CanTeach asks...

What is your most indispensable possession and why?

Well, I love my yarn and looms and hooks and things, but they are not indispensable. I love my teas, and my books, and my custom-made red cedar bookshelves, and none of those things are indispensable. I must have my meds, me without them is not pretty and they are oh so essential.

However, when it comes to possessions, I'd most likely view my laptop as the absolute indispensable possession of mine. I use it for lots of things, writing/typing, research, blogging, idle curiosity, communication, cataloging, and oh so much more. It calms me when I'm feeling frazzled, and lets me express my giddiness if that matches my state of mind.

My gateway, 'tis my friend.

sake, soup, & sushi!!

earlier today, after scraping out the bird's nest in my mail box, i did a quick flip-thru and chucked a fair amount of junk mail into the trash cans placed oh so conveniently. and then i did a double-take. whoooOOOAH there nelly, what's that? could it be? why, yes! i do believe so! but then i got all worried that i was getting all excited about nothing cuz them gov'mnt folks can be all tricksee that way. so i went back to my counselor's office and asked her to read the letter, cuz it was one of those check my realities against your reality to make sure that i'm not misreading this whole wahoo-omigawdAH-izzitru?!?

and yes! it was more than likely one of the best letters ever received and dudes, i've gotten lots of lovely letters. but this one?!? this one is precious. like 100K precious.

so jert and i decided to go celebrate at the local japanese steakhouse. UMI has moved to their new location, and wow, i am impressed. lovely large space, well defined areas that are habachi, sushi bar, and dining table/booth. great wait staff. good service. and fantastic food.

we had two types of sushi {which actually refers to the rice used~~vinegar rice, rather than the misconceived 'raw fish' idear}, some yaki udon {fat noodles in a veggie broth}, and some house sake, served warm. soooooooooooooo good. yum! then i had a sweet ending with mochi green tea ice cream.

mochi is pulverized sticky rice. then the ice cream balls are rolled in the mochi. the mochi and ice cream on the outer layer mixes to form a slightly chewing gel that encases the rest of the ice cream scoop. it was so good, i got happy in my pants!

charmin' lil man

i've not been on the computer these last coupla days cuz i set the crib up in here and this is one squeakee-ass chair! besides, i wouldn't've really had much time to jump online, or do any writing, cuz jert's lil'st grandbaby was here and he's just such a charmin' lil man that it was hard to tear myself away. i don't usually post pix of children, so no luck for ya. just deal.

jert has much more experience than i do, but even taking that into account, i've come to the conclusion that the mix of my uncoordinated klutziness and a baby's tendency to be a bit mess make for a disasterous feeding frenzy {stewed prunes gave his lips a rather dark garish goth look that was actually kinda cool}. it would've been easier on both of us if i'da just stripped him down to his diaper and fed him sitting in the sink {him, not me; tho that would have been a sight, i'm sure} and then sprayed him down with the lil retractable hose {alas, we do not have one on the kitchen sink...yet}. i did love that he was fine with me poking the spoon of sweet potato mush into his lil gaping mouth and spilling a great deal of it down his onesie, ya know, before i even got the spoon to the destination {that was all on me, and not a bit to do with the fact that he's a baby}. good thing he came with a good portion of his wardrobe.

i'm not familiar with all the mile-markers for babies, or what they generally do by what age. but i can say that i was very impressed that the lil guy slept for twelve hours straight. he's an easy baby, fer sure.

he tolerated {rather graciously, actually} my ineptly toting him around walmart. i kept running into the bathroom and using an amazing amount of damp paper towels, sponging spit-up off him and his clothes and apolozing to him for not being better at this and being somewhat prepared. i told jert that i was afraid i was squeezing the contents of his lil tummy right outta him and onto everything in a twelve foot radius. yeah, those folks at walmartZ are just lovin' me right about now.

thing about spit-up is that his body-tempature is compatible with mine, which means that it usually doesn't register immediately that he spit up...ya know, until the chunky dribbles and drabs run down my arm and off my elbow, dripping to the floor. yeah, i'm that much fun. so if you were in walmartZ this weekend, and saw a woman with a baby squished onto her hip/shoulder/chest, kneeling on the floor, wiping up stuff while muttering apologies to the baby, passing customers, and associates...that'd be me.

nice to me'cha!

Following the Pi'd Piper

Tomorrow Mary Jo and Lauren wed!! Earlier this year, Jert and I thought we might be able to get up to PA and be there for the ceremony and the celebration. But too many things were planned and have still to happen, including our own Party this fall. I know ya understand, and we're with you in spirit!



Cuz I'm a cheap-ass bastard, I can only afford the free images posted here, rather than selecting and sending the lovely couple these actual items. Above you see some intricate hookah pipes and stogie holders. And to your left, is an elegant sake set.

