I was looking for something else on YouTube to post tonight to celebrate the end of NaBloPoMo when I came across this:
These random things are why YouTube is so much fun. I think my childhood flashed before my eyes while watching this video--and it is long enough that I could get pretty much from birth to age 10 when I first saw this video. I'd forgotten how bad this song is and how uncoordinated most of those men were/are. Seriously, watch #4. Was he the kicker? Whatever position he played, thank goodness rhythm was not involved. I do enjoy the cheese-tastic graphics and fake instrument playing. That is totally awesome '80s right there. Back in the day, I probably knew 90% of the words (not using the term lyrics because that would assume that this was actually lyrical). Thankfully (and surprisingly), it is no longer taking up much-needed space in my brain.
And I actually was looking for Celebration by Kool & the Gang which is, like, one of my favorite songs EVER and I thought would be an apropos ending to the month. I tried to convince Paul to use it as our wedding recessional song. He completely balked at the suggestion. Later, too late for our recessional, he mentioned we should have used Mancini's Baby Elephant Walk. I so wish he'd mentioned it even on October 1 because I absolutely would have gone for it.
No baby elephants in this video on YouTube. Enjoy:
And thus completes one month (plus one extra) of posting. It wasn't as difficult as I'd thought it would be although I'll be the first to admit that some of my posts are pretty lame. I doubt I stick with the daily posting schedule but it's nice to know that I could do it. But tomorrow, I'm taking a day off.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Day 29: The End is Near
The Book Fair was delivered yesterday morning. Let the good times begin. I enjoy doing the book fair--it's just a really high-energy week for me. I started setting it up today for a Sneak Peek we're having tomorrow. It's mostly for parents and teachers but I imagine a few students will sneak in as well. I don't mind--the students who visit the library typically aren't the troublemakers. Even when the troublemakers stop by, they behave or they are politely asked to get the heck out which they always do with an "Ah, Miss. We were just playing." I honestly have very little discipline issues in the library. That's a definite perk to being the librarian.
Each of the language arts classes will visit the book fair as a class on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. I've got parent volunteers coming in to help throughout the week to help during lunches and student volunteers who help out during the class periods making certain nothing walks out and keeping things neat and tidy. The student volunteers get a lanyard to wear during their shift--it's as if that little plastic nametag with "Volunteer" gives them some type of power rush. It's amusing to see how serious some of the students are about catching possible shoplifters. But throughout the past 5 years that I've run the fair, we have caught a couple of students trying to take something. But as much fun as it is, I'll definitely be glad when next Friday rolls around and I get to pack it all back up. I'll be even happier on Monday when it's picked up and everything is back to normal.
It was downright cold outside today--I think I saw the high was right around 40, which isn't really that cold except it was a wet cold. It was overcast and the sky was spitting most of the day. Thankfully my heater was fixed yesterday around noon. The repairmen said it just hadn't been turned on but I know (and the custodian conferred) that it was on earlier. Someone probably got on the roof and turned it off--we've had random mischief like that before. I'm just glad it was an easy fix and that my little library is toasty warm now.
Today's random picture is from the record snow we had over New Year's. Paul and I took a walk to start the year off right. I don't know what he was doing. Surveying the scene, I guess. I never know what goes through his head.
Each of the language arts classes will visit the book fair as a class on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. I've got parent volunteers coming in to help throughout the week to help during lunches and student volunteers who help out during the class periods making certain nothing walks out and keeping things neat and tidy. The student volunteers get a lanyard to wear during their shift--it's as if that little plastic nametag with "Volunteer" gives them some type of power rush. It's amusing to see how serious some of the students are about catching possible shoplifters. But throughout the past 5 years that I've run the fair, we have caught a couple of students trying to take something. But as much fun as it is, I'll definitely be glad when next Friday rolls around and I get to pack it all back up. I'll be even happier on Monday when it's picked up and everything is back to normal.
It was downright cold outside today--I think I saw the high was right around 40, which isn't really that cold except it was a wet cold. It was overcast and the sky was spitting most of the day. Thankfully my heater was fixed yesterday around noon. The repairmen said it just hadn't been turned on but I know (and the custodian conferred) that it was on earlier. Someone probably got on the roof and turned it off--we've had random mischief like that before. I'm just glad it was an easy fix and that my little library is toasty warm now.
Today's random picture is from the record snow we had over New Year's. Paul and I took a walk to start the year off right. I don't know what he was doing. Surveying the scene, I guess. I never know what goes through his head.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Day 28: Tis the Season
I'm still itching to put up the Christmas tree and decorate the house. I'm holding off since some portion of our new furniture will be delivered on Saturday. We know we're at least getting the two chairs. Not so sure if the couch will be included. Couch or no couch, we're still hosting the neighborhood holiday party on Dec. 16. We'll just set up the folding chairs where the couch should be.
In the spirit of the season so far, I've put out a few little Christmas things and have purchased and wrapped almost all the presents. One of the only gifts I'm lacking is for Benjamin. I just haven't found that one thing that says it is exactly what we need to get our littlest nephew. I've got a few ideas but nothing that seems to be "It." I'm feeling the same way about my FIL's gift as well. We've ordered a gift for him that he can use on their sailboat but it isn't much and it isn't very exciting. So, I still need to work on those gifts. I've also got to make a phone call about Paul's gift. I'm going for Best Wife Ever with this present but it's something Paul has joked about doing for years. He works long hours and doesn't get to play much so we'll just let him play for a few days.
I've gotten all the gifts for Paul's brother and his family wrapped and ready to mail, including Matthew's and Sarah's birthday presents (which are 12/20 and 1/11, respectively). Paul found the gifts for both of them--Matthew, who will be 5, is getting a make-your-own rubber ball kit. I'm sure Alan and Julie are going to *love* that. Sarah, who will be 7, is getting a new game Paul found at a game store in Berkeley. I'll probably renew their Highlights subscription as well. I loved that as a child--not sure if they feel the same fondness for it because we never hear anything from Alan and Julie about any gifts we give beyond a note that reads "Thanks for the such-and-such. We appreciate it." I asked Paul if he saw anything we'd given them over the years when Paul was at their house recently. He said the rocking snail we gave Sarah for her first birthday was still out. Good--one thing we bought 6 years ago is still being used. Have no idea about anything else purchased since but the snail was a hit. Woo.
We've started buying only one gift for Alan & Julie's family. We see them so rarely so we don't know what they like/want/need and honestly, their house rivals Toys R Us for the sheer volume of toys. This year, we bought a 16-disc DVD set of classic children's stories and some of the books that are in the set. I also always purchase a Christmas book for our nieces and nephews. I don't know if they appreciate it or not. Again, we never hear anything about it beyond a cursory mention in the thank you note. And that's it for them--three boxes for four children. They can duke it out on Christmas morning as to who is the odd-man-out when it comes to ripping the wrapping paper. I guess if I was a good aunt, I would have considered the child-to-present ration. But it's all boxed up and ready to go so it's a little late now. My goal is to head to the post office on Saturday with all our Christmas cards and packages to mail. And I know I seem rather cranky about this but it really hits a nerve. I try to put a lot of thought into the presents we give people and I love finding that *perfect* gift. But honestly, the most well-received gift we've ever given Paul's brother and SIL was a Pottery Barn gift card that required exactly 30 seconds worth of effort on my part. So to not hear anything about all the things we've given that I have put consideration into is quite disgruntling but obligation means we'll continue to send them gifts. I guess I'd just appreciate a comment about the present at a later time or pictures of the child with the present later (even if it is the one and only time they touched the item). Just makes the effort seem more worthwhile.
Today's random picture isn't too random since it is a Christmas picture. This picture was taken in 1977--we're 6, 3, and almost-2 and we are in our red velvet Christmas dresses. Amy's dress originally had a bow as well until she pulled it off. (To really tug at the ol' heart strings, this was our one Christmas without a dad.)
In the spirit of the season so far, I've put out a few little Christmas things and have purchased and wrapped almost all the presents. One of the only gifts I'm lacking is for Benjamin. I just haven't found that one thing that says it is exactly what we need to get our littlest nephew. I've got a few ideas but nothing that seems to be "It." I'm feeling the same way about my FIL's gift as well. We've ordered a gift for him that he can use on their sailboat but it isn't much and it isn't very exciting. So, I still need to work on those gifts. I've also got to make a phone call about Paul's gift. I'm going for Best Wife Ever with this present but it's something Paul has joked about doing for years. He works long hours and doesn't get to play much so we'll just let him play for a few days.
I've gotten all the gifts for Paul's brother and his family wrapped and ready to mail, including Matthew's and Sarah's birthday presents (which are 12/20 and 1/11, respectively). Paul found the gifts for both of them--Matthew, who will be 5, is getting a make-your-own rubber ball kit. I'm sure Alan and Julie are going to *love* that. Sarah, who will be 7, is getting a new game Paul found at a game store in Berkeley. I'll probably renew their Highlights subscription as well. I loved that as a child--not sure if they feel the same fondness for it because we never hear anything from Alan and Julie about any gifts we give beyond a note that reads "Thanks for the such-and-such. We appreciate it." I asked Paul if he saw anything we'd given them over the years when Paul was at their house recently. He said the rocking snail we gave Sarah for her first birthday was still out. Good--one thing we bought 6 years ago is still being used. Have no idea about anything else purchased since but the snail was a hit. Woo.
We've started buying only one gift for Alan & Julie's family. We see them so rarely so we don't know what they like/want/need and honestly, their house rivals Toys R Us for the sheer volume of toys. This year, we bought a 16-disc DVD set of classic children's stories and some of the books that are in the set. I also always purchase a Christmas book for our nieces and nephews. I don't know if they appreciate it or not. Again, we never hear anything about it beyond a cursory mention in the thank you note. And that's it for them--three boxes for four children. They can duke it out on Christmas morning as to who is the odd-man-out when it comes to ripping the wrapping paper. I guess if I was a good aunt, I would have considered the child-to-present ration. But it's all boxed up and ready to go so it's a little late now. My goal is to head to the post office on Saturday with all our Christmas cards and packages to mail. And I know I seem rather cranky about this but it really hits a nerve. I try to put a lot of thought into the presents we give people and I love finding that *perfect* gift. But honestly, the most well-received gift we've ever given Paul's brother and SIL was a Pottery Barn gift card that required exactly 30 seconds worth of effort on my part. So to not hear anything about all the things we've given that I have put consideration into is quite disgruntling but obligation means we'll continue to send them gifts. I guess I'd just appreciate a comment about the present at a later time or pictures of the child with the present later (even if it is the one and only time they touched the item). Just makes the effort seem more worthwhile.
Today's random picture isn't too random since it is a Christmas picture. This picture was taken in 1977--we're 6, 3, and almost-2 and we are in our red velvet Christmas dresses. Amy's dress originally had a bow as well until she pulled it off. (To really tug at the ol' heart strings, this was our one Christmas without a dad.)
Oh, and it was nice to hear the Christmas carol "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" when I was driving around this afternoon. I'm never sure if I just invent lyrics and that song has lyrics I always think I invented until I actually hear the song and realize that no, there really will be the telling of "scary ghost stories" along with all the other cheery things that happen during the Christmas holiday. Strange.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Day 27: Three Days Left
I can do this. Just four more posts and then I can stare at the computer and not post if I decide I don't have anything to write about. Like today.
I was going to write something spectacular--I was thinking of doing another list of 33 more fascinating/fun/interesting things about me. But I've taken a rotten headache and could only come up with two.
1. I drive a Subaru Forester. I have no idea why I thought that would be a good car because I'd never ridden in a Subaru and only knew two people who owned them when we bought the car almost four years ago. I totally {heart} my car. It's not fancy or flashy or anything but it's the perfect "Carrie car." I talked it up so much, one of my coworkers decided to test drive one and he and his wife also bought a Forester.
2. I really, really dislike when people misuse the word "y'all" in speech or writing. Oh, and I really, really, really dislike when they misspell it. I think that's more theEnglish teacher in me rather than the Texan I am. It's a contraction of you all, people. It's just like is not becomes isn't and the appostrophe replaces the omitted letter.
