Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Tiny Roommate
Today I'm remembering my best friend. Not that I don't remember her every other day but today marks 2 years since her passing and so it stands out, of course. I went for a run this morning and pushed a little harder. Because I am able to run and do all the activities I want. My body allows it. Hers didn't. I never fully understood what she went through. Granted, I saw her breathing treatments and the medicines she took but it never fully registered to me just how sick she was. Because that wasn't the whole of who she was. She had cystic fibrosis and that was a huge part of her life, but she wasn't about to take that lying down. In fact, Jennifer was one of the strongest people I've ever met. I mean this girl was tough. She kept me going which is crazy because she had so much to deal with on her own. And I wasn't the only one. So many people relied on her, went to her for advice, trusted her. She knew absolutely everything about me, which is a difficult feat. And she always had fabulous advice. She was my fashion go-to and my therapist when crazy college life got dramatic. We lived together, worked together, went to church together (and managed not to hate each other!). Although I wish we had been able to see each other more in those last couple of years, I can at least hold on to some amazing memories. I made a trip down to Murray when she was living in those terrible college courts to see the Maroon 5 concert and we laughed as I struggled on the walk back in some awful, way too tall boots. I'll never forget that crazy night with muffins in the rug. Taking back as much food as we could from catering which we shoved into our 2 refrigerators (pretty sure that was against the rules in the residential colleges...). Her whole milk and my skim together in those refrigerators. Oh and the turkey sandwiches. And bowls of cereal. This girl could eat. Sitting cross legged in her chair in those yellow short shorts, eating a bowl of cereal, watching Friends. We made a crazy impromptu trip to Memphis one quick weekend, a trip that allowed her to marvel at some diving polar bears at the zoo. I was there on her wedding day (after other fun bridesmaids-y events), a time I'll never forget. She backed me and helped me through a struggle only time could heal, and it did, and she knew it would. I swear she knew everything. I joked that she knew things before I said them, or knew something was going to happen before it did. She had that instinct. So I think there was peace for her at the end. Maybe she stays a little flawless in my mind. Sure, she had flaws, but I remember her as unwavering. She made me feel welcome, loved, like family. She was my "sister-friend," my tiny roommate, my confidant. Everyday something reminds me of her and I still take as many opportunities as I can to talk about her. I miss her today and everyday.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Rollercoaster
Well it's cold once again. Even in Texas today is the perfect day to stay in, drink hot chocolate and make a homemade pizza for dinner. And that's exactly what we're doing! But not before we made a trip to the grocery store where pea size hail hit the plastic roof, amazing all inside. It was pretty crazy. We were just scooting through the bulk foods, looking for some dried apricots when all of a sudden...hail! So the wait to clean off the windshield was a bit long but we made it fun. We also went to mass at St. Michael's this morning which we're considering for a home parish. It's the closest to where we live and the atmosphere is good. I like the opportunities available there for service too. We're still looking around but we know what we don't like so far! I'd like to look into the church down in Plano since that is the closest church that has a Catholic school attached (other than St. Mary's back up in Sherman, which we are NOT going to.) During mass this morning they had a film and information about the new campaign in the diocese of Dallas to basically raise a ton of money to fund more churches, catholic schools, help aid in vocations, etc. It (and church in general this morning) really made me think about my upbringing and what I would want for future kids. Granted, that's way far into the future but it's something that was on my mind today. Tim and I were both very lucky to have such a firm background in the church (even if our views differ dramatically!) and that's something I really cherish about our relationship. I've always said if I had kids I would want them to go to church, go to catholic school, because it creates such a well rounded foundation. I consider myself very blessed to have found a man who feels the same.
And that man and I have been very busy the past few weeks! We officially moved out of Sherman and into McKinney on the 15th with the help of Tim's wonderful parents. Really, Tim and his dad did the heavy lifting and I got to do the fun part, packing, unpacking an organizing! Well at least that's fun for me....I love McKinney by the way. We're closer to everything and can do a lot more now. We went to this place last weekend though...oh golly. Tim wanted to do laser tag so we found a place in Plano that had it plus bowling and games and stuff. Turned out to be super ghetto and very unorganized. So being..well ourselves...we went to complain and the manager gave us our money back. Not going to that place again. Maybe we'll go to the one in Frisco...At this point though I'm slightly addicted to laser tag.
And Brazilian steakhouses! So Wednesday was Tim and my anniversary and since I was in Dallas for my internship that night and we figured the weekend might be a better time to go out, we did it up sorta big last night. We talked about going into Dallas for dinner but I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to try stuff there (especially bbq which I'm sooo craving these days). We just went down to Allen (which is so close it's crazy.) And while Tim tried (and succeeded) at getting his money's worth of meat, I sampled pretty much everything, including the fabulous cinnamon-y pineapple. Brazilian steakhouse=my new favorite luxury.
