these are a few of my fave-o-right things

i have Sharpie Marker luv.

yes.
i do.

some time back, somewhere around 10 years (imagine that?!?) ago ??!!??, i bought two sets of Sharpie pens from Costco.

a set of 24 assorted colors of this size:

and another variety pack of 24 colors of this size:

these two sets o' markers have been used more than any other markers i've purchased over the many years of the many decades.
why?
the simple quiet colorful beauty of the line of a Sharpie Marker pen, that's why.
the lush, deep dark color.
and the permanence factor.

they've been used for various artsy as well as all those practical projects - from coloring on ATCs to inking a gourd to create a faux Zuni vase to labeling all the plastic storage containers in the garage to ...

... and this is the ultimate true confession - to color the occasional white hairs that dared to sprout on my otherwise black tresses. this was ages ago, of course, when my hair started to show the occasional white strand. wanting to hide the offensive white root but not yet ready to succumb to dye jobs, i colored the whiteness with a black Sharpie marker. nowadays, a truckload of black Sharpies won't do the trick, and it's a full L'Oreal treatment, every 6 weeks. still in denial about the graying that comes with aging, but not with the help of Sharpie.

(no worries)

so
yes
i do
i really really do.

the bottom line is

i luvs me

some Sharpie Markers.



OMG.
there is a Sharpie Markers Official blog!

helpful Sharpie Marker hint of the day =
use a Sharpie to address all your envelopes, be they thoughtful sentimental cards and letters or those damnable bills that need to be paid. the ink on Sharpie-addressed envelopes will not bleed out if the outside surface of your letter happens to get wet from lawn sprinklers, puddles, heavy fog, drooling babies or seasonal rain/snow storms.

Sharpie Marker pen images from 

http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Pages/Home.aspx

Pantyhose - to wear or not to wear?

That is the question.

As evidenced by the plethora of opinions found on the internet, the subject of pantyhose is not a new topic. The most popular pondering on the topic of full lower body hosiery seems to be whether or not women wearing pantyhose (of the 'nylon' variety) aka tights - is still considered stylish. Also - if donning pantyhose is as practiced as once was. To go bare-legged is one fashion statement. To wear hose is another. The former is most often considered chic/young/free. The latter has been deemed one of two extremes: SexySleek (depending on the type of hose) or Old-Lady (more in keeping with what's in my closet).

I've yet to address the subject of pantyhose on b's blog. It is fashion after all, and we occasionally speak of wearables here, and so it goes. Those who are not interested may click away. Now. Here's a little not-about-pantyhose vid to send you on your merry way.

Here then, is my missive on the might and right of the humble pantyhose. On a personal note, this may not be a question of 'to wear or not to wear'. Rather, this may be a thinly disguised conversation with self about my ongoing quandary of 'keep'' or 'do away with?' superfluous stuff. With little doubt, it's a re-organizational query. No matter. Onward.

This morning, as I was putting some freshly laundered, air-dried and neatly folded socks (hand-knitted, BTW) away in my sock storage area, I had to - once again - shift a virtual mountain of pantyhose over to make room.

Having to shove a 2' high pile of folded pantyhose over to make room for precious hand-knitted socks has become a source of irritation to me. This may seem trite, and it is - but everyone knows how the little things add up to become major irritations, grouchiness, bitchiness and et cetera.

In speaking of pantyhose, do understand that I'm not addressing fun, pretty leg coverings to wear when one feels like being a hottie. Not going down the lacy garter belt, seamed and patterned super sheer hosiery route. We're talking about practical, regulation nylon pantyhose with cotton crotch and full spandex panty-like top. Full length lower body stretchy clingy hosiery. Thin to thickish knit elastic - at the same time - delicate to the point of easy breakage...

To keep or not to keep? To wear or not to wear?

