July 2006 Archives

I was tagged by Stacey at Serenity Now for a meme! I'm to list 6 weird things about me.

1. I don't like eating with a large fork. I use the smaller ones from our set. The same goes for the spoons.
2. I take my Velux blankets with me when I have to stay overnight somewhere. I can't sleep without them.
3. I still bite my fingernails.
4. I don't like my towels to have had fabric softener added to them when washed. I prefer them scratchy.
5. I can get a nasty chill even on a hot summer day and need to wear a heavy sweater.
6. I am addicted to Cream Earl Grey tea.

If you'd like to participate in this meme, then you're tagged!

There's much rejoicing which is why I've been MIA. I've not been partying like a lunatic but rather getting together all of the nuts and bolts aspects of my new internship!

Yes, I was accepted—finally!—at the agency I was hoping to be welcomed to join! It's Good Samaritan Community Center in Puyallup. I'll be working in the children and families division. Which means I get to work with the little ones! (Pooky says he thinks I'll do ok just as long as I think of the children as cats.)

Since being given the good news on Thursday, I've had to scramble to get my counselor's registration application completed, which meant taking a test about HIV/AIDS and paying $35 to take this test, buying my own malpractice insurance (only $25 for the year), tracking down my bachelor's degree diploma, and I've still got to get my immunization records and secure two more people for phone references.

I will be sent to an orientation in which I'll be put through the customary procedures: background check, TB test, photo ID card, and much, much more!

The drive to the center is about 1 hour away, and Pooky expertly calculated that means $10 a round-trip. It sucks, but I can't not take this internship. I tried to find something closer and that didn't work out. Besides, I like the supervisors. I think I fit in the facility, and apparently they think I fit too.

What's cool is I won't have to work early in the morning. Since most clients are seen after school, this means I can start my day around 11 am and work until 8 pm. These are the hours I am most functional. I am not a morning person.

As a wise fellow classmate said, your strength is also your weakness. I feel I have a lot of strengths regarding working with children, but I also see where I have a lot of weaknesses and room to fully grow and bloom. I'm sure by the time my internship is complete my feelings, thoughts, and experiences in working with children will have been completely changed. I'm looking forward to having my perceptions shattered, re-enforced, and having moments of total awe and surprise.

I am slow to find things on the Internet. That's why I have blog friends. Through them I discover way-cool things to waste spend my time with. From Patent Princess I discovered a site that is like MySpace.com for cats called Catster.

I have since spent the afternoon making pages for all five wonder beasties! Stop by and check out their unique pages!

Mr. Doo
Mr. B
Stash
Smee
Theodore Montague

Last night I read my 29th book in my 50 book challenge. The Devil Wears Prada got bumped up on my To Be Read list since it is on everybody's wishlist at PaperBookSwap.com.

The story has a reputation of being extremely funny. I didn't laugh, even at the running joke about a million girls dying to have An-dre-ah's job. Instead my thoughts turned to something else entirely.

I began to see how renowned author Gregory Maguire could apply his special treatment of poorly understood, maligned, evil, and dislikeable characters to Miranda Priestly. His noted re-imagination of classic stories told from the point of view from the antagonist (because there are after all two sides to every story) would perfectly apply to The Devil Wears Prada.

I could imagine how Miranda would be portrayed: her forgetfulness would be attributed to a long-ago brain injury, which would explain why she kept calling Andrea by the name Emily; her temperament and moods could also be attributed to this brain injury, or perhaps some kind of disease or syndrome which would make Miranda act as she does. This affliction would be milked to have the audience feel sorry for Miranda, to understand that she is a victim caught in her own life.

Also, I can see the treatment applied to Miranda that would shed light in her hectic life of producing a well-respected magazine, plus being a trend-setter in a fast-paced, cut-throat industry. More sympathy and pity would be gained in explaining about Miranda's poverty stricken childhood and how she lives with deep internal conflict and misery for abandoning her Jewish ancestry of favor of fitting in, and that she regrets the path she has taken, etc.

True to the spirit of Maguire's treatment, Andrea would be portrayed as an ungrateful bitch who is really the villain. We would see Andrea in a dim light, revealing her evil side and total bitchiness. Rounding it out, we'd learn that Miranda is not the cold-hearted devil she is perceived to be, but truly hurts inside and longs to be understood.

I've got a stack of books to select from. I can't believe I'll be starting on my 30th book!

