Wanna buy a “wall plague”? November 20, 2007

No? Well, what about a “bofay”?

So, yeah – I *do* read Craig’s List for the laughs as much as I read it because I might find something cool that I really, really gotta have (or need, as the case may be).

Just a few miscellaneous things, in no particular order –

The state lady called my boss today, told her not to get discouraged when she got the report in the mail. Wouldn’t fax it – said it might not come through clearly enough. *rolls eyes* So, I expect by the beginning of next week, we’ll know where we stand, if we stand anywhere.

I woke up a little late today. Usually, that wouldn’t matter, but it happens that on Tuesdays, Princess has to be to school almost an hour early for math club. I completely forgot that today was Tuesday – until I walked by Princess as I went to pick out outfits for the girls to wear, and was given a reminder. She talks in her sleep a lot. That moment, she muttered, “8 times 1 is 8. 8 times 1 is 8. *something mumbled* The answer is 82!”

Yesterday we walked in the door after school, and found a big mess in the kitchen. The crazy cat managed to get into the cupboard with my baking supplies, and knocked the container of baking cocoa onto the floor. Of course, it popped open, and there was a cloud of cocoa all over everything. What I can’t figure out is – how did she get it so far across the kitchen? There was no indication of the container being pushed across the floor (it would have shown, believe me), and it was about 6 feet from the counter! The girls helped me clean up. We hooked the bag over the knob of the basement door to put it out of the way until someone went to the garbage can. The goofy cat went to the bag and started pawing at it. She really wanted that cocoa!

Oh, yeah – can’t forget having to remove the “Don’t Spill the Beans” bean from Peanut’s nose today…

And I don’t care what that television commercial says, dammit. If I want to eat a piece of chocolate this late at night, I will. Somehow, I just don’t believe that a “bowl of cereal with icy cold milk” would be nearly as satisfying. So there! *pops piece of extra dark chocolate filled with dried blueberries in mouth*

It’s a beautiful day… November 18, 2007

the sky is clear blue and the sun is shining. I love days like that! I’m on my own again this morning. I slept in until 8:30, and I’m listening to the country station that plays “classics” on Sunday morning. I enjoy hearing some of the stuff I grew up listening to ever so much more than the majority of “new” country. A nice, relaxing morning. I’ll get to the housework – eventually!

It’s been a while since I posted last. Lots going on – some good, some not so good, some in-between. Work-wise, we’re in the midst of our state licensing inspection, with an inspector who holds some grudge against our new owner and is determined to see that he never gets a license. Unfortunately, that stress has overflowed into the rest of my life. I get calls from work every day, and generally end up having to go in for something or other even on my days off. Today, I refuse! I’m going to enjoy the morning on my own, and after hubby gets home, we’re going to go do a bit of Christmas shopping before we head to my folks’ to get the girls.

I had to have the water pump replaced on my car on Wednesday. It’s still leaking, on and off, which is really irritating considering I paid nearly $200 to have the job done. I guess I have to take it back on Monday. They told me my intake gaskets need to be done, too, to the tune of $400 before too long, and some other valve thing – a part that costs $130, not including labor. I’m sure they are things that do need to be taken care of, but we don’t have the money for it. I’m afraid to take it back to have them look at it again, because I don’t want them to tell me it isn’t the water pump leaking. Can’t get the gasket job done until after Christmas. It has to be the water pump, though – it doesn’t leak all the time, just sometimes – though more frequently now than before. I don’t know. It just sucks because all of our vehicles have something wrong with them. The Lumina still overheats, so can’t be driven, and the truck (which mil is giving us since hubby has been driving it since January anyway) needs the wiper motor replaced so hubby can drive more safely, especially with the winter slush time coming up. According to the place I took the van, it will only cost about $200 to do that job… *sigh*

Okay – enough depressing stuff! Back to the good things. Princess had her last dance class for the year yesterday. They did a little performance for the parents – a routine to “Hard Knock Life” from Annie. It was very cute. She wants to sign up for next semester’s class. I think that’s a good thing. (Her class is Theatrical Dance – Broadway-type stuff. Peanut goes to a ballet/jazz class, which won’t be over until next month.) Princess isn’t the most graceful kid, but she tries, and that is what’s important.

I’m gearing up to start my holiday baking, which will get kicked off with the requisite pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. After that, will come the cookies. I have to decide what kinds I’m going to make this year. Of course there will be candy cane meringues, “cyclops” cookies (the peanut butter ones with a hershey kiss in the middle), and Russian tea cakes. We make those three every year, as they’re favorites. I think I might let the girls do cut-out cookies this year, too. Oh – and can’t forget the batches and batches of Chex mix, lol. I’m also looking ahead to Christmas dinner. We’re not celebrating with my family until New Year’s Day, and I expect mil will come here, so I’m going to keep it simple so I can spend more time enjoying the day, and less time in the kitchen. Probably lasagne, and steamed chocolate pudding, which has become the traditional Christmas dessert for our nuclear family. (If I hadn’t already eaten Taco Bell leftovers for breakfast, I’d be getting hungry now…)

Anyone else have anything they make on a regular basis this time of year? Cookies, pies, cakes? Something savory?

