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  • Silvertree

    Mod post: No wishlist posts in blogs

    By Silvertree

    Please be aware that we do not permit swap-related content on profiles or in blogs. Please post this content only in the For Sale, Swaps, and Wanted forums, or in the Wishlists topic. ~from Swapping 101  Thanks!
    • 5 comments
    • 4,202 views
Sourball Ho!
 

The Last Ecstatic Moment with Lovely BPAL

I splurged and bought a Photoplay from November 1926 that I found in a soon-to-be-closed antique and collectibles store. I love reading the articles and ads, and there was a perfume ad for a company called "Cheramy New York: Perfumes of Youth." They must have spent a pretty penny on the ad, as almost the whole magazine is in black-and-white except for the occasional ad pages in color (the other side of the color page is Palmolive soap). The best part is the breathless prose:   The Last Ecstatic Moment with Lovely April Showers   When you have on a good-looking new frock. when you know that coiffure, make-up, and every detail is just right; when instinct tells you that admiring glances will follow as you pass; then approve the finishing touches before a long mirror and add assurance with springlike April Showers!   For April Showers, the perfume of youth, will lift imagination to heights of ecstacy -- give you joyful thrill of life and youth and conscious power .... It is a breezy fragrance; friendly -- eager -- young! You will love the rare, capricious charm of April Showers in perfumes, powders, rouges, jewel-like little compacts, and other necessary toiletries.   -----   Holy crap, where has this been all my life? I want heights of ecstasy! I need a joyful thrill of life AND youth AND conscious power. I don't even know what exactly that means, but I need it! I too want to be friendly, eager and young -- not surly, tired and old like I am now.   That does it -- I'm going to spray assurance on me and everyone else around, whether they want it sprayed on them or not. Oh, and I'm going to start saying "rouge" too.
dawndie

dawndie

0
Fishnets and Frankincense
 

Sandra Bullock's hair and other stuff

My hairdresser does have a good sense about what is trendy, because she cut my hair into this cut about a month ago, and I haven't been entirely sure about it. It's a lot healthier, but I just wasn't sure. My hair does grow really fast, especially in the summer, and now it's probably a half-inch longer. Anyway, last night I walked by the TV and there was Sandra Bullock on Leno, with my haircut. Mine needs another half-inch or so to hit the same length as Sandy, and I have sideswept bangs and she doesn't. But I'm taking in the Sandy photos at the end of this month and instructing Brandi that I want to maintain at Sandy's length. Same cut, just a bit longer.   Sandra, you probably know, went with Matthew McConaughey for quite a while. What you might not know is that her next boyfriend was that my favorite singer and designated ideal cutie-pants, Bob Schneider. I am not very jealous of her about Matthew, but about Bob, oh yeah, I'm jealous. Not really, I just say "good for you, sistah!" Then she married Jesse James, the West Coast Chopper guy. He doesn't do much for me, but I think Sandra is a biker chick at heart.   Last night I was listening to Caroline Myss, and sometimes I find her to be borderline moonbatty, but in general I really enjoy her perspective. And that perspective is looking at the intuitive, mystical side of life, as seen by a really brassy Chicago broad who doesn't mince words. I was lucky to pick out the CD that I did, because it was equivalent to getting a good lecture from a friend who pulls no punches. I am not going to lay all my garbage (or as I like to say it in this context, "garh-bhage") on you, but I really need to get my shit together. If I would detail all the complications in my life right now, you'd probably not believe me.   Caroline makes some statements that always help my perspective -- to look at the people in your life, especially those who have a great impact upon you, as someone with whom you have a sacred contract. It's not your job to figure out why they are there, or why you are there. And don't worry about your life working or not working if they are there or not there -- because you know what? You weren't born to live for them, you were born to live for yourself. And at the end of the day, if you're meant to be together, it will happen. And if you're not meant to be together, it won't happen. Simply endeavor to live out your end of the deal as well as you possibly can, giving respect to yourself first, and then to the others in your life. But don't take shit off of them if they aren't playing fair. She calls it living in the heart of the paradox, and that's very true.   Ah, should it be that easy. I'm there a lot of the time, but then there's always a person or two who are huge, huge challenges. And then I feel like I'm being eviscerated. It's such a lovely sensation. But as one of my other favorite wise women, Pema Chodron, likes to say, a lot of these really strong emotions have a shelf life of 24 to 48 hours.   So I'll wait it out, kind of like how I'm waiting for my hair to grow out to Sandra Bullock's length. Actually, I'll forget about how I'm feeling faster than my hair will grow, and I'm not upset about my hair, so what gives?
valentina

valentina

0
faedesang
 

Scratch me please..oh pllllease..

