Planned Spontaneity

New Address!

2010-01-10T13:57:00.001-05:00

I'm (finally) changing my blogger address to match the blog name.

www.plannedspontaneity1.blogspot.com

Reading update

2010-01-10T12:40:00.003-05:00

I've checked off three of the books on my list. Go me!

The first was The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling.
It's not a long book because it's a small collection of wizard fairy tales. I read it in about an hour. I can't really tell you why it sat on my shelf so long. There just always seemed to be some other book I was buried in to take a breath and give Beedle my full attention.

As fairy tales go the book pretty much met all my expectations. Short stories with morals, except the intended audience was wizard children and not muggles. (If you are completely lost, then you need to go read all seven Harry Potter books.) I'm glad the book wasn't extra long because I don't think it would have kept my attention if it had been. I would have been easily bored by much more length. But it was nice to dive into the wizarding world again with some new stories. I love re-reading the HP books, but I think I have them memorized at this point.

Up next was Lord John and the Hand of Devils. This book is the third from Diana Gabaldon about a character from the Outlander series. A friend of mine shares my love for the Outlander series and since she already owned all the Lord John books she loaned them too me.

I have to admit that I struggled through them. If you've read any of the Outlander books you know that Gabaldon is not short winded. At all. She should stick to that strategy. I feel like she rushed the endings of all the Lord John stories because she had a word limit for all of them. The writing just isn't up to her usual standards. I was dissapointed. In one of her many comentaries in this final LJ book she does say there is a fourth book in the works. I'm undecided right now if I'll read it.

Last night I finished up with The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

Meyer is best know for the Twilight series that people are talking about so much these days. I read and loved all of them. Not so much because of Meyer's writing (which leaves much to be desired) but because it's a good story and I've always had a secret obsession with vampire lore. It's a guilty pleasure of mine.

She released The Host (her first adult novel) some time before finishing the fourth book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. I had seen it in bookstores, but never really had much interest in reading it. Then I received it as a gift and it sat on my shelf for nearly a year. I just couldn't bring myself to crack it open. I love supernatural stuff, but I'm not so big on science fiction. Some people might say those two things are interchangeable, but I don't feel that way.

But, about the book. I'm so glad I read it. I was completely shocked at how much I liked it. I even forgot for a minute that I was reading a Stephenie Meyer book. (Until I found a couple of typo's of course. Her editor is atrocious.) I got really involved in the story and the characters. When I was done reading it I was a little sad that it was over; a tale-tell sign that I thoroughly enjoyed a book.

It isn't the next great American novel by any stretch of the imagination, but I was entertained from the beginning. And that's all I can really ask of a book. I read for the love of reading and to give myself a short escape from reality. I got both of those things from this book.

Up next:

The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum by Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh
&
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Project 365, week 1

2010-01-08T16:29:00.004-05:00

I'm renaming Photogenic Friday for the year. It just makes more sense.

Here it is, my week in pictures.

January 2

Frozen
January 3

Rough night
Goodbye for another year
January 4

But we love the tree

January 5

Time together
January 6

Chipped
Stoked
January 7

Dwindling
January 8

I don't know what you're talking about

*None of these photos have been edited at all. Right now that is beyond my scope of expertise. I'll continue to play around in photoshop and hopefully soon my confidence with the program will be such that I can enhance my photos. Any advice is welcome.*

Milton vs The Broom, take 2

2010-01-07T15:58:00.001-05:00

The last time I posted a video of Milton with a broom it was a full sized broom.

Since then he has decided that he's a little afraid of the big broom and only attacks it for a second before running away and cowering in a corner somewhere.

Recently he has been taking out his broom aggressions on the small broom that came with our dust pan.

The following video demonstrates his hatred of said broom.

Notice how, in the middle of the attack, he runs away and turns his back on the broom. The purpose of this is to give the broom a false sense of security in order to attack it when it puts its guard down. A sneak attack, so to speak.

Please forgive the lack of sound. I was trying to operate the camera and the broom and realized a little belatedly that my finger was over the microphone.

I think the best part of all this is that Milton clearly thinks the broom comes alive on its own. He has no idea that I'm the one making it move.

I know this for sure because when I put the broom away he lets it sit for a second before walking up to it and giving it another couple good whacks as if to say, "And stay down!"

What did I do for entertainment before these bunnies? I don't remember.

About my lack of a post today...

2010-01-06T22:43:00.005-05:00

I have this whole post written about Milton and how he likes to chase the dust broom.

It includes a video that has been processing since 1:30 this afternoon. Nine hours. It's longer than my usual video, so I'm going to give it until I go to bed tonight and if it doesn't work I'll be re-filming because Milton is always up for attacking the broom.

Also, I completely flaked on part of my new year's resolution today. If you look to your left at my book list you'll see that it grew by three. I had lunch with my mom and grandmother today and while I was waiting on them I stopped at the bookstore. Big mistake! Their clearance stack had recently been replenished and I just couldn't pass up the three and four dollar price tags. I got all three books for ten bucks. No book lover would fault me for that.

Happy Wednesday! (What's left of it)

Why four wheel drive is necessary

2010-01-05T16:37:00.005-05:00

This past Saturday started like any other day. Andy got up and went to work. I slept in.

I was awakened by the land lord calling to tell me that the water was out (again) because the pump had frozen in the single digit temps and they were doing their best to fix it.

I didn't have nearly as bad an attitude about it as I did last time because it wasn't a holiday and I didn't need to go anywhere. Plus, we still had power and heat. So, no big deal, I'd wait it out.

About an our after that first phone call I got another one. From a very unexpected person.

My little cousin, Ashley.

This is how the conversation went:

Me: Hello.

Ash: Hey Joanna, it's Ashley (I knew that already thanks to caller ID). My mom wanted me to call you because me and my friends drove up to (insert high altitude mountain name here) last night. It was snowing really fine snow when we got here, but we didn't think it would do anything and now we're snowed in because we brought my car (a Scion). Can you help us? My classes start on Monday. I really need to get off this mountain.

Me: ::long pause::

So many questions ran through my mind. Like: Did you check the weather before you came? Why did you bring your car? Did you check the weather before you came? Why didn't you just ask to stay with me? Did you check the weather before you came?

I did, eventually, ask all my questions, but right then I just told her I needed to call Andy to see if he could get off work to rescue her and her dumb ass friends. I think she told me she loved me about ten times (I knew that already) and I also think she was on the verge of a major breakdown, something I understand completely. We do share bloodlines. A little compassion and understanding goes a long way in such situations.

So, after many phone calls back and forth, Andy was fortunately slow enough at work to get a couple hours off with our friend Tyler who drives a two wheel drive car up here and is used to driving in the snow. Off we went to rescue them.

Let me interject here that three of these kids go to college up here and even if Ashley (who goes to college in South Carolina) didn't have enough forethought to check the weather, they certainly should have. Unless of course they were complete morons; something they affirmed for me about five minutes after I met them. What does this mean for the future of our country?

We did successfully pull them up and over the mountain. And there were two front wheel drive cars there, so we pulled the other one out too. Because The Hulk is a beast and totally awesome.

My Uncle called and thanked Andy and I over and over for sacrificing our Saturday and saving his little goofball. To which I replied that it was much more entertaining than what I had originally planned for that day, which was taking down the Christmas decorations.

Plus, by the time we got up there the sun had come out and the view was breathtaking. So, all-in-all a good way to spend a Saturday.

Perfect Potato Soup

2010-01-04T11:07:00.005-05:00

The highest forecasted temperature on any given day this week is 20.

Twenty degrees. And that isn't until Wednesday. This past weekend didn't see a temp higher than 15 and that only lasted about thirty seconds in the middle of the day.

The best thing you can do during these extreme lows is to go outside as little as possible. And if you do go out make sure you cover up all of you epidermis. I do mean all. Get some goggles if you still need to see, but cover it all up.

After shivering under a mountain of blankets all day nothing seems to warm my body and soul more than a big ole pot of soup.

I love soup, but Andy doesn't think it qualifies as a meal so I don't make soup often and when I do it has to be hearty. Because Andy certainly doesn't look like it, but he can put away some food, and if I don't fill him up at dinner he'll spend the rest of the evening pilfering in the kitchen.

This potato soup has served us well for about two years. I think the original recipe came for a recipe website, but I don't have that documented and I've tweeked it so much I feel comfortable calling it my own. It's very basic, so it is perfect for dressing up and making it your perfect potato soup. Have fun with it!

*This recipe is not vegetarian, but can easily be modified to make it so. Replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock and leave out the bacon.

Perfect Potato Soup (for cold, indulgent days)

6-8 russett potatoes, peeled & cut into pieces
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 can chicken stock (if you're using homemade use about 2 cups)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Salt & pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese

In a large pot combine potatoes, onion, chicken stock, heavy cream and water. Bring to a boil over med-hi heat and cook until potatoes are soft.

Reduce heat to medium and add the milk, sour cream, butter and crumbled bacon (you can also add in another cup of water if you want a little more liquid). Season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the potatoes start to break down and soup thickens.

You can leave the pot alone and let the magic happen while you do something else, or, if you're in a hurry to eat (like I always am) you can help the process along by "mashing the potatoes." I like to use a whisk. It's not as aggressive as a potato masher and this soup runs a fine line between soupy mashed potatoes and hearty potato soup. When it's done you want some potato chunks left.

Serve with shredded cheddar on top and a cheddar biscuit (recipe below) on the side. Comfort food at it's finest!

If you have any leftovers that need to be reheated the next day you might want to add a little milk or chicken stock if you have it. The soup tends to thicken when it sits.

Cheddar Biscuits (recipe from kraftfoods.com)

2 1/4 cups dry all-purpose baking mix for biscuits
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
2 tbs chopped fresh herbs (optional, I use parsley if I have it)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbs dijon mustard
1/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425

In a large bowl mix together baking mix, cheese and herbs.

In another bowl, mix sour cream, mustard and milk. Pour into cheese mixture and combine.

Place dough on lightly floured surface and kneed about 10 times.

Cut into biscuits and bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Enjoy!

Photogenic Friday: Back to Basics

2010-01-01T17:52:00.005-05:00

Andy is the real photographer in this family. It was part of his major in college and, though he isn't usually artistic, he does have a talent for photography as an art form.

I, on the other hand, have always been artistic and creative, but never managed to find a camera useful in terms of an artistic instrument.

It seems like everyone is taking gorgeous pictures these days. I'm being left in the photographic dust. For a while now I've wanted to remedy that situation.

Which is one of my major reasons for joining Project 365.

Having an eye for photography (and patience, not something I'm famous for) is a major part of taking beautiful pictures. The right equipment, however, also makes a big impact on the outcome of the photographs a person takes.

Right now I take all of my photos with a Nikon Coolpix point and shoot. It has served me well for the nearly two years I've owned it. But I'm afraid it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. The camera is good for snapshots and not much else. Which is exactly why I bought it. I could take it out of the box and start using it, instructions be damned.

But now I have this entire year looming in front of me armed with a tiny point and shoot that is beginning to have some hitches in its get along.

This morning, while we were making breakfast, I was telling Andy about Project 365 and that I'd like to have a slightly more advanced camera in my arsenal. Nothing too major, because fancy cameras are expensive and also because dropping a lot of cash on something that could be a passing whim is irresponsible. Not to mention that we don't have the kind of cash that would need to be dropped.

So I told him that for my birthday I'd like to have something in between the coolpix and a "bells and whistles" camera. (You see how camera illiterate I am? I don't even know what they're called. DSLR sounds right, but what does that even mean?) I have about three months until then and I think I can manage with my small camera until then.

Then Andy suggested that I use our Nikon film camera that he used in his photography class.
Personally I think that suggestion is a little stroke of genius. The camera is complicated enough that I can learn something and simple enough that I can still use it. Also, there is something exciting about using a film camera. Every time you have a roll developped it's a surprise. In this digital age I think film cameras have gotten a bad reputation.

So here it is, the first photo of Project 365.

I took it with the coolpix, obviously. I took about 20 photos to get this one and I'm not real pleased with it. Sometimes the coolpix can be difficult to use and even a novice like myself sees all its shortcomings.

I have a lot to learn, but that's kind of the point, isn't it?

***********************************************************************************

I said yesterday that I wasn't sure which blog I would use to document my Project 365 journey, but now I know. Photogenic Friday is already a tradition on this blog, so on Fridays I will post the previous week's photos. It just makes sense.

But that's not all.

Who can only take one photo? If I'm going to go to the trouble of hauling a camera with me every day I'm going to take more than one picture when I turn it on.

Go here to see what else I have in store for 2010.

The plague I mean, resolutions...

2010-01-01T01:00:00.004-05:00

So how is 2010 looking so far to all of you?

I certainly hope everyone has avoided disaster to this point - especially since it's only the first day.

We're just getting started.

Anyone care to share their resolutions with me? Losing weight? Building muscle? Cleaning out your closet? Saving money?

Can you tell I'm stalling?

Making resolutions has never really been something I've done. Mostly because I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure, and that's no way to start out the new year. Am I right?

Last year I resolved to be grateful for something every day. More specifically I joined in on 365 days of grace in small things where the challenge is to blog daily about 5 things you are grateful for. This is something that has had a profound effect of my life this last year; something I will talk about a bit more later in the month. I did manage to stick with it, but a few things got in my way and my 365 posts will not be done until January 19th.

Given the success of this 365 day resolution I've decided to do another. I'm jumping on the bandwagon with a fellow blogger and attempting to do Project 365 which challenges you to take at least one photo a day for a year. That doesn't sound too difficult does it? One would think not, but I can see how, on those boring days, it might take some creativity to take a different photo than the one you took the day before.

Right now I have a second blog dedicated to my current 365 challenge. I haven't yet decided if I will continue using it as a 365 blog or if I'll let it stand as a gratitude blog and post my Project 365 photos here. I'm undecided, but I won't be posting daily for this project. I will definitley take a photo every day, but there might just be one post a week dedicated to the project. It will make life easier for me and hopefully keep this photo thing from seeming like a chore.

Either way, I'll post my first photo by the end of today. Stay tuned.

On to resolution number 2.

Did I just say 2? I'm pretty sure I did. Holy cow!

I am an avid reader. Reading is sexy and all that jazz.

As hobbies go this is my favorite and certainly the longest running.

I don't do book reviews on here because I'm bad at them. I have a hard time keeping it short and sweet and not spoiling things. Just ask my English lit professor that asked me to write a four page paper synopsizing Emma by Jane Austen. My paper was at least double that.

Another love if mine is bookstores and new book smell. This can sometimes be a problem. Which brings me to my next resolution.

For a few years now I've been collecting books on my shelf that I either a) mean to read, b) start to read but don't finish or c) receive as gifts and don't get around to.

So, I am resolving to read all the book in my "to be read" pile before I allow myself to buy another book. Gasp!

Let me add a disclaimer to this: I will never refuse a book as a gift. Just in case you were wondering.

I gathered up all my unread or half read books to take a photo and document the beginning of my challenge. The size of my pile was much larger than I had anticipated.

There are four compilations books, so in all I have 32 books to read before I ~~set foot in~~ make a purchase at a bookstore.

Here is the list, in no particular order:

The Devil Wears Prada, Weisberger
The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum, Izzo & Marsh
The Host, Meyer
Atonement, McEwan
The Jungle, Sinclair
The Yada Yada Prayer Group, Jackson
French Women Don't Get Fat, Guiliano
Moll Flanders, Defoe
Son of a Witch, Maguire
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Rowling
The Choice, Sparks
Saving Graces, Edwards
Little Women, Alcott
The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis
*The Magician's Nephew
*The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle
The Complete Novels, Austen
Sense and Sensibility
**Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
**Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Lady Susan
Three Plums in one, Evanovich
One For the Money
Two For the Dough
Three to Get Deadly
More Plums in one, Evanovich
Four to Score
High Five
Hot Six
An Echo in the Bone, Gabaldon (not pictured)

*I have read these already, but plan to read them again.
**I have read these already and probably won't read them again. Not right now anyway.

The last book by Diana Gabaldon is the most recent one from the Outlander series which my mother-in-law and I have been reading together. I do not own the book, but she does and as it has already been purchased I'm including it on my "to be read" list. And if you've read the Outlander series you can't possibly expect me to read all these other books before I read An Echo in the Bone. I mean, let's get real here.

Wish me luck. I might even attempt a review or two, but I'm not promising anything.

2009 - Blog Year in Review

2009-12-31T13:30:00.005-05:00

Here's a look back at what 2009 was like on my blog and in my life.

January brought lot's of excitement.

First I set a goal that would take an entire year to fulfill.

Our country turned over a new leaf by inaugurating a new president. I'll keep my personal feelings on his progress to date under wraps; as is the tradition on this blog and in my personal life.

Also, my very best friend found out she was pregnant. She told me the same night she told her husband and then swore me to secrecy. So I didn't blog about it and we all know how much I like to keep secrets. There for a while I thought I might implode.

February was a quiet month, but I managed to overcome a personal battle I'd been fighting for some time with my first successful pie.

In March I was allowed to tell the world about Julie's pregnancy and her ever growing belly. Also my newest niece graced us with her presence. It's been a big year for babies. And I celebrated one year of blogging by blogging every day for a month (almost).

Next up was my all time favorite month of the year, April.

First up was my birthday. I turned 27 and got geared up for another fantastic year of ME!

Eleven days after my birthday, on April 14th, came the day that changed my life. That fateful day where I said goodbye to my car and hello to a lot of new doctors.

May found me on the sofa all.month.long. Blogging in an inebriated state. Trying to find the silver lining in the situation and evaluating my new reality.

By June I was ready to shed my cast, but shortly after escaping my sofa I found myself imprisoned there again after a second surgery.

But after my short recovery period I was able to get up and start walking again. Rebuilding my strength. This also allowed me to take a good hard look back at how far I'd come.

Along with walking came getting out and rejoining society. It was truly splendid.

When July rolled around I was ready to show my face to the world again. Also, I took over as primary driver of The Hulk. And by the end of the month we took our first road trip together to see Julie and celebrate her first baby shower!

The first week of August we found ourselves at the beach. Me, for the first time in several years. The rest of the month I took a break from blogging because there was a dismal lack of activity that month. It was pretty fantastic.

We rang in September by celebrating three years of marital bliss and then I took another long break to enjoy the last lingering days of summer. I also spent some time in Raleigh with Julie and Frank helping them welcome baby Mina into the world.

The spooktacular month of October wasn't scary at all, but it was very busy.

