Day 77 - Phantasmagoria

I often find myself drifting off in thought, and then I'll see what I've done that day in a phantasmagoria...it's almost as if I'm reliving my day in a dream-sequence...and it's not always conducive to staying on task!

Day 76 - Sachet

I can remember my mom giving me sachets for Christmas gifts, and I felt so grown-up as she showed me how they would scent my clothing if I put them in my drawers. Plus I remember thinking how pretty the little fabric bags were and so old-fashioned!

Day 75 - Languor

After being gone for two weeks and doing a fair amount of air travel, I just couldn't shake my feeling of languor. I decided to take last Friday off just to give myself a little more rest so that I could feel more refreshed and revived.

Day 74 - Inveterate

I smile while I think of David wandering the aisles at Target...he is such an inveterate browser....it's one of the reasons that I get so frustrated when I shop with him (he takes too long!) but it's also one of the things that I love about him!

Day 73 - Masticate

I had fish and lettuce for lunch today...ah the joys of HGCing. But, at least I focused more on masticating when I was eating...after almost choking on a piece of pineapple 2 inches wide while I was on my cruise last week, I decided that perhaps I should chew my food a little more...

Day 72 - Fealty

I pledge my fealty to the church of sarcasm...i will always be true.

Day 71 - Didactic

Didactic travel...that's what I need to start promoting, trips that educate!

Day 70 - Eructation

A loud eructation after a good meal may be a compliment in some cultures, but I'm still offended when someone belches without excusing themselves. This coming from a very loud belcher...

Day 69 - Temporize

It is difficult for me to understand where David is coming from as far as his job search goes. I think that if I were in his shoes I would be much more aggressive in looking for a job, sending out resumes left and right. But I am tying to temporize with his point of view, so that I don't always feel at complete odds with him.

Day 68 - Pablum

I know it's probably killing my brain cells, but when I travel I can't help but pick up a copy of People or US Magazine and filling my waiting time with the ridiculous pablum that those publications offer. I do usually also have something more substantial to read as well...but there's just something about being away from home that demands the perusal of those silly magazines!

Day 67 - Quixotic

I wish I could embark on more quixotic endeavors; I've always been jealous of those who can just pick up and go with only a moment's notice. I am such a creature of habit and always feel the need to have everything planned, and I worry sometimes that I'm missing out on life's adventures!

Day 66 - Supplicate

I often feel that I need to supplicate David in order to get him to put himself out there...and I hate putting myself in that situation. No one likes to beg, and humbling myself is not my strong suit.

Day 65 - Mulct

I set up a system in our house years ago, where I have imposed a mulct when Taylor leaves clothes turned inside out in the dirty laundry: 50 cents for every piece that I have turn right-side out!!

Day 64 - Gregarious

I always thought that gregarious meant outgoing, and loud. But really it means means to seek out others of the same kind, which is really what all humans tend to do. I know that I look for certain qualities in my friends which are the traits that I exhibit.

Day 63 - Arcanum

What is going on in David's head, since his layoff a year ago, is arcanum. I can't figure out if he's depressed, mad, frustrated, sad, or a combination of all three. He sometimes seems quite optimistic and I'm encouraged that he's coming out of his funk, and then we're right back where we always are...the dumps.

Day 62 - Fructuous

My biggest hope is that David's job search proves to be fructuous in a short time; he needs the boost of getting an interview or even better yet, just getting hired!

Day 61 - Fractious

I know that my mood can swing down pretty low, and often when I get home David immediately picks up on my fractious ways. He'll ask me what's wrong, I'll say 'Nothing' and we'll go from there. It's usually because I walk in the door and find dirty dishes in the sink...but sometimes it's just that the bus ride home was particularly rough.

Day 60 - Bombast

I believe a little bit of bombast can be a good thing: it is sometimes necessary to self-promote and build yourself up, but I think when you get to the point of being pompous and ridiculous you've crossed the line between good bombast and baaaad bombast.

Day 59 - Egregious

I think the way the David was treated by his contact at our former workplace was particularly egregious. To be so positive during a meeting regarding possible employment and then to never contact David again, that is something that I cannot comprehend or forgive.

