Twilight

I just finished chapter 8. Wow! It's starting to get good. I should eat lunch, but I don't want to get food on my book.

Here's something I like about Stephenie's style: she leaves plenty of holes and allows you to assume things. Now I may be wrong about my assumptions, but it's enjoyable to read and guess. Even if I'm wrong, I'm still enjoying the anticipation.

edit:

Because I'm a neck-up kinda girl, this is my favorite line so far: It was a colossal tribute to his face that it kept my eyes away from his body.

And it's a colossal tribute to my love for my husband that I picture him when I read the name Edward.

However, I don't think any actor is going to live up to the image most female readers have in mind when they read Edward.

edit:

Chapter 12. Every time she describes how handsome Edward is (she just used the word angel) I'm reminded of how appealing satan is. Then I think, maybe I shouldn't be trusting Edward. Maybe he's just lulling her into a false sense of security... Maybe my initial label of Jerk still stands?

I've Been Married 83 Days

October 17 was one of my original wedding dates. One chosen (along with April 23rd) long before I was even engaged. I would not trade the last 83 days for an October 17th anniverssary.

I just finished chapter four of Twilight.

Ok, I finally started Twilight. I know I'm behing the curve, but between getting hitched and teaching school I haven't had the hours to devote to something fun. I could put it off no longer. I hate to read something just becasue it's trendy, but I also hate to miss something that's really GOOD, so I'm devoting the rest of my vacation to finishing. I want to blog my thought as I read. Kind of a stream of consciousness, inner monologue thing. That's only if I can stop reading long enough to get my thoughts on paper (read: cyperspace).
As the title says I just finised chapter four. I'm intriqued. I know enought from what others have said to realize there's more going on that what I realize. My brain is going crazy tyring to predict what it is. If I didn't know there was more to it, I'd be mad at Edward at this point. Where does he get off saying, "We shouldn't be friends" and then in the same moment asking Bella to Seattle with his devistatingly handsome tawny eyes?
JERK!
I have a feeling Edwards is a lot older than a high school kid should be. His "banter" is much more sophisticated than an Alaskan/Washington teenager.
I'm afraid I was a lot like Bella when I was seventeen. A sucker for a cute boy. Even if I knew he was bad news, as Edward so obviously is. He even said so himself. "How can she be mad at him one minute and enamored the next?" I ask myself. Then I chuckle, because I know how.
I feel vulnerable typing my assertions as I read. Those of you who know the truth are probably laughing at me.

edit: I wonder if Bella believes Jacob's cold ones story?

edit: It appears she does...

I'm a little annoyed. I searched online for a picture of the novel, but had to avoid dozens of fan adn movie sites. I'm happy that Stephenie Meyer is now independently wealthy, but wish I could have enjoyed these books in isolation. Maybe I should spend some time looking for the next big thing so I can be ahead of the curve next time. Hm...I haven't heard too much hype about Percy Jackson. Maybe there's hope.

Saving Money; Earning Money

Cubicle and I have been carpooling to work to save gas. It's great. We talk, crack jokes, listen to the radio. Our a.m. radio station has been doing quiz contests and giving away $50 gas cards. We need to get on their calling lists, becasue we've known most of the answers. Do you? Here are last week's questions, from (in my opinion) easiest to hardest. Of course, like I tell my students, they're all easy if you know the answer! No cheating by Googling the answers (even though it's turning 10).

1. What is the capitol of Australia?

2. Who is the wealthiest member of the U.S. Congress (House and Senate)?

3. 1 in 9 high school boys do this at least 3 times a week for money.

4. After the microwave, what is the number 1 most useful kitchen innovation?

5. According to a survey conducted by the Library of Congress in 1991 the Bible was the most influential book in America. What was the second?

How's Married Life?

