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 :) 

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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! 

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.  :)