"Merry Christmas," he says.

As my alarm went off for about the 10th time, and as I hit snooze yet again, I couldn't help but feel like I was in the mid-winter slump--and that was before I looked out of the window! I drug myself out of clutch of my warm and inviting sheets, knowing that I had to hustle to get to church on time, hastily took my shower, and then decided to check the weather in order to dress appropriately...could be light jacket weather, you just never know. And then, are you kidding me?! It was a fall winter wonder land, complete with snow still swirling out of the steel gray sky. It is October 4th. OCTOBER 4TH, people! The trees haven't even lost their leaves yet! This is some kind of sick joke. Autumn is one of my favorites. I love the brilliant colors, the crunch of leaves under my feet, the strangely delightful scent of rotting foliage past its prime and the filtered October sunlight. Instead, today, branches full of leaves ripe for the turning snapped straight off the trees and rested like fallen angels all along the ground. (Not that it wasn't kind of cool looking, to be fair...)

Now, don't get me wrong, I love winter, I love snow, and I love the cold. I just love it when it happens at the end of November. So, it was curiously appropriate when the pastor started it all off this morning with a hearty and cheerful "Merry Christmas". The Idaho weather always offers something to love and something to hate. Today, I'm a mix of love and hate. I love the first snow...and it did look majestic on all of the bright flowers and deciduous trees--unusual, albeit, but majestic no less. I hate it because I think we may have just skipped an entire season! (And I still have soccer practice and games to go yet...sigh.)


The view out of my back window.



Again, the view out of the back window. Actually, this was off of the back porch. If you could picture this, it may make the photo that much better: here I am with my hair sopping wet, wearing my super-awesome house pants, with my camera in my hands and my toothbrush hanging out of my mouth. Now, just to the left of the actual picture is a neighbor from the opposite building who looks up the moment my flash goes off. Awesome. I'm pretty sure I looked stunning.



Mom and Dad's property.



This is the Marquardt hedge rose that is usually twice as tall...unbelievably heavy snow. My friend Erica claims it was the perfect consistency for creating snowballs...or so her 4-year-old son felt. :)



If you could only see the bright flowers underneath all of that snow.



And yet another picture of the snowing autumn. Notice the super happy petunias just hanging there. It's just too weird.

Bandon 2009

Oregon Coast in June

Yes, who can resist the call of the ocean. Very few, I suspect. My family and I went to the beach in June and it was phenomenal! The weather could not have been better and the company left nothing to be desired...as the Bandon crew has remained pert near the same for the last 28 years. (With the exception of an added wife, husband, or kid here and there, naturally.)

It was so much fun! My nieces loved playing in the frigid water and were remarkably resilient and never once fully succumbed to hypothermia. Impressive, I thought. My little nephew was also a champ and slept comfortably through most of the scenic A.M. beach strolls.



And the wildlife couldn't be beaten. I loved this little guy. He was small, yet had a patch of barnacles that suggested he'd been around the block a time or two. Additionally, I found him to be somewhat patriotic. Kind of like a little George Washington crab...what with the curly powdered wig and all.

There is something about getting together around a fantastic campfire on the beach (after being taken down by the beach house garden hose and severely spraining an ankle) and watching the flames. I genuinely don't think that I have ever seen a beach with more appeal than Bandon. It has so many memories held in those miles of sand and rocky pinnacles. And, there is so much to discover. I'm not gonna lie about the fact that some tropical beaches I've been to have been stunning, but the abundant life here just gives it something extra. Kind of makes me want to go back soon, really.


Great view, right?



Everybody loves some sea grass...




And you can't beat a Bandon sunset.

