One day down....

So first day of orientation wasn't too bad. How can it be bad when the presenter while discussing dress code makes reference to "ho stamps" and then clarifies that it's the tattoo on the lower back! :) (I think I like the other moniker of "tramp stamp" better.)

I wonder what new thing I'll learn tomorrow...

First Day of "School"

Tomorrow is the first day of a week long orientation for my grad school program and I definitely feel like I'm back in elementary school. I just picked out my outfit and have it all set out, including shoes (mainly because there is a slim chance I might go workout before hand, but my step class is canceled for the week and I don't think I'll be motivated enough to go just "run" on an elliptical at 6:30 in the morning). I also have my school bag packed. I panicked when I thought I didn't have an appropriate bag! I have a backpack- but we have to be in professional dress tomorrow - and a little blue and gray Jansen backpack just doesn't scream professional (neither does the corduroy messenger bag I found in the closet, but it's closer). Sigh... unlike the night before the first day of school back in elementary school, I will be able to sleep tonight!! (I was the kid who was so excited about school starting that I couldn't sleep in anticipation. I'm not quite that excited.)

Here's to the start of a crazy year....
(yippee??!!)

I made a big decision a little while ago.

I made a big decision a little while ago.
I don't remember what is was, which prob'ly goes to show
That many times a simple choice can prove to be essential
Even though it often might appear inconsequential.

I must have been distracted when I left my home because
Left of right I'm sure I went. (I wonder which it was!)
Anyways, I never veered: I walked in that direction
Utterly absorbed, it seems, in quiet introspection.

For no reason I can think of, I've wandered far astray.
And that is how I got to where I find myself today.

-- Bill Watterson, from The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes

My kind of president....

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

For whatever reason, this just made me laugh. A lot. And I'm hoping that you'll laugh too!

PS. I will most likely NOT be voting for Ms. Hilton for president.

Overheard

Overheard while walking behind a tour guide at OU:

"OU is part of the MAC conference. We even have a football game scheduled against OSU this fall. It's the second game of the season. It should be a really good game."

umm... I heart my Bobcats, but it will not be a really good game.... sigh.

Flash Dance

A couple of weeks ago, a local video store was having a going out of business sale - with DVDs for only $5. Andrew and I might have loaded up on "new" movies. One of them was "Flash Dance." I hadn't seen it before - but was pretty convinced I would like it. It seems like everyone likes it - and I typically enjoy movies that have dancing in it. (Actually, I think I like all the movies I have seen with dancing in it - except for one now.) I figured it was a good buy.

Um, that might have been a wrong assumption. We got around to watching it for the first time last night. AND just for the record, Andrew suggested it! He thought I would really like it and he's seen a documentary on it twice and was interested in watching it for the historical value.

Why is that movie so popular?!?! I don't get it. I can understand perhaps that it was the naked women dancing that boosted up ticket sales - but really?! (I'm sure many of you are shaking your heads right now - thinking to yourselves, "Really? How did you NOT know what you were getting yourself into?") Perhaps I should have taken the "R" rating a bit more seriously - I tend not to enjoy "R" movies -- usually b/c there is lots of gore and violence, or strippers!

sigh... back to "Enchanted" for me!! ("... for lips are the only things that touch...")

Oh Mr. Sun....

The longest day of the year has past and we are in a downward spiral to the shortest day of the year. Sigh. I've been reminded "lovingly" by my husband that summer is not over --- but the days are getting shorter! It's pretty dark by 9 AND it's not as bright early in the morning. (I know, I know! That's what "shorter days" mean -- but it's still just depressing!)

I love sunlight and long days. In an effort to appease me, Andrew suggested that we move somewhere between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The sounded pretty good to me! But then he reminded me that there aren't any stable economic systems or governments to be found there -- so back to southeast Ohio.

I saw cars this morning with their headlights on. It was 6:25 AM. I decided that I am protesting the shorter days by not using my headlights! It's not necessary (yet). When it becomes a matter of safety, I will use them.

Sigh -- well, I guess now all there is to look forward to is Dec. 22 -- the shortest day of the year -- because from that day on, the days will get longer!!! :)

Victory!

Tada! I after months of battling with the shower drain - I can finally shower without standing water!!!

What is my trick you ask?! How can you too shower without a clogged drain?! Well - you have come to the right person!

