re-post from last year's winter solstice

21 December 2007

don't be a drunken wrapper

When I was a teenager, my mother's closest brother, Larry, and his wife, Kay, would have us come to their house for Christmas. It was awful and I hated going, because the couple was usually drunk. Kay was a bit of a ditz (ok that was being generous, she was a huge complex set of pieces of work) and Larry was a huge condescending snob who needed to put others down in order to secure his pompous place of piousness. But my mother loved her brother and so she would ignore most of his oafishness; I'm sure there is a lesson there I am to apply to my own brotherly situation. But not this year, maybe next; but not this.

However, Kay and Larry would provide for tons of comic relief, even if it was unintentional. But I usually was not in a loving accepting benefice mood on Christmas afternoons, imagine that. And it wasn't cuz they were drunken morons, it was cuz they were morons. And I was a teenager, so even less tolerant of morons than usual. Having been around drunks for many years, as I worked at the local VFW; I know that as a general rule mean people make mean drunks, happy people make happy drunks, smart people make drunken idiots, and stupid people make drunk stupidity.

Larry had an interesting method behind his present wrapping. He'd go down to his basement bar and fix himself a drink. Drink it and clear off a section of the bar for the presents, and keep his drink freshened (often meaning that he would finish the one and mix another, cuz really, ya can never get the portions of various alcohols just right when trying to freshen a drink; like the waitress that tops of your coffee which you have just now gotten the right ratio of coffee, sugar, and cream right before she adds a dollop of coffee, thus throwing off your ratios and undoing your carefully achieved balance). Larry would then clear a section for wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and gift tags. He'd drink some more and then decide he needed more wrapping paper cuz there is an awful lot of presents. Once he added more paper to the pile, he'd drink a few more drinks just to get festive, doncha know. He may decide to find a radio station of Christmas music, or attempt to do so only to settle on a station which blares rap (which Larry mistakes for very contemporary Christmas music); please keep in mind this was in the mid to late 80s, when rap was a different breed than what we have now.

Larry then lays out some wrapping paper from one side of him, and chooses a present from the other side. He proceeds to wrap and dance in place and screech along with misconceived lyrics, while merrily throwing the drinks back, which are now mostly alcohol and less mix cuz it is too much trouble to worry about additives like ice, oj, or soda. Within a very short time, Larry has run out of presents to wrap and yet has tons of wrapping paper left. So he begins to wrap items which are easily at hand, just to use up the paper, cuz he couldn't have made a mistake and mismanaged his paper/present ratio, now could he? Half emptied bottles of creme de menthe, rock and rye, and wild turkey sport gaily sledding santa's and snowmen and elves.

Now Larry is no longer using a glass, but is swilling straight from the bottle. Now he is no longer even attempting to sing with the lyrics, but is muttering along with an internal monologue. Now he has run out of paper, so is rummaging through the dirty clothes of the neighboring laundry room (this is the basement after all) and using the soiled shirts to wrap his willy-nilly items he has continued to grab from around the basement, a hastily emptied ashtry, an empty bottle of bleach, and oh look! there is the trash pile waiting to go out to the drive to await pick up. There is bound to be some good stuff in there!

Larry has now discovered that he had forgotten to appropriately tag the gifts. So, he sloppily scrawls names and tapes them haphazardously amongst the strewn odd assortment of presents. There are a few items which receive a few tags, for folks that may or may not be in the same country, let alone the same household. He has had a blast, but now, oh his aching head, now, his body is completely wrecked and he heads to bed.

Christmas afternoon finds him hustling around the kitchen and then look! it's his baby sister and her family! He ushers us downstairs, and flicks on the lights, only to have the evening before come rushing back with the sight of sickly strewn gifts and even the handle for the beer tap has been wrapped in a sock with duct tape. He covers his dismay with extra bluster, as tho he intended to do exactly this all along. He waves us all over to the heaped with trash bar, and settles us in with offers of beer, drinks, and then discovers that he cannot find the bourbon, whiskey, vodka, tequila, or any other relevant bottle.

So Judi asks for the funniest gift we have ever given or received. I can't really say, but I'm sure that it is one that has been wrapped by Larry. It may have been the dead dog's half gnawed bone.

Winter Pirouettes

I love the elegant simplicity of the winter pirouette by Doug Garrabrants with the all encompassing message of "wishing you a happy holiday season".

This is the card that I give to folks who don't really get the whole Edward Gorey thing.

When I was a child, in Pennsylvania, I loved dancing in the falling snow; whirling about in the silent cold night.

Have a Gorey Christmas

This is one of my favorite holiday cards and it is by one of my favorite artists, Edward Gorey.

I think many can relate to the pre-holiday madness, and then the crushed holiday forced cheer, and the post-holiday exhaustion.

The movie, Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas", is not related to Edward Gorey's card.

I love the movie tho. My friend, Glenn, and I rushed to the theater when it came to rural Pennsylvania and we sang the entire soundtrack. We had so much fun, dancing in the aisle and squealing and giggling and chortling; ahhhh, fond memories those, fond memories.

So this is my tongue in cheek card that I send to those folks with a sense of humor. Cuz ya know, not everyone gets it.

can do, did do, will do

While I was crocheting {hot pads! hot pads! getcher one piece hot pads!}, I watched the movie "Music of the Heart". This was a good watch, on so many levels, not the least of which is that it is based on a true story. If you get a chance, check it!

yeah well, my other car is a cadillac

So last week, I took my car in cuz I had a hole (in my bucket, dear liza). The Fix-it Dudes replaced my gas tank cuz I didn't just have a hole. Within an hour of my getting my car back, I had returned it to the garage cuz it was s.s.s.s.s.stuttering and my gas gauge wasn't working. That was the time I woke in the waiting area with two small children staring at me.

They put a fuel filter on and sent me home with instructions to bring it in yesterday. So I did, and they got the gauge to work and poured some Heet in to take care of any water droplets that may have been in the line causing the car's stuttering. I brought it home last night.

This morning, as I was driving in for my appt, I noticed that my indicator on my gas gauge was bobbing from half tank to empty and back again. "Well," I thought, "I'll swing by the garage after my appt." And I did that, but not before my car stalled at the traffic light and a camo-man came to my rescue and pushed my car into a parking lot and then took me to my appt {thanks, camo-man!}.

The Fix-it Dudes gave me a loaner while they fiddle with my pipes, lines, tanks, filters, and such. And the loaner? A Cadillac! I've never even ridden in one, let alone driven one! Dudes! there are more doodads, buttons, and levers in there than the launch pad for a space shuttle. And I pushed, pulled, and adjusted a few.

But only a few, cuz I was ascairt. I'm sure that one of those buttons would do something important like notify the command central that there has been a security breach. And then I'd've some splaining to do.

yea! good on me!

Earlier this evening, I was talking with a friend in Chattanooga who'd asked me what several people have, so I thought I'd just go on and address the issue here. No, I don't speak with Scott anymore. For several reasons, not the least of which is that friends don't do like he done.

In fact, the last time I spoke with him was back in October. He'd called to tell me how much he wanted things between the two of us to work, but then was whining about what a self-centered bitch the girl who told him in July that it was gawdah's will for them to be together. I asked him why he continued to take her calls then.

And then, I answered myself, "oohps, guess I'm one to talk; after all, I still take your calls and you're the most self-centered asshole I know."

Then, I hung up. And haven't spoken with him since.

december.already?!?!

Oh hey! The forecast is calling for snow tomorrow night and Monday. Here! in Mississippi! wow!

I think seven years ago it snowed on the farm, the falling snow would melt as soon as it hit the surfaces so we didn't even have ground cover, but still all the schools and most of the businesses shut down and the county tried sanding the roads (but since we are not in the snow zone, we don't have snow removal equipment and the county and all its peoples always freak when it even LOOKS like we might get snow). Hell, someone spits out their window and the car behind them thinks it's raining and swerves to miss the drop of wetness, crashing into oncoming traffic. Yeah, we're that much fun.

Five years ago, I woke early one morning in Tupelo and watched it snowing while it was still dark. I woke Scott up, crowing like a child, "it's SNOWING, it's snoWING, it's SNOwing". Then the sun came up and the snow was no more. Pretty while it lasted in the air, tho.

i did it, i did it, yea me

Between all the cookie baking, bread making, birthday celebrating, wine tippling, friends & memom visiting, thanks giving, hot pad crocheting, new laptop customizing, resuming counseling, car fixing, gift giving, card writing, package sending, nap taking, book reading, tea drinking, and other activities that have kept me busy this month; I wrote, wrote, rewrote, edited, and wrote some more, here, there, and everywhere.

tah-dAHHhhh

now to resume my giddy giggling.

