Day 30: Finished

I think having house guests brings out the toddler part of my personality.  This is pretty much the progression of emotions when we have visitors (any visitors).

Day 1:  Who are you people and why are you touching my stuff?  

Day 2:  Hey, that's my stuff! OK.  But that's still my stuff.

Day 3:  Fine.  You can use my stuff.

Day 4 (or whenever visitors leave):  Hey.  Where is everybody?

It was nice to have everyone at the house.  It's always hectic while they're here and a little quiet when they leave.   I'll eventually get the pictures downloaded.  Mostly, I've just been wading through laundry and straightening up the house.  And doing this:
Playing Guitar Hero. I hadn't yet changed from my church clothes before I felt the need to rock. Paul liked that I had put on my striped slippers after taking off my shoes, though. He said it completed the rock star look.

Day 29: Very very late

I really am writing this at 11:30.  It's about the first time I've had a chance to just sit and play on the computer.  We went swimming with the kids again this morning.  I'm definitely going to try to get free guest passes any time they visit, although I don't think it's much to pay for a visitor.  Either way, it would be worth it since both of the kids seemed to have a great time (as did Amy and I).  Mom, Amy, and I were planning on going shopping this afternoon and Abigail asked to tag along.  We told her that it might be boring for little girls but she could come with us.  Abigail did a great job--she got a little antsy at Old Navy to go look at her sized clothes but other than that, she was a good camper.  She was even complimented on her good behavior and fun personality at a little gift shop we stopped in as I was needing to pick up a couple of presents.  While we were at Old Navy, she put on a little blazer and just absolutely didn't want to take it off.  It was about $10 and so Mom bought it for her.  Abigail told me I needed to call her "Professional Abigail" (which sounds more like "Frofressional Abigail" when she was wearing her professional jacket.  She cheerfully explained to the two ladies at the shop that this was her professional jacket when the commented that it looked very nice.

Tomorrow, it's off to the airport for Mom and Dad's very early flight and then to church later in the morning.  Not sure when Amy and her family are leaving yet.  If it's in the morning (which I think they are planning to do), I might start getting out the Christmas decorations.  Or I might just collapse on my couch.

Day 28: The final stretch

We still have a full house of family and one more day to entertain them.  This is the first chance I've had to get on the computer.  There might have been a few others but it never seems like a good time (plus, I'd have to boot someone from the laptop to get to it).  

I'm glad I thought to get the guest passes to the gym as the swimming pool seemed to be a big hit.  I think we're going to head out to do a little shopping tomorrow.  Maybe head to the pool again.  Watch a little college football and whatever random choices for shows my dad decides to watch.  Try not to trip over each other in my living room that I will always wish was a little bigger.  Enjoy the last day together until we're all together again in a few more weeks.

And for absolutely no reason other than it was mentioned a few weeks ago, here is a-ha's Take on Me video in all it's 80's spectacularness.

Day 27: Thankfully tired

It's been a very long day.  A very good day but darn, you have to get up early if you're cooking the turkey.  I'd hoped to have everything ready to go for a 1:00 mealtime and I think we ate about 1:30.  I think that's pretty good since this is the first time I've been responsible for Thanksgiving and only the second time I've good the big holiday meal.

I have so much to be thankful for in my life.  Even when I am complaining, my complaints are so trivial compared to what I could be facing.  I have more than enough to eat every day.  I have a wonderful place to call home.  I have a job that is fairly secure in these insecure times. I have a fabulous husband who has been with me through thick and thin for 13 years.  I am definitely blessed with good health, many friends, a supportive family, and good fortune.

Day 26: One reason to own a MacBook

I brought the MacBook home with me with the thought that if we end up stuck in the house for a while because of the weather, at least we can entertain the children with PhotoBooth.

Even the grown-up children:

I couldn't get Paul to play too much with me--he's tired from his overnight shift at Berkeley.

I'm sure there will be more in the days to come.

Day 25: A pre-Thanksgiving Christmas Q&A

Received via email from my friend Stephanie but as I'm running out of ideas and things to write about in November, I thought I'd share with the whole world.

1 . Wrapping paper or gift bags? both; I've thought of either using fabric or making fabric gift bags.  Perhaps when I get very crafty.  An ex-boyfriend's mom had big fabric bags that she'd made with everyone in the family's name on it and all the presents from them were in the bag.  It wasn't as exciting as opening individual gifts but it was fun to have one big bag of presents.  Of course, her son and I flamed out soon after she made me one although I think that was more of a reflection on the state of our relationship prior to Christmas rather than the lovely bag she made for me.

2 . Real tree or Artificial? a pre-lit artificial one;  real ones involve entirely too much work

3 .When do you put up the tree? typically the weekend following Thanksgiving

4. When do you take your tree ? usually on New Year's Day

5 . Do you like eggnog? no; just give me the liquor straight and don't fuss it up with the nog

6 . Favorite gift received as a child? I remember getting Dolly Pops one year and in high school, I got a Discman that I used for years.  When I see pictures of it now, all I can think is how HUGE it was.

7 . Hardest person to buy for? Paul's parents (I would say his brother and SIL but we've just stopped buying them anything and now send something for their whole family)

8 . Easiest person to buy for? myself  (the cat always gets me some lovely gifts)

9 . Do you have a nativity scene? Yes.  It's the one thing I will always put out even if I don't put up a tree (which I always do even if no one is coming to the house)

10 . Mail or email Christmas cards? mail although this year, I don't know if we'll actually get them sent out

11 . Worst Christmas gift you ever received?  I don't know if it was really the "worst" but it was the oddest definitely--a pair of earrings made from ostrich egg shells with some type of Southwestern design painted on them.  I normally just wear the small diamond studs Paul got me for our first anniversary so to say that these aren't my style is an understatement.

12 . Favorite Christmas movie? Love, Actually for sappy romantic comedy; Elf for comedy

13 . When do you start shopping for Christmas? about September--I like to be almost done by Thanksgiving

14 . Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably but I can't think of a specific.  Anyone in need of some ostrich egg shell earrings?

15 . Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?  Food.  Honestly, I'm not picky.  I love all the fat-laden, high calorie fare that is offered this time of year.  Even if I don't, I'll still eat it.

16 . Lights on tree, colored or clear? Paul likes colored lights; I prefer clear.  Paul doesn't help so we have clear lights.

