The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected

I am a little depressed. One of my best friends in the world who used to live a nearby 400 miles away, decided that she wanted to stretch the boundaries of our friendship and move to Kansas. Yes, you read correctly, Kansas. The land of tornadoes, wicked witches, and miles of boring scenery. I have to be honest, it was not completely her choice to move, and definitely wasn't her choice to move to Wichita Kansas of all places but I am still going to loathe in my own self pity now that she is gone.

I felt it necessary to pay homage to my friend and her transitionary, former home of Newnan, Georgia. I will start off by listing my Top Ten Reasons why I love Raven and then follow up with my Top Ten Reasons why I loved Newnan. This is done in part because I am heartbroken about her being so far away, as she was geographically the closest friend I had from my former life. When I made my final call to her home on Saturday - what i heard was brutal and nearly drew me to tears- "the number you are trying to reach has been disconnected". The largest reason why I am doing this is because I know it will make a few people laugh.

Why I love her...
1. She is honest.
2. She is brilliantly smart.
3. She has a deeper southern drawl then my own.
4. She uses phrases like "higher the cat hair" in reference to price inflation.
5. She uses the phrase "is that any count". Kentucky slang for " is that of any account".
6. She lived with me and didn't kill me.
7. She is so Raven.
8. She will always be the point of reason when you need it but at the same time tell you "it's okay to be unreasonable" when you just want to be a bitch.
9. She knows the pain of a new, wierd family.
10. She makes me laugh.

Why I loved her Newnan Home.
1. It was half way to Kentucky and provided a great overnight stopping point.
2. It was out in the middle of nowhere but at the same time close to Atlanta.
3. The in-law suite.
4. The keeping room. I mean come on, who else has a keeping room?
5. The deck.
6. We had fun there.
7. Great Yardsales!
8. Good shopping and good food.
9. Downtown was great.
10. I could drive there in 4. 5 hours.....

Delicious....

Pumpkin Bread from Real Simple, November 2006.

Find the recipe here

http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1548531

Bill Oh i am full of crap' Reilly on Oprah

Yesterday, in an attempt to win my battle with a week long migraine, i headed to a small spa for a short massage. The massage was super and being the push over consumer, i bought myself several recommended products to enhance my own little relaxing environment at home. I shut off the lights, put a hot herbal wrap on my neck, and put some lavendar balm on my temples and eyebrows, ready for a late afternoon nap.

THEN THERE WAS BILL O'REILLY.

What a way to completely screw a relaxing afternoon. For some reason, out of complete stupidity, i flipped on the tube. There he was, sitting by Oprah, yelling out to the audience that America is being overcome with secular progressivists, and that traditionalists will win the cultural war. The most absurd and one of his reoccurring points - fox news tells the truth, it is one of the most reliable news sources around and anyone who thinks other wise is FOX NEWS HATER. Reality and truth in the media is kind of a thing of the past isn't it ? I would say the notion of telling the truth on tv lasted about 12 months, and then everyone went out and bought a television.....

Surprising note, during the whole hour long show there was not one mention of his sexual conundrum.

Welcome friends that I do not know..

DALYA- thanks for your comment on my halloween treat post.

If you are reading my blog right now- tell me who you are, where you are, and how you found my blog.

A Treat from the Massage Parlor...

Love this new Vera B. pattern. Maybe a little less grandma then the others????

Ten on Tuesday on Thursday Evening: 10 WORST Halloween Treats

1. Apples
2. Raisins
3. Those wierd candies in the black and orange wrappers
4. Pixie sticks- ( they break!)
5. Off brand suckers
6. Pencils
7. homemade treats that are suspicious
8. vegetables
9. vienna sausages
10. rocks

Owl on a wire

Hoooty Hoo Earrings.

Again with the Owls

In the spirit of Halloween and my acute obesession with owls these days, i thought this Owl Sake Set was perfectly appropriate. I will get back into posting more lovely things this week.

This I absolutely adore. Available at Anthropologie.com

Do you like the new look?

Leave your thoughts in my comments section.