*wink*

ah mizhertz thet

as i was puttering about the kitchen, fixing a spot a tea; my attention snagged on what i thought i heard from the tv's commercial:

"...so next time you're at the doctor, request this simple cleaning; it could save your life!" then there were the listing of consequences of colon cancer, including the stats regarding death.

my brain went, whaaa...? "simple cleaning" and "colon cancer" don't really belong in the same sentence said by a chirpy smiley upbeat couple.

then i realized, simple screening. they said, simple screening.

go straight to the garage. do NOT pass go. prepare to spend two hunnert bucks

This morning, the Fix-it Dudes sent someone to pick me up and retrieve my car around 8. Once the accounts were settled and I gave thanx many times to many people, I pulled my newly tanked tank outta the fix-it dudes' pitted pavement parking place. I noticed my "low fuel" light was on and my indicator was down past the "E" into the get-gas-get-it-now-do-not-pass-go-prepare-to-spend-two-hundred-dollars area. I live dangerously so I drove to the grocery store to pick up pudding mixes cuz I hadda craven'.

After Piggly Wiggly {i like that name, it's fun to say, it's fun to hear, it's fun to type/write}, I drove toward home, knowing that there are several gas stations between PigglyWiggly and the edge of town. I pulled into a place where I've gotten gas plenny o times and put in about five and a half gallons (cuz that was ten bucks worth. today, definitely not yesterday's price, and probably not tomorrow's, but it was today's). As I was pulling out from the gas station's pitted pavement parking place, I noticed my my "low fuel" light was on and my indicator was down past the "E" into the get-gas-get-it-now-do-not-pass-go-prepare-to-spend-two-hundred-dollars area. STILL.

Now, that's not right {I said to my Self}. And then my car s.s.s.s.s.s.stuttered and did the herky jerk and I thought {to my Self, cuz dude, who else do you think to?}, "if it were gonna happen, best it happen now" and I headed back toward the fix-it dudes. It was touch and go for some time, and I thought I was gonna have to call their tow truck to come get me {and the car} but fear not! for it made it there.

The fix-it dudes put it into their fix-it area and I fell asleep in the waiting area under the magazine rack and awoke to find two small children eye to eye with me (that's not as difficult as you might think what with them having four eyes and me having two; theirs are small). One child was slightly awed, slack jaw and all and the other was solemnly slurping on a lollipop. After it became clear that they thought I was the troll guarding the magazines, I granted their request for Hot Rodz in Hot Dames (hey, parental discretion is not my duty when the parents are staring at me stupidly) or whatever the glossy was called.

Looooong story somewhat shorter, I was home about noon with instructions to return with the car on Monday morning cuz dude, chittichittiBANGbang I am not.

{{dude! my word verification is: butfuhx}}

i was over there commenting on a friend's post when i was momentarily stumped by how to fun.net.tik.lee type those infamous Law and Order sounds. since i can never decide exactly what they are and how they sound, i went with --->{duhn.DUHN}<---

then i collapsed in snickers when i realized what the verification word for that comment was.

chortle.snort.choke {yes, i can be that juvenile}

and then came the winged monkeys

This getting up, dressed, and to the store by 3a is ridiculous and I can say that I have never joined in the Black Friday shopping craze. Nor have I ever been tempted to do so. In fact, I think that I don't even know any one who does. At least, not knowingly do I know anyone who feels the need to strap on their magical shoes and sally forth to do battle with other crazed zealous hunters of marked up bargains.

There are a few folks I know who are mavens of fashion, bargains, or both. I myself must be of a particular mindset to engage in the storm of sales, and that mindset doesn't occur often. Certainly not when I know the entire retail world is primped and posed for action, much like a strumpet strolling on a Saturday night, pitching her wares to the eager beavers quick to snatch perceived buys, Buys, BUYS!!

So I'll be snuggled down in my cozy comforter, dreaming of sugared plums, yellow brick roads, flying pigs, and other elements of legends tomorrow at 3a.

Happy Thanksgiving

and to all a good nap!!

the snake in the dog house

No, I'm not speaking of some man who erred, forgot your birthday, or attempted to give you a drill set for your anniversary. Not that sort of snake, and not the figurative dog house. No, I'm speaking of a slithery slow moving cold blooded snake who as taken up residence in the MSU engineered, designed, and architecture built dog house with carpeting and slotted walls to allow for extra ventilation with the shingled roof sitting in my yard.

Every year, the architecture department's grad students must design and build dog houses, which are then auctioned off with the proceeds going to the local humane society and animal shelter. A few years back, I came home to find one sitting in front of my gate. It turns out that one lady who bid rather aggressively for this particular dog house that jack built didn't actually have need for one as she didn't have a dog. But she had been friends with my landlord's parents, who are very active with the animal shelter and humane society, and knew that my Shaddow didn't have her very own home where she could go when she wanted to escape my home and have her own space. I digress.

This morning, I glanced out in my yard and did a double take. Curled up along the one inside wall of the dog house was a lump of something that was sluggishly uncurling itself and rearranging coils and curls like a vain sorority girl. My brain s.s.s.s.s.tuttered and my eyes fluttered a few times while my mouth dried up and my heart sped up and my mind expanded and then shrunk into a lil critter trying to scurry and find safe haven.

The dogs did not seem at all concerned about their guest. For all I know, they might have gotten it drunk on eggnog and decided to let it sleep off its hangover. Come to think of it, that may have been what happened to the quart in the fridge.

Cuz I know I didn't drink it.

there's a hole in my bucket, dear liza

Dudes! there is a hole in my gas tank. I know we all feel that our wallets have holes, that the gas tanks are siphoning gold straight from our pockets. But when I say that I gotta hole in my gas tank, I meant it literally.

So after only putting five or ten dollars worth of gas into my tank, keeping it well below the half-way mark, and doing this for weeks; I finally took my car to the fix-it dude and held my breath.

One thing that I really like about these fix-it dudes is that they take care of me in ways that are very courteous and never make me feel like I'm imposing. So the one dude boosted me into his truck's cab and drove me home cuz they didn't want me sitting in the hard plastic chairs and cuz I wanted to revisit my snuggly bed before the sheets lost the warmth of my snoozing body. Then, right as I was waking up, the other fix-it dude called to tell me what was what and how much it'd be to fix-it.

It's a huge lot. It's gonna take more than a straw to fix the hole, an axe to cut that straw, a stone to sharpen the axe to cut that too long straw, and water to wet the stone to sharpen the ax to cut that too long straw to plug the hole in the bucket, dear liza. One way or another that gas tank just sucks the money up. But! as memom points out, it'll cost less to fix-it than to buy another car.

it's all in how ya look at it.

sharing the chucks from my email

My dear family and friends,

Somewhat embarrassing to admit, but Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

it's ALLlllllllllllllllll goooooooood

Memom is leaving tomorrow morning. This visit was so good; well most of our visits are~~it's just that this one went so fast and was jammed packed with all sorts of activities and friends and chit chats and wine and cookies and pumpkin breads and pumpkin rolls (o.m.d.g~~oh my droolin' gawdah). The pumpkin roll is similar to a jelly roll, but filled with cream cheese and other creamy goodness that makes your eyes roll into the back of your head with creamy bliss.

Yesterday, mom made a chicken in the crockpot with steamed veggies and that was good. The pickings went to the furrbees and they thought that was good. Then today mom used the rest of the chicken and made a creamy soup with lots of veggies and some angel hair pasta and (say it with me) that was good.

Now my freezer is just as jammed packed with all sorts of goodies as our week's visit was. So, I'm pretty much ready for the holidays. Folks will be receiving plates of cookies, creamy pumpkin pies, and lovely pumpkin breads {as per usual}. I'll also be including crocheted lapghans, hot pads, washclothes, dishclothes, scarves, hats, and such with gifts as I go visiting or entertain folks here, at my home.

I think that my friends realize how very special all of those homemade items are; but I have noticed that many folks who have no idea what all goes into them don't really appreciate them. My own observation is that because I crochet items quickly and move from one project to the next with seeming ease, that Scott never really "got" what handmade custom articles are worth. I know he never understood how cookies, breads, cakes, and pies were not only suitable but that most folks are smitten with these items to add to their festive tables. As a result, he would often degrade my efforts and dismiss my activities.

Oh well, his loss; on soOOOoooooo many levels.

*grins*

hot pads! hot pads! gitcher one piece hotpads!

I've been whipping out these one piece hotpads which are nice and thick and double-sided for mom before she leaves to return to her home. These are all different sizes, different densities (as I used different sized hooks to see what was what), and different stitches. Rather, it's the same stitch (single crochet) but I chose to show the "wrong side" and the "right side" on different hot pads so that I could decide which I prefer.



