Puttin' on a Move

We received the Urban Outfitters Catalog in the mail today.  Look at all the happy trendy people on the cover:

As I flipped through the catalog, it was evident they were gearing toward the holidays and family get-togethers.  This made me feel happy since I'm getting to spend the holidays with my family this year.  I'm feeling the warm fuzzies, looking at all the young happy beautiful people.  They're wearing fun hats, chunky sweaters, really cool shoes and lots of plaid.  Their hair is tousled, and many look like they just rolled out of bed.  But, they are gorgeous and on the cusp of fashion.

And, then I turn to this page:

Uh, helloooooooooooooooooo?  What ad man (or woman?) came up with this one?  Didn't we all see this in high school?  Huh.  Apparently, this move will now sell sweaters.

Who'da thunk it?

Things I'm Tired Of. Full Stop.

Yeah, my day has been kind of a whine-filled Thursday. So, in the spirit of that....




LITTERING. This is number one on my list. I saw a chick flick her smoked cigarette butt out her window this morning. NOTHING irks me more than this selfish gesture.



Charlie Sheen, Charlie Sheen’s drunken tirades and Charlie Sheen’s bowling shirts.



That commercial with the blonde curly headed boy where he’s bitching about his parent’s uncool car. Kid? Shut up.




Young stars in rehab. I guess a better way to put it would be young stars and their numerous trips to rehab.



Politics. Period.



The Facebook posts that start with, “If you,” end with, “repost this” and in between is some cause that is supported. (I love my kids. I love my mom. I love Veterans. I hate bullies.)



All the talk about, “Black Ops.”



Real tired of this cough/cold/mucus thing I have going on.



Whichever cat is leaving presents in our bedroom and on the bathroom rug. What’s with that?



Taylor Swift. SO over her. Overexposed much?



Sensationalist Journalism.



Fake Bantering.



SuBo.



Anyone with the last name of “Palin.”



“Unbelievable!!!”



Posers, Pretenders, and Wannabe’s.



All the contestants on Top Chef: Just Desserts.



All the judges on Top Chef: Just Desserts.



Top Chef: Just Desserts.



Here’s hoping getting this off my chest makes for a better Friday!

Mid Week Mute

This Safety Packaging is Killing Me (or at the very least, my manicure)

It's official.  I'm a cranky old woman.

Each morning since September, I've been drinking these Carnation Breakfast Essential drinks.  They fill me up and help keep me from snacking.  In that sense, they're awesome.

But each morning, as I'm on my way to work (with Steven driving), I battle the Safety-Gotta-Keep-The-One-Lone-Wack-Job-Who-Might-Poison-The Drink-Packaging.  And, oh is it elaborate.  First, I have to cut the packaging apart to even get access to the bottles.   Then, I have to peel down the very thin layer of plastic that is designed not to be peeled.  Since I don't want to mess up my finely manicured nails (thanks Laura) I am then forced to use my teeth.  (Yes, priorities are nice nails before healthy unchipped teeth)

All of this, just to get into a really crappy tasting diet shake?  With all the anxiety this packaging causes me it's probably better for me to eat the crappy fast food breakfast I was eating.

And then tonight, I was opening a new squeeze bottle of mayonnaise.  (Hellmann's only!)  SAME thing.  There's this cute little triangular spot that you're instructed to peel down, and then it's all supposed to come off in one motion.  That doesn't happen.  I pick, and pick, and pick, ruin a nail, and then am forced to use my teeth.  Again.  May I please point out the irony in the labeling?  EASY OUT???

What in the world am I going to do when I'm wearing dentures?  How will I open my diet shakes and my my mayo?  Or for that matter, how will I ever get my dentures attached if I can't get into my Dentu-Grip?

And while I'm at it, WHY is it so difficult to get into CD's, DVD's, potato chips (I always make a bad tear into these), cereal bags, wine bottles, minced garlic jars, sour cream cartons, and any child's toy??  The folks at the plastic factory - security idea place must laugh heartily when they think of us yahoos attempting to gain entry into any of these items.

