I am on goblin patrol today. The girls have just finished working on some water color painting and talking about how they wished Monet was alive so that they could talk to him, or that he was in their family. My other favorite thing was the younger one, almost five - pointed to a tear in her stocking and informed that it was a "hole in her ladyhose."

Ladyhose. HA! Cute. I think in bit we might have to go for a walk to get out of the house. It is such a nice day since the sun made an appearance.

Hannah says: I don't want to talk.
I say "How come?" Hannah looks at me with a little smile and says nothing. She crosses her arms and turns away with a shy glance to get on the trampoline to sit down, then scoots off to hop one legged across the floor to tell her sister that her foot hurts.

Hannah crawled back and now says "Ay Aie yah. I like butterfly frog sandwiches with cinnamon suger sprinkled on top. I also like chocolate nuggets."

Spring seems to permeate my social self lately. First, I have made a new friend (yah for getting out there and socializing!). Afterward I went to my book group and got to finish the discussion of Globalization and It's Terrors by dramatically saying "Let the world burn."

Oh gee, I am distracted now. I should get off the punkuter anyway and see about going outside. I wonder how far St. Vincent is from here. I know it is close, but how close...and how far can Hannah walk?

A few weeks ago I found an old worn briefcase and wondered what was in it. I sat down in the living room and opened it to find a pile of letters and mail that I couldn't, when I was moving, think of a proper place for. I found all kinds of wedding invitations and was saddened by how many those weddings have already ended in failure. But I did find Amy's invitation and put it aside so that I could do my yearly search for her on the internet. I had lost contact with her over five years ago.

Today, I was putting the pile of letters in order and found that invitation. I almost put it away in a permanent type place again, but thought to myself "It won't take but a moment to see if she has found a home on anywho or bigfoot." So I looked. This time around, I found a Amy and Jef, and without worrying about it too much I called the number. I got a beep and hung up. Then I called it back, determined to leave a message. After the beep and several seconds of hesitation I said "Hi, this is Laura. I hope this the same Amy and Jef that I know from several years ago. More specifically Amy, nee Matera from Madison. If this is you, please call me back at ----, and if it isn't I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience."

A few hours later, the phone rang. I picked it up and it was Jef! I couldn't believe it! It worked, I finally found my old friend after so many years. We chatted a bit and then he said that Amy would call me when she returned home from work. A few hours later, she called and we caught up in the course of an hour! She is still married, bought a house and has two adorable little boys. It struck me how familiar it was to talk with her after so long, and I implored her to send me some pictures of her and the boys. She included this one -- the last time I saw her, I was attending to the duty of a bridesmaid at her wedding.

I love nothing more than finding "lost" friends again. What's more, she said she had looked for me too over the years... that is a happy thing to know. :D

I read 3/4 of Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery with a couple glasses of wine (a little over board...opps) and finished the book. It's such a great story and I am so glad that Sarah recommended it AND lent me the books. Very inspirational.

Today I got another letter, but did manage to send one off, as well as compose one for tomorrows mail. I have a stock pile of six letters I need to work on, but it is a pleasant challenge. :D

Pluto won't eat his morning food and barely eats his dinner food. What the heck is wrong with him? He only eats the good stuff the cottage cheese or pieces of chicken in it. I think he has a case of winter depression. I hate it when my animals don't eat, fight and generally are difficult.

I got an automated phone call from Blockbuster for some dude, reminding us that we have an over due movie since Saturday. I laughed and hung up. Hopefully we won't be using blockbuster ever again thanks to Netflix. The movies for this week are: Logan's Run, Justice League: Paradise Lost, and B5: Season 3, disk 2.

I called around for CPA's today and was shocked and outraged at the basic fee for doing taxes. At least 200 dollars. Geez we decided to buy Turbo Tax and do it ourselves since we know so many people who have done it, and they have live support and a good website. I hate tax time. Hate it.

I am Hooo muuunnnnannee and I need to be loved.

Wow, this past weekend was positively hopping! Starting with Final Fantasy at John's on Wednesday, following with the academic books group on Thursday, to Friday's impromptu visit from Callie and Zeman who brought Sigrid and Matt over to play Dance Dance Revolution (ohh they laughed at Tim and I at first, but then they got hooked) followed by a game of the 90's game. I don't think I am going to recommend playing that game again, unless someone else really wants too. It's to freaking hard. Besides we have crap loads of fun other games to play. In any case it was a nice change having all those social things to do.

Saturday Tim was tired from walking dogs and having blood sprayed all over his pants, and playing Mechwarrior (oh it can be tough), grocery shopping and so went to bed at 10.00. I stayed up until a respectable 12:00 watching crappy television. I hate Anna Nicole just as much as I hate Jessica Simpson. They are both absolute nitwits. It pisses me off that such turds can be rich when there are so many more deserving people out there. Sunday I cleaned and did my best to de hair the house in preparation for Sarah's arrival (who may or may not be allergic to cats). She didn't seem to have a reaction all night so it might be good. Whew... Tim and I made Jambalaya last night --- whooo spicy!

