Egypt

One of the best trips I took while I was going to school in Jerusalem was a weekend jaunt to Egypt. I didn't go see the pyramids or the Nile or other typical Egyptian sites. We went to the Sinai peninsula.

There were 12 of us. Ten guys and myself with my roommate. We took the bus from Jerusalem to Eilat (the southernmost point in Israel, a good 8 hours south) crossed over into Egypt (where you weren't supposed to take pictures) and picked up a taxi down to Dahab (another four or five hour drive in sweltering heat in a taxi with no air conditioning, but plenty of arabian music).

Dahab is an amazing, beautiful town right on the Red Sea. We got in early evening and found huts/rooms/mats to sleep. My roommate and I (plus a boy for security) got the 'best' setup. A room plus a bed plus a bathroom plus a fan. All that luxury for five dollars. The bathroom was so big you could go while washing your hands and taking a shower.

That night we walked down the restaurant road together looking for a place we could all agree upon to eat. Everyone was offering something different. "Please come eat here, we will give you free drinks!" "My friend, my friend, eat here, we will give you free dessert!" We ended up choosing the only place where they cooked the food right in front of you plus had free dessert. It was delicious. I felt so exotic and was had such a great night hanging out, chatting and enjoying the whole atmosphere.

The next day, a bunch of us decided to go scuba diving. In America (and most countries) you have to go through a lengthy and expensive training process to be a certified diver. In Dahab, you watch a fifteen minute video, promise to go slow and they hand you a tank.

We dove at the Blue Hole, so named for it's coral reef and how from above its arial view looks like a hole in the deep blue sea. It was so beautiful. Words cannot describe. I had been snorkling before, but this was unbelievable.

After a long, fun busy day exploring, shopping, swimming and diving, we headed back to the town to pack up and get ready for another long trek. We got a couple taxis and headed for Mount Sinai. We wanted to be there to start climbing the mountain about midnight so we could camp out for the night and then wake up on the top.

It was one of the most terrifying and bizarre experiences of my life. Again, like I said, there were ten guys and two of us girls so we felt safe most of the time. We assumed that once we reached the base of the mountain, we would find 12 camels to ride up. We were told to barter for a good price and we'd do just fine. There was no such thing. Bartering, yes. One guy with twelve camels, no.

We arrive at midnight. We arrive in pitch blackness. There is no electricity in the middle of the Sinai desert. There are no lights at the base of the mountain. There are however, many individual men with many individual camels all wanting you to rent their camel. Pulled and prodded from each side. Flashlights in my face.
"You need camel?"
"I have camel for you!"
"You! You need camel?"
I found the nearest hand of a friend and hung on for dear life.

We made sure we were all together and all ok and got our individual camels and guides to lead them and us up the mountain. It was a long, spectacular ride. We saw nuns on foot who make the tortuous climb every Saturday night to sing a Sunday morning mass at the peak. Pilgrims seeking solitude, tourists looking for adventure.

At one point in the trail, we had to dismount our camels and start climbing the stairs carved into the rocks. We had ridden for a couple hours until we were all sore and now had to climb at least another hour up into the dark sky to reach the summit.

Once we finally made it, we rolled out our sleeping bags, tucked our backpacks under our heads for a pillow and slept. On a cliffside. In the black. The sleep of the dead.

And then all too soon, it was morning. And the morning brought the light. And we all sat in awe of the beauty of the earth. Of the realization of where we were. Perhaps this wasn't exactly where Moses stood when the LORD spoke to him. But the reverency was not lost on us. We listened to the worship of the nuns. We journaled. We talked. We prayed.





And we just sat and watched the sun rise over the horizon.










I and a friend chose to ride camels back down the mountain also. We got down much faster than those who took the stairs down the whole way. And our calves thanked us.






I climbed Mount Sinai. And then I descended back to earth.

Where Have I Been?

I suppose I should begin at the beginning. Or at least at the start of the questions. All of a sudden I feel like there is so much that I want to share, to tell, to put down so that I can see it and know that it all really happened.

I started going through some old pictures today. Pictures I want to scan in and use for my sagas. I can be so very nostalgic sometimes. My belly flutters, my eyes sting a little, my heart is tight and I feel anxious.

Jen asked if I had ever been out of the country and when. Does Canada count? If so, then I have been there many times. I grew up in western New York so when I travel there from here in Michigan, I often drive through Canada.

But I have been further away from America than that. I actually lived in Israel for three and a half months. When I was going to college, I happened to be flipping through the coursebook and noticed that they do a study abroad program in which you can trasfer credits from whatever classes you take. "Wouldn't it be amazing to study in Israel?" I thought to myself.

So I did. I saved up, I got financial aid, I chose my classes, I got a roommate, vaccinations, my passport, and flight tickets and off I went.

I lived in Jerusalem on Mount Zion. It was the most amazing time of my life. The first few weeks I felt as though I was just on this amazing adventure and I loved the city and the culture and everything about being there, but also missed the US and my boyfriend. I thought that it was a great place to be and to visit, but I would never consider living in Israel an option. After about a month of being there, I wondered how I would ever be able to leave.



You can see the school in the bottom left just above the dirt ball field. It wasn't a big campus, but it was beautiful, it was home.

Her Shed...It is Pink

Nothing to Hide

I think I am going to begin a few sagas. Regale you with a few stories from my past. But what order to do everything in? There's the multiple marriages, the Jewish history, the cat that can't come back, the African safari, the Hawaiian adventure, the time I almost went to jail...ahem.

Here's a thought, you ask me a question about myself. I'll answer it. Nothing is taboo. I've got nothing to hide. I don't think...

We'll start there and see how it goes.

Suggest A Song

When you think of Classic American Songs, what do you think of? I am compiling a list of ideas for a trip, and could use some more suggestions. I need a good hour's worth of music.

Songs that the whole world has likely heard. Classic old time rock and roll. Maybe some newer if they are very catchy and extremely popular.

Brought to You by the Color Red

Give me one or two lines of text to describe this photo. Knowing nothing about it, tell me the first thing that pops into your head.

Glory

I Have No Idea

Cory has asked a question with which I have been stumped. Who knew it was possible. Therefore, I am going to pose my theorizing, but am going to leave it open as it appears he is looking for a specific answer that I have not been able to find.

Why can't I play basketball outside in the rain without getting wet?

(10 bonus points for the original askers of this age-old question)

Now, if you are playing outside in the rain under a roof or a tarp or a tree or if you have a hat on, it is possibly that you could avoid getting wet. If you were as fast as Superman or had some kind of super water-repelling clothing, you could avoid getting wet. Otherwise, the reason you can't avoid getting wet is because it is raining. And rain is wet. And you are under the rain. Therefore
you cannot avoid getting wet.

However, if anyone has a better answer than this, I will award them Cory's promised ten points. And who doesn't want ten points!?

Where Have All the Holes Gone!?

It's a process. And I know it's not all that exciting to most people. It's not really all that big of a deal. But the man is a musician. (no offense, my musician friends) Every project he's ever done is something he's never done. And he always does it so well. Therefore, I am impressed. And I show off his good work.

AKA

It's out of control. Someone please tell me they have had this sickness before. It's wretched. It won't stop and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. At least right now.

