woe betide me!

I'm Feeling: a little discouraged
Background Noise: Another First Kiss by They Might Be Giants

So I typed an entire blog this morning - it was witty, informational, and fun (if I do say so myself) - and the silly system timed out before it was able to upload. Now it's late afternoon, I'm drained of all creative juice, and I feel bad that I can't duplicate the sublime blogging experience that you all should have had with this morning's post.

ReCap of Katie's Monday:

Arrive at work - no heat in the building. In fact, the vents are all blowing ferociously cold air. Katie puts on scarf and gloves, and shivers at her desk for 3 hours until the heat comes on.

Lunch at the Union - fun, since Jane is back in the country (my boss, she was in Australia for three weeks). We laughed a lot, and speculated that if men had to participate in a male-equivalent of the mammogram, they would find a better way to do it. Just picture it...

This afternoon - back to back appointments, very busy, very long (all of which is good, it makes the day fly by and makes me feel productive), but now my throat hurts and my voice is fading.

Dinner and DIG with our WYLdLife team tonight - should be really fun. The kids crack me up, and I love our team.

That's it. I'm truly sorry that you missed out on the masterpiece I created earlier today. Perhaps tomorrow's luck will be better.

I'm Feeling: colder by the minute
Background Noise: Daughters by John Mayer

What a pleasant welcome on a snowy Monday morning - to walk into your office and be greeted by arctic air blowing ferociously out of my vents. That's right, ladies and gents - there is no heat in South Kedzie Hall today. The thing that really gets me is that there's not just No Heat... the vents actually blow frigid air. Why? I'm wearing my scarf and an extra sweater (I tried to leave the gloves on too, but it makes it impossible to type). Brr.

On a happier note - I had a great weekend. Friday night I ate sushi (delicious california rolls, miso soup, salmon and tuna... mmmm...) and got Starbucks and watched a movie with my friend Katie. Saturday I slept in, spent time in the Word, worked out, had lunch with some friends, and got the laundry almost all done. (Another point for me in the Katie vs. Force War). Saturday night we drove out to Mark's sister's house and spent time with Martha, Mike, Steph, James and Johnathan. There was pizza, brownies, and lots of laughing - good times all around. Sunday was church (always good), lunch with my friend Beth who is about to move to Japan, and dinner at Smokey Bones. YUM. I got to hang out with lots of people I care about, and I feel fairly well rested and ready for another week.

Did you do anything fabulous this weekend? 

i love today!

I'm Feeling: accomplished (and so happy!)
Background Noise: The Trouble with Love Is by Kelly Clarkson

This is one of the funniest pictures I've seen in a long time. Makes me want to put a swing set in my backyard. Once it's warm enough, of course.

Well, last night I battled with the force mentioned in yesterday's blog - the war might not be over yet, but I certainly won a battle! Dishes - done. Dirty laundry - removed from our bedroom. Clean laundry - put away. Counter - cleaned off, mail sorted, CDs put away. Hooray! In your face, force!

I also got to sit in the squishy blue velvet chairs at Starbucks for an hour and a half last night with my friend Katie. Had a Cinnamon Dolce Latte (yum!) and talked about life. It was nice to get out of the house, even if I'm an old woman who gets sleepy at 9:00 at night. One of the things I talked with Katie about is how I've been miserable at spending time with God lately. She's going to help hold me accountable to spending time with Jesus everyday. This morning, I read 1 Samuel 16: 1-13. This is where God has Samuel anoint David as the next king of Israel. It's a cool story - God really shows us that His plan works not on sense, but on grace.

I think my good mood today is directly attributed to dragging my butt out of our ultra-comfy bed (the softest flannel sheets EVER in the world, PLUS a featherbed) and spending time with my Savior. It makes all the difference. I also took a couple hours off work this morning to get some things done - I returned cans/bottles at Meijer, exchanged the bunk DVD I bought on Tuesday, got a new charger for my cel phone, went to a bookstore to fruitlessly search for a book by Beth Moore, and picked up lunch for today from Target (it's yucky outside and I don't want to walk anywhere if I don't have to). I've already been more productive today than I've been all week. That either means I'm normally super lazy or I was on warp-speed turbo mode this morning. Probably the latter - I think my Cinnamon Dolce Latte had time-release caffeine, because I woke up super-chatty. Ask Mark. He was bewildered.  

tell me a story

I'm Feeling: narrative
Background Noise: Don't Tell Me by Avril Lavigne

There once was a little white house in a nice little neighborhood in a little town in Michigan. Inside this house, walls were painted red, orange, yellow, green and blue. The couches were made of denim and the refrigerator was shiny and black. Two people lived happily in this house, but unbeknownst to them, another force had moved into the house as well. This force had no form, no smell, and made no sound. But its presence left undeniable evidence.

