4

Technically, it' s not the 4th of July, but I can only get things accomplished when it is night time and the temperature is a breezy 90-something degrees in our house.  Periodically during the day, we'll get a little burst of energy and we try to get things done, but then it's back to laying around, which takes up a good 85% of our time.  And we can't lounge around together, because our arms might touch and ewwwwwwwwww it is TOO HOT/HUMID.  It didn't take much convincing that, yes, we need a new HVAC.  We're scheduled to get an estimate on Tuesday.  We will be getting our front/back door measured for new energy-efficient doors, too.  Things are happening around here as far as home-improvement goes, which, despite this evil heat, is keeping me in good spirits.   I've got good company with ATM and the cat critters, too.


OFF THE CHARTS HOT:



I did some quick research online to see if I was doing wrong by the cats because they are extremely lethargic.  Turns out it's a defense mechanism to overheating, similar to what we do.  Nobody move.



  





So, I had set this particular appointment with my hairdresser three months ago.  It was a standard wash & trim, but when I walked in yesterday, I asked her to cut it off, please.  "Are you sure?!!!" she asked repeatedly.  It wasn't long before everyone who worked at the beauty parlor was asking.  I guess they have to know for certain to avoid a crying, remorseful customer.  After I convinced her that I was serious, she grabbed my hair by the fistfuls and just chopped it off.  I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it.  And I'm pretty sure the heat made me do it.

The result, new look:






Not bad, eh?

July 2011 Top Ten

1.  The unlikely mix of cold watermelon, mint + feta is ruling my tastewaves.  If you are at the Green Cuisine food truck, treat yoursel!  Or you can just DIY.


2.  Switchblade comb is making me the envy of the office.



3.  Very berry!  I am in blueberry & blackberry heaven.


4.  My love for Scott Walker has recently been revived.  (Not to be confused with that vile governor of Wisconsin.)






5.  I can't quite say that I'm playing tennis, but I've been hittin' tennis balls @ Burns Park with ATM.  It's harder than it looks, but really enjoyable.






6.  Yogurt pops.  A propah, but not total, ice cream substitute.  How I did it:  

In a blender or a food processor, add 2 cups organic, fat-free plain yogurt (I'm using vanilla next time), 2 super ripe bananas, 1- 1 1/2 c of frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.), 2 T of honey, and BLEND.  If you've got popsicle molds, terrific!  I used ye olde popsicle sticks in the paper cup method.  (Just be sure to not buy any Koch Industries products.)



7.  Friendship bracelets.  I haven't made one in 17 years, but it came back to me instantly.  I do need a little practice, though.



8.  Spray sea salt water in your tresses for awesome beach hair.  DIY method is 8 oz. of warm water, 1 T (or so) of fine sea salt, and a few drops of essential oils (your choice!) in a spray bottle.  Way to go, No Coast!  


9.  Lakes, not pools.  We actually need help realizing this one.  Any Cap'ns out there with a boat and free time?


10. No A/C means less pants wearin' around the house.  I pretty much rock a dashiki full time now.  A dashiki that I bought in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Central Avenue.  What.  

July 2011 Bottom Five

Can't have light without darkness.


1.  We are facing a possible HVAC replacement.  Frankly, I am considering the idea of learning to live without air conditioning.  It's not a noble pursuit, believe me, but if we are going to live within our means, then we have to make this sacrifice.  This isn't a plea for pity because there's no need, it's not as bad as one might imagine.  Honestly.  With some wardrobe adjustments & a couple of quality fans, we've got this.  The hugging warmth and the soothing buzz of the fans actually made me remember that I didn't always live in homes with A/C, I just got spoiled along the way.  


2.  I've got my critical eye on here, but I've grown weary of social networkers who simply post things they want to buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy buy.  It's basically boring advertising.  I love STUFF as much as the next person, but I'm certain there is no race for us to gain as much possessions as we possibly can.    Oh, Consumerism! with your boot heel to our throats!  

