There must be something wrong with me that I delight in discovering someone's left-behind-in-the-cart shopping list. It's just so ... so ... real, the idea that we're all connected by/through food and beverage and light bulbs, that someone else was using my shopping cart before me, and that someone else would be using that same cart after me. I know this sounds a bit odd. Anyone else enjoy perusing some other shopper's list?
***
Found Jan. 18, 2009, at a Target in Kansas City North; half a sheet of "Colorado" memo pad, a snow-capped mountain heading the narrow paper; the list reads exactly as such:
1/2 & 1/2
Milk
Bread
Dish Brush
Basket
lite Bulbs
razors
furn.filter
***
Part of me wants to create a bogus list and then purposely leave it behind. Something like:
Weight Watchers frozen entrees
Chocolate bars (quantity 12)
Feminine hygiene products
Ben & Jerry's Phish Food (quantity 5)
Doritos
Now who wouldn't want to find that list? Or, better yet, follow the woman out and invite her to an impromptu Bunco gathering.
***
I once had this delightful Price Chopper cashier ring me up, a middle-aged bespectacled gal, and with nearly item she scanned a comment came with it.
"Oh, I see you make your lasagna with ricotta, not cottage cheese. Good for you. As my Grand-Nana Bernadette always said, the "ri-cotha" is worth every penny. ... I've tried this brand of garlic bread ... a bit too greasy for me, if you know what I mean. Do you make your meatballs half Italian (she pronounced this like "Eye-talian") sausage, half ground round?"
Instead of being annoyed with her, I liked the conversation.
Connectedness~
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Amnesia!
So I walk oh-so-anxiously, this past Friday (having endured a white-knuckled spousal driving experience thanks to a morning snowfall) into a gastroenterologist's office in a busy hospital to have a tube the size of an average man's pinkie finger thrust down my throat, into the esophagus, into the stomach, and into the small intestine and, thank God for modern medicine, I have absolutely no memory of this invasive gastric procedure.
Needless to say, my husband has had great fun with this.
"You said you wanted me to go to that toy farm show in Minnesota," he told me, once I'd slept off the Demerol/Versed concoction and awakened, feeling refreshed and hungry, at 3 p.m. that same afternoon."You said all you wanted in life was to make me happy.
"And you know those Eagle concert tickets? You said to buy a dozen of them and we'd take the neighbors."
I tilted my head and looked at him sideways.
"Really?" I said. "I don't remember saying that."
"You probably also don't remember telling me that it's probably time for me to trade in the rusty old pickup and buy that Mini Cooper I've been looking at."
"You're making this up," I smiled. "Nice try."
"You can ask the doctor," my husband replied, raising his eyebrows. "Oh, and that nurse guy named Rusty. He was with you in the wake-up room."
Here's what I wanted to hear from my husband: Was I going to survive? My doctor had me all worked up, worrying about esophageal cancer and a mysterious malady called Barrett's Something.
"You're going to live," he said, reading my mind. "And the first thing you said after the doctor said 'You have a hiatal hernia, nothing serious, no surgery, here's a prescription to help you,' was
'Excellent. I'll be alive to go to a season's worth of baseball games with my husband ... Honey, go ahead and purchase that season package for $1,500."
I hadn't seen my husband look so serious since I announced I'd opened a credit card without telling him. Oops.
I was on to him now.
I shook my head. Found my reading glasses. Opened the day's KANSAS CITY STAR, turned to the Classifieds.
"Wait!" I announced, cheerfully, my memory suddenly restored. "I do remember saying all those things .... and, also, how you said, 'Sure, Honey, you can buy the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppy' ... here's one advertised for $700!"
He stood up, lowered his head, headed for the kitchen.
"How does chicken noodle soup sound?"
Needless to say, my husband has had great fun with this.
"You said you wanted me to go to that toy farm show in Minnesota," he told me, once I'd slept off the Demerol/Versed concoction and awakened, feeling refreshed and hungry, at 3 p.m. that same afternoon."You said all you wanted in life was to make me happy.
"And you know those Eagle concert tickets? You said to buy a dozen of them and we'd take the neighbors."
I tilted my head and looked at him sideways.
"Really?" I said. "I don't remember saying that."
"You probably also don't remember telling me that it's probably time for me to trade in the rusty old pickup and buy that Mini Cooper I've been looking at."
"You're making this up," I smiled. "Nice try."
"You can ask the doctor," my husband replied, raising his eyebrows. "Oh, and that nurse guy named Rusty. He was with you in the wake-up room."