I've got to hand it to my pharmacy though.  Without a word, they transferred me to the "adult" pill bottle.  No more push down and turn action for me.  I just twist and go!   No teeth required.  Thanks Publix!!

Sunday Random, or the One Where I Catch Up on Catching You Up

Our oldest cat, Bailey, is driving all of us nuts.  All he wants to do is eat.  This has made it impossible to cook in our already small, difficult kitchen.  Every time we turn around, he jumps on the counters.  We have been forced to pull open drawers in an effort to keep him off.  It ain't working.  His stomach is smarter than we are.

 (see him preparing for his assault?)

*Our kitchen isn't normally this cluttered.  It was feeding time for the cats and dog.

*We are going to Missouri for Thanksgiving.  We will be with my brother, Jeff, and his family, for the first time in close to 15 years.  I will get to share Chex Party Mix with my 94 year old grandmother.  I will get to see my  nephews.  And, hopefully, my other brother/fam will drive the 2 hours to see us as well.

*Mucinex DM is the first medicine I've ever taken that helps control my cough at night.  I highly recommend it.  I hate their commercials, but do love the product.

*I bought Christmas presents today.  I hate buying Christmas presents in November.  It just feels wrong.  

*We watched, "Beverly Hills Cop" again last night.  It's still as funny as it was in 1984.  Yep, 26 years ago.  How old do you feel now?

*We turned the heat on yesterday.  Honestly, wasn't it just August?

*I'm currently reading Andre Agassi's memoir, "Open."  I'm really enjoying it, a very insightful read.

*My abs hurt from coughing so much this past week.  My body thinks I did sit ups.  Ha ha ha ha ha.

*I love the asterisk.

*We see Dave, here in our town, in 10 short days. 

*While we're talking short days, it's 18 days until Thanksgiving and 49 days until Christmas.  

*I won't be watching, "Skating with the Stars."

*I really enjoy Rosie O'Donnell's radio show.  

*I'm still pissed off about the Project Runway finale.  Mondo was the REAL winner.  Gretchen sucked.

*Laughing Cow cheese rocks.

*Time for a new hairdo.

*Wow, that guy who plays Jackson on Grey's Anatomy is cute.  Whew!

*Peace Out Folks.  Gotta go get a cat off the counter.  

Moogfest 2010 (or as I prefer to call it, FREAKFEST 2010)

Hello Blogland.  We are back from Asheville.  We are still agog at all that we saw.

Steven and I have traveled a good bit, and between the two of us, we've seen many a sight.  We've seen a lot of places and people, but this one ranks right up there for the "unique" prize.

Asheville is nestled in the western mountains of North Carolina.  They are known for their festivals, and also known for their hippies.  And, we weren't let down on either factor.  Hippies galore!  Patchouli galore!  (I happen to like patchouli...)  Dreadlocks galore!!  Wrinkled organic clothing, galore!!


Add Halloween weekend and a Music Festival dedicated to Bob Moog and Voila!  You have a festival of freaks.  And, by the way, I include ourselves in that group.

We went out the first night we were there and saw all sorts of costumes.  Examples:

(I do love a monocle)

Everywhere we went, people were in costume.  Well, we think they were in costume.  We saw chicken men, super heroes, fairies with light up wings (my fave!), Waldo, The Stay Puff Dude from Ghostbusters, lots of robots, and on and on.  These folks went all out.  The costumes were as interesting as the music; seriously.  

We stayed in a neat little condo that was within walking distance to everything.  See the window on the right, top floor?  That's the window that was open as I heard the drummer who never stopped.  (see previous post)

This building was also across the street from a church with church bells that rang for 10 straight minutes.  Have you ever heard church bells ring for 10 non stop minutes?  

Here's some more of the interesting folks we happened upon:

 But, nothing, I mean NOTHING compares with the freakishness of THESE two.  YIKES!!!

Mid Week Mute