Non Sequiter

Some of my favorites from 2012 (so far)

When I was in grade school I was pretty obsessed with what I called "the olden days." I read anything about pioneer life, the Oregon Trail, Annie Oakley, and Carrie Woodlawn that I could get my hands on. One time I even dressed up like a little pioneer girl in a long skirt, one of my great-great-grandmother's 1880's sunbonnets, a blanket for a shawl, and went to school like that.  I even wrapped my lunch in wax paper and carried it in a basket. I was pretty adorable, if I say so myself. I only dressed up the one time, but I always had the hardships of the trail on my mind in the form of my favorite shoes. Before K-Mart or Target or even Wal-Mart came to our town, we had the 1/2 Price Store, whose new incarnation I believe is Gordman's. Anyway, the 1/2 Price Store carried the perfect style of brown, ankle high, leather shoes that let me pretend all day long that I was trekking West on a dusty trail, all my belongings in a knapsack and a piano in a covered wagon.

Here are some grownup versions of the shoes I've never been able to get out of my head (or heart).

Anne Klein

Steve Madden

Clark's

Blondo

 The Anne Klein are mostly just up there because they're seriously sexy boots for a really good price.

Clark's are Clark's are Clark's: great quality, great shoe, but the heel is a little high to be daily wear for my 5' 11" self.

The Madden's are cute and the most "old-fashioned" looking and would be great under jeans, which is a lot of what I'm looking for in these shoes.

I've never heard of Blondo, but I think those are some really good looking boots and I would love them forever.

Since I've started dreaming about my pioneer shoes I can't get them out of my head. I feel like I would regret letting all of these slip away, so I'd better make a decision fast or see if I forget about them!

Things to say to sound like you know someting about football

I was trying to keep track of easy football one-liners last night for those times you're stuck in a sports-heavy crowd and your boyfriend won't let you go somewhere else to watch Downton Abbey.

1.  "Those time-outs are going to be really critical."(Relevant if late in the 4th quarter and game is close)

2. Something about "they're in field goal territory now"

3. "All they've got to do now is run down the clock"

4. "Remember the helmet catch?"

Fuzzy camera photo of me and the spread.

Things NOT to say:

1.  "I really liked that Betty White commercial."

2. "Ow! That looked like it hurt!"

3. "Are they going to kick it in?"

4. "Why can't they challenge it? What's the two minute warning mean?"

5. "Tom Brady is so hot. I want him to win."

Cavity

I drove to Kansas City last minute yesterday after work. After all day long of sitting in front of the computer working on exactly ONE project for my boss, I couldn't handle watching the KU basketball game alone (well, with Bailey, but she doesn't care much for people sports) and I knew all I wanted was to sit at a bar with a beer and a burger and a the boyfriend. It was a good choice.

But now it's back to work. The boy goes to the dentist this afternoon and all I can think about is how much I want a cupcake. Weekend goal, for sure.

{Kansas City Babycakes}

Put A Stamp On It

I think many people, myself included, assume that living in the same town as someone means sending snail mail is unnecessary.  New Year's Resolution #1: send more mail to people I love, even if they only live a few miles away.

via etsy

Seasonal

It would be so much easier if I could just buy all my own Christmas presents. I'm not good at asking for things. I've hated it my whole life. Example: when my grandma took me and my brother to Toys R Us and said we could get anything we wanted, I wandered through the entire store feeling too guilty to pick anything and ended up with a little bag of bouncy balls that was by the cash register. I did make a list of books and other little things on Amazon and mailed it to my family. They asked!

Here are some things I would buy myself:

Diary from Gadanke.com.  $17.75



Kate Spade iPhone 4 case - $40.00

-or-

Penguin Books iPhone 4 case - $35.00 (this site has a lot of wonderful cases)

DANNIJO rings - particularly the gold and silver - $38.00 ea

Knottedrush Ring from Bario-Neal.  I'm obsessed with this slender gold ring.
I will probably end up buying it for myself if I can't get over it!

So, just a few little items I find myself dreaming about. In all honesty I'd be perfectly happy with a gift certificate to my favorite masseuse and a good bar of chocolate. Or four. Of each. But mostly the massage. Or chocolate.

Merry Christmas.

Food for thought

I wish you could plug me in like a cell phone.  I need recharging.  Any of these places would help.

Acropolis overlooking Assos, Turkey (2008)

 (my camera developed a spot, unfortunately.)

Assos



Twisp, Washington

I'm just feeling a little out of sorts. I feel impatient, but I'm not waiting for anything in particular.  Maybe it's just the shock that comes from it already being December and putting things on the schedule for 2012.  Ever since I heard a story to this effect on NPR I get a little depressed when I realize it's my perception of time that's making it seem to go so fast:

"The passage of time is about the ordering of events, things that happen one after another. Numbers, some say, are devices that were created to help us order time. Maybe, although counting chicks is also very useful if you are a hen. However, if we are to order events, we must remember them. Ergo, the perception of time is deeply related to memory. If our memories were to be erased, we would revert to the wonder of babyhood, where time extends forever. The more we have to learn, the more memories we make, the slower time passes. Routine, sameness, makes time speed up. Since routine is not usually equated with fun, this seems to go contrary to the "time flies when you're having fun" dictum."

I want to learn more. I need to learn more. I miss learning so badly it hurts my heart. I need a new routine.