Thank You, Mr. President

I dreamed Barack Obama was delivering the mail. I knew he probably had a package for me, and wondered if I should help him out by meeting him at the box. After all, he is the President.

I woke up then, so who knows what happened next!

7 Months

Will She or Won't She?

I'm considering the unprecedented move of going to the movies tonight. Yes, you read that right: Me. Friday night. A movie.

If the world as we know it ends tonight at 7:20 pm CST, you'll know why.

The Good Ideas are Taken

A few nights ago I was contemplating my ongoing life project (well, one of them) and decided to donate all the P.D. James books I've been saving in case I want to reread them. In my defense, I have reread several titles more than once, so the idea is not out of the realm of possibility. I was excited to think that I had so easily decided on a positive step.

So, imagine my dismay this morning when I looked at the bookshelves and realized I gave away those books last year. I now remember I did some cookbook weeding at the same time. So I'm not sure where this leaves me. Could Nancy possibly be next on the chopping block?

Truth

There's no doubt that one of Satan's most effective methods is co-opting a tool that can be used for good and twisting the direction just enough that using the tool takes one to a far different place than originally intended.

Follow these two lines far enough, and see where each line takes you, even though they start from a common point.

This video illustrates the point perfectly. Yes, it's fairly easy to see how technology plays a role in ruinous evils like pornography and infidelity. But how about its role in things like loneliness and social isolation, which are just as damaging, though much slower-acting, than the "big" evils?

Amen!

"The blood relatives of common courtesy are kindness, sympathy and consideration. And the reward for exercising them is to feel good about having done so."

-Norman Corwin

Whew

I had to dress up for work today. No cords and long sleeve t-shirt for me.

Probably the shortest bio in the whole program.

How much can I get for an MTSU commemorative letter opener on the open market?

Sisters

Apparently, a girl is never too young to play dress up.

Putting Up a Defense

My "Post Vacation Forcefield" isn't very strong today. There's really nothing to make it a "bad" day--I'm just a bit down in the mouth.

So I've pulled out nearly all the stops--"emotional rescue" blend in the diffuser, sound machine, Ralph Vaughan Williams playing in the background--everything except chocolate. Maybe all of that will do the trick?

The New Fad

Today there are two other solitary women near me on the beach. One is a bit older than I, and both are a bit plumper.

I'm enjoying myself, but hope this isn't a vision of my future.

ps: I already moved once to escape a loud talker, but it doesn't seem to have been far enough.

Wah

The Meltdown is out of ice. And aged cheddar. I settled for gouda and gruyere.

Having a Meltdown

If you know me well, which of course you do (Mom), you'll be impressed to hear that I left my things on the beach for the hour it took to fetch this grilled mozzarella, tomato and basil. I returned before the beach patrol carted off everything, and am now enjoying my rather rubbery, but yummy, sandwich as the sun sets.

Good Luck Charm

I listened to a book most of the way to Florida, but here's proof that I took a break to listen to Marty Robbins. In my book, it isn't a real road trip without him.

Road Trip

All I need now is some Hunt's pop top snack pudding, preferably butterscotch, and I'll be set!

Look, Mom!

This is my latest attempt to drink more water. I'm always dehydrated (more than usual) when I wake up in the morning.

So now I have a quart of water waiting on the bedside table. (It has lemon essential oil in it, hence the need for glass or stainless steel). I drank all of it yesterday morning, and a good portion of it this morning. We'll see if I can make it three in a row!

Query

Would it be excessive for me to eat two grilled cheese sandwiches a day for three days in a row, if I walked 1.3 miles each way (for each sandwich) to obtain said sandwiches?

Warding Off Evil

My nose was a bit stuffy last night and this morning, so I'm following a flu and cold bomb protocol today, just in case I'm getting a cold. Oregano, melaleuca and other good stuff are supposed to "kill off" the impending virus. As long as they don't also kill the virus host, I think we're ok.

Raise Your Hand if You Agree!

I shamelessly stole this, but only because I love it so much. I plan to follow this advice very soon. On October 11, to be exact.

