The Magic's in the Hole (in the wall)

What could possibly follow our time with Richard Bach, of which I shall soon wax poetic and such, and our visit with Jenny and the kids ♥ ?? A trip downtown for our first VooDoo Donuts, of course.
My little navigator thingie took us right to the little hole in the wall, in it's Gotham City-esque glory! It was a dubious walk, after parking a couple of blocks away; lots of folks in need, two shiny girls walking in contrast.
Inside, the options are technicolor vibrant and promise a novel donut eating experience:


Holly asked What's Good? and the guy answered Peanut Butter/Oreo, so that's what she got!
Note: Wait for milk before eating :)The guy looked at me weird when I requested bacon on a vegan maple.
It's an either/or thing for them, not a both. Sad.
So, I got me a vegan voo doo doll. Poor guy got Judge Wapner'd in the box on the way home by this guy! Indeed, a cock 'n' balls donut; cream filled and all! As we walked back to the car, a very young man asked Holly if he could put his hand inside her pink box I'm so hungry! he cried. We giggled and walked a little faster. At home, as Holly shared her donut with Chance & Hayden
and I babbled on, Buddha enjoyed the other two...I really miss being a one cat home.
Then again, I nibbled an arm and it wasn't so good.
Mebbe he was just saving us from a disappointment ;)

Shiny Blessings

it's as if, for the anniversary of her birth,
Hannah's love light came to surround me
bestowing upon me a new understanding
of every single moment as
whole, complete & perfect.
I am Wise and Strong,
And I stand in the Light,
Worthy.
~♥~
Thematic Photographic: Shiny

Shiny Happy Moment

I'm offered a glimpse
of that girl shining inside
ready to burst forth
~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~
Thematic Photographic: Shiny

Shiny Happy Bits

As it's been known to happen, Carmi and I are sharing a wavelength this week ♥ I took pictures & he announced this week's Thematic Photographic: Shiny!
I've blogged my love of my workhorse sewing machine. Kenmore seems to be the name that sticks, plus it's already on his shirtfront ♥ I'm even more in love with it since opening the 3$ box of doo-dads I picked up at a local thrift store. First, Kenmore shows off his superdee-dooperdee The Cloth Guide: This guide will enable you to obtain an even line of stitching. So says the vintage handbook. And I just love the little plastic crystal thumb screw ♥I cannot wait to do something amazing with this most useful and versatile accessory. It hems! It pipes! It attaches lace! All! At! The! Same! Time! ...and it's shiiiiny.These guys here (ignore the thread pile, I was having serious bobbin issues, hence no shiny happy bobbin photos) they're my favorite bits in the whole box ♥ I can't wait to actually use them all. I'll never have to pin a hem again, as long as I live. I'll just have to stream my fabric through one of these here handy dandy Hemmers. hmmm. They need a better name. The handbook doesn't give them any kind of catchy description, either. I suppose hemming's not been as historically exciting as adding piping and lace at the same time. I shall redeem their reputation by appreciating each hem I sew, mostly straight, double turned, without pins!I worked my way through a stack of need-for-repurpose tee shirts. A pile of grocery bags, a couple with lining even; and some waiting to become pillows. The project pile grows, as does my excitement.
Spending time with my shininess will go a long way against the dramatic loss of sunlight...

I have a dream...

I watch with awe the daily accomplishments of folks I know. I wonder how there are enough hours in the day to do 1/10 of what they do. Hell, I can't even get the gumption to do the dishes. I'd much rather watch CSI-Miami on OnDemand. Somewhere around the recent third episode, I realized this is what makes the difference: doing something directly, instead of doing one thing and wondering about another.
Maybe that makes sense to most folks, it's finally sinking in for me.If I wonder what to do with the backyard, it's certainly in my own best interest's interest to move towards this knowledge, these plans. CSI ain't takin' me there. Neither is Law & Order.
When I think about the book that longs to be written, it is directly in line with that goal to sit down and write. Wow. It's certainly not being objectively edited, living only in my head, without the honor of permanency.
All of this, with the aforementioned sniper-like anger-lashing and all-around-full-time kvetch-ness, has culminated into a strange new world for me.
And yet I'm comfortable in the unfamiliar peace. Know what? I can shut up. AND I can do it every.day.
I can allow. I can receive. I can focus. I can bring about that which holds joy and love for me. I can cast away that which does not. Within and without.
If I can dream it, I can be it.
And baby, I got a dream.

