Damn I'm HOT!!!

And not in a good way!

So I've been sitting here at my computer as I am apt to do when I'm putting off laundry, and I realized that I am SWEATING! Now anyone who knows me is aware that I have the metabolism of a sloth and rarely break a sweat, even in the dog days of summer, and even then only if I'm performing some sort of hard physical labor in direct sunlight. So I thought there must have been some kind of heat wave in the house and got up to check the thermostat expecting it to read something like 85, but no. 71 degrees. I blame this entirely on my daughter.

See, I had the Little Nugget late in life, the ripe old age of 39. (Yeah I KNOW that's not old, but you tell that to my God-forsaken hormones!). I was standing in the middle of JCPenny's buying my Sweet Hubby Nugget a Valentines day present when I suddenly felt like I was burning up on fire! I was beet red! I thought "wow that's weird whats up with that?" Since me and the newly Hubby-d Nugget were working on expanding Team Nugget to three members, I had my suspicions. We'd only been married a couple of months, so it seemed kind of unlikely, but hey, miracles can happen. So I picked up a pee test at the store and told my sweet Nugget about the urinary celebration we were to have the next morning promptly upon waking. I was convinced of impending pregnancy as my body was acting STRANGELY.

There is a point here, and I'm getting to it, just be patient.

So the pee test of goodness commenced, and...nothing. NOT pregnant. Dude, I was bummed. Hubby Nugget was bummed. So on we went about our days at work. Except I had a huge commute and TONS of time to reflect upon the news. Being prone to thoughts of impending doom, I suspected that I had misread my hormones and was not pregnant, but in fact starting MENOPAUSE. Which made me sad because I surmised we were too old to have a kid, blah, blah, blah. That's just how my brain works, and why meds are awesome (I wasn't taking them at the time, rest assured). So the next day, struck by a nagging sense of curiosity, I decided to check out via the interwebs (both of them) the accuracy of those "super accurate" home pregnancy tests. And guess what. They're not that accurate and give FALSE NEGATIVES! Dude, I was simultaneously stoked and freaked out!

Since we had super-awesome health insurance at that time, it was cheaper for me to just go get tested at my doctor's office than buy the test again, which is what happened the following Tuesday, and the rest is history. And now we have the Sweet Little Nugget of Goodness! Voila!

So ok, this is not supposed to be a story of our pregnancy, but it is closely tied for me to the subject of Menopause, because after I had the Little One, I became keenly aware that I was no longer experiencing pregnancy-related hormone fluctuations, but that the pregnancy had in my opinion jump-started my hormones into peri-menopause gear. Damn.

So yeah, it's ALL my daughter's fault. I'm just sayin.

All for now,
Nugget

Bloggedy Blog Blog

Wow, it's been quite some time since my last post...so sorry! I guess I should take the time to recap.

Yes, I found my beloved raffia reindeer, I was not crazy after all. I had indeed purchased them and tucked them safely away, I was just wearing my blinders that day and would have seen them in the box if I had dug a little deeper. Sigh. And as of this moment, I have glued them back together numerous time thanks to the destructive talents of the Sweet Babygirl. The standing reindeer now has a broken leg after giving Tiny Tiny Teddybear several rowdy rides. I will be getting out the glue gun once again, just not till I get ready to put them away! I have to pick my battles.

I think the blizzard is approaching! It's starting to snow! Oh my! It would be really awesome if travel weren't involved in any of the festivities, both for Team Nugget and the fam. Eggnog with a little Cap'n Morgan sounds good right about now! Hot tea will have to do for now.

I think we're ready for the Fete de Noel, except we have one present outstanding (thanks USPS!), which bites. We're not doing much cooking, except for my Mom and Dad who are coming over for breakfast so they can witness the Little Nugget open Santa's bounty! That should be a hoot, pictures to come! I just made spiced pecans to take to Papa and Gigi's along with a fruit tray. Mmm...!

Just got a phone call from Hubby Nugget--he's coming home early! Let the Holidays begin!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone! Be safe and stay warm!!!

Nugget

Delusions of Reindeer...

With all the Christmas decorations finally brought down from the attic and unpacked, I have to say...where the heck is all my stuff?

Last year at the end of the season, I had a huge haul of deeply discounted Holiday goodies that I ensconced in the Rubbermaid Tubs of Goodness for safe keeping until this year. I have so far resisted the urge to buy more decorations this year, confidently telling myself, oh you don't need anything this year, you got so much stuff last year we'll have plenty to decorate with!!!

I was so excited to get the ball rolling that I had to try REALLY hard to not start decorating after Halloween, but now it's time, and I just couldn't wait to see the look on the Little Nugget's face when I showed her the lovely raffia reindeer nestled under the Christmas tree. But Dude, where are they? Hubby Nugget assures me that there is nothing left in the attic, and I believe him, but this makes me wonder...did I imagine all these great decorative riches? Because my little pile of decorative items is rather paltry.

