01.01.07
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 10:49 pm by smarriott
Dorothy certainly had the right idea…..there really is no place like home, even if it is a bottomless pit of dirty clothes and extra stuff when you return and you have to spend most of the evening cleaning and unpacking.
Spending a week with family is great and all, but I don’t think I slept as good as I did last night in my own bed. Nothing could have been better than ringing in the new year at home, watching the ole’ boob-tube and cuddling with all the men in my life. It appeared to be the appropriate end to one year and a perfect way to start another. As sentimental as I am sometimes (especially around a new year), I usually don’t pay any attention to or give credence to “signs” as a form of event prophecy. Yesterday, I would have screamed from the mountains that one day simply cannot predict the course of an entire year. But as much as I would like to believe there are no such thing as “signs,” I could not help but notice the two that slapped me in the face today. The slappers, of course, being the dear, “once sweet, but not today” men in my life.
That’s right, slappers One and Two are Mr “Scarface” Wiley and “Big Ears” Sigma, who have become outlaws, eager to bust out at any moment, desperate to get away from big-bad me. To be fair, these two notorious “jumpers” started their gang before the new year. These antics, however, were never in their own yard! I thought maybe it was just an internal cry for attention because they felt neglected over the holidays, but no, they are indeed, bad, bad dogs. Wiley especially looks the part after his run in with “Got-your-nose” Shiloh a few days ago. You’d think he’d learned his lesson and had decided to choose a more sheltered existence after that run in, but no, I see now it was only the beginning of his thirst for the wild, the world beyond “Three-Seventeen.” Sadly, for these two hooligans, I will have no trouble playing the part of the warden.
Perpetrator No. Three of the signs that this may indeed not be a good year is Mr. Sneeze, also known as my husband. This so innocently sweet husband in 2006 must have soured in the early morning hours of 2007. Armed with only an acute Rhino virus, also known as a “cold,” he must have thrown caution to the wind and let loose what can only be described as a series of disastrous sneezes while I, his one-and-only, meekly slept. Now I, too, am contaminated. This “whirl-wind of sneezes” theory might be a bit too much to believe, but it is the only thing I can conjecture for the most horrendous sore-throat I suddenly had this fine first day of 2007. That, or “someone” must have sneezed in my coffee a few days ago, perhaps as I was walking past him one morning…..hmmm.
On the other hand, today wasn’t all that bad. I did manage to clean the house and put back most of the furniture that was in basement storage or served as perfect spots for dustballs half of the year. I did also take great steps in two of my 2007 projects, the first being the picture of the day, entitled No. 1 or “Outlaws Extraordinaire” (see above) and the first of 365 runs for this year. Its been a busy day.
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12.23.06
Posted in The ins and outs...., Knitting.... at 2:30 pm by smarriott
Ah, it is that time, again. Time to pack up the dogs, say good bye to the cats and spend many-o-hours in the lovely wagon, eagerly awaiting family events. I really don’t mind road trips all that much. Something about being huddled in the car is slightly appealing to me. If it weren’t for the flattness of the Prairie State, I would be exstatic about all road trips. Well exstatic about everything, but the dreaded “Escape Pod.” Ooooh, how I loathe it. I’m not really sure what bugs me more: the crap-tastic stories or the endless droning of the host. Oh, I know I shouldn’t complain or use this medium for any ill-favored business, but something about the “wish-I-could-escape” pod just gets under my skin and makes me what t
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12.22.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 10:29 am by smarriott
I’m sure many of you are familiar with the website “Crazy Aunt Purl”. I, myself, am quite a fan. There is something about her posts that remind me of things I’ve done or would say, and scenarios I would find myself in or at least coach a friend through. Strangly enough, I find reading this site can really be considered the highlight of my day, overshadowed only by my new obsession with a television show that will remain nameless (to protect my psyche from merciless teasing by my avid readers). So as each day progresses I become more and more enamored by this site, but recently it has happened. “It” being that I have become the Great Imitator. I would feel ashamed of this were it not for the truth in the subtitle of this page and for my honest opinion that imitation is the greatest form of flattery (that being only if the idea is not snaked from you without proper credit). I, of course, do not feel snakey or scaley and strongly affirm that this is not my idea, therefore, it cannot be deemed as plagerism or anything of the sort. It is simply a good idea. Whew, I find that to be enough of a disclaimer to keep me from being penalized.
Now, you may be asking yourself, in what way have I become this alter ego? Well, my friends, it can be summed up as follows: I am contemplating the idea of taking a picture for everyday of the year, or by “Aunt Purl” doing the 365 project. That’s right, I feel that my days, and life really, are important enough to commit it to kodak paper. The exact parameters of this project are not defined, as of yet. It may end up to be a picture of myself like in the youtube.com video, which are remarkably intriguing, or simply a snapshot to chronical every day. One the one hand I find taking a picture of myself to be slightly depressing and vain, but on the other hand I think I might go mad trying to find the perfect picture to capture the day. I would then not take any pictures and would have to abandon the entire thing. I’m leaving it open for now, so as not to provoke anymore anxiety.
