On the Fourth Day of Christmas

From January 1, 2014

I decided I really wanted to take photos of trees that stand alone in fields. I also wanted to get my shopping done. In fact, I wanted the latter first. It was on the drive between Versailles and Piqua - with my mother driving and the forecast calling for white-out conditions - that I was inspired to want the tree photos. I tried taking some shots through the closed car window (my mom thanks me for that) while driving probably less than 55 mph (road conditions). Remember, I was not doing the driving.

From January 1, 2014

This shot, you'll note, lacks the solitary tree motif which was the whole point of the entry. But, I wanted to share with you what I discovered and loved as a kid traveling the country roads between my house and my grandparent's farm. Anywhere you looked, in the back of that field that was fronting the road, there was a forest. Maybe they aren't "real" forests, but only moderate stands of trees. The point was that even though they were not physically contiguous, they formed a ring around any place I was. The frontier of Ohio stands on the edge of the present day.

On the Third Day of Christmas

From January 1, 2014

It snowed. There will be other days of Christmas with snow - but the snow won't keep Christmas from coming. (I promise. I have seen the future and it is off-green.) In the meantime, some photos to enjoy of the snow around my mother's house.

From January 1, 2014

From January 1, 2014

From January 1, 2014

On the Second Day of Christmas

From January 1, 2014

This should really have been "the first day" - but I was too amused by the turkey. On the Second Day of Christmas …. TRAVEL: by plane, by car.

From January 1, 2014

To LA, to Dayton, to Versailles, to Cleveland, to a BIG OLE VIRUS that kept us in Versailles with only excursions to Troy and Piqua. Then, of course, it was back to LA and Home. The second day of Christmas lasted 5 weeks.

The First Day of Christmas

looked a lot like Thanksgiving…….

From January 1, 2014

My research on flight prices revealed that traveling from Oz in November was significantly less expensive than in December. Fortunately, I have a very accommodating boss who was willing to let me go for 5 weeks - making it possible to be home for both Christmas and Turkey Day. And, Kevin, has so many holidays that he probably surprises his coworkers on the days he shows up at the office. Yay! Let the festivities begin!

It's a brand new year - so let's wrap up the old one….

I get so excited about the new year… the buying of a new calendar, a new date book, maybe a new pen… resolutions, a do-over. The time is rife with possibilities! I even start thinking of getting some Christmas cards out. This year I felt particularly ambitious. Maybe it was all the difficulties and losses of the last two years. Maybe it was jet lag. I was giddy and ambitious and remembering when Mondays used to be my favourite day of the week. (Yes, really - for the same reason - you never knew what wonder laid ahead.) Anyway, I thought I'd get back on my qi gong horse, fix up my diet, get on a "photo a day" program, write my blog, write old friends, clean off the table, get a new desk, clean the shower…. Nothing has really gelled - yet. But, I do not despair. Tonight, I will start cleaning up 2013. I will start at the end of the year and maybe later I'll attack the 42 draft entries that lie in wait. Tonight we begin with the 12 days of Christmas. (I must admit to being a bit anxious about this project - I think it is because my outline only contains 10 days!)

The Power of the Heart - Peter Gabriel

Book of Love - Peter Gabriel (Lyrics/Pictures)

Happy New Year!

There are at least 20 unfinished posts in the "draft" status from 2013. I'm trying to get back to this project - and several (many?) others. A new year. A clean sheet. The possibilities are endless and I can almost taste success. But, as it is already after 9 PM and it is a "work night", I need to keep this short. Short is do-able. And, so, here are two of my new favourite songs from Peter Gabriel's 2010 (I believe) album "Scratch My Back". Happy New Year! Enjoy!!

Hoping to be

Dear Dr

I would like to begin by stating that we have been very satisfied with your care of our son, James O’Brien. Thank you for your thorough and conscientious attention.

I am having a problem, however, which I am hoping that a letter can rectify since attempts to address this via the telephone have failed miserably. My name. I appreciate that I am no longer Mrs. O in your records. I must assume that the number of mothers in your practice who have a surname that differs from their children is small as I never would have completed any paperwork identifying myself by that name. My name is DA***E. That is a very unusual name in Brisbane, I realize. I’ll spell it again.