Ok, more than a single itch..how about 43 of em?(yes, i counted) Thats what i get for going canoeing and not applying Deet/Bug Off..i was a feast for many skeeters and the sad thing is I didnt even realize they were biting me. So i just got done soaking in Aveeno oatmeal bath and it does feel alot better but the urge to tear & scratch my flesh is about to drive me to the brink of madness. I was actually crying cuz it hurt so much yet I had to keep itching away. It doesnt help that most of them are in clusters around my ankles & tops of me feet. Gargh. This always happens, last year I went canoeing and got into a patch of poison ivy and was in HELL for weeks and now this. Geeez. Maybe I should stick to winter sports and spend my summers indoors knitting g-strings or something.   Reek of: Devil's Night Playin' on my ipod: "A Different Kind of Blue" Passengers
Astburygrrl

Astburygrrl

1
Shellhell - Hermetically Sealed
 

My New Grandson! Pictures!

~*~ Announcing ~*~ Ryley Norman Leach June 14,2006 8lbs 11oz. 21 inches   My first grandchild!! He is so beautiful, healthy and strong! Just Precious! I was so excited to hear that my son Jourdan and his wife Breanne, gave him the middle name that they did. It is in honour of my father whose first name is Norman. It is also my parents first great grand child as well, so that, combined with Ryley's middle name after my father, has made them as giddy as we are! My husband Bill, my other son Marshall and I drove down to be with them for a couple of days and it was such an awesome time!   Breanne was in labor for 17hrs!!! I don't know what I would have done if I would have had 17 hrs of labor and 45 minutes of it spent pushing! I am so proud of her. She was such a trooper and I know that she is going to be a really great mom!     A very tired Grandma (me) after 19 hours at the hospital!   Ryley is the most precious baby - of course I am not partial at all! He doesn't even look newborn to me with all of that hair. You can't really tell in the pictures but his hair is clear down over his ears! As for nursing, he was a hungry boy the minute he arrived and hasn't had a problem nursing at all! He loves to suck on his fingers too! He has been sleeping very well and is really easy going. It takes alot to make him upset enough to cry but once he starts, that boy has a big set of lungs on him!!!   Ryley loves to suck on as many fingers as he can get in his mouth!   I thought I was pretty prepared for Ryley's arrival but I wasn't prepared for the emotion! Just holding our beautiful grandson had me awash with so many emotions, I just sat and cried and stared at him. He is the spitting image of his father when he was a baby (except the long hair) and it was just like holding Jourdan all over again when he was a newborn! That brought back so many memories and emotion in just the one instant that I was totally overwhelmed - it was such a wonderful moment!!!     Spitting image of his father!   I can't tell you enough what a joy it is to have him here with us finally. He is going to be one spoiled baby by Grandma and Grandpa! He is so very precious!     Grandpa naps with Ryley   Uncle Marshall helps Ryley understand the finer points of WOW     The Proud Parents!   I am so proud of the kids and I know that they are going to be absolutely wonderful parents! Marshall plans on being the really fun Uncle and he just looks so natural with the ba bies! He is such a doll. Bill and I are excited for Christmas already! And now, the real fun begins!! I am so thankful for all of the people out there who sent their loving thoughts and congrats to the whole family! We are so blessed to have a healthy and happy new addition to our family and I want to thank you all for all you do and have done for me!
Rhowan

Rhowan

8
Is Anybody Out There?
 

Finals, check

I need to go see a movie this weekend. I just don't have time. My future in laws will be here next week- I'm really excited to see them. They're fantastic. We're going to have to clean a LOT before they get here, though. A LOT. I also need to see about getting my nails done, figure out what is going to be done with my hair, and figure out if we're going to have 100 guests or 10. So, the wedding will be here in a week- yay! bounce, bounce, bounce- it's finally heeeeeere!   Next up? The divorce. Not mine- my parents. Yeah, apparently my mother isn't going to do it after all. It's this whole big thing. BUT. She might be moving into our very small place. Our very small place with two cats and a housemate already... and she may bring her cat, too... I don't know. I don't have the energy to deal. My brain is fried. And I'm so freaked out about my dress... I'm really hoping it's here on monday.
smallvoice

smallvoice

0
circe_blue's Blog
 

Venting, etc.