diana vs. *R.O.U.S.s

*Resentments of Unusual Size
I've been known to feel just like this little guy gal here, Mommysaurus, all a-prickly and roaring.
I probably turn pink in my passionate diatribes, too.
This gal's load of straw feels extra hard to unload, as issues become impaled tightly on the spikes. The spikes at the ready to prick any issue and become annoyed by it. Them. Lots of spikes, lots of issues. Heavy ones.
Oh and I'm justified. Don't you doubt it.
And a victim. Of the entire universe. And me.
Ick. I'm done.
It started as a niggling. I remember the moment, as I explored my IRS issue. There is is, in black and white, my victimization by the IRS and Congress (for making this victimization legal). All laid out for me, evident in each and every communication I have with them. In my rant and rave. Justifiable indeed.
Then my eye, so well-primed by this ugliness and in the rush of inertia toward darkness, began to seek further examples of Universal Persecution of Diana.
And whoa-doggie did I find 'em!
Then the slow shift the other way began.
Cameron came to visit. It's pretty dang tough to keep focus on the ick, when there's so much love and joy in the room ♥ At the DMV, where I'd previously had a tantrum about conflicting information without listening to the resolution, I had the chance to be served by that same-said clerk. I traded numbers with Chance, to avoid spilling any more of that ick that was rising back up in my throat. Then Cameron mentioned the clerk looks like Sandra Dodd. Suddenly my perspective shifted. I could pretend this was Sandra; the sayer of tough things, who's motives are pure. So I did. I breathed and I listened. Ultimately, we had a pleasant and enjoyable experience. It was a beginning.
My martyr muscles had grown strong, however. Quickly.
Very quiet were the dissenting voices, as the anger and victimization brewed and festered.
Then I was really mean. again. This is not only ugly and awful, it's straight-up undermining who-I-am in this world. It's a ridiculous thought that diana would invest any energy in improving her reputation as Super Bitch. So why was I? Unable to change what I don't like in my life? Not me! Thus, I turned left. Right there.
I bought groceries. Nourishing myself and my family with food chosen lovingly is a consistent lift to my spirits. I breathed and calmed. I picked up the a bottle of Mood Stabilizer & loved visualizing the benefits. It was St. John's Wort; I've got some in the cupboard, it's been calling to me for a while now. I came home and took some. Then I took it three times today. And I'll keep taking it. If what's possible is possible in me, we're talking Super Duper win/win/win/win scenario ♥
And I'm back to practicing what I want to be good at. Being my happy Self.

Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Jenner

Fourteen years ago I got married, in Vegas, for 300$ with Christine's VW Bus as our Limo.
I picked this chapel, out of a phonebook in the library in Sioux Falls, simply on the kitsch of it's name: San Francisco Sally's Victorian Chapel. Somehow I managed to be surprised it looks like a brothel!
My hair is up because it's 119* and I'm about to die, or someone will if my deodorant doesn't hold out. We had 75 people in a chapel with standing room only for 35. Praying, I tell you, everyone was praying.
In all of our pictures, I look manic and melting and Mitch looks like he's gonna barf. Or melt, whichever saves him first. Which is funny, since I felt like he looks. eeeeek!
♥ Yet we did it. Even celebrated in a random restaurant in a random casino with a random band who played a random song for us. So we danced and changed the world. ♥ And I'm so glad.

I miss me. I bet you do too.