This post is very similar to one posted by my good friend Hot Sauce over at red-delicious.org.
She wants to know the meaning of the word "good" when used to describe how you are. (Never mind the fact that the correct answer is "well.")
My conundrum is how to answer the question, "How's married life?"
To sum up my last 50 days with one word (either "good/well") seems incomplete. What do these people expect me to say? I mean, it's been 50 days. We're still in the honeymoon phase. What could possibly go wrong in the first 50 days? And if it did, would I really want to tell this questioner I'm already considering divorce? "It's horrible! I wish I'd never done it. He snores, leaves his dirty underwear all over the place and never helps with the dishes!" That would be embarrassing for both of us.
As would the truth. Do they expect me to give details of my day, or more specifically my nights? I'm not even willing to type details on this blog that only my close personal friends read (along w/ anyone else on the Internet who might accidentally find me by typing in "hot sex" in Google); I'm certainly not describing it to someone who asks me, "How's married life?"
I'm guessing they don't really want an answer at all; just like the folks who ask, "How are ya?" expecting you to say "good," and freaking out if you start crying becasue your dad just ran over your dog Joey, twice. (True story).
All they really want to hear is "Good." But I won't play their little game. Oh no. I'm preempting their question and asking them, "How's married life?" Of course my question is less fair, becasue they've been married for 20-45 years. How can they possibly sum that lifetime up into one word? But they do! Can you believe it? They've been "good" for 45 years! (Not that I really want to know either; I'm just hoping to point out the absurdity of their question. If they don't know how to answer it, maybe they'll stop answering.) Which is way better than being "so-so, or uh..fine." It makes me sad to know that on average they rate their marriage so low.
What's worse is the folks who won't answer. They put me off with a comment about being married so long it doesn't matter, or just wave their hand or roll their eyes. These are the people I almost want to talk to more so I can maybe remind them of how in love they once were, how optimisitc, how they held on to his every word. Maybe they're the ones we should be asking; the ones we should be checking on. My 50 day old marriage is going great, and I hope it will still be in 100 days and (Lord willing) 50 years.
You might think I'm naieve to think it will be, but I know the secret: hot sex!

Sarah Palin Quote

Proud of the GOP
For the first time, I feel like we deserve to win more than they deserve to lose.

By Bill Whittle

Best part:
Sarah Palin has done more than unify and electrify the base. She’s done something I would not have thought possible, were it not happening in front of my nose: Sarah Palin has stolen Barack Obama’s glamour. She’s stolen his excitement, robbed his electricity, burgled his charisma, purloined his star power, and taken his Hope and Change mantra, woven it into a cold-weather fashion accessory, and wrapped it around her neck.

(emphasis mine)

Reunited

Well, Labor Day weekend was the Towers-Walton-Alberty fishing derby. We get together every year at Big Creek, the place where my dad, his brothers and sisters grew up. This year we literally had the reunion at the creek. They rented a tent, set it up under a tree and near some cow pies, put food underneath it and a party materalized. I took my new husband to meed the black half of the family, as did my baby sister (not really a baby anymore, rather a gorgeous 23 year-old woman). Anyway, when we parked in the field, our hubbys (hubbies?) departed the truck first and started unloading. Seeing only them, my Uncle Gene approached and asked, "You boys just passing through?" He obviously thought they were lost, seeing as they're as pale as white bread there was no way they were there for the reunion. Cyrus quickly assured him he was there with "Richard Towers," figuring that was the best "safe word" to use at that point. I'd already explained to him how being related to Richard Towers would open lots of doors, not to mention keep him from getting booted off Uncle Gene's property.

Later, they put up a Spongebob Squarepants pinata for the munchkins. (Don't worry, I got in a few swings too.) While the rope was dangling over the tree, Cyrus became slightly alarmed and asked, "Is that rope for me?" It was pretty much the highlight of the event. Or maybe that was when my team won the obstacle course relay, or when I beat Cyrus in the egg race, or when we placed 1st and 2nd place consecutively in the mile "run" (in our age group).

Ok, you're right. The highlight was being together with family.

What is a Hero?

Please answer in the comments.

Click the links too!

http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/

http://www.supermansupersite.com/

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php

And catch the Smallville season premier Thursday, September 18th. 7 p.m.

http://www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville

And don't forget HEROES Mondays at 8 p.m.

http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/

ExerSIZE

My plan to lose the post wedding weight so I can fit into my pants again:

Briskly walk at least 20 minutes EVERY day.

I'll keep you posted.

Palin Power

If nothing else, her fashion sense gets my vote!

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article4659830.ece

I hope they don't cut her hair!

Alaskan bumper sticker: Our state is cold; our governor is hot!

Where Was This List Six Months Ago?

Questions to ask acquaintences to see if they make the cut to a wedding guest list (answer 60% correctly to get an invite):

Name the city I'm living in now.
Name at least two of my closest friends.
Name my current employer and my past employer.
Do I have any kids?
Do you know the name of my fiancé? Bonus question: Where and when did we meet?
Do you know where my parents are and whether they are still alive?
Name at least two of my hobbies.
How old am I?
Where did I go to college?
Name my last boyfriend before this engagement. Bonus question: if you can name the last two and why we broke up. If you get the bonus question right, that might automatically get you in.

Borrowed from I Do Sugar

We Survived!

Been married a week and loving it!

