Collection Addition (121/366)

“Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? / Wouldn't ya think my collection's complete / Wouldn't you think I'm the girl / Girl who has everything”

"Part of Your World." Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman. Performed by Jodi Benson (Ariel). Little Mermaid, Walt Disney Pictures, 1989.

TIME:  10:49 PM
PLACE:  Dining room
SUBJECT:  Mary planter

My sister stopped by on Saturday and dropped off a birthday gift…this planter to add to my Mary collection.  She was out “picking” with her kiddos and happened upon it.  It was a fresh find.  How fresh was it?  It was sitting on the counter after having just been unpacked.  It hadn’t been priced nor cleaned up yet.  She pounced on it for me.  What a good sister I have.

I Really Need To Slow Down (120/366)

“You're older than you've ever been.
And now you're even older.
And now you're even older.
And now you're even older.
You're older than you've ever been.
And now you're even older.
And now you're older still.”

They Might Be Giants. "Older." Long Tall Weekend. Perf. John Linnell and John Flansburgh. eMusic, 1999.

TIME:  6:01 PM
PLACE:  Highway just outside town
SUBJECT:  Speed limit sign

Why, thank you for asking.  The answer is “yes.”  Yes I *am* feeling a bit sore today.  In fact, I am feeling much, much older than my current birthday age of 45 years old.  Who thought it was a good idea to run in a 5k yesterday?  Oh yeah, that was me.  Obviously, as I’m getting older, I’m also losing what little is left of my brain.  Especially the common sense part.

And She’s Off! (119/366)

"I didn't train all that time just to come here and get it over with as fast as I can."

John “The Penguin” Bingham (American marathon runner & author, b1948)

TIME:  9:02 AM
PLACE:  Downtown
SUBJECT:  Me – running
(photo taken by my Dad)

The big 5k run was this morning.  And I did it.  My stats were: 39:37 finish, #540 out of 782 participants, #256 of 448 females and #26 of 41 in my age group (Females 40-44).  My goal was to finish in under 40 minutes, so I’m happy.  I took 3 Aleve when I got home, am planning on taking some ibuprofen before I go to bed and praying that I am able to move tomorrow.
*~*~*
Other notes: MB finished in 24:58 and was 5th out of the 31 in his age group. #77 of the 334 males and 105th out of the total 782 runners. Way to go MB!  SD ran the 1K and finished strong.  Proud of her too!  Finally, I may or may not have manipulated this photo – I’ll let you guess as to what I may or may not have done to it.

Scenes From A Mall (118/366)

Buffy: I was thinking about shopping. As per usual.
Willow: Oh. There's an Arden B. in the new mall.
Xander: Oh, good. I could use a few items.
Giles: Well, now aren't we gonna discuss this? Save the world or go to the mall?
Buffy: I'm having a wicked shoe craving.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 7, Episode 22. Chosen. (20 May 2003)

TIME:  8:46 PM
PLACE:  Macy’s
SUBJECT:  Ceiling above cosmetic department
(taken with cell phone – but NOT Instagram!)

It’s been quite a week in more ways than one. I’ll just have to leave it at that for right now. Anyway…DQ, SD and I went to the mall after supper to look for a dress/outfit for DQ’s confirmation next week Tuesday. She found a skirt and shirt at Hollister (a very dark & loud place to shop BTW) so our mission was a success.

TIME:  8:49 PM
PLACE:  Macy’s – swimwear department
SUBJECT:  Disembodied mannequin hand
(taken with cell phone – but NOT Instagram!)

Measuring Devices (117/366)

“There's something wrong with a mother who washes out a measuring cup with soap and water after she's only measured water in it.”

Erma Bombeck (U.S. humorist, 1927-1996)

TIME:  11:45 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Magnetic measuring spoons

I just purchased these today.  They are measuring spoons from the Martha Stewart collection at Macys.  They have magnetic strips so they stack neatly and will stay together in the drawer.  They are also two sided; one end has rounded spoons and the other end has narrower ones to fit into spice jars.  Sadly, this little purchase is making me ridiculously happy. I really need a life.