This force generates piles of dirty dishes that sit in the sink and get crusty. This force keeps clean laundry in the dryer for days, allowing it to get all wrinkly again. This force piles up all the unopened junk mail on the counter, and mixes it in with important mail, so that everything is confused. This force keeps the two people from putting clean laundry away in their drawers and closets, so that piles of clean clothes get mixed in with piles of dirty ones, until no one can tell the difference. And this force gets into the closets in the guest rooms and fills them with junk, so that the person that opens the closet is deluged with minorly useful items that simply cannot be thrown away. Oh, and the force creates dust bunnies the size of basketballs.

The End.

Ok, now that everyone is afraid to visit our house ever again (we DO clean it, I swear), can I just say that it really does feel lately like my house is working against me to create clutter and mess? It's weird.

p.s. The picture is from the camp we were at last weekend. I love WYLdLife!!

things I don't want to know...

I'm Feeling: creeped out
Background Noise: Daughters by John Mayer Trio

Here is possibly one of the creepiest things I've found online yet... http://www.deathclock.com/. You give it information, and it tells you when you're going to die. Then it tells you how many seconds you have left to live. Yikes! Right now, under the "optimistic" mode - I'm gonna kick it on February 19, 2082. I'll be 101 years old at that point, which is a long way away, but there's still something awfully chilling about reading the sentence "Your personal day of death is...." and then seeing the seconds tick away. Pretty trippy.

I'm tired this morning - after work yesterday I went straight to Meijer to do some turbo-shopping for tonight (date night dinner), then I went to Mason Middle School to watch the 7th grade volleyball games - lots of my friends were either playing or watching, so that was really fun. I got home at about 6:30, made a PBJ sandwich, and headed out the door at 6:45 for 4 hours of meetings for WYLdLife and YoungLife. Got home around 11:30. Crashed. I had fun doing everything I did last night, but I missed my "unwinding" time. I know the Energizer bunny keeps going and going and going... but does it ever get cranky?  

I'm Feeling: like sneaking back home to take a nap in my soft soft bed
Background Noise: Get Rhythm by Joaquin Phoenix

We had a super fun weekend up at Timber Wolf Lake - there were over 500 people there, mostly middle school kids, and it was a blast! It snowed all weekend, which was chilly, but it meant that we could go tubing and sledding and throw snowballs. The tubing and sledding part is cool, but the snowballs were a little out of hand - mostly bands of vagabond middle school boys were chucking balls of icy snow at innocent pedestrians. I think everyone at camp got hit in the face or neck at least once.

We had 20 people in our cabin - 17 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls, plus Kara, Amanda and me. I laughed SO much - they all crack me up - they're so silly, so loving, so real... it's just an honor to get to spend time knowing and loving those kids. Even if it means you only sleep about 5 hours per night on a mattress on the floor (at least I had the mattress!)

Mark and I got back home yesterday around 4:30, devoured a large pizza, watched the Super Bowl through droopy eyelids and crashed into bed. It was great to go to sleep before midnight - I just wanted to sleep until 10 or 11. Maybe I can hit the hay early tonight. Maybe...

Did you do anything fun this weekend?

no time for pictures

I'm Feeling: bizzy
Background Noise: We'll Never Know by Lifehouse

I've been darting around all day, getting various errands/tasks completed that have to do with the multitude of commitments in my life... it's fun and a little stressful. Mostly because I want to do the very best job I can with everything on my plate - my work, WyldLife, my friends and family, Mark... I don't always feel like everyone's getting the best from me that they could. I love my life and all the things and people in it - I just hope I'm giving them what they deserve!

Mark is off to HOSA's first regional conference of 2006 (Region I, in the Upper Peninsula). He'll drive down tomorrow when it's over to meet us at Timber Wolf Lake for the weekend with our middle school friends - there will be over 500 campers there this weekend! Amazing!

trickery and taxes

I'm Feeling: massively hungry
Background Noise: California by Phantom Planet

I'll admit that I'm a bit of a tax snob - I never really saw why a regular person (that is, no home business or other weird things to file) couldn't prepare a tax return him or herself. I use TurboTax and it's proven to be fairly simple. So far, no IRS folks beating down our doors or anything. However, this year, I'm slightly baffled. In the past, we've gotten a decent amount back (the fact that my income was well below the poverty line for the years I was a student had a lot to do with that) - this year, unless I'm missing something major, our return is looking mighty small. (Please note that I'm not whining - I know it's great to get anything back at all - I'm just expressing my ignorance of the system).