It's not really easy to tell how great married life is when you spend the first week on vacation in a B&B near the ocean where the high is 80, the breezes are cool, the lobster is fresh, the martinis are blueberry, the tub has jets, the kayaks are tandem, the sun sets and rises over the ocean, the beer tastings are free, the gelato has zero calories, the mountain has a paved road to the top, the bed is king sized, the breakfasts are 3-course, the tea is hot, the cake is coffee, the grass is soft, the sailing ships are pirate (and almost private), and the library houses Shakespeare (and your husband reads to you!)!

Can you say, Mrs. S-P-O-I-L-E-D?

3 Days Left!

Throwing Rice

Pelting newlyweds with uncooked starchy vegetables is a time-honored tradition meant to shower the new couple with prosperity, fertility and, of course, good fortune. Oats, grains and dried corn were also used before rice rose to the top as the preferred symbolic sprinkle. Rice lost its popularity when it became widely rumored that if birds ate the rice, it would expand in their stomach and kill them. This is decidedly untrue, as is evidenced by the fact that birds eat dried rice and corn and other dehydrated vegetables and grains from fields all the time and we have yet to see any mention of a national, exploding-bird epidemic running on the CNN news ticker.Rice can be a hazard to guests, who can lose their footing on rice covered pavement and take a nasty spill. Turns out, even rice alternatives have their drawbacks. Two Texas women were badly injured at a wedding in May 2008 while trying to light celebratory sparklers to send off the bride and groom. The group of sparklers ignited all at once and exploded, burning one woman’s face and both of their arms. One guest at a Russian wedding in Chechnya last March decided to buck tradition altogether and threw an armed hand grenade into the unsuspecting crowd, injuring a dozen people. Our advice? Stick with rose petals. They are soft, non-hazardous, non-lethal and biodegradable.

FYI: I'm not paying money so you'll have something to throw at me. If you want to throw money, go ahead!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Foods

Finally, a tradition I can get my taste buds behind! Not so keen about some of the origins/traditions (trust me, I'm not saving the top for a year. I'm eating that puppy that night!)associated w/ the cake, but I am in favor of cake. Yes indeedy! In fact, it's my favorite food. Well, wedding cake, anyway!

The Wedding Cake

We have to believe that there was a time, somewhere in history, when the whole, “Will they/won’t they smash cake in each other’s faces!” scenario was actually clever and original (even if we couldn’t find any evidence of it). What we did find was the granddaddy predecessor to cake-face-smashing: the breaking of baked goods over the bride’s head. Customarily, the groom would gnaw off a bite of barley bread and then the remainder of the loaf was held above the newlywed bride’s head and then broken, showering her with crumbs and a soul-crushing message of her husband’s male dominance. Guests would then scramble to pick up any wayward crumbs off the floor as they were said to bring good…wait for it… luck!This tradition evolved as cake emerged as the preferred confection for wedding celebrations. Fortunately for the bride, a whole cake doesn’t break in two quite as dramatically as a loaf of bread and so it was sliced on a table instead. Rather than scrounge for lucky crumbs on the floor, guests would stand in line while the bride passed tiny, fortune-blessed morsels of cake through her own wedding ring into the hands of the waiting masses. This act also fell by the wayside, as we can only assume the bride determined that it was a lousy waste of her time. Thus began the tradition of giving out whole slices of cake to each guest, not to be eaten, but to be placed under their pillow at night for (yup, here it is again) good luck and, for the ladies, sweet dreams of their future husbands.
Refusing to Throw Away the Leftovers
This leads to another sweet, delicious, buttercream-iced mystery to be solved: Why do couples eat freezer-burned wedding cake on their one-year anniversary? To answer this, we must look to the lyrics of a schoolyard classic: First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage! It used to be assumed that when there was a wedding, a christening would follow shortly. So, rather than bake two cakes for the occasions, they’d just bake one big one and save a part of it to be eaten at a later date when the squealing bundle of joy arrived. Eventually folks warmed to the idea of giving the poor kid his own, newly baked cake, but the custom of saving a portion of the wedding cake far longer than it should be saved and then eating it and deluding oneself to believe that it actually tastes good is one that persists to this day.

Tradition courtsey of http://www.mentalfloss.com/

The Great Debate

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Sandra Day O'Connor

Timilyn Towers Downey

Timilyn Renee Downey

Timilyn Renee Towers Downey

Cyrus Towers

Casual Friday

Ya'll know that my casual is other people's dressy, and I'm disappointed in the casualization of society. You may disagree with me, but you'll have to agree that this co-worker has taken it too far!