So I think I've found a place to get my hair styled and cut. It's getting really long and icky so I'm excited to have it have some body again. I need it to be about 2.5 inches shorter and I think I want it to kinda look like this. Yes, I realize that's the girl from Final Fantasy and no, I've never played it before. The boy thinks this is hilarious because he is an avid gamer and has been telling me all along that Advent Children is a pretty movie and I'll like it. Yay, hair whoo!   *************** An old friend friended me on Facebook.com the other day. I am waaay too tired to be a Facebook elitist, so now I just re-friend anyone who asks including this guy. Anyways, I would normally think that the reason this person added me was to have his friend's list be 256,934 long or whatever the number is to beat these days. But, he also left me a message which was really nice. It was something along the lines of "we haven't talked in a while and I was just talking to so and so and I was reminded of you. What are you up to these days, etc."   The thing is, I'm not sure what to think. Our friendship did not end well. He was being what I thought (and still think) very clingy("where are you?? what are you doing?? who are you with? are you avoiding me??!") and we argued and I literally said to him to Fuck Off. Yeah, I know that wasn't very nice. But I am thinking of responding to his message, just so I can handle things more, uh, maturely this time. I'm not even sorry our friendship ended all that much. He didn't like any of my other friends so I was avoiding them to hang out with him. It was for the best, really. We spent all of our time together and I didn't like the person I was (and was becoming) when I was around him. I'm just ashamed of how it ended. I guess I have habit of burning bridges with friends. Another friend I just froze out after my sophomore year of college. And this person, we'll call her C, I've been friends with since middle school. I ended this friendship because honestly, I was getting really jealous of her and as a result I was getting depressed that I wasn't as pretty, beautiful, glamorous, wealthy, smart as she was. I got tired of being "the friend" at clubs. You know, the friend guys always target so they can get they prettier friends number out of you? I was tired of working my ass off just to get by in college while she was off jetsetting around Europe because she had a trust fund that her parents set up for her. I was jealous of how pretty she was with no effort at all while I struggled to keep my weight down. I still have all those issues actually, and thinking about them now still makes me sad. It was so hard to catch up with her during summer (she went to school in Europe) and have her go on and on about what she did that year when the only I did was work and study and try to keep afloat. I do think it was selfish of me to end that friendship the way I did. She was never anything but nice to me, but I couldn't handle my own crap and the jealousy that I felt. I'm actually thinking of contacting her again, apologizing for the way things went down and trying to be chatty again at least. I have a 5-year High School Reunion coming up this fall and I don't want to have to avoid someone because I can't handle my shit, ya know? Thing is, I don't even know if confident enough in myself to be "second fiddle" (at least in my mind) again. Anyways, my question to anyone who might be reading this long-ass post is have you ever had a situation where you just had to let a friendship go? What did you about it, if anything. Also, what do you think I should do. I guess I'm looking for advice 'cause you know, guilt agghh! *********** Geez, this was not the lighthearted entry I meant it to be. Here, I'll lighten things up a little: A man is sitting in bar when a guy with a giant, orange head comes in and sits right by him. He asks, "Hey man, what happened?" "Oh this? Well, I found this lamp and then I rubbed it. A genie came out and said I had three wishes. I asked for hot wife which is how I met her-" and he takes a photo of beautiful model out of his wallet. "And for my second wish I asked to be rich-" he then pulls out a $100 bill to pay for his drink."And for my last wish, and here is where I think I went really, horribly wrong..I asked for a giant, orange head."
circe_blue

circe_blue

0
Is Anybody Out There?
 

Eye of the Tiger

Did I mention my whole math saga yet? I mean, the latest part of it. Just for the record, I don't like doing badly. So sucking in math this quarter has been a huge strain on my anxiety. HUGE. (Learning that I might be able to draw, however, has been priceless.) And I've sucked to the point where I'm not sure if I'll be able to pull a D-, which is a .7. I was pissed at myself when I got a 3.1 out of intro to Anthropology. That's just for comparison, so the sting of this is crystal clear. Monday, my instructor showed us our grades going into the final. Mine was a .5- I could lose my financial aid if I don't get at least a .7. This sucks. SUCKS! So I go in on tuesday, absolutely flattened because there's just no way I can see I'll be able to score high enough on the final to pull a .7; no way. She comes over again and goes, "Oh, I was mistaken. THIS is actually what you have right now." And points to a 1.7. Uh, that's quite a change. It also puts me into range for pulling a 2.0, which is what I need to move past college level algebra. Most importantly, it is NOT a .5!! Holy shit.   So now I don't want to screw up my grade. I want to do well on the final, and I have no idea if I can do that or not. I'm not prepared. I know I'm going to be taking it over again, but... it'd be nice to do it because I want to, not because I have to. Y'know?
smallvoice

