probably Eric Narveson, my college history professor; he gave the hardest tests- all essays & based on lectures- but was fascinating & passionate about his subject, which made the classes fly by (I took a total of 3 courses from him)

31. What music and/or bands do you hate? I am mostly definitely opposed to rap & heavy metal; I am a creature of peace & calm, even in my teens.

32. What two people do you challenge to do this? You & that lady over there.

Learning Curves

Thu, 03 May 2007 03:31:56 GMT

In her birthday wish, my friend Lisa at Halal Home asked me a rather profound question: “What do you feel you have learned this year that you didn’t know last year?” I have been pondering this query for the past few days, with the intention of offering a pithy, humorous answer; but given the introspective natural of Lisa, I decided she deserved a serious response. What have I learned? Is there something different about the way I think, or act, or respond? Have I taken my own advice & continued to expand my horizons? Pretty deep, philosophical stuff, don’t you think?

So, here are some things that I feel I have learned this past year:

v Occasional solitude is not an indulgence- without it, I become frayed & frazzled.

v My small life & humble words have value to others beside myself.

v While marriage has brought me wholeness, I am not incomplete on my own.

v Cucumber vines are prickly

OOkay, so the last one isn’t particularly insightful, but it was a lesson well & truly learned- I haven’t approached one without long sleeves & gloves since.

I, Viscountess Meg the Dissolute of Piddletrenthide on the Carpet, now must go to arm myself for a quest, a Herculean task to rescue a fair maiden from her own folly.

Scissors? Check

Step ladder? Check

Broomstick handle? Check

Spray bottle? Check

Bath towel? Check

Cat treats? Check

No, it’s not my daughter this time; Dahlia has wedged herself behind Wally the Washer for the past 12 hours & refuses to come out. We have discovered that Boo Kitty has an overwhelming & irrational fear of balloons, particularly large Mylar ones that play an obnoxious version of “Happy Birthday” every time it moves. So, in order to avoid bestowing the title of “Lady Dahlia of Piddle behind the Washer” on her, I will dispose of the balloon (scissors), climb on top of the washer (step ladder) & ~~force~~ coax her (broomstick & spray bottle) to come out, then comfort her frazzled nerves (towel & treats). Poor little Pickle!

Update: Dahlia finally came out- soaking wet & smelling of mint extract that I had to add to the water (my cats don’t like the scent of mint)- after a good rub down with the towel & copious amounts of tuna treats, she has recovered her sunny disposition I, on the other hand, am nursing a wrenched shoulder & a lump on the back of my head (whose idea was it to hang that shelf so low?)so I will be applying equally generous amounts of ibuprofen & chocolate

Very Cool

Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:58:44 GMT

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Off enjoying the lovely, Spring weather before Chris heads off again (Dallas area, this time) & Kenta goes home to Japan, both on Tuesday . Drake the Dryer was released from the Appliance Hospital & returned home Saturday morning; we have been putting him thru his paces, seeing as Chris hasn't washed a single uniform since he returned on the 21st. I'll be by for a real chin-wag when the dust settles.