Okay, Okay, OKAY
Apr222008
I’m THIS close to finishing D&G but my guilt over Argh is getting in my way. I’ll stop and read the comments later, but for right now . . .
Picture of the Red Thing:
See? Huge anti-climax. But the pleats are wonderful.
And I love the detail on the back.
Back of the Red Thing:
Picture of the Horned Altar:
Picture of Dogs and Goddesses in Rewrite Hell With Track Changes:
That’s what I’ve been doing 90% of the time I’ve been gone, interspersed with:
Picture of My Attempts to Find the Right Window Trim Color Before the New Windows Go In:
Actually, I kind of like it this way, but I am going to have to pick one color.
Picture of Veronica Who is Two Today:
Veronica shares her chaise if necessary, but everybody knows that’s Veronica’s Chaise. She just OWNS it.
Picture of Bathroom from Hell Which Needs Painting Which I Must Do Before New Stuff Goes In:
Everything goes, including that awful floor.
Picture of Milton, Digging Hole to China:
If the dogs didn’t need to go out every three hours, I’d never see the sun.
Picture of Wolfie, Critiquing Hole to China:
Picture of Place where New Garden Shed will be:
No, I’m not building it, but we’re all supervising:
And this is what I’m going back to now:
See you when the damn thing is done which will be TODAY. Or else I’m throwing myself off the deck.
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80 Comments to 'Okay, Okay, OKAY'
On April 22, 2008 at 8:59 am Kieran said...
I love the red thing, and I wish I had one of those seamstress thingies to hang clothes on. It’s cool.
On April 22, 2008 at 9:05 am Carol said...
Thanks–I love the red thing, the altar, and pictures f the dogs–especially Veronica and Wolfie lolling.
On April 22, 2008 at 9:07 am Melissa Blue said...
My mother continues to be right (damn her). Patience is a virtue. Not only do we get pictures of PORT and POTHA, but all other kinds of treats. Or it could just be Jenny’s guilt.
Have fun in revision hell. You have my sympathies (sp?)
On April 22, 2008 at 9:08 am Danielle said...
It was a climax for sure. I LOVE the red thing. Actually I love all things red so this is not a stretch for me. – you should see my kitchen… Definatly worth the wait.
On April 22, 2008 at 9:11 am Strop said...
You are an angel. Go, Jenny, go! Nearly there. Sprint for the finish line!
On April 22, 2008 at 9:54 am McB said...
Thank you, Jenny. The red thing is FABULOUS. I’m so glad you gave in and bought it because every woman should have something like that in her wardrobe.
And I think you should keep the window trim colors just exactly like that. I love the mix of colors, so cheerful. Do keep it, really.
Oh, but wait on painting the bathroom. Installation and remodeling is a messy business and you’ll likely need to do a lot of touching up when they’re done if you paint beforehand. And then there’s always a place you couldn’t reach until the old stuff came out and which won’t be covered up by the new stuff.
On April 22, 2008 at 9:55 am Cary said...
Yay!!! Thank heavens for guilt.
I love the red thingy – it is absolutely beautiful. Like the cherry shoes in Bet Me, it deserves its own book.
Love the trim colors too. Somehow, I just knew you weren’t a boring black or beige trim kinda gal.
Good Luck!!!
On April 22, 2008 at 9:56 am robena grant said...
Love the red thing and especially love the altar. Saying a little prayer every hour or so, and maybe toasting a marshmallow on top, should really get the gods and goddesses behind the telling of their story.
Wolfie makes a great inspector and Milton seems very proud of his work.
On April 22, 2008 at 10:00 am Office Wench Cherry said...
The red thing is stunning.
For what it’s worth, I like the dark green on the top right for the window trim but I do think all the colours together look funky and artistic.
I’m so jealous, you can see the ground and it’s thawed enough for the beasts to dig in. We just had a big blizzard and now we have about a foot and a half of snow with drifts up to four feet deep in my yard. Charlie the dog had a big adventure this morning when I put him out to go potty. And it took me 40 minutes to dig my truck out. But my husband (he has a heart condition) did make me hot chocolate and French toast.
My yard that last week had crocuses blooming and tulips and daffodils with their little heads above ground.