Day 58 - Gastronome

As much as I like to consider myself a bit of a gastronome, and I do really enjoy a fine meal (I've had some spectacular food experiences during my travels), sometimes I just want a pb & j on toast.

Day 57 - Duplicity

While I do appreciate David's honesty in not wanting to 'cheat the system'...I have sometimes wished, during the past year, that he would exhibit some duplicity towards the unemployment system and just apply for the money that he is due.

Day 56 - Inexorable

I feel, when it comes to David's unemployment, that I have to be an inexorable force of positivity. I don't want him to give up, and if anything I need him to take a more pro-active stance, I think right now he's just reacting and doing the minimum amount to appease the requirements of unemployment. I will not be swayed from my position.

Day 55 - Hypnaogic

I fall asleep so quickly, there is barely time for anything interesting to occur hypnagogically. Some people talk in their sleep, some will get fairly amorous in that time before they succumb to slumber, but not me. I am instantaneously out.

Day 54 - Vivify

I wish that I could vivify the life that David and I have built for ourselves. This past year has been such a trial, and I can only hope that my mantra of "Only Good Things in 2010" will help to perk us up.

Day 53 - Billet-Doux

No billet-doux for me on Valentine's Day. I didn't even get a card with a loving sentiment written in it. Am I feeling sorry for myself? Yes, definitely.

Day 52 - Cupidity

I'll admit that I express cupidity when it comes to money and gifts. I wish that I didn't seem so greedy...but it is definitely my nature.

Day 51 - Quietus

When David lays Sugar down on her pillow and then puts her blanket over her, it's as if a quietus has been laid on her. She looks like a little dog mummy, with her tongue hanging out and her eyes rolled back. It's really very creepy, but also quite endearing.

Day 50 - Coquetry

I could probably use a refresher course on the art of coquetry; I don't really feel like I know how to flirt any longer (not that it's something I should be doing all the time either...)

Day 49 - Taradiddle

As much as I am an advocate for honesty and truth, I don't think it's possible to live a normal life without an occasional taradiddle. Sometimes, you need to tell a little white lie or fib in order to spare someone's feelings.

Day 48 - Vitiate

I'd like to think that the way I communicate with Taylor is to keep her somewhat innocent as she grows up. In no way do I want her to be so innocent that she has no concept of how to deal with the world as she gets older, but I don't want to vitiate her either, and have her turn into one of those awful, horrible, nasty teenagers.

Day 47 - Approbation

I do know that my constant "do you love me" queries and requests for approbation are probably annoying. But I can't help it, I think it is in my nature to need the continual assurances of approval.

Day 46 - Ignoramus

I don't think calling members of our accounting staff "ignoramuses" is completely true, but sometimes they are so difficult to work with, and I feel like I am beating my head against a wall when I am talking to them!

Day 45 - Eschew

I am trying to eschew negative thoughts this year. My mantra is 'Only good things in 2010!'

Day 44 - Distrait

David had a tough time at his unemployment class/seminar on Monday. I think he found that he was distrait because of the stress of starting his job search. He's worried that he won't be able to focus or learn in a job setting...I don't think it's anything to be concerned about.

Day 43 - Pecuniary

I'll admit, one of the reasons that I'm anxious for David to get back to work if for purely pecuniary concerns. We need his income, and I'll feel much safer and more secure when I know he's back at work!

Day 42 - Aubade

It's still too dark in the morning, during my walk to the bus stop, for the birds to be singing their aubades. But, it won't be long before it is a little bit brighter out, and then I expect to be greeted with songs and whistles as I head down the road!

Day 41 - Gelid

It has been really nice this week (some rain) but the temperatures have been mild. And I've been noticing that it's staying lighter later, which is so nice! When the air is gelid, and your breath comes out in puffs, that is one of my favorite times to go out walking with Sophie. But, I have to admit that I am getting more and more anxious for spring and warmer weather. The crocus are starting to bloom in the yard and I want more color to come bursting from the ground in our garden!

