Tunes!

I have to say, I am enjoying this Christmas season! I love having the tree up, the decorations all over the house, listening to Christmas tunes.... I'm enjoying it all! Here are some tunes to enjoy!

Sting

Nat King Cole

Snoopy

Eartha Kitt

And, such a classic, no one can do it like Bing

With a name like, Fred, he had to be nice!

Mr Handsome used to work with this guy, "Fred," who is super nice. He's also an artist, who's very, very congenial and gracious. He had a big party tonight and invited a bunch of people and we went, even though it was RIGHT after work and I was very tired and oh-s0-very-full-of-pain. I forgot all about the tiredness and got to put the pain off to the side for awhile because we had a very good time!

There were lots of friendly people, plenty of delicious food, and excellent music. We had such a nice time! I wish we'd gone to other parties "Fred" and his wife "Wilma" have held, but we were too shy. We definitely missed out.

Mrs. Jones

My mom decided on my name. My dad told me he wanted to name me either Josephine, or Alexandra Bernice (Last Name that began with a C), so I could be ABC, initial-wise. Dad liked to joke, but ya never know!

Anyway, my mom named me after an actress who died yesterday: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428354/

I always thought I'd grow up to be tall, blonde, and beautiful (like my mom) or tall, brunette, and beautiful (like the actress). Nope. Ah, well!

Do you know who you were named after?

Details

Here are some close-ups of our Christmas decorations.

A tiny little creche on the mantle:

This church just glows at night:

These birds are HEAVY, actually. They're really cute, though, and they've got GLITTER on their wings!
The snowman is absolutely covered in glitter. I love GLITTER!
The skating pond with the old metal people. The pond is really too small.and, of course, the Santa Head.

Santa and his sleigh (Rudolph is at the front, I'm just not a very good photographer!):

This is a little arrangement on one of our bookcases (another GLITTERy snowman!). The little cardinals in the little nest are so dang cute!
I hung some ornaments from the chandelier. You can see, through the french doors, the path that Mr Handsome shoveled to get to the bird feeders.
This bird (who has GLITTER on her wings) is in our little "powder room."

Mr President is with a bunch of angels on the kitchen windowsill.

That's it for now! My cold is back with a vengance, I can't call in sick, though I REALLY want to, and I gotta go to work.

the Past

I saw this ad today.

For some reason, she makes me think of what I'd have looked like, in my early 20's, had I procreated with a guy I was seeing at the time, a guy I'll call

She looks strong and competent, if not happy. The kid looks content. My life, my self, my everything, would be soooooo different if I'd had a kid. But he definitely was NOT the right guy to be the father of MY spawn. No way. Nice enough guy, but he did prefer the ganja to the job. He was smart, attractive, clever, tall, funny, lots of really good things. But not reliable. Not willing to make sacrifices for anyone or anything, including the kid he had from a previous marriage. So. It was a no go, in all ways, eventually.

When I was a little girl, I just assumed I'd have kids, like "all" women did. As I grew up, I realized I had choices and didn't HAVE to grow a human in my body. I didn't HAVE to spread the miserable health issues my family deals with to another person. I didn't HAVE to risk giving someone a health situation that would make his (and other people's) life a living hell. I could remain child-free; it was MY choice! YAY!

Still, I occasionally feel that kick in my uterus, that baby hunger, that deep in the marrow desire to reproduce. Thank god it passes quickly. I genuinely feel sorry for women who feel that need all the time and are unable to conceive. And now I'm really getting to be too old. My eggs are old. Much bigger risk of even more health issues for the kid.

Mr. Handsome, who had an idyllic childhood, could never give me a "Yes, I do" or "No, I don't" answer to the kid question, in the past. Now, he's sure he doesn't want one. So that's a relief. And he's not worried about what might-have-beens. He says, "We didn't have any, we don't want them now, that's the way it is." I love that about him (amongst many, many other reasons), that he doesn't dwell on the past, on what might-have-been, on regrets.

