Quick! Give her candy or she'll jump.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Fall Into Brunch
I haven't written in a while because real life took over (work is hard). But I am here today to represent. Because today was the fall brunch and it was magnificent.
We had to plan the brunch around Nat King Cole's international travel schedule. I'm glad she could come back from Germany in enough time to grace us with her presence.
Cheers!
We had:
Mimosas (OBVS)
Pumpkin Bread
Homemade biscuits and gravy
Eggs
Cheezy Hashbrown Casserole
Hot Crab Dip/Crackers
Fresh Berries
Curried Sweet Potato Salad
Aaaaaaand I spent the afternoon like this.
Luckily, I got up early this morning to grade before the champagne haze took over. A little productivity in the morning goes a long way, people. Read: laying around all afternoon.
Although I have been reading Edgar Allen Poe stories - just for fun - this weekend and now I have leftovers for dayz. Life is good.
Happy Fall.
We had to plan the brunch around Nat King Cole's international travel schedule. I'm glad she could come back from Germany in enough time to grace us with her presence.
Cheers!
We had:
Mimosas (OBVS)
Pumpkin Bread
Homemade biscuits and gravy
Eggs
Cheezy Hashbrown Casserole
Hot Crab Dip/Crackers
Fresh Berries
Curried Sweet Potato Salad
Aaaaaaand I spent the afternoon like this.
Luckily, I got up early this morning to grade before the champagne haze took over. A little productivity in the morning goes a long way, people. Read: laying around all afternoon.
Although I have been reading Edgar Allen Poe stories - just for fun - this weekend and now I have leftovers for dayz. Life is good.
Happy Fall.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Books
This past week I spent a few minutes every day trying to clean up the crap pile in the library. Finally, today, I finished. My blood pressure - not to mention G's - has been lowered.
Part of the crap pile was this summer's pile of books. And part of the reason they were still out on the floor is because I keep meaning to blog about them. So, let's start with this trilogy:
Rick Yancey's Fifth Wave series of YA books (The Fifth Wave, The Infinite Sea, and The Last Star) detail the story of an alien invasion on earth that takes the form of carefully planned and executed waves. These waves consist not only of sheer force but are also designed to take advantage of predictable human behaviors - an interesting twist on Yancey's part. These books are just as much about human behavior (good and bad) as they are about teenage love and angst in dystopian America. The first book is so novel and suspenseful that you won't be able to put it down. The others work to resolve the story and therefore they are heavier on the relational drama than suspense, but you'll want to read them to see what happens in the end.
The plot (especially in the first book) is good, and the writing is OK. Prepare yourself for fragment sentences now; they get old but perhaps that's because they are targeted for a young audience? It's not a bad idea to review these before the kids read them. The language is...really something...and there are some s*x scenes that would have certainly gotten my attention in junior high. When I read stuff like this, I chuckle to myself that Judy Blume books were so controversial back in the day. <eye roll emoji>
That said? Try these. Good story overall.
The Hogs are losing, G seems to be getting sick, and I have a series of difficult presentations coming up next week. Ugh. But the library? The library looks great!
Part of the crap pile was this summer's pile of books. And part of the reason they were still out on the floor is because I keep meaning to blog about them. So, let's start with this trilogy:
Rick Yancey's Fifth Wave series of YA books (The Fifth Wave, The Infinite Sea, and The Last Star) detail the story of an alien invasion on earth that takes the form of carefully planned and executed waves. These waves consist not only of sheer force but are also designed to take advantage of predictable human behaviors - an interesting twist on Yancey's part. These books are just as much about human behavior (good and bad) as they are about teenage love and angst in dystopian America. The first book is so novel and suspenseful that you won't be able to put it down. The others work to resolve the story and therefore they are heavier on the relational drama than suspense, but you'll want to read them to see what happens in the end.
The plot (especially in the first book) is good, and the writing is OK. Prepare yourself for fragment sentences now; they get old but perhaps that's because they are targeted for a young audience? It's not a bad idea to review these before the kids read them. The language is...really something...and there are some s*x scenes that would have certainly gotten my attention in junior high. When I read stuff like this, I chuckle to myself that Judy Blume books were so controversial back in the day. <eye roll emoji>
That said? Try these. Good story overall.
The Hogs are losing, G seems to be getting sick, and I have a series of difficult presentations coming up next week. Ugh. But the library? The library looks great!
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Concert (Or: Night Out on the Town!)
Guess what we did last night? On a Tuesday of all things? We went to see Ingrid Michaelson at the Paramount Theatre!