The brown one turned out especially well, as I love the associated coffee and chocolate warmth that comes to mind. You can see both the front and back of that one, as I wanted to show the details. This is the seamed side, as you can see the raised diagonal line on the "front" (with the "wrong side" of the single stitch showing). The "right side" of the stitch is actually on the inside of the hot pad.



This pic shows the "back" of the same pad as shown above. These are quick and easy; fun to make!

A few folks may be getting these as Holiday gifts!

{wink}

who's who? me, that's who!

It started while I was still in high-school. Continued thru-out undergrad. Then again during my master's program. And you got it! When I was working on my PhD. So now, I am not surprised to get on of these again.

Who's Who has lots of subdirectories that focus on specialized segments of the population. When I received my very first letter of invitation to apply for approval, I was so very excited. It seemed to be the crowning glory for my academic achievements as a senior and I was thrilled.

Then I started to read through things a bit more carefully and realized that not only do you have to pay to be included, but then you have to actually buy the book! What sorta honor is that? It smacks of ego stroking, sorta like vanity publishing; folks don't have to like you, cuz dude, you like yourself enough for all of us!

The one I received today takes the cake and provided for more than a few snickers and snorts; afterall, I got an entire entry's material of capering and jeering, whilst thumbing my nose {ala Tom Hulce's Mozart in Amadeus, if only I could imitate his hideously horrid high-pitched screeching giggles}. Cuz the opening line was too rich to keep to myself.

{ahem, *clearing throat* read in the most lofty accent *sniff.sniff*}

"You were recently appointed as a biographical candidate to represent Starkville, MS in the 2008/09 edition of Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women" {emphasis theirs}.

I think it is safe to say that I am many things, but at present? Executive and professional are not among suitable titles. Oh, those silly money-grubbing ego-stroking panderers. sigh, when will they learn that folks of true worth don't need to pay to see their names in print.

curiouser and curiouser

Dorothy Parker said that the cure for boredom is curiosity and that there is no cure for curiosity.

I agree. I cannot remember there ever being a time when I was bored. I'm sure there was. But I had to have been confined and unable to exercise my own curiosity.

There is ALWAYS something to do. I never do nothing. Even if my only activity is breathing, I'm alive. And that, that is doing something.

I could never understand when folks whine about being soooOOOooo bored. I think it's more likely they are boring. And lazy.

And that's pathetic.

yer'n class, our'n class, their'n class

After groggily stumbling thru a shower, I joined my mother in the kitchen before we left for the day's activities. We drove into town, to the new coffee shop "The Little Building Cafe", for a pear preserve muffin and some brew. The cafe is very eco friendly and quite innovative in some nifty ways. All the foods they use are grown within a hundred miles of here, so the coffee? Alabama beans!

Then, we went to Adria's stamping class. We made some pretty nifty gift boxes and frames and visited with the lil girls. The eldest sold all her cookies so she has some money toward her camping trip and feels pretty proud of herself {and well she should!}. The lil'st was sorta cuddly and curled up in mom's lap for awhile, and then climbed up into mine. Her mom told her that they came to our class yesterday {the girls are homeschooled and with all the measuring and such, it was a fun filled field day for them}, so now we came to her class today. The lil'st thought that sounded good and so she asked what we all were gonna do tomorrow, mizz debRAH?

I don't know about all y'all, but I'm gonna sleep in!

girls' day with the girls

Well, yesterday was a full whirlwind of a day but one of the best afternoons yet. In the morning, Adria brought her girls out and while I went to town for an appointment and to run some errands; Mom helped the two lil girls measure, mix, and bake their cookies. When I returned home, it smelled so good with warm sugar and melted butter and melted chocolate chips. The girls were jumping about and smiling and bragging and crowing and talking over each other and mizzzz debRAH have one, have one, try one of mine first!

Kids are so fun, and it takes so little to make them happy and their burbling bubbling bursting giggles makes ya giddy just being around them. After a few hours of us all sitting on top each other, and moving around as tho we were executing some elaborate dance; the little snug space of my home began to seem too cramped for three visiting adults and two busy children. Just when I didn't think my home could be any more cozy, my friend Jacki came in with lots of ooooh and ahhhs and the girls got to share the cookies and the whole baking experience all over again.

Soon afterward, Adria and the lil girls left. The lil'st one was asleep before she was properly strapped into her seat. The eldest didn't last long after the tires began to sing on the pavement. Adria said that they both woke long enough to fill their dad in on all the fun before zonking out for the night.

Jacki had not met mom before, but she has wanted to for years; so she was thrilled to finally visit with her. We opened the remaining bottle of plum wine that Mom'd made and before long, we were all telling so many stories and laughing so hard that the dogs glued their noses to the window to gawk at the noisey capering women within. After Jacki left, mom and I settled into our jammies and made pizza and watched "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and an old episode of Law and Order. Both of us were up way past our bedtimes.

Now that I'm an aging woman, I gotta back off on the partying.

cookies! and pies! and breads! oh! my!!

My friend, Adria, is an arts instructor. She teaches children and adults in a variety of materials and methods. She herself does commissions for others, mostly preferring charcoal and pencil sketchings as her most beautiful and meaningful work. She is an amazing person, godly woman, wonderful wife, fantastic mother, and extraordinary friend.

She is bringing her two lil girls out to the farm tomorrow morning. The eldest of the two girls is nine {and a half, mizz debRAH} and she will be making a soft oatmeal cookie that will be complex enough to challenge her, but simple enough for her to make the dough and bake them with minimal assistance. She will be able to use the cookies in her own attempts to raise funds so that she can go on a week long camping trip next year. Also, cookie baking is a requirement for one of the modules she is completing for her group (which is like girl scouts, but I think is called "path finders" or some such). She's terribly excited, and memom and I have already prepared a small area for her, set aside the ingredients and got all the cups and spoons and things ready. Everyone's kitchen is their own, so she can't very well be expected to know where I keep the vanilla and the oatmeal, y'know?

Her lil sister, my lil'st friend, is four {and a half, mizzzzz debRAHHHHH}. She is very inquisitive and does not want to be left to the side on anything (and really, who can blame her?) but I want each girl to do their own cookies, so that they each have something that is really THEIRS. For my lil'st friend, I've decided on a simple recipe of three ingredients. She can open and mix all the ingredients because there is NO measuring involved. She can take her time and DO it all by HERSELF!! Which is important, y'know? Cuz she's a big girl now. Her cookies will be a soft vanilla cookie with chocolate chips. Yum! Fun to make, fun to bake, and fun to EAT!!

Memom and I have already baked pumpkin breads, soft butterscotch cookies, soft chocolate cookies with dark chocolate chips, and peanut butter oatmeal cookies with raisins. I've mixed up a batch of pina colado cookies and a double batch of soft chocolate chip cookies ready for baking in the morning. At the moment, we are listening to Alice in Wonderland and mom is tracing quilt blocks for me using a cabbage rose pattern. I am about ready to call it a night and hang my apron til the morrow!

some virtue is only skin deep

It's not just what you do that counts, but what you would do if you were sure that you wouldn't be found out.

cute lil butt

He just casually strolled along, in no rush. I could tell he knew I was watching his lil butt twitch, agape and s.s.s.s.tuttering as I tried to draw my friend's attention to him. "Quick," I finally spit, "turn around! Look behind you!" I jostled chairs outta my way, bumped into memom, and then he was gone. No one had seen his saucey smirk as he sauntered outta sight, taking his cute lil furry mouse butt with him. No one, but me.

I've been running a bed and breakfast lodge for extended friends and families of entire societies of mice who've settled in with me and the furrbees for the winter. This particular one probably is bragging to his buddies how he strutted past not one, but THREE aghast females. Yeah, he'll probably be scoring free drinks for weeks on that one.

There's a slightly larger emboldened free-ranger that's been scampering about across my shoes, up over the body-sack project I have ongoing (hi, nutella!!), past the ballarina bear (thanks, sweet anne!), sniffing the candle (thanks, memom!), before dodging past my box of pencils and things (waving frantically at bonny). Ranger Rick has nothing on this dude! I don't know why I lunge for the mice; it's not like I'm gonna scoop one up in my cupped hands and set him free outside. He'd just run around to the special entrance around back, and let himself in; pissed that I made him go outta his way.

And I don'wanna go pissin' off the mice.

julia sez, drink the sherry for the cook!

Memom got here yesterday late afternoon, early evening. It was dusk and the wind was picking up and she kept saying that it was too cold to be Mississippi. We got everything unpacked and put up and then we went out to eat at my favorite chinese restaurant and that was my HAPPY BIRTHDAY dinner {yea! thanks mom!}. Then we went to WalMart and got some baking supplies and came home, where we made up the bed with freshly laundered linens and quilts and got in our jammies and snuggled down. Then we kept each other up way late with chit-chat and catching up and then somewhere along the second cd of the audio book for Alice in Wonderland, I fell asleep.

