17.5 %

This is what I learned today : Ethiopian wheat accounts for 17.5 % of the areas grain production. Maize, Sesame seed, and Haricot bean make up the rest of the major grain categories. I learned this because Sam brought it up as a random question. I had to know so, first thing this morning I got online and began looking into the matter and found out that wheat production is, in fact, a great big deal in Ethiopia; That steps are actively being taken to try and increase output. There is the matter of a small inside kind of a thing that made Sam and I very happy to find out about this, and it is not innaccurate to say that this small piece of information afforded us happiness. As an aside, I hope as hard as I can that production of all their crops does increase. There is hardly a more deserving place.

What I like about me...

This is an exercise in learning to genuinely loving myself. I am finding those things about myself that I like, and putting them here. I don't know how many I can list, but I am hopeful and who knows? Maybe this list will grow over time.

1. My creativity.

2. My ability to take in knowledge.

3. My curiosity.

4. That I can dance the "Hustle".

5. That I can play the piano.

6. That I can make others laugh.

7. That I write well.

8. My vocabulary.

9. That I can love people so easily.

10. My hair.

11. That I have an ear for music.

12. That I can sympathise with others easily.

13. That I am a sensualist.

14. My large eyes even if they are brown.

15. That I can sew.

16. Having large breasts.

17. I am a good cook.

18. That I find interest in nearly everything.

19. That I am good at comforting others.

20. I can be a good friend.

100 things

1oo things that make me happy...


1. Spending time with my Daddy Penguin (a.k.a Sam...) and our demon spawn.

2. Reading

3. Cheesy movies.

4. Rich, creamy, comfort food style foods.

5. Off beat stores.

6. Painting.

7. Crocheting.

8. Trees.

9. Ice cold glass bottles of Coca ~ Cola.

10. Antiques.

11. Books.

12. Playing my piano.

13. Gardening.

14. Cooking new things.

15. Making gifts for people. ( Especially my kids.)

16. Birds.

17. Teas.

18. Pretty dishes.

19. Cloth table cloths and napkins.

20. Shopping.

21. Thrift stores and yard sales.

22. The smell of coffee.

23. Glow in the dark stars.

24. One of a kind things to put in my home.

25. The smell of candles and incense mingled together.

26. Autumn.

27. Flowers.

28. Sewing.

29. Sketching.

30. Old houses.

31. Silver soup spoons.

32. Yoga.

33. Festivals.

34. The sound of rain hitting the roof.

35. Staying snuggled deep in the bed in the wintertime.

36. Kisses.

37. Embraces.

38. Holidays.

39. Pretty bottles.

40. Handmade soaps.

41. Gooey oatmeal with LOTS of brown sugar and butter.

42. Statues.

43. Velvet.

44. Tall shoes.

45. Giant bacon cheeseburgers.

46. Earl Grey.

47. Romping sex.

48. Socks.

49. Arm warmers.

50. An inviting home.

51. Pretty porches.

52. Eating outdoors.

53. Long baths with a book.

54. Music boxes.

55. Vintage kitchen gadgets.

56. chandeliers.

57. Tiffany hanging lamps.

58. Sparklers.

59. Classic books.

60. The moon.

61. Going to new places.

62. Comfortable, overstuffed furniture.

63. Crisp mornings.

64. Leaves.

65. Believing in faeries, and Earth spirits.

66. Funny tv shows.

67. Good music.

68. Garden centers.

69. Laying outside somewhere with a book.

70. Craft stores.

71. Art exhibits.

72. Museums.

73. Going for walks.

74. Old cemetaries.

75. Following our family trees.

76. Trying out new resteraunts.

77. Starry nights.

78. Marching bands.

79. Ivy, honeysuckle, morning glories, and moon flowers.

80. History.

81. Philosophy.

82. Cool picture frames...preferably old ones.

83. Buying unique art.

84. Becoming inspired to just make something and then loving the end result.

85. Rescuing kittens, puppies, and whatever else I find.

86. Teaching things to people.

87. Cooking for company.

88. Rich body butters.

89. The smell of fresh laundry.

90. Board games.

91. Live music.

92. Dressing in costumes.

93. Downy, cotton bedding.

94. Essential oils.

95. Indulging in good makeup and other body care products.

96. Reading good cook books.

97. Fireplaces.

98. Swings.

99. Singing.

100. Writing pens and ink.

There is more, so I think I may do another list at a later date. For now, this will do. A good starting point for bringing a bit more happiness, and indulgence into my life.

