tx and emails

Remember this pic? It's amazing what a year and 3 months can bring.

Texas has welcomed us with open arms and amazing weather. Today the blinds are drawn and the back door is open to let the beautiful sunshine in. A few flies, too, actually. But nothing is deterring me from loving this Texas spring.

So first and foremost I would like to give El Paso a shout-out for it's short-sleeves and flip-flops.

Secondly, I'd like share with you a little snapshot of life here for Karen and Eli. I wasn't able to talk to Jim for a few days last week so as I was missing him something terrible, I sat down to type and email. I thought I'd share some of it with you:

so, things i've wanted to tell you the last few days...

• Eli is by far the cutest little boy in the world. i love his puffy i-just-woke-up eyes and the way he melts into me when i first pick him up after a nap.
• except when i have to see those eyes at 4:30 in the morning. like this morning. and a few others this week.
• poor little guy is teething like crazy. drool galor. i got some Hylands teething tablets (thankfully endorced by Julie H.) and i'm not sure how well they help but at least i feel like i'm doing something for him. he sounds so pathetic with his wimpering.
  
• Eli had his first playdate yesterday. apparently there's a standing invitation to all those in the neighborhood to meet at the playground at 10am on Mondays.
• i love living on post.
• and Eli loves the swing. he's still a little small for it, but he was happy to gnaw on the plastic seat all the same.
• i'm still kicking myself for forgetting my camera. it was a beautiful El Paso first day of March. it was worthy of being documented and i failed. thankfully there's always next Monday.
• remember how he didn't like carrots the other day? well, i've stealthfully hidden them in rice cereal and applesauce which works like a charm. and his poop is now sprinkled with orange confetti.
• oh, and Eli had his first baby-sitter last night! he and she did great. Issi is Lisa's daughter and lives close enough to walk here, making things much easier. it was only for a few hours but he was peacefully sleeping when i got home from Bunco night.
• until i decided to check on him and thought he was so cute laying face-up and spread eagle in the crib that i ended up waking him up. BIG mistake. he screamed bloody murder for most of an hour until I finally gave up and nursed him to sleep. BabyWise would be so disappointed in me.
• lesson of the evening: let sleeping babies lie.
• in other news... it's so dry here that sometimes when i go to pet Roxy, i shock her and she doesn't want to come near me for a while. i always feel so bad.

So we're all doing well here. Except for a little teething. And some desert air.

SYTYCD - Top 16

To those who are following the Sisterhood, Welcome! To those other loyal followers of my sadly neglected blog, I'm sorry if you're not into So You Think You Can Dance. And you're expecting more cute pictures of Eli. Or my still-not-finished nursery. Next time...

So, on with the Sisterhood! This is my first time recapping and I'm a bit nervous. Be kind. It's also a little last minute as I was called in as a sub. In fact, I should be honest and say that I haven't even watched the show since Vegas week. Not on purpose, though. Busy, busy, busy. I did my research and read all your recaps. However, I've decided to go into tonight giving all the dancers a fair chance. No preconcieved notions. (For the most part.) So these are my ramblings and impressions...

My first thought: Hey! New intro!

My second thought: What the heck, Cat??? Elvira? Really, I found her whole get-up very distracting all night.

On a similar note, after reading your recaps I was interested to meet this Karen girl and was disappointed to find out she was hotter than me. (Jim disagreed. He's such a good husband.)

Where was I? Right, Cat's crazy hair.

And a welcome/shout-out to last season's top dancers. It's been like a whole 2 months, right?

Then as Cat muffled a laugh while trying to compliment the joodges (did anyone else catch that?), Adam decided to wake up. Then way too much time cross-promoting various charities and shows. Cat doesn't seem impressed and almost falls asleep herself, I think. The coached applause from the audience only accentuated the boredom.

And then, as Cat said, "Back to tonight!"

