Friday, June 29, 2007

La Familia

We celebrated a belated Father's Day with Dale by going out to Dos Comprades last night. It was nice for the six of us to get together again. It's been a while! We should do this regularly.



Not sure how it happened, but I ran again today and actually enjoyed it. No tendonitis pain, no feeling like I'm about to vomit in front of other the walkers, joggers, drivers, etc. I think the key for me is to only do this a couple times a week and walk the rest of the time. Oh, and very cool temps help. Yeah, if I could have those for the rest of the summer, that'd really help me out, thanks.

In other news....Junior wouldn't come in from the garage last night when it was time for bed, so we left him out there. My gardening flip-flops (given that role because they had so many teeth marks in them that I couldn't wear them out in public) were out there and dumbass chewed them. Not only chewed them but actually ate part of one. I had a nice pile of puke and bits of green flip-flop to clean up when he came in this morning. Let's remember that the last time Junior ate a flip-flop, we spent $250 and endured the embarrassment of having our cat FREAK OUT on everyone at the vet's office. And here's Junior right before he bit my arm this morning. No reason.


Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Someday, somewhere

During the thunderstorm last night, we had winds in the area that reached 93 mph. That's the equivalent of an F1 tornado. And then I just heard of another place in Texas called Marble Falls, where one of my good friends lives, that had 19 inches of rain in 24 hours. So between that and reading all of these blogs and hearing about life elsewhere, it got me to thinking about the different places that Alan and I might live some day. Likely places, if he stays with the same company, would be Bakersfield or Houston or Lubbock (God, forbid).

Bakersfield - I could do that. Not much to look at (kinda like Midland), but closer to so much more. Alan and I would have a great time. And I'd love to fly the girls out to visit from college. We could see L.A. and Beverly Hills and all the San-this and San-that cities that are so awesome, and then of course there's the beach. I think Californians would eventually get on my every last nerve though, so hopefully it'd be a temporary stay.

Houston - I could do that. But my hair and I...we'd have to wrestle a time or two. Actually my hair would win, I'd lose, and there'd be nothing I could do about it. The food and museums and proximity to so much more than in Midland...that would be cool. But the people - oh geez. I'd probably get bitch-slapped at some point for shooting my mouth off to some asshole. Then again, maybe I'd fit in just fine. :-)

Lubbock - I'd still do it. It would be an oh-so-slight step up from living in the same town your entire life, plus it would be a little closer to family and friends in Oklahoma and Kansas. And if the girls happened to go to Texas Tech, we'd be right there if they needed us. That's all I can say about Lubbock.

Regardless, it's kind of fun to think about the different places Alan and I will get to live some day. I've got some adventuring yet to do in my life.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Tuesdays are Important

Other than watching the Braves (lose, apparently), there are two things I look forward to watching each week this summer. I was turned on to Rob & Big while at DeeBee's in Oklahoma. I've now gone back on the MTV website and watched every episode I missed (yes, I'm a very busy person with important things to do). Those two guys put me in the best mood. And then there's Kathy Griffin, who I went from hating to loving last year. Both shows overlap each other tonight, so I have to decide which one to watch tonight and which one to watch online tomorrow! It's a full life.

And I've checked the NBC website a couple times to see when they might be airing The Office rerun of "Women's Appreciation." So far, no love. But there are three episodes on this week! Hope I can fit that in to my very, very busy schedule.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Tips wanted

What is the key to a good smoothie? I can't seem to get this down.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Bring on Mother Nature

So I'm getting really into one of my library books this week, and it occurs to me...I seem to gravitate towards books about surviving extreme elements or living conditions. I never consciously set out to find these books, but off the top of my head I can list several survival type books I've read and loved: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Hatchet, Brian's Winter, A Single Shard, Weedflower, and am now currently reading Hattie Big Sky. Five of those books have been in the past year. And I've told Alan that I've watched so much Man vs. Wild and Survivorman that I'm confident I could start a fire with my toes and some sticks just like Les Stroud! Okay, maybe I'd need some flint like Bear Grills, but I could do it! And although I'd sit and cry if left in a forest all night for fear of being eaten by a grizzly bear, I still think there's a wilderness girl in me somewhere.

Certain to pay for it tomorrow...

Remember when I said I wanted Alan to be my trainer? He made me go on a 5.2 mile walk today, although I'm proud to say I jogged the first 1.5 miles. I whined and complained much of the way with "how far have we gone?" and "what time is it now?" I sort of forgot until just a few minutes ago that I asked him to do exactly this. Other than the 6 mile hike we took a few summers ago in the blazing heat of Palo Duro Canyon (we had this crazy notion there'd be water somewhere in the canyon), that's the longest I've ever walked I'm sure. I'm trying to resist rewarding myself, because I tend to do that with food.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Like the Old Days

Alan and I kicked it old-timers school today. We went to two estate sales this morning, where at one I found a teacher-to-be's dream: Scholastic books for $.50 each! I bought 21 of them, and there was no sales tax charge for teachers. A couple blocks away at the other sale, Alan bought a double CD "live" set of Garth Brooks for $.50. I'm not sure he wants people to know that. Garth Brooks is country and Alan doesn't do country. (By the way, we listened to it a lot yesterday and it's awesome!)

After the sales we had lunch at Murray's, a sandwich shop we frequented "back in the day." I try to not always order the same thing, but it's hard to resist the turkado with curly fries. We then walked over to the small library branch where Alan got a spy book (typical) and I got two young adult books (typical). We are both finding our places on the sofas and plan to bum it the rest of the day.

Next thing you know we'll be playing cribbage and I'll be winning.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Bright spot

When I got back from Oklahoma, the caterpillars had destroyed my passion vine, the mexican grass was out of control, the gardenia shrub was all but dead, half the celosia flowers had become scraggly eyesores, and the birdseed from the birdfeeder had dropped and seeded a bunch of mystery grass in one of my flower beds (we'll be moving the birdfeeder). Not a pretty site. Still, the fact that my gladiolas survived the transplant by the guest house and were starting to bloom made it all okay! There are about sixteen of various colors that are starting to open.

Monday, June 18, 2007

I'm getting a heat headache.

It's 101 degrees outside and 82 degrees inside. Our repair people really need to fix the A/C right this time, or I'm going to be leaving every afternoon to sit in Dairy Queen and eat a blizzard. Clearly not going to help my diet.

Losing ground

We had a great time in Oklahoma and did everything we planned to do. Relaxing was a big part of the plan, and we did plenty of that as well. We're already looking forward to when they come to Midland next month - yea!

Although DeeBee and I walked while we were up there, it's been over a week since I've done yoga or pilates. Guess I better get back into the routine, but I have to say it's pretty frustrating to be doing all this exercise and cutting back on calories and getting absolutely no results in return. I don't get it. Yesterday I washed both cars, weedeated, walked my two miles, and the day before did heavy yard work in the heat of the day. I probably gained weight doing all of that.

And by the way, that was the fastest walk I've ever done. This old lady from down the street (who walks at least 2-3 times a day) was behind me at the walking park, and I could hear her Keds gaining ground on me. I already walk fast and couldn't believe she was about to reach me. I picked up the pace, but thank God we reached the circle where she went one direction and I went the other. I would have had to start jogging to lose her.

What's next? I want a personal trainer. I asked Alan to take the job because he's friendly and cheap, but he's not on board yet.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Companions

I should be posting pictures of my niece and nephews here in Oklahoma, but the four-legged family members are the ones posing for the camera.
















Sunday, June 10, 2007

"Oh, what a beautiful mooorrrrning!"*

The main thing on tap for today has been getting ready for our trip tomorrow. Bailey and Marlee and I head out tomorrow for Oklahoma, leaving Alan here to host a barbeque at our house all by himself. Is it possible? I'm sure they'll have a great time, but will he vacuum up the mess before I get home on Friday? You know bachelors...

I didn't work out today, which is the first time in forever. And not very smart since I plan on eating way more than I should the next few days. DeeBee's pantry is always stocked. :-) We are excited, and ready for some shopping, eating, bowling, eating, video games, eating, maybe a movie, and perhaps more eating. Woohoo!

Bye, Alan! 143

*Only means something if you're old and familiar with "Oklahoma!"

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Bittersweet Find

What was I thinking? I've been struggling to get everything in my closet to fit when I remember that there is a WHOLE OTHER CLOSET at my disposal. Addison didn't have much in her bedroom closet to begin with, and when she left, she left a fairly empty storage space.

I know where the mental block was however. I still call it Addison's room, Addison's bed, and obviously, Addison's closet. I haven't really thought of it as a space that I can take over and do whatever I want with. And honestly, I don't want to. Some "Addison" things will probably remain on the walls and on the furniture tops and in dresser drawers for a while. It's not because I'm waiting for her to come back at some point, but because it's sort of hard to remove signs of her. I kind of like it that some of her things are still in there. We had good times, too, and I like to see things that help me remember.

BUT, I really do need space and where there's an empty closet, there's a happy place for my things.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Mission Organization

While I'm patiently biding my time and ignoring the fact that I don't have a teaching job yet, I'm starting to get my teaching stuff organized. My closet has almost reached the point where it could be featured on one of those organizing shows. And although I take complete responsibility, I will say that buying a 40-year old home means you have very limited closet space, and my closet has to function as more than just a place to hang clothes. (Good thing my wardrobe rivals that of some homeless people, otherwise there wouldn't be room in the closet for textbooks, trade books, teaching supplies, photo albums, etc.) The first step this week was to get rid of the trunk being used as a nightstand so that I could actually open my closet doors all the way (see "before" below). I came up with a cheap and hopefully temporary replacement and am slowly but surely working on making better use of this space. I only hope I have the maturity to keep it neat once I get there.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Half-moon


I'm about to go do yoga (in my yoga room!). I don't dread it yet, but there are parts of it that I can't wait to get over with every day. I found a picture of the hardest position for me. I'm guessing it doesn't look nearly as hard as it is. You should try it just for grins, and don't forget to hold it for 10-15 seconds.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Summa-time

Some summer plans are finally in place. I'm one of those people that needs something out there on the horizon to look forward to, to plan for. One-day-at-a-time doesn't work for me, but I'm trying to work on that.

So next week Bailey and I head to Oklahoma to see DeeBee and the kids - yea! Alan is staying here and saving vacation days, and honestly it gives me and Bailey more time to be up there. (Thanks, Alan!) Then in July we're going back to Oklahoma to see the Richardsons - yea! We'll take full advantage of their home and pool and food and drinks for a couple days before heading up to Kansas to see Alan's family - yea!

Actually, I'm not sure Alan's mom (who's also going to be in Kansas) knows that we're going to be there, too....so if any of Alan's family is reading this, don't say anything to Melissa. It's maybe supposed to be a surprise? She can't open my blog, so no worries.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

I'm bored with everything right now.

I'm playing with my header image, so it might change repeatedly until I find something I like. The storm cloud I had up first (if you saw it) and the colors I chose to go along with it were pretty gloomy, so I'm trying to find something more representative of me and my blog. So don't be surprised if Junior dominates my header image before too long. Speaking of the Devil, we discovered him trying to get some cereal earlier today. As if he doesn't get enough to eat...