I'm Sticking to Chocolate and Strawberry: Beautiful and Delicious

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue (and a Sixpence in My Shoe?)
A common theme that you’ve no doubt noticed throughout this post: humans used to be a superstitious bunch. This rhyming phrase neatly lists a number of English customs dating back to the Victorian age which, when worn in combination, should bring the bride oodles of fabulous good luck. The something old was meant to tie the bride to her family and her past, while the something new represented her new life as the property of a new family. The item borrowed was supposed to be taken from someone who was already a successfully married wife, so as to pass on a bit of her good fortune to the new bride. The color blue (Virgin Mary-approved!) stood for all sorts of super fun things like faithfulness, loyalty, and purity. The sixpence, of course, was meant to bring the bride and her new groom actual, cold, hard fortune. Just in case that wasn’t enough, brides of yore also carried bunches of herbs (which most brides now replace with expensive, out-of-season peonies) to ward off evil spirits.

via http://www.mentalfloss.com/ (again)

Joke of Today

My old (that's right, she turned 30 on Monday!) roommate's husband got a job @ Blue Bell! This is huge, because he's been looking for a while, and it's a job he'll really enjoy. The company is unashamedly Christian, he gets to work with people, he'll travel a lot so he won't be trapped behind a desk, plus, he'll get a company car! The benefits are good and will start soon, with raises in the near future. Of course, I didn't ask about any of this. My first question was...

...that's right, you guessed it, "Does this mean we get free ice cream?"

But that's not the joke. The funny part is when in informed Cube of this development, his immediate question was...

..."Does this mean we get free ice cream?"

Are we made for each other, or what?

Place your orders here!

Joke of Yesterday

I actually went to a salon and let someone cut my hair yesterday. I'll admit, it looks better than it did. A lot of the dead is gone. But even though she claimed she knew how to cut curly hair, she did nothing different than anyone else ever has. It doesn't look bad, but it doesn't look great.
Anyway...
I texted my sisters to see if they had plans for their hair (for my wedding).

Deborah's reply?

We bought ours!

The Tradition Behind the Debacle

Garter and Bouquet Toss

This pair of rituals has long been the scourge of the modern wedding guest. What could possibly be more humiliating than being forced out to the center of a parquet dance floor while a wedding DJ advertises your lack of a boyfriend and then being expected to further demonstrate your desperation by diving for flying flowers? Wait…. Yup, we can top that. How about grasping in the air for a lacy piece of undergarment that until moments ago resided uncomfortably close to the crotch of your buddy’s wife? At any other point in time, that would make you a total perv, so why is it acceptable at a wedding? Well, hold on to your scruples boys and girls, because the history behind these customs is downright dirty.
It used to be that after the bride and groom said, “I do,” they were to go immediately into a nearby room and “close the deal” and consummate the marriage. Obviously, to really make it official, there would need to be witnesses, which basically led to hordes of wedding guests crowding around the bed, pushing and shoving to get a good view and hopefully to get their hands on a lucky piece of the bride’s dress as it was ripped from her body. Sometimes the greedy guests helped get the process going by grabbing at the bride’s dress as she walked by, hoping for a few threads of good fortune. In time, it seems, people realized that this was all a bit, well… creepy, and it was decided that for modesty’s sake the bride could toss her bouquet as a diversion as she made her getaway and the groom could simply remove an item of the bride’s undergarments and then toss it back outside to the waiting throngs to prove that he was about to, uh, get ‘er done.

Bouquet Debacle

Ok, team, I need you to put on your thinking caps and help me solve this one.
In this very non-traditional wedding we're not using the traditional flowers as decoration. None anywhere whatsoever.
I'm cool w/ it. I know nothing about flowers anyway, so it's actually easier.
Well, easier except for the traditional bridal bouquet.
I don't yet have an alternative.
If I were Catholic, I'd just carry my rosary, or if I were an old maid, I'd carry my cat.
But these don't apply. I need something I can carry and possibly throw to the next bride-to-be w/ out damaging the recepient or the floor when she dodges it (I know, the complete works of Shakespeare is definitely out).
Do you have any ideas?
I guess I'm understanding why some of the traditions are in place. They're just easier!

So Much to Do, So Little Time

programs (email schedule to Jan)
concierge list
buy Cyrus' ring
make bridesmaids gift(s)
finish guest book
write vows
announcements
label centerpiece bowls
returns
prep box
pack for honeymoon
choose song for father/daughter dance
finalize menu
finalize Jenks payment etc
finalize pictures
make banners for decor
bouquet
buy candy
buy plates/napkins
chocolate for fountain
finalize guest countthank you cardshair cuthair style
pack to move

(And that's just the wedding related stuff)

Milk Martini

Cocktails aren't just for happy hour anymore!

