Friday, June 30, 2006
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
Last night, I dreamt that my sisters and their kids and I were all together. My adorable nieces and nephews were laughing and having fun, and I distinctly remember getting sweet little kisses from them. I awoke missing them. I wish we lived closer and that I could see them more often. At least I get to see pictures and hear stories on my sisters' blogs. (vetmommy.blogspot.com and pgdaddyandme.blogspot.com)
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Addendum
I wasn't specific in my previous posts, and it seems from some of the comments that my posting was taken differently than I intended.
To clarify: Steve didn't invite these people to our house. Tom did! (read Invasion, Part 1)
Steve and I did our best to be good hosts and make them feel comfortable. He helped with all the cooking and cleaning, and neither one of us felt much like overindulging with so much going on. He was also very appreciative of all my work and was very supportive letting me get away for a couple hours each day.
To clarify: Steve didn't invite these people to our house. Tom did! (read Invasion, Part 1)
Steve and I did our best to be good hosts and make them feel comfortable. He helped with all the cooking and cleaning, and neither one of us felt much like overindulging with so much going on. He was also very appreciative of all my work and was very supportive letting me get away for a couple hours each day.
Monday, June 26, 2006
The Invasion, Part 2
Invasion: An intrusion or encroachment.
Perhaps I want to control too much. Or maybe I shouldn't be so particular about cleanliness. But if I see an empty bottle (or two, or twenty), I just can't leave it there. And if the trash can is full-to-overflowing, I can't just try to shove another piece of debris into it without wondering how the hell I'm going to get the bag out.
Perhaps our guests are used to servants (or their mothers?) taking care of everything. Someone to fix your food before you even have to ask, and definitely someone to clean up after you. And you don't thank these people because it's their job. And you can even tell them how to do their job better.
I'm amazed at the audacity of some people:
* walking into my home and lighting up a cigarette (what the...?!)
* breaking bottles of food/condiment from the fridge and not apologizing
* telling the one volunteer who cooked breakfast for the group that it would have been better if he had remembered to add cheese
* leaving empty beer bottles at the bottom of the pool
* taking the best seats and towels with no thought for others
I shouldn't paint it as ALL bad, though. It was great to see Steve laughing and goofing around with his buddies. And I guess that's what it was all about. But next time, we're going to Vegas.
Perhaps I want to control too much. Or maybe I shouldn't be so particular about cleanliness. But if I see an empty bottle (or two, or twenty), I just can't leave it there. And if the trash can is full-to-overflowing, I can't just try to shove another piece of debris into it without wondering how the hell I'm going to get the bag out.
Perhaps our guests are used to servants (or their mothers?) taking care of everything. Someone to fix your food before you even have to ask, and definitely someone to clean up after you. And you don't thank these people because it's their job. And you can even tell them how to do their job better.
I'm amazed at the audacity of some people:
* walking into my home and lighting up a cigarette (what the...?!)
* breaking bottles of food/condiment from the fridge and not apologizing
* telling the one volunteer who cooked breakfast for the group that it would have been better if he had remembered to add cheese
* leaving empty beer bottles at the bottom of the pool
* taking the best seats and towels with no thought for others
I shouldn't paint it as ALL bad, though. It was great to see Steve laughing and goofing around with his buddies. And I guess that's what it was all about. But next time, we're going to Vegas.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
The Invasion, Part 1
Last weekend and all this past week, Steve and I have been preparing for an onslaught of guests...his 20th high school reunion, centered on our house.
It all started with a misunderstanding. The reunion (several years of graduating classes) was planned for Las Vegas, and although Steve wanted to go, we decided we really couldn't afford it at this time. His best friend Cris decided not to go, too. Then, their friend Ron decided if they weren't going, he wouldn't either. Tom, a friend of theirs in Germany, was already planning to come over to the States for the reunion and spoke to Ron, who told him those three guys weren't going and that we'd all get together some other time in Dallas at Steve's and Cris' houses.