You have some options - with success in varying degrees:

• the plunger - works well to "get things moving" on down the pipes
• chemicals (i.e. "Liquid Max Plumber Gel)
• equal parts salt and baking soda with hot/boiling water poured over
• screwdriver

In this last battle, it was the screwdriver that was must helpful. It helped me pry out 4 razor covers that had gotten down the first half of the drain - but not all the way (whoops!) and quite a large handful of hair (it's a wonder that I'm not bald!)

Happy Showering!

"Time for Wendy's!"

Having a lunch hour close to up-town has caused me to think often about open lunch during high school. When I don't pack my lunch (which has been more often because of lack of trips to the grocery!), I think about what I want to eat for lunch that day - often hours before the noon hour. Some days, I end up at Baker on the off chance that I might see Andrew there - or that it's tomato tortellini soup day! (It used to always be Thursday - now I can't figure out what day they serve it on.) But usually, I go to Wendy's.

Oh Wendy's. : ) And the 99 cent value menu. And Dave. And the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger. sigh.

In high school, I was given $10 a week for 5 days of lunches. Once I was FINALLY given permission by my dad, I joined my friends for open lunch - where we could leave school and eat lunch elsewhere. We would meet in the back parking lot because most of us had the special reserved spot parking (it was based on grades and we were all pretty nerdy) and try to decided where we were eating that day. There were usually 2 cars worth of people (although, sometimes some people rode in the trunk), unless I had the "spaceship" van and we could all fit in there! So we had to decide before we left where we were going to lunch for the day. I'm not quite sure how we decided. It was never an official vote. Perhaps it was whoever whined the loudest... hmm... I don't remember.

Every day though - there was a reason to go to Wendy's. There were little catch phrases and hand motions or signs. It started with Wednesday. "Wednesday - Time for Wendy's!" Pretty straight forward the connection there. And we would make a "W" with the index finger and thumb of both hands, the thumbs touching. Since Wednesday and Wendy's both start with a W - we would of course eat there on Wednesday!

"Tuesday - Time for Wendy's!" Tuesday and Time both start with a T. So clearly, we had to eat at Wendy's on Tuesday's too!! (We would make a "T" with our index fingers and alternate the "T" with a "W")

And Thursday also starts with a "T" - so "Thursday - Time for Wendy's!" (Same logic and motions as for Tuesday.)

"Monday - Time for Wendy's" "M" is just a "W" upside down - so once again, CLEARLY reason enough for us to eat at Wendy's on Monday. (The hand motion was just an inverted "W" that would alternate between an "M" and a "W.")

Now the only day of the week left is Friday! And well, our expression for Friday didn't quite follow the pattern of the other days of the week and it's not quite fit for print. :) So I'll leave it up to your imaginations. We did have just cause for for eating there on Friday too!

I used to order a plain JBC and value fry. I now order a JBC and a value fry. (I like lettuce and tomato now!)

Sigh, there are so many Wendy's stories that I could bore you with! I could probably even dig up some old pictures of us eating there. (Since I keep everything!)

PS. I had Wendy's for lunch today. It is Monday after all!!

Future Assurances

Whenever I start to think about my future and about going back to school full time for the next 2 years -- I check out this website. After being an early childhood major and there being next to no jobs available in the state of Ohio, it's so encouraging to see such a long list of open positions. AND sign-on bonuses?! And that site only lists SLP (Speech Language Pathology) jobs in the school setting in Ohio. There are lots more jobs available at hospitals, nursing homes and private practices. It's a very different feeling to be studying for something, knowing that you'll be able to find a job when you are done. It's nice. It's really nice! (and it's nice to be studying for something that you are interested in too!)

Three cheers for grad school! (Check back in once I actually start and see if I am still cheering!)

New Hobby

I enjoy gardening quite a bit.

In college, I wanted a flowering plant in my room. So I bought this kit at Target with a bulb, a vase and these clear crystals that expand with water (instead of dirt). The flower never got to the blooming stage (I can't remember why!), the crystals smelled awful over time and when I cleaned out the vase in the utility sink in the dorm bathroom, the crystals re-expanded and clogged the drain.

When we rented, I tried to transform this little space in front of the duplex into a flower bed. I think it could have been more successful, but I bought packets of mixed flowers -- so I never could tell what was a weed and what was a going to someday bloom into a flower. It eventually was overcome with weeds.

Last year, we were so busy with indoor renovation projects, that I didn't get a chance to work outside. And someone before us thought that red lava rocks would be a good filler in 2 of the flower beds. The other bed was WAY overgrown. I did pull some weeds and bought a few flowers at the farmer's market because it needed some color.