We spent a good bit of time enjoying the outdoors because the warm weather stayed around for a good long time this year.

I took a moment to reminisce and be grateful for the blessings I'd received.

The end of the month took Andy away from home and on a great cross country adventure. When he came back I gleefully welcomed him home.

November, another busy month, but a good one.

First on the agenda was Julie's baby shower. If I do say so myself it was a hit and I so enjoyed seeing them again. Mina changes daily and it's going to take some effort on my part to keep up.

Andy and I declared war on the gnats that had invaded our home.

We celebrated Thanksgiving. The first in our home with our family with me as the chef. Which is something that made me very, very grateful.

By December we were ready for the year to end, but 2009 was sure to go out with a bang.

I kicked off the month by entering a cookie contest. I didn't win the whole shebang, but I did win a prize and so did one of the lovely ladies that voted for me. That's something I'll fill you in on during the new year.

The holidays are always an adventure and our house was certainly no exception.

Half way through I took another trip down to Raleigh to celebrate the season with Julie and some of my internet friends.

The next weekend brought snow, snow and more snow. We also had to say goodbye to a good friend. Something that is always difficult but when it comes during this special time of year it seems brings and extra bitterness.

Christmas week was bittersweet. And Christmas day can be best described as hellish; thanks in large part to the ice storm that tore through the area on Christmas eve.

That brings us up to date.

I can't remember another year that had such a big impact on my life and how I live it. Nor can I recall a time that I was so happy to see the new year roll around. It's fresh, new and full of possibility.

The year's lessons are something that I will carry with me always. I have been forever altered by the turn my life has taken in 2009. I can't say that I would change any of it, but there are many things that I certainly wouldn't want to do over.

I am so very grateful for all the friends I've made - through this blog, on my medical journey and by happenstance. The love and support I've received from everyone, family and friends, is a priceless piece of joy that lives in my heart.

I'm ready for the new year.

From now on change is something I welcome, and I know that with so many people standing by my side me I can handle whatever comes.

Drumroll please!

2009-12-30T15:35:00.005-05:00

Thanks to all who participated in my poll. I tell ya, this was such a life altering decision, I don't know what I'd have done without you all.

Ok, I'm being sarcastic. Remember what this blog is called. And what I said at the end of yesterday's post.

I'm afraid I did not listen to the majority. And the other two poll options were split fifty-fifty in voters.

So which was it?

Let's start with the before. I managed to get my camera charged and take a snapshot of myself before I left this morning.

And, this is what I came home with.

Andy was on the phone when I walked in the door and he told the person on the other line that I was missing twelve inches of my hair.

But after he had a minute to process it he gave his approval. And I love it too!

I'm ready for what 2010 has in store! Bring on the new year!

Haircut hangup

2009-12-29T15:06:00.006-05:00

Let me begin by saying that I haven't set foot in a salon since May. I know!

Usually six months is my max for going without at least a trim, but a hair cut just hasn't been in our budget. At least, not the kind of hair cut I want. Going to one of those super cuts places is not an option for me. I just won't do it.

The trouble is that whenever I make an appointment this time of year I usually make a drastic change. My hair is really long right now. Longer than it has been in nearly ten years. Given the dry weather and the static that plagues me daily I would like nothing more than to chop off my tresses a la dooce. I mean, how awesome is her haircut? And that baby? Well, we aren't talking about babies - we're talking about hair.

Anyway, I've had a pixie cut before and loved it! But a pixie cut requires a trip to the salon every six weeks or so. Let's remember the budgetary constraints here.

I've decided just to get myself a good trim. Some extra layers to give my hair movement. Also, I've grown very fond of having some form of bang in the last couple of years. Since my last cut my bangs have completely grown out and I hate it. So the major decision here is what kind of bangs to get.

Heavy and blunt:

Or light and wispy:

I had planned on taking a picture of myself today so that you could see exactly what my mop looks like, but then remembered that my camera battery is dead and the charger is being held captive in The Hulk with Andy.

So, this will have to do:

This photo was taken almost two months ago, so my hair was still somewhat reasonable. Imagine it kind of stringy and messy all over.

In case it matters; my hair is fine, but with medium thickness. Thin enough for a big pony tail holder wrapped around three times, but too thick for a skinny one, those just won't hold my hair. It also has a fair amount of natural curl that is easily beaten into submission.

So which face framing fringe should I ask for? What do you think?

Also, keep in mind that I am wildly spontaneous when it comes to my hair and the more I look at that photo of dooce the more I want to chop off all my hair. It is very likely I will ignore all advice and my own judgment and come home missing about a foot of hair.

Update! I added a poll in the side bar for all you non-commenters.

*Photos from Hair Thursday.

So I went shopping this afternoon...

2009-12-28T18:42:00.004-05:00

Guess what I bought.

I bet you can't.

Come on! Give it a try!

No?

Alright I'll tell you.

First I stopped at a gas station and purchased petrol for The Hulk.

And then...

After spending several hours going in and out of stores I went back home.

The end.

Not a damn thing, that's what I bought!

My grievances:

The sales (if you could call them that) were terrible. I realize that we're in a recession and that stores aren't making as much money, so they want to squeeze every penny they can out of an item, but WE'RE IN A RECESSION! People can't afford to pay full price for things! Not to mention that it's the week after Christmas and there are supposed to be good sales. Come on retailers!
What is up with all the horizontal stripes? I mean, I can deal with a few horizontal stripes, they aren't the most flattering things, but in the right colors and on the right top they can work. But horizontal stripes in multiple colors and widths on one shirt? Even the mannequins look fat.
Short people can not wear tunics. If you are short, don't bother shopping right now.
The clothing is poorly made and ill fitting.
How about the "pencil skirt" that resembles a pencil skirt as much a flip flops resemble suede boots? That was a real joy in the fitting room.

I hate shopping online, but I'm to that point. I love winter clothing and to say I'm disappointed is a major understatement.

What are some online shops that you like? I'm in dire straights here. My Christmas cash is burning a hole in my threadbare pocket. Help!

Follow up to my cranky Christmas post

2009-12-27T19:07:00.008-05:00

After I had my meltdown on Friday night I made myself put down my phone so I wouldn't call anyone and begin to verbally beat them, I walked away from the computer so I couldn't bah humbug anymore and then made myself some food.

(Let me add here: I fully expected to wake up on Saturday to some nasty comment about how there are starving children in Africa with no house at all and that I should quit my bitching and just be grateful. That's something I've been telling myself since I hit publish on Friday night and I totally would have deserved it. But no one said anything (yet) about how I was being a major brat. Thanks for that.)

So anyway, back to the food. Turns out I was kind of hungry. Ok, like a lot hungry and putting something in my tummy other than Reese's peanut butter cups was a very good decision on my part. Then I sat down in front of the television and put Julie & Julia into the DVD player. It was a gift from my fabulous in laws and I hadn't seen it yet. I LOVE it! The combination of eating good food and watching a movie about people making good food improved my mood considerably. And right about the time the movie was over our water came back on. It just so happens that we are on a well and the pump for the well is on a different power line than our apartment. The power for the well hadn't been restored yet. Not until about 10:30.

At first the toilet was making some seriously crazy sounds. I thought for sure it was going to blow up, which would have just been the icing on the cake that had been Christmas day. So I shut the door to the bathroom and walked away. Next, I called Andy to tell him about the water coming back and the toilet situation and he said, "You just shut the door?" Um, yeah I just shut the door. What the hell did he really think I was going to do about it if the toilet did explode? Being covered in sewage would have completely destroyed the small semblance of a good mood I'd managed to create and I thought shutting the door was a stroke of genius. I told him just that and that if the toilet did explode then at least the mess would be contained to one room.

But, whatever, the toilet didn't explode. So at 11:00 I took a shower, then Andy came home from work and he took a shower and we happily tucked ourselves into bed where visions of working plumbing danced in our heads.

On Saturday I finally got to see my family.

There were several people missing, but it was nice to see most of them anyway.

Highlight of my day:

When my youngest nephew opened his present from Andy and I (a t-shrit with a Mr.Potato head face on it). He held it up to his chest, said, "OH! Thanks!" then tossed it over his shoulder to contiue playing with the toys I'd interrupted him from. I do not have that on video, though I wish I did.

What I do have on video is my family trying to arange themselves for the annual Christmas picture I impose on them.

I thought it might be funny to document, but instead of telling them I just set the camera up on the tripod, pressed record and waited.

Let me apologize in advance for how nasaly and whiny I sound. Apparently that happens when I'm being bossy. I'm gonna' have to do something about it.

What you can't hear is that my uncle Tony is making farting noises at me the whole time. He hates having his picutre taken, like my sweet little husband, and has grown increasingly surly about this photo every year. Also, my grandmother had not had a bath yet that day and refused to be in the photo at first. We got her in there, but she's probably going to tell me not to put the picture on the internet the next time she talks to me. Too late.

There were several missing components to our family because I was there a day late, but I still insisted because there were more than four of us gathered at one time. That's something that only happens on holidays, and after losing some vital people in my family unit I've decided this is absolutely necessary. One day they will all thank me.

It did turn out to be a wonderful Christmas anyway. Somehow it always does. I think it's just the season.

I hope yours was merry and even if you don't celebrate Christmas I hope that you've taken some time out to spend with your family. Even if they drive you batty it's worth it.

Merry Christmas (kind of)

2009-12-25T17:56:00.008-05:00

All Christmas season I've kept my cheer in tip-top shape. I feel like I have so many blessings this year that even stress on the holidays couldn't get in the way of my high. Not a lot of money for presents? No problem! I'm here and able to spend the holidays with my family. That's really all that matters.

So why the Grinchy attitude all of a sudden? Hold on. You'll see.

We need to go back a few days, so I can fill you in.

Wednesday Andy and I went to a funeral. A funeral for a 22 year old that should still be alive. He was healthy and there is no reason he should have passed away. I know that God has his reasons, but so often with death they are hard to see.

After the funeral I asked Andy's sister to take our picture because we are so rarely dressed up together.

(Do you think that's tacky of me to want our picture taken in our funeral attire? I'm not entirely sure that I care what anyone's opinion is. I didn't take the pictures at the funeral or even near it. Seven years ago when my grandfather died, one of my distant uncles took pictures of me with my bereaved family while we were walking to the graveside. That was tacky.)

Andy hates having his picture taken and is a serious pain in the ass, but he's been sick since the beginning of the week so his whining was almost unbearable. This is the best we managed to get out of him before he stormed off proclaiming, "That's it!"

So Wednesday was spent mostly grieving. We got home later than expected and I spent the rest of the evening in the kitchen decorating cookies. Because, like our friend's father said at his son's funeral, "Cameron would want you to have a meaningful Christmas."

I decorated and cooked until I couldn't take anymore and then I woke up early on Thursday morning to do some more.

Thursday was a much more pleasant day. Tiring, but very enjoyable.

I was in the kitchen all day, right up to dinner time. I made sugar cookies and truffles and carrot cake cookies and cinnamon rolls. Plus a few side dishes to go with dinner.

Andy's family came up at about 4 then Andy got home just after 6. That is a miracle in and of itself because Andy never gets home on time on Christmas eve, so we finished up dinner and sat down for a fantastic meal after we opened presents. We gluttoned ourselves as people are likely to do this time of year and after cleaning up and divvying out the leftovers we sent them on their way. They were in a bit of a rush to get going because the forecast was warning of an ice storm on its way.

No matter. Everyone got home safely and, though I was exhausted from the day's activities, I went to bed with great anticipation for the lovely Christmas day ahead of me.

Then the ice storm hit.

Andy slept like a rock because he took his nighttime cold medicine. I, on the other hand, did not self medicate and woke up several times in the night to gale force winds throwing tiny little ice spears at our window. It seemed as though our house would for sure come down on our heads and we would either be crushed or frozen.

Neither of those things happened though and I suffered through the restless night. Waking up at 6:30 to the power flickering on and off. It finally settled on staying on for a bit so I got up to stuff stockings and go ahead and make some coffee lest the power decide to fizzle completely.

I got the coffee made and the stockings stuffed. The power was holding strong; no more flickers. So I attempted to waken my sick, sleepy husband. I don't like to wait to open presents. The five year old in me can not be put off on Christmas morning.

I did not manage to get sir grumps-a-lot out of bed until the power finally died at 8 o'clock.

When he did rise we went into the living room and tore into the gifts... in the dark. Much jubilation for gift opening was had and the bunnies enjoyed playing in the wrapping paper and inspecting their newest treats.

But our little living space was growing cold quickly so we built a fire and Andy set out for the ski shop (which also did not have power). The forecast told of rain to come in the afternoon so I waited a bit before I set off down the mountain to see the family.

Andy came home around noon. The ski shop was cold and going to stay that way until the power came on, so they closed up until that great event occurred and he helped me pack up the car to head off the mountain.

At this point in the day our roads were only wet, so I felt safe making the hour long trek. I kissed my husband goodbye and hopped in the Hulk. Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house I went. Until I got to the next town that was covered in ice and people were totally ignoring road conditions and driving like maniacs.

I decided I'd quite had my fill of car accidents for a lifetime so I turned around and headed back to my husband.

On the upside of all this: I haven't spent Christmas day with Andy in about three years because he is always working. So it was a blessing in disguise that we got to have a little Christmas time together. Even without power, heat or water.

We heated up leftovers in the fireplace and Andy made a make-shift cooler for his winter brews.

Then instead of talking, or playing a game or any other shenanigans, we proceeded to fall asleep on the sofa because I was tired from lack of sleep and Andy's cold hasn't gotten any better.

Then at almost five o'clock I woke up to my sickly love telling me the power was back on and he was going to work.

So here I am. Alone.

I have power, but guess what didn't come back? Our water. Yes, that's right we haven't had water all day either. It's been well over 24 hours since I had a shower and my present mood is declining in direct correlation to my cleanliness.

I keep telling myself that I still have so much to be grateful for, but it isn't putting any pep in my step. Right now I just want to be crabby and upset, and wallow in self pity. So that's what I'm going to do.

The sun is supposed to shine tomorrow and I'm going to go see my family then. Also, come hell or high water (which seems not only possible, but likely at this point) I'm going to have a shower. If not tonight then tomorrow at someone's house who has water.

Despite my unpleasant demeanor I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas. Feel free to share your holiday cheer with me. It might help boost my mood.

Last minute holiday crafting

2009-12-22T16:39:00.005-05:00

Yesterday my friend Jessie brought over an early Christmas present for me. Yay me!

The package was beautiful, but Jessie wanted me to open it in front of her. Not wanting to disappoint I ripped right into that bad boy. She got me a package of various fancy sea salts. Right up my alley. I've already got a recipe picked out!

But we're not talking about the sea salts, we're talking about crafting aren't we. That's what the title of the post says. I'm getting to the crafting part.

This is what the package looked like before I ravaged it:

Gorgeous, right?

It was even better in person. The ribbon was so soft and silky and felt like butter. Also, those snowflakes aren't printed on they're velvet. That's not something you just throw in the trash.

I knew I needed to do something with it. I considered making ornaments out of it.

But I already made a couple for our tree this year out of old holiday cards.

So I decided I should make some garland.

I set out to do just that, but about half way through decided it wasn't going to work. The "garland" didn't hang right and it would have driven me crazy.

What now? I was already half way into my craft and it wasn't going to turn out like I'd hoped.

Then I had an inspiration! We're having Christmas dinner here with Andy's family on Christmas eve and I'm planning on using my fancy dishes.

Only problem is that my fancy dishes are silver and white and don't match my holiday table decorations.

See?

Those place mats and utensil mittens are perfect for my every day dishes, but not so much with the silver and white stuff.

What's a girl to do?

I'm really not this dramatic about it. I usually take the decorations off the table and just let the dishes be the decoration.

But not this year. Not anymore!

I rearranged some snowflakes and turned my failed holiday garland into the perfect table runner for our Christmas eve dinner.

I think I'm in love!

I didn't take step-by-step photos. It's really kind of a no-brain-er. I just cut out the snowflakes and backed them with black cardstock to make them sturdier. After I laid them out like I wanted them I used ribbon, glue and metal grommets to hold it all together. Viola!

It was quick, easy and painless. Well, mostly painless. I did cut my finger with a pair of scissors, because I'm totally smooth like that.

Do you like to do holiday crafts? Or are you all retail all the time?

How I found out about Santa

2009-12-21T11:17:00.005-05:00

Remember how I said I can't keep a secret and don't like surprises? Those two particular personality traits have been with me my whole life.

In my child's mind it only made sense to me that if I didn't like surprises then no one else did either. And if I knew a secret about a surprise I told it. Every time.

This particular quirk of mine caused a lot of problems for my brother.

He could keep a secret. And he did like surprises. A lot.

For whatever reason my mom often told me what she got my brother for presents, or what other people got him. Or maybe she didn't have a choice. I've always like to shop and my mom was notorious for giving in to me. I was her strong willed child.

So when she went out shopping I made it a point to tag along and didn't often take no for an answer. On a regular basis I spoiled Josh's birthday and Christmas surprises. He hated it, but I kept on doing it. The suspense was just too much for me to handle.

One year my mom got him a video game that he'd been wanting for his birthday and I told him. He was so mad. It didn't help that my mom found out that I'd spoiled the surprise, so she returned the video game and got him a watch instead. She's going to comment that she doesn't remember this at all. But I remember because I thought for sure I was going to be killed.

I'm getting off topic. We're talking about Christmas, not birthdays.

So anyway, at Christmas time the cycle continued. Santa presents were kept under wraps of course, because why would my mother know for sure what Santa was bringing? But from time to time I would know something that a relative was going to give Josh. And I think by this point we all know what I did with that information.

What is the average age that a child learns the truth about Santa? I'm guessing between eight and ten.

I was five.

I don't remember what the present was. I just know that I told him, and in retaliation he told me the truth about the big jolly guy in red. It wasn't good enough to just hit me, and he'd get in trouble for that for sure. So why not spill the beans?

Of course at first I didn't believe him. How could he possibly know? Had he ever been to the North Pole to see?

Josh set out to make sure there wasn't an ounce of belief left in me. He described, in detail, how he crept downstairs in the wee hours one Christmas morning to find our mother stuffing our stockings and piling presents under the tree.

I think I was momentarily distraught. No Santa? Really?

So I went and asked my mom. She could tell that I had way more information than a five year old should have, so instead of perpetuating the myth she gave in and told me the truth.

Then the skies opened up and the heavenly angels began to sing. No Santa! My mom was Santa!! I had a direct link to the source of the gift giving!!! No more writing letters!!!! No more sitting on some strange man's lap to try to get my message across!!!!!

