Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Scrabble, Anyone?
The true question of the Universe isn't "why are we here?" or "is there a God" or "what is the meaning of life?" The true question of the Universe is "Just how much of a goob is the Boston Pobble?" This question, ladies and gentlemen, dear readers, has been answered.
I woke up to this email from the Lovely Cats:
axolotl
Ooooo! No, I hadn't! How exciting...
Aren't you excited? I knew you were. Because, as I said to Lithus, "I was so excited, not only did I have to look it up but I had to post on it!" And if I'm that excited, I know you are, too. (And in case you're wondering, no, I'm not joking. I'm this excited. It's a new word! It's a new thing to learn! Yeah ~ pretty damn gooby...and pretty damn excited, too. I'm okay with this.)
So! Here you go:
Cute little bugger, isn't he?
And now I know what to do with that X and those Ls.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
I woke up to this email from the Lovely Cats:
this word was in a puzzle i just did.
be honest, have you ever seen it before?
Ooooo! No, I hadn't! How exciting...
Aren't you excited? I knew you were. Because, as I said to Lithus, "I was so excited, not only did I have to look it up but I had to post on it!" And if I'm that excited, I know you are, too. (And in case you're wondering, no, I'm not joking. I'm this excited. It's a new word! It's a new thing to learn! Yeah ~ pretty damn gooby...and pretty damn excited, too. I'm okay with this.)
So! Here you go:
The axolotl (aːʃoːloːtɬ), Ambystoma mexicanum, is the best-known of the Mexican neotenic mole salamanders belonging to the Tiger Salamander complex. Larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled. The species originates from the lake underlying Mexico City and are also called ajolote (which is also the common name for Mexican Mole Lizards).[citation needed] Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate most body parts, ease of breeding, and large embryos. They are commonly kept as pets in the United States, Great Britain (under the spelling axlotl), Australia, Japan (sold under the name wooper rooper Ūpā Rūpā) and other countries.
Axolotls should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage of the closely related Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma mavortium), which is widespread in much of North America which also occasionally become neotenic, nor with mudpuppies (Necturus spp.), fully-aquatic salamanders which are unrelated to the axolotl but which bear a superficial resemblance. (source, wikipedia)
Cute little bugger, isn't he?
And now I know what to do with that X and those Ls.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Getting A Few Things Straight
1. If you do something that angers me, it is not appropriate for you to then get angry at me when I actually *gasp* get angry at what you have done. And yes, the reverse is true as well. I piss you off, I need to just let you be pissed and not get defensive and angry. No double standard. I can even understand completely where you're coming from ~ and it still might make me angry. Understanding and anger are not mutually exclusive things. Get over it.
2. I could give a shit about how much money has been spent on Sarah Palin's wardrobe*. The Republicans were in a no-win situation there. They spend a lot of money on her clothing and they get called out for it. They don't and people point to her packaging as further proof she's just a hick. Seriously, can we talk about issues and not about clothing? Please.
3. You do not get to claim that you handle all the details of a child's life...if you don't even bother to get him his flu shot or call the school when he is sick to ensure his absence is excused and frequently refuse to handle things hoping to screw over the other parent. If you are so willing to try to screw over the other parent that you are willing to let others be the ones who see him dressed to the nines for the first time in his life and then can't even tell him he looks good because the other parent is the one who helped make it happen ~ hell, you can't even claim to love the kid the most, let alone claim to be the one who handles it all.
4. The man who was on the right side of the helicopter when it went down, who is still in physical therapy from his injuries, who may never work in his chosen field again, deserves to be one of the men not caught up in layoffs. If you've only been with the company a few months and did get caught in the layoffs, shut the fuck up. I don't care that you can still fly. He's still not the one who should've been laid off.
5. Just because a neighborhood isn't occupied by mostly white folks doesn't make it a bad neighborhood. Are there bad neighborhoods? Oh. Hell. Yes. Can you tell if it's a bad neighborhood by driving through it? Probably. Can you tell by looking at the color of the residents' skin? Nope.
6. A blog is a good place to vent. Keeps the real life drama down. Now ~ let's go cope appropriately, shall we? And thanks.
* On a more amusing note ~ I read an article that had the headline: How To Shop Like Sarah Palin. The hook was: It's not easy to spend $150,000 on clothing. We know. We tried. Listen, if you can't spend $150,000 on clothing then they sent out the wrong journalist. Especially at places like Neiman's and Saks, let alone Talbots and Macys. You're an amatuer and I should have been given the assignment.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
2. I could give a shit about how much money has been spent on Sarah Palin's wardrobe*. The Republicans were in a no-win situation there. They spend a lot of money on her clothing and they get called out for it. They don't and people point to her packaging as further proof she's just a hick. Seriously, can we talk about issues and not about clothing? Please.