Republican Pancakes

July 4, free pancake breakfast at our local Republican Headquarters. Free food? I'm there. Free food from the Neo-Cons? I am first in line ♥ Plus, they recycled Bush/Cheney campaign signs to advertise!
I was immediately comforted by the volunteer presence of my Libertarian True Republican friend Lyn; who happened to meet Barry Goldwater jr last year :::swoon:::I overheard a couple of disturbing conversations while consuming my free pork belly.
A woman walked up to this flag-wearing, Thursday afternoon flag-flyer and it went like this:

Crazy Lady: Hey! Are you still waving your flag on Thursdays?
Flag Guy: Yep, every week, 4:30 to 5:30.
Crazy Lady: Oooooh, you stand across the street from the opposition?
[note: Corvallis has the longest running Peace Rally in the US - every day in front of the courthouse from 5-6]
Flag Guy: Uuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh, no? I stand there next to them.
Crazy Lady: Oh, that must be hard for you... I wanna get my kids out there, to help support our cause, but (I'm full of 10,000 excuses....)
--I had to refocus my listening, lest that pork belly come flying out of me. While I slowly chewed, I picked up the convo behind me. My most treasured quote:
"Women who like the president, really only like him because they think he's cute."
Because, unlike women, men can only be cute OR qualified, not both. Or maybe that's only true for True Republicans Democrats.

Next time, I'm gonna be prepared with THIS on a t-shirt (Neo-Cons can read? I hope!)
Republican Principles from gop.com
I'm a Republican Because...

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.

I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

Dear God (or someone who understands the IRS):

In case you've forgotten who you're dealing with, let me give you a bit of a run-down.
I'm that really funny redhead from South Dakota, the one who waited a really long time to find her true love. Yeah, that one true love that left me, for you, almost 9 years ago.
Soon after his move to the hereafter, I received notice that he died owing the IRS 1200$. I ignored the letters. All of them. For years.
The letter I did pay attention to, however, is the one that came from the Social Security Administration. You may recall, that letter informed me of the legality of garnishment by the IRS, for 70$/month until the debt was satisfied. The second letter I read closely, was the one I received in January, directly from IRS, stating I owed only 400$ more.
I had a feeling that debt might take a few months to be collected via my monthly stipend.
Then I got a check from the IRS in May. And another in July.
Quick assumption: I'm getting paid back for what I've overpaid.
Then today I went to the bank to make a withdrawal; instead of almost 900$, I found a mere 700$.
Social security says sorry, you'll have to talk to the IRS. (to put it nicely, we'll talk about the condescending computer voice much, much, much later)
So I call the IRS. I talk to a very nice man, who explains that I'm not only being garnished, the garnish amount increased to 170$/month, as of January '09. (he's sending me a detailed, daily analysis of my dealings with this amazing organization). Turns out they've been garnishing on the 24th of the month, SSA issued a garnished check on the 3rd, and the IRS reissued their oopsie check on the 18th. My customer service angel was unsure why the garnishment was continuing; aside from the incredibly obvious interest earning scam. He transferred me to the Lien Department.
What a lovely customer service agent I found there! She must be a gilded angel! She told me she was able to put an immediate stop to the lien, as the bill had been paid.
I asked about the legality of such garnishment. She assured me the garnishment is legal.
I looked it up. The law says they cannot touch the child(ren)'s benefits, only the widow(er)'s; the first 750$ is protected, after that, 15% can be garnished. Unless there's an update (which I could not find) after 1991, the maximum garnish amount is around 16.50$/month. Not 70$ and certainly NOT NOT NOT 170$!!!!!
When I ask about the legality of garnishing after the debt is satisfied, I am told it's a glitch.
When I ask to speak to the person in charge of glitches, I'm *disconnected* from the system.
Too bad the next operator, for whom I sat through 20 minutes of recordings and really, really bad musak to speak to, could not give me the original angel's name nor number. She did, however, assure me that while there was not much she could do, she certainly did not want to be in my shoes. I was told about form 911 and advised to wait for a few more deep breaths before I fill it out ;)
I don't wanna get an attorney. I shouldn't have to.
Nor should the government think it's okay to ass-fuck the poorest of our citizens without consequence.
As your smiting business seems to be languishing, I'd sure like permission to take up your slack.
Or maybe just some enlightenment. All the way around, please.

Sincerely,
diana lea jenner