What's On Your Playlist?

I can't get enough music lately...my iPod goes everywhere with me.



In fact? I'm seriously thinking about upgrading to an iTouch:





Did you know you can RENT a movie from the iTunes store?

You load your rented movie on this little baby, watch it......and then it disappears in 24 hours! So you don't need to return it or have it suck-up space on your hard drive.

Sweetness.

But right now, I need more music.

Let's hear it, ladies! What's on your playlist?

Mama needs a some new tunes.

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.

I'm A Fanilow

I know.

I'm sooo embarrassed. But I am. I'm a Fanilow.

I'll tell you 2 stories from the show. Well, maybe three or four. Because it was the funniest night I've had in a long time.

First of all? I never go to concerts. If I go to a concert, it's with my friend Michelle who I've known since the 10th grade. This is not our first Manilow concert. Oh No. We've been going to them since High School.

Here's a picture of Michelle with the Noodle a couple of Halloweens ago:

How cute is that? Michelle picked Noodle up from school that day and took her out for dinner.

Anyway. Back to my embarrassment.

First of all, Zuddy has been giving me loads of crap about this concert. Loads.

So he tells me he truly expects me to come home from the concert sans underwear. Which makes us both laugh maniacally.

Because I totally wear Mom underwear. And If I had them? I'd still be wearing my maternity underwear because I'm all about comfort, people.

Anyway, we're laughing so hard and envisioning the sizable leg hole of my 100% cotton Hanes Her Way underwear slipping over Barry's head and falling all the way down his body and landing on a puddle on the floor.

So I'm telling Michelle this at the restaurant and we're laughing, gasping for air. After she recovers, wipes the tears of laughter from her face and is about to take a drink of her martini (pinkie in the air), she says, "They wouldn't fall all the way to the floor....they'd get caught on his nose." Which makes us crack up AGAIN.

So, we're at the restaurant (which is fancy-schmanzy and very crowded) talking and this beautiful well-dressed blonde woman comes up to us and says (to Michelle), "I thought that was you!!! Are you going to the Manilow concert?"

Michelle says, "Yes! How are you doing?"

The blonde says, "Great! It's so good to see you! Maybe I'll see you at the concert!"

Michelle watches her walk away and says, "Oh my GOD"

"What?"

"She has a purse made out of a Barry Manilow album cover." Which sends us into peals of laughter again.

After we both recover and wipe away our tears, I say, "Who was that?"

Michelle, sipping her Martini (pinkie-up) dead-pans, "I don't know."

So we get to the concert and there's a big group of people I know from my work at General Mills. We walk quickly to get away, hoping they don't see us.

We see NUMEROUS grown women wearing matching outfits. NO FREAKIN' LIE. We see very hip-looking 20 year olds who should be clubbing it on a Friday night. We see lots of women our age who have dragged their sheepish-looking spouses to this show. We see older, very refined-looking couples. We see typical Minnesotan granny-types with embellished sweatshirts on.

Michelle, who's been having some stress at work, had warned me that this would be a night of drinking for her. She parked her already-had-2-martinis-self at the bar on near our seats while I looked around for a coffee shop at the venue. No coffee shop. I go get a soda and find her still at the bar double-fisting the cranberry/vodkas. I'm leaning on a big pillar and we're chatting and those freakin' people I know from work come up to the bar for a drink!!! I mean COME ON! There are 10,000 people here! Sheesh! Get away from me!!! I hide behind the pillar. I don't think they saw me.

I've got more stories. So many more.

Whatchya Been Doin'?

Oh my.
Things have been relaxed and busy here

There have been overnight guests and sledding.

Parties and naps.

Lots of music and silence. It's been just perfect.

I went sledding with the Noodle and her pal, L.

More than once.

After the second time?
I've decided that I'm too freakin' old to go sledding. It's just not fun anymore to hurt my big old padded bottom on an icy mogul.