Thirteen Reasons Why I Have Cats Instead of Kids I've known since a very early age that I didn't want to have my own children; strangely, I have always wanted to adopt an older child. (I don't trust my genes. I just know my own offspring would be exactly like the relative I least get along with.) I can recall when learning that people could go to college and earn a Ph.D. I knew that this is what I wanted to do most in life. So far I have one year left to earning my master's degree. I'm still deciding if I want to earn a Ph.D. Currently I have 5 cats. Somedays this feels like too many, and others it feels like not enough. I still want to own a Siamese cat. But between Pooky and Mr. Doo, I think the addition of a Siamese is not going to happen soon. The irony is, I have been looking for an internship for my marriage and family therapy degree in which I could work with children, adolescents, and their families. (I hopefully have finally secured one!) It's like how men want to become gynecologists (no, not because of THAT!). They will never really be able to totally relate their clients. Well, not exactly. I have the capability of one day adopting a child whereas a man can never become a woman—I think. This list is tongue-in-cheek. I can also think of 13 ways in which cats and kids are alike. Perhaps that will be next week's list! I have never been able to imagine someone calling me "mom" or "mother" or being someone's "parent". Cats purr; children cry and scream. Despite having a reputation of being high maintenance, a cat is pretty easy to take care of. A clean litterbox, full bowl of food, and endless ear scratches does the trick. A cat comes with its own clothing, a very soft suit of fur. A cat is self-cleaning. Most children are not until they leave home and even then some just become sloppy, messy adults. Children need to be entertained. Often, a cat is the one who provides the entertainment. When a cat becomes and adult it will never come to me and inform me of how I raised it all wrong and how it has spent the last five years in therapy. Cats don't require babysitters. Having a cat enter the bedroom while engaging in sex is not the same as having a child enter the room. My cats are neutered so I don't have to ever worry about them getting a girl in trouble or catching a nasty disease. Neutering or spaying kids would be considered cruel and unusual punishment. Cats are more adorable than kids. A cat never outgrows sitting on laps and wanting to be loved and snuggled. Cats are less finicky and picky than kids when it comes to eating. I'd like to see a kid eat the same kibbles day after day.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Mr. Doo was caught hanging out in the fridge. It may seem that he was inside of it to keep cool, but actually he went in with a different plan. He was after the lettuce!

Today the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the ban on same-sex marriage. In the statements released as to why the court ruled in favor of upholding the law, I take issue with this written by Justice Barbara Madsen:

There also is no violation of the state due process clause. DOMA bears a reasonable relationship to legitimate state interests--procreation and child-rearing. (DOMA = Defense of Marriage Act)

Same-sex couples are permitted to adopt children, serve as foster parents, and through the process of surrogates and/or natural methods, same-sex couples can have their own biological offspring. It's all right to be a homosexual parent, but not all right to be a homosexual spouse.

I get sensitive about the whole marriage/procreation issue as I am very passionate about reproductive freedom—that choosing to become a parent or not is one of those unalienable rights that were endowed to us by our Creator (see the Declaration of Independence).

I cannot eloquently articulate just how disappointed I am with this decision. The rationale to justify legal discrimination boggles my mind.

It looks like I'll continue to attend rallies at the state capital with the Religious Coalition for Equality. (Going to my first rally in 2005 was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had of a public religious and spiritual nature)

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Do you know what these items are or what you'd do with them?
Tell me your answer in the comments, then click on the image to find out if you are right!

As seen on Patent Princess' blog

1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
Talking on the phone with my sister.

2. Who will be your next kiss?
Probably Smee

3. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
Yes, a catalog with a pink cover

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
I'm wearing footie nylons

5. When was the last time you went out of town?
Yesterday (Sunday) to arrange a handfasting

6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No. We went opening weekend to see Pirates

7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
I'm drinking water right now

8. What are you wearing right now?
A summery dress that is 14 years old (yep, that's how often I go shopping for clothes)

9. Have you been in a car wash?
This is a non-sequitor

10. Last food you ate?
We went for Chinese

11. Where were you last week on Saturday?
At home

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
See my answer about the summer dress

13. When is the last time you ran?
I recall having to chase Mr. Doo through the yard because he escaped, which was a couple of months ago.

15. What is your favorite class?
Probably orchestra. Technically it is a class since I register to take it through the community college.

16. Your dream vacation spot?
One of those nice places.

18. How old are your parents?
My parental units are 68 and 63

19. Are you in love?
Yes!

20. Do you miss anyone?
I am always missing one of the cats, and Pooky

21. Last play you saw?
What's a play?

22. What are your plans for tomorrow?
I'm going to an internship interview

23. Who is the last person you commented on myspace?
No one

24. Ever go to camp?
I was spared this experience. Maybe not.

25. Were you an honor roll student in school?
No, I was an underachiever in school.

26. What do you want to know about the future?
I have a grocery list of things.

27. Are you hungry?
I'm feeling like I want a snack, but I'm too lazy to find one.

8. Where is your best friend located?
Up north.

29. Do you have a tan?
I go from alabaster to lobster.

30. How old do you want to be when you have kids?
I think when I'm in my 50s I might be old enough to adopt

31. Do you collect anything?
Pens, cat fur, dryer lint, and enemies

32. Last time you got stopped by a cop?
1990?

33. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
Sure.

34. How do you like your drinks?
Shaken, not stirred. Oh, wait, that's James Bond!

35. Do you like hot sauce?
Not really.

36. Last time you took a bubble bath?
It's been too long!

37. Who do you have a crush on?
Smee

38. What is your mood?
Tired. So very tired.

39. Are you someone’s best friend?
My husband’s!

40. What’s the last book you read?

When Smee is overwhelmed with love and affection, his eyes get heavy and he will dip his head down to the side. He'll dip a few times before totally falling over for a blissful tummy rub. Here he is starting to dip with love. I think the love gets so strong it knocks him over.