Here are my facts:
(1) the substantial stack of still-new-in-the-packages (truth be known, these were probably purchased over a decade ago!) as well as slightly worn (then laundered) pantyhose (the last time worn might have been 5 or more years ago) in my possession has been kept clean/stacked beside my ever growing sock (did I already make mention that they are hand-knitted?) collection.

(2) I possess pantyhose in 'nude and suntan' tones, as well as in colors (gray-purple, black, navy, brown and I even have a muted green) are still being stored away with my accessories wardrobe for the sheer (obvious, but acceptable pun?) reason that I may someday wear them again.

To be sure ...

(3) I hate wearing pantyhose. Always have. Always will. The elasticized or snug fit waistband works itself into the creases of my muffin top belly. The intersection where the legs are attached to the 'panty part' pinches. Pantyhose will, and this is inevitable - get snagged on things - causing runs and holes - which ruin a pair of hose immediately. Especially when wearing brand new pantyhose, the wearer must be very wary to keep safe distance from jumping dogs, kitties (even for a cute stretch, they extend their claws), the edges of old wood coffee tables, woven baskets and other rough edged or pointed objects. Suffice it to say that it would be unwise to sit on a rustic wooden bench if you have a new pair of pantyhose on, with exposed legs peeping out from under skirt or dress. Even crossing one's legs may mean the pantyhose fabric grazing against one's own shoes - which can easily cause a snag. Snags = the bane of existence for the wearer of pantyhose. Sometimes I'll punch a hole in a brand new pair with thumb or forefinger - in the simple act of pulling pantyhose on. Arrrggh.

Points 1, 2 and 3 thus stated --- pantyhose, or better yet - the thicker weave of knit leg coverings that Americans differentiate from pantyhose by calling 'tights' - can actually be excellent leg coverings when worn for cooler weather, when bare legs need a bit of warmth under skirts. Legs are protected from cold fall and winter drafts. Keeps ya cozy. Yet, for me - there's still the problem of that strangulating elastic waist band digging into my mid-section.

I feel everything on my clothing. Tags, folds, loose nylon threads, fibers with any itchiness.
I also don't like dressing in layers. Pantyhose add one more layer to the dressing mix.
Wearing it can feel like a sausage casing for some of us who are sensitive to every shift of fabric as it tries to bind itself onto another fabric.
Yes, though relatively thick-skinned and indelicate (I really relate to my Southern Chinese Cantonese Farmer ancestry) -- I do have a little Princess & the Pea thing going here.

Given a choice, I'd live on a tropical island.
Wear a wonderfully loose fitting muu-muu type shift every day. The fewer layers the better.
Go bare-legged.

Well.
I guess that more or less settles the questions of both to wear or not to wear as well as to keep or get rid of.
Goodbye to the many practical, nude to deep brown to black colored nylon pantyhose in my sock storage area.

I don't need you no more.
Been there. Done that. Wore it. Sooooo over it.

(Ssshhhhhhhh - still keeping a couple pair of the warmer tights....)
(Just in case)

[pantyhose photo from treehugger.com]

snot

OK, this may not be the most appetizing of blog topics. 
Odd pic too, isn't it? But there's a good reason for me to choose it. Read on.

Allow me to proceed with a mini missive on the subject of snot. Please. It may serve to enlighten you, as it did me.

It is especially timely to write of snot because it appears in such generous quantities at this time of year.
Explanation: Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are experiencing our summer morphing into fall, which typically brings with it the onset of the cold and flu season. Bugs out of the woodwork, as it were. Because of the many environmental factors contributing to how germs grow and thrive, quite a number of you out there will succumb, like I recently have - to one or another of the many viral meanies out there.

Lest I change my mind about this questionable blog topic, let's proceed with haste...

I should preface any further discussion of snot by stating that I've been suffering from a terrible head cold for almost a week. DollinkGranddaughterLB very generously passed on some pre-school germies to me when I babysat her a week ago. I would talk more now about how brilliant/beautiful this little one is, but that is another post for another day...

So, let's get back to the subject at hand - or - rather - nose.