Well, I’m going to scoot. With any luck, I’ll get to have a chat with a good friend this morn. Now, I’m heading off into my day, with a smile on my face.

“Horrorscopes” November 1, 2007

You can read anything you want into your daily horrorscope, which is part of what makes them so interesting. Some days they seem much more apropos than others.

Mine today, for example:

You have a calling, and signs are emerging around you that reinforce that fact. People are giving you feedback that is genuine — they’re not just praising you for their health! Have faith in yourself and understand that you’re capable of amazing things. The worst mistake you can make today is to limit yourself. This applies to new relationships, career challenges and even business opportunities. Act on your ideas and climb out of your shell.

Considering I’ve embarked on a challenge for the month starting today, I had a chuckle when I read this one.

Inspiration in a song November 1, 2007

Hubby sneaked off while I was sick and bought himself a new cd. He was kind enough, at least, to leave it for me to listen to. Actually, it is a 2 cd set, the new Eagles album, Long Road Out of Eden. I’ve been enjoying it this evening. There are several songs, lyrically, that “speak” to me, but one in particular I’m going to share, which should be for obvious reasons, even though it is not the best of the songs on the album.

I Love to Watch a Woman Dance
The Eagles

I love to watch a woman dance
She bows her head and lifts her hands
Her hips begin to circle slowly
Her eyes have closed; her face is holy
She holds the whole world in a trance
I love to watch a woman dance
Yeah, I love to watch a woman dance

She likes the slow songs of love lost
They take her a million miles away
‘Cause to dream, sometimes, is the only way
To go places you can’t get to any other way
Our eyes connect; she takes my hand
I love to watch a woman dance
Yeah, I love to watch a woman dance

I feel my heart beating, and I wonder
Will it ever satisfy my longing?
I’m gonna hold on to you for as long as I can
’Cause who knows, this dance may be our only dance

So we danced together, close and slow
So slow we’re almost standing still
Her warm breath against my neck
Slowly breaking down my will
The room spins so I can barely stand
The song ends; then, she lets go of my hand
There’s so much I don’t understand
But I love to watch a woman dance
Yeah, I love to watch a woman dance

~~~~

Takes me back to a special birthday, spent with a very special someone, dancing on the beach ’til all hours of the morning…

Precious memories.

Spouting off November 1, 2007

Normally, I don’t write about “topical” issues here, but there is one that I’ve been reading about that just grinds my gears, and I feel the need to vent, even though I know that in the grander scheme of things, it isn’t that important.

J.K. Rowling is suing the person who runs the Harry Potter Lexicon fansite to keep him from publishing a print version of the information compiled on the site. I listened to the sil of the publisher on the radio this morning going on and on about how they were just dumbfounded that JK would do this, considering her past support of the website. I’ve also just been reading at Mugglenet, and the majority of the comments I read there were along the lines of “Shame on Jo!” or “I don’t understand why she’s suing when SHE HERSELF gave the fansite an award,” or “she’s afraid it will cut into her own profits when she publishes her own encyclopedia,” blahblahblah.

WTF? What part of HER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY do you people not understand?

The fansite is just that – it doesn’t make a profit off of the work that she did. A published version would very definitely be making a profit off of the work that Jo did, not to mention that it would be a form of direct competition. Steve didn’t do the writing, nor did he come up with the ideas, or any of that. He shouldn’t be allowed to make money off of her. No, she doesn’t need the money, but that isn’t the point. What gives him the right to steal her creation? Just because he has it compiled online doesn’t give him that right.
It isn’t “pissing on the fans” for her to try to protect her creation. Not at all, and people who can’t understand that – well, I have to say I feel very sorry for them, and I’d like to see them go through the labor of writing a novel, then getting it published. How ’bout we talk then, ‘K?

Let me put it this way. If this book is allowed to be published, it sets a bad precedent. Where does it stop? What would then keep someone else from writing another book in the HP universe and publishing it? People write and read non-JK Harry stories every day – but are they profiting from them? No. That is where the line needs to be drawn. Things are copyright protected for a reason. Just because the author is wealthy now doesn’t mean that she no longer has the right to protect what is hers, to keep it hers and hers alone. We as fans are allowed to come along for the ride, to read and enjoy and wonder, because she has been kind enough to share.

Sharing isn’t the same as giving away, or giving up one’s rights. Remember that.