First up, Karen & Kevin. Instantly Jim decides she's trying to channel JLo. Whatever. As long as she's not prettier than me. They do a hustle, which I didn't even know was a dance genre. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't too memorable for me. Afterwards Adams seems to just now notice that Kevin's in the competition. And Karen is a "quiet fire". And then he talked alot. Jim predicted a Train from Mary (who he refers to as Crazy Stupid Lady) and was almost right. I thought for sure it was coming and had my hands halfway to my ears. But no. Just more talking. Then Nigel.

Then commercials. To include Sonic commercials. I love me some Sonic commericals.

Jakob & Ashleigh are up next with a jazz piece. I would say they definitely didn't conquer the cane. And if the cane was the third character, than those spandex pants were the fourth. Yikes! I found the whole dance stiff and awkward. Which is too bad because I thought it was a fun concept and with the right dancers could have been great. I don't even think the audience bought it. But Adam apparently did. I couldn't have disagreed with him more. And I think he has a crush on Jakob. Is he still talking? Then Mary and Nigel liked it, too? Were they watching the same routine I was?

[Side note: When I watch this with my DVR friends, they always fast forward through the judges and I always bothered me. But I wish I'd had the button tonight.]

Pauline & Peter break out in a Hawaiian quick step. I thought it was cute. But maybe I'm a sucker for a guy in uniform... They weren't perfect, but I thought they brought it pretty well. The judges seem so-so. They point out the good and point out the bad, but I'm wondering if they're being too easy on the dancers this season... (Later I find out how wrong I am was.)

Kathryn & Legacy learn Broadway this week. Cute! I liked the storyline and thought they did a pretty good job. (And both Jim and I decide that the upper thigh is a random place to have a tatoo.) We also decided that Adam should not be allowed to call Legacy "Legs". Too, too weird. And poor Kathryn. They ripped her apart and I wanted to cry for her. I thought she did great. Then Nigel started to compliment Legacy (I think) but went on long enough with metaphors that the look on Legs' face was exactly what I was thinking: Wha?

Channing & Victor. (I love that she raced lawnmowers.) They pull out a great contemporary number. I really liked this. If they had performed this with a little more passion, it could have been awesome. But it still left me happy. If I remember correctly (my tired brain is getting a little sloppy) the judges seemed to like it, too. Except for the often boo'd Nigel. It's so funny how he interacts with the audience. Like he has to prove himself to a mass of people who have already proven that they'll clap at anything. Remember that five minute plug for Dizzy Feet?

Lil C is back with hip hop for Ryan & Ellinor. I like hip hop so I was hoping they'd be good. I think Mary (was it Mary?) nailed it when she said it got "sluggish half way through". Nigel had on his sour face. Come on, Nigel. I didn't think it was that bad! Sometimes he can be such a crotchety old man. I can't harp on the guy for having an opinion. It's his job. But he kept going on and on and on... I love that Cat always tries to keep things copacetic, trying to find just the right words to keep everyone smiling. She has such a charm about her, don't you think? Except for that hair...

Mollee & Nathan are challenged with the salsa. But before they even start to dance, I've decided that Mollee is, like, twelve. I'm already annoyed. They try their best, bless their hearts. Not even extreme yardage of yellow ace bandages wrapped around Mollee peek-a-boo body can distract us from, well, everything that went wrong. And the judges let them have it. Then I start to feel kinda bad for Mollee because she looks like she's going to cry as soon as Adam opened his mouth. I thought he summed it up pretty well, though. Really, it was just pretty bad.

Lastly we have Noelle & Russell with a newly made-up genre, Afro-jazz. I've been excited for this one all night. I vaguely remember Russell the Crumper from Vegas week so I was curious to see how he'd do. And I wasn't disappointed. I can see why he's a fan favorite. But as they are intro-ing the piece, I could't help but think I'd be bummed if I found out my spirit guide was a frog. Just sayin'. But they made it work. It was quirky and fun. So fun, that they get the Train. Thanks, Mary. And Nigel makes a jab at Russian Folk dancing again. It's obvious Russell is the judge favorite. And Cat's too, I think. Did anyone catch her checking him out when she was signing them off for commerical?

