Last night, at a Valentine’s party held my some friends of mine, I got a text from Auntie Heather wishing me Happy Tea Party Day. I had completely forgotten that in previous years, in an act of rebellion, we had deemed February 14th Tea Party Day, and actually had a tea party. That was back when Tea Party meant china cups and finger sandwiches, not crazy people with misspelled signs (edit: I’m being intentionally bombastic and inflammatory with that statement- have lots of conservative friends, and have been called out for this already this morning! I’m leaving the edits up as a testament to my flawed humanity- as if the rest of my life wasn’t already…😉 )
Hey, so when you’re in line behind a mother at the grocery store and she’s paying with food stamps, try really hard to keep from insisting she prove her desperation to you, a perfect stranger, because you’re offended that she has a cell phone along with her food stamps. Chances are, she’s keenly aware of her situation, and yeah, sometimes there are people who scam the system, but mostly? The people getting assistance need and qualify for it. My mom keeps me on her family-plan, incidentally, so I can have my cell phone. Does that answer your question, asshole?
Soooo ready for spring and some warm, yellow sunlight. Maybe I just need some vitamin D. We are closer to spring now than winter has left… happy.
July used to be my least favorite month, but February might be replacing it. Living in the Pacific Northwest changes a person’s perspective- in California, I would have daffodils, narcissus, freesia and jasmine blooming in my yard by now. Here? I’ve got soggy bark, matted winter lawn, and the tiniest hinting of the crocus tips thinking about sprouting. Does it make it sweeter that I have to wait for them? I tell myself that, but it’s bunk. I miss jasmine with a palpable ache right about the middle of February. Hello, longing.
Must hit the gym today. Must hit the gym today. Must hit the gym today. Speaking of, my good friend  who’s a runner gave me a present the other day- my first Under Armor. I. am. in. love. This stuff rocks! She got it in reflective white, so that when I run at night I’m actually safe and visible. It’s soft and tight and I love love love wearing it. She also got me a clip on light and a whistle, which Bean promptly commandeered. The light is pink. I have some awesome friends.
Almonds are my current favorite food in the world, just in random information. Well, that and cheese. Always cheese. Picked up some Beecher’s Reserve this weekend- it’s a Seattle-made cheese, and you should totally get some. Also, Humboldt Fog, which is always exemplary. Go forth, caseophiles.
School is harder this quarter, but I’m pulling a 92% in both my night classes. The one I’m actually worried about is a stupid online class in humanities I picked up, but it’s a music class and I didn’t realize the time commitment listening to all that stuff would be. I’m behind, and am going to have to cram to fit performances in. Not thinking well when I picked it- not a good class for a single mama with childcare issues. It’s the smallest pebbles that irritate the most.
A friend treated me to a movie this weekend, and we saw The Social Network. Surprised at how much I enjoyed it- and it made me homesick for Palo Alto. But I’m a snob that way. Can one be a welfare-queen and a snob? Welcome to my dichotomous world.
Bean and Abby are watching old-school Underdog. It’s awesome, and makes me feel about 7 again.
Anyone else had bebimbap before? I simply adore bebimbap, and had a spectacular version the other night. If you don’t know, bebimbap is a Korean hot-pot dish. Giant stone bowls are heated in the oven until they are screaming-hot, then lined with rice and filled with vegetables and meat and topped with a fried egg. The heat from the stone bowl cooks the veggies, and creates this divine crust on the rice, if you can be patient and wait before stirring it when the waiter delivers it to your table. I have a very hard time being patient. Gastronomic heaven though, if I can restrain myself.
The other day, I found a map store. Yes, an entire store of nothing but maps. Old maps, new maps, maps of the moon, venus, the new old world, science fiction maps, fantasy maps, topographical maps, relief maps, star maps. It was geek heaven.
Today’s nail polish name: Tie the Knot, a gunmetal grey with a deep pearl shine. Somehow, the knot-tying this color evokes are not wedding bells. Love it.
I really, really need some new music on my iPod. Speaking of, I have a huge new crush on Mumford & Sons. Someday I’m just going to learn to listen to Mo. She’s been talking them up for a long time. Them, and the Dropkick Murphys, who I also adore. Any other recommendations?
Bean is wearing my pink fluffly bathrobe around the house this morning. Only his head is through the armhole, because he says he likes it tight on his face. Okay then… onward and upward.
Dandelion Mama 
I so agree with not looking at people and judging them! You just do not know what is going on in their lives at that moment. Even people using food stamps in the line in front of you have feelings that can be hurt easily and reasons for being where they are. Judging – bad! So – “crazy people with misspelled signs?” Really? Just sayin…
Yeah, sorry about that… need to eat my own hat on that one? I’m showing my liberal California roots there. 😉 I was being bombastic.
