tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210209082024-03-20T01:40:47.027-04:00the Inveterate OptimistA foil to pessimism.MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-29627188047064080102012-09-15T12:45:00.000-04:002012-09-15T15:10:53.382-04:00Just a Bill<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a post that is sitting in 'drafts'. It's waiting to be published, like so many others, biding its time. But this post keeps popping up from my sub-conscience. It tries to get my attention again and again. It keeps reminding me of itself in conversations I have with friends. In conversations with family. In conversations with myself. Mostly in conversations with myself. But it has to wait, along with the others, because I am staunchly opposed to posting it right now.<br /><br />And I have live-out-loud boys, a thoughtful-if-tromping husband who stretches my thoughts to the larger world, a house which drives me to distraction, and a Welsh puppy who noses my elbow and licks my toes.<br /><br />So .. not yet, shouty post. I am adamant. Despite the fact that it is the reason I have not posted these many months. I am adamant. You </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">will become an actual post one day. Until then, I leave you with this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Today's conundrum: Am I waiting in vain for that vendor to call-back?<br /><br />Future conundrum: Will the local NBC all-weather, all-the-time channel ever change its music?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for perusing; see you again soon. tIOx</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-47207356314959105222012-04-23T16:34:00.000-04:002012-04-24T18:48:19.317-04:00'Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more'<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Had mortality not taken hold, Shakespeare would have been 448 today. What he gave the world in the 52 years he lived was an enduring gift of eloquence and wit. What follows are some of my favorite lines from his plays:<br /><br />'The quality of mercy is not strain'd.<br />It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven<br />upon the place beneath.<br />It is twice blest:<br />It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'<br /><i>Merchant of Venice</i><br /><br />'Love is not love<br />when it is mingled with regards that stand<br />aloof from the entire point.'<br /><i>King Lear</i><br /><br />'Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be, until<br />Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill<br />shall come against him.'<br /><i>Macbeth</i><br /><br />'When our actions do not,<br />our fears do make us traitors.'<br /><i>Macbeth</i><br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">Feste:</i> 'What is the opinion of Pythagoras concerning wild-fowl?<br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">Malvolio:</i> 'That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird.'<br /><i>Twelfth Night</i><br /><br /><br />'If we shadows have offended,<br />think but this, and all is mended,<br />that you have but slumber'd here<br />while there visions did appear.'<br /><i>Midsummer Night's Dream</i><br />_____________________________________________________<br /><br /><br />I could go on. We all could, I'm sure.<br /><i>I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.happybirthdayshakespeare.com/" target="_blank">Happy birthday</a>, Mr Shakespeare.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Click through the above link to see more good wishes for the Bard.)<br /></span></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-26638198877793655912012-03-07T06:38:00.000-05:002012-03-12T10:03:49.470-04:00Liszt and Lisitsa<span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, not me. But I have done 'La Campanella'. This performance of 'El Contrabandista' by Lisitsa is inspiring - and as near to perfection as I can imagine.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2X_hOY6tEvM" width="560"></iframe>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-15607383886638363362012-03-02T11:28:00.000-05:002012-03-02T11:28:05.439-05:00Reminiscing<span style="font-family: inherit;">While this video is not of me, it has me reminiscing. I think back to the days when this piece consumed my hours at the piano. Good days. Long hours. A happy piece and, below, an exciting performance.<br /><br />Enjoy. tIO x</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; text-align: left;">Video via Youtube; property of pianist Natalie Erlich.</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-25916243402141397152012-02-01T22:56:00.000-05:002012-02-02T08:16:03.356-05:00Hearing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not every day that you sit down with your child and hear yourself coming back to you. Not your words of praise or admonishment. Not your 'catch phrases', humorous anecdotes, or words of wisdom. Not those typical queries and exchanges of travelling through a lifetime. This is something different.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Usually you hear tales of woe and wonder as seen through their eyes. You hear about how life isn't fair. You hear about how they don't get to do things 'everyone else' gets to do. You hear pleadings and ploys, and frustrations and facts. And laughter.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />But then. Then you hear them say something that they've brought up from the deep dark. Something that they approach you with hesitantly, not wishing to cause offense. Something they are very serious about. They search your face for pre-approval. And you hear those words that you once thought but didn't dare utter. From thoughts so remote, from a soul on a quest.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />And you sit. Stunned. Because you realise two things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Possibly he's mentioned it because he came from you and it's embedded somewhere deep in his genes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. He said it. You never did, but he did. Just now. To you.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />And you think perhaps you're doing something right after all.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br />Today's conundrum: When double-checking fails, is triple-checking warranted the next time? And if triple-checking fails, then what?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Future conundrum: Who will buy this wonderful morning?