Everyone told us that buying a house would be great for taxes - huge write-off, etc. I just don't understand how we're suddenly getting so much less back. If Mark were filing alone, he'd get a ton back - same for me. So why is that when we file together, our return suddenly shrinks?

It just always seemed like a nice reward for putting up with the pain of collecting tax documents and putting them all together myself that we got a fat little check at the end. This year, my anticipated reward is not so motivating.

Ok, enough about taxes - the sun is shining, it's 38 degrees, and it's almost lunchtime. Really, life can't get much better than it is right now! :) 

this read you can?

I'm Feeling: funny
Background Noise: The Longest Time by Billy Joel

(WARNING: Today's blog will be written backwards. Not letter by letter, because that's basically evil and no one would bother reading it. Plus, it would give me a headache to write it that way. Backwards word by word, which is still mildly headache-inducing, but if you suck it up/take an Advil, you'll be just fine)

Day backwards is today. Backwards things write to funny it's. Time the all this like write to had we if be would life confusing how about think. Night last DIG at fun most the had I. Time great a had and, games played, sang, screamed we. Weekend this camp to go to EXCITED so am I.

Work to back go to got. All you love! Tuesday happy a have!!

never fear...

I'm Feeling: glad to be back on my game
Background Noise: Another First Kiss by TMBG

I apologize to my minute blog audience for my absence this past week - a killer rhinovirus (aka bad cold) knocked me on my ear this week, and I'm only just feeling back to my usual chipper self.

Today is supposed to be Fun at Work Day - so far, my day's been good, but I don't know if anything has happened that would make it stand out as fun in comparison to any other day at work. Any ideas for what I can do to make this Monday fun-tastic?

I recently set up a facebook profile, mostly to see what all the fuss is about. Still not completely sure I get it, but apparently it makes everyone laugh that I'M signed up for it (I guess us old fogeys aren't supposed to be that hip - it's like your mom wearing low-rise jeans and UGGs, I suppose).

cold hearted katie

I'm Feeling: unromantic
Background Noise: Boss of Me by They Might Be Giants

Last night, Mark and I went to see Tristan and Isolde, one of those forbidden-love type movies that's out right now. I enjoyed it as much as one enjoys love stories that make you feel horrible for everyone involved. (and James Franco has this perpetual tears-in-my-eyes sad face that he's really good at - Mark's thinking he learned it from Spiderman). The funny thing is, I really wasn't moved much by the love story part of it. Movies where two attractive young people meet, spend a few days talking, then fall madly, irrevocably in love baffle me. My head says "they're not REALLY in love, they just have the hots for each other." I want the movie to give me a better reason why these two people are so connected. I think the same thing about Romeo and Juliet. I think the poetry is amazing - I'm not bashing Shakespeare at all... I just think those two kids are stupid - they saw each other at a party, decided that they couldn't live without each other, then proceed to get wrapped up in a web of deceit that gets them both dead. Goofballs.

I used to be moved by these stories - I used to resonate with the idea of that kind of passionate love where you just know about a person. I guess I'm more of a realist than I thought...  

DON'T read this!

I'm Feeling: LOUSY
Background Noise: Sweet Baby James by James Taylor

Today is Opposite Day. (all my opposites will be in CAPITAL LETTERS to help you decipher today's blog).

To the RIGHT you'll find some examples of opposites, in case you need a refresher.

I'm so DEPRESSED today - I got to sleep in and come to work EARLY (in an effort to make me feel WORSE, and it's working, bit by bit). I've seen some UNFRIENDLY people today and was able to be NOT AT ALL HELPFUL, which is always a good thing. I even saw the sun shine for a LONG time this afternoon - that made my day.

Here's wishing you a DREADFUL Wednesday! :)
 

on the other hand...

Bonus update for the day: I was just informed that I looked like I was seventeen years old (it can get a little tiring to hear about how young you look in a world where people are supposed to see you as having some kind of authority, but it's not a bad thing to hear), and that I look like Scarlett Johansen. I don't really see it, but hey, who am I to argue? Maybe I just need to go blonde....

blurry

I'm Feeling: leprous
Background Noise: something about the Infanta by the Decembrists (I left the song list at home, so I'm not sure what it's called...)