I highly recommend going to one of her shows. We've also seen her in Charlottesville, VA (back in the day) and she puts on such a good, intimate gig. Her sets always include both fast and slow songs, various covers that she likes to sing along with the crowd, and time in the middle of the concert where her band exits the stage and she talks/sings with just her ukulele or keyboard.
As you can see, our seats were excellent! G surprised me with VIP tickets; we were only about 6 rows from the front, and dead center stage, which is my favorite perspective! I don't know what demographic(s) I was expecting for the audience, but it's worth pointing out that there seemed to be an even split between 20-30 yo's and 30-60 yo's. No joke. G and I kind of half expected to be in the "older" half of the audience, surrounded by people my students' age, but instead, we found that many people sitting around us had silver hair! It was super fun to sing, sway, and bounce along with everyone else to her music.
As adventurous as I may (or may not) be on the weekends, it takes a pretty big deal for me to shuffle around my weeknight schedule. And by "schedule" I mean that bunny mama is usually in bed, deep into a VW novel by - BY - 9:00 p.m. But not last night. And the late bed time and early morning grumbles were so worth it.
Ingrid writes most (all?) of her own songs, plays a variety of instruments, covers a breadth of styles from folk to playful to melancholy to rock, and does it all while seeming - dare I say it? - normal. She seems like a down to earth person who is in touch with the human experience (rather than some delusional state of fame and celebrity) and enjoys her music, performing it, and connecting with people who want to hear it, and who want to sing along!
We had such a great time. Here are a few more pics, if you're interested.
Thanks, G, for such a great gift!
I highly recommend going to one of her shows. We've also seen her in Charlottesville, VA (back in the day) and she puts on such a good, intimate gig. Her sets always include both fast and slow songs, various covers that she likes to sing along with the crowd, and time in the middle of the concert where her band exits the stage and she talks/sings with just her ukulele or keyboard.
As you can see, our seats were excellent! G surprised me with VIP tickets; we were only about 6 rows from the front, and dead center stage, which is my favorite perspective! I don't know what demographic(s) I was expecting for the audience, but it's worth pointing out that there seemed to be an even split between 20-30 yo's and 30-60 yo's. No joke. G and I kind of half expected to be in the "older" half of the audience, surrounded by people my students' age, but instead, we found that many people sitting around us had silver hair! It was super fun to sing, sway, and bounce along with everyone else to her music.
As adventurous as I may (or may not) be on the weekends, it takes a pretty big deal for me to shuffle around my weeknight schedule. And by "schedule" I mean that bunny mama is usually in bed, deep into a VW novel by - BY - 9:00 p.m. But not last night. And the late bed time and early morning grumbles were so worth it.
Ingrid writes most (all?) of her own songs, plays a variety of instruments, covers a breadth of styles from folk to playful to melancholy to rock, and does it all while seeming - dare I say it? - normal. She seems like a down to earth person who is in touch with the human experience (rather than some delusional state of fame and celebrity) and enjoys her music, performing it, and connecting with people who want to hear it, and who want to sing along!
We had such a great time. Here are a few more pics, if you're interested.
Thanks, G, for such a great gift!
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Food & Fun
Alternate titles:
*An Introvert and Her Yumminess
*Just About Perfect
This weekend was a good one. The weather was perfect; the leaves are beautiful; I'm not dying of stress; there was a lot of cooking and baking and eating and reading and napping. Some cleaning. Some TV watching (THE RAZORBACKS WON!). Some grading. Some homework.
Not bad.
Well, hello fall.
After my MASSahgze yesterday morning, I met a peep for brunch. Read: spicy Bloody Mary with bacon-infused vodka. Read: times two.
Steuben's is such a tasty brunch choice. It reminds me of when we used to live in the apartment (when we first moved to Denver) and I would walk to work. Remember that? I'd pass by it all the time and drool.
So that G wouldn't be left out of the yummy festivities, I cooked one of his favorite meals for dinner. Since our team won, I'm now wondering if I should cook this during every game...Add noodles and you have yourself the perfect meal.
The tree across the street, that I love watching change colors in the fall, is starting to shed leaves quickly. It has turned a brilliant red, then a fiery orange, and now every single time the wind blows, it rains leaves. I'm thinking by Tuesday, that'll be all she wrote.
Must go ponder this over a DDP. Must summon my strength for another crazy week.
*An Introvert and Her Yumminess
*Just About Perfect
This weekend was a good one. The weather was perfect; the leaves are beautiful; I'm not dying of stress; there was a lot of cooking and baking and eating and reading and napping. Some cleaning. Some TV watching (THE RAZORBACKS WON!). Some grading. Some homework.
Not bad.
Well, hello fall.
