Monday, March 30, 2009

Katie Beth,

Yes, I am posting just for you!

I saw your comment on my last post and my reaction was "heck yes I want to keep reading your blog!"

Then, I went to go tell you that, and I couldn't!

I searched high and low for any additional contact information, but, alas, I could not find it.

So, in seeing I am in the predictament that I am, please let me know how to be added.

Also, I understand protecting your blog.
There are some weirdos out there.
Like someone who does an entire blog to you even though you have never met, haha!

I Like It, I Love It, I Want Some More of It- #3



I'm dead serious.

This thing goes with me EVERYWHERE!

It fits in my purse.

I take it with me shopping, to church (you know how thirsty you can get!) to meetings, on road trips, on walks.

Seriously.

And I refill it just before bed and leave it next to my bed for the night.

I love how much water I drink with this thing always around.

I'm not really a water drinker, you see. I was born and raised a Kool-Aid girl.

Then there is my slight milk infatuation. Did you know Ian and I go through almost 4 gallons of milk a week? I kept track this past week, and it's true! I told my momma and daddy that, and the first thing they asked was "well, is it at least slim?"

haha, yes.

Right, water. I always get sidetracked on here, but it seems so important in the moment!

I get through at least two a day (that's a total of 40 oz!) I'm working my way up to a third refill.

The best thing, is that it is less than 4 dollars! And ours was sold near the bottled drinks in our grocery store. They have another kind that is not a pop top, but opens up and is more "pourable," which, to me, translates as "spillable," so I vetoed that one.

Go out and get one!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Blogging Book Goal- Book #10

I told you I was reading fast!


Technically, I finished this book the same day I finished my last book, but I spaced out the reviews a little bit to give you all a break.


My next book, was a non fiction book. I really struggle with reading nonfiction. It is *technically* to blame with my generation, or so my professors have all told me. A big movement in education and teaching is to emphasize reading the nonfiction books, but that was not the case when I was in school. They say you have to practice reading nonfiction, so I am really just beginning that journey.



For Women Only

By Shaunti Feldhahn

Ian's aunt gave us this set of books (there is a For Men Only, as well,) for our wedding gift, and I have been rather skeptical about them.

After all the talk about marriage books lately, I decided to read through one that we already had! And this was my choice.

Plus, it has a really neat cover.

And let's be honest. I totally judge a book by its cover.

Do you?

( a real book people! not a person!)

I LOVED IT! It was real, it was applicable, and it encouraged great conversations between Ian and I.

I really think it changed my way of thinking on several things, and I am so excited to put into practice some of the things that I learned!

I would recommend this book to anyone. Ever. Married or single. Man or woman. Really!

I know I am going to reread it in a year or two as a refresher as well!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

My Little Zoom Zoom

I've been thinking about my car lately.



First, I took it to get its oil changed, which was long overdue.

Then, I washed it, inside and out, and it is now sparkling!

Then, I took it on a mini road trip. Well, I took it on a road trip to the airport!



But...it's all the same.



I thought I would share the story of my car to you all!



Back in high school, my parents made a deal with me.

Get a 100 percent scholarship to a college, and, since they wouldn't have to pay tuition, they would buy me a car.

Sweet deal, right?



It was!

The biggest hurdle would be accomplishing that SAT score. Bleh.

But I did, the summer after my sophmore year. Technically I reached the 100 percent scholarship SAT level on my first try, so, naturally, I didn't even bother retaking it once I had another year of math under my belt (probably my biggest regret- just so I could beat Ian's score!)



That summer, my parents took me car shopping. We didn't really know what we were looking for, but we wanted something super safe, and something that would last a while and transition with me into being a grown up. Also, we looked for a car that I could tote kids around in! Ha! Not many 16 years olds include that in their car check list!


Have I mentioned how lucky I am that my parents were able and willing to provide their teenage daughter with a car? Because I am. Very VERY lucky. And blessed.


Within 2-3 hours, we found it!





A 2003 Mazda Protege! Except mine is dark green.

Oh how I love that little car!

And it has loved me back, let me tell you!

I have never had anything really go wrong with it (minus a battery about three years in, and a window mechanism this year,) and has been super easy to take care of!

*knock on wood*

Wouldn't want it to suddenly burst into flames after all!

Seriously.

That would not be cool.

At all.

