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November 30, 2007
CHEAP, Fast, topless blonde for sale!
Time to drop the price! $14,700.
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
1.8L Turbo engine, 5-speed manual transmission
Cream body with tan top and light tan interior.
Posted by lisa at 07:42 PM
November 29, 2007
mo-date
had a checkup at the vet yesterday. nothing too terrible, but he's slipping in a few areas. he's lost some weight, and he needs oral potassium supplements now. his anemia has also gotten slightly worse so we'll step up the epo for a while.
so yesterday he had fluids, epo, and potassium and today he's a new cat. woke me up caterwaulin', freaked me out but he just wanted his breakfast. his voice has changed in the last year and he sounds like the bastard lovechild of a siamese cat and a police siren. NOT my favorite way to wake up.
i bought a waterproof mattress cover yesterday and i plan to try letting him back on the bed soon. hopefully then he'll just glare at me when he wants his breakfast.
i finally decided to spring for this expensive memory foam pet bed i've been considering. it takes a long time to ship which bothers me; what if the situation with his health makes a bad turn next week and... you know? but whatever. chances are he'll get to enjoy it and it'll make him happy and comfortable.
Posted by lisa at 08:48 AM
November 28, 2007
way off my game
first peppermint mocha of the season: tasted kinda off.
totally normal lunch that i have eaten a thousand times before: tasted kind of weird.
headache all day, not affected by caffeine. i never get headaches. unless...
tried four or five times to get the fluids going with moses, could not do it. this has never happened before. i just could not hit it right. i'll try again later but i might have to take him to the vet tomorrow and have them do it.
damn. am i getting sick? i don't feel sick, except for the headache. but something is definitely off.
Posted by lisa at 06:33 PM
November 27, 2007
OLD skool
i hesitate to say much about how i came by my old broadcast turntable.
suffice to say, it was a very kind gift. i don't want the person who gave it to me to get in trouble with his boss.
finally it is mounted in my desk, so i can actually use it. J and I did this this weekend. it's part of my grand plan for the back bedroom.
the grand plan involves obtaining an ART USB Phono Plus v2 USB Phono Preamp that will translate the glorious analog of the turntable into zeros and ones that can be fed into my computer.
sweet, ain't it? i don't have any pictures with the turntable mounted in it, which is too bad. the turntable itself is a big solid piece of what looks to be cast aluminum.
i'll be so very pleased when it's all set up and working.
Posted by lisa at 07:55 PM
November 26, 2007
winter cocktails
inspired by the peppermint stick cocktail featured on a certain food tv "all star" show, i went searching for a recipe. i found one, and i also, TO MY GREAT HORROR, found this:
Kooch recipe
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz clam juice
Stir ingredients together in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cocktail onion, and serve.
Posted by lisa at 09:04 PM
"Clutter is not a gift" - Psychology of Clutter blog
"So, what to do about people who give you things that catch dust or clutter up your living space? Start talking to those people now!"
Fortunately, my family has been gift-list-driven for decades now, so I never get useless items as gifts at Christmas. My mom is trying to reduce down to one household in the coming year, so she wants only things like gift certificates to restaurants and wine-- consumable items. J and i tend to keep it very simple, already.
Posted by lisa at 08:53 AM
memory diversions
somehow during thanksgiving dinner, mom and i got started on the house we lived in in delaware when i was little. stuart whipped out his blackberry and tried to bring it up on google maps. sure enough, we were soon looking at the old neighborhood, although the blackberry was too painful to really explore things.
at home on the laptop, i was startled and delighted to find that the neighborhood has street view! for people who don't obsess about google maps, street view is where someone has taken panoramic photos while standing on a street. so you can almost stand there on the street, thousands of miles away.
the street has apparently been renumbered (provided i'm remembering that house number correctly) but it wasn't difficult to find a house in about the right spot on the street that looks exactly like i remember, except for the color of the siding. CRAZY! i haven't seen that house since i was in second grade!
Posted by lisa at 12:50 AM
November 25, 2007
thanksgiving weekend recap
wednesday i took the day off and spent most of the day cleaning the house... stuff i do maybe twice a year or so. gave the fridge a scrubdown and really re-stocked the kitchen.
j and the puppy arrived around 10 and i cooked us a nice dinner of teriyaki chicken, rice noodles and green peas. i also introduced j to my current favorite cocktail, very loosely based on the pink pussycat i had at city beverage a few weeks ago. pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, vodka and a splash of grenadine.
i also managed to burn the applesauce that i make every year, which is crazy because i've never done that in over a decade of making it. it's very simple; i use this crazy peeler-corer gadget on some sweet red delicious, then cook them down slowly with cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg.
so thursday morning the mission was to get more apples and get the applesauce made (again) before time to go to mom's. i woke up groggy and out of it and everything seemed to go in slow motion. we were even caught in the driveway after apples were obtained by a neighbor who wanted to discuss the recent tax revaluation at some length.
