YARN!!!!!!!

Don't hate. Big sale. Up to 90% off. 124. 189. I'll let you guess which is the cost and which is the number of skeins. It's not all mine since I bought some with Frap in mind. But I would venture to say I'm keeping 95% of it for myself. I think I will more than double my stash. Skipping work and using leave (I'm in the negative) was worth it. Three girls were crossing the street to the store as I walked to my car. "Oh my God...did you buy all the Koigu????" Three shopping bags and one Whole Foods bag. QE is fully supportive. I married well. Totally lucked out in finding such a nice and loving husband who never controls, restricts or even comments about my spending. If anything, he complains I am too stingy and never treat myself. Every day is Valentine's Day for me. Stay tuned for pics and details.

Wiggly Piggy

The SIL (aka momma pig) reports that our little piglet is a very happy baby and never cries unless he needs something. She also noted that he's very lean because he's constantly moving and the longest baby amongst his piglet friends. I can't wait to see him. Oh Piglet! My plans to steal him are still on. I will pig-nap him and cart him around and show him off like the proud aunt I am.

She had me at hello

On Tuesday, February 26, we will celebrate seven years with Angel. How time flies! I wanted to post something on the actual date, but thought she deserved my full attention. A princess and diva would expect nothing less!

Some of you might already know that we went to the adoption fair to see another cat, Madeline. In the corner, an adorable blue-eyed girl kept crying and crying until someone took her out of her carrier. QE and I looked at several boys and girls, but this one kept crying this pitiful "get me out of here!!!" cry. We paid her some attention to console her and she loved it. QE fell in love with her paws. I sensed another couple looking at her. I quickly told the lady we wanted her. After a few reference checks, I brought Angel home.

In the beginning, we thought of Angel as a "pet". As she became more comfortable and realized she was at her forever home, Angel slowly trained us to meet her expectations. We used to sleep in our bedroom with the door closed. Angel cried endlessly at being left alone and headbutted the door. We finally kept our door open and welcomed her to come and go as she pleased. She marched into our room at dawn and would lay on me as I slept, waiting to be petted. Ok, I woke up on demand to pet her. Fast forward seven years and Princess Angel sleeps where she wants, especially our lap, without regard for our need to go potty, sleep, or anything else.

Angel taught me about selfless love and devotion. I had no idea I was capable of loving someone other than my spouse and family with that unconditional, protective, I'll-do-anything-for-you love. Maybe that's why I think of my kitties as my children. I'm pretty sure I love them the way human parents love their offspring. I first realized that Angel loved me back when QE and I were talking about her first hospital stay. I started crying at the thought my beloved Angel would be in a cage. In addition to being away from me for several days, my princess would be in a metal box! I was inconsolable. Angel walked into our room and started to cry a weird cry that we'd never heard before. She then walked to me, looked up, and started a sad meow. She let me cry on her shoulder until I was okay again, purring the whole time. Now, every time I cry, Angel and Davis come to console me. It's impossible to cry for long when my heart healers come. :)

We've been through so much with Angel. Her urinary/bladder issues have plagued us off and on from day one. We've been through two house moves and two stays with my folks with Angel. She's tolerated two pesky siblings invading her house and stealing her human servants. She's put up with our lack of parenting skills and absolutely cluelessness about how cats are superior. Angel is the perfect cat. QE and I foolishly thought all cats were so easygoing and sweet. She tricked us into adopting Davis, who couldn't be more different. Ok, so not all cats are like Angel--our mistake. She then led us to believe Siamese cats were a paw above those "other kinds". Siamese are vocal, loving, smart, and loyal. We adopted Cara thinking she would be a mini-Angel. Hooo-boy, were we wrong. Through it all, Angel remained a cutie-pie who loved us and forgave us for ruining her peaceful life.

Angel loves watching water go down drains. Once, the bathtub was draining after my bath. She was walking along the tiled ledge of the tub when I playfully nudged her. "Angel, mommy is going to push you in!!!" She kept walking even as I was pushing her! "As if, mom. I know you would never do it." QE was amazed at how much Angel trusted me.

I tell Angel every day that she's my best friend and that I need her, that she can't ever leave me. Angel is my first animal other than fish. I have no idea how to deal with loss and I hope (unrealistically) that I never have to. Just the thought of Angel not being with me brings me to tears. I can't go on vacation without thinking of her, missing her, or calling about her. How did a cat who came so close to death become so treasured? (Her brother/littermate Tigger was put down by their evil human before he could be rescued) Did I save Angel or did she save me? A cat who was supposed to be a "pet" became my daughter, my precious princess, my diva boss, my little best friend.

LOVE Liz!

