U

Here's another entry from my abridged encyclopedia:

Ugly, the good, the bad, the

Seems like a fitting title for habits, yes? Some are good, like checking the front door is locked before I go each morning, or walking the dogs two miles a day. Some are bad, like routinely eating more than a regular portion size. And some are ugly, like procrastination. Piles of procrastination sit around my house. Based on repetitive history, the most Herculean task I undertake on a routine basis is to get my tag renewed. The notice comes with ample time to get an emissions test and mail in the form with the check. I always put off getting the emissions test, always. So much so that if something needs to be repaired, there is no time before the tag is due. Then, I dawdle about getting it resolved. And finally, finally, I go downtown and get the tag. I believe that longest I went without renewing a tag was from my birthday in August to some time in November. The impetus was that I was planning to go to Troy for a visit, one presumes Thanksgiving but since all years run together, I am not certain. The past two years have been exceptions: I got my tag by my birthday. This year, I back to normal: I procrastinated.

See also Disney Mugs

Project Entry

I'm working on a project that involves writing abbreviated encyclopedia entries about myself. At first, it was a daunting prospect, but now that I've gotten started, it's become fun. And, things are surfacing that I haven't thought about in years.



Popsicle, banana


My best friend in grade school* was Paige Lee Tompkins. She moved away at some point in grade school when her dad changed coaching jobs, but came back a few years later. When she came back, her mom helped her re-entry by buying me a birthday present and the two of them coming to visit. Later on, I recall visiting her and playing in the pool of their apartments (where they lived while having a house built). When we got out of the pool to go inside for Popsicles, we were running on the concrete walkway and my feet slipped out from under me and I landed on the back of my head. Never one to really want to draw attention to myself, when Paige ran off to get her mom, I got up and claimed I was fine when they returned. The funny thing is, I can almost hear the crack of my head on the concrete in my memory, but I don’t recall any pain. And we did get Popsicles – I think mine was banana.

*who was my age

Five Star Follies

It's been a long time since I've posted about my trip to Italy. As I recall, I left off just as we were getting to Florence.





We arrived at the edge of the old city amid a cloud of scooters. In our search for the hotel, we went in circles, down streets lined with more scooters, like this:

Why did we go in circles? Because the solid stone of the old buildings lining the narrow streets confused TomTom the faithful GPS that had gotten us all over Tuscany and Umbria. TomTom was released from his position shortly after the sidewalk driving incident, in which I was afraid I would need the number of the American Embassy. But I digress.

We finally found our hotel, the Hotel de la Ville. It's the only 5 star I believe I've stayed in, stateside or outside the states.

We checked in quickly because the time it took to locate Eurocar to turn in the car went a bit long. Did I mention driving across the sidewalk? Yes.

Well, we got back to the hotel and met our delightful guide (Pam found her recommended in a Rick Steve's book, and she was worth every euro and then some). That's a different story because of the incident in the cathedral - the one with the relic. Sacred relic.

We decided to refresh and then go have cocktails in the lounge. We went to the room - it was a 2 story like the one below - and by then it was getting dark outside. We tried to turn on the lights. We tried in every way imaginable. We tried the bedside lamps. We tried the bathroom light. We tried the upstairs lamps. We opened the door to the hall.




We admitted defeat and called the front desk.


But of course, you silly Americans - put the room key in the slot by the door.

Why didn't we think of that?



Finally we were ensconced in these very chairs with a glass of wine and some simple snacks.

It had been a good day.

The next day we started in the dining room having breakfast. With yummy Italian coffee. I don't know why, but I learned to love breakfast in Italy. Chocolate granola, maybe? The coffee? Oh, it must have been sunnier yolks in the boiled eggs. Or the shaved ham and salami. Anyway, for the first time ever, I heeded the "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" admonition.

Coffee Table

I've been in my house since 2005. Still I do not have a respectable coffee table. Once I saw this one on The Lettered Cottage, I became hopeful I could find a thrift store table and come up with something along these lines.


There must have been a run on coffee table material, because to date? No serviceable options.

Love the coffee table in the shot above. Love the art over the fireplace, for that matter. Back to coffee tables.

This is one from the old Shabby Chic site. It gives me ideas also. But see paragraph 2 above.

This coffee table? I swoon for this coffee table. And it works in a small space.

So, there you have it. The tour of coffee tables - do you have a favorite?

See you tomorrow!

Not Feeling It

Hi gang. We've just been through another round of layoffs at work. And while the folks who are let go have the most up hill battle, those of us who are left are reeling also. It's like losing family.

So, I'm showing a bathroom I really like above, because it has nothing to do with layoffs. Or the economy.

It does have beadboard.

Then there's this - isn't the glow warm and inviting?

I've had these photos saved forever, so I've lost the credits.

Thanks for stopping by today. Here's hoping for brighter days ahead.