i then nearly burned it again, and i've now decided that the pan was the culprit. yeah right, it was the pan!
applesauce rescued, pumpkin cheesecake lovingly packaged, showers taken, we headed to mom's for the traditional thanksgiving dinner-- turkey, etc. all very nice and no drama or anything. we talked to stuart about life in atlanta being a flunky in a big law firm and studying for the LSAT. he says that studying for the LSAT is making him think differently, he's becoming more analytical. J and i both commented later that this makes us want to study for the LSAT!
friday we got to work (slowly)... we had three goals: to replace an outlet in the kitchen with a three-prong; to fix my front door so it will close and open without kicking, yanking, and cursing; and to cut a hole in one of my big work tables and drop a cabinet mount turntable in it.
we did all three although as always it took forever for us to get anything useful done.
along the way we decided that the biscuit recipe i've been using is too dry; we walked around one of those mixed type planned communities (the kind with houses mixed with condos and apartments); i took J to the char-grill for the first time evah (he said today, "i've decided that any time you want to go to the char-grill, that's okay with me.")
we also had thanksgiving dinner #2 at d&s's house accompanied by sarah and georg. after foods s could not resist showing sarah (and the rest of us) katamari damaci which was totally fun, but i still don't feel the pull of video games (which i never play, oddly, except for Riven way back in the day). still, completely anerable.
this morning we went to watts grocery for a late breakfast. no trouble getting a table despite the dire prediction of an anonymous coward on my livejournal when i posted about our first, thwarted attempt to go to watts. our waitress was awesome, but the hipsterati quotient was almost unbearably high, and our food was good but not amazing. i also had to send my bacon back to have pools of grease removed from it. i like grease, but apparently i have a threshold; i couldn't bring myself to touch this bacon until it was de-greased. as i said to J, i learned something about myself today. I had (besides the bacon) a waffle, and J had eggs benedict that came with almost plain grits on the side.
we decided that we like piedmont better for fancy brunch. more laid back, and tastier.
so anyway. the boys are on their way back home now, and it's business as usual here. moses curled up in his post-fluids semi-coma and i'm blogging and nursing cold feet in front of the electronic fire, to the tune of NUMB3RS.
Posted by lisa at 09:23 PM
November 20, 2007
oh, i get it.
i'm bored. i'm actually bored.
it took me a few days to catch on. it's been a while since i was flat out bored. it feels so weird and unfamiliar.
yeah, i'll be glad when j and the puppy get here and the fur begins to fly, again.
Posted by lisa at 10:55 PM
November 17, 2007
Fast, topless blonde for sale!
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
1.8L Turbo engine, 5-speed manual transmission
Cream body with tan top and light tan interior.
Fully loaded, 40k miles. 10k miles left on the bumper to bumper warranty which does transfer to the new owner. 40k service has already been performed. Tires only have 3k miles. This car has been extremely reliable and a joy to own.
All records, including original sticker.
This car is so fun, so pretty, and so quick! I hate to part with it. The Monsoon stereo sounds amazing and yes you CAN hear it just fine with the top down! Don't let the adorable looks fool you-- this car handles like it's on tracks and really moves.
Volkwagen called this beautiful color 'Harvest Moon'. This color combo hides dirt and stays nice and cool in the summer.
Electric top is extremely fast and easy to raise and lower. You can put it down or up at a stoplight-- I have many times!
Extra rear wind blocker included-- mounts behind the passengers to elminate mussed hair and makes for a very pleasant drive no matter how fast you go.
$15,700
Features:
Leather interior
Sport seats with adjustable lumbar support
In-dash cd player
Monsoon premium sound system
Air conditioning
Xenon headlights
Foglights
Removable wind blocker ($250 dealer option)
Seat warmers
Chrome bud vase, chrome trim rings on reverse lights and foglights
17" premium alloy wheels
Electronic Stabilization Program
Anti-lock power brakes
Anti-theft alarm system with Immobilizer
Front and side airbags
Automatic rollover supports
Cruise control
Power windows
Lockable storage - trunk, armrest, and glove box - so you can park with the top
down and keep items secure.
Posted by lisa at 08:21 PM
massive hoard-house cleaned out on oprah
the organizational blogs are abuzz with this one... the clean sweep organizer peter lead the cleanup of the house of a massive hoarder. like clean sweep, but they did the whole house and it was a lot worse than most clean sweep houses, right on down to finding black mold in most rooms. they filmed it and put it on oprah who used her connections to get them all new furniture, flooring, and a kitchen.
in the end they had a rummage sale in a rented warehouse, and cleared $13k. the other stats are pretty incredible-- 8 weeks, a staff of 100 people, 75 tons of trash, 3,000 pairs of shoes and 3,000 purses, 8 hours to clear the master bedroom of clothes, etc. you get the idea.
they've done a good job of putting the details and photos on the oprah web site, so you don't actually have to watch the damn show to see it (i didn't).
