FabulousLorraine.com

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Again, By Popular Demand, Way Too Many Bengal Pictures...

There haven't been any Bengals in far too long here on this Blog! I believe firmly, if a women is going to live with five Leopards, she ought to post a few pictures from time to time. So tonight, all Bengals. Not a word about FIT, or how sore I am, or how I got saddened today trying to Roller Blade with the Dog.

That's F2 King Lear the Huge in the Forest Bedroom.

And King Lear the Huge a little closer.

Ok, maybe a word or two about how I got saddened trying to Roller Blade with the Dog. I should have been HAPPY. After all, neither of us was injured. We got out in the sunshine. Lola needed a run, and I had no workout planned. All good things. But I didn't get very far. Total leg Goo. Pain. The Muscles (if there were any) failed. Three years ago, I did that entire trail, albeit without a dog on leash, but now? I can't do it.

And I think that's the hardest thing about getting FIT again, is that it's going to take time. You work as hard as you can, and each time you get a little further, each time you fail, you get up and DO IT THE HECK AGAIN.

And you never never never give up.

But I didn't have any mental reserves. I'm tired. In my body and head. I've been working out, as of today, for three weeks. I had gigs the last two nights. It's all gone.

That's the danger point. How do you keep going when there's nothing there, and you are saddened?

This is Lear's friend, Little Queen Mab. She watches things. And considers them carefully.

Lear is very protective of Mab. He worries for her. Nothing worries Queen Mab. Lear worries less than he used to. He has learned how to believe, and to trust.

This is like some sort of out-take shot from Bengals Illustrated. Like "What the heck? Where's our cue? What's our motivation? We'll be in our dressing room, get some decent crew"

Cats know how to stretch for what they want. And when to relax and when a nap is just exactly what's needed. Mim is also good about pissing on something to make a point. She makes that point. Every time.

F1 Magic and Venus share the Purple Chaise in the Romance Room. Magic let me tickle his tummy for the first time when I came home today. He's a part of us now, tho it took a very long time to get there, it's worth it. Many, many times over.

Here's Magic and the Swam Soup Tureen, which I keep on the floor in the Romance Room since I can't imagine having people over for dinner and bringing out the soup in it. What I really wonder tho about it was who made it, what did they dream of, and what path led them to see that dream thru? You can dream dreams and end up with a Swan Tureen. But if you aren't on that path,if you aren't HERE, you never will be.

See how well I can wax philosophical when I have had very little sleep, and very many workouts? The mind will get there. And so will the body.

I think the answer to how you keep going when there's nothing there is you simply do. You stay on that path. You skate further on that trail every day and you never never never give up.

And at the end, there's Venus. With the Stardust Dress standing gauard in the Romance Room.

Love and Bengals,
Lorraine

221 Comments:

At 20:05 Anonymous said...: And when you are saddened you have friends to say, "You can do it!" Because we all know you can. And you have made me happy. I learned about Toads in a Hole from you.
At 20:07 Anonymous said...: Ooops, I mean Toad in a Hole...
At 20:07 Chantrelle said...: I would TOTALLY serve soup in the swan! Something red and chunky. Just like I serve olives in the skull I brought home from Fiendom Come :)

FIT is hard. It is so much easier to sit. I'm not naturally inclined toward FIT (my sister is). Ben helps me get off my ass. He's not home this weekend. I've been on my ass and loving it.

Rollerblading is frickin' hard and kudos to you for doin' it w/ Lola!

Even saddened, you rock, and I hope you are Happied instead.
At 20:08 Chantrelle said...: OH, and even though it's not on this post, NICE ASS! (thought you may need a little reminder)
At 20:14 dabbler said...: Lorraine, I am so there. I spent today working hanging electrical wires in tents at the Folk Festival...a thing I have done for, (ACK) more than thirty years. My wrist is sore after cutting wire, and I have no arm strength to speak of. Embarrassing, and stupid. So annoying to have my body not rise to the occasion. It used to....

Keep talking about what you're doing, please! I need to hear it and become inspired. Thanks!
At 20:15 dabbler said...: Oh Yeah, love love love the leopards. Especially and always, Magic. Tummy tickles. who would ever have thought that possible...except you!
At 20:20 ariandalen said...: Ms. Fabulous, your body needs to rest occasionally. Sleep is important for mind and body. Give yourself a break. I think your nice ass is due more to all the months of riding you've done than teh Zumba. Zumba has worked other muscles, but it doesn't work that fast. You are the Princess of No, and that includes saying "No!" to outgrown, unhealthy ways. :)

Now, to heed my own words before I'm back on Zoloft. ::SIGH::
At 20:20 Dragonsally said...: Magic still has the power to bring tears to my eyes, I adore him so much.

Lear still has a worried look on his face - or is that just his look?

I'm with Robyn, I'd so be serving food in that tureen. I imagine it set on a table with a whole hog, that sort of thing.

Lorraine, I'm betting you are feeling saddened just because you are exhausted. You've done so much in the last few weeks. Maybe a day lounging around would be good at this point in time?
At 20:32 Jess said...: Don't be saddened. You've done good! But it's true: you work a body out that hard for three weeks, plus full-time job, plus gigging, eventually the muscles go, "uh, yeah, I'm just gonna go limp now." At that point you trust your body to know what it needs, and help it along with the stretchy exercises or something. It's okay to not go full throttle for one day in seven, let alone twenty-one. The trend will still be forward, and FIT, over the long term.

Ya done good, you'll keep doing good! I have spoken.

I'm so happy to see Magic being part of things. He is a fine boy.
At 20:48 Jess said...: I forgot to tick,
and to mention the tureen.
Bear witness to my
shame, my Tanka of Chagrin:
there's not even an ass in.
At 20:57 Siri said...: Mmmmmm - Toad in a Hole - one of my favourite dishes.

And I repeat, I shall not tweet.
At 21:00 FabulousLorraine said...: I love you Fiends. Having your love and support means so much to me. Can't do it alone.

Billy, Toads. There were two. One for me and one for Birdchick. The Houseguests got pie.

Sally, that's just Lears LOOK. Worries. Less now tho.

Dabbler, I will keep talking about it. No more silence. I want to look a whole lot of truth in the eye. Stay with me.

