Little Miss Magic

Disappointment

2008-01-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

I just feel such bitter disappointment today, on the heels of this news. I was all set to vote for John Edwards, who I think is the next best thing to Al Gore for President. I honestly don't know who I'll vote for in the upcoming elections; Hillary leaves such a bad taste, and I don't think Obama can beat either of the two Republican frontrunners.

I'm also disillusioned -- with the media, and with the thousands of Democratic voters who have cast their votes for candidates who were late to the table with their plans for the economy, healthcare, and everything else that John Edwards has been planning for since before his bid for the presidency in 2004. I'm sad that Edwards didn't get more media attention, but I suppose in this era of "shock and awe" he just doesn't have the entertainment factor that Hillary vs. Obama does. I feel let down by Democratic voters who purport to want change, but won't back the one man who would have been able to make it happen.

I would love to be a conscientious objector, and just not vote this fall. I won't do that, though -- my voice has to be heard.

I will post an update soon -- life has just been crazy. I have lots of things to share, and am hoping to start some new things here (for my one and only reader).

Photo by Jonathan Walczak.

Birthday Flowers

2008-01-04T15:29:00.001-05:00

Birthday Flowers
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

It's been a while -- an update is coming soon. In the meantime, look what I got at work today! Good ol' Mom and Dad sent me some birthday wishes from H@llm@rk - you know, when you care enough to send the very best :-)

Note to Y

2007-11-04T19:19:00.000-05:00

Do you SEE why I need to win the book? My blog needs help, does it not? Pick me, pick me!

Vacation: Day 1

2007-09-02T20:16:00.001-04:00

A mostly uneventful day, unless you count the power outages (2), the wild indian that is my oldest niece, and her whirling dervish of a sister.

I was awakened this morning by a wee voice saying "Wake up, Manna!" I woke up (I was already awake, since I'd been hearing the stirring of little bodies since earlier in the morning), and we started out right away reading books. It's good that they were just in Indiana for a visit a couple of weeks ago, because Olivia remembered me right away. We got up and at 'em at 7:00, and about 20 minutes later the transformer on the pole outside my brother's house popped and crackled and went out. A small tree limb had apparently fallen on the line. Georgia Power & Light was obviously in no hurry to get here, so we left the house and went to find breakfast at the local Cracker Barrel.

Side note: Those that know me (which, since my readership consists of 1, is everyone) know that I don't leave the house without showering, so don't fall over when I tell you that I did indeed venture out this morning after just washing my face and brushing my teeth. I put my greasy hair in a ponytail, covered it with a hat, put clean clothes on my dirty body, and went. It was so cute... when I brushed my teeth, Olivia was in the bathroom with me, and she said "Wia brush, too." It's obvious that she wants to do whatever the adults are doing, and she's so smart.

Anyway, we came home from Cracker Barrel to find that the lights were still out, but power was restored a short time later. We watched some TV, and the girls went down for much needed naps. Olivia is coming down with a cold -- her runny nose made it so hard for her to sleep lastnight or today, so she's not getting very good rest right now. Tonight she got some Benadryl, so we'll see how tomorrow goes.

Emilia got up from her nap as happy as a lark... her little bottom lip came out a bit when she was left alone with me for a while, but she did okay. Hey, she's only 8 months old and she doesn't know me as well as Olivia does. Olivia slept fitfully, so she and RC laid down on the couch in Emilia's room. Michelle, Emilia, and I were in the living room, when we heard a buzzing sound -- it really sounded like someone sawing something. Next thing I know, a tree branch at the house next door is on fire, then some sparks are falling from the power line, and then the transformer blows again! This time there was a very bright light... the branch was actually en flambe twice, and something blew up. RC, being the firefighter that he is, called 911, telling them there was an arcing power line (which it wasn't), and then he called GP&L again... in order to get them out more quickly, he told them the power line was down, and that it was arcing. I hope he doesn't get fined for that little white lie. It only took about 20 minutes for the power to come back on, but we're a little leery to go outside after all of that.