The problem could lie in the methodology used in deep discount end-of-the-season shopping itself. Grab it, throw it in the cart. No contemplating...contemplating is for people who lose out on sale items. You take the time to think, and someone else will grab it off the shelf quicker than you can say...hey I wanted that! If mildly interested, throw it in the cart. Once all the Clearance items have been perused, head over to the Store's price check station and THEN contemplate whether your booty is trash or treasure.

Yes, the reindeer made it to the cart, but I'm a little fuzzy past that point.

You may or may not recall, the entire holiday season for me last year was dampened by this horrible plague that would not vacate my body. So ravaged by a secondary ear infection, I could have very well thought that the reindeer made it to the cashier, when really I shoved it next to a pile of over-priced towels (ha-ha just kidding). Except I have proceeded through 2009 expecting this giant booty of Christmas decorations that awaited my liberation from their plastic cocoon, including the reindeer in question.

Sigh. Forgetting stuff sucks. I'm just sayin...

All for now,
Nugget

The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back

That would be today at work.

Every once in a while, as is the nature in my department, there will be some person who will magically be perceived in some vulnerable or weakened position in standing and the others will be filled with great joy in tearing that person to shreds and dancing in the blood of their victim. It usually goes in cycles, and the victim is usually someone who is support staff, or one of the other faculty members should there be shifting alliances (which there always are). Even the chair is not immune to such carnage.

So I guess someone put the bull's eye on my back recently without my knowledge, because it is now my turn, and today I just decided I was tired of it. You know, going the whole day without eating because your stomach is churning is just not how work is supposed to be, especially someone who is good at and enjoys what they do. (Yeah, and this is also one of the reasons I've not been quite so prolific in the NaBloPoMoFo, sorry)

So today I wrote a nice little email to the pesticle in question and my boss, outlining why what he is doing is considered harassment, and that in the future I'd appreciate it if he'd step off and let me do my job. It felt pretty good.

Still no response, but I'll be on the lookout for the ravaging natives when I go into the office tomorrow...

What Was I Going to Say?

I had the idea, pushed the "New Post" button, and FORGOT what I was going to post about! Seriously, this getting old crap REALLY sucks! OK, getting oldER. But still, po-tay-to, po-tah-to, it's just not cool. I'm only 42. Isn't that supposed to be like the new 32? Honestly that's how I really feel. But sometimes, I feel like one of those people who remembers when microwave ovens, personal computers and cable TV were new. Oh crap.

I know, I've already posted about such unpleasantness, but I'm forgetting stuff now within like 10 seconds of thinking it!!! I get owies and have no clue how or when I was injured. I really want to get a Nintendo DS so I can get Brain Age!!! And I now find people in their early 20's to be quaint, but mostly quite annoying. I call random people under the age of 30 "punk-assed kids."

Don't get me wrong, I remember what I was like to be 19, 20'ish. But I am so over that. Now that I'm in my 40's it's so clear. 20's were all about drama (it all seems so much more important then). 30's were about figuring out who the hell you are (at least for me). 40's, well honestly, I'm really digging the 40's. Except for the short-term memory loss, achy joints and tendency to retain fat, it's pretty awesome.

And I will expound on that some more tomorrow, after I get some sleep...zzzz!

Pathetic!!!
Nugget

No Post Like a New Post

except when I don't really post. Sorry, but tonight I need to get a certain monkey off my back and photoshop until my fingers bleed.

All for now,
Nugget

Wonderwall

Behold the rock wall that Hubby Nugget and I built this summer:

It is a boomerang shaped border for our new patio/firepit area, a work in progress. It's original intent was to accent the 60' wildflower patch, oh but now it is so much more. You see, I have exhausted all my planting options in the front yard, in other words, yes, my rock garden is DONE. Now all that is left is to let it do it's thing. Auto-pilot! While that is oh so satisfying, uh, it's really not. Because I still must plant things. And when I say things, I mean sedum. And other creeping perennials. Enter the wall. The Empty Wall. Screaming for green. Just begging for plantings. How could I deny it? Oh I know it's Fall. WAY past planting season. But I laugh at freezes! Throw caution to the strong autumn wind. Behold my lunacy: Creeping phlox will look FABulous in the wall if it roots before it dies....

And let's not forget our friend, creepy thyme (yes, it FINALLY took off up front):

Couldn't leave Irish Moss out of the loop:

This is an earlier experiment with sedum. Kind of leggy, guess it expects TOTAL sun, sheesh.

It faces south, you'd think that would be good enough, picky bastard...

AND sedum facing west, so totally psyched with it's location:

So come spring, we shall see who is left standing. And hopefully, we will have a wall full of beautiful blooms!!! Yea! Go Team Nugget!

All for now,

Nugget

NaBloPoMoFo is Kicking My Ass...