I was experiencing Christmas "gimme" bliss.

My brother had inadvertently done me a gigantic favor. He had told the world's worst secret keeper the truth about the biggest secret in a child's life. I'm afraid his revenge didn't have quite the impact that he'd hoped for.

Somehow I was able to grasp the importance of this secret. My mom managed to convince me that my friends didn't want to know and it would be very bad if I told them. So, as far as I remember, I did manage to keep the secret from all of my school chums.

My knowledge of the truth never seemed to be a problem, with one small exception.

The next year, when I was in first grade, the teachers were making a bulletin board with students' letters to Santa. One-by-one they called us up so we could give our list and they could write our letter. When they got to me I told the teacher that Santa wasn't real and I didn't write him letters. I flat out refused to give my Christmas list until she asked me what I was asking my mother for that year.

When my letter appeared on the bulletin board it read, "Dear Santa," and I distinctly remember being upset by that. Hadn't I told her Santa wasn't real? Why did this grown-up keep insisting on the existence of a fake person? Clearly, she was delusional.

How did you learn the truth about Santa?

Snowstorm 2009

2009-12-19T15:29:00.012-05:00

This afternoon when I measured the snow outside our door it was about 16 inches. I know several people who have 18 or more. The snow is really beautiful, but when it comes in such great quantities it can be kind of bothersome.

We're supposed to get more snow throughout the night and most of the day tomorrow. It won't be as significant, but another 4 inches on top of what we already have is a whole lot of snow.

Here are some photos and videos I took yesterday and today.

Video from "rush hour"

Our friends Robert and Allison spent the night with us. They were thinking about it in the afternoon, but when the main road was closed that pretty much sealed the deal. This is Robert's car right after they pulled up.

Andy got home shortly after 11. The Hulk has a lift and 33 inch tires.

Kind of grumpy after a long day at work. Also, Allison, Robert and I were watching Christmas movies and Andy doesn't really like Christmas movies.

Love my snowman flag. It's kind of perfect right now!

I decided I wanted to go walk around since I hadn't been out yet. So of course it made perfect sense to throw on my snow boots with my pajama bottoms.

I tried to take a picture of a snow covered tree, but the falling snow kind of got in the way.

No feet!

My footprints away from and back to the door. I didn't go far - it was cold!

Andy had to dig himself a hole so he could get into the storage room. He needed some more snow gear.

The temperature this morning around 8:30 am. It has stayed pretty steady all day. I think it's supposed to hover around this for the next three days or so.

People in the parking lot next door came early to dig themselves out before the snow started again.

This is the side yard. I took this and the photo above from a window.

After a big waffle breakfast it was time to dig the cars out.

The heat from the cars the night before melted some of the snow and then it refroze. Robert and Andy had a heck of a time getting the cars out this morning. First they got the Hulk out. Then they dug out Robert's car, but it just slipped around so Andy had to offer his assistance.

Explaining the process and plan:

Putting the plan into action:

Success!

Allison and I played with the camera while the men did all the hard labor. Actually I think Allison did some shoveling too, but I was inside and didn't come out until they'd gotten all the difficult stuff done. Good timing!

If you got snow, I hope you're enjoying it like we are. If you didn't, I hope you're enjoying your freedom.

********************************************

On a different note:

Andy and I received some very sad news this afternoon.

A close friend of ours passed away in his sleep last night. We are close with his whole family and our hearts are breaking for them. He was only 23 and right now it looks like he aspirated in his sleep. He was visiting home for the holiday season and his parents found him this morning.

Things like this never come at a good time, but something about losing a loved one during this time of year seems to make it extra hard.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they try to cope with this sudden, terrible loss.

Photogenic Friday: What was I thinking?

2009-12-18T14:04:00.007-05:00

The ski shop rents a lot of ski bibs and jackets through the season. Usually they take the laundry to the local laundry mat, but have decided that isn't economically sound anymore, and have been trying to figure out a better way to get the laundry done.

It's coming down to crunch time. The slope has been open since Thanksgiving weekend and they haven't had the laundry done yet. It hasn't been terribly busy, but with the snow forecast this weekend they're about to shift into high gear.

So I agreed to do the laundry. It's not like I have anything better to do all day. It will save the shop money and they pay Andy's salary. So helping them save money means that they can keep paying Andy and that's a good thing. Also, they are paying me to do it which gives us a little more dough.

Sounds like a good idea all around, right?

I thought so. Until Andy brought me the last month's worth of laundry today.

If you can't tell there are six giant trash bags full of dirty ski clothes. S-I-X!

I was slightly unprepared for the magnitude of laundry that needed to be done.

But then I reminded myself that it hadn't been done in nearly a month and usually they launder every week. So it won't always be this bad.

And since this is what it looks like outside:

I'm not going to be going anywhere anytime soon. I've got nothing but time.

My weekend plans include: Laundry, reading, laundry, playing with bunnies, laundry, watching Christmas movies... oh, and did I mention laundry?

I lead such a glamorous life.

Have a happy and safe snow filled weekend!

Feeding frenzy

2009-12-17T14:31:00.004-05:00

The bunnies' favorite time of day is treat time. Sometimes they start to beg early, but I usually give them treat each night shortly before bedtime.

They like routine. And so do I.

Anyway, this video shows just how excited they get. They can see me here, but they don't have to see me to know it's treat time. All I have to do is start shaking the bag and they come running. And heaven forbid I don't get them out of the bag fast enough because then the world might come to an end!

Notice how Milton finished his and then tried to go for Brunswick's. I'm convinced that Brunswick eats his slowly to rub it in Milton's face.

Then when I held out my hand Milton is still holding on to a shred of hope. "Please, Sir, I want some more."

Brutally honest

2009-12-16T09:38:00.003-05:00

Jamee gave me another award earlier this week! How sweet is she?

The Honest Scrap Award requires you to list 10 honest things about yourself. Here goes:

I can not keep a secret. Well, I guess I can if I have to, but I don't like it. I'm a blabber mouth and proud of it.
I hate surprises. Unless I don't know about them before they happen. I work on a strictly need to know basis and if you tell me that you have a surprise for me then I NEED TO KNOW!
I keep my hair long because Andy prefers it that way. He says he doesn't care, but I know better. When I was twenty I cut if off in a pixie cut and he hated it. But I loved it and would keep it that way forever if I didn't care what he thought.
I like Thanksgiving better than Christmas. Less commercialism & less stress.
Some days I'd like to be a mother ASAP. Other days I think I could go another five years or so.
I own all the Dixie Chicks albums and know the words to all the songs. Go ahead and judge me.
I didn't drink a sip of alcohol until six months after I turned twenty one.
I've surprised myself with this blog. When I started it I never really thought I'd keep up with it, but I have and I actually really enjoy it.
I didn't get asked out a lot in high school. I always thought it was because the guys didn't like me, but then my junior year one of my male friends told me it was because they were all intimidated by me. When you're in high school self confidence doesn't do much for your social life, but I wouldn't have traded it for a thousand dates.
All I want for Christmas is the new Harry Potter movie. Truly. Between my family, friends and sweet, flop eared trouble makers I've got everything I need. Well, maybe a reeses cup or two would be nice.

Now, there aren't any mandates for passing this on. At least, Jamee didn't post them. I don't want to give out a blog award for the sake of passing it along, so I'm going to save my passing opportunity until I find the right person/blog. Feel free to nominate someone if you'd like!

Tree skirt bandit

2009-12-15T17:36:00.008-05:00

I've never been able to bring myself to fork over good money for a tree skirt. There are many Christmas-y type things that I'll waste our hard earned money on, but a tree skirt isn't one of them. One reason for that is because I've never really found one I like enough to buy and the other reason is because... well, you'll see.

In lieu of a traditional tree skirt I just use festive fabric that I found for the right price. First I cover the tree stand with a solid red piece of cloth and then I bunch up green tulle around it for a little extra kick.

These stay in place exactly as long as it takes the bunnies to realize they are there. Presents under the tree? I think not.

The following videos show you just what Milton thinks of the tree skirt.

After I filmed this first one Andy* told me Milton wasn't growling. He thinks the sound I hear is Milton's nails scratching the tulle. Since I've never heard either of my bunnies growl at anything I'm guessing that Andy is probably right. But I think it's more fun to pretend like he's growling at the tulle. (In case you're wondering, yes, bunnies can, and do, growl sometimes)

Thirty seconds after I stopped filming Milton moved to the other side of the tree:

Now, I feature Milton on this blog a lot. I don't want you getting the wrong idea and think I prefer Milton to Brunswick. That's not the case.

The thing is that Milton gets into a lot more trouble than Brunswick.

To illustrate my point:

While Milton was doing this

Brunswick was doing this

We're the proud pet parents of one very high strung bunny and one very lazy bunny.

Not to say that Brunswick doesn't have his moments. Just this evening I caught him as he was successfully chewing through a strand of Christmas lights. I just didn't get it on video because I was busy trying to keep him from being electrocuted.

How do your fur babies get involved in the holidays?

*Did you hear what Andy was saying to Milton in the first video before I shushed him? He wonders why the bunnies behave better for me.

Festivus weekend!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-14T20:25:00.010-05:00

It has been one hellish day around here. I haven't got anything accomplished that I wanted to. Mostly because other things demanded my attention.

I was so angry at one point I couldn't speak to other people without biting their heads off, so I avoided society for a while today.

So this post is coming about eight hours later than I had planned and after a cocktail (or two) to take the edge off. Please forgive any typo's that are sure to occur. There is a good possibility that I'll edit this tomorrow.

This past weekend was positively filled with the holiday spirit. Just bursting with it!

It has become a tradition of mine to spend a weekend early in December with my bestie Julie. It gives us the opportunity to spread the collective cheer and not just say hi and bye on Christmas day when we are trying to spend time with our families and everyone in between.

So I went to Raleigh this weekend. Spent some time with Julie, Frank and Mina and also got to see some of my "creepy internet friends" from The Nest. If you don't know what The Nest is you should totally check it out. I would link to it, but like I said, I've had a cocktail (or three) and I just don't have the patience for that right now. Google is your friend.

Here are some photos from my fun filled weekend.

First, thing first
Julie needed to shop for some "in between" jeans
So Mina and I had some fun with
the camera in the dressing room

Decked out for the Tacky Sweater party
People don't sell tacky sweaters anymore
Did you know that?
Some Nesties
More nestiesMere with Harrison Even more Nesties
Julie takes a moment to feed Mina
She was a trouper
(I'm talking about Mina)
Alethea's Hanukkah socks
Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Booze!!!!!!!!!!!!
And cake
Pami strikes a pose
Most of the group
"The world's ugliest house"
Found on the way to the party
Side building (I'm guessing garage)
Attached to "The world's ugliest house"
The pictures don't do it justice
It really needed to be experienced in person
Going to Church
Mina is impersonating Cindi Lauper
"Stupid paparazzi!"

Ok, that's all folks. I've got some great posts planned for this week, so stay tunned!

Now I'm going to go enjoy a cocktail (or four). Ok, not really. I'm 5'2 and weight... oh, who am I kidding? A lady never tells how much she weighs! Let's just say that if I had four cocktails I'd be in a coma.

I'm pretty impressed with myself for still being whitty after a few cocktails though.

Photogenic Friday: Holiday Bloopers

2009-12-11T08:55:00.001-05:00

Attempting to get pictures for our Christmas card

They did not care for the box

Halfway through lighting the tree.
Slightly frazzled.
Someone was playing with the camera
I'll give you a hint:
It wasn't the bunnies
Andy's idea of a good Christmas card photo

What are the holiday's like at your house?

Only two weeks 'till Christmas!

I'm off to spend the weekend in festive
frivolity!
Have a great one!

Kid-speak

2009-12-10T15:31:00.004-05:00

Several years ago, when I was in college, I spent a summer working in a preschool in my hometown. I was in the two year old room which provided many laugh-out-loud moments throughout the months I was there.

One morning in particular stands out in my mind.

One of the students, a little boy, had an amazing memory. He could look at a map of the US and point out all 50 states and tell you their capitols. It was really impressive. This is usually how he filled his mornings before everyone got there and the day began. He did it so much that by the end of the summer I could recite them all from memory without looking at a map.

Each morning he'd sit down with the map and begin to recite everything he knew. It didn't matter if anyone was listening. He just liked to do it. But often the other students would watch him for a few minutes to see if they could beat him to North Carolina.

For the most part he didn't need any help, but once in a while he would get confused and have to ask which state was which.

This was one of those mornings. He got to a state and asked, "Miss S! Which state is this?" I looked over his shoulder and replied, "Oh. That's Utah."

At which point another student, a little girl who'd been watching the whole thing, assumed an air of complete offense and said, "Hey! I'm tall too!"

Ba-dum-bum

I didn't laugh right away. I just told her that she was indeed tall too and walked away to turn my back and laugh. She wasn't tall. She was the shortest kid in the class. But she didn't know that and that's the only thing that matters.

On a snowy day in January long, long ago

2009-12-09T13:22:00.004-05:00

I'm really only guessing it was in January. It could have been March. Mom? Josh? Are you there? Do you remember when this happened?

Things I remember about this very snowy day:

I was wearing a pair of my mom's snow boots
In order to keep the boots on and make sure no snow got inside them my feet were covered with plastic bags
Walking around was slippery
When we started you couldn't see the grass in the yard
At the end you could
I wasn't much help because I was small (and undoubtedly whiny)
Most of my time was spent walking around behind my mom and brother while they rolled this giant snow ball around the yard
I took my job as snowman cheerleader very seriously
Probably not. Most likely I kept asking if we were going inside soon.
They used all the snow in the front yard for the body and had to go to the back yard to build the head
When we were done Josh and I posed proudly for a photo next to our snowman
A snowman that I had very little hand in making
My mother is very generous

I've never really liked playing in the snow. I love watching it come down while I'm next to a fire, reading a book. But, as a kid I only played in the snow because that's what you're supposed to do. It sounds like a lot of fun, and it is for about five minutes until your appendages start to go numb and your eyes want to water, but can't because the tears freeze before they can make it out.

The house we grew up in had a wood stove that we used for heat. On snowy days we would go outside and tromp around, getting lots of snow stuck to ourselves. My favorite part was when we were back inside we would pull the clumps of snow off our clothes and throw them onto the side of the wood stove. Watching it sizzle and evaporate was the best part of playing in the snow. Standing there in the heat from the stove, careful never to touch it, we had the most fun. There was something about the snow outside and the comfort the stove provided. It made me feel peaceful.

Despite all of that, this particular day, the day we made the giant snowman, has stayed with me as one of the happiest days of my childhood. I don't remember the cold, but I remember spending time with my mom and brother and the sense of accomplishment we all felt when the snowman was complete. It was a day spent in total carefree frivolity. No worries, save to finish the snowman.

It was a day spent in love.

Mrs.Kringle's Cookie bake off!

2009-12-07T18:54:00.008-05:00

Psst!

I entered a cookie contest. After you read my post please go vote for me. If I win I get lots of awesome prizes. And if you go leave a comment and vote for your favorite cookie you can win something too!

Click here to vote for me and view other contestant entries.

This year I thought Santa might like something different when he comes calling. I know the standard is chocolate chip cookies, but those have to get old after the first thousand or so. Don't you think?

I was wracking my brain to come up with something wonderful for Santa, but just couldn't think what to do.

So I had a conference with Santa's helpers.

Wouldn't you know, those sweet little things came right to my rescue. They are partial to recipes including carrots and were positively insistent that I should use those as my feature ingredient. I gave in. They are Santa's helpers after all and they know him better than me.

I spent all afternoon in the kitchen grating carrots and sifting flour to create the perfect Carrot Cake Cookies for Santa.

Once I finished I asked his helpers if they would be so kind as to taste test them for me. "Why of course!" they exclaimed.

"They certainly smell lovely!
Or am I only smelling the carrots?"
"Oh yes! These are positively
delightful!"

The helpful helpers passed judgment on the cookies, "These are certain to be Santa's new favorite cookie!"

So, in case you are reading this Santa, I just wanted you to know that we are ready for you. The halls are decked and the stockings are hung. You're the only thing missing.

And your new favorite cookie is waiting with a nice, cold glass of milk.

But you'd better hurry or your helpers might eat them all.

Carrot Cake Cookies with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 T ground cinnamon
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1 cup raisins
1 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Beat in the pineapple, carrots and raisins until well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.

Add the wheat germ and flour mixture to the batter and mix until combined.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the oats and walnuts.

Drop in rounded tablespoons onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread considerably while baking. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown slightly around the edges.

Allow to cool slightly on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the icing:

1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature

In a double boiler, over medium-low heat, melt the white chocolate chips. Once melted add in the cream cheese. It's important for it to be room temperature. If the cream cheese is still cold it will cause the chocolate to seize up. If this happens just put the mixture back over the double boiler and stir until it's smooth.

Use a fork to drizzle the mixture over the cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set.

Or go ahead and eat a cookie because you can't wait!

*Baker's note and a disclaimer:

The walnuts and raisins are optional. I didn't put raisins in mine because we don't like them.

Also, these cookies are, of course, for humans. I don't feed my bunnies cookies. However, Milton did take a little nibble before I realized he was eating a cookie and not a carrot.

Photogenic Friday: Devil Bunny

2009-12-04T12:21:00.005-05:00

Last Saturday Andy and I got out of the house for a while and went to town.

We left the bunnies out of their cage like we always do. Usually they entertain themselves and are fine while we're gone.

I don't know what exactly got into Milton. Maybe he was upset that I didn't give him his nightly vegetables before we left. Or perhaps he didn't care for being left all alone. Except he wasn't alone he had his brother for company. Company that he generally prefers over Andy and I.

Whatever got stuck in his craw he decided to let us know it.

When we got home this is what we found:

Click photo to enlarge

He stretched himself out in the middle of the mess and waited for us to get home. When we saw him he looked up at us like, "What? I've been an example of good behavior. This is Brunswick's fault."

As a matter of fact Brunswick was sniffing around the disaster and when we came in he hopped over to me and nudged my leg as if to say, "I had nothing to do with it."

There really wasn't anything to do besides laugh and clean up the mess.

But we are going to get some plastic containers to store everything in so he can't do this again.

Have a great weekend!

For "Anonymous"

2009-12-02T15:58:00.004-05:00

Yes, retentive is misspelled in my blog header.

Let me also point out, Oh Great Spell Checker, that there is another mistake that you didn't seem to catch. Can you find it?