*Correction. I wrote this post about two days ago, but on my drive to the airport, I was reminded of one "minor," error with my little zoom zoom.

About two years about, I was in a hit and run accident while sitting at a red light (it was pretty horrible, let me tell you! My arm was pinned in between the door and the seat, and I couldn't get the police/paramedics attention, and I couldn't reach my phone, and no one came to check on me for almost 10 minutes! They were checking on the car behind me first, and I just sat there crying.. stuck. It was sad. Then it dawned on them that there was another car in the accident and they came up to my door, and were like "open the door." and I was all "I caaaaaaan't. My arm is pinned!!!!! Of course, all of that was said within hysterical sobs. Then there was all sort of scrambling and then I was unpinned!)

Right. SO, my car got a new door, and some other parts, but what we didn't realize was that in the shake up of the accident, my radio/cd player was damaged and should have been replaced. Only, we realized that AFTER the insurance paid for everything else to be fixed!

So now, I have a hysterical clock radio/ CD player. The buttons don't do what they say they are going to do. You have to "try" different buttons to, say, skip a song. And then, darn it, it just ejected my CD! And then you have to start all over again.

Sometimes I give it a good ol' slam with my hand, and, like magic, it works again.

The best though, is definitely the clock. It often freezes on one time, and I will be driving, thinking to myself "Wow, 1:55, I have made GREAT time! Maybe I won't be late!" and then it dawns on me about my little clock problem, and I slam my hand, and.... 2:05!!!!

Yup.

My friend Katie loves "slamming," my clock. It actually is very fulfilling. I promise!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Blogging Book Goal- Book #9

I really whizzed through the next two books! I feel like I am really getting back into the swing of reading for enjoyment, instead of having to force myself to read because I was in a reading slump!


First up, I read a fiction book! I love fiction, I can usually just breeze right through them, and I get SO involved in the story line!


I am falling in L-O-V-E with Jane Austen, like I never thought possible! I chose Northanger Abbey as my next Austen book to read, because, well, I thought it sounded neat.

Then, I read the back, and I was hooked!

I stormed through that book in three days! Though, truthfully, it really isn't that big.

I loved the characters and the setting (I really want to go to Bath, England now!) and I love how the premise of the entire story is about a young woman's imagination getting the best of her.

Because I never have that problem *sheepish grin!*

My only complaint, is that it does not actually get to the plot/climax of the book until chapter 24 out of 30! The first 23 chapters were basically the characters walking around talking, and I was waiting for the drama to commence.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

30 Things

I'm working on a slew of new posts for the next week, but I thought I could tide you all over with this rather different meme.



1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?

Heavens no! I think I would just about pass out. Or cry. I'm not sure which one would be more embarrassing!

2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster?

No way! I like to enjoy every minute of it. One trip to Busch Gardens though, my cousin Kyle and I tried to whistle on the roller coasters. Too bad I can't whistle!

3. When is the last time you've been sledding?

Um, never. Only time I have ever seen snow was when I was in the Middle East. And it snowed for like, half an hour. I'd like to see real snow and go skiing, sledding, and tubing one day though!

5. Do you believe in ghosts?

No. I tend to not believe in most things I can not see. In fact, up until middle school, I didn't believe dinosaurs ever existed. I remember giving my cousins a real hard time about it too! Shame on me.

6. Do you consider yourself creative?

Yes, very. I haven't quite found the perfect outlet for my creativity yet. I need something that is relatively cheap or free. I guess my blog is my outlet right now!

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?

I was barely conscious. And, not to sound horrible, I don't care.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?

Definitely Jennifer Aniston. Jolie creeps me out for some reason. I refuse to watch movies with her in it. But, I love LOVE love, Jennifer Aniston, mainly because of FRIENDS.

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?

Hmmm. Maybe. I think more than the average American. It's hard because if I compare myself to my husband's vast knowledge of it, I'd look like a preschooler! I try to read political news everyday, and am relearning the names of the cabinet member with this new presidency.

10. Do you know how to play poker?

No, (shakes head in shame.) Ian (my husband,) tried to teach me in AP english, our senior year. It really went right over my head! Kind of like chess. I really REALLy want to learn chess but poker? Not so much.

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?

Heck no! I need my sleep. Not a lot of it, but a normal 6-8 hours every day. I could probably make it 20 hours before absolutely breaking down/passing out.

