Lexicon addition numero uno

Be.dread.ed : a person who not only sports dreadlocks but also fully embodies the essence of said dreads.


we need to see this fold in ever so subtly. thoughts?

Go Pens

To be honest, I'm not much of a hockey fan to start with, nothing like molly, but the stanley cup finals are pretty awesome to watch. Two games ago Mike and I stayed up to watch Pittsburgh lose. Mike stayed up for the last game to watch basically two hockey games with the Pens winning in triple overtime. Tonight we sit here watching and the Pens just scored their first goal and it was sweet. What a rush! Hopefully they can come back and hold off the Red Wings for one more night. We'll see :)

What a joke

No, what is shameful Hillary is that you stand here talking to us via CNN and refuse to bow out gracefully and graciously and instead talk your robot talk and say "I'm not making any decisions tonight." please, go right ahead and further divide the democratic party. good job Hill.



*an aside: Tina Turner begins playing. "Tina Turner, really? Well, I guess that's appropriate because you just got beaten by a black man."

My mom actually told me about this today. It is tragic and sorrowful and should remind us to be blessings to one another and love with all of our hearts for God's sake. God knows what's up, we don't. I'm okay with that.

http://www.music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=315536&GT1=7702

to be entertained

Mike left today and is headed up to PA for various reasons. Therefore I am left to fend for myself in good ol' Mebane and the entertainment is scarce on a Wednesday. I have completely cleaned the house- carpets, kitchen, bath, bedroom. I have vacuumed, dusted, made the bed, put things away, done a good amount of dishes, even rearranged things just for fun. I know, i'm a little sad. I tried to play Wii to take up some time but I didn't feel like playing very long. So I'm on my computer and what do I remember...the PAINTING ELEPHANT!!! Great entertainment- long, but worth it! Love it!!!

i hope you do as well.

hey you!

Yes, you, devoted reader (and perhaps blog writer). Please update your blog so that i have something to peruse in the evening after checking my email and my trashy gossip online. Thanks so much!

Liz

oh to be friends

Do you ever wish you could just be friends with a certain someone who is famous? There are several stars who evoke "sweet friend" material. One for me is John Mayer. Love him. Love his music. Love his humor. Since I will probably never meet him the closest I can get is the blog world. Coincidence, he blogs! He's hilarious and he's like the guy you just want to hang out with. Not even talk about his music and "celebrity", but other music, and well, youtube. Which leads to my point- both hilarious and scary. I'm sorry and you're welcome:

http://blog.honeyee.com/john/

difficult

I find it difficult to express my true emotions to few beyond Michael and my mom. Quite honestly I'm still scared of judgement by those who i consider great friends. Is it because I know I'm often guilty of judgement. I rarely express my true emotions. Perhaps that's why i connect with music so closely and with such fierce loyalty. Today was a bit of a letdown in my teaching career. It's the end of the year. Attentions are waning and I'm still teaching before the EOG's to a group of kids who only want to run around outside. Who can blame them. It's been raining since Wednesday or Thursday (drought? what drought?) and they need to just release energy. So today it's gloomy, wet, and above all lacking any sort of recess. My temper was shot, and it's only Monday. I was finishing things after a meeting and this song came on. What a wake up call. Good pop on the face. Hard to not give up and know there are better days ahead. I'm taken care of in spite of my best efforts.

Oh, it’s been one of those days

When You walk with me

So close I think
I caught the scent of angels’ wings

And my, oh my unsuspecting heart

Leaps from its place

Begins to race

I finally found the place I never want to leave
Why can’t every day, why can’t every day

Why can’t every day, can’t every day

Be like today

Oh, why do the good days end

Makes me wonder now

With the way I feel

If yesterday was even real

And why, oh why do You seem so far away
Could this mean that I’ve gone too far this time

And can I make You change Your mind, oh...

Why should any day, why should any day

Why should any day, should any day

Be like today

Do I wallow in my insecurities?

Do I trust what my feelings are tellin’ me?

Do I rest in the promise You made me

That You’ll never leave?

Oh, today my heart believes
That the truth remains

You never change

Your love for me is still the same, oh...

Why can’t every day, why can’t every day

Why can’t every day, can’t every day

Be like today?

well, that happened

While wishing my wonderful mum a Happy Mother's Day I got to catch up a bit. Tell her about Jeff's visit, the hail storm with nickle-sized hail, a reimbursement surprise, and everything else you could possibly imagine has happened to me in the last week since we've talked. Therefore it is naturally fitting that she fill me in. My brother this, home that, Dad lost his job, we're enjoying rain in Myrtle Beach.

Two years ago when my dad lost his job with Ford I was worried about my family, our security, why the good Lord would send us this way. Now, in this case, I'm more of an adult and I'm happy. My dad won't have to spend an entire work week in the car anymore, he'll be less angry and stressed over stupid people and things, and he'll be at home. Perhaps he'll finally start his own garage. He's only been talking about it for years. We'll see. All I know is that this is not the end of the world as it was before. And, well, that happened.

family

My brother is here in Mebane visiting Mike and I for a few days. He arrived yesterday evening and he'll leave tomorrow. I feel that it's not enough time, but I'll take what I can get. He'll be 20 soon and he's finished his 2nd year at the Naval Academy already. It's so funny to see him all grown up. I can handle myself becoming an adult, I have to, I live with me. But to see my little brother grow up into a man, well it's overwhelming and emotional. I love that we have a four year difference in age. Any more would be too much I think. We've gotten along for a long time but just don't talk. He's not a talker, I'm an oversharer. We deal. Though, we've talked more this weekend than we have since I lived at home. Now that in and of itself is sad but greatly promising at the same time. I know that we'll have a better relationship than my parents have with their siblings. Maybe it's because there are just two of us. Who knows. All I'm saying is it's good to have my baby brother around to protect. I miss that, you know. A lot.

Something I also miss, and not too many people know about, is my sister. Yep, you read right, a sister. A half-sister whom I haven't seen since I was maybe 10 or so. I'm 24 now. She's four years older I believe. Last I heard she was in Baton Rouge in Grad School. She pops into my mind every once and again. It's hard to imagine what it would be like to actually be involved in her life and vice versa. Things happen for a reason, I know. I still have my brother around. My little miracle brother. I'm glad of that for sure.


Currently, Jeff is playing Zelda with Mike. He still rolls on the ground tossing me back and forth. And he's become my little personal trainer. My arms are killing me right now (YAY!). We recently survived an incredible hail storm in Chapel Hill. V. frightening. We weren't hurt, but I won't be able to check my car until tomorrow. Sigh.

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::