Good luck with finishing D&G and all the renos. And the new garden shed. Your river views are just gorgeous.
On April 22, 2008 at 10:10 am Susan D said...
Lovely red thing. When you emerge from Writing Hell, I’d love to see it ON YOU.
Thanks for the pictures.
Susan, entering the outer circle of Bathroom Renovation Hell
On April 22, 2008 at 10:21 am inkgrrl said...
Ooh the red thing is gorgeosity! I have a blouse that starts out like that, but sadly doesn’t carry through that lushly. Is it silk? Will you model it for us?
Happiest Birthday to Lady Veronica!
Thank you so much for the snatches – we’ve missed you. Have you heard us chanting your name?
On April 22, 2008 at 10:31 am Marcia in OK said...
LOVE the red thing.
Sorry you’re in writing hell, but hey, you have a great alter. It’ll be over soon – one way or another.
Good luck with the bathroom and the window trim.
I’m jealous of Veronica’s Chaise.
On April 22, 2008 at 10:31 am Courtney De said...
You are a goddess. I LOVE the red thing. Now I have red thing envy. Go back to writing. We’ll leave you alone now (she lied).
On April 22, 2008 at 10:33 am Jenny said...
I just put up an extra picture showing the pleats on the red thing. The pleats were what sold me.
And now back to Fixing the Relationship in D&G. Or as Lani and Krissie put it, “It needs more Dick and Awe.”
On April 22, 2008 at 11:13 am RfP said...
I’m glad to hear you’re fixing that. Insufficient dick and awe could explain many an unsatisfactory second date. (Ahem, maybe I mean the fifth date. Or whatever the latest dating rules say.) And surely a want of sustained D&A is a factor in divorce.
On April 22, 2008 at 11:16 am francois said...
Your bathroom floor and mine could be twins! Wish I also had the twin of your red thing.
On April 22, 2008 at 12:02 pm Eva Gale said...
I’m so happy I’m not the only one who loves the windows the way they are. Now you need some wind chimes and witchballs. *g* Ok, maybe that’s OTT, but keep the windows.
Dick and Awe go far in fixing things. Kinda like icing.
On April 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm Louis said...
Now that is definitely a RED thing!
Go with the yellow color on your window…keep you bright and cheerful when snow covers the ground.
Happy day to Veronica.
On April 22, 2008 at 12:20 pm Melissa Blue said...
D & A is to woman as….
T & A is to man.
Ooh, S.A.T. questions.
On April 22, 2008 at 12:20 pm MJ said...
Really Outstanding Pictures–Thanks!
ROPT! ROPT! ROPT!
On April 22, 2008 at 12:35 pm McB said...
I still like the multi; but if you must choose a single color, my vote goes to the teal just above the chair backs.
On April 22, 2008 at 1:12 pm JulieB said...
Ditto for ROPT!
Thanks very much! When you have time, I was wondering why you have dots on your keyboard.
And, my compliments on the guilt. You really should be Catholic you know…
On April 22, 2008 at 1:46 pm Jenny said...
I don’t have dots on my keyboard. That’s where I’ve worn away the letters typing.
I don’t actually have a life, I have a keyboard.
On April 22, 2008 at 2:10 pm Diane (TT) said...
I like the darker teal at the top of the window, or the gold, if you MUST choose a single color. But I think 4-color trim would be marvelous.
Thanks so much for all the photos – things like the detail on the back of the Red Thing are what make it a truly cherishable garment.
Happy Birthday to Veronica, and good luck with all the MANY projects. Is a change (in the work) REALLY as good as a rest? It looks pretty tiring to me…
A keyboard, and a huge supporting cast – with two legs and four (and for some of us out here in cyberland, heaven-knows-how-many). The keyboard may be loathsome at times, but it’s made us all so happy, and think of all the paper saved because we harass you electronically instead of by fan letters!
So, Talpianna – aren’t the Molar high holy days in June (6/22) and October (10/23)? P’raps y’all work on a different calendar?
On April 22, 2008 at 2:17 pm CrankyOtter said...
I gotta say I always have trouble believing that you’d do something wrong in the book. I have lots of trouble reading other people’s books, but not yours. I don’t know if that’s because you obsessively re-write and your editor gives you good advice, or what, but I do find it surprising that you’re the one stuck with the edits.