After my MASSahgze yesterday morning, I met a peep for brunch. Read: spicy Bloody Mary with bacon-infused vodka. Read: times two.
Steuben's is such a tasty brunch choice. It reminds me of when we used to live in the apartment (when we first moved to Denver) and I would walk to work. Remember that? I'd pass by it all the time and drool.
So that G wouldn't be left out of the yummy festivities, I cooked one of his favorite meals for dinner. Since our team won, I'm now wondering if I should cook this during every game...Add noodles and you have yourself the perfect meal.
The tree across the street, that I love watching change colors in the fall, is starting to shed leaves quickly. It has turned a brilliant red, then a fiery orange, and now every single time the wind blows, it rains leaves. I'm thinking by Tuesday, that'll be all she wrote.
Must go ponder this over a DDP. Must summon my strength for another crazy week.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Into October
We are halfway into October already! In just two-ish weeks, all of the leaves will be off the trees and weather reports will start mentioning snow. I want to spend some time this weekend doing 2 important fall activities: (1) making pumpkin bread, and (2) taking walks and looking at the colors.
Over the course of the week I managed to restore some of my sanity. It helps that this weekend will be a low-key one at home. When I got home yesterday afternoon, I crashed on the couch and watched two movies before moving upstairs and crashing on the bed for realz. The thing about being sound asleep by 9:00 on a Friday night is that I'm bright-eyed and bushy-tailed by 6:00 on Saturday morning. :)
Which means - everybody hang on - I'm actually going to start reading a book for fun today. Have you read Jennifer Weiner's essay series?
I'm going to spend a delicious morning drinking coffee and alternating between this and A Room of One's Own (yes, this will be the 4th time I've read it) before heading out to a MASS-ahgze and lunch with a peep. This pace of life? I can handle it.
Happy Saturday!
 |
| See the photo bomb? He's our neighborhood buddy. |
Over the course of the week I managed to restore some of my sanity. It helps that this weekend will be a low-key one at home. When I got home yesterday afternoon, I crashed on the couch and watched two movies before moving upstairs and crashing on the bed for realz. The thing about being sound asleep by 9:00 on a Friday night is that I'm bright-eyed and bushy-tailed by 6:00 on Saturday morning. :)
Which means - everybody hang on - I'm actually going to start reading a book for fun today. Have you read Jennifer Weiner's essay series?
 |
| Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing by Jennifer Weiner |
Happy Saturday!
Friday, October 14, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Delayed Gratification
One of the best decisions I've made lately is not to take on the extra grading job (the old side job from last year). While I harp about the busy semester, the truth is that I do have time now and again during the week to watch a TV show or have dinner w/G. Or just to stare at the fall decorations, or take a nap. This was not the case last year.
Here's the thing, though. This decision that I'm so proud of? I made it back in April. Just now, six months later, I'm seeing the positive effects and reaping the rewards of that decision.
Half a year later.
The tricky thing about delayed gratification - especially for us Americans - is that whole delayed part. My first reaction was to credit myself today, now, for not having the side job. But that's not realistic at all. I need to credit the B from last spring. But! What can the B of today choose to do (or not do) that will enhance life for next April?
So my question is, where else can I pay attention to delayed gratification in my life? What choices can I make that will enhance my life six months from now?
Hmmm.
Here's the thing, though. This decision that I'm so proud of? I made it back in April. Just now, six months later, I'm seeing the positive effects and reaping the rewards of that decision.
Half a year later.
The tricky thing about delayed gratification - especially for us Americans - is that whole delayed part. My first reaction was to credit myself today, now, for not having the side job. But that's not realistic at all. I need to credit the B from last spring. But! What can the B of today choose to do (or not do) that will enhance life for next April?
So my question is, where else can I pay attention to delayed gratification in my life? What choices can I make that will enhance my life six months from now?
Hmmm.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Reality
Look what I put up last night! Isn't it a beauty? I got it at Home Depot - they mostly have scary stuff, not cutesy Halloween stuff, but I couldn't resist the candy corns. I mean, a candy corn wreath? Are you kidding me? I had to. I wish we could dress up Loo Loo Bell in a candy corn costume. That would slay my heart.
I did have some time last night to stare into space and enjoy the fall decor. Honestly, though, in reality, these pictures sum up life around dawrighthouse.
While we were with family over the weekend, G's brother gave him his old X Box 1, so he went to town hooking it up last night. Because he was on the floor (aka Lucy's territory) she had to supervise. Observe the foreman at work:
At one point, she actually hopped away with the instruction manual in her mouth. Nothing is easy with that one. Also, that last picture shows how fat she is. Look at that! Over 5 pounds.