Eh. Here's a random picture for today. Amy was a freshman and I was a sophomore at Tech and we'd gone to Lewisville to visit Donna one weekend during bluebonnet season. We had to stop to take a picture:
I still didn't have heat today--it hovered in the 50's in the library all day. The sun was shining today so it did warm up a hair--from 50 to almost 58. I had classes scheduled (they didn't stick around long) and students coming from classes to use the computers for work so I couldn't escape much. I love the coworkers who come in, recognize that it's cold, see me in my coat and gloves and then ask why I don't turn up the heater. I couldn't think of anything clever to quip back so mostly I just stared at them.
I did go to Target during the lunch break to warm up. I figured I could sit in the office or go shopping. Shopping won. My principal called maintanence again to tell them that this is unacceptable. Obviously that didn't light any fires under them. Hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow. The book fair is being delivered tomorrow and I'd hoped to set it up on Thursday for a sneak peek on Friday. I guess I can do that with no heat--it will just be a chilly sneak peek.
Here are two links that were shared with me today:
Greenpeace is naming to a pack of humpback whales. You can guess which one we voted for (it also happens to be the one in the lead).
Another teacher shared this one with me. Paul doesn't like to play word games or trivia games with me because I spend too much time doing stuff like this. But at least my newfound useless knowledge was gained for the good of the world.
I was going to write something spectacular--I was thinking of doing another list of 33 more fascinating/fun/interesting things about me. But I've taken a rotten headache and could only come up with two.
1. I drive a Subaru Forester. I have no idea why I thought that would be a good car because I'd never ridden in a Subaru and only knew two people who owned them when we bought the car almost four years ago. I totally {heart} my car. It's not fancy or flashy or anything but it's the perfect "Carrie car." I talked it up so much, one of my coworkers decided to test drive one and he and his wife also bought a Forester.
2. I really, really dislike when people misuse the word "y'all" in speech or writing. Oh, and I really, really, really dislike when they misspell it. I think that's more theEnglish teacher in me rather than the Texan I am. It's a contraction of you all, people. It's just like is not becomes isn't and the appostrophe replaces the omitted letter.
Eh. Here's a random picture for today. Amy was a freshman and I was a sophomore at Tech and we'd gone to Lewisville to visit Donna one weekend during bluebonnet season. We had to stop to take a picture:
I still didn't have heat today--it hovered in the 50's in the library all day. The sun was shining today so it did warm up a hair--from 50 to almost 58. I had classes scheduled (they didn't stick around long) and students coming from classes to use the computers for work so I couldn't escape much. I love the coworkers who come in, recognize that it's cold, see me in my coat and gloves and then ask why I don't turn up the heater. I couldn't think of anything clever to quip back so mostly I just stared at them.
I did go to Target during the lunch break to warm up. I figured I could sit in the office or go shopping. Shopping won. My principal called maintanence again to tell them that this is unacceptable. Obviously that didn't light any fires under them. Hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow. The book fair is being delivered tomorrow and I'd hoped to set it up on Thursday for a sneak peek on Friday. I guess I can do that with no heat--it will just be a chilly sneak peek.
Here are two links that were shared with me today:
Greenpeace is naming to a pack of humpback whales. You can guess which one we voted for (it also happens to be the one in the lead).
Another teacher shared this one with me. Paul doesn't like to play word games or trivia games with me because I spend too much time doing stuff like this. But at least my newfound useless knowledge was gained for the good of the world.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Day 26: More Random Things
The picture of the cat is totally unrelated to anything I might post about today. It's a picture from one of the holiday parties we hosted last year. I wanted to post a picture and I haven't gone through the pictures from Thanksgiving yet.Last week before we left for break, I told the secretary that my heater didn't seem to be working. We had a very slim hope that it would be fixed Wednesday, especially since there were the predictions for cold and snow. The former didn't happen but the latter definitely did.
Today, it was about 5o degrees in my library all day. I told the secretary that I was going to stay in the office until I got in trouble for loitering. I spent most of the day doing work in the library for an hour or so and going into the main office to warm up. The principal came into the library during 3rd period to make copies in the workroom. When I'd mentioned during 1st that the library was cold, she thought I meant it was cold because I'd turned down the heater over the break not "Holy cow, it's freezing in here! Why is there no heat?" cold. She put in a service call directly rather than the remake the request via computer. It didn't make any service people miraculously appear but it made us both feel a little better. Not any warmer but at least she understood the reason I was just hanging out.
That's about the extent of my day and brain power today. I should have gone to the gym but I didn't. I do need to go to the grocery store because there's no food in the house aside from a vast assortment of crackers. Paul and I are both snackers and crackers fill the bill. We're cracker snackers. HA! There are honestly seven types of crackers in our pantry although none of those are saltines. Strange.
And finally, our new heater at home works fabulously (which is great since I was frozen by the time I got home). It's very quiet as well. Two thumbs up for that home investment.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Day 25: Home
Paul and I made it home with little ado this morning. We caught the shuttle from the hotel at 6:00 a.m. and were at the airport in just a few minutes. I think we sat longer in drop-off traffic than the rest of the travel time--it was very busy and the line at curbside baggage check was daunting. Because it was a brisk 45 with a brisk wind to boot, Paul and I opted to chance it inside. From the time we got in line to check our bags until the time we got through security was right around 20 minutes. All the self-check kiosks and security lines were open, other travelers were mostly smart about things and still cheerful, and our plane had a few empty seats so it made for a fairly pleasant travel morning.
When we got back to ABQ, the shuttle driver told us that it had snowed while we were gone. We probably missed the only snow of the year. There was still a few remnants on my car when we retrieved it. We were both amazed at the number of cars in the parking lot. We thought it was full when we dropped the car off on Tuesday but on holidays, they park cars in the middle aisle and every possible place to squeeze a vehicle. It was a bit of a maze just getting out of the parking lot but when it was all said and done, we were back at our house by 10:00 this morning--and have had a pretty normal Sunday.
Paul had to work in anticipation of a trip he's leaving on tomorrow morning. He's got an 8:00 flight tomorrow morning for a conference in Florida. Hopefully it will be the last trip he'll have to take this year. I didn't set up the Christmas tree although I debated it. Instead, I wrapped all the presents we've bought so far, which is most of them, and have them ready to go when we do get the tree up. I have found most of the gifts and decorations that I've bought throughout the year and squirreled away. I should create a better system to keep track of what I've purchased and for whom. My mom will either be heavily gifted this year or I don't have to worry about what to get her when her birthday and Mother's Day come around. Unless, of course, I forget that I've already bought her something which can definitely happen because I am her daughter.
When we got back to ABQ, the shuttle driver told us that it had snowed while we were gone. We probably missed the only snow of the year. There was still a few remnants on my car when we retrieved it. We were both amazed at the number of cars in the parking lot. We thought it was full when we dropped the car off on Tuesday but on holidays, they park cars in the middle aisle and every possible place to squeeze a vehicle. It was a bit of a maze just getting out of the parking lot but when it was all said and done, we were back at our house by 10:00 this morning--and have had a pretty normal Sunday.
Paul had to work in anticipation of a trip he's leaving on tomorrow morning. He's got an 8:00 flight tomorrow morning for a conference in Florida. Hopefully it will be the last trip he'll have to take this year. I didn't set up the Christmas tree although I debated it. Instead, I wrapped all the presents we've bought so far, which is most of them, and have them ready to go when we do get the tree up. I have found most of the gifts and decorations that I've bought throughout the year and squirreled away. I should create a better system to keep track of what I've purchased and for whom. My mom will either be heavily gifted this year or I don't have to worry about what to get her when her birthday and Mother's Day come around. Unless, of course, I forget that I've already bought her something which can definitely happen because I am her daughter.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Day 24: Saturday
As Paul and I were getting ready to leave the hotel this morning, there was a loud clap of thunder followed by a downpour. We waited another 30 minutes for it to let up a bit before we headed back over to my parents' house. This would be a lazy Saturday no matter where we are. Cold, rainy, dreary outside with lots of football on television.
Amy and her family headed out this afternoon to get a head start on their drive back. We'll stay Houston tonight since we have an 8:00 flight tomorrow morning. But before then, Donna, Mom, and I have a bit more shopping to do.
Amy and her family headed out this afternoon to get a head start on their drive back. We'll stay Houston tonight since we have an 8:00 flight tomorrow morning. But before then, Donna, Mom, and I have a bit more shopping to do.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Day 23: Friday
Yesterday, the weather turned off cold at Mom and Dad's house--perfect for Thanksgiving. Not so much with two small active children who'd prefer room to run. It's overcast and in the low to mid-50's or so which is downright frigid in this part of the world--the wind definitely has a nip to it. When I checked ABQ's weather on CNN.com earlier today, it was 36 and "dreary." That's the actual term used to describe conditions in ABQ. It's supposed to have warmed up to a less-dreary 50 or so on Sunday when we'll wing our way back home.
Everyone is going a bit stir-crazy around here because of the weather. Mom, Donna, Amy, and I did a bit of shopping on the square in Bay City this afternoon. It's all little gift shops and home accessories stores filled in every corner with knick-knacks and paddywhacks and pretties. I always find something to bring home with me. Today, I found a new Christmas ornament, a stocking stuffer gift for Paul, and a little magnet for my Secret Pal at school. We didn't get to stop by one of my favorite stores--I guess we have a reason to leave the house again tomorrow.
The cold weather and more people hanging around has given Paul a great chance to play many of the games we have that require more than two players. He got home after I'd packed on Tuesday only to request a repack so I could take a couple of boxes of board games. We both have our two larger suitcases (the same ones used for our 12-days in Hawaii) filled with thismuch clothes and THISMUCH games. It has been fun and given everyone a break to the de rigueur football and napping and eating.
I also remember why we don't keep Cheetos in the house. Or marshmallows. Or most any kind of desserts around. I have zero willpower when it comes to things like that. I have done my best to hoover most of these things. We joked that when I get back to ABQ and see the trainer again, I'll have to confess to my Cheetos with a chocolate chaser that I've indulged in during the past two days. It's not much of a stretch as to my eating habits over this holiday. I brought stuff to go walking outside but that hasn't happened due to the weather. I have run a few dozen laps around my mom's kitchen chasing a 2-year-old and had a dance party with a 4-year-old yesterday and Wednesday. Probably not as good as an elliptical machine and weights but much more enjoyable.
Everyone is going a bit stir-crazy around here because of the weather. Mom, Donna, Amy, and I did a bit of shopping on the square in Bay City this afternoon. It's all little gift shops and home accessories stores filled in every corner with knick-knacks and paddywhacks and pretties. I always find something to bring home with me. Today, I found a new Christmas ornament, a stocking stuffer gift for Paul, and a little magnet for my Secret Pal at school. We didn't get to stop by one of my favorite stores--I guess we have a reason to leave the house again tomorrow.
The cold weather and more people hanging around has given Paul a great chance to play many of the games we have that require more than two players. He got home after I'd packed on Tuesday only to request a repack so I could take a couple of boxes of board games. We both have our two larger suitcases (the same ones used for our 12-days in Hawaii) filled with thismuch clothes and THISMUCH games. It has been fun and given everyone a break to the de rigueur football and napping and eating.
I also remember why we don't keep Cheetos in the house. Or marshmallows. Or most any kind of desserts around. I have zero willpower when it comes to things like that. I have done my best to hoover most of these things. We joked that when I get back to ABQ and see the trainer again, I'll have to confess to my Cheetos with a chocolate chaser that I've indulged in during the past two days. It's not much of a stretch as to my eating habits over this holiday. I brought stuff to go walking outside but that hasn't happened due to the weather. I have run a few dozen laps around my mom's kitchen chasing a 2-year-old and had a dance party with a 4-year-old yesterday and Wednesday. Probably not as good as an elliptical machine and weights but much more enjoyable.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Day 22: Thanksgiving
I'm thankful for my husband and his bad jokes, funny faces, and inability to take a normal picture.
I'm thankful for my job, even when the coworkers are irritating, the students are weird, and the "stuff" is utterly nonsensical.
I'm thankful for my family who are all here, listening to football on a television turned up too loud.
I'm thankful for the friendly clerks and cheery patrons at the grocery store when we ran in for a few needed items this morning.
I'm thankful for "Dance with me, Aunt Carrie!" and all the little people we have in our lives who think we're pretty cool.
I'm thankful for the year we ditched Thanksgiving in favor of a Duran Duran concert and cereal and long naps in our pajamas.
