Vlogosphere

Keep Yourselves Busy

This is what I look like as I emerge from my iPhone-laden cave in the morning. Boo!

A frightening thought crossed my mind the other day: how many hours do I spend sitting and staring at a computer every day? At first I was thinking, well, probably five. But when I got really honest with myself, I spend many hours at work on the computer, and then GOBS more time online once I get home! And as much as I enjoy reading, cooking, eating (duh) and adventuring around Seattle, I am still itching to check my email, see what's flashing on the Seattle Times, and read up on la vida de Dooce.

The natural reaction for me was to feel really guilty and depressed about the ways I am SUCH a child of this techy generation (I think maybe I'm a Catholic, deep down), but then I got over it and realized it would be way more fun to give you all ideas about how we can waste time together.

And without further adieu, places you should visit...

1. Stuff Christians Like is pretty much the pillar of my world right now. Sweet relief.

2. This girl, Annie, who used to sing at our church, is good friends with some friends of friends, is a really wonderful blogger (and singer!). She's worth reading up on, and don't just put her in your reader because the paisleys on her site are delicious.

3. Don't take this the wrong way, but if you haven't been to Chowhound yet, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Nebraska? (Hi Mom!) Articles detailing the importance of how to hold one's wine glass and the true repercussions of arriving late for a coveted reservation are enough to keep my Comcast bill very, very high.

4. Obviously, read my friends in the blog roll. That goes without saying, but I have uniquely gifted friends, if I do say so myself.

5. Mighty Girl is so stinking cool. If I lived in San Fran, it's possible I would stalk her. She is friends with Dooce, she wrote a book, her kid has a cute name, and she gets paid to shop online. Also, her hair is fiery red, and it is huge. Hair this awesome happens to be my goal in life.

6. Oprah, as in every other area, dominates in the cool website category. The recipe section is awesome, as are the endless pictures of Suze Orman looking like a wild banshee. And Lordy, the gift guides.

I also love Rotten Tomatoes, Anna Maria Horner, and the hometown newspaper from where I grew up.

And while I'm babbling away here, purposelessly, I should tell you that the perch on my couch allows a fabulous view of the Christmas/holiday/whateveryouwant tree atop the Space Needle and I am smitten.

A Letter to Our Landladyfriend

Ahoy!

I was just thinking of you this morning (and every other time I squeegy, ha!), and I'm so glad to hear from you. The shower is holding up great. There is no soap scum, and we are keeping it that way. Dustin says hello from the couch. He has a hard time getting off it when the view is so good.

Just kidding, he's been working very hard to set up his new class, and it's looking awesome. It almost feels like I'm reading People Magazine when I hear the stories from his world. Ridiculous. On the other hand, I love People Magazine and cannot resist its juiciest news. So it's kind of nice. Cheaper than the movies.

Tell us more about Moldova the Beautiful! We have been telling everyone that it's not a city in Switzerland, like they/we might have thought. This picture was taken when someone looked at me and said, Uh-huh. I know.

Everything is great here. There was a man eating from our dumpster yesterday morning and it made us sad (and confused and angry at the state of the world), but we do love the ways city life keeps us thinking and compassionate. It's a crappy tradeoff, that we think and he's still hungry. But we're doing what we can. Pick up some European pastries for us.

Hugs!

H&D

Are You Sick of This?

This talk of nannying and the children I love? Well, there's more.

Today I won a very competitive round of "Name That Baby Food: Jars SEALED Edition"...and let me tell you, folks, I got TEN out of TWELVE! Vacuum-sealed mac and cheese, I'd know you anywhere. Also the carrots, chicken dinner, peaches, green beans and peas. No mistaking those little suckers.

Then I went on to grill the mom-to-be on all her newest baby gear. Since it's totally my area. And I felt a little bad after I left because it was suddenly clear that I acted like the expert on nipples and carseats and breast pumps and diaper rash cream (versus ointment, even). And that was probably obnoxious. What can I say? Baby Bjorns are pretty much my life right now, and when I'm engaged in something as life-altering as wiping noses (and buns) all day, intense conversations about children are at the top of my brain.

Six months ago it was all I could hope for to be back with the kiddos, playing at the park all day long. And I'm still FOREVER glad I quit working for the EQ. She really was evil. But the grass is always greener, I guess.

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In other, more grown-up (yet shallow) news, Dustin and I received our brand-new COUCH yesterday! Dustin can't enjoy it completely until he becomes my new roomie in June (ala the wedding day), but Kelsey and I will REAP it's benefits daily. Twice daily. Many times, daily.

It's HEAVENLY! I sat on it for approximately six hours, and there wasn't a leg cramp in sight. Until I can post a picture, let me tell you why it's an improvement:

1. It's chocolately brown, which somehow warms up our living room a whoooooole lot. I was worried it would make me feel even more claustrophobic in our cozy little apartment, but it doesn't. It just makes me want to have a dinner party. With TV trays, so we can all sit on it!

2. There are back pillows. Holla! Ikea can't even come close. And matching throw pillows. With orange and teal stripes. C-O-M-F-O-R-T.

3. IT HAS A CHAISE. That's correct. And it can be moved to either end. For maximum chaiseyness. Get on board the comfort couch.

Come on over, and you can lounge on my new couch, and I'll make you some tea.