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for perusing this blog. See you again soon. tIO x</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-22815875300035119102012-01-28T05:57:00.000-05:002012-01-28T05:57:00.180-05:00We Are Not Alone<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've come to realise just what a unique position I was in.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />My husband travelled for his job, leaving every week before the sun rose on Monday morning and returning usually after midnight on Friday. For nine years, I was 'home alone' for four days each week, and then on Fridays from 7am-7pm while he was in the office. I was alone on birthdays - but thankfully not on birth days. I was alone on holidays. I was alone on anniversaries. And, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary - including my own upbringing, for most of those nine years I thought everyone lived like this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />I thought everyone was vigilant and wakeful at night. Everyone with children, at least. I thought everyone was scheduled and structured and spent their time always on, always busy, unable to relax. I thought everyone kept calm and carried on.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />And I knew lots of people had it worse than I did.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I didn't complain. Not overtly. Outgoing introverts seek other outlets.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I busied myself, as you do, with the goings-on of my children. With the forced friendships of 'Mommy-and-Me' classes at the pool. With the friends who hadn't abandoned us when we left the city for the suburbs. With overseeing the maintenance of a first house. With scheduling visits and roadtrips and long walks and meals. And in all of this scheduling, I lost myself. Literally. I lost the ability to see clearly the situation I lived in. The incessant busyness of cleaning and decluttering and surfing the web, and sourcing and researching and volunteering built a wall between my life and 'the rest of the world.'<br /><br />And so I became a bystander. Where once I had carried giant balloons in festival parades for the World Cup, I was now carrying Red Robin balloons tethered to Vera Bradley bags. Where I once had hopped a plane to Seattle 'just because', I was now drinking 'Pete's Blend' on a bench surrounded by prairie grass. Gloriously, I had turned my life into a role I longed to play but with a script I couldn't read. And I seemed, like a voyeur, to be watching it all happen from the cheap seats.<br /><br />I remember the day I first thought: "I did this to survive." It was five months after my younger son was born and I was planning the daily 'afternoon outing'. Recalling both the freedom of my own youth and the memories of long days spent in offices with windows that wouldn't open, I wanted my children to spend as much time outdoors as possible regardless the weather. As I was planning where to go on that bitterly cold day, my best friend phoned to cancel her plans to join us. Her oldest was sick the day before and it was travelling through the family at breakneck speed. I made plans with her to get food and drink on her table that night when she said something that threw me: "I keep thinking that I just have to make it until 6pm and then he'll be home and I can relax."<br /><br />I have no idea how many times she'd uttered this phrase previously. A dozen times? Perhaps a hundred times. But it was like reading a verse or hearing a song that you've heard so many times before and only now really understanding what it means. She only had hours to wait until she could relax. She only had hours. I had days. It was just Tuesday, after all. I had days. Days before I felt like I might be able to relax. Days, actually just a precious 48 hours, that would be chewed up and spit out and then Monday would come again. And then I would have more days. And I realised that not everyone lived like this.<br /><br />I went through the afternoon focused on getting the meal prepared for her. I piled the children in the station wagon and drove the 30 minutes to her house. After setting the table, getting the oven prepped, and cleaning up what messes I could, I made the reverse trip with both the rush hour traffic and the realization that I was in a new place emotionally closing in on me. Later that night, when the boys had been lovingly sanitized from our trip into that familiar but infected home, I sat on my sofa in front of 'Location, Location, Location' on the DVR and sobbed.<br /><br />I didn't answer the phone when my husband called that night. I listened to the voice mail he'd left with a numbness spreading through me. I remember ringing him back, cognizant of the distance in both my heart and my voice. I remember thinking how unfair I was being. How removed. How cold. He told me I was. And I remember thinking "I did this to survive. I did it to survive being alone and what it feels like to be alone. I am alone and I don't want to be. You made me be alone."<br /><br />We are made to be in relationships. We are not made to be alone. That we have to or that we believe that it's OK if we are is a lie. No one earns points for being alone in a world that is full of harmonies and dissonances and complements and contrasts.<br /><br />Two years ago, I asked to not be alone anymore. He said, "I never meant for you to feel alone. Because you never seemed like you were."<br /><br /><br /><br />Today's conundrum:<br />If we pay to have something installed 'within 48 hours', are weekends included in that 48-hour window?<br /><br />Future conundrum:<br />Do fish really gotta swim and birds really gotta fly?<br /><br />Thanks for perusing the blog. Speak again soon. tIO x</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-68237573854084433182012-01-27T14:27:00.000-05:002012-01-27T14:32:10.182-05:00Something Has to be Said<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been fighting with Gossip for awhile now. We are not on speaking terms at the moment - and for good reason. It's maligned my friends and family, torn groups of once happy people apart, and fanned the flames of individual insecurities creating firestorms and leaving swathes of destruction in its path.