My mother's side of the family is full of strong women, starting at the top my grandmother, the matriarch. Grandma, mom, all my aunts, even my cousins are all strong females...sometimes to the point I feel sorry for any weak-willed man who falls in love with one of us, because he wouldn't stand a chance.So… Continue reading Submission

So my mother in law is moving in again, this time for a long term arrangement. I'm conflicted: obviously there's NO way either of us would ever say no to her moving in, because she's truly in a place where she needs some help and we're the kids in the best position to provide it.… Continue reading Family

I'm in my second month of teaching level 1 bellydance, and as it turns out I enjoy it. A lot more than I thought I would: I was so afraid I'd do the first class and absolutely hate it and be stuck for two months while subbing. But surprisingly enough, teaching seems to bring out… Continue reading Teaching

That's right, LIBERRY. Yes, I majored in English and I still say Liberry (as learned from my high-school creative writing teacher). Deal. I love my liberry...because I spend FAR LESS money there than a bookstore. Although there are some genres of book just not carried by public entities: time for a DBC (Dirty Book Club)… Continue reading Ode to the Liberry

I'm in dire need of a file cabinet for my mind, and some serious internal housecleaning. Unfortunately I haven't heard of Merry Maids for your mind, so there you go.

http://nikkiandthetrots2.blogspot.com/2009/05/gnat-fever.htmlEven a non-runner like me laughed so hard I nearly had a wee accident...

Between spending too much money over the weekend (big shocker: that's nothing new for us) and attempting to put my house back in order (which, another shocker, still isn't done)...well, let's just say I need a nap. Or a vacation. Or just more than one night of no-nightmare, no stress, sleep in a row.So Monday… Continue reading Sunday Night Blues

WOOHOO Mine That Bird...go go go! I didn't know until today that crackberry is now the main sponsor of the race. Weird: something about that just doesn't strike me as classy enough for a Triple Crown race. But I do think it's about the coolest thing ever that a 50-1 horse co-owned, trained, and ridden… Continue reading The Blackberry Preakness

My feet itch. There's absolutely NO logical reason why an allergic reaction to medication should make my feet swell up and itch like i wandered through poison ivy recently. But I'm home today, my windows are open and it smells like rain outside: a welcome change from months of hermetically sealed windows and constant snow.Almost… Continue reading Is it Thursday?

This week has been utterly surreal. Have a rather minor health issue that resulted in a doctor-insisted diet of clear liquid for four days. I'm on day 2 and I'M STARVING!!Pros: Lost 7lbs in 2 days. No other pro I can think of. Cons: hungry; unpleasant side effects; bellydance is completely exhausing; going out to… Continue reading Random Bits