Further Down the Rabbit Hole

Loves;

My new rocking chair for the patio
Having a new playlist to abuse
The wind in my hair when it's down
The sun on my skin when I'm in the garden
My new garden and landscaping
A warm blanket and a shared cup of tea
Hearing the kids playing in the yard
A good hug from people I love the most
My sanctuary... my bed.

Loathes;

Being angry about things I can't change
My own pessimism about my twelve year old
Days where I don't feel like I've made anything better
The lack of community in humanity as a whole
Peoples lack of compassion
Blind ambition at any cost
Corporate America, and it's vehicles
The weather forecast for rain that never comes but grey skies that never leave.
Things I never finish

Some days are better than others.  Some days, are worth leaving behind and forgetting all together. 

Hitting the reset button today, because reality is a harsh mistress and I'm too tired to face the day.

What do you do with things you just can't change.  How do you stop a train when all the brakes are blown?  Where do you turn when there isn't enough help to save those close to you from drowning?

It was a long hard weekend. 

05 - Lost

Anouk

Lost in this world
I even get lost in this song
And when the lights go down
That is where I'll be found

I stole this little questionnaire from my friend Tom because it looked like fun and he made me laugh with the whole God smiting thing:

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4

After awhile, finding that nothing more had happened, she decided on going into the garden at once; but alas for poor Alice! When she got to the door, she found she had forgotten the little golden key... (The Annotated Alice - Definitive Edition by Lewis Carroll)

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What's there?

The Lord of the Rings Online software box, The Complete Book of Aromatherapy, and my collection of Molson Canadian beer caps.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

Big Bang Theory on DVR.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is:

About 17:30

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

17:09

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

Nine Inch Nails new album 'The Slip', robins in the yard, and the kids playing softball at the high school.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

Cleaning the outside windows.  It's spring.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

My husbands brand new bright yellow bicycle.

9. What are you wearing?

Dark red t-Shirt. white, red and pink plaid flannel PJ bottoms, and bright red socks.

10. Did you dream last night?

That I time travelled from a canoe going over some falls on the Colorado River at sunrise, only to awaken on the ornate marble floor of a bank lobby in western europe sometime in the late 1940's but with all my bright gear and gadgets on me and my GPS repeating, "Lost Sattelite Reception" in a uniquely computerized but American voice.  

11. When did you last laugh?

I seriously LOL'ed at Tom's comment about having a list of people to smite.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

A dry erase board with important phone numbers and such, a few pieces of art from school projects.

13. Seen anything weird lately?

Hah.  Live in my house for a day and ask that again.

14. What do you think of this quiz?

It's alright really, some of the questions are too common. See next question;

15. What is the last film you saw?

Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer.  I wasn't feeling well, and couldn't reach the remote.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?

A ranch, in the middle of nowhere with a river running through it.  Some horses, a nice pickup, a few animals, a kiln and a wheel, a nice small boat and some good fishing gear. A huge satellite dish, and all the books I've ever wanted and never could afford.

17. Tell me something about you that I don't know.

I sew. And I am quite good at it.  I knit too.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?  

Abolish money altogether.

19. Do you like to dance?

Love to, but not while anyone is watching.

20. George W. Bush:

Is still a scared little boy, who makes poor choices for himself but always does as he's told to by people he respects, even if those people don't have anyone elses best interest in mind.

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?

Surewishu Weraboy

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

My first child is called Nathan.

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Absolutely, I love to travel and be in new places.

24. What do you want to say to God when you reach the pearly gates?

"I sure thought you'd be fatter... we always make the benevolent characters more plump and round to soften them up."

Lots going on today.

NIN released a new album, "The Slip" for free on the web as a thank you to all his fans for the outpouring of love and support Trent has gotten over the last year.  I'd love to see him when he's here for Lollapolooza, but it's a three day affair, really expensive and it's mobbed.  It's no secret that I don't like crowds much, but Grant Park has always been a place I avoid on festival days like Taste of Chicago, Jazz Fest and the Air and Water show.  It's not so much social anxiety, though I suspect there is some of that too, but that I really just don't like all the noise.

Sometimes, you just need the big machine in your life to breakdown and come to a screeching halt, just so that you can take the time to smell the roses and rebuild everything step by step, so I give you this song by Handsome Boy Modeling School, and featuring the great Jack Johnson.  A sweet peaceful soul who reminds me of James Taylor;

Breakdown

Handsome Boy Modeling School

Also today;

TruGreen came to treat the lawn.  They sprayed fertilizer and pest repellent, and next week they are coming out to aerate the lawn.  The guys were really nice and gave me tips on how to make the lawn greener and with their help, hopefully we'll have a full, lush lawn by next year.  We all love being outside so much now, that I think it will be good.

I ordered some mini-cards, postcards and note cards from our neighbor, Moocards or you can go directly to www.moo.com and get some beautifully printed things from your own photos and uploads.  If you go to their voxblog, you can link all your uploaded vox photos (as long as you are signed in) and print the ones you want.  It's kind of fun. I did a bunch of cards from the ranch, and some of la familia.  I'm looking forward to getting them, I'll post pics when I do.

I've been in the dark for too long the last month or so.  So I decided to plant my garden and dress up the front of the house a bit.  I really needed to get out and do it, and get some sun.  Here are the results;

Garden2

There is another climbing rose on the other side of the garage with another small trellis. The shrubs are a type of Azelea that has firey red to dark red blooms and they will bloom from early summer all the way through to the fall.  The mums are yellow, orange and deep red, and the little lights are solar powered.  The big poofy green plumes behind the mums are big yellow day lilies, and in the back there is my lovely garden gnome, whose mushroom glows in the dark too.

It was good to get out in the yard and do some work.  It just felt good.  I was careful to wear my wide brimmed hat too, so that I didn't burn half to death.  Next weekend; a vegetable garden in the back, with onions, herbs, peppers, peas, carrots and those little sweet grape tomatoes that I die for in the summer.

I'm off to the shower, have a wonderful day.

Some of you may remember me posting about Inger Hansen of The Almosts about a month ago.  He's worth another mention today, for lifting my spirits after a really long hard day today.  Work has me so stressed and burned out and listening to Inger's new album tonight really relaxed me. 

Inger Hansen's new album is available on iTunes as well as through paypal if you go to http://www.ingermusic.com and it's well worth it.  Honestly one of the freshest albums I've bought in a long time, and he's so passionate and personable.  He's also ingermusic on YouTube, and here is a video clip of his new release.

May we enjoy his music for many years to come.

Yeah.  I got nothing this month.

Maybe next month.  It's just around the corner. 

I've been working massive hours, along with having back issues as of late.

I apologize for my lack of posting, I'm stressed to hell, and my job is getting the better of me.  It's starting to effect my health physically as well as mentally. In short, it sucks.

I got some new music from Jeff Martin, the brain behind The Tea Party and it's really phenomonal.

Jeff Martin - Butterfly

Jeff Martin

So anyhow, I know I haven't been around much and I miss all of you that I talk to on a regular basis.  I haven't been out with my friends or been at home much when I wasn't in bed unable to stand because of my back.

This weekend my sister is town and we are supposed to go shopping for a dress for me for her wedding.  Doesn't that sound like fun?  Anyone want to go in my place?  Not to the wedding mind you, but the shopping part with my Mom.

I hate clothes shopping.  I hate dresses.  I hate having to look proper and ladylike. So yeah.  I am real excited.

Love and Kisses!