Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Marriage Equality!
Just in case your missed it, my wife and I are the people who will be directly affected by the decisions being made by our Supreme Court this week. The court will look at the legality of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) and California's Proposition 8. These laws are emotionally hurtful and legally crippling to us. We love each and have built a life together and we deserve the equal right of being married. I think you get the point. Stand for equality my friends.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Week of Gainful Unemployment
As I have mentioned, I spent the last week unemployed. On the eve of this new chapter in my life I am reflective of the things I did with the time off. I visited friends, family, and yarn stores, six yarn stores to be exact. I do not know if my mini yarn crawl was productive, but my time off was.
I traveled to Hermann, Columbia, and Rolla, MO. I spent time with my wife and her family. I cashed in change ($70) and sold gold jewelry ($268). I got a pedicure and dug through the safety deposit box. I organized yarn and projects. I listen to music and watched TV. I was in fact very busy.
I kept myself so busy I did not have time to freak out about starting a new job. Until tonight now I am nervous. This almost feels like the night before the first day of school. I keep thinking, what if they don't like me? What if I make a mistake? What if? What if? Ugh, I am making myself crazy with this line of thought. I am sure in the end it will be okay, but right now it feels scary. Send me your bravest thoughts my friends, I will need them tomorrow, that is if it ever stops snowing.
I traveled to Hermann, Columbia, and Rolla, MO. I spent time with my wife and her family. I cashed in change ($70) and sold gold jewelry ($268). I got a pedicure and dug through the safety deposit box. I organized yarn and projects. I listen to music and watched TV. I was in fact very busy.
I kept myself so busy I did not have time to freak out about starting a new job. Until tonight now I am nervous. This almost feels like the night before the first day of school. I keep thinking, what if they don't like me? What if I make a mistake? What if? What if? Ugh, I am making myself crazy with this line of thought. I am sure in the end it will be okay, but right now it feels scary. Send me your bravest thoughts my friends, I will need them tomorrow, that is if it ever stops snowing.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The Yellow Wallpaper
In my week of leisure activity I have been all over the place. Today I went to Rolla to visit in-laws and old friends. Despite the dreary weather we had a great day. One of the best parts of my day was spending time with my mentor and friend, Liz. Liz is a former English professor of mine who helped form some of my literary tastes and views. She is not only a lovely and elegant person, but she knows the value of a good laugh. Spending time with her is always treasured.
25 years ago she introduced me to women's literature. Among others she introduced me to Charlotte Perkins Gilman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Perkins_Gilman) who wrote a short story called, "The Yellow Wallpaper." If you have not read her story, it is not long and worth a read. The yellow wallpaper is an important element in the unraveling of the main character's life. I was chilled by the thought of institutionalized discrimination of women and the helplessness of having no rights to protect yourself potrayed in the narrative.
At that time Liz and her husband even bought a painting by a local artist, Margaret Keller, called "The Yellow Wallpaper." I found the painting as moving as the story. Liz knew that the awakening feminist in me had connected with both of these works and today she gave me her painting by Keller. Gave it to me! I cannot thank her enough. This unexpected generosity made my cup run over with love. I cannot lie, I cried.
25 years ago she introduced me to women's literature. Among others she introduced me to Charlotte Perkins Gilman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Perkins_Gilman) who wrote a short story called, "The Yellow Wallpaper." If you have not read her story, it is not long and worth a read. The yellow wallpaper is an important element in the unraveling of the main character's life. I was chilled by the thought of institutionalized discrimination of women and the helplessness of having no rights to protect yourself potrayed in the narrative.
At that time Liz and her husband even bought a painting by a local artist, Margaret Keller, called "The Yellow Wallpaper." I found the painting as moving as the story. Liz knew that the awakening feminist in me had connected with both of these works and today she gave me her painting by Keller. Gave it to me! I cannot thank her enough. This unexpected generosity made my cup run over with love. I cannot lie, I cried.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Southwest Diner, or Lady of Leisure
This week I am a lady of leisure, or as they say between jobs. I really am between jobs, I have a week off between my old job and my new one. My goal is to do things I know I won't get the opportunity to do for awhile as I transition from my insane library hours to a set schedule. Dining with love ones is a must this week.
I put a shameless plug out in the virtual world for a lunch companion today. I was thinking it was bust when the universe sent me some love. My wife returned from a work trip and I had my favorite companion to play with this afternoon and I wanted a Reuben sandwich.
One of our favorite restaurants is O'Connell's. It is one of those places where everyone knows our names and makes us feel like family when we are there. They only do Reubens on Tuesday, so I thought it would be a great lunch spot. Apparently, many other people had the same thought and the parking lot was packed. After a quick recalculation we wandered off in search of food somewhere else. After about 15 minutes I remembered Hair of the Dog on Southwest.
