Please, excuse me as I jump in the air, screech at the top of my lungs, and do a little happy dance. Coffee has returned to Yaffa’s household!

Only about an hour ago, we went to a store to buy myself some skin junk (notice the respectful term?). While I went single-mindedly for my object, Imah went to browse the junk foods. I was not happy when I saw the nachos. (I was tired, hungry, and my head and feet ached–I wanted to walk in, grab my skin junk, and be done with it.) For reason, when she asked me if I wanted anything, I actually considered it. I answered, "Cheeze-its", having had a craving for them lately. She said no way. After a few minutes of arguing, she finally made it clear that only one junk food item would be bought and shared between us. Oooh. Now, she tells me.

Glancing around, I saw the coffee and immediately perked up. "Hey, let’s go price the coffee-makers." Imah agreed. We found a 12-cup coffee-maker for $10, filters for a dollar, and the ground coffee for about $6-7. We bought it–to celebrate Imah’s new job (*cheers!*).

Imah had the first cup of coffee moments ago–I brewed it. I will have my first cup from it tomorrow morning before I head out for work. Mmm. It’s good to have coffee again. Tea just isn’t the same.

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

That’s right, I’ve done it. I have–thanks to the tremendous pressure of a few influential people –started my first RPG: The Superpower Game. I’m so proud (though it is a bit soon). At least now maybe I’ll get those…er, dear, influential people off my back.

That’s all I have to report. That’s really all I’ve done today. It rather feels like I haven’t done much. Well, I did create another character to apply for a position in an rpg set in the Big Apple.

Oh yes! I did some writing, but (sadly) I still haven’t finished this blasted chapter–it’s a long one, I fear. Anyway, as soon as I finish this blog, I’ll get to working on it.

Now, for today’s Unconscious Mutterings: I say…you think…

1. Visit :: rewards of sweets and other junk food
2. Cake :: funfetti!! (just made some…mmm)
3. Period :: curse (I’ll leave it at that)
4. Triumphant :: I’ve finished a chapter!
5. Screen :: (I hate to admit it…) TV
6. Neglect :: What? … Well, I can’t wash the dishes if I’m writing, now can I?
7. Guitar :: fumble (LOL…rofl!)
8. Loathe :: …the Rafim (muahahahaha!)
9. Sugar :: Lord, no! Keep it away! Keep it away! (Especially when I ask for it.)
10. Montage :: I need to get a new one going…

I’m off to munch on cake now. Hehehe. *background screams* Ta ta! *hasty departure*

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

I would say last night (Rosh Chodesh) was…fun. (Muahahaha!) I went with Josi and Calev–meeting C4, Trin, and Micky (aka, my evil twin) and their family there. We got there late but managed to get a hold of some yummy fudge bars (I couldn’t resist throwing a piece that I unfortunately dropped. Sorry, Calev. I’ve been aching for a food fight lately.)

Then came C4’s mysterious surprise.

It turned out to be a mystery game. We were given clues which led to more clues which led to more clues which led to…you get the idea. We were to come up with 3 answer clues–while avoiding the "wolves" or double agents (who turned out to be 2 of C4’s brothers). As I said, it was fun. Despite my having the biggest "team" (I’m so loved ), we didn’t win. I don’t think anyone won (within the time given us)–but Raphael (a "double agent") was closest.

After the mystery game, while others schmoozed and began to leave, Calev, Josi, C4, and I did some dancing. It was SO FUN! I don’t have some of my favorite dances, so this was a nice refreshment (if one can call something that made me so sweaty can be called that).

I cannot begin to describe the thrill to dance again–with friends. Ah…dancing and friends…life is good.

Oops! It’s late. Here’s today’s memes:

From Friday Fun–Name 5:

TV shows: Numb3rs, Criminal Minds, NCIS, CSI, Without a Trace (I guess that tells you what kind of shows I like.)

Foods: Ice Cream!! Pizza, lasagna, (Imah’s homemade) fruit smoothies, hamantashen (mmm…)

Things to do: write, read, sing, surf the net, blog

Online stores: (don’t do that much)

Online haunts: here ( ;) ), UNfaded Labyrinth, Tickle, Storycrafter, Sony Pictures forums.