Hmm what else? Well my car is in the shop and will be for a couple of weeks apparently. Meanwhile I'm in a Cruise (a step up from my Sonic, which I'm not really appreciating when it comes to gas) but at least I'm driving around with a car that isn't smashed in on the back and a piece off in the front.
I had to change my bank too, since US Bank isn't a thing here, but I'd always considered Bank of America anyway. I ordered new checks and opted for Cardinals ones. Very exciting. Speaking of hometown teams, Tim and I happened upon a local pub this week (thurs) and caught some of the SLU basketball game. I'm slightly convinced that my watching the game was bad luck. Maybe I can watch Murray games and have the opposite effect....
We also have some tentative plans to make our way down to Austin next weekend for a fun weekend trip. Still sorting out the details but hopefully it all works out. It's really just to see the Game of Thrones exhibition that will be there (not the giant music festival that's going on, the main reason why the city is going to be packed). We also want to check out the capital building since that's a big thing for Tim (I think he wants to beat his dad at visiting state capitals, a feat I don't see him accomplishing. Tim the first is very well traveled when it comes to state capital buildings.) Be on the lookout for pictures if we make it down there.
7 more days til Daylight Savings!!!! Frankly this winter has been freaking amazingly helpful for my SAD; being in St. Louis this year would have just wore me down. Yesterday it got in the mid 80's here. I had on a sleeveless shirt for Heaven's sake! And while I hear it was nice-ish up there, when these winter storms hit, they're much more manageable down here. And Tim's just an idiot when it comes to the cold. It's like he's a Texan, dressing inappropriately for the cold (since I'm convinced Texans don't have cold weather clothes and find this weather extremely confusing enough to just go out in shorts...). He wore flip flops to church this morning and the grocery store after and a woman walking out at the same time as us looked at him like he was mentally unstable. Which he kind of is. :)
Well since I started this post there's been 2 bursts of rain/sleet come down. I couldn't be happier with my hot chocolate in hand chilling out today. Until next time!
And that man and I have been very busy the past few weeks! We officially moved out of Sherman and into McKinney on the 15th with the help of Tim's wonderful parents. Really, Tim and his dad did the heavy lifting and I got to do the fun part, packing, unpacking an organizing! Well at least that's fun for me....I love McKinney by the way. We're closer to everything and can do a lot more now. We went to this place last weekend though...oh golly. Tim wanted to do laser tag so we found a place in Plano that had it plus bowling and games and stuff. Turned out to be super ghetto and very unorganized. So being..well ourselves...we went to complain and the manager gave us our money back. Not going to that place again. Maybe we'll go to the one in Frisco...At this point though I'm slightly addicted to laser tag.
And Brazilian steakhouses! So Wednesday was Tim and my anniversary and since I was in Dallas for my internship that night and we figured the weekend might be a better time to go out, we did it up sorta big last night. We talked about going into Dallas for dinner but I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to try stuff there (especially bbq which I'm sooo craving these days). We just went down to Allen (which is so close it's crazy.) And while Tim tried (and succeeded) at getting his money's worth of meat, I sampled pretty much everything, including the fabulous cinnamon-y pineapple. Brazilian steakhouse=my new favorite luxury.
Hmm what else? Well my car is in the shop and will be for a couple of weeks apparently. Meanwhile I'm in a Cruise (a step up from my Sonic, which I'm not really appreciating when it comes to gas) but at least I'm driving around with a car that isn't smashed in on the back and a piece off in the front.
I had to change my bank too, since US Bank isn't a thing here, but I'd always considered Bank of America anyway. I ordered new checks and opted for Cardinals ones. Very exciting. Speaking of hometown teams, Tim and I happened upon a local pub this week (thurs) and caught some of the SLU basketball game. I'm slightly convinced that my watching the game was bad luck. Maybe I can watch Murray games and have the opposite effect....
We also have some tentative plans to make our way down to Austin next weekend for a fun weekend trip. Still sorting out the details but hopefully it all works out. It's really just to see the Game of Thrones exhibition that will be there (not the giant music festival that's going on, the main reason why the city is going to be packed). We also want to check out the capital building since that's a big thing for Tim (I think he wants to beat his dad at visiting state capitals, a feat I don't see him accomplishing. Tim the first is very well traveled when it comes to state capital buildings.) Be on the lookout for pictures if we make it down there.