THIS SPRING will hopefully be a turning point in my pursuit making something beautiful! I still don't have my "master plan" for the space - I would look daily at flower catalogs and never make any decisions! (I wanted all of them! And I wanted a selection of flowers that will be continuously in bloom too and be perennials. For someone without much background knowledge, that was too much to figure out!) I've decided to start small and have realized that I can always replant the flowers some place else if I change my mind later! So, I've been busy pulling weeds, shoveling out rocks, planting flowers and raking mulch. I love getting my hands muddy. Only I realized yesterday as I was bending down to plant a flower that I could be that cut out of the old lady's backside. I'll have to work on that one!

Here's to not minding the rain because it's watering my flowers! :)

Office Supply Catalogs

ps. there are NO hot chair models. (there are no chair models, period.)

Makes me wonder where Michael Scott shops.....

An Interesting Dowry

As I was reading through my daily Bible reading today, I came across an interesting passage in I Samuel. For those Bible scholars out there, you are probably shaking your head and saying to yourself, "she's not really going to go there, is she?!" Perhaps I have more of a Young Life spirit than I thought!

Brief background: Saul is trying to have it look as though he likes David by offering his daughter in marriage, but really wants David dead and out of the picture. Saul first offered his eldest daughter's hand in marriage to David, but had her married to someone else at the last minute. This is his second attempt.....

Here is the passage "The Message" version first:

1 Samuel 18:25-27 (The Message)

When the servants reported David's response to Saul, he told them to tell David this: "The king isn't expecting any money from you; only this: Go kill a hundred Philistines and bring evidence of your vengeance on the king's behalf. Avenge the king on his enemies." (Saul expected David to be killed in action.)

On receiving this message, David was pleased. There was something he could do for the king that would qualify him to be his son-in-law! He lost no time but went right out, he and his men, killed the hundred Philistines, brought their evidence back in a sack, and counted it out before the king—mission completed! Saul gave Michal his daughter to David in marriage.

Important note in this version: it's not specifically stated what was the proof, but that it was "counted out before the king."

Now, let's look at the NIV version to find out what the proof was that was needed:

1 Samuel 18:25-27 (New International Version)

Saul replied, "Say to David, 'The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.' " Saul's plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king's son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.

(emphasis mine)

This story begs to have questions asked. Such as what would a bag of two hundred Philistine foreskins look like? Did David kill them first or did the Philistines get to experience an adult circumcision in full consciousness? Who had the honor of counting them to the king? Did Saul get physically sick at the sight of it all? And did Michal ever brag about her dowry to her friends? And other questions that are even more inappropriate.

(I am curious why the 2 versions had variation in the number of foreskins. I feel there is a significant difference between 100 and 200. Really, was David just having that much fun?)

ahh the Old Testament....

Pastime Paradise

I was listening to http://www.musicovery.com/ and something strangly familiar came on. It sounded a bit like "Amish Paradise" but knew it wasn't that becuase I was only listening to Jazz and Latin music (an interesting combo, I know). Maybe "Ganster's Paradise?" I checked and it was "Pastime Paradise." A fun little ditty by the one, the only - Stevie Wonder.

From Wikipedia, RE: "Ganster's Paradise" and "Pastime Paradise"

The music is a reworking of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise", a song from his album Songs in the Key of Life. "Gangsta's Paradise" uses the same tune, and a different orchestration of the same backing music. Coolio changed the lyrics to be more relevant to life on the streets.

:) Happy Paradising!

Another wonderful opportunity for YOU

TADA! Not quite sure that other house was for you? How about this one?!?! You would have all the great advantages of living close to the Costa's -- but a bit farther down the road. (Which initially seems like a disadvantage but could have it's perks.)

(Confession: I think the house that is super-close to us is better for lots of reasons -- but this could be more your style! AND you'd still be in shouting distance. BUT you'd have to trek UPHILL to visit, but your walk home would be very leisurely downhill stroll. ooh -- if you bike ride a lot this would be better because you don't have nearly as much hill to ride up at the end of your trip!!!)

Clippings

I'm not sure who or what to blame -- but I found myself clipping articles from the paper this afternoon. These are articles/photos of people I know and have intentions of giving these clippings to them. I know from experience - they probably will end up throwing them out b/c they already have so many -- but I still was under some strange compulsion to clip away!

(I almost clipped out an ad for a "Garden Club Sale" for this Saturday! But I refrained.)

Now it could just be that I had very little work today - so I was trying to find ways to entertain myself while appearing to be busy.

