Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Something like that

Things are busy with me, as usual, but I thought this was worth a mention because it made me laugh.
I went to lunch with a coworker today, and as we waited to order she described to me a gift she gave her mother-in-law on her wedding day. It was a framed copy of a bible verse that had been embossed on parchment (I'm sure you've seen them around). My favorite part of the story though was her rendition of the verse: "You know, it was that long one about love being better than everthing else."

Monday, November 23, 2009

Bodies and Minds

Well I had an amazing weekend, and it's not over yet! We're going to see Neko Case tonight!!!

Reese was sick all day Friday, so I didn't think he would be able to go to the Mavericks game that night, but he toughed it out. I'm glad he did too; it was so much fun. Maybe it's just that our seats were really close, but that place seems a lot smaller than I had imagined. Also, those basketball players are massive, so maybe that had something to do with the size perception.
Blaire and Bear went with us, which added to the entertainment, especially in the 5mph traffic on the way to Dallas. I hope that when I am married I will handle my husband's needling as well as Blaire does. I probably wont' though, since I generally react to teasing by acting like a pouty child.
Anyways.
Saturday Mom, Reese and I went to Southlake to see Joseph swim. I still enjoy watching swim meets. Joseph won some events, set some records, you know, the usual. Then we kidnapped him and went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Oh my goodness, WHY had no one told me how awesome that place is?? You were probably just trying to keep me from gaining 30 lbs. from eating there all the time, so good lookin' out.
After lunch we dropped Joseph off at the swim meet and headed home. But first Mom made us stop at Big Lots to find Dad some electronic games to play. It amuses me that she will spend any amount of money on stuff she thinks will make him happy. That's good though because I can tell that he is definitely getting bored with lying in bed all day watching TV. But more on that later.
Back to Saturday: I took a nap when I got home (always my favorite part of the weekend), then Reese and I hung out some more. We ended up heading downtown to look at the Christmas tree, which turned out not to be lit up yet, so then we headed to Barnes and Noble. Apparently the rest of Fort Worth had the same idea. It was so packed that we took our coffee and walked around downtown some more. Then we went back to B&N and Reese read me one of David Sedaris' books. I find it funny how sometimes he treats me like his daughter rather than his girlfriend. Haha, awkward? I just mean that he takes care of me...and bosses me around, of course. But we have fun together. I don't know if it's cute or lame that we can just putter around doing basically nothing and still have a good time. I thoroughly enjoy his company.
So Sunday. I went to see Dad that morning, and he was sitting in his wheelchair! That is the first time he's been out of bed since surgery. Mom decided to show him around the rehab facility, so we did that. He really liked all the paintings on the hallway walls. Then we went back to his room and Mom made him write his name for me. He seemed to have to concentrate more than usual, but I think he's just strong willed and didn't feel like writing his name. We tried to get him to put together his k'nex car, but he wasn't really interested in that either. So Mom made him do a puzzle. I think he liked that because he figured it out quickly and put most of it together without Mom's help.
William got there about that time, so we gave Dad a hard time for saying William's name and not anyone else's; he thought that was funny. He doesn't actually laugh yet, but he smiles and has various facial expressions. The one I see most often is annoyance with Mom for asking him the same question multiple times in rapid succession. She just ignores it though. When she asked if she was annoying him yesterday he said "Yep.", which I thought was great. Someone has to be his slavedriver though. He is improving daily, but it's very tiring for him.
I left the rehab place around lunchtime because I still had some errands to run - specifically buying Christmas cards. I really do not care for the greetings on Christmas cards lately. "Seasons' Greetings"? "Wishing you a warm holiday season"? This is America. We are not celebrating Chaunnnnuuukkkah or Kwanzaa or the Feast of St. Tropez. It is Christmas. All I want are some Christmas cards that say "Merry Christmas!" I do not think that is so much to ask. I finally found some for cheap at Half Price books, so that made me happy.
Then I went home and made cookies for the piece de resistance of the weekend: Sarah's pig roast!
For months Reese's sister Sarah has had this idea that she could roast a pig in a fire pit in her back yard. I was pretty skeptical about the execution of this plan, but like her friends said, Sarah will make it happen. And she did. It was the most fun party I have been to since the last party she invited us to, haha. There was so much food! All her friends are really good cooks. And it was fun to stand outside around the fire and talk. I really miss just hanging out with people. The holidays are good for that, but it's bittersweet to see your friends only a few times a year. But I am thankful for what little time we get to spend together. Hope to see you over Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Reanimation

I wanted to write about stuff that's happened, is happening, could happen, but I do not know where to begin.
So I will start with what I am thankful for:

It is such a delight to have someone that I can talk to, be silent with, spend time around, be away from, cook with, eat with, run with, be still, laugh with, cry with, complain to, adore.
Slowly, slowly, I am learning what it means to care for someone. I am so thankful for the people who love me - you are teaching me how to love others.

Let me pass on to you what Kelli said at Mallory's funeral, "Go home and tell your kids you love them. You may not get another chance."

Monday, May 11, 2009

Women as Lovers

I was scratching my lip just now when I realized that I didn't wash my hands after returning from Walmart. I hope I don't get pig flu.

Titus is staring at his almost-empty food bowl with disdain. Do you remember when you were a little kid and you had to take that dreaded last bite of hot dog, and you just couldn't force yourself? So you turned it into five - each one more arduous than the next. Ok, maybe that's a little too much elaboration, but that's what he looked like. Apologies to Seth Godin.

I'm reading Ron Paul's book: The Revolution, A Manifesto. So far I'm enjoying it, but I'll not bore you with didactics. Read it. Or don't. Makes no difference.

I was at the Ginger Man last night, and as I sat down, "The Wind Cries Mary" came on. That was the second time yesterday that I thought, "Today is a great day."

This is that. I cannot remember what type of sentence that is, and that question keeps popping up, as it were. I will have to dig up my Style book and satisfy my curiosity.

Exciting news: Jamie Stewart posted William's art on his blog! Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, of course! You should check them out - good driving music.

That is enough for now, so I will leave you with this thought:
Someday, in the far distant, ethereal future - my children will fall asleep to Grouper. It is the perfect lullaby music.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Do work.

Before you get excited that posting is going to be a daily occurrence here, let me just burst your bubble - it isn't. I simply have a little revelation that I want to share with you.
Sidenote: I only ever have revelations when I am either in the shower (TMI?) or working out (ie swimming). Water = revelation?

I was running earlier and thinking: this is really hard...I don't like doing hard things. But at the same time, it felt good to accomplish something difficult, something that, at the time, seemed uncomfortable. So then I thought: I should try to do something hard every day; even a small task (like running). That way, I'd have a sense of accomplishment, and get out of my comfort zone a little. Certainly a selfish motivation, but this could also extend to such unlikely activities as...oh I dunno, helping other people?
It has really hit me lately how spoiled I am, especially because I am an American. There is NOTHING out of my reach - it seems that the world exists for my entertainment and benefit. So I have to remind myself (often!) that hard work is a good thing. Discipline is a good thing. Even if the only benefit I get from it at the time is the knowledge that I've accomplished a difficult task, hard work is good because it "builds character!" And I'll stop now, because I'm starting to sound like my dad.

"When we are unwavering in doing difficult tasks, they become easier to do. Not that the nature of the challenge has changed, but the ability to succeed has increased." - Jim

Sunday, April 12, 2009

This is not like riding a bicycle

I have everything to tell you and nothing to write.
More to come.