This morning, before I got out of bed, mom gave me my gift bag of special birthday surprises. A corkscrew to go with the two bottles of wine she'd made me. Wine glasses to go with the corkscrew to go with the two bottles of wine she'd made me. A very special card, a batch of muddy buddy, and my very own recipe box with recipes!

Then while I cleaned and rearranged and cleaned some more, mom made breakfast of eggs and bacon with toast and we decided it was not too early for wine. While I cleaned up breakfast pans and plates, and impersonated Julia Child's tippling; mom copied over more recipes for me.

Soon we will begin baking and friends will join in. First up: triple batches of chocolate chip cookies. Can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than with love, laughter, chocolate, and wine!

yea! you let me be myself! {peter}

Family Guy cracks me up, Stewie (the baby) is the best! Every now and then, Peter (the dad) will say some funny shit. Brian (the dog) delivers some great lines with such dry wit that I end up tittering long after the scene has moved on. Cleveland (friend) is so droll, unintentionally.

My fave Stewie line: I feel right, Brian; I feel right.

memommee's comin'!!!

My mom is coming tomorrow and staying thru next week! I'm so very happy! She's gonna be here for my birthday! We will bake! Cookies and Cake! We will sew! Hats, crochet, embroider, quilt blocks, bobbins, oh! my!! We will make baskets! I will speak with exc!a!mat!on po!nts no more.

promise!

*wink*

onehundredunderonehundred and then some

This afternoon, I went to the Greater Starkville Development Partnership's artists' reception for the show "100 under 100" {100 pieces of art, priced under 100 bucks}. There were wonderful people and wonderful artwork and wonderful food. I never ever thought I would say this and those of you who know me well may be shocked! beyond endurance, but...I think I had way too much sugar and ended up tossing my plate with a few cookies {literally; there were some pfeffernuss remaining on my art deco plastic plate that were just too much powedery sugar, I mean, I coulda choked on all that dustiness}. My fave foods were the chocolate dipped strawberries and the carmel and chocolate drizzeled prezels. I am only slightly less fixated on food than I had been. Progress is pithy.

The artwork was wonderfully diverse. There were sculpture, photography, oils, acrylics, multimedia, pencil, charcoal, etc. I met some of the artists; but the most fun I'd had were with my friends' little girls. Adria takes great clean lined pictures and then sketches based on them. Since her subject material tends to be children, this makes sense. One of her sketches shows a little girl holding her hat on her head so it wouldn't blow away while she is looking down while skipping across a puddle. That little girl is now nine and not so lil anymore. Another was of lil tiny feet with corn pebble toes sticking out from under a blanket. The feet {and toes} belong to me lil'est friend (showcased in many entries here) who is now not the baby with the tiny toes, but is four (and a half, mizz debRAH).

One artist had such cool perspective that it was great to sit and talk with her. She uses her kittens as her inspiration for her pen work. Of special note was one piece drawn as tho from a mouse's perspective, looking out her home's hole at the portion of the cat's face and eye while Kittye sat waiting for the mouse to venture too close, within paw's reach.

But my fave was a grouping of work by a woman (who was not present) whose name I've forgotten {sigh. i think it was jeanette, or janette, lorman, or norman. ratz} but whose subject matter included some of my favorite objects: trees, leaves, tea cups, and swirls. Very simple, with lots of rich colors and wow! were they wonderful! I will get her name right, next time I'm in town. I thought I'd remember it.

musta been the sugar talking

eureka!

the webcam, i successfully installed it! wahootee-hoot

now if only i could figure out why and fix the damn problem with not being able to use it on AOL/AIM. which ya know, is sorta the purpose for a webcam. mostly i use mine to take still shots of my projects, cuz most everything i make i give away and i'd like to at least have a pic in my own file of my creations!

to tessellate...

...is not naughty; tho it certainly sounds like something that you'd flirtatiously engage in with a rather intimate partner.

It actually is the fitting together of repeated shapes to form a solid pattern. Triangles, squares, and hexagons fit nice and neat with their own shapes.

However, octagons don't fit with other octagons. They do fit with squares in the spaces left as other octagons don't have the right angles to fit into the spaces, without leaving gaps.

So, I've decided to make an afghan of large hexagons. I've already used a rose skein, which made about 20 rounds, a nice size. The finished afghan will look something like this:

i'm im'ing

Well, I finally made it to a coffee shop downtown where to my delighted surprise, I discovered yet another wunnerfullest thing about my rebuilt laptop...it has the wireless chip! So I can connect without yet another pesky ol' wire {yea! i'm all about saving the ports}. Whatta jaw-dropper, eh?

After I caught up with the proprietor (again, i apologize for letting so many months go by without coming in to read my reads and write my writes and drink my drinks and haunt my haunts; please accept my sorries! puhleeeeeeze. i beg of you {obviously, but here lately, i like stating the obvious, tis soooooooooooo reaffirming. and validating. and all that other self-talk stuff}) , I met the new barista {Andy, and he was just so very charming when called me "Miss Debra" with such respect, either I'm a great Domme, or a great Dame} and got my swe'tea wit a shot of blackberry and no ice kthanx.

Because I have dialup here at home (no digital nor broadband services are avail out here on the farm, I shit you not), I could not successfully download and install the software for the two instant messaging services I use. So since I was planning to visit with a friend and type her responses to some of her required paperwork (I type faster than I can talk, and that, my friends, is pretty damn fast) so that she won't get so confused and overwhelmed later, I thought to myself, "Self, whyn't I stop by the ol' coffee shop and download some stuff zippittee-zap fast?"

So, that's exactly what I did.

Yahoo! anci47 (cuz Anci was my name for years, and when I first signed up for Yahoo! Messenger I was working on my PhD and my student ID was dkb47, cuz dkb are my initials and i was the 47th dkb at MSU~~in hindsight, wasn't the best screenname cuz I'm not 47 nor was I born in 47 and that there 47 tends to confuse folks. but come to think of it, anci47 is a good screenname if for now other reason than it weeds out the morons. not all of them, but some)

AOL/AIM: dkb11161970 (cuz dudes, dkb are my initials and the numbers refer to my birthdate: 11/16/70. which means that this sunday i am another year older. well, that's not exactly true, cuz aging that year was gradual, like it took a whole year. not as tho it happens just all of a sudden, like POOF! ya were 37 and now, yer 38. no, what it really means is that I will have completed my 38th year and am about to embark on my 39th. and i think that is the pluperfect tense. i will have completed this coming sunday. ya just never know what sort of feats you'll find ri'icher on debra's dose)

come by and see me sometime {*wink*}

learing at the pussy

ding-ding-ding! thanks for playing along! the children's poem to which the previous post refers is Edward Lear's "The Owl and Pussycat". he's a very solemn looking man, unless he is dancing, and then let's face it, we all look a bit fey.

I

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, 'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

II

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?' They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.

III

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.' So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.

Egads! I just now discovered that The Children of the Owl and Pussy-cat starts off:

Our mother was the Pussy-cat, our father was the Owl,
And so we're partly little beasts and partly little fowl,

sharing the chucks

check it!! yournamehere shares his wit, in all its sticky goodness. {yum}

"For your birthday, your aunt gave you a maple syrup dispenser shaped like a rooster. Please write her a thank-you note: Thanks for the sticky cock."

delving in the original debra's daily dose

My friend, Brenda, whose birthday is today; had copied for me some of my old journal, the very first one I had, Debra's Daily Dose (which predates the old Debra's Dose {which is the predecessor to this one, but whose entries have been transferred and posted here}). She just sent the document to me and I was scrolling thru the old pages and dude! have I got a lil sumpin-sumpin to share with ya!! but first...

what children's poem includes these lines?

'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are, you are, you are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...and other hours too

In addition to being Veterans' Day, today is also the birthday of two very good friends. One friend is Jacki, the pamperer of the last entry. So today, after I went to my first counseling appt since August (she's back from maternity leave); I stopped by a new coffee shop and picked up some sweet potato muffins and coffee for Jacki and me and spent the afternoon visiting with Jacki. I will most likely see her tomorrow to help her complete some paperwork (dastardly government agencies.damn.sigh.doubledamn. that'd be damn.damn.). My other friend lives about six hours away, so I don't see her often. We've known each other for over twenty years, and have managed to keep up thru lots of changes, children, drama, drugs, diagnoses, disabling conditions, dudes, and ya know, other life happenings.