Olivia is so fun... 22 months is such a cute age. She's scary smart... she may not talk in complete sentences, but she understands so much, and communicates in long strings of real words. Nothing is garbled; the only word we couldn't immediately understand today was "ticka", which RC explained was obviously "sticker". Duh... I gave her the label off a banana today... thus, sticker. Michelle and I both felt pretty stupid. Olivia and I sat in the dining room after supper tonight and had a lengthy conversation... we smelled one of Michelle's nice candles that had been lit earlier today; we talked about dinner; we sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", and "Twinkle, Twinkle"; she told me about her trip to Indiana and who she saw; and in general she just floored me. She's full of hugs and kisses and she wants nothing more than to sit in your lap and read book after book after book. I tell you, I don't know if I could be more enchanted and in love with my own child.

More tomorrow... I'm wiped out for today. I'm hoping to get outside to take some pictures tomorrow.

PS - We did get to see a turtle today. I don't know what kind it was, but it was crossing the front yard, so RC went and picked it up so Olivia could see it. "Hi, Mr. Turtle", she said, and then RC put him back where he found him. I pretty much melted.

Pool, cup, splash

2007-08-28T20:15:00.000-04:00

Oh, my. It's been a while since I've posted. It's not that I've been too busy, just too lazy, I guess.

I talked to Olivia today while she was eating lunch; it seems like whenever Grandma's there, she wants to talk on the phone. She wanted to remind me that while she was visiting in Indiana last week, we went in the pool, with a cup, and we made a splash! It's everything she knows about time she's spent with me, or everything her little noggin can remember. I'm impressed... that was over a week ago, so I guess I made a little bit of an impression.

I'm off to visit the fam this weekend, and will be gone for a WHOLE week. Away from the bunnies, piggies, and cat; away from the house and the jungle... err, yard; away from that dreadful dungeon they call a cubicle at work. I'm excited to go away, me and my new camera, where I'm planning to take lots of pictures of just about everything. I'll try to upload to flickr and post, but internet access may be an issue, since RC doesn't have wifi! I may have to get him all hooked up while I'm there. I AM tech support in this family, you know.

Skirting the issue

2007-06-12T12:23:00.000-04:00

So... it's been a while. How ya been? Anything new? No? Me neither.

Which explains the lack of posting. And now I will distract you with pretty fabrics...

I have a love/hate thing with skirts. I had to wear them for most of my years in grade school and high school, and I think I really stopped wearing them because of the connotations they held for me. High school was not a happy time for me -- I attended a very rigid Christian school, where rules about the length of your sleeves, skirts, pants (but only for the boys!), and hair, among other things, were strictly enforced.

That was 15 years ago, however, and I'm beginning to love skirts again! My only problem now is finding the right skirt for my body -- I'm 5'2", and I let's just say I weigh 50+ lbs. more than I should. Most skirts aren't made for short/round, so even if I find the right style, I can't find the right size. I bought this pattern last year, and some really cute brown fabric that has turquoise emroidered floral accents with buttons... but I never made the skirt. Mom has the sewing machine in Georgia, and it's so hard to find the time to sew when I'm there to visit the girls.

This time when I visit, I'm going to dedicate a day to sewing, and I'm comin' back home with some new, cute skirts. I really love Amy Butler's fabrics, and I'm hoping to buy some of this design:

and this design:

and maybe even this design:

I also really like Amy's new skirt pattern, but I don't think I have the time or skill for that just yet.

ETA: I love fabric. Is it hereditary? My aunt has had rooms and even an RV full of fabrics since I was a little kid, more than any one person could use in a lifetime. I could become seriously addicted. And I can't even sew that well.

Oh good lord.

2007-04-03T22:13:00.000-04:00

I've done it now. After vociferously agreeing with the clog hate over at dooce last summer, I must confess that my feet have joined the Crocs army. I saw the new styles at my local Dick's Sporting Goods at the beginning of February, and now that warmer weather is just around the corner (can't you feel it?), I had to go buy some.