I am not saddened. I am tired. Good to look that in the eye. I'll sleep tonight in the newly re-done Forest bedroom, with the Royal on newly clean sheets.
At 21:01 FabulousLorraine said...: Siri, you need not Tweet, just stay here with US. The Fiends need you.

We can talk Baseball if you like, I've been watching a lot this summer. During gigs on the new tvs. I can now play Take Me Out To The Ball Game in four different keys.
At 21:15 Siri said...: Thanks, Q. Sometime, I'll write out where I've been. Or, maybe I won't. It's nice to have a place where you can saw as much or as little as you need to.

I can probably sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame in 4 different keys!

But now, I'll sing Good Night, Ladies, in one.
At 21:47 Jane said...: Beautiful cats.

Mom in hospital because of a fall - compression back fracture but the main worry is - why did she black out and fall? She's in pain and they're doing tests...

I was out to dinner with DH and friend and got the call from sister - DH and friend dropped me off at the hospital emergency room around 10:30p and I didn't get home until 5am - sister and I stayed until Mom got into a room and settled. OMG we were both so wiped out and I have been worth nothing today...

I think all will be well but the healing process is going to suck...

Anyway, sounds like time for bed for me.
At 21:59 ariandalen said...: You don't have to tweet, Siri.
I don't have to Facebook.
I still like hearing from you...and Kristina, and Kristina in Scotland, and Dread Val, and Lysandwr, and I've probably left someone out, for which I'm sorry.

Ms. Fabulous, Nathalie will be back in a couple of weeks. She's on vacation.
At 22:08 Cecily said...: Loving the pics! Bengals do lighten the day don't they?

I am taking a page from your book of FIT. I even wrote up a brief blog on it.

http://thelorax.otd.com/

You are kick ass with your fine ass! \m/
At 22:08 Cecily said...: tick
At 22:16 Jess said...: I think it must be one of those Fabulous Adventure Vacations. She's probably riding a dolphin around a tropical lagoon or something.

There's a fine new story from a new contributor up on the Night Garden site. By another Jess, no less! \o/ She found us via Twitter. See? Twitter's good for something.
At 22:18 vampi said...: ooooo furry:)

me like
At 22:20 Beez said...: Ack

*hugs* Siri and Jane (and everyone)

((((Jane's mom))) health vibes.

Home from work III, did them all this weekend, double-doubles. I am so EXCITED by the fact that I can sleep in tomorrow and don't have to be anywhere work-wise until 4 pm...it's kind of pathetic.

Ms. Medeadly, listen to the Fiends- properly resting the body and mind is as important a part of FIT as is the moving. You can't keep moving if you don't recharge the batteries.

Even I know that, believe it or not.
At 22:29 LihuaEmilyP said...: The Romance Room is my favorite.

Those Bengals sure are lovely.
At 22:54 Ms T said...: Just flitting in for a quick comment during my tea break (actually water and some sort of muesli bar break, but I digress).

Love the photos. Those rooms are just so gorgeous. As are the bengals, of course. :)

And some days will feel a bit disheartening, but I will add my voice to the chorus that says it's not only OK to rest every so often, but it's actually a bloody good idea! So there.
At 23:22 Pi R Squared said...: My goodness...how big is King Lear? (in proportion to the bed, he looks huge!)

"I think the answer to how you keep going when there's nothing there is you simply do." That is one of the truest things I've read lately.

Listen to the others...rest is good! Even the Maker did so...

You can do it, you are doing it and you are an inspiration!
At 00:48 Spy Scribbler said...: Are you kidding?! I would throw a party for the single purpose of creating an opportunity to serve something in that swan tureen! It totally rocks! You'd be the talk of the year!
At 01:59 Marjorie said...: Love the tureen. And all the pictures. I'm another who can't get over the change you made in Magic's life. If you get discouraged at the pace of Fit, stop, think of the pace of Magic, and marvel at how far & fast you've already come...

Jane, I hope your mom feels much better soon & that they can work out what's wrong.

Siri, good to see you here again!
At 06:18 Phiala said...: Jane, that's awfully scary. I hope diagnosis and healing go well.

Q, others have said what I was thinking, that regular rest periods are key to the fit. First you use the muscles, then you let them rebuild and recover.

Morgan has been taking Mim-lessons. He is not pleased that I have been gone so much, leaving him alone in the house (catsitters of course). Little bastard peed in a bag of toiletries while I was standing next to him. He's currently curled up in my lap rumbling like an earthquake and looking innocent.

Speaking of needing a rest: I've had houseguests or been out of town every weekend since before Memorial day (last weekend of May). August 28 will be my first free Saturday, after the previous busy 13. Ack. Ready to keel over, I am.

Pennsic was fun (medieval recreation event, spent a week in a tent and wearing funny clothes). Now need a vacation to recover from vacation, as I spent about 20 hours teaching and much more running around doing stuff (meetings, etc). Got completely drenched the last day, and have piles and piles of wet laundry to do.

And work. I'm supposed to go to work today. Right. That.
At 07:13 FabulousLorraine said...: Morning Fiends!

Just slept 9 hours and feel great! All rested and ready for whatever the week holds.

Fortunately that seems to be tea at the moments, have a riding lesson on Romy tho soon.

Did you know when holding your reins the difference between right and wrong can be as slight as a couple INCHES on your ring finger? It makes a difference how the horse responds.

There's your fun fact for the day.
At 07:51 LihuaEmilyP said...: Good fun fact.

Ben turns sixteen today. Yaaaayyyy.
At 08:31 Wendy Withers said...: Good morning Lorraine!

Good morning Fiends!

Good morning Bengals!

Time for a morning designing gift cards and going through old files, hopefully talking to someone about which classes I should take (starting next week), and using Quiche's words of wisdom to get T-Mobile to replace my phone, which is very, very sick.

I hope everyone has a marvelous day!
At 09:28 One Sock Short said...: Looking forward to reading this one. But for now, tick.
At 10:15 Cecily said...: Phiala, will you be putting up pics of your time at Pennsic? I am very curious to see if you camp with anyone I know.

Jane,
(((HUGS)))

Ames, Can't seem to find you on FB as there are a gazillion Amy Pass's and none of them say that we have mutual friends. :-( Maybe you can find me? Cecily Israel
At 13:22 LihuaEmilyP said...: And of course there are a bunch of us in Fablo's Fiends on Facebook.

