Watch out for Witchiepoo...

For some reason this chopped off tree reminds me of the grabby, scary trees from the psychedelic Saturday a.m. 70's kids' show, H.R. Pufnstuf (first aired in 1969).

It makes me feel like I'm on Living Island, trying to keep my trusty golden flute, Freddie from being stolen, when in reality it's just on St. Charles Avenue in Lakewood.

Still, it was enough to conjure up a trippy little flashback.

I Didn't Need to See That

I'm a big fan of pilates and yoga. So while browsing the clearance books at the local Barnes and Noble last night, it's no surprise that I picked one up on the topic to browse through it.

I opened to such a startling display of ugly yoga-ness that I couldn't bear to flip through it any further.

Look at this guy. And his scrawny hair chest. Why isn't he wearing a t-shirt or a fitted tank or SOMETHING!?!? Why do I have to look at this?

Worse...check out what he's showing off on the next page, besides his derriere in skin tight shorts. A big skin roll.

I'm not saying I'd look any better in skimpy workout clothes. But let me note for the record that I would NEVER appear in such scanty, flaw-revealing clothing for all to witness everything wrong with my physique...even if I can do the Yoga pose or Pilates move.

No wonder this book is on the clearance shelf!

Egads.

Worst Job Ever...

80+ degrees in the blazing sun.

Hot pavement.

World's skankiest character costume.

Need I say more?

Sink the Survivor

Last night, Spice, Karen and I went out to Around the Corner in Lakewood in support of two friends who are walking next weekend in the Komen 3-Day Walk here in Cleveland. They were holding a dunk-tank fundraising event at this popular local watering hole.

Being a breast cancer survivor myself (5 years since diagnosis next month!), it's a cause that's near and dear to me. I support numerous breast cancer awareness events, causes, etc. I figured I'd go, pay my money and throw a few balls at my friends, Mona and Stephanie, who were the main participants in the tank.

Partway through the evening, I realized that I'd be more efficient in doing my part for fundraising by actually climbing into the tank for a little fun that became known as "Sink the Survivor." Not initially planning to get nearly drowned, I really wasn't dressed for the job...so I convinced Mona to loan me an extra t-shirt. Pink, of course I also borrowed her sassy, waterproof pink hat.

I got settled inside the tank, and immediately people started lining up to throw balls. $1 a toss or $10 to just walk up and hit the target and dunk me immediately. The first time a ball connected with the target, I went in. I wasn't quite prepared for the cold water or the clammy feeling of my jeans clinging to me. But strangely, I was having fun...and for a good cause. I even got bold enough to antagonize my tormentors.

I'm proud to say I helped bring in some extra cash for the fundraising efforts. And I had a great time. I even got to model a stylish Teletubbies towel.

Now how special is that?

Holidork Temptation...

While the holiday seasons, and all of the dorky accessories people wear to get in the spirit, are still months away, I flirted with a moment of holidorkism today.

For the record, let me say right off the bat, my forays into holidorkery are not serious. I know I look ridiculous in the oh-so-lovely beaded pointsettia fair isle sweater I purchased for $10 on a Macy's sale rack. That's why I wear it. It's called irony. And...in all seriousness...I keep hoping I get invited to a Holiday Horrors Sweater Party. I'm ready.

But I digress...today's holidork moment did not center on the usual festive, Christmastime attire. Oh no. It focused on a lesser holiday in dorkdom -- Thanksgiving. While attending a tag sale at a half-million dollar home in West Akron with my stepmother and Scott, I came across this gem.

Yes. Those are autumn-colored ribbons. And it most certainly is a turkey in the center of the bow. A 1980s bow barrette, nonetheless.

Of course, I had to try it on and model it. And...yes...I almost bought it. Almost. But not quite. I just couldn't bring myself to buy the kind of hair accessory I wore back in 1986 when I was 17. Just couldn't do it. Almost...but not quite.

Although seeing that it was only something like a buck, I'll probably kick myself when I finally get a holidork party invite.

That said, it frightens me just a little that someone had this in their wardrobe here in jolly old 2008.

A Facelift for a Centurian

Our house turns 100 this year. And thanks to peeling paint and old clapboard siding that, in some places, had aged beyond repair, it has looked its age for quite some time.

These past couple of years, we've sunk some cash into it and done some beautification (not to mention some practical things, too). A new living room ceiling. New windows. New furnace and its first A/C system. Major front porch foundation repairs. Grounded electrical and modern outlets. Updated light fixtures on the second floor. And the grandaddy of it all -- new siding.

It was time. And after getting several hefty painting quotes from reputable painters who pointed out that the wood was so old that paint wouldn't hold for much more than 5-6 years, we decided to look into siding. And it didn't cost as much as we thought it would

They finished yesterday, and we're pleased. Of course, being the picky person that I am, I might have changed a few things in the choices I made now that I see it on the house (aka adding a LITTLE more red...not much, but a little), but all in all, it looks great...no more skanky paint.

And...my biggest fear about installing siding didn't come true -- the house still has character.

Now That's One Big Pickle...

Isn't it?

C'mon...it's a doozy.

And for some highly immature reason, I found it so hysterically funny that I had to take a picture of it.

And share it with all of you.

Trolley Ride with the Old Folks

I'll confess...I'm a Northeast Ohio native, and I've never ridden Lolly the Trolley.

And I'll also confess that I've consistently believed these vehicles simply meander through the streets at low speeds and have no "get up and go."

Until tonight.

I'll now admit I was wrong.
As part of a charity outing to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital and Providence House, my friends, Brenda and Cheryl, and I took the trolley from Lakewood to downtown Cleveland along the west Shoreway to see Mamma Mia (the musical not the movie) at Playhouse Square.

We might as well have been riding top speed in a convertible. The wind whipped us in every direction. Talk about a crazy ride along the lakeshore.

We couldn't stop laughing. By the time we reached the theater, our sides hurt...and I clutched a wadded up tissue in my hands as I had laughed so hard, I was crying.

I'll never call Lolly the Trolley slow again. Its speed has been duly noted.