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you about the five days we travelled across South Dakota and saw the sites? Real Live Cows & Cowboys On our way out of Chamberlain we took a scenic detour up northward to the city of Pierre. While winding our way through the rolling prairie lands we were startled when we crested a grass knoll area to find ourselves in the midst of a cattle crossing right in the midst of the road. Real live cowboys were making sure the herd stayed together and got where they were going. The cows weren't afraid of the truck. They swarmed around it and some were even sniffing it. I think some may have even licked it. The cowboys hurried the cows as fast as they could be hurried, but cows more or less mosey, so I was able to snap some pictures of them as it was a very surreal experience for us. In Pierre we basically stopped for lunch, hit a Wal-Mart for more Chiclets to chew (we went through about 10 packages of gum a day) and took in some of the historical features of the town. Our next destination would be The Badlands I'm Petrified Just outside of the Badlands is a little roadside place called the Badlands Petrified Gardens. What I thought was cool were the rocks that glowed in the dark. Well, they glowed when a black light was shone on them. Curious was the dual timelines in the backyard where a collection of petrified wood could be observed. One time line was Creationist, the other Evolutionist. I'm not sure what purpose having both served as the money for admission was taken regardless of your beliefs. The Land Before Time Isn't it amazing what the natural elements of water and wind can do over time? The Badlands are formed through the process of erosion. We could see new spots of erosion beginning as well as places where it had worked its magic, exposing the layers of ancient stratified soil. This is where many dinosaur fossils are found, and it is frequently posted to remind you that it is illegal to remove anything from the Badlands, including fossils. What I thought was so amazing were the richness of colors exposed by the erosion. There were grays, but there were reds, pinks, and then we found the intense yellow and reds in a special area noted for being incredibly yellow. I called them the Mustard Hills though at the park they had given them a different name. The vivid colorings of the soils came about through different ways, all explained at the sites. Each layer of color represented a period of history. It was mind boggling to think that what we were looking at essentially dirt that was laid down millions of years ago. The terrain long ago was vastly different in appearance. It was difficult for me to imagine this dry land being an ancient sea bed, or to think of large dinosaurs roaming around. We did manage to see some wildlife while we drove through the park. We saw some sheep or mountain goats. We also got out of the truck frequently to stand on impressive outcroppings to capture incredible photographs. Pooky reported that the height was unsettling as seen in the picture to the right. Indeed our journey was a series of ups-and-downs through the various formations. I wondered how long it would be before the roads through the park would have to be changed as they were a part of the eroding and ever-changing landscape. Making a Memory During one of our roadside stops for a photo op, I brought out the tripod to capture us together. Despite my suggestions of having a little roadside snake to add to our memory-making, Pooky could not be swayed. The entire experience was like nothing I had witnessed before. I am always astounded, awed, and inspired by the powers of Nature and what She can do. From my human perspective, it seemed like an awfully long time, but then I considered it from Nature's perspective and realize that the erosion process is happening at a rather fast rate. It is hard for me to imagine having a consciousness with a continuity of millions and billions of years. Granted that I believe my soul to be eternal, yet I have only awareness of this incarnation with snippets of memories from past lives, but that hardly gives me a sense of a prolonged period of time. I wonder how much of a brain cloud I'd suffer from if I could remember a million years. As it is, I get confused remembering what I did a couple of years ago. We ended the day by coming to rest in the town of Wall, South Dakota. Our adventure in Wall Drug will be chronicalled in next week's Monday Memory. Links to other Monday Memories

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Please, someone contact Red Lobster on my behalf and let them know I am weak, dying, and struggling to live another day! Each moment that passes that it isn't Shrimp Fest my life force drains away. I NEED Shrimp Fest. I've this terrible need to salt and butter myself into scampi oblivion.

Yes, when the AYCE Shrimp Fest happens, I only care for one kind of their shrimp: the scampi.

Sure, the popcorn and coconut shrimp are good, but scampi wins over all shrimp preparations. The garlic, salt, and buttery goodness is the perfect way to eat a shrimp.

Lately when I do watch TV I've been artificially excited when a Red Lobster commerical comes on. Will they announce it is Shrimp Fest? No, they do not. My heart sinks. My spirits dampen. My tummy rumbles with consternation.

How much longer must I endure?

Thirteen Words I've Created or have redefined I seem to suffer at times from the ability to create a portmanteau. I also give words my own meaning. In other words, if you know me intimately then you will come to realize I have my own language. Here's a glossary to help you understand me a little better. anguinizing. A combination of anguish and exsanguinate. I came up with this word to describe the incredibly long and tedious physics labs during my final year in undergrad school. It felt like I was being bled-let by how long the labs would take. relest. A simplified version of resting and relaxing. I'm looking forward to relesting this weekend. visorcilities. My latest word combining "visitor facilities". I think visorcilities are basically gruddy* bathrooms, but possible a visitor's center that is closed on the weekend when most people go travelling. marvelocity. This refers to the state of being marvelous travelling outward from a single point at the speed of light into infinity. The single point is often a cat. Very few humans have marvelocity. It's basically a feline trait. majesting. When a cat is relesting in sphinx mode, I describe them as "majesting" because they do look very majestic. froo. It describes anything or situation as being displeasing or disappointing. It is also a mood in which nothing seems to be going well, and you know that there is no escaping it; you just have to let it run its course. necessiments are "necessary requirements". I think at the top of the list of necessiments is toilet paper. Life without it would be very froo. hobbcessities are hobbies that used to be necessities, like knitting socks. In the past if you wanted socks you made them yourself; now you make them as a hobby. fur is what I call homemade whipped cream. I may ask you if you'd like some fur on your strawberry waffle. If you answer yes, I will not toss a pelt onto your plate. crunchies are my word for French fried onions. It takes too much to say French friend onions, and so I say crunchies instead. Snake and snake. When capitalized it refers to a particular male body part. When lowercase it refers to the act of sex. meat cake is my word for meat loaf. the box. If I say I need to use the box or go to the box, it's my way of shortening litterbox. A feline inspired euphenism for going to the toilet and using it. * As I originally typed this I created yet another word: gruddy! This would be gross and cruddy together to describe those public restrooms along highways.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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As seen on Patent Princess' blog

