I wrote this last night around 11ish but didn't post it, so it belongs here: Dear Skyler, one is never ready for doing the dishes. One just rolls the sleeves up and dives in. xoxoxxo P.S., between hash browns and the bathroom, insert washing hands (or do the dishes!) But you probably know that. The teasing over Blagojevich's hair is making me nervous cuz there's no use avoiding the fact that yesterday's haircut left me with a striking resemblance to Mr. Blag's coiffure. Copious amounts of hair gel required to remedy resemblance. The haircutter had a style I've always admired, first seen by me on Julie Christie in "Shampoo," which I told her about. She listened politely but was obviously bored by something so long ago. Haircutter informed me the haircut is called the A-line, long in front, framing the face, short in back. Old-fashioned name is probably just a "bob." In any case, no way would my hair comply. I think the nation is taking this financial meltdown and string of rampant corporate crimes rather well...too well in fact. Just look at how the citizens of Athens register their disapproval, hanging banners from the Parthenon, not to mention Baghdad. Everyone, grab a shoe and let fly. Maybe dangle shoes from the power lines? My wimpy weather report as follows: Rained all day yesterday. Sublime. The plain variety of rain (didn't know there was other kinds before idylls.) Today clear skies, temps in the 40s overnight last night. Tonight expected temps in high 30s. I potted on some rooted cuttings this morning, a Blackbird euphorbia and an anthemis Suzanne Mitchell. The euphorbs love the cool winter temps and look fine all winter. Cindy, I'm so sorry you got snookered into working Saturday. What a Scrooge your boss is! Or possibly just oblivious. One of the stranger things I've seen lately was Elvis Costello interviewing Bill Clinton about his musical influences. Elvis C. has a show on cable called Spectacle. Lou Reed was the previous week's guest. Lou's holding up...barely, but Clinton was a ball of fire as usual, discussing how jazz playing informed his speaking style, etc. Kathy, splurge on really good fruit smoothies. Actually, raspberry margaritas would do, wouldn't they? Sputtering to an abrupt end, waving to all.

I started them in seed starting mix, dipped them in #8 rooting hormone and put them in a bag that burrito size tortillas come in. Don't know if those bags are different than regular zip lock bags but I didn't have the rotting problem that I did when I used the regular ones. I put them on top of the radiator cover (it's well insulated - and acts just like a heat mat.) Then I promptly forgot about them for about three months until I noticed two of the cuttings were blooming in the bags...maybe benign neglect is the answer?

MERRY CHRISTMAS BELIEVER!!! that is hilarious. Are you sure we don't know each other? Could've been me you're writing about. It's time now to have a long winter's nap!!!

You aren't throwing away the relationship ... he is. You are the one being thrown. Sometimes its takes something like this to put it all into focus. You now know exactly what he thinks of you AND your children. After marriage, things usually get more relaxed as far as trying to impress. How does that bode for your future with this man? I know that its not the value of the gifts or the number of gifts, but he could have sat down with you before the holidays and said ... "Lets put our $$ together and make a Christmas list of gifts from the both of us". You are engaged right? One unit? He is still thinking "me" and "her" and not "us". Wouldn't it have been nice for his Mom to receive a gift from her son and the woman he plans to marry.. that he loves? He sounds totally self-centered. I am a the owner of some rental units and I always see these couples come to apply that are "engaged". The woman is always so sincere and committed to the relationship and happy and I can absolutely see the guy hanging on the edge ... like he's waiting for an out or for something better to come along. It scares me because I am the Mother of an almost 18 year old and it would kill me to see my daughter accept that this is all that she was worth ... or worse yet - be so "in love" that she didn't realize she was just the latest cow that was giving the milk free (sorry for sounding crass - but thats what it boils down to- to many guys). I have an Uncle that went through a divorce and vowed never to marry again and he is sticking to his guns. He is 60 years old and I would like to shake him and tell him he's screwing up!!! He has a wonderful woman that loves him so much she glows. She does everything for him out of pure love. They have been engaged for 10 years. He gave her a beautiful diamond ring years ago and I am sorry to say that this all she will get in the way of rings from him. She is a wonderful 45 year old woman, beautiful, giving, loving, sweet, gentle. She wants very much to be his wife and keeps hanging on ... hoping. Sometimes I learn more from watching other people than I do from actually living my own life. Look for this behavior in other people and you will catch yourself wondering why this woman is putting up with this!!! .... and then you will realize you see yourself! I am sorry that this beautiful time of the year has been so sad for you ... but maybe someday in the future you will realize that it actually was the best thing that ever happened to you because it was the first day of a new, stronger you. I've been married for 29 years ... with all of its ups and downs, hurts and joys and I still don't know the outcome of our marriage because I have learned that you can't take any of it for granted... life changes and you have to roll with the punches (except we aren't as limber the older we get). Point of this ramble is ... that you deserve to be really loved. It may hurt. It may take time ... to find the really wonderful person you deserve. Learn from this experience about the kind of man and relationship you don't want and what you really want and deserve. Hugs to you.