Tuesday, February 24, 2009
My husband has more pagers than your husband.
They appear to be reproducing while he's not looking. As you can see, we've come a long way since August.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
An Open Letter to my Baby Brother
For those of you that were not at my brother's rehearsal dinner on Friday night, or for those of you that WERE there but have difficulty interpreting the blubbering words of an emotional wreck . . .
An open letter to my brother - Craigles.
The relationship between siblings is a truly unique one. You were my first friend. And my closest for many years after that. Our relationship, like any, ebbs and flows. Things brought us closer together or further apart. In the most typical sense, siblings are a part of our lives for decades before our spouses ever comes along, and decades after our parents generation has gone. They are the single strongest link from our past, through our present, and to our future.
You and I never really fought growing up. Not the yelling and screaming that many siblings endure. Ours was the more passive: like whether or not I was singing under my breath in the car just to annoy you (and for the record - I was).
Once I left for college - we would go months without seeing each other. Our phone calls were purposeful - Sometimes minor: who was taking care of buying dad's birthday present. And sometimes more. Talking each other through Mom's surgery and recovery each assuring the other that everything would be ok.
In 2004 I was living in Boston. The Boston Red Sox had won the first three games of the World Series and were up by three runs in the bottom of the ninth. The entire city was like a time bomb ready to explode; chaos was predicted. The Sox hadn't won the series in 86 years and we were literally three outs away. My cell phone rang - I pick up the phone to hear your voice - you asked "Are you watching the game?" I responded "Of course, I'm at home - and about to miss the last out because I'm on the phone with you." "Ok good" - you say - "I just wanted to make sure you were somewhere safe."
I watched the Sox clinch the series through tears. Not because I cared about the game. Or the team. Or even the sport in general. But because I realized that you and I would always be intricately linked as siblings. We would ALWAYS be a part of each others lives. And that no matter how much time or space was between us, or how different we might be - in looks or in personality - the same blood ran through our veins.
Which is why, tonight - I am overjoyed that you are marrying Julie. Everyone that knows you knows that Julie has brought out the best version of you. And remember that when all the placecards and floral arrangements are cleared. When the band packs up and the photographer leaves - all that matters in the end is that you'll be married to the woman that you fell in love with. Craig - I have never been more honored to be your sister. And Julie - welcome to the family.
An open letter to my brother - Craigles.
The relationship between siblings is a truly unique one. You were my first friend. And my closest for many years after that. Our relationship, like any, ebbs and flows. Things brought us closer together or further apart. In the most typical sense, siblings are a part of our lives for decades before our spouses ever comes along, and decades after our parents generation has gone. They are the single strongest link from our past, through our present, and to our future.
You and I never really fought growing up. Not the yelling and screaming that many siblings endure. Ours was the more passive: like whether or not I was singing under my breath in the car just to annoy you (and for the record - I was).
Once I left for college - we would go months without seeing each other. Our phone calls were purposeful - Sometimes minor: who was taking care of buying dad's birthday present. And sometimes more. Talking each other through Mom's surgery and recovery each assuring the other that everything would be ok.
In 2004 I was living in Boston. The Boston Red Sox had won the first three games of the World Series and were up by three runs in the bottom of the ninth. The entire city was like a time bomb ready to explode; chaos was predicted. The Sox hadn't won the series in 86 years and we were literally three outs away. My cell phone rang - I pick up the phone to hear your voice - you asked "Are you watching the game?" I responded "Of course, I'm at home - and about to miss the last out because I'm on the phone with you." "Ok good" - you say - "I just wanted to make sure you were somewhere safe."
I watched the Sox clinch the series through tears. Not because I cared about the game. Or the team. Or even the sport in general. But because I realized that you and I would always be intricately linked as siblings. We would ALWAYS be a part of each others lives. And that no matter how much time or space was between us, or how different we might be - in looks or in personality - the same blood ran through our veins.