Here's what I wanted to hear from my husband: Was I going to survive? My doctor had me all worked up, worrying about esophageal cancer and a mysterious malady called Barrett's Something.
"You're going to live," he said, reading my mind. "And the first thing you said after the doctor said 'You have a hiatal hernia, nothing serious, no surgery, here's a prescription to help you,' was
'Excellent. I'll be alive to go to a season's worth of baseball games with my husband ... Honey, go ahead and purchase that season package for $1,500."
I hadn't seen my husband look so serious since I announced I'd opened a credit card without telling him. Oops.
I was on to him now.
I shook my head. Found my reading glasses. Opened the day's KANSAS CITY STAR, turned to the Classifieds.
"Wait!" I announced, cheerfully, my memory suddenly restored. "I do remember saying all those things .... and, also, how you said, 'Sure, Honey, you can buy the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppy' ... here's one advertised for $700!"
He stood up, lowered his head, headed for the kitchen.
"How does chicken noodle soup sound?"
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wacky weather ...
Thunder and lightning. On December 26.
Weird.
Should've known wacky meteorological phenomenon was heading our way. Yesterday it was 36 degrees. Today? Sixty-five. Yep, that's right: 65 degrees ... in December.
Whenever the sky sends spring-like droplets in a non-spring season, the first thought I have is this: OH NO the world is ending.
And then the second thought I have is this: I will never get to be a grandma.
***
How weird is it that I am SO wanting to be a grandma that I'm half tempted to make a spare bedroom into a future nursery for that spectacular day when I do, in fact, have a real grandchild to place in a real basinette.
It would be utterly delightful to transform a PlainJane bedroom into a magical baby land.
I just don't want to get carted off to a crazy place trying to make it happen!
Weird.
Should've known wacky meteorological phenomenon was heading our way. Yesterday it was 36 degrees. Today? Sixty-five. Yep, that's right: 65 degrees ... in December.
Whenever the sky sends spring-like droplets in a non-spring season, the first thought I have is this: OH NO the world is ending.
And then the second thought I have is this: I will never get to be a grandma.
***
How weird is it that I am SO wanting to be a grandma that I'm half tempted to make a spare bedroom into a future nursery for that spectacular day when I do, in fact, have a real grandchild to place in a real basinette.
It would be utterly delightful to transform a PlainJane bedroom into a magical baby land.
I just don't want to get carted off to a crazy place trying to make it happen!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
White Christmas ...
Looks like we're having one! It's a gray-skied Tuesday, windy and wet. Snow is in the forecast. Add new fluff to the blanket already on the ground and YES! a white Christmas it is!!
Tomorrow's Christmas Eve day, and I am ready. Gifts are wrapped, food is bought, cookies are baked. The freezer is stocked. A few pies need to be made, but that's still fun stuff.
Looking forward to Midnight Mass, looking forward to Christmas morning, up early as I am wont to do (I'm always the first awake, 'tis true!) Much anticipation to watching the kids open their goodies. As always, there will be lots of surprises under the tree. Each year I tell myself that I need to pare down. What child needs 20 gifts to open? I'll tell you: MY children. I'm out of control during the holidays. But it's fantastic, that feeling. And it only comes once a year. And, of course, some of those gifts are tiny, wee little packages. Socks and such.
When my children become engaged I will be sure to tell them: Look, you MUST marry a person who is in love with Christmas as much as you; otherwise, there will be great strife in your home.
Fortunately, my husband is the quintessential holiday man. He loves Christmas and all that it brings. My only complaint: Each year he announces, with a shrug of the shoulders, "All I want for Christmas is love and understanding." A great sentiment, yes indeed. But trying buying presents for a man who only wants love. Love, after all, cannot be bought. (This year I am gifting him with a half-season ticket package of T-Bones baseball! I'm so excited to see his expression!!)
Outside of shopping, it's been a beautifully busy season. I've attended three symphonies (I shall never grow weary of hearing "Sleighride"), one "Live From Radio City Music Hall, The Rockettes A Christmas Spectacular!," and one CHRISTMAS CAROL full-throttle production at the lovely Missouri Repertory Theatre. For this, Has and I and Elizabeth dressed in our finest, and then immediately dripped barbecue sauce on ourselves post-show once we were seated, plates heavy with pork and beef and fries, at Gates Barbecue. My goodness, I do so love me some Gates Barbecue. If I am ever on death row I will order the ham-on-a-bun/fry combination as my last meal. Extra pickles, please.
Oh, must say: The Rockettes were a long-legged vision to behold. I turned to my husband after one particularly sizzling dance routine and asked, ever so seriously, "So, Honey, do you think it's too late for me to become a Rockette?"