I knew these mistakes were there. I didn't change them because by the time I realized it I was tired of dealing with the damn thing. I've admitted before that I'm not exactly technologically savvy and after spending so much time trying to get the sizing right (which it still isn't) I couldn't make myself look at it in photoshop anymore. I'm also not a patient person.

But please, go ahead and keep hiding behind your anonymity if that makes you feel good about yourself.

There are more important things on this blog than my header. I'm not getting paid to write it and no one is forcing you to read it.

While I am anal "retantive" I'm not perfect and I enjoy my flaws.

I'll admit that your comment got under my skin at first and I wanted to tell you where you could stick it, but please keep coming back and posting your little quips. You are, after all, my first troll which means I'm moving up in the world. Thanks.

Blessings

2009-12-02T14:06:00.007-05:00

These past few days I've been living my life on the sofa with my nose stuck in a book. Two books actually, which is very unlike me. I usually like to stick to one at a time, but they're both so good. How can I choose?

Also I'm procrastinating because I have things on my mind and I've been trying to decide how best to put them in writing. Or if I should write them at all.

I try not to overwhelm my blog with melancholy posts about my car crash. There for a while recovery was my life so that's what I wrote about, but now it isn't. Recovery is still part of my daily routine, but it isn't as physical as it used to be. There are still daily physical reminders that I can't ignore, but there are only so many times that I can tell you my face hurts before you get tired of reading it.

I get tired of saying it.

I also get tired of feeling it, but that's my reality and I'm dealing with it.

This all started on Thanksgiving day. Everyone takes a moment that day to express their gratitude for the blessings in their lives. I have so much to be thankful for and I always have, but this year my gratitude stays on the surface always wanting to burst through. I can't really explain how I feel. How glad I am to be alive.

Anyway, back to last Thursday. Before everyone got here Andy and I took a moment to tell each other how much we love one another and how grateful we are to have the other person in our lives. Andy doesn't like to be serious. He makes a joke out of most situations, but when he told me he was glad I was there with him because I almost died, I knew he wasn't joking. He may have made a joke two seconds later, but you don't know someone for ten years and not be able to see behind their mask. I just let him be silly and made a joke right along with him because that is how he deals. And he has done so much for me I at least owe him that.

So we went about our day. Cooking and tidying the apartment for our company. But the rest of the day (and every day since then) I've been counting my blessings.

Last Wednesday I spent the entire day on my feet. Pretty much from the time I got out of bed until I laid down again. It made my ankle hurt. A lot. I did it so that Thursday I could spend a little less time in the kitchen and enjoy the day. I spent the morning watching the parade and when Andy got home from hunting we watch the national dog show together. But my ankle still hurt just sitting on the sofa. Then it was time for more kitchen activity. My ankle hurt. My face also hurt because the weather changed and got colder and I was talking and smiling to entertain our company.

But all of the little pains were inconsequential. My brain registered them, but that was about it. All I could think of the whole day was how glad I was that we were hosting Thanksgiving in our home for our families. I felt like I might burst with the joy of simply cooking a meal. Granted, it wasn't a small meal, it was a major undertaking, but it was mine. I owned it. And most importantly I was able to do it. I stood on my own two feet and used my hands to craft a meal for my family. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I felt like I was me again. The "before" me. I've changed and I know that. I'm not the same person I was before my crash. But for a short time I could forget it all. Even the physical reminders weren't enough to bring me down of my mountain.

Sure there was stress, but even stress is a welcome emotion when I couldn't so much as fix myself a bowl of cereal a few months ago. Hell, I couldn't have eaten a bowl of cereal if someone had fixed it for me.

Sometimes "gratitude" doesn't seem like a big enough word.

And then I have a bad day. Not even a bad day, but a bad moment.

I have no memory of sirens the day of the accident. I don't know if they used them, but if they did I didn't hear them. I remember when the ambulance and first responders got there, but the sounds I remember don't include sirens.

Yet when I hear a siren now it's like a gun going off. My heart starts to race and I say a little prayer for whoever is hurting or in trouble. It's become an automatic response for me.

This morning I woke up to the sound of sirens. I don't know what the emergency was, but it was a big one because there were several sirens and they were all honking their horns for cars to get out of the way. You couldn't sense their urgency. Usually after I say my prayer I can move on with the day. I've been awakened by sirens before, but today was different.

I went back to that day. To the aftermath and I couldn't seem to get a grip on the present. I was safe in my bed, but for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that I had. Someone was hurting like I had hurt. Someone might not be as fortunate as I was.

This happens sometimes and it's like I need something to hold on to so I can get myself back. Usually it's Andy.

So I slid over in bed to snuggle up against him and automatically the world turned right side up again. Just like it always does when he's there.

Do you see how being grateful sometimes is not enough?

I've also been thinking lately about survival, and how survival is not always what people think.

Surviving is different from living.

I like to think that I am living. I certainly try. I think if I were just surviving then mornings like I had today would ruin the whole day. Maybe even drag me under for a few days.

But it didn't. I'm alright now.

I know that I have Andy to thank for that.

I have a lot of people to thank. The EMTs, first responders, doctors and medical staff for one thing. They all helped give me my life.

But my family and friends help me to live it.

I am blessed.

I am grateful.

Thanksgiving Redux

2009-11-30T12:33:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving was a success.

Thanks, in no small part, to my husband and mother-in-law.

Everyone arrived safely even though it was snowing.

Andy had the ENTIRE day off and the ski slope opened the next day.

I only got a little frazzled because my kitchen is too small and I need more counter space. In reality my kitchen is large compared to other apartment kitchens, but I need a lot of space.

I went totally overboard and made way too much food, but that was alright because that meant people could take a bunch home and we still had plenty of leftovers.

The floor didn't fall in from all the extra weight (like Andy predicted it would).

The menu consisted of: Appetizers - a cheese ball and crackers, a cheese and meat tray, pumpkin dip with ginger snaps. Dinner- Maple brined turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, corn, roasted acorn squash, stewed apples, homemade dinner rolls. Dessert - Apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cupcakes, brownies, sugar cookies.

Some photos of the day:

Before most people arrived and
before I got flustered

Checkin' the bird
Betty Crocker
The spread

Dessert
(The cupcakes were kept hidden
until the last possible moment)
Brunswick pauses for a moment to say,
"Mom! We've been invaded!!!"
The whole group

The rest of the weekend was peaceful and mostly uneventful. We don't shop on Black Friday because 1) Andy hates crowds and 2) years of working in retail have given me a complex about the day and I avoid it at all costs.

We did go out on Saturday night to get out of the house for a bit. The town and shopping centers were actually calm by that point so we didn't feel like we needed a nap afterward. While we were gone Milton had a temper tantrum. Details to come.

I haven't been hungry since Thursday afternoon, but for some reason I can't stop eating. My stomach is about to stage a revolt!

How was your holiday?

The Pilgrims want to know...

2009-11-26T07:32:00.002-05:00

White meat or dark?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

The most wonderful time of the year!

2009-11-24T14:33:00.003-05:00

It's Thanksgiving week and I'm in full on prep mode.

Posting will be sparse this week because for the first time Andy and I are hosting for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

I'm totally in my element right now. Fall is my favorite season and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. So of course I don't do quick and easy. I generally don't do quick and easy for most celebrations, but for Thanksgiving I tend to go over the top.

Today I'm cleaning and making a few things that can be refrigerated for a couple of days. Tomorrow is full steam ahead on prep work so Thursday I can slow down and enjoy myself and our company.

I'll post our menu and some pictures after the big event, but don't expect much before then.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends.

Update: I saw New Moon twice this past weekend and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm totally one of those girls.

Why I love Karma

2009-11-20T13:29:00.005-05:00

Photogenic Friday is canceled this week. Partly because I don't really have a good picture for it and also because the following story was too good not to share.

Andy has an irrational fear of the litter boxes the bunnies use. Gutting a deer? No problem. Bunny poop? Mortal fear.

I mean, they are kind of yucky, but they are a necessary evil. When he empties them (like twice a year) he pulls his shirt over his nose, turns his head in the opposite direction and makes gagging noises. Sometimes I make him do it just so I can laugh at him and then tell him how much new born babies like to poop.

What? I'm just preparing him for the future.

So anyway, today Andy took a half day off of work to go do manly things in the woods. He came home to eat first and get some things he needed. He was being really sassy. We spent a good amount of time bantering with one another back and forth. We like to give each other a hard time, but today the sass was heavy.

He was kind of getting on my nerves.

All his things were gathered and then he remembered that he'd forgotten his camouflage hat. He took it off the hook on the door and put it on the table.

Now, there are many things that I do that Andy doesn't like. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but we aren't talking about me. We're talking about him, and I hate it when he puts his hats on the table. They never get washed and he wears them until they either a) fall apart or b) have a visible layer of slime on the inside.

I expressed my distaste about the hat on the table.

I'm sure he had some kind of earth shattering sassy response for me, but he was stopped short. He took off the hat that he was wearing in order to shake it at me, but had forgotten that his sunglasses were on his hat. They flew off his hat, across the room and landed directly into the litter box.

VINDICATION!!!

I told him he got what he deserved and he told me I was going to wash his glasses.

Oh no I wasn't!

Really I was. I had no problem washing his glasses. I just wanted to see him squirm.

He said he couldn't wash them because they were "covered in fecal matter dust."

I'm still laughing and it's been an hour.

Finally I caved, but not before I told him it was a real shame he wouldn't be able to use his glasses again because they were nice and kind of expensive.

I let him take his death march over to the sink before I intervened.

::Giggle::

Happy weekend!

"I'm over vampires"

2009-11-19T14:17:00.004-05:00

Andy has had enough.

I, on the other hand, have not. I've had a thing for vampires since the first time I saw The Lost Boys. Swoon.

Unless you've been living under a rock lately you've noticed the recent surge of vampire mania in television and movies.

Last night when a commercial came on for New Moon Andy looked over at me (squealing and clapping in anticipation) and told me he was done. No more. He refuses to be my enabler any longer.

I have to say he's been really tolerant. Because I'm not just into the Twilight saga. Any movie, show or book about vampires will usually hold my attention - at least long enough for me to determine if it's worth my time. Any time at all is too long for Andy.

So I'm trying to get my fix on the sly. I watch what I can online. Books are easier because Andy doesn't read them with me. He can pretend they are about something else.

But I need a date to go see the movie. Who's in? I'm willing to wait a bit to avoid as much of the tween frenzy as possible.

In the meantime I'll just get my jollies from watching The Vampire Diaries online. (I also have a weakness for teen television dramas. Shut Up! I'll grow up when everyone else does!)

What's your guilty pleasure?

The amazing flaming oven II

2009-11-17T13:32:00.005-05:00

Last January I posted part one to this saga. If you read the original post you'll see that I promised to put up part two a couple days after the first part. So, here we are ten months later and a couple days have finally come to pass.

For several years the ski slope has hosted an event for local skiers called Monday Night Race League.

Businesses sponsor teams and each Monday for six weeks the teams go and race. It's all in good fun and everyone has a grand time hassling each other about who is getting better results week to week.

Andy's company participates in the league and so a lot of the employees race for them.

One Monday last season a couple of our friends were having a hard time finding someone to watch their kids that night and they were going to have to bring them to the mountain to watch the races. Both parents participate in race league and their regular babysitter had canceled at the last minute.

Since I don't ski, I don't participate in the race league and I don't go to cheer people on because you have to purchase a lift ticket to do so. $50 each week to watch people race down a hill is not in our budget. This leaves me alone on Mondays so I volunteered to come stay with the kids while their parents raced. It was company for me and they were guaranteed to have more fun at home than stuck in the ski lodge. Little did we know how much fun they'd have.

So that evening around six I went over to their house. This was the first time I had met either of the girls. Their dad had talked about them a lot and I'd seen them, but we hadn't spent time together. Their parents took the time to tell them how mean I was and how I would string them up by their toes if they did anything wrong. They took their parents threats so seriously that the youngest, B, who is 5, said, "You're not really mean are you?" shortly after her parents left.

Nine year old M has a take charge sort of personality and proceeded to fill me in on how their household worked. Then she decided that she wanted something to eat and had me make her a bowl of soup and some hot tea. Neither of which she ate. It had been snowing pretty heavily for a couple days and this was their second or third day home from school. They'd been snacking on and off all day because what else is there to do after you've been stuck inside for three days?

Their mom promised them that they could make cookies with me that night. They had a pack of premade break-away cookies in the fridge. I tried to coax B into eating something nutritious, but she was ready to bake the cookies. So I got out the pan and turned on the oven.

You should know that they had just finished remodeling their house. As in, hadn't even started paying the new mortgage yet. They had a whole new kitchen and living room with crazy tall ceilings. They installed two ovens in the kitchen. The top oven was a convection oven that also had a regular electric function.

The girls told me they had only used the top oven so far and I should use that one, so I did. While I understand the concept of a convection oven I don't have any experience using one and it would be a serious let down to burn the cookies so I just turned on the electric oven function. While the oven was preheating M and I rummaged around the kitchen for things to decorate the cookies with and B arranged the cookies on the pan. She ate one of the dough balls while I was watching and I'm pretty sure she sneaked another behind my back.

We were about ready to put the cookies in to bake when I hear "Oh my gosh!" from M. I looked up and her eyes and mouth were wide open while her finger was pointing behind me. I look back and there was smoke coming out of the oven. Curious.

It wasn't a lot of smoke. I thought maybe they'd just had a little grease spill that was burning off. So I opened the oven door to see what was amiss. The oven had a pan that completely covered the heating element. That was something I'd never seen before and I guess it's a new thing in ovens to help protect the bottom. The smoke was coming from underneath the pan but I couldn't get it to lift up so I could see. I'm still not terribly worried because all I see is smoke. I wanted to give it a minute to see if the smoking stopped before we did anything else. But wait! Did I just see a flame come up from underneath the pan? Uh oh! Definitely a flame.

Neither of the girls saw the flames, but they were both trying to see into the oven. Immediately I turned off the power and asked M if she knew where the baking soda was. She did and it took her a few minutes to find it. The flames were becoming more and more frequent. Not good. While M is looking for the baking soda B has pulled over a step stool so she can get a good look inside. She isn't upset, just curious, but it's all I can do to get her to back up so she doesn't burn herself on the open oven door.

M finds the baking soda and runs back into the kitchen (it was in the laundry room) to give it to me. They must shop at Sam's club because it was the biggest box of baking soda I have ever seen. As soon as she gets to me she sees a flame in the back of the oven. This is when I realize that M is not so good in a crisis situation. B is still fine which I think was because she was taking her cues from me. I wasn't panicked so neither was she. Her sister was a completely different story. M is in full on freak out mode. I told her it would be fine we'd just put some baking soda on the fire and it would go away. My reassurances didn't help much.

But at this point the small amount of smoke has multiplied and begun billowing out of the oven filling the kitchen and living area with the crazy tall ceilings.

Another problem. The protective, and immobile, pan along with the giant box of baking soda is making it difficult for me to get anything down to where the fire is. In an effort to try to calm M down and give her a task I told her to call here parents and see if they knew how to take the pan out of the oven. I didn't want to worry them, but clearly the fire wasn't spreading and I did need to put it out. So she called. Neither of them knew, but told me to call them back if I couldn't get the fire out.

A couple minutes later and I still can't get the baking soda to the oven. The smoke is multiplying, B is still on the step stool watching me, and M is having a complete atomic meltdown. I'm going to have to scrape her off the floor when this is all over.

Their dad calls us back and says, "Just pour some damn water down there!" I ask if he's sure because all my instincts cringe away from pouring water onto what could be an electrical fire. Not only do I not want to destroy their new house, I also don't want to die over a small oven fire. He promised that as long as the oven was off we were safe, but I still made him stay on the phone with me while I did the deed. Fire extinguished!

We hung up the phone, but the excitement wasn't over. M stopped panicking about the fire, but then realized that the house was full of smoke and proceeded to freak out about that. I told her to calm down and help me open the windows. I asked them if they had any rotary fans and they did. M got a tall fan out of one of the bedrooms and we put it in the kitchen to help pull some of the smoke out of the rest of the house.

M is gagging and choking while we open all the doors and windows. Did I mention it was snowing? And that it was about 10 degrees out?

About half way through our task it occurs to me that one of the girls might have asthma and this smoke is not good. Since B didn't seem bothered by the smoke and M was the one gagging I asked her if she had asthma. I can't begin to describe the different emotions that crossed her face in five seconds time. She was already upset about the fire and the smoke in her house and after I asked her that she self diagnosed herself and clearly thought she was going to die at any moment. She started scratching and grabbing at her throat and in her froggiest voice said, "Oh my gosh! I don't know! Do you think I have asthma? I think I do! I have asthma!"

This whole time, while M and I are opening windows, B has planted herself behind the rotary fan and is singing into it at the top of her lungs. Clearly she didn't have asthma. I didn't know the song at all, but they told me later it was something from High School Musical. Except B couldn't remember anything except the chorus so for about 10 minutes I'd heard the same three lines over and over again as sung from a five year old behind a rotary fan.

All this for some dang sugar cookies.

I turned around so M couldn't see me stifle a laugh and told her that she was going to be fine and just to help me finish opening the windows.

It didn't take long for the smoke to go out and M calmed herself right back down. B finally stopped singing and we all decided to give up on the cookies and eat oreo's instead.

The rest of the night passed without incident. When their parents got home they told me they hadn't used the electrical feature on the oven before that. So I guess I broke it in for them.

The next day their dad told me that after I left M said, "Dad! You lied to us! She wasn't mean at all! She was cool!"

Spoiled

2009-11-16T14:21:00.005-05:00

Remember how much the bunnies love apples?

A while back sharing got to be too much for them so I took their apple and cut it in half. Peace was restored in bunny land!

The night I got home from the baby shower I took an apple out of the centerpiece and put it on the floor for them.

(I know what you're thinking. No wonder we had gnats if I'm just leaving fruit lying in the living room floor, right? But really, the gnats never noticed the fruit on the floor. They really didn't care for the bunnies or their stuff.)

Anyway, back to my story.

That was Saturday evening. I thought for sure the bunnies would attack the apple and it would be gone before bedtime. Once they saw it they nudged it around with their noses a little, but then walked away. Resisting temptation.

I thought they must be full and they would get to it the next day.

The lonely apple sat, uneaten, on the floor all day Sunday. They both nudged it a little more, but otherwise paid it no attention.

Monday rolled around and I was beginning to think there was something seriously wrong with it. It was a little bruised because it had fallen out of the basket and rolled around, but they'd never had a problem with bruises before. They usually attack apples with serious vim and vigor.