DA***E

The most recent version of my name, Duporth, was attached to the letter dated 26 September 2013 referring us to Dr A. Unfortunately, that is also the name that was attached to the letter to Dr A’s office. I hope I have corrected it successfully when they called me to set up an appointment for James in March – only time will tell.

 It is both an annoyance and a source of mild amusement to me – these various misnamings – but I fear they would be making a poor impression on other professionals to which you communicate on our behalf.

 Hoping to be Ann Da***e ever onward.

 Sincerely,

 Ann

Don't call me tomorrow

Really.  I know you haven't heard from me in more than 6 months and just the idea that I still exist probably induces an almost irresistible urge to call me - even though you've never called me before and there is a really significant possibility that you don't even know HOW to call me - and, therefore, I should not have even mentioned anything.  Who calls me, anyway, and yet - there I did it.

So, I must repeat.  Please don't call me tomorrow.

I'm trying to leave the line open so I can be informed that I have won $5000 and my book "Llamas in Lampshades" has won the picture book competition and is about to be published.

Don't call me and I'll send you a copy.

EDITED:  Sigh.  You all did a great job of not calling.  Unfortunately, the competition notifier didn't call either.  Instead, I have a tooth ache.

Happy Mother's Day!

From USA tour

Wishing love and comfort to all mothers and children of mothers.

Springing in Ohio

Friends of the Fliegen

Note: This is a work in progress. Additional friends to be added. Also, note, these only include US friends. Thirdly, note, there are many friends for whom I lack a photo. With apologies. It is a very big task to compile "Friends of the Fliegen".

Jim and Diane O'Brien (and Megan and Katie), Tim Beeker, Don Solosan, Marianna Hunt, Marge Dapore, Sam and Renee Dapore-Schwartz, Andy and Brittany Hunt, Todd Hunt, Linda Rice, Sandra Love, Earl and Louise Sloniker, Steve Herminghausen and Georgia Blum, Stephen and Sharon Newell, Mizzie Misko, Xan and Chris Sprouse, David Zecchini, Sharon and Jeff Stahlman, Barbara Revard, Andrew Penry, Sarah Rhodebeck Kreis, Johnda Kapteina (and Melissa), Timothy Rice, Steve and Mary Rice (and Renee and Edward), Steven Brey, Debby Miller, Diane Ray, Meg Morrison, Robert and Gina Saunders, Elaine Fagan, Martha and Maggie Fagan, Carroll Hunt and Karen Schindler, M. Heather Hartley, Robyn Thompson, Blanche Ostrander, Liz and Bob Byers, Nancy Decker, Marcia Decker, Leigh Davis and Richard Rynes, Christine and Nina Good, Ken and Gail Spontelli, Steve Hunt, Abby Holmes (and Alex and Olivia), Dixie Wehrkamp.

This is the plan

Once again I am in the position of trying to (quickly but thoroughly - or at least to my satisfaction) record the past while (at least being open to, should anything happen!) documenting the now. Oh, and probably worrying about the future. So, here is the plan. I'm going to do it like I did our last US trip with highlights - heavy on the photos - though resizing them to smaller files is pretty time consuming in and of itself. This is in contrast to a "day by day" approach like I did in NZ. I took 765 photos on our American tour. I promise I won't make you review them all. BTW, if you are anxious to see photographs, I have already started publishing daily photos from the trip on my photoblog. You can see that here (Looking @).

Many thanks!

From USA tour

On behalf of (the) Zuperfliegen and his staff, we wish to thank everyone who came out to see us on our Great North American* tour. Tour details and images to follow. *Note we consider this a continent tour because we did both include a Canadian person (and a quick trip across the border by Kevin) AND a lunch at Chiptole.

Coming to a town near you!

From Singles 2012

OK, yeah, I'm slow getting this published. There's still time to buy your ticket! Happy smiling faces NOT guaranteed...

Confession from a terrible mother

From Singles 2012

The pear.

It was meant for you, my dear.