smallvoice

0
Do you have a flag?
 

I miss my dad.

In a couple of days it will have been one year since my dad died. This whole Father's Day thing is just going to be terrible for me forever... my dad died on June 17, his birthday was June 22, and Father's Day is always right around those days. Three whammies all at once.   Last year I brought the Father's Day card I got for him to his funeral. I had bought it before my husband and I went on a cruise to Alaska -- we arrived home on Sunday night to find out that he had died on Friday morning. The next morning we drove to Ohio for the funeral. I took the card and read it to my dad when I saw him. I wanted to put it in the casket with him but my husband didn't think I should. So now it's in the back of a picture frame, the one that holds my favorite photo of my dad from when he was about 22.   My mom is getting ready to retire and move into her parents' farmhouse -- Grandma passed away in February, and my mom is buying their property and is going to live there. So a few weekends ago my sisters and I were all going through all our old toys and stuff from school, boxing things up to take to our own houses, and my mom gave me some of my dad's and my grandparents' things. I have an apron my grandmother made, an ashtray my dad made and a bunch of his college books, my grandfather's locksmithing certificate, and a few of my other grandmother's ceramic turtles from her turtle collection. I used to have four grandparents and a father, and now all I have is a few of their things.   For the past couple of weeks I've been such a mess. No sleep, and bawling all the time. I can hardly stand to read the Confessional thread these days because whenever someone complains about their parents I just sit here and cry. And think about how much I would give to hear my dad's voice again. Yelling at me or anything, I don't care. Just to hear his voice.
filigree_shadow

filigree_shadow

3
faedesang
 

I'll take you home...

Soo yeah. I almost forgot I had a blog =0 I've been watching TLC's Take Home Chef w/ Curtis Stone and I think I'm crushin' on the guy big time. Those eyes, the messy hair, the bod.. Ok, there is the chin that i'd like to punch but other than that..he's a tasty dish. Seriously, if he ever came home with me (and i was single) I'd say "oh, can you help me get my extra pots & pans from out of my bedroom closet? That would be grrrreeat. Follow me." I swear my libido has shot thru the roof since I've been off the Pill (2 months now). It's kinda nice to actually want to have sex and not just do it to keep your boyfriend happy, ya know? That may be TMI but hell, its my blog, right? My brother is leaving on Father's Day to bring back his daughter Alyvia, from Georgia. She's going to be staying for 4-6 weeks so we'll really have alot of time to get to know her and show her around North country..lol. Taking her to Noah's Ark Waterpark, going camping, zoo visits, fishing..etc etc. She's never been outside of Atlanta and her mother is a selfish twit(and thats putting it nicely) and never takes her anywhere or buys her anything. She probably wont want to go back home cuz she's gonna get spoiled majorly here. When she turns 12 in November Georgia law allows children to decide who they want to live with...so we'll see what happens then. I'm rambling 2nite and drinking mah mojitos 12 mint leaves & half a lime crushed w/ 4 tsp sugar, add ice, add 1.5 shots rum & add club soda to top it off..absolute heaven on a hot summer night.
Astburygrrl