7 more days til Daylight Savings!!!! Frankly this winter has been freaking amazingly helpful for my SAD; being in St. Louis this year would have just wore me down. Yesterday it got in the mid 80's here. I had on a sleeveless shirt for Heaven's sake! And while I hear it was nice-ish up there, when these winter storms hit, they're much more manageable down here. And Tim's just an idiot when it comes to the cold. It's like he's a Texan, dressing inappropriately for the cold (since I'm convinced Texans don't have cold weather clothes and find this weather extremely confusing enough to just go out in shorts...). He wore flip flops to church this morning and the grocery store after and a woman walking out at the same time as us looked at him like he was mentally unstable. Which he kind of is. :)
Well since I started this post there's been 2 bursts of rain/sleet come down. I couldn't be happier with my hot chocolate in hand chilling out today. Until next time!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Taking the bad with the good
Well lots going on here in the great state of Texas! Let's rewind...
Biggest news of all, Tim and I found an apartment in McKinney where we'll move in 14 days! It's basically our Valentine's Day present to each other; a nice new apartment that isn't a piece of crap and fits all our things comfortably. Oh and we don't feel like we're going to be murdered or crack addicts are going to keep us up all night. You know, the usual apartment renter concerns. The place is very cute, everything we really need and it's close for both of us to not have such a crazy commute. Yay for cutting down my 45 minute drive to work everyday. The worst part of my drive is after I get off 75 and being on 380/University for 20 minutes stopping at every stop light. So now I'm cutting out the 30 minute drive on the highway to just stop at a bunch of red lights. But at least there's coffee, bagels and enough donut shops to keep anyone satisfied on the way. (There's a freaking donut shop on every corner down here. It's ridiculous. Oh and the kids at the daycare are constantly coming in with donut holes for breakfast. It's appalling really). Anyway, the apartment seems pretty safe, has a nice pool and good amenities, we can rent a washer/dryer (which seems a bit like a waste of money but the poor person in me feels nervous about spending a large amount upfront to buy our own instead of paying actually more over time to rent them.) It's also close enough to the dog park in town to take Scout more regularly (like after I get off work) so she can get some of that crazy energy out. And get more socialization. This dog is super territorial and really wants other dogs to know she's boss. It's cute but not necessary. Gotta break that.
Speaking of this crazy dog, today was graduation day! We had to push it back a week because I had training for my internship last Saturday. She did great though. Donna, the trainer absolutely adores her, so much that I think we might drive back up to do the next class with her. By the time Donna starts an intermediate class up here in Sherman, we'll have already moved to McKinney, but I think we'll try to work it out to do it with her. The way Tim's working (at least a few hours every Saturday) we could always just tag along and do our class while he's at work. But Scout is just so eager to please and super smart. Donna thinks we should even do a tricks class later on and I totally agree. Tim and I think Scout would do the bang roll over dead trick great.
So for some not fun news, I was in an accident coming home from work yesterday. This dude hits me full on in his truck from behind and slams me into the guy in front of me (who couldn't understand that I didn't do it, it was the guy behind me who forced me into him). Very agitated about this, especially since my car is new. I'm sure it will all work out fine but it's such an inconvenience to get stuff done with my and Tim's schedules. Plus his car needs some work too, it makes a weird blomping sound when you make sharp turns. We also don't need added expenses with the move coming up. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk to my cute car insurance agent though....
Weather here has been fabulous. Yesterday it was in the 70's; I was actually sweating at one point. We took the kids outside and they didn't even need jackets! It's helpful to take 16 couped up 2 year olds outside when they won't let you out a few times a week. It's kind of ridiculous how warm it needs to be to let them out, just for a half hour. They really like for it to be above 50 which would be nuts in St. Louis. Heck we'd put kids in hats, gloves, everything, just to get them outside for 15-20 minutes in 40 degree weather up there. Texas, I tell ya. Today is chilly though. And tomorrow we're supposed to get some type of wintery mix type stuff. Good thing we're staying in and eating junk food!
I gotta say though (and I've said it before) but I really love Dallas. I've been there for my internship but every time I'm there it's like oh the city, yay. I always feel so out of my element because living in Sherman is like living in a hole, but I've got to remember that I'm used to living in a place where I can have pretty much whatever I need. I find myself asking "Is there a (enter store, restaurant, thing I desperately need) here? Now half the time people don't even know what I'm talking about but a lot of the time it's just in Dallas. Well no, there's a lot in McKinney or Frisco I just have to search for it. And of course if I need provel cheese or toasted ravioli I can just go to Allen. It was definitely a treat having some provel and also being in an establishment that understands my love of St. Louis. Most of the time I feel like I'm talking about it too much. "Oh in St. Louis I did this, there's this in St. Louis, blah blah blah." I don't care. I love my city. But Dallas is great too. And the internship is a great experience so far, even if it's just been trainings. We went to the Salvation Army the other night and did stuff with the women and children there. Very refreshing to get to actually do work that I feel passionate about and am qualified to do. I feel like I'm on the cusp of finding a job in my field though.