When I looked out my office window this morning, my view of campus was blurred by really tiny, fine snowflakes swirling all over the place. Perhaps this is what's keeping people away from my office today. Or maybe I have really strong BO or a nasty skin disease that I can't see or powerfully stinky feet. Or maybe I'm in some sort of Bermuda-triangle-y place of work - where people get lost on their way to see me. My phone JUST rang, and the person hung up before I could say anything. It's part of the conspiracy.

Bummer update: I'm getting sick. Right now, I'd like to shut my office door, lay my head down on my desk and nap the afternoon away. Actually, I'd rather go home and nap in my squishy bed, but that's a way more obvious shirking of professional responsibility. Pray that this less-than-healthy feeling goes away rather than getting stronger.

how big are your feet?

I'm Feeling: quiet
Background Noise: Better Luck Next Time by Lifehouse

Today is Measure Your Feet Day. So far, I've only measured my right foot - it came in at just over 9.5 inches. I'll try to get to my left foot later on (although my bet is that it will be pretty close to 9.5 inches) - right now, there are more important things to do.

I got to play some fabulous fun games this weekend - and the best part is that you don't have to buy a thing to play them! We played George, euchre (OK, you do have to buy something for this, but seriously - who doesn't have a deck of cards?), Telephone Pictionary, Signs, and The Mosquito Game (for lack of a better name). Lots of laughing, lots of fun.

Saturday morning, a package arrived from my little sister - she sent us (as requested) some CDs that she burned - They Might Be Giants, The Postal Service, The Decembrists, and DeathCab for Cutie. We mostly listened to TMBG this weekend, and now I have these catchy little tunes with wacked out lyrics stuck in my head. It's fun! Thanks, Moog!!

baa baa

I'm Feeling: super hungry (almost lunchtime!)
Background Noise: New York, New York by Ryan Adams

Here is a very important update on my work life...

I just had my 2000th face to face student appointment - took me about 17 months to see that many people. Not too shabby, I think - but then, I have very little with which to compare those numbers...

Yesterday I got to learn about sheep, so I wanted to post a picture of one. Sheep are kinda slow, smelly, stupid, not very brave and awfully vulnerable. They're picky and easily distracted. They're designed to live in community and they need a shepherd in order to flourish and be safe. And they're REALLY valuable. We got to have an interesting discussion about sheep, and why in the Bible, sheep refer to believers. What kinds of correlations can we draw? It was interesting, thought-provoking, and funny. We agreed that sheep may be evidence AGAINST evolution. Maybe if it was "survival of the slowest"....

are you aware?

I'm Feeling: disengaged
Background Noise: True by Ryan Cabrera

Ever have one of those days where no matter what you're doing - you just kinda feel like you'd rather be doing something else? Something a little more comfortable or relaxing or interesting... I have a little of that feeling today. Just itchy to be somewhere else, doing something a little different. Maybe it's because of the chilly-nesss and the rain - those days always make me want to be home with a blanket and a book. (Not that I don't want that almost every day...)

Today is Penguin Awareness Day - how much do you know about our snow-loving comrades?

stranded at the drive in...

I'm Feeling: like I should be wearing a prom dress
Background Noise: Awaken by PWGopal

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Today has been a rather uneventful day at work - MSU has no classes today, in honor of the national holiday - but unfortunately, its employees are not relinquished from the daily grind. I had appointments scheduled for today, but apparently the students were eaten by coyotes or got stuck between 2 refrigerators or can't find their shoes - because only one person has actually showed up!! I feel like I've been massively stood up - but my exasperation is mediated by the bountiful sunshine pouring in my south-facing windows. It's so nice to have to squint to read my computer screen again! :)

would you rather...

I'm Feeling: pondersome
Background Noise: Noah: Right by Bill Cosby (so funny!)

Confession: I am addicted to books. I've never been clinically diagnosed, because (a) I'm not sure there is such a thing as a literary therapist and (b) I don't want to be cured!! (Subcategory to confession: I'm also addicted to bookstores - they smell like paper and ink and usually have cushy armchairs and coffee and I can wander for EVER inside them)

Yesterday, I ordered a couple of things off Amazon.com - one of them was a book called Zobmondo, which is a book full of strange, sometimes inappropriate "would you rather..." style questions. Fun conversation starters, and a great game to play, to be sure. Amazon also has this nifty thing where you can look at the front cover, back cover, and an excerpt of certain books before buying them (which is a nice substitute for actually physically being IN a bookstore). The back cover of the book posed this eternal, pervasive question:

Would you rather spend an entire day with a dead mouse in your butt or a dead frog in your mouth?

