New Obsession.....

I'm taking a sharp turn from the dollhouse furniture. I'm over that now.

Here's my newest obsession:

Mmmmmmhmmmm. Love this song. Slash plays guitar on it.

Zuddy thinks Slash is a hack.

I like him.

Well.....the cigarette permanently dangling from his lips leaves something to be desired...but - whatever. He reminds me of high school.

'Cause I went to high school with Slash.

Nah. I didn't. Just pulling your leggie.

I'm at my Mom's house on HER computer.

I'm supposed to be cleaning for her homecoming tomorrow, but since I forgot my iPod I had to find my new fave song online and then blog about it.

Because I'm sure you care what my new fave song is.

Dang. I should figure out how to put all of my favorite songs on my blog. Because then you would be assaulted with my taste in music.

Every time you came to visit me.

Nah. I'd better not do that because, then?

Eventually you'd stop coming over for a visit. Because you'd grow to really hate me and my taste in music.

And I wouldn't want that. No sirree.

So I'll keep it on the down-low.

Except for the above linky.

For now.

Who, What, When and Where

This is a fun little list from Lisa over at Take 90 West.

I have so much to talk about today, but I don't know where to start, so I will put it off and do Lisa's list.

Because it's all about ME, baby.

That's right.

Where is your cell phone? I think it's in my purse. In that special cell phone pocket. Almost dead.

Your significant other? Sleeping. It's 7:30 am.

Your hair? Still wet. And wavy. And full of gray roots. I ran out of my normal Aveda Shampure and had to use my back-up shampoo: Pantene straightening formula. Normally I blow dry, but I got into reading blogs. I'm getting a cut and color on Saturday.

Your mother? Just had knee replacement surgery last week. She's in a transitional care facility and seemed lonely when I talked to her yesterday. She's coming home on Friday and I will stay with her for a while. Poor Pookie.

Your father? He'll stop by on Saturday morning after breakfast with his friends at a nearby restaurant so he can see the Noodle. He and my Mom got divorced last year. We're not close, but he loves his granddaughter. He's grumpy, can't hear and smokes all the live-long day.

Your favorite thing? Hmmm....don't know. I've been drinking Sugar Free Vanilla Lattes every once in a while. It's my new craving. Also, I just bought a new pasta maker, courtesy of Franklin's gift certificate to me :) I've been wanting one for a while.

Your dream last night? Something with my pal Hilary in it. We were at a restaurant with a "college professor" and her husband who was drunk and portrayed by Will Farrell. That's all I remember about it. I have no idea what I should extrapolate from that!

Your favorite drink? Diet Pepsi. With a lemon slice if possible.

Your dream/goal? Hmmm....I have a lot of dreams and goals.

I want to open a neighborhood supermarket with great produce and a healthy, from-scratch take-out dinner selection every night. Just a little store where you can pick up a few essentials and dinner.

I want to raise a little girl that is kind, independent, street-smart, worldly and confident. And funny. And cares about others.

I want to lose all the weight I've gained (First week= 5 lbs! My goal is 1-2 lbs. a week). I have a long way to go, but I'm just focusing on that 1-2 pounds every week.

I want to find out who I am again.

I want to volunteer here: I want to teach cooking skills to busy moms.

The room you’re in? The office/playroom.

Your ex? I broke up with him 4 days before meeting Zuddy. He was seeing his ex live-in girlfriend again on the sly. For the first time in my life I stood up for myself and told him to go ahead and do his thing.
And then I cried for 4 months. Zuddy was so good to me and waited for me to get over it.

Your fear? Somebody hurting my baby.

Where do you want to be in 6 years? In my basement family room planning a trip somewhere. I want to live somewhere else for a while and cook. Maybe Italy. Or New York. I'd love to work with Sylvia Weinstock.

Where were you last night? Home. Wanting to fall asleep on the sofa. I'm not an evening person.

What you’re not? Someone with follow-through. Someone who will show up at an evening event. I always have the best of intentions, though.

Muffins? Nah. I mean, if they're there, I'd probably eat one, but only if they're home-made. I hate store-bought muffins and baked goods.

One of your wish list items? For someone else to swoop in and finish my kitchen. Please.

Where you grew up? South Saint Paul, Minnesota.

The last thing you did? I'm multi-tasking: I've been feeding Noodle her breakfast, getting her dressed, getting myself dressed, blogging and making a grocery list. I just kissed Zuddy and Noodle and sent them off for the day.

What are you wearing? Black sweatpants and a blue polar fleece top of Zuddy's.

Your TV? Kirsten gave it to us. We are the fortunate recipients of the remnants of her hubby's electronic upgrades. It's big and I love it. We never spend money on stuff like that.

Your pets? 2 cats. Helmie and Quinnie. Both rescues. We found Quinnie when she was 9 days old. Someone put her in a paper bag and abandoned her. We had to feed her kitty formula for a long time.

Your computer? Dell desk top. Getting slow. Almost time for a new one.

