Glad the NEF is a Boy...

If he was a girl, I wouldn't be getting much of a paycheck!

Status: Due in approximately 30 days. Unnamed. Uninterested in leaving the warm cocoon at this point. Regardless, well-equipped for his debut with a full wardrobe and many gifts (including the following starlight turtle from Crazy Uncle Dan & Auntie Lala:


(More photos of the NEF's stockpile after he arrives. I don't want to spoil the surprise for my sis.)

Another Find in Wyoming...

I keep finding amazing houses in Wyoming (2 hours to Jim & Char's, 40 minutes to my folks)--for dirt cheap! We could buy this and furnish it!

I LOVE this house's wrap sun porch, built-ins, old wallpaper, and nearby hiking trail...

We're Stealing the Goose, Too!

After reading Christie's post, I couldn't resist:

RULES:
-Turn to page 123 in the nearest book
-Find the fifth sentence
-Post the three sentences that follow the fifth sentence

***

25,000+ Baby Names!

Lotus (Greek) lotus.

Lou (American) a short form of Louise, Luella.

Louam (Ethiopian) sleep well.

***

So why the hell was my nearest book a baby name book? Dan and I own, um, FIVE baby name books, and this particular book is our car baby name book, which we bust out when car rides are long and boring. There's a nightstand baby name book, a bookshelf baby name book, a lent out to friends baby name book and an I don't need so many baby books; this one goes to the next baby shower baby book. (In case you are hunting for good ones, here are those in order of preference: The Baby Name Wizard, 50,001 Baby Names, Town & Country Baby Names, and Cool Names for Babies.)

Still, you may wonder, why do I have the car baby name book next to me at the computer in the office at work? I have baby-itis. And because we are in a holding pattern, all I can do to ease my itis is think about names for future-baby.

This means Monday night when I was an insomniac and couldn't go to sleep until 4:30 a.m., I tackled the nightstand baby book with rejuvenized fervor, only to find ***THE PERFECT BOY NAME*** and hop online to research the famous poet who happens to have it, because DAMN, how do I NOT KNOW anything about this poet? Shame on me; I'm about to get my degree in Literature.

The following night I casually mentioned to Dan that I had reopened the nightstand baby book and found a name that I "kind of liked." With a long sideways glance, I tested his reaction to see if he was willing to consider a new name, given that he stands very firmly on either side of "Rayne" or "Milo." He gave me a semi-interested and open-minded, "Oh yeah? What is it?" so I mustered up my most non-chalant voice and replied, "Well, it's really a neat name because it's a combination of a traditional, Biblical name (which I like) BUT it has a little indie edge to it (which he likes)...

And, without further ado: "Ezra." My heart skips a beat as I watch his face. This is ***THE PERFECT BOY NAME*** and, of course I will NEVER, EVER CHANGE MY MIND. So he better like it. And at this point, he does. I am hoping the fact that I haven't mentioned it again will provide him the opportunity to let it sink in and absorb the indie-cool factor, so that ultimately, he will come to love it as much as I do.

To wrap up my long explanation: I grabbed the car baby name book on my way to work today in order to look up just exactly what Ezra means...Because it never occured to me in the insomnia-induced 7 hour frenzy to look up the meaning. What if it was "lazy," "boar," or "cheesedoodle"?

Ezra (Hebrew) helper; strong. Awwww....

SOS Mac users.

After 17 plus years of being a Mac user I have run into the first thing that is baffling, and driving Leah and me CRAZY!!!!! We are having trouble bringing up our Internet connection. We use an Airport to get a wireless signal, and everytime we log on we have to re-start, shut down, turn off powerstrips, unplug power strips, stop, repeat, stop. This goes on over and over again, until for some unknown reason, it will appear! It is like we have a little elf living in this thing that decides when we can view the Internet, and when we cannot. I DON'T like elves running my life!

Does any one know what might be going wrong, or how to rid Mac's of elves? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

That is probably one of the reasons we don't post that much. By the time my muse arrives, I get frustrated trying to get on the net.

Until my next post (likely tommorrow if the elf allows).......enjoy this pic.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Ache of Marriage

The ache of marriage:

thigh and tongue, beloved,
are heavy with it,
it throbs in the teeth

We look for communion
and are turned away, beloved,
each and each

It is leviathan and we
in its belly
looking for joy, some joy
not to be known outside it

two by two in the ark of
the ache of it.


--A poem we recently fell in love with, by Denise Levertov (subject of my senior thesis!)

Political musings

So I am not sure if Leah and I have ever mentioned our political leanings, but holy smokes, this Democratic Primary is ultra exciting! For many years the Oregon Primary has been so late that it never mattered who you voted for, because they had already sewn it up. This year it may turn out to be different.

So who do I vote for?

Well, no one for now. I am still registered to vote in Multnomah County, and haven't changed to Washington County (where I now reside). That is my one goal of this week. Register! I have to take part in this parrrtaaay.

To be honest. I am happy to have 2 candidates that I would like to vote for in the General Election. I mean, when is the last time that happened? Hillary or Obama? Doesn't really matter to me, just as long as "G-Dub" won't be able to run again. I may be leaning a bit toward Obama, I mean, that is what all the cool kids are doing right? Hillary will put up a big fight though, and if she wins, I still believe she has what it takes to move this country back in the right direction. It is just that Obama is saying all the right things, and speaking to what many people are yearning for. A President that hasn't been corrupted (too much) by American politics. The key word in the previous sentence, "speaking". If there is one beef I have with the Obama campaign, it is that there is too much speaking, and not enough answers. Answers about illegal immigration, the economy, the war, and health care. Hillary has been doing a better job of that, and that is why she may eek out the nomination in the closing months.

The best part about this election, seeing the uber Conservatives (Limbaugh, Larson, and Coulter) squeemish that McCain, the most moderate of Republican's (heck he might as well be Democrat), itaking it to the Mittster and Huckabee. Love it, love it, love it!

I am sure we will update you on how we vote, once the day has passed, but until then..........Go Hillobamainton!!!!

New Years 2008: Ugly Sweater Party

1st Place: A bold Golden Girl choice! Pilled texture, blend of white and coral pink, embroidered tropical flowers, gold embellished accents. In this photo, she merrily holds the trophy.

Best Team Effort: Jess, Pax, and Josh impressed with this clash-tastic ensemble. Jess' peach dream featured ivory woven ribbons, Pax's turquoise and ivory knitted romper boasted a matching hat, and Josh' chunky weave featured myriad of colors and textures. What a rainbow.

The 80s Are Back! A recurring theme throughout the night was the fabulous turnout of magenta accented roomy deco-pop tops, surely found waiting on hangers since 1983. (I particularly rooted for the sweater above left with the lip-kiss-esque pattern.)

The Hosts with the Most: Melissa dazzled in a long, black sweater complete with shoulder pads that could have served a quarterback, and a gag-inducing gold and blue marbled motif. (Mark is carefully monitoring a conversation between Rocco and their cat.)

Our clashtastic family photo! My sweater was a stiff extra-long ivory beast with sparkling holly and mistletoe, Dan dazzled in a cropped faux turtleneck black sweater with a winter wonderland of peguins, and Rocco matched with his white turtleneck, orange/neon green/red sweater--a gift from Melissa. :-)

Full frontal Christmas cheer! Dan did all the hard work, too. He scoured every Goodwill and Value Village in the Portland tri-county. (His secret? Men have to look in the ladies' plus sizes.)