Tuesday, April 29, 2008

girly toes

These are my girly toes.

No, they're not Barbie toes.

And no, they don't get regular pedicures.

Yes, I can pick up pencils and stray socks with them.

And yes, they have been hiding in boots and steel toes all winter so they're kinda,

~um~

pale...

but they're preparing to come out of hibernation! Look at my pretty pink polish!



It's like my own personal tribute to summer! It just makes me happy (even if they are still stuck in a pair of steel toes most days).

Monday, April 28, 2008

zoom... zip... zing

So I just cleaned the track ball on my computer mouse (something I hadn't done in WAY too long in retrospect) so now, I'm zooming all over the place, missing the target completely. *sigh*

Thursday, April 24, 2008

I'm a "Phan"

Ever since Emmy Rossum came across my radar as Christine in the 2004 movie Phantom of the Opera I have been infatuated with her.

Enemiesemmy rossum emmy rossumemmy rossum

She came up again today as she hit the scene in yet another FABULOUS ensemble. Not only is she timelessly beautiful and has impeccable taste, but she's hugely talented, and, to top it all off - everything, anyone, has ever said about her indicates that she's a really nice person.

How can you not love this girl!? I want to be just like her when I grow up!

*thanks to PhotoBucket.com

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Silence is Frustrating

I have strep throat. That means that my throat is being strepped. Well, if I had to come up with a new word that described what it felt like that would be it. kinda.

My throat hurts. A lot. I mean, 1200mg ibuprofen isn't denting the pain. I only took 800mg post-delivery (okay, so I had other drugs helping out and some pretty fab hormones courtesy GOD, but I've seriously never taken this much pain medication). So I decided I should probably go to the Dr. You'd think I were a guy.

When you tell the Dr., in as much voice as you can muster, that you believe you'd feel better if you could just remove your throat, they get the picture that you're in a lot of pain. So, even though the shove-a-Qtip-as-far-down-your-throat-as-we-can test didn't say I have strep (I guess it only tests for the A-strain, not the whole family of B-H strains...) the Dr. thinks it's strep and recommends that we don't wait for the culture to come back in 2 days to begin antibiotics.

I volunteered for an injection. A nee-, a needl-, no, I still can't say it. And it sounds just as crazy in retrospect. (I thought now that I was feeling better it would sound more realistic, but it's still just as crazy)

The nurse, a sweet thing... I tell her that I hate needles, but that I know this will work faster than pills... so she tries to be kind and realistic (I'm not sure that's actually possible, but she tried and I give her credit for that) So, she explains to me that I'll have to lower my pants and that it's going to hurt because it's like injecting glue - um, it's really thick - she quickly corrects herself. Now I'm leaning over on the table and she's trying to find the thickest spot on my butt in which to inject the um, glue, so she's poking and pushing - and my muscles are already sore because I've been sick... and there's not a big fleshy spot on me... I'm a whopping 5'1" 105#... there's no excess. So, she finds a spot she likes and pinches me up so it won't hurt as much (nice of her for trying) and OOOOOUUUUCCCCCHHH!!!!!!! THEN - she has to RUB IT AROUND a little after she's done injecting it so it breaks up some... great... exactly what I wanted. Stab me with a needle, then rub the injection site for a while... already I'm feeling better! Then she says that some people have reactions of rashes, dizziness, and fainting so I'll need to lay down for 20 minutes (on the hard table, on my new ouchie) so they know I don't have those reactions. I think she also notes that I'm a little pale from the pain of my brand new dead-leg.

So now, my butt, AND my throat hurt! Isn't that just a miracle of modern medicine!

But, here we are, day 2, and I'm actually beginning to think I WILL get better. Soon. Today's better than yesterday, which was better than the day before. My butt still hurts, like to sit on and when I walk, that's all. But I can eat! Still no talking though.

Not talking is a challenge. Especially at work. On a day that's had 3 conference calls already. I just had a customer walk in and accuse me of ignoring his message... as I pantomime to him that I have strep and he slowly backs away.

I can't answer the phone, but I'm swallowing without cringing and getting hungry! Tomorrow is a new day! Hopefully with real food and real words.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Rescued Daffodils


Saturday it snowed. I dashed out to the front yard and promptly picked every last one of my daffodils to rescue them from freezing. I figure, if they're going to die, I may as well get some enjoyment from having them in a vase on my countertop.

Today it's 81.

Tomorrow's forecast for a high of 51 and thunderstorms...

Welcome to the midwest. You don't like the weather? Stick around for a day or so - it'll change.

fleeting moments

Last night, before I tucked myself into bed, I snuck into my son's room. Daring to interrupt his precious sleep, I pulled him out of his crib and held him. My little angel. I stole snuggles and loves and thanked God for this treasure He's blessed me with.
My amazing special child for whom I could abandon all else just to spend the day discovering this world by his side. Every glorious moment of wonderment at what God has made for us; I am jealous of the newness with which my son experiences life. I am nearly depressed at the time I must spend away from him, ensuring he has a roof over his head, chicken nuggets, and (apple) sauce to his hearts delight.
But it's all so fleeting. This will only last such a short time and I am so afraid that I'm missing it - only too soon to be left behind.
Such is motherhood, regardless your employment situation I think. I just feel very desperately like clinging to him right now, so that's exactly what I did. I held him close and listened for God in his breaths. And I'm feeling a little better now. If not slightly weepy.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Trader Joe's

If I didn't already know Kansas, and all the good it would bring our life, finding out that the nearest Trader Joe's was a good 4-1/2 hours away would have been a deal-breaker!

I have, for the most part, (begrudgingly) learned to cope. For some reason though, today especially, I find myself missing Trader Joe's!

I miss strolling thru the aisles, grazing the sample booth, and reading the signs. I miss the pizza crust, the dairy case, snacks, frozen enchiladas & tamales, and the flowers. The flowers! It's great that I have friends and loved ones in CA who keep us supplied with the things we haven't found substitutes for out here, but it's just not the same.

Trader Joe's isn't just a grocery store - it's an experience. Like a farmer's market. You can't send a friend for seasonal items. Sure, you could say - would you bring back some tomatoes - but if you didn't say that organic heirloom were okay, would they know you'd like them better? (and then there's the whole shipping issue...)

So, I'm reaching out to all my friends here on the WWW! (power in numbers, right) Please join me in petitioning Trader Joe's to open a location here in the Kansas City/Johnson County area!

Gimmie my Trader Joe's! (please)

Thanks everyone for joining in! This "Caliansas" girl owes you a debt of gratitude. Or, a meal... immediately following my first trip to a Kansas TJ's!!

T.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

The Eye of God Upon You



Hebrews 4:12-16
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

My Gram e-mailed this to me today and it sent me searching scripture and stirred up a sermon in my heart. I hope it touches you all too. Thanks again Gram!