An Owl on Halloween

Amidst the fun we had at office today, an owl arrived!!It had flown a very long way. I hope he stopped off in New York for a drink and some bird seed.

Apparently from the Queen!! Or, someone equally important, like my house Prefect, Adele.

You see, I had the most points of our Hufflepuff team (you know, the team that won the House Cup) and Adele sent me a prize! Inside was a Sorting Hat brooch, Divine chocolate, some adorable stitch markers, and handmade greeting cards with Harry Potter and Sheep themes. I'm also getting some custom dyed yarn from the Skein Queen.

[seriously, how cute is that little black one eating grass]

Julian is...HUFFLEPUFF!!

Lola is worried. Cha Cha was sorted into Slytherin.

Thank you, Adele. I love them all!!
And now, a ghoulish sunset--HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

My innocence is shattered

Recently, the IT department flipped a switch and all the generic emails from our web site's "contact us" address are coming to me, so that I might respond to serious inquiries. So far, all I've received from this fiasco are 80 million penis enlargement and Viagra ads. (Viagra is 71% off if anyone is interested. I've apparently got the hook-up.)

Some of the enlargement ads are downright entertaining, while most are just offensive. I'm no prude (okay, maybe a little) but DANG, people, I do not need to read those words at 8:00 in the morning before I've had sufficient amounts of caffeine. Among the cruder ads about "massive meat" and "touching her tonsils" was my favorite by far--"now even your stomach won't be able to hide your massive size."

Know your audience.

Friday and Sunday, but what happened to Saturday

Here's Friday's sunset. It's pretty.
Here's Sunday's sunset.
Don't mind my dirty screen.

So what happened to Saturday? Oh, I was watching TV and working on my Halloween costume and I completely forgot. I FORGOT! What am I going to tell my mother?

(hangs head)

Moody (edited)

Oh, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I was cranky from jump. Then a friend sent me a photo of a ghetto wedding and it cheered me right up. Nothing like laughter at the expense of others to change your mood.

Edited: I totally uploaded the wrong sunset and I can't find the right one. So instead, here are some excerpts from the Ghetto Wedding.

I am SO wearing that for my wedding!

Please note the grooms celly, in case his homies call--on his WEDDING DAY!!

Someone let their subscription to "Martha Stewart's Living" expire. Could you at least throw a can of Betty Crocker Ready to Spread on top? Maybe a quick lemon glaze?

Candid Camera or Cooked Kitty

This is what I found on my windshield this morning.I looked around thinking "someone is watching me with a hidden camera and I'll end up on a TV show." But then I thought "what if it's for real and there may indeed be a kitty under my hood." So I checked and my engine was feline free. I noticed as I drove away that all the cars on my street had this note on the windshield. Poor cat.

Here's the sunset. I was busy at work and missed most of it.

30 Sunsets

I'm a bad daughter. I'm the prodigal daughter. I hardly ever call my mother. I rarely write. I forget to buy and mail birthday or Mother's Day cards (although I do call). Yet, when I come home to visit, I am welcomed with open arms and only a modicum of guilt.

My poor sister. She calls every week faithfully (even though Mom doesn't answer the phone half the time). She sends letters and cards and always remembers the important dates. But when she visits she gets all kinds of attitude and guilt and pouty behavior.

I don't know why this inequality exists. I swear I don't encourage it. I can't change that I was born last or stayed at home the longest. Whatever the reasons Mom has for treating us this way, I try not to dwell on them. I know it's not due to anything Katie or I have done in the past. We were good kids. These are strictly her issues. Except lately I've been feeling a little guilty. I love my Mom, don't get me wrong. I love her dearly, no matter how crazy she may be. I'm just bad at keeping in touch. Really, I have a friend I haven't spoken to in a year and it's not due to anything he said or did, or anything I said or did. It's just that I got busy and didn't call or stop by and pretty soon it was six months later and we haven't spoken and I feel weird calling him now. But I digress--and you're wondering about the title, right?

I was feeling a little guilty. Mom, in all her craziness, is still my mother. She raised me the best she could and what have I given her in return? Nothing. So, I'm writing her letters. Lots and lots of letters. 30 of them, to be exact. In each letter, I'm including a picture of the sunset of the day. I started yesterday and will culminate on Thanksgiving day with my obligatory phone call.

I decided to share the sunsets with you all, just because. So here is yesterday's sunset.

I was hard to get a really good shot with my Fuji digital. This doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful and red (from the fires).