Astburygrrl

2
Is Anybody Out There?
 

Anxiety and wedding issues

So, my brother called me last night and announced that his mother told him that I don't have anyone helping with the wedding, so what all do we need done? Well, flowers. But it's wierd that she would say that, because all I've been hearing is that a million people have offered to help, so I set him straight on that. Flowers. Which will be the cost of the flowers themselves, but the arranging will all be free. Fine. So just now, I tell my mother what my brother told me, and she says, "Yeah, nobody's stepped forward to help." And I'm like, "Mom. Why is this the first I've heard of it? You've told me that offers of aid have been pouring in since September, so why would you now tell me that that's not the case? Why would you tell me that just 9 days before the wedding? Why???" Only not quite so dramatically. So she hems and haws and is like, "People just don't want to help anymore." Uh. Uhhhhh. Dude. My brain can't even handle this. I have my muthafuggin' math final tomorrow. No more stress. My wedding is in 9 days. No more stress. The rings arrived today and they're about two miles too wide. NO MORE STRESS!
smallvoice

smallvoice

0
Gone Batty
 

I like pie

My cafeteria manager guy rocks! A few weeks ago I asked him if it was possible to get some Boston Creme Pie (yes I do have a fixation) as one of the desserts. He said he'd check and today he told me that it will arrive on Monday!   I loves me some BCP
miss apple

miss apple

0
Fishnets and Frankincense
 

Summer wonders

It's summer! I know the solstice isn't until a week from today, but I had one marker last night and another one this morning. It's official in my world.   Last night I went outside at dusk and the fireflies are out! I'd seen one or two fireflies in the garden over the weekend, but it was during the daytime and I didn't notice them at night. Last night, at dusk, they were rising up out of the garden and twirling all over. The first sight of hundreds of fireflies waking up for the night always stops me in my tracks, because it is so gorgeous and amazing, especially living here on the prairie. We go through the harsh and barren winter, the mercurical spring, and it's hot and dry a great deal of the time in the summer, but you can go outside on summer nights and watch the stars rise in the sky and watch the fireflies repeat the act as they rise up out of the garden. It's just a miracle.   And when I walked out to check the baby cardinals in their nest this morning, I discovered that the first day lily of the year is blooming in my garden! Day lilies are named appropriately, since each lily lasts but one day, but fortunately they produce a lot of blossoms. The one that's blooming is a pink-peach color and it literally yells "summertime!"
valentina

valentina

4
cranberry's Blog
 

cordia 1 - reviewed and shipped to Spacekitty

got cordia's package #1 last week (6-3 I think) - I thought I was making progress through the imps and then I get another pack! she used a film canister to pack them and they fit perfectly! what a great idea.   contents: Aizen-Myoo - reviewed Asphodel - reviewed Blood Countess - reviewed Follow Me Boy - reviewed Hunger - reviewed Yggdrasil - already reviewed Seraphim - reviewed   ETA: yay! this is ready to send on to Spacekitty!   ETA: 6-15-06, dropped this off at the PO today, so it's on it's way to Spacekitty!
cranberry

cranberry

7
cranberry's Blog
 

travelin!

update 6-7-06   I'm heading out of town for a couple days but I'm bringing all my dupes of the imps I'm testing in the swap so I hope that I can make some progress through some of them anyway. (The originals in the swap will be sitting safely here at home, don't want to take any chances!).   I just heard from spacekitty that she dropped another 3 packages in the mail to me yesterday so it's going to be busy once I get back! wahoo!   ETA 6-13-06: got into town last night after some great fishing, but now the work begins! didn't get a chance to really test any of the imps I brought with me; I was hesitant to use oils on the boat as the salmon can smell....no shit! so - I've got lots of catching up to do! whee!   (plus when I went to the PO this morning I found anther 3 packages! )
cranberry

cranberry

0
cranberry's Blog
 

Arlykin #1 - shipped

This is last package I picked up in the mail today (6-13-06) from spacekitty. There are many in here that I don't think I have and I haven't tried yet, so this one will move more slowly.   Arylkin #1 contents: Envy - reviewed Harlot - reviewed Hesperides** - reviewed Imp** La Belle Au Bois Dormant - reviewed Laudanum** - reviewed Manila** - reviewed Shadow Witch Orchid - reviewed Zorya - reviewed *(I like this one, hang onto any imps that come my way)   6-16-06: shipped to Cordia Saturday. almost done reviewing all the oils - I've got dupes of the starred ones, so I should be able to move through these (except I just got my DM order!)
cranberry

cranberry

8
cranberry's Blog
 

Ryvre #1 - shipped to Cordia and mostly reviewed

received 6-13-06 from spacekitty.   Yet another package - I've reviewed a couple of these so that'll be good! Plus I'm pretty sure I've got most of these in my yet to be tested/reviewed imps so maybe I can move this pack along pretty quick.   Ryvre #1 contents: Aureus - already reviewed and own big bottle Baghdad - already reviewed the Black Tower** reviewed Mata Hari - reviewed Phantom Queen** - reviewed Vicomte de Valmont** Wolf's Heart - reviewed   I've got imps of the rest of these so I think this pack is ready to send along!   6-15-06: dropped this along with Ryvre 2 off at the PO to Cordia today. I've got imps of the other scents I haven't reviewed so only 3 more to go in this one.
cranberry

cranberry

6
cranberry's Blog
 

ryvre # 2 - shipped 6-15. All reviewed.

