etc.

Some Big News

2011-06-28T10:33:00.001-05:00

First: I'm 29 weeks pregnant (surprise!)

Second: I've moved! And I'm keeping with the whole "Etc." theme. Because now I actually have my own little "Etc." on the way!

http://himheretc.tumblr.com/

short hair

2011-01-03T21:20:00.000-06:00

Photo: The Sartorialist Blog

new year

2011-01-03T16:45:00.002-06:00

Hello my friends!
You may realize I only write here when I feel inspired to do so. Daniel has told me many times I should pursue blogging more seriously, but I tell him, then I'd have to commit. And I'm just not there right now.

But I am here now. I've been missing my little blogspot, but haven't known what to say.

Today I sat down on the couch, having vacuumed the house, mopped the floors, rotated the laundry, planned our dinner menu for the week, and completed the necessary grocery shopping, so I decided to fiddle with my blog. It started with a little tweaking here and there, and suddenly I was ready to write!

While I haven't been blogging, I've been doing things I love to do. I've wandered around my favorite blogs and found new blogs to love. I've been reading and knitting. Praying and meditating. Exercising and cooking. Loving and dreaming. Which leads me to my big, huge, amazing resolution.

Lately I've had a growing desire to figure out just who exactly I am. I don't want to be someone who likes or believes or loves or wants something just because I'm told to, or because someone else does. I want to truly know myself. To have conviction, and a reason for my conviction.
And I want to know why I am the way I am, as much as I can know.
You know, introspection.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize that the more selfish I am, the less I know. The more internally concerned and consumed I become, the less I see.

It's become clear to me that, for me at least, knowing myself involves learning about the world around me. Studying people, places, thoughts, books, truth, beauty. Heady stuff.
Where there is one point of view, there is always another. And while I'm not seeking to believe all points of view, I think it is important to look at things from different angles. To keep an open mind. To be gentle as a dove, but wise as a serpent.
I want to see.
You know, see.

So here I am, 2011, ready to figure a few things out.

This year, I want to...
read the Scriptures more consistently, meditating on the words and passages.
abide with Christ, know his peace.
pray with diligence and honesty
recognize and repent of sin
spend more time out doors
reflect on all that I have, and less on what I want
live in thankfulness
speak kind words
love through service
see need, and do something about it
set to the work of my hands without grumbling or complaining
know my husband better
learn to sew
knit more
smile more
love. more.

and perhaps...write more.

Photo: weheartit blog.

Crisp and Cool

2010-09-27T11:06:00.002-05:00

After days of sweltering heat followed by a long stretch of gloomy days, I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up to a crisp, cool, clear morning. The air has just barely turned cool enough to bite your skin ever so slightly. It smells clean and fresh.
I moved around the house this morning opening dusty windows and breathing deeply.

So much has happened since my last post!
For one thing, I quit my job.
Now, I'm a happy housewife. I spend my days cleaning and cooking and grocery shopping and going to Bible studies and taking Pilates classes and knitting (sort of). The dread and exhaustion that I had begun to feel before and after each day of work has been replaced with a quiet peace that seems to fill the house. I love it.
And Daniel loves it.
My job was not a terrible job, but for several months now my heart has been elsewhere. Thinking that I was wallowing in discontent, I treated it as a spiritual struggle that I had to overcome. I prayed about it day after day. Truly, my hope was that the answer would come in the form of motherhood. There was no question that I was going to stay home once I had a baby. But the months continued to pass. It became increasingly apparent that God, for the time, had (has) other plans for me.
In August, a series of events caused Daniel and I to pause and think. Daniel had long been encouraging me to put in my notice at work, but I always said no. For some reason, I believed I would feel guilty that I wasn't "contributing" to our income. I never questioned whether or not I would be bored. One thing that I do have is a passion for the little things. I love sorting through piles of laundry and washing dishes in warm soapy water and running the vacuum around the house. I love reorganizing closets and straightening up book shelves and tucking in smooth sheets.
But I was afraid. Afraid that without my additional income we would find ourselves in a bind. Through my thoughts and actions I was expressing my foolish reliance on myself and my ability to provide. But in August, I stopped. I took a week off from work. This will just be a trial, I told myself.
Five days at home was all it took to assure me that I was meant to be home. When I was home, cooking and cleaning, I felt a special kind of joy. Do you know what it is like to feel like you are doing exactly what you are supposed to do?
It was as if a great burden on my heart and mind had been lifted. I felt sure and certain, full of hope and confidence. I spent much of the week in prayer, asking God for wisdom and clarity.
The following weekend Daniel and I sat at a coffee shop and discussed the budget. It quickly became clear that God would provide and had been providing for a long time. The excitement was electric; both of us felt more and more sure that this was right.
On Monday I went in to work and put in my notice. I was a little nervous--not about my decision. Just nervous. I don't know what I was expecting, but I was met with words of encouragement and loving support from my boss and co-workers (although, there were a few that insisted I would be back in two weeks, begging for my job back because I'd gotten bored sitting at home). Two weeks dragged by slowly. Daniel's car broke down. But we didn't worry. We knew that God would provide.
Finally, on a Friday afternoon at 4:30 I left the office for the last time. It was a little weird. But exhilarating.

This Monday marks my third week at home, and I am in heaven. I wake up in the mornings in the arms of my husband, to soft sunlight. The mornings are not crazy and hectic, but peaceful and quiet. Every day is different, with its many tasks and commitments. One of my greatest joys right now is the freedom to say I'm available when I'm asked to serve. We are thriving with one vehicle. Daniel took out his nearly-new bicycle that has been collecting dust in the garage for nearly a year, and he rides to work every day. He loves it!
Although I have a big, bad case of baby fever, I am content where I am now. I am savoring this sweet time with my husband and enjoying the kind of freedom we have.

My focus and my goal and my joy is to be a good wife, supporting and loving my husband. I am organizing and nesting and creating. And I hope, some day soon, to bring a beautiful baby into a peaceful, joyful, God-glorifying home.

I'm happy.

Traginas. Every Time.

2010-07-23T10:06:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty happy that it's Friday.

Daniel and I watched Gentlemen Broncos last night. Daniel described it as "Perfect."

I...

I am without words. It probably ranks in the top 3 of my "strangest non-foreign movies I've ever seen."
I don't even...I have no idea. So...weird...
The kind of weird that is too weird to laugh at. You just sit there, with a furrowed brow and a confused smirk on your face. Am I missing something here?
I'd say it seemed like the filmmakers were high on something, but they're Mormons. So that theory is out.
Instead of weird, one might call it awkward. The whole movie was awkward. But now that I think about it, Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre were pretty awkward. The first time I watched Napoleon I remember sitting in the theater with that familiar, confused smirk on my face. What the heck was that?

Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords was pretty stellar in the movie. He plays a famous Sci-Fi writer named Ronald Chevalier (make sure you pronounce it shev-al-ee-ay) whose lost his touch, and his publishers are threatening to drop him if he doesn't provide them with a decent story.
There's one scene in the movie that was, without a doubt, utterly hilarious. It involves Chevalier, an aspiring young Sci-Fi writer, and troll names.
There were several scenes in the movie that made me cringe - one involves a very strange hand massage, and one involves vomit and kissing. Yeah. Sick.

Since I wrote the above something has happened that may change things.

Daniel called me and we started quoting lines from the aforementioned awkward movie, and we were cracking ourselves up.

Why are those movies like that?

I'm going to let this marinate for a little while.

In other news...

Last night Daniel and I also had dinner with some friends (I am so thankful we didn't watch that movie with friends), and dinner was so delicious.
They grilled burgers for dinner, but these were special burgers.
All it took was a thin patty of ground beef, a mixture of cream cheese and jalapenos, and another thin patty of ground beef, sandwiched together and grilled. Voila: special hamburgers.

Yum.

Also, these friends of ours had a baby in March. So I spent half of the night holding a soft, sweet baby girl. Ahhh, Heaven.

Not Too Shabby

2010-07-22T11:06:00.000-05:00

I've always loved shopping around on Shabby Apple, but last week I finally ordered something for the first time.

Buying clothes online is always a little iffy for me. I have awkward dimensions. Like an awkward pear.

This time, it worked out quite nicely.
I'll definitely be a repeat customer.

The dress is called L'artiste. How fitting.

Just one question I want to put out there: Don't you think, when photographing your designs, you would iron the clothes??

It looks way better when the skirt isn't wrinkled. Trust me.

because I didn't want to sweat.

2010-07-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

{via flickr}

When I was a young child I declined to participate in strenuous athletic activity. Because I didn't want to sweat.
At least, that's what I've been told.

Perhaps I might have been a ballet prodigy. I guess we'll never know.

I have always loved watching ballet. Sleeping Beauty was one of my favorite movies and I thought the ballet was beautiful. Over the years my father and mother occasionally took me to see the ballet. Once I saw Cinderella, Madam Butterfly; I saw The Nutcracker many times. The strength and power and grace of the dancers was thrilling to me. They looked so beautiful! I loved going to the ballet and hearing the light tapping of the dancer's ballet shoes on the wooden stage flooring as they leapt and twirled. The women were slender, feminine and beautiful. The men were gracefully strong and sturdy, yet masculine (most of the time).
More recently I've been thinking about posture and grace in movement. Not just in dance, but in every day life. I read an article in Vogue (I love Vogue, as we've discussed. Oh, the photographs! The fashion!) about the importance of good posture. Not only for one's health, but a person's posture can say so much about them and how they want to be seen by others. As I've been looking through portraits on The Sartorialist blog, this has become even more clear to me.
As an example of what I mean:

{via The Sartorialist}

This woman is a burlesque dancer. Can't you tell?

On his blog, the photographer remarked that her "posture speaks volumes about who she is and how she wants to be perceived."

I love that! And there's a small part of me that has always wanted to be a natural red head. And wear bright red lipstick.

{via The Sartorialist}

That last picture was taken during the 1930s in Spain. Isn't she just so...European? People say it all the time, but it's interesting how clothing goes in and out of style. She looks like she's been shopping at Anthropologie!

But where was I?

Ballet.

I feel it must be said before I say anything further, I have little to no musicality. I have trouble keeping with the beat in songs, I look a little nutty when I dance (not like Elaine from Seinfield or anything), I think I'm slightly tone deaf. And my posture is not so good. About five years ago I started doing Pilates and in the last two years I've done Yoga off and on, and I think that has improved my posture somewhat. But it isn't stellar. And I wouldn't call any movement that I make graceful. I'm a little clumsy and heavy-footed.

In high school I joined the volleyball team. It was my first attempt at organized sports, and I did it because playing volleyball was popular. The first year I made the Junior Varsity team, which I felt was a major blow to my confidence. I was an athletic person, though I'll grant I was not very talented or coordinated. And the other girls on the JV team were just not...very...athletic. The Varsity girls were good. Everyone knew it.

JV was an afterthought.

I'll probably tell a story or two about high school volleyball some day, but my point in bringing it up today is this: I learned to sweat. Have you ever participated in a Summer Volleyball camp? I have still never been that sore in my life. We started early in the morning every day and sweated our way through four hours of intense training. And if you were late you ran laps...and some times the coach forgot about you and you spent two hours running laps. I don't want to talk about it.

So now, with my love of ballet and desire for graceful movement and good posture, along with my willingness to allow sweat to escape my epidermis, I am prepared to do something quite drastic.

I'm going to dance.

Well, perhaps that's a stretch.

I'm going to take a ballet class.

Normally I say I'm going to do these things and then put it off until finally I forget about it (I'm not the only one--once I got a "birthday present" from Daniel that was a promise to take dance lessons with me. It's been four years and I'm not holding my breath). But this time, I emailed Vicki at Ballet Austin and said: Teach me to dance like a Sugar Plum Fairy!

She said: sign up for a class and give us some money, you weirdo.

It was very inspiring.

But I haven't quite gotten to that step yet.

I was happy to learn from Vicki that they offer a "New Beginner" ballet class for adults. Part of me wants to go just to see the kind of people that are grasping hold of their dreams a little late in life like me. Part of me is completely intimidated by the idea of doing something I've never done before. Part of me is totally excited and can't wait to start. I've always wanted to say, "Sorry, I've got ballet class tonight. Rain check?" I've also always wanted to take part in a dramatic dance-off (Me and my posse can pirhouette you under the table, homey!).

That probably won't happen in beginner ballet (or..anywhere but Step It Up?). But I can dream.

I'm a big dreamer, guys.

I don't have any illusions of grandeur (it is illusions or delusions? Either way, I don't have them. Of grandeur.). I don't think I'll ever really be the Sugar Plum Fairy. Or even a mouse (a little ballet humor). I just want to dance. Is that so wrong?

P.S.

The cheesecake didn't taste like a disaster. It just looked like one.

Daniel: Uh, Honey? I think the cheesecake exploded?

I guess I'm no Pioneer Woman.

Things I Like

2010-07-19T13:19:00.002-05:00

It's been forever since I my last post!
Not quite. But nearly.

I like the word nearly.

Life is full of life these days. I sat for a moment and tried to think of another way to put that, but there it is. I hope you know what I mean.
I've been trying to occupy all of my handsome young man's free time, of which there is very little of course. But that little time is heaven. Heaven, I tell you.

On Saturday night we were so in the mood to go see a movie. And not at just any theater. We wanted the wonderful Alamo Drafthouse. Friday afternoon I heard an interview with Leonardo Dicaprio about his new movie Inception, and it intrigued me. So we decided to see it.
However, as is typical of an opening weekend for any movie at Alamo, it was sold out by the time we were able to get to a computer to purchase tickets.
I still really wanted to go to the movies.
So I talked Daniel into taking me to see Eclipse, one of the Twilight movies. He is a good sport. He takes me to lots of movies that I know he won't love (or even like sometimes!). But he takes me because he knows I just love going to the movies.
I discovered two things that evening:

1. I read the Twilight books and I was kind of into it for a while. The last movie was a strikeout--major. This one was better than the last, but since watching it, the more I've thought about it the more I've loathed it.
Time to move on. I am over it.

2. This one's really important. The Guinness Shake is pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me so far -- except meeting, marrying, and dwelling in marital bliss with my beloved.
Okay, so maybe I'm being a little melodramatic (what? me?), but seriously.

It is bow-chicka-wow-wow-scrumdidlyumptious.

I'm assuming that this shake involves some Guinness beer and some hellagood Amy's icecream -- and whipped cream with some candied sunflower seeds sprinkled on top.

I don't even like beer, my friends. Not a bit.

It all started because I was feeling particularly adventurous and impulsive that Saturday evening. I spotted it on the menu, as I had many times, but this time I turned to Daniel and whispered excitedly, Let's get the Guinness Shake!
He looked at me skeptically and then at the menu.
I have a feeling I'll be eating this shake on my own.
We debated over the $7 shake for a couple of minutes before I saw our server scooting our way, and in a last-minute burst of courage, wrote the order on our flag.
It was done.

The decadent shake arrived and we grinned as we looked from eachother to the mountain of creamy goodness before us. I tasted the shake first, and then, eyes bright with happiness, passed the sinful dessert to my handsome chaperone. He tasted the shake and we stared at each other with delight! Could it really be this divine?! From that point on, all shakes would pale in comparison to this sensational elixir. It would become a staple of every Alamo Drafthouse visit from then into perpetuity. We would go to the movies just to taste it. And next time...we might have to get our own.

We liked it.

Since we missed Inception this weekend, I guess we'll just have to go back this weekend.

Has anyone been enjoying watermelon this summer as much as I am?
I am into watermelon in a big way. It's my sweet-tooth satisfier. I think I eat an entire watermelon a week these days. Healthy, delicious and satisfying. And hydrating!

Last week I painted my nails hot pink, and I like it.

I love Mason Jars. And this summer, I would like to fill them with some cold brew coffee. Thanks, New York Times.

I've known about Flight of the Conchords for a few years now, but I've become reacquainted with them this summer and they are making me laugh as much as ever.