My father is a Viet Vet. It's been about two years since I've seen him, as I've not been out there (waving westward) and he hasn't been here recently. Altho I don't see him, I do think of him often. He has a long history with the VA, one of love/hate I'd say. He's a proud vet, even if he's not always proud of his government's actions (of comission &/or omission).

kickin' it, southern style

Today was such a good day! Lemme tellya alllllllllll about it. mmK, first, I woke up and drove myself down to the clothing give-away at my counselor's church. You'd think since I got there at 6:35am, only five minutes past the start of the event, thaat I'd've been one of the few there. You'd think wrong. There were so many people there that I just stood in the corner for a few minutes, gawking at several not-so-subtle fights, tug-o'-wars, and hissed fits. I refuse to scrabble amongst garments (or anything else), snatching them from the claws of others. If they want the articles that badly, I concede; no contest.

Since I do have an adequate closet at the moment, I mostly went thru the dresses, skirts, and dressy things. I did find a few things that just screamed "debRAH, ohhhh, DEBraaaa...you want me, you know ya do". After chatting with a few friends who organize the bi-annual event, and holding the lovely cute baby (who was the recepient of one of my baby mats), I drove to visit my friend Jacki for the required fashion-show.

One dress that I absolutely love was surprisingly long (I'm about 5'6"ish or 5'7"ish), puddling over my shoes and making me wonder if I had eaten any Alice cakes (or was it the drink she sipped that shrunk her down?). I mean the dress was sorta hippy-ish (go ask alice, i think she'll unnerstant) and that's part of its charm that captured my attention in the first place. Also for some odd reason, my breasts were smashed, overflowing the square cut bodice in an amazingly abundant display. Perhaps the designer made this dress for a tall willowy thin no-chested woman. I got curves. But I still like the dress.

There were a few denim tops that are very cute on me and one of them goes with a long rayon dress that is summery, but I'd worn it this afternoon when Jacki and I went out to eat. Another find was a very nice wool-blend navy fitted skirt. Very sophisticated.

I also did something which I've not done before: got second-hand shoes. My feet are not tiny, but they are small, with very high arches. I have trouble finding shoes that fit. I like shoes that have a bit of a heel on them, they make my pelvis/hips and lower back feel much better (odd as that sounds). But usually, I can't find dress shoes, or sandles, or actually any sort of footwear, that allows room for my high arch to fit into the shoe/boot without being so wide or several sizes larger. SO imagine my surprise when I found a great pair of leather Naturalizer's that fit perfectly!!! wahoo!

So while I was at Jacki's, we got to talking and she remembered that the other day I'd been complaining about my upper right shoulder crimping and spasming. While I was in and out of various outfits, I'd grimaced a few times. Jacki got her oils and her pallet and discovered that my entire right side from the waist up is knotted and knurled and in spasm. Alternatively, my entire left side from the waist down is in the same condition. So after a wonderful massage, she buried me under lots of warm swaddly cuddly feather ticks and cotton sheets and I slept the blissful sleep of a happy baby.

I woke wonderfully refreshed and my day continued to be fabulous. Jacki and I went for a lovely chinese dinner, with great conversation, laughs, and fabulous friendship. She treated and I drove.

Now, I'm home, freshly showered with a hot mug of tea at hand. All the clothes are put away, the shoes are scrubbed clean and treated. It's been a great day, whatta way to spend a Saturday. Grins.

cock grease, devil's delux, swagger cream, high life, lucky tiger, and layrite

Pomades, in case you aren't a Dapper Dan Man, are so plentiful that it makes me glad that I'm a woman with fewer decisions to make about grooming products. I read recently that on average women use 25 (that's twent.tee.five) products every morning in their ablutions routine. At that astonishing news, I was once again confirming that I am not the average woman. According to that, I'd be way less than the average woman. Cuz I use toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and...what else, nope. I think that's it. Less than a handful. So, that'd actually mean that I am way more than the average woman cuz it means that I don't need to make me over in order to be presentable to the rest of the world.

Now, I add another product to my morning or evening routine. Well, really, it's more like the "whenever i happen to think about it" routine because it's that time of year when my skin starts to suck all the moisture from the air and since the air is drier about now cuz the heater takes it all before my skin gets its fair share. In fact, the heater tends to suck all the air moisture and then robs my skin of its moisture too. So that means I gotta add moisture, besides just using a humidifier (cuz my lungs need some moisture in the air that is breathed, too).

I love Paradise Gold's Cocoa Butter Premium Cream with Shea Butter & Vitamin E and Elastin and Glycerin that is available at Walgreen's for a few bucks. My skin sucks it up and sighs before bursting into glorious song. It's thick and buttery, while being non-greasy; it has a lovely rich cocoa scent that lingers without being overpowering; and if I liked it anymore than I already do, I'd be doing some amazingly indecent sorts of things with it and then posting pictures.

Oh, right. *blush*

free yer mind...the rest will follow

En Vogue's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind" are two of my favorites. So I was especially delighted when they guest starred on "Don't Forget the Lyrics", singing for three fabulous charities, including St. Judes and two other children's cancer foundations. One of the things that I have always liked about this group is that the girls can be extremely down-to-earth and very modest, and yet as women are so very self-confident and sexy. I've been borrowing a page from their book these past weeks, and it's been wow'ing my peeps.

{grins} *winks*

I Wrote a Good Omelet

One of my favorite poems is Nikki Giovanni's "I Wrote a Good Omelet". See if it doesn't tickle your innards, too!

"I wrote a good omelet...and ate a hot poem...after loving you
"Buttoned my car...and drove my coat home...in the rain...after loving you
"I goed on red...and stopped on green...floating somewhere in between...being here and being there...after loving you
"I rolled my bed...turned down my hair...slightly confused but...I don't care...laid out my teeth...and gargled my gown...then I stood...and laid me down...to sleep...after loving you"

ALERT: Feed me, Seymour!

Now, I've tinkered with GOOGLE Reader over the recent years and have not been able to easily access it with reliability. I think it's cuz of my dial-up. So I had also started a FeedBlitz account so that I could get my alerts from those folks that didn't use AOL/AIM journals after the whole ad-banner debacle back a couple-few years ago. Over time, I'd forgotten I had that account cuz sometimes I don't really pay much attention to certain eMail. Oooohps.

So when all of us fled AOL/AIM journals and jumped onto the blogger/blogspot bandwagon, I poked about the service and discovered that not all the folks' new entries that I followed would show up in my dashboard. Eventually, we figured out that those employing the adult content filter were left off the dashboard all together. Damn, damn, and double damn. sigh. That means that all those adultly tart sites that I keep up with are left off the radar. Sorry, pear-dude.

There are all sorts of ways to go about fixin' this. The author can add your eMail address to their list. But they can only add ten addresses to that list and for folks that have a readership more than that, well, it'd become a pesky lil popularity contest that most of us would disdain on principle. You can subscribe to various feeds &/or other services that act as a faithful Rover without the slobber on your newsprint. You can remember to actually make the rounds, going to visit the blogs you like to follow. And I'm sure there are other options that I've not yet heard or thought of. But let's ignore those, shall we?

Which made me think of...hey! I already have an account with a service that will notify me of any new entries as they are posted! I will open my eMail's inbox and Poof! there the alerts will be. Gosh, I coulda had a V8 *slamming a virtual hand to my forehead*

Just in case ya didn't know, here is the link for FeedBlitz. It's free. It's fabulous. It's freakilicious.

Well, ok. Not freakilicious. It has no taste what so ever. And I like that.

{next up: i will change my linkees to a different shade so that ya can tell when i've activated a word instead of treating my entries like a freaking treasure hunt of sorts. or not. hint: click on the word FeedBlitz.}

'tis a nonagram comin' atcha

I thought I'd share a portion of my latest crochet piece. It only took a few hours, this evening, cuz I was tinkering about with it. Since my webcam is not working, I scanned it in and selected just a bit cuz dude! my scanner is not indefinitely large enough to show the whole thing. It's a simple pattern, using double crochet as the predominate stitch. I used thread, instead of yarn. Perhaps it will make a good washcloth, dishcloth, or even a doily of sorts.

I'm fond of this pattern and have adapted it to various sizes and yarns/threads and number of sides. I like the solidness of this versus clusters like a traditional granny square technique. Image this as a larger size, with bernat's softee chunky, and you have a wonderful baby blanket which can be spread on the floor and used as a baby mat instead. Easily washable and the perfect size/shape for an infant not yet crawling but able to push themselves up far enough to scruch about some. Since babies are popping out left and right, my friends are finding these to be just the ticket. I can usually kick them out fairly quickly and so have been making a kabillion of them all summer and fall.

This one is the focus of the last entry.