Ants--up close and personal

Warning: Graphic photos

So, the ants have been making little tunnels from the big ones but they're hard to photograph. Instead, I'll give you an in depth look at my little friends.

Natalie asked, "What is that blue goo the ants are living in? Is it good for them? Do they eat it?" The "special gel is full of nutrients specially formulated for the needs of the ant (formulated by a certified ant nutritionist)." Boy, do those little buggers love their gel. Well, I don't know how much they eat. It looks like most of it just piles up on the top.

Included with the kit was a magnifying glass. You can see their eyes and their little pinchy things working, and I'm not sure, but I think one of them flipped me off. I tried to take a picture through the magnifying glass but the camera lens somehow negated it. I tried to use the zoom lens, but that just made it blurry. This is the best I can do.

Ramblings of Monday News

Ant Update:
This is the progress at 5:00pm FridayAnd this is Monday at 7:45am.

No more vertical columns, but lots of little connecting tubes. That dark area in the lower right is what we have been calling "the board of directors." Most of the ants huddle in one of the lower tunnel areas no doubt discussing their next plan of action while three or four "assistants" run around scoping out the situation, getting coffee, cleaning up.

Harry Potter Sock Kit Swap Update:

It's all over but the sending of my package to my swap mate (sorry Neila, I'm waiting for your yarn--I sent you a teaser package so watch the owl post). But what was the result of all that trivia posting you ask? TEAM HUFFLEPUFF WON THE HOUSE CUP! Oh yeah, my fellow badgers and I kicked some Quidditch tail and won, despite not getting the snitch this time around.

Fire Season! (Duck Season):

The air is hot and smokey, even this far from the fire lines. I can't breathe and I haven't refilled my inhaler prescription yet because I have to see my doctor for a new prescription (it's been a while and she thinks I may need a different one). I meant to see her last week, but didn't get an appointment. Now I have to wait until next week. No winding down my car windows, I guess.

Childhood Obesity:

I'm a contributor. My fish is overweight. Yes, fish can be overweight. I looked it up on a Betta site and poor little Nacho has a little too much bulge around the fin area. I'm a bad mother. I have to cut back on his food intake. Poor chubby little fishy.

Lest you look at the time stamp and think I'm crazy or suffering insomnia, I have slept...on the sofa...from about 10pm to 2:45am. I'm going to bed now. Don't worry.

Scary...

The winds are blowing, all my windows are rattling and I'm watching a scary (for me) movie.
A minute ago, the little useless window in my hall closet blew open and I screamed. Okay, it was more like a loud gasp accompanied by an "eep."
And I thought the Santa Anas were supposed to be warm. It's cold here.

Ant Watch sans photo

I tried to take a picture of the ants before I left today but my camera was all blurry, as if it lost a contact. Then I was bitten. (Don't ask)
Anyway, they now have five tunnels and a sixth on the way. The first tunnel started at the top and went down, but all the rest have branched out from the bottom of the first tunnel. It's very interesting. Most of the day, all but four or five are gathered in the bottom of the tunnels having a strategic planning meeting, no doubt. The few that aren't in the meeting are busy cleaning up the previously made tunnels or working on a new tunnel. But somehow in the night the whole crew gets in on the action and WOW new tunnels greet us in the morning.
In case you're interested, they are Harvester Ants. If you'd like an ant farm of your very own, and you should because these guys are endlessly fascinating, you can get it here.

Harry Potter Trivia Answers, Round 3

[we interrupt "ant watch" for Harry Potter Trivia answers for Quidditch Round 3]

1. What was the name of the book Dumbledore left for Hermione in his will?
a. The Tales of Beedle the Bard


2. Whose sign was on Xenophilius Lovegood's chest?
d. Grindewald


3. Was October 30, 1980 the night that Lilly and James Potter died?
b. No

4. What's another name for the Elder Wand?
a. Deathstick


5. Whose Potterwatch code name was 'Rodent'?
d. Fred

6. What was so special about the peacocks at the Malfoy Manor?
d. They were all white

7. Who does Harry say was "probably the bravest man I knew?"
a. Snape


8. What thing was Lockhart giving Hagrid advice about getting out of a well?
b. Kelpies


9. What was the occupation of Colin Creevey's father?
d. Milkman

10. Which Professor of Hogwarts was a dueling champion when he was young?
a. Flintwick


Picture Scavenger Hunt
You can either post these pictures on your blog or provide a link to where they can be found.

Bertie Botts Beans
Jelly Slugs
Chocolate Frogs
Blood Pops
Jenean's first HSKS kit










(Bonus Point: Who made the kit? Ansley made it!)