I love that at first glance, their comedy act slightly resembles something you would see on Public Access telelvision. Just one small part of the hilarity.

I'm happy to say this movie is in my Netflix queue:

Lastly, I'm currently enchanted by The Sartorialist Blog.

It might be part of the reason I haven't been blogging much, because nearly every spare moment is spent digging through the archives. I can't quite pinpoint what exactly draws me in, but I'm theorizing.

It must have something to do with the photography. True portraits that seem to capture so much. So much individuality and creativity. I love that people are so different, and I love the expression of differences that clothes can communicate!

{via the sartorialist}

never the same

2010-07-02T09:44:00.000-05:00

Do you like sushi?

Before last night I'd never eaten much sushi. I've had a few california rolls in my time, and they were good. I had no quarrel with sushi. We peacefully coexisted, living our separate lives.
That is, until last night.

Last night worlds collided, and there were fireworks and cheers and chopsticks.

I am really bad at using chopsticks. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

But when you eat at a place like Uchiko for dinner, everyone around you seems to know exactly what they are doing. They know the secrets of sushi. They've had a long, satisfying relationship with sushi and chopsticks. While they smoothly moved through their meals, I was dropping gobs of rice and other material on the table. I think I had an entire meal's worth of food in my little bowl of soy sauce.

I chose not to let my clumsiness with the chopsticks get me down. By the end of dinner I was feeling a little more confident in my skills. And it didn't even really matter once I took that first bite of albacore tataki (albacore tuna, kaffir lime oil, ponzu seared on a hot rock). My mouth was like Are you serious? The flavor was incredible.

It must be said before I go any further, it was a battle just to sit down and eat at Uchiko. Apparently it is the place to be right now. It just opened, but not *officially*, so until July 6th everything on the menu is half price.
They are booked solid through July 6th. So last night Kristin and I were determined to fight for a spot at the bar or the sushi bar. The wait for the sushi bar was 45 minutes, and Kristin was clever enough to nab two seats at the bar (where they serve the full menu!). So we pressed through the packed restaurant and slid into our seats at the bar. The service at the bar was fantastic, so I can only imagine that the wait staff in the dining room is amazing as well. We were helped by two bar tenders that were extremely knowledgeable, and made some wonderful recommendations. Everyone who served us, even the people who delivered our plates to us were kind, professional, helpful, and made me feel like a special guest.

After the tuna and the hot rock (I had so much fun searing my tuna on the hot rock!) we moved on to another amazing dish from the Tastings menu. It was grilled pork belly over two fried rice balls with a garnish of pickled shaved carrots. If I had died and gone to heaven at that moment, I would have been one happy lady.

From there we moved on to the Makimono menu and ordered some sushi rolls. We ordered two rolls, both very different, both deliciously delicious. The first that was brought to us was the toledo (big eye tuna, bitter greens, chorizo, avocado, almond, grilled garlic). The garlic was actually a light, fluffy puree that paired perfectly with the precisely candied almonds. Every ingredient played a part. I couldn't believe how everything was so bursting with different flavors, and how the flavors fused together so delightfully.
Our second sushi roll was, in my opinion, the best part of the meal. We ordered it based on a recommendation from the bar tender, and she was spot on. It tasted so good I wanted to laugh, cry, shout, all at the same time. It was the avofry (coconut fried onisan roll, lemon-miso, soy paper, and a delicate salsa on the side, and maybe some basil? Something green.). The coconut gave it a kick of sweetness and saltiness that was to die for. I really mean it this time. I wanted to find that chef and shake his (or her) hand and thank him (or her) for making my life as I know it a little more wonderful. A lot more.

Does it sound like I have a slightly off-kilter relationship with food?
I kind of really do. It's happened relatively recently. I might partially blame my reading French Women Don't Get Fat. Not everything in the book struck accord (is it accord or a chord? Anyone? Help?), but I liked her emphasis on paying attention to the quality and enjoyment of food. Not simply seeing food as fuel, but seeking out foods and flavors that are to us "life's pleasures."
Uchiko is one of life's pleasures for me.

Did you think I was done?
We ate one more thing.
Dessert, of course.

I have to say I was some what skeptical. Yes, everything so far had been beyond belief, but Fried Milk? Wha?

And then I tasted it. There were a lot of things happening on that plate. Fried milk coated in a crumbly, salty, breading. A light and airy frozen milk sherbet. A rich, chocolate...something. They called it chocolate milk, but it was thick and fudgy and there was a little square of it in the center of the plate that I didn't want to ever end. It was a perfect conclusion to the meal.

Bottom line: if you can, go to Uchiko. It would have been quite a bit more expensive with out the half-off deal. So in the future it will probably only be a place we visit for special occasions. But even if I had to double what I paid last night, it would have been so worth it.
My life is forever changed. There's no going back.

As Humphrey Bogart would say, "Sushi, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

sometimes, I cook

2010-06-29T15:11:00.000-05:00

I rarely have the urge to put together a meal for the evening because, well, I eat by myself every night.
I am married to an extremely hard-working man whose job is a tad on the busy side these days.
He makes me feel so proud.
The negatives are a.) I don't see him as often as I'd like and b.) He's rarely home in time for dinner. Unless I wanted to be more European and eat at bedtime. But that's when I go to bed.

Lately I've been thinking, You know, I would like to cook.
And so I decided to cook.

Even though I eat alone.

Except for Kingsley and Fletcher. They sit and stare at me while I eat.

So last night I made this.

I have a thing for chicken. And mushrooms. And garlic. And white wine.
And terragon.
Oh, terragon how I love thee.

It was quite simple and muy delicioso.

Right now there are four flattened chicken breasts soaking in the flavors of tequila, lime, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno. And when I get home, they will be transformed into this:

Thanks again, PW.

I'll let you know how it goes :)

Mom, I have a new appreciation for you.

2010-06-28T11:23:00.001-05:00

Last night I said farewell to my sweet brothers yet again.

I was taxi-driver for the evening--first to youth group, then to Sonic, then to their friends' house where they'll be staying for a few days.

Even though the goodbyes are only for a short time (for now), I still get a lump in my throat and a tiny wave of sadness and anxiety hits me.
So, last night as I pulled up to their friends' house and they jumped out the car, laden with their duffle bags and various belongings, I started to feel all sentimental. I watched them walk down the driveway in the evening sun, telling myself to keep it together, when one of my brothers suddenly turned and ran back to the car.

He opened the door and leaned down.

Hey, Karen?

Yeah? I smiled.

Can you do my laundry when you get home? I left it in a pile in the corner of my room.

Yeah.

See ya!
And off he went.

Brother, your laundry is in the washing machine right now. When I get home I will dry it, and fold it, and it will be waiting for you on your bed.
I love you and I was sad when I went home to a quiet, more empty house. Please come back soon.
Thanks for cleaning the bathroom. It's very clean.

Mom. I appreciate you. I appreciate you more every day. Thanks for being amazing. And loving me. And doing my laundry.

I'm off to get another coffee on my lunch break. Because it's Monday. And because I love coffee.

a familiar silhouette

2010-06-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday evening, just as the sun was setting, I was driving along Guadalupe with my two teen brothers in tow. Around the intersection of 28th and Guadalupe, just past The Drag, and just as I was starting to feel super old due the the fact that I was belting out Nelly Furtado's I'm Like a Bird and the boys were like, who sings this? I've never heard this song before, even though it was totally popular when I was in high school, right at that moment something caught my eye.

A familiar silhouette was painted on the side of a building.

I smiled, pointed, and exclaimed:

Look! It's Audrey!

{via}

To which Ethan responded, Who is that?

To which I responded, SAY WHA?!

At which point Kristian chimed in, Ethan, she's an actress. Or something.

Right?

I stared bleakly out the windshield.

Yes. An actress.

They were quiet for a moment.

And then they started talking about the World Cup or something.

Best Kind of Busy

2010-06-24T08:46:00.000-05:00

As you may have noticed, if you still hang around these parts, updating the blog has taken a backseat in the life of this blogger. I haven't even had time to visit my favorite blogs and leave silly comments!
I'm not too bothered by it, though. While I've not been blogging, I've been spending time with my family. My family that lives overseas in the far away land of Slovakia, shining the light of Christ through lives of service and love. Though I absolutely, without a doubt, fully and happily support this great work they've been called to, my-oh-my do I miss them. Last week was pure heaven for me. My entire family was under one roof, inhabiting my house and bringing joy to my heart!
My brothers are becoming men more and more each time I see them. I'm so impressed with their maturity and kindness--and the fact that they are hovering over 6' now. It further confirms to me the grace of God in the lives of my family. My parents have taught us the meaning of seeking to know and serve the Lord.
By now my dad is back in Slovakia, my mom and brothers are still here. Last night my brothers and I ate dinner at Galaxy Cafe, consumed a massive amount of frozen yogurt, rocked out to music in the car, and laughed a lot. Next weekend my mom will be back in Austin and I can hardly wait. They may look to you like an ordinary family (well, maybe not), but underneath that normal exterior (ha) they are the best, most wonderful people currently living. And I am just lucky to be related to them. I think sometimes their fantastic-ness rubs off on me. I hope.
I have some fun pictures on my camera, but when I go home and my brothers are there I can't bear to sit at the computer and upload pictures. Soon enough, though it pains me to think of it, they'll be gone and there will be time for all of that. I might also roam aimlessly around the empty house and walk through the rooms where they stayed. I might be a little melodramatic. I might cry. I might have done all that already when they left on Sunday afternoon. Possibly.
I hate saying goodbye.

But we're not going to talk about that right now.
Right now, I'll tell you that my presence around here might continue to be scarce for a couple of weeks as I soak up as many precious moments with my favorite people on earth as I can.

Right now, I'll also tell you that I'm listening to the Jon Foreman station on Pandora every day and loving it.
Right now I'm thinking about the fruits of the Spirit, and praying that today the fruit that my life brings forth is a witness to the hope I have in Christ. A witness that my Source of life is the Spirit.

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control.

Happy Birthday, Nephew.

2010-06-10T09:06:00.004-05:00

Heavenly.

2010-06-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

This gives me goosebumps...

Buttercup Days

2010-06-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

{via}

By A. A. Milne

Where is Anne?

Head above the buttercups,

Walking by the stream,

Down among the buttercups.

Where is Anne?

Walking with her man,

Lost in a dream,

Lost among the buttercups.

What has she got in that little brown head?

Wonderful thoughts which can never be said.

What has she got in that firm little fist of hers?

Somebody's thumb, and it feels like Christopher's.

Where is Anne?

Close to her man.

Brown head, gold head,

In and out the buttercups.

Restless.

2010-06-07T08:32:00.000-05:00

Princess Wiggles.

Last night I tossed and turned.
My mind simply would not turn off.
All weekend I'd worked around the house. I had a great time moving from room to room, organizing and arranging, but I was exhausted. If it weren't for my racing thoughts I would have easily drifted off into oblivion. But I was wide awake.
Part of it is pure excitement. My parents and brothers are coming to the states this very week. Also, I had been seriously stressing out about their cancelled British Airways flights due to all the strikes (fingers still crossed about this one, also praying like crazy--we're not in the safe zone until they leave London on Wednesday). I was going through checklists in my head of all I would like to get done before they arrive.
Monday night: Clean the bathrooms. Really clean
Tuesday night: Vacuum the house, scrub the downstairs tile
Wednesday night: Go walking with Kristin, eat dinner at Zocalo with Daniel because I have a Groupon! Have a nice time.
Thursday night: Pack my bags for the weekend, bake, and bake some more.

Then, of course, I had to take into account the fact that I'll be at work all week long. It's so hard to focus on work when you'd rather be goofing off! Right?!
I'm restless at night, I'm restless at work. I'm ready for my family to be here.

I can't even think straight right now. That might have something to do with the fact that I hardly slept last night. Hopefully I'll settle down this evening. Maybe have a glass of wine after I scrub the bathrooms.

Hurry, Friday!!!

The Blues.

2010-06-03T15:24:00.002-05:00

I have post-vacation blues.

Good thing I'll be on vacation again in a little over a week.

Last night the sky was angry and black. Kristin and I peered out the door, debating whether or not we should postpone our weekly walk to Cafe Medici.

It looks kind of dark out there.

I think we can make it.

You think so?

Yeah, let's do it. I'll do it. Will you do it?

Let's do it.

We walked out into the front yard and looked to the West, watching the rumbling clouds rolling towards us.

Let's run.

We set off at a quick pace, picking it up everytime we heard the threatening thunder. Every time we met another runner or cyclist on the road we smiled at each other.

If they can exercise in this, we can exercise in this.

Are we being stupid?

As we ran, we passed an elderly couple sitting in rocking chairs on their porch, waiting to watch the storm.

Run faster! the lady called to us.

We made it to Enfield, about three blocks away, before the large, heavy rain drops started hitting us. At first it was just a splat on the forehead, but then another and another and another until I felt my bangs starting to stick to my skin. We stopped at the light. Kristin saw an opening in the traffic and said Let's go!

But I hesitated.

The next thing I knew, Kristin was on the other side of the road and cars were zooming between us, no opening in sight.

At that moment, the storm hit.

Within seconds I was drenched, utterly helpless, standing on the corner with no where to go, and waiting for an opportunity to sprint across the street. Finally, it came.

I bolted across the street and set my course for the dryness of the cafe porch. I threw my head back and laughed as the cool rain poured over me. It was bliss.

It was too late to worry about the lightening stretching across the clouds, or the booming thunder that shook the trees. I was in it. Right in the middle of it.

We raced to the cafe and came to a halt at the top of the porch steps, laughing breathlessly.

We made it! We were alive! We were soaked to the bone!

We stumbled into Cafe Medici and were met with amused stares. The girl behind the counter was smiling and said something about how it's really coming down out there!

Looking out the large cafe windows you could see flashing lightening across the dark sky, followed quickly by crashes of thunder. We ordered a delicious Toddy SS (the best drink in the world), took a seat next to a window blurred by a sheet of water, and enjoyed the comfort of warm light and good conversation as we relived our adventure.

The Ranch - 2010

2010-05-26T08:53:00.000-05:00

I spent hours - hours I tell you - going through pictures and editing last night. It was so much fun.

But I only made it about half way through the pictures from The Ranch. I haven't even gotten to the pictures of me shooting a rifle.

Yeah, that's right.

The Ranch will forever have a special place in my heart. Every single memory, down to the last detail, brings me joy and warms my heart. Do you have any memories like that? It's kind of hard to describe the fondness I feel.

It may not look like much, but this ranch house is the most wonderful place on earth. Green shag carpets included. I was "warned" about the green shag carpets, as if it were a disclaimer for how "old and primitive" the ranch house is. I think everyone was a little worried that this here city girl would turn up her nose at such things.

But they were wrong. I loved the green shag carpets. I might even get my own green shag carpets some day.

It's retro-chic.

I had no idea what to expect from our little weekend trip. I'd heard about The Ranch since I was but a wee lass, but I'd never been. And once Daniel and I finally committed to going, I started hearing a lot of, "Don't set your expectations too high!" "The Ranch isn't fancy." "The Ranch is just the basics."

The Ranch was just the basics (think 10 people sharing one bathroom basic), and it wasn't fancy. But honestly, I couldn't have set my expectations high enough. That is what made it so wonderful. Sometimes in life it is necessary to step away from being busy and constantly connected, and spend some time sitting on a quiet, breezy porch with old friends. The only sounds that surround you are swinging screen doors and the occasional cow-bellow.

It was like stepping into another time, long ago.

I fell in love with this little white church, sitting up on a hill about 3 miles down the road from The Ranch. It looked so quaint and peaceful, I had to take a picture.

Have I mentioned the food? Good, solid, cowboy food. Meat, potatoes, beans, apple pie, coleslaw, homemade ice cream, s'mores (and the occasional salad). It was heavenly.