Thanks so much for the pictures. The red thing is lovely.
On April 22, 2008 at 2:33 pm wendy roberts said...
I have red thing envy.
I also have dog envy.
Our keyboards could be faded twins.
Hope to hear you haven’t thrown yourself off the deck!
On April 22, 2008 at 2:44 pm Lou said...
Happy Birthday, Veronica – and many more!!
Terrific red thing, Jenny!
Thanks for the pictures. I especially love the altar. I think it was Robena that suggested toasting marshmellows on it for inspire the gods and godesses. Sounds like a good idea to me!
On April 22, 2008 at 3:39 pm Patrice said...
Love the photos — thank you!
That wasn’t at all how I was picturing the red thing, but it is a lovely garment.
Not that you’re taking a vote or anything, but I’m grooving on the green window trim.
Do the dogs have carpenter’s belts? I’m told dogs really like to have a job, not that digging holes and looking noble on a chaise aren’t jobs . . .
On April 22, 2008 at 4:04 pm Slave Driver said...
Ooooo…Love the red thing! Very powerful, very samurai. Completely different then I pictured in my feeble mind…not polar-fleecy at all!
Okay, and I actually like the utility sink; I wish I had one. Who uses that bathroom? Bob? It beats shaving out of a helmet. I’d just put in a bigger utility sink. Maybe a two-holer.
Go. Write.
On April 22, 2008 at 4:23 pm Mel said...
Red thing is beeyootiful. No wonder you couldn’t resist….good luck with revision hell!
On April 22, 2008 at 4:56 pm Kwana said...
I just love all the pics and the D&G red thing is fantastic. You’ll love it forever! Hang on in revision hell. You’ll get through as always.
On April 22, 2008 at 5:23 pm Yvonne Lindsay said...
Love the red thing. I can just imagine you in it looking eye-catchingly elegant and regal. Thanks for posting the pic. And more thanks for the doggie pics too. Happy birthday to Veronica. She just gets more and more beautiful. All the best with the revisions and repainting and choosing trim. I like the blue on the bottom but love the teal green top right. I suppose it all depends on how much time you spend out on the deck and what colours from your yard and beyond are reflected in the windows when you’re out there. What’s going to give you most pleasure?
On April 22, 2008 at 5:37 pm Jill said...
The red thing is WOW. Very Mesopotamian. Looks like the kind of thing that would make you happy just to be wearing it.
On April 22, 2008 at 6:39 pm patmc said...
has veronica seen the red thing, i would think if it goes missing, follow her, it would be found….it looks classy and fancy and wonderful. veronica would think it should be hers. don’t let her get her paws on it…
lovely, just lovely. i became fixated with a sweater in one of my fat lady catalogues, a crocheted swing jacket really, one button, done in shell stitch with wide sleeves 3/4, in emerald and black. i had to get both, then saw them in a funky sale, 1/2 price, and got back ups. found out one made a perfect bedjacket kinda thing…
On April 22, 2008 at 6:59 pm DownUnderGal said...
Well the red thing was worth the wait. It’s very, very classy.
In fact you do guilt well – all those pics to appease us…
Can’t wait to read me some Dick and Awe.
On April 22, 2008 at 7:56 pm Jenny said...
I’m DONE.
I can’t speak for the dick and awe because I’ve been writing it too damn long, but by god, I’m done, I’m done, I’m done.
So I cleaned out the paint shelves in the garage and now I’m going back to Always Kiss Me Goodnight. And that Supernatural essay. Before Bob gets here and harasses me about Wild Ride.
But at least D&G is done. Snoopy Dance here.
On April 22, 2008 at 8:16 pm talpianna said...
Jenny, that is a GORGEOUS Red Thing! Is it a yukata?
And it’s possible to buy replacement stick-on labels for keyboard keys. I can send you links if you like.
April 23rd is the Molar Equinox—halfway between Mole Days (October 23 from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m.). The alternative version would be June 2nd from 10:23 a.m. to 10:23 p.m.; but since National Mole Day was started to celebrate high school chemistry education; and many schools are already out by 6/02; they chose the October date. But wearing taupe and giving presents to your favorite Mole are still OK tomorrow.