GRUB-OLOGY
What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch
What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Wendy's
What is your favorite sit down restaurant? Fuddrucker's or Cracker Barrel
On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant? 15% - 20%
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Cream Earl Grey tea
Name three foods you detest above all others: Tuna, hard boiled eggs, orange jello
What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant? Beef chow mein
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Cheese and more cheese
What do you like to put on your toast? Butter
What is your favorite type of gum? Cherry or bubblegum flavor

TECH-OLOGY
Number of contacts in your cell phone? No clue
Number of contacts in your email address book? I have friends and SP swap members, so maybe 60
What is your wallpaper on your computer? A picture of Smee
What is your screensaver on your computer? Probably nothing
Are there naked pictures saved on your computer? Yes.They are of me.
How many land line phones do you have in your house? Just one
How many televisions are in your house? 2
What kitchen appliance do you use the least? Coffee maker
What is the radio station you listen to the most? KOMO 1000 news
How many sex toys do you own that require batteries? One.

BI-OLOGY
What do you consider to be your best physical attribute? My eyes
Are you right handed or left handed? Right handed
Do you like your smile? No.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? My wisdom teeth, my colon
Would you like to? Not really
Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom? My toilet time has been lost due to my ostomy
Which of your five senses do you think is keenest? Smell
When was the last time you had a cavity? Five or four years ago
What is the heaviest item you lift regularly? Myself
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Yes, through anesthetics before surgery

MISC-OLOGY
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? I wouldn't be so bad. I like to plan ahead.
If you could change your first name, what would you change it to? I've never liked my name, but haven't yet thought of more more suitable.
How do you express your artistic side? Crocheting
What color do you think you look best in? Black, purple
How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison? I have no idea.
Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake? Not that I am aware of.
If we weren’t bound by society’s conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at? No.
How often do you go to church? I think I can count on my fingers the number of times I've been.
Have you ever saved someone’s life? Not that I am aware of.
Has someone ever saved yours? I think so in a figurative way

DARE-OLOGY
Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000? As long as the day was warm enough
Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100? Depends on who it would be, and no tongues.
Would you have sex with a member of the same sex for $10,000? I'm worth way more than 10 grand!
Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000? Since I don't use them much, sure.
Would you never blog again for $50,000? Definitely.
Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000? As long as it would be tax-free.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Would it be a large or small bottle?
Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000? No.
Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000? I'm not very fond of hair, so yes.
Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000? Yes. I'd do it in a hearbeat.

Found at the Patent Princess's blog!

1. How old do you wish you were?
I'd like to be about 2,000 years old, but with a really good, youthful body.

2. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was at our home in Pennsylvania on the computer. Pooky called me to turn on the news.

3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
I try to figure out how to get my money back.

4. Do you consider yourself kind?
Yes, I do. But don't piss me off. I can be a real Medusa!

5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be?
I already have one. I'd like to get another if I ever have the money for it.

6. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
I'd go with either cat or Gaelic. I'd like to know what Mr. Doo is saying to me when he howls.

7. Do you know your neighbors?
My husband is more in the know about the ones who live across the street from us. They are the only ones we know in the neighborhood.

8. What do you consider a vacation?
Travelling for many grueling hours and staying overnight for more than one day.

9. Do you follow your horoscope?
No, but I have consulted a psychic and Tarot reader on occasion.

10. Would you move for the person you loved?
Of course.

11. Are you touchy feely?
I will accept hugs and I will give them only if I think the person is comfortable with accepting one. I have my moods where I like to be petted and held, but then I have my lizard moments where I don't want to be touched.

12. Do you believe that opposites attract?
I think that they do. I also think that like attracts like. There is a balance to the two types of attraction.

13. Dream job?
Feline maintenance worker

14. Favorite channels?
History, Discovery, Food Network, PBS

15. Favorite place to go on a weekend?
I'd rather go during the week when there aren't any crowds

16. Showers or bath?
Ever since having Ian-Sophia, I prefer to shower. Taking a bath doesn't feel "safe" just yet, and then there are the 5 curious cats to deal with.

17. Do you paint your nails?
Maybe once a year.

18. Do you trust people easily?
Part of my FOO work is to be more open and trusting of others. I think I have grown in this area, but still think I have more improvement.

19. What are your phobias?
Saying the wrong, anti-therapeutic thing to a client.

20. Do you want kids?
Not really. I am open to adopting an older child.

21. Do you keep a handwritten journal?
I have scads of blank books and journals. Some I have used...but mostly I just collect them.

