One challenge I’m quickly realizing is how to deal with Jeff-less weekends. Last weekend was my first one alone, but I didn’t really mind too much – I was so wound up from the Big Event and other work-y changes that I welcomed a three-day break to do nothing but knit and plow through the Netflix queue.
It also won’t be an issue for many upcoming weekends – I’ve got assorted friends coming into town, travel plans of my own, and other goal/deadline-oriented tasks to keep me busy.
But this weekend? This one’s really messing with me. By all accounts, today should be a “normal” Saturday: Jeff and I would run some errands, do a little light housework, and catch a movie or spend the night in. But now I’m faced with the prospect of doing this all without my other half (Other Half, BTW, is having his own relaxing day in his tiny sublet apartment in DC. He’s earned it!). So, like I always do when left alone, I’m finding ways to fill the time. Maybe not the most productive ways, but ways.
In just a minute here I’ll throw on some yoga pants (which means that yes, right now I am blogging sans pants. SINCE YOU ASKED.) and take Roxie on a nice long walk, then I’ll hit up Craft-o-Matic. After that, a pedicure and a long-needed grocery run. Then home to my Netflix and knitting. Which I guess isn’t a bad way to spend a Saturday alone, is it?
I’ll never be one of those people who can find joy in solitude. Jeff and I both agree that our favorite way to be alone is be alone together, reading books at Starbucks or just zoning out with laptops on the couch. But I’m trying to appreciate the opportunities that this summer affords: like blogging pants-less, indulging in a grande frappuccino, and trying on every damned shirt in Target if I wanna.
And don’t forget the knitting. Oh, the knitting!
Do you enjoy spending time alone? What’s your favorite way to fill the hours?
I’m not gonna let myself go down a black hole of self-pity. So I’ll just say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone for your kind comments re: Othello. It’s weird not having the little bugger around, sleeping on my head and knocking shit off tables and doing his best little Oliver Twist impression at the food dish (I never did get him one of those slouchy tweed caps…).
Jeff left on Sunday, early in the morning – I drove him to the airport at 5:30. His flight didn’t leave ’till 10:00, but I was just ready to be rid of him.
OMG, Y’ALL. Kidding. KIDDING.
He did leave at 5:30, though. And then I kept busy all day, with important tasks like publishing a Wikipedia page for my boss, buying a maxi skirt at Nordstrom Rack (woot!) and making baked beans.
I can hear your jealousy from way over here. Tone it down a bit, eh?
Sunday night was a work potluck to celebrate the end of the school year, and to be a send-off for my boss (who’s spending the next year at his home far from St. Louis.). That was really nice, and also served to help distract me from the empty(ish) house waiting for me. I ate grasshopper cheesecake, which was so good that I almost died. Seriously, I just about plowed face-first into that fucker. It wouldn’t have been pretty.
Roxie’s not adjusting to the changes well. A friend pointed out that Roxie and Macbeth are probably thinking, “OMG first Mommy gets rid of Othello, now she gets rid of Daddy. AM I NEXT?!?!”. And when you’re my pea-brained puppy, this fear and anxiety somehow – inexplicably – translates to a compulsion for anal gland expression. REPEATED anal gland expression. WTF? Fucking disgusting. (Though at least it’s always been in her kennel or on the tile.) My poor, disgusting, confused baby. She doesn’t know what the hell is going on.
Macbeth is holding a grudge against me. He’s become fond of sitting just out of arm’s reach, glowering at me and repeating “You’re not Daddy. You’re not Daddy. You’re not Daddy.” I can hear it.
(And no, it’s not time to call the nice men in white coats. Yet. I’ll let you know.)
Here was last night’s exhibit, while I was trying to read before bed:
If that’s not a cat with a grudge, then I don’t know what is. Little beastie.
In other news, I was forcibly enrolled in a yoga class. I’m sure we’ll all share a hearty laugh about that one someday.
But all that really matters is, T-minus 1 week until the end of the yarn diet. I may not ever finish the 29-day countdown (I know y’all were just waiting to see a photo of me scrubbing the toilet), but at least it has been a good distraction these past couple weeks.
I figure that once I start getting “where are you, Kate?” emails not only from friends and regular commenters, but also from lurkers (<3 you, lurkers!), then it’s probably time to post again.
The problem is – without sounding like a self-indulgent, whiny little bitch – that I’m really not having a wonderful go of it right now. Othello is sick: getting skinnier every day but still purring as loud as ever and clawing our faces to bits while we sleep. I don’t know if he’ll be around by the time Jeff leaves for the summer. I’m not really feeling terribly motivated to do much besides sit and watch Office reruns and knit plain stockinette socks and eat Trader Joe’s granola cookies.
I’m rather off on the whole St. Louis thing as well, and am more than ready for the next chapter (as long as the next chapter doesn’t involve this odd little apathetic city)
It’s pretty much going to suck ass when Jeff leaves (for his summer legal internship in DC), too. That, coupled with the inevitable summer slowdown at work, means I expect to spend a bit more time mentally at loose ends. Hopefully that will hopefully translate into increased bloggy productivity.
On the bright side, I’m really excited to go visit him in June, and we’ve got a lot of fun stuff planned before then. And after then. I’m going to keep busy, and it’ll be awesome (surely the end of the yarn diet will help).
It’s not all crap, though. Really. I’ve got some cool stuff in the works. Ink and extra holes, lots of cycling, and yarn, maybe some more furniture restoration, adventures with my faithful goggie, and even some cool post ideas.
