November 30, 2003
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
I awoke this morning from a night of incredible dreams. As reality set in, the details of the dreams were hazy but the feelings they inspired remained. "I should take notes," I thought, "I can turn it into a screenplay!" It was true; the dreams had all the elements that make a good movie: romance, melodrama, comedy, action, and terror. I started to concentrate-- what did I dream about? Well, first there was Luke Duke and then Herman Munster...
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November 29, 2003
Running on Empty
My knitting class was this morning and we started to work on the chemo cap. K1, P1 for 9 1/2 inches. We first had to cast on 76 stitches. The teacher said, "Remember the tail of the yarn should be about an inch for each stitch so that should be about 6 feet." I measured the yarn against my arm span to come up with 6 feet. The other women in the class tried different approaches. Many just stood up, held the ball of yarn high over their heads and dropped the other end down until it hit the ground. One woman stood on her chair to try to get the right height.
"You don't have to stand up on a chair, just stretch it across your chest" I said.
"We don't all have long arms like you do, Donna!" said the woman standing on the chair.
"Just add a foot then" I replied.
"Well, if you're gonna be smart about it!" She got down off the chair and did it my way. She didn't look at me the rest of the class.
Later the women had a very intense conversation about Darryl Hannah. "Darryl Hannah knits!" "Oh, I just love Darryl Hannah!" "Wouldn't you love to look like Darryl Hannah?" "No, no, I just want to have her body" "I don't like Darryl Hannah's face but she does have a fabulous body" "Did you know she used to date Jackson Browne?" "Jackson Browne! Oh I love Jackson Browne" "I always wanted to make love to Jackson Browne but I don't think my husband would aprove" "Darryl Hannah is just so lucky to have had Jackson Browne." "She also had JFK Jr" "Wow, JFK Jr was such a hunk!" This went on for over an hour.
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November 28, 2003
Brideshead
Just found this lovely Web site devoted to Lord Sebastian Flyte!
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leftovers
Hot turkey sandwiches. Leftover stuffing. Cold cranberry chutney. Apple cider. The day after is sometimes better than the feast.
I finished my first knitting project, a scarf. It took me 6 days but I finally binded off this afternoon. Even though it is far from perfect, I am quite pleased with myself. Tomorrow we learn to make hats! By next week I should be able to determine if my original idea of giving away hats is possible. In the meantime, dogtulosba is offering free magnets. Hurry while supplies last!
All day long I have had a yen to watch an old Hollywood Romance. An Affair to Remember, Magnificent Obsession-- something! The closest I came was an hour of Brideshead Revisited on Trio. It was an episode from the middle of the series when Sebastian is living in Morrocco with the German who's foot is full of pus. "I had a friend at University, a clever little fellow. I use to pick him up and shake him when I was angry-- but so clever!" (What the heck does it say about me when I can QUOTE Brideshead Revisted!?!) Then I watched the last 15 minutes of The A-Team and a full hour of 21 Jump Street. AMC why hath thou forsaken me!?!?!
BTW, googling Brideshead Revisited has uncovered a plan to remake it starring Jude Law as Sebastian and Colin Farrell as Charles Ryder. I wonder if they will try to condense it into 2 hours? And will they cut out Anthony Blanche? "You know what it was that cemented our love? We used the same color varnish on our toe nails!"
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November 27, 2003
Thanksgiving Update #4
Sweet! Very cute movie. Fluffy, fun, just what the doctor ordered. See Elf. Now Lisa and I are going to the only place open on Thanksgiving night. K-Mart. Just something to do.
I hope everyone had a great holiday.
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Thanksgiving Update #3
All that preparation and within a half hour, the meal is over. My stomach hurts it is so full. The baked pineapple was incredible. The pumpkin pies tasted just like the way my Grandmother made them. The fried turkey was delicious as always. The cranberry chutney was a bit too vinegary and tart. Although it was interesting, I wouldn't make it again. Now, Lisa, Mom and I are going to escape and see Elf at the local movie theater. I hope it is funny. All the critics raved. Of course they raved about the extrememly boring and tedious Lost in Translation. We shall see. Oh, and BTW...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU!!!!
I wish you all the very best! Live long and prosper!
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Thanksgiving Update #2
Stuffing is in the oven. Baked Pineapple is in the oven. Decided not to do the Sweet Potato Casserole. Too much food and not enough energy. The turkey is almost ready to be fried.
One spill. Nerves are still good. Just the one spat earlier. We are doing very good.
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Thanksgiving Update
Finished
2 Pumpkin pies using my grandmother's recipe
Cranberry Chutney using Martha Stewart's recipe
Sweet Potatoes
Next up...
Stuffing. We decided to go with my Aunt Verna's recipe as opposed to Martha's. Maybe we'll do Martha's recipe for Christmas.
Sweet Potato Casserole. It was decided to do a mini-casserole because we love it so much. We are using our next door neighbor, Pat's recipe.
Pineapple something. I can't remember but Mom decided at last minute to bake it.
Fried turkey. The propane burner is set up in the back and my father is getting everything else ready.
We should be ready by 3:00. So far there have been no nervous breakdowns and only one small spat. I am feeling good!
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November 24, 2003
My name is Zoom and I come from the moon...
