Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Big ol' footprints

I have a wonderful devotional book that I love because it makes me think. Yesterday morning's reading really struck a chord with me:

"In our faith we follow in someone's steps. A parent, a teacher, a hero---none of us are the first to walk the trail. All of us have someone we follow. In our faith we leave footprints to guide others. A child, a friend, a recent convert. None should be left to walk the trail alone." (p.190)


It struck me how many people I think about in both my everyday and monumentous, life-changing decisions. Family members, former teachers, friends, coworkers, students. I think about what those I know have done in similar situations, what they would do if they were in my shoes. I think about speeches I've been given and experiences I've had. I think about examples and non-examples I've seen. The footprints I'm stepping in are tremendous.

I talked to both grandparents and both parents tonight. I realize how truly blessed I am that they're all in my life, and I'm thankful to them for the examples of faith and good living they've given me. I don't make many decisions without thinking about what any one of them would do first. They inspire me and provide me with more guidance than they know.

This passage also makes me wonder about the footprints I'm leaving for those who will come behind me. Will I be an example of what to do or what not to do? This makes me want to try harder to have a positive influence on those around me, particularly my impressionable little fifth graders. I pray that God will help me make good decisions and leave perfectly placed footsteps for those around me.

In whose footprints are you stepping? Do you ever think about the footprints you're leaving behind you?
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I thought this song by one of my faves, Eric Church, fit this theme nicely. (I celebrated my latest birthday "with" Eric Church...you can read all about the sweatiest night of my life here.)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Tortellini Primavera

Before you read this, do yourself a favor.

Mark this day on your calendar and write down the time. You'll want to remember what life was like before this recipe came into your world. And I'll be honest...you may look back on it as a dark and lonely time. That's okay; we'll work through that together.

This, my friends, is ridiculously good. There literally was a party in my mouth, and I'm just thankful I was invited.

Tortellini Primavera (recipe source: Annie's Eats)
16-20 oz bag cheese tortellini, cooked and drained
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (I found a package on sale and just sliced up the whole dadgum thing. Mushrooms + me = BFF)
½ cup chopped onion
1-2 garlic clove(s), minced
2 tbsp. margarine (I'm morally, fundamentally, ethically, religiously opposed to margarine, so I used butter.)
10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed
8 oz. cream cheese (Full-fat will yield creamier results than reduced-fat.)
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
¼ cup milk (Add in more if needed for a thinner sauce.)
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning (more to taste)
salt and pepper, to taste

Saute mushrooms, onion, garlic in butter until they start to get tender, about 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients except tortellini. Heat until everything is melted together and the mixture just starts to boil, stirring often. Stir in tortellini and mix thoroughly.



Sweet goodness, this is one of the most delightful meals I've ever made. I like how easily adaptable it is. I added some fresh asparagus to mine, and I think zucchini, red bell pepper, and grilled chicken would be tasty, too. You could also take out anything that offends you and substitute something else.

Go forth and please, for the love of all that is good and decent, make this sometime soon. Your tastebuds deserve it!

*PS---Most of the food pictures I take, this one included, look grossly reminiscent of vomit. If I ever take a decent one (and don't hold your breath!), I'll add it to this post. And I'm sorry I mentioned vomit in a recipe post...won't happen again!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Bubba's birthday

Today is my darling little brother's birthday.


FYI, Daniel's the one in the devil mask and I'm the shiny, glittery, ruffly ballerina sugarplum fairytale princess. This was Halloween 1990 (or '91). He absolutely had his sweet little baby heart set on that costume, so that's what he got. Daniel wore that devil costume to his preschool Halloween party...his Catholic preschool Halloween party. I wish I could've seen his teachers' faces when the Prince of Darkness himself walked into the classroom.

My Bubba is 24 whole years old today. He was turning 16 just yesterday, so this comes as a bit of a shock to me. I won't go on and on and on about him because, uh, he'll hate it. Read here for more of that.

I'm fairly crazy about my Bubba. It's been fun seeing him really grow up over the last few years. That kid has a work ethic that I'm jealous of. He's a full-time nursing student in a very competivitve program, and works at an inpatient mental health facility when he's not in class or doing clinicals or studying. In fact, he's celebrating his birthday today by working a double shift. He'll be graduating in December, and I'm so excited for him to finally be a real, live nurse.


Bubba, I think you're kinda cool. Happy birthday to you!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thankful Thursday, and an anniversary


Today I am thankful for...
  • the grace of God
  • my family and friends
  • my kinda cool Bubba's birthday on Saturday
  • my health
  • my job
  • my students and coworkers
  • our first day of testing going smoothly...only SIX more days of this mess (gag)
  • a return trip to our nation's beautiful capital coming up
  • Paul McDonald making it to the top 10 on American Idol!!! I loved his take on this song.
  • our "walking club" (made up of two whole members) making it THREE times this week...a new record!
  • cilantro...yum
  • sweet Ashley's first Thankful Thursday post...so glad I got to meet this girl!
  • Lauren getting her giveaway off the ground and hacking another item off her 30 by 30 list...she's on a roll!
  • a reunion (finally!) planned with my college girls for this summer...absolutely can't wait
  • a roof over my head, clean water available whenever I want it, and electricity
  • my new, short haircut...I've actually started to like it, even though I've been kicked out of the ponytail club
  • the fact that nobody has run away screaming (yet) when approached with this
I'm also very thankful for my little blog, which came to life one year ago today. I started it in response to a comment of, "You're single with no kids. Do you even have anything to write about?" Why, yes...yes, I do.

I've written some posts I really like and some I don't love so much. I've shared happy times and a few very sad times. I've made some new friends and they follow my blog. People actually read the ridiculousness that spews forth from my mind. They don't judge me for making up words like ridiculousness. Some of them even leave comments, which make me far happier than they probably should. Perhaps I should pursue that in therapy.

This little project has proven to be much more fun than I ever imagined. I can't wait to see what the next year holds!

HAPPY WEEKEND, and thanks for reading!

Monday, March 21, 2011

The thing that Dorothy drug up

Alternately titled: "Please, for the love of all that's good and decent, help us identify this thing so we can get our lives back. Please."

Disclaimer: I need to warn you that I'm fixing to post a totally heinous picture. Seriously, it's gross. If nasty dead things turn your stomach, come back later this week and I'll post about rainbows and sunshine and babies and happiness. If you decide to never come back after reading this, I completely understand. In fact, take me with you!

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My parents have a dog named Dorothy.

(She's an exceedingly modest girl. Can't ya tell?)

There she is. She can often be found in this exact position; she's a sucker for a good belly rub. And that guy right there, my dad, is her favorite human on the planet. In the whole universe!

I almost can't find the words to pinpoint Dorothy's personality. This girl isn't afraid to wave her freak flag really, really high. She's a lovable, friendly, good-natured, march-to-her-own-drum...weirdo. I wish she could talk to us; I can only imagine the stories she could tell.

She an outside girl and loves nothing more than to hang out with the cows in the pasture across the road. She fills her days "herding" the geese who make their home on the pond.

All this roaming around makes a girl tired, and if she's not out making her rounds, you'll find her napping in the sun on the back porch.



Dorothy has one teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy personality flaw.

The girl really, really likes dead things. Like, really. Really, really, really. The deader, the better.

This personality flaw has resulted in a strictly-enforced "no touch" policy with yours truly. Dorothy and I love each other from a distance.

Seeing Dorothy's "treasure of the day" laying out in the back yard is commonplace. I'll spare you the details about some of the critters she's brought home in the past...you're welcome.

She drug something up last week and my parents were so horrified and confused, they had to take pictures. This is your last chance to back out...it's gross. It's a disembodied appendage. And it's gross. Real gross. I'm telling you!

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What. The heck. Is. This?

Dorothy ain't talkin'.

More importantly, are there more of these...things? Where is their tribe living???

Nobody can figure out what animal this came from. We live in Alabama, and we can't figure out what kind of native animal has a leg like this. Next Door Neighbor Norm nonchalantly chimed in, "Well clearly, she's gotten after a monkey." Clearly.

Here are some guesses:
A) a chupacabra
B) a baby Bigfoot
C) an Alabama monkey (you know, the only one in existence)

Your guess? I don't have enough information to make a guess yet. I don't like any of the aformentioned choices, seeing as how they're all make-believe animals. Anybody in blogland have any ideas? Please help settle this; we're losing sleep. And our minds.

Oh, and the leg is no longer chillin' in the back yard. It's been disposed of. By Dorothy.

Thanks for loving me through (and despite) this.

I'll understand if you just can't.

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(If you want more...and don't we all!...my dad posted them at http://dennisjweb.com/dorothy.html.)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Procastination is my game

Sometimes I wish I wasn't, but I am a procrastinator. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've started a paper with the due date looming 12 hours away or found myself still doing laundry at 10:00 the night before a trip. And lesson plans? Don't get me started on how I put off my lesson plans. Oh I get 'em done before my 28 darlings walk in Monday morning, but I'm never one of those who are ready for the next week by Friday afternoon. Never.

That just ain't how I roll.

After a long, glorious, beautiful, sunny, warm, restful spring break, it's back to the real world tomorrow. We have professional development all day, and the kiddos will join us on Tuesday. I've been asked to present some ideas on technology (egads!) to the whole faculty (yikes!) tomorrow, and I'm writing on my ridiculous little blog instead of gathering information for my sure-to-be-riveting presentation.

And you know what? The procrastination doesn't end there.

I want you to see some pictures Nikki and I took at my parents' house this weekend. Lucky you.

Mama and Millie wallowin' around in the sunshine

Daddy snapped this little nuthatch coming out of his hidey-hole.

the view across the road...seeing this makes me instantly think of home and feel warm and fuzzy

the largest moon in like 400 kajillion (or, uh, 18) years coming up over the pond

I like that you can just barely see the tops of the trees.

This shot makes me hit my knees in thankful prayer that I decided to upgrade my camera. What a glorious creation our Moon is!

Although I know you're desperate to see every single picture I've got saved on my computer, I have a presentation to prepare. Procrastination, get behind me!

Don't you hate when responsibility rears its ugly head?

Happy new week, yall!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

My happy place

I made a trip to glorious Auburn with Mimi and Grandad on Wednesday. I'm convinced that this lovely little town truly is God's country.


Many of my happiest days were spent here, and it'll always be home to me.

We started our trip off right, with a stop at Momma G's. An all-the-way Momma's Love makes this girl a happy camper. This place is a definite must-do any time I'm in town.


My precious Kira and I had lunch at Momma G's the day I officially moved away from Auburn in 2007. I was overcome with nostalgia and sadness at the prospect of leaving my adopted hometown for good, so Kira suggested we leave our mark at this beloved hole-in-the-wall. I'm so glad we did.

(Look for us over by the--newly renovated and MUCH nicer--bathroom.)

Mimi and Grandad shared stories about their time in Auburn back in the late '50s/early '60s. Grandad was a building science student then, and Mimi peddled Avon door-to-door to help support their young, growing family. This four-room house near the corner of Glenn and Dean was the setting of many of their memories. It's the house that my dad, then a wee little one, first called home.


Grandad laughed about his makeshift study in the attic (the only quiet place in the house), and Mimi recalled hanging (lots and lots of) diapers to dry on the clothesline in the backyard.

We drove to Toomer's Corner to see the oaks. We wanted to see firsthand what they looked like after being poisoned several months ago.


They looked a bit scraggly. Quite honestly, I think they've looked a bit scraggly for a few years now...even before Mr. Harvey Updyke decided to kill them. They're still majestic and beautiful, though, and I plan to enjoy them for the rest of their time with us.

We reveled in our first trip to Auburn since the National Championship win.



We wrapped it all up with a visit to Auburn Hardware. It's one of those lovely old hardware stores where you can find literally anything under the sun: cookware, serving pieces, horseshoes, tools, barrels, Wickles...


This day was such a blessing: a visit to one of my favorite places with two of my favorite people. The icing on the cake? I got to see my all-time favorite sign on the way home:


Who doesn't like a gentle reminder at 70 mph about eternal damnation? This never fails to make me smile.

Happy Saturday, yall!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Happiness in a jar

(Excuse the weird lighting. I live in a cave.)

I've always been charmed by the simple functionality of Mason jars. In looking to upgrade my hodgepodge of had-'em-since-college plastic cups, I was inspired by this post and this one. I'm now the (very) proud owner of 12 beautiful, half-pint Mason jars. I christened one this morning with some cranberry-pomegranate green tea and, quite honestly, it made me smile.

I love smiling.

And I love my new upgrade.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for...
  • the grace and blessings of God
  • precious family and friends
  • a job to return to on Monday
  • glorious, fabulous, restful, delightful, sunny spring break
  • beautiful weather
  • more sunshine in the PM hours
  • simplicity
  • an entire day spent with Mimi and Grandad in God's country (aka, Auburn) yesterday...such an adventure...post to follow
  • some new blog buddies and followers lately...so excited to have you onboard!
  • LA's Thankful Thursday post...I'm glad she lets me be her friend :)
  • the much-needed haircut I got today, even though I now look like an older, brunette, decidedly less precious Shirley Temple...thanks for loving me through this
  • Frank, who still makes me excited to drive and gets ridiculously good gas mileage
  • news that my friend Megan, who teaches school in Japan, is safe and doing okay
  • a life that, when compared to much of the world, is undeniably, embarrassingly privileged
  • seeing beauty in the small, mundane things
  • a working dishwasher
  • Paul McDonald making it to the next round on American Idol...I'll never see him and not think of college
  • Mama's long visit with Allie (aka, my Girl Scout Mama) today...makes me happy when my mom's happy
  • this silly little blog...it's way more fun than I ever imagined it would be when I first started it
  • my two houseplants that I've managed to keep alive for several years now...they bring me more joy than I ever imagined simple little potted plants could
  • T-fifty or so schooldays until summer break :)

HAPPY WEEKEND!


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nastiness on a Wednesday

You know what's not fun?

Going out for a morning stroll and feeling your foot suddenly slip on something.

Thinking, "Please, oh please, oh please let that be mud!"

Losing your balance and catching yourself with your hand.

The devastating realization that the slippery pile upon which your hand rests is most definitely...not mud.

The desperate search for a spigot outside so that you don't have to wash the...not mud...off in one of your recently-cleaned sinks. Not finding a spigot. Lamenting that you'll never again get that sink clean enough. Lamenting that you'll never be able to get that hand clean enough.

Woohoo! Happy Wednesday, yall!

Wishing my spring break had been "not mud"-free,
Julie

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Spinach-Mushroom-Pepper-Caramelized Onion-Goat Cheese-Pesto Pizza on a Whole Wheat Tortilla

Did you know that one of my many, many talents is naming recipes? I mean, how descriptive is that title? You don't even need me to give cooking directions. Alright, bye! Happy Tuesday!

Just kidding.

I know you won't believe it, but I'm actually not good at naming recipes. I don't like to leave anything out (I think it's a bit misleading), so I end up with ridiculous names like that title.

I did indeed make the above-mentioned pizza for supper last night, and it was a winner.


The recipe was inspired by this post. She's a new blog buddy of mine, and she's got some fabulous recipes...check her out!

I like this because you could completely adapt it based on your tastes or what you have in your kitchen. I made a version with black beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro the other night.

Tasty...and so easy you could probably make one with your eyes closed. (I couldn't, but maybe you could. Send pictures.)

Really good at spring break,
Julie

Monday, March 14, 2011

Craftastic

Meet the craft that consumed four hours of my life today:

(Try not to be jealous of my cutting-edge hanging system...patent pending.)

You like? I'm a large fan of the finished product...perfect for spring! I got the idea from this super duper blog, and as fun as it was to make, I have a question.

Is there something wrong with me?

You don't have to answer that honestly; I have feelings too, you know! It just seems that, well, things take much longer than they should when I'm crafting. I mean, four hours??? True, you do have to cut out all of those tiny circles and hot glue them together with a button, then hot glue them on the wreath. Plus, the burlap was a booger to get all cut up.

But still...four hours? I'm sure this would be a quicker process if the circles were pre-cut. Anybody care to cut out the rest of my circles? I've got two more wreaths to make. Anybody? Hello? No takers?

Aside from being a time-consuming endeavor, this wreath was mucho fun to make and I'm pretty tickled with it. I think the burlap makes it look rustic and delightfully homespun. My mind is absolutely swimming with potential color combinations. Red and green for Christmas...red, white, and blue for 4th of July...team colors...endless. Don't you think this would be a charming baby shower decoration? Quick! Somebody have a baby, stat!

Somebody else try this, time yourself, and report back to let me know if I'm (vaguely) normal or an absolute snail.

And if you're at all a lover of crafts, check out the rest of this website...I dare you not to be inspired!

Spring break's #1 fan,
Julie

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The time I met PW

My love for the Pioneer Woman is well-documented. I think she's kinda fabulous. Frank carried me to the big city of Atlanta yesterday to meet PW and get my books signed. It was such a fabulous day.

I did my best to not get run over on the scariest stretch of interstate this girl has ever driven on. I wandered around Atlanta. I killed time people-watching at the mall. I marveled at the hundreds of people waiting in line (many of whom had been waiting 6+ hours) to get their hands on the new iPad. Is it worth all that? Somebody let me know...I know nothing about those newfangled gadgets. I bought a ridiculously cute, on-sale headband at Anthropologie. I visited a two-story Target (I almost took a picture, but didn't want the fancy Buckhead people to know I wasn't one of them).

Once at the bookstore, I made fun new friends in line.

(Ashley, me, Lauren, Lauren's precious little girl...PW loved her bitty skinny jeans!)

We entertained ourselves by reading this book:

(I wish I could go back in time and re-do college: elementary education with a minor in feline aesthetics.)

Winding our way through the aisles, we got our first glimpse of Ree. She was just as precious and chatty and friendly as she is on her blog.


 Finally, it was my turn. I had been racking my brain about what to say to this complete stranger I feel like I already know. I had a really cool, low-key intro planned and then, I threw all that out the window and did this:


I turned into a bumbling goober. Through and through. I mumbled something along the lines of "Oh-my-gosh-I'm-so-excited-to-meet-you-I-drove-all-the-way-from-Birmingham{deep breath}you-look-just-like-your-pictures-I-just-saw-your-boys-they're-so-handsome-I-love-your-website-you-inspired-me-to-start-my-own-blog!" Way to play it cool there, chief! Ree was so sweet and took a few minutes to talk to (or, if they were anything like me, sit and listen to) every. single. person. She asked me where I was from (and even knew how far Bham was from Atlanta) and had a fit over my ring.

We then took our official picture. I got a good laugh when I saw it on my camera. Let me narrate for you:
Ree: Would you like to take a picture?
Julie: Yes! I'm just still kinda nervous.
Ree: Don't be nervous! Just come on in here.
Julie: Thanks, I will. In fact, I'm going to stand as close to you as I possibly can and put my bosoms dangerously close to your face. If we don't take this picture soon, I may even try to climb onto your lap and hug your neck.
Ree: Sounds great! Let's do this.

(Personal space apparently means nothing to me.)

I'm sorry I said bosoms earlier. This is a family blog...it won't happen again.

I'm so glad I got to meet her. Definitely worth the trip. On our way out, we spotted Marlboro Man. I snapped a couple of creeper shots from behind a bookshelf because that's how I roll.


Such a fun way to kick off my spring break. Happy Saturday to all!


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thankful Thursday : spring break-style

Today I am thankful for...
  • the grace of God
  • my sweet, sweet family and friends
  • my health
  • my job
  • the exhausting, 12-hour day I put in today . . . I'm worn out, but I feel very productive and I'm thankful to have a job!
  • my sub plans getting done and my classroom getting cleaned (well, at least it's cleaner than it was)
  • a perfectly-timed, much-anticipated day off tomorrow (post to follow!)
  • a successful Honors Club meeting this afternoon
  • laughter
  • Frank . . . goodness gracious, am I ever crazy about that car!
  • a phone date with my sweet Neeley this weekend
  • good news from Sheila tonight
  • a new job for Olivia . . . answer to a prayer!
  • my Bubba's summer internship news . . . another answered prayer!
  • exclamation points!! It annoys! the stink out of me when people! overuse them and that's exactly! what! I've! done! in this post . . . my apologies (!!!!)
  • Paul McDonald still alive and kickin' on American Idol
  • "springing forward" this weekend . . . so ready for some more sunshine in my life
  • glorious, much-needed spring break (Five years ago, no plans for spring break would've made me feel like a hardcore loser. These days, it makes me want to skip. And sing. And roll around in a grassy meadow . . . and then promptly use my NetiPot, all while swallowing a handful of Zyrtec.)
  • hot showers, and clean, hot water whenever I want it . . . makes this sudden return to winter a little easier to bear
  • warmer weather around the corner
  • the desire to slow down and see the beauty in each moment as it comes
HAPPY WEEKEND!


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Know what I love?


Bradford pear trees. More specifically, Bradford pear trees when their tiny, beautiful white flowers start blooming. Even more specifically, Bradford pear trees when their tiny, beautiful white flowers stick around while the bright green leaves, excited to meet the world, push their way through.

I had to stop and take this picture before I left for work the other morning. I had a feeling this torrential monsoon we're in the midst of would wash away the blooms, and I was right. I'm glad I made myself stop for two minutes to marvel at this gorgeous creation.


Absolute spring-y perfection. That creamy white and brand-spankin'-new green are two of God's most glorious colors, don't ya think? If we get something this pretty to look at here, I can't begin to imagine what sort of goodies we've got waiting on us in Heaven.

I think I'll spend some time reflecting on this picture tomorrow when the temperature refuses to rise above 45. You know, 'cause it's wintertime again. Those lovely Bradford pear trees remind me that winter can't last forever!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Oh. Just kidding.

It was raining (and I was umbrella-less) when I left the doctor's office this afternoon, so I ran through the parking lot until I saw Frank. And then I saw a huge dent in the back bumper, left by a very red car.

Yall, I nearly fell to pieces. My heart pounded. My stomach churned. I would've said a bad word, if I knew any. I thought about crying. I envisioned the very red car careening off a cliff.

I bent down to see if the very red paint would scratch off. Not so much. I wailed.

I needed to put my purse down before further surveying the damage. I pressed the unlock button on my handy-dandy new clicker, and it didn't work. That very red car had hit Frank so hard that my clicker wouldn't even work anymore . . . waaaaaahhhh!

Right before I started to tear out my now dripping wet hair, I noticed that the driver of the very red car had taken the time to put a new license plate on Frank. They even stopped long enough to reupholster the seats with leather. How kind! Oh, and they replaced Frank's Hyundai symbol with a Honda one.

Yeah. I most definitely kneeled in a puddle scraping red paint off the wrong car. Frank sat two spaces over, mortified, letting the dismal reality of his new life sink in.

I understand if you, like Frank, no longer want to claim me. Sometimes I don't even want to claim myself.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

You're a dirty liar, Phil.

You know what the temperature is right now? 42 degrees. Another ten degrees and it would be freezing . . . literally. 42 degrees is hard to stomach when the temperatures lately have been balmy and springlike and fabulous and wonderful. Bleh. What a tease.

What do dumb ol' groundhogs know, anyway? Phil doesn't seem to particularly enjoy his yearly task, so I think the early spring call this year was just to spite us. Dumb ol' groundhog.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

In love

(It was raining buckets, but I couldn't turn down a first-day picture.)

He's here! This darling little 2010, new-to-me Hyundai Sonata is mine. He shall henceforth be known as Frank (you know, Frank Sonata). We've been together about 6 hours now, and we're pretty much in love. He drives beautifully, even on a ridiculously rainy day like today. He's got fully functioning windshield wipers, brakes, and blinkers . . . what more could a girl ask for? I can only imagine all the fun we're going to have together . . . fasten your seatbelt, Frank!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for . . .
  • the grace of God
  • my darling, wonderful family and friends
  • my health . . . still rockin' the crud . . . it's kinda my default state now
  • getting a push from God to squash my stubborn streak long enough to do the right thing today
  • a fun field trip coming up tomorrow
  • the weekend dangling right in front of my face
  • my simple little life
  • the many thousands of miles Mitzy travelled with me over the years
  • the fact that I'll be driving in my new car this weekend!!!! Yippy skippy!
  • CarMax . . . they have been absolutely fabulous to work with
  • spring break beginning in exactly 1 week . . . yessirree
  • some fun plans around the corner
  • LA's very first Thankful Thursday today :)
  • Paul McDonald still kickin' it on American Idol . . . watch him here
  • the deliciously comfortable bed I've got . . . I'm not ashamed to say that I actually look forward to jumping in it every, single night
  • my new jeans
  • beautiful weather
  • gorgeous blooming Bradford pear trees (even though my sinuses immediately seize up in their presence)

HAPPY WEEKEND, and I hope your sinuses like you more than mine like me!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Nappy Napperson

I'm not a big napper. Once in a blue moon, I'll take a nap and then wake up feeling great. Most times, though, I wake up feeling like a complete zombie after a nap. A zombie with a dull headache who feels worthless for the rest of the day and who regrets ever taking that dadgum nap in the first place.

I was so tired after work this afternoon that I could barely keep my eyes open. I curled up on my couch and slept for an hour. What the heck? I never take a nap after work.

I'm feeling supremely zombie-like right now. I should probably just pull the plug on this day and go to bed.

Thanks for nothing, dumb ol' nap.