3. You do not get to claim that you handle all the details of a child's life...if you don't even bother to get him his flu shot or call the school when he is sick to ensure his absence is excused and frequently refuse to handle things hoping to screw over the other parent. If you are so willing to try to screw over the other parent that you are willing to let others be the ones who see him dressed to the nines for the first time in his life and then can't even tell him he looks good because the other parent is the one who helped make it happen ~ hell, you can't even claim to love the kid the most, let alone claim to be the one who handles it all.
4. The man who was on the right side of the helicopter when it went down, who is still in physical therapy from his injuries, who may never work in his chosen field again, deserves to be one of the men not caught up in layoffs. If you've only been with the company a few months and did get caught in the layoffs, shut the fuck up. I don't care that you can still fly. He's still not the one who should've been laid off.
5. Just because a neighborhood isn't occupied by mostly white folks doesn't make it a bad neighborhood. Are there bad neighborhoods? Oh. Hell. Yes. Can you tell if it's a bad neighborhood by driving through it? Probably. Can you tell by looking at the color of the residents' skin? Nope.
6. A blog is a good place to vent. Keeps the real life drama down. Now ~ let's go cope appropriately, shall we? And thanks.
* On a more amusing note ~ I read an article that had the headline: How To Shop Like Sarah Palin. The hook was: It's not easy to spend $150,000 on clothing. We know. We tried. Listen, if you can't spend $150,000 on clothing then they sent out the wrong journalist. Especially at places like Neiman's and Saks, let alone Talbots and Macys. You're an amatuer and I should have been given the assignment.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Locked Out
BOO on blogger who locked me out of my own blog for a few days. And apologies to anyone who tried to comment and couldn't because blogger had locked you out of my blog, too. And thanks to those who wrote when they couldn't comment. YAY on you. BOO on blogger.
So what has been happening while I've been locked out? Let's just sum it up some...
* Timber has gotten involved in his high school theatre and was the house manager for his first show this past weekend. On the one hand, I love this. I did theatre for so very long and it was such an incredibly large part of my life, who I was and who I've become as an adult. On the other hand...I remember high school theatre. I remember the cast parties. I remember the "adult supervised" parties. Mostly, I remember what high school girls think about the cute boys in their high school theatre. And I'm not so sure I love it quite so much. Suddenly, I find myself having to ask the question ~ do I tell him why teenagers like to play sardines and hopscotch and that they are Very Different games than they were when he last played them in elementary school gym class? I decided that, yes, I would give him the heads up so it didn't take him by surprise but that oh hell no I am not going to tell him how to play them differently. It's one thing to tell him they *can* be played differently. It's another to spell out the rules of the game.
* Sometimes, I miss my life in Massachusetts so badly it hurts. I wouldn't give up Lithus and Timber just for New England. And, sometimes, the fact that I had to choose is almost too painful to bear. Yeah...I've had a couple of those days here recently.
* The leaves in our neighborhood have changed. Overnight, they went from green to yellows and oranges and some reds. Magnificent. Really. It's nice to be somewhere where there is an Autumn.
* It's official ~ I've hit writer's block. That kind of writer's block where I am convinced I will never write another word and cannot understand how I managed to get two novels written in the first place. It's been coming on long enough now that I know it's official. I know in my logical, reasonable mind it will pass and yet...Lord, but I hate this kind of writer's block.
* Lithus hasn't changed since proposing. Neither have I. I think we are both secretly grateful. I know I am.
* I am really, Really (REALLY) over eating yogurt. Really.
And that's pretty much it after the last few days. It's nice to be back, even if my comments have to do the pop-put thingy now. What's up with you?
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
So what has been happening while I've been locked out? Let's just sum it up some...
* Timber has gotten involved in his high school theatre and was the house manager for his first show this past weekend. On the one hand, I love this. I did theatre for so very long and it was such an incredibly large part of my life, who I was and who I've become as an adult. On the other hand...I remember high school theatre. I remember the cast parties. I remember the "adult supervised" parties. Mostly, I remember what high school girls think about the cute boys in their high school theatre. And I'm not so sure I love it quite so much. Suddenly, I find myself having to ask the question ~ do I tell him why teenagers like to play sardines and hopscotch and that they are Very Different games than they were when he last played them in elementary school gym class? I decided that, yes, I would give him the heads up so it didn't take him by surprise but that oh hell no I am not going to tell him how to play them differently. It's one thing to tell him they *can* be played differently. It's another to spell out the rules of the game.