I know that Mary Jo and Lauren have been preparing intensely for this, having moved into a new home and all. So I don't think either of them will be doing much online for awhile, esp as they need to rest and recuperate. When ya get around to it, ladies, we'll be here!

Lauren will be gearing up for several shows they will be attending this fall, showcasing her glassbeads and other creations. Mary Jo will be helping her with as much as she can. I'm sure it will be a great experience for all involved!

Can't wait for the pix, guys!!
huggles, grins, best of the warmest wishes ever!

sharing the tunes

my jert sent me the lyrics for nazareth's "i want to do everything for you" and i took the time on dial-up to download it from YouTube so that i could listen to it. yeah, that's my baby. thank you so very much for loving me.

*blush*blush*

I Want To Do Everything For You

I want to hold you in my arms 'til you say "turn me loose"
I want to do little things to you 'til you say "It ain't no use"
I want to wake you every morning with a good morning kiss
I want to kiss you to sleep the same way cause I, I know you like this
I want to do everything for you
Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, love ya, love ya

I want to say sweet things to you 'til you say "I've said enough"
I want to stand right by your side when the goin' gets tough
I want to mend your broken heart 'til you say "the hurt is gone"
I want to stay with you always so that you won't be alone
I want to do everything for you
Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, love ya, love ya

I want to work for you every day 'til you say "come home and rest"
I want to buy you pretty little things so you can look your best
I want to take you every where so the world can see what I got
I want to treat you with tender love 'til you say I've got to stop
I want to do everything for you
'Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, love ya, love ya

I want to do everything for you
Cause that's all that a man can do
When he loves a woman like I love you
And I love ya, love ya, love ya, love ya

house guest

This weekend, we get to have a lil guest with us! Jert is bringing home his youngest grandson {he's six months old} tonight and he's gonna spend a coupla days with us! He's a charmer, everyone at his daycare just loves to be with him and his impish smiles.

I know I'm biased, but how can I not be?!? I don't post pictures and limit the actual names I use, so ya're gonna hafta just take my word for it: this babe's a cutie! and sweet as can be.

And growing way too fast. sigh. I'm enjoying every moment I can around him, cuz he won't be little for long. Next thing ya know, he'll be walking and talking and then driving {shudder}.

CanTeach asks...

What is something you are pessimistic about?

There are some things I'm pessimistic about, I'm sure. But right off hand, I can't really think of them. I read the wiki entry on pessimism, optimistic that it would prompt me into thinking of something that I'd be all like, "whoa, that's it {snap}". The one thing that stood out to me was the notion of self-fulfilling prophecy. I think that's the main reason why I tend to catch myself thinking and scolding myself for thinking of things that might be pessimistic.

I tend to get anxious about stuff that most people don't even think about. And I am easy going about lots of stuff that tend to throw others off balance. Sometimes I get pessimistic about my own perceptions of reality.

When I start to doubt my self, and my own perceptions, I get wobbly and worried. I start to think that maybe I have this all wrong and I am too pollyanna or blithely naive. And then I start worrying about worrying and before ya know it, I'm in knots. And then I worry that I might be toxic to others and so I sorta withdrawal as much as I can til I get things figured out. Sorta like taking my own self outta the game til I can get my head on straight.

Sometimes, I despair that I'll ever get the whole moderation thing down pat. I mean, I know in my head and believe in my heart (most times) that I'm in the moderate and safe zone. But when I start having those anxious doubts and all, well I start to worry that I might be going to extremes to protect myself and others from myself. Like those extremes suddenly seem safer and more desirable than the middle ground.

Most folks who know me, reassure me that I'm fine and that there isn't any reason for me to feel all knotted up and worried that I might be toxic to others. Some folks know that that actually makes me feel worse, cuz then I worry that they aren't seeing what I am seeing at that time. So those folks just let me work thru my anxiety and panic, and stay handy and close and reassuring without being patronizing and invalidating.

It's can be tricksee, walking the fine line of balance and moderation. I tend to do a great deal of self-moderation and checking with others to make sure that I'm not extremely off in my perceptions of reality. So I usually catch myself before I go to the extreme of becoming pessimistic, preferring to be overly optimistic if I must go to one pole or the other.

So, I'd say that one thing I'm unrealistically pessimistic about is my existing in the moderate range rather than tipping and zipping too far to one extreme or the other.

CanTeach asks...

What is something you are optimistic about?

Generally, I'm pretty optimistic and positive about most things. Ya know, except those things that I'm not. Ya know how that works, I'm sure.

I tend to give most folks the benefit of doubt. So sometimes I get burnt. That's ok, most times, cuz I'd rather be optimistic than a doom-whiner {that's a doom-sayer with a sniveling habit}.

