Young Thang

Hey, we've all heard. McCain's taken the mommy of the year on board. I'm not sure what I think yet, as I don't personally know the woman, and don't like to get involved in politics. But I do read the news regularly via the BBC, and so I happened upon this article the day of. SORRY, but all I could think was, what is she wearing? Normally I wouldn't say this, but she seems like an otherwise sensible person, who is actually cute and has good smart-woman style. Like one of those women you'd want to be friends with, eh? But that's what they said about Hillary too, so, you know. It's all up to the American voters.

The long weekend.

You know you live in Bakersfield when...

1. You see one of those motorized disabled-person carts (like at Target) driving down a main street with a giant rainbow umbrella attached.

2. You see, on the same day, on the same street, a personalized golf cart painted in brightest bright colors with several people onboard.

3. You pull, when walking into the restroom at the local pizza place (the nice local pizza place) a shower curtain to close the stall instead of a stall door. Ingenious. They should have tried those at my high school, where at least half of the doors were missing in the girls' bathroom.

4. They close an entire highway on big weekends because all the latin-folk love to party at the park All.Day.Long. and listen to mariachi music All.Day.Long. and drink beerbeerbeer All.Day.Long. Which is really annoying if a non-park-going person such as myself has relatives with super-cool house right by the park and can't get to it because there is a police barricade between said person and said cool house.

All this to say that I, in all the wisdom God has granted me, am headed to Redding for the long weekend. To "get away." Which, if you know Redding, is ironic to the extreme.

Newness

I've obviously redone my template. Some great things need pointing out. Title and Header are references to Voyage of the Dawn Treader, my favorite book in Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. Hint: Christ is the water. You pretty much just have to read the whole book (or the whole series) for it to have it's full effect. This photo was taken on the Lost Coast last November while I was on a gorgeous backpacking trip. The shot was taken from our campsite. You can see all the other ones on facebook. While I do love my new template, sadly the other options from Pyzam were passed up. Here are the names of the runners-up:

1. Eat poo
2. I love weed
3. Get on my level

Back at the Ranch

Ralph walked into my office the other day (Note: Ralph walks the way I imagine Fidel Castro walks) and this conversation ensued:


Do ju know what we’re doing?

How we’re doing?

No, WHAT we’re doing.

What are we doing, Ralph?

We’re fixing a pump that was at Michael Jackson’s Ranch. I’m gonna take a picture of it and sell it on ebay!!!

This was said with so much glee that all I could do was smile and be joyful with the man.

My friend Holly and I are forever finding ways to prolong our childhood. We decided the other day that we would make a craft-project type gift for our mothers for Christmas this year and drag our other siblings and siblings-in-law into it too. I won't say what it is because AO and Suz* read my blog and they need to be completely surprised (since delight may not be part of the equation, at least some emotion will come out).

In researching our proposed Christmas present; I found THIS:

BABY HAND Plaster Statue Kit

You can make these:
Or these:

Or these fine gifts (for adults).

That's just plain CREEPY.

If you'd like to creep out your folks for Christmas, check it out at:

http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/baby-hand-plaster-statue-kit-p-1.html


*My mom and Holly's mom.

The Dress

I am in love with dresses. I try them on all the time. At this point I have close to ten black dresses in my closet, which is a lot because I have a limited wardrobe (on purpose) that only takes up about half my closet. But dresses are just so practical, and not at the same time. And for a simple person like me, the lack of layering necessary is a beautiful thing. All a dress requires on any given day: shoes, a sweater, and maybe some earrings.

Recently I found a summer dress I loved at Walmart (I know) and bought it in black and brown. AND THEN a pretty grey cap-sleeve* (perfect for smart black glasses and maryjanes) called my name at Target. I think the other colors are joining the chorus, because they will most likely be purchased as well. It just isn't every day you find a dress that you like and that fits and that is work-appropriate and that is affordable enough you can buy one, or even more than one, right? And you know I'm really just looking for support for my dress addiction here, right?

*see photo. And can I tell you that it really does look less mom-ish on me than it does on her? Curves do make the dress. Or break it, often actually. But they make this dress.

Since, then.

Since I've spent SO MUCH TIME lately doing all the things important to me, there hasn't been much time to blog. Pictures of various activites are forthcoming, but for now this FUN SURVEY will have to suffice.
A. Attached or Single? Single. Duh. As if there's been a different answer for (cough) years.
B. Best Friend? I have several. Anywhere from four to seven if you count the bests and the bestests.
C. Cake or pie? yuck. Don't get me wrong, I still indulge, but ice cream just does it for me.
D. Day of choice? Saturday because I get to HIKE and then just generally wander about town, house, and brain.
E. Essential item? Packaging Tape. No joke.
F. Favorite color? Black.
G. Gummy bears or worms? Again, ice cream.
H. Hometown? Bakersfield.
I. Favorite indulgence? Fancy knickers.
J. January or July? July. January is butt-ugly around here. July is just as dead but people want to eat outside on the patio and there are SPARKLERS.
K. Kids? Are really not possible for me right now, but I must admit that when I got to the walmart counter to buy flashing hoola-hoops, squirt guns, a friendship bracelet kit, crayons and princess & spiderman giant coloring posters, the guy at the counter did ask the same question. I guess you could say I have about 20 big kids.
L. Life isn’t complete without? Jesus.
M. Marriage date? Not Applicable.
N. Number of brothers and sisters? one brother who is like Jack Bauer. One sister who I think wants to be Clara Barton except prettier.
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples. Oranges get messy and then sticky and smelly.
P. Phobias? None.
Q. Quotes. "Live the way you think, or you will end up thinking the way you live." -the author is on a card in my room somewhere and hopefully it isn't plagerism because I DIDN'T SAY IT. But I completely agree.
R. Reasons to smile? Those 20 big kids make me smile pretty big. So do new friends.
S. Season of choice? I'm pretty much excited for every upcoming season. Fall: sweaters, long sleeves, cooler weather. Winter: is the same as fall. Spring: getting to see green grass and wear fun skirts. Summer: The late light, and t-shirts, jeans, and bare feet. Maybe summer is actually my favorite.
T. Tag 5 people: Not sure what to say here, but how bout a random shoutout? To Leisl for making a go of it in Spain, to Sarah for whatever's makin' her so dang happy right now, to Kaila for the hugs and tellin' me she loves me, and to Olivia and Darin for bein' those people who can pick up an instrument and play it. All of those things are freakin amazing.
U. Unknown fact about me? I pinch people with my toes. And if you know that, you've been pinched and therefore probably know everything else about me that I can think of right now.
V. Vegetable? I love lima beans. With salt.
W. Worst habit? probably all that diet coke I drink.
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? X-ray? I don't know too many people who get real excited about either, except maybe pregnant people or the ones who like to watch House. Or Bones, come to think of it, which is my favorite show. So let's go with X-ray.
Y. Your favorite food? Right now I'm hooked on the Mozerella alla Caprese salad at Macaroni Grill. It's the only thing I like there but it's pretty yummy. That and the bread. Maybe bread's just my favorite food.
Z. Zodiac sign? I think I'm a libra but I was thinking about all the other questions you could ask for Z... zebra comes to mind and that reminds me of Hearst Castle and the zebras that roam free overlooking the Pacific ocean... if I was from somewhere else that would be pretty strange.