It's good for the soul

I have a confession to make. VERY GUILTY.

So, I was reading Vanity Fair magazine a couple of weeks ago, and I turned the page to see an ad for St. John, the famous designer of high-end knits. My heart stood still (thank you, Lorenz Hart!) because there, in front of me, was THE most gorgeous dress. It was just my style, simple yet sparkly, very elegant, very streamlined........just perfect. I went on the website to see more of it but the dress wasn't shown, so I wrote to the information email address. They wrote back & said it was available at Neiman-Marcus and Nordstrom.

This past Tuesday I stopped at Southpoint Mall because I had to go to the Apple store to get my iPod fixed. (Small aside: I was really prepared for the worst, since it's 3 years old and a model not even made by Apple any more, but lo and behold the technician got it reset and running.) While I was there I strolled down to the Nordstrom to see if "my" dress was there. It wasn't, but the saleslady said she knew exactly which dress I was drooling over and, after a few minutes of computer searching, located one in the Atlanta store. Original price: $1500, on sale for a shade under $500. They wouldn't order the dress to come to the Durham store just so I could have a look-see.

So--and here's the confession--I bought it. It's being delivered to the house. I can try it on and if I don't like it I can return it to the Durham store. So as far as an extravagance goes, I'm basically having Visa loan me $500 or so for a couple of weeks, so I can indulge a fantasy and try this creation on. I can't possibly keep it but I can take a few photos! (Assuming it looks good on me, that is.) The whole thing makes me feel just a little wicked, especially since I generally get nervous if the bill for any one article of clothing is over about $75. But oh, the temptation!

Now that my inner splurger has been tapped, I also bought a new Christmas tree. It's 9 feet tall, 65" in diameter, a beautiful blue/green spruce, and--here's the important part--it's PRE-LIT. No more spending hours walking around the tree trying to get the lights perfect. No more runs to the store in the middle of decorating to replace strings of lights that suddenly, inexplicably fail. No more trying to figure out *which* bulb on the string of 150 is the one that failed and made the whole string die. I think I'll be a much happier woman! Plus the tree is bigger, which means more room for more of the beautiful glass ornaments that I love so much. (Take note, Christmas shoppers.)

So between the dress, the tree, and the various on-line purchases this week, I've definitely done my patriotic duty and contributed to jump starting the economy. And it was fun!

Hey, if you're out there, and you're reading, post a comment, OK? No need for novel writing (unlike me), just a quick hello would do.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend--try to stay out of the Wal-Mart stampedes. What a sad commentary, in so many ways, on our culture....a worker? trampled to death? by people waiting at FIVE A.M. to get into a Wal Mart, of all places?

Thanks

OK, so it's corny, but here is a list of things I am thankful for. I'm leaving out the obvious and most important ones, like family, friends, health, love, etc. These are the second-tier items but ones that make me really happy. In no particular order:

--Music! I am so grateful for music in my life. I love to listen. I love to sing and perform. I love hearing Arturo practicing. I love my iPod! I love it that people are still finding new ways to arrange 12 notes into amazing compositions, even after all these years and considering how many of the previous arrangements have been "taken".

--Videos! I love it that I can pop in a tape or DVD and revisit an old friend any time I want.

--the scent "Coco", by Chanel. I put it on and it makes me feel just wonderful: sensual and sexy and warm. (NB, this is "Coco", and *NOT* "Coco Mademoiselle".....don't be confused, fans.)

--the black cashmere coat I purchased last year. What I especially love is that by just changing the scarf and/or hat and/or gloves I wear with it, I get a different look for only a few bucks. Nothing like the classics to make a girl happy.

--Pedicures! Need I say more?

--On the more serious side, I'm so grateful I switched jobs this year. Those of you who know me, know what a difficult and personally wrenching decision it was to leave Rex after 13 years. But UNC has worked out beyond my expectations and I am so glad to be there, learning new things, working sensible hours, and getting paid more to boot.

