Confessions of a One-Track Mind

This year's gifts have been rather thematic, although most of the givers don't know each other and certainly didn't coordinate a strategy.

It's been a very good year for domestic stuff, such as the slippers and mock-mink throw from Mb and Company. In addition, I can take the C's Publix GC, get a steak and ccok it in the non-stick saute pan from pwcorgigirl, and use one of the Cutco steak knives GK sent to cut it with.. If I make a mess, I can grab a napkin from my new Fiestaware napkin dispenser, also from GK, and for dessert, I have choices: the pecan pie Bea sent home with me, for one, J's homemade chocolate chip cookies, Mb's Ghirardelli bars, or pwcorgigirl's contributions of Australian licorice or the box of Russell Stover's molasses chews.

Yes, it's been a very good year for food! Last night's dinner was good, and then today I attended the C's soiree, where I got a book from AI, in addition to the GC, and had the traditional speciality de la maison: Dekoshered hot dogs*. Was also the recipient of the leftovers, which ought to take care of me for a few days.

I didn't consciously think about it at the time, but the ensemble I wore to the C's---a gold satiny blouse and a velvet leopard print skirt with beaded fringe, just knee-length---are both items that were languishing in my "doesn't fit" pile for the longest time. The shirt was one of a bunch LambiePie gave me to look through---it's the only one I kept, because they were all at least a size too small, and the skirt I got at the Melbourne Goodwill early in my career down there, some four years ago. The skirt tends to ride up, but they looked good together. I looked good, and I'm really happy a) that I could finally wear them, and b) that I actually had some place to wear them to.

Oh, and lest I forget, J also presented me with some household necessities: paper towels, bathroom tissue and trash bags, all neatly contained in a Publix shopping bag. She's also giving me a techno gift that I've wanted---a USB hub, so I don't have eto keep unplugging and replugging my printer, camera, memory sticks, etc.

Tuesday, I have an all-you-can-eat soup/salad/breadsticks lunch at Olive Garden to look forward to. Red and I are going to get together for nosh and schmooze. Seeing movie has been mentioned, but she has no desire to see TRON: Legacy or True Grit, both of which are high on my hit parade, and I haven't asked her about The Tourist bacause I have the impression she doesn't care for Jolie. Those are the only things showing that I have any desire to see; otherwise it's all Oscar dramas, kiddle flicks or idjit comedies. Meh. Still, a hearty lunch of pasta e fagioli with lots of cheese is a perfectly acceptable way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.


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* Dekoshered hot dogs: Start with Hebrew National franks. Split each frank lengthwise, stuff with wedge of cheese. Wrap with bacon. Broil "until they look done". Eat amid happy little moans at the sinful pleasure and try not to think about sodium or cholestrol. Because they're totally worth that AND going to hell. I'm sure Dean Winchester would agree.

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I've had a craving for root beer barrels since July 4th weekend. Trouble is, they were sold out at WalMart (I only go there and to Aldi these days, and Aldi doesn't carry them.) and have been ever since.

Until tonight, when I snagged a bag, and oh yum! Just what I wanted.

Got home to some completely unexpected GOOD news for a change---an email from a friend who sent me what I'm regarding as an early birthday pressie. Between that and Friday's postcards, I am feeling rather less ruffled than I have been. It's a nice change.

And now, off to take a shower. My skin is so salty by the end of the day, sometimes I think I'm going to wake up transformed into a bag of pork rinds---and I don't even like pork rinds! (And I'm trying to be good about salt, since my ankles have been swollen to Clydesdalean proportions.)


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