Honeysuckle

Nursery Board

2012-01-25T11:08:00.003-06:00

I have been fiddling around with Microsoft Publishing and I decided to build a nursery board, highlighting many of the features we're using for Hunter's room. And so I present to you, THE BOARD:
WHEE! How fun is it?!? OK, piece by piece, let's break it down starting in the top left corner and moving clockwise and then inward:

Somerset Crib: Graco from Target
Nightlight and switch plate: Woolrich Woodlands from Target
Bedding: Skip Hop from Target
Name Branch: I found this one on Pinterest, but we're creating one by mod-podging paper onto some wooden letters we bought at Hobby Lobby and hanging them from a branch.
Alphabet Graphic Print: Grace Hester Designs on Etsy
Changing Pad covers: One is Skip Hop (Target) and the other is Kid's Line (Babies'R'Us)
Glider: Delta at Target
Thumb Print Tree: This one is from Pinterest, but I'm having one made by my good and very creative friends David and Erin.
Playset: Skip Hop (Target)
Rug: Mohawk (Target)
Light fixture: This one is from 320 Sycamore, but I have one at home to DIY.
Fox print: Lulufroot on Etsy

Whew! We've got the crib and bedding set up, and I have the makings of many of the other things already. I figure we'll end up getting the rug with gift cards towards the last minute, but we'll see. If I could find the fabric swatch we're using for the pelmet box online, I'd add it. Once things are a bit more complete I'll post some photos.

Weekly "Loving" List

2012-01-19T12:06:00.003-06:00

I am inspired to create a weekly list of the things I'm loving, as seen on Just Bella. She has a two month old baby, and it seems she has been making these lists since (at least) her pregnancy. Starting these lists at 33 weeks is a bit ambitious, because things get less fun and more uncomfortable towards the end, but hey, I'm an optimist!

Week 33: I'm Loving...

*cooking. Seriously, I haven't bothered to cook in ages, between fatigue and not wanting to stand once I'm home, but this week I've made two delicious homemade meals; I forgot how satisfying it is! It fills me with pride and a sense of usefulness (something I've been missing). Plus I love being able to provide home-cooked meals for Brad when he gets home; the poor dear has been eating lots of Whataburger, and neither of us like that habit.

*our developing nursery. I promise, I will borrow a camera if I have to and I will post some pics soon. We put up the crib with the gorgeous bedding, and it feels like a nursery! Now to start on wall art projects, namely the name plate. David and Erin are making me a tree canvas to use as a guest book at showers (thumbprint style), and it will go on the wall eventually as well. So excited!

*Earl Grey, hot. This is nothing new, of course, but oh man. Not only is it delicious and warming, it is aroma therapeutic! I steep a weak cup in the mornings and then keep the tea bag at my desk to steep again after lunch. The scent it gives off absolutely raises my spirits.

*getting kicked. Most of the time it is fun or funny how much this little guy moves around. I've got a journal where I keep track of all of the metaphors I've used for the feeling. My favorites include "popcorn popping in my uterus" and "a cartoon octopus playing the drums".

*foot rubs. Brad gets home too late most nights to do it, but when he's home he is usually amenable to helping me out with swollen feet and ankles. He is such a blessing.

*warm, LUSH-scented baths. I've probably seen the last of these until after baby, unless I do it on a night when Brad is there to hoist me out of the tub, but relaxing in warm water that smells of apple and bergamot really chases the blues away.

That ought to do it for now. What are you loving right now?

What's for Dinner?

2012-01-10T11:46:00.004-06:00

I have to start by saying how much I love Pinterest. I truly do. Count me among the many, because I can (and occasionally do) waste hours looking at everything from DIYs I'll never accomplish to funny Doctor Who memes.

I definitely have a soft spot for the recipes, though. Of all of the things I might actually utilize in real life, I find the recipes fit the bill. Today I discovered this "Make Your Own Rotisserie Chicken" pin, and I can't wait to try it.

I love buying those pre-cooked chickens at the store, because I can use them for so many things and it saves tons of time. I look forward to trying one myself and seeing it is truly is cheaper (and by how much).

My favorite recipes to make with rotisserie chicken includes:

Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos

Chicken and Wild Rice Salad

Typically I slice off the breast meat for the first meal and serve it with simple sides, then I tear up the remaining bits and use them for one of the above recipes. The taquitos are hugely popular in my family; Mom requests them frequently. They are best served with rice and/or beans (I generally make black beans) and with guacamole (HEB or Chipotle, if not homemade). My favorite side dish for them, though, is to simply blend avocado with the salsa verde and a splash of lime juice. I call it Guacoverde... don't be like me.

The Chicken and Wild Rice salad makes a great lunch, especially served with fresh fruit or veggies on the side. It also pairs well or very light white wines, even something crisp like a Sauvignon Blanc. This meal has picnic written all over it.

And now that I'm officially drooling, on to lunch!

This Day's Amazing Quotes

2011-12-02T14:08:00.003-06:00

I want to start with a quote from Neil Gaiman, which may be the best holiday blessing/wish I've ever heard:

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Secondly, this quote is taken from Dustin Rowles, who owns and operates Pajiba.com, as well as writes on Uproxx. It is one of the most eloquent, beautiful things ever to make me split my sides:

I’ve always been ambiguous about the existence of God. I’m more agnostic than I am atheist: It’s difficult for me to deny the existence of some almighty spiritual being once I witnessed the birth of a child, or if I take a moment to consider the complexities of man, of the animal world, of Earth, and the Universe. Even if you believe in the Big Bang Theory, there still remains nagging questions about what set the Big Bang in motion. How do the Chaos Theory and Evolution co-exist without a God? If you consider the trillions and trillions of things have to be coincide at the right moment, at the right time, and in the right place for life to exist, it’s difficult to completely rule out the idea of a grand deity, a maker, someone to pull the trigger on existence. If you believe in Occam’s Razor — the idea that the most reasonable explanation is the simplest one — God, in a way, almost feels like the simplest way to explain the miracle of existence.

But now, even those doubts have been called into question. The idea that a God would allow war, famine, disease and Snooki to exist is not unfathomable: It’s the universe’s karmic balance, the yin to the yang of peace, prosperity, and good health. There’s a give and take to existence: Death cancels out life, starvation in Africa cancels out obesity in America, and “Two and a Half Men” cancels out “Community.” But the scales have tipped too far, calling my entire tenuous belief system into question.

I’ve seen Adam Sandler’s Jack and Jill.

Hospital Survival Kit

2011-11-10T16:22:00.005-06:00

How cute is this? What a great baby shower gift, or a just-cuz-you're-about-to-release-a-human gift! Check out this Hospital Survival Kit ideal for mommies - though it could work for anyone who is/will be in the hospital for a few days.

Based on things I've read about pregnancy and birth, I would suggest possibly adding some combination of these:

~*~ magazines

~*~ toilet paper (apparently hospital grade is no good on your sensitive areas)

~*~ eye mask (I'm super light sensitive, esp when I'm in pain)

~*~ cozy socks (just me?)

And don't forget about daddy's needs:

~*~ Gift cards for fast food (babies come at all hours)

~*~ Snacks

~*~ travel mouthwash and/or deodorant

What would you add?

UPDATE: Wow, there are lots of fun survival kits online! Check out two more!

Milan Maternity

Reaves, Party of Four

A quick note on the Reaves kit: as I understand it, the active ingredient in Tylenol PM is a no-no during pregnancy. I *SWEAR* by Unisom (different active ingredient), so I'd use that instead. :)

Birthday Wish List

2011-11-08T14:35:00.008-06:00

My head is full of fluff today, and as a result time is creepy-crawling. In order to keep myself awake, I'm going to make a birthday wish list. I know, I know, you all really care what I want for my birthday.

~*~ Tote bag / diaper bag from Retrofied on Etsy - I could use it for a purse for now then switch it to a diaper bag. Her bags are seriously awesome (and pricey). This one is my hands-down favorite.
~*~ Pregnancy massage - desperately need one of these as my back hurts every night and some days.
~*~ A Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - I've never read this book, which seems to be a nerd sin.
~*~ Doctor Who - just about anything DW would please me, but I'd love to have some seasons on DVD (preferably series 2-4)
~*~ Doctor Who t-shirt - This thing is truly spectacular
~*~ Wild Target - excellent movie with an excellent cast
~*~ Shawn of the Dead - somehow I don't own this classic.
~*~ LUSH gift card - or maybe just a few "So White" bath bombs...
~*~ Maternity leggings - I'd need to pick these out, but I think I will really need them coming soon.
~*~ Harry Potter DVDs - Warner Bros. is putting them in the vault next year (all of them) and I only own 3-5.
~*~ Tutti Frutti gift card - hey, I'm easy to please and I only just discovered how MAGICAL it is there!
~*~ Manicure / pedicure - like I said, I'm easy to please...
~*~ Digital camera - can you believe we no longer own a functioning camera? We are a shame to our generation. There's one on our baby registry, so who knows...
~*~ Fingerless gloves - I freakin' love handmade, knitted gloves with no fingers. There are tons on Etsy that I would love.
~*~ Restaurant gift cards - I know it is cliche, but I'm always up for a free meal ;-)

As I think of more I will add to the list. I know you're on the edge of your seat.

Favorite Things Party

2011-11-08T09:56:00.003-06:00

I found the cutest Girls Night Out/In idea over on Pizzarie this morning! When I saw the title "A Favorite Things Party", I immediately thought of Oprah, which left me wondering just how budget friendly this is. Each guest commits about $30 for the gifting, and the party would be best with food and/or wine, so it isn't the cheapest night out. It would, however, make a great "Secret Santa" replacement for a group of girl friends and, by that measurement, would be cheaper. Let's take a look!

Each woman picks out five of her favorite can't-live-without-it items (ideally for $6 or less each) to share with the guests. then, through a system of name drawing, they explain each item and what makes it so wonderful, and then they give it to the winner! Check out the link and have a look; it sounds really fun!

Product Review: LUSH Bath Bombs

2011-11-04T11:50:00.003-05:00

I felt inspired to write this based on some recent experiences. Enjoy!

So my dear friends Grags convinced me a while back to try a LUSH Bath Bomb, specifically one called Dragon's Egg. She said it was like have beautifully painted fireworks in your bath water. That intrigued me (and slightly confused me) so I gave it a try. She was not kidding! I put it in the water before I got in just to see this impressive show of color, and no lie the surface of the water looked like those fun "marbling" projects you make as a kid! Orange and pink shimmering swirls covered the water's surface, and the room filled with aromas of citrus. I would highly recommend this product, though it is invigorating, so it isn't ideal for hot-bath-before-bed. It makes a great Saturday mid-morning soak before a long, fun day.

Recently I went back to find another one. I take at least one soaking, relaxing bath a week now thanks to sore muscles from pregnancy. I found one called So White that caught my eye/nose because it had bergamot (that wonderful citrus smell in Earl Grey tea) in it. The combined smells leave an apple scent on the nose, and I knew it was for me. It lasts a long time in the bath, giving the water a soft, almost milky feeling and leaving the most tantalizing, inviting smell on your skin for hours. My husband couldn't go five minutes without commenting on how wonderful I smelled! I cannot recommend this one enough. Seriously, I wish I had a big basket of them at home (I suspect it is seasonal, so I may have to stock up)!

I went back a week later to get another So White and the saleswoman convinced me to also purchase a Cinders bomb, based on the idea that using it with the So White would leave me and the room smelling like apple cider, which I love. Once I got home, though, I decided to use them separately, so I could get two baths out of them (more bang for the buck). I used the Cinders alone last night, and I have to say it was a big disappointment. The ball disappears almost instantly, left behind almost no aroma and didn't make my skin feel different/better. The only neat thing about it, and it's small, is that it includes fizzing candy (imagine Pop Rocks) so the water kind of crackles a bit. It is supposed to remind you of a roaring fire, but the effect is pretty small. Perhaps if you used two or three of them in one bath it would be lots of fun, but I'd rather save the money and buy one I know I love.

The moral of this story: go buy me So White bath bombs. Run, don't walk. ;-)

Praying for Miracles

2011-09-27T09:14:00.002-05:00

I often feel conflicted about how we are supposed to pray. If we ask God for something, all the while expecting not to get it, that shows a lack of faith. But if we ask for something and expect - even know - that it will happen, that feels like putting God in a box, like some genie in a bottle we can command.

Last night I fell on my knees and prayed for a miracle; a true miracle. My friend Sunday had a brain aneurysm on Sunday and was life-flighted to Baylor Univ Medical Center. By the time I heard about it on Monday he had no brain activity and they were waiting on his family to arrive in order to take him off of life support. The nurses said they had never seen anyone come back from that much damage.

And so Facebook exploded with prayers begging for a miracle.

I begged God to heal Sunday, and I found myself trying to convince Him why it was best for him. Oh, human arrogance... I was so sure it would work because a miracle this big could not be denied - think of the power of that message! It would practically be a modern day Lazarus, and with Sunday's popularity the story would have spread across the world quickly.

A few hours later I found out that Sunday had passed. I was determined to have faith in the miracle I requested, but also to accept any outcome as God's will. Praying for a miracle often feels helpless, and prayer should never feel hopeless.

One miracle I can say I witnessed: I have never seen so many heartfelt prayers and messages in my Facebook feed, and it warmed my aching heart. We don't always get the miracle we asked for, but we usually get one if we open our eyes to see it.

Week 15

2011-09-16T09:21:00.003-05:00

I'm almost done with 15 weeks of being preggo. I have to say, so far the second trimester is my favorite. I still don't feel great all of the time, but it is more headache/dizziness and less... tumultuous tummy.

By the way, my mother-in-law has informed me that "men have bellies, mommies have tummies". I thought that was really cute, but if I'm honest, I'll cal it whatever-I-damn-well-please-thank-you-very-much. *^_^*

I'm only just starting to feel like I have a "bump", and it isn't obvious unless I'm wearing something fitted or if my tummy is bare. Every night when I get into pajamas I just kind of stand in front of the mirror, hold my tummy and just stare for a bit. Brad loves it.

