tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67057802011-09-30T12:14:59.181-04:00Whilst you were busy, I was doing this.Bellenoreply@blogger.comBlogger7071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-8890659591636652652011-01-02T20:35:00.000-05:002011-01-02T20:36:10.660-05:00

New year, new location:Try me at Whilst 2.We'll see how this goes.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-86608679284788559682010-12-23T10:15:00.000-05:002010-12-23T10:16:07.521-05:00

Our heated mattress pad. 'Nuff said.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-81211291370190739932010-12-21T07:20:00.003-05:002010-12-21T07:26:52.954-05:00

I can't talk about touch this season without mentioning our new bunny. She has been a wonderful new addition, and boy is she SOFT. Her fur is a color the breeders called "fawn" and that's true. Underneath the fawn, she is snowy white, and so's her belly. Her ears are soft, but she generally prefers petting about the jaws and behind her ears.Also on her rump. Especially when I, whose nails

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-13623727098974170402010-12-16T14:03:00.003-05:002010-12-18T10:17:29.318-05:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-20946534390185395942010-12-16T10:19:00.002-05:002010-12-16T10:42:15.623-05:00

I'm not near a good a cook as many of my friends. Nor am I creative in the kitchen. Friends of mine make homemade limoncello, toffee, breads, and shortbreads. I cannot. But. I know what I like. The tastes of the holidays, of fall and winter, are perhaps my favorites. (Ask me about this when the basil and tomatoes ripen...but for now...)I did some baking last week - shocker, as last week

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-87863826567517203992010-12-15T15:54:00.001-05:002010-12-15T15:55:54.676-05:00

Yes, sound too: but their FACES!Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-65221618883486623292010-12-07T11:37:00.010-05:002010-12-07T13:00:55.537-05:00

I like moody, minor-key hymns and carols, and also obscure European ones. A lot. The YouTube videos here are clunky and messing with my pristine design esthetic, so I'll just list, then show. Ok? 1. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence We used this one this past Sunday. Creeptastic, but also has a nice expectancy which I suppose is what Advent, anyway, is all about. 2. In the Bleak Midwinter

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-31122455741399778892010-12-06T07:51:00.002-05:002010-12-06T08:21:49.458-05:00

We had a little snow on Saturday. It. Was. PERFECT. Pretty, short-lived, melting now, and on a weekend. Living in the South, one doesn't see a sight like I did this weekend very often: our tree, just put in the tree stand, with white powder clinging to the branches. My sweater, coming in from outside, dusted with snow. Our yard almost fully blanketed, with swaths from the sledding

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-81836769922859495942010-11-30T13:20:00.003-05:002010-11-30T13:24:50.315-05:00

I sometimes say that my husband is not a good roommate. He is romantic, funny, brilliant, a walking dictionary/history book/U.S. Constitution/policy think tank/poetry anthology, and a snappy dresser...but maybe a bit messy and disorganized, yes? But I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in the trenches with, and that's a fact.We spent our 18th wedding anniversary in bed. With fevers, chills,

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-66317565676930207862010-11-23T16:28:00.003-05:002010-11-24T10:36:45.850-05:00

We don't really have any Thanksgiving traditions. There have been Thanksgivings in the mountains, here at our former apartments and homes, in New York City, at the beach, with friends, with family, and one time here at home just us four. The one constant could be turkey...and maybe brussels sprouts.I love brussels sprouts. We roast them in the oven with olive oil, salt and pepper. I used to

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-6148711134722718062010-11-18T17:21:00.003-05:002010-11-18T17:33:26.930-05:00

Dudes and dudettes, one thing I do not enjoy right now is needing to go to Caring Bridge and Care Calendar every day to check on three people, two of them under 10 years old, who are really, really struggling. I am thankful for health, even though my own has been dicey. I have not been completely well in over a month, but I am getting there and my complaints, while somewhat debilitating, are

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-86982075285977154212010-11-18T07:14:00.001-05:002010-11-18T07:14:37.200-05:00

Tina Fey is the one I would invite to dinner if I could have anyone.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-91194529033145258002010-11-15T16:22:00.001-05:002010-11-15T16:22:54.163-05:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-34137693786988185392010-11-08T16:25:00.004-05:002010-11-08T16:46:56.633-05:00

Sumptuous costume and cinematography via Sofia CoppolaThe TudorsLocal musicFighting fair(Conservative friends: I have been so nice, and so quiet! I've restrained from putting anything political on any page or out there at all, save my distaste for the Wake School Board's politicizing where there should be no politics. I don't even LIKE Keith Olbermann! Or what he did! But from what I can

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-54933950003877406922010-11-07T17:32:00.002-05:002010-11-07T17:45:17.870-05:00

Despite being sick, I mustered up the strength to go to our All Saints' service this morning. I usually have the role of ringing a bell for the dead. This year, with an inner ear virus, I gave that job to someone else. BONG BONG BONG is not what I needed today.But the service, no matter what you believe about the afterlife, is incredibly peaceful. There is a painful beauty in remembering who