Ten on Tuesday on Thursday - Top 10 Halloween Costumes

1. It was 1984 and I was E.T. This was my favorite costume of all- it was handmade by my mother- I had huge feet, huge fingers, and a beautiful red heart. She made the costume from a MCCall's pattern and bought a mask to match. It was awesome!!!

2. The various versions of witch costumes I wore over the course of my childhood.

3. A shower. A college friend make a circular shower rod that hung a curtain around his body - equipped with a shower head sticking up and out over his head.

4. The Black Eyed Pea.

5. Hannibal Lecter - accompanied by Clarice of course.

6. Carrie

7. Static Cling

8. George W. Bush (funniest and the scariest)

9. Road Sign - Speed Hump Ahead

10. Jason- the plastic mask will freak me out every time.

Question of the day...

What is the difference between the word "sex" and the word "gender"?
Think hard.

Conversations with Amanda, a photomontage

"Hello Mr. Goodyear, I am Amanda, best known for my witty banter. How can you help me with my current automotive misfortune?







"what ? what do you mean it is going to cost $700?"

"It's a good thing you were joking. I
don't have $700 for
automotive emergencies..
my savings are reserved
for handbag purchases only."

Anyone want to read a book collectively?

As if I need another "thing to do" in my life - I am thinking of starting a little bookclub- online of course. If any of my loyal readers would be interested let me know. I know atleast two of you have mentioned it, I think it would be so much fun and a little bit easier then other circles that meet face to face. In my head this is how I imagine it might work - From your input and a few carefully placed criteria we would choose a book - the doors are open here, non-fiction, biographical or fiction, anything works.

As the moderator of the group, we can use my blog as a place of discussion through the use of the comments feature. We can choose one day of the week to log onto to the blog and place comments or questions for discussion. I will try to do my research and find questions or study guides for the book we choose.

Who is up for this fabulous adventure ? I would like to have the group organized and ready to read by October 31st. Also the group should have it's own name.... send me your suggestions.

Ten on Tuesday - 10 favorite Childhood Books

1. Owly
2. Charlotte's Web
3. How to Eat Fried Worms
4. Freckle Juice
5. James and the Giant Peach
6. Ramona the Pest
7. Hatchet
8. Maniac Magee
9. The Velveteen Rabbit
10. That Dog!

Don't forget to post yours in my comments.

Mexican Pizza

Last night I made Mexican pizza for dinner with homemade quacamole and Mexican sundaes for dessert. It was all very good- I am normally not such a huge Rachel Ray fan but this time both of her recipes scored big points at our house.

The Mexican Pizza was made with two jiffy cornbread mixes and a handful of frozen corn. I mixed it according to box directions and then poured it into a hot skillet. I let the bread cook in the skillet for about 4 minutes and then threw it in the oven. I browned 1 pound of ground chicken (she used ground sirloin) and added one medium onion, lots of chili powder and lots of cumin, salt and pepper too. I then pulled out the cornbread with about 10 minutes left to cook. Added the ground chicken on top, then fresh onions, fresh bell pepper, black olives, tomatoes, and finally two cups of shredded cheddar. I returned it to the oven for 10 more minutes. Served with sour cream, quac, or taco sauce - this meal was a hit and very very filling.

Sundaes - Coffee Ice Cream, add chocolate sauce, then peanuts, then whipped cream, then more nuts with a dash of cinnamon. What makes them Mexican? Not totally sure of this but I think it has something to do with the flavor of cofee and cinnamon together. Either way - delicious!

I am alive and well

Help me out friends! Leave your thoughts in my Comments please. I am dying to know what you think about my battle with the friendship blues.

Here's the deal-

I have this friend, I met him at church.....
I have decided that he is a bit full of himself and quite narcissistic. At one point, i enjoyed spending time with him and chit chatting, but now I can't quite stomach the conversations. He has quite a narrow view on life and seems to take joy in making others feel like less. I have just decided he isn't the type of friend I want to spend too much time with anymore.

so, the question of the day is - How do you un-friend and un friendly friend?

Keep in mind, I don't want to make any enemies.