Spring

spring-flowers-1 We so embrace spring in New England. And why wouldn't we? We're under the hammer for so long. We have gritted our teeth. We have said so what.



But today, we are revealed. We are alive.



We walk out from the kitchen and sit on the steps. It's warm. Maybe life will be better.
YEAH? YOU THINK SO? YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO WALK BACK IN THE DOOR AND YOU WON'T BE SPENDING FIVE GRAND ON THAT IMPLANT?



Some people just refuse to be cheerful, don't they? Meanwhile, We remember other springs, or at least I do. I love Arkansas, where spring started long ago.

The azaleas.



For me, they stand for spring. I can't remember anything that I have ever seen more beautiful.

All right, all right, wait a minute. I do think the Finger Lakes are very beautiful and also this one overlook view we saw in San Francisco of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Click to view

They are beautiful too. But Arkansas azalea season is like no other, I promise, dear reader.
DON'T FORGET THE SCORPIONS AND TARANTULAS AND POISONOUS SNAKES. THE MORE BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE, THE MORE DEADLY.

Yes, whatever.


Of course I didn't appreciate the azales when I lived among them. It was like a big blanket spread out over all the lawns. As long as I teach for a living, I will never get to see them.


AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE CHEERFUL?

WILL YOU SHUT UP ABOUT THE FREAKING AZALEAS?

YOU'RE THE ONE WHO WANTED TO TEACH. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU-------

Okay then, I guess I'll go inside now. In truth, the various mosquitos and flies and stinging things are coming to life along with everything else and it's time to bash some ants on the kitchen counter.
Then I look out the window for The Viewing Of The Back Yard.



Ugh. Okay, Bette--go for it.
WHAT A DUMP!

On that note, perhaps that is one good thing about winter. No raking. Perhaps I didn't value the rake-free [the kind you use on the lawn, not some devilish bastard] facet of the colder weather. It may in fact be time to go upstairs and do another crossword.

Denial is not a bad place to be sometimes.
A bientot
love,
becky

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Couple Tattoo

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Daydreaming

On a lovely spring day, dear reader, what better than to sit back, accomplish nothing, and reminisce about the past?

This is me back in the day, rushing down the driveway to greet my guests. I have forgotten the occasion, but I did love that dress. You probably didn't know I had pet albino peacocks, but I did. Little Throckmorton was my favorite and lived to be 30. I took him to the prom in a limo.

Here I am a few years later with some very cute but sorryass boyfriend. Ain't it the way, girls? I was trying desperately to make him fulfill his potential, live up to his dreams, or maybe, just maybe, get a job. Alas, he refused. We had some good times and I actually made that bathrobe out of dish towels. There's pancake mix under his arm. He went on to become a hedge fund manager and now works at Jiffy Lube. I'm thinking of taking my car there. Plus ca change, tous ces la meme chose.

Oscar's Best Dresses Over the years, I occasionally dyed my hair. Now and then the PTA would honor me for chairing the Career Day extravaganza year in and year out. You sort of had to put on the dog for that.

This was taken during my Heavy Lipstick Era. At least one pound at all times was my rule. I also liked to drape things over one shoulder, as shown here. Problem was, I kept losing my stuff.

God, this was a very bad choice of boyfriends. He has just told me here that the chicken recipe I thought I was going to make that night was his mother's specialty. How would you feel, dear reader? Also that he has incurred four thousand dollars in parking tickets from using my car. I don't know what he is looking at in the picture, unless it is his suitcase.

This guy never bathed. He was cute, but I couldn't take the hygiene. You can see how sappy I was over him, but in the end I tossed him off that raft and learned how to steer it by myself.

I saved this one for last, dear reader, because it is my favorite. This guy looks a lot like the Unbathed One, but he was far smoother. He read me a big line of horse shit, and I went for it. God, we looked good in hats, though.

Enjoy springtime, my friends.

love,

becky

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Coffee

Oh, I do love my coffee, dear reader.


It means everything to me.

But I confess, I fear I am still in the coffee bourgeoisie. I am not in the elite. I should use a better brand and I want to. There are those I have met who know better ones. They, those coffee snobs, have a certain aura I long for. I hate them for their knowledge and certainty and yet always forget to ask them for recommendations.