Ben and Jack and their drummer take to a Green Day concert in MA tonight. They are very pleased. More than pleased. Thrilled. Ecstatic. Beatifically elated.
At 13:25 dabbler said...: Lovely word, beatifically!
At 14:58 Pi R Squared said...: Cecily, I searched you out on FB and sent you a friend message. Forgive me...I'm a psuedo-luddite with this and had to be pulled on kicking and screaming...I believe my settings are set tighter than if I were a black ops agent or something-

Jane, you don't know me, but I hope all is well with your Mother.
At 16:59 Jane said...: Thanks for good wishes about Mom - still don't really know what caused her to lose consciousness and fall, still more tests to be run.

But she can barely walk, and that only with the PT person holding onto her and using a walker. So the hospital is going to discharge her tomorrow and if the rehab dept at the hospital can't/won't admit her, guess I'll be running around to find somewhere for her to go.

Getting old, not for sissies!

Amy, you can find me on FB as Sharon Janesick. I am the only one. And if you're here, conversing with us, you DO know me :-)

Phiala - sounds like you had a great time - coming home is a rude shock!
At 17:36 LihuaEmilyP said...: Sorry Jane, I totally missed that and hope things turn out okay.
At 18:17 Dragonsally said...: Morning Fiends
Sending lots of healing thoughts to your mother Sharon, and calmness & love to you and Steve. Aging parents are such a worry.

Amy - can we friend you on FB as well? We love knowing our Fiends.

Happy sweet 16th to Ben, LiEm.

Sarah - could you salvage anything after Morgan left his message of discontent? Naughty boy!

Marjorie - I hope you get some quiet breaths to yourself, and lastly (I think) I didn't know that such a small amount could make such a difference Lorraine!

Phew. Coffee now.
At 18:32 Dragonsally said...: Huh. I just discovered I've had my pajama pants on inside out all night!
At 19:31 Phiala said...: The need to work all day and then snuggle the poor abandoned cat has left me quite exhausted and headachy. Guess the lawn won't be mown tonight, nor more laundry tended to.

Sally, I salvaged nearly everything. Only one package of cold medicine was thrown out, because I knew that even though the little foil packets within the cardboard box were waterproof and entirely sanitary, they'd always smell like cat urine. I suppose I'd know I needed cold meds if I couldn't smell them, and yet.
At 19:34 Dragonsally said...: Phew, I'm glad you were able to salvage so much.

I just had a flashback. Not to a cat peeing in my toiletries bag, but my niece, when she was a toddler deciding that she'd take my makeup bag into the bath with her, and put on makeup. It was too hilarious to be cross at her(as well as my fault for leaving it on the edge of the bath, eh!)
At 19:56 JenT/Werefrog said...: If you can rephrase it to yourself, not to be sad that you can't do what you used to do, but to be glad that you can do what you CAN do, that makes it a little easier to keep going, sometimes I imagine how I would feel about my abilities if I had lost a leg and somehow miraculously regained it, every step would be a joy, even the painful ones!!
At 20:01 LihuaEmilyP said...: Back-to-Back TBS Family Guy, yay! Plus tea. And Ben and Jack BOTH out of the house? Ooooh ...
At 20:04 FabulousLorraine said...: Home.

Feed Leopards.

Hot Tub.

Feed Self.

Bed.

All I got here, really.
At 20:17 Jess said...: 'lo, Medeadly. Got about as much here. Regretting the Chinese take-out. Feeling a bit bloaty. Bed soon.

I got a shiny new pan for my anniversary, though. Which technically isn't until Thursday, but who cares. Mmm, full copper core. Very exciting.

Also, Night Garden has a Twitter now. @nightgardenart for those interested parties who will tweet (I'm led to understand that Siri won't :P ).
At 20:20 anna j said...: Reminds me of a story about a zen master and his student. The student is complaining that he's tired of paying attention to his breathing, and can't he do something a bit more interesting? The zen master says, "so you think the breathing exercises are boring?" The student replies, "well, yeah." The master concedes that that they can do something more interesting and asks the student to follow him down to the river, where he dunks the student's head under the water for a good two minutes until the poor guy is almost drowned. When he lets the kid's head up, he says, "Now breathing seems more interesting, doesn't it?"

Somehow that equates to the things we CAN do being a joy, and not worrying about what we can't do yet, like Jen T. said.

*waves hello* It's been a while since I've been here. I've missed the chatter.

Lorraine, I love that you even dared take bouncy Lola out with skates.

Jane, I hope they find out what happened with your mom, or at least that it doesn't happen again.

Now time for this body to rest, as we all must sometime.
At 20:22 vampi said...: so, you have a spook pan. hopefully it will not and jason bourne chase scenes in your kitchen.

also, i purchased a cast iron pan the the other day at macys, and walking out it was darn difficult not to want to swing it like the "this is your brains on drug" commercial.
At 20:57 FabulousLorraine said...: I am not saddened tonight. Just completely worn out. Was going to spend the evening bar hopping, maybe hit a few dance clubs, but may just go to bed.

(I jest. I am already jammied.)

Look! Nine. 'Night....Chatter me nicely as most you seem un-inclined to join me at 6 in the morning when I actually have a brain.

I will answer all questions put to me and no doubt be very wise...
At 21:02 LihuaEmilyP said...: I could join you from the marvelous land of one-hour-later RI.
At 21:03 Phiala said...: I'm usually online by 6am your time, much of the time around 6am my time. It's a good time to catch up with Marjorie and Nathalie and all.
At 21:12 Poindextra said...: This post lacks some Dexie.

Also, Lor, your cats are BEAUTIFUL.

Reminds me of my white kitty, whom I miss very dearly. We put her down last year ):
At 21:19 Jess said...: Vampi, it comes with an egg-debugging kit and everything! Also, if you stare into the underside of the lid long enough, you can see what your neighbors are cooking.
At 21:22 Dragonsally said...: Sounds like something out of Harry Potter Jess!
At 21:31 LihuaEmilyP said...: Hehe.
At 22:58 Beez said...: Dear 'Lo, much as love you (and much as I am normally up by 5 am) I am not going to be your 6 am entertainment...because I can sleep in tomorrow! And I'm going to do it!!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
At 23:34 AletaMay said...: Lovely Bengals. Lovely Spooky House. Lovely Fiends. Lovely FabLo. Lovely ticky box.
At 03:19 Marjorie said...: I feel I should come up with intelligent and entertaining chatter & questions for Ms MeDeadly, but my brain has noticed it is on holiday and has gone to sleep.