I decided on one last ditch effort to entice them with the apple. They had never said no to a treat before and I was begging to take their disdain personally.

So that afternoon I took the apple into the kitchen and cut it in half thinking that the stronger smell would convince them that this apple was good eats and not poisoned after all.

As soon as I walked back into the living room, before I even put the apple back on the floor, I had four beady little eyes staring up at me.

Once I put it down they each took a half and the apple was gone before dinner time.

The little punks had waited nearly 48 hours for me to cut the apple in half. They weren't sharing. No way! No how!

Back when they still shared.
Keeping guard.

Andy has always said that I spoil them, and now I know he's right. Just don't tell him that okay?

Photogenic Friday: Bug genocide

2009-11-13T17:14:00.005-05:00

Did you know that the title box on blogger doesn't do spell check? I have to double check things in the text box or look it up to make sure I'm spelling my titles right. It's annoying.

Moving on.

This is what my kitchen looks like right now:

Want to know why? Of course you do!

Andy and I have recently been having a bug problem. Andy says they are fruit flies, but I call them gnats because we don't have any fruit out on our counters. Don't fruit flies have to eat fruit to live? These bugs just live off air. I'm not kidding.

We have gone through several cans of raid and reached a level of cleanliness in or home that I didn't think possible in a rental. Still, the bugs thrived. We've been more diligent about cleaning up after ourselves in two weeks than we have or entire marriage. It's probably the only good thing that has come out of this bug invasion. I'm hoping we formed a habit.

So anyway, like I said, these bugs eat air. I promise it wasn't the bunnies that kept them around. The bugs generally avoided the bunny cage and litter boxes. It wasn't because we're pet owners.

Something had to be done. We were about to lose our ever loving minds. Also, we're hosting Thanksgiving in our apartment in two weeks and we can't have our company being dive bombed by gnats while they are eating.

Seriously. Dive bombing gnats. They started that a couple days ago.

They had reproduced in our apartment so many times that this "new bug generation" wasn't afraid of us. They didn't even fly away if we tried to squash them. They just flew a couple inches over and landed next to our hand. It was getting scary.

So last night Andy bought these fogging bomb thingies. That brings me back to my kitchen. Remember my kitchen?

The entire contents of my kitchen is in either a trash bag or saran wrap to protect it from the bug killing juice. Can I just tell you how fun it was to do that? Who wants to come help me put the kitchen back together?

::crickets::

No one? Really?

I have my worries about our clothing and bedding. Andy says everything but what we eat off of is fine. I'm not so sure. I think I'll change the sheets tonight just to be sure. It's time to break out the flannel sheets anyway.

In case you're wondering, no we didn't leave the bunnies in the apartment. Andy celebrated the first annual "Bring Your Bunny to Work Day" today. Let's hope it's the only annual "Bring Your Bunny to Work Day" day.

They're fine and healthy as can be, though very happy to be home. Pissed off doesn't begin to describe their attitude towards sitting in their cage at Andy's office for most of the day.

Oh, one more question. If you won't help with the kitchen, how about coming to help clean up all the tiny little bug carcasses?

::more crickets::

You people have no sense of adventure.

Happy weekend!

Ornament centerpiece how-to

2009-11-12T11:30:00.012-05:00

I've been making these ornaments for a few years now and I always get asked how to do it. The process is really simple once you get the hang of it, but it's easier to show someone than tell them.

So this time when I was putting them together for Julie's shower I photographed the steps.

Here it is:

First, cut out 20 circles. They all need to be the same size. You can use just paper or incorporate photographs into the ornaments like I did with these.

In the picture you can see the beginning of two different ornaments and the cutting system I used. I used two different sized circles for the ornaments I made this time, but I've made them much smaller than this. Keep in mind that the larger the circle the larger the ornament.

*Click the photos to see a larger image*

Next you need to fold the circles. I have cut out a guide to help myself fold them more quickly. I place the triangle (equilateral) in the center of each circle and simply fold around it. I use a paper creaser to help make the folds more defined.

After you've folded all your circles you're ready to start assembling your ornament. I like to lay it out to see how it might look when I'm done and to make sure I don't have any matching circles next to each other.

This step is simply to satisfy my obsessive need for order. If you want you can just start gluing. Whatever floats your boat.

You want to make the center of the ornament first. Line up ten circles in a line and glue the folded tabs together. I use craft glue that dries clear. Elmer's works fine too. Once they're all secure circle the line and glue the two ends together to form the center of your ornament. Like so:

You will have ten circles left. Choose five and glue the tabs in a circle to create the top of the ornament. Repeat this step with the remaining five circles to form the bottom. This is what the top and bottom should look like:

Now place the top piece on and position it the way you want it. Glue the tabs together all the way around. Repeat with the bottom piece.

Viola! You're ornament is finished. Set it aside to let the glue set up.

When all of your ornaments are assembled and the glue is dry it's time to string them.

This is how I do it, but if you want something simpler you can just punch a hole in one of the tabs and string a ribbon through that.

I do it this way because I'm obsessive and anal and I can't bring myself to punch a hole in any of the ornaments I just made.

Take a piece of wire and give it a loop on one end. I use a piece of floral wire folded in half and twisted so the ends don't get in the way.

Cut a length of ribbon that is long enough to thread through the ornament when it's folded in two. Thread the ribbon through the looped end of your wire.

Now, the ornament will have small holes where the points of the triangles meet. Stick the wire in one and then out the other side. Pull the ribbon through.

Tie the two ends of ribbon in a knot so it won't slide through the ornament.

Now the ornament is ready to be displayed and enjoyed!

See?

For the whole centerpiece I just filled the bottom of the bucket with foam (floral foam is cheapest) and stuck the branches into the foam. You want to use branches that have been cut recently. At first I tried to save a branch and use ones that had already fallen off. That was a mistake. The dead branches were brittle and broke easily so I was left with a big stick in my centerpiece.

Once the branches were in place I covered the foam with fake moss and pilled on the apples. Use real apples; they give the weight that you need to counter balance the branches and they stay put better. Plus when you're done with the centerpiece you can eat them!

These ornaments are great for gifts! At then end of the shower I gave them to Frank and Julie.

They also are a good way to use up old greeting cards that you can't bring yourself to throw out. I used our wedding cards to make them the first time and they make a great sentimental addition to our Christmas tree.

Give them a try. They really aren't that hard!

Leaf vase how-to

2009-11-11T16:21:00.004-05:00

I made this smaller centerpiece as an extra to use at the shower. It worked out perfectly because the chandelier over the food table was too low for the big centerpiece.

This is one of my favorite ways to decorate!

First you need two cylindrical vases

Clearly, the small one is much shorter so you need some way to prop it up so the tops of the two vases are almost level

I had some floral foam scraps lying around so I trimmed them to fit and then used a toothpick to hold the pieces together.

Place the smaller vase inside the larger one. Now it's time to fill it up.

I didn't get a picture of the filling process because I needed both my hands.

Basically just get some fake fall leaves in various colors/sized and fill in the crack between the two vases. I filled in about half way up before I put the smaller vase back in the larger one, then filled around it.

It takes a little time and effort to make the leaves look right, but I probably spent a total of 10 minutes on this project.

When you're done this is the result:

You'd never know there was a smaller vase inside!

Fill the bud vase with the flowers of your choice. I got these mums out of the clearance bucket at the local grocery store. Yes! They are real!

I have also done this with candy corn. Just pour the candy corn (or any small candy - m&m's would work great) into the bottom of the larger vase to hold up the smaller one. Then fill in as needed.

Like I said, this is one of my favorite fall decorations and the possibilities are endless for the holidays. I think I'll do it with candy hearts for Valentine's Day!

A few more shower photos...

2009-11-10T13:58:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, just after I hit publish, Julie posted some photos that she took at the shower. Here you go!

A close up of the monogrammed cuppies

Mina diggin' her bouncer

Bonnie and I with the guests of honor
Me, my grandmother, my mom and Mina

Ma-maw and Nana with Mina
Julie asked my mom to be Mina's Nana
It pretty much made her day

Possibly the sweetest picture on the planet

The Baby Shower

2009-11-09T15:10:00.007-05:00

The baby shower went off without a hitch.

Frank, Julie and Mina took home quite a haul at the end of it.

Seeing them again was so nice. I haven't seen Mina in person since she was born and she has changed so, so much. But not so much that she wasn't still small enough to cuddle.

They gave me a DVD season of The Office as a hostess gift and Andy and I have been working our way through it-watching all the special features as we go. Julie knows me so well!

Here are some photos of the details and the day.

The favors
"Caramel Apple" Popcorn balls
How-to found here

The centerpiece
We put it on the mantle because the chandelier
was too low over the table
The ornaments are made with photos
from Mina's birthday and
the banner says her name.

Monogrammed cupcakes
The food spread.
My co-hostess, Bonnie,
did all this food (except the cupcakes)
She was wonderful!
Mina with her PapaDaddy swaddles the best
Frank put the bouncer together after they opened it
so Mina would have a place to sit
This is the first photo I have with Mina
We didn't get one of us in the hospital
The best present!
Julie's mother passed away two years ago.
She was an amazing seamstress and she always made
quilts for new babies in their church.
Some of the ladies re-gifted their blankets so
Mina could have something from her Grammy.

There are some other photos floating around out there on other cameras. I get an F for not charging my camera battery and it died about halfway through. So I'll post a couple more when I get them.

While I was putting everything together I documented some of the craft how-to's on film (or memory card). I'll be posting those throughout the week. Stay tuned!

I'm up to my eyeballs in craft projects...

2009-11-05T16:59:00.004-05:00

Getting ready for someone's baby shower this weekend.

I'll be back Monday with pictures from the shower and how-to's of some of the things I'm making.

Happy weekend!

Not box cake

2009-11-03T15:21:00.003-05:00

Last year on Andy's birthday he insisted that I make him a cake from a box. He said that was his favorite and it's what he wanted.

With much wailing and gnashing of teeth I complied. Not to be outdone by a cake from a box I fancied things up a bit.

Still, it goes against the baker inside of me to just whip something up out of a box. It causes me serious pain.

Don't get me wrong. I certainly see the advantage to box mixes, but they are so much better if you throw in a little something extra, just to make it your own.

This year I wasn't taking any chances. I found the recipe and told Andy what I was making him for his birthday cake. See the difference there? I didn't ask him, I told him. And I told him while he was busy at work, then I went out and bought all the ingredients before he could realize what just happened.

So here is the finished product. One of our friends called it "chocolate cake concentrate."

There is some serious chocolate going on in this thing, but it's really, really good and worth the effort.

I only ran into one problem and that was with the ingredients. The filling called for mascarpone cheese and it turns out that isn't exactly a high priority item around here. So I substituted cream cheese and the result was delicious.

I highly recommend serving it with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream to help cut the richness. Also, start with a small piece. Trust me!

As far as I know the birthday boy was pleased. I just hope he knows that box cake is not likely to make another appearance in our kitchen.

I would like to thank the academy...

2009-11-02T12:03:00.006-05:00

I've been trying to think of something good to post today because this post is a mile marker for this blog. This is my 300th post! Whoa!

What on earth could be good enough for number 300?

Then when I logged into blogger this morning my question was answered for me by Jamee.

She dropped me a line to let me know that she'd nominated me for an award. My first ever on this blog! Awesome!

Background: This award is given to bloggers that are "Back in the Saddle" of life. This may be someone who is undergoing medical treatments, restarting his/her life, resurfacing after a tragedy, or someone who is just trying to sport a new attitude. Recipients have an attitude of a fighter, strive to be a winner of the battle, and show determination.

Rules: Post the award's graphic, background, and rules on your blog. Explain how you are "Back in the Saddle" again, and then pass the award on to at least four other bloggers who are "Back in the Saddle" just like you. Make sure you let them know that they have been given this award, and ask them to pass it on.

Jamee wrote some really sweet things about me on her blog, so head on over there to read her comments. I'm truly honored that she thought of me for this because some days I feel like I've fallen off the saddle again. Staying positive through the aftermath of my car crash is often a real challenge. It's so nice to have someone acknowledge my effort. Thank you Jamee!

My nominees are:

Megan The picture of a wonderful wife and mother. Megan shares her personal struggles and triumphs on her blog, making those who read it want to strive to be better.

Susan She and her husband overcame their struggles with infertility to welcome their sweet little boy last March. Though life isn't perfect her blog is a constant reminder that every day offers something to celebrate.

Amber Where do I begin. This family is such a pillar of strength and Amber has made such an effort to reach out to me these past six months even while dealing with her own personal tragedy. She is handling life one day at a time and reminds us all to hold our loved ones dear.

Casey Between her struggles with infertility, helping her husband through law school and battling her inner demons, Casey is still a rock star! She is honest about how hard life is and that is what makes her so endearing.

It's amazing how an online community can mean so much to a person. People you don't know personally put their lives on display for you every day. I often find that it's a lifeline for me when I've exhausted every other outlet.

Photogenic Friday: Once I was a fairy

2009-10-30T15:26:00.006-04:00

Ok, so this isn't a Halloween picture (hence the Christmas decorations in the background).

But I haven't dressed up for Halloween in a while. So long, that I can't tell you when the last time was, and this is the closest I have of me looking like something besides myself.

This was the first day of finals at the end of my first semester away at college. My friend Jenn (pictured) was in a costume makeup class and had to make over a live person for her final. Since I am petite and had really short hair at the time she asked if I would be willing to participate and let her turn me into a fairy.

A couple of days (and one sleepless night) later and this was the result. I had an army of people making me over. The night before the actual "performance" we had a "dress rehearsal" and if I remember correctly there were at least two people besides Jenn adding things to my face. See the ears? Those were added at about 2 in the morning. All this while I was frantically trying to study for my math exam which was scheduled just before Jenn's makeup exam.

I failed miserably. But that had a lot more to do with my personal math prowess (or lack of) than aiding and abetting my friend in her quest for an A.

Whatever. It was a lot of fun even though we were all sleep deprived and our brains were fried.

It'd do it over in a heartbeat.

I hope you all have a lovely All Hallows' Eve!

A hairy situation

2009-10-28T12:27:00.005-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posts. I've been really busy getting back into the married routine. It's scary how easily that can slip away. 11 short days without Andy and it's like was single again.

So anyway.

Back during my blog-cation, when I cleaned out my old teenage bedroom I found a folder from my days in Advanced Placement Junior English class.

Can I just tell you this thing has some real treasures inside of it.

It's kind of frightening to see inside my brain from ten years ago.

But I came across something that I knew I needed to share with all of you. Because it's priceless.

You see, in that class we had a student teacher for part of the year. That's no big deal, really. I've had my fair share of student teachers, but this particular student is permanently burned into my brain, never to be forgotten.

Her name was Miss Diana. We never really knew if that was her first name or last name, but that's what we called her.

Miss Diana was what some might call a hippie. She lived in the mountains (where I live now, but then I lived in the foothills) and she didn't have a home. Though you couldn't consider her homeless because she lived that way by choice. I don't remember if she lived in a tent or a tepee, but I've always imagined her in a tepee. Mostly because when she said she lived outside it conjured up images of Eustace Conway in my head so I've always visualized her in a tepee wearing moccasins.

One of the first things we learned about our new teacher was that she had had surgery to remove a brain tumor. The surgery had been a success and she was fine, but they had shaved her head. By doing so they had removed a most vital part of her appearance - her dreadlocks.

One of the exercises that Miss Diana liked doing with us was word association. Someone would say a word and the next person would say whatever word that came to mind next. In short order we took it to the next level to flex our creative writing skills and we would be given a word or an object to write a small paragraph about. We were supposed to just let the words flow out of our minds and into our pencils. Whatever we were thinking.

Then one day Miss Diana came in with a large brown paper bag. We had assumed our usual position by arranging our desks in a circle (there were only nine of us) and waited for class to commence.

Miss Diana removed her bundle to show us what our writing topic would be about that day.

Do you see where this is going?

Out of the bag came a huge pile of dreadlocks. Miss Diana's beloved dreadlocks, that she had saved from the garbage when they shaved her head for surgery.

Ho-ly shit!

I think she may have tried at one point to pass the hairball around the circle and I'm not so sure that any of us were brave enough to get that close. Eventually the hair ended up perched on a table in front of us and we were instructed to "let the words flow" as per usual.

The following is, verbatim, what I wrote that day:

I see hair. I don't have a lot to say about it. Acctually I don't have anything to say about it. I'm sitting here straining my brain for something to write. My mind is blank. My mind is blank a lot of times but right now it is really empty. I guess sometimes that can be a good thing. I know it is for me because when I have too much on my mind and I think a lot about it, I have a bad habit of picking at my cuticles and they end up looking really bad like they do now. They really look bad right now because I've had a lot on my mind lately. But I don't anymore so my cuticles can heal now.

Analyze that.

A blank mind? I think not. What I was really thinking was, "OH! MY! GOD! I can't believe she actually saved that! And then she brought it here to infest us all with lice and disease! I wonder where she keeps that inside her tepee?!"

You see, my momma raised me right. Saying what I really thought would have seriously hurt Miss Diana's feelings and I couldn't let that happen. Even if I thought she should immediately take the dreadlocks outside and set them on fire I would never tell her that to her face. Sometimes lying is a good thing.

It's also a good thing that I didn't have to say anything out loud about it because I'm not so good at keeping my face under control. As it was she probably could tell exactly what I was thinking if she looked at me for more than five seconds. I'm pretty sure I remember a similar reaction on the faces of all eight of my class mates. That was a tense day in English class.

When she finally put the hair back in the bag there was a collective sigh of relief.

I don't know what happened to Miss Diana. She finished her student teaching, we threw a farewell party and then she was gone.

I hope she found a more solid living arrangement. It gets cold up here in the winter.

Also, if she grew her hair back out and started some new dreadlocks I hope she burned the old ones.

Photogenic Friday: The weary traveler is home

2009-10-23T13:41:00.005-04:00

Here are some more pictures of Andy's trip to Tahoe. He got home last night, just in time for the alarm to go off at the ski shop. We met the police there after we got all his stuff off the truck.

We live in a sleepy little town and the local police force doesn't have a lot to do so when we got to the shop there were three police cars and at least two more pulled in after us.

Anyway, turns out a mouse tripped the alarm and one of the policemen freaked out when he saw it. I hope he handles criminals with a little more gusto.

We finally got in bed by 2:30.

I'm so glad he's home!

