Thursday Thoughts - good night and joy be with you all

1. Happy St. Paddy's Day. You are a fucking delight and the pot of gold is inside yourself. Roasted corned beef on deck for today. 

2. I miss celebrating my birthday with my Grandmom - mine was Tuesday and hers today - we would alternate picking restaurants to go to and she always had corned beef for St. Paddy's Day. Hers was the best. 

3. I did much of nothing on my birthday, which was the plan. I had spent the weekend in reflective mode, which is typical for birthday time. MFD waited on me hand and foot, I read a whole book, unboxed my new homemade quilt made by Lori, had my favorite pepperoni & provolone bagel for breakfast, went on a long walk, spent a lot of time outside, was at the beach twice, took an afternoon nap, had a nice dinner out, and caught the tail end of a nice sunset. And of course I took the day off of work. Things of course went not according to plan also because this is real life - our street was dug up right outside my window at 7 am so no sleeping in, the restaurant I wanted to go to was not open Tuesday - but it was a good day and I am still here to age when so many people are not. This is 45 and it is damn good to be here. I wrote a bunch of phone notes that never transferred to a blog post but this is my instagram birthday caption where I try to collect my thoughts from the day. 

4. The electric work I had done in the main shore house was $300 over estimate because previous owners had cut corners. Use junction boxes, kids! I have three remaining that have not been replaced and now I'm moving that to the top of the list. Here are some of the new ones. I really love the hallway ones. Not pictured is a soft pink one for the small bath. I have a cheapie in the powder room, and need to repair the ceiling around it and put my preferred lightbulbs in all of them. All the interior door hinges and knobs are being switched out to black in May. The lights were those hideous boob lights and I'm glad they're gone. Just three more to go.

5. I am convinced that 99% of people who design sun hats have never sat on the beach all day in the slightest wind and absolutely never put their creation on with a pair of large sunglasses. Despite this belief, I continue to search high and low for one that I can lean my head back in, that won't fall off if you whisper at it, can be worn with large sunglasses, provides facial coverage from the sun but doesn't have an enormously ridiculous brim so I can't see a fucking thing, and doesn't give me a headache after 30 minutes. The first test of the season is on its way to me. 

6. We tried Crumbl cookies last week. They were fine? We got all six flavors for the week and I only loved one. The chocolate chip is straight trash, I stand by this statement. I need to get off the Sugar Dragon's back things are bad right now. My mom just loaded us up with Easter candy too. We are eating it all like fat asses then going straight to vegetables and fruit. Contact me for all of your nutrition needs. 

7. A good week on the beach, all days. 

8. The world is heavy to live in. Help people however you can, and accept help yourself when it is offered. 

9. Reminder via thepaperfern: I saw this just when I needed to, which happens a lot. This quote from Glennon Doyle is important - we focus so much on happiness that when I feel other sorts of ways, I am annoyed at myself. Like pissed off when my feelings are hurt which is...no. All of these things are a part of being human - we don't exist only in situations that feel good. Disappointment is the hardest thing to swallow, isn't it? 

10. Ecards - 

What appears beyond the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts titles is what I'm listening to when I'm starting this - this week is The Parting Glass, this version is The Dubliners

TWTW - the one with the birthdays and other things

Friday I worked late then we headed to South Philly for Melissa's surprise 50th dinner organized by Blane. It was a nice night, but we had to jet out by around 9. The photo I have is one in which I am the only person without glasses.

Saturday We were up and out by 6:30 to meet my Dad and Carol and my uncle at the Purple Stride walk in West Fairmount Park. Thanks to everyone who donated to me or Madeline's Marchers, our team in memory of my grandmom. We ran into my oldest friend Jen and her college ladies too, it was great to see them!

How fucking basic is this. I am annoyed that I patronized Starbucks and have guilt over the single use plastic cup but the pumpkin spice cold cream whatever sans vanilla syrup is delicious. Anyway I returned something to Target and picked up a few groceries. I feel like I take forever in there if I don't have my cartwheel AKA circle already loaded.

Saturday night sushi dinner at Ota-Ya for my Dad's birthday. Everything was delicious and it was nice to have dinner together. I lay on the couch like a slug after and was in bed by 11.

Sunday I thought I overslept because it was so light when I woke up but alas, it was only fall back day. I cleaned up the kitchen, MFD washed the couches, I changed out garden flags and put the few Halloween decor items that were out away before heading to Doylestown to meet my knottie girls AEB and Alicia for breakfast at Cross Keys Diner. We usually go to The Hattery but it's under renovation. It's always nice to catch up in person. I can't believe we've known each other for just about 10 years. I popped into Marshalls on the way home to look for garland and pick up some olive oil. That was stupid because everyone was trying to get their errands run before the Eagles game and it's like taking your life in your hands in the parking lots in and around Philadelphia. At home I put the couches back together, did food prep, cleaned up the kitchen, did some more laundry, started a new book, and watched season two of Schitts Creek.

