July 15

Well I am a little late to the party on the Blog Everyday in July challenge.  The way I look at it, it's more likely I'll finish the challenge as there are only two weeks left.  Two hardy hoorays for dilly-dallying.  Today's prompt is to write a letter to an inanimate object.

Dear Trolls and Squeezy-stress-reliever-for-a-head Guy, 

Thanks for making my day sunnier at work when people get a bit cranky.  Your sincere pleasantness is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jill

 

The Puppet Plot

The puppet wagon was a summer highlight when I was a kid.  Once a week it would come into town playing music to alert the neighborhood that the show was about to begin.  The internet tells me the show has been going on for 35 years.  It was the coolest.  It was the place to be.

The picture above is the same wagon with the same puppets from back in the day.  The skunk named Aroma is the main character.  On the back of the wagon is a mailbox so you can write the puppets fan mail.  Seriously, that was a big deal.  I would draw pictures, bring them cool-looking rocks, and give them candy, all sorts of things.  I was a puppet groupie.

At the end of the show, the puppets would check the mailbox and read the fan letters out loud.  When you’re five, this is as awesome-sauce as it gets.

Every week, this older kid named Davey would turn up during show time to pick on the younger kids and make fun of the puppet show.  He generally made our little lives miserable; a real troublemaker.

One day my brother and I told my mom about miserable Davey.  She hatched a devious plan.  Since miserable Davey would be at the show to heckle the puppets, wouldn’t it be nice to write some fan mail from him?

So out came the construction paper and crayons and we made a beautiful letter that probably looked something like this:

I was nervous about the plot, but when the puppet wagon rolled into town I mustered up some courage and put the letter in the mailbox.  At the end of the show they read the love letter from Davey.  I can’t remember his reaction but I know all the other kids giggled.

And that my friends, is how I learned how to humiliate a ten year old.  To this day my mom will still say he had it coming.

Probably not our proudest family moment. 

*Miserable Davey moved away a couple of years later (for non-puppet related reasons).  I don't know whatever became of him.

We have a communal coffee mug situation at work.  I have a favorite that I sort of hide in the back of the cupboard.

On the side is a recipe for Colorado Trout Gourmet.

I don't eat trout.  Or any other fish for that matter.  Still, good to know.

The snow was pretty on the way out of the house today.  Still, I am excited that spring is only two weeks away.

Monday

A fun weekend was had.

Two of Bobaloo's brothers came into town.  We had some beers and listened to records.

We also visited Golden City Brewery.  Visiting a new brewery was on my to-do list for this winter.  I enjoyed an IPA.

I'm hoping March is quieter than February. 

Frozen Dead Guy Days is going on this weekend.  It's one of my favorite winter happenings around these parts.  Next year I am putting together a team for the coffin race.  Any takers?

I've been spending a lot of time on the website Brain Pickings.  All sorts of interesting things on there.

I am reading Snapper for book club.

 

A couple of weeks ago Bobaloo and I had Terrific Lady Day.  We had brunch at Perkins and then visited the History Colorado Center.  Here's a picture of him milking a cow.

It's time to take down the VD decorations.

What's new with you?

Mac 'n' Cheese Days

It's gloomy around here today.  I won't complain though because it's probably warmer here than where you are. 58 degrees.

I want to be at home sitting on my couch, eating macaroni and cheese, and watching Days of our Lives. 

Preferably in pajamas and with a few blankets.

Do you ever have those days?

I have been watching Days since I was about five.

I should clarify.  I only watch it if I have a weekday off or am at home sick.  I don't like, follow the plot.

I used to.  Back in the days of summer vacation.

Now I just check in to see what kind of shenanigans Sami Brady is up to.  She's a trouble-maker that one.

What  do you like to watch on your mac 'n' cheese days?

This guy really likes his macaroni. 

Macaroni and Cheese Cheesecake:

December 19

10 things in my bag.

This is a strange prompt.

1. wallet  2. smokes (don't be judge-y)  3. lip stuff  4. book club notes  5. headphones  6. car keys             7. perfume  8. writing stuff  9. oatmeal  10. Advil

Join the Fun!

December 6

Looking back....

Today's prompt for the blog-a-thon is to share your first blog post.  So here it is...

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Let's get ready to rum ball!

Get it? Rum ball = Rumble. Well, this seems as good of a way to start a blog as any. Merry Christmas.

On December 24, 2008 I was 25, newly married, and working as a receptionist.  I started out reading a couple of great blogs and was inspired to create my own.  

This blog was started to be a place to be weird and goofy but my brand of weird and goofy is best experienced in person so instead I started writing about the goings on in my life. 

It took a long time to find my "voice" here and I cringe reading some of my old posts.  Cringe.  But just like my brace-faced/home-permed/neon outfit middle school pictures, they still exist.  I refuse to delete, keeping them as evidence of growth.  Or something.