3.  Slow down. 


4.  Everyone's an expert.  


5.  Not enough time.

Comment

I won't dispense too many details here, but I have two beloved relatives that is or has fallen gravely ill.  One has survived far longer than expected and the other is young, recently diagnosed, and currently fighting her malady. I've got so many emotions swirling around inside, but it's outrage that prevails.  It makes me so angry that the best people I know find themselves in such a way.  These aren't your run-of-the-mill good people; they are actually better than any of us!  Do me a favor and DO NOT tell me that it is part of a "Plan"  because it's the worst fucking plan.

Be kind & take care of each other.

Dreams, they complicate my life (Dreams, they complement my life)

Last night, ATM & I conceded to the fact that we need to put our plans to travel to New Zealand on the backburner.  I have relatives that I really want to spend time with; so, that's a trip to Cortez, Colorado and a trip to Seattle, Washington.  Too, we need new tires for the automobile.  And we need a new front door.  New windows. The list goes on and on like that.  Unless we happen upon a bag of money, we're just going to have to knock these off the list slowly, one by one.  Here's hoping that we stay healthyish & no ridiculous expenses crop up.  In much happier financial news, I paid off a credit card today!  I may've quit the pizza-slingin' job, but have two housesitting gigs coming up, so, thankfully, I still have a little extra $$$ coming in.  And I can't complain.  Things are lovely.


Went to Memphis again this past weekend with KMHD & Brittany.  We didn't have a plan other than eat & loiter.  It was lovely!  I did not return home miserable, broken & worn out, but at ease & better for it.  Ready for this?  When we rolled into town, we got had our lunch at Gus's.  As per usual, we had to wait in line, about 30 minutes.  Thankfully, we had a properly-loaded jukebox to help us along.


Brittany:



Yusssss...






Ran into Rebekah & Keiko!  It's always neat to run into friends in other cities.



After some responsible window-shopping (I mean, we shopped, but only for the necessities), we checked into our hotel and went swimming.



The sun completely drained us of energy, so we went to the juice bar for shots of wheatgrass (really) and juices.  I considered it an act of penance for all of our indulgent consumption.  We then returned to our room and prepared for an evening out.  After getting gussied up, we drove to RP Tracks for BBQ tofu sandwiches & BBQ tofu nachos.  I'm almost ashamed to say it, but we totally overindulged.  I had a will to go out to have drinks and have a bitchin' good time, but I. ate. too. much.  After having searched high and low for the perfect bar for years, we discover the Lamplighter Lounge and are too full to even enjoy the one beer we ordered.  It's a true locals-only dive with an attentive barkeeper & a relaxed atmosphere.  I was grateful that there was no loud music blaring, so you could have conversations or eavesdrop on others.  There was the smell of greasy (and forbidden) burgers and stale cigarette smoke hanging heavy in the air.   Great lighting.  Cheap drinks.  Just perfect. We vowed to return and do it properly, but all I could think about was going to our room to have a lay down, engage in girl-talk, and watch the telly.  Ridiculous.  I hang my head in shame.


Photo by Brittany:



Photo by Brittany:



Brittany & KMHD:



Me, photo by KMHD:



The next morning, we woke up early (because we are DAYHAWKS!!!) and, unbelievably, got stuffed at Brother Juniper's, the best breakfast spot in Memphis.  We ate, but didn't overdo it this time.  If you've no self-control, pour salt all over your food and drop your flatware on the floor, and voila!  You're done.  Of course, carbo-loading leads to more in-room lounging.



We slowly packed our things and hit the streets.  And, for the umpteenth time, because I always have someone in tow who hasn't been yet,   we payed respects to Jay Reatard.  


Photo by KMHD:






Finally, we took the poor man's tour of Graceland and STAX Records.  All that means is that we didn't pay the exorbitant admission fees.


