What does "o3o" mean?

Oh my god, you guys. I'm issuing something terrible over here, and I don't even know how to deal.
Guess how you find out that your kid's game web site has a chat room? By being horrified by it. That's how you find out. By reading over your daughter's shoulder, and being horrified. Perhaps the only calming aspect of this is Sydney's non-understanding of the entire experience. Of course, nothing explicit or specific was said, but the use of the word "it" by this other "kid" has scarred me for life as a mother.
I spent about an hour on the game site, and in the chat room. I didn't invite any conversation, because that's gross, but I did eavesdrop on what everyone else was saying. (The chats are all in thought bubbles that everyone in the room can see, and show up sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, and then disappear.) There was one inventive use of the word "popsicle," which everyone ignored. But then it was all kids asking to be adopted, or trying to recruit partners for adventures, and the like: the normal stuff in the game.
As of now, I've changed Sydney's chat abilities, but that only restricts what she can say to other people. It doesn't protect her from what she is able to read. And when the offending phrase is a innuendo-laden use of "popsicle," I imagine it's difficult for the regulators on the web site to police.
I'm not at all a fan of this web site now. I had no idea that there were CHAT ROOMS for children on it. I mean, I remember how gross chat rooms could get. Now begins the delicate dance of telling her that her days on this site are numbered. I don't trust the people on it, nor do I trust the "regulators" to pay enough attention to what's going on.

Once again, a reading declaration

I decided to change my mind about what book I'm going to read right now.
I've had The Lions of Lucerne waiting on the coffee table downstairs for me for weeks. I still very much want to read it, but I just can't bring myself to pick it up.
So I spent a couple minutes staring at my book pile, and decided instead to read Beautiful Ruins. And I'm already glad I did. The first page grabbed me more than the first 15 pages of Lions. I honestly can't wait to sit on my patio and spend some time reading tomorrow. (Brian and I watched a couple episodes of House of Cards tonight, which is why none of the book got read this evening.)
I'm eager to get into it. Yay book!

A ship-borne forest is just cool

This ship was abandoned off the coast of Australia more than 100 years ago. It floated into a shallow area, where it managed to run itself to ground close to the shore, but still a ways into the water. Over those 100 years, some seeds, saplings and the like have rooted, and the ship now is a stationary forest in the water. It's pretty amazing, isn't it? I found this picture several months ago, but couldn't find the right post for it to accompany. Tonight, I decided that it was time for there to be a post to accompany the photo.
The world is a pretty awesome place, my friends. Crazy stuff happens, and so much of it is inherently beautiful. Also, nature finds a way.

Aromatherapy is a fantastic thing

I'm in need of a delicious local lavender farm.
I'm almost out of my hand and body lotion from Chapel Hill Lavender Farm in Chapel Hill, Texas. It has lasted this long because I've used it sparingly and prudently. But now, I'm seriously running low. And when it comes to lavender, I really like to stick with local purchases.
I spent a few minutes on the Internets this morning looking at lavender farms in Arizona, and was pleasantly surprised to find that there were more than four different farms in the state. Only a couple of them seemed interested in having visitors. But all of them are a couple hours drive from us here.
I'll be looking forward to the art festival at the end of the month to see if any of them come down here to peddle their wares. I'm so particular about the tone and nuance of my lavender lotion that I won't just buy something online without knowing its scent. Lavender lotion is atop my need-to-get list.
[ASIDE: As I was checking out the images for lavender online, I noticed a headline asking if lavender could be used as a wedding bouquet, and I was instantly pissed off that I didn't know that was a possibility. Not that I didn't love my roses, and the Belles of Ireland, but lavender would have been super yummy to smell wafting up, as we listened to Elvis. END OF ASIDE.]

