Great day

Today I got to go to church at Central LC. I miss this church. Not only is it almost right up my alley theologically (except for the whole "covenant" and breaking the bread literally thing), but the music there is so incredible. This is not a church choir like any other. Somehow Mark, the director, and Jane, the associate director, pull together incredible and novice musicians to create a moving, musical, and spiritually sound worship service. It was really incredible. And my friends rocked the house with their solos and trio (with Roy). Love you both!

But I miss it. I miss singing with them. I miss being a part of that. My other friend (my date for church - YAY!) and I were talking after the service about our various enterprises we're both involved in. I'm not even going to go into everything he has going on, it's exhausting and amazing to think about. But he asked me how life was going down here and I told him how I love my job, but I really miss the life of the Cities. I miss the music, the theatre, my friends. But, as he wisely stated, at least I have a lifeline there. I have my Guthrie season tickets. I have Debbie, JB, Edith, these guys and countless others to keep me in touch with things happening there and to visit as I get opportunity.

What's sad is the opportunities to come up are less than what I'd like and the timing is limited when I do make it up. There are people I'd like to see but I can't always make it work. I do think about everyone and do miss you too! (E - thanks for the calendars!)

So anyway, my super quick trip this weekend was great. Too short though. I'm looking forward to June when Debbie and I are going to take our road trip to the Jake and to see the boys in Cincinnati. I can't wait. I'm adding to my goal list for the May marathon to get in shape for the Ohio trip. I want to look hot for the opera. How insane is that?

Well I'm off to do my self care. I have to start tonight so I can continue. Amy I like your ideas - yoga is on my list of things to find for the new year. There must be classes around here somewhere and my goal is to find them. That must feel great. Thanks for the tip!

No dreams last night

I wanted to leave yesterday's post up on top a little longer but I've been doing so well with blogging every day I hate to mess that up. So here...read it again!

Okay, that's done. Today I'm in the Cities and loving it. I spent an awesome coffee time with JB, catching up on the latest gossip and rejoicing that Megan will be home soon. YAY! Then it was off to Keith for a massage. I hadn't been there since October after the marathon when I had, what he calls, a fluff-n-buff. Today was a little more intense working on my pecs and shoulders and some other thing I don't know what he calls it.

I miss getting a massage every other week or so. When I lived here (in the Cities) I did that and my back, neck, shoulders, entire body felt better, more complete and healthy. Today as I was driving up here I could feel my shoulders touching my earlobes - or I was "wearing my shoulders as earrings" as Keith would say. I'm not stressed but I get tense and I haven't been stretching or using moist heat as I should. I'm not doing good self-care.

So I need to start...again. I'm kicking RAC's butt in gear with a crunches and pushups each night to help his fitness scores to improve and I've agreed to do them with him. (not literally, but we'll track them and keep each other accountable). But I need to do more self-care, especially when work gets tense (but I love my job!) or when times with family (re: mom) get tense.

So stretching, moist heat and exercise for me. What do you do?

Proud to serve

Sgt. Jill Stevens is also known as Miss Utah to her fans. She'll be competing for Miss America in January. But Jill is also a Soldier in the Army National Guard. On her blog she highlights the Citizen Airman video, which I'll admit is awesome.

But, me being an Air Guard gal, I'm going to plug our fabulous Airman's Creed.

In truth, I have nothing against the Army National Guard. They are my brothers and sisters in the fight and I stand proud next to them. And truly we are all Citizen Soldiers/Airmen, standing strong and proud for our country.

And yet another

So last night's dream really had me confused.

First RB and I were running around cars and buildings trying to hide from people, and then when we were found the group of us - RB, Nancy, TimDon, and several others all of whom were women - were voting on whether or not our work week should stay at 4-days or go down to 3. At one point I remember leaning over to one of the ladies and asking her if our hours would stay the same or would they be extended. She said the same and then Nancy called for a vote. We all raised our hands in Aye status and the group cheered.

