SCRABBLOUS!

For Michael's birthday in January my mom gave him the deluxe version of Scrabble. You know, the awesome kind on a lazy susan with raised edges for more efficient play. I have always hated Scrabble because I think my vocabulary's much smaller than it actually is. So I humor the husband and play. Wouldn't you know, I've won the last few times we've played. My winning word on the last game. I'll let the picture speak for me.

This was a huge blow to his intellect and ego. He still loves me though. Good thing! His initial reaction was similar to the picture below. Aren't we funny. Snark snark. OH scrabble!

there will be a flurry...

of posts! I've been gone and busy and busy and perhaps a little lazy. Hey you teach 120 some students a day and tell me you don't need a break from just about everything. Hopefully I'll be better about updating in the next few weeks. Here's why:

- Art show coming up at the end of the month!
- 23 days of school left
- Field Day
- Brother visit
- oh so many other things

wow, hello April.

I don't know what's happened but everything is flying by so quickly. Where to begin?:

Mike and the Peepyata. Adorable

the Peepyata that I made. The string detached after the first blow. They had to set it on a stool. Sad.

- I have about 45 days left of school. My first year, where did it go?

- Several friends are pregnant and getting bigger every day!

- A little miracle baby has already survived her first surgery and is a healthy nine pounds at eight weeks. Her name is Miranda Yasmin (Me'randa Yaz'meen). Please keep her in your prayers.

- I HAVE to, HAVE to, HAVE TO finish my portfolio this weekend. That's a whole ordeal in and of itself.

- Mike is waiting to hear about a second job- we're anxious but reliant on God.

- I've been having my kids make some totally great projects this week. I'm so excited to see how everything comes out.

- I'm planning my very first art show. When did I become an adult, because I totally missed that part!

- Smash Brother's Brawl has taken over Michael.

Hi, I'm Michael and I am in need of a trim.

- I recently got to see Mo Willems (!) at a book event for his new pigeon book, "The Pigeon Wants A Puppy." He's hilarious and very tall and I could learn so much from him. I didn't get to meet him, but Mike did and we have several books signed for us. Apparently we "ROCK"!

Mo at Market Street!

Puppy! Puppies, puppies, puppies, puppies!

- My school is going year round and I'm all-in. This will be a great thing for our kids.

- Speaking of kids, a kindergartner made a penis out of playdoh the other week and it was accompanied by the quote "Look, it's a wiener." Complete with lisp. Priceless.

- Easter was spent with my dear friends the Brannons. They make my soul happy. They're just that amazing and faithful and always there for me. Immense love for those two.

- Many eggs were dyed- happiness!!!

- I visited my parents and Liz and Becca after Easter- what a great time, minus the hive outbreak. This is the same trip where my tire blew out while I was in the far left lane on 95 in NoVa. That was sweet time.

I had to document this horrific occasion. That's 95 behind me. My mood: shaken, not stirred. Yeah, my tire was a hot mess.

- I'm anxiously awaiting the purchase of a Nikon DSLR. It's more for "just in general", but I am going to Wien next year. Yay!

- I enjoyed a day at the National Gallery. It made my heart and mind happy.

- I just bought several classic children's book. Let me inspire you to do the same:

me being childish. hooray!

• Pretzel
• Ferdinand
• Where the Wild Things Are
• Caps for Sale
• The Story of Ping
• Mouse Paint

this list does not include the Mo Willems books and the, oh, thirty books I've bought since September.

Well, that's it for now. Bedtime. Another day of PBS training tomorrow. Oh the excitement is just oozing from my body.

chickens, every day

the frames

Now, recently Mike and I watched the film Once and it was far more moving than either of us had predicted. Having only heard the song "Falling Slowly" we were instantly intrigued. It's good to hear some harmony again in the world. Not to say I'm not a fan of poppy techno beats and thin breathy vocals overlaid, but come on. Everyone needs a good melody and delicious harmony to help give them a boost ever once in a while. This group does just that. For me, the lyrics take on personal meaning and help me realise I am a women with much more growing up to do. I haven't had the need to feel angsty through the lyrics of my favorite songs lately. This is partially due to the fact that I had momentarily grown out of the college-esque phase of wearing my heart on sleeve- aka AIM away messages. It is also due in part to the fact that I'm married and as such, not every emotion I'm feeling needs to be relayed through the web anymore. Regardless, this album has moved me and once again I am struck by the beauty of simplicity. Haunting, simple, goregous. I am thusly moved to wear my heart on my sleeve by presenting the lyrics to "Falling Slowly".