Christmas decorations

We got our tree a couple of weeks ago, the earliest I think Mr Handsome and I have ever festive-ized the house!

Here's our tree:

Here's our mantle, with a little town and a skating pond on it:

Another view:

The full effect!

And the whole room!

More details and more rooms later, maybe - I'm late-ish for work again. And it's slippery outside so it'll take longer.

snow and ice

There's a thick crust of ice on the snow now, after the big storm we got last night. More snow is on the way. It's Blizzard Time!

I think I'll walk to work - good exercise and I don't have to worry about crashing the car. I've been caught up in worrying lately. At work last week, I mae a stuuuuupid mistake and couldn't figure out how to fix it. My coworker was trying to help, but I just kept getting more and more frustrated to the point where she actually said "you need to calm down." Which, of course, is very embarrassing and never works. It just adds another layer of anxiety. I felt (and still feel) so guilty that this very preggers woman, with two little children (and a rather gormless hubby) at home waiting for her, stayed with me to the bitter end of this stupid debacle. She had it figured out - I still am somewhat confused. I'm embarrassed and ashamed. Of course, it's all ancient history now, so I'm gonna just try to let that go.

I've got a beloved friend who is in such a dark place, suicidal. I can't help, I can't be there - all I can do is let him know he's loved and there are people who would be so sad if he wasn't on this earth. Not enough, not enough.... I wish there was something I could do. I'm glad he's at least trying to get help, though, with a therapist and pharma magic. But he says it's not helping.