My friend Sandi got me an iPod shuffle.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I'm addicted to downloading music. I'm going to have to put a big ol' limit on the music that I purchase, people. I went to iTunes and started out with 10 songs. Some Hannah Montana for the Noodle and some Indigo Girls and Paul McCartney & Wings for me. I love the fact that those fabulous people at iTunes take an artist and list all of their essential tunes so you can easily find your favorite songs. Sooooooo dangerous! I found so many songs that I've totally forgotten about!
Like the ones from the Indigo Girls and Paul McCartney and Wings. Because when is the last time you thought about THEM?

Anyway, now I've been loading my little-bit of a cd collection into my computer and making different play lists.

I've decided I need to upgrade my iPod shuffle to an iPod Touch. Then I can listen to music while I'm surfing the net "on the go". You know - because I'm nothing if not "on the go".

And then, why don't I just get an iPhone? I mean, it's the same price as the iPod Touch, but there's a phone, too.

And remember how my cell phone is broken and I need a new phone anyway? Yeah! Let's get an iPhone, okay?

Okay!

Oh.....and never mind how much I hate talking on the phone and how I dread even checking my home voice mail messages and the fact that I never did set up voice messaging on my cell for the same reason I never check my home voice mail. Because I hate phones.

I always make so much sense.

Anyway. My friend, Kirst, has all of her music (and she has a TON of music) downloaded to her TV (somehow) so she can play her music throughout the speaker system in her home by using her TV!!! Her hubby, Frank, is a genius and has their house totally HOOKED UP, people!


Here's what else I've been doing:

Reading this book.

My pal, Kirst, has been telling me to read this so we can discuss it. As usual, I'm the last person on Earth to read it.

And I'm so sorry.

Because it was the best book I've read in a long time.

And it was very comforting to me - as person who struggles to put a label on her religious beliefs. The author completely explains my beliefs in a way that I have never able to do.

Check it out if you haven't already.

I hope everybody had a great Holiday!!!

Favorite Ornaments and Another MJ Story.

Are you ready, Internets??

I have a lot of food ornaments on my tree. It happened by accident, I think. I somehow got my hand on the Jell-O mold and fruit cake ornaments (you'll see them in a second) and a collection was born.

Pretty much my only collection, too.

Because I'm too much of a commitment-phobe to have a collection. Collecting requires some sort of discipline, perseverance and space (for display). I have none of these.

SO! Here's my FAVORITE!!! My old boss and buddy Kim gave me this one. It's supposed to light up, but remember my whole lighting-the-tree-saga?? Let's just gloss over all that and say that my new lights aren't compatible with my old light-up ornaments. Okay? If I think about it anymore than that, I will get all "bah humbug" on y'all.

How cute is this???? I ask you???? And I also got a shot of one of my first faves, the apple and orange crate! Cute!

The blender! I think Kirst gave that to me. There's a Kitchen Aid mixer, too.

My beloved Jell-o mold!!

The fruitcake!!!

Bread and cheese on a cutting board :)

Cake! You can see an apple and an orange above it.

3 in one shot! The chocolate candy, fruity drink and a kiwi.

Oh....and Zuddy got me a new one this year. I was going on and on about Linda's fridge ornament, so he went out to find it (but couldn't), and got me this one instead:

Sorry, it's a little blurry. Cute though, right?

Okay, so I'm totally behind in my whole Holiday schtick. Today? I want to make this look a little more festive:
I think an excellent way to start is to take the frozen pumpkins and dead kale outta there, don't you think???? I bought some greens put in the pot and I'm making my own wreath with them as well. THIS should be entertaining, people. I have my "Z" wreath form from my last years' Ballard Designs wreath and I'm going to give it a go and post a photo tomorrow.

Okay. My new MJ story:
Have you ever heard of the Roches?
They're a singing group. They have beautiful harmonies - especially when they're singing Christmas music.
So, MJ calls me the other night, She and Michael are going to a concert and she needs to know how to get to the venue. I give her directions and ask her who she's going to see? The Roches. Oh! I have one of their Christmas CD's. Okay! Have fun, MJ!

Now, for me? The story would end right there.

