Christmas recap

Christmas this year was actually quite lovely. Despite my bah humbugness. It began with Chance and I exchanging ornaments via Skype, a tradition that we started last year. She's such a fun gift giver. Like Mom, she thinks and thinks and thinks about her gifts, and her ornament and present this year were no exception. After several phone calls earlier in the month to get my opinion on butterflies (no to the butterflies) and colors and other things, I ended up with a beautiful tear-drop-shaped purple glass bulb with bejeweled velvet swirlies. The theme this year: Twilight. I did I also mention that she's quite imaginative? Last year it was a bear holding a fish to commemorate our trip to Echo Lake. The funny thing about this is that the crazy bear matches my tree more than my fancy bulb does. For my present, she gave me a yoga mat bag from Denver Brunette. I just know people at my studio will ask where I got it, and can't wait to tell them it's handmade! I can't wait to to see what Chance will get me next year.

I did my last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve afternoon (I'm insane, I know) and Jonathan went to the store for our Christmas Eve dinner as per tradition. After I put my little cornish game hens in the oven to bake, I hurried to the wrap the mountain of presents I somehow had come to buy Jonathan. For some reason I kept thinking I needed to buy him more and more. While we ate our cornish game hens, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, we watched White Christmas, which is the Christmas movie Jonathan got me this year. Last year, it was Elf. Every year I ask for a Christmas movie so that someday I can have a collection to watch throughout the month when I have children and should family come to visit. I always loved Christmas movies, so it's a tradition I plan to make for my kids (when I have them). We finished off dinner with a Hershey's chocolate mousse pie. Then I promptly went to bed.

On Christmas Day, we woke up at 8 so we could start the cheesy potatoes to take over to the in-laws and bake our cinnamon rolls. This is what I received from Jonathan: V-string underwear (I knew it was a mistake to say I needed underwear and then expect Jonathan to purchase the decent kind), the complete series of Angel, penguin ornaments, Chapstick, Starbucks gift card, iTunes gift card, lots of chocolate, and finally, the most impressive gift ever: jeans! Jonathan bought me clothes! Of course, they're too long, so I'll need to go get them hemmed, but clothes! Maybe next year I'll actually get a sweater or a shirt.

From my in-laws, who are always so generous, I got: pajamas, candy, Starbucks gift card, iTunes gift card, a Snowbaby music box, a Hawaiian ornament from their recent trip, a Cuttlebug, a Barnes & Nobles gift card, yoga clothes, fun tea light holders, and money. Later that evening we went to the retirement home where my MIL works to help serve dinner, sing carols, and play bingo. Usually the facility just sends sack dinners to the rooms and the residents eat a lonely Christmas supper. But my MIL thought that wasn't any way to spend Christmas, so she organized it so her family would come serve them dinner and bring some spirit to their evening without having to have the extra staff it would require. And she's only the receptionist! She's truly an amazing and giving woman. That evening we ate homemade enchiladas and watched Mamma Mia!. It was hilarious, but it was a little strange watching James Bond sing. We got home so late I fell into bed exhausted.

After Christmas run-down: This morning I could barely move thanks to my shot, but I braved yoga, which was a mistake. I could barely bend over without intense pain in my legs and lower back. Not to mention my sinuses, which I think they're working their way to infection level. Jonathan met me at the door when I got home and helped me out of my shoes and coat and pushed me on the couch where I slept all day. Ahh! After Christmas.

It ain't called chronic for nothing

Rock. Me. Hard place. That's where I'm at right now with the whole MS thing.

I'm due for new meds, which can't just be picked up at your family friendly pharmacy. Nope. Gotta order them through the insurance company's specialty pharmacy, which really isn't that big of a deal actually. They're shipped directly to me three-month's supply at time. Pretty simple. But not when your disease and the said specialty pharmacy are conspiring against you.

Here's the problem:
There's a good chance that those oh-so-friendly shots I'm taking aren't actually curbing the disease. At my last MRI, my noggin showed new lesions. New lesions can mean more disability faster, quicker, and stronger. Okay, no big. I deal well. Probably too well. So at the end of this month, I'll have new MRIs done ($$$) to see if there are even more new active lesions. I'm just about betting there are considering my whole numb, burning foot issue (which by the way seems to have gone away!). Note: The symptom can go away, but that doesn't mean there are not any active lesions. If there are, my doc wants me to go to a new medication. The once-a-day ouch kind. But I also need to renew my current prescription right now with my doctor.

So: I need to call my doctor for a new prescription for a medication that most likely I won't be taking for the next three months. Call my specialty pharmacy to order not three months (standard), but one month in the event that I will switch medications after my next doctor's appoint to review the oh-so-fun MRIs I take at the end of the month. Here's where it could be easier on me: Why the hell does the pharmacy need a new prescription? Hello, MS is a chronic, incurable disease! I also can't skip this medication because you titrate up slowly to the current dosage.

All this, while I'm busy at work and it's the holidays. And I wonder where my holiday spirit is. Bah humbug!

Listening to: Ray LaMontagne's You Are the Best Thing

Here's a little music love letter to my hunny. You really are the best thing.

Custom-fit jeans?

Perhaps. For $135.

I have a stack of what are now my skinny, I'll-wear-you-again-someday-I-hope jeans. All in good condition. I'm lamenting you size 4, glaring size 6 fat in the face.

There's fabric, and then there's fabric

I have discovered: Tula Pink fabric and her new line—Neptune. Nautical, fresh yet calm colors. Color me I-need-a-bag-right-now!

My favorite 5 yoga poses

There are some poses that I love sinking my teeth into. They probably come more natural to me than any other poses, which means I can clear my mind and really just breathe in the poses. In no particular order, here are my favorite five poses:

1. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
2. Utthita Parsvakonasana
3. Utthita Trikonasana
4. Anjaneyasana
5. Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

Etsy want: TastySuite vinyl wall art

I gotta tip that I should check out TastySuite's vinyl wall art because there's one that Jonathan would especially appreciate. I love all the variations! So mod and so fun. I need one that says "goodnight. sweet dreams. i love you"—that's the phrase Jonathan and I say to each other every night.

Listening to: Ting Ting's That's Not My Name

Does anyone else hear a modern Hey Mickey (you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind)? Compare:

The Christmas tree has risen

We did it. Well, actually Jonathan did it while I was in the kitchen making some homemade hot chocolate complete with homemade whipped topping. The Christmas tree is up.

After drinking our chocolate I surveyed the tree, wanting to admire some of my favorite ornaments. I was surprised to see there were empty branches, void of any festive ornaments. I thought I must have imagined the extent of our ornament collection, but once I went hunting, I found that many ornaments weren't on the tree! We missed two boxes of our favorites that were sitting in our closet. Good thing we found them. I would have been heart broken if I hadn't been able to put up my Echo Lake Bear. He's an institution.

