the wonder's worn off

Another winter storm. Again. Rain, turning to freezing rain, turning to snow. They're calling for eight inches.

I'm sick of this winter wonderland crap.

things to do when you're bored

Take self-portraits. Imagine my surprise when I realized I had taken ninety pictures of myself one night last week when my brain refused to work any longer. Of course, this was before my students' papers were due. When I did get them a few days later and finally crawled into bed after thirteen hours of grading the first bunch, I couldn't figure out why I was having a hard time falling asleep. I finally realized I was still wearing my glasses (a bit uncomfortable).

well, if you don't want me to...

Serena obviously knows that I'm having a hard time putting my reading list for my comprehensive exams together, because she decided that she's not going to let me. If you don't want me to, Sena...


In other news (but also about my cat), she's been vomiting every time she eats. You don't have to tell me how disgusting that is--I'm the one that has to clean it up. She started this a few weeks ago and I thought it was her medication, so I took her off of it. She was okay for a few days and started again, so I changed her food. She was okay for a few days and started again, so I called the vet. She is going in Monday while I'm at work. Let's hope it's not a tumor-pressing-on-the-colon thing like Sadie had (she died from that).

Oh, and Ryan and Rachel are closing on their first house today! Congratulations!

the long haul

Al's birthday was Thursday, and he came up to see me for the weekend. When he arrived, I had presents and a home-made cake waiting for him. We went to the Irish Pub for dinner and then came back and he opened his presents. I had him open the biggest to the smallest packages, in that order. First was a hooded sweatshirt for my university (he had asked for that). Next came a video that I thought he'd like. Finally was the gift I was most excited about: a card telling him that he needs to call Anderson Music a mile from our home to arrange for a time to take ten guitar lessons. Al spends hours in front of his computer on YouTube trying to teach himself guitar, and I thought he'd like to at least get the basics from someone else. I got the reaction I wanted: he was very happy, and several times throughout the weekend saw him smiling. Each time, he said he was thinking about his present. Yay! I did good.

We had a nice, relaxing weekend that ended quite differently--for Al, at least. He left here at 8:30 am yesterday and didn't get home until 13 hours later. It's usually a 9 or 10-hour drive. He called me around noon and said he had broken down. Of course, it being Sunday, only one repair shop was open and they didn't have the part they needed to fix it. Fortunately, however, they knew the owner of another shop in town and called him up even though they knew his shop was closed. He had the part and was willing to pick it up and bring it to them at no extra charge. Al was on his way again by 1:30 and happy to think that he still might make hockey. Wrong.

Once he crossed the state line for home, he hit a white out that lasted for miles and miles. Going 15 miles an hour doesn't get you very far when you've got about 200 miles to go. It took him several more hours to get home, and he went right to the ice rink. He was too late to play, but early enough to finish watching his team play and cheer them on. I would have just skipped it and gone to bed, but not my husband! Oh well.

So that was my exciting weekend. I'm sure it's been a pleasure to read, too (I'm just too tired and stressed to worry about making it count for good writing). Have a nice week!

welcome to the world

Lylah Rae was born today--my cousin Jamie's second child. Welcome to the world, little girl!


In other news, I'm making the rounds and trying to catch up with friends that I have "neglected" for a while. It's so easy to get busy and then not talk to people who live far away and aren't in your everyday life. But I'm playing phone tag with Stephanie, I talked to Dana, I emailed Ann and Larry, and I've got several more people on my list. Think I'll call Tony right now.

Happy Wednesday!

kevin bacon

Ever hear of the Kevin Bacon game? Well, according to that, I'm one away from President Bush. I edit reports for the woman on the far right. She was recently named to one of his advisory boards. Got any messages you want me to pass on to him? :)