Encased (116/366)

Hank Scorpio: Don't call me Mr.Scorpion. It's Mr.Scorpi*o*, but don't call me that either. Call me Hank!

The Simpsons: Season 8, Episode 2. You Only Move Twice (3 Nov. 1996)

TIME:  11:27 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Scorpion resin paperweight

My mother-in-law gave this paperweight to StellaDella last week.  She had purchased it when HH’s family lived in Arizona in the early 1960s.  SD loves it.  I’m just glad that it is encased in resin.

A Singer & A Street View (115/366)

Talent Show Emcee: [after the brass quintet performs] All right, yeah, listen to that applause! Whaddya say, Miss Talent Show? Extra good? No, super!

That Thing You Do!, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, 1996

TIME: 6:54 PM
PLACE: Grade School
SUBJECT: StellaDella on stage

StellaDella performed in a talent show at her school this evening. Her talent? Singing along to “Jar of Hearts” – she did wonderful. I got it on video too. It takes a ton of courage to get up on stage and sing in front of a large group of people. I’m very proud of her.
 

TIME:  7:36 PM
PLACE:  West Main
SUBJECT:  Street view
(taken with cell phone)

After the performance, we celebrated by getting some ice cream.  On the way home, I thought the evening skies were beautiful and stopped to snap a photo.

My Yellow Rose (114/366)

“You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French Pilot, Writer and Author of 'The Little Prince', 1900-1944)

TIME:  7:49 PM
PLACE:  Front yard
SUBJECT:  Rose

By the time I was able to even think about taking a photo today, it was getting dark and there was not much natural light remaining outside.  I ended up using my 50mm lens and opening up the aperture to f/1.8.  The breeze that was blowing didn’t help matters either.  Enough whining…I take full responsibility for this “could-be-a-lot-better” photo.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Pre-Squirrel Attack (113/366)

Lindsay Leikin: Does something smell like pineapple?
Shawn Spencer: Pineapple upside-down cake. Would you like some? Wait, before you answer that, are you a fan of delicious flavor?

Psych: Season 2, Episode 3, Psy vs. Psy, (air date 27 Jul. 2007), Television.

TIME:  11:38 AM
PLACE:  Back porch
SUBJECT:  Pineapple upside down cakes

I baked 4 pineapple upside-down cake mixes – each in 2 single layers, 8 total – for the Cub/Boy Scout BBQ today.  As I said, I made 8, but the scouts only received 7 of them.  Why do you ask?  Well, because after I took this photo, I walked back into the house to put the camera away, came back outside and discovered a squirrel nibbling at the cake on the left.  Gah!!!!! Stupid tree rat!  After screaming at it like I banshee and scaring it off. I surveyed the damage.  It wasn’t much.  The squirrel hadn’t been there long and only ate a tiny bit on the side.  Still, I didn’t think the BBQ customers would care for a squirrel tainted cake.  My solution?  I cut out the area where he was eating and fed it to the dog.  Then I fed my family the rest of the cake.  We’re not picky.  We like pineapple upside-down cake so much we’ll eat it even if it does have squirrel cooties.

Two Bottles of Beer (112/366)

“Religions change, but beer and wine remain”

Harvey Allen (American Writer, 1889-1949)

TIME:  9:12 PM
PLACE:  My sister’s
SUBJECT:  Beers on ice

StellaDella made her 1st Communion last weekend and her cousin, David, made his today.  My sister and brother-in-law had everyone over after the Mass for supper.  Another night of not having to make dinner…yayayaya!

Come On Down! (111/366)

“Bob Barker reminding you: help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. Goodbye, everybody!”

