My Hair Album

It's no longer in actual album form, but I still have lots of "hair" photos from the years in one place and decided it was time to start sharing them. The scanner hasn't seen the light of day in years, but I realized I can take photos of photos and post those.

According to the date stamp on the back, this one's from 1987, which means I was 20 or 21.

LOTS more where this one came from. Actually, this is one of the less embarrassing ones, and I have to say, I rather like the 'do. Bleach-blonde was fun but lots of work. But whatever you do, kids, don't ever lighten your eyebrows! Dark roots and lightened eyebrows don't mix. Luckily I don't think I have any photos of that short-lived (until they grew out normal) experiment.

Thrift score

Among my latest thrift-store finds:

I "splurged" this time, because I found two pairs of cowboy boots in my size (a rarity), and there were no color-of-the-day tag sales, so everything was "full" price. Texas brand boots (left), $19.99; and Code West boots, broken in, just the way I like them, $12.99.

I am a sucker for aprons ($1.49) and old linens (69 cents). This one is a piece of someone's handmade family quilt that I can surely find something to do with. It was too precious to pass up.
A handpainted runner for the built-in buffet ($2.49) and a Calvin Klein gray cord jacket ($5.99) so I don't have to run around in fleece all fall (a habit I picked up in Oregon).

Seriously?

So now Michael Vick apologizes for being a disgusting human being, saying, "What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up." I have known many immature people in my day, myself included, and to my knowledge, none of them have ever been involved in anything so revolting.

Let's just hope he is ruined professionally and financially. And it would be nice if he got lots of counseling. Abuse of animals and abuse of people often go hand in hand, so I'm betting he's been horrible to someone besides dogs. Just a guess.

On a positive note in all of this, according to Michael, now that Vick's out, former University of Oregon QB Joey Harrington takes over for the Falcons. And coached by Bobby Petrino, who had a 41-9 record in four years at the University of Louisville. He took the Cards to 12-1 last season, and they were ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (37.8 points per game) and second in total yards (484.6 yards per game).

Way better than a couch

Even more momentous than getting our couch this week was a visit by Stacy. Unfortunately, it has come and gone. She came in Sunday, like the couch, but while the sofa's still here, she breezed out of town yesterday.

We went to lots of girly shops and found Stacy some cute vintage dresses, plus a thrift-store Guayabera shirt for her husband, Andy. Went to craft night with some of my co-workers, ate lots of good food, saw Red Rocks (above) and tracked down Mork & Mindy's house in Boulder (right). Stacy was determined to find it, being a Happy Days fan and all. It still blows my mind that M&M was a spinoff of HD. I honestly don't remember that episode.

A seat of one's own

A momentous day! We finally got our new couch! First time we'd seen the couch and the fabric all together, and it looks perfect and feels even better.
BEFORE	AFTER

Teaching not-so-old dogs new tricks: Angus, left, and Esther, used to getting the run of the house (and furniture), wait attentively for "not hopping onto the first brand-new couch Angela's ever owned" treats. We'll see how long that lasts.

Thrift score

I always intend to post photos after I go thrifting but then never get around to it. After way too much time having passed since my last outing, I finally hit some shops in the past couple of weeks. Denver has lots of thrift stores, though the ones nearest us are fairly picked over, so I have to drive out a bit farther for the better ones. I usually have the best luck at Savers.

Among the recent finds, clockwise from top left:

Vintage bathing suit bag by Henry Seligman New York, complete with inner plastic liner. ($1.99)

Vintage beaded purse designed by Roger Van S, Hong Kong. ($1.99)

Hard Rock Cafe Louisville shirt, as I couldn't pass up a chance to give props to home, even though I've never been to any Hard Rock anywhere. I did have to alter the collar to make it more wearer-friendly; it had a typical T-shirt collar and was too tight. ($2.99)

I (heart) Carbs shirt. I thought I was so smart wearing it, then watched an episode of MythBusters the very same night and found one of the female assistants wearing the exact same shirt, though hers had an even better color scheme. I hate her! ($2.99)

Drinks all around

During our friend Dan's visit a few weeks ago, stops included the Kwik E Mart for Squishees and the Coors brewery in Golden for free samples. I have been less enamored with said free samples since they took away the Zima slushie machine. This time I tried a Zima pineapple. Blech. The Blue Moon Honey Moon summer ale was much better.
This sign in the window is among my favorite transformations of the 7-Eleven into the Simpsons' favorite convenience store.	And this is among my favorite signs at Coors, because I love the Bandit! "The boys are thirsty in Atlanta, and there's beer in Texarkana ..."

