holiday lite

Homemade glitter xoxo's, a Trader Joe's wreath, and the most generic, cheapest stockings I could find.

Decorating for the holidays is easy when you will be out of town for 15 of the 31 days in December.  We wanted a tree but knew the cats would be living in it when we got home.  As the temperature outside finally seems to be dropping permanently for the next 4-5 months, I'm really looking forward to our trips to California, Florida, and abroad a cruise ship to the Bahamas.

stripe me a river

Collection of stripes

I love stripes.  Pictured here are seven of my favorite linear tops, all on heavy rotation, not to mention the handful in the dirty laundry.  Even my cat falls into the "striped" category, although in this particular photo you might be mesmerized by her bold white chest.  I'm even registered for striped bedding.  I think a striped car would be pushing the limits of my obsession...but hey, aren't there cars with racing stripes?  I may be onto something...

He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.

{surreal, child like photo of me}

Maurice Sendak is a good penpal. 

Saw this on a few blogs around the web and just had to repost. Children's primal nature is totally rad.

Light up my life

Flowers from Angela, print by Blanca Gomez 

I'm forever blown away by the benevolence of my friends.  Today, awaiting my return on the doorstep of my home, was an aromatic and gorgeous bouquet of roses.  This bundle of flora was the very thing I needed to brighten my rather gloomy week.  Thank you, Angela.  My heart was lifted, despite the tears.

The interview

This afternoon, I endured my first job interview in five years.  Ego-bruising and nerve-wrecking as they can be, I felt blithe and carefree, which is surprising because my heart starts to pound if I even THINK about asking a question during a conference session.  My easy going demeanor was no doubt the result of the job being one that paid $10 an hour and would, in no way, add anything substantial to my resume, and yet, as I shook the potential "boss's" hand, my heart went all a flutter.  Said job quickly became the first place prize I wanted to win and as nervousness washed over me, I classically misspoke, not once, but twice. A stutter here, a mind going blank there, and then it was over.  The cheerleader inside made an attempt at encouragement with some flimsy chants and cartwheels, but I still felt somewhat deflated.  For all I know, I aced the interview and will be receiving an offer tomorrow. But, no matter what happens with this particular job, I can now truly sympathize with the millions of Americans who sit through countless interviews, for jobs they are far overqualified for, only to be rejected time and time again.

Please rain on my parade

At 5am this morning, I was violently awoken from dreams of friends' imaginary engagements, to the sound of howling, gusty winds and rain drops pelting my window.  After the shock of sudden consciousness settled in, I was mesmerized by the heavy weather whipping about my new home.  Rain in California consists of a sky covered in low gray clouds dripping a steady, medium-grade downpour.  Mind you, this only occurs during the winter aka "might be rainy season," depending on if it's an El Niño year or not.  The storms on the east coast are manufactured in a much more intense factory.  Deafening thunder, sky electrifying lightning, and wind to knock your socks off.  I sat on the window sill and observed the storm until sleep beckoned me back to bed where stormy dreams needed a good snuggle.


{Photo credit: me, on another rainy morning}

Ziggy thought of the week

why do I have wait an extra hour for my meals?  my life revolves around my feedings and I don't like waiting.