But where's my holiday spirit

Here it is Thanksgiving Day, and my holiday spirit is no where to be found. Not even two radio stations playing Christmas music can get me in the mood. In fact, I've vetoed them, opting for R&B and alternative stations. I love Christmas, so I don't know what gives. Right now my Christmas tree is sitting in its little box waiting to be pulled out and put together. But I can't seem to find the magic. This isn't me. My tree always goes up on Turkey Day.

Where are you Christmas?

Check out my new boots

They're riding boots. But there will be no riding, just strutting my stuff. Can't wait til they arrive. I ordered them in black.

Burning foot and a nugget of inspiration

MS strikes again. I had felt it coming on. The tingly numb feeling in my right foot started a week ago. I knew what was coming. It was inevitable, because so often with MS, it's slow building, progressing to something worse. Taking its sweet time til suddenly you realize you feel like shit or that something just doesn't feel normal and diminished. Take my last relapse, for example, dizziness turned into to full blown chunks. I couldn't keep anything down for a weekend straight. Of course, it subsided, and once again, I was back to normal. Or as normal as I can be. So I've been waiting for the big nasty MS monster to come trip me up.

Last night, while enjoying Twilight with Amanda and her sister Jill, I felt it: my whole foot went completely numb, as if it didn't belong to my body at all. The movie was enough to distract me, but when I got home, it was a different story. My foot felt as if it was on fire, just burning away. If you've ever come in from the freezing cold and put your hands or feet in hot water, and you've felt a tight burning sensation as if your nerves are being exposed too quickly. This is similar to what my foot feels like. So tomorrow I'm taking yet another jaunt to the neurologist to see what she can do, because it's hard to concentrate and sleep when you feel as if your foot is on a pyre.

By some stroke of luck, flames aside, writing inspiration has struck. I've been waiting, with plenty of false starts, music-jamming brainstorm sessions, and blank-screen staring, patiently for some trickle of something to write about. Who knows if my latest idea will pan out, but if not, I'm hoping it will just lead to something better. A New York Times best-seller perhaps.

Damn cheap clothing

I will buy no more cheap clothing. I will buy no more cheap clothing. I will buy no more cheap clothing.

Tonight, while cleaning up from dinner, I turned around to Jonathan's face practically in my crack, as in my butt crack.

"What are you doing?!"

"Did you know your pants have holes in them?"

"What?! No!"

Said pants: my cheap-ass yoga pants that I had worn to yoga today! Jonathan said that it was only visible when I bend over. Well, glad I didn't do that but through the entire class, and in the front row. So I'm making a resolution: I'm not buying any more cheap clothing. It's just not worth my pride and sadness when they fall apart. But, egad, prices are so high on durable (read: none ass-bearing) pants. And if you know me, I'm frugal, but it has to be worth it. I'm sure the person behind me in class would agree.

Scene-Stealers.com movie review: Twilight

Getting a whiff of the holidays

I just got a whiff of someone in the office wearing Winter Candy Apple. It just may be enough to trigger my holiday spirit that, oddly enough, has been hiding this year.

Listening to: Glasvegas

They're Scottish. You can really hear the accent. Kinda catchy.

Email surprises

Iphones are the best. My sister sends me pictures she snaps when my nephew AJ is at his cutest. Like little eye presents. Despite the miles, we stay connected. We also videoconference via Skype, so AJ remembers who I am. Every now and then, he'll ask "Jes-ca?" And we'll Skype or talk on the phone. And I get to use my animal noises. I love that you can appreciate them. It's like our own silly language.

The most recent picture present was classic AJ. He wanted to wear a hat. Of course you did. Hats are cool, and even better on you. You're the best little buddy. The best.

How does a cruise that goes to Egypt sound?

Just delightful. Jonathan and I are in the throes of researching European cruises to possibly take next year during our anniversary. Check this out: Rome, Capri, Athens, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Mykonos, Cairo, and Alexandria. Oh please, oh please let us go. Course, we'd have to cut way back on spending. And if we do decide to go, Jonathan decided we'd need the right camera. So we're also in the midst of researching SLRs. I could take my very own pictures of pyramids and the Acropolis. We're also thinking about learning up some Italian. Anyone tried that Rosetta Stone?

Mmmm, daydreaming...

Oh, and the ship offers yoga. That's pure bliss.

Yes, we will

I voted. This was probably the most pivotal presidential election since women and African-Americans were given the right to vote. What a huge step. I already feel the change. Do you?

I'm a great aunt again!

Looking just like my beautiful niece when she was a baby, here's Carsen being held by his daddy.

Blog to follow: La Tartine Gourmande

I love La Tartine Gourmande's blog. I don't remember who initially turned me on to this blog, but if I had to wager, probably Charissa. (Am I right?) Her recent use of photography (as always) really took my breathe away. If only I could capture what she captures (and eats).

Hermann top 10

This past week was spent in Hermann, Mo., with Jonathan to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. If you aren't familiar with Hermann, it's the heart of Missouri wine country. We stayed at a little B&B, sleeping in til 9 everyday...just in time for an amazing breakfast. We ate our way through this little town that now has a special place in my heart. Without further adieu, here's my Hermann Top :

