I told Bob, "No."

Holiday Toilet Tissue

"An everyday necessity gets in on the merriment...and your guests will be delighted it did! Three-ply tissue is made in Germany."

(Sometimes, you've just got to put your foot down. Besides...it's $24 for only 3 rolls!)

The next best thing...

When I was a little girl, I used to love to go in my mom's jewelry drawer and try everything on. My mom had some pretty cool stuff in that jewelry drawer. She'd spend hours telling me about every piece, where it came from, and the story behind it. I used to love to help her get ready for an evening out, by choosing which pieces she'd wear.

One of my favorite things was an ornately carved set of cinnabar bracelets from the Orient. These lacquer bracelets were an ancient art form actually, once popular in the imperial court of China. Each bracelet started as a wooden form that was dipped in layer upon layer of lacquer and allowed to dry. The craftsmen would then hand-carve intricate dragon and flower designs. They were truly gorgeous. I loved trying them on.
When my mom died, and I was allowed to see the contents of the jewelry drawer, I was so sad to learn that they'd somehow disappeared....

Recently, however, a little miracle found its way to me... a near perfect replica set of the bracelets! Okay, so they're not the originals, but I've got a pretty amazing husband who discovered them. And I think, to me, these just might mean a little bit more.

I don't get it...

I don't understand how they can possibly make an hour and a half long movie from a book that only has 8 sentences.

"Hello! Hello there, how are you? Oh Hello!"

Dolly.

It's been about 15 years since I last met Carol, and Friday night I'll be spending a couple of hours with her. At school. In my library. She's delightful, really. It'll be a privilege, honestly. It's just that this time, since I'm the host, I'll be the one entertaining her.

UPDATE:

A little kindergarten boy says to me today, "I just wet my pants."
Me: "Are you serious?"
Kid: "Yep."
Teacher: "Again?!"
Kid: "Uh huh."
Me: "Did it get on the couch?"
Kid: "Yeah."
Teacher: "Your mom is going to be mad!"
Me: "Carol Channing's going to be mad. She'll be sitting on that couch."

Halloween in Tucson

Halloween in Tucson is a pretty big deal. I've never seen anything like it actually. To be quite honest, it gives Salem a run for its money. Last year, Every. Single. House. on my sister's block was decked out bigger than Christmas. Except for hers. (It's sort of embarrassing. I'm surprised they didn't get egged).

This year, she promised she'd get into the spirit of it all. "We're going to decorate. I promise! Our house will be the spookiest in Tucson!"

Well.... apparently she decorated.

Please, kids, don't egg her house. On the bright side, she does give out pretty good candy.

Carving Out Memories

(Oh my gosh, how clever is that?!)

It feels like fall. It smells like fall! And it's beginning to look like fall (at home and on my blog!).

There's been lots of great happenings around here. Bob is working for a company that he really loves (doing something medical and FDA related). Doug's up at conference with some friends and is busy with school. Tim's been working on some projects and is doing fantastic. I've quit medical transcribing and have more time for my writing and other projects. And we're looking forward to having the Hamills come for a visit at the end of the month. Life is good.

(picture: Doug and Tim, our first year in this house)