Although both options are disturbing (and dead critters = icky), I'd have to say... totally the mouse. It wouldn't be necessary that anyone else be aware of the situation, it wouldn't impede eating or talking for 24 hours (although it would get in the way of bathroom-time). Plus, I'm pretty sure live frogs don't taste that great, so dead ones are probably mildly less appetizing. Just a guess.

Give me more good "Would you rather..." questions!!

twilight zone

I'm Feeling: as though I've slipped into a time warp
Background Noise: Tower by ISH

Today is Clean Off Your Desk Day - luckily my desk looks nothing like the one in the picture - although there are a few things that have piled up in the past few days. Normally, I'm a little hyperactive about staying on top of things like that, but the controlled insanity of the past week has weakened my organizational superpowers. The first week of Spring Semester is my kryptonite.

Seriously - sometimes busy weeks fly right by - which is a lovely bonus - side - effect to being ridiculously consumed by the mundane emergencies of work... but this week, my busy-ness has had the opposite effect. Tuesday morning I was thinking about all the things I'd done and the students I'd seen, and thought that it could not possibly have all happened on Monday. And time has been dragging by ever since. Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of fun this week - I hesitate to say it and jinx myself, but sometimes I like crisis-mode... you feel effective and purposeful, and it's nice to be able to help people out when they're stressed.

However, last night I was so wiped out that my husband said "you're SO tired that you're not even yourself at all." I know what that means... and yes, I probably was grumpy and minorly uncooperative... but I literally couldn't make myself have an opinion or feel strongly about anything. I slept well. Thanks to all who have been putting up with me! This too shall pass...  

addition!

I'm Feeling: anticipatory
Background Noise: You and Me by Lifehouse

I found out yesterday afternoon that our department just received funds that are to be allocated for another full-time adviser! I'm excited to have another body to work with our students, but there is so much to wonder about... Who will it be? Will we get along well, or just be your average coworkers? What kind of advising style will he/she have? You never know if you're gonna get a dud or a superstar - and not knowing things makes me nervous sometimes. Oh well - there will be a little bit of time before this person could start anyway, so I should try to relax!

On a completely unrelated, but very encouraging note - the sky is currently a color that vaguely resembles blue, AND there's some sun to be seen, AND it's supposed to be 42 degrees today! I can handle this kind of winter!

happy 238th birthday to the circus!

I'm Feeling: ready for the week, but also ready for a nap
Background Noise: If I Stand by Rich Mullins

The first circus was on January 9, 1768 - in London. While that's totally cool, and also humorous to imagine people dressed up all in top hats and corsets and whatnot, I still think... BRRR!! What in the world? Were they SOO excited to have a circus that they couldn't wait for spring? Seriously - no furnace, not even a roof (I'm not kidding, read the article... they only added a roof two years later). That's dedication, folks.

Today is the first day of Spring (haha!) semester at MSU, and things are appropriately busy. It's fun to have students back, but I know that the next few months will breeze by in a flurry of graduation applications, checksheets and enrollment appointments (and all the students who don't get an appointment will send frantic emails and IMs). I love being busy, and I like my job - I'm just nervous this year that there isn't enough of me to go around. The department has grown (almost 800 students total now) since last year, and there is still only one adviser - moi. Hopefully I can hack it.

I had a good weekend though - Natalee and Courtney spent the night on Friday (they're my friends from Mason Middle School - both in 7th grade) and we ate cookie dough and gummy bears and watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and in the morning we had chocolate chip pancakes. Saturday night, Laura and I went to the MSU hockey game (Go State!), and yesterday Mark and I went to a bible study on Romans that's being put on by the Couples' ministry at Riverview. Pretty sweet couple of days!!

republicans v. wizards

I'm Feeling: a little worn out
Background Noise: Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel

Lots of people live in Mason and work at MSU - when you drive the same route to work and back for a year and a half, you start to recognize cars, or realize you've been following the same person for 10 miles and wonder if they think you're a stalker. Yesterday as I was leaving campus, a gal in a gold sedan cut me off (which is part of the reason why I noticed her and her vehicle immediately). The bumper of her car proudly bore a "Republicans for Voldemort" sticker - maybe I spent the past year or so with blinders on, but I haven't seen this one before. I had a lot of time to ponder the intent of the sticker because I followed her from the Natural Resources Building (on campus) to the intersection of College and Columbia (a mile from my house).

