I get it. Really.

Hey JT, in NYC,

[Mid-life crisis] I get it. Really get it.
The other day this guy insulted the needle books that I'm trying to sell on ETSY (Ugh. Long story.) Suggested that I'd sell them for, what?, $5.00 each. I'm thinking +$30.

Then a b*tchmom at ballet asked me if my GRANDDAUGHTER was in the class. I looked pretty damn hep that day too. She was sloppy & preggo but I wasn't going to be so classless as to ask her when she was due. Then, when she found out that darling M is my DAUGHTER she crassly said, "So, tell me about M. What's THAT on her head?" Young idiot.

At a party for the Chinese New Year every single conversation descended into yet another laundry list of C's heath issues. I kept excusing myself, finally just waiting in the car, big day the next day.

On Thursday, coming home from the hospital with C, I saw a huge billboard advertising Blue Oyster Cult! They are playing Wendover, NV. I am NO fan of BOC, nor Wendover, but suddenly it seemed like a great idea. Just get me outta here!

The 40's are rough. That feeling of relentlessly putting one foot in front of the other is wearing on the bones and soul. Greatness though, is wasted on the young and also not exclusively theirs. Keep writing. Keep loving. Keep moving forward. 

xoxo
H
Glad you liked the card. Would have liked to see you more while in UT.

H is for Hussein.

I was asked today if I'd buy a Mormons for Obama t-shirt. Hmmm. YES!
Loved the discussion on the blog. Left the following comment:

Oh dear... should I jump in? Great dialog. I've had people yell at me over any mention of the ills of Palin. (Don't get that.) This t-shirt idea & this discussion motivated me to mow the front lawn and put up my Obama yard sign. Tomorrow I'm going to wear my "Obama Mama" pin... bold moves in Utah County.

At C's new office one woman almost fainted when she heard he is a Democrat. (True.)

Stephen Hussein: Julie is my good pal in NYC!

I don't get the Democrat raising taxes argument... Anyone see what the Bush Clan is cooking up to solve Wall Street's woes? That isn't R or D -- it is crazy and we'll all be paying for it for years. If I recall, for all his foibles Clinton wasn't so hard on the budget.

What is Republican about the debt that is growing and growing and GROWING? The endless war? Failing schools? Failing infrastructure? How about the Hot, but inexperienced, negligent mother for VP nominee? Grandma Ream and Uncle Bud wouldn't recognize the party.

Palin, the mother and a member of AoG (a faith that routinely says that Mormons are going to rot in hell?) makes me so ill... that "hot chick" thing especially. That McSame chose her tells me what he thinks of the American people, on many levels. My fear is that he is right and people will vote for Her/them. Mo-bama's, Obama Mamas, Everyone who wants things to get better needs to speak up for Obama/Biden.

Back to the shirts: Would you like C and I to work on it tonight? (My dear graphic designer friend is one who yelled at me--Wacky republican? Saying all sorts of lies about Obama. I sent her (calmly) to factcheck.com and snopes.com)
Are you taking orders? I am forwarding this to my conservative friends, that means Mormon Democrats. You know the type: we believe in family (parents raising their own children), no debt, fair health care coverage, good education, diplomacy, a strong dollar.
~H Hussein

Valentine Special: Confrontation Cookies!

Our 2008 version. Not so perfect and yet these cookies are just so funny. The ones that K brought to school, the only acceptably cool valentine for a 12 year old boy to bring to school, was a better recipe. I'll post that soon, hopefully.

The 2007 Shepherd's cookies, so perfect. And! so perfectly rude.
Earlier I wrote that 2008 is the year of NO COOKIE that is pretty much holding true. There needs to be a few exceptions. Valentine's Day is one. St. Patrick's Day? Easter? Nah, not worth the calories.

Sugar Cookies
Fun to make with Children. This recipe is the classic sugar cookie. The kind that “Grandma B’s” has mutilated into a 4 oz. monster of fat and gluttony, injected with hydrogenated fat inside and then schmeared more on top with pink icing.

¾ cup butter at room temperature (one and a half sticks)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¾ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
sugar to sprinkle on top, try the fun glittery type.

Beat sugar and butter until creamy; beat in eggs and vanilla.

In another bowl [oh whatever, just add the dry ingredients thoughtfully. Don't bother getting another bowl dirty.] stir together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, to form a soft, even dough. If you have the time, cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or for up to 3 days.

On a floured board, roll out dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out with cookie cutters. Place slightly apart on parchment covered baking sheets. Sprinkle with sugar, or hold off on that and then ice with royal icing. Go to a baking/cake decorating supply shop and buy the instant kind. Very easy, same ingredients as homemade: simplify.

Bake in a 400º oven until edges are lightly browned (8-10 minutes). the original recipe says, ”Store airtight.” Oh right, as if there will be any to store. It also says that this recipe, “Makes about 4 dozen,” that is if half of the dough isn’t snitched by 4, 7, 12, or 15 year olds. 10 year olds, it is a well known fact, don’t like cookie dough, ever.

Originally found in a booklet from Sunset Magazine, Favorite Cookie Recipes. 1990