17 . Favorite Christmas song?  This is hard to narrow down--I like so much of it.  Happy Christmas by John Lennon, Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano, Last Christmas by Wham!, and Do You Hear What I Hear? and if it's the version by Whitney Houston, I think I can sing it just as good as she does which I know I can't but I sure do try.  I believe it could best be termed "gusto"

18 . Travel at Christmas or stay home? I would love to stay home but if we want to see family, we must travel

19 . Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? yes although some of them might be going incognito when I give you the list

20 . Angel on the tree top or a star?  I have this lovely star but it's pretty heavy for the top of the tree so it always looks like it's in danger of toppling over.  I should get a new one but I really like this star and Paul appreciates how hard I work to try to make the blooming thing work every year.

21 . Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Oh, we have a funny story here.  I might have told it before but it's one of those great family stories.  Amy, just stop reading now because you know what's coming and you'll get exasperated.  We still lived in Dumas so it was pre-1988 and my sisters and I were hounding the parents to open a present.  It was probably Christmas Eve or it could have been the 21st.  Who knows.  Anyhow, my parents agreed and Mom rooted around to find three presents--one for each of us to open.  We all opened them at the same time to find--WASHCLOTHS!  Yay!  Just what we always wanted (although we did need them).  Donna and I were laughing about it and Amy was not in any joking mood.  She was a little peeved that our one present got wasted with washcloths.  Every once in a while, someone will still give her some washcloths because if my family is good for anything, it's for taking a joke WAY too far.  As for when we open presents now, because we all travel and are usually between three or four families, we just open them whenever--start the 20th and end sometime after New Year's.

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Trying to see everyone and spend enough time at each house that people are happy; it's never a nice relaxing, sit around the fire drinking the liquor from the eggnog kind of holiday

23 . Favorite ornament theme or color?  I don't really have a theme or a color that I go with in decorating.  Is hodge-podge a theme?  I guess there is some uniformity in that I like rustic/handmade-looking ornaments and decorations (not that I actually hand-make any of them).  My favorite thing is Jub's stocking because our cat has a personalized stocking.

24 . Favorite for Christmas dinner?  Food?  It seems like it's been so long since I've been at a place for an actual Christmas dinner.  I like ham.  When we hosted Christmas in 2005, I also cooked a turkey.

25 . What do you want for Christmas this year?  I have no idea.  A new dining room table?  How boring and grown-up is that.  The $10,000 that has been lost in my 403b?  That would be really nice.   :::sigh::: I'm going to end up with underwear from Santa because I can't think of anything to ask for.  What's really bad is I wouldn't be too sad about it.

26 . Who is most likely to respond to this?  any other NaBloPoMo posters who are also desperate for a topic the last five days of the month

27 . Who is least likely to respond to this? any of the rest of you people

P.S.  Santa NEVER wrapped the presents.  How on earth would he have time with all the millions of gifts he had to deliver?

Day 24: Even more nothing

This is the downside to trying to complete a task such as NaBloPoMo--having to write something every day.

Today was a pretty decent day but just one of the many days that make up life. Paul is in CA at Berkeley doing testing until Wednesday afternoon. I had a pleasant enough day at work, had a yearbook meeting after school, went to the gym, came home, had dinner, and have passed the evening watching television and working on the scarf. I've already had to start a list of things I need to get a the grocery store. I'm probably going to soak in the tub here in just a bit. I've got no inspiration to write about anything in particular.

That's my day. The End

Day 23: A very, very, very fine house

When Paul and I had been married a couple of months, we decided that it would be fun to start looking at model homes. We'd not really talked about it but had an unspoken agreement that our first anniversary was a good goal date to be in a house. The apartment we lived in are just down the street from our house and 8 1/2 years ago, there was tons of construction going on in this area. I think we did everything realtors tell you not to do when looking for a new house--we weren't preapproved, we had no wishlist, we didn't know how much we should spen, we had no idea of what we even wanted. We just thought it would be a fun way to pass a few Sunday afternoons for the next 6-12 months.

We wandered down to a few homes in the area that looked like we could possibly afford them and we could have at the time although it would have left cash a bit tight. We met one realtor who didn't seem to find that idea unappealing and couldn't understand why we did. Needless to say, we didn't use him in our search. After about three weeks, we wandered down the street and into the model for what would become the floorplan for our house. In just a moment, I knew that this could be our house. I don't know if Paul was as convinced but he did like the house. We looked at the other three floorplans and agreed that this one was the best for a variety of reasons, the fact that we could afford it being the big one. We asked Paul's parents to come walk through the house with us--afterwards, we got a note from Paul's dad that I wish I'd kept in which he talked about how he wouldn't offer us much advice since we had to figure this out on our own but he was proud of us taking this step and would support whatever our decision would be.

We broke ground on March 2, 2000, five months after our wedding and closed on the house June 29, 2000. We upgraded a few things in the house but were mostly just overwhelmed with the prospect of being homeowners. We were 25 and 27 and well over our heads when we signed those closing documents. Over the past eight years, we've done two remodels to make the house a little more ours and make better use of the 1600 sq. ft. we've got. We continue to slowly upgrade the contractor grade finishings that were first put in, mostly just because I get a whim and Paul indulges me. It's a good little house--I've always wished the living room were just a smidge bigger--but really, it's big enough for the two of us and a wee one, if/when we add one of those. There are plenty of happy memories in this little house--parties, holidays, birthdays, friends, each other--and I think those happy memories well outweigh any others.

We've often commented how fortunate we were to buy our house when we did. This was one time of being in the right place at the right time. We closed with what was to quickly become a ridiculously high interest rate (30-year, 8.675% and that was changed at the 11th hour from 8.75%) but we bought before the housing boom so the price was still affordable. We refinanced down to 7% about eight months after we moved in and refinanced again about a year after that to an even more significantly lower rate (5% on a 15 year mortgage--I'm probably not supposed to say that in polite company but even six years later, we're pretty impressed with those numbers). We'll definitely be staying put for a few years anyway--I'd hate to have to sell the house right now--and just continue to do little things to make it home. I think Paul has a little dream to actually pay off the mortgage. Give us about 8 more years and we'll have it done.