I don't know you

But I want you

All the more for that

Words fall through me

And always fool me

And I can't react

And games that never amount

To more than they're meant

Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice

You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me

And I can't go back

Moods that take me and erase me

And I'm painted black

You have suffered enough

And warred with yourself

It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice

You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home

We've still got time

Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice

You've made it now

Falling slowly sing your melody

I'll sing along

IKEA showroom a.k.a. our apartment

this is our "Wall of ROCK". To the right you find Steve Perry and Elvis. In the middle, is Paul McCartney and Wings. Above Wings is an autographed Yellow Brick Road album. Scattered throughout are various Beatle treasures. We threw in a little Rolling Stones, John Mayer, and Dave Matthews for kicks. Piano lamp- IKEA.

our room. The shelves finally went up about a month ago. They're from IKEA. So is my lamp. And the comforter cover. and Mike's side table. Also, but unseen, our dresser and a chair.

Here's our awesome TV. This is where we watch funny movies like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and play our Wii! It sits on a tv console from IKEA. The plant to the left of the screen is from IKEA. so is the chair, the boxes, the coffee table. Still not noticing a pattern?

this is our epicenter. the comfortable couch and our AMAZING bookshelf! it's the 5x5 from IKEA! the lamp, side table, candleabras, some photo frames, and painting figures- all IKEA. Obsessed? You have no clue.

Our kitchen. Yummy, fruit. And witty 'the Office' magnets. Our dishes- IKEA. Our dishwasher- GE.

I love the birds. We just hung those. I need to frame another to go on the other side of the nest. They are delightful. Hopefully this will entice us to finally eat dinner at the table. Amazingly, nothing in this photo is from IKEA.

Not ashamed!

it's not thriller, but it's still one of my favorites. I have this one on vinyl too!

I feel angsty.

Mike introduced this to me the other night and now I can only think of this joy:




and this joy:

25 years of amazing

I wasn't even a fetus when Thriller was released in the 80's. I own it on vinyl which means it doesn't come out very often- or never since Mike and I don't have a record player. Now it's twenty-five years old. Amazing how time has crept on and much of his nose has crept off. Regardless, it's amazing. I heart it. It's EVERYWHERE. I need me some "Human Nature", "P.Y.T.", and some "Thriller". The 25th anniversary edition may end up being the first CD I've bought since Silverchair's Young Modern- back in July. yay Thriller!

I've been busy

much to say. little time to do so. pictures and stories coming soon. a taste?

- Peepfest
- apartment
- Praxis II
- my kids
- Circus
- berry crumble
- BFF's??

::fin::

(half a ) Milestone

Another milestone in our relationship:
we've made it to six months. That's exciting!
Those six months have been filled with concerts, family visits, holidays, jobs, food, couple-type fights, friends and neighbors, the GIANTS BEATING the pats, flowers, and thousands of other things that bring joy and laughter to our home.


By the way, it was 70 today. Hello February!

HAAAA!

"I used to love that song. Until you ruined it."

Oh Ben!

thought

while making our food for the super bowl Mike and I listened to a wonderful mix of soft ballads. This included, but is not limited to:
Air Supply
Chicago
Boston
Ambrosia
REO Speedwagon
Foreigner

the list goes on, but here's my thought. Michael McDonald was featured on way too many songs to count. Thus my conclusion:
Michael McDonald is the Timbaland of the 70's and 80's.

ponder

I long for simpler times when a the only problems children had were putting up with annoying classmates, schoolyard 'love', and the fact that mom is "making me eat these gross things (veggies)."

Instead, today, this is what I overhear after a fifth grader tries to get me off track about computers...
girl- "our computer was stolen."
boy- "how does someone walk off with your computer?"
girl- [in a not so discreet voice] "my mom's old boyfriend, that's how"
boy- [stupified silence]




[sigh]

squeal!

after a long hiatus LOST premieres TOMORROW night! (excitement)

it's time for a little jig.

we're going HERE!!

Wien, the capital of Austria, our future destination!

The choral society has accepted an invitation to sing in the Haydn Festival in 2009. We're really excited to be able to travel abroad together. Initially we were going to Italy with TC alums but with the cancellation of that tour this opportunity was open. We've jumped and we can't wait!

