Podcast virgin no more

This morning I discovered something I probably should have discovered a while ago: podcasts. I knew they existed and were popular, but not necessarily what exactly they were. It turns out it's like listening to chapters of a book on tape...for free. The Netflix of books on tape, if you will.

I'm a big fan of things like Investigation Discovery, crime "whodunnit" shows, and horror movies. I'm fairly surprised that, based on my Netflix and Google search histories, I haven't yet been investigated by the authorities. It's just all so fascinating!

I'd been hearing about this podcast called Serial and wondering what the big deal was. When I found out it's a nonfiction murder mystery, I already knew what had to be done.

My bus rides to-and-from work are about to get interesting.

So far it's pretty enthralling. The only thing that's hanging me up, though, is that some of the information is quite detailed (the crime scene, for instance), and I can't see it! HelLO...visual learner over here. I even Googled images of the scene.




I'm also excited to announce that it's 50 degrees and sunny here in central NC, while just south of DC where I moved from seven years ago?

Cloud barf.

It's not a ton of snow, but as anyone in northern VA knows, even the smallest snowfall means PANIC! and everyone forgets how to drive. To not have to be dealing with that today? Priceless.

Are there any other podcasts I should check out?

Warmth: A mythical phenomenon

I forget what it's like to be warm.

I began my morning by being awakened by the electricity kicking the bucket...seven minutes before my alarm went off. Looking outside, it was eerily dark. I decided to not wait until the house started getting cold and quickly grabbed a flashlight, a candle, and took a shower by candlelight.

So romantic.

When I took Pippi for a walk, i was amazed by the thick layer of ice on the trees and the limbs and trees that had been taken down by it.

This is what the trees look like in hell.

When I was on a walk with Pippi, a tree fell in the woods and scared the crap out of me. And, of course, she took forever to find a spot to poop. My little, furry smartass.

When I go to work, I was able to assess my ability to apply makeup in the dark. Not too awful; just some uneven eye liner, and I'm sure my coworkers are used to that from me by now.

Today would be a great day to be able to text with the dog. Checking the power company's website, it appears the power is still out at the house. At least I had the foresight to provide her with an extra blanket in her crate this morning. I also just got an e-mail notice that another tree has fallen in the neighborhood and now our fire alarm system is down too. At least it's raining...?

I live in the overlapping outages area. Crap.

It's barely above freezing right now and the high for tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 60s. Here's hoping!


On a totally unrelated note: Today my mom and stepdad closed on the house I grew up in! They moved to southern Virginia in January and have had the house on the market since. And now someone else owns it! It's weird, but cool. It's a great house, but the location was getting too crowded for their liking. I hope the new owners enjoy it as much as we did.

Hasta la vista, baby!

The internets strike again

Thanks to the internet and a growing need in me to always be doing something, I taught myself to be a grandma this weekend!

Yes. Yes, I do feel cooler now. Thanks for asking. I've attempted a "scarf" twice and last night while I was in the shower, Pippi destroyed my latest attempt by chewing up my needles. It's a good thing I have more coupons for Michael's.

Wanna know what else makes me cooler? The most awesome hat ever.

On sale at Old Navy for $5? Yes, I needed it.

Happy early birthday to me.

The last couple of days have been unseasonably warm and, especially after the Summer we had, it really annoys me! It's freaking December and it's supposed to be 70 degrees out on Saturday. It's currently 63. I've got sweaters and scarves and boots just itching to be worn. Is anyone else annoyed by this? No? Just me? Penguin hat is so bored in the closet.

This has nothing to do with anything except that it's hilarious.

Also, this weekend I ordered myself a space heater. It's always at least three degrees warmer upstairs in my house than it is downstairs, which is just enough for my feet and hands to stay icy cold when it's cold outside.

Since I can't flick a switch and turn on a nice warm fire, I'll let this fancy little fella keep me warm instead. I just decided his name will be Peter. Peter the Heater!

I know a little puppy who is going to love it too.

Just don't deny me of my blankets and we're good.