In Search Of...Jumping Beans??

This is normally what happens when I am in "In Search Of" mode. Not only am I obsessed about whatever it is I'm searching for, but often when I think I've found it I can't shake that nagging feeling that it's still not The One. (I'm sure a psychiatrist would have a hey-day with that one...) Remember how I *thought* I had found the perfect winter coat? The sleek black Eddie Bauer jacket that I bought in black, even tho I sort of pined for the impractical white? Well...what I failed to mention is that there was also a 'caramel' colored coat that was also originally in the running, but even though I LOVED that color most of all and did indeed LOVE the style, I talked myself out of it because it was a: more expensive. b: dry-clean only. c: maybe a bit warmer than I thought I needed. So I get home and show my husband my new coat. He takes one look and says, "yeah, it looks like you. but....do you think it's warm enough? look at the one you're replacing, it's warmer than that one...." Eeeeek! He's right! I should have gone with Ms. Caramel after all! Before you can say 'return' I was back at E.B. doing an exchange. And may I just say that they have great customer service? I had used a coupon from the catalog which I figured I had probably lost, but they still let me apply it to my other choice. Nice. Now I can say that I am truly happy with my coat. Really. I mean it. This is The One. (until next year...???)

Still looking for the Holy Grail of foundations. The Lancome was not the right color match, per Stephanie, who I completely trust when it comes to suggestions with anything fashionable since she is the HG of beautiful, fashionable women. So! For now I am back to my Neutrogena brand that I originally bought but wasn't sure about, until I can get back to the make-up counter and try an Estee Lauder kind, also per Stephanie's suggestion. We shall see....

But enough about that. Yesterday we took another trip to the Science Museum, which was a reward for Sullivan earning his chore chart goal of 40 stickers. I love that place! This time we breezed right passed the anal probe--been there, done that--and went right to the rock exchange counter. This is very cool. A kid can bring in a rock and trade it in for points that can be spent on something they have behind their counter. Let me tell you, chances are their rocks will be cooler than yours. The more you can tell the museum folk about your rock, the more points you get. Our guy was very generous to Sullivan--Sullivan's knowledge of his indistinct rock was that it 'stood up well' and 'had scratches on it'. He couldn't even remember where he found it. (no surprise there...he has a huge box of rocks.) I think at one point Sullivan mentioned that it wasn't a 'conglomerate', or something of that scientific sort and that earned some huge points. Then because it was a Halloween thing, that we knew nothing about, the counter guy told Sullivan if he could make a face or something he could earn even more. A dance in my sunglasses got him up to 3500. :-) Before he knew it, Sullivan was the proud owner of a Cephalopod fossil and a beautiful shiny chunk of pyrite. He's been carrying them around ever since.

Remember these things? They used to be called "Mexican Jumping Beans", but in our PC world, now they are simply "Jumping Beans". Ridiculous in my opinion, because they do indeed come from Mexico--so what's so offensive about that?! Anyway. I had some as a kid and they were just magical to me. Even though I know what they really are now, they are still magical. I can tell I REALLY need my puppy to hurry up and get here because I can't stop holding and talking to these stupid beans. The sound of their little 'click clicks' they make as they move around in their container is quite comforting to me. I don't even care that they are really little worms inside nuts that have fallen from a bush. Indeed, Jumping Beans are actually little seeds or nuts and have a caterpiller worm inside, and the noise you hear is them moving around in there. Eventually, if one is lucky and with proper care, they will actually transform into a tiny 'Mexican Jumping Bean Moth' . They'll make a hole in the nut and fly on out of there. Cool! Who knew there was so much to these little guys?? I never even knew you could find them anymore, so I was thrilled to bring some home again. Totally retro!! Blast from the past, fo sho.

Podcast! Shop! Be Merry!