* Sometimes, I miss my life in Massachusetts so badly it hurts. I wouldn't give up Lithus and Timber just for New England. And, sometimes, the fact that I had to choose is almost too painful to bear. Yeah...I've had a couple of those days here recently.
* The leaves in our neighborhood have changed. Overnight, they went from green to yellows and oranges and some reds. Magnificent. Really. It's nice to be somewhere where there is an Autumn.
* It's official ~ I've hit writer's block. That kind of writer's block where I am convinced I will never write another word and cannot understand how I managed to get two novels written in the first place. It's been coming on long enough now that I know it's official. I know in my logical, reasonable mind it will pass and yet...Lord, but I hate this kind of writer's block.
* Lithus hasn't changed since proposing. Neither have I. I think we are both secretly grateful. I know I am.
* I am really, Really (REALLY) over eating yogurt. Really.
And that's pretty much it after the last few days. It's nice to be back, even if my comments have to do the pop-put thingy now. What's up with you?
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Beating My Head Against the Wall
For the last hour, I have been filling out my ballot. Yes, the last hour. See, I admit I haven't done my research this year. I have researched the president and vice president and my state governor races but that's it. So, when earlier this week, I received a booklet in the mail outlining all the candidates and races, I kept it for this very reason. As I got to each vote, I read the statements around each initiative, each candidate, each platform. Twice, I flipped a coin. Otherwise, I read and thought carefully before filling in the square. Even the times I flipped a coin, I did so after reading and thinking carefully.
Across the table from me, sat Timber. Just a moment ago, right before I was finished, he looked over and said "You know, this took mom and me like twenty seconds. She was all like 'that person's a girl; let's vote for her' and 'I'm just voting democrat all the way down' or I would say 'that person's got a cool name, vote for them' and she would."
Seriously, I don't even know where to start.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Across the table from me, sat Timber. Just a moment ago, right before I was finished, he looked over and said "You know, this took mom and me like twenty seconds. She was all like 'that person's a girl; let's vote for her' and 'I'm just voting democrat all the way down' or I would say 'that person's got a cool name, vote for them' and she would."
Seriously, I don't even know where to start.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Holy Shit, People!
I'm engaged. Yep. You read that correctly. Engaged. As in "getting married." As in "you, forever." As in "that thing I swore I would never do and, quite frankly, never want again." As in "Holy shit, people!"
Wednesday night, Lithus went out for a pack of smokes. He came back with an engagement ring. I was at my desk, finishing up some work and he asked if he could talk to me about a few things. I said sure, saved everything and spun around. He talked some and then next thing I knew, he was down on one knee, asking me to be his wife, asking to be my husband.
Holy shit, people!
And yes. I said yes.
Holy shit, people!
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday night, Lithus went out for a pack of smokes. He came back with an engagement ring. I was at my desk, finishing up some work and he asked if he could talk to me about a few things. I said sure, saved everything and spun around. He talked some and then next thing I knew, he was down on one knee, asking me to be his wife, asking to be my husband.
Holy shit, people!
And yes. I said yes.
- The ring is white gold with garnets.
- We haven't set a date yet but we're thinking probably this coming February or putting it off until next Autumn because there is no reason to even pretend we can get married during fire season.
- It will be an uber-small wedding. A lot of good friends aren't invited. In fact, we're not really having a wedding at all. We're getting married and we're telling a small group of people where and when and saying "If you want to be there, great. If we're too far away or too expensive or it doesn't work with your schedule, we understand. Otherwise, stick around because there will probably be cake." And that's about it.
- Hopefully, it will be as close to simply wandering down to the court house and meeting with a Justice of the Peace as it can be without actually wandering down to the court house and meeting with a Justice of the Peace.
Holy shit, people!
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Borrowing
I am so not above borrowing. Not at all. A friend of mine is Jewish and she has loaned me her new year. In return, mind you, I have loaned her my Pagan one. We figure, we'll take all the fresh starts we can get.
Today, I am borrowing Lithus' Thanksgiving. Because if I can use all the fresh starts, then an extra day to remind myself to give thanks ~ yeah, I can probably use that one as well.
It's particularly special because Lithus is actually home today. He wasn't supposed to be. It's just worked out that way. What makes that especially nice is he is so rarely home for any holiday, but especially not his. His American-based company runs 365 days a year so little things like American holidays can't mean much ~ let alone things like Canadian ones. Also, this is the first time he's been with a partner who respected his holidays as much as she respects her own.
