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an utterly random discussion

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Apparently I've led a sheltered life

Are you aware that there is a group of people known as "plushies" who are turned on by stuffed animals? You know, like some people have a thing for leather or feet or whatever...these folks have a thing for plush stuffed critters. I was just informed of this by a co-worker, which caused me to dissolve into a lengthy fit of out-of-control mascara-running laughter. The name "plushies" alone is enough to send me into hysterics.
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Monday, March 22, 2004

Get well soon

A good friend who brings much joy to others is quite sick. I’m very concerned about her and I’m hoping she recovers quickly now that she’s finally gotten the attention she deserves. I should send her some watermelon rind pickles to help speed her recovery along.
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The Drudgery of Nothingness

Sounds pretty depressing, doesn’t it? I don’t mean it to. I’m not depressed, really. But lately I’ve been feeling like I don’t really have anything very interesting to say. People ask me, “So how are things?” and I say, “Fine. You know, same old, same old.” I could yammer on about my new window treatments, or Mickey’s recent illness and subsequent recovery, or obedience class, or work (but there’s not much to talk about there, that’s for sure) or the weather or something…but I just don’t have the energy to start talking to someone about some stupid thing that’s really not all that important and they probably don’t care about anyway…I mean really who but me cares about the silly window treatments or Mickey’s obedience class? It’s not like I’m not interested in what I’m doing, but I can’t imagine that anyone else is.

It almost seems like all the interesting things are happening to other people – my husband is doing some very interesting stuff career-wise, my sister in law is pregnant, that sort of thing. I think my dopey stuff sounds kinda lame in comparison. What am I going to say, “Hey, I cooked a really nice batch of banana bread the other day, hoo-boy!” or “Boy, it was touch-and-go there for a minute with the mildew on the shower door but a little bleach and an old toothbrush finally took care of it.” Or “You’ll never believe who was playing tennis in the court next to mine on Saturday…former NJ Governor Thomas Kean!” (This is true, actually.)
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Thursday, March 18, 2004

From the mouths of babes

So Mickey and I have been attending obedience class. (For him, not me. It’s too late for me.) To my surprise and delight, my dog is a star. He’s so smart that it takes him seconds to grasp a new concept, he’s got so much energy that his responses are always enthusiastic, and he’s not overly distracted by the other dogs in the class, which is highly unusual for his breed. Believe it or not, everyone else in the class wishes he were their dog. I’m not kidding. But this is not what I meant to write about.

There are two kids who attend that class along with their parents (and their two dogs, of course.) The kids sit very quietly and watch the class while their parents put the dogs through their paces. After class, they come running over to my dog, saying, “Mickey Mickey Mickey!” The boy, Ryan, is I would guess 7 or 8. His sister, the lovely Katherine, (I wonder if they’re Irish?) is a little younger, I’d say around 5 or 6, but a very old soul personality-wise.

Katherine kneels in front of Mickey and gets her face up close to his and rubs his ears all around – sometimes vigorously enough to make me a little worried that Mickey might take offense, but he never does. Ryan comes over and just pets Mickey all over. They want to chat with me about my dog, and ask me all kinds of questions.

“How old is Mickey?”
“What’s Mickey’s last name?” (“His name is Mickey Schneider,” I say, and Katherine says, very seriously, “That’s a beautiful name.”)
“How big was Mickey when he was a puppy?”
“How high can Mickey jump?”
“Where does Mickey sleep?”
“Is this the first time Mickey’s taken this class?”

Sometimes they make observations.

“I like Mickey.” (“Well he likes you, too,” I say.)
“Mickey’s a good dog,” says Katherine, very sincerely. “He’s really good. He does everything very well.” She nods her head emphatically as she says this.

Lately the questions have been getting a little more personal – especially from Ryan.

“Do YOU have any kids?” (“No, not yet,” I say. “What do you think I should do – have some kids or just stick with dogs?” I ask. He considers this for a moment, then shakes his head and says, laughing and smiling, “I don’t really care.”)
“In my school,” says Ryan, “there’s a teacher? Her name is Mrs. Schneider? She teaches Social Studies?” Pause. “Do you know her?”

I look very much forward to these little interactions because I find the kids so much fun to chat with. I pretend that it’s all about the dog but really I hang around after class chatting with the kids because they’re so entertaining.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2004

I knew it would eventually come to this

So it looks like my husband and I have finally crossed the line into the Dual Recliner stage of our marriage. We are now the proud (and oh-so-comfy) owners of this lovely sectional with dual recliners.
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Yes, I know it’s very ironic

Thanks to my miraculous and near-effortless weight loss last summer on a low-carb diet, I am now utterly convinced that all things sugar and refined flour are evil. (That doesn’t mean that I don’t cave from time to time and enjoy a Krispy Kreme or six.)

So why am I considering purchasing this, you ask? I don’t know for sure…all I know is that I have been experiencing pronounced Bread Machine Longings ever since we stayed in a b&b this past summer that featured fresh baked bread every morning…and over the past few months I’ve thought to myself on several occasions, “Hmmm…I could use a bread machine for this.” According to my research the Zojirushi is the Mercedes of bread machines. It is also rather pricey. I think it may have to just stay on my wish list for awhile.
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Life is too much with me lately

So yes, I haven’t posted since February. Shame on me. But I do have an excuse. Since my dear friend and esteemed co-worker Kathleen left for greener pastures, I’ve been swamped at work…just leaping from project to project, grasshopper-like, with no hope of carving out any time for myself to post on my poor, neglected blog.

Also, things have been a-happenin’ on the home front, as well…what with various family obligations, including the building excitement around my niece-to-be as well as some home improvements (painting the basement and kitchen – yes the kitchen for the second time since we moved in…I think this time’s a keeper) as well as new carpet in the basement and the installation of my long-awaited window treatments in the living room and master bedroom, plus my dog’s protracted and very messy bout with a tenacious stomach virus (you don’t want to know) I’ve pretty much been falling into a coma each evening, with no energy left over to come up witty, insightful missives.

But things seem to be more-or-less back to normal now so hopefully I’m back on track.
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