Yay! Another podcast! The ladies came over last night and I have to say, it felt good to be back down in the naughty pine. It seemed like it had been forever since we'd recorded our bawdy laughter. I didn't even miss the fact that I didn't get to watch my usual three "Sex and the City" episodes before bed. :-)

I did some shopping at the mall this morning. As usual, I'm in an "In Search Of..." mode right now. In Search Of the perfect winter coat, and the perfect foundation. I *think* have found the coat--I mean, is there really such a thing as perfection??--at Eddie Bauer. (I know, how very preppy of me..!) I wanted to replace a blue down coat I've had for years that, no matter how much I wash it, it just looks a bit dirty and shabby. It was a quandry because I wanted my new coat to be casual, yet funky. Down, yet svelte. Look expensive, yet not. I bought one at Land's End--too boxey. Then I went to Burlington Coat Factory--that may have just been a case of just TOO many to choose from. Overwhelming! I had received a coupon in an Eddie Bauer catalog, so that was a good incentive there. Went, tried some on, ended up with this. I love it! Oh, part of me really wanted to get the white one. I'm into white these days, verses the ever-popular black. But I knew me, and knew the moment it got a tiny speck on it--which would be in precisely one minute after putting it on, I'm sure--I'd be irritated. Function won over form this time, I'm afraid. But it's okay. I like.

Then I made my way to the make-up counter. Any woman out there who wears make-up can feel my pain in my search for, as they say on MakeUp Alley, the HG (Holy Grail) of Foundations. Good coverage, but not thick and cakey. Blends, but hides. Looks natural, but not shiny. (at least I don't like the shiny look...some people do) I won't bore you with the sordid details of my cosmetic counter whoring, but the other day I was at Shiseido--nope, too orangy/pinky, too cakey--and today I hit Lancome. I left with one kind on the right side of my face, another on the left. I can't tell them apart! But so far, so good with either of them, I guess. I'm still getting used to the whole liquid foundation thing. Only recently had I even tried it. Another fun thing about 40, your skin starts drying out like a prune....hence needing the liquid now. One thing I did discover that I would totally recommend to anyone using a liquid is that the foundation brush is our friend, no matter what brand you end up with. It sounded totally wacky to me when I first heard about it--basically painting your face with a brush!--but it really does go on smoother and just seems to settle into your face better. (for lack of a better way of describing it) For those who are interested (which may be anyone of the female persuasion who has stayed with me throughout this very girlie post) I recommend the Benefit brush. Good brush, good price at $20.

Now go! Shop! May you all find the Holy Grail of foundations--I'll let you know when I find mine, I'm sure you'll be waiting with bated breath--and the perfect winter coat, if your climate permits. Hey, there have got to be benefits to living in a place with a butt-cold winter.

Fancy Meeting You Here...

So this morning I had this total "Sex and the City" moment. There I am, waiting in line to check in for my appointment at my urologist's office, and I run into an old boyfriend. Of all the places!! It was hilarious. I guess it wasn't completely like a 'Sex' episode, as he is a current friend of mine and it wasn't awkwardly sexual by any means--I guess just a bit awkward for the fact that we shared the underlying knowledge that anyone visiting a urologist is dealing with some sort of issue that's south of the border. Me, two different episodes of kidney stones in the past (not nearly as fun as a Sex in the City episode, let me tell you) and he, a vasectomy. (that's probably not a barrel of laughs, either...) I will keep his name anonymous, as I'm sure he appreciates. But I sure giggled about that one for quite a few minutes in the waiting room.

Hey, check it out: catching up on my Warbride forum, I noticed someone posted that we're listed on this "Women Who Rock" site. Nice! Who knew women with stones could rock?! I guess it does kind of make sense....

It's All Good

Have I mentioned that I've recently been completely hijacked by "Sex and the City"?? Kim's friend Bev is letting me borrow her entire complete collection for my viewing pleasure. (and I must say a thank you to BEV, not Cheryl, who I had given credit for earlier...gotta give credit where it's due!) There they are, very appropriately stored in a brown paper bag. Every night now, as soon as I get the kids to bed, I scamper downstairs for my guilty pleasure--I usually watch about 3 episodes before I head off to dreamland. I've had them a couple of weeks now and am still only in the second season! Yeah! Thank you, Bev! I've always been a fan, but not having HBO I've only caught them here and there on TBS, and the edited versions at that. So this is truly a treat!

