Hamilmania

One day I stumbled across this:

And it stuck in my head.  I rewatched it a lot before realizing it was now part of a bigger Broadway show:

Then I bought the soundtrack.

Then I memorized the soundtrack.

Then I read the biography the show is based on.  (Well, I'm still reading it.  It's 700 pages.  I'm about halfway.)

At some point in here I learned cousin A is also obsessed with the ten dollar founding father without a father.

And then tonight:

Me:  They're supposed to be making a movie with the original cast.

A:  Really?!  That's great.  I've been trying to find a bootleg copy online.

Me:  Yeah they want to do it while the original cast is there, since their contracts end in July and they'll all start moving on.

A:  Yeah.

Me: ... That's why I got our tickets for June.

As fun as the trip will be, and as much as I can't wait to see Lin Manuel Miranda do his thing on stage, this 20 seconds will still be my favorite.

Love, J

Jumping lambs

I WANT THESE GUYS SO BAD !!!





I'd let them jump all over our furniture, too, you know I would.


Love, J

5.17.12

 

Source: modernhepburn.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

 

She did not need much, wanted very little. A kind word, sincerity, fresh air, clean water, a garden, kisses, books to read, sheltering arms, a cosy bed, and to love and be loved in return.

Starra Neely Blade

 

Love, J

A house for greens

Isn't she glorious? No matter how many projects like that he undertakes, I will never get used to my hot husband's mad building skills. I mean, he can go buy wood and nails and then just make a freaking greenhouse with plans he made up in his head, for crying out loud.


It's *finished* in that it is functional and I've moved my starts out there full time. The hubs still wants to seal up some of the cracks and side and paint it. And I've got plans that involve gutters and rain barrels at the corners. And filling the thing with all kinds of big, heat-loving vegetables, of course.


But even without those finishing touches, it's basically the coolest (warmest) thing ever. The photo above was taken from inside the greenhouse. It's so bright in there! Wonderful! I'm gushing and I don't care!

Love, J

So many happy things

I just ordered good snowboots online. When they arrive, I'll zip them on and trek out to the yard and take better pictures of the lights.

In no particular order...

1. My husband = Awesome

2. Our house is all bedecked in Christmas lights, even more so than last year.

3. Grandma gave my hair a much-needed trim yesterday, and I'm no longer scrappy.

4. Today I begin my volunteer position with my dream organization. I seriously idolize this group. So much so that I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I encounter one of their staff attorneys at a training or seminar. They are basically the rock stars of the legal aid world. And in an hour, I will head out to go work with them! Swoon.

5. We had the hubs' corn chowder for dinner last night. (This is really a subsection of #1, above.)

6. I am ridiculously overloaded with fantastic Christmas present ideas this year, and for once I have the corresponding time and enthusiasm to make them all happen.

7. I was going to cap this list with the winter wonderland snowfall we're currently having. Then, halfway through writing point #4, my cell phone rang. It was the hubs calling from the garage to tell me his patrol car won't start and can I put on some boots and come jump start it?

Over an HOUR later, I made it back inside. The snow made it impossible for us to fully push the patrol car out of the garage, and much shoveling (and an admirably small amount of cursing) resulted.

But you know what?

I can't hold it against the snow.

Because it's just too darn pretty.

And also, I came inside to find this little scene:

Happy things # 8 & 9. #10 & 11 are asleep on the bed.

So I'd be hard pressed to think of anything bad to say at all right now.

Wish me luck with the rock stars! I'll try not to embarrass myself by asking for autographs or anything. At least not on my first day.

Love, J

PS~ #12: The grocery store is carrying satsumas.

Better

This morning as we raked the yard, the hubs asked me if I thought we were in a better place than we were a year ago. I liked this question, because the answer is, "absolutely."

Ways Fall 2010 beats the pants off Fall 2009:

~ I've passed the bar exam
~ Hubs is done with the police academy
~ We're totally settled into our house
~ My student loans are about 1/2 what they were a year ago
~ We've got 4 sweet rabbits
~ The uncertainty of what the hub's job will be like is gone

I may still be floundering career-wise, but recognizing all of the ways we have made progress this year helps me relax and enjoy the many good things that have come our way.

Plus, when I look at my posts from a year ago, I can only be grateful. Because this afternoon is so different from that one. Today I am reading a novel in our sun-drenched living room, with four little friends lounging all around me.


When Officer Hunky wakes up from his nap, we're going to Pier One, just because, and then maybe out to dinner. Why? Because we can. Because without tome after mind-numbing tome of dense legal grossness to pour over, I can fritter a Sunday afternoon away without suffering a crippling guilt attack.

That is the main reason why Fall 2010 kills Fall 2009.

And maybe Fall 2011 will trounce this year because it will find me gainfully employed in some schmancy legal aid office, my guy and I joyfully ensconced in a carefree DINK life. You never know - a lot can change in a year.