22. Where would you rather be right now?
On the couch crocheting a doily.

23. What makes you feel warm and safe?
Being at home with the heat on.

24. Heavy or light sleep?
It depends on my level of tiredness.

25. Are you paranoid?
Generally not.

26. Are you impatient?
I have been known to be impatient, but mostly I think I have a lot of patience.

27. Who can you relate to?
My hope is that eventually I will be able to relate to everybody, but for now I seem to best relate to cats.

28. How do you feel about interracial or same sex couples?
I think society should have very little to say about it, especially religions. Love is one of the universal spiritual truths. The real sin is attempting to restrict and define what is acceptable love.

29. Have you been burned by love?
Disappointed, but not burned.

30. What’s your life motto?
I don't have a specific one, but I have ideals that I try to uphold. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated. I value honesty and truthfulness. Compassion, love, and understanding are qualities in which I attempt to give to others.

31. What’s your main ringtone on your mobile?
The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile jingle

32. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Reading The Sparrow

33. Who was your last text message from?
The phone company trying to sell me more minutes

34. Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
Around midnight

35. What color shirt are you wearing?
White

36. Most recent movie you watched?
In the theaters, the Pirates movie

37. Name five things you have on you at all times.
My ostomy bag, my hair, my skin, a random facial expression, and typically clothes.

38. What color are your bed sheets?
Blue

39. How much cash do you have on you right now?
Around $30

40. What is your favorite part of the chicken?
The white meat.

41. What is your favorite town/city?
I don't have one.

42. I can’t wait till…
I find out about my status in the graduate program.

43. What did you have for dinner last night?
Baked potatoes topped with chicken in a sauce made of mushrooms, onions, paprika, and a little sour cream

44. How tall are you barefoot?
5′ 6″

45. Have you ever smoked crack?
No.

46. Do you own a gun?
No.

47. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Tea.

48. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
Being myself has worked out fine.

49. Do you have A.D.D?
No.

50. What time did you wake up today?
I think it was 7:45 am.

51. What is your favorite candy?
Black licorice, and so much more

52. Current worry?
It's all school related stuff.

53. Current hate?
School related stuff.

54. Favorite place to be?
Any place that is quite, smells pleasant, and has cats

55. Where would you like to travel?
Shrone, Ireland

56. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
Living somewhere in a house with Pooky and our 5 wonder beasties

57. Last thing you ate?
Some candy

58. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I don't.

59. Last person that made you laugh?
Pooky

60. Worst injury you ever had?
I've been lucky not to have severe accidents.

61. Does someone have a crush on you?
I think Smee does. He often looks at me with heavy eyes and he will purr and then he will start to lean and fall over. It's like he is drunk with affection. He's my Ecru Wonder!

Proof that for 10 weeks I was a medical school student
We were required to wear this protective layer for gross anatomy to limit our exposure to the chemicals least we get preserved!

I can't take all of the credit for these recipes that I'm about to share. I have this way of adapting someone's recipe to suit my preferences and tastes. Often my adaptations come about because I don't have a specified ingredient, or I think a substitution would work better. Without further delay, here's the recipes for the pear chicken.

Pear Chicken Marinade

Adapted from Unbelievable Chicken by Ruthie Crickmer

Ingredients:
½ cup pear vinegar
3 Tablespoons dijon mustard
3 Tablespoons minced garlic
2 Tablespoons onion flakes
1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
½ cup maple syrup or honey (whichever you have available)
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup olive oil
Boneless skinless chicken cut into large pieces

I mix all of the ingredients together in a deep baking dish, then I take the chicken breasts and cut them so they are even thickness and size. I then put the chicken in the marinade and let it sit overnight. I then grill it until cooked. I place it on a platter and then dust it with either gorgonzola cheese crumbles or feta cheese crumbles.

Glazed Pears

Adapted from Grilled Peach Halves with Savory Ginger Glaze

1 pear per person
The variety of pear you use for this depends on what type you like best, but I think the Bosc works best
3 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons minced shallots
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 Tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 Tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon lemon juice or orange juice (whichever you have available)

I skin and slice the pears and cut them in half. I then soak them in the sauce so they are nicely covered. I then grill them on low heat, just until they get some nice carmelized marks on them. I cook both sides. I then arrange them around the chicken on the platter of chicken.

Snail Butter (It's not just for snails!)

Snail butter is the flavored butter used for making escargot, but it's good for many other things, too!
The snail butter recipe is easily found all over the Internet.

4 ounces of softened butter
½ cup finely chopped shallots
4 cloves of minced garlic
2 Tablespoons of parsley if using fresh; if using dried use only 1-2 teaspoons

The recipe calls for the addition of salt and pepper to the butter, but since salt is already in the butter, I don't add it. But feel free to season to taste.

Simply cream together the softened butter with the ingredients. Grilling corn is a lot of fun. Pull back the husks on the ears without removing them and pull off the corn silk. Pull the husk back over the corn. Then grill the corn on medium heat. The husks have a way of catching on fire as they dry out, but don't panic. Just keep an eye on them.

When ready to serve the corn, brush with the snail butter. Delicious!

Once upon a time I dreaded going to Portland because the roads are secretly a vortex in which getting lost is but a fact of life. Thankfully, between using Yahoo maps for directions and having a map of Portland, we no longer get caught up in the mighty grip of the vortex. (I could wax poetic how many times we've circled around the town trying to get back onto the freeway.)

