Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Chez Emerson - the update.

The addition is moving along at a great clip. Someone shows up every day and they all seem to know what they're doing. Just one little snafu and we're putting it into the shit happens bucket. Cuz guess what? Shit does happen!

Our electrician was doing his electric-thing when BOP, something popped and BLOOP the computer panel from my LG stove (I hate you LG! You suck!) fried. I did a happy dance for a minute until Pup soberly reminded me that, no, we wouldn't be getting a new stove right now because, guess what? we have all our money tied up in this addition. Poopy shitty and color me sad. I knew it already, but couldn't I gouge our contractor for a new Wolf? Would he notice?

I'm kidding.

Kinda.

I don't play like that.

Unless I know I won't get caught.

I'm lying.

No I'm not.

Someone came out to work on the stove and I had that dude check on knob pricing for me again, hoping against hope that the knobs had come down from their $57 apiece pricing. Nope - now they are $189 apiece. I'm not lying. And that company knows the knobs are a pile. Oh dear! Don't get me started or I'll start ranting and raving like I like to do. Yes, I'm annoying.

Ask my sister. I had her on the phone yesterday for over an hour and I KNOW her ear was tired after she hung up. Really - how much can you LISTEN to one annoying woman? That woman being me, of course. hehehe

So . . . while all that electrical drama was unfolding something popped in the basement, but no one knew it. A GFCI (what the hell is that??) popped and turned off our freezer, media center, and humidifier. We happily went to Idafreekinho and were unaware until yesterday when I went to the dungeon basement to do a bunch of crap for the contractor.

Found the smelly freezer. Half full of our delicious free-range porky the piggy and bessie the cow. Oh sad day!

So I have to empty the smelly, bloody mess (I won't go into details, but I almost lost my lunch at one point), scrubbed it clean and now all that is in that freezer is my delivery from Karen from This Old House 2. Nummy!

This one looks particularly delicious! I can't lie, I ate two of the little ones yesterday. Stress eating yes? I also had Chinese for supper. When stressed, nothing is better than some chicken chow mein.

Check out this little video I made yesterday with my new Nikon.


Whoo ha! It's a good day coming today. I just know it!

Hot Men Friday

Jon Hamm the Sequel

He is dreamy. Did any of you guys see The Town? Dreamy even when he's playing a impotent, manipulative ick.  At least I remember his character that way.

And . . . if you haven't seen Mad Men I beg of you. Netflix those seasons and watch it. Even if you don't love the story (but you will) you might enjoy getting a peek into life in the 60s. Which was totally an alien nation.

I'm serious. Get your ass out there and do it. Get snacks and do it. Watching this show will make you want to do it.

 

 

 

 

Your Mother Should Know

Still stuck on song titles from The Beatles. When in doubt - steal!

I've been seeing photo memories all over the web of late. I'm thinking lots of us are in funky-funks perhaps and looking at the past is the best way to form a future. Bop!

When Pup and I were in Idaho I was looking through family photo albums and Momma Bee was sweet enough to scan a few for me and throw them on a CD. I'd love to go back and scan all of the albums the memories and visuals were so fun to see. I want them!

First of all; here's another shot of my car. Isn't it the most awesome thing you've ever laid eyes on? Just knowing that my dad wants me to have this made my heart swell with emotion. Cars are his passion and that he is going to share his passion with all three of us kids is beyond words for me. I love you Dad.

Barnabee is on the left. The rest are my aunts and one of my aunt's partner. How adorable are they?

A shot of me when I was about 20. I do believe there was wine involved. Do you love those plucked eyebrows?

My momma. This is a shot of her while we were all up at the cabin. A natural redhead. As fiery as you might imagine. I do believe it's true what they say about redheads. She was truly adorable and kept you on your toes to say the least.

The mountain view outside of Barnabee's front window. The fog never cooperated while Pup and I were there so I am so happy that Momma Bee had this photo to share.

Lorenzo and Barnabee's dog Chitzi. The girls and I rescued Chitzi from the clutches of a crabby piano teacher they had back in the day. I bought Chitzi from that lady and gave her to my momma. My dad fell in love with that little thing and had her for years and years. She was a ballsy little thing. She was once at my house and tried to eat George's food, which he didn't mind, but he drew the line when she tried to kick his ass out of the room. I do believe it was one of the few times I ever have heard George growl. Miss you Chitzers. You were a crazy, cute, little beastie.

This was taken a couple of years ago at my house before I married Pup. Lorenzo looks crazy-happy about something. Me and Bella apparently wanted to take our leading ladies out for some air. Ha!

Looking at photos can make the grayest day better. I love my family and am so grateful for them. Smooches and love you guys.