Tom sends out an email, stating "the reunion's moved to Dallas! Free room & board at Steve's and Cris'!"
Uh...
And people start RSVP-ing.
Ok. Guess we're having a party!
We had 8 guests here, and Cris had another 4 at his house. During the day, they were all here at our place, though, since we have the pool. Steve and I worked our butts off getting everything looking great, including a lot of yard work and setting up a cabana near the pool. (I'll post pictures later.)
I guess you could call it a success, in that everyone came and ate and drank. But I'm exhausted. I have a difficult time relaxing if things are messy, and with a total of 16 people here, there was a lot of mess (and not a lot of cleaning up). I think I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.
It all started with a misunderstanding. The reunion (several years of graduating classes) was planned for Las Vegas, and although Steve wanted to go, we decided we really couldn't afford it at this time. His best friend Cris decided not to go, too. Then, their friend Ron decided if they weren't going, he wouldn't either. Tom, a friend of theirs in Germany, was already planning to come over to the States for the reunion and spoke to Ron, who told him those three guys weren't going and that we'd all get together some other time in Dallas at Steve's and Cris' houses.
Tom sends out an email, stating "the reunion's moved to Dallas! Free room & board at Steve's and Cris'!"
Uh...
And people start RSVP-ing.
Ok. Guess we're having a party!
We had 8 guests here, and Cris had another 4 at his house. During the day, they were all here at our place, though, since we have the pool. Steve and I worked our butts off getting everything looking great, including a lot of yard work and setting up a cabana near the pool. (I'll post pictures later.)
I guess you could call it a success, in that everyone came and ate and drank. But I'm exhausted. I have a difficult time relaxing if things are messy, and with a total of 16 people here, there was a lot of mess (and not a lot of cleaning up). I think I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Wonderment Of Life
[I received this via email from my mom, Beverly, and wanted to share it.]
The Things We Take For Granted
Most of us begin our days with a continuous list of things we need to do to keep our lives running smoothly, but we rarely take time to note all the things we don't need to do. For example, we don't need to figure out how to breathe. We don't need to find a way to make sure the earth continues to revolve around the sun. We don't need to concentrate to ensure that our heart beats and our cells regenerate. All of these things, and many more, take care of themselves without our having to think or do anything at all. This is the miracle of life on earth.
Beyond the wonder of the natural world, we have the wonder of human-created conditions such as indoor plumbing, electricity, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, and the Internet to name a few. Someone living just a hundred years ago would be overwhelmed by the ease with which we can communicate with people all over the world. Every day, millions of us jump on airplanes and fly to distant locations in a matter of hours. If we have access to a computer, we can read obscure information about any subject, free of charge, at any time of the day or night. And yet, it's only when one of these miraculous inventions fails that we notice it at all.
When you wake up tomorrow, take time to notice how many things are running smoothly, how many small miracles compose your day. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, as you put them on, take a moment to appreciate the fact that without them, you would be unable to see. Your life would be entirely different if someone hadn't invented corrective lenses (or Lasik!). As you take in your world, you might feel a moment of gratitude for the basic fact that, once again, the sun has risen to illuminate the abundant earth, and the earth's gravitational field holds you and all that you hold dear in a tight, life-affirming embrace.
The Things We Take For Granted
Most of us begin our days with a continuous list of things we need to do to keep our lives running smoothly, but we rarely take time to note all the things we don't need to do. For example, we don't need to figure out how to breathe. We don't need to find a way to make sure the earth continues to revolve around the sun. We don't need to concentrate to ensure that our heart beats and our cells regenerate. All of these things, and many more, take care of themselves without our having to think or do anything at all. This is the miracle of life on earth.
Beyond the wonder of the natural world, we have the wonder of human-created conditions such as indoor plumbing, electricity, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, and the Internet to name a few. Someone living just a hundred years ago would be overwhelmed by the ease with which we can communicate with people all over the world. Every day, millions of us jump on airplanes and fly to distant locations in a matter of hours. If we have access to a computer, we can read obscure information about any subject, free of charge, at any time of the day or night. And yet, it's only when one of these miraculous inventions fails that we notice it at all.