Posted by lisa at 09:52 AM
November 16, 2007
Snowball effect - Katrina fallout
Hurricanes triggered disastrous tree kill
"This is the worst environmental disaster in the United States since the Exxon Valdez accident ... and the greatest forest destruction in modern times," said James Cummins, executive director of the conservation group Wildlife Mississippi and a board member of the Mississippi Forestry Commission.
Posted by lisa at 06:30 PM
a good, sturdy cat
i just realized that it was august 15th-- three months ago yesterday-- when moses was diagnosed with CRF. at that point, i wasn't sure he'd live three days; three months seemed out of the realm of possibility.
good cat.
Posted by lisa at 04:03 PM
November 15, 2007
a good mo check-up
just heard from the vet and it's mostly all good news. his creatine level has dropped again to 3.5 which is really great. that's the main indicator of how well his kidneys are functioning and how much the fluids are helping. apparently, a lot.
other things that must be monitored in the crf cat are at normal levels-- phosphorus, potassium, and blood pressure.
blood sugar was still normal, so i was indeed wrong about the diabetes being back.
finally, he has become slighly anemic again but not dramatically. he'll get another epogen shot tomorrow and given his past response to the drug, that should hold him for another two weeks.
so, here's hoping we can keep him at this good place for a while to come. everything is very manageable right now and i like it like that. he's also obviously feeling pretty good and happy.
Posted by lisa at 11:01 AM
eye-bleeding new design
i'm inordinately fond (for the moment, anyway) of my new design for Another Pink World. it's been a while since i've produced any creative output to speak of.
funny how different the green color is on a Mac as compared to windows.
Posted by lisa at 10:35 AM
November 13, 2007
freedom toast, redux
sunday morning we decided to go to IHOP for breakfast, but found it a little on the crowded and people standing on the sidewalk waiting side, so we headed on to other sources of pancakes.
we wound up (after much driving, and finally calling w. for directions) back at the place that has, no kidding, freedom toast on the menu. i've mentioned this place before. it's right smack next to langely.
so J ordered the freedom toast this time. i could see he was having trouble keeping a straight face while ordering. i looked away to keep from cracking.
i asked him how it was.
it's good, he said. it tastes like VICTORY.
Posted by lisa at 11:48 PM
benefits
my company is well known for its employee benefits. way beyond excellent health care, vision and dental.
a little known service of our company cafeteria is after hours food. you can go online and order a sandwich to pick up in the late afternoon. and you can sign up to receive leftovers from the hot food menu. the food is company subsidized, and payroll deducted, so financially, it's like having takeout from a restaurant without any of the financial pain.
it's been years since i've even thought about signing up for leftovers, much less actually did it, but tonight i decided to give it a go. i'm overdue for a trip to the grocery store, so coming home with a good dinner seemed like a great plan.
wow. what an awesome benefit! i brought home what they consider to be one portion of veggie lasagne. cost me maybe $4, if that. i heated it up in the oven with some marinara sauce and it's really two portions, and oh so very tasty and delicious. plus, vegetables, yay.
plus, the walk over to the cafeteria is a nice way to break up the afternoon and get a little exercise. sweet.
Posted by lisa at 06:46 PM
November 12, 2007
Moses Burns
I have decided that my cat is like Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.
he has many illnesses
every third day, i pump him full of live-giving fluids
he's shaky on his feet
and yet... he just keeps on living past all expectations.
i am not so sure that he has high blood sugar. wednesday he has a scheduled blood test and i decided to wait until then to find out. his water consumption and appetite are not that outrageous.
he fared very well during our trip to virtginia this weekend, and as always enjoyed the extended time in the car. no pee incidents in almost two weeks now, which is nice.
Posted by lisa at 10:55 AM
pondering while driving
bart's real deal post had me pondering old shows i'd seen, while driving home tonight, and somewhere along memory lane i got started thinking of artists i've seen perform who are now dead. I could only come up with four:
d. boon
jerry garcia
sun ra
pavarotti
i really wish i had records of all the shows i've seen over the years; i once found a ticket stub to a royal crescent mob show that i have absolutely no memory of attending. it makes me wonder who i've forgotten who might belong on the above list. or just, who i've forgotten.
anyway, who would go on your list?
Posted by lisa at 12:15 AM
November 06, 2007
Crap.
Greasy coat, voracious appetite, soaking wet litter box.
The diabetes is back. !!!
Posted by lisa at 07:40 PM
The Watchers
There are 27 people watching my auction of BPAL Beaver Moon 2005.
That's crazy.
I can has bidding war?