Friday Feast #108

Appetizer: If I could have a free subscription to a magazine it would it be the astronomy magazine I used to get. What was it called? Hmm…it might have been called simply Astronomy.

Soup: Describe my living room: messy. That about covers it. Oh, and cramped.

Salad: The shape of a circle makes me think of eternity/infinity.

Main Course: 3 things in my life I consider absolute necessities: my positive attitude, my creative abilities, and God.

Dessert: The last really funny movie I watched was probably that black-and-white Midnight.

With that I say…Farewell!

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Nothing much to say. I’m rather busy today. (Hey! That rhymes!) I’m leaving shortly to go to the library (*cheers*) to pick up some items I had on hold.

Craving ice cream earlier…but now the thought of it makes me grimace. Curse this sinus headache (I feel like I’ve been in a perfume shop too long).

Anyway, here’s today’s Monday Madness:

1. Would you shave your head for any amount of money? If yes, how much? LOL! I was just complaining this morning about shaving my head because my hair is too long! *ROFL* Er…yes, I think I would…for about $12 k (min.).
2. What "whacky" thing might you do for a large sum of money? Define "whacky". I do silly/crazy things all the time! I can get paid for that?! Oo!
3. What do you think is a "large sum of money?" Eh-heh. A few thousand, I suppose.
4. Do you watch "reality" tv shows? No, uh-uh.
5. If so, which do you watch and in what order do you prefer them? If not, are there any you may consider watching? No. My life is entertaining/freaky enough, thank you.
6. Which reality show have you thought about participating in? Why? *ahem* The Life of Princess Yaffa.
7. Share one thing you would like to do in life but have not yet done….. think about why you haven’t done it and share if you wish. Well, there’s that novel…but I’m working on that. So, I’ll say the trip to Israel. I haven’t gone because of money. My friends and I who want to go should all get some kind of fundraiser going, but we’re all busy with our own different paths in life now. *sigh*

Farewell! I must go! *bows*

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Sadly, I did not get to go ice skating for the first time. My chauffeur was called away to an important meeting (a job interview!). I’m not sure when I will be able to go have my first skate now.

I also did not go to the fair. Perhaps it’s the moodiness; perhaps I’m beginning to worry about money. I talked with Imah about it, and (still upset for my little undisclosed trips) she didn’t like the idea. So, not really feeling in the mood to go (I rather felt like snapping at those who were going), I decided against it.

And with these disappointments, my mind also doubts the beloved trip to the hot springs that Imah and I take in the late summer/ early fall (which we’ve missed how many years now?). We really want to go though, so we’re holding on til the very last to admit we can’t go. We’ll see…sacrifices will have to be made, I’m sure. But my determination can get pretty ruthless when I really want something (just ask my muscles when I try to push myself too far during exercises!).

And to end this rather depressing post…today’s Unconscious Mutterings!

1. Cruel :: Raf (a bad guy in my novel)
2. Jive :: let’s dance!
3. Weak :: (not to be confused with "week")
4. Understand :: life? No, I don’t think I do.
5. Bum :: vagabond/hobo
6. Stairs :: Have a nice trip! See you next fall!
7. Tone :: of voice: what Imah tells me not to use
8. Quickly :: no, that is not me
9. Moment :: blonde? Or just spaced out? (Yes, that is me.)
10. Beating :: Why does this keep happening in my stories? (Oh, that’s right–my bad guys are cruel.)

(I’ve got my novel on my mind. Couldn’t tell, could you? )

To make up for missing them, I’m posting last Friday’s memes today:

Friday Fun:

1. Are you a die hard fan of a particular TV show or movie? Oo, hard to choose. Well, I’m really into Jeopardy. My favorite tv shows are Numb3rs, Criminal Minds, & NCIS. Favorites movies are (at the moment): Journey to the Center of the Earth (James Mason, Pat Boone), The Longest Day (always a fave of mine), and Midnight (Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche).
2. Are you a sports fan? If so, who or what team? Not really–Oh! There’s gymnastics and figure skating!
3. Is there a celebrity that you are a fan of? Why? Sasha Cohen. I can relate to how she handles things in life.
4. Are you a fan of any particular product? What is it and why? Hmm…product… Well, there’s that Champagne Kiss shampoo I dearly love.

