5.30.2008

It's MINE It's MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got some great news in the mail today:

I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP FOR FDU'S MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING!!!

Now this is a HUGE deal, because at least as far as I know, there is only ONE assistantship available!

John & I are SO going out to celebrate!!!!!

5.29.2008

5 Things Meme

I got tagged by Lyndsey-Jane to do this meme, and I don't know what meme means or how it's pronounced! I've never been tagged for anything like this before, but I think it might be fun!

Here we go:

1. What was I doing 10 years ago
10 years ago, I was finishing up my first year of college and I did horribly! But I was also learning a lot about myself. It was the year I became a writer. A very important year, I wouldn't change a thing, not even my horrible GPA!

2. What 5 things are on my to-do list today (in no particular order)
Ha, this is pretty funny, my to-do list today is LONG. I should cook some meals so that my poor hubby doesn't starve when I'm gone next week, I need to fold laundry and vacuum and I need to finish Julie's graduation gift. What am I actually doing? The knitting. But it's only 2pm, who knows what streak of motivation might hit!

3. Snacks I Enjoy
Another laughable one! I like lots. I don't snack, per se, but I do like my sweets after meals. Cookies, ice cream, brownies... I'm not big on salty things, but anything chocolate is a big OH YES. Lately, I've been trying to have a decaf coffee as a snack as it's flavorful, but low in calories and fills me up quite a bit as it's liquid. How does it work? Great, when I think of it!

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire
Well, wouldn't I do? I would buy up houses for my family, I would travel, I would just live my life & not worry. Would I work? Maybe. Maybe not. I'd have more children. And then I'd have some plastic surgery and a personal trainer so it didn't look like I had ANY kids!!!

5. Places I have lived
Lots of places!
1. Flushing, NY
2. Vernon, NJ
3. Montclair, NJ
4. Surrey, UK
5. Newton, NJ
6. Manchester, UK
7. Clifton, NJ
8. Caldwell, NJ
9. Oxford, NJ

I don't have anyone to tag for this, but it was kind of fun filling out!

5.22.2008

Progress = Progress, even if it's slow

FAIRY TALE, the beginning:

“Your majesty,” she ran through the hall, blonde hair flying wildly behind her, twigs and leaves stuck to her long, blue dress and straggled through her knotted mane, and threw herself, face first, at the King’s feet. “The princess has been kidnapped!”

“Please, get up, my child,” the King stroked his long, red beard, apparently in thought, as he waited for the princess’ hand maiden to rise and attempt to smooth her long, frizzy hair. “I think this must be tragic,” the King said slowly. He raised a hand to beckon his chief steward. “Don’t let the people know of this; they will react strongly.”

“I’m afraid,” the portly steward paused, “the people are already aware of the event.” He pulled back the gold curtain that shielded the hall from the streets of X, just as he had done sixteen years before. Then, he had revealed to the joyous masses the new baby princess, Ariadne. Today, just as they had long ago, the people of X were dancing, singing and otherwise occupied in jubilation. They no longer need worry about the noxious ways of the horrible princess, the only heir to the kingdom, and the most miserable wretch of a girl that ever existed in the peaceful kingdom of X.

There was one small, somber individual in the crowd, though: Rabbit. Rabbit was not an animal, though, but an unfortunate decision by his parents to let his older sister, at the age of 3, name him. He was tiny, yes, but not particularly furry or long eared, he could frequently be long winded, but his employer, Izmella, helped him to keep this in mind. He wore a special pendant that glowed green and tingled slightly whenever he spoke for longer than a minute or so. Right now, he was feel the sting of it, as he muttered quietly, excitedly, “it’s happened, it’s finally happened, it’s happened, what now, what now,” as the people in the streets rejoiced. He pushed his way through the crowd, ever mumbling, and headed towards Izmella’s cottage.

