Friday, December 26, 2008

Scatterbrain

The Hanukkah card I sent to Bec a few days ago came back to me in the mail today.  Apparently I'd forgotten to write both her state and the zip code.  

But she conveniently came to visit tonight, so I had the pleasure of hand delivering it (although I demanded my stamp back). It is lovely to get to spend the holiday with her and B and to introduce them to the tasty yumminess of Berger cookies. Mmmm. I am looking forward to celebrating B's bday tomorrow over Afghani delights and drinks downtown.  It's fun to have visitors!

Whoa, look at me blogging twice in one day. Don't worry--it shalln't happen again.

Just Dance

I'm in the market for a vacuum cleaner. And I'm nervous. I'm in way over my head. If you know me then you'll understand why. All these after-xmas-sales, and I'm just plumb overwhelmed by choices. Boo, wish I was shopping for something more exciting. Like a house.

I've spent the last two days cleaning up our office. I get obsessive about getting organized before I start a new semester at school, although once the semester kicks off, I retreat to the comfort of my shamelessly slobbish ways.  I've always been a self-proclaimed packrat (runs in the family), but yesterday I had to stop and question my mental processing mechanism for having instructed me to hold onto some of the things I found. Three-inch frayed ribbons, broken pencils, ripped folders (nothing that tape can't fix!), calendars from 2005.  Pug has learned that while cleaning, he can turn to me and ask, "Can you make use out of this (cracked paperweight) one day?" and I'll almost definitively say yes to anything offered up my way.  It might be an illness.

Whoops, time to go watch the The View at the gym. I'm back on the Put-Down-the-Donut-Diet. So far, not working.



 

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Getting Un-stuck

My crazy desire to try to fit into small spaces...this is sure to end badly one day.  I'll get my head stuck in the banister of a staircase and linger there for hours until my husband stops laughing and agrees to soap up my head and push me back out. 

A new wave of goofiness has ushered itself into my life. So the blogging shall resume.  

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

11

When I need to write the most, sometimes I don't know how---I just can't find the words. Be still. 

Sunday, November 16, 2008

it's me

i should start blogging again.... my impressive single digit readership has probably dwindled down to zero anyway, ha.  i need inspiration.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Me-Maw

What a great weekend with the grandparents. Shame it rained so darn much.

I am now procrastinating. I've been trying to develop a unit on tolerance for the first graders, but I can't seem to pull it all together. I have all these disjointed ideas but can't seem to get it together to organize them into sequential lessons. Can't wait to make the finger puppets though. I think that's what I'm looking forward to the most. 

So I'm back in school. And working. And interning. Where oh where does the time go? 

We finally got a new little brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters since our previous one moved away, so I'm really excited to take him out next weekend! Yes, I am going to try to be a decent Big to the little guy while juggling all the other balls I've thrown crazily up into the air. Also, I really want to go to the Renaissance Fair to people watch (and eat, of course).  Folks from all walks of life make appearances at those types of events.  Becky put the idea in my head, and hopefully she didn't go this weekend so we can all go together next weekend. And, I really want to go camping again, but Bec took her tent back. Poo.

I shall stop rambling now and go on with my lesson planning.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

My new workout buddy

If you couldn't prove me wrong by pointing out the obvious that John Kerry is in Denver, I'd start a rumor that he was kickin it at the gym next to me today. And, in my rumor, he'd be wearing shoooort shorts.  I seriously did a double take when I saw this guy. Boo, I never get to see anyone famous. Well, actually, I saw Hillary Clinton on K Street last year while I was on the bus to work. She looked to be barking orders at two men beside her. Shocking.

Speaking of senators, and on a serious note, please take a minute to check out The Whole Child Initiative to support increased recruitment and retention of school-based mental health staff, particularly in low-income areas where the need is the greatest.  I wholeheartedly believe that the support provided by school counselors, school psychologists, and social workers is critical to the academic achievement of all students.  Please consider sending a quick email to your representatives and senators in support of this initiative.  It'll only take a minute :) 

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

How About Those Ravens?

