Twenty One Bucks can buy...

...32 crochet hooks (3 dollars)
a lamp, and it DOES WORK! (3 dollars)
five sweaters for The Bee (5 dollars)
4 plants: two patio plants -I was told the names but have since forgotten; a lovely peppermint plant - which puts the crappy K-mart one I got last week to shame - and a bamboo plant that only needs to be watered once a week (8 dollars - and one is a gift for The Bee's teacher)
2 champagne glasses - necessary so The Bee and I can toast our move and other important events that require a champagne glass (1 dollar)
a bottle of water (1 dollar)

UD had another flea market, this time to support the Band I think. There were the usual suspects: the crystal lady (she sells crystals - duh!), the people with the slightly racist war pictures (a big pink-lipped black kid running from a bomb) for sale along side a beautiful, but expensive (although had that racist picture been not on display...) green bookcase, the sock guy with socks that look like they will only fit Arboo and perhaps The Bee or Dill if stretched, the people who cleared out their dank and damp attics and decided that flea market shoppers would feel that 8 dollars was a bargain for a stained set of drawers and dressers - hiyo!

Buffy and I trekked up to see what we could see and while I really don't need 32 more hooks (some will go to work for kids to use during the summer, pinky swear!) and the glasses were a bit of a splurge (I saw them and grabbed) the other stuff will be good come winter (sweaters), for Mom's never too much garden, The Bee's new room (the lamp) and Friday (the bamboo plant), the last day of school.

Ooh, and instead of THREE coffees and two Diet Pepsis I filled my bought water bottle and sipped well into the afternoon.

Thrifting the night away,
-r

Happy Birthday Pop!

My niece is fourteen today!
14!!
When she was little my mom always thought I wouldn't want anything to do with her. I was not fond of the babysitting gigs my sister and I would book and little kids always seemed to need stuff. But when she came home, all bundled and folded, I instantly fell in love and she was my partner in crime.
At the time, I used to work 3-11 so when I would get home from work at 12:30 (the 65 bus did not, and I am sure does not still, run on schedule) I would slide into my sister's room, sneak Pop out of her crib and she would hang with me while I watched late night TV, eat a snack or I would read to her.
When Pop was smaller, I would write about her on my old web page. There she was referred to as "Pooh", as in PoohBear. Here are some of the memories...




... (on being a great thinker)Pooh is in the "why" stage as in why is that man reading that paper and why is that lady writing on that paper and why is that girl jumping rope and why is that little girl eating and why are you, Missy, putting on that shirt and why is mom your mommy and why is Mommy your sister...?

...(on wedding rituals) When people ask, I tell them that of course Pooh will be my flower girl but she told my mother that that was too much work and that she would just sit next to her Mom (my mother) and watch.

...(on proper etiquette for wearing a skirt) Whenever Pooh is wearing a skirt and bends over my sister will say to her, "I see London, I see France, I see someone's underpants". The other day my sister said Pooh bent over and didn't have any panties on and said to my sister, "I bet you don't see London now."

....(on knowing what she wats) My sister told me that she and Pooh went to some store to buy barrettes and the lady in the store kept trying to push these barrettes with ladybugs on them when all Pooh wanted was barrettes with Hello Kitty. My sister said that as the lady bagged the barrettes Pooh said, "There better not be any lady bugs in my bag."

...(on neighborhood watch)My sister told me the other day as she and Pooh walked to the bus stop Pop (then Pooh) observed all of the cop cars and said, "The Po' is everywhere."

...(on social commentary about the minds of children) If asked Pooh will give you her opinion about what "Childs" will do. As in: Childs will get dirty sometimes or Childs are loud sometimes.

...(out of the mouths of babes) She also says that "Star Truck" is too corny, she can't stand Charlie Brown 'cause that's too corny for her to watch and when my sister asked her about eating a mozzarella stick she said: 'Do I look like I care'?"

...(on health and nutrition) My sister has informed me that PoohBear told her she doesn't want to eat salt because she doesn't want to get Hot Blood Pressure.My sister has a cat named Buttons and he wasn't feeling well. PoohBear said: Let's give him some Catlip.

Happy birthday Pop!

Agnes, meet Beryl

Agnes and Beryl being the two grey hairs that have taken residence in my hair. I was tempted to yank them both out and pretend they never existed. Instead I did a creative swirl with my locs and kept going.
I'm getting *GULP* old!
Seasoned.
Eww, that sounds like a hunk of meat.
I am getting old.
Frick.
-r

Gimme a "D"! Gimme an "A"! Gimme a D-D-Y!