Seriously, I forgot AGAIN! And now I'm in my jammies and have brushed my teeth...

How about a super-sweet pic of the Little Nugget?

She had a blast playing in the dirt last weekend, the weather was so warm and beautiful! I have more pics from the weekend...more to come tomorrow!

All for now, it's a school night!

Nugget

I Really Should Write These Posts Earlier in the Day...

I'm usually at my best when I write in the morning. So now it's almost 9:00 p.m., and I just remembered that I hadn't posted yet, even though I had a great topic ready this morning!

But alas, we spent the day outside working (mostly my Nugget)/lounging (me)/playing (both of us) with the Little Nugget, and when I came indoors to attend to urgent peanut butter sammie needs, I ended up doing laundry, dishes, and kicking ass in the Photoshop Expediency Project, which is what I'm now calling the attempt to rid myself of a giant pesticle in my (what some would call hostile) work environment.

Have to give some stats, to demonstrate the awesomeness at which the project is hurdling towards the finish line: I have approximately 4,000 digitized images depicting various works of ancient art to edit and basically re-create in Photoshop (started with over 10,000, just so you get the scope of the project). I have been averaging about 50-75 images per day, on a good day. Since the inception of the Photoshop Expediency Project, which was at exactly 12:20 Thursday afternoon, I have finished almost 1,200 images!!!

I really don't think that merits any further comment, we all know that World Domination is within reach!

Oh hell yeah!
Nugget

Halloween Festivites, Partay!

I promised pics, and I deliver! A couple of weeks ago, Hubby Nugget and I headed up to the great state of Iowa to partake in the annual "Lazy K Ranch Halloween Party." Apologies to my Facebook friends who have already seen these!

Hubby Nugget and I went as the Progressive Insurance Girl and the Verizon Guy:

My brother and sister-in-law were the Kennedys, after the shooting:

I present the Bobbits....

...and the dismembered member:

Before you get too grossed out, it was made of bologna. And ketchup.

Jello shots are never a good idea:

The naughty pumpkin!

One couple came as the painting American Gothic (by Grant Wood):

It was such an awesome idea that we all had to give it a try:

We HAD to have HN pose with the group to get a "Verizon Network" photo op:

That was so awesome! Finally, witness Hubby Nugget chillin in the coffin that decorated the front yard:

You just can't beat that!

Good times,

Nugget

Crap!

Forgot to post today, but going to bed anyway as the Little One started the snoozefest early!

Ahhh!

Bloggy goodness will ensue tomorrow, I promise! Plus pictures!!!

Night night!
Nugget

Don't Mess with the Support Staff...

or they will mess you back.

So I've been working on this massive digitizing project for Curmudgeon (also known in this blog as "Pesticle"), and have delivered many, many images. So NOW he decides he doesn't like the way I'm delivering, via CD, which is the only way we currently have. Says there are too many images on the CDs, he can't find anything. Nevermind that I include all data in a spreadsheet so he can find said images, but hey, when I mention the data, he says, "Oh I don't need the data, I know what everything is." Whatever.

He wants them broken down by categories, Like all the Parthenon images on one disc, all of the Jupiter Capitolinus on one, etc. I get that. But I also get that he requested literally over 10,000 images and needs them by December, and if I'm to have this done in a timely fashion, I can't take the time to catalogue and re-organize all the images in little chunks and spoon feed them like baby food. Dude.

I reassure him that we are working on a new web-based delivery system and once we get over this bump, it will all be better.

He says, "I don't care about a delivery system, once you get these all scanned for me I won't need you or a delivery system."

Oh no he di-int!

I calmly looked at him and said, "you really don't think you'll need anymore images?" to which he replied, "oh no I can get beautiful Botticellis online, so why do I need you?" I said, "you can get Botticellis, but you can't get "Villa Papyri," and he countered with "no, but you're scanning them for me so I won't need it."

Dude.

I've spent the last year Photoshopping almost 10,000 scanned crappy 30 year old slide images and you're gonna say that to me?! Wow. My first impulse was to say something like then I guess its ok if I delete the rest of these bad images because you can easily replace them with images from the internet (HAA! I'd like to see him try!!!), but I decided it is more prudent to consider this the light-bulb moment, like when you wake up one day and realize that your boyfriend is a giant asshole and why hadn't you seen this before when its so clear! Now I've always known he was an ass, but I've decided that he no longer deserves my quality services. Apparently he feels that I am vulnerable, he has been suspiciously nice lately so I was prepared for the attack. Such a little weasel. Don't fuck with the person who is working on your project!!! What an idiot!

As of this moment, I am no longer making silk purses of these pigs ear images, I am hammering through the remaining sets to GET THEM DONE, then I'm gonna burn so many fricken CDs he'll regret the day he ever set foot into my office. If I'm feeling really ornery, I might not include the data! Ha!! And when I'm done, I will deliver them in one giant heap on his desk!!! Oh yes!

