The Horses Are Coming

Right now, I have a sweet little cat sitting on my lap. He is being very nice and seems to be wanting to hold hands. I'm okay with this.

I had a good weekend. CLRG and I went up to his parents' house and hung out with his family on Saturday. Seeing Little Baby Duck is always so much fun. This time, we took her for ice cream (which she did not want) and then we watched her play in her little pool (which she LOVED). On Sunday, we went to lunch with RCC and then I went shopping with K in the afternoon. I had to find a dress to wear to CLRG's boss' wedding this weekend and I was successful. I'm excited to wear it.

Strawberry Bubble Gum

I know there are a lot of things about Michigan right now that aren't great. I know that, economically, it has had bad times and really bad times. But then I think about the amazing experience I had growing up in the Southwestern part of the lower peninsula and I remember that Michigan is pretty darn great.

Today, one of my coworkers said something about the joy of fresh fruit. Right away, I was thinking about the summers I spent working at the farm stand. I thought of the strawberries I ate fresh from the field, still warm from the sun. I thought of our trips down the road to the blueberry farm, tying coffee cans around our waists, and picking many pounds of berries to take home. I thought of the long drives out on the roads that passed by more vineyards, orchards, and road side stands than I can count.

Yes, Michigan is pretty awesome.

I remember being able to ride my bike all over town, visiting the library, visiting the park. I loved hanging out at that park with friends, swinging until our legs hurt (or someone broke a bone) in the dark, drinking in summer air. I remember the video scavenger hunts, the hanging out, the movie marathons. The friendships I made growing up, the amazing adventures we had, groups we were in and championships we worked our asses off for, were all so spectacular that I often can't really explain them to people who don't understand.

Michigan people know, though.

Mmmm Michigan. Pure and simple. Amazing. I love you.

We Left Behind the Busy Crowd

I am anxious to move. Ughhhhh.

Say Whatever You Want Cause I Can Laugh it Off

I am not really satisfied with anything I write here today. Grr. I hate that. This entry will probably be super random, but I need to write more, so here we go:

I saw K for lunch yesterday. We had a good time, and then we went to Lowe's. I bought a tomato plant (roma!) and I was trying to think of an Italian name for it. I thought of Valentino or Romeo, but my dad suggested Silvio and I think that is very suitable, so I think that is the name. I went to Target after Lowe's and got a few new shirts for work. I can't be wearing sweaters in the summer, you know? I guess it might not matter b/c it is sometimes freezing in my office and I actually have to turn on the space heater, but whatever.

I read a really good book last week. It was called The Amazing Interlude and was written by Mary Roberts Rinehart. I found out that the author was born on the North Side of Pittsburgh, before it became part of Pittsburgh and was still Allegheny. The book was wonderful. It was about a young woman, Sara Lee Kennedy, who decides that she needs to go to Europe and see if she can start a soup kitchen during World War I. Her fiance doesn't want her to go, but she defies him and goes anyway. So it's mainly about her experience in Europe, but there are a lot of great characters and interactions and I liked it a lot.

I found out that the author is best known for her mystery writing and have downloaded a few of those to my Kindle so that I may read some of her other things. I'm really excited!!

CLRG is working today so I am home alone with the cats. I need to go do laundry and clean up a bit. I want to make strawberry shortcakes as well. Mmm. I also want to get some reading done. I am reading Little Lord Fauntleroy right now and it's been good so far.

I'll Take You Back Home, I'll Feed You Some Soup

Today, I am grateful for:

-my boyfriend
-Target
-flowers
-new loofahs
-lunch with good friends

Today is turning out to be a fabulous day.

Pull Me Down Hard, Drown Me in Love

"Do you know the feeling when you start reading a new book before the membrane of the last one has had time to close behind you? You leave the previous book with ideas and themes--characters even--caught in the fibers of your clothes, and when you open the new book, they are still with you." - from The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (page 289-90).

We'll Run Away Together

I had a really excellent weekend. JH and Wifers came to visit, and we had a marvelous time. Here are some things we did:

-Watched many movies
-Ate at places like Eat N Park, D's, and Gullifty's
-Went shopping, found some deals
-Visited the zoo
-Bought cheap books

It's nice to be able to see some of your closest friends after extended periods of time and it doesn't feel like you've lost time at all, you know?

Here's To You

"A library is a never failing spring in the desert." -Andrew Carnegie

Are You Okay, Annie?

Today, I went to the wine & spirits store to get some wine for our Valentine's Day dinner. The first thing the cashier man said to me when I came up to the register was, "Do you know who Mary Pickford is?" I was surprised, given that I just finished reading a biography of Olive Thomas, who was Mary's sister-in-law. I said yes, and told him about that. He then told me that he thinks I look like her. I was surprised, and pleased. I have never been told I look like anyone famous. It was pretty excellent. I am also glad that he said it, because it kind of validates the feeling I've had that my hair looks like it belongs in the early 20th century. Woo! Win! Haha.

Image

Come On, Leave Me Breathless

Hellowwwwww...

Today, I bought a bonnet that I intend for the cats. Yes, I know how that makes me sound. Think about it, though. Cats. In. Bonnets. HILARIOUS. Right? You agree. I may have to cut holes for ears, but whatever. I can do it. I also bought a satin jacket. For me, not the cats. A and I shall wear them together on a satin jacket outing. It will be GLORIOUS.

I want to go on a trip. The Wedding Date is on TV right now. It makes me want to fly somewhere. Someday, someday.

I need to go shopping for work clothes soon. I'm excited.

What happened to Debra Messing? Where's she been?

When it's Cold Outside, I've Got the Month of May

Things about which I am obsessing today:

-messenger bags
-ancestry.com
-crossing things off my to-do list

Soooooo exciting.

By the by, I got a new job! I'll be starting on the 22nd and I am excited for it. Though it isn't necessarily what I would like to be doing with my degree(s), it is working for a great organization and it is full time and I will have benefits and a higher wage than I get presently. Woo!

Back to December

"With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?" -Oscar Wilde

He's Not a Backstreet Boy Clone, He's a Sailor

Well, there isn't really any new snow here. Everyone else has snow everywhere and snow days and the like, but life is totally normal in the steel city. Well, maybe not normal but you know. The Super Bowl is very soon, as you know, so things are crazy.

The Princess Diaries is on tv right now. I am glad, because I was hoping to watch a movie or something but I can't figure out how to work any dvd player in our house. Ridiculous. CLRG is telling me how to work the one in the living room. Apparently, I have to use the PS3 remote or something. Why does everything have to be connected to everything? Grrrr.

I've Given Thought to Leavin'

I want to get another tattoo. I want it to be fabulous and lovely. *sigh* It is tricky.

Also, I need to get my current tattoo touched up. Soon. It's starting to bug meeeeeeee.

Upside Down

Today, I am thankful for:

-cleaning products
-my Kindle
-good friends
-love
-music

I need to get back to writing more frequently. I'm such a slacker.

Yesterday

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." -Martin Luther King, Jr.