They are, quite possibly, the most comfortable shoes my feet have ever worn. I can't wait for summer to get here so I can see if they stay as cool as people say they do. Now I just need a pedicure!

Mama needs a brand new bag

2007-03-21T12:52:00.000-04:00

So, spring is officially here, and it's time for a new everyday bag. I started carrying a small messenger bag late last summer, so I definitely need something similar, but I'm having such a hard time deciding. Internet, what would you do? Here are some of my options...

I love this one from Timbuk2. It's the same size as the wool messenger I've been carrying, but I think I'd like something just a little larger:

I also like this one from Timbuk2, and it definitely meets the "little larger" qualification:

And this one, from eBags:

I also wonder about a nicer, more work-appropriate bag, like this one from eBags:

Or this one, also from eBags, that looks more like one of the Petunia Picklebottom diaper bags to me than a business case:

Then there's the messenger bags at QueenBee Creations; I love all of them, but especially this one:

and this one:

How will I ever decide?? HELP!

Georgia

2007-03-14T22:07:00.001-04:00

Georgia
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

Georgia is the latest Petco rabbit at the Speedway location, and she is a peach... (get it? Georgia peach? I kill me.) Gus was adopted pretty quickly - he was only in the store for about a week before someone submitted an application to adopt him, and he went to a great home with a great family.

Georgia came from a shelter in northern Indiana where she had lived... no, survived for 3 months. She's so glad to be out of the joint, and into a place where she can really kick up her heels!

The Girls, February edition

2007-03-09T13:07:00.000-05:00

Every month my brother and sister-in-law publish pictures of the girls, Olivia and Emilia. You can usually tell what they've been up to for that month, and for those of us that are far away it's a way for us to see the family without actually seeing the family. Of course all it does for me is make me feel like I'm missing out on all the hugs and kisses and coos and gurgles.

Last month they went to Tybee Island for an afternoon. Living in Savannah, they've had decent weather all winter, so while it was a windy day, it wasn't unbearable. Here are just a couple of my favorite shots of Miss Olivia:

And not to be left out, here's baby Emilia cooking up some kind of devious plot to eventually steal the show from her sister:

I think she looks like she's got so much to say, and just can't get it out! I'm sure she will, eventually.

Gus

2007-03-04T20:53:00.001-05:00

Gus
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

This is Gus. He's a rabbit. A very smooshable, lovable, love-sponge of a rabbit. He's the first foster available for adoption through the Speedway Petco location (at which I am the head volunteer!), and he's acclimating really well to being in the store.

He does the most amazing binkies, and he flips his ears around like he's the king of the world. He also turns into a puddle o' bunny if you even pretend like your hand *might* touch him. He will sit still for.ev.er. and let you pet him. It's pretty sweet, and is a real draw for the public!

Floss

2007-02-26T14:35:00.001-05:00

Floss
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

This is plain, mint-flavored, waxed dental floss. What, exactly, is High-Tech about that? Seriously??

Phobia-schmobia

2007-02-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

I've never been terribly afraid of the unknown. I don't worry or fret about things that are beyond my control, but I like to be prepared for the things that are within it. I'm not afraid to fail, or of disappointing other people; I figure everyone fails and disappoints at some time or another. I'm not afraid of thunderstorms, scary movies don't bother me, and I rarely have nightmares. I'm not afraid to be alone - I eat out by myself, go to the movies by myself, drive long distances by myself, and I actually relish the time since I don't have to be "on" for anyone else; I can just be.

Things I am afraid of:

I am afraid of falling on stairs, both up or down. And not just falling on stairs, but also hitting my front teeth and knocking them loose as I fall. I am actually less concerned with the thought of breaking any bones than I am about the possibility that I might fall on a stair step, mouth open, and knock out my teeth.

I am afraid of spiders, although I have had to learn to get over it since I moved out of my parent's home. Nobody but me kills them at my house, and I have to kill them. There's no other option. I am NOT going to wake up one morning to find a big, hairy spider sitting on the pillow next to me. My weapon of choice is a can of brake cleaner. I don't know what's in the stuff, and I don't use it around the animals, but it certainly can kill a spider.