Overall I felt that that show was eternal. I didn't realize it was going to be two hours. Again, I've been out of the loop. And if I had to guess, I think Mollee and Nathan might go. And hopefully Cat's hairdresser. The two strongest dances were Channing & Victor, and Noelle & Russell. What do you think? Am I totally off? Let the discussion begin!

vote for Christian!

Updated: Sadly Christian did not win. We suspected it might be "Lisa" who had a killer video of her own. Pesky Lisa. Well, I hope she enjoys Oregon. Thank you for your help!

We need your help. In between all the Mexican indigestion, Kerri and I were hard at work on a video. As a surprise for her husband, Kerri entered Christian in a contest that would win him a trip to Oregon to learn how to make better cheese. Because to say Christian likes cheese would be an understatement. And yes, he does make his own cheese. (I didn't even know you could do that.)

His video is on YouTube and we need you to give it 5 stars and leave wonderful comments about how badly you think he'd be the best person for the win. The judges will ultimately be the ones to decide, but if we utilize the power of social media and prove he's popular, than it can't hurt, right?

So click HERE and tell us what you think!

Oh, and he likes goats, too.

speaking of labor...

Enjoy your Monday off!

practicing to be 70

Tuesday night I got to go with some friends to a Bingo and Basket night on post. It's where you and 100 of your closest competitors get out your daubers and pray that nobody shouts BINGO before you. (I should mention that I'm too cheap to spend $1 on a dauber and just used a lame marker.) I never thought I'd get so into it. My extroverted self, honestly, went mostly to be social. But when that man started yelling out numbers, the blood started to rush.

Did you know there's a whole Bingo culture? This isn't just the run-of-the-mill try to get a line straight across or diagonal. There's X's, Frames, 9-Squares, Crosses, I's, Total Blackout. People can be intense! And then when you add door prizes on top of it? There are chances to win everywhere.

me & Elizabeth

The big prizes of the night were Longaberger baskets filled with goodies. Now I'm not really into these baskets - like I said, I just went for fun. But I still would have jumped to the sky if I'd called BINGO and taken one of these sweet over-priced puppies home.

But I didn't get to call BINGO. I got close once. And a few at our table won. I was a little jealous.

But I did win a door prize. In fact, the best door prize of the night. Thanks to the generous folks at USAA, they called my name I skipped my way up to the front to receive my $100 Visa card!

But....

That's not really the best part of the night. This is:You know how sometimes you're innocently posing for a "look how much fun we're having" picture and the microphone makes one of those loud noises that scares the living daylights out of you? And somehow you're the only one that reacts while everyone else knows to keep smiling prettily? And this is the picture that comes out? And then you feel stupid, but you can't stop laughing as everyone passes the camera around to show what an idiot you look like?

Well, this is that picture for me. But unfortunately it wasn't taken on my camera so when I came home I could only tell Jim about it... but really couldn't because I was laughing so hard and crossing my legs trying not to pee myself (thank you for that, pregnancy!). And Jim just looked at me like I had 3 eyes coming out of my head. Which made me laugh more. And then the tears came. And, well, maybe you had to be there.

Or maybe you should just click on the picture and zoom in on my head because it is that darn funny.

i'm back

It's interesting the blogsphere mood-change that happens when you put off posting. My last comments started with the traditional, Hope you're feeling better!, and eventually ended with, Are you dead??. Though my favorite is from Dena who probably knows me best: "Time for some homework, Stella." Simple and to the point, Karen, you're procrastinating and I know it.

So I'm sorry I've been remiss* in posting. Frankly, I feel like I've been remiss in life the last few weeks. When I returned from my trek eastward I basically laid in bed for a few days while my mom unloaded boxes for me. When I awoke, most all of the boxes in the house were gone and she was itching to paint. Aren't mom's great?