Those ants are going for broke

Day two of "Ant Watch" and look what those little buggers have done. That's three tunnels and a fourth started (down at the bottom, you can't see it here).
Everyone in the office wants an ant farm now--well, except for the small minority that just wants to dump them on the floor and step on 'em.

Exemplars of Industry

What did I do at work today? I watched these guys:

It's an ant farm. See?
They're in a nutrient gel. When I left last night, they had barely made a dent in the top. But this morning, they had gone for broke and made it all the way down the side. This shot was taken at 5:30. I can't wait to see what they've accomplished tonight.

Ooo, and Liz's lady bugs are almost past the pupa stage. How exciting!

Me, in a dress

My feet lasted in those shoes until 9:45 until I gave up and took them off. Today, my feet are swollen and I have no feeling in my big toe. Beauty is pain.I had to adjust my bosom all night. There was no underwire in the bra thingy and they kept slipping. Gravity is a hell of a thing.
My hair looked remarkably red last night though.
I swear I hadn't started drinking yet in this photo.

Tomorrow's the big day

Phew! The signs are made. The check list is complete. The name tags are done and alphabetized. The vans are packed. The gift bags stuffed. MC script is finalized. Silent Auction items are described. Bid numbers assigned. Computers are programmed.

It's almost over. I can't wait until Monday--when I can start in on a whole new batch of crap.
My one year anniversary at this job is a month away. Who knew?

I'll post photos of the NSLBD with final necklace selection, fabulous hair and actual make up on Sunday, if I'm able.

**update**
EEK! My camera battery died after three pictures. Crap!! And the first two didn't come out good. I'll post the one I have, but I may just have to wait and steal a picture of my from our staff photographer. She took a good one of me giving my best smoldering look. We'll see.
I can tell you my hair was lovely.

Overheard In Stall Two

Girl One: Yeah, so I told him if he wants me to marry him he's got to stop cheating.
Girl Two: Do you think he will?
Girl One: Yeah. I told him he can have two more girls, but once we get married, that's it.
Girl Two: And you trust him?
Girl One: Yeah. Once we're married, you know.
Girl Two: But do you want to marry him? I mean, only be with him for the rest of your life?
Girl One: I think so. I really love him.
Girl Two: I don't even know you anymore.

[Girl One leaves her stall and washes hands.]

Girl Two: Can you turn the faucet on?

Sneak Peek at the NSLBD

The big fundraiser is three days away. Who wants to join us? I have tickets! No, seriously, it's Saturday at 6:00 in Marina Del Rey. Let me know. I need to have someone use my two tickets. You get food and entertainment. There will be Black Jack, Craps, Roulette, Bingo, plus raffles and a Silent Auction with some really incredible stuff. Tickets were going for $85 each, so it's a bargain. Did I mention there will be people dressed like the cast of "Gilligan's Island"?

Today I made name tags. This is what they looked like before the names.
I'm quite proud of them.

Anywho, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of the dress...just a very little glimpse. So, here goes.
Who ordered the cleavage? The gnomes have gone spelunking.

That's the necklace I'm thinking of wearing, and the shoulders are covered by the cute lacy shrug that came with the dress. Any opinions on the necklace? I'm open to suggestions, bearing in mind that I have no money to buy a new necklace and have absolutely no fancy jewelry.

These are the shoes:

Yes, I need a pedicure--desperately. I don't have the ankle strap on, but you get the idea. There are rhinestones on those circles.

Tomorrow I'll show you the candles that the lovely Kristine put together for the cocktail tables on the yacht. She's a spitfire, but dang if she don't know her way around a tealight.

So, I was in the Ladies Room

(Isn't this how some of my best posts start?)

I walked into the ladies room and all three stalls on the left were occupied. I could hear the ladies from the law offices chatting back and forth. I could also see that the two right side stalls were open. As I was about to enter the first stall, I found a woman in there sitting fully clothed on the toilet seat--a seat that doesn't have a lid, mind you.
"Hello," I said, as I backed up and went to the one unoccupied stall.
One of the unseen women shouted to her friend, "Do you have the door open again?" To which the clothed squatter answered, "Yeah, but I pulled my pants up. Nothing's showing."

Oh. My. God. What is wrong with these women????? And there were three cell phones on the counter. Do you all take your cells to the bathroom? Because frankly, I'm in and out. I have no time to chat, nor do I have the inclination. That's just rude. (Unless I'm at home on the cordless phone in the middle of a marathon phone call with my sister or mom and have to pee really bad. But I don't flush until I hang up.)

