June 30, 2006
Domestic Goddess
I would look like such a domestic goddess in this fabulous apron. It's bright, slenderizing, a touch retro, and even better, would cover my bosom. I don't know what it is, but I've been on an apron kick lately. Everytime I go to the fabric store I have to talk myself out of buying a pattern and some great kitsch fabric to make one. And when I was in the antique store I was drawn to all the vintage lovelies. I've put my mother and grandmother on the case though, so all I have to do now is wait. And figure out if I could recreate this pattern in my size...
Posted by criminal at 04:32 PM | Comments (3)
June 29, 2006
Flea Bitten
Why on earth do people find my site when they're searching for "how long flea bites itch"? I can understand why they would want to know, I mean, the damned things are awfully itchy. But I'm not entirely sure why I've gotten not just one, but two hits on that search phrase. It's not like I'm infested with fleas or anything.
Posted by criminal at 05:27 PM | Comments (1)
He Said, She Said
When you have to make a call based on information from two unreliable sources, how do you choose? What if both are lax and notoriously self-serving? I'd like to say I would pick the lesser of two evils, but really, is there always one?
Posted by criminal at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2006
Vacation's Over
I'm officially back to work today. And as much as I loved the time I spent with my family in Michigan, the day I spent not doing anything important yesterday was exactly what I needed. Except that now I want another day just like that. I guess that's what most people call Saturday...
Posted by criminal at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2006
Monday Madness
- I have very little patience for inane publisher problems today. I've had to rewrite numerous e-mails to remove all traces of my snarky attitude and it's making them take even longer.
- Jon and I showed up to Alex and Tabitha's wedding on Saturday at the time appointed on the official Web site. Turns out it was an hour earlier than the official start-time. Which was at least half an hour earlier than they were ready to start. The wedding was even rockier than the couple's relationship, and that's saying something. But, they're married now, Alex seems to be happy, and I have photos. I can only hope that their marriage will have fewer problems than the ceremony and reception.
- When I grow up, I want a bathroom sink that I don't have to bend over to use.
- And here's a man for you this manly Monday. Because, you know, you can never have enough men.
- Forty-nine hours until my vacation starts!
Posted by criminal at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2006
Pacts
I do not negotiate with spiders. [Gillian]
Posted by criminal at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)
I Am...
Copy and paste into your own, complete the phrase, and post me a comment if you do it! Can't wait to see your answers!
I AM: tired and cranky
I WANT: a long nap in a warm bed
I HAVE: trouble believing it's not later than 5pm
I WISH: I could make cute doodles
I HATE: feeling weak
I MISS: my husband
I HEAR: office chatter
I WONDER: how long it will take to get home
I REGRET: eating that whole wheat bagel with lunch
I AM NOT: skinny
I DANCE: to my own drummer
I SING: along with the radio in the car
I CRY: more than I would like to
I AM NOT ALWAYS: a negative person
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: anything I can
I WRITE: less than I should
I CONFUSE: several of my typing strokes
I NEED: sleep
I SHOULD: go to the gym
I START: more projects than I can finish
I FINISH: these little memes
Posted by criminal at 10:51 AM | Comments (2)
June 14, 2006
Locked In
I just renewed criminalgrace.com until the year 2011. That date is nearly incomprehensible to me, despite the fact that it only five years away. 2011. It sounds so futuristic. But rest assured, this criminal mastermind will have a dedicated home on the Web until then.
Posted by criminal at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)
A Joyous Occasion
My little sister is engaged! And I don't think she could've said yes to a better guy. I've known Rob since high school and spent far too much time with him in marching band. Now instead of being his old section leader, I get to be his sister. He was a great guy then, but he's even better now that I know just how happy he makes Barbie. Did I mention they even dated for a week or two back in seventh grade? I'm just giddy with happiness for them.
