Thursday Thoughts - One Night and One More Time, Thanks for the Memories

1. Every day I emerge from the train station surprised that it's a day earlier than I think it is, and having to remind myself that it's an entire week earlier than I think it is too.

2. Does anyone else buy shoes and to get a true idea of how they look, photograph them from all angles? Ben was not interested in getting out of these photos. If you're interested, I love the shoes. They're Toms and they're comfortable and substantial.

3. Huge love for libraries and librarians. All the yesterdays, today, and all the tomorrows.

4. While we're on the book topic, I've started and stopped a record number of books over the past two months. Another one this week.

5. I finally settled in on a book (forget the title, LOL), but MFD put a movie on. Sunshine. SPOILER ALERT IN IMAGE FROM A 2007 MOVIE THAT SUCKED. 12 years later, not sorry. As far as I'm concerned if you didn't see it and I spoiled it for you, I have saved you time you will never, ever get back.

6. Bruce is always sacked out on Mondays due to jackassing all around the shore. It's awesome.

7. Things that have made me happy this week: fresh sheets, sleep, new lids to Pyrex to replace cracked lids. 

8. In this week's hell, the Amazon rainforest continues to burn, your buffoon president thought he could just buy Greenland and offended an ally in the process, trump's DOJ has asked the Supreme Court to permit employment discrimination against transgender workers (which will open up interpretations of Title VII that will leave all of us vulnerable to discrimination - EXCUSE ME, all of us aside from cis white men), remaining a healthcare option for poor women forced Planned Parenthood to withdrawal from Title X funding and if you think those funds went to abortion and are feeling smug I have a garbage island in a swamp to sell you (supporters open your wallets),  migrant families would face indefinite detention under a new trump law, and Stephen Miller's plan for people to die in cages is coming to fruition as children detained in cages are denied the flu vaccine (even though three of them have died of it). The cruelty and dehumanization of marginalized groups is the point of this administration. It is vile and disgusting and anyone who supports this administration in any way owns these actions. I'm about 12 months past done building a fucking bridge with people who watch as cruelty and unnecessary and inhumane brutality is committed in the name of making America great again. FOR FUCKING WHO. Get the fuck out. This is being done to feed a sense of superiority that should not exist. 

9. Reminder: Nothing else and no one else first. Your ability to love and care for everyone in your life feeds from your love and care of yourself. To be the best for others, you have to give the best to you.

10. Ecards:

That's what I've got today. You? Anything to contribute?

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 Thnks fr the Mmrs by Fall Out Boy, a song I don't even like. That's two weeks in a row

Five things I'm grateful for on this Friday in March and every day

1. Women who have put their voices out into the world, whether it be on a large stage, on a smaller community stage, or in their personal circles of family and friends to empower, encourage, support, and advance all women. Women I know and women I don't. Strong female framily I have been lucky enough to have from all stages of life who are the backbone of my life. All the people who are feminists and not afraid to show it and say it. The people raising little girls and boys who are committed to an equal, equitable future for every kid. International Women's Day is every day. Women's History Month is every month. The world does not run without women. Recognize and use your power for good. 

2. Fun plates as meals. 

3. Growing up on 90201, loving it through its ups and downs, still following the cast, still talking about the story lines, arguing with one of my BFF's husband's over Brenda/Dylan vs. Kelly/Dylan almost 20 years after the show ended, and the collective commiseration over the young and unfortunate passing of Luke Perry. We were not okay this week, not only because we loved the show but because we saw these characters as a just out of reach peer group and when someone dies unexpectedly like that our own mortality is put in front of us for us to examine. Despite the sad death of the man who played Dylan McKay to our collective delight and by all accounts was a kind and generous human and family man, it's nice to have ever had such a connection to something in the first place that would even bring that collective not okayness about. 90210 forever. 

4. Patterned shoes and colored shoes and personality shoes. 

5. Nail polish. If you ever see me without it, something is wrong and you should send for help.

Happy Friday in March: a few days out from longer light, one week out from my birthday, less than two weeks out from spring equinox. What five things make your grateful list today? 

Thursday Thoughts - I try and comprehend you but I got a dyslexic heart

1. Have I mentioned that I have been caught in an early 90s listening pattern? The title might have given that away. It's fitting since I was in Target last night and the clothing section was like walking into my closet in 1997. There's a lot of inexplicable crushed velour out there right now and someone needs to answer for it.

2. I want these signs posted everywhere.

3. I  have a problem with athleisure shoes. Whatever they all have homes, I wear them all, and I got rid of 10 pair of shoes this week. I would still kill a small woodland animal to get these TOMs in a 9. They are out of stock online. I know because I check every day.

4. Flowers make things better. Thanks Peters!

5. It was my youngest brother's 23rd birthday on Tuesday. Kind, smart, and funny. Happy happy kid. I can say kid since I'm almost 18 years older.