Weekly food prep: Breakfasts are egg muffins with mushrooms and cheese. Lunches are rustic tuscan sausage soup. Red grapes and pretzels for a snack. Dinners are that same soup and mid-week chicken tenders, steamed red potatoes, and cauliflower.

Busy week ahead. Let's go!

What's your voting plan for tomorrow?

Thursday Thoughts - I gave you no roses, no romance, no candlelight and no slow dance

1. Happy Halloween from these fruit loops.

I can never share just one.

2. I've got my fuzzy pug witch socks ready but I'll be wearing them for the Christmas holiday because it's still much too warm. Ben got a new coat from Treat Lady too and he is here for it.

3. My BFF Kim officially launched Yunizon late last week with her partner. Check them out for your sunglass needs. Kim has been my personal sunglasses guru for many years and I'm beyond proud of her in this new venture. Yunizon is an alternative pronunciation of unison to capture their core valeus of free expression, unity, and belonging. This is from their What We Stand For section and I am freaking here for it: We believe everyone should have the freedom to express themselves without inhibitions or judgment. We aspire for a united world where everyone is accepted for who they are, and tolerance is prevalent. Creating a sense of belonging is fundamental to human satisfaction. I am also here for the sunglasses, obviously, and my first pair are the Festiv style in milky army green. All the sunglasses are gender neutral and available in three sizes for the core ranges. I've got my eye on the libera next. Give them a follow on Instagram too.

4. My family is walking in the Purple Stride walk this Saturday in memory of my grandmother. She lived nine months from her date of diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. I've done many walks for various cancers, and what strikes me at the Purple Stride walk is how very few survivors are present. We'd like to do what we can to change that and that's what the money we raise goes to. Since 2008, the survival rate past five years has increased by 3% from 6% to 9%. Families out there need it to be higher. We are Madeline's Marchers and you can donate to me here if you're so inclined - I am late fundraising this year. Thank you so much for your consideration. It's a cause very close to my heart.

5. Nails - Now Museum, Now You Don't by OPI. This was on my wishlist forever and I found it for cheap in a store. This has been an episode of Happy Nail Tales. 

6. Last night I put when I dip you dip we dip french dip in the crock. Hark! Magic standing meat. Searing on all sides is where it's at. What's for dinner at your house?

7. What are we saying when we blur our features so we're unrecognizable as ourselves?

8. Me, every day under this corrupt AF administration and everyone in government who enables them:

9. Reminder:

10. Ecards. It's not possible, but give it a go if you're ambitious.

Happy 60th birthday to my uncle Perry today and happy birthday to my long time friend Jimmy who doesn't even internet.  

Trick or m'f'n treat, friends.  

What appears after the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts is a song lyric to whatever I'm listening to when I start to write the post. This week is a 1981 classic, Try Again by Champaign...also that video with the sing off fight is sort of hilarious. I had never seen it.

Thursday Thoughts - Call it morning driving through the sound and in and out the valley

1. Happy second birthday, Bruce Springsteen The Dog. You are funny and super sensitive, you believe you belong everywhere and all seats are yours (including the front seat in the car), you still get into everything, you are happiest tearing ass around the beach, you love coffee, you make the weirdest noises, you are a hilarious sleeper, you love to give kisses, and you jump higher than any dog I have ever seen.

2. When you walk into the Suburban Station Post Office and there are zero people in line: hashtag blessed.

3. I had a Peppermint Patty this week. They always make me think of my grandmom. When I'd go over to her house for dinner, she'd say "we'll have just a little dessert" and give us each a peppermint patty.

4. Feeling very smug adult by upping my face mask usage to twice a week like everyone in the world recommends.

5. Most of this week has been spent on the couch, reading, and taking blurry pics of dogs. I did cook a few nights and picked up around the house. How can there be so much shit to pick up with only two people here?

6. I’m playing chicken with my laundry. How long can I go without doing it? Stupid.

7. I'm feeling like I need a format change on Thursday Thoughts but after eight years and a few different incantations, this requires more thought. August 4 was the official eighth birthday for this blog.

8. The news continues to beat on my soul daily, and yours too if you have one, I imagine...the man getting deported to Iraq who has never even been in Iraq and then dying there; the acting director of US Citizenship and Immigration services says the inscription on the Statue of Liberty is for people coming from Europe (read: mostly white); republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa in favor of rape and incest because that's how the world population has always been done; and the White House Occupant significantly weakened the Endangered Species Act. Whatever I'm tired of everything. And that is the point. It's easier for me to vent this shit out in Instagram stories, so if you like commentary, find it there. I don't have the words to expound on it in long blog posts anymore - how many times can I write about the inhumanity of people in charge, and the oceans between regular citizens who care and those who don't?