And then it was time for bed

Today's post lends itself to another ITEM! list, but I don't like doing those posts too close together. So, my completely random listings will be based on the television shows I've watched tonight.
The Originals ~ I had to break out the Mom Voice so many times today that having to do it one last time tonight to get Sydney to put on her pajamas for bed gave me a headache. And since we're out of Advil, I'm surviving as best I can with sporadic cold compresses to the forehead. I hate speaking in Mom Voice. We had a talk about that tonight, but I don't believe for a second that she'll start responding to anything after the first request, no matter what she promises.
Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ~ I have finally finished all the magazines I had in my nightstand pile. Even the magazines that arrived in today's mail have been read and dispatched to the recycle bin. I feel pretty good about myself because of this. I may even start reading a book soon. You know, now that I've reminded myself that I am capable of reading.
Cougar Town ~ The bulk trash pickup in my neighborhood is sometime this week. People along the street have big and small piles here and there. A gripe is, of course, that some of these "bulk" items are large cardboard boxes, which these people should have just broken down and put in their recycle bins. But more to the point of why I'm telling you this, is that there is a log-constructed ladder that's about five feet tall, that one of my neighbors has put out on the curb. I'm intrigued with it as an outdoor plant stand of some kind, after it's been weather treated. So, what's the etiquette for absconding with someone's bulk trash? If it's on the curb, it's fair game, right? Or is this consideration gross?
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart ~ Katy and I had a Ben & Jerry's ice cream tasting today! Surprise of all surprises: we kinda liked all of them. Peanut Butter Jam Session is a peanut butter ice cream, with peanut chunks and swirls of raspberry jam. I am shocked as hell that I liked that one. Rockin' Blondies is brown sugar ice cream with butterscotch chunks. It was good, and not as sweet as you might think. Still, That's My Jam is the clear favorite. I have to tell you how happy I am that I'm the fun aunt that has a lot of random ice cream in the freezer.
Well, that's all I've watched tonight, so that's all I'll blog about.

That's My Jam is totally my jam

I am a huge fan of Ben & Jerry's ice creams. When we first lived in Boston, my love began. When we moved to the South End, the love blossomed and flourished. There was a convenience store around the corner that carried a ridiculous array of flavors, of course, because the Ben & Jerry's factory is in Vermont. Anyway, it became a thing for me to taste random flavors. I'd pick up a new pint once a week or so, and either taste it and discard it, or try it and eat it all. (This does not apply to ice creams that I know right away I won't like. Chunky Monkey need not apply.)
This passion for taste testing continues to this day. I have two pints in the freezer that I haven't tried yet, and I can't remember what they are. Anyway! Then B&J announced these new core flavors, where the pint is filled with two kinds of ice cream, and then has a core of a flavor going through the center of it. The idea intrigued me, as it would, and I was excited to check it out.
My Albertson's rocks, because they had the one core flavor that I was most excited about: That's My Jam. It's chocolate and raspberry ice creams with fudge chips and a raspberry core. I have to tell you, it's frickin' delicious. I love raspberry and chocolate together anyway, but this takes it to the next level. I dug into some tonight, and had a really hard time putting the pint back after only the few bites I ate.
There is a Salted Caramel core that looks interesting, and I'll be on the hunt for that one soon. But I'm falling in love with That's My Jam.

I like me some Captain, and Daryl

ITEM!: This week is going to be a series of days revolving around my child, who is on spring break, and for whom we need to "do something fun" every day. Happily though, she has requested a day to stay home and in bed tomorrow. I know for a fact that this will not actually happen, but hanging out (and, dare I wish it, going for a hike) would be a wonderful thing for me. I love my Mondays because the house is finally quiet and mine again. Tomorrow will not be that, but if she's interested in chilling, it'll make the day better, for sure.
ITEM!: The Walking Dead is wrecking my heart these last several episodes. I told Brian that there had better be a happy reunion in the near future, or I'm going to start getting sadder than I am hopeful. I invest too much emotionally in Daryl, and his trials and tribulations. I'm terrified that he'll turn into an icky character, though I know the show wouldn't do that to us. Still, there are only three episodes left to put my heart and mind at ease before the long break between seasons.
ITEM!: Sydney and I gave Cooper a bath today, so he smells much better. I can't wait for him to be old enough, and vaccinated enough, to visit the groomer. I mean, I know I'm doing okay, but when it comes to ears and buttholes, I just don't get that thorough. (Weird story, the spelling of thorough just looked so wrong to me that I had to look it up to be sure.)
ITEM!: Also, Once Upon a Time returned to my television tonight, and with it, so did Capt. Hook return into my pirate fantasies.
ITEM!: If Sydney saw that palette full of colorful cupcakes, she would insist that we make them. Good thing she doesn't read the blog ... yet. Hmmm. That's interesting. Will she ever read the blog? Would my writing change if I knew my kid was reading all this? What an amazing thing to think about.