But not for MJ, people. Oooohhhhh no.

She got up on stage and sang with the Roches. No freaking lie.

That's all I know of that story right now. But a month from now? I imagine we'll be talking about this and she'll let the bomb drop that they spent the night at her house because they became best friends.

Another thing: I'm not sure I'm ready to out myself on this one yet.......but I was telling MJ about a concert that I'm going to see in January? First of all, she laughed at me.
Laughed at me.
LAUGHED AT ME.
Then she told me she sang at that one, too.
Okay. Really?

And truly? I'd laugh at me too. Only your true friends will laugh at you when you tell them a totally embarrassing deep-down musical secret.

Other people you think are your friends? Like your Internet pals? They'll sllooowwwllyyy reach for the mouse and "CLICK" the red and white X, never to be heard from again.

Seriously.

So Think You Can Dance...........

Has anybody watched this show? The Noodle and I got hooked last year - Oh my gosh, it's such a great show!!! It started a couple of weeks ago and last night the Noodle and I camped out on the sofa and watched. SO GREAT!

In other news....I got this CD a couple of weeks ago:


I saw her on SNL singing a track from this CD. I thought it was a cute, fun song, so I bought the CD. I like it. It's a fun, frivolous little album. HOWEVER....she swears quite a bit in there. Most of the time it doesn't bother me, but she says "mother %$#@" a couple of times.

Now, we all know I have that Noodle-y sidekick, right? She loves this CD. In the car, I can press the mute button on my steering column to omit the offending word. So I do that and it seems fine. I've noticed a LOT of things fly right over her innocent little head.

Or so I thought.

Well, we had just gotten home after running some errands and I was unlocking the door and Noodle said, "Mom! She says some bad words in her songs!!"

I just hung my head, bit my lip, winced a little and said, "Yes, I know. I wish she wouldn't, but that doesn't mean we need to sing those words or say words like that. It doesn't sound nice, does it?"

Noodle: "No, it doesn't. I can't believe she says one word. It's really bad, Mom."

Me: Oh crap. OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmyGOD!! I knew I shouldn't have let her listen to it. What was I thinking?? "Ummmmm, which bad word are you talking about?"

Noodle: "Mom! Didn't you hear it??? She says STUPID a LOT!!"

Whew. I think I will accidentally "lose" that CD and get High School Musical instead.

Oh! We went to my nephew's baseball game on Tuesday. Of course I forgot my camera. Argh. But here's a picture of him at Christmas:

Anyway, he made the most AWESOME double play!!!!!!! I am the proudest Auntie. He was pitching and caught the hit. The player who was on first base started running to second base and Schmackie (my nephew) threw the ball to his first basemen and got that runner out!
For a 3rd grader to have the presence of mind to catch the ball and immediately think about throwing it to the 1st baseman.....well....it boggles my mind. Zuddy and I made SUCH a noise cheering that Schmackie looked over at us with such surprise! We were freaking out, screaming and carrying on. I can't wait until next week!

What else? Oh, I went to the Doctor and he increased my current dosage. I thought I was at the maximum dosage, but it turns out I was at half the max. So this is day two on the increased dosage and I'm starting to feel good again! Yea! I was starting to avoid phone calls and e-mails and wanting to sleep all of the time. And most of all?? No interest in reading blogs!

THAT'S when I knew I needed help! Ha haaaaa!

Oh! I'm planning on going on a little Segway tour with friends from work! Has anyone ever ridden on one? I haven't and I CAN'T WAIT!!! I saw an article in Cottage Living magazine about fun things to do when visiting Minneapolis. Well, there's nothing like being a tourist in your own city, right? Now we need to figure out a date. Then we can all invite another friend or two! WooHoo!!

Have a great day!

My Little Dream House.....

First of all...you should all know that I'm totally house-obsessed. I love them all. Even the ugly ones and especially the small ones. I don't know what it is about me, but I really tend to gravitate toward smaller bungalow-type homes. And I like the years 1910-1940. This particular house is older than that, but we all make exceptions, right??