Okay the place was never called Hair of the Dog, it was just our nickname for the quirky little coffee house that once did business here. We would go and knit, and no one there would ever talk to us. We joked that it reminded us of the werewolf bar, Hair of the Dog, in Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Novels. We did not mind being ignored so it became a favorite place to hang out. Sometime last year it closed and then reopened as Southwest Diner (http://southwestdinerstl.com/).
Where Hair of the Dog was dark, uninhabited, and unfriendly, Southwest Diner was sunny, friendly, and full of people. We sat next to the window and were quickly greeted and served drinks. The menu had lots of options from eggs to sandwiches. My wife and I stuck with the Reuben which magically appeared on our table within less than 10 minutes. The corn beef was lean and the bread was companion marble rye, very tasty. Natalie and I fell on the sandwiches like wild beasts. My only complaint with the food was the fries were seasoned and I prefer my fries naked. I usually order them naked, but forgot this time so I can't blame them. Food gets a thumbs up.
The service was quick and very friendly. Not only was the tea freshly brewed, but I no more than emptied my glass and the staff refreshed it. Good service was appreciated. However, food, atmosphere, and service aside the best thing about my lunch was sitting across the table from my lovely wife. Great day to be unemployed.
I put a shameless plug out in the virtual world for a lunch companion today. I was thinking it was bust when the universe sent me some love. My wife returned from a work trip and I had my favorite companion to play with this afternoon and I wanted a Reuben sandwich.
One of our favorite restaurants is O'Connell's. It is one of those places where everyone knows our names and makes us feel like family when we are there. They only do Reubens on Tuesday, so I thought it would be a great lunch spot. Apparently, many other people had the same thought and the parking lot was packed. After a quick recalculation we wandered off in search of food somewhere else. After about 15 minutes I remembered Hair of the Dog on Southwest.
Okay the place was never called Hair of the Dog, it was just our nickname for the quirky little coffee house that once did business here. We would go and knit, and no one there would ever talk to us. We joked that it reminded us of the werewolf bar, Hair of the Dog, in Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Novels. We did not mind being ignored so it became a favorite place to hang out. Sometime last year it closed and then reopened as Southwest Diner (http://southwestdinerstl.com/).
Where Hair of the Dog was dark, uninhabited, and unfriendly, Southwest Diner was sunny, friendly, and full of people. We sat next to the window and were quickly greeted and served drinks. The menu had lots of options from eggs to sandwiches. My wife and I stuck with the Reuben which magically appeared on our table within less than 10 minutes. The corn beef was lean and the bread was companion marble rye, very tasty. Natalie and I fell on the sandwiches like wild beasts. My only complaint with the food was the fries were seasoned and I prefer my fries naked. I usually order them naked, but forgot this time so I can't blame them. Food gets a thumbs up.
The service was quick and very friendly. Not only was the tea freshly brewed, but I no more than emptied my glass and the staff refreshed it. Good service was appreciated. However, food, atmosphere, and service aside the best thing about my lunch was sitting across the table from my lovely wife. Great day to be unemployed.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Goodbye Girl
Okay, I am too old to be a girl, but goodbye woman does not alliterate, so forgive me the youthful reference. Today was my last day at the library. Big heavy sigh. Endings are hard, and today was no different. I was overwhelmed by the tide of love and good wishes. Even as I am typing these sentences I am tearing up thinking about the last couple of weeks. Words cannot express how special my co-workers made me feel. Tearful verklempt coming on here.
In the end the bad times and crazy customers are forgotten and only the good people will be remembered. This job is not the first one I have left, and as always I count myself fortunate to have such good people pass through my life. I can only hope they feel the same way about me.
Today I was hugged and hugged, showered with well wishes and gifts. My team gave me Fiestaware! Yes, Fiestaware, they know me well. My work BFF, Cynthia, gave me an adorable cat pendant and lunch at our favorite spot. Yarn, flowers, food, and peeps also showed up at my desk this week. All very thoughtful and appreciated gifts. However, over the last five years the real gift has been their friendship. To these fine co-workers I say thank you for so much.
In the end the bad times and crazy customers are forgotten and only the good people will be remembered. This job is not the first one I have left, and as always I count myself fortunate to have such good people pass through my life. I can only hope they feel the same way about me.