6. This cretin, retweeting a GIF of himself striking Hillary Clinton in the back with a golf ball. He is the most unpresidential woman hater ever. This slimy maniac exists fathoms below the dignity of the Office of the President of the United States of America. You don't get a pass to make light of violence against women because you sit your ass in the Oval Office or because you think it's funny. Go to hell. Wait, you're in charge...we're already there. MAGA!

7. This stopped being about healthcare a long time ago. It is about money and power over people, making the rich richer no matter how many people have to suffer or die for that to happen. The GOP needs ONE vote to flip by the last week of September to ruin healthcare for all of us - every single one of us - including those of us insured under employer healthcare. Get on the fucking phone, send a fucking letter, use ResistBot to text a fax, hire a fucking skywriter, show up at your Senator's office, I don't care. Do something, anything, everything to kill this fucking Graham-Cassidy bill from hell. This is your responsibility.  And mine. And theirs. Everyone get on the fucking phones.

8. I'm off today and tomorrow. I'm going for the salt air cure: sweat, tears, or the sea. Probably all three. I'm going to eat bad things if I want to, sleep when I want to, and read. Peace.

9. Reminder:

10. E-card of the week:

Thursday Thoughts - and the bell was ringing in the village square for the rabbits on the run

1. It's that magical time of year where the aroma of urinal cakes perfumes the descent into Suburban Station from the street. I never see said cakes and for all I know it could be some fucked up spray that smells like urinal cakes but whatever, it's back. And all it does is just delay the actual pee smell for a few more steps.

2. After getting a cavity filled right where it would be most uncomfortable because it was near the root of a tooth, I soothed myself with a walk to the library on Monday. It was a chilly but gorgeous day and Swann Fountain is just magnificent right now. Then the dentist office called Wednesday to see if I'd like to come in a week early to take care of the other cavity in the same tone of voice you would use to ask someone if they wanted a free day off to spend at the beach. Cavity filling is not a treat and hell no, I would not. Do you people even know me? I need time to prepare.

3. I had dinner at Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille last night with two of my oldest friends. The company and food were both great.

4. This week in athleisure shoes. Houston, I have a problem. My coworkers were referring to me as Lady Glitter Sparkles when I wore the iridescent ones. I had to Google her and got a good laugh.

5. I was happy MFD took a few hours to go fishing this week. The dogs were happy to take his spot.

6. Watching Sally Yates being talked to like a naughty little girl by some Senators put me in a hulk smash mood. I can feel giant wings unfurling on my back like a Phoenix rising every time I see patriarchal bullshit. I hope all of my lady friends and men who aren't afraid of strong women are feeling the same: on the rise. The future is female and people who respect females because we're fucking tired of old white men telling us what to do and acting like we don't know a damn thing. Have several seats. Your time is over.

7.  Patriots on both sides of the aisle will support, no, demand the appointment of an independent special investigator into the Russian connection. People who think how they are told to think will not support that appointment. I urge you to read this article from someone not on the same political spectrum as me. In the words of Thomas Paine in 1776: "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." What's the harm in a special investigator? There is none. If it's all smoke, it clears it and we move on and if it's actually fire it gets extinguished before it burns us all. We've spent far more on investigations into allegations of much less. The Senate Judiciary main line is accepting nationwide feedback on the assignment of a Special Prosecutor (Trump/ Russia) and are keeping a running tally to deliver to the committee - call: 202-224-5225. I have yet to get through but I will keep trying. If it's important to you, I hope you do as well.

8. Today is National Twilight Zone Day. To that I say, just one day? 

9. The Chinese Lantern Festival is back in Philly. Here's my post about going last year. It's still in Franklin Square, tickets are still $17 adult/$15 65+ and active military/$12 kids 17 and under/$0 kids under 2, etc. This year's dates are May 9-June 11. You can buy tickets online. 

10. E-card of the week: tra la la la la

Gus puked most of the night. MFD was on clean up duty but I still got shitty sleep. There's a triumvirate vet appointment today anyway so that's good.

TTFN.

Linking up with Kristin & Joey 

Thursday Thoughts - working for the weekend

1. Something I forgot: once we open the shore house, I frequently lay awake at night thinking of what I want to do there. This won't go on forever, after this year bigger projects will be few and far between and will entail more boring shit and less fun things. So Monday night at 12:30 a.m. I was looking at contact paper on Amazon and making lists on my phone. I want to turn my brain off, but not really, because it's fun...until I have to get up in the morning. Anyhoo we're fully rented for the summer and thus far it appears that no fruitloops are coming to stay with us. And this weekend I have lured Peters down to help me paint. God bless her.

2. I feel so much better mentally when the shore house is open. I feel like my best self there and knowing I can go there whenever is like a security blanket I am unbalanced without.

3. The best photo opp from the train on the Trenton line is when you cross the river going into the city. This is from yesterday.

4. Tomorrow is the last day of March, but don't worry, I'm extending this birthday month (keep your groans to yourself). Dinner with the family at the shore next weekend and a 40th weekend with my girlfriends at the shore in June are still on the horizon. I'm sure I can add some other things too. Every year for my birthday I buy myself sneakers. This year, it's athleisure shoes. I have a problem. The Taos Freedom sneakers are expensive as fuck but really supportive for the arches, which I need.