Love, J

Evening light

Love, J

We won't be calling them "dog" days around here

I've got a summer to-do list that's a mile long. It's overflowing with parties to throw, things to make, plants to grow, food to cook, people to play with, books to read, places to go, and other ways to have fun.

But if all I wind up doing this summer is having lazy, lovely days like these, it will be a very good year.

Love, J

Reading rainbow

Could I have found a more productive way to spend my evening?


Most definitely.

Do I wish I had?


No way.

Love, J

Be still, my heart

Check out what goes on sale in TEN DAYS:


G went to a midnight release of the 'New Moon' DVD last night (which I did finally see - gag).

A midnight release party for this book would be more up my alley.

Can you imagine how many nerds would show up for a party like that?

(Probably no more than for the 'New Moon' party, now that I think about it.)

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get a rag to wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Love, J

Birthday wishing

Is it too early to start birthday wish list? Because I came across this dress the other day, at this shop, and Oh. My. Goodness.


Since I'm dreaming, I'd really just like the pattern for this baby, so I could make up a bunch of them in different colors. And a dress form.

Love, J

3 posts and I'm out

One last thing and then back to work, I promise. I sort-of killed myself studying yesterday and the hubs has promised me an afternoon matinee date if I can focus and accomplish any little thing today (I think I'll memorize the criminal code - about as *fun* as this stuff gets ; )

I found this highly shareable web site this morning and can't believe I've never seen it before. It's basically perfect, with link after link to tutorials all over to crafty projects, yarn patterns, gift ideas and recipes. I'm mostly staying off it for now, but I will be logging some major time surfing it in just over two weeks.

Until then, enjoy it for me: http://whipup.net/

Love, J

Cookies & books & sleep

I have the beginnings of an idea of how to better use my blog. I'm very excited about it, but I'm going to let the thought percolate for the rest of December, and kick it off with the beginning of the new year. Stay tuned.

Today we're having what many people would consider a lay-around Sunday. Only it's Monday, and by this household's standards, we're actually being very productive.



I'm taking a flash-card-making break to whip up some cookie dough and dance around to Harry Connick Jr.'s holiday album.



The hubs is studying for work. When I asked what he was going to do with his days off, he couldn't think of anything, because his job is his favorite hobby now.

And the bunny is napping. She wore herself out by being both extra-naughty and extra-affectionate and cute this morning.


Love, J

Furoshiki, baby

Do you know about furoshiki? It's the Japanese art of using a cloth to wrap gifts or carry items. It's both pretty and eco-friendly, so I'm on board!

I'm trying to wrap our gifts this way exclusively this year, so I've been busy hemming up a storm to get enough scarves ready. I like that the wrapping material doubles as a gift itself. In the picture, the one in the front is an old silk scarf I had, and the other two are squares of old sheet I hand-hemmed. I'll be doing the rest on the machine though, because my hand-hemming takes forEVer.

If you want to try it yourself, I recommend a silky fabric - it seems to be the best weight for giving a nice, crisp result. But there's something nice and homey about the little cotton and fleece bundles too. Thrift stores usually have lots of pretty scarves, and that's where I get my sheets for fabric for all my sewing projects. That way everything is re-purposed, interesting, and a little more quality for the price.

So far I've only used the folding method shown here, but I'm going to try this one next. There are lots of different ways to fold it, depending on whether you're wrapping soft objects, boxes, wine bottles, etc. Have fun!

Love, J

Miss Productivity

This week I have made:

~ Around 500 flashcards

~ Some little knitted buddies for the ornament exchange with the aunts next week (pattern here)

~ The house all Christmas-ee

~ A date with G for 'ornament night' at her school (I'm not sure what this means, but it sounds fun...)

~ My way through 3 seasons of the Friends DVDs

~ A new friend in my neighbor Greta

~ And a pretty present for sweet Beth (man, it's hard not to show off all the homemade gifts! But trust me, it's good.)






And it's only Thursday!

Love, J

Destined to someday be a classic

In my quest to someday have a kitchen sink AND a bathroom sink AND a dishwasher all in working order at the same time, our plumbers came over to do some work around the house yesterday. And knowing how nice it is to enjoy some music while you work, I told them 'of course' when they asked if they could put their radio on. After about 10 minutes of blaring gangster rap, I fled to the back bedroom, abandoning my studying in search of something to drown out the gunshot noises that accompanied each chorus.

I switched the computer on and surfed over to Hulu, thinking I'd watch some Bewitched* episodes while I worked on the gloves I'm making. And then I saw it.

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE EVEN SLIGHTLY TRASHY TASTE IN TELEVISION, AND YOU HOPE TO BE PRODUCTIVE THIS WEEKEND, DO NOT - I REPEAT, DO NOT - READ ANY FURTHER.