12. What's your favorite commercial(s)?

haha! Just thinking about it made me laugh! The one commercial for Hotels Dot Com, where the guy pours shampoo over his head in pure joy. Reminds me of when my suave husband took half a dozen "key lime" flavored shampoo from our honeymoon resort. hahaha. Or from FRIENDS when Ross takes everything that's not nailed down.

Haven't seen it? Check it out HERE.

13. Who was your first true love?

Ian, my husband. I'm very lucky.

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?

no no no no no. I'm terrified of getting in trouble. Sad, I know. I'm not necessarily terrified of doing the wrong thing, I'm terrified of the consequences (or potential for consequences!)

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?

Hmmm. Probably. I'm sure of it.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?

Ew. Neither. No way. Absolutely not. They are both "yankees," to me! Atlanta Braves is my team!

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?

Yes, and I'm pretty darn good at it, I think. The only horrible accident I witnessed at a rink was when my cousin sliced his chin open, but since the ice slowed the bleeding, it was awhile before the damage was realised!

I'm really reminiscing about my cousins eh? Well, you should check out Kyle's blog HERE.

18. How often do you remember your dreams?

Pretty much every night. If I talk about them right after I get up, I'll remember them more permanently. If not, it's gone within an hour or so.

19. What's the one thing on your mind?

Eh?!?
Um..
Blogs?
I don't understand this one.

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?

Yes. Please see number 14 for a deeper explanation.

21. What talent do you wish you had?

Singing. I do not, under almost any circumstance, have an acceptable singing voice. It makes me sad.

22. Do you like Sushi? .

No. I ate it to please my father in law once. I think I spat it out. It was pretty funny.

23. What do you wear to bed?

Pajama pants and a tank top

24. Do you truly hate anyone?

No. Growing up my parents were very firm in their definition of "hate," as being wanting someone to be dead. I understood very early that it was not to be a part of my vocabulary.

26. Do you know anyone in jail?

Not currently.

27. What food do you find disgusting?

Hmm. I really had to think about this one. Probably lobster. To think that you have to crack through their outer shell to get to their meat disgusts me. Plus, I am not found of fish (hence the sushi dislike.)

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?

Hahahahaha.

yes. But not in a mean spirited way. In fact, I would do the same thing in front of them if only they were there!

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?

No, I don't think so. My brother in law smacked my face with a football once (on accident,) and I blacked out and got a black eye. Two days before Thanksgiving. Awesome.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?

oh yes. that's different from ghosts, though alot of people may confuse the two.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Errands

Yesterday I spent my day running errands.

Now, that may sound boring to you, but I love accomplishing something on a list.

Checking it off.

Check
Done
Complete
Finito
Hullus

Yessssss.

Right. So yesterday I got up, made Ian's lunch and dinner for him to take with him, showered, got the apartment ready for some fire inspection, and headed out.

My first stop, the Christian book store.

You see, when I was 18, I got my first credit card offer from my favorite Christian book store, and after talking to my parents and my sister, and after realizing my best friends were getting it (haha, oh boy,) I applied and received the card. Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with my errands yesterday, but hang in there, I'm getting to it!

Three years into having the card, and receiving the awesome 10 dollar gift certificates as spending bonuses, the book store dropped the card, and it was then run by MBNA. bummer. No more gift certificates. And I didn't want to get rid of it, because I had done amazing with it, earning myself a great credit score, and I didn't have any other one.

THEN, the bookstore sent an apology note, for dropping the card, and....12 ten dollar gift certificates!!!!

Unfortunately, I can only use one a month. But still! That's ten dollars off of an item that is usually 13-15 dollars!

I plot out well in advance what each gift certificate is going to.

This month, I bought "The Five Love Languages," because I wanted to make sure I had it in our library.

Next month? The new Gosselin book, of course! It is released on the 14th, I believe. AND I have a 20 percent off coupon, which will make it free!

Right. So, I went to the bookstore, then drove over to our mall to get my Clinique powder. I took a quick jaunt to the food court for a sub, then walked the long way back to my car. It was gorgeous outside!

Off I went to the bank to deposit my husbands paychecks.

Then, off to Target for some toilet paper, air freshener (the damp stank is back in our apartment,) and some shampoo.