And to top it all off, I was with my love. He has been working crazy 12 - 15 hour days lately, and the time together without even the possibility of work interrupting (no cell phone reception!) made the vacation feel like a true oasis from the daily grind. But my goodness, does that man love his work. And that makes me happy.

We're so in love.

As a side note, girls, cute bangs don't really work on the windy plain. Not at all. They just like to split right down the middle and look really attractive.

And it was fun to see Daniel wrestle cattle. More on that later.

If you want to see more pictures so far from The Ranch, go here.

Morning Musings

2010-05-25T09:01:00.000-05:00

Ethan, my brother, sometimes I make faces in the mirror and I remind myself of you. So, I think we must be related. You are better at making faces than I, however.

I like to talk about music from time to time. I have a tendency to over-listen to songs that I like, and I listen to them so many times that I have to take a break from the song.

Here are the songs I am over-listening to right now:

I Dreamed a Dream (from Les Mis.) performed by the Glee Cast.

Yes, I watch Glee. I know. The story lines are so cheesy. But the music, people. The music.

The High Road by Broken Bells

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New Slang by The Shins

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Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap

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Have no doubt though, Paul Simon, Phoenix and Vampire Weekend are still heavily featured on my playlist.

I didn't spend any time on pictures last night, but they are coming soon. I went to the grocery store so that we could eat. That's important, right? Currently I have a slight obsession with Clementine Oranges. They are just so cute and sweet.

I came home and made Nie Nie's Mexican Lasagna. I was a little skeptical about all the spinach, but it added a wonderful flavor. And so healthy! I added some ground beef for Daniel's sake. He needs his meat.

Here's Nie's picture. Mine looked really yummy too :)

It was yummy.

I also bought the ingredients for this delectable-looking dish:

I heart food!

Dazed

2010-05-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

This weekend felt like a dreamy stretch of days.
It was only three days, but it felt much longer. And I mean that in the best sort of way.
We were up with the sun and long into the night, experiencing the simplicity and beauty of country life, refreshing old friendships.
I say dreamy. I can't think of another word to describe the peaceful, steady passing of time. All signs of the life we daily live were left behind; no phones, no computers, no TV, no busy streets.
We rode horses out into a golden pasture; the grass looked like waves in the wind that strongly swept across the fields. I went for a run down a long country road in the middle of a cool night, lit by the bright moon. We sat on a dusty porch and feasted with tired cowboys. We gathered around a pancake feast on Sunday morning and listened to one another, sharing learned wisdom, praying together.
The air smelled like earth and hay. And sometimes cow poop.
I have so many pictures, but we stumbled in from a delayed flight around 11:30 last night and after a little sleep, I'm at work again. I'll work on posting those soon!

An Ode.

2010-05-20T10:12:00.001-05:00

(Ethan, Daniel, and Kristian - Summer 2008)

In just a few short weeks, I will see my ~~baby~~ big brothers again. In case you didn't know, they live in Slovakia and I don't see them very often. They've changed a lot since 2008 (although I've seen them since then).

They are kind of starting to look like men.

Weird.

(Christmas 2009)

I'm kind of super excited to see them.

And I'm also kind of super excited to see my mom and dad (also living in Slovakia as missionaries).

Good times.

In other news.

Dear New Mexico,

I love you. And I can't wait to feel your dry air and cool desert nights.

You are quite the secret-keeper. I discovered just yesterday that I will see a dear childhood friend this weekend, with whom I share some of my greatest New Mexico memories. The last time we were together was at her wedding in 2008. It's been a while. Now we are both old, married women.

I'm ecstatic.

(myself and Amy at her rehearsal dinner, 2008)

New Mexico, we will always have a special connection. You with your purple mountains and piercing blue skies, you represent something so dear to my heart. With you I spent my happy childhood years, building forts in the desert and pretending I was married to a Disney prince (I never could have guessed I would actually marry a Disney prince!). I will never forget driving down dirt roads in the old Toyota Land Cruiser at night, thinking that the coyotes I heard howling were going to come and snatch me right out of the back seat. I will always remember peering into a pillowcase, wondering what creature Dad brought home from the desert. I often think back fondly on camping in Aguirre Springs and catching lizards with fishing poles. I can picture in my mind, running through desert arroyos in the summer outside my grandparents' house with my older brother Nicholas. I remember quail, whiptails, road runners, kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, and skinks.

I love you despite all the slow drivers. I don't care what anyone says, I think you are grand.

Grande, in fact.

I'll see you in the morning.

Sincerely,

Highlights of Weekend Life

2010-05-18T08:23:00.000-05:00

-Discovering the amazing world of Indian food at Clay Pit. Twice in one weekend, which was heavenly and a huge mistake all at the same time. Gastronomic overload.

-A mango margarita

-Watching a mediocre movie with friends (Sherlock Holmes - eh...)

-Saturday morning at Once Over.

-Saturday afternoon at Cafe Medici.

-A graduation party that involved Rudy's Barbeque, good friends, wonderful conversation, Fantastic Mr. Fox on a movie screen on the terrace, and twinkle lights.

-A refreshing (but heavy--remember we ate Indian food twice this weekend) run on Town Lake with my handsome husband. And we took a minute off of our mile time!

-Attending a "Public Square" on Bioethics at Redeemer. These sorts of things make me feel intelligent.

-Discovering that Central Market is a ghost town on Sunday evenings, so I can take my time smelling peaches in the produce section without feeling rushed.

-My morning coffee at Once Over.

-Emails from a good friend

-Eating at Polvos with friends

-Looking forward to a long weekend in New Mexico

I can smell the creosote already.

2010-05-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

What's Better than A Book and Cup of Coffee?

2010-05-11T12:07:00.001-05:00

Fantastic.

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I know.

I haven't been blogging much lately. It's turned into a sometimes weekly event. I'm spending much more time looking around the internet at other blogs that inspire me.

Can we talk about something for a second? Is it strange that it really bothers me that all four sentences in the last paragraph start with the letter "I"?

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Today I think the color orange is great. And I love that Daniel and I watched Fantastic Mr. Fox last night, and foxes are orange. In fact, the color orange is very prominent in the movie.

I like it.

And I like the movie. Strangely, I find it calming and just funny enough. It doesn't try too hard. But it is good. The stop-motion animation completely mesmerizes me. I love the little details and movements. So fascinating.

Let's not say that I necessarily recommend the movie. Because I honestly think you might not enjoy it. I was going to say you might not "get it," but that makes it sound as if I think the movie is above your tastes or beneath, or as if I know something you don't. Well, maybe I do. But that has nothing to do with Mr. Fox et al. It's just different. And it is a different that I really enjoy. I have enjoyed almost every Wes Anderson movie I've seen. Don't judge me for saying so. Or do.

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Farewell for now. I hope this posting finds you well. Or at the very least, getting by just fine.

A Little Encouragement on this Friday

2010-05-07T10:41:00.002-05:00

I loved Elisabeth Elliot's devotional for today, so I thought I would share it.
I read her devotionals daily here.

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional
As Soon As You Begin to Pray

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

Prayer sets spiritual forces in motion, although the effect is often invisible, perhaps for a long time.

In the first year of the reign of Darius, Daniel was reading and reflecting about the seventy years of Jerusalem's Iying in ruins. He turned to God in "earnest prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes," confessing Israel's sins and beseeching God for forgiveness and restoration. The angel Gabriel came close to him in the hour of evening sacrifice, "flying swiftly."

"As you were beginning your supplications a word went forth" (Dn 9:23 NEB), he said. The answer was already beginning to be processed when the prayer was offered. It took a very long time. Periods of weeks and years for the nation, and times of mourning, solitude, weakness, and fear on Daniel's part were required before the answer could come to pass.

We should take heart from Gabriel's message. Though our prayers seem feeble and sometimes appear to have gone unheard, a word has gone forth. Spiritual agents from the throne room of the King of kings are mobilized against spiritual forces from the headquarters of evil, and there will be ultimate victory.

"Tremendous power is made available through a good man's earnest prayer" (Jas 5:16 JBP).

Last week I was going on about the sweetness of life. So it had to happen. This week has been a long, difficult one full of frustration, exhaustion, and yours truly threw in a couple of emotional melt-downs for good measure.
Do you ever have times like that? Where you feel as if you are constantly on the edge of emotional extremes? As if something is off balance? I know that my fellow females can relate.
It makes a difficult week far more difficult when you don't feel emotionally equipped or capable of handling obstacles. Or mean people. My job, though fun at times, is a customer service-type position, and sometimes it feels like the mean customers call all at once. It is hard for me not to take it personally.
So, as you can imagine, I'm very much looking forward to the weekend. Daniel and I are going out for a quiet dinner with another couple this evening, and I am going to breathe in deeply my weekend enjoyment. I have no plans tomorrow except to sleep past dawn tomorrow (I wake every morning in the dark and leave the house just as the world is turning blue with morning light) and cuddle with my puppies and husband in bed. There's a little rain in the forecast and slightly cooler weather -- cooler than the 94 degrees it will be today -- but I don't mind. We are making a habit of trying local places around town and enjoying good food and drink. It's one of the fun things about living in Austin.
Perhaps we will find ourselves at Zocalo in Clarksville again, drinking frozen Sangrias.

Last weekend we visited the Blue Star Cafe, and it was fresh and tasty. I'll definitely be going back again.

Eggs Florentine Benedict - delish.

On Sunday we are taking Daniel's mother to Russell's Bistro for brunch. We love Russell's. Especially their mushroom risotto. That made my mouth water...

(picture from an evening at Russell's)

I hope you all have a nice weekend, whether it be relaxing at home or driving kids to soccer games or going out of town. I hope you find enjoyment in whatever you're doing. Let's do that together.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies! We love you and thank God for you!

Kingsley enjoying the sunshine on a warm afternoon - and my completely out-of-control backyard ~~weeds~~ grass.

Petit Peche

2010-04-28T16:32:00.001-05:00

I've been working on different posts for days now, but always come back and feel dissatisfied. And then I delete them.

Life is sweet, sort of beyond words right now. Not for any particular reason; a million reasons.
I don't really know how to describe the joie de vivre I'm experiencing. Simple things: good friends, good food, and good weather. And good coffee--with me coffee is in a class by itself.
A couple of weeks ago my friend Kristin invited me to join her for a cooking class called Petit Peche she purchased through Living Social (amazing online/email coupons for local businesses). We made our way to the instructor Danika's house. The house was tucked away in a sort of shady East Austin neighborhood, so initially we had our doubts. But when we saw the house -- and walked in -- our doubts vanished.

It was a charming house that was a rennovated A-frame church to which they'd added a second story. The antique double doors welcomed us into a great room with creaking wood floors and warm lighting. Looking to the back of the house, we saw a group of people gathered around a large island.

We made our way into the kitchen and joined the group, as Danika set to cooking and teaching.

The menu

The lovely Danika

Olive oil tasting, goat cheese, and fig compote

Kristin

The lamb (I assisted in the seasoning and tying!)

Ratatouille

The deliciously scrumptious spread

Roasted lamb with croutons, Ratatouille, Baguettes, and Cauliflower Puree

Moi

The Pots de Creme. Oh my. Oh. my.

This meal was very simple. But watching Danika cook was inspiring to me. And then I tasted the food...and I think my life was forever changed at that moment.

Plus, I don't think I've ever eaten Goat Cheese before. It is so good.

She reduced a mixture of balsamic vinegar, honey, and figs to make the "Fig Compote" which we spread over toasted baguettes with goat cheese. It was to die for.

And the Pots de Creme? With sea salt and lavender?

Truly a work of art.

Danika spoke about the pleasures of good food and wine, and about the villa in Provence where she takes her cooking students for "food tours," and the house in Paris where they stay while they wander around together visiting markets, vinyards, and patisseries.

She has me completely convinced that France is really as romantic as the picture in my mind. And that everything sounds better in French.

Just bear with me. I know I'm silly.

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I'm sighing as I think, perhaps someday I'll be able to sip coffee in a cafe in Paris. Or better, Provence. For now, I'll just dream.

On Getting Older

2010-04-15T10:35:00.000-05:00

I am thinking about the years to come today.
I've never been one to get depressed about the anniversary of my birth marking another year gone by. I'm thankful for the years of life and hope to see many more years of happiness and love, family and friends, even bitterness and grief. I read a post on Cjane's blog this morning written by a husband on supporting his wife through the loss of their child (she was seven months pregnant). He said simply at one point, It’s difficult to know the sweet without the bitter.
This morning I've been thinking about the moments of grief in my life and how I, as one who hopes in Christ, have faced those moments. While I've had my times of weakness in the face of difficulties, I have also found precious moments in "being still." I love that verse in the Bible. Grief is something so important in our lives, I think. Yes, we should have hope and joy. But I don't think that means we wont be confronted with sorrow. Or that it is wrong to experience grief and sorrow.
In sorrow I've found purpose and growth, beauty from ashes, dancing from mourning. The pain from those experiences remains, but it has become a part of who I am and changed my life and faith in so many ways.
I believe it is possible to know sweetness in life without bitterness. But I know that the bitterness and grief have deeply changed and will change how I know and experience joy.
I know this is kind of a heavy post. But today, on my birthday, my prayer is that I will better come to know the meaning of long-suffering, remembering what has been done for me through Christ and the promise of daily mercies and grace I cling to in his name.
I read a devotional this morning by Elizabeth Elliot, and she put perfectly what is in my mind this morning,
When Jesus hung on a cross, the challenge was flung at Him: Come down! He stayed nailed, not so that spectators would be satisfied (that miracle, his coming down, would have been a great crowd-pleaser), but that the world might be saved.

Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick and easy solution. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible. We must persist in faith. God has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it.

"Our troubles are slight and short-lived, and their outcome an eternal glory which outweighs them far. Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen" (2 Cor 4:17, 18 NEB).

Vogue and Bottleshock

2010-04-13T14:56:00.000-05:00

Daniel and I watched Bottleshock on Sunday night. I really enjoyed it. The story was interesting and the scenery was gorgeous. I loved being taken out into the gorgeous, sunny, Californa wine country. It was golden with sunshine, and I could almost smell the ripening grapes. And I really like Alan Rickman.

I asked Daniel, "Doesn't that make you want to visit California?"
He nodded.
"We should just fly out there, rent a car, and explore the countryside and its wines. Doesn't that sound fun."
He nodded.

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And that is an example of one of the many conversations we have about getting away together. It will never happen, but it is fun to dream.

Last night I watched the documentary The September Issue, about Vogue's...September Issue. Which is apparently their most significant, influential, big-deal issue of the year. I was completely fascinated. It was like watching The Devil Wears Prada as a true story. Anna Wintour, the Editor in Chief of Vogue is a slight but serious woman with a critical eye, and people tremble with fear when she enters the room. Fashion designers like Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg welcome her into their homes and show her their top designs, hoping she'll place their gowns and shirts and scarves in the coveted pages of the September Issue. She doesn't show a sign of emotion as she peruses over designs and layouts--I found myself holding my breath as I waited for her reactions--does she like it? Will she keep it in the magazine?
I was most interested in the story of Grace Coddington. She's the Creative Director of Vogue with an eye for beauty and haute couture. And she's a former Vogue model that is kind of scary-looking now. But I think she likes the eccentric artist look. It suits her.

Grace in the old days:

Grace today:

I'm amazed by people whose creativity is so active and alive. In the documentary she speaks about how she keeps her eyes open at all times, open for inspiration. The photo shoots that she directed were gorgeous and whimsical.

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I enjoy flipping through the pages of Vogue magazine. Some of it is silly, but I definitely see the art of fashion. I received a free subscription with a purchase about a year ago, and I'm amazed how much the things I see in that magazine influence the fashions I see on store hangers just weeks later. I look over the pages myself and I'm influenced by the styles and trends that I see there. It's kind of intriguing to think of how that industry makes such an impression on the population. Some people hate it, some people don't care, some people take an interest in it (like me), and some people go completely overboard.