OR it might be that my mom always had a stack of photos and articles to give to people. Usually in individual envelopes.

I doubt that these clippings ever come out of my bag - until a few weeks from now when they are put in the trash. BUT perhaps!!! It shows that you are thoughtful right?! (not just crazy?!?!)

ps. I did not clip out the article about a friend's son who came "out of the closet." I could not envision myself actually handing that to her. A bit too ackward for me. I did consider it though. That might put me more towards the crazy side. BUT I was thoughtful!

Just 29 more years!

Today marks the one year of home ownership.

It's exciting and crazy all at the same time. Being only 1 year into a 30 year mortgage is odd - especially when we look around and figure that a vast majority of our current friends in town will have moved in the next 3 years. I wonder if we'll live here long enough to "own" our house... (side note: We'll be able to fully own it less than 30 years - perhaps more like 17 -- but that's still a long time....I'll be 41 then. OR if it does take 30 years -- I'll be 54.)

Our cute little house has become a home over the past year. I no longer really notice the uncovered light switches or the subfloor that still shows in closets and at the thresholds. Or the holes in the drywall that haven't been fixed. Or the "newly" made doorway without the trim work. Or the piece of cardboard under the fridge that was kept so that it will be easier to move when we fix the wall and add trim. :) I do notice the random baseboards that haven't been reattached.

We have been able to have lots and lots of guests - which has been fun. I think we should get a guest book for our house! I know that's cheesy but I'd say we've had at least 31 people stay one or more night at our house in the past year. Some for weeks at time! It'd been fun to have a record. We also have lots of high school kids over on Wednesday for club and even more volunteer leaders for leadership on Fridays.

While there are some times I still dream of the "east side" - our little place is perfect!

(AND it'd be even MORE perfect if friends moved in across the street!!! People have been looking -- better call a realtor soon!!!!!)

Not to complain, but....

I had decided that when I started this temporary job, that I wouldn't complain.

If I were to complain, my first complaint would have been that there is no natural light in my office. BUT I realized what a blessing that is because I don't know how beautiful of a spring day it is and spend all my time wishing I was outside.

However - I do now have a real complaint.

My swivel chair falls unexpectedly and repeatedly throughout the day. I set up it where I'd like it and then 5 minutes later or an hour later -- "PLOOP" -- down I go. Sometimes just a quarter of an inch - sometimes all the way down. Sigh. It's the unpredictability of it all. I will have gotten comfortable and "forgotten" about my chair and -- "PLOOP." OR I will be already annoyed that the chair keeps falling and then fall again.

And now I sit here and bounce on the chair - and it doesn't move at all. But, it will.

So really - that's a pretty lame complaint. But annoying none the less.

This could be yours, for the low price of.....

Isn't it cute?!?!

Look at the HUGE trees! I bet your electric bill is lower in the summer b/c of all the shade. AND there is a 2 car garage in the lower level. AND 2 "driveways" (one to the garage and then one to the left with a path to the front door). And the huge front window with the covered front porch!!! (These houses are much bigger inside than it looks!)

Please...... be my neighbor. We don't bite.

If you want more details - click HERE - and "full property specifications" for the good stuff like how there is a dishwasher included - and 3 bedrooms on the main floor. It however, fails to mention the perks that I mentioned yesterday!

(Perhaps I missed my calling to the real estate business.... I think I'd like it!)

Wanted: New Neighbors

Attention Athenians:

The house across the street (and slightly up) from us is up for sale.

Would YOU like to move in? Do you know someone who is "in the market" AND would be fun neighbors/friends?

This is our chance to stock the neighborhood with friends -- I just don't know anyone who is looking for a house. Well, I take that back - I do know someone who might possibly be thinking about moving into Athens..... but, I don't know anyone who is READY to be looking at buying a house soon though. (PS. I even emailed my dad about the house!)

Not to sound desperate - but reasons why you should consider moving in:

• Andrew and I are fun.
• You'd be invited to dinner more often.
• You'd be invited to random card games much more often.
• You can play X-Box with Andrew.
• Our other neighbor has an X-Box, so you can join in the system link parties with them :)
• We have a fire pit AND s'more fixings!!!
• It's close to Athens - but is super quiet and peaceful (except for maybe Wednesday 8-10 and Friday 5-7).
• You could ride your bike into town and to the bike path.
• You could ride bikes with us (and other new neighbors that you'd be friends with)
• You'd be in walking distance to a Methodist church (which you probably won't attend b/c we've not really ever attended the Methodist churches that were within walking distance).
• There is a beautiful cheery tree next door that you can gaze upon in the spring.
• AND soon, you'd be able to sit on your front porch and gaze upon OUR lovely landscaping and flowers!! (this is dependent on you moving in AND me finishing my gardening)
• Your new front porch would be big enough for a porch swing. I've always wanted a porch swing!

