Good morning! I’ve had half a pot of coffee so I’m frisky. I’ll see to getting the New Specs Pic taken. I am not thrilled with the frames; I like my old ones better. But both the guy at the optical shop and husband think they look better on me. I guess I have a skewed notion of what I look like. Wouldn’t surprise me.
Today it looks like rain and I’m going to lose the husband all day becuase he’s going to help his brother move. This is semi-good news in that I have Brokeback Mountain here burning a hole in its Netflix envelope and he has announded in No Uncertain Terms that he’s not interested in watching it. :rolleyes:
Girl Cherry now has whatever crud is going through our house and sounds like Lauren Bacall if she drank a quart of bourbon, smoked a pack of cigarettes and swallowed a pack of razor blades… Late at night. After not sleeping for three days.
Now, now Rifty, it’s not a competition. No one “wins” around here.
Everyone just tries to be as good as me. That’s all.
Words. I love words. They are so neat.
Why “communion”? Let’s break the word down, shall we? Yes, we shall.
Firstly there’s “comm”. That means “talk”. Or something. The “Comm Officer” has the walkie talkie, so that would be the “Talking Officer”, so “comm” = “talk”.
Then there’s “un”, which means “not”. Unfun things are not fun. so “un” = “not”.
Nextly, and lastly there’s “ion”. That’s unexpected. “An atom or a group of atoms that has acquired a net electric charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons.” Huh. I didn’t see that coming. Missing electrons.
So let’s put it all together and see what we get:
“talk” + “not” + “missing electrons”
“Communion” means “Don’t talk about the missing electrons.”
Words are neat.
Maybe it is. Maybe it’s not. You never can tell about these things. (But that pesky Skip tries to feed the ubiquitous things. Can you imagine? Encouraging the behaviour? Me neither.)
Hey, I feed the wildlife too. The hubby and I used to do a lot of backpacking. Who wouldn’t with all the beautiful mountains and stuff we have here?
At any rate, I always, always, always packed gorp (trail mix). I love trail mix. I would always bring a couple of different kinds along. The hubby always complained about me bringing my 20 lbs of trail mix. It wasn’t twenty pounds and I don’t know why he griped anyway, because I’m the one who carried it in my backpack. We always hiked way, way in because we enjoyed the solitude and not running into too many people.
So, we would arrive at our chosen destination and set up camp. It never failed, there were always tons of camp robbers (some kind of bird, I don’t know the real name; we just called them that) and chipmunks. They weren’t afraid of us either. As I would sit there munching on trail mix, the little critters would start edging up to me. I always sat very still (except to move trail mix to my mouth) and quietly. Pretty soon, there would be a chipmunk sitting at my feet chattering at me. So, I would feed it. Soon after the camp robbers would arrive and start hopping around my feet, so I would feed them. They always ate out of my hands. It was kind of cool.
Those critters got damn fat off of my trail mix. This happened every time we went backpacking. We even have a couple of photographs of them eating out of my hands.
So, don’t pick on poor Skip, he’s just communing with nature and sharing his bounty.
I’ve been a busy bee today. I got up, drank coffee, read two papers, ran to UPS some paperwork off (I missed yesterday’s pickup), ran to the bank to pay a couple of bills, ran to the grocery store, and am fixing to do some other things.
Tonight I’m making meatloaf for dinner. I haven’t made it in ages and it just sounded tasty and comforting.
I’m feeling slightly peckish (heh) and am thinking that perhaps I should eat something. This morning’s banana just didn’t do it for me.
I can’t wait to hear all about the Toronto mini-dopefest.
I think I’ll cruise the Dope for awhile and then rustle me up some food.
I’m back from class and stuff. And I’m starting to put together my studio in the laundry room. Sorta. We moved the work table down there and FCD sanded the top. I just finished putting plastic wood in the seams so I’ll have one relatively smooth, even surface for wedging clay. After the plastic wood dries and we sand again, and add more plastic wood if necessary, etc, after all that is done, I’ll cover the whole table top with 2 layers of canvas. Then I’ll need to clear out the area where it’s going to be stored until the studio is arranged. Which means I need to find a home for a computer and some miscellaneous stuff that’s taken up residence on the floor.
When that’s done, I’ll put the work table in place, then take all my clay stuff down there. Then I might do some hand building. Just for the heck of it.
But I’ve got about 45 minutes to kill till the plastic wood dries…
It’s a beautiful day in southern MD - a bit cooler than average, but still lovely. I have the house open, and the idiot cat has been climbing all over me and the desk. Ever since we left her alone for the long weekend we spent in FL, she seems to have developed separation issues. She’s always climbing on me or FCD. It wouldn’t be bad if she was a lap sitter, but she’s a head-butter, and an attention whore! SHes’ls in my whay as I type this. Hence the typos.