Watching the documentary last night I thought about what it would be like to spend my days in that type of creativity. Picking out fashions and costumes for photo shoots and designing sets; traveling to Rome and Paris and London on a monthly basis; defending my designs to a critical editor. I think it would be interesting. Worlds away from what I spend my days doing now!

I defnitely wouldn't mind the Rome and Paris and London part.

P.S. I saw this dress in Anthropologie today and fell in love.

What's that you say? I would look so nice in that? It is my birthday in two days...

Loveliness

2010-04-09T15:57:00.001-05:00

You should spend some time at Cannelle et Vanille, a gorgeous cooking blog.
I love the vintage glasses and cookware. And she's a self-taught photographer and stylist.

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And if you like lovely things, take a look a Samantha Robinson's line at Anthropologie.

I've got my eye on these little darling tea cups (but at $128 for a set of 4, I will have to love them from afar!)

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Benefits of living in a bad economy

2010-04-09T12:19:00.001-05:00

I'm so happy it's Friday.

The office is pretty empty. Most of my co-workers are out of town for a big work event. It wasn't in the budget for my department to join them, for which I am very grateful.
I used to enjoy traveling for work, but this year I decided I didn't like it anymore. During the last trip there was a group of girls from the office that were intent on shuffling hotel rooms around so they got to be in the same room with their friends. The girl I was assigned to room with involved herself in the mayhem, which caused problems for me. The whole time I was thinking, It's one night. And it is work. Why does this feel like high school?

From that point on I decided I was going to either a. pay extra to have my own room, or b. find a way to get out of it.
Thanks to the economy, I didn't have to do either. I've become quite attached to my weekends.
Just to think, if times were better I would be on a tiny plane right now on my way to a stinky, smoky, skeevy casino in Biloxi, MS.
Instead I'll be meeting my dear friend Kristin at her adorable little house and walking over to Kirby Lane for dinner. After dinner we'll walk back to her picturesque abode and attempt to recover some old chairs while watching (what else?) a BBC series on Netflix.
And there isn't anything else I'd rather be doing tonight than just that!
Also, she and her husband Johnny have a pet ferret, that is the funniest little creature I've ever seen. She hops and chirps her way around the house, and it is rumored she keeps a stash of bottle corks somewhere inside the couch.
The rest of the non-working weekend involves game nights, IKEA, and espresso. Oh yes. A big cup of coffee on Saturday morning while I sit and soak in the non-workingness of my situation. And maybe a taco from El Primo.

I'll leave you with this excerpt from an email that I wrote yesterday. I feel like it accurately portrays a part of me that I can no longer keep secret from you, world. I understand if, once you've read this, you feel led to never return to this strange place ever again. (Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Except for Daniel. He isn't innocent and he can't be protected from this, because he married me).

The surprise party I went to last night was for Charlene and she loved her bowls. I felt kind of awkward because everyone else brought flowers, cards, or a bottle of wine and mine was this huge box. I do well in small groups, but I have some serious inner social anxiety at parties. People always laugh at me when I say that, but Daniel can tell and he agrees that I have some issues with awkwardness in large groups. He thinks it is funny and that it's something I inherit from my father. My mom is the complete opposite, and together they formed a strange cocktail of neuroses that manifests itself in my person.

Like, last night I got to the restaurant and was the first person there. I typically like to be early, but prefer to NOT be the first person to arrive at a party.

So I was standing there, with this large heavy box in my hands and there was nowhere to sit except at the bar. And the only seat was next to a rather large woman who had positioned her barstool in such a way that made wedging myself into the chair a very awkward and overly-familiar feat. Normally this would have been enough to deter my efforts, but the box was bulky and I was standing in a walkway in everyone's way. So I decided to go for it.

The room was warm, and once I was finally seated (after bumping into the woman's bulging backside several times, and many "oh, I'm sorry"s and "I beg your pardon"s and mean looks from over her shoulder), the back of my legs began to sweat against the leather chair cushion. This was half due to the warm room, and half due to the physical exertion it took to manuever into my seat. And of course, I was wearing white pants and started to feel self-conscious about the increasing moisture on my backside. To add to all of this, the crowd around the bar began to grow and people were reaching over me to grab their drinks or to pay, and I was feeling very over-whelmed by the whole scene. Personal. Space.

Needless to say, when people started to arrive I was frazzled and clammy and altogether not in a good place. And this sort of thing happens to me nearly everytime I go to large events. I try to be a relaxed, chill person. When I tell Daniel that he just laughs at me. I am easy going about some things, but I guess socially I'm just one big inward mess. And I feel I can share this with you; I hope we can still be friends.

An Open Letter to My Father

2010-04-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Dad,
When I have children, whenever that may be, will you teach them to be lovers of books?
Daniel and I will do what we can, but I would like you to read them Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, The Velveteen Rabbit, and The Chronicles of Narnia whenever you have a chance. You, of course, would not be limited to this list.

Respectfully and With Love,
Your Daughter

The Adventures of the Young Sir

2010-04-06T09:22:00.002-05:00

Chapter 87

A Concerned Aunt

Nearly a fortnight has passed since the Young Sir traveled to Austin to visit his favorite aunt.

The Young Sir is small in stature and stout in girth. He's very charming and smart. And he has a lot to say about everything. Opinionated, like his father.

He likes it when you tickle his toes. And he especially loves to find his aunt's purse and take everything out of it. Especially her phone, wallet, and credit cards. He's a man on the go with distinguished tastes. One may often find him snacking on croissants or calamari, which are among his favorites.

His other interests include laughing, singing, running outdoors, taking care of the environment, and playing with red motorcyles that his aunt buys him from Wal-Mart.

And he loves his aunt.

One fine evening whilst in Austin, the Young Sir and his entourage went to a late dinner at P Terry's. The evening was quite lovely. The Young Sir feasted on a chicken burger patty and sang along with a nearby party as they sang "Happy Birthday" to their friend. He is always delighted to see others enjoy themselves, and was only too happy to join them in their revelry.

Just after dinner, the Young Sir and his entourage were preparing to leave so he could go home and have his bath. Among those attending him were his favorite aunt, who had just given him a brand new red motorcycle from Wal-Mart, and his beloved mother.

All was well as his aunt doted over him, telling him what a fine Young Sir he is and petting his soft little arms. When suddenly the Young Sir became very serious. His brow furrowed and his face turned an angry red. He raised his little hand to his forehead, as if in frustration. This concerned his aunt. She knelt down beside him and asked him, "What's the matter?" But he wouldn't look at her. His eyes welled with tears.

His aunt looked up at his mother who was standing nearby and questioned in a worried tone, "Is he alright?"

The Young Sir's mother glanced over at him and smiled.

"Oh yeah. He's poopin'!"

if you have nothing to do this Easter weekend...

2010-04-01T09:14:00.002-05:00

Wait, rewind.

Have we ever talked about my deep and undying love for BBC Miniseries based on classic literature?
Typically, in my opinion, if it's made by the BBC and it's based on a book, I have high hopes that it will be fantastic. Plus, there are so many great classics out there with wonderful stories, and I love that BBC really seems to try to bring out the important themes and elements of those stories in their portrayals.
For example, most people have seen the 6-episode Pride and Prejudice that is basically flawless. At least, I think it is. It's hard to top Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy--he was tremendous.
(Although, I did like Matthew Macfayden as Mr. Darcy in the 2005 adaptation with Kiera Knightley)

You have bewitched me, body and soul...

Ahh, I shall faint.

Well I have many, many lesser known favorites that I want to share with you. Because I believe that you must see these miniseries. It is for your own good, to help you become well-rounded men and women of understanding and depth. Like me.
(And most of these are available for your viewing pleasure on Netflix Instant Play)

Our Mutual Friend - based on the novel by Charles Dickens.

Let me just say, it's a little dark in certain parts.
But I loved the story of Bella Wilfur and John Harmon and the development of their characters.
I was so inspired by Bella's growth and change of heart. It's a beautiful love story.
Daniel laughed at me because it is a pretty suspensful story, and had myself all tied up in knots over it. But the end it so satisfying!

Wives and Daughters - based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell

I love, love, love this series.
I watch it over, and over, and over again and never, never, never get tired of it.
I love it.
And I admire Molly (the heroine) so very much. People confide in her, and even at the risk of her own reputation she keeps their secrets, realizing that the secrets are not hers to tell.
It made me think a lot about being a trustworthy person.

My favorite line of the movie: ,"I’m not saying she was very silly, but one of us was silly and it wasn’t me."

Jane Eyre - based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre may take the cake. I actually read the book after watching this series and was amazed at how accurate the movie is. I've read some negative opinions about the story itself, but personally I love the story. It makes me weak in the knees like P&P does.

Oh, how I loved watching this series.

North and South - based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell

I just finished watching this series for the second time and loved it even more than I did the first time I watched it. It is rather dark, but has a P&P type of love story.
You should watch it. You may get frustrated with the prideful attitudes of the two main characters in the beginning (like me -- kind of like Elizabeth and Darcy!), but if you stick with it I think you'll be happy in the end. So happy!

I just love it when characters are redeemed.

So, if you are bored this weekend don't come crying to me. I've just provided you with hours of entertainment.

If you've seen any of these, let me know what you thought. Talking movies is a favorite pasttime of mine.
Or if you have any recommendations, please oh please do tell.

Oh my.

2010-03-31T16:27:00.000-05:00

I was just introduced to Terrain, a site owned by the same people who have brought us heaven on earth aka Anthropologie.

Oooh, we got trouble right here in River City.
Trouble with a capital "T."

Have I ever told you that Daniel loves the movie The Music Man?

New Calvinism?

2010-03-31T12:26:00.000-05:00

I thought this pertained in some way to my little movie review of Whatever Works.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0327/Christian-faith-Calvinism-is-back

I loved reading this! There were a lot of interesting bits, but I selected a few blurbs that I liked.
If you have a moment you should read the article!

"By most logic, the stern system of Calvinism shouldn't be popular today. Much of modern Christianity preaches a comforting Home Depot theology: You can do it. We can help. Epitomized by popular titles like Joel Osteen's "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential," this message of self-fulfillment through Christian commitment attracts followers in huge numbers."

"What critics see as a grim and fatalistic doctrine, however, Calvin saw as good news: that God's purposes can be fulfilled despite man's sinful ways."

"The BlackBerry-wielding Millennials who worship here say they crave teaching that challenges them – "preaching for PhDs," as one puts it. Ask them what books they're reading, and they won't mention "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." They'll reel through names of 17th-century Puritan preachers like a pack of baseball cards."

"New Calvinists talk about their sin a lot. Despite that – or rather because of it – they exude not guilt but great joy. Their explanation: If we play down our sinfulness, we'll play down our gratitude for the magnitude of God's love and forgiveness."

All Day Long it's Somebody's Birthday...

2010-03-26T08:06:00.000-05:00

But not mine.
At least not today. But soon!
Of course, you already knew that. You've been racking your brain, trying to think of the perfect gift that would fill my heart with joy.

That is just so sweet.

So far, you haven't had much luck. What to do, what to do??
Well, you know that I like to take pictures, even if I do it poorly. So what? You love me and you know that taking pictures makes me happy, even if I do it poorly. And you may or may not know that I have a very ugly, nearly useless camera bag.
Hmm...what to do?
Then it dawns on you.
A Jo Tote would be perfect for one such as your friend, me.
But darnitall, you can't remember the link. Or what color yours truly would love and cherish till death do us (the tote and me) part.
Well, my friends, that is what I'm here for.
That is what I'm here for.
Olive, with the vine interior.

Jo Totes

HT to Cjane. I nearly went crazy looking for this perfect bag.

What is it you Frenchies Say?

2010-03-25T14:08:00.000-05:00

J'aime this painting.

[above: The factory at Jouy, 1807, by J.-B. Huet via the Le musée de la Toile de Jouy ]

A Fallacious Notion

2010-03-25T12:05:00.005-05:00

Last night Daniel and I watched Woody Allen's latest movie, Whatever Works.
I like Woody Allen's movies sometimes. Manhattan Murder Mystery, Small Time Crooks, Everyone Says I Love You and Hollywood Ending are among some of my favorites. Daniel and I saw Vicki, Christina, Barcelona a couple of years ago and it was stupid. Although I did enjoy the Spanish scenery and guitar music. It was very romantic. But the story was stupid.
Whatever Works is sort of in the same vein. It's a story of people who discover "love" (or lust?) in unconventional or unexpected places, and they let go of their morals and traditions and beliefs and hesitations and fall headlong into dysfunctional but "fulfilling" relationships. I use so many "" because it all feels very contrived in the movie. I felt like a particular worldview was not just being examined and explored in the movie, but completely shoved down my throat.

The basic message of the film was very clear: whatever comfort, joy, and love you are able to find in life, grasp hold of it. Whatever works for you. The main character, Boris Yelnikoff boils it down to:

My story is, whatever works as long as you don't hurt anybody. Any way you can filtch a little joy in this life cruel and pointless life, that's my story.

And as the movie tries to communicate this theme, it launches an attack on Christians and political conservatives. (Well, in the beginning it acts like it is attacking anyone religious, but it pinpoints Christianity as the movie progresses).
Now let me be clear, a lot of it is funny. Because a lot of it is true, unfortunately. And rather than get sad about it I laugh...then I get sad later.

From the very beginning however, it becomes clear that Boris Yelnikoff (he is the Woody Allen type of the film) bases his theories and assumptions about Christianity and other religions on a false premise. A fundamental flaw.
Actually, his premise may be correct about other religions. But about Christianity, it is not.
He claims that,

...they all suffer from one fatal flaw...Which is they're all based on the fallacious notion that people are fundamentally decent...They're not stupid, selfish, greedy,cowardly, short-sighted worms.

I can just picture Woody, so pleased with himself for unveiling this clever, shockingly cynical belief that man is not all that good!

Well Woody (if that's even your real name), I agree with you. But I'm a Calvinist. So the whole total depravity thing is fundamental to my Christian beliefs. Woe is me. I believe that without Christ I am a stupid, selfish, greedy, cowardly, short-sighted (so short-sighted!) worm (a worm, I tell you!).

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

and...

God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)

In the movie, the southern, conservative Christians are characterized as superstitious, unintelligent, sexually-repressed nincompoops. One of them ends up cheating on her husband, one ends up living in a ménage trois, and one ends up discovering he's a homosexual. And in the end they abandon that silly religion and prayer and faith and finally discover "Whatever Works" is the only thing that matters in this pointless, tiny, fatal existence we call life.

Blah, blah, blah.

But still, it made me think a lot about how those who are not Christians perceive Christians. Does the church widely represent itself as a place where self-righteous people gather together to get away from the non-believers? Does the church refuse to recognize scientific truths out of fear that the Scriptures will not stand the test?

And now for the rabbit trail.

I compared it to another movie I watched the other night, Angels and Demons. Though the two are nothing alike in genre, story, message, or style.
I know a lot of people think Dan Brown is aggressively persecuting the Catholic church and Christians, and maybe he is. I haven't read his books. But when I watched the movie (which I enjoyed), I recognized a degree of reverance and respect for the church. The movie didn't write off every Christian as an ignorant maniac trying to repress the truths of science (as Whatever Works seemed to want to do). I liked how one of the main characters in Angels and Demons spoke about science and faith:

... but science and religion are not enemies! There are simply some things that science is just too young to understand. So the church pleads: "stop", "slow down", "think", "wait"... and for this - they call us backward. But who is more ignorant: the man who cannot define lightening, or the man who does not respect its natural awesome power?

Done.

My very favorite part of Whatever Works was the opening credits.
The song that played, actually, because other than that it was just white text against a black screen. It made me giggle and I've been singing the song and giggling to myself every waking moment since.
This appeals to my sense of humor in a big way. It's just who I am.
And this morning, I set out to find the clip. Here it is, I hope you enjoy it as I do.
(I just love it when he sings, I'll stay the summer throuuuuugh. Ha ha ha)

Can we talk?

2010-03-24T16:05:00.001-05:00

I have a million things on my mind today. So I decided I would blog and just hope that whatever I write comes out making some sort of sense.