Now that navigating through Portland has been conquered, or at least tamed, all fear and anxiety that I once had has been quelled and I can enjoy the attractions the area has to offer.

We visited two such sites yesterday. First was Vista House. It is located about 25 miles east of town in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Second was Pittock Mansion located about two miles south out of the downtown.

Vista House

Offering a stunning view of the Columbia River Gorge, the Vista House is a unique scenic outlook worth stopping at. The building itself doesn't offer much more than some local history and a chance to buy souvenirs and a photo op.

I think it would be cool to visit the outlook at twilight and see the sun set in the west making everything have a reddish hue to it.

Not far from the Vista House, about 10 miles east, are the famous Multnomah Falls. One of these days I want to go to the falls and eat at the lodge. The menu looks good for lunch.

Pittock Mansion

The mansion was built by a former publisher of the Oregonian newspaper. Construction began around 1909 and completed in about 1914. Local sandstone was quarried in Tenino. However, the main floor was made of beautiful marble and had a marble staircase. Such use of marble and stone would cost a great deal for any modern-day mansion.

The house had many modern conveniences for the time, such as an intercom system, temperature controlled bathtubs and shower. It had a walk-in refrigerator and walk-in pantry. There were three different rooms to dine in: a breakfast dining room, formal dining room, and everyday dining room.

Adding to the beauty of the interior is that many of the rooms had panoramic views of downtown Portland, plus stunning views of Mt. St. Helens (the side that didn't blow away), Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. The photo on this page shows the view of Mt. Hood from the grounds of the mansion.

Mr. and Mrs. Pittock had their own separate bedrooms, walk-in closets and bathrooms. Mr. Pittock's personal bathroom had a wrap-around shower that sprayed water virtually from head-to-toe. He also had a sitz bath that looked like an over-grown bidet. His bathroom was almost as large as his bedroom.

Interesting features to the house were sleeping porches. On both sides of the house there were enclosed areas in which to sleep with plenty of open windows. An oval music room featured a huge picture window with a stunning view of the mountains.

The house was so large that it had two of its own houses! One served as the gate house and was residence of the mansion caretaker and his family. The second "house" was actually the garage which served as the butler's quarters above the garage.

The mansion was almost demolished in the 1960s by developers interested in acquiring the property to turn the land into housing developments. The mansion was rescued by interested citizens of Portland and it was purchased for $225,000 in 1962. It was restored and opened to the public in 1965.

Semi-Annual Visit to Powells Books

It always takes a chunk out of our budget when we make a visit to Powells Books. The building is 4 floors and consumes an entire city block.

I was able to procure some titles from my reading wishlist so that I can keep up with my 50 book challenge for the year. One book that I was surprised to find was a new one by Kevin Todeschi called Family Karma: The Real Ties That Bind. I have a couple of his other books and have immensely enjoyed them and found them to be extremely helpful to me. It would seem that the laws of attraction were at play regarding me finding this book, because I recently have become aware of how some issues and patterns are a source of "issue for me to work on" in regard to my relationship with my mother.

I only wish that Cayce were still alive today as I would no doubt request readings from him. I can sense the past incarnations I've had with members of my family, only I have this vague sense and nothing detailed enough that would help. I suppose that having details isn't extremely important, but that just sensing and knowing that there are karmic relationships and issues to work on is good enough.

One thing that I find interesting are the Biblical interpretations that Cayce provided during his readings. The passge from Galatians 6:7, "a man reaps what he sows" can be construed to relate to one's karma. Karma is a pattern, an impulse in how we choose to act. Cayce reminds us that free will overrides karmic influences. Through grace we can transcend our karma—which was demonstrated most notable through the life of Jesus.

We didn't spend that much time just browsing in Powells because it was crammed with a lot of shoppers. It is a store that I love to explore and find a good bargain waiting for me to find it.

Pear Vinegar Found

My original source for pear vinegar recently went out of business, but since Whole Foods is a block away from Powells I thought I'd stop in and see if they carry a decent replacement. It was meant for me to find: the lone bottle of pear vinegar was on the shelf. This variety looks better than the one I used to use. It contains some pear puree.

The vinegar is used in a chicken marinade that I've adapted from a recipe. I make a glaze for pear halves and grill them along with the chicken. I then top the grilled chicken and pears with gorgonzola cheese crumbles. However, since my stepmom can no longer enjoy the gorgonzola, I will try using feta cheese. The chicken goes nicely will grilled corn smoothered in snail butter.

Now I've made myself hungry. Hmmm. Grilled food!

I thought that this doily would be an excellent pattern for my entry in the 12" or less category of doilies, only that I worked it too tight and it puckered. Even after blocking it the doily still has issues.

I worked it in Olympus size 40 thread (available from Handy Hands Tatting). It measures 9 inches in diameter. It took two balls of thread.

The doily is named Doys and is from Patricia Kristoffersen's Victorian Spiral Doilies Book 1. (Thanks Anna for asking. I forgot to include this info!)

I'm going to try a different pattern one that I've made before and I will use the same size of thread. While I think this pattern is pretty, I see too many flaws in my craftsmanship and think it wouldn't place. Yes, I am maniacally driven to take a blue ribbon.

As requested by Sara from her blog, here are my answers.

