Happy Valemtime's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to the best daughter on the planet and my future son-in-law (Boy does that sound weird.) and my grandkitty.

Love,

Mom

Beverage: Scottish Blend tea

Deb

Christmas is officially over.

I decided I had procrastinated enough and so, yesterday, I took down the Christmas tree and removed the wreath from the front door. It had not been lighted since Iowa beat Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, but taking down the tree means hauling all the boxes for the ornaments up from the basement and then bringing the big bin for the tree up and lugging the filled containers back downstairs. The tree isn't really in the way so I just left it up. Plus, it looked kind of nice since I hadn't put it up in a couple years.

But it's been bugging me so I finally hauled all the containers up over the course of the week and decided to take it down yesterday.

Of course, I have "proof". Duh.

Off came all the ornaments. Mija is checking out the smells on the lid of one of the ornament bins. As I was removing these and reorganizing the bins (I have 3 just for ornaments.), I realized I can remember where I got 99% of all the ornaments. I would say 3/4ths of the ones pictured were purchased by me but a few were gifts.

In the upper right corner, a cat ornament in front of the glass Scottish Saltaire, is a Maine Coon and was given to me by Carole because her cat, Faux, is a Maine Coon and Faux came to live with us when she lived at home.

If you can find Herkey, the Hawk in the lower right, look to his immediate upper left and you'll see a flat brown cat. My dear friend, Patt, gave me that this year. It's a piece of painted metal and it's really just a decoration. But it has this great gold swirl on the top of it that's purr-fect (sorry, couldn't resist) for hanging on the tree. When I opened the package, I knew it was going on the tree.

About middle left is a square rocking horse ornament. That was given to us by a college friend who made the counted cross-stitch panel when Carole was born. I've lost track of her but I think of her every year when I pull this out and put it on the tree. At some point, it and a few other ornaments with Carole's date of birth or her name, minus the "e", will go to her.


There, half-way down and then completely devoid of branches. I discovered that I had put some smaller branches in the middle, having misread the tag on the end that hooks into the trunk. I have this wild idea that since the actual framework of the branches is the same size, it's just the length of the branches that's different, why couldn't I stick the small ones at the base and the larger ones on top, or in the middle. I don't HAVE to build a traditionally shaped Christmas tree. I seem to remember, many years ago, Nieman-Marcus had an upside down tree you could buy for thousands of dollars. It came fully decorated, if I remember correctly. There's all my Christmas presents, which I hadn't put away, excepting the money from my mother, the tea from my sister, the M&M's from my brother and the page-a-day WOW calendar from my future son-in-law. (That's another upcoming post and trust me, that sounds really weird.)

Nope, I had no help. They just supervised.

I decided to open the tree bin in the basement and haul the branches, trunk and stand down there. It gets so heavy when everything is in the bin, plus it's a big container and tough to navigate up and down the stairs. I'll probably drag it up in November but this way was darn-site easier to put it away. It was one of those, "Why didn't I think of this before" moments.

The living room doesn't feel "empty" without the tree. It was time to take it down. The only problem is that Mija now has a window sill on which to sit and chew on the spider plant. I guess I need to look into getting some of those "kitty greens".

What does feel naked is the front door. I don't have anything to put up until late March when I have a wreath adorned with spring flowers. I guess I'll go back to the "Cats Welcome" sign.

Beverage: Scottish Blend tea

Deb

Why do I have this?

Today is a day for getting things done.

I have done three, count 'em, three stints in the settee for ear scratches which has allowed me to finish one magazine and start another.

I am caught up on my newspapers except for the one at the end of the driveway and it's drizzling right now so I'm not going out to get it, so there.

I did one load of darks and have a load of blankets washing. The thing about getting caught up on the wash is that I am at capacity in storage. That's a spring task, try it all on and get rid of what doesn't fit or belongs in "The Museum of 'Oh My God, You Really Wore That?'"

I made Katharine Hepburn's Brownies. Who knows if it's her recipe but, wow. I could eat the batter as licking the whisk and the bowl was so good. Next up is Ox Yoke Inn Poppy Seed Muffins and Chocolate Gingerbread Cake. Carole's fiance posted to my Facebook that he'd like a dozen muffins. I think a nice assortment is in order.

I finally cleaned out the cupboard where the baking materials are kept. I tossed all these extracts and flavorings I have had since time immemorial. I saved the two half bottles of vanilla. Obviously, I couldn't find one so I bought another. I have boxes of jello so I'm going to make all of those. It doesn't count as a fruit, however, so I'll still need to eat an extra fruit. Which reminds me, I need to run to the store for more bananas and to see if Tangelos are in.

Oh man, I love Tangelos. It's the one citrus fruit I will eat raw. Not Mineolas, but Tangelos. Mineolas are too bitter for my taste. Tangelos have, maybe, a 2-3 week freshness window and if I don't go to the grocery every few days at the end of January, I miss them.

I found the above extract, still sealed, in the back. If you know me, you know I don't like peppermint. Why do I have this? Obviously I bought it for something but I never used it. I have no idea if it's still good.

Should I just dump it down the drain? Would someone want this? I'm trying to reduce and only have in the cupboard what I will, in fact, use. I won't use this.

Suggestions?

Beverage: Scotch Blend tea

Deb

Thank you, JC Penney!

Do you know how hard it is to find these...

These are ear MUFFS; MUFFS, I tell you. All you can find are those wrap things that go around the back of your head; well maybe YOUR head, but I think it takes an act of God to keep them around my head. Muffs are what I want; the over-the-head things that will stay on whether I'm wearing a hood, a hard hat or nothing.

Today was "Friends and Family Day" at Penneys. I get a coupon from Carole which makes 99% of the store on sale. I needed a new robe and decided, rather than ask for that for Christmas and then have to take it back because I don't like the color or it's the wrong size, I'll just get one. On sale + 20% FnF discount. Might as well replace my slippers that have the sole separating from the upper. Glue didn't hold them. Not on sale but I have my discount. I found a sleep shirt on clearance and add the discount. And then, around the corner from the slippers were the ear muffs. There were three different kinds. I got the two above so when I leave one some place, I have a back up.

I added additional shopping, finishing off two people out of the country and my great-niece and great-nephew. I even got something fun for me. It was a good trip.

Thanks, JC Penney, for having ear muffs and employing my daughter and, now, her boyfriend.

Beverage: Dr. Pepper

Deb

Christmas Lists

Unless you play World of Warcraft, these might be a) mildly amusing or b) mildly disturbing. These are Murky, on the left, and Lurky, on the right, and they are plush representations of the denizens in the game people love to hate, murlocs. For those who don't play WOW, these creatures populate every location in the old world. The make a sound like a drowning man gargling which is enough, when you have a kill a lot of them, to make you turn off the game sounds. Occasionally, when you reduce the life of one to zero, it will die in a very "B" movie actor fashion. That's the reason I like to kill them, to get the "Oh my god, I'm dying" animation.

These belong to Jon. He ordered them off the WOW store web site and had them shipped to the office because he knew I would get a kick out of them. They reminded me that, in my family, we need to decide if we are drawing names for Christmas and, if so, lists have to be exchanged.

This has been a tradition my entire life. I never could understand the not having a list from which to work. In 22 years of birthday and Christmas gifting, my late-mother-in-law never asked what I wanted for Christmas. Maybe she asked my ex, but she never asked me. I got one gift in all those years that I actually remember being useful. There might have been others but I just remember the pair of navy blue sweat pants the exact size. I wore those for several years before the waistband gave out.

So, I've asked Carole and Chad for lists and have some ideas on what to get them. Actually, Carole is done for her November birthday and I'm working on Christmas. I have to write my mother and ask her feelings on Christmas as my brother is out of work and supposedly, my sister is moving, although this hasn't been verified. (Long story) Christmas is bound to be lean for everyone.

Would I want Murky and/or Lurky? Well, won't put them on my list but I wouldn't turn them away. I need new oven mitts. I would like a new robe and new slippers. I would certainly use gift certificates to Penney's so I could get long-sleeved shirts. I have a lot of turtle necks, but I would like something less clingy. Chocolate is always good and I have to get rid of my Iowa Hawkeye socks as I've worn the bottoms out.

It's interesting that, as I've aged, I've gone from wanting "stuff" to wanting "things". I don't want (or lack for) the accouterments that make my space lovely. But I am less about wanting those things and more about wanting things to replace items I have worn out. Hence, while Murky and Lurky would be welcome and I'd certainly find a place in my home office where they could watch whilst I "off" members of their race, I don't want them and my life wouldn't be tragic without them. If I don't get oven mitts this Christmas however, I am going to have to get some. Removing the potato skins from the oven over the weekend reminded me that I need to get new mitts.

71 shopping days left. What's on your list?

Beverage: Blackberry Sage tea (Ooooh I need more of this! Add to the list)

Deb

What to do?

I'm not sure how to feel. I received an email from someone in the WOW guild I run saying they were going to take a sabbatical from the game. The last time they did it, they dropped out of the guild we were in together and disappeared for 6 months. Six months is a long time in an evolving game like this.

I'm confused and confubbled because I have relied on this person for advice. They have been a rock when I've needed some counsel. They don't play much but when they do, they are able to size up a situation and provide an insightful comment. I've come to rely on those comments, rely on the intuition, rely on them simply being "there" if I needed them.

But it's a game and, as we all know, it has a way of seeping into your pores and possessing you. I have also cut back on my play time, although people wouldn't necessarily notice it. I have other things I want to do and it's become easier to step back and do those than to play the game. My daughter is taking a sabbatical as is her boyfriend while he goes back to school to finish his degree. Daniel just came back from 6 weeks off and I have Rob and Dan and Dea and Josh on self-imposed hiatus. Stepping away gives your head time to clear, reminds you of what's important and makes the game time fresh.