My I just take a moment, by the way, to brag about my incredible husband? I don't know that I've ever known a more *thoughtful* man. I am truly blessed to have him and to be his.

I'm taking half a day of work off today to go shopping with the MIL and with Vicki (who still doesn't know because we have had trouble getting a hold of her). We'll lunch and then shop in Pearland; I never really spend time down there, but that main intersection at Mccard has so much STUFF, I'm sure we will keep plenty occupied. ; )

This week at work has been very stressful, and I imagine next week will be as well, though with (hopefully) less late hours. Fingers crossed, prayers said.

That's it for week 15! Next week we have our next 4-week appointment, and then in October we find out the sex! Truly random sidebar: I really prefer to say gender for a numbe rof reasons, but *technically* what we're finding out is the sex. Gender apparently has more to do with the developed understanding of self... or something. I'm still going to call the upcoming shindig a Gender Reveal Party, because inviting your folks to a Sex Party just sounds wrong.

::shudder::

Updates on Life

2011-08-31T16:42:00.002-05:00

Wow, I really haven't updated in a while. And what an interesting last post date. Let me try and catch you up.

July 9th we were in Alvin with Brad's family for his uncle's memorial service. This was Alan's sister's husband, whom I had never met and who had been sick a long time. It was a sad event, but tempered by relief at his peace. However, while we were all together, we found out that Alan's brother, Rick, died in New Orleans. It was rather shocking (to most of us), and put an odd air over the day. Thankfully, at least we were all there together to comfort one another.

July 10th Rick's granddaughter was born to Eddie, Rick's son that runs a restaurant outside NOLA.

July 10th is also when we found out I was pregnant.

Weird. Weekend.

So now there's a person growing in my uterus. I'm in the middle of week 13, if I have finally figured out the correct way to measure that stuff. Honestly, it confuses me more than is logical.

Lots of prayer requests on my mind lately, as well.
**My uncle Dennis (dad's brother) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. They caught it really early, and it isn't a "bad case", so most are really optimistic, though frightened.
**My friend Celynda is having thyroid surgery in the next few weeks. She's kinda bummed and kinda scared, so I hope she reaches some peace.
**GRAGS IS ENGAGED!!! She is getting married in March, I believe, which breaks my selfish heart because that's when I'm due so I can't gallivant to Dallas. She wasn't able to make it my wedding, either, so I'm super sad, as is Brad. But life goes on, and that day isn't really about us anyway...

That should be a pretty efficient, though brief, catch up. Wish me luck (AND PRAY FOR US) as baby (and mommy) grows. Yea, panel pants!

Wish List: More Nerd Shirts

2011-07-07T16:15:00.005-05:00

I can't think of the last time I wanted a t-shirt so badly!
"No Power in the Verse Can Stop Me"

This one is also adorable. "Wash"

Another excellent choice. "I'm a Keeper"

Harry Potter is a'coming

2011-07-06T15:24:00.004-05:00

Only 8 days until I get to watch the next and final Harry Potter film. How sad and amazing and wonderful! I've had this delightful earworm stuck in my head for two days now - lucky me. ;)

And just a few days after the movie I'm competing in a Harry Potter themed quiz called the Geeky Cauldron. I'm rallying my friends David and Erin to help me to victory (because they're awesome, and because Joanna and Grags don't live here). When we win we will get a cash prize of anywhere between $200 and $500, depending on how many people show up.

I'm rereading Deathly Hallows now, plus going through Harry: A History again. Then I'm going to read Tales of Beedle the Bard once more; I read it once a long time ago, so I need a refresher course. I've been to these GeeksWhoDrink quizzes- they don't mess around. These questions will be obscure and difficult. Bring it on!

Crafting: A Fine Line

2011-07-05T14:31:00.004-05:00

I spend a lot of time reading craft/DIY blogs, especially (lately) party-planning idea sites. It is so fun to dream up these elaborate parties; see, in my dreams it is all paid for by someone else... le sigh. I find the most fascinating ideas for reusing and upcycling all kinds of around-the-house (and Dollar Store) items. I've started cleaning and collecting all jars we use (mostly pickles and marinara) and saving them for any number of uses. I also have a small stack in my cubicle of instant coffee tins, which I can use as favor boxes, tiny flower 'vases', or short centerpieces.

And this experience has got me thinking: where is the line between upcycling and hoarding?

Jars are easy enough to use: leftovers, serving drinks, hold flowers, bake pies - a plethora of options. I listed several possibilities for the tins, though I wonder how likely it is I will do any of that. Then there's the drawer in my "craft room" (slash library slash bar slash throw-crap-in-there room) no longer entirely full of empty toilet paper/paper towel rolls.

Yeah.

I threw away quite a few of them eventually, though I keep some in case I ever actually get around to this project or one like it. There are lots of options for this craft, but again, will I ever actually frakking do it?

I'm not even a serious crafter; not even slightly close. What must it look like at craft bloggers houses, in the dark recesses of their I-might-use-this-someday treasure troves? I'm all for reusing what we already have and utilizing the mundane for beauty and creativity, btu at what point does it just become an inability to throw out the trash?

Moonlight

2011-06-24T13:20:00.002-05:00

I love the feeling of trying a new-to-you TV show, when you can't tell if it is horrible or amazing and you love it either way.

Oh, you don't ever feel that? I feel it all the time. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's comes to mind. It has such a strange vibe, but you listen to hundreds of people laud it so you push through. Suddenly that strange vibe is why you fall in love.

I was Netflix meandering this week, starting with Veronica Mars. Hmm, I wonder what else Jason Dohring ever did. Not much, it seems, but he worked on a show called Moonlight. It is about vampires - surprise - though specifically one who is a private investigator. Oh and he drinks blood from a vial and/or shoots it up like heroin: no people drinking. It isn't available on Instant so I ordered the disc, and last night I watched 2 episodes. It stars Sophia "I used to bang David Tennant" Myles. The story follows Mick St John (horrible name) played by Alex O'Loughlin whose IMDb history is a bit sad considering the *pretty*. And his best/oldest friend, 400-yr old Josef, is played by a blood-drinking version of Logan Echolls.

And I love it. Unashamedly.

There is only one season, so there is no danger of me wasting too much time on it, but I absolutely love it. The plots are predictable, the effects moderate, the use of music somewhat laughable-- but who cares? I wonder how cheap I could find it on Amazon...

Homemade Taquitos - Do It

2011-05-25T13:02:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a rough day. While I sat eating my lunch sandwich with mom, dad called to say their house was broken into. Again. Ugh. So we tell our respective managers and head home. They didn't take much stuff, but they took all of mom's jewelry (except for a bolo tie that was her father's - I love that thing). So it was very emotional for her.

I went home, changed into jammies and got back to work. Putting on your pjs at 2pm is basically admitting defeat for productivity (at least to me), so I skipped the gym. And for dinner I wanted nothing more than a small roll of sushi. Nothing to cook or heat up, just lift chopsticks to mouth. I already had the ingredients for dinner, though, and I couldn't waste them.

I am so glad I cooked. Heavens To Mergatroid, these were delicious!

I found this recipe through Pink Parsley, who apparently adapted it from Pennies on a Platter, who got it from Our Best Bites. So essentially it was recipe telephone (or as I call it, Recipe Purple Monkey Dishwasher). I don't care where it comes from, it is DELISH! And extremely easy, especially if you happen to have leftover cooked chicken already.

Here is my adaptation:
Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos

3 oz cream cheese, softened (reduced fat is fine)
1/3 cup salsa verde
juice of 1/2 a lime
1 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
apprx 3 drops cayenne sauce
2 tsps minced garlic
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken *
1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
8-12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese with the salsa, lime juice, and all of the spices. Fold in the chicken and cheese. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Working 3 tortillas at a time, stack them on a microwave-safe plate and cover with plastic wrap. Cook 20 seconds, or until tortillas are soft and pliable.

Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto the lower third of each tortilla, and roll tightly. Place seam side-down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Spray the taquitos lightly with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and golden-brown. Serve with avocado and corn salsa or guacamole.

*This is how I prepare my chicken if I don't have leftover chicken to use: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spread a piece of aluminum foil across a baking sheet, and arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in the center. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and season as you wish. Fold the aluminum foil over the chicken breasts, and enclose them to form a "packet." Bake the chicken (on the baking sheet) 35-45 minutes, or until it is cooked through.

**To freeze, prepare the taquitos, but before baking, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the taquitos are completely cold. Wrap each taquito in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and freeze. To bake, unwrap the taquitos and cook in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes (no need to thaw first).

To be fair, I didn't measure any of my spices; I rarely do. And I used pre-made salsa verde, but Pink Parsley has a recipe, in case you would rather make it as well.

These are very simple and delicious, as well as very adaptable. I recommend you make them soon. I cooked double the necessray chciken, so I have some leftover in the fridge. I discovered (via snacking while cooking, a constant crime of mine) that the mixture makes a great dip as well. I forsee Friday lunch being tasty and familiar...

Wish List: "Good Cause" Edition

2011-05-18T14:20:00.005-05:00

I hope I don't get any flack for putting good cause in quotes: I don't mean to suggest it isn't a good cause, merely that me buying myself an awesome shirt would be more selfish than altruistic.

The proceeds from these shirts, based on multiple fandoms, go towards the "FckH8" campaign to fight Proposition 8 (for those of you living under a rock, that is an anti-gay-marriage campaign). I just love them. When I scrolled over the design I got a close-up of the text, so just trust me that these are shirts.

Some Time Agents Marry Office Boys

Some Doctors Marry Big Blue Boxes

Some Doctors Marry Romans and Gingers

Troy Supercut

2011-05-12T12:57:00.000-05:00

I found this amazing supercut of Troy from "Community" today - enjoy!

Decor Rambling

2011-05-12T10:46:00.001-05:00

Having fun finding inspiration photos from Houzz...

I love this idea for a coffee table and additional seating. Plus that major art piece is (or at least can be) made from paper towel/toilet paper rolls! DIY

contemporary family room design by san diego architect twenty7 design

Awesome wall color. Fun and funky pom poms. West Elm daybed. WANT!

spaces design

I couldn't put anything like this in the kitchen because of the cats, but this could be SO MANY THINGS in a guest room. You could hang string lights or ornaments, you could create a faux mobile over a crib, you could hang family pics in a hallway - basically anything!

eclectic kitchen design

If you hung a ladder away from a wall in a bathroom (maybe with L-Brackets?) it would make a great towel rack with character.

contemporary bathroom design by montreal interior designer Deborah Derocher

I love that this room is very crisp but still has lots of patterns and energy.

eclectic bedroom design by other metros media and blogs Michelle Hinckley

I love this mirror and the way it compliments the softness of the room but remains bold.

spaces design by san francisco interior designer Melanie Coddington

Hope you enjoyed my wander through Decor Land.

In Which I Fail at Reading

2011-05-11T11:07:00.003-05:00

Is anyone surprised that I've reviewed ONE book for the CBR III? I'm not. I made the smallest goal allowed (13 in a year), but this is still ridiculous. I do read occasionally, but I admit I've been brainnapped by Netflix Instant. Mostly when I read, I pick up something familiar to relax. I really want to start The Hunger Games, but the nearest library is... well... crappy. And books aren't high on the financial priority list right now. Especially because I have a stack of books I bought last year and still haven't read. And frankly right now I'm in the mood to read plays. I've discovered the BBC Radio 4 Podcast called "Play of the Week", and it is just as it sounds: every week they post a radio play. I'm not sure I've ever really listened to one, but I am officially in love!

I heard of it originally because the composer for Doctor Who (Murray Gold) had written music for something called "Kafka: The Musical" and David Tennant was playing Kafka. You have my attention. The title is somewhat misleading. The show is a play about a musical (mega meta), and there are some songs, but not until minute 51 of roughly 90. It is the sort of play that I wonder if it would be clearer or foggier if visualized.

Have you ever read a book and REALLY loved it, but you can't visualize it as a film or performance because, in doing so, it would lose some mystery or give something away? I remember watching Fight Club and wondering how the book reads (I am told it is one of the few movies better than the book). I love several of Palahniuk's books and most of them leave me with that sense that visualizing will tamper with the true spirit of the storytelling; Invisible Monsters is a good example.

The intertwining of reality and dreams and performance in "Kafka" is a stunning web where I was often lost. For every time I wished to see the structure there was a moment I was grateful for the necessity to imagine it.

This week's play is called "That's Mine, This is Yours" by Peter Souster, and it is a real delight. The story follows a couple mid-divorce as they divide their possessions, and while that isn't a hilarious theme the play is a soft-hearted romantic comedy. It runs at only slightly over 40 minutes and features a tight cast of only three, which leaves me thinking it would be a great UIL show (some things never leave us), so I'm suggesting it to my friends who work with high school theatre. It would also make a good piece in an evening of shorter plays. I'm going to go script hunting - wish me luck!

Gratuitous Time Wasting: Doctor Who

2011-04-18T13:45:00.007-05:00

I found this little meme online a while back and I never started it. Now that we are SIX days away from the new season I feel I should have posted it in a more timely fashion. So, rather than actually doing "30 Days of Doctor Who" I'm going to post my favorite questions and answers.

Day 1 - Favorite Incarnation of the Doctor

Tenth: David Tennant

I love the devil-may-care qualities of Ten, as well as the intense passion for what he believes is right. The tenth Doctor has a sense of fun and silliness, but the character’s gravity and sense of loss are never truly absent. Tennant makes words like an artist sculpts. He chews them, savoring every last bit of flavor, like truly excellent gum. Plus he is pretty.

Day 2 - Favorite Companion

Donna Noble

She ranges from downtrodden and terrified to ballsy and brassy, and I love every second. When I first watched “The Runaway Bride” I did not like the character, and I was glad she didn’t stick around. By the time we got her back in Series 4 I loved her. She had grown so much already, and she had only begun to learn her own potential.