It is a proper holiday. Yesterday, we went to the seaside and I even went for a swim in the sea. Very bracing.

It appears to be raining today so I may be forced to stay indoors and read...

How is Cabal doing? I hope Lola isn't bouncing on him too much.
At 03:23 Dragonsally said...: Ohhhh, rainy day. You can read novels, or watch movies or - shock horror - go back to bed and snooze!

Marjorie asks a good question. How is cabal going?
At 05:28 Phiala said...: Okay, 6am. Or, 6:30am Phiala Local Time, and 5:30am QTime. But it's too early for scintillating conversation, and so many morning activities require being away from the computer. Like, say, showering.
At 05:31 Dragonsally said...: OMG, my brother just emailed me to tell me that my nephew's partner has gone into labor.
Am I excited? why yes, I am. She is 5 weeks early, but that's not so bad. I was 6 and a half weeks early myself, I feel its a good tradition. *twirling*
At 05:35 Phiala said...: Gotcha beat, Sally - I was 3 months early. I don't recommend it, and I was damn lucky.

No long-term health problems, and despite the dire warnings I'm not retarded.
At 05:38 Dragonsally said...: Three months back in the day is early! I am very glad you survived your very early start!
At 05:41 Phiala said...: Yup, like I said, damn lucky. My mom was living near a really good university hospital at the time.

My brother, on the other hand, was late and enormous. :)
At 06:41 LihuaEmilyP said...: That's great, Sally. Do they live a ways away or will you get to see the new baby?
At 06:53 Dragonsally said...: Ahh, not close at all Li-Em - they're in Townsville...4 hours on a plane even.
At 07:14 FabulousLorraine said...: Good Morning!

I did some sleeping in! The jokes on me , you all beat me up and chatting this morning.

I think I needed that, 9 hours of like a rock sleep.
At 07:35 dabbler said...: Hooray, Sally! here's wishing a (relatively) comfortable and easy birth, and a healthy little one.

Phiala, my DD was ten weeks early, so I've been on the other side of that one, but much later in the world...only 19 years ago. Good for you!

And I guess being early to arrive is one of the few traditions in my family... I was a month early, as was my son, and then daughter went for the win at ten weeks early. none of us is good at bieng early in the daily world, I should point out.
At 07:41 dabbler said...: Morning, Ms Fab! Sleepy here, too.
At 08:23 FabulousLorraine said...: Getting a sports massage this morning on my shoulders. Like a Nice Massage, only more painful. Lots of pain. And screaming. Torture is what it is. But it will loosen these shoulder muscles.

Gig and workout did them in this weekend. They HURT!! They just need to loosen the heck up and DEAL with it.

Been talking this morning with Joan of Dark about Mini horse rescue. This can go no where good.

And I still want an ALPACA. Also no good.
At 08:31 Phiala said...: If you get an alpaca I'll come teach you how to spin. You need a nice relaxing hobby, I'm certain of it.

Failing that, I'll make you alpaca socks.
At 08:42 FabulousLorraine said...: I would like it if you made me ALPACA socks. And taught me how to spin. I've read a lot of stories where people spin. I think it would be cool to do.

And a relaxing hobby!

Come to think on it , I have no hobbies, do I? I don't create anything tangible. That should change.
At 08:53 Phiala said...: Your hobbies all turned into professional activities, I think - like music. At that point it's still good, but it isn't the same because now you have to perform to a certain level. Or at least, most of my hobbies have turned into professional activities, and that's what I've found. I still love them all, but they aren't relaxing in the same way as something I do for fun where the results don't matter at all.

For me, it's also very important to make tangible things. So much of what I do results in nothing I can touch. There's a profound satisfaction in making something, and I don't currently get that very often. I feel that way about making traditional food from scratch (bread, cheese, jam), and about spinning and knitting (fiber arts that I don't do professionally).

Alpaca socks would be very toasty for a northern winter. And you don't really have to own an alpaca, since it's easy to buy fiber or yarn. (But if you want an alpaca, spinning is a great excuse!)

Spindle spinning is cheap to get started with, highly portable, can be done for just a few minutes at a time, and once you get the knack can be done while talking, watching tv, whatever.

I haven't been getting much done - promised Val some yarn years ago and haven't even finished that - but I should do more because it is very relaxing.
At 09:00 Jess said...: I have seen Phiala spinning that very yarn. It looked cool. I couldn't stop watching the thing go round.

My hobbies are all noncomittal, to the point that I'm not really sure I can call them hobbies.

Hello. I missed 6:00. How was it?
At 09:02 Cecily said...: Jess I totally read that as "my boobies are all non committal"
At 09:08 vampi said...: my boobies are non committal.
At 09:10 Phiala said...: Fiendly spinning lessons, alpaca socks, and boobies.

I love this place. :)
At 09:13 FabulousLorraine said...: Mistress, you hit that nail on the head. They do turn pro, my hobbies.

Jess, no clue how 6 was, I fell back asleep till 7, must have NEEDED it.
At 09:47 Jess said...: Then we got up at the same time, because I slept till 9:00.

/slant rhyme

My boobies are totally committed. They catch crumbs and everything.
At 10:04 LihuaEmilyP said...: Uh. Sports massage sounds interesting.
At 10:35 Roxanne said...: [Come to think on it , I have no hobbies, do I? I don't create anything tangible. That should change.]

Lorraine, your "hobby" is Love. Love for your Leopards. Love for the White Dogs. Love for your Horse Friends. Love for your Boss. Love. Love. Love. And you seem to be very good at it.

With all of the FIT going on, are you eating properly? Also, are you making sure you drink lots of WATER? Often, when I am feeling tired and without energy, it is because I have been too busy to/forgotten to drink enough water. It's amazing how a nice glass of the (non-alcoholic) Clear Stuff can pick you up.

Take care. It took a long time to become not-as fit-as-you-want-to-be. It will take time to reverse that process. Roxanne
At 10:38 Beez said...: Mini horse rescue, alpacas....are you buying a farm?