In the loop

I now have my own hula-hoop! Neighbor Robin made me one yesterday. It's surprisingly easy:

1. Determine the proper size of the irrigation tubing (the circle should come to about mid-waist).
2. Cut the tubing where you want it (Robin has cool ratchet shears).
3. Place one end of the tube in boiling water to soften for insertion of the coupler.
4. Insert the coupler (a step I failed to photograph).
5. Place a handful of dry beans or popcorn kernels inside for the "swoosh" effect you loved as a kid.
6. Place the other end of the tube in the boiling water and attach to the coupler.
7. Cover your creation in fun electrical tape (which I haven't done yet) and you're ready to roll!

Round and round

Our neighbor Robin made hula-hoops (irrigation tubing, coupler and tape). Last time I'd tried one as an adult, it didn't go anywhere, but I seem to have gotten the moves back. It's exhausting, but I'm guessing great for the abs.

Mascara tears

Her PTL past aside, you've gotta love Tammy Faye. And if not, check out the documentary "The Eyes of Tammy Faye." The woman was self-deprecating and nonjudgmental and showed a lot of chutzpah. And she developed a seemingly genuine friendship with porn star Ron Jeremy, her polar opposite. I don't think even I could do that.

Kicking out the jams

As we do with most of our visitors, we took a recent trip to nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Our friend Dan came to see us after a family reunion in Utah. While at Red Rocks, Michael decided to try out an interactive exhibit and jammed with some kids. Behind him is a photo of one of the earliest performances at Red Rocks.

Colorado sunset

Playing a bit of catch-up. This is looking out of the window of the rooftop patio of the Buckhorn Exchange, billed as Denver's historic steakhouse. Mom wanted to eat like the Denverites do, so we took her there during her visit last month. She had elk and buffalo. Michael had baby-back ribs. The only "meat" on the menu that I probably would ever order was the salmon, though it didn't appeal to me that particular day, so I had a baked potato and salad. I have to say, they have fantastic ranch dressing, buttermilky just like I like it.

Arrested development

Mom and I were transported to the '80s last week when we saw The Police's reunion tour at the Pepsi Center. They did all the hits and then some (lots of great songs I'd forgotten all about) and had a blast. We had the chump seats behind the stage, but they turned out not to be too bad at all since we were actually closer to the stage than people facing the stage at the far end. The band (including my favorite, Stewart Copeland, who's now a silver fox, yow!) approached the back of the stage at times, and the big screens helped. You can see there was one pretty much directly in front of us.

I have to say, I was skeptical about seeing Sting. He's gotten a bit too New Age-y for me in the past few years, and I just expected him to be a big beefcake tantric lunkhead. I was pleasantly surprised, though, to see he is quite the hottie (Mom has never disagreed on this point) and has aged very nicely. He also didn't seem to take himself too seriously, which I had feared.

Andy Summers seemed to be the most serious of the bunch and not enjoying himself much. Mom and I noticed "GOD" on his guitar strap and thought maybe he'd become born again and was just humoring the other guys by heading out on tour with them. We were happy when we got a closer look and saw that it actually was an "Oh, my GOD, they killed Kenny" guitar strap from "South Park." So apparently he has a sense of humour after all.

Sweet!

