Midsummer Time

How in the world is it mid-July already?  In my opinion, July is the sneakiest month, the month when days are long, but time is strangest.  One person might be having a grand vacation that should last forever; the next person is wondering where the last 2 months went and how to move forward on the Work Albatross; another is missing someone; and yet Mama is counting the days until school starts again, already.  And so on.  Time moves so differently, depending. 

AW:  Think I'm ready to really tackle the current work albatross again!

AW:  Daughter is making a quilt!  And sending reams of job applications!

What's going on for you?

Colorful Awards!

My my my, what a week.

Today's ceremony begins with the Cluestick Posse visiting the esteemed members of the Texas Legislature, on accounta the gentlemen are a bunch of strutting, posturing, bullying, scaredy-cats.  Confiscating tampons -- just when you think you have already heard enough insanity for an entire lifetime, thankyouverymuch.  Neighbor Lady shall lead the Posse this week, since the spectacle inflicted great crotchetiness upon her, from a great distance.

Esperanza wins the Bravery in Action Medal, for living in Texas and proving that the entire state is not particularly represented by certain of its representatives. 

The Wedding Reception Death March Award goes to Sue, who sat with 200 others in a tent, in the rain, without food, for hours -- while the happy couple yukked it up indoors.  Ms. Manners does not approve.

Queen of West Procrastination wins the Housing Lottery, scoring excellent places to move, both interim and long term!  This award comes with a complimentary frying pan, so you need never talk to Downstairs Girl ever again.  And, we also crown her Queen of the Positive Attitude!

The Julia Child Award goes to JenR, who either made jam or peach sauce, but either way, yum!

Miranda wins the Awesome Job Change Award -- great job, good boss, lots of working from home, no more Albatross -- win win win win win!

Our own Doorbell Queen, Liz, wins the  Campaigning With Style Award, for an excellent presentation.  The Posse shall visit certain supporters of the opposition candidate, who are not exactly covering themselves in glory.

The bark was brought by Esperanza this week, and she therefore wins the Automotive Cleanliness Award for removing all traces of the disaster from Daddy's upholstery.  Henceforth, there will be no fiddling with the heat knobs in the back seat by Baboos. 

Neighbor Lady wins the Workout Award, for discovering that Neighbor Boy is an excellent walking coach!

Thanks for playing!  See you next week!

Party-colored foods! Go!

Well, my favorite party-colored food is pasta salad, with tri-color rotini, olives, corn, edamame, maybe some atichoke hearts, green onions, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, bits of colorful bell pepper, perhaps some fresh mozzarella chunks and what-have-you, with a light dressing.  And maybe I'll make that again tomorrow.

But tonight is dedicated to a festive potato roast:  white, red, little purple ones from the garden, sweet potato, all cut up and complimented by white and red onion bits, garlic, sliced mushrooms, some red yellow orange mini bell peppers, olive oil and seasoning.

What party-colored foods are on your menu?

Any and all whines and anti-whines also welcome.  ;)

~~~~~~~~~
BOOK CLUB: July 10, 2013 - Les Miserables [2012 movie version]. This was PK's suggestion -- with the movie modification because such a long book seemed too much to ask.

Feel free to join in if you saw this, or read the book!

Awards! Now with Fireworks!

Ka-Boom! Cluesticks to the heat. Moderation, universe, moderation. Good job on Sue's weather, but the rest of us are hot.

Ka-Boom! kathy a gets the Old Skool award for the perennial classic, zits. Sue gets an honorable mention for same.

Ka-Boom! QWP gets all kinds of awards for camping with baby and lots of other babies and dirty diapers and uncomfortable mattresses and kids who won't sleep. You are making me glad I forewent an opportunity to take the Baboos to church camp for a week this summer.

Hugs to Sue's dad and everyone that loves him. Hoping for a quick recovery. Hugs also to kathy a and Miranda, and anyone else dealing with a family member's mental illness. Hugs to Muffin Man, on the loss of his gerbil.

Congrats to kathy a's beloved, on his promotion. Hopefully there's a celebration in the near future!

And...Ka-Boom! to everyone, in the spirit of Miranda's Girls Night Out. Let's dance and be silly.

More whining this week!

Poor Little Plastic Car

The Baboos and I just returned from a trip to the grandparents' house (hence the whining silence last week--plenty to whine about, just no computer handy).

On the way home, I ran over a large piece of tire, which beat up the front and underside of my poor little plastic car (a T0y0t@ Pr1us). Mini and I had small emotional breakdowns, but Sweet was a rock. Rolled with the punches. Extremely nice service manager at a Chrysl3r dealership pulled off the broken plastic pieces for free and made sure it was ok to keep driving. Seriously. For free. While we ate lunch. Back on the road within an hour.

Hopefully no car disasters have befallen the other pixies, but I'm sure you have whines. Let's hear 'em.

Meyer lemon tarts for everyone!

Late late late!  Apologies.  (Again.) 

The Meyer lemon tart is from my hot date last night!  Mmm mmm -- shortbread crust, delicious lemony wonderfulness, dollop of fresh whipped cream, and some candied fresh blueberries. 

Miranda wins the SuperWoman Award, for flying here and there during an especially busy couple weeks of madness and joy.

Sue wins the Pullet Surprise for completing her writing assignment for the awesome upcoming writing workshop. 

The Einstein Award for loving math at summer camp goes to Liz's Muffin Man!   We can say we knew him when...

Neighbor Girl wins the Fabulous Sleepaway Camp Award -- yes, it's a long time to be away, but such a great opportunity!  Hugs to NL, who will miss her lots. 

QWP wins the Adverntures in the Almost Wilderness Award, for  sallying forth to camp with a 6 month old; and also the Apartment Karma Award for quickly locating great possibilities when the current place got sold out from under them.  Excellent work!

This week's Universe is Smiling Award goes to a pair of scotus decisions advancing the causes of equality and love. 

Cluesticks to banks, obnoxious colleagues, headache monsters, delays and obstacles, and all other deserving parties.

Many thanks for patience with your host's Saga.  Thanks for playing!

Welcome Summer!

Schools are out; camps are in session; people are planning these things called "vacations."  Summer already started, but it's only now officially starting, and on the other hand, the days will just get shorter in the N. hemisphere from here on out.  So confusing!  I do really like the long days.


Sibling angst report:  had a very long, good talk with the Sibling of Greatest Historical Angst.  Wow.  Not betting the farm on this development, but it's not bad.

On the SIL front, I'm really happy to have found an online support group for people dealing with her kind of dementia.  It is a boost to find out there is a "tribe" out there.

Cluestick nomination:  those gigantic urban assault vehicles, parked in the "compact" spot.

What's happening?