kmlsparkles

My new "must have" accessory.  The minisock!

For socks, they are a bit pricey but, far cheaper than a pair of killer pumps!


http://www.minisock.com/

*Of course, I'll have to wait until after the pregnancy when, hopefully, my feet will have regained their daintyness and my bulk will no longer force me into flat shoes.

So, I called Urban Nirvana back to let the spa manager know I got my license.  She was excited for me and wanted to know when I could start.  I told her I could do Saturdays until my maternity leave came and ended and come on full time in January and she liked that!  She told me she needs to give her Saturday girl a break so it would work out really well!  She is going to call me back once she looks at her staff and schedule.  I am so happy!

I didn't want to start back to work until at least a year after the baby but, let's face it...we are working poor, people.  If I wasn't providing an income, we wouldn't make it.  A. is willing to work two jobs or find one that pays better but, I don't want him missing out on the baby, either.  I think we can work around his, mine, and my mom's schedule to at least make sure baby V. gets all her day care from her family.  That's better than a lot of people get!  The breastfeeding thing will be more complicated but, I can figure it out.  If I have to pump in the staff room, then I have to pump in the staff room.

Besides, as much as I'd love to be a kept woman...that is a harsh contrast to being an overwrought, coupon-clipping stay-at-home mom who has to cancel her cable to pay the rent.  I didn't go through all this trouble for nothing, right.  Might as well use the license I worked so hard for!  YEAH!  

I have a feeling that after 12 weeks of leave, I will enjoy the chance to be out in public again.  We'll see.  There is always part time...

Hey, last night I made a yummy sweet potato pie using this recipe

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28448,00.html?rsrc=search

I had a pie crust, a sweet tooth, and a baking yen. I wanted something a little more healthy than the Crispy Cremes I've been snarfing. Sweet potatoes are very good for babies. :)

But, be warned, if you make this in the summer you will pine for fall. Just smelling it bake, made me wistful for the pumpkin patch and the state fair!

Still pricey but, maybe not over-pricey... ?

Oscar lamp/ Thomas Paul shade




http://lightingbygregory.com/store/lu-rs-260-ps.html 

I am trying to bring elements of the forest into the nursery for a woodland theme without cheesing it up.  This will do nicely :)

Incidentally, I am discovering a design trend that I have always loved but never realized was (a ) named and (b) existed.

FAUX BOIS

It's a fancy, french word for fake wood, ya'll.  

There is even a website devoted to it: http://www.itsknotwood.blogspot.com/

I want to put this in the nursery but, I can't afford it. :(



http://store.roseandradish.com/product-exec/product_id/1130/nm/Cole_Son_Woods_Wallpaper

Lady: How far along are you?

Me: I'm just starting my fifth month.

Lady: Oh, you look big to be in your fifth month.

Me: ...

Lady: Anybody else tell you that?

Me: No.

People say really dumb things to pregnant women.  I am forgiving, for the most part, because I know they mean well and that there is just some sort of dorky excitement people get around expecting mothers.  Also, I am just starting to show to the point where people are congratulating me without the mental debate of "is she pregnant or just getting fat in the belly, should I say something or will she be offended?!"...so, I haven't had people say much to me until very recently.  I can imagine that it probably gets tiresome with time.  I think there is a latent tribal link between humans that stays mostly undercover in our modern world.  It seems to reveal itself in times of emergency and times of great promise which is why, IN THEORY, I don't mind people wanting to touch my belly or asking personal questions.  That being said, I was irked hardcore this morning when some woman in the elevator at work said to her friend (and I soon realized, to me) :

"I have seen more pregnant women and women getting married,...I guess it's just the season for it! :) "

If you are wondering why this annoyed me, let me explain.  If you are me...

you have been wanting this for a long time...you are daily observing freakish and disturbing changes in your body and you have already discovered a teeny-tiny stretch mark under your belly button..you are only just now pinching at the magnitude of this scary, uncomfortable, miraculous, life-altering event...and some woman on an elevator tells her friend (and you) that you are merely one of many touched by a meteorological marvel!  Well, thank my lucky stars!  