Day 40 - Mondegreen

I can remember Dana and I driving around in her car (this was probably 1986 or '87) and the Billy Ocean song "Caribbean Queen" came on, but she thought that I was singing "Making Chinese Food"....I still don't know how she came up with that mondegreen!

Day 39 -Penchant

I have such a penchant for luxury items, and I'm finding myself 'shopping' online at sites like Rue La La, Haute Look...ugh, I've got to stop, my spending has been way up lately!

Day 38 - Rapacious

Ugh, I have not tried to use any words in a week! I guess I thought that David might remind me! I do think my nature is sometimes rapacious, in that I have a need to take what I want, and demand the things I need. I probably don't allow others to get their fair share sometimes, and I'm sure I'm thought of poorly for that.

Day 37 - Panjandrum

This is essentially a made-up word from the 1700's...but it's made it into the lexicon of the English language (my goal is to get a made-up word into the dictionary too!). Because our company recently had new board members join the Ambassadors side of the organization, I think we'd all like to meet some of these panjandrums in person, and hope that they might grace us with their presence here in the office. I won't hold my breath...

Day 36 - Evince

David was a little ticked the other night when I told him that I have been posting imaginary conversations that include my WotD....apparently he liked the fact that his making fun of me was being included on this. So I'll attempt to renew my vow to make this a daily experiment. I sent an updated version of David's resume to Sue the other day, and I think her response evinced her opinion of David's qualifications. She complimented him on how great his resume looked and she has sent it on to some of her contacts here in Seattle...we'll see what happens!

Day 35 - Plenipotentiary

As far as I can tell, from the documents I've been given, I will be the plenipotentiary when it comes to my stepmother's affairs, having all the power of attorney and being the primary decision maker when it comes time to take part in all of that.

Day 34 - Frangible

In the last few days, I've realized how frangible my self-esteem is...I don't care what anyone says, it really doesn't take much to make you feel like crap.

Day 33 - Veritible

It was a veritable cacaphony the other night, when my mother, grandmother and I sat around the table and talked about the family. I cannot believe how loud we are when we are all together...it's really quite embarrassing and I'm sorry that David had to suffer through it.

Day 32 - Prevaricate

I know that sometimes when I tell people stories of my travels I can prevaricate at times...but I think people want embellishments. If you tell them the absolute truth...they'll get bored.

Day 31 - Apposite

I think it's very apposite of my boss to have me sit in on a meeting today where we discussed the possible uses a 'contractor' could have within my division. Quite honestly, the contractor's proposal was to be paid more than me to do what I do (although not everything) that I do, so I appreciate it that I was considered as part of the discussion.

Day 30 - Bibelot

No conversation, but this word is apropos, because I'm seriously planning to unload (either donate, sell, dump, give away) a lot of my collections: dolls, stuffed animals, various bibelots that are really beginning to make me feel weighed down by my past. I think it's time to clean up some of that, and make way for the future!

Day 29 - Lacuna

I told my mom (in another imaginary conversation) that I think she should seriously consider getting another dog in the near future. "I think Packer's passing has left a lacuna in your life, and you need to fill that space with another dog that will give you comfort."

I'm still waiting for an imaginary response on this one...

Day 28 - Perambulate

Yesterday, David and Taylor took all the dogs for walks (Sugar and Danny on one, and Sophie on another). My imaginary conversation with them goes like this:

"Are you guys going to perambulate with the dogs this afternoon?"

"Does that mean walk? Is that your word of the day?"

Me: "thpt"

Day 27- Accord

Another imaginary conversation, this time with my Mother:

"Mom, did you get to see Chloe when you went up to Auntie's today?"

"Yes I did, she is so funny and cute....are you sure you don't want to have a baby, Jenn?"

"No, mom, I don't want to have a baby. David and I are in accord about that, it's jut not going to happen."

Day 26 - Countervail

This is an imaginary conversation between David and I.

"Hey how is the job search coming?"

"Crappy...how was your day?" David responds.

"It was fine...why is the job search crappy?"

"Oh, I've just missed the boat on finding anything...I should never have left Holland America, I'll never make that kind of money again."

"Did you ever think that your attitude might be a countervailing force when it comes to looking for a job?"