Have you considered installing this, for story conferences with Bob?
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/images/uploads/11-28-twodaloo-toilet.jpg
On April 22, 2008 at 8:22 pm Jenny said...
Bob and I aren’t that close.
The red thing is silk, and I don’t think it’s anything but a tunic. The people at Kinnu called it a tunic and they made it. I’m still amazed by all those little pleats. Hand-pleated.
I still don’t know about the colors. I had to go with something really dull for the house’s main color because I wanted it to blend with the trees, so the trim is the one place I can be colorful, but it still has to work with the house in general And that yellow is really a yellow-green.
And I’m brain-fried. Going off to watch HGTV for awhile. It’s like sorbet, it cleanses the mind palate.
On April 22, 2008 at 8:34 pm JulieB said...
Yay Yay Yay You’re Done!!!
Jenny Wrote: “I don’t have dots on my keyboard. That’s where I’ve worn away the letters typing.”
Oh my God. Just tattoo “Slacker” on my @$$. Even working at the paper I never wore a keyboard off.
And, for those of you craving more about design, an article on politics and font choices in the NY Times:
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/mccains-optimum-look/index.html
And one more cheer for being done: YAY!
On April 22, 2008 at 10:13 pm Yvonne Lindsay said...
congrats on getting D&G out the way!
On April 22, 2008 at 11:32 pm robena grant said...
Yay! Super duper, you’re done! Glad the deck didn’t win! The dick and awe cracked me up. We should all have a chance, or at least take a crack at getting some D&A in our lives. They should put it on the menu at every fine restaurant. He he.
Now you get one night off to put your feet up and relax and then it’s back to the keyboard. BTW I’m missing half of my letter A. Must come up pretty often in my word choice ’cause everything else is intact.
On April 23, 2008 at 3:15 am talpianna said...
Speaking of the deck, isn’t it about time for Spike and Dru, the family vultures, to show up again?
On April 23, 2008 at 4:36 am Kira said...
The red thing is very, very impressive.
It definitely deserves its own book.
I like the yellow trim on the upper right. The blue’s too dark, but it all depends on what’s being framed. Can you change it with the seasons?
Thanks for all the pictures, especially of Veronica, who also deserves her own book.
On April 23, 2008 at 7:29 am Evesie said...
Thank you Jenny! Considering I am having IVs stuck in all sorts of unpleasant places this is definitely a treat. You’re my “oh, poor baby” chorus with your posts. By the way, to “cleanse your palatte”, might I suggest youtube and Nigella? (lawson that is) nothing better
thanks again!
On April 23, 2008 at 7:57 am Jenny said...
Poor baby, Evesie. Get well soon.
Spike and Dru never came back. I blame Wolfie. He’s very possessive.
And now I must clean my office. Yes, that office. The good news: everything I put away last time is still where I put it. The bad news: More stuff has migrated into there. The good news: part of the remodel is putting doors on that sucker so things will never migrate in there again. Probably.
This time, it’s stay’in clean.
On April 23, 2008 at 7:57 am DownUnderGal said...
Snoopy dancing here too
On April 23, 2008 at 8:27 am JanLo said...
Congrats on finishing the rewrites. It’s hard to crank your mind around it again once you’ve put it to bed. Love the red thing, and dick & awe should be a national political promise!
On April 23, 2008 at 8:28 am J said...
Congratulations on finishing! I’m looking forward to getting to read it.
On April 23, 2008 at 9:37 am Kate said...
Congrats on finishing! Happy dance for you! The dress is very pretty. On the windows it depends on what you want to do..sounds like you want them to stand out. So I think either the top right color or the bottom left blue…
Enjoy relaxing and rejuvenating the juices.
On April 23, 2008 at 9:59 am Mary Stella said...
Congrats on finishing D&G. LOVE the red thing. It was worth the wait. If you wear it to the Literacy booksigning at National, I could take your picture in it. Just saying.
Happy birthday, Veronica.
On April 23, 2008 at 1:10 pm Lou said...
WOW – finished!! Woohoo!!!! Really looking forward to it – do y’all have the publishing schedule yet?
I like the yellow-gold color myself. It warms and brightens the color of the house. IMO…
On April 23, 2008 at 4:04 pm Virenda said...