Depending on how you look at it - the sticker can be ripping on almost anyone. Republicans could be ripping on Bush, saying they'd rather have Voldemort representing their interests. Democrats could be ripping on Republicans, saying that Voldemort and Bush are on the same level of desirability. Or (and by far, the most troubling) people could be making fun of Harry Potter!! Impossible and unprecedented, I know...

triviality-ness-ence-ation

I'm Feeling: a little dizzy
Background Noise: The Innocent's Corner by Caedmon's Call

Today is Trivia Day - the word trivia derives from the Latin trivialis and means "unimportant matters." In the spirit of the "holiday" - here are my thoughts relating to some spectacularly unimportant matters:
* I like wearing socks that match my outfit, even when no one can see them.
* I think it's gross to blow your nose directly into your hands in the shower.
* I usually think "trendy" things are really dorky looking for about a year, then I come around right about the same time they go out of style.
* Rain is better than snow (note: not if you're a kid and there is a possibility of a snow day) although thunderstorms in January are weird.
* As you know, I don't like the number 5... I also don't care much for the number 8. No good reason.

Happy Wednesday!!

ring in the new year

I'm Feeling: TIRED! (and cold!)
Background Noise: disgruntled carpet installers milling in our hallway

Happy New Year 2006! Here is a glimpse into my dorky-ness: I'm excited about 2006 because I don't like the number 5 very much (I think it's a hard number to write in a way that looks nice) and now I don't have to write it every time I write the date. Scary that my brain takes the time to think about things like that...

As always - it's back to work and "regular" life - my office was cold this morning, my plants look neglected, students are calling with questions, my email inbox is full, and the floor in our hallway is completely torn up in anticipation of new carpeting. Should be interesting trying to work the next few days with carpet noises outside my door (actually, I'm just being negative... I have no idea how loud they'll be).

I got a bunch of new books to read over break - so far, I'm really enjoying Freakonomics - it's along the same kind of lines as The Tipping Point and The Know-It-All (if that means anything to any of you). So far, highly recommended!

vacation update!

I'm Feeling: mildly sleep-deprived, but in the most excellent way
Background Noise: my laptop is humming

This may be a first for me - I usually blog from my ofice - today, I've parked my rear end on the couch in my living room, and am blogging from home. I like it!

Our week in review - Saturday was Big Club with our Wyldlife friends - very much fun (and we got to hang out with Kelsey, which is always a blessing!!) Sunday, we left for North Carolina - and after 10 hours on the road, we ended up in one of my new favorite places on the planet - the Inn at Glen Alpine - bed and breakfast AND home to our good friend, Bonnie (who we met Sunday night upon our arrival). We hiked (on a trail covered with ice - it was fun - I slid around on my butt half the time to avoid wiping out completely), read books, ate a LOT of food, went to bed early, and talked to some fabulous new people. It was just what we needed - a very low-key, comfortable vacation. Got back Wednesday night - and yesterday morning, Mike, Kristen, Timmy and Joshua came to visit! Wednesday night, Heather, Ashley and Maggie joined us, and we had a regular crowd at the old Burley house. God really blesses us through those relationships - good, true friends who like to laugh. Everybody has gone their separate ways now, but it was great to have them with us. Hopefully it won't be too long until we see them again.

Now, we just have a few short hours before the busy-ness of Christmas kicks in - family visits and more food and some presents to give and get... Travel safe and have a blessed holiday, everyone!!

Happy Holidays!

I'm Feeling: excited that it's FINALLY Friday!
Background Noise: Good Friend to Me by Jessica Andrews

Today is my last day in the office for the semester - I'm really excited to have some time off - not just to go on vacation, but to see family and friends and enjoy the holidays with people I love! I probably won't blog nearly as often over break (my apologies to my one or two faithful readers), but I'll be sure to update if anything fantastically interesting happens!

In the trend of posting "lessons" (okay, so it's only a trend on Mark's blog, but what the heck...), here are my lessons that I've learned from life with my husband:

*Protect your sense of humor – it will serve you well.
*“If what I said can be interpreted 2 ways, and one way will make you mad, I meant the other way.”
*Nobody likes you any less – learn to laugh at yourself.
*Always try your hardest.
*Sometimes, it’s not about you.
*You need to spend elbow-to-elbow time with people you love.
*Sarcasm is a weapon best wielded with extreme care.
*Check pockets when doing laundry - whether you find money or a pen, you'll be glad you looked.
*There is joy to be found in small, everyday things.
*It really is more fun to give than to receive.
*No one likes a grump.
*You can change your habits, personality, and way of thinking more than you ever thought possible.
*Be sensitive toward others but grow a thick skin when it comes to yourself.
*There are a lot of things worth working for.
*This too shall pass.