I am afraid of leaving this job. I've been here for so long that the thought of looking for something different is almost paralyzing. I'm not opposed to doing something completely different, but it gives me the heebie-jeebies to imagine learning new things, meeting new people.

I am afraid of getting dumber. When I was a kid, I was one of the smartest kids I knew. I'm not bragging here (okay, maybe a little) when I tell you that I taught myself to read at the age of 3, or that I always read books that were several levels above the recommended books for my age. I excelled in all academic subjects, and even graduated high school early. Outside of academics, I was able to have intelligent conversation with deep thinkers, and I could actually write halfway decent essays. I think there must be some kind of smart-time continuum, much like there is a space-time continuum, where your brain may be more advanced but at some time, the two lines intersect and you become dumb. At least I think it's the space-time continuum I want to reference here. Could be the flux capacitor. See, I used to know this, but now I'm dumber!

Dream house

2007-02-08T16:28:00.001-05:00

Dream house #1
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

One of these days, I'll have my dream house. It'll be an older home, with lots of character and charm (and may include bad plumbing and outdated electrical connections). It will have nooks and crannies, and rooms that don't fit my furniture. It'll happen, someday. For now, I'm going to collect dream houses just like I collected Garbage Pail Kids when I was 8. Hope no one thinks I'm a stalker, taking pictures as I drive by...

I drive by this house every time I go to the vet -- it's just north of the intersection of Kessler and College. It's been for sale since early last fall, and it's a dream house. This area of town is full of houses like this, from N. Meridian to Fall Creek Parkway. It makes me wish I'd saved all the money I made in my younger years -- instead of building the house I live in now, I'd have had a nice chunk for a down payment on something like this. File that under "If I'd Known Then What I Know Now."

Superbowl... super KRAZEE!

2007-02-04T22:28:00.001-05:00

Colts Horseshoe
Originally uploaded by mar52laine.

Wait, has hell frozen over? Have the heavens parted? Can YOU see the pearly gates?

I've lived here for 20 years this year, and have listened to my family go on and on and on and on about the Indianapolis Colts since I was but a babe-in-arms. I've been hearing disappointment in their voices for lo these many years, and I have to say, I thought they were all nuts. Until tonight.

In case you missed it, the Indianapolis Colts actually won! They beat "da Bears"... the Chicago Bears of my childhood. I grew up in the northern part of the state, so for me tonight's game was sort of a win-win. I'd have been happy if the Bears won, but I'm a little more thrilled at the Colts win. Good for them!!

Crunch

2007-02-01T18:51:00.001-05:00

Crunch
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

I know not every post needs a picture, but this just wouldn't work without it.

I left work early today to take one of the bunnies to the vet. I drove home, packed Hazel up, put him in the car, drove all the way to the vet, got out of the car to take him, and discovered that someone has apparently bashed in the rear quarter panel on the passenger side of my car. I AM LIVID.

Normally this would only infuriate me a little bit. Yes, some asshat hit my car and then drove away without leaving any contact information. But what really has my knickers twisted is the fact that the very same thing happened to me almost exactly one year ago. Someone backed into my parked car a year ago, on the completely opposite side (front driver side). And I JUST had it repaired in December! Just got it back from the repair shop! If it weren't for bad luck, I don't think I'd have any luck.

The Spectra has been a problem from the beginning. I had never bought a car by myself before, but I needed a reasonably-priced replacement for my Oldsmobile Alero. I loved the Alero, and never had so much as a scratch -- probably because it was leased (or as my brother likes to say, just a rental). The list of indignities goes something like this:

The very same night I bought the car a ginormous rock popped up out of nowhere, thrown up by a passing vehicle, and left an equally ginormous ding, which I've never had repaired.

The following Monday, I backed into someone pulling out of a parking space -- neither car was really damaged, just a scrape on my bumper that I've never bothered to fix.