Or d'you think Boss will set aside some acreage?
At 10:39 FabulousLorraine said...: Evil Sports Massage Guy fixed my shoulder. I only cried a little. I can move now tho, and feel great!

Thanks Roxanne! What a cool thing to say!

I am eating right. I am like a Poster Child for Healthy Eating. I would tell you what I am eating but you would, en mass, hit me. Become disgusted. And stake me out for vultures, I am sure of it.
At 10:46 Jess said...: Soybeans and twigs?
At 11:07 Beez said...: *nods at Jess*

Kashi Twigs n' Bark
At 11:10 LihuaEmilyP said...: Just don't go hungry, please!
At 11:11 Beez said...: I personally have made Grilled Vegetable Ratatouille, and we are having Eggplant Parmesan sandwiches today with arugula/pluot salad.

I love this time of year. :D
At 12:17 dabbler said...: Snort! My boobies are also committed to catching things...usually staining and saucy things...

Producing a tangible thing is really important to sanity, methinks, and a goal for me for this year. A hope for the empty nesting...I can unpile the sewing machine, and begin to play more. might take a free form applique class.

But in the meantime, the house full of 20+s (six of 'em this week) takes priority...and the hanging of lights and running of wires and other folk festival shenanigans. Finally starting to get into the spirit of the thing....

On farmishness...I really want to raise a steer for meat, and to rescue some fairy sheep...and ...and and I would need a different hubby. but we have bees. So that's not too bad. (Of course, we have HUNGRY bees...needing supplemental feeding and reducing brood because they ran out. Learning curve, anyone?)

Love you fiends...so often you talk about what's on my mind!
At 16:45 FabulousLorraine said...: Not going hungry, I eat all them, every couple hours. I just eat RIGHT now.

Rat a too ee is my friend.

Darn long day, which went by REALLY fast here! Cannot wait till class is done and it is Hot Tub time. I will be the goo in it.
At 16:46 FabulousLorraine said...: Dabler, my sister is having what sounds like the same problem with her bees, I've never heard of it before, do you know why? Our bees seems to always have plenty to eat.
At 17:39 Dragonsally said...: Fairy sheep Dabbler? Do they have wings? And fairy dust?

I'd love to have a minature horse, it could keep the back lawn mown, and give us lots of cuddles and love.

No news on the baby front yet...
At 18:35 Dragonsally said...: *happy dance continues*
I have another great niece!
At 18:39 anna j said...: Ooh, congratulations!

I have non-fairy sheep, but they're going to meet their maker soon. Lamb meat 'n all. Are fairy sheep like fairy cakes? I'd like to have bees. Ate some super fresh Brooklyn honey this weekend. Yum.
At 18:53 wendy said...: I'm sending out love, hugs and healing to all my fiends. From my phone!
At 18:55 Dragonsally said...: Phone love!
At 19:33 FabulousLorraine said...: Phone love and fairy sheep?????

Ok. I'm in.

Saw this today. Lovely. Not exactly ACCURATE mind you, but lovely. I'm in there with Angelina's assistant. Cool.

Boss and I do have a mutual admiration thing going tho, and we work REALLY well as a team.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38693837/ns/today-books/
At 20:22 Jess said...: Set number of hours?? Hehehehehe. ;)

I notice they don't actually rank the bosses. Wimps.
At 20:24 AletaMay said...: The set hours where what caught my eye too. Is that set at 95 or so? Clearly what ever it is it seems to work well for both of you and it IS cool to get recognized for that!
At 20:25 AletaMay said...: "where what caught my eye" -- not sure what that was meant to be, but I'll assume y'all know what I mean.
At 20:31 FabulousLorraine said...: I will stay awake till nine....I will work no more of my set hours.....I will set more hours tomorrow....
At 20:48 Phiala said...: You've almost made it to 9... but are we going to see you at 6am tomorrow?

I have very pretty tomatoes this year: red, green, white, yellow, purple. And they taste so very good!
At 20:51 Chantrelle said...: I love the "Neil let her speak for herself"...I'd like to see someone try to speak for you ;-)

Hubby just came home from work w/ the coolest beach towel *ever*...those sorts of things happen when working at Google, they send you home with things like beach towels. This one was instantly swooped by me. It is plain dark blue except for big block letters that say "DON'T PANIC"....OMG, I LOVE IT!!!!
At 20:55 FabulousLorraine said...: I'm just sort of going to go up and REST in bed, yeah, won't sleep yet...Just rest....

See you at 6 for sure.

Especially if my rest goes until dawn....
At 21:00 Phiala said...: Rest well! It's 9, that's good enough. :) I should be heading towards bed myself, with a book. Currently reading Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor, which so far is excellent.
At 21:02 Na said...: Lorraine and fiends you are my tonic this fine evening.

as is the smooooooth 2005 South Australia Shiraz i have to hand.

Sal, congrats to baby and mama and family -- slainte!

for my evening, first monsters to bed, then FabLo interview reading and twitter reading and Big Bang Theory watching. but first the rest of the Shiraz down the hatch.
At 21:02 Na said...: and no 6 am for me, likely. two weeks 'til monsters go back to school, i'm hoping we all get to sleep in for a while yet...
At 21:06 Chantrelle said...: Ben doens't start school until the day after labor day so no 6am for me either. It's actually 6:30-ish once we have to start that routine. We actually had to set the alarm for hubby this week since we were on vacation all last week sleeping until all hours of the morning!

Sleep well wonderous assistant.

Congrats on the grand-niece Sally!
At 21:07 vampi said...: yeah for mutual admiration:) it's clear you both totally get along.

and i totally have towel envy :)
At 21:09 Dragonsally said...: Thanks Fiends.

Quiche, what's this about set hours - you always seem to be at work....

weather alert: Melbourne is trying very hard not to be blown away!
At 21:28 ariandalen said...: Two or three weeks ago there was a report on the local news about 100 or more miniature horses being taken from a woman near Houston. She had something like 160 mini horses and 40 dogs on a couple of acres. The authorities are working with her. Don actually, briefly, considered getting one of the horses; however, we know nothing about their care, plus we'd have to have part of our property fenced. Proper fencing isn't cheap, and we just got new central a/c.

Synchronicity.