There's really no reason for my musing on my house tonight except the fact that I just finished cleaning my house and was thinking that maybe I don't dislike a 2-story house. I've always thought I'd like a nice little brick ranch, just like what I grew up in, but there are some definite advantages to more than one floor. One of the specific reasons I liked this house was the ability to have a guest bedroom on the first floor and add a shower to the bathroom. We have two more bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. And because they are upstairs, people rarely wander up to use the bathrooms up there. Guests all stay on the first floor. My bedroom and bathroom could look pretty scrungy and no one is any the wiser. Not that I did--the entire house is now shiny clean--but it is nice to have that ability to be just a little lazier should I ever desire (not that I have in the past 8 1/2 years. I figure if I'm cleaning, I might as well get it all).

My favorite picture of the house from the New Year's Eve 2006 snowstorm. When Paul's grandmother first saw a picture of our house, she commented that it wasn't a real house. We don't know if that was because of the flat roof (very common in this part of NM), the stucco (about all you can buy here), or that it is a townhouse.

Day 22: Organization

As has been mentioned before, I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. I'm doing it all--the turkey, the sides, the desserts, the day before, the day after, and the day after that. In order to make certain to limit the number of extra runs to the grocery store (which is less than a mile from the house but still), I made menus and very complete grocery list.

Yes, there are spots for checks next to the items. Yes, there is a title on the first page.

As I was walking into Trader Joe's this morning, a gentleman walking behind me commented that that was some serious organization. I think he was either really impressed or slightly skeptical about my sanity. Perhaps both. The checker liked that I included a title. To be fair, I was making several To Do lists--Thanksgiving grocery list, Christmas present list, Stuff I Need to Do NOW list. So, I'm not completely insane. And yes, I could have looked at any of the lists and seen which was which but this makes it even easier. I don't even have to scan beyond the top line.

And as you can see, I was able to get everything minus the corn dogs for the kids. I figure there is at least one more grocery run before Thanksgiving and someone can pick them up then. I wouldn't want to be too thorough. Just thorough enough to plan for someone else to do it.

Day 21: Knitting

I'm getting better at it. Paul commented again tonight that I don't curse nearly as much as I did when I first started. I don't make nearly as many mistakes so there's no need to cuss.

I am currently working on my fifth scarf. I should probably venture out beyond scarves but why mess with a good thing. I think I'm going to try for a hat next.

Pictures to come eventually.

Day 20: Bah-Humbug

December is less than two weeks away and I'm just not ready for it. I'm not in the mood for the holidays. I've started a smidgen of shopping--in other years, I'm done by now with things already wrapped. Usually, I've scanned all the catalogs and emails I receive and I've got a whole host of items on my wish list (which is part entertainment and part true wish list). This year, I just can't find the motivation. Perhaps it's the dismal reports on the news every night. Perhaps it's the weather. I dunno. I'm working on it though.

Perhaps we can start with an old stand-by. Maybe that will get me in the mood.

I don't know if these are necessary but they look useful.

Paul claims we don't have any room in our kitchen but I can find room for these.

If the goat doesn't get him, this will definitely drive Paul crazy.

I would like this in the guest room which is my totally girly room in the house. Sorry male houseguests.

I love accessories like this, or this, or even this.

I think this little stool would be a nice replacement for the paint-splatter thing we use now.

For all the weekend jaunts we take. Whenever we actually get to jaunt.

And I love the sparkly look of all of this.

This would be a good read. This would too. This I could use next week.

These would be useful with the above gifts.

This makes me smile.

Practical (and decorative, in a way)

We might be fighting over lounging time (although after the past month, I'll give Paul all the time he wants).

Or heck, why not this. Who needs any backyard?

Speaking of Paul, he'd probably like this, or this, and most likely this.

A few ideas for those in the gift-giving circle. I never think I'm hard to shop for but then again, I know what I like (quirky, off-beat, vintage, shiny, sparkly).

Day 19: Tired but someone else is even more tired

I'm a bit of an insomniac when Paul is out of town or when he is working late. Even when he's at home working or just up late, I always feel the need to "hang" with him. It makes no sense--I have to be to work by 7:45 so he's rolling out of bed about the time I'm leaving.

But here I sit at 11:00, needing to go to bed but writing on the computer with a cat competing for lap space. So, while my tired is self-induced, Paul's is the result of too much work and not enough time. Paul has been at work until 2:00 a.m. the past two days and he had to leave by 7:00 this morning to head up to the base. Hopefully he won't be as late tonight since he's supposed to be at the base and testing by 7:00. He's still not home. Silly boy has fashioned what he's calling a "hobo bed" in a spare office--he took all the foam out of the packing crates they use when they're flying and is stretching out on that on the floor as time permits. He claims it is quite comfy. I like he's delusional from the lack of sleep. He's got one more trip in early December but doesn't have to do much for it. Hopefully things will calm down after that.

That's it. I've got to call it a night.

Day 18: Nothing today

Just had a day at work--nothing good, nothing bad. Just busy enough to stay busy but not so swamped that I couldn't complete a few other little tasks. We'll start Secret Pals tomorrow. I need to remember how we did it last year so that the other lady and I assigning names didn't know who had us. . . .

Paul got home about 2:00 this morning and is going to have another late night tonight. Unfortunately, the cat isn't much of a conversationalist. I think I'll finally watch some of my Netflix movies that have been sitting next to the television since school started. Yeah. They make money off of us.

Day 17: Because really, I kind of like the guy

Paul is having a rough patch at work still. He worked all day Saturday and Sunday, taking a break to have lunch with me and some friends after church. But even then, we just went to the restaurant across the street from his office so he wouldn't have to take too much time away from work. I just hate when he looks as frazzled and sad and frustrated by work. He says it is all worth it--but I have to wonder what it's doing to his health.

This afternoon when we were talking, he said he was just ready for a vacation when he could sit and look at fish. He didn't care if it was at an aquarium, in someone's house, or at the beach--he is just ready for vacation. He commented that he's already finished his part of the project as well as some of the stuff that was supposed to be finished by two others. Unfortunately for Paul this happens more often than it should. One of the coworkers has received a written warning for failing to complete the projects by deadline. My suggestion was to go from the point of the economy--you can't expect to find another job right away, we can't afford to keep you if you don't pull your weight and we won't be able to keep you because we'll lose contracts. No, it might not be the job these people want right now and maybe they should cut ties but it seems to me that for a bit, you just hang tight and do a good job even if you aren't 100% happy. It's what I'm trying to do.