I'm thankful for my health and that everyone in the family seems to be doing well right now also. Even Paul's grandparents seem to have stabilized and are doing as well as can be hoped for.
I'm thankful for my little house which I always wish was a little bigger but it's sturdy and strong and perfect for Paul and me.
I'm thankful for neighbors I can call to watch the cat at the last minute.
I'm thankful that things are going well for Paul and me again. It wasn't much fun last year.
I'm thankful for dance lessons and all the laughter that accompanies them.
I'm thankful for friends who call me to go out to dinner when Paul is out of town.
I'm thankful someone else is making the gravy this year.
I'm thankful for the patient remodeling consultant who's let me look tile samples for two months while I try to find the perfect ones for my back splash.
I'm thankful for Jojo or Jubjub or whatever his name actually is.
I'm thankful for the six people who read this blog and comment on the silly little things I post. It makes me feel like the mundane of my life is actually interesting.
I'm thankful for Today.
I'm thankful for my job, even when the coworkers are irritating, the students are weird, and the "stuff" is utterly nonsensical.
I'm thankful for my family who are all here, listening to football on a television turned up too loud.
I'm thankful for the friendly clerks and cheery patrons at the grocery store when we ran in for a few needed items this morning.
I'm thankful for "Dance with me, Aunt Carrie!" and all the little people we have in our lives who think we're pretty cool.
I'm thankful for the year we ditched Thanksgiving in favor of a Duran Duran concert and cereal and long naps in our pajamas.
I'm thankful for my health and that everyone in the family seems to be doing well right now also. Even Paul's grandparents seem to have stabilized and are doing as well as can be hoped for.
I'm thankful for my little house which I always wish was a little bigger but it's sturdy and strong and perfect for Paul and me.
I'm thankful for neighbors I can call to watch the cat at the last minute.
I'm thankful that things are going well for Paul and me again. It wasn't much fun last year.
I'm thankful for dance lessons and all the laughter that accompanies them.
I'm thankful for friends who call me to go out to dinner when Paul is out of town.
I'm thankful someone else is making the gravy this year.
I'm thankful for the patient remodeling consultant who's let me look tile samples for two months while I try to find the perfect ones for my back splash.
I'm thankful for Jojo or Jubjub or whatever his name actually is.
I'm thankful for the six people who read this blog and comment on the silly little things I post. It makes me feel like the mundane of my life is actually interesting.
I'm thankful for Today.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Day 21: A Few More
The December issue of Real Simple came on Monday, an extra-fat magazine perfect for airplane reading which included gift suggestions. Also in the mail, a few more catalogs with more Gifts for Carrie ideas. So here is an addendum to my original Wish List.
I'd love a bigger one but we'll start small this year
perfect for a purse
our monogram is PEC
colorful, cheerful, and might inspire me to write more proper notes
because Paul would just *love* if I had more dishes
I {heart} useless knowledge
And a few for Paul:
Anything from this site including this or this which has been on his list almost as long as I've wanted the stand mixer. Or the yodeling goat.
the name of the site says it all
I'm not sure I'd call Paul handy but this was very cool. Maybe I should put it on my list instead.
That should do it for the year. And just know that I have been complimented on my thank-you note writing which I will happily do should I receive any of the items on this list or my other list or just anything else that someone thinks would be the perfect gift for me. I'm gracious like that.
I'd love a bigger one but we'll start small this year
perfect for a purse
our monogram is PEC
colorful, cheerful, and might inspire me to write more proper notes
because Paul would just *love* if I had more dishes
I {heart} useless knowledge
And a few for Paul:
Anything from this site including this or this which has been on his list almost as long as I've wanted the stand mixer. Or the yodeling goat.
the name of the site says it all
I'm not sure I'd call Paul handy but this was very cool. Maybe I should put it on my list instead.
That should do it for the year. And just know that I have been complimented on my thank-you note writing which I will happily do should I receive any of the items on this list or my other list or just anything else that someone thinks would be the perfect gift for me. I'm gracious like that.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Day 20: Travel
Three minutes left in the day. Paul and I made it to Houston with little ado this evening. A full flight but it was on time and everyone is still generally agreeable. I'd intended to post before we left but that didn't happen since I'd didn't pack yesterday. And then I had to repack to include Paul's board games in a suitcase.
And that's about all there was to my day and thus concludes today's attempt at something meaningful, witty, pithy, worthwhile, useful (or totally useless).
And that's about all there was to my day and thus concludes today's attempt at something meaningful, witty, pithy, worthwhile, useful (or totally useless).
Monday, November 19, 2007
Day 19: Work
Here I was worried about having nothing to write about today. I was mentally going through a list of recipes I could possibly post.
Then, middle school happened. Two things that happened today at work that are fairly indicative of what I deal with daily. Good times, I promise.
I had to run to the post office and stop by an ATM today so I took the 15 minutes between the lunch periods to do so. I returned to school after the 2nd lunch had started and walked into the foyer to find about a dozen children waiting, all but two of these being funky smelling boys. F-U-N-K-Y, funky. And the two funky-smelling boys leaning against the door didn't seem to grasp the idea that they had to move in order for me to actually open the door. They eventually grasped the concept of moving and we proceeded into the library in an orderly manner.
As everyone walked in, another funky-smelling boy announced, "I need some personal space because I have got to pass some gas."
Holy cow.
I sent him away, sprayed the foyer with Lysol, and continued along with my B-lunch groupies.
Then came 5th period when one of the snottier 6th grade girls commented on my new hair color, "I don't know why they're called redheads. It's more like orange heads."
In with the good, out with the bad, don't speak or what comes out will likely cause you to lose your license.
It's a very good thing we're only in school two days this week.
Then, middle school happened. Two things that happened today at work that are fairly indicative of what I deal with daily. Good times, I promise.
I had to run to the post office and stop by an ATM today so I took the 15 minutes between the lunch periods to do so. I returned to school after the 2nd lunch had started and walked into the foyer to find about a dozen children waiting, all but two of these being funky smelling boys. F-U-N-K-Y, funky. And the two funky-smelling boys leaning against the door didn't seem to grasp the idea that they had to move in order for me to actually open the door. They eventually grasped the concept of moving and we proceeded into the library in an orderly manner.
As everyone walked in, another funky-smelling boy announced, "I need some personal space because I have got to pass some gas."
Holy cow.
I sent him away, sprayed the foyer with Lysol, and continued along with my B-lunch groupies.
Then came 5th period when one of the snottier 6th grade girls commented on my new hair color, "I don't know why they're called redheads. It's more like orange heads."
In with the good, out with the bad, don't speak or what comes out will likely cause you to lose your license.
It's a very good thing we're only in school two days this week.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Day 18: An Assorted Post
1. I spent the better part of the afternoon addressing envelopes for our Christmas cards with the intention of getting them in the mail when we get home from Thanksgiving in Texas. We opted to go with photo cards this year--our smiling faces will greet everyone opening the envelope this year. And there will be a lot of them. We could order 50, which isn't quite enough or 100, which means everyone and their dog will be getting them with plenty left over for the mailman, the trainer, the hairdresser, a coworker or two.
2. Texas Tech beat Oklahoma yesterday evening. Woohoo! Always nice to end the season with a win, especially when the other team is highly ranked and has annoyingly conceited fans like OU does. I will be wearing one of my Tech shirts to school tomorrow and making certain to chat with my coworker who is an OU alum who always asks me if I went to Texas (nevermind the two Tech things on my car, my Tech purse, my Tech t-shirts, my trips to Lubbock for Tech football games). This is the same coworker, who after 8 years of working together, still does not spell my name correctly. She's irritating like that. I'll have to ask if she went to OSU.
2a. And Donna, never never never text the final score of a game to someone unless specifially requested. :) We had DVRed the game and were just to the 4th quarter when I read your texts. I was trying to respond to the first when I got the second. Paul laughed because I was still worried both times OU scored.
3. Paul's mom and her siblings have moved his grandparents into an assisted living apartment. His grandmother was still in the hospital at the end of the week as the doctors regulate her medication. I really hope the weather holds over Christmas break so we can make a trip to Kansas. I'm not sure how many more chances we will have.
4. For some reason, I'm really excited about Christmas this year. I'm almost done with shopping--I only need to find something for Benjamin, Paul's dad, and a few more things for Paul. We plan on having our annual neighborhood party again this year and are thinking about hosting a holiday open house for our friends and coworkers. I've debated putting up the tree before we leave for Texas but Paul said that might be overkill. We do get home mid-morning on Sunday so I'll have plenty of time then.
5. It's harder than I expected to come up with something to write about every day. Twelve more days and I'm not sure I can muster posts about what's for lunch. Soon, I'll be reduced to writing the Ode to the Pudding Cup.
2. Texas Tech beat Oklahoma yesterday evening. Woohoo! Always nice to end the season with a win, especially when the other team is highly ranked and has annoyingly conceited fans like OU does. I will be wearing one of my Tech shirts to school tomorrow and making certain to chat with my coworker who is an OU alum who always asks me if I went to Texas (nevermind the two Tech things on my car, my Tech purse, my Tech t-shirts, my trips to Lubbock for Tech football games). This is the same coworker, who after 8 years of working together, still does not spell my name correctly. She's irritating like that. I'll have to ask if she went to OSU.
2a. And Donna, never never never text the final score of a game to someone unless specifially requested. :) We had DVRed the game and were just to the 4th quarter when I read your texts. I was trying to respond to the first when I got the second. Paul laughed because I was still worried both times OU scored.
3. Paul's mom and her siblings have moved his grandparents into an assisted living apartment. His grandmother was still in the hospital at the end of the week as the doctors regulate her medication. I really hope the weather holds over Christmas break so we can make a trip to Kansas. I'm not sure how many more chances we will have.
4. For some reason, I'm really excited about Christmas this year. I'm almost done with shopping--I only need to find something for Benjamin, Paul's dad, and a few more things for Paul. We plan on having our annual neighborhood party again this year and are thinking about hosting a holiday open house for our friends and coworkers. I've debated putting up the tree before we leave for Texas but Paul said that might be overkill. We do get home mid-morning on Sunday so I'll have plenty of time then.
5. It's harder than I expected to come up with something to write about every day. Twelve more days and I'm not sure I can muster posts about what's for lunch. Soon, I'll be reduced to writing the Ode to the Pudding Cup.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Day 17: Wish List
a needed accessory for my kitchen
it even says it's a kitchen's most essential item
and this so I'll know what to do with that most essential item
perhaps not quite haute cuisine but entertaining
this book or this cookbook or this one
we're needing a new one anyway
I need a new Thinking Chair since the cat claimed the other
I will not promise to share
OK, I might share some of these
just something fun
probably less annoying than our made-up travel games
my earlobes need pampering
because someone will eventually get the hint
I didn't get him last year either
or him
this might survive in NM
I just think this is pretty
It will fit in my dining room. I measured.
for the guest room
my thoughts exactly
it even says it's a kitchen's most essential item
and this so I'll know what to do with that most essential item
perhaps not quite haute cuisine but entertaining
this book or this cookbook or this one
we're needing a new one anyway
I need a new Thinking Chair since the cat claimed the other
I will not promise to share
OK, I might share some of these
just something fun
probably less annoying than our made-up travel games
my earlobes need pampering
because someone will eventually get the hint
I didn't get him last year either
or him
this might survive in NM
I just think this is pretty
It will fit in my dining room. I measured.
for the guest room
my thoughts exactly
Friday, November 16, 2007
Day 16: Not Much
So, I really don't have much to write about today. It was a good day-- classes in the library who all behaved nicely, lunch with a coworker who behaved nicely (ha!), met with the trainer this afternoon.
We've started Secret Pals at work. I have the master list of who has who, although another coworker helped me draw names so I don't know who my Secret Pal is. I could figure it out easily and on one hand, I'm tempted but the other hand, it's more fun when it's a secret. I tucked the list away in a stack of other papers on my desk to resist looking at it.
That's pretty much it. Here's a recent picture of Paul playing Guitar Hero III on the Wii. It's utterly addictive to play. He's giving me his best "guitar face" in this picture. Because, as discussed earlier, he can't just have a picture taken.
Tomorrow (hopefully): My annual Christmas wish list
Tomorrow (hopefully): My annual Christmas wish list
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Day 15.1: Hee
(And I think I fixed it so the link to the site works. I might write genius stuff but the formatting stuff gets me.)
