My Pick for Best-Dressed

I am still amazed at how incredibly beautiful Cate Blanchett looked at the Oscars last night. She was a moment of perfection. Whimsical, elegant, enchanting, beguiling and drop dead gorgeous at the same time.

Live from the Red Carpet

"I can't believe she wore Versace."

"She is breaking boundaries. I applaud her for that."

"It's definitely a strong looking dress."

"I love when people keep it simple."

"I don't know anybody who doesn't like her."

"It's a really, fresh, modern look on the red carpet."

"Thank you, thank you for looking that great."

"I think we love it because she's wearing it."

"Wow!"

"Tell me what do you really think of Helena Bonham Carter?"

Life in the Last Minute Lane

While scrambling through my framed images to find something for Nora to use I came upon some works that match the size she needs. I grabbed one to take apart so that my daughter could make use of it. She's invited to participate in a county-wide art show for high school seniors and of course the deadline for the delivery of work is today. Life in the last minute lane. I showed Jacob the artwork I intend to pull apart for Nora. "What do you think, Jacob, of Mom's picture?" "Uber-professional" he replied.

Vacation Countdown

Next week is vacation and the kids will be at large so I am appreciating these quiet and productive days while I can. I am determined to create and if necessary pay for some interesting activities for us to do while they are off. Last vacation (Christmas) we spent a lot of time reclining in the living room and watching one too many episodes of Dexter. I'm getting tired of drinking cocoa by the fire, reading or watching television. Today the air has a distinct hint of something other than winter and it's almost possible to imagine spring. I am hoping my own restless sojourn of being rooted to the house will be coming to an end. I am ready to spread my wings and explore beyond the hearth and family.

Valentines at Home

Had a really different kind of day sending my Valentine to my circle of friends, relatives and associates. Sarah and I made a run to the grocery store as I hate going out to eat on Valentine's- the restaurants are too crowded and too overpriced. It's more fun to spend any disposable income on creating something of interest. Very satisfying to reach out to people I care for or admire and knowing tomorrow it's on to the next thing. Jacob is standing at the stove sauteeing broccoli, so I get to watch Peter Walsh on Oprah in the living room. James is on his way home. I made it very clear earlier today, no flowers, no gifts; I'd be happy with something chocolate and a card.

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The One and Only Hollywood Issue!

It's easy to get lost in almost any issue of Vanity Fair, but The One and Only Hollywood Issue! inspires a certain unique reverie over images of well dressed genetically beautiful (mostly) young adults who live in luxurious surroundings, travel to amazing locales and hook up with each other for love and money. The copy tends to gush over their interesting lives (community service included) while being paid insane salaries to provide entertainment for us, the masses toiling away in all the ways we do. Leafing through the many pages of advertising, it's hard not to feel pounded by all the chic and perfected men and women selling the predictably expensive clothing, perfume, watches et al. Next, I'll have to immerse myself in the profile of some distinguished somebody who often manages to have a very attractive significant as their other. It's that step outside one's routine that certain magazines provide. When it comes to that, Vanity Fair sits high on the list as a favorite distraction for me.

Observation vis a vis mes filles

I shouldn't rant. And I shouldn't rave. I should be grateful for the impossible young women aged 14 and 17 who are my daughters. Within moments of a happy encounter I can make the nicest girl sullen with a reminder or request or suggestion much less a requirement. It almost defies the laws of nature how unpleasant a well tended young adult female can become when asked to pursue a line of activity completely uninteresting to said young person involved. Well, it always gives my morale a run for the money. No one ever said it was easy, but one is allowed to dream.

Another opinion

Sometimes running a house is like running a small hotel- minus the staff. Familiar to many are this long list of concerns that require some form of attention at some point in time on some sort of basis including:
laundry
linen changing
floor maintenance
special events
meals
menu planning
mail
shopping
tree spraying
lawn service
flowers & plants/shrubs
vegetable garden
pest control
weeding
recycling
financial management
bill paying
taxes
dishwashing
windows
shovelling
gutters
repairs
vehicles
ad nauseum. Add in community service, getting exercise, walking the dog and supervising family members. So, it's easy to see how any one who manages a house on a plot somewhere and is responsible for him/her self and others can find it easy to never sit down. Much less read the paper or have a deep thought.

Lots to Do

I'm tearing through clutter as an avoidance technique to doing my Valentine, but now the clock is really ticking so I have to get started (I'm seeing bits of red everywhere I look). I am getting lots resolved, including consigning the neat desk lamp I recently found thrifting to my friends at Belkind-Bigi in Tarrytown. So that's done and we'll see what happens next. I am readjusting to the solitude of the weekdays and getting my thoughts together on what to do next. In the meantime, all the inanity and repetitive activity of restoring order our mine today solely. An amazing amount of human capital can be consumed in keeping a house running smoothly and the home fires burning.

Another Day Off

I don't want to think about how many days of winter weather we have had already this year. Today, we are coated under this sweeping, yucky, grey, icy, sleety, slippery rain. It's a major hunker down and hibernate kind of day. Especially if you are between the ages of 12 and 18. Which exactly describes my children. A snow day, a Wednesday, a world's worst kind of weather day where the most important thing that must be done today is to shovel. That's it. And walk the dog. Nothing major, with all activities suspended. James has made it to the train courtesy of me, so he is at work, toiling away. At home, there is a peaceful aura courtesy of my contented crew. Wait till I crack down and tell them it's time to brave the elements and get outside and move some snow. I'll be real popular then for sure.