one two three four I like the way you move around the floor I like the way you move around the room

What's up?

I had a really rad Saturday!  It was the kind of day that perhaps a 15 y.o. boy would also enjoy.  Had coffee with ATM + Collin (ask him about his John Mellencamp stories!) @ Boulevard.  THEN, I had lunch with Keiko @ Pho Thahn Mi.  We really didn't have a plan for the day, but ended up going to the brand new Apple store in WLR.  It wasn't as ridiculous as I imagined and we ran into Everett, who happens to be the manager. I was so close to buying an iPhone, but, the system was down (?!) and my sale couldn't go through.  I'm glad because, hey, I've got a birthday coming up.  Too, I've managed this long w/o that hifalutin' contraption, but will admit that the allure of carrying only one thing instead of a separate phone, camera, and mp3 player sounds...neater.  After that, we went to Game Stop to get accessories for this shoot-em-up zombie game I obtained for the Wii.  THEN, we got fro yo.  THEN, we played the kill all zombies game for a couple of hours.  THEN, I went home and was completely spent!

Later that  evening, things went southward.  While ATM and I were busy slaying Z's, I got a text from Judge asking if I could house sit while he tended to a family emergency (nothing to do with Hank & Collins, mind).  I'm already set to house sit for eight days in September, so what's an extra few days?  Here I am, a temporary Heights resident once again.  My duties are to care for Lucy (canine) + Omar Little (feline) and to water all the plants and lawn.  Tuesday is trash day.

It's actually not a bad gig, except that I'm far from home and I get a touch lonesome.  In order to not burn through my tank of gas so quickly, it's just best if I just stay put on this side of the river before/after work.  It's times like this that I wish we had better public transportation, though.  At least it's extra $$$ for vacation and other fun things.  I'll definitely be getting a lot of reading done as I am too intimidated by His Honor's huge television.

A reminder that TOFU HAPPENING is this weekend.  I still don't know what I'm going to make!  You are invited.  4 Sept 2011 @ 3:00 p.m., 111 Johnson St.  Bring your best vegetarian/vegan dish.

Same couch w new covers.  A fresh look! 

Possessed camera shot

Postpartum refreshin'

I know I can handle it* because I assisted in executing two baby showers this month whilst planning another Tofu Happening, a long housesitting stint, a trip to Dallax, and a vacation.

*it = you know

Yesterday, Andrew, KMHD & I rewarded ourselves with a quick float down the Caddo River.  It was simply perfect.  It's just an hour's drive SW of (N)LR and if you've got your own tube, it's inexpensive ($1 to inflate, $8 to shuttle your group).  We arrived at the outfitters about noon and were getting out of the river around three, so you don't even need a half-day to have a beer or two whilst floating in an idyllic setting.  Might have to try to have another run before it's too late.  Summer's almost over!

He tried.

The camera was in a plastic bag, thus the soft focus.

I love you

Jesus, people, learn how to use the Internet.
I love you.


Obstinate are the trammels, but my heart aches when I try to break them. 
Freedom is all I want, but to hope for it I feel ashamed. 
I am certain that priceless wealth is in thee, and that thou art my best friend, but I have not the heart to sweep away the tinsel that fills my room. 
The shroud that covers me is a shroud of dust and death; I hate it, yet hug it in love. 
My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy; yet when I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my prayer be granted. 

— Rabindranath Tagore 

Knock knock!

We paid big bucks to have a new back door installed.  That includes a new (energy efficient) door, parts, labor, and a wonderful fee of $120 for the removal of door frame bits with lead paint and the safe disposal of said door frame bits with lead paint.  

Anyway, look at our old door.  It's not even an exterior door, but maybe some closet or bathroom door.  It's ridiculous, you can see outside through the hole!  Frankly, I'm a little embarrassed we waited this long to replace it because it's obviously not very secure, but you know.  The funds.  Or a lack thereof.











And here is the sound replacement.  We need to paint the new trim and clean the smudges on the door and wall, but ok!  





Are we moving too fast with our home improvement? Ha.  Thanks for reading.

TOFU HAPPENING

Click to enlarge, sweetness

NEW AUGUST ('11 TOP 10)

Already halfway through the month, but here is my small list of the little things.