10. The wine. I put this at 10 just because it's a given. We visited a winery just about everyday. My favorite winery was Hermanhoff. It's in downtown Hermann. Followed closely is Stone Hill. Their cellars were amazing. Our guide joked that if a tornado happened by, we'd be safe...and happily filled with wine. I also got the chance to see Independent Stave Company wine barrels up close. A little bit a familial pride swelled my heart each time I'd see ISC's stamp.
9. German School Museum and Clock Tower. The clock tower was the source of amusement because it was an hour and five minutes off. Five minutes because none of the clock winders in town are skilled enough to make it more precise, and an hour because we're still in daylight savings time, but the clock isn't. Very handy clock. The school itself (the clock was added later) was a sturdy and surprisingly strong structure. Gotta hand it to those Germans; they're resourceful. In the museum our a great many items that have been donated, included a Adolf Hitler propaganda book, which is really, really rare. The hair art was a little bizarre, but Jonathan enjoyed the WWI era swords.
8. Blanche's. I have a pickle ornament. All my very own. I was also tempted to buy a melted wine bottle. Part art, part recycling genius, but I figured it was just one more knick knack I didn't need or have room for. Jonathan scored a double wine bottle carrier complete with a cutting board and knife. Our picnics will be complete now.
7. Back Home Again. Cute store across the street from where we were staying. Apple butter. Pumpkin butter. That's all I have to say about that.
6. The Vintage Restaurant. This was Stone Hill winery's restaurant that was in it's old barn. The old stables were even made into oversized booths. Vintage features a range of German food, but because it was only lunch, I wanted to eat light. Plus, I had my eye on the mushroom burger with provolone. The only person I know who makes this, does it perfectly. Amanda, you have competition in Hermann. Jonathan had a purely German experience. He chose the schnitzel with a German potato salad and pancake with apple sauce.
5. Montague's BBQ. Just across the street from where we were staying. I had their baked potato soup with a dijon drenched spinach salad for lunch. I didn't know what I liked more. We also tried the BBQ for dinner before leaving, but being thisclose to Kansas City BBQ, it left a lot to be desired. The potato salad was a kicker though. It was like eating mustard, garlic-flavored mashed potato. It was surprisingly good.
4. Europa. This restaurant is where we celebrated our actual wedding anniversary. We had to make reservations. And we arrived at the house-converted-to-restaurant, we had I feeling we'd be only ones dining that night. I jabbered my head off to Jonathan to make up for the quietness. Forget what you read or what you see on TV, having the place to yourself isn't really romantic. You feel like you are center stage. I did enjoy my filet mignon (medium rare, just for you Amanda), potatoes, and the best steamed broccoli ever. Followed by flourless chocolate cake.
3. Downtown Deli and Custard Shoppe. We didn't sample the custard, but the I tried the recommended chicken salad on croissant, but it's what it came with that made it one of a kind: homemade potato chips. Crunchy, salty, and Lay's doesn't have anything on them.
2. The Pie. Just a hop, skip, and jump past the German School Museum right beside our B&B was a little slice of Heaven: Time for Pie. This tiny little nook served all kinds of coffee drinks and, of course, pie. They're opened daily, but we only made it twice. I had the an amazing slice of blackberry pie, and later a slice of apple pie. The also offered brats and soup (which was amazing as well.)
1. The Chocolate Box. Chocolate. Homemade chocolate. It's good, and tasty, and in Hermann, Mo. My favorite was the fist-size peanut butter cup full of real peanut buttery goodness.

Look closely

and your eyes will bulge too. Over at Net-A-Porter.com, there's no such thing as a sale, just a kill (for fashion).

Just when you couldn't feel worse

You find out there's people out there definitely more talented than yourself. Apparently, some of this band's members work for my company.

Listening to: Ray LaMontagne

I'm thinking about boots and bones

It's officially fall. And I'm thinking I need a cute pair of boots in my closet. I hear riding boots are in.

Started watching Bones on Hulu.com, and I wasn't expecting to like it. The draw, of course, was David Boreanaz. After watching him on Buffy and Angel, I really started liking his acting. Although Bones is really different from his brooding character Angel, Boreanaz is starting to dazzle me as Seeley Booth. But the rest of the characters carry their own. I just might have to make this my new show.

My husband is no pretzel

In my new found yoga glory, and being the kind of wife that I am, I wanted to see if Jonathan could do a few of my favorite/challenging poses—to possibly share yoga with him. We started with downward-facing dog, and ended up in a fit of giggles. My husband wouldn't last in yoga. He'd be the guy in the back snickering. Yes, he'd be one of those yogis.

Last night, in an attempt to once again share what I feel is very uplifting and inspiring activity, I had him lay on the floor and shift on to his hip, but keep both shoulders on the ground to achieve a twist. While I was busy manipulating his body into the pose and pushing in all the right spots, I look up to see him laughing. "I'm not a pretzel."

Guess yoga isn't something I'm going to share with my partner. I'm going down this road alone.

Hooked on Buffy

My co-worker Eric, after hearing my enthusiasm for all things vampire, said I definitely needed to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. These shows started when I was in high school, when I didn't watch much TV and movies such as Underworld hadn't happened yet to get me hooked on vampires. I had remembered the previews as kitchy, so I was a little hesitant to invest the time to watch the series. On Friday, Eric loaned me season 1 and season 2 of Buffy. I've watched season 1 and am already in the middle of season 2.

The Buffy character (player by Sarah Michele Gellar) is not only a woman, she's a kick-ass vampire slayer. And if you know me well, you know that I love any character that's been casted to be a strong woman. I hate it when women have to be the simpering weaklings. The other character I love on this show is Angel. Mmm, mmm, mmm. Hot. I think if I would have watched this 10 years ago as a teenager, I would have been throughly besotted with this character. Even 10 years later I am, just a bit.

Listening to: Dixie Chicks' "Lullaby"

Listening to: Ingrid Michaelson

I just scared myself

It's crazy, I know, but I finally think I want to do something my mom, my aunt, and everyone in between said I should do: write a book. I know, crazy, right? Stupid, moronic, degrading, and egostical of me.

Two quotes are sticking with me as I venture out on a very short, thin limb:

"You’ve got to walk up to the edge of the cliff, jump off, and build your wings on the way down.”—Ray Bradbury

and

“I want to scare myself.”—Harry McCracken

Call me a masochist.

When in Colorado

Every time I go to Colorado, I enjoy myself so much. I don't know if it's the company or the scenery, but there's something special there. Although work brought me out there, I decided to take the extra three-day weekend and make a mini vacation of it. But I only had one request for my sister: I have to see more than suburbia while I'm out there. Although I've been out there many times, it's never long enough to do anything but see the houses that are stacked up like dominos in my sister's neighborhood. Chance made good on her promise. On Labor Day, we ventured up to the mountains to Echo Lake. Although I had been there at the same time last year, we were only there long enough to take a stroll around the lake and through the woods. This time we cooked out! It was so much fun that it was probably a bit too much fun. Coming down the mountains, I got a migraine and AJ proceeded to vomit. I guess the altitude, mountain air, and Andy's crazy driving were just a bit too much for us.

I also ate some amazing homemade food, tossed back a few Starbucks, enjoyed sweater weather (Fall is here!), and chilled with my nephew. AJ is talking up a storm now. At the beginning I had a hard time understanding his gibberish from actual words, and then slowly I came to understand his "accent." While I was out there, we taught him to say "peace out" and throw and peace sign. When we went to Target, the check out dude was very impressed with AJ threw his peace sign (looks more like a claw right now) and said peace out. AJ is the coolest 2-year-old I know of.

Chance and I even managed to get a card made during one of AJ's naps. I would say I'm very proud of the Halloween card I made, but I'm not. All my hard work went down the drain, when I was packing on my last night there and AJ came in my room stark naked from his bath. In my head I was thinking that this couldn't be good. Sure enough, I look over to see AJ christening my card that I had laid on the floor beside my bag to pack. It's an extra spooky card now, with urine germs. The things I get to look forward when I have a kiddo of my own. All I can say is: sanitizer. I'll buy it by the bulk.