I'm talking about an addiction. I'm sure we're not the only ones. There must be others who have had this trouble sleeping, this inability to focus on anything else. For whom there is no cure but more poison.

I'm talking about ALIAS. I'm talking about being so into a show there is nothing else in view. We must figure out what is going on. We must keep watching. We must get another disc in the mail tomorrow.

We've only just finished Season Two. And the season finale was over the top. I was churning it over in my head all night. With the noisy neighbors (see post below) I barely got any sleep at all.


And man Vaughn is Dreamy. That's a two syllable word. Dree-mee.

Five or So

It seems I have been tagged by Krisco, and must reveal information about myself this sunny Sunday.

Five Things In my closet
Which closet? I use THREE! They're all really small closets, I swear. Ok, I know, it's excessive.

Closet 1: Shoes & clothes & gift bags/boxes
Closet 2: Shoes & clothes & purses
Closet 3: Clothes and everything else that I don't know where to put somewhere including, but not limited to picture frames, table, bedspread, clock radio, shelves, sewing drawers & basket, etc.


Five Things In My fridge
Leftover spinach & feta pizza
Vanilla Frappuccino
Fresh asperagus
Sobe Green Tea
Greek salad dressing
Milk, bread, condiments, eggs, yogurt, lettuce, carrots, etc and so forth


Five Things In My car
CDs
Umbrella
Cell phone charger
Beach chair
Ketchup
Jumper cables (everyone should)


Five Things In My Purse
Lipstick (four or five tubes)
Notebook
Contact solution
Wallet
Etc other women's-type things


Ok, Amy & Nikki & Heather & Jean, it's your turn. This was an easy one...

The Country Sounds Good

I grew up in a smallish town and lived in a house in the middle of nowhere. On 18 acres of land with no view of any of our neighbors but the cows. The loudest it ever got was in the middle of a hot July when the crickets were in full voice.

Since I left home, I've lived in the city. Not downtown city, but very near. With a view of all of our neighbors on several streets, and even a view of the tallest downtown business buildings.

I love living here. I am right near a grocery store, gas station, restaurants, coffee shops and many other interesting small businesses. I don't have to go far for anything I need and can ride my bike to anything I wouldn't walk to.

However, last night we despised our neighborhood. We hated where our house was. We rued the day we ever chose to settle where we did.

Every so often there are loud, noisy, rude, drunk people having parties on our street. Sometimes the wedding receptions held at the church across the street go very late and involve much shouting and excessive partying. Last night it was our next door neighbor.

The house is a rental, so that's a first strike against it. We know they could care less about the yard as they haven't yet once mowed it since they moved in. They collect their trash for weeks and weeks and then put mounds of smelly waste out at once for the whole area to enjoy.

The noise and the yelling and the music was so loud last night that my husband even called the cops to drive by. And I think all that did was make them louder. No regard for anyone else, no respect for curfews or noise pollution or anything. And I'm not talking about just late evening, either. I'm talking about the middle of the morning.

The sad thing is the resident of the home is a single mother. I don't know if the children were home or not, but it seems like she really should have known better, right?

I think I need to find a way to get ahold of the owner of the house and have a chat with him. I understand people who want to have a good time and whatever, but not at three in the morning and especially not when some neighbors have to get up at 6:30 the next day.

And now it's time for my nap.

Action Cats!

Thanks to one of my favorite sites, Stuff On My Cat, I found my new favorite toy. I'll have to get at least six sets. That way everyone can try a few. Maybe next weekend we'll have a Battle Royale.

To Be Read

Last weekend, we drove south to meet my in-laws to pick up my sister-in-law and her husband. We met them in a nice little Michgan town near Indiana. We got to the town first and wandered around to kill some time.

The town had a gorgeous old library. We figured there was no better place to spend time than in a beautiful library. But it gets better.

They were having a library sale. And the best kind too. The kind with the little sign that says, "A buck a bag."

I didn't find many books that I had heard of before. The shelves were full of old volumes from years past. So many intriguing stories, not read anymore. Not perused, not pondered, not loved.
So we adopted a few. A few novels, a few biographies, a few histories. Many good beach books. Several excellent sunny day books. A couple for rain storms.

I just finished another Dean Koontz novel. He always holds my interest and I constantly find myself biting my nails during the endings.

The next on the list is The Western Coast. I really know very little about it, but it looks like a good read. I'm trying to get in at least one or two a week this summer. Amidst the painting and building and gardening.

Any other titles I should add to the list? There are many more pages to be turned.

And Then There Were Ten

Ten holes in my bathroom. Now with electrical wiring!











Plus, I was explicity warned not to touch the sides of the exposed outlet. I apparently have a tendency to do that. Sheesh, it's not like I've been shocked more than three or four times.

There's a Hole in My Bathroom

Where there used to be solid, painted wall, there is now a gouging hole. I am not able to stick my hand straight outside as there will be twists and turns, but there it is. The hole.

The hole that will bring an end to mildew. The hole that will refresh the misty, steamy air. The hole that will bring clean air where there once was only stale.

Ok, that makes my bathroom sound way worse than it is. It's a nice little bathroom, just no ventilation fan. Yet. But yes, there is mold on the walls. We bleached it off a while ago and painted Kilz over it, (go out and buy Kilz now if you don't already have some...even if you don't need it right now, chances are that someday you will and you will thank me for my foresight) which worked for a time, but soon enough there were new spots of mold where we had not painted.

The annoying thing is how many times this bathroom has already been painted. Assumedly because of the mold. Someone just cleans it and paints it and they think the problem is all taken care of. Until next time.

I really hate the look of overly painted walls. You can just tell. But that's another of the joys of owning a very old home.

There is dust everywhere. Everything is off the walls and all of the doors are shut. I think we may have to shower elsewhere for a while. Fortunately, that just means going upstairs. Though the 'bachelor bathroom' is exactly how you would expect it to be. So I suppose you could say we'll be slumming it for a bit.

I am so anxious to be painting. And cleaning that mess up. Cammie appears to want to help too.

Same Font Different Book

As I'm sure the rest of you are, I've been busy. It's almost silly to say it, because it's expected to be true.

Family has been in town from Florida. Sadly, they've been sick much of the time and haven't been able to do many of the fun things we all wanted to do. But at least they've been able to relax and get refreshed.

I'm getting tan. Which means that you can still see my veins in my legs, but they're getting fainter. I don't mind the paleness. It is part of who I am. But it is nice to have shiny, brownish legs in the summer. I am quite careful of my face, however. Sunhat, glasses, sunscreen. I found an excellent makeup this summer that has spf15 and great light coverage.

There is nothing better than days free to sit and read. Days free from stress or constriction. Days to lie on the roof and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

I still don't have that magnificent rooftop garden yet. But I will. Even if I don't plant anything in it this year, it will be great to have it built and ready to go for next year. I have let my spinach grow to long and it is past eating now. The roof garden will be perfect for spinach and lettuce and other shorter-rooted items. I also want to have large pots of flowers and even a few trees to make it feel lusher and a bit more exotic. We'll see how all that goes. I don't know how well the trees would last over the winter.

Tomorrow my husband is going to smash a hole in our bathroom wall. He has purchased a much-needed venting fan and has been plotting how best to install it for several days now. We have a lovely mold colony that needs to be destroyed and kept at bay. So, the fan will go in, the walls will be bleached and scrubbed and re-painted.