5. I switched out my wallet for the old birthday too. Pugs gone wild. I don't carry actual wallets anymore. I have a little card holder in here for my pertinent shit and some cash. The End.

6. In addition to Dolly, Dottie, Mae Doll, Stink Stank Stunk, and Hazel, Mae's newest nickname is Junk Yard Dog. MFD has lost about six headphones in the past six months. She keeps getting them even though they're not just laying around. She eats them like a rabid junkyard dog and then goes to sleep like a people.

7. Everyone who touches the investigation into this administration's ties to Russia comes out covered in shit - looking at you today, Devin Nunes. It is time for an independent investigation into the administrations ties to Russia. If we could investigate Benghazi more than seven times and spend over $40 million for an independent investigation into Whitewater, we sure as shit can get it together to demand an independent investigation concerning the possibility of collusion with a foreign government. Country over party and every single one of us should be screaming for everything else to grind to a halt until this is done. This is NOT business as usual. Confused about the entire Trump Russia thing? Here's an exhaustive timeline from Mother Jones.

8. Grouch of the day: I miss not hearing phone conversations all around me all the time. On the street, on the train, in the grocery store, etc. I hate talking on the phone. I hate hearing other people talk on the phone even more.

9. Reminder:

10. E-card of the week: 

Fin. 

Linking up with Kristin & Joey 

Friday what what - Five days, five shoes.

TGIF mofos. If you're new here, know this: my Friday posts are normally frivolous, and I don't wear heels. I'm mildly obsessed with flats. And I don't always post girly things. Nevertheless, my shoes of the week:

1. Unisa - I got it at ROSS. This is a commercial, no? No. Okay.

2. Betsey Johnson - 6pm.com 

3. Old Navy

4. Unlisted - Macy's, 456 years ago

5. Soda - Amazon.com

This week was a stage five clinger - it hung on like nobody's business. 

I foresee a hibernation weekend ahead in my house. Although I will venture out for Saturday morning zumba, and while I'm at it I should hit the dry cleaner and get my oil changed. You know...the fun, sexy errands.

Whatever you're doing, have a good one! See you here on Monday for TWTW (the weekend that was deserves an acronym by now, I think).

Linking up with From My Grey Desk and The Sowell Life. 

the long Thanksgiving weekend that was

Wednesday night I cooked a turkey with the giblet bag still in it. No harm no fowl. Get it?

After that, I went to Sandy's to see MFD and Frank play and catch up with friends. 

Then I ate a turkey sandwich at 2 a.m. to kick Thanksgiving off the right way.

The turkey sandwich is superior to the actual turkey in my mind.

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Thanksgiving dawned warm and bright. 

We took our coffee to go and headed over to the fields to let the dogs run like loons.

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We enjoyed an antipasto spread at my inlaws' along with the musical stylings of our nephews.

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Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt and uncle's in Gilbertsville. 

The big bird, Carol's awesome cheese art, and Cindy's Thanksgiving cocktail:

Pre and during dinner scenes:

The set table, my beloved can cranberry sauce, and my first plate artfully arranged so the food doesn't touch.  This is extremely important.

My grammatical OCD took over, and I had to correct an error on a packaged cocktail napkin. 

No apostrophe after the you. Really cocktail people?

I also caught Grandmom mid-turkey pick. Classic.

We had a lot of fun and a lot of wine. It was a full and lovely day.

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On Friday morning on our way upstate, Debbie and I stopped at DD.

I sampled the red velvet donut. Meh.

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Friday was full of gluttony and sloth. I enjoyed every bit of it.

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Saturday flurries.

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Jingle This Sleigh Ride for Small Business Saturday.

We pile in a car and jackass around a number of towns, frolicking and full of tomfoolery. 

It's always a good time.

Scenes:

Sleigh ride sustenance: broccoli bacon bites and mint hot chocolate cut with some coffee. 

Nimble Hill Winery's cabernet franc is my new jam.

I cannot resist presidential items in antiquey stores. MFD and I love that shit.

I wanted that Buddah so badly, but couldn't part with the $150 to get it. 

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While I love the Sleigh Ride, my favorite part of Thanksgiving Saturday is this: 

drinking wine, in my pajamas, at 3:30 in the afternoon. 

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We enjoyed lots of wine, an array of dips and snacks, and Catch Phrase. 

Jack even put his name on his plate to conserve materials.

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Big breakfast a la Jack before heading home on Sunday

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When I got home, I meant to do some hausfrauing, 

but Geege snuggled into my neck and pulled me to the nap side.

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Family dinner at Mom & Rich's since we didn't see them on Thanksgiving. 

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The weekend in shoes:

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the weekend that was

I'm so happy I got to see so many of my people this weekend. Happy and grateful.

My body is not grateful for all the naughty foods I've eaten. Veggies are going to be comin' in hot this week, you guys. 

Last week of November? Let's do this. 

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans, Five30three, and Join the Gossip for Weekend Update.