As I previously mentioned, I was expecting a shipment of goodies from Liz Lovely. First, let me just say I'm not a big peanut butter cookie fan but Liz's are so darn awesome that I smile from the inside. It's hard for me to say if pb is better than the ginger, but I think it might have won my heart. Wah. So good. It's got a great flavor without that funky pb essence. I also ordered the Cowboy cookies (oatmeal, choc chip and walnut). It's good too, but it reminds me of cookie dough. I'm not big on cookie dough and never fight for the mixing bowl--that's all QE. How good are Liz cookies? So good that QE and I ignored the other temptations in our pantry all weekend. The Oreos (me), the Joe-Joes (QE), and everything else. We also got the dark chocolate covered pretzels (WAHHH!) and dark chocolate almonds (double WAAAAH!). The pretzels were intended for QE since he's a pretzel freak, but I found myself fighting the urge to hide them from him. And don't get me started on the almonds. So good. The chocolate isn't overly sweet. Just pure yum. Sigh...how can one place make so many goodies and have them all be organic/fair trade/vegan? That's just not fair. I am going to gain weight if I keep this up! Here's the best part--the dark choc covered stuff are on sale (if there's any left!). What's even more awesome is that they shipped the SAME DAY I ordered! That beats Estee Lauder, who ships the next business day. This is all Andy the Liz Marketing guy's fault--he sent me two free ginger cookies and got me to fall in love. Before, I knew about Liz but talked myself out of ordering by thinking it's vegan so it can't be as good as conventional homemade.

I also love that I can buy these goodies and know I am supporting a small business who truly believes in changing the world. It is very inspiring. The "plastic" tubs the choc stuff comes in is made from corn and can be composted. The flier insert about the company is from 100% recycled post-consumer waste paper produced by wind power. We CAN change the world. I think I'll do it one cookie at a time. :) And yes, I can't stop thinking about those poor cookies waiting for me. They are so lonely! I need to rescue them! In case you're wondering, the pretzels and almonds never made it to the pantry...they stay on our coffee table. :)

Conflicted Hippie

I've turned my back on the Humane Society. Their emails asking me to voice my opinions on baby seal clubbing, cockfighting, and cow slaughtering are too upsetting. Yes, I am a wimp. The pictures are not graphic but I still get very sad and upset. The last straw was a header on an email about boycotting Canadian seafood because the fisherman spend the off-season hunting and usually clubbing baby seals for fur. I didn't need to see a seal on the snow looking up at the human with a pole held over his head about to strike the seal. So, I've opted out of emails from the Humane Society. While I'm grateful and glad for all the work they do, I can only support them on my terms--these emails are unbearable for me. I know I can't pretend to be an ostrich and stick my head in the sand. But that's how I'm dealing right now...it's all I can handle.

I am expecting a shipment from Liz Lovely today. Who knew vegan cookies could taste so good?! It's actually amazing how yummy the ginger ones were. I wouldn't have known they were vegan in a blind taste test. The best part is that all the ingredients are "normal" stuff that can be found in a home baker's pantry. Okay, maybe not the palm fruit oil, but I've never tried looking for it at Whole Foods, so that could be a normal ingredient too.

After being ignored for several weeks (probably more like a month+), I am assembling my knitted cat. I've also finished my wrap using Fisherman. Still working on the kangaroo. I am dreading all the sewing.

Angel & Me

Angel decided to snuggle with me last night. I fell asleep with her under the covers, nestled into my side with my left arm around her. I woke up to her sleeping next to me. I am always amused when she sleeps like humans, with her head on my pillow and her body on the bed under the covers. I tend to have deeper, better sleep when Angel is next to me. Unfortunately I also tend to wake up more achy since I don't toss and turn as much. What's a few backaches when you're loved by a cat. :)

Trip Down Memory Lane with Jen

I think her name is Jen or Jennifer. I think I've had her since I was about 5. She's the perfect friend for a little girl since she's practically as big as you! Jen wears a 2T and is about 2.5 feet tall. Over the years, I've dressed her in my hand-me-downs. The dress she is wearing used to belong to me. I think it may have been a gift from my grandmother. QE thinks Jen is spooky because she's so big.

Dad is cleaning and renovating the house and asked if I wanted anything from my old room. I had cleaned up most of my belongings except for my dolls and a few keepsake memories. Jen, three Cabbage Patch Kids, and two other dolls came home with me. These friends were my primary dolls growing up I think. I had stuffed animals and a Barbie, but these were my only dolls.