Eddie Rabbitt

Oh, I love a rainy night! Or day, in this case! Not that I wasn't just in Washington, and not that it wasn't completely beautiful and green, but it was missing (happily, i might add) one key Evergreen State component: rain. It is raining like mad today, in spurts, but still, raining like mad! It makes me remember all of my fabulous Washington-childhood memories. You know, things like building forts in the woods across from our house (while it rained), walking down to Al's (while it rained), going to that lion park by Granny and Papa's house (while it rained), turning over huge rocks to find little crabs at the Sound's shores (while it rained)...you know, those kinds of memories.

Or, getting caught in a mid-July downpour in New Orleans. I swear, I have never seen that much rain at once! The streets were rivers, the sky was a pool, my flip-flops were a slick and poor choice for the day, and a couple of dead bodies could have popped right up out of the ground and floated on by with a mangled wave. (Ha! No pun intended there!) But, the picture of my sopping wet friends and I was worth it, and bears testament to the Louisiana deluge of 2007 every time I see it framed on my desk at work.

It also reminds me of when I was in college, too cheap to take my car to the car wash and too lazy to drive it out to Marci and Randy's place. It was raining (yes, like mad) so I grabbed some dish soap, a dish rag, and some flip flops and scrubbed that baby down while it poured loads of free rinsing agent! (People, this only goes to show you that necessity and laziness breed ingenuity! Truly, ground-breaking auto care here...) I look back on it and think, wow, that would have been kind of embarrassing if I hadn't been in college.

And finally, the thunder continues to grumble out there. It reminds me now of a soft whispering, as this storm passes, but it is delightful. (And slightly reminiscent of the sound my stomach was making during today's Mentor Academy 1 presentation.) Clearly, it's bound to be a great day. I can't wait for the sun to set and another storm blow in, preferably with some lightening attached to it. Yes, today is a day that Eddie Rabbitt would have been happy with indeed. Does anyone understand this allusion?

9:55 P.M. in Target on a Friday Night

Hilarious story, allow me to set the scene:
There I was, in Target, purchasing some last-minute necessities before leaving for Washington, and cutting it close to the 10 P.M. closing time. No problem. I'm closing in on the register. Then, and keeping in mind that I am totally finished with the students until the end of August, these three high school boys, whom I do not know, come strolling down the aisle, one being pushed by his friends in a Target cart. Morons, I think inwardly. The little kid getting pushed about starts doing some Borat voice and says to me, "Good evening, chubby girl. In my country, we do not have chubby girls." At first, I think, did that kid, who is getting pushed around by his sausage-toting friends in a Twin Falls Target at ten o'clock on a FRIDAY NIGHT really just say that to me? At first I felt a little pissed off, but then, I realized what I just stated in the above sentence and felt almost on the verge of delighted laughter! Hey, I am chubby girl, but at least I'm not a hideous breed of loser. Just to drive home my vindicated feeling, as I was leaving, so were they, and one of the boys looked at his friends and said, "Hey guys, I have to get home by 10:30; Mom grounded me for not cleaning up my room." Well, go get 'em tiger! Good times.

As I said before, I'm off to Washington. My amazing grandpa, without whom I would never have had a dad so passionate about fly-fishing, passed away yesterday. Yes, I'm very sad, but at the same time, I cannot help but be totally proud to have had such a fantastic, active, and hilarious grandpa! Again, I know that the occasion will be sad, but it will also be a chance to catch up on what all of my cousins, aunts, and uncles are up to. How can I be sad about that?

In the Zone

What is it about a fantastic backyard, a blazing fire pit, some drinks, and good friends that make the whole world suddenly click into perspective? I tell you the truth; you give me the worst week of my entire career and the most irritating days of my personal life (or what feels like it), then throw me in the mix with some great friends and a Friday Unwind and all the trials of my life just melt away in the blaze.

What cracks me up is that it doesn’t matter who else is there, so long as you have a few super-goods present. Even if they are super-goods you haven’t had a chance to catch up with in a long time. It makes all the difference to know you have access to them, that they care about having you there, that they have appetizers and people who are enjoying the end of the week. They may have no idea what is going on in your life, other than the basics, but they can still make you feel like everything is right in the world once more.