While this is the aim, I think it should be said that a more realistic perspective will probably be a picture of one, if not all of my pets 365 days of the year. I know, I know, PATHETIC! I have come to terms with it; along with the notion that what I think is cute, like making dog and cat sweaters, is in fact quite creepy to others (made abundantly clear by a certain Silberg).
Ultimately, I fear I will not become the Great Imitator, but the even sadder Want-to-be-but-not-quite-committed Imitator. Only time will tell, I guess.
In other news, I have been earnestly knitting, in between painting and work hours, but cannot post pictures of these creations. They are a bit confidential, if you know what I mean. Nothing dirty. Simply holiday related. I can show you the greatest thing since sliced bread (If you expect to find some life-altering “thing” by clicking that link I wouldn’t do it. I warned you!)….well, maybe not, but I do like it.
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12.15.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 12:33 pm by smarriott
Today the sun is shining brighter than ever. Why is it brighter, you ask? Well, my finals are over, as is a semester composed almost exclusively of chemistry, chemistry labs, and Anatomy & Physiology. I could not be happier to report that I no longer have to explain the process of urine formation, which enzyme begins the process of protein digestion, nor spit out every possible isomer, and its correct name, of the hydrocarbon pentane. Whew! That was even painful to write.
Gone are the days of lab partners that don’t read their experiments before class (and copy ALL of my answers). Gone are the constant sounds of test tubes breaking and the sickening smell of formaldehyde. Finally, gone are the days of dreaming about physiological processes and all of its terminologies! I believe I can now breathe a little easier, both literally and figuratively.
Now that this week of weeks is over, I find my self wondering why I am so relieved? I certainly didn’t study as much as I should have (which has really been a constant throughout my entire educational history). I spent most of my time intending to study and planning when to study, but ultimately knitting, doing crossword puzzles, annoying John, putting up things on this webpage (if you notice I have had a lot more posts recently….coincidence? I think not) and inevitably imitating Spudgy.
So since, my final’s week consisted of mostly piddling, what do I really have to be so relieved about? What burden could possible be lifted from my shoulders?
Well, I think it can be summed up as follows, I am now completely free to be as lazy as I want and as piddle-some as I can be without remorse. I can sleep until noon and I can knit and watch television all freaking night if I choose! (yes, yes, I admit I like that show…its so addicting…the drama, suspense, and end of the world excitement! But lets be honest I’ve never been one to have “good taste.”) I could clean, but I could always leave it until tomorrow. Ah, what a relief!
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12.10.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 3:00 pm by smarriott
Well the hardwood is finished at last and my, my, my isn’t it grand. It amazing that this one project can add a whole new dimension to the room. You can’t even tell it was two separate rooms before. Hats of to these gentlemen for their hard work! Not only was it a long day of grueling bending and lifting and stapling, on their knees nonstop, but they were even up early to finish the job! I am impressed, indeed, as is Persephone. Whew! Now that that’s all done, as if I did much of it, I think I’ll take some advice from Wiley!
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12.09.06
Posted in The ins and outs...., Knitting.... at 5:19 pm by smarriott
Contrary to popular belief, I am not dead nor am I hibernating. Since my last post, many, many things have happened. I don’t even know where to start! Perhaps a chronological tour would be best……
On Thursday,November 30th a winter storm swept the MO-IL bi-state area and Edwardsville was pretty hard hit as far as ice goes. During the late, freezing, evening hours I shivered in my slippers as numerous creaking noises could be heard outside. One notable crash that night was a limb from our neighbors tree making contact with our lovely, newly-built, privacy fence. In the background you can see that the weight of this monstrosity was enough to instantly bend my tomato planters. Alas, now they are reduced to what I like to call creepy art. On the other hand, one could always say its an expression of man’s existential dilemma. Regardless of your artistic inclinations, I’m delighted by this new addition to the backyard, even if it means I’m doomed to less than perfect tomato plants for years to come!
Two thousand Edwardsvillians are still without power today and many are reduced to sign-making in the absence of television and video games. I feel perfectly legitimized in my insensitive mocking, as I did not lose a moment of my tv time and am therefore, far superior. The one good thing did come from this disastrous storm, I felt like I was living in “Edward Scissorhand’s” world where even the blades of grass were marvelous, ingenious sculptures, its a pity it only a few days. Ah, Johnny Depp…..