Until then, though, I’ll leave you with some music that I’ve really been enjoying lately. As anybody in my office suite can tell you, I’ve had the iPod glued to my ears pretty much all day. When the new stuff takes too much out of me, I’ve even taken a brief foray back into my murky musical history by revisiting Pink Floyd. I’m pretty much one step away from digging out the duct-tape purse and Sharpie’d up Converse high-tops. Makes me want to stretch out on the bedroom floor, light an incense, and wake up just in time for dinner.
As I’m pretty sure you’re already acquainted with The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon, I’ll share some non-60’s-psychedelic music.
Brandi Carlile is pretty much the anti-Pink Floyd, but only in the best way.
I’m seriously late to the party, here. But I’ve finally given her a listen, and I’m thoroughly smitten. Her album The Story is quickly becoming my soundtrack for spring 2011, much as Josh Ritter’s Hello Starling owned summer 2008, Chuck Prophet’s Age of Miracles took autumn 2009, Jason Webley’s Only Just Beginning had spring 2010 and (as you all know)Nick Cave’s Good Son filled winter 2010/11.
Another new-to-me find is Kate Rusby, and her album Underneath the Stars. This is one that’s going to live in my collection for a long time, and be appreciated for a long time, I can tell. It’s just pure goodness.
This next one’s a bit different, but if you liked my Amanda Palmer / Evelyn Evelyn recommendations, you’ll probably ❤ Vermillion Lies too. Takes creepy cabaret to a whole ‘nuther level: an awesome level. Separated by Birth is my favorite album, but it’s also the most “safe” and mainstream, IMNSHO.
I’m pretty sure that’s what it would sound like if Jeff ever let the crazies escape my brain. Let’s hope that never happens.
Now we’re getting really mainstream here (omg someone take away my unwanted hipster cred!), but I’m also loving Metric. LOVING.
Fantasies is like medicine. Take enough and I feel happy and energized. Take too much and I feel frantic and nervous. You gotta be careful. It’s an album that wants to be listened to, not just one for background music.
Here’s a really new discovery: Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. I didn’t even have to listen to know I’d love their stuff – having the Guthrie name was good enough to me.. But then I listened – just to make sure – and it’s a win.
I mean, how could Arlo Guthrie’s daughter, singing with her husband, not be awesome? It’s pretty much physically impossible. Exploration is a fantastic album, though I think it’s best heard as soundtrack to a road trip (who’s up for one?)
I’ll end this little list by coming back full circle, with another great folk artist: Pete Droge. This song was my gateway drug:
I first heard it in the most unlikely of places: a Toyota commercial. No, really. And now I’m smitten. So, thank you Toyota. (Err…I mean, thank you, Pete.) Under The Waves is on permanent rotation for me, now.
Remember how onTuesday I talked about that yarn diet?
Well, I had to get a “last hurrah” before submitting to the misery, right?
On Saturday at Green with Indie, Rachel showed me the lovely Cecchetti she’s knitting out of her super-awesome cotton slub, and told me that I could knit one for myself from just two or three skeins of the stuff.
How could I resist?
That color is so hard to photograph! It’s a gorgeous mild olive shade, called – logically enough – “Olive You.”
I can’t wait to cast on!
(photo from Ravelry, (c) Jamie and Travis Dixon)
Soon, my pretties. Soon. Just need to finish up my time-sensitive WIPs first.
PS> 5 days into the diet and I’m still alive! Just 360 more to go! ::pause:: ::sob::
On Thursday night I attended the super-awesome Shakespeare Festival with Jeff’s mom and cousins.
I brought along lemon bars.
We ate lemon bars.
It was a good time.
(not just because of the lemon bars)
(though I’m sure they helped)
And because it’s Saturday, and because I just bought yarn, and because I have a tomato in my garden, and because I’m procrastinating on starting dinner, tonight I shall share the recipe with you.
You can thank me later.
Specifically, after you make them.
Because you will make them.
That’s an order, Private!
Coconut Lemon Bars
by: Kate’s Dad
Crust:
1/2c softened butter
1 1/3c all purpose flour
1/4c sugar
1/3c shredded coconut (toasted, if you’d like)
Filling:
2 eggs
3/4c sugar
2T all purpose flour
1/4t baking powder
3T lemon juice (FRESH SQUEEZED!!!!)
1/2c shredded coconut (toasted, if you’d like)
powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350* F. Combine crust ingredients using pastry cutter and hands, until well mixed. Press into ungreased 8 x 8 x 2 pan. Bake at center of oven for 15-20 minutes, or until brown at edges.
Combine all filling ingredients and mix well. Pour filling over pre-baked crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until set. Cool slightly; sift powdered sugar over bars.
Store, covered, in refrigerator.
You might as well go ahead and make a double batch (I use a 9×13 pan then – they’re slightly thicker bars then, too); they’re sure to go quickly.
Jeff left yesterday at about 4:00pm. As he walked out the door, he told me to put on a movie and knit and relax and be happy.
At 4:15 I stopped crying, and took the dog outside for potty.
At 4:16 I came back inside, chose Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and sat down to knit a dishcloth or two and watch a nice relaxing movie.
At 4:17 I looked around the living room, and noticed it was was a bit messy.
From 4:17 to 8:30, I deep-cleaned the living room, the dining room, our bedroom, and the kitchen. I vacuumed under furniture, scrubbed the walls, shined the kitchen sink, and even organized my giant pile o’ shoes.
…maybe Jeff’s time in Columbia will be good for both of us? Or if not for us, than for the house 😀
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