Going through my boxes, it was funny to see what was important to me decades ago. I kept a report card from 6th grade where my final grades were straight As. I kept most of my birthday cards, many of which had cats on them! I didn't even favor cats back then. Maybe these subtle cues nurtured my affinity for cats now. I also found various sizes of knitted rectangles (blankets for my dolls). All the early signs were there of who I would become. :)

Finally, I kept a bag (!) of giveaway buttons from a concert by a local radio station. I handed the bag to QE and watched for his reaction. Once he realized what he was holding, I got the mandatory eye-roll and groan. He might have even said something like "Ugh, my wife was a teenybopper." He, of course, already knew that, having been to two Goo Goo Dolls concerts with me. (It's weird screaming for a guy on stage with your husband next to you...) But the bag of buttons confirmed the extent of my crazy fan behavior. He already knew that I had ditched last period once to go meet this hottie, got his autograph, and took tons of pictures. I had 4th row seats for Marky Mark. Talk about good vibrations!

Just a Phase?

Went to Whole Foods today. Maybe we are deprived, but we have fun at Whole Foods. We enjoy the experience. I think it's because we go to the newer, bigger (and farther away) store that has lots of pretty service counters and a big eating area. Whole Foods shoppers are clearly divided into two types: the snooty "how DARE lowlifes like you shop here at MY store" and the hippie "I am me, take it or leave it". What's weird is that the Springfield shoppers tend to fall in the former category. The Old Town store is evenly split, with the former kind mostly women who screech through the aisles plowing over anyone in their way. Hope you don't drive the way you shop, bitch. We didn't buy much but our receipt leads us to believe we bought enough groceries to feed a family of 8 for a week. Oh, TJs and Harris Teeter tote bags are also made in China. I don't understand it. Are we shipping recycled materials there to manufacture the bags too? WF now has a new (cool spring looking) bags made from recycled plastic water bottles. I couldn't find a tag in it. But if it is also made in China, are we shipping water bottles there? The Chinese can't possibly produce enough bottles, right?

QE and I have a date on May 16. Polyface farm tour! I am so excited to see piggies, chickens, and cows again.

We bought some eggs at Whole Foods. I went to the Animal Welfare Institute site to see if it was their label on our carton and found this. My skepticism about "cage-free" eggs was right! I also found the comparison grid of various terms and labels. What's interesting is that the Humane Farm Animal Care group have their own comparisons. This is the label on our eggs. I can't determine if one seal is better than the other.

My vegetarianism was questioned again this week. It was strictly out of curiosity, but I always feel like I am some weirdo who is way too compassionate towards animals. I know animals serve their purpose as our food. I just feel guilty about the way my species treats others prior to their arrival on our dinner plates. We gave some frozen chicken breasts to dad today but kept our Polyface meat. So clearly, I do intend to eat clean meat. Two big steaks are waiting to be grilled. QE doesn't think I will be capable of eating meat. Maybe he's right. I am a little scared, actually. :) Dad is convinced that I'm just in another one of my phases.

The past two Fridays, I've had panic attacks during the day. CRAP! It's Friday! Did I eat any meat today?! Dang it! Argh! Gyah! Darn it!! CRAP!! Quick, what have I eaten today?? Any meat? It's Friday!!! Oh, wait. I'm vegetarian. Whew. Sigh of relief. No joke. This is what I've freaked about two weeks in a row.

The Anti-Girl

Today is a Hallmark holiday. It's mostly guys who woo their women with flowers, sappy cards and a meal. I've never been a fan of this holiday because I think we should treat our loved ones nice every day of the year. If that happened, we wouldn't need a specific day to honor our pookie pie or snookums. Maybe I'm just lucky that my QE is a sappy love-fool every day.

About two weeks ago, QE asked if I wanted some cherries as dessert. (I hate fruit) I jokingly said I would eat some only if he removed the stems and pitted them. I went to go online and about 10 minutes later, he presented me with a bowl of halved cherries and his cherry-stained fingers. So cute and sweet.

The running joke is that when I lived at home, my dad would coax me to eat fruit by peeling and cutting it into bite-sized pieces. QE rolled his eyes and groaned the first time I told him. I've since ribbed QE with "My DAD used to do this for me..." And the two times we've temporarily lived with him, he would still cut up a pear or apple for me while I gloated and QE groaned. I guess now it's time for dad to step up his game. QE wins with the cherries. :)

Where's my limo?

I used to be nice and considerate while commuting to and from work. It got me pushed and shoved as others scrambled their way on the subway. While I am not rude, I've learned to hold my position while getting jostled and smacked around. Today, a nasty boy (18-22) leaned against me to keep his fat ass up while not taking his backpack off. To make matters worse, he looked like he had not washed his hair in a week. Gross.