Day 15: Hairdo
A few years ago, I heard a "joke" about Texas women caring more about their hair than their hearts because people can see their hair. I put joke in quotes because I think it's pretty much the truth. I've been told I'm high-maintanence because I get regular haircuts (I'm not sure what the regular massages mean) but I'll be the first to admit that I'm pretty vain about having "good hair."
I've gone to the same hairdresser since shortly after I moved to ABQ. She's fantastic and I have followed her to three different locations, none remotely close to my house or work, for that reason. I never know what my hair is going to look like but it will look good when she's finished. When people comment that I've done something new with my hair, I half-jokingly reply that I'm at her whim and mercy with both the cut and color. One of my coworkers, who also understands the importance of good hair and good shoes (we get along really well), comments that she's in the same position.
I've cut off over a foot of hair four different times, the first time when I was in first grade when I went from very long hair to a cute little bob. Did the same thing again when I was a freshman in high school and then again in college. Just chopped it off. I grow it out to cut it off. I wore it shorter--a chin length bob--for four years until I decided to start growing it out last summer. I told my hairdresser that it was going to be painful for a while because I wasn't going to do anything except trims and color until it was the length I wanted (I was aiming for just below my shoulders). Thankfully my hair grows quickly and by February, it was all grown out again.
I had a hair appointment this evening. I was thinking about getting a few inches cut off and some lowlights added. Hairdresser had another idea. She decided it was too pretty to cut. We did agree it needed thinning. So, she added more layers, a trim and an all-over color. It's doesn't show up in the picture too well but it's a darker copper color than I've been before (and what I naturally am). . .
but the length is all mine and it's getting really long again.
And the gratuitious picture of the cat who was trying to figure out what I'm doing.
I've gone to the same hairdresser since shortly after I moved to ABQ. She's fantastic and I have followed her to three different locations, none remotely close to my house or work, for that reason. I never know what my hair is going to look like but it will look good when she's finished. When people comment that I've done something new with my hair, I half-jokingly reply that I'm at her whim and mercy with both the cut and color. One of my coworkers, who also understands the importance of good hair and good shoes (we get along really well), comments that she's in the same position.
I've cut off over a foot of hair four different times, the first time when I was in first grade when I went from very long hair to a cute little bob. Did the same thing again when I was a freshman in high school and then again in college. Just chopped it off. I grow it out to cut it off. I wore it shorter--a chin length bob--for four years until I decided to start growing it out last summer. I told my hairdresser that it was going to be painful for a while because I wasn't going to do anything except trims and color until it was the length I wanted (I was aiming for just below my shoulders). Thankfully my hair grows quickly and by February, it was all grown out again.
I had a hair appointment this evening. I was thinking about getting a few inches cut off and some lowlights added. Hairdresser had another idea. She decided it was too pretty to cut. We did agree it needed thinning. So, she added more layers, a trim and an all-over color. It's doesn't show up in the picture too well but it's a darker copper color than I've been before (and what I naturally am). . .
but the length is all mine and it's getting really long again.
And the gratuitious picture of the cat who was trying to figure out what I'm doing.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Day 14: Don't Wanna
Today is the first day that I've honestly just not wanted to write anything. Not just a what-am-I-going-to-write? feeling but a I-don't-wanna-do-it feeling.
My name was drawn for this bag (mine is pale pink) in the raffle held at the Junior League holiday fair this weekend. Apparently it was quite the coup as many women were vying for it. I honestly don't know what the fuss is about as I don't know the brand. But among the JLA women, it is a big deal. So by association with this purse, I am a big deal. Or something like that.
And that's all I've got today.
My name was drawn for this bag (mine is pale pink) in the raffle held at the Junior League holiday fair this weekend. Apparently it was quite the coup as many women were vying for it. I honestly don't know what the fuss is about as I don't know the brand. But among the JLA women, it is a big deal. So by association with this purse, I am a big deal. Or something like that.
And that's all I've got today.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Day 13: Game Night
A couple of weeks ago, Paul and I were sitting on the living room floor playing a card game when we were interrupted by the cat, who apparently wanted to join in the game.
Jub wasn't too interested in learning the rules of the game.
And he got a little confused that we weren't trying to take his cards.
Slap Jack!
If he can't win, he'll at least make it difficult for the rest of us and will just lie on all the cards.
I think they were ganging up to beat me.
I'm sure he's thinking about all the damage he could do if only he had opposable thumbs.
Jub wasn't too interested in learning the rules of the game.
And he got a little confused that we weren't trying to take his cards.
Slap Jack!
If he can't win, he'll at least make it difficult for the rest of us and will just lie on all the cards.
I think they were ganging up to beat me.
I'm sure he's thinking about all the damage he could do if only he had opposable thumbs.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Day 12: Furniture
In mid-October, after the mad rush of company had subsided, Paul and I made a trek down to the local furniture store to test-drive some couches. At the time, the "sale" was $100 off any purchase of $750 or more. Not much of a discount when you're purchasing a new suite of living room furniture. We had an invoice written up as a hold on the three pieces we decided to buy but told the salesman that we'd be back when the sale was better.
Today as I was flipping through the newspaper, I noticed a 10% off coupon valid today only at the furniture store. So, Paul and I made another little trip down to the furniture store where fortuitously, the salesman was standing next to the door we walked in. And he was generous enough to give us the additional 5% off for military personnel in honor of Veteran's Day.** We would have been happy with just the coupon but we're not one to argue with the extra money off. (And I'm sure he more than made up for it in commission.)
After just a bit of clickity-clickity on the computer, Paul and I are now the proud owners of this couch as well as the matching recliner. We opted to purchase the larger size of this chair--it's a little wider and taller so my little wider and taller husband fits comfortably in it but it doesn't swallow me. We also decided on a smaller accent chair and ottoman--the fabric is a dark sage green chenille with a small dark red pattern. All this will be delivered to our humble abode the first weekend in December. At least the chairs will be--the couch might not make it until the first of January. We're not sure how that will figure into our annual neighborhood holiday party. Maybe we'll have the neighbors BYOC.
**We are giving our current couch and love seat to one of my friends who is currently active duty in the Air Force (military intelligence). She served her second tour in Iraq from May to September. Just a few days after her arrival back home, her husband of two years told her he didn't want to be married any more. As they are both just 24 and still in the starting-out phase, they didn't have much to divvy up and because of her next assignment, she opted to let him have the furniture. She's now rooming with my friend Devlyn (a mutual friend of ours) as Devlyn has a small casita at her house. Paul and I were already talking about buying new furniture when I learned of her divorce so I offered her our current seating whenever we got the new stuff. She's going to put it in storage until her next assignment which will be a move to Idaho in June.
Today as I was flipping through the newspaper, I noticed a 10% off coupon valid today only at the furniture store. So, Paul and I made another little trip down to the furniture store where fortuitously, the salesman was standing next to the door we walked in. And he was generous enough to give us the additional 5% off for military personnel in honor of Veteran's Day.** We would have been happy with just the coupon but we're not one to argue with the extra money off. (And I'm sure he more than made up for it in commission.)
After just a bit of clickity-clickity on the computer, Paul and I are now the proud owners of this couch as well as the matching recliner. We opted to purchase the larger size of this chair--it's a little wider and taller so my little wider and taller husband fits comfortably in it but it doesn't swallow me. We also decided on a smaller accent chair and ottoman--the fabric is a dark sage green chenille with a small dark red pattern. All this will be delivered to our humble abode the first weekend in December. At least the chairs will be--the couch might not make it until the first of January. We're not sure how that will figure into our annual neighborhood holiday party. Maybe we'll have the neighbors BYOC.
**We are giving our current couch and love seat to one of my friends who is currently active duty in the Air Force (military intelligence). She served her second tour in Iraq from May to September. Just a few days after her arrival back home, her husband of two years told her he didn't want to be married any more. As they are both just 24 and still in the starting-out phase, they didn't have much to divvy up and because of her next assignment, she opted to let him have the furniture. She's now rooming with my friend Devlyn (a mutual friend of ours) as Devlyn has a small casita at her house. Paul and I were already talking about buying new furniture when I learned of her divorce so I offered her our current seating whenever we got the new stuff. She's going to put it in storage until her next assignment which will be a move to Idaho in June.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Day 11: Prayers
Paul and I spent the evening at his parents' house as they returned this week from Maryland. After dinner, we were playing a board game when Paul's aunt, my mother-in-law's sister, called. Paul's grandmother was admitted to the hospital yesterday and isn't doing well--she's not ill but is very, very weak. Paul's aunt is staying at the hospital with her while her husband is staying with Paul's grandfather. Neither grandparent is doing particularly well right now--they are 94 and 93. Owen will turn 95 on Christmas day. Reva has been in a slow decline since I first met her about nine years ago. Not unhealthy, just older and frailer. Age has only caught up with Owen in the past couple of years, although he's still doing his best to outrun it. Both are still arguing that they don't need to move to an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Having them move in with their children is another plan that is being opposed and honestly, it isn't a very good option. Paul's aunt lives the closest to them, about 2 hours west. Paul's uncle is in Illinois and his mother is here. All three children are going to be in Kansas this week to see if they can devise a plan or talk some sense into their parents. Prayers and good thoughts are needed for the family as everyone deals with an end that will be much sooner than we'd like. :(
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Day 10: Trouble
Them there's some pigeons. We've got another flock in the neighborhood. We haven't had any in a couple of years. Thankfully they haven't made there way over to our house as we no longer have the swamp cooler which, apparently, is a faboo housing choice for pigeons. Here's hoping they don't find their way across the street although it would give Paul a chance to try out the pigeon gun (which is a whole post in and of itself).
Friday, November 9, 2007
Day 9: 33 Things
In honor of my 33rd birthday yesterday, and today being the day my mom thought was my birthday for a few years (yes, really, and yes, she really is the woman who gave birth to me), I've decided to compile a list of 33 quasi-interesting/unknown/quirky/funny/etc. things about me. I have a feeling this is going to be much harder than I think it should be.
1. My middle name is Lee, the same as my mom's and her mom's. If we ever have a daughter, her middle name will be Lee. It's difficult to come up with a name that doesn't sound totally hick when you pair it up with Lee.
2. I love to be the center of attention--on my own terms. My wedding shower and birthday parties are torturous what with everyone just looking at me.
3. I normally keep the library open during the lunch break at school but there are just those days when I can't do it. So I lock the door, turn off the lights, and hide in my office even when I can hear the students knocking and saying "Miss, we know you're in there."
4. I laugh to myself on those days.
5. I can't stand to watch scary or suspenseful movies. At all. No matter how "good" the movie is.
6. If I'm reading a book with a suspenseful twist in it, I often have to read the last couple of pages to make sure everything turns out OK.
7. I was in a few various local beauty pageants when I was in high school. I never won, placed, or showed at any of them. But I made my daddy proud which was the important part.
8. I won Home Ec. Student of the Year as a freshman even though I never finished the project I started in class. My mom kept it for way too much longer than she needed to.
9. I can't roll my r's. This didn't bode well for any of the spoken tests during my two years of h.s. Spanish and three semesters in college.
10. After three years of Spanish, I now mostly only know how to order a beer, ask for a bathroom, or read a menu. And say "I like hamburgers."
11. I graduated as salutatorian of my h.s. class. Which might sound like a major accomplishment except there were only 14 in my graduating class.
12. I got a little dig in on the class valedictorian in the speech I gave at graduation.
13. Paul and I have names picked out for our next two cats (Caboodle and Alpha) and a future son. We'll probably get a dog and have a daughter.
14. The three addresses I've had in ABQ are all within one square mile of each other.
15. I lost 10 pounds this summer. Before that, I was at the heaviest I'd ever been, even when I was "fat" in college after Paul and I stared dating. I'm now back at my "comfortable adult weight."
16. I like the Wii more than I'm willing to admit to Paul. I'm not a big video game person but the Wii absolutely rocks.
17. I am very hesitant about trying new things because I am not good at being "bad" at anything.
18. I'm not very good at asking for help. Or admitting I'm wrong.
19. I taught myself how to ride my bicycle when I was a little girl. My dad had pushed me around the driveway for hours to no avail. One day, I went outside, started at the edge of our driveway, pushed along the curb until I got the neighbor's driveway when I had two choices--fall or peddle. I peddled. It was a while before I figured out how to not need to push all the way down the curb.