This blog and I have been through a lot together.

 

And to those who read, you have given me so very much.

I'll stop being such a sap now.  Anyhow, thanks for reading.

December 5

'Tis the season for lists, isn't it?  For this one, I'm going to keep it in the family.

1. I wear my Grandma J's wristwatch everyday for good luck.

2. My mom loved to sign me up for things when I was a kid.  I've taken dance lessons, figure skating lessons, trumpet lessons, quilting classes, soccer, etc.  I did not/do not have the coordination, patience, or social skills for any of these things.

3. Bobaloo is the only person (until now) who knows that deep down I hate sharing food.  This was expressed in a single sentence uttered by me at the bar, "I'm going to order nachos but you have to order something else because I'm not going to share."

4. I know that when it is eight at night here it is six in the morning in Iraq.  I used to work the late shift and passed a mountain that had a light up "M" on it at night.  My older brother was deployed and I would look at the "M" and think about how I was finishing my day and he was beginning the next.  (The "M" stood for Mines, I pretended it stood for Marines.)

5. One of my favorite winter memories is my Pops and Uncle Doug taking me to the ski jumping tournament in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  The noise the skiers make when they jump is incredible.

6.  I learned the F-word when I was three on Easter.  I shouted it to my Grandma Cille and she started giggling so I kept yelling it around the house to all my relatives. 

7.  My family used to go to my Aunt Doreen's house on Christmas to go ice fishing.  I loved it and still think that it's my favorite cold weather activity.

8.  I used to watch my younger brother Kyle after school and every afternoon we'd eat a snack and watch Spongebob Squarepants.

9. My cousin Kira used to watch my brother and I in the summer when we were little.  When the neighbor girls and I would stage our basement production of Annie, she would always enthusiastically play Ms. Hannigan.

10. Bobaloo and I found our dog Nik at a shelter.  When we first met her she sat her ass right on Bobaloo's foot.  I giggled, knew she was the one and that we weren't leaving without her.

Join the Fun!

December 3

what is the first thing you think of? APPLES
closest red thing to you? A STRIPE ON MY SCARF
last thing that made you angry? LACK OF SLEEP
are you a fan of romance? NOPE (although bobaloo bought me some bling over the weekend.)
do you have a temper? NOPE

what is the first thing you think of? GREEN APPLES! (i must have apples on the brain. (how do you like them apples?)) 
closest green thing to you? POST-IT NOTES
what is your favorite green environment? MY PARENT'S BACKYARD
are you jealous of anyone right now? NO
are you a lucky person? THE LUCKIEST

what is the first thing you think of? GRAPES (i think i am hungry for breakfast, hence all of the fruit)
closest purple thing to you? MY JACKET
do you like being treated like royalty? NO
do you like mysterious things? NOT REALLY
are you intuitive? MY GUT SAYS YES

what is the first thing you think of? THE CATHEDRAL DOME IN DENVER
closest blue thing to you? INK PEN
are you good at calming people down? YES
what's your favorite body of water? THE CHIPPEWA FLOWAGE IN WISCONSIN
what was the last thing that made you cry? A NASTY DEPRESSION DAY (stupid brain)
are you a logical thinker? NO, NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT

what is the first thing you think of? THE SUNSHINE
closest yellow thing to you? MY SWEATER
what was one of the happiest times of your life? 2005
what's your favorite holiday? HALLOWEEN
what makes you happy? PEOPLE LAUGHING AND HAVING FUN TOGETHER 

what is the first thing you think of? FLOWERS
closest pink thing to you? MY WATER BOTTLE
what sweet things do you like? SKITTLES & LICORICE
are you sensitive? VERY
what is your favorite flower? I LIKE PLANTS
do you have a crush on someone? BOBALOO

what is the first thing you think of? ORANGES
closest orange thing to you? A CALENDAR
do you dress up for halloween? YUP
what gives you warm fuzzies? HANGING WITH MY PUP
what would your superpower be? DRINKING MILK WITH MY FINGER LIKE MORK

what is the first thing you think of? COFFEE
closest brown thing to you? MY DESK
what is your favorite type of chocolate? NOT A BIG FAN (twix, maybe?)
what makes you feel grounded? TAKING WALKS
paint the wood or always leave it au naturel? NO PREFERENCE 

what is the first thing you think of? SNOW
closest white thing to you? PAPER
do you always try to keep the peace? MOSTLY, EXCEPT FOR BOARD GAMES
do you like to play in the snow? YES
are you afraid of going to the doctor or dentist? SOMETIMES  

what is the first thing you think of? CATS
closest black thing to you? CELL PHONE
are you sophisticated or silly? SILLY, ALL THE WAY
do you have a lot of secrets? NOPE
what's the new black? WEARING WHAT'S COMFORTABLE

Join the fun!