There's a First Time for Everything

I was amazed when a friend in graduate school told me he knew students who had never stayed up all night to complete a school assignment or study for an exam. I certainly didn't fall into that category! In a similar vein, I've stayed up all night more than once or twice finishing a project for work (or cleaning out my office on the last day of a job).

This, however, is the first time I've stayed up ALL NIGHT LONG working on a Church assignment. Yes, I'm afraid you read that correctly. In the next three hours I need to get myself home, bathed, clothed (in a Scout shirt, no less) and to Nashville for a tri-stake Cub Scout leader meeting, at which I'm delivering training. For the record, however, this all-nighter is not a result of my procrastination. I found out yesterday afternoon that the I was given the wrong training topic three weeks ago. I had no choice (besides saying I wouldn't participate) but to start over on my preparation and materials.

I hope all of my (two? maybe three?) readers are fast asleep as I type this and that you never, ever, ever experience something remotely similar. Or that if you do, that it isn't raining cats and dogs during the whole thing.

Why I Don't Work in a Public Library

A public library director posted this message on a list-serv today. I'm grateful for public libraries and the librarians who serve there, but I'm also glad I'm not one of them.

To Those Who Have Done This Before; How do you handle access after detecting evidence of obnoxious/illegal/unsanitary/gross activities taking place within your public restrooms? I have been living in a Fool's Paradise, apparently. Sigh.

Have Wagon, Will Travel

I'm ready for my solo trip to the beach next month!

About Time

Saturday
Is
Finally
Over

Too Awesome

If you're interested in Legos or libraries, you have to check out these pics of Lego libraries and bookstores. They are great. I love the chicken-suited story time librarian and the Half Price Books replica.

Here's more about the first library featured. It is a brilliant creation!

Try Again

I was about to post about how I avoided eating any sweets or cookies today, when I remembered the two cookies I snagged from the communal table at work this afternoon.

Since I no longer have a perfect record, I may just go find myself a (sweet) bedtime snack.

Are You a Joiner?

I think I may have to break down and join Pinterest. Thoughts?

Back at It

I don't always love my work, but I pretty much love my coworkers, who are a wonderful group of people. School starts Monday (well, officially today), so it's time to gear up. Go US!

Hello?

I suspect I'll have plenty of food leftover from tonight's book group meeting.

If no one comes, I'm eating all the german chocolate cupcakes myself.

Bittersweet

J got a big boy hair cut just in time for his second birthday.

Holy Autopilot!

I keep medication and supplements in a daily pill box with compartments for morning, noon, evening and night. I usually take the morning pills at work, though not at the same time every morning, because sometimes I don't think about it right away. Also, I often get home from work without having taken anything from the middle two compartments.

Today, however, I added a new twist to the non-routine. I just looked at the box on my desk (a bit after noon), and can see that I managed to take nearly EVERYTHING for the day in one sitting. I was on the phone a while ago and apparently emptied all the compartments at once (though I left the fish oil untouched on the desk). I clearly can't be trusted to multitask without error.

Please Indulge My Obsession

E's Big Day

Librarian Birthday Gift

check here for the explanation!

Birthday Redux

Mr. Right

I go back and forth about the ideal profession for a husband. Today, it's definitely lawn maintenance person or the owner of such a business. Two complete passes of the lawn in less than a week have me fed up.

On the other hand, I suppose the millionaire personal chef physician would have no trouble paying someone to mow the lawn.

Variety is the Spice of Life; or, Sad but True

I varied the routine this week by visiting Walmart on Friday night instead of Saturday night. I'm sorry to say that this change passes for excitement in my life.

Because I Can

The white birthday cake my mother made while she was here a few weeks ago was so delicious and gone so quickly that I decided to make another one. It's humid enough here that the seven minute frosting crystallized overnight, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying the cake. Besides, the beauty of seven minute frosting is that after a few days, the cake soaks most of it up, and a good cake becomes even better.

photo: Chicago Daily News. (1917). [Maurine Brisler, frosting a cake, Mrs. Walter Barnes, and Mrs. Theron O. Jennings, standing by a table in a room].Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0006735, Chicago History Museum. Available from American Memory at http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/cdn:@field(NUMBER+@band(ichicdn+n067535))

Four Letter Word for Happy

C A K E

More Perfection

E was her usual beautiful self while her parents were gone.