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gossip says it serves a purpose, that it can actually be 'productive' and 'helpful.' I say 'balderdash.' But then, Gossip does tend to talk a lot of nonsense. Often we don't notice just what nonsense it is until it's too late. And when we do, by then it's moved on to a new topic and we're left feeling lost and perturbed and a little bit scared. We chase after it then (which is what it expects), trying to catch up and get back to where we were in the conversation, back to whatever we've lost in the translation. But Gossip loves to keep us guessing. That's how it works. Will it come back to us - either to include us or to make us the center of its attention? After all of this bait-and-switch hither-and-yon will-you-or-won't-you, I've grown tired of Gossip. I asked it to leave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It just doesn't take the hint though, does it? It won't go away politely when asked, and has a terrible habit of showing up at just the wrong time. Sometimes it lulls you into a false sense of security, believing that it's not too bad and that hanging around for the occasional perk-me-up is fine really. Sometimes it simply changes clothes in an attempt to disguise itself as something else less innocuous. Or worse - important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there are the times when you think you've out-run it and banished it altogether. That it's taken up shop in other circles - ones that you don't move in or care about or touch. But then you hear something about someone that you used to know or know someone who knows that someone, and, just like that, Gossip is back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now what? Do you stand farther out on the sidelines this time, back turned defiantly, determined to let Gossip walk right past? To not say a word and ignore the unbearable lightness and laughter beaming happily from Gossip? Do you wait to see what will happen? To whom it will happen? What Gossip will wear when it does happen? If it has on that Tom Ford lipstick you love?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sidelines might feel safer, but you can never go too far to get away from Gossip. My advice: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. And keep up the fight. Gossip gets tired just like the rest of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today's conundrum:<br />Have we been able to sufficiently prove that every snowflake is unique? That no two are alike?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Future conundrum:<br />With all of the leaks and 'makings-of', will the SuperBowl Ferris be a hit? Or will VW reign supreme again this year?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by blogger on a snowy evening. See you again soon.<br />tIO x</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-79184935882017962252012-01-14T22:42:00.006-05:002012-01-27T13:39:14.595-05:00All Keyed Up<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Via <a href="http://contentedly.blogspot.com/">Contentedly</a> >> From Bottega Veneta to Topshop, a key edit:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/all_keyed_up/set?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=42249402"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="All Keyed Up" border="0" force="1" height="600" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/42249402/id/0V16DOKpSgaQYJOBsLSoAg/size/y.jpg" title="All Keyed Up" width="600" /></span></a></div>
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<small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. </span> <small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=44828434" rel="nofollow">Ebano Intrecciato Nappa Key Ring</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$190 - bottegaveneta.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">2. </span> <small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=22759548" rel="nofollow">Kim Seybert Greek Key Napkin</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$30 - barneys.com</span><br />
<small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">3. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=34431088" rel="nofollow">Dune flat heel shoes</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">£40 - houseoffraser.co.uk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">4. </span><small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=47330710" rel="nofollow">ASOS metal jewelry</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$15 - asos.com</span><br />
<small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">5. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=48055965" rel="nofollow">Tassel jewelry</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$75 - reissonline.com</span><br />
<small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">6. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=43393278" rel="nofollow">Key No.2 Cross Stitch Kit</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">£25 - liberty.co.uk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">7. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=41642916" rel="nofollow">Isabel de Pedro printed top</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">£115 - julesb.co.uk<br />
8. </span><small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=46484678" rel="nofollow">FRIENDLY HUNTING square scarve</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">€349 - veryeickhoff.com</span><br />
<small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">9. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=40446240" rel="nofollow">Dogeared 14k jewelry</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$58 - neimanmarcus.com</span><br />
<small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">10. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=48985751" rel="nofollow">TopShop round frame sunglasses</a> </span></small><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">£16 - topshop.com</span></div>
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</div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-19907277193443409502011-12-31T23:59:00.002-05:002011-12-31T23:59:02.095-05:00Happy 2012!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COXV_LZw1ac/Tv-orw6BAnI/AAAAAAAAAZA/pwgg5npI47Q/s1600/big-ben_at2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COXV_LZw1ac/Tv-orw6BAnI/AAAAAAAAAZA/pwgg5npI47Q/s640/big-ben_at2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks at the stroke of midnight, London, 1 January 2012<br />
via the Telegraph</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for perusing and following along in 2011.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's to health, wealth, wisdom, and hope in 2012.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">tIO x</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-13165640656381482802011-12-26T09:40:00.002-05:002011-12-26T09:40:00.310-05:00It's Boxing Day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have a smashing time! </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlvcybzB6ug/TvU-uoQnWcI/AAAAAAAAAY0/p91kUjGzpqM/s1600/Keswick_Boxing_Day_hunt_1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlvcybzB6ug/TvU-uoQnWcI/AAAAAAAAAY0/p91kUjGzpqM/s400/Keswick_Boxing_Day_hunt_1962.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Boxing Day Hunt<br />