Then I said, "Wait. We need to revote." Everyone groaned and Nancy called for the vote again. This time everyone voted yes except me because "there has to be at least one dissenting vote or no one will believe we really discussed it."

Then I woke up. This is starting to get annoying.

But the Indians love me and sent me this greeting. (And see the links below it just in case you're looking for any last minute Christmas gifts for me.) :)

Weird dreams

This morning I woke up thoroughly confused. I had been dreaming that I was at a seminary, but it looked more like an office building. It was spring and a group of seminarians were sitting outside of the building in a circle, all wearing backpacks and having a group discussion. One of them started lamenting about how he (or was it a she? the person had longer hair anyway), how they weren't good enough and that God hated them. Despite what others said they kept saying they were going to drop out because God hated them, that they were a horrible person because of all the things they have done and there's no way God would let them lead a church.

I was sitting off to the side and eavesdropping, as I do so well. They started getting up to leave and the person was really distraught and said again, "God hates me; I'm so horrible."

And I said, (I can't belive I said this in my dream) "Fcuk that! You're great. You're amazing. You think God would hate you? Hell, no. God thinks you're the best!"

And the person looked at me like I was on crack. So I said it all again and added, "Hell you're better than best. You're the bestest!"

And then I woke up.

What the hell?

Oh and add this to it all...when I woke up, my front right tooth hurt - painful hurt whenever I touched it. Am I clenching again? (My teeth, that is.)

Stupid things that make me sad

As you know, I love my job. I have new furniture in my office (pictures soon, I promise!). I have the awesomest boss ever. Seriously. People kid me when I say that thinking I'm just sucking up or making it up, but it's true. I have the best boss. It's great.

But today I was a little sad. Because of my new furniture I have been in boxes and shambles for a week. I'm finally coming out from under it all but still trying to find where I put things in my haste to clean things up. And today at 5 as I was finishing up the day preparing for tomorrow, I suddenly became very overwhelmed at all the projects I have on my To-Do list.

I will admit, I got scared.

I have a lot of crap to catch up on. Some of these things have been coming up and I knew that but now the time to complete them is here. And I have two days left this week, three days next week and then we're on break again. I'd love to come in over the long weekend when everyone else is gone but my boss frowns on that, rightfully so. Of course, I don't claim the extra time (much to the chagrin of my friends) because sometimes it's just easier to work when everyone else is gone.

I haven't felt much of the motivation to do these things lately. That doesn't help either. I haven't felt motivated to do much at all. I was even mildly lamenting that I had to go to work on Tuesday because I couldn't watch Six Feet Under then. :) Yeah, I'm sad.

I don't know...it's a rambling post today. Sorry.

But here's some fun good news: Saturday I get to have a massage from Keith and I get to see the ever-fabulous JB! And Sunday I have a date for church with a hot man! My friends have solos for a concert piece at church. WOOHOO! Then we get to go out for brunch!

*sigh* It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Playlist

Okay, so I don't have an iPod yet, or an MP3, or anything cool like that so I can't give you the latest iPod playlist as JB usually does. Basically I still buy CD's and burn mix discs (which by the way leads me to this cool thing which I'm so tempted to buy just because it brings back SO many memories).

Anyway, today I'm listening to Maia Hirasawa. I found her at Aurgasm which is a site I found a year or so ago. In fact, in 2006 I started listening to Bitter:Sweet and Lily Allen before they even made it big here, so basically I think this is a pretty cool site.

I'm also listening Paste's Sampler 38 and 37. I'm so thankful to Amused, K and E for introducing me this magazine. I have found some really great bands from this. I'd go into it but I don't really feel like it right now. I'm too busy listening.

Shhhhh...Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are playing

More recipe fun

My recipe fun from yesterday led me to a meatloaf muffin recipe that actually turned out not too bad. It needs a little more Worcestershire sauce, minced or real onion instead of powder, and maybe the Crispex would have been a better option than the low-carb Special K I used, but oh well. It was good.