The next major event to hit the Marriott household is a new member! No, I am not with child, that being in the womb sense of the phrase, but have a lovely new surrogate pup. Murphy, our neighbor’s dog, greets me at the fence every evening when I return home, wags his tail, and gives me those adorable eyes. He has had quite the time on the town with Sigma and Wiley. I don’t think they will ever let us separate them again.
As we continue on our tour of our most recent series of events, I present to you some new construction. Thursday of this week I slapped up some primer and put the first coat of paint in our new kitchen. I must say, its very festive. I do, however, feel the need to salsa every time I enter the room! Just one more coat and it will be pure perfection.
Today has been quite a day for renovations, let me tell you. As we speak, my new hardwood floor is being installed by three of the handiest men. Joe is taking a break from hours of grueling bending and stapling. Levi, well, he had a hard job, too, this was a tough crowd to entertain. I’m jesting, of course! Levi was quite the handyman in fixing the damaged fence. Our spoiled pups now have their very owndoggy door!
Lastly, I have finished my recent knitting project, now named “Cha-cha.” I’m really hoping this piece is functional. Friday night I attempted to subject Nicodemus to yet another one of my torturous sweaters. He was obviously less than amused. Coincidentally, he has managed to put himself out of my reach today, so as not to be photographed? Let’s pray for all of our sakes it’s not so.
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11.03.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 6:59 pm by smarriott
and we got married! At a cute little chapel and home to the first Elvis wedding ceremony!
While in Las Vegas, we toured the local casinos. What a colorful town!
My favorite site was right outside the Luxor Hotel and Casino. This Sphinx is over 35 feet taller than the original! Although we didn’t go up it, the Stratosphere was a prominent landmark of our trip.
Additionally, we saw The Bodies Exhibition at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. It was a walk through all the organs and systems in the human body. All the figures used are real cadavers that have been plasticized with silicone and will never decay. The most astounding part was the circulatory system. They teased away all of the blood vessels and disposed of the organs and skin, so that the human body could only be seen by the outline of the blood vessels. Outstanding! My two major complaints about the exhibit (and I may have missed this with our speeding tour through it) is that they did not reference the Lymphatic/Immune System, which is one of the most important reasons I’m still alive with this cold, and some of the structures were labeled with the technical term, but not the layman’s term. For example, the jejunum. If you don’t know that it is part of the small intestine, you can’t relate that piece to your own body. I will stop being a bio nerd now….Since that time, Big J and I have found out that Bodies Exhibit may be a nock-off to the Body Worlds Exhibit, by Gunther Von Hagens, now in Minnesota. Its a pity, but what can you do.
Due to the exhilaration, or perhaps the exhaustion of the trip, we didn’t take a lot of photos. The chapel would not even allow pictures inside. However, if you would like to see our wedding photos, with Elvis himself, email me.
Despite the lack of photos, I did, however, get some excellent souvenirs! A classic t-shirt with Siegfried & Roy’s white tigers, which will be an excellent addition to my state t-shirt collection (I’m going to pretend Las Vegas is the whole state of Nevada, sorry EM, DZ, & AZ. I’m sure Ely is a wonderful place, but I might never be there). I also forced JM to buy “Fabulous Las Vegas” magnets with our names on it. Awh, isn’t it sweet.
After a whirlwind trip, we celebrated our recent nuptials with a chocolate cake toast, courtesy of the Prickly-Pear Restaurant. Here’s to a happy marriage!
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10.16.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 8:43 pm by smarriott
That’s right, world, here I am!
I’ve become a blogger. I’m not really sure what inclined me to start my own website, maybe it was an undying desire to feminize ackbar, a yearning to spread my view of the world, a release of the crazy voices, or simply sheer boredom. One never knows about man’s, or woman’s, motivations.
That being said, I feel I must give a brief manifesto: I enjoy knitting, a bit too much actually, and feel I must spread this knitting to all. It may not be pretty, as it most certainly isn’t, and it certainly isn’t original, but it does makes me useful!
Now after that string of purls, I will now leave you with something pretty. Pretty Persephone in a self-designed masterpiece!
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That’s right, slappers One and Two are Mr “Scarface” Wiley and “Big Ears” Sigma, who have become outlaws, eager to bust out at any moment, desperate to get away from big-bad me. To be fair, these two notorious “jumpers” started their gang before the new year. These antics, however, were never in their own yard! I thought maybe it was just an internal cry for attention because they felt neglected over the holidays, but no, they are indeed, bad, bad dogs. Wiley especially looks the part after his run in with “Got-your-nose” Shiloh a few days ago. You’d think he’d learned his lesson and had decided to choose a more sheltered existence after that run in, but no, I see now it was only the beginning of his thirst for the wild, the world beyond “Three-Seventeen.” Sadly, for these two hooligans, I will have no trouble playing the part of the warden. 