Bob Barker (American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, b1923)

TIME:  8:34 PM
PLACE:  Grade School
SUBJECT:  Space Plinko game

The weather may have turned from a warm, sunny day yesterday, to a cold, wet, rainy day today, but we still were able to put on the first “Spring Fling” for the kids at StellaDella’s school.  Each student received 10 tickets to play games: Plinko, Bean Bag Toss, Balloon darts, Putting green, Cake walk, Ring toss and Hair coloring & face painting.  There was a bounce house and an inflatable obstacle course.  Additional tickets, food, drinks and cotton candy were available to purchase.  The kids won tickets at each game and could redeem them for prizes in the gym.  I came home from work, quickly changed and went straight to the school.  I did Plinko for a half-hour, then helped at the prize redemption center and the cleanup afterwards.  We had 100 out of 165 students show up along with their families for a total of 240 people.  For the first time doing this, I think we did ok.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m ready to hit the hay.

Balloons (110/366)

“Another term for balloon is bad breath holder.”

Demetri Martin (American comedian, actor, artist, musician, writer and humorist, b1973)

TIME:  9:05 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  Balloons

I volunteered to blow up balloons for a dart game at the grade school’s “Spring Fling” they are having tomorrow evening.  It wouldn’t have been so bad either if the darned manual air pump hadn’t broke after just a dozen balloons.  So I blew of the rest (about 100 of those suckers) the old-fashioned way…with my lungs.  After filling 4-33 gallon trash bags, not only was I finished for the evening, but I was quite dizzy too.

Red Hair (109/366)

“Red hair, sir, in my opinion, is dangerous.”

P.G. Wodehouse, Very Good, Jeeves!

TIME:  11:57 PM
PLACE:  My bedroom
SUBJECT:  StellaDella’s hair

*Sigh* If I could bottle that color and sell it, I’d be a rich woman.

Something I Don’t Like (108/366)

“The heap of dirty dishes was normal for Arthur, who had applied for a reduction in his water rate on the grounds that he washed up only every fortnight, and then used the leftover liquid for watering his roses.”

― Julian Barnes, Metroland

TIME:  10:53 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Sink full of dirty dishes and garbage

This drives me in-sane.  Dishes and trash in the sink.  Why is it so difficult to place a dish in the dishwasher or throw your trash away or scrub the pan you used?  I don’t like it.  Do you want to know what one of my college apartment mates did when someone left a burnt pan in the sink for two days?  She placed the greasy, dirty thing on the offender’s bed, on top of their pillow.  Later in the evening, when our other roommate arrived home and found the pan on her pillow, quite of bit of shouting went on in the apartment.  I’d like to do the same, but most of the time, the offender at my house shares a bed with me.

Basket (107/366)

“Even the simplest wicker basket can become priceless when it is loved and cared for through the generations of a family.”

Sister Parish born Dorothy may Kinnicutt (American interior decorator and socialite, 1910-1994)

TIME:  9:34 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  Handmade basket ornament from Rwanda

At StellaDella’s Girl Scout meeting this evening, we had a lady from Roots-n-Streams who sells handmade items from women and orphans in developing countries to help them become self-sufficient.  She gave a presentation which included pictures from Rwanda and Uganda.  Afterwards, the girls were able to roll their own paper beads from magazine pages.  She had an array of items for sale as well.  The craftsmanship of the baskets, bowls, paper jewelry and other items was impressive.  I purchased a paper bead necklace & a bookmark made from tree bark for DQ, a paper bead bracelet & small stuffed animal for SD and a paper bead bracelet and this exquisitely made miniature basket ornament for myself.

First Communion (106/366)

Anne Streiber: You're dressed like for your first Communion.

Communion, Whitley Streiber, writer, Philippe Mora-dir., Allied Vision, 1989.

TIME:  10:30 Mass
PLACE:  Church
SUBJECT:  StellaDella’s 1st Communion

She had the veil…


…and the shoes….


…and the dress.  And she made her 1st Communion this morning.  Surprisingly, the host didn’t burn her throat when she swallowed it, nor were there any sizzles when she was sprinkled with the holy water. *wink*


Her brother and sister (and Grandpa, not pictured) were on hand to witness the momentous occasion. 2 out of 3 were happy to be there.


Later in the evening, at her party at home, she insisted that a candle be placed on her Communion cake so she could blow it out.  I obliged.  Of course, I couldn’t let that go by without a rousing rendition of “Happy 1st Communion to You!”  (in the style of “Happy Birthday”)  Congratulations StellaDella!