But, when I peeled it, I had a taste. It was the sweetest and most juicy pear I'd ever found. I ate that quarter.

And, then I ate the next.

The other half...

I put in the fridge and gave to your Daddy.

Someday, maybe, you'll understand. Someday, maybe, you'll see it was out of my hands. It was Eve. It was the Serpent.

It was Phil Collins.

50 Reasons I Love You #50

From Singles 2011

You like dark chocolate (and mint)!

What's with all this love?

From Singles 2012

The most common post these days is something about "50 reasons I love you". Actually, it isn't "something about" it, it IS "50 Reasons I Love You". I'm not sure I have ever explained what this is.

You may or may not remember that for my birthday, Kevin gave me 50 of my favorite dark chocolate (with mint!) chocolate bars and in each he had, like a fortune cookie, a little slip of paper on which was written one of 50 reasons (in no particular order) he loves me.

Isn't that beautiful?!

So, to honor him, I thought I'd post each one with some sort of image. Originally, I wanted to post each "reason" on the day we opened the chocolate bar. But, things get in the way, even of such a simple idea. So, I tend to accumulate a few and then type them all up. Sometimes, it then takes days to weeks to months to find the photograph.

What I like most about this project is that I could have written almost all of the same reasons for Kevin.

"My wife. I think I'll keep him."

Happy New Year!

From Singles 2012

2012: The Year of the Dragon!

Big, big, big news

From Singles 2012

I have doubled our knife population.

Be warned.

We are "ready to spread".

50 Reasons I Love You #14

From Zuperfliegen 2012

You are the mother of our son and the reason he is with us.

50 Reasons I Love You #39

From Singles 2012

You like to check out houses that are for sale.

50 Reasons I Love You #13

From Singles 2009

You understand the importance of choosing the right airline for an international flight.

50 Reasons I Love You #42

From Flat Stanley

You moved to Australia and became a (dual) citizen!

50 Reasons I Love You #22

From Singles 2012

You want to be a flying red horse. (Or, at least, you once did.)

(Note - this is not my photograph. Thank you to: http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=flying+red+horse+logo&hl=en&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-au&biw=1920&bih=883&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=s-qoYIsOGcqITM:&imgrefurl=http://homepage.mac.com/credmond/iblog/C880906225/E384194819/index.html&docid=We7xuFDUN4bOBM&imgurl=http://homepage.mac.com/credmond/iblog/C880906225/E384194819/Media/FlyingRedHorse.jpg&w=500&h=489&ei=9JUWT_WeAYHgmAW6rPzKAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=490&vpy=2&dur=5578&hovh=222&hovw=227&tx=136&ty=119&sig=110693804874043938459&page=1&tbnh=125&tbnw=128&start=0&ndsp=54&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

50 Reasons I Love You #29

From Zuperfliegen 2011

You totally rolled with the name Zuperfliegen Baadasssss and helped me to make it "real". (And the world is more fun and interesting beause of it.)

50 Reasons I Love You #41

You support my dreams.

From I married a zombie

Bone scans (and cancer)

Note: This blog entry should have been written in JULY. The causes of my delay are many and for the hope of actually getting this DONE before next July, I shall not bother with listing them.

If you are a reader of Kevin's blog or you know Kevin or you know someone who knows someone who knows Kevin, then you know that Kevin was diagnosed last July with prostate cancer. (And, if you are a reader of Kevin's blog or you know Kevin or you know someone who knows someone who knows Kevin, then you must have been wondering why six months have gone by without the fact of that cancer appearing in my blog. Again, the reasons are legion.) Finally, if you are a reader of Kevin's blog or you know Kevin or you know someone who knows someone who knows Kevin, then you are probably expecting I'll open my soul to examine what this cancer means to him and to me and to Zupe. But,

you'd be wrong.

It might happen one day. That day isn't today.

Today the topic is nuclear medicine, scintigraphy, bone scans.

And horse pee.

After Kevin "failed" his forth or fifth PSA test, though just barely, his urologist recommended a biopsy. The biopsy was positive for cancer. Widespread cancer. Widespread but rather private cancer.