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-36900321152524126792010-11-05T08:48:00.001-04:002010-11-05T08:48:24.967-04:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-79817915457331912022010-10-29T09:20:00.009-04:002010-10-29T09:48:16.566-04:00

Well, we don't even have a pumpkin yet. The fact that Christmas is in full swing at BOTH of my jobs has something to do with that. But there is no school today, so we shall see if something can get done about this huge gaffe in the holiday merry-making. (I should tell you that we have celebrated, however. I was at school most of yesterday with the "Fall Experience". That phrase never fails

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-16890093217764549782010-10-26T17:40:00.002-04:002010-10-26T17:45:25.808-04:00

Patti in the news!I should add that I saw a recent episode of Millionaire Matchmaker all the way through - for the first time. I was gripped, as the millionaire PROPOSED! But of course he's a politician wannabe (now a politician) and she's a Playboy model (unbeknownst to Patti, apparently) and things ended in a flurry of MySpace commentary and badmouthing. Oh well. Mazel Tov, Shadchen!

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-84309384814688785472010-10-25T15:49:00.002-04:002010-10-25T15:54:43.205-04:00

Our pastor talked about days that change you in his sermon (that I heard twice, per my usual) yesterday. The day you are married. The day you hear you have cancer. The day you decide that you are not going to be mad anymore. The day your first child is born. Last night, my daughter couldn't sleep because I happened to drop this gem on her right before bedtime:"Tomorrow our lives will change

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-36918480879834334582010-10-18T07:51:00.004-04:002010-10-18T07:59:33.741-04:00

My sleep has been seriously disrupted. This is NOT what I expected from my children's older childhood/tween years. My daughter suffers from....high metabolism? Combined with a bit of anxiety? With a dash of the common sleep problems associated with adolescence? We've determined that she has to exercise, heartily, every day. Otherwise, she has trouble going to sleep and then decides it is

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-33470910829651077122010-10-07T11:44:00.003-04:002010-10-07T12:00:10.419-04:00

I just returned from Body Pump class. The instructor's iPod died during our first set. "Who has an iPod?"Um, me?Um, all of my songs are explicit?Oh wait, here's a playlist....with a bunch of Captain Underpants and Spongebob songs....KIDS!!! Grrr.But: how about "HEY BABY"! (Squats commence!)We move on to biceps and triceps...and I'm not sure I can find anything. "Do you have any rap?"Um, yes

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-47022042105746546892010-09-30T12:39:00.003-04:002010-09-30T12:54:37.171-04:00

We've had so much rain. And yet, last week I was in the depths of despair because I feared it would never rain again. We had six weeks of hot, dry weather...with barely even a cloud in the sky save the one day a tropical storm came by us and spat six drops and snubbed its nose and went on about its business. So on Sunday night we were all perplexed, amazed, and, apparently, instantly rendered

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-32191509967805648472010-09-23T11:25:00.002-04:002010-09-23T11:25:54.433-04:00

If I hear one more person act surprised that I like rap, I'm agonna let them finish...and then....Seriously! What the hell! Did YOU not like the rap? DO you not like the rap?Girl rap = bananas.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-87133249257797799422010-09-20T07:54:00.000-04:002010-09-20T07:55:22.051-04:00

I guess this is pretty much what I've been thinking about.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-37402043916133595402010-09-10T17:20:00.004-04:002010-09-10T17:35:48.000-04:00

There is an indie rock festival in our town! Featuring not only some of the most intriguing new bands of today, but easily one of my top five influential bands, Public Enemy, as a headliner! And we aren't going. We are 1. broke, 2. overbooked, and 3. exhausted. One of the many "this is so awesome"/"Raleigh you rock" tweets last night as the festival got underway was a welcome, "I'm having to

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-70225580486045094982010-09-03T16:33:00.004-04:002010-09-03T16:59:06.003-04:00

Ah, Labor Day. A weekend where I....work. However, we have a lot of down time planned this weekend and hope to soak up some local culture, splash in our local pool, and dine on some local summer favorites before they go dormant. September Sucks is my mantra...school/heavy workload/hurricane season, etc. There have been distractions from the usual mêlée, I must say. Such as:Injuries and

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-88179889213822434112010-08-30T07:19:00.002-04:002010-08-30T07:20:44.543-04:00

Love him or hate him, Kanye West is first an artist. His new video proves it. I'm hopeful you've seen it before but if not, voila.Please be patient and watch the commercial first. And then push it into full screen.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-10278959849329530632010-08-24T14:23:00.009-04:002010-08-24T16:20:23.899-04:00

Everyone I know is in a funk...whether they are sending a kid off to school, tired of the heat, or tired of the rain (all day today!), or bellyaching about going back to work...they are just funky.I'm the worst offender.I feel so...sensitive. So delicate and easily broken. I know the anticipation of the busyness and crazed schedule is worse than the reality - I know it! But one can't tell

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-60395004287839338242010-08-19T13:24:00.004-04:002010-08-19T13:44:06.195-04:00