Kitty gone. No class next Sat - Tina has a prior commitment. But she’s adding a class on at the end, so we’ll get all 7 sessions. Which is good. Today I made a full-size pitcher - the biggest thing I’ve thrown so far. Next session, I’ll learn how to put a handle on it. I may try to make another one, just because.
Oh, and I’ve discovered sudoku on line. Damned addictive. Like I need more to do on line…
Ah, it’s Saturday. Nice weather outside today too, although I’m going to be spending all day inside working on one thing or another. Ah well. Occupational hazard, I suppose. Reading summaries, papers, studying for tests. All in a day’s work.
Lissla, have fun with the welbys!
Words are neat, it’s true. But I insist on talking about the missing electrons. Why, I’m positive that’s one of my rights under the First Amendment.
I can’t wait to see a picture of the pitcher when it’s done FCM.
Yesterday my daughter asked if she could get the mail because she was expecting a letter. I told her I’d get it (we have locking mail boxes). At any rate, I asked her what kind of letter and she told me she had sort of a pen pal now. Apparently, this is a person who she talks to quite a lot when she’s playing World of Warcraft. So, the letter was there and the return address was from a guy.
I was slightly worried because people of all ages play this game and I was wondering what was up. As it turns out, the guy is a supposedly 21 year old college student from somewhere in the midwest. My daughter is 16. I’m slightly skeeved at this. However, my daughter has a good head on her shoulders and I’m sure things will be fine. I didn’t read the letter, though I’m sure if I asked, my daughter would share. I did see the letter though. The writing was very neat, if tiny and there were all kinds of little drawings in the margins and stuff. It looked like he put a lot of effort into it.
What’s kind of neat about the whole thing is that people rarely write “real” letters anymore. As a kid, I had a lot of pen pals. People I’d met at summer camp and the Pacific Region YMCA high school conference, and finally through the Youth Conservation Corps. It was kind of neat exchanging letters like that and I kind of miss it. I eventually lost contact with all these people. You know, we grow up and get busy with real life.
Hubby is taking a trip to the dump. I’m glad, because there’s a ton of crap to get rid of. I should have cleaned out my fridge before he left. I always think of that AFTER he leaves, dammit.
I baked a turkey today. ACBG came over Wednesday night and got it out of the freezer and into the fridge to thaw. Why, you ask, did I do this? Because twelve people are coming for lunch tomorrow! So, the menu is turkey and dressing (had already been made and frozen, so all it needs is baking), hominy/corn casserole, asparagus, potato salad, rolls, giblet gravy (the most important part of the menu) and a choice of caramel or chocolate cake for dessert. Or both if my guests want, cause I’m all gracious like that. It’s a georgeous weekend here! Warm but not hot and a lot less humid than usual so lunch will be served on the back porch. Perhaps I should start calling it a lanai.
What a coincidence, swampy! I’ve got a turkey thawing for tomorrow. It’s going to meet its delicious end in the rotisserie tomorrow. Right now, it’s in a sink full of water.
I sanded the first application of plastic wood and filled in the remaining gaps with a second coat. When it dries, I’ll sand again, and tomorrow, I’ll put on the canvas. It’s too late to mess with it today.
Taters, if I may offer some unsolicited advice - ask your daughter about the letter - ask if she minds if you read it. I wish I’d been a little nosier about some stuff my kid was doing at that age - it might have forestalled some issues a couple of years later. Nothing terrible, but a lapse or two in judgement that we might have avoided… Take the free advice for what it’s worth. Ain’t motherhood a joy??
I’d be a little concerned, (watchful would be a better word) if a 21 year old male wanted to hang out with my 16 year old daughter–even if it is online and letters etc. Most guys that age are interested in women that age as well.
It’s raining here-right on schedule. I got up and got the grout sealed this AM; I have brownies in the oven as we speak (1/2 with nuts, 1/2 without). Went to my inlaws for a birthday lunch (pizza). It was loud and long. I love kids, but the little ones just exhaust me (I am sure to be a cantankerous old bitch in a few years).
I skipped the last few pages of MMP, sorry. Hope eveyone is well. I feel flighty and restless today–want something and not sure what it is. It’s a tad annoying, really. Off to do ? and wait for brownies to come out of the oven.
My daughter actually held the letter out to us yesterday, asking if we wanted to read it. So, I’m sure it’s not a problem.
I think I’m going to take her up on her implicit offer to read it. I’m sure it’ll be fine. She’s pretty much a homebody anyway and always asks permission to do anything, even if it’s to walk down to Starbucks for a frappaccino.
My daughter knows how both her Dad and I feel in regards to being responsible and making responsible choices. Trust me, I plan to monitor this very closely. The guy lives halfway across the country, so it’s not like he can pop in at moment’s notice. I watch her e-mail communications, so I don’t think I’ve got anything to worry about. However, that being said, it’s too easy to be complacent, so I’ll watch everything a little more closely now.