Perhaps my favorite activity of the week was going through a corn maze. I've always wanted to go through one of these, so when I saw the sign on the train going to the conference, I mentioned it to Chance. Leave it to her to make sure I get those most from my visit. I thought I would be one of those people who would wind aimlessly through the maze, not caring if I got lost. Not so much. Once I figured out the map, it was serious business. All AJ could say was "corn! corn! corn!"

Just for fun

If you're looking for a real blog post where I detail my trip to Denver last week and the mega greatness of the Twilight series, well, hold on my dear friend. I'll post that when I have more time. Until then, I ran across this hilarious T-shirt site.

And you thought going to the bathroom couldn't be fun

There are few greater things than a child's curiosity. Then there's trying to go to the bathroom in peace. Or trying to wipe. My nephew is at an age where "potty time" is a monumentus occassion for learning. Even if it's while you are on the potty. It was like having my own personal bathroom attendant, but it was closer to probably having a doctor in the bathroom with you—he was curious to see the nether regions and to know: You poop?! Ah, curiosity.

Yoga, yoga, yoga

So after purchasing a year-long unlimited pass at Darling Yoga, I went to two classes this week—along with preggo Amanda. I think that's a pretty good start. First class was just yoga basics and last night, have some prodding from Amanda, we went to restorative yoga. Yoga Basics didn't feel basic. I could barely hold plank or down dog, but in my defense, my wrist was bothering me. I had done restorative yoga before in Lawrence, and it just didn't seem to fulfill my intense nature (if I don't feel a burn, it's not accomplishing anthing IMHO). This restorative class rocked however. We did lots of leg stretches, which I needed after being in hibernation and sitting on my butt for so long. We also did some twist, which amazingly, reached all the way to my tight shoulders and helped open them up. My favorite pose came at the end. And I knew it was coming. It's called Supta Baddha Konasana. The last time I did it, it wasn't all that comfortable. I don't know if it was all the stretching we did prior, but my body was one giant noodle when it came to this pose.

Or so I thought. After a few minutes in the pose, which I thought I was doing really well, Emily (the fabulous owner and instructor) came around and adjusted those afore mentioned tight shoulders of mine. Um, wow. It felt so good I think I could have fell asleep in the pose. I walked out of class feeling so relaxed, happy, and energized. Even finding out that Jonathan ate my m&ms didn't bother me. He did leave me some. Thanks honey.

I'm in Denver next week to spend some time with my little rascal nephew and my sister and to attend yet another tradeshow. I'm thinking a jaunt up to the mountains, more yoga, lots of food, writing (that I'm behind on!), and some TLC. Oh, and work, but who could forget that?

Music for dance giggles

For your entertainment, here's some of my favorite crazy dance songs. Jonathan and I play these for giggles, busting out crazy moves. There will be no show times, but feel free to have your own.

Thik Lizzy

I'm peeking out of my work hole long enough to tell you: Jessie rocked it on Saturday at a Thik Lizzy gig. Co-worker and the most cool and famous person I know, Eric Melin (of the scene-stealers.com phenomenon), was part of his band, Dead Girls Ruin Everything, tribute band Thik Lizzy. I didn't know any Thin Lizzy songs except "The Boyz are Back in Town," but that's okay. I felt just like a groupie. Eric rocked the drums in his wig and apparently his tight pants (I kept my eyes averted). I give the performance a solid rock fist up!

In my work hole

Hello? Down here. Yes, in this dark hole. I'm working, on my freelance editing gig. I don't have anything else to talk about or anything else to say until it's over for the month. Til then, go check out my favorites.

A Capricious Perspective just decorated for fall. Yes, fall. She crazy. Or check out my blog vice, celebrity babies. Totally weird, I know. But the people who read it are just as fascinating. They even post where you can get outfits celebrity moms-to-be or celebrity kids wear. Is that not creepy? You can dress your kid (if you can afford it) like Suri or Violet. Okay, maybe I'm the creep for even finding it. Then there's Mandy's Musings, which always cracks me up. She has a burger thing. Wanna burger recommendation? Go there. She's a pro having sampled burgers across the nation.

So check out my favorites until I come up for air, in which I write you a spellbinding post. Auvoir!

Down in the dumps

It happened yesterday evening. I had felt it coming all morning and afternoon. The dumps. That lonely, crazy feeling that sneaks up on you until you feel sad and blue. Maybe because it's because I have so much work to do and I. really. don't. want. to. do. it.

Yesterday, I decided that our gigantic zucchini that was hanging out our in our fridge needed eaten. So after chatting with a friend about something quick, easy, and delish that I could do with my zucc, I sliced her up. Using my food processor (This is only my second time using it, but I have a feeling that this little friend is going to make lots of dreams come true. Especially come November, when I'll have to make Jonathan's customary chocolate-chip cheesecakes. No more pounding Oreos in a bag now!), I put in fresh basil (it was a little wilted, but still tasty anyways), two garlic cloves, parmasean cheese, and olive oil. It was some very tasty pesto. Next, I dumped all my zucc slices in a bowl with the pesto to coat them. Having preheated the oven to 350 degrees, I put the slices on a cookie sheet and cooked them until the extra cheese I put on top was turning brown. Tasty, tasty.

I'm going to be hot yoga girl

It comes down to this: I need help getting back into my yoga routine. So starting next month, I'm going to be joining my favorite yoga studio in KC. I'm going to stretch, balance, and work my muscles content every day (I hope) starting next month. Since I've been sick I've found it hard to get back into my home routine. But even when I was practicing it everyday, I didn't feel as committed or felt like I could go as deep as I could in the studio. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was practicing in our where-crap-gets-tossed 2nd bedroom. Not only is there a giant treadmill, there's a full-size bed, boxes of all the things we can't unpack, a mountain of blankets that can't fit in our linen closet, a desk, a TV, and book shelf stuffed with books. It's no surprise that I can't concentrate enough to really get into each asana. At the studio, I can really focus and have a clean space in which to work.

It hurts me to think that last year I was doing handstands for minutes at a time, and I was about to move away from the wall while doing them. I have to start from the beginning now. Knowing me, I'll overdo it.

Medical knowledge

I am my mother's daughter. If Mom hadn't told me I was a good writer and that someday I should write a book (yeah, right!), I probably would had gone with a career in science. Just like Mom. Or stuck with being a speech pathologist. I know I would have made more money.

