Random Friday Musings

It's amazing how much more tempting, say,maple sugar candy is when you have made the decision to be deliberate about losing weight. Plus, my god, is there anything more delicious in the world? I don't think so, with the possible exception of cheesecake, coffee, and cigarettes. I haven't had a cigarette in years, but the others I enjoy whenever I can. I feel sad to be limiting these things, but really, my hindquarters are growing quite alarming.

I feel completely out of touch with my blog right now. Circumstances of late last year caused me to feel very uncomfortable posting anything of much significance, and I almost dropped the habit entirely. But everytime I consider that, something happens in the news and I wonder "What would Phantom say about that?" Or I see a happy female couple with a young child (like I did in the mall this evening) andI muse to myself...."Could that be Crunchy Granola and Politica?" I have these little moments all the time, constant reminders that there are people I would not wish to part ways with - many of them. And so here I am, promising to try, at least, to be here more often.

My holiday was mostly uneventful, which is a blessing. The visit to the in-laws was a little less stressful than it often is. My MIL slept most of our visit. The Minotaur and I talked some more about her probable depression and her refusal to seek help for it, but other than that, we mostly focused only on spending time with his brothers and their families - always a pleasant experience.

The Kraken did us the unbelievable favor of adjusting to Pacific time in a day when we departed to visit my own family, a far cry from last year's daily 4AM wakings. She charmed the masses with her potty using, big sentences,and liberal application of open mouthed kisses. Two feet of snow and the Kraken was able to flail her tentacles in it for the very first time, a sight worth seeing.

And also? When traveling across the country on an airplane, a portable DVD player and a large stack of Dora videos can mean the difference between abject insanity and complete tranquility. The whole trip, you say? You betcha - and no stinking apologies, either. LOVED it. Read a book on the plane for the first time in 2 years, and everybody was happy.

Home improvement is in high gear around here. The blinds were just the beginning. My poor Minotaur - there is no rest for the handy. The guest room is our next target, to be decorated in 1980's comic book - don't ask. There are some concessions a Gorgon has to make in order to get her own way in every other room in the house.

I am no longer among the platinum tressed. I am a redhead once more, and let me tell you, I am feeling fairly fetching, at least in that regard.

Finally, last night the Minotaur came home with an early Valentine's present for me - a new iPod shuffle. Those of you who know me in the real world may know that I work in a very technical field, but am not what you would call an early adopter. Therefore, this is my first mp3 player, and my husband is having to patiently explain to me how to get music onto this tiny piece of metal and plastic the size of my thumbs pressed together. He bought it for me after I said I wanted to start running again, thinking that having music would help. That, people, is a connected series of thoughts, difficult for the average Minotaur, and very touching to the average Gorgon. His birthday present definitely just got bumped up a notch.

I am going to bed. No work on Monday, so I will get back on and catch up with all of you on how your worlds are shaping up. As the Kraken would say "That's it! All done! Good night! I' m going to bed!"