Ahem.
I suppose this would be a good time to sub in the word 'mucus' for the more street-worthy, and therefore decidedly more offensive term - 'snot'.

Next, a brief description of my mucus activity of last week, quickly followed by a link. Yes, I'm trying to keep this post relatively short. Stay with me now.

For 6 days and nights now, I've been blowing my poor drippy nose into facial tissues. Used up a box of (real deal) Kleenex, then another. Switched to using a roll of ultra soft toilet paper. I've been getting the 'mega rolls', so there's a lot in each one. It seemed the more economical thing to do. Until I quickly used up two rolls. blowing the endless mucus. On my third roll at present.

Staying home from any of my normal activities, I had not much else to do these last days but nap, read a bit, play on the computer (roll of TP, and a trash can nearby), watch a lot of television and - of course - more blowing of the nose. So much blowing that dee awea awound by noze started to get weally wed.

I wondered when I'd be feeling better. Upon awakening each morn, I'd find more mucus awaiting in my sinuses, draining to my nose - and eventually moving down to my chest (bad news for a newly diagnosed asthmatic).

I got to wondering...

Where oh where does the endless supply of mucus come from? When, if ever - is the over- production of mucus ever going to cease? I'm so sick of being sick. When oh when will I actually feel normal better again?

Another thought came to mind: I'm overdue to write a blog post. Can't keep my fans waiting and wondering what the 'ell happened to me and where the 'ell I've been. But what topic should I post about? I sat here at the keyboard, toilet paper in hand, a hot cuppa herbal infusion laced with lemon and honey on the computer table, contemplating snot mucus. Could not keep my fingers from typing into the blog title space: snot.

So there you have it.
Without further ado, right below is that link I promised, too many words later (OK, I lied again about being brief).

I wish to thank the good people at eHow for this very simple and satisfying explanation.

Moral of story: Mucus be our friend.
So dry up awreddy.

the material world

When it comes to material things, I don't ask for much (well, not too much).
Lifestyle of choice for the time being is to live fairly simply.

That stated,
I do keep an ongoing list of practical or just-for-fun items that I would someday like to purchase/ acquire. Stuff like:
(1) a new vacuum cleaner - I would say that the old one we have 'sucks', but it does a rather poor job of that job. It's so rundown now that it is duct-taped together in parts, which is not altogether an attractive look, even for a vacuum cleaner.
(2) a modest sized flat screen hdtv TV set that will deliver a nice clear picture (to better view the nature documentaries that I favor watching. I also enjoy Disney Pixar, Jane Austen films and a few blockbuster action films on such screens).
(3) more books that I will ever live long enough to read through, because there are far too many wonderful titles available that deserve an attentive perusal - and life is, well - damned short.

HOWEVER.
Oh bother with 1, 2 or 3.
Let's talk clothing accessories.

My favourite clothing accessory at this writing is a lightweight 100% cashmere scarfy shawl thingy, which was gifted to me (because I'd requested it) several Christmases ago. It's from Nordstrom's, and is pretty much known within the Nordstrom shopper's circles as 'the Nordstrom's (tissue weight) cashmere wrap'.

At 20" wide x 80" long, this heavenly soft rectangle of cashmere fabric is such a versatile size.
It can be folded, pleated, twisted, knotted
and wrapped any number of times and every which way.
Is it a Scarf =  yes.
Is it a Shawl = yes.
Is it an In a Pinch Blankie Cover = yes.
Is it a Belt - (if my waist doesn't expand any larger) - yes.
Is it a Pretend Tent or
Lead the Puppy Leash to use in play with DollinkGrandDaughterLBPS = yes.

I heart LOVE this scarf.
I own one in cherry red (as in the photo) which is the color I had originally had on my holiday gift wishlist.
I adore wearing my cherry red wrap. I feel so sexy sleek and snazzy happy with it on.


So much so, that it was unwise for me to walk into a Nordstrom's store last week.
A bigger mistake for me to investigate the display of these scarves that I knew could be found in the women's accessories department.