Mom liked to read about all things science. Mostly genetics. (Crazy, I know, right?) She also read a lot about lung cancer and CPOD, because knowledge is power. I'm the same way, and I didn't know it until I was diagnosed with MS. What I discovered, and what Mom probably did too, is that all diseases have some of the same fundamental properties. It's just the little things that set them all apart. So I'm learning, and making connections. For example, I read that interferons are also used in the treatment of cancer. Although mine is one strain of interferon taken at a low dose, I too take an interferon.

Here's where I get on my soapbox: If something seems suspicious, nip it the bud and get it checked out by your doctor. It may be no small thing. Just like I didn't in fact pull something in my leg while running. And that mole that I had removed, well, it came back negative, but it could have been something worse. Oh, and please use sun screen and avoid tanning beds. Not only does tanning age you (noticeably), you're just asking for skin cancer. Being healthy is more beautiful than any sun-kissed glow.

[Stepped off soapbox]

Now, does anyone else think that Michael Phelps is taking 'roids? The boy can swim!

Bb online

My favorite hair-care products now are available online from Bumble and Bumble. My faves: Curl Conscious creme, Prep, Tonic, Sumotech, gentle shampoo, and super rich conditioner. Not only do all these products deliver, but I also the wonderful, light yet yummy smells. But it'll cost ya. But it's so totally worth it if you're looking to indulge without the calories.

A fleeting appearance

I had bought a hummingbird feeder never really thinking I would see one of these mesmerizing creatures. But after a day of rain and sitting on my couch watching the Olympics with my patio blinds open, one such hummingbird flew around my patio. I don't think he got a taste of the sweet nectar, but he restored my hope.

Slowly, you forget

I passed an anniversary this week without realizing it. I don't know if it's good or sad that I know longer count the days Mom has no longer touched the days of my life.Three years have passed, and what I miss most are the small things that she gave life: the love you more thans, movie nights with chocolate, popcorn, and Coke, enjoying a good thunder storm, and more recently, simple solutions to household cleaning. I hope I can teach my future kids that. Mom, if you're reading, we miss you down here—oh, and I apologize for my profanity on this blog. :)

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Here's Mom in the middle, just where she liked to be. This is one of my favorite pictures, courtesy of my dear pregnant cousin (I think they're all pregnant at this point, just about) Melody—who seriously needs to update her webpage.

Treadmill, tennis shoes unearthed

Today I unearthed my tennis shoes and my treadmill. Tennis shoes were in the back of the closet, like I hadn't worn them in a while. Okay, I hadn't. The treadmill was dusty and cobwebby, and our extra blankets and pillows were threatening to overtake it. I guess it's, uh, been a while. It didn't feel like it had been that long, but then, even if it hadn't, the exercise was inconsistent. But it's a new day.

Today I only did half a mile at 3 (a somewhat brisk pace). I plan on slowly building up so I don't over exert myself, because I love to bite off more than I can chew or put in two miles running on that first day. To help me along, I'm recording my success in my iPhone. (MacBaby is so useful.) The goal: two steady miles running. I plan on adding some crunches and push ups down the road, but really I want to start my yoga routine first. There I go again, chewing on my own plans that I can't swallow. Jonathan has promised to keep me honest and motivated. And I hope that if all goes according to plan, not only will I be in shape again, I'll start eating healthy too. They really go hand in hand. Wish me luck!

The many useful apps of an iPhone

Iphone users can download many applications, ranging from $200 (or more) programs such as patient charts if you are a doctor to the free (sometimes silly) programs, including the Phonesaber. MacBaby now has Jedi fighting skills, complete with saber noises. Amanda, you just may have to come over to the dark side and get an iPhone now. You know you're burning to have a phone saber of your own.

MacBaby is here

iPhone, iPhone, iPhone! I love my iPhone: christened MacBaby.

The race for another kind of cure

If you looking to donate to a cause this year, I have a friend who is biking in the Bike MS fundraiser. It's a personal soft spot, because I have MS. I wish Janell many happy and fruitful miles on her quest. Many thanks!

Household cleaning tip: Use vinegar

It all started with a nasty, calcium-caked on dishwasher. After looking up online what I could do to clean it out—because obviously using dishwasher detergent was only adding to the caked-on mess—I found the solution to be simple: vinegar. I know, I hate those home-remedy tips too, but I was willing to give it a try after commercial I'll-eat-your-skin-off-if-you-don't-wear-gloves cleaners don't seem to work. Plus, if those chemicals aren't healthy enough to touch, then what are they doing once they go down the drain? I can only imagine. So in went the vinegar to run for a cycle. The results: Although not completely rid of the white, crunchy residue, it was noticeably cleaner, and I think if I maybe run a vinegar cycle every few weeks, my dishwasher might start to be a useful, clean appliance.

But because vinegar proved so useful for my dishwasher, I wondered what it could do on a small, more concentrated level. Test item: my water-stained drinking glasses (courtesy of said dishwasher). So I poured a little in a glass and waited. Holy smokes! My glasses look like new, and I've completely fallen in love with them all over again. Next I tried my tea kettle. (Thanks Charissa! My tea pot is a gift that keeps on giving. I think of you every time I use it!) Eudora is infamous for its hard water, and my tea kettle had started to show the strain, but the vinegar conquered. Now my kettle is nice, new, and lovely.

I've ran out of vinegar at this point (I only had 3/4 bottle to start with), but I plan on stocking up more and using it in other places around the house instead of using those nausea-inducing cleaners. Better for the earth, and clearly, better for a cleaner household. Don't forget the price-savings too! Mom would be proud.

Just the motivation I needed

Today was one of those days. I woke up cranky; I showered and dressed cranky; I drove to work cranky; I worked cranky, until it was time to head to the Plaza to enjoy a nice steak linner (lunch/dinner) during the regional ASBPE awards banquet. The editorial staff didn't take anything home, but Amanda won a much-deserved award for one of her masterful design creations. Way to go Amanda!

Besides the steak, listening to the speaker talk about his many awards and how his publication wins so many (he even choked up at one point talking about his win for an editorial letter he wrote about his friend dying of brain cancer; it broke my heart, and it made me want to go work for him), it gave me just the motivation and turnabout I needed for my day and renewed spirit for my job. After watching and listening to other publications accept awards, I wanted one myself. So I've decided to set a new goal for myself at work: write a feature. I've never written anything longer than 1200 words, so writing an in-depth feature will require lots of time I'm not sure I have. If I plan it right, though, I can take a few months to research and write. Of course, this requires I talk to the Big Heads, but I'm sure they'll be fine with it; it's free labor. And just maybe next year I can snag one of those awards myself. Now I just have to hold myself to the goal. It's all about follow through.