Here is the back of the house - you can see it from the park with the green chair.

Here is the side of the house - I have another shot of the side, but @#$!* Blogger won't let me add the photo for some reason. There is a beautiful brick patio off of some french doors in the side yard.



Here is the front of the house. There's also a great house across the street with an amazing garden, but Blogger won't let me add those photos, either.

I've told Zuddy if this house is ever for sale we're buying it. He probably put it right out of his mind immediately because if he remembered every time I said something like that, his hard-drive would be full.

Oh - who am I kidding? We'll never move. Our new neighbors, Pam and Jeff, have pretty much cinched that up for us. We love them. They moved next door last year and we simply can't get enough of them. They moved from the suburbs after their kids all flew the coop. They wanted to live in the city again, like when they lived in Philly. I think they got a little more "city" than they bargained for, if you know what I'm sayin'.

So....on the kitchen-front: I've replaced the doors on the bottom cabinets. I'm waiting patiently (a-hem) for a couple of paychecks to come from my last project so I can go buy a new sink, faucet, garbage disposal and schedule the countertops to be installed. Zuddy hasn't even started his honey-do list.....and Zuddy, if you're reading this: you'd better crank it up a notch. Or you'll be sleeping in your car.

I took Noodle to the Dr. yesterday and she has another strep infection. And now I've got a bug, too. I feel like doo-doo.

I just love our nurse practitioner, Beth. Last year she had to do a throat culture on the Noodle and it was utter pandemonium. I was totally horrified at the way the Noodle acted and I made her write an "I'm sorry" note to Beth after the incident and now Beth just doles out the antibiotics instead of giving her a throat culture. I shouldn't say that. She actually finds another reason to just give them: an ear infection, scarlet fever rash, etc.... Anyway, she still remembers that when the Noodle was a baby she loved listening to Fleetwood Mac at her day care provider's house (It was the only thing that would keep her quiet. She eventually got thrown out of that daycare for being a very difficult baby. This is why I have one child, people.). The Noodle is always heavily into a different song/group. Right now it's Gwen Stefani, so Beth always finds out who the Noodle's current musical obsession is centered on. Isn't that sweet? She's always really talking to the Noodle. We just loooove her. Going to the doctor is such a positive experience for her now because of Beth. Sorry for the tangent. Just had to give some love to Beth!

Hope you all have a great day!

Funny stuff.......

This chickie-doo cracks me UP! I'm only half-way through her archives, but it's knee-slapping-laugh-out-loud hilarity, people!

I've got to stop now. I really need to get some actual work done that I get paid for. I've made a deal that if I get two recipes done today I can read more of her blog.

Music selection today:


Go and git it. Especially if you're a girl. It's such a great, uplifting cd. India rocks.

Now. The other one I'm listening to (just to balance out the hipness factor of Inda.Arie):

Zuddy and I were watching a documentary on PBS about these two. He bought me the cd last night while he and the Noodle had a daddy-daughter date. Pretty sweet.

SUCH A Great Day!

Wow. It really was.


First of all, the Noodle and I started off the day listening to a couple of selections from a borrowed CD set:

I LOVE this set. There is a mind-boggling amount of music. I think it's, like, 11 discs in all.

Zuddy and I have actually watched the infomercial selling these from beginning to end more than once. In fact, it started out that I was making fun of Zuddy for watching the infomercial. The guys from Air Supply narrate it while they're in a nursing home. Just kidding. ha. No nursing home.

Well, those wacky Aussies had me hooked! In the infomercial they never once mention the price. So you know it's not in the budget, right?

So last week Zuddy and were cat sitting (see Sammy, above) for his best pal while he was on vacation and WHAT is just SITTING THERE on his kitchen table??????

Yep! The whole freakin' set!!!! His lady love bought it for him! So now - and you know how nostalgic I've been - I'm listening to songs from the late 70's and early 80's. For some reason, I seem to be paricularily enamored of the ones from '78. Kenny Loggins, Ambrosia, Gino Vanelli (GINO VANELLI???? I know. I just can't explain it).