I’ve thought this almost every time I have read one of your posts over the last year or two: thanks for keeping it real. Thanks for sharing the heartache and the happiness and the stuff that’s in-between the two. My little family is going through some of the same things that yours is (including a recent PDD-NOS diagnosis for my 3-year-old), and it is nice to not feel so alone. I wish I had the ward that you do, that’s for sure — they sound amazing! To avoid rambling, I’ll end here, but I just wanted to know that your blog is appreciated by this gal on the east coast. 🙂
Oh BeBimBap, how I love thee. My husband served his mission in Seoul and I am so grateful that he introduced me to their cuisin. Jap Chae is also another spectacular dish but nothing compares to a BulGoGi feast!
Sorry about the judging thing – some days I wonder if people’s heads are screwed on too tight. Who says crap like that. Makes me want to slap someone.
Music recommendation – The Boxer Rebellion. May be old news to everyone else but I just discovered them and they are fantastic. I also have a new love in Mumford and Sons – love it when I get new music love! Also loving Muse and Band of Skulls, among others.
Random crap is my favourite ….
I love to read your blog. I enjoy your writing style and I find you inspiring. I am also a tea party member. Your implication that someone like me would judge your use of food stamps paints me with the same broad brush assumptions that you didn’t like.
Yes, Colee- I totally got called to the mat on that already, which is why I put the edit up. I own my own stupidity and left it up for transparency. 😉
Hey – nice of you to own up. Not a problem – we all are quick to judge others occasionally. I also love to read your writing and I so feel for you with the things you’ve been going through. I truly am happy when you write of the good things you have going for you – and there are mountains of good things with some not-so-good thrown in. I appreciate that you don’t whitewash it all.
Just reposted the paragraph about the cell phone a food stamps on facebook. I adore your blog.
Did I ever tell you about how i started dressing down to go grocery shopping? Yup, sucks.
I love almonds, and dislike judgmental people, though I recognize that we all fall into that unintentional trap at times…
I am also ready for spring. Two weeks after our massive blizzard, with mostly bright sunny days, and we still have tons of snow. The sun lightens my heart, but makes me pine for spring even more.
What was the person at the store going to do about it anyway even if you were scamming? Take the food stamps away from you? Oh, please. People need to just mind their own business. I had no pride about using Medi-Cal but I wasn’t ashamed of it either. It was something we needed and we used it unapologetically until we didn’t need it anymore. Eventually your time will come, too. Sooner rather than later for your sake, I hope.
Did I ever tell you about the Intro to Opera class I took my first year of college? I had a list of about 50-60 operas I had to watch and learn to recognize from music, sets, costumes, and/or storyline. They were only available at the sci-tech library which was only open until 10:30 (Really? For college students the latest you can stay open is 10:30?). I went to classes all morning, had rehearsal all afternoon until at least 5:30, then I still had to either work or perform. Tell me, when was I supposed to watch 50 operas that are several hours each when I have a max of two hours per day to do it? Luckily the rest of my homework could be done any time of the night at home but I pulled a C+ in the class and was just grateful to have passed. I feel your pain on the music class required listening front.
Yeah, I had no idea the time commitment was going to be so intense. I’m just hoping I can wing it on some of them and actually pass at this point. There goes my 4.0. Over a music class… sheesh.
Just letting you know that you were the first nominee in the Mormon Momma Best LDS Female Solo Blogger of 2010 contest! Good luck! 🙂
And yes, I’m a tea partier, but I won’t judge you for that. 😉
Thanks, AMS. That’s cool!
Music classes are NOT an easy “A” by a long shot. They take a lot of time – maybe you can drop that one still?
Sorry about the judgmental jerk.
I don’t judge people who pay with food stamps. I judge people who try to pay with expired coupons for things that are not the actual things they are buying. Especially if they have cell phones and are trying to text somebody whilst paying with expired and irrelevant coupons! Grrrrr…
(No, that’s never actually happened, but if it did, holy crap, there would be Judgment.)
I’m pretty sure my MIL would object to me joining a tea party because Mormons shouldn’t appear to be endorsing beverages like that.
I really enjoy reading your blog.You can try Project Trio on itunes. They have some wild and crazy instrumental music. Of course I am biased since I am the mother of the flautist. You can check out the crazy you tube videos by keying in flute beatbox. (I payed for a master in music degree for him and he plays beatbox…..)
I mean paid…guess I should read what I write before posting.