Dogsitting

Last year we watched a pair of dogs for a weekend. It was successful and we were asked again to sit some dogs. They are two very complex dogs with complex lives. Their food and walking regimen the first time around was silly. Luckily it was less ridiculous but just as enjoyable. Our weekend was really laid back. We had to walk the dogs like four times a day and so we were outside a lot. It was nice not doing much for a change. However, no cleaning at home was done and that is never good. Curly is the large dog. Tipper is the tiny dog. She is shy, he is not. This led to some fun pictures.

she liked to sit in this little corner of the kitchen.

Goodnight Beard

Every once and a while Mike's beard becomes so large that it deserves discussion. For around two months Mike didn't trim or shave his beard. Why this poses a problem:
1. kissability- i would rate a 3
2. visability- this would change weekly with every new cm.
3. overall appearance- there just comes a point, you know.
4. He sometimes looks like a prison inmate
5. his beard is red to begin with, but oh my word.... RED!

Finally he brought himself to trim. I documented said journey with some hilarious snapshots of the various stages of debearding. I was one happy wifey!

*Please insert your own captions

New Year!

It's a new year and so much has happened already. I can't wait to get blogging, it has been a while. But today we have to drive to Greensboro to pick up a bass. Mike will once again be playing his beloved instrument. Although this time he does not have to worry about being good since it is for RTOOT. Have I not explained RTOOT? Well, there's at least one more blog!

oh Kinders!

this week has been slowly driving me crazy because it's been so busy. Friday and the weekend was much welcomed. However, mid-week, I had some light entertainment from a five year-old. During morning car duty I opened the door to a van like I do every day. Out pops this little cutie pie that makes you just melt inside. He was wiggling a bit and mumbling something to me as he hopped down. Upon asking him to say it again he stuck his arms out to the sides, palms up and did a shimmy while singing "bow chicki bow bowwww"!!!! This made my life (and my day!)

Yule Blog

In order to adequately prepare for our upcoming greenesque Christmas blog/card I thought it would be nice to reflect on last year's letter. Not that I'll actually reflect in this blog, more I want to give you an opportunity to let you reflect on the past post. I look forward to writing this year's second annual post with Mike. It's hard to believe it's our second Christmas as husband and wife. Wow! Love it. Here's the link to our Yule Blog. Enjoy!

prayers answered

My Dad got a job yesterday. Working for SAIC (ooh, those beltway bandits) and will be better off than when he left Ford. This certainly makes things lighter and more festive for the season. It's hard seeing your competant parent not be able to find adequate work for three years. God has truly blessed my parents. I was out of college, Jeff recieved free college, and there wasn't much debt. Happy day! And as my dad would say "just in time for the smoochie shuffle". Commence shuffling!

more babies!

Bill and Becky have a baby girl! Congratulations on Cecilie!

Eagles of Death Metal

John came down yesterday for the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Lincoln Theatre. What a stellar show. Not familiar? Eagles is the brain child of Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme. Jesse is good ol' southern boy with down home religion, guilt, and an on/off moral switch. Upon entering the Lincoln theatre we were greeted by the delectable sound of the Duke Spirit, an English rock band that hails from London (where else). This was a great way to start off the show. I was quite impressed by the female lead. And I love the song "This Ship Was Built to Last". I've never heard of these guys before but apparently they play Letterman soon.

Well Jesse came on to stage with the same veracity of Jerry Lee Lewis. It was sexy. It was spellbinding. It was sensational! I haven't seen stage presence like that in a while. And this isn't the fake, make me want to throw-up, forced emo presence. This was something truly special. It was a great show in a nice venue. Solid A-. I could have enjoyed a slightly longer show. However, breaking three strings shows true talent.

Along the way I took some pictures. They are fun. Check 'em!

This was just the beginning

So Elvis.

VOTED!!

I have done my little part, even though I feel it's not enough. Today was my first day at the polls and I was nervous and excited and proud and nervous! But hey, I made it through- AND they had my registration! Plus, get this....NO LINE!!! Only two people in front of me with a dozen polls to choose from. Sweetness.

Time for Mike and I to buckle down, order some pizza, watch House until LATER, and drink some delicious wine.

You might not have known...

Kate recently tagged me in her blog to share 7 facts you may not have known about me. Here are the rules: I have to write 7 little known (or unknown) facts about myself and then tag 7 other people to do the same. I don't actually know seven other people who haven't been tagged AND still write in their blogs, so here we go anyway!