So anyway, the Noodle and I are listening to this music on the way to school. Then I "help" at her school, which I love. I'm crazy about her teacher, Sra. Ruth (remember, she goes to a Spanish Immersion school.). She is amazing. The children are amazing. They just love having a parent there and I get smothered with attention and hugs from them. They are only allowed to speak in Spanish, but since I don't know Spanish, the Noodle keeps double-checking with Sra. Ruth to make sure it's okay that everyone speaks to me in English. This is so sweet for 2 reasons:

1. She thinks I'm totally beneath her for only knowing English.

2. She is taking care of me and making sure I understand.

I get a big hug from Sra. Ruth. She's my "new best friend". (My old boss and friend, Kim, will laugh when she reads this: every time I encountered someone I liked and admired at work, they were, "my new best friend". )

Then I run errands: Smith and Hawken, Aveda, Pottery Barn, great antique shops. I only purchase hair products, but I love walking along and hitting all the shops.

Then I go to Super Target and I'm trying to pick out toothpaste. I hate this job. I never remember the last "flavor" we had and Zuddy - who is normally super easy-going - is not super easy-going about his toothpaste. So I'm standing there trying to remember and this sweet older gentleman gives me a coupon! Isn't that nice? He thought it would make it easier for me to decide!

So, then we start talking about toothpaste and he asks me if I've tried a certain one and I tell him, "Yes! I liked it! Do you like that one?" and he tells me, "I don't know! I've never tried it and I just got new teeth!" Ha ha!!!! Isn't that funny?

So then I'm trying to find doggie treats for the neighbor dogs and my hair stylist's dog. I have a hair appointment on Saturday and I'm out of treats. Her dog, Lily, will check my purse. I always forget her treats and I feel so bad. So....... who do I see next? My hair stylist, Diane! Crazy!

Then I ran into my sister in law, Pippi, and my niece, Allison! Crazy!

So, I go home, crack open my cheesy US weekly magazine, and remember that I need to take the self portrait challenge from my new best friend, Heather J. Of course, her picture is really cool and kind of artsy.

Heather J. : Girl. I swear I tried. They were all ugly. Here is the one of the 2 or three not-so-hideous ones I ended up with:

I look tired there. I really wanted to take a nap right then, but I had to meet the Noodle's bus.

So then I pick up the Noodle and later my dear friend Michelle (she was in a picture a couple of days ago) comes over to show me pictures from her trip to Ireland.

Then guess who calls? One of the local Policemen!

I'm a block club leader and his Mom lives next door, so he is always taking special care of us and he comes to our meetings. Anyway, he apologized for not coming to last night's meeting - which is fine because I cancelled it at the last minute (long story, but my tummy hasn't been good.) .

How nice is that?? By the way, he is known as "Officer Mc Hott" by the neighborhood ladies. He doesn't know this, but he's good eye-candy to have at our meetings. Keeps the membership numbers up, you know?

I mentioned a while ago that I live in the "hood", but we really do like it here. We bought the house while I was still in college and it's all we could afford. Our neighborhood is sooooo diverse. I mean, there are doctors living next door to gang members. Seriously. We have a really incredible Citizen's Organization and there are a lot of people who start their political careers at that organization. I'll walk around the neighborhood and take some pictures sometime.

So, that was my day! Just a great, happy day. No mean people. It was Zuddy's night out last night, so the Noodle and I hung out together and had girls' night. ( I get Wednesday nights out.)

Heather J. promised me some 80's big hair pictures on her blogspot. Ooo! You have to have shoulder pads on, too, okay? Ooo! Let's have an 80's picture challenge, huh?? C'mon everyone! Leave a note in my comments section with a link to your 80's picture on your blog! You get extra points if someone in the picture has a mullet! Ha! Game-on!!

Do you like music?

Then you've got to check out this guy:

Michael Gulezian.

He's amazing.

Zuddy and I went to a small "house concert" last night - my friend MJ and her husband have known him for a long time and he and his wife were staying at their house, so he put on a little concert - but it was actually at MJ's church.