Source: Flickr</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks for perusing; I'll be back soon.<br />
tIO x</span></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-15125435548769217082011-12-23T16:03:00.003-05:002011-12-23T21:40:18.694-05:00Presents Possible: 2011I am posting this two days before Christmas again this year precisely because I am an optimist. So there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-007riRfrcRs/TvQHGT5Zg5I/AAAAAAAAAYA/hvdhzxytTk8/s1600/Tatler+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-007riRfrcRs/TvQHGT5Zg5I/AAAAAAAAAYA/hvdhzxytTk8/s200/Tatler+cover.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's correct; 'Tatler'. <i>$104/year</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXsP8VkkU80/TvQHIzFs9nI/AAAAAAAAAYI/fKDueL2oVOA/s1600/MidnightinParis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXsP8VkkU80/TvQHIzFs9nI/AAAAAAAAAYI/fKDueL2oVOA/s1600/MidnightinParis.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite WA film. <i>$20 via amazon</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDUTPGj1KOg/TvQHL5joyEI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/PuTt6t4OJqg/s1600/KirstieAllsoppCraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDUTPGj1KOg/TvQHL5joyEI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/PuTt6t4OJqg/s200/KirstieAllsoppCraft.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not yet available in the US. <i>Waiting in the gift closet.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5mAq1VMEyc/TvQHODn0rJI/AAAAAAAAAYY/N71AYkpp1Tg/s1600/CKcrossbody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5mAq1VMEyc/TvQHODn0rJI/AAAAAAAAAYY/N71AYkpp1Tg/s1600/CKcrossbody.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cath Kidston Oilcloth Cross body. <i>$75 at cathkidstonusa.com</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rC07GdiuBzI/TvQHPpqYiYI/AAAAAAAAAYg/2wY3Og1zt5Y/s1600/EnglishCountryHouses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rC07GdiuBzI/TvQHPpqYiYI/AAAAAAAAAYg/2wY3Og1zt5Y/s1600/EnglishCountryHouses.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one's been on the wish list for several years. <i>It's time, Santa.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFByIh5hdvY/TvQHRJiN9ZI/AAAAAAAAAYo/8v7B-MLfcYo/s1600/Kiehl%2527sMusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFByIh5hdvY/TvQHRJiN9ZI/AAAAAAAAAYo/8v7B-MLfcYo/s1600/Kiehl%2527sMusk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perennial favorite. <i>$40 at kiehls.com</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now hurry down the chimney, Santa Baby.<br />
<br />
Hope you all have a lovely Christmas.<br />
tIO xMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-41350721776598860612011-12-22T21:14:00.004-05:002011-12-23T00:41:47.387-05:00Wear Something<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="height: 600px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's Christmastime and I'm feeling rather neutral. Not about the holiday, per se; just about my wardrobe. So I found some lovely things to get me in gear:</span><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/wear_something/set?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=41164899"><img alt="Wear Something" border="0" force="1" height="600" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/41164899/id/hKbKxgst4RGe_3AaX-OW3g/size/y.jpg" title="Wear Something" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<div><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/wear_something/set?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=41164899">Wear Something</a> by <a href="http://theinveterateoptimist.polyvore.com/?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger">theinveterateoptimist</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/kate_spade_handbags/shop?brand=Kate+Spade&category_id=318">kate spade handbags</a></small></div><small></small><br />
<div style="padding-top: 16px;"><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=44475189" rel="nofollow">TIBI sequin tank dress</a> $605 - tibi.com </span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=42670221" rel="nofollow">Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick</a> $48 - nordstrom.com</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=43969365" rel="nofollow">Kate spade handbag</a> $272 - katespade.com</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4. <a href="http://www.butterlondon.com/lacquers/grid">butterLONDON 'Yummy Mummy' nail lacquer</a> $14 - butterLONDON.com</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=47584994" rel="nofollow">Maison Martin Margiela sterling silver ring</a> $495 - net-a-porter.com</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=40230518" rel="nofollow">Nicholas Kirkwood platform heels</a> $1,215 - mytheresa.com</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7. <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3143805&.svc=blogger&id=39204363" rel="nofollow">Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude EDP Spray 3.4</a> $90 - neimanmarcus.com</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la. And all that.</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Christmas! </span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks for perusing; I'll be back soon.</span></div><div style="clear: both; margin: 0em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">tIO x</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 8px;"><small><br style="display: none;" /></small></div></div></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-25071943452357474222011-07-14T15:30:00.001-04:002011-07-14T15:30:39.654-04:00Cross-eyed<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>I've been counting the number of books I am either a) reading or b) have on my tables or Kindle to read. The number is, well, high. Which is one of the reasons I haven't been posting. That - and the fact that it's July already and the summer is in full blossom.<br />Here is a quick visual:<br /><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-07-14/rfHCyszkmpuBBEGhdegGsyzEjythmewoCaIcbeGeJfDemEDlpxHAzkAriaFm/IM000096.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Im000096" height="500" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-07-14/rfHCyszkmpuBBEGhdegGsyzEjythmewoCaIcbeGeJfDemEDlpxHAzkAriaFm/IM000096.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <br />What are you reading, dear blog readers?</p></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-39315316913271208802011-06-01T12:39:00.002-04:002011-12-22T22:40:45.978-05:00...just because it's June - June - June!<div class="posterous_autopost">A good way to begin the month, I think. It's always made me happy:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0I-790dGx-o" width="742"></iframe><br />