Magazines, they make a mind good

I had aspirations to read all my magazines today. I have a lovely pile about two inches tall of various periodicals, including but not limited to Real Simple, Vanity Fair, InStyle, This Old House, and Raising Arizona Kids.
No single magazine would take any time at all to read, but the pile as a whole is a bit intimidating. So, it continues to sit on a shelf in my nightstand: mocking me; talking about me; and whistling quietly to me every time I'm in the room with it.
I figure, if I lower my expectations for a mass reading, and instead roll with a one-at-a-time philosophy, I'll eventually make it through all these magazines. Until next month's arrive. Some of you may say, well, why subscribe if you have to force yourself to read them? That's a dumb question. Magazines are awesome, and relevant, and are excellent sources of information. This magazine editor will never turn away from her favorite magazines, so leave me alone. I just need a couple hours to get through these here first.

Kevin Spacey is a rock star

I'm late to my posting tonight because Brian and I have started watching House of Cards on Netflix. We just finished episode three of the first season. You guys, I've always loved Kevin Spacey, and this show is exactly the epitome of the reason why. He's frickin' awesome.
I've got concerns already, in regards to the way some plots are beginning to shift, but I'm intrigued to see how it all plays out. Politics is such a nasty business, and this show is giving an unsettling look into it. I'm troubled by how manipulative things can be. And knowing that real life is probably ten times worse than what I'm seeing just makes the entire thing worse.
So, we're three episodes in, and 10 to go until this first season is over. Then, on to season two. I'm excited to see how quickly we can burn through this show.

Way to ruin ambrosia, random blog writer

I read a thing online yesterday about the fast-food and random establishment stuff that you should never eat. One of those things is popcorn at the first movie showing of the day. The person who said this implied ... no, said ... that the popcorn at the beginning of the movie day is still last night's popcorn that they refused to toss out.
The contemplation of this is troubling. I love going to the first movie showing of the day. And I love popcorn. Is this really something that I have to worry about? I like to think that my Harkins theaters wouldn't dream of doing this. That they would be horrified to hear that anyone from the theater profession would be out and about on the Internet spreading this kind of story.
Granted, several of the horror stories in this article were spawned from eating places in other countries, such as Australia. And I choose to believe that the United States has stricter cleanliness laws. But still, the thought is there, and now I can't make it go away. I feel very Inception.
SOLUTION: There should be some kind of oversight committee dedicated to ensuring that movie theater popcorn is fresh from that day. I would be on it, you know, because then my "work" would require visiting movie theaters, and eating their popcorn. Popcorn that I have just myself seen being popped, so I know it's the freshest it can be.
I am concerned about this much more than a person should be.

My backyard smells really good

The most awesome thing is happening in my backyard right now. My fruit tree is blossoming, and smelling really good. I've got a ton of white flowers all over my tree. Some of them are blooming, others are white flower buds, and so many more are just green buds.
I'm thinking that this must mean that the tree is an orange tree. Orange blossoms smell awesome, right? I don't remember our lime trees blooming flowers like this, and I certainly don't remember them smelling so good.
And now that I've just spent the last few minutes looking at pictures of orange blossoms, I am now sure that an orange tree is what I've got growing in the backyard. The flowers look exactly like this. What an amazing bit of smelly happiness.
And even though I'm giddy at the idea of having oranges, I still would rather it be a lime tree.