The car was swallowed by a giant pothole in January 2005, the day before my birthday. The factory rim was so badly bent that it ruined the tire, so I pulled over and called my 24/7 roadside assistance. The tow truck driver tried to jack the car up using the wrong kind of jack, causing damage to the rocker panel on the passenger side. Again, I've never had it fixed.

So... now I just want to be done with it. I wasn't planning to replace this car for a couple more years, but now... we'll see.

At least the bunny got a (mostly) clean bill of health.

Alexis Rabbit

2007-02-01T12:40:00.001-05:00

Alexis
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

Miss Alexis Rabbit is looking for her forever home... as you can see, she's looking far and wide. Alexis is a "sexy rexy", meaning she has velvety-soft mini rex fur. She has all the attitude that mini rexes usually have; she was none too happy about being handled to get her in and out of her cage, but once she's out and about she loves to be petted.

Alexis is available for adoption through Indiana House Rabbit Society, and you can meet her at the Carmel Petco location at 116th and Keystone Avenue.

Jacob Rabbit

2007-02-01T12:37:00.001-05:00

Jacob
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

This is wee Jacob. He's only been in foster care for a short time, but he is breaking hearts all over the place, at the tender age of 6 months! The picture doesn't do him justice... he's very soft, and has HUGE feet. He's available for adoption through Indiana House Rabbit Society, and you can meet him at the Carmel Petco location at 116th and Keystone Ave.

Olivia, 14 months

2007-01-25T16:14:00.001-05:00

Olivia, 14 months
Originally uploaded by Little Miss Magic.

On my last trip to Savannah, Mom and I kidnapped Olivia for a few hours in the late afternoon (post-afternoon nap). We went to the fabric store, which was a staple of my childhood shopping trips -- O was interested in all of the pretty, shiny, see-through fabrics, and loved that she was actually allowed to touch things! We left there and went to World Market, where there weren't as many things to touch and feel. There were, however, clothing items on clearance... and so we decided to put her in a hat and scarf. She actually smiled *after* I snapped the picture; I'm always either too quick, or not quick enough.

After we finished shopping we decided to go eat pizza. I don't know if she knows what pizza is, but if you ask her if she wants some she nods her head vigorously. She did such a good job being out with just Grandma and Aunt Manda -- she was even out past her bedtime. She was just so friendly and outgoing to everyone she met... she's a sweet girl. Just like her aunt, right?

Inspired

2006-07-31T16:32:00.000-04:00

I've spent a good chunk of today reading several accounts from Blogher '06, and I feel like an impostor. So many of these women have something to say, some message to impart, and I'm just doing this on a whim. Maybe I have a message, and I just haven't found it yet? I'd like to think that's about right -- I think I'm still getting to know the real me. It looks like next year's conference will be closer to home -- for now, I think I'll plan to go.

I haven't figured out what this blog is about, really. When you sign up for Blogher, you are asked to categorize your blog... I guess mine would be a "life" blog. It's about my every day, the mundane things that happen at any time. Maybe it'll morph into something else as events occur, but for now, I'm okay with it just being about me.

Wanted?

2006-07-28T19:49:00.000-04:00

Internet, it's been a long time. A really long time. Since I've had a date, boyfriend, or anything resembling either of those things. We're talking 12 years! May 8, 1994... that was the last date of the last date I had.

Now, do the math... how is it that not one single man has found me the slightest bit interesting since I was 18? I know I'm not Heidi Klum, but I think I clean up pretty good:

So, in an effort to take matters into my own hands without actually having to speak with someone in person (because I am a giant introverted DORK), I have created an online profile on one of those fancy-schmancy dating sites. I have emailed 3 men (out of over 1,000!), and am currently waiting for them to at least acknowledge that they received said emails. So far, nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. I'm beginning to worry. Not really -- I still have 997 other men I can email.

Question: How many of you out there have tried online dating, and how much of a giant success/giant failure was it? Just wondering...

How old do I look??