But something in particular that I'm optimistic about is my relationship with my Jert. He's great and he really loves me just as I am, encourages me to continue to be so, and tolerates all my flub-ups. Our relationship is good and solid already, and I think it will continue to deepen and strengthen with the passage of time and shared experiences. I definitely see us together for the long-hull, for life.

I'm sure we'll have some moments of dissention, times when I get cranky and snarky; but I think we are able to get thru those and move on with little to no damage. He's an amazing person, an awesome man, and so very patient with me when I get all snippity. I love him for more reasons than those, but those are essential when it comes to relationships.

Yup, I'm optimistic and positive when it comes to this here crazy thing called love. {muWAHHz to you, my baby}

CanTeach asks...

What is the best way to treat meddlesome people?

Usually ignoring them and their ways is rather effective, cuz they tend to give up if they can't get some sort of reaction from you. Barring that, sometimes ya just gotta put them in their place; which is out of yours. Short, sweet, and to the point. {dusting hands and moving on}

CanTeach asks...

What is your idea of a dull evening?

Well, I'm never bored. There are always ways to entertain myself, and I've not had a dull uninteresting evening in uhm for~never. Even when I'm feeling off, and rather dull myself, I enjoy settling in and having some quiet time; reading, or even staring at the TV if reading is too much of a challenge. I tend to read, or at the very least think, and amuse myself even when my environment is not so stimulating; like a doctor's waiting room, or at the garage, or some such place where people tend to get bored and antsy and find things terribly dull.

So nothing comes to mind when I think of a dull evening. How's that for a loaded statement? winks.

seriously?!? {shaking head}

In the close to five years I've been blogging, I've only had two less than intensely friendly comments prior to a few months ago when I gained an audience of a reader who obviously loves to find fault {in an attempt to make others just as miserable} and yet for some sick reason cannot not read my blog {waving frantically at "anonymous"}. huh, go figure.

The other two comments were: one, a spamster~bot that provided material for a rather humorous entry that actually led to my gaining a group of wonderful readers/thinkers and co-conspiring bloggairs, among them my furrbees' fairygodparents. Sadly, Walt is no longer with us, and his wife, Bonny foresakes computers~~that was Walt's domain, and his death left quite a few of us bereft of one of the best friends anyone can ask for.

The other snippity comment was left by a young girl who was at the time an undergraduate at Ole Miss who took issue with an entry I'd written about my uncle's habit of indulging while wrapping Christmas presents {see Don't Be a Drunken Wrapper}. I figured she had some personal complication with those who imbibe to excess, which is her right. She actually sent me an eMail afterwards, explaining her viewpoint and that was that. I didn't delete or amend the entry and having failed to elicit a more dramatic response, she shuffled off to whatever fertile ground her drama may take seed. bah'bye, okey dokey then.

I've never deleted a comment. This is for several reasons, one of which is that folks are entitled to their own opinions and I don't really get all that torqued when folks don't agree with mine. Also, I've never had reason to do so. I realize that having stated this, it may be a challenge for "anonymous" to see if s/he can prompt me to actually delete her/his comment(s). Whatever fulfills your life's mission.

When "anonymous" first left a comment a few months back, it wasn't even more than a blip in my day, let alone any other substantial amount of time or thought. So you might imagine my surprise at how upset Jert was when he picked me up that evening. He'd said that he thought it was cowardly and rude and he was fairly sure who had left the comment in question form. I shrugged it off and tried to soothe him by letting him know that it reflects more on their attitude and nature than anything about me, so I'm not troubled by their inanity.

Then it was confirmed, the identity of that particular person who left that particular "anonymous" comment {the first I'd ever received}. Now, I'm not positive, altho Jert seems to be; but it's a strong likelihood that the following "anonymous" comments are left by the same person. Ho-hum. Jert has reacted pretty strongly several times, and each time he does, I've pointed out that such childish behaviour is not worth his devoted so much as a second of thought.

So why am I writing an entire entry on the subject of "anonymous" commenting? For shits and giggles. And for the same reason that I sometimes razz loved ones: cuz I can. And also cuz the frequency and content of the comments "anonymous" leaves provide a good number of chuckles on a regular basis.

If you'd like, take a browse thru the comments sometime {you might even search the last few months entries for "anonymous"}, and I'm sure you'll agree...stupidity can be chuckalicious. And indignant sputtering in the ruse of offended sensibilities is a joke in itself. Enough rope to hang yourself is especially strong and durable when you create it yourself and have no one else to blame.