Watching "Tonight" on the downlow

Well, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots have managed to achieve the impossible. I am watching The Tonight Show. Every night. And I'm laughing through it.
I always enjoyed the Late Night bits I saw online. I never took the time to actually watch the show, though. I'll admit to being one of the numbers who tuned in to the first Tonight Show just to see how Fallon did in his new post. I enjoyed, so set the DVR for the week. And honestly, I haven't stopped watching. Last night's classroom instruments performance with Idina Menzel was epic, and may have made me a fan for life.
I'm not sure I'm totally ready to put it in my "What I'm Watching" box, though. That seems like a serious commitment to something that I've avoided for a super long time.

Flippity floppity, for my feetsies

Flip flops.
They are required footwear, and I need some new ones. I'm running low.
It's getting to be that time of year again, when I wear nothing but flip flops. And if you can believe it, I'm actually looking at a shoemaker that is not Reef for my flip flop needs. But we'll see, since after all, I don't switch my allegiances that quickly or easily.
The great maybe-flip-flop switch of 2014.

Selfies are awesome, even at the Oscars

I do, so very much, enjoy the Oscars telecast. I like to sit in front of my television for hours, watching the pre-show and the actual ceremony, comfortable and happy on my sofa. For three years now, Brian and I have had a ballot competition with JJ and Anthony. We won the first year, and got trounced last year.
I'm happy to say that we won again this year. Brian guessed correct on 18 categories; I got 17. Somehow, he manages to guess correctly on the random documentaries and short films. A bizarre extra-sensory thing going on there.
Anyway, I'm quite pleased with the show's results, and am looking forward to my Netflix queue blowing up with the winners and losers from tonight's ceremony. Also, a lot of things made me laugh, and even a couple things made me almost cry. One of the laughs came, of course, via the selfie that broke Twitter, and became the most retweeted photo ever. One of my teary moments was Angelina Jolie's acceptance speech from the humanitarian awards.
The whole thing was pretty awesome, you guys. I love hanging out with my husband, who even made a snide comment about someone's hair, and talking about everything. And the flurry of texts, Facebook posts and comments, and tweets keep me engaged and happy with all my friends, too. A good night, all the way around.

Just because it's raining right now

ITEM!: So, it did some raining today. Not a constant downpour, but some definite rain showers here and there. Right now, my backyard is more poolish than dry rock bed, and I've had to close most of my windows to keep any water from getting into the house. GOOD NEWS: Cooper isn't afraid of the weather, and came inside wet a couple times throughout the day. BAD NEWS: The water was too deep for him to find anywhere comfortable to pee right before bed tonight, and now I'm all concerned about his bladder.
ITEM!: Mom and I were able to start and finish one of my household projects this afternoon before I took her to the airport. I had some random metal valances over my horizontal blinded windows in the dining room and living room that served no purpose aesthetically or practically, and they bugged me. We uninstalled them, tossed them in the trash, and painted over the installation spots. So now my walls are clean and smoother, and make sense.
ITEM!: I wasn't able to take Mom on the hike this morning, like we had planned, because of the rain. Now, because rain is so needed and awesome, I won't complain about it, but I will say that I was really looking forward to taking Mom on the hike. Sydney, who complains about the hike every time, also was disappointed. Well, Mom will be back in a couple weeks, and she'll get to hike then.
ITEM!: Dallas Buyer's Club is a good movie, but it's not one that I think I'll ever have to see again. It was extremely well acted, and well made. And I liked the heart behind it. But I guess I have an aversion to movies that I know will not end well for the main protagonist. If the main guy had AIDS in the 80s, you just know that it won't be a happy ending for him, right? It's like movie Blackfish; I know it'll just make me super sad and angry to watch, so I'm avoiding it, even though I know that it'll be good. It's on my Netflix queue, but it's just hanging out for now.
ITEM!: My magazine backlog has gotten pretty ridiculous. Maybe I'll get to that tomorrow, if it's still raining. Also, the Oscars are tomorrow night!