But since when has that ever been the status quo around these parts?

I can answer that. Never.

Did you know I used to have a tan?

Yeah, well. Not anymore.

Also, my obsession with Simon & Garfunkel has blossomed into a long term relationship that no one understands. I'm listening to Cecilia as we speak. I mean...as I write.

In addition, I've been wistful lately. And when I say that, I mean I've been missing several people that used to be major in my life, but have fallen into minor places. I also mean full of longing or desire tinged with melancholy. Yes, I looked up the word wistful. Leave me alone.
No! Stay.
Anyway. These people have become "minor" not because I wanted them to, but because the courses of our lives have created distance. A little over a year ago it was not uncommon to find Daniel and I spending hours and hours and hours with our friends Jordan and Bianca. Despite the fact that they were busy with Jordan in law school and work, Bianca raising two young children, pregnant with their third, etc. they still opened their hearts and home to us constantly. They showed us what true hospitality looks like, and were there for us during many ups and downs.
Sometimes I would go over to their house after work and spend the evening by Bianca's side. Together we cooked dinner, bathed the kids, read them a bedtime story, and all the while I soaked in Bianca's wisdom and sweet spirit. She talked to me about her struggles when she was newlywed and shared with me the joys of working at a relationship. I loved sitting at her kitchen island, cutting up tomatoes and onions, and talking for hours. As a young newlywed, I was a volatile, dangerous, confused creature. I needed guidance often and she was someone I respected, who I could be honest with, and who was (most importantly) blatantly honest with me.
Even when I needed to hear that I was being unfair, silly, or just plain crazy. And she taught me a lot about respecting my husband.

What's that? you say, YOU? Disrespectful? Alas, underneath this delicate, sweet exterior lies a ~~dormant~~ brash, obstinate, impudent, sometimes militant witch that seeks to cut me off at every turn. She's a sly creature. Though, she knows how to charm Daniel. They've been old friends these many years. You know, like Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet's nerves.

And I wasn't the only one who felt this way about them. I was always amazed at how easily they welcomed people into their family and made them feel loved.
They haven't changed. But when Jordan graduated from law school, opportunity moved them to Houston. And there they are. And here we are. And I miss them. There's a little Jordan and Bianca shaped hole in my heart.

The other friend I miss is Christi.
Christi, my dear, darling friend, I know you've been having fun in Las Vegas. And I don't think you read my blog anymore (since you've abandoned yours and I wish you would blog again!!). But I haven't seen you in a trillion years and I miss you. I will call you when my phone is not dead. I want to know the details of your life. Nitty gritty included.

Penultimately, I would like to express my anger about the fact that today is Wednesday.
People walk around saying "hump day" and "half way there!" and all day I've been thinking it was Thursday.
Not cool. I would be very happy if tomorrow were Friday. But I would also be stressed because I have so. much. laundry. to. do. And I need to vacuum. And I really need to grocery shop. And I could really use a workout.
Want to come over and be my slave? Without pay? You can do all my work and then we can sip wine in my clean, well-stocked house.

As a final note, I would like you to comment on this post. Tell me something random and entertaining. Or three things very dull indeed. Name that movie.

But that would imply you were still here, reading this, and I have my doubts about that.

Tap me on the shoulder

2010-03-24T11:44:00.000-05:00

...if the fire alarm goes off.

I'm eating Miss Vickie's Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper chips and I all I can hear is *CRUNCHCRUCHCRUNCH*

So good. With a Coca Cola.

Despite my unhealthy snacking, I am looking feminine and vintage today.
This morning Daniel said sleepily, "You look nice today."
I looked at him and smiled. Maybe he took this as a reprimand because he stuttered,
"I mean, you look nice every day."
And then I kissed him. Like a good wife.

Just imagine this exact dress paired with a light brown belt and a peep-toe pump.

http://www.anthropologie.com/

Copacetic.

2010-03-23T11:50:00.001-05:00

Meaning, very satisfactory.

Use it in a sentence?

This weekend was copacetic in every way.

The Slovaks came. The name of their band is actually Longital. The first couple of days they were here were a whirlwind. Our schedules were so completely opposite that we barely saw them. But finally, on Saturday, we were finally able to spend time with our guests.
Early Saturday morning they were up and out of the house for a feature interview with NPR. I thought that was pretty darn exciting. At 4 PM they had a show at Mi Casa on 6th, and Daniel and I were determined to go. Despite the overwhelming crowds and horrible traffic. We managed to score a parking spot just 5 blocks away.
We settled in at Mi Casa, helped ourselves to some free tamales (oh, they were so good) and drinks, and prepared for the show.

Longital.was.awesome.

I'm not one to get into the music festivals and all that. The crowds do nothing good for my social anxiety. Looking for parking is maddening. Bumping shoulders with so many strangers makes me want to sit in a corner with a blanket and suck on my hair.
So typically, when the festivals come to town, I lock myself in the house for several days.
But I am so happy I ventured out into the frightening world of skinny jeans, eye liner, colorful tights, and straw fedoras. (People dress like clowns. Clowns.)

I was a little hesitant when we arrived at Mi Casa. Would this be good? The bands that preceeded them were so loud I thought my ears would bleed. You couldn't hear the voices, the instruments, even the baseline was blurry because it was so dang loud.

But then Longital stepped onto the stage and whisked us away to Slovakia.
The music was upbeat, creative, passionate, and nothing like I'd ever heard!
I was thoroughly entertained.

And to top it off, they dedicated their final song to "Karen and Daniel, two beautiful people sitting right over there (he pointed)." I felt so honored.

They were a crowd favorite, and their music certainly captured the attention of the noisy bar. The chatting became hushed and people were listening.

After the show we packed up their gear and Daniel and I took our guests to Maudie's for excellent Tex-Mex (they were quite pleased), Margaritas (very pleased), and then to Amy's Ice Cream. They were fascinated with the way Amy's "prepares" the ice cream. It was quite funny.

On the way home we discussed "comfort zones" and how their experiences in America have helped them grow.

Dano said, "Amy's is comfort zone. If I lived here, I would be regular there!"

Now they are gone, off to Bratislava for a quick stop before heading off to Italy for a show.
Kind of makes me wish I had a shadow of musical talent.
I've never really spent any time with real, genuine, musicians. At least not any like this. You can actually sense the creative juices oozing out of these people. They see art and beauty everywhere. They seem aware of things that my mind has not been trained to be aware of. It was really interesting and, I feel, like I benefited from being around them. I hope they could say the same of Daniel and me.

Life is feeling normal again. I continue to heal, the guests are gone, our house is empty, and I have a lot of laundry to do.
Daniel is helping me with the laundry. He is so good to me.
Last night I found myself in Clarksville again, having dinner at the Galaxy Cafe and sipping coffee at Cafe Medici with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Another beautiful evening, full of sweet and nourishing conversation. I am so thankful for my good friends. And I thank God for those friendships that feed my soul and lift my heart. I don't know what I would do without them!

Victory!

2010-03-17T09:24:00.000-05:00

The other night when we were at Zocalo I took a liking to the sweet vases filled with fresh daises on the tables. Then I saw them yesterday in a picture on one of my daily blog-reads.
I thought to myself that I would so like to have them!

This morning, I found them.

At IKEA!

And only $1.99. Hurray!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Weed Mountain

2010-03-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

We've had this weed problem in the backyard for quite some time.
And with the warm weather and rain the problem was only getting worse.
Last week while I was unwell, my mother-in-law and husband took it upon themselves to attack the weed problem. As a result, on Sunday morning I walked downstairs and saw out the back window, a mountain. Weed Mountain.
It covered almost the entire back porch, and was about 3 feet tall. It dwarfed the dogs (although pretty much everything "dwarfs" them. They are dwarfy creatures. Dwarfy).

On Monday night when Daniel and I made our Central Market run for plastic bags and wine, Weed Mountain was the reason. Rain was blowing into Austin and we were in a crunch to get Weed Mountain into the bags before it got soaked and melded to the back porch.
Daniel had fun talking loudly in line at Central Market about our huge mountain of weed(s). He may or may not have left off the "s" for shock value. It took me a minute to catch on. I was busy looking at Michael Douglas on the cover of Vanity Fair when I heard him nearly shout something about, SO much weed(s)! A mountain of weed(s)!!
I looked up to find Daniel smiling devilishly at me, obviously very pleased with himself. I thought to myself, This is Central Market at 10 pm on a Monday night. I doubt anyone here is phased by the mention of Weed(s). That might work at HEB or Randalls, but not Central Market. But he was obviously being so clever, I decided not to mention it to him.
We rushed home. But only after Daniel had a bout of friendly banter with his favorite scruffy, frizzy cashier.
On the way out to the car he asked me again if I'd noticed his mentioning the weed(s).
Yes, yes I did, and you are so funny.
We made it home just as the rain started to sprinkle. I had to wait a minute while Daniel shook out his gray gardening gloves because "there might be spiders inside them." Then he made fun of my gray gardening gloves and told me his were way cooler.

It was just starting to come down pretty heavy when we tied up the 6th giant bag of weed(s).

*Tonight we have some interesting guests coming to stay with us. A band from the "Slovak Republic" as NPR put it. The only band, in fact, traveling from the Slovak Republic to perform at South by Southwest. We've never met them, and I have no idea what their visit will be like. We shall see.
*Also tonight, Once Over celebrates its 1 year anniversary! Free beer and cappucinos from 4-7. As I was picking up my Skim Vanilla Latte this morning, Rob told me, "I've learned that to get people to come, you have to offer free beer. And to get them to go away, you have to run out of beer. So I hope we run out of beer around 7:00. I don't want this to be an all-nighter."
Wise words.

Grace Upon Grace

2010-03-16T13:36:00.000-05:00

My dear friends, I have been indisposed in the most dreadful of ways.
Forgive me.

It has been a long but short week. My life over the last seven days is a dreadful blur and a crisp, clear nightmare all at once! But I am well. I am alive. I am loved and blessed and amazed and thankful and happy and joyful and pensive and foolish and silly and different and new and the same as I ever was.
Yesterday was my first day out of the house in several days.
I went to work and then went home. I was very tired due to all that I had been through in the previous several days, but I felt good. This weekend was daylight savings, giving me an extra hour of sunshine in the evening after getting home from work.
I went outside on the back porch, stretched out on the warm pavement and watched my stinky dogs roll in the dirt. I also saw Spring.
I looked up at the gorgeous blue sky and smelled the growing buds and blooms on the trees and felt like I was in heaven. We stayed outside for quite some time.
I'm not sure why, but something possesses my dogs around this time of year. They don't really do it at any other time of year. But in the warm weather they can't resist rolling their tubby little bodies in the dry dirt.
So I sat on the steps with a brush and waited for them to get within grabbing distance so I could scoop them up and brush the leaves and grass out of their hair.
They loved it.
And then they'd scamper off just to roll in the dirt again.
It was so fun.
Daniel came home and I realized it was nearly 7:30. I couldn't believe how quickly the evening went by!
My mind was in such a sweet place all evening. I know it had something to do with the sunshine and the cool, fresh air.
We decided to head over to Clarksville for dinner and dine alfresco at Zocalo under the twinkle lights.
I piddled around so much that we ended up at Zocalo around 9 PM for a late dinner. We treated ourselves to a couple of frozen Sangrias and went to sit outside but it was too chilly for us! So we sat in the nearly empty indoors at a small white table simply decorated with glowing candles and fresh flowers in a small vase.
For a while we sat and ate and drank while my husband charmed me and made me smile and sigh contentedly. Meanwhile I admired his handsome face and touched his hands and thought how much I like his wavy hair. He's so dashing.
It was such a beautiful night!
Being in Clarksville in the beautiful Texas Spring is so magical to me. It is such a quiet place, despite the fact that it sits right in the middle of the city. The houses are small and quaint and old. People are walking everywhere and the streets are lined with old-fashioned markets, gardens, a quiet coffee shop, and romantic restaurants with twinkling lights and vines crawling on the walls. Sometimes an old TV repair shop will play movies projected on their building wall in their parking lot. It is a neighborhood Daniel and I often haunt during the warmer months.
I felt a sweet peace and quiet deep in my heart and I sighed many a contented sigh.

After dinner we drove over to Central Market for some plastic bags and a bottle of wine, because we're romantic like that.

It was getting late, so when we got home I slipped into bed. Sunday evening I slept horribly because my mind would not quit. Every time I closed my eyes I relived something terrible and I couldn't rest at all.
So last night I asked Daniel to read Scriptures to me as I went to sleep. He read, and we wondered briefly to each other why Jesus put his spit on people on different occasions in the Bible. Neither of us could really think of any good reason.
And then I went to sleep, safe in the arms of my love.

"For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."

John 1:16

be still, my heart

2010-03-08T21:40:00.005-06:00

Daniel went grocery shopping for us this evening.

He saw that Sprouts was having a 25% off sale on all the bulk foods. So he stocked up on everything I like.

I think I'm in love.

Pistachio nuts, cashew nuts, (anyone seen Best in Show? Ignore the random intro on the video???)

Okay one more.

the prototype

2010-03-08T21:02:00.005-06:00

I had it all planned out.

I was going to leave the building, the sawing, the drilling, the measuring, in the very capable hands of my incredible husband.
I would take the pictures; I would document through photos the progress of the prototype.

But I soon found out that the boss had other plans for me.

We went out to the garage, and I watched him get to work.

I enjoyed watching those strong hands work.

Oh those hands...

I love those hands.

But as I said, the boss had other plans for me. Plans that included eye and ear protection. And one very large saw.

He showed me the ropes...

And then he put me to work.

I was skeered.

And I think he was a little nervous too, because he kept yelling at me to watch my hands. At least I think he was. I couldn't really tell due to the screaming saw and the ear things (what are those things called?). And I was afraid to turn and look at him on account that I was holding a very large, sharp, spinning saw right next to my hand.

I measur'd an cut them there pieces a wood. Yessiree.

Then I had to glue some of the pieces together, whilst I explained to Daniel how this picture would be dark because the light was behind me.

And then I focused on gluing. Glueing? Glewing. I glued.

That all just looks so wrong to me.

I glued in my gold shoes.

Can you

See me glue

In a golden shoe?

I think Dr. Suess wrote that.

Then the boss said, "Now we must clamp the pieces together for several hours."

And then he clamped.

Then I threw my ear things on the ground and screamed that I was over-worked and needed a nap.

The boss said we were at a stopping point, and he took me upstairs and cuddled me.

Then we went to dinner at a romantic restaurant, drank lovely wine, ate shrimp and arugula pesto bruschetta, and talked about our love. And the boss winked at me like 40 times during dinner.

I told him he was inappropriate.

Then we met some new and old friends for coffee and talked about everything, long into the night and the wee hours of Saturday morning. And it was grand.

It was a good day.

And an even better weekend. But I'll tell you more about that later.

For now, I'll tell you that the best thing that ever happened to me today was discovering these two albums:

What's that you say? You've never given them a listen?

It changed my life today.

Try "White Fences" by Vampire Weekend and "Girlfriend" by Phoenix. Or if you love Paul Simon as passionately as I do, listen to "California English" by Vampire Weekend. In my mind, Paul Simon and this song are related.

Just press play and dance around.

You won't know what hit you. And then you'll want some more.

pick your battles

2010-03-05T17:11:00.001-06:00

That was one of the first pieces of advice my mother-in-law ever gave me. It was in answer to the question, how do you make your marriage work?
She and my father-in-law, like my parents, have been married since the beginning of time. Well, over 25 years. A long time.

Personally, I think that's great advice. And it rings in my ears during pivotal moments.
Like the other day when Daniel cleaned out his car (if you walked by his car in a parking lot you would've thought someone lived in that thing--and had been for years), I walked into the laundry room to find that he had transferred most of his earthly belongings (which had been in his car) into the laundry room.
Does he think I never come in here or something?
I pondered for a moment just how I was going to sarcastically and obnoxiously bring this up to him.
But then it happened.

