Dear God, please let the Seahawks win.

Dear God.

I don't write you often asking for stuff, You know that. And i hope You didn't take me seriously when i prayed in the past for stupid stuff like being chosen for the News Tribune Guest Columnist or winning that Shun knife in the Thug Kitchen contest. I imagine the cuss words on Thug Kitchen's site might be kind of hard for you to ignore, (though i do need to point out that nowhere does TK use YOUR name in vain).

But this time I really mean it. I am asking for You to please forget for this week those American Idol contestants who pray to You so they can go to Hollywood and instead focus on The Super Bowl, which is this Sunday (just in case You didn't know).

(I am so relieved that the Super Bowl is happening BEFORE the Olympics because i know You will be SUPER busy with trying to answer all the prayers in the weeks coming.)

This is our second chance at winning and it will be heartbreaking to come this far and lose again. I am thinking that You, most of all, must love an underdog.  And while we have played like champions all season, Denver is scary! And Peyton Manning is so revered that it's almost like he's a saint already! And if You don't choose us over Denver I would appreciate knowing why You like Denver more. If it's because of the rain, it's not our fault, it's YOURS, right? (Not that I am complaining, i love it here!)

We do have some very religious guys on our team who really love You, especially our esteemed Quarterback, Russell Wilson. Plus he visits little sick kids in the hospital! And he quotes scripture on Facebook. (And it seems like y'all are buddies already.)

Russell Wilson is so hyper vigilant in his do-goodness that he's very close to being the kind of dude i can't stand. (Ironically he was the one who started me watching. But don't misunderstand me. I love the guy and wish i could marry one of my nieces off with him.)

Doug Baldwin also isn't shy about talking about You. (I'm not sure about Marshawn Lynch since he doesn't talk, but You know what's in his heart and I'm sure he has nothing but love for You and knows You are his real Boss.) I want to believe that You  must have a special affinity for Richard Sherman, (my favorite player),  who tells it like it is and is endearingly narcissistic.

Besides, admit it, don't You get bored sometimes with so many people talking about You all the time? (Only Richard Sherman would love that plus a few people i know in my real life who do not know about this blog.

So please God, if You could bless the Seahawks and let us win you would make so many people that i care about so happy. (I include myself in that group.) And while I don't promise that I will start going to church, i do promise that i will never ask for stupid stuff again ....(even though I am watching American Idol again this year.)

Love, jojo

P.S. You probably already know this, but my husband bought me that Shun knife for Christmas. So maybe You did answer my prayers?

Notes to Self:
Sunset: 5:10 pm
Sunrise: 7:36 am
Extra minutes of daylight since last post: 28 minutes!
Number of cat photos i hid on Facebook: 4
Longest run this week: 58 minutes
Book: Just finished Louise Penny's "Trick of the Light"

SuperBowl, Richard Sherman and Other Stuff

Hawks vs SF Playoffs with the Louvrak family at my brother's Rocfish bar

My niece Ashley in middle, her fiance Eddie and my brother Scott after the win

Richard Sherman

Photos:  The top two are taken from my brother Scott's house after the playoff game last Sunday with San Francisco. I loved football  in the 1970's and 1980's because i focused on the personalities of the players as well as the game. But this is my first year for Seahawks. My favorite player is Richard Sherman, not only because he's so good but because he is incredibly interesting. There is more to him than what is being played out in the media and i keep feeling like i want to defend him as if he were in my own family. 

I enjoy people who do not play it careful and are passionate to a fault. I get a kick out of confidence bordering on arrogance as long as the person backs it up with the real talent. And it doesn't hurt that Sherman was an honors student at Stanford (and second in his high school class). Also he is beautiful,  fluid and graceful on the field. He reminds me of Muhammed Ali who i used to love when i was in junior high and high school. 

1. Best Purchase:  iPad Air!  It is worth every penny - $668 total. I can now live blog the Academy Awards next month. I was going to wait but then decided that while i often spend money on the house, i don't on just myself.

2. Looking Forward to: SuperBowl of course. AND Bowling! 

3. Accomplishment: finally got my photos organized and off memory cards. i had 1274 on my Nikon D90; 300+ on my Coolpix. They are now in appropriate files, copied in two places on a Passport drive. I have to do better at getting them off earlier so it's not such a chore.