"What does that mean?"

Day 25 - Pallid

I was so lame this weekend as far as this project went...we had 7 teenagers in the house for Taylor's slumber/birthday party and I just really lost my focus on this. Friday's word was pallid, and I did make a comment on David's 'pallid complexion' when we were talking on Friday...but that was it. Countervail and apposite will have to wait...maybe I'll try and pull a triple or quadruple day this week...depends on how motivated I am!

Day 24 - Lapidary

I did not use this word...just couldn't fit it in!

Day 23 - Torpor

David was finishing up edits to his resume last night, and I mentioned that his torpor is now ending, as he jumps back into the job hunt/workforce.

Day 22 - Flagitious

David and I watched one of the most disturbing movies last night, a Japanese horror film "Audition". It told the story of a lonely middle-aged widower who decides to set up a mock audition for a movie, when in fact he's interviewing for a new girlfriend/wife. When he first receives the information sheets on the women who will be 'auditioning' he spots one that catches his eye, and of course she's the one who is completely insane. It turns out she was horribly by her uncle, and now she's out to kill everyone, particularly men. And it was incredibly flagitious (which I told David).

Day 21 Onus & Nebbish

I mentioned to David last night that he shouldn't want to be a nebbish....he asked what the heck that meant, and I told him it's an ineffectual person. Then we discussed Taylor's having borrowed some XBOX games to take with her to her mom's and that she will be solely responsible for them if they are harmed in any way...so the onus of responsibility falls on her.

Day 20 - Gesticulate

I asked David if he thought I gesticulate too much when I talk...he said know. But I did end up slapping him in the face while I was talking one time...so I wonder.

Day 19 - Quotidian

This is a great word...but trying to fit it in at a Bunco game last night...not so easy! I would say that most of the gals that I play with live very quotidian lives, but I don't know if they would appreciate it.

day 18 - Flibbertigibbet

Are you kidding me? How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?

I called David a flibbertigibbet before we fell asleep..."Was that your word of the day by any chance?" he asked....and I think a fell asleep before I could answer.

Day 17 - Enjoin & Atelier

Ok, so I didnt' use my WotD yesterday (enjoin) and I can't see getting atelier into a conversation today.

Atelier makes me think of my time in St. Tropez last September when we were on our walking tour and stopped in at the Butterfly Museum. The artist (an elderly gentleman) happened to be there and invited us upstairs to his studio. The way that he used the thousands of butterflies that he had collected over the years in stunning works of art, they were breathtaking. Later that day, after we had boarded the yacht that was our transportation for the afternoon, we were enjoined to keep a sharp eye out for the different types of sailing vessels that were taking part in the regatta, in particular to look for the some of the boats that had been winners in the America's cup.

Day 16 - Tortuous

This was easy. David was playing his new favorite XBOX game, Unreal Tournament. This was a game he used to play quite often on the PC. So, as he's playing and cursing and getting frustrated with the difficulty of the game (it's a first-person shooter style, which I cannot get into), I mentioned that it's a tortuous route that his character has to take in order to fulfill the requirement of the particular level he was playing.

Day 15 - Constitutional

Sophie and I had a great walk yesterday afternoon and when I told David about our wonderful constitutional, he replied that he didn't like the way that word sounded...that it sounded like we had made a good poop. Sophie did have a couple of good deuces so the word works both ways. I like the idea of a daily constitutional, it makes me think of Britain for some reason...

Day 14 - Presage and Vicissitude and Panacea

Last night when David and I were watching 'Sanctuary' (a decent show from the Scifi network) I mentioned that the writers seem to be presaging that the main guy figure will be getting together (romantically or otherwise) with the daughter of the female main character. The show actually leads you to believe at times that there may be a romantic link between the main male character and the mother!

Just now I asked him if he thought our relationship has experienced vicissitudes during our time together. He smiled and replied "Well, I don't know what that word means, so I don't know." I gave him the definition and he said "I don't know, what do you think?" I think we have, and I replied that what we need is a panacea. I think 2010 will be a panacea for a lot of things that have plagued us. I hope.