1. I really resented my parents when we moved from Jersey to Maryland when I was in 4th grade. I don't remember being angry but it still hurts my mom when she thinks about it. I'm actually quite glad about where it finally led my family.

2. I love tearing out the bookmarks from Real Simple and actually using them in my current reads. I have a couple great ones with pigs and one with flowers that I've used for my last four books. They're so bright and cheery.

3. I, in an "I'm not crazy" kind of a way, believe that PA in trying to pull Mike and I back. Our family is there- sans my immediates, and a large portion of our friends are there. I call it the Pennsylvania Pull.

4. I'm terrible at correspondence. Awful. I hate the phone and see it as a necessary evil. I don't like checking email. I love writing letters but haven't actually had much time. I believe part of it is a result of moving so often. Constantly restarting- which requires much effort and therefore less time for your past. But while I don't call or write often, my friends are often what occupy my mind.

5. I don't see myself teaching for 30 years. I want to always have art and crafts be part of my life but I'm not sure how. Some days I want to open a "paint your own" deal of a shop. Sometimes I want to create adorable but sleek accessory pins. I have several in mind and wish I had some time to work on them. I'm ambitious, but there are only so many places in education you can go, and I will never become administration. I also want to earn a master's but am torn between art history and studio art- not art education. This is not a realistic dream for the time being.

6. I really wish I had a house. Selfish and simple. I become very jealous when I see other people who have a place that's all theirs. Even if I find the house completely repulsive I think, "wow, they're doing so much better than me. What have I done wrong?"

7. I love the fact that I know so much useless information. It is this information that helps connect the world together and relate point A to point B. It's amazing when you can pull out an obscure movie refrence and relate it to a current book topic. Just silly that way I guess.

I heart Plants

I also heart my Nikon D40. Now I'm still shaky on the aperture/shutter speed/ anything technical in photography- I was really good with my simple Pentax SLR- but I think I have a great eye for composition. Always have in just about anything- it's why I was good in theatre too. Great sense of the overall picture. During intersession Mike's family came down for a weekend. We did many things but one of my favorite is the NC Botanical Gardens right down the road in Chapel Hill. It's such a lovely place and it's still in bloom- thanks North Carolina! Well I took along my trusty and loved D40 to just wander and get lost in the beauty that God has given us. Excepting for the mosquitoes, I loved wandering by myself. I enjoy and realize nature's potential best this way. I want to share some of my pictures. Just a few of my favorites!

Intersession was nice.

Intersession was a nice break from school life. I had two weeks off and two work days. So much was accomplished and I had a relaxing time with myself. Waking up when the sun was shining was a novel idea. Reading became a priority during these two weeks. I was able to read the Lost City of Z by David Grann. Grann is a writer for the New Yorker and his book comes out this February. It is the story of Col. Percy Fawcett- Amazonian explorer extraordinaire. Truly a remarkable story with seamless writing that shifts reader from past to present. I highly recommend this book about the wild and life changing adventures of a man who sought to map the dense jungles of the Amazon. Exploration was his love and ultimately his downfall. Classic history-lovers book. I absolutely consumed this book! (A picture of Col. Fawcett to the right)

I also recently finished the white corridor by C. Fowler. It is part of the Bryant and May detective series. Its end was unexpected and closed neatly but it was tedious to wade through, a very complex and convoluted plot. Not my favorite read thus far. I just began reading Vanished Smile: the Mysterious Theft of the Mona Lisa by R.A. Scotti. Excellent and vivid thus far!

In addition to reading I was able to travel home to see my family. I enjoyed a day visit with Molly, baked the boys cookies and cupcakes, watched my brother in a Rugby game at the academy, and visited Sarah in Pasadena. Very busy and very fulfilling trip. Lots of miles driven!
I always love going to the Naval Academy. Quite beautiful and lush but slightly magical. Very few people know the hardships encountered just to earn qualification to apply. I am so proud of my brother and I think, alright I know, I become overwhelmed when I go. His opportunities in life will overshadow mine. I know this. I've been a couple times this fall and I hope to be going to the Army/Navy game in Philly this year. So some pictures from the yard.

