An Ad I saw this morning...

Let me guess...

Smack a brick to your lips?

New Scarf Trend!!!

Pout

Remembering

I try to remember the mornings when, unlike most of the past two months, the temperature is over 20 degrees upon my waking for the day. The birds now sing, even in the cold, the light becoming more present, triggering their own internal clocks to say that March is arriving soon, we had better get to singing!

My life has been topsy turvy of late. Last minute work jobs, daughter getting her first job (at the Mall, of course), friend's daughter was in a car accident, Lisa fell in the woods and hurt her ribs, other friends making big changes in their lives. I feel like I am bobbing in the waters, waves rolling, churning the sea. Still, I float. And that is very Keen, indeed.

My schedule is pretty blocked up with stuff to do, with college grant filings, scholarships, financial aid, taxes, health insurance change of carrier, and, well, not enough money to go around. Stressful, that.

But, I have been working out like a fiend, pretty consistently about 5 days a week. And yesterday I ran for 20 minutes at a heart rate of 165, which, my friends, is hard running. I then did elliptical for 20, recumbent bike for 20 and yoga ball stretches and crunches. After I am done, I feel so much better.

I can smell this flower, if I close my eyes and think very hard, relax my inner monkey brain a little, and breathe deeply. Peonies are among my favorite flowers. I have fond memories of them from way back into my childhood.

Another harbinger of the upcoming arrival of Persephony, Spring, is the more open presence of deer. They are getting bold now, as food is becoming less available. And, really, I just want to go up to them and pinch their cheeks and rub their ears. Alas, I cannot.

What I love

This was one of the highlights of my weekend. Fresh powder in the woods, sun streaming into the trees, and my best friend running joyfully through the frozen morning air.

Nothin' Quite like a Rude Cactus in the morning...

"...And maybe that's part of the problem. I mean, the economy is based on consumerism, materialism. But we're partially responsible for getting ourselves into this based on those two concepts. Sure, there are some bad asshats out there who defrauded others and approved loans no sane person should have. But we also played a part. If we weren't all after higher lines of credit, expensive houses just at the top edge of our price ranges, faster cars, and more crap than you can cram into a track-mansion, maybe we could have avoided this."

Want More? Clickey-Clicky Here: to the Cacuts We Go!

People...

it is fiction. Micro-fiction. Small, intense pieces of words strung together to evoke something from within.

Inspiring Words

"Love is like a virus. It affects people differently, it morphs into many kinds of manifestations. It is highly contagious. You can't really medicate yourself against the wrath of the pathogens. And, more often than not, it involves sniffles, tears and mucous.

Many people I know are suffering colds right now. Some have Life's scratchy throat, unable to swallow without that piece of rough burlap lodged down in there reminding them that they are on the precipice of a full-blown outbreak.

Some are suddenly taken ill.

It is a plague, I tell you.

Bring out your dead."

This was in lieu of a love note, she thought. But, it did ring a rather obtuse tone. Perhaps he was feeling, I dunno, metaphoric?

She wanted to call him and tell him that she felt fine, she had not a single symptom of the virus, that micro-biotic invader, which calls forth with lust the diagnosis of Love.

Nah, she wasn't even close.

Too bad she was such a good liar.

Oh, Yeah?! Well, Yer Momma Wears Army Boots!!!!

Kyrgyzstan bitch-slaps the U.S of A.:" Out! Out! Damned Spot!" Click Here

Indian Chant

My dog walking clients, in order yesterday and today:

"Tully Lola Lolly Uga/Lolly Uga Tully Lolly"

Try saying THAT ten times, fast!

Two...Words:

Bleary

I had just arrived home after working all day in preparation for the Grey2K lunch for the NH legislators. Chopping, stirring, spicing it up, paring it down, makin' it rock for our event today. Add on the fact that kids are home for vacation, and bored because they broke their computers (as I predicted, out loud, they would if they left them plugged in and with AIM up 24/7).

So, yeah, does anyone know any eye exercises I can do, besides keeping my eye on the prize, cause when I get tired I get all crossy.

I *heart* Wally Torta

Go Visit Wally's blog: Crackskull Bob. Click Here

Wonderful Valentines from Friends

My friend, Scott, wearing heart shaped rose colored glasses and heart shaped antenna. He's so weird.

"My life is so much richer for knowing you. I pray the morning sun finds you smiling, and the ice melts away from your world.

Happy Valentines Day.

Love, hugs, and kisses.

Me"


"Julia, knowingly or not you have given me a gift this valentine's day, with those words. I feel that I am worthy and cared for, and even though it's been a short time for us, I feel that you are a friend, a kindred spirit and you make me feel loved.

Thank you and may this day, along with every other day give you back the love you give...you are a wonderful, loving person."

"Boo Yah! Be Mine?"

Funny Morning...

The oldest one has been really stressed out lately, and in pain from her kidneys. The medicine that they put her on gives her nightmares, too, which is really bizarre.

She is taking an honors English class in school, and it really is a toughie. They read things like Joseph Campbell, Jung, Herman Hesse, The Classics, and this week, The Bible. So, in her travails with the assignment, she consulted Spark Notes, which is a newfangled version of Cliff Notes, a shortcut to actually READING said Bible.