4.  Other Accomplishment: I felt like such a slug after the holidays and after all the bad eating and drinking i've been on a kick with No Weekday Wine and Brian's de-tox diet cooking. What i've discovered is that it's not difficult, except i  realize how often i would have poured a glass after getting home if not for my resolution. While not an addiction, it can easily become a habit for me. I used to do the same thing, looking for a snack the minute i came in the door. I'm doing this in January to retrain the habit. 

5. Addiction: HOWEVER, the one thing i actually seem to be addicted to is FRESCA. I didn't buy it for about a week but then broke down. I first told myself i wouldn't drink it at night, but i still do. I bought oranges to add to my water hoping that would satisfy. It didn't. 

5. Everything Good is Bad: I recently read on Facebook from louie's son Nick a list of  foods you should toss out of your frig:  mayo, butter, margarine, pickles, diet soda, yogurt, processed meats and cheeses. I have all of those things in the frig.  At least now i have kale, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower too!

My new sofa with new Pottery Barn pillows

Notes to Self: 

Temp: 47/32 

Sunrise: 7:49 am

Sunset: 4:55 pm (This is 16 minutes MORE daylight since last week!)
Word Count: 498 words

Boring Blog Post.

i took this photo Friday of Brian before he headed out for his debut as a jazz drummer in his new band.

Best thing that happened: Our Seattle Seahawks won their playoff game against the Saints. It would be so surprising if they don't win the SuperBowl this year because they are so amazing that i have only missed watching two games all season.

Book: Still reading Goldfinch and The Reason I Jump. I've not been reading that much lately. 

Bitch of the Week: no secret for Facebookers. My Kindle Fire is busted after only 2 years. I've been all over Amazon about it with the help of some yaya friends.... to no avail. I know why i think: Though i shop often on Amazon for all kinds of things (I even bought an AllClad saute pan from Amazon) i didn't buy very many e-books. And so they don't make money from me since they were only breaking even when they sold those Kindle Fires. At least that's what i remember reading.  

Golden Globes: I watched last night and they were fairly boring. Though i rarely miss the Academy Awards i've never watched the Globes. If i were African American i would be pissed too. Everybody got passed up except for Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. And when the actor's name's were called it seemed like a half mile trek to the stage unless you were Meryl Streep (who had a front row table.) None of the actors were as drunk as i wanted them to be, though i have to say Jacqueline Bisset probably woke up embarrassed this morning. Glad i didn't live blog them. But i DO plan on live blogging the Academy Awards here again. 

What i'm looking forward to: BOWLING! in a few more weeks. I think i want our names to be You Mad Bro? or the SuperBowlers -  in honor of the Seahawks. (Right now we're called Average White Bowlers.)

What i wouldn't mind doing, but i probably won't: Going to see the movie American Hustle.

My latest favorite Celebrity: Jimmy Fallon. I have NEVER liked Leno even before he screwed over Conan O'Brien. I'm looking forward to Fallon taking over. 

Excited about: Breaking Bad! We're on episode 7 of Season 1.  We love this show! 

Ambivalent: The State Legislative session (starts today);  going to the YMCA;  Facebook;  cooking (since my husband is doing his weird de-tox diet), and because of that diet, i will also add eating. And last but not least.... this blog. 

I wish it would: ....SNOW! It's been two years (over MLK weekend) since we had a good snow. 

I love: Flowers in winter! louie/Sarah bought these as a hostess gift for my game night party with the galpals. I am going to replace them immediately when these die. Tulips are my favorite. 


Notes to myself: 
Sunrise: 7:54 am
Sunset: 4:44 pm 
Longest run this week: 43 minutes
Word Count: 453

People Whose Asses I Would Kick and Other Random List Topics from 2013

These heart shaped rocks are on the windowsill at our favorite vacation spot on Vashon Island. Rita, the owner collects them.  

Looking back at 2013:          


Notable books read: Big Brother by Lionel Shriver and We are Water by Wally Lamb and Where'd You Go Bernadette? and Life of Pi

Funniest blog post i wrote this year: (i didn't have very many funny ones, but i do think this one is good... it's another religious theme, like my favorite from last year ...or the year before.) Click here for jo's funniest blog post 2013

Accomplishment: Half marathon for the second year in a row.  (I have no plans so far to run another this year. I'm lucky to still be able to run.) It was my 4th time and my best time running (I think): 1:58).  My other amazing feat for 2013 was that i actually cataloged every single recipe that i have saved over years and years into organized and tidy files. It took me 9 hours, but it was worth it.  When i go looking for my spring risotto recipe i can now find it in less than 2 minutes !