There are three summer triumphs I can think of to write about at the moment. I'm sure there are others....for example, I have actually lost weight this summer despite drinking more than the daily recommended allowance for women over 40. Also, my children went two full weeks without screen time which now qualifies me to nod knowingly as I read John Rosemond's column in the paper. (This is

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-47903673179421433292010-08-16T10:11:00.002-04:002010-08-16T10:13:54.217-04:00

Posting will be light whilst we in my household attempt to cross more things off of our summer goals list. Yes, we made a list. It is written in my husband's illegible script on scrap paper, and posted on the fridge.So far I would say the big highlight was choosing to go to the Northeast on a (somewhat last minute) jaunt to see friends and chillax. The small highlight would be the classic

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-26327736170536668652010-08-10T08:02:00.003-04:002010-08-10T08:19:20.125-04:00

I have very few tv shows on my must-see list. Obviously, LOST was a huge priority, and you know, the Bravo habit, ahem. But from season one, episode one, I've watched "Mad Men".The premise alone was enough to hook me - late 1950s New York! I LOVE a costume drama. What I didn't realize, tuning in, was that I would be getting a dose of feminist history.For you see, I think the show is really

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-36663909352198095082010-08-06T09:23:00.006-04:002010-08-06T12:27:18.169-04:00

It's time I admit, after admitting earlier this summer that I 1. love Bravo, and 2. am a suburban mom and 3. have decided that cooking isn't all that bad, that I am a working mom. I'm not really a stay-at-home mom, though my schedule makes it seem that way. And that's a dangerous thing.For you see, I am free some mornings - mornings that I often fill by volunteering at school or trying to

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-58849492940151311752010-08-04T09:51:00.002-04:002010-08-04T09:54:49.585-04:00

Things I'm thankful for on a cloudy August morning:Cloudy and relatively cool temps before the heat onslaught todayAir conditioning (see above)ZyrtecThe thingy I can plug into my iPhone that enables me to play music in the carThe carThe iPhoneReading glasses in every roomNew Yorker magazines in every roomiPhoto's ability to create slideshows from our recent vacationOur recent vacationMy clogs,

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-10590120849402328612010-08-02T17:51:00.003-04:002010-08-02T21:35:12.592-04:00

I didn't cook a lot, or didn't cook much in a creative vein, on vacation last week. This week, however, I want to take advantage of summer produce. So we are having:Baked Pommes FritesFresh red-skinned potatoes cut in half lengthwise, then into slicesPut in cold water for a soakToss with olive oil, kosher salt, pepperBake at 400 for 20 - 30 minutes, turning onceServe with:Curry Ketchup1/2 cup

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-51876364123019294232010-07-19T11:37:00.003-04:002010-07-19T18:48:19.370-04:00

I'm posting on an iPad, in the Apple store. Days after Apple announced that the iPhone 4 kinda doesn't work right. But. There must be 50+ people here, including children. Very tech-savvy children who are turning iPads upside down, tapping on iPod Touches, and navigating giant monitors. Elvis Costello is playing but I can only tell from the bass line. It is loud in here.Everyone seems happy

Bellenoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-64666299090864553832010-07-17T14:26:00.003-04:002010-07-17T14:40:21.300-04:00

I made a decision recently. Why? I'm not sure. I did finish the profane, sometimes funny, and ultimately unsuccessful book "Julie & Julia". Maybe Julie Powell's book influenced me? Maybe Nansch and her cooking experiments at Remlerville helped? Maybe being in my 40s? My decision is to embrace the cooking. The cooking that must be done all the time for not only my family, but for the

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-34080628947398661542010-07-09T08:51:00.007-04:002010-07-09T10:25:52.814-04:00

Most people dismiss Twitter by saying, "I don't have time for that." Well, I'll tell you what I don't have time for -- reading all of the news, or watching CNN, or actually turning on ESPN to see where LeBron goes on a book club Thursday night. Instead, I open up twitter.com and read CNN Breaking News, @cnnbrk. Or I get a Haiti update from musician Richard Morse, @RAMHaiti. @SarahKSilverman

Bellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-44599665732690784842010-07-01T11:10:00.003-04:002010-07-01T11:22:01.012-04:00

Ooops, didn't make it under the wire to enter in another "nice thing" post in June. Suffice to say, I'm looking forward to a quieter few weeks than the past ones. I'm currently in my nightsuit (a family word), drinking cuppa coffee #3, done with the paper, done with the dishes and doing laundry, and planning our next....CAR PURCHASE.Alas.So we lost a car in the great ice storm of ought-two,

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-80065549594495428302010-06-28T09:04:00.008-04:002010-06-28T09:43:55.145-04:00

Ok, ok, I haven't seen any of the new releases, save Shrek The Fourth or whatever it's called (which I loved, natch, because of the cat). But I have seen a bunch o' movies in the last couple of weeks. We've had early mornings and busy days so I keep falling asleep. Thus, many of these were seen over a couple of days. But I get 'er done.Zombieland was recommended by a good friend who said she

Bellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-16006671798585121242010-06-21T17:44:00.003-04:002010-06-21T17:55:27.501-04:00

They will make you laugh, too:Comic Sans essay on McSweeney's (NSFW in terms of profanity, but SFW in terms of hilarity.)Colbert's Word: PR-mageddon. The only way to laugh at the oil spill. The Onion (which is just overall generally very much something that makes me laugh) on the NCAA conference realignment.This (loved mainly for Marion Cotillard) (moderately NSFW):Forehead Tittaes w/ Marion

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-981448626863256512010-06-16T10:45:00.002-04:002010-06-16T10:59:10.274-04:00

How to beat this heat? Well, there's no beating it. I remember sitting on a porch for over an hour in my childhood, rocking or bouncing in a wrought iron chair, and realizing it was safer to sit there than to play. I remember lifeguarding all day under an umbrella and seeing the bank thermometer read 104 at 4 p.m., then jumping straight into the pool at 5. I remember passing out after

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-38477798050573675162010-06-05T12:07:00.010-04:002010-06-08T20:45:15.482-04:00

I've never watched an episode of OPRAH! all the way through. (The only episodes I attempted to watch involved celebrity guests whom I admire.)I've been very guilty of scanning Internet articles and blogs instead of carefully reading.But lately, whilst making dinner.....,,,,,,,,,,,,,I've been watching Bravo.Ok, ok, you got me. I'm their DEMOGRAPHIC, right? So why shouldn't I watch? Oh, because

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-65020189152769115352010-06-02T16:20:00.008-04:002010-06-02T16:48:48.830-04:00

Hello June!June has brought with it a hell of a lot of rain...and thus, many events canceled or postponed, and we haven't gotten to the pool much (oh BOO HOO...Wahhhh!). June has brought a new family member to love - a tiny, sweet precious infant. I shall not rest until I get my hands on said infant...we visit in a few weeks. June means that I made it through Memorial Day weekend in a house

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-84570187372706280492010-05-26T14:23:00.003-04:002010-05-26T14:34:55.725-04:00

I am NOT, btw, one of the haters of the Lost finale. Au contraire, mon frere....I found it satisfying, delicious, and deep. I was excited and happy about the action sequences (though not blown away - and maybe a good thing as the show can be more than a little violent), thrilled and moved by the many reunions (Sawliet!), and satisfied with the ending. Indeed, I felt as though the ending was a

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-30087719198374174152010-05-21T14:17:00.007-04:002010-05-21T14:46:36.449-04:00

I feel like I did when the 7th Harry Potter book was out and I was only a few chapters to the end. I wanted it over with, and couldn't push myself to finish it. LOST is ending - AS YOU KNOW (good heavens! The media are on overdrive!).And yet....the media attention is warranted. What was great about Lost for me was more than stuff you might think - including the fact that I have a personal

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-70360045698743041152010-05-18T08:53:00.002-04:002010-05-18T09:00:34.449-04:00

For some reason, my husband and I latched onto ADF as young marrieds in the Triangle. Then a dear, dear friend came and interned there one summer (read: free tickets) and we were hooked. Not that we haven't seen crap at ADF - it's modern dance after all! The very Summer of the Internship was, however, when we first saw Mark Dendy and he became our favorite. I vaguely remember also getting

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-18515836557544008492010-05-17T15:53:00.005-04:002010-05-17T16:04:42.734-04:00

Along with May's craziness comes the endings. I thought this year was going to be easy, since no one was graduating or going off to Kindergarten. But no, OTHER STUFF ENDS TOO! We saw our daughter play her last soccer game with a team that has been mostly pretty great for her. She remarked that she might never see some of her teammates again, and that's true! How to ease her through that

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-4135917234254228402010-05-13T08:26:00.002-04:002010-05-13T08:37:57.400-04:00

I think it might have been Dooce who termed a phrase akin to "first world whining". I have just about nothing to be upset about. A friend has contracted the services of Hospice this week, the Gulf oil spill seems very real to me, and my friends' families in Nashville have it much worse than you have heard in the media.So it is with a sense of humor that I present to you my upper? middle class

Bellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-59921910542327666182010-05-11T08:01:00.003-04:002010-05-11T08:11:07.207-04:00

For Mother's Day I got a PowerPoint presentation (actually, it was Keynote). Complete with sound! Children and husband singing "Happy Mother's Day", and also a plaintive wail, "I want a bunnyyyyy".I also got a teacher-led essay that featured such sentiments as, "...even if she is yelling at me I know she still loves me" and "...she makes me laugh when we are in the car and my mom makes a

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-24739301721682152812010-05-03T16:32:00.003-04:002010-05-03T17:00:05.227-04:00

I don't know why it is that May is the hardest to handle - but it is. There is so very little down time, and what down time there is is spent feeling guilty that we aren't out enjoying the weather. This week I had some unexpected time off of work, so we...enjoyed the weather. And now I'm exhausted. Here is what we did:1. NC State Wolfpack baseball. Screw the Bulls! This was cheaper, with

