On Poodles

"I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult."

- Rita Rudner

It’s Wedding Season . . . but when is it not?

I never want to see another wedding planning book again.

I have no fewer than three friends working hard planning their weddings for later this year. And for them, and anyone else who has a wedding in her future, I have some tips. Not that I’m an expert, but I’ve been in the trenches, and I survived, so that must be worth something. Plus, I’ve been a card-carrying member of The Wedding Industry, so I’ve seen it from the other side, too.

1. Don’t buy wedding planning books. For one, I have all that you would ever need, and I’d be happy to let you borrow them. Or have them. Or burn them to heat your home. Two, everything you need to know about wedding planning, and more, is on the Internet. Besides, that’s why Borders and Barnes and Noble have coffee shops in their stores – so you can get a Caramel Cappuccino and sit with your stack of wedding planning books (mini-tip, stack them on the floor; they won’t fit on the table all at once) and copy what you need from them.

2. Once you pick something, stop looking. Once you’ve picked a dress, stop looking at dresses. Once you’ve picked invitations, stop looking at invitations. Seems like common sense, doesn’t it? But just because you’ve found something, it doesn’t mean that The Wedding Industry will leave you alone. Skip those pages in the wedding magazines you’ve subscribed to (despite my warning in #1). If you don’t, you’ll end up second-guessing yourself and driving yourself (and your bridesmaids, mothers, etc.) nuts. Instead, focus on finalizing the other details and on making what you have already chosen exactly what you want it to be.

3. Most of all, don’t let The Wedding Industry tell you what you “need” and “must have". Your wedding really is all about you (and, to a lesser extent, your groom -ha ha!). The possibilities are endless, and you have the opportunity to make the wedding whatever you want it. And remember, while it is an important day and should be everything you want it to be, once it’s over, you’ll have other even better things to focus on. It won’t be the only defining moment of your life. Whatever it turns out to be might not be perfect, but if you've made it what you want, it will be perfect for you, and it will make for great memories.


Hmm . . . maybe I'll write a wedding planning book.

The Good Word of Gorilla

This is my sweet, darling dog Nikki and her favorite toy, Mr. Gorilla. I promise to have more (better!) pictures of Nikki in a future post, but these will have to do for now.

Mr. Gorilla looks a little worse for wear these days, but that's only because he's been well-loved, and, admittedly, it must be a little rough being an 80-pound dog's favorite toy. He travels clutched in Nikki's mouth, and she uses him to poke at things. She'll poke at our knees when we're cooking. She'll tease us, "Take the Gorilla. Take the Gorilla. TAKE THE GORILLA. No, you can't have Gorilla." And, from the looks of it, she has realized that while it's risky to poke George with her nose, she can poke him with Mr. Gorilla with less risk of contact and injury when she gets smacked. And she almost always does get smacked . . . by George, of course, never by me. Everyone knows who Mommy loves best.

Steve has observed that the Gorilla-aided poking looks suspiciously like proselytizing.

So . . . have you heard the Good Word of Gorilla?

My, Oh My

It's here!

The new Il Divo cd just came out yesterday, and I couldn't wait to get it, so I stopped on my way home to pick it up. I tell you, it's amazing.

These guys really know what they're doing. They are singing mostly in Spanish now, still going with beautifully orchestrated versions of popular opera and pop songs. My favorites are their version of Josh Groban's (originally Secret Garden's) "You Raise Me Up" (one of my all-time favorites, and the song we used for our unity candle lighting ceremony), "I Believe In You" which features Celine Dion, "Hasta Mi Final," and "Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore," which is a version of Celine Dion's "If That What It Takes."

So, I'm going to pour myself a bottle of wine, turn the music up, close my eyes and float away.

Wait.

I'm at work.

I guess I'll do that later.

But for now, at least I can listen. . .

The Rule of Four

I'm a bridesmaid tagged by the bride! This is fun! (And yes, P, the Cafe in Stow is still there!)

Four Jobs I've Had in My Life
1. Salad bar re-stocker at Rax, which is NOT still there (thank goodness).
2. Student assistant at university in Photographic services, where, among other things, we took headshots of all the football players to stick on their lockers so they'd remember which locker was theirs (I'm not kidding).
3. Photographer for my own little business.
4. English Composition instructor.

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over (an eclectic bunch, huh?)
1. L.A. Confidential (I have a thing for Kevin Spacey. . . . yes, I know what they say, but, please, I don't want to date him; I just want to watch him act.)
2. Christmas Vacation (that and A Christmas Story with little Ralphy are Christmas traditions!)
3. The Little Mermaid
4. Fight Club (thanks to my husband for introducing me to this movie - it's genius)
The Usual Suspects and, to a slightly lesser extent, Sixth Sense are also on this list.

Four Places I Have Lived
Hmm. I've only really ever lived in one place, and I'm still here. I'm a Cancer. We don't move around much! But . . .