Tomorrow night I'm going to put together the ingredients for a slow cooker recipe for tangy chicken which I also found yesterday. I have never used a slow cooker so I'm more than a little nervous about plugging it in and leaving it all day, but hopefully it'll be okay. That's the whole point of a slow cooker, right?

I could have been a the perfect 50s wife today. I ran errands: picking up the mail, getting groceries, buying yarn. Then I came home and made cookies and carrot cake cupcakes. Then I made my fabulous supper, washed dishes and now I'm watching Six Feet Under while I knit. Pretty crazy.

Now it's Christmas

Yesterday, when I was driving home and heard Snoopy's Christmas on the radio. It never seems Christmas until I hear this song.

It's especially compelling today as a year ago many of my friends were coming home from the sandbox. They all came home and are safe and sound. Thankfully my personal friends aren't there this year, but there are many who are still there.

Praying for peace, as usual, but especially at this time of year not only for the military members serving, but for their family and friends who are without them today.

God bless everyone!

Recipe Fun

When I was at mom's today I found a formerly coveted recipe book, which triggered Mom into helping empty out a closet I used as a child of many other recipe books of mine. So I have a bag full I'm sorting through to mark what look like interesting options. I only wanted the one book but alas, now I have 12. Oh well.

In one, there is a recipe for Peanut Butter Things. Things? That sounds appetizing. Another is called Peanut Butter Clay which the instructions read as this: “Mix together. Roll and make things which you can eat.” Things again.

Alrighty, then.

Christmas wishes

It's getting closer to feeling like Christmas. We had some light snow today which is always pretty to see. Mom and I made flat bread (another of our family favorite's) this afternoon and that coupled with the krumkake I made earlier this week has clinched the baking portion (even though I will be making more). And today I watched White Christmas again. I love that movie. The Abraham number is my favorite. *sigh* If only I could dance like that.

Angela at Fluid Pudding had a great post the other day with a lot of truth to it. Read that first, then bookmark Angela because she's awesome, then come back here.

I really do get tired of talking about Christmas, especially when it is surrounded around “lists” and “wants”. Of course, I also get tired of the “when are we going to celebrate” and crap. I wish it was just easier. It all seemed easier when I was a kid. There wasn't a question – it was just assumed we'd wake up and meet in the living room where the tree would have presents and stockings. We'd all gather together, hug and wish each other Merry Christmas and then celebrate the whole day through.

Now with the family having families of their own, it's harder. When to meet, where to meet, and how it's all going to go down seems to be the bigger issue. It becomes almost a chore and the day is filled with the stresses of trying to meet up and remembering everything, three families coming together (I'm counting Mom and Me as one since we don't have S.O.'s), what to eat, when to meet, what to do. I miss the simple days.

This year we're celebrating together the Saturday before Christmas due to other conflicts with the other families. I'm glad we can all get together, but then the selfish, single person in me wonders just what I'm going to do Christmas morning and maybe I should have planned to go to Florida with my other brother.

Sometimes I wish it could just all go away. Not Christmas, but all the hoopla attached to it. I'd love if we could all just get together and spend time together – playing games, talking, laughing, eating (we are Lutheran), and just be a family. Skip the gifts! Though we did get closer to that this year: we opted to just get gifts for the young kids – i.e. my niece's and nephews, not siblings.

But anyway, these are trivial things. Just wishful thinking.

Hi Kettle? This is Pot. You're black.

My mom kills me. When I was younger she used to have a really tough time at work. She would come home and call our neighbor and lament to her about the awful day she had had at work. Then over supper she would repeat the story to Dad and me. Then her friend from work would call and they would go over the whole day again.
Dad and I would sit in the kitchen and just shake our heads. It was frustrating because Mom was never able to work things out, she just kept reliving it over and over again.

I have found that I do this at times too, but I think since I've started my blog I haven't as much. When people ask me what's new in my life or what's going on I generally say nothing has changed and all is the same.

I do have a venting post and said VP gets the brunt of my problems anymore. But I do try to limit it all to just that one vent and maybe on the blog.