Then I'll get back to work on more productive things, like serving the faculty who actually appreciate me!!!

All for now,
Nugget

Bookclubbing

Back in the day, I was in a bookclub of sorts. It was populated by like minded sorts, and was devoted to all things Arty. It went on for quite some time, a few years even. At first we met once a week at a local coffee shop (thereby augmenting my caffeine addiction), and discussed an article or chapter that someone had chosen. Then it was every two weeks, then once a month, you get the idea. Eventually I engaged in the madness that was a PhD program and drifted away, although by then it was really kaput anyway. On the bright side, I formed wonderful friendships with my two remaining girlies, A & R. No readings anymore, just hangin with my girls.

So why the nostalgia? Well, since I came to my senses about the advanced degree, I have had a hankerin to read for fun. I've been pecking away at this one book for awhile, but I find I really need the discipline of deadlines to really accomplish said reading enjoyment. Reading for fun seems so...wrong. Which is crazy, I know, but after years of my advisor asking why I was reading such and such, it's not scholarly enough to use in my dissertation, blah, blah, blah, it kind of gets drilled in your head that books are work. You use them for research, you write them, you don't read them for entertainment.

I guess what I'm saying is I'm looking to join a book club. I see this thing on Facebook, so I might check that out. But still might be kind of cool to join something locally, not virtually. Because I don't drink enough coffee as it is!

All for now,
Nugget

Diversions of Goodness

I'm looking for a new game to play. I've never really been a game player, but I've been giving it a go as a way to unwind after a busy day.

When I joined Facebook, I really got into Farm Town, as witnessed here. When I say I, I mean we, in that Hubby Nugget was equally enthralled with this time-wasting endeavor. I have to give the Town some cred for making me realize that a relaxed Mommy is a happy Mommy, one that requires less drink to achieve the desired relaxation level.

But all good things must come to an end. My love affair with Farm Town began to fade. I looked to Facebook for another and began playing Farmville. But really it was just a rebound relationship. Who am I kidding.

I re-evaluated my priorities. It wasn't about the coin. It wasn't about the small house versus the farmhouse versus the mansion. I was perfectly happy with the farmhouse (more closet space, but not so much that you felt compelled to become a compulsive shopper). And I really didn't even care about the crops. Oh I did at first, but that was just a means to an end. Plant the crops, harvest the crops, sell the crops, get the coin. Coin in itself doesn't bring happiness, no, Coin brings choices, and choices are good. I digress. What I'm trying to say is that I realized what appealed to me about Farm Town was the fact that I could design elaborate gardens and mazes, and THAT was cool.

So while I am simultaneously amusing myself and cursing Jungle Jewels, I would like to invite someone to create an awesome landscape gardening game app. I bet it would be HUGE. Or not. I know I would enjoy it.

All for now,
Nugget

Pooty-Dooty

That's what my late Grandma used to say instead of an expletive. And it pretty much sums up the day. Nothing horrible, just a fussy Monkey, fussy with a capital F. Mercifully, she just fell asleep (2 hours early, woo-hoo!), she must have been just as exhausted as I have been all day.

So since I'm not feeling particularly bloggy (and still have a bunch of stuff to get ready for work) I will leave you with this lovely photo I took of our wildflowers last summer. Yes, resorting to the picture post already!

Here's to pretty flowers and tasty beverages!

All for now,

Nugget

Let the NaBloPoMoFo Begin!!!!

Are you excited?!

I just returned from the battlefield that is the Target Halloween Clearance aisle, and I arose from the ashes a VICTOR! Well, at least I thought so. I got the coveted Ghostly carousel with LED lights and real, live, MOVING parts for half price! I wanted one last year, but waited too long (I prefer 75% off, but those just don't make it to deep-discount clearance!).

So now the goods are safely tucked away in the tubs of rubbermaidly goodness, waiting patiently until they are needed again. My guess is that Monkey's birthday/Halloween party will be a grand affair next year, as we will have the backyard patio project completed. We had this year's birthday fest at Papa & GiGi's last weekend, given the muddiness of our yard, plus they have a lot more space in their new house.

Our Sweet Babygirl was a witch (note the broom she's sporting, it was mine when I was her age!!!)

The grub table...

Centerpiece...

Spiders on the scaffolding!!!

We had a sundae bar and amazing brownies and cookies from Amanda's Sugar Shack...

Little Nugget approved of the spread...

So much so that she pulled a chair up to the cookie table...

Hubby Nugget jammed before guests arrived... Little Nugget LOVES the drums!

Enjoying the bounty of her day...

Good stuff!

Unfortunately, Little Nugget wasn't the best hostess, and had a giant meltdown during the festivities, oh well.


All for now,

Nugget!

Is it November Yet?

SO close!!!

