What It Actually Said

Few people understand why I am usually in a good mood, and even fewer know why. The simple truth is that I am dyslexic (joy). Consequently I read things wrong all the time. This usually makes me laugh as I recheck what I read and compare the two. Thus I create "WHAT IT ACTUALLY SAID"

It said "PSM Pantry"
I read "PMS Pantry"

(It made way more sense to donate to that one.)

What he said "Soccer for life."
What I heard "Sucker for life."

What it said was "Royal Port Rush Drive"

What I read was "Royal Pain Push By"



What she said was "Better to be a little over dressed than a little underdressed."
What I heard was "Better to be a little over dressed than a little undressed."



What it said was "Loveless sinners"

What I read was "Lifeless suckers"

What he said "Salve mundi."
What I heard "Salty Monday."

What it said "Excorcising demons"
What I read was "Excercising demons."

What it said was "The catchiest song"

What I read was "The catechesis song"

What's better is I blinked and read "The catiest song"

What is in a name?

Given that it's been a long time since I last posted I figured now was as good a time as any. That and I'm procrastinating about cleaning my room. Some of you may know that a few days before Christmas I started my latest job- assistant teacher at an early learning center about two blocks away from my house. I like my commute.
Anyways, due to my new position I have an unique perspective on life- to see what parents think (or rather, don't think) of when naming their little bundle of joy. Maybe it's a sign of the times but should I be worried that most of my kids have names of characters from movies that came out a little before they were born?
In the three classes that I've taught I've had at least one Isabella or Bella in every single class. My first class had three. My current class has only one but there are only three girls. Please note- there are no children named Edward. However there are two Jacobs. For this reason I now believe that Texas is Team Jacob.
Initially that was going to be my entire blog post except for some snide comment on parents making unique names by misspelling common names like "Karizma" or "Caiden" until I got the newest students in my class.
The first is named Jack- yes, there are Disney fans even in Texas- I have want to call him Captain.
The other little boy is named Hunter. I thought this was a particularly boring name... until I realized that every single day Hunter wears camo... camo jacket... camo pants... camo hat... camo shoes... I didn't even know they made those... and camo shirt. It is one thing to name your child after your weekend obsession... it is another thing to make it the theme of his life and wardrobe. Poor kid. What's better is he's got a unique issue with meat- as in, he hates eating it. Again, poor kid.
P.S. Hunter wore a shirt today that says "You call it a mascot.... we call it a hamburger."

Winter in Texas

So I've finally admitted that autumn is over and winter is finally upon us and my first impression of the state may have worn off. With the changing of the seasons I still love my second home but I must say there are a few observations that I feel must be reported. I don't know how my Mother ever managed the changing of the seasons in California but the abrupt, yet welcome drop in temperature has been.... special. Christmas decorations are flying up (sometimes more literally than figuratively), it takes us at least seven minutes to dress every individual child for the weather, leaves are migrating into the house with every little person's step, Jim get's out every time a door is left open, and the baby's breath has become special to say the least. With all this cheerfulness it's hard to stay sober... er, I meant somber. This will be my first Christmas away from my parents and brothers and sister; as happy as I am to be here, I sometimes get caught up with the fact that there are people who aren't here... that normally are. I just want you to know that I miss you, I wish you were here, but I feel like I'm supposed to be here now. Don't feel neglected- just remember that in everything I do, I am most CERTAINLY my Father's daughter... but I promise not to marry a guy who doesn't speak your language or your culture... or join the seminary for ten years.

The Patriot's Wife

As some of you may have heard by now, I spent a few days in Virginia with my nearest and dearest friend. While there we did a whirlwind tour of some of the closer historical sites including Colonial Williamsberg and Monticello. Due to this I got on a giant history kick (I know, it's not that far for me to go) and while there I started writing this song. It's told from the perspective of Abigail Adams and actually has some relevancy from some of her actual letters but are not her actual words. I need feedback. I'm aware it's cheesy. A bridge will be coming soon.