1. What inspires you first? The pattern or the yarn?
For me it is the pattern. I then find the yarn that fits the pattern. If it is a doily, it is always the pattern first and then I search for the perfect thread.

2. If you are most inspired by pattern, where do you find the most inspiring patterns? Books? Magazines? Other blogs?
I used to find my inspiration in Magic Crochet and Decorative Crochet, as they had so many lovely doily patterns. Now I just patiently wait to stumble upon thread patterns. As for yarn stuff, I browse around and keep my eyes open to the possibility of discovery.

3. Are you a member of an “in person” group of knitters/hookers?
No. And I am not looking to be.

4. Do you read a pattern all the way through before beginning?
Typically not, unless the pattern looks real funky and I will skip to read how something unique is done. If I read ahead all it does is confuse me and not make much sense.

5. What is your gauge swatch record?
I don't think this applies to me.

6. What level do you consider yourself?
I tackle the expert stuff that I think should be consider "for the insane only".

7. Do you have any favorite color combinations?
Purples, jewel tones, anything in the red, blue, purple shades. No greens, yellows, oranges, browns, or pastels.

Thirteen Reoccurring Dream Themes This week I decided to explore the depths of my subconscious mind and share 13 reoccurring dream themes that I have had. For those that I understand that the symbology is, I will share. Those with no comment are still being figured out. I'm at Mt. Rainier and I am searching for the hotel. All around the mountain are time portals. I slip through one and go back about a hundred years and find myself at a mining camp. I had this theme occur from my mid teens through my mid twenties. I have not been able to entirely decipher the time portals and going back in time aspect. The searching for the hotel is literal. There is a hotel to stay at on the mountain. The sun is shining but the sky is black like night, and the sun's light doesn't penetrate the darkness. In my twenties this theme came up often. The dreams in which the sun would appear like this often dealt with extreme natural disasters. Tornadoes. When I have a lot of emotional turbulence and stress I will dream about lightning storms that I watch advance towards me and tornadoes will fall from the sky. The tornadoes will swirl around me, but I am unharmed. The latest twist to this is that the tornadoes were on fire. I demonstrate to non-believers that telekinesis and levitation can be done. In the dream I am often with a group of people and I demonstrate to them how easy it is to levitate and then move around in the air. In the dreams in which I move objects with my mind, it feels so natural and real that I awake thinking I can still do it. Floating on water that is deep, murky, and dark. I cannot swim, nor do I have a comfort level with any body of water outside of a four foot deep swimming pool. In the dreams in which I find myself floating on water, be it a lake or ocean, I am floating with the aid of a device, and I am not scared. The water is always dark, and it is calm. Losing my teeth. I would guess that about once or twice a year I dream that my teeth are loose and fall out, or certain teeth come out. The sensation of them being loose and coming out really upsets me. There is never any bleeding when they come out and there is no pain. I am in a car that is driving itself. This one is rather obvious in that I don't feel like I am in control of a situation. At one time I had frequent dreams about a particular hillside in my hometown, that I'd go explore it and there was an evil house at the top. If I would continue along the roadway, it would go into an entirely different town. I still have variations of this dream.The evil house is gone, but the hillside still is like a portal into this other community. I have often dreamt that there is a major international airport in my hometown and that I have used it to travel elsewhere. Since I didn't graduate from high school, from time to time I dream I have gone back to high school to finish. I generally find myself in a math class, realizing that I haven't attended the class at all for many weeks. (I have a year of schooling left to finish my master's degree, so I find it interesting that I'm stuck about the high school thing.) I am in need of a toilet to use, but when I find the bathroom, all of the toilets are dirty or I have no privacy in which to go. I often will dream about toilets prior to waking up and having to use one. This is pretty obvious. As to why I dream they are dirty, I have no clue. The floor plan and style of the house has changed over the years, but periodically I will find myself in someone's home and I am curiously exploring all of the rooms in the house. Sometimes the owners are not home, but sometimes they are. As I like exploring a home, all I want to do is find the different rooms, only I am afraid of being caught doing this. Not necessarily a theme, I often will be someone else and have no recollection of myself while in a dream. Whatever my identity is within the scope of the dream is who I am. I will also often dream an alternate reality that is consistent, and on a few occasions I've gotten confused about which version of reality is the awake one.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Do you know the location of this elephant and what its name is?
Post your answer in my comments. Check back on Thursday for the correct answer!

Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ

Misfit and Marla, thanks for answering!

I saw this on Sara's blog and thought I'd playalong. The ones underlined are the things I've done.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said I love you and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an expert
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds (not at once, over a lifetime)
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you' re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone' s life (does my own count?)

Kim was my Unknown Secret Pal for this round, which is a misnomer because I knew who she was since I assigned her to me. She didn't mind that I knew. It's kind of hard to be totally secret since I am coordinating the swap. But that didn't take away the fun!

Kim has been totally awesome in her gifts to me! I was blown away by the incense gift certificate. Her reveal box has knocked me off my feet! I knew she was working on a sweater for me, but as the sleeves gave her troubles it became a nice vest. It's a soft, lovely purple color.

She has indulged my Baby Stewie lust! I need not say more.