I believe Mike will be singing here. This means a saucy dress, high heels, and some gorgeous jewelery.

oooohhhh... ahhhhh.

simply stunning

breathless

Why we love...

Robing Hood: Men in Tights....yes!



just a few reasons why we can't get enough of Mel Brooks:
- lending of a few ears
- ahchoo's backwards cap complete with expander
- blinkin
- archery medals
- lizards
- PATRICK STEWART!!!
- roaming mole
- medieval spelling: D-E-D, dead
- latrine
- large German women named Broomhilde
- "She's got to be kidding."
- guessing?
- musical interludes


ah, the funny.

absurd AND beautiful

I've been meaning to comment on this photo for some time. Mike brought home this ad from the shop and now it resides on our fridge. It is both beautiful and ridiculous. Gorbi in Louis Vuitton, sitting next to Louis Vuitton. Now THAT is a juxtaposition I thought I'd never live to see!

makes me giggle

hilarity WILL ensue

Mike and I plus guest will be attending the Funny or Die tour stop in Chapel Hill for my birthday. Excited... let me put it this way:

zorgas borgas, i just got bit by the love bat
and it's driving me MAADD!

Hello New Year!

and hello friends.

Christmas was a whirlwind time that flew past too quickly. Tickety boo, here I am after my first day back to school. Mike and I began an on-going digital Christmas card. You can view it here. We're pretty proud of it and hope you'll keep up with it, as well as us, for years to come.

At the start of my break we had a good meal with our neighbors. We enjoy their company quite a bit. Then it was on to Mexican with some colleagues. After that much needed social time we were ready for break. We also saw Sweeny Todd and it was brilliant. Johnny Depp- he's the bees knees. The Friday prior to Christmas was spent at Market Street Books for their fifth anniversary festivities. This included (but was not limited to) the piano styling of Eric, food, wassail (Ala me), Christmas story hour, and a visit from Santa for story time. All the while Mike was fighting off a cold of some sort. Fighting it quite poorly I might add. We got home and he ran a high fever for the next two days. I think he's still fighting the phlegm and cough. Poor thing.

Christmas Eve was also spent at Market Street. After a day at the store we headed home to change and then went to Durham. We attended the Duke service which was a lesson of the carols. It was lovely.

Christmas morning was pleasant. It was relaxing and most importantly spent at our own pace. Family time is great but it is a real joy to spend a major holiday without any stress or obligations. Good first Christmas. After all this we headed up to my parents home.

The week continued on with my family, then Mike's family (plus our favorite Rachel), then with Jake in Pittsburgh. Might I say we heart Pittsburgh- a lot. Jake lives a few blocks from Station Square and the incline. Not only does the city have a great skyline but it also has the most terrifying streets known to man. The three of us ate dinner at Fat Heads (delicious by the way) and Jake drove. He deliberately took us the "long" way just so he could drive down the most treacherous road ever. You make the turn onto the street and the road disappears from underneath you. I squealed a little. This could be due to the saw stowed behind my head as well. Overall, great food and thrills.

Now in the midst of all of this craziness we got gifts. Lots of gifts. I'm not going to list them because I hate when people rattle off everything they got. I will say I kept cozy with a new North Face jacket and Mike continued rocking with Guitar Hero III for Wii. If I told you how much we've played GHIII in the last week you'd cry of laughter. That means a lot. I am up to 'medium' playing level which is a huge advancement for me. Mike is having his face eaten by level 'hard'. This is unusual you see because he plays expert on everything else and makes it through the game quickly.

Alrighty, I said I was going to get some work done and I wrote a blog entry. Awesome. Ah well, back to Guitar Hero. Weezer is calling my name. My name is Jonas.

It is done

rejoice! i am now a north carolina resident.

that was an ordeal.

My faves

Market Street's Fifth Anniversary is this month and all sorts of exciting things have been happening for the store. Katherine recently sat down for an interview with American Booksellers Association. Next Friday is the anniversary party. In honor of all this hub-bub, they're collecting lists of "Top 5 Books". Here are mine, in no particular order:

Thanksgiving with the Family

p-u

Mike has been feeling a bit under the weather lately. Recommended to him was eating garlic. Now this makes sense, in normal doses. Well my genius husband decided to eat two cloves, CLOVES, of garlic...two days ago. He just popped the two cloves and it has been bad ever since. Hopefully water and one more day will cure it. HOPEFULLY!!

so productive

I have spent the entire morning being productive and it's completely satisfying. It was refreshing to wake up when i'd normally be greeting my first class of the day. I then was able work on a list of "wifely duties" and even had time to catch up with Martha Stewart making pumpkin pie with Andy Samberg. That boy can make a pie.