We bought paint today for the hallway and stairway. I'm also thinking of ripping up the carpet and refinishing the stairs. Anyone good at floor refinishing?

Plus, our new garden shed is in and needs to be picked up from the hardware store. I'll be building that this weekend also.

We never do home improvement half-heartedly.

Close Call

I'm a little shaken up today. I just took out the trash.

Which in itself is a crazy, crazy thing. My husband and I signed an agreement before we were married that he would take care of the trash and I would make the bed. (Yes, I got the better end of the stick)

And it's even more crazy, because my brother is in charge of the trash now that he lives with us. He has two jobs here. Trash & lawn/snow. He is usually pretty good about it too. However, he is off traveling the east coast and visiting friends and family right now.

Hubby didn't do it because he had to be out of the house before 6 this morning. Another crazy, crazy thing.

Anyway, I was sitting here happily at my little desk reading emails and such, and I noticed my neighbor go outside his house for a moment and come back in. (My little desk is perfect for watching all activity on the sidewalk....) I looked a little closer and noticed he had just put all his trash out.

Crap! I totally forgot to remind hubby last night about it! Down I run through the house to collect everything before the truck comes.

There was a bunch of stuff stashed in the garage as well as in the back hall waiting to go out. *Gross warning* As I picked up the ties, I noticed that the one in the garage had piles of maggots crawling all over. Luckily, the ties were long enough that I could easily avoid the nastiness.

Phew. I got it all out and ready to go. All is well. La dee dah. Walking back into the house and *GASP* there is a nail through my flip-flop!!! Ahh!! I stepped on a nail! The horror! The pain!

Ok. Ok. Just a gash, not straight through my foot. Ok. Breathe. Yank out the nail. Throw it away. Note bleeding. Sheesh. What would I do if it went through my foot? The neighbor would have to take me to the hospital!

Fortunately I've had my tetanus shot within the past 6 years. What's the length of time on that?

Ah well, the trash truck just came and went. I am bandaged and all will be fine. I think I'll ride my bike later.

The Need for Speed

Apparently, after riding one's bike for three and a half hours, one's tushie becomes mush. I don't think my butt has ever hurt this much in my life. EV-AR.

But it was an excellent ride. It took about two hours to ride the trail we took, we broke for a nice long lunch and some ice cream and then it was only an hour and a half back and downhill much of the time, which was very welcome. We forgot the camera so there is no proof of this first most momentous ride. But it was good. It was very good.

I will, however, be spending much time in the tub. Thank you and good night.

Just to Clarify

For anyone who may have been concerned about the situation, it has been thoroughly rectified. Not conquered, by any means, but much progress has been made.

Wanna Play Catch?

The past week has been great. Busy though. And I've had a cold. What is the deal with my immune system, huh? Sheesh. Enough is enough already.

Today the plan is gardening. Of course, right? No big surprise there. I have a border to put in and some weeding/tidying of some things. Then a nice long bike ride on the trails. We are fortunate to live a couple blocks away from one of our towns longest paved bike trails. I have only been a short distance running it, so I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. Tomorrow, hubby and I are planning a long ride. Several miles, break for lunch and then ride back.

Hubby's birthday was last Sunday. After a great morning of my being able to help lead worship with my kids band and my kids singers (who were amazing, by the way), we went out to lunch with a ton of friends to the Olive Garden. Always a good time. He got some free drinks and free dessert...because his friends are awesome. We were amazingly able to squeeze in a nap before heading back to church for the evening service.

He got some pretty good presents too. Spoiled rotten, this one is. We were at Menards on Saturday looking at garden sheds (ours is coming in two weeks!!) and since it was Father's Day weekend, all the power tools were on sale. So I said, "Happy Birthday, buy a circular saw!" and we got a great deal. Then I gave him a couple new sets of pliers that he wanted, a silly kids book called, "How I Became a Pirate," for, as you may or may not know, we are planning on being pirates one day.


And then I also gave him a bike helmet. He said, "Sweet, what should I do with this?"

I said, "You can run down the street really fast and if you fall down, you won't hurt your head."

He said, "Sweet... No really."

And I said, "Ok, fine, I couldn't fit the bike in a gift bag."


Monday we went to pick up his brand spanking new bike and get it fitted perfectly to him. I had ordered it special since he is a rather tall man and there was actually only one that was his size that they even made. I don't think he has ever had a bike that really fit him well so I'm very excited for him. We have lots of biking expeditions planned and he is even at this moment looking up maps for us to explore.

I even got myself a helmet and a new seat for my bike so my head and my tushie will both be safe.



Last night we felt the need to stay up until the wee hours of the morning watching an old stoner flick and munching on popcorn. We didn't even sleep in that late this morning, surprisingly.

And tonight we are going to a play that one of the kids from my band is in. Should be a fun date night out. We might even go see a movie tomorrow night.

And this was the most rambling post I think I have ever written. I hope you feel sufficiently caught up and completely confused.

Love to you all.

There's Nothing Better

My hubby called me this morning to inform me that he was at Guitar Center. Nothing shocking there. He's a musician, after all.

The good part of the conversation came when he told me that he had found "my" guitar. That's right. The electric pink, hot chick, punk rock, girlie guitar.

Not only did he find it, but he promised to try it out and make sure it played well. Just in case. What a guy.

How Do I Take Care of My Orchid?

We had another question this week. And it's a really tough one. N may have pushed me to the limits of my vast knowledge on this one.

"My wonderful husband bought me a beautiful orchid while I was away, but I have absolutely no idea how to care for it!

How do I keep my lovely orchid alive and strong?"

I did a bit of research on orchids. I myself have an orchid and have been wondering how I get it to flower as it is just a nice little green leafy plant at the moment. Fortunately, there is a lot of infomation available on orchids and their growth and care. Unfortunately, there are many different kinds of orchids (over 25,000 different species!) and they are each so specific and require different care accordingly.

So here is what I did for you, my dear N. I have posted some links to different discussion forums and research sites where you can ask more specific orchid questions to true orchid growers. Is this copping out? I hope not. I hope I have provided the information you require to have many years of beautiful orchid flowers.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/
http://www.ocos.net/
http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/index.php
http://www.orchids.co.in/

And did you know that Vanilla is an orchid? Yes, it's true.

I Want to Come Out & Play!

Please?




Pretty Pretty Please?

It's Summer And Things Are Growing

I love my gardens. My flowers and my veggies and my planters. They aren't large by any means. In fact, my backyard vegetable garden is barely as large as my bathroom. If we had room, I would have acres of garden. Mounds of flowers. Huge plots of corn and beans and squash. I could subsist on home-grown food. I'm already longing for the days soon to come when I can walk out back and pick tomatoes or peas right off the vine and just start munching.

This year I tried a few new things. My tomatoes always do extremely well. In fact, I bought one new tomato plant this year to grow some regular sized-tomatoes. And in my garden right now there are at least 15 cherry tomato plants. I have already given some away. And I have more to transplant into pots. It just breaks my little green heart to rip them out and throw them away!

Oh yes, the new things. Well, I suppose I'll finish the "usual" things first. Tomatoes, squash, beans, peas, peppers & broccoli. They all seem to be doing just fine. As usual.