<br />
Have a wonderful month, lovelies.<br />
Thanks for perusing; see you soon.<br />
tIO x</div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-67987821121620414522011-05-04T15:48:00.001-04:002011-05-04T15:48:32.485-04:00Fiskars to the rescue! (again)<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>We are on our way to make this purchase:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Fiskarspushmower" height="220" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-04/jnrzkHwHjsGgzJAmIqAGiAGwvmIGyuGwBBddxjxFccHtJnDivesyJFauwyzI/fiskarspushmower.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="220" /> </div> $199 of push mower heaven. Getting green. (And getting in some strength training and cardio, too.)<p />Thanks for perusing; blog you again soon. tIO x </p></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-59218902823981157182011-04-03T19:53:00.001-04:002011-04-03T19:53:19.670-04:00MC Escher<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>I'll be seeing this today:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Escheratakronart" height="334" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-04-03/jkoGgykqqhDvBhpHfxnheuGghxetgappcJmHqCjorgrftiIjxhleuDGDjwsg/EscheratAkronArt.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="378" /> </div> and hopefully this as well:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Escher-hand-with-globe" height="450" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-04-03/zfaBjxkspHektGoEAioyAqvBkqbHEgonCvpspgwpjDxchCgnoHngwikIJscF/escher-hand-with-globe.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="381" /> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://www.akronartmuseum.org/exhibitions/details.php?unid=1761" target="_blank">Akron Art Museum<br /></a><br />Thanks for perusing this blog. tIOx</p></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-72844432844661459562010-12-23T16:34:00.000-05:002010-12-23T16:33:31.556-05:00Checking it TwiceTo be honest, I've already received my Christmas gift this year: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002FQJT3Q/ref=amb_link_354440742_4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0AXWJR8QYQ2075HKTYWY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1282782162&pf_rd_i=507846">a Kindle</a>. I love it. Truly. But that doesn't prohibit me making a list. *grins widely* And so, in no particular order of preference, I present the 2010 list of 'Presents Possible':<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5ZfrHzWZxbnaavam6xblKh6gL1h9ES5OsH2wfn1cf7SFJJAbIPmawfRP6TBUi5LUoVKsIax_wsDNe25BGn0EB68Iw8uqSt80SzGclMSy-Ei3Uv8tnZ6tbM_hJUNpObL7xXkl/s1600/JigsawButterTrench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5ZfrHzWZxbnaavam6xblKh6gL1h9ES5OsH2wfn1cf7SFJJAbIPmawfRP6TBUi5LUoVKsIax_wsDNe25BGn0EB68Iw8uqSt80SzGclMSy-Ei3Uv8tnZ6tbM_hJUNpObL7xXkl/s320/JigsawButterTrench.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jigsaw-online.com/fashion/1001063/J11446/womens/coats-and-jackets/butter-leather-trench-coat">Jigsaw 'Butter Leather Trench'</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyXHVguJuabTPljposl9wg7yUA7iPVpw9h_WUYjVf5HghFIR-CGhGVDXWwtEye_wcuoZb4u_k5ynLoJD2emlkznvj3MWfCX2OSu-51hkj3e42wTNC_KY1BtcKEZiptQX_6XFw/s1600/JujuBySarahband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyXHVguJuabTPljposl9wg7yUA7iPVpw9h_WUYjVf5HghFIR-CGhGVDXWwtEye_wcuoZb4u_k5ynLoJD2emlkznvj3MWfCX2OSu-51hkj3e42wTNC_KY1BtcKEZiptQX_6XFw/s320/JujuBySarahband.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49343348/gemstone-moon-band">Sterling gemstone band by JujuBySarah on Etsy</a><br />
With citrine and peridot, please.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrElhwxlEJ3sIKwlPODstSECxxshUYfSuVShFEALygje4T-Q56uHEuWTzzCn61s74IMc8vexqCRUsaXpJSUA1J9gFezm-A8YKef_XKqejuFNknZn6nmIqFrRV3GhItFotM8-T/s1600/Biscuiteersbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrElhwxlEJ3sIKwlPODstSECxxshUYfSuVShFEALygje4T-Q56uHEuWTzzCn61s74IMc8vexqCRUsaXpJSUA1J9gFezm-A8YKef_XKqejuFNknZn6nmIqFrRV3GhItFotM8-T/s1600/Biscuiteersbook.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.biscuiteers.com/biscuiteers-book-of-iced-biscuits">Biscuiteers Book of Iced Biscuits</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGcKAq3R_e9kwaOWGw7b4R1cYbZmFYNizJs1t275dYIxX2KMCqE4QAjNfzTrW9WoCv0kOhR2ctfPcXcVvLJ04m0DNGl4LnwJg8raXAJs5YeNLmCYNW-cDfKnZ5pC-gnf6ENOl/s1600/Biscuiteerschristmastin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGcKAq3R_e9kwaOWGw7b4R1cYbZmFYNizJs1t275dYIxX2KMCqE4QAjNfzTrW9WoCv0kOhR2ctfPcXcVvLJ04m0DNGl4LnwJg8raXAJs5YeNLmCYNW-cDfKnZ5pC-gnf6ENOl/s1600/Biscuiteerschristmastin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And perhaps some <a href="http://www.biscuiteers.com/occasions/christmas/iced-christmas-tin">Christmas biscuits from Biscuiteers</a> as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j3FW8Lgu84yITW1U3cheuhUhZTW5er8nywz0Hj8tcOMNgaootH4QQUynxd5KYAHtoaBiOP5VnKjYIKUwRsSO-c-4jBh1I3H5O1Fr98biQ45_LtSlHM_mLen4-5H9_a4oDT21/s1600/bluetuftedchesterfieldsectionalsofa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j3FW8Lgu84yITW1U3cheuhUhZTW5er8nywz0Hj8tcOMNgaootH4QQUynxd5KYAHtoaBiOP5VnKjYIKUwRsSO-c-4jBh1I3H5O1Fr98biQ45_LtSlHM_mLen4-5H9_a4oDT21/s320/bluetuftedchesterfieldsectionalsofa1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Thought I'd throw this in for good measure:<br />
I'm still searching for a leather sectional <a href="http://inveterateoptimist.blogspot.com/2008/12/oh-why-can-i-not-find-chesterfield.html">Chesterfield</a> - fyi. Red leather, please.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe4Qc_06FEqQoDCTq8KH9Sol8dyWnGKFZhuqQizYe91NmianSAEnGxXSap1rGygAUT2j_KbMciEtBhvdhKeHau7xSjuHYQnb97JVE75_WSZl5oFeyntWJewBrZ6K_w6RcOChK/s1600/Hallmarkornament.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe4Qc_06FEqQoDCTq8KH9Sol8dyWnGKFZhuqQizYe91NmianSAEnGxXSap1rGygAUT2j_KbMciEtBhvdhKeHau7xSjuHYQnb97JVE75_WSZl5oFeyntWJewBrZ6K_w6RcOChK/s1600/Hallmarkornament.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallmark ornament: <a href="http://www.hallmark.com/online/in-stores/keepsake-ornaments/2010/ornament-detail/?id=soco_qx8336">1940 Ford pickup</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK16Pq5VUD64kytjToAop0c0N7f5omOQdQIcrDnO3OfvmvvYNqVJxUJs3bAkQZQVQsrqVjvxuwsGjD1IfB9ydhcmv58ErRgpyFfCtINnGIR3HnHJCgXTdhG4uAM5_Tqs5f7dbI/s1600/30rock1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK16Pq5VUD64kytjToAop0c0N7f5omOQdQIcrDnO3OfvmvvYNqVJxUJs3bAkQZQVQsrqVjvxuwsGjD1IfB9ydhcmv58ErRgpyFfCtINnGIR3HnHJCgXTdhG4uAM5_Tqs5f7dbI/s1600/30rock1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/30-Rock-Season-Tina-Fey/dp/B000RBA6CO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293138100&sr=8-1">Blerg.