Kitty Spooning

When life's happening, blogging ain't

We've been busy so I think you get the picture - there's been a lot going on around Chez Igloo this past weekend, and not much time to blog about it.
We had guests up from Ole Virginny for DN2's birthday and see, I was so busy I didn't even have time to post a happy birthday message to her on my blog.
Instead, she had to settle for the new My Chemical Romance CD (parental warning be damned) and these boots:

I think she was good to go and more than satisfied.
Then from our Commonwealth friends she received the new Hannah Montana CD and DVD.

Now there is one ritual that I have everyday when I go to work, and I do this because I don't listen to music at my desk: it is imperative that the last song I play before heading inside is one that I will hum (and sometimes sing out loud to) for the rest of the day.
But nooo.
Not today.
Today I was singing about Hannah and how she has the best of both worlds.
Arrgh.
I'm a closet Billy Ray Cyrus fan just like many other people out there (like in "Doc") but enough is enough -- especially when you're trying to channel the Allman Brothers and all you get is the daughter of the Achy Breaky Heart man. And especially when your daughter plays Nine Inch Nails just for you on the radio at 6:15 in the morning (oh Trent, you want to do what like an animal???). Fortunately, but a bit too late in the day to save my sanity, DN1 attempted to rescue me with a text message telling me about a Cornflake Girl, so I left the building with that song in my head.

It was a good weekend, and we capped it off with a nice bit of antiquing in what is becoming my favorite (and closest) antique store. Here Ms. T (professional party planner extraordinaire) shows off the dinner plates from the two Spode 5-piece place settings she purchased from the shop. Ebay price: $83; antique store price: $35 = Bargain! Now that kind of math I can do.

I purchased an inexpensive bookshelf right out from under the noses of some other customers -- they should become familiar with that old Latin phrase - Caveat emptor, which translated into contemporary English means, you snooze you lose, sucka!

We were sad to see them go, but we'll be down to visit real soon.

And now we can turn the heat back down, since the thin-blooded Southerners have gone.

Playboy Mommy

"In my platforms I hit the floor, fell face down didn't help my brain out...
Don't judge me so harsh, little girl, so you've got a playboy mommy..." Tori Amos

Okay, sorry kids, but your birthday presents and Christmas may be a bit late this year.
No, it has nothing to do with the lag in the state payroll system.
It's your mom, the shoe whore, who can't control her habit.
Honestly, though, who could pass up these:

Or these:

(And no, they are not "practically the same shoe" - they are completely different.)

Both at 50 percent off, folks, aren't they lovely?

Yes, you've got a playboy mommy. Hope you like popcorn for supper (every day)!

The trouble with medical dictionaries

The trouble with medical dictionaries is that they are filled with pictures.
At my previous job where I was Chief of Nothing Much in Particular I purchased and used (very rarely) a medical dictionary.
On my last day of work I brought home the dictionary thinking that DN2, who will turn 8 this weekend, might consider a career in medicine. Or even just continue with an emphasis on science, like her older sister.
I presented this medical dictionary to DN2 and she started to look at it right away, finding all the "gross" pictures.
So there I am, sitting on the couch next to her as she is perusing her dictionary, and I'm basking in the obvious scientific bent of my youngest child's mind when she hands me the book and asks, "What's that Mom?"
I answered with a completely straight face and said, "Well now that's a penis. With scabies."
Okay.
Where did I put those Nancy Drew books?