Music mood: The Hives, "Try It Again"

Happy birthday blog

This blog passed its 100-post anniversary. You've been a warm and comforting spot to write. Happy Birthday (of sorts) View!

Little moments

I don't have kids—yet. But from time to time, special moments pass by between Jonathan and I, and even friends and family, that I feel are too cute not to be shared. So from now on, I'll be posting these little moments. Here's just a couple from this weekend:

Moment #1:
Jonathan heading off to the bathroom with my latest edition of InStyle magazine "just to see what it was." What he did think? "It's about as enjoyable as you'd find Sport Illustrated. Plus, what's all those ads about?" Thanks for trying, honey; that's why I love you.

Moment #2:
Jonathan always does laundry in our house. (Lucky, I know, right?) He enjoys doing it, and heck, I'll let him keep enjoying it all he wants. He always stays caught up too. This weekend he asked me, "Want to know a secret?" Why does your mind and your whole body freeze when someone asks you that? (Probably because you know it'll be an internal struggle to not tell someone, or post it on this blog.) "Okay, what's the secret?" "I love it when I grab the exact number of hangers I need when I do laundry." That simple, and that great.

Restaurant review: Raglan Road

I ventured out for lunch today with coworkers to Kansas City's infamous Power & Light District to enjoy Irish fare. Although the interior was spacious and impressive, that's where the pleasantries end. I ordered the very expensive fish and chips (or according to the menu: Fish &; I'm not sure if that was a typo or not. Our British waiter said the menu had gone through so many iterations to misspellings alone). Okay, so it was $14 fish and chips. I think you can expect to expect some good fish and chips for that price. Accompanying the fish and chips was a pea shot, and that's where this story takes a turn or spill for the worst: a waitress, upon delivering my fancy plate, complete with fish and chips in a wire cone, the shot glass full of pea soup dives off the plate. Or at least I think it did; I can't exactly remember because I was thinking the entire time, "Oh shit. That doesn't look stable." While most of the green goo tipped over onto the plate, the other portion landed on the table, and much to chagrin: my lap. Thank god for Tide pens and the invisible shield protecting the white T-shirt I was wearing.

Of course the waitress was extremely apologetic and had it cleaned up from my plate in no time, mopped up with cloth napkins. Had I been the waitress, I think I would have immediately returned the plate. Instead, she just gave me a new order of a pea shot after wiping my plate clean.

The fish and chips were, well, I get more excited about my cooking than what I ate. Granted, I'm learning I'm a fairly descent cook, so maybe it's not hard to surpass restaurant fare anymore. The fish, while hot, was very bland. I was dipping my bites heavily in the tarter sauce, which was the only good thing on my plate. The chips, or fries, were the thick, chunky kind. Not quite steak fries. They were mushy in the middle—not how a fry is supposed to be at all.

And what about that pea shot? It seriously was a pea shot, complete with the shot glass. I've never had pea soup, and when I had it spilled on me, I smelled the very distinct hint of mint. Not a good sign. I decided that, because the shot had been the cause of so much trouble, I should at least sample it. One tiny sip revealed that it was indeed infused with mint. So I passed it on to Rick, one of my coworkers, who said he absolutely loved pea soup. He downed it, shot-style. At least someone enjoyed it.

After all that, I thought, "Okay, well, that wasn't worth my excitement, but maybe they won't have charged me the full price of the meal after the pea soup fiasco." Wrong. $19 later and a new stain to my skirt, I was ready to leave Raglan Road.

Ambiance: B+
The place is very cavernous, so it was easy to hear my lunch party; I've heard it can get pretty loud in the evenings though. The place is outfitted with heavy wood and leather. I also liked the design treatment of both the coasters and the menu.
Waitstaff: C
In hindsight, the waitress/server, I felt, made a grievous mistake in just mopping up my plate in front of me. I also felt that the price of my food, which landing in my lap, should have been deducted, at least by a few dollars.
Food: C-
The food didn't really promise on an Irish gastronomy experience. Rather, I felt I had gone to a quaint pub with overpriced fare with clever Irish names. In the KansasCity.com review of the restaurant, Lauren Chapin summed it up best: Everything needed a bit of salt.

Are you pregnant?

How come whenever you are of childbearing years and sick, people immediately ask, "Are you pregnant?" And then followed by, "Are you sure?" Believe me, I'm sure. Do you want the details or something? Plus, if I were, my baby would be scrambled from an MRI, CT scan, and antibiotics (there I go again sounding like a hypochondriac). My baby would literally be over-easy. Ugh.

I actually find it pretty funny that people ask me, because most people know of The Plan (i.e. house, pay down debt, maybe a new car, a trip abroad, read all the books on New York Times' best-seller list perhaps). Also, unlike most people who can whilly nilly decide to have a kid (you know who you are), there's some planning that has to take place for me. First, I have to switch medications, which involves a very painful switch to a once-a-day shot. I'm holding out as long as possible on that one. My stomach already looks as if I have leprosy from being a human pin cushion. (And if you're wondering: Yes, I give shots in my stomach; it's one of my favorite places because a) it's very accessible; just lift the shirt and stick vs other areas such as the arms which take some twisting or the hips which require moving the boobs out of the way to see what the hell you're doing; b) contrary to what you would think, the stomach is one of the least painful places to give shot; well, unless your body fat index is next to nothing.)

Second reason for holding out: Where would I put the baby? Seriously! We'd be tripping over it, and then end up in the emergency room having to explain why a) the baby was injured from being fallen on, and b) how you trip over a baby in the first place. I'm sure some of you are thinking that a baby doesn't require that much room, but don't be fooled, they come with STUFF. High chairs, clothes they outgrow too quickly, nose sucky things, diapers out the wahzoo, tiny shoes, little bathtubs, swings, stow and goes (a.k.a. Pak and Plays), toys, toys, and more toys.

So until further notice, no, I'm not pregnant, but thanks for asking. Just be careful, my evil, wicked side might come out and say yes just to psych you out. Plus, why do I need to have a baby yet when there will be plenty to go around soon? I'm sure someone would be willing to share.

Am I lame?

Okay, I really shouldn't even admit it, but: I watch Tori Spelling's reality TV show. I'm a horrible person. I think I watch to see how abnormal her and her husband are, but surprising, they're not. Yeah, I'm that lame. Sigh.

Mmm, food.

I could never be bulimic. I love food, but not enough to see it in reverse. Today, I stayed home from work and so did Jonathan to see if the Stomach would accept some food, and to make sure he wouldn't need to take me to the doctor...or worse, the hospital. So we tested slowly:

Plain toast, check. Another piece of plain toast, still feeling fine. Granola bar stolen right from Jonathan's hand, oh that was yummy. At this point, I was rummaging in the refrigerator like a dog. Oh, tortillas! I'll take two of those. Damn, those Mexicans know bread. Downed one bottle of orange Gatorade, so refreshing. What's that you're having dear, a BLT? Hmm, I better test that for you. Couple bites of that.