Well, tonight Mom and I were driving back from Emmy and Zach's Christmas program (which was super fun but a story for another time) and Mom was discussing a friend of hers. This friend I've never been too fond of because she's always been a very negative person and after Mom would spend time with her she would be very negative. It got annoying.

But tonight Mom was talking about calling her friend but then she said, “I just can't talk to her for very long. I know she's dealing with a lot but I can only take her stories for so long and she starts to repeat herself. It gets really frustrating. You'd think that after talking to {man from church} for two hours earlier in the night would have worked out all her problems and she'd be tired of talking about it.”

Thankfully the car was dark so my smile was not seen as I inwardly chuckled – Hi, Kettle!

Punch and Cookies?

Jen just gave me an idea.

Normally, I’m not real social in my office building. Often I feel a bit like an outsider just because I’m not in their particular section, and I work for the head man so I’m a little out anyway. But with my new furniture coming in tomorrow, and my plan to settle in and organize on Sunday and Monday, I could have a mini open house on Tuesday with cookies and punch. I have a cute pitcher I could put punch in and I make the best cookies ever and now with my work station I’ll have I could have everything laid out there. :)

Not that I want a bunch of people traipsing through my office all day next week, but that might be fun just to get it out of everyone’s system and open it up for people to come see all at once instead of dawdling in throughout the week.

Is that too cheesy? It’s just office furniture, so maybe that’s a bit much to have an open house. It could be fun though. hmmm

And I just realized I forgot to take before pictures. Whoops. You will get after pictures though. I promise!

Secret, Secret

Today, actually about an hour or so ago, I was stumbling around the Internet at work and I discovered *gasp* that I can access my blog…and comment…and get back to it even after I’ve closed out! Just over a year ago, if you’ll remember, they had blocked everything and I couldn’t blog at work. JB had reprimanded me in January for taking a job at a place where I couldn’t blog, which led to me buying my computer which was definitely a good thing.

So now I’m secretly checking my favorites (those I can remember the addresses for since I have everyone at home on a bookmark). Yay! Life is great again.

Have I mentioned yet today that I love my job?

Who hates me now?

I know you guys are probably really, really sick of these “I love my job” posts, but seriously, I LOVE MY JOB!

Today I found out that I will get my new furniture Friday. Woohoo! I'm so excited. So today I spent packing up my office – putting dishes (yes, I have fine china...it's a long story), binders, files, office supplies by the thousands into boxes. Friday AM my colleagues have agreed to help me move out the old furniture and in the new and set it up.

Soon I'll have a workstation where people can fill out their forms without using my desk, I'll have a spot for people to sit and read magazines without sitting in crappy chairs, and I will have file space galore that I can fill and organize to my hearts content. And then I can decorate appropriately for Christmas (instead of just my little, tiny tree).

Man, I'm giddy like a little school girl.

I'm also excited because my boss has a super important meeting tomorrow. Please cross your fingers and send up a prayer that all goes well. It'll be a great accomplishment if all is completed as we hope.

And tonight I went to my youngest nephew's school Christmas Program. I'd post pictures but you can see some other kids really clearly in the shot and I don't want to infringe on their privacy. It was really sweet and cute as the kids yelled out their songs (for the most part with the tune).

This is a great part of living so close to two of my siblings – I get to see these kind of things now. I feel like an aunt. It's wonderful.

whoa

82%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Fort Worth Dating

I actually thought this would be higher.

Reader's Digest version

Okay, so tonight I started a long-ass post about phone conversations and mom/siblings/people-in-general and the amount of and time-lengths between calls, but it just got to a point where I was annoyed with it all and decided not to post it.

But let me just ask this: if you don't call or talk to your parents/siblings/friends for a long period of time, do you think that they are mad at you? Or do you just figure that maybe things in their lives are quite busy? Do you then attempt to remedy the lack of conversation or are you just as busy and keep them in your prayers instead (or as usual) knowing that at some point you will visit again and it will be just as joyous as it always is?

Warmer!

