Spring is My Favorite Season

Whew, it's been a busy week here with all the Barbie parties and interviews. Original Barbie is back in her box now, waiting for a granddaughter to discover her. She stood on the kitchen table all week, next to the vase of daffodils. They complemented each other very well.

Every year at this time I decide all over again that spring is my favorite season. Each day brings a new treat as life bursts out of its winter hiding place. I worry that plants I had last year won't make it back, but lo and behold, one day they shoot up through the ground to give it another try. Now that's optimism.

I am glad that it is time to spend more time outside as I am struggling mightily to tune out all the political craziness. I keep saying to myself "relax, Barack's got this." The man is quite capable of figuring out what needs to be done and then doing it. I have my job, he has his. Thank God.

Here's a photo to distract you from the scary fascists in charge now, "that one" who, according to the SOB who used to be VP, is making us unsafe. Good Lord, stop shoving a microphone in that man's face.

See what I mean, here I go all over again. Here's a nice photo to calm me down. You are on our own.

Barbie's Birthday

We're celebrating at our house. It's Barbie's birthday! You know, the sexy new doll who arrived on the scene in 1959 on a mission to turn all girls into sexpot hooker airline attendants.

Well, I am here to tell you that having a Barbie did not do that to me, or hasn't so far. I am neither promiscuous nor anorexic but I sure did like playing with my Barbie. She's having a fashion show at my house. Have a look.

I believe that I received my first Barbie in 1962 when I was 9. I have to guess at that; the little fashion booklets have a date of 1962 but one of the booklets has no cover and looks older. So it may have been 1961 when I got my #1 Ponytail, as she is called by collectors. My Barbie is not NRFB*, but she is in good shape. I have lots of shoes and accessories. I am proud that I took such good care of her. The secret is to preserving your toys is to never let your children play with them. Take a look at dopey Ken in this photo:

My children did play with him and he looks it. I never had much use for Ken. His clothes were boring and he has a zombie-like demeanor.

I also had a second Barbie for whom I never developed much of an attachment. I have dressed her here in the fanciest dress in the Barbie closet, to make up for all the neglect she suffered over the years.
My original Barbie is in good shape. Her only defect is a bad case of "green ear" which comes from her metal earrings. Your ears would be green too if you'd worn the same earrings constantly for 49 years. She shows no signs of fading or chipped make-up or nail polish. I think my original Barbie is much prettier than my second Barbie. See what you think:

Second Barbie has sort of a zombie look, not unlike Ken.

Here's orginal Barbie in her iconic swimsuit:

If I had a figure like this, this is the only outfit I'd ever wear.

Have a great day at the beach, everyone!

Miscellany

I am happy that we had our big snow of the year and got that over with. For some people, this was their very first snowfall. Here's one of those folks:

And here is a photo that has no relation to snow at all:

It came from Amazon. I ordered a Kindle and this is what they sent me. Should I keep it?

Eat a Pancake

hello, I'd like to wish all of you happy national pancake day. If you are out driving around today and feel a little peckish, why not stop in at the IHOP and have some pancakes. I hear they've declared it to be national pancake day. A pretty savvy move I'd say, since one of their major products is pancakes. I was doing some research on this, to see if there really is a nat'l pancake day, or did the clever marketing folks at IHOP just make this up. I learned that this is shrove tuesday, the day before Lent, and celebrating that (not Lent, the shrove thing) also involves pancakes, so now I just don't know what to think. Maybe IHOP is part of the Catholic church? I guess it could happen.

Here at the Nest we know next to nothing (or nest to nothing, get it?) about religion, but we do know about pancakes. So if you've got some time, and are not already a fatso, have some pancakes at IHOP and help a few of those people keep their jobs a few days longer. Pancakes are comfort food, so if you are stressing about the economy or your job, maybe you'll enjoy a few minutes of solace over your buttery fake maple flavored carb overload.

Then on Wednesday we can all celebrate National Take a Nap day.

Enjoy!

It's Going Viral

My nutty husband continues to amaze and astound with his mad video skills. Oh, he can't actually make a video, but he sure can bring the heat on the right side of the camera.

See it here, and remember, you saw it at the Nest first.

"My Side Won"

I have been agitated over all of the snits and tantrums of the opposition party and cable gasbags. They are being so mean to our new president. Calling him names and saying, for the umpteenth time, "well, this is it, the Obama administration is done for." Surely they must be joking. It's a joke, right?

One night at dinner I asked my husband (Mr. Nutty) had he heard the latest news about .... oh, pick one: Daschle, Limbaugh, Pelosi, Cantor, lay offs, stimulus shakedown, bailout blow-up, TARP, fascism, socialism, blah, blah, blah.

He continued chewing while he thought about this.

"My side won."

Huh?

"I don't need to listen to any of that. My side won."

Ah, serenity now. My side won.

Pixie - 1989-2009

Pixie was a good old cat. Very sturdy and fiesty. She bit Paul last night but only because she thought his finger was turkey. It's a miracle she lasted 20 years as we live in a bad neighborhood for cats - too much traffic on very busy roads. Her brother Chip only lasted 2 years. She outlived a number of younger cats.



Today we took her to the vet for the last time.

We will miss you, Pix. Enjoy your spot in the flower bed at the end of the front porch, where you can keep on eye on everything.