You'd just really like it. And we'd really like you. So "won't you be my neighbor??" please. We always have plenty of coffee and tea and espresso.....

(ps. once the house is listed online - I'll link it for you. There was only an ad in the Athens News today. It's cute. I've not been inside - but I'm sure you'd love it!)

Steppin'

As promised....

So - it's not really "Steppin' " - but it is step aerobics! (I think that steppin' refers to those dances where they step. Hmm - I don't feel like that clarified anything. If you don't know what I am talking about, that's fine!)

Back to my work out class. I decided that since these classes are part of my gym enrollment - I should take advantage of them. This class seemed to fit my schedule the best, so I thought I'd try it Tuesday.

Confession: I thought that step aerobics was a joke.
Truth: It's a work out. I was sore for 2 days after my first class. My heart rate was pretty high throughout all of it. And, let's just say I needed a shower afterward.

I was clearly the only first timer there. But I only knocked over my step once. :) Not bad! And I didn't fall over. There were a few things I just couldn't get. I think my years of HS marching band did me in!! We ALWAYS had to start off on the right foot - no matter what. Not so with this class - sometimes you alternate which foot you lead off with.

Today - I was able to get the "A-step-straddle" AND we used 2 steps. AND I didn't knock my step over. BUT I am pretty sure I am the reason we had a couple times of "let's keep tapping it out until we get everyone together."

I will be going back - and hopefully, I will be earlier to set up my equipment prior to the warm-up. (Although, I end up jogging from my car to class b/c I'm late, so that's like my warm-up, right?!)

......
I have shared with some people that my spring quarter goals are to "work on my fitness" (just teasing, but not really; the song popped into my head!) and to spend more time with my Creator. Some one asked about combining them - tada! The perfect way for me to kill 2 birds with one stone:
http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/pre/lowres/pren41l.jpg
(Paul - would you mind bringing this up at the next board meeting?)

First Day

It's my first day of a new job. 7 1/2 hours into it and no complaints! I am an administrative assistant for an office on campus. I get to sit at a desk all day - and I didn't hear one screaming/crying child all day. ahhh.... so nice.

I'm still not quite sure what I "do" while I am here. Answer the phone, sort mail, file documents. That's about it so far. I had quite a bit of down time today - which was nice. I am pretty sure that it will pick up soon - but they weren't expecting to need a new employee so suddenly and everyone isn't quite themselves.

I'm going to like it. I have an hour lunch break - and I can do whatever I want during my hour! And I'm close to up-town, so I can have lunch with friends. And I could go for a walk during my lunch break. (There are more exciting things than a lunch break - but I've never had a job with a true lunch break. I would take my 2 15 minute breaks together once everyone in my class was asleep at nap time - and then I'd be "on-call" if some one had an accident - so this lunch break is really nice!) And the job is temporary! I don't know how long it will be until they are able to hire someone permanently - but at worst, I go back to school in September. And if it's only for 4 weeks - something else will come up. I don't have lots of responsibilities. Just mindlessness. So nice... (I say that just b/c I know it's not for the rest of my life.)

AND - I could wear clothes without having to think about if we were going to be painting that day - or if it was muddy outside - or worry if someone might pee on me. I can go to the bathroom when I need to - and not have to wait until there are enough adults in the room so I can leave. That's nice.

I was about to say that I'm not making a difference - but I am. I am able to light my light shine before all men.

I am going to like it here... :)

ps. here is a teaser for you -- I've started going to a step aerobic class!! I have decided to share more of my adventures with you tomorrow. - stay tuned!

pps. I just remembered the "traffic" at 5 on this side of town. I don't think I have an alternate route home though... hmmm...

More to the Story

Published in the Dayton Daily News on 3/24/2008.