The next step was to look for evidence that the cancer was adventurous and had set up camp in areas outside the prostate - in particular, in his bones. I went with Kevin to his biopsy appointment - though not into the surgery to view the biopsy process. I did not go with Kevin to not watch the bone scan.

I didn't need to. I used to do, or at least assist in the doing of, bone scans.

I was the bucket girl.

We weren't looking for cancer in bones. We were just looking for increased "activity" in bone suggestive of inflammation or damage. In horses. The process would be the same. An intravenous injection of a radioactive nucleotide (something like the bone cell equivalent of a case of radioactive Big Macs) is made and then an hour or so later a series of "magic photos' are taken of the bones looking to see if those nucleotides are congregating. They should spread themselves out evenly (to feed the masses), but if a localized area of bone is particularly "hungry" because there is an injury that is inflamed or it is harboring a tumor, then those microscopic radioactive Big Macs will be absorbed at a greater rate. (If you are confused and you want to understand the process, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_medicine.)

Did I mention the process involves making an intravenous injection of a radioactive substance? That means into the blood. And, where does the blood go? It goes everywhere. Including the kidneys. And, then the bladder. And, then potentially the floor.

Which is why you need a bucket girl.

Yes. For a summer I "caught" radioactive horse urine.

Boy, do I know how to have fun!

So, I didn't go with Kevin. I didn't get to meet his bucket girl. Though, maybe they just asked him not to pee on the floor. He's pretty good about that.

(And, if you are not a reader of Kevin's blog, or someone who knows Kevin, or someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows Kevin, then I should tell you here that the scan was negative. There was no evidence that the cancer had spread into the bone. This is very, very, very good news.)

With sincere apologies to the creator of Aptimil's leveler

Zupe's having issues with his skin. Eczema. From what I can glean, it is a description of a lesion - like "missing right arm" - without relation to any single or often even identifiable cause. By that I mean, you could be missing your right arm because you had a birth defect or an accident with a circular saw or a velociraptor. With eczema there seems to be a genetic predisposition with reactions to external stimuli (chemicals, dry air, irritating surfaces) and/or internal stimuli (i.e. food allergies). And so, in an effort to address the "cause", we have changed bath soaps (if changed means eliminated), laundry detergents (OMG that's another story!), pajamas, and diet.

The goal of his new diet is to eliminate exposure to cows' milk proteins.  That means I am not eating any more yogurt or cheese or butter or drinking any milk or MILK SHAKES!  And, Zupe is drinking a formula made from hydrolyzed milk proteins...sort of like Zelda.

Anyway, our new formula - Pepti-Junior - still by Aptimil but now requiring a prescription to buy - does not include a built in leveler.

Wow.

And, boy do I miss it!  Now, we have to keep a butter knife around to "level off" the scoop.  This is a pretty sizable sacrifice for us.  We only have 4 (FOUR) such knives in total!  (We used to have five but I foolishly lost one when I took a banana cream pie to a party - a party at which said pie was only tasted by ONE PERSON!  Ah! What is wrong with this country?!) 

On a more positive note - actually two more positive notes.  (I think that is enough to be a positive chord!)

Note one - the Pepti-Junior scoop IS flat on the bottom, so when I want to set a filled scoop down, and for the life of me I can't remember why I'd want to do it, but I have done it, none-the-less, it doesn't fall over and spill out 23% of its contents.  Yay.

Note two - his skin is much better.  He still has a few patches - really he always has a small patch or two - but that is pretty, pretty, pretty good.  He's not scratching at himself and I am not covering him in steroids daily any more.

From Zuperfliegen

dreaming of dreaming

From July travel - mostly OHIO

dreaming I was back in HS, again. This time, like most times, it was nearing the end of the year and I had missed a lot of classes. Maybe I had missed every meeting of some of my classes and, of course, I needed to pass these classes to graduate. I remember thinking, "It was so much more fun the first time I went to high school when I had friends here."

Then, as I was stressing I had a moment of clarity. "Wait. This is a dream. "I have completed high school. I have graduated."

And then I began a review of all my schools. I have completed high school. I have completed college. I have completed graduate school and vet school.