For some reason we talk about births a lot in this house.  (Don't get all riled up now--I'm not pregnant.) But we talk about deliveries a lot, the different kinds, the most painful, grossest, easiest to heal from, etc.  I generally get an unpleasant feeling just thinking about it.  Gee, these conversations are probably a form of birth control in of themselves.  

Anyway, the other night we were wondering what water births are like. It's supposed to be less traumatic for the baby and less painful for the mother as well.  Sounds a little too perfect.  So of course I look for things wrong with it. I really wanted to know how the deliverer (midwife, doctor, second cousin, whoever) knows what's going on down there if the woman's lower half is submerged in water.  And I hear the room is supposed to be pretty dark too. Pug said they feel with their hands to make sure everything's all right and squared away for the little guy to swim on out of there and then they guide it out. No need to see what's happening. Really? I asked if they dunk underwater to take a peek for good measure while performing the delivery.  You know, just to be sure all is going according to plan, and he said it's not like they suit up in snorkeling gear for the occasion.  So then we got off on a tangent about snorkeling. And that was the end of that.  

Forget kids, now I want to go on vacation.


Wednesday, August 13, 2008

For Clare!

Because Jenny needs to be entertained, I will admit that at the gas station the other night, I pulled up and tried repeatedly to swipe my credit card in the little opening of my gas tank. Talk about trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It was one of those "Ohhhhhhh...that doesn't go in there.....huh, I really just did that...and I'm an idiot" kind of moments.  Okey dok, just fill up as quickly as possible and go straight home--someone's tired.

Maybe gas prices (or fumes) rendered me temporarily delusional. Oh well.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Home

Today I was visiting with Jesse's grandma after a conference in DC, and I had so much fun spending time with her that I drove home with this big smile on my face. I thought, "Wow, I really must have made her day, surprising her like that with an unexpected visit." But then I thought, "No, she really made my day today." What a joy to be able to spend time laughing and just enjoying her company so immensely. She is someone I was immediately drawn to when I first met her years ago, and I feel so incredibly fortunate to have her in my life and in my family. I realized today that she has given me so much more than I could ever offer to her in return.

I've been thinking about family a lot lately. I dragged Jesse back and forth through half of Delaware this past weekend looking for my grandparents' old home because I wasn't sure exactly how to get there. It had been over 12 years. I have such warm, vivid memories of visiting as a child and playing in the kitchen with my grandma and nosing about their vast yard, poking my head into things while my grandpa worked outside.  Well, when we finally found their old street and their old plot of land, their trailer was gone, hauled off and replaced with a sprawling new house and manicured front lawn.  I don't know why I thought it would still be there, like nothing could have possibly changed. But I do know how momentarily empty I felt. Like my memories and truths had somehow disappeared along with the house itself. 

I guess my mom was right when I called her and she told me you can never really go home. It just won't be the same. In that sense, our home of origin is not necessarily a physical place, but really a precious time of life, namely childhood, that slips through our fingers while we're busy looking straight ahead, trying to catch a glimpse of a shiny future. And home isn't just one place, but the many places and people and experiences that nurtured us as children and profoundly influenced who we were, are now, and are still becoming. So I guess it's never really gone, but instead changes as we grow, reflect, and recreate it time and again in our minds. . . weaving its way through the stories we tell about ourselves. 

With that in mind, I'm heading home this weekend. Can't wait :)



Sunday, July 6, 2008

Jitney

Another glorious weekend! The sun, and the sand, and a drink in my hand....well, the sand part was true at least. It was super windy and not particularly sunny, but lovely to be on the beach with family nonetheless. 