Four Places I'd Like To Live, if only for a little while
1. London
2. Florence
3. Australia
4. Ireland

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch
1. Six Feet Under, and alas, it is no more. I've never had cable in my life, so I'm still waiting to see the 5th (and last) season once the DVDs come out. I do, however, know most of what happens, thanks to going online to peek at the episode guide a few times. A nasty habit.
2. The Simpsons - I like the show to begin with, but I list it here also because if I'm watching this it means I'm with Steve at the moment
3. House - although I haven't been able to watch even one this season!
4. *_____* I'm leaving this one blank, because I just know there is a perfect show out there that already exists or will exist in the future, and I just have to find it. I'll probably have to spring for cable. Or a dish. Or whatever people get now.

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation
1. Italy (Fabulous - everyone should go there!)
2. Greece (not so fabulous - only go there if you can't go to Italy.)
3. Florida to see my dear friend. And to see Mickey Mouse. Also spent a lot of good times with my family and with Steve there.
4. Germany (Also fabulous, although, at the time, I was too young to realize how fabulous.)
And I can't leave out Riviera Maya for our honeymoon!

Four Websites I Visit Daily
1. My mail site (does that count?)
2. Yahoo, though I'm hearing good things about new Google mail. . .
3. My bank's website to get my checking account info (is that SQUARE or what?) - actually, I don't visit every day, maybe every other day . . .
4. P's blog - also not quite every day, but a lot!

Four of My Favorite Foods
1. Kibbie (couldn't have guessed that, right?)
2. Stuffed Peppers
3. Chilli
4. Farinacci's Pizza

I'm adding to the list . . .

Four of My Favorite Books
1. Lord of the Flies
2. Hamlet
3. The Count of Monte Cristo (not the best piece of literature in the world, but I love it!)
4. Let's Go Fishing

People I tag next . . . . The Minotaur (ha ha) and The Illusionist.

Back to Narnia

Shortly after Christmas, I went with my dad and my brother to see The Chronicles of Narnia. I read four of the books this past summer, and I couldn't wait to see the movie. If you have seen it, I hope you enjoyed it at least as much as I did. The cinematography was impressive, and the young actors playing the main roles did a fantastic job (especially little Lucy).

If you haven't seen it yet, do go . . . but try not to sit near any children (unless, of course, they are yours). There is an interesting dynamic at movies like that. Despite rather mature themes, a scary bad lady, and violence, it is, overall, a children's movie. So, yes, there will be children in the audience. I have no problem with that. In fact, I enjoy hearing their giggles and delight during movies I enjoy in much the same way they do! However, in Narnia, we just happened to sit in front of The Expert of All that is Narnia. I figure he was about . . . oh . . . eight or nine. He was very familiar with the books, but, alas, his friend next to him was not. SO, we were treated to a running commentary throughout the entire movie. We got to hear all about where the lamp post came from in the first book and how the big guy in brown was "Father Christmas, or as WE know him, Santa Claus." And when his friend asked, repeatedly, what was going to happen, Mr. Expert would sigh with exasperation (enjoying every minute of it, I'm sure) and answer, "You'll SEE." You might ask why we didn't move. That's just me, I guess. It takes a lot to get me to get up during a movie and change seats. I sat there thinking, "At least he's not kicking my seat." And I have to say that I was impressed with not only this child's knowledge of the books but also his interest in them. Any child who reads is a friend of mine. I just don't want to sit near my new little friend in a movie again.

I can certainly relate to the Minotaur's aversion to movie theaters (http://ironlabyrinth.blogspot.com/2006/01/movie-theatres.html). However, there are movies that you pretty much have to see, at least once, on the big screen, and Narnia, for me, is one of them. You have to weigh the benefits of seeing the movie larger than life, with brilliant color and sound, with the risk of harassment by other audience members. These movies usually draw the largest audiences, however, (think Lord of the Rings), and therein lies the paradox.

Narnia was worth it, despite the chatterbox behind me. Let me know what you think.

At Long Last

I was finally able to get the pictures from Christmas to a point where I could post them. Here is one of Our First Christmas Tree. It is actually the top half of a 7½ foot tree. This was the only way it would fit into our living room!

"Ahhh, tissue paper. It is crinkly on my butt and I love it." Here, George enjoys one of his favorite spots to sit. Another favorite place, where he slept most nights over Christmas, was under the back of the tree. He was happiest when there weren't any gifts under there, but he eventually got used to them. Judging from his affinity for ripping cardboard, I figured he'd have the gifts unwrapped overnight, but he was a good boy. The gifts remained unscathed, though we did find some orange hairs here and there.

Steve's parents got us a headboard for Christmas, and here is George helping Steve put it together. He loved it in the box. He loved it out of the box. He loved the Styrofoam packaging that came in the box. Now, he likes to sneak into our bedroom when we've forgotten to shut the door, sit on his new headboard, and eat Steve's spider plant. He thinks it's just great that he got a headboard for Christmas!

