I like this blog voting thing. I am going to do this more often.

vote for my coat

you too can help me with fashion. Which of the following coats should I buy?
A. (The red one. I would buy the cream but I can't keep anything clean.) I like the way the belt is lower on the hips.


B. I really like the vintage look of this one. It reminds me of Charlize Theron in Cider House Rules.

Dear Sick People

Moosewood Low-Fat Cookbook's Garlic Broth is the most healing food I can imagine. It is, basically, broth with a roasted and pureed head of garlic and miso. It is delicious, and when I drink it it just feels like the restorativeness just flows through my body. I know that sounds all new agey and crap, but it really f-in works. You'll get much better if you're sniffling and you have some. Just in case you might be sick for the holidays.
Love,
Rebecca

Xmas list

THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE (from entirely reasonable to entirely unreasonable)
you knew it was coming...
-Frye black harness boots, blue harness boots, or the blue boots from a previous post


-a better iPod than my shuffle

-a new coat
-

-some new earrings
-Sontaigo's new CD Steel Yourself
-a new tablecloth
-Henckle knives
-a vintage spice rack
-a hanging pot rack
-egg poaching thing from Fat Baxter's
-a new guitar: Scott Conley acoustic and Fender Telecaster electric
-new potholders
-blue pitcher from Clay City Redux for cream
-this dress from Only Hearts, which would look better on me because I won't have that silly look on my face.
-Van Morrison and the Cheiftains Irish Heartbeat CD
-a new office chair
-my student loans paid off
-a Thai Yoga massage from Guy McChesney
-tickets all over the world
-an organizational consultant
-a cleaning person to do my fish tank
-something small, circular, sparkly, size 7. What?! A girl can always hope.

oh yes, more reasons...

...to hate shopping (OK, to hate shopping at the Mall area.)
-you are forced to listen to Sarah McLaughlin or that band that won the key to the city of Portland or, even worse, Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas" or Bruce Springsteen singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" as if he were dying.
-you really want something and you can't find it.
-all the kids' toys these days are of characters such as Dora, Barbie, or the Hookerz-oops, I mean Bratz.
-everything in every store looks the same. NO ONE looks good in those stupid dresses and blouses that are shaped for pregnant people. Not even pregnant people. But that is all you can find because that is what someone decided was cool.

But here is what I love: shopping locally. When I wander around the stores in downtown Portland, I:
-get to talk with Diane at Ferdinand when I go buy some Police Puffy stickers
or some cool blue hoop earrings. Diane called me "so employable."
- can stop at a lovely coffee shop and have conversations with friends that work there.
- run into people i know.
- can find vintage clothes that are unique and cut in a shape that does not make me look pregnant.
-support local businesses owned by people that i have met.
-get better exercise and fresh air because i am walking around outside to the stores.

ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh

I had to go shopping today. I had to return a gift that was purchased at the Mall. Oh, man. I hate the Mall. First, I watched as 3 people hurried past an old couple with canes, the woman dragging an oxygen tank, and none offered them help up the steep step. I almost stopped the car and got out and helped them.

Then, I was in Staples, which was strange to begin with, and the radio played "Kyrie Eleison" by Mr. Mister followed by "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley.

I wanted a soap dispenser and a coat, keeping my eyes open along the way for tights and gifts for me niece and nephew. It started snowing and 5 hours later I made it home. That's why I go only once a year.

little moments of love

when i talked to my 6 year old niece Miranda last night she told me there were 23 days till Christmas. Then when i would see her in three weeks, she said, "Really, Christmas is three weeks away?"

when i asked her what she wanted and she said, "I don't know, it's a really hard decision."

when my nephew Dustin told me he wanted a batman mask.

when i come to bed and Jon is already asleep and he makes that little noise he makes in a half attempt to acknowledge me.

when i looked outside this morning and there was snow stuck to the red berries on the bush outside the window.

when i hear the foghorn through the snow.