Tired

Up ungodly early this morning and I’m trying not to go back to bed.  I should be straightening up for furniture arrival this weekend but it’s hard to be motivated.  If I’m not going to straighten I should go back to sleep but then I’ll have that icky feeling you get when you do that.  Decisions decisions.  Also, black counter tops I hate you.  We have acres of them in our place.  I cleaned them off on Monday and already have a nice, visible layer of dust.  Uuuurgh.  Dust rag here I come.

Lazy Friday

Today is Adam’s 35th birthday.  I took the day off to pack – how exciting!  Poor guy.  Well, no packing has occurred just yet but oh well.  We’re out of trash bags and I need to get packing tape.  I’m hopeful that the packing won’t take too long but that’s what you always think and things turn out very differently.  It’s helpful that he has moved very little to St. Louis so it’s primarily all my crap that has to be moved.  I’m trying to break my pack rat ways but it’s a slow process.

As usual, moving into a new place has come with the usual promises of keeping it tidy and smelling wonderful ALL OF THE TIME!  That usually only lasts a couple of months but I’m hopeful.  Having two dogs, two large dogs, makes constant vigilance a necessity.  Although we become accustomed to eau de chien it’s a sad reality that no one else does.  I see many plug-ins or candles in my future.  Boy that makes it sound like my apartment smells horrible but help me out dog owners, you know what I mean, right?!?!?!?

Anyway, the kitchen is the last to be packed and I’m still hoping to make Christmas breakfast although I don’t know if that will happen exactly the way I’m thinking it should.  My mantra: It’ll get done.

I think of all the times I’ve moved and I’m sure I frustrated my parents in college and grad school.  Both times I was not finished packing by the time they come up to move me out.  Stuffing clothes and various papers into random boxes and bags so we could get out of Dodge. *shakes head*  Oh the frustration they must have felt.  This time I’m hoping to do better.

I’ll get it done.   I’ll get it done.  I’ll get it done.  I swear.

Snug

We just returned from dinner and gelato with Kelly and Nathan. The South Grand area is an amazing place to eat. You have Thai, Ethiopian, Diner, etc , etc. Just so many fabulous choices. Basil Spice was the highly recommended (by Kelly) choice and I think it’s the best Thai food I’ve ever had. Great choice Kel! Needless to say we had a great time and can’t wait to do it again soon.

Right now I’m listening to the spin cycle while snuggled on the couch with Adam. I really am a very lucky girl although I should know better than to say that aloud.

Locked Out

The back stairs are made out of metal. It iced a bit and the pups were having none of going down the three long, slippery flights to go potty. We decided to take them out front, down the wooden steps inside the building. Much easier for puppy paws to navigate.

We take them out, me and Adam in slippers, freezing in the wind and slight rain. We turn around to go back in and realize neither one of us brought keys. We’re locked out. Fantastic.

I investigate the fence on the side of the backyard. Chain link against wooden fence. I would have to clear a foot or so of wooden fence if I managed to scale the chain link, swaying in its unanchoredness, in my child’s size 5 wool felt slippers. It’s a no go for me.

Adam has knocked on the first floor window and called out various neighbors’ names, to no avail. Don’t really blame them. How freaked out would you be if you heard some unfamiliar voice calling your name outside your secured building?

Adam goes around to check the fence for its climbing properties and disappears. I half expect to hear, “Whoa. Whoa.” *thud* Not because of his athleticism but because of the mentioned unanchored fence.

Relieved,  I see him walking down the steps inside the building to let me and the shivering pups in. Newt’s teeth can chatter and it’s the saddest, most pathetic sight ever. My slippers being soaked and ears about to fall off I’m so happy to enter the warm building’s corridor.

He had hopped the fence by the garage and was attempting to unlatch the gate door in the back when one of our neighbors saw him, and luckily she knows him from puppy bonanzas in the backyard. She told him, “I almost called the cops.” She graciously let him in through her apartment (we had dutifully locked our back door) and he let me in. Thank you Jamie!

As Adam took off his coat in the apartment he felt a sudden breeze. He had ripped his pants climbing the fence. Poor guy. I laughed so hard. It seems that my hero is not immune to cliches.

Local

I’m watching local news. I usually avoid it and opt for checking the web for local goings on instead. I find watching it depressing in an almost sensational way. What’s that Eagle’s quote, “She can tell you about the car crash with a spark in her eye” or some such, I can’t remember now, but that’s what it always seems like to me. Local news not as good as local commercials, where there is at least a chance of accidental or even purposeful hilarity. I guess I want my news with better lighting and on cable. Who knows. I don’t watch national news either, just news programs. I LOVE YOU COLBERT!