9. Reminder:

10. Ecards:

What appears after the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts is a song lyric to whatever I'm listening to when I start to write the post. This week is Roundabout by Yes, who I don't even like, but the rules are the song that's on is the song that's in the lyrics

TWTW - the one with the purple and the purge

Friday

Kitchen reorganization/purge, final two episodes of Stranger Things, grocery delivery, reading

Saturday 

PanCAN Walk with my family in memory of my Grandmom. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, Madeline's Marchers came in at $1,000 over our goal. Fairmount Park was ablaze with fall and it was gorgeous. We brought up the rear of the walk as Lola Jean was doing her Bob the Builder dance through the park. 

A stop at Lou's on the way home for veggies, kitchen reorg/purge continued, I made homemade all-purpose castile soap cleaning spray, and we watched The Office all night. 

Sunday

Bruce does not observe the time change. I was up for an hour from 2-3 then up again at what would normally be 5:30 then up for the day at 7:45 new time. Gus and Mae were not amused. 

I drove a banner down to MFD in Center City for a Homes for Heroes event, went to Redner's to get a few things so I could get their turkey deal, did the dreaded laundry, ripped one million things out of Bruce's mouth, and purged and organized all afternoon. Sorry for the weird boxes, my address is on the actual boxes and you've got to cover that shit up on the internet. I'm getting rid of a lot of shit and I'm not done yet. Vietnam Vets pickup is on Wednesday. Unseen on the left: about five boxes of MFD's shit that has sat for years that's getting sorted or tossed by Tuesday. 

Sunday night I did some beautifying and reading. I sat on my ass from 5 pm on and felt like I deserved it. This is a busy week ahead. 

Weekly food prep: breakfast is homemade waffles and a banana; lunch is sliced hard boiled eggs on Dave's bread with mayo and a few pickles (there's a little Kinsey Milhone sandwich for you), and dinner is chicken pesto with a side of rice or an old beef stroganoff recipe that I'll be sharing with you tomorrow. I also made turchicken burgers to freeze and a vat of iced coffee. 

The Sunday of the fall time change always seems so long, right? I feel like I kick ass on that day every year. I hope you did too.

Thursday Thoughts - I feel a change in the weather, I feel a change in me

Wishing every Tuesday was as great as this past Tuesday. I don't think I've ever said a nice thing about a Tuesday before. I thought I would die on that roller coaster so it's all gravy since I lived.

Drinking La Croix on the beach. It's awesome. My favorite is grapefruit but I also like passion fruit.

Raising money for pancreatic cancer research. My family is walking in the Purple Stride walk on November 4th in memory of my grandmother. We are Madeline's Marchers and you can donate to me here if you are so inclined.

Getting my poop in a pile after the summer season at the shore. I had someone out to measure for a stair runner on Tuesday, took all the quilts to the laundromat yesterday, and went to the carpet place Wednesday to look at carpet (while my shirt was on inside out the whole time). Our wall heat/air unit is being serviced today, I have an email in to my electrician about changing the lighting on the ground floor, my Dad is installing new smoke alarms this weekend, I ordered a new box spring and bed frame for one of the beds and new lamps for the living room, and my list making is off the charts. Now that most of the big stuff in the house that we wanted to do when we bought it is done, we can work on small improvements. It wasn't all work on Wednesday. I also hit the library and had lunch at Jon & Patty's.

Worrying about the Dreamers. About our humanity as a nation. About the intentions of a president who would make an announcement like this as so many are devastated by Hurricane Harvey and so many more are bracing for Hurricane Irma. The Dreamers came here as children. This is their country. There is nowhere to return to. Congress had eight years to bring this into law before Obama stepped in and did it for them. If he was overreaching, aren't all current EOs overreach? These people are not only not a problem, they are our freaking neighbors. They are the people we sit next to in church, the person who picks up a bag we dropped on the way to the car, the guy we sit next to in class, the woman who tells us she read that book and it was good. What was wrong with letting Obama's work stand here? Or anywhere? Stop the fucking insanity. Why would you support someone who wants other people to live in fear? If you want to defend the Dream Act, please call your congress person today. If you don't like phone calls, please text RESIST to 50409 and fax your message for free using ResistBot. If you would like to do more, visit United We Dream. And after saying all that, it seems crazy that so many of us white people are arguing about who has a right to be on this land we outright stole from indigenous people in a ruthless and bloody manner. We all need to sit the fuck down.

Sending MFD off to Houston tonight. He's signed up for shifts with the Houston Food Bank. We had an American Airlines voucher that was about to expire that covered the flights, he's splitting time between a cousin and a fraternity brother, he used points to book his first night hotel and a car rental, and has some birthday money from my parents for spending so he's all set. This is what he wanted for his 40th birthday so this is what he got.

Reading The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey. Show Us Your Books is Tuesday!

Packing up to leave the shore only to return again very shortly. I got home at 8:00 last night and will be heading back there by 6 on Friday.

Reminding everyone, even though I have shared this a lot...

Sharing an e-card like every Thursday

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