Which is why, tonight - I am overjoyed that you are marrying Julie. Everyone that knows you knows that Julie has brought out the best version of you. And remember that when all the placecards and floral arrangements are cleared. When the band packs up and the photographer leaves - all that matters in the end is that you'll be married to the woman that you fell in love with. Craig - I have never been more honored to be your sister. And Julie - welcome to the family.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
My New Favorite Thing
[I started this about a week ago and never finished . . . so it's a little out-dated. In the end, I was sick for a total of about 18 days . . . but I'm all better now.]
I've been sick for 16 days. I'm pretty much sick of being sick. Today at work a colleague recommended that I do a sinus rinse with saline solution. Ironically, husband had a sample of a product called NeilMed Sinus Rinse in his car (don't ask.) If you've never heard of a sinus rinse, you basically squirt a large amount of saline solution up your nostril at a constant rate, while leaning over the sink and breathing through your mouth. The saline solution flushes through your sinus and - get this - comes out the other nostril!
Husband was fairly certain I was going to drown myself in the kitchen sink.
It worked AMAZINGLY. I'm serious. Life-changing. If you can get over the temporary sense of being underwater - it is a fantastic treatment. It cleaned out all the "gunk" and germs and stuff that collects in your nasal cavity and sinuses when you get sick. [It should be noted that I'm the type of person that appreciates gunk-removal of any kind. I like washing the crusty toothpaste from the inside of the electric toothbrush. I enjoy cleaning the refrigerator. Once a week I spray the "air-in-a-can" on my laptop keyboard to make sure all the minuscule dirt and particles are gone. Not vital information . . . but probably good perspective in light of my glowing recommendation of the Sinus Rinse.]
Now I have become that obnoxious person who is trying to spread the gospel of sinus rinse to everyone that I know.
My workout buddy feels like she's coming down with a cold? Sinus Rinse.
A coworker is seen carrying around tissues? Sinus Rinse.
I heard someone sneeze in the grocery store the other day and it was all I could do not to chase her down the frozen food aisle with the squeeze bottle in one hand and the convenient pre-measured saline packs in the other.
If you are considering trying a sinus rinse - shoot me an email. I'm (obviously) happy to share my experience.
I've been sick for 16 days. I'm pretty much sick of being sick. Today at work a colleague recommended that I do a sinus rinse with saline solution. Ironically, husband had a sample of a product called NeilMed Sinus Rinse in his car (don't ask.) If you've never heard of a sinus rinse, you basically squirt a large amount of saline solution up your nostril at a constant rate, while leaning over the sink and breathing through your mouth. The saline solution flushes through your sinus and - get this - comes out the other nostril!
Husband was fairly certain I was going to drown myself in the kitchen sink.
It worked AMAZINGLY. I'm serious. Life-changing. If you can get over the temporary sense of being underwater - it is a fantastic treatment. It cleaned out all the "gunk" and germs and stuff that collects in your nasal cavity and sinuses when you get sick. [It should be noted that I'm the type of person that appreciates gunk-removal of any kind. I like washing the crusty toothpaste from the inside of the electric toothbrush. I enjoy cleaning the refrigerator. Once a week I spray the "air-in-a-can" on my laptop keyboard to make sure all the minuscule dirt and particles are gone. Not vital information . . . but probably good perspective in light of my glowing recommendation of the Sinus Rinse.]
Now I have become that obnoxious person who is trying to spread the gospel of sinus rinse to everyone that I know.
My workout buddy feels like she's coming down with a cold? Sinus Rinse.
A coworker is seen carrying around tissues? Sinus Rinse.
I heard someone sneeze in the grocery store the other day and it was all I could do not to chase her down the frozen food aisle with the squeeze bottle in one hand and the convenient pre-measured saline packs in the other.
If you are considering trying a sinus rinse - shoot me an email. I'm (obviously) happy to share my experience.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Weekend in Review
Saturday
- Worked out with workout-buddy. Cardio. Abs. Push-ups.
- Discovered new favorite breakfast spot - Mug & Muffin.
- Returned over $200 in various window treatments that did not work
- Went to Barnes and Noble and reminded myself how much I love books. The smell of books. The feel of books. I love books. I bought a new one and promised myself that I wouldn't open it until I finished grading my papers.
- Decided to put off grading papers and read new book instead.
