Redemption

Lent is a very odd season. As a cradle Catholic, I think I've gone through all of the stages. Giving up iced tea, or sweets (because that's what my family did). Then there was the year that I didn't give anything up because I didn't see how not having a cookie with my lunch was going to bring me closer to God. I've sort of gone back and forth with the Lent thing. (Last year I gave up church, somewhat accidentally...I was sick for a couple of weeks and skipped another couple.)

This year, I am totally ready...and terribly unspiritual about the whole thing. The nice part about Lent is that it's sort of a do-over for your New Year's resolutions. It's perfectly situated just a couple of months after the initial 3-day "Yay, I'm awesome!" period turns into the "Yeah, that's not going to happen." It's like resolution redemption. So I'm very excited about Lent this year. I am giving up sweets again...mostly because I'm addicted to chocolate and starting to pack on the pounds. I am also resolving to exercise more...see pounds, packing on above.

And since Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, I'm hoping to be struck by something spiritual as well...and let it not be a bolt of lightning.

Domesticity

I am not terribly domestic. I like my apartment to be neat and clean, I make phenomenally tasty chocolate chip cookies, and I can put a meal on the table when necessary, but I'm not exactly Martha Stewart. I like to use the excuse that since I live by myself and eat by myself, I'm not terribly motivated to be domestic. Put someone else in the picture and I turn into Donna Reed. Anyway...

As I have been home all day for the last two days (the relaxing/housework/schoolwork portion of my February break), I have been watching A LOT of daytime television. Seriously. A lot. And I have come to two conclusions. First, I should quit my job and watch talk shows and eat chocolate all day. (This was yesterday's project. Today was slightly more disciplined.) Second, if I were to watch daytime television all day, I would be the picture of domesticity.

Yesterday Steven (of Steven and Chris, my new favorite obsession) made fried ravioli. Now I'm thinking I should try making my own pasta instead of the two-minute Chef Boyardee routine. I'm thinking about slipcovers and sewing and scrapbooking. Nesting is so much more fun that correcting papers. I can tell you all about the best fabrics for pet-friendly design, stretches to wake your body up in the morning, and how to make classy mac and cheese (hint: it involves fettucine and lots of fancy Italian cheeses that I can't afford).

I'm going to quit my job and become a domestic goddess.


These two are the funniest people. I want them to move in next door.

Identity

I’m trying on cat lady this week.  Kitty-sitting for some friends of mine, which is not a terribly difficult task.  Yesterday Kitty was loving and affectionate…right up to the point where I fed him.  Then he was done with me.  Today I had higher hopes, as he had been alone in the house all day.  I think I may have spoiled that when I almost tripped over him in the darkness of the foyer.   Kitty and I came to an understanding during a scintillating game of “Stalker Pounce on the Shoelace.”

I think I need a cat.  I need more “Stalker Pounce on the Shoelace” in my life.