Home for the holiday

Yesterday was the start of my two-week mini break. Our intersession is a much needed break from everything at school. Mike can not leave his responsibility of the store so a much needed trip to Pittsburgh is out. Instead I am heading to DC today. I will be staying for several days and will be seeing lots of lovely people. I've already got a busy schedule, but let me know if you'd like to see me. Yay holidays!

Blog, blog, blog

I hardly have time for email, let along sharing my personal world with you, my friends. I'm into my eighth week of school and i'm still trying to adjust to everything i have going on right now. Just a few things to keep ya'll up-to-date!

I auditioned for the Choral Society of Durham last week and made it! I get to sing with Mike again for the first time in about three years. It's really exciting that now I don't have to sit in the audience alone. We'll be spread out on risers, but sweating in the lights of Duke Chapel, together. Isn't that what's important.

I have fifty things going on right now between home and school and it's been getting to me lately. I'm feeling a little miserable and unsupported at school. I don't see my friends often and I have to deal with the folks who anger me most more than I would like. I know this is just a changing moment, but man it's awful to be in the middle of it. I will never get away from people I can't get along with, this I am fully aware of, but I have never been so disrespected for being young, being white, and for just being the "art teacher". Luckily I love my kids!

Speaking of my kids, I have begun posting their artwork on this awesome site called Artsonia.com. Please take a look and search for Haw River. These are the things I'm teaching. I'm hoping for this to be a way to get more parents involved in their kids artwork and to see the necessity of having more of this stuff at home. Great creations. Let me know what you think!

Did I mention I'm finally sick from the little ones. It's been a few days already and I can tell I'm getting better but wow, not a fan of the aches and cough. Not at all!

One refreshing thing in my life right now, other than my husband, is yoga. I'm taking some yoga and pilates classes right now and I feel wonderful. I've lost some weight from my stressful spring and summer and am so limber now. It's wonderful for my long days at school and now for the choir since I'm singing for the first time in a year.

Well, just a few things. Never underestimate the power of venting! Love you guys and MISS you very much.

it's er- lye in the morning

Waking up at 6 is becoming easier for me. It gives me a chance to collect and reflect on the day as well as enjoy the darkness outside. right now it's raining again and I love that atmosphere. It's neither gloomy nor sad because the horizon is beginning to glow. Being one of the few up and out is a fun thing and I'm happy to enjoy that for the time being.

ouch!

Today marked the end of a crazy week. The culmination of which was the signing of our new lease for our new apartment! Yay. We're in the process of moving from Mebane to Durham. Our new address is:
5519 Sunlight Drive #202
Durham, NC 27707

We'll be moving tomorrow with a Budgie and everything. It's hard to believe Mike and I have been in NC together for a year already. I've been here for two years and hope to stay a while. We love our new place and I'll be putting up pictures soon.

Also, I was bitten by a hamster today. BITTEN by a HAMSTER! Elizabeth: 0, Hamster: 1

Where oh where has lima bean?

Since school convened for the summer I have been absent for various reasons. I am not altogether great at even blogging regularly when I have a set schedule. So, here it is, a day and a half from August and I'm writing again. Brilliant.

Friday was the first day of school and I started classes this Monday. I have this crazy schedule I won't even begin to explain but leave you with this. I see six classes a day for three days, six classes for two, skip a week with those two groups and see the other half of the school the following week. Then it switches. Lame, but I'm back and working and happy to be around my children. I really do consider all of these kids my kids. Love them. It's why I'm here.

Today alone I had to physically restrain a kindergartner because he tried to kick at me and attempt to run away. Nothing says success at the end of the day like restraining a child in order to calm them down. Did I mention kindergartner? Oh, I did. My mistake.

So much to say, and eventually blog. Just a sampling:
- moving to Durham/Chapel Hill in two weekends
- One year anniversary is this coming Monday. We're heading to Charleston to celebrate
- I'm considering auditioning for a choir. This is frightening
- My computer has recently begun to make foul sounds which do not give me hope for another year of life
- we have a new car. her name is Pearl.
- Mike and I love Mad Men
- Mike went to Bonnaroo and had a great time
- I hold babies. I do not have babies.
- We spent the 4th in Erie and I have yet to fully load all pictures onto our external drive. Soon, I hope.
- Speaking of pictures, I have a new Digital SLR. I love my SLR but I need to not carry a gift shops' worth of film around.
- My brother is going to be a Second Year at the Academy. Hoping to make it up for Army/Navy. (Fingers crossed)


goodnight. time for some more of those Mad Men!

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."