Graceland:
























Around the corner from STAX.  Memphis has the best old signs:



On our way out of town, photo by KMHD:



Ladies, anytime you wanna go to Memphis, call me!  xx 


(((((some SOUNDTRACKING)))))

Big (KIM/KELLEY) Deal

If I wasn't going to Memphis w/ KMHD & Brittany (who are on their way right now!) this weekend, I'd suggest that we all grab a watermelon, some SPF & head on over to Heber Springs and get purified in the healing waters of Lake Minnetonka Greers Ferry.  The water levels are high, which makes for a short jump off of the cliffs, but it's still amazing.  It probably won't last with these temperatures.  Oh, Arkansas.  SUMMER 2011!


An adorable photo of  Kelley & Kim Deal bein' 50 y.o.:

Ooooh, they're here!  Byeee!

Vegetarian Scotch eggs

I promise, we don't eat only fried things, but once the idea of making vegetarian Scotch eggs entered my mind, I couldn't do anything but make them.  'Ere's how I did it:


1.  Boil your eggs.  That's 17 minutes total.  After you pull them, drain the water, and shock them with ice cubes + cold water.  You don't want to work with warm eggs.





2.  Peel the eggs, rinse them for shell bits, and dry with a paper towel.  After drying, coat the hard boiled egg with some Gimme Lean!








3.  You know the drill!  Coat with flour, then egg mixture (1 egg, a bit of buttermilk), and finally with panko.  





4.  Fry





5.  Drain





6.  Search and destroy










I might have to make these for the next big brunch.  

June 2011 TOP TEN

1.  I am so envious of these beautiful, rad women.

Carving the Mountains from Juan Rayos on Vimeo.

2.  CARNIVORES (of ATL)


 I Like To Be Confused (I Love You) by fear_ants 


 Parent's Attic by fear_ants 


3.  Quitting my second job.  It's the fun part of being employed.  What I haven't told you is how mean the girls are at this place.  They are overly faux-nice to me, like, "Oh, hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, AiLien".  Very nasal & sarcastic.  One day, I got a coffee on the way to work.  I put it where all employees keep drinks while we work.  Anyway, I went to take a drink, but could smell that someone had rubbed onions and lemons all over my cup!  I was so pissed, I chunked the bev into the trash bin really hard and shouted "WHAT THE FUCK?!!".  Anyone else probably would've asked me what was wrong, but they just stood there, looking at me, trying to act casual.  I can't even guess what it was that I did that offended them.  Unreal.  I'm so accustomed to my rad friends, that I forget how bitchy and cruel girls can be.  I did feel some satisfaction, though, when I told ATM & my friends what happened that they wanted to go down there and be awful, unruly customers.  Anyway, it's not THE reason why I'm quitting; it's just one of those things where you want to go do your job, go home & collect a check.  It seems they don't allow that up there.  So.  Anyone else hiring?  Preferably like-minded people, please.  Also, I house-sit and have proper references!


4.  I have a love/hate thing for these because they are adorable, but like I need something else to waste hard-earned cash on.  Saving one of these for my trip to Memphis:





Houndstooth (and gardenia):



5.  Hello again, Memphis!  I can't stay away, can I? 

6.  Twin Shadow





7.  Vegetarian Scotch eggs.  I'm going there.  Pics soon.


8.  Summer.  It happens every year, so I can't  act as if I wasn't expecting it.  I'm into it this time 'round.  The ultra-fiery, ultra-sunny, ultra-humid, ultra-buggy, very berry time of year.  How are we going to beat the heat?  Lake swimming (at least once!), sno-cones, watermelons, and laying in front of a box fan.  I may be singing a different tune and begging for mercy sooner than later.



9.  New Moka pot.  It has completely diminished our need to get espresso coffees from a coffee shop.  It is saving us tons of money.  The drawback is that it doesn't make rad pastries, soups, and sandwiches OR emits free wifi, so we do still have to go to Boulevard time to time.  That's ok!





10.  If you still haven't ordered the LR CREAM cassette, then I might be questioning your taste-making status.  Get it here.  MP3s coming soon.  Rumors of a show are abound!