I need to go do dishes. But before, I was looking through the pictures on this computer. Here are a few random ones from vacations or outtings we've taken when Paul has been able to get away that I don't think I've ever shared.

Day 16: Words

In a lack of anything else to write about today, I present a list of words I find interesting, entertaining, or that make me giggle.

aghast

waft

asinine

circumvent

elocution

conundrum

penal

palindrome

gesticulate

crotchety

curmudgeon

pilfer

asylum

percussion

anthropology

forum

obligatory

embedded

innuendo

savory

masquerade

unkempt

easement

sconce

humorous

demarcation

retribution

patina

textile

illicit

Yep. I need to find something more productive to do with my time.

Day 15: Saturday

Today has been pleasantly busy for me, filled with little projects to pass the time. Unfortunately, Paul hasn't been able to join me with any of it. There was some type of issue at work and he had to go in. It's not unusual but I always feel bad when I see how beat down and tired he is. I asked him today if it was still worth it (being "the boss") and he said it still is but it would be nice to just be able to finally have a break. I couldn't agree more.

This morning, Paul left for an early morning haircut and I was left at home to wait for a package he was expecting to help deal with the issue at work. It didn't arrive while I was waiting but because he didn't believe me, Paul checked outside the door just in case. He didn't find his package but he did find a little canister of cookies and a note from our neighbors Ronald and Lee Ann. I'd sent Lee Ann a little card wishing her well at her new job and thankfully she found it as amusing as I did (it was actually a birthday card and although I know her birthday is in March, it was too funny not to send now). When I called her to thank her for the cookies, she let me know that they had heard a little more about the incident at our neighbors' house. Sadly (but thankfully, which isn't the "right" word but it kind of is), our neighbor did commit suicide. I had asked the school police officer about all the police on the scene and she said that most likely, given his position, it was a precautionary thing to have that many people there. Lee Ann has seen our neighbor briefly and she brought down a card for him that she's having all the neighbors to sign if they'd like.

Paul's package arrived just a little later so I was able to get the day started and stop my all-important task of sitting and waiting (not that I had to sit but I did). I didn't have lots to accomplish today, just enough to keep busy. Paul had to head up to work, which is where he still is at this time, almost 12 hours later. I did go up to visit with him for about 45 minutes this afternoon and even managed to do a little problem-solving for him. Not that I actually solved the problem--a chip was fabbed incorrectly and I figured out how it was wrong--but it got them to a starting point on fixing it.

This morning, I headed up to JLA's holiday bazaar. This is the second year of the bazaar--it is a much smaller, much more manageable replacement to the huge bazaar the JLA organized for many years. I had a good time--I went by myself this year (last year I went with my mother-in-law) but there were enough other Leaguers there as well as a friend from church that I wasn't a lonely shopper. I didn't intend to buy anything--just put in a necessary appearance because I am a Board member and need to support such things. Best laid plans. I did make it out of there spending under $100 but of the things I bought, I needed exactly none of it.

From there, I headed to Trader Joe's to get things for the week and start the holiday shopping. I got a few things for Thanksgiving--about a month ago, I bought a pack of baby sweet potatoes and yams. The evening I made them for dinner, Paul and I were talking about something and he wasn't paying much attention to what he was eating when suddenly he stopped and asked if there were more of the potatoes because they were good. So, we'll be having that with Thanksgiving dinner and I decided on a pumpkin pie as a second dessert. At least, I bought pumpkin to make a pie. If it is decided to have something else, then we can do that too. I'm very flexible in the area of dessert.

The evening has been pretty quiet. I haven't heard from Paul since I got home from his office--hopefully that is a sign that things are going well. Often he calls because he needs a break from the frustration of things not working. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is a good sign. He's going back up to work tomorrow. Nevermind. Just as I was typing this, Paul called to tell me that it's going pretty much as bad as can be expected. I don't know what the means for him or for this project but I'm sure it's more troubles. I'm so bummed now. I just wish for his sake that things would go right for a while and then for a while longer and that everyone would behave. I'd like to have my husband back for a bit.

In the meantime, made banana bread this evening. I also finally mounted and hung the St. Brigid's Cross I bought in Ireland. It is made from rushes from River Shannon. Paul says that it is probably just a line they used to get tourists to buy the things and it's really made from weeds from someone's backyard. Could be but at least they're Irish weeds. It is said to hang the cross in the rafters to protect the house from evil and want. I hope by the front door works just as well.

Day 14: Menus

Since we're hosting my parents and possibly/probably* Paul's parents for Thanksgiving (and maybe another 1-5 people**), I've been going just a wee bit overboard looking at ideas and possiblities for recipes and decorating. It's not that I'll do all the decorating I'm looking at--my cat eats fresh flowers and my husband rolls his eyes (although I think there is some place deep down that actually *likes* all the extra fluff and stuff). Plus, I always decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving and honestly I'm a little too lazy to do both. Maybe I'll get a nice centerpiece and hide it from the Jubinator until lunch on Thursday.

My parents will be in town from Tuesday evening until early Sunday morning so I've got to plan food. Even if it is just sandwiches for lunch, I have to make certain we have bread which we currently don't have. Here's what I'm thinking about having on hand. Of course, this could change once I actually get to the grocery store.

Wednesday
Breakfast/lunch: on your own (unfortunately, I have to work on Wednesday. My student aides did invite my parents to come up to school so they could talk to them. What good kids.)

Dinner: Chicken fajitas, beans, rice, chips, salsa, guacamole

Thursday
Breakfast: pancakes & bacon

Lunch: roasted turkey and gravy, cornbread dressing, Paul's favorite green beans, mashed potoatoes and/or sweet potatoes, fruit salad, rolls, cranberry relish, maybe another vegetable

Dessert: Oregon apple pie (recipe follows), something else but not sure what. Any suggestions?

Dinner: leftovers if you're still hungry

Friday
Breakfast: oh, maybe I'll make biscuits and sausage gravy. Paul would love me forever.

Lunch: sandwiches, chips/leftovers

Dinner: probably eat out--Garduno's or Sadies or Dion's

Saturday
Breakfast: cereal, toast, oatmeal, frozen waffles--whatever you can find

Lunch: Are will still eating? Is it even necessary?