When you wake up tomorrow, take time to notice how many things are running smoothly, how many small miracles compose your day. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, as you put them on, take a moment to appreciate the fact that without them, you would be unable to see. Your life would be entirely different if someone hadn't invented corrective lenses (or Lasik!). As you take in your world, you might feel a moment of gratitude for the basic fact that, once again, the sun has risen to illuminate the abundant earth, and the earth's gravitational field holds you and all that you hold dear in a tight, life-affirming embrace.
Monday, June 19, 2006
What Would You Like Your Service to Be?
Last Thursday, Steve and I took a road trip to Oklahoma City for a funeral.
Richard lived in Florida but was buried in Oklahoma where his parents and sister live. I never met him in life, but he and Steve talked weekly and had known each other for 20 years. I had heard many stories about him, so I was somewhat taken aback by the service.
It was held in a small chapel on the cemetary grounds. Most of the congregation were friends of his parents. They had an open casket, and I felt strange to be "meeting" Richard for the first time this way. The casket had birds on the lid with the words "Heading Home" printed on it.
Throughout the service, tinny music was piped through the speakers. I recognized some acoustic versions of hymns, but other songs weren't familiar to me. The worst were the ones using banjos. The music seemed out-of-place and didn't fit the solemnity of the scene.
The minister who spoke was long-winded and mostly quoted various, unrelated scriptures from the Bible. (I zoned after the 4th or 5th one.) His main message was that we have life eternal if we believe in God and Jesus. Well, Richard didn't go to church as an adult. He probably didn't go after elementary school, so I don't know how reassuring this message was for his family.
It was interesting people-watching, too. We didn't know who anyone was other than his parents and sister. His sister was very dramatic and perhaps a bit in denial, emphasizing to Steve that Richard had "gone fishing! He's just fishing. He's on a BIG fishing trip." Another woman (with a blonde mullet) was visibly upset, and we wondered if she had been a high school sweetheart in Richard's past.
Steve volunteered to be a pall-bearer, and the most comforting thing for Steve was that Richard's resting place was on the side of a lake. Richard loved the water and spent all his free time fishing. So that, at least, seemed like a fitting place for him to rest.
It sure made us think about our own services. We talked about what we would each like, when the time comes, and how most services are really for those left behind.
Richard lived in Florida but was buried in Oklahoma where his parents and sister live. I never met him in life, but he and Steve talked weekly and had known each other for 20 years. I had heard many stories about him, so I was somewhat taken aback by the service.
It was held in a small chapel on the cemetary grounds. Most of the congregation were friends of his parents. They had an open casket, and I felt strange to be "meeting" Richard for the first time this way. The casket had birds on the lid with the words "Heading Home" printed on it.
Throughout the service, tinny music was piped through the speakers. I recognized some acoustic versions of hymns, but other songs weren't familiar to me. The worst were the ones using banjos. The music seemed out-of-place and didn't fit the solemnity of the scene.
The minister who spoke was long-winded and mostly quoted various, unrelated scriptures from the Bible. (I zoned after the 4th or 5th one.) His main message was that we have life eternal if we believe in God and Jesus. Well, Richard didn't go to church as an adult. He probably didn't go after elementary school, so I don't know how reassuring this message was for his family.
It was interesting people-watching, too. We didn't know who anyone was other than his parents and sister. His sister was very dramatic and perhaps a bit in denial, emphasizing to Steve that Richard had "gone fishing! He's just fishing. He's on a BIG fishing trip." Another woman (with a blonde mullet) was visibly upset, and we wondered if she had been a high school sweetheart in Richard's past.
Steve volunteered to be a pall-bearer, and the most comforting thing for Steve was that Richard's resting place was on the side of a lake. Richard loved the water and spent all his free time fishing. So that, at least, seemed like a fitting place for him to rest.