So for the last 10 days instead of blogging I've been:

• Dragging my sick body around El Paso looking for furniture.
• Shopping for a headboard but ending up with an entirely new bedroom set. Fancy.
• Battling some left-over sinus headaches from this cold. I have one now and it ain't pretty.
• Going to a doctor's appointment and finding out I LOST weight. I guess my appetite goes when I'm sick.
• Making up for lost time by discovering my love affair with ice cream. Mint chocolate chip is a current favorite - something about the mint and the cold is oh so good. But Rocky Road is proving a close second today.
• Painting my beautiful and slightly illegal Maple Leaf Red and Latte (remember this post? Latte is almost identical to Lenox Tan.) Illegal because you're not really supposed to paint on-post housing. I'm going for the ask-forgiveness-later approach.
• Organizing this house.
• Cleaning the other house we've been living in. The owner comes back this weekend. I want it to be perfect. But gosh, I forgot how much I don't like to clean.
  
• And finally, tackling all of this FRG stuff that I've been running away from like Jonah and Nineveh. I'm happy to report that it's not as painful as I thought it would be.
• Did I mention the darn headaches?

Oh, and some anonymous person sent me this in the mail!It's like the size of another person. I'm not sure how to fit it into the bed with me and Jim. But it couldn't have come at a better time as I've been recently complaining about uncomfortable sleeping and an aching back. Jim might just have to go.

I'd like to give the proper thank you to whomever was so thoughtful. So come out, come out, wherever you are. Otherwise I'll have to settle for a generic shout-out thank you and, well, that's just lame.

So, tomorrow - pics from my trip home, but specifically from my first ever baby shower. Thrown by my lovely college girl-friends who know how to make a girl feel super special.

And thank you all for hanging in there while I took a blog-vacation.

Vacation over.

*remiss: \ri-ˈmis\ adj: negligent in the performance of work or duty; showing neglect or inattention. (definitely a word in my Jane Austin books that I use with too much frequency)

under the weather

My time on the east coast has come and gone. And since I forgot to sleep while I was there, I'm paying for it big time, as I am quite under the weather. I've spent most of my recent El Paso hours in bed. I'm sorry to be so absent. But upon my return, I promise to post about the loveliest little surprise baby shower my dear friends threw for me while I was home. In the meantime, I'll be hanging out with my pillow and my Robitussin.

catching up...

Ever feel that just turning on the computer and hitting that Firefox icon is like admitting you have homework? There's a blog to post, Facebook to catch up with, three email accounts to sort through... it's no wonder I've been avoiding it all.

And that's my excuse. That's why I haven't existed since my last post on Tuesday. I've been ignoring my homework.

So first, to catch up, here's a list of what I've been thinking about instead of blogging:

• It's unfortunate that Mexican food makes me want to hurl these days because I live 3 miles from Mexico.
• I have mixed feelings about the Bella Band. A full review to follow.
• Homemade egg Mcmuffins might just be my favorite prego treat.
  
• And LifeSaver Gummies. They cost exactly $.80 at the mart down the street.
  
• My stomach hurts in the morning because I always wake up hungry. No matter what I stuff it with the night before.
• I have one of those uniquely wonderful husbands that likes to read my blog. But he recently told me that when I post about "girl clothes", he doesn't read the comments. Well.
  
• My husband wants a motorcycle and our tax return might must make that happen.
• I'm one of those crazy people that actually likes doing our taxes the old fashioned way. With pencil and the post-office's 1040 form. So I always do them myself first so I can dream up ways to spend the money. Then I go to the professionals to make sure I didn't mess up.
• I don't, however, even attempt state taxes alone. When you're military, move twice in one year, have a job in KY, live in TN, but hold residence in VA, it's a maze of impossibleness.
• Jim and I didn't do anything exciting for Valentine's day, which was just fine with me.
  
• I've recently re-taken up the guitar. Unfortunately I sold mine at a garage sale last year. But Jim says if I sell the piano, he'll be more that happy to hear me play a new guitar all day. As long as I learn more songs. He's getting tired of the 3 I know.
• We would have been one of the two million households that would have lost TV reception if analog signal died tonight. It kinda makes me laugh that we're that ghetto.
  
• Besides that crazy snow day we had last week, I'm really starting to believe that it is sunny 360 days out of the year here in the far-west corner of TX.
• I finished Sense and Sensibility this weekend and have since started Emma.
• This is officially my 100th post.

Things you can expect this week as I plan to post EVERY DAY: (Don't fall over. It's a short week, with Presidents' Day and all.)