Oh, and this one time, I'll address "anonymous" directly. In answer to your misinformed notion that "Bees can only sting once. "; you sad silly girl you, bumblebees do not have barbed stingers, so they retain their stinger so that they can sting repeatedly. Most other bee types, who do have barbed stingers, do sting once {yea, kudos to you!! good job}; their stingers snap off their bodies, thus killing them, while the stinger remains imbedded in whatever they stung. You might not have been able to deduce that it was a bumblebee that I wrote of, even tho the description might have led you to do so {"fuzzy black and yellow banded bee" and the fact that it stung multiple times}.

Please do try harder to think before you speak, lest you demonstrate and confirm your own foolishness.

CanTeach asks...

What is your favourite time of day?

It all depends. For years, I lived on the farm and spent the majority of my time alone. I preferred evenings and nights for the most part. That was in part because even with my air conditioner on high/high and the space limited {curtain sheet closed off all but the living space}, it was still rather warm and humid in the day time. I'd feel drained and by the time things cooled off, it'd be about 10 pm and I'd finally start to come alive. So I'd be more productive at night.

During the winter, night time was the time I'd cuddle up, snuggly warm under the blankets with the gas heater on and it'd feel cozy and safe. That's the time I'd relax the most, and feel the most secure. Shaddow would keep me company and she'd often climb up on the bed and sprawl across the open space, with her head at the foot; her breathing deep and soothing.

Now, I'm not sure what I'd say my favorite part of day is. I don't have any part that I dread, so that's good. I do enjoy the afternoons, cuz I'm able to function more easily than earlier in the day; not nearly as groggy or fuzzy. I can think better in the afternoons.

But I really enjoy the evenings with Jert. Sometimes we chat with each other, sometimes we settle down to watch something he tivo'd, and sometimes we watch a movie on the dvd/vcr. There are sometimes he reads and I crochet. There are times too in which we are doing our own things, like me being on the computer, and him watching something I don't really follow {like "deadliest catch"}. We're comfortable in the same space without needing to focus on each other constantly; I like that lots.

He usually heads to bed before I do. Sometimes I tinker about on-line {late night blogging}, rediscovering earlier loves {sudoku rocks!}, or eMailing friends rather than just popping off quick lil IM's. There are times when I will read in bed, usually stopping to watch him sleep, quietly and restfully {he's just sooOOOoooo cute~~quit your gagging, be nice now}.

So it really depends on my mood, on the weather, and what else is going on with me, with jert, with us as a couple. I'm pretty much happy that there isn't really any part of the day that I dread right now. These last few weeks (quickly turning into months now), I've not been sleeping really well, so I'm trying to take advantage of the time I might otherwise be unaware.

No definitive answer, just like a dame, eh?

bonnet~free

this blog regarding the weekend will sorta seem backassward and that's just the way i am, doncha know. this morning, i slathered on the one inch thick layer of sunblock (no screen for me, thanks, just the full on block~~hhhhuuuWAH!), climbed on the bike behind jert, and waved g'bye to my folks. that's right, withOUT a helmet!

friday, we discovered that arkansas has no helmet law, and wow, we took full advantage of that there kick-ass factoid. wahootie-hoot! five hours of toussled hair rioting in all the free glory of rushing air whipping along at highway speeds, dashing around cool curves, and plunging down the foothills of the ouchitas (well that part wasn't five hours, cuz the entire mountain chain isn't five hours worth of driving, but it's all part of the package, a package deal, ya might say, yeah, a package deal, that there's the ticket).

so about two hours into the whole air-rushing-by freedom fest, an intensely paralyzing pain ripples across my lower stomach. as the sting spreads and deepens, i think, "holy mother of god, that there is a godawful bitching itch" as i unsuccessfully claw my self. in an attempt to stem the sensation, i grope myself in the worst imitation of michael jackson {squeals thrown in for the special tribute} and assure myself that whatever had been responsible for the hellish piercing pain was no longer present.

only to discover a mere five minutes later that the beast has taken up another residence, still on my person. so i pinch the offending critter thru my shirt and ask jert to 'omg pull over, would ya just pull over before i hurl myself from this speeding demon trap?!?'. whereupon i show him a fuzzy black and yellow banded bee, that i'd managed to kill without squashing his guts all over the inside of my shirt, thus saving my skin from that particular brand of punishment {the layers of sunblock and road grime, dust, and truck grit all mixed to give me that permanent pancake appearance of bad stage makeup, or really awesomely horrid whiteface~~twas a close call}. the bee had bumbled about, in my pants, stinging me multiple times {i wonder if those stings are orgasmic experiences for the bee, shuddup, you don't know}. i hoisted my tank top up, bending my neck, trying to look at my ribs for any other sting sites.

yesterday, i had ants in my pants. and i can only surmise that the bee was not in my bonnet as i was not wearing one. entirely too many critters are having fun in my pants to suit me. so if you see a woman screaming at her nether regions, commanding all to vacate the premises; that there'd be me.

nice to mee'cha.