I still act odd when I talk about my writing. I have no trouble discussing it with my absent readers. I just get shy face to face. Some of us are just better at putting things on paper than saying them aloud. I know that I always think of the right thing to say or do when I have had time to think about it (two or three weeks). I guess I should put that on my list of things to fix.

I had a pleasant lunch with a friend today. We went to Red Lobster where I realized I could never eat food that I had to pick out first. I guess this means I won't be visiting the restaurant at the end of the galaxy. I made this realization as I was observing the living lobsters who were hanging out in the tank behind the greeter. I may have sat there too long because I started to feel rather fond of one of them who was dancing around in the back right hand corner.

The destructive creature inside of me took over the past couple of days. I decided to continue the demolition project that I mentioned months ago. With the incentive that it will be the cozy new home of my fabric and trash that I plan to make into treasure, I have to question why I haven't motivated myself to finish this project faster. I have no excuse for my laziness, so maybe I will force myself to do the last bits of demolition next week.

I have pulled down the paneling on all four walls to reveal scribbles by the previous owners. I saw at least two notations that they hoped no would ever repanel the room. I think they made the wrong wish. I have no desire to repanel the room. I clearly have a desire to never see panelling again. Oh well, the hubby and I need to make important wall related decisions soon. I am hoping we have a paint color in an acceptable shade since we have dozens of half-full paint cans that I would love to find cause to take out of our clutter equation.

My life continues in a slight tangle of desires and projects. This morning, I climbed up on a stepladder and tried to remove some boards from the ceiling. I decided to call it quits for the day after my third near fall. Instead, I worked on removing the old framing from one of the windows. This required all of my caution and patience to avoid breaking more glass.

I managed to shatter a bunch of glasses yesterday during one of my remodeling/organizing ventures. Luckily, the vast majority of them remained intact, but I do still have a bucket of broken glass to deal with at some point. I am voting for trash day. That is always a good day to deal with such items.

I also spent some time pretending I know how to take pictures today. My husband and I bought gifts for his mom, but we are afraid they won't travel well in the mail. Since we aren't sure when we will get a chance to see her again, we wanted to let her at least see her presents so she has something to look forward to. You guessed it, my one viewer of my photo blog will be looking at some of those photos on some upcoming Monday.

Despite having begun to make a dress to add to the Bella Collection that slowly accumulates in my closet, I went dress shopping with my husband again today. Price tags give me heart palpitations. It really amazes me how much a formal dress costs, even when the style is simple. Of course, the dress that caught my eye was not available in a size I thought I could squeeze all my diva qualities into. My husband found the same dress with a shorter skirt for sixty percent of the price of the other. Apparently, an extra foot of fabric is worth an incredible markup.

I also observed that most dresses seem to be cut in such a way that Larry Flynt would think I was seeking employment. Modesty really needs to make a comeback for the mainstream designers. The fashion world would be amazed by the innovative concept of keeping some of the mystery of a woman's body hidden away and all those crazy Latter Day Saint girls wouldn't spend hours looking for a dress that covers all the vital areas without the help of a jacket.

Charles Dickens on Mormons: "Nobody is in an ill temper, nobody is the worse for drink, nobody swears an oath or uses a coarse word, nobody appears depressed, nobody is weeping; and down upon the deck, in every corner where it is possible to find a few square feet to kneel, crouch, or lie in, people in every unsuitable attitude for writing are writing letters."
"Now, I have seen emigrant ships before this day in June. And these people are so strikingly different from all other people in like circumstances whom I have ever seen, that I wonder aloud, 'What would a stranger suppose these emigrants to be!'"

President John F. Kennedy on Mormons: "I speak for all Americans in expressing our gratitude to the Mormon people-for their pioneer spirit, their devotion to culture and learning, their example of industry and self-reliance. But I am particularly in their debt tonight for their successful battle to make religious liberty a living reality-for having proven to the world that different faiths of different views could flourish harmoniously in our midst—and for having proven to the Nation in this century that a public servant devout in his chosen faith was still capable of undiminished allegiance to our Constitution and national interest."

Sharon Osbourne: "One of the first things I bought for the house was a big old-fashioned telescope, which I kept in the living-room area. And the first thing I did every night when I came home was go to the spyglass and look out across the city to the Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Boulevard. On top is a golden angel blowing a horn that glints at sunset. And at night, with the city lit up, it was breathtaking."