You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)

What to do when the going gets tough? Get out and get shopping.

So I did.

Not too much, just a bit.

What better way to cheer you up than a new pair of shoes, even though they are only from Target, to wear on a girl's trip I'm taking in late March or so.

I like to call these types of shoes 'drop me off at the door' shoes. Or I just call them 'stupid shoes.' As in, "Do we have to walk six blocks? I have on stupid shoes."

I'm loving the Adidas athletic socks with these so much! I won't change a thing. Ha!

Tumbleweeds

Yeah, what would I do without google images?

Don't know what that's about, but that's what is going on in my head. So, I'm empty in the brain.

It could be what's going on around here, which is very exciting! But it's all encompassing. And overwhelming. That's good.

Or it could be our trip to Idaho. That trip was eye opening. I miss my dad and while I'm so happy he is happy, I hate that he's getting older and living so far away. Where he lives is not an easy place to get too. It's not like you can just hop on a plane and get there quickly and cheaply. It's an expensive plane trip and a long plane trip and even then you are still 25 miles from where they live. Difficult.

It's good. It's sad. It's the reality.

Meanwhile, here I am. With the tumbleweeds.

What's in your head?

What's on My Phone?

George Addition

In this first one, this is what it looks like when George and I (Calvin too) are trapped up in the loft while guys sling drywall around the lower level. The loft has tons of windows and it got plenty toasty and cozy up there. I can't lie, we were napping.

Pup and George in the DEN! This is the view from the hall.

Hot Men Friday

American Idol

I watch. Yes, I watch. I missed season one, but I do think that's the only season I've missed. I love singing myself (and yes, people have told me to STFU at times) and watching certain people sing brings tears to my eyes. And that's how I judge during the season. When I start crying it means something is happening with the person singing. Maybe only to me. I'm feeling something and they're making that happen. Love it.

Technically this post is not just hot men because we have the lovely, gorgeous, woman-responsible-for-making-butts-in-style-again, I-can-look-at-her-forever, Jennifer Lopez.

 

Back that up

Love her. LOVE HER. Because who gives us better face than Jennifer? Who has better skin than Jennifer? Who mesmerized us with her yoga poses in that heinous movie Jiggleo (or whatever the hell it was)?  I know I just lobbed out a pouncable caption on that picture, but stifle yourself! Ha!

I have a crush on Randy Jackson. I have for YEARS and YEARS. I just love his fluffy (less fluffy now and that's good) body, his FACE and lovely-ass skin, and all those fabulous glasses he wears. And he's critical without being harsh. He's my dawg (yeesh, did I just say that?).

Steven Tyler. I know he looks a bit like a frog now, but please! He's STEVEN TYLER! Janie's Got a Gun people!

Madhouse

It's a madhouse around here. Literally a madhouse.

Meaning, I am either insane, or we are putting on an addition.

I knew it would be hard. After all, I've been through a few bouts of remodeling in my life. I even built a house once.

But this one is really hard. Mostly because I'm unemployed (looking for work like a mo-fo I might add; finally, my kids might add) and mostly because, right now, the dudes are working in the office and working in the room-to-be-renamed.

I don't like it when things are out of place and the whole house is upended.

So, I'm pulling up my big-girl panties (or my granny-panties I guess I should call them) to get on with it.

Concentrate on what it is, not what you want it to be. Be in the moment. What the hell does that really mean? I think it means that instead of moaning and moping about because things aren't the way I want them, I need to celebrate the process (bop!) and maybe learn a thing or four.

So, with panties firmly in place, I approach the continuation of this process with open-ended curiousity and never-ending joy.

Got it? Yes I do!

What are you approaching?

Home Again

To Market
To market, to market
to buy a fat pig.
Home again, home again
Jiggity jig!
To market, to market
to buy a fat hog.
Home again, home again
Jiggity jog!

This has been running through my head since we arrived home late last night. Well, actually, it was early this morning. A brutal flight! And every gate we landed in was the opposite side from the next gate we needed to get to. So lots of running which is okay. My dimpled arse needed running.

Barnabee

This is what Calvin did while we were gone.

NeverDoneUSA.com

That spiffy white car? My dad said that's mine! Holy Hannah! Wasn't it nice of me to pose for that photo?

Actually, Barnabee told me and Pup that there was a photo shoot at their place and lots of lovely girls were posing all over all of my dad's and Wild Bill's (Bee's son) classic cars. Check out the link!

Kimichunga (Wild Bill's wife) told me that this blond woman above actually had a breast reduction! I'm wondering if they grow them differently in Idaho. You know, like the potatoes? Just sayin'.

