priorities, priorities

Ending an emotional week, starting fresh.

I still have to study for music theory, but here's a rough list of what my priorities are right now:

> Spending time with my family (including two newly adopted parakeets, Moon and Featherbert).

> Studying for music theory and making sure that I understand the concepts well.

> Cleaning the apartment little by little without getting distracted.

> Simplifying our possessions and finances with the ultimate goal of saving up for a down payment on a house.

> Speaking of home, slowly phasing out toxic cleaning materials and substances in our home and replacing them with natural, less polluting, and less irritating substitutes.

> Being physically active every day and taking time to combat negative body image.

> Art, maybe drawing or painting (which I stopped doing in 2002, for many reasons).

I wish I could cut down that list to be even shorter, but to me these are the essentials.

What is the deal with all barbeque sauce in the normal grocery store having high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient? That's completely unnecessary. I seriously don't know if I could live in an area without a Trader Joe's.

Also, our second wedding anniversary is coming up! I still want a re-do for our wedding to be more about us and less about everyone else, but that's not a priority right now (ooh, I'm getting good at this!)

Re:

Regarding introductory music theory: I probably should have looked into this 15 years ago when I tried to learn how to play the flute.

Regarding crazy, crazy cravings: I need more chocolate in the apartment. Chocolate, cheese, and blue potato chips. And Fresca.

Regarding clothing: I don't know what to do with all of it, or the fact that none of it seems to fit (too big/too small/too tight/too loose).

Regarding Kaiser: He's being awfully sweet lately. I think summer puts him in a good mood.

Regarding campaigning for 2008: Is it really, really bad that I think Ron Paul would make a good president?

Regarding this blog: Hmmm.

the rain, the guitar, and food

It started raining last night, and we were reminded of last summer. My parents and siblings were out of the country on vacation for most of the summer, so Kaiser and I were taking care of their house. They have a pool in their backyard. It rained, and rained, and rained for over a week, torrential, pouring rain. And the pool flooded. And the basement flooded. My parents were in the Swiss Alps, so we couldn't call them. It was quite the mess. So it's raining like that again right now, and my parents are going on another international trip in a couple weeks. We're crossing our fingers that it stays dry, at least while they're gone, because (being apartment-dwellers and not homeowners) cleaning up a big flooded mess is not our expertise.

I've been taking some time to re-learn how to play my guitar, and it's going pretty well, considering. My left hand is really weak and my barre chords are dull, but it'll get better with time if I keep up with it. I feel kind of bad that my guitar, which was my first major purchase bought with my own money when I was 18, has been so neglected. I feel like I'm pulling myself in all these different directions to learn how to play guitar, to make this blog + website complete, to start drawing again, to get fit, and to be a good animal-mommy. Need to re-focus. I never really had much focus.

My mother made an amazing strawberry shortcake tonight for dinner, and I was absolutely amazed when she told me the ingredients. I don't know the exact instructions, but if you've ever made a cake before, this should work out:

1 cup turbinado sugar
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/4 c. oil
1 1/4 cup skim milk
2 ts. vanilla extract
2 ts. baking powder
pinch of baking soda
pinch of baking powder

I should probably get the temperature from her, too. Its simplicity is what was so interesting, and she layered the cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Every time my parents invite us over for dinner, they make it so special. Well, "special" is also making us gain weight. That's what family is for.