It Got Better

Lest you think the day was full of tears, here's proof that J recovered.

Food Pyramid

Every well rounded breakfast includes chocolate.

Here We Go

J just realized both parents are gone.

The End is Near

Another sign the end of the world must be coming soon: Mosquitoes. Every year they seem to be more prevalent and pernicious. This year they're biting me under my shirt when I'm outside, in my bed, and now at work. I started carrying a home remedy with me, since topical Benadryl and Hydrocortisone don't help. The library mosquitoes, however, seem to have vinegar proof bites. I'm afraid to think what form their next escalation will take.

Tip of the Day

If you write on a whiteboard with a black Sharpie, go over your writing with a whiteboard marker, and the Sharpie marks will erase also. Not that I have experience with this...

Or Maybe I CAN Help Myself

I just effected my first EO miracle cure! Well, not really, but sort of. J and some of my friends use essential oils (EO), and I recently become interested and bought a few. I confess that I like them mostly for the way they smell, and so far I mostly diffuse lavender in the bedroom before I go to sleep.

I just sustained a vicious insect bite on my palm, and none of the usual remedies were working (ice probably would, but I can't walk around holding an ice pack all day). A drop of lavender oil and a drop of peppermint oil did the trick. Also my hand smells pretty. It could be in all in my head, but if it works, that's fine with me.

Next up: cures for overweight, a messy house, and something to help me find a husband.

Can't Help Myself

What am I going to do when my gracious SIL stops providing sweet babies for me to love on?

The Real Me

At least I'm not vain. I will add, in my defense, that this photo was taken by a 6 year old.

It's Official

Hi

E is a rather serious baby, but quite beautiful nonetheless.

About Those Preemie Steps

I recently realized I've lived in my house for four years, not two or three like I usually tell people.

So, tonight I decided to not go another day without curtains on at least one window in my bedroom (I think I only have one curtain rod on hand).

At this pace, I can expect to be completely unpacked and decorated in about 2037.

Independence Day

It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. --Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776, "Had a Declaration..." [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/

Preemie Steps

I told a friend I think he sometimes takes preemie baby steps instead of baby steps. Truth is, I do too. Exhibit one: the post I made today on FB. After more than a month of lukewarm but genuine effort, my clothing is tighter, not looser. So perhaps I'm really taking embryo steps?

Contents Under Pressure

I recently spent the night out of town for work, and took a cooler since it was a car trip. In the hotel room, I simply could not open the bottle of flavored sparkling water I took with me. In fact, I blistered a finger with my multiple attempts.

I used my trusty Leatherman Micra to cut the plastic tamper ring from the cap, but it didn't help matters. By that point there was no way I was giving up.

Guess what worked like a charm?

Lego Librarian

Bet you didn't know there's a Lego minfigure modeled after me!

Fantasy

I know we shouldn't ask to exchange or even necessarily be released from our trials. I also know that people who seem completely unburdened aren't really so.

Nonetheless, I can't help but sometimes wish I could turn in my thornier problems for a different set. I know it wouldn't be easier, but I like to delude myself that it would.

Lost and Found

Monday was a good day for a reason besides the paddling trip. Here's the story:

The weekend of baby E's birth, I lost a beloved (expensive) ring. It was a crazy weekend of little sleep, lots of driving, and a medication mishap*.

My sweet mother and my lifesaver almost mother (Gwen) both said the ring would turn up. After searching the house and chapel thoroughly (I played the piano that Sunday at church and put the ring on the music rack while I played), I felt it was gone for good. I even bought a (much less expensive) substitute ring to try to make up for the loss.

Monday night I was looking for a sock in a pile of clean laundry on the guest bed, and there was the wayward ring, on the bed in plain sight. I'm still astounded.

The story has so many lessons for me I probably can't list them all. You have probably mastered these lessons by now, but apparently, I haven't. Here are a few:

• Trust a wise mother (or two) when she tells you something.
• Never take off a ring to play the piano at church.
• Don't run out of medication you're supposed to take daily.
• Don't let the same pile of clean laundry sit for six weeks.**

I realize that in the whole of life, I would have been just fine if the ring was lost forever, but I'm so grateful for the small mercy that it came back to me

*Google "effexor withdrawal" if you really want to know more. If not, I'll just say that it's truly awful.