It sure made us think about our own services. We talked about what we would each like, when the time comes, and how most services are really for those left behind.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Life for Rent
The song "Life for Rent" by Dido has been on my mind lately, particularly these lyrics:
"...If I am so afraid to fail that I won't even try,
how can I say I'm alive?
If my life is for rent, and I don't learn to buy
Then I deserve nothing more than I get
'Cause nothing I have is truly mine."
I wasn't into sports as a kid. I don't have natural ability in that area, and I definitely was afraid to try anything for fear of failure.
There were moments during the triathlon when I thought "What the hell am I doing?" and just wanted to stop, to quit. But I silenced that quitter voice and pushed on. As I had heard from others who have done these types of races, it truly is a mental challenge as much as a physical one.
I like the song by Dido. It starts off "I haven't ever really found a place that I call 'Home.' I never stick around long enough to make it." I have moved around quite a bit, both growing up and just here within the Dallas metroplex. I like to start over. I like new places, and I'm used to it. But it's nice to have stability, too. I think I'm finally getting to a place in my life where I'm ready to "buy" -- to make a true commitment to something (or someone). When you buy, there's a risk that it won't be exactly what you thought it was, but there are rewards to sticking with it.
"...If I am so afraid to fail that I won't even try,
how can I say I'm alive?
If my life is for rent, and I don't learn to buy
Then I deserve nothing more than I get
'Cause nothing I have is truly mine."
I wasn't into sports as a kid. I don't have natural ability in that area, and I definitely was afraid to try anything for fear of failure.
There were moments during the triathlon when I thought "What the hell am I doing?" and just wanted to stop, to quit. But I silenced that quitter voice and pushed on. As I had heard from others who have done these types of races, it truly is a mental challenge as much as a physical one.
I like the song by Dido. It starts off "I haven't ever really found a place that I call 'Home.' I never stick around long enough to make it." I have moved around quite a bit, both growing up and just here within the Dallas metroplex. I like to start over. I like new places, and I'm used to it. But it's nice to have stability, too. I think I'm finally getting to a place in my life where I'm ready to "buy" -- to make a true commitment to something (or someone). When you buy, there's a risk that it won't be exactly what you thought it was, but there are rewards to sticking with it.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Triathlon Pictures
Warming up while Jenn surveys the scene
Can you see me? I'm waving!
I'm in the middle of this shot. Crazy...
Whew! The swim is done. Now uphill to my bike.
Just finished the bike and now heading out to the run/walk
Just crossed the finish line!
Getting a big hug from Anna.
Exhausted but happy after the race, with Steve and Anna
Monday, June 12, 2006
Victorious
(Sorry I didn't post much last week. I tried several times, but between travelling for work and Blogger having problems, I wasn't successful.)
Yesterday (Sunday) was the Austin Danskin Triathlon. Beginning with the end, I'm happy to report that I finished!
We got up at 5 a.m. to get over to the race site by 6 a.m. There were 3,000 women participating, plus spectators and volunteers, so the traffic was intense. We set up our equipment in the transition area, where we had left our bikes the day before. Then we headed over to the swim start to watch the elite athletes.
Jenn was in wave 14, and I was in wave 16, and even though they were launching every 4-5 minutes, we had time to wait. I was nervous, excited and anxious to begin!
Jenn had warned me that with your adrenalin up, you feel like swimming faster at the beginning and told me how important it is to pace yourself. I felt the adrenalin, but I was overwhelmed by the number of women beside and around me. The first few times I came up for air, the waves in the lake crashed into me, and I gulped in water. Sputtering, and still trying to navigate around everyone, I started to panic and couldn't catch my breath. The density of the lake was also distracting. I couldn't see underwater at all. Then my goggles started fogging up, so even when I came up for air and to look around, I couldn't see! (Still panicking at this point.) I finally just put the goggles up on my forehead and tried to calm down. It took me half the swim course before I sort of got my rhythm back. People from the wave behind me are passing me at this point, but I just focused on breathing (still too many waves hitting my face when I wanted to breathe) and kept moving, albeit slowly. I was disappointed in my swim portion, but I didn't have to ask for help and finally finished.