Your life? Thankful for it. Calm. Full of laughter. I'm re-discovering myself and making time for my friends and myself again.

Your mood? A little blue today. Not sure why. I'll put on some good music and I'll feel better. And maybe I'll remember to turn on Ellen. She's always so cheery.

Missing someone? You know what? I've been missing some old friends I'd like to re-connect with. Which is crazy because I don't even see enough of the ones I AM connected with!

Your car? Silver Toyota Sienna minivan. 2002. I want a new one, but not enough to pay for it.

Something you’re not wearing? Earrings. I need to get new backs for my diamond earrings (my Noodle push-prize). I'm not a jewelery person. I always wear the same things: my Mom's wedding band (since the 7th grade. I can't get it off.), my baby ring on a chain around my neck (same thing: since 7th grade. I can get it off, but I just never take it off.) My Mom's wedding diamond and 10 year anniversary band on my wedding ring finger. I can't get my wedding ring on anymore since I've gained so much weight.

Favorite store? Hmmmm.....I don't shop much anymore. Probably Gap Kids.

Your summer? Will be spent at the pool. If it's hot, I want to be in the water. I hate being hot.

Like someone? I like almost everyone. I meet and connect with people very easily.

Your favorite color? Grey. And Gray.

Last time you laughed? A couple of minutes ago. Zuddy was being silly and making the "she's crrraaaazzzzyyyy" hand signals at Noodle about me.

Last time you cried? I can't recall - but I am a crier. I just tend to feel my emotions and then forget about what made me sad.

Who will repost this? I hope all my bloggy friends! And my real life friends who read this: I'll post it on my blog if you send it to me through email!

Things.....

• The snow. The FREAKING SNOW. I can't take it anymore!! I really can't! And, really? Ours here in the Twin Cities isn't sticking around, so I shouldn't be complaining. But I will. And I will continue to complain about anything snow-related.

• I meant to buy some new shoes the other day before walking with Amy. After our walk I was very sorry. The bottom of my toes hurt. So I went to Run n' Fun (And thought about Lisa) and bought some shoes. I now feel like I'm walking on a cloud. I'm so happy. But that doesn't mean I'll ever start running. Though I AM going to continue to read Suzy's blog. Just because of the name of it. Well, and the same reason Lisa reads it. Because she is dang inspiring.

• Amy made me a yummy smoothie with her new million-dollar blender. Now I want one. A million-dollar blender, that is. Awww hell - I want another smoothie, too :)

• I went out with my pals, Hilary and Kirst Wed. night. Good times, good times. We giggled a lot.

• I had a meeting in Chicago on Thursday. It was supposed to be a quick day-trip, but I got stuck there because of the weather in the Twin Cities.

• I didn't bring anything I would have needed for an overnight trip. Lesson learned, lesson learned. I will now always carry hair and face products with me from NOW ON. Always. And contact solution. Always.

• Oooo. Speaking of which? If anyone out there is traveling a lot... let me ask you something: How in the name of all-that-is-Holy is a girl supposed to get all of her liquid "product" in a single one quart-size zippered bag? Huh? HUH?? Sheesh.

• I got home Friday at 10:30 am. I took two 2 1/2 hour naps. And if you think I had any trouble falling asleep Friday night? You would be wrong.

• In fact, I think I need a nap right now.

• My wash machine is leaking water from the bottom. We owe everybody money and I don't want to deal with this.

• But if I don't deal with this? I will not only be washing my dishes by hand? But my clothes, too. And I'm in no mood to go all Laura Ingalls Wilder on all ya'll.

• Sometimes being a "grown-up" is hard. That's what I hear, anyway.

• I'm thinking about hanging up my blogging hat. It's cutting into my blog-reading time. And there are so many awesome blogs out there! Plus, I don't have anything interesting to say and I have 20 emails in my in-box to return. But I'd rather read blogs.

• And that's all I've got today. How boring am I? Maybe I should look for a house tour.

Deep Thoughts.....

.....ppttthhhhh! (That would be me doing a raspberry.)

Yeah. Did you really think there was going to be a deep thought within a 10 mile radius of this blog?

Come on. You know me better than that!

Did anyone see Oprah yesterday? The one with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova? Oh my gosh, it was so good.

The overall theme of the show was about friendship, and they discussed the lives of Chris and Martina and how they were competitors on the court, but pals and supporters and admirers of one an others' tennis talents off the courts. And let me tell you? Those ladies looked amazing. Martina has gotten so beautiful as she has aged!! Chris, too...but especially Martina. And the pythons on that woman!!! Holy crap. That girl is solid muscle. They showed her at her home in Colorado and how she works out.

















Oprah also had Coach Vivian Stringer from the Rutgers University Women's Basketball team. She has a memoir out right now and Oprah interviewed her about the Don Imus (IDIOT) scandal and about other painful events in her life. I never knew anything about her, but she is one amazing chick. I'm going to buy her book and have it on hand for the Noodle to read.