Now, the house is filled with the smell of roasting turkey, dressing and potatoes. Before too much longer, we will add the aroma of homemade pumpkin pie to it.
It's a quiet, gentle day ~ every much like the November Thanksgivings to which I am accustomed ~ and we are being quiet and gentle with each other. And giving many, many thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, but especially to my Canadian readers. May you know your blessings when you can and feel their presence even when they aren't so obvious.
Those are thankful Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee and pumpkin pie.
Today, I am borrowing Lithus' Thanksgiving. Because if I can use all the fresh starts, then an extra day to remind myself to give thanks ~ yeah, I can probably use that one as well.
It's particularly special because Lithus is actually home today. He wasn't supposed to be. It's just worked out that way. What makes that especially nice is he is so rarely home for any holiday, but especially not his. His American-based company runs 365 days a year so little things like American holidays can't mean much ~ let alone things like Canadian ones. Also, this is the first time he's been with a partner who respected his holidays as much as she respects her own.
Now, the house is filled with the smell of roasting turkey, dressing and potatoes. Before too much longer, we will add the aroma of homemade pumpkin pie to it.
It's a quiet, gentle day ~ every much like the November Thanksgivings to which I am accustomed ~ and we are being quiet and gentle with each other. And giving many, many thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, but especially to my Canadian readers. May you know your blessings when you can and feel their presence even when they aren't so obvious.
Those are thankful Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee and pumpkin pie.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
SO Aesthetically Pleasing
I received this email from Nemeria in my inbox today:
My cousin is one of Cosmo's 2008 Hot Bachelors and he's in the running to be THE 2008 Hot Bachelor. His name is Andy DiGidio and he's from North Dakota. To vote you have to go to www.cosmopolitan.com Any chance you would be willing to advertise this on your blog? I know you have quite the readership. But again, I'm perfectly okay with you saying no.
Let's think this one through...
1. My oldest and one of my dearest friends in the whole world 2. sends me a link full of beautiful men 3. asking me to go look at them 4. while telling me she is actually related to one of them, 5. asking me to look hard enough to vote for him (because while I will be voting for him, I should really, really at least try to pretend to be unbiased and check them all out, right?) 6. AND complimenting my blog and 7. my blog readers.
Nope. No way I can deny this one (even if she is okay with me saying no; I'm not and it's my blog so there!)
So, go. Enjoy. Check out all the very pretty boys. And then vote for Andy DiGidio, the North Dakota bachelor. 'Cause ooooo...he is pretty. :)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
My cousin is one of Cosmo's 2008 Hot Bachelors and he's in the running to be THE 2008 Hot Bachelor. His name is Andy DiGidio and he's from North Dakota. To vote you have to go to www.cosmopolitan.com Any chance you would be willing to advertise this on your blog? I know you have quite the readership. But again, I'm perfectly okay with you saying no.
Let's think this one through...
1. My oldest and one of my dearest friends in the whole world 2. sends me a link full of beautiful men 3. asking me to go look at them 4. while telling me she is actually related to one of them, 5. asking me to look hard enough to vote for him (because while I will be voting for him, I should really, really at least try to pretend to be unbiased and check them all out, right?) 6. AND complimenting my blog and 7. my blog readers.
Nope. No way I can deny this one (even if she is okay with me saying no; I'm not and it's my blog so there!)
So, go. Enjoy. Check out all the very pretty boys. And then vote for Andy DiGidio, the North Dakota bachelor. 'Cause ooooo...he is pretty. :)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Birthday Post Take 2
The rest of my birthday was truly amazing. My guys went above and beyond for me. Check it out...
I went for a nap after we picked Timber up from school. Came down to decorations:
(and please note, they gave my dad his own party hat!)
Which, of course, means Lionel had one as well. Especially since he had given me a card...
I also woke up to fresh, still warm, homemade from scratch, pumpkin pie spice scones and tea "to tide us over until dinner"
Ooooh! I do love Lithus!
Of course, there was cake. Yellow cake with chocolate icing. And yes, I made it myself although Lithus was more than willing to do so (the man made homemade from scratch pumpkin pie spice scones; I think he could've handled a box cake ~ but it's kind of a tradition that I make my cake, so he let me.)
Although the gifts were all incredible, this one really touched my heart (as you can see from my reaction):
As I told Lithus and Timber last night, there is nowhere else I would rather have been last night then right here, at home, with them, to celebrate my birthday. Life is good, friends.
Those are grateful Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
I went for a nap after we picked Timber up from school. Came down to decorations:
(and please note, they gave my dad his own party hat!)Which, of course, means Lionel had one as well. Especially since he had given me a card...