Favorite movies: Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi

New Vacation Spot: Manzanita, Oregon! Can't wait to go back this summer.

Discoveries: Nick Waterhouse (Musician, similar sound to The Black Keys); Thug Kitchen click here for Thug Kitchen's website. Warning: language!

People Whose Asses I Would Kick if it Were Not a Crime: Miley Cyrus. And Christina Aguilar and many folks in Congress - (too many to name because i'm trying to keep this blog shorter!), and anyone driving those huge SUVs who try to turn left (when i want to turn right) on a busy street but take up both the lanes for turning left AND right.

Best Celebrities of 2013:  Jennifer Lawrence, Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Richard Sherman, Bradley Cooper.

Best Commercials: i LOVE commercials and think it would have been great to work for advertising agency. In the past years it was the E-Trade Baby. Then the All State Insurance Mayhem ads with Dean Winters. Now it's AT&T's "It's Not Complicated" ones with the little kids sitting around the the table answering the questions from the spokesman.


Best Purchase: It actually overlaps both 2013 and 2014 since it won't be completed until next week. But i think it's going to be my newly reupholstered sofa, which is being done in a dark cranberry-ish red.


Notes to Self:                                                            
Sunset: 4:32
Sunrise: 7:57 am
Temp: 54/40
Longest Run: 63 minutes
Word Count: 388

If anybody is reading, y'all should come and add your own lists for 2013!

Happy New Year .... last post of the year....

This is my last and 55th post for the year 2013 and i plan to approach blogging somewhat differently in 2014. I will continue to keep this as more of an online journal of lists. 

After finding out the stats on here were artificially inflated a few months ago because of *spam like websites i have not been as happy about blogging since folks aren't really reading. I started this blog because i wanted it to be participatory (as the Gumbo YaYa message board used to be) but smart phones and Facebook sort of killed that.

I still like visiting and writing here because i  need an outlet for writing plus i enjoy having a reference to what i was doing a year ago or a few years ago, so i am not going to abandon it. I have often come back here to find out what year i remodeled my bathroom, a recipe i posted, what books i have read, etc. And i do like  going back and checking out the sunset times seeing how we are on the upswing of getting lighter each day.

I also like the idea that if something happened to me i am still living out here on the internet.

So i think I am going to switch this blog up somewhat and just go back to lists, making it more of a Notes to Self/Menu only that will include stuff like the following:

• Best Book this week: 
• Last song purchased online:
• Best movie:
• Product endorsement:
• Stupidest thing i read on Facebook:
• Lamest Dear Abby letter:
• Favorite commercial this month: 
• Longest run:
• Observation and Rant of the week:
• Sunrise/sunset:
• Weird conversation: 
• My own photo of the week: 

(Not all at the same time.) I hope y'all will maybe want to continue to visit and add your own responses to the list. Happy New Year everybody.

And *Vampirestats, you can go suck it.

Dear Santa.

Dear Santa:

The few things that I want for Christmas will make the world a better place for me and many others. I can't ask God because my requests are trivial and insignificant and God already His plate pretty full with Middle East chaos, typhoons, tsunamis, and other natural disasters, school shootings, global warming, and all those people who want Him to make sure their football team or American Idol wins.

So Santa it's up to you.

I still believe in you. I know i doubted your existence when you bought me that Frank Sinatra album for my new record player that Christmas in 1966 when i was 9 years old. It gave me pause because it was MY MOM who loved Frank Sinatra, not me! What i wanted was Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made for Walking. But then it occurred to me that maybe you just got your Sinatras mixed up.

So here's what i want Santa.

1. People need to put away their fucking iPhones when interacting with other human beings. Most of my friends are good about  this when i am with them... but not everybody. It especially irritates me in a meeting when the very folks who are constantly checking their phones make the meeting longer by asking questions that were already addressed earlier.

And while I'm on the subject, Do NOT bring me a cell phone for Christmas.  I am perfectly happy without one.

