Out and About with Miss Kayla!

Kay and I haven't gotten together in what felt like ages. Her life has been nonstop, what with working 12-14 hour days as a 911 dispatcher, Kenny going to school full time, two house guests since September, and various issues with the house that needed tending. Today we went to Saffron Kitch in Wayne for yummy Indian food (Kay's treat!), chatted loads while listening to Post Malone, Austin Giorgio, Taylor Swift, Baltimora, 5 Seconds of Summer, & Matt Berry. We hit up Cathy's Used Books (where Kay spotted an "Aunt Donna Book" called Highland Savage) and then to Goldie for fries and shakes. There was zero parking and so Kay had to go in for our order with me circling the block. I double parked out on Front when she was coming out and got to wave to Morgan through the glass. Goldie Fishtown has the best staff - I love those ladies! It was great to see Kay and gab for a bit with Kenny about school and give Zuko some love, but the best was when Kenny told me that Kay had ordered hard plastic sleeves to hold the postcards I've sent her over the years. I love knowing that she and Jaeden have held on to them.

(Can you believe Morgan and Janine once thought that this beautiful doll was my daughter?! What a compliment!)

Drum On, Man.

Here is our boy drummer playing for me on his new kit. It's February 5th, 2016 and Jax turned four the day before. His full body intensity towards the end has me cracking up. It is so wonderful that he stayed with drumming and has only gotten better and better. I cannot wait for January when School of Rock does Zeppelin!!!! He is gonna effin' crush it.

(performing alongside Thin Lizzy on Showdown)

27 - The Meal

The Meal

There was a time when we are our words and spoke in food. These were strange days when the things we said appeared as cakes and pretzels, sometimes cabbages and fish. We spoke in vegetables and proteins, cheeses and desserts, the flavors depending on our moods. And we dines on nouns and adjectives. We are gentle verbs and angry slang. It took us a long time to find the balance between the emotions in our heads and the things we said and swallowed, but slowly we became more moderate in our thoughts and appetites until one day food appeared on our plates and language returned to our mouths. 

Treat your words as nourishment. Remember that when we eat, we bring the world into ourselves and when we speak, we bring ourselves into the world.

Autumn by Alexander Pushkin

I

October has arrived - the woods have tossed

Their final leaves from naked branches;

A breath of autumn chill - the road begins to freeze,

The stream still murmurs as it passes by the mill, 

The pond, however's frozen; and my neighbor hastens

to his far-flung fields with all the members of his hunt.

The winter wheat will suffer from this wild fun,

And baying hounds awake the slumbering groves.

II

This is my time: I am not fond of spring;

The tiresome thaw, the stench, the mud - spring sickens me.

The blood ferments, and yearning binds the heart and mind...

With cruel winter I am better satisfied,

I love the snows; when in the moonlight

A sleigh ride swift and carefree with a friend.

Who, warm and rosy 'neath a sable mantle,

Smiles, trembles as she clasps your hand.

- translated from Alexander Pushkin

Cutting Out Negativity

I am such a negative person!! Whenever something bad happens I am convinced it will stay that way or get worse. Dental problems, common cold - I always think, "what if this is how it will be forever...what if I never get better...what if I have throat cancer..." When it comes to larger problems, such as starvation, brutality, cruelty, inequality, war, and evil Republicans, I can't help but fear that the world is doomed. Seeing this pop up in Finch is a good reminder to shut down the negativity at the start and smack it to the ground by thinking of three things that are positive. It's not gonna be easy, but I believe it's worth putting in to practice. 

Three positive things today: 

1. That Aunt Berne reads my blog and will text me when she really likes a post! (Hi AB!!!)

2. I get to see Kayla on Sunday!!! It's a guarantee for good grub, great convo, some snarky bitchery, fab tunes, and lots of hugs.

3. I ordered matching Elf shirts for me and Bella - we have plans on the 30th to see it on the big screen at The Colonial Theatre and we are so excited!! 

Fables and Petals

This corner space absolutely screams classy cottage. The window is perfection.

(photos kidnapped from fablesandpetals instagram page)

Kiss and Tale

This little shop in Collingswood is so stinkin' pretty and run by some of the raddest chicks in the whole state.

The raunchy section!!!