Today was an awesome mail day. Two letters from brand spanking new penpals, a post card from Paris, and a new Time magazine. I got up this morning early to give the eagle feather to the person that asked me to do it, but she didn't show. Then she called at 9.45 to say that she was sick and would reschedule. Eh. I had thought of the perfect excuse to not have lunch today either! (Mostly it is because I do not want to take the bus there in the gray cold wetness, pay for a lunch I shouldn't be affording right now and then come back --- but you can't say that as an excuse). Having the guests was the perfect excuse...now I am going to have to think of another one.

Dang.

To top it off Tim is in a funk again about being in software and hating it and wanting to find his true calling -- shoot. Any suggestions for what Tim should be?

Step 1: Open your iTunes/WinAmp, etc.
Step 2: Put all of your music on random.
Step 3: Write down the first 20 songs it plays, no matter how embarrassing.

Skinny Puppy - Assimilate
Danny Elfman - The Nightmare Before Xmas
Dolly Parton - Jolene
Collide 09 - Black
Real Life - Send Me an Angel
Fictional - Blue Lights
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Drifter
Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses
16 Horsepower - American Wheeze
Bel Canto - Intravenenous
Rosewater Elizabeth - Red Hair Whisper
Diary of Dreams - Never Freeze
Johnny Cash - I walk the Line
The Cruxshadows - Ave Maria
Pasty Cline - Walking After Midnight
Echo and the Bunnymen - People are Strange
Apoptygma Berzerk - Eclipse
TKK - Devil Bunnie
Crocodile Shop - Core
Fischerspooner - Horizon

Wow, that was a real bunny influenced mix, now wasn't it?

++++

Last night since Tim was playing MMW4 I watched four episodes of Babylon Five. I watched the last two of season two, and the first ... oh dear, was it three? Episodes of Season Three. It really addicting! I really liked how Kash was revealed a legend out of each of the races beliefs, and how Mollari couldn't see it at all (conflicted evil is always the best). I also laughed quite a bit in that Bomber episode where Londo and Mollari was trapped in the elevator shaft, in which Mollari hollers "Can anyone hear me?" and Londo replies in a small voice "I can hear you," and laughs. Oh that was rich.

Which such a terrible war looming overhead how are Sheridan and Delenn gonna hook up? There doesn't seem like enough time for romance.

They only want you when you're 17, when your 28, you're no fun.

Right. I figured out how to solve the migo problem, at least while I am at my computer. The tension between the cats has been high lately and the scapegoat has been...Migo. She in turn sticks by me all day and is constantly 'up in my shit.' Today is not exception. I looked around in desperation and found a small box. I ripped off the cover things, put a beat up old pillow in it and put it on the filing cabinet right next to the computer and stuck her in it. Now she is dozing peacefully and within petting range, and more importantly -- NOT on my key board. Innsmouth came in a little while later and glared at her from the entrance. I immediately whisked her off to a bed. I need someone to speaks cat to come and negotiate a treaty. The rivalry is tearing this country apart!

I forgot to mention yesterday that on Sunday I was watching the Surreal Life while making dinner. My entire week, nay month was made when I saw they convinced Vanilla Ice to Karaoke to his own song. That fucking ruled! I only watched the show that one time, but I would have to say Vanilla Ice is my favorite character.

Oh, and today is Pluto's Birthday!! He's four. He is going to get a rawhide for celebration instead of the pig ear we had planned on getting (but didn't).

The 'N' and the 'M' keys on my keyboards have completely faded away. I haven't used this key board very long either -- it's a cheap one that came with the server Tim got last year.

I went to the circus yesterday. Matt calls me up and asks me, and I said no. Then I paced in the kitchen for a few moments asking myself WHY I said no. Sure the money was an issue, but it wasn't *that* much and it's not like I am a big spender anyway. What did I have to do that was so important it couldn't wait? Nothing. Besides I don't really like the 80's so why the hell was I watching the 80's strike back 1984? Geez. I called back and said yes. They picked me up and we went to for two hours of kids, elephants, tigers, rope people, line walkers and a predictable clown. It was okay.

If sister in law Sarah's career in gymnastics doesn't work out then she can always get a job at the circus. They obviously have tons of gymnastics experience. Oh, it was also the first time I have ever been to a circus INDOORS. It definitely adds more of the old world feel to it.

The inlaws came for a visit for the first time on Saturday. Yep, they saw the house in all it's effortless clean glory, and after visiting for a hour and half - Mom went to a gymnastic meet, and we took Dad over to Ella's Deli (at 4:00 ) to have some early supper. I am glad we got there when we did, little line and short wait. But as anyone notices how expensive their drink prices are??? Geez. THAT is how they make the money to pay for their electric bill.

Welp, back to the daily grind of animal keeping, writing, some more reading, a little research and of course a few moments have to be spent staring into space and thinking about dreams.

WOO! I am back and better than ever. Okay, maybe just back. So what happened? When we moved to Madison I forgot to change the email address for my server provider and subsequently missed all the notifications that my domain was going to expire. And bam. It expired. Lots of swearing frusturated hours/days later, it is back.

