The need to blog

So I really don't know what to write about. I am tired. Very tired, the kind you are when you've done a lot and it's good but you're still wanting to just lie still but your mind won't let you. Yeah, I don't know if that makes sense either!

Today we were at work from 7 until 3:30. And I went to the root canal specialist (oh yes, on top of last week's crown I now have to get a root canal and my tooth is absessed which means antibiotics! woohoo!) and the pharmacy and the grocery store. Then I walked/jogged 4 miles and did crunches I thought might kill me (Ang said the noise I made getting up was like I was throwing up, I don't know about that). Then we made dinner and I made lunch for tomorrow and then I had to wash my hair. Ugh. And we have to be at work tomorrow at 6:50AM.

I am glad I have a job, don't get me wrong. It's just hard adjusting from time off to work life again. And yes, I am so lucky to have had the time off, I know I am. And I got a lot done at school today including my bulletin boards looking all spiffy and our team bulletin board. I am North America's new team leader which means I get to go to an extra meeting tomorrow (oh yeah!) and then host my team's meeting. I am anxious and excited. I think it will be fine but it's something new and while I know the meeting stuff will go well, our old team leader is still on our team and she was ousted by our principal so I am praying for no hard feelings (at least expressed outwardly to me or others).

Okay, I need to write a little then head to bed. My new mantra for every single day: walk and write. Above all else I must do those things for me. Love you all!

A Good Walk

Exercise is important to me. It really is. I keep telling myself this. I want to be one of those people who can get up 2 hours early to go running. I tried running for a while while I lived in Kalamazoo. It didn't work out so well, I can jog but that's about it. I don't have the knees for anything else.

I forced myself to do my Walk Away the Pounds tapes this past week - a total of 18 miles. I did 4 more this morning but I don't know if it's enough. I wish I could afford classes and a trainer. I do some sit ups but then again, who knows if they're right. But I do know that as much as I didn't want to get out of bed early this morning (not so early but setting an alarm is early when you're on vacation), I enjoyed the walk once I was doing it. I enjoyed "raising my arms to heaven" as Leslie Sansone, the chipper host encourages. I enjoy the sweat I break and knowing I am doing something good for my body.

I only lost 2 pounds this week. Not the 10 I'd wanted. But I'll try again today, and tomorrow, and the next week. And I'll keep walking. And to those of you out there who I know are doing it with me - keep the faith! Love ya.

No Spoilers Here...Just Wonder

I have just literally, seconds ago, finished the final Harry Potter book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I won't tell you how it ended, in case you're still reading or want to someday, because I know what it is to have the ending to a book spoiled. And I also know what it is to savor it as well. That's what I got to do today.

I have been indulging for the past few days, enjoying stolen hours throughout the day, spending my time in the land of wizards and witches. And as the ending of the book neared, I thought about how much I love books. How much I love a good story, that you know has to end, so you have closure, but that you so do not want to end because it will mean friends you met along the way, lives you've been privy to, a world you've gotten to be a part of, is over. And that's how I felt today. I didn't want Harry Potter to end but I wanted to know the ending.

And I do now, I know the ending, and I also know that because of the seven glorious books J.K. Rowling has written, I have been entertained, and I will continue to be entertained for years to come. I can't wait to go back and reread the series and visit old friends and familiar places and smile over jokes I've heard before. It's the wonder of stories. The true wonder.

Note: If you've finished the last Harry Potter book, check out this interview with J.K. Rowling to find out a little more of the story...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/

Double Feature

Yes, today was one of those rare days where I got to sit in a dark theater for over 4 hours in a row and watch not one but two movies! It was pretty exciting.
First we saw "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" which was HILARIOUS. Really. Lots of great one liners and some pretty funny site gags. And nothing really dirty but just funny. At first it was uncomfortable fun, because it is about two straight firefighters getting married for the financial benefits (hope I didn't ruin the plot but I think this is self-explanatory from the ads) but then it warps into this cute family movie about friendship and love and people and growing into mature human beings. So check it out if you also need a break from the summer sun!
We finished one flick and decided to see another, "since we're here" as Ang put it. So we went right back in five minutes later to a showing of "Hairspray" which was also great. A real feel-good type of movie, and a musical if you didn't know it. I had never seen the stage show but this was a fantastic story and again, about more than just hairspray:-) Well worth the $6.50 matinee price!
So then we headed to Target where we picked up one copy of the new (and sadly, final) Harry Potter. Ang gets to read it first while I write ("chained to my desk" were her words) so I am hoping she's reading right now!
Oh, and we also just caught the series premiere of USA's "Burn Notice" and if you haven't checked it out yet, do. It's as an action comedy and it's very well written. Think of the lighter moments of Alias and you'll fall in love!
Okay, off to write since I am chained up and all...