Tying myself in knotty nots

Thinking my thoughts and crocheting myself into circles, octagons, hexagons, and nonagons (which is an octagon with an oohps! {which in my case is when I've added an extra cluster of stitches at the center so now I have an extra panel} such that the shape is now nine-sided instead of the standard eight) has resulted in some rather odd notions and arriving at some conclusions which I'd been considering as alternatives instead of admitting them to be the ruling reality.

I've been slowly coming to terms with some things that I'd been letting percolate in the back of my mind, but not really letting myself directly examine. Last week, I admitted that I realize that even if Scott were to be someone that I could trust again; well, truth be told, there are so many other reasons why I would not ever want to be with him again. I was settling and I deserve so much more.

Asking myself if I could ever trust him again was the wrong question. The issue of trust is huge, yes. But even more so are all the other things to consider. Old habits die hard, and after all that time of holding myself back so that I didn't leave him too far behind; after having made all sorts of excuses and explaining reasons and giving defenses for that him...well, I realize that all those things were to talk myself into being with him. It is very hard not to continue to pull out all those explanations and excuses I've made for him and not buy into them myself anymore.

Cuz let's face it, there is no reason for me to do that. There never was.

It's taken me some time to get there, but it is a very obvious conclusion that just smacks me about the head. Repeatedly. The best part is that I'm getting there, to that realization, on my own. So it's not like I feel like someone else is persuading me.

Realizing that for myself, admitting that allows me to let go.

Which brings me to the next point, which is seeing me as me and not defining myself as fulfilling a supporting role. There is lots to see and lots I don't know about me and some discoveries to make. There are lots of unknowns and it can be overwhelming, and scary; but also very exhilerating and freeing. Not holding myself back so that I don't outshine and outsmart him is so very liberating.

While coming to terms with what is not is not quite the same as coming to terms with what is; I do feel that I am less constrained. Now, I can breathe.

Thanks for being so accepting, supportive, encouraging, and understanding as I continue to go thru this transitioning from who I tried to be for someone who never deserved me to being me.

proud november baby

since 1970

donkeys...

...the official asscot!

from my newbie post in the "book chat" group on Shelfari

newbie, me!

hi! i recently discovered shelfari and am glad to be here! i do not remember a time when i didn't read, altho i'm sure i was not born doing so. as a child, i'd read the cereal boxes, aloud. i'd read the road signs, aloud. i'd read ev.ree.thing, aloud. mom eventually got me to understand that she'd trust that i really could read, and didn't have to read aloud to convince her. i do love to reread certain books, and i don't really own as many books as i'd like to (but then again, who does?). i don't really understand how it is that someone could not like to read, altho i do know quite a few folk that fit that bill. bookmarks? well, it depends on what i'm reading and where. sometimes i use greeting cards or postcards that friends have sent to me. for awhile i used wallpaper strips, but some of those have gummy adhesive and that's not a great idea when paper is involved. sometimes i use the public library's check out list of due dates. there is a book of quotations that i have on the washer, in the bathroom, and i've been using a sheet of toilet paper (unused of course, cuz ewwwwww). i read everywhere. i used to read while commuting, but eventually i stopped doing that cuz it scared my passengers. grins, debra

do yer duty!

Whilst visiting with my Friend and her girls, and some other friends, we adults got to talking about tomorrow's vote. The general consensus seemed to be: can't wait til the damn day is over and the relentless campaigning goes away, dammit. One rather self-important man was waxing about how we all each and ev'er one of us'ns ought to do our duty and get out there and vote, after all it's a gawdah given right. I was actually beginning to hear extremely patriotic music as his speech began to take on the thundering proportions that only the self-righteous can manage to carry off with such penache; when all of a sudden a lil four (and a half, mizz debRAH) voice piped up, "do yer doody? why's that man talkin' bout poop, mama?"

Why, indeed!

where my stitches be at

My webcam is not currently working, so I am unable to take a pic and show you the loveliness that these here lil hands hath wrought. But I can describe the rather humorous cat-fight resulting from my presentation of a huge queen-sized {that'd be queen sized mattress, not a slight regarding anyone's size...cuz tho they be queens, they be svelte} octagonal deep dark purple with light soft lavendar trim afghan, but I won't.

Let's just say that I was feeling the love.

me & my mantourage

Yeah, so I've always felt that certain men put me on a pedestal {in order to gawk up my skirts} and today I received confirmation that indeed, I do have the power! Fellowette bloggeire Kathy over at Flamingo Row sent me an audio card with the righteous message and strong beat along with lovely soothing chamomile tea and a very special issue of Crochet Today. And best of all, she sent this for no particular reason other than I rock!

And sometimes roll right off the pedestal.

Thanks so very much, Kathy; you the woo-wooman!

shelFARi

Oh, blame it on Nutella, tis all her fault. She introduced me to Shelfari and that was days ago. I've been going thru my bookshelf here next to my computer, and then going thru my leaky memory, and then going thru a posted list and then...well, I may have been going overboard with it, but if you go peak at Shelfari, you might fall in love too.

Currently listening to....

...The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon is keeping my mind a bit occupied whilst I finish crocheting this purple octagon throw. If I get my webcam successfully installed, I'll post pix. Don't hold your breath tho, cuz installing my webcam thus far? No joy.

Diggin' the digs

I've been toodeling about, playing around with this here new home of mine. There are some features which I really really like, some I really like, some I like, and some I don't. With that in mind, I will share with you some of my findings over the next several entries, or days, or weeks, or what not. Some may be blatantly obvious, some may be uberkewl, some may be relevant or not. Hopefully it will be useful and barring that, just a bit funny.

Of those features I don't like is the fact that I'm not able to read the updated posts in my dashboard of all those I follow. I had thought that was because some of them have enacted the adult content filter. But Mary Jo {*blowing kisses*, hiya, nutella!!}, over there From the Edge of Dementia, recently removed the adult content filter and has posted several entries since; but I'm still not getting the updated entries on my dashboard.

So, I asked her to add my address to her list so that I receive her entries in my eMail as she publishes. The only problem with that solution is that there is a ten address limit. I wonder if anyone else is not receiving notices of new posts on their dashboards. Lemme know what you think!

colder than a witches's titmouse

Damn, but I wish my webcam worked cuz dude! I'm all bundled up, complete with my double-brimmed thick fuzzy pinkish hat with lots of various dreds, including the condom I knit last year. You'd think I was nanook of the north instead of a whiner living in Mississippi. Some of you may remember The Hat, and yes, the condom is a thick fuzzy pinkish ... well, let's just say that it blends. Oh how picturesque.

This evening, I was visiting with the Vs and some other Friends, including my lil'est one, who just tickles me pinkish. She is now four (and a half, Mizz DebRAH) and is in the hilarious story telling phase when not much of the story makes sense but she is laughing hysterically and that in itself is rather infectious. Whatta card. One of the best things tho is how she greets me with enthusiastic squeals, huge grins, and flings herself at me (trusting that I will catch her, always). She makes even my worst days feel better. Case in point, three days after this whole thing with Shitt hit the fan back in July, I had stopped to see my friend (the lil'st's mother). I was in tears and my friend had yet to learn what happened or why I was a complete wreck. I didn't want to upset the girls, so I stayed out on the front porch; however, my lil'est friend came out, with a solemn face and wrapped her arms around my legs and smooshed her face into my waist and held on tightly. I gave her a big hug and she whispered, "Mizz DebRAH, be better" and gave me the be-better kiss on my chin. Even tho my heart was hurting, my lips lifted in a smile, cuz compassion comes in all sizes.

Well, tonight, when I got home from the Vs, several surprises awaited. First, Bonnie from Rochester (about whom I wrote yesterday) had sent a package and wow! there it was!! I have yet to open it, but I am certain it holds furrbee treats!! Second, my door's fixed! Yea! This meant that I could actually use my front door to come into the house instead of stumbling around back and struggling with the back door, in the process falling off the landing and bruising various parts of my person like a drunken sailor listing to port. Thirdly, the IRS had sent a lovely letter which at first put the fear of God into my cold lil heart, til I realized that Dude! all they want is a minor form relating to the whole stimulus check thing from a ways back. My cold lil heart thawed and actually began to sing hosannas.

and Yes, dammit, it is cold. By anyone's standards. Let alone by Mississippians'.

Be better, babies.

g'day, eh?

Thursday the postal dude came whilst I was showering so he left the peach pick-up slip in the box and bright and early on Friday I was at the post office, giddily receiving my gift which was bubble wrapped in layers with additional padding and came to me in a clever disguised box that advertised Great Value Spring Water {three (3) one (1) gallon jugs}. Friday afternoon was spent gawking, examining, poking, opening, attaching, etc all manner of software and hardware and other lovely features that my newst gift of a laptop contains. There are some wonderfully familiar features and some I'd not seen before. I've been taking my time and being very careful checking out the new stuff.