Day 4 - Favorite Character

River Song

There is so much yet to learn about River and I am pleasantly anxious for it all. The Time-Traveler’s-Wife vibe on the whole thing is delectable without feeling unoriginal. Plus, who doesn’t love Alex Kingston? As time goes on (and spoilers erupt) I’m even more excited to discover River’s identity, because I no longer think it is the obvious… My current makes-no-sense theory: (I) (A)m (T)he (D)octor’s, (R )iver (S)ong. (TARDIS)

Day 5 - Favorite Guest Star

James Corden

He is so lovable and fun! I love “The Lodger” so much. I started following him on Twitter and then looked into his IMDb resume, and now I’ve started “Gavin and Stacey”. Corden seems like an absolute blast to be around.

Day 6 - Least Favorite Character

Amy Pond

Yes, I know, I KNOW! But I find her so flip-floppy and self-interested. Is it supposed to be funny that she tries to seduce the Doctor the night before her wedding, or that she wants to “snog in the bushes” on her wedding day? Because it isn’t. It is pathetic. And I love Rory so much that I dislike Amy even more for his sake. No offense to Gillan – Lord knows I love me a hot ginger – but I find the character truly obnoxious.

Day 7 - Favorite Episode

“Smith and Jones”

This one is tough. I absolutely love “The Lodger” and “Partners in Crime”, but if I could only watch one ep (repeatedly) I would choose “Smith and Jones”. I just love the Doctor’s quirks and Martha’s reactions. He could practically do the whole episode mute using only his eyebrows to communicate. “Barefoot on the moon!”

Day 8 - Favorite Series/Season

Series Four

I have favorite episodes from every series so far, but I love the interactions between Donna and the Doctor. Adipose, Pompeii, Ood, The Library, “Midnight” (shudder) and the big reunion (and hybrid) of the finale? Yes, yes, a thousand times YES!

Day 9 - Least Favorite Episode

“Daleks in Manhattan” / “Evolution of the Daleks”

Other than the presence of Andrew Garfield, I find nothing appealing about these episodes. Too many irrelevant characters, weird self-doubt issues from the Daleks (whah) and creepy hybrids? Yawn.

Day 11 - Scene/Moment that makes you cry

Death of alien in “Vincent and the Doctor”

I can never remember the name of that alien, but I call it Chickensauraus because… well, it looks like a chicken and a dinosaur had a creepy alien baby. Anyway, that scene is gut-wrenching. I am actually tearing up just thinking about it. Blind, alone and scared? All three of them just feel such remorse when they realize it, and that poor creature… I have to stop talking about it.

Day 12 - Scene/Moment that makes you giggle

Cassandra takes over The Doctor in “New Earth”

Every time I watch this ep (read: many) I giggle when David Tennant starts slinking around discussing his own sex appeal. “And a little bit foxy” always makes me giggle like a teenager. You know he had fun doing that (ever seen his turn as Davina? YouTube it) “Oh baby, I’m beating out a samba!”

Day 16 - Fave Martha Moment

Death of the Hath, “The Doctor’s Daughter”

In a moment that ought to make me snicker at overacting, I feel Freema shines. I really believe her despair as her new friend sinks in the radioactive-mud-stuff. That moment is caked with plot-cheese, from having to fear drowning in a pit that probably comes up to her chest to the friend-of-five-minutes alien braving the trap himself and then drowning EVEN THOUGH HE IS HALF FISH! Writing about it makes me want to laugh, but watching it always gets me.

Day 18 - Fave Amy Moment

Fake Labor, “Amy’s Choice”

I’m not a big Amy Pond fan (as you know), but I love the moment in “Amy’s Choice” when she starts having contractions and screaming in the street in order to scare The Doctor. “This is my life now and it just turned you white as a sheet, so don't you call it dull again, ever.”

Day 23 - Something Epic

“The Family of Blood”

"He never raised his voice. That was the worst thing - the fury of the Time Lord - and then we discovered why. Why this Doctor, who had fought with gods and demons, why he had run away from us and hidden. He was being kind. He wrapped my father in unbreakable chains forged in the heart of a dwarf star. He tricked my mother into the event horizon of a collapsing galaxy to be imprisoned there, forever. He still visits my sister, once a year, every year. I wonder if one day he might forgive her, but there she is. Can you see? He trapped her inside a mirror. Every mirror. If ever you look at your reflection and see something move behind you just for a second, that’s her. That’s always her. As for me, I was suspended in time and the Doctor put me to work standing over the fields of England, as their protector. We wanted to live forever, so The Doctor made sure we did." This scene is such an epic end to an incredible story.

Words I Never Thought I'd Hear

2011-04-17T18:41:00.002-05:00

This morning I got to church between services for sound check with the praise team. When I got there no one was starting so I sat and started to look at a song our soon-to-be-leaving worship minister had written that week. Before I got one note into it, one of the church elders came and kneeled next to me:

Elder: "Is it awful that for our next music minister, yours is the first name I thought of? Is that just out of place?"
Me: "Out of place, yes, but not awful at all."

We ended up having a fascinating (and flattering) discussion about "the rules" in our church, and which ones we feel could use a good shaping (or tossing). He truly wants to suggest my name when the topic soon arises. He and I both know that it won't work - our church is not near ready for a female worship minister - but just for the mere sake of gauging reactions, I think he really might suggest it.

And I haven't been able to stop thinking of the possibilities.

I had never even thought of something like that, not really. It is something I think I would really love, but growing up in fairly conservative churches of Christ, I knew it "wasn't meant to be". But now that he has planted this seed in my brain I cannot shake it. What if? What if? Could I really stand in front of that church and lead them in worship? Would they follow me? And if I chose to try it, would it be for God's glory or for my own personal social experiment?

We discussed God's gifts, and how we should use what we are given. I told him that I would soon get to use my gift of bluntness for the women's ministry (a sex forum). The idea of getting to use my gift of song in that huge capacity is something that, frankly, I cannot even fathom.

No part of me really expects this to go any further than an idea; not with this church, not right now. But to even hear those words from a leader of our church makes me very curious and optimistic for it's future.

Wish List: Nerd Shirt Edition

2011-04-15T14:42:00.009-05:00

For crying out loud, people! I am finding so many sites of awesome nerd shirts for really cheap. So any and all upcoming gifting occassions are taken care of. Behold:

Back to the Island

Count the Shadows

Doctor Lost Constant (my awesome online friend JoRo has this one) Abaeterno

Wandering Thoughts: Hamlet vs Doctor Who

2011-04-14T14:46:00.006-05:00

"There are more things in Heaven and Earth... than are dreamt of in our philosophy."

~*~Hamlet, Shakespeare

"It seems to me there's so much more to the world then the average eye is allowed to see."

~*~Vincent and the Doctor, Doctor Who S5E10

~*+*~*+*~*+*~*+*~*+*~

"Gentlemen let us go in together, and steal your fingers on your lips, I pray."

~*~Hamlet, Shakespeare

"Fingers on lips!"

~*~Fear Her, Doctor Who S2E11

Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt: Bible edition

2011-04-12T16:23:00.003-05:00

In studying for the sex forum I want to lead at church (whee!) I found a wonderful verse - 1 Timothy 4:4. Thanks to a tip I once received from Grags I looked up The Message to see it from a different angle. What a difference it makes!

(1-5) The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They'll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

I have read it over and over again now, and all I can think of is politics. "These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth." But the interesting part is that my mind didn't jump to Democrats: it jumped to Republicans. Or at least, I should say, the Conservatives I encounter so often...

There are many smart, caring, truly wonderful Christians that I love and respect whose beliefs make me want to cry. I know I haven't got it all right - these same people might feel the same 'loss' for me - but I cannot stomach any belief that makes God out to be hateful or intolerant.

I am not so naive as to believe that God is always "nice". Being a Christian isn't meant to be easy; God isn't interested in whether or not we are "happy". We should have joy and contentment, both of which can exist without happiness. He tells us things are wrong and evil in his sight, and I believe it. I also believe in his never-ending forgiveness, our unearnable salvation (grace) and his all-consuming love.

"They will tell you not to get married." I cannot read this verse without feeling true remorse for the "congregants" of Westboro. Those poor souls are so poisoned with hatred and false righteousness that they drown in it. They rejoice in people's pain and mock those who suffer, and they think they do so to God's honor. Nothing could be further from The Truth.

This verse in 1 Timothy gives me a breath of fresh hope. God should be honored in all things we do. If I get a tattoo of a Bible verse scrawled across my back, it can be in God's honor: think of the wonderful conversations it could start! Ever seen bikers for Christ? People get a certain image, often negative, when they think of motorcycle gangs, but I've seen them spouting scripture and sharing the Word in places some Christians fear to tread.

Speaking of bikers for Christ, Bammel has a group that tours in the MS150 every year called "Traveling Light". For me personally, riding a bike for 5 minutes, let alone 150 miles, would be a very unChristian experience - I know me, I know this body and this foul mouth... But these people take an ordinary activity and do it to God's honor. This is what we are called to do!

I know I rambled a bit (gasp!), but I really wanted to get these ideas down. Everything we do should praise God, whether or not someone else thinks it can praise God. It can be accepting a neighbor as they are or riding across Texas.

Everything (Can Be) Beautiful and Nothing (Should Have To) Hurt

Responsible Adult (on occassion)

2011-03-30T09:19:00.005-05:00

Last night was one of those nights where I take a deep breath, look in the mirror and say, "I can be a responsible adult after all. Whew!"

It is a shame how rarely I feel that way.

After work I went home to change clothes and then - gasp - went to the gym! The shock! And even more shocking was how much I LOVED it! It takes a lot to get me to a gym (I would be the mayor of LazyTown but the election was too much trouble), but once I'm there I kind of freakin' love it. My gym (Fitness19) has those cardio machines with a tiny TV, so I plug in my headphones, find something funny to distract me and set to a brisk walk on a heavy incline. Suddenly I realize I've walked a mile! Without the distraction I just stare at the timer thinking, "It has only been 5 minutes?!? Whaaaa!"

After that I hit the leg press. I don't know why, but it is almost always my favorite machine. The location seemed perfect, too (right under a fan), but if I were a man (or a lesbian) it would have been even better, because I was right behind the girls in short-shorts on the stair-climbers. Oy... I just cranked up my music and stared at the ceiling.

I closed with some free weights; triceps and obliques. Since I'm just starting out I'm staying in my comfort zone. Hopefully before long I can push myself to different exercises.

On the way home I stopped at the store for pasta and chicken. I made the simplest, YUMMIEST salad! It was kind of a "fridge cleaner", because I chopped up any and all veggies in the fridge. I used the tail end of a shallot, the remaining halves of a zucchini and squash plus some asparagus. I gave them a quick saute and tossed them with farfalle and some rotisserie chicken. Add lemon juice and olive oil (plus salt and pepper) and it was right tasty! If Brad doesn't finish it for lunch, I will probably do it for dinner again tonight. I might add roma tomatoes, but I'm not sure. Oh, and I put in a little goat cheese, but I like it better without. (I was inspired by this PW recipe.)

After dinner I organized out tax paperwork so we can go be grownups tomorrow. And then I watched the first half of Micmacs while soaking in the tub. Overall it was a truly lovely night.

Tonight I'm going back to the gym and having another delicious, low(ish) calorie meal and then painting my nails. I know, I know, it is a fast-paced and glamorous life I lead. Try not to be jealous.

Dwell with Dignity

2011-03-02T09:11:00.003-06:00

I don't spend nearly enough (read: almost any) time working with charities and other helpful organizations. Even my activities at church are fairly limited. I would like to believe that if we had a Dwell with Dignity in Houston, I would spend some time there. At the very least I would donate some furniture to those with greater vision and stick-to-it-iveness.

(From their website)
"Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit group of Interior Designers and volunteers dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. We provide and install home interiors for families that include furnishings and art, bedding and kitchen supplies, and food in the pantry. Our mission is to help families escape poverty and homelessness through design. One household at a time."

How cool is that? Some people might think of it as fluff, "decorating someones home to make them feel better", but they do so much more. They provide homes, not just shelter. They give people pride and a sense of worth in what they have. They create an atmosphere of safety for those who might not have had it in a long time, or possibly ever.

You can help! Of course they need people to underwrite donations for home goods, but they also need your stuff. You can contact them with descriptions and photos of any furniture and they decide whether nor not they can put it to good use. Repurposing is a large part of their process, as it teaches responsibility in ownership. Also, if you live in/near the Dallas area, they always need volunteers, "everything from refurbishing furniture and making art to putting fundraisers together and writing grants."

If nothing else, check out their projects, the amazing before and afters. They are very inspiring.

New Low: And yet I'm surprised...

2011-03-01T12:46:00.003-06:00

Several months ago my husband came home from work and asked, "Have you heard the new Katy Perry song? Something about dreams?"

ME: No, don't think so.
HUBS: Let me show this to you.

So we find a YouTube video that shows the lyrics. And we listen, and Brad just watches me as my jaw hits the table.

ME: The hell?!? These lyrics are horrible!
HUBS: Yeah, that's what I siad.
ME: Is she seriously condoning teenagers getting drunk and having sex in hotels? What the hell?

It made me really angry. Any time it came on the radio I immediately changed the station. And I want to hate Darren Criss for making me like it during the Glee cover. How can we slide not-so-gradually into a media that ENCOURAGES illegal and unsafe behavior in children?