This year I put in asparagus and rhubarb roots. The package said not to harvest until next year. So far they are just growing right up to the sky. I have been told that the more feathery they are this year, the more stalks they will produce next year. Which is very exciting as I love asparagus. And did you know that Michigan is the third-largest asparagus producing state in the US? It's true. Granted, with the size of my garden, I will only be contributing about one meal's worth of asparagus, but that will be a great meal indeed. And the rhubarb already looks great. Much self-control is needed to no pick those bright pink stalks. I love perennial vegetables.





And onions. I have planted them before, but they always kind of just wilt out for some reason. So far I have nice, healthy rows. Basically, I have an excellent salsa garden. Many tomatoes, onions, peppers and herbs. I have sage and oregano, chamomile and mint for tea, rosemary and chives for cooking and lavender for...whatever you use lavender for.




I also planted spinach and carrots this year. Spinach is easy. I've done lettuce before. And I might this year, but haven't gotten it in yet, so maybe not. But carrots I have tried to grow in the past and haven't had much luck. This year they seem to be doing really well. (they are at the back of the picture. Behind where Darrell is guarding) I'm pretty excited about it. I am going to re-seed a little bit of my patch as I am learning that part of it doesn't get as much rain as the rest due to the trees that need to be cut down above them. But in order to cut down the tree, we need to replace our fence. And we need to build our garden shed before we replace our fence as the shed will be right next to the fence and they will be supporting each other. Whew. What a summer of projects we have!!

And then there are my beautiful flowers. In another month the morning glories will cover the whole front of my house and I love it! Plus I was really excited to see a poppy! I planted a bunch of random seeds into a hanging basket and I didn't know what they all were. I have wanted to grow poppies forever. They are such a cheerful flower. So, I'm going to be transplanting this out of the basket into my garden to keep growing every year!

As soon as the salsa is ready, I'll invite you all over. I'm thinking about trying to make enough to can it this year so I have it for months. And freezing the squash for many months of zucchini bread. Most everything else is a one or two-meal situation. Just wait, the call will come in soon for the dinner party!

Is Apple Pie American?

Shelly has asked a very pertinent question that I think applies to all of us in some way or another.

"I was thinking this morning, as I ate a piece of apple pie for breakfast, about how apple pie is supposed to be the quintessential hallmark of classic americana. But, is apple pie really an American invention? I mean, it, along w/ baseball, is the underpinning of our fair country but what if it's not even an American-based pastry!? Is it possible that it's a direct derivative of Apple Streudel, (which is so German, we dare not associate w/ it)?"

What I have discovered, is that apple pie is in fact an old English dessert. The recipe posted here is from 1381.

"In England, apple pie is a dessert of enduring popularity, eaten hot or cold, on its own or with ice cream, double cream or custard."

I think we have claimed it to be our own in many ways. And we have changed the recipe many times. Originally there was not sugar in apple pie and it was a more tart dessert, often served with cheddar cheese.

Plus, apple trees are not native to the United States. They were carefully brought here from Europe along with the desire for this excellent pie. The phrase, "As American as apple pie!" may have possibly been instigated by the Apple Marketing Board of New York State to increase apple sales.

Thus, we conclude that Apple Pie, as much as Americans love it, is not originally an American invention. However, I may have to make one tonight as now I have been craving apple pie for several days.

And I'll give ten points to anyone who can decipher the apple pie recipe.

It Was a Bright, Sunshiney Day

Today was my first real day with only one job. Last week didn't count as I slept through it all. Today was my first real day of "rest".

I got up at a reasonable hour this morning. About nine. Paid some bills. Ate some breakfast. We watched four hours of Alias and finally finished the first season. We played tennis and I planted some beans and peas and more spinach.

What a beautiful day. So this is what people look forward to on a weekend! Who knew!?

Rest is one of those things that you know you need to do. Sometimes your body screams at you to rest and throws you into sickness. Seems like if I can avoid that, I will do so. I didn't put away laundry today. I didn't make the bed. I did do the dishes, but only to avoid ants. I didn't even take a shower until 5 pm. I played outside. I sat on the couch.


I love Mondays. If I have a case of the Mondays, I will be glad about it from now on. Monday takes on a whole new meaning now that it is my Saturday. Hooray! Three cheers for Monday!

It's crazy because so many of my friends right now are starting new phases of their lives. First babies, the beginning of their careers after years of school and jobs they don't like. And here I am, basically taking a step back. Slowing down. Working less. I love my job. I am more thankful than I can say that I am able to work the way I do. I am blessed. And it's time we had lunch! What are you doing Wednesday? I'm free.

Lunch and an Update

Ah yes, it has been awhile since I have had much to say. The reason behind that is four-fold.

First, hubby got a new laptop at work. This is great because the old one isn't very good. CD burner doesn't work, the computer must be plugged in at all times to work at all, slow processing, etc and so forth. So, he gets a new one. I am hoping that I will be granted the old, crappy one. But I had to plead my case with the powers that be and it took a few days. I am now up and running with the crappy laptop. Hurray!

Secondly, in spite of my only working a part-time job right now, I have been crazy busy. We are getting ready to start the summer curriculum at church for the kids so I am going through music to fit everything, learning the story as I am also helping with the teaching, and I had two music rehearsals yesterday. Not to mention all the sewing I have been doing for work. I am almost done making huge theatre curtains for our kids' room that is decorating (quite obviously) like a theatre. They look great and make such a difference in the room atmosphere. Anyway, all that to say, I'm busy! :)

Thirdly...ok, I only had two reasons.


And finally I leave you with a challenge. I am having a stellar salad for lunch today. Very fresh, very tasty indeed. Whoever can correctly name every item pictured in my salad will win a fabulous prize. Fabulous.

It's a Miracle!!

How to Lose More Than a Pound a Day (And Feel Horrible Doing It)

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately folks. I know you've been wondering if I'm dead or alive.

I'm only mostly dead.

But fortunately, that means I'm slightly alive.

Apparently this horrible flu has been going around town and it really knocked me out. Hard. Ugh, I don't think I've ever felt so terrible. I usually only get colds so this was a doozy for me. I'll spare you the details.

Needless to say, I haven't gotten anything done on anything. Very disappointing. I did read a bit and watch a few movies. But mostly sleeping.

Hopefully this week I'll get my strength back and feel more productive. I need to start eating though. It's weird to not be hungry for so long. I'm always hungry. I've been craving fruit lately.

I'm going for a walk this morning. I need to get out of this house for a little bit. But not too close to anyone as I don't want to contaminate them. No one deserves this.

We'll be back to our regular scheduled programming soon enough.

Anyone have any questions? I haven't plumbed the depths of my endless knowledge in a while. Anyway, it's good to see you all again.

:)

Home Office

You've seen my cozy office at church. You've seen my cozy office at my job where I no longer work. (It was cozy too. Just no windows. Ugh.)























Well here is my cozy office at home. Before and after, of course. This is our spare room. If you come to visit, this is where you will sleep. It needs to be painted. I don't do very well for very long with a room with white walls. But I haven't decided on a color. Hubby put up curtain rods for me in here so now I just have to pick colors, pick fabric and make some swell curtains. Yay for projects!