My boobies are too small to catch anything. :)
At 21:37 Poindextra said...: Miniature horses are actually fairly low-maintenance. They're not supposed to eat much, just grass and the odd Oats meal (specially in Winter) to keep their nutrients up. Fenced-in yard with enough room to play is useful, as well as a small corrale for them to sleep in outside. They can sleep inside, but it's good to have a mixture of both.

If you do decide to rescue a mini, there are some rescue societies with wonderfully inexpensive adoption fees, and they ensure that their vet care is up to date before you take them into custody.

Miniature horses are WONDERFUL companions, and especially good with smaller children because most of them have a good temperament.

Also, only a couple acres is SO NOT ENOUGH for that many horses, miniature or otherwise.
At 21:38 Poindextra said...: Oh, and they need a salt lick or other type of block for their mineral intake.

Forgot that part.
At 21:55 ariandalen said...: Ariane and Seren start school Monday, with "Meet the Teacher" this Thursday. Believe it or not, Shreveport, LA kids went back to school last week. I get up at 5:30 so I can get the girls up at 6. They have to be ready to leave at 7:15-7:20 so that Don can drop them off at school on his way to work. They aren't in the classroom until 7:50, school's out at 3:10, but they don't get home until 4-4:15 if they ride the bus as our district is small, only 2A, so all ages ride the same bus. Long day.
I've rambled enough.
At 22:11 Jess said...: I should go to sleep, but I'm staring at internets. Stop staring at internets, I says to myself, but I do not.

o_o <-- me

Who had a baby, now? Happy Baby Day.

I can't remember what else we're talking about. Toads. String. Tiny horses. 6:00 am.

Love this song by The Real Tuesday Weld, off this here album. Discovered it on last.fm, can't stop playing it. Makes me sad and happy in equal measure.
At 22:13 ariandalen said...: Poindextra, that's why the animals were confiscated. Basically, the owner hadn't bothered to spay/neuter any of them. I doubt all of the animals will be returned to her care, though my understanding of the report is that some may be but only after they won't be able to procreate.

We have five acres, mostly wooded. We don't have the money to fence even one acre, not to mention build a small barn. There is someone in the community who does horse rescue, as we drive by their property often, so we would have a local support source to call on. The bottom line is that we don't have the money right now.
At 22:24 Poindextra said...: This comment has been removed by the author.
At 22:34 Poindextra said...: 5 acres is quite a lot of land!

My grandmother sits on half an acre, and the lots she owns are worth a pretty penny more than what she bought them for.

Are you in the US? I'm not sure what fencing costs there, but here in Canada, trying to fence my grandmother's yard would be reeeeally expensive.
At 22:56 Beez said...: "Always at work" ARE Quichie's set hours.

Silly.

If she didn't have all that free time (aka The Other 5 Hours) how would she keep up with her hobbies and stuff?

*whistles innocently*
At 23:12 Dragonsally said...: sounds about right Beez!
At 23:32 Wendy Withers said...: ariandalen,

Are you in Louisiana? I thought you were some place exotic. If you are, we should have a mini NOLA Fiendom Come! Also, pretty much all of the schools in NOLA have started, the private schools started last week.

I start school Monday. My advisor is picking my classes out for me tomorrow, since I was just admitted to the program. Both the head of my department and the graduate school lost my paperwork and didn't tell me until last week. My life has been so crazy I don't know if I mentioned that.

Also, the smoked parmesan pasta salad at Whole Foods is divine.

And, I love my new phone. I can post comments with it! My old phone did not do that.
At 23:40 vampi said...: my boobs have their own zipcode 80085*

*muahahaha. i may have had a bit too much wine before posting this.
At 23:42 Ms T said...: Nipping in during a tea break again...*sigh*

Sally, it sounds like some of our weather has been misdirected. I mean why else would our rugby team be known as the Hurricanes? :)And congratulations on the addition to your family!

Hugs to all fiends that are feeling beleaguered - for whatever reason.
At 23:44 Ms T said...: Oh, almost forgot. May I recommend googling "Ministry of Aesthetic Development" for the NZ blogspot site.

Warning: may contain budgie smugglers (translation for non-antipodeans - Speedos).
At 23:49 Na said...: set hours - what? but what a nice bit.

ariandalen, we just gave away a post-hole digger. wish we coulda given it to you, for you to build your own fence. how hard can it be? ;) (utterly kidding)

poindextra, if you don't mind saying, what part of Canada?

'night/'morning, all.
At 23:52 Wendy Withers said...: vampi:

-Insert inappropriate come-on about boobs here.-
At 00:10 Poindextra said...: I'm in the far South, but I'm headed to the UK in September on a school exchange.

I'm hoping to run into a certain fancy author soon after I land >.>
At 00:24 Wendy Withers said...: Poindextra-

Are you in the US-Canada grey area, like the U.P. of Michigan? I spent most of the first seven years of my life as a Yooper. All of my family members are Yoopers. And, people in the South used to mistake me for Canadian (and still do when I say certain works, like bag).
At 00:27 Dragonsally said...: And the man in the very first photo on the blog Ms T sends you too is the man who wants to be our Prime Minister. *shivers*
At 00:43 ariandalen said...: I'm in Texas, between Waco and Temple. Everyone in my subdivision (for lack of a better word) is on at least 2 acres; it's in the deed restrictions. My older brother is currently living in Quinlan, which is near Marshall, not far from Shreveport, which is how I know when their schools started.

Gee, Na, thanks. A post hole digger...yeah, that works really well for the 6" of topsoil, then yards of limestone. Oh, wait! Did you mean a PhD? ;)
At 01:09 Dragonsally said...: Hey, Shreveport - Thats True Blood country!
At 02:49 Poindextra said...: I'm about as far south as you get in Canada. Five-minute borderhop from Detroit, MI.

Some of the visitors we get are so entertaining. >.>
At 05:09 Marjorie said...: that's odd. I thought I'd posted a comment..

Pindextra - which part of the UK are you coming to?

Congratulations, Great Aunt Sally :-)
At 05:14 Siri said...: I'm just saying that 5:00AM is too early for any person to be up.

But, my newspaper is already here. Someone gets up even earlier.

Set hours, indeed.
At 05:45 Phiala said...: 5am is too early, no argument. I do well getting up between 6 and 6:30am as long as I can get to bed by 10 or 10:30pm.

Heh.