I'm late for work. Gotta go. It's a cold, dark day.
~~~
Ok, I had to share this, silly though it is - I'm at work, had to drive to be on time (make-up did NOT work today, had to fix, took lots of time, grrrr) so didn't get any exercise, but then I was shoveling the icy slushy snow from the store's sidewalks. A kind angel had shoveled once, but it needed it again. So, I shoveled, got all hot and sweaty, took off my sweater to cool down and my bra broke. I'm going to have to be braless at the bookstore today. My C-cups don't like to be unsupported. Luckily, I have a big scarf, so I'll be somewhat camoflaged.
Actually, it's pretty comfy!

Random ramblings

I have a head cold and have probably spread it around most of lower West Michigan and now it's expanded into my chest and I keep waking myself up by coughing up a lung. I'm just whining - it'll pass, it's just a cold.

The dining room project moved along really well when we got Joe to work for us! Now, it's stalled again. We're waiting for a professional painter because there's also some plaster work to do. Here's what it looks like now, from where I sit typing:

Look at all the extra light! It's wonderful! It's like a wall of windows! I mean, it's not, but it feels like it. Now, we have to choose paint color and that's gonna be a battle. He wants white, I want color. How to compromise (he thinks pale colors are "wimpy.)? The kitties don't give a rip about paint color; they just love looking outside!

On other topics, I still haven't started doing anything about my excessive bulk. Sis gave me a VERY generous gift certificate to the yoga studio of my choice, right down the block from the bookstore, even, but I haven't started going yet. I WILL go in January, when they've got their new session starting.

Here's an outfit that I wasn't totally hot for, but it was comfy and I love the skirt. I didn't realize how chopped up the blouse makes it look. Next time, I'll stick with a sweater.


I look so CHUNKY! I keep forgetting that I actually AM chunky. I look skinnier in the mirrors at home than I do in photos or in mirrors elsewhere. When I go shopping, I'm continually shocked at how chubby I am in the store mirrors. And, let's face it, stores do NOT have "fat" mirrors (y'know, the kind of mirror that distorts your image, making you look wider). Also, AAAAAGH! MY HAIR! I'm growing it out, which is a VERY slow process with my hair, and it's at a very unflattering length. I'm growing out layers from the Posh Bob and it's taking forever. patience patience patience....


Today, Mr Handsome and I are going to go out with some friends to cut down our Christmas tree! I'm looking forward to decorating the house - it's so cheery when it's all decorated and festive! Bubba loves the tree, too!

clean it up

I've got my bookclub coming over tomorrow night and the house is still completely messy from the ongoing dining room renovation. I just haven't had the gumption to clean. Better get started, though! Cleaning, purging and organizing my stuff really helps me feel more in control of ALL areas of my life and helps stave off the Black Dog of depression that trots ever-so-loyally by my side.

Also, I'm going to decorate for the holidays! Not earth-shaking news, no..., probably super boring to lots of people, but I'm hoping it, too, will help to just cheer us both the hell up. With Mr. Handsome's "sabbatical" ongoing (probably not over until after the new year(!)), we genuinely need all the help we can get.

So, I better get to work. Any suggestions for organizing, etc. are WELCOME!

cheating or lazy? you decide!

Here's a time-waster for ya. I betcha it'll make ya laugh, though!

Literal Music Videos

Perspective

I find it very easy to get all depressed about my weight, hair, clothes, skin, blah, blah, blah. This post (thanks, C. Parker!) puts things in perspective.
Starlet Showcase

Seriously, click on that link, read his post. It's a good one.

Some days...

... this is just exACTly how I feel.



see more Lolcats and funny pictures


I just want to stay in and read, watch DVDs, troll the 'net, ignore the phone, isolate myself from human contact at all.

Probably not a good thing....

Halloween

We were so busy at the store on Halloween, I was too tired to go out afterwards and party. Darn it! I'm mad at myself for that, but, geez, I was completely exhausted. I did have a cute costume, though, completely homemade.





Poet Boy went as a hippie, courtesy of my dashiki, rose-colored glasses and necklaces, Gina went as a milkmaid (albeit a 5 months preggers one), and I'm a kitty cat! My face looks weird in the group photo, 'cause some customers walked in right then!
We had a Halloween Party for kids and there were probably 50 kids there, with their attendant grown-ups. Our little store was a vortex of chaos! Yowza! We felt quite shell-shocked when it was all over, and there was nothing left but cupcake and sprinkle crumbs ground into the carpet. Little monsters....