Till tomorrow, I leave you with this:

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

All for now,

Nugget

New Post...

Oh I know you want one. But guess what? This is all you get for now!!! Ha!

November is National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo).

You shall be rewarded for your patience with an entire month of daily posts about excruciatingly mundane things.

You have been warned!

Nugget

Team Nugget's Anniversary Gift to You...

To our fellow diners last night, you are welcome.

Yesterday was the anniversary of the founding members of Team Nugget, myself and my Nugget! Four years! Woo-hoo! To celebrate, we planned a nice dinner out at Justus Drugstore, a Restaurant.

It promised to be a tasty evening of wonderful cuisine. Here is the blurb from the website:

"We believe real food raised with painstaking care by local small farm producers, prepared lovingly by skilled artisans served in an ambient beautiful space is an experience everyone should enjoy. If we can’t make it from scratch, we won’t serve it." --Justus Drugstore

Last night's menu included Striped Bass, Braised Pork, Roasted Chicken, Kobe Beef, and Rabbit, all locally raised. Mmm...(I don't even like rabbit and it sounded good!)

So we get there early to take advantage of the "window of opportunity" that is the Little Nugget's tolerance level for fine dining. That entailed lots of snacks and distracting yet quiet toys. It worked well with our dining experience in Denver last spring, so there you go.

Soon into the door we discover that this place isn't too kid friendly, no boosters, but hey, that's OK, it's a sophisticated vibe, and our girl is cool with it. I made some joke about duct tape, but I don't think the woman who seated us had kids, or she would have pissed herself with laughter.

They brought us menus and water, (Little Nugget immediately noticed the straw was absent, apparently she requires straws now, but this wasn't a straw place...she rolled with it though, good girl!) First off, the waiter patiently asked us what our meal plans were for the Little Nugget. Uh, raisins and rice cakes for appetizer, then what ever she'll eat off our plate? He allowed us a few moments with the menu (which as I mentioned had rabbit and stuff, and she realistically would prefer eating play-doh to that stuff, but we were trying really hard to make it work...).

Moments later, with all her snacks quickly disappearing at an alarming rate, our waiter came back over to discuss the menu and gently assert that entrees take some time (as indicated in above statement), all the while, someone was getting fidgettier by the second. Dude, I was getting nervous. None of the toys were working. Not even the stickers. I started having flashbacks to last weekend.

He gave us another "moment" but I noticed he was taking orders from all the other tables, even though they had came in after us. Normally I would have been a little put off, but I think he knew. And we knew. And he knew that we knew that he knew the Little Nugget was not going to make it though the dining service. And for that, we are grateful. And our fellow diners should be too. Because this could have turned out very unpleasant for EVERYone in that ambient space.

We packed it up, and they seemed relieved, and frankly, so were we. But now where to eat? Restaurant dining was out. So we headed over to our local grocery store and loaded up a rotisserie chicken, bottle of chilled champagne and a couple of salads from the salad bar, and snuggled on the couch at home!

It's all good!

All for now,

Nugget

Just Shoot Me Now...

That's how I felt today. Seriously. It was a craptastic suckfest. Twice a year my Dad's side of the family gets together. Aunts and uncles come in from all over the country. Big family, lots of food, lots of catching up.

Today, of all days, Little Nugget had one of those God-forsaken spirited kid meltdowns. Too many people. Too much noise. Too much attention. I so get it, I was that kid 40-some years ago. Sigh. Big families can be overwhelming.

So I spent our brief time there with her clawing her way up my torso, whimpering, crying, wailing to the point of almost choking. I got her calmed down a couple of times, but then something else would set her off, then she couldn't get herself calmed down again. Walks didn't help. Singing her theme song didn't help. Not even the Wonder Pets could help.

To make things better, I had one hell of a headache due to the impending arctic freeze heading our way.

We managed to eat lunch, but not much else. Soon after, it was clear that she just couldn't shake out of it. We left. I didn't even get to say goodbye. I was so upset I lost it before I made it to the car. Luckily Hubby Nugget got to do some visiting, but I didn't even get to talk to my cousins E or C, or my Uncle R!

Of course once we left she was fine.

I really don't have much to say about it other than it sucked. But I'm not going to let it keep us away from get-togethers. That wouldn't make any sense. So just a heads up! We'll be the ones in the corner with the screaming toddler! She'll grow out of it eventually!

It's all good.

Nugget

No Threads Tying Any of this Together into a Unified Theme...

Just some more random thoughts that were too complicated for a tweet, but not substantial enough for a whole post.

Item number 1: This morning Little Nugget asked me to "Take off panties," (all signs point to impending potty training success!) and when I picked her up, I emerged covered in urine that squirted from her squishy pull-ups like an overripe tomato. Her reaction? "It's full." Indeed! Who knew LN would have such a dry sense of humor? Good stuff!