Pick your battles. This really is not a big deal. Why would I start a thing over this?

And then I picked up the mess, put everything in its respective place around the house, and threw away what trash there was.

And I think it was worth it. I'm all about keeping peace in my home, you know.

I've applied this principle in many areas of my life (probably not enough places), and it extends even to the dogs.

Bathing my dogs is a battle. It disrupts peace in the home. It causes hurt feelings and angry words. And it is messy.

It is a battle I often choose not to choose.

But it was bad. I mean, they were really really stinky. So stinky that when they tried to cuddle with me I pushed them away.

Last night I decided the battle was worth it. I picked that battle.

They were unhappy.

But when you love someone you have to fight the tough battles sometimes.

Because in the end, you know the ones you love will be happier and healthier because you were willing to fight for them. And you realize...

...it's probably better for the relationship if you don't dry heave every time they try to get close to you.

impulse buy

2010-03-04T15:48:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure why I did it, but I just bought a bunch of paper. Paper. On Etsy. From paperpeddler.

I fell in love with these designs and thought I simply need to have all of this paper on hand.

Look at the beautiful colors!!

I have a thing for this Marquee shape. It's another one of those things I can't really explain. It just is.

I is what I is.

I also bought a new mouse pad to match my office "decor" (whatever). Right now I'm using a mouse pad that was given out for free at a sales meeting I went to for work. There's a weird-looking girl on it and it is unbelievably unattractive. Not so with my new little friend.

I've also had an idea for making my own memo board for the office (but why? As if I ever get memos. It would be a total farce). I think I'd like to use a Heather Bailey fabric. Something like...

Or any number of these...

I've also had the idea that I would like to make a wall of frames over the desk.

Something similar to, but not exactly like, the following.

If only my sense of style were that chic.

(was that chic? were that chic? oh grammar, why do you torture me so??)

Maybe I should just start with putting knobs on my desk drawers.

That's right. I still haven't done that.

Got something to say about it?

i feel old.

2010-03-04T09:26:00.001-06:00

I almost could not get out of bed today.

I was frozen in relaxation. My muscles were at rest. And the slightest tension or movement sent shooting pains up and down my gluteus maximus. And probably my gluteus medius as well. But mostly the maximus.

I thought to myself, Am I paralyzed? Why am I in so much pain right now?

And then I realized. P90X. P.90.X.

I managed to force myself out of bed with minimal cries of pain. This, fortunately, didn't disturb my dear, sleeping husband who has the day off today. Then I hobbled into the bathroom and stood as still as I could while I brushed my teeth and put on my make-up (kidding! You know I don't wear make-up!).

Last night when I was doing Cardio X I felt good. The yoga moves were stretching out my sore muscles and it was such goooooood pain. And afterwards I thought, that was good. I think I'll feel better tomorrow.

But today. Today is not better.

I can't walk. I am waddling. My hiney hurts so bad that I'm uncomfortable sitting down. My legs are so sore that I'm uncomfortable standing up. My arms are so sore that it hurts to lift or move anything. My neck just...hurts.

I think this is a sign that I need to drink and drink and drink lots and lots and lots of water.

Oh, the pain.

But I must keep going. Because all this pain means I'm doing something right! And something wrong--not drinking enough water. And maybe I should invest in a muscle-recovery drink.

Does this mean I am getting old?

*Tomorrow I am taking a half day to start work on the prototype (as Daniel calls it). I know. So romantic.
I'll take pictures of the progress.

i guess i'm in the wrong line of work.

2010-03-03T16:14:00.001-06:00

I just took a "Color Career Counselor" quiz. It was fun. And kind of hard for me, actually.
Here are my results:
Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS

Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES

Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

Well, I'm definitely emotional. But in the most inappropriate ways. And I pretend that I'm not.

Daniel has never been fooled by this and it makes me crazy. He is sensitive to my emotions, though. Sometimes.

I like how under the "Creator Occupations" there are words like, director, designer, executive.
I day dream about being a writer. But mostly because I'm lazy. I walk into Once Over in the mornings and see people lined at the bar with their multi-colored Apple notebooks and I tell myself that they are freelance writers and have more fun than me.
When I was younger I thought I wanted to be an Editor. But I don't even know what that means. To me it means that I would be a picky reader with manuscripts being thrown at me all day long. I would drink more espresso and live in a trendy apartment with large windows and I'd take breaks from reading and editing to run on Town Lake in the middle of the day. I'd shop at Whole Foods and cook like a gourmet and drink red wine (blech) out of wide glasses with long stems.

What I really, really want to be is barefoot and pregnant. But I'll wear shoes when I'm a mommy and take my baby out in the jogging stroller. I refuse to be fat. Despite the fact that I chased my workout last night with a brownie...but I digress. Daniel likes this idea too. We are totally on the same page.
I'm working on it.
Although I think he wants me to be a famous blogger, too.
I'm working on that as well. As if you couldn't tell, my dear three readers.

Oh, dreams. It's good to dream.

totally thought today was tuesday.

2010-03-03T09:35:00.003-06:00

Well, today is off to quite an auspicious start. I don't even know what that means, but I think I'm being sarcastic. At least, I meant to be sarcastic.

This morning everything was running on schedule. I woke up, put on my face, did my 'do, and had no trouble picking out what I was going to wear. When I took the dogs out to do their business, I received almost no pushback. I only had to tell Kingsley "Go poopoo!" one time.
I'm sure our neighbors enjoy hearing Daniel and I yell, "Go poopoo!" "Go peepee!" bright and early in the morning. Oh well.
I went upstairs, kissed my slumbering husband, and headed out the door with plenty of time to spare. So much time to spare that I decided a trip through the Starbucks Drive-thru and a Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino were in order. Mmm.

I was just passing through the hallway outside my office when I had a sudden spasm of clumsiness and...SPLAT. Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino suddenly looked like a pile of poop in the doorway of my office.

It was one of those moments where you just stare and, starting to feel slightly angry, you wonder if there's any way that the drink can be salvaged. I mean, it was still maintaining some shape and "togetherness" due to its frozen nature. I crouched down over the mess, looked around, and felt relief that I get here roughly 30 minutes before most people start showing up. I gave up on trying to salvage the drink.
As I frantically mopped up the mess, I tried not to think about that ice-cold sweetness and $4.00 that was going straight into the garbage.

And all this time I totally thought today was tuesday.

Yesterday, when it actually was Tuesday, one of my co-workers encouraged me to "keep an open mind" about the fact that 9/11 was an inside job.
"Why?"
"Just because; you just never know."
"If you believe that the U.S. Government had a hand in committing a horrible terrorist attack against American citizens, killing over 2,000 people, wouldn't you want to get the heck out of here? I mean, I would."
"Well, I'm just telling you I think you should keep an open mind."
"But why?? Who do you think did it? And what part did they play? And how would that benefit them?"
"I'm just saying. I saw a really interesting video on YouTube about it."
"I see."
And then, I gave up on the conversation.
I just didn't want to talk about it anymore.

I worked out last night for the first time since December. I almost died. But in a good way. In the kind of way when you know you are doing something really good for yourself. I did P90X "Core Synergystics." That is a tough workout!

I nearly fell down the stairs because I was so jello-y after working out. So I grabbed a brownie and went upstairs to watch a movie. I tried watching the movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon about St. Francis of Assisi, but...after about 30 minutes I felt that if I watched anymore of the movie I would literally lose my mind.
I sympathized with the rich people. He was acting crazy. It kind of reminded me of the book "Ferdinand" only he wasn't a bull. But there were a lot of parallels. They wanted him to go fight, but he wanted to sit under trees in the fields and smell flowers. And sing really dumb songs.
And he kept freaking out all the time! What was the deal with that?! He's standing in Mass, looks at the really creepy poor people sitting in the back of the church, then looks at the crucifix, and starts screaming, "Nooooo!" And then he smiles dreamily and says quietly, "..no.." And then he goes to the town square and gets naked. And he has that creepy smile on his face as he runs out of the village, out into the fields...naked.
Meanwhile I was sitting on my bed pulling my hair out yelling, "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?"
It was like the people who made this film were like, "Let's make a movie with as little dialogue as possible, with weird, minstrel-like music, and zoom in on everyone's faces to capture their completely unidentifiable emotions. Then people will think we are artsy and our film means something deep."
It was so aggravating. So I turned it off.

My apologies if you like that movie. This is only my opinion.

Then I watched The Marriage Ref, Jerry Seinfield's new show. I laughed so hard I cried. You just have to watch this clip.

This was especially funny...and kind of scary...to me because Daniel always jokes about stuffing Fletcher when he dies.
Ha ha ha

A Gloomy Day in March

2010-03-01T18:44:00.000-06:00

I have a sudden obsession with Simon and Garfunkel. I can't stop listening to "The Boxer" and "Cecilia." There is no explanation for this.

Why I Love Austin

2010-02-27T23:13:00.000-06:00

(You're about to get up close and personal with my day. I mean it.)
The weather today was perfect.
My older brother Nicholas came into town last night, which always makes me happy.

When I came home from my "girls' night" (which was so fun! I'll write more on that later. Maybe. If I remember.), he was in my kitchen making Panna Cotta for us. When he comes home tonight we're going to enjoy the dessert together.

Today started out as any Saturday should: a little sleeping in, a little cuddling with the puppies and Daniel, and plenty of coffee.

We sat at the bar of Once Over and talked about Saturday morning type things. Like gardens and building coffee tables and people who practice witchcraft.

Daniel and I parted ways with Nicholas for a bit. We went to Home Depot and Lowe's, bought some wood, took it out to the car, realized it wouldn't fit in the car, and then I left Daniel standing on the side of the road with a bunch of wood while I ran back to the house to get the other car with the seats that lie down.

Then we went to lunch.
We made our way over to Salvation Pizza in the West Campus area.

It was so beautiful outside that we decided to sit in their outdoor area. I insisted we sit in the sun because the shade was too cold.

Daniel complained it was too bright.

But I was wearing sunglasses, so I didn't care.
I told him that would teach him to forget his sunglasses and then he cried and told me I was mean.
Then I told him I thought he looked like a bum.

Then I ordered a Dr. Pepper. Because it's Saturday.

We were laughing at a couple trying to parallel-park their car in front of the restaurant (the guy was standing on the sidewalk yelling at the woman driving, "Backupbackupbackup STOPSTOPSTOPSTOP Backbackback STOP! TURNYOURWHEEL! TURNTURNTURN!!") when Nicholas showed up. He'd been at Once Over all day "talking coffee" with Rob (owner of Once Over).

Nicholas ordered some Bruschetta. I ate some.

Then came the pizza. And it was good.

And then it was gone.

After lunch we parted ways with Nicholas again. We had to put our rent check in the mail because we forgot to do it yesterday. Just like we do every month.
After doing the responsible thing, we drove to Half Price Books so I could by Volume One of Shelby Foote's Civil War series. And I've got 3000 pages to go.

We headed over to East Austin in search of an Organic Tea House called Zhi Tea, but they closed at two and we left, dejected.
We drove by the church. Hi, church!

Daniel made me take a picture of this car, also:

Then we went to a couple of pawn shops, got another cup of coffee, and then we came home and Daniel vacuumed while I ran to the grocery store. I made chili for lunch tomorrow, and then I ate some.

Then I came into the office and played on photoshop. And then I blogged.

The End. Almost.

Friday Morning: Items of Note (Or not)

2010-02-26T09:53:00.000-06:00

Last night I played Nertz and drank Pomegranate Margaritas with the South Parish peeps. Yes, I just said peeps. Must be a delayed effect of Tequila.
I won the first game with my trusty partner, Foster.

I lost the second game with my trusty partner, Bill.
It was dismal. I mean dismal.
Last place. By a lot.

As usual, I was furious with Daniel before the end of the second game. Because he's so, so good.
And at South Parish game night spouses aren't allowed to be on the same team.
It has something to do with our sanctification, I'm told.
When the game is over my intense anger disappears and I just want to kiss his smug mug.
He's so irresistible to me and he knows it.

This morning, like yesterday morning, I had a frozen vanilla latte from Once Over--with four shots. And it is good.

I was asked to join a Skee Ball team this morning--when their next "Skeeson" starts (instead of season, haha hoho hehe).

Tonight I'm going out for a 'girls' night.' Daniel shared with me yesterday that he's going to take himself out for a steak.

On Wednesday night I finished watching BBC's Robin Hood Season 2. I thought the season finale was the series finale and I was so mad. I was mad all day yesterday.
Last night I discovered that there is another season, and the universe makes sense again.

Enjoy this Friday. The weather here is superb. And I'm inside, working. Because that's the way it goes.
When I complain about working on beautiful days, there's always that obnoxious person who reminds me to be grateful that I have a job. Pshhh.

I Almost Forgot!

2010-02-25T14:43:00.000-06:00

I found the. coolest. website. yesterday.

This very talented woman takes Pottery Barn furniture, Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, etc. and creates plans that are user-friendly to help us poor people build their furniture.
I showed this website to Daniel yesterday and he was in heaven. So far we've made plans to re-create the following:
http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/2009/12/plans-little-farmhouse-table-for.html
http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/2010/01/plan-hyde-side-table.html
http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/2010/01/plan-hyde-console-table-pottery-barn.html

I'll be the photo-journalist keeping record of our progress. And I might jump in as assistant carpenter at some point.
Last night I told Daniel, "We could just take the list of lumber she provides to a lumber yard and get the lumber guy to measure and cut the pieces and we'd be all set!"
He told me if I wanted to do it that way, I'd have to do it myself.
What? Why?
And he said, "I could walk in and say (his pitch went waayyyy up) 'can you please cut this wood for me in these sizes, I don't know what I'm doing!' if I wanted to walk out with my..." Nevermind. I can't repeat what he said...it had something to do with nether regions.

So, I guess it's a macho thing.

Lucky.

2010-02-25T13:20:00.000-06:00

Daniel and I didn't do anything for Valentine's Day. Nada.

Unless lying in bed all day watching movies counts.

We were both feeling unwell, so we gave ourselves the day off. I didn't even go to church.

I'm not an anti-Valentine's Day person. But I don't get all bent out of shape if Daniel doesn't take me to a fancy restaurant or buy me a box of chocolates. Growing up, my family celebrated it with sweets and cards. Daniel's family didn't celebrate at all.

Maybe I don't make a big deal about Valentine's Day because Daniel doesn't, and I've just accepted that. He's not really the note-writing, grand gesture kind of guy. And I have always known that about him.

However, the first year I knew him he bought me My Big Fat Greek Wedding on DVD for Valentine's Day. He later told me he bought me a DVD because he thought my dad would consider it an acceptable gift from one "friend" to another.

My family enjoyed the gift. And I thought there was some sort of symbolism in his choice of movie.

Or maybe he just knew I liked that movie a lot.

Though he may not look like a romantic at first glance, don't be fooled. He knows that moving the laundry from the washer to the dryer or hand-washing and drying the pots and pans or making the bed every morning makes me feel oh so warm and fuzzy inside. And he makes me laugh. All the time. He has the silliest sense of humor and makes me laugh at myself when I'm taking myself WAY too seriously. It happens a lot.

He is one person who, I think, is always himself. He doesn't try to make people think he's something he's not. He's Daniel. And you will know exactly how he is the minute you meet him.

I used to get exasperated with him, because when he gets onto something he does not get off of it. And I'm not talking about casual hobbies. When he feels conviction about something, he acts on it.

It's become one of the things I love and respect the most about him. But I didn't always feel that way. God has shown me what a wise and thoughtful man I am married to, and He's taught me to trust what He is accomplishing in Daniel.

Over the years he's grown so much. He's always been a good and kind person. But with marriage and responsibility and love he's become something more--and I hope he could say the same about me. He's my handsome, wonderful man and I am the luckiest woman alive.