found more packages in my mail box this morning (6-13-06). this one is from Ryvre, package #2.   Contents: Come to Me* - reviewed Delphi* - reviewed Eclipse* - reviewed Fire of Love* - reviewed Saturnalia* - reviewed Van Sans Retour (bonus sniffie) reviewed via unreleased sniffing circle   ETA: I have all of these imps (and tried VSR) so I'm going to send this one along too.   ETA 6-15-06: dropped this off at the PO today, so it's heading to Cordia. I've got these all, so now I just have to test and reveiw them! I've got all my imps that I have to test due to this circle in a little baggie and I'm trying to make my way through them.   8-6-06: all reviewed finally!
cranberry

cranberry

6
Is Anybody Out There?
 

Hah!

Have you ever listened to the lyrics of "The Look" by Roxette? The boy and I just did, and they had us nearly hysterical. I don't know if it's a mis-translation or what, but it sounds exactly like they were all sitting around one day.... (fade to daydream sequence)   Band Member 1: We need to write a song! (It's in english because this is my daydream sequence) Band Member 2: Good idea! What should we write about? Band Member 1: (eating a sandwich) I'unno. Band Member 3: Well, this IS the '80s. We should write about a chick. Band Member 2: Nah, that's boring. Band Member 1: (polishes off sandwich before speaking) Let's compromise! We'll write a song about a chick based off one of these crazy-funny mad-lib things! I just got one, and there is serious hilarity potential, I'm telling you! Plus, it's always good to spur inspiration! Band Member 3: How is that a compromise? Are you stoned? Band Member 2: Does it matter? Band Member 3: ...not really. Let's get on it, then! (end daydream sequence)     Also, I'm getting married on Joss Whedon's birthday, which is hysterical to me right now. I think I'm prone to hysteria due to finals looming large. But yeah. I had no idea until today, just now, when I read the deal about Serenity being released back into theaters for charity on his birthday. Heh. That's pretty wicked. The boy snickered and said resignedly, "Figures."   Gah. Must suppress urge to spend money I don't have on stuff I don't need.   My brother's mother-in-law is going to do all our flowers at no cost. That's pretty cool. Vicki. I need to remember her name is Vicki.   Cake at no cost, flowers at no cost, hairstyle at no cost, makeup at no cost, food handling at no cost (not actual catering, but people are helping to serve punch and keep trays stocked and cake set out and whatnot), piano for when I walk at no cost, decorations at little cost, location at no cost, officiant at no cost... And I know I'm forgetting stuff. I know I sound like an incredible cheapskate, but I just have a lot of great people in my life.
smallvoice

smallvoice

5
Is Anybody Out There?
 

Getting Closer

Ten days! I'm going to be married in just ten days! That's unbelievable. I'm so excited. Despite the fact that I don't have shoes. And our rings aren't here yet. And my dress probably won't be here for about a week. ...   Anyway, we got the marriage license today. Fun stuff. It makes it all so much more real. Guh, it's going to be such a hassle to change my name. I hope it all goes smoothly. Now I'm starting to get really nervous.
smallvoice

smallvoice

0
Filling the Periodic Table
 

This week's garden update

I'm omitting pictures of my Strawberries, herbs, and the experimental tomato - they all look pretty much the same as they did last week. (The experimental tomato plant actually has a couple of teeny tiny tomatoes forming under spent blossoms)   So, without further ado...   Check out my tomato!!!! Right now, it's about the size of a large blueberry. I have a couple of other really tiny ones starting to form elsewhere as well.   The plant itself is turning into a one-plant jungle:   We had a big thunderstorm over the weekend, and the Habanero took off! Two buds are open now, I'm really looking forward to having real home-grown peppers.   My Morning Glories/Moonflowers have started actually making vines. I will be making a twine treliss for them this weekend, as soon as I'm sure where on the balcony I want them to grow.   And finally, I rescued an aloe from Lowes this weekend. It was the only one they had, there was barely any soil in the pot, the poor thing was just rattling around in the pot. It did, however, look essentially healthy, so I had to bring it home. I trimmed two of the leaves, the bent one in the front, so it would have a clean cut to heal, and the one directly in the back, because it had a lot of dark spots.   Anyway, I took it to work on Monday. I read up on re-potting aloes, and consequently, I haven't actually watered it yet so that the roots can heal from being disturbed before getting wet. I'm going to try and hold off until monday before watering it, but it's hard, because I really want to baby it.
antimony

