and so, after a year of beating around and looking in different caves, she found one that did not drip, was not cold, and had a fresh water spring that came up from the ground - inside the cavern. perfect. and no bears. and as she was wandering, she had her mp3 player singing in her ears, all the while playing her favorite shakira... and found herself playing "don't bother" on repeat.

oh the flowers she can plant - ones that bloom at night. ones that bloom in late summer and early spring.. and the tomatoes, and the zucchini... and lilacs and maybe a dogwood...

she is happy. (and again, no bears... big bonus.)

top 'o the marnin'!

oooohhhh my head. what fun - dancing, whiskey, beer... I LOVE IT! But today - today was a little painful. Henry woke me up with the squeak of mr. squeaky man. grrrr. So today I hung low - but I have been watching this show on the Discovery channel about King Tut -- and they are trying to figure out who killed the boy pharaoh... it's pretty interesting. i think pizza tonight...

tonight

the big storm has rolled in -- thunder and lightening. it's great. and today i did exercises for the first time in forever. (a jack atherton kinda segway...) actually it was a pretty pathetic attempt, but i did a bunch of push-ups and sit-ups. I've become such a sloth it is unbelievable. so, i'm going to try to unsloth myself...

it was good.

Tonight's dinner. I have never cooked squid - or have eaten macaroni laden with squid ink...





But I'll give it a try -- has to cook for an hour -- which I didn't realize and so -- it is cooking - and while it is - Henry got hungry...



... and Benji went in for a nap.

Saturday

There were 6 of these washed this weekend.

And this was the ultimate result!!! A CLEAN BEDROOM - YOU CAN SEE THE FLOOR!!!!!

Saturday's Paper

I wanted to title this "Ladies of the Southwest." Unfortunatly, that is only part of what they (the Enquirer's editor) changed - although not completely what or how I wrote -- I'm still pretty proud. I'll find my "real one" and post that too - it's better.

Well - it's on my computer at work...

a lazy afternoon...

"Ponytail"

This is Becky and Matt's Jane :)

There's no place like home...

I just got back from Marin County, San Rafael, CA. I had a great time - joked around with a bunch of people that are slowly becoming buddies. But I'll tell you, there is nothing like coming home - driving my own car, sleeping in my own bed, and snuggling with the little furry creatures. It is so nice.

Jenny and Blake were here when I got home -- Jenny still hasn't popped with her baby -- a day or two over due -- but I think they will be parents like Becky and Matt -- totally cool - and aren't going to turn into weird suburban, soccer parents. I like that. I hope if I ever get to that point, that I will be like that. Completely comfortable in who I am, what I do, and who I'm with. And the little guy that comes out will have completely cool, relaxed parents.

So yeah, it's grub time -- gunna dig through the freezer -- find something yummy -- eat it -- I think a bath is in order tonight... and then... a relatively early snooze.

(i'll post some photos of the trip later)

saint valentine - a commentary

who was this man who hallmark has adopted, chics get crazy over, and guys hope to get laid...

well, apparently he was roman priest who got himself in trouble by the Emperor (Claudius II) by marring Roman soldiers (because married guys were not as useful as single ones) or refusing to defy his faith or was it... regardless - he was beaten with clubs, stoned, and ultimately beheaded. isn't that romantic. this all happened feb 14th in the year of our lord 270. it became a catholic feast day, his and another fella's in 496 until 1969 - when rome figured that people would rather go out to dinner and cuddle than go to church, and so was dropped from the calendar (church’s that is). and now, this patron saint of bee keepers, plague, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, travelers, and young people has been reduced to chocolate and roses.

now, there is nothing wrong with a day dedicated to sentimentality and professions of love. but, what is wrong with the 15th? or 16th? or 17th? the random declaration of love is always better than an expected proclamation.

the verdict...

Yeah - it needs some work. Too salty.

lamb -- well, beef saag...

this is my first attempt at cooking indian food. at the moment - it is still cooking - and tastes a little salty to me. but, we shall see...

Grandma and Grandpa

I know this happened a month ago, but as I was cleaning my kitchen this weekend, I found it on my table... Part of my stocking present from the Grand-units was this...

Written on an index card...

"Was told that you were good this year.
Always glad to hear it.
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit.
So here's a little "snowman's soup"
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water and sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick."

And in a little Ziploc baggie was a packet of hot chocolate, marshmallows, a couple hersey kisses, and a candy cane. I though that was so sweet. I also got a bunch of pictures from when they were little, courting, and after they had a couple of the Farnand brute... including Daddy. I'll get those scanned in too - i just have to find the cord to my scanner... They made me cry (the photos not the stupid cord).

the hick in me...

and so, i started the evening off watching the golden globes. but i soon became weary of that and so, wrestling - professional wrestling has taken its place. i have not watched wwf --- well this is not wwf -- raw live -- but ya know what -- it's wonderful. it's like, i've always wanted to go to a monster truck rally. i mean, how cool is that - these huge retard trucks running over little minis... ha haa! I LOVE IT!!!!

stupid kitna.

WHO-DEY!

GO BENGALS!! BEAT DEM STEALERS!!

The Ben-Gals!

mini antiques roadshow in lexington...

Me, after talking to an enormous crowd about the Maria plate I just saw...
Me and the owner of the Maria plate...
The enormous crowd waiting to be seen -- oh the treasures...
Wes at our table before the masses arrive...
...and Wes with a couple who brought in a giant whiskey jug from Louisville, which they found in the garbage, that he estimated at $8,000-10,000. Sweet. Gotta love that Kentucky whiskey.

this time of year - better than ezra

i downloaded this song onto my mp3 player - i used to listen to this cd forever - never got tired of it -- well, i hadn't head this song in awhile, and it was one of my favorites on the album...

Well, there's a feeling in the air
Just like a Friday afternoon.
Yeah, you can go there if you want
Though it fades too soon.

So go on, let it be.
If there's a feeling coming over me,
Seems like it's always understood this time of year.

[To Chorus:]
Well, I know there's a reason to change.
Well, I know there's a time for us.
You think about the good times
And you live with all the bad.
You can feel it in the air,
Feeling right this time of year.

Well, there's a football in the air,
Across a leaf blown field.
Yeah, and there's your first car on the road,
And the girl you'd steal.

So go on with yourself
If there's a feeling that there's something else.
Seems like it's always understood
This time of year.

[To Chorus:]
Well, I know there's a reason to change.
Well, I know there's a time for us.
You think about the good times
And you live with all the bad.
You can feel it in the air,
Feeling right this time of year.

Well, there's a feeling in the air
Just like a Friday afternoon.
Yeah, you can go there if you want
Though it fades too soon.

So go on, let it be.
If there's a feeling coming over me,
Seems like it's always understood this time of year.

[To Chorus:]
Well, I know there's a reason to change.
Well, I know there's a time for us.
You think about the good times
And you live with all the bad.
You can feel it in the air,
Feeling right this time of year.

some more x-mas cheer - dinner - yummy!