--Finally, I am deeply thankful for the results of the last election. I wouldn't want to be president for even a 12-figure salary, and I frankly don't understand why ANYONE wants the job, but blessings on Obama for taking on the task. Hallelujah to the voters in this country for electing him, and a special high five to North Carolina for contributing our 15 electoral votes. Maybe, just maybe, my children and other young people now have a chance of living in a United States that is respected throughout the world, rather than mocked and vilified.

Love to all. Hey, write a comment, wouldja? It would warm my heart on Thanksgiving Day to know that somebody was reading, besides me. Go watch "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947 version, naturally!) and have a great day, everyone!

Back to Work

It's back to work today, after 6 days off. In some ways I'm really ready to go, but in others, well......I'm not. I did a fair amount of cyber shopping yesterday and it got me in the Christmas mode. So, what I'd really like to do today (rather than go to work!) is start taking down all the decorations from the attic. Put away the pumpkins and haul out the holly! I've pretty much decided to buy a new Christmas tree this year. I'd like to get one of the ones that are pre-lit so I don't have to spend so much time and angst hanging lights. It really is the most painful part of the decorating, especially since, invariably and inevitably, there are always some strings that have "died" over the preceding year. Then it's a run out to the store to get more lights. Plus, the living room can certainly stand it, so I'd like to get a larger tree, too. As much as the lights die in the attic, the ornaments multiply!

Arturo and Diana are going to Karen's for Thanksgiving. Laura is in NY with my Mom, sisters, and extended family. It's an odd, vaguely disconnected week for us, but we did have our feast last weekend so I don't think anyone feels deprived. I certainly don't.

Time to motivate, as I often say. More later!

Thanksgiving came early

We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, Saturday 11/22, because I am working on "actual" Thanksgiving this year. Present were 4 Ciompis, my mother-in-law, Laura's boyfriend Darwin, and two good friends, Dean & Kay Michaels. Menu:
--appetizer: fig & goat cheese crostini (from Kay), with champagne
--first course: pumpkin & apple soup, served in pumpkin tureen
--main course: roast turkey, brined in citrus & apple juices; pomegranate stuffing; minimally creamed spinach; mashed potatoes; blackened string beans; cranberry sauce
--dessert: apple/pear individual tartlets, with brandy-laced mascarpone cream
Arturo of course opened wonderful wines--two kinds of beaujolais, and then some lovely port to go with the coffee.
I did a lot of work the day before, so for once I didn't feel so rushed on the actual feast day. Everyone behaved, although I had to reprimand Laura & Darwin for playing games on his iPhone when they thought nobody was looking.
Adriana didn't look good to me. She seemed somewhat un-groomed, which is unusual for her; she also had noticeable periods where she zoned out, which is also atypical. Generally when she has a new audience (in this case, Dean & Kay) she just talks and talks. Arturo says she's been having some respiratory issues. I say, so why do you keep bringing her cigarettes? But then again, she's 87, I suppose she's entitled to her vice.
***********************************************
Today I went to a baby shower for the first time in many, many years. One of my co-workers is expecting her second child, a boy, in about 2 weeks. It was nice to see everyone in "party clothes"! It's a shock sometimes to see people's hair, since of course in the OR it's always covered. Leisa got some cute little outfits, and a stroller, and some gift cards. I made her a baby afghan, plus burned a CD of lullabyes. It was mildly shocking for me to realize I was probably the oldest person in the room, though. How on earth did this happen?

TTFN, sports fans!

Crazy week

I worked 3 days in a row this week, and I am really feeling it today. The older I get, the more that 12 hour shifts take out of me. Of course, now I have 6 days off in a row, without having to use any vacation time, but still.....

We are having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but on a non-traditional day. Since Laura is going to NY for the holiday, and I have to work, we are having Thanksgiving this Saturday, 11/22. Just our nuclear family, my mother-in-law, Laura's boyfriend, and two friends so that the conversation doesn't get too insular. I never know what to expect from my m-i-l when she comes to these gatherings. Her true command performance was at a Mother's Day dinner some years ago, when she asked me how many Valium she'd need to take all at once to successfully commit suicide, because she didn't want to fail and then end up "a vegetable". (Of course at the time I was completely horrified and demanded an instant change of subject, especially because the kids were both there; on reflection, I should have told her the answer.) Anyway, having "outsiders" helps keep her on better behavior. I'm trying a new recipe this year: pomegranate stuffing. Sounds yummy but labor intensive.