Hilarious endings

So Friday was my last day at my previous job.
It was hard to leave (but obviously not that hard, because I did it).
I went to work on Friday morning anxious to finish up things lest something be left undone and my overworked coworker Sheri would have to pick up the pieces. Even now I'm sure there is something that she has to do because my stupid butt didn't finish it.
Sorry girlfriend!
Anyway, I come in and set my things down at my desk and what do I see? Photos of a certain person plastered all over my desk (and I mean everywhere - even underneath the desk, in my drawers, and in bags under my desk). Photos of every size - well none bigger than 8 1/2" x 11", but you get the idea.
But wait, it gets better.
And before I mention how much it gets better, let me just explain why this doctor's picture would be everywhere.
The person whom I supported would attend several standing meetings with a particular doctor, and for the sake of privacy let's call him Dr. Washington (definitely not his real name).
Of course when he became aware of my mad administrative skills, stunning good looks (ha!), and awesome shoes (too right), every meeting he attended with my boss he insisted that I be there to take minutes. Because of course I can offer so much to the field of medicine.
Okay, maybe I was just the bitch responsible for minutes, but humor me, I still think it was my shoes he wanted to look at (and of course in most of my shoes I stand at 6 feet, or just shy of that, towering a good six inches over this doctor).
So of course I began attending these early morning meetings and then would come back and regale my coworkers with stories about this doctor. Like how his hair would stand up and you'd want to fluff it - remember that one? (For the record, no one else wanted to fluff his hair - they would usually shudder when we'd discuss things like that, but honestly, these meetings can be tedious at times so you have to think about something.)
Anyway, for my last day, Jean and Sheri thought they would be funny and place pictures of Dr. Washington all over my desk. But they didn't stop with the desk.
No, there was one on the printer. Then I left my desk to use the copier and came back and what was the wallpaper? His picture.
I was in tears of laughter most of the day. And so were everyone else.
I have it on good record that one of the culprits almost peed in her pants because she thought what she was doing was so hilarious.
Yeah, okay, I'll give you that - it certainly was a hilarious ending to my previous job. A prank that will go down in the annals of history.
And look what you're left with now, girls. The wheels are turning on that bus, aren't they?
So yesterday (four days after I ended that job) I was unpacking things from my box.
DH grabs my hand lotion from my box, and this is the one I had kept on my desk. He opens it to use it and asks me, "What the hell is this?"
This is what the hell it is:

You know what he said?
"That is the funniest thing I have ever seen."
I have to agree. On Friday when I was sitting there talking to KayBee and I grabbed my hand lotion, once I looked inside I immediately threw it down and died in a fit of laughter.
Now I can understand why my culprits had their bladder control problem.
So at home with DH, I then pulled out the piece de resistance - the framed picture.
Yes, I received a framed picture of Dr. Washington in my gift box, and the frame is inscribed with the word - Unforgettable.
Yes.
Unforgettable.
I can only hope that the people at my current job are as much fun as the ones at my former employ.
Cheers!

For my phantom reader in NC

The house across the street is for sale.
Think about it.
Seriously.

My 20th Century Boy

Growing up I was exposed to a diverse cross-section of music, mostly because of my older brothers, especially Ken, who was really the music guru in the house. Still is, actually, as one of his former bands has a myspace page. But to a young girl it was the glamour of the lead singer that attracted my interest and when I was 8 and 9 years old (a few decades ago) one of the bands I was interested in was T. Rex. Okay, I liked Bobby Sherman and the Partridge Family too, but no one was as cool as Marc Bolan. I even wanted to marry him, and I would have pursued this (of course) if he hadn't died in a tragic car accident in September 1977. Below is a picture of Marc Bolan:

DN2 as the youngest of my children has been exposed to a diverse cross-section of music, mostly because of her older brothers and her older sister, who also serves as the music director at the college radio station. To a young girl of 8, it is the glamour of the lead singer that is so attractive and one of the bands she is interested in is My Chemical Romance and lead singer Gerard Way. I guess it's true. The apple does not fall far from the tree.

The end of my career in medicine

Today is my last day of work at my current place of employment.
After today I will no longer have a career in medicine.
Considering that I never had this particular career to begin with is a moot point (I'm pushing paper, baby, not patients).
I've been receiving some Fabulous going away gifts (it's yet another post laden with superlatives -- sorry, hate to be so Pollyanna on you, but life is pretty good right now).
I will take pictures today of what I've received and of the people with whom I have developed very strong relationships.
Which reminds me, speaking of "strong relationships", there is one particular gift that will not make its way to my blog, and Jean and Sheri know what I'm talking about. I can't stop laughing every time I think about it.
The joke's on me!
^_^

Aiiiiieeeee!!!!

Yes, that is (sort of) the title of a Tori Amos song (she's a little less excitable).
And yes, that is the sound I made when I arrived home and opened this:

(I have the best Knit Tea Swap partner ever - I may find it necessary to reiterate this throughout the blog.)

Aiiiiieeeee!!! And here is the sound of me gasping for air as I'm looking over all these luscious goodies!!! You know, I consider myself to be pretty knowledgeable about tea and tea by-products (such as cookies), but I have never, ever had a chocolate bar infused with Earl Grey tea. Until now. Oh that treat will be mine and no one else's.
Here's a conversation that took place as DN2 and I were setting out all the goodies and looking them over.