The village below their house

They had giant chess and checker boards
Riding the chair lift
One of the racers going under themView of Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe in the fall
Driving into Reno
They stayed with Robert's parents one night.
This is the view from their house.
I think Andy said those were the Ruby Mountains
They drove through a lot of inclement weather.
This is in Colorado.
Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

This is why he's hot!

2009-10-21T17:33:00.001-04:00

I didn't just marry Andy because he's a good mechanic.

He's really quite handy to have around the house as well.

Brave is a also a good descriptive word that comes to mind when I look at these photos.

Very brave indeed to make bread in the presence of his anal, perfectionist wife.

Usually Andy is more of a cook and I'm the household baker. It's a rare occasion when he undertakes a baking project and even more rare that he allows me to be home while he's doing it.

I do enjoy bossing him around and making faces when he does something wrong.

Right about now I'm missing him like crazy.

He's coming home tomorrow.

I'm terribly excited. The left side of the bed has been cold for a week and a half.

P.S. If he comes back without a present I'm sending him back.

Veronicaisms III

2009-10-20T14:21:00.003-04:00

It's been a while, but I don't get to see my nieces and nephews as often as I'd like.

Earlier in the month Andy and I stopped by my parents' house for a short visit while the kids were also there.

Veronica was outside riding her bike when we were getting in the car to leave.

As she is telling me goodbye she adds:

"Be careful Aunt Joanna! Try not to get into an accident like last time!"

Um, thanks V. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for old men in large SUV's on the wrong side of the road.

Seriously, I'm glad she's so concerned for my safety.

Also, I wish I could see inside her head.

I'm shakin' things up!

2009-10-19T16:09:00.002-04:00

The Saturday before Andy left he was over at his friend Matt's house. Matt has a little boy and he was watching Saturday morning cartoons while Andy was there.

He came home and announced to me that he had just seen the worst cartoon EVER! We got on Youtube so he could show me what he was talking about.

Have you ever seen Wonder Pets? It turns out that is what Matt's son was watching and Andy thought it was awful. After watching a few clips I actually determined that it wasn't so bad. Of course I have a high threshold for children's programming after enduring an entire summer of Barney several years ago while babysitting. Nothing is worse than Barney, except maybe Teletubbies.

But I digress. We came across this video which is a compilation of the duckling on the show saying his catch phrase over and over again. I don't know why I enjoy this so much, but the first time we watched it I laughed until I cried and then made Andy watch it again.

So of course I had to share it with you. Enjoy!

Photogenic Friday on Sunday

2009-10-18T11:17:00.004-04:00

Finally we have an update from the weary traveler.

I don't believe I have actually told you why Andy has gone all the way across the country.

Our friend Robert is the assistant cycling coach at our alma mater. The cycling team is pretty awesome. Mountain Bike Nationals are being held in Tahoe this year and the team is currently there racing.

While they were planning the trip it was clearly more economical for someone to drive the team's equipment across the country rather than try to ship it there. So Robert asked Andy if he'd like to come along and help with the driving.

Andy said, "Yes, please!" to a free trip to California.

So here are some of the pictures Andy has posted of his adventures. Please forgive the shots taken through the truck window. They were trying to make the trip as quickly as possible and couldn't be bothered to stop and take proper scenic photos.

Edit: The translation from facebook to blogger didn't work very well. Click on the photos to see full images.

Loading the truck

All smiles to start

St. Louis, just passin' through
Wyoming. Apparently Andy didn't care for the drive here
The Great Salt Lake
The rental house
Andy sleeps in a closet
First day at the races
Scenery, etc.

Photogenic Friday: Andy stole my camera

2009-10-16T16:10:00.004-04:00

This post was supposed to contain several photos of Andy's cross country trip to date.

He left on Monday morning, took my camera and the laptop, and has yet to post a single picture.

Oh, excuse me. He has posted four, very fuzzy, camera phone photos on facebook that serve to prove my theory that cell phones should not have camera features. Or that people should not document cross country trips on their cell phones and try to convince their wives that they really did needed to take the good camera and laptop.

So I have no photo to share with you today.

If he manages to get something posted tonight I'll be sure to share it. Until then I'm going to go be annoyed with him.

Happy Friday!

Lip Lickin' Good

2009-10-15T22:11:00.001-04:00

The bunnies haven't made a blog appearance in a while and I thought I needed to remedy that.

The following video is of the two of them sharing an apple. I recorded the video because I get really tickled watching Milton eat apples and it isn't something I could capture in a still photo.

Something you should know about Milton is that he likes to be really clean. He can make a tremendous mess out of just about anything, but in the end he will remain spotless. So while he eats apples he constantly licks his lips so his fur doesn't get sticky, and sometimes he stops to clean his ears. It's seriously funny. You'll see in the video that I have a hard time watching him without laughing.

What you can't really see in this is just behind them are the remains of their last apple that I hadn't cleaned up yet. Apple eating is serious business to these two and they devour every last bit except the stem and the seeds. They even lick the seeds clean. I'm not kidding.

Making peace

2009-10-14T18:09:00.006-04:00

Today is the six month anniversary of my car crash.

I made it.

For many now it's old news. Joanna was in a car crash, yeah I knew that, but she's alright now.

I suppose physically I am "alright" now. I still have some pain.

Running has been phenomenal for my ankle. I'm pretty sure I'd still be limping and walking slow if I hadn't been so determined to start running again. That's something I'm glad I did and I'm proud of myself for it too. Physical exertion was always something I avoided up until a year ago, so to come back from a broken ankle and get back into running is a big deal for me. Running after a broken ankle is a big deal for anyone, but for me it's a serious personal triumph. Go me!

My chin is still numb, but not as bad as it was. I have some sensation and that gives me hope that my nerve wasn't permanently damaged. In all honesty I'm kind of glad that I was numb. I know for certain that helped shield me from a lot of the pain I would have felt otherwise. Small blessings.

Something I haven't talked about on here is how badly my nose and sinus cavity were injured. It's not something I knew right away. My family shielded me slightly from how severe my injuries were. Rightly so. It took me a week to look at myself in the mirror and they waited until after that to tell me just how bad it was. If they'd told me from the beginning I don't know when I would have been able to face myself again. Once I did look things weren't as bad as I'd feared. I was very swollen of course, but another small blessing is that my injuries were mostly internal. I came out of it with only one facial scar that is quite long, but mostly hidden under my chin.

About my nose and sinus cavity. The surgeon told my family that my nose wasn't just broken, but it was no longer attached to my skull. Likewise, my right sinus cavity suffered the same fate and was also torn away from my skull. Miraculously, these two injuries have caused me the least amount of pain. Only really bothering me when I touched them. The same holds true now, six months later. Occasionally my sinus will hurt, like my ankle, with a change in the weather and it's aggravated if I smile and talk a lot. But for the most part they both seem to have reclaimed their rightful place and are happily reattached.

My teeth are straight again! I can't honestly say they are back to their original glory, but they are straight and that is a huge relief to me. The braces are supposed to come off next week, but I'm a little concerned that they won't remove them when I go in for my appointment. There is a space that wasn't there last time they adjusted the wire and I'm pretty sure it needs to close and won't do it on it's own. Really, it's not a problem if I have to wear them a bit longer. I've only had to suffer for six months. Just a drop in the bucket for most braces wearers.

Of course I lost a tooth and have to have that replaced and I may lose another, but I feel like I've gotten over the biggest hurdle with my orthodontia.

My bite is finally back! During this whole long process my molars have not been touching until recently. Once I was able to start eating real food again I had to teach myself a new way of chewing. My tongue came in really handy since my molars couldn't do their job right. Now that they're touching again it's like another chewing lesson every day. But I ate a salad for the first time since the accident this week! Trying to chew greens is an impossibility if your molars can't break them down, so salad was out for a long time. I really missed salad.

When I look in the mirror now I see me again. There is still swelling, but only the kind that I can see and those very close to me that know the contours of my face like I do. My nose always had a little bump halfway down the bridge, but now it's visible whereas before I could only feel it. Like I said, my scar is mostly under my chin and the tiny bit that curves up towards my mouth is nearly invisible. That mederma, it's miracle serum!

So while my physical ailments are slowly fading into the background I've had more and more time to work on the emotional trauma. As with any healing process there are good days and bad days. I'm happy to say that I haven't had a flashback of the accident in over a month. I'm not really sure what I did to make them stop, but they have, for now anyway.

There are a lot of questions I've asked myself. Also I often find myself doing something very mundane and wondering what would be happening right now if the accident had never happened. What would life be like? Something I wondered a lot while I was stuck on the sofa was why it happened to me. Since I've been on my feet again and been able to live life I wonder, "Why not me?"

I don't wonder anymore why it happened, but why it happened the way it did.

In the past six months I've heard stories of other accidents. Of people who didn't make it out alive. And I find myself questioning why those people died and I didn't. In the past month there have been two young men, in two seperate accidents that both passed away. They both had families and lives and futures. So why them and not me?

My mother is going to read that last paragraph and tell me I need counseling and that I shouldn't feel like my life wasn't worth saving. To which I will reply that perhaps I do need counseling, but I'm not wishing I had died.

There is no end to the gratitude that I feel for surviving. At odd moments it overwhelmes me and takes my breath. I know all too well how things could have turned out. The accident could have happened differently or I could have had irreparable internal injuries. It's hard to face your own mortality at 27, and to begin with I flat out refused to. It's taken me a long time to admit to myself that I almost died and it's something I'm still not able to say outloud. If someone else says it I usually do my best to minimize things or sweep the statement under the rug. But it's time to be honest with myself.

So this is where I am six months later. I nearly lost my whole life and miraculously God decided to give it back. It's a wonderful and terrifying feeling to know that. I can't explain why those other people weren't given the same opportunity, and that's something I struggle with. But I know for certain that I wouldn't still be here if there wasn't something left for me to do or be. I'm not sure what it is, but the amazing thing is that I'm still here to figure it out. Even if it's nothing more than being the best daughter, grandaughter, sister, wife, aunt, friend (and someday mother) that I can be. That is totally worth living for.

My accident was eleven days after my 27th birthday.

My life was my gift.

What a spectacular gift.

Green confession

2009-10-13T14:46:00.004-04:00

How about this green movement that's sweeping the world?

Anyone have thoughts? Are we all crazy?

I'm not here today to make a political statement on the green movement. I want to tell you a little bit about my own recent green experience.

Andy and I certainly don't do everything we could to join in the effort to make our world a better place. Of course there are some things that I feel are unnecessary. Everywhere I turn something new is eco-friendly and I feel like it's become the new kitsch thing for companies to market their products.

But like I said, I'm not here to make a political statement.

I'm a little friendlier to the green movement than Andy is, but anything that will potentially save a little money is something we can both get on board with.

Three years ago when we first got married CFL light bulbs were just starting to sweep the nation. Several people we knew had started using them and told us they had seen a difference in their electricity pay out.

We were all for making the switch, but there was a problem. I had recently bought a metric butt ton of regular light bulbs. It had been long enough that I didn't have the receipt anymore and most of the packages had bulbs missing. Returning them wasn't an option. It just didn't make sense to throw out the regular bulbs and replace them with CFL bulbs. Not economically and certainly not for the green minded.

So we waited for all our bulbs to blow.

It wasn't until the last month that we needed to buy light bulbs again. When I say I loaded up, I'm not kidding.

We were true to our word and our pocket book and bought CFL bulbs.

My confession is this:

I HATE the CFL bulbs.

They are not bright. At all. I need light people and I might as well be walking around with a flash light. The lack of brightness in our rooms hurts my eyes. I squint a lot and I'm not willing to give up my good eyesight to save a few dollars on our electric bill or to save the planet one light bulb at a time. And it doesn't save any money if we have to spend our electricity savings on eyeglasses for me.

So there you are. We only got one box of CFL bulbs and as soon as the last one blows I'm going to buy another metric butt ton of electricity sucking, planet killing bulbs.

I'll just have to find another way to shrink my footprint.

Oktoberfest

2009-10-12T11:40:00.004-04:00

On Sunday, before the mad rush to get Andy ready for his trip, we drove up to the ski slope to attend their annual Oktober fest.

This is something I've always wanted to do, but Andy has always said he didn't want to go. So imagine my surprise when Saturday afternoon he asked if I'd like to go check it out the next day.

I think he is going to miss me or he wouldn't be so agreeable to something he's been avoiding for several years now.

So we went and dined on German food; knock wurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad and apple turnovers. I'm not sure that the turnovers were authentic, but they were yummy so who cares?

Of course they had beer on tap, but this festival is small and each year they only have one beer sponsor. Since Andy wasn't crazy about this year's brand we passed on the beer.

We took a little hike up the ski slope, toured the craft booths and then as we were heading over to the hay ride we ran into our friends Jessie and Thomas. So they joined us on the hayride before we all made our way home.

When all was said and done we had a nice time. I'd go again, but next time I'll wear different shoes.

Every year they make these two hay people
and put them on the main road

Photo opp on the way up the slope
Check out that foliage

The festival at the bottom of the slope

The Oom Pah band

Jessi and Thomas on the hayride

Summing up the weekend

2009-10-11T21:05:00.001-04:00

Friday

Went to my inlaw's house to cook and help get ready for a scrapbook crop
Saw my mom and mamaw
Made pumpkin whoopee pies
Made baked potatoes rolled in olive oil and kosher salt
Greeted all the crop ladies
Began making shower invitations
Eat pumpkin whoopee pies. Yum!
Say good night
Drive home

Saturday

Wake up at the crack of dawn to Andy's alarm clock.
He goes hunting
Go back to sleep
Wake up
Walk in the living room
Greet the bunnies
See the snake in the floor
Holy Shit there's a snake in the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jump on the sofa
Panic
Gather myself
It's clearly a baby, but I still don't want to lose sight of it
Realize I can't watch it all day until Andy decides to come home
Run out the door quickly and get the neighbor
She laughs at me, but saves the day and gets rid of the snake
Continue freaking out and call lot's of people to tell them about the snake
Begin watching "Glee" online
Andy comes home then leaves again to go to the dump
I'm still watching "Glee"
Andy comes home and watches two episodes of "Glee" with me
Take a nice long nap
Go to the grocery store to get frozen pizza
Eat pizza, cooked of course, and watch the 10 year anniversary episode of Good Eats
Go to bed

Sunday

Wake up
Walk in the living room
There isn't a snake in the floor today
Thank goodness
Shower and get ready to go out
Go with Andy to Oktober fest
Eat German food and attempt to hike up the ski slope
Abort hiking attempt
Go on children's hayride with Jessie and Thomas
Come back home
Start making travel snacks for Andy
Bake brownies
Bake sausage balls
Bake blueberry muffins
Do several loads of laundry
Help Andy get all his things together
Continue helping Andy

Tomorrow my sweet, lovely husband is leaving me to drive across the country and he isn't coming back for a while.

I'm glad he has this opportunity because it's a free trip and not only has he worked hard this summer, but he spent his springtime taking care of me. He didn't go fishing once. That is a big deal.

He deserves this, but I'm going to miss him. Pray for his safe travel. And that I don't cry too much when he leaves in the morning. It might be slightly embarrassing if he's trying to leave and I'm clinging to his leg.

Photogenic Friday: Another childhood memory

2009-10-09T11:08:00.009-04:00

Another item found among my old belongings was this sweater:

I loved this sweater with all of my heart. First of all, it's purple. Anything purple had me at hello. Secondly it has Miss Piggy on it.

Growing up Miss Piggy was my hero. I wanted to be her. It didn't matter that she was a pig because Miss Piggy was fa-bu-lous!

My brother used to pretend he was Kermit and I would pretend that I was Miss Piggy. (Ok weirdos, I know what you're thinking. Kermit and MP were boyfriend and girlfriend. Eww! It just happened that he liked Kermit and I liked MP. We liked to play Muppets, ok! Gesh! Also, if I remember correctly Josh was every other muppet too, but I refused to pretend to be anything but MP.)

Moving on...

I used to talk to my family in my Miss Piggy voice. I'd wear my purple sweater around and talk like Miss Piggy all day long.

Apparently I did it so much that my grandfather started to worry I'd never stop. He asked my grandmother if they shouldn't do something about it. Do what I don't know. Maybe he thought I needed to see a therapist.

Look at the label! I love that it's made by Calamity Jane!

Was I ever really this small?

If only they made it in adult sizes. I would totally rock it out.

Have a great weekend interwebs!

I'll be your Lorelai Gilmore

2009-10-08T14:21:00.006-04:00

Way back in January, on a cold Monday afternoon, I got a phone call from my best friend Julie.

This was not uncommon. Julie and I talk most days. But that particular day she was on her way to the local pharmacy to purchase a home pregnancy test.

Also, not uncommon. Julie is highly paranoid and as I understand it has taken several home pregnancy tests over the course of her three year marriage. (She may kill me for writing that)

But this time Julie and her husband were intentionally trying to conceive. However, there wasn't much excitement or anticipation around this test because they really hadn't been trying very long and Julie was feeling slightly under the weather and just taking the test to rule out pregnancy.

We went about our conversation as usual and no more was said about the possibility of pregnancy.

Later that evening Julie sent me a picture message of that same pregnancy test. With a digital read out that said "pregnant".

Much jubilation was had in my apartment. I was home alone and was jumping up and down like a mad woman. The bunnies ran and hid.

So began the story of my best friend's journey into motherhood.

Not long after she found out Julie asked me to be in the delivery room with her. With some trepidation I agreed. Attending a live birth was not high on my list of priorities unless I was the one giving birth. But I just couldn't refuse Julie. I mean, even if I was nervous, what an honor it was for her to ask me. Wild horses couldn't keep me out of that delivery room.

And so it was that I came to be in that delivery room on the afternoon of September 18 when Mina Victoria made her grand appearance.

Julie's labor was long and hard. As a matter of fact Julie and Frank had been in the hospital a total of 84 hours waiting on their daughter. I arrived about 12 hours after they did, so you can imagine that Julie was not the only one who was desperate for that baby to come out.

During the course of all that waiting Julie gave me an idea. She said that we all should write letters to the baby telling her about how stubborn she was and how long it took for her to come.

It seemed the perfect way for me to sum up my personal experience in that delivery room.

So, without further ado,

My dearest Mina,

In the course of your life I'm sure that you will repeatedly hear how stubborn you were. How you didn't want to come out. How you made your mommy suffer. Also, your birth story isn't mine to tell. I was there and I have my own version of events, but no one can tell it like your mommy and daddy, so I won't presume to try and tell it better.