HOLMES, Donald E. age 71, of Greenville, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at his home. He was born October 26, 1936 in Marion, IN, the son of Kermit Delmar and Helen Elizabeth (Burket) Holmes. He worked for many years in the Dayton area as an engineer. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Lynn Holmes; children, Larry (Carol) Holmes, Paula (Dan) Schwanitz, Kay Callahan, and Holly (Dick) Baker, all of Greenville; 9 grandchildren; brother, Jim Holmes of Ft. Wayne, IN; sister, Jo Ann Corell of Angola, IN; and sister-in-law, Jackie Behm of Lake Forest, CA; and 7 nieces and nephews. Don's family wishes to cherish his memory in private. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Home Health Hospice or Greenville Area Rescue Service. Arrangements in care of Newcomer Funeral Home & Crematory, North Chapel. To send a special message to the family, please visit www.NewcomerFamily.com

As one of the nine grandchildren, I feel there is much more that could have been said. While this clearly goes against "family wishes to cherish him memory in private" - I'm ok with that.

Grandpa Holmes always seemed to be sitting at the kitchen table, facing toward the living room, with a newspaper in front of him. He would share with whoever was nearby interesting factoids from the paper or his opinion on the news. He also would laugh out loud at the comics, and then read it out loud including explanations of the drawings, and then laugh again. He loved Calvin and Hobbes. (Perhaps that's where my love of comics (or the "funnies" as my dad calls them) came from.)

For whatever reason when I was younger, I thought that David Letterman was like my grandpa (clearly not the other way around as my grandpa was older!). I'm not 100% sure why I thought this -- perhaps because I never quite got either of their jokes -- but I knew they were funny!! Their humor was a little too educated for me when I was little. Perhaps it was my grandpa's laugh that probably didn't sound like Letterman - but I thought it did. Or maybe it was the way that after my grandpa laughed that he would rub both of his hands under his glasses out toward the side of his face -- almost like wiping tears of laughter away. (How that would make me think of Letterman - I still don't know. Or maybe it's because most of his jokes came from behind the kitchen table - just like Letterman's jokes were told behind his desk. (I know - I'm stretching here!)

It didn't mention his love for photography or poetry or writing. He always took rolls and rolls of pictures at Christmas. And he loved cleverly written pieces and books with lots of history. And the little wood & metal puzzles that were impossible to take apart.

And it didn't talk about his love of cars -- He had recently bought a beautiful, new red car. I can't even remember what it is called - but he could have told you about all the little nuances like how much horsepower and whatever you say about engines and power and speed and all the other specs of all of the cars he's owned - while I couldn't even tell you any of that about the one car I've owned.

And what about how much he loved all of us. Even after my cousin and I performed a specially composed song to persuade him to stop smoking one Christmas many years ago - he still gave us a huge hug. (We had an out-of-tune guitar that was missing strings and a tambourine which we found in their back room. We wrote the lyrics and the melody (if there was one!) ourselves. We were probably 8.) He did eventually quit - perhaps it was our song!!!

While most of these details and memories are not obituary material, it's what makes up life and is remembered in the end.

(Thanks for letting me grieve in "public." The thought of that obit being the last word just didn't seem right. Not that this little post does justice, it hopefully has a bit more heart.)

Life in a Fish Bowl

::Reader Discretion Advised::

This is our fish. He lives a pretty boring life. We haven't even given him a name. And the regularity of feeding and cleaning his bowl, well not too regular.

However - tonight I was paying him some attention (meaning that I happened to glance in his bowl while walking by) AND he had the biggest turd I had ever seen from little tiny fish!!!

Andrew was unable to come and look, so I decided to take a picture (so to prove how big this turd really was). Now, I'm by no means an fantastic photographer, so I knew this was going to take a couple of shots. I only got this first one in though because the flash scared the poop out of him!!! (ps - it's been a weird day and this by far brought me much joy!!!!!)

This is a closeup of our fish with the dangling turd. I have circled it in case there is any confusion. Unfortunately this shot doesn't quite give justice to the hard work this little guy put into it. This bowel movement extended past his tail!!!! I'm sure it didn't break any world record holdings - but I would venture to say it has got to be a personal best for this little guy.

(I hope you all will still be my friends after this. I usually don't find much

humor in potty humor but this was absolutely hilarious!! -- well at least to me and the weird mood I'm in. Really, how often do get to see this?!?!? Perhaps if I paid more attention to my fish, I would see this more often!!)

Public Transportation

I hope to someday live in a city where I can take public transportation. I would enjoy walking to a bus stop or a subway station. (In my mind this is no more than a 10 minute walk.) And then while riding the bus &/or subway -- or train!!! -- I would probably read. It would be great to be able to use travel time as reading time.

I've debated what type of reading material I would bring. A novel would be nice - but that can be big and heavy - and it might make me look stand-offish. Newspapers would be great - only they can be hard to manage in small places -- but the articles are short and don't require as much focus -- and it could be a great conversation starter. AND I could read the comics. AND I could do the cross-word puzzle and sudoku puzzles (now that I am a "cross-word-puzzler").