Falling Into Place

At long last, I post again! For those who have been awaiting a happier post since my last one, I hope I can satisfy!

The holidays were very pleasant and relaxing. As soon as I get the time to upload the photos, I'll post a holiday recap! Sir George (I know . . . still need to get a picture of him on here!) loved his first Christmas with us, even though his world was turned a bit upside down when Nikki, my lab moved in. They have come to an agreement, however, and leave each other pretty much alone.

For now, I have a comforting feeling of things falling into place. A new year, a cozy home, a realistic budget, my doggie, a gym membership, and even a new cell phone plan. After the hectic wedding planning and the holidays, it's nice to settle down into a mode where I can get several things on my to-do list checked off every week, if not every night. Steve and I spend a lot of time together, which is wonderful, and I spend time with my family and friends. All in all, it's shaping up to be a fine year!

Not a very Christmasy Christmas Post

A Bah Humbug

This is a bit unlike me. This might be the closest thing to a political post I’ll ever have on this blog. I love Christmas . . . it’s certainly my favorite holiday. And I’m loving my first married Christmas. But I just had to share.

If you’re enjoying the warm fuzzies of the holidays and want to hold on to them, you might want to stop reading and wait for my next post, which, I’m sure, will be a whole lot more jolly.

Without going into a whole long rant over things that people normally complain about during this time of year, let me simply share with you a few images from my Christmas season so far.

One. I was driving to work this morning when I looked over at the car next to me to see that the driver was wearing a Santa hat. “How nice,” I thought. Someone in the spirit of the season. Then I got closer and saw a cigarette hanging from his mouth. There was something very ugly and very wrong about that.

Two. I was finishing my Christmas cards the other night when I had to ask myself when wrapping and decorating and Christmas cards became something to “get done” rather than to enjoy. Don’t we all (well, the women, at least) have lists of things to “get done” before the holidays and complain that they’re coming too quickly?

Three. Last week sometime, I was listening to my Christian radio station, enjoying some Christmas music, when one of the DJs announced that she was going to read a heartwarming and touching email she received from a friend . . . and, of course, it turned out to be one of those sappy forwards that we all get . . . all too frequently. “Lord, let me remember that the person who cut me off in traffic might be a single mom who is rushing home to make dinner for her children, help them with their homework, and spend some precious moments with them before they go to bed. . . Lord, help me remember . . .” Ick. I can’t go on. Lord, help me remember why I listen to that station.

Somehow, what irritates me more than anything else about the holiday season (more than the commercialism, the way people spell it “x-mas,” and the crowds of hassled and rude people) are the reminders we get of the “reason for the season” (does that phrase make anyone else gag?) – are we really so stupid that we need watered down versions of real messages? Do these things really help? Because, I can tell you, when someone cuts me off in traffic, I don’t really care where she’s going (although I usually have a suggestion).

With all this in mind, I’ll share a poem that has stuck with me since I studied it in college. I guarantee you’ll never find this on a Hallmark card. It pretty much sums up the “reason for the season.” And yes, it lays on a pretty heavy coat of guilt, but, after all, this is Robert Southwell . . .

THE BURNING BABE.
By Robert Southwell

As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,
A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear;
Who, scorchëd with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed
As though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed.
"Alas," quoth he, "but newly born in fiery heats I fry,
Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I.
My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns,
Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns;
The fuel justice layeth on, and mercy blows the coals,
The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defilëd souls,
For which, as now on fire I am to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood."
With this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I callëd unto mind that it was Christmas day.

Ok. So, sorry for the unusually bitter post. I’m sure after another cup of egg nog, I’ll feel just fine . . .

For Bourbie

We have lost a dear member of our family, our beautiful dog, Bourbon. Bourbon had been Steve’s family’s dog for fifteen years. She came to live with us in May when we moved into our home, and though she was fading, she still had a lot of life and a lot of love in her.
Steve’s family has shared many memories of Bourbon with me, from her puppyhood forward. She was dear to them, as they were to her. I first met Bourbon on my first date with Steve, and I think I loved her even before I loved him. Over the past four years, she and I grew very close, and she was a sweet, gentle, and intelligent friend. I will always remember the evenings she kept me company while Steve was in class, the times she stole my food (particularly the egg roll she nabbed right off my plate once), and our (slow) walks around our new neighborhood after my surgery this past summer. My family loved her, too. She stayed with my parents a couple times while Steve and I were traveling, and she shared many family dinners at their house with us. She quickly found out that I wasn’t the only pushover when it came to sharing food, but anyone related to me was a pushover as well. Most of all, I will remember how much she loved all of us, and how we could see her love in her eyes.
On November 30th, she began to fade faster, and we had to give her up. It was difficult for all of us, and it has been hard to grow accustomed to life without her. We will all miss her. She was an angel.


"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
Anatole France

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all.
It's the best deal man has ever made." M.Facklam