Over all, LUV.IT. There are doos and dads and thingies and mah-jiggies and ooohs and aaahs aplenty! It's like my birthday and christmas {for the next five years} all rolled into one.

The only difficulty I have at this moment (and for the last several days) is successfully downloading software and installing hardware. I'm sure that I will unravel that snag tho. So no major worries, just yet.

Today, I did manage to install my copier/printer/scanner; rearrange and edit my account with photobucket; and change the layout, format, color scheme, and such on blogger. Yesterday, I did visit some folks at their new diggs and catch up on my eMail. Hopefully, within the next few days, I will be able to make the rest of my delayed rounds and also install my webcam, download messenger, and such.

In the mail yesterday, a warmly wonderful woman who has made brief appearances in my writings in the past had sent me a rather substantial money order and a lovely card of thanks featuring Pooh-Bear. Bonnie is one of the women for whom I made several hats last winter, so you may remember her from then. Or you may be familiar with the journals that her husband Walt had maintained. Walt always wrote as tho it were both he and she sharing and would often read aloud to Bonnie items of interest. Bonnie doesn't use the computer, but has many friends thru the online world Walt visited often. Walt died last year, and is sorely missed by many. Bonnie has continued to be a great friend thru regular mail and lately via telephone {as many of you know, for the better part of five years I avoided interaction via telephone, setting the ringer in the off position on a permanent basis...however, a few months ago, I began to use the phone more often and am now able to leave the ringer on most times}. Bonnie is my furrbees fairae godmother, sending treats and such for them on a regular basis. She is an amazingly compassionate and caring woman who is so very giving and to whom I owe a great many thanks and much appreciation.

I've been so very fortunate in friendships such as this!

farewell, flpl; welcome, from my home on the farm

Hello, my peoples!!

I am typing this from my home, my new gift is wonderful! I haven't yet checked everything out with it just yet, but I have discovered some features such as twice as many USB ports as I'd had, along with built-in microphone, a wide range of ports and devices for dvds, cds, disks, etc. wahoo! perhaps one of the coolest things I can think of at the moment is the Mobile BackUp External Data Storage. Basically that is my ole hard drive from the original Debra's Gift {my gateway laptop that died within these last few weeks} encased in a carrying case and made accessible thru the use of additional USB cables (so those extra USB ports are put to good use). So basically, it's like two computers in one! I can access everything that was on my original gift because I have my harddrive from that laptop too! So, all my documents, software, programs, etc. is right here {I'm pointing to my right. Here.}

I've got lots and lots to learn and explore and set and do and and and....wahoo!!

So for those of you who've been waiting for eMails, entries, etc from me in response to your eMails, comments, posts, etc; I'll be getting to you soon!! grins, debra

squeals, giggles, chortles, and chucks

Well, once again I am here, at the FLPL. However, this may be the last time I will be without the option of using my own computer as it is homeward bound and due perhaps tomorrow or more likely Friday. Or ya know, Saturday. Or, as much as it pains me to say, it could even be Monday. But let's all hope for tomorrow, shall we?

Yes! we shall!!

I'm absolutely ecstatic about the new and improved "Debra's Gift" (which is what I had called my original laptop cuz it was a gift to me, a huge gift, a meaningful gift, a gift of such import that I cannot fully describe my state of anguish when I didn't have access to my lovely Gift). I can hardly stand myself at the moment. Well, actually for the better part of a week now, I have been grinning manically while singing like a spoilt-child, and skipping along, swinging my bookbag (cuz of the visits to the FLPL, dudes!) like a school-girl. At any given moment, you might hear me burst into giggles and see me spinning like a whirling dervish (ya know, without the cool highhat and flowing robes).

Like I said, I can hardly stand my giddy self.

Those of you who have left comments, followed me, or are leading me astray; please know that I will begin to catch up when I have my own laptop in the next few days. Also, I will explain what NaNoWriMo means to me and all the other doings and goings on. Toodles for now!

Here, There, & Elsewhere

I've not been posting much this past month, and what posts I've entered have all seemed remarkably similar. However, I do think that toward the end of the week, I will be slipping back into my comfy routine and once again will be back to posting more frequently.

Or not.

Cuz in addition to this whole disappearing act over there in j-land, and figuring out all the newness of here in blogspot; I also just remembered that November follows October and that means that NaNoWriMo is just around the corner. More on that funky nomenclature later. For now, I must flee the local public library before my ass melds to the seat and my fingers fuse with the keyboard.

Good Day, Sunshine

Today has been a very good day. I started with a shredded tire but along came a knight in a white truck who changed it for me and got me on the road in enough time to make my appointment. Two weeks ago, while changing a different tire, I sliced my finger open and jam crammed it with all sorts of gunk, grease, dirt, dust, rubber, metal, and dog pee. It's about healed up now, but it was a bitch to clean and the dudette doc was amazed that it took her almost an hour to scrub it out. So yeah, I was pretty damn pleased when I saw the dude in the white truck.

Then, I met with some old friends whom I've not seen for awhile now. We got all caught up and time zoomed past and before we knew it, our breakfast meeting turned into a luncheon. Eventually, I tore myself away and went to the tire dude's so that he could take the small lil donut tire off and put the spare regular tire on that I usually keep on hand in the trunk. The reason I didn't ask the White Truck Dude to put the spare regular on was cuz it needed air and I didn't fancy having a matching set of shredded tires, ya know how I can be.

The Tire Dude, who is also my all around Car Dude, fixin' most any problem my fifteen year old car can have, got me all set to rights and wanna guess how much it cost me? No, really, go on, guess. Wrong! One Buck. One. O.N.E. one.

Gosh, it's been a good day.

grins.

hey! pardon me, i'm pickin' flowers here

well, here i am, at the local public library, but the end is in sight! i just found out last night that mom will be picking up my computer monday!! my computer, it died. but! mom is helping me get a new one with my old drive as an accessory! yea!!!! i'm delirious and just can't hardly stand myself. wahootee-hoot!

in a bit, i will walk uptown and to the second annual johnny cash fest (hey, pardon me, i'm pickin' flowers here). the story goes that he played in a concert here, in starkville, years and years back and then, decided to pick some flowers from someone's yard. he was arrested and jailed for it. so now, there is a call for pardon for his offense of pickin flowers.

Johnny Cash's "Starkville City Jail"
Well, I left my motel room, down at the Starkville Motel,
The town had gone to sleep and I was feelin' fairly well.
I strolled along the sidewalk 'neath the sweet magnolia trees;
I was whistlin', pickin' flowers, swayin' in the southern breeze.
I found myself surrounded; one policeman said: "That's him.
Come along, wild flower child. Don't you know that it's two a.m."
They're bound to get you.
'Cause they got a curfew.
And you go to the Starkville City jail.
Well, they threw me in the car and started driving into town;
I said: "What the hell did I do?" He said: "Shut up and sit down."
Well, they emptied out my pockets, took my pills and guitar picks
.I said: "Wait, my name is..." "Awe shut up." Well, I sure was in a fix.
The sergeant put me in a cell, then he went home for the night;
I said: "Come back here, you so and so; I ain't bein' treated right."
Well, they're bound to get you,
cause they got a curfew,
And you go to the Starkville City Jail.
I started pacin' back and forth, and now and then I'd yell,
And kick my forty dollar shoes against the steel floor of my cell.
I'd walk awhile and kick awhile, and all night nobody came.
Then I sadly remembered that they didn't even take my name.
At 8 a.m. they let me out. I said: "Gimme them things of mine!"
They gave me a sneer and a guitar pick, and a yellow dandelion.
They're bound to get you,
'cause they got a curfew,
And you go to the Starkville City Jail.

hi! hi! hi! hi! hi! 'tis me!

ssssssssttttttrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeetching...ahhhh!

transferring was lots easier than i'd thought (uhm, feared) it might be. yea!!! now, if only my laptop were to be fixed so easily. i can hope, can't i?

i'm getting a tad tired of the ol' flpl (friggen local public library, to the newbies!) but ya do whatcha gotta do.

i'm currently listening to "misquoting jesus"; currently reading "natural history of latin"; currently crocheting four baby mats/blankets (in various locations, so i can work on them no matter where i am); and watching an assortment of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas (aaaaaaaaahhh!!).

must go now. been on the public computer too long, i think. ta-ta

the meaning of it all

The weather here is lovely, one last summer splash before the fall flings itself with abandon from the trees, across the fields, down the hills, and along the winding dusting roads.  All last week and this, we've had temps in the 80s with low humidity so it actually feels pleasant and an occassional breeze refreshes and brings smiles to all of our faces.  My furrbees are loving it, they are napping in the afternoon sun and romping thru the yard in the evenings.  Nights are reserved for howling with the nocturnal critters in the light of the full moon.