A knock at the door around four am
And by now I know that it won't be long
Our children will be up soon but it will be too late
And I'll have to say that you have gone
You kiss me before you go and reassure me that you'll be missing me
And you'll write when you get through to Boston
As you turn to go you ask if there is anything I need
And I pray you won't be long gone
But I can't say the words that will hurt you
Because your cause is to both of us dear

I want you to stay
Why do you have to go away?
I need you to stay
Let the world right itself today
You know that I'll always be faithful to you
And I want you to know you still hold my heart too
So why do you have to go away? Away
Oh why do you need to leave me again
You're my best friend, my dearest friend
But I won't ask you to stay

As you left you couldn't meet my eyes so you didn't see my tears
You never saw my strength or my hidden fears
Fourteen months is too long for you to be away
Our children have almost grown while you were away
Your letters are all I have so don't you dare stop writing me
Let me know you're safe in London
Send me pins for your dearest lover please
And keep yourself for your ever devoted
But I won't say the words that coudl hurt you
Because the truth is the worst for you to hear

But I want you to stay
Why do you still go away?
I need you to stay
Let the world change itself today
You know that I'll always be faithful you
And our children send all their love now to you
But why must you stay away? Away
Oh why do you need to leave me again?
You're my best friend, my dearest friend
But I can't ask you to stay

Fare thee well, good bloggers

As some of you may know from various other forms of communication, much has been altered in my life of late. Soon I will be made godmother (again) to one of my female cousins. My last day at the worst job I've ever had is fast approaching and so I am filling out many new applications. I am going to Virginia to visit my best friend for a week. And in one more addition to my very busy lifestyle, I am writing NaNo WriMo. For those of you who are not familiar with this, let me explain. The idea is to put aside the month of November and write a few thousand words every day put towards a book that (theoretically anyways) might be finished in one month- hence National Novel Writing Month. It's a great scheme and along with all the other great changes in my life, the weather is changing and I'm making cookies today. Due to all these changes I am taking a sabatical from my much neglected blog. I will write one more post before I give it up for the month but don't expect any fabulous discussions for a while. I'll miss you.

Just a Thought: Questionable Morality in Cartoons

Over the past few weeks I have watched more Disney short films than I think I have watched since... er, well... forgive the pun but since I was short. This means lots and lots of music by the Andrews Sisters and even more Donald Duck. Between the Three Caballeros cast, Chip & Dale vs. Donald, and the Mickey Mouse gang, Donald is easily the most reviewed character. What entertains me even more is that Donald, although not a bad person, is usually the butt of the joke and frequently plays the bad guy. Now I'd be the first to say that slapstick humor would be bereft if it were not... well... slapping people and if it's gotta slap someone I'm all for hitting the duck. I don't much care for ducks... or geese. And let's face it anything that WADDLES like that deserves to be dinner. I'd also like to point out that much of my dislike for geese and ducks is a childhood incident in which I was feeding them bread and they decided to attack me.


Okay, back to my point. I'd like to stress that I don't in point of fact hate Donald. Sure I don't like him all that much but why do we as a theoretically mature society enjoy the pain and suffering of Donald? Sure it's hilarious but don't we teach our kids not to laugh at other people's misery? I mean I could be wrong- I think Home Alone is one of the funniest movies out there and the Marx Brothers should be knighted but I don't understand why it is okay to laugh at Donald's misery. Is it because he's loud and obnoxious. Or is it because he generally acts out in anger over things that shouldn't upset any normal person- like finding chipmunks in his Christmas tree, or being stuffed in a box, or continuously being forgotten in lew of Mickey Mouse. Oh wait, those are all things that would upset me. Maybe it's because he tends to act without patience and poise which are considered immature. Again, I'm struck with how often those characteristics describe me. Now it's just a thought, but maybe we don't like him because we see our own flaws in him? Isn't that the main reason why we don't get along with others; because we are too similar? She's too bossy. He's not very organized. Perhaps if we looked closer we could see the virtue in being similar as well as being different. Yet again, it's just a thought.