Yes, you did take your own sweet time in being born, but your mommy had always said that you had a mind of your own and no one was going to make you do something you didn't want to. And in the end you did come. You were perfect.

Everyone there said how much you looked like your mommy. Really, no one can deny that the two of you are mother and daughter. Of course we knew that would be the case as the genetics in your mommy's family run strong. It was later though, in the evening, I was holding you and you made a little face. You must have been dreaming because your expression totally changed and in the space of a heartbeat I was looking at your daddy's face. Then you changed again, back into your mommy. But something your daddy always needs to be sure of is that he is in there too. It took both of them to make you and God made sure to give you the best of both.

Something I have to tell you about is what your daddy was like when you came out. I like to think that I have the most accurate description because your mommy was exhausted and trying to see you and all the medical personnel were running around, but I was watching your daddy's face. His countenance was something I can't describe or re-create. The best I can do is tell you that in an instant he fell wholly and completely in love with you. It was like watching a thousand tiny, unbreakable strings come out and attach his heart to you. He loves you with the kind of reckless abandon that only fathers can feel for their daughters. That is something you will thank him for and also have to forgive him for. Try to remember as you grow that to him you will always be that little girl whose world revolved around her daddy.

Your mommy loved you instantly too, but I think it was a little later for her when it all sank in. She was a mommy. You were finally out and she had a daughter. It was bliss.

This is where I tell you about your mommy's and my obsession with a television show called Gilmore Girls. I'm certain that you will become very familiar with it during your life. You can't be your mother's daughter and my niece and escape Gilmore Girls. We have a knack for relating just about any situation back to a specific Gilmore Girls episode, and believe me little Mina, we know them all.

There is one where Sookie is about to give birth and she has a serious meltdown thinking the baby is never going to come out. She runs to Lorelai's house and tells her that she's afraid she might gestate as long as an elephant (22 months) and she's jumping up and down and jiggling and just totally freaking out. When you watch that episode picture your mother's face on Sookie's body. That is what it was like. Except that your mom's freak out didn't last for just the space of one evening. No, I'm afraid your mother was like that for most of her pregnancy. She loved you very much, but she was certain to love you more once you came out.

So once you were here and she'd had a moment to collect herself she spent some time staring at you. Absorbing how beautiful you are. Marveling at the fact that she grew you. You lived inside her for nine long months and then all of a sudden, there you were. Her daughter. She stared at you and saw herself. And she saw her mother.

Your Grammy would have loved you and spoiled you so very much. She does love you and it speaks to the unfairness of life that you will not have the pleasure of knowing her on this side of heaven. But don't fret little one, I, like so many others, have lots of stories to share with you about your Grammy. Just because she isn't here physically does not mean that you won't know her or feel her love. We will all make sure of that.

There is so much I could tell you. Advice for growing up and how to deal with your mother and father. Trust me that they always mean well and want the best for you. You will butt heads, especially with your mother, but their love and concern for you will always be at the forefront of their decisions.

I can promise you that I will always be there. You can call me anytime, and when you get a little older you can come and visit. You're always welcome at my house.

I can also promise that I will always be truthful with you. Something you need to know about me is that I'm a very straightforward person. If your outfit looks stupid I'm probably going to tell you so. But don't take that too much to heart. I'm sure fifteen years from now what I wore when I was that age will look totally ridiculous too. (If it doesn't already)

If you're dating a new guy and he's a jackass I will always tell you that he is a jackass. What I won't tell you is that you need to get rid of him. That is a lesson that you will need to learn on your own. Every girl needs to go through a few jackasses before she finds prince charming. But when the jackass breaks your heart I'll be there to help pick up the pieces if you need me.

I'll leave you with one more promise. This one is for your mother as much as it is for you.

Do you feel another Gilmore Girl's reference coming on? You should.

In the final season Lane gives birth to twins and she asks Rory for a favor. When they were growing up Lane's mother was extraordinarily strict and every now and then Lorelai would go and have a talk with Mrs. Kim. Just to remind her what a great kid Lane was and how much she respected her mother and maybe Mrs. Kim didn't need to be quite so hard on her daughter. Something that Lane was afraid of was being too strict like her mother had been. She asked Rory if she would be her Lorelai Gilmore; meaning that she would do the same thing for Lane that Lorelai had done for Mrs. Kim.

So my promise to you and to your mother is just that. You see Mina, sometimes it's hard for parents, especially mothers with their daughters, to see their children making their same mistakes and not wanting desperately to save them from the pain. Except most the time lessons are better learned rather than told. It's one of those pesky facts of life.

I'll do my best to keep her grounded within the realm of reality. Because I know she'll do the same thing for me when I have children, but mostly because I love you.

I'm so looking forward to watching you grow Mina.

Much love,

Aunt Joanna

A wedding story

2009-10-07T15:31:00.009-04:00

As I've already told you, I spent some time last month assisting my mother in cleaning out my old bedroom.

Nostalgia is a funny thing. I spent several hours sorting through a mountain of junk. Things that ten, or even five, years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of ever parting with. But when all was said and done I did bid farewell to most of it. Some things went to thrift shops, but a large amount of my previously loved possessions were carted off to the dump. What a difference ten years can make.

There was a small mountain left for me to take home and distribute into the proper places in our apartment.

One of those things was a teddy bear that I'd had since I was born (I think).

I had a lot of toys growing up, but none were more treasured than my stuffed animals. I had A LOT of stuffed animals and they all had names and they were all important to me.

This one teddy bear has remained so because of a certain journey it took with my four year old self.

The summer of my fourth year my Aunt Pam got married. I was her flower girl and my brother was her ring bearer.

If you know me and how much I love weddings you'll know that I was over the moon with excitement.

One weekend, about a month before the wedding, Josh and I went to visit our dad. I have no recollection of this weekend, or the events that took place, but my mother and grandmother tell me that I took the teddy bear with me. And when I came home I announced that the teddy's name was Ashley bear and I would not, under any circumstances, be in the wedding without her.

Having since been a bride myself I can only imagine what my beloved aunt was thinking upon this new revelation from the youngest member of her wedding party.

From what I have since been told she washed her hands of the situation and told my mother and grandmother to deal with it. She didn't care how they dealt with it, as long as she didn't have to.

So, my grandmother got to sewing and viola! Ashley bear became Ashley, the wedding bear. She had a dress identical to mine (even down to the slip) and a hair bow to top off the ensemble.

The big day came and Ashley bear sauntered down the aisle with me. And with my brother because once I saw all those eyes looking up the aisle at me all the excitement went away to be replaced with terror. No way in hell was I walking down that aisle alone. So down we went, Ashley bear under one elbow, my brother's arm under the other and my little fist clutching to my flower basket for dear life.

Incidentally I was too paralyzed with fear to drop a single petal. That is, until the end of the ceremony when Josh and I were supposed to walk back up the aisle and I realized my basket was still full. So I dumped the entire contents right there at my feet, took my brother's arm and back up the aisle we went. My head was held high on this second trip. I'd done my job!

So you see how Ashley bear has always had a special place in my heart.

And can you believe that my aunt and uncle named their first child Ashley; after my Ashley bear?

Ok, I'm only kidding. My Uncle Todd's first name is Ashley and she was named after him. My bear's name was purely coincidental.

There's a little more to the wedding story though.

20 years after my first wedding?

I got married myself.

That first born child? She was my maid of honor.

My niece, who was also four, was my flower girl.

She didn't carry a bear. But my nephew did.

Neither of them freaked out like I did. They made their way proudly down the aisle. I think they thought the whole thing was pretty fun.

So for now Ashley bear is living in a box to keep her from getting dirty. One day maybe she'll have a nice shelf in another little girl's room to live on.

An autumn hike on a couldy afternoon

2009-10-04T20:32:00.008-04:00

What I did on my blog-cation...

2009-10-02T18:28:00.005-04:00

Hosted a grilled pizza party and didn't take a single picture. I did, however, drink a lot of margaritas. And ate my weight in lemon cupcakes.

Had a picnic with my man.

Experimented with a carrot cake recipe. The cupcakes turned out pretty well.

Got my first speeding ticket.

Added some pizzaz to our plain black bookshelf

before

After

Nearly watched every episode of Gilmore Girls.

Started the countdown to get my braces off. October 21st here I come!

Took a 7th grade field trip.

Cleaned out my bedroom at my parents' house. My mother took it harder than I did.

Held my best friend's head while she gave birth. It was amazing.

As soon as I said I was taking a blog break I had blog material coming out of my ears. I'm back!

In case you haven't already figured it out...

2009-09-08T13:28:00.005-04:00

I'm taking a blog break.

Creativity eludes me these days, so I'm officially taking some time off from trying to entertain the masses.

I'll see you in October.

Three Years

2009-09-02T18:45:00.003-04:00

Photogenic Friday: Octopus

2009-08-21T17:33:00.003-04:00

I love visiting aquariums. As in, I love it so much that Andy told me to calm down. Multiple times.

I think he wanted to pretend like he didn't know me, but he didn't, bless him.

The ocean is totally terrifying to me. And the things that live in it are even more so. That's what makes the aquarium so great. It scares me to death and I love it.

All the little sea creatures are so creepy.

This guy was no exception.

The way he moved around in that water made me glad there were thick walls of glass separating us.

Embracing stereotypes

2009-08-17T13:42:00.005-04:00

This morning in our kitchen:

Me: (At the sink doing dishes) Can you unscrew the blade from the bottom of the blender for me please.

Andy: (Takes the blender pitcher from me) Have you ever been able to do this yourself?

Me: Sometimes, but it takes me longer and if you're standing right here why not have you do it instead?

Andy: But what if I'm not here?

Me: I'll just wait until you get home.

Andy: But what if I'm dead?

Me: Well, then I'll marry someone else. But first I'll make sure he can take apart the blender for me.

Photogenic Friday: Ginger

2009-08-14T18:03:00.004-04:00

This is what Andy looked like every time he set foot on the beach last week.

Oh, wait. This was before he found a hat, so imagine him with a baseball cap on too and that is what he looked like the hand full of times that he came to the beach with me.

I spent as much time as humanly possible basking in beachy vacation time. I got a little sunburned, but nothing too bad.

If Andy had spent as much time in the sun as I did he'd still look like a lobster with no end in sight.

He's sensitive people. An hour in the sun with or without sunscreen and he looks like his skin has been set on fire.

So he found other means of use for his time. He tells me he enjoyed himself and I'll just have to take his word for it. I think what he really enjoyed was not being at work for a week. I can't say that I blame him.

We're back

2009-08-10T15:08:00.004-04:00

Saturday evening we rolled up to our apartment; refreshed, but weary from travel and coming down off our vacation high.

It's good to be home.

It's especially good to be tan, even though I have the strangest tan lines known to mankind.

I could tell you about every detail of my trip which is exactly what I had planned to do throughout the week while we were there. Turns out the advertised wifi in our rental house was only a stolen and weak connection from one of the surrounding houses.

Barraging you with the whole week's events in one post is more than I can handle and I'm sure more than you want to read.

Suffice it to say we had a lovely time and I was sad to leave. I'm glad to be home, but I'm always a little down trodden when I leave the coast and I usually bid farewell with a tear in my eye.

Until next time...

Photogenic Friday: My bags are packed, I'm ready to go

2009-07-31T17:39:00.004-04:00

But I'm not leaving on a jet plane. I'm leaving in a car.

Also, my bags are only halfway packed at this point, but whatever.

We're going to the beach for a week!

There aren't enough exclamation points to tell you how excited I am.

I love the beach!

Here is a picture of the last time I was on the beach:

This is the date that photo was taken:

It's been four and a half years.

It's ridiculous that I've let so much time pass between visits. Especially considering I live in a coastal state.

I'm sorry Mr. Ocean and Mr.Sand. I've neglected you for far too long.

I'll see you in just a few short hours!

I'm a philanthropist and I can prove it

2009-07-30T09:20:00.005-04:00

Rewind to tax season 2008.

For a large portion of 2007 Andy was considered self employed. So our taxes for that year were not pretty. It could have been worse, but it could have been a lot better.

We had to pay federal taxes, but we did manage to scrimp out a refund from our state return. A whole, whopping $7.

I know, how exciting is that? We left the tax office with big plans for our rebate. We were going to treat ourselves with a feast from the nearest dollar menu as soon as the check came in the mail. Anticipation was high.

A month or so later the check came. Whoot! I remember taking it out of the mail box, but after that things get blurry. I think I may have told Andy that it came, but who really knows? At the time gas was through the roof and the bank wasn't exactly close, so I just planned on cashing the check whenever I was in town again.

Maybe a month after that we had a conversation that went something like this:

Andy: Hey, did you ever cash that rebate check?

Me: Oh! No I don't think I did.

Andy: So what did you do with it?

Me: I'm not entirely sure. It'll probably turn up and when it does I'll take it to the bank.

Andy: Well, whatever. It was only $7.

Fast forward to last Saturday.

It's a woman's prerogative to have as many purses as her closet will hold and then stuff in a few more just because she can. Last week, before the family picnic, I decided it was time for a change. So I went into my closet to pull out one of my summer bags. The one I had in mind was a little bigger than my current bag; it had been a birthday gift from my inlaws last year. Plenty of room for my wallet and sunglasses and a book of course and lot's of other completely unnecessary items.

If you're anything like me every purse in your arsenal is storage for a bunch of crap that you never cleaned out. You know, stuff that doesn't really have a home, but you don't want to throw it out, but it isn't worthy to transfer to your new bag. Or you're just lazy, like I am, and it's easier to take out the necessary things and cram the rest of it back in the bag and into the closet.

So I rummaged around for a minute until I finally found my desired tote and I pulled it out. Of course it had to be purged of all the "stuff" still in it. I pulled it all out to sort it into trash and keep piles.

Guess what was in it?

The $7 rebate check from the state of North Carolina.

"Huh." I said aloud and then laid it down and went about my business. It was only $7 after all.

I forgot about it (again) until last night when Andy comes in the living room holding a piece of paper and says, "So how about this tax rebate check? Where did this come from?"

I laugh and tell him where I found it. Then he actually gets defensive and wants to know why I didn't cash it. I remind him of that conversation we had a year ago and that he knew all along that I didn't cash it.

Of course the deadline to cash it is long past due. So I guess I've done my part for the economy. I donated our $7 back to this glorious state.

You're welcome North Carolina!

Like pulling teeth

2009-07-27T12:13:00.006-04:00

This past Saturday Andy and I joined my family for a picnic and "half-way to Christmas" get together.

As always, it was a lot of fun to see everyone and catch up. It seems like as we all grow up and start lives of our own getting the whole group together is difficult. Even on Saturday there were some people missing; my brother and his brood and two other cousins.

When I was a teenager I missed a lot of these family time things because I was working or "had more important" things to do. Then I grew up a little bit and lost a couple of family members and realized how much they all meant to me and that we wouldn't all be here forever. This has become even more clear to me since my accident in April. My friend Whitney said it best when she said, "We're all young and in our twenties and think we're invincible, but any day it could all be taken away from us."

I don't mean to sound so gloomy, but it's the truth and sometimes it takes a traumatic event to make you realize what's important.

So whenever an opportunity comes up for me to see my family or friends I like to do what I can to make sure I'm there. I also come with camera in tow because I think it's important to document these activities. If we don't get to do it again for a couple of years then we'll be totally different, there might be a few new family members, or maybe even one or two less. So I've made it my mission to capture everyone on film at every opportunity.

No matter where we are I take our tripod with me and I make everyone line up for a group shot. There is much moaning and groaning and someone usually points out that we did this the last time we were together. But I don't care.

One day, maybe years from now, they'll be glad I made them do it. And these pictures will probably be most meaningful to the biggest complainers.

Left to right, starting in the front:

Aunt Lea, Aunt Pam (with Sophie), Uncle Todd, Me, Andy, Mamaw
Wes (Luke's friend), Caleb, Luke, Bekah, Elizabeth, Hannah
Uncle Tony, Aunt Donna, My parents - Julia and Terry

**********************************************************************
On a completely different note!

Do you have a hard time finding that perfect dress?

Let me introduce you to Shabby Apple!

The Shabby Apple clothing line was introduced to me about a year ago and I think it's beautiful. They have a nack for designing stylish, chic dresses that don't show more skin than is necessary.

Take a look and if you like what you see head over to The Meanest Mom's site because she is having an awesome giveaway this week!

Photogenic Friday: The Hulk

2009-07-24T20:25:00.008-04:00

This week I'd like to introduce you to my new ride. It's another Jeep.

It isn't really new. It's new to me, because for the last eight years it's been Andy's. He has generously agreed to loan it to me until I get my "real" new ride, whenever that may be.

Don't worry about Andy though, he has a truck to get around in, we call the truck Magnum. Well, I call the truck Magnum and Andy tolerates me naming his vehicles.

The Hulk is what I like to call my new mode of transportation.

This is what the Hulk looked like roughly six years ago.

Several years later the Hulk has certainly suffered some wear and tear at the hands of my husband. In the photo above he has made just a few slight modifications. He continued to make more while still striving to keep the Hulk road worthy as he relied on it to transport him on a regular basis.

Fast forward to 2006 when he bought Magnum and the Hulk became Andy's toy or off roading vehicle. The Hulk had been off roading before then, but Andy paid a little more attention to what he was doing.

Since then? Not so much.

This is what the Hulk looks like today.

I don't think I really need to explain why I call it the Hulk.

This is where Andy says a tree got in the Hulk's way and nearly ripped off half of the grill and headlight. It's held on with zip ties.

This is where a ditch just "jumped right up and hit the Hulk in the side."

These are they fog lights that Andy professed his love for just a few days ago. He told me he'd be very upset if something happened to his fog lights. I think he values them above all other things on or in the Hulk.

This is a pregnant woman trying to get into the Hulk. I don't know if you can tell from the photos, but the Hulk is much taller than your average Jeep.

The next day she told me she injured her hip and woke up with a shooting pain. She didn't get back in the Hulk.

I'm still not sure how she managed to get up there.

It was a challenge for me when I was in a cast. I don't have a photo, but I had it down to an art and really I think it would be worth putting my walking boot back on and recreating it on film, just for posterity's sake.

I make fun of the Hulk a lot, but really I'm grateful to have it. I wouldn't have a car at all without it and if I can't have my Jeep back, the Hulk is a nice substitute.

*I asked Andy to pick out an off roading picture for me to post and it took him longer to pick one than it did for me to write this post.*

Beads, baby bumps,and toenails

2009-07-23T16:08:00.007-04:00

I guess last week wasn't technically vacation, because I don't really consider our state capital a tourist destination. But getting off my mountain and away from my regular life for any amount of time constitutes a vacation in my book.