Well, I need to clean things up and start my meatloaf. I did manage to clean out the fridge and freezer before Mr. Taters took off for the dump. So, that’s done anyway.
You’ll all be shocked to know that, despite my good intentions, I did something completely different. Decided to run errands first because I had to leave by 2:30 to get to friend’s for afternoon snacks and then a gardening lecture at a nursery just east of Columbus. We had lots of fun. I only bought one plant, but drooled over several begonias, coleuses and others. I’m not allowed to do any serious plant shopping just yet (gotta finish up the beds in front, at least).
Now I’m home, listening to one of mynewCDs and thinking about what to do tonight. I’m thinking I’ll finish the book I’m reading and then get up early and clean and do laundry. I’m spending most of the day with friends, so I won’t have much time…
I’d keep an eye out for the daughter too, Taters. The guy’s probably fine, but you really can’t be too careful.
Hmmm…sounds like I will have to take some raccoon thwarting lessons before May 20 if Skip’s gonna be feeding them. Wonder if the ballroom dancing place around the corner teaches raccoon thwarting as well?
Hope everyone’s having a lovely weekend. I see FCM has been busy as usual. Turkey dinner sounds yummy.
Guess I’ll grab my book and go not talk to some missing electrons in my bed…
Brief before bed stop-in to say that both the welbys are very cool people and we had a blast. I hope they follow through on their plan to move to Toronto and open a Trader Joe’s franchise. I think it’s a great idea.
I have an annoucement to make.
This afternoon, Iam taking my 3 kids downtown to see…Spamalot.
You may all commence with envious feelings, jealous looks, expressions of longing etc.
Good morning one and all. I had a really restless night, so I’m getting a late start on the morning.
There are plans to go out on the boat, but I’m not sure how firm they are.
I talked to my daughter yesterday about the whole letter thing. She offered to let me read the letter, she offered to let me talk to him when they’re IMing or whatever. So, I don’t think I have anything to be worried about. Don’t worry, I still plan to keep a very close eye on things.
We went and saw Silent Hill last night. I can tell you right now, do not waste your money on this movie. It was duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumb. Everybody that walked out of that movie last night with us kept saying what a crappy movie it was.
Lissla, I’m glad you had a great time with the welbys. I can’t wait to hear the full report and see PICTURES.
I’m still very sleepy and the coffee isn’t waking me up. NEED TO WAKE UP!
rigs, you may rest assured that I am extremely jealous of you and your kids. I’ve heard great things about Spamalot. Say, can’t you adopt me just for today? Then I’ll be one of your kids, and you’d have to take me.
Last night I finished my final paper for my philosophy of space/time course. Well, finished is the wrong word. See, originally I had a section at the beginning briefly overviewing the history of the topic that my paper is on, and that’s all I had written going into yesterday afternoon. So I started writing more of it, but eventually I realized that there was no point in summarizing the history of it, because my professor knew it inside and out already much better than I could describe it. So I took that part out. Then I finished the paper, which means that essentially I wrote the whole thing last night.
The midterm paper had a suggested length of 8 pages. My midterm paper was 16 pages, and had 12 sources. The final paper had a suggested length of 12 pages. My final paper was 12 pages exactly (down to the last line on the page), and had 16 sources. Coincidence? I think not. Both papers are good, but I think this one is much more of a tour de force of physical analysis. Because that’s what it is - every argument I present comes straight out of a physics book. This paper even included a derivation and discussion of Einstein’s field equations.
What’s even weirder is that it took me until 3:30 am to finish the paper, and I didn’t get to bed until closer to 4. And yet, I woke up at 9 am sans probleme. I had to want to go back to bed until 10:40 or so, which I did. The last time I was up late doing the midterm paper, I tried to get up early and woke up at 4 pm. Not good. This one worked out.
Taters, your oldest Tot sounds like a very responsible and mature 16 year old. Good on you for raising her well, and good on her for being that way. And yes, I also demand pictures of Lissla and the welbys. Sounds like a band name. For that matter, so does “the Racoon Thwarters.” I know I’d buy their albums.
Then I’d play them really loudly at my campsite to, y’know, thwart racoons.
You know you’re getting old when you don’t even really know the new band names even more. You know you’re getting old when the names sound very strange to you.
How does Flogging Molly sound? This is a group my daughter listens to.
I was going to get off the computer and tidy (because Quasi-Daughter and another friend are coming soon), but Aerin has settled in my lap, and she’d upset at me for being gone all yesterday. She’s screaming reproachfully.
Flogging Molly? I’ve heard of them. Never actually listened to their music. Hell, I think band names have always been weird. Consider some examples from the 60s: The Band. The Who. It’s like an Abbott and Costello sketch waiting to happen (The Animaniacs people actually did one, with Slappy Squirrel and her nephew Skippy Squirrel at Woodstock). The Beatles? That’s not even a real word. They made it up.