And if I'm not in the mood to read, I could people watch. That is a past time of mine that is hard to do when you are the driver. I could also just rest and think about the meaning of life.

I would NOT do work or talk on my cell phone.

I was thinking about this today during my short commute home. I will read the newspaper while sitting at a red light. This probably isn't the safest habit of mine. When I worked out at the Community Center - it worked great because right before my light turned the green - the light for the other traffic would have a red light with a strobe light feature, so I would notice it right away. I don't read while I'm driving.

I'm sure my dream of public transportation is very idealized. But I'm ok with that. I doubt that I will live somewhere with adequate public transportation. I still like my dream.

Aftermath...

Does this sound like your bathroom?

• Green jelly bean in the sink
• Brown leaf in the tub
• Toothpaste smeared across the outside of the bathtub

And that was just the randomness I found this morning when I was half-asleep in the bathroom. And I'm pretty sure that is after someone had cleaned it!!!

Why, you probably ask, was there a lone jelly bean in my bathroom sink? I'm sure it had something to do with a high school kid coming to know Christ. I can't quite explain how they directly relate but somehow the Holy Spirit is able to move.

We are now hosting Athens HS YL Club- which is "controlled chaos" taking place in our garage with about 25 high school kids. I disappeared last night though (homework and introversion took over). I came back to a horrible odor - Andrew assured me that no one had gotten sick anywhere in or out our house, it was probably just the sardines used for one of the skits.

I love being able to find toothpaste on the side of my tub - or chocolate sauce all over my kitchen cupboards --- I just never expected this to part of the sacrifice... Welcome to the life of a YL Staff Spouse! :)

EPEE

EPEE is a fencing sword. I learned the doing cross-word puzzles. I finished my first cross-word puzzle EVER on Tuesday!!! I did it without any assistance (much like Rachel in that one episode of Friends -- and by the way, I'm not that huge of a fan to remember things like that but I happen to have season 4 on DVD so it was new to me.) I'm quite proud of myself!

AND epee was used the next day too in Tuesday's puzzle. (Monday's puzzle took me 2 days -- well it didn't take 2 DAYS - more like 2 days of classes.

I tried the puzzle again today in class (ps. I'm officially accepted to grad school which doesn't directly correlate to me doing puzzles in class but... assume away!) - but it was much harder!! I worked on it for all 2 hours of class and didn't get too far - but my friend next to me picked up during break and finished the whole thing in just the second half of class.... sigh - someday!!

I do much better with sudoku puzzles. Numbers make much more sense. There is clearly one right answer. But crossword puzzles, the answers seem to be limitless - but they just fool you. Really - RAP is a 3 letter word for "seance sound" - I liked my "OOM" better - but that didn't work with the other ones. AND putting 2 or more words into a line!!! That still gets me. I tried to figure out what NOONE meant b/c it was clearly what the other words made for the clue "Nary a soul" -- only when I asked my crossword guru friend about it, she laughed very loudly and told me "NO ONE" (I've done that a couple times with her already)

Here's waiting for next Monday's puzzle (b/c the rest of this week is going to be too hard!)

Under Pressure

Everyone sing along now... "under pressure..." Actually, for those who know me well realize that those are the only words to the song that I remember and I will continually sing those 2 words over and over again in hopes that it will jog my memory for more lyrics. AND if you happen to be around me as I am trying to recall the song - you will have to try to decipher what tune I am trying to sing too - as I'm pretty off-key and perhaps tone-deaf.

Well - why am I under pressure you ask?! I would imagine that most of you made your way over to this little blog of mine is due to AMAZING publicity from my friend Paul. (That is if the graphic didn't scare you away!!!) I now feel that I need to make sure my posts are up to excellence! (ps. I'll have to learn how to link direct to a post rather than the whole blog.)

Happy Reading my new blogging friends!

FOUND

I've been found... I'm not sure how Paul did it. I've told a couple of people that I have started a blog --- but didn't even HINT at the name. For lots of reasons, which I'll outline below:

1. I'm not a fan of the color scheme yet.
2. I'm not sure how to tell people - is that a random mass e-mail?
3. What is my "focus"???
4. I'm not a huge fan of random people reading stuff about my life -- but I am knowingly publishing it online so... if I really wasn't a fan, then I wouldn't be doing this.
5. WHY am I doing this?
6. sigh... I'm sure there are actual reasons, but I am unable to think clearly right now.