Oh, and shower. Something I hadn't felt like doing since Saturday. Hmmm, I'm feeling very...tired.

So I zonked out for a while, until I bolted straight awake (eek! room spun a little), and just had to check work email. For some reason, I always feel so guilty when I'm not in the barracks and my comrades are. Ahh, things are being handled just fine without me. Hmm, maybe I need another tortilla and another glass of gatorade.

To end the day of reintroducing my system to food: a much-awaited BLT (tomatoes bought from the little street vendor farmer up the road) and grilled sweet corn on the cob (from the street vendor).

So far, so good, and I'm so freaking happy. I was in tears yesterday with all the upchucking (seriously, why does the body need to upchuck it's on stomach acid?) I guess my body just needed to cleanse itself, or some other curious mystery of Jessaca's body. I seriously could write a book: The Many Mysteries and Unfortunate Events of Jessaca's Body. Next up: a CT scan of the sinuses just to see if there's anything to see, and a possible reason why every time I have drainage, I end up with an ear infection. I wonder if I could get a job as a consultant? Having an MRI? Have questions? Having your ear whacked off, rebuilt, and reattached? Have concerns? Have a kidney stone? In pain?

In case you're wondering, I'm am not a hypochondriac.

The continuing saga of vomit

I can't seem to keep anything down. Not even chicken noodle soup. I thought that having finished my really strong antibiotics for my ear infection would have helped, but nope. So that means it could be caused from the nausea from the MS-related dizziness. My body has been empty for a day now. Food has never been less appealing when I know there's a strong likelihood that I will just see it again. In reverse. Yuck.

I did manage to make a very cute card on Friday (when I was feel semi descent). It's one in a series of belated birthday cards I need to make and send out, but I'm thinking that cards are just going to have to wait while the puke goes on, and on, and on...

G stands for grilling

We finally did it. After three years, we bought a propane tank for our gas grill that has set on our patio since being bought, waiting to be used. I know, really, how does a person buy a grill and never even light it up? Things, uh, came up. But we broke it in in prime style. On the 4th, we grill hamburgers, later we grill hot dogs—lots of hot dogs. Today, the grill fest was on! Sweet corn on the cob we bought from a street-side vendor, BBQ'd chicken drumsticks, baked potatoes, and even buttered bread. Yum-mee. I also got my tired butt off the couch long enough to make chocolate-dipped spritz cookies. What a tasty weekend. Even if I do feel like someone stole my frigging energy source.

I also got out long enough this weekend to buy a humming bird feeder, but I didn't get around to making cards. The couch just felt too good and I felt too bad. I honestly feel now like I need to go on prozac because I feel guilty I didn't get much done. The guilt monster! I know, I'll post pictures later of my cookies and my bird feeder and then my weekend will look accomplished, right?

By the way, Stacey, happy belated birthday. So sorry I forgot! Hope it was a good one!

Happy 4th!

Ugh. So glad for that half day from work and having tomorrow off. Between new lesions that showed up on my MRI—that most likely account for my inability to move very fast and feeling tired, dizzy, and nauseous—and this antibiotic (it's some strong stuff) I'm taking for my ear infection, I'm one helpless basket case. Got home in time to throw up. I hate throwing up. So on the couch I went for the rest of this evening. I did finish Barefoot (read my review post here).

I managed to stop by Archiver's before leaving the city. I signed up for an acrylic album workshop (Chance would be so proud) and bought some fabulous paper for which I hope to have enough energy to make some cards with this weekend. Also to do this weekend: bake some cookies and research about my new lesions.

Don't drink the water

I guess it's public news, so I might as well share it here too: My sister Rebecca is pregnant as well. Due around the same time as Chance. I'm thinking about officially changing my first name to Aunt Jessie.

Welcome Blobby!

Chance is preggers. That makes just about all the women in my life pregnant, 'cept me of course. I've named him/her Blobby, which is quite fun to say after anything.

Jonathan: "We need to buy water filters next time."
Me: "...for Blobby!"

Try it. You'll be amused.

It's so exciting to be an auntie for the fiftieth million time in a row (actually, 12th time; great auntie to three, soon to be four. This is what having a crazybigfamily is like.). I need to get knitting. I wanted to make it my thing where I knit all the babies blankets, but so far, only AJ has one, and as first-time projects, it's not that beautiful—a bit crooked. Oh well, he doesn't know the difference. So that makes two babies I behind knitting for. My nieces are now a year and half and I still haven't started. Now I have this kid and my niece's kid. Something tells me that those aren't the only kids waiting in the wings to be born.

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Watched Cloverfield on Amanda's fabulous 52in. flatscreen. Sweet. But I just about peed my pants. I hid most of the time behind a pillow. If you like alien movies, watch it. If you like dooms day movies, watch it. If you don't like any of those things, do not watch it.

Watched The Jane Austen Book Club. I was sorely disappointed. I think I need to read all the Austen books to possibly appreciate the parallel themes of the books and the movie. All the women are all at a cross road in their lives (all the cliche ones: divorce, cheating, new love, old love, parental issues, gay love—okay that one isn't cliche and about the only story line I actually appreciated.). If there's nothing else on, watch it. Otherwise, watch something else.

Watched The Lives of Others. This foreign film was wonderful. I don't get all the historical political significance (history isn't my strong suit), but you don't need to understand too much about East Berlin in the 80s to get what's going on. It's a touching story about a man in Intelligence for the Stasi who fabricates his reports after learning the writer he's spying on is a pretty harmless but loveable creature, and that the only reason he's being told to spy on him is because the Minister wants to sleep with the writer's girlfriend.

When you're worn out

I hate to just leave posts complaining, but man, I'm tired. Between Vegas, work, more work, and being sick, I feel, well, sick. I'm so ready to just spend a weekend sleeping and watching movies; basically, I want to do nothing that involves moving my butt off the couch.

I'll be starting Barefoot soon (once I have time to buy the book). Check out the virtual book club I'm a part of.

Vegas, work, sick, and an MRI

So, I'm back. Can't say that I ever want to go to Vegas again. I was working the entire time. Working hard. Even when I was out at night eating dinner with Sharp executives and riding home in provided limos all by my lonesome. It was hard work. I started feeling sick Thursday night. My throat was on fire. In the mirror I could see little red pustules on the back of my throat. Where'd you come from? Go away. Don't you know I can't be sick right now and having you hanging out on the back of my throat? Probably didn't help that I didn't drink near enough fluids. I can't help it. I'm not naturally thirsty. Plus, the water in Vegas tasted like crap.