I too love the red thing. It’s one of those pieces that just make you feel feminine.
The outside of your house is gorgeous and if you went with a more natural color then kicking it up a notch in the trimming would be great. I liked the color on the top right and bottom left. Not that it matters, but there ya go.
As a reader of your books I’m glad your done too.
My brain sorbet is the Food Network although for the life of me I don’t know why. I don’t even like to cook. Of course if Rosco or Take Home Chef was to help me, I know I would enjoy it a lot more…
On April 23, 2008 at 5:58 pm talpianna said...
My cat Aliera of the Many, Many Sharp White Teeth also has a Red Thing. It’s about three inches long and I think may be a tear strip from the cellophane wrapping one something in the bathroom–Q-tips or the like. She goes absolutely insane over it. Today she lost it, and was searching under the bathmat for it, whirling like a dervish. (I think she’s high all the time from the catnip snake). It seems to be completely missing. I believe she ate it.
Do not go and do likewise.
On April 23, 2008 at 6:29 pm Courtney De said...
SO not on topic (what was that again?), but, hey, I work for World Market, and we are having a Friends & Family Event Thursday, April 24-Sunday, April 27. Click Here for the coupon: http://www.worldmarket.com/content.jsp?sectionId=762 Feel free to share with everyone you know.
Jenny-if you need any new furniture for that deck (we’ve got some Adirondack chairs that are pretty close to one of those colors), take yourself out of the house and go buy stuff-for cheap. Retail therapy is the best kind. (‘Cept for maybe dick & awe.)
On April 23, 2008 at 7:32 pm Charlene Teglia said...
The Red Thing is gorgeous! Hope you’re finished now and celebrating.
On April 23, 2008 at 8:13 pm Evesie said...
thank you Jenny! How come you make cleaning and organizing sound so sexy? The 12 days of office before was one of my fav collection of posts. Especially that contact polka dot paper on your boxes, so yum!
On April 23, 2008 at 9:07 pm marta said...
So,there I was, admiring the red thing–very Myrna Loy, by the way, early Myrna when they had her playing exotic vamps–so, there I was admiring the red thing, and the dogs, and the water view, and reading the comments, right up to where Jenny says, “The pleats were what sold me.”
Pleats? What pleats? Zap up to the pictures I go, where I stare in amazement. Pleats. Row after row of tiny little pleats. Tiny, narrow, looooong pleats. Hand-pleated pleats. Jenny, you’ve got the Pleated Altar of red things, and as a hand-worked textile junkie, I couldn’t have passed it up either.
The window trim, on the other hand, I’d paint white so it wouldn’t clash with all the different colored flower boxes and holiday decorations, red things, etc.
On April 23, 2008 at 11:09 pm Barbara Martin said...
The red thing is great; very chic. And your darling dogs steal the blog everytime you post them. Happy Birthday Veronica. Where do we send the dog treats, Jenny?
On April 24, 2008 at 2:44 am Emlyn said...
Red thing is beautiful. The fabric looks amazing, lustrous but not shiny somehow, like it’s both absorbing and reflecting light at the same time. Can you leave it displayed on the seamstress’s dummy? Declare it a work of art & give it pride of place in the newly remodeled Chez Crusie?
On April 24, 2008 at 8:34 am McB said...
Jenny, I think the red thing deserves a book. And the variegated window frames, too.
On April 24, 2008 at 4:42 pm Office Wench Cherry said...
What’s your Supernatural essay about, Jenny?
On April 24, 2008 at 9:51 pm Jenny said...
How to write scary.
I know, I’m deep.
On April 25, 2008 at 11:55 am Betsy HP said...
If you hear a bump in your house in the night, it will be me, stealing your Red Thing.
On April 25, 2008 at 12:59 pm Office Wench Cherry said...
It’s not easy to write scary and that’s something a lot of people who try to write horror don’t know. You can throw all the monsters, serial killers and demons you want in a book and still not have it be scary.
Clowns are scary no matter what but I have clown fear so I’m not one to judge. Yes, I had clown fear before It (and my thanks to Mr King for making storm drains a source of nervous apprehension as well).
On April 25, 2008 at 10:09 pm Penny said...