The bike portion was my favorite. Although there were some impressive hills, I had trained on hills and did fine. I wasn't prepared for the number of people passing me, which can be somewhat discouraging, but most of the women would cheer each other on as they passed you. I only had to stop once to open my Gatorade. (I learned I should have opened the seal before I started so it would have been easier.)
On the last hill of the bike course, you can see the run course to your right. I figured Jenn should be there about the same time, and I called out "JENN!" to one girl before realizing it wasn't her. Several of the runners were encouraging the cyclists, "Go, bikers! It's the last hill!" and then I heard "EM! You're doing it!" It was really great to see Jenn and gave me a boost of energy.
I felt good coming off the bike and started the run strong. I soon learned how wobbly my legs were and how different it is running on the uneven ground from the paved ground I had trained on. My ankles felt like cooked noodles. I jogged up to another girl who was walking and began walking with her. We stuck together through the rest of the run/walk, talking and encouraging each other on. It was her first Tri, too. We ran short spurts, but mostly walked. It was hot by this time, too, and it took a lot of effort just to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I saved a little bit of energy to run across the finish line, and I saw Steve, Jenn, Anthony, Anna and Colin off to the left cheering me on. What a relief! I was so glad to be done.
I'll post more pictures tomorrow. Steve took some great ones, but I forgot to download them to my computer last night. I crashed as soon as we got home, sleeping for at least 2 hours. I got up, cooked dinner and then crashed again, sleeping soundly until this morning. Otherwise, I feel pretty good. Not too sore (thanks to lots of stretching and ibuprofen) and happy that I did it.
Sisters, before the race
Yesterday (Sunday) was the Austin Danskin Triathlon. Beginning with the end, I'm happy to report that I finished!
We got up at 5 a.m. to get over to the race site by 6 a.m. There were 3,000 women participating, plus spectators and volunteers, so the traffic was intense. We set up our equipment in the transition area, where we had left our bikes the day before. Then we headed over to the swim start to watch the elite athletes.
Jenn was in wave 14, and I was in wave 16, and even though they were launching every 4-5 minutes, we had time to wait. I was nervous, excited and anxious to begin!
Jenn had warned me that with your adrenalin up, you feel like swimming faster at the beginning and told me how important it is to pace yourself. I felt the adrenalin, but I was overwhelmed by the number of women beside and around me. The first few times I came up for air, the waves in the lake crashed into me, and I gulped in water. Sputtering, and still trying to navigate around everyone, I started to panic and couldn't catch my breath. The density of the lake was also distracting. I couldn't see underwater at all. Then my goggles started fogging up, so even when I came up for air and to look around, I couldn't see! (Still panicking at this point.) I finally just put the goggles up on my forehead and tried to calm down. It took me half the swim course before I sort of got my rhythm back. People from the wave behind me are passing me at this point, but I just focused on breathing (still too many waves hitting my face when I wanted to breathe) and kept moving, albeit slowly. I was disappointed in my swim portion, but I didn't have to ask for help and finally finished.
The bike portion was my favorite. Although there were some impressive hills, I had trained on hills and did fine. I wasn't prepared for the number of people passing me, which can be somewhat discouraging, but most of the women would cheer each other on as they passed you. I only had to stop once to open my Gatorade. (I learned I should have opened the seal before I started so it would have been easier.)
On the last hill of the bike course, you can see the run course to your right. I figured Jenn should be there about the same time, and I called out "JENN!" to one girl before realizing it wasn't her. Several of the runners were encouraging the cyclists, "Go, bikers! It's the last hill!" and then I heard "EM! You're doing it!" It was really great to see Jenn and gave me a boost of energy.