Household finances are very tight right now.
The car is in the shop ($$$), there is a new house furnace/AC unit to be purchased ($$$$), medical bills to be paid ($$$$$). Probably more spa repair, home repair, decor redux, etc. etc. etc.

So - standing there at the accessories display, admiring and lovingly touching the rainbow colors of wraps - I was 'good' and refrained from impulsively making the purchase of another right then and there. Good Grievin' Gravy, I already own one, am very thrilled with having it, and wear the great sheath with giddy pleasure these cold winter days. I should be, and am - quite content.

But. Then. A wave of shark feeding frenzy came over me like nobody's business, and...

I.
Still.
Want.
One.
Of.
Every.
Color.
Available.
In.
This.
Scarf/ Shawl/ Wrap.

and I want them ALL.

NOW NOW NOW.

and
the wraps are currently on sale.

Ai Ai Aicheemama.

cloggin'

Finally, after years and years of coveting DollinkDaughterL's pair of Dansko clogs,
I finally got a pair of my very own:

I've been a wearer of clogs since the early 1970's, when I worked at a fancy shoe store* at Ghirardelli (say 'Gear-ah-delli') Square in San Francisco. My first pair were wooden soled, upper in brown suede, with a wide strap and buckle across the instep. Hiking up and down SF hills, I wore those things clear to the ground. My next pair were even more stylish - with wood soles, red leather uppers, and whoooohoooo - squared off toes. Footwear fashionista!

At the same time, DollinkFriend and fellow co-worker L had a pair of clogs with fur-covered uppers. Now those were WILD. During idle moments at the store, we would pet her shoes.

Clogs continued to be part of my shoe wardrobe over the next decades. I can't imagine
not having at least one pair, though in recent years, my selection of clogs has been rather unsatisfactory. They've been clog-type shoes, rather than the real deal.

This is my first pair of real deal clogs fashioned with full backs. Should be fun.

I heart these Dansko clogs.

* working this job, I learned to appreciate fine leather shoes and handbags. With my employee discount, I kept the family in fine leather footwear. Back then my clothes wardrobe sucked, but shoe and bag collection was awesome.

weight weight don't tell me

Hmmmmmmmm....

Carry-On Baggage

Perhaps because of my own tendency to carry under eye 'bags' (more when fatigued, but there nonetheless), I find myself very fondly drawn to actors/ actresses who also sport a bit of natural under eye puffage.

Folks like:
Stephen Rea (pictured above)
Greta Scacchi
Greg Kinnear
Jenna Elfman ...
...and others...

Problem, what problem?!?

all you ever wanted to know (and more) about...

...butter.

Yum.

Not just on popcorn, but to enhance the flavour and/or palatability of so many other foods.

A big taste treat (there were many, to be sure) when I was a kid - was to
(1) steam slices of white bread until piping hot, soft and pliable
(2) smear one side of the bread over a cube of butter
(3) sprinkle granulated sugar on the buttered side
(4) eat it while the whole thing is still warm
(5) make another one. Or two.

Mock cinnamon roll variation: add a dash of ground cinnamon and roll the whole slice up before popping into your mouth. One or two quick bites and proceed to making more.

Mmmmmmmm. Yessssssssssss.

I learned at an early age that butter offers irresistible taste and even an oddly comforting texture. But is it good for you? It is, after all, just another form of damnable animal fat. In an attempt to counter butter health issues, I once (but just once) as an adult - made a conscious effort not to add butter to any of my food. That commitment to health lasted almost 12 months.

Guess what.
I lost weight that year.
I felt better.
Less draggy. Less heavy. Less - buttered.
Dang!

Then I took a trip to Germany and frequented many eateries. Butter (and heavy cream!) is used with abundance in German cuisine, and so immensely flavourfully that I happily fell (rather, jumped) off the No Butter Wagon. That was just too easy.
(I washed it all down with German beer...gosh but German beer is good...).

