Memory Lane!

Most of my boxes have been unpacked, but there were a few in the basement that have been packed away for years, apparently. There were only 2 boxes, but there were a lot of memories.  A few old dolls, some clothes, some gifts from Foreign Exchange students (that I didn't even remember I had!).

These dishes were in one of the boxes.  I expected them to be from Germany because the Blue Onion pattern is famous from the Weimar region in Thuringia, but they are actually from Japan.  Who'd thought?!  I suspect I received these from one of the 2 Japanese girls that lived with me, but one has already said that she hadn't.  She also stated that they looked European, not Japanese.  Specifically, Japanese tea cups don't have handles.

I came across a dress that I bought in Australia that I loved.  I held it up to my waist to see how "far" I'd have to go to fit into it again... Yeah, ain't gonna happen. I doubt my chest would fit into it anyway, even if my waist manages with narrow again.

Eventually some of the stuff will be out on display again, but for now, it will stay in the basement.  Just long enough for me to forget the wonderful treasures so I can get all excited over them again.

Childless People Never Realize...

...just how interesting their stuff is to their friend's kids.  I, the childless one, always find it interesting at how much fun kids have exploring and manhandling the things in my house.  I also find it interesting at how uninhibited many kids are at exploring.

"Miss Lisa, can we play with that game that is on the top shelf of that cabinet in that back room? You know... the one behind that big bag of CANDY we found?"  I swear they are part sugar hounds...

Couches become jungle gyms, tables become chairs, banisters become dance poles and swings.  

I am not complaining. I am, however, surprised at how aware I am.  I am truly glad that these children feel at home in my home. 

*So* Popular

I dont get it.  (Some) Kids seem to really like me.  Not that I think I am not "kid-friendly," but I am just not sure why they like me as much as some of them do.  Specifically, my new neighbors.  There is a family down the street with a bunch of kids (versus a gaggle).  There is an 11 year old that looks 9, his 9 year old brother that looks 6, and then there are 2 younger ones, plus Mom's got one in the oven.  The 11 year old immediately took a liking to me when he tried to sell me popcorn.  "I KNEW I was going to like you!" ex exclaimed within the first 2 minutes of meeting me.  He insisted that I come to meet his parents.  I obliged and was glad I did.  They seem like good people.

Then today, I was chatting with my neighbor across the ally and here comes a little girl from a few houses down. "HI! I'm ANNIE!" She was sweet and lively.  She too insisted that I come meet her parents.  Wouldn't you know it, they are from back home!  He's from East Chicago, she's from Chicago.

We stood there and spoke for quite some time.  Very nice people.  Annie was cracking me up.  Totally fun and sweet.  It turns out, our birthdays are only a day apart.  She wants to have a co-birthday party. By the time we said our goodbyes, I was invited to hear her sing at church, her basketball game tomorrow, planned a trip to Ritters with both our families, including the dogs, and she had set up a time for her, her Mom, and about 3 of her friends to come over to my house so I could teach them to knit.  A very productive introduction!

I am guessing that the kids like the fact that I talk with them versus at them.  But that's just a guess.  Like I said, it's not all kids, I ran into a friend and his 2 kids and the 6 year old has decided she doesn't want to interact with me (in the past she had warmed up fairly quickly though).  And, I got a smile from the baby, so I consider that a "win."

Enough Already...Part II

So, life had slowed down a bit and weird things had as well.  No theft, auto accidents, had a lovely weekend with friends and then it went weird and bad.  I blame myself, although I jokingly blamed an old friend from high school who had quipped "it isn't over yet" when I had stated what an awesome weekend I was having.  I had a weird situation with a friend that I am still trying to come to terms with. I am chalking it up to "too much togetherness," but only time will tell.

Then, after crying most of the way back down to Indy, I get home and an uninvited person knocked on my door.  It was creepy.  Stalkerish.  I hadn't spoken to this person in nearly 3 years.  I hadn't planned on talking to him again.  Email: blocked.  Facebook: blocked.  Address: changed.  Not to avoid him, but it was a fringe benefit.  How did he know I had just gotten home?  He lives over 2 1/2 hours away.  I had just driven from 2 1/2 hours from a different direction.  How did he know what I drive? I am on my 2nd car since I have last had contact with him. Even more creepy, how the HELL did he know where I live?!  I have only been in this place for about 2 months and you can't find me online.  Sadly, when I had heard that he showed up at the his ex-girlfriend's house earlier in the week, I thought "thank God he doesn't know where I live."  So, twice I jinxed myself in one week.  It even prompted me and a friend to "google" myself and I couldn't locate my address in Indy.  how did he find it?!  I have my theories.

I didn't speak to him when I opened the door and the door wasn't open long enough for him to say anything either. It's hard to describe the feeling of seeing him there.  It wasn't anger.  I was astounded initially and thought "how dare he."  But, as the night progressed, I realized how freaked out I was.  Was he still out there?  Was he watching?  Has he been following me? Has he done this before?  WHY would he do this?  There are only so many times that you can have the same damn exhausting conversation.  I thought I had the last one years ago.  I guess in a way, it still has been years ago since we spoke!

All that night, I was on pins and needles.  I kept expecting another knock at the door.  I even was looking around the parking lot at work expecting him to show up.  A full week and a day later, I hard knocking and it woke me from a dead sleep.  I think it was across the street, but it sent chills.  I laid there awake listening intently to see if it was at my door.  I convinced myself it wasn't and tried to fall back to sleep.  I didn't think it had that profound of an impact on me, but obviously it did.  I wasn't going to write about it, but tonight, another knock at the door sent me into a tizzy.  It was the pizza guy, but I was convinced it couldn't be because my cousin had just ordered it like 10 minutes before.  Thankfully, it was the beloved pizza guy.  No police needed to be called.

Halloween in my New Neighborhood

It was fun again!  It was really neat being in a neighborhood that embraces Halloween.  The neighborhood claims to be the birthplace of modern Halloween Festivities.  It is technically a week long event (however, there is an artwork competition that starts well before the week of).  The artwork is for that years poster.  The festivities start with the original, 1st, and 2nd runner up artwork being auctioned off.  Then, there are poetry readings, plays, and kids (and grown ups) can purchase "windows" where they can paint whatever they want.  It was fun to stroll through the business district watching the kids paint.  Many of them had scribed their designs out on paper.  It's serious business!  I didn't realize it, but there were also prizes for the best windows.

The week ends with the street festival.  It was just right.  It was 2 city blocks long and somehow we spent all day there.  It was fun seeing all the different types of costumes on both adults and kids alike.  And the dogs too! There were so many dogs in costume.  Their choice, too, I am sure.  I didn't bring Cecelia ~ she's not use to being around crowds.  And while we love being with each other as much as we can, I am not going to do put her in a stressful situation for it.  Not too mention, we ended up walking 10 miles by the end of the day ~ she usually starts pouting around 1 mile and really gives up at 2.  I didn't feel like carrying her fluffy 45 lbs around for 8 miles.

For the better part of the last 15 years, I have been lucky to have a dozen trick-or-treaters.  I was in the apartment, then for a few years, I was in a rental house & got TONS of kids, but the last 6 years, the houses on my street were too far apart to maximize candy hoarding. Kids went to the neighborhood behind me - they could attack 3-4 houses in the time the could get from my house to or from my neighbors.  

This year, I was bombarded.  I was also told that I was one of the few giving out the good stuff.  Yeah, that's right, I rocked Halloween.  I also won points when I was able to identify Magenta.  However, in my opinion, if one is old enough to have seen Rocky Horror Picture Show, you are too old to be trick-or-treating.

All-in-all, it was a great week!

Enough Already

Sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na sha-na-na-na-na... it's time for change...

Ok, it's changed enough now!  SO much change has happened just since March.  I am ready for it to settle down now!

Change 1:  I came back from a site visit to lose my job.  It was time to part ways and I had actually already started looking because the job just wasn't as satisfying anymore.  It was becoming much more political and I believed there was a lot of what made the company special that was being lost.  Still, it's tough to leave a place that you have loved.  Over the course of time there, my best friend started working there, other close friends started, and of course I made some amazing friends too.  I loved and learned many things there.  Which leads to Change 2...

Change 2: Started a new job with a great healthcare system in Indianapolis. It was tough to figure out what type of job to search for.  That was one of the wonderful things about the last job ~ it was different.  Unfortunately, it also pigeonholed us.  The type of positions that we worked with don't become available often, so I was discouraged.  I lucked out in the position I found and the team that I work with.

Change 3 - 6: Sold my home, stayed with a friend, rented a ghetto-tastic cockroach palace, and bought a house.

Change 7: Bought a new car.  After a year of stress and anxiety, I needed to get something else.  I now have a lovely Ford Escape.  it has all the whistles and bells.  Oddly, I haven't really even thought of the bug since I dropped off the spare key at the Ford dealership.  I see that as a good thing!

There are other things that have happened along the way, but I figured I needed to get some of the big bang items out of the way to get back in the swing of things!

Hope you didn't miss me too much...

Hit by a flippin' tree!

I feel like a magnet. 2 police reports in 1 week. The 1st was for the purse being stolen. The 2nd was for theTREE that launched off of a truck into my car while driving 60 mph on the interstate near the rental house in Indy.

Seriously?

Seriously. A lot of "f" bombs were dropped. Thankfully, the guy stopped to make sure we were OK. He was in the lane to my right and I was in the process of passing him as the tree trunk rolled off the back, hit the pavement, bounced, and headed straight for my VW convertible beetle. Thankfully, I was able to jerk the car to the left to avoid what could have potentially been deadly. It ended up hitting the wheel h

ub, bouncing again, missed my window by a fraction of an inch and landing on the back quarter panel of the passenger's side.

There were a few things that the fella could have been ticketed for, but the police officer was ticked that I insisted that he file a report. He suggested that we just let our insurance work it out. Problem is... when I have done that in the past, I ended up getting screwed. And, the fella that was driving didn't own the truck.

So, I call my insurance and think that they are going to contact the other people's insurance.

Right? No...nothing. I end up getting a call from the guy that was driving's insurance company. I call mine to ask why they didn't manage this for me & she acted like I was on crack. "Isn't that what I pay you for?"

It is so frustrating. Yet again, I am the one being put out by both these insurance companies

when I wasn't at fault. When did being a victim become about defending the fact that you were wronged? Yeah, I wanted to get hit by a 6' long 3' around tree...so annoying.

What a week...

Frustration, anxiety, exhaustion...

I am having one of those weeks where you have to remind yourself that things aren't that bad. You have wonderful friends and family. The glass isn't only half full, it's overflowing. Yet, for some reason you have one of those days where the glass feels bone dry. The worst day of it was a week ago Sunday. I was a blubbering baby. It all just came to a head. But, let me back up a bit.

I already blogged about little miss puppy dog escaping and causing me to lose about 4 years of my life through the worry. I also had a stressful experience with my car where I thought I was going to have to give up my brother's 1st born to fix it. Then, 2 Thursday night/Friday

mornings ago, my purse was snatched out of my car. Such violation. I know that it's just "stuff" but what shitty timing. I am traveling between 2 towns weekly, I have everything in that purse.

I didn't think it was too bad, but then I realized just how much that very little amount of stuff there was in there cost when i added it all up. 2 phones (one was a new iPhone ~ no insurance via the provider), a camera, my prescription sunglasses...and that's just the big items.

This was frustrating enough, but having to deal with insurance has been a treat... I felt like they thought I was trying to swindle them out of money. I understand that there are those out there that are unscrupulous, but why treat everyone like they are? It's like the physicians in the Emergency Department that treat anyone that comes in with pain as a drug seeker.

Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep late last week. Then, I did get an offer on my house in South Bend. I should have been excited, but the offer was so pitiful, it just pissed me off. We eventually agreed on a price that was still lower than I'd like, but too high to walk away from.

My poor sister and friend had to deal with my emotional barfing. Just as I was starting to make headway with the insurance company in regards to the purse theft and things were starting to settle, I got hit by a tree. Yes, hit by a tree. See the next post for that one....

One Scared Puppy...and a Dog

I have been staying with an incredibly gracious friend for the last month and a half. He is a dog lover and has rescued a greyhound or 2 in his lifetime. Right now, his baby is Dexter. About a week ago Dexter got out. It's a horrible feeling and I was SO glad it didn't happen on my watch.

This week, my baby, Cecelia has been here too. Did I mention how amazingly gracious my friend is?! On Wednesday, I went to a movie and headed home. I wanted to get to bed early because I had an early meeting. I ended up getting stuck in traffic. I turned onto my friend's street and I see him walking toward me with a flashlight. Uh oh.

"Cecelia got out. It hasn't been more than 5 minutes" I wanted to barf. He climbed into my car and off we were. A neighbor overheard us and told us that he had just seen her. We set off in that direction - straight toward the retail area...

We stopped by a house where there were a bunch of kids drinking in the garage ~ undoubtedly the ones that set Cecelia off with the fireworks. "Uh, no, we haven't" "OK, if you see a 45 lb dog with golden hair, please try & get her" "Wait...does she look like a fox? Yeah, I saw her over there about 5 minutes ago!" (sure a fat short version of a fox...).

And we drove off. And around. And around. AAAAnnnd around... My friend walked around while I drove. Then I parked and walked. And then I drove some more. My friend ran into some fellas that had seen her at Gamestop - very close to the state road...

Still no luck. It had been nearing 2 hours. I dropped my friend off and made one more attempt. I drove north on the state road, on the shoulder with hazards on going about 4 miles per hour. I was just about to turn off the road and I caught a glimpse of a Cecelia shaped movement!

My heart leapt. My anxiety, still high, but overwhelmed with relief. I called to her & without even so much as looking up, she headed toward my voice ~ straight into traffic.

I was already on the shoulder and threw the car into park & jumped out. The intersection we were at is probably one of THE most dangerous ones in the area. It's wide and angled. Just all around dangerous and my puppy was walking into it.

She was southbound and the traffic was all northbound and far enough away that I was able to run out into the intersection without risk of getting hit, as long as the drivers were paying attention. Cecelia stopped and sat when I told her and I leashed her. She went straight to the car and sat in her place and seemed quite content to be there. I mapped it and if she only walked a straight line, it was 1.4 miles.

The next morning, she was being a royal bitch. I have been caging her since I am concerned that she would pee in my friend's house ~ well, she cussed me out and flipped her bowl. When my friend got home later that day, he came home to a stinky house and a urine saturated dog bed in the cage.

I can't blame her. She's confused and scared. My friend scares me too! :D

We didn't see where she escaped. we concluded that she had to have climbed the fence. I found it hard to believe, but we had no other ideas...until daylight. My friend found the escape hatch. In a matter of mere minutes, she managed to eat through the chain link fence.

Things you learn by owning a convertible:

Last September, I bought a powder blue convertible VW Beetle. It’s a car that I always wanted and it has quickly proven to me that you shouldn’t always get what you want. To say it’s been less than what I expected would be an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute and I look adorable in it (…duh…) but, all-in-all, I can’t wait until I can afford to get something else.

For the time being, I have to make the best of it and try to enjoy the summer with the top down. Here are a few things that I have learned while owning this car:

People will just talk to you. Think about it…when you are driving around, how often do you engage in a conversation with anyone outside the confines of your own vehicle? Now, I know there are occasions where you pass someone you know and give a “hayyy,” or when you need some Grey Poupon,, but when was the last time you talked to someone you didn’t know. If you are anything like me, it would only be to cuss them out behind your closed window when they cut you off.

It happens to me all. the. time. With the top down, people seem to think it’s an open invitation to converse. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t (generally) mind it, but it is a bit invasive at times. I realized while I was driving around a neighborhood that people spoke to me more while I was driving in the convertible than when I walked past them on the sidewalk. It was an interesting observation.

Does the type of vehicle matter, I wonder? Does the “personality” of the Beetle attract it more than other more pretentious vehicles like a BMW or Mercedes (they have convertibles, right?).

Another lesson learned: You shouldn’t wear a skirt with the top down. Really, no further explanation is needed on this one, is there?

You really need to be aware of loose items in the car as they will no longer be in the car once the top is down and car is in motion. Even that random straw wrapper that you didn’t know was there…it will let you (and all the other drivers in eye shot) know it’s presence and then it will make you an unintentional litterer.

Sunglasses aren’t sufficient. You really need a visor or hat unless you have those uber cool sunglasses that were popular in 1982 that had the side-blinders and were super close you your face. You even need the hat when the top is up because the windows are so high and the built in visor is tiny, so you need something to help block the sun.

Lastly, your hair must be secured and be prepared, even with having back, it will feel like straw.

Since I typed this, I came up with a few other things, but I can't remember most of them now. One that I did think of was actually related to the "Beetle" aspect of the car, not the convertible one... and that is, it's fun to see who around you still plays "slug bug."

Creepy!

The only thing creepier is driving through these at night ~ they have glowing demonic eyes!

I actually saw a woman wearing these the other day. I took a pic, but the angle just didn't capture the hideousness that were these boots. I was even more sad to see that there are many MANY version of these things.

The pair I saw were attached to a woman that was equally as unattractive. Skin tight pants, pouffy hair, heavy makeup. She belonged in 1985 at a Metallica concert, but no, there she was at the local cajun restaurant.

Old People Are Cute

On Mother's Day, I joined my parents at the Hobart Elks for the annual Mother's Day Brunch. The food wasn't bad. I tried not to get offended when the guy gave me a rose too. What? I have ovaries, so I must be a Mom? I know that they are erring on the side of caution, but when I state that I am not a Mom and then a rose is still trust on me...I do get slightly off put. I shouldn't get the rose. While Cecelia is my "baby" and I am her "mommy" ~ I am not quite so nutty to think that this earns me a "Mother's Day" title. Yes, she's my baby. But I know she's a dog.

I digress.

I saw the cutest old man. I hear his name is Willard. Even. Better. Seriously, where

do you get not only a pale yellow suite, but matching leather shoes!? It was so much fun to see. THEN, I was told that Willard has an old lady. No one seemed to remember her name though ~ just that she makes it very clear that they aren't married, just living together. What a hoochie. But I guess when you can get your man to dress like you. You heard me right...they matched. She had a pale yellow suit and pale yellow shoes. Love. It.

What a Difference a Car Makes

My Cecelia has had an ugly relationship with cars. She started getting car sick at an early age and didn't stop until 12 years later. Since I have had the VW Beetle, she has been much more relaxed and will even lay down ~ something that never happened with the Saturn or the Element. I guess there is some silver lining in the VW Beetle...'cause there are few other things that I like about it!!

As Done As I Can Be Until July

Another friend is having a baby. She picked out the cross-stitch that she liked and I made it!

Anyone that has done cross-stitch immediately tends to flip the thing over and look "under the hood" ~ so, I shall appease:

Who knew?!

Not this gal, that's for sure...

I love tarragon! After my "what do you use tarragon for anyway?" post, a friend linked a recipe. I just wrapped up making the "Chocolate Tarragon Cupcakes with Tarragon Cream Cheese Frosting."

It was eventful. First, I didn't have enough chocolate. The annoying thing was, I had just come back from the store with milk that I needed for the recipe. I even passed the baking chocolate that was on sale. Twice.

Even though I knew it was on sale at Meijer, I opted to go to Martin's because the people at Meijer were annoying me. Having worked in a grocery store, I should have known better than to go to the store on a holiday weekend. I ended up paying a lot more than I would have if I would have dealt with the stupid people.

Speaking of stupid people...

When cooking, I am generally impatient. I cook too fast. The frosting required to make an infused syrup. It crystalized. It became a stone. I went back to the drawing board. Success...or not. But, it'll do...

While that was cooling, I worked on the cream cheese part of the frosting. I went to add the powdered sugar and something just wasn't right. it was clumpy and wasn't sweet at all. What they hey?! Uh...yeah, dummy, you grabbed the FLOUR canister, not the powdered sugar...

So, I remade that and in the meantime, the syrup solidified too much. ARGH! I used it anyway :)

I didn't strain the tarragon out of the syrup though and they are a little tough ~ no where near as tough as bay leaves, but you can definitely feel the texture of the bigger pieces.

But, most importantly, I realized that I LOVE tarragon and jut didn't know that the flavor I often assumed was anise was in fact tarragon. My favorite Republic of Tea tea, Rainforest 'something-or-another' has tarragon in it. Yum!

Welcome to the Jungle

Oh, wait, wrong song...

My next craft project is underway! Another friend is pushing out a baby soon, so a cross-stitch is in order! I love love LOVE that this friend 1) knew she was "worthy" of one and 2) is comfortable enough in our friendship that she found a cross-stitch that she knew she would like to have and asked me to make that one for her/them.

The really fun part is that one of the 2 that she found matches the cross-stitch I made for her & her husband as a wedding gift...that I recently saw is still in the office floor waiting to be framed...ehm! I will give her a reprieve though. I know it's because they have been debating on how they want to have it framed - alone? with a picture? large matte? small matte? I know that it's still loved!

I started on the baby one this afternoon. I am excited at the progress. We chose different colors that the ones in the "recipe" ~ I did the same for the wedding one ~ I tried to match it a bit more. The colors are much more fun and little boyish

At this rate, I may have it done by the time the baby graduates from college! Win! ...now, to finish the 2 scarves that my friend's kids asked for when I was watching them a few weeks back. I guess I DO have some stuff to work on before I start my new job in a week!

Separation Anxiety...and Then Some...

No matter how much you don't want to adapt to a place and become part of it, you do. I never considered myself a "Bender," but little by little, it creeps into your pores and there you are. You know all the back ways and little "hot spot" places - as well as the place to avoid like the plague on game days.

You have some recognition of the head coach at Notre Dame, whether you want to or not and you know what draft pick the QB was. OK, well, I took a little liberty in this one...I actually don't know this info right now...and I often get razzed for it too. I can, however, still sing the Superbowl Shuffle and tell you the Bears starting line up for the 84 (or was it 85?) team.

Home. It has become home. I love this house, I love my friends. I am going to miss having them in close proximity. They, of course, are always near to my heart.

IHOL Room-By-Room: Master Bedroom

Heh..."Master" - I think the "master" in this house is Cecelia. Our (Cecelia's and my) room is just a room. It's fun because it has the widow's walk off the bedroom. I often sleep with the door open ~ provides a great breeze!

I think there are 2 memories I will take with me from the bedroom (that I am willing to share here!). First, is the FedEx & UPS planes. Laying in bed, these planes fly so low that it looks as though they are flying into my room. Or, at least they use to ~ now that there is a 2nd landing strip, they often don't pass overhead. When I first moved in, my sister wanted me to watch this "great movie" - Donnie Darko. Yeah...if anyone has seen the deranged movie...the gist of it is that a character dies when an engine falls off of a plane and crashes down on the kid and kills him in his bed. Thank you, sister. I love you too.

The other memory is of my horrible mattress. It's hard to believe the thing is 15 years old. Having been single that whole time, I tend to sleep in the middle of the bed. Now, it's got a huge dip in it (yeah...I left myself open on that!). It's hard to get out of it, but I have it down to a science now. That mattress will NOT be moving with me!

IHOL Room-By-Room: "The International Room"

Ironically, the "International" or "chianti" room hasn't housed more than one International for any length of time. The reason I have named it the "International" room is because everything in the room is either an item I brought back from my travels, or it was a gift from an International location. There is one item that I did order from a poster site, but it's still in theme - a Chicago Worlds Fair" poster from the early 1900s. It's matches in there perfectly too.

Depending on who you speak to, this room could also be called "My" room by the parents. It is, indeed, where they stay when they come to visit. Mom even has a set of slippers and a robe in the closet. She better get her stuff out of here

before the garage sale...! :)

IHOL Room-By-Room: "The office"

The intention was that this room would be an office. Eventually it was, but it was so much more before that. It has been home to 4 of the International students that lived with me.

When I saw this sign in the Pottery Barn catalog, I simply had to have it. It was meant for me!

The color of this room was based off of the color scheme in the Karma Vista Winery in Coloma, Michigan. I feel in love with it

and by fate, when I went to Menards or Lowes, the color was easily found. It is still a color I love and may end up in my next home too...this time, the color seems to suit the dining room space...hmmm...we'll see!

Part of what makes the color work in this room is that there is a ton of natural light in the house. I also love how the paint colors accent the curved ceiling. And if you are having trouble "labeling" the color, I call it "eggplant" ~ the pictures make it appear a bit more gray than it is in person.

This room is not "mine" ~ when I think of this room, I consider it "their" rooms. I am just borrowing it from my Internationals.

IHOL Room-By-Room: The Living Room

This is the room that I fell in love with. The big window, the fire place, the arched doorways, the hardwood floors. It looks amazing at Christmas too.

Originally, I wasn't going to have a television in here, but when "My Brazilian" lived here, she wasn't too keen on the basement, so we added a small TV. Someone gifted me a larger one recently, so that's that. I have to admit, it's been nice ~ a beautiful roaring fire, watching tv.

There are tons of memories in this room. From the Brazilian's request to have a television in here to the fact that one of "My Germans" wouldn't sit on the leather furniture when he came to visit because it was new/different and refused to acknowledge it was here.

I'd have to say that the memory that trumps them all includes both the Brazilian, and two on my Germans. I had volunteered to work "Late Night" at work. This meant that I got home @ 8:15 versus the normal 5:30 ish. It was January 2nd or 3rd and the girls had called a couple of time to see when I'd be home. Little did I know that one of my Germans came back to surprise me! He went to Las Vegas for New Years and decided to stop in South Bend to visit me for a day before flying home via Chicago. It was one of, if not THE most amazing gifts I have ever received. I was able to take the afternoon off the next day & surprise him too. Originally, he was going to spend the day getting things to take back, we'd meet for lunch, then I would take him to the train. Instead, I drove him up to Chicago and we spent the afternoon & evening together.

I know I speak of "My Foreigners" often in these blogs, especially the ones relating to the house. It's important to understand who these people are. Quite simply, they are family. Not the kind I am biologically bound to, but almost better ~ they are family that we made. My Brazilian is all heart. She is a mother bird that knows how to give tough love in a compassionate way. "My Germans" - there are a few. The original dates back to 1989, Charlotte "Tina", from Hamburg. Sadly, I have lost touch with her. She had a tough re-assimilation. Last I heard, she was going to go to the Middle East to help liberate women... Then there was my self declared "SGB - sexy German boy". Our story is much more complex and not one that I am willing to share here. Suffice it to say that he & I went through some interestingly tough times which solidified our bond as brother & sister. My love for him is limitless. He was here in 1996. The next 4 Germans are more recent and all lived here in this home. 2 are incredibly close, have become family. One is very much in my heart, but sadly she & I aren't as close as the others. The last one, well...she was asked to move out. She's not worth talking about here.

While she was here, one of the other Germans joined us (she was jealous of him, part of the reason she was asked to leave). He is incredibly gorgeous. Seriously. The 1st thing I said to him was that he better not be a jerk because if I ever had a kid, I wanted to name him the same name ~ and I didn't want him to ruin it. Within a week, I had fallen head-over-heals in love with him. No, not in that way. He reminded me so much of my SGB. He became a brother too. The kindest thing he said to me was right before he left. He said that he never expected to gain a sister when he came to the US. My heart swelled. Interestingly, his actual initials ARE SGB!

Right before he left, another German arrived. And boy did she! If the Brazilian is the heart, this German is the Spirit. She talks faster than me. Her English is impeccable. Her body is unbelievable! She still lives here in the US. I should see her more, but we know how that goes.

When the 2nd SGB left, me & my girls (I often refer to the Brazilian and the German as "my girls") also had another German. She was very sweet. Younger than the others and her boyfriend was in Detroit, so we didn't see her as much, but she was as sweet as can be and very much part of my International Family.

I sure hope that the new owners of this home appreciate all the culture and love that was shared within these walls.

IHOL Room-By-Room: The Kitchen

This will be a short one...not much to talk about with the kitchen - Only thing we did in here was add the countertop, sink, pot rack and then paint the very little bit of wall.

The funniest memory I have was from m 1st April here. It was Easter and I also had my uncle's dog living here. My parents and sister were here too. We had already eaten and had placed the ham on the counter. It was pushed way back against the back splash. The humans were in the living room and we all realized @ the same moment that the canines weren't there... and it was really quiet...

I got up and slinked into the dining room to peer around the corner into the kitchen, hoping to see what they were up to. Somehow, the dogs had lifted the carcass off the plate without moving it and they were both feasting on said carcass. They looked up @ me with out so much as an inkling of guilt. It was funny.

IHOL Room-By-Room: The 1/2 Bath

Really weird that I can blog about the loo, but I've got 2 worth talking about. This one is the 1/2 bath on the main level of the house. In the lsat post, I said the dining room was the only room that's been painted more than once. Technically that is true, this room was only 1/2 painted for the first 5 years. A year ago February I finally decided to go ahead and paint above the chair rail.

What makes this loo fun is the fact that the lower half of the walls are both magnetic and a chalkboard. I had that magnetic poetry up for awhile, but that got old, so now, it's just used as a chalkboard. It's a "win" when I have parties ~ at least for people that haven't been here before. It's lost it's appeal for the "usual crowd."

I feel like it's made a big difference in there. The black/white walls seemed naked, sterile. The blue just warms it up a lot.

There are odd little memories of the room. People tapping on the window from the backyard, trying to make the current occupant uncomfortable, the often humorous, sometimes tasteless, always creative drawings on the walls, "for a good time, go upstairs."

IHOL Room-By-Room: The Dining Room

The next room I painted was the dining room. It's also the only room that's been painted 2X.Iloved the original color, but it didn't showcase the artwork on the walls and it needed to. The original orange had more red in it. It worked until I received the piece of artwork featured in this image (the painting on the right). It just blended in too much and I have coveted this painting since I saw it and it needed to be displayed appropriately.

The color the room ended up with the 2nd time I painted is closer to the original color that I intended the room to be.

As you can see, the painting pops much more with the lighter, naval orange versus the blood orange that the room was. The only challenge with the room being

this specific shade of orange is the fact that it meets up with the navy room...being from NW IN, many people ask if I am a Chicago Bears fan...I don't dislike them, but I sure didn't paint my house to honor them either. The rooms dictate the colors that they want to be.

That's one thing that I learned long ago ~ which has been confirmed by many a HGTV show ~ so many people cannot visualize a space. I can not only gauge how furniture will work spacially, but I can see color too. I knew it would look descent in there, just as I knew that the navy would work well in my living room.

There have been many dinners around this table, a few parties...all have been worthy of mention in their own way, but really what I will take from this room (literally and figuratively) is the artwork. I have been proud to showcase my sister's talent so predominantly in my home. Any new visitors to my home make mention of the art and I beam with pride in mentioning that they were all done by my sister. There is a moment of bragging that she was the youngest one to win a certain scholastic award for the one painting, of possessiveness when I mention that "that one" was the "Maid of Honor" gift (the BEST I've

ever received - no offense to anyone else!!), and the other of thoughtfulness at the fact that she painted a scene from our grandparent's house ~ one that we no longer have since we sold that house.

There are a couple of other items on the wall - all have specific thoughtfulness in them - a painted porcelain plate that a friend made for me as a going away present in Australia, a piece of ceramic from Italy that my brother & sister-in-law brought back for me from their honeymoon, and the Mrs. Dash packet. For that story, I will make you search my blog. It's entertaining...or so I am told.

IHOL Room-By-Room: The Basement

The basement was the 1st room I painted and how. Yes, the images below are the real colors and how wonderful to have a bright and cheerful basement?!

I know many don't like it, but it's paint...it can be repainted. This part of the basement hasn't changed much in the last 6 years ~ the other half has gone through a transformation though. This room was the first to have new furniture and is the "family" room. A few years back, when I had 2 roommates, "my German" and "my Brazilian", I had a friend from Indy that needed to stay in my home. It ended up being 5 adults and 4 kids or so. They were dubbed "the basement family" by "my foreigners."

The other half of the basement was completely unfinished, separated by a wood paneled "wall". We tore down part of that wall and 1/3 of the space is now a lovely bathroom (to be blogged about in another post). It won't take much for the next family to completely finish off the space. One small wall here, a small wall there. However, even as it is, it's completely livable.

And lovable. <3

Dear IHOL

Dear IHOL (International House of Lisa),

Thank you. Thank you for all the love and shelter you have provided to me, my family, and friends for the last 6 years ~ almost to the day.

You, very quickly, became a home for me and Cecelia. You were welcoming to the copious amounts of people I brought home for varying lengths of time. That almost sounds trashy ~ and as you know, jokes were made in the like about adding a red light in the front ~ in jest, of course! There was nothing improper going on in this house, well...with the exception of a certain freaky German that we love. All I can say is, thank God that her room wasn't above that loose ceiling fan! However, it was fun keeping "that" neighbor guessing!

Your walls were sterile and cold when we arrived. Still, we saw the potential. You allowed me to paint your walls what some would describe as "outrageous" colors ~ yet you wear them well. We upgraded your windows, your furnace, water heater, fenced in your yard (for the most part...), fixed your chimney...constructed a new bathroom...and you took it all so well.

You let my Mom and her friend overtake you once a year to violate your yard and garage to sell their copious goods. For that alone, I owe you!

We made family here with Germans and a Brazilian. Their love still thrives within your walls. Every room provides memories that will stay with me forever. I hope that we have left a positive imprint on your life too, house.

I want you to know that I love you and that will not change. You were my first home (as an owner) and I could never have asked for more. It is time now to share your beauty and allow you to create memories for others. I pray that they will keep you safe and that you, in turn, will do the same. I have filled this house with love and I expect that you will share that love with whomever is blessed enough to next live within these walls.

Pretty soon we will have to retire the name "IHOL" and you will have a new name with a new life and new memories created. Please know it's OK to move on ~ the love we (speaking on behalf of all those that have lived here over the 6 years) have for you is timeless.

Love,

Lisa & Cecelia

What Do You Use Tarragon For Anyway?

I have started to purge the house of things. So far, 5 bags of clothes have been donated. I have a ton of magazines that I had thrown away, only to find out that those can be donated too...although, I think I may just recycle them anyway... Kitchen cabinets have been sorted, consolidated, purged. I have fancy wine glasses, why do I need copious amounts of the cheapo ones? Of course, in the process, of sorting what was what, I ended up knocking one of the 'keepers' to the floor. It wasn't a fancy (a/k/a expensive) one, but one from my favorite winery. I have already mentioned in a previous blog about the great Toiletry Consolidation of 2011, so I have at least been getting organized. It's tough though because I am fairly organized in general ~ although, don't ask my former co-workers that need to sort through the mess of emails and files I left at work :) - You have to have a "junk drawer" somewhere...

There are 2 boxes of either "yard sale" or "donation" items that I have packed as a result of the Great Purge of 2011.

I have had 3 scheduled walk throughs, one cancelled, one was too early in the game to make a decision, and the 3rd thought that the yard was too big for the 2 ND students that were looking at buying.

The shower wall has been put up, just waiting for the grout. St. Joseph has been buried for 3 days now. I have seen a few people pick up flyers, so hopefully the Open House on the 10th will muster up a buyer. I need to be hopeful!!

The day after the Open House, I have a 2nd interview scheduled for the place I had the face-to-face interview and then the following day, a meet-and-greet with their competition.

Things are moving. Not nearly as fast as I would like, but they are moving, as will I.

Right now, the only question that is lingering is: Why did I buy tarragon, much less twice, and never open either bottle?

reunited

St. Joseph was planted under Mary. Now...I wait!

I received a call from the Listing Agent yesterday and had to laugh to myself "St. Joe, you are already hard at work!" Alas, the Realtor was just asking if I wanted to have an open house. Still, it's something!

Out of curiosity, I googled St. Joseph. Heh. Sounds dirty :D

It is funny that on Snopes.com, they don't state true or false like they normally do. I guess they fear the Wrath of God and don't want to lose any Christian followers.

From one of the religious sites it states that the statue is less important than the prayer. So, I am going to make sure that I say that daily too!

I have found a few online, but here's the one that came with my figurine, so it must be the best one, right!?

Dear Saint Joseph, God the Father chose you from all men to be the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus.

You cared thoughtfully and wholeheartedly for them while on Earth. It was through you that Jesus first learned of His Heavenly Father's gentleness. So close were you that He was known simply as the Carpenter's son.

We now ask your help in these our requests. Please intercede before our Heavenly Father for His protection, provision and peace. Help us sell our home and find a new one, suitable for our needs.

Grant us harmony and grace in our home, and may we be ever hospitable to family, friends and neighbors.

Finally, when our life on this earth is over, bring us safely to out heavenly home, where at last we shall enjoy eternal joy with you and all the family of God. Amen.

Hail Mary

I wanted a dog. To get a dog, I needed to move. Task 1: find a place that allows pets, specifically dogs. I quickly found a little house. When a friend and I went to look @ the house, we got a little freaked because we saw a face in the overgrown bushes - It was Mary.

I ended up moving into the house that was being watched over by Mary. Some asked if I was going to get rid of her. Absolutely not! 1) it was her house, not mine and 2) you don't just "get rid" of the Mother of Jesus. There are some people I will mess with, but she isn't one of them!!

Then, when I moved, I was asked if I was going to take Mary with me. Again, absolutely not! S

he wasn't mine!

For Christmas the year I moved into this house, my sister and Mom bought me my very own Mary.

She's coming with me this time ~ so is her husband. I'll dig him up and bring him with us.

St. Joseph & Mary...Together Again

IHOL (International House of Lisa) is, and has been, on the market. It's a lovely house and I love it dearly. If I could take it with me, I would. Alas, I cannot. When I was visiting what will become my next hometown, I decided to stop in at the local God Shop. It's been there since before Jesus, or 1892...whichever came first. I laughed because I told my Mom that all I was going to have to say is "Selling a house." Sure enough ~ he walked straight back to the shelf and handed me a St. Joseph statue and pretty much thought that was it. I am sure he gets a lot of people walking in & then right back out ~ most of them not Catholic buying St. Joe to do anything to sell the house.

Being brought up Catholic, I felt obligated to peruse the store. I think he was grateful to have someone that was really Catholic in there ~ even though I am about as Catholic as my dog at this point in my life. It's funny how the Catholic-ness surfaces though. It felt wrong just to dash in and out. I felt like I owed it to them to meander. I thought about trying to find a patron saint for Mom to help her with the struggles that she is having, but didn't se anything. There were a ton of gaudy and/or ornate crosses. Lots and lots of Jesus, which was to be expected. I did end up getting a charm for Cecelia too. She now officially wears more jewelry that her Human Mom. She has a St. Francis medallion.

Now, I get to bury him. It seems sacrilegious, but it's endorsed by people much more religious than me. The dilemma has become "where to bury him?!" There are 2 schools of thought - face him toward the house you are selling or face him toward the direction of the new home.

OK, so which do I choose?

I could plant (heh, planting a saint...) him on the NW corner near the garage. That way, he's be facing the house AND Indianapolis, but...

I have a statue of Mary on the SW corner of the house. Wouldn't it be nice to plant St. Joe next to (well, technically underneath) his wife? Doubly whammy?

Tennis(elbow), Anyone?

Ouch. Stupid snow. Stupid body.

We had 2 horrific snowfalls this year. One on January 9th where 3 feet of snow fell overnight and then another heavy snowfall that was classified as a blizzard due to the gale force winds, but the snowfall wasn't, or didn't seem, as bad as the January snowfall.

I have a long driveway. I do not have a snow blower. Not a good combination in these conditions. My right elbow was already sore after the Shovel-fest in January. February did me in though. It has become progressively more agitated and now, just flat out painful.

Luckily, I have a surgeon for a brother and a physical therapist for a sister-in-law. I have instructions from the later of the 2 and am trying to make sure I follow those instructions ~ especially since I do not have insurance right now!

I broke down and bought a elbow brace today too. It seems to help a bit.

Now...off to ice it!

Hardest Thing About Selling the House

Other than the actual finding a buyer and the stress of making sure you have everything clean (it's not like you can shove things in drawers or closets, since the buyer will more than likely be looking in those places), the thing that I have found hardest is making sure I have all the lights on in the house.

All those years of your parents teaching you to conserve energy and only turn on the lights that you need. It's super hard to not hit that switch when you walk out of a room!

The Complexities of being a Dog

Ok, I can't really know what the complexities are for Cecelia, but I have been her human Mom for 13+ years now, so we have earned the right to make assumptions about one another. For example, she knows that if she whines just enough, she will get a t-r-e-a-t.

The complexity that I find amusing today is the fact that I am the one she runs to for comfort even though I am the one causing the discomfort in the first place.

Before you go all ASPCA on my ass, let me explain. I love my dog. She is my baby. She's well fed, loved, etc., etc., yadda, yadda. I mean, look at that face! Who couldn't love that schmoopy woopy puppy? She, like a child, acts up when others are around, sneaks out of the "house" (in her case, yard), leaves a mess occasionally. She's a dog.

Presumably, as a dog, there is fur. In Cecelia's case, copious amounts of it. Much of in concentrated in her derriere; indicative of a chow-chow. And much like many of the children I know, she doesn't like to have her hair brushed. It's a humorous ritual to watch.

Setting: IHOL's kitchen, Cecelia watching from the dining room. She watches as Mom narrows in on Treat Central. Unbeknownst to her, for the sheer fact that she is a dog and doesn't care for anything but said treats, Mom is going for the brush contained in a hidden compartment within Treat Central.

Then it begins. The tail between the legs, head down, doing the death march around the dining room table. Occasionally, she breaks down and cowers just enough to give me access to the same spot I brushed a few minutes ago when she broke down.

I never really get her bum well because of this. So, I try the subtle "Let Mommy scratch your ass a little" Who doesn't love a good ass scratching? And then it's on. I start burrowing my fingers into that undercoat and loosen it nice and good. I get a few nice clumps out and she gets up and walks away...for a second.

This is where that complexity comes in. She's annoyed and frustrated, but I am the one that she comes to for comfort. In her sweet little lovely brain, she thinks that getting up. walking around the room and then planting herself on the other side of me has hit me "reset" button and erased my short term memory. Not so much, little lady. I am going to do it again and again.

But I do it because I love you...and it's sorta fun :)

Like Grandmother, Like Mother, Like Daughter

My Mom is a hoarder of sorts. Not nearly as bad as the ones that you see on the television show, but she hoards none-the-less.

When I was younger, it was rabbiting food. If there was a sale, she purchased the 10 can limit. It seemed to have become worst when we were cleaning out my Grandmother's house. It's not like my Gramma's stuff was so nice. It was more of a

"huh, one of those wang-doodles may come in handy some day" sort of thinking. My Mom must have acquired the need to hoard in the Will. Although, in watching Hoarders, and it's comedic counterpart, Clean House, one thing does stand out ~ many people seem to hoard when there is loss of a loved one.

I haven't had a loss and I didn't think of myself as a hoarder...then I looked at all the toiletries I have in my possession! Holy crap. Just because there is a little baby shampoo and conditioner does not

mean I have to take it!! I think Hampton Inn would be smart to follow in Westin's footsteps by offering their toiletries for purchase. Yes, I travel too much for work ~ I know which hotels to get excited over based on their toiletries and who has the better breakfast buffet. Hampton Inn is by far my favorite line of amenities, but you can't buy them anywhere. Westin's are nice ~ I am even contemplating purchasing a candle from there for my sister-in-law for Christmas...and maybe one for myself too! I digress...

I am trying to get my stuff together for a move and I figured this was a good time to take stock. I knew I had a lot, but do I really need a whole dining room table's worth of this stuff?!

For those of you that buy me stuff for Holidays ~ ixnay on the oletrietay for a bit, please. Let me use up some of the stockpile! Since I am in-between jobs at the moment, this will at least help keep some spending down... I had just run out of shampoo in the shower this morning

75%, UGlue, 75%

I arrived home to 21_8...the other 2 was dangling like a very lose tooth. Thankfully, I yanked it before the tile fell & shattered.

Fare Thee Well

It's been a week. I would like to say good or bad ~ be definitive ~ but it's been a true mix. Therefore, it's been a week.

Jokingly, I stated that I hate it when I am right, but that was really the way I felt. See, my family has a tendency to overreact to things; we have a stomach ache, we must have stomach cancer. I sensed that in this instance, I wasn't. I wasn't. Tough thing was, I sensed it all weekend.

Even though I was mentally prepared, once it happened, I was a basket case for the rest of the day. I loved the company. I still do. The mission, the vision, the people. Well, most of the people :) I sensed that I would be losing the job and I was right.

Thankfully, I have amazing ~ let me stress ~ AMAZING friends and loved ones. The outpouring of support was overwhelming. There are a few that I am completely not surprised that they were there and have continued to check in on me. My friends know that I love them and that I consider them family. They showed me this week that, while they may not define it as "family" like I do, they sure showed that they love me.

There were others that have surprised me a little. Not that they care, I try to only keep quality people in my life, but the degree to which they care.

It was expected on Monday, as the word spread, that I would be inundated with calls. I was. The thing was, these calls, emails, Facebook posts and texts haven't stopped. I feel so incredibly loved.

It's made it hard to be anything but grateful. Grateful for the people with whom I have acquainted myself. Even grateful for the whole opportunity with the company. I can't fault the organization for a couple of people's perception, or mis-perceptions of me. I believe it was politics, otherwise, the only explanation is that I was too nice and approachable. All-in-all a noble thing to be let go for, right?

So, if you are one of the people that have reached out to me this week, thank you. YOU are where I have found my strength. And I love you for that.

Marching Orders. Literally.

So, I started looking at my work history. I found it quite interesting that any dismissals have been right when budgets are finalized in these companies: March.

I have decided March is no longer my favorite month.

We Shall See, UGlu, We Shall See…

 

 

 

 

 

I needed to get these up on the house, like 5 years ago.  My parents brought these back for me from Mexico like 2 years ago. The UGlu states that it will hold house numbers…we shall see, we shall see…

The Eyes…The EYES!!!

Are freaky!  This is on the side of a beautiful Victorian style house in Mishawaka/Granger, Indiana.  It’s been a shop for awhile, but they don’t get a lot of traffic there in spite of being @ one of THE most congested intersections.  I blame it on the fact that you can never tell if they are open.  Their solution?  Add a huge freaky billboard where the model has disproportionate man hands and creepy white teeth and eyes that stare at you through the poorly timed LONG light.

Right before this, we saw a Tom (turkey) chasing after 2 other hens and holding up traffic.  I had never seen turkeys fly.  It was funny watching the male unable to fly) chase after the 2 chicks that dumped him.  Guess fluffing them there tail feathers doesn’t always work, there Turkey Man! 

Then, after this billboard, we saw a hotel sign that was advertising “Country Lovin’” Packages – Dueling Banjos immediately came to mind and images of being tied to a tree with a leather belt by the neck.  I don’t think I want their package, thank you very much.

And this, well, Yoda just looked so content and comfortable.  I had to capture the moment.

It IS like Christmas!

My sister, despite her recent bout with pneumonia, drove from Madison, Wisconsin down & over to South Bend to spend my birthday weekend with me.  This was a big deal for a couple of reasons ~ 1) she works 4 jobs and usually only has Sundays “off” (which are consumed with chores) and 2) she’s very much involved with the political goings on; I am certain she was a little sad that she was missing out on some of the activities that she would undoubtedly participated in if she were home (and her health would allow).

We didn’t do too terribly much on Friday, manicures, pedicures, strolled through Meijer, South Bend Chocolate Company, Riverfront Café, The Red Purl Knit Shop, then dinner with friends.  Part of the day involved keeping the dog with us, as I had the 1st showing on my house.  Keep your fingers crossed on that one for me, please.

On Saturday, the only goal we had was to go to Hobby Lobby.  Funny thing is, MOST of what we did, we could have done anywhere.  We watched Netflix, played a game through iPad/iPod Touch against one another.  It was funny.  She has a Hobby Lobby, but I had a gift certificate and she loves the place.  We went, we shopped.  I ended up with a GORGEOUS picture frame.  I have nothing to put in the frame and I am not generally a fan of 8X10’s, but I couldn’t pass this one up. After spending the majority of the gift certificate, we were on our way.

Neither of us had ever been to The Christmas Tree Shop.  We decided to go.  We were a little concerned with we saw that everyone walking out had a shopping cart full of goodies.  Everyone.  We didn’t see anyone walk out empty handed.

Neither did we.

If you’ve never been to a Christmas Tree Shop, just so you know, it’s not a “Christmas” shop ~ guarantee, they are going to have Christmas stuff as seasonally appropriate, but they are not one of those places that only sell Christmas stuff, like that place in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Think more along the lines of Marshalls/TJ Maxx meets Bed Bath & Beyond. It’s like the Target version of Big Lots.  You know what I mean. 

We were like kids in a candy store.  LOVED the place.  Within 100 yards of the door, I had 2 navy accent pillows in hand.

We found a lot of fun things.  As with some, they weren’t really great deals, others really really were.

My favorite purchase there though was something that, per the company website, I was under the impression they were no longer being made ~ TOOTSIE POP DROPS!!!

I bought 2 boxes and am enjoying the 2nd box today. It’s all the joys of a Tootsie Pop, without the annoying stick!  Gosh I love Tootsie Pop Drops.  Well, Tootsie Rolls too.  Yum.  Made my day.  Yeah, the box pictured…it’s empty.

We are now HUGE fans of the store.  I will have to “Like” them on Facebook to prove my allegiance.  (That’s our cultural procedure now, right?).

We also went to Big Lots, the Tuesday Morning.  Both were a little of a let down after the emotional high we were on @ the Christmas Tree Shop.  Then I found iPad screen protectors for $5 (normally $20) and my sister found ribbon holders (to each their own).  So, Tuesday Morning was a success too.  We were exhausted by then and had to wave the white flag and crawl home.

Remember When You Were in High School and Couldn’t Wait to be a Grown Up?

I am having one of those days were I am wondering if things ever change.  I can’t'/don’t want to give my real time example, as I try not to put anything in here that is too revealing about certain areas in my life.  I will use an example that happened my freshman year of college instead.  The situations are pretty much the same, only the supporting cast has changed ~ I, of course, am the star.

My first college class was on a Monday morning, 8 am.  Yeah, I know.  Not to mention I was going to a commuter campus and had to drive 40 minutes. 

The English Prof was an elderly woman that made it very clear, very early in the first class that she really preferred male students and people that doted on her.  I did not fit either category.  She also made it clear that she didn’t appreciate humor in any way, shape, or form unless you fit into one of the afore mentioned categories..  In a nutshell: I was not a “cool kid” and I was screwed.

About half way through the semester, I realized that no matter what I turned in, I would not receive anything over a “C.”  Time to test that theory. With my mom’s consent, I used one of her papers from the same course. She had taken the course a year before and while it was a different professor, it was the same assignment.  This was a paper that she received an A on.  It was retyped and submitted.  I got a “C.”  We took the paper to the Dean and I was able to retake the course with a different professor ~ I got an A.  What a difference a teacher makes.

I find myself in a very similar feeling situation right now.  Unfortunately, I don’t believe that I am going to have the same resolution.  I am out in the “real world” now and things don’t always work out the way they should.  So, for now, I will do my best to try to make the best out of what I can.  All I can do is try.

My Cool Blanket

My Mom is amazing with, well, most anything.  But she is especially gifted with crafts. When I was little, she made many of mine and my brother’s clothes.  She made my 1st Communion gown, a few wedding gowns, random outfits, so on and so forth.  She also makes amazing cakes.  Again, wedding, birthday, baby showers. She has been making quilts for the last few years.  I believe the 1st was for my nephew back in 2002.

I had given my Mom all of my t-shirts from various fund raising 5k walks and bike rides.  She gave me the 1st blanket today.  It’s fun ~ the binding has paw prints on it and the back is navy fleece. There were a bunch of t-shirts, so she has enough to make 2 blankets.  The 1st one is large enough to cover a twin bed, the 2nd one she said, will be much larger.  I am so excited to see it!

Here are some of the fun things Mom has done recently:

 

My sister’s wedding quilt

 

 

 

 

 

A friend’s baby shower train cake

 

 

 

 

 

My dear friend’s baby shower.  I LOVED this cake!!  Three dimensional deliciousness!

 

 

I don’t think I have any others documented digitally…it’s a shame though, because she does some amazing work!!