2. Please make people quit telling their super sad stuff on Facebook. Facebook is not the appropriate place to lay out your life's woes. I am wholly inadequate in how to respond when someone posts on Facebook about their loved ones who have died or even worse, those who keep a running weekly report on their dying loved one.

3. Please keep Obama safe and on even keel through his last term. I am asking God for this too, but i am also asking you. (He needs that much help. And like YOU, i still believe in Obama....

4. Stop James Patterson from writing books! And Dean Koontz while you're at it. And also that woman who writes those Fifty Shades of Gray books. They suck because they write for the money only.

5. Can you do something about Microsoft and Bill Gates too while you're at it? Or at the very least can you make it happen that every time i "Send Error Report" they send me $100?

6. I would love it if you can make sure that Darrell doesn't get killed on The Walking Dead. This is actually more important to me than my #4. But not as important as my #3.

7.  Could you make Xanax a vitamin?

And though i have more requests on my lists i have to quit because of my limit of 500 words per blog post...But i do want to add one more:

8. Can you make it happen that the Seahawks win the SuperBowl? (I no longer care about American Idol.)

Love, jo


NOTES TO SELF:
Word Count: 496 (not counting Notes)
Sunrise: 7:52 am
Sunset: 4:21 pm
Temp: 46/37
Book: Military Brats (nonfiction)
Shout Out: Amulbunny
Longest run this week: 45 minutes.
Looking forward to: Snow in the forecast on Friday!

7 Reasons I Might Get Coal in My Stocking

1. I was going to donate some money to for the Philippines Typhoon relief but haven't.  I'm trying to figure out a way to do this so that i can quit getting all the phone calls and emails. (It's not about not wanting to give the money, it's about the calls.)

2. I have to say I especially hate those kind of calls when they never leave a message. I figure they are either Planned Parenthood, The Democrats, or all of the magazine subscriptions i have decided to quit getting.

3. For example: I have recently been cancelling: Better Homes and Gardens....Vanity Fair....Cooking Light....Cuisine at Home....Sunset....and Food and Wine. (The ONLY one i am keeping is Rolling Stone.)  I don't need any more recipes! And Vanity Fair magazine has great writing in it and some pretty cool articles, but i am sick to death of wading through 1000 advertisements before i even get to the first article. And i gag on those folded page perfume-y ones that make me sneeze. Plus it's so thick that it's very difficult to read in the bathtub, (which is where i read most of my magazines).

4. At least one present i'm giving away is one that i bought awhile ago for myself and never used.  But it is perfect as a gift for someone else. It's not really re-gifting, which is one you received but didn't want. I actually did buy this for myself. I just didn't use it.

5. I have enough time on my hands that i should already be volunteering, but don't. I'm content to hang around the house on my four days off doing nothing of importance. I am shocked by how fast the time goes by. I feel a little bit guilty. But not enough. (I feel more guilty about how i don't feel guilty!)

6. I am awful about making the first contact to make amends. It's should be MORE disconcerting to me about how easily i can let people slip out of my life. I often attribute it to being a military brat who moved around a lot and went to 3 high schools. I also divorced two husbands before i was 35 years old without too much remorse. Maybe there is something to the military bratdom or maybe that al-anon counseling from my divorce taught me too much about detachment. I don't know. But when things don't seem to fit with me, i find I am not too traumatized by letting go of it.

7. I've been ignoring my political mojo. I seem to need an enemy to work against. Such as George W. Bush. THAT was when i worked hardest and was most involved (or our last Governor election). I am never more motivated than when i am against something. I am hoping by getting out of union work i will start to feel differently. I think i view myself as being at my best when i am standing up against something that i feel is totally wrong. I think it can be a good thing, but there has to be some balance that i am missing.

I am trying to keep this under 500 words and keep editing and it still is over. But i've giving up and putting this puppy to bed.



NOTES TO SELF
Sunrise: 7:46 am
Sunset: 4:20 pm
Book: Dirty Love by Andre Dubois (however his name is spelled...he wrote the book House of Sand and Fog, one of my favorites!)  These are stories and so far i like them!
Shout Out: Marla! If you are reading you should post a comment even if it's just happy face.
Longest Run this Week: 55 minutes.....(however knee is hurting.)
Word Count (not including Notes) : 550 exactly.