I rock, not to be confused with IROC, which any racing fan would know

And why do I rock you might ask? Well, I woke up early enough to post my trivia answers for my Harry Potter thing before the Golden Snitch was found. Then, I went ahead and found that pesky old snitch anyway, securing 150 points for my house, Hufflepuff. (Some of you may be worried about my mental health, to which I say "what mental health?")

Since I was up, I finished knitting the bag for my Harry Potter Sock Kit swapster. Having not figured out how to get the lining attached, I did what any good knitter would do--I cast on for another project. And I am nearly finished with that one, too. (Some of you may think I need to get out more and maybe get some vitamin D via good ol' sunshine. Some of you may be right.)

Then, I cleaned the fish tank because Nacho was giving me the sad fish stare and making me feel like a bad person. No one can give you the guilts like that fish--and maybe my mother. So now my pretty fish is happy in his clean tank with sterilized rocks and currently trying to swim into the filter yet again. (I swear I've never watched "Finding Nemo" in his presence.) Get out of there, doofus!

Then I scrubbed the kitchen sink (because, ew, fish water) and since I had the cleaning supplies out anyway, I scrubbed the bathroom sink, the shower, the toilet, but not the floors because it was night when I did this and my bathroom is poorly lit. You really need sunlight to get all the spots.

Then I read Laurie's book cover-to-cover before watching Saturday Night Live and going to bed. Well, to be honest, I'd already read her blog and I know how it ends so it's not like I read Proust. But still, it was a good read and I kept hearing Laurie's voice and seeing her expressions which made it fun. And Sara's devil baby blanket came out awesome. I hadn't seen the finished product. Felt a little sad at the lack of leopard-print tissue cover recipe, but oh well.

Then I went to bed. Phew. Okay, so maybe I don't exactly rock, but considering I spent last Saturday curled up in bed before getting up at 7:30, making myself pretty, attempting to find Kendra's birthday party, getting lost, crying, giving up and driving back home, I'd say I teeter a little.

Harry Potter Trivia Answers, Round 2

Trivia

1. In Deathly Hallows what does Harry step on when exiting his room to wash his cut?
c. A teacup


2. Which two members of the Order of Phoenix came to esortt the Dursleys to a safe place?
b. Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones


3. In order to throw off the Death Eaters, several of Harry's friends take Polyjuice Potion to resemble him and each Harry goes with a different member of the Order of the Phoenix to a different location. Where do Ron (disguised as Harry) and Tonks go?
a. Aunti Muriel's house

4. At Bill and Fleur's wedding, Harry must disguise himself by taking Polyjuice Potion and takes on the appearnce of a redheaded Muggle boy from Ottery St. Catchpol. He was introduced to wedding guests as Cousin . . .
c. Barny


5. Kingsley sends a message via Patronus to warn the Weasleys and wedding guests of the coming Death Eaters. What form does his Patronus take?
b. A lynx


6. In the Half-Blood Prince what drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
d. Gillywater

7. What is the name of the person that heads the Holyhead Harpies?
a. Gwenog Jones


8. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
b. Hippogriff


9. What color robes do the staff at Weasley's shop wear?
b. Magenta


10. Where do Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle live?
d. Devon

Picture Scavenger Hunt

You can either post these pictures on your blog or provide a link to where the pictures are located.

A Gryffindor Quidditch Uniform

A Hufflepuff Quidditch Uniform

A Ravenclaw Quidditch Uniform

A Slytherin Quidditch Uniform

A Picture of the Room of Requirement

I'm a pack mule

It's been a nutty week and it's only Wednesday. Egads! Last month I ordered a whole bunch of promotional items with our company logo on them. This week, they all arrived--all at once. I loaded a cargo ship full of boxes into our storage room (how I found room is still a mystery) and frankly I'm exhausted. Thank God for things like "America's Next Top Model" to distract me. Who do you think is getting the buzz cut next week? Why does Heather take such great photos but looks like the Bride of Frankenstein any other time. And when is Victoria going to get off her "I"m so smart and this is all beneath me" high horse. Ah, I love that show.

And on "Gossip Girl"--yes, I fully admit to watching Gossip Girl--how is Dan supposed to call Serena when she threw her cell phone in the trash at the end of last week's episode and didn't give him her new number?

How much do I love "Dirty Sexy Money"? So much. Donald Sutherland? Love him! What happened to Elle Fanning?

On an unrelated topic, I found this Post It on a fence at Beaudry downtown.
I hope Santo got the message.