Dinner: I believe we'll all just stand and stare into the refrigerator.

Sunday
Mom and Dad leave before dawn so I'll probably just stop at Starbucks on the way home for caffeine

*Paul's parents are currently in Ohio helping my father-in-law's sister and brother-in-law who've both had health issues. Uncle Tom fell recently and broke his leg and had a serious blow to the head also. He's still very disoriented and cranky. Aunt Virginia had back surgery and there were some complications. My in-laws have now been there about three weeks, which is about 2.5 weeks longer than planned. We're not sure they'll be home in another two weeks for Thanksgiving or if they'll stay up in that area and visit other family in the area or swing by Alan & Julie's or stop in Kansas to see Owen.

**My friend Devlyn might be a stray during the holiday so I've already told her that she would be coming to the house no matter who else was here. We'll find room for her even if someone has to eat standing up (not really, we've got chairs. Maybe not table room but chairs.) Amy and her family might also come but they might also head to Texline. I can see both sides of that argument and both are valid. For selfish reasons, we'd love to have them here but I'll understand if they opt not to come.

And the recipe for Thanksgiving dessert. I found this ages ago--I was probably in high school the first time I made it and it is still one of my favorites.

Oregon Apple Pie

Ingredients:
4 lg Apples
2 tb Granulated Sugar
2 ts Cinnamon, Ground

-----TOPPING-----
6 oz Butter, Melted
1 c Brown Sugar
1 c Pecans, Chopped
1 c All-Purpose Flour
2 Eggs, Beaten
Powdered Sugar

Directions:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Peel and slice the apples. Arrange the apple slices in an even layer in a lightly greased pie plate. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Prepare the topping by combining cooled melted butter, brown sugar, chopped nuts and flour in a bowl. Add the eggs and blend thoroughly. Spread the topping evenly over the apples. Bake until the apples are soft and the topping is lightly browned (about 35 minutes). Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Great with ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Day 13: A Bad Night

I think the stress of yesterday and the weekend caught up with me at about 2:00 this morning. That's when I woke up having an anxiety attack--heart-racing, short of breath. I laid in bed doing yoga breath for about 45 minutes when my stomach decided to act up. Nothing like an anxiety attack and a wonky stomach to make for a good night. Thankfully, during all my up and down, I was able to not wake Paul up until I got up about 5:15 to put in a sub request. I probably could have gone to work today but less than three hours of sleep wouldn't have made for a good day.

The neighborhood is back to normal this morning, aside from the neighbor's car still in our driveway. The pickup driven by the man at the house in question last night isn't there this morning. As Paul and I were saying, we don't know anything new and we only know one thing for certain. There was nothing on the news this morning and I haven't yet seen a paper to see if anything was in there. Surely if the paper can report on two students at my school imbibing a bit (really, it did as if this is a totally unusual situation at any secondary school in APS), it will have a blurb on this.

Day 12: Heartsick

I got home about 6:20 from a hair appointment to see a police car sitting in front of the house across the street from me. I know it had just arrived since I'd seen it go up Academy just a bit ahead of me. Mrs. Kravitz that I am, I wandered out to the mailbox (which I actually would have done anyway) to see if the cop happened out of his car so I could talk to him or if something else happened. My initial worry was that something had happened to the neighbor across the street because she lives alone. Shortly after I got back inside, I called Paul to tell him that there were now five police cars sitting on the street and two ambulances had just arrived, all without lights and sirens. They were going into the garage of the house three doors down. I waited out in the driveway for a bit to see if a police officer came out so I could ask if everything was OK. Another neighbor, the next-door neighbor to where all the happenings were going on, saw me and stopped to asked if I knew anything.

No one came out during the time I was outside so I went back inside to call Paul to tell him what was happening in the neighborhood. When I went back out (yes, I'm nosy but this just didn't seem to bode well since no police were milling about outside), I saw Ronald and Lee Ann getting home so I walked down to chat. She has just started a new job so even if there weren't all the extra excitement, I would have wanted to talk with her. I saw him as I was heading to their house at the other end of my block. He stopped one of the police officers on his way to the mailbox and was able to ask what was happening. He was told that it was a crime scene but the neighborhood was secure.

A random mix of neighbors wandered out to stand in Ronald and Lee Ann's driveway for a good hour, speculating what had happened, retelling what we knew, talking about the few times we did share with them. Both ambulances left empty, which we agreed was a bad thing. A few more police cars came including a sergeant and a crime scene van. We saw the police looking into the man of the house's vehicle. We saw a police officer go to another neighbor's house--the one that I'd spoken with just a bit ago--to talk with the husband there. We all agreed that this didn't bode well for what was happening. After a bit, another neighbor, who'd been out with us earlier, came out to tell us that the neighbor who had been visited by the police had called them to let them know what was going on. The police had asked if they had heard anything--any arguing, anything suspicious--and confirmed that she (the woman in the house) was deceased.

We were all completely gobsmacked. Things like this don't happen in our neighborhood. We'd all speculated the worst but to have it actually confirmed--even third-hand--wasn't what we'd expected. Definitely not what we'd been hoping or praying to hear about. Paul arrived a little later and wandered down to the driveway where we'd convened so we caught him up on the news. Some other neighbors came out and we let them know what was going on, careful not to spread gossip, just telling what we'd been told. I guess it could be considered gossip since none of us actually know firsthand but there was a little we knew for certain. One neighbor, who we just met tonight, was a bit more for the sensationalism and pointed out when there was crying coming from the house. There was but we don't know from whom or why. About that time, Paul suggested, and I agreed, that it was time to head home. We knew enough and the rest was going into gossip.

As we got to our house, we saw a neighbor trying to get home. His driveway was blocked by a police car so we motioned for him to park in our driveway for as long as needed. About that same time, our next-door neighbor arrived so we caught them both up on what we knew, again trying not to spread gossip but simply the facts. Stuff like this isn't a frequent accurance so it is unnerving to arrive home to seven police cars lining your street.

None of us know these neighbors particularly well. They moved in a bit before we did eight years ago. Paul and I have spoken with them a few times, she came to the first open house party we had for neighbors a few months after we moved in, but mostly we just waved to them when we would see them from time to time. They are probably in their early 40's. We know he was an FBI agent and she worked for the police department. I know they had parrots. That's it.

We still haven't heard anything about him.