Item number 2: Not content to put away my gardening tools for winter, I decided to make a tiny little "greenhouse" out of my minuscule office window, which frankly gets more sunlight than any window at home. I found tiny little pots at Michaels and planted little sedum and scottish moss starts, so hopefully I will have a nice little group of plants for the garden next year. Pictures are forthcoming, of course. And it makes walking into the office a little happier in the morning.

Item number 3: (Totally hypothetical scenario and in no way represents any known person, fictional or real) Today at work the departmental pestical stopped by and stuck his head in my office, said he was going to make a run for coffee, and would I like him to pick me up something? I'm still stunned. And I fully expect that he's done something to jeopardize my job and is just covering his tracks by pretending to be nice. If this story was about a real person, I'd be SO on to him!

Item number 4: We cannot keep clothes on the Monkey. She's going though a semi-clothed phase. I hope she outgrows it before high school.

Item number 5: Yea! Hubby Nugget just got the heater to come on! Yea! Time to whip up celebratory Manhattans!

All for now,
Nugget

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

No, really just a Bobcat:

Last weekend Hubby Nugget rented that fine piece of heavy equipment, and the backyard carnage began!

It's all part of Team Nugget's plan for Backyard World Domination. Our yard is on a diagonal slope (we live on a hill, duh), so HN wanted to level out the future patio area. In the end, it should be like a sunken fire pit space, with benches built into the side. And fabulous sedum growing out of the rock wall. Can't wait!

Go Nugget!

We (and when I say we, I mean my Nugget) jackhammered the existing useless sidewalk down to the backyard (which really was just an excuse for rain water to seep into the basement), and he filled that in with some more concrete chunks from the demo'd sidewalk in the back, and dirt from the patio is going there as well, to level it out a bit.

Jackson was very helpful:

The Bug, not so much! He's freakishly camera-shy, maybe he thinks it will steal his soul...nah, he's just a scaredy cat!

More scooping action:

Hubby Nugget was having fun!

Behold the future driveway extension! We have a bit more filling to do!

Woo-hoo! More places to plant next spring!!!

All for now,

Nugget

Scaredy Cat!

C'est moi.

Have you ever canned? I haven't. But I want to. That whole botulism thing is just a bit intimidating.

I have been saying I'm going to can ALL summer. Have I? No.

In my defense, most of the things I wanted to preserve were HIGHLY discouraged for home canning festivities. So instead of making roasted red peppers in oil, I roasted and froze them instead. As it turns out, that works just as well, if not better. Take a couple of strips out of the freezer, chop them up, and voila! Super-tasty FABulousness!

We've been freezing tomatoes as well, not because of The Fear, but just because it's easier. Chop them up, simmer them a bit, cool, put them in bags and freeze. Plus HN LOVES his vacuum sealer. Who am I to disagree!

I've also used the dehydrator of goodness to make "sun"-dried tomatoes, now resting comfortably in the freezer. Can I get a "YUM-MEE!"

But now it's the end of summer, well OK fall, and I can no longer put off the inevitable. Can I must.

Sigh.

Wish me luck in that I don't poison my family! It can't be that bad, right? I mean our grandparents did it, their parents, etc., and they survived! Sheesh, Just do it!

Yes, I admit I'm a giant goober,
Nugget

PS. oh you know I'll let you know how it goes!

Work Stuff, Part Deux

OK, this is the last time I go on about work stuff, I promise. Well, probably not, but anyway...

I walked into the meeting with my Pollyanna face on (read: game face). First question: Why do we need you? Ouchie! She plays hardball! Of course she was a bit uncomfortable asking it, hemmed and hawed a bit, so i knew it was coming, and yes, I was prepared. I have worked in the Snake Pit for 12 years, after all.

I enumerated the reasons for my Visual Resource essentialness and let's face it, world dominating goodness. She's a bit hard to budge once she makes up her mind, so it probably didn't matter to her WHAT i said, but I spoke my peace. Rock on.

My task if I should accept it, which I have, is to dismantle the collection of 35mm slides and have digitization "complete" in approximately 1.5 to 2 years from now. Will do. I say "complete" because apparently they will need no more images after that. Poor students, I feel sorry for them. Professors teaching the same lecture over and over for years and years and adding nothing new. Sigh...but digitize I am. Will I have a job after that? Eh, probably not, so I am basking in my Visual Resourcey-ness while I can. See, my dear reader(s), I really LOVE what I do. You don't find that often.

I remained upbeat during the whole meeting, which disturbed her. That pleased me. She finally asked me "You don't feel slighted by getting rid of the slides?" My response: "I'm excited! We're moving to the 21st century! It's progress!" I guess I was supposed to be sad to see the slides leave. Even though my job isn't about the slides, hasn't been for years. But hey, if you want to look at the small picture bosslady, that's your call. But I'm guessing some of the faculty might disagree. Yeah, I know, this is coming from higher up, whatevs.