And just like that it's time to back to work. Back to the needy students and their needy needs.
I did have some time last night to stare into space and enjoy the fall decor. Honestly, though, in reality, these pictures sum up life around dawrighthouse.
While we were with family over the weekend, G's brother gave him his old X Box 1, so he went to town hooking it up last night. Because he was on the floor (aka Lucy's territory) she had to supervise. Observe the foreman at work:
At one point, she actually hopped away with the instruction manual in her mouth. Nothing is easy with that one. Also, that last picture shows how fat she is. Look at that! Over 5 pounds.
And just like that it's time to back to work. Back to the needy students and their needy needs.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Settled
After the general craziness and travel of the last couple of weeks, I'm ready to settle in, stay home for a while, and unwind as much as possible in the midst of the semester's chaos. Pretty much every moment of the day (and night) has been designated to a certain task and I'm needing to just stare at pumpkins and fall decorations for a while in order to cope and regroup.
The calm before the storm. This is what Lucy looks like right before she goes insane and tears around the living room.
Lucy gives major side eye to the Razorbacks. They are starting to lose games. Mama and daddy aren't happy.
Tuesdays are usually the most insane day of the week for me, but I've made a command decision to cut my class short today. Also, the Fem Thought class that typically caps my day is cancelled, which means I'll get home at a decent time and won't really have to deal with traffic. Which means that tonight I can lay around for a bit and just stare at the pumpkins and fall decorations. Perhaps with some Chipotle, or perhaps not.
A few more shots from this weekend:
OK, this last picture needs a bit of context. G's parents made chili, but I also scrounged through their fridge because they have homemade sour kraut, home made kimchi, and pickled (spicy) banana peppers. I may or may not have had this for breakfast yesterday. I'm just sayin.
OK, loves. The name of the game today is Fake It Til You Make It and can get home, jump into your jammies, and veg out.
The calm before the storm. This is what Lucy looks like right before she goes insane and tears around the living room.
Lucy gives major side eye to the Razorbacks. They are starting to lose games. Mama and daddy aren't happy.
Tuesdays are usually the most insane day of the week for me, but I've made a command decision to cut my class short today. Also, the Fem Thought class that typically caps my day is cancelled, which means I'll get home at a decent time and won't really have to deal with traffic. Which means that tonight I can lay around for a bit and just stare at the pumpkins and fall decorations. Perhaps with some Chipotle, or perhaps not.
A few more shots from this weekend:
OK, this last picture needs a bit of context. G's parents made chili, but I also scrounged through their fridge because they have homemade sour kraut, home made kimchi, and pickled (spicy) banana peppers. I may or may not have had this for breakfast yesterday. I'm just sayin.
OK, loves. The name of the game today is Fake It Til You Make It and can get home, jump into your jammies, and veg out.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
A Good Luck Wedding
Hello from the east coast! We flew to DC on Friday night so we could attend Em's wedding yesterday. And, because of the hurricane, it rained...hard. But they say that's good luck for a wedding, right? If so, this couple is set.
Is it weird to see a picture of Em and I dressed like actual human beings instead of hiking in the middle of nowhere? Yes...it's weird.
I haven't blogged during the week lately because my head is just barely above water. Thanks to the dinosaurs and the weddings, I'm having fun on the weekends instead of doing work, and that means my weeks are spent with the ole nose to the ole grindstone.
We're spending a couple of days w/G's parents since we're over on the coast. Fall is settling in and it's so beautiful. I wish fall in CO lasted longer than like two weeks.
Candy corn is effective for extending the season. And for extending the waist line. I made The Best Dessert Ever for a work event last week.
Ok, I must get off the computer and drink coffee while reading Vee Dub in the garden side room. Must watch the wind blow and see the leaves change color. Must also get more caffeinated.
Happy weekend, peeps!
Is it weird to see a picture of Em and I dressed like actual human beings instead of hiking in the middle of nowhere? Yes...it's weird.
I haven't blogged during the week lately because my head is just barely above water. Thanks to the dinosaurs and the weddings, I'm having fun on the weekends instead of doing work, and that means my weeks are spent with the ole nose to the ole grindstone.
We're spending a couple of days w/G's parents since we're over on the coast. Fall is settling in and it's so beautiful. I wish fall in CO lasted longer than like two weeks.
Candy corn is effective for extending the season. And for extending the waist line. I made The Best Dessert Ever for a work event last week.
Ok, I must get off the computer and drink coffee while reading Vee Dub in the garden side room. Must watch the wind blow and see the leaves change color. Must also get more caffeinated.
Happy weekend, peeps!
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