I went outside again about 30 minutes ago. It seems like our neighborhood--quiet and calm. Dark. Sleepy. Except it's not. The police cars were still outside, the garage door still open, police officers still coming and going.

My heart is absolutely broken. I don't know what to think. I'm saddened, I'm perplexed. I've drank a couple of beers tonight, unusual for me on a school night, because I just needed something. Another neighbor had offered a glass of wine when we were outside because she felt the same way. We'll watch the news tonight and read the paper tomorrow, trying to find out something else. Some little something to let us know about what was happening behind the door. It definitely shows that you just never know.

Day 11: Late

I was in Amarillo this weekend and left this morning to head back home. Since we won't be able to go to Texas for Thanksgiving, this was my trip back for that. I was able to visit with both sets of grandparents while I was there. Gran made a cake for my birthday and invited Amy and her family over to watch the Tech football game. Thankfully, the game wasn't as thrilling as the prior week's game but the end result was the same. Tech plays OU in two weeks--hopefully that one will come out with another W but it will be a toughy.

Sunday evening, I went over to my uncle's house to visit my paternal grandparents and help them out with doctors' appointments and other things. They are as good as can be expected--Granddad is frail and weak, a result of his chemo treatments and age all catching up with him and Grandmother is stressed because of Granddad's failing health. I played chauffeur for them on Monday, heading to the audiologist to get Granddad's hearing aids checked, stopping by the bank and the grocery store, and helping Grandmother fill up the car. This is a recently acquired skill for her and as she told me, it wouldn't be so hard if the pumps were all the same. I agree. We were at the grocery store near my uncle's house and the nice gentleman who was the attendant came out to see if we needed help (it was taking a while because I was helping Grandmother through the steps and I couldn't figure out the gascap on the car--it doesn't untwist, just one twist and it pops off). I suggested she just frequent that gas station any time she needed help and one of us weren't around to do it. If she can master one pump, it will be a big step and I think that nice man would fill the car for her.

That afternoon, I took them over to the urologist for Granddad's last chemo treatment for the bladder cancer. It really took it's toll on him and it was a rough night for both of them--Granddad because he didn't feel well and Grandmother because she was up with him and worried. I wish I hadn't had to leave as early as I did but I needed to get back to do a few things in town before the JLA meeting this evening. When I spoke with Grandmother this afternoon, Granddad was doing better--at least the worst had passed and he hadn't gotten a chill as a result of the chemo--and had gotten up. Hopefully, the follow-up appointment will go well and he can put this behind him for a while.

And now it's late and I'm shivering and cold. I need to head up the stairs to the warm bed to snuggle with the warm cat (warm husband won't come to bed for another hour or two).

Day 10: Personal Day

Because we don't have school on Tuesday in honor of Veterans' Day, I opted to take a personal day today and spend a long weekend in Amarillo. (As an aside, I love how people in my family say the word veterans--it's more like "vetrins." My grandfathers are all vetrins of WWII. It's one of the words I have to think about to pronounce correctly. Along with nuclear because, yeah, if I'm not thinking, I say it like the President does.) Anywho, given what happened the last time I requested a personal day, the day I handed in that leave slip, I offered an explanation for it, even though legally, it's not required and honestly, I shouldn't have. I just didn't want a repeat of September's interregation.

My paternal grandfather isn't doing so well. I spoke to him on the phone on Wednesday and upon hanging up, called my sister Amy to cry. He's easily confused and tired and kept asking me where I was (not in a sad, pleading way; more in the "I don't think I've asked you this" confused way). I know that I am beyond blessed to have such longevity in my family--my first grandparent died when I was 33 and it was a step-grandparent at that. Truth be told, it's a mixture of longevity and short generation spans. But whichever it is, I've definitely enjoyed knowing my grandparents as an adult. But along with that blessing of age is the curse of seeing them be old. It's tough. It gives truth to the cliched saying that getting old isn't for the weak. But I'll be happy to keep them around as long as I can.

Day 9: Sunday

I like that the rhythm of Sundays during the fall is almost always the same, no matter where I am. Wake up a little later than one does during the week, church, lunch, watch football, take naps on the couch. If I'm at home, and all while I was growing up, Sunday is typically laundry day and grocery shopping is done if I didn't complete that task on Saturday. Complete the normal mundane little things to get ready for the upcoming week. There is definitely a comfort to this routine even if it leaves me with nothing to say at the end of the day aside from "It was a good day today."

Day 8: 34

more animals


Pretty much sums up how about this aging thing. When the heck did I become 34? That's like mid-30's which is like almost 40 which is like really old. I remember my mom being 34 and she was old then. Of course, I was 8 so my vantage point might have been slightly skewed by the fact that my own age was not yet in double digits. Yikes. How long ago those days now seem. . .

The best birthday present today will be a Texas Tech win against Oklahoma State but I will not refuse diamonds, a new car, cashmere, or anything else my adoring family and friends would like to thrust upon me. Simple well wishes are also much appreciated.

Day 7: Thinking

I read an interesting article on Slate entitled Does Religion Make You Nice? I suggest you follow the link and read the article for yourself as it makes some interesting points. Essentially, the end findings are that it is really the feeling that you belong to a community that makes one happy. The last paragraph had a little tweak to it that got me to thinking.

I've always kept my faith and beliefs pretty low-key, on here and in real life. It's not because I'm not proud of being a Christian and I'm willing to stand up for what I believe in. I think it perhaps is more that I worry I will be viewed as preachy and judgmental and exclusive and generally not very nice, kind of what that last paragraph eludes to. I also tend to take a bit more of a live and let live approach to being a Christian because of those people I've personally met who are preachy and judgmental and exclusive and not very nice and LOUDLY Christian. They make *me* cringe so I can only imagine what others think. It reminds me of the Gandhi quote, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." I think if I turn one person off to Christianity, I've done more harm than the good I might do if I get a whole host of people to join the church. It's probably not the best method for being a witness and there are probably those who are reading this and cringing that I admitted that but I hope people do know that I am a Christian by my words and actions. And while I try for that, I know I often fall short. I've groused too much about people in my life and I know this place often becomes more about venting than anything else. I gossip more than I should. I curse too much. I don't always eat right and exercise. Because in the end, I'm a very, very fallible human. But I keep working at being better and correcting those bad habits of mine despite all the stumbles and roadblocks along the way.