I loves me some buttah.
Is there no getting around it?

As you ponder the good and bad of rendered milk fat,
allow me to pose another butter question to you, my wee readership:
SALTED or UNSALTED?

(BTW, WebExhibits ~~~
what an informative website!)
Whilst you're considering the butter question,
and since we're still
in the middle of the
Chinese New Year of the Ox festivities,
let's all get a bit more info on CNY, why don't we?

Take a look...

I love this style of shoe.

As a kid, I'd listen attentively as Mom made frequent mention of 'spectator pumps'.

Quite the fashionista in her youth, Mom always had a pair of 'spectators' to accessorize certain outfits in her very chic wardrobe.

I've never worn spectator pumps, but have always wanted a pair.

Maybe....this year.... I'll knock some fashion sense back into my old, worn-out wardrobe (which, unfortunately - goes with my old, worn-out bod)....and get a pair of 'specs'. Such a move could very well jump start a wee bit of a fashion uprising in the ol' clothes closet....

raindrops

Random thought the other day
whilst driving down the rainy wet slippery road, heading off for work/running errands:

Rain was spitting down something awful, but in the car, I remained warm and dry. Umbrella in the back seat, ready to use once at my destination and I might be in need of some protective cover to run from a (very convenient) parking spot into whatever store(s).

Growing up in the Big City in the 1950's - 60's, we all got where we needed to go by foot and/or public transport. Forever exposed to the elements in our forays to and fro.

In those days, it seemed to rain quite a lot during the winter, so proper rain gear was de rigueur.
Us kids had yellow raincoats with hoods, and cool kid galoshes.

Ladies like Mom wore knee length raincoats, and just about every woman in the city (at some time or another) might have donned a pleated plastic rain bonnet (sorry, could not find a decent pic online) and 'clear' rubber galoshes before braving foul, rainy weather.

Even as a kid, I thought those pleated plastic rain bonnets were so cleverly designed, albeit kinda ugly. Like wearing a plastic produce bag on your head, only then - plastic bags were not so common/not available (can you believe?!?)(were things actually so much greener then?)...
Anyway, back to the rain bonnets - I even wore one on occasion, just so I could be like Mom.

The pleated plastic rain bonnets were certainly not a positive fashion statement, as they didn't look good on anyone. But it did keep rain off one's head. After coming in from the wet weather, you merely had to shake off the water by giving the hat a quick snap. With that flick of the wrist, it easily refolded along the accordion pleats and with another easy fold, it returned to a neat little size for storage in purse or pocket.
Pretty cool.

The rubber galoshes were worn right over shoes, preventing footwear from getting soggy on wet city streets and stepping into those inevitable rain puddles. Again, funky plasticky looking galoshes for women that were terribly unattractive, but boy were they practical.

Why oh why do I find myself missing these atrocious wet weather unfashionables?

P.S. While looking for images of raindrops, I came across these. Aren't they pretty though?

haghausted

I'm not about to admit defeat - just yet.
But all the merging/purging going on around this house for the past months is - yes - finally - getting to me.

The house is progressing, ever so slowly but surely, into an environment that is a bit more simplified. Things around here are finally making sense. I may soon be able to cook a meal or work on a project without turning the place upside down and inside out looking for the necessary supplies.

The place is looking good.
However, I have become, in the process, rather haghausted.
(hag + exhausted = haghausted)

After I get through the last phase of the First Phase of Re-Organization, I really must address my own physicality.

New Year's Exercise Resolutions at the start of May

Last week I finally quit the exercise program that I've been doing for over 5 years.
Why? I just haven't been getting myself to 'the gym' on a regular basis.

As I've posted before, the workout at 'Curves' has lost its charm for me. Novelty wore off some time ago. It became a boring workout. I could barely tolerate some of the music.
In the last 6-9 months, I've only managed to get to 'Curves' twice a week, sometimes only once, other weeks I skip altogether. The only thing I end up exercising is the automatic checkbook debit of a monthly stipend towards the Gary Heavin (uh) cause (ahem).