The Guest Room Window

2010-02-24T17:48:00.000-06:00

In our new house, we have a guest room.
It's a surprisingly large guest room. It might even be larger than the master bedroom. If it had a walk-in closet and a bathroom connected to it, we might have moved our furniture in there. But I wasn't giving up that closet.
This guest room has the loveliest light in the afternoon. I always walk by and think, I should take some pictures in there...but of what?
Today the pups were my subjects, and I thought the results were quite lovely. Even though the dogs are in terrible need of a bath, a groom, and an attitude adjustment.

Taking A Break.

2010-02-24T13:41:00.000-06:00

Today on my lunch break I decided I needed to take a break (possibly permanent) from Facebook. I claimed it was for Lent. But it's not really.
However, it will be like fasting. Because I like Facebook in some ways! A LOT.
But the cons began to outweigh the pros.
I know this must all sound very ambiguous. Bottom line is: I feel really, really good about the decision.

I'm also hoping that I'll be spending more time here now that I have one less internet distraction.
I enjoy writing! And I love reading blogs. I really love reading blogs.

Life, since the beginning of the year, has "gotten in the way" of blogging. I've been struggling with low spirits due to a number of things, and when I'm low, I don't like to blog. Or write. Or be social. Or do anything really.

But God is good. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is Truth "...and in His word do I hope." It is truly amazing to me when I recognize the times when God has shown Himself to me through people and situations. Times where a word or a gesture is so exactly what I needed at that moment or on that day.
It is so humbling to realize, sometimes much later, how tender His mercies are. I am overwhelmed to think of the great care He has taken to carry my burdens when they become too much for me. I have felt His comfort so near and so real, and my heart and faith are strengthened!

On another note, the weather here is amazing today.
Yesterday it SNOWED--which was odd. And today it is sunny and 60. Not a cloud in the sky.
I would like to be at Pedernales Falls today climbing around the rocks. But I need to be at work, making the big bucks and saving for someday. So here I am.

Housewarming Gift (for me, from me)

2010-02-06T17:43:00.000-06:00

Like a Dog

2010-01-29T08:33:00.003-06:00

It's Friday. This day marks the beginning of an extremely busy weekend for my family. My little family.
While I will be charming the pants off of everyone at my company sales meeting (how could you not take that to an inappropriate place? I didn't mean it like that. I don't do that), Daniel will be moving our earthly belongings from one house to another house just three doors down.
I wonder what the neighbors will think?

My amazing, fantastic, selfless Mother-in-law will be filling in for me. I've entrusted her with a few tasks that I am unable to fulfill because I will be at work. All weekend.

I was telling her on the phone last night, rather emotionally, that I was really upset I couldn't be home this weekend and I didn't understand why these two event had to occur the same weekend.
She said calmly, "There is a reason for it."
And I am resting in that. I was feeling really guilty about not being around to help, but no more. It happened for a reason.
Plus, I've been scrubbing toilets and grout and tubs and ovens and stovetops and microwaves and baseboards and freezers and refrigerators all week long as penance.
I wasn't going to let them do everything.

Now I'm simply looking forward to coming home (very late) every evening and seeing the progress. I feel so blessed! We are moving into a much larger house and I am excited about the extra space.

One concern: this new house has stairs. Please pray that no one gets injured while lifting our extremely, freakishly heavy mattress up the stairs. Or anything else for that matter.

Also, yesterday I got the creepiest phone call ever. Ever.
My phone rings.
Hello?
(A voice that sounds like Gollum, obviously veiled by a voice modulator) Hello.
Long pause.
Who is this?
Creepy cackle
Tell me who this is or I'm hanging up.
Creepy cackle again.
The voice speaks, It's interesting how the mind works...
What?
You can see it, but you don't believe it...
Who is this?!
It's me. (another cackle)
I'm hanging up!
(click)

It was Daniel.

Confessions of a Former Model

2010-01-26T08:42:00.005-06:00

This may come as a shock to many of you, but I was a model once.
One time.
I think I was in fourth grade. My public school was considering a more strict dress code. So one day I suppose the administration had the novel idea of a uniform fashion show for the parents. They asked students to volunteer, and I nominated myself. It was so exciting! I had seen kids on the runways outside of JC Penney in Mesilla Valley Mall and I wanted to do that.
The weeks (or days, I don't really know. Time meant nothing to me as a child) went by and the fashion show approached. There was a dress rehearsal a few days in advance, just so we could get down the path to follow, the places to stop and turn. Basically so we wouldn't run into each other on the catwalk.
I was nervous. Nervous/excited. It was almost my turn. My moment of glory was at hand. I stepped out on to the runway and strutted my stuff.
I walked to the front of the runway and cocked my hip to one side. Then a turn. Then another turn. I was doing great!
Then the teacher standing below in front of the stage said, "Could you hold on a second?"
I stopped. She totally ruined the rhythm I had going.
"Stop the music, please!" she yelled to the teacher at the soundboard.
I looked at her expectantly as she peered over her glasses at me with a fake smile.
She glanced at her clipboard, "Uh...Karen?"
"Yes ma'am?" (Because I always used my manners)
"Could you...uh, could you swing your arms less? Much less?"
What?
"Uh, ok."
"Thanks, sweetie," she scrunched up her nose and pursed her lips into an even faker smile, "MUSIC!"
I turned, dejected, to walk back stage, paying careful attention not to swing my arms too much.
"Less swinging, please!" the horrible woman shouted.
Oh the horror. I looked ahead to see the smiling eyes of cruel fourth graders awaiting me at the foot of the stage steps.

It was at that moment I realized I could never be a model. First of all, there's my nose. 'Nuff said.
Secondly, I really really tried not to swing my arms too much and it was still too much for this lady. I had (have) no control over the swinging. I needed (need) the swinging to propel my body forward.

Of course, there's no way I could have ever hoped to recover from this miserable humiliation. I have been and will forever be conscious of my overly undulating arms.

Even now, sometimes I will be walking down the hallway at work and suddenly stop short, realizing that I was swinging my arms far too vigorously. I press onward, trying to tone it down.

Our society puts way too much pressure on young women. To have less swingy arms.

Peeve

2010-01-25T10:05:00.001-06:00

There are some people that I work with who shall remain unnamed, who use "..." way too much.

This really bugs me.

Perhaps because when I read, I take into account all the grammatical marks. Why are they pausing for so long and so often? Are they afraid to commit to what they are saying? Is a period too final? Is a comma not poignant enough? Why are they trying to be so poignant in their work emails?

"I entered the order...is there anything else you need....have a nice day........"
"Processed....thanks....let me know if you have any questions......."

Just stop it. End it.

It's like those girls in my college bible study who used to say, "When I pray in the morning, I don't say 'Amen.' So it leaves my prayer open all day."

Oh brother.

I know I really shouldn't let these things bother me. I too have struggled with the overuse of punctuation. In high school I had a tumultuous relationship with commas. It wasn't pretty.
Also, if someone doesn't want to say 'Amen' at the end of their morning prayer, what do I care?
I don't know. I just don't know.

The lack of photographic evidence of my life on this blog is making me feel grave.
(I'm also really uncomfortable with lack of photographic evidence of my life on this blog. I wish I had phrased that differently but I'm just going to leave it.)
But I can't post any pictures yet. We are moving this weekend and I have to focus.
I've only packed two things: the pizza stone and the coffee grinder.
I also threw out over half of my clothes and shoes.
It feels so good.

Yesterday I picked weeds and raked leaves. The weather was nice and the puppies bathed in the sunlight while I dug up ~~trees~~ deeply rooted weeds with a tiny shovel and pick.

I really need to scrub the grout on my bathroom floor. With a toothbrush and bleach.

I have to really buckle down this week, because the truth is I won't even be around to help this weekend. I will be working. Blah.

Sometime next week I will post some pictures of the new house. It is seriously three doors down from the last house. I'm excited to have an upstairs again! Don't really know why.

I can't wait until life settles down a bit.

Ha.

I know, I know.

2010-01-22T09:51:00.001-06:00

Time is getting away from me. I keep saying I'll update, but there is really so much going on in my life right now! I haven't had a moment.
Soon, I'll tell you what's going on.
For now, I'll leave you with yet another tale from my awkward life and times.

Daniel has been working a lot lately. I hardly get to see the guy.
So last night instead of going to our South Parish meeting to pray, we decided to hang out. Also, I'm just going to be honest: my attention span is so deficit, it never fails that I spend the entire prayer meeting asking God to help me to focus...so sometimes I avoid them.
Last night Daniel and I went to his office so he could take care of a couple of things. It was pretty late in the evening, the whole place was quiet. I had to pee something feirce, so I ran inside to use the restroom. Because we were alone, and I had to go really bad, I left the door open. (There is a point to this)
Moments later I was sitting in Daniel's office when I heard voices nearby. Daniel was around the corner talking to someone. We were not alone.
Daniel came back into the office with a grin on his face.
"There's someone here?!" I whispered.
"Uh huh."
"I peed with the door open!!!"
"Uh huh. Next time, you should make sure that no one else is here."

Awkward.

Don't Go Away...

2010-01-12T11:00:00.001-06:00

I have not fallen off the face of the blog-earth. It's been a busy weekend. I'll definitely be updating you on the interesting things I did this weekend. With pictures as well. That will be edited using...wait for it...

Photoshop CS4

Best Christmas present ever.
Thanks, Daniel. Love you long time.

Speaking of Christmas presents, I am on the edge of my seat right now. One of my customers sent me a gift card to Anthropologie for Christmas (my all-time, most favoritest store in the world). No harm done. But I called the number to get the balance of the card last night and...$100. What?!
I started thinking about it, and thought, Is it possible, that by accepting this gift I'm violating some company code of ethics?
So I went to my boss and told her, Despite how much it pains me, I'd rather give up this gift than get fired. So here's what happened...
She said she thinks it might be okay, but she's making an "anonymous inquiry" with the powers that be to be absolutely sure I'm not violating any policy.
So there's $100 of Anthropologie money burning a hole in my pocket...my heart...my mind...
And I can't touch it.

The true purpose of this entry is to tell you that there is more to come. And it will blow your mind.

Just, hang on.

Random Thursday

2010-01-07T10:50:00.003-06:00

I am currently completely addicted to the following websites:

Cardigan Empire.

Reachel Bagley, stylist, is responsible for this wonderful blog! She's got me ~~digging~~ "shopping" through my closet, finding old gems and throwing out stuff that is completely unacceptable (you'd be surprised). I also appreciate that she demonstrates style for all shapes - and emphasizes modesty. She's even linked websites on her page that are online clothing stores designed specifically for the modest shopper.
Also, I love that she loves and appreciates the beauty of being feminine. It's fun to be a girl :)
She also pointed me to this website:

and

Shade Clothing

Modest is hottest, ladies. Make no mistake - for all our sakes.

I spend altogether way, way too much time on this website:

I have wish lists. With lots of things on them that I can't afford.

...

Furthermore. I would like to ask something.

Is this legal??

(I would like to add that his daddy titled this picture, "Manipulation")

I love the facial expression! Ha ha.

...

And lastly...
It is very cold in Austin. It's in the 30s but it is blustery outside, causing it to feel like the low 20s.
I prayed for a snow day, but it's very dry. No moisture here.

Last night Daniel and I wrapped up in a blanket (like a bug in a rug), laid on our bed and talked and laughed about our day. It was heaven on earth. I don't mind the cold so much.

My Evening in [poorly lit] Photos

2010-01-04T22:54:00.000-06:00

Concerning my dysfunctional relationship with espresso, etc.

2010-01-02T15:20:00.013-06:00

I am blogging on location.
Right now I am sitting in a dark corner of my favorite coffee shop, Once Over.

I truly, truly love this place with all of my heart. I come here often - kind of to an embarrassing degree - but I think they appreciate it. On the weekends Daniel and I typically stop by twice a day. Usually they will keep a tab open for us, and we will drink espresso to our hearts' delight.
I come here so often that when I walk in, they start my drink without even taking my order. Skim Latte with Vanilla. On Saturdays it's always "for here," Sunday mornings "to go," and on week days I bring my own cup for a $.15 discount. Or something like that.
The "baristas" are sweet, good people who are always personable and kind.

And then there's the coffee.

So smooth, so rich, so gooooood. It feeds my soul. Sometimes when I drink Once Over espresso, a few liturgical words will cross my mind. Something about "those things which are necessary to our life and to our salvation." It's just that good. And it's pretty much ruined me for all other coffee. "No one does it better."

. . .

In other news (I know, I say that a lot. I've tried to come up with another "bridging" phrase, but why? Who cares? Not me. Not really), Daniel and I survived the last night of the decade. Or will December 31, 2010 be the last night of the decade? I don't really know. We had a great time either way. I know I said we wouldn't be staying out all night like crazy people. And we didn't stay out all night. But we did stay out until, like, 12:30 AM. We began the evening with a lovely dinner at Polvos (the Cerveza fajitas are da bomb diggity), where our friends the Baileys, Daniel and I shared a pitcher of frozen Margarita(s?).

It was strong.

It always is at Polvos - another reason why I love that place. But because of the strength of their liquor (btw, the letter "Q" button is missing on my keyboard. I'm not sure what happened to it. It's all part of having a ghetto laptop. Should laptop and ghetto even be in the same sentence?), I had to take a few minutes to get it together...we all did. So after taking it easy for a few minutes, suddenly we looked up, and it was 9:30. Already!
We made our way over to Shane and Cassidy's big party, and basically the party started when we got there. Everyone was excited we'd shown up and it made me feel happy :) Also, they served me champagne with some sort of berry-flavored liquor mixed with it. That made me feel happy too.

(In order) Amy, me, and Cassidy feeling happy.

I also made a new friend, her name was Andrea and she was funny. She also is BFF with a girl I work with. Or...with whom I work. I hate to end on a prepostion. A thousand apologies.
Small world!

Here are the girls at the party:

The lovely hostess herself

Daniel is, like, so cute.

We ended up hanging out until the clock struck midnight. Then we made some noise Then we danced around to some groovy music. Then suddenly Daniel came through the front door to let me know he had walked four blocks to get the car and it was waiting outside for us to leave. It was very abrupt. But not in a mean or rude way. Just abrupt. We said goodbye, I cried the whole way home (not really), and then I fell fast asleep in the comfort that the next day was a HOLIDAY and I didn't have to go to work.

Happy New Year!

Post Script: something personal.

Resolute

2009-12-31T12:52:00.000-06:00

So 2009 has come and nearly gone.
People keep asking me, "So, any resolutions this year?"
I answer, "To grow up."
And they look at me oddly. No one has asked me to expound on that yet. Maybe they're scared.

I don't really know what it means. I just say it.

Daniel and I are going to eat Tex-Mex tonight. I know, I know--we are so flipping fantastic! We might make an appearance at a few events afterwards, but we've both agreed that we would really like to act like an old married couple tonight. Maybe have a glass of wine and work on a puzzle while watching Fletch (not my dog, the movie. But it is Fletcher's namesake); maybe a little cuddling. We really don't want to get trashed and party till 3 am. That would totally ruin our day off tomorrow. So not worth it.

Last year I got all dolled up and we went to Antone's for a Bob Schneider concert. I stood in a packed room, in really cute, uncomfortable high heels while people spilled beer on me and mistook me for someone else. And then we stood outside in the cold for a couple more hours trying to catch a cab home. Drunk people kept walking out in front of cars and stealing my cabs.

Not cool. Not cool at all.

But I did look cute.
But...so not worth it.

I'll try to snap a few shots tonight to ring in the New Year. I'm excited for 2010! I think it's going to be a good year.

On another note, my company is hosting yet another sales meeting next month. As always, there is a theme. Last year's was "Peace, Love, and Beauty Supplies" and we all had to dress like hippies.
This year the theme is "You're a Star!" and the costume is "red carpet style."
I loathe and despise costume parties. I really try not to be a nay-sayer...but I hate them. And so many people love them! I think 9 times out of 10 when I am planning a party with someone they have the idea of a theme.
And I glare at them, full of wrath. Usually they back down.