I've been reading "The Natural History of Latin" while reviewing my old Latin texts.  Crocheting baby blankets/mats and tiny dresses for my Lil'est Friend's doll while listening to "The Meaning of Night" (an unusually long tale involving mid-1800's customs of English gentry, with plots of deceit, revenge, and mystery; as well as sub-plots of twists of fate).  I've been watching BBC's and A&E's VHS tapes on loan from (wait for it) the local public library {wink}.  Last night, I'd finished the Elizabeth R series with Glenda Jackson as uhm, Elizabeth.

No doubt I'll borrow a few more video and audio whilst here at the FLPL.  I'm on disk 13 of 19 of "The Meaning of Night".  But I think it won't be long before I'm thru with it as the plots have all thickened and are converging now in rather meaningful ways that are spellbinding.  I had to leave in the middle of this latest turn of events, so that I can visit a friend who is visiting for a brief time on her way thru from Shreveport, La to Huntsville, Al.  So 'b'bye' for now!

i say, "hello"

Well, it seems for the past month all I've written has either focused on the LapTop Saga or the journal transfer.  I feel like we are on the Titanic.  We know the ship is going down but the rescue boats seem inadequat.

I've been crocheting up a storm while watching movies on loan from the library &/or listening to audio books (also on loan from the library).  Last week, I sent the shawl/arm warmers/hat/net bag combo to my dear friend in Minnesota.  This week, I'm working on baby blankets/mats for several folks.  Babies are just popping out everywhere!!

I've also been using the phone way more than I have in years and years.  And years.  I do need to work on my phone etiquette some.  Cuz when it's time to go, it's time to go and I don't waste words or minutes saying "goodbye".

Goodbye.

mudd blogging

I see that AOL has partnered with Blogger to offer easy transfer of entire entries complete with comments to the Google-based blog service.  Or at least that's the idea.  Have any of you done that, a smooth transfer of files?  Was it really as simple as AOL makes it sound?

Soon it will be time for me to go mucking about.  I'm of a mind to hold out til I get my computer back, or at least wait til next week and have an idea when I'll get my baby back.  But I also realize that I gotta make a move cuz time, time, tick, tick, ticking away.

tracking the computer in the ongoing saga

Well, mom received my computer yesterday; which means today or next Tuesday, she will take it to the Dude to see what he can do.  At least that's the plan, it really depends on if he has the time now to do it or if he is backed up.  If he does have the time and is willing to take a gander, I may get it back relatively quickly (which would mean before the end of the month, with time to spare).  Depends on how much damage Earl did.

so that's that.

hey, guess where i am?!? {you got it! flpl.sigh)

This morning I went to see my GP for lots of lil things that are all taken care of now; expect the flu-shot, cuz they won't get that for another couple-few weeks.  Last night, I boxed up my computer with lots of padding and later today, I will visit the post-office and send it yonder to memom to see what she can see.  Mom has a guy in mind, who looked at their's before, so she feels pretty comfortable and is reasonably confident in his abilities and ethics.  So ya know, there is hope that I may get my computer back in zippy PRESTO! shape some day before the end of the year or the end of the decade.

I have this poem on procrastination.  I'll post it.  Perhaps tomorrow, or next week.  Or ya know, some time in the future.  Maybe.

{winks.grins}

The Friggen Local Public Library.SCREECH.

hear that "whump.whump.whump"ing sound?  that's me banging my head.  repeatedly.

long story somewhat shorter, i have my computer.  it is in much worse shape now than when i took it in.  i'd go on about it, but i'm tired of sobbing.

especially in the FLPL.

uhm, hi...? (from the local public library) onct again

Yesterday was quite the day, so lemme tell ya about some of it.  I had a bad night, Wed and Thursday started with me feeling off and not too pleasant.  My friend from this area called me to tell me that the assistant at the computer-dude's place was there and so I left my place to drive in to meet her there and such.  She has contacts and they have their fingers on the pulses of the community so she knew some stuff that I did not and wouldn't have any way to discover other than what I did (which was to contact her and ask her to put the feelers out, which she did, and rather effectively).

But on my drive in to town I had a flat.  Then I sliced my finger open on the inside edge of the hubcap while I was removing the cap from the air-stem.  The cut was deep and semi-circular and packed with grim, grit, grease, metal burrs, rubber, dirt, dust, and dog pee (dogs love tires, peeing on tires is dogs' favorite!!).

I taped some papertowels around my finger and finished what I had to do to get back on the road.  Then I drove to meet my friend at computer-dude's.  Long story somewhat shorter, I may get my computer back tomorrow, or Monday.  I'll actually believe that when it is actually in my possession.

Since a rather large confrontation (albiet very effective) occured and since I was already feeling poorly; I had a huge panic attack complete with hyperventilating, tears, sweat, blood, trembling, exploding pulses, and a throbbing headache that combined to create conditions that wore me out.  I didn't think driving was a good option at the time and so my dear friend took care of me for the rest of the afternoon.  Yeah, I'm that much fun!

We went to get my hair cut because I'd been playing hit/miss with my hair-lady (I love her!  she knows my head better than i do and still loves me anyway).  Getting my hair done always makes me feel better and my hair-lady helped me calm down and relax cuz it was very good for me to focus on lovelier things like the fact that my hair-lady is pregnant and she moved the wedding up from next summer to my birthday!!  {November 16:  see my screen id  11 16 1970}

Then, my friend and I went to my gp's to see if she could clean out my finger, cuz I simply knew that I wouldn't be able to do so effectively and my friend would stop if she thought she was hurting me.  My gp's office was closed so we went to the ER and I was ushered into a room complete with a wonderful nurse practitioner who tsk'd tsk'd and then said that she had never seen such a small wound so packed with crappy crud.  It took 45 minutes of continuous abrading to clean the majority of it and still she could not get it all.  I urged amputation at the elbow but she didn't feel like it so we ruled that option out.

After all that, I was exhausted and my friend dropped me off at my car and I drove home where I placed a few calls {HI, Kathy!!!  HI, memom!!} before watching the Damn Debate.  Afterwards, I watched "Moonstruck" which I'd never seen before and read some before fleeing to the arms of morphus.

So that was my day yesterday.  I hope to soon have my computer back, tho it may or may not be fixed.  At this point, I just want the damn thing back to me in all the pieces and parts in the right places.  More on all that later.  Perhaps this will be the last Local Public Library entry.

Hope all youse guys have a great weekend!

Sharing: A Day in the Life of Joe Republican {thanks, memom!}

Joe gets up at 6am and fills his coffee pot with water to get his day started.  The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards  While waiting for the coffee to brew, he takes his daily medications; which are safe because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.  All but $10 of his meds are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, so now Joe benefits from that too.

He prepares his breakfast of bacon and eggs.  The bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.  Oh those liberal bleeding hearts!

In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo.  His bottle is now properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents cuz some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he is putting on his body and how much it contains.  Those dratted liberal bastards.

Joe dresses, walks outside, and takes a deep breath.  The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.  Those interferring liberals.

He walks on the government-provided sidewalk to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work.  It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day.  He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays, and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards.  Joe's employer pays these standards because his employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.  If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

It is noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills.  Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.  Oh, the very nerve of those do-gooders!

Joe has to pay his Fannie-Mae underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.  Joe also forgets that in addition to his federally subsidized loans, he attended a state-funded university.  Will the benefits just never end!?!

Joe is now home from work.  He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country.  He gets in his car for the drive.  His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards to go along with the tax-payer funded roads.

He arrives at his boyhood home.  His is the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers did not want to make rural loans.  The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose in where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

Joe is happy to see his father, who is now retired.  His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so that Joe wouldn't have to.

Joe gets back in his car for the ride home and turns on the radio talk show.  The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good.  He doesn't mention that the beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit that Joe enjoys throughout his day.  Joe agrees, "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives!  After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

week two at the public library

well, currently i've still not had any response regarding my laptop and now my understanding has worn thin.  so has my amusement.  no more sighs, no more winks, no more grins.

as far as journalling goes, i may have to go visit my friend with my flash drive and set up another blog elsewhere, save my entries etc etc.  but at this point, i'm not in a huge rush because it'd just be best to know i have options at this point.

my eMail address:  dkb1116@peoplepc.com

since i am using the library at this time and do not have my own laptop, i can't bookmark anything.  so please drop me a line with your new journal's address!

thanks so much, debra