I drive, walk and take a train to work. As a driver, I am careful not to tailgate or cut anyone off. As a pedestrian, I don't jaywalk or cross streets when I know I can't make it across in time. Without fail, many people will do exactly that. While I wouldn't wish misfortune on anyone, I must say that those who fail to obey traffic signals and jaywalk are asking to get run over. Maybe not DESERVE it, but they can't be surprised if they get run over if they knowingly crossed a street when they shouldn't have. Not surprisingly, I've seen several close calls when drivers don't expect to see humans running out between parked cars. It's always dumb, but especially stupid given the shorter daylight hours during the winter. Go on, cross the street illegally. I'll make sure to serve as the driver's witness.

One more thing...I am still amazed at how I (a hefty girl myself) manages to get the most obese person sitting next to me on the train. What's interesting is that two big women can manage to sit comfortably, but put a slight-build man next to me and I'm squished. Why do men need to spread their legs as if they are airing out their crotches? How do 120-lb scrawny guys manage to grow such broad shoulders the moment they sit down?

CSA! CSA!

We joined a CSA for the coming summer. I am excited beyond words. It's probably not normal to be so giddy about fresh produce, but I am. Fruits and veggies freshly picked from local farms on a weekly basis! I often balk at the prices at grocery stores because the offerings don't even look appealing. $2.99/lb for limp lettuce...really? Not sure what we'll be getting in our shares, but fresh trumps price, I think. Plus, it's local, so there's less fuel involved in us getting food. Planned goodies include heirloom and regular tomatoes, corn, blueberries, potatoes, eggplant, garlic, various herbs, lettuces, and a ton of other delicious beauties. Ever since I grew tomatoes at our old house, I've shunned store and restaurant tomatoes. The aroma and texture of a real vine-ripened tomato is nothing like the sad little red orbs we usually see. My love for life begins May 21.

Went to Harris Teeters. Canned "organic" beans from China and Turkey. Somehow I am skeptical that either country is producing organic anything. $.99 for a can of "organic" beans compared to $.50 for a can of conventional. In this case, I opted for the latter because I didn't believe the organic label.

I finished my mittens and am almost finished with my shawl. I will start the kangaroo and joey from Frap's toy book tomorrow.

We brought our own shopping bags to Target. One of them is the green Whole Foods bag made from recycled something or another. What I found interesting is that the bag was made in China. Why would a $.99 bag need to be made in China for a company that is all about recycling, conservation, environment, etc.? It just seems counterintuitive to me. I think most of us bag buyers would be willing to pay $5 for a bag all in the name of tree hugging. Heck there are bags that cost $15 and even $100 out there. So, why would a pro-environment store sell bags made halfway around the world? The transportation costs to ship the bags here must cost more than a dollar. I should probably look at my TJ bags and see where they were made. BTW, Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi, a German company that has a small presence in the US. They sell unlabeled or generic grocery items. So is TJs really owned by the German equivalent of Wal-Mart?

My guess is that many companies outsource their goods because they don't want to pay higher wages and have to deal with unions. Yes, labor costs are significantly higher in the US and consumers are only willing to pay so much for any given good. Timbuk2, All-Clad, Kitchen-Aid all succumbed to pressure. I am willing to pay $80 for a tote bag made in the US, not made in Vietnam. $300+ retail (I only paid about $150 thanks to a sale, rebate, and coupon combined) for a Professional 600 series stand mixer (oh what a beauty...) made in Korea. The parts are made in the US then shipped to Korea for assembly. Many of All-Clad's cookware are still made in the US (mine is), but the stuff available on Amazon are not--those are made in China. $20 for measuring cups, $100+ for a pot/pan, $300 for a roasting pan. Very reasonable prices given how heavy and sturdy All-Clad stuff is, IF it was made in the US.

What brought on my frustration? A Rosle whisk that cost me $18. Rosle is a German brand that I consider luxury or high-end. Heck, $18 for a whisk is a splurge for me! I used this beauty to make brownies for Frap and her posse. Melt butter and cocoa in a pan, add flour and other stuff. My whisk wires bent. Luckily, Sur La Table took it back. They too were surprised about the whisk's lackluster performance. I'd expect it from a crappy $5 tool from Wal-Mart (not that I ever shop there--last time was probably about 18 months ago), not something that cost me $18. That's two Chipotle bowls with two sodas AND chips and guac! Yes, all prices are indexed to Chipotle bowls. :)

Saving Cara

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Cara being turned into a TN shelter by her former humans. Today also marks the day when Siamese Rescue saved Cara from the shelter and took her into their program.

Our little one's name was Kitty Kitty until Siamese Rescue changed it to Cara ("dear" in Italian). What's interesting is that she didn't respond to Kitty Kitty, her name for about a year. Makes me wonder how much human interaction she had and whether they even loved her. How does a cat not know his/her name? We had the same issue with Davis (name chosen by QE). He learned his new name within a week of joining our family. In fact, he responded to Davis AND Buddy. But he never even flinched when we tried his previous name.