20. I broke my leg on a family bike ride. I was on a child seat on my dad's bike and I had been told not to swing my legs so as not to get my foot caught in the spoke. We stopped to speak to neighbors and I swung my leg and got it caught. I didn't want to get in trouble so I didn't say anything. (See #18) My dad couldn't figure out why his bike wouldn't go and kept pressing the pedal. I ended up with a greenstick fracture.
21. My parents took us on a family vacation to the Grand Canyon when I was four. My only memory of that trip is my mom holding on to the hoods on my and Amy's coats while standing next to a big hole.
22. I'd really love to travel more. I'd love to eventually visit all 50 states (we're doing pretty good on the western half). I'd never left the U.S. until our cruise four years ago. We're planning a trip to the United Kingdom next summer. The summer after that, we hope to visit Quebec City.
23. I'd really like to own a classic muscle car someday--a Chevelle Super Sport or something along those lines.
24. I absolutely positively cannot stand to have a dog lick me. I'm slightly more tolerant of cat licking but the slobbery dog tongue just grosses me out. I will never understand how someone can let a dog lick their face.
25. I am very stubborn. This directly relates to #18. But I also think it's a trait that has been helpful at times because I'm definitely not a quitter. I've stuck out some situations when it would have been much easier to just throw my hands up and walk away just because I am so obstinate. Just realize that I probably won't ask for help while I'm struggling through.
26. I think when I'm done being a librarian, I would like to be a professional organizer. I think it would be a natural transition and a good fit for me. Paul would be my first client.
27. When I was a child, I hated having red hair. It relates back to that only wanting attention on my terms. I desired mousy brown hair that no one would ever really notice. By the time I got into high school, I didn't mind my hair color as much. I was nice to stand out from a crowd of blonds and brunettes. But I absolutely dislike having my hair color referred to as strawberry blond. It's red, goshdarnit. R-E-D, red. Not auburn or orange-red or bright red or strawberry blond but definitely red.
28. Contrary to popular belief, I was never a cheerleader, homecoming queen, prom queen, or sorority sister.
29. I hate to have dirty hands. I don't mind "getting my hands dirty" but having blech on my hands is very bothersome to me.
30. I don't like cantaloupe, radishes, olives, celery, pickled okra, or beets. I can't remember if it's papaya or mango that I dislike as well. I definitely remember when I eat it.
31. I had a really bad experience with shrimp and Olive Garden when I was 16. Bob and I went there on a date and I had some shrimp pasta something or other. I ended up with a mild case of food poisoning--sadly, it combined with a really bad (yet unrelated) case of strep throat. Even now, I'll look at some dish that has shrimp and think it sounds great but I think I would be physically unable to actually swallow. I also have a strong aversion to Olive Garden.
32. I would really love to throw a surprise party. Paul is, of course, the most likely candidate and probably the most unwilling as well.
33. I'm always coming up with ideas of what I'm going to do when I win the lottery that I never play. We're going to have a building named after us, start a scholarship at Tech, visit all the places in the 1000 places to see before you die book, start trust funds for our nieces and nephews, open a kitschy gift shop or bookstore/coffee shop, move to the Texas Hill Country, move to Northern California, and lots of other terribly exciting things.
1. My middle name is Lee, the same as my mom's and her mom's. If we ever have a daughter, her middle name will be Lee. It's difficult to come up with a name that doesn't sound totally hick when you pair it up with Lee.
2. I love to be the center of attention--on my own terms. My wedding shower and birthday parties are torturous what with everyone just looking at me.
3. I normally keep the library open during the lunch break at school but there are just those days when I can't do it. So I lock the door, turn off the lights, and hide in my office even when I can hear the students knocking and saying "Miss, we know you're in there."
4. I laugh to myself on those days.
5. I can't stand to watch scary or suspenseful movies. At all. No matter how "good" the movie is.
6. If I'm reading a book with a suspenseful twist in it, I often have to read the last couple of pages to make sure everything turns out OK.
7. I was in a few various local beauty pageants when I was in high school. I never won, placed, or showed at any of them. But I made my daddy proud which was the important part.
8. I won Home Ec. Student of the Year as a freshman even though I never finished the project I started in class. My mom kept it for way too much longer than she needed to.
9. I can't roll my r's. This didn't bode well for any of the spoken tests during my two years of h.s. Spanish and three semesters in college.
10. After three years of Spanish, I now mostly only know how to order a beer, ask for a bathroom, or read a menu. And say "I like hamburgers."
11. I graduated as salutatorian of my h.s. class. Which might sound like a major accomplishment except there were only 14 in my graduating class.
12. I got a little dig in on the class valedictorian in the speech I gave at graduation.
13. Paul and I have names picked out for our next two cats (Caboodle and Alpha) and a future son. We'll probably get a dog and have a daughter.
14. The three addresses I've had in ABQ are all within one square mile of each other.
15. I lost 10 pounds this summer. Before that, I was at the heaviest I'd ever been, even when I was "fat" in college after Paul and I stared dating. I'm now back at my "comfortable adult weight."
16. I like the Wii more than I'm willing to admit to Paul. I'm not a big video game person but the Wii absolutely rocks.
17. I am very hesitant about trying new things because I am not good at being "bad" at anything.
18. I'm not very good at asking for help. Or admitting I'm wrong.
19. I taught myself how to ride my bicycle when I was a little girl. My dad had pushed me around the driveway for hours to no avail. One day, I went outside, started at the edge of our driveway, pushed along the curb until I got the neighbor's driveway when I had two choices--fall or peddle. I peddled. It was a while before I figured out how to not need to push all the way down the curb.
20. I broke my leg on a family bike ride. I was on a child seat on my dad's bike and I had been told not to swing my legs so as not to get my foot caught in the spoke. We stopped to speak to neighbors and I swung my leg and got it caught. I didn't want to get in trouble so I didn't say anything. (See #18) My dad couldn't figure out why his bike wouldn't go and kept pressing the pedal. I ended up with a greenstick fracture.
21. My parents took us on a family vacation to the Grand Canyon when I was four. My only memory of that trip is my mom holding on to the hoods on my and Amy's coats while standing next to a big hole.
22. I'd really love to travel more. I'd love to eventually visit all 50 states (we're doing pretty good on the western half). I'd never left the U.S. until our cruise four years ago. We're planning a trip to the United Kingdom next summer. The summer after that, we hope to visit Quebec City.
23. I'd really like to own a classic muscle car someday--a Chevelle Super Sport or something along those lines.
24. I absolutely positively cannot stand to have a dog lick me. I'm slightly more tolerant of cat licking but the slobbery dog tongue just grosses me out. I will never understand how someone can let a dog lick their face.
25. I am very stubborn. This directly relates to #18. But I also think it's a trait that has been helpful at times because I'm definitely not a quitter. I've stuck out some situations when it would have been much easier to just throw my hands up and walk away just because I am so obstinate. Just realize that I probably won't ask for help while I'm struggling through.
26. I think when I'm done being a librarian, I would like to be a professional organizer. I think it would be a natural transition and a good fit for me. Paul would be my first client.
27. When I was a child, I hated having red hair. It relates back to that only wanting attention on my terms. I desired mousy brown hair that no one would ever really notice. By the time I got into high school, I didn't mind my hair color as much. I was nice to stand out from a crowd of blonds and brunettes. But I absolutely dislike having my hair color referred to as strawberry blond. It's red, goshdarnit. R-E-D, red. Not auburn or orange-red or bright red or strawberry blond but definitely red.
28. Contrary to popular belief, I was never a cheerleader, homecoming queen, prom queen, or sorority sister.
29. I hate to have dirty hands. I don't mind "getting my hands dirty" but having blech on my hands is very bothersome to me.
30. I don't like cantaloupe, radishes, olives, celery, pickled okra, or beets. I can't remember if it's papaya or mango that I dislike as well. I definitely remember when I eat it.
31. I had a really bad experience with shrimp and Olive Garden when I was 16. Bob and I went there on a date and I had some shrimp pasta something or other. I ended up with a mild case of food poisoning--sadly, it combined with a really bad (yet unrelated) case of strep throat. Even now, I'll look at some dish that has shrimp and think it sounds great but I think I would be physically unable to actually swallow. I also have a strong aversion to Olive Garden.
32. I would really love to throw a surprise party. Paul is, of course, the most likely candidate and probably the most unwilling as well.
33. I'm always coming up with ideas of what I'm going to do when I win the lottery that I never play. We're going to have a building named after us, start a scholarship at Tech, visit all the places in the 1000 places to see before you die book, start trust funds for our nieces and nephews, open a kitschy gift shop or bookstore/coffee shop, move to the Texas Hill Country, move to Northern California, and lots of other terribly exciting things.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Day 8: Birthday
Today is my 33rd birthday.
I was going to try to recap the last 32 birthdays but I can only remember a half-dozen of them as really standing out (numbers 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, and 30 for a variety of different reasons). Most of my birthday parties while growing up were cake-and-ice cream affairs with school friends and family. Maybe a slumber party or two in upper elementary. Dinner with my family as I got older. Very low-key which is mostly how I like it. You know, when I'm not drawing attention to myself by wearing a big birthday tiara or flashing button that reads "Birthday Girl!" (neither of which actually made an appearance this year).
My student aides were plotting a suprise when they learned my birthday was today. They, along with three yearbook students, were trying to convince the asst. principal to let them sing "Happy Birthday" to me as an all-call over the school intercom when I walked into the office while they were in the midst of their pleading and ruined their surprise. The yearbook cover proof had just arrived and I heard the girls in the office so I took it in to show them (all my aides are on the yearbook staff as well). They shooed me back to the library and the asst. principal let them sing over the library intercom. It wasn't what they were wanting to do but it was very thoughtful and very appreciated.
None of the girls could understand my choice of birtday gifts, though. I think it really shows how old I am getting. Because we're getting the new living room furnture (our anniversary gift, actually) and doing some remodel work on house (new kitchen countertops and backsplash), and because I couldn't think of something any time Paul has asked in the past week, I'm just counting the new undermount sink as present enough. Woohoo! No more crumb-catcher sink!
Paul and I are going dinner tonight at The Melting Pot where we will overeat all the fondue goodness. Maybe do something else over the weekend--this is usually the one time a year I can get Paul to Santa Fe or Taos. Just low-key and probably not all that memorable but a good day nonetheless. And that's about all I really want for my birthday.
I was going to try to recap the last 32 birthdays but I can only remember a half-dozen of them as really standing out (numbers 14, 16, 20, 21, 27, and 30 for a variety of different reasons). Most of my birthday parties while growing up were cake-and-ice cream affairs with school friends and family. Maybe a slumber party or two in upper elementary. Dinner with my family as I got older. Very low-key which is mostly how I like it. You know, when I'm not drawing attention to myself by wearing a big birthday tiara or flashing button that reads "Birthday Girl!" (neither of which actually made an appearance this year).
My student aides were plotting a suprise when they learned my birthday was today. They, along with three yearbook students, were trying to convince the asst. principal to let them sing "Happy Birthday" to me as an all-call over the school intercom when I walked into the office while they were in the midst of their pleading and ruined their surprise. The yearbook cover proof had just arrived and I heard the girls in the office so I took it in to show them (all my aides are on the yearbook staff as well). They shooed me back to the library and the asst. principal let them sing over the library intercom. It wasn't what they were wanting to do but it was very thoughtful and very appreciated.
None of the girls could understand my choice of birtday gifts, though. I think it really shows how old I am getting. Because we're getting the new living room furnture (our anniversary gift, actually) and doing some remodel work on house (new kitchen countertops and backsplash), and because I couldn't think of something any time Paul has asked in the past week, I'm just counting the new undermount sink as present enough. Woohoo! No more crumb-catcher sink!