I've realized (kind of more like a sledgehammer-to-the-head than a lightbulb moment) that work is absolutely consuming me. I'm working from home, I'm dreaming of work, I'm thinking about it ALL the time. I know this is temporary, until Book Doctor is recovered (she's back in the hospital, after being out for a day and half), but that will be months. I MUST find a way to balance my life! To get a life, outside of work. I need more hobbies than just reading and watching DVDs, that's for sure.

Time Travel

The Book Doctor has been in the hospital all month, mostly in Critical Care. She just got to go home yesterday night (yesternight? Why isn't that a word?). We actually were worried she might not pull through, she was so sick. Here's hoping her recovery goes smoothly!
I've been extra busy, making sure the bookstore keeps going smoothly, so haven't posted like a good li'l blogger. But here're some Chi-town pics! From way back in September! Woo hoo! Time Travel!

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which has really grown since I was a kid!







Here we are at the Face Fountain thing at Millenium Park



I, of course, had to primp, and played around with some makeup and hair with Sis, too!




Then, we all went out to dinner and the place had a GREAT pool table!


Most of these pics are from my iPh0ne, so they're not great (low light). I'll get more up and more news, soon.

wasting time or being creative?

I just spent about a half hour designing a mug on an online "design your own" site with the sexy reader here and a quote from Louisa May Alcott ("She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain.") but wound up not buying my own, very cool, design. I'm just too damn cheap. But I think this shows that we all have a need to create SOMETHING.

I've been knitting, not very well, for a while now. I really enjoy it! I love my rectangles! I just learned how to crochet in a circle, so I'm very excited about this. I've been making these little magnets, using a half-marble (or "Floral Gem"), a small image and a magnet; I'm ridiculously proud of them! I've been refining the process so they look pretty darn good and I can make them pretty quickly. It's fun! And it's so much fun to give them away!

What are you creating recently?

We're havin' a heat wave, a tropical heat wave

Marilyn is indisputably a hottie, but not a singer. Nope. Look at the backup dancer dudes, though. humma humma! Interesting how backup boys these days are all waxed to porcelain smoothness. Back then, they were allowed chest hair.


I have Hugh Jackman on the brain today.



Today was WARM! It almost got up to 70, after several days of struggling to get to 60. I was super chilly this morning, so put on many layers: tights, leggings, tee, thick turtleneck tunic, ankle boots. Ok, I did look adorable. Except for my hair. Cali Girl!!! CALI GIRL!!! When are you coming to MI again?!? I truly need you. I'll pay for your skill with hair and looks in general .


Mr. Handsome and Joe have almost finished the Dining Room Makeover of 2009! Woo Hoo! Gotta go get ready for dinner, though. Yummy casserole, white wine, crisp Cortland apples... nice. Staying cheerful, staying positive, keepin' on, keepin' on!

Halloween is coming!

I need a comfy, modest, easy-to-move-in costume to wear during work on Halloween. We have an all-day party that day for the kiddoes. I was thinking I'd wear my fleece, one-piece, footed jammies with a white-blond wig and call myself a cloud. But the one-piece thing kinda hugs my chub, making me look very voluptuous and kinda sexy for the kids' party. Unlike this slim and tall girl.

So, that's out. Though it might help sell books. To the dads. heh. No. So, I need a costume.


I read about this: "Wear a white tee with a yellow circle painted or appliqued on, with devil horns and tail. Devilled egg!" See, I looooove devilled eggs and there's a restaurant down the street that I'm always busking for, pushing their devilled eggs. It'll be perfect!
Here's Gwennie, wearing a fried egg. Cute!



When I was recently at Goodwill, I thought about copying a baby costume. A skunk. A black tee with a white circle on the chest, a white stripe down the back, black sweats and a white tail, little black ears. That's a lot of sewing, though.

I love love LOVE this costume.

But I have to be able to move freely, so it's out. Bummer! So cute!

I also can't be scary. Gina was scary last year. Mrs. Dracula. A GREAT costume, but too scary. I was a poodle-skirted '50's girl Boring. Had a wig, though! Love wigs!

insomnia

So, the insomnia is back in force. Bummer. Lots going on!
* going for a dawn-time walk with my friend, Cinnamon, tomorrow morning. will bring camera.
* Book Doctor has been in the ICU for over a week, ever since we got back from the Trade Show. She's terribly, terribly ill. I'm so very worried! And I don't want to let anything (bills, events, commitments, adverts, etc) slip through the cracks while she's gone. But I don't know what-all she has going on! yikes!
* extra hours at the bookstore to do my best to make sure the bookstore keeps going
* back to eating WAAAAAAY too much junk.


On a random note, I looooove this book.

Saturday