They grind their own. They are particular. I can't say I know anyone who grows their own.

That would really be impressive, wouldn't it? Probably you need good soil. And drug cartels operating in your back yard. Then you would know you are drinking a superior brand. All I can do is survey the coffee aisle at Hannaford's, pedestrian in the extreme. This is what you call rotgut. It's cheap, especially in that huge tub. For some people, looking down at that tub every morning means money saved, frugality, an avenue toward earthly and perhaps eternal redemption. I will just say this. I've already had a colonoscopy. Get me?

This will give you that nice bitter I-Am-Drinking-an-Expensive-Brand-and-Fk-Everybody-Else-feeling. But it has a certain taste, doesn't it? I'm not sure it's better than the tub.

This is good too, but you can get it at the drive-thru. It's everywhere. I'm not sure how I would like it without the styrofoam cup.

I actually haven't tried this brand. Maybe it will be perfect. I like that swish spelling they use. Any time you can tart up a spelling, you might be onto a marketing coup.


This is pretty good. You feel your standards are high drinking this brand. Especially if you stand there and grind it. I never do this because I don't exactly know how to and I don't want to look like a doofus in Hannaford's. LOOK OUT! SHE HAS SET THE GRINDER TO HIGH AND HAS NO CLUE WHAT SHE IS DOING! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

Yech. You know your standards are low if you drink instant. This is worse than the cheapest real coffee. Why not just drink hot chocolate?

I am not against hot chocolate. This is good at 4pm. For an extra special treat, try mixing two of the packets in one cup. Yum. [Don't tell my scale this--that grouch is all over my case lately]

Yuban Original

Don't know anything about this brand. I have scrutinized it in the grocery and ultimately decided against it. I always think I am supposed to read it backwards and that confuses me. Also it suggests Mexican or South American provenance and I fear it will make me sick. How stupid is that? I will try it soon.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

This brand, over there to the right, has been recommended highly. I have never bought it because I don't think I would like green coffee. AGain, completely stupid on my part. But what were they thinking? Also it sounds like crunchy granola organic hippie stuff and that bores me. Hey, I'm just being honest. I am going to try this.

So this is what I drink. Mostly. It's pretty good. It's medium expensive. It's not 7.99 a pound like some of them, but it has a good taste. Besides, if you put in enough cream and sugar, who can tell? [Do NOT tell the scale I said that]

A bientot

love,

becky

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2008-2009 Winter Hairstyle Tips for Your Hair Style A

2008-2009 Winter Hairstyle
Winter time is dark and dreary, but that does not mean that your hair has to be. You can have a fun and fabulous hairstyle even on the worst of days. There are, however, hairstyles that are more suited for summer days rather than winter. The first thing you should look at is what to avoid in the winter.

Hairstyles that dont always work in the winter are bold blonde hair that will make your skin seemed washed out, sun highlights when there is no sun outside, and frosted hair that can occur naturally in sunlight. The loss of sunlight in the winter just makes it more evident that these styles are not natural.

What you should be using for your hairstyles are dark, rich colors and subtle lowlights that will make your hair look great in the winter. Adding extra volume to your hair will also give you a great winter look by balancing your hair with all of those bulky winter clothes.

Bangs are another good move for winter. The bangs will draw attention to your eyes rather than your skin that could be paler. And you can have a lot of fun with different types of bangs, making sure that the type you choose will fit the shape of your face.

Long hair is perfect for winter because it wears well over winter clothes and under winter hats. It can be straight, wavy, or curly. And if you are approaching winter with hair that is nowhere near long, you can get extensions in order to freshen up your look. Ends that are layered and flipped will look great along with some good accessories.

If you want to stick with your shorter hair, you can get a bob that will be quick and easy to take care of in the winter months. You can either choose a mess bob that is more carefree, or your can have a heavily tapered look with an exotic flair, depending on your personality. Shags are also another great shorter style that will show off any great lowlights that you may have, or you can get lowlights to make a stunning look even better.