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFXis1yzdZWLfC3EsGjPdg7W6zgge9ITCUOu9Mp0O1wVReZJ33APNpeif74DNDNsTC4tbFX2H2QRUwm9NLg3K9k4rVnsJnAp3yXRnyGFrHFPNswlABFWNtWE8llrE4Q7rLS8K/s1600/kiehlsmusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFXis1yzdZWLfC3EsGjPdg7W6zgge9ITCUOu9Mp0O1wVReZJ33APNpeif74DNDNsTC4tbFX2H2QRUwm9NLg3K9k4rVnsJnAp3yXRnyGFrHFPNswlABFWNtWE8llrE4Q7rLS8K/s1600/kiehlsmusk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've tried to not love it. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kiehls-Original-blend-Toilette-Spray/dp/B0009X0S9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1293138274&sr=8-1">But I do.</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6X-zBi_WY9xcoNvhL1yKV-NyMDKAMejaIyuPUTPdq8tK-siN04DQer5fFYbAfH8j18KNMFxWdEonCaQ3ki9vCKeDaTo29rqRw9McZRyUzMpLQo6PUzLwJm7HQs6g-YlEtZBV/s1600/KirstiesHandmadeHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6X-zBi_WY9xcoNvhL1yKV-NyMDKAMejaIyuPUTPdq8tK-siN04DQer5fFYbAfH8j18KNMFxWdEonCaQ3ki9vCKeDaTo29rqRw9McZRyUzMpLQo6PUzLwJm7HQs6g-YlEtZBV/s1600/KirstiesHandmadeHome.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/kirstie-s-homemade-home/">Adore her.</a> (And I may have already purchased this.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihusrZoO5o15oCE6aXSi49jvq4NncTWijWNROacNQhq17cSkXe-oyXlzQ7C04n9SPVJ4TA_rdFWEKHeUwE3fjoBFcV7H9VO_odhbfVD3EqbP_2b3VFXoCXnyWHu8dh8080snoJ/s1600/KSbrooklynbangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihusrZoO5o15oCE6aXSi49jvq4NncTWijWNROacNQhq17cSkXe-oyXlzQ7C04n9SPVJ4TA_rdFWEKHeUwE3fjoBFcV7H9VO_odhbfVD3EqbP_2b3VFXoCXnyWHu8dh8080snoJ/s320/KSbrooklynbangle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4250063">Sing it with me...</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFwPkSVQ2KvNXeuoYzT1OEvuij4yhyphenhyphenM9t2NPSZkUh1yYRShlQpiPj6UVpD9K1B-kGuU8B_HhoDnllu2NtINCMGm4c6LD3-ZdRONq7rJkcyZAHNx5_gZ_PgwZv38hY5d-jU-an/s1600/MatthewRice2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFwPkSVQ2KvNXeuoYzT1OEvuij4yhyphenhyphenM9t2NPSZkUh1yYRShlQpiPj6UVpD9K1B-kGuU8B_HhoDnllu2NtINCMGm4c6LD3-ZdRONq7rJkcyZAHNx5_gZ_PgwZv38hY5d-jU-an/s1600/MatthewRice2011.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This should surprise no one; I ask for it <a href="http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/matthew-rice-a-year-in-the-country-2011-calendar-/invt/1mar011315/">every year.</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4VEByy4vj-6ifTySzp81_XFg-D22D4NYf8NoErh5v9X8QVLmBEM75PXDBN3efFZ7MW-9FIVIX59quhDyvqjgPkn1S1WxEa1Ivn-eI3zMgQuH6alT02OsFqzjaNt1crQljT4g/s1600/NARSfullmetaljacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4VEByy4vj-6ifTySzp81_XFg-D22D4NYf8NoErh5v9X8QVLmBEM75PXDBN3efFZ7MW-9FIVIX59quhDyvqjgPkn1S1WxEa1Ivn-eI3zMgQuH6alT02OsFqzjaNt1crQljT4g/s1600/NARSfullmetaljacket.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage NARS: <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/Vintage-2009-Nail-Polish-C540_hunger-zizi-tallulah_7.aspx">'Full Metal Jacket'</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, Mr C, aka darling husband... If you are so inclined, I will be most grateful. And thank you again for my wonderful <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002FQJT3Q/ref=amb_link_354938382_4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0D0VR0QHY7SRH7JJ08CR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1284792682&pf_rd_i=507846">Kindle.</a> xx<br />
<br />
Happy Christmas, dear blogfriends. tIO x</div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-45920678964304597652010-12-01T05:02:00.070-05:002010-12-01T07:16:25.040-05:00Dressember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpu3rY5nkbjWDiV4dFDHCGYMcvx5-LVmcrTg3NqVKven-DPfnpTw_AObLQ8whmsPQayK_yiAGGtOAAkx-cnsdEpew_WJCBXYeiWvzaknU8_FOTnuzmB_-jPu5NSkdKRlmRCUI/s1600/Dressember+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpu3rY5nkbjWDiV4dFDHCGYMcvx5-LVmcrTg3NqVKven-DPfnpTw_AObLQ8whmsPQayK_yiAGGtOAAkx-cnsdEpew_WJCBXYeiWvzaknU8_FOTnuzmB_-jPu5NSkdKRlmRCUI/s400/Dressember+pic.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dressember/125734977487362">'Dressember'</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> comes but once a year, and I'll be posting about it here. What is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dressember/125734977487362">'Dressember'</a>, you ask? Here is the official description:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> December 1st marks the beginning of 'Dressember' - the challenge for women (or the adventurous male) everywhere to shake up their wardrobe and try ditching the jeans and t-shirts.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> We're aiming to wear dresses as often as possible: don't worry if it's not practical in the day, you can go for a skirt/top combo if needed. Or have fun and dress up in the evening in that cocktail dress you never get to wear!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> There are no rules, it's all about stretching your wardrobe boundaries, trying something different, and having fun, so just jump on in :-)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Sounds like fun, right? If you would like to participate, please visit the </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dressember/125734977487362" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dressember</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Facebook page. And please let me know too; we can take on the challenge together!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
Thanks for perusing; blog you again soon! tIO x<br />
PS: If you need inspiration, dive into Eleanor Estes' wonderful book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Dresses-Eleanor-Estes/dp/0152052607/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290972999&sr=8-1">'the Hundred Dresses'</a>. It was a favorite from my childhood; I read it dozens of times.<br />
<br />