Paul and I are going dinner tonight at The Melting Pot where we will overeat all the fondue goodness. Maybe do something else over the weekend--this is usually the one time a year I can get Paul to Santa Fe or Taos. Just low-key and probably not all that memorable but a good day nonetheless. And that's about all I really want for my birthday.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Day 7: Recipe
This is not what I'm having for lunch today but it's a post that's probably along the same lines. I have now taken to posting recipes on the blog and it's not even mid-way through the month. On my List of Possible Topics, I don't have recipes down until the 18th of November. I don't even have anything witty or funny to say about this recipe. I have a feeling this is going to be a long month (and this obstinance I show in "yes-I-will-finish-the-assignment" even though it's self-imposed and I'm not being graded? Very much how I was ALL THROUGH SCHOOL. And Paul would argue how I still behave now.)
In October, I hosted two different groups at the house, both of which included a meal. Taking the no-thinking-required way out, I opted to do the same soup at both of them. I'd originally gotten the recipe out of a Real Simple magazine several years ago. Last year I purchased a Real Simple cookbook not knowing the recipe was in it as well. I didn't think Paul would like the soup because there are visible vegetables in it, including the much despised tomatoes. But he eats it all and even asks for seconds. High praise in this house is "Hey, you could make that again."
One of my coworkers who had the soup in October stopped by the library this morning to request the recipe (which she deemed as high praise because she doesn't cook). I like it because the amounts are easily adaptable to make more or less soup, it's super-easy to make (chop, simmer, done), it's "impressive" when finished and very colorful and pretty. For the meetings, I added a side salad. When I make it for us, I pretend that there are enough vegetables in the soup to count as a serving.
I had to call Paul this morning to ask him to look at the recipe because I couldn't remember the correct amount of broth. He was in the shower when he heard the phone ring with what he deemed "Carrie's weekly I-forgot-something phone call." I'm not really that bad but he does get a variety of random questions and requests via telephone throughout the school year.
1. In a large saucepan, simmer the chicken broth, bones, and meat for 20 minutes. Strain the broth through a colander into another saucepan. When the bones are cool enough to handle, pick off any meat and add it to the broth. (I usually omit this step. I pull off the meat beforehand and simmer that in the broth for 15-20 minutes.)
2. Stir in the red onion, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Heat about 5 minutes. Add corn to the soup and simmer another 5-10 minutes.
3. Crumble tortilla chips in soup bowls. Ladle in the soup and top with cilantro, avocado, cheese and squeeze lime wedge over soup. (Also good with a dollop of sour cream.)
Makes 4 servings.
In October, I hosted two different groups at the house, both of which included a meal. Taking the no-thinking-required way out, I opted to do the same soup at both of them. I'd originally gotten the recipe out of a Real Simple magazine several years ago. Last year I purchased a Real Simple cookbook not knowing the recipe was in it as well. I didn't think Paul would like the soup because there are visible vegetables in it, including the much despised tomatoes. But he eats it all and even asks for seconds. High praise in this house is "Hey, you could make that again."
One of my coworkers who had the soup in October stopped by the library this morning to request the recipe (which she deemed as high praise because she doesn't cook). I like it because the amounts are easily adaptable to make more or less soup, it's super-easy to make (chop, simmer, done), it's "impressive" when finished and very colorful and pretty. For the meetings, I added a side salad. When I make it for us, I pretend that there are enough vegetables in the soup to count as a serving.
I had to call Paul this morning to ask him to look at the recipe because I couldn't remember the correct amount of broth. He was in the shower when he heard the phone ring with what he deemed "Carrie's weekly I-forgot-something phone call." I'm not really that bad but he does get a variety of random questions and requests via telephone throughout the school year.
Spicy Chicken & Tortilla Soup
(from Real Simple: Meals Made Easy)
(from Real Simple: Meals Made Easy)
1 small deli rotisserie chicken
2 32-ounce boxes low-sodium chicken broth
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, diced and seeded
2 medium jalapenos, thinly sliced (seeded if you prefer less spicy)
1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen or from 2 ears of corn
tortilla chips
1 avocado, roughly chopped
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1 cup crumbled cheese
Lime wedges
2 32-ounce boxes low-sodium chicken broth
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, diced and seeded
2 medium jalapenos, thinly sliced (seeded if you prefer less spicy)
1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen or from 2 ears of corn
tortilla chips
1 avocado, roughly chopped
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1 cup crumbled cheese
Lime wedges
1. In a large saucepan, simmer the chicken broth, bones, and meat for 20 minutes. Strain the broth through a colander into another saucepan. When the bones are cool enough to handle, pick off any meat and add it to the broth. (I usually omit this step. I pull off the meat beforehand and simmer that in the broth for 15-20 minutes.)
2. Stir in the red onion, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Heat about 5 minutes. Add corn to the soup and simmer another 5-10 minutes.
3. Crumble tortilla chips in soup bowls. Ladle in the soup and top with cilantro, avocado, cheese and squeeze lime wedge over soup. (Also good with a dollop of sour cream.)
Makes 4 servings.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Day 6: Tired
It's 10:25 p.m.
I actually had a topic I was going to post about today. I didn't want to use work time to do it. When I got home, I decided I should be good and go to the gym before my meeting this evening. The meeting started at 6:00 and ran long. I didn't get home until almost 9:30. Then I decided to spend what time I had left in the evening visiting with Paul.
I decided this would work for my post today. It was a good day. A long day but a good day. Nothing exceptional happened to make it necessarily a memorable day. Just a day that will blend in with many others that thankfully ends with a smile and a goodnight kiss.
I actually had a topic I was going to post about today. I didn't want to use work time to do it. When I got home, I decided I should be good and go to the gym before my meeting this evening. The meeting started at 6:00 and ran long. I didn't get home until almost 9:30. Then I decided to spend what time I had left in the evening visiting with Paul.
I decided this would work for my post today. It was a good day. A long day but a good day. Nothing exceptional happened to make it necessarily a memorable day. Just a day that will blend in with many others that thankfully ends with a smile and a goodnight kiss.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Day 5: Horoscope
Monday, November 5: Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)
There's an art to staying connected with the people who are important to you. You know who your top-five priority relationships are, but it helps to list them.
I'm rarely one to check the daily horoscopes in the newspaper as most of the time it's some generic "Someone new will enter your life" or "Look for exciting things to happen" type of mumbo-jumbo. But being at a loss for today's Terribly Interesting Post, I thought I'd check the horoscopes and comment on the absurdity of it.
But this one doesn't seem to absurd. In fact, I thought this was actually rather interesting and it caused me to start thinking. Who are the top-five priority relationships in my life? Do I have to list names or can it be a generic "Grandparents" which would encompass four people? And if I really think about it, would I include them on my list? Being a dutiful granddaughter, I know I should. I know I need to cultivate these relationships and stay better connected than I do because at my age, it's a blessing to have all of my grandparents still living. But would they be on my top priority relationships list out of a sense of loyalty or because I honestly feel that way? Can I make it a Top 10 list to get everyone included that I think needs to be? Can I generically lump people together like "Grandparents" and "In-laws" and "Sisters"? Am I over-thinking this entire thing? (I think I know the answer to that last one.)
I know who the first person on my list should be and I'd put him there without question.
I was recently reading through posts I wrote last year, back when Paul and I weren't speaking and the continuation of our marriage had come into question. It was painful and I'm not sure why I kept reading. I did skip over some things I'd written because I knew how bad things were at the time and how angry I was when I wrote them (most of these weren't published, by the way). I was still in tears reading just the bits and pieces I did. We had definitely lost the "art of staying connected" and while I wasn't thinking "divorce," I was definitely thinking "how the hell can I get myself out of this situation?" I grit my teeth when I hear someone dismiss what happened last year as merely the "Seven Year Itch." Sure, it was an itch. One of those itches you might have if, while covered in chicken pox, you roll in a bed of poison ivy. This wasn't an itch--it was a full-on rash. The "Seven Year Hives" perhaps. And it could have happened to us at three years or thirteen years. It was a combination of so many things, many of which were little things that simply and quietly built up until they were big things, creating such turmoil in our lives that we were utterly ill-equipped to handle.
We're much, much better now--thanks in no small part to a very patient and kind therapist last fall who reminded me of why we liked each other so many years ago and what we needed to do to like each other again. She helped me remember what it meant to stay connected. (We opted not to go to couples counseling for a variety of reasons and while I'm sure it would have helped us, my going individually helped me heal many of the hurts I was nursing and get rid of lots of anger I had which in turn, helped our marriage. You know, because I wasn't a raging and/or crying lunatic and Paul would actually speak to me.) I can't speak for Paul but I know it's something I've been working on every day, sometimes to more success than others but I think that's true of any relationship. There are still some discussions that must be entered into delicately, making certain to use the "I statements" and to be cautious to avoid anything accusatory. But again, true of any relationship. I'm eternally grateful to the people who were put into my life, not only the therapist but some very wise and supportive friends, who helped us through a very long rough patch and gave us the skills and the knowledge to help us muddle through to our 8th anniversary, one we celebrated by actually talking and laughing and enjoying each other. And hopefully we'll still be muddling through as we celebrate anniversaries well into our golden years. Because when it comes down to it, in the end I definitely don't want to be without my top-priority relationship.
(And just in case, lucky numbers for today: 1, 5, 39, 33, and 49)
There's an art to staying connected with the people who are important to you. You know who your top-five priority relationships are, but it helps to list them.
I'm rarely one to check the daily horoscopes in the newspaper as most of the time it's some generic "Someone new will enter your life" or "Look for exciting things to happen" type of mumbo-jumbo. But being at a loss for today's Terribly Interesting Post, I thought I'd check the horoscopes and comment on the absurdity of it.
But this one doesn't seem to absurd. In fact, I thought this was actually rather interesting and it caused me to start thinking. Who are the top-five priority relationships in my life? Do I have to list names or can it be a generic "Grandparents" which would encompass four people? And if I really think about it, would I include them on my list? Being a dutiful granddaughter, I know I should. I know I need to cultivate these relationships and stay better connected than I do because at my age, it's a blessing to have all of my grandparents still living. But would they be on my top priority relationships list out of a sense of loyalty or because I honestly feel that way? Can I make it a Top 10 list to get everyone included that I think needs to be? Can I generically lump people together like "Grandparents" and "In-laws" and "Sisters"? Am I over-thinking this entire thing? (I think I know the answer to that last one.)
I know who the first person on my list should be and I'd put him there without question.
I was recently reading through posts I wrote last year, back when Paul and I weren't speaking and the continuation of our marriage had come into question. It was painful and I'm not sure why I kept reading. I did skip over some things I'd written because I knew how bad things were at the time and how angry I was when I wrote them (most of these weren't published, by the way). I was still in tears reading just the bits and pieces I did. We had definitely lost the "art of staying connected" and while I wasn't thinking "divorce," I was definitely thinking "how the hell can I get myself out of this situation?" I grit my teeth when I hear someone dismiss what happened last year as merely the "Seven Year Itch." Sure, it was an itch. One of those itches you might have if, while covered in chicken pox, you roll in a bed of poison ivy. This wasn't an itch--it was a full-on rash. The "Seven Year Hives" perhaps. And it could have happened to us at three years or thirteen years. It was a combination of so many things, many of which were little things that simply and quietly built up until they were big things, creating such turmoil in our lives that we were utterly ill-equipped to handle.
We're much, much better now--thanks in no small part to a very patient and kind therapist last fall who reminded me of why we liked each other so many years ago and what we needed to do to like each other again. She helped me remember what it meant to stay connected. (We opted not to go to couples counseling for a variety of reasons and while I'm sure it would have helped us, my going individually helped me heal many of the hurts I was nursing and get rid of lots of anger I had which in turn, helped our marriage. You know, because I wasn't a raging and/or crying lunatic and Paul would actually speak to me.) I can't speak for Paul but I know it's something I've been working on every day, sometimes to more success than others but I think that's true of any relationship. There are still some discussions that must be entered into delicately, making certain to use the "I statements" and to be cautious to avoid anything accusatory. But again, true of any relationship. I'm eternally grateful to the people who were put into my life, not only the therapist but some very wise and supportive friends, who helped us through a very long rough patch and gave us the skills and the knowledge to help us muddle through to our 8th anniversary, one we celebrated by actually talking and laughing and enjoying each other. And hopefully we'll still be muddling through as we celebrate anniversaries well into our golden years. Because when it comes down to it, in the end I definitely don't want to be without my top-priority relationship.
(And just in case, lucky numbers for today: 1, 5, 39, 33, and 49)
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Day 4: "Call your dad"
Paul and I had a little project to do this afternoon. We recently purchased this switch to replace the light switch for the outside lights. For most DIY-ers, it would take about 10 minutes to complete--turn off power, unhook one switch, hook up new switch, turn on power. And continue with the rest of your day.
