Fun Friday

Image from RoadFly.com

Is it just me, or do Honda Fits have more fun?

Every time I see a Fit, there are at least two people inside, windows down, singing, dancing, and partying. For real. Half of the time, I see them when I'm running in the middle of the day, so they could just be college students taking a drive in between classes. In which case, it means it's a cheap car to own with good gas milage, and college parents buy them.

However, I've resigned myself to thinking it's just the most fun car to own. One cute couple Tyler and I know own a Fit. They are pretty a-mazing, so it could just be Honda Fit owners are more fun. I'm not sure if the car actually makes them more fun or if being fun is a prerequisite to buying the car, but it's true.

I dare you to look around for a party car (what I call a car where an obvious good time is happening). I bet it will be a Fit. Sadly enough, I've never even been in one, so I cannot let you know if riding in one makes you more fun or not.

Some party music for your Friday afternoon.

I cannot wait for a *fingers-crossed* relaxing weekend. Have a great one!

Let's Be Honest - Habits

I'm 26-years-old and I still bite my fingernails. I've never once used fingernail clippers on them. Never.

I like my bad habits. I like biting my nails, chewing gum at all moments, and putting my elbows on the table during dinner. There is something comfortable about our own habits. While they may be unacceptable or social faux pax, they are familiar, comfortable, and homey.

Isn't that why we don't give them up —why we won't give up picking at scabs, constantly checking our phones for new updates, or twirling our hair? They are our comfort. It's what we do when we're on a long car ride and can't sit still. It's the way we clean the refrigerator out when we're stressed. It's a habit, a comfort mechanism. It's wasting all the hours watching Netflix or meandering through Pinterest or BuzzFeed. We love what we know.

It's funny the way we crave our own habits, no matter how disgusting or random they may be, but we are frustrated by or downright hate those of people around us. For instance, I absolutely do not mind when I leave my clothes (habitually) on the chair in mine and Tyler's bedroom. It's near my bed, it's convenient if I don't feel like putting clothes up, which happens regularly, and I can just pick and choose from clothes. This happens especially if I've worn something once but it's not quite dirty enough to go in the laundry hamper.

However, Tyler cannot stand when the chair looks like a clothes pile instead of a chair. And I cannot stand when he takes off his shoes in the doorway to our room, which I inevitably trip over. I can understand him taking his shoes off — hallelujah! I'm home from work and getting comfortable — but at the same time, I cannot stand falling all over his size 11's every time I walk in the room.

Don't get me wrong, we all idealize getting rid of our bad habits. We all think the world would be better if we put our clothes away immediately or worked on that project, exercised, or spent time with friends. However, we cling to what we know, not willing to change, not willing to grasp that ideal.

They say it takes 30 days of not doing something in order to break a habit. I didn't bite my fingernails for 2 months this past summer, and I'm back to biting them down to the quick. It may be that I'm under more stress now that I'm teaching again, it may be that I wish I had long fingernails to paint beautiful fall colors, but I'm still biting them.

Why do we stop ourselves from the process of change? I think it's because of shortsightedness. We choose to only see what is in front of us right now instead of thinking about the long term. Instead of thinking of what we're called to do, how we are called to live, who we are called to live, we think about the latest episode of whatever show is "in" right now or what color to dye our hair. And we find comfort in the habits we know because we're ignoring other important things.

Just some thoughts about habits and why I don't like to change.

Breakfast of Champions

One of the new things in my life is a good breakfast. I'm not a breakfast eater. I'd rather just fast breakfast, have a cup of coffee, and eat an early lunch. However, when trying to run six miles in the morning before lunch, breakfast is essential and coffee is bad news.

When my German friend was visiting, (see our fun times here) she introduced me to her typical breakfast. It's a greek yogurt or plain yogurt base with lots of additions, including oats, nuts, and fruits. I was really excited to try something new, though the thought of adding grapes to greek yogurt freaked me out a bit. However it proved to be one of the best, most filling breakfasts I've had in a while. And it's healthy and energy building for training.

Mixed Up Goodness

What you need:
- 1 cup greek yogurt (whatever flavor you like - I usually get vanilla)
- 1 handful of rolled oats
- Sliced fruit (I have tried apples, bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries so far)
- A handful of nuts or nut/seed trail mix
- flax seed, cinnamon, raisins or dried fruit, chia seed, peanut butter (optional)

What I love about this recipe is that I can add whatever I feel like eating or whatever we have in the pantry that morning. It's still going to taste great. I've added cinnamon a few times when I had plain yogurt and this morning I added a small spoonful of peanut butter. It was pretty delicious...inspired me to write this post at least.

My Amazing Hunk O'burnin Man Love.

Earlier today:

I'm in the middle of class, "working" while my students are helping each other revise their papers. I've already made my rounds for questions, so I figured, "Why not? I'll just check out the good ole Facebook." 

One of my friends posted this cute-o picture from this past weekend, so I decided to comment on it. No big deal. Of course, I go to mention how Tyler and I have our own picture taken in that same spot and what happens?

My iPad auto correct changes "Tyler" to "My amazing hunk o'burnin man love."

Yes, I'd been foiled. Number one, I really didn't proofread my post and so I of course pressed enter before I realized my post looked like this:

And then Number two, I have no clue how to change it. And he knows that — the obvious reason he did this.

I tried to write an email, hoping it was only a Facebook joke. Nope. My whole entire iPad has been changed.

Oh, my amazing hunk o'burnin man love.

That's what I get for letting this guy update to me the new IOS. That's what I get from the husband who regularly has dates with Siri. I've walked into the den several times only to find him asking her all sorts of things. I may have to start getting jealous. That's what happens when your husband buys you a technology toy for your birthday, organizes it for you (to his preference), and uses it just as much. 

So for now, until I can figure out how to fix it (or look up directions online), if you get a reference to my amazing hunk o'burnin man love, that's how Tyler wishes I would refer to him.

Soil Milk

A Typical Conversation:

Me: (In a constipated voice) Awwwwww....look at that baby. Sooo cute. Awwww.

Tyler: Yeah. He really is cute.

Me: I need a baby.

Tyler: (silence)

Me: Ok. I need a baby someday. Definitely after my half marathon. Only a month to wait.

Tyler: (pause)...yeah. Some day.

I've got the itch. Every baby I see is adorable, even if they were just born and look more alien than human. I mean, E is eight and there is barely any baby left in him. Only when he sleeps does he look reminiscent of his baby self.

Generally, I show Tyler a picture of a cute baby at least once a day. Maybe more, depending on how many friends post pictures of their kids on Facebook (so keep posting them guys. Maybe I can wear him down).

The other night in the car I got on the baby topic for probably the third time this week. Then, to make my argument even more sound, I starting bringing up all the cute things E used to do when he was small, like call soy milk "soil milk" and take a sip of his drink and smack his lips and say, "ahhh."

I don't think Tyler was convinced, though he smirked.

I know Tyler and I are young. I know we've only been married a year and 2 months. However, babies are just so fluffy and attractive, and everyone is pregnant these days. I mean, if you can't beat them...and we definitely can't beat all the pregnant women around. So we may as well join them.

This is my perspective at least. Tyler does want kids, but I will just have to wait until we are both ready. Until then, I'll keep sighing and drooling over everyone else's babies. Who can help it? I can't. They're just such rolly pollies.

So young.

Click here for a cute baby slideshow.

And one more cute one of E. I can't resist.

New Beginnings

It's almost officially Fall (Eeeee!!!) and while Spring is typically considered the season of new beginnings, I'd like to nominate Fall to replace Spring. The beginning of the school year just makes everything feel new.

Last night I found myself making a new meal I found on Pinterest, Spinach-Artichoke Baked Pasta, to go over to our friends' new home for the beginning of our new small group. It was pretty delicious and less than $10 to make.

Spinach-Artichoke Baked Pasta

I met some new people (no pic - I didn't want to be the creepy girl taking pictures of the new guys) and really enjoyed getting to know some people from our church I hadn't interacted with before.

We are studying a new book, How People Change by Paul Tripp.

The weather was gorgeous for the cookout. Blue sky, nice breeze, no clouds. I'm enjoying the forecast for the rest of the week as well. Usually we're still in the 80's around here. Saturday is looking like the perfect day for a football game!

My hair is finally long enough to sport a new style. Hallelujah! I got a braid out of it last night. It's hard to see because my hair is so dark and we have bad lighting in our house, but I'm pretty pumped to make it this far.

Long enough for a braid!

Everything feels refreshed, crisp, and clean.

Here's a song for your new season.

Let's Be Honest - Students Forever!!

I'm finding more and more students start school because it's "what you do" and the expected thing for success. They have no interest in what they're learning and have no clue what the heck they want to do with their lives. This seems like a recipe for scholarship loss and drunken debauchery.

Now some weird kids just like learning, I was one of these, and they can go to college all life long. Actually, they will do well in college but run the risk of never getting out, never being content with how much they know, never wanting to graduate and enter the real world of adults. I could go to college forever and enjoy it. In fact, when I graduated from Francis Marion University with my undergraduate degree, I had 155 credit hours (120 is the norm). I earned my degree in English with a minor in Mass Communications. I definitely took some Education classes, extra science classes (I love Astronomy) and even took some pre-nursing courses, thinking nursing school would be better than being out of college. When I decided nursing was what people in my life wanted me to do rather than what I wanted to do, grad. school was the next event on the horizon. So I did some more school.

Some part of me thrives on working on papers until the last minute. Some part of me loves exams, tests, and reading critical sources. Some part of me loves being poor and having no money just so I can enjoy learning, reading, studying in coffee shops, and staying up late. I definitely didn't have the normal college experience because I lived at home and had an infant/toddler/child during my years of school. I didn't love school for the "college experience." I loved it for the learning and the professors.

I think this is why I've ended up in the field of teaching. It's almost like being in college, but not quite. I still have the random hours (forget trying to remember my schedule, my husband doesn't even attempt that), and I still have homework at night. I definitely don't enjoy assigning homework and grading papers as much as I enjoyed reading and writing them.

Some nights I use scare tactics on Tyler by suggesting I go back to school to get this degree or that degree. I don't know if it's because I'm discontent or because I just love the idea of school. It probably means I'm not being content where I am, of course I always thought graduating meant turning into a crotchety adult who spends their time holed up in a cubicle typing memos and emails.

So the difference between me and the students who start college because they're expected to is not that much different this side of college. We still don't have a clue what we want to do, but I enjoyed the reading, writing, and arithmetic, instead of drinking, partying, and waking up with a hang over, along the way.

SCHOOL FOREVER!!!

Asheville, Stomach Bugs, and Many Pictures

A nasty bug kept me away from the computer for most the week last week. I battled and grappled with it for a few days, and it went on to attack E. Of course, he kicked it's butt in a mere 12 hours. He also started praying to Jesus in the bathroom after his first episode, so I think he was cured faster for his faith.

He asked great questions including, "Is there really a bug in my stomach right now," "Does the thermometer read how much bug is left in my body" (E, I wish this was true. If only we got more from the thermometer than body temp), and, "I guess I won't get perfect attendance this year." This was only E's 2nd stomach virus in his 8 years, so his comprehension of sickness is much less than other children.

So Tyler and I found ourselves on Friday afternoon at five with a dilemma. We had to decide if we were going to pack up our whole family and haul ourselves to Asheville for the family weekend (planned since last year) with my parents and my sister's family.

E had been throwing up all morning, I was on my first day without fever and hadn't thrown up, and we were all exhausted from sick times.

Of course, we decided to go. We can talk about how wise of a decision that was another time (One of our deciding factors was the fact we had our own hotel room for quarantining purposes).

It really worked out well. I made sure E went to bed early and was forced to stay in the room after that. I didn't want to be arrested for leaving an 8-year-old in a hotel room by himself. It wouldn't look good to a court, especially if he had a stomach virus. So I got some extra sleep time as well, probably more than I would have gotten at home.

Saturday we went to Carrier Park in Asheville. It was amazing. The park was an old speedway turned velodrome, roller hockey rink, and giant play-ground, much like our favorite park in the Clemson/Pendleton area. E and my dad loved watching bikes in the velodrome, play on the Spirit of the River airplane, and conquering the monkey-bars.

Spirit of the River

E and Papa - Velodrome

Lee Bee

Tire Tube

Monkey Bars

Tyler took some great pics of E and Lee Bee both Saturday and Sunday.

After the park Saturday, we left the kids with my parents and Jen, Darren, Tyler, and I went to Brewgrass 2012! We were definitely not as gung-ho this year with Jen's cold, my stomach virus, Tyler's fear of the stomach virus, and Darren just being discouraged by us. Actually, it was a great time.

The Official Brewgrass Glass

But it was dang hot. Brewgrass takes place on a baseball field, so absolutely no shade. It was so hot that I captured this picture of Tyler. I may or may not have promised not to post it.

Unbuttoned with Homemade Root Beer

It was so hot that I got a sunburn. I know that sounds silly, but that says a lot. I don't burn. There is nothing more unattractive than peeling, burnt lips. I've got them, watch out!

The music this year was much better than last year. I really enjoyed Cutthroat Shamrock, though I was skeptical at first because of their name. I also really liked Town Mountain. We even got up from our cozy chair/blanket post and watched Town Mountain at the front.

Darren and Jen

Tyler and Me

The beer was good. I didn't do a good job trying most everything, but I did get a few good things. Tyler had one beer that wasn't even deserving of the name 'beer' and Darren forced him to dump it out. The big hit of the day was from Wicked Weed Brewing, a brewery in Asheville that will open very soon. Their debut at Brewgrass was one of the first Wicked Weed tastings. The line was about 45 minutes long, so I opted out. Darren and Tyler enjoyed it though. The term 'wicked weed' refers to the quote from Henry VIII, "Hops are a wicked and pernicious weed." Little did King Henry know...

We enjoyed some good beer, conversation, music, and yummy food from some of Asheville's signature restaurants.

Photo by Tyler LaCross

And now that we're back from such a whirlwind week/end, I'm glad we went. I'm still worn out, frustrated I haven't been able to run yet, and with a wreck of a house/nursing station to clean up, but I'm looking for the positive. I saw the people I love, I feel better, and there are signs of fall in the air. Plus, Tyler promised to help clean the house tonight.

Fall's Coming.

What has Starbucks done to us?

Oh baby. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back. And the Salted Caramel Mocha, and pretty soon I'm going to see Gingerbread, Peppermint, Egg Nog, etc.  'Tis the season...for Starbucks.

Many of you have already had at least one fall drink (and I don't mean Pumpkin Ale). I'll admit it. I've had one Pumpkin Spice Latte. I wanted to get a Venti, but I resisted on account of no one needs that much milk in their stomach at once.

If I didn't feel like a sell-out, I would pin this Starbucks ad on my "Fall" board on my Pinterest. However, I'm much more inclined to post DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte recipes and pictures of fun fall clothing rather than this Starbucks pic. But the truth is, when I think of fall, I think of Starbucks.

They have successfully crept into my brain, unbeknownst to me, and planted their seeds of Starbucks necessity. They've sprouted, grown, and blossomed. Now I, among many Americans, associate the words fall, cool weather, and leaves changing with the amazing drinks I can consume at Starbucks.

While I typically may hate "the man," I have to hand it to Starbucks. No one does it quite like they do. Not that their quality is better than another coffee shop. It absolutely is nothing compared to places like this, this, or this (Shameless plugs for some of my favorite coffee places in areas I've lived).

However, Starbucks knows how to sell coffee. I'm not going to protest or scream and rant about how people shouldn't support them. I'm thankfully past that stage of life these days, though I will continue to support my favorite places. But dang it, Starbucks. You sure do create a great advertising campaign.

During the month of August...

I like to pretend I'm organized. I like to pretend I keep everything clean and organized. But the truth is, I absolutely do not keep everything organized and clean. I'm very good at hiding messes in my room, under my bed, in a random closet or cabinet, and in the trunk of my car. My husband can attest to all of these things.

I'm always thinking of new things to do (like this blog) and often times I get started on something and have every intention of cleaning up my toys before running to the next project, but like my son, I like to leave it all out to come back to later...does this sound familiar to anyone else? Maybe it's because I'm a youngest child.

So this month I've been trekking through the world of trying to clean and organize everything and to clean up messes I create. Here are some thoughts and images from the month:

Sun. Aug 12 - Sticking with Julie Tringali's post, I'm going to reorganize E's room! Here are some "before" pics.

Current Organization = Messy

E's Desk - before

Mon. Aug 13 - E and I went to Target and bought (all on sale) some "dorm room" stuff to help organize his desk and toys. We bought 3 fillable ottomans to put at the foot of his bed and a cubby with 5 (we may go back and get more) boxes to put in the cubby.

We also went to IKEA and bought some desk organizers and the cheap IKEA plastic food containers for his LEGOs.


Tues. Aug 14 - Let's go to work! E and I worked on building his cubby and put together his boxes. We started organizing them. We have yet to label the front, but we will! E was a great helper. He used both his hammer and screwdriver to accomplish our task. Proud of him.

We did it!

Helping

Aug. 22 - In preparation for Ethan's birthday, we tried to finish up organizing his room so we would have room for new toys.

- We put larger things in his ottomans, including his LEGO train set, which is a beast. 

- LEGO organization went by size and purpose of the LEGO vs. color. I liked Julie's idea that it would take him longer to find things and challenge him to search.

- I labeled the boxes temporarily for his toys

- The IKEA food storage containers work perfectly because they're clear on the bottom and easily stackable within the cubby bins.

Some of our IKEA Storage

Ottoman Storage at the foot of the bed

Aug. 25 - Thanks to Tyler's parents, E now has a LEGO sorter. It fits perfectly into our cubby system and it strictly for things Ethan is working on putting together. Finished LEGO organization!

LEGOs and Toys Organized

Now to see if we can keep it organized.

She's Back......

Just a quick note to mention that upon coming home from Trader Joe's today, Ethan and I were much surprised by the presence of LuLu on our back porch. She was laid out, rolling around like she owned the place. She was pretty impatient for us to open the door and get her food, meowing and complaining as if nothing had ever happened.

Oh, Hii!

Who knows where she's been for the last seven days? I'm just glad we didn't print out posters and plaster the neighborhood.

Let's Be Honest - Stage Fright Edition

Imagine sitting on a stage, playing piano, a microphone in front of your face, and an audience of more than 200 staring at you, waiting to hear your voice. Your knees tremble, and you haven't sung in public in 10 years.

Ok, so it wasn't really that bad, but this past Sunday I "sang" at church for the first time. I've been playing piano once a month and am finally (maybe?) getting used to the audience, guitar chord sheets, and following the worship leader and drummer's commands. I was finally relaxing.

But Saturday I got a text from my dear friend, Sage, who has an amazing voice — she was even in TakeNote for the Clemson crowd. The text said, "I cannot sing tomorrow because my voice is totally gone. Jeremy and Paul may ask you to sing. Please do it. Your voice is beautiful."

I immediately felt like I was going to throw up. And I was standing in the middle of Charlotte's baby shower. Panic. Moment.

My first response? HECK NO! Why just that morning my mother asked, "Melissa, are you going to sing at church on Sunday, too?" I replied confidently, "No. I don't sing anymore."

Famous last words.

But Sage is an amazing friend, and I would do almost anything for her. So that's how I found myself sitting on stage Sunday morning singing harmony.

Let me break in and say that there were five other people on stage besides me and I was successfully hidden in the back corner behind the baby grand. So, it wasn't as if anyone actually was staring at me — except maybe Tyler, but that's his job. I wasn't even the only one singing. Jeremy and Paul were up front, loud and clear.

Even still, I froze. It was a "ride or die" moment and I definitely died. I literally could not find it in me to put my face in front of the microphone and sing.

Confession to those of you who haven't known me long — I was in show choir in high school. I was never a soloist performer, but I definitely got used to being on stage in front of people while singing. But it's been years.

So I was sitting there through the first few songs, tight lipped, focusing on my piano playing. Jeremy had even asked me to sing closer to the mic if possible.  I really couldn't. I did start singing to the side of the mic or holding my head away from it while singing. But I could hear nothing from my in-ears, obviously meaning no one in the congregation could hear me as well.

But then I remembered back to my conversation with Tyler the night before. We were sitting outside at this authentic Italian place, nice atmosphere and company, it was great. He asked what I was so afraid of. And my honest answer had been that I was afraid people would hear me sing and laugh because it was awful. I felt like an 8-year-old again. I was so scared of what everyone else thought instead of focusing on my task - playing and singing to God. Making harmony to the Lord.

It wasn't really this huge moment. I didn't suddenly burst into song in perfect harmony. I didn't wow the audience. I'm actually not sure anyone really heard me at all. But for the last few songs, I slowly moved closer and closer to the mic, attempting to throw a few notes in.

I feel kind of silly and ashamed about my behavior, but I shouldn't. I'd do it again if I needed to. I'd like to practice some more and be a bit more comfortable with singing into a mic. But I learned something from it. It's not worth having a microphone in front of you if you aren't going to sing. I just needed to do it. And I kind of did.

Parties, Parties.

While I was there for less then 24-hours, my time in the small hometown, Florence, was well spent this past weekend. I got to have dinner with my parents and my in-laws (they get along well, so that's never a problem). Then I had a cake-making party with this one.

Sifting Taiter

I was so excited to see my lovely Taiter and make cakes with her until the middle of the night. We literally finished everything around midnight and then chatted until I fell asleep on the couch around 1 a.m. I'm an old woman.

Saturday was so joyful as we celebrated Charlotte's little boy. I was so touched to find they've decided to name him Jack Lawson Culotta. He's named after Charlotte's dad, Jack Lawson, who died last year after battling lung cancer. I am so excited for little Jack and the name he's inheriting because his granddad was really special. Some pictures from the weekend.

All Star Party Decor by Lindsey Bibler

My Baseball Cake

Charlotte and Dr. Anna

Baseball Cupcakes

Caroline and Itty Bitty EC

Gifts - Cutie Elephant

Lindsay and Lindsey with Olive

Lindsey, Anna, Charlotte, Me, Caroline, and Lindsay

It was a great shower. And then, by no surprise, I was chased by a giant storm system as I hurried back to NC. I made it back without rain, though dark clouds threatened me the whole way. To finish up a great day, Tyler and I had an amazing date at this Italian place in Charlotte. I had the mushroom risotto special. It was absolutely amazing. Tyler and I also tried stuffed mushrooms and some great glasses of red wine. 

To top it all off, the weather has been so amazing. It's reminding me of this era of life.

I love Fall. I love Apple Picking. I love my boys. Circa 2009.

I had my pre-fall celebration run by hitting a 5-miler last night before dark. It was one my best runs in a while. And then I snuggled up with Harry Potter before bed. I'm working through The Order of the Phoenix. And now we're back to a new week. Happy Monday!

An Afternoon Interaction

Let's Pretend.

It's 3:30. I'm standing outside on our front stoop feeling the wind against my skin, noticing the tinkle of wind chimes down the street, and enjoying the sun on my toes. I'm waiting for the bus.

E's bus pulls up at 3:32 (finally on time!!!). I smile and head down the steps. I'm still a ways off when the door opens and his two friends come down the steps. Then E starts down the steps, but instead of walking down, he's taking the steps two at a time, jumping. He looks both ways and then hops out of the bus.

Immediately, E drops down to the ground. He glances in all directions and does a karate chop. Then, with great stealth, he runs across the street with his arms poised for action. He runs up to the giant oak by our house, kicks off of it and yells, "Yahh!"

By this point, I realize E is not merely a kid getting off the bus after school. As he runs by me towards the house, I hear him say in a raspy voice, "May the force be with you."

I guess that solves it. Today, E is a Jedi Knight. Before he slips into the house only to become a boy again, I answer, "And also with you."

It's Friday!

First of all, an update on the kitty. LuLu still isn't home, but Ethan spotted her at his friend's house the other day. Unfortunately, we've kept the "missing" factor from him, and so he didn't immediately scoop her up and bring her home. He's been informed though, and we're hoping he spots her again.

Meanwhile, we're sending an email to the neighborhood coordinator and hoping the word gets out. 

On another note, I am so excited to see these girls this weekend. 

My Lindsay, Lindsey, Anna, Caroline, and Charlotte. Me.

Except this time, instead of celebrating Caroline's little baby girl, we'll be celebrating Charlotte's little baby boy. These girls have been by my side for the last twelve years and especially kept me sane during the last eight.

I wouldn't have been able to walk through the halls my senior year of high school, six months pregnant and unsure about the future, without their respect, humor and constant encouragement.

I do know that was an overly sappy statement.

Seriously, only now do I really realize how important they were in that era of my life. I was more than confused and afraid of what others thought of me and of being a mom. But these girls had my back and all came to visit immediately after Ethan was born (plus some other great friends). I was a hot mess and they were there, all fresh from their first week of college. I love them.

I am so honored, considering their great friendship, to be able to return the favor and celebrate with Charlotte and Kevin. Look for baby shower pics soon.

Enjoy some music this afternoon. 

Music. Friends. Lost Kitties.

LuLu

Oh, hi. We had dinner guests last night. I spent most of the day prepping the house, getting groceries, and looking for the kitty.

LuLu had been missing for the past few days, though we haven't been worried because she typically disappears and then reappears, looking as if someone has taken her in for the night. She's a sly one.

Today was supposed to be dedicated to reading/writing/grading/prepping for teaching next week. But instead Tyler and I found a kitty on the Animal Shelter's "Lost Pets" site that looked like LuLu. So we spent his lunch time (on into 2:00) going to the shelter only to find it wasn't LuLu (relieved but not). We still aren't sure where she is, though this is pretty normal. She's an extroverted cat and thrives on visiting our neighbors. Not panicked yet.

So in the midst of a day that was supposed to be productive, I'm pondering these words from Paul:

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13 

I'm looking forward to growth in this area. So rarely am I ever completely content with my circumstances. Wouldn't it be wonderful to spend every day in complete joy about the bad, the good, and the mundane?


In honor of LuLu, make sure you listen to the new Cat Power CD, "Sun" on Spotify or listen to a favorite oldie from her here.

Halloween Costumes, Amelia, and the Secret Service

Thanks to my brother-in-law, Darren, I'm loving the sound of this girl here. I just love new music.

Trying to plan for the hours I'll have to spend sewing, or learning to sew, I went ahead and bought this lovely sewing pattern for children's pajamas. E decided on a the Red Ninjago, Kai, for Halloween this year.

...into this?

Turning this...

I'm hoping the pajamas (2nd to left) will make a successful ninja suit, if I use red fabric, and then E can use them the rest of the winter as pajamas. I'm hoping this plan will work so I can save money. I may be too ambitious, but more to come on that later. Any tips for sewing successfully?

Apparently there is a large secret service presence in our neighborhood today. Tyler chatted with the principal at E's school when he dropped him off, and the VP is in the neighborhood for a luncheon. I'm going for a run later, so I'll be on the lookout. On the running note, I'm keeping up with this schedule for my half-marathon at the end of October, but it's definitely been tough to stay on track since our weekends are really busy.