My Accomplishments: (i'm such a wife)
dishes (check)
put away dishes (check)
laundry (check)
fold said laundry (check)
pack for holiday (check)
water plants (check)
take out trash (check)
clean kitchen (check)
put away old laundry (check)

this still leaves me a few hours to go to the gym, clean up, and play Super Mario Galaxy*!
my life is finally in order. **


*i know you're SO jealous. it's a wicked game and i have to say I'm pretty much the most awesome wife for buying it for my husband. there. i said it. i'm awesome.
** .38 special: hold on loosely is on my mind now. thank you VH1 classic.

Hello November

no way. i'm sitting here working on things for school and of course i have the television on for white noise. i was trying to find a good program and what do i come across? why, SNORKS! what? oh my goodness. i haven't seen this in ages! i have fond memories of watching this with my smurfs on saturday mornings. i loved this show. did you know both shows were based on Belgian comics?!

wow, what a strange show. i mean these things propel themselves through the water with the snorkles on their heads. I forgot about that. weird. this show was much better when i was four or five.

however, after watching for awhile i am tempted to leave the Snork's in my childhood. goodbye.

RIDICULOUS!

"The eyes are the groin of the head." --Dwight

"I'm going to be a bluncle!" --Turk

"Who's the main character?" --Toby

"Angela?...no wait, the ashes?" --Jim

seeing Colin Hay come out instead of a baby.

"I don't know! Sometimes you chill fat!" --Mike to me

"There's nothing like throwing out a caddy and running down some hos." --Dr. Kelso

Take a moment

Robert Goulet: 1933-2007

First Halloween

Our first of firsts as "marrieds". We gutted. We carved. We now have awesome carved pumpkins. Mike kept with his Jason theme. I however carved Steve Perry (yes i know it looks like a girl), legendary rock god. We still have a dream of owning a Corgi and naming him Steve Perry. What can I say? We heart Journey. And Steve Perry.

Halloween at the Market

"Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story."
::Mason Cooley::

The bewitching week has begun and Mike and I got a head start on Saturday evening at Market Street Books. Saturday morning was spent rummaging Chapel Hill for bits and pieces of what would become our costumes.

I, of course, had a terrible time figuring out what I wanted to be. Seeing as I haven't dressed up for Halloween in six or so years I was uneasy about being thrown back in to this creative whirlwind. When I was younger it was so much easier. During my early years I was a ballerina, a bride, a clown (once or twice), a witch (more than once), a fairy, and a fatigue-clad marine.

My tween years saw such costumes as a bobby soxer, day and night woman- complete with half face cream/makeup and curlers. I even resorted to Charlie Chaplin for several years and a medieval princess. I have to say, I was pretty proud of the Chaplin getup. He's my favorite.

But now that I've been out of the game for so long, it was difficult to bring my A-game. It didn't happen.

Mike, after our viewing of Friday the 13th: Part VI Jason Lives, became obsessed with being Jason for the Halloween shindig. By the way, I totally called every death in the movie. (Like it's hard, but whatever). And secondly, eww.

So, here are some photos of the scary yet endearing JasonMike. Oh, and me as a golfer/school marm. Not sure what I was going for, but i got to carry a golf club some of the time.

scary Jason.

the softer side of Jason.

Arnold Palmer, eat your heart out!

my doing

there are things...

that you never want to hear come out of your husband's mouth:

-"Honey, I want a divorce."
- "Oops, turns out I fathered another baby."
- "This printer is sexy."

Oh, wait. Turns out my nightmare has been confirmed by the utterance of the last quote. I kid you not.

returning to a love

There are times that you become so busy with life that the small (and wonderful) stuff gets side lined. After the women folk left yesterday and Mike worked, I had the chance to rekindle my love affair with the Beatles. I have had a passionate relationship with them since I was ten or eleven. Frightful how long ago that was, right? Right. It started so long ago that I don't remember how it started. I can, however, tell you it began before the Anthology series was released. I am no fair weather fan. My favorite song is probably Eleanor Rigby. The haunting string arrangement has always moved me. One strong memory comes from my eighth grade year. A quartet from my first high school came and played for our orchestra class and they played Eleanor Rigby. I'm pretty sure I was the only one in the class that knew what the song was. I have several favorites and they include little known Hey Bulldog and Norwegian Wood. I love any song in which the sitar is played, and I am not a fan of the album Revolver. I understand the importance of their Mercy beat days and their restraint on George Martin when they could. Their music is in me, it's part of me. I'm glad to have revisited it again. I hope I hold onto it for a while.