This will be a coffeeshop morning - I have a paper review to write. My boss has forbidden working outside the office, so don't tell him please. (On my own time sure, but it doesn't count.)
At 06:33 FabulousLorraine said...: Good Morning my Fiends!

Hmm. That thought was going somewhere and then it sort of fizzed out and died.

May be a COFFEE morning!!!! I have to go out ANYWAY, so what the heck!!!!

Ah, I do live on the wild side. Tea and email first tho.
At 06:34 LihuaEmilyP said...: Vampi - ha. Zipcode.

Jane Eyre is freaking me out. I was stiff in bed last night. Of course, this was after watching "THe Exorcist" for the first time.
At 06:34 LihuaEmilyP said...: Oh HALLO Lorraine, didn't see you there.
At 06:35 Phiala said...: Tea AND coffee? You do like to live dangerously!
At 06:46 FabulousLorraine said...: Well, Mistress, I have two horses to ride this morning. And we're moving Dim to his new home. (Did I mention he is totally for sale? I will do a Horse Post tonight, with Pics!)

Lihua, Jane Eyre does that. You read Wuthering Heights yet? That one always got me. (Might be a different Bronte. Haven't had MUCH tea yet...)
At 06:47 LihuaEmilyP said...: I'm not really one for coffee myself ... if I'm in a restaurant at breakfast I will sometimes ask for a cup of black coffee but nothing besides that ever really appeals to me. Tea be m' thang.
At 06:47 FabulousLorraine said...: And can I just say without naming any names or pointing any fingers that people in ITALY get really long holidays and it's not exactly fair especially if they take off with no internet for a MONTH....

Just saying...
At 06:48 LihuaEmilyP said...: Yes, LOVED Wuthering Heights.
At 06:48 LihuaEmilyP said...: And Wuthering Heights was indeed Emily, not Charlotte.
At 09:23 Jess said...: Heheh, Vampi! Very subtle. :D

I missed 6:00 again. Lousy night. They were having a pool party two doors down and YELLED until about 1:00. Every ten seconds the same girl would go, "WOOOOOO!"

And so on. Good morning, may as well be afternoon.

Does Dim get to keep his customized bridle and nose-cover (I dunno what that part is, other than a nose cover)?

Nathalie says she will return. But doesn't say when. If she's currentgly wherever that picture came from, I'm guessing it'll be a while. She's probably on to whale-taming now.
At 10:07 Poindextra said...: Marjorie - I'm going to Plymouth, where I will be attending school for a year. :3
At 10:07 vampi said...: hmmm, maybe posting with less wine is preferred, so i don't post like beevis and butthad.

:) morning. stressful period at work. i keep telling myself i need to be the peaceful calm sea, but that doesn't seem to be working.
At 10:18 Cecily said...: OK woke up to a LOT of comments...might miss something but here are my important responses.

Vampi, my grandmother's boobs were Triple E's, I am not exaggerating.

Wendy, There are very rarely inappropriate comments on boobs. ;-)

Ok yes, there are other things that are important too, but after having to endure dozens of ass haiku, you'd think we could have given a little more attention to the oh so important boobs. Just saying.
At 10:35 dabbler said...: Quiche, to answer your bee question, I think that two things contributed to our woes. Mark has been feeding them sugar water right along, based on some advice he got from a local bee guru. Then life got over the top busy, and cool/rainy every time he had time so he didn't get out to check them for too long. Sugar water fermented. They stopped making much brood and commenced eating honey.

And, apart from the brief cool rainy spells just when he had time to bee wrassle, we've had something like 40 days over 90F thus far this summer, and very little is blooming. Don't know if that has contributed, but I bet it has. they started out doing great... hopefully they can recover some in the nest few weeks.

All I've got this morning. Today we hand up streetlights, light woodsy paths, and continue to fine tune stage lights.
At 10:36 dabbler said...: Err. that might be hang up streetlights..
At 10:44 Roxanne said...: Speaking of Bengals, I saw this photo today and it really made me smile -- so I thought I would share the cheer:

Bengal Pleads Insanity
At 10:50 LihuaEmilyP said...: Also almost done reading "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", on of the best novellas on the planet. My mother wanted me to watch the film and I said, "Nooooo, of course not! I haven't read the book!" and she was like, "READ IT THEN!"
At 10:57 Chantrelle said...: Man, y'all are chatty!

Tea. That's my morning thus far. Then shower, reading some Magic Tree House to Ben, his friend comes over late this morning and mayhem will ensue. But they entertain themselves so I can get back on the 'puter ;-)

I read Phiala's post about working outside the office as Lorraine's and thought Boss had put some new "set place" instructions after that article came out!
At 11:15 Phiala said...: Nope. Lorraine has an awesome Boss.

I have a bad boss.

My current strategy is to ignore him as much as possible, keep my head down and get my work done.
At 11:24 One Sock Short said...: For three years, I've been telling myself "My boss isn't exactly a micro-manager, but..." Now I'm coming to realize that yes, he is a micro-manager. But at least he's not a complete jerk, like yours Phiala.
At 12:46 Na said...: i am my own boss. i drive myself crazy sometimes.
At 13:11 vampi said...: i work for a bunch of monkeys. they have no concept that if you add new duties, there are going to be questions on procedure, and as manager it's my job to resolve them. i can't delegate that. the people i would delegate to are the ones asking the questions.

also shawshank redemption is one of those movies that if i see it while changing channels i will instantly be drawn in and finish watching. <3 it. i haven't read hte book, what is wrong with me.
At 13:15 Na said...: i've not read the book either, but think it was turned into one of the finest films ever (tho it breaks my heart every time).
At 13:23 AletaMay said...: Two great films from SK's Different Seasons. Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me. I remember so clearly reading the book when it came out and loving it. I also remember not knowing that Stand By Me was based on The Body before seeing it and sitting in the theater as it slowly became clear to me that it was. Fun.
At 13:32 LihuaEmilyP said...: Well, Shawshank is a very short novella.
At 14:05 Pi R Squared said...: Hi everyone...crazy couple of days on this end. And though my boobies are committed, they were incapable of assistance in any of these matters.

Sally--Congratulations on the newest family member...I know this sounds silly, but I just love baby toes!

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books ever!
At 14:07 Jess said...: Okay, pallys: you're the first to know. THE NIGHT GARDEN SHOP IS NOW LIVE.