Posted by lisa at 06:34 PM
My life in beverages - breakfast smoothie
1/2 cup lowfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup lowfat milk
1 scoop spirutein chocolate drink mix
2 shots espresso (1 pot from my stovetop espresso maker)
blend. taste. too bland; i added 3 packets of splenda. nice balance of chocolate, bitter, coffee, dairy and sweet. the hot espresso makes it nice and warm.
tomorrow i'll try adding two scoops of ovaltine, instead of the splenda.
Posted by lisa at 11:42 AM
November 05, 2007
Pink Elephants
3 oz pink lemonade
2 oz chilled vodka
1 oz grenadine (or less)
shake with ice, pour in the glass of your choice (i like a martini glass)
top with ginger ale, about 2oz
I think I've decided that, with commercial bottled grenadine, this is too syrupy, even when I reduce the grenadine down to just a splash.
In comparison to the Pink Pussycat I had at City Beverage Saturday night, it doesn't hold a candle.
However, it would be interesting to make a Pink Elephant with homemade lemonade and grenadine.
Posted by lisa at 10:15 PM
November 04, 2007
happies cat
i came home from running errands this afternoon and moses met me at the door (which is kind of usual these days). i could tell he wanted to go out, so i propped open the door.
he went out and wandered around in the yard, then laid down on the sidewalk and stretched out in his "i am a happy cat" posture. i sat with him a while on the step and gave him ear scratchies and whatnot.
i've got all the doors open now to let some air into the house. he's been scooting around, checking it all out, had some lunch, and now he's hanging out with me on the sofa.
just thought i'd turn in a good report after all the worry and whatnot.
Posted by lisa at 01:22 PM
Ebay auctions - Fluevogs, BPAL
Wow, it's been a loooong time since i sold anything on ebay. But here we go.
Fluevog Mini Lily Darling pumps, burgundy and green.
BPAL 2005 Beaver Moon partial 5ml.
BPAL 2005 Snow White partial 5ml.
Posted by lisa at 10:40 AM
November 02, 2007
Postal Service
My favorite government agency: the Postal Service. I just used online label printing for the first time to send out the NBeast t-shirts that I (shamefully) never sent after the show. Very smooth, and I scheduled pickup online so I don't have to go to the Post Office, either.
It did turn out to be a productive day. I spent a lot of time this afternoon feeding my credit card and checking statements into spreadsheets, categorizing my expenditures and doing some tallies. I wanted to be sure I didn't have any money drains that I wasn't aware of, and that my money really is going where I think it is. For the most part, it is, and it turns out that I'm absolutely correct in my analysis that the convertible is a big expense. Cars-- including everything from gas to scheduled maintenance to car payments-- are my second biggest expense after the combined mortgage and utilities.
My dear sweet little kitty is the third biggest. But that's okay.
I called my insurance company to tweak my coverage a little-- the van is never driven, but it is insured, and they claim I can't drop coverage completely but we did change things in such a way that it'll shave $20 a month off the bill.
The gas company called this evening to say that they'll not only credit me for the cost of the unnecessary service visit from my heating guy, but for the two months of service I didn't have but was charged for. A good example of asking for what you want-- and actually getting it.
Finally, I renewed my BPAL sale post on the forum, so hopefully that will start bringing some cash back in.
Time for a break and some dinner, but later I plan to work on some ebay sales.
All of this conducted from the now oh so functional office. love it.
Posted by lisa at 07:10 PM
Durham Screen Savers
Just ran across this: DurhamScreenSavers.org. Although there seems to be no mission statement obvious on the site, I believe the idea is to try to bring the Starlite Drive-In back, or something.
The Starlite is currently for sale, for just under 1.2 mil. Full deets here.
Posted by lisa at 12:44 PM
red, right, returning
this morning i experienced the joy that is "fasting bloodwork". neither part of that is good. the second part of that was particularly bad this time; they always have a hard time with me but this time really sucked.
after breakfast i did some shopping in reverse-- i returned a bunch of stuff i thought i wanted for my halloween costume, but didn't. 10am right when the stores open seems to be a popular time to return things.
i woke up this morning to a damp sofa cushion, so clearly better protocols are needed for the night after fluids. also, i need another bottle of nature's miracle.
i still don't really feel right so i'm kinda glad i decided to take today off. the plan is to get the convertible cleaned up and listed in a few places for sale, and get some stuff on ebay, etc. but for now i'm watching futurama and procrastinating. yay!
Posted by lisa at 11:39 AM
November 01, 2007
Obama in the air!
So i'm driving home tonight, and listening to NPR, and as i pull into my neighborhood they announce that Barack Obama gave a speech today at NCCU which is about two miles away from where I live. so i start looking around, like i'm going to see him just walk by!
i guess i couldn't have made it to the speech anyway, because of work stuff, but how cool that he was here.
Posted by lisa at 06:40 PM