The best part about my office is that when I get tired, I can immediately take a nap. Yes, it is splendid.

Oh What a Beautiful Moooorning!

Look at this! My first "free" day and I'm up at eight? Unbelieveable.

We had a wonderful weekend. Friday being my last day, a bunch of my co-workers too me out for lunch. I packed up the rest of my desk and left promptly at five after many goodbyes all afternoon. We relaxed all evening and watched Garden State again and then a few hours of Scrubs. I have a mini-crush on Zach Braff I think.














Saturday I got tons done in the gardens and yesterday we had a huge Memorial-I-Quit-My-Job-Andy-Finished-A-Project-Day Picnic in our park. Since we live in the city we have a teeny-tiny yard. Which is fine, it only takes 8 minutes for our lawn-boy to mow it. However, we live about 50 yards from one of the city parks, so they mow our huge lawn for us! We wheeled the grill down with our coolers, and drinks etc and had a ton of great friends meet us for cooking out, frisbee, tons of food, croquet (which Andy won both games) and sparklers to finish off the evening.

Sunday was an ok day. The services were great in the morning and after the evening service we went out for Chinese and a movie with some friends. (By the way, X-Men is great! The friends that went with us hadn't even seen the first two in the trilogy, but still loved it.)

Now, I love my dad. Really. He's my dad and I do agree that family is "all you have for your whole life." But that doesn't mean I want to be with him. I feel such a weird dichotomy as I feel sorry for him and the horrible choices he has made with his life, but yet also such apathy towards wanting to be around him or have anything to do with him.

Anyway, he and his girlfriend were up for the weekend. Mostly to tour the state but also to stop in and see us and my brother. (who of course really doesn't want to have anything to do with dad) So we went out to lunch with them on Sunday. And it was fine. No horrid arguments, no emotional outbreaks. Just rationalizing. And vowing to "be more social" with us. Whatever that means. And apparently since dad can't be bothered to know our birthdays (Really? Cuz mine is exactly a week before his. Somehow he doesn't remember this? Right.) the girlfriend writes them all down. Because, as we all know, sending birthday and anniversary cards makes up for years of being ignored and living with a woman when one's mother is still alive and kicking. She may not kick very hard, but she can still kick.

Sigh. After an emotional melt-down two weeks ago, I am feeling better about it all. I'm never going to be "ok" with the situation, and I don't think I have to be. I don't think I have to make him a priority in my life. My husband is my priority now and if he tells me not to see my dad, then by golly, I think I will listen. (hey Honey, feel free to tell me this anytime.)

Love you guys. Thanks for letting me vent and let off steam. We'll be back to our regular silly programming soon enough.

It's a wonderful rainy day. I sit in my new little office (pictures of that coming soon also) with the window open watching the raindrops fall onto the roof and light thunder rumbles in the distance. I have my coffee and a very yummy fruity-breakfast-smoothy. I have to go to work for a meeting today. We're meeting at a coffee house. Because that's where all good church meetings happen. Then I have rehearsal this afternoon with my band. I love my kids. They are so great. I love my job.

Thanks for all the well-wishes! I have so many projects and so many things I want to be doing with my new time. This is my fresh start. This is my second chance.

I Ate it Too!

Today I got a very yummy cake-farewell from my coworkers.

It was a huge yummy cake with big pink flowers and reading: "Mondays at the Beach aren't all that. Best Wishes for your future."

Oh my friends, but you're wrong. Mondays at the Beach ARE all that. I'll be sure to send you pictures too. While you're at your desk in your little cubicle with no natural light and I'm basking in the sun on the sand with a good book. Oh yes. It is going to be all that. And maybe a little bit more.

Three...Two...One

It is my last Wednesday at my full-time job. Then tomorrow will be my last Thursday. And after that my last Friday.

I've only been here a year and a half. Which really isn't very long. And much has changed. I've changed positions, cubicles, buildings, coworkers. It's been very slow and it's been very busy. I've been bored and I've really loved my work.

The last bit of time is being spent filing and storing and saving and deleting and cleaning out and tying up all the loose ends, of which there are many.

It's very exciting. Ready to be done. Ready for more time to do the things that really matter to me. I'm working very long hours this week as I only put in two hours on Monday. Getting it all in, getting it all done. But the long hours aren't such a big deal as they're the last long hours here I have.

I've loved it here. I haven't ever had better management. They treat us with respect, like friends, like equal collegues. They pay us well. There is still crazy work drama, but nothing compared to other jobs I have had. I've been assured that there will always be a place for me here and no bridges have been burned. This is so comforting as I move into the arena of "who knows if we will be able to pay our bills."

Let's have lunch sometime. Let's get together for morning coffee. I want to put more time into our friendships. You matter to me and I value what we have here. And not just here: cyber-inter-web-nets, but HERE here. Real coffee, real conversations, real time.


It's almost time.

The Gnight the Gnome was Gnapped

Since I have only a few more days at my job, I have been going through old emails and files and saving things I want to keep personally, filing things for work that need saving here, and so forth.

In doing so, I came across a series of emails from the intial gnome-napping incident. This was quite a morning. In my yahoo inbox was a ransom letter. The type with cut-out letters and everything. We were told that Gary was being held for ransom and that we wouldn't get him back unless he paid up.




I have pasted in those emails from that fateful day. For posterity. For a few laughs. For the heck of it. You might not think it's funny. But really, trust me, it's hysterical. At least to me. And really, all I type here is for my own benefit, right? You're my free shrink.



Ok. Let me set it up. I've gotten the ransom email. I emailed the nappers back to let them know I was hiring a hit-man and they'd better not mess with me. Then I let a few friends know the situation at hand. We were all waiting for the noon hour to see what the gnome-nappers were going to do at that appointed deadline, as I hadn't paid up. The following is an accurate transcription of all that followed. As well as who was doing the talking. Names have been abbreviated to protect the innocent. Except for me. You already know who I am.

Enjoy!

The Gnight the Gnome was Gnapped


The time is fast encroaching! I don't know what to do!! Anne

You better start praying and praying hard that they don't de-hat him or worse yet......paint him! JB

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Anne

But, maybe he'll become famous. Like the Roaming Gnome for Travelocity... EB

(It is now past noon)


So what happened!?!?!?!?! JB

Nothing yet. Pretty pathetic gnome-nappers if you ask me.And they're going to have to answer to me for this crime. And our hitman. Anne

They're probably to Canada by now... EB

They can't hide from us. Anne

Anne, How disasterous! Cowards! Poor Gary ... did these kidnappers leave any clues? You know, statistically speaking, kidnappers are usually intelligent, fairly handsome, and have very nice teeth and abs. Do you know anyone like this? I'm no PI, but I've done some sleuthing in my day. General rule of thumb - start with your immediate friends and family. The worst mistake you can make is to think that the kidnapper is some dummy because, like I said, generally speaking, they're geniuses. Also don't give up hope that Gary is dead - you need to be strong and show resolve. When this makes the national press, you'll have to compose yourself.So stay calm and think about what the kidnappers might possibly want. BH

Hmmmm... You have nice teeth, BH, and you consider yourself a genious. EB

You really think Brad Pitt is the kidnapper--awesome! I'll go on the chase...don't tell DS. JS

