Sneak peek!

Tonight is THE night for us to get everything done before Thanksgiving -- all of the cleaning and the shopping. How exciting, right? I love playing hostess, it is 'my thing'. We're doing something a little different this year by going to Hot Springs on Black Friday to avoid, well, everything. Too, I'd like to treat my stepmother to dinner @ Rolando's for her birthday.

Last night, I decided to play test kitchen and try my hand at making egg rolls. I've been given the task to make them for Keiko's baby shower which is this Saturday & I wanted to give myself time to fail, fail again, and fail yet again before serving them to real life humans. I actually hit the nail on the head on the first try; they are really tasty! They are poorly constructed (READ: ugly). In fact, the next one is uglier than the last! But, they are YUMG. I borrowed from the Vietnamese, the Chinese & the Japanese -- cabbage, carrots, shrimp, green onions, soy sauce, fresh ginger, tofu, mung bean sprouts, glass noodles, sesame oil, etc. It was so hard to limit ourselves to just a couple "samples". I think I'll wait to take photos after I fry them up.


Hot Dog!



Thanksgiving sneak preview...brussels sprouts!

My sous chef:


Mum brought our ferns back -- they've been kickin' it in her greenhouse. Anyway, this guy came with:

He is currently loose in the house somewhere. Probably on my toothbrush or something.

Sprucing up the joint for the holiday:


This is the most put together our house has been since we've moved in:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Salty

(To all of my genteel readers, please excuse the following colorful language.)

To the motherfucker(s) who broke into KMHD's house: I bind you by grave injunctions from the river, back to the river. May you fall in a nettle patch; may savage dogs eat you one inch at a time! Before the night is over, before the day is through, whatever you have done to others, will come right back at you!

Can you believe this shit? This is the SECOND time this year KMHD has been violated. I feel so angry. I feel so helpless as an older sister. She was so frustrated yesterday, she considered putting her house on the market and getting the hell out of there. I don't blame her! It's just so extreme & I hate that she's getting punked. Please send warm thoughts her way (as the events made her feel ill) & curses to her violator.

Naturally, this makes ATM & I reevaluate our current situation & what we need to do to secure our own home. We are fools because we've yet to change the locks on our doors. That will be remedied this weekend or sooner. It's that time of year for smash & grab. Ugh, I despise thieves!

There's a lot we haven't done around the house, but I'm slowly learning that this is a slow, lifelong project. We've got our homeowner eyes on; all I can see is everything that is wrong with the place and it is vexing. We need new locks, better windows, a new light fixture, a paint job, more furniture, etc. etc. I am trying to be self-aware and notice what's right & good about the place, but it can be hard when you still have packed boxes everywhere & horrible fluorescent lighting that you have every intention of replacing when you've got the funds. I do love my home, though! And I'm still getting used to the idea that I can do whatever I please without consulting a horrible landlady. It's all just taking a lot longer than I anticipated. At least I have 30+ years to work on it.

I do, however, need to get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday right away. We're hosting! While I have all of the dishes planned, I have no idea where to procure tables & chairs. Too, I found out we're having two extra unplanned guests, so that complicates matters, but only slightly. It'll be an interesting gathering, I think. ATM & I will both have members from our respective families represented & I'm curious as to how this will turn out. If I seem calm, cool & collected, it's just an act. If I could have it my way, we'd run away to New Orleans for Thanksgiving. Alas! We cain't affurd it.

Last year, Mayumi got me a noren curtain from Japan per my request. For someone who usually has great taste, I was taken aback by the colors she picked; I had no idea how I was going to integrate it into my home. You can see it below underneath all of the other goodies:

Peach/tan & weird gray? I decided that I'd dye it before giving up hope on the thing. I'm pleased to say that I did a successful RIT dye job! RIT is notoriously bad, amirite? I've only heard horror stories about the stuff. I was hoping to dye it the mauvey purple on the box:

It turned out way more royal purple than I expected!

Alannah suggested washing it in really hot water to take some of the color out. I'll have to give it a go the next time we go to (Un)Fun Wash. I'm really glad that I like purple AND it goes o.k. with our newly painted gray walls & our blue furniture.

One thing at a time.

It seems like a lifetime ago, but a couple of Saturdays past, we hung up the new post box, had a party, and hosted our first-ever guest.




Alannah came down from Fayetteville to help me celebrate my birthday & to warm our house. There are no words to express the gratitude & love I feel for this woman. We share a lot of the same beliefs and everyday problems. It's so terrific to know that I'm not alone AND I have back up. I always hope that everyone has that someone in their life; it makes things so much easier!

That said, check out the bitchin' birthday prezzies she got me!

This candle holder is made of Himalayan salt. I know because I licked it! And the box that it came in said so, too. It gives off fantastic light.