But I've had an idea. You might be able to guess who I plan on dressing as--her style is conveniently simple, elegant, and timeless which means I won't have to try too hard (har, har). I can get on board with that.

This has the potential to be yet another dismal failure.

Nostalgia

2009-12-30T16:25:00.001-06:00

Well, Christmas has come and gone. Daniel and I had a great time skiing with his family and relaxing together for a few days. I feel refreshed and invigorated! And I have only one dadgum day to go before my next weekend starts.

Don't you love nostalgia?
So wistful. So sentimental. Everything is cast in a near-perfect light.
I am definitely someone who basks in nostalgia from time to time. Complete with half-smiles and contented sighs. Ahh...those were the days...
And then I remember what an awkward person I've been my whole life, and a single memory can wake me from that dreamy state.
Today I've been thinking about this guy.

But when he looked like this:

He really hasn't changed too much.
But I was thinking back in the day when I first met him. Maybe I should say saw him. I remember the first moment I laid eyes on him.
I was a young and spry fifteen years of age. It was mid-morning some time in late January. I was a Sophomore. And I had excused myself from Mrs. Brunson's American Literature I to go to the restroom. I walked out into the hallway and turned to the right. On the stairs to the left I heard some commotion, so I glanced behind me...and there he was. Standing on the top of the stairs in a blue and green striped, short-sleeved Polo and khaki shorts was the best-looking guy I had ever seen in my life. He was tall, tan, and handsome.
I stood and stared at him for a moment as he turned and walked away from me. Who was that???
And then I went about my business.
At lunch that day his name was buzzing around the small lunch room. Daniel. According to gossip, he was the older brother of another new student in our class, Josh. He was a transfer student from a public school. He was bad news. You see, I went to a small, private, Christian school and the slightest ripple in the water was like a tidal wave to us. You also may know that teenage girls love drama.
Especially these girls

"He is definitely the hottest guy in the school."
"He is the hottest guy I have ever seen!"
"Really? I don't think he's all that cute."
"Are you kidding? He's gorgeous!"
"He sits in front of us in Algebra. I couldn't stop staring at him!"
And the conversations went on.
I spent lunch looking across the room at the Junior class lunch table, catching glimpses of this mysterious new boy from time to time.
Later that afternoon I was running errands during study hall for one of my teachers. So young. So carefree...
I darted into the administrative offices to drop off some paperwork but stopped short when I noticed a familiar blue/green striped Polo standing in an office doorway.
Daniel.
I stood staring for a moment before the secretary asked me what I was doing out of class.
"Just, uh, dropping off some, er, papers for Ms. Jo...this period is my study hall," I smiled awkwardly, looking at the papers in my hands.
She held out her hand to take the paperwork, and just as I handed them to her Daniel turned and started walking in my direction.
He was looking at whatever the guidance couselor had handed him and was about to slip by me while mumbling "excuse me" when...I panicked.
"Hey!" I said loudly. Too loud.
He looked up at me with a pair of gorgeous brown eyes.
"Uh, hi."
"You look a lot like your brother!"
He smiled slightly, "Yeah..."
I was drowning. He was obviously weirded out. I glanced at the blue/green striped Polo.
"I like your shirt."
"...thanks..."
"The blue and the green...it reminds me of the sea!" As the words came out of my mouth I remembered thinking what the heck is wrong with you? but the second thought didn't come soon enough. So I laughed. Loudly and awkwardly and for way too long.
"...haha, thanks. Well, see ya." He said as he slowly backed out into the hallway before turning to leave.
"Yeah. See ya."
I looked at the secretary and she smiled strangely at me. A dismal failure.
Well, so much for that. I thought as a wandered slowly back to the portables.

*Daniel claims he has no recollection of this meeting, lucky for me. However, I have reminded him of it many times. Which might have been a mistake, but apparently not because he married me.

After study hall I made my way over to Mrs. Uhrich's Art Class with Christi.
Here we are in high school.

On the way I recounted to her the pitiful exchange between me and the new guy, and then we proceeded to talk about his handsomeness. We sat in our typical spot along the side wall, a great spot for us to pass notes and doodle on each other's notebooks. And watch the boys goof off on the back row.
I was a very diligent student.
Students started to trickle in, but Christi and I were wrapped in conversation, not paying much attention to our classmates. That is, until I heard a familiar voice coming down the hallway. It was the new guy, Daniel, and he was walking down the hall joking with Josh, one of his fellow Juniors (there were a great many Joshes in my life throughout high school; kind of weird, actually). My ears perked up, I glanced in the direction of the voices, and saw that Josh and Daniel were walking into my art class. They scoped out a couple of seats in front of Christi and me and sat down. Christi and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows and stifled giggles, recalling my awkward conversation with Daniel a few minutes earlier.
I thought I would never have a reason to interact with him again--other than a polite, passing hello in the hallway...yet there he was. One row in front of me for the rest of the semester...

Ah, nostalgia.

Changing Terrain

2009-12-19T10:55:00.000-06:00

Image Issues.

2009-12-13T17:40:00.000-06:00

Last month we learned some terrible news.

Fletcher is overweight.

Two pounds overweight. And when you weigh a total of ten pounds, that's never easy to hear.

I think he looks like he's crying here?

He can't even look at the camera. "Please try to get a slimming angle..."

We're trying to keep him on some sort of diet. He's got some joint issues in his back legs that keep him from being as active as he might normally be. So he just gets kind of chubby. Daniel and I have started calling him, "The Goat" because he sort of resembles one. He's got a chubby, stubby body and his legs are skinny, and he's just...goat-like.

And this, this is my baby:

Oh, Kingsley.
I try not to show favoritism. I love both of my puppies.

But will you just look at that face?!

Poor, poor Fletcher.

By the way. This is where all the magic happens:

You may notice that the drawers have no handles. And you would be correct in that assessment.
I don't complain, though. Daniel found me a desk for $5.00 on Craiglist, painted it the same color as my Anthropologie card, and I am a happy camper.

A Notable Success

2009-12-12T22:28:00.003-06:00

Daniel and I have just returned from the Christmas party. It was great fun. In the White Elephant gift exchange I walked away with some Coffee Liquor. I would call that a notable success.

This is Cassidy. She doesn't actually work with me. Her mother-in-law is my boss and we go to church together. I love her and I think she's lovely. And she always says things like, "I want to trade closets with you," which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. We also want to have babies together. (I mean at the same time...does that make sense?)

This is Heather. I actually do work with her (she's on the right). She and her husband Jeremy are expecting their first baby next June. Since I'm with her every day, it's been fun to experience all the ups and downs of pregnancy...without actually experiencing it. I think she's having a girl--even though everyone else thinks she's having a boy.

Finally, here's "the girls." We all work together, and tonight we partied together. Women, women everywhere.

Doesn't my head look large?

I never, ever remember opening my mouth half way like that, but it always looks that way in pictures.

The biscotti and Hot Artichoke Dip were a big hit. I'll have to try that again sometime.

Also...

2009-12-12T16:19:00.001-06:00

I entered a little B&W photography contest (just for fun).
Here's what I entered...

Christmas Party

2009-12-12T16:17:00.000-06:00

Tonight my coworkers and I will be gathering together for a Christmas party. We're all supposed to bring a little something to eat and a White Elephant gift.
For food, I'm bringing vanilla biscotti with toasted almonds, chocolate chips, drizzled in chocolate and a hot artichoke dip (with blue corn tortilla chips).
For White Elephant, I can't tell you or I'd have to kill you.

He.

2009-12-09T08:35:00.005-06:00

This is my charming, handsome husband Daniel.

He likes to wear Daniel Cremieux shirts. Or pants. Or jackets. Or ties.

He also likes to wear $10.00 canvas shoes from Wal-Mart. I think he used to get them from Academy, but they started printed a visible label somewhere on the shoe. And he just couldn't handle that.

He works in Texas politics and he's very passionate about his job. Sometimes he gets me really fired up about things. Like last night, as I was drifting off into a peaceful slumber, he started telling me about this evil Texas politician in Tarrant county. Then my blood pressure started rising and I had to rant. I always wonder why I can never get to bed early, no matter what I do.

He also likes to scare me in the shower. I try to tell him that the shower is probably one of the most hazardous places to scare me. Taking a shower is dangerous enough in the first place. He'd really hate himself if I slipped and died. They'd ask him, 'How did she die?' and he'd answer, '...Something startled her in the shower.' And no one would ever know the truth. Years later, a curious reporter might review the police report and say to himself, 'It just doesn't add up...she demonstrated such good balance the last two years of her life. She did yoga..."
Then Daniel would have the curious reporter taken out by a hitman and the truth about my death would die with him...
Also, I have had a life-long fear of something bad happening to me when I am undressed. For example, I just don't understand why anyone would ever sleep naked. I mean, anything could happen. What if the house catches on fire and you don't have time to grab a robe before the flames engulf your body? You'd have to climb out the window without a shred of clothing, and the whole neighborhood would see you. And your naked, charred flesh.
Anyway...
He gets the biggest kick out of it.

Daniel also likes to start lots of projects.

He also takes really, really good care of me. Everytime I go out of town I come home to an extremely clean house and some surprise (which is followed by an awkward moment because I never know how to act when someone gives me something. And I'm just awkward.). It kind of makes me want to go out of town a lot.

I love him more than I love espresso, and in exactly one week, I will be married to this man three years. Three years I've survived shower attacks--that's pretty good, I think.

Merry Christmas to me.

2009-12-08T11:38:00.003-06:00

In case you are here because you want to know everything about me, you should know that I am not a huge fan of surprises.
I don't hate surprises, I just don't love them. Get it? Don't expect any amount of histrionics from me if you surprise me. It just doesn't happen. It's not you, it's me. I know. I'm a defective human being, but what can you do?
This is something I suspect I inherited from my father. I don't know if he likes surprises or not, but as long as I can remember he has been a gift snooper. Or he just buys himself a gift and tells us thanks for getting him a gift.
I kind of did that this morning.
I told Daniel if I didn't have a wide aperture lens to use in Colorado, well, I might just die.
So I picked out a super cheap starter lens (no zoom...but fuggedaboudit - only $80 on B&H photography!) and told him that only this lens can save me...so if he was hoping to prove his love to me this holiday season...before I die because of my lack of lenses...

Scheduled to arrive 12-14-09
And not a moment too soon!

The Rainy Day

2009-12-07T20:19:00.005-06:00

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

PW's Bag of Goodies

2009-12-04T19:12:00.011-06:00

First off, I want to say that when I showed the girls at work this picture...

...despite the fact that I have no lips when I smile and my hair appears to be a peculiar shade of green, they said, "You look like you could be related!"

?

Anyway. I mentioned before that I gave PW a little gift bag. And then a string of slurred words.
Well, she didn't open the bag right then and there. She was probably a little disturbed and confused because of my inability to speak. But she was kind enough to say, "Turning on your camera is an important step in taking pictures!" (yeah, I forgot to turn on my camera), and then she said, "Ooh thank you! I can't wait to see what it is!"
So here's what I gave her (to channel Julie Andrews, "a few of my favorite things"):

Sebastian Whipped Cream
This stuff is truly, truly, amazing. And when you dispense it, it really looks like whipped cream. But it's not food. It's heavenly hair product that I love.

Aquage Beyond Shine
This stuff is pretty awesome. Makes your hair shiny. Like diamonds and pearls. And it smells funky in a good way.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Treatment
This stuff really is a miracle. Ignore the tacky packaging. This stuff gives your hair amazing softness and overall health. I love it.

These items are only available in professional salons. You can't just pop into Wal-Mart and pick up this stuff.
(Actually, I think due to diversion you can but you shouldn't. No no.)
Did you have any idea I had such great hookups?

The Pioneer Woman

2009-12-03T20:37:00.004-06:00

I tried to think of a clever title, but I couldn't. My brain isn't functioning right because I've been standing in heels in a 90 degree room with a bunch of pregnant women for 4 hours.
Why?

All because of this blog.A crowd begins to form...

Ree, The Pioneer Woman, stopped in Austin this evening for her The Pioneer Woman Cooks book tour, and I was totally there. Originally I had planned on going with friends...but they all bailed on me, so I had to face the dreadful, growing social anxiety building inside me and go it alone. I was determined to get my book signed.
My dear, amazing husband was kind and patient enough to show up at Austin's Book People at 3:30 in the afternoon to get me a wristband. He did so well that he even got me into the very exclusive, top secret six o'clock signing. Okay, so it wasn't that secret. But it was sort of exclusive. Only about 50 ladies got to go upstairs at 6 rather then 7 when the book-signing was scheduled.
I stood around looking at the kids' section for a long time, most of the time stressing about I don't know what. Butterflies I guess. And I was ALL ALONE.
But finally I decided to awkwardly start up conversation with an innocent bystander who was clinging, like me, for dear life to her precious cook book. I think I said something stupid like, "Here to get your book signed?"
Duh.
That's what her face said to me.

A few minutes later I was beckoned upstairs, with the 6:00 group, so I left her and made a new friend. She was originally from California, and is now a stay-at-home mom with her 7-month-old twins. A boy and a girl. And they were there! And terribly cute and well-behaved.
I was blabbing to her about goodness knows what. All I know is that some point I told her I was neurotic. And I don't even know what that means.

The 6 o'clock crew

I'm a stalker

Marlboro Man and the Punks bringing in the t-shirts - or - more stalker pictures

PW

There was also another little girl (about 3? or 7? I can never tell) in front of me named Abigail. At first I think she didn't like me because she would kick me, laugh, and then run away. But after a few minutes she started hugging me and wouldn't let go. I tried to act sweet and natural. I continued to try and act sweet and natural when she started crawling on the floor and stuck her head in between my knees. And stayed there. She told me she was pretending to be a squirrel.

Once we actually got into the room, where I was standing in line about 20 feet in front of PW, Abigail's attachment to me continued to grow. She started running across the room and then running at me full speed until she crashed into me with her full body weight.
Adorable, right?

Finally she got distracted when she noticed that rubbing her head on the carpet made her hair stick up. So she started rubbing her head on the floor. And that was the end of our tumultuous relationship.

This is where Abigail rubbed her head.

If I weren't camera-shy in reverse, I might have documented this in photos. But I simply did not. Also, I was being physically assaulted by a really adorable three year old.
Right about the time Abigail learned how to create static-electricity, it was my turn to meet Ree. And so I did. And we made up a secret handshake and became best friends forever and then she asked me to come live at the lodge.
Actually...
I gave her a small gift of my favorite beauty products, since I work for a beauty supply distributor. I started to tell her this, but my speech started slurring (nervous much?) so I stuck with, "Hi" and "Thanks" and finally, "Bye."

Ree, me, and my lipless smile that I've had to embrace. Because God made me that way.

Her sister Betsy was there, looking trim and cute. She gave me a t-shirt. I'll love her forever because she told me the shirt sizes ran very small, held up the smallest size, and said, "This will definitely fit you."

That's Betsy in the gray shirt.

Thanks, Betsy.
I hope the shirt fits.

After that it was time to return downstairs and wait for Ree's Q&A. The crowd had grown enormous, so I got stuck standing behind a bookshelf in front of these two charming ladies:

They told me they were trying to look stupid--in hopes that Ree would put up a picture of them on her blog. I told them I'd put them on my blog, but they didn't seem too impressed. Even when I told them my mom reads it.
I don't think they look stupid. Well. Maybe. A little.
Plus, they turned out to be friends with benefits because they let me stand up on their stools and take pictures of Ree. And this guy...

He wanted us to cheer for Ree because she's a rock star. So we did.
And, after yelling, "FOUR SECONDS!" she floated gracefully down the stairs.

Then she apologized for the 4-second delay. She had to pee.
And then she opened the floor for questions. She was gracious and funny and kind.

Ree speaking; her family to the right on the stairs.

After that I headed home with my loot: a signed book and a really cute t-shirt. I had a wonderful time!!