My kids were in the car chatting away on the way to school this morning, and, in an unusually civil manner, they began to talk about dreams from last night. The oldest told me that she was awakened 10 times last night, startled, dreaming that she was awake but could not move. It was awful, she said.

"I thought I was being possessed. I just kept saying 'God, I am so sorry I Spark-Noted the Bible, please forgive me'"

that. was. phunni.

Then the Youner One, just before she pops out of the car for school, turns to me and asks"

"Mom, am I Over-Perfumed?, cause I hate that."

Great, I have two new phrases:

Spark-Noted
Over Perfumed

Where has Julia Been???

Sorry folks, my life has been fraught with sick kids of late. One had strep and is now also having a recurrence of her kidney illness, and the other has a serious UTI. Maybe I need to change the cat litter I make them pee in. Just kidding...

Still, work is hectic, kids are going back and forth to doctors for tests and medicine and I am up to my elbows in alligators.

Oh, and I fell AGAIN and hit my arm on the ice AGAIN. Damn. Damn. Damn.

I should be back on the ball soon.

I hope.

Sigh.

The Shins:Montmartre

Montmartre is probably one of my most favorite places in Paris. I can only imaging turning a corner with my coffee and stumbling upon The Shins, casually playing in the street. I think I would have an aneurysm. What fun!

"A caring, consulting and listening" Administration per NPR 2/8-09

Ooooh!

Andy Gilmore: Click Here

Busy Playing with Pixels and Space

I have been busy doing something I simply adore, creating online presence for people I believe in. I love playing with visual space, color, images, fonts, grids, feeling the flow of my choices evolve. It is said that Apple, when in design mode, begins with 10 designs, reduces to 3 then to the final 1. I tend to go more for the 5-2-1 priciple, because, well, there is only one of me, not an entire design team. Still, play like this feeds my soul. Now if I could only be a better code jockey and learn CSS my package would be more complete.

Five-Things Friday

NUMBER ONE: A Daily MUST for me is a visit to Claw Marks in the Frozen Peas blog. Imagine my glee when finding this last week: Mix Tape Download CLICK HERE!

Side A:
1. Handsome Boy Modeling School - Look At This Face (Oh My God They’re Gorgeous)
2. Jens Lekman - Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig
3. French Kicks - Better Time
4. Kings of Convenience - Gold For the Price of Silver (Erot vs Kings of Convenience mix)
5. Handsome Boy Modeling School - The Truth (ft. Roisin & J-Live)
6. Feist w/ Mocky - Fightin’ Away the Tears
7. Junior Boys - Dull to Pause
8. Yo La Tengo - Beach Party Tonight

Side B:
1. Lackthereof - Ask Permission
2. Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You
3. BoomSnake - Busy
4. Sin Fang Bous - A Fire To Sleep In
5. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn’t Know Why
6. Dr. Dog - The Old Days
7. Yeasayer - Waves




NUMBER TWO: The sexy site of the Week Bombay Creative CLICK HERE: What a Design!





NUMBER THREE: Bambatats

Click Here for Bambatat site

NUMBER FOUR: Children's Illustrations on the Behance Network:

Click Here for website

NUMBER FIVE: Eight Hour Day: A Designer's Wet Dream

Eight Hour Day Website Click Here

Color Latte, Take a shot...

Can I go back to bed now?

This morning's coffee is already spent. By 6 Am I had fed the cats, fed the dog, walked the dog, switched over laundry, shoveled out the ice-laden snow from the driveway, shoveled the walk, scraped off my car, gotten my kids up and scooped the cat litter. By now, 7:30, I have driven two kids to 2 different schools as well.

As I write this I am indulging in my morning ritual of crawling back into bed to check on my blog roll, stopping by to see if anyone is up and running yet. My usual routine includes stopping by at Dooce and Rude Cactus (see sidebar) first. I check my mail. I think of a blog entry. Maybe have another cup of coffee...

I am ready for a nap and it is only 7:46.

This is not a good sign.

*yawn*

Oh. Oh, yes. Oh, yes!!. Oh...Oh MY!...

"Do Me, Barry! Please! You're my only Hope" Click Here!

Snow, Times Three...

Subtle Color

Do YOU see a cursor???

Sometimes I Feel Like This.

Okay, I'm Just Gonna Say It...Dick Head Award of the Month:

Doooooooooode?! WHAT were you THINKING?!!!!!!: Click Here for Michael Phelps' Dick Head Move (Way to GO you Role Model, You!)

Tired of all the Gray

I am longing for flowers. I want to go into a warm greenhouse and huff the moist soil, feel the green, absorb the color. I see bits of color peeking out from the snow...plastic caps, mylar bags. Not the same. I will likely head to the florist today to grab some paper white bulbs to force into bloom.

Tomorrow is my daughter's 18th birthday. It simply stuns me to realize I have been parenting for 18 years. She is turning into a lovely woman now, heading to college in the fall. I looked at some of her baby pictures lately and got a little wistful. Not that I want any babies. Really. I love babies, but I know all too well how exhausting parenting babies is. I get a reminder most evenings as my neighbor, who shares half of this duplex, has a new baby and I hear way more screaming than cooing. I wince and send good vibes.

Superbowl Sunday.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, in the era of Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swan, Franco Harris and Superbowl wins. I am very stoked for tonight's game. Not quite as much as if the Patriots were playing, but, still. Go Team!