antimony

3
Fishnets and Frankincense
 

Don't stand so close to me

I buy coffee from a guy who is a custom roaster. He used to have a little downtown storefront where he served coffee beverages and roasted and sold his beans. About five years ago he closed the storefront and built a roasting hut on the farmstead where he lives. Now he sells beans on his web site, but he still delivers beans to the old downtown coffeehouse crowd.   He also sends out very chatty emails to his clients to tell us what coffees are in stock, to remind us of the weekly order deadline, and to give us his opinion on current events, or whatever else might be on his mind. It's a bit like walking in on his surreal and rambling discourses when he ran the shop. The man is never short of opinions and is rarely afraid to express them. Did anyone see the movie "Blue In The Face" with Harvey Kietel? (It was the follow-up to the movie "Smoke.") Lou Reed had a cameo role in that movie, and our roaster man is more than just a bit like Lou Reed in "Blue In The Face," sans the cigar.   Now don't get me wrong -- this man knows his coffee and roasting techniques thoroughly, and I consider him a master roaster. As a political pundit, it's another thing, although I'm rather amazed he isn't a guest commentator on Fox News. To illustrate this point, here's a sentence from his most recent email. It is one of the most weirdly hilarious things I've read in a long time, if only because I know he was dead serious. Read it and weep or laugh or howl:   "So, now what do you think of this? A 25-year-old female Spanish language schoolteacher has been arrested for having sex with an 18-year-old male student. It seems that Texas passed a law against teachers having sex with students. The initial bill was for students 17 years of age or under taking into the fact that the age of consent is 18. But some old fart in the legislature had that dropped and made it any student. Now come on, this man, can sign contracts, he can vote, he can serve his country, he can marry but he can't have sex with his teacher." Well damn it, a man has a right to bonk his teacher! But isn't turn around fair play and that 18-year-old female has a right to bonk her 25-year-old science teacher? I may have to ask him that when he drops of the coffee beans. He'll probably say: "Hell yeah!"   If I could play music to close out this segment, it would be The Police, with Sting singing: "Don't stand, don't stand, don't stand so close to me..."
valentina

valentina

0
This Old Snark
 

Up to Speed

Chez Snark is evolving. Unfortunately, Snarky has been a bit slack about documenting the evolution. Here are some older pics to bring everyone up to speed:   They didn't have a working shower for almost a week while the subfloor was replaced (and then the looong wait for the Asian Tiger). A week!   The original color scheme for the bathroom: white sink, white toilet, white shower surround, black tub, pale pale blue walls. Bleah. Snarky was oddly fond of the vaguely gothic tub, but the chips and dents had to go.   With the door put back in place, this is the best "after" shot of the tub Snarky could manage. Whitey white white white! The Snarks employed the local Miracle Method franchise and highly recommend them to everyone. One big caveat: prepare to endure at least three days of intense chemical stench.   Another shot of the itty bitty bathroom.   This is supposed to be a memo holder, but has become the Snarks' precarious-yet-cheeky soap holder.   The Mister decided to sponge opaque copper paint over the glowing firelight in the exercise room. The experiment has since been dubbed a bit of a dud, but The Mister had a fabulous mani for about a week.   The Snarks' real estate agent gave them a housewarming gift. Instead of a basket 'o goodies they got a treasure chest!   Guess who snapped it up for her own nefarious purposes?   Also of note: the crazy fuschia/pink ante-room is s-l-o-w-l-y evolving into a half eggplant purple, half light spring green room. The spring green is mostly done (and they even managed to hang artwork after Snarky hulked out and smashed all of the glass in the frame) but the purple will require an astonishing third coat to reach their preferred level of opacity. After that, (and a little more purple-ing of the hallway on the first floor) the Snarks are Taking a Break with the Painting, Already.
darkitysnark

darkitysnark

4
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