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-69700414150564105512010-04-20T17:04:00.002-04:002010-04-20T17:08:37.044-04:00

"Not only is Rihanna's outfit vaginally questionable, but it's been DONE. And better. I can't believe I'm calling this seafoam vulva strap "better," but you know, it's all relative. The greatest sin when squeezing sequins onto your crotch is having it look mundane. Rihanna is usually leading the pack of crazies, but that performance outfit feels like refried Gaga with a side of expired Monistat.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-91762497286608581602010-04-19T12:32:00.007-04:002010-04-19T17:14:43.683-04:00

When I was young and foolish, Chapel Hill (and Raleigh, too) had a huge music scene and I got to be a part of it as a spectator. There was a lull about the time I quit going to clubs, but it now seems like we're right back in the fight. I've seen only one of these groups live, but it is so fun to follow all of them and their progress on the national and local scenes. I'm going to let the music

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-2021467208135834982010-04-11T16:51:00.002-04:002010-04-11T16:54:17.191-04:00

I've watched and/or attended The Masters for as long as I can remember. I hate a lot about the sport, the players, and the exclusivity, but there is nothing else I would rather do on the 2nd Sunday in April than see the green jacket awarded.I'm not even mad at the guy who yells, every. single. time. a. ball. is. on. a. green...."GET IN THE HOLE!"(For the record, I was pulling for Tiger until

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-82477909976682675722010-04-06T16:43:00.012-04:002010-04-06T17:33:13.798-04:00

The Princess and the Frog. Well, I slept through most of it, but woke up in time to realize that my shock that the "princess" had two living parents was for naught. Dad dies, natch. The music is really, really good especially if you consider that the overused and monotonous (and white, btw) Randy Newman wrote it. At the risk of fueling the current political "we're not racist" fires, I

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-67993133182031603952010-04-03T15:35:00.004-04:002010-04-03T15:46:16.165-04:00

Dye eggs. Eat pastel M&Ms.Buy long socks for my son's birthday.Stuff the baskets with more chocolate and Starburst jelly beans.Make a Mexican egg casserole.6 eggs, beaten1 can creamed corn1 4 oz can chiles, drained and chopped1 cup extra sharp cheddar1 cup Monterey Jack shredded cheese1 tsp instant grits1 tsp Worcestershire sauce1 dash pepper (Ha. I'm sure this will end up a tbsp)Preheat oven

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-31283429671147428292010-03-25T16:52:00.003-04:002010-03-25T17:04:53.654-04:00

Wow! My hope that folks would chill out a bit was a bit misguided don't ya think! Gracious!For the record, I would like to say that I have accepted that my position was the losing one in the school board debate here in town, and I plan to move forward, make the best of what I have, disagree in civil ways, and fight really hard come next election time. Hey! What a concept! WOULDN'T THAT BE

Bellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-70239241951527781712010-03-22T07:14:00.002-04:002010-03-22T07:20:11.714-04:00

To my husband, who stayed up past 1 a.m. watching punditry: "I'm reading about how reform affects the consumer and I guess I just don't get it."Husband: "Ask me! I know ALL about it, I understand it 100%. I would LOVE to explain it to you!"To my husband, who is jumping up and down a little bit and has wide-open eyes: "It is 6:15 a.m. and I have to teach preschoolers and go on a field trip

Bellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-32837381948893842612010-03-16T08:17:00.002-04:002010-03-16T08:25:02.345-04:00

Over the past few months, I've tried to convince people that I think Lady Gaga is a performance artist and not "weird" or "stupid" or "badly dressed". She's making huge commentary on big themes, and guess what? She can SING. And write songs, and play piano. And dance! Her songs didn't make a huge impact on me until "Bad Romance" but, much like Madonna's did in the 80s/90s, Gaga's image has

Bellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-50345697485785780392010-03-15T18:27:00.001-04:002010-03-15T18:29:28.371-04:00

The month of my birthday has begun in earnest.First, with SHINGLES!SHINGLES! from dooce on Vimeo.Secondly, with wildly imaginative birthday planning on the part of my husband and many, many meals out and glasses shared. Raleigh, by the way, is hot. Exciting. Interesting. I always thought so, but now it seems that everyone else does too.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-13272715086199496412010-03-11T14:58:00.002-05:002010-03-11T15:00:26.656-05:00

I just told my husband, just the other night, that the first four measures of "Fake Empire" affect me as deeply as just about anything can.New National - I'll not tell you my opinion until you hear it for yourself. Who am I kidding. LOVE.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-72000468075603801792010-03-08T19:53:00.002-05:002010-03-08T19:59:07.183-05:00

So my children are 1/8th Hispanic. Their great-grandmother was a Chilean born to Spanish parents. Her brother taught his four children Spanish and took them to live in Chile for half of each year. These cousins have Spanish surnames, are fluent, and hold positions in universities and governments that are Latin American or Hispanic in nature. Great-Grandmother's four children raised THEIR

