pumpkin fun

5 people you'd have to dinner.

Bill Clinton
Annie Leibovitz
Queen Latifah
Jane Austen
Dorothy Parker

Please share yours.

My Fall Pick for favorite musical artist

http://www.brandicarlile.com/

From Amazon.com
Brandi Carlile has a rare voice, consistently spilling over with honesty, purity, and passion. Her dynamic and tonal range is truly exceptional and on par with the likes of k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, and Patsy Cline--at times soft, swooping, and clear as a bell ("Turpentine," "Josephine," "Cannonball"), and then ferocious to the point of breaking ("The Story," "My Song"). A voice like Carlile's when paired with the right material is a winning combination, and The Story's country-meets-Radiohead ballads and rockers do not disappoint. While the songs on are not as consistently stellar as those on her self-titled debut album, they are more often than not solid, and show off her talents and confidence as both an artist and performer, which have fully bloomed since her debut. This, coupled with T Bone Burnett's light, live production style, creates an album that is ultimately more rewarding than her first. The high points on The Story have raised the bar considerably for Carlile, and they are frequent. Her choice to record the album in a live setting inside the studio lends it a raw intimacy and authenticity noticeably absent from most studio recordings, and leaves us with not only an album, but a work of art. Carlile is a career artist still defining her sound, but her maturity as a vocalist cannot be questioned--this is an immensely talented singer laying herself bare before us, and one of the strongest releases of 2007. --Alan Wiley

Summer Fun

Stacey decided to mix it up and have some hair color fun.

The Perfect Pair of Jeans

http://www.zafu.com/start.do?method=BROWSER_CHECK&partnerId=1

This website asks you a quick series of questions about your body and how jeans typically fit you and then they generate a list of jeans that correct your usual problems and should be perfect for you. It's fun and one of the suggestion generated was a pair I actually own and do fit me correctly - check it out.

Alien Lettuce

I helped my fantastic friend Jennifer Blanck plant her garden; tomatoes, peppers, herbs and what I hope will emerge as crop circles of salad greens

Birthday

I had the most wonderful birthday this year. Of course it started with a phone call from mom and dad and their wonderful 2 part harmonizing. Later I met dad for lunch at el indio. while waiting to order I got Sally's birthday call and also birthday wishes from Max. When I was back home I proceeded to slice up a flat of strawberries for the shortcake I would have later-all the while receiving calls from chris, liz, karen and jack. I relaxed a bit and then got ready to go out. My friend Jenn picked me up and we went to Theresa and Suzie's house for a cinco de mayo gathering; it was fun to meet some of their family and neighbors and kickoff festivities. Later Jenn and I headed to PF Chang's to met up with Terry, Barb, Stacey, Jody and Susanne. I was (and still am) struck by the special friends I am blessed to have in my life. Besides dinner and their excellent company I received gifts each more perfect than the next. Perfect in the yippee I love present sense (I really scored); but, what touched me truly was the way that my friends clearly know me and pay attention to my life. Every gift was spot on what I desire, appreciate or reflected some aspect of me. I'm overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness and caring for me. The night ended with calls from richard and sue and back to my house for cake. It was was so good I had shortcake for every meal on sunday too!
Lucky for me I also got gifted the best ever note cards for my birthday this year...I really need to be writing some thank you cards
Finally, a friend picked out these birthday flowers for me based on her view of me...what do you think they say?

Rain

I’ve always loved the rain. I’m drawn outside when the sky lets loose and a downpour begins. When I was 10 I would miss the bus “accidentally” whenever it rained. I’d walk down the block to A&W and get a root beer float and just walk the neighborhood sipping on that treat getting soaked until I was freezing inside and out. I loved to jump in the rapids that form along the gutters rushing always onward to the ocean.

Drenching rains are renewing.

Summer rain seeps into my being; warm water soaking through my hair, clothes and skin. The lighting and thunder of the summer storm like at grandma’s house in southern Utah are so easy to recall. Remembering them even now I can smell the ozone that rips the sky when the lighting cracks.

Summer storms make me giddy.

Why I love the Internet Update

I made my mother's day gift today. Now can you guess what it is?

Mom

I've always been impressed by the way Mom could whipped together a last minute gift and finish it with a fantastic wrap job. She gained this talent working in a department store gift wrap department when she was 16.
I got a lot of experience helping wrap gifts for the little kids (from "Santa") over the years so I can wrap a good crisp package; but Mom only did the fancy bows for weddings and such and it was always a last second endeavor on the way out the door. So, while I've watched her do it a million times but never got a hands on lesson.
I finally sat down with Mom and got a lesson and here is my first personal bow - I'm quite proud of it.
For the ultra curious the gift was for my friend Sepi. I gave her Apples to Apples which (goes without saying) was a big hit!

Why I love the Internet

Things I bought online this week:

Bees Wax
Mutton Tallow
Rosin
Turpentine

Do you think I've raised a red flag at Homeland Security?

These are ingredients for my Mother's Day gift this year. Can you guess what it is?
It is so awesome I know it will ensure me at least 6 months of favorite child status :)

New Swimsuit

Can't wait until it is warm enough to get back in the water. Hopefully, a few weeks more at least the bay will be warm enough for kayaking.

Anxiety

I'm trying some new things to manage anxiety and just staying on track with my responsibilites and goals. I know this runs in the family if anybody wants to share how they manage (or don't) I find it fun and interesting to talk about.

Very Boring

Well today I went to check to see if there was a new post on my blog. I know, crazy as I know that I haven't posted anything. If I'm sick of there not being anything new I can only image how poor Liz feels. This hardly qualifies as a post, but at least it will change the landscape. I will post some actual content soon.

McKinley Fay Greenberg

Jan 12, 2007
2:41 AM
6 lbs. 4 oz.

Dreaming vs. Planning

I've dreamed about this car since I was about 10. The Dixon's (Grandma Sally's neighbors at Cyprus Shores) had one that was this color and close to this model year. Their granddaughter Julie was given the car when she went to USC - and last I knew is still driving it.
Happily, I can afford to buy this car today - but with the age and expensive parts I'm afraid I can't afford the maintenance. So, I’ve decided that I need 2 cars. That way, if the 911 needs work it can just sit and wait until I can gather the $$ needed and I’ll still have my truck to get me to work without a crisis and for hauling the kayak, etc.
Clearly, 2 cars is a luxury (and could be a mistake). So, to help assure that I am not being foolish I’ve decided that I can only buy one if I have 100% cash. And, I’m not allowed to divert any monies that I’ve already committed to my 401K and saving for a house.
Today I’ve started a Porsche specific savings account and happily deposited 5 percent of what I estimate the car will cost. I’ll report on my progress as I’m sure this figure will ebb and flow along with the demands of my real life.
I’m excited about the prospect of owning my dream car and equally curious to find out if when I have 100% of the money in hand will this still be my greatest material desire.

Too jealous of Liz

I got a surprise bonus at work, so bought a kayak.

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I've finally gone international with hits from Brasil and Sweden.