Julia London's Blog, page 64
August 3, 2011
Groupon-mania
I don't remember how I discovered Groupon, though I'm sure it had something to do with spending too much time on the Internet. But I have to say, it's paid off. My first Groupons were some lovely deals for steak dinners at one of Austin's steakhouses. And I got a Groupon for a neat little photo book from Shutterfly (which I still haven't used–wanna make a book of the kids for the holidays!).
A Groupon from my local Georgetown used book store came in handy before going to the beach, and I have a teeth whitening one that I delayed using, figuring they'd just get grungy again with all the coffee I drink. But since I'm down to one cup a day (yay!) I think it's time to brighten the pearly whites 
And, of course, there's Grouponing as a social event. Julia London and I are doing facials (after I get past this deadline, I hope!!) and this weekend, the husband and I are touring the Texas wine country. Can't wait!! 
Of course, the downside is that all the deals sound fun! I've had to talk myself out of so many. (I still regret not doing the eyelash extensions. I think it would be fun to see how they worked!)
Do you Groupon? What's the best deal you got so far?
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August 2, 2011
Brave New World
In the past, people got baby name ideas from family history, book characters, stars from stage and screen, then TV and music. Maybe even song titles and art. Recent celebrity names include Bear Blu, Willow Sage, Bingham Hawn, Arthur Saint, and even Harper Seven. Who knows where celebrities get their name ideas?
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Alicia Silverstone with Bear Blu.
My son happens to be of an age that he actually has friends expecting a baby. Shocking, I know. He's only 20. But then, I was a new mom at 21, so… I guess that's how it goes. But it has come to my attention that the new source for baby names among the next generation? Video Games! Yes, I know. Prepare for future Zeldas, Marios, and Luigis. Okay, maybe not Marios and Luigis. Can you tell how outdated my video game knowledge runs? But it is indeed a brave new world, influenced by video and internet.
I did a brave thing myself the other day. Well, not brave according to me. Through the years, I've made lots of friends online. It isn't that I don't leave my house. I meet people out and about, too. But a lot of my closest friendships have been forged through email and internet interaction. It's amazing that I can have best friends who live in TX, California, NY, NJ, and I rarely get to those places to keep in touch live and in person. Granted, I met these friends in person first (or early on at professional events, after meeting online first), but it has been great to keep up online.
But then, there are friends of the Whine Sisters who I have never met in person, but I've developed genuine friendships with just from our regular interaction here. I think that's amazing, and wonderful. (Keep commenting! We really like you!). And there's a woman I know from another internet forum (Disney-related, if you must know), that was in town to visit her sister and I actually invited her over to my house. Brave? Stupid?
My kids were concerned. [image error]
My husband had his doubts. [image error]
But I have been talking to Amy for years. I know where she lives, her family's names. I know where she went to college. I'm friends with her on Facebook. I didn't think anyone who really just wanted to stalk me would go through the trouble of developing such an intricate personal history for years just to carry on the ruse. You know? The world is changing. Of course you have to be careful, and I understand my family's concern. But really. This is a way people get to know each other now. And I think it's pretty awesome.
Amy and I had a lovely visit, by the way. We were pleased to discover that we're the same people online as in person and we got on fabulously, picking up the conversation in real time as easily as we have online.
Have you met any close friends online? Had success with internet dating? Where did you get the ideas for your baby or pet names?
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August 1, 2011
Just Give In…
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Just Surrender…
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Lady Jane's Salon
For those of you who aren't in the know, there's a clandestine little reading salon that meets in every month down in the Village in New York City. It's called Lady Jane's salon, a throwback to by-gone days when curtains were red velvet, couches were called settees, and the glasses were always overflowing.
View Madame X in a larger map
Tonight (yes, Monday August 1), the always dramatic, always witty, always loquacious Dee Davis will be reading from her upcoming August release, DEEP DISCLOSURE.
Deep Disclosure
And, there will also be another WhineSister reading there, a modestly, shy, and unassuming wallflower by the name of ME, who will be reading from JUST SURRENDER. Books will be available for sale, and proceeds go to needy children college funds.
Just Surrender
Any whinesisters who do show up, and mention the secret code word, "Sisters in Wine" will be greeted warmly, and if I'm in the mood, I'll buy you a drink. J
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July 30, 2011
Everything Old is New Again
July 29, 2011
Friday Goulash!
Today's blog is one of those goulash sort of compendiums of whatever things I want to discuss, and first on my list is BART.
Bart is the name of the chipmunk that scurries back and forth along the bricks, looking cute and innocent.
HOWEVER, do not be deceived by the cautious, shy demeanor and the colorful stripes. Bart is a sociopath.
My garden has a metal fence around it, but it's a large-opening sort of fence (it's actually a recycled dog run). The fence keeps the deer and the rabbits out, but alas, it is not chipmunk proof. My first tomatoes to ripen were the cherry tomatoes and I had a lot of them, so when I saw small nibble marks on one, I wasn't upset. Share the wealth with nature, that was my motto.
Well, Bart, the little bugger, got greedy. First it was the cherry tomatoes, and then he moved into the Manalucie tomatoes (EXCELLENT tasting by the way). Yesterday, when he took my first Better Boy, I was seeing red.
Click here to view the embedded video.
We got some netting to attach to the fence, and it is helping, but today I found another Manalucie on the ground. The next step is to secure the bottom of the netting with a staple gun and if that doesn't work, I'm using the staple gun on Bart.
The other issue I need to vent about is the US Government. I am lumping the President and Congress together into this one . I suppose I cannot blame the judicial branch for the current lack-of-government debacle, but the Supremes better watch their step because I'm NOT HAPPY. Tell me, is it really so hard to lock yourselves in a room with a #2 pencil, an adding machine, and some water? I wouldn't let them eat until they came up with a plan. I think hunger inspires creativity and cooperation. The US Stock futures are set to open lower again. We did this once in 2008. I don't want to do it again.
And lastly, I notice that Tropical Storm Don is headed for Texas. Fingers crossed it will bring some rain.
So, how is everybody today? Ready for Friday? Ready for the weekend? Anybody know how to get rid of one pesky chipmunk? Want to rail against Washington?
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July 28, 2011
Travelling Companions
While you are reading this, I am driving back from my fabulous vacation in Taos. Every time I make this trip, I usually drive to my sister's house in San Antonio. We take her husband's big truck with the covered bed, and load dogs and stuff into it. Then we make the 13 hour drive to Taos. Going is not so bad. Coming back is a bitch. You know when you're tired, and you don't want to talk, and you definitely don't want to drive? It's that times ten, and usually I am sore because we have hiked a lot, so every time we stop, I can hardly move.
My sister and I have traveled the world together through the years, and we are the perfect traveling companions. I know she has to sleep in the car, and she knows I have to have music. We both like to try and keep it healthy on the eating, so we agree on where to stop and when. We usually have lots to talk about, so there are never awkward silences. And even if we don't want to talk, we are content to be together.
I have had traveling companions that were not that easy to get along with from time to time. People who need to have it go exactly their way or everyone is miserable. One of them was my late sister. She had some very specific needs and wants when travelling–for example, she refused to drive, or ride in the front seat. She liked to stop at convenience stores and get snacks. And she would not fly. But because she was the big sister, she had spent many years training us to do exactly as she wanted. I really miss her, but you know what? I might have killed her on that 13 hour drive back to San Antonio. I say that with a lot of love, KLO. You know how you were
Do you have any traveling companions? Have you ever had to travel with someone who set your teeth on edge? How are you on long car trips?
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July 27, 2011
HOME AGAIN
I returned to Atlanta last night after being away from home for an entire month. I traveled to New York on June 25th to attend the Romance Writers of America conference, then remained there for an additional three weeks to help my parents get their house ready to put up for sale.
I'd never been away from home for so long. I'd also never, in 25 years of marriage, been away from my husband for so long–three weeks! Even though we talked on the phone several times a day, I still felt like I was missing a vital body part. The DH and our son joined me in NY for the last week and it was so great to see them! Also great was seeing my sister, who came in from Pennsylvania for five days. I hadn't seen her in two years–way too long, and we had a great time. Her daughters came to NY (the married one brought her hubby), and for one lovely day all nine of us were together. The rest of the time was a whirlwind of clearing out, painting, cleaning, and straightening up. While I painted, the DH and our son laid new kitchen floor tile, and tiled the foyer as well. A lot of work, but the house now looks great and ready to put on the market. Now that I'm home I'm up to my eyeballs in mail, laundry, and a very long grocery list. I loved seeing my family, yet it's great to be home—a huge push/pull on my heart. One that might be solved if the folks decide to buy a place here in ATL after their NY house sells. Then we can help them get another house in order…oh, my achin' back, LOL!
What's the longest you've ever been away from home? Have you moved a lot? How are real estate sales going in your area? What have you been up to lately? Catch me up on some of the news–I feel like I've been out of the loop completely! (How's that for some random questions, LOL!).
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July 25, 2011
Craft Day!
While we were at the beach a few weeks ago, we went into a lovely hotel in Galveston, the Galvez, and had drinks in the bar. Isabella and I went into the ladies' room at one point, and they had a bowl between the two sinks filled with mushy-gushy stuff. Isabella asked what it was, I read the card, and it was a salt scrub, with instructions (use it on your hands for a minute or so, rinse off — would clean and make your hands feel moist and wonderful).
Of course we tried it…and it was FREAKING AWESOME! So we went back to the bar, made Catherine feel our hands, and trotted off to the ladies room again so the eldest kid could try it. She also loved it. (Don reported that they did not have the scrub in the men's bathroom. I think that's sexist, but whatever.)
Anyhoo, they sold it in the gift shop for about what I pay monthly for my minivan. I said no when the girls asked.
But being a creative mom, I did some investigating, and the other day Izzy and I made some of our very own. And you can, too!
You want a massage type oil (don't use regular cooking oil). We got some grapeseed oil. And, of course, you need sea salt. We used the fine, but I'm pretty sure the hotel had the coarse (which we'll use on our next try). And you need some essential oil. We picked out lavender and orange, and made the first batch with orange.
Put a cup of salt in a bowl (you can use sugar, too). Then mix in 1/2 cup of the oil. Then about 10 drops of the essential oil.
Mix.
Put it in a pretty bowl.
Put it in your bathroom to impress your spouse and/or guests.
Then end!
The kids were quite impressed (and it cost so much less than the hotel version)!
Got any great craft ideas to share?
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