chaff

Anyone else find all the clutter folks slap all over their blogs or their Facebook pages distracting? It's like the digital version of Precious Moments dolls covering the flat surfaces of your home. I dislike clutter in general, but I've always been especially nonplussed by Precious Moments... and the quickest way to dismiss a fella in the past has been to tell my friends that he's the kind of guy who, in a fit of what he would deem romantic inspiration, would buy me a PM doll.

I'm sorry: collectible.

We'd all laugh, sigh, and agree that I'd eat him alive. Rob, you might want to write this down!
*****
I've been so encouraged in so many ways, not least of which is the correspondence I've begun with one of Rob's sisters. The other is rather busy, so I'm not hurt AT ALL that the only email I've gotten from her is one asking what my intentions were with her brother - tongue firmly in cheek. I told her I planned to beat him in Scrabble and apparently won her over completely.

The sister I write more regularly seems like a kindred spirit, and I'm very excited to meet her over Christmas. She's had some amazingly encouraging things to say, and while Rob might be a bit nervous that she and I are getting along so handsomely (I think he's scared we'll gang up on him, which, of course we will), I'm having a great time getting to know her.

Also, she may have told Rob to keep me around because she really wants to play with Blake. SWEET! I wonder how she feels about potty-training.
*****
I listen to the following podcasts, specifically when I'm cleaning house and Blake's asleep or during long drives and Blake's asleep:

• This American Life
• Selected Shorts
• Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!
• The Sunday Puzzle

I'm just that big a nerd, but TAL can be funny or thought-provoking or bittersweet. SS makes me feel better about how little I read anymore. WWDTM is a news quiz, but very funny and even informative - it balances out the Newsweek I devour weekly. TSP is a word game, and I love love love word games.
*****
I just can't feel badly about my addiction to Project Runway.
*****
I have approximately 15,000 words to use in a day (average woman is estimated at 7,000*). I'm seeing such a generous guy that he gives me over half of his daily allotment (average guy is estimated at 2,000)... and he stubbornly insists that I am not crazy. Also, I would like to point out that my overuse isn't even because I have to repeat everything to him because he listens to my prattle. What's not to love?

*This is in no way scientific, and the actual numbers varied wildly when I looked it up.