Today was the first day of school for my youngest son, and this is the second year of school for my oldest child. That means that again I have been faced with the wrenching one experiences when they are at that moment they turn to leave their kid. And with strangers no less. Nonetheless, he was so terribly excited and this is so important to him... such a big day in his life. So, while I reassured him that he would certainly be missed, I emphasised heavily how excited that we, his family, all are for him. I want this to be all about him without such a tiny person concerning himself about a crying mama. It would be selfish of me otherwise.

Meanwhile, my baby girl and I are embarking on a day just for us. A tea party, dressing up in all our feathered finery, playing with makeup and hair, as well as pedicures will round out most of what we will do for today. It is going to be sooo much fun. Just a good, goofy kind of a day. She is a sweet kid and terrific company. A day definitely worth anticipating, and enjoying.

Saturday night, Sam and I got to go out for the first time in a long time and this is what we decided to see. This was a really fun thing to watch... incredibly silly, good music, and extremely vibrant. Probably not a movie that I would watch a lot on dvd, but fun nonetheless. I was relieved that Sam like the movie because he can be a little iffy about his musicals, but we both had a pleasant evening.

Aesthetics...Oscar Wilde Understood It

I may have posted about this awhile back, but just in case, I am definitely going to now.

There are some things that I buy - everyone has something like this - that I get a tremendous amount of pleasure from just looking at. For example, I own a lamp (Where the hell did I put that digital camera???) that I found at a thrift store a few months ago for $10.00. The base is a Greek Goddess in black with one hand on her hip and the other gracefully arched over her head as if to support the upper section of the lamp. It used to have 3 candelabra that rested below the lampshade, but two are broken away. The middle that supports the bulb is meant to look like a candlestick and it is topped off with a creamy, white shade - not the original, but the shape suits it. All of this unusual goodness is standing on a black and white marble base with a gold toned, ornate pedestal that the Goddess stands on. I adore it and have spent long moments since I bought it just looking at it in admiration. It may sound tacky, but I find it truly lovely. It is prominently sitting on an apple green end table in my living room so that I always have a good view of it. My husband's reaction to this piece of art was "Eh. It's a lamp. As long as you like it, that's all that matters. Does it work?" He asked this because the one on my nightstand does not, but I bought it for .50 because I think it looks cool. I'll eventually remember to get the lamp kit to fix it. But I digress.

Another example of something I get a lot of enjoyment out of are teacups and saucers, and bowls of the above pattern that I found at a favorite flea market. There were 12 pieces altogether I believe, and I picked them up - the whole bunch - for $5.oo. The pattern is called "J & G Meakin Classic Blue Nordic", and I found out today that teacups go for around $15 and a stained teacup will fetch $4. That part is cool, but I just like the blue and white pattern and find it pleasing. I buy odd pieces of Willow pattern along with similar items when I can find them. I am enjoying my coffee out of one of my teacups right now. It is a simple thing, just a bit of pretty glass, but it provides something that is beautiful to nourish the asthetic part of me.

I hope everyone really does have something in their homes that can make them stop and admire beauty. It goes a long way to soothing spirits and easing hearts.

"Iron Man" Rocks!!!

As a rule, I consider anything that Robert Downey Jr. is in, to be worth seeing. "Iron Man" is no exception. Went to see it this evening with the husband and some friends, and it really was as good as I thought it would be. No one was dissapointed. I have never been much of a comic book person and so I have never read the "Iron Man' comics or knew anything about them either. Still, I enjoy the super hero movies a great deal, and I don't have to care whether or not it is true to form. It is a sort of mental reprieve...sort of like the ones that people get who enjoy Stephen King or Anne Rice movies, but don't read the books. They always get them completely wrong, and I critique them - both to myself and others- by how they differ from the books.

Now, I am done rambling. Go see the movie!

Rockin' Out With The XBox

So, this is the new toy in the house. We have been having a lot of fun with this, and anyone who owns one understands. Stuff like this comes out and I flash back to being in a store playing "Pac-Man" and only being about 4 years old. It was the coolest thing ever at the time... Gaming has come such a long way. Astonishing breakthroughs in all of our technology though. Now if I can just keep the kids from beating the crap out of each other with the sticks.

On an aside, in the flower bed of evil that everything usually dies in, the plants have taken a turn for the better. Forsythias, Roses, Tiger Lilies, and some other unidentified plant are all doing well and I am relieved to at last have survivors. That part of my yard has been an irksome matter for me in the past. I am glad to be moving beyond that.