June 19, 2011: Unattended Desserts...

should be eaten... by me... The hubby and I took a magical journey into the city. After driving around the same block two times, we finally managed to be in the right lane at the right time. During the journey to get to that goal, we observed morons in their natural habitat. It amazes me how many people think that stopping in the middle of a busy intersection is a good idea. Have we really reached the point where we hold other people completely responsible for our own safety? Our evening of fun and food started with finger food while we mingled. I braved eating pot stickers with my hands, but the idea of eating lamb chops with my hands disturbed me. That might have been motivated by my affection for sheep. I did brave eating an deep fried ball of goat cheese and artichokes. Goat cheese remains as flavorful as I remember. I also find adults dressed for prom to be very amusing. Dinner was much more satisfying to my hobbit sensibilities. We started off with a salad that had unsatisfying croutons, but I supplemented my veggies with the ones from sweetie's plate. Then we got to cleanse our palates with some lemon sorbet. Once again, I lucked into an extra scoop of delicious. I finally understand the meaning of the word tenderloin. The meat was so tender that I didn't miss the steak knife that wasn't provided. Then I had to wait forever to partake of the most critical part of my meal--dessert. They served people who had left the table before me. It was inexplicable and trying to my patience, but I was finally rewarded. The picky man that I love even gave me two thirds of his dessert, so my patience was rewarded. Despite my opening statement, I did not actually eat the food that others decided to waste.

This week has been a bit of a whirlwind for me. Usually, I spend most of my days giving attention to piles of paper, words that I have to squeeze out of my brain, and the shiny box of hypnotized doom. I broke that trend and it has left me weary and desirous of some time alone with my cleaning supplies.

Monday remained pretty standard, but Tuesday found me sitting on my butt at the Subaru dealership. Recalls result in such things for those who own Subarus or their loving spouses. I spent two hours waiting for them to finish with my car. I maintain that they just bumped me back every time someone else came in for a recall because we bothered to schedule extra maintenance. This means that I got to observe some of the other patrons who included the little old lady who wants to chat, the surly kid, the father who smiles apologetically at everyone after he loudly tries to talk to someone who isn't listening, and the woman who has her nose buried in a book but still notices that other people around her. I was fine until the apologetic man began banging around in the cabinets and expressing his displeasure with the availability of coffee to people who can't use the dispenser. He gave off a vibe that annoyed me and made me realize that the other lady who had a nine in the morning appointment had already been released after getting an inspection which included an emissions test.

On the way home, I stopped off at the grocery store which devoured the rest of my morning. I spent the afternoon making the homemade pizza I had promised the man I love and cupcakes that were more like cookies (and still delicious). I reread the original recipe to discover that the ingredient list missed a liquid ingredient that was the crucial difference between a cake and a cookie for me. My taste testers didn't have any complaints.

Today was spent in the company of good friends. A friend and I dropped by Friendly's where I ate more ice cream than I expected to get inside of me today. This was the result of faulty preparation of what I ordered. I almost didn't complain, but I couldn't deal with mint and maple swimming around on my taste buds at the same time. A girl has to have standards. I then got to visit a furry friend of mine who curled up in my lap for the duration of a movie. He might not need to sleep as much tonight.

I foresee cleaning in my future since I have been distracted from that greatness for the past few days. *sigh* The cleaning fairies, gnomes, brownies, and sprites aren't earning their keep.

My insane observational problem keeps popping up in conversation. I don't think I will ever completely understand why I notice bizarre things about the people around me. I also won't know what to do with those observations. My personal aversion to certain styles on certain figures will never gain favor with the world around me, since I am proudly modest. I also know that many of my observations may be considered unflattering even if I think they are adorable. Other observations make me giggle such as seeing a bald gentleman with tattoos driving an older model sedan car into my line of vision. My laughter makes no sense, right?

I got to visit with Princess Camilla again. She may have reached the stage where she loves people only from the safety of her mommy's arms. She is still adorable, so we will forgive her as long as she works through this phase soon. Her mother managed to make the most of the few moments when the princess allowed me to amuse her to accomplish some goals, so all worked out as it should.

I also got to have dinner with my husband at a restaurant that was going above and beyond in their attempts to entertain. The servers were wearing leis and brightly colored shirts. Some of them even wore coconut bras and grass skirts. We also got to watch some other patrons playing volleyball on the patio. I would love to give them points for entertainment, but the patio had better music ;)