Not Really My Idea of a Party

The Wedding Party

Talk about your runaway brides—the original duty of a “Best Man” was to serve as armed backup for the groom in case he had to resort to kidnapping his intended bride away from disapproving parents. The “best” part of that title refers to his skill with a sword, should the need arise. (You wouldn’t want to take the “just okay” member of your weapon-wielding posse with you to steal yourself a wife, would you?)
The best man stands guard next to the groom right up through the exchange of vows (and later, outside the newlyweds’ bedroom door), just in case anyone should attack or if a non-acquiescent bride should try to make a run for it. It’s said that feisty groups like the Huns, Goths and Visigoths took so many brides by force that they kept a cache of weapons stored beneath the floorboards of churches for convenience. Modern-day best men are more likely to store an emergency six-pack at the ceremony for convenience, but the title remains an apt one.
Ladies—believe it or not, the concept of the bridesmaid’s gown was not invented to inflict painful dowdiness upon the bride’s friends and female relatives thus making the bride look hotter by comparison. Historically, that dress you’ll never wear again was actually selected with the purpose of tricking the eye of evil spirits and jealous ex-lovers (spicy!). Brides’ faithful attendants were instructed to wear a dress similar to that of the bride so that during their group stroll to the church it would be hard for any ill-willed spirits or former boy-toys to spot the bride and curse/kidnap/throw rocks at her. (Ditto for the boys in matching penguin suits, saving the groom from a similar fate.) Memo to the Maid of Honor: if you think organizing a themed shower complete with quiche, cupcakes and creative uses of toilet paper as a game is a tough gig, imagine this: MoH’s of old used to be responsible for making nearly all of the wedding decorations and putting them up herself.

~borrowed from Mental Floss again: http://www.mentalfloss.com/

_____________________________

I guess we already know my thoughts on this one, seeing as how we have no wedding party in this sense. Only the party that you're attending! Good food, good friends, good times. I guess I'm not scared of a run-away groom (I'm definitely not going anywhere!) or evil spirits on this occasion. As for the ugly dresses, well, no one will be as beautiful as me, anyway, that's why I'm willing to let them try. Although, if I don't get in touch w/ a hair stylist soon, this may change!

Wedding Traditions Part Deux

Giving Away the Bride
Remember that “Women’s Studies” class you considered taking in college? Allow us to summarize what you would have learned: All of our society’s gender issues stem from the fact that fathers once used their daughters as currency to a) pay off a debt to a wealthier land owner, b) symbolize a sacrificial, monetary peace offering to an opposing tribe or c) buy their way into a higher social strata. So next time you tear up watching a beaming father walk his little girl down the aisle, remember that it’s just a tiny, barbaric little hold over from the days when daughters were nothing but dollar signs to daddy dearest. And that veil she’s wearing? Yeah, that was so the groom wouldn’t know if he was stuck with an uggo until it was time to kiss the bride and too late to back out on the transaction. (There is also some superstitious B.S. about warding off evil spirits, but we think you’ll agree that hiding a busted grill from the husband-to-be is a more practical purpose.)

We are partaking in this one, only I'm having both parents walk me down the aisle. I haven't decided what their answer to the question, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" will be, but it will probably resemble the answer Daddy gave when Cube asked permission in the first place, "It's her decision." Maybe Mama says, "Her Father and I do." That seems fitting, especially since she's always said, "She's all mine and part Daddy's," since I was born. Or maybe the question isn't asked at all. I mean, who ever pauses to see if anyone objects to the union of the happy couple anymore? That's just a YouTube horror video waiting to happen!

Any suggestions?

Tradishuuuun! Tradition! (sung to the tune from Fiddler on the Roof)

The White Wedding DressTechnically, today’s wedding gowns aren’t white. They are “Candlelight,” “Warm Ivory,” “Ecru” or “Frost.” But there was a time when a bride’s wedding attire was simply the best thing in her closet (talk about “off the rack”), and could be any color, even black. To convince her groom that she came from a wealthy family, brides would also pile on layers of fur, silk and velvet, as apparently grooms didn’t care if his wife-to-be reeked of sweaty B.O. as long as she was loaded. It was dear ol’ Queen Victoria (whose reign lasted from 1837-1901) who made white fashionable. She wore a pale gown trimmed in orange blossoms for her 1840 wedding to her first cousin, Prince Albert. Hordes of royal-crazed plebeians immediately began to copy her, which is an astonishing feat considering that People Magazine wasn’t around to publish the Super Exclusive Wedding Photos, or instruct readers on how to Steal Vicki’s Hot Wedding Style.