Random... random thoughts

It occurred to me recently that the days in which I have something to say are not the days when have time to write (scarce as they may be). When I do have time to write I find I have nothing to say. In short- my time is better occupied of late, therefore I have decided to compile a list of quotes from my journal that I thought would entertain you all. Unless otherwise stated, these quotes are by me. Perhaps I will go back later and add to this little list and give context. ;)

A woman should speak her mind, but first, she should have a mind to speak.

It is nothing to give in; it is hard to fight back.

"Facts are stubborn things." -John Adams, second president of the United States of America

Just because two people are wrong for one another does not mean there is something wrong with them.

"The heart does things for reasons that reason does not know." -Blaise Paschal Pensees

"God can write straight with crooked lines." -Dr. Riordan

True friendship means true honesty- with yourself and with the other person.

Mourning is not for the dead.

The things you cannot change you learn to accept.

"God's ways are not man's ways and you should not assume that you know either." Dr. Williams

"What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole universe but loses his soul?" -Dr Williams

"Don't feel stupid... you are human." -Abigail

"Coincidence is God's way of remaining annoymous"

"All we have to dcide is what to do with the time that is given to us." -Gandalf

Nothing is completely out of your control.

"The most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." -Ronald Reagan

"By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher... and that is a good thing for any man." -Socrates

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln

"Every time I think of you- and I think of you often- I thank God." Corinithians 1:4

"Nyquil ont he rocks... for when you're feelign sick, yet sociable." -Mitch Hedberg

When it coems doenw to it, we all only have three things to offer: a bruised body, a broken heart, and a soul torn by sin. God loves us in spite of this.

I look for a stranger: what I see is a mirror.

Words are moer of a caress than hands ever could be.

We are human... which means were are all naturally stupid.

"Life's tough... it's even tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne

You should not go to bed five times in one day and still expect to get anything productive done.

Roommates are not reliable alarm clocks.

If one has trouble with something every previous year of college, why should one expect this thing to get easier?

Laughter isn't alwyas the best way to react to a problem.

You are never too tired to unpack your alarm clock.

"There are two types of people in this world- guys who have tattoos and guys who wish they had tattoos." -Kilawachuk

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis

"The role of a teacher is to cause his students pain." -Dr. Raiger

"Every write I know has trouble writing." -Joseph Heller

"Being vain does not necessarily constitute being attractive."

"Not as bad does not equal good."

Things I should be doing

Yes, I am writing a blog post on things I should be doing... namely because I miss writing for my blog... and I don't want to get started on my to do list... *



Organize my closet

Pull out my winter clothes

Put away my summer clothes

Make my bed

Sleep

Take dress up clothes off my bed so that I can make it

Organize my desk

Hang my hats back up

Do my laundry

Clean out my car

Practice music

Look up fun recipes for dinner

Take off my nail polish and trim my nails (possibly repainting them afterwards)

Put in earrings (possibly even put on makeup)

Eat

Finish the two scarves that I started making... three months ago

Plot world domination

Find cat; do not kill; silence

Apply to more jobs

Write another chapter- pick a book; it doesn't really matter at the pace I'm going

Finish reading Dracula

*At least not yet.

Pants

It has come to my attention that there are two kinds of blog posts- serious and non-serious. In my real life as a grown-up I come into contact with many possible "serious" blog posts. In light of this epiphany, I am going to ignore the serious things in my life for today and instead reflect on the things I enjoy most... well, one of the things I enjoy most anyways. I'm not sure what I enjoy the most anymore... probably something between a good sourdough bread, tall heels, and rainy weather, and a good historical fiction book/movie, not necessarily all together or in that order. Anyways, back to the subject at hand: pants.