2006-07-28T19:38:00.000-04:00

Apparently, there's some misconception about my age in the general community. More and more frequently I'm noticing that people -- mostly of the older, female persuasion -- seem determined to infantilize me. I don't mind being carded, even by waitresses or bartenders younger than me, but being called "darlin'", "little girl", "sweetheart", or "baby girl" by the cashier at McDonald's or the over-40's waitress at Ruby Tuesday's is a bit much. Do I look that young? You, internet, you be the judge:

1996

2006

Do I really look any older than I did at 20? My grandmother always had a young face, as does my mother, and both have told me that one day I'll be glad. For now, I just wish people would treat me with respect, regardless of my age. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

The behinder I get...

2006-07-27T16:12:00.000-04:00

So I haven't posted since July 7. What of it? You wanna mess with me? I didn't think so.

This has been an interesting month, financially. I've been planning/wishing/hoping/dreaming of purchasing a laptop for a LONG time, but since I currently live credit-free (except for the mortgage) it's been a very unlikely plan/wish/hope/dream. Until I decided to rob my 401k.

Now, don't get your panties in a twist... I have taken 401k loans before, and while I realize it's not the ideal way to finance my champagne tastes, at least I am paying myself back with interest. I took enough money to purchase a couple of big ticket items, some small ticket items, and some continuing ed for my "career". (Aside: Addicted to bags much? I actually bought another messenger bag from Dakine, and decided I didn't like it. Damn you, eBags!)

I also had to shell out over $500 in vet care -- people don't realize how expensive vet care for small animals really is! One bunny surgery and two guinea pig exams later... some of that 401k loan went that way. Some of it will go to repair the left front fender on my car where some insurance-less asshat backed into it, PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, over 6 months ago. Stupid deductibles, and stupid insurance company that didn't tell me I needed to specify that I wanted uninsured motorist coverage to avoid paying the stupid deductible.

I'm trying to be more financially savvy, really. Little known fact about me: I filed Chapter 13 almost 2 years ago, and have just a little over a year left to continue with my "voluntary wage assignment". I don't talk about the bankruptcy, because it's not the kind of thing you mention in casual conversation. I've tried to keep up appearances -- I got to keep my house and car, and I still have enough money left each month to make it appear to the casual bystander that I'm in decent financial shape. But I struggle to make ends meet every month, and despite the fact that I'm supposed to be living on a budget, I'm not. My parents have bailed me out many, many times, and occasionally I've had to let my DirecTV service go for a couple of weeks until I got paid again.

Anyway, I'm thankful for blogs I've found recently, like this one, and this one, and this message board at MSN Money. I'm not the only one struggling with a budget, or with a bad financial past... and it's so great to know that. The most recent post at The Naked Ledger talks about how to go about creating a budget, and I really like Amanda's receipts-in-an-envelope system. I've been trying to write everything down in my little purse notebook, but I invariably forget something, or forget for a couple of days, and then it's shot for the week. I'm going to try her system for the next couple of months and see what my expenses really are. I'm scared. VERY scared.

Whee! New template

2006-07-07T12:51:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Miss Zoot for the fancy new template -- yes, it can be used by other people since it's a free design, but I don't care. Hey, I didn't have to code it, so I'm happy.

In other news, why is veterinary care so expensive? I know they have to go to a special school, and for exotics vets it's even more costly for them to be educated, but COME ON! I'm just not going to have any more "exotic" pets (though why on earth rabbits are exotic is beyond me)... they're killin' my bank account.

At least it's Friday. I get to leave early to pick up one of the bunnies from the vet clinic, and then I can r-e-l-a-x. Until tomorrow.

Red, white, and BLUE

2006-07-03T13:05:00.000-04:00

I hate holiday weekends. There, I said it. I'm tired of being alone on the holidays -- no boyfriend, no family around, all my friends (married or otherwise) have plans already. I don't want to just sit around on the couch like a vegetable on the 4th, but can't think of anything to do all by myself.

Any suggestions?