on the gross side

nothing has bothered me more in a while than the phrase

"i prefer chin meat."


don't question it. it's not worthy.

an atypical day

Under normal circumstances I get to school around quarter after seven and my first class comes at ten after eight. Due to unforseen circumstances I didn't have a class until 10.30. I may have had to work on Columbus Day when countless folk had the day off, but enjoying three hours of work time plus my lunch break- priceless!

uh, what?

So, our new friends next door are great. Young, fun, similar in lives and such. Just how similar, Si almost went to Grove City and he had a cousin who went there. He knows exactly how desolate Grove City is. Go figure. We're everywhere!

Astounding

A remarkable things happened this evening. I was buying some cheapy cheap scissors for my kids to replace some sad safety ones. While I was in line I got to chatting with the lady behind me. Surprised by the rather large pile of scissors she asked if I was a teacher. Here's where it becomes astounding. This blissfully random stranger gave me five dollars to pay for the 25 cents per pair scissors. She said she had two sisters who were teachers and understood what we go through for our kids. It was amazing. What do you say to this? I was speechless and she would not let me turn it down. Astounding.

Humanity, it's still there.

quickly now

"Fact: It is hard to move one piano
Fact: It is harder to move five pianos"
::The 39 Apartments of Ludwig Van Beethoven::

Fact: To day Michael and I went to Mayberry a.k.a Mt. Airy

Fact: I bought four bottles of taste-tested wines from said Mayberry

Fact: I can not whistle to save my life

Fact: I am a bit office obsessed! I mean, did you see the season premiere?!

drop everything you are doing, RIGHT NOW

whoa.

Mike and I had our minds blown last night. Murd, I think you might have an aneurysm and die if you see this. it's that good!

Nick Jr. has recently introduced a new show to generation 'ADD/ADHD'. It's title? Yo Gabba Gabba. No joke. It's target audience? Ages 1 and up. Yep, ONE. The age where you're still running around in diapers and pointing to things that aren't mommy or daddy but lableing them as such anyway. Regardless, it is only THE best show on television. And now, thanks to Time Warner digital cable and our fancy DVR we will be able to watch every delicious episode. Delicious you ask. Yes, very much so. Why? Please click on the link below to see only one small glimmer of it's wonderment...

It's dancey dance time

WHAT!! Wasn't that fabulous?! And Elijah Wood. Where did that come from? I think Mike and I will start doing daily dancey dance routines with Yo Gabba Gabba. Want another bite? Are you sure you want another taste? Whoa, you must really be into Yo Gabba Gabba, huh? Well, alright then. Time for Biz's beat of the Day. MY NAME IS OSKAR! I LIKE TO DANCE!!!

i know you're addicted now. am i right? of course i'm right! uh-you're welcome.

Give "the Top" his props

just a small change....while watching the Soup (with special guest Truck-asaurus).... soo meaty.

well, well, well...

...look who finally has internet access!!! i'll write this weekend when i don't have to get up at 5.40 (seriously).

look at this awesome family we have!! so great to have them there.

Mrs. Arnold only looks upset. I promise.

getting ready for the big day. bring the noise.

it's been quite a while

and my week is just one hellish ball of chaos...CHAOSSSSS!!!

luckily Mike is here to help me out- a ton. This week alone:
- rented a storage unti
- moved his 'life' into a 2x8x6 ft. space
- moved/moving my 'life' into the rest of the 7x8 storage space
- wrote a fabulous presentation on severe/profound disabled strategies for art
- had a tiny insignificant breakdown because i'm SOOOOO stressed right now
- worked on wedding thing after wedding thing
- have i mentioned i worked on wedding things
- (only 8 more days!!!!) a week from tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
- CSI became my new best friend (not replacing Dustin or Mike, of course)

so...rundown please:
- our lives our packed away or in suitcases
- we'll be in PA monday to get our marriage license
- i'm getting Mike's unibrow waxed!
- i'll be on my way to licensure for art because i'm DONE, i'm done, i'm done, i'm done, I'M DONE!!!!