The finer things in life

I was born in 1984.  I was jamming out to Top Gun on cassette when I was 2.  Therefore, I missed the era of the 8-Track.  I really had no idea how these worked or what they looked like until the other day.  I witnessed my first 8-Track.  It was a sight to behold.  I really have no idea why these went out of style.  These should replace iPods.  Because Journey's greatness needs to be distributed between two tracks.

My first painting class

Work has been a pretty cray cray as of late.  I have left long days feeling exhausted, but I realized that filtering so many people through my office has caused me to notice trends and patterns and made me a better therapist because I am helping so many people with a wide variety of issues.  I had four trainings between two jobs that were really getting me down, but I think that the storm is passing.

I have made very good use of my car insurance as of late.  Following my accident, I had full coverage for a sweet rental for a week.  $17.61 for a week in a new car?  Yes, please.  My vehicle was not only repaired, but then detailed.  I don't think it knows what to do it is so clean.  Which is precisely why the check engine light is now coming on.  Maybe I should run into poles more often.  I then locked my keys in my car yesterday.  Roadside assistance is a life saver.  No seriously, they helped save me from the scary car wash at 2am with a busted flat one time.

The running shoe saga continues.  I am testing out a new pair of shoes today on the treadmill.  Minimalist shoes are out, but have already taken their toll on my legs.  I still feel sore...in that "you worked your ligaments and joints too hard" sort of way, not in day after lifting sort of way.  Finding shoes that fit my feet anymore seems to be a quest all its own.  Apparently, my feet are not kosher with the fanciness of new shoes.

Guilty Pleasures

So, I have been consuming massive amounts of food lately.  My amount of exertion working out has apparently paid off...in my grocery bill and not fitting into my pants and getting up in the middle of the night to eat.  I ate a bag and a half of sweet potato chips in a day.  I seriously had to bypass the sweet potato chips at the store the other day...oh...I still want some...

Chelsi has totally hooked me on The Bachelor.  I had psychoanalyzed more than one of the girls.  Hey, I can't help it...I smell a Borderline from a mile away.

At the tanning bed the other day (hey...don't judge...Indiana gets a little gloomy this time of year) and saw this sign.

It says:  "The tanning room is not a restroom" and then chastises people for relieving themselves under the tanning beds.  Some people are so uptight.

This year, in many respects, had began to appear like last year.  The emotions, the struggles, the controversies...they all seemed perfectly timed as they were a year ago.  However, the good news is that I have learned.  I have learned to take care of myself and what I needed.  I have learned the tipping points for certain emotions and how to navigate icky feelings.  I went to bed really early the other night and got a solid 10 hours of sleep.  Emotions still tend to run high at times, but I am managing as well as I could have hoped.  I am really thankful for the promises God has for me, including telling me that "at the proper time [I] will reap the harvest of blessing if [I] don't give up."  (Galatians 6:9), but hey, this waiting period...well...it gets a little old.  But I am managing and for that I am grateful.

Flashback Friday--muffins

Old habits die hard.

Lent

Last week, I had attended an Ash Wednesday service.  I had ashes on my forehead for the rest of the day.  It was funny how adults would stare at my forehead and just let the awkwardness hang in the air.  Kids would ask me about it, which made for an interesting discussion about religion.  I taught class in my ashes, conducted therapy sessions, and visited a school in them.  I was reminded how I should not be embarrassed of my religion and that sometimes I am just too vain.

I had decided to be off Facebook for Lent, but already broke that tonight when I had to share my Haiti photos with my class.  It is weird how much stuff revolves around this singular social network.  Unfortunately, my obsession about my self-image seems to have taken over my needs.

I am super duper excited for Lent.  I think God is going to do wonderful, amazing things.

Flashback Friday--Valentine's Day

Why we are yelling about Valentine's is beyond me.  Maybe we already knew the commercial trap way back then...

So, the world at our house is never boring for too long. 

This week, Chelsi burnt popcorn.  I mean, really burnt popcorn.

So, the last few days have spent attempting to get the smell out of the house, the microwave, and the utility room.  At least the outside of our house doesn't carry the whiffs that come with heating up the micowave now.  Thus far, I have tried nail polish remover and coffee grounds with steamed water.  Results when I return...

Flashback Friday--Snickers

My baby in his younger years.  He waited by my car when I was on a trip and my grandparents were puppysitting. 

Today he would have been 17. 

R.I.P. Snick.

Flat Stanley

My sister's student sent me a Flat Stanley.  He will hopefully be in the mail on the way to her tomorrow.

Dear Mikayla,

Thank you for sending me Flat Stanley. He has been a great companion. We had a great time going to the library. Flat Stanley loved the book about Porcupines, then played with the dinosaurs, rode a horse, and pet the seals. We made cookies, played Monopoly, and drew pictures.

Flat Stanley fell into a bag with the tickets for good behavior at church. I lost him for a week, which was a little scary. He did get enough tickets to get a prize, but we had a long talk about leaving for ice cream and trying to get more tickets.

Flat Stanley came to my office, where I help kids with their problems.  We talked about our feeligns and how to handle your anger so you don't hurt people.  He helped me water my flowers and played in the gym with the kids.  He is pretty awesome at basketball.


I hope Flat Stanley will tell you all about our adventures.  I told him to be brave when he came back to you.  Thank you for sharing him with me.

Hahahaha!

This weekend, I had a guy who wanted my attention and began talking to me.  However, I would have to say that I was not flattered when he asked if my nose ring was a booger.  When I told him I had sparkly snot, apparently the humor was lost on him.

My cousin said, "I have a hard time telling the difference between The Dixie Chicks and Destiny's Child."  Because "Earl Had to Die" and "Bootylicious" do have a similar feel.

We watched more cat videos online (which is like a bad disease) and my dad did his Pit Bull impression (the rapper, not the dog) and we discussed whether there was hemp in Snoop Lion's (the artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg) new kids' book.  And then we made lots of references to drugs.  Somehow, everything can seem like it is a reference to substance-induced euphoria when you really look.

Me:  "Dad, when did Paul Harvey die?"
Dad:  "When he stopped breathing."

Me:  "Who needs drugs when you have Dad?"
Dad:  "A natural roofie."
And the weekend isn't over yet folks.