Yet, I don't know what I'll do without this wisdom readily available. Will we communicate about life via email? We exchanged some irritating words roughly 10 days ago and I can't help but think that's somehow to "blame" for the pulling away. We are speaking to each other as friends do but the underlying issue is still there. I can't help wondering, worrying, that my taking a stand on something caused this person, whom I consider a friend, to decide it's not worth it anymore. I guess one would say they weren't much of a friend if they walk away and never talk to me again.

I'm shocked and more than a little devastated by this revelation. I don't know how to address the email, either and a response is needed.

Beverage: Dr. Pepper

Deb

Of friends and mead

The blackberry mead was excellent and, therefore, is all gone. Plus, it got to be 10:30 p.m. and April and Perry and Richard and Lifcha had to be going. They had an hour's drive ahead of them with April needing to be up reasonably early to vote in this election for regional representative for the sorority to which she belongs. "I can vote in my pajamas since the whole convention is in my hotel. Still, I shouldn't slack in the morning since I'm not a shoe-in for this position."

So with hugs, handshakes, "Nice to meet you"s, "Good to see you again"s, everyone left. It was a beautiful night after a day of rain, an almost too perfect ending to a stellar evening. I so needed this.

I was fairly certain I had lost the friendship of someone I hold in high esteem. The convoluted details need not be rehashed. Let's just say I took some actions that partially offended him. He hadn't spoken to me in three days. I had a house to clean and food to prepare. As April and Perry pulled into my drive, I was still nursing my insecurities, a task I am particularly suited to do.

The bathroom sparkled. All the floors had been dusted. A few of them washed thanks to Betsy's urinary tract infection. (She's currently lying behind me in the sunshine. She's been unusually quiet today. I hope that's not boding ill.) FInally, after over 8 months of using the kitchen table for storage, I had cleaned it off. The large folding wooden picnic table my grandmother had was brought up from the basement, dusted and set up. I found most of my folding chairs. I seem to be missing a couple from the "church" set. Jello was setting. Blueberry cobbler baked and cooling. Hobo suppers in the oven. Wine glasses rinsed and I'm missing one. I should have a set of 8, not a set of 7. Did one break and I don't remember? I was ready to entertain.

It was a wonderful evening. We laughed. We joked. We told stories. We ate good food. Jon brought his caraway potato salad. I'm not a potato salad fan but this was good. Richard and Lifcha walked in with 6 2 liters of soda which they refused to take home with them. April and Perry brought the mead. The hobo suppers were cooked to perfection. The jello salad, a long-time family staple (7Up Applesauce Salad), was just as I remembered it. Jon also brought cole slaw. It was just the right amount of food.

We started off the evening's activities by playing a game I won't mention because I am going to give it to Carole for either her birthday or Christmas. Much laughter ensued. But the real hilarity came when we played "Apples to Apples".

When Carole was growing up, games were a part of family life. We would get together with some friends to play kids games and then adult games. We played a game called "Railroad Tycoon" regularly with one of my ex-husband's friends. Even when her father left us, Carole would bring her high school friends over for game nights. My stash of games rivals a toy store. I would love to have friends with whom to have standing game nights.

Carole introduced me to "Apples to Apples" when I visited her in Seattle. We played it with Chad's parents when we had dinner with them on Mother's Day. It was fun then. It was hysterical last night.

You are given a number of cards with nouns on them; person, place or thing. (Remember "Schoolhouse Rock"?) One person draws an adjective or an adverb and you have to quickly select the noun you think "goes best with that word". It's that latter rule that ensures you'll have much laughter. "Goes best with" could mean it's the opposite. "Goes best with" could mean in a very quirky or, let's just say it, sick, sense. You also could just toss a card in to get rid of it. You have to think fast because one person's card doesn't count. The reader then picks the card they think goes best with that word. The person who contributed that card "wins" the round. The overall winner is the person with the most cards based on the number of people who play.

When it's your turn to draw a card, you can get the most head-scratchingly crazy answers. I got "lovable". My choices were "ninjas", "Woody Allen", "Dr. Kevorkian" or "Danny DeVito". I picked "Danny DeVito" because he's been married to Rhea Pearlman for a long time so there must be something lovable about him. But, I tell you, before I could pick my answer, I had to stop laughing.

It was like that all night. Some words and their answers lead to quite the comment, dripping with innuendo. Some were just plain stupid. Some, such as Lifcha getting "scenic" and her answers being "Ireland", "a sunset", "Italy", and "The Grand Canyon", hard to decide. A lot hinges on how well you know the reader and what they might choose so you could play your cards accordingly. I must have had to wipe tears away at least a half dozen times. Betsy even overcame her fear of new faces and voices to come sit in my lap and be scratched and admired by everyone.

It's been a rough July for me. As it happened, my friend was online after everyone left and we talked. He said it will take more than just this to break our friendship. I found my mood lifted. I still have worries, mainly about money and making sure Betsy gets the care she needs. But I so needed to laugh, not at someone but at absurdity and with people I can call friends. This was a great way to start a month.

Beverage: English Teatime

Deb