Okay. Here's the deal: I only wish you could've seen it.

I know for a fact that it was only him playing the guitar.

There wasn't a piano and he only has two hands. I checked. I only saw two and he'd be part of a freak show if he had more than two, right? RIGHT??

But I kept searching for more hands because it sounded like there was more going on than what I was seeing. Sometimes it sounded like there was a piano - but, like I said, it was only HIM! After he'd get done playing a song, he'd get this sheepish look on his face and crunch up his shoulders.....as if to say, "was it okay??"

Uhhhhh.....YEAH it was okay!

I was totally happy listening to him tuning his guitar. I'm not even joking, people. When he was tuning his guitar all of his fingers were going wild and it sounded like he had started another song.

Anyway. We thoroughly enjoyed his music. Very relaxing. Very nice. I'm listening to his cd right now. If you can attend one of his concerts, I urge you to do so. You'll fall in love with his sweet, gentle personality and it will make you appreciate him even more. Plus, you've got to see him play for yourself. Merely listening doesn't do him justice.

By the way....am I rockin' in the link usage department or what???

Thanks Janelle!!!

PS. I bought the paint yesterday. Those folks at Sherwin Williams are the BOMB.

Cleaning Day!

Oh, yeah. This house is driving me crazy.

My dear friend - the Lizard - left a comment about how it's about time I started on this kitchen thing.....so true.
But I really dislike chaos in my life. And THIS, my friend, is chaotic. I could never have chaos like this and have to go to work all week, too. Thank God I'm on a little working hiatus.

I need made beds. With clean sheets. Preferably dried on a clothes line (not gonna happen).

I need groceries in the fridge and some fresh produce.

I need all of my kitchen/dining room items happily at home in their rightful cupboards - not in my bedroom :)

I need to shower before 2pm and spend an ENTIRE day with makeup on and my hair fixed. And jeans on - no sweatpants.



I need a day with this gal:


Have you all met?


Everybody: this is Mrs. Meyer.

Mrs. Meyer: this is everybody!


I really think you're going to get along well.

Mrs. Meyer picks up after herself when she comes to visit. And she smells GREAT - especially when she comes to your house smelling like VERBENA.

Sure. She's a little pricier than the other cleaners. Especially when you're trying to use only vinegar to clean. But she's worth it. And she is a little more worried about the environment than that Mr. Clean guy. She's trying harder. She's more responsible.










Having gone through all of that, I think you should know this: I don't think I will be able to NOT paint today!!! I was really annoyed yesterday after my "work", but I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it and now I'm rarin' to go again!

First, I need to get some paint and some good brushes. The ones I've been using to prime are "chocolate".

Ha ha. Anything cheap and flimsy in our house is "made of chocolate". That's a Zuddy thing. You should meet my Zuddy. The dude cracks me up. And he ALWAYS has new material - rarely does he say the same funny thing twice.

And Oh! And we're having a date tonight!! We are going to see an acoustic guitarist. My friend, MJ (more on her another time) knows the dude and says he's FAB-U-LOUS. And believe-you-me, people - If MJ says he's fab, he IS. But I guess he's more folksie, which I'm not sure about.....but I'm really looking forward to it.




Cute Noodle alert!!! She LOVES American Idol. LOVES IT. All the kids at school are talking about it. So last night we watched it together and she really wanted to vote!! Isn't that hilarious?? Here's what's even better: It had to be the girl with the pink streaks in her hair that sang a rockin' Evenescense song. I just love watching my little pumpkin grow into a person.

Speaking of music.....do you all have the new(er) John Mayer cd, "Continuum"? No? Well go and get it, dammit!!! It's the best one yet. I've been listening to it while I paint and I can't get enough. It's definitely more bluesy than his other works, but - Oh! So good!

And I've never really taken to the blues, either. In fact, I was on a date once with a guy I REALLY liked and he took me to a blues club because it was his favorite music.

Guess what I did?






Fell asleep.

I'm a barrel of fun, oh yes I am!