If you want a cutting-edge dramatic look to your hair, you will want to get a razor cut. This will add a lot of drama with a little effort. And this messy style will be able to add to any bold, confident personality.
Article Source : http://www.hairpedia.com/articles/hair-styles-cat-hairstyles-id-139.html

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2008 Medium Trendy Hairstyles



Year 2008 medium trendy hairstyles will go towards adding more flair to the locks rather than leaving it sleek. Well to be honest the sleek look is still "in" but if you add some bouncy curls you'll create even more flair.Medium length hair is also great for layering. If you layer medium hair correctly by framing the facial area this often makes your eyes, lips and some other facial features much sexier.

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Book Report

I'm finally getting back into a full reading routine. For a long time, I couldn't concentrate. I put the book down on my chest and stared into the middle distance. Or at the ceiling. But I have snapped out of it.

Alan Furst is a bloody genius. I adore his books. I would say they are an acquired taste, though, and if you get one in your hands, you might say what is Becky talking about? It's short. The plots are episodic and don't connect. Nothing big big big happens. But keep going, dear reader. You will get hypnotized.

Kingdom of ShadowsKingdom of Shadows is the third or fourth I have read. None of them disappoint. They are stylish and sophisticated, spare and witty. I am planning to read every one.


Map of Home, AThis one is called A Map of Home and it is about a smartass Palestinian girl growing up. Her language is shocking at times, but her journey is familiar and heartrending all the same. I couldn't put it down. Author Randa Jarrar.



I am getting ready to be transported and obsessed by Sylvia Plath and her husband Ted Hughes and his various lovers. But before that, I am now reading


Daughter of Fortune: A Novel (P.S.)Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. It is very good. I like a book that teaches me things and I am learning about Chile from this book.


Here's a really dumb statement, but I mean it from the heart.


It's truly amazing how many countries there are and how each one has its traditions and slang and landmarks and wisdom. And in each one, a woman's story is similar.


A number of years ago, I kept track of every book I read. I wrote down the plot and how many stars I gave it on a piece of paper (okay, it was a coupon). My car was littered with them. Finally, I gathered them all up, brought them inside, and tabulated them. I made a list. I have that list in the table next to my bed and I'm sorry I haven't added to it in the intervening years. I've gotten sloppy. But here's the point.


Most of the books on the list were written by women.


I guess that means something about me. It's something I shouldn't forget. I'm interested in women and what they do and what they think. And so are other women.

But of course I still like Alan Furst. And John Irving and Tom Wolfe and some of those other whaddyacallits, men.

A bientot

love,

becky


http://www.statcounter.com/

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Prom Hair Style Pictures



Prom Hair Style :
A practical or trendy hairstyle doesn't have to be high maintenance, and you don't have to spend hours styling it. If you can remedy those unpleasant problems that happen to hair, you're one step closer to healthy, gorgeous tresses Suited styles are like chin or shoulder-length cuts with a fringe that can disguises the long forehead.Please remember that this face shape concept is only a simple hair cut guide and there are exception.
Beautiful hair is a woman's most noticeable feminine feature. The right prom hairstyles are crucial to looking your best on prom night. Your prom hair needs to accentuate your dress, your makeup, and your face.The side sections of hair are swept up and loosely pinned into a cascade of soft messy loops that trickle seductively from the top of the crown down to the nape of the neck.A recent trend in prom hairstyles has been.
long hair with curls and weaves as well as large side-swept bangs which have grown onto prom hair styles. Whatever prom hairstyle you pick be sure to be comfortable with yourself and the way you look because this is after all your day to remember.Prom hairstyles are part of the many things that can make your prom preparation stressful along with your dress, jewelry and make up. Prom is an important part of any teenage girl's life which is why it's so important to make sure that every detail is planed and perfect.

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Wedding Hair Style Pictures








When a wedding is coming up there are many things that have to be arranged. You are probably very demanding when it comes to selecting your dress, and it is only natural that you want the best hair style. In case you need some help, you can find out some tips about some bridal hair styles. First of all location is very important. If your wedding is going to be outside, there are some bridal hair styles that you should avoid. For indoors weddings, you can choose any style you want, as long as it suits your dress and face type.

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Bridal Hair Style Tips


Knowing the shape of your face will help you choose the short hair cut style that is right for you and will also help you to communicate better with your hair stylist. And good communication is key to a successful outcome at the salon.Suited styles are like chin or shoulder-length cuts with a fringe that can disguises the long forehead.Please remember that this face shape concept is only a simple hair cut guide and there are exceptions.

