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...