But, have I graduated yet from elementary school?

Does this face make you feel calmer?

From Singles 2012

Think about it.

Examine the symmetry.

There. I thought so.

50 Reasons I Love You #24

From photo a day

You hold my hand when we walk together.

50 Reasons I Love You #26

From On the Beach 2010

You are open to new experiences.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

From Singles 2012

I love you.

Moove over 2011! Mama's got a brand new calendar!!

Happy Moo Year!!!!!!!! Welcome 2012!!!!!!

Green tea vs the strongest force in the universe

From Singles 2010

•Drinking green tea may cause anemia, so drink one hour after meals. Irony is already adsorbed then.


From: http://www.healthy-chinese-recipe.com/longjing-green-tea.html

Zupe's Christmas Tree

Perhaps you noticed in the tour of his room that Zupe possesses a 365 day a year silver Christmas tree. He is too cool. And, so, for Christmas his Grandmother sent him a collection of decorations to "do up" said tree.

But, that tree was never designed to hold up a substantial ornament. Something had to be done.

And, that something was to buy him his second Christmas tree. (Five dollars! Bargain!) He had to share this tree with the rest of his family. And, at the end of the season this tree had to go back into its little box to wait until the next holiday season. On the plus side, his tree got to wear our pre-Zupe ornaments including the kookaburra tree topper.

(You may have noticed the beautiful Christmas stocking. It came from Ohio, too. Lacking anything like a real fireplace, we chose to hang the stocking next to the air conditioning unit. It seemed like the perfect spot for a summer Christmas PLUS it IS a reverse cycle unit - our source of heat come winter!)

50 Reasons I Love You #33

From Yin Yang Halloween

You recognize Halloween as the best holiday of the year. And you like to dress up in costumes.

50 Reasons I Love You #?

From Singles 2011

You think I have a lot of "good ideas", though not necssarily a million of them.

More Christmas music

Haven't heard this in forever! I think I might have had a 45 of this.... Enjoy!

An open letter to Ryan Murphy

This is an open letter to Ryan Murphy. It is open for two reasons.

First, I'm not sure I could send a "closed" letter that would reach Ryan Murphy. Maybe. I could probably find a studio address and take a chance. But

Two. Would he read it? He is no more likely to read an open letter - but at least if it is open, SOMEBODY might read it. And, given six degrees of Kevin Bacon, maybe the thought will get into his head.

Also, it doesn't really matter. The deed is done.

So, here goes.

Dear Mr. Murphy,

I am not a "hater". Really. I've tried hard to like Glee. I've actually tried to LOVE "Glee". I can't claim to have succeeded spectacularly, but I did enter the "Boost Juice" contest here in Australia to win a trip to watch a filming. This involved writing a very short essay declaring my affection. So, you see, I'm on the record as a supporter.

But, let's talk about that Christmas show.

Wow! Was that bad! Meager plot, an ugly and excessive exaggeration of Rachel's petty materialism, a mean portrayal of the club's self-absorption, and poor Damien McGinty! I've given up any idea that I'll understand what he's mumbling, but the kid can sing. Give him something. "Blue Christmas" was awful. The entire club just sat there looking like they were bored and pained listening to him. It should have been a song that would pull heart strings for both his peers and the audiance. It should have been this:

I can't listen to this song without a tear, particularly when I am away from home at Christmas, which happens way too often.

Wishing you a year of inspiration! (Oh, and maybe next year a holiday reunion might be planned, in which case you need this.)



Ann

Oh, and if you are part of my chain to Ryan Murphy, please pass along the Dan Fogelberg suggestion.

HAL-LE- LU-JAH!

Enjoy, my friends! And, Merry Christmas!

A visit with Saint Nicholas....

From Christmas 2011

Just up from a morning nap, the Zupster charmed Santa and his helper.

From Singles 2012

For contrast, here is my first photo with Santa!

Ear wax and other embarrassments

From Zuperfliegen

Someday, maybe soon, I'll process Kevin's story and write it. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with my revelation that embarrassing moments do not end at 50.