Bec's a lieutenant! Her ceremony was awesome and lots came out to celebrate her success! She's so cute in her little white uniform. She even deemed me worthy of removing her left shoulder board. What an honor. Bec planned a delightful weekend full of activities--my only complaint being that they started too early in the AM. Besides trying to spring our car from the impound lot and hangin at the police headquarters, we had a great time relaxing with family!

I think everyone had to try on my hat. They mocked me, but not-so-deep-down, they coveted it. I know it.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Kumbaya

All hell seems to have broken loose round here. I fell asleep with Pug's red bowling ball beside me in bed the other night and didn't even notice. Which begs the question of why it was left there in the first place, but I didn't bother asking. Things are so hectic, and I'm always either at school, working, studying for something or other, writing a paper, or sleeping, so who has time to clean up anything around the house? Ok fine, and I'm lazy. All I want to do is go to the pool. I'm counting down the days (15) til classes are over. Can't wait to go to Portsmouth to see Bec and go to the beach next week! Yay for a little freedom!

I can't stop talking about going camping, seriously! I have a bug up my butt (haha, not literally this time!) and really, really want to go this summer. I have zero camping gear and no money to go buy some, so if anyone has a tent they could lend me, please let me know! 

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

love notes

I have the best husband.  Here's the lunch bag he left for me in the fridge this morning.  I just had to take a picture!  I'm trudging through midterms and eleven hours of class each day this week, and he finds a way to keep me smiling.  :)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

PETA Wouldn't Like Me

I think I just got a birthday tick bite.  I just found a tick scurrying up my arm and now I'm frantically looking for his friends, who hopefully haven't joined him in his greed for a little O+ blood.  Yuck, yuck, yuck.  But we had fun burning him with matches.  Should have thought to check myself for them earlier after prancing through the woods at noon.  

Ugh, I really don't want to get Lyme Disease.  Again.  When I was fourteen I got bit real good right on my butt, of all places.  Not a fun spot to get a huge red welt because you can't help but sit/lie upon it all the livelong day.  Tee hee. I just remember riding the rides at Dorney Park in agony.  Poor me.  

Oh, thanks for the birthday messages!!!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

S'more What?

I'm on a walking team at work--we're doing a 10,000 step challenge against 100 other teams in my company. Wanna know what we get if our team wins?  Tee-shirts. Ooooo babbby.  I WANT one!

We call ourselves team Chester Copperpot Howie Mr. Belding S'more What?  We actually submitted that name to the HR department.  It was a collaboration of sorts, as you can probably imagine.  And I'd like to think we're gonna win.  Our team is comprised of athletic people (I use the term loosely to include myself, of course).  And we're hardcore.  Anthea's kicking butt.  She took 25,000 steps one day!  How is that even possible??  That makes up for the 1,000 step day I spent walking from the couch to the kitchen to the bathroom and back.  Just kidding. I've been walking everywhere!  And wearing my pedometer at the gym of course.  I took the trash out 4 times one day just to add steps. I'm a maniac---I'll do anything.  Wish me luck!  

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Beany

We'll miss you, little Bean.
In peace.

Monday, May 5, 2008

it's just . . .

Only at our apartment would I trip and fall over a red bowling ball left absentmindedly next to the bed.  Yes, it's time to clean up.  

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind (but a good, cleansing sort of twister) of finishing school, celebrating milestones, laughing crazily with good friends, and traveling to new places to visit those I love.  (Ohio was much cooler than I'd imagined, I must admit.)  Geez, and I thought my month off  school was going to be quiet.   But I wouldn't have it any other way.  


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Success!

I finally worked up the nerve to join the hip hop class at the gym this morning, and it was sooooo much fun! I've been thinking about joining for two months but felt too shy.  All was good except I still can't do the shoulder shake thing, Tep. All those lessons in our old office, and I still didn't learn. Boo. But I'm proud of myself for going!  These hips don't lie. 

Clare's bridal shower this weekend yay yay yay!  Hope you're ready for a crazy fun night!!!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Think About It

Okay, fill in the blank!