In that mean time I posted TWO posts, on livejournal. Egads. It felt weird. Like I was invading other people's space with my accounts of cleaning, dog watching, neighbor chatting or whatever. Now that I am back, I can blather on as much as I want too.

This week has been an awesome mail week. I have a few new potential pen friends: Sam the boy (first male pen pal in the sense that he is a stranger), Knitting Canada, Political Canada, Virgina who sent me incense! -- she is one of my favorite penpals, and Gale (one of my longest penpals) who finally became a real constable (again with the Canada). Cool. Plus I sent three letters out to people that seemed vaguely interesting. I hope they pan out and aren't penpal collectors. There are so many people out there who want a penpal but do absolutely nothing to show me that *they* themselves are interesting. Oh, I have tried writing to a few of them but they really dont' know how to write a letter. Anyway....I feel like Ronald Regan. It is said that he didn't have many close personal friends, but he was constantly writing letters. Using letters as a form of communication and expression. AND my Mom sent me a valentines day card! What's gotten into her? She has been SO good at writing me right away that I am starting to feel like I am the slacker.

Sigh. Maybe it is just winter. I need to get that driver's license, but then....why? Where would I go with it? What would I do with it? I have no money, and everyone works or is super busy getting married, buying houses, travelling to exotic locations or being all around cosmopolitian -- if I want to do ANY of that I need to publish something. So, I must go back and write some more.

But before I do, let me just say that Final Fantasy is absolutely awsome. We went over to John's last night, and to play with three other people on a adventure/role playing game was fun. I was SO tired this morning and wanted to sleep in but had to be up for Janice who was dropping an eagle feather off for me to bead. By the time she showed up (late), I was already up and it would have taken more effort to go back to sleep. She said she would email me information about the ho chunk area meetings and when and where they are. She said that other young people like myself attend --maybe I will make a friend? Some good aquaintances at the very least. That is if I can convince myself to go. The first meeting next week is just a stupid rally for the Casino vote in Madison. I don't need to get pepped up for it, Tim and I were going to vote Tuesday anyway.

Fedex came by later and dropped off our OWN version of FFCC. :D Tim is taking the day off tomorrow so we can play the whole day. I think I will save the guest room for FriDAY to clean and get squared away, so that we have the whole weekend to play.

So, in Time this week, there is a short blurb that says ... well what we all have been dreaming about for years and years. Is our frantic, chubby, chocolate loving, shopping fanatic, emotionally insecure heroine going to get hitched? Is she finally going to experience the ultimate American fantasy? Tune in and find out Valentines weekend to see if Cathy accepts her first marriage proposal from long time doormat, Irving.

Just THINK of all the funny comics you can do with Cathy obsessing over dresses and how fat they make her look, and in law's, past boyfriends/girlfriends on the invitation list, the cake, where the reception should be, what that first dance should be, the cheesy bachelorette party, and bridal shower, Cathy worrying about if she will make a good wife...etc. etc.

I can hardly wait. >-<

I shoveled snow yesterday. The hardest part was down at the end of the drive way and the two sidewalk ramps we are responsible for because the plow and deposited a pile of packed snow. Oy. Shoveling is a good work out though.

Okay. So Friday we went over to John's and ate Curry with Phil and Erin and his friend Jeremy, then played DDR followed by Mario Cart and Party. It was fun. We came home went to bed and Saturday started a while later.

I watched Whale Rider and was teary quite a bit. That movie was awesome. I watched Ratcatcher a Scottish, how can they understand themselves talking, movie that was just okay. Then I played some DDR by my self. Made something for dinner and finally retired to the bedroom to read Black Sun Rising by C S Friedmen. Later got up to watch Freddy VS Jason and you can read Tim's review of that.

Sunday, I got up. Made some breakfast, watched TV, took Pluto for a walk, watched more TV. Went to Target and EB Games and Video Game Exchange looking for the older model of Gameboy advance (which we FINALLY found at Target). The city has been drained of them, probably in preparation for Crystal Chronicles. Next weekend we have to get the gamecube. I wish we could just borrow one from someone. :( Anyway, at Target they had a sale on the winter men clothes and for less than 20 bucks we got Tim TWO new sweaters, and TWO pairs of pants. Which is really saying I got two new pair of pants too---but I don't think I will wear those for awhile. I like pants when they are broken in. I also got a fabric curtain. That flimsy, filmy kind (two for ten) because I wanted to use one (or both) of as the outside of a shower curtain. Tim said he hated that idea. I said I only asked him what color he preferred, NOT whether or not he liked my idea.

Luckily only one panel is needed but the curtain is too long. I am going to need to hem it I think. That is certainly a project for me to work on...finally I can get rid of that ugly dark green plastic curtain. Then we went home and I went to read some more, and then we ordered pizza and wings and watched some more TV and then afterward I went to read again. At 11:00 we went to bed and I had a terrible nights sleep. I keep waking up because my back hurt, it was too hot, and I had a nightmare (all I remember is Pluto was biting me). Sigh.

And now it is today. Lots of busy work today.