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-85356400220892680472010-03-05T07:42:00.002-05:002010-03-05T07:50:40.530-05:00

So I've written a long blog post and started editing it, and you know what? That's not fun! Random thoughts:My daughter wants a bunny and has written a wonderful tome entitled "Bunny Costs, Facts, and Other Information" in order to sway her dad (I am fully on board with said bunny). This little piece is by far the most entertaining thing I've ever read. For one thing, the word "rabbit" is

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-89721334424515662702010-02-17T09:03:00.007-05:002010-02-17T09:22:45.722-05:00

Nothing like a sick day at home to catch up on what's out there in blogland.The mommy bloggers have taken a real hit, and there are in fact some real duds out there. But two of the most popular had really great entries recently. Dooce's tale of the 20-something on the ski lift is one with which we can all identify. Did you really just say that to the crazy old lady snowboarder? The woman who

Bellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-20122621034127856862010-02-14T15:02:00.003-05:002010-02-14T15:04:38.427-05:00

I have to say, I believe in love.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-79011217130058881892010-02-12T08:25:00.006-05:002010-02-12T08:37:07.593-05:00

The Blind SideI like Sandy Bullock - a lot. And she's so likable as a done-up, tough-talking Texas woman that I am not sure I cared about the poor homeless kid. The "white woman saves black boy" theme annoyed me before I saw the film, but as a friend said, the character's courage was the quality we all want to emulate. The story was built for tears, the character for an Oscar nod, the men

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-40642153905705159922010-02-10T09:14:00.001-05:002010-02-10T09:17:11.004-05:00

...about the Olympics. Between managing my own little athletes, tiring of television and sitting down indoors, and a newfound fear of snow and cold (and now wind! Good Lord the sky is falling!), I really have no desire to watch any of it. Anyone want to change my mind?

Bellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-53345572189764180472010-02-05T09:43:00.003-05:002010-02-05T09:45:00.695-05:00

Seeking out some newish music to share with you today, I tried and failed to love singles by Joanna Newsom, Beach House, Dan Deacon, xx, and even my old standby Spoon (the new album has not wowed me. Wow.). Then I heard this song, and decided that my love of it is directly related to the view outside my window: mud, muddy snow, pouring rain, bits of sleet, and also, mud.ROCK ON M-Fs!

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-69166402139061688112010-02-01T15:35:00.004-05:002010-02-01T16:32:08.884-05:00

Snow '10 report:Day 1: Children dressed and ready to go by 7 a.m. (it was a Saturday) Much sledding in the what was actually sleet. I tended to my dentist, who injured her hand, a kid whose parents were at the top of the hill socializing whilst he hit a fire hydrant, and to various wild child confrontations. I welcomed the limoncello being passed around in a glass jar at that point.We ate

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-11724412585652639242010-01-25T19:42:00.004-05:002010-01-25T20:16:10.350-05:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-72753425721093618482010-01-19T08:55:00.004-05:002010-01-19T09:06:27.699-05:00

Reading: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and Lady Chatterly's Lover. (D.H. Lawrence does not seem to be all that, but apparently this is not his best work)Watching: 30 Rock - at long last! What a brilliant half-hour. Also, Two Lovers (Joaquin, stick with acting! You are astounding!) and Monsters v. Aliens, which was good old-fashioned non-Pixar fun (i.e., I did not cry).Listening: Coconut

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-56168816105354356052010-01-16T17:27:00.002-05:002010-01-16T17:32:13.848-05:00

Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry in advance. I don't want to bum you all out anymore than I know you already are - but the home supported by the church where I work and am a member supports the St. Joseph's Home for Boys as I've said. These pictures were perhaps more elucidating for me than any:Before.After.Our emergency response team leaves in early March to help with the boys, then another team

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-9299317983400208332010-01-15T14:55:00.001-05:002010-01-15T14:55:42.433-05:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-89423510457836387102010-01-14T08:01:00.003-05:002010-01-14T08:21:57.315-05:00

Richard Morse, musician and hotel owner in Haiti's tweets are astounding and perhaps life-saving at this point.The Times Twitter list.Google Earth imagery of the disaster.Régine from Arcade Fire is Haitian. Their web site has constant updates and ways to help.Locally:MERCI centerStop Hunger NowHearts With Haiti (My boss and a team from the church where I work and am a member will be heading to

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-46639967480684458002010-01-10T19:35:00.002-05:002010-01-10T19:38:55.989-05:00

(But my scanner is not hooked up to the WiFi or whatever - so it will be posted later)"Read my lips" -- this commercial basially made my Christmas season. Hilarious commentary at Don't Do Dumb Things. (dot com). A highlight: "Seriously? They’re spending Christmas together, they’re blissfully in love and he doesn’t know how to do sign language? What are they going to do for the rest of the day

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-76109803199511776202010-01-04T16:30:00.010-05:002010-01-06T08:08:48.485-05:00

Happy Birthday Mr. Stipe!Welcome home, Obamas! We think all of your activities in Hawai'i were lovely. Sorry about the mess upon your return.Congratulations, Tim Tebow! I am totally obsessed with you. My young son does not share my obsession, though he praised my attention span whilst watching your entire game versus Cincinatti...especially since you buried them. Ephesians 4:11 indeed!!!