Hooray for you Jenny. You’re done. It sounds like you still have a whole heck of a lot on your plate. Have you scheduled any rest in there?
Happy birthday to Veronica belatedly.
I love the red thing. Those pleats are fantastic.
I like the teal for the window frames but then teal is one of my favorite colours.
Talpianna-hello. Your link made me ROTFALMAO. WE miss you.
On April 26, 2008 at 12:47 am RfP said...
I hope talpianna’s two-holer is on a greeting card. Something like:
Even when it seems we’re going in different directions…
… we’ll still go together.
On April 26, 2008 at 1:20 pm Jenny said...
So I can’t get in to post anything new for some reason; something about a database update. Should be fixed in a day or two, but in the meantime, no chanting. I can’t get in, so it’s moot.
Wonder if Bob will ever find Moot . . .
On April 26, 2008 at 7:46 pm talpianna said...
RfP–I wish I’d thought of that! You can probably make your own card using one of those “make your own greeting cards” CD-ROMs.
Incidentally, I now have an earworm, courtesy of AMERICAN IDOL. Could be worse–it’s “Music of the Night.”
On April 26, 2008 at 9:44 pm Jenny said...
Tai, try “This Is the Song That Goes Like This” to get rid of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUyViIgbGuc&feature=related
And now I must go listen to the cast recording. Love that show.
On April 27, 2008 at 9:12 am AgTigress said...
‘You can probably make your own card using one of those “make your own greeting cards” CD-ROMs.’
What would one need a special CD-ROM for, Tal? Making cards on the computer is perfectly straightforward using Word. You don’t even need a photo-editing programme.
On April 27, 2008 at 7:30 pm G and T said...
Saw Spamalot in Las Vegas, with the guy who played J. Peterman in Seinfeld as Arthur.
Very swell.
Occasionally, “This is the Song that Goes Like This” flits through my head and makes me laugh.
On April 27, 2008 at 9:25 pm Evesie said...
I just saw the greatest cat video.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2476920/7575743
On April 27, 2008 at 9:25 pm Evesie said...
There is cat yodling, so worth the 7 minutes.
On April 27, 2008 at 9:27 pm talpianna said...
I don’t know “This Is the Song etc.” and I still don’t have sound with my computer. Anyway, I LIKE “Music of the Night”! It’s a hell of a lot better than the old Cresta Blanca commercial I got stuck with once after watching a Barry Manilow tribute. (Some would say that’s poetic justice, I suppose.)
Tigress–I have such a CD-ROM but haven’t used it. I suppose it lets you add animations, fancy lettering, and maybe music. I got it for about $3.99.
I wonder if there is any profound significance to the fact that Jenny can’t spell my name; “Tal” always comes out as “Tai.” Do you suppose it’s an impenetrably subtle revenge for the fact that when I met her at a booksigning, I shook hands with her wearing a mole puppet on my right hand?
On April 27, 2008 at 10:47 pm G and T said...
She does only have dots on most of her keys.
On April 28, 2008 at 10:56 am Diane (TT) said...
And the “L” and the “I” are fairly close to each other on the keyboard. I seem to be mis-spelling my own name about 50% of the time these days by what must surely be slight reaction-time problems in the keyboard. It couldn’t be my highly-trained fingers….
Anyway, Talpianna, I’m sure Jenny LIKED having her hand gnawed on by a mole…
On April 28, 2008 at 3:40 pm Jenny said...
Nope, I keep reading Talpianna as Taipianna. I’m old and the l and i look alike to me.
I do not take revenge. I let the universe do my dirty work. Sooner or later, it always evens things out.
On April 28, 2008 at 10:01 pm talpianna said...
Think TALPA = TAUPE = MOLE.
On April 29, 2008 at 3:24 am Jenyfer Matthews said...
Why would Milton want to dig a hole to China when he’s got it so good where he is?
The red thing is excellent, BTW. Well worth the wait.
On May 1, 2008 at 11:09 pm Jen said...
I just read this now… many days later, but I saw that it was Veronica’s birthday April 22nd and she turned 2… that’s my dog Holly’s birthday and she turned 2 also! What a weird coincidence! I love your books by the way and just stumbled upon your blog