quirky is the new black

Recently I stumbled upon a pair of puppet mittens. They are very well worn, but still plenty warm. Everytime I look at them, I smile. While I was sitting at a stoplight just the other day, I noticed some commotion in the car next to mine. Looking over- a nice man was staring, laughing, and pointing at my mittens. I realized it probably looks pretty silly to see these two puppets perched on top of my steering wheel or being used as the tools for smoothing back my hair. I just smiled and waved as the light turned green.

It makes me happy to know I can make someone smile by being quirky. If you've ever lived in a Minnesota-type climate for the entire winter season, you'd realize it takes a toll on people. The gray gloom we wake up to and drive home from work in- gets depressing. People start to get this zombie-like expression on their faces as they perform their daily tasks on auto-pilot. A sense of meaninglessness and life without purpose finally begins to settle in with people. As we scurry like mice from our warm cars to our warm houses or into the warm stores, our Vitamin D depletes, our skin gets dry and pasty, and all our outdoor plans are put on hold until it's above zero degrees again. A smile helps! It breaks up the routine and puts a spring in the step. Make someone smile today- they'll probably pass it on and it will eventually get back to you.

Ode to a Starbucks cup

Childhood is a strange country. It’s a place you come from or go to—

at least in your mind.

For me it has an endless, spellbound something in it that feels remote.

It’s like a little sealed-vault country of cake breath and grass stains

where what you do instead of work is spin until you’re dizzy.

when i get bored...

childhood sunglasses
try pigtails...they have a strange and exhilarating effect
ready to go cause mischief

more love

i like the simplicity of this picture.

sidewalk chalk--> i like that too.

crazy person & little critters

Yesterday was really odd. I had to take the 24/7 hotline overnight for work, and the lady I spoke with- quite interesting. Let's just say a series of grunts connected her words. I had to summon every ounce of my female brain to read between the lines. Successful.
Then, when I got back to the house last night around 11:30pm, I was walking on the sidewalk past the peaceful pond & waterfall when all of a sudden, I froze in fear. There a 3 ft possum sat perched on top of the thin frozen layer of pond watching me walk. Calmly I told myself, "Keep walking. 4 more steps and you can close the gate behind you." I made it and breathed a sigh of relief after closing the back door. Safely inside.
Or so I thought....
I stood in the kitchen writing a note to the Grindahl's about the giant man-eating possum when I noticed two beady little eyes staring up at me. The note went something like this:

(Let the record show 2.3.08 11:40pm)

I know what's killing your outdoor fishes. Some may think it's the subzero conditions, but I know better. Why, you may ask? Because I saw a giant 3-foot possum perched on top of the ice clawing for food. In fact, I came face-to-face with him. The most scary moment of my life. Adding to my misery, as I write this there are two beady little eyes staring up at me. I'm terrified. I have to go stuff towels under my doors.

-The frazzled lady from beneath

I slowly backed up and ran all the way downstairs. Slamming the door behind me and stuffing a towel under the door crack (aka Mouse Gate). Since I had the 24/7 hotline all night, I decided to tuck my pants in my socks and sleep with boots on just in case I had to go upstairs and answer my phone in the middle of the night. This morning Glen left a note on the door for me. It went something like this:

(2.4.08 5AM)

Wow. Thanks for the critter update. I guess it's time to pull out my shotgun and set the mouse traps. Just wondered where you saw the little mouse so I can be plotting my best tricks.

- The Man from Upstairs

Did I sleep well? No. Every little noise woke me up. I started feeling the walls to make sure there weren't small rodents burrowing through them. Rough night. It'll be nice when we can nip this problem in the bud.