- Found the closest thing to New York pizza in Greenville. Enjoyed a slice and a Diet Pepsi. Perfect Valentines Day dinner.
Sunday
- Lunch with friends. Wonderful.
- Ordered window treatments online. Fourth time's a charm.
- Graded papers (finally) at Panara. Realized that I tend to read essays out loud when grading and that other Panara customers may not appreciate this technique.
- Caught up with future-sister-in-law about last minute wedding plans
- Relived childhood (not mine, but probably someone elses) with a grilled cheese and tomato soup dinner.
Overall weekend analysis - thumbs up.
- Worked out with workout-buddy. Cardio. Abs. Push-ups.
- Discovered new favorite breakfast spot - Mug & Muffin.
- Returned over $200 in various window treatments that did not work
- Went to Barnes and Noble and reminded myself how much I love books. The smell of books. The feel of books. I love books. I bought a new one and promised myself that I wouldn't open it until I finished grading my papers.
- Decided to put off grading papers and read new book instead.
- Found the closest thing to New York pizza in Greenville. Enjoyed a slice and a Diet Pepsi. Perfect Valentines Day dinner.
Sunday
- Lunch with friends. Wonderful.
- Ordered window treatments online. Fourth time's a charm.
- Graded papers (finally) at Panara. Realized that I tend to read essays out loud when grading and that other Panara customers may not appreciate this technique.
- Caught up with future-sister-in-law about last minute wedding plans
- Relived childhood (not mine, but probably someone elses) with a grilled cheese and tomato soup dinner.
Overall weekend analysis - thumbs up.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Confection Confessions
I recently got an email from a good friend and former colleague. She wrote that chocolate from an event we did one year ago had turned up in the office and she was ashamed to report that she was eating it.
Be not ashamed. . . I can totally beat that.
At the lower school, they collect Halloween candy in November from the kids to donate to those less fortunate. So naturally the kids (and moms) pick out all the good stuff like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and 3Musketeers for themselves and they donate things like Jolly Ranchers and Mary Janes. (At this exact moment - my mom is saying, outloud to no one in particular, "I LOVE Mary Janes." She is the only one.)
Apparently the less fortunate kids (whoever they are . . . I'm not sure about this part of the story) can only accept so much candy - so the rest of the reject candy (the REJECT rejects - so to speak) are sitting in the Chaplains office hidden behind his couch.
On a DAILY basis, I go into his office (it's next to mine) and rummage through this enormous box of reject-reject candy looking for a tiny morsel of goodness that I can enjoy. Every once in a while I find a gem - but mostly I end up wasting calories on things like Mystery-flavor Dum-dum lollypops.
So enjoy the year-old chocolate with pride . . . and if you are looking for old Tootsie Rolls - I know where to find some.
Be not ashamed. . . I can totally beat that.
At the lower school, they collect Halloween candy in November from the kids to donate to those less fortunate. So naturally the kids (and moms) pick out all the good stuff like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and 3Musketeers for themselves and they donate things like Jolly Ranchers and Mary Janes. (At this exact moment - my mom is saying, outloud to no one in particular, "I LOVE Mary Janes." She is the only one.)
Apparently the less fortunate kids (whoever they are . . . I'm not sure about this part of the story) can only accept so much candy - so the rest of the reject candy (the REJECT rejects - so to speak) are sitting in the Chaplains office hidden behind his couch.
On a DAILY basis, I go into his office (it's next to mine) and rummage through this enormous box of reject-reject candy looking for a tiny morsel of goodness that I can enjoy. Every once in a while I find a gem - but mostly I end up wasting calories on things like Mystery-flavor Dum-dum lollypops.
So enjoy the year-old chocolate with pride . . . and if you are looking for old Tootsie Rolls - I know where to find some.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Even a monkey . . .Part II
If you ever make brownies from a box and forget the oil, and you decide to empty the mixed batter from the pan BACK into the bowl to add said oil. And then you try to mix the oil into the already well-liquefied batter and bake it . . . you will end up with incredibly oily brownies that do not hold their shape and cannot be served in public. They are only edible with a spoon directly out of the pan - which, frankly, is how I believe god intended it anyway.
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