Maybe I need a new one.

If you're a long-time blog reader, you know I've been teased about my "ancient" purse. I used to have 4 or 5 purses which I changed out based on outfit, weather, season, event. But, when I started working, the constant moving of a life from one bag to another became hugely frustrating. I'd learn where everything was and then change purses. You men have NO CLUE.

I was working at a book store and this woman came in with the best purse I had seen. The front zipped open to reveal places for money and credit cards, checkbook and pen. The back of it was just a pouch where she kept a comb, lipstick, coin purse and other items. The whole thing was about 3 inches thick. I wanted one.

I never found one. Instead, I got the brown leather purse everyone teases me about now.

Well, over Memorial Day, I noticed the gaping hole you see to the right. The stitching has come apart. I looked around the purse and there are a few more places where the stitching is slowly coming undone. After 10 odd years, it might be time for a new purse. I could take it to Paul's Shoe Service in downtown Glen Ellyn and he'd probably fix it for me. But I wonder if the cost of fixing the purse might not be the same as buying new on sale? The other thing is, if I get a new purse, I have to learn where everything is again. Again, you men have NO CLUE.

What to do, what to do? I can't afford a new purse right now, anyway, but I also can't afford to get this one fixed right now. Maybe in another week that will happen, but not now. Plus, if I take the purse in, I have nothing to replace it with while it's getting fixed. A plastic bag just doesn't cut it.

Beverage: grape pomegranate juice

Deb

Funny the things you get attached to.

When Jon, from the office, was moving to a smaller place, he couldn't take everything with him. He gave an office chair to the office and said chair has been used by several people. I was going to pitch one of those floor lamps that gives off "natural" daylight. I needed a floor lamp so I took it.

Now, I don't know if it's really the sunlight spectrum. I just know that I have it here in the office next to the computer. It does brighten up the room and is great for gaming, particularly at night.

The only thing is, if the bulb breaks, you can't run to the store for another, at least, I haven't been able to find them at a store selling light bulbs.

In theory, if nothing happens to the bulb, they will last years. In practice, when a spider drops down from the ceiling into your field of vision while you are sitting at the computer, the chances of you jumping up and knocking over the floor lamp to your left are quite large. This is the second time I have knocked the lamp over. The first time, I was cleaning and bumped it. I tried to catch it but failed.

The bulbs are $20 and then you add shipping. I ordered it online last Saturday and it was here yesterday. The lamp is fully functional again. I missed it. I missed that bright white light it gives off. I don't know if it improves my mood, I'm moody with or without light, but I do think it brightens this room. Because it sits next to the office windows, at night, the light illuminates part of the deck. I think that's been responsible for keeping critters off the deck and scaring the cats, although these two don't hang out at the back door like Rascal did.

Now, to not knock it over...

Beverage: grape pomegranate juice

Deb

I almost missed it.

Do you see what is today? I had NO IDEA that was today. Admittedly, I did not flip my Simpsons calendar until I got home and, by then, I knew this was a very important day and was prepared to celebrate accordingly.

It's not important because it's the last quarter of the moon, although I have been reminded that some planetary wonderment is afoot this week. You should be able to see Mars and Jupiter near the star Regulus, which is part of Leo the Lion. Uranus, which can only be seen with binoculars, also is close to these planets, in our view, directly behind and slightly to the right of Jupiter. Venus is the bright evening star, what you probably wish upon and then realize it's not twinkling. If you look to the southwest, you should also see Saturn. The other planets, including Pluto, are morning stars, visible within an hour of sunrise. Jupiter doesn't rise until around 2 a.m but it is visible to the naked eye at that hour.

It's not important because it's Angelina Jolie's birthday. I wish her happy birthday but she's not a friend and, honestly, I don't care if she and her brood were spotted in the south of France, the south Bronx or south of the equator.

It's sort of important that it's Anthony Braxton's birthday. He's a musician who has resisted the urge to categorize his music. He was influenced by John Coltrane and Paul Desmond but has also composed music with avant-garde-ist John Cage. There are some in the music world who say what he plays is not jazz at all. Indeed, Braxton himself calls it "creative music". He's released well over 100 albums including opera and free-form as well as jazz standards.

That leaves the very important "Donut Day". I almost missed this. If it had not been for a post by Carole's boyfriend, David, that lead me to wonder what he was talking about, I would have blithely gone about my business today and never appropriately celebrated.

Hence, after work, I made a bee-line for Dunkin'.

One medium tea and a chocolate glazed later, I am appropriately celebrating this important holiday. But there is a caveat to this. When you get your donut at 4:30 p.m., it's not the freshest in the world. Maybe I should have gotten the chocolate covered with sprinkles.

Still, it was free with the purchase of hot water and a tea bag.

Now, when is Chocolate Chip Cookie Day?

Beverage: DD tea

Deb

Oh wow! They read the blog

I get packages from a couple of friends. I am not expecting packages from friends. Inside the packages are...


STICKERS!

Lots and lots of stickers.

Charly went to Hallmark and must have taken stickers from almost every spinner on their sticker tree. Patt went to the Dollar Store, I bet, and picked up the 296 packets. I was so excited. They read the blog. They know I mused about being close to out.

Yes folks. It's the little things that make me deliriously happy. Now I have to write letters and send cards.

Beverage: Irish Breakfast Tea

Deb