And if the gift certificate for incense weren't enough, she send me two package of my all time favorite Gonesh Black Cherry! OMG! It's been months since I've been able to buy any and I have longed for some. I am burning some right now and the house is pleasantly perfumed with that delicious cherry fragrance.

Knowing I am a doily nut, she sent me a pattern book that I have looked at with a doily maker's desire. Also, to help me quest for the perfect cheeseburger, a recipe book for hamburgers, and then a cookbook for crockpot meals. Yum!

I think the book on dreaming will come in handy, too. I think she may have sent this to me because I once posted on C'Ville a request for a dream interpretation. I was stumped about the dream and others' insights help me crack the code.

Lastly, the bag of black licorice shall be savored! I can never get enough of it!

Kim has been outstanding! Thank you so much for making this round a pleasure!

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you about the five days we travelled across South Dakota and saw the sites? Last week I had some business to take care of regarding my future in my graduate program. The administrative wheels are turning and soon a decision should be given whether or not I can resume my studies in September, or if I must wait until January. I left off with us leaving the De Smet area and heading west. Our next stops were in Mitchell and then we stayed the night in Chamberlain. Mitchell, SD's Claim to Fame One of the roadside attractions we found out about prior to our roadtrip is the World's Only Corn Palace. The building is decorated in different colored cobs of corn. I seem to recal that the corn is naturally colored. Each year the Palace is given a new look, so it's never the same palace year after year. There's not much to the town of Mitchell or the surrounding area. Which is why the Corn Palace probably exists. It provides much needed entertainment value. I recall that our drive from De Smet to Mitchell and then from Mitchell to our stopover in Chamberlain was rather uneventful. Though the speed limit on that stretch of I-90 is 75 mph and you can really go however fast you want since it is out in the middle of nowhere, it felt like we crawled due to the fact that the surrounding landscape is so huge that a sense of perspective is changed. I do recall that we were kept entertained by the frequent signs announcing how much closer we were getting to Wall Drug! Following the Missouri We first encounter the Missouri River back in the 4 State Look Out at White Cloud, Kansas, and we briefly paused to look at it during our quick detour through Kansas and Nebraska on our way to Iowa. Upon seeing the Missouri, I made the connection that Lewis & Clark travelled this watery route to the Pacific Northwest where our destination awaited for us. I wondered how the scenery must have impacted them when they saw it 200 years ago. I was surprised at first by how "small" the Missouri looked in Kansas, and then how it appeared in South Dakota. It just seemed like any other river, but I was comparing it to the Columbia River through the gorge in which a moderately impressive canyon showcases the Columbia's width. Not to say that the Missouri is a slouch. I had built up what it would be like in my mind since it has a large reputation and associated with a lot of history. We arrived in the afternoon at our hotel in Chamberlain and we took in some scenic photo opportunities. The town was pretty much desolate since it was after 5 pm and on a weekend. It was before the start of tourist season, too, so nothing was set up to receive curious exploring travellers. Next Week's Stop We encounter a real live cattle and cowboys while taking a scenic drive to Pierre and then end our day at Wall Drug! Links to other Monday Memories

Click here for the Monday Memories code
Click here for Shelli's blog

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And the blogiversary prize goes to...

Princess Trish

Congratulations!

I'm pleased to announce that there is a new Shrone for everyone to welcome! Anna submitted her nomination and was found to possess true Shrone salient characteristics and traits!

How I met Anna is an interesting story. When I was matching partners for the Summer Round of Secret Pals, her application caught my attention as she indicated she crochets with size 20 or higher sized thread, and her favorite fictional character is Anne of Green Gables.

I exercised my powers as coordinator and thought she'd be the perfect match for me to spoil and befriend as I suspected there was a kindred spirit waiting to be found. Sure enough, she's not only a kindred spirit but a Bona Fide Shrone as well!

I've also helped her realize her goal of owning 37 doilies. ;-)

Swiped from Sara!

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Thirteen Patricia Kristoffersen Doilies
Svanhild
Alexa	Amaretto	Delightful	Donna
Impressive	Irene	Memorable	Pineapple Song
Precious	Ruby	Tala	Ultra Beauty
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

After much waiting for someone I'd cheerfully take their BE credits from, I have found a Blog Renter for the week. At first I thought that a law student would not be the type of renter I am seeking, but then I read what his favorite movies are and anyone who says "anything with the muppets" is worthy of being my featured renter!

Taken from his blogger's About Me page

There is nothing interesting about my life except perhaps my total lack of authority to speak meaningfully on any subject whatsoever. I have lived the same life of comfort that virtually all middle class American twenty somethings have shared. To claim any hardship would be an insult to those whose troubles are not experienced in safe, heated homes with running water. However, I am also a selfish, egocentric person, and have accordingly decided that the world needs to hear what I have to say. More accurately, someone needs to say it, even if it’s only me, because the views I hold are apparently quite unpopular and very hard to find at the watering holes for the like-minded that comprise modern American media. My opinions are not unpopular for their extremism. If fact, their lack of extremism seems to be the source of the anger they typically elicit. I have been called both a fascist and a communist, though not by the same audience. It seems positions not in line with the talking points of either major party are out of style. Nevertheless, though I am a mere whisper in the wilderness, I will present my tirades if only for the self gratification they induce.

So click on over to Battle Rock Spot! Make him feel he got a great deal for 15 BE credits.