Finally, last stop of the day, I headed to get my oil changed! Shame on me for waiting so long. I also made the oil guy right down all of the necessary maintenance, because they keep telling me some liquid is a horribly wrong color, but I keep forgetting which one!

Usually I am really nervous going to the oil place because I get a little creeped out. Luckily, I had a really nice man helping me today and the process went smoothly.

I drove home, unloaded the car, and decided to clean up my little car.
I've had my car for 6 years (can you believe it Mom and Dad?) and I usually keep really good care of it. But, having a lack of garage and driveway here in an apartment complex, it's upkeep has been waning. I spent a good hour cleaning, scrubbing, detrashifying, vaccuuming, and washing my car!

I love, love, LOVE, having a clean car. Especially because it makes it look so much newer!
The only thing my car needs is a new set of floor mats.
Other than that, it would look brand new!
I love my car.

More on my car later, I promise.
Aren't you on the edge of your seat?
No?
That's a shame.

Then, I came inside, and completely crashed for about 45 minutes. Then I worked on some paperwork and getting caught up on some emails.

It was a great, productive day!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Happy Birthday....

Madison!You are growing up into a beautiful young woman, (alright, young teen, I can't quite concede to the young woman part yet!) You are strong, and wise. You are a leader, and a comforter. You are witty, and smart! (pictured here with our cooking bowl on her head. Goof.)

You, out of all of your siblings, are the most like me. Which makes you, believe it or not, my bosom buddy. (you'd probably giggle at the word bosom!) Even at an early age, you were my type of no nonsense "give it to me straight," kind of girl! You fell in love with reading and teaching, and melted my heart with your desire to grow up like me. (pictured here as my guinea pig for an "art in the elementary school," assignment.)

Your smile and your laugh get me every time! And you are always ready for adventure! (pictured here after UCF's homecoming parade one year.)

And you, of all people, are quick to notice the absurdity in my schemes. Practical with a twist of imagination, oh how I love you Maddy! (pictured here at the neighborhood pool. Our semi regular haunt the summer I got my driver's license!)


Your favorite thing to do, to get me either A.) laughing, or B.) storming mad, is to sing this ridiculous song you wrote about "Rolling on the Bed." Just thought you would like to know, even when storming mad, I was laughing on the inside! (pictured here with her younger brother and myself in the UCF honors garden, after a UCF baseball game.)

Even at your eleven years old age, I find great comfort in your hug. I will always remember you as that breath of fresh air that you were/are. I love your smiles. I love your hugs. I love your jokes. I love your songs. I love your grumps. I even love your tantrums. (umm, I think.)
(pictured here in my kitchen, after an attempt at making dirt cake and monkey bread.)


But most of all....
I love YOU, Madison!
Thanks for being a special "cousin/sister," to me all of these years. I am so honored to be a part of your life for the past 11 glorious years.
Love,
Brittney



Monday, March 23, 2009

Mundane Monday

I am feeling a little too lazy today to post anything of significance, so, here is a picture of my husband in Budapest.

Which, I am totally not bitter over the fact that he went by himself and left me ALL. BY. MY. SELF. for a week.

He claims it was for a "school" field trip, but...

Come ON!

He wanted you to know that it is the Danube River. Also, the building in the background is the Hungarian Parliament building.

His hair is also extremely long here, which is abnormal for him.
And I really would like to go back there with him one day.

One Day.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Blogging Book Goal- Book #8


This book has kind of a funny story behind it.


You see, on Sunday, when finishing reading the book "East of Eden," I was talking to my friend Courtney about which book I would read next. I was having trouble deciding, besides the fact that I knew I wanted to read a non fiction book. After getting off the phone with her, and perusing our home library, I found a book that reminded me of Courtney.


Last spring, we were both in our internship at an Orlando elementary school together, and every day, at the end of the school day, she would be out on the bench waiting for the girl she carpooled with. Sometimes she would be on the phone, other times she would be grading papers, and then sometimes she would be reading. I remember her reading this one book "Praise Habit," by David Crowder (as in, the David Crowder Band,) and I remember her talking about it.


So, I chose that book! Because, hello! If one of my closest friends likes it, chances are, I'll probably like it.


Well.

Hmm.

Two days in, and I kept thinking "I love his music, but this dudes mind is WEIRD!"


So finally, I broked down and messaged her asking what she thought of it.


She told me she never read that book.

Hmmm.

So I messaged back asking what she read last spring.


And, when checking her response at our desk today, (she read "Don't Waste Your Life," by John Piper,) I literally leaned to the right of my screen to look at the bookshelf against the wall, and saw...right next to where I pulled Praise Habit out of, the book "Don't Waste Your Life."


I really should have read that book.


Because I think I just wasted four days of my life.


That's all I have to say about this book. I don't really recommend it. Maybe, perhaps, as a secondary reference or source for when you are studying your way through Psalms (it looks at 20 something psalms and he discusses them,) but, it is a strange book.


For example:

In the appendix there is a pictoral timeline of nuns through the ages.

And a picture of Peeps.

And he writes the entire lyrics for "Gilligans Island," and asks you to sing along.


.....

I did, in case you are wondering.

Just to, ya know, keep with the spirit of things.

Ian thought I had completely lost my marbles.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Photography


Back in the day, I loved Photography.

Absolutely adored it.

This was before the day of digital cameras and photo shop.

This was before the day of being able to see exactly what the picture would look like when you took it, and being able to retake a million if you so desire.

This was when I got to take pictures in Black and White and hand develop them in a dark room.

Ooooooo, the dark room.

I loved the dark room.
The quiet, the careful, exact movements.
The stepping through the turnstile out into the classroom lights, revealing your end product.
Man, I loved it.
I should really write my photography teacher.
and tell her how it's of no use now since you can't even buy film anymore.
hmmm, maybe I should not mention that.
I probably should also not mention the fact that learning how to develop in a dark room does you no good unless you actually have a dark room.
Yeah, I won't mention that.
My favorite thing to take pictures of was children. Probably because I was always surrounded by them.

See?

















I loooooved how these turned out.

Unfortunately, this is only 3 out of 4 of the kids. The youngest was, well, red and splotchy that day due to an allergic reaction. haha, poor foofy. Her pictures did not turn out all that attractive.

My favorite thing we learned about was called "tinting." Which is where you take a developed B&W, coat it with rubbing alcohol, and use oil pastel pencils to color it, giving it a really soft glowy-vintage kind of feel.

This one of Carter cracks me up. He was obsessed with that denim jacket for like a month, right around then, and you can see his Thomas shirt peeking through.

Plus, I love his little bangs.

He'd be SOOooo embarrassed to see this now. He is all suave and debonair now that he is 8.


I also loved taking pictures of special times. My favorite series of photographs, is from when my sister and I went to Magic Kingdom together. I can't find my favorite now (a picture of the rope bridge from the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House,) but as soon as I do I will post it!





My second favorite picture of all time, was probably because of my place in life. This was taken at the beginning of my senior year, on the people I nanny for's property. I spent alot of time there and I alwaays thought it was so beautiful- rustic, rural Florida. My best friend's car is in the foreground, and I just thought that it spoke wonders of the path and journey that I was about to embark on for college and grownup life.


Found!

While cleaning out my dungeon of a closet, you will never believe what I found!

Paintings!

When I was in Paris, I bought two little paintings of The Arch de Triumphe, and the Eiffel Tower!

And, apparently, tucked them away in my folder of kindergarten art work.

Duh.

And though I have looked enviously at my momma's prints that I brought back for her, I totally forgot about the ones I bought for myself.

Did I mention that trip was in 2006?

Sheesh.
And did I mention that the blue/green/gray's in these paintings will look amazing with my Pottery Barn bedroom when matted and framed?

I am so excited!






Thursday, March 19, 2009

Date Night

Last night, Ian and I got to go out on a rare date night.

Up until now, we have been blessed to have gift certificates from our wedding for restaurants and movies that we have been using. Seriously, what a blessing!! From now on, that will probably be what I give to couples for their wedding, it was just so nice to be able to go out, and not worry about tapping into our limited budget!

But now, we have used up the last of our gift certificates. Actually, last week was the last one, when we used our IHOP gift certificate for some pancake/omelet styled date night.

Our friend James finagled this evening, inviting his friend Sarah, our mutual friends Ben and Amanda (they got married about a month after Ian and I,) and us! We went to a Japanese Steakhouse here in G-Ville, and it was surprisingly good!

I'm not much of a sushi person- I don't like fish, and I don't like the texture of the non fishy ones, so I go with the not so classy grilled right in front of you stuff. YUM. And, to make my momma proud, I will let you know that the veggies (especially the zucchini,) is my favorite part of it all!

Afterwards, Ian and I went and walked around "the bookstore." You know, the one I worked at last summer/fall. It was just just to relax there, but was strange because I found myself straightening the books, checking shelf tags, and talking to my old supervisor (he got demoted :( . )

I did find this really neat book, but, unfortunately, I don't know the name of it, haha! It's a coffee table book on the most incredible 400 places in the world, or something like that. It was really enrapturing.

I did decide, that the next book I would buy would be the books, "The Phantom of the Opera," and "The Three Musketeers," in my favorite classic print that "the bookstore," has. All in all, a great date night! Also, in case you didn't know, I love my husband!

What a Week

No, it hasn't been particularly busy.


And, no, I haven't had a lot of, say, human interaction.


But I can say it has been a slightly hectic week!


As I said in my last post, I started the task of cleaning all of my classroom supplies and that segwayed into cleaning out our office/second bedroom's closet.


Then....


Two whole days passed.

And I was STILL working on that closet! Yesterday was taking care of alot of trash. Or rather, convincing myself to get rid of stuff that no one wants but I kept anyways.

For example: No, I don't need that old laptop battery that doesn't work and has been replaced.

No, I don't need that set of stickers the Aldermans gave me when I was ten.

No, I don't need to keep all of the cd's that no one listens to anymore. What? You don't want to listen to S Club Seven or Plus One?!? Are you crazy?

And then I moved on to the organization of the crazy things I buy to much of. Let me explain. Obviously I am not a big spender. Obviously. But there are things I will buy more of if I see a good deal, even when I don't need them. Such as : stationary, notepads, post-its, and pens.

Oh boy. I just need to avoid that whole front section of Tar-gay!

I laid out all of my sets of stationary, side by side, and let me tell you what! It stretched for at least 12 feet. I was shocked. I love how I organized all of those into a rubermaid container! Pictures to come in the next day or two.

Then, today happened. And I was just super tired, (Ian and I had a rough night of sleep-thank you text messages in the middle of the night waking us up!) I did finally get up, plan our menu for the next two weeks, load my car up with trash for the dumpster, go to the grocery store (two weeks+ of groceries for 120!) stopped by our apartment complex office to 1.) let them know we would not be renewing our lease and 2.) put in a mainenance request for our bedroom window (it keeps falling down and won't stay up when opened!

I came home and unpacked the groceries, cleaned up the trash, and fell asleep in front of the tv for awhile.

All the while, I WISH I could have been in blog land, but our internet has been on the fritz lately, and I just got it to work about an hour ago! Now it's several hours until husband gets home from his long day, and three hours until The Office!

I am going to prepare several posts, in case our internet pulls a fast one on us again!

Ta Ta

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

St. Patrick's Day

Funny how a big a "holiday," can become here in the US, isn't it? I find it amusing how we'll use any excuse to party.

Me? Well I did absolutely nothing today. And by nothing, I mean I kept myself busy inside the house for the entire day.

Woke up still not feeling good (I started feeling nauseous yesterday and dizzy,) and made myself go back to sleep until almost nine. Woke up still feeling like I was going to fall right over, but I made myself get up and eat something, before tackling the big project for the day.

You see, this weekend, Ian and I finally unloaded all of my teaching stuff from the car. And then it just SAT in our beautiful office, making it look and feel very cluttered. So, today it was my job to unpack, sort out, and reorganize all of the books, including the four boxes going to my friend Olyvia (I hope you have room!) And then, naturally, it made me feel like cleaning out other parts of the spare closet, like my arts drawers, and organizing my stationary and correspondence material.

So I got all of Olyvia's books boxed up and put out by the door, and organized all of the books I would be keeping into three different age groups, and got SoMe of the closet put back together....

And then I got bored.

And distracted by a subproject.

And figuring out how to bake a potato in the microwave for my dinner (what?!? we don't eat potatoes ever!)

And now it's 11 o'clock at night and there are boxes, and crates, and the vacuum cleaner, and our old TV, sitting in the middle of our beautiful office. And husband keeps tripping over stuff.

But that's what tomorrow is for!

PS: I think I figured out I was somewhat dehydrated. I drank two glasses of water and within half an hour I felt perfectly fine. Which was weird, until I realized I have drunk nothing but milk for the last four days. Darn it.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Blogging Book Goal- Book #7

I did it!

Finally!

A month later, and I have finally finished John Steinbeck's "East of Eden."

Of course, it wasn't a continuous month of reading, but, still.

My review of this book is going to be short, because it is hard to say much about it without giving it away. So basically, I will tell you what the back of the book would tell you:

This book is about Adam Trask, and how he and his brother replicate Cain and Abel's falling out. Then Adam goes and marries a psychopath and have twins, who they name after Cain and Abel. Then you read and see if they too replicate the fall, in the next 400 pages.

I really did like this book. But since I read it so broken up and choppy, it's hard to tell sometimes. I would recommend reading it all within a week, so that you can keep up the ideas that Steinbeck wanted to have rolling around in your head as you read.

That's all. Now I am off to choose my next book.

KINGS

Tonight, NBC aired a new television show called "Kings." Ian and I decided it look really interesting and we decided we would give it a chance today, and decide if it would be worth following or not. You see, we really don't watch that many shows regularly. I watch Jon and Kate Plus 8 religiously, have Biggest Loser on but am usually multitasking during this time, and we both are enraptured with The Office, so really, only 2 shows.

I digress.

Within exactly 8 minutes, I noticed something peculiar.

The main character was visited by the national reverend and "anointed."
The main character's name was David Shepherd.
His mother's name is Jessie.
He is the youngest of 6 brothers.
He was sent to the battlefields, and took on the monster tank, named "Goliath."
He saved the king's son.

HAHAHAHA

Anyone recognize the story of David from the Bible?

I was immensely cheesed when I figured this out. (well it didn't take a genius that's for sure!)

I'm still undecided on if I like it or not. We'll see.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Yellow Dresses, Mancala, The Beach, and Cheesecake

Oh my weekend has been chock full of the most exciting things.

Seriously!

This time I have not one drop of sarcasm.

This time.

Seriously though! On Thursday I made a good choice, with some assistance, (thanks Katie!) to go to Orlando for my friend Courtney's brides maids (I'm one!) dress picking up. oi. sorry for the confusing sentence. I don't know how to clarify that.

I arrived in town around 3, hung out with my friend Katie K for an hour, dropped by the Vargas', popped into the Alderman's and fed those kiddos, and made a beeline for our 6 oclock dress picking up appointment.

Phew. I made it.

Only, we didn't really try on the dresses, (thank goodness. maybe that means I can lose 4 pounds and get a tan before puttong on the strapless yellow dress!)

Instead, we headed to get some ice cream (duh. We didn't have to put on a dress!) and then to the Bride's house to work on invitation stuff.

Finished that and crashed at my friend, Jessica's house for the night.

Woke up SUPER early, and drove across town to pick up my friend Raphaela, then we rode together to the beach and met up with all of the girls.

Fun FUN fun day at the beach. Just alot of laying around, pretending to read/work on homework/ do anything besides sleep in the sun,
but really,
we were just sleeping in the sun.

Left around 3 and got food for the first time that day. Thank you, golden arches.

It took forever to get back home, but that's alright. Took a shower and headed back to the Alderman's to spend time with the family. I played mancala with 8 year old Carter (he beat me,) read a book with five year old Abigail, and listened to Courtney (13,) and Madison (10, almost 11,) practice lines for their 8th grade/5th grade plays.

Mrs. Angela served me pizza and a resees egg like I was 8 again, but I still enjoyed it. She's the best. After we chased the kiddos to bed, we set up skype on her computer, and called my mom on it! Chatted for a little bit before heading to bed.

Crashed at Jessica's house again, and woke up SUPER early, because I had plans, people!

First I drove through our little downtown, because I hadn't seen the construction progress on my hometown church in months. IT'S HUGE!

Second, I drove by my alma mater. It's still butt ugly.

Third, I went to Tar-jay. What a great place. I got me a bridal shower card, an engagement card (my bro-in-law just proposed to his girlfriend the night before!) tissue paper, two luna bars, and a planner (more on that later.)

Fourth, I went to our mall and became somberly depressed at how many store fronts are empty. Our mall is going out of business I think. But that's alright, because Jessica and I came up with a great plan.

If only we had an investor who would buy it for us.

Um... and who wouldn't expect a profit back.

Ever.

Right. The mall.

Got my ring cleaned at the jewler (the sunscreen does NOT make a diamond sparkle.)
And THEN I got my toes done with some leftover birthday money.

Hong Kong Sunset. That is my favorite color on my toes. And it just so happened to match my coral colored dress I was wearing for the bridal shower.

Rushed back to Jessica's so I could ride with her to the shower, where we gorged ourselves on fresh fruit and chicken salad sandwiches, and delighted ourselves in Factory bought Cheesecake (hint hint.)

Met hubby in Altamonte where he was viewing a movie.

He kissed me profusely and told me that he missed me.

I batted my eyelashes and said "you're late."

He kissed me again and the weekend was perfect.

More weekend still available.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Europe Revisited- Part Four- Normandy

If you missed post one through three, on London, Oxford, and Paris, um.... just scroll down a little.



And, actually, we arrived there ON the anniversary of D-Day, so there were all of these veterans and such there, which made it really neat.
We had a mini lecture, and a private wreath laying ceremony (ps: on another blog, when talking about a wreath, one blogger called it a "reef," I didn't have the heart to correct her!)


Then we took a tour of the beach, and by tour, they said, LOOK! the beach!

Standing with our feet in the freezing North Atlantic.


The beach where so many men sacrificed their lives for freedom.




Then, Katie and I took a little tumble into a bunker. And landed on briars. For some reason it horrified me.







Me in front of Normandy beach






These next couple are taken at the International D-Day memorial.



















Jessica and I on the bus in between memorials!

That's it folks! We took a ferry back to England, stayed at a hotel near Heathrow, then left in the morning!







Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Europe Revisited- Part Three- Paris

Oh La LA!

Our third leg of our journey in Europe was a quick stop in Paris.

UMmmmm.

Literally.

We were in Paris for a little under 24 hours.

And, because I had stopped taking some of my medicine, I became VERY sick during this little part. Until I learned to take my medicine, of course.


At a restaurant, before leaving for Paris, I was all about the city of love, after all, I had studied French for 4 years and I was excited to be in the place I had learned so much about! Ummmm, and this is the picture I drew on my napkin.

Atop the Eiffel Tower. We weren't really supposed to go up. They gave us an hour to explore the grounds, but, by golly! I had come to Paris and I was going to go to the top. I am pretty sure we were all stressed out here, when we were thinking our bus had left us.


A view of the city from up top.




Funny little warning sign in the elevator that takes you up and down.


The Eiffel Tower



It was so neat to see! Hmmm. I thought I was taking a picture of the famous "Sacre-Couer," or Sacred Heart church. Instead, I took a picture of "Les Invalides," a war veteran hospital. Darn it.




Next stop: The Louvre



One of our group mates became ill and we had to wait for him in one of the galleries for awhile.




Now, hopefully you have read about THIS debaccle, and these pictures (and the limited amount of them,) won't surprise you one bit!




What a beautiful ceiling, right?



Then we became a little lost, and both of these pictures are some of my favorite! That's me in the black dress/shrug. The picture below shows me giving one of my looks of disgust/annoyance/superiority to my good friend, Ben.





Welcome to Notre Dame! And not in Indiana either. It was a Catholic holiday of some sorts, and the Cardinal was their performing a ceremony. Pretty neat to see!


The outside of Notre Dame

Oh, I just love sculpture work.


And this was some of my favorite! The details on these were spectacular, and I literally wanted to stand and stare outside instead of going inside!



The outside, once more. It doesn't look like the Disney movie very much, does it?



The following morning, we visited the home and sculpture garden of the famous artist Rodin.



His most famous statue, in the background here, is "The Thinker."


The gardens were absolutely beautiful, and were a great way to start our morning out!



The Thinker, with "Les Invalides," in the background.


Our chaperonnes were planning their daughter's wedding, and kept taking pictures of different flowers in order to get ideas for her flowers! It made me laugh.



Like I said. I really really really like sculptures.




Alot.
And that was the end of it! In 24 hours, we barely got to dip into the cultural history that Paris has to offer! I definitely want to go back and give it another chance, because I came away feeling like there wasn't much there, but I know that is just because of how rushed we were.