Friday’s Feast

Appetizer: The color of my chauffeur’s car is white (or gray–depends on how long ago I was coerced/blackmailed into washing it).

Soup: If I could wake up with full training in another occupation and a job in that field, I would choose: something to do with computers–web design or the like.

Salad: I have had the flu (or something similar) a few times in my life. (What’s scary is all these times I get sick to my stomach–and yet I still feel like I want to eat!)

Main course: Something that happened to me this (previous) week which I did not expect: more like what I expected to happen but didn’t. (see above)

Dessert: How old was I when I had my first kiss? LOL! Too young to remember! I don’t why the boys liked me then. I may have been a tomboy back in the day, but I was a mean little twit.

And with that I say… Farewell! *bow*

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Oh! The world is truly coming to end! No more coffee for me! (not at home, anyway) That’s all right. I’ve had my eye on this certain coffeemaker at the store and to which Imah seems to softened (since I got her hooked on coffee-muahaha!). Just hoping it won’t take us too long to get around to buying it.

To the main point, I’m leaving in an hour to go with Imah to her weekend office (she’s working there during this week, Baruch HaShem!) and then we’re going to an ice-skating rink nearby. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaahooooooooo! e-heh. I’ve never been ice skating before; I’m going to try it out because they have a job opening there. I thought it would be a good idea to learn to ice skate, you know?

So, yeah, I’ll blog tomorrow (hopefully) about how many times I fell on my face. At least, I’ll be laughing!

This week’s questions were inspired by Caroline. She can’t read The Joy Luck Club without thinking of potstickers and wontons… And no, we’re not talking about cookbooks here. Please leave those out of this discussion.

1. Do you enjoy books that have cooking or eating scenes in them? I’ll say yes; cooking and  eating are good ways to socialize.
2. Have you made or eaten anything that was inspired by a recipe or scene in a non-cooking book? I sure have! (It wasn’t edible though.)

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Yes, I admit it. I’ve been going through one of my lovely moody phases. Usual when that happens, I fight to reverse it: act happy (because it really helps sometimes), help others, make others happy, read something cheerful or inspirational, etc., etc. etc.

Unfortunately, the way things have been going, I’ve been thrust back into a rather reclusive state (which I try to avoid because I get much too comfortable and attached to it). With no one around, I have to cheer myself up. Joy. That’s where music comes in. That and just toughing it out like I usually do.

The big question is: How far will I let this go? I’m not sure if I want to go to this fair with my friends this weekend. Is this my moodiness or it is it that old feeling I get when something bad is going to happen? Is it–because I wish to shed my "bad girl" persona–that I do not want to upset my mother by going when she has voiced her disapproval. (Not that I’m going to let her judgments control my decisions.)

Sadly, my relationship with my mother is sliding downhill again. Camp had provided a nice "away time". Before then, I was desperate to get away–she was driving me crazy (I’m sure I was driving her crazy, too.) After camp, I was glad to see her. I was penitent for my rebellious behaviour. We got along…but it wasn’t to be.

I’m afraid we’ll always have this problem. We’re so alike–in our negative traits (or misused good traits): hard-headed/stubborn, oppositional, short-tempered, suspicious, self-assured, even rebellious. Take into account the hard life she’s had and how she tries (too hard in my view) to protect me from the world…and my recent desire to "break free"…woila! The problem! Menopausal woman versus girl with "permanent PMS" (as my mother calls it)–DING! We can really make the fur fly, let me tell you. And of course, being a considerate if not nice daughter, I either just take it when she blows up or I run off somewhere (which isn’t as easy as when I was a kid because I no longer live where there is a forest in my backyard. *sigh*).

It sounds pretty bad as I read over that. I don’t know. I think I might be rather jaded by my past. I don’t feel bad about it because it’s all I’ve known (though, yes, I have, at times, envied the families my friends have; can’t think of any family I haven’t envied). Still, Imah’s done a heck of a lot for me…and I usually manage a random smile for her (she likes it, and it makes me feel good).