**To be honest, it's a perpetual pile that I keep adding to and taking away from.

About Pastimes

The kayaking post got me thinking about all the things I do, pretend to do, read about doing, or would like to do:

• reading
• sewing
• baking
• candymaking
• knitting
• woodworking
• gardening
• kayaking

These are activities that come to the top of my mind, though I know there are others I've thought about from time to time (I still want to learn to play the marimba). I don't have the time or money to do all of these things now, and I don't anticipate retiring early in life with lots of money to spare.

Sometimes I wonder if I would be better off dropping some things from the list of aspirations and spending my time on the few activities that are left. *sigh*

New Obsession

The latest pastime I'm eager to read about and maybe try is, in case you didn't know, kayaking. Here's another view of Monday's outing:

Monday was a two-hour guided "meditative paddling" tour at a local lake. The water was as calm as possible, it wasn't too hot yet at 7:30 am, and the lake was practically deserted. I had a great time, though my 15 minutes of meditating was more just 15 minutes of looking around (we were in a large creek at that point).

Unlike some other pastimes in which I'm interested, this one requires significant money or some connected friends to enjoy to the fullest. I don't have any kayaking-connected friends, so it looks like I'll be saving my money if I want to pursue this. My next baby step, however, is a three-hour private lesson (five or less students) a few days after my birthday. After that, I might try a rental on a local river before school starts again.

I'd call the lesson my birthday gift to myself, if I hadn't already bestowed that title on the tickets I bought to see my favorite dreamy multi-talented performer in concert the week before my birthday.

What Did You Do Today?

I went paddling!

Baby E

Necessities

Why every single girl needs a station wagon.

Tick Tock

What is it about one am that makes everything look so bleak?

Hard Things: An Update

Into week three of the Beachbody workouts, I'm exercising about three days a week. Not great, but it's three days more than before.

I can do 14 modified pushups and 6 honest to goodness no knees pushups, which is huge. I couldn't do a single real pushup before this.

You won't hear any crazy "I lost 16 pounds in three weeks" stories from me, but that's ok. I'm trying to make this about the journey and not the destination. Also, with only a few exceptions, I have always been a late bloomer and a slow starter, and at this point in life there is no point in fighting that.

Modern Times

In Primary Sunday, I told a chalkboard story about a father and grown son who lived on either side of a tall mountain. I asked the class how the father and son could communicate if they were unable to travel over the mountain. First two answers? Text and Skype.

lol

Not Above Bribery

I took these to Primary last week, hoping to entice E into behaving in class. He was unimpressed.
I'm trying green tomorrow.

Perfection

I'm probably violating copyright and possibly risking her parents' wrath (hope not!), but I wanted to share another picture of E, for those who aren't on FB.

Misdirection

Any possibility that everyone will be so enchanted by my pretty golden toenails that they'll fail to notice my dirty hair, wrinkled chinos and makeup-free face?

Psst!

Here's a secret for: I don't like doing hard things. The thought of rising above a challenge does nothing to inspire me.

So it's with trepidation that I started yet another fitness program two weeks ago. This one is expensive and involves daily FB check in. It actually took me a week to start the exercising, and the week was not a complete success. I'm one for one this week, however, and hoping that the cardio workout won't leave me in tears this time.

So, how do YOU motivate yourself to do hard things?

Cleanliness is Next to...

Don't you love a clean desk?

Unfortunately, the desk is only clean because I dumped everything here:

 and here:

On the other hand, it may comfort a few readers to know that some things never change.

One Small Step

My friend Kristen and I walked around campus for 30 minutes today. Yay us!

I obviously don't care WHAT I look like on outings like this. Good thing!

Yes, It's Purple

Ophelia wasn't my direct inspiration,  but I admire her forward sense of style. I'm not sure why this caught my fancy,  but it did.

Introducing Emma

Emmeline Elaine, our newest daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece.