Archive for March, 2003
Had a lovely time in the city. N and I stayed at the Omni on Michigan Avenue and went to dinner at Hugo’s Frog Bar, where we went on our honeymoon. Amanda met us there and took us out to some bars at Rush & Divison – Bootleggers, Shenaningans, The Original Mothers, and Bar Chicago. Good times. Instead of going to the class in the morning, we relaxed at the hotel – I took a bath and Nate slept. We went to IKEA on the way home – got fun things like a tart pan and tea lights and a beach sheet that I’m going to make into curtains. We stopped at World Market in town – it’s not the mecca of groceries, as she described it, but it is pretty damned cool.
N’s parents had an open house to celebrate their renovations – the house looks really nice. I felt kind of stupid because I didn’t know A LOT of the people there, so it was nice to have Sarah and Joe with us. Joe and Sarah came over later – N shaved Joe’s head – and Steph joined us for movies and pizza. It was so good to see her.
March 29th, 2003
So we’re not going to NoMI. It was going to be $120 for the two of us to go to a demonstration. No lunch, no actual hands-on cooking. Just a demo. That’s waay too much money. So instead we’re going to go to dinner, crash at the hotel, relax a bunch, then go to IKEA on the way home. I’m bummed about the cooking class cos I was really looking forward to it – but it just isn’t worth the money.
Also, the two glorious weeks of no work and being in training have been cancelled. Instead I will work all next week, then be in training a day, work a week, then be in training a week. What a freaking mess!
OK. Two more hours of work, then WEEKEND.
March 28th, 2003
Why I’m glad the Oscars went on as planned: because, like Nicole Kidman said, art is important. In light of the 24 hour, all war all the time coverage, it’s important to celebrate beauty. It’s important to celebrate and recognize those who have inspired us. The $30,000 (rumored) gift baskets are a bit much – but I don’t resent the people behind the Oscars for distracting me for a couple of hours, for giving me something fun to think about.
Oh, and Adrien Brody.
March 26th, 2003
Tonight Eva & Catherine joined us for dinner, along with Dan & Jen. We had Shrimp in Coconut Sauce, a salad, and her raspberry bars. It was lovely – and I liked having people to dinner. Everyone left around 9, and I took a long bath.
March 25th, 2003
Would it be terrible of me to create an award to give to Adrian Brody so he will kiss me?
Umm, yeah, I think so. Oh well. It was an idea….
March 24th, 2003
So here I am at the house of winds. I decided awhile ago that when my site started getting in the excess of 200 hits per week, I would buy my own domain. So I did. Welcome to the House of Winds. For those of you who have this site bookmarked or linked, please update your links to http://www.houseofwinds.com. Thank you.
Watched the Oscars last night while reading the paper and making cards. SO happy about Nicole Kidman’s win, though I think she was almost more deserving last year. She was – luminous – as Virginia Woolf. I was so anxious about her playing my beloved Virginia – but when I saw her I just gasped. She was her – and wasn’t. And the scene in the train station was exactly what I imagined. At the same time, I’m glad The Hours didn’t win for best picture – it was remarkable – but not entirely what (I believe) Michael Cunningham intended. Catherine Zeta-Jones was absolutely radiant – let’s hope she doesn’t name this one Oscar. :) Adrian Brody nearly made me cry. I was so happy for him. And Eminem and Roman Polanski – WOW!!!! Who saw those coming?
Lovely weekend. Friday night we grilled out at Chuck & Michelle’s – Saturday I cleaned and had a fabbo Stampin Up party. Spent too much money on stamps and other goodies, but got 3 sets free and $45 in free stuff, so that’s not too bad.
Yes, I’m avoiding the war. I’m actually avoiding all coverage that I can. I watched some of the “Shock and Awe” show Friday night – and it was all I could do to keep from crying. Cait had some really sage and intelligent things to say about it the other day. And pray for peace – peace and a swift return of those who love us and whom we love – of those fighting for freedom, for the country we love. Whatever your feelings about the war – you can still pray for peace.
March 24th, 2003
I feel kind of weird blogging in the morning.
Thought for the day: veggie sausage is best when consumed within the month when it was purchased. I pulled the last two links out of the freezer for breakfast and they’re like eating small sticks. Yuck.
Are compassion and sympathy values our society no longer, well, values? I know the answer is no – I have had too many emails and comments since Carol’s death for me to believe otherwise. Sarah, Dan, Heidi, Ursula, Amanda, Eva, Ada, Krist & Erika, Jen and more have emailed me or left comments that give me hope. It’s just so frustrating to deal with inconsideracy and lack of compassion. I’m not asking you to change the world, to bring back Carol, to fix my friends’ lives when they have problems – all I want is “I’m sorry” or “that sucks” or “Ouch.” I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Carol’s funeral was hard. Hard. I haven’t been to a funeral in years – and then it wasn’t someone as dear to me as she was. Her best friend from grade school talked about what a gift she was to all of us – how every good thing is a gift from God and that Carol was really a treasure. She talked about how Carol’s faith permeated every aspect of her life – how she just radiated the love of Christ. It’s so true. Carol was the best witness I’ve ever seen.
But I think the hardest part of the funeral was seeing Roger. He’s in his 70s now and has ALWAYS been just filled with life and enthusiasm and cheer. Yesterday he looked broken. And that, more than anything, made me weep.
March 19th, 2003
So it is war then.
March 19th, 2003
It is cool and crisp outside – and delicious as we have all the windows open. That’s the funny thing about early spring – no matter how cool it is, it’s warmer than snow so everyone has the windows open. Yesterday I made a sandwich and sat out on the porch so I could absorb the sun and warm.
Carol’s funeral is today. I’m going in to work early – in about 10 minutes – then leaving at 10:40 to go to the church. Jen is coming with me, which will be nice. It’s good when you don’t have to be brave by yourself.
And thank you, all, for your tremendous compassion and thoughtfulness at this difficult time. Your emails really do mean the world to me.
March 18th, 2003
Carol passed away tonight. It was an easy passing – apparently. She didn’t suffer much in the end. It’s hard to be really sad right now cos she was in so much pain for so long.
March 13th, 2003
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