My second favorite commercial.
I love how into it the dad is.

Bunny hops

Buffy, The Bee and I went to the track. I haven't been there in a while and felt a bit out of sorts.

My spirits were lifted by this sighting:

Awww!

What's up doc?

Buffy keeps trying to catch this rabbit, which is probably covered in fleas and ticks (shiver) to add to t he two cats that she has at home. I just like to see it nibbling the grass as I make my laps.

Br-br-br

-r

Oh What a *Tangled Web* thoust Weaves...

...when a new yarn shop is found and I purchase yarn that I really don't need.

or I am so not buying cheap yarn anymore.

So.

Was helping out at The Bee's school Friday (that post is coming!) and during the short break for lunch I headed out. For what, not really sure but I hopped into the car with Plymouth Meeting Mall as my goal as the nearest library did not hold any sway and I just felt the need to be out.

As I chugged and bumped along Germantown Avenue - a meticulously calculated plot by city planners to keep the riff-raft away from swanky Chestnut Hill - I saw a consignment shop and as I contemplated making a U-ie I saw it.

It being a yarn shop, The Tangled Web.

I am so glad I made the trip! Diane, the friendly proprietress was more than happy to answer my questions and we even engaged in a chat about our respective children's schools. The other lady in the store (whose name I cannot remember) assisted me as I looked at yarns and even wound my hanks into more manageable balls.

Yarn specialty shops always seem to cater more towards knitters with a few crochet hooks thrown in as an afterthought. I didn't feel like this here. While chatting, I admitted my crochet ambivalence and the ladies in the store were kind enough to encourage me to do both.

There is a beginners knit class coming soon. Due to the time it takes to get the store and some other things going on here (more later; these new 'things' are still percolating) I will have to pass but I still have some luscious yarns just waiting for a new project. (I just shopped the sales rack but there was some really beautiful sock yarn that I may go back to get some for Buffy.)

This a wool blend that is going to be a top or probably a scarf.

Three balls of a wool blend that I am going to use for a shrug, finally.

A purple tweed colorway. I also got this in red.

This is going to make a great bag

There was only one ball of this superfine yarn.

I am going to check Ravelry to see what I can make.

Playing with my stash,

-r

I want taste buds

My new favorite commercial.

-r

To Vote or Not To Vote

What's worse? Not voting or not making an informed vote?
Yesterday was a primary election in PA and like the dutiful citizen I aim to be, I headed to my polling place to cast my vote.
Sadly, I recognized ONE name on the ballot.
As I read through the names I tried to see if anything jogged my brain but nothing moved me.
So what does this mean? I need to attend the meetings for UD Dems (yes, I'm one of those), pay attention to the flyers that come in the mail and educate myself.
Come next election, I will recognize more than one name.
S'allright?
-r

On the Menu...

...cheese-less pizza!
The Bee can't have dairy and for the most part is pretty compliant about her diet. She silently accepts her soy milk, dairy free treats and the like but lately she has been making noise about not being able to have the same stuff that everyone can. When she was younger it was easier to appease her with homemade treats and special trips to Whole Food. Now as she is older she is interested in what everyone else is having. The Dad and I are trying to head off any attempts to sample the wares of her friends and creativity is the key.
Last week The Bee, Mom and I went out to eat and she had her first slice of pizza. Cheese-less of course and she liked it.
Whew!
Tomato pie for two!

I realize that i am getting excited about pizza but I love me some pizza. Loves it! Now that The Bee can eat a version of it, I can enjoy mine in peace and guilt free.
Helping myself to another slice.
-r

Must I beg?

...or an open letter to visitors.
Please to note: This post does not pertain to the people who visit and leave a message. This is for all of you anon lurkers.
All right, all right, all right, all right. I have been as subtle as a bull in a China shop and that ain't working so here goes it: Please leave a comment. When you visit my blog and read the crap thoughts that I produce, let me know what you think. I may not like it (as a Fagg woman we are known to dish it but not be really good about taking it), will definitely complain about it but will accept it because I am indeed a pubslut and proud of it.
There.
Carry on with your day.
-r

Star Trek

Beautiful people traveling at warp speed

Went to see Star Trek last week.
Meh.
It was entertaining but as always I must be a nitpicker.
This 2009 version is the J.J.(of Lost fame) Abrahms vision in which we get the back story of Kirk and co. While I love Star Trek, I am not the die-hard Trekkie/Trekker who is able to determine the episode by the opening scene or can tell you who played ensign blah blah on episode so and so. My love is merely for the idea that Star Trek is cool.
Anywhosit, last weekend I went with Buffy, Dill and my BIL (who talks nearly as much as Pop during a movie; sheesh apple...tree!) and this is our PM.