But at least I got my server. Victory is mine!

hoping that the economy picks up soon...

Nugget

Pardon Me While I Go On About Work Stuff That Probably Means Nothing to You, Dear Readers...

You may or may not recall my blathering about The Big Project at work. Back story: I manage an image collection used for teaching art and art history classes at our local university. For many years, that meant using slides, but we are now increasingly becoming digital, against the odds of a small staff, budget, faculty enthusiasm, etc. Fast forward to now: almost all the faculty has embraced Tech, some more so than others. The Big Project has been converting our analog collection to digital, and it's been a task that has fallen solely on my shoulders.

And now, now there is a new chair. This is big people. She is technologically savvy. I cannot express the excitement I have about this. FINALLY, the big dream could become a reality. A searchable, on-line image collection. Ahhh. I'm feeling a little Pollyanna about it, but I think it could really happen this time. I know others have promised it, I have been there for 12 years after all, but there is a glimmer of hope in this cynical girl's eye. Oh yeah, they're forming a committee (jacking off gesture), but MAYBE THEY REALLY WANT TO DO SOMETHING THIS TIME!

A girl can dream...

All for now,
Nugget

Green Day!

Just some quick pics to post, I have many more to come!

A couple of weeks ago, Hubby Nugget and I took a "staycation" and headed on down to the Power and Light District in KC, MO for some much needed relaxation time, sans Little Nugget! It was quite nice, we booked a room at Hotel Phillips (featured in the latest Sasha Baron Cohen movie, Bruno) We haven't seen the movie yet, but have stayed at the hotel before, it is quite lovely! And even better, it's two blocks from P&L:


Strangely enough, HN and I, unaware of each other's intentions, BOTH bought new shoes that day just for said occasion! Freaky! Behold:

We dined on the tasty Prix Fix menu at Bristol Seafood Grill:

The interior was nice, and had a really cool glass case that served as a divider between the bar and dining area, as well as storing and displaying the tasty bottles of wine available for consumption:

After our yummy chocolate mousse, we headed on over to the Sprint Center for the centerpiece of the evening, the Green Day concert! Franz Ferdinand opened:

The show was really good, I kinda like FF, but sometimes get a little tired of them on the radio. Needless to say, we were both impressed! They had great energy and sounded tight, but raw enough to make it exciting! Good stuff!

During the intermission, we stopped by what may be a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture (I didn't check, but it was Chihuly or Chihuly-like) for a self portrait. Then we headed back! At which point I was admonished yet again by security to put up my camera. Singled out no less! "You in the ponytails! Keep that camera put up!" Sir Yess Sir! So after Green Day took the stage, I snapped this:

Seriously, Billy Joe Armstrong was THIS close! FOUR seats away! I HAD to get that picture!

That was really the only goodish picture I got, since I couldn't really mess with the settings to get a good shot. SUCH a good show. Ridiculously good show. Go see them if you can!

All for now,

Nugget

Sheesh...

I can't believe it's been this long since I posted anything, apologies!

Just Between Friends Sale: Been a bit busy lately getting stuff ready for a local kids-stuff consignment sale, it just started this morning! Woo-hoo! I am proud to say that about 6 rubbermaid storage bins worth of Monkey's stuff have left the house!!!! Space, precious space!!! So I've been busy hanging, pricing, tagging, packing 149 of the Little Nugget's outgrown toys, clothes, room decor stuff!!!! I'm very happy about our newly found square footage, although now that's done I have to shift my focus to giving the house a good scrubbing due to my general neglect in the past few days...sigh.

Visual Resources Land: This week is the first of the semester, so VRLand has been quite busy for the last month, getting everything ready and such. I am STILL working on the Ancient project, even though I was hoping to be done by now. Happily I finished Imperial Rome last night which was a mammoth file of about 800 scanned images that needed to be cleaned in Photoshop. I'm now wearing a wrist brace. :-( Nearing the end of the project though, only have to prepare images for Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, Romanesque and Islamic architecture and I'm done with that Professor's class. I know, sounds like a lot, but after Greek and Roman, it's a breeze! I'm tired of cleaning dirty emperors. And I'm happy to add that ALL classes being taught in our department (except one) are being taught with digital images this semester! I rock super-hard!!! The other one should be digital by January (fingers crossed, unless I have to have carpal tunnel surgery first!!!!)

I haven't had my coffee yet, so I must attend to that toute de suite. More to come I assure you, dear reader(s), I have pics to post...

All for now,
Nugget

TGIF

Technically, my Friday is Thursday, since I'm off on Fridays, but if I said TGITh yesterday, you'd be like, "what?"

Today is shaping up to be a good day. Oh yeah, someone woke me a little sooner than I would like, but I'm getting used to that after almost 3 years. Some highlights:

• Found an open bag of cedar mulch at the local Lowes for half off, yet still full. That was pretty sweet since I went there to get mulch...