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-85472765883534385022009-12-22T13:56:00.000-05:002009-12-22T13:57:04.676-05:00

From Boingboing.net

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-40875957749255149792009-12-21T12:18:00.002-05:002009-12-21T12:20:28.530-05:00

Facts on the Winter Solstice from National Geographic.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-17827999466022057422009-12-18T08:31:00.004-05:002009-12-18T08:49:07.768-05:00

1. And So This is Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon2. Feed the World (Don't you love it too? It came out my senior year in high school)3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U24. What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, especially by Judy Garland6. Carol of the Bells by the Bird and the Bee (a newish song that I adore)7. The Nutcracker Suite by

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-57700738478851472372009-12-17T15:29:00.004-05:002009-12-17T15:34:05.013-05:00

I really don't have time to do this, but I want to stay seasonally connected to you, the Internet. Maybe tomorrow I'll do my favorite secular tunes....especially if we have a much-touted snow event!!!!1. Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming2. The Coventry Carol3. Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella4. While Shepherds Watched5. The Angel Gabriel6. Away in a Manger (KIRKPATRICK melody)7. God Rest Ye

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-2148447821950567952009-12-10T10:43:00.004-05:002009-12-10T10:54:25.105-05:00

Mad Men Illustrated Flickr set - c'est magnifique!An anti-mommy blogger web site - quel damage!A highly recommended gardening web site - c'est géniale!Belle du Jour is no longer anonymous! I hope to find time to read the details after the holidays - mystérieux!I got invited to Google Wave! Who else? C'est bon!

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-29576462627301340812009-12-04T13:54:00.000-05:002009-12-04T13:55:00.546-05:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-86081363195683575102009-12-03T14:49:00.005-05:002009-12-03T15:00:51.811-05:00

Things I love right now are:Our Advent calendars - three of them - one a magnet on the fridge, one a Westminster Abbey cutout from our London peeps, and one of the classic chocolate calendars with a coloring page on back. The children are sharing nicely.Method holiday soaps. Just the right colors and festive smells.Also, Mrs. Meyers Clean Day holiday scent - on sale at you-know-where this

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-91854649276340712072009-11-28T16:06:00.002-05:002009-11-28T16:09:01.651-05:00

The sitter I secured when family couldn't sit for us for our anniversary was available today after 3. So I groomed and preened starting at 2:45 and sat waiting for an hour. I called her to ask where she was - and then checked email - and then realized I never confirmed her.God love her, she is coming tomorrow so we can go to dinner.But I somehow screwed up our anniversary night - one we'd been

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-90716852325130485612009-11-17T12:48:00.005-05:002009-11-17T17:25:48.977-05:00

Mrs. Draper:Pearl's Dream by Bat for Lashes Into the Ocean by Blue October Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni (because Jackie didn't record)Lullaby by The Cure Cumulus by Imogen Heap Crabbuckit by K-OS (!!!!!! Love K-OS) This Woman's Work by Maxwell Now Quiet Dog by Mos Def (John Slattery also had a Mos Def song)Father and Daughter by Paul Simon (shout-out for the character?)Roads by Portishead

Bellenoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-80837778678911522232009-11-16T13:28:00.004-05:002009-11-16T13:41:49.735-05:00

I'm still sick.But back at work, etc. and hopeful that I will get better.To try and combat the sick, we went to see "Where the Wild Things Are" with the family. My son, who hates matinees (and why not? Why waste daylight? Who cares about the financial aspect? They are kind of depressing, matinees), didn't want to go. Nor did I: I thought I would be a sobbing mess over this thing that was

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-39297602826238546852009-11-10T09:08:00.003-05:002009-11-10T09:11:41.734-05:00

Sick. Broken arm. Minor procedure. Sick kid. Co-pays:$350 for the arm$60 for the procedure$150 for my sick$25 for kid sickMissed a major middle school field trip, big meeting, Sunday services (and thus, some paycheck fluff), school, and being a helpful wife/mom.It was probably H1N1 but NO ONE WILL TELL US FOR SURE.On the mend, trying not to be too crabby.Now to address the rash. And to hope

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-33506498274283248242009-11-02T16:14:00.006-05:002009-11-02T16:59:01.195-05:00

Quick pop-culture check-in:MUSIC: NEW ARCADE FIRE???? Also, Spike Jonze was inpsired fully by their album "Funeral" when he made "Where the Wild Things Are". Somehow, just by watching the trailer, I could feel the influence of the music. LIVE MUSIC: A free sitter coincided with a local band, Lost in the Trees (I featured them on my sidebar not too long ago), collaborating with Daniel Bernard

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-10015417312462332922009-10-31T14:26:00.002-04:002009-10-31T14:30:42.763-04:00

