Since Amanda Asked

In the comments on my last post, Amanda suggested that I should write about what I'm thinking about. She has a point--it seems mundane to me, but that's because the thoughts swirl around and around in my head and by the time I write them, they seem redundant. Anyway, a la James Joyce, here we go.

When we moved, I gave away all the clothing that didn't fit me correctly and that I didn't wear on a regular basis. I've been studying fashion, specifically how to wear clothing that suits my body shape, for two years or so. (Anna, remember that trip to Old Town Scottsdale? That was at the beginning of my studies.) Nearly everything I owned two years ago fit me rather badly. So I've been fixing that, bit by bit, figuring out what I like, what looks right on me, and so on. I'm down to a few t-shirts, two blouses, several skirts and four pairs of pants. I got the skirts figured out, which is why I'm making myself another one out of brown floral corduroy. What I really need are more shirts, but I'm fighting the habit of buying t-shirts that really don't fit me. Even the one sweater that I own and love doesn't fit me correctly. It's a hard habit/buying pattern to overcome! Thankfully, the romantic tunic top is in style right now, and I've picked up several patterns in that style. They should be flattering and fit me the way I want them to. I hope. BUT I HAVE TO FINISH THE DANG SKIRT FIRST. I keep putting it off and putting it off. No idea why. I really do need more shirts.

I started in on a new series of books. The first is called A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray. It's interesting and well-written. I'm drawn in and keep reading late into the night despite my resolution to wake up early so I can read my scriptures without the midgets interrupting me. I linked the title to the Amazon page so I wouldn't have to cut and paste the summary for you.

So. Politics. Unavoidable these days. I tend to be Gibbs-like with my politics (Leroy Jethro Gibbs, head agent, NCIS. Watch this show!), trusting my gut but still being informed. Presidents may seem powerful, but they can't do all that much unless they have a Congress that will work with them. But there is one thing that I'm firm on, and that as Commander-in-Chief the President will directly affect: finishing the war in Iraq the right way. I'm familiar with John McCain's political presence, having lived in AZ for the last four years, and his stance unfailingly has been that we must finish the war correctly. The surge was a success and already the tours of duty are being cut short and the number of soldiers in Iraq is being reduced. General Petraeus did a fine job. John McCain will make sure that the war will end the way it's supposed to--successfully. I would like to say that other than that, I don't care who wins the race, but it's not true. I may be a registered Independent, but deep down I'm a Republican--less government all the way! Though I do like Democrats on a local level--I thought Tempe was well-run for the most part, due in large part to the attention given to public areas of life. Don't get me started on the Orbit system fiasco--though it turned out to be much less of a hassle than I thought it would be. However, if they try to "calm" traffic by putting a median on College Avenue (the street I lived on for three of the four years we were in AZ), I'd petition for a recall. If I still lived there, that is.

Sorry. Bit of a localized rant there. I find that I enjoy reading Glenn Beck and Orson Scott Card for political commentary. Go figure. They're both moderate Democrats who are rooting for John McCain to win. Interesting world we live in, isn't it?

Um, what else do I think about? I mentally tally my children's total TV time. Today, three hours (they wanted to watch Peter Pan). We had hot dogs, FunYuns, Fritos, and baby carrots for dinner--fried chicken has been moved to tomorrow night. Went to the farmer's market in southwest Arlington today, and Adam's Seed and Pet Supplies. Adam's had kittens and puppies and mice and rats and snakes and fish of all kinds for sale--we had to look at them all, according to the kids. And we did! Adam's also had a hay bale maze for the kiddies and promised a prize for finishing it. Annika did quite well and figured it out quickly. Afton kept trying to come out the beginning, and finally I had to send Annika back in after Afton to get her out the right way. When we went into the store, the cashier said the girls could have a piece of candy or a goldfish as a prize. I preferred the candy, so that's what we went with.

Cookies for you if you've gotten this far.

Turns out Mat has a couple of quirks after all. He hates it when we match--the other day I wore my maroon sweater and a pair of dark jeans. I got dressed before Mat did, but when he finally emerged, he was wearing his maroon ASU sweatshirt and his dark jeans. This would not have happened seven years ago! He would have gone back and changed, especially after his mom pointed out that we matched. Also, he doesn't share his clothes. If I'm cold and need a sweatshirt, he'd rather give me an old one of his than just let me borrow one.

Of course, I have even more quirks that I didn't list before, such as my amazing ability to get lost in a book and not hear what's going on around me. Mat has fun playing with this one. He's decided that if he ever has to yell "fire", he's going to have to take the book out of my hands first and *then* yell. I won't hear him otherwise.

Ok, I'm done for the night. I *think* that's everything I've been thinking about lately. If not, you'll hear about it tomorrow.