Sample Selection (105/366)

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating. By a small sample we may judge of the whole piece.”

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (Spanish writer, author of the masterwork 'El quijote', 1547-1616)

TIME:   11:18 AM
PLACE:  Bargain Barn
SUBJECT:  Cultured Marble sample #137, “White Carrera”

Things are moving along, albeit slowly, on the bathroom remodel.  Today, I picked out a base cabinet and ordered a vanity with a “wave sink”.  The cabinet is a very dark color called “Georgetown Espresso” and the vanity will be made out of the above cultured marble.  Progress.  One baby step at a time.

Today’s Work Attire (104/366)

“There is no sports event like Opening Day of baseball, the sense of beating back the forces of darkness and the National Football League.”

George Vecsey (American, non-fiction author and sports columnist for The New York Times, b1939)

TIME:  10:04 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Me in my Cardinal shirt

Due to the St. Louis Cardinal’s having their home opener at Busch Stadium this afternoon, we were able to wear Redbird attire at work today.  Unfortunately for the home team, the Chicago Cubs beat them in a 9-5 ballgame.  They face each other again tomorrow at 12:05 PM.

Upside Down & In Reverse (103/366)

“The world is wrong side up. It needs to be turned upside down in order to be right side up.”

William Ashley "Billy" Sunday (American athlete & evangelist, 1862– 1935)

TIME:  6:05 PM
PLACE:  Track
SUBJECT:  Lane numbers
(taken with my cell phone)

After work, I went to MB’s track meet.  He ran the mile event this evening.  His legs were still sore from Tuesday’s meet, so he didn’t finish as well as he wanted.  He ended up finishing in the middle of the group that ran the race.

Geranium (102/366)

“Relax. The geraniums will do just fine.”

Joan Lee Faust, New York Times, 11 May 1997

TIME:  7:15 PM
PLACE:  Front porch
SUBJECT:  Precision Red Ice Ivy Geranium

I took the easy way out this evening for my photo and quickly snapped this picture of my planter on the front porch.  Honestly, getting back into the 8:30 to 5 routine after 11+ years as a SAHM has proven to be a little tougher than I expected.  But, I’m sure that I will get back into the swing of things and it will all become routine once again.  Now, if I could just get rid of the “mommy-guilt” because I’m not home for the kids as much as I was before.

Chicken Wire & Red Zip Tie (101/366)

“And teII him to bring some chicken wire!”

The Lady is Willing, Columbia Pictures Corp, 1942.

TIME:  7:00 PM
PLACE:  Back yard
SUBJECT:  Garden fence

The HH and MB put up a fence around the garden Monday afternoon to keep the critters out.  The “critters” mainly being our dog, because I’m positive that any rabbits around here will be sure to find a way in.  Chicken wire, green posts and red zip ties were utilized in this endeavor.

Wheeeee! (100/366)

“To an adolescent, there is nothing in the world more embarrassing than a parent.”

Dave Barry (American Writer and Humorist best known for his weekly newspaper column. b.1947)

TIME:  8:14 PM
PLACE:  Target parking lot
SUBJECT:  Me
(photo by DramaQueen)

Well, the first day of work went ok.  It was all paperwork, going over company policies and some training on the system in the afternoon.  My boss took me to lunch, which was nice.  Tomorrow, more training, and I might get to start on some actual work. 
~*~*~
We needed various items from the store, so after supper, DQ and I went to Target.  I decided to embarrass her by riding the cart down the parking lot to our car.  At first she was all “Moooom!  Stop that!”  Then she decided that she would take a picture and post it to Facebook to embarrass me.  As if.  I really don’t care if her friends think I’m goofy.

Easter Children 2012 (099/366)

Happy Easter!

