1. 20 November 2009 · 10:02 PM

    Grumble, grumble, YELP, grumble

    That, my friends, is what my stomach has been saying for the last five hours. The “yelps” recently faded to mere groans, thanks to some drugs and peppermint tea (thank you, Walgreens and Celestial Seasonings).

    I shouldn’t be bitching about having a mild bout of food poisoning on a Friday night. It was my choice to observe that the sour cream on my barbecue chicken topped baked potato looked curdled, yet still inhale its overstuffed deliciousness.

    At least the grumbling is turning into intermittent whining. I may sleep tonight after all.

  2. 10 November 2009 · 04:41 PM
    polaroidgirl: (via (KatieMadeline))

    polaroidgirl:

    (via (KatieMadeline))

  3. 09 November 2009 · 10:01 PM
    I love this image. Jeff and I were walking through a vineyard during a family vacation in Napa and my mom snapped us unawares. I’ve posted here before about the difficulty I have relaxing when my folks are around, but the wine country vacation was smooth as can be, as was the local Chardonnay (and I usually *hate* Chardonnay). We stayed in a hillside cottage just through the woods from the winery in this picture, grilled dinners on the deck at night and just chilled. There also was an epic wine-tasting trek to local vineyards in which my family rented a limo driven by a dude who reminded me of Steve Zahn’s character in “Happy, Texas.” Don’t hold me to it, though. My memory of that day is a little hazy. After thinking about it for ages, I finally got this picture framed. I think I’ll hang it in the bedroom, so I can have my moment of zen (or moment of zinfandel, as the case may be) every night before bedtime.

    I love this image. Jeff and I were walking through a vineyard during a family vacation in Napa and my mom snapped us unawares.

    I’ve posted here before about the difficulty I have relaxing when my folks are around, but the wine country vacation was smooth as can be, as was the local Chardonnay (and I usually *hate* Chardonnay).

    We stayed in a hillside cottage just through the woods from the winery in this picture, grilled dinners on the deck at night and just chilled.

    There also was an epic wine-tasting trek to local vineyards in which my family rented a limo driven by a dude who reminded me of Steve Zahn’s character in “Happy, Texas.” Don’t hold me to it, though. My memory of that day is a little hazy.

    After thinking about it for ages, I finally got this picture framed. I think I’ll hang it in the bedroom, so I can have my moment of zen (or moment of zinfandel, as the case may be) every night before bedtime.

  4. 04 November 2009 · 10:19 PM

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/crystalflickr/

    I’m back there again. Lonely. Moving to a new city always does this to me eventually. I go through a cycle:

    • Adrenaline rush of new place, which will be better than old place because it has more/better x, y or z.
    • “Oh shit!” realization that new apt/house will require all sorts of new purchases (this is followed by happy shopping dance and much later by sad credit-card-balance shuffle).
    • Decorate, explore new neighborhood and generally do nesting activities.
    • Get house in good enough shape to entertain.
    • Realize I don’t know enough people to host a coffee klatch, let alone a cocktail party. Too bad, since I’ve turned the front room into a lounge/bar area.
    • Pout about not knowing anyone.(I’m currently in this stage. Can ya tell?)
    • Call/DM/text/e-mail friends in other cities to assure myself that I am not a total reject.
    • Wait for calls/DMs/texts/e-mails to be returned.
    • Get over my self pity, go out and meet people.

    Maybe I can skip ahead a few paces this time. Nothing personal, Lonely. I just don’t want to share the road with you for very long.

    Image: “Lonely” by Crystyl

  5. 28 October 2009 · 11:23 PM

    Why hello, down comforter. Haven’t see you in months. You look good. … Really good. Have you been going to the dry cleaners?

    What’s that? You want to envelop me in warm, soft, gauzy goodness? I guess that would be OK … just don’t tell my husband.

  6. 26 October 2009 · 02:09 PM
    Otherwise known as “lunch.”

    Otherwise known as “lunch.”

  7. 25 October 2009 · 10:17 PM

    Losing it ... or not
    • College BFF: Last time I lost weight but didn't tone. The middle NEEDS the toning.
    • Me: "Yoga for Abs" will be perfect for you. The instructor looks like a surfer dude and you do bridges and stuff that really works the middle. It's only mildly painful :)
    • College BFF: Pain might be good. Last time I was careful with myself forever and only realized later that that doesn't make you feel better.
    • Me: Isn't it funny how we so easily push our brains, but have trouble remembering the body lessons? Every time I go off the wagon, I feel like (**bleep**). And then I start again and the endorphins are amazing.
    • College BFF: I just ate pastry while watching "The Biggest Loser." And it wasn't even good pastry.
  8. 19 October 2009 · 03:59 PM
    Possibly the cutest Halloween treat. Ever. mashimaro: Ghost Cupcakes (via daveknapik)
    Possibly the cutest Halloween treat. Ever.

    mashimaro:

    Ghost Cupcakes (via daveknapik)

  9. 17 October 2009 · 05:53 PM

    Bought catnip-filled mice and a new scratching pad today. Miles is tearing around the house like a kitten. I love it.

  10. 17 October 2009 · 10:00 AM

    My husband is in this book!*

    Best American Sportswriting 2009 cover

    *I’m proud, proud, proud. But you should know his story isn’t published. It’s mentioned under “notable” pieces that the editors would’ve liked to include and didn’t have room.

    Here’s the credit page:

    Jeff in America's Best Sportswriting 2009

    And here’s the close-up:

    Jeff in America's Best Sportswriting 2009

    Jeff’s listed right next to his KC Star colleague Bill Reiter, but most of the notables are from magazines. Out of 80 stories, 20 are from daily newspapers. And Jeff was the only beat writer included.

    Like I said, I’m proud. And now he has a goal for next year…