It has recently come to my attention (again) that it has become increasingly difficult to find/buy good pants. First to define good pants- they should be high enough on the hips so as to cover- er, well, the hips, and low enough so as not to cover the belly-button or inhibit movement. They should be snug enough to not fear losing them and loose enough to not outline one's underwear... or breathing habits. They should be cute enough to not seem like granny pants but not so cute as- never mind. I don't care how trendy they are. I know I'm supposed to be "an adult" but I still love the uber shiney, rhinestone covered, glittery, girly-girly-girly jeans. :) Bell-bottoms are a must (it's hard to wear boots otherwise) and they have to be hem-able without cutting off the aforementioned decoration (apparently I'm short and most of my pants have to be hemmed). They have to go with boots and it is preferable that they have pockets. And the most important factor is that they have to, have to, have to have big pockets. I hate wearing purse/carrying a purse/pawning off a purse on whoever is walking with me; pockets are a much better solution.


On the topic of hips- I have them- big ones. That being said I have a relatively smaller waist... which means that unless I get the ultra low, muffin-top-creating, hiphugger jeans, I have to wear a gigantic belt that bulges out the jeans every which way. I tell you- I just can't win.


Why is it that all "decorative" jeans have writing on the butt now? Honestly, I think my butt is nice enough- that doesn't mean I want to draw attention to it and I certainly don't want flashing, glittery writing that says something like "tasty" or "scrumptious." That just seems more kinds of awkward than I would like to say. My butt is not a sweet confection so stop trying to label it as such!


This brings me to my solution of said problem- guys jeans. They're cute- they fit- they have POCKETS (cue the hallelujah chorus), they don't have things written across the butt, and they don't fall off. Seriously, they only lack the glitter but they still have bell-bottoms so its okay. (Well if I go to the special stores I can still get the glitter on my jeans too.) The only problem with these pants is that they are hidden away in the MEN'S section. This wouldn't be a problem except for a lone cute girl like me, standing around in the men's section, trying desperately to understand this strange way of measuring pants (I mean seriously guys- length AND waist?) is apparently a prime suspect for creepy older men. I attempted to bring my tall, handsome brother with me last time, to ya know, scare off the creepy men. AND IT WOULDA WORKED TOO if he hadn't wandered off after the first passing girl.

Anyways, the entire point of this blogpost was to say that I've figured out why guys are so much more cheerful than most women- they get to wear men's pants.

Fall

One of the many things about this first year out of school that I was most looking forward to was Fall. I've experienced "autumn" in Florida and California in my life and I've been in Texas for Winter, Spring, and Summer (oh, how have I been here during summer) but I have yet to experienc Fall here... so this is big.

The coming of Fall brings many joys to my heart- joys I have never before experienced. Included in this is unpacking my winter clothes (scarves, oh how I have missed thee!!!!), winter goth boots (perfect for trekking through the six inch deep rain), and jackets... of which I only have denim. If you're looking for the perfect gift for me, I could use a warm jacket that isn't denim... or decorated with flowers/school emblems. In addition to this I get the joy of decorative squash, edible pumpkin chocolate chip muffins made from scratch (yes, they're even edible... please note: I didn't make them), and newest of all, apple cider. Apple cider should not dared to be confused with apple juice, sparkling cider, or apple wine. Well, maybe apple wine, but it's not the same thing. Steven attempted to explain the difference between apple cider and everything else but once I tried it I realized that no explanation is possible unless you've had it, in which case no explanation is necessary... sort of like God.

In true Texas kindness, though it has been "Autumn" here fore several weeks, we are still experiencing blustery 90o weather... punctuated by the occasional hurricane watch and flash flood warning. Thanks Texas. Fortunately the weather has been cooling down some and we are into the 80's this week... which of course include more soggy weather, overcast days, and endless humidity. Why did I leave Florida again? Who knows, maybe a cold front is coming just around the corner? Or are we up for some more Florida reenactments? I shall wait it out and see what the rest of this Texas experience shall be.