Travel safely and have a blessed holiday!

a note for myself

I'm Feeling: inspired to think (like that's uncommon...)
Background Noise: Get Rhythm by Joaquin Phoenix

For a long time, I've been thinking about things to keep in mind when I have kids someday. I've collected some thoughts from my own experiences, and a lot from conversations with other people. Some have grown-up kids, some have little kids, some have no kids - but they all have input (a study of human nature, I'd say...) This morning I was inspired by a really fantastic entry on my husband's blog to share some of my "Advice to My Future Self."

*No matter how old they are, no one likes being called a "kid."
*You don't deserve respect until you give it (this one goes both ways).
*Remember that you used to hide green beans in a napkin under your plate too.
*For the most part, we mimic what we see around us. We are watched more than we know by those younger than us.
*Cheer for your kids - it means the world to know people believe in you.
*Let people make mistakes and learn from them - and be there to love them the whole time.
*Being a teenager is confusing and hard - but turbulent attitudes and standoffish behavior can mask a generous heart and energetic spirit. Try to meet the person living inside.
*Don't take it personally.
*Really - people of all ages aren't that hard to figure out - spend time with them, listen to them, and show them love.
*Don't ask for anything in return. Be genuinely grateful if it happens on its own.
*I want my kids to say "my mama is my biggest fan."
*Don't underestimate anyone's heart - the lessons you learn from your 12 year old friends are powerful.
*The point of making cookies is to make a mess and then eat the dough.
*20 years later, kids still remember the dorky songs you made up on long car rides - so put on your dunce cap and make some memories!

It's so easy for us to forget what it's like to be young - as experience and wisdom (ha - I'll pretend that I have some) accumulate, we gain perspective on our actions and choices. But which lessons stick out most clearly in your mind? The one where someone told you "Don't lie" and so you didn't... or the time where you were caught lying to someone you care about? The truth is... (in my opinion, at least... is it possible to have "truth in your own opinion? a question for another time, I guess) the truth is that yes, adults have wisdom borne of experience. But since I've experienced 5, and 12 and 15 and 19 - I have no excuse to respond with anything less than patience, love, kindness and gentleness.

Remember silliness and pigging out on junk food and jumping on the bed and ALL the things you did that you thought your parents never knew about. It's not necessary to condone everything, but at least remember it.

I'm sure I'll forget someday - which is why I want to write myself a book now, and as I go along... sometimes the perspective of the young adds value to the wisdom of the not-so-young.

break it down...

I'm Feeling: relaxed
Background Noise: Hands of the Potter by Caedmon's Call

Here are the first 20 songs that came up when I put my iTunes on "shuffle" this morning:
1. Respect by Aretha Franklin
2. Santa Fe from the soundtrack to RENT
3. How Do I Get There by Deana Carter
4. Your Song from the soundtrack to Moulin Rouge
5. The World's Greatest by R. Kelly
6. Wither, I'm a Flower by Whiskeytown
7. Turn Me On by Norah Jones
8. Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
9. Make Me Smile by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
10. Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer
11. Light My Candle from the soundtrack to RENT
12. Letter in the Mail by James Taylor
13. Argue by Matchbox 20
14. Sloop John B by The Beach Boys
15. God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
16. After All by PW Gopal
17. My Life by Billy Joel
18. American Pie by Don McLean
19. Trust in the Lord by Scott & Heather Rider
20. Day by Day by Point of Grace

A little random, but not a bad cross-section of what's on my computer. Plus, I think iTunes is selective, and tends to shuffle back toward the songs it likes... our technology really is getting too advanced.

The "Word of the Day" on my calendar today is "exiguous" which apparently means "excessively scanty." Is it just me, or is that kinda like "jumbo shrimp"?? Maybe I'm just feeling picky this morning.

My favorite part of this past weekend was Sunday evening - I met with Christy, Natalee, Courtney and Ellen (all 7th graders at Mason Middle School, who come to WyldLife) for small group bible study for the first time. I was SO encouraged by them - awesome, funny, caring gals who really want to get to know Jesus better. Loved it.