• The promised Bella Band review. To include a much anticipated belly picture. Don't get too excited.
  
• Pictures of our new house. (Yup! For reals. I got the call last Tuesday. We move in 2 weeks.)
• A story about my husband making me throw up.

So there you have it. Thanks for still checking back here since I don't blog nearly enough as I'm supposed to. Darn homework.

remember the alamo

Ok, here is an embarrassing story of how Karen's christian school was sadly lacking in it's history department. Or, more likely, I didn't pay attention in 7th grade. This story takes place a few weeks ago, and is (sadly) entirely true.

So we're Netflixers, and since Jim can check the internet at work, he's the sole decider of movies we should watch.

One day, as I picked up the mail at our PO Box, I noticed he'd gotten us The Alamo. And I thought to myself, good idea! I don't know a lot about that event and since we now live in Texas, it would be good of me to watch a documentary and brush up on my history.

But it wasn't until we popped it in, that I realized it wasn't a documentary at all. It was John Wayne in all his glory, bringing life to the legendary Davy Crockett. Wearing a coon-skinned hat and everything.

Learned history fact #1: Davy Crockett was a real guy. All this time I thought he was some fictional character made for TV shows and coon-skinned marketers. I really had no idea. And did you know he was a colonel? Yeah, me either.

So we're watching it and secretly I decide I'm pleased it wasn't a documentary but instead filled with the classic Wayne one-liners and bad acting of the 1960s. We continue to watch and the suspense builds as a small army is forming inside the walls of the Alamo.

And well into the movie, as Santa Ana's army approaches and they've got like 5000 soldiers and we, the Americans, only have like 200, things didn't look good for us. And I turned to Jim and with a very confused look on my face, I ask, "Do we not win?"

Learned history fact #2: We did not win the Alamo.

Jim pauses the movie and we have this conversation:

Jim: lovingly rolling his eyes and giving of those pity looks, "No, Karen, we lose pretty bad."
Karen: "Really! Wow. So the whole 'Remember the Alamo' isn't a good thing."
Jim: "Nope, pretty bad."
Karen: "Wait, so is this where Davy Crockett dies???"

Jim insists I just watch to figure that one out for myself. He didn't want to give away too much. He clicks on the movie and I watch with suspense while learning a little bit about American history from Hollywood, not from a teacher.

(I kinda felt like that one person in the theatre somewhere who was shocked when the Titanic sunk and Leonardo and Kate are seperated forever.)

I must add, though, that I've since felt a little vindicated. I've shared this story with a few close friends (only the close ones who know I'm not very smart) and more than one has said that they weren't entirely sure who'd won either.

So, I'm curious. If your husband was to bring home "The Alamo" and you hadn't read my blog today, would it be as suspensful for you???

Help my parents not feel so bad for all that money they spent on my education. Please.

santa's demise

guest post by James Grube

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER
1133 W. Mesa St.
EL PASO, TEXAS 79906
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION BY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

DECEASED -

1. DECEDENT: KRINGLE, KRIS H. A.K.A. SANTA CLAUS // 2. SEX: M // 3. DATE OF DEATH: 12, 25, 2008
4. DATE OF BIRTH: UNKNOWN // 5. AGE: UNKNOWN // 6. RACE: UNCLEAR DUE TO INJURY
7a. PLACE OF DEATH: FT. BLISS OFFICER HOUSING // 7b. HOSPITAL: DOA
8. STATE OR COUNTRY OF BIRTH: GREENLAND // 9. CITIZEN OF WHAT COUNTRY: INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN // 10. MARITAL STATUS: MARRIED // 11. SURVIVING SPOUSE NAME: JESSICA GOODY DOLORES A.K.A. MRS. CLAUS
12. USUAL OCCUPATION: TOY-MAKER/DISTRUBUTOR 13. WAS DECEDENT EVER IN U.S. ARMED FORCES?: YES