Alannah's sister, Jessy, is the proprietor an incredible little shop in Fayetteville, AR called Good Things Boutique. Naturally, they carry free trade & sustainable products. I was ecstatic to receive goodies from there. This incense sampler is pretty amazing. I opened it up to give it a whiff and I smelled a spicy curry-like smell. Japanese incense is ace.



This shirt, too, came from Good Things Boutique. I am a proud native Arkansan -- I'm so serious, whenever Arkansas does a good deed or has a pretty weather, I nearly cry tears of pride & joy.

Alannah also gifted me some bubbly & some art that she made. If you will, imagine me pointing at myself right now: this is what spoiled looks like!

Our housewarming party was, in my opinion, a smashing success. First of all, we have a superior lot of friends who give good company. Then there was the nacho bar & ice cream cake.

The Peeks got us these lovely (hard to kill) succulents. I love the one that looks like a sea creature:


Team Micah/Donna got us these precious flower bulbs. We need to get those into the ground, pronto! Alannah told me a very charming story of how when she was little, she believed in fairies. (Still does?) She believed that they slept on the fuzzy part of the bearded iris. Awwwwww! Of course I will always think of that every time I see them.


Holland/Salley nachos. The only thing this par-tay was missing was 1. Dr. P3pp3r & 2. pony rides.




Thank you for recycling:


The next morning, Alannah, ATM & I went to Loca Luna's for brunch. I regret not whipping out the camera to document our dishes. You know how there is usually entree envy? I don't think anyone suffered it because we all kept our eyes on our own plates and ate everything in sight. All I can say is crab cake eggs benedict. I'm sitting here yearning for some. It made the day feel like a holiday.

That evening, after everyone went home & the house was cleaned, we went to Pizza Cafe to meet the brand new Murphy baby. His name is Nikolai (Yes, Niko for short!) and he is beauteous. I'm so glad we got to meet him before he & his folks jetted back to San Francisco.

With mum, Lauren:


Niko, ATM & Papi Henry:


Moving on!
Say good-bye to this:

I don't recall which evening it was, but I started tearin' away at this hideous wallpaper. Next thing you know, ATM is in on the deal and we ended up with piles of it on the floor. Unfortunately, it was just the top layer. I spent all of Veteran's day scoring, soaking & scraping the bottom layer off. UNFUN. I'm still not done! Essentially, we peeled off this band-aid that uncovered the flaws of our kitchen; we will need to replace the countertops before we can paint the walls. So, I have since moved on to painting the livingroom, which is just as well as it is sparsely furnished. Sigh. I'm finally learning & accepting that this making our house a home will take a minute. Say...30 years? And it's all "one thing at a time." I will be very happy when we are done painting the living room and the entry way. I don't know what project we'll be moving on to next, but it probably won't be anything lofty.




This past Friday, we went to Lauren McEntire's art opening @ the Historic Arkansas Museum. I love Lauren. She is a true sweetheart. And her art's pretty good, too. In fact, I bought this one:

The story behind it is that she had friends draw, from memory, the states. Then she embroidered it. Someone was way off on Arkansas, but it's a great piece overall. I'll retain ownership in January 2010, but I already have it's place picked out at the house. It's the first time I've bought art through a museum instead of the artist directly, so I felt chichi & baroque.

Embroidered punk rock pillows. Lace? Of course! Richard Hell, Paul Simonon, Patti Smith, Ian Curtis, John Doe & Siouxsie Sioux. I wanted to see the Exene Cervenka one, but she already sold it!



Pearl, Lauren & Jeremy:

If you have a chance to go see Lauren's collection, PLEASE DO. Details here.

After Lauren's opening, we went to the Peek residence to celebrate Rett's birthday. I can't explain my photo-taking habits; I do not have ONE photo with Mr. Peek in it. Instead, I have one of a seriously sassy Collin w/orbs:

And one of Keiko, Luca, and Negi:

And one of Rett's gift, a John Kushmaul painting. I will admit, I'm envious. I've been trying to obtain a Kushmaul for a minute. I may just have to commission a painting. Notable, too, the Robert Dylan/ATM profiles.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Rett!

On Saturday, I finally got to celebrate my birthday properly with ATM. He treated me to a massage @ the Quapaw Bathhouse.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And then we had dinner @ the consistently delicious Rolando's. You can see the massage effects lingering in my eyes. Hee.:

It has been over 10 years since I've had a professional massage. Let's just say that I'm a massageonyst now. I'm already looking for my next fix. I think we'll book ourselves something around the holidays? I hope so. I mean, I DO have an overworked arm that has been giving me problems for awhile now. Mmmhmm.

On Sunday, we did brunch @ Robert y Leigh's apartment. Killer fish tacos (by Leigh and Collin) & fruit & guacamole & cheese dip & churros & Mexican Cokes.


After brunching, we started working on the living room. Micah told me to take a lot of pictures as we transform our house, so we can remember how much we've done and what it looked like before. This is just primer over the existing living room color. Last night, I started applying the color and it looks great! Me and my shoulder can't wait to be done!