Because we aren't the handiest of people, we typically plan for at least three times as long to complete any project. After 30 minutes, one fuss over which switch to flip in the fuse box to turn off the power and why do I need to flip the switch back on if we know the power is off just to check to make sure that's the correct switch, and both of us staring at the electrical box trying to decide what order to hook up the black-blue-white wires since we have a black-red-white combo, we decided that we need to enlist the help of either of our dads or my granddad C. who was an electrician back in the day and still can't feel a 110-volt jolt. Seriously--as soon as we pulled unhooked the light switch and saw that the wires didn't jibe, Paul said, "Why don't you call your dad?" You know--because my dad who is 1000 miles away will totally be able to fix this problem and hook up a light switch (Paul's reasoning: Dad helped installed a couple of dimmer switches during one visit). Paul's parents will be home on Tuesday. Maybe his dad will be able to figure out this conundrum. In the meantime, our fancy new timer switch with latitude/longitude coordinates is back in it's packaging, taunting us with its super-simple instructions and blue wire, letting us know that, once again, we are proving ourselves to be the Worst Adults Ever.
Because we aren't the handiest of people, we typically plan for at least three times as long to complete any project. After 30 minutes, one fuss over which switch to flip in the fuse box to turn off the power and why do I need to flip the switch back on if we know the power is off just to check to make sure that's the correct switch, and both of us staring at the electrical box trying to decide what order to hook up the black-blue-white wires since we have a black-red-white combo, we decided that we need to enlist the help of either of our dads or my granddad C. who was an electrician back in the day and still can't feel a 110-volt jolt. Seriously--as soon as we pulled unhooked the light switch and saw that the wires didn't jibe, Paul said, "Why don't you call your dad?" You know--because my dad who is 1000 miles away will totally be able to fix this problem and hook up a light switch (Paul's reasoning: Dad helped installed a couple of dimmer switches during one visit). Paul's parents will be home on Tuesday. Maybe his dad will be able to figure out this conundrum. In the meantime, our fancy new timer switch with latitude/longitude coordinates is back in it's packaging, taunting us with its super-simple instructions and blue wire, letting us know that, once again, we are proving ourselves to be the Worst Adults Ever.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Day 3: Jubjub
Since I've shared a bit about myself and my husband, I'll spend today on the third member of our little clan: the cat. I guess the best starting point is how he got his name. It is a tad bit unusual, I'll give you that. And most people eventually get around to asking us how we came up with it. It's not a very interesting story but here's how we named our cat.
After I graduated from Tech, I was teaching in Sunray and living by myself for the first time, away from Paul and my friends. Everyone kept saying I should get some type of pet so I'd have something there to greet me when I got home each afternoon. Paul and I discussed getting a cat that would be "ours" but would live with me. We didn't have a cat yet but were talking about what to name one when we got it. Paul kept suggesting things along the line of Warhammer and Stormbringer. I just couldn't imagine naming my cat something so overwhelmingly sci-fi nerdy. My top choices were Dexter or Alice, neither of which Paul liked because he thought they were just plain nerdy.
Out of the blue, Paul suggested the name Jubjub, the iguana from The Simpsons. It only appears in a couple of episodes--one with Duff Gardens (Paul's favorite) and one where Selma marries Troy McClure. It was the latter episode I saw, which ends with Selma walking off into the sunset with Jubjub the Iguana and says "Come on Jubjub. Let's go home." I swear I had major PMS because that made me cry so I agreed to name the cat Jubjub. Not knowing how to spell it, we opted to go with no hyphen, which is how it is spelled in the poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll (which is where I will occasionally credit the cat's name even though it had nothing to do with it--it sounds better in some crowds). No matter; no one spells it correctly. Kind of like my name.
After I graduated from Tech, I was teaching in Sunray and living by myself for the first time, away from Paul and my friends. Everyone kept saying I should get some type of pet so I'd have something there to greet me when I got home each afternoon. Paul and I discussed getting a cat that would be "ours" but would live with me. We didn't have a cat yet but were talking about what to name one when we got it. Paul kept suggesting things along the line of Warhammer and Stormbringer. I just couldn't imagine naming my cat something so overwhelmingly sci-fi nerdy. My top choices were Dexter or Alice, neither of which Paul liked because he thought they were just plain nerdy.
Out of the blue, Paul suggested the name Jubjub, the iguana from The Simpsons. It only appears in a couple of episodes--one with Duff Gardens (Paul's favorite) and one where Selma marries Troy McClure. It was the latter episode I saw, which ends with Selma walking off into the sunset with Jubjub the Iguana and says "Come on Jubjub. Let's go home." I swear I had major PMS because that made me cry so I agreed to name the cat Jubjub. Not knowing how to spell it, we opted to go with no hyphen, which is how it is spelled in the poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll (which is where I will occasionally credit the cat's name even though it had nothing to do with it--it sounds better in some crowds). No matter; no one spells it correctly. Kind of like my name.
A week or so after deciding on a cat name, my then-sister-in-law called to ask if I'd like a kitten. Her sister had found one and ex-SIL couldn't keep it since she already had a couple of pets and 2-year-old twins. So I picked up this sad little kitten, barely a month old, and loved him and hugged him and squeezed him and called him Jubjub. It's been over 10 years and I have to say that everyone was absolutely right. I definitely needed something warm and fuzzy to go home to every day.
Jubjub's one trick--he'll stand up on his back feet so you can pick him up and stretch him after you've been out. Some days, all we have to do is only be gone long enough to pick up the mail and he's waiting for a stretch. We're not sure how he figured out to do this, or what I did to train him to do it, but it's awfully sweet. 
One of my favorite pictures of Jub. This is from the apartment I lived in when I first moved to ABQ. That's a roadrunner on the balcony railing. Jub didn't know what to do with a bird of that size.
We thought we'd be clever and leash-train the cat. He'd go limp every time we put it on him, as if the mere presence of the leash was completely paralizing.
Paul's granddad Owen doesn't quite understand what our cat's name actually is. He's always asking us "How is Jojo doing?" We don't correct him. We simply reply "Jojo's doing good. Real good." Jojo's even better when there are bags and boxes around for him. No bag or box, no matter how big or small, is safe from the girth of Jojo. He loves them all. He gets very offended and will limp away if you have to move him.
Someone (I believe it was my dad) once commented on our pet name choice: Stupid name for a stupid cat. That pretty much sums him up. I can't argue--Jub is cranky and simple. Jub's current BFF is the humidifier in our bedroom. He's always lying beside it, even when it's not on. Jubjub {hearts} The Humidifier.
And I {heart} both of these guys.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Day 2: Paul
I don't have many pictures of Paul as a little guy which is unfortunate because he had fabulous hair as a baby. It was always surprised. My mother-in-law said she'd tried to smooth it down but it was standing up again as soon as she'd stop combing. He still gets fabulous bedhead if he even pretends to lie down.
Instead of a view of Paul through the years, I thought I'd post a few little glimpses of How Paul's Brain Works. I've always said that if Paul ever committed murder, his entire defense would consist of "But it's Paul!" and he would be cleared of all charges. Of course, I've threatened murder if I have to hear one more time "He's so cute!" which he is--and very clever and quick and funny and all that-- but sometimes, just sometimes, I'd really like a normal picture.
My mother-in-law gave us some of Paul's old schoolwork that she'd saved. One of them was a journal he had to keep in 2nd grade. Most entries consist of "Today I'm saking (sic)" or "Today I'm buying." It took me a bit to catch on as to what he was writing. I finally understood when it was explained that they wrote in their journals in the morning. He was writing about lunch. Occasionally, he would expand: "Today I'm buying. There is pizza for lunch." He also bought on hamburger days. He did write for about a week about the new kitten the family had gotten, a little white furball originally named Snowball who slept with Paul on his bed. In later life, Snowball became known as Pirate Kitty thanks to a gnarled ear and scar on her face (Snowball was apparently one tough furball and not one to back down from a fight). There is also a week-long story, complete with pictures, that was about space ships and aliens, probably right after parent-teacher conferences. Then he was back to saking (sic) or buying.
(There is some discussion as to when the following papers were done. His mother thinks they were 2nd or 3rd grade but Paul thinks he was older--4th, 5th or 6th grade. Either way, I think it's very clever and very indicative of how my husband's brain still works.)
Paul declares that Richard Scarry is the greatest author of all time. He definitely was inspired by Scarry. For example: The Picklebird from Outer Space. The shape was on the paper and the students had to do something with it. Paul created Picklebird. Of course. Who wouldn't?
The circles were drawn on the paper and Paul had to create things with them. My personal favorite is the rather formal circle man pushing the baby stroller.
An 11-year-old Paul's Rube Goldberg take on a pie-making machine. He's never helped me make a pie--perhaps if we can figure out how to make this machine. . .
And in my never-ending quest to just take a picture of my husband, I present the following proof that it will probably never happen.
Taking it on the chin on the wharf in Monterey, CA. He couldn't just stand there.
Very unhappy about being back home and back to work:
In Chicago at the photo-op spot in the Hancock Building. (The beam is vertical with the photo illusion of looking down behind it.) I had almost the exact same picture but Paul's the one who gets all the glory (and his was better, I admit). His comment was that the eyes were really good but that he should have curled his leg around the beam more. He never stops improving upon his bad pictures.
In Chama at the train depot. Most people just take pictures of the trains but not Paul. That would be too easy. Paul had to set up this whole picture so that he would look like he was getting sucked into the fan--he was trying to figure out if he could look like he was rotating in the fan. There comes a point when I have to refuse to be party to the madness.
This is Paul's personal favorite because "Look at that mouth! I was really convincing about how bad it hurts to have a dinosaur bite your head!" My family might recognize this as one of the dinosaurs in Clayton. Again, too easy to just stand beside it.
Instead of a view of Paul through the years, I thought I'd post a few little glimpses of How Paul's Brain Works. I've always said that if Paul ever committed murder, his entire defense would consist of "But it's Paul!" and he would be cleared of all charges. Of course, I've threatened murder if I have to hear one more time "He's so cute!" which he is--and very clever and quick and funny and all that-- but sometimes, just sometimes, I'd really like a normal picture.
My mother-in-law gave us some of Paul's old schoolwork that she'd saved. One of them was a journal he had to keep in 2nd grade. Most entries consist of "Today I'm saking (sic)
(There is some discussion as to when the following papers were done. His mother thinks they were 2nd or 3rd grade but Paul thinks he was older--4th, 5th or 6th grade. Either way, I think it's very clever and very indicative of how my husband's brain still works.)
Paul declares that Richard Scarry is the greatest author of all time. He definitely was inspired by Scarry. For example: The Picklebird from Outer Space. The shape was on the paper and the students had to do something with it. Paul created Picklebird. Of course. Who wouldn't?
The circles were drawn on the paper and Paul had to create things with them. My personal favorite is the rather formal circle man pushing the baby stroller.
An 11-year-old Paul's Rube Goldberg take on a pie-making machine. He's never helped me make a pie--perhaps if we can figure out how to make this machine. . .
And in my never-ending quest to just take a picture of my husband, I present the following proof that it will probably never happen.
Taking it on the chin on the wharf in Monterey, CA. He couldn't just stand there.
Very unhappy about being back home and back to work:
In Chicago at the photo-op spot in the Hancock Building. (The beam is vertical with the photo illusion of looking down behind it.) I had almost the exact same picture but Paul's the one who gets all the glory (and his was better, I admit). His comment was that the eyes were really good but that he should have curled his leg around the beam more. He never stops improving upon his bad pictures.
In Chama at the train depot. Most people just take pictures of the trains but not Paul. That would be too easy. Paul had to set up this whole picture so that he would look like he was getting sucked into the fan--he was trying to figure out if he could look like he was rotating in the fan. There comes a point when I have to refuse to be party to the madness.
This is Paul's personal favorite because "Look at that mouth! I was really convincing about how bad it hurts to have a dinosaur bite your head!" My family might recognize this as one of the dinosaurs in Clayton. Again, too easy to just stand beside it.