I do write things that I never post because I don't want to open the situation up to discussion and because I know it doesn't present either the people, the situation, or the topic in a good light. Oftentimes, it is when I'm at my most frustrated and most vulnerable (and probably exhibiting my least Christian behavior). I do try to keep this a true representation of who I am and I do post some of those things along with the mindless blathering. I hope I've been successful in achieving a balance--that if you didn't know me beforehand but only through this place and then met me, you'd just say, "Yep, that's the Carrie I've read." I keep comments open on all posts because I know I need a good shake some days and to be told to get over myself. Thankfully most people are gracious and thoughtful when telling me what an idiot I'm being.

I do agree with the idea that being part of a community makes you nicer. I started this little blog three years ago. I actually had another one for about two days before I started this one but I didn't like the name so I deleted it and the Blue-eyed Bookworm was born. There was no real reason for starting this place other than to have a place to dither on about rather pointless things, muse about current events, and share a little glimpse of what was happening in my world. I had friends who had blogs and read some more well-known ones. I never wanted to achieve great fame or wealth with this place. I never promised it would be interesting, just as my life gets pretty routine and boring. It was just a chance to reach out to my personal community of friends and family, few of whom live here in ABQ. I've tried to remain relatively private on things. I use first names and places (rarely changed to protect the innocent) but I've tried to never mention our last name or other easy identifiers such as the name of my school. I guess if someone really wanted to screw with me, they could based on information I've written but hopefully, they won't. I try not to write too much about work or the students because I would hate to have this come back to bite me. Yes, there is the occasional post about it but usually if I write something, it isn't posted.

I told Paul and my mom and sisters almost immediately about this spot. I wouldn't have done so had the entire thing been private and unavailable to the world at large, like my journals I wrote in years ago. However, since it was available to anyone, I let them know so it couldn't ever come back to haunt me. Paul knows about the place and much of what I write but rarely, if ever, stops by to read it. My mom and sisters are probably my most regular readers. Over the course of time, I let other friends and family know about this place so that they could keep up with the doings of Paul and Carrie. A couple of other friends found this place via my Facebook page. Because it is out there, I've made some other friends who've stopped by and stuck around. Some I "know" better than others as they leave comments for me and I read their own blogs; some I only know about because I see the IP addresses come up regularly on the Sitemeter. But my little community has grown as has the list of blogs I read as more family members and friends have started their own little places. That makes me happy which, I think, makes for a much nicer me.

Day 6: Eh.

I have another much longer post I've written but I'm not sure it's what I want to post today. It might not be what I want to post tomorrow. It might be one of those things that never gets posted. That does happen from time to time, you know.

I like to think that last year, there was a little bit of organization to my NaBloPoMo postings in November. Probably not but a girl can dream. This year, it's more of a challenge because I'm not fully vested in the month of posting--it's just the determination to get it done that means I'm going to do it. I know I've not put nearly as much thought into it as I did last year when I had topics planned out and posts written in advance. Honestly, this year, it was as if I thought," Oh, yeah. Write for 30 days in a row." on Nov. 1 when we were in Seattle and it seemed like the thing to do. Perhaps it was the weather that got to me. I don't know. But I have a feeling there is going to be more "Yep, nothing to write about today" posts this year along with what I had for lunch (bowl of minestrone soup, crackers, cheese) and maybe a few recipes thrown in. If the weather continues as it is today, there will also be more complaints about how cold I am. Just for the record, I am cold. I dislike winter and weather below 65. Also anything above about 85. I need to move someplace where the temperatures stays between those two with mostly sunny days and the occasional rainy day thrown in to keep it interesting. If little birds and mice could also help me get dressed every morning, it would be greatly appreciated. Actually, if the birds and mice wouldn't mind cleaning up after the cat who has decided he likes to throw up between 4:00 and 5:30 a.m. two to three days a week then I could get dressed without having to worry about where the hairball is and if I'm going to step in it, as I did yesterday, that would be even better.

In the meantime, here is a picture Donna sent me of the Babe's Fried Chicken sign while I was standing right beside her and we were trying to figure out why I wasn't receiving texts from Paul. Because this picture was going to solve that question.
I never did get the texts from Paul and the picture finally arrived about 10 hours after it was sent. Maybe my New Mexico phone wasn't compatible with Texas cell phone signals.

Day 5: The Day After

I like what one of my friends said on her Facebook status this morning--- (she) hopes the people who expect everyone to be happy this morning remember how the left has behaved for the past 8 years before they get indignant.

I have to agree. But I have to add that I hope those on the right will rise above the behavior of the past 8 years and while they may not embrace the man or his positions, they will respect that Obama has the best intentions at heart. (Yeah, I thought the same of Bush. I still think he was surrounded by a bunch of idiotic yes-men who went along with his extremely idiotic schemes. Maybe I am too much of a Pollyanna.) I'm so thankful the election has ended and I hope that the country will look forward and that we can be done with with the sniping, the anger, the nonsense.

Paul and I both voted for a 3rd party candidate--a little protest of two on the way this election season has gone. I know that some will say we essentially voted for Obama with that vote but I don't see it that way. I see it as having a chance to say that I didn't like either candidate and I don't like what is going on with the two major parties. And the great thing about this country is that I can do just that. So much time and money has, in my opinion, been wasted. Was anything accomplished in the past 21 months that couldn't have been accomplished in six months? Was all the money spent really necessary in this day of viral video and instant communication? Did it change anything? What good could it have been used to accomplish? If anything, the past two years have served to make this particular voter become disillusioned, cynical, and slightly apathetic with the entire process. I'm tired of how major partisanship has become. I'm tired of being considered part of the Evil Empire because I have more conservative leanings with some liberal ideas thrown in just to tweak my family (I've heard too many times how the "good guys" won). I'm tired of having my intelligence questioned because I didn't identify with either of the major parties (apparently, Independents are ignorant. I'd argue differently.). I like who McCain used to be--back when he was considered too liberal for the Republicans to nominate in 2000. I'm worried about all the rah-rah surrounding Obama--I don't believe many of his campaign promises will work out for the best for me and my small-business owner husband but I'm willing to give him a chance. I understand the historical implications of this race and I'm proud that I was able to be a part of it. Someday I'll be able to tell our children that yes, I remember this day and how interesting and amazing the time was. And then I'll explain the idea of the third party to the poor sap who has Paul and me for parents.