Last weekend Kevin and I embarked on a major photographic project. This resulted in Zupe sitting in his "Baa, Baa, Twinkle, EFG" Chair outside while we toiled. At one point Zupe had had enough and Kevin rescued him from his lateral head toss. Kevin picked him up and said to me...

"What's this behind his ear?"

"What's what?"

"It's yellow. It's a huge glob of ear wax!"

"Really? Kevin?"

I DO WASH HIM BEHIND HIS EARS. I DO.

Sure enough. A glob of yellow, waxy material almost as wide across as my little finger.

I looked at it again.

"Apple."


Story two.

This morning Zupe and I visited Kevin in the hospital. (That's the story you don't know - unless you are referred here by Kevin's blog - in which case you are most likely wondering why you know something I don't seem to know.) Zupe and I were leaving as the physiotherapist came in to get the Mack Daddy up.

"Is that your daughter?"

"Oh, she'll love that! No. That's my wife. She's OLDER than I am."

(Yep. I'm loving it!!!!)




"No. I meant the baby."

ARGHHHH! So much for the dalliance in pink today. It was just a bib - but the gender gods do not care for such trifling. They have beaten me down.

This year for Thanksgiving

we're having Indian.

(Whatever you do, do not ask me to explain that. Just grin and nod your head...or fall out of your chair laughing.)

50 reasons I love you #23

You are a great person to grow old with!

50 Reasons I Love You #46

You are pretty, pretty...pretty good!

Zombies: The Recent Dead

From Singles 2012

"The dead are dull-witted but canny predators like some form of
flesh-eating math teachers."

from "Twisted," by Kevin Veale.
Really, though, my favorite:

The zombies were like Canadians, in that they looked enough like real people at first, to fool you. But when you looked closer, you saw they were from some other place, where things were different: where even the same things, the things that went on everywhere, were just a little bit different.

from "The Hortlak," by Kelly Link. You can read it here! http://kellylink.net/magic-for-beginners/magic-for-beginners-sample-stories/the-hortlak

12 November

Santa arrived in Strathpine Qld.

11-11-11

From Zuperfliegen

Today there is a initiative to document "One Day on Earth"...sponsored by a group called "One Day on Earth". They are enlisting people from Earth to photograph "the human experience" living 11/11/11.

From their website:

Together, we are showcasing the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph that occurs in one day. We invite you to join our international community of thousands of filmmakers, hundreds of schools, and dozens of non-profits, and contribute to this unique global mosaic. One Day on Earth is a community that not only watches, but participates.

I've applied to join - albeit at the last minute - and am waiting to hear if my application is accepted. And, while I'm waiting, and waiting for Zupe to wake from his nap and Kevin to finish the last 10 pages of his book and 5 PM to arrive so as to feed my ever-hungry dog, I'm wondering what criteria they apply to make that decision.

I've spent 11/11/11 in a very quiet way. Bathing with Zupe. Doing laundry and dishes. Nursing the baby (repeat/repeat/repeat). Sweeping and mopping. Playing and reading ("Crazy Charlie" and "Good Night Moon"). Taking a few photographs. Checking my email, my Facebook, my blog hoping to connect with the world outside my house.

I've had a wonderful day...even though I didn't get married or give birth or complete a major project. And, I'm hoping that every one of you has too.

50 Reasons I Love You #43

You are a wonderful photographer and you share many of your amazing pictures with the world.

50 Reasons I Love You #17

You taught me to appreciate the freezer section of the gorcery store (even though we pretty much never go there any more.)

Crime wave continues

From Rain Forest

Damn. Is this an effect of social media scouting, again??? Though I'm pretty sure I didn't post this photo yesterday. I only TOOK it.

That was yesterday morning. I don't remember that I checked when we got home from the rain forest expedition...but this morning when I was out watering (LOWER THE DAM!), there was ne'er a ripe tomato to be seen.

The most likely culprit swears she was under house arrest ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An outing to the rain forest!

Thanks to Barb and Stephen's visit, we've (I've) had the Mary Cairncross Reserve on my mind. It is such a cool spot on a hot summer day tucked up in the hinterlands near Maleny. We first discovered the park while touring with Flat Stanley. Funny how that little guy got us out and around! (He was a much easier touring partner that the Zupe-man who is much more opinionated on what he wants. And, significantly heavier to carry around.)