</span><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HeMeBhkYGlg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HeMeBhkYGlg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-52565313713793631272010-11-30T09:24:00.002-05:002010-11-30T09:30:20.203-05:00The Advent Book<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you might have guessed from <a href="http://inveterateoptimist.blogspot.com/2010/11/waiting-patiently.html">this post</a>, we celebrate Advent. I love looking for a new Advent calendar each year and may, in fact, have several waiting in the wings for future use or to give to friends. But our favorite way to observe Advent is with this <a href="http://www.adventbook.com/adventbook.html">wonderful book</a>:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuy5XLSrJXGFGTfmYLIUB8l88z-z7kwm5HPEFg8C-3aLnavgmz2dQsTXylcbzMheShVZGziEHA05FDGVmlYL24M-M7sAQrWJNiujQrzXfDR6iVasirnpda5JuxKUWos0nZkwY/s1600/adventbook-cover.gif" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuy5XLSrJXGFGTfmYLIUB8l88z-z7kwm5HPEFg8C-3aLnavgmz2dQsTXylcbzMheShVZGziEHA05FDGVmlYL24M-M7sAQrWJNiujQrzXfDR6iVasirnpda5JuxKUWos0nZkwY/s320/adventbook-cover.gif" width="272" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The authors, <a href="http://www.adventbook.com/thestockmans.html">Jack and Kathy Stockman</a>, have created a gorgeous way to celebrate the Christmas story. Truly appropriate for the coffee-table, 'the Advent Book' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">contains original illustrations by Jack and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">features 25 doors which open to reveal a picture and segment of the Christmas story. It's told chronologically, beginning with Gabriel's revelation to Mary and ending with Jesus' birth. 'The Advent Book' has become a tradition in our house with our boys taking turns reading even and odd pages. (Amazingly, they seem to remember from year-to-year who read which pages last year and switch accordingly.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdfFPlLK2GtQvlCOAOts5OiaNsho-Q7nEppElMkpQaNZmsZvO8kq81wQssr-n3UHwV_dBIwgpwNujLI_T_tfCJVoXq2abtdYQv37K0AAs6VJYYVqcEwTeojAS0XzONZHqvEVj/s1600/Adventbook1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdfFPlLK2GtQvlCOAOts5OiaNsho-Q7nEppElMkpQaNZmsZvO8kq81wQssr-n3UHwV_dBIwgpwNujLI_T_tfCJVoXq2abtdYQv37K0AAs6VJYYVqcEwTeojAS0XzONZHqvEVj/s1600/Adventbook1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGNWuuJuwm2lt9bDOueI5vtvGKPaTuiOUnoXxeaD3c8A5ywIttbkuqliVj8-1dqSFsWT_K7WRdkGM8gnYQQb00bqsjVQqUvEMqBgWeXnxaq16ZEBUjElqYeByQw1DpOY0Nwwa/s1600/Adventbook2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGNWuuJuwm2lt9bDOueI5vtvGKPaTuiOUnoXxeaD3c8A5ywIttbkuqliVj8-1dqSFsWT_K7WRdkGM8gnYQQb00bqsjVQqUvEMqBgWeXnxaq16ZEBUjElqYeByQw1DpOY0Nwwa/s1600/Adventbook2.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmJNXM6a4nlMDWfMDQqqz1KaLzyNsIp3tqJMnRk7F5SZrtrJB3HjPifaKv3oAFoG4OdjW5USR2Gwkuwrb101v2lMV61_L1P2SBDNmOma1BaVH92puNl5aq-sjUq9RqtKFVREd/s1600/Adventbook3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmJNXM6a4nlMDWfMDQqqz1KaLzyNsIp3tqJMnRk7F5SZrtrJB3HjPifaKv3oAFoG4OdjW5USR2Gwkuwrb101v2lMV61_L1P2SBDNmOma1BaVH92puNl5aq-sjUq9RqtKFVREd/s1600/Adventbook3.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgfbhvTPJu6HpX-DBt_OIJfLJqbWR46QuzvQRX_ssQ6bWoPCScdfY8HnmVWbxFYy-wD9qPIzWo580KrQRHKABGJxlL_u6f4J1JTr8pwzzdmknuSrrzPEg9Qz5hRoXH3QmCx1b/s1600/Adventbook4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgfbhvTPJu6HpX-DBt_OIJfLJqbWR46QuzvQRX_ssQ6bWoPCScdfY8HnmVWbxFYy-wD9qPIzWo580KrQRHKABGJxlL_u6f4J1JTr8pwzzdmknuSrrzPEg9Qz5hRoXH3QmCx1b/s1600/Adventbook4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Some screencaps from the Advent Book site</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
If you are interested in ordering, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://shop.celebrationsandtraditions.com/">click through here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to shop the Stockmans 'Celebrations and Traditions' site.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hope you have a happy, healthy holiday season - and enjoy this 'most <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">wonderful time of the year!'<br />
<br />
Thanks for perusing; blog you again soon! tIO x<br />
<br />
PS: If you do buy the book and have little ones, I suggest playing the 'hidden animal hunt'. On each page, Jack has 'hidden' an animal - some easy to spot, others not so.</span></span></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-11912801111514891292010-11-28T13:46:00.002-05:002010-11-29T08:53:43.478-05:00More Patience<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm doing some remodelling of the blog right now. Seems like each week, a widget gets updated (or rewritten), pics and videos are lost, or I find a lovely new blog to add to the blogroll. However, I am nothing if not regularly striving to be organized. So this time, instead of plonking down with a book and silently fretting about it, I am doing something. It may take some time and might include using posterous. Or not. We'll see.<br />
<br />
Regardless, like every thing else, this blog is a work in progress. I'm even thinking of posting some 'before-after' photos of our house, which has undergone (and continues to undergo) a transformation from its previous owners. During our house hunt, I described it to my husband as 'well-cared for' and having 'good bones', but in need of 'a decorating overhaul' as it's decor resembled a Marriott from the 1980s. The early 1980s. Alright for some (clearly); just not our style. And what a boring world this would be if we all liked the same things, eh?<br />
<br />
Here's a tease:<br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfJdtDmqxYxEWZ4dspAI5bZ2ZkAcW_3FQPEMAPWpMbBLJ2DUMX-ygi5o1JqiJizxs5mMj8PV1n3J6h5fJQv2ZzTXBZQgmQ8N2xl174TcqZjfuWN-kq4gPWY4rVZxdeM6NUaPC/s1600/110-1046_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfJdtDmqxYxEWZ4dspAI5bZ2ZkAcW_3FQPEMAPWpMbBLJ2DUMX-ygi5o1JqiJizxs5mMj8PV1n3J6h5fJQv2ZzTXBZQgmQ8N2xl174TcqZjfuWN-kq4gPWY4rVZxdeM6NUaPC/s400/110-1046_IMG.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the Master Bedroom 'before'</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
Meanwhile, please excuse the mess. And thanks for perusing; blog you again soon! tIO x</span></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-12997668110309965792010-11-24T10:18:00.000-05:002010-11-24T10:18:07.944-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN4-1tfKpJYpPYTKx5CXY-Bw8a0u0gjwGqIJszjMYNGI8XpfaP7ELwFxGw07kjxjv7PpVNuBRBGq3ayYFvrySO9E9qn5CFJ1xAsbZE02jWuj-qYlLYdF_b-GEks3JEukTdavm/s1600/MacysParadeTurkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN4-1tfKpJYpPYTKx5CXY-Bw8a0u0gjwGqIJszjMYNGI8XpfaP7ELwFxGw07kjxjv7PpVNuBRBGq3ayYFvrySO9E9qn5CFJ1xAsbZE02jWuj-qYlLYdF_b-GEks3JEukTdavm/s400/MacysParadeTurkey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 13px;">Thanksgiving Turkey, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2007 (Getty Images)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