1.  The light outside looked different this morning and I keep smelling autumn on the air; it'll be here sooner than later and we have plans.  Pretty good ones, too.  While I appreciate summer, I am not the biggest fan.  No, it's terrible in Arkansas unless you've got a reliable lake connection.  You are driven inside because outdoor activity is unsafe.  And there are some things you can't do inside, like cook, which is bollocks because that's my deal.  I don't even miss summer whilst in the soul-killing icy grip of winter.  Autumn is the best and my favorite season.  I am looking forward to enjoying the dickens out of it.

2.  The Farmer's Market is one of the better things about summer, but it's actually a chore for me.  There is this Russian farmer who I find likable, though.  He's quiet, which I truly appreciate at that early hour, and gives he gives me free garlic. He has a terrible time saying "heirloom watermelon", which is precious.  I'm going to miss the okra, tomatoes, berries, figs, corn, melons, and that accent.


3.  The constant pull of Memphis, New Orleans, Perdido Key, Seattle, Colorado, and even California, one I haven't felt in a long time.  The vastness of this country and it's different environs is wondrous.  I think we'll be able to scratch the itch for a few of these in due time.


4.  I've got hostessing duties for two baby showers this month.  I'm happy to do it!  I really love planning things and I'm a great worker bee, but I really ought to make time for my own things, yes?   





5.  It's tough being a homeowner, no doubt.  But, what little we've done to the house as far as home improvement goes has made me love our little home that much more.  I totally understand the meaning of "labor of love".  I'm still trying to get a handle on patience.  We want to build, not maintain, but that's what we're having to do.  Maintenance and lots of it.


6.  I am going bananas over this recipe from Jen's blog ((( FOOD ORLEANS ))) featuring OKRA.  It's so simple, but clever.

  Photo from FOOD ORLEANS

7.  The Horrors  


Plans laid to see them in Sept/Dallax.





8.  Spending time with old friends.  No love lost.


9.  Tofu Happening, Back To School edition.  I am pleased to announce that Bellwood are hosting this time.  Sept. 4, Labor Day weekend.  Please mark your calendar!  Flyer soon.


10.  I'm just going to purge here ... lime/salt popcorn, coconut sparkling water, Obits, Disappears, The Soft Pack, Supergrass, Tame Impala, Rhodia pads, Spotify, Rani Kajal eyeliner, reading loads of books, naps.
 

It's made of herbs, so it's actually good for your eyes.  

Guys, break time's over!

The news makes me facepalm so much, I'm red in the face.  It's the loud, unhappy halfwits that bother me the most.  I've been assured by an older generation that this is not new thing, which is unfortunate.  Cyclical messes.





I had a row with a co-worker last week.  This is a really sad thing considering that we're a very small office & we're tight-knit.  She's been here for months and we've covered for her, so that she could ease into her responsibilities without stress and worry.  There are a couple of things that everyone is required to know how to do, no exceptions.  I gently reminded her that we needed to get her trained.  There was some passive-agressive this & that from her, which I ignored because I really hate that nonsense.  She started treating the others poorly,  for which I never heard the end of.  Anyway, in short, she fronted and  proclaimed that she wasn't going to do it, I couldn't make her, and it's not in her job description, which is all true.  I informed her that she could take that issue up with the boss and if she felt she had to go strictly by job description that maybe she'd take note that everyone goes above and beyond job description in this office because we are friends, we care for each other, and we do what it takes to TCB.  She can be a part of that if she chooses, but no one is going to make her do anything, but SHE WILL LEARN HOW TO DO WHAT IS REQUIRED OF HER.  That pretty much ended the argument.  She begged for forgiveness and that we never speak of it again, which I agreed to.  Still, despite my proceeding with "business as usual", I can tell that it is a struggle for her and that she hasn't actually let go.  It's tiresome.  I'm just glad that I didn't roll over and had the opportunity to say my piece at the very beginning.  For all intents and purposes, this case is closed.  Anything else will be deferred to the judge because I'm recusing from the matter.  However, I'm still trying to figure out how I got singled out as ringleader.  Very annoying stuff.  It bothered me very much.




It's hot out there!  100 days of the stuff!   I gave up on the geraniums and the petunias, but moved the sweet potato vine to the back.  Pray for it's recovery.  Also, drink lots of fluids and stay indoors, alright?  Don't forget to SPF.  And do the tighten' up!





We gave the dining room a new look with paint --  the green was lovely, but not suitable for a windowless room.









We left a strip of green for remembering:



Our sad liquor cart that needs to be stocked, but, hey, the corner looks nice!



I needed a break.