• Scored a super cute Wonder Pets book for the Monkey, Tiny-sized for her wee little Monkey hands, and just the right size for me to lug around in my Little Nugget survival bag. Inspired many verses of the WP theme song in Target.


• Speaking of Target, we had an exceptional outing in that she was the perfect child, one that we rarely see around here. All the mothers were jealous, I could tell. It made me giggle a little because I know better! You take it when you can get it.


• Not that she's a bad child, just spirited. Yes, I said it. Spirited. I've been reading the book by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, "Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic." Spirited. Oh. Hell. Yes.


• Oh and guess what. I took a quiz in that book, and I, apparently, am a spirited parent. No wonder we push each others buttons. Sheesh.


• Oh and we got a free sandwich from the new Chick-fil-a that's opening next week. Mmm...free!


• Tonight we are going out to dinner with a high school friend and her husband, without the Little Nugget! Yea! Uninterrupted adult conversation!!!! Yea! Not that dinner conversation with the Sweet Babygirl is lacking, the "Jabba Jabba Yuppa Pets" is very sweet!

All for now, I haven't had coffee yet! Looks like it will be iced coffee today!

Nugget

You Can Lead a Toddler to the Potty, but You Can't Make them Pee

I admit it, I give up. This time. Three whole days and it became clear that Little Nugget was obviously not interested in potty training.

That's not to say we didn't have breakthroughs. We did. The new froggy potty seemed promising. And she dug the Wonder Pets panties, especially Ming Ming. But she just doesn't want to be bothered with peeing in the toilet right now. She's got things to do. Just not how she rolls.

Sigh.

It will be revisited SOON. Preschool is looming...

All for now,
Nugget

Potty Training, Part Deux...

OK. Giving it another try. Started early this morning. Just had accident number 4. Sigh...

She's really not interested in the toilet at this point, but I'm hoping that by the end of the day she'll be tired of urine dripping down her legs. See, that's the thing about our girl, it's got to be her idea. So I'm *helping* her get there.

We'll see how that works...all I know is, she's not gunna do it for a sticker! (If only it were that easy!)

Immersion technique it is!

Updates to come, oh yes they will...

Nugget

UPDATE #1: On accident #6, she decided it was fun to "splishy-splashy" in her *homemade* puddle before I could get a towel on it...Is it too early for a drink?!

UPDATE #2: Curious, are there people you can pay to potty train your child?

I'm So Excited...

and I just can't hide it! There is a small area by our front porch that has not really received much gardening attention due to my obsession with the hard rockin' Rock Wall garden. Oh I've put some things here and there, just to brighten it up, but put no real thought into it.


So now that the big garden is basically running on autopilot, I diverted my attention elsewhere. Thought I might spruce up the bushes a bit. Hmm, maybe a few things in front of the bushes. Then it hit me last night. I seriously hate the petunias I put in earlier this summer. Really. They suck. I'm sure they are gorgeous in your yard, I've seen them from the road, but in my garden, well, they just don't dig the clay soil. They're all gangly, half dead, just plain ugly.


So I ripped them out!!! Very liberating. Plus they only cost about 4 or 5 bucks to begin with, so I had little remorse. Good riddance. Well, I put them in pots, but now they look even more hideous, shriveled and pathetic gangly bastards. They may be heading to the compost pile if they're not careful...


Last night despite going to bed late, I could not sleep, had visions of garden planning running through my head (well, creating a formal garden in the middle of my watermelon farm in FarmTown could also be part of that). Regardless, I couldn't wait to get up this morning and get some new plants.


So bright and early this morning, Babygirl and I head to our favorite place to acquire cheap annuals, our local Sutherlands Lumber Yard. No go. All gone. Poo. Off to the Lowes of goodness. Not much selection in the annuals, just over-priced "designer" genetically engineered corporate creepy plants. I was about to head over to our local nursery, then realized how much I'd be spending for something we'll only enjoy for another couple of months and said screw that, lets go with perennials, which I'm a big fan of anyway.


So with that attitude adjustment, we perused the selection of reasonably priced perennials and came up with several fine offerings.

Lovely Ruby Red Tickseed (coreopsis). These were so full of bees! Yea!

Moonbeam Coreopsis...I couldn't resist all those tiny little flowers!

Royal Blue Speedwell...mine has no flowers on it yet, just lush, dense green foliage. So I'm not sure how it's going to work with the other two colors. If it doesn't, we'll move them somewhere else.

So now these lovelies (plus a sedum for the backyard) are hanging out by the porch, enjoying a nice rain shower. Can't plant today anyway, much prep needed! Have to till, put down landscape fabric (wish I had done that for the rock garden), maybe a little mulch.

I'm so excited!!! Woo-hoo!

All for now,

Nugget