Today I was hugged and hugged, showered with well wishes and gifts. My team gave me Fiestaware! Yes, Fiestaware, they know me well. My work BFF, Cynthia, gave me an adorable cat pendant and lunch at our favorite spot. Yarn, flowers, food, and peeps also showed up at my desk this week. All very thoughtful and appreciated gifts. However, over the last five years the real gift has been their friendship. To these fine co-workers I say thank you for so much.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
More Fiestaware Comes to Live with Me
As the birthday season continues, I got MORE Fiestaware from my beloved minion. (Have I mentioned I have a minion? Well, I do. He is not always a good minion, but you know like family you can't choose your minion.) He bought me lunch at Pi, and he came bearing dishes. I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful minion. (Okay this week he is a good minion.)
Right before my birthday I discovered the good people at Homer Laughlin came out with some new Fiestaware pieces. I was in love with the soap dispenser, and wanted one in tangerine to match my kitchen. I also saw a new larger butter dish. Though I only use a butter dish when we have company, I still had to have one. Minion got both for me and even purchased the butter dish in the wonderful flamingo color. I love my new pieces of Fiestaware. Thank you, Minion.
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| Large Flamingo Butter Dish and Tangerine Soap Dispenser |
Right before my birthday I discovered the good people at Homer Laughlin came out with some new Fiestaware pieces. I was in love with the soap dispenser, and wanted one in tangerine to match my kitchen. I also saw a new larger butter dish. Though I only use a butter dish when we have company, I still had to have one. Minion got both for me and even purchased the butter dish in the wonderful flamingo color. I love my new pieces of Fiestaware. Thank you, Minion.
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| Larger Flamingo Butter Dish in Back, Regular Chartreuse in Front |
Monday, March 4, 2013
Happy Birthiversary!
Two years ago I added my anniversary on to the same day as my birthday(http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2011/03/lucky-in-iowa-or-how-i-got-married.html). And you know I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Today along with my usual birthday haul, I got to give Natalie something special too. I also took her lunch and she took me to dinner. All in all a very good day.
I think about how much can change in two years. In two years we have added three more states in which we are legally married. Next year we will add more. Even by the end of this month we may bring California back into the fold. Actually, by the end of this month many things may change for same-sex couples as the discrimination of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) could be struck down by the Supreme Court. The month of my birth and anniversary may be a very good month indeed. The rainbow winds or change are sweeping my country and to this I say, "ABOUT TIME!"
Change is in the air this month. I will be changing jobs. I will move from a customer service job with a library to a records job. Big change. but one I am ready to make. Right now I am basking in the glow of idealized good fortune, time will make it real. Thinking about all the good changes coming this year so close to my birthiversary and you know those are the best gifts anyone could ask for.
I think about how much can change in two years. In two years we have added three more states in which we are legally married. Next year we will add more. Even by the end of this month we may bring California back into the fold. Actually, by the end of this month many things may change for same-sex couples as the discrimination of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) could be struck down by the Supreme Court. The month of my birth and anniversary may be a very good month indeed. The rainbow winds or change are sweeping my country and to this I say, "ABOUT TIME!"
Change is in the air this month. I will be changing jobs. I will move from a customer service job with a library to a records job. Big change. but one I am ready to make. Right now I am basking in the glow of idealized good fortune, time will make it real. Thinking about all the good changes coming this year so close to my birthiversary and you know those are the best gifts anyone could ask for.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Feeling the Blues or Homer Laughlin Loves Me
I know the color of the year is Emerald, and I love, love, love greens, but I am also a girl that just loves some color my life. So right on cue for my birthday Homer Laughlin releases the news of a brand new Fiestaware color: Lapis. When I got the email announcement this morning all I could say says, "OOOOOOOOH!!!" Last year the release of the Flamingo color was almost more than I could bear. I swooned for weeks over that color. I find myself not swooning, but still excited by a new color.
The good people at Homer Laughlin released a color called Sapphire in the late 1990s for Bloomingdales. The color had a very limited run and finding those pieces can be challenging. I have a few pieces, but not much. In 2005 the color Peacock was introduced and proved to be a versatile and stunning color. I have to wonder where this hue will fit in spectrum of Fiestaware blues?
So with the blues on my mind today it is no surprised when I found myself at a LYS (local yarn store) today, I ended up with some Blue Heron cotton blend yarn in my hand. The vibrant blue needed a home in my stash. I will never forsake my love of green, but all I can say is today I was feeling the blues.
The good people at Homer Laughlin released a color called Sapphire in the late 1990s for Bloomingdales. The color had a very limited run and finding those pieces can be challenging. I have a few pieces, but not much. In 2005 the color Peacock was introduced and proved to be a versatile and stunning color. I have to wonder where this hue will fit in spectrum of Fiestaware blues?
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| Sapphire Dinner Plate & Peacock Medium Disc Pitcher |
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