Izmella was a typical witch: sharp-eyed and tall, with a curvaceous figure. The green of her almond eyes matched the emerald of Rabbit’s pendant and was framed by the dark ringlets that fell to her waist. “Rabbit, please, you’re disturbing me, either speak out load or don’t speak at all,” she said quickly, not looking up from her crystal globe as Rabbit walked through the door.

“Sorry, mistress, but there’s big news: it finally happened, the princess has been abducted.”

“I know,” Izmella repied coolly, pointing to her globe.

“Yes, right, of course.” Rabbit shifted his weight a few times and looked erratically around the room, as if looking for something that did not exist. His eyes finally rested at a crack in the floorboards, just in front of his feet.

“This is good, not only does the town get a reprieve from the wretch, but we won’t have to wait too much longer to see the prophecy realized.”

“I haven’t been waiting that long, miss, only about 20 years.”

“WELL,” Izmella rarely raised her voice, but she didn’t need to, she had a certain way of putting emphasis on just the right syllables to make anyone feel like he might wet himself. The knowledge that she could turn one into any sort of insect didn’t help, either. “I’ve been waiting just a little longer than that; 200 or so years longer. I had hoped this was the princess of the prophecy, but do you know how many nasty princesses there have been in the past 250 years? It’s appalling!” Rabbit nodded, not at all able to comprehend 200 years of obnoxious princesses. “At least that should all be done with now. You’ll have to go and spread the word to the surrounding kingdoms, the king will put out a notice to all able knights and we want the right sort of knight volunteering for this job.”

“Yes, I can do that,” Rabbit said, finally lifting his gaze from the crack in the floor. Izmella was not looking at him, still intent on the visions in the globe. Rabbit had often peered into the crystal when he was tidying up for her and he never saw anything there.

“Now would be soon enough.”

“Oh, uh, yes, but -” Rabbit stuttered.

“I know, there is only one knight who can do the job, so to speak, but we can’t just go and tell the king who to get, can we? We have to let everything play out. So go tell the surrounding kingdoms and do what you can to guide the king.”

“Yes, but -”

“I know you’re small and a little feeble minded, but the king isn’t too bright either, I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

“I’m hungry!”

“Well I didn’t say you couldn’t eat anything on your way.” Rabbit could hear her eyes rolling, but he had to be cautious; at times, when she says to do something, she means right now, and at other times, she means, at your leisure and after nearly 10 years as her servant, he still could not tell the difference.

“I will report to you tomorrow.”

“Rabbit, there is no need.” Izmella rose, gesturing to the crystal globe, “take care and I believe there is some food in the refrigerator. I must go and check on a few things; I think the woodsmith has finished repairing my broom.”

“Yes, mistress, I’m glad to hear it, my back hurt sweeping the floor with your old hair brush.”

“I know, Rabbit, you’re a good helper. I’ll see you when the king has found a worthy knight.” Izmella threw her gray shawl over her shoulder and strode out the door. Rabbit was flustered, touched by one of the few compliments Izmella had ever bestowed on him. She must truly be happy that this day has come, he thought.

Izmella was not the most beautiful woman in the town, but she kept men and women alike intrigued with her timelessness. Know one knew quite how she was – 200, maybe 300 years old? It was impossible to tell, she aged so well. Most believed there was some witchery involved, but none dared question her, some thought it was her sheer meanness that kept her skin so tight, while other women her age looked more withered than a leather sheaf straight off the battle field.

As Izmella went through the town taking care of her errands, Rabbit left town, taking care of his.


---------
For Sara: And they lived happily ever after.