~Stolen from http://www.mentalfloss.com/

Incidently, this is not the reason I'm wearing royal purple at my party.

Like My Best Friends

Since I'm getting married in 30 days (yippee) and moving into a 1-bedroom apartment with my new husband, I've been downsizing my belongings. Now, I'm not yet down to only owning only 100 items, but I'm proud to say I've deleted a few things from my collection*. The most difficult classification of clutter for me is books. Now, I don't consider them clutter; I consider them my best friends, so saying "good-bye" has more to do with emotion then square footage. Luckily a blog I read lists some important questions to ask about a book before one decides to keep it on her self. I'm not so sure this will make a difference, but hey, I promise not to apply the principles to my true** best friends!


*This is pretty much a moot point when it comes to space though, seeing as how we've received several thousand pounds worth of wedding gifts, but it's the thought that counts right?

**Read: human

Reading Comprehension Quiz

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Well, it looks like at least 5 of the Supreme Court justices can read. God bless their 1st grade teachers!

For more info click here.

Code Cracker

I'm back in! I totally forgot how to post, my password, my userid, everything. That's what I get for setting up this blog back during my National Board saga! Oh well...
Now it's all wedding, wedding, wedding... Only 38 days, people! Or is it 37? I can't keep up!
I'm getting excited though..
Ok, enough gushing. I''ll post someting worth reading later.
Glad to be back!

Up Tooo Late - Is that too many os? I'm cross eyed

Yeah, nothing to post. I just spend the last, um lets see...darn it, it's waaaaaaaaaay to late for me to be doing MATH!...um...I jsut spent the last 15.5 hours on the computer typing for my Natl. Board Certification.
Yeah, Yeah, I know: focus on the money. But I wont' get andy of it, teh gvt will in tezsses. thta's if i pass, adn at this pointk, i'm jsu tworrying about finishing. I've forgotten why I"m eveng odin git. Oh yea, I go tthe swcholarshipa dn If id otn' fisnish I'll wo the state of ok #3000 (and they want all of it - not sans taxes.)
Mhy fiance says i can pay thelm the money, but it comes out of the weding budget. it might ee woth ith just to be able to paln teh wedding. i haven't done antig fn for...wait, um..ets's see ok now more math. let's jsut saty the entier month of March. And it's oen of my faves.
Let me tell you, come april, it's on! A[rol showers bring much happiness! Hye, those last for woeds were coherentn. cool, I think.
I promise Ihven't beend ridkng anyting except coffee; it's just been a loooooooong day!
goingt o night-ntie now.
much sleepy

Kiss Me if You're Irish!

In lieu of posting' it's linking! Click a clover and enjoy!

Just Your Friendly, Neighborhood Nazi

Too funny not to post.

Heading to Ikea? Shopping For "Cultural Imperialism?"
by CitizenSugar
I don't know too many houses that don't contain an Ikea doodad or two (hundred, in my case) but I had no idea that I was disrespecting my Danish heritage with my love of the ISERUD. So the story is this: the Danes are accusing Swedish home-furnishings giant Ikea of cultural imperialism because in the wacky Ikea naming scheme, it turns out all of the doormats, floor coverings, and less-than-glamorous items are given Danish names, while the fancy things like beds and sofas are all Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish names.

Follow the link to read more.

And a related article.

What Kind of Clutterbug Are You?

The items that constitute clutter are extremely varied and depend on the circumstances and personalities in each household. And there are several different categories of clutter, depending on the nature of a person’s “attachment”‘ to things, our research showed.

Emotional clutter has sentimental meaning but little financial value. It could include children’s toys or drawings, unused or unwanted gifts, school or university notes, or the personal possessions of absent loved ones.

Just-in-case clutter has little or no sentimental value but since it “might come in handy one day” it is kept for some time. Examples include old bills or bank statements, tools or stationery.

Bargain clutter is free or very cheap items acquired at sales, from friends or family or “by the side of the road”. Certain personality types tend to be especially attracted to bargain clutter.

Bought clutter consists of impulse purchases that never end up being used. It commonly includes clothes, fashion accessories and electronic items and is strongly linked to wasteful consumption.

Guess which I am before you click the comments and tell the world which you are.

From: unclutterer.com

Communication is Key in Any Relationship

I thought about printing this out and taking it with me to pre-marriage counseling tomorrow night. What's your vote?

We're supposed to focus on conflict resolution and communication.