DN2: Wow! She sent you candy!
Me: Yeah, I see.
DN2: I'm stealing that from you.
Me: No you're not.

Later...

DN2: Can I open your bag of candy now?
Me: No.

(I'm so selfish)

Even later....

Me: Hey, DN2, want to have some candy?

(I can't always be selfish)

No actually, I want to just look at all this stuff! It is awesome, amazing, splendiferous and superb!

Before I show off the goodies individually, let's give the big shout out to the individual who sent them to me:

Knitty Otter! Head over to the blog. I am shamed by the level of knitting ability that has been achieved in six months. And friendly? Oh yeah. And a good shopper? Oh yeah, check it out.
Here is the most amazing tea tumbler - it brews your loose tea - On The Go! And some of you may notice that the house on the cover of America's Best Tea Room Recipes looks (almost) like my house. Sweet. And Zhena's Gypsy Tea in Raspberry Earl Grey. Let me drink a cuppa and I may be over to tell you your fortune.
Lorna's Laces. Enough said.And a funky blue tape measure. I love it. Must find something to measure (and not my waist, hips or ass).
Here's the goodies that you eat - no, I will eat. Chocolate. Cookies. Pocky's. We love Pocky's. We used to buy these all the time in Japan and I haven't had them in a long time. Except these Pocky's are from France. Cool. I love the French. I could live in France. I could live with the fruit and veg stand guy I saw in Strasbourg. But I'll save that topic for another blog entry. DN2 tried to grab these Pocky's off of me as well. You know what I said to her?

"Back off girl."

And I could smell something good coming from the package even before I opened it and it was this tea. The loose tea comes from Belle's Tea Cottage in Reno and Knitty Otter sent me some Lady Grey (which I love - thanks!) and Christmas Tea (which I may drink tomorrow). And some tea bags, which I may have to take to my new job.

Whoops. More about that tomorrow.

For now, a humongous thank you goes out to Knitty Otter who sent the best Knit Tea Swap package ever! Mwah!

Cristiano is here for you, Bean

This is for Beanie who is finding that sometimes life can just suck the life out of you.
Just to let you know that Cristiano and I have got your back
And now you can have his front (and his valiant nation).


If this were a post for me I'd be putting pictures of football players I like, such as...

or even...

or even...

All retired now, but ah...those were the days, eh?

Hope you have a great day, Beanie! I love you!

How every well-trained cat owner behaves

Sometimes I just wake up too early. I really do. I wake up much too early. And then of course get absolutely nothing accomplished. Except for a random blog entry here or there.

Why do I get up so early? Because the cats come and sit on my chest. At 3:30. Like clockwork. Every day.

Lovely.

And Benno purrs so loudly he sounds like an 18-wheeler in idle. What do you do with an 18-wheeler in idle on your chest? You dislodge it as soon as possible. So what do I do? I get up and give them food.

They have me so well trained.

Yesterday my package from KnitPicks came in the mail and it contained this!

It's the new Mix and Mingle afghan kit in Jewel. SN2 picked out the color. My house is so cold I need as many afghans as I can just so we can sit in the living room and watch the telly. I would have loved to get the Colinette Ab-Fab kit that I have been wanting for three years, but I just haven't been able to gather the courage to spend that much money. Someday.

The people who pack these bags are masters of logistics. I unpacked the yarn, and it looks like this.

It sure didn't look as neat as the first picture when I tried to put it back in the plastic bag. It's such a mess I can't even take a picture of it. I'll just have to start knitting it right away.

Gee, you'd never guess that one of us has an annotated bibliography due on Monday would you.

This came in my package from Knit Picks too.

I really would like to get the Knit Mittens book, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Now you know that a spot that has been vacated by yarn is quickly occupied by cats.

Yes, there they are the lovely buggers. Waking me up at three bloody thirty in the morning.

I'm watching Shakespeare Re-Told "The Taming of the Shrew" so I'm engaging in Brit speak this morning. And having a cuppa. And wondering why Rufus Sewell never comes to see me. Think about it, Rufus.

I think I really am up much too early. Perhaps I should go back to bed for a while. Or at least kip on the couch.