Pumpkin Pie Ice CreamIngredients2 cups whipping cream (I used light cream)1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup sugar (I might add a bit more - maybe 3/4 c.)1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (I would cut this to 1 1/4 tsp or even less)1/2 tsp nutmeg1/2 tsp ground ginger1/2 tsp ground cloves1/2 tsp ground allspice1/8 tsp salt1/2 tsp vanilla1 cup pumpkin pureeInstructionsGently heat the cream, milk, sugar, spices and

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-89059911539996584642009-10-26T20:49:00.004-04:002009-10-26T21:00:11.708-04:00

Because I'm trapped in the house with a sick child, and I already cleaned for 10 minutes and made dinner, I surfed around the Facebook and laughed at how I had something like 75 invitations to various causes and fan groups, etc. I joined 1/3 of those, and then did some Twittering, because guess what, I got chosen to test a new Twitter tool and I am feeling very Twitter-snobby about it. Then,

Bellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-12512016697385241942009-10-24T13:58:00.004-04:002009-10-24T14:12:27.076-04:00

My son in particular loves this song:Shakira - New Music - More Music VideosMy husband in particular loves Shakira. For obvious reasons (her ass). I love the video for her amazing isolation skillz, and I love the song for its excellent potential to be on this year's version of our "Spooky Toones Halloween Mix" cd. BUT.(not BUTT).But she is IN A CAGE. And her "wooooo" wolf howl is weak and

Bellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-55714502410702932172009-10-19T16:21:00.002-04:002009-10-19T16:32:22.409-04:00

Oh hai! Where have I been? Oh, just around here, tending to various life events. Daughter's in a cast, son is upset about it and getting stressed from the pressure of his football position and the boredom that is 4th grade after a wonderful 3rd grade year, and husband and I are too tired to hang out.Plus, our little date nights* are officially over now that daughter can't play soccer. *We had

Bellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-24734480505495461942009-10-05T15:55:00.004-04:002009-10-05T16:01:52.719-04:00

I have a rash. It is very bad. It will not go away. And it might mean the end of my brand loyalty with The Finest Laundry Detergent, Gain.Just finished a round of antibiotics - nada. Applying steroid cream daily - no effect. Thinking about giving up Gain - can't do it.It smells right. No, I don't buy the "Island Tropical Breeze" scent, just the basic happy laundry goodness. Our old house

Bellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-50395094383090157842009-09-29T09:48:00.001-04:002009-09-29T09:49:26.375-04:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-28293576740627412332009-09-28T17:52:00.003-04:002009-09-28T17:59:25.683-04:00

Mellowcreme Pumpkins. Brach's ONLY. I laugh that there is a Wikipedia entry, and better yet, a picture there with the caption, "a candy pumpkin". Check it out. Better yet: a mellowcreme pumpkins blog. I understand, I do! They are so creamy (cremey) and tasty. I tried to wait until October 1st to buy them but the fracking Harris Teeter put them on sale.Boy, I've really shot my wad with

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-7998071378470175022009-09-25T13:26:00.003-04:002009-09-25T13:39:44.340-04:00

I am brand-loyal. I try to buy organic and paba-free and high fiber, etc. but sometimes I just stick with the brand, no matter what.In the case of Yes to Carrots, however, I get something I like + something that doesn't have whatever evils are in facial creams. The product I get, C Through the Night, is more expensive than almost anything else I buy for my skin care regimine. But it smells

Bellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-28628196661075886622009-09-24T16:14:00.002-04:002009-09-24T16:28:20.846-04:00

My poor parents and my poor in-laws all experienced flooding in Georgia this week! What a mess. I am hoping for quick clean-ups and no repeats. We had quite the deluge ourselves the other day, but today is hot and dry and boy did that make me cranky during carpool. I refuse to run the a/c during my somewhat brief carpool wait.Though I did run the a/c during piano lessons, and that resulted

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-39769574023024950332009-09-15T10:27:00.002-04:002009-09-15T10:27:43.143-04:00

It's long. It's kind of sad. It's worth your time. Thanks, Jimmy!

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-90589886712964587782009-09-14T10:46:00.004-04:002009-09-14T11:06:12.576-04:00

Representative Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West. These folks? Reminding me how NOT to be.We all know I have mixed feelings about organized religion and faith in general, but if there is one thing that church does each week it is that it reminds me. Reminds me what being a good person is all about, reminds me to take care of my fellow man. I want to be about love, kindness,

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-39222442832009633992009-09-08T16:27:00.003-04:002009-09-08T18:00:01.932-04:00

Do you grow tired of NY Times links? Um, too bad for you. For here's one of the Times critics talking about "All About My Mother" which was my favorite film that year, and still ranks in my top five of all time. The video is only a few minutes long but it speaks in large part to what is amazing about the movie.

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705780.post-81838104522060747992009-08-31T08:08:00.000-04:002009-08-31T08:09:27.708-04:00

Bellenoreply@blogger.com0