We scored really well in 2 categories. One was finances; the other was another major source of tension in marriages. I won't mention it in polite company. This is a PG-13 blog.

Always Eat Dessert First

The foodie over at YumSugar certainly has the right idea. While, I have no qualms about eating dessert first it makes some (Grandma, starving kids in Africa) uncomfortable. So here's a little something to ease their minds/disguise my dissonance.

How about a little spaghetti for dessert?

Not excited about food? Check out any page at Sugar Inc. for your indulgence of choice.

Weekend Adventure Part Deux

This weekend we're back in Arkansas, visiting the Arkansas Heart Hospital. This is one swanky place. It's brand new and the rooms are HUGE! Plenty of room for two fold-out chairs and lots of floor space for pallets (even though we don't need it). The entire extended family fits, even future daughters-in-law. I'm glad to see everyone again. It's kinda like a family reunion. I'm glad I've met them all before, or else this could be awkward. I get to show off my ring, too. I know, I know, that's selfish and self-centered, but I was asked to come for comic relief. Nobody wants to focus too much on the fact that my Future Father in Law (FFIL) will have quadruple bypass surgery tomorrow morning (or the fact that they won't let the poor guy wear any pants and he's just sitting there in one of those backless hospital numbers). So I distract them with vivid descriptions of my romantic proposal. Of course, my FFIL quips that he doesn't even remember proposing to my FMIL. Everyone gets a good laugh out of that and we all know he'll be ok.

Even though, your prayers are still appreciated.

Weekend Adventure

Last weekend My Fiance' and I went to Russelville, Ar to see his parents. They don't live there, but we met them 1/2way for lunch.
If you're ever in Russelville slightly after lunchtime, you should check out Stoby's. Ask somebody, they're bound to know where it is. They have sandwiches, the Stoby and Stobyburgers. The coolest part is there's a train that runs around the entire restarurant, which is itself in an old dining car. They're known for their cheese dip. I wasn't too impressed, but it wasn't bad either.
Then, just down (read: east) the same road is Vintage Books. We're talking floor to ceiling old book smell. They had an old Bible that was about 1by2by3feet. Gorgeous pictures! The store was organized by genre with a pretty nice classics section. There's a college in Russelville, and you can tell what books are required reading by what has been re-sold to Vintage Books. They had all the books I already own, but no Northanger Abbey. I touched a lot of yummy smelling books, though. They had a pretty good sci-fi section too. Actually, most used book stores do. High prices though. That's what happens when books arent' "used," but "vintage." I reastrained myself from buying anything. I admire my own self control.
I still want those shoes, though.

Thou Shall Not Covet

I want.
And if they came in red, I'd really be in trouble.

No Gifts, Please

Do you Registrant and Co-registrant,
take BedBath&Yonder^
to be your bridal registry,
to browse and to scan,
in bed and in bath,
in cutlery and fine china,
for sheets or for towels,
for pots or for pans,
both in-store and online,
as long as you both shall shop?

"We do."

We should have read the fine print. It would have warned us that Elle* would follow us around the store with a clipboard and gun^^, encouraging us to choose our future appliances, knives, bedding, cutlery, towels, shower curtains, trashcans. She had plenty of advice, but I'm a shopper who likes to mull things over** and I don't like pressure from salespeople. Right now, I have such buyers remorse that I can't sleep. And we didn't even buy anything yet. Luckily, I can log on and delete whatever I don't like tomorrow. Plus, their return policy is top-notch. We can get cash back on anything, which is ideal.

We really don't need 1/2 the stuff Elle zapped. It's not like we're 20 years old (see previous post) and have nothing but the dorm towels someone from church bought us for high school graduation (although, I do have mine and am still using it). We both live in houses and have appliaces and cookware. I'm actually worried about fitting all of the stuff we have into the teeny-tiny-money-saving apartment we're going to rent.

What we need is camping equipment. How much "yonder" will we need to go for that, Elle?

_______________________________
footnotes:

^What my Fiance' calls it

*Name changed to protect the...I'm not so sure she's innocent. Nice girl, but gimme the gun^^ and I promise, nobody gets hurt! No wonder folks end up registering for mini-muffing pans when they've never baked a day in their life.

^^I should probably mention that the "GUN" is one of those little scanner zapper thingies to record the barcode of future purchaces. She sure was slinging it like an outlaw though.