"O Lord, we thank Thee for this food,</div><div style="text-align: center;">For every blessing, every good.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For earthly sustenance and love</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bestowed on us from heaven above.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be present at our table, Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be here and everywhere adored.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thy children bless and grant that we</div><div style="text-align: center;">May feast in paradise with Thee."</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Happy Thanksgiving</span></div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-35025855139938865732010-11-16T02:59:00.000-05:002010-11-16T02:59:08.300-05:00Waiting PatientlyPatience is something I have been advised never to pray for. (And that suggestion comes from someone who also never uses the word 'never' or ends a sentence with a preposition.) Alas, some of us are not naturally inclined toward it and therefore have to either pray for patience or acquire it through osmosis.<br />
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I prefer to 'practice' patience. Currently, I am practicing with this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xZYqcoswCIGeiJz9gMspAhN3fCt7iLA9ToIk0z5iyyNaXstpbvK5Xyg99JNmRWEYly_6m_v0ZtB37RsYhvOvak-i-aje0lgiAt55AdEiVS1MINXJ5dr-xdT-bBvMxxXI9QVQ/s320/WillowCreekSignsadvent.jpg" width="320" /><br />
</div>It arrived in my mailbox today. However, I am waiting until the day after Thanksgiving, aka 11 more days, to plaster it to the glass side door. Of course, I then will practice additional patience, aka 5 days after that, to begin hanging the 'ornaments'. *sighs*<br />
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Wherever did I find such a clever thing? The lovely ladies of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/willowcreeksigns">Willow Creek Signs</a> created it! After 'Wonderful Graffiti' - my online, go-to wall decal shop - closed earlier this year, I'd been looking for its replacement. Unsurprisingly, I ventured onto <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>. As ever, I am glad I did.<br />
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For this 'Advent Calendar' design, they offer four styles of trees:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-A6-da3IXYz_-Fgk1MG5eWrS2Nkh4v4umyF9Q4tzj8H8JUih7nsM_QmQ4cJKD5cxSZrtrerlHYUf31VmMk2rHWw4g_jnfKwz7dDo_W3abJLOUbqULgkF8agsN7x856san_Bb/s1600/WillowCreekSignstrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-A6-da3IXYz_-Fgk1MG5eWrS2Nkh4v4umyF9Q4tzj8H8JUih7nsM_QmQ4cJKD5cxSZrtrerlHYUf31VmMk2rHWw4g_jnfKwz7dDo_W3abJLOUbqULgkF8agsN7x856san_Bb/s320/WillowCreekSignstrees.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
And for all of their wall decals, they have literally dozens of colors from which to choose! I do like choices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvyRuOhTpJq1WaQe7-vkoEGxAU6eXwOHHArDsePaMtWHjgIoYa6G34WNk6LZwBqWz7-rKupCotmmhMzcA-ocwtBM7GZwZ_O2IdLi207RBJsmRwIsv607SxpIwiuURn0_vMBJd/s1600/WillowCreekSignscolors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvyRuOhTpJq1WaQe7-vkoEGxAU6eXwOHHArDsePaMtWHjgIoYa6G34WNk6LZwBqWz7-rKupCotmmhMzcA-ocwtBM7GZwZ_O2IdLi207RBJsmRwIsv607SxpIwiuURn0_vMBJd/s320/WillowCreekSignscolors.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Oh, look! *checks clock* It's Tuesday already! 10 more days...<br />
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Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon! tIO x<br />
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More designs from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/willowcreeksigns">Willow Creek Signs</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFTkT0qbTMJW5WkxcDeJd1xbRexgGoceSO2rEPfsx9f_dgIrE54vvSRqN7hYds-KEc7ccj2G4higyCqK1LQiTz5BeFRWcisTeUVxjJC-8PaFWA3GXp2mPAQ40pl7ERl0haTLY/s200/WillowCreekSignspirategrowthchart.jpg" width="180" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu3vGdZ7fxanPze9rR-UaPuPLeJWXaqh-d5GrcIPIK2EIInbNJ9INv-cxIbvIVJqXDGeBd52qFvhyphenhyphen-tQIgWJwwA4NAFc7O8iZONgpAowIHGbh24siPv-D29V1EBxIgZp1qsdD/s1600/WillowCreekSignsspaceivaders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu3vGdZ7fxanPze9rR-UaPuPLeJWXaqh-d5GrcIPIK2EIInbNJ9INv-cxIbvIVJqXDGeBd52qFvhyphenhyphen-tQIgWJwwA4NAFc7O8iZONgpAowIHGbh24siPv-D29V1EBxIgZp1qsdD/s200/WillowCreekSignsspaceivaders.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5HHcPuK9dSMkBHP9k4PZslDnCG0AGIQ9CWAUKXJvC-GSvrv-notUX0QdDbO2mQIPIB270QpKWRmFMYMB6BzVroFMSakfywXUTNNL_XG2J-vomH2PjGAx4eZ3Sr0Yvy5p5C44/s1600/WillowCreekSignskeepcalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5HHcPuK9dSMkBHP9k4PZslDnCG0AGIQ9CWAUKXJvC-GSvrv-notUX0QdDbO2mQIPIB270QpKWRmFMYMB6BzVroFMSakfywXUTNNL_XG2J-vomH2PjGAx4eZ3Sr0Yvy5p5C44/s200/WillowCreekSignskeepcalm.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-3248233883264880942010-11-14T08:44:00.000-05:002010-11-14T08:44:53.746-05:00No Matter Where You Go......there you are. Words to live by.<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ljgX6fTtySQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ljgX6fTtySQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-56477880861773858612010-04-22T10:19:00.001-04:002010-04-22T10:20:24.928-04:00History is fun!<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0VKhdEbeNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0VKhdEbeNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">youtube video by CD101FM</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hope you're having a wonderful month. They might be giants. And what are we going to do unless they are?<br />
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PS: We have a lot of history on this Earth. Happy Earth Day! tIO x</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21020908.post-81082950909501585022010-04-09T19:06:00.004-04:002010-04-09T19:21:41.658-04:00"I'm having a bad, bad day..."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5fKfWMcD48&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5fKfWMcD48&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
Truly cannot wait to see <a href="http://www.despicable.me/">this</a>. It already makes me giggle uncontrollably. tIO x<br />
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PS: I'm not really having a bad, bad day; I used some gorgeous new <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MixologyMakeup">MixologyMakeup</a> today and got my hair cut. (Hi, Nancy. xx)<br />
The post title references the lyrics to the title song, '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axbUCR1nKRA">Despicable Me</a>'.</span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13892196870395579538noreply@blogger.com0