DISPOSITION -

13. METHOD OF DISPOSITION: REMOVAL FROM STATE (REINDEER PULLED SLEIGH)

CERTIFICATION -

14. CERTIFIER'S NAME AND SIGNATURE: Aron "El Vis" (spanish nickname means - 'the sighting') Presley
14a. DATE SIGNED: 12, 25, 2008
14b. HOUR OF DEATH: 1159PM, 12, 24, 2008
14c. PRONOUNCED DEAD: 1159AM, 12, 24, 2008
14d. MANNER OF DEATH: UNDETERMINED

CAUSE OF DEATH -

15. WAS AUTOPSY PERFORMED?: YES
15a. If yes, were findings considered in determining cause of death?: YES
15b. If yes, were findings cross-referenced against at least 5 episodes of boring television crime series?: YES
16. WAS DECEDENT PREGNANT WITHIN LAST 6 WEEKS?: NO
17. INJURY AT WORK: YES
18. DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURRED: Myocardial infarction
18a. DUE TO (OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF): Comorbidity
18b. DUE TO (OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF): Hypochondriasis (towards food allergies) AS WELL AS Photosensitive epilepsy

LAYMAN'S TERMS: Santa died from a heart attack (possibly due to being chased by Roxy. . . note the dog food, BUT more probably due to stress brought on by an irrational fear of non-existant food allergies AND an epileptic seizure brought on by watching parts of White Christmas).

Santa, recently having had PRK eye surgery, was wearing sunglasses in the house. Sneaking in as a pizza deliver man, Roxy arose and made such a clatter, but was subdued by some dog food. Santa sat down and began to drink milk, and eat cookies, and watch the Christmas classic White Christmas. He then saw a bottle of peanut oil near the cookies. Santa believing that he had a extreme food allergy to peanuts began to panic. His blood pressure rose. At the same time, the war scene in White Christmas caused a photosensitive epileptic seizure. Falling to the floor he pulled down various books and games.

Sadly, Santa was killed by an imaginary sickness and a horrible commercialized Christmas musical.

The moral of the story is only imaginary diseases can kill imaginary people. And musicals are dangerous to the rest of us. (Yes, many of your guesses were on the right track.)

***Editor's note from Karen: I would just like to add that the movie White Christmas is FAR from horribly commercialized. It's fabulous. And pretend that the year on the gravestone above reads 2008, not 2006. Also, pop back tomorrow for some great news from the Grube home!

my christmas list

Dearest Santa,

This year I will not be asking so much for what I want, as for what a Texan girl needs this Christmas. It may not seem like much. It isn't really. But it will make 2009 a lot more bearable. In fact, if I don't get these things, I can't make any promises about staying off your naughty list next year. Just saying.

Parched,
Karen

My lips have been cracked for the last three weeks. Jim used to say I was addicted to the stuff. He had know idea.

It's not even that I'm partial to Bath & Body Works. I just need the thickest lotion money can buy. Oh, and some fancy stuff for for my face, too, please.

If they sold intravenous gadgets that flushed water straight into the arm, I'd go for that. But a handy water bottle will do just fine, thank you. I'm starting to feel badly about all of those plastic bottles. But I m u s t d r i n k w a t e r.... It's like a desert out here.

nienie

I mentioned her in a previous post. She and her husband were in a serious small-plane accident that have left them both in a drug-induced coma and undergoing numerous surgeries. Her blog, The Nie Nie Dialogues, paints the picture of a super-happy family and marriage. Another blog, Nie Recovery, has been set up to keep those of us in the blogsphere informed of their daily improvements.

Via Design Mom and host of other blogs that have caught wind of their story and fallen in love with their family via the internet, today is officially Nie Nie Day, with an auction 165 items strong to raise support for Nie. I'm amazed at the online community that has risen to this occasion - many who have never met this family before. Take a gander through the offerings, but beware you may be surfing for a while. There is alot of great stuff up for auction. But more than that, please say a prayer for their recovery. It will be a long one.

best waste of time ever

Ever felt too productive? This might help.

i am not Tiger Woods

So today was a day I've been waiting for since watching the US Open.  A little background...