Watching the news with someone who is not from here you find yourself trying to explain different sections of town and why they are to be avoided, meh, or desirable. Every place describes their towns differently, we happen to do it by direction: North County, West County, South City, etc. Those designations immediately bring up an almost visceral feeling of the area’s reputation, biased or not. It’s an interesting thing. I always want to know how other towns designate their areas and what sorts of feelings and reputations are associated – like asking someone what their red looks like, give me a key so I can decipher your town based on the permutations of mine.

There is one section that I never need to explain, East St. Louis. The only clarification I need to make is that it is Illinois and not Missouri. Even though it is described directionally I refuse to claim it.

Groggy

I am still suffering a bit from jet lag.  Three pm hit and all I want to do is lay down on the floor and go to sleep.  Ahhh…

I’m aiming to have all of my Christmas shopping done this week.  Hallelujah!  Let’s see if I can make it happen!

Wednesday

Oh what do I do with no Project Runway to watch?  Rachel Maddow it is. 

I made a fantastic pork loin today.  It was really good if I do say so myself.  I bought the most recent issue of Cooking Light and two recipes in I’m really happy with it.

Holy busy weekend Batman.  Last weekend was busy and this weekend is shaping up to be similar.  It’s really fantastic to have so many wonderful people to hang with.  Back to politics.  Ciao!

Awhile

It’s fall.  The leaves have started to change and the days are getting shorter.  I love curling up in this weather and enjoying the crispness.  Newton soon will be forced to wear a sweater.  He shivers but refuses to come in from the porch.  As punishment he will be made to wear an orange sweater with a great big pumpkin on it.  Take that Mr. Puppy.

I haven’t written in awhile.  Since August I’ve been to New York City to have fun and visit some friends.  I really love that city.  The Upper West Side is just lovely and September seems to be the perfect time to be there.  I guess October might be better.

I love walking up and down the streets wistfully looking at brownstones with lovely stairs that reach down to the street.  I love seeing parents walking with their children through the city.  I wonder what their childhood experience is like because it is probably much different than my suburban upbringing.  There’s a feeling in that neighborhood, a calm pulse, a more laid back demeanor.  I am not one for Times Square with the tourists craning their heads upward to take in the spectacle, severely crowded streets and people who don’t know where they’re going, wondering into you.  Some people thrive on the energy a place like that produces, me – I’m just annoyed and overwhelmed.

Since August I also attended my first Renaissance Festival.  I was lucky enough to go with Julie and Vinnie and Adam.  Kansas City has a month long fair.  You can actually buy season passes.  This place was huge and had so many things to look at.  We stayed for 5 hours and were completely wiped out afterward.  It was really lovely being able to spend time with friends and experience something completely new.

I’m hoping to keep on top of this blog a little better than I have been.  I have another trip in November that I’m really looking forward to and the Holidays.  I love the Holidays.  But right now I’m going to enjoy the fall weather and breathe in the air while I wrestle with Newton to try and get that pumpkin sweater over his little head.

The Witching Hour

It’s shedding season again. Well, to tell you the truth it never really ends it just intensifies. Right now I have free rolling Newton tumbleweeds blowing through my apartment. The shedding is so bad right now that he looks like Pig Pen or better yet Witch Hazel. You know when Witch Hazel would quick dart away and her bobby pins would be left behind floating in mid-air? That’s Newt. When he jumps up on the railing to bark his fool head off at the dogs below a puff of dog hair escapes his body and free floats above his head, gently wafting down to the ground only to be welcomed by 1000 other hairs. They join hands and wander like evil youths around my apartment, content at just sullying the place, not actually toughening anyone up. Ahhh well, the cure is around the corner, broom and swiffer. It’s a cycle that will be repeated ad nauseum but that dog, he’s worth it.

Glow

For one reason or anohter I’ve had a bit of a rough week.  It happens.  Mr. Newt has been helping out a lot with that though.  I like when he cuddles at bed time.  He’s much more likely to do it in the morning though.  I love his Snoopy yawns.

Two PET scans this week. I should be glowing from the radiation, no?  Ahhh well.  My kids might turn out to have some kind of awesome super powers because of it like flying or invisibility or cutting ponytails off of men who should know better.  One can hope.

I’ve bought and have yet to try an at home glycolic peel thingamajig.  I can’t believe my incredible willpower.  I should have slathered that stuff on my face while I drove home from Walgreen’s.  Self control – who knew I had it?  Maybe tonight I will test it out.  Hopefully I won’t wake up tomorrow looking like I fell asleep on the beach at noon.  What am I still doing here typing – there’s a mask to be tried!