High bridal updos are suitable for long faces and so are sleek long styles. A person with a long face should go for a style that gives more width and volum.It is important to have a trial run with the Hair Stylist before the wedding day.The hairstyle can also include decorative beads, flowers and jewels that go with the color scheme of the dress.bridal hairstyles need to reflect the personality and style and essence of the nature of the bride.Use a curling iron and give the hair some fullness in the crown area and backbridal hairstyle is probably the most important style you're going to choose for quite a while, so it makes sense to invest in a little research and practice before the big day.All bridal hair styles have been chosen, have a practice run where all of the ladies meet at the same salon.When the groom is very tall in comparison to the bride a hairstyle that adds height is normally chosen. Different types of buns, French knots and braids are generally the hairstyle chosen

Hair cut & face look:

Choosing the right hair cut for your face is very important.Firstly, you need to determine your facial structure- do you have an oval face, square face or heart-shaped face? The type of hair style you can wear is best determined by the shape of your face and head. By knowing the shape of your face before you visit the hair salon can help you avoid ending up with a bad hair cut.

Common Mistakes:

Regularly washing your hair strips it of essential oils and can leave it dry and brittle.trimmed every 5 weeks helps to maintain the condition of your hair and its style.Shampoo and conditioner that is not thoroughly rinsed out of the hair is the worst culprit for bad hair days.Using the right product will help to recreate that special salon style.. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week will give hair a residue free fresh start.

TIPS:

Ever wonder why your hair isn't as shiny or bouncy as those ads, in spite of using the same shampoo? It is no wonder, with the way most of us treat our hair- tugging at it with a hair brush, using elastic bands, blasting it with a hot hair dryer, roughly washing it, slathering lots of products through it.Curl the brush under at the ends to achieve a slight bend. Continue until the back sections are completely dry and then repeat on the top sections of hair.

article source : http://yoursfashion.info/

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Becky's Hall of Fame


In order to merit inclusion in the BHF, an object must have served for more than a few years. It must have always performed in a manner pleasing to her. This lets out most humans. See that microwave? It's a Johnny-Come-Lately. It will never be in. But the saucepan right there, perched a bit precariously I admit, hits a ten. It holds a lot, it doesn't boil too fast, and it cleans up well. In fact, I may start dating it. It evokes an earlier era with its graceful Harvest Gold presentation. What has it not held in its generous interior? Soup, pasta, experimental food items, even rainwater in the dining room window. It has served as a temporary jury-rigged double boiler for chocolate mousse pie and a jaunty last-minute addition to a drunken costume . And so, hats off to this proud representative of the cookware group, one that came into Camp Becky as a member of a color-coordinated ensemble, but has survived its companion pans by at least a decade. [ed. note: I'm dumping this beast soon: the Teflon is worn off and it takes more effort to scrub the broccoli stains out than I possess these days. But give it a little glory before it goes]

Okay then. Alongside the pan and indeed they have often served in tandem, is this trusty colander. Made of flimsy plastic, it has held up for thirty years. Can that be right? I wasn't born then, was I? You may notice the melted spot/indentation on the side of it. That must have been a memorable pouring of something and I wish I could remember it. [This baby is gonzo too]
The mug says University of Illinois on the side of it. It's old. It's embossed in gold leaf and has endured decades of dishwashing. It has a big crack down the interior side and is probably not safe for drinking. Also a couple of chipped places. But a great handle. Really, you can't say enough about the handle. Imagine the pleasure in hoisting this baby. I will never throw it out.
My daughter gave me this and not that many years ago, but I love it so much it's being included with today's honorees. It's one of those mutant briefcase/handbag items and black patent leather and it looks very professional and swish. Carrying it makes me feel that way too.
I purchased these boots around 20 years ago in the Greendale Mall in Worcester. I think I paid $16. They are as awesome today as they ever were. They look equestrian/military/dominatrix, plus they are completely comfortable. Perhaps I will be buried in them. They have been called Mistress of the Stables boots and that is a good term for them too. They are just starting to lose their black color on the heels, but a little Magic Marker between friends has always been allowed, eh, dear reader?
"Edgar Allan Poe was a fictional writer."
"The Byzantines had a very hard time keeping barbarians out of their boarders."
A bientot
love,
becky

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