On a last note, Imah’s hunting for another job. She’s doing an interview today or tomorrow. Please, be in prayer. Thanks. Todah.

*Shalom Out

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Wow. Certain aspects of my life are getting…interesting. Especially with regard to my friends. One has begun dressing like a gang-wannabe, which, for personal reasons and for her own safety, disturbs me. Another friend, well…she caught in the web of some legal action happy shisters. It’s really affecting her cheery disposition.

I don’t really know what to do when I get a depressed friend on my hands. I practically grew up alone, so I learned to either remedy a problem myself or just deal with it. Being a rather moody person, I’ve learned to not take negative things too seriously.

Somehow, I got this positive attitude. Maybe it’s because I’m happy with the simple things: evergreen trees, birds singing, a gentle breeze (ok, I’m a nature-lover–especially forests). Or the passion I have for writing and singing.

Maybe it’s because I have a roof over my head, food to eat, good clothes, hot running water, internet! There have been times I haven’t had these things.

Maybe it’s because being alone for so many years, I learned that God is the only one I can rely on–not a parent, a friend, etc. During those times when I was all alone and wanted to scream–often I did–or cried until no more tears would come, or (worse of all) contemplated ending the pain with the knife in my hands: God was there.

I must, of course, use this opportunity to tell my appreciation of God’s gift to me: Ty(ler). He was a German Shephard/Retriever/Lab mutt, ok? To me, he was a guardian angel. True, I had to protect the poor coward, but somehow his presence always reminded me that God was there. Was it the handful of near-death experiences Ty had? The spiritual eyes? The pure, loving, comforting attitude?

Ty had such a positive effect on me that when I think of him now I can’t help but smile…or laugh (the mutt had quite a personality). I think God also used him to keep me occupied–so I’d stop contemplating that knife.

Now, I’m only working a few hours a week (looking for more work). All the money I do make goes to the monthly bills. My mother scrimps the rest together for food and hopefully (because my money isn’t enough) the rest of the monthly bills. She’s really stressed out about our low income. We just barely made it this month–but my last check bounced. So, I have no money for college this year.

Sometimes, like this, I blow a kiss to my dreams. Have fun without me.

Is my head so high up in the clouds, that the harsh realities can’t touch me? Oh, there are moments when the realities do get to me. I get depressed. I mope for a little bit. Then, usually, I go write–or sing.

I often wish for Israel. It can’t be so bad there–for me. It seems almost like I do better when things are really tough. I don’t know. I know I’ve fared pretty well in the tragedies/near-tragedies I’ve experienced. I just hope that’s not what I’m longing for–a subconscious desire for "action and adventure". I’m just not like that.

Yes, I may be a "princess", but when it all comes down to it, I’m just a simple girl. A simple girl with an awesome Guardian.

(And now I’m going to have some ice cream! Thank God for glidah!)

Yours truly,

~Glidah Malka (ice cream queen)

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Hey! This blog’s first Monday Madness!

1. How many "people" pictures do you have displayed in your house? Just a few. We have tons in storage.

2. How many times a month/year do you rearrange your furniture? Haha! I’d average it at 3+ times a year.

3. Do you check your email every day? If so, how many times a day? Yes, all the time.

4. How often do you generally look at a clock/watch on any given day? All the time–I have to know what time it is. There’s a clock in every room at my home.

5. How do you handle telemarketer phone calls? I hang up. No offense to telemarketers, but I have a bit of a temper and I don’t really like talking on the phone. So, it’s the nicest thing to do.

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill

Bear with me–my mind is tired. On the positive side, I have a nice tan. Oo…yeah…

Today’s Unconscious Mutterings:

1. Kim :: Kommando - the Digital Goddess
2. Designate :: assign
3. Liner :: for a garbage can
4. Weed :: whacker
5. Infusion :: (what am I supposed to put here?) Yes, doctor, I think that process should work. Muahahahaha!
6. Nutritious :: and delicious
7. Favorites :: they’re right up there on the standard toolbar
8. Transform :: a magical power of some superheroes
9. 42 :: a nice age/ about the age men mature
10. Sunday afternoon :: great for sitting out in the sun and getting a tan!

Chronicled by: Her Grace, Duchess of the Digital Quill