And what is it about the fire-side chatting, with the beers and the camping chairs, that just make everything feel right? It could have been 30 degrees out (actually, it might have been!) but the conversation and the chuckles keep you from freezing to death…or even noticing the cold. The flames are like hypnotic dancers that undulate in the background while you’re paralyzed with laughter and surrounded by your friends, talking about...anything, everything, nothing, memories, stories, whatever. This was far and away one of the best times that I’ve had in a long time. And it came at just the right time. You cannot plan something so perfect, it just happens. And when it does happen, you can only sit back, marvel at your phenomenally good fortune, and enjoy being in the zone with your friends!

An Oddly Fitting Couple

Picture the usual beach scene: ethereal in beauty, the sand warm under one’s toes, the beach lined with the small children who love to dance with the ebb and flow of the tide, the pull of the current calling one out to a place that he/she never realized existed before that very moment. Then, add in what is inevitably coming at you next: the merciless wind grabbing fistfuls of sand and flinging it into your wide and wonder-filled eyes, the Frisbee thrown at an angle that some college frat boy has badly miscalculated—sailing maliciously toward your pondering head, the guy who feels that the European thong Speedo is making a comeback this spring. While the imagery does more than enough to conjure up the scene I’m trying to set, it also does actually have a point to it. There are some things in life that are so connected; it is hard to separate one from another. I’m not trying to go all Yin and Yang here, but, seriously, maybe that concept isn’t so far-fetched…kind of like how pregnant people crave both the salty, vinegary pickle fix as well as the sickly sweet flavor of a bowl filled with ice cream.

Some things, like the thrill of delight and the bitterness of disappointment, are almost twins. They come in a package, so to speak. If you have expectations and the expectations come to pass, congratulations, you’ve just been introduced to twinner A—Delight. Sadly, however, if you have expectations and the expectations kind of slap you in the face with either a dose of reality you hadn’t known before, or a backhand of never seeing these expectations fulfilled, you’ve met the lesser enjoyed, but equally available twinner B—Disappointment. Some people are blessed with delight and tend to showcase it like the vivacious green foliage adorning their homes, while others tend to have disappointment laying around like a lame pet that never quite returned the stick when it was thrown.

Some days, I feel plush with delight. Wearing it like a little badge, thrilled to have so much to be thankful for and so much to enjoy. I have my faith, my family, my good friends, my job, and my hobbies. I have so much to delight in so much of the time. It feels like I could get a golden tan from the emanating rays of sparkling delight. Then, some days, I can’t help but feel like disappointment has been hanging around at my place for a little too long, like a guest who has well overstayed their welcome and now I’m just getting ticked about the toothpaste, shampoo, and food they keep helping themselves to. It can seem tough to focus on much else when disappointment comes knocking. Or, maybe it is just me only focusing on disappointment, wearing that thong Speedo and ruining an otherwise perfect beach day.

Bitch List

So, here I am, waiting for a call, but it is just not coming in...and, to be blunt, it just straight pisses me off. Which, of course, moves me into thinking of an entire list of things that tick me off. Therefore, let the bitch list commence:

I pretty much hate it when...