After many days of rain, the sun is so bright and clear and LOUD this morning! I wish I didn't have to work. But then I'd have to do chores. I have to do chores at some point. The dust is so thick, the cats need moon boots to get around. Everything is just so CLUTTERED, what with all the construction being mid-process. It'll be great when it's done.
My camera's battery is hungry and I keep forgetting to charge it. I don't know when I'll have more pics to post.
I absolutely can NOT be late for work today, so I'm gonna run.
Have a beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful, lovely Saturday!

Teapot

I was just going to read all day today. It's rainy and chilly (55F) and dark; perfect for just cuddling up with the kitties and reading. For some reason, I decided to go Thrifting! I was on a Mission: A teapot and/or a vanity/stand mirror (preferably double-sided). I did find a mirror, but it was broken. sad.
I went to three places and DID find the PERFECT teapot! I know it as a French Teapot, one with a lined cozy. Those are pictures of a French or Salam teapot, similar to what I found:
"The Salam teapot was first produced in 1953 by french silversmith Guy Degrenne. It's made of double-walled bone china, and insulated by a felt-lined stainless steel cozy which fits over it like a sleeve."

Mine has a cozy made of some kind of metal, painted with white/cream enamel, to match the teapot. These puppies retail for over $30. I got mine at GW for $1.99! WHEE!!! I'lve wanted one for years, ever since I worked at Marshall Field's (now M@cy's). I loved them, coveted them, but couldn't rationalize spending what amounts to a nice dinner out on a teapot. So, now I've got one, for less than lunch!




I made a tea cozy, themed on the famous ostrich-feather-dress-dance, in Top Hat, for Sis. Sis, do you have a picture? I'm proud of that tea cozy, made large to accomodate any pot, out of white fleece for good heat retention and beauty, with feather dress, shoes, hair, tuxedo, hat, and safety-pinned on for easy cleaning! It's the only teacozy I've ever made. Mr. Handsome made us a tea cozy from an old, worn-out down comforter - it keeps things HOT! It's just a teesy bit snug, for most pots, is the thing. Right now, at this VERY moment, I'm using my French teapot AND Mr Handsome's tea cozy. A good day for hot tea!

I love making things, 'specially when they're JUST RIGHT . I just made Ma Handsome a push-pin topped with one of her grandchildren's photo. She actually didn't recognize the tot at ALL, thought it might be a pic of ME! This is a kid she's seen weekly for over seven years. Anyhoo, I was planning on making her a bunch of them for Christmas, but now I'm not sure! Maybe I'll still do it and lable them for her. Maybe, being out of context, the photos mystify her.

Anyhoo, here's a link to something similar to what I made for her. I just glued a card-board-backed-pic to a pushpin. I didn't add the glass marble.
I did make some magnets out of those half-marbles, though, for the store, with pictures of writers or sexy readers, etc.. I gave 'em away. They were my first batch and weren't very good. The next batch, maybe I'll charge a fee.


This was a popular magnet!


Should I make some and give them away for Christmas?

Gone for the weekend

So, I recently had a fibromyalgia flare-up that really brought me low for days. I'm going to Cleveland for a book show and am kinda worried (ok, downright frightened) that it's gonna knock me down hard. I'm doing all the driving. Why did I volunteer for that, WHY?!? Then, I work on Monday, too (we used to be closed on Mondays), so no rest for days. I'm kinda freaking out. But, at the same time, I'm just focusing on getting through it, taking massive amounts of ibuprofen (I've reduced my medication dosage to stretch it out since we don't have insurance right now what with Mr Handsome being laid off - boy, can I ever tell that that medication WORKS!), and trying to stay mentally "up." It's a challenge.
I'll be gone all weekend and probably won't post from the road (even though I've got the G3), but wanted to just give a quick little post. More to come next week!

kitty bed

I must take knitting classes. I MUST! Because I want, no, I NEED to make a bunch of these for gifts for Linda and John's cats, The Blonde and Bryan's cats, Karen and Joe's cats, Book Doctor's cat (Stamp, the bookstore cat who refuses to let anyone but Book Doctor touch her), Lima's sweet little Yorkie (Hi Madison!), Mrs Puffy-Thing-In-The-Sky's cats, and of course, OUR kitties!

Links to come, maybe, but it's dinner time.

Mild Monday

Here are some fun pics to start the week with!


An important concept to keep in mind! We are (at least mostly) in control of our own happiness.

Heroes is almost back and hockey season is here SOON!

Kitties love books!

So does Darth!

Speaks for itself, I think!

Birthday!

Today is my birthday and I'm in CHICAGO with Sis and SpyMaster and Mr. Handsome! I'll have pictures later.

My present to you is to have you open this site and enjoy the funniness. It's my birthday. I'll have chocolate!

(cake credit)