Posted by criminal at 11:04 AM | Comments (1)
June 13, 2006
Throng Tha Throng Throng Throng
Groceries stores are apparently the hip place for old people to hang out. I decided to make a quick stop during my lunch break to stock up on cheap soda and was confronted with throngs of the elderly at every turn. It started in the parking lot, full of over-sized American sedans. The only empty spaces had carts and car doors in them and the aisles were full of slow-moving biddies pushing carts full of groceries. And I can't even describe the horror inside. Suffice it to say that my 10 minute trip was more like 30, even with just 5 items in my basket. The place was just hoppin' shufflin' with old folks.
Posted by criminal at 01:29 PM | Comments (2)
June 12, 2006
Cuteness Abounds
I went to Ainsley's dedication on Sunday, surrounded by adorable little tots. And I couldn't resist taking a few dozen pictures of their cuteness. They turned out better than I had hoped, even with the shakes. The worst of them have already been deleted, but it was just a few. All I need now is a little tripod and I'll be all set. I'll have to try again at SausageFest next month. Kids are so much easier to photograph than silly cats.
Posted by criminal at 02:35 PM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2006
Five on Friday for June 9, 2006
Summer Lovin'
Tell me more, tell me more...
- 1. Did you get very far? What's the farthest away from home you've gone on a summer vacation?
- Alaska
- 2. Like does he have a car? What car would you like to have for the summer?
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- 3. Was it love at first sight? Have you ever felt love at first sight?
- If you count puppy love, sure.
- 4. Did she put up a fight? What was the last fight you had about?
- Gosh, I came up with the question and I can't even remember the last fight I had. I'd like to say it was probably with one of the cats over some bad behavior.
- 5. But you don't gotta brag. What accomplishment or talent are you most proud of?
- Right now, making such a quick transition to my new job. In general, my craftiness.
Posted by criminal at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2006
Rainy Day
Tell me why traffic was moving slower this morning during light showers than it was yesterday during an absolute downpour, please. As much as I enjoy rain, I think I'm ready for it to be over now.
Posted by criminal at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)
June 07, 2006
Fifty Reasons
...to be happy
freshly laundered clothes ♥ Reese's peanut butter cups ♥ fuzzy cat faces ♥ bi-weekly paychecks ♥ broken-in jeans ♥ sugar-free jelly beans ♥ hugging Jon after a long day ♥ cheap flip flops ♥ black beans and rice ♥ iTunes ♥ family gatherings ♥ Dunkin' Donuts drive-thrus ♥ patterned paper ♥ sweet baby clothes ♥ steaming hot showers ♥ trade paperbacks ♥ Wachusett Blueberry Ale ♥ yarn ♥ road trips ♥ coupons ♥ watching Jon sleep ♥ kitty mews ♥ Pottery Barn catalogs ♥ Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings ♥ book club ♥ head butts from Silly ♥ wool sweaters ♥ Birkenstocks ♥ Maine ♥ vintage kitchen wares ♥ silver hoop earrings ♥ kibbeh ♥ walk-in closets ♥ innovative Web design ♥ NECN in the morning ♥ freshly baked cookies ♥ Google ♥ remote keyless entry ♥ cheery spring blossoms ♥ puppy kisses ♥ crisp sheets ♥ the Learning Channel ♥ free beer ♥ fast dry nail polish ♥ vanilla-scented perfume ♥ independent radio station playlists ♥ cheap, stylish shoes ♥ Niagara Falls ♥ a husband's love ♥ blueberries
Posted by criminal at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
June 06, 2006
Bobbsey Twins
When I worked at the WDO, Liz and I would occasionally wear the same thing. And then some days Amy and I would find remarkably similar outfits. All exacerbated by the fact that we usually shopped at the same stores. Now that I'm at Burst, I'm running into the same problem with Gillian. Yesterday we both wore white cotton sweater sets with wide-leg khakis and sandals. The sweaters were a slightly different style -- hers a scoop neck, mine a V -- but they were more alike than different. What's more, I actually have the sweater set she wore and put it on yesterday morning only to decide at the last minute that the v-neck would be more comfortable. The whole thing did not go unnoticed by our co-workers. I think I may have to stash a sweater in my drawer for those days when we match just a little too closely.
Posted by criminal at 10:22 AM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2006
Listmania
- Comer Heller high water...
- I've always wanted to start one of these that way. Doesn't have the same affect for me as it does for Andy.
- I think it may be time to upgrade MovableType again. The spammers have found their way through the once-awesome automatic defenses, although not my preview function.
- What do 18-year-old girls want for graduation gifts? Besides money, which almost everyone wants. Because you know, I'm so tragically old that I can't remember what I wanted at that age. Eight years ago.
- It's far too tempting to walk past Crate and Barrel at lunch. I end up seeing things like this adorable vase and want to bring them home. It's almost as bad as a pet store. Almost.
- My feet are cold, but my hands are being warmed by my cup of coffee. I hadn't realized how much I missed coffee until I picked up a cup this afternoon. So good.
Posted by criminal at 04:49 PM | Comments (2)
Five on Friday for June 2, 2006
- 1. What is your favorite day of the week? Why?
- Sunday, because the week is just too tiring and Saturday is usually too busy. Sunday ends up being my inspired day to get things done.
- 2. On what day of the week were you born?
- Friday, making me loving and giving, I suppose
- 3. On average, how many days a year you spend away from home?
- Maybe 8-10 days, if I'm lucky.
- 4. Are you the kind of person who always knows what day it is or do you constantly find yourself asking someone else?
- I like to know what day it is, but that tidbit of information tends to slip out of my conscious mind when I'm not in a routine that involves using the date. I usually end up calculating the date by using the date of an event I have committed to memory, like a party or book club meeting.
- 5. What five topics would you like to answer questions about on fridays?
- I'd like to abstain from this question since well, I made up the question. I usually try to make all of the questions related or variations on a theme, but I'm not sure if that matters to anyone else. What are you preferences? Do the questions (or prompts) have to be related?
Posted by criminal at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2006
Playing Catch Up
- I went to Carol's At Home America party on Friday night and managed to walk away without buying a thing. It was a struggle. They have so much cute stuff but I have no place to put any of it. And it's still a bit early to start buying for the holidays. It's not great for Carol, but it's good news for my will power.
- Saturday and Sunday were wonderfully lazy. Jon had games so I slept in, read a few books, did laundry, and cleaned up around the apartment. We finally made it to the movie theatre and saw the latest installment of the X-Men franchise.
- The bad weather held off long enough on Monday for us to have a great barbeque at Steve's. We had already settled inside to watch the Red Sox in HD when it started to sprinkle. The tips were great and I made a tasty Black Bean Salad. It reminds me of a salsa because the onions and peppers are sauted before everything is combined. Definately something I'll make again, probably to accompany fajitas or a meat dish with some latin spices.
- Every vacation must come to an end. I think mine ended during my sprint to the bathroom early Tuesday morning. I divided the rest of the day between the bathroom and the bed, where I was unable to sleep because of intestinal discomfort, body aches, and a rampant fever. Jon's stomach bug had bitten me. While the fever was still lingering Wednesday morning when I went to Lowell General for some (unrelated) tests, I thought I was feeling much better. The trip exhausted me though and I spent the rest of the day at home, save a quick trip to the grocery store for more gatorade. I'm back at work and eating small amounts of solid food again, getting back to normal.
- I am completely screwed on dates now. I keep thinking it's Tuesday or maybe even Wednesday. Imagine my surprise when I find out it's actually Thursday. My goodness, how time flies when you're puking your guts out.
- The tests I mentioned were an Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS). They were ordered by the orthopedist to give him a better idea of how my hands and wrists are actually functioning. I have a follow-up scheduled with him next week.
- I picked up a new cell phone last week but I'm not sure if I like it. I can't find a comfortable way to hold it without sticking my fingers in the camera lens or accidentally squeezing the speakerphone button. I have another week to exchange it, so I need to make up my mind soon.
- Being sick often results in rapid weight loss. After not wavering more than a pound or two for the last three months I've suddenly dropped almost 10. Given how unappetizing anything other than liquid is right now, I think I might just have a chance of keeping some of it off.
Posted by criminal at 11:18 AM | Comments (1)