My biggest complaint: What is the deal with Simon Pegg's Scotty showing up dang near when the movie was over? This sequel had better have more Scotty.

I'll feed ya

Now: What is the deal with the time travel plot line? Star Trek: Generations, the first TNG movie, had a whole plot line involving time travel, revenge and loss of family. The Romulan Nero is just a more violent take on Malcolm McDowell's Dr. Soran. Really, he waited 25 years to get revenge on Spock?

When Kirk took the Kobayashi Maru exam, he cheated by creating a scenario in which rescue is an option. The cocky Kirk in J.J.'s version just cheated so that he could win. WTH?

Oh yes, I forgot my random look-a-like. Doesn't Chris Pine's Captain Kirk look like Dave Dash from Desperate Housewives?

Separated at birth?

Uhura and Spock! Whoa! Didn't see that. In the original series, Spock was always trying to be more Vulcan yet in J.J.'s version Spock seems to have embraced the part of him that is human, only trotting out his "I'm an emotionless Vulcan" when he needs to make logical decisions. Such as throwing Kirk onto a frozen tundra. I'm just saying.

Bones was always my favorite character (something about crusty old men) but the actor playing McCoy in this update seemed as if he prepped for his role by watching old episodes of Star Trek and then tried to out McCoy, the original McCoy. He was funny when he declared, "I'm a doctor, not a nuclear physicist" (or something like that).

Harold as Sulu? He was good. Where was Kumar? (Hiyo)
I never liked Chekov so I have no opinion on this new one.

I am a sucker for backstories, beginnings and the like so while I still feel meh, I did enjoy and will return for a matinee this weekend,

Beaming up (yeah, I went there)
-r

P.S. I didn't make my communicator pin. I suck.

Traitor!

Four plus years ago I pestered my sister to teach me to knit. After a few disastrous lessons, she snatched her needles away, thrust a hook into my hand and my crocheting life began. I love to crochet and am a fierce defender of the craft but lately I have been considering a defection to the other side.

Shh!

Don't judge me; I feel bad enough as it is! I still think crocheting is great - instant gratification when I can quickly complete a project - but lately my satisfaction has begin to wane. I am not inspired by the crochet patterns that I have and my hooks and yarn lay abandoned. On my last visit to a yarn shop, I was only somewhat awed by the rainbow colored skeins that lay before me. I actually found myself lingering near the hooks and needles and I actually considered grabbing a few knitting needles that were on sale. I stopped short as the guilt of using two needles grabbed me (remember...I've got issues) and quickly made my exit.

When I got home I looked at some crochet thread that is supposed to be a shrug, noted the tangle that I left it in and tried to whet my appetite with some patterns.
My mind was not on hooking. I have still been thinking about knitting.

I refuse to actually purchase the needles; I tend to go overboard and become a girl who 'cain't say no'. The fates have stepped in; while doing circ desk duties, I have come across more than one book on knitting: socks, scarves and bags. Sweaters and a cute hat. I admit that I even shelled out a quarter for a used Kid's Knit book (I figure if a kid could get the instructions, then so could I).

It would seem that I am making a big deal out of nothing but it's a big deal to me. I tend to totally inundate myself with whatever it is that I am interested in and my interest peters out after a bit and I stuck with unused supplies. There is also the sister factor. I really don't want to hear her bitchin' about me copying her.

Nuts to that. I am going to grab that knit kit I got many, many moons ago and give it a purl.
If you see some odd looking yarn creations, a polite smile and nod will do.
Stuck between hooks and needles,
-r

It's time for Animaniacs!

So.

A few months ago I had the pleasure of having Bob McLeod visit my library. Through a very generous donation by Senator Hardy Williams and our fab Friends Group, I was able to get Bob to visit plus give away books to my kids.

As a gift, Bob animated me and here come Super Librarian Chick!

Don't make me shush your ass!

I love how made me, er shall we say, bosomy.

hahaha!

A Day in the Life

When people find out that I work in a library they mostly remark, "You are so lucky! I wish I had a job reading books all day!"

Shoot!

Me too!