I don't know about you, but I sleep really well when it's cool in my room. Last night, I slept GREAT.

Around 8 last night, I got sick of being cold in my apartment, so I turned my electric blanket (thanks, tre!) on to 8, curled up and read for awhile. Of course my 'awhile' was only 30 minutes and then I went to sleep. I woke up at 8 this morning. Either I was really tired – which could be partly true since yesterday was non-stop but great – or the cool air was just perfect for sleeping.

Well, the nice maintenance man came and fixed my heater today and it's been running nicely since 3. It's so nice to be able to sit on my couch without shivering! Or to touch my nose and it's not like ice! I'm sure I'll still sleep well tonight, though.

I've been baking today, too. I made some yummy banana oatmeal raisin cookies and krumkake. My co-workers don't know much about krumkake, other than Ron who has been relishing it for years. So tomorrow a few more will be edumacated on the joy that is krumkake. And if they don't like it, I'll eat it all up. YUMMY!

Maybe Not...

Today was a great day at work (again? Are you getting tired of these yet?). We started an hour late due to the weather but I went in at normal time just to get some work done. Which I did, but didn't get everything done I should have. Oh well.

But I had an awesome training this morning that helped me to realize just how far behind I am (which helps me have a little job security since I need to get it all done soon). Then a great lunch, awesome open house, I gave claim to my office furniture to another section (once I get my new stuff in), said goodbye to another awesome co-worker who retired this weekend, heard more incredibly inspiring words from WS at a ceremony, and helped a bunch of kids color at the Kid's Christmas Party after work. All in all, a good day.

Until I came home and my heat still isn't working. Although I will say that the fan seems to be running and keeps the heat up to a point, but I'm thinking the heat is all on my vaulted ceiling instead of down here by me. My Carpeted Floor Is Cold. There's something wrong. So tonight I'll curl up in my electric blanket and sleep soundly and tomorrow I'll stop in to pay rent and ask them to check it out, so I'm not spending every night this winter standing in front of my oven warming myself.

One good thing – tonight NaBloPoMo awards will be announced. I'm excited and crossing my fingers (which means I probably won't win).

The heat is on (is it?)

There are reasons I knit blankets. And proof came again today. How I ever survived growing up here is beyond me. Hell, why I moved back here is even more amazing.

It snowed here today...a lot. And it's cold. So very cold again.

I really don't like snow. Well, actually, snow isn't that bad – it's pretty, makes the world look clean (at least for a few hours until all the cars and exhaust ruins the effect), and does fit well with this time of year. But the cold and sleet and wind that comes with snow is what I really, truly hate.

Today was no exception. This morning as I got in my car to go to work (early, even) a guy in the garage said, “Heading out in the bad weather, huh?” I said yes because I have to but was a bit confused. The forecast and predicted snow but not starting until mid to late morning. Well, I pulled out of the garage to about 2 or 3 inches that had fallen, snow/sleet falling down and roads that were just a mess. It took me 20 minutes to make it the last 3 blocks to my work entrance, partly because of the storm, partly because everyone else was running late, too.

I tried to laugh it off. I mean, I live in the tundra so it's to be expected, but I'm really not ready for this. And then I came home tonight and I think my heater is on the fritz again. Last winter when I moved in and turned on my heat, after a couple days it stopped working (on a weekend no less). Once the work week began I called the super and they sent up a maintenance person to fix it. Of course they didn't send anyone up until almost 6pm that night so it didn't get fixed until the next day, and they left a huge mess in my bedroom and bedroom closet (where the problem was). So I'm not too anxious to call them again even if I am cold.

So I'm curled up in jeans, heavy socks, a long sleeve tee shirt, a sweatshirt and I haven't moved in about 30 minutes (it's amazing how warm one can get when they stay still). I had my oven on for the longest time and it did help to warm the place up a bit. But I'm going to see how the night goes and if my apartment chills down again (to 62 as it had when I came home) I'll call the super in the morning. All I can say is Thank God for electric blankets.