Hot Men Friday

We are here in Idaho! I have to tell you that the view from my Dad's kitchen is phenomenal. Every morning we get to look out at mountains. When you're from Minnesota, seeing mountains out of your window makes you think you're looking at a huge flatscreen. It just looks that unreal.

So the eye looks and looks because it's so gorgeous.

I remember a couple of years back Lorenzo and I were driving her home to Minnesota from San Francisco, we stopped in Salt Lake City late one night, found a little motel to stay in, and fell instantly to sleep.

In the morning we threw open the curtains to see the day and there were MOUNTAINS! We were totally amazed at the beauty that was right there outside of our window. Same thing is happening here.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Jeff Goldblum

I love this guy. I love how he used to be a scrawny geeky guy and turned into a hunky muscular guy. Nummy and hot. I have mentioned in the past how I feel about noses. He has such a great face!

What to Do in Idaho?

That's where we are headed. To see our Barnabee! (That's my dad and step-momma.)

It's a little weird leaving everything while it's happening (the den build), but when we get home there will be some major changes.

Meanwhile, here's the latest shot from my phone. A shot on the back roads on my way to the hair salon. Snow, snow, and more snow. I took back roads because the news was saying that 15 minute drives were taking over two hours. Holy crapinoli! Back roads are kinda fun and I got there in no time at all.

It looks so bleak doesn't it? It's gray day after day. When the sun does shine on those rare times, it feels like an intrusion. I'm getting weird from S.A.D. I'm thinking. I do like to nurture that dark-girl from time to time.

That's why Pup and I went out and got a NordicTrac treadmill the other day. We will FORCE the feel-good hormones into our pudgy-pooches. We'll be low-fat lattes in no time!

Smooches all you hooches! I'll write from Idaho.

Supererogatory Shots from My Nikon

Yes, I had to go to a Thesaurus for that word. All I could think of was 'gratuitous' and that word is boring and used up. I wanted a full, rich word. Ha! The more I look at this word though, the more it bugs me.

But annoying is getting annoying as well! What to do?

Regardless, here they are:

 I like to call this, "Pup Breaks Free." Except he's not really free is he? {evil laugh}

 George and Calvin wonder if they're next. Pup swinging a mallet scares them a tad.

 Can you tell that this cat is crazy? The craziest. Seriously Prozacably crazy.

I have no idea what the hell I was trying to do here. I do love my bookcases. Smooches Ikea.

Old Habits Die Hard or How to Grow Your Ass in 90 Days

Or something. Tell me to run, RUN from this. Get your ass out of the store pronto-pup.

Can you see the longing in those eyes? Can you see the resolve draining away? Can you imagine the sugar crash that may happen later?

Could someone please please explain to me why getting to the club isn't nearly as easy as settling down in an enormous recliner to watch me some trash TV?

Could someone explain why I want Doritos as soon at it's dark at 5 p.m?

EXPLAIN THIS TO ME!

Hot Men Friday

Again? Friday? I really need to stop drinking wine every night. Wait, no I don't. Oh what the hell, the reservatrol is good for me yes? Say yes. SAY IT!!

Small sidenote: we went to dinner last night with Lorenzo, Bella, and The Big B to St. Paul to the most charming place I've been in so long. It was Lorenzo's choice and she ferreted out The Strip Club.

All I can say is NUMMY! I had hanger steak with poached carrots. Bella and I shared a bottle of Spanish wine, Lorenzo indulged in the vodka, and the boys had cola. The boys take care of the girls.

Our table was up in a tiny loft area we accessed by climbing a circular staircase. A tiny-ass circular staircase. The servers navigate this to bring everyone their food. They must have asses just like little, firm apples. I need a job there.

It was make-out dark at our table. Love this! Pup had to bring his menu over to a floor lamp to read the menu. The server kindly pointed out that the little lamp on our table turns up to reading level. Ooops and okay.

Lovely lovely. Whoever says that life can't be good doesn't like to eat. Every bite was something to be savored. We had a couple of small plates to start. A steak tartar delicious thingy along with frittes that had a cheddar cheese sauce along with chorizo. Oh dear. Damn! The perfectly spicy spicy chroizo

And, of course, we got bread for the boys. They were as happy as a pork belly. Which is what Lorenzo ordered and I had a mouth-melting bite. Holy hannah. Who knew?

I want to go back today which I kinda can since I have some steak and carrots waiting for me in the fridge. Oh YUM!

~~~~~~~~~~~

John Stamos

In a former life (mom of young children) I would watch TGIF every Friday night with my girls. He is the only reason I could live through it.

He is my definition of handsome. HANDSOME!

I'm just going to scroll through all of these a few or a million times to get my day started right.

Mmm!