5.21.2008

Shoes & Yarn Always Fit

I love buying shoes & yarn (not necessarily together) because they always fit, they come in gorgeous colors & they make you feel good. Shoes make your legs look sexy, or feel comfortable, and when most of us who buy yarn buy yarn, it's usually with someone in mind for a gift. Gifting always feels good. The occasional time when we see yarn and have a project in mind for ourselves feels even better.
What does not feel good is clothes shopping. One year ago, roughly, I had no problem clothes shopping. I am now having to deal with the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. More difficult than being sick for 9 months, more difficult than birthing without any pain medication (not my first choice), and certainly worse than a root canal: my post-partum body. It vaguely resembles my body, it certainly feels like it belongs to me. However, when I am fully dressed and glance in the mirror, I do not recognize the body attached to my face. My clothes don't even begin to fit and even the same clothing, the same fit, in a larger size, doesnt fit. I have to discover an entirely different style of clothing that still feels like me. I have to shop in stores I hadn't considered before, sifting through rags that lack my personality.
I have to "do the best with what I have." And it feels horrible.

5.15.2008

I got stuff!!!

I came home from lunch with my sister and newly stitched niece (she fell on the playground :( ) to find a package at my door!!! Thank you, Krystle!!! I love my hand painted mug, organic coffee, french vanilla coffee, the cookies (which I already tried and they are scrummy!!!) and, of course, the GORGEOUS lime green yarn which is AMAZINGLY soft! I can't wait to knit with it!! Oh and there were some fun stickers in there - how did you know I love stickers?

Here's a photo of my goodies:
Tonight, I plan on brewing some of that decaf french vanilla, sitting back, watching some yummy doctors and knitting some awesome leggings for my ballerina who is graduating with her MFA in June!!

Happy day!

5.09.2008

Lots of stuff

Last weekend, John & I went out to the movies! Nonna watched all of her grandkids so that we could go out with my sister and brother in law. Of course, John & I checked out Target for some movie theater snacks; we picked out a few things for us & called the other "kids" to see if they had any requests. My sister, of course, requested Junior Mints, her all time favorite movie food.
WELL, they only had one size: comically large -




















After Made of Honor was over (and it was AWESOME, by the way), I went a round with Kung Fu Panda and managed to remain standing, despite his enormity, although I was worse for the wear.

And in crafty news, I finished my Coffee Swap Package and the relaxing, post coffee lavender scented mini pillow and can ship it off to its new owner soon. Not today, though, as I am stuck waiting for the furnace man... But here's a photo of the doo-hicky I made.

5.05.2008

Spring Fling Final Topic of the Week

Well, I've missed a few, but here's the last topic:



We'll go free form this week - Post about your WIPs, post about your package, post about the weather where you are - just be sure to include that the post is for the Spring Fling Weekly Topic somewhere inside it when you tell us it's there! I'd lovhin to hear how folks are enjoying the goodies they received, if they have, or how much fun you had shopping for your pal!


So here it is... my current WIP is a sock! Thank you, Lindsey-Jane for the yarn & the inspiration. It's coming together very quickly, considering what little time I have to knit! The next project up is a pair of legwarmers for a certain friend who is accomplishing something big this June.

As for the swap, I had a BLAST shopping for my pal and have had to cut myself off just so I can pay the bills! It should be out in the mail tomorrow as I almost have the hand made portion finished - I was going to just buy something but then, I had an idea and HAD to go with it. Of course, that idea changed from one thing (too hard) to something else, but I think it's gonna be good. I'm going to get the package together tomorrow and see if it needs anything else before I send it out.

OK that's all!!!!

5.04.2008

Such a big girl!


Lily sure is growing!
Here's a photo from today's session.
I have some funny things to post about last night's romp at the movies, but have to be quick now...

5.02.2008

Life

I haven't posted in a while. I have no idea if anyone reads this, but if you do, I apologize for not posting. Life has been stressful lately and I'd rather not get into it.
Let's talk about some positive things. I finished my sheep and it should be arriving at its new owner's house soon. I'll post pics soon, too.

Lily is now 6 months old and eating pretty well!!! She has her appointment on May 13th.

John's two weeks of hell at work are over tomorrow night - he's actually got two days off this week! As of tomorrow night, I get to spend time with him until Tuesday morning. It's a Christmas miracle.

Will post some more interesting stuff soon.