My friends are so sweet. My Evil Twin and the Evil Stalker (my dear Dark Side sisters) came over last night to give me present. It was so wonderful to see them. I was shocked when they pulled a giant gold box out of the trunk of the car and unloaded it on me. Somehow, I mananged to get inside and into my room to open it. And there it was…

Nice, huh? I seem to remember having my eye on this. Maybe I was shopping with the girls, saw it, got excited, and they remembered. I don’t know. I’m lucky to get it. Apparently, it was the last one left. I mean, the last one. It was the one on display. There wasn’t even a box for it. They wrapped it very carefully with plastic bags and such only to have Micky (My Evil Twin) close the trunk on it and crush the glass from one of the doors. Their own hearts crushed, they were nevertheless daunted. With the ingenuity that runs in their blood (and I mean that), they cut a new piece of glass as a replacement. You might notice the difference of the two panes in the first picture. The original has a milky flower pattern.

I love the effect. It looks like a true antique. It even has a little handle missing on one of the doors (which the girls said I could replace with an odd earring). It truly is special. One of a kind. Not another like it. Anywhere. *grin*

I just need to find a place for it. While I’m at it, I may as well show off my room in it’s state of near perfection.

Here’s a view of the preliminary chaos.

And the results…

Ah, yes, 2007 was a great year. It’s not really my new year, but Happy Gregorian New Year to you all, anyway! 

Chronicled by: Her Grace, the Duchess Dethroned

Friday’s Feast 165:

Appetizer
If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why? I would be a greyhound because they’re fast and they have lean, graceful bodies.

Soup
What does the color purple make you think of? Royalty!

Salad
Approximately how long does it take you to get ready each morning? Oh dear. Do I have to answer that? I like to give myself 2 hours because me+rushing+morning=disaster.

Main Course
How many cousins do you have, and are you close to them? I have too many cousins to count. Unfortunately, I’m not close to any of them; the closest of them live across the state.

Dessert
Take your initials (first, middle, last) and come up with something else those letters could stand for. (Example: SFO = Sweet Funny Otter) There’s no way I’m using every single one of my initials, ok? Let’s go with YAH = You are hilarious! (said sarcastically)

Friday Fill-in #42:

1. October is a pretty month. Not as awesome as November, but, hey, they can’t all be perfect.
2. Thunderstorms don’t scare me! Sort of…
3. Haunted houses are interesting in real life. I avoid the carnival ones.
4. My favorite scary movie is Hangman’s Curse because of the plot twist. I can’t spoil it by telling.
5. Don’t mind me. (Said just before I carry out another devious scheme.)
6. It was a dark and stormy night and everyone was nervous because they couldn’t see where I was. Muahahaha!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to getting out of work if this storm keeps up, tomorrow my plans include Jewish movie night! and Sunday, I want to put up my new mirrors!

Whew! Can I remember all that’s happened this week? Well, I went bowling til midnight on Tuesday. C4’s had this guy pursuing her, and she decided to use a bowling night to get her friends to meet and critique him. He passed the test.

My Evil Twin and I played the first game as one person. In between turns, we gabbed about movies and such. Somehow, we got to talking about how she is a werewolf (I can’t remember why–because she’s always warm?) and how I am a vampire (because I am always cold and my movements tend to be graceful). Musing about it now, I think we got it backwards: she prides herself on being (or appearing) calm and impervious; I tend to be excitable and hot-headed–though I, too, have perfected a cold, emotionless side for certain circumstances. Maybe we’re both half-bloods. Intriguing…

On another topic! I have covered the gap where my closet door used to reside with a pretty, pink curtain. I used two sheer curtains and tied them together to the rod with sheer, pink ribbon.

Notice the tassells? Those were Imah’s idea. Now, all I have left for my royal bedroom is to install my mini chandelier and put up those huge mirrors on opposite walls from each other–for a dance studio effect. (Also, Imah’s idea.)

I must say farewell now. Work demands to be done. Bills demand to be paid. And this thunderstorm might knock out my internet again.

Shabbat Shalom! 

Chronicled by: Her Grace, the Duchess Dethroned

Unconscious Mutterings, Week 242:

1. Singles :: …group: meet once a week.
2. Blaze :: a burning red stallion with a mane of fire (if that isn’t taken, I’ll take it!)
3. Sandwich :: grilled cheese…mm…with tomato soup.
4. Outside :: …the box
5. Gooey :: sticky yet yummy.
6. Industry :: high, shiny skyscrapers
7. Exclusive :: club
8. Warranty :: Is this valid if I drop my phone in the toilet?
9. Magical :: My world. (That’s why I can be nearly a century old and look so good!)
10. Heels :: My new ones. See the pic below.

randomness…feed your mind and your blog

week of sept 23: Do you prefer…

1. day or night? Night…that’s when I come alive!

2. chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla rules, baby.

3. coffee or tea? COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. renting a movie and staying home or going out to the theater? Staying home. That way I can scream, laugh for an obnoxiously long period of time, pause to use the bathroom, etc.

5. regular books or audio books? Wow. Um. I’m finding that I really enjoy audio books. I practically can’t go to sleep anymore without some voice talking. Every once in a while, though, I get a reader with a voice I can’t stand. It really ruins a book I may have otherwise liked.

6. driving to a faroff destination or just taking an airplane? Roadtrip!!

7. hamburger or hotdogs? Egh. What’s wrong with chicken? Hehe. I like hotdogs if they’re spicy.

8. listening to music or watching tv? Listening to music!!!

9. Desperate Housewives or Survivor? (both are tv shows) *click* Oo! House!

10. homecooked meal or fancy restaurant? Homecooked. Hands down. All the way.

I got a little picture-happy with my new phone’s digital camera the other day. Most of the stuff I posted on my myspace photo albums, though.

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but the end of my novel is in sight. I have finally finished the final battle scene and am now working on the wrap-up…including laying a foundation for volume two.  

To end this post, here’s some of my pics (taken with my new phone–no, it isn’t the best, but I love it):

My favorite stuffed animal in the whole wide world: Lamby (no "B" in the pronunciation); I’ve had her forever. 

Two other stuffed animals–Hadassah (the pink unicorn) & Starmist (the white unicorn). They’re relatively new.

An awesome lamp that Imah let me have:

Last but not least, my favorite pic from the fair. Too bad it’s so blurry. 

…famous last words of a hypochondriac. LOL! 

Chronicled by: Her Grace, the Duchess Dethroned

I could have sworn yesterday was Monday. No other day could be so hellish.

See how my mood of the day graphic is "WTF?!" ("What the Fudge" as one of my co-workers says.) Yeah, that sums it up nicely.

I may have mentioned how I have a semi-phobia of buses. Well, I’m forced to ride one to get to my restaurant job (yes, I’m still working there). Unfortunately, Imah dropped me off at the ferry without checking the bus schedule for me (which she usually does). So, I take the ferry and there’s no bus for me at the other side.

Well, you may say "hey, that’s great!" but I had to be at work in twenty minutes, the next bus wouldn’t make it in time, and work was miles away.

I think Imah and I made twenty calls back and forth to each other. I also called my manager for the day and gave him my situation. To release my anger and agitation, I walked about halfway to work and waited (at Imah’s command), tired and soaked with sweat, at a bench for the next bus.

I was still pissed. (And I get to take the bus tomorrow and Friday. Yipee. ) Still, I took that time to work on some calming techniques. After all, I couldn’t go into my customer service job wanting to bash people’s heads in.  LOL!

Amazingly, it worked. I set up the proper posture and began thinking positively. Somehow, I was ok. Mostly. I shrank a little at what I would have to face at work.

Fortunately, I had the best ever manager that day. He’s really great about making us all feel we’re part of a team, and energizing us to do our best. When I remorsefully explained to him what happened (once I arrived 45 minutes late), he told me he’d let it slide. I had no control over what happened, I had called him to let know I’d be late, and it’s not like this happened all the time. "Don’t worry about it," he said, clearly trying to make me feel better.

My shift, short as it was, actually went well. I usually think my best days at work depend on who I’m working with. When certain people are there, I know I’ll have a good day. Yesterday had enough of the right people–and they were in great spirits.

Halfway through my shift, my awesome manager went around and gave everyone a pin. Still feeling bad about being late and not knowing he was giving them to everyone, I gaped when he gave me a pin. He just grinned and said something like, "You’re gonna be part of the team, you’re gonna dress like us." That was cool. Although, I still look at the pin like, "What the dickens am I doing with this?" I’ll just say it’s my "I have an awesome manager" pin. Yeah. That works.

Oh, for the record: today, dull as it was, was just fine. I watched Princess Bride last night while snacking on popsicles and pears. I slept in this morning. Then, I worked on some more unpacking. My room is done for the time being. All I need now is the pink carpet and mirror panels to cover two of my walls (for a dance studio effect). Oh, and (I decided today) a white board to write my schedules (work, exercise, special events) on. That old chalkboard–much as I love it–is not going to work.

It’s so nice to see my clocks up (I’m an admitted clock freak), my posters posted, my Sasha Cohen memorabilia, my stuffed animals peeking curiously at their new surroundings, my canopy drooping luxuriously over my bed. Oh, the ecstasy of opening boxes. *gasp* "There that is!" "Oh, I found it!" "Wow! I can’t believed I lived without that!"

It’s beginning to feel like home. 

Chronicled by: Her Grace, the Duchess Dethroned