Here's a small selection of our hike. In the opening video you can hear some of the bird calls (as well as the distant call of the elusive Zupe). If you close your eyes you can almost feel the cool shadowland.

No snakes. Only 3 or 4 pademelons. We missed having Barb and Stephen to identify the birds - seen and unseen - for us.

From Rain Forest

From Rain Forest

From Rain Forest

From Rain Forest

From Rain Forest

From Rain Forest

Hypochondriasis

"What's this? Kevin, look at this mark on me."

Reddish. Squarish. On the inside of my ankle. Petechia? Am I having a true blood disorder? Is it time to panic about all those neutropenic tests???

"Wait."

Lick finger. Rub spot.

"Red beet juice."

From Zuperfliegen

International House of Coffee

From Singles 2011

In anticipation of my friends' (Barb and Stephen) visit, I put a request out into Facebook World for the loan of a coffee maker. I was lucky enough to get one delivered almost the next day.

Wait, did I say one? I meant three: a French Press, an Italian espresso pot, and an Indian coffee maker.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Merci! Grazie! Dhanyavaad!

It had to be done

From Singles 2011

I had no choice. What-so-ever. None. Sushi had to be eaten.

My calendar says: November 3: Culture Day (Japan)

Bargaining with Terrorists

From Singles 2011

Today I read a headline suggesting that the majority of burglars surveyed used social media to plan their crimes.

Therefore, it is probably a totally bad idea for me to admit this here, but I'm committed. I had already typed the title. I must confess: I totally cave into any demand when either my sleep or Zupe's sleep (which is often my sleep, too) is threatened.

Yes.

2 AM- I wake up. My mind flips on and I watch time pass. Just as I drift into a dream...
3:30 AM - Zupe wakes up. I get up and feed the baby and then try once more to achieve sleep.
5 AM - Zelda scratches at the bedroom door asking for BREAKFAST. I can either get up and feed her and hope to get back to sleep or I can lie awake listening to her intermittent pleas until Zupe wakes up at 6.

Zelda's supper is at 5 PM. Zupe's afternoon nap is at 3:30. Without fail, just as his eyes fall shut (4ish), Zelda starts her bouncing and yelping at the foot of the bed where he's sleeping. I can ignore her and let Zupe wake up -which means another several minutes of sleep cajoling or I can try to slip away and let her out before her piercing screech penetrates the thin veneer of sleep that now surrounds the baby.

Thinking we should become professional gamblers!

From Singles 2010

For the second year in a row, we are victorious on the Melbourne cup!!

Kevin wagered $6 on the office sweep which purchased him 3 horses. One of these horses came in third and paid off $6!!!!

My horse came in second! and the $0 I bet won me $0 more!

Wow! Oh wow!!

11/1/11

My mom told me to write a check. While I still have some checks from Key Bank in Cleveland, there is no one who would cash them here. So, this will have to suffice.

(Be warned - I'm ALSO supposed to write SEVERAL checks and possibly even GET MARRIED on 11/11/11.)

Missing!!!!!!

From Halloween 2011

Have you seen this "Jack"?????

He was pumpkin-napped sometime during the morning of November 1st after working hard and burning bright the night of October 31st. (He was there at 9 AM but gone at 1 PM.)

What sort of shameless holiday wrecker steals a jack o'lantern in broad daylight??? And, to the best of my knowledge, this isn't a school holiday. Therefore, it is unlikely to be a kid's prank.

Sicko.

Kevin suggested we might check dumpsters on Thursday evening, locate the mouldering head, carry it to the door, pound on said door then make a citizen's arrest.

Overall, I think there are OK things about this event. I don't have to watch him wither and melt. I don't have to decide at what point of disrepute I toss him in the garbage. And, he wasn't busted into pieces on our driveway. Somebody (maybe) loved him enough to want to experience the thrill of Halloween for themselves. Maybe next year rather than stealing ours, they'll make their own. Maybe there will be two glowing gourds in Brisbane.