I drove down on Wednesday to spend some time with Julie and Frank and little bunny (that's what they call their baby).

We didn't do a whole lot besides lounge by the pool. Our last day we got rained out of the pool though, that sucked. I did, however, manage to make it back home with a great base tan. I'm rip, roarin' and ready to go to the beach in a little over a week for my actual, factual vacation.

By the pool on Friday,
before the thunderstorm

Julie asked for my help to make a necklace
for her to wear at her shower
The finished product
We also made a single strand as a
hostess gift, but in different colors
I painted Julie's toes for her
because she can't reach them,
and I painted mine because freshly painted toes always
make me feel prettier

I ended my vacation time with Julie on Saturday. Her older brother and sister-in-law are also expecting their first child this fall and both of the mommies-to-be were given showers on Saturday. It was a very busy end to my relaxing week, but it was so much fun. I always enjoy spending time with Julie's family. I can't wait to meet baby Giada and little bunny in just a few, short months!

Julie's brother, Shawn,
and her sister-in-law, Amanda
at their baby shower

Julie with her mother-in-law, Martha
who hosted Julie's shower
Me, Julie, Amanda and
Amanda's friend Leanne

************************************************************************
Update!

This past Monday I had a visit to the ear, nose and throat doctor for my post op check up. Everything looks good and he said he wanted to see me back in a year. A year? Really? I don't have experience with this type of thing and I'm not sure if this is routine. I have an inkling that he would have released me if I were just a "regular" patient. But I'm still tender and somewhat swollen and I guess he wants to make sure that everything has healed up like it should and we don't need to do anything else. I'm guessing that this appointment a year from now is purely precautionary.

My ankle continues to improve. I have started running again, hip, hip, hooray! It's certainly a work in progress, but I usually feel pretty good after my workouts. Any shift in weather causes me some discomfort and spending a great deal of time on my feet leaves me a little swollen. I wore heels for the first time this past weekend and it really wasn't that bad. I was proud of myself. I also took advantage of my pool time last week to do some laps and try to help strengthen my muscles some more. That really seems to have helped. It seems my biggest obstacle is going to be working on flexibility.

My teeth continue to move and I go back to the orthodontist next week. That always stresses me out. My last appointment was pretty horrible and if this one is at all similar I'm going to really appreciate our beach vacation the next week. I visited a periodontist a few weeks ago and he didn't seem as negative as all the other oral doctors have been. I know it's a possibility that I can still lose more teeth, but I don't need them to remind me of it every time I visit their office.

I do have some bad news. Apparently, during the accident, I cracked a molar on my right side and a piece of the tooth chipped off a few day ago. We think maybe the stress that the brace is putting on my tooth made the crack worse and that's why it chipped, but it looks like there is another piece that could come off. It hurt just before it chipped, but it doesn't bother me now, so I'm not really sure what the problem is. If it's cracked though I'm pretty sure they'll have to remove it. I'll let you know what the orthodontist says next week.

Photogenic Friday: Still on vacation

2009-07-17T20:13:00.004-04:00

I'm basking in the warmth of the flat land of my fair state. I can't be bothered with something so trivial as updating my blog. Because, you know, I've been such a stellar blogger lately.

Photogenic Friday will return next week, but for now I'm going to continue my vacation and pretend like this blog doesn't exist.

Just for now, I promise.

Internets, I'm on vacation

2009-07-15T21:44:00.004-04:00

I'll update you when I can. By "when I can" I mean of course, when I manage to get out of the pool.

Photogenic Friday: I'm a slacker

2009-07-10T15:18:00.006-04:00

Nearly a week late, but here is our 2009 July fourth celebration forever immortalized in photographs.

We didn't do a whole lot because Andy had to work until about 7. We met up with some friends to watch the fireworks and spent the time until dark playing four square and throwing around a football.

Ok, well, I played referee because they were playing too rough for me.

Waiting for the chalk and ball to arrive
for the four square game

This man is single ladies.
He's also quite a catch.

Waiting in line to take a turn at four square
The actual game.
Is is just me or is this court about four times
the size it was in elementary school?
The four square trash talk was too much for them
Without further ado...
Here I am (with Andy of course)
Still slightly swollen,
but at least my smile isn't crooked anymore.

I took pictures of the fireworks too, but they aren't very good because we didn't take the fancy camera and tripod. Also, I'm fairly certain you know what fireworks look like.

Photogenic Friday: 4th of July days gone bye

2009-07-03T20:25:00.006-04:00

Circa 2002

I hope your holiday is great.

Total domination

2009-07-02T23:00:00.005-04:00

There is always something to do here on my mountain. While Andy and I are essentially homebodies, sometimes sitting on the sofa and watching television can get old so we get out and take advantage of some of the activities our community offers.

The next few weeks our Alma mater is having a cycling race series to raise funds for the cycling team. Andy decided to participate and tonight was the first race. Lately he's really been getting back into cycling after a few years out of the sport. The race series is a short track mountain bike race which Andy doesn't really do much of. Whenever he can borrow someone's mountain bike he likes to go out and play, but his bike is built for the road so that's predominantly what he does.

He went into the race kind of timid and thinking he wouldn't do that well, but it was for a good cause and he was just in it to have a good time. This was his first time participating in a mountain bike race so he signed up for the C class race, leaving A and B class for the more experienced mountain bikers.

He started out just trying to pace himself to keep up with everyone and then had some bad luck on his first lap. He fell and then lost the chain on his bike causing him to stop and end up in last place early on. I went with a friend into the woods to watch the race and with each lap we cheered and he gradually caught back up with the leaders. I knew he was giving it all he was worth and when I heard them call last lap I headed back around to meet him. I was nowhere near the finish line and I'm pretty slow on flat ground, so tromping around in the woods with this bum ankle of mine makes me extra snail like. I knew I'd never make it back in time, so I just took my time and met up with Andy after his race was over.

When he saw me he handed me this little envelope and asked me to put it in my purse. Inside it was a gift card to a local restaurant. It was the prize for the winner.

You read that right.

It took me a second to realize what I was holding. He came back from dead last and won his class! He was super excited and has been on cloud nine all night. We went out afterward and spent the winner's spoils.

Next week he's going to move up a class because it seems that he underestimated his mountain biking skill level. It's much less likely he'll win in a higher class, but at least he'll be more evenly matched.

Lining up for the second race

Before the race, sure he was going to lose

Playing catch up

The victor!
He was dirty, and a little bruised from his fall,
but he was so excited!

A weekend spent out of doors

2009-06-28T17:16:00.008-04:00

We've had a really awesome weekend. It's so nice to be out and about doing things again.

Yesterday I traveled to Greensboro for a joint birthday party for my oldest nephew and niece. I was worried for a couple of reasons. First, I was pretty sure I was going to have to drive all the way there and I haven't driven on the interstate since before the accident. I did indeed drive, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The traffic was really not so bad and there weren't too many crazy drivers out there. Second, I'm not used to the heat in the lower part of the state. My mountain has hardly seen 90 degrees yet this summer and I was not at all looking forward to being outside with all the extra heat and humidity. But, once again, my worries were for naught because it really wasn't all that awful. We picnicked in the shade and while I did sweat more than usual I wasn't miserable. So that was good.

The party was at Bur-Mil park and after the picnic the kids were going swimming at the pool there. I went prepared to swim with them, but my ankle was swollen pretty bad at that point and I was already exhausted. So some of us decided to call it a day and head home. The journey home wasn't too bad either, but by the time I got back up the mountain to our apartment I crashed. I took a lovely little nap while Andy went for a bike ride and then we went out for a late dinner.

I made these cupcakes for the party.
Butterflies for Veronica and trains for Jerem.
I got the idea from Hello Cupcake! which my
mother-in-law gave me.
The butterflies are in the book and the
trains were my own creation.
The cupcake recipe came out of it too.
Banana Chocolate and they were yummy!

The baby was passed out when she got there

Alex, chowing down on some chicken.
We had KFC and you can't go wrong with
KFC at a picnic.
Jerem had a blast!
I asked Veronica to pose and this is what she gave me.
She's going to regret this one day.

Today was much more low-key. After sleeping in a bit Andy got up and went for another bike ride and I watched a movie I had rented. Then we headed out to a local lake to have a picnic. The lake is small, but it has picnic shelters, a play area for kids and there is a beach area with a doc and lifeguard so people can swim. Today has been so nice out and we were definitely not the only ones enjoying the day. We didn't swim because we had some other things to get done today, but we spent a while laying on a blanked and people watching. People watching is one of my favorite things to do. I wouldn't mind if we made this a Sunday ritual.

Our view of the lake

Feet on the picnic blanket.
Andy says his feet look bad.
I guess that's why he's curling his toes under.
Watching the clouds
The "beach" and dock are on the other side of these trees

Photogenic Friday: The Milton Edition

2009-06-26T20:38:00.008-04:00

Dear Milton,

I was going to do an interview with you like I did with Brunswick, but you don't sit still long enough so I decided to write you a letter instead.

This month you turn one year old. Two months from now marks the anniversary of when you became a member of our family. I'm sorry we called you Mabel for three weeks. When the lady at the pet shop told us you were a girl I was a little afraid that she didn't know what she was talking about and as it turned out I was right. But you let us know as soon as you could that you were not, in fact, a girl. Thanks for telling us. It certainly helped Daddy and I understand your strange behavior to your brother.

I'll also apologize for your birthday present. I guess it wasn't much of a present. For Brunswick's birthday we got him a bag of granola and we got you fixed for yours. I have to say I was a little worried about you and how you would handle the anesthesia. You've always had an extra sensitive system. It did seem to take you a long time to come out of your medicinal daze, but you're back to your sassy self now. In about two weeks you'll start to feel a lot different. I know it wasn't fun, but you're ok now and it was a necessary evil. I promise you don't have to do it again.

Daddy and I have really enjoyed having you around. You certainly always make things interesting. Brunswick likes having you around too - at least he does now. At first you guys didn't get along so well and you cost Mommy and Daddy a good bit of money on a tiny tube of ointment for your brother's eye. But that's alright, I forgive you and so does Brunswick.

Your energy is boundless and you never cease to amaze me with it. Just when I think you're down for the count you're off again, making laps around the living room, chasing your brother around, sniffing and marking my shoes. Because we all know what a tragedy it would be if every.single.thing in our apartment didn't smell like you.

I really enjoy watching you chase the broom around. I think I could play with you all day long, but I run out of energy way before you do. Recently you've come to love the game of "chase" where I follow you into a corner and then when I turn around you follow me back across the room. I also love it that you come out from your hidey hole just to say hi to Daddy and I.

You like to pretend that you're aloof and above needing affection, but I know you better than that. Nothing satisfies you more than getting a couple of pets and kisses from us. You're such a stinker and you get pretty jealous of your brother if you think he's getting more love than you. You've nibble holes in a couple of my favorite shirts because you wanted me to pay attention you you instead. I'd appreciate it if you'd find another way to get my attention.

I have to say that you put up with my shenanigans pretty well. A lot better than Brunswick, that's for sure. You don't complain too much when I dress you up or try to make you pose for the camera. But you're so curious of the camera I have a lot of close up pictures of your nose.

Daddy and I love you so much little fuzz ball. Don't ever change. And I promise that next year your birthday will be much better and it won't involve surgery.

Things that make me smile

2009-06-22T19:07:00.003-04:00

Walking without a noticable limp
Eating spoonfuls of leftover cake icing
Sitting on a bench swing at the park and watching kids play in the creek
Pretty cupcakes
Shiny, colorful toenails
Sunny days with mild temperatures
Cream cheese burgers
Andy's laugh
Milton and Brunswick snuggled up in front of the screen door
Visiting with some old friends
Waking up surrounded by luscious, green mountains
Looking at our wedding album
A fresh box of crayons
Cook books

What makes you smile?

Father's Day

2009-06-21T15:40:00.004-04:00

Happy, happy!

Photogenic Friday: Hard to look at

2009-06-19T20:16:00.007-04:00

What I'm showing you today doesn't really need an explanation.

These photos of me were taken the day before I came home from the hospital.

I didn't see myself until a week after the accident, and I didn't look at these pictures for a few weeks after that. I'm told that this isn't the worst of it. After I got out of the ICU and went to a regular room the swelling in my face started going down considerably. My mom tells me that for the first twenty four hours I was unrecognizable. I'm ok not knowing what that looked like because I still have enough trouble looking at these. Some of the doctors took pictures for their records and as far as I'm concerned they can keep them to themselves.

Posting these isn't so much about the people that will see them. I'm not trying to be brave. It's helping me close a chapter on this whole process. These photos remind me how far I've come even though there is so much further to travel.

I'm still not quite ready to show a more recent picture of myself. I have them, but there aren't many and they aren't very good. In the past couple of weeks the swelling in my chin has finally gone down enough that I recognize my whole face. But there are still a few things not quite right and my vanity just won't allow me to show the world my crooked smile. I'll get there eventually.

Not my first time at the rodeo

2009-06-18T16:22:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the dismal lack of blogging lately. My only excuse is an equally dismal lack of activity in my life. I really have nothing to share other than how much this whole recovery process continues to suck and how glad I'll be when it's all over and behind me.

As I have a very low tolerance for whiny people it isn't exactly fair for me to make my blog a whine fest either. So there you have it.

How is the recovery? Going well. I've kind of come to the end of the process where I make leaps and bounds towards being healthy. The process from here is going to be slow and tedious. I'm not a slow and tedious kind of person, so I'm not looking forward to the next six to twelve months. When there are updates to give I'll give them.

I'm getting around much better and driving again so I'd like to put the whole mess behind me. As much as I can anyway. Largely I'm to the point where I can get on with living my life. There are only a few things holding me back right now and as I said it's going to be a while before everything is back to normal. There isn't anything that I can't work around so I'm making preparations to return to the land of every day ho-hum life.

I just wanted to tell you one more thing before I stop waxing poetic about this accident and how it has thrown me for a loop. Something that has been on my mind lately.

You know the saying, "misery loves company"? It's so very true. For the last two months I can't tell you how many stories I've heard about other people's car crash experiences. Whose fault it was. How scary it was. What injuries they sustained. How scary and painful it all was for them.

Perfect strangers have confided in me their most horrific experiences. I guess it's their way of saying they know how I feel and that it'll get better. I don't mind really. I actually kind of welcome their confidences. It's nice to have someone to commiserate with.

What strikes me about all of this is how many of those people didn't just tell me about one accident they had. A lot of them were involved in multiple accidents. It has brought to mind my own car crash experiences.

I had a couple of fender bender accidents in my Jeep, but two months ago was the first time my car sustained any real damage. As you know it was serious damage.

The only other accident I've been in was twenty years ago when I was seven.

It was the summer of 1989 shortly before I was supposed to start second grade.

There are some uncanny similarities between my two crashes. First, they were both head on collisions where another car was on my side of the road. Second, in both accidents I sustained the worst injuries out of everyone involved. Third, my face took the brunt of the injuries.

Of course I wasn't driving twenty years ago. My mother was. I was in the back seat and my brother was in the front with my mom. This was before all of the seat belt laws. Seat belts were more of a suggestion than a rule, so my mother and I were sans seat belts. My brother, goody-two-shoes that he was, never got into the car without strapping in. He was ahead of his time I guess.

Anyway, I was in the back eating a sugar daddy. I didn't really like sugar daddy's then and I haven't eaten one since. But I was chowing down on my sugar daddy and all I remember is hearing my mom scream and then I blacked out. The next thing I remember is my mom hovering over me piling tissues on my face. She spread a blanket on the ground and pulled me out of the car to sit with me on the blanket. Then she sent my brother to get help.

The accident happened on a dirt road that was really only driven by people like us who lived on it. This was also pre-cell phone invasion so the only thing to do was go to the nearest neighbor's house.

My mom's head had hit the windshield and cracked it, but she hadn't cut her head and since I was bleeding pretty badly she was more worried about me than herself. The best anyone could figure is that upon impact I flew up and hit the back of the driver's seat cutting my eyelid.

I remember that my grandparents came and took me to the hospital in their old Gran Torino. My grandfather couldn't be bothered with things like checking in at the front desk so he pulled right into the ambulance entrance and made them take me strait back into the emergency department. This always made me laugh because what if there had been a real emergency that day? I guess to my grandfather my uncontrollable bleeding was an emergency, so oh well.

The nurse checked my vision first and I remember her asking me how many fingers she was holding up. Then they got me ready to get stitched up. Have you ever had a needle poked into your eye? I don't recommend it. I screamed really loud and my grandmother had to put her head between her legs so she wouldn't pass out.

Once I was all numbed up though it really wasn't bad and I calmed down. The doctor talked to me through the whole thing and I told him about my pink ballet costume I had worn in my recital. He told me he was color blind and didn't know what pink looked like but he was sure it was very pretty. I didn't even know color blindness existed and that little piece of news pretty much shattered my world. As far as I was concerned, at seven years old, this poor man must have been a shambles not to be able to see pink.

As a whole my first car crash experience was pleasant compared to my most recent.

I remember felling ugly and concerned what the other students would think of me when I returned to school. I still have a scar that is unnoticeable to anyone but me. For me it's an annoyance mostly because it lies right in my eyelid crease and can make even eyeshadow application difficult.

I hope soon my new injuries are unnoticeable. I pray that in another year it will be like it never happened and I'll be able to look back on it all and laugh. Well, I don't know if I'll ever laugh about it, but at least it will be a cautionary tale I can tell my children and grandchildren. I can tell them how lucky they are that they're alive because I am lucky and blessed to be here. I can warn them to be aware when they're driving; to be courteous to other people on the road because their actions don't just affect them.

If, in another twenty years, I'm involved in another car crash it will be too soon.

My family learned a valuable lesson from that crash on a hot summer day in 1989: always wear your seat belt. My brother came out completely unscathed.

My lesson learned this time? Well, I'm not sure I'm done learning from this one yet, but patience, positive thinking, and forgiveness are at the top of my list.

I could say I've learned my lesson about air bags, and in a way I have. Andy has forbidden me to buy a car without air bags and I've agreed, on one condition. I have a love for old Jeeps, as you well know, and my dream car is a fully restored Grand Wagoner. Those don't come with air bags. So, I'm allowed to buy one eventually as long as it doesn't serve as my primary mode of transportation. I can live with that.

**************************************************************

My dismal lack of activity is about to end. Out of the next eight Saturdays I only have two free. Prepare yourselves for a barage of cute kid pictures and family shenanigans.