Did you think I'd forgotten? Did you? Well, I hadn't. So there.

There are only a few things in there now, because they take bloody ages to make. But have a nose around, and think about buying something, eh what? Because if you do, Janet will get money.

Woohoo! We did it. \o/ Peace out.
At 14:16 Cecily said...: Ames I LOVE baby toes and fingers! So freakin' adorable.
At 14:22 Beez said...: There are some crazy-talented Fiends, aren't there?
At 14:41 Jess said...: Did I mention how long making merch takes? Did I mention how my eyes and mouse-hand have been hurting?

:P
At 14:48 Arwenn said...: You rock Jess - everything looks wonderful!!!
At 15:15 Jess said...: I can't tell you guys how thrilled I am to get this thing out there, instead of having it all sit on my hard drive.
At 15:36 spacedlaw said...: Heck, I can dream dreams in which I end up IN a Swan Soup Tureen. Which is normally made to hold swan soup. Does that mean I was dreaming of being a swan?
At 15:36 DataGoddess said...: way behind tick!
At 15:40 FabulousLorraine said...: Gots about 4 seconds here, will catch up tonight!

Hoo Rah! Night Garden! Full of Leopards!!!!! Can't wait to see it! I'll blog it too, unless it's not read for that?

Nathile, you will always be my Swan...
At 15:42 Cecily said...: A great big HIP HIP HUZZAH! for Jess!!!

HIP
HIP
HUZZAH!
At 15:43 Jess said...: It's as ready as it'll ever be, at this point! A shout-out would be most appreciated. :)
At 15:44 Chantrelle said...: Jess kicks some serious ass. She has kept this project moving! I'm pretty sure I have a buried flagged message of stuff to do on the site but i'm a big flake these days apparently!!

Thanks Jess!
At 15:46 spacedlaw said...: As long as I don't have to sing...
At 16:11 Fluffy said...: Stacy's Little Owl is beautiful! So are all the other designs. I'm feeling talent envy here, folks.

And I'm sure Jess's bad case of Zazzle Hand will get better with the proper love and attention.
At 16:12 Fluffy said...: Hi, Nathalie!
At 16:36 bengalgirl said...: THANK YOU Jess!!!!!

You are wonderful and very dedicated to this project that benefits GLBR. This whole group has been just wonderful to us and the humans involved appreciate it and the cats are all purring and kneading.
At 18:11 LihuaEmilyP said...: Yes, Jane Eyre is pretty fantastic ... in a very different way from Wuthering Heights.
At 18:50 Dragonsally said...: *high fives Jess*
You rock, gal.

Nathalie! Heeelllloooo.

I think my new great-niece's name is Thursday Rhapsody. I am trying to get my head around that mouthfull!
At 18:52 Dragonsally said...: Oh, and Na has created another great T'shirt logo
"I'm my own Boss, I drive myself crazy"
At 20:17 LihuaEmilyP said...: Goooooooooooooooo Jess.
At 22:55 Ms T said...: Do you have some Jasper Fforde fans in your family, Sally? :)

(Actually that kind of ties with the Jane Eyre thread too.)
At 23:06 Dragonsally said...: ahhhh, I'll bet I do MsT!
At 23:11 spacedlaw said...: Hi fiends!
And happy firbday month for those of you who had birthdays while I was away!
At 23:12 Dragonsally said...: I've missed you Nathalie. Have you been having a wonderful holiday?
At 23:12 Ms T said...: She's baaaaaack!
At 23:16 spacedlaw said...: Thanks, Sally. It was nice and peaceful (mostly sleep, read, eat and repeat) if a little crowded.
At 00:12 dabbler said...: Oh...I NEED that shirt>
At 01:11 Wendy Withers said...: Jayne Eyre and the black and white movie made out of it have been on my favorite list since I was a little girl.

Just got home from a clothing optional pool. I was excited because I got to show of my beautiful new bra. I was also one of the most clothed people there. It was very relaxing, though.
At 06:40 LihuaEmilyP said...: Sounds about right to me, Wendy ...

HI, NATHALIE!
At 07:02 FabulousLorraine said...: Morning Fiends!!!!!!

Well, I did take pictures for you yesterday but dammed if I had a brain enough to POST them last night. Out like a LIGHT I was. Will try for this afternoon.

I did Tweet the Night Garden, and can't WAIT to talk more about that. Fods, you are a talented, wonderful lot!!!!!!!!!!
At 08:54 vampi said...: jess, is it possible to get the mugs in the bigger size? i like me some mammoth mugs at work for my water and juice.
At 09:29 LihuaEmilyP said...: I haven't even looked at the store itself yet. Off I go ...
At 09:31 LihuaEmilyP said...: I mean I SORT OF did ... a bit ... I don't want to seem neglectful. Again, off I go.
At 09:32 Cecily said...: I have to admit I drink all of my hot beverages out of jumbo mugs. I own "normal" sized mugs...but *I* don't use them.
At 09:52 Jess said...: There's only the one size available at the moment, because I scaled the graphics for the small mug. I'm going to have to do some fiddling before I make the bigger sizes available. So for the present, no. But later, probably.
At 10:10 Jess said...: ...and actually it looks like I can make bigger mug sizes work easily with the same graphic, so maybe sooner than later. But not today: there's something funny up on Zazzle's end, and half the links in the dashboard won't work. So there's nothing I can do for today, unfortunately. But soon.
At 10:21 vampi said...: yeahi was just going to post i was having issues adjusting my cart.
At 10:30 Cecily said...: I can't get the phrase "silence is the harshest critic" out of my head.

*sigh*
At 10:32 vampi said...: jess, does the zazzle back to school poster coupon reduce what glbr gets?
At 11:04 Jess said...: I've no idea. Possibly? I've never done this before. I'd have to look it up. :/

I have the store set up to earn 10-15 percent royalties on individual sales, depending on the product; I set the mugs a bit lower because $17 for an 11 ounce mug seemed ridiculous.
At 11:06 Jess said...: Meant to mention in that last comment: I'm betting that Zazzle's either having server issues today, or trying to quietly update something in the background. So that's why all the weirdness. Usually when this sort of thing happens it helps to wait a few hours and try again.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Again, By Popular Demand, Way Too Many Bengal Pictures...

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