And speaking of Sex and the City, last night I had my very first Cosmopolitan! (it's what the ladies are always drinking on the show) My friends Darcie, Anne, Sara and I went out for a day of shopping and eating in Stillwater. It's such a fun town, with many antique shops to peruse. We had a lovely dinner at Marx Wine Bar, and the waiter brought us each a cosmopolitan on the house! Nice! I wonder if it was a cleavage discount?? Hmmmm...I don't think any of us were showing any. A saleslady in a store did notice Sara's breasts, however...as Sara attempted to fit a top she was thinking of buying over the long-sleeved T she had on, the woman says to her, "you've gotta take that other shirt off, honey, it will never fit! Take a look at those cans!!!" !! Classy. Back to Marx, tho...check out this sink! I went to use the loo and had to bring the ladies back to show them, wondering if I had gone mad...this was indeed a washing area where the water hit the counter top and just ran to the back. Very bizarre!

Thankfully before I left for Stillwater yesterday, I got a couple of new photos of Digby!!!! My little boy, at 8 weeks. :-) Soon, very soon, he will be in my arms for a puppy-snuggle. (of course, not soon enough for me!) A couple more weeks, possibly? We still haven't narrowed down the exact date, but believe you me, you will know when he is here. :-)

Sullivan's Family Fun Night at his school, "The BFG" at the Children's Theater, a gourmet dinner night with our dear group...it's no wonder I haven't posted for a while. Whew, busy! But all good.

Feeling Old, Part Two

Yesterday I told you about how watching that Gene Simmons show made me feel old. Turns out what also makes you feel like a geezer is watching "Pimp my Ride", which came on after. Personally, I love that show--I love Xzibit, and the way he takes someone's old jalopy and 'surprises' them (again, who's fooled by the 'surprise'?!) by having a team of rock-star type mechanics turn it into a kick-A ride. I love the ridiculous things they do to the cars--the funky paint jobs, the kickin' stereo and entertainment systems, the snow-making machine that sits on the roof of the car....kid you not. I always turn it off and dream of Xzibit coming to my door and handing him my keys. As you can probably imagine, I do not consider myself too old to have a funky pimped-out car.

After watching this show the other night, I got to thinking about the Coreman's ride. I have the Scion, which is already pretty darn cool. (all right, so it doesn't have a snow machine, but I guess I can live without that. I am in Minnesota, after all...) But the Coreman...in trying to be frugal and smart, he bought his Mom's Buick LeSabre for next to nothing and let me tell you, it's basically a Grandpa car. Most of the time he drives it without complaint, bless him, but I do remember him coming home from work one day saying he was actually mocked by a co-worker for his ride. Ouch! (this is when one of those 'maybe he's just jealous, honey' speeches just doesn't fly...) Wouldn't it be so hilarious and cool to have 'Pimp My Ride' come and do a number on the LeSabre?? I mean, it really is a well-made car, but it could certainly use some bling. I decided to check out how to get yourself on the show.

Well, come to find out the age requirement to 'audition' was between 18 and 28!! So, according to the Pimp My Ride execs, it turns out we are indeed to old to have a funky pimped-out car... say what?! How lame is that?? Don't they remember that part of being 40 is the attitude that goes along with it?? And a pimped-out car is attitude, no doubt about it. You certainly don't need to be 20 to have attitude...!

Feeling Old, Part One

Man, nothing like watching a little bad late night TV to make you feel old. Coreman and I settled down to a nice evening of random mind numbing and fell upon Gene Simmon's new 'reality' show, "Gene Simmons Family Jewels". First of all, how 'real' do they really think we think it is?! But insulting one's intelligence is a whole different rant. This was a total rip-off of the Ozzy thing, the type of show that gives us a window of what living with a rock and roll guy is really like. (again, questioning 'really'!) It was certainly amusing, I watched 2 episodes...but in one Gene was all depressed because as he drove onto a movie set he was having a hard time getting in because they didn't recognize him. I could care less about Gene's ego--it's big enough for all of us--but it made me realize just how OLD the guy is, and then in turn just how OLD I am. How could someone not know who he was?! But I guess since KISS is certainly not the big deal it was in the 70's, it makes sense. It was only a matter of time.

At a certain point in my life--all thanks to a boyfriend, Hayden--I was introduced to KISS and they completely took over my life. It was actually toward the end of their 'make-up' days, at the beginning of their downfall, if you ask me. I remember the MTV episode where they revealed their faces that had been hidden behind years of make-up and almost being in tears, I thought it was truly the end. But no, KISS soldiered on and survived the death of a few members and the addition of hair extentions. Like the Rolling Stones, now you couldn't kill them even if you tried.

Back when I was living in LA I met Gene Simmons. I always tried to pride myself on NOT being a groupie--I worked in a store right on Melrose Avenue and saw a lot of celebrities. I imagined they would like to have one less person acting like a fool around them, so I always treated them as if they were just people (gee, and I think they are...) and didn't really make a big deal about it. One night, however, I was in a club and there was Mr. Simmons himself, sitting at a table checking out some new up and coming band. I knew I shouldn't, but I just had to go over and say SOMETHING to him, knowing that afterwards I would be really mad at myself if I didn't. So I risked looking like the big Fool and did the unthinkable by letting him know that I had always loved him and KISS, that I sang in a band myself...you know, the usual groupie banter. I was leaning down and screaming at him, as it was extremely loud in there. He was listening politely, all the time looking directly into my eyes and wearing a smirk whilst putting his index finger on my chest. Now I know this sounds dirty, but actually it was HIGH UP on my chest and not close to any naughty bits at all. I was completely confused, but finished what I was saying. I finally asked him what the hell he was doing. Without breaking eye contact he says to me, "When you bend down like that I can see right down your shirt...." At this I stood up, turned around and walked away, trying to salvage as much dignity as I possibly could. What a charmer, eh?? Lesson learned: if you have an idol, don't talk to him/her. The imagined personality will more likely be the one you would prefer.

So, last night I said 'goodnight' to Gene Simmons, shaking my head and feeling a bit old. I will always love KISS, though, even if they are jerks. And if one day I decide I don't, I can sell my signed lunchbox for a lot of money on ebay. That is, if the people on ebay still know who KISS are by then...!!!

Friday Musings

Is it Friday again already?? Man, time does fly. Stephanie and I had a fun surprise this morning at coffee....who should walk in the door, but our minx Kim herself! Normally she's working at that time so we were shocked to see her smiling mug! And very pleasantly so, I might add. I love that about us. What's funny is that I've been watching the entire Sex and the City show, episode by episode, thanks to Kim (and her friend Cheryl!) who let me borrow them. I have to say, it's been my heaven to be able to just sit there on the couch in my jammies, start at the beginning and just watch them all. One more, just one more, I find myself saying. Completely hijacked by Sex and the City. But those women remind me of Stephanie, Kim and I. Just the peeps (or, poops?!) hangin' out, talking about wacky things, feeling so comfortable with each other. Kim had actually been watching a TIVO'd Sex and the City episode this morning herself, and it made her of us, which eventually led to her remembering Stephanie and I's weekly coffee mornings! What fun.

Tomorrow my sister Barb and her husband Ray will get here at some point. Wahoo! They are going to have a rude awakening, coming from the deep south, with this cold Minnesota weather we are having right now. I mean, Minnesota is supposed to be butt-biting cold, but not usually in early October!

Lori is in Mexico right now--or at least is on route as I type--for a Stream of Passion concert. What fun! Wish I could be there to see the show. When she gets back we'll be finishing up the almost-finished songs to get them up and out. Then eventually we'll be writing some new ones! Yeah! I've had so many other creative things going on that I haven't really missed the metal song-writing too much, but it's getting to be time to release the inner metal diva once again. :-)

Plenty o' Excitement!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND MY HUBBY!

13 years ago today I said "I do." 13 years ago today I woke up, went down to Curl Up and Dye and had Emily do my hair! Some things never change! Cory and I got married in a chapel in Bloomington. We kept it small and simple, and had our families around us. The reception was at his photo studio, at his friend's studio as well. Even Elvis attended our wedding. (well, at least a hired impersonator did. We made sure to request the fat Elvis, and he was a hoot!) I remember thinking that whole day (and night!) was so much fun that our lives together was sure to be. And it has been! Who else would put up with me?! Happy Anniversary, sweetie!

Whew, what a weekend. And what a week! So many exciting things are going on, it's incredible.

The goils and I had soooo much fun on our slumber party--as you can well imagine. We actually kept things pretty much in check...except for maybe a little dirty dancin' between Kim and I. Stephanie made the most incredible meal EVER, and we had incredible wine, too. I felt like a queen, fo sho! We took a short walk after dinner, it was a warm breezy fall night with a full moon--beautiful!! Then we went back for a remote podcast and some Sex and the City watchin'. We were in bed around 1:00, not too bad. That's about what us 40's can handle!!! It was all good. GREAT, in fact. Once again I will say how lucky I am to have those ladies in my life!

Sunday we did our drive up to Saint Cloud to see Sullivan's billboard. When he first spotted it, he had the biggest smile on his face! Pretty cute. On the way back we stopped at the Albertville Outlet Mall, yeah! Did a little shopping whilst the C-man stayed in the car. Thanks for stopping, dear. :-)

Another exciting thing that happened this weekend....we got another photo of our little Digby boy!!!!! He still has those little Harry Potter glasses, I can not even stand it. 3 more weeks! Woo hooooooo!

This week will also be busy, and this weekend will bring my sister Barb and her husband Ray from Mississippi! They are coming up here to buy a car and so of course will stay here for a couple of days before making the long drive back. I can't wait!

TGIF, Coffee With Steph...

Started out the day with a trip to Target and coffee with Stephanie. Ahhhh. Another beautiful fall day, although now it's starting to cloud over. I'm glad the weather stayed nice whilst Sullivan and I were cheering on Vivian and her entire school as they trudged along 3 miles for their yearly 'Walkathon' fundraiser. We were stationed on a corner and started out throwing candy...of course the candy lasted through all of about 3 classes and then we were cleaned out. Crazy! Ah well, in a few weeks they'll have more candy than they can eat...! It's so fun to see your child participating in something like that, filled with school spirit and just having a grand old time with their peers. Once again, I'm feeling so lucky to be where we are and that my kids are in the district they are in.

Check it out! Remember when I mentioned that cannibal script I worked on not long ago? Here's their MySpace page, complete with trailer...if you're feeling brave, give it a looksee! (that's my voice on there, too and a couple of Vivian's screams...ha!) Adam did have my photo up there on the site, but I had him take it off...it felt a bit odd to be showcased in such a way on there, not having all that much to do with the production of it. Plus it was taken from the Warbride site, which I want to keep separate from other things. It was darn nice to be given the props, though, that's for sure. Who knows what I'll be involved in next?!

Should be a fun-filled weekend...the meeting tonight, a birthday party tomorrow (Happy Birthday, Elliot!), a slumber party at Stephanie's tomorrow night--I kid you not! Kim and I are heading over to Spa Stephanie's for a night of amazing food, movies, roving podcast, and lots and lots of laughter. Her hubby's out of town with her son, and when the cat's away...!--then Sunday afternoon we'll be taking a road trip to Saint Cloud to see Sullivan's billboard!!!

TFIG, indeed! Hope you all have a fun weekend planned, too...

shit.

I got some damn depressing news yesterday. Ever since Kim and I got involved in the FM107's Undiscovered Diva's contest, I've been getting their electronic Psssst! newsletter. I have to say it somehow leaves a bad taste in my mouth to get it now--call me a sore loser, but it every time I see it in my mailbox it reminds me about how Kim and I DIDN'T win the grand prize weekly radio show that was on over a span of 2 months. Anyway, this particular installment tasted particularly acrid, as it announced that because a regular on the station was cancelling his show due to illness, they were going to permanently bring on the new Diva couple for their own show. This was my dream! This was part of the reason I wanted to win that contest, so that maybe it could open a door for a new career for me. These girls don't need it! They both have full time jobs and I'm SURE they already know what they want to do when they grow up. Don't they know this would have been the perfect opportunity for me?! (because, of course, it's all about me...!) When all of this came up and we actually made it to the final round I really did think that maybe, in all of my searching, that this could be something I was meant to do. It fits everything I love...gabbing, :-), performing, something new and exciting all the time, creative...the perfect job. Of course I realize that this doesn't have to be the only opportunity to ever come my way, of course, but really FM 107 is the only talk radio station that would have anything to do with me. The others are all total conservative political crap that I wouldn't want anything to do with anyway! So, there it is. I'm going to sit around and feel sorry for myself today.

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood, however. I will probably go for a walk/run and take in this glorious cool, crisp Minnesota fall weather.

2006 Space Odyssey

No, this isn't an image conjured up to help create the mood for another weird dream I've had...although it does certainly look like something out of a Sci-Fi movie, doesn't it? It's a stand-up MRI machine, an honest-to-goodness 21st century apparatus that I spent about 50 minutes in this morning. Chalk it up to yet another weird Suz experience.