Mom's here visiting, and during a quick trip to Boulder, we checked out Powell's Sweet Shoppe. It's a chain, so maybe you've visited one before. I never had, and it was super-cool. Filled with candies of yesteryear (I didn't even know they still made Zotz!), and there's a screen in the back that plays a loop of "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory," complete with a few movie-theater seats for your viewing pleasure. They also had then-and-now signed photos of cast members. Mike TeeVee was bald as an adult in his. I'd seen Charlie Bucket in later photos before, and he's pretty unrecognizable. Augustus Gloop still looks Gloopy.

Today we're off to the cooler environs of Estes Park (Rocky Mountain Park area) and a stay at The Stanley Hotel, where at least part of the TV version of "The Shining" was filmed. The hotel offers ghost tours, but I have a feeling we'll pass.

Special delivery

My friends Brigette and Dave stopped through Denver last night on their way to Yellowstone from Indiana. Mom was having my little-kid rocking chair refinished, and Brigette graciously agreed to bring it with them on their cross-country trip.
Mom also sent along a couple of my baby blankets, including this animal quilt. She included a note saying, "I painted the blocks and Grandma hand pieced and quilted it." (Grandma being my grandma, Mom's mom.) Either I never knew this or had forgotten, but it will make it all the more special to have for our own kid.
	I remember, as a kid, always having these fabric paints around the house. Mom said she thinks the company was called Artex, and they held home parties where you could buy paints, patterns and caddies. I still have lots of vintage tea towels made with similar paints. I found a company online called Tri Chem that seems to still manufacture them.
Brigette brought us a sweet little quilt too, made by little old ladies, she said. So our forthcoming Sagittarius is well on his/her way to winter warmth!

Slumber party

Michael and I, along with neighbors Shane and Cristine, had a few friends over for Memorial Day. Apparently the excitement was too much for Zoe Violet, above left, and Keona Rose. But Emma and Grayson, at the slide, had no trouble keeping awake and busy. All in all, a great day for a cookout. The weather even cooperated!

Vegging out

The veggie garden survived the hailstorm pretty well (this picture was taken right after planting). The bell peppers are growing. No snap pea shoots yet (planted out of view of this photo). In the rear corner is lemon balm. Our yard is crazy with it, and we used to pull most of it out because it can take over but have since learned its value for tissanes (like a tea) and body products. Supposedly it's also good for calming dogs, though we have yet to brew any for Esther.

Speaking of Esther, check out Kat's May 30 entry for a funny pic.

All hail breaks loose

We kept hearing that a cold front was moving in, but all day it had been pleasant and sunny out. Then it got overcast for a while. Next thing we know, bam! Here comes the hail! It lasted only about two minutes but managed to pelt the poppies and columbines, and it turned the street white. Crazy! Now it's just raining. Of course it is. It's Tuesday, the start of my weekend!

The life of Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly has departed this mortal coil at age 76.

Best remembered by me as a regular on "Match Game" (best game show ever!) and as Horatio J. Hoodoo on Sid & Marty Krofft's "Lidsville."

Trivia I just learned about CNR on IMDb: He met "Match Game" host Gene Rayburn while serving as Rayburn's understudy on Broadway in "Bye Bye Birdie." He was a several-time Tony nominee and one-time winner. He and his partner were together for 27 years.

Quote: "When I die, it's going to read, 'Game Show Fixture Passes Away.' Nothing about the theater or Tony Awards or Emmys. But it doesn't bother me."

Season's weedings

	My neighbor Cristine & I decided to try planting a little vegetable garden around the side of the house in a cute little structure that a past tenant built. It was completely full of weeds when I started (these photos are after pulling about half of them).
	Today we planted tomatoes, red and yellow bell peppers, Anaheim peppers, crookneck squash and seeds for sugar snap peas. I would show you a photo of our handiwork, but with the rain that's currently coming down, I'm guessing it's a bit flooded (and possibly the peas have washed away). Will include a shot when it dries out a bit. I noticed the Anaheim already has a small pepper growing. We had great luck with peppers last year; so-so luck with tomatoes. We made sure to cage them this time, as last time they were too unwieldy.

P.S. Thanks to Kat for teaching me to make html tables. I'm still learning, but this is my fanciest one yet!