I love what I do but there are days that I am wiped out when I get home. I intend to stick around for a while but there are days that I wish my job consisted of me sitting in a overstuffed chair, sipping a hot coffee and engrossed in a novel. For variety I would crochet with 'The Girls' (and a guy if one were so inclined). Nonetheless my day is no where near the serene, calm scene I painted above. My library is hopping from the time doors are unlocked (sometimes earlier) until we boot the last customer out (said customer proceeds to lean against the building with laptop to continue using wi-fi. Shudder!)

Tasks during my day include

• Clean up the Children's Room. This is includes picking up all of the coloring sheets that were scribbled and abandoned; rescuing the baby dolls from the stove and Lysoling everyone into a haze.
  
• Helping people who have NEVER used a computer get an e-mail address and then fill out a job application. These people inevitably want to type and complete every


• Referee fights between kids afterschool. These kids also think the stacks are perfect hide and seek bases.


• Giving the Mommy Eye of death to the teen boys who think the trash can is an appropriate substitute for a basketball court. Same teen boys also think that the library is a lounge for them to eat, drink, cuss (not just curse) and deodorant is optional.


• Helping someone find a book that was from the movie about the girl (true request)
• Helping someone find the book that was in the corner last week. That corner right there! It had a girl on the front.

The job is not all bad. My co-workers are fun and the day never repeats.

Just feeling the effects of the rain.

Sigh!

-r

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept

Simon Pegg sighting!

While watching Mission Impossible Three (or III) he made a much too brief appearance as Benji Dunn.

Yay!

Anyhoodle, while watching MI3 I tried to keep my Tom Cruise ick factor at bay and watch the movie for the brilliance that I seemingly have been missing. My friend Kingsley has proclaimed this the best of the three MI movies and the newest podcast I listen to, Scene Unseen, almost wet themselves during a discussion of t his flick.

Meh.

Tom Cruise doesn't make it easy to not think of him as a jerk. He seems so cocky and arrogant. Just saying.

Why is he eavesdropping on his girlfriend's conversation at the engagement party?

Why is HE the only one that can rescue Keri Washington's character?

Duh! Laurence Fishburn is so not the spy. How could anyone NOT see that.

Overall, despite his rants about post-partum and other things I am sure Tom should keep private, MI3 still sucks, although not as bad as MI2, and I still think Tom is a tool.

Says the flake.

-r

New addition to my workout?

A friend shared this with me on FB.
Dang!
Double Dang!

Pole dancers, women who strip and all of their kind have always been taboo. In the last few years it has become a bit more mainstream and acceptable. After watching these ladies I feel a new respect, some envy and lots of admiration. They wear less clothes, yes but look at the athletic abilities! I totally need to check my upper body strength.
Enjoy.
-r

Running Like the Wind

I've signed on for two more races.
Hee hee.
The first is the Lansdowne 5K. Three miles. It's at the end of the month and I will run it. The Bee wants to enter as well but since we have not trained, and last year she bitched the whole time we walked, I may enlist Pop to walk with her.
The next race is the 20 in 24 and I thought an 8.4 mile run sounded great. There are options for a midnight or pajama jog (ha, ha, ha) but I am a part of a five person relay team. I put it out there and is all about my sneaks.
Now I've got to get off of my rusty dusty and get it moving.
It's been raining here...I guess I can't let a little water stop me.
Going to bed. Despite the rain, I am going to make myself get up and hit the track.
Warming my quads,
-r

My geek flag is flying high!

Five more days!

Soundtrack for the Sunday Blahs

Yes, this is me looking (and feeling) a hot mess





Blaaaaaaaaaah!
This is the way that I feel today. With all of the positive things surrounding me, i am feeling downright trollish. My back hurts, I am super tired and just feel that all of the energy has been sapped away from me.
Because I don't want to be THAT GIRL I decided to take stock of the feelings that have taken over me and try to figure it all out.

1) Bitter by Me'Shell NdegeOcelo. Why is it so hard to let go? Why is it so hard to just accept what it is and move on without feeling like sour grapes, pissy, pouty or all three?

2)Pot of Gold by Alice Russell. I've Got the Hunger, am ready to Turn and Run so that I can be All Alone as I go Crazy.

3)Second Childhood by Phoebe Snow.

4) Skin and Bone by Madi Diaz. We Were Wrong

5)Denials, Delusions and Decisions by Jaguar Wright. It is indeed the Same Sh*t Different Day.

Gotta Go, Gotta Leave.
My assistance is required.
Hopefully I can stay out of my head long enough to get me together.

-r