As for the president-elect, all I can do is what I would do no matter what last night's outcome had been. That is pray. I fervently believe in the power of prayer. I don't agree with the email I received that said we needed to pray for the "right man" to be elected (i.e. McCain). I think at that at that point, we would be asking for God's will to be changed. Instead, I will pray for this country and its return to greatness. I will pray that President Obama will surround himself with wise counsel and make decisions that strengthen the country. I pray that party lines will give way to a UNITED America. I pray that as a country, we continue to work toward the more perfect union outlined by our forefathers. And I hope that others will join me in that prayer (and I respect that not everyone is the praying type and if you don't pray, send out positive energy and good kharma and white light and whatever else works for you).

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Day 4: Nothing

I'm at a loss for anything clever to write about today. Because of the election, we don't have school today. This day off occurs every two years for presidential and gubernatorial races. Since we voted a week ago, today is a day off for me. I cleaned the carpets and the house. I've irritated the cat because I'm at the house. I have a JLA meeting tonight. That's pretty much it.

Day 3: Seattle

Paul and I had a lovely weekend in Seattle, enjoying each other's company along with mostly nice weather. We didn't have many plans aside from watching the Tech game on Saturday evening. Because I'm more than a little nerdy, I always bring along all the clippings and print-outs of things to do in the city we're visiting, just to give us ideas of things to do and places to visit. This go-around, I brought with me an article about Seattle on the cheap with an assortment of ideas of things to do that didn't cost much money which was right up our alley.

Flying into Seattle, I was on the wrong side of the plane to see Mt. Rainier. The plane was pretty empty--50 passengers or so--and for some reason, a gentleman sat down in the row with me in Albuquerque and didn't change seats. I should have during the layover in Salt Lake City but didn't think to do so until too late.
Friday evening was pretty low-key. Dinner and a trip to a game store Paul had found earlier in the week. He bought two more card games although we didn't have chance to play either over the weekend.

Saturday, we played tourist, heading out to Pike Place Market to wander a bit and see the sights there and then down to the waterfront for a bite to eat.
The iconic sign at Pike Place Market.
We did stop at the original Starbucks. Neither of us drink coffee but I could subsist on chai tea lattes when it is cold. We also ran into a Texas fan and engaged in some good-natured ribbing on our part; he was a bit aggressive about how bad Tech was going to lose. Ha!
The sign was very excited to announce the availability of pluots.
With the waterfront behind us. It was overcast almost the entire time so we never did see Mt. Rainier aside from one little glimpse on Saturday afternoon.
The back of the market as seen from the waterfront street.
Lots of stairs going from the waterfront back up to Pike Place.

After leaving Pike Place, we headed to Ballard to see the locks between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. There is botanical gardens and a visitor center on the grounds as well. Because it was raining and we only had one umbrella (mine was nice and dry back in my car in ABQ), we didn't spend too much time wandering around the gardens.

Some of the many lovely hydrangeas on the grounds.
Information about the locks and the fish ladder.
I have no idea what direction I'm looking or what that drawbridge down the way is but I thought it made for a nice picture.

Looking over the small lock to the spillway and the fish ladder.

Sailboats waiting in the small lock.

Going down from one body of water to the other.
Paul on the walkway between the small lock and the spillway. We walked over to the fish ladder but it is the wrong season to see any salmon.

After leaving the locks, we stopped in at Archie McPhee because who doesn't need a yodeling pickle in their Christmas stocking? (Don't worry, family. No one is getting one.) There was also a lovely quilt shop that we stopped in to pick up a few things for my mother-in-law's stocking. By this time, it was getting close to time to head back to the hotel so we could watch the football game. And what a game indeed. I'm guessing there isn't a Texas Tech fan around who isn't still smiling.

Sunday morning, we lazed around the room after breakfast, enjoying a brief break in the clouds to enjoy a walk along a river trail next to the hotel. I think this was the only 30 minutes of sun all day. Paul was so excited for me to see the leaves changing when I arrived on Friday (it was after dark but he kept pointing out trees and telling me the color it would be in daylight).




After the walk, we had too much time before we needed to leave for the airport but not enough time to really do anything. So, using the Garmin, we headed to points of interest. Little did we know that Jimi Hendrix's burial site was a mere 5.6 miles or so from the hotel.

But there it is. The rest of the cemetery is very low-key and it was definitely easy to spot this monument.

It started pouring rain shortly after we left this spot but we drove to two more places including the National Hydroplane and Raceboat Muesum. Never knew there was such a thing (it was closed so we didn't actually stop). After this little tour, it was off to the airport and back to the not-even-close-to-green green grass of home.

Day 2: 90 seconds

In any other year, we'd be happy with a win over Texas because it was a win over Texas. Those don't happen often. But a win over #1 Texas? It doesn't even compare.

Tech nearly, nearly gave the game away again. But thankfully, the boys held it together and didn't give it up. And 90 seconds was all that was needed in what we have termed the BEST GAME EVER!

Our team won.

Day 1: Round 2

So, we're in Seattle and so far, it's been cold and damp. Similar to what it was last time we were here but colder and damper. We're off to Pike Place Market and some other tourist trap places in just a bit. Last night, we went to a place called Dick's Drive-in for hamburgers. There was a wide variety of characters out last night for Halloween. It was funny and a little frightening at the same time (not that any of the people were scary but some of the costumes ran a risk of showing us more than we desired to see).

Texas Tech plays Texas tonight. We don't care that we are going to be in Seattle--Paul already said we would get food and sit in the hotel room watching the game and we've already plotted where to get our take-out. We could just watch all the ESPN College Gameday there as well since they are broadcasting from the Engineering Key on Tech campus. I wish we could be in Lubbock this weekend! I'm sure the air is absolutely electric. Even if we weren't at the game, it would be crazy to watch it in town with all the other Tech fans having fun alongside you (hopefully having fun; this does have the potential to be disastrous). I love that my school is doing so well this year, even if it is a fluke thing. The story about the kicker just adds to the excitement. I also love this commentary from the Pitt newspaper--our coach is crazy enough to do a "guess the number" game with extra credit given for pirate gear.

And if the above reading doesn't suit your fancy, here is a funny article Paul send to me.