the ramble

I’ve finally gone and signed up for one of those online housesitting services, which means that YOU could be lucky enough to have myself and the Luna watching, petting, walking, feeding and playing with your puppies and kitties and house. Particularly if you live in or around the San Diego area, which is where I’m most interested in at the moment.

So…if you want a snarky blogger and her therapy-trained puppy hanging out at your residence, you should probably check out my profile or email me or something. Ready. Go.

The last month of the year is still a great time for reminiscing…so here are some of my favorite posts and/or moments of 2011. Enjoy, people.

The Details You See Fit to Omit
“Wait…why did you have a bucket of salt water?”

Love is a Thousand Choices
This one was just quoted in a wedding speech. Am awesome.

The Love Manifesto
“Finding balance. Between loving you. The you I know and the you I don’t. And loving me. Even though I know my flaws better than anyone.”

And What Job Would You Like, Young Man?
“I will take this whole interaction as a sign that I’m having a good hair day.”

Worth Noting
“Today a random acquaintance called me beautiful.”

Hey You, I’ll Do Your Taxes for Free
“I’m also going to start declaring (to terrified boys) that we’re officially married–and dare them to prove otherwise.”

Shame On You
“Hell, the religious folks of his time didn’t much like him either. He hung out with the tax collectors and the prostitutes. He taught people how to live and how to serve their God. But he didn’t marginalize them. He didn’t try to control them with threats. He loved them just because they were people and people are worth loving.”

At the End of This, You’re Both Going to Die
“I had an interesting mushroom soup while the boys drank and commented on the ballet’s strange hats, why men should not wear tights, why men should always wear tights while they are sword fighting, etc.”

Also, some favorites I can’t take credit for:
“There is hurt here that cannot be fixed with band-aids or poetry.”
You’ll be fine. Just breathe.
A Manifesto on Flossing & First Base
The Other Love Manifesto

Craving more? 2010’s best moments are here.

What if babies taste like sushi?

I used to work with this brilliant woman in New York City. She was kind of like The Guiding Star of Dating Wisdom back when I was broken-hearted, new-to-NYC and stumbling along the dating path with very little guidance. Now she’s a designer down in Durham with a hubby. We’re out of touch, but I still check in with her blog.

She only blogs something like once every bazillion years, but every time she does, I fall in love with her prose.

1. Notary republic, office of one

2. A lesser-touristed part of the Great Wall (funny how ridiculous and/or tragic things attract so many tourists)

3. The quite-possible first stop of next summer’s Epic Adventures of Epicness.

Sometimes when you’re planning new and exciting adventures for the future, you also have to stop and think about what you love in the now. This is my list.

Things I love about Autumn:

The changing leaves
Molasses and gingerbread cookies
A slight nip in the air
Cozy fireplaces

Snuggling up under the covers with Luna
Drinking hot tea in the mornings
Days spent inside reading
Wearing my ridiculously large collection of scarves from around the world
Desserts made with pumpkin

The smell of campfires and cookouts
The ways bugs just disappear
Wearing gloves and hats and just generally having wider wardrobe options
Flannel sheets
Hot baths
Apple cider
Excuses to play dress-up