Who wouldn't want this in their stocking

It's not too early to start your holiday shopping, and this is for a good cause too.

Freedom Is Not Free is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) foundation dedicated to helping injuried soldiers, sailors and Marines. They are a new foundation, just started in 2005, but for a very real and worthy cause. This year they are selling a 2007 calendar featuring some extremely buff recon Marines.

Yowsa. I don't know who is running their marketing department, but they're doing a hell of a job. Now I ask, who wouldn't want to find this in their stocking. And this is just the cover picture! Click on the link above (or below) and you'll be able to view the pictures for the entire year. And if anyone complains about the relative lack of clothing in some of the shots, tell them it is for a good cause. And then tell them to kiss your a**. (Just kidding -- sort of.)

There are some very real financial concerns out there for injuried military personnel, so again, check out Freedom is Not Free and you can read about some of the people they have been able to help.

And if nothing else, buy the calendar.

Just for the pictures.

Caveat -- no real, live Marines actually come with this calendar, they are all photos. If you really want a Marine, you have to go find one for yourself.

Weekend plans

Our weekend plans never materialized. We were to meet in Childs and have a cousin's luncheon, wherein all the cousins get together and have lunch. Much talking ensues, as you can imagine. Unfortunately, my cousin from Medina (who is 95) called my mother and said, "Well we're not going, there's no power." After that, we all pretty much figured that anyone directly west of us was without power (they were/are) to include my 92 year old uncle as well as the restaurant! Personally I'm really glad we went to the pumpkin patch last week, because I can only imagine how much they got hit with snow. Mushy pumpkins, yuck.

So instead we ended up doing a whole lot of nothing much, which is unfortunate because I fully expect this to be the week from hell. Why, you ask? Ah, I will provide more explication on that later. But first I must prepare for my last week of work.

Whoops! Did I say too much already?

Can anyone help me find my snowbrush?

Update: My commute in was awesome - the roads were clear, the snow-covered trees looked lovely in the sunrise and I happily listened to a Christmas CD. The counties to the west and south of me, however, got hammered. No school for them today! And in some parts, no electricity!

Persephone is headed back to the Underworld

And Demeter is pissed.

Six months ago I posted some pictures that showed it snowing here on April Fool's Day. Now six months later it is already snowing again.

Well at least one of us is happy that it is snowing.

Weather reports give ranges from 2 - 5 inches of snow. Fortunately that is all in Buffalo. Rochester has a frost warning.

Der. Ya think?

It is accumulating pretty quickly now, but how much more will fall is hard to tell. Good thing I finished at least one pair of mittens and a scarf for myself, eh?

And finally, here is my semi-artistic photo of snowflakes falling at night. They're flying fast and furious now, folks.

Our Friday forecast calls for...

...snow.

Speaking of supermarkets

Courtesy of Tops Supermarket, two members of my family will be sitting in section 137 of Ralph Wilson Stadium watching the Bills play the Patriots.

Now if only Tops could have given away tickets to the World Cup....

No supermarket pumpkins for us, thanks

We took a visit to a pumpkin patch in Waterport and had a great time!

Well, the one permanently connected to Jorge, his ipod, didn't want to be there, but you know, sometimes it's necessary to force kids to have fun.

While there we also picked apples. And then we brought home a man. Yee haw.

He started out as Bob, then Brownie, then Barry, and by the time he got home, he was Walter.
He's our front porch guardian, but not too accessible from the street, because you never know what the college students will grab on any given weekend. Ditto for the pumpkins.

Things to remember

When you overhear a fellow classmate claim to find a book extremely boring, do not pay attention to them and dread reading the book, because they just might be wrong.

Happy Birthday, Major Knitter

Today is the birthday of a very dear friend.



Most people (like me) want something for themselves on their birthday; after all, it is their special day. However, my dear aforementioned friend is not like everyone else -- she is a very giving and loving person, not selfish, greedy and manipulative (like me).

Please help her to celebrate her very special day in her unique way, which she wants to do by sharing her wealth of knitting knowledge with others. Head over to her blog and check out her latest contest. And when you're there you'll see that because of her giving nature she will end up rewarding a few lucky people!

So sing it with me:

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday Major Knitter,
Happy birthday to you.

This is scary

My youngest son has friends who are licensed to drive.