Orange you Glad?

When I was around 19 or 20 years old my friend L gave me this book...

I really didn't like emotions and feelings.  The big ones are still hard for me.  Sadness and anger.

L would make fun of me because I never spoke about how I was feeling about stuff.  She'd always say something along the lines of, "It's okay for Jill to have feelings too."  And I would respond with, "We're not going to go around the table making I feel... statements, are we?"  Pretty stunted.

So today, let's put it all out on the proverbial table...

The groovaru is in the shop, which is going to cost moolah.

It's been a rough week at work.

My brother is on his way here!

3-day weekend!

So, how are you peeling today?

hip-haps

Boy, it's been a busy week and a half. 

My job gets hectic in September and stays that way until May.  I like being busy during the winter months, it seems to help ward off those dang doldrums.  Plus, I like my job.  We also had a staff day and went to see a Rockies baseball game.  Or as I like to call it, "mandatory socialize with your coworkers day."  Awkward.

I still need to show you my finished clothespin project, it turned out lovely.

Bobaloo and I are looking forward to some visitors in the next couple of weeks.  My little brother is coming to town on Friday and Bobaloo's folks are visiting shortly thereafter.  We've been fortunate to have quite a few family and friends visit this year.  Also, a good reason to keep the house semi-clean.

I have been able to catch up on some reading recently.  My reading goal for 2013 is 45 books.  I like setting this goal rather than making a resolution for the new year.  I didn't read a whole lot over the summer so I am only at 13 books so far, better get cracking!  A friend gave me Neil Young's Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream to read.  Love that Neil.  There are a couple of books I have started but am not too terribly interested in.  What do you do?  Do you read the whole thing or give the book a certain amount of pages to catch your interest?

On Sunday, it was our one year Nik-a-versary!  She got a new bed to celebrate the occasion.

September 11

It is such a gloomy week here in Colorado.  Give me sunshine!  I am still on this Blogtember bandwagon, so here goes.

Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop.

My favorite place to buy tees is Threadless, especially when they have their $5 clearance.  I bought a few a couple of months ago.  This is my favorite one:


It's called "Group Hug."

Otherwise, most of my online shopping is at Etsy.  Below are some of my favorite purchases with links to the shops.

 

Icehouse Picture / Rainbow Scarf / Darwin Pendant

Rainbow Necklace / Fonzie Print / Rainbow Necklace

Rainbow Shoes / Nintendo Scarf / Nintendo Necklace

 

I collect rainbows.  Because as our gal Dolly says,

 

 

 

Do you collect anything?

September 09

Well, a great weekend was had.  Yesterday we went to our local Chicago bar to drink some beer and watch the Bears have their first victory of the season.  It was very nice to sit on the sunny patio while watching football.  I will long for these warm days come February, I am sure of it.  

I also got down with my crafty self.

 

I painted 85 clothespins.  I'll show you the entire project when I have finished.

And back to the challenge...

Take this personality test and respond to your results.

ISFP

Introvert (78%) - a strong preference of introversion over extraversion
Sensing (12%) - a slight preference of sensing over intuition
Feeling (12%) - a slight preference of feeling over thinking
Perceiving (11%) - a slight preference of perceiving over judging

I have heard of this test but have never taken it.  I went to this page for more information about my type.  There were a lot of things that were very spot on.

• you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your value system
  

• ISFPs tend to be quiet and reserved, and difficult to get to know well

• they're likely to be animal lovers, and to have a true appreciation for the beauties of nature 

• need to have personal space

• they have an unusually deep well of caring for those who are close to them, and are likely to show their love through actions, rather than words

• ISFPs have no desire to lead or control others, just as they have no desire to be led or controlled by others
    

Basically, ISFP folks are a pretty "live and let live" kind of people and I think that's true about me.


What type of personality are you?  What is your favorite trait about your personality type? 

 

July 17

7 Random Facts

I love facts.  I mean sincerely love them.  One Christmas my sister-in-law gave me The Encyclopedia of Useless Information.  I can't think of 7 interesting facts about myself at the moment, so I will share with you some of my favorite websites to read about interesting stuff.

1.  Mental Floss

2.  Neatorama

3.  Listverse

4.  Smithsonian

5.  Open Culture

6.  TYWKKIWDBI

And if you are really just in it for the cool pictures...

7.  Retronaut

 Did you know...

About 5% of the entire US potato crop goes to make McDonald's french fries?

Got any interesting facts?

July Challenge

Come back Hugh!

One of my favorite comic strips Crimes Against Hugh's Manatees is going on hiatus and now I feel a void in my morning.  That might be a little dramatic, but you should still go over there and check out the archives.  I can always find something that gives me a good chuckle.  Here are a few of my favorites.

 

 

What is your favorite comic?