Ahem.

I seem to have been absent from here for some time. Not that I was ever very diligent, but four months is rather a long time.

But.

Oh, the but.

But I found a job! And then a stray cat found us! And, most importantly, we've found a house!!!

It isn't everything that I hoped for. I know that. And when I show you the picture in just a minute (or should I say "show you in just a few inches"? Is a blog measured in Time or Space?), you'll think "Oh." Like when a friend has an ugly sweater that she's just knitted herself and you say "Oh! Look at THAT!" very brightly. That kind of "oh".

But it's ours! And it's wooded and private and feels like you're in the country but the New York Times is only a five minute drive away! And we can do whatever we want/can afford to do to it.

We close on Monday morning at 10 am. The final walkthrough is at 8:30, and I'll get to go inside, leave my purse on the counter, and know that I'll be back for it soon.

You Never Really Get to Stop Dating

I have decided two Very Important Things:

1. I hate grad school
2. I hate being only minimally employed

So I have spent the past few weeks job hunting. Like, hardcore job hunting. I am on the prowl.

Today I received an email from one of the places that I applied. I read it several times and was very pleased by what I was reading. But I didn't want to get too excited for no reason, so I called my friend Jess (at work. Jess has a real job),

Me: Jess, you're HR, right?
Jess: Yeah....
Me: Awesome. Listen to this email I got and tell me what you think it means.
[I read email to Jess over the phone. Twice. Jess asks a few questions, like when do you email them, how did they close the letter, have you called, etc.]
Me: So? What does it mean?
Jess: I think it means they like you and want to go out with you.

Even though I am happily settled wit my McNASA, it seems that job interviews are my new dates.

I Heart Beer

Not true, actually. But you wouldn't know it by tonight's menu:

Beer & cheddar bread
Beer mustard marinated chicken
Brussel sprouts

and, of course

beer


Mmmm. We'll be tipsy by seven. Hooray!

You Win This Round, Dolly Parton

Just heard back from Guest Services at



Thank you for your interest in Dollywood. We're sorry but Dollywood is no longer available for guests’ weddings; however, there are several chapels in the area that would be happy to send you information. For chapels in the Pigeon Forge area, you can contact the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism at 1(800)251-9100 and for chapels in the Gatlinburg area, you can contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at 1(800)822-1998. They will gladly assist you.


Blah, blah, blah.

There go all of my childhood wedding dreams. Damn it. I was so excited, too, because getting married at Dollywood would certainly limit the number of guests we'd have to worry about.

Now what?

Blueprint's Swan Song

I went on a magazine-ordering rampage last September, subscribing to Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetite, Architectural Digest, Everyday Food, and Blueprint, which was a new creation of the Martha Stewart Empire.

As I read over that list it's very easy to track my passions: gorgeous food and gorgeous homes. Anyway...

I love most of these magazines. It is a wonderful feeling to finish your work for the day and be able to curl up on the sofa, mug of tea beside you, and slowly leaf through these glossy catalogues of wish fulfillment. Because that is what they are, at least to me. Do I really believe that I am going to wake up one morning and think, "today is the day that I am going to make Fennel and Carrot Slaw with Olive Dressing"?

Do I?

Actually, part of me does think that. A piece of me believes that there will come a time when the universe aligns just so, when all the elements of my life dance a harmonious rhumba, when my beautiful kitchen is replete with every possible convenience, and I will be a gourmet chef.

To some extent, every magazine I read fills this purpose. Architectural Digest lets me believe that one day I will live in a showcase, Everyday Food lets me believe that someday I can be organized enough to plan a month's-worth of menus at a go.

The only magazine that fell short was Blueprint. Even the pictures were ugly: cluttered and tacky, and nothing like what I expect from Martha (TM). And just as I was preparing to cancel my subscription, Martha & Co. realized the same thing. And so they absorbed the good parts into other magazines, and let Blueprint fade away.

Instead, as I found out yesterday, the are sending me Martha Stewart Living for the remainder of my subscription.

I haven't had time to really sit down and enjoy them (yes, them. I received February and March ON THE SAME DAY!), but they look oh so promising.

Thanks, Martha.

Everybody Needs a Hobby

For several months I have been kicking around the idea of finding a hobby. I love to bake, but that always results in something that needs to be eaten. My mother cross-stitched when I was little, and now she hooks rugs. I like the methodical motions involved in cross-stich, but not the finished products. I like all of the wools that my mother can collect for her rugs, but, again, I am not a fan of the finished products.

If I combine methodical stitching and multiple fabrics, what do I get?? QUILTING!!

So I am going to attempt to teach myself how to quilt. In my head I see things that I would like to make into quilts, so hopefully this is a hobby that will keep me interested for a long time.

P.S. The Object of My Affection

I shouldn't look for houses until we're ready to actually buy (late Spring! I can't wait!!), because I find beautiful places like this and can't do anything about it.



And from the side




In theory I know that our houses don't create the life we live, but how could someone ever be unhappy in such a beautiful home? I grew up in a 70's era development, and have always dreamed of owning something half this beautiful.

Please, PLEASE still be for sale in May!!!!