After making some headway in the livingroom, ATM & I went to ACAC to see The Blue Hit from Austin, TX. It's really just one of those bands you need to see. Before they started playing, my rude 'tude was all "whatever" at them, but their first song sounded like Portishead, so my interest was piqued and I actually enjoyed the show. Singer-lady is a total show(wo)man!

♬Too much pressure!♬

Oh, man, we have so much to do!!!

Tomorrow, we are hosting our first guest and our first event to celebrate birthday(s) & to warm this house of ours.
We're nowhere near done unpacking, so we'll probably just move everything against the wall. But, really, my main concern is getting the nacho bar & the ice cream cake done right; are we gonna have enough?

I need to make time, though, to take a walk.

I am so rude.

All of this griping and whining & I've neglected to give thanks for the thoughtful housewarming/birthday gifts that I've received over the past few days:

Firstly, many thanks to all of our moving volunteers! They came from near and far to help us move our belongings. That is about the nicest thing you can do for anyone ever. Too, there were people among us who could make sensible decisions & I'm grateful for that; at that juncture, my mind was gone & I was worthless. It can really hold up the process.

I wish I wasn't so out of it when ATM's mum gave notice that they were helping us with getting a new stove. I couldn't even emote properly. On the inside, there were fireworks going off. I am so delighted that I won't go much longer without a functioning kitchen. (We're getting the fridge today!) I really really really hope that I managed to eek out a 'thank you' at least.

KMHD treated me to breakfast @ Waffl3 Hous3. I prefer mine 'scattered and smothered', thank you.

Heather stopped by our dark home to deliver well wishes & cute flowers.

My co-worker, Anne, and her husband bought me lovely earrings. I usually don't opt for pink, but I really love these. They are nice pop to my otherwise muted color scheme:


Another co-worker gave me $20, which, is weird. I can't explain why. Ca$h is awesome, though!

Another co-worker gave me, SIGH, this:


A few months ago, she asked me what I thought of these electric egg cookers. I told her that I thought that these types of products that just do one thing are a total waste; that making hard-boiled eggs is something I can do with a pot of boiling water. I even said these words: "I do not like it." She then asks if I want one.

As you can imagine, I was stunned & speechless when I unwrapped it yesterday. I'm sure you can imagine how baffling it is to not be listened to. Like, not one word. I expressly stated that I found these types of things wasteful & that I do not like it. Now I'm the not-so-proud owner of one. Dear future Dirty Santa: I got yr giff!

My cousin bought me a Star Trek shirt so I can be a Vulcan for next year's Halloween. I know we're just a few days past the most recent one, but I am electrified at the idea. Better practice my nerve pinch.

ATM's gifts are currently on hold as things are too crazy at our new home for a gift to be any good. The plan is to escape to Hot Springs soon and get massages. And I need one, too. Something to look forward to!

Muchas gracias!



The pre-stove era:


New fridge. Please note the vomit-inducing wallpaper and the LOTR style hardware on the cabinet:


She is settling in nicely:

A brief

I'm over playing O Pioneer! & wish for electricity. We will get it tomorrow, but that feels like a long time from now. It's weird when being at work is the most normal thing in your life.

Being in the dark plays tricks on your mind. Yesterday evening, around 7:30, my mind was ready for bed! Obviously, we can't go to sleep that early, but you can't just sit in the dark and listen to country music on a battery-operated radio either. Well, you can, but it leads to wanting to hit the sack entirely too soon. It's too dark to unpack & move things, so it's a touch miserable because you feel tired and you can't really do anything.

I guess I should be happy, at the very least, that we are on the far side of having moved!

Do not adjust your screen, this is picture perfect!

He-haul:

Some guy off the street:

The crew:

SOLO arriving:

Break time:

Hot Dog. He is handling being inside 24/7 EXCEPT AT NIGHT when he prowls, meows & makes it hard for us to sleep by walking on our faces and necks.



Having loving family & friends to help move is the only way to go. Trust me. I don't think we would've survived this ordeal without these fine folks. It doesn't mean that I haven't hit my head on a shelf which led me to suffer a mini-breakdown. Fortunately, no one was around to witness that episode. I was hemorrhaging at the mouth; it would've made you blush.

All of this made for celebrating a birthday very difficult. I'm sure that some of ya'll are tuning your tiny violins to play pitiful sad music for me, but, UGH. Worst. Birthday. Ever. I'm not even going to count that as my birthday. Hopefully, we can make up for it this weekend with an intimate get-together at our new place. Five words: Nacho bar & ice cream cake.

My mind is somewhere strange, so I am forgetting details and events, but what a wild weekend. We are never moving again.

It's time to start planning (or help planning) a possible trip to Fayetteville, Thanksgiving & the Peek baby shower.