**I once stalked a pair of peep-toe pumps for 5 months, and bought them for $.50 on the dollar, mind you!

Age Ain't Nuthin' but a Number

...and my favorite number is 17. (Technically it should be 24, since the code that B.J., Lisa and I invented in the 9th grade would make Memphis' number 24. But old habits die hard.) I mention the numbers and the age becasue my 1/2 birthday was the 14th. I got into the habit of celebrating my 1/2 birthday sometime around when we invented the code. What's the use of having a summer birthday when none of your "friends" will come to your party becasue they're all preparing their livestock for the county fair? A birthday during the school year is much cooler. You get to have a party in class and all your "friends" think you're cool for bringing snacks. (Even if it is peanut butter bars every year.) Then, when I started my whole anti-Valentine's day kick, it became even more usefule to have an alternative party on that day. No pressure, no love, no annoying toddlers w/ bows and arrows. I'd almost forgotten about my own mortality, when Mamma called to wish me a happy 1/2 birthday. OMG! I'm 28 and a 1/2! That's downhill to 29 and lurking around the corner (insert dramatic horror movie music here) THIRTY! eeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk! What happened to all those years when I was 17? I don't feel that much grown up. Maybe getting married will help, but I doubt it. Let me tell you this: I was NOT getting married when I was 29. I would have refused. It would make me feel like and old head who barely beat the "I was married in my 20s" deadline, (a totally arbitrary deadline I made up, but admit it...there's something about 30-when you're on THIS side of it. Quit smirking like that, Carrie Bradshaw. I know you hate all us 20-somethings.) and I wasnt' having any of it. I would have proudly waited until I was 30 to become a wife. It sounds very dignified to me. I'm not waiting though. We've waited long enough and life is too short. I'm just glad I'm still twenty-eight.

Love Was in the Air

I meant to post on actual Valentine's day, but ended up in hospital with an arrow in my patootie. Long story, and I'll explain later, but let me just ask, why don't people see a toddler with a bow and arrows as the nuisance he is? I guess I shouldn't be too mad at the little stinker. He did bring me:
1 rose
1 carnation
1 tin of chocolates*
2 Valentine's pencils
1 giant Hershey's kiss*
1 mini chocolate heart*
1 Harry Potter Valentine
1 bag of chocolate popcorn*
1 long-stemmed chocolate rose*
1 tin of hummus
1 pkg. of pita.
All in all it was a good haul. I mention it, mainly, because I've never really received Valentine's from my students before. I'm glad they love me more than Mr. Smythe.

*Memphis ate all the chocolate.

Eat your heart out, Willy Wonka

Can you believe I'd rather read the chocolate book, than eat it?

Godiva Chocolatier is giving away a night's stay in their one-of-a-kind-entirely-chocolate room!

Literary Dating

A good man is hard to find. The wrong choice of mate could spell social and financial disaster. What's a girl to do?
In honor of Valentine's Day, Masterpiece (formerly Masterpiece Theatere) on PBS has created online dating profiles for each of the "Men of Austen." Who's a dream, who's a bore and who's a scoundrel? Click here to see online profiles for all of Jane Austen's suitors, from the leading men to the cads.

"Hey, I thought marty grass was only celebrated in New Orleans?"

No, that's not a type-o, it's a direct quote from a student of mine. Needless to say, our English lesson was interrupted by a mini-lecture on cultural awareness (and a French pronunciation lesson - the last part being free). Remind me not to discuss a holiday that incorporates sparkly beads and flashing girls with middle school students again. Here I am trying to educate them on Christian traditions, and all they want to know is how to get more beads. Lord, love 'em. I just discovered melted chocolate on my keyboard. I wonder where that came from? Perhaps, my own personal "Fat Tuesday" celebration? Luckily, enough youngsters were culturally/religioulsy* aware that they explained everything (saving me from breaking the "Thou shall not discuss religion in public school" law). We are now counting the days to Easter, but can't figure out what bunnies and eggs have to do with the resurrection of Jesus.**

*Is this a word? Did I spell it right?

**Tune in tomorrow to hear Jamal say, "I thought it was pronounced Hay-suess?"

Life is uncertain; always eat dessert first

My other motto is "Use the present to plan a future you won't be ashamed to call your past."
It's actually the only original quote I've ever written. Even the blog name "Eat Dessert First" was taken. Probably by the famous Olahoman, Kathrine Timlin (age 105). Okay, maybe not.
But since William Shakespeare stole everything he ever wrote, I'm not too concerned.

This blog is dedicated to the faithful bloggers who talked me into this:

Cubicle:

http://sandcastlesandcubicles.blogspot.com/

Sparquay:

http://sparquay.blogspot.com/

Lady Arden:

http://halfaworldawayandupsidedown.blogspot.com/

Also, any stressed out fiancee's with a wedding less than six months away.