Well Tim's getting in a few hours at work so it's cleaning time/getting stuff done day for me. Fortunately I can also just kick back with the next Game of Thrones book (I'm slowly making my way through the books!) It's a lazy weekend and I love it!
Biggest news of all, Tim and I found an apartment in McKinney where we'll move in 14 days! It's basically our Valentine's Day present to each other; a nice new apartment that isn't a piece of crap and fits all our things comfortably. Oh and we don't feel like we're going to be murdered or crack addicts are going to keep us up all night. You know, the usual apartment renter concerns. The place is very cute, everything we really need and it's close for both of us to not have such a crazy commute. Yay for cutting down my 45 minute drive to work everyday. The worst part of my drive is after I get off 75 and being on 380/University for 20 minutes stopping at every stop light. So now I'm cutting out the 30 minute drive on the highway to just stop at a bunch of red lights. But at least there's coffee, bagels and enough donut shops to keep anyone satisfied on the way. (There's a freaking donut shop on every corner down here. It's ridiculous. Oh and the kids at the daycare are constantly coming in with donut holes for breakfast. It's appalling really). Anyway, the apartment seems pretty safe, has a nice pool and good amenities, we can rent a washer/dryer (which seems a bit like a waste of money but the poor person in me feels nervous about spending a large amount upfront to buy our own instead of paying actually more over time to rent them.) It's also close enough to the dog park in town to take Scout more regularly (like after I get off work) so she can get some of that crazy energy out. And get more socialization. This dog is super territorial and really wants other dogs to know she's boss. It's cute but not necessary. Gotta break that.
Speaking of this crazy dog, today was graduation day! We had to push it back a week because I had training for my internship last Saturday. She did great though. Donna, the trainer absolutely adores her, so much that I think we might drive back up to do the next class with her. By the time Donna starts an intermediate class up here in Sherman, we'll have already moved to McKinney, but I think we'll try to work it out to do it with her. The way Tim's working (at least a few hours every Saturday) we could always just tag along and do our class while he's at work. But Scout is just so eager to please and super smart. Donna thinks we should even do a tricks class later on and I totally agree. Tim and I think Scout would do the bang roll over dead trick great.
So for some not fun news, I was in an accident coming home from work yesterday. This dude hits me full on in his truck from behind and slams me into the guy in front of me (who couldn't understand that I didn't do it, it was the guy behind me who forced me into him). Very agitated about this, especially since my car is new. I'm sure it will all work out fine but it's such an inconvenience to get stuff done with my and Tim's schedules. Plus his car needs some work too, it makes a weird blomping sound when you make sharp turns. We also don't need added expenses with the move coming up. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk to my cute car insurance agent though....
Weather here has been fabulous. Yesterday it was in the 70's; I was actually sweating at one point. We took the kids outside and they didn't even need jackets! It's helpful to take 16 couped up 2 year olds outside when they won't let you out a few times a week. It's kind of ridiculous how warm it needs to be to let them out, just for a half hour. They really like for it to be above 50 which would be nuts in St. Louis. Heck we'd put kids in hats, gloves, everything, just to get them outside for 15-20 minutes in 40 degree weather up there. Texas, I tell ya. Today is chilly though. And tomorrow we're supposed to get some type of wintery mix type stuff. Good thing we're staying in and eating junk food!
I gotta say though (and I've said it before) but I really love Dallas. I've been there for my internship but every time I'm there it's like oh the city, yay. I always feel so out of my element because living in Sherman is like living in a hole, but I've got to remember that I'm used to living in a place where I can have pretty much whatever I need. I find myself asking "Is there a (enter store, restaurant, thing I desperately need) here? Now half the time people don't even know what I'm talking about but a lot of the time it's just in Dallas. Well no, there's a lot in McKinney or Frisco I just have to search for it. And of course if I need provel cheese or toasted ravioli I can just go to Allen. It was definitely a treat having some provel and also being in an establishment that understands my love of St. Louis. Most of the time I feel like I'm talking about it too much. "Oh in St. Louis I did this, there's this in St. Louis, blah blah blah." I don't care. I love my city. But Dallas is great too. And the internship is a great experience so far, even if it's just been trainings. We went to the Salvation Army the other night and did stuff with the women and children there. Very refreshing to get to actually do work that I feel passionate about and am qualified to do. I feel like I'm on the cusp of finding a job in my field though.
Well Tim's getting in a few hours at work so it's cleaning time/getting stuff done day for me. Fortunately I can also just kick back with the next Game of Thrones book (I'm slowly making my way through the books!) It's a lazy weekend and I love it!
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