Unmitigated

Bad Timing

Yesterday was beautiful. The last three days were beautiful, actually. Gorgeous, sunny, not terribly cold. I even sat out in the sun for one day, just to see what sunlight feels like again. Look at that sky. Look at that icicle! We grow 'em big around here.

Yesterday, I was feeling energetic, so I got out the carpet steam-cleaner, and cleaned the living room carpet, laid down paper on the traffic paths, scrubbed the kitchen floor, and washed all the throw rugs. All this managed to suck the energy clean out of me, but at least I felt productive.

Today? Is a snow day. So, I'm not going anywhere. Neither of the kids has to go to work, which is good. I feel like I should have gotten out for a bit yesterday, while I could.

Oh, well. I have Jasper, and MSNBC.com's Olympics, a warm house, and all the tea I can drink. Too bad it's not Christmas, it sure looks like it outside.

Lucky for you, I have things for YOU to do while I am snowed in, as well. First up: I am way overdue in telling you about the new, improved format at Room 704, where I hold the title, Supreme Mugwump Queen of the Blogosphere Oldest Person in the Room Staff Writer. This month, Room 704 switched to a monthly magazine format with a different theme for every month. February's theme is "Celebration" and you can find my piece, Beers, Bewbs, and Talking Frogs by clicking on the blue letters.

Next up: The Zombie News Network. We have a guest writer up right now, with a story in two parts, it's Amy from Subject to Change. Seems she was inspired by a piece the Captain wrote, and put this little (pt.1) (frightening!) beauty together (pt.2).

And finally, a little later this morning, you'll be able to see something I wrote for Mrs. G of the Women's Colony. Men are invited, too. Gary, (the fARTIST) is probably feeling a little lonely as our only regular male commenter, so join in! Tip for guys: You may wish to avoid the Cabana. Unless you are gay, in which case, we may need to chase you away from the Cabana.

RTT:TGIT

keely keely keely keely keely keely keely keely keely keely keely keely  

My Most Recent Shortcomings

• There is a pile of laundry in my bedroom that is likely to take over the government any day now. I may let it if it's willing to talk about bringing home the troops.
• The portion of the living room that I can see from where I work? Looks very nice, if a trifle dusty.
• The rest of it? Not so much.
• Blogging is a great way to put off writing the articles that are due.
• There is no earthly reason to put off writing the articles. One is simple, but dull, the other is longer, and FUN!
• Yet, I procrastinate.
• Am in the midst of putting together the program for The Odd Couple. Unfortunately, everyone got their biographies in on time. I was looking forward had threatened to "make some sh*t up" about anyone who didn't get it in on time.
• I pretty much browbeat Captain Dumbass into co-authoring the Zombie News Network with me. Good thing, too, as he is funnier and better about posting there than I am. 'Nother item on the avoid to-do list.
• When I wake up around 2 or 3 a.m. because my hips and legs are screaming at me, I take my meds and lie down with an eBook (because I can read it in bed without turning on a light and waking the more productive half of the room) while I wait for the pain relief, which usually takes 60-90 minutes. I thought that if I started reading Their Finest Hour, Churchill's second volume of a minutely detailed history of WWII, it would help put me out. Unfortunately, he's an amazing storyteller, and I have to make myself put the reader down when my eyes will no longer focus properly.
• "How Back Pain Made Me Wonder What the Hell the USA Was Doing Sitting on Its Hands in 1939"
• It was 50 degrees here on Sunday. 
• January 26th is National Speak Up and Succeed Day. I crap you not.
• Yesterday was Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. Who can't get behind that?
• In 54 days, spring begins, though looking back at last year's photos, it didn't start getting pretty and green here until the first week of May.
• In 90 days, I get on a plane to leave for luxury accommodations in Vero Beach, Florida. When I get back, it should be getting pretty and green here.
• Eleven days until opening night of The Odd Couple. 
• Guess I better get finished with that program.

RTT: Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Anyone know where that little idiom came from?

 

• Not in the Budget: Shopping e-mail lits to which I have recently unsubscribed: Barnes & Noble, Sears, JCPenney, Victoria's Secret, Eddie Bauer (whimper), Ann Taylor, Kohl's, Christopher & Banks, PLUS: Pickens Plan, Travel Ticker, the Democratic Party, University of Michigan Alumni, and Michigan Education Association. Sorry folks. I don't have the cash, and I don't want the temptation.
• On the other hand....businesses that support LGBT equality include Target, Amazon, Borders, B&N Costco, eBay, Sears, Walgreens, JCPenney, the Limited, Staples, CVS, Office Max, Home Depot, Nordstrom, Macy's Gap, and Levi. Those are just the ones I shop at regularly.
• The ones that can't have my money anymore? Kohl's, Foot Locker, Meijer, Wal-Mart (not that I shopped there in the first place), Dollar General, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Lowe's and Nine West.
• The Human Rights Campaign sent out the Holiday Buying for Equality Guide this week. Get the 2010 Buyer's Guide in PDF form here.
• Totally lame: everything but the kitchen sink

almost all that you can imagine of something Here's a website that simply has everything but the kitchen sink.

Etymology: based on the idea that if you brought many things to someone, a kitchen sink is one of the last things you would bring because it is difficult to move

• It's approaching 1:00a.m. Tuesday as I write this. I was asleep. I started coughing which woke me up. My back has been on the verge of spasm for a couple days now, so I panicked when I was coughing thinking it would push me over the edge, but it didn't.
• And I remembered I hadn't done this yet. So I got up for a bit.
• One evening, around 7:00 p.m., I ordered a pair of gym shoes for my son through Zappos. They arrived the next morning before 10:00 a.m. I was flabbergasted.
• Current reads: almost done with Marrying George Clooney by Amy Ferris. I'm reading that one for a review on my blog. About halfway through The Gathering Storm, Winston Churchill's fascinating story of the lead up to World War II. I realized I knew more about Tudor England than I did of any recent history. I've heard this Winston kid has a real future.
• Quick! Cover up the RTT badge. How many of the objects on it can you name without looking at it?
• Go see Keely for more Random Tuesday Thoughts.

All the stuff I forgot to include at an hour I am usually in dreamland:

• There are two- count 'em!- two new posts up at Unfocused for your viewing pleasure.
• The Captain displays the usual zombie magic at his fingertips over at the Zombie News Network
• My family recipe for the best.stuffing.ever. can be found this year at the Women's Colony. Ladies, be sure to visit all the rooms while you are there. I promise it will be worth your time!

A Happy Moment

Framed for Posterity.

Go here to see what she's talking about.