"If there's a book you really want to read

but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

--Toni Morrison

Fiasco = First Class

So we're back in Yuma. After a month and a day away, Ang and I made it back to our apartment Monday night at 9pm. We were supposed to be in at 5:30 but then life happened. It's funny now but was a bit anxiety-inducing at the time.

We had a 2:40 flight out of Houston Monday afternoon but one thing led to another and there was a long stop at Hobby Lobby with three kiddos, then the puppies got in the house at Nonnie's (Jamee's mother-in-law) and one proceeded to pee on me and then the fast food was not fast at all even if we did eat in the car and we got to the airport in time to get on the plane but our luggage could not get on so we opted to stick with it in Houston. After some fancy maneuvering (I cut in line, well technically I just got in the first class line, then angered the customer service rep but then made her feel sorry for me) I scored us tickets on the next flight for only $100 which included an upgrade to FIRST CLASS!

It was not as glamorous as the movies make it out to be but it was nice to have extra room. There are only two people per row instead of three and being in the front of the plane is quieter. Furthermore we got to choose our snacks from a basket containing Cape Cod potato chips, biscotti, and a cashew and honey sesame stick mix (our choice) and enjoy refills on our sodas. Also, we got to use the front bathroom. This was nice since usually I never go to the bathroom on a plane as it's such an ordeal. But we were able to maneuver much more easily with the extra room and get up to move a bit!

All in all, I was just happy we made it home the day we were supposed to. I hadn't wanted to leave Texas and my family but I really didn't want to spend the night in the Bush International Airport!

Tigers invade Texas

Ang and I have left the state of Michigan, we had a fantastic visit and now we're in Bryan, Texas north of Houston. We got here Tuesday afternoon and are staying with our cousin Jamee, her husband John and the three little ones above: Hannah (age 4), Olivia (age 11 weeks yesterday), and David (age 3). Yesterday while Jamee was in the shower we rushed into our room and got them all decked out in their new attire. They're headed to Michigan in August for a visit and we thought they needed some snazzy new duds for the trip.

It's been a great visit so far and there's lots more to come: we have been out to eat (free kids meals on Wednesdays are great!), watched some PBS kids (Curious George is annoying on the screen but less so than the bald cartoon kid with the crazy name who has his own show), we've snuggled, we've played games, read books, taken baths, made pancakes (eaten with Aunt Chris' strawberry jam of course!), and been very busy as you can only imagine these 3 little ones keep their family.

More to come later! I hear a little squeal...

So much to say

I am getting some flak for not posting more often but hey, that's what vacation's all about, right?!?! :-)
I have been enjoying my 3 weeks here in Michigan, so much has been happening yet we've had some slow days too. I'll have to post more about it as I remember it all. Tomorrow we head to Texas to stay with my cousin Jamee for five days and I am so excited to see her and her whole family!
Also, while I've been home we've been planning our next vacation - this time with the parents coming out west. They're going to fly into Vegas in October during our intercession (actually the very day we end the quarter at school) and we'll drive up to meet them. We've booked a room at the Golden Nugget for a night, two nights at the Grand Canyon, and then five nights at Bally's on the Strip. Also, just tonight we scored tickets for "O", the hottest Cirque de Soleil show in town as well as Blue Man Group. I am super-psyched!
Then once my parents fly back the next Saturday, our friend Susie from Howell (shout out to Sus!) is flying in and we're roadtripping it up the California coast to San Francisco where we're going to stay in the Fisherman's Wharf hostel (no, I have not seen the movie so no need to ask!) and then beat it back to Vegas just in time for my birthday!!! I am excited, can you tell?!?!?
Okay, it's nearing 12:30am and I need to get some sleep. We fly out tomorrow for Texas and I need my beauty rest. More soon, I promise. I am guessing with the heat wave that has hit Yuma early on this summer, there won't be much else to do when I get back there in a week besides write. And I'll get some more pics up!
Love to you all!

Happy Freedom Day!

It's the fourth of July here in Michigan which means we've planned a day on the lake, speed boat and all and of course, we're all watching the radar. Surprise, surprise, surprise. I know I've been quiet on the blog for quite some time and I'll write a lot more soon. It's been busy and sad here in Howell. We had to put Brownie, my cat of 18 years, to sleep last week and my last blog was about her so I haven't logged on in a while. I will soon.
Happy freedom to everyone, everywhere. I wish blessings and love and peace to all souls.