***
Here's wishing all of my blog readers (OK, the five or six that I have!) a joyous holiday with family and friends.
Blessings,
Kate
Tomorrow's Christmas Eve day, and I am ready. Gifts are wrapped, food is bought, cookies are baked. The freezer is stocked. A few pies need to be made, but that's still fun stuff.
Looking forward to Midnight Mass, looking forward to Christmas morning, up early as I am wont to do (I'm always the first awake, 'tis true!) Much anticipation to watching the kids open their goodies. As always, there will be lots of surprises under the tree. Each year I tell myself that I need to pare down. What child needs 20 gifts to open? I'll tell you: MY children. I'm out of control during the holidays. But it's fantastic, that feeling. And it only comes once a year. And, of course, some of those gifts are tiny, wee little packages. Socks and such.
When my children become engaged I will be sure to tell them: Look, you MUST marry a person who is in love with Christmas as much as you; otherwise, there will be great strife in your home.
Fortunately, my husband is the quintessential holiday man. He loves Christmas and all that it brings. My only complaint: Each year he announces, with a shrug of the shoulders, "All I want for Christmas is love and understanding." A great sentiment, yes indeed. But trying buying presents for a man who only wants love. Love, after all, cannot be bought. (This year I am gifting him with a half-season ticket package of T-Bones baseball! I'm so excited to see his expression!!)
Outside of shopping, it's been a beautifully busy season. I've attended three symphonies (I shall never grow weary of hearing "Sleighride"), one "Live From Radio City Music Hall, The Rockettes A Christmas Spectacular!," and one CHRISTMAS CAROL full-throttle production at the lovely Missouri Repertory Theatre. For this, Has and I and Elizabeth dressed in our finest, and then immediately dripped barbecue sauce on ourselves post-show once we were seated, plates heavy with pork and beef and fries, at Gates Barbecue. My goodness, I do so love me some Gates Barbecue. If I am ever on death row I will order the ham-on-a-bun/fry combination as my last meal. Extra pickles, please.
Oh, must say: The Rockettes were a long-legged vision to behold. I turned to my husband after one particularly sizzling dance routine and asked, ever so seriously, "So, Honey, do you think it's too late for me to become a Rockette?"
***
Here's wishing all of my blog readers (OK, the five or six that I have!) a joyous holiday with family and friends.
Blessings,
Kate
Saturday, November 8, 2008
It's Christmas time in the city ...
Subject: Christmas fill-in-the-blank
Date:
Saturday, November 8, 2008 1:25 PM
Christmas Edition ...
OK, so I got one of those copy/paste/forward e-mails. Thought I'd share my answers. Anyone up for responding?
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Both. Fake tree in living room; real tree in
kitchen eat-in area.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after New Year's Eve.
5. Do you like eggnog? Love it like a fat kid loves cake.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Chrissy doll.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My children of course!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Need to buy a new one this year.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I love choosing Christmas cards,
writing special messages and then addressing and mailing them all. Seriously.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A Water-Pick tooth-cleansing system.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story.
13. When do you start shopping? When the temperature drops to around
40-something. It has to be cold-ish for me to enjoy holiday shopping.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No way! I have, however,
received recycled Christmas gifts, which I'm OK with. The fun part of Christmas
shopping for me is finding the perfect gift for that special someone.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Assorted Italian cookies my students
usually present to me. Cookies, overall. Iced Christmas trees are the best,
especially if they have those little edible silver balls on them.
16. Lights on the tree? The more the better. 'Cept I HATE the flashing ones.
Migraine city!!
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," sung by
Judy Garland only. Might have the title wrong.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Definitely home for Christmas Day. MUST BE
HOME FOR SANTA CLAUS!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Definitely.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Can't remember. I'm more into ornaments.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? The children open their gifts to
each other Christmas Eve. Everything else is Christmas morning. Now that the
kids are older, I'm the first one up. Very 5 a.m.!!!!!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the build-up and then
BOOM, it's the day after Christmas and life is back to business as usual.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Silver and gold, just like the song.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? My husband's oyster stuffing.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A big honkin' gemstone ring. A
Graceland miniature village house to add to my miniature house collection. Estee
perfume. Big fuzzy socks. New slippers. Gift cards to Borders Bookstore. A Baby
Grand piana. World peace. Safety for our newly elected president BARACK
OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Lisa.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Dunno.
Date:
Saturday, November 8, 2008 1:25 PM
Christmas Edition ...