I also woke up to fresh, still warm, homemade from scratch, pumpkin pie spice scones and tea "to tide us over until dinner"
Ooooh! I do love Lithus!Of course, there was cake. Yellow cake with chocolate icing. And yes, I made it myself although Lithus was more than willing to do so (the man made homemade from scratch pumpkin pie spice scones; I think he could've handled a box cake ~ but it's kind of a tradition that I make my cake, so he let me.)
Although the gifts were all incredible, this one really touched my heart (as you can see from my reaction):
As I told Lithus and Timber last night, there is nowhere else I would rather have been last night then right here, at home, with them, to celebrate my birthday. Life is good, friends.
Those are grateful Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Birthday Post Take 1
Since I plan on having at least one more. That's the joy of being grown; you get to have as many birthday posts as you want.
Thirty-nine isn't sucking so far.
The day started with breakfast in bed and the birthday song. I managed to wake up just enough to register what was going on before cursing at Lithus for being so freakin' loud when I was still sleeping. And I wish I could post a picture but that would've required far more awake-ness than I was up to pre-coffee.
However, breakfast was my favorite wheat toast, Irish cheese and fresh strawberries, along with the above big ol' mug of coffee, accompanied by new fuzzy pink slippers (I had walked the bottoms out of my old ones, literally), 
a card from Lionel, a card from Lithus and a small gift. Oh, and flowers by my bed. Again, this isn't sucking.
When I came downstairs, my desk was covered in more presents and cards.
Those I will save for this evening, with cake and ice cream.
And although there have been several phone calls regarding Financial Words in between breakfast in bed and now, my co-author finally said "We'll do the rest of this tomorrow. It's your birthday. Go be happy. We'll get this done." So...I am. :)
Happy Birthday to me...
May everybody have a great day, as well!
Those are Birthday Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Thirty-nine isn't sucking so far.
The day started with breakfast in bed and the birthday song. I managed to wake up just enough to register what was going on before cursing at Lithus for being so freakin' loud when I was still sleeping. And I wish I could post a picture but that would've required far more awake-ness than I was up to pre-coffee.
However, breakfast was my favorite wheat toast, Irish cheese and fresh strawberries, along with the above big ol' mug of coffee, accompanied by new fuzzy pink slippers (I had walked the bottoms out of my old ones, literally), 
a card from Lionel, a card from Lithus and a small gift. Oh, and flowers by my bed. Again, this isn't sucking.When I came downstairs, my desk was covered in more presents and cards.
Those I will save for this evening, with cake and ice cream.And although there have been several phone calls regarding Financial Words in between breakfast in bed and now, my co-author finally said "We'll do the rest of this tomorrow. It's your birthday. Go be happy. We'll get this done." So...I am. :)
Happy Birthday to me...
May everybody have a great day, as well!
Those are Birthday Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
A Birthday Hat
Tomorrow is my birthday. I don't know exactly what the guys have planned but I know they are out this afternoon and I'm not allowed with them. And I know that dinner is Lithus' homemade meatball subs, au gratin potatoes, Caesar salad, yellow cake with chocolate frosting and Baskin Robbins chocolate chip ice cream. Timber is thrilled.
I did, however, request a slightly more adult day/evening/dinner/something with Lithus. Yesterday, he delivered. In spades.
We went to the shore (or, as it is known out here, I'm learning, the coast).
We took our time driving. We talked and laughed and walked. We bought me a hat and wandered the shops. We were silly and happy. We laughed at the seagulls (they're brown out here! Who knew????) and stood arm in arm, snuggled up, watching the sunset over the water. Then went for seafood for dinner and ~ excitement of excitement! ~ they had homemade pumpkin pie. My first of the season.
I am happy. I am content without being complacent. I am in love and I am loved. It's not a sucky way to start a new year.
Happy birthday to me ~ just a little early.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
I did, however, request a slightly more adult day/evening/dinner/something with Lithus. Yesterday, he delivered. In spades.
We went to the shore (or, as it is known out here, I'm learning, the coast).
We took our time driving. We talked and laughed and walked. We bought me a hat and wandered the shops. We were silly and happy. We laughed at the seagulls (they're brown out here! Who knew????) and stood arm in arm, snuggled up, watching the sunset over the water. Then went for seafood for dinner and ~ excitement of excitement! ~ they had homemade pumpkin pie. My first of the season.
I am happy. I am content without being complacent. I am in love and I am loved. It's not a sucky way to start a new year.
Happy birthday to me ~ just a little early.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
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