No, Brad is too high profile ...as much as I'm sure the snatchers may have his bone structure and weight lifting abilities, I doubt that his position in the lime light is conducive to this type of heist. Noo....hmm ...I'm smelling something much... darker at work here. Yet so... brilliant! It's hard to meld these two worlds of
awe into one person, but that's precisely the challenge with cases such as these. Oh Wait...Eureka! I've had an epiphany. It may not be a single hijacker! Think of it! Oh my...yes, yes...it's all coming together. It's so...obvious! They work as a team. There's no way that that level of sophistication and brilliance can be accounted for in one person. The fact that it appears the Ferrises were home at the time suggests they work in tandem. One distracts, the other snatches. Oh great Zeus, why didn't I see this before!? Anne, we'll get these beautiful, wicked people! Hang in there! BH

I'm right behind you JS! I hope he's wearing his toolbelt! BOH

Okay girls, stop lusting - that's precisely what these criminals want you to do! They want you to get sidetracked so badly you forget you ever had a gnome...or husband for that matter! No, you will resist and be strong! BH

You know, my first thought was that it was one of those evil geniuses. But then when they gave no indication of what they specifically wanted, nor did they tell me what to do with my money. There was a slight clue. Gary was locked in a cat carrier...and chained to a pole in a room that had wood paneling and was most likely a basement, due to the cement floor. I can't think of anyone I know who fits the profile that would have cats and a wood paneled basement though. Good thing we hired that hit-man. Anne

Yeah, I agree with Anne. I think it's more a Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys type person...SO HOT! Or maybe Fight Club Brad and he was warring with himself on whether or not to do the deed...either way, it was a totally hot heist. JS

You know....I do know someone that has cement floors......wood paneling walls......was at your house this week....but I don't dare put out there whom I think it may be as I don't want something from my house stolen.....i have my opinion though.....JB

Yeah. You'd better be careful, JB One never knows what these type of heinous people are capable of. Anne

Anne, Anne, Anne...don't be a simpleton. Please, you're making too many assumptions here! Only 8% of all heists that fit this profile take place in the criminal's own state or country, let alone their house! Those wood panels and "cat carriers" as you claim (though it looked much more like a Middle Eastern prison to me, or, perhaps, Bangladesh) could easily have been digitally added in later so as to confuse or mislead. The important part is that Gary appeared to be okay and unharmed.Please, leave the thinking to the pros.BH

No, it was a pretty crappy picture taken by an amateur. I don't think this perpetrator would have the ability or know-how to digitally alter it. You forget, I've watched a lot of Law & Order. Anne

Law & Order!? Anne, you do a disservice to those of us in law enforcement! Though just a hobbyist, I still take offense! No, Law & Order is for sissies and Garth Brooks fans. Anne, let me show you my investigative prowess by bringing your attention to the fact that Mr. DS has not been sent this email. Coincidence? I think not. Follow the trail, Anne, follow the trail. BH

I was IM'ing w/ DS earlier. He had to go because he felt as a friend, and someone with a minivan, he was the one most able to gnab Gnary the Gnome. Many various ropes, camoflage fatigues, and silicones can fit in a minivan. EB

Precisely. I'll get on the horn with the NSA and make sure we train satellites on his position. It disgusts me...he buys a minivan and then thinks he owns the world. I already got off the phone with Michael Chertoff from Homeland Security and they have denied an Amber Alert for Gary because he "isn't one of us". Unfortunately this only underscores the need to bring to light the discrimination against gnomes which has become so commonplace. BH

You are digging your hole deeper and deeper BH. I'd stop now if I were you.....You are sounding very defensive in this business.....JB

JB, please STOP!!! Our garden gnome may be next. Oh... Wait... We don't have a garden gnome. So, never mind. You can keep accusing BH. EB

I have a feeling someone is suggesting it is US!? The H’s?! We have cats and wood panelling in our basement... but we don't have cement floors! We have cool tiled floors! With shuffle board! I love Gary! I hope you would NEVER think I would do anything that horrible! Poor Gary. Have you heard anything yet? Is he still alive? BOH

Hey, by the way, BH, how did you see those pictures?? Anne

I monitor a police scanner at work and heard the call come across. So sad. BH

You can "hear" pictures now?! Anne

Anne, you know nothing of the law enforcement world. Of course you can't "hear" pictures. But when a call comes out and I get an IPB on a case, I am given a dossier on the case which includes photos, phone taps, and toilet paper preferences on the criminals. Again, I plead with you Anne, leave the ingestigation to the pros here. BH

I think someone's living in an imaginary world. A world where he is nationally important, has numerous world-renown contacts and is eminently knowledgeable. It's sad really. And the consequences that he will now have to live with. Anne

Let's all dip a handful of cash from the offering at church this week to go toward the "Get Gary Gnome Home" (G3H) fund.JS

Anne, You're playing into their hands like a bug towards one of those blue zapper things! Don't you see!? You've pinned your aggression on your peers, on those who are here to support you. Have the courage, woman,to stand up and take the bull by the horns! Go after them! BH

You forget the hit-man. Anne

The hit man in the mini van? JS

Or So I Thought

Question: What is worse than a case of the Mondays?



Answer: A case of the Mondays with grape pop all over your clothes, keyboard, desk, walls, chair, monitor, phone, lamp, pens. EVERYTHING! Especially when you are wearing light khakis!

I think I just need to go home now. Already. Finally. Please?

Not as smart as he once was...

Hubby had his wisdom teeth out this morning. Since this is my last week at my job, we needed to get him in right away before we didn't have dental insurance anymore. So, out they had to come.

Fortunately for him, he only had two. So unfair. But he did very well and even informed me that he thought the procedure was very interesting. In fact, he was even glad he had been awake for it. Weirdo.

I packed him up on the couch, drugged him well and left him to sleep while I came to work. Hopefully this will be a good break for him for a few days as he has been working crazy all-night hours to get an album finished. Which is amazing by the way. You all will need to pick one up.

My last Monday at work. Whew.

Cleaning...Bah

I was going to clean today. Really.

But do you see how beautiful it is out? Not scalding hot or freezing. Slight breeze. Bright sunshine.

I guess it is just a day that was MEANT for gardening. Flowers and dirt and weeds and pots and seeds and sprouts and rocks and grass: Here I come!!

Melons

I am having a rather melancholy day today. Thinking about so many thoughts. Hearing sad stories and happy stories.

I'm warm but thirsty. I'm sleepy but wired.

Everything is permeated by the headache.

Maybe it's just PMS. I'm ok with admitting that. I'm in the land of in-between. And that's never fun. It feels like time is rushing past but dragging its feet.

I want to be working at home, but I want to be taking a nap. Maybe I'm a little bi-polar myself.

I'm too focused on me. But I'm thinking about everyone else.


Sometimes I think I'm just too weird. I really want some pineapple.

It's a Grey Day

Ok, so who else stayed up until 11 last night to see the season finale of Grey's? Did you think it was a good conclusion? I am pretty angry with Derek & Meredith. And so sad for Izzy. Yes, I admit I think about them like real people. I think pretty much everyone acted like an idiot at some point in the episode.