So - no more 'Curving' for me.
It was a good run while it lasted.
C'est fini.

Without this program to lean on as a mental crutch and rationale ('It's OK if I eat another couple of helpings, I go to 'Curves' regularly and can work it off')(lies lies) - I confess to being a wee bit panicked now as to what I'll be doing or not doing as far as the 'e' word.
Fitting exercise into my day will be the biggest challenge.

I often resent taking time to exercise when I'd rather be painting
or cooking or chatting with friends.
If only I were better at multi-tasking.

Short of that, here's Plan B:

1. HD is supposedly making a major purchase of a kayak in the not-too-distant, so we'll be sure to get out onto a placid, lovely, calm, uncrowded lake fairly regularly, as we do live in a forested lake, river, hiking, horseback and OHV riding, bicycling recreational area and so we'll be looking ahead to getting some good upper body workouts by paddling.
2. I'm currently building a small library (ooooh, another library!) of about a half dozen exercise DVDs, which I am determined to USE.
   

The exercise library already contains:

• A.M./ P.M. s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g tape
  
• a Buns of Steel tape
• a basic yoga DVD
  
• an abs strengthening DVD
  
• and I've got one of those jump rope stretchy band things with which I can do a modified version of the Curves resistance stretches here at home - to my own tunes!
  

I tried this one last week, and will soon add it to the mix.

Wish me luck and puh-leeese - don't ever drop by when I'm working out. You'd double over with laughter (though a hearty laff is probably very good for your abs).

Anyways.
My plan is to rotate these videos/DVDs for a new exercise regimen (promises promises), alternating with the occasional (better than never) hop on my Nordictrack and/or a 2 mile walk once or twice a week (uh-huh) and skimming the waterways in that aforementioned kayak.

I can already feel the weight coming off, the strength building, the hula hips effortlessly rolling clockwise, counterclockwise....
squeeze....contract....

I sense pulling and pushing against the pressure of lake water against the kayak paddle...

My mind in the yoga zen zone....

The stash of cookies in the kitchen cupboard softly calling out to me...

GET FAHT! EAT TOOO MAAAAACH!!!

Where the eatin's good, the good go eatin'.

San Francisco, f'rinstance.
(No, not Frisco. F'rinstance)

I just spent two days in the City-by-the-Bay.
Perfect weather.
Hung out with good people.
Ate GREAT food.
Savory.
Sweet.
Sweet.
Did I mention
Sweet?

Lightened my wallet a bit and maxed out the stretch in my jeans a lot.

Cheap thrills!

There is something to be said for even the cheapest of thrills.
I am enjoying a few today.

1. My brand new Pre-Shrunk button front 501 Levi's. I've just slipped them on, am doing bends, stretches, sitting cross-legged, even dipped down into a couple of squats (aarrrgh, picture that - no, don't) to 'break 'em in'. Wow - they fit. The right length and everything. I am happy.
2. Overnight, the weather has changed dramatically. Yesterday, it was in the 90's and today it's 20º cooler - mid 70's, it's comfy and I'm lovin' it. So pleasant!
   
3. No relentless sunshine beating down today. No hellish heat. The sky is clouded over, and it even rained a teeny tiny bit. I looked at the raindrops on the back deck and said aloud to me myself and nobody else: 'Wow!' It all adds up to a feeling that Fall is (almost) here. This is great.
4. There's a pretty little bird on the feeder outside my window. It's olive-green in color with a yellowish-green underside, black and yellow-green stripes right above the tail. I'd get the bird identification book on the shelf across the room, but any large movement on my part might frighten birdy away from its perch there on the feeder.... Nice day for bird-watching.
   

Knowing the temps will rise again by week's end makes me appreciate today even more.
P.S. Another cheap thrill is that it's still warm enough that I'm wearing a sleeveless tee and sandals with my 501's.
Yippee Skippee. WhoooooHooooo! Huzzah!