Did you know there is a reality show called 'Househusbands of Hollywood'? HOUSEHUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD?!? I thought I'd bottomed out with 'Toddlers & Tiaras,' but this show gives that one a run for its money. The pure tastelessness is truly a thing to behold. It is glorious. I think I'm in love.

By yesterday evening, we'd taken several steps back, and currently neither sink works, nor does the dishwasher. But I still consider the day a rousing success because it included my discovering this gem.

And also because I got to wash our dishes in the bathtub.

Love, J


*Bewitched conversations:

Me: Don't you think Sam's too good for Darrin?

Hubs: No. He's just a dorky 60's husband. It's not his fault he's like that.

Later that day, at Grandma R's house:

Me: Grandma, did you ever watch 'Bewitched'?

Grandma: Yes.

Me: Don't you think Elizabeth Montgomery is too good for Dick York?

Grandma: Absolutely.

All dressed up and somewhere to go

I love cool fall nights, costumes, trick-or-treaters, parties, decorating for parties, and friends. Saturday had all of those things.

The menfolk are totally riveted. Must be football, right?

Wrong. They're watching Ice Age.

That's cool, though. The womenfolk have this decorating thing down.

The hubs & our host do a celebratory dance once the house is all party-ready.

So happy it's Halloween!



Costume time.


My first year not trick-or-treating with G (she wanted to go with friends instead). It's fun to pick a costume without having to worry about being warm enough!


Note the door pumpkin's pose, a little homage to MJ.


Popeye, Luigi, Matt Foley, Rambo, and Captain Jack Sparrow.


They for sure had the most elaborate/fancy homemade costume.



Enjoy this photo while it's up. I'm sure he'll make me take it down as soon as he sees it here. Do you think this is really how Rambo dances?



How great is this costume? It even really dispensed wine out the side spout.

The drag queen in the background is my high school friend's 'little brother,' who I haven't seen since he was about 13. He's sure grown up!


Goin' to the 'gun show'

Her belly seems a lot smaller when you compare it to his!

Best moment of the night was seeing his pregnant dancing.
Second best was watching the Franzia box play beer pong.

The whole day was pretty awesome. I was bummed when G said she didn't want us to come trick-or-treating with her, but it turns out that grown-up Halloween is pretty fun too! It got the holiday season off to a great start. Hopefully there are a lot more parties in the next couple of months!

Love, J

Hometown rave

The view from my studying spot on the couch.

I feel a little guilty for ragging on Spokane yesterday. Especially when I have been wanting to move back here for so long. And it does have its good qualities. For example, even though you have to drive everywhere, the parking is almost always free. And there's pretty much no traffic, even during rush hour.

Coming over to get some snuggles. I had no idea that rabbits liked to snuggle.

Plus, of course, there are the people. I cannot overstate how wonderful it is to live somewhere with dozens of people who I can call to hang out with at any time. So wonderful.


And then there are the houses, which are so inexpensive that even a jobless recent graduate and new police officer (who is paid shockingly little, considering he gets shot at for a living) can afford to buy. Seattle for sure cannot compete with that.


And finally, Spokane has Lily bunny, who I have fallen absolutely head over heels for, and who I have no intention of returning to her true owner because I would miss her much too much. (Not really. I'll give her back. But G doesn't seem to miss her yet, so hopefully she can hang out here for a while more.)


So I will not complain, the next time some great looking limited release movie skips over the theaters here. Instead I will meet my friends for ultimate frisbee and put the movie on my Netflix queue. I prefer watching in my jammies anyhow.

Love, J

I like to read books. She likes to snack on them. To each her own.

To make you smile

This video makes me so, so happy. I even cried a little, seeing everyone's reaction.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Love, J

October resolution

Six months ago, I was convinced that the second I finished the bar, my yoga practice would flourish. Once I no longer had homework to compete for my attentions, I reasoned, of course I would focus more completely on my practice. This has not been the case. It turns out that all of the fun, frivolous activities I now have to choose from are actually way more distracting than outlining and brief writing ever were.

I am still getting on the mat occasionally, but more often I succumb to the call of any/all of the following:

Art being made (or copied, rather, from a pretty piece I spotted in Auntie Mary's home).

Tomatoes waiting to be turned into chili.

Just the sweetest little crochet I've had my hands on in ages. Pattern here.
(Though I've simplified it lots to suit my appreciation for the straightforward.)

A lonely first chapter wishing I would write a second to keep it company.

Yes, I've read this almost every summer since I was 15, and no, I'm not exactly in its target demographic. But I love it, nonetheless.

I love all of these things and am so glad that I finally have time to spend with them. I mean seriously, I'm reading novels again. I was sure that day would never come. But I do miss my practice. So tomorrow, I begin with a renewed commitment. 31 straight days of time on my mat. A new season, a new start.


I am ready.

Love, J