If I were a pattern, I would be _______________.

I'll go first. 

I'd be big green polka dots.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

April 14, 2007


Day of my heart.


mmmmm wedding cake

Thursday, April 10, 2008

A Real Brainiac

I'm not one for getting in the car and driving 100 feet if I can go on foot.  Unless I'm carrying a refrigerator, I'm just not a fan of getting back in the car and driving four stores down in a strip mall.    

Today I needed groceries and gas for my car.  So I came out of the supermarket, put the groceries in the car, and thought, "Heck, the gas station's only across the parking lot, I'll walk."  So I did.

Only once I was milling around the gas pumps did I realize that this idea wasn't my best.  So I walked back.  


Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Returning to the Womb?


My mammy's back from China.  Hooray.  So excited to go home tomorrow!

I had an MRI done yesterday and I was neeeeervous.  Some say it's like being shoved into a coffin. I agree.  But it wasn't all that bad.  In fact, some fleeting moments were downright pleasant.  Like the loud noises.  Most people complain about the noise, but I thought it really spiced up an otherwise snooze-worthy experience.  Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.  Like a nightclub, only you couldn't dance.  I wanted to ask for the soundtrack.  


It's the whole "I'm surrounded by this big hunkin thing and can't get out" thing that's scary.  The tech person offered me an eye mask, which I gratefully accepted.  This way, you can't see anything when they shove you in the tube with the ceiling only inches from your face.  I'm quite sure I would have lost it if I'd kept my eyes open the whole time.  Shutting them created the illusion that there was actually space between my body and the big ole magnet.  


I write this to un-scare anyone who, like me, clams up at just the thought of having an MRI. I promise, if you shut your eyes the whole time, it's much more enjoyable than you'd imagine.  I lived to tell the tale, and so, my friend, can you. 

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

de de dee

So happy that spring is almost here!  Last weekend's weather down in Virginia was such a tease! We were on the beach in 70 degree weather, and people were out in bikinis!! Bec, I think I might be moving down.  And I'll befriend that old guy we met at the park, who you refused to invite with us to dinner.  Cold heart. :)

I'm excited for April--so many fun things coming up and so many people to see!  And it'll be nice to go home, since we haven't been there in months.  Can't wait to take a nice long walk in Tyler with my parents--I miss the familiarity and comfort of it.

This semester has been so much work but so much fun.  Who knew I'd enjoy working with little kids so much?  Gosh, I just light up every time I'm there!  As usual, just when I think I've made up my mind, everything turns on its head. What an amazing experience!  

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Bad Joke

Oh, hello, blog.  I forgot about you, what with selling my soul to school and work lately.  

I've been in some sort of stupor (still hovers).  What a week!  Boy am I glad to have three days off school next week. The Blockbuster movies are piling up for me, and Pug is impatient to send the chick flicks back so he can get his snoozyy foreign historical war dramas.  I don't even know what that means.    I think I'll make him sit through The Hours this weekend just to be a pain in the a.  It's only my favorite movie.

I'm sitting in writing a paper tonight, listening to the Rent soundtrack.  Yep.  I know what you're thinking, and I'm thinking it too.  

I took a break to eat an orange, and that's the most exciting thing that's happened to me in the past 6 hours.

Help!



Thursday, February 28, 2008

For Sue

I'm so proud of my dad.  Today was Sue's retirement ceremony.  It was wonderful to meet so many people who admire him as I do.  And to see him honored many, many times as he deserves. Because he is immensely modest and talks little of himself, I was happy to hear so many people (including the admiral!) praise his accomplishments and managerial successes over the last 36 years.  It was truly moving, and I know that I will remember this day, and how proud and happy I am for him, always.  

My grandparents would have been so proud.

Goodnight.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

eclipse

things 
are 
falling 
into 
place
 just 
as 
they 
should.

I realized today that it's all about perspective.  How you allow yourself to look at it. And today, it looks good to me.  


Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Me Talk Pretty One Day

Election Day.

Leave it to my mom to swoop in and convince me to change my mind two hours before I vote. And I was beginning to tout myself as a woman of strong convictions.  Right.

But that's not what this entry is about.  

Have you ever read anything by David Sedaris?  I first read one of his books last year, and now I'm reading another.  Gosh, he's funny.  This semester is really stressful, but I read a chapter of Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim every night before I go to sleep and laugh so hard that all my troubles just magically melt away.  (Not really).  His writing style is so witty and sarcastic--love it!!!  So SMART and for lack of a better word, real.  Gotta lend it to Sue.  Right up his alley.    

This weather stinks.

That's all.  

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Hurry Up and Bring Your JukeBox Money

Last night was glorious.  Pug got drunk and did Spanish karaoke at a Peruvian restaurant.  Well, okay fine, he didn't sing in Spanish (because he can't), because the guy had some songs available in English.  We were the only native English speakers in the place.  Pug got up there and gave a less then mediocre rendition of Love Shack, which he coupled with some equally abysmal dancing for our visual (dis)pleasure.  Part of me thought, oh lord, make this song end now, right now.   And the other part wanted the hilarity to last forever.  Our waitress was beside herself laughing.  To complete the picture, the CD was scratched, so it kept skipping and making all of these ear piercing squeaks and shrieks periodically throughout the song.  Pug didn't even notice.  Nor did he notice that although he was singing the right words, he was singing them at the wrong time and in the wrong key.  It was grand.  

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

with him beside me, no matter which way i turn, i face the sun

i can't explain :)


Tuesday, January 22, 2008

How's My Driving?

What happened to all the pictures on my blog from 2007? All gone? Strange.

Here is my tip of the day: If you're driving behind an 18-wheeler (that keeps changing lanes) with a sign on the back that says, "How's my driving?" but the telephone number beneath has been carefully scratched off, move! Clearly someone has had one too many complaints concerning his/her driving ability and needed to solve that problem fast.

Not that I have room to talk. I've had an interesting accident record. 1) Reversing into the side of a one-way bridge, 2) watching in horror as a wheelbarrow flies through the air and bounces off my hood, 3) slamming into one of those orange and white road block barrels that fell into the highway in the snow, 4) getting rear-ended by a kid whose scary father then called me using as many intimidation tactics as he could conjure. Technically, only one of those accidents was my fault. Still, wasn't taking my chances with that truck today--I like my head shaped the way it is now, thank you very much.

Who to vote for in the primaries next month? Gosh, I'm so torn at the moment. Been giving it lots of thought. If you want to try to convince me why one of the candidates is the best thing since marshmallow peeps, that would be fine with me.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Atlantis

So I'm wading through all my emails from work--I actually LIKE having a pile of messages waiting for me--strange, I know--anyway, I'm going through and I get this one of one my supervisors at work, that starts out all business, yadda yadda, and then ends, "You're totally on the beach right now. You schmuck." A lotta nerve. And so true.

Anywho, here are some pics from our trip. We had a blast! But commuting to DC in freezing weather jerked me right back into reality. Sad.











Monday, January 7, 2008

True

I have the best parents--not that I didn't realize it before, but the events of the past year have really opened my eyes to how truly amazing they are. I am overflowing river of respect, admiration, and love for them.

beach bum time

Well happy New Year!!

So we leave for the Bahamas on Wednesday on the trip Pug won in a sales competition. Sweet! I have a stack of books I hope to get through on the beach, even though that's unlikely because you have to pry me out of the water. Can't wait to take our new camera and attempt to bring back some lovely photos of the island.

iPod, where are you? I need you for my trip. You've been hiding from me for at least a few months now. Probably rebelling from all the crappy music I put on there. Oh well, no airplane soundtrack for me I guess.

I'll be sure to come back nice and tan (or, um, red).