What was your favorite thing this weekend?

iWant

I'm Feeling: a wee bit hungry (I forgot to bring breakfast to work this morning... sad!)
Background Noise: Ring of Fire by Joaquin Phoenix (from Walk the Line)

Yesterday, Mark and I spent part of our Christmas money on quite possibly the least needed, most frivolous, trendy little technological trinket out there right now... the iPod. One for each of us, as if we actually need some impossibly small gadget that can hold 7500 songs to carry around with us in our pockets. But I'm excited, because it means we can take ALL of our favorite music with us to North Carolina in 9 days, in a very small package. And since we are DRIVING there (about 11 hours, I'm told) - that will be a very helpful addition to our journey. Nearly as helpful as the seat-warmers in Mark's Yukon. You might not be able to get me out of the car...

Yeah, that's right! On Sunday the 18th, Mark and I are jumping in the car and driving to Glen Alpine, North Carolina to stay at the Inn at Glen Alpine (not nearly as misleading as it sounds...), which is a lovely bed and breakfast in a little town near the mountains. We're gonna relax, hike, eat ice cream, and sleep in - and then head back to Michigan for the holidays. I'm really excited - I like that we are able to take trips like this, and I really enjoy going someplace a little warmer before Christmas (we've been to Florida and Myrtle Beach in December before - always fun!)

Last night, the skies opened up and dumped something like 7 inches of snow on us - but luckily, the roads were clear by the time I was heading into work, and I didn't manufacture any gray hairs because of the stress of driving in the snow (one of the things I detest most in this world). So for 2 days in a row now, my drive to work has been beautiful - frosted trees whose limbs and branches look a delicate, yet ferocious stretch of frigid lace... and the sun was even out this morning, which makes little tiny diamonds dance across the fields! Sooo pretty - as long as the snow stays off the road, I'm happy.

It's Friday! Enjoy your weekend - notice the time you have with people you love, and the everyday blessings we take for granted. If you raise your voice, may be only in praise, and if you make a demand, may it be only of yourself!

And to quote one of my favorite philosophers, "take note of the moment, for this is your life."

joy!

I'm Feeling: verbose
Background Noise: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Martina McBride

I step out of the front door and onto the porch, snow crunching under my feet. Deep, velvety black canvasses the sky; silence reigns in the night. Up and down the street, the lampposts effuse warm, golden light that sends sparkles dancing around the neighborhood. Houses slumber under a blanket of snow and stillness, and the skies are filled with snowflakes. The chill of the air is overpowered by the quiet beauty surrounding me... I do love this time of year!!

Saturday night, Mark and I went across the street to watch The Fellowship of the Ring with James and Laura - projected onto their basement wall and accompanied by a more-than-adequate sound system. It was snowing (very pretty) when we left our house, but shortly after midnight, as we headed home, the scene was just lovely.

good surprises

I'm Feeling: ready for a weekend!
Background Noise: the Forrest Gump Suite by Alan Silvestri

I walked into my house last night and received a FABULOUS greeting - my husband was broiling steaks drenched in a barbecuey-steakhouse marinade. We ate like kings - steak, rolls, caesar salad. Dinners at the Burley house (when we're both actually home and eating at the same time, which is rare) usually consist of blue-box mac & cheese or the delicious frozen dinners in a bag. What a treat to have "real" dinner food.

THEN - we braved the ice-covered streets and ventured out to Cedar Street Elementary School to watch Jay (our 8-year-old neighbor) in his commanding performance of 1st narrator for "Bear Stays Up For Christmas." Honestly - he was the only kid up there that I could understand when they spoke into the microphone - he had his lines memorized and didn't seem nervous at all. It was great fun - lots of our friends showed up to watch Jay's public theatrical debut (he's performed often at home) and we all hung out and ate treats afterward.

I had a good Thursday night. Did you?

pie

I'm Feeling: hungry
Background Noise: Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole

It's Pie Day today. That sounds really good - I like apple and blueberry and mixed berry and pumpkin and oreo and strawberry rhubarb and cherry and peach... probably some others that I forgot... Maybe I'll pick up a pie at Meijer tonight.

BusiER day today than yesterday (not necessarily saying much, but hey - it's something). I got to walk in the snow, talk to my friend Jillian, see a picture of my sister's new haircut, and give 6 students invaluable, life-changing advice. Put a gold star next to my name for today! :)

My deep, philosophical thought for today: my back hurts. (I'll try to come up with something better for tomorrow...)