Uh-oh. I just discovered the podcasts...and I am able to listen to them at work. At least my day will go by faster. I get to hang out with them all day. And I'm also currently working on changing my phone's ring tone. To the theme song.

I might be addicted.

Where Does Pollen Come From?

I have been remiss in ignoring this question for so long. Heather asked me some time ago and I kept forgetting to work on her answer.

Ah, Heather, this is a very complicated answer. And very frustrating for so many people. Apparently, about 1 in 6 peopls suffer from hay fever associated with pollen in the air. I personally am not an allergy sufferer. How I was blessed with this omission, I don't know, but I'm definitely thankful. Especially that I'm not allergic to cats. But I am off-topic now.


Pollen. Teeny-tiny microgametophytes. Made up of a nucleus of sperm cells and two layers of shell to protect it and located in a part of the plant accessible from the outside. The male part of the plant that is usually blown by the wind or carried by an insect or bird to another plant to be germinated and create a seed for a new plant. The study of pollen is palynology and is a very useful for many other studies.

Pollen is used by bees as food, by plants as a regenerator and by pharmaceutical companies as profit.

The reason that only a part of the general population are affected aversely by pollen is because of certain pollen proteins. Apparently, allergy-sufferers have an immune system that considers these proteins as harmful. Their bodies react by releasing excessive amounts of histamine.

"Histamine causes blood vessels to dilate and become more permeable, so that they
leak fluids that are rich in immune cells. Under normal circumstances, these
immune cells migrate to the site of injury or infection, where they help to rid
the body of harmful invaders. For allergy sufferers, however, pollen triggers a
false alarm, which translates into irritated, dripping nostrils, swollen tissue,
and watery eyes."

Which is why they then take an anti-histamine to reduce the symptoms. And since one in six is a pretty high percentage, that is why the drug companies make so much money!

Allergies are generally inherited from the parents and will continue to be passed on from generation to generation. Fortunately, most people can keep these allergies under control with drugs.

The most common plants to avoid that are high-pollen carriers are ragweed, oak, birch, hickory, pecan, and early summer grasses.

So stock up on your Benadryl and duck when you see the pollen flying!

Moms

We all have one. Or had one at some point in our life. We all know one or will be one or already are one. I think Moms are more respected than they used to be. It's a worthy job title to be sure.

I don't usually call mine on mother's day. For many reasons, not the least of which is that she can't answer the phone. That and I don't know how to hold a conversation with her over the phone if I by chance can get someone else to answer her phone.

She used to be a great mom. She used to be the best mom. I remember she was always supportive, she used to send me mail when I was away at Grandma's, she used to cry whenever I'd leave for a week, she taught me how to cook and how to sew and how to love life. I remember great meals, laughing (we both have the loudest laughs ever), playing games, shopping...but I also remember the tears and the frustration and the pain and the suffering.

There are parts of life that I don't think we will ever understand. I don't think we are meant to understand. But are we meant to just accept them? Are we suppose to just sit back and say, "oh well, I guess that's just how it is?" I don't think I will ever accept what has happened to my mother and who she has become. I don't think I have to.

Sometimes I am accepting. But I think those are the times I have just put her out of my mind. I don't let myself think about it too much because then I will plague myself with guilt and sadness. I didn't do enough. I should be with her. I should have made him take care of her. I should do more. I should be better. And some of that is true and some of that is a lie.

It's easier to just put it away from my thoughts. I don't want a replacement mother. I think when someone tries to mother me it only makes me more frustrated and angry. Be my friend, be my relative, be whatever, but don't try to be my mother. I'm not bitter and I'm surprisingly well-balanced. I'm ok being independant. I'm ok depending on my Father. He is dependable and reliable and unconditional. He brought me through this so far and blesses me abundantly above what I feel I deserve.

My dad on the other hand, is a completely different story. He's coming to visit for Memorial Day Weekend and I have no idea what to do with him. And I am not looking forward to it. And my brother plans on skipping town. And I don't know how to explain that to dad. If there's anything I want to put out of my thoughts it's him.

I guess I say all this to remind anyone who has a loving parent to be thankful for them. To let them know how much you appreciate them. To remind yourself how blessed you are. And in return to be the best parent you can be.

Do I even want to be a parent? To take the chance of putting my child through what I went through. To take the chance of passing on a gene to them that would cause such a tragedy.

Ah life. The choices, the heartache, the changes, the continuity, the drama. Life is good in spite of it all. Life is pain. Life is life.

Together At Last

Smacky* and Lily** are finally reunited! After months of Smacky lying in twain*** and Lily occupying the prime spot in the shower, they are back together where they belong.

Tending the garden. Watching out for those unruly children who pick my flowers. Helping Grant with the weeding. Enjoying the sunshine. Golly they're happy little frogs.

Smacky has been super-glued back together. And he's resting against the railing for extra support just in case. I still have to watch out for that paper boy.
Lily is happy just being in the garden. She is my watchfrog against the kids. "Please don't pick the daisies." Pretty please?

And really, is it too much to ask that the neighbor children keep their grubby little hands off of my flowers? Is it? I think not. Does that make me an ogre? I don't plant flowers for them to pick do I? Nope. Sure don't. Mean ol' lady next door. That's me.


--See also:

*Smacky's first appearance
**Frog in the Tub
***Froggie Hit & Run

Running

I used to be a runner. I loved to run. Everywhere I went I ran. And I was good. In high school, there were a couple years I beat most of the guys.

The first year I had to beg my mother to let me run. My first race, I ran in jeans and whatever shoes I had on. And I won out of my group. (Sorry if you've already heard that story. I know I've told it a million times.) I was built to be a runner. I loved the rush of crossing the finish line. Of getting the medal or the trophy.

But somewhere I quit liking it. Somewhere it became more work than fun. Somewhere it started hurting too much. Now, I'm proud of myself if I can make it a whole mile.

I watch the commercials for Nike or Adidas and think, "Man, wouldn't it be great if I were a runner?" I'd be in shape, healthy and if these women are any indication, happy. I also tell myself that if I just had a treadmill I would run. Pop on the ipod, crank up the tunes and run away.

This weekend there is a big race in town. And it goes right by our house. Well, last year the race went directly past our house. Now it is a couple blocks away. We complain that we have to walk three blocks to go watch it, while by the time they get to us, the runners have gone at least 12 miles.

Tonight I am volunteering at the registration center. I hand out instructions, maps, runners' numbers and their free t-shirt. There are so many people so excited about the race. Ready to go. Ready to beat their best times. Trained. It makes me wish I ran it. It makes me wish I could convince myself to train for it.

It is such an emotional experience for me. Every year I watch them all run by, it brings me to tears. I'm not sure if it's because the runners are in so much pain, or because I envy their dedication or because of the other people who are also cheering for everyone whether they know them or not.

But I'll be out there tomorrow morning in the rain. With my umbrella. And a mug of hot coffee. And I'll cheer for them. And I'll clap and yell as they run by. Because they can do what I can't do. They can do what I won't do.

Friday Eve

One of my last few half days here and half day at the other job. I do like the short day that it makes though. Only a few more hours to go.

I have good meetings planned today. Getting the other job's detailed requirements down. What I want to add to my schedule, how to better do what I am already doing. I'm excited about that as there are so many things that I want to get my hands into.