I'm thankful that I had it done, actually...after years and years of back problems, I finally saw someone that suggested I have an MRI scan to find out what may be giving me grief. (I guess regular ol' X-rays just don't do the trick. How 20th century, after all...) I requested this open stand-up one because I've been through these MRI tests before, and believe you me, they are not for the claustrophobic. I didn't even know I WAS claustrophobic, until I had my first MRI. Most of the machines have you lay inside this enclosed tube, and nobody warned me about this. Nobody told me that I'd be laying in this tube with a very loud noise hammering in my ears for about 45 minutes, told to keep as still as possible. It's amazing how when someone tells you you can't cough, clear your throat, scratch an itch, take a big deep breath...that's exactly what you want to do, more than anything.

So! Now I know better, and now I request one of these open babies. I've been in one where you lay down but yet it's still 'open'...but today's 'stand-up' was even better and definitely felt even less confining. I even got to watch the Today Show, something I never do anymore. It was almost relaxing. If any of you ever need an MRI, I highly recommend it. Unless of course, you are like the first tech that put me into the Tube of Hell and scoffed, "I could fall asleep in that thing!" How nice for him.

Sweet Dreams Are Not Made of This

UG, I had the creepiest dream last night! Do you ever have dreams where it's like you are watching a movie, but yet you are a part of it? Where you are the character, but it's not really you?? I had one of those last night that was too much like something that would be a real horror movie for my comfort.

I was this young girl, for some reason traveling with a woman who was not my mother, but someone taking care of me. The woman was some sort of investigator or something, and the dream started out with a man driving us to the airport to leave wherever we were to go back home. Somehow I figured out that this man was a bad one and had no intention of taking us to the airport...instead he took us to this hotel/apartment-type place to hold us prisoner. Of course the place left a lot to be desired, and we realized there was no bathroom. (definitely a nightmare!) Eventually we found a key that we figured out was to a bathroom, which was in a separate building. We went in, feeling relief that it was indeed a place to lighten our load and walked down a ramp-type hallway to check it out. We turned a corner where the hallway continued and went down again, but where we thought we'd see a toilet or shower was just a bare wall with a drain in the floor. Something about it totally creeped me out (as the child) and I didn't want to go down there. The woman I was with did go down there and of course in total Nightmare on Elm Street style, there was all of this smokey mist around and the whole place looked like it hadn't been scoured in ages. We didn't know if that's where we were supposed to 'go', or what. But all I wanted to do was get out of there. She agreed. We turned to leave and I made the mistake of looking back at that area and then saw a creepy zombie-type dead lady slumped back in a chair that had totally appeared out of nowhere, and she said in a whispery, gravely voice, "Wanna play with me?" Aaak! We ran back up to the door to get the heck out of dodge but of course--locked. I kept waiting to hear that slimy dead woman's steps coming up slowly behind me. The caretaker woman tried the door again, and this time it opened. We were both extremely relieved to get out of there, and I said, "Whew, I thought for sure we were meant to go down there and get locked in..." At that moment somehow I knew that the next time we had to go in there...which of course, we eventually would have to go potty!...we wouldn't get out. That's when I woke up.

How about that, Stephen King?! I swear I should send that in somewhere and have them make a movie about it. I could write a screenplay about it myself, of course, but horror is NOT my genre. Aren't dreams funny though? That whole dream probably came about just because I had a full bladder and had to go pee--I mean, the whole thing was about bathroom anxiety. I should look it up in my dream book...I do have one, but it's older than the hills. It's sort of irritating to try to get answers from it, too, as the way you are supposed to look things up is just to locate a 'word' that basically describes your dream. Often you can't sum it up in a single word, and more often than not the word I'm looking for doesn't exist. Why couldn't my brain just make things easy and have me dream about Orlando or something?! Much more pleasant, and that takes no explanation.

Whew, it's a lot to ponder at 8:30 in the morning. I need more coffee. I don't get any down time today, either, as a 'late-start' school day means just that for Vivian, and no school at all for Sullivan. No time to ponder when you have a child tugging at you to go play Scooby Doo. It's time to solve another mystery...but this is good, I can get that creepy dream out of my head!