Our porch is finished and I have to say it looks really good. Even Scotty, the FedEx guy, was impressed. If I had a camera I'd take a photo and post it, but Diana broke my camera and somehow hasn't managed to replace it yet. So, we are considerably poorer, but then again we have injected a fair amount of money into the local economy.

Had a singing job this past weekend at the local hangout, the Broad Street Cafe. It's a friendly and fun place, whose new owners are trying really hard to turn it into a viable neighborhood/student attraction. I worked with a new pianist, named Chris Reynolds. He's a much older guy who wears tinted eyeglasses and a grey ponytail, but he's very talented and easy to work with. We did "We're In the Money", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", "Makin' Whoopee" (as a duet, lots of fun), and "My Funny Valentine". It was a great treat to have not only piano, but also bass, drums, and sax as a backup. Arturo of course came, also the Campas, Sandy, Shawna, Avi, Summer, and Robert & Kathy McDuffee--it's been years since we saw them. Chris has already asked me to do another gig with him, on Dec. 4th at University Mall. I hope we can continue to collaborate because it's nice to do these little things in between all the work to put together (in the words of Ed Sullivan) "a really big shew".

My book club pick for December is "The World According to Garp" and I have to say I'm very pleased. It's a wonderful book, an old favorite, and full of great themes to discuss. I'm going to have to try hard to shut up during the meeting!

Diana broke up with Griffin a couple of weeks ago. He's been seeing someone else....the classic guy problem. She's handled it pretty well, with far fewer hysterics than I might have expected. Perhaps that's because le tout Durham knew about it almost right away, because Diana herself posted the news on Facebook. I don't know; maybe it was therapeutic for her, but I think it's just plain crazy. Why advertise that your boyfriend was two timing you? But then again, I'm not one of the Facebook generation......I think I was part of the Pepsi Generation......

Off to bed for me! A long day today (gym, lunch with Sandy, menu planning, food shopping) followed by a longer day tomorrow (Thanksgiving meal prep, cooking) so I'd better rest up.

Catching up

It's been a while since I've posted, but this is a new venture for me and I still need to form good habits about remembering. Anyway, here's what's new:

Worked yesterday (Veteran's Day). Good news: 12 hours of holiday pay! Bad news: we were REALLY busy. Don't all those surgeons and patients out there realize that one is supposed to stay home and relax on holidays?
************************************
Sunday the 9th was our neighborhood's annual Art Walk. There were 5 people exhibiting at our house, including me and Diana. Diana's hand beaded jewelry was really beautiful and she displayed it so nicely. I sold a lot of scarves, a few notecards, and 4 of my CD's! Both of us made a tidy profit for the day. There were probably 200-300 folks who came through the house. The weather couldn't have been better and everyone was in a lighthearted mood. Totally enjoyable.
***********************
We awoke this morning at 8AM to the soothing sound of jackhammers on the front porch. The long-postponed renovations have started! The worst of the noise should be done by this afternoon and with any luck (i.e., if the weather holds) we will have a new, level, unchipped front porch, and front steps that are no longer the deadliest in the neighborhood. We're also getting a new front storm door to replace the one that has been broken for the past two years. Old houses always need some kind of work but the good thing about them is that usually it's not imperative.....I always think to myself, well, the [insert name of problem here] has existed for [insert number] years and the house is still standing, so getting a repair done RIGHT NOW isn't an issue.
***********************
Went to see "W", the Oliver Stone film about our outgoing president, on Monday night. I thought it was somewhat unfocused, as if they couldn't decide if it was going to be a parody, or a comedy, or a drama, or a tragedy. The screenplay kept changing viewpoints. But the characterizations were spot on, especially James Cromwell as "Poppy" George Bush Sr. I think between the election and this movie, I've had my fill of politics for the next little bit.
************************
Well, that's all the news that's fit to print for now. Write back, fans!
Ellen

What a Red-Letter Day!