I'm also going to a local baseball game tonight. And am looking forward to it. Not for the game, of course, but for the hanging out part and for the hot dogs! Somewhere in my life I obtained the disdain for baseball. Which is funny because the man that lives in my basement watches every game he possibly can (on his three tvs) as well as taping several too. And we used to play baseball in the backyard when we were little. Of course, he hit me with the ball a lot. But I don't know if that was just his lack of skill at pitching or if he was just being a brother. And there was the one time I got hit in the head with the bat. Maybe all that is why I don't prefer the sport.

I would join a softball team though. That would be fun. And I would totally be ok with a kid who played. But tonight, I will be happy eating hot dogs and watching all the silly antics that go along with a local game.

Need Something to Talk About

Ok, so here's an interactive blog post.

1. On an ideal "day off" what is the first thing that comes to mind that you would want to do?

2. What is your realistic ideal job? Is it what you are doing now? Something you have done before?

3. What is your favorite cereal?

4. If you ever went back to school (for career or even just to learn), what would you study?

Officiality

Well boys and girls, it's official. In three weeks from now, I will only have one job.

I can hardly believe it myself. No more running headlong from one side of town to the other and back, trying to cram in as many working hours as possible. More cooking dinner for my family. No more stressful days spent without any actual sunlight. More spending time with friends in the sunshine. Less work, more play. Less money, more frugal. Less better, more best.

I am looking forward to more gardening, more time with my hubby and my friends. I am looking forward to me time: spiritually & emotionally. I am looking forward to working out, playing, studying.

New priorities. New job description. New lifestyle.


It's time for summer.

Of course, I still have three more weeks of my dual role. I will make it through valiently without giving up. These are the hardest weeks. But I refuse to burn bridges and yet still want to go out flaming.
Yes, it is definitely time for summer. Wanna come over? We'll grill, play in the park, sit on the hammock & sip some tea. I want to be tan, I want to feel more alive, I want to grow things. I want to get my house in order; I want to get myself in order. I guess I will still have plenty of work to keep myself busy.

Russian Spies

Just finished a great book today. Nelson Demille is undoubtably in the list of my favorite authors. He writes very intriuging stuff. The novel I just completed was called The Charm School and was all about Russian espionage in the late 80's. He is one of those type of authors that always make me want to learn more about the history of whatever I have been reading. I know very little about Russian history and it is a very interesting part of the world. Their culture, their philosophy, everything they do. It was/is so counter to how we live in our American world. So many things that cause me to think about my culture, my philosophy, what I do.

I am home sick today. It started middle of last week and progressed to where I am not a very pleasant person to be around right now. Well, I'm still friendly, but rather gross I guess.

Anyway, I am about to have a lifestyle shift. That started quite some time ago, but will be coming to a head shortly. It's exciting, but scary at the same time. It's relieving, but more stressful in the same breath. All that has brought me to more closely analyze how and why I live the way I do.

How many of my choices are so purely selfish, I don't even know it myself? Who do I consider when I'm making these important decisions? Am I choosing what I choose to serve myself, to serve my family, to serve my friends, or to serve my Lord? Do I care who I am serving? And if I don't, then what does that mean?

Is it even as big of a deal as I am making it out to be in my head? It's just another step in the road. It's not really that life-altering, is it? For the better. For the best.

Maybe more things in life really are bigger deals than we make them be. How I choose to do the dishes or not. What I choose to watch on tv or not. What I read. What is better? What is best?

Ah yes. Sunshine is better today. Rest is best for my body. I can have both today. But what about tomorrow? My heart needs to be better. My soul needs to be best. My spirit has not had rest though my body has.

So I change. My lifestyle. My schedule. My choices. For the better. For the best.

Bathroom Etiquette

Is it ok to talk on the phone when you are in a public restroom? Not just 'in', either but more like 'on'?

I just don't think that it's ok. Would you want to be the friend on the other end of the line? It's bad enough to have to be in there in the first place let alone listen to it if you are cozy at home.

Is everyone with me on this one? Or do you do it?

Besides, everyone else who may be in the room is confused as to whether you are talking to them or not!

Ugh. It just seems like it could wait five minutes. But maybe that's just me...

Happy Day!

We are celebrating this day at our work today. I'd tell you what day we are celebrating, but I know too many people who get into trouble with work-related blogs. So just know that today is a big happy day here!

We got a whole bucket of stuff at our desks this morning. Beach towel, shovel, snacks, beach ball, bubbles...lots of fun little silly things.

And food. Lots of food! I think every department will be having a huge potluck today. It's only 9 and I'm already starving for lunch smelling all these smells!



Speaking of food, I made an amazing pizza last night. Thanks to Marcia, I discovered that there is ready-made pizza crust in the dairy section at the grocery store. I wasn't smart enough to unroll the dough, but instead thought it would be genius to roll it out with a rolling pin. Eh, it was fine. Dough is forgiving. I sprinkled tons of spices on the crust and some Parmesan cheese. Popped it in the oven for a few minutes and then covered it will all kinds of pizza topping goodness.






Sauce first and then a layer of spinach.

Then some cheese. One can't have too much cheese on a pizza.






Red pepper in slices.

Chicken, tomatoes (only on one side so as not to contaminate the hubby), pepperoni and pineapple.







And of course more cheese.







It was so tasty! Big brother even came up from his bat cave to eat with us. It was that good.

Boo...Hiss...

I am getting sick. I officially have a runny nose and a sore throat. I would rather not be sick, but I don't believe I am going to be able to avoid it. A girl can always use a day off of work though.

Maybe I should be sick on Friday. That's a really good day to be sick.



Planning on making a pizza for dinner tonight. No, not taking a pizza out of the freezer and putting it in the oven. Actually selecting my own toppings, and making a crust and all the pizza-type things that go into pizza-ing.

We'll see how that goes. This will be my first pizza-ing attempt. Usually I am pretty well able to make about any recipe, but pizza is pretty tricky. I think. It could also be really easy. But the plan is to tell the hubby how very difficult it was and come out with this ultimate amazing pizza and get a good backrub out of the deal.

That's the plan.

A Case of the Mondays

All I want first thing in the morning is my very own perfectly-brewed-by-my-hubby cup of coffee.

Is that really so much to ask? I think not.

This morning we were running a bit late so I started getting the coffee ready. Scooped out the perfect amount into the filter. I was getting out the creamer from the fridge when hubby came down and put the filter into the pot with the water and set it going. He confirmed that I had scooped exactly the right amount. We are both picky about our coffee and I always affirm that he makes it the best.

But alas, tragedy struck our kitchen this morning.* The coffee filter folded over itself. The brew came out practically clear. Sigh. We both had to take in coffee mugs with just creamer in them this morning.

Work coffee isn't so bad. But I was so looking forward to the perfectly-brewed-by-my-hubby cup of coffee.



*In the grand scheme of things, bad coffee isn't really a tragedy. A friend had a horribly fire in her kitchen this weekend, countries are at war with one another, and children are starving to death. I don't want to lighten any of those things. And I really don't feel all that sorry for myself. Just trying to use interesting word analogies, I guess. Just trying to lighten life so that we can laugh at our small irritations and put things in perspective.

Love to all on this gloomy Monday. Quick, somebody cheer me up!