I'm really flustered right now. So now at least 3 people know (me, Paul and Andrew... he heard my commotion over discovering I had a post on my unofficial blog) -- who will it be next???!!! I dare you!! (Ok - not really... but...) sigh... hmmm.

AND to top it all off - Andrew is in the other room "catching up" on my "life"/blog - and LAUGHING out loud... I suppose that's a good thing right?? He's probably just laughing at my flusteredness..... sigh.

I'm a Web Designer

I was "trained" this morning at Donkey on how to created and edit pages using Common Spot. My official job title is: "Communication Designer for University College."

I'm excited about all of this don't get me wrong, but my only background for all of this a web design class I took in high school - in 2000 AND my extensive background in web-surfing. (by extensive that means I use my gmail and read blogs - that's about it)

(I'm trying to not be long-winded all the time - and set a precedent that short post are OK... this is more for me than anyone else. I have started to tell people I have a blog but I have yet to tell anyone what it is!!!!)

Loans...

I just completed the electronic signature master promissory note process (or something with words like that) for student loans.... sigh... It's a weird feeling. It's much more unsettling than our house loan (which was for quite a bit more!!). I think it's b/c I was fortunate enough to not need loans for undergrad b/c of lots of scholarships and generous parents.

This past weekend we were at a church in Cincy where the pastor was talking about debt - financial, emotional and spiritual. And one of the things he said was that all debt - whether "good" or not, is still a form of bondage and it doesn't feel good to be in debt. So true. I'm not excited about these school loans. I know that lots of people have them - and it's "good" debt - but not much feels good about it. (Other than without this loan, I would have needed to post-pone going back to school longer -- and we both felt like God was saying "this is what you need to do now. It's risky - but have faith.") So I know that we are in God's will right now-- but I'm just not sure if this loan is exactly in His will.... But. Is it wise to just wait for God to provide another way? He's "provided" these loans. He's provided part time employment for me to be able to keep the loans to a minimum. AND He's provided loving and generous parents too. This is just a dream, but I would love by the time I leave grad school - to not have any student loans. For us to be able to pay these loans off even before I graduate. ** I'll first need to be officially accepted into grad school though!!

Sigh. It's a Monday....

Snow

What an uncreative title for a post!! Sigh. I like snow. I liked it much better when I was younger and it meant no school. AND when my dad drove us around in the snow and act as if it was no big deal. And someone else was responsible for making sure there was enough milk and bread to last until it was nicer outside.

I also liked playing in the snow and going sledding down the ONE hill in Greenville. Everyone drove there to sled down Memorial Hill in the park. There also was the little hill-hazard in the golf course across the road from my house. (Clarification: this is was no country club golf course, there also were cows and hogs next to us too.) That really wasn't a hill at all - but it was in walking distance. I think that my driveway is much steeper than Memorial Hill. Not quite as long, but steeper for sure.

PS. I attempted to pull up into my drive tonight - an attempt to overcome my fear of our snow-covered drive. (I compulsively shovel it.) I should have just listened to my gut!! I made it about half way up before I started to just slide back down. And for all of you reading this (when I get around to telling people about it) - I couldn't have just used more gas b/c then I would have ran into either the garage door or the side of my house when I got to the top of hill. Trust me, I would have. So I slid back down and parked neatly on the side of the road. It's not like the my car will prevent the salt truck from working his magic whenever they decided to come by b/c nearly everyone on our street has at least 1 car on the road tonight. (All conviniently pointing down the hill.)

I could ramble more as I wait for Andrew to get home, but I probably should do something else...

Here's hoping for a Level 3!! (but I don't have class anyway on Friday, so I wouldn't enjoy the joy of OU being closed for a day...)

First Post

So. I officially have a blog now. There have been many times while reading other people's blogs I've thought of creating my own -- but the fear of not having a good title or web address kept me from just starting. ALSO - I'm not all that witty or entertaining.... and I'm not sure how I feel about people I don't know just stumbling across my thoughts/life through other people's blogs (let's be honest - you've done it before too! Where you click on someone's comment to look at their blog and then click on another person's comment from that page and so on and so on. And then you feel slightly guilty b/c you know that you aren't supposed to be reading it - but they did put it out there for everyone to read so.... )

And we'll see how long this lasts. Don't hold your breath. I've not even decided if I'm going to tell anyone! Or if I should make it "invite only." I'm not sure how that works....

So here we go... I'm officially publishing my first post in 3, 2, 1....