But all his goofiness does translate well with our nieces and nephews (and all our friends' children). On one visit, he spent much of the time being corralled into singing on the toddler-karaoke machine with a then 2-year-old Sarah. It was some Wiggles song about ducks say quack, cows say moo, etc. Sarah said "ooooooohhhhhhh" into the microphone the entire time. Paul added his own chorus: "Party people in the back! Say quack, quack, quack!"
So, there it is. A wee little glimpse into life with my husband. It's never dull, I'll give him that.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Day 1: Me
I was born on November 8, 1974 at Memorial Hospital in Dumas, Texas--my parents' second child and second daughter, arriving a little over 3 1/2 years after my sister Donna. It was a Friday night when I entered the world--right around 9:45 p.m. My mom jokes that I interrupted her watching of "The Rockford Files"--she had to be wheeled to the delivery room just as the big chase scene started. I enjoyed the rank of "Baby" for 13 short months until my sister Amy came along. No hard feelings though. She was what they call a "pleasant surprise." And in the end, it wasn't too bad having a sister so close in age. It was good to have that partner-in-crime as a teenager.
(Age 1 or so--I think the black dog is my grandparents' dog Belle. Not sure who the other one was but it doesn't look thrilled with the loving pets it's receiving.)
I think I had a fairly unremarkable childhood as far as childhoods go. Except for the one little part about my father dying when I was 2 1/2 years old. He was 30, it was cancer, my sisters were 6 and 18 months, and no I don't remember anything about him. That's really about all there is to say about that. I did go through the grief process when I was about 15--I remember being very angry that I had this thing that made me different and really wished my parents had just divorced like everyone else's parents. It's easier to explain divorce than death. But I was very fortunate that my mom married a man who stepped into the role of Dad for three little girls. I know it definitely wasn't easy for him but, as mom reminded him from time to time when we were teenagers, he knew what he was in for when they got married. And I appreciate him.
(We have lots of pictures throughout the years where my sisters are staring at me like this--I tend to "act out for attention" because I'm a middle child or so I've been told. I think it's more that I can be a wee bit obnoxious. And I love that 7-year-old Donna is wearing a one-piece pantsuit. How 1978 chic.)
(I loved this tunnel. We played with it until it fell apart. I bought Abigail a tunnel in hopes that she would love it as much as we loved this one.)
As a child, I was bookish, a ham at home but not outside, a quiet student, always a little overly-cautious about everything, sensible, very focused on being a good kid and a good student. I played t-ball because it was the thing to do in 1st & 2nd grade definitely not because I was good at it, I was in Girl Scouts, took piano lessons, read lots of books, played outside, climbed trees, invented games with all the other neighborhood children, played with my friends and my Barbies, which I reluctantly put away when every other girl in my class was doing the same thing. Like I said, nothing very exceptional but a very good childhood. It's always interesting to me that while I definitely do remember the fights and yelling and rough times, and there was plenty of that which doesn't need to be rehashed here, I also remember lots of laughter, family and fun. I guess it all evens out eventually.
(Showing off my YMCA swim badge. I don't think I ever progressed very far past the Tadpole level--maybe Guppie but that's about it.)
(I'm in 5th grade here and yes, I cut my own bangs. It started out as a trim the night before the church Christmas pageant and I couldn't get them even. So I kept cutting. This was the end result. But, placing appropriate blame, I did ask Donna to help me but she WOULDN'T GET OFF THE PHONE. So, really, it's all her fault. Or something like that. Mom & Dad were out at a Christmas dinner and were, um, surprised when they came home to this hairdo on their middle child. Oh, and Amy can mock all she wants but she did the same thing--when she was 17. )
We moved to Texline just before I started 8th grade and I was absolutely convinced my parents had completely ruined my life. It turned out that they hadn't. And it probably was a pretty good thing for me in the end. I "blossomed," I "came out of my shell," I started talking and didn't stop. Living in a town of 450 and attending a high school with 50 students meant I got to be involved in everything. It didn't matter that I wasn't the best at any of it--if there was a group to join, I joined it. I played basketball, I played tennis, I ran cross country one year and then decided that it was definitely not the sport for me. I was in the drama club (not just a drama queen), I participated in the academic contests, I was in FHA. I won English Student of the Year four years running, I was voted Most Likely to Succeed, Most Versatile, Most Talented. I continued piano lessons until the end of my junior year of high school and participated in various music competitions and occasionally filled in as the pianist at church. I hated that though--even though everyone was always so complimentary, it just made me a nervous wreck to do it. For my after-school job, I taught piano lessons for a few years. I put lots of miles on my car driving up and down Main Street in Clayton and spent lots of money on Cokes at the Sonic. I flirted, fussed, flounced, cried, laughed, and while I wouldn't want to do it again, I enjoyed being a teenager for the most part.
(Christmas during my 8th grade year (1988). I couldn't put the hat on flat because then it might mush those carefully crafted, AquaNetted-within-an-inch-of-their-life bangs. The band was a black and white houndstooth pattern that matched my dress. I actually still own the hat but not the dress. I think my left leg might fit into the dress.)
(During Spirit Week '93 when I was a senior and Amy was a junior. Peace, love, and beat Hartley.)
Off to college--University of North Texas as a freshman; Texas Tech for the final three years. I've discussed my reasons for not going to Tech initially but mostly it boils down to the drama queen thing. But as all things go, it worked out in the end. I didn't enjoy UNT, mostly because I didn't want to be there not as a reflection on the school, and happily transferred at the end of the spring semester. For as much as I was involved in high school, I wasn't involved in college. I didn't join any clubs, groups, sororities, or anything. I went to my classes, I went to work at my little part-time job, I hung out with Amy and my friends. Looking back, I wish I had done more but can't change the past. Initially, I started college thinking I wanted to go into journalism--I'd worked for the local newspaper in Clayton one summer--but decided after a semester that I didn't think print journalism was what I wanted to do with my life. I transferred to Tech as an English major and when told I needed to declare a major focus, stammered out "Education!" There was some thought put into that statement--my dad had just been out of work for 9 months and I remember thinking that my mom, a teacher, had never been fired. So it was all about job security that I graduated as an English major with a secondary education minor. But it's turned out to be a good choice.
(Labor Day, 1997. With my friend Stephanie, whom I met at UNT--Paul still makes fun because Steph and I didn't really look at the Monet exhibit so much as talk while walking by the paintings.)
I taught for a year in Texas before moving to ABQ to pursue my master's degree in Secondary Education and pursue that wedding ring. I got them both in 1999. We moved into our house during the summer of 2000. I started work on my Library Science endorsement in 2001 and became the school librarian in the fall of 2003. And we've lived happily ever after.
Or something like that.
(At Heron Lake, where Paul's parents have a cabin. And, no, Paul's not standing on a rock. I'm really that short standing next to him.)
(Age 1 or so--I think the black dog is my grandparents' dog Belle. Not sure who the other one was but it doesn't look thrilled with the loving pets it's receiving.)I think I had a fairly unremarkable childhood as far as childhoods go. Except for the one little part about my father dying when I was 2 1/2 years old. He was 30, it was cancer, my sisters were 6 and 18 months, and no I don't remember anything about him. That's really about all there is to say about that. I did go through the grief process when I was about 15--I remember being very angry that I had this thing that made me different and really wished my parents had just divorced like everyone else's parents. It's easier to explain divorce than death. But I was very fortunate that my mom married a man who stepped into the role of Dad for three little girls. I know it definitely wasn't easy for him but, as mom reminded him from time to time when we were teenagers, he knew what he was in for when they got married. And I appreciate him.
(We have lots of pictures throughout the years where my sisters are staring at me like this--I tend to "act out for attention" because I'm a middle child or so I've been told. I think it's more that I can be a wee bit obnoxious. And I love that 7-year-old Donna is wearing a one-piece pantsuit. How 1978 chic.)
(I loved this tunnel. We played with it until it fell apart. I bought Abigail a tunnel in hopes that she would love it as much as we loved this one.)As a child, I was bookish, a ham at home but not outside, a quiet student, always a little overly-cautious about everything, sensible, very focused on being a good kid and a good student. I played t-ball because it was the thing to do in 1st & 2nd grade definitely not because I was good at it, I was in Girl Scouts, took piano lessons, read lots of books, played outside, climbed trees, invented games with all the other neighborhood children, played with my friends and my Barbies, which I reluctantly put away when every other girl in my class was doing the same thing. Like I said, nothing very exceptional but a very good childhood. It's always interesting to me that while I definitely do remember the fights and yelling and rough times, and there was plenty of that which doesn't need to be rehashed here, I also remember lots of laughter, family and fun. I guess it all evens out eventually.
(Showing off my YMCA swim badge. I don't think I ever progressed very far past the Tadpole level--maybe Guppie but that's about it.)
(I'm in 5th grade here and yes, I cut my own bangs. It started out as a trim the night before the church Christmas pageant and I couldn't get them even. So I kept cutting. This was the end result. But, placing appropriate blame, I did ask Donna to help me but she WOULDN'T GET OFF THE PHONE. So, really, it's all her fault. Or something like that. Mom & Dad were out at a Christmas dinner and were, um, surprised when they came home to this hairdo on their middle child. Oh, and Amy can mock all she wants but she did the same thing--when she was 17. )We moved to Texline just before I started 8th grade and I was absolutely convinced my parents had completely ruined my life. It turned out that they hadn't. And it probably was a pretty good thing for me in the end. I "blossomed," I "came out of my shell," I started talking and didn't stop. Living in a town of 450 and attending a high school with 50 students meant I got to be involved in everything. It didn't matter that I wasn't the best at any of it--if there was a group to join, I joined it. I played basketball, I played tennis, I ran cross country one year and then decided that it was definitely not the sport for me. I was in the drama club (not just a drama queen), I participated in the academic contests, I was in FHA. I won English Student of the Year four years running, I was voted Most Likely to Succeed, Most Versatile, Most Talented. I continued piano lessons until the end of my junior year of high school and participated in various music competitions and occasionally filled in as the pianist at church. I hated that though--even though everyone was always so complimentary, it just made me a nervous wreck to do it. For my after-school job, I taught piano lessons for a few years. I put lots of miles on my car driving up and down Main Street in Clayton and spent lots of money on Cokes at the Sonic. I flirted, fussed, flounced, cried, laughed, and while I wouldn't want to do it again, I enjoyed being a teenager for the most part.
(Christmas during my 8th grade year (1988). I couldn't put the hat on flat because then it might mush those carefully crafted, AquaNetted-within-an-inch-of-their-life bangs. The band was a black and white houndstooth pattern that matched my dress. I actually still own the hat but not the dress. I think my left leg might fit into the dress.)
(During Spirit Week '93 when I was a senior and Amy was a junior. Peace, love, and beat Hartley.)Off to college--University of North Texas as a freshman; Texas Tech for the final three years. I've discussed my reasons for not going to Tech initially but mostly it boils down to the drama queen thing. But as all things go, it worked out in the end. I didn't enjoy UNT, mostly because I didn't want to be there not as a reflection on the school, and happily transferred at the end of the spring semester. For as much as I was involved in high school, I wasn't involved in college. I didn't join any clubs, groups, sororities, or anything. I went to my classes, I went to work at my little part-time job, I hung out with Amy and my friends. Looking back, I wish I had done more but can't change the past. Initially, I started college thinking I wanted to go into journalism--I'd worked for the local newspaper in Clayton one summer--but decided after a semester that I didn't think print journalism was what I wanted to do with my life. I transferred to Tech as an English major and when told I needed to declare a major focus, stammered out "Education!" There was some thought put into that statement--my dad had just been out of work for 9 months and I remember thinking that my mom, a teacher, had never been fired. So it was all about job security that I graduated as an English major with a secondary education minor. But it's turned out to be a good choice.
(Labor Day, 1997. With my friend Stephanie, whom I met at UNT--Paul still makes fun because Steph and I didn't really look at the Monet exhibit so much as talk while walking by the paintings.)I taught for a year in Texas before moving to ABQ to pursue my master's degree in Secondary Education and pursue that wedding ring. I got them both in 1999. We moved into our house during the summer of 2000. I started work on my Library Science endorsement in 2001 and became the school librarian in the fall of 2003. And we've lived happily ever after.
Or something like that.
(At Heron Lake, where Paul's parents have a cabin. And, no, Paul's not standing on a rock. I'm really that short standing next to him.)
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