So while I ignored my Urban Times work to work on work work in Vegas, it was a pretty solid trip (read: boring). I came home with a inch-thick stack of business cards, some more industry perspective, put faces with names, and met some other writers and editors with competitor publications. Only in a room full of journalist can you debate the merits of Chicago style vs. AP style. I'm sure Sharp was amused.

Once I got home, I rushed to wrap up Urban Times. Tried to get a little extra sleep to get rid of the sick and the little guys hanging out on the back of my throat. I also went to a wedding, which was fun, but the last thing you want to do when you're sleep-deprived, needing to work, and just plan cranky from traveling is go to a wedding. I'm learning these things. Next time, I will not plan back (work work) to back (freelance) to back (wedding) events in a row. It's no wonder I'm sick.

The icing on the cake: Getting up at the crack of dawn this morning to drive to KC to go get my yearly MRI. I've finally figured out what sound MRI machines make (they're very loud; if you ever get one, just be prepared for "loud noises."): MRIs are like a compilation of jack hammers, hammers, loud humming...basically any noise you'd hear on a construction site, but 20 times more repetitive and loud. Thankfully, I only had to get an MRI of the brain this time, not of both the brain and the spine. It was only a mere 45 minutes instead of an hour. I could be exaggerating, but not having a watch, that's how long it feels.

Viva Las Vegas

I'm heading to Las Vegas today and I won't be back until Friday (unless I get abducted), and then I have a wedding to attend and work to do, so until then, just keep track of me here. It's nothing exciting, but as long as I post something daily, I haven't been abducted and I'm really vive à Las Vegas.

When she shops

Went shopping today for clothes, something I rarely ever do. Actually, make that spending money is something I rarely ever do unless absolutely necessary. I've even become known as tight wad at work, I think, because of my frugal ways. (Hey, I buy Starbucks from time to time; that's not frugal!) But I needed some presentable clothes for work because I'll be in Vegas next week hobnobbing with all the biggest AV companies in the world at InfoComm. Can't really wear jeans and a T-shirt. So a hundred or so bucks later, I've got a few new shirts to wear there. I also picked up a cute dress for a wedding I'll be attending next week. But, ugh, spending money on clothes made me feel sick to my stomach. In my head I was thinking: That's money that could go in savings or help pay down debt. Not sure where my penny-pincher ways came from, but we have almost finished paying off our credit card debt. We'll still have school and car loans, but those things are hard to get by without, so I'm comfortable with having those. Our next big purchases: house, new car (Jonathan's car is two wheels in the graveyard), and you know, a baby...eventually; what's the going price for those suckers now days? I wonder if I can get one on sale. I'm all about coupons and discounts.

She's gonna be mine

iPhone 3G will be coming to a Jessaca near this blog. Thanks Bush stimulus package! Best thing: She comes in white, so she can match Nana Banana and MacDaddy. It almost makes me wish I'd bought Black Beauty in white. Almost. And she's only a fraction of the cost. Jonathan was so excited, he's even saying: I'm a Mac. I've taught him well. Go forth and spread the Mac love baby!

Sex & the City, the movie

Went to see Sex & the City this afternoon with my dear friends Lucy and Amanda. The movie delivered, even if it was all very predictable—down to the part where Charlotte craps her pants. It was fun to watch the movie with other Sex watchers, instead of Jonathan, who would have moaned and complained the entire time. This movie definitely tied everything up, where as you felt things were left a little undone in the TV series, probably for the very reason of leaving the conclusion open to a movie spinoff. All in all, very good.

Afterward, we went to the Sushi House for lunch where I decided I'd be a little adventurous, especially because I wasn't feeling like sushi—amazing, I know. So I decided to try a buckwheat soba noodle bowl. Yeah, too adventurous. Not only was it hard to eat (it's basically spaghetti-like noodles in broth with meat; I chose beef), I didn't like the buckwheat noodles. Oh well. I least I can say that I tried it, and if I come across any recipes that call for buckwheat soba noodles, I can just move on without inflicting any test pain on Jonathan. So far, I've only had one incidence of test kitchen gone bad: turkey burgers stuffed with zucchini, squash, and carrots. Turkey burgers, good. Zucchini, squash, and carrots, good. Paired, bad idea.

A Koi catching I go

Today, Jonathan and I embarked on quite an adventure. His co-worker was throwing her 50th birthday party, complete with catching her 14 Koi fish from her 5.5-feet pond. The mission: to catch each of her Koi fish, then weigh, measure, and photograph them so they can be included in part of study that is too complicated for me to understand.

Well, I dressed to impressed—the way you want to be when you're meeting people for the first time. I really shouldn't have bothered. I even ironed my shirt!

Once enough guests had gathered at her house, we all convened around one of her two ponds—some of us in it (the ones ironically consuming beer and wine. One of the ladies even brought her wine glass into the pond.).

Koi fish are very smart and clever. Netting these guys was a lot of work. By the time it was all said and done, we'd probably casted the net a dozen times, usually coming up empty handed because these guys know how to allude. My poor knees were very sore from kneeling on stone pavers at the side of the pond. My pristine outfit, well, it was very dirty by the time we caught the second-to-the-last fish. I'm sure everyone was wondering what I was doing wearing an outfit like that to a party like this. My ass and legs were covered in algae and dirt. Did I mention my sore knees? We weren't able to catch the very last fish, Tobey, who was renamed Mr. Hideypants by one of the kids.

It was crazy and fun. We cheered each and every time we were able to bring up a net that wasn't empty. The event is on for next year. Note to self: Wear swimsuit and crappy T-shirt and shorts; bring change of clothes; invest in kneepads. I think I need this T-shirt for Koi catching next year.

New book to read

Last night Chance called me asking for book recommendations. She was on her weekly KateDate; this time at Borders. I take book recommendations from other people because I'm never good at picking out books on my own. In fact, it overwhelms me. Get me a book, and I'll read it. I don't trust my judgement when it comes to picking out books.

Chance called back later to gauge my interest in starting a virtual book club with her and Kate. So they picked out Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand as our first pick. We'll be starting up another blog shortly that will detail our reads. Look for it soon. Until then, I'm off to buy a book!

Juicy

I love receiving and sending mail (well, that doesn't include bills). A handmade note from the heart is irreplaceable. No, an email isn't the same. And these stamps, well, I'd be happy just to receive an envelope with nothing inside for these beauties. How can the Post Office bring back snail mail? With a great stamp! I think I may just have to order these.