Back in September, I mentioned how I loved the Captain Zoom birthday song (My name is Zoom and I come from the moon). The response to that entry was really overwhelming. I continue to get emails and comments from people who grew up listening to Zoom. Last night I was a bit bored (my neck hurt from all the knitting I've been doing) and so I decided to create a Web page homage to Zoom. Take a peak: My Name is Zoom
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November 23, 2003
Mein Gorilla hat 'ne Villa im Zoo
Lisa and I spent the weekend looking for the Donna villa. We toured 6 town houses in all. There were some I liked, but not enough to buy. The first one we visited had an interesting feature. I was snooping around the master bedroom and opened a door to what I thought might be a closet. It was not a closet but rather a small room with a little cat bed and scratch stand. On the wall hung a poster of a fuzzy kitten. Lying in the cat bed was a fat, gray cat. It looked up at me and meowed. I quickly closed the door. Can you imagine? A cat room! And I thought I spoiled Cocoa!
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thanksgiving
After dinner this evening, my mother and I planned the Thanksgiving Day feast.
Fried Turkey
Cornbread, Apple and Sausage Stuffing
Gravy
Cranberry Chutney
Broccoli with Cheddar Cheese
Candied Yams
Dessert: Pumpkin pie
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November 20, 2003
bloated
Must stop eating Italian nougat. Must stop eating chocolate-covered Italian nougat. Must stop listening to Johnny Cash cds.
Must submit November's expenses. Must expense plane ticket to Orlando. Must do laundry. Must take a walk.
Posted by donna at 08:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 16, 2003
knitting class
Saturday was my first knitting class. I learned to cast on, knit, and purl. Casting on was pretty easy. Knitting also came rather natural. Purling took time. There are about 10 women in the class. All soccer moms. "Knitting is the new yoga!" "Knit Purl is going to be my new mantra" "Did you know that Julia Robert knits?" "I heard the entire cast of Friends knit, even Joey!"
The one instructor is a very old woman and the other two teachers call her, Mom. She smells like poo. I learned fast working with her. It's a little early, but I think knitting may be my new hobby! In fact, instead of knitting skull caps for little babies with leukemia, I may knit skull caps for everyone who reads Donnaville! Wouldn't that be exciting! I'll be the only blogger who sends thank you gifts to her readers. I will have to figure out if it is doable. I can't imagine there are that many of you, maybe 6 or 7. First I will have to improve my speed since it takes me forever just to knit a sqare inch. We shall see.
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Candied Chestnuts
My mom and dad arrived home yesterday after two weeks in Italy. Lisa and I picked them up at the airport. The first words out of my mom's mouth were, "You haven't updated Donnaville in a week! Is everything okay? What is this about you having a hot ass?"
Mom brought back tons of sweets for us. Different kinds of Italian Nougat, flavored chocolates and candied chestnuts. She also produced little individually packed spreads that I thought were Nutella knock-offs. But when I opened one, it turned out to be creamed chestnut spread! Oh my GOD, it was delish! Hero Fruttissima Crema di Marroni alla Vanillina. I tried it on my toast this morning. It was great; so great I couldn't control myself and the next thing I know, I am scooping it out with my fingers. Mmmmmm, too good.
(So long hot ass, hello big fat ass)
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November 08, 2003
How I spent my Saturday Night
- Sitting on the sofa
- In front of the TV
- Watching A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story
- Petting Mr. Cocoa
- Eating chocolate ice cream with Hershey's syrup
- Drinking beer, Michelob Ultra
- Crying when Annette got married, had a baby, divorced, diagnosed with MS, and at the end when she was in a wheelchair.
Posted by donna at 11:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
#1
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November 06, 2003
drip
Dropped friends off at the Trenton train station. I then proceeded to get lost in Trenton. Finally I found my way through the rain and darkness to Lisa's bar where I ordered Blue Moon beer and goat cheese crepes. The regulars all yelled, "Hey it's sister Donna!" It felt like an episode of Cheers until the person next to me asked what a nun was doing hanging out in a bar. Sister Donna. He took it seriously.
This morning I got pre-qualified for a mortgage. I signed so many documents I wouldn't be surprised if I signed away my first born child. When I was a little girl, playing with my Grow Up Skipper doll, I never imagined I would buy a house. I always automatically assumed I would marry and my husband and I would buy a home together. Even just a few years ago, I thought it would be H and me. Funny how things work out.
Posted by donna at 11:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 02, 2003
absolutely nothing (say it again)
Shopped for groceries. Ate too much. Rented The Fountainhead at Blockbuster and watched it. (Gary Cooper was just too old to play H.R, although Patricia Neal was very good) Watched 3 episodes of I love the 80's Strikes Back. Fighting an intense desire to just go to bed. Not looking forward to working tomorrow. Usually I love working but of late I've been feeling ambivalent. Maybe I will go to bed...
Posted by donna at 11:10 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
November 01, 2003
post halloween
Trick or Treaters were plentiful. They completely cleared me out of candy. Audra came over and together we went to the Inn of the Hawk. Lisa bartended dressed as the St. Pauli Girl. Audra wore a sexy cat outfit and I wore a modish dress that unzipped to show my Wonder Woman Underoos tank top underneath. We met a few guys. The first fellow was dressed like an impaled skier. He was inebriated and kept telling us we should play frisbee golf. After he left a trio of boys showed up. They were 21. One of them broke the ice by describing his favorite television show from his youth, Jim Henson's Storytellers. He was amazed I remembered it. "Wow, you have a great memory! Most people don't remember it!" Yeah, that's because I saw it when I was in High School and not Kindergarten, kid. Regardless, they were cute (in that no hair developing any where on their bodies type of way) and if I was 10 years younger I might have tried to be a bit more friendly.
Posted by donna at 11:45 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