I felt good coming off the bike and started the run strong. I soon learned how wobbly my legs were and how different it is running on the uneven ground from the paved ground I had trained on. My ankles felt like cooked noodles. I jogged up to another girl who was walking and began walking with her. We stuck together through the rest of the run/walk, talking and encouraging each other on. It was her first Tri, too. We ran short spurts, but mostly walked. It was hot by this time, too, and it took a lot of effort just to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I saved a little bit of energy to run across the finish line, and I saw Steve, Jenn, Anthony, Anna and Colin off to the left cheering me on. What a relief! I was so glad to be done.
I'll post more pictures tomorrow. Steve took some great ones, but I forgot to download them to my computer last night. I crashed as soon as we got home, sleeping for at least 2 hours. I got up, cooked dinner and then crashed again, sleeping soundly until this morning. Otherwise, I feel pretty good. Not too sore (thanks to lots of stretching and ibuprofen) and happy that I did it.
Sisters, before the race
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Monday, June 05, 2006
Weekend Review
I didn't post anything at the end of last week because I was too grumpy. I didn't sleep well (for no obvious reason) and was seriously irritable and not fit for human interaction. Doing better now.
I got my hair cut on Friday, although there was a bit of drama. I got the name of a new hairdresser from a coworker whose new haircut really complements her face. I was glad to get an appointment Friday afternoon, since I'd be seeing family on Saturday at my cousin Robert's high school graduation.
I left work early to get to the salon. It was EMPTY when I arrived, except for a teenage boy who was also waiting to get his hair cut. I finally asked him if anyone was working there, and he pointed me to the lone hairdresser in a back room. She informed me that my hairdresser had gone home sick and didn't I get a call from them? Sure enough, I had a voicemail on my cell phone.My fault -- I just hadn't checked it. Dammit...my hair was so long and boring and just shapeless. I really needed it cut! And, I was finally ready to make a change.
I decided to go to Ulta, where they have a walk-in salon, and hope for the best. Thankfully, I got a great gal who was able to add some shape and life back into my hair! Yipee!
On Saturday, I drove to Waco, picked up Grandma and Sudie and drove them to Lexington (small town in the middle of nowhere) for Robert's graduation ceremony. It was really nice. The home school co-op planned the whole affair for their five graduating seniors, an impressive group of young people. Each senior had a video presentation that was made by them and their families, and I cried as Rob's started with an audio recitation of him taking the pledge to protect and defend our country and constitution. The tears continued to roll as pictures of his young life were projected. I'm so proud of him, the first of our family to be accepted to West Point. He's a kind, thoughtful, intelligent young man (not to mention TALL), and it's exciting and bittersweet to see him leaving to start his life as an adult.
I got my hair cut on Friday, although there was a bit of drama. I got the name of a new hairdresser from a coworker whose new haircut really complements her face. I was glad to get an appointment Friday afternoon, since I'd be seeing family on Saturday at my cousin Robert's high school graduation.
I left work early to get to the salon. It was EMPTY when I arrived, except for a teenage boy who was also waiting to get his hair cut. I finally asked him if anyone was working there, and he pointed me to the lone hairdresser in a back room. She informed me that my hairdresser had gone home sick and didn't I get a call from them? Sure enough, I had a voicemail on my cell phone.My fault -- I just hadn't checked it. Dammit...my hair was so long and boring and just shapeless. I really needed it cut! And, I was finally ready to make a change.
I decided to go to Ulta, where they have a walk-in salon, and hope for the best. Thankfully, I got a great gal who was able to add some shape and life back into my hair! Yipee!
On Saturday, I drove to Waco, picked up Grandma and Sudie and drove them to Lexington (small town in the middle of nowhere) for Robert's graduation ceremony. It was really nice. The home school co-op planned the whole affair for their five graduating seniors, an impressive group of young people. Each senior had a video presentation that was made by them and their families, and I cried as Rob's started with an audio recitation of him taking the pledge to protect and defend our country and constitution. The tears continued to roll as pictures of his young life were projected. I'm so proud of him, the first of our family to be accepted to West Point. He's a kind, thoughtful, intelligent young man (not to mention TALL), and it's exciting and bittersweet to see him leaving to start his life as an adult.
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