TIME:  3:18 PM & 7:26 PM
PLACE:  HH’s uncles house & our house
SUBJECT:  SD & MonkeyBoy, DramaQueen & StellaDella

Miscellaneous Easter Sunday ramblings:

* Confession:  We made cookies, but we didn’t ice them.  I like them un-iced better anyway.
* My Facebook status: “DQ: I want to listen to "Raspberry Meringue" by Prince. Me: It's "Raspberry BERET"! *rolls eyes*”
* DQ’s Facebook status: “(to my moms status) mom: oh! that's going on facebook. *takes her 10 minutes to type*”
* My comment to DQ’s status: “At least I didn't think she was wearing meringue on her head.”
* My life update: I start a new full-time job tomorrow.  In my field (accounting) no less – I’m excited and nervous at the same time.

Prickly Plant (098/366)

What is this beast, she thought, with muscles on his arms like a bag of snakes? What is this moss on his legs? What prickly plant grows on his cheeks? What is this voice as deep as a dog?

Anne Sexton (1928-1974), U.S. poet. "Rapunzel."

TIME:  3:36 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Cacti

I needed a new water pump for a small fountain that I keep on my porch during the summer months.  DramaQueen accompanied me to Home Depot to search for one.  While we were there, she decided that she NEEDED a cactus for her room.  Why?  I don’t know.  Maybe because it’s a bit prickly, just like she can be sometimes.  Ha!

Slumber Party Of Two (097/366)

SpongeBob: What's going on here? Why are you in your pajamas? Are we having a slumber party?

SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 1, Episode 15, Sleepy Time/Suds (17 Jan. 2000)

TIME:  10:06 PM
PLACE:  Living room
SUBJECT:  StellaDella and friend

MonkeyBoy had a friend spend the night last night.  DramaQueen is spending the night at a friend’s house tonight.  So SD wanted to know if she could have a friend spend the night – ‘cause it wouldn’t be fair if everyone-else-had-a-sleepover-and-she-didn’t don’t you know.

Tiny (096/366)

“Sometimes you can tell a large story with a tiny subject.”

Eliot Porter (1901-1990), U.S. photographer. Quoted in Guardian (London, November 6, 1990).

TIME:  10:13 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Nonpareils sprinkles

I took an inventory of cookie decorating items in anticipation of a Saturday baking session.  Gosh, the sprinkles are really tiny, aren’t they?  And, the horror!  My finger is really wrinkly, isn’t it?.

Flower Explosion (095/366)

“As in an explosion, I would erupt with all the wonderful things I saw and understood in this world.”

Boris Pasternak (Russian poet, 1890-1960)

TIME:  6:44 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Spirea flowers

Normally, these bloom around here in early May.  My mom always said that you knew that school year was winding down once this shrub bloomed.  We’ve been having such a warm spring that it has exploded with blossoms quite a bit before the end of the school term.

Run Forrest! Run! (094/366)

Forrest Gump: Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running!

Forrest Gump, Paramount Pictures, 1994.

TIME:  4:57 PM
PLACE:  Junior High
SUBJECT:  MonkeyBoy running
(first half of the 800-meter)
(picture taken by HandsomeHusband)

MB had his first track meet this afternoon.  He ran the 800-meter event.  He did ok for his first meet, coming in 6th (or was it 5th?) out of a field of about 40 runners.

The Sharp Knife Of A Short Life (093/366)

Woody: "How's it going Mr. Peterson?"
Norm Peterson: "It's a dog eat dog world, Woody and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear.

Cheers, TV series, 1982-1993

TIME:  11:56 AM
PLACE:  Basement
SUBJECT:  Spider & prey

Poor little June Bug.  He sure didn’t last long.

Jimi (092/366)

“Excuse me while I kiss the sky.”

Jimi Hendrix

TIME:  6:00 PM
PLACE:  Broadway Oyster Bar, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT:  Jimi Hendrix mural
(taken by HandsomeHusband)

Today is HH and my 17th wedding anniversary.  We went out to dinner at the Broadway Oyster Bar over in St. Louis.  It was beautiful out.  We sat out on the patio and ate raw oysters, boiled crawfish, crawfish etouffée and gumbo.  It was washed down with a margarita and an amaretto sour.