Anyway.....good stuff, people....good stuff.

So - in honor of this show? I'm:

• Going for a walk with Amy today.
• Going over to Hilary's to look at her new flower boxes to brainstorm which flowers she should put in them. Any ideas? Let me know!!
• I'm going to call my pal Sandy.
• I'm going to email Colleen and apologize for not going to her birthday party because I was too tired. (I think my body is fighting off something....I've been sleeping a lot. Lots of napping over here).
• I'm going to call MJ.
• I'm going to sign the Noodle up for St. Paul Urban Tennis.
• I'm going to buy new socks.

Okay....that last one has nothing to do with friends. Except maybe my friends would be happy for me if I had new socks?

I'm going to Chicago tomorrow.....have a great couple of days everyone!

More things.......

Gosh.

I feel like I have so much to say today - and everything is random.

So, let's start off on an icky note with our Rolf the NAMBLA boy (His new name thanks to Barb and Michelle).

Just another outfit of his.
I had it waiting in my photos to post. Couldn't let it go to waste now, could I?

Don't worry.

This gets better.

Right Said Fred. Memba them???

I was reminded of them when I went on my Boston trip a couple of weeks ago.

Because I was at the same gate for this trip as the first time time I went to Boston to visit my pal Liz when she graduated from Harvard in '92

And who should be slinking around in the airport?

That's Right: Right Said Fred.

And if you think they were just two guys, minding their own business, trying to catch their plane incognito?

You would be wrong.

They had the entourage with them and the sunglasses on and looked pretty much exactly like their picture here. Too sexy for the airport.

Except they were showing more cleavage. Shaved cleavage. They had less hair on their chest than I do. Too much information?

Sorry 'bout that.

I feel giggly today. I think it's because last night I got to talk to my new friend Colleen. She's the Mom of the Noodle's pal, L.

And she makes me laugh very hard. I was describing a 'creepy Pete' last night and I was having problems coming up with the right words. All she had to do was suggest the words, "Did he look like a 'level 3'?"

I think she's my new best friend. We understand each other.

Oh my gosh, internets. We had such a fantastic day here yesterday! I think it was in the 50's...sunny, warm and perfect. Noodle wanted a picnic. Check out her outfit. Niiiice.

And how about the flair in which I served our lunch? Classy, no?

And Helmie the cat decided to join us:

And then Homer, our neighbor cat, stopped by to hang with us:

He thinks he lives at our house and has no qualms just sneaking right in when he gets the chance.

Okay. Here's just a little more randomness for the day. I want some built-ins like this for my dining room:

Photos from Martha Stewart

Maybe not for an office, but for other stuff. Because look at our dining room now. Wouldn't it be perfect to have built-ins here?

Sorry. It's a little blurry. But I could just do some single glass doors on each side of the windows....wouldn't that be great? We just need more storage in our tiny little house.

I guess I'd better concentrate on getting the kitchen done first, huh?

Things......

• I love my new job. It's stress-free.

• Conversely? A monkey could do my job. I'm very afraid that the people I work for will wise-up and eliminate my position.

• Since mid-March I've been to Boston, Arkansas, Seattle, San Francisco and Atlanta.

• I would love to live in Boston, Seattle or San Francisco. Atlanta and Arkansas would be too humid for me. Atlanta was already 120% humidity at the beginning of April. I have too delicate of a constitution for high humidity.

• The phrase "delicate constitution" makes me giggle.

• I left for San Francisco on Monday evening. I didn't get there until late.

• When I was riding the tram to the car rental, there was an amorous couple standing next to me. The woman was tweaking the guys nipples through his hoodie sweatshirt and grabbing his crotch. I kid you not. It scarred me for life. I'll never be the same.

• I got to my hotel in San Francisco Monday at 11pm.

• I left for the airport to travel to Atlanta on Tuesday at 11:30 am.

• I got to my hotel room in Atlanta Tuesday at 11pm.

• I got home last night at 9pm.

• People-watching at the airport is a good time.

• I'm glad I don't have to travel with a 15 month old. There was a lady with a boy that age traveling from San Francisco to Atlanta and that boy didn't make a peep the whole trip. He was the best little guy.

• The Noodle was not that kind of baby. She would've made the whole plane miserable. People would've started breaking the windows and trying to squeeze their bodies out of them to drop to their deaths just to get away from us. I'm not lying.

• Delta is way better than Northwest.

• I've had never traveled on Delta before because Minneapolis is a Northwest hub.

• The people I travel with are hilarious. Yesterday my body hurt from laughing. Scott the sales guy is a riot and had all of us in tears at lunch yesterday.

• I'm happy to be home.

• My cats are happy to have me home. Quinn the cat layed next to me all night, purring and licking my face. Helmie the cat is currently ignoring me. I'm being punished for leaving her. She'll make up with me later today.

• Noodle is watching Zoey 101, so she doesn't care about anything else.

• I've missed my bloggy friends and will catch up with blogs in the next couple of days.

What have you been up to?