WOW!! First--Happy Birthday Diana! My younger daughter is 20 years old today. She's off to school and work but I know she will be celebrating with her friends tonight and with us over the weekend. She's smart and gorgeous and responsible and a credit to herself, her community, and her family on every front. Blessings and love on your curly head, my dear child.

And, WOW!! An Obama victory. Who'da thunk it? I am awed and amazed and deeply, deeply grateful that my children enter their majority in a United States that has demonstrably turned the political corner. To add to the astonishment of the day, right now Obama has a very slim (c. 10,000 votes out of c. 4,000,000 cast) lead over McCain right here in North Carolina. The state hasn't officially been "called" yet, which means our 15 electoral votes are still unassigned, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that the recount holds up and we finally "go blue". Icing on the cake. Plus, both houses of Congress safely in Democratic hands.....a slam dunk all around.

Only 36 hours til voting starts

The Durham Herald-Sun reported this morning that nearly 60% of registered Durham County voters had taken advantage of early voting. That's incredible!! There have been plenty of years where the voter turnout was an abysmal 20-25% total--that is, after election day. I am keeping my fingers crossed that not only do we achieve at least 75% turnout, but that for the first time since 1976 and Jimmy Carter, North Carolina's electoral votes go to the Democratic candidate.

Will someone explain exactly why John McCain went on "Saturday Night Live" and essentially made fun of himself? Since when does this make good politics?

It was a gorgeous weekend. Arturo and I went to see the exhibit at Duke's Nasher Museum of Art, called "El Greco to Velasquez". The museum was really crowded but it was worth it to see this incredible collection. I need to find a biography of El Greco; I wonder if art historians have figured out why his portrayal of humans was so peculiarly elongated and distorted. I seem to recall there was speculation he might have had a visual defect in some way, but I can't remember exactly. Whatever it was, it still seems so modern, which is amazing since the paintings are 400 years old. One of the signs said Picasso was inspired by El Greco, and it's easy to see the transfer of artistic influence.

TTFN!

Sweeney Todd at Duke

Sondheim's incredible musical was given a great treatment by the members of Duke's "Hoof & Horn" troupe. The set was really well done, the musicians navigated the tricky score admirably, and the cast was very good. For me, the hardest part was not singing along! The kid who played Anthony had great stage presence and a winning voice. Joanna was the weakest of the leads. Scott Cruikshank gave Sweeney the right amount of menace and insanity, and his diction was extraordinarily good, considering the vast thicket of words he has to get out. Mrs. Lovett's songs were all taken a tad too fast, which compromised her ability to enunciate, plus her vocal "break" seemed to lie right in the middle of some of her big songs, which was too bad. But her acting was tops and she got more laughs than anyone else. Thank goodness that people are still doing productions of "Sweeney" and have not been put off by the Johnny Depp movie debacle, which sacrificed musical integrity for gore on the box office altar.

Quite an enjoyable way to spend a part of the Halloween weekend. Here's a link to a review of the production, which appeared in The Independent:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A267951

Halloween 2008

It was the usual mayhem on Durham's W. Club Boulevard, with hundreds of trick-or-treaters parading up and down our neighborhood's main street. We borrowed a "clicker" from a friend (thanks, Alan!) and officially clocked 790 who trekked up to our door. The total included one Sarah Palin (who had Saks Fifth Avenue shopping bags for her goodies, a nice touch; she also advised us not to give any candy to her compatriots because SHE was a maverick and they weren't), a few Joe the Plumbers, and a huge assortment of superheroes, ninjas, and ghouls (boys) and fairy princesses (girls). Diana did herself proud with pumpkin carving--Barack Obama and Joe Biden graced our porch and garnered many astonished compliments. (Photos to follow.) The Durham police were out keeping everyone safe, the weather cooperated, and the 20 year old tawny port that Arturo uncorked kept the grownups in a celebratory mood. A good night all around!

Here's a link to a story in the Raleigh News & Observer about Halloween in our hood:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/durham/durham/story/1276038.html