1. People do not return phone calls or texts...I'm not gonna lie, I have been guilty of this one in the past, but I feel I am a 90%-er on this one. You can usually count on me giving you a call back.
2. People who discourteously neglect to use their blinkers. Really, people? It's not that hard.
3. People do not say what they really mean. Honestly, life it too short for me listen to what someone has to say, and then KNOW that is completely not what they meant because they're pouting or trying to be "not upset/depressed/mad", but their non-verbal tells you the exact opposite. I realize that there are times when you need to finesse something, but there are also times when you need to cut the bullshit and address the damn problem. Again, I'm pretty sure I've participated in this one quite a few times. I need to stop because it genuinely angers me when others do it.
4. People lie to you, you point out that they are lying, and then they try to rationalize it. Here's a rationalization: you're a dick.
5. People who litter...just pick it up and put it in the trash you a-hole.
6. People who never seem to get the "It's time for you to go now" cue. Talk about uncomfortable. Seriously, if I ever fall into complaint #6, just be blunt and tell me to leave. I'd like to think I'd do the same for you.
7. People who prattle on forever about absolutely nothing you care about. I feel like I'm forced to listen to them, even when I don't want to. (I am concerned that SBJ may think this is me, but at least I try to make it funny...)
8. People who gossip indiscriminately and without care on whatever topic they choose. Sure, some idle gossip can be fine, but there are some things that are best left unsaid because they actually make you look like an ass for bringing it up and throwing in your two cents.
9. I feel like I'm being used and I can't quite pin down how. Like I'm fate's plaything or like someone is totally taking advantage of me or my personality and I can't quite put my finger on what's going on.
10. People who are too cowardly/weak to do what they mean/need to do and say what they mean/need to say at the precise moment that in NEEDS to be done/said. I realize this one is very similar to my #3. However, I also feel like this one is totally me. There is a lot of stuff that I need to take care of and the only way that it will ever get done is if I grow a pair (not literally, I assure you), quit dancing around the topic, and just say it or do it. I feel like it could make the other person feel mad/hurt, or it would undoubtedly be something I'd regret saying almost instantly after saying it, but, wouldn't that be better than feeling anxious or fretting over it day after day?
11. People who write random bitch lists. WTF?

Heating and Other Genius Ideas

I love living where I do. It is pleasant, suits me, and is filled with the noises of all of my neighbors. For example, I'm pretty sure that the upstairs neighbor recently got Guitar Hero, which is awesome! Not only do I hear these guys practicing virtually from the time they wake up to the time that they go to bed, but I can hear what songs they are doing! Surprisingly, you get used to it and it is in no way irritating to me. In fact, I find myself wondering what level they play on...

But, let's for a minute, describe the interesting building maintenance and genius building architecture. To begin with, it is awesome that when even the slightest chance of icy-ness threatens, the maintenance people are out in full force. They evidently feel the best way to spread the salt on the slippery sidewalks is to dump a small hill right in the place where you'll walk, just before you traipse into your apartment. Effective? Perhaps. Slightly annoying? A bit.

On to the thermostat. Sure, it works extremely well, so long as you don't have the dryer going. Whatever genius decided to attach that thermostat to the wall in the place that s/he did, did not take into account the heat that is generated by a drying dryer. Yes, the dryer duct is located on the other side of the wall mere inches from the thermometer/thermostat combo. One day, I was wondering why in the hell it was so cold in my apartment, and I decided to consult the thermostat. What I saw was much akin to what you see in this picture...hmm.

Then, I was delighted to see all of the space that I had...you know, within reason. I was impressed that there were two closets within the place. What could be in the second closet, you may ask. Well, certainly not space for towels or anything!

But, for all my whining, I really enjoy the little bizarre idiosyncrasies my apartment has to offer. And, let's face it, ladies, there really is no substitute for a glorious walk-in closet!

Ah, sweet February!

I know that February has so many bleak associations with it: drawing out of winter, learning there is only more winter to come, Valentine's Day...need I go go? But, I really like February. Today, I actually heard the birds chirping. It made me think that spring is really close. At least, that is what I'm hoping! I love that, if I end up running behind enough in the mornings, when I leave my apartmentment to get to work, the sun is coming up outside! It feels like months since I've seen that! And the sunrises always make me appreciate the fact that I have to get up early for work...thank God something does! And, the Steelers won, so, again, February can't be too bad!

I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks. Heroes is back on, I'm going to be gone for many of the school days, yet still get paid for work, I have a student teacher who is awesome and makes my day almost completely boring because I have nothing to do at work when I am there; really, what is there to complain about?