Since I've been in Suffolk, I've been Rick's (my father-in-law) personal caddy.  He loves to golf and could use a little company.  So at least once a week you can find the two of us strolling about the Sleepy Hole Golf Course.  (If you don't see us, we might be in the trees somewhere. - Sorry Rick, had to say it.)  So anyways, as I've chased after balls week after week, a great desire has risen in me to learn the game.  And shortly after this new thinking, the US Open was on and wondered to myself:

"Has anyone ever jumped into the professional golf scene at the age of 31?  Like, just picked up a club one day and discovered they had a hidden talent that could marvel the masses?  Because I think I could be that person.  It's all math and angles, right?  Surely it can't be that hard.  Maybe I'm the next Tiger Woods."

Well, today Rick took me to a driving range and I was excited.  I even wore a cute golfing outfit, complete with collared shirt and long shorts.  With gusto I starting hitting things..... and I'm horrible.  I have no knack and yes, I did almost throw a club.  This is my accomplishment for the day:

What you can't see is that next to the blue tee, is another blue tee that I somehow pounded into the ground far enough that I couldn't pull it out.  I probably missed the ball one quarter of the time.  And I admit to muttering at least once, "That was a practice swing".  Graciously, Rick did everything to encourage me.  In fact, he said things that I often say to him while he's golfing - I mean to be kind, but now I know how it really sounds....

For example, I hit a ball that went high, but way off to the right and not very far.

Rick: "Not bad!"  Translation: "Not good, either."

Or, I hit a ball straight ahead and far, but it skips along the ground the entire time.

Rick: "Hey!  It went in the right direction!"

That's the time I almost threw the club.  Let's just say that next time I'll opt for the $4 bucket of balls, not the $7 one because I was ready to be done halfway through.  And I didn't even get better as the afternoon went on.  I was completely horrible.

So I guess I won't make millions on the next PGA tour.  I'll just stay content looking for balls in the woods with Rick.  Yup, that'll be just fine.

Here's a picture.  Note: that is not a real smile.

my first "tagged"

So my dear friend Megan tagged me.  I've never done one of these before, so here it goes!

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

Hmmm, July 1998.  I was enjoying one last summer before my senior year in college (am I that old?). I was probably working at a temp job doing data entry and listening to horrible elevator music as I glimpsed at the clock every 10 minutes.  Also probably a little panicked about what I would be doing the next summer.  I was also about to have a boyfriend, but I didn't know it yet.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (or tomorrow since it's almost mid-night)?

• go to the gym
• clean a fence with my MIL
• get my oil changed
• catch up on some emails
• mail some rebates

3) Snacks I enjoy?

pretzels, chocolate, pretzels and chocolate, ice cream, cherry Hershey kisses, potstickers, cheesy Sunchips, broccoli/carrots with dressing, almonds and dried fruit mix.  (ok, so I mostly added the last 2 so you didn't get a bad impression of me.)

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

Give A LOT of it to charity.  Yes, I would definitely do that.

And now is the part where I will come across a bit shallow:  I would buy these shoes and wear them everyday with all the new outfits I bought to go with them, enjoy an all inclusive resort with my hubby, never feel bad about the ridiculously overpriced entrance fees for races, buy too many presents for my nieces and nephews, go somewhere crazy like Italy for a year while my hubby was deployed, buy a Mini Cooper.  An orange convertible one.  And then I would pray really hard that God would take away my materialistic nature.

5) Places I have lived?

• Virginia (Chesapeake, Suffolk)
• Connecticut (Groton)
• Maryland (Annapolis, Aberdeen)
• Pennsylvania (Grove City, State College, Mann's Choice)
• California (Loomis)
• Georgia (Alpharetta, Columbus)
• Kentucky (Fort Campbell)

6) Jobs I have had?

This is going way back!  Sbarros, McDonalds (insert pic of awkward teenage Karen head to toe in purple uniform complete with matching hat), various temp jobs, camp counselor at WSS, Manpower, more temp jobs, GCC Admissions counselor, Jr/Sr high school science teacher, WSS office manager, substitute teacher, Family Readiness Support Assistant...  are there more?  I don't remember.

This took longer than I thought!  So it's after midnight... seriously going to be now.