It makes me feel old. Which I hate, not because I'm 27 and shouldn't feel old, but because that means accepting this trash is a young mentality. ::shudder::

And then, this morning, I turn on my radio and hear Rhianna's new song, "S&M". Yeah, THAT S&M. As in sadomaschism. Let's take a look at some of the "lyrics" (I'm truly sorry):

Feels so good being bad
There’s no way I’m turnin’ back
Now the pain is my pleasure
Cause nothin’ can measure

Love is great, love is fine
Out the box, outta line
The affection nothin’ feelin
Leave me wanting more

Cause I may be bad, but
I’m perfectly good at it
Sex in the air
I don’t care I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But chains and whips excite me

S, S, S&M, M, M
S, S, S&M, M, M

Ohh
I love the feelin’ oh you bring to me
Turn me on, you turn me on
Is exactly what I’ve been yearning for
You need forgive me turn me it up
And make me be in my …, in my bodies surprise
I like it, like it

Cause I may be bad, but
I’m perfectly good at it
Sex in the air
I don’t care I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But chains and whips excite me

S-S-S&M-M-M
S-S-S&M-M-M
S-S-S&M-M-M
S-S-S&M-M-M

So... this is on the radio. Neat.

I'm gonna go cry now.

New Zealand

2011-02-22T08:48:00.000-06:00

An earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand last night (lunchtime their time). It was the worst natural disaster seen in the region is 80 years. At last count, 65 were counted dead and several are still missing.

And do you know my first thought when I heard a quake had hit New Zealand? "I hope it wasn't in the wine region." That was the first thing that popped into my head, and I am not proud of it.

I generally remain blissfully ignorant of the world, big-picture. I won't deny that. And again, I'm not proud of that. I am such an empathetic person that, if I keep up with the news, I feel consistently depressed. But how is that an excuse?

The BBC has an article on their site detailing the damage, and they paint a horrific picture. Among the missing is a group of visiting Japanese students. Among the dead are two buses full that were crushed by buildings. People describe bodies just lying around under a layer of brick and screams issuing from the rubble.

I urge you to pray for this community. They are without power and water. They are scared and can't find their friends and family. Please pray for them. Right now. Stop what you are doing and take a knee. There is no time like the present to do what you can.

Doctor Who Valentines

2011-02-14T08:32:00.003-06:00

I can always count on Jamila (MsChicGeek) to provide the most delicious nerdery online - her blog is a treasure trove of geekiness! Today she has up a large group of Doctor Who Valentines, which you know I couldn't resist. Go check it out, but these are my favorites:

Snorg Tees

2011-02-10T14:24:00.003-06:00

I'm sure Snorg Tees are aimed at hipsters. I mean, come on, their ads are always next to American Apparel and on sites like TextsFromLastNight and LOLCats. But hey, that doesn't mean some aren't really great. Here are my faves:

Walking the fence between hectic and boring

2011-02-07T10:01:00.002-06:00

I'm adjusting well to my new job functions... at least, I think I am. I feel like I'm in limbo right now at work: I'm still sitting with my old group, due to a lack of offices near the new team. This leaves me kind of "without a country". If I have questions, I have to either pick up the phone or walk to the other side of the building. I know, I know, #whitegirlproblems, but I feel strangely isolated. At any given time, my team members could be running around frantically trying to complete a task, but if no one calls me, I won't know. I will be sitting over here twiddling my thumbs in between emails.

If these past few weeks are any indication, this new job will have me walking the fence between hectic and boring at all times. My first week on the job I worked 64 hours and completed a beautiful product on deadline. Whew! Since then, I've been slugging along, hoping I'm not overlooking some huge responsibility because no one showed it to me.

It does give me the opportunity to continue helping my old team on the sly, which is nice (for them). I hated to walk away from it as it reached completion, but one has to go where one is told*. At this point I am just praying for an office to become available: that way I can be in the heart of the team, instead of feeling/looking like an outsider.

Plus, I really want to put up my Doctor Who poster, and the only way I am doing that is on the back of an office door. No shame in my game, but no need to wave my nerd flag quite so high in my corporate office...

*Ah, the drone mindset...

Between a Rock and a Hot Place

2011-01-11T13:51:00.002-06:00

I plan to ask God, when I meet him, what was the purpose of the Phelps family and the Westboro Baptist Church. What was their goal? Because, without divine wisdom, I will never understand it.

Protesting a funeral makes no sense. End of sentence. What is to be gained, except for causing pain to the mourning? What else could be a possible goal? And even though I find it sinful and deplorable, I can almost glean their goal from protesting a homosexual or the country that (essentially) tolerates it. But an innocent nine-year old?

It makes me sick to my stomach. And, unfortunately, I think THAT has to be the goal, doesn't it? Attention has to be purpose. Making other people angry so that they behave badly, all in order to emphasize your original point that Americans are awful and God hates them. Or something.

Every time it happens, more people stand against it. And that is something we can be proud of, isn't it? Well, isn't it?

A bill is being pushed furiously across desks throughout Arizona in order to stop this kind of behavior. And I want to celebrate that. But then I read this sentence:

"The court is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether free speech can be curbed at specific locations and events."

At this point I hear myself saying things like "slippery slope". That choice of words... well, it isn't good.

And I think that perhaps I understand a tiny piece of why these vile people exist in the world: to encite discussion and discovery. But I'm still going to have to ask God.

Poster Mash-Ups

2011-01-10T09:30:00.008-06:00

I have just found this wonderful weekly feature on Empire Online. Each week has a theme and you submit a poster mashing the given theme with some random (hopefully clever) movie. I'm going to show you my favorites, most of which are Doctor Who, plus one great Harry Potter one. Most of the Harry Potter posters were sadly lame.

Doctor's Eleven

Ood Morning Vietnam

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Doctor Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Star Trek Regenerations

Hogwarts Express

Cannonball Read III - the new blog

2011-01-03T09:24:00.001-06:00

As I read my books for the CannonBall Read I will be posting reviews at a new blog: http://pattyogreencannonball.wordpress.com/

I signed up for a Quarter CannonBall, so I only have to read 13 books, but my goal is to surpass that expectation. Pretty soon I will put up a review for The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

Can you tell I'm in a Doctor Who mood?

2010-12-15T10:18:00.002-06:00

I'm having trouble uploading the amazing video (that contains spoilers), but it is worth seeing.

Wish List: DVD Edition

2010-12-13T16:27:00.008-06:00

I never realized how expensive is a season ("series") of Doctor Who. Luckily, Amazon has some good deals, comparitively. Here are just a few things on my Wish List (more to come):

Doctor Who, the Complete First Series, $43.99
Doctor Who, the Complete Second Series, $44.49

Doctor Who, the Complete Third Series , $44.49

Doctor Who, the Complete Fourth Series, $43.99

Community, Season One, $26.99

Interview with a Vampire, $8.99

Harry Potter, Years 1-6 Gift Set, $39.99 (I bought this for Mom's bday and she loves it)

Glee Season 1, $37.99 (maybe...)

Wish List: Unrealistic edition

2010-12-08T08:31:00.011-06:00

If you enjoy anything about interior design - I just love the pics for inspiration - then you should be receiving the Houzz newsletter/email. People go in and create Idea Books on a theme of their choosing, and it is a great way to spend time sipping your morning coffee. Lately many people have been making Gift Lists; I'm finding the coolest stuff, but some of it is truly laughably expensive. Oh well, a girl can dream, right?

Here are some of the awesome things I'm finding:

Cardboard Speakers

Update: I found these recycled cardboard speakers for half that price today on the Apartment Therapy blog:

Rules For My Unborn Son

Major League Baseball Bat Bottle Opener

Vine-Tapered Candles

Wine Bottle Candelabra

Tasto Chip and Dip Set (I actually saw this in a Hungry Girl email first...)

RowRow Serving Bowl with Spoons

Map Stars (from theStarcraft on Etsy)

Girl's Pint Out - WALK-OFF

2010-12-03T12:12:00.002-06:00

Tell me this doesn't sound like a blast?! I wonder if Brad could get this night off of work...

"Every time I tell a guy about our group, he wants to know how he can attend, despite that the very thing he likes about it is what excludes him. Men.

But it’s Christmas, which is an excuse for a whole host of things. Including our first co-ed holiday mixer at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at the Alamo Drafthouse in West Oaks. It’s the night of their “Zoolander” quotable (think karaoke for movie lines). In honor of the flick and to allow the co-eds to preen like peacocks, the men are invited to compete in a walk off, Zoolander style. The catch is that they also must wear heels for the second round, because we like our men to display their solidarity with the fairer sex. Winner gets some Alamo Drafthouse swag, free pizza, and the adulation of the female beer-drinking attendees.

If you haven’t been to the Drafthouse in a while, you’re missing out on a pretty good beer selection. Jason Murphy, chef and beer director, has brought in a bunch of great stuff on tap, from Flying Dog to Dogfish. They’ve also started a cool Beer Passport rewards program; get through so many tiers of the listed “bucket list” type beers and you get cool swag. In fact, if you sign up for the passport at the event (which gets you a mug and passport book to fill), you get your first fill free. I suggest the Rahr Winter Warmer, which will be tapped in our honor.

Cost of the event is the regular “quotable” price of $9. Attendees should RSVP to Jennifer@girlspintout.com (seriously). “Zoolander” starts at 8 p.m."

If you enjoy beer (especially you ladies), you need to check out this event with the Girl's Pint Out. Hopefully I will see you there!

A video that makes my heart sing

2010-12-03T10:30:00.004-06:00

If you can watch this video without even a tiny smile, you don't watch enough good TV. There, I said it. Thank you Pajiba for sharing this with me. I will never need Prozac.

These are the ones I recognized (feel free to add those I missed in the comments):
Community
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Doctor Who (Doctors 9, 10 and 11, though I would have liked more Tennant)
(500) Days of Summer
Outsourced
School of Rock
Little Miss Sunshine
Dollhouse
Firefly
13 Going on 30
Modern Family
I Love You, Bro
Labyrinth
Love, Actually
Fringe (I think)
Pirate Radio (I think)
Pirates of the Carribean
LOST (only a short clip, but a great one)
Supernatural (I think)

(And by the way, someone please tell me the show/actor winking around the :45 second mark)
(UPDATE: The wink is the new Sherlock Holmes, which was what I thought...)

Like It's Quidditch

2010-11-30T08:53:00.002-06:00

You will probably want to hate me for this, but don't. I'm too precious.

(CAUTION: Earworm)

My feelings exactly...

2010-11-29T15:38:00.001-06:00

My feelings exactly...

DIY Gifts: Coconut Ganache Bourbon Balls

2010-11-24T09:13:00.003-06:00

Holy happy hour, Batman!

These cookies sound so divine, and so simple, that I cannot wait to try them. Vicki, a dear grandmother** of mine, has a Thanksgiving Happy Hour every year in Hank's Bar: her garage was converted to a bar in memory of her late husband, Hank.

**It feels odd to call her a grandmother; she was married to my husband's grandfather, but she never had children. She also happens to be made of awesome, so I'm happy to keep her. ;)

Anyway, the party is always fun - with plenty of flowing booze - so these cookies should be a smash!

Coconut Ganache Bourbon Balls

Yields approximately 30

For the Bourbon Balls

2 cups vanilla wafers or graham crackers crumbs (ground fine)

2 cups chopped pecans (by hand or in food processor)

1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup bourbon or whiskey

6 tablespoons cane syrup or corn syrup

For the Ganache

2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons heavy cream

For the Bourbon Balls

In a large bowl, combine cookie crumbs, pecans, confectioners sugar, and cocoa powder. In another bowl, whisk together bourbon and syrup and then combine thoroughly with dry mixture (I find using my hands works best). Allow to sit for a couple of minutes.
Using a small scoop (I prefer a spring-release ice cream scoop), spoon out rounds of the bourbon ball mixture, mashing flat against the side of the bowl to create a flat bottom. Release onto a sheet pan.

For the Ganache

In a food processor, process coconut flakes into small bits. Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a glass bowl and microwave one minute to one minute and twenty seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted and glossy.

Dip bourbon balls in melted chocolate (you don't have to coat the flat bottom surface), reheating chocolate as necessary, and place on a cooling rack set on top of wax paper. Sprinkle coconut on top of balls, using fingers to cover the sides thoroughly. Re-use the leftover coconut that falls through the cooling rack wires, if necessary. Allow to set for at least a couple of hours, or overnight (they taste even better after the flavor has a chance to mellow). If you don't like coconut, feel free to just cover them in ganache and allow to set overnight.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. (As if they could last that long!)

Edible DIY Gifts: From The Kitchen

2010-11-17T13:11:00.002-06:00

I regularly sift through the Apartment Therapy blog, as well as cousin The Kitchn and OhDeeDoh. I find the most interesting articles, from recipes to decor Before and Afters. Today I found this on The Kitchn blog:

Tea, Brittle, Olives & Cake: 10 Delicious Edible Gifts

I am looking forward to working through those recipes for barks and brittles, and I'm interested in their suggested tea blends.

Enjoy - happy gifting!

Wish List: Harry Potter edition

2010-11-11T14:13:00.006-06:00

I did a little window-shopping on Etsy this afternoon, and I found some super cute HP inspired products. How fun is this stuff?

Owl Post box

Baby Hat (and no, I don't need one yet, but I find cute baby stuff all the time that I want to secretly stockpile)

Wrock tee shirt (or almost anything from this Etsy shop)
To be fair, I'm not sure I would wear it out of the house much, for the exhaustion of constantly explaining it.

HP Themed Magnets

And finally, one for Grags:

DIY Gifting: Tulle Circles

2010-11-11T10:20:00.007-06:00

I found this idea over on Dollar Store Crafts (don't hate), and I love it. My first thought was to make tea bags from your favorite loose teas. I have a diffuser, but the holes are too big so I always get tea leaves floating in there. No thank you. So I have gift one in mind for this year!

~*~

Our local dollar store has a bridal section with plastic champagne flutes, paper decorations, invitations and thank you notes. I also found these pretty white pre-cut tulle circles. Tulle is that white netting they use for bridal veils and ballerina tutus. It's often cut into circles for making birdseed bundles to toss at the bride and groom as they leave a wedding reception. I picked up a package of these little babies and ran home to whip up some super-quick and ultra-cheap holiday gifts.

Make sachet pouches:
Project Estimate:
Package of tulle circles, $1
Ribbon, on hand or $.50 and up
Various spices, on hand or buy in bulk
Cost: Less than $1 each (the bigger your stash of herbs, spices and beads--the cheaper this project gets!)

By simply adding a small handful of herbs, spices or potpourri to the middle of the circle and pulling up the sides to make a bag, you can create a variety of useful sachets for cooking or home decorating. Sew them closed or just tie tightly with a ribbon. If you intend to cook with them, be sure to take the ribbon off beforehand.
The tulle does not melt when simmered, and you can actually wash them out and re-use them after you're done making your mulled cider or soup stock. The package comes with 15 tulle circles, and you can purchase herbs, spices and potpourri in bulk. So you can make a variety of sachets for just a few dollars. Sweet!

Ways to use sachets:
~*~Fill the bags with whole cloves, nutmeg shavings, dried ginger flakes and broken cinnamon sticks for some yummy mulling spices. Simply add the bag of spices to a pot of apple cider and simmer for five to ten minutes, and voila! Hot mulled cider to warm you on a chilly evening. For a more adult beverage, you can add the spice bag to a pot of red wine, add a generous amount of honey and you've got a delicious hot toddy. Toss a few sachets into a beautiful mug and you've got a great gift for cold weather.
~*~Sew two circles together and fill them with sprigs of basil, oregano, rosemary and other savory herbs for creating soup stock. This would make a lovely hostess gift for Thanksgiving along with a recipe for making soup stock from the leftover turkey bones.
~*~Fill small or large pouches with potpourri (also from the dollar store) for a sweet smelling closet sachet. These make your dresser drawers and linen closets smell wonderful! You can decorate the top of the bags with beads, embroidery floss, paint or glitter glue to make them even more festive.
~*~Fill the bags with candy or other small trinkets and use as stocking stuffers or party favors on your holiday table.

Cannonball Read III

2010-11-10T11:28:00.003-06:00

I am going to push myself this next year to participate in the third annual Cannoball Read over at Pajiba. I made a long list (quite some time ago) of new books I should read, and even purchased several of them, but I never got around to them. I am a creature of habit, all told. I love reading, but I reeeeally love going back to my favorites over and over again.

Ask me how many times I've read Good Omens or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

A lot.

The Cannonball Read was started 'Alabama Pink', an amazing woman who was a member of the Pajiba online society. She loved reading, and she started this challenge as a push for people to read 52 books in a year. They also had to write reviews on a blog. Quite a weighty task, but many people took it up.

She passed away last year from leukemia, leaving behind husband 'ahamos' and their son Alastair. The yearly read has lived on, and now it is used as a means to raise funds for Lil A's college education.

I am finally taking up the task this year. The rules have become more flexible, allowing for Half Cannonballs or Quarter Cannonballs. I'm signing up for a QC, which means 13 books read and reviewed before winter of 2011. Hopefully I can exceed that expectation, but I've met me, so I'm aiming for 13.

Wish me luck, and read my reviews as I post them!

(Update: I mentioned the Cannonball Read last year, as well as Prisco's 100 Book Challenge. Check it out)

Baking Weekend of DREAMS

2010-11-02T09:37:00.002-05:00

The delightful Pioneer Woman has done it again: she is having a getaway weekend giveaway on her blog! This time the winner (and guest) will spend the whole weekend relaxing, making new friends, feeding cows, and... wait for it... BAKING!

Now, I enjoy some time in the kitchen, I really do. I even enjoy making dessert, but "baking" by definition isn't my strong suit. I make cakes from box mixes (which are pretty dang good, thank you very much), and making cookies from scratch is extremely rare, though always worth it.

What I would look forward to most about the baking experience is decorating: I want to learn how to make pretty cookies and fun frosting toppings. I want to focus on DIY gifts this year (and I mentioned in this blog) and many of those ideas will be edible gifts. This weekend would give me a great head start - especially with all of the swag I would be bringing home!!!

Also, I haven't been on a ranch in so very long, and I would love to just see and smell and hear it all. Anyone who has ever stood near a horse and taken a deep breath knows the smell I mean. Yes, there would be unpleasant smells as well, but such is life. Scrape off the boot bottoms and keep walkin'.

If you want to check it out, her blog has all of the details you need.

Rally for Sanity

2010-11-01T11:46:00.005-05:00

I don't hold a lot of opinions about politics, generally speaking. In fact, I admit to being an "ignorance is bliss" thinker when I can. I am not completely unaware, I merely don't follow all of the shouting.

That said, I found this link for some of the signs seen at Jon Stewart's Rally for Sanity, and I had to share my favorites, because I'm wheezing at my desk right now from laughing:

Looking to the Future

2010-10-20T16:01:00.001-05:00

My decorating life (aka dream world) has come to a complete halt. No, scratch that - I'm moving backwards! We adore our kittens, but they can now officially reach EVERYTHING! This evening my goal is to remove the wine bottles from above our cabinets because it is the newest kitty hang out.

Oy.

But I've decided not to be (too) disheartened. I will find new ways to get out my creative outlet. My first plan: focus on handmade/DIY gifts for Christmas. I will keep you posted. :)

Natasha Wescoat

2010-09-22T21:50:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday night I went to the Maple Leaf pub (in Midtown) for a pub quiz. I had a great time. Frankly, I had too much fun, and I had to retrieve my car late the next morning. But that is neither here nor there.

I used the restroom while I was there, and they had the most beautiful print on the wall. It was trees, so automatically you know I loved it. I asked a bartender about it, and he was able to tell me they purchased it from ImageKind, which is a CafePress company. Neato burrito. He didn't know the artist, but the initials looked like MW.

I looked it up and found Natasha Wescoat (close enough), and I am a smitten kitten. She has whole galleries just of these swirly trees, and the are very reasonably priced. Here are some of my faves:

Oktoberfest at Minute Maid Park

2010-09-22T10:24:00.002-05:00

This looks like an amazing deal. I wish we could go, but we are taking a trip to Dallas the following weekend and we shouldn't add this on. Too bad.

“Oktoberfest” Details

Friday, October 1, 2010

Come out and enjoy Oktoberfest with the Houston Astros as they take on the Chicago Cubs on Friday, October 1st, 2010. Sample beers from around the world, including special Oktoberfest brews. Your ticket to this event will include admission to the ballgame, six, two ounce beer tastings of your choice and a bratwurst. Full sized servings of the sample beers may be purchased at regular price at the event.

Tickets for the event may be purchased below. For group ticket purchases of 20 or more, contact David Low at 713-259-8382 or tintern2@astros.com.

Location: Conoco Home Run Alley
Time: 5:30 – 7th Inning

Tickets and Pricing: Tickets for the event are being sold on the Heritage Page (www.astros.com/heritage). Tickets will include admission to the game, six 2oz beer tastings and a bratwurst. Tickets are offered in three seating levels:

Field Box : $34
Bullpen: $27
Mezzanine: $24

Happy Friday

2010-09-17T13:37:00.001-05:00

Just because it makes me super happy:

Painting in the Park at Minute Maid Park

2010-09-08T09:16:00.000-05:00

I received this fun offer from the Astros. I doubt I could go, but I wanted to put the idea out there. Sounds fun!

~*~*~

Join the Houston Astros & Pinot's Palette for "Painting at the Park" on Saturday, September 18th. Local Houston artists will lead you step-by-step to complete the special featured painting "Night Out at the Park," while you sip wine & mingle with other Astros fans!

The event will start at 3:15pm with painting beginning promptly at 3:45pm, and conclude at 5:45pm. The Houston Astros vs Cincinnati Reds game will begin at 6:05pm.

Haven't picked up a paintbrush since grade school? No problem! The artists of Pinot's Palette will break the painting into very simple steps, and you'll have created your very own masterpiece before you know it!

A ticket to this event will include: one mezzanine level seat, admission to the painting class in Champions Pavilion and two glasses of wine, all for $50. Already have a ticket to the game? Choose the $40 option that includes admission to the class and two glasses of wine.

Don’t forget that Robert Earl Keen will be playing a free post-game concert that evening!

For information and tickets, go to www.astros.com/pinot or call Richard Tapia at 713-259-8303

Fresh Start

2010-09-02T10:23:00.003-05:00

I took a deep, fresh breath when I woke up this morning. I felt relieved. I felt a modicum of peace. And I thought to myself,

"We're gonna make it."

I attended the introductory class for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University last night. I didn't learn anything yet, but just being there, just watching the intro video and hearing peoples' testimonies, I felt relief. Brad and I officially start the class next Wednesday, and I am so excited.

I know changing our lifestyles and habits will be difficult, and that at times it will be an emotional strain on us both. Here is the difference: we will be arguing about money, but working towards an agreed-upon solution. We will be slowly fixing the problem. We will be climbing this uphill struggle, but climbing together and leaning more on God.

My parents took this class last year, and I used the opportunity to look through their books. I even spent some time doing the workforms. One downside to that is that now I am impatient to get to that part, and we need to start at the beginning.

We need to look at our emotional connection to money, to food, to STUFF. Thrifty Decor Chick wrote an excellent blog this morning about her attachment to "stuff", and I found it inspiring. We all have those items in life that we buy because "it is only $2.99" or "I will probably use this someday". Those things add up, and a lack of storage space is only one of the negative side effects.

Our generation has this mindset of entitlement. It varies from person to person, but I think we all have it.
*I spent four (or more) years earning a college degree, so I should be making more money.*
*I've worked hard for this paycheck, I should be able to go out and have fun.*
*I've been responsible all week, I can splurge on this new lamp (fill in the blank).*

I want to live a life with less "should" statements. I want to focus on what I actually have. And most importantly, I want a life that isn't so incredibly focused on money.

Ramsey pointed out that the Bible contains more verses about money than it does about love. That's huge, people, because God says love is the most important thing, the most important rule. The point Ramsey made was that God knows where our earthly focus wants to be, so we should strive for financial peace *in order to focus on more important thing, like love, faith and family*.

I am excited to take this step towards God and towards a more spiritually focused life. Please pray for me and Brad as we embark on this challenge.

Wish List

2010-08-23T15:28:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I like to make a list of the totally awesome stuff I find online. You know, in case someone wanted to get me a totally awesome gift.

I'm just sayin'...

Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale http://merecal.com/releases/books/serenity-shepherds-tale-joss-whedon/954588/

Punjammies http://www.punjammies.com/

Mother-of-Pearl Leaf necklace https://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?itemId=28416&siteId=220&sourceId=7&sourceClass=Category&index=15

Chaise Lounge with Storage http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tan-Chaise-Lounge-with-Storage/3545807/product.html

Basically anything from the Molecular Muse shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/molecularmuse

Shows on my To Watch list

2010-08-23T13:44:00.003-05:00

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Freaks and Geeks
Doctor Who
Flight of the Concords
Battlestar Galactica (?)

So far I'm in season 2 of Buffy, thanks to Netflix Instant. F&G isn't on Instant, but I think it comes as one bulk set. Yeah, I know I'm lame for watching so much TV. Oh well. ;)

Teenage Nightmare

2010-08-23T09:30:00.002-05:00

My sweet husband came home last night and asked me if I had heard the new Katy Perry song about "feeling up my skin tight jeans." I was definitely confused.

ME: Do you mean California Girls?
HUBS: No, this one is about teenagers and feeling up skin tight jeans. Hold on a sec...

Enter YouTube lyric videos. Allow me share with you (in case you don't listen to the radio or just change the station when dreck comes on, like me) the lyrics to the newest release from Katy Perry...

Teenage Dream

You think I’m pretty Without any makeup on
You think I’m funny When I tell the punchline wrong
I know you get me So I let my walls come down, down

Before you met me I was a wreck but things
Were kinda heavy You brought me to life
Now every February You’ll be my Valentine, Valentine

Let’s go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

You make me feel Like I’m livin’ aTeenage dream
The way you turn me on I can’t sleep
Let’s run away and Don’t ever look back, Don’t ever look back

My heart stops When you look at me
Just one touch Now baby I believe
This is real So take a chance and Don’t ever look back, Don’t ever look back

We drove to Cali And got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and Built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you My missing puzzle piece
I’m complete

Let’s go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

I’mma get your heart racing In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

~*~

Excuse me while I vomit.

Hubs and I tried to decide what was worse: that Perry is encouraging this behavior in teens or that she is singing to adults about the "remember when" feeling. Either way she is discussing teenagers getting drunk and having sex.

Yippee.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go pray for the future of our world.

DIY Update and a great party

2010-08-16T10:52:00.002-05:00

I now have the train case and a handful of records from madre's garage. Gracias! I am debating how to adapt the train case. I don't usually love the vintage look, but this one has an aged olive look that I love. We shall see.

Mom handed me a small stack of records, most of which I had never heard of. The exception was right on top: "Super Trooper" by ABBA. Is it awful that I'm really excited to melt-and-bowl it? I know 200 degrees isn't too hot, but it IS still August in houston, so we shall see when I get around to this.

I'm also really loving paper garlands right now (a bit late, I know). It looks like a fun, super simple project I could tackle while watching my shows. You know, if the kittens were asleep...

On an unrelated note, I saw this party idea on Hostess with the Mostess this morning, and I had to share it: They are having a 10 year wedding anniversary party and vow renewal in the theme of The Hangover - complete with Vegas trip! That sounds like So. Much. FUN!

Go check out her blog. It never fails to amuse and inspire me.

Upcoming DIY

2010-08-13T14:54:00.002-05:00

I got some wonderful DIY ideas reading my friend Erin's blog, ezzi.ink. She is in the process of painting a vintage train case. It got me thinking; my mother has an old one in their garage, and it could really use a new coat of paint. Plus some fun additions...

Erin also has a DIY instructional post about making vinyl record bowls. It looks super easy and pretty fun, so I have that on my mental to-do list.

Over lunch, I mentioned to Mom that I want to head to Half Price Books and find some good cheapy records. Long story (kind of) short, I'm getting free records AND the train case from their garage this afternoon! Woohoo! On one hand, I don't want to ruin good records (I know they have The Beatles and some other classics), but if they won't ever play again, it would be nice to make bowls out of records worth remembering. Plus, thanks to the nifty hole in the center, these are really easy to hang from the wall, which is essentially the only space left that is kitten proof.

I talk a big game about Do It Yourself projects, but I rarely complete them unless I have help. Something about ADD... what were we talking about?

Wish me luck on these projects!

Technical Issues

2010-06-24T08:22:00.002-05:00

Last night, a breaker popped at our house, and we could not get it to flip back on. So our garage door won't open, trapping my car. Frustrating, but managable - Mom drove to work today.

Then we got to work today, and our water pressure is, basically, off. As long as water will still flow (aka toilets CAN flush), then there is no legal issue, but if your toilets can't flush, health code dictates you HAVE to leave. So far, I don't know what is going on, having not yet visited the bathroom.

On top of that, most people are having serious issues with their computers. Mine is working as smoothly as normal, so far (knock on wood), so at least I have something to do while I wait for the go-ahead to leave.

Oy.

Farmers Market

2010-06-22T15:07:00.002-05:00

This Saturday I'm heading to a local farmers market, and I'm pretty pumped about it. Who knows what I will find - and what I'll be able to afford - but I can't wait to find out. I'm hoping to be able to plan a weekly menu from what I find, but that will reuire a) veggie focused meals, and b) food-planning on the fly. Not really sure how either of those will turn out, btu I'm optimistic.

Twit

2010-06-17T15:02:00.001-05:00

So I have finally admitted defeat. I have joined Twitter. I had never even been to the site before today, because in my mind, it was basically a bunch of Facebook status updates. Seeing as I'm already on Facebook, it made no sense to double up.

I finally joined because, while I stand by my original analysis, I now get status updates from celebrities. That sounds so shallow and star-gazer-y, but it is fun to know what is on Nathan Fillion's mind (he recently saw Tucker and Dale Vs Evil, and loved it, for example).

I will follow some friends as I find them, but my main goal is to hear updates from performers (and the like) that I enjoy. I feel quite certain it is a waste of my time, but what else is new about the internet?

Not a Coincidence

2010-06-10T09:34:00.003-05:00

My father was involved in an on-the-job accident in September that left him unable to do his job (or comfortably count to ten on his fingers). He was on workman's comp until the very beginning of January. When he tried to go back t work, he was told his job was no longer there.

Now, before you get all huffy (like I did), he wasn't fired. He had a contract position, and it was filled while he was out. Which is still a bit crap, but not illegal.

Anyway, he has been unemployed since January. It is a difficult time to find a job (as I'm sure many of you know), and that stress takes a toll. Apparently my father's unemployment will run out soon, so the push is even harder now. And yesterday, their air conditioner died.

That's right. June in Houston, and the AC coughed it's death rattle.

But here is the fascinating part. A month or so ago, my dad was called in for some test on his finger to see how it was healing, and his results said he had a "3% impairment". None of us knew what that meant, and we all cracked a few jokes about it and went along.

Yesterday, maybe a few hours after the devastating loss of their AC, my dad got a phone call. Because of his 3% impairment, he will be receiving another round of checks from workman's comp. For the next 10 weeks. HOURS after a very expensive, very important machine died.

Coincidence? I think not.

Sometimes, even the most faithful of us are blind to blessings. We encounter them every single day; some are obvious to us, some are obvious to others though we are blind to see, and sometimes they don't feel anything like blessings. I am happy to report that we are all aware - and thankful - of this awesome blessing. One more deep breath to keep going.

God never promises us an easy walk. In fact, I'm thinking he promised the opposite when asking us to follow the path of Christ. But he also promises never to give us more than we can handle. Every deep breath we catch as our heads burst above water is a gift from God. Sometimes we even get a raft and stay afloat for a good, long while.

Look around you at your blessings and challenge yourself to find them in the darkness. Hey, the fact that you can even SEE to look around you is a gift. Cherish it, and be grateful for "life's random moments of wonder" that aren't so random after all.

Startling Perspective

2010-05-26T11:21:00.002-05:00

I have always told my husband that if we suddenly became stinkin' rich (think lottery), I would be ashamed to wear or drive ridiculously expensive items, even if I would allow myself a few treats occasionally. This article about the wardrobe from Sex and the City 2 explains exactly why I couldn't live with myself, especially as a Christian:

Carrie’s embellished jeans by the Blonds: $4,000

Cost to educate 400 children in Haiti: $4,000

~~~

Carries silver-and-gold Chanel lamé dress: $47,190

Cost to donate 3,775 chickens to third world families: $47,190

~~~

Samantha’s spiky shoulders by the Blonds: $5,000

Cost to assist 142 sexually exploited women in third world countries: $5,000

~~~

Samantha and Miley Cyrus’ Matching Dress by Matthew Williamson: $3500 a piece

Cost to provide job training for 280 women in third world countries: $7,000

~~~

Miranda’s Roland Mouret dress: $1400

Cost to provide safety for 700 exploited third-world women: $1400

~~~

Reported Cost of the Entire Sex and the City 2 Wardrobe: $10 million

Number of schools you can build in third world countries for $10 million: 1,176

(Prices Provided by New York Magazine)

(Snark and Sorrow Borrowed from Pajiba)

All of those figures, excluding the last one, concern ONE SCENE in the film. $64,590 just for singing karaoke, and the staggering majority of that on one dress.

There are no words...

Gleeliscious

2010-05-12T08:46:00.002-05:00

I know I'm supposed to write about last night's (AMAZING) Lost, but I feel inspired to brag on Glee. I love this show. Really. I don't care about the hevay-handed "after school special" vibe. I go for the wonderful songs and the snappy one-liners. And last night I got a healthy dose of both.

I found on Pajiba a perfect description of why Glee is so fantastic, given by one miss Tammy:
"I truly don't get Glee haters. It's like bitching about ice cream. Sure it has little to no nutritional value - but I don't buy ice cream for its fiber content. I buy it because its delicious and makes me smile. You might be lactose-intolerant, or simply someone who hates joy and puppies, I don't know. But leave this simple pleasure be.
Is Glee groundbreaking? Of course not. But last week gave me an anger-ballet of Total Eclipse of the Heart, and this week gave me a high-school boy singing the hell out of some Mama Rose. It is the perfect cure to my Lumberg-esque work environment - and as I said on my Facebook tonight - I will cut anyone who gets in my way for NPH's appearance next Tuesday."

Beautiful, isn't it?

Also, another commenter (named That Girl...) had news on Finn's friend:
"The guest star on tonight's Glee is a friend of mine-- his name is Zack Weinstein, and he really does have the same type of spinal cord injury as his character. Everyone in my department at school is so thrilled for him-- he graduated last year, moved to LA, and landed a pretty sweet part within the year!"

That guy, while having the majority of the after school special bits (btw, don't try to abbreviate it), was awesome and believable. Plus he wasn't using auto-tune, so I'm impressed.

Plus, you know, everythign from Brandy and Monica to freakin' Gypsy!!!

Missed Connections

2010-05-04T13:07:00.002-05:00

These things are so flippin' cute and hipster and I lurve them. Some beautiful artist (Sophie Blackall) has taken the ads from Missed Connections (presumably on craigslist) and illustrated them. They appear to be a rare treat, but definitely worth a flip through archives.

For some reason this one made me think of my brother and his girlfriend:

The Power of Madonna

2010-04-23T09:01:00.003-05:00

Last week's episode of Glee, the season return on the 13th, was disappointing. Sure, I squeed like a crazy fangirl when Jonathan Groff showed up. And I may have startled the neighbors when Idina Menzel appeared. But musically speaking, which is how I always speak of Glee, it was bland.

This week - KAPOW! I would not call myself a huge fan of Madonna, but I have not stopped singing these songs! They have been in my head All. Week. Long. I even downloaded the ep on iTunes so that I could listen to them at my desk. And the dancing, and the "Like a Virgin" mix (HAWT) - all of it. Lurved it!

"Something in the way you love me won't let me be!"

I can even forgive them for having Lea Michelle twirl around that piano non-stop for 3 minutes. From the perspective of standing in that room, say holding a camera, she must look ridiculous.

LOST According to Allison: Everybody Loves Hugo

2010-04-13T21:03:00.001-05:00

~That voice-over sounds like Pierre Chang – ah, paleontology…
~Why is Hugo's mother so obnoxious?
~Need a date? Find Libby! Find Libby!
~Oh, I spoke too soon. I meant live Libby… in the AltiVerse.
~Whispers? We haven’t heard those in a while. Wait, what? Michael? I’m sure that is supposed to be awesome, but… I kind of think its lame…

**commercial – btw, a 30 second commercial during the series finale of Lost costs almost as much as a Super Bowl spot**

~LIBBY!!!
~Has she been awakened to the other life? Does this wake him up? Or is she just a crazy person who has seen him on TV? That would break my heart…
~Yeah, Illana, I totally called that explosion. You were being hella reckless with that bag.
~Look at you, captive Des, lookin all fine…

**commercial**

~I love take-charge Hugo. Even if he has something up his sweaty sleeves.
~Desmond! What are you doing at Mr Cluck's? ::bites fingernails::
~Des, you tricky little minx!
~Desmond is officially my favorite now.
~Oh, is he gonna go all Smoke Monster? (RE Smocke taking a walk with Des)
~HUGO! How on Earth did you get to the Black Rock faster than everyone?

**commercial**

~Poor Hugo, getting yelled at by dead folks.
~YES, Connect Four. Where’s Leonard? (Was that his name?)
~Libby, please say you have seen the altverse we know about… YES! So she WAS awakened, not (merely) crazy!
~Why, in TV and film, do people say “You mean a date?” that way? Every. Single. Time?
~Mystery kid? Wait, different one? Oh, I am excited about this… (Mom's input is same kid, but older)
~I think Hurley might be bluffing about Jacob…
~Well hawt mess, Hugo! Way to step up! "I don't gotta prove nuthin to you, yo!"
~Let me guess, the Oceanic Six will all go one way… hmm, and Frank.
~Well they definitely wanted him to look guilty just now. Wonder what THAT is about. Probably him bluffing.

**commercial**

~Sun still can’t speak English?
~Aha! Oh, Jack knew Hurley was lying. Fun times.
~Oh Jack, you’re learning. What a nice moment... ruined by Hugo!
~!!! Hugo suddenly translates the whispers? So, it’s like Purgatory?
~Hurley's speech gave me a really bad feeling. If Hugo dies, I’m gonna be pissed.
~BEACH PICNIC! Epic AW!
~MEMORY MOMENT! Des, you magician!

**commercial**

~The well? For the donkey wheel? What are you doing, Esau?
~Why am I afraid he is going to push Des in?
~See?
~Hurley, ever eloquent…
~Like Smocke needs a weapon, and like Sayid can be trusted right now…
~Oddly poignant moment. OH, black eyes! (edit: I thought he had the blacked out eyes, but I was wrong)
~WHAT THE EVER LOVING HELL?!? I’m sure Ben wrote down the license plate number!
~So, if no one is there to love them, near-death is the other option?

As if that Willy Wonka tunnel song wasn’t creepy already, that just flipped the script!

When Christians don't GET IT

2010-04-13T13:16:00.002-05:00

I find myself so confused and angry with the world for their blanket view of Christians. Almost as angry as I am with the "Christians" who give us the bad name. Surely by now you have heard about the father of a fallen marine who is suing over the protests at his son's funeral. I was reading an article about it today, because I didn't know the details, and this paragraph jumped off the screen and punched me in the gut:

"Hundreds of grieving families have been targeted by the Westboro Baptist Church, which believes military deaths are the work of a wrathful God who punishes the United States for tolerating homosexuality."

I don't get it. I truly cannot understand what would drive someone who wears the name of Christ to behave this way. But apparently this mindset is a family tradition:
"Pastor Fred Phelps oversees a congregation of 70 to 80 members — mostly his children and grandchildren. They consider themselves prophets, and they insist the nation is doomed."

It hurts my heart to see these things. I have felt such strong bitterness towards "the world" for their view on Christians, but how can I not understand their perspective? If this is what they see in the media, on their street corners, online - how can they NOT perceive us wrong? How are we ever supposed to show the nature of Christ - a beacon of never-ending, undeserved love - if everyone has learned to cover their eyes and ears?

I ask that you join me in praying for these poor people. I pray that God reach into the hearts of these... misguided people and soften them. I pray that this father and his family can find God's grace and love from other outlets, and that they not be poisoned by this experience. And I pray that hateful people stop wearing the cross as they beat others with it. I'm sick of cringing at Christians in the media...

Making My Day

2010-04-12T10:24:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite Monday morning rituals is catching up on IMMD. It is the perfect balance for "a case of the Mondays". Here are some that made me smile today:

Today at the grocery store, the produce guy announced a "sale on asparagus" by singing it to the tune of "Age of Aquarius" over the intercom. He sang the whole chorus and IMMD!

The sign outside of the United Methodist Church said, "God loves ALL people — Get Over It!!" I’m not even Christian and IMMD

My parents regularly watch American Idol on the living room TV on full volume. The other day, I head someone on the show singing and thought to myself how horrible they’re doing tonight and that I’ve never heard someone that bad on the show. I came inside only to see that it was Miley Cyrus singing as a guest star, and IMMD.

WOOHOO! Acting opportunities!

2010-04-07T10:51:00.003-05:00

I am so excited about the opportunities that have come up in my life lately for performance!

~I was asked to perform a moving piece at church for Easter Sunday, as Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb.

~I was asked to join the cast of an independent film about vampires - "Renfield" - as Dracula's first victim (shooting end of April).

~And now, I have been cast in a music video! I will be the CPS nurse in the video "SAFE" alongside pop duo Jason and DeMarco. The video is meant to spread awareness about their newest program, S.A.F.E. (Safe Affirming Family Environment), "for fostering and SAFE houses for throw-away gay and lesbian kids living on the street" (shooting end of April, beginning of May).

I am thrilled to be involved in these projects, especially as they require a wide range on my part. (In fact, I should be brushing up on my English accent for Renfield.) Please pray for me as I jump in to these projects; pray that time be well spent, that I grow and learn from these experiences, but also that I can burn bright as a light for God. Honestly, I cannot wait to get to know Jason and DeMarco better, as they are proud Christians. I am eager to learn more about them and their personal mission, which is literally personified as "Be the light".

Parenthood

2010-04-06T21:57:00.002-05:00

I watch Parenthood on NBC, and in general I really enjoy it. But tonight, I had an issue. Probably more than one (siblings discussing fake vs real orgasms, orgasms being discussed so openly on cable, etc), but the biggest one was about Julie and Joel.

Someone, a rather hot and extree-hee-heemely obnoxious creature, hit on Joel, Julie's husband. More than once, I'm guessing. She has no sense of what is and is not appropriate. She tried to kiss the husband one night when they were without their spouses, and if I can make an educated guess, I'm saying it happened more than once. So Julie says they will no longer socialize with her. The problem with that is that their daughters are best friends. Julie responds, "She's five, she will make other friends... I will tell her tomorrow."

Well, tomorrow rolls around, and RudeHotCreature is talking to Julie about signing her daughter up for a pottery class. Julie takes one look at her daughter, who looks so happy with the other little girl, and says, "You know, let's sign them up together" or something to that effect.

No. Just no.

Your marriage is more important, for starters. Why waste precious energy worrying about beautiful, rude harlots if you don't have to? Because you're right, the five year old will make other friends. And in less than a year she will have completely forgotten about it.

I'm not sure why, but the whole thing really bugged me. Like a lot.

LOST According to Allison: Happily Ever After

2010-04-06T20:48:00.002-05:00

~BUNNY!!
~Clicks? Radioactive?
~WTH WTH WTH??
~Hmm, Des looked chunky in that last shot before LOST
~OK, commercial break – what on Earth? So, they want to try to… duplicate Des? Isn’t that what they did with the bunnies? Or was it more like sending the bunny in to the future, but in the same place? And for what it is worth (what ep was that? Was it a comic-con feature?), even IF the bunny recognized himself, would he really flip out? Because not to sound racist (speciest), but don’t they all look alike?
~Sacrifice? Are we gonna get a The Prestige ending?
~AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! AH! AH! AH! Mirror moment, too!
~Minkowski!
~OK, wow. Pajiba is gonna be ON FIRE for this. So… is he time traveling? Because he doesnt seem conscious of the shift…
~Watch out for that brick, MacCutcheon!
~I literally said, “There’s always a choice, brotha” before Des did…
~!!!!!!!!Charlie! What the hell?!?!? (I hate underwater scenes; I find myself holding my breath for an uncomfortably long time)
~!!!! (This episode needs lots of exclamation points…) Consciousness! He recognized the difference – kind of.
~Oh, there better not be bullet fragment from his other universe self…
~PENNY!
~Almost got a Charlie up-skirt… soooooo, near-death experience shows you your other life? And btw, the LOST-to-commercial ratio is lame.
~“It’s about time.”(Ellie) – I just bet it is!
~“What happened, happened”(Ellie) – suspicious…
~Oh, I see – she is set apart from the rules, too, like when she told Des not to buy the ring!
~Daniel!
~Srsly? Another commercial already?
~UGH! No one cares about "V"!
~(My DVR light isnt on, which makes me super nervous - we shall see...)
~OK, so love is the key to connecting your alternate self?
~I watch too much LOST, becaue Dan's monologue just made absolute, perfect sense.
~The parallels are sometimes fun, sometimes ridiculous, sometimes touching. Count this one as A and C.
~!!!!!!!! Back in Island time?!?
~Kick-A Sayid is scary sometimes. Like now. And Desmond's calm is almost as unsettling.
~"I just need to show them something." EGADS!

OK, apparently Brad stopped the LOST recording, most likely on accident. I'm going to take a few deep breaths, and remember that I can watch it online...

Disappointment

2010-03-31T11:43:00.002-05:00

How can so many people in this world not understand the idea of commitment?

People say "I will be there" or "Let's do (fill in the blank)", but they don't actually intend to do so. I have had this issue with many friends, especially in college. Someone would say "Let's do such-and-such", when what they mean is "Let me think about it".

People wait until the last minute to tell you, or when you call them it comes out as "Oh yeah...", and I am sick of it. If you have plans with me, you have plans with me. We don't have a floating maybe, we have a plan.

I understand that things come up, plans change. I know all about extenuating circumstances. And I'm sure I have been that friend at times. But SERIOUSLY people!

It just makes me angry, and it hurts my feelings. When these things happen, it tells me I am not important to that person. Who wants to feel like that?

Argh...

LOST According to Allison: The Package

2010-03-31T08:43:00.002-05:00

I didn't take notes as I was watching last night, so I will have to recall as much as I can. I'm sure, once I read the Pajiba post, I will be back with things I forgot. Let us begin:

~Grags told me she and Dee thought the package would be Jin, because they were hoping for a Jin/Sun centric episode... and I ignored their instinct. Shame on Mags...

~MIRROR MOMENT!! Sun got one, and Jin didn't (that I recall) - significance?

~So, they aren't married, but they are in love. And Pappa Paik is pissed.

~MIKHAIL! What a treat! I much prefer this clean-shaven, no eye-patch look.

~KEAMY! Sorry for the all caps expressions, but I love the unexpected visitors. Grags loves her some Keamy hawtness...

~I'm going to call just an ounce of shenanigans on the airport just, you know, keeping the $25,000, or that anyone would just wander out of the airport without a fight for their cash. Obviously, I'm glad it happened that way, because it saved Jin's life. Which makes me very curious about who decided to hold the money.

~The dart scene: at first, I couldn't see anything hitting them, so I was really confused. Then I was scared and nervous. I get so drawn in to story-telling, I almost always feel what the director intends for me to feel...

~OK, another fat dollop of shenanigans. In fact, this is just a mistake (yes, even the creators of LOST make them). When Widmore handed the camera to Jin, the lens was out. And Widmore then tells him to "turn it on". Really? REALLY?!? Whatever, small issue, but it really bugged me.

~I was nervous that "the package" was going to be Ji Yeon, but through the context of the Widmore/Jin convo, that idea disappated.

~When Jin told Sun to move, it felt strange and forced, which made it somewhat obvious that something bad was going to happen to her. I'm betting she is OK, but the incubator might be broken...

~Thanks, guys, for calling him "Mr Hume", because with that lighting and facial hair, I really didn't know. Oh, and BTW, DESMOND?!? A lot of people will say this does not surprise them. That may be true, but they all squeed a bit when it happened.

Off the top of my head, that is really all I have. Here's hoping the Pajiba report blows my mind!

Groupon

2010-03-29T13:44:00.001-05:00

Groupon has a new, wonderful deal every day in your email, for many larger cities, and I have already used at least one as a great gift. You get 50-90% off everything from restaurants and spas to classes and clubs.

See this great article from Yahoo all about the fun and savings:
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgetingk/article/109169/friends-can-help-get-you-deals?mod=bb-budgeting

If you want to give it a try, please go through this link - referrels are fun!
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu711111

LOST According to Allison: Ab Aetrno

2010-03-23T22:38:00.002-05:00

Wow... I don't know what I was expecting, but I'm not sure this was it. It was, however, veeeeeery interesting. Some thoughts:
~HELL Island! Pajibans will be on fire! Ugh, accidental pun...
~Is Hurley crazy? Because I thought he was speaking an Asian language at first, but by the end, I got it.
~Canary Islands? Hmm...
~It looks like they were highlighting Luke 4:37 "And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area." Hmm... by the end, that kiiind of seemed relevant.
~Worst priest EVER! That prison priest was horrible. Maybe he should get a job at Gaga's Prison For Bitches!
~How is that NOT guyliner? I heard a few seasons ago that his eyes naturally look like that, which I believed - until that close-up.
~When the Smoke Monster was moving, Brad said, "I hear bugs..." - trust me when I say, it was adorable.
~I have a feeling lots of people will be disappointed in this episode. It was talked up as being History of the Island, but it kind of feels like an hour of "Richard's life SUCKED!"
~OH! THAT'S what happened to the statue!
~There's that knife again. Hmm...
~I realy hate to admit this, but for the very first time, I see an ounce of merit to the "Jacob=Evil, MIB=Good" argument. Not a strong argument, but still...
~I use a lot of ellipses...
~Absolutely wonderful (albeit brutally obvious) Biblical parallels and metaphors.
~Nevermind, Jacob is pretty obviously good. He just isn't playin' around with ~~Job~~ Richard.

Bathroom Art

2010-03-22T11:12:00.002-05:00

I have been collecting paper towel (and toilet tissue) tubes for a while now, just waiting for inspiration to strike. I had a picture in mind, but I couldn't muster enough confidence in it to apply it.

Today I found this beauty over on chezerby:

Go check out the blog about their bathroom renovation and this lovely tube art!

Now I have a direction to go - wish me luck!

LOST According to Allison: Recon

2010-03-17T11:05:00.002-05:00

It seems strange, but this being the Final Season has made me slightly less urgent to analyze everything to death. I would ahve thought it would increase that urge, but I think it stems from knowing I only get about 8 more episodes. With no end in sight, I could theorize all sorts of things. Now, I have to qualify everything with "do they have time to explain that?"

Some thoughts:
*I do sometimes get the feeling that these sideways stories are irrelevant to the greater picture but it is still lots of fun to see. It feels a bit Etch-a-Sketch, like they took the same characters but started the story over, which is really fun, even if it turns out to mean nothign. And really, does anything on LOST ever mean nothing?

*I didn't hear it last night, but apparently Miles refers to Charlotte as working at the museum with his dad. Hmm... Apparently no daddy issues in this timeline, like Ben.

*Nice to see Liam Pace, especially since he appears clean.

*Sayid was so CREEPY sitting there while Claire attacked Kate! I imagine his indifference startled Kate as much as the attack.

*Man, Smocke is doing some great twisting and manipulating. You almost have to root for the guy.

*The books on James' dresser: Watership Down, A Wrinkle in Time and Lancelot. (Here's your brick back.)

*Aw, the sunflower made me sad, because it reminded me of Juliet. LAFLEULIET!

*James' speach about choices rang true, as that seems to be a major dfference in this timeline. And I loved his mirror moment, even with the cheesy punch. I'm pretty sure all of the main folks have had a mirror moment in their sideways timeline. I remember Jack's, Kate's, Locke's and I'm pretty sure Sayid had one. Oh, and Ben, in the reflection of the microwave.

*Am I the only one who knew Zoe was a plant the second she showed up? And I bet James knew, too, but he let her play her hand a while.

*When James called Kate "Freckles" at the end, I almost got mad. It has been days since you held your love as she died in your arms. Days. No flirty nicknames allowed, Buster!

I will probably think of more later, but this will do for now.

Precious Downloads - FREE!

2010-03-12T09:01:00.004-06:00

If you like cute prints and funky, homemade fare, take a few minutes to check out A Print A Day. Yasmine creates the most adorable and interesting prints, available for download. She has a wide variety of fun stuff, from notecards to tags and calendars and the like.

Every once in a while she sets one up for free download, and I have loved finding those little tidbits. Every year, for example, she prints a calendar. This past year it was matroishka dolls. Turns out, she made notecards and tags to match it:

I found a list of some of her sweetest free downloads on Creature Comforts. I absolutely LURVE the "funky bird" print, and I've already printed some for my house. I just decoupaged a cute clipboard yesterday, and now I have the perfect notes to use with it! Check out the list of freebies - enjoy!

Wise Words

2010-03-11T10:42:00.001-06:00

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
~Phillipians 4:11

And THAT'S where you lost me...

2010-03-10T12:52:00.004-06:00

There are so many arguments for vegetarianism, many of which I can support. I understand that cutting meat out of your diet will help you lose weight (especially the way Americans eat), that it keeps you from absorbing the horrendous additives used in the meat industry. I understand that it will save you, as the individual, lots of money. I understand that it causes you to really think about what you put in your body, which generally leads to better well-being, eating more vegetables and grains, taking supplements where necessary, even encouraging you to exercise more.

Jonathon Safron Foer was on Ellen today, and he was talking about his book Eating Animals. He discusses the effect it has on our planet, on our health and on our economy. All of that I get. Then they had people on who had read the book and changed their lives.

The first woman talked about recovering from breast cancer, and how the foods she had been eating most likely contributed to her disease, and would have caused a recurrence, so she stopped.

I get that. Thank God you were able to make a change in your life, and become happier and healthier.

But then they moved on to the second woman, who said she couldn't look her dog in the face when she sat with a plate of chicken. And I didn't really understand. Then the third guest spoke about how Thanksgiving turkeys are "unloved"...

...and that's where you lose me. There are so many reasons to reduce the meat intake in your diet. I imagine all people could improve their health by analyzing their diet. I am even willing to forgo meat on several meals, for good reasons. But when you try to tell me it is wrong to eat animals, I get very touchy.

Now, do not misunderstand me. I'm not saying the meat industry is not horrendously cruel, because I know that they are. "Oh, this meat will be more tender if we slice it off while the animal is alive" and other such shudder-inducing statements are all over that industry. I am moved by the unnecessary pain and torture that goes on for these creatures. But I have no doubt in my mind that some animals were created by God in order to sustain us. If they were supposed to be our equals, God would have given them souls, and I personally, and strongly, believe that he didn't.

I encourage you to read Jonathon's book, or others like it, because we can all stand to improve our health, and there are many ways to do that. We all have the right to make informed decisions. I'm just saying that "the plight of these animals" is where you lost me.

LOST According to Allison: Dr. Linus

2010-03-10T11:09:00.002-06:00

I loved this episode. Absolutely loved it. Sure, several heavy bricks were thrown at my head, but you know what, some people need the bricks. So I just lean to the right and keep watching, intrigued.

~I'm really interested by this theory of whether or not you can die after Jacob's touch. It certainly affects suicide, but death? And did Jacob ever touch Michael? Remember how he couldn't kill himself? I was discussing this with my mother, and the following conversation ensued:
MOM: "So, whatever happened to Michael?"
ME: "Remember, he died in the freighter explosion."
MOM: "Oh, you mean the one that killed Jin?" (meaningful look)
*CHILLS*

~It was so beautiful to see grace extended to Ben, and for him to accept it. The Biblical allusions are a bit heavy-handed at times, but so well done that I don't mind. He could have followed The Enemy, for fear no one else would have him, but grace appears. It was moving.

~So Ben and Roger were on the Island for the Dharma Initiative... hmm... same timeline as previous? I can't see them magically havign a good relationship. Also, in that timeline, Ben got all changed-up in the Saving Pool...

~I love Miles, but I loved Miles before it was cool. His douchey humor has always tickled me...

~I loved the shout-out to Nikki and Paolo.

~Brain too muchy for much else right now. Maybe more later. Go read Lauren's thoughts for more ideas. If you don't mind language, check out the recap on Pajiba.

My favorite True Blood quote (Season One)

2010-03-09T15:05:00.000-06:00

Magister:
"Do you question my authority? I am the magister. I was trained in the Inquisition and I am the adjudicator for every vampire territory in North America! As the humans say, the humans you love more than your own kind, back your shit down!"

LOST without answers

2010-03-09T13:40:00.002-06:00

In light of the series finale coming up, I have been taking a look at the past five seasons of mysteries. There have been too many questions to receive answers, and frankly, I don't want everything answered; part of the fun is being left wanting more.

Here are some of the questions I have / mysteries tickling my brain:
~How/when did Richard come to the Island?
~Why were polar bears used for Dharma experiments?
~What is the significance of the "Hurley bird"?
~Why does Walt have special gifts?
~What is Walt's future in reference to the Island?
~How long has the Shephard family had "commune" with this Island?
~What is the "Magic Box"?
~What is with the Whispering?
~What happened to Horace Goodspeed's first wife, Olivia?
~Where is the volcano on the Island? ("The Man Behind the Curtain")
~How did the Black Rock get so far inland?

These are what I have off of the top of my head. I will continue to add them as I think of them.

Tonight's episode is called "Dr. Linus", so I have to assume it is about Ben. But I am still burned about not getting a Sun-centric episode last week, so who knows...

Would that you could, kiddo...

2010-03-04T10:45:00.000-06:00

I work with a 5 year old white autistic boy. In the hall at school, after noticing a black boy for the first time, he asked, "Why is he brown?" After I told him that people can be many different colors, he asked me seriously, "Can I be blue then?" IMMD

Grags and Mags Field Day

2010-03-04T08:52:00.003-06:00

I had the best Girly/Nerdy Field Day with Grags on Wednesday! Basically we ate all day, painted our nails while watching "Serenity", and talked non-stop about LOST.

For our first breakfast (yeah, you heard me), we had Orange Rolls and coffee. Yes. Ma'am. For our second breakfast, we made Toad-In-A-Hole. I could technically give credit to The Pioneer Woman, since we were looking at it in her cookbook, but it has been a favorite breakfast of mine for years - I learned to make it at Girls Scout camp.

Then we rewatched LOST (Sundown) and talked over questions and theories. We even made videos (after I put on some make-up).

Next we got out my nail polish (very small collection, as I don't do that much) and did self mani-pedis while enjoying "Serenity". Let me just state again for the record: I. Love. Firefly. And thusly, Serenity. I love that Kaylee is about 4 parts Lauren, and 1 part me. I love that Simon is so delightfully awkward. I love that Jayne is so crass, but has a tiny bit of tender hiding under the scum. I love Mal's harsh exterior, his strength to get things done, and his true compass of right and wrong which he fiddles with occasionally. I love Wash. And now, my Harold Perrineau impression: "WAAAAAAAAASH! Waaa-haaa-haaash!!"

The Pizza. Oh, the pizza. We made the yummiest margherita pizza ever in the Verse. Also inspired by PW, but she makes her own crust. We used a store-bought crust, spread on pesto, then rounds of fresh mozzarella, then sliced Roma tomatoes, some red onion and a bit of fresh Parmesan. Oh. My. Stars! Fresh out of the oven, while the crust was still crisp, it couldn't be beat. Later, trying to eat it cold out of the fridge, not so much. So make sure you inhale it all at first sitting! (My health advice, ladies and gents...)

If only she moved to Houston, and we could do this more often. But hey, to my Houston girls, it's not too difficult to twist my arm into taking a day off - whose in?

LOST According to Allison: Sundown

2010-03-04T08:39:00.003-06:00

~First things first: this was SUPPOSED to be a Sun centric episode. You hear me, Lindeloff/Cuse? The centric order has copied Season 1, and this slot in Season 1 was "House of the Rising Sun", about our favorite lost-in-translation Lovely. This episode was called "Sundown", which furthered the belief it would follow pattern. But NO, it was about Sayid. Which was interesting and all, but I am so desperate to understand the flash sideways reality for Sun and Jin, since they don't seem to be married.

~Oh Sayid, why must you never have Nadia? No matter your reality, it doesn't seem meant to be, buddy. Jacob knew it, which is why he saved you, but let her die.

~I cracked up over the intensity of the baseball after that ninja fight. I actually said to myself, "You are lucky my baseball told em to spare your life." I suppose it came around full circle in the end, but still - vaguely lame camera work, dudes.

~Oi Kate! How could you not feel the WAVES of crazy coming off of Claire? You were going on about raising Aaron ("raised by another" - oh noes!) and she is trying to melt your face with her eyes, and you don't even see it! The folks over at Pajiba are chomping at the bit for Kate to die, but for Grags' sake, I hope she doesn't... although I wouldn't mind a bit of butt-kicking from crazy Claire.

~How many episodes do we get that don't have Jack in them AT ALL? Not very many, I'm sure.

~Where is Desmond! Come on, people! It might be one thing if he hadn't appeared AT ALL this season, but to pop in on the plane, and then hide away... too cruel, LOST, too cruel. I NEED to know that Penny and Charlie are OK. I suppose we can hope they are the folks coming to the Island, even though I liked Grags' idea of it being Walt...

~Have you all seen this picture of the LOST cast as the Last Supper? If you need an excuse to spend hours theorizing and researching possible meanings (and let's face it, you do, because you are a LOST fan), go check it out.

~I cannot wait for the Richard centric episode, which is basically going to be "History of the Island" - PSYCHED!!

~KEAMY! Anyone else feel that, for the flash-sideways, the writers are rolling character-named dice to see who pops up where? It was nice to see his creepy/sexy face again, if only briefly.

~And where was the odd moment of recognition we have had in all of the other sideways flashes? People have debated whether or not we had one in the Locke centric episode, but I thought I remembered one... help me out.

That's all for now. Hopefully Grags will be posting some funny videos later of us discussing it.

LOST According to Mags: The Lighthouse

2010-02-23T21:08:00.003-06:00

OK, so here are my random scribbled notes from the past hour:
``Whu? Jack has a kid?
``thank goodness Hurley had a handy-dandy pen
``I can’t wait to read Dogen’s translations.
``I kind of love how easy it is to manipulate Jack these days. Just push a button. It almost feels like someone calls him chicken, and his response is “Nuh-uh!”
``”If there’s one thing that will kill you around here, it’s an infection.” Bah-dum-bum
``I can already hear the jokes comparing Hurley to Palin…
``Theory: Claire will kill Kate
``Way to remind us about Adam and Eve – oh, Hurley caught up.
``Yeah, there was no way he was gonna make it. Im just glad she didn’t lop off his head.
``Dogen! Dogen! Dogen!
``Whyfore do you break the crazy mirror, Jack?
``Baby jears!
``Jin, no! She crazy!
``Yep, she gonna cap her.
``Creeeeeeeeeeepy!!!

So apparently my scribbly notes come out a bit ghetto. Live and learn. I'm going to turn my brain off now and revisit these posts tomorrow, alongside Dan's awesome recap.

Women's Health

2010-02-18T13:27:00.002-06:00

(Oh, email forwards...)
Important Women's Health Issue:
- Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
- Do you suffer from shyness?
- Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNINGS:
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

Please share this with other women who may need Margaritas. Thank you.

Verse

2010-02-15T10:02:00.003-06:00

Kimba over at A Soft Place to Land really seems to be a fun, fascinating person. She has a decorating blog, which is how I found her. Lots of fun DIY projects and a strong work-with-what-you-got attitude make her blog worth the read. But that isn't the only reason I love stopping by her little acre of internet.

She has a Sunday Morning feature every week, where she posts an interesting Bible verse that speaks ot her. This week, I found it to be very encouraging:

I have swept away your sins like a cloud.

I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.

Oh, return to me,

for I have paid the price to set you free.
Isaiah 44:22 (New Living Translation)

Southern through and through

2010-02-08T15:22:00.001-06:00

I wrote this letter to submit to Ellen before the Super Bowl:

I grew up in Louisiana, raised a Southern belle by Southern natives. My father has been a die-hard Saints fan since before I was born. I never did enjoy football in my youth, but I knew I was supposed to root for the Saints and for LSU. My mother and I would never watch the games, but we smiled and cheered when they won, and patted dad on the back when they lost.

We moved to Texas when I was 11, and while my father’s sports obsession grew to include the local teams, he never stopped crossing his fingers for the Saints.

I’m now 26 and married to another fan-of-all-things-Louisiana. New Orleans has been very important to our love story; we took our first vacation there, we honeymooned there, and our wedding favors were gold beads!

My father cried when the Saints won last week, and I expect he will cry again during the Super-Bowl, win or lose. I am excited for the big game, even though I’m only just learning to appreciate the game of pigskin. This game will mean the world to the two most important men in my life, and my mother and I will have a blast making beignets to celebrate.

Our love for this team reminds me of a sports team from my very favorite book series: The Chudley Cannons. While the Saints are a much better team with a much better record, the unfailing faith and love Ron Weasley shows them is a true comparison of the Saints following in my house. Win or lose, we wear our fleurs de lis proudly!

Draco Mathers

2010-02-02T12:12:00.001-06:00

I love when they do this:

Go Harry Potter, Indeed

2010-01-28T11:17:00.001-06:00

It made my day, too, kid:

I work in a bookstore. Today a girl wearing a Team Edward shirt came up and bought five "for dummies" books. Later, a girl around the same age came in wearing a Team Harry shirt and bought a 700 page small print biography of Neil Armstrong. Go Harry Potter IMMD

ItMadeMyDay.com

HAHAHAHAHAHA

2010-01-18T08:57:00.003-06:00

Say what you want about the Kanye West memes floating aroung the interwebs, this reference cracled me UP!

Pajiba was having a thread to discuss the Golden Globes ceremony and winners when this GEM popped up:

"JAMES CAMERON IMMA LET YOU FINISH BUT FERN GULLY IS THE GREATEST FERNGULLY OF ALL TIME"

You're welcome.

A Heartfelt Giveaway

2010-01-15T09:09:00.003-06:00

On a more serious note (than the fun photo giveaway from my last post), the wonderful Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is giving away money to aid those in need.

Ree likes to give away fun prizes, ranging from beautiful cookware to handmade jewelry to Amazon gift cards, all in the name of love and the spirit of fun. It is this giving quality, and this spirit of love, that moves her to help those in Haiti. Today she is giving away two $500 donations to wonderful chairites whose current and urgent mission it is to help the families suffering in Haiti.

She is also planning to donate a dime for every comment left on her page. For those of you unaware with the foot traffic this woman has, so far there are 23,500 comments. All you have to do is type "Prayers for the citizens of Haiti" and you have encouraged another dime to go to help these people.

Please, please go read her words and send your thoughts and well-wishes.

Sara Norris Photography Giveaway

2010-01-15T08:44:00.007-06:00

Thanks to Kate over at Centsational Girl and Sara Norris for this amazing giveaway!

I spend quite a bit of my time during the workday emailing back and forth with a good friend in Ft Worth. We may as well be instant messaging, because it usually turns into one long conversation. One thing we often do is a "pic request", where one of us requests pictures of whatever random thing we think will bring us cheer. Lately it tends to involve decorating, food or Zachary Quinto. The visuals we receive act to recharge our emotional batteries, a bit of sunshine to solar-power through the day.

If you need a visual pick-me-up, try hopping over to Sara Norris' Etsy shop. Her stunning photography has a very light and natural air, ranging from whimsical to ethereal, with lots of depth in between. I personally fell head over heels in love with this print, which she calls Summer Daydream:

I don't know about you, but that photo is a breath of fresh air to me. I want to lie beneath it and feel that sun beam warm my cheeks while I breathe in the grass around me.

This one also speaks to me, although it is very different in style. It comes from her Roots Series:

Despite the cold, stark lighting and background, something about this picture resonates in my depth with a deep, warm tone. It is hard to explain, but I have always felt a near-guttural connection to trees.

But enough of me sounding like a hippie, and on to the good stuff. Kate is have a giveaway over on her Centsational Girl blog for a $50 gift certificate to Sara Norris' shop! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment describing which prints you love. She also describes over ways to enter this giveaway, so hop on over and fall in love with Norris' view of the world.

Kick-Ass

2010-01-11T13:54:00.001-06:00

I may have to watch it Zombieland style (aka through a finger-blindfold), but I will see this movie.

Best Thing Ever

2010-01-02T22:40:00.001-06:00

Talk about a random act of kindness!