And, what the hell does my fertility have to do with weddings?

The uniting factor between the two would seem to be love and, I guess, sex and if she is simply saying that people rut in the winter and bellies blossom in the spring then, ew, keep it to yourself, lady!  Just because there is undeniable physical evidence of the fact that I like to make it with my husband, well, that doesn't mean it is an invitation for discussion on the topic!

I am sure this is only the beginning.  I have heard crazy stories of the things people say to pregnant women.  I know she meant no harm but, I just wanted to hit her with my purse.  Here is a tip...if you see a pregnant lady and you feel the desire to comment, stick to "Congratulations" or "How exciting"....stay away from "Was it planned?" or "Everyone is pregnant right now!".  

I know women have been doing this since there were women but, I have never done this before.  It's special, dammit.

Last night, I dreamt that something was wrong with my heart.  I was also Ashley Olsen (not that I am making any sort of connection).  I was having a complicated love affair with Tom Cruise to boot. 

 

But, about my heart…I somehow suddenly realized that I had previously died from some sort of heart failure and was revived.  I realized that my heart was weak.  Somehow, in my dream, this was a scifi moment.  I might as well have discovered that my eyes were lasers.  I was pretty devastated. 

 

I spent the rest of my night, running around being worried about something happening to my heart again.

 

Does this mean no more "pink is the new blog" before bed? 

 

Or, could this be an unintentionally mnemonic admonition from my sleeping brain?

(say that three times real fast!)

I love this "links list" feature.

goonies_nsd, what would your top links be?

Mine are: 

1) Sock Dreams

Because they sell the most bad-ass socks and they specialize in what they call OTK or "over the knee" socks. I have a pair of these...

They rule. They are like legwarmers but, with feet. And if you wear them in front of your man with some cute little boxer shorts you can stay warm in the winter in more ways than one...tee hee. You can also wear your denim skirt year round thanks to these babies.

I have four pairs, all different styles, and they are all comfy.

2) Shambala

Tippi Hedren made a movie once called "Roar". She had to get her own big cats for the movie and she ended up keeping them. She had them living on private land and then just couldn't turn people down when they started asking her to take in other cats. These animals were usually abused or on their way to that big safari in the sky. Eventually, she established a foundation to protect wild cats who have been abused, unfairly "domesticated" and unfairly hunted. She has pursued lawmakers to stop "canned hunts" and taken on other issues as an advocate for the animals.

I think it is a defining moment where we reach out and become a part of something that is calling us.

She has pictures of the cats on the site and you can even choose one to adopt.


3) Plan 59

THE MUSEUM (AND GIFT SHOP) OF MID-CENTURY ILLUSTRATION
(need I say more?)

4) Gallery of the Absurd

Everyone knows about it, right? 14 takes gossip and makes it into art. Like this little slice of genius pie...


"According to Greek mythology, the Three Graces represent beauty, charm and joy. Contemporary mythological characters such as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton are the antithesis of grace. This makes them the Three Disgraces. They represent sleaze, trash, and desperate cry for attention."

5) Bag Snob

It is a sick fascination. Handbags are beautiful. They are pieces of portable couture.

6) Mighty Goods

If you haven't been here, you must check it out. It's just the best shopping on the internet. All the work is done, you just click and pay!

7) Go Fug Yourself

They just tell it like it is. These fashion scholars do not merely re-post the obvious nip slips and the ubiquitous unflattering tabloid pics of our celebroyalty but, the truly fugly garb of the elite accompanied with their own hysterical and cultivated assessment.

8) Dooce

Infamous/ famous blogger who coined the term "dooce", meaning to get fired from your job for posting on the internet. At least, I think that is what it means? Anyway, that is what happened to her. She once wrote about dating soap stars and drugs but now it is mostly about her family and drugs. I love how she doesn't hold anything back from her readers. Even when anonymous people lambaste her for her opinion...she simply posts their crap on the internet so we can see what lunatics they mostly are. Oh, and she is really funny.