OK, so I got one of those copy/paste/forward e-mails. Thought I'd share my answers. Anyone up for responding?
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Both. Fake tree in living room; real tree in
kitchen eat-in area.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after New Year's Eve.
5. Do you like eggnog? Love it like a fat kid loves cake.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Chrissy doll.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My children of course!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Need to buy a new one this year.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I love choosing Christmas cards,
writing special messages and then addressing and mailing them all. Seriously.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A Water-Pick tooth-cleansing system.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story.
13. When do you start shopping? When the temperature drops to around
40-something. It has to be cold-ish for me to enjoy holiday shopping.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No way! I have, however,
received recycled Christmas gifts, which I'm OK with. The fun part of Christmas
shopping for me is finding the perfect gift for that special someone.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Assorted Italian cookies my students
usually present to me. Cookies, overall. Iced Christmas trees are the best,
especially if they have those little edible silver balls on them.
16. Lights on the tree? The more the better. 'Cept I HATE the flashing ones.
Migraine city!!
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," sung by
Judy Garland only. Might have the title wrong.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Definitely home for Christmas Day. MUST BE
HOME FOR SANTA CLAUS!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Definitely.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Can't remember. I'm more into ornaments.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? The children open their gifts to
each other Christmas Eve. Everything else is Christmas morning. Now that the
kids are older, I'm the first one up. Very 5 a.m.!!!!!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the build-up and then
BOOM, it's the day after Christmas and life is back to business as usual.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Silver and gold, just like the song.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? My husband's oyster stuffing.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A big honkin' gemstone ring. A
Graceland miniature village house to add to my miniature house collection. Estee
perfume. Big fuzzy socks. New slippers. Gift cards to Borders Bookstore. A Baby
Grand piana. World peace. Safety for our newly elected president BARACK
OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Lisa.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Dunno.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Oh blessed day!
Victory.
God Bless Barack Obama.
Change, it is a-comin'!
I have never been so proud to be an American. Standing in line today, waiting to vote, observing those standing around me -- the nurse, the police officer, the mother holding a baby in a sling whilst two toddlers wrapped around her legs -- I was reminded of Walt Whitman's poem, "I Hear America Singing."
Sing on.
The music is going to be beautiful.
God Bless Barack Obama.
Change, it is a-comin'!
I have never been so proud to be an American. Standing in line today, waiting to vote, observing those standing around me -- the nurse, the police officer, the mother holding a baby in a sling whilst two toddlers wrapped around her legs -- I was reminded of Walt Whitman's poem, "I Hear America Singing."
Sing on.
The music is going to be beautiful.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Babies!
Oh, frabjous day! I got to hold two ... count 'em ... TWO babies on Saturday. The first, a tiny baby boy named Easton, just two days old when I cradled him in my arms. Precious and adorable and perfect in every way. And then, a few hours later, a sweet and precious eight-week old little girl, chubby-cheeked and bright-eyed.
My goodness I do so love me some babies.
Easton is my colleague's newborn, born via C-section Thursday, Oct. 30. His wonderful mother taught seventh-graders all day long just one day before his birth. And now she has ten weeks with her cutie-pie. I'm going to miss her at school; I don't think she's going to miss school. Hmn ... let's see ... how to choose: Brand-new little one or 100-plus hormonal pre-teens?
***
Baby Number Two is my sis's niece. I'd gone for my niece's birthday (She's three! "Free" as she pronounces it!) and there! as a bonus treat for me was a little one to cuddle.
So of course my baby fever is back in full swing. Feeling the aging ovaries pining away for what was once an option. It's times like these I always ask myself What Were You Thinking, Having Only Three Children?
It's really what I do best in this world, mothering. Domesticity delights me.
Hopefully the grandma years aren't too far away ... .
My goodness I do so love me some babies.
Easton is my colleague's newborn, born via C-section Thursday, Oct. 30. His wonderful mother taught seventh-graders all day long just one day before his birth. And now she has ten weeks with her cutie-pie. I'm going to miss her at school; I don't think she's going to miss school. Hmn ... let's see ... how to choose: Brand-new little one or 100-plus hormonal pre-teens?
***
Baby Number Two is my sis's niece. I'd gone for my niece's birthday (She's three! "Free" as she pronounces it!) and there! as a bonus treat for me was a little one to cuddle.
So of course my baby fever is back in full swing. Feeling the aging ovaries pining away for what was once an option. It's times like these I always ask myself What Were You Thinking, Having Only Three Children?
It's really what I do best in this world, mothering. Domesticity delights me.
Hopefully the grandma years aren't too far away ... .
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