9) Ostentatious Style and (10) Aesthetics + Economics

Great trend and fashion watching sites

10) Sweet Juniper

Here is the newest one. Another parent blog. I got hooked yesterday when I read the entry titled " 405 more reasons not to shop at Wal Mart" that is actually even funnier then you think it is.

If you are like me then television is idelibly linked with your holiday traditions.  If you find excitement (like I did) just knowing that The Monkees holiday ep and The Ropers' Christmas party is on the same Friday night, then you are going to love me for this link!  It's a list of every holiday special being shown this year.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/blog/2006/11/christmas_tube_series_episodes.html#more

Oh wow.  I am freaking out.  I just found out that Tord Boontje has designed a line of dinnerware and glassware for Target.  I only know who he is from the internet.  I found some glasses  that he designed at an on-line shop called Sprout Home .  I eventually discovered that he is a superstar designer accruing enough mainstream props at this stage in the game to actually be making a line for Target!  I am made more anxious by the report that he already sold out once.  

Have you ever fallen in love with something as everyday and un-requiting as a drinking glass?  He doesn't exactly understand it but, my husband is tuned-in enough to know how I feel despite however crazy he thinks I am for it (he has his designer jeans, I have designer glasses).  A perfect example is the night an inebriated neighbor came over and poured himself a drink in one of the Tord glasses.  Every time he gestured with it in his hand, my heart skipped a beat.  I was seriously distraught at the thought that he might somehow hurt the glass.  When I had a minute alone with A., I confessed to him how nervous I was and he was like, "I know, I was so worried!"  

As soon as the drink was drank, A. was already hand-washing it carefully and replacing it in the cabinet.  He then offered our friend a drink in another glass.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he is that extraordinary.

If I am on your Christmas list, or you are just really curious now, here is the link.  But, don't tell anyone else.  Shhhh!

http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/602-2199139-5408652?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038576&field-keywords=tord

P.S. Behnaz Sarafpour has a line of clothes for Target, too.  Awesome.

Last night, for some reason we can't fathom or fix, our iphoto crashed and took with it three years of memories.

I saw Marie Antoinette and I loved it.

The sets and the costumes were exquisite. I am trying to figure out how to reproduce it all in my house. Rumor is, Sophia handed a box of pastel-colored French macaroons to her designer and said "These are the colors I love".

Her aesthetic is my ideal. It is embarrassing how much I want to live inside this movie.

Well, today we vote.  There were some shaky moments when I thought I might not do it.  The last election was a crushing dissapointment.  I was really beginning to think it was pointless because there was machinery in motion that my little opinion couldn't affect at all.  I really started to believe that the best I could do was to enjoy the pleasures in life that I have and just be glad I wasn't living in a third world country or one of the ones the US keeps bombing.  

But, I thought about it a lot and I realized that complacency might be more evil than the evil of the evil-doers.  Avarice is so bad it is in the top seven deadly sins but, so is sloth.  My inaction would actually aid their agenda.  Our current administration is fueled by people who want us to believe that we are powerless and that we should just keep our mouths shut.  If my voice isn't heard it won't be because I didn't speak!  I also realized that the times when courage and action are most needed are the times when it is hardest to give.  What would the world be like if people with a different voice didn't speak up or everyone who felt the same way packed their trunks and moved to the same place?  Fractured.  Polarized.  Intolerant. Powerless.  

Let's all vote, vote, vote and stop making it so easy for the bullies!

Last night I skipped out of class early and entrusted my punch-out to a girl who, then, skipped out early after me and forced the responsibility of our covert-double-punch-out on the last girl left. I got an email from the "She Who Was Left Holding The Cards" this morning telling me that she wasn't able to accomplish the furtive deed. As she was clocking herself out, one of the massage instructors was standing right next to her. She panicked and clocked only herself out.

I think it is totally lame that the girl I trusted in the first place screwed me over but, the moral of this story really is: Be fucking responsible. Every time I try to get away with something, I get caught. Forget that everyone sneaks around. When I do it, it all goes bad. And, if you are involved in sneakiness with me, you will get caught. And, don't ask me to lie about it later because I can't lie and we will get into even more trouble.

Anyway, I left to attend a meeting of my book club. I have really missed it. It was fun but now I am nursing a cruel hangover and my dinner plans may be compromised. I am sure my second wind won't fail to blow, oh, somewhere around the hours of five and six p.m.

Right now I am being booeyed by a latte and the soundtrack to Rent.

The Pumpkin Carving party was great. While we were waiting for our hayride at the pumpkin patch, the kids saw a rebellious rabbit who had escaped the petting area and began chasing him. My friend D.'s hilarious remark: "It just doesn't get cuter than a bunch of kids chasing a bunny...through Christmas trees, no less." 

I lost my cell phone somewhere in the pumpkin patch.  I didn't even panic.  I just told my husband that he should be amazed that it took so long for me to misplace something so small and portable.  He wasn't too concerned because it was free to begin with.  It was a good thing we didn't freak because it was actually found.  The woman who found it started calling all the numbers in my contacts until she found our "home" and called us. 

A.'s BFF was able to come from Atlanta because her fiance's band was playing a show. So, after the party, we all went to Art Bar and watched them. They were good but, I was really taken with the opener. They are a trio from Charlotte called "Satanic Romantic". There is no way to describe it. I think you either get it or you don't. I totally got it and I want it again. You can check them out on myspace but, I think the appeal is all in the live show.

My pumpkin took the longest because it was very ambitious. A stencil of my man, Conan O'Brien. It turned out great though. I don't know how I will top it next year. Since my friend D. managed to crank out two very good pumpkins while I was still shading Conan's coif, my carving ability was naturally questioned by the wee ones. My friends daughter couldn't tell what it was and after looking over my shoulder for like the tenth time, finally told me that I just wasn't very good. Lol!

                           I showed her!


The Sunday after our party, we drove back out to the country to retrieve my phone.  This pumpkin patch is a Christmas tree farm as well so they have a big Christmas house filled with every sort of decoration you can imagine. We walked through room after room filled with ornamented trees, each one was more elaborate than the one before it.  Two women were decorating a huge tree while we were there.  I felt like I was at the North Pole and I though how great it must be to work, year-round, surrounded by Christmas.   By the time we left, we had jingle bells in our hearts and visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads. This is good as I was already starting to get a little sad over the end of Halloween. I know the actual day is yet to come but, our party being over sort of begins the end of the holiday for us. I can't wait to pass out candy and dress the dogs! 

Our costumes are going to be hysterical!

This weekend we will be heading out to the pumpkin patch for our annual hayride and pumpkin pickin'.  We get really into it.  I like to get a collection of stencils together for all my friends to choose from when we carve them up at my house.  FYI, Zombie Pumpkins has the best stencils on the internet and you only need to give him an itty-bitty donation to get them all.

Anyway, in complete dumbfounded awe, I found these


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Artistic182/Goonie%20Pumpkins/GooniesPumpkinPattern.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/Artistic182/Goonie%20Pumpkins/GoonieFarewellPattern.jpg


I just know my sister is going to flip her wig when she sees these.

P.S. Halloweentown High bites the big one.  Tonight is "The Village" (and we already know about the surprise ending)

Speaking of surprises, A. leaked the PR winner to me this morning.  I missed the show and stayed away from the TV and internet to avoid finding out.  Then, from the mouth of my own husband I hear the name.  I am sleeping with the enemy.

I still can't wait to see the collections even though the suspense is gone.  Btw, I wasn't surprised.

One of our favorite ways to enjoy the fall is with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.  They aren't just yummy in pies, we loooooove to make hot toddies.  Our favorites are Hot Buttered Rum Spiced Cider and Mulled Wine.  You can get pre-made packets at the grocery store or you can make your own.


Hot Buttered Rum Spiced Cider

6	cups apple cider
1/2	teaspoon whole cloves
1/4	teaspoon ground cinnamon
3	cinnamon sticks
6	tablespoons butter
6	tablespoons packed brown sugar
3/4	cup rum

1.	Heat cider, cloves, nutmeg, ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks to boiling in 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Strain cider mixture to remove cloves and cinnamon sticks if desired.  (You can also use a cheesecloth to tie the spices together and avoid straining it later)
2.	For each serving, place 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 2 tablespoons rum in mug. Fill with hot cider.

We like to use a fresh cinnamon stick to swirl around in our drinks and mix it up while we sip!  You can also try adding lemon peel or ice cream.  You can easily make this recipe a mug at a time by using a cheescloth or teaball full of spices and dunking them in boiled cider, just like you are steeping hot tea. 

Here are some links you can use to find your favorite way of mulling wine
http://www.thewineman.com/mulled_ns.htm

http://www.lisashea.com/wine/mulled/index.html

We usually just buy a packet of spices and make it from that.  We usuallly start drinking these in the fall and carry on through January. 

Last night we watched the movie adaptation of "The Crucible" and I really liked it. We have "Corpse Bride" on the way next. I only have the one movie at a time deal at Netflix so we try to get them in the mail fast. We want to get our hands on as many Halloween movies as we can before the end of October.

We gave our business presentations in class. We have two or three more clinics and then we are done. Book work is done. I got an "A" on my presentation but we are not allowed to see our final grades. They don't want to reveal our valedictorian, I guess, until graduation. Whatever. We are all "A" students and that is the slackest school ever so, I can't say I really care. 

I am doubtful that I will be chosen, in case you couldn't tell >:/, as I have put 100% effort into everything (although, not so much lately) and the other girls have half-assed their ways into getting the same grades. It is ridiculous. For the business pres. and our advanced paper.....I am the only one who didn't copy my complete project from one source on the internet. Seriously. And we all got 90's. I sourced, cited, and worked my ass off when I could have just Xeroxed. Yesterday, I came dressed in interview clothes (no one else did), I played a CD of specially prepared music (no one else did).   Unfortch my obduracy makes me a less likeable candidate when compared to the other girls.  Furthur proof that I was wired for academia.

The truth is, I would be really uncomfortable submitting that kind of work, regardless of what the other girls were doing so I should just shut my cake-hole. I did it the way I did it because that is what I do.

Even in clinic, it is the same thing. I was moved from dispensary (without any notification) to taking another girl's appointment because her sister was coming in. So, I rushed and got ready while she sat in the classroom on her cell phone calling the sister who never even showed up, natch. Well, guess what. The client, who was a clinic regular for the other girl, liked me so much better she re-scheduled with me. And that is the way the 'real world' works. At least I know that I am prepared for that.  

Two girls are already in a dermatology office together. Thank goodness since I want a snuggly spa somewhere and that eliminates some competition. No blood and carcinomas for me, please. And the only other girl in our program just missed class to waitress in a strip club to make enough money to bail her boyfriend out of jail for assaulting a cop. I am not making this up.

Every day some new scandal pops up at this school. I could write a book. A. asked me why I don't tattle but if I invalidate this place then all my time and money is wasted, too. I only vent here because my identity is somewhat obscure.  I really don't like saying such things about this place and these people even if they are true.  I can only hope that the next girls are more assertive. For my part, I really did stick my neck out a couple times and I got NO support. So, I just looked foolish. Besides, I am no more or less qualified than anyone else around here (scary). 

I want to be great at what I do even if it is just stepping-stone. I have two weeks left. I'll bring along a flask of whiskey if necessary.

And, Jen, big, fat CONGRATS to you for completing your program so well!!! I meant to say something sooner but, I was absorbed in mas drama!! 


Oh, and, the MOST IMPORTANT lesson's can't be learned in books. They go a little something like this:

M: What are you doing?

Me: Waxing my eyebrows